Kid shook his head, holding out his hand. He needed to concentrate. He needed to summon Beelzebub

"I've lost all patience with this." he sighed to himself, trying to fight back a now nagging head ache. He had slept one night after plain walking, he then woke up this morning and was extra impatient. If he could summon Beelzebub, he could get to the middle of the U.S.A faster. But for some reason, he had been having issues summoning Beelzebub since the IHK took over. Some days he could summon it fine, but some days he couldn't do anything with the skateboard at all!

Finally, after twenty-some attempts, Beelzebub shot out of his hand in a dark shock of smoke and electrical flashes. At last, he stepped onto the board and flew up, the wheels turning to jets. As he flew, gaining speed above the tall trees, the wind cooled him down a bit. That felt nice in the hot weather. There was something calming about flying that always gave Kid a sense of freedom and joy. Even so, his mind was an active ball of fire.

First off, the fact that he was heading to the "headquarters" at the center of the U.S. was somewhat nerve-racking, though that being his own decision to go in the first place. Also, what Aisling had said bugged him quite a bit. "What was she even talking about?" he asked himself quietly, the wind whistling in his ears. "What branch? She was probably just speaking nonsense. After all, she did seem so overwhelmed with emotion. This kind of stuff happening can surely cause emotions to go over the edge." Yes. That must have been why she was talking about climbing over water on a branch. She was just too crazed with the sadness of a new friend leaving so soon. Or... maybe she was speaking metaphorically.At least that's what he told himself. But even telling himself that wasn't enough to get his mind off of what just happened.

He gripped the bag of food and water in his hand, the knife held precisely in the other. They had been so nice and helpful to him that he couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt for leaving them like that. It must have been sudden. Aisling had the water-works, but Athena acted like she didn't care, which led Kid to believe she did care, perhaps as much as Aisling, and simply wasn't showing it. "Girls," he mumbled to himself, "What can you do with them?"

His mind using excuses to cover the worry wasn't very helpful, as mentioned. "How does she know I'll be tortured? And if I was, wouldn't it be obvious that torture is open in this Reaper-hating takeover? She could have guessed."

That was another good idea to keep him at ease. If only telling himself was always enough.

He just wasn't the kind of person who was assured by simple words.

He had to know things for himself.

*.*.*

Soul decided to make another trip to the auditorium, this time telling the others where he would be.

After checking if he was alone, Soul pulled out of a satchel five music sheets. He had started writing the song he began after getting back to the apartment he was given with Maka and Amber. Crona spent the night, so she distracted the girls while he quietly worked out the notes and chords.

He placed the sheets in front of him and began playing, using his emotions to propel his fingers key to key. He breathed in a deep breath, enjoying the music.

Suddenly he felt a presence in the dark room. He turned to his side and found Maka looking at him with a small smile on her face. She scooted over so their legs were touching. "That's cool. Play more."

"Maka, you know I don't play just because I'm asked to-"

"If I'm your girlfriend, you'll play for me, won't you?"

That's true. They were in a relationship. He still didn't like to play for others on command, though. "Even if you are, I'm just not comfortable taking requests."

"You were playing already before I sat here." Maka pointed out. Soul realized she wasn't wearing a regular outfit like Amber and Crona had been when Soul said he was going to go to the giant auditorium to enjoy himself. She had her hair in pig-tails with a green ribbon tying each tail up, and she wore a green, flowing dress that sparkled in spite of the darkness. She wore green flats, too. The green was lime, unlike her eyes. It looked quite nice on her. "Why don't you play something pretty to lighten the mood? I love that song you were just playing. Did you make it all on your own? You know, you can be pretty cool, Soul. Why don't you teach me to play kind of like you? I doubt I'll be any good, but it looks fun."

"... Oh!" Soul was so distracted by the outfit that it made him blank out for a moment, caught in his own mind. "I'll teach you some time, but not right now." She did ask me to teach her how to play the piano, right? "How about I play something different for you. Something classical to get the mood going." What the hell am I saying?! For some reason, Maka was seeming very attractive right now, and he just wanted to make her happy.

A bright look lit her face and she nodded. "That sounds lovely."

"Okay." Soul looked back down at the black and white keys. They too seemed inviting at this moment. "This is a song by Johann Sebastian Bach. It is Prelude. No. 1 in C major."

He began playing, and as he did. Maka took the opportunity to close her eyes and picture her and Soul, dancing to the song in a ballroom.

When he was done, Maka rested her head against his shoulder. Soul smiled, and asked "Will there be anything else? How about some Beethoven?"

"No, I'm good."

Soul rested his head against her own, the room still empty aside for them. "Why are you dressed up so fancy?"

"I wanted you to see me dressed up fancy. Also, I bought this with the girls and I wanted to show it off."

"Ah~ So, what now."

Maka stopped leaning her head against him and looked into his eyes. For a moment, he just sat there and stared, not sure what was going on.

Maka leaned forward and kissed him lightly on the lips, and he returned the favor. After some romantic kissing, they heard the loudest of "whoops" come from the doorway of the auditorium.

Blackstar rushed into the room, causing Maka and Soul to face him and simultaneously shout "Blackstar!" Both Soul and Maka weren't sure to be either relieved or greatly annoyed, the assassin having disrupted their placidity.

"The mighty Star has arrived to witness this display of romantic affection!" Blackstar shouted. He jumped onto the stage and grabbed Soul's shoulders. "Bro! I didn't know Maka was your girlfriend! This is so cool!"

Soul would have facepalmed, but his arms were currently restrained in Blackstar's frighteningly strong hug.

Maka watched in shock, her face turning from a hot pink blush to red as an angry tomato. "Maka-Chop!" She Maka-Chopped Blackstar and the blue-haired boy backed up with a bloody nose. Was he turned on? Maka couldn't tell, but if he was, he'd be chopped again.

Blackstar pinched his nose and laughed "Maka, how's it like being his girlfriend?"

"Fine!" Maka answered, still upset.

Two girls walked in and met up with Blackstar on the stage. Even still, Maka and Soul watched in utter confusion.

"Blackstar, who are these two?" one asked. This one happened to be Isabel.

"This is Maka, and this is Soul." Blackstar introduced the four. "Maka, Soul, this is Isabel, and this is Phoebe."

"Nice to meet you." Maka said. "Blackstar, how long have you been here?"

"Just a day or two, I think." he answered.

"Oh." Maka sighed, "I see you've made friends."

Blackstar nodded enthusiastically. "Yes I have!"

"Good for you." Soul grinned a toothy grin at the two girls, who didn't seem to care. "It's nice to have you back." Soul stood up and high-fived his friend. "I'm glad you're okay. It sure has been a while."

Blackstar turned to Phoebe and grabbed the girl's arm. "Phoebe was wondering what it's like to be a weapon. Why don't you tell her a thing or two?" He then shoved Phoebe forward, so Soul had to keep her from falling on her face.

"I don't see why not." Soul then pulled Phoebe aside for a brief conversation on being a weapon.

Maka tried to ignore that, and so she turned to Isabel and asked "What brings you here?"

"I'm just following Star, is all." Isabel answered. "He's a fun guy."

"Is that so..." Maka shrugged and for a moment hesitated. Then she hugged Blackstar, surprising the ninja. She let go, one hand on her chest as she breathed out a sigh of relief. "I'm glad you're back, really. I was so worried I had lost you."

Blackstar took that to his heart. He agreed completely, since he had been worried about everyone although he had kept his hopes high for so long. "I was worried, too. But I guess since you and Soul are here, I shouldn't have to worry much about the others."

*.*.*

Aisling turned to Athena, a determination in her eyes.

"And what do you plan to accomplish, anyways?" Athena asked, standing up. The wound was already healing.

"I don't want him to be left alone." Aisling answered. "He's in danger, and he's in over his head."

"Why didn't you tell him?"

"I did, but he didn't listen. I didn't use those exact words, but you know I did!"

Athena shook her head, a sad smile creeping over her face. "I won't stop you. I'm going to Seattle."

"So this is the end? We're parting at last?" Aisling asked, hoisting her bag over her shoulders.

"It seems so. Isn't that how you want it? You want to go to wherever Kid is, right?"

"I just don't want him to be alone. Besides, I think I have a better chance of getting in safely, anyways. I told him to-"

"Climb over the water on a branch. He probably thinks you're crazy."

"I know." Aisling laughed, "I did sounds pretty crazy, didn't I? I should have explained more..."

"Probably."

"... You know, if he dies, he'll never see Liz again."

"His girlfriend?"

Aisling nodded. "He talked about her, you know. I'd hate to see that relationship trashed."

"... Aisling, even I don't get it... The branch thing, still."

"It was a guess, and I should have said more. I just stated what I was told."

"What your subconscious told you, meaning what happened in that dream of yours."

"Well, yes. My dreams, as useless as they tend to be, are sometimes helpful. I dreamt of that branch leaded over the water moat thing that surrounds the main building. That's what he needs to go over."

"And..."

"That's what I'll go over when I get there."

"You know it's dangerous, and you may not see him, anyways."

"I know. I can't go on without trying, though."

"So... adieu?"

Aisling hugged Athena, holding back tears. She was never good with goodbys. "Ja, auf wiedersehen."

*.*.*

Liz turned to Patty. The lively younger sister didn't seem to care much about what was going on, along with Angie.

She liked that Patty was still carefree. It reminded her of home.

Tsubaki was a little sick, though, and that worried everyone. Liz was terrified for her friend. The idea of any STDs lingering around the cells and soldiers was a scary idea.

Keira took good care of Tsubaki, all while keeping her eyes out for possible advantages. They needed to do something.

Liz rested against the cold cell wall, closing her eyes and counting to ten.

Sleep was an escape. Sleep was where she could be happy.

Sleep was where she got her needed rest in order to actually be victorious.

But for now, all she could do was wait for someone good to save her.

*.*.*

Kid sat down by a tree as the sun set. He ate a lunch pack, drank water, and closed his eyes to sleep.

It felt so odd, being alone. This wasn't the first time since the quakes, of course, but he still felt it. That feeling you get when nothing is around, and your senses are heightened, and there's a looming fear that something is going to get you, even though there shouldn't really be a fear like that at the time.

Sleep came surprisingly easy, and he was glad, too.

He was exhausted.

*.*.*

Soul and Maka cuddled each other in their bed, the dark room being ever so calm.

Amber had left to sleep at Crona's assigned apartment. It seemed the two were getting along well.

"So," Soul pulled up the dark blue sheets so he was more covered. He wasn't wearing a shirt, and his new red boxers weren't anything to be ashamed of like his old dog-bone boxers. He was cold, so any warmth in that room was appreciated. "How are you?"

"I'm good." Maka answered. She wore a short green nighty, which was exceptionally pretty on her. This nighty was an emerald green like her eyes. She was laying on her right side and looking at Soul's face as he was resting on his left. Her hair was down, allowing it to stream across the pillow. "And you?"

"I'm fine." he replied softly. "Why are we sleeping in the same bed, again? There are two beds, after all."

"One, this isn't the first time we've shared a bed. Two, I'm kind of cold. Three, this can help strengthen our wavelengths and resonance with one another. Four, I'm you girlfriend and don't see why you're complaining."

"I-I'm not complaining!" Soul blushed lightly, though it would be hard to tell in the dark.

"Fine." Maka giggled. "Then just cuddle me, Soul."

Soul did just that, happy to do so, and the night was calm and peaceful and everything seemed so right.

If only things wouldn't go so wrong.

(Tell meh what ya think. Please review!)