Chapter 2

Margot and Wes had been in town for the last five days, they would arrive at the academy and learn more about their son, his girlfriend and their life. They were standing in the hall waiting for Maka's class to end when Stein made his way down the hall looking serious.

"Soul." He said making Soul look at him wondering what was going on.

"What's wrong?" He asked looking at the serious look.

Stein stopped in front of him and glanced in the classroom where Maka was finishing her class. "We've lost a meister in Russia." Soul stood up straighter. "She was investigating a Kishin egg by the Russian incidents. She was able to take it down but not before it landed and fatal wound."

"Who was it?" Soul asked. Stein again looked in at Maka. "No."

"Unfortunately, yes. Kami was the meister. She called for backup but she waited too long. We sent out the information about the area and how dangerous it was."

"Maka…" Soul looked at Maka smiling at the students. "This is going to crush her."

"Kid and Marie are sitting with Spirit, we thought it might be better if you spoke with Maka. Nothing will stop it but at least…"

Soul nodded. "I'll take care of it. Thanks." Stein nodded and walked back the way he came, probably back to the death room to comfort his friend.

"What was that about?" Margot asked as Soul's joy disappeared.

"There's a place in Russia that only a handful of teams can go and even then we have to all go together. A meister that was in the area tried to save people and take out one of the monsters we hunt and she lost her life in the process." He explained.

"You knew the meister?" Wes asked.

Soul took a breath. "It was Maka's mother." Margot gasped as the students started filing from the room. "Look, I need to take care of this…"

"Of course." Margot said. "If there's anything you need, let us know." Soul nodded as he looked back at Maka as the room cleared.

Soul took a breath before he started into the room. Maka turned and smiled at him but it fell away as she saw his serious look. "What is it?" She asked worried.

"Maka…" Soul sighed as he walked up to her. "There's something I need to tell you, and it's going to hurt." She looked as fear filtered into her eyes. "Stein just told me they got a report of a meister who was killed taking out a Kishin egg in that area in Russia."

"Who?" She asked as her fear and worry started to overwhelm her. "Soul, who was it?"

"Maka, I'm really sorry." She looked at him. "It was your mom."

"What?" She gasped and shook her head. "No. No. No it can't…. No…" She said as the tears built and began to flow. Soul pulled her to him and held her tight. "No!" She screamed as a shockwave seemed to blast through the area, taking away everyone's breath. Soul felt her legs give out and he gently lowered her to the ground, never letting go as she screamed and cried into his chest. He had no words, all he could do was hold her. After almost twenty minutes her sobs calmed to soft whimpers as she held tight to Soul's shirt as the two sat on the floor of her classroom. Soul pulled her into his lap as he leaned back against the desk, still holding her as she sat silently but refused to let go of him. "What was she doing there?" She finally asked. "What happened? She's the best meister." She tried to keep her tears at bay as she looked up at him wanting answers.

He ran his hand over her head and shook his head. "She was stopping a Kishin egg, she took it out but it hit her just before." He watched as tears rolled down her face. "She was an incredible meister, she was stubborn just like you. She wanted to help people and it caused her to go into the danger zone." He shook his head as he gently wiped the tears from her face.

"Why? Why did she have to do that? Why wouldn't she just come home? If she was here…." She broke into more sobs as Soul held her again. He kissed her forehead and pulled her back to him. "She was never here, she didn't want to be here, not with papa, not with me…"

"You know she wanted to be with you. She loved you so much, Maka, you know she did. You also know she needed to be out there protecting the world, protecting you from the dangers. She loved you." He said softly as he smoothed her hair. "She never liked me, but I know she loved you with everything she had."

Maka sniffled and shook her head. "If she loved me she would have been here. She would still be here." Soul tightened his hold on her as she cried a bit more. "Soul?" He looked down at her as her big sad green eyes looked up at him. "Promise you'll never leave me. I couldn't…"

"No worries, Maka." He gave a small smirk. "I'll always be right here at your side. No matter what." He kissed her head again as she held him tight. "I love you Maka, I love you more than anything, nothing can take me away from you."

"I love you Soul." She said softly as she leaned into him, accepting his warmth and strength. "I need to find Papa. He needs to know." She said pushing up.

"Stein is with him. Him, Marie and Kid told him." Maka nodded and looked down. "Let's go find him. I'm sure he could use you right now." She nodded as he stood and pulled her with him. The two walked out into the hallway, his arm around her as she held tight, leaning into him as they walked down the hall to the death room leaving the worried and crying Margot and Wes by the classroom. Soul opened the door and found Stein talking with Kid to the side as Marie sat comforting Spirit.

"Papa!" Maka called as she ran over to him, both crying as they held each other. Marie stood and walked over to join Soul as he walked to the two men.

"How is she?" Kid asked looking at Maka.

"As good as expected." Soul sighed as Marie looked at his wet and wrinkled shirt.

"Was that blast her?" Stein asked looking at Soul who nodded. "she must have released her soul."

Soul gave a nod and glanced at Maka. "She was crushed." He touched his chest.

"You'll feel that for a while." Stein said watching Soul grab over his heart. "It's the consequences of having that link you two share. Your souls are connected, merged into one if you will. The death of her mother has hit her soul."

"More like crushed it." Soul said softly. "Kid, any more information? How did this happen when she was one of the strongest meisters we have?"

"I'm still waiting on reports." Kid said. "As soon as any information comes in I'll let you know." He looked at Maka. "I just hope she'll be alright."

"It's Maka, she's strong." Soul said as he pushed his hands in his pockets. "She's made it through a lot, this is only going to fuel her."

"I hope you're right." Marie looked as if her heart had been crushed along with the father and daughter.

Soul watched as Maka sat holding her father, her tears silently rolling down her cheeks and Spirit sobbing. Maka looked over at Soul talking with the others and he felt the tug, the want to have him holding her, but knowing he was getting information and letting her and her father have a moment. Soul sighed and looked back at the others. "I'm going to take them home. The old man doesn't have anyone but Maka, we've still got that spare room. It'll be better if he's got someone for a bit, and it'll probably help Maka a bit."

"Let us know if we can help." Marie said watching as Soul nodded and walked over to the pair.

Soul knelt in front of Maka as she leaned forward to wrap her arms around him making Spirit look at the two. "It's alright, Maka." Soul said softly kissing the top of her head. He held her a minute as he smoothed her hair and kissed her head again. "Come on, we're going home." He said before looking at Spirit. "You too, Death scythe. You're coming with us." Spirit couldn't argue, he only nodded and stood as Soul lifted Maka to her feet and led the two back to the apartment.

Halfway home Maka's strength began to leave her making Soul reach over and pull her up into his arms letting her fall asleep as he continued. He shifted Maka and managed to pull his keys from his jacket and had Spirit open the door. Soul walked over and in to the room that was once just his. He gently laid Maka on the bed, took her shoes off and covered her with the blanket. He gently pulled the ties from her hair and brushed her bangs form her face before kissing her head. He turned and found Spirit watching, appreciation across his face, watching as Soul showed a tenderness that he never allowed anyone but Maka see. Soul sighed running his hand through his hair as he left the room, leaving the door cracked before he looked at Spirit.

"Look, I'm sorry for what happened." Soul said as he led Spirit away from the door. "Maka's bed is still in her old room, you can stay here for a little while if you want. I know Maka would like it until you two can get back on your feet." He explained as he walked over and opened the door to Maka's old bedroom. He turned the light on to show the bed and most of her items still in their places. He walked to a dresser and pulled one drawer open, grabbing the sheets and then going to the closet and taking two blankets from the shelf. "If you need anything, let me know."

Spirit nodded, and Soul went to leave only to have Spirit stop him. "Soul." He turned and looked at the older death scythe. "Thank you." Soul just nodded and walked out to the kitchen for water. He was leaning on the counter, thinking about what he could do, how he could help the girl he loved and her father.

He dialed Tsubaki. "Hey, Tsubaki." He said softly. "Yeah, Maka's okay. She's sleeping, cried herself out for now and her dad's here too." He paused. "Yeah, I know. I just never felt that much pain from her before." He sighed. "You and Black star have any extra pillows? We only have Mine and Maka's we didn't get any extra ones for the spare room yet and death scythe needs one." He listened. "That would be great, thanks Tsubaki… Yeah, thanks." He hung up and leaned onto the counter, rubbing his face with a deep sigh. He settled his chin in his hand as he looked over at the cracked door that led to Maka. He could still feel her pain and he wanted more than anything to know what do, but he couldn't figure it out.

"You're doing everything you can." He jumped and stood up straighter looking at Spirit as he walked over. "I never said this before but… Thank you for always being there for her and taking care of her."

"She's my meister, I made that promise when we became partners, and I swore I'd always be with her when she agreed to be my girlfriend. I wont ever break that." Soul told him as the death scythe sat at the table sadly.

"Thank you, Soul." Spirit said his eyes locked on the door to where Maka slept.

"There's nothing to thank me for." Soul said as he leaned back on the counter.

"For dealing with everything." Spirit said still not looking at him. "Maka's not an easy person, and I know I'm not that great."

"You're a jerk and cause a lot of trouble for you daughter." Spirit looked at him. "But you try. You're always there for Maka when she needs it, whether she knows it or not. You take care of her and watch out for her, in your own way. Honestly, yeah, you're a pain in the ass, but I would rather that then to have you off somewhere getting yourself killed." Spirit looked at him as Soul shook his head.

"You're angry." Spirit looked surprised and shocked.

"Damn right I'm angry." He looked straight at Spirit. "Maka idolized her mother, wanted to be like her in every way and she could barely bother to write her occasionally. Maka would be worried for months before she got a postcard that she was okay. She never came to visit her, always coming up with some excuse that she couldn't come back. Where was she when Maka took all those stupid tests, working hard to be at the top to be like her mom? Where was she when she made me into a death scythe? Where was she when we struggled that whole time, trying to keep the world safe, trying to save Kid, risking our lives when we could have died fighting the Kishin, or even after at any point? All she did was complain about how upset she was that Maka had gone down the same path as her, falling in love with her partner. She did nothing but try to talk Maka out of being in love with me." He paused and looked at the silent Spirit. "She hurt Maka so many times but she still idolized her. She never was there for her and now she's caused a pain that I can't do anything to help her. So, damn right I'm angry."

The two were silent a while as Spirit thought of everything Soul had spouted out. "You have every right to be angry with her." He nodded as Soul looked at him. "You really love Maka."

"Yeah, I do. Honestly." He shook his head and smirked. "I can't imagine anything without her."

Spirit nodded. "Stein always said you had a special connection." He smirked. "Something about your soul connection outside of the resonance."

"It's why I feel her soul being crushed from that woman." Soul said touching his chest again.

Spirit was silent a few more minutes. "I never liked that Maka had chosen you as a partner. You were lazy, always a trouble maker and a real pain in the ass." He looked back at Soul. "But looking at everything… I'm glad it's you. I couldn't have asked for a better partner or boyfriend for my Maka."

A knock on the door broke them apart. Soul opened the door and let Tsubaki and Black Star in, for once the ninja meister was silent. He walked in, his arms crossed as he looked around. "How's Maka?" Black Star asked as Tsubaki handed Soul the pillow.

"She's sleeping." Soul said nodding to the door. He turned to put the pillow on the table as Spirit watched the friends. Black Star walked over to the door and opened it, it was strange watching the usually rowdy young man walk quietly. He walked over and looked at Maka a minute before he walked back out to Tsubaki and Soul as they waited. He shut the door again as he walked back into the living room.

"She'll be okay." He said making Soul give a nod. "Let us know if you need help." Soul again nodded as the two fist bumped.

"I made these, I figured you might need some food that you can just heat up until things settle." Tsubaki said handing him a box.

"Thanks guys." Soul said as he put the box on the table and turning back to his friends. Spirit silently stood and started putting the food away. "Kid said he'd call me when he got any more information. Until then I figured just let her rest."

"That's all you can really do with all of this." Black Star shrugged. "She's always been tough, this wont stop her." Soul nodded and absentmindedly rubbed his chest.

"Are you okay, Soul?" Tsubaki asked noticing as he rubbed his chest.

Soul nodded. "Yeah." He said making her nod. "Just the consequences of the connection."

"Your souls become like one after they bond." Tsubaki said watching Soul nod. "You can feel everything in Maka's soul."

"Only when she doesn't guard it, or if it's too intense to block." Soul told her.

"Make sure to let us know when you find anything out and if you need anything." Black Star said again. "We're going to help Kid."

"Yeah, thanks, man." Soul said before Tsubaki hugged him, promising to check in with them tomorrow before they left. Soul sighed and turned around finding Spirit placing the food neatly in the refrigerator. "Thanks."

"Well it's the least I can do." Spirit shrugged.

"Soul?" They heard as the door to the bedroom opened and Maka slowly walked out rubbing her eyes.

"Yeah?" He said as he walked over to her. She looked up at him before sighing and wrapping her arms around him. He pulled her tight to him. "You just missed Black Star and Tsubaki." She looked up at him. "I asked Tsubaki for another pillow for your dad, Tsubaki brought some food."

"She always has the best food." She said weakly making Soul smirk.

"Yeah, you want some?" She nodded and let him lead her to the kitchen where she sat with Spirit. "You want some too old man?" Spirit gave a nod making Soul start heating up the food for all three of them.

"How are you feeling, Maka?" Spirit asked watching as Maka sat across from him looking completely drained.

"I'm okay." She gave a half-hearted smile. "I'm glad you're staying with us for a bit." Spirit just nodded with a small smile. Soul placed a plate in front of each of them then he placed his own next to Maka and he took his seat. "Thank you, Soul."

"No need to thank me Maka." He said kissing her cheek. He watched as she gave him a smile filled with so many emotions. "Eat up, Tsubaki made sure we were stocked up."

That night Spirit was laying on the bed that had once been his daughters, she now slept in the other room with her weapon, she was growing up much faster than he would like. He stared at the ceiling thinking of all the years that had passed. He had missed things with Maka because of his actions but he made sure to be there regardless. He couldn't imagine missing all those moments like his ex-wife had done. He sighed and closed his eyes, he had always loved the woman, even if he couldn't settle down with her. A cry made him jump from the bed and run over to the room Maka and Soul were in. He opened the door without a second thought and saw Soul sitting up in pajama pants holding Maka to him as she cried into his chest, the blanket laid across their laps still. Soul and Maka hadn't noticed Spirit at the door as Soul comforted her.

All Spirit could do is watch, taking in the new side of Soul he had never seen before. "It's alright. It's okay." He kissed the top of her head as she cried. "I'm right here."

"I can't… every time I fall asleep…. All I do is…" She sobbed. Soul pulled her into his lap as he shifted to hold her tighter and closer.

"I know." He whispered. "I wish I could take it all away for you." He looked on the brink of tears as he held her, rocking slightly.

"Don't leave me." She cried.

Soul kissed her head. "I'm not going anywhere. I love you Maka, I wont ever leave you, I'm right here." He rocked her a bit. "I'm so sorry I can't take it away."

She shook her head. "Just don't ever leave me, okay?"

Soul smirked and looked down at her. "That I can do." She dropped her head back to his chest as he held her again, both falling silent. Spirit backed out of the room, slowly shutting the door. He had know the two loved each other, Maka had always talked about a side that he would never understand and he never believed her, he knew the weapon would be there and take care of her but he never imagined how gentle he could be. He sat back on the bed in the other room. He sat thinking about how glad he was that Maka had Soul.