This time Maka did not resist the urge to smack the strange man she found in the desert. Her and Soul had been walking towards the small desert city for at least three hours and he had been whining nonstop for at least half that time.

"Why is it so damn hot," he grumbled one time too many.

"Maaaa-kaaa, CHOP!" She screamed as she slapped him upside the back of the head.

"What the hell Maka."

"You earned that one by being a whiney baby Soul, I cannot help the temperature just like I cannot help that we somehow got-stranded-in-the-desert," she also could not help how hysterical she had started to sound.

She took a deep breath and focused her energy on not sounding as shrill as she had before, "Look, the sun is starting to come down anyways. It's already getting cooler."

"Damn Maka relax, we're almost there anyways," he said while he continued to rub the spot on his head where she hit him.

"So, do you think we should wait until it's dark before we go anywhere near that place?" She asked nodding towards the town.

He stopped and circled her like a vulture, appraising her up and down.

"Well," he said as he came to a stop in front of her, "You look like shit. So I'd say, yeah we should wait."

She growled and threw another punch at him. This time he dodged.

"Fool me once," he said as he danced out of reach.

"Yeah yeah. I don't get how you're already being such a douche. We just met today, and you know we're probably gonna be stuck with each other for a while. Couldn't you even put up a polite front for a little longer?"

"Why bother," he responded. "You know there's something fishy here. Talking with you is weirdly familiar, and I know you feel the same. Either way, no nice girl would throw a punch the first day she meets a cool fellow like myself." He grinned gesturing at himself.

"I think the heat is melting your brain. Illusions of grandeur are not a good sign Soul," she sighed as she dropped to her knees in the sand. "So we should just wait here then?"

"Well, if my instincts are right, which I think they usually are," he paused and winked, "then no. We should circle the perimeter from a safe distance and see if there is a relatively secluded way to enter the town. We go in around dusk, when people typically turn in, and try to find a way to clean up change, get some fucking water, and then plan from there."

"That sounds utterly impossible. Who the hell were you before this…like…were you a pretend spy or something, did you set up camp in imagination land?"

"Not cool Maka. Do you have a better plan, one that does not involve making fun of me?"

With a heavy sigh she heaved herself back up, "No. No I do not. I am just hot, and thirsty, and dirty, and confused, and really fucking tired Soul. You are a total stranger and my only lifeline. I know the second I'm alone with my thoughts I am going to freak out because this is all really really scary. I don't remember much, but I know people don't just hurtle through the air and crash into deserts."

"Okay, okay, you're right. This is all super fucked up. Bring it in kid."

She cocked an eyebrow at him, "Bring what in?"

"I was trying to be nice. I was going to give you a hug? What are you a cyborg?"

"Ew. Settle down I'm cranky, not ovulating."

He looked truly horrified and she couldn't help but laugh. An honest to God laugh, even in the midst of this strange chaos.

"Phew. Sorry Soul, I pegged you for the highly squeamish type, and you did not disappoint," she said as her laughter subsided.

"You are a damn bully lady, and I don't think I like it."

"Whatever," she responded, "Let's just keep going I want to get closer before it gets dark."

The sun began to set as they approached the city. Luckily some shelter was provided by the many rocks and boulders leading into the town.

"Alright Soul, I know you like to act like you know what you're doing but this could get weird for us so.. are you sure this is going to work out okay?"

"Well for starters what are you even afraid of? It's not like you're a wanted criminal or anything... I mean, you're not are you?"

"No, you moron," she calmed a little after a moment, "But I guess you're right," he looked at her curiously. "I don't know what I'm nervous about," she continued, "I just am I guess. This is all really weird Soul and pretty scary. It was more about getting out of the desert before, but now I can think about something other than getting out and I'm scared. I don't know who I am, where I'm from, how I got here, or even how to get back to where ever I came from. What if I'm gone for a reason? What if no one is even looking for me where I'm from?"

His curious gaze hardened, "Alright Maka, enough of the pity party, you're better than this," he responded harshly.

"Excuse me?!" she raised a hand to slap him but to her surprise he stepped towards her and caught her hand before she could make contact.

"I don't know you at all Maka, but I already know you're better than this. This is all really fucking weird, and granted pretty scary but we are gonna clean up, get some food and water, and figure this shit out. Something strange is going down, but we got each other now and we have to find out what happened to us."

She considered his words carefully as he gave her a hard look before walking away. Maybe she couldn't remember who she was but she could certainly take control of who she is now. With that her resolve hardened and she took off after Soul, only a few steps behind.