"Soul? Can you hear me?"

"Fuck off."

"I take that as a yes."

Soul groaned. What could Kid possibly want from him? Didn't he deserve some time off for all the crap he'd been through? "What?"

"We need to talk."

"Don't want to. Go away."

"It's about Maka."

If Soul was a dog, his ears would've twitched in attention. But since he wasn't, he just opened one eye, looking the young Shinigami over. "What could there possibly be said about her? She's dead, for almost a year now." Kid was already shaking his head before Soul had finished the sentence. "What?"

"I need to tell you something. You'll not going to like it but you have to hear me out." Soul tensed up but nodded. Kid took a deep sigh. This was going to be hard but he guessed he deserved it. After all, coming up with such an intricate lie would have consequences. "When Maka was in surgery after your battle with Meredith, she managed to hang on."

"What?"

Kid continued as if he didn't hear the scythe. "The doctors were able to stabilize her. She got transferred to Boston to recover."

"Wait, hold on, so you say-!"

"I got her moved to Paris so she would be safe from Meredith. Maka was only allowed to contact Tsubaki or me."

"Kid are you for real?" Soul shouted. "Maka was alive. And you kept her away from me? From us, your friends? How could you?"

"Soul listen -"

"No you listen. Do you have any idea how fucked up we were when Maka was gone? How fucked up I was? Did it even occur to you what you might've done to us when you came of with this stupid idea?"

"I was well aware of it Soul," Kid replied ever so calmly. "But did you want Maka to be in danger?"

"I would've protected her with my damn life and you know it."

"But would that be enough? You were a witness to Meredith's powers Soul, we all were. You wouldn't be able to protect her. Not on your own."

Soul scowled, hating the idea that Kid was right. That he wouldn't stand a chance against Meredith. "It was still a fucked up plan Kid."

"I know. And I'm sorry but it was for Maka's own good."

A thought snapped into Soul's mind, startling him. "But if Maka is still alive, does that mean-?" Kid nodded sorrowfully. "Fuck!" He tried to kill his meister! What the fuck was wrong with him?

"Soul, you didn't know."

"I should've know. She's my meister for Death's sake!"

"Your Soul connection has gone haywire."

Before Soul could fire a reply back there was a knock. "Come in." Kid called.

The door opened and it was Liz to Soul's surprise, dismay relief, he didn't know what to feel about anything for the moment.

"Liz," Kid said gently.

The weapon eyed her meister first, then Soul, nervously. "Is everything okay? I heard what happened with-"

"We're fine." Soul interrupted.

"Sis! Is Soulie okay?" Patti asked and appeared in the doorway too.

"We're fine. I'm fine. Now get the fuck out!" Soul wasn't in the mood for his over protective friends. He still had to process the whole Maka-is-still-alive idea.

Patti pouted. "Sowwy Soul. We'll leave you alone now. Do you want something?"

"I just want to be left alone."

The Thompson sister quickly left the room, scared for the weapon's rage. Kid followed them a little slower. Before he left, he looked Soul over. "I am not regretting my choice Soul," he said. "Maka is still alive, that's all what matters."

Then he closed the door behind him and Soul was all alone.

Maka was sitting in the hospital cafeteria, staring at the too bright white table. She'd fucked up.

She should've refused Kid's offer(?) to go to Paris for protective custody.

"Maka?" The meister looked up, only to be met by her father's pitiful eyes.

"You were right papa. He didn't think I was real."

"I'm sorry pumpkin."

Maka shook her head. "I should've known better. I was just too naive to believe it."

"He'll come around. Kid has been talking with him. The truth is out."

"I'm not sure that's a good thing." Maka mumbled, more to herself than her father. "Maybe I just should've left when Meredith was destroyed. Gone back to Paris or whatever. I messed everyone's life up."

"Don't say that Maka."

Maka raised her head. Her eyes were burning and there was rage running through her veins. "Well didn't I? Black*Star can't even look me in the eyes, Liz and Patti don't know what to do and Soul – he tried to kill me papa! The only people who are doing fine are Kid and Tsu. Well they'd still be fine if I left."

"It's all just a phase. They'll turn around."

"But it'll never be the same as it used to, papa. Never."

Spirit went quiet at his daughter's words, knowing she was right. But it wouldn't do the group any good if she left again. "Don't leave."

"I don't want to but I see no other choice."

"Since when does my daughter back away from tough situations?"

Maka's face fell. "I'm sorry to let you down papa." She stood up and was about to leave, wasn't it for her father's grasp on her wrist.

"Stay. Even if it's just for a while," Spirit pleaded. "Let them get used to you. If it doesn't get any better, you can leave. But please, at least give them a chance."

Maka swallowed hard. Her father was right. "Fine." she whispered. "But I'll find my own place in Death City. I will not unnecessarily interfere with their lives."

"That's all I'm asking."

A/N I. Am. Back.

Holy crap that has been a long time! I am so sorry that it took me so long to post this chapter... and I am not very happy with it but I hope you think it's not (that) bad. Working on a new chapter. thank you for sticking around 3