adhskadhkashgdfj I'm ALIVE. I can't even remember when I last updated? Two weeks ago!? Ugh. I'm SO sorry, I got so caught up with things. I'm going to continue to be slow with updating new chapters until the holidays are over, so bare with me. I also have to confess. For the past couple days I have been obsessively watching SAO. (Sword Art Online) IT'S AMAZING. The FEELS, AUGH GOD. From episode 10 and on I was just an ugly sobbing WRECK. The series is HEART-WRENCHING. Hands down, its one of my all time favorite animes. I ship Kirisuna SO HARD. So much so, I am definitely doing a fanfic for them. If you haven't watched it before, WATCH IT. You will not be disappointed! As for this chapter, every time I tried to finish it I ended up hating how it turned out. I guess you could say I had a major writing block because of lack of confidence in my ability? I dunno. But I finally decided enough is enough and forced myself to spit this up. (And I wanted to update on 12/12/12 ;) ) I feel bad for posting such a crummy chapter, but I really do hope you guys enjoy it. You guys are my inspiration, you have no idea what one little comment/review does for me! Thank you for all the new followers! Please leave some reviews/commets for me~!

Chapter Twelve . Labyrinth

- Soul -

"Just admit it, Maka." Soul coaxed, a mischievous grin tugged at the edges of his lips.

"Shut up."

"Admit it!" Soul pushed, his smile widening.

"UGH! God damn it, okay! We're lost! Are you happy?!" Maka shrieked, her frustration getting the better of her.

A chuckle escaped Soul and he nodded. If there was anything he loved, making Maka tick was one of them. Despite the possible threat of his cranium being split in two.

"What is your problem!? This is nothing to laugh about, Soul! We need to figure out where we are so we can find the Malulem! This is a major set-back! For all we know, we could be going in circles!" Maka complained, her brow knitting. Soul couldn't help his crimson gaze from lingering on her pouting lips.

He shrugged, and glanced around at their surroundings. Everything looked the same, really. Whichever way you happen to turn another thicket of vegetation snared about and vines sprawled over everything, waiting desperately to twist your ankles. It was impossible to distinguish where you once walked, and what you had yet to see. Not only that, but the population of animals who claimed this jungle as their home were foreign, and unnerving. Soul narrowed his maroon eyes and attempted to better his current location. "Well, I doubt we would be here if someone had a better sense of direction." He concluded with a small nod.

"MAKA-CHOP!"

Honestly, where the fuck did she get the books from? Soul wondered idly, as he rubbed the back of his swelling head and staggered back to his feet. Soul turned around and met her flustered, irritated expression and piercing jade eyes. He offered her an easy-going grin, which, in his opinion, deemed cool. She merely rolled her eyes and walked off, grumbling under her breath.

Thankfully, there was still plenty of daylight to search, or rather, find their bearings. The longer the two walked, the more Soul was convinced that this jungle was endless. Time itself, seemed like an unimportant fragment in comparison to the overbearing magnitude of nature. The further they walked, more unease twisted in his gut. He couldn't explain it really, but he never could shake the feeling of predatory eyes trained on him. Or rather, his partner. Soul clenched his pointed teeth and flicked his gaze around suspiciously. Maka however, didn't mention seeing anything with her Soul perception, so he struggled to dislodge his unnecessary and seriously uncool anxiety.

Soul sauntered after his partner, with another dreary sigh. It was difficult for Soul to accept that it was December, considering the weather here was anything but. The climate was temperate, but warm. The air hung low with humidity, but the occasional breeze offered solace to his moist, hot forehead. Despite this, Soul was comfortable in his Spartoi uniform. He flicked his gaze back to his partner, finding his gaze trail along the stitching of her jacket. It was a different look for her, but he had to admit he liked it on her. Her blue sailor collar was crisp, seemingly untethered by the breeze or warm air. Her red tie tousled about, flapping to her side as she strutted forward, sending her white jacket swishing about as well. But what really caught the Death-scythe's attention were the swift revealings of her short, blue skirt. However, these rarely occurred. When they did, he barely managed to catch a glimpse of the bottom of her skirt that stopped dangerously short of her curved bottom -but, her skirt swiveled back in place; obstructing his view, and jostling his mild temptation.

"Soul"

"Hm?" Soul immediately flicked his eyes up, his face reddening slightly at the thought of possibly being caught.

"I'm going to climb a tree as high as I can and try to see where we are. Watch out for me, okay?" Maka didn't wait to gauge his reaction before she stretched her arms up and effortlessly swung over a branch.

Soul slipped his hands into his pockets and craned his neck to watch her weave through the knotted vines and branches. She swirled around a thick branch suddenly; offering Soul a perfect view straight up her skirt. His eyes widened, but he snapped them shut and quickly flicked his eyes away, his face warming irritably. "Not cool..." He mumbled lowly, his eyebrows furrowing together.

"Oh! Soul! I see a building! It's right ahead of us!" Although high up and out of sight, the relief in Maka's voice was evident.

"Oi! Come on, Maka!" Soul called back up to her, shifting impatiently. He felt uncomfortable without her in his immediate eyesight.

"Coming, coming." Maka grumbled tersely, her voice now much closer. She suddenly appeared from above, carefully dropping down from the branches. She stretched her feet down, precariously placing her foot on another branch before letting go to reach for another.

Chills crawled along Soul as a dreaded snap sounded, followed by Maka's shocked squeak. Soul lunged forward, arms extended for her abrupt decent. Much to his relief, Maka crashed on him with a low groan. "Are you alright, Maka?" Soul wheezed, peering up at her as she lay sprawled on top of him. He slithered out from underneath her and helped her back to her feet.

"Tch...yeah, I'm alright." Maka winced, rubbing the back of her head. A flustered blush pooled beneath her cheeks. She took a step forward to regain her composure, but staggered and cried out in surprise.

Soul caught her once more, his eyebrows furrowing in concern. "Oi, Maka?" He held her carefully, searching her face.

Maka grimaced, and winced as she put weight on her left ankle. "I think I may have twisted my ankle." She mumbled, her eyes glimmering with disapproval. "I'm fine though, really." She added quickly and took a step away from him. However, her eyes widened and she stumbled once more, flicking her gaze down to her ankle.

Soul released a big sigh and his expression softened slightly. "Come here." He beckoned with a flick of his wrist.

"What?!" Maka exclaimed, her face darkening and arms tucking close to her chest. She eyed his hand with wide, surprised eyes. Her bottom lip quivered in embarrassment, but despite this she flicked her head away defiantly.

Soul shrugged and made his way toward her, despite her throwing her hands up and shaking her head. He bent toward her and scooped her up, slipping her over his back. He grabbed her legs and situated her on him before bounded off in the direction she had mentioned.

"What are you doing?! You idiot! Let me down! I can walk just fine!" Maka yelled, pulling at his white, disheveled hair.

"Ow! Tch! Oi! Maka, stop that!" Soul snapped, baring his sharp teeth when she tugged at the corner of his mouth. On sudden impulse, he twisted his head around and caught her finger in his mouth. His tongue flicked around it before he nipped the tip of her finger. She immediately ripped her finger from his mouth with a loud shriek.

"S-SOUL!" She yelled, vigorously rubbing her finger on her jacket. Her entire face was a deep shade of red, matching the hue of his crimson eyes.

Soul merely grinned when she pulled away and stopped harassing him. She grew quiet, most likely from her mortification, but Soul took it as a victory. And, after a while, she relaxed, loosely snaked her arms around his neck and rested her cheek on his shoulder.

Dusk sunlight slanted across the world, streaking through the tops of trees when the two reached an opening in the jungle. Soul stopped and glanced ahead, fixating his gaze on the structure.

Ruins rested before them, enveloped in moss and plants. Tree roots crawled around the structure, poking through holes and cracks everywhere. Vines twisted along the stones as well, dangling from large poles and crumbled remains of what once was. The entire building seemed ready to collapse, having being taken over by the massive jungle. Soul couldn't tell where the building stopped, or rather, he couldn't distinguish what was jungle and what was apart of the ruins. What he did notice, however, was the arched entrance that stood dauntingly before them. He also couldn't ignore the cool breath that whispered from the depths of it, smelling faintly of damp soil.

He could feel Maka tense on him, and warily tug at their soul bond. Soul stiffened in response and glared suspiciously at the entrance, expecting an enemy. He was surprised however, when Maka slid off him and stood beside him. Soul flicked his crimson gaze down at her and met her determined, fearless expression. "What about your ankle? You sure about this?"

"Yeah." Maka nodded firmly, straightening beside him.

Their fingers found each other and both clasped their hands together. Soul entwined his fingers with hers, offering a reassuring squeeze and getting one in return. They stood there, hands locked as they stared at the uncertainty ahead. A warm hum resonated throughout Soul's entire body as his frame convulsed and shifted with a sudden, incandescent light, as Maka brought her other hand forward and twirled his weapon-form around with experienced fluidity.

"Lets go, Maka."

.

You guys have no idea what I have in store for this two. This is nothing. I actually sorta feel bad for them. ._.' Ah well, I hope you enjoyed it! Notice... oh I dunno, any possible developments in their relationship? hm? Comment and review please!