Chapter 2:

Sitting across from Maka, Soul could see that she looked even more tired than before. "What happened to your hands?" Soul asked. Maka stopped eating. "Blair accidently scratched me." She replied; head down she continued eating. "It wasn't and accident but I am sorry." Blair corrected jumping onto the table. She sat down and started grooming herself while she explained. "It's not like I wanted to. She wouldn't let go of my beautiful tail." She waved in front of Soul to emphasize her point.

"Why'd ya do that?" Soul asked Maka. Blair answered for her. "Oh, she didn't mean to. She was asleep. You both acted really strange last night." She looked at them quizzically. "First there was the screaming, then laughing, and then holding my tail like your life depended on it. I tell ya. You think she would've died if she let go." Maka stood up suddenly and put her plate in the sink. "Hey, Maka," Soul started but she had already closed the bathroom door.

Blair's words were echoing inside Maka's head. "You think she would've died if she let go." In her dream that's exactly how it had felt. Her hands started shivering as she tried to remember the dream; the way the demon had looked down at her with glee.

Still shaking Maka started to changer her bandages only to gasp when they were gone. Every little trace had been erased. Trembling violently, she took her razor from the shower; she had to know. Gritting her teeth and with a quick intake of breath she yanked the razor across her skin. A cut formed on her writs that should've immediately started to drip blood. Instead the cut was deep with a small black line forming on the surface.

Maka jumped when Soul knocked on the door. "Maka, it's time to head to school. You ok?" His voiced carried through the door. He could hear scuffling on the other side of the door. "Maka?" The door opened revealing a smiling Maka. "Ready." She said cheerily. She started walking ahead towards the door when she stopped. Her soul perception had kicked on full throttle. She could see everyone in death city at once! But her attention was focused on hers and Soul's. The blue was tainted with a pulsating red spot.

"Maka? Are you sure feeling better yet?" Soul yanked Maka out of her daze. "Oh!" she quickly put on another fake smile. "I just thought I forgot something that's all. It really startled me for a seconded. You know I don't want to forget anything for class since we've been out 18 days." Soul shrugged. "Ok let's get going." He said walking out the door. He knew something was off about Maka, but she would tell him when she was ready.

On the way to school they both ran into Chrona and Ragnarok. "HEY! WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO HAVE A PARTY? I WANT TSBAKI TO BRING FOOD SO I CAN EAT IT BECAUSE CHRONA HERE CAN'T COOK ANYTHING GOOD!" Ragnarok accused. "If you want her food so bad, why don't you just ask her to make you some?" Soul suggested. "Hmm. Not a bad idea for pointy-haired moron. CHRONA ! HURRY UP AND GET TO SCHOOL SO I CAN ASK TSBAKI TO MAKE ME FOOD!" and Ragnarok disappeared into Chrona's back once again.

"H-how are you guys feeling?" Chrona asked blushing. Soul looked at Maka, watching for her reaction. "Fine thanks." She said smiled, which made Chrona smile and blush harder in return. But looking at Maka's eyes he knew she was lying. What was she hiding?

As they walked into class Maka paused at the door. What if Stein was in there? His soul perception was even stronger than hers. What would he say about Soul and her's souls? Stepping into the room she was relieved to see Sid writing the class's lesson on the blackboard. "Sid, where's Dr. Stein?" she asked. "He left about the same time you and Soul did for your mission. Said it was some personal research about curing insanity. I was never one to pry into someone's personal business. That's the kind of man I was. So I'm not sure where he went or when he'll be back. Sorry." Sid explained. "That's alright. Thank you." Maka went and sat down in her seat.

Not sleeping last night was taking its toll on her. She couldn't fall asleep during class. For one it would reflect badly on her grades and two, what would she do in her sleep if she had a dream like last nights? Instead she took even more detailed notes than usual to keep her brain awake. She even skipped lunch to ask Sid more questions and take notes on his answers.

"Working a little harder that normal aren't you Maka?" Sid asked as everyone was leaving for the day. "Well I've got 18 days to make up." Maka said brightly. "Yeah I guess that's true." Sid laughed. "I was hard worker too when I was alive. It's the kind of man I was. But don't work yourself too hard." He advised as Maka headed out towards the door. "Hey, where's Soul? Don't you usually walk home together?" Maka turned back towards him. "Oh I have to go to the store so I told him to go on without me."

Thankfully Blair was dressed when Soul got back to the apartment. "Soul I'm hungry!" she complained. "Makas at the store right now." Soul said as he sank down into the couch and reached for the remote. Flipping through the channels he found an old "Batman vs. Joker" movie. A thought struck him. "Blair, you said that Maka and I acted funny in out sleep." "Yeah." Blair answered. "Maka was groaning and grabbed my precious tail." "Ok, but…What did I do?" Soul clarified. "You?" Blair gazed at him curiously. "You were laughing really hard once. Then you started tossing and turning and moaning. Then when I tried to wake you up, you bolted upright and smacked me in the head then just passed out again." "Huh," Soul grunted. "No wonder I have a head ache." He ran his hand through his white hair and turned his attention back to the TV. "You can't understand the insane! Ha! Ha! Ha!" The Joker taunted Batman.

Maka checked the list one more time to make sure she'd gotten everything. Soul had added on his favorite chips, soda, and candy bars. Go figure there. Blair on the other hand had added cat toys, lingerie, and many types of fish. There was only one thing left that Maka was still unsure about. She stared and the box of bandages in her hands. She had remembered how the blade flashed against her skin this morning. No. She wouldn't do this. Taking a deep breath she replaced the box on the shelf and went to the check out counter.

Money was never an issue. The DWMA always paid them when they completed a mission, that way they could buy food and other necessities. "Will there be anything else?" The cashier girl asked with a friendly smile. "Yes, there's one more thing I'd like to go grab real fast." Maka turned and high tailed it back to the bandage isle, grabbed the box, and before she could stop herself handed it to the cashier girl. "Oh, you sure were quick." She remarked. "Now will this be all?" "Yes thank you." Maka smiled in return.

Taking the cardboard box full of groceries, Maka started home. The shortest way was to cut through the basketball court. But she could hear Black*Star yelling angry comments from here. She didn't want to face her friends yet. That was another reason why she had missed lunch. She was afraid of how she would act if she smelt their souls while they were eating. She couldn't lie to them. It was hard enough already lying to Soul.

Turning around, Maka decided to take the long way home. It was a warm evening anyways, why rush? Looking up she saw the old weapon shop of their town. "Big Hank's Weapons" was written in big, faded letters above the store. That was where she had met Black*Star for the first time. She had been inside looking at the weapons and thinking about which one she would eventually wield. Then Black*Star came charging in asking for a weapon saying that he was going to be the best meister ever. Of course she had debated saying that she would and they both ended up getting kicked out of the store.

Smiling at the memory, Maka set down the box of groceries on a bench and went inside the store. Old bells clanged as she pushed open the old store's door. Big Hank came out of the store towards the front desk while wiping his hands on a grimy towel. He had obviously been polishing up some of the fineries. "Well if it ain't lil' old Maka Albarn." He smiled a large toothy grin. "Been a while since I've seen you round here. What can I do ya for?" "Umm, I'm not really sure. Do you mind if I just look around for a minute or so?" Maka replied. "Sure, sure, go right ahead." He waved his arm in front of him gesturing to the stock as he sank down into a stool. "Thanks!" Maka began to walk the isles, carefully searching every shelf. What was she looking for? What made her even come in here?

Once she had looked down every isle and feeling disappointed, Maka headed towards the front of the store. That was when she spotted the check-out counter. It was a glass case containing the small more desirable weapons. She made her way over to the desk where Big Hank was sitting. "Well looks like your eye for good weapons hasn't changed." He said approvingly. Looking down, Maka's eye saw what it craved for. A velvet tray with 12 switchblades laying perfectly on it. Big Hank saw her admiring them and took the liberty of pulling it out. Gently, he picked up a knife with an ivory handle and a perfectly smooth, curved blade. "This one's handle is made of ivory and the blade is mixed with a steel diamond mixture to give it hardness." He explained. But Maka's attention was focused else where. "Awww, this one." He said proudly. It was a switchblade with a deep black handle. But what was queer was the slight red glow it was giving off. "The blade," He continued flipping it out. "Is made of a condensed kishen-egg soul." The blade itself was blood red with a curved, serrated edge. It was also the source of the eerie glow. "A real kishen-egg soul?" Maka asked breathless. "Yep. But it's condensed into the metal, so even if you tried to feed it to soul, it wouldn't dive you the actual count of a soul. If ya know what I mean." He teased. "How much?" Maka said in awe. "Well…" Big Hank scratched the back of his head. "Because I like you I'll give you a 10% discount, but it will still be $3,500." He informed sheepishly. "I'll take it." Maka said without hesitation and began emptying her pockets. This would leave them with only $600 for food and other necessities, but she had to get a job anyways. "Do you want it in a box?" Big Hank offered. "No thank you." Maka replied sweetly and slipped the blade into her pocket. "And could this little visit of ours stay a secret? I don't want Soul to think I'm replacing him or anything." Bug Hank laughed. "Yeah, Soul was always one to get worked up over small things. Don't worry, your secrets safe with me." He laughed. "Thanks. Maybe I'll stop buy again." Maka said waving as she left the store. Big Hank waved a goodbye as well. Picking up the groceries, she started home.

Maka kicked on the apartment door. "SOUL! OPEN THE DOOR! MY HAND ARE FULL! Ugh, jerk." She had been pounding for about two minutes when the door opened. Blair stood in the doorway looking a little nervous. "Thanks Blair." Maka said as she pushed her way into the apartment. "That jerk, why wouldn't-" Maka stopped as the sound a piano reached her ears. It was frantic, fast and full of fear. Almost as if someone were struggling against something unseen. "Maka?" Blair asked hesitantly. "Blair what happened?" Maka asked. The living room was in disarray; the coffee table was on its side while the couch cushions were across the floor. "Maka?" Blair asked again. "Is something wrong with you and Soul?" Maka's posture tightened slightly. Turning around she gave Blair a soft smile. "Why would you ask that?" she said, but by the look on Blair's face she was buying it. "Because," she answered. "You both weren't sleeping well, you're acting unusual and Soul had a laughing fit on the floor, then got angry, made this mess and has locked himself in his piano room. Something's up." Blair crossed her arms. "I'll deal with Soul, could you unlock the door for me?" Maka asked tiredly, her face downcast as she walked down the hallway toward the music. "Sure but don't expect me to follow you in there." Blair followed Maka down the hallway and approached the door. She began twirling her finger around the door knob. "Pumpkin, pumpkin, pumpkin pum-pumpkin!" Click! The door unlocked. Taking a breathe, Maka opened the door.

It was all black as Maka walked in except for two candlesticks lit on tall holders. "Soul?" Maka asked as she approached. "Soul we need to talk." There was no response. "Soul! I'm talking to you!" Maka was getting frustrated. "SOUL!" leaning over to look into his face Maka let out a gasp. His smile was out of place while his were looking everywhere without seeing. It was insanity. Maka let her hand retract then extend forward and slap Soul across the face. His fingers stopped abruptly on a harsh chord as he continued to hold his face downcast. "Soul," Maka started again, this time knowing that he was listening. "We need to talk." In response Soul slid over on the piano bench and closed the piano's lid. Maka slid into the seat next to him. "Soul," She couldn't find the air to say it. "Just say it Maka!" Soul said in quiet fury. "We didn't make it…I was wrong. The insanity has already tainted out souls." She whispered.