Chapter 1

It's been so long since I've been here. About 6 years since I've been gone. 5 years that I haven't spoken to anyone from my home town, and 6 years since I've seen HER.

Damn how I've missed her voice, but when I signed up for the Marines I should have known that having someone special in my life wouldn't be possible. I wish I could have at least called her or sent her some letters.

I can't wait to see her. I need to see her.

Soul walked up to his new apartment that he now owned in DEATH CITY carrying his backpack that carried practically all his worldly possessions.

He had called and made plans with Black*Star who had been trying to keep in touch with Soul since he had been deployed, but Soul wasn't always available to talk, write or see him like he wished he could've.

*SIGH*

"So I guess this is all mine. Finally a place to myself." Soul said aloud to himself while looking around his new 2 bedroom apartment.

The walls were white with grey trimming and white doors to all the rooms. The living room was spacious enough for a big couch and t.v., and the kitchen looked really roomy. Soul ran his hand along the white tiled bar that divided the kitchen and the living room from each other.

Soul dropped his bag on the bar and grabbed at his phone to call Black*Star.

"Yo, Soul! Are you liking the new place? When I went to check it out it just screamed Soul at me! The complex even has a gym, jacuzzi and pool dude! I can't wait to check it all out later."

Black*Star was screaming into the phone so loud that Soul had to pull it away from his ear to keep from going deaf.

"Yeah man it's good and I appreciate you getting this all set up for me. I'm sorry it's taken me this long to actually talk with you. You want to come over later to help load my stuff from the truck that's coming with all the new stuff?"

"Stuff? What stuff? Did you go shopping? Dude I can't wait to see what crappy sofa you picked out. Wait don't tell me you picked out a futon?"

Black*Star was cackling into the phone and Soul regretted asking him over immediately. No matter how much older they were now, Black*Star was still the same as the 17 year old guy that Soul remembered from way back then.

"Yeah yeah you coming later or what Black*Star? So I can get some food delivered." Soul said while trying to remember what restaurants were around.

"Uhm, well actually dude I was going to invite you out with us tonight. The gang is getting together for dinner tonight and I told them that you were moving back into to town today and they ALL want to see you." Black*Star said with a nervous laugh.

Soul was hoping to ease back into Death City life before he saw everyone again, but might as well rip off this band aid fast and all at once.

At least I will be able to see her sooner then.

Soul smiled to himself and pumped himself up to answer Black*Star.

"Sure man, it'll be good to see everyone again. I've missed you guys a lot." Soul said with so much sincerity in his voice that he realized just how excited he was to actually talk to all his old friends.

"Yeah well you could've answered my calls or letters but whatevs." Black*Star grumbled into the phone.

"Anyways, be ready by 7, me and Tzubaki can swing by and pick you up. We're going to check out a new place that just opened up in town. Unless you want to take the bike and show off how 'cool' you think you are."

Soul snorted and smiled, "Yeah man I'll take my bike. Just send me the address or name and I'll look it up."

Black*Star gave Soul the address of the restaurant and they said their good-byes.

Soul jumped up onto the bar and thought about what he would say to everyone and how he would answer some of the questions they were sure to have for him.

Mainly he prepared himself to see those emerald green eyes that he had missed so much.

"Okay I can do this. I'm ready to see them all." Soul chanted to himself, but he was nervous about what they would all say and how she would feel about him being back home.

Crap, this is going to be a rough dinner. I guess I should call the furniture guys…