A/N: Last little goofy chapter for a while. Liked the idea of an after-school practice that a bunch of normal high-school kids would have and it works as a set up for the next three chapters. Ever notice that Soul sometimes acts like he's everybody's dad? Couldn't resist putting a little of that in here!

Manners

"Watch your right flank!" Maka yelled across the practice field, "You've got to watch *both* blades!"

Kid dropped the end of Soul's handle just in time to block Black Star's lower secondary attack. He managed to hook the curved edge of Tsubaki's blade and pulled up hard, flipping Black Star onto his back.

"I hate to admit it, but you're getting better." Black Star said, looking up at him, "Don't get me wrong, you still suck. You just suck less."

"I'd like to see you do any better." Kid replied, grinning and offering him a hand up.

"You're on! What do you say, Maka?" Black Star yelled over his shoulder.

"As long as you're careful. I seriously don't want to spend another Friday night mopping up blood." Liz said plaintively.

"Come on, that was weeks ago!" Black Star protested, "Besides, we're getting better. And we only do it when Maka's here. Come on, let's switch."

"I think we should take a break first." Tsubaki suggested, stretching as she left her weapon form behind.

"Yeah! I brought snacks!" Patty had shown up late, toting a big soft-sided cooler. They gathered on the bleachers so she could pass out water bottles and the chocolate muffins she'd picked up at the Pan de Muertos bakery. The girls had taken to attending the after-school practices, mostly to make sure the boys didn't get into any more trouble, but also to start putting Black Star's cross-training idea into action.

Maka was making notes on a clipboard, "I do think we're getting a lot stronger." she mused, flipping back a couple of pages and comparing data. Kid took the paper off of a muffin and held it out for her to take a bite.

"You two are sickening, you know that?" Soul rolled his eyes as Maka broke off a piece of the muffin and fed it to Kid.

"I think it's adorable." Tsubaki smiled sweetly.

"Besides, we've been out of town for three days," Patty said, "So no besmirching for them."

"I can be adorable! Heck, I can be more adorable than Kid any day!" Black Star suddenly and violently tried to shove half a muffin down Tsubaki's throat. She swatted him off and choked violently. Patty thumped her back.

"I can do the Heimlich maneuver!" she offered hopefully. Tsubaki held up a hand to indicate she wasn't in need of that particular service, and Kid stopped Patty from doing it anyway.

Soul punched Black Star lightly in the arm, "Yeah, really adorable, dude. Girls love it when you try to obstruct their airways."

"You're a regular Romeo." Kid looked appalled, "Are you okay, Tsubaki?"

"Oh, I'm fine." Tsubaki said, swallowing hard. After years of living with Black Star, Kid didn't think anything could rile Tsubaki up.

"Let me try again, I can it get right this time." Black Star advanced with the rest of the muffin. Soul reached over and flipped it onto the ground and there was a brief scuffle.

"I think we should get back to practice." Maka interrupted, trying to help spare Tsubaki's life, "I want to try working with all three teams." She looked over at Kid, "Soul and I were able to switch up with Black Star and Tsubaki really well yesterday. I think I can get everybody into play if I stay out."

"Why is that?" Kid was only half-interested. Maka had taken her tie off and opened her collar in deference to the heat and when she leaned against him he could look right down her blouse.

"Soul and I think we'll have better control if I concentrate on coordinating until we all get the hang of it. Let's try it."

"It's Friday night and we're supposed to go out. I haven't seen you in three days, you slave driver." He leaned in and gave her a soft, chocolate flavored kiss. As chaste as it was, Maka knew she wasn't going to be able to focus on work anymore that afternoon. It had been three days, after all.

"Okay, fine," she agreed, "Anybody else mind putting this off until tomorrow morning?"

"Not early. It's Saturday; I wanna sleep in." Soul said firmly.

"Nine o' clock?" Maka asked as they all gathered their things.

"Nine o' clock is not sleeping in. Eleven." Soul countered, "And be quiet when you come home. You were loud as hell Monday night."

Maka looked outraged, "Well, it's not like I did it on purpose. You're the one who left your backpack in front of the door! If you'd pick up your crap people wouldn't trip on it and make noise."

"Oh hell, you're going to be at our house anyway. Bring your stuff and stay over with Patty and me." Liz suggested.

"Okay." Maka shrugged and took the arm Kid offered to her.

Liz slapped Soul on the back, "There, now nobody will disturb your beauty sleep."

"Hey, it's hard work looking this good." Soul grinned. Liz tossed her hair at him.

"Just comes naturally to some of us."

"Modesty also comes naturally to some of us." Kid told her disapprovingly. She leaned in toward him and hissed in his ear.

"I just totally set you up for a sleepover with your girlfriend and you're going to pick on me?"

"Point well taken. Be as rude as long as you like. As a matter of fact, please go ahead and throw all your manners away for as long as you like."

"I'm holding you to that!"