His
"You're kidding me." He ran a hand through his hair, exhaling loudly while glaring at the Shinigami. "You are saying that she talked to you. To all of you as that stupid witch got her? When? How come you're only telling me this now? A week passed since she gone missing! I could have hatched a plan to save her!"
"I'm just making sure that your emotions are stable. If I told you what happened moments after it occurred, you would charge in carelessly." Kidd leveled him with a gaze. "You resonated moments before her soul trace disappeared, you said so yourself. She would have screamed or told you in the so-called Black room where she was along with the appearance of the witch. Yet, she haven't done anything to inform you. Why do you think is that? She trust you to save her in a sensible way."
He punched a wall while growling in frustration. Soul understood. He did. If he came to her rescue no matter how well-planned he was, it would still be pointless because they were expecting him. But the fact that they had no idea where she and the water was located, grated on his nerves. All information they obtained became useless. Without Maka, no one but Kidd and Stein could identify the location of the witch. Death city would no doubt panic if the Shinigami went out, the residents are not used to having their protector go because the previous Shinigami never leave the place. Kidd leaving would disrupt the balance of the area. Meanwhile, it would take Stein and Marie days to arrive. The remaining members of Spartoi can't go without Kidd's permission and knowing him, he won't let them go unless the witch's location was certain.
"What do you got in mind? Just so you know, I won't stand idle while my best friend was kidnapped by a crazy woman that could brainwash anyone with a certain water." Soul ground out between his teeth.
His gold eyes held a triumphant glint upon winning the argument. "Don't worry. You're gonna get moving soon. I got Sid and Azusa fly there four days ago. They surveyed the building of the witch in and outside. They could give you the information so that you could navigate it with ease. Their safe house is located near the church where you and Crona first met."
Thompson sisters came into view, both settling beside Kidd. Liz gave him an annoyed look and mimicked his tone albeit badly. "Just so you know, she's our friend too. We won't rest until we found her."
The weapon couldn't help but chuckle at her poor imitation. He was worrying about Maka too much that he forgot he wasn't alone. Their friends were there to support and help him. This was the thing she wanted him to see. The thing she insisted him to find. Funny how one could only realize something important when they're not there to remind them. "Okay, alright. Sorry, I'm just too upset to think straight."
"Ooh… Don't worry, Soulie. We understand why you're acting like that." Patty cackled. "Soulie's girlfriend went missing that's why Soulie's getting angry at us."
He sputtered and made a show of coughing. Placing a fist in front of his mouth to hide the suspicious blush that crept from his neck to his ears and face. "Sh-she's not my girlfriend. Maka's my best friend and you know it. Stop suggesting otherwise. Man, so uncool."
Their connection dropped, probably because of Kidd. The guy knew when something was about to happened and knowing him, he doesn't want him to suffer in their merciless teasing. Soul stared at his reflection. Particularly at the scar on his chest. The puckering skin and mismatched color. It was two shades lighter than his tan complexion. Maka hated it at first. It reminded her of her weakness. How she failed to protect him as his meister. She was stupid for even thinking about it that way. He was the weapon. He should be the one protecting her not the other way around. Plus, it made him feel someone of worth. When the blade cut his flesh from the right shoulder down to his left hip, he felt calm because he was ready to die for his meister.
Annoyed as he may be at her during that time, he understood her. And it took half of his willpower to stop himself from crushing her in his arms. No one cared for him as much as she did. Not his mother, not his father and not even Wes and the people that kept coming at their concerts. All of them were fake. Smiles, laugh, even faces and bodies contained something fake. Maka was different from them all. She was the epitome of honesty. The moment she ran after sensing a witch, standing in the alley looking so sure, he realized something. He could only deny it for so long. As her hand's warmth seeped through his jacket, determination prominent in her eyes. It sparked a fire within him. A fire that he tried his darned best to extinguish because he knew her history of men and he didn't want to ruin their friendship. It's like digging up his own grave.
A loud knock brought him back to reality. He grabbed a shirt in haste then jogged to unlock the door. Outside stood a girl about two years younger than him gawking at his bare torso. Her face took on a deeper shade of red as she realized he caught her staring. With a swift movement, he donned the garment. "Is there something you need?"
That shook her out of the daze. She stuck her out hand towards him. "Uh, I'm Cris, a scythe meister. Nice to meet you. I, um, heard that the Last Death Scythe was here and I thought… I thought it would be an honor if you let me wield you. I promise, I'm the best at Scythe wielding. I can even confidently say that I'm better than that weakling Maka Albarn-"
"Did Shinigami-sama sent you? And have you even fought Medusa or Arachne?" He interrupted with a glare. It doesn't matter if he came off as rude. No one could insult his Meister.
Taken aback by his words and glower, she dropped her hand and bit her lip. "I- I once fought with one of the Mizune's and nearly defeated her."
"Mizune's power is nothing against the Gorgon sisters yet you can't defeat her. Now answer my question."
"Um… Yes, I know." Her shoulders slumped in defeat. "Shinigami-sama never allowed me to offer my assistance to you because we won't be able to resonate, he said. But he's wrong. I know it. We have a lot in common! Our taste in music, food and a lot of other things too! You can't tell me we're not compatible."
He took a deep calming breath to soothe himself. No, he wouldn't snap at her regardless of how much the black blood in his nerves boiled with anger. Even the ogre didn't want her to use him. "Cris, having a lot in common doesn't guarantee instant resonance of the soul. You should know that. It was taught in Shibusen. And how could you even abandon your own partner? Loyalty is a key in a partnership because you are entrusting each other with your lives. If you left your current partner hanging, who's to say that you won't leave me too?"
"I will never ever leave you, Last Death Scythe! I will follow you to the ends of the earth!" Her face flushed in the proclamation. "And you're stronger than her. If we fight together we'll be greater and more famous! Just think of the possibility."
"Even if you're the most skilled wielder of Scythe in the whole world, I will never be your partner. I don't care about fame and greatness. A Meister who doesn't know the value of his Weapon is nothing compared to those who're flawed yet cared for them. If you'll excuse me, I need to go somewhere important." Soul locked the door and fished the motorcycle keys in his pocket without sparing a glance to the proud girl. "If you want to be great, you should first learn how to get your head off the clouds and be humble."
With that, he gunned the engine and speed off to the safe house.
They were waiting for him judging from the carefully laid out maps and descriptions of the building. Three chairs surrounded the long table where the papers were. Each had a small table with coffee and sweets in case they feel sleepy or hungry from planning a rescue mission.
"I see, everything is set up." He smiled at the blue-skinned man.
"Yeah. Can't have you sleeping while we work our butts off."
"As if, I'll sleep while there's still no report on Maka's whereabouts." He looked around. The house was a decent one. Two bedrooms, a bathroom, kitchen and a cozy living room. Beside the fireplace was a small bookcase filled with books of different kinds of genre. It's furnishing was sparse yet it only added to the charm. Maka would love it here, no doubt. One thing bothered him though. "Where's Miss Azusa?"
"She's not staying here. One of her close friends lived near the area and they asked her to live with them while on a mission." The ma pointedly ignored his surprised remark of Azusa having a close friend aside from Marie. "As for me, Nygus bought an apartment. Guess, you'll be alone for quite a while lad. But not that lonely since Shinigami-sama hired an helping hand around the house. I'll introduce her to you soon. We'll come over to discuss the plan tomorrow. We're up against the cousin of Gorgon sisters. We've searched and searched for the best entrance and concluded that it is through the main door of the orphanage. No one would suspect you because many people come to visit the children."
"Did you just say orphanage?" He froze in place. Memories of Medusa tricking her into drinking the black blood encased in capsules and Arachne manipulating their minds came flooding in his head. And not to mention Crona's horrifying experiences.
"Unfortunately, yes. Kidd suspected it was the reason why Maka left in a hurry. Since her Soul Perception had evolved she could easily find the hideout of the witch. She doesn't want the children to be involved in any experiments." Sid checked the watch on his wrist. "Well, it's getting late. I need to go home. I don't want to worry Nygus. That is the kind of man I am. I'll leave the introductions to you after all."
Moments after he disappeared an elderly woman came out of the kitchen carrying three meals on a tray. Each composed of a rice, curry, vegetable salad and grape juice. Her expression turned to confusion upon seeing that he was all alone in the living room. She bowed in front of him to pay respect. "You must be the man Lord Kidd told me to expect. I am Rose, your maidservant. I apologize, my Lord. The age was getting the best of me and makes me slower in all of my actions causing the other Lord and Lady to leave without eating anything."
"No, it's alright. We're not mad and they have reasons for leaving early."
"Thank you for your kindness, Lord Soul. Where do you want me to place your diner?"
He was surprised to say the least. Rose held a unique accent and spoke with such respect that he can't say something in return. The fact that she took note of his name instead of his title amazed him too. Kidd might have told her to address him by his name despite the exaggerated honorifics. He scanned the room to look for a suitable place. The long table took up most of the space in the living room. Only the coffee table in front of the fireplace was available. "You can place it there, I guess."
She followed his words and laid the dinner before standing at the far wall. "Don't be shy to tell me if you need anything, Lord Soul. I'll gladly get it for you."
It was disconcerting seeing her stand there like his past filled with servants, money and instruments haunted him again. Her graying hair was tied in a half ponytail, forest green eyes full of wisdom and her face had wrinkles like she smiled a lot during her youth. She felt oddly familiar to him as if they've met somewhere before. He saw her fidgeting with her apron, the only sign she was bothered. "Is there something you want to tell me?"
"About that, Lord Soul… I know I'm just a lowly servant but if you'll kindly hear out my request, I would be forever be in your debt." She continued at his nod of encouragement. "I have a granddaughter. She's only a small child when her parents both died when the Kishin attacked. Ever since then she lived with me but all of the houses I applied to denied me because they don't want me to bring my granddaughter to work. So, please, Lord Soul. We have nothing left to go. Will you please let her stay while I work? She won't cause you trouble, I promise."
Soul softened at the woman's plea. He knew what it felt having nowhere to go to and she almost kneeled if he didn't placed a hand out to stop her from doing so. "Where is she?"
"Ivelle, come to Nana. The nice Lord want to see you." She beckoned a small girl from the kitchen to her. The girl ran then hid behind Rose's dress. "Ivelle, this is Lord Soul. Say hello to him. Forgive her in advance if she seemed afraid. Many people mock her because of her appearance."
He chuckled at her shy wave. Ivelle have a white curly locks that ended near her shoulder blades and two different eye colors. Green and red. The green ones were a shade lighter than Rose. He bent down to her level and pat her head. "What have we have here?" Soul feigned a gasp then stare at her. "We have the same eye color! It must be a coincidence."
That got her out of behind her grandmother. "Really?"
"Yeah. Crimson. The color of the flower where your Nana's name was taken."
She looked up at him in wonder. After contemplating for a while, he flashed her a smirk that displayed his serrated teeth. "Wow! Nana, nana! He have shark teeth! It's so cool! Can we play later?"
Rose shook her head. "Lord Soul needs to rest, Ivelle."
"No, it's okay. We can play for a few hours. But before that. Let's eat together." He hold up a hand to stop her from refusing. "Come on. We three are the only ones in here. Can't let the food go to waste and you don't need to feel less than me. We're all equal here so you don't have to call me lord. It's giving me the chills."
Rose smiled the first time since they met. "If that's what you want, Soul."
