It's been a while, hasn't it? Well, I've been busy with Wattpad and my depression. I have no apology to say. Hope you continue to support my work. Without any more notes, here's Chapter 20 of Empty Promises.

Disclaimer: I don't own Soul Eater nor any of its characters, just my ideas and OCs

~Anju

Chapter 20: Gathering Blues (Part 1)

(3rd Person)

Soul went up the stairs, the steps creaking with each step he took. Once reaching the top, he went down the hall to only stop at an old door. Careful not to spill the contents on the tray, Soul knocked on the door of the room Maka was in. Not hearing a response, he began to walk down the hall only to heard a creak behind him. He turned only to see no one but a now opened door. Taking it as an invitation in, Soul went back into the room.

Pushing the door open, he sent the tray down on a nearby table and laid his eyes on Maka.

There she was, sitting by the window ledge. Her ash blond hair absorbed the sunrays and her petite little frame was covered by a lavender blanket. Maka was gazing into the crimson horizon, avoiding to acknowledge anyone who entered the door. Ever since their argument that day, they stopped talking to each other. The only time they ever spoke to each other was when Soul asked what she wanted to eat. But even then it would consist of a single word: soup. Soul sighed. Just as he was about to leave,

"Soul."

"Hmm?"

"Why did you hide everything from me?" Soul stood there, not knowing what to say. Should he tell her truth or should be say half of it? He chose the latter.

"I did it for us." Maka turned her head a bit to the side.

"Us? What do you mean by 'us'?"

Soul stood there for what seemed to be for hours until he decided to speak again. His gaze was aimed to the crimson horizon Maka was looking at.

"When I said 'us', I meant the relationship between me and you; our promise from long ago."

"The one from when we were kids?" Soul nodded despite the fact Maka wouldn't see it.

"You actually remembered it?"

"Of course I did: it was to find you, wasn't it?"

"Why do you sound uncertain?" Maka bit her lip, her back still turned to Soul. Contemplating whether or not to tell him, Maka let out a long and deep breath. She faced him, startling Soul.

"W-what is it?"

"Do you know everything about my past?" Soul clenched his fist. Taking a deep breath and facing Maka directly into her eyes, he spoke.

"I only know up to where we were ten. Afterwards I don't know much about you. Sorry." Maka looked at Soul once more.

"Then I need you to tell me something."

"What is it?"

"Where are my parents currently?" Soul stiffened, only to give a long deep sigh and run his hand through his snow white hair.

"Your father is probably still back in the estate while your mother... she.." Soul said, his voice drowning towards the end.

"What did you say?" Maka asked, rising from her chair and approaching Soul. Again, Soul's voice kept drowning as he tried to tell her what happened to her mother. Each time he tried to say it, nothing was audible, perturbing Maka. "JUST SAY IT ALREADY!"

"YOUR MOTHER IS DEAD!" With that, Maka collapsed.

(Maka's POV)

"YOUR MOTHER'S DEAD!" I collapsed without a second thought. She's dead? If I already knew about this, then this wouldn't be a shock. However, since I did collapse, then that means!

"Soul." He didn't respond. "It's fine now. You don't have to keep secrets anymore. I understand. You probably promised me to find my mom in the past, didn't you?" I watched Soul flinch. "It's okay; you didn't slip it to me. I found out on my own, through fragments of my old memories." Hands grasped my shoulders.

"Your memories returned?!" I shook my head.

"Not all of them and that's why," I got up, helping him to stand up, "I need you to help me regain them." He stepped back and frowned at me.

"I don't want to."

"What do you mean you don't want to?!" Why won't he help me? "Is it because-"

"It's not because of any reason you tell me but because of the aftermath if I help you regain your memories." Aftermath?

"What are you talking about?" He bit his lower lip and ran out the room.

"SOUL!" I was about to run after him when a hand held me back. I turned around.

"Let him be Maka."

"But Black-" He shook his head.

"He gave you time to be alone, so I suggest you do the same. After all, it's hard enough to contain one's emotion after seeing a beloved after years of separation and only to find out that that person lost all memories of you. When Soul found you that day in the forest, he was beyond happy, relieved that you were well after leaving you. However, when he found out you had amnesia, he was reminded that someone like him can never have a good life. That's why he got rid of the rest of the memories you had and rewrote them using my powers. Afterwards, he tried hard to conceal anything relating to your past, but as you can see, things didn't end well." Hearing this from Black Star, I felt like a complete idiot. Here I thought that Soul was doing things for himself when in reality he was just trying to help the both of us.

"You know, I wonder if he thought that there was another way to handle this."

"He probably did, but he probably didn't want to risk the chance of you leaving him again." I giggled. "What's so funny?"

"He seriously is a hopeless case; why does he underestimate his ability to help me so much?" Black Star sighed.

"Probably because he's a bit like you in that manner: likes to face things head on, not worrying if his life is at risk." I shook my head. Maybe I ended up picking it up from him. After all, we used to see each other a lot as kids, or at least according to Soul.

"I think I picked that up from him. That's why I think it's time to stop this."

"Stop what?"

"To stop the secrets and misery." I took off the blanket that was helping me cower in fear. "I'm going to figure out my past and stop the marriage to the Viscount Asura. But first," I grabbed my cloak and a pouch, "I need a disguise. Care to help me?" Black Star smirked.

"Hell yeah! Anything to help a bud out!"

"Then let's go!"

(3rd Person POV)

"Tsubaki! Where is he?!" Tsubaki dropped a plate in fright and glared at Soul. "Sorry."

"Better not happen next time or else!"

"Promise! But on a serious note, where is Black Star?"

"Black Star? Wasn't he training out in the forest with you?"

"If he was then I wouldn't-" A knife flew past him. Tsubaki looked at him as if saying 'that sass better not be directed to me' look. Soul gulped. "He was until he suddenly disappeared without me noticing. I looked all over the place for him, but to no avail."

"Ask Maka, she might know."

"Good idea. By the way, what's for dinner?" Tsubaki smiled. "Pheasant!" Soul gave her the thumbs up before heading upstairs. He noticed that the door was cracked open. Did Maka go out to look for him? Soul shook his head. Knowing her, she most likely went out to clear her head or do something to occupy her mind. He opened the door but saw no one. "Maka?" He looked inside the weapon closet, bathroom (obviously knocking before entering) and inside the closet. However, Maka was nowhere to be found. Where can she be? That's when he heard a piercing shriek coming from the kitchen.

Soul ran down the stairs only to find Tsubaki petrified and pointing at a pitch black snake with no pupils. His eyes widened. Quickly, he slit his wrist, letting his blood drip onto the floor. However, his blood never touched the floor.

Instead, his blood had morphed into the shape of a death scythe. Tsubaki was stunned even more. What was that?! Who is Soul? Is this what Black Star told her about?

"Don't move Tsubaki. I don't want to accidentally injure you." Tsubaki nodded. Who exactly was Soul?

Soul reabsorbed his blood.

'So Soul, you've decided to finally ask for my help?'

"Shut up. I'll never ask for your help." Tsubaki looked at him. Who was he talking to? "Soul Resonance." Soul's eyes glowed along with a pale blue light surrounding his body. He quickly swung his scythe, but the pitch black snake was able to avoid it. Instead, Soul sliced the kitchen table in half.

"Tch. Once more!" Soul swung the scythe once more, but this time, a wave of electricity was projected towards the snake, slicing it up in half before turning to dust.

"What was that Soul?" Tsubaki asked Soul, lifting herself carefully from the floor. As she got up, Soul slowly collapsed to the floor, his weapon liquefying and spilling onto the floor. "Soul!" His body fell with a loud thud, causing his body to soak the splashing blood around him. "Soul, answer me!"

"I'm okay. Just a little dizzy." Soul responded. He sat on the floor, the blood beneath him gone. "If you're wondering, i can reabsorb my own blood. Using it is what had caused me to feel light headed. But I shouldn't be worried. Maka should me the one to be worrying about. That snake has found her whereabouts. She's in danger."