The hallway was empty with the sound of his footsteps ringing through his ears. His heart was beating faster than normal because he wasn't sure what was waiting at the end of it. He knew it wasn't going to be all that he wanted; no. if anything it would be something that would hinder everything he was trying to fix and gain.
"Hello, hello, heellooo~ Soul-kun!" a loud booming voice came from on top a platform that sat in the middle of the giant room. Soul slowly climbed up the steps onto the platform and found a young girl his age standing next to the tall man.
"You called for me?" he asked lazily as he scratched the back of his head, shifting his eyes from the shinigami to the girl and back.
"I sure did Soul-kun. This," he motioned the young girl with his gloved hand, "is Mauri Napolitano."
Soul watched the girl as she took steps towards him with her lips pursed, ready to lay a kiss on him.
Soul eyes widened from the sight. He instantly grabbed her face with both hands and held her at arm's length away. "What the hell? Are you trying to kiss me?" he screamed and looked over at Shinigami-sama in confused anger.
"Ah..please, let go. You are…hur-hurting me…" the young girl pleaded.
"Oh! Soul-kun! Mauri isn't from here!" the tall man quickly released her from Soul's hold.
"Huh?"
"Like I was going to tell you, she recently came here from Italy and is looking to attend our school." The shinigami sighed. "Mauri, here we either bow or shake hands," he instructed her.
"Oh…" Mauri nodded before turning to face Soul again, "It is very nice to meet you Soul-kun," she smiled warmly as she extended her hand for him to shake.
Her dark brown, almost black, hair was barely shoulder length with her bangs reaching her eyes. Her tan skin told him she loved the sun but even her freckles could still be seen on her face. It was hard not to notice her smile and not smile back. But Soul held his smile in. "Uh…huh." He looked from Mauri to Shinigami-sama and back before taking a step towards her to take her hand. "Nice to meet y- - ack!" he took her hand before a shock went through his and up his arm to the rest of his body, causing him to pull away instantly. "What the hell was that?" he screamed, holding his hand as he watched Mauri do the same.
"Mauri-chan, Soul-kun doesn't have a meister anymore," Shinigami informed the young girl, almost ignoring their discomfort.
"I do have one! Her name is Maka- -!"
"But the bond is broken…"
Soul's eyes widened as his attention was brought back to the girl. *How did she…?*
"When meister and weapon have a partner who has been taken from them, a wave of untamed and angry soul wave is let out…the more powerful the wave is, the most pained the parting was…" her voice was sad as she lowered her eyes to the floor.
Soul continued to study the girl with curiosity. "Soul-kun, I have called you here so that you may show Mauri-chan around the school grounds." The shinigami finally spoke after a moment of silence between the two students past.
Soul finally pulled his eyes away from the young girl, "Why me?" his eyes narrowed slightly, "Can't Kidd do it? I don't see why I have t- -."
"Soul Eater."
The boy instantly froze. The voice that was serious, cold, and fearful took the sound from his voice without a second to lose. His whole body went stiff; his heart seemed to stop beating, before sinking down into the pit of his stomach.
The mask that hid the shinigami's face turned hard and serious. The black hole-like-eyes narrowed in slight anger, "I am asking you nicely. This is my order to you; and might I add that you're disobedience is making my patience run thin…" Soul lowered his head and shook his hands violently. "Do I make myself clear?"
Soul hesitated a moment, "Y-Yes…Shinigami-sama…"
The empty hallways seemed to whisper hateful things into Soul's ears. The silence stabbed at everything he wanted to save and fix. The footsteps that followed him echoed and ran throughout the empty walkway, pulling at his heart so terribly.
Soul didn't want to look at the girl what so ever, it was the very reason why he glued his eyes to the moving floor beneath his feet. He was grateful that Mauri wasn't speaking, he felt he wouldn't be able to handle her voice which reminded him so much of her. But he couldn't get his head around one thing…
"When meister and weapon have a partner who has been taken from them, a wave of untamed and angry soul wave is sent out…the more powerful the wave is, the most pained the parting was…"
Mauri was too busy walking with her head low that she didn't stop in time to avoid walking into a standing Soul. "Oh, scusa. I did not mean to- -."
"…What did you mean back there…?" the boy asked without turning around to face her.
Mauri blinked, "What…do you mean…?"
"About the soul wave thing."
"What about it?"
Soul paused. "…I felt a wave from you…so…what happened to your partner? Did he…she die?"
Mauri lowered her head, "…No, he didn't…" she muttered.
"Did you leave him back home?"
"Yes, but I really have no want to talk about this right now…"
Soul turned his head to look over at the sad girl but when he did she had already began walking again.
"It wasn't a coincidence, was it? Mauri coming here," Kidd sat his right leg on top of the other after sitting in his father's wooden throne-like chair. He rested his elbows on the arm rests and linked his fingers together before bringing his hands to his mouth, covering it as he spoke. His father stood steps away, not looking over at his son as he spoke, "What's her real reason here, Otosan- -?"
Just then, the phone rang, cutting Kidd off and stealing his father away from his important question. "'Ello?" the shinigami answered. Kidd sat silently, listening and watching his father closely to find any hints of who he might be talking to. "Oh," the man finally spoke, "Well my son is right here; would you like to ask him? I'm sure he'd be more than happy to…yes. Yes, I'll pass him the phone," the man pulled the phone away from his ear and turned to face his son, "Kiddo, the phone's for you."
The boy's eyes widened as he slowly lowered his hands from his mouth, "Who is it?" He stood up from his seat and began to walk over to the tall man without taking his eyes off his father.
"He's a friend, but not one you know yet."
Kidd stopped in front of his father and stared at the phone in his hand. "Take the phone, Kiddo. Don't be rude."
Kidd swallowed before taking the phone, "Hello?" he answered slowly.
"Kidd-kun is it?" the voice was clear, "It's nice to finally meet you," the man's voice was sincere.
"Who is this?" *And how do you know me?*, Kidd thought, feeling uncomfortable for some unknown reason. The sound of this man's voice didn't fall right with him.
"This is Wes, Maka-kun's violin instructor."
Kidd's eyes widened. He needed to tighten his grip on the phone or it would have fallen to the floor at his feet. He was speechless because he really didn't know what to say.
"Hello? Are you still there? Kidd-ku- -."
"Yes. I'm here," he quickly answered, eyes narrowed.
Wes chuckled but even that made Kidd feel strange, "Good, I thought the call dropped a moment there… Well anyways, I was calling to ask a favor."
"I'm listening."
"Good. I was wondering, if you're ok with it, if you could possibly bring Maka-kun's school work, if she has anything that is."
"Oh," he blinked, "Yes, I don't mind…" he replied, his heart fluttering a bit. "…But why don't you ask Soul- -?"
"Because I believe it would be better for them both if they didn't see each other anymore…what with their bond breaking and all…"
"Mmm…" Kidd replied, jaw clenching. "So, do I take it to your house or…?"
"Well, I was going to send my helper to go get it but I think it'll be good for Maka to see a familiar face," Wes spoke lightly.
Kidd could hear him smiling as he spoke, "Uh, yes, I agree. So, may I have your address- -?"
"No, that won't be necessary."
"Huh? But how else will I- -?"
"I'll send my helper to get you. He should be there in about…five minutes, is that enough time?"
Kidd was taken aback, "Oh…you don't have to do that. I can ride my board Beelzebub…"
"Oh no, please Kidd-kun, I wouldn't dream of making you do such a thing. Please, allow me to do this kind thing for you for making you go out of your way and all…"
Kidd wanted to object but in all honesty it was going to be the same outcome because he was going to find out where Maka was in the end. "Mm," he nodded, "I'll be outside waiting then…"
"Jeez, I can't believe that Shinigami…" Soul growled to himself as he gritted his teeth together as he walked down the empty street with Mauri following close behind.
"Scusa Soul-kun…I did not…I mean…I was not aware- -."
"Just. Stop." Soul cut Mauri off with his firm words, causing the young girl to stop and flinch.
*How did it come to this? What was he thinking?* Soul thought to himself as he tightened his fists.
"Thank you for showing her around, especially in such a short notice, Soul-kun." Shinigami-sama thanked an upset Soul.
"Yeah…well, I'm taking off." He turned towards the hallway exit. "See ya Mauri," he bid farewell to his classmate with only a side glance.
"Oh, wait a minute Soul-kun."
"Mmm? What is it now?" he looked back at the shinigami over his shoulder.
"I have one more request of you."
"Eh? You don't say?" Soul turned around, a bit annoyed.
"Well, Mauri-chan is new here."
"…Yeah. And?"
The shinigami sighed, "I originally had a place set up for her to stay but I was informed that the location was recently flooded by a ruptured pipe and won't be usable until a couple of days from now…"
Soul's hand twitched, "And you're telling me this because…?"
"Because I need you to offer your apartment to her, just for these few days that her room is fixed."
"What? No, I can't do that Shinigami-sama!" Soul screamed with wide eyes.
"Please, signore, I do not require him to offer a place for me. Soul-kun has already done enough for me. I thank him and could not bare to ask anything more of him," Mauri voiced her discomfort.
"Besides, I don't think she'd be comfortable living under the same roof as a guy. She can sleep in the other female dorms, can't she?" Soul tried to get out of this predicament.
"I'm sorry but all the other rooms are full because Mauri's room wasn't the only one who was flooded…all the rooms are crowded. This is the only way, if you are comfortable with it Mauri-chan." The shinigami looked down at the young girl.
"Ah…well, I do not mind…you see I am the only daughter in my famiglia, so being in a house with only un ragazzo, well, it's like paradise." The girl laughed lightly.
"There Soul-kun, all is settled then."
"Kami, why?" Soul screamed out after replaying what had just happened again in his head. There wasn't much of a choice for him; it was either do it or do it. That was it, no fighting it. Not after the shinigami told him to stop trying to go against his orders. Shinigami was a fun and easy person to get along with that it was almost hard to believe that he was once a feared warrior. It took a lot to get him to speak with that serious tone and Soul had managed to do so twice in less than a day. As much as he wanted to tell the man off about his "orders" he couldn't, not unless he wanted to risk losing Maka for even longer time than needed.
Soul finally stopped walking with a defeated sigh. "Mauri…look, I don't…hate you for you…it's just…you met me at the wrong time…" Soul finally explained, trying hard to hold in his emotions.
"I understand…" she muttered quietly. Moments passed and a slight breeze blew right by them before she spoke again, "I am sure she is fine…your meister I mean…"
Soul's eyes widened a moment, "Heh, thanks." He whispered before walking again.
Mauri smiled warmly before running to catch up to him. They both continued to walk without a word said between the two, enjoying the setting sun who seemed like he didn't want to set just yet.
"So…were you born in Italy? Or did you just grow up there?" Soul finally decided to ask without looking over at the girl.
Mauri gave him a side glance and saw him blushing a bit, making her smile. "Yes, I was born in Rome and that is where I have lived all my ivita/i…until now that is," she chuckled sadly.
"Oh, so is all your family over there as well? No one over here?" Soul finally looked down at her.
She shook her head slowly. "Is it not sad? The first time I travel out of my country and I have no allies over here…" her eyes began to tear up.
"Hey, that's not true. You're here in Death City, attending Shibusen, I'd say you've got all the allies you'll ever need."
Mauri blinked before looking up at the weapon. She looked into his crimson eyes and knew he wasn't lying. "Grazie," she sniffled.
"Still, I can't understand why they would let you come…Your family i mean." Soul brought his attention back to the road in front of him.
"Well, my famiglia has a generation of strong meister and weapon blood running deep in our roots. It is actually funny because I am related to one of Shinigami-sama's Death Scythes." She smiled proudly.
"You don't say?" Soul looked over at the girl with interest. He whistled when she nodded in response. "Which one? What's his or her name?"
"Giorgio Napolitano," she pronounced his name with a perfect, flowing Italian accent. "He is also the president of Italia."
"All of it?" Soul's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Sì," she smiled proudly.
"Whoa, so you're very valuable to your family…I still can't understand why they would let you leave even more now."
"Because my great uncle believed that someone should go and demonstrate proudly the meister or weapon blood that runs through the Napolitano blood. But not only that, but my uncle also is worried that in his old age, he might be a symbol of weakness in the eyes of his fellow Death Scythes. Well, even in his age, he is still known as "Il principe rosso", "The Red Prince" by our people." Her eyes shown with pride, "I need to show Shinigami-sama that my famiglia can still produce Death Scythes of the future." Her eyes became fierce and determined as she spoke. Soul could feel the fire and determination radiating from her being.
"Wow…you must have a lot of pride."
Mauri's concentration broke, "O-Oh. Yes," her cheeks flushed.
"What was your partner's name…if you don't mind me asking…"
Mauri slowly lowered her eyes, "Santiago…it means 'sacred' in Latin. He was a claymore and very strong…" she spoke with a sad voice.
"Why did you leave him? I'm sure you didn't do it to show off your pride."
"No, I do not think so either…"
"Ah, welcome Kidd-kun," Wes greeted the slender boy as soon as he walked into the house.
Kidd watched as the tall white haired man walked over to him and shook his hand. "Hello, Wesu-san. It's nice to finally meet."
"Likewise," Wes smiled. "And thank you very much for bringing Maka-kun her school work, I wouldn't want her to fall behind."
Kidd studied the man, "Neither would I."
"Oh but I do wish things were different…"
"Hm? What do you mean?"
"Well, with Maka living here, going to school, the bond breaking, and trying to put that concert together I feel like we're still putting her under a lot of pressure still." Wes looked up the stairs towards Maka's room. "Shinigami-sama did this to prevent all of this and yet Maka-chan refuses to stop going to school."
Kidd's hand twitched, "Why would she stop?"
"Think about it Kidd-kun, wouldn't you want Maka-kun in the best mental condition before she went and had to see Soul-kun again?" Wes whispered quietly.
Kidd studied his expression. What the man was saying wasn't outrageous, he knew it was the truth. Soul already looked like a wreck from everything but if they were to meet in the current condition they were in, there was no telling what might happen.
"All I'm asking is that you please try to persuade her to understand. Can you do that? For Maka-kun?"
Kidd watched the man closely and thought a moment. "…I'll give it a shot."
"Come in," Maka called without taking her eyes off her music sheet.
The door slowly opened to reveal a quiet Kidd. "I'm sorry, I know I'm interrupting…"
"Kiddo!" Maka instantly threw her violin on her bed before running to her friend and hugging him. "What are you doing here?" she finally released him.
Kidd was so caught off guard with her forwardness that he almost didn't answer her. "O-Oh. Wesu-san asked me to bring you your school work for you."
"Wow, really? Thank you," she took the papers from him and placed them on her desk. "…So I guess Soul couldn't bring them…?" her voice became low.
Kid noticed her eyes turning sad and empty. "O-Oh no, it wasn't that. It's just that we thought it would be better this way. So you guys don't have to stress over seeing each other."
"Oh, I see." Maka slowly brought her head up and gave him a weak smile. "I'm still happy you brought it. Where are Liz and Patty?"
"They couldn't come; they had detention."
"Again? What did they do this time?" Maka chuckled.
"…Oi…Maka."
"Huh?" she stopped her laughing.
Kidd looked at the floor in front of his feet, "Why don't you take this week of school off?"
"What? Why? You can't be serious," Maka's eyebrows came together defensively.
"I am, please Maka. I'm just…worried about you- -."
"So is everyone else!" she exploded. "I'm tired of everyone telling me they're worried about me! I'm fine! I just…!" her voice broke as she fought back the need to sob. "…I want to see him…" she lowered her head in time to shield her tearing eyes.
"Maka, this request isn't just for you…it's for Soul too."
Her head shot up instantly, "What do you mean…? Is he alright? Is he hurt? Please, you have to tell me- -!" she grabbed his arms in a tight and shaky hold.
"No, he's not hurt," he quickly reassured her. "…But he isn't doing well mentally…I will admit that…Soul…doesn't seem the same…we're afraid that if you two were to see each other, even for a moment, you wouldn't be able to handle it…" he spoke the truth. He was afraid of losing his friends to this. "If you want to do Soul some good, you might want to take time away…If not indefinitely…" he quietly confessed.
Maka slowly let go of him and walked towards her bed and quietly sat down. "…has he gotten a new partner…?" she asked without taking her eyes off the floor.
Kid hesitated. "No…I don't believe so." He half lied.
"…Do you think that if he got a new one…he'll recover sooner…?"
Kid was taken aback by her question, "I'm not sure…but I would imagine so." It hurt him to admit it but he wanted her safe; he wanted them both safe.
"I see…" she turned and looked out the window.
"Maka…you still have time to fix things…don't give up, ok?" he walked over to her and placed his hands on her shoulders before kneeling down before the young meister. "Perfect this. Fix things. But most importantly, don't give up so easily."
Maka slowly looked down at her friend just as a tear fell from her eye down her cheek. "…Did Shinigami-sama tell you to say that…?"
Kid flinched. "…No, he didn't. Just as you aren't your mother or your father, I too am not my father. You of all people should know what it's like to live in someone else's shadow…" he firmly answered as he wiped away her tear. "So break out of that shadow…and prove that you can beat this."
Maka chuckled, "You're right…I can't let this beat me." She wiped her tears with the back of her hand before standing up with Kidd following her lead. "Thank you Kiddo, you've snapped me out of my trance and gave me what I needed to continue." She smiled in determination. Like my momma said to me before; "Shaja'at"
*That's the Maka I know* he smirked. "So, are you going to take the week off?"
"Nope," she smiled.
"Huh?" he blinked in confusion, "but I thought- -."
"I'm not going back to school. Not until I perfect this." She gave him a determined glance.
Kidd blinked a couple of times before laughing, "I see, well best of luck then."
"Thanks."
"You know, you can always live with the girls and me. I mean if you don't mind the yelling and my OCPD…"
Maka slowly shook her head, "No, its fine Kiddo. I'm gracious for your offer but I'll be ok. I'll get through this," she walked over to him and wrapped her arms around his neck before turning her head so her lips were barely grazing the skin of his ear, causing the boy to stiffen. "Tell Soul; 'iDon't give up/i'" she whispered with a smile before giving him a light kiss on his cheek.
"Well, I thought you two weren't ever going to ever come out of that room," Wes chuckled, making Kidd fluster bright red. "Hmm? Why so red Kidd-kun?" he poked fun with Maka laughing along. "Oh, Maka, can you do me a quick favor and tell Mr. Napa to start dinner?"
"Oh, sure."
"Would you like to stay and eat? We're having a pretty big feast tonight, care to join us?" Wes offered with a smile.
"No thank you, I have to get back to my weapons. If I leave them alone for too long, they'll think they have free time to do what they please…" he informed with a tired expression.
"Ok, I'll be right back," Maka turned and ran towards the kitchen.
"Kidd-kun?" Wes spoke as soon as Maka left the room and out of ears reach.
"Huh, yes?" Kidd looked up at the man.
"I think it would be wise if you were to keep whatever messages Maka may give to you to give to Soul-kun to yourself."
Kidd narrowed his eyes, "And why would I do that?"
"Because, if you think about it, it'll be the same as if she were telling him herself, and that could cause damage." Kidd continued to watch that man as he lowered his face to be eye level with the meister, "You want both of your friends safe, don't you?" he asked with a smile.
"Ok, I'm back." Maka came running.
"Thank you. Well, it was very nice to finally meet you Kidd-kun. Hope to see you again," Wes bid as he opened the door for Kidd.
"Bye Kiddo! Tell Liz and Patty I said 'hi'!" Maka waved excitedly as he walked down the stairs.
"Will do," he turned and waved but something caught his eye that almost made him stop. When he looked back at Wes, he could have sworn he saw a glimmer of a wicked smile painted on Wes' face.