A/N:I've promised many people that there will, indeed be more lemon coming up, and I started writing the next one this evening. Sadly, some plot stuff has to get done first! The we'll plant that lemon tree :) First we've got to get Maka back in the game. She's been a mushpot lately, but Maka sometimes does that. Remember the depression and insomnia over Crona in the manag/anime? Happily, we're all done with Sad!Maka for now.
Thanks to everyone who's reading - love you guys! Individual responses at the end of the chapter :)
Fighting Mad
Maka was exhausted and in pain, on top of being miserable about Kid. She looked like crap, and Soul knew for a fact she hadn't slept all night. She'd been sitting in front of the TV when he went to bed and she was still there when he got up, staring mindlessly at an infomercial for a device that promised to easily unload the bed of her pickup truck for just four easy installments of $19.95.
"You don't have a pickup truck, and if you did I know you wouldn't have any trouble unloading it by yourself." he joked, turning the TV off. He didn't get a smile back. Not even a little one.
"Com'on, I'll make you breakfast. You've got to eat something."
She looked up at him and sighed.
"I'm just not all that hungry. I'm sorry."
Soul sat down beside her and put an arm across her hunched shoulders. It took a moment, but she finally leaned her brittle body against him and rested her cheek against his chest.
"It's the waiting that's getting to you, isn't it?" he asked.
"Yeah."
"It's freaking me out too."
"I just want to see him." Maka hated the whiny sound of her own voice. She wasn't used to being weak and needy. And that's how she was letting everyone treat her: like a poor, helpless victim. Hell, that's how she was treating herself if she wanted to be honest about it. All of a sudden she was furious.
"You know what?" she jumped off the couch, wincing in pain, "I hate this. I hate this!"
"Whoa!" Soul held up his hands in alarm, "What's wrong now?"
I'm sick of acting like some sad, weak little girl." she told him, "I'm sick of moping around here waiting for somebody to tell me what I can and can't do. I'm going over there and I'm going to help Kid if I can, and if anybody tries to stop me, I'm going to kick them in the ass!"
Soul gave her a dry look, "Even if it's Lord Death?"
"I said anybody, didn't I?" She narrowed her green eyes at him, daring him to tell her she couldn't boot God in the butt.
"Don't you think it's kind of rude to barge into somebody else's house at eight in the morning when they've probably been up all night?"
Maka thought about it for a minute.
"Is Black Star still over there?"
"As far as I know. Tsubaki called and said they were staying so Black Star could help watch Kid."
"Then they're awake, trust me." she grabbed her keys off of the hook by the door and headed out, looking determined as only Maka could look. A rush of relief left a grin on Soul's face. Maka was back.
"You realize you're still in your pajamas, right?" he asked, feeling happy as hell.
"Don't care." her disembodied voice said from the hallway. Soul was glad she couldn't see his face. She hated it when he laughed at her.
"Hang on, I'm coming with you." He slid his shoes on, "If you try to kick Lord Death's ass, I don't want to miss it."
Responses!
MusingReaper - Thank you so very much! It's always reassuring to know that someone thinks I'm on the right track and not taking everyone too much out of character!
Courage-Earthworm'8- What would I do without your PMs and reviews? Thank you so much for all the discussion, help and encouragement! And I love your new fic!
3rYn - I'm so glad you like it. Thanks so much for the positive vibes :)
s2Coracions2 - Oh, yes, there will be lemons just as soon as we get Kid to stop being homicidal!
Wordfiend - after that plot bunny, you *deserve* to be scared! This story is going to turn into a series if you don't stop! I'm glad I got the sense of loss across there. That sense of something missing was what I wanted after Lord Death's scene in the last chapter.