Chapter Rating: T

Chapter Warning: None

Enjoy^^

" You didn't get a single one!?" Kid exclaimed with a shocked expression. Soul shrugged. After he and Maka had agreed on a deal that involved his interaction with an opposite, Kid had come to ask how they did. Let's just say that hearing Soul collecting a total of zero is not what Kid was expecting to hear. Mainly because they had two hours, even more, to imitate what he had did near the harbor. Looks like they will have go back again tomorrow and he'll have to see that hot teen again. Damn?

" Stuff happened.."

" What stuff?" Soul bared his teeth with a hint of dread in his expression. He really didn't feel like explaining the very long details of earlier and get scolded again. He was already a test subject for Maka to practice her new spells on. He really didn't need to gain another headache.

" Nothing. I just got... distracted." He spoke while avoiding the other's eyes. Soul knew the other could tell he was lying and he truthfully did not really care. They always have later and months. There was just one small accident, that is all. Small...

" Right. Well, we have to take this job more seriously. We can't afford to waste anytime, Sukeruton is depending on us."

" I know, I know." Soul huffed, feeling like a five-year old being told off. He was distracted by a hot person, it's not as though he blew up a city or something.

Not that he would do that of course...

" And we are not blowing up the city." Kid added as he went to go write some notes down in his journal. Soul rolled his eyes but sat on the couch, not caring if he sunk at least two inches down in the too-fluffy furniture. For some strange reason, the thought of not meeting the blue-haired teen again made his heart slightly ache but he wasn't supposed to be feeling regret. Hell, they had barely even met and it is good that it stays that way. Like Maka and Kid said, he didn't know whether these beings could be trusted yet. So there is no need to have contact with that perso-

*knock* *knock*

It looked as though nobody was going to get the door so Soul dragged himself towards the foyer. He really didn't want to answer the door and interact with anyone but if it was the land lord, they'd probably have thirty seconds to get the hell out. The wizard opened the door and his heart stopped.

It was the same person from before.

Whyyyyy!?

" What the hell are you doing here!?" He angrily whispered at the other, who blinked before grinning. Apparently he didn't know how much trauma he is causing the other.

" So you do live here! Nice place."

" Answer my question dammi-"

" Soul, who is it?" Kid asked, his footsteps becoming more audible and Soul quickly pulled the other in.

" Oh crap oh crap oh crap oh crap oh crap..." As fast as he could, he dragged them out the foyer and to his room in a heartbeat. Unfortunately, he didn't have time to close the door. However, he liked the idea of saving his own ass first.

Soul shut and locked his door before leaning against it, exhaling greatly while sliding down to the floor. This could not be happening. This person had actually followed him! There is no way someone could possibly do that without having some sort of magic to do that. Or maybe he was followed because of how weird he was acting.

" How did you know I was here?"

" I didn't." Soul blinked as he registered what the other had said. This guy didn't know so he ended up lucky guessing at the house that stood out the most. Oh... That does sound kind of obvious...

" W-well you have to leave! A-and stay away... forever." He said through gritted fangs.

" Why?"

" Because I'm not allowed to be seen w-with strangers." The least Soul could do was sound as though he wasn't some alien or anything.

" But I'm not."

" We met at a harbor and I was kind of hoping we wouldn't meet again! I-I have a strict family so..."

Please let that sound convincing enough!

Soul stood up again and heard the sound of Maka and Kid talking. Hopefully they didn't think he ran away or something. Although, that idea does sound very likeable.

" Listen... you. I'm sure locking the door isn't going to hold them very long so... the window." He said while pointing at the parted window where the curtains blew. It was strange that he had a balcony since he could just hover on his broom but whatever. And the window... more like a two big sliding glass doors. Soul watches the other walk up to him a blush slowly crept on his pale cheeks and he glared wearily at the blue-haired teen.

" My name is Black Star. What's yours?" Soul bit his lip. His face was getting way too hot for his liking. The distance between them is so short. How could he think like this?

" Um... Um... S-Soul."

" Really? That's a funny name!" The blue-haired teen laughed and Soul scowled, well, tried to.

" You're one to talk! And why are you still here!?"

" Well my friend got sick and everyone else wanted to study for a test." Soul raised an eyebrow at that response and his 'dangerous look' turned back into being embarrassed. This person just wanted to hang out with him, that's all. What is so bad about Black Star anyways? If he is this nice, maybe the people in Ohkubo aren't so bad...

*knock* *knock* *knock*

" Soul!?"

It was Maka.

The wizard mentally panicked and started shoving Black Star towards the glass doors. He couldn't risk getting them both in trouble.

" O-out here. I sort of brought you in uninvited." When they reach the end of the balcony that contained rails around the edges. Soul had a small feeling that he didn't want the other to leave but stupid Maka has to ruin everything, as usual.

" Oh wait," Black Star whipped around so suddenly that Soul had lost his balance and fell against his chest. It was lucky that Soul's face was hidden because his face was stinging hotly. Namely because he was leaning on the other, and he was so sure that there was a broad chest and eight pack underneath the shirt." Will we be able to hang it again?"

Oh god.

Soul unconsciously slid his hand on the other's stomach, feeling the indeed taut muscles.

Oh god oh god oh god.

" U-Um... s-sure. Whatever." What was it that he was agreeing to?

" Great!"

Soul was surprised when a hand patted his head and he quickly pulled away, finally becoming aware of his actions. Though, the pat on his head felt nice...

" You should go now." He urged, looking back his door, in which the handle was being tried. He could practically feel Maka's frustration and looked back at Black Star, who was grinning as though everything was amusing.

" Okay. I'm going to hold on to your words."

" My what?" But the teen was gone just as Maka practically destroyed the door off its hinges.

" Soul! You're alright!" She gasped and Soul tried to act as natural as possible. That was seriously close!

" Why wouldn't I be?" Kid came by and his mouth dropped at the sight. Maybe Maka did go a little over the edge since the wall was now cracking paint off. It is indeed going to be a while before everything is back to normal.

" What happened? We thought you had run away. Who was at the door? Why are you on the balcony?" As the female began to parade him with questions, Soul walked ahead.

" Sorry about all this mess. I'll explain later but Kid," the said male looked up from gazing at one of the door hinges. The middle hinge was bolted a few centimeters too close to the top," is it alright if I try again at the harbor?"

" But I thought you didn't-"

" Now I want to." Soul interrupted." We have to check every place thoroughly right?" The raven haired teen reluctantly agreed and Maka came over with a first aid kit." Maka-"

" You never know where you could be hurt. Remember last time when a hippo bit me-"

" It wasn't poisonous-"

" I ended up growing boils for hours until you found an antidote! You never can expect the worse until you are positive there is nothing wrong with you. And the other mission when a spider bit your arm-"

" Oh jeez-"

" It made you horny! We had to cancel the mission because you kept-"

" I thought we agreed not to bring that up!" Soul exclaimed, forcing a blush to go away.

" Anyways, sit on the bed. You're getting the check-up like it or not."

" Calm down, would you? He didn't bite me or whatever-" Kid and Maka looked at him, first baffled, then suspiciousness. Soul puffed a cheek and looked around before staring at the clock. " L-look at the time, I should go shower-"

" Soul wha-" Kid watched the other male step out before he had time to question him. There was no way that Soul would disobey his orders right?" I feel like he's not telling us something."

" Believe me, he isn't."

Well, so far today, everything was a complete disaster, and he isn't exaggerating it either. Black Star is the reason why of course but he couldn't exactly say it in front of his face.

Soul sighed and sunk more into the hot bubble bath water with bubbles floating around in the misty air as well. Everything was soothing for now but when tomorrow comes, the stress level is going to reach the highest point on the scale again. Black Star wanted to see him again but he isn't allowed to and nobody knows what he has been doing. Soul had promised Maka that he wouldn't talk to him again but who could resist a guy like Black Star...

The foamy bubbles on top of the water made sure to cover the blush that erupted on the males face. Okay, so something is wrong with him after recently figuring it out. It is strange that he becomes so flustered over a different being. It is forbidden yet his heart keeps disagreeing. What is he going to do? What would Maka or Kid say if they found out about the hidden attraction (which he hopes that isn't the case)? The wizard figured he would be basically violating all the strict mating rules of Sukeruton and he really didn't want to die a very painful death.

See, when a witch or wizard falls in love and mates with a race opposite of theirs, the government would immediately drop a Death Penalty to both. The Death Penalty could be interpreted in many ways, the recent one being that a person was skinned alive and then beat to death. As great as Sukeruton may sound, it is a pretty gory place to be when it comes to punishments.

Soul sighed under the water and closed his eyes. He couldn't risk dragging Black Star into all this mess. The white-haired teen needed to find a way to get the other off his back as soon as possible. But if he does that then there will be an even greater consequence.

Heart break.

It is very rare but when a witch or wizard suffers a heart break from losing their love or realizing that they would never have a chance, they go through years of terrible heart aches until their lives are completely devoid of everything. They would become to believe that everything is useless and have that life-less look in their eyes. Nobody still knows how to cure heart ache since the victim would never be able to love again.

What the hell have I gotten myself into?

He didn't know which one he'd rather have. A painful death or a soulless life? No pun intended of course.

Soul looked up with another hopeless sigh and sunk down until he was completely submerged under water.

Damn Black Star and his sexiness...

" Okay, we are going to try again here. Should I take your place or-"

" No. It's fine. We'd probably finish early so we could start heading up there," Soul pointed at the large white building where teenagers gathered," and we'd be done with this area in a few hours." Okay, maybe that was an excuse to be closer with Black Star.

" What!? But that's where the gathering is!" Maka pointed out and Soul rolled his eyes.

" There is nothing bad about them, I keep saying that."

" You always think no one is bad but watch when your 'friend' betrays and ends up getting us all killed." He ignored her after the part when she said Black Star could betray them. There is no way someone like him would betray a friend, he seemed too light-hearted and friendly to betray anyone. So there shouldn't be a reason that Maka distrusts whoever Soul trusts. Then again, who is the one that goes around befriending monsters like it is the new trend?

" It's not going to happen. Just go away and mind your own business." He finally stated while turning around. Maka pouted.

" Don't tell me what to do!"

" Shut up and do as your partner says."

After that, they got started when Maka reluctantly ended the conversation that was heading nowhere.

Progress was finally made and they found themselves nearly done after an hour near their previous location. However, Maka was still a bit unsure about the idea of going near the 'gathering'.

" I'm telling you Soul, there is something weird about that place and your 'friend' is one of them! They are all wearing the same clothes and they don't get out the building until four!" She protested as she was dragged down the road.

" *sigh* I wonder how I managed this far with you." When this insult shut the female up, they made it near the now empty courtyard where it was previously filled. Maka blinked and straightened up.

" Woah! I'm getting a lot of Enerugī and Kabū responses. See Soul, I told you we should have come here first."

" ..."

They split up again, Maka decided to go to the back while Soul cleared the front. The ash-blonde haired girl watched her surroundings carefully as she walked to her destination. She was still uneasy about checking out the area but the thought of Sukeruton without magic made her reconsider her doubts. She should be worrying about her world, not what these beings are plotting in that mysterious white building with a bell.

" Excuse me." A voice asked and Maka gasped so suddenly and sharply turned her head. It was a rather tall girl with long raven hair tied in a pony-tail.

" U-uh..."

" Um, I was wondering if you know f-3 is? I was sick yesterday and my schedule was changed at the last minute." Maka stared blankly. F-what? Schedule change? Should she say something? Oh god, this must be how Soul felt when a random person came up to him.

" Er... O-over there?" She uncertainly said while pointing behind her, another white-building that connecting to the front part. Maka had a slightly guilty feeling because of lying but she had to do anything to get this person off her back.

" Ah, thank you. My name is Tsubaki," the girl glanced at Maka's hand," nice stick."

" Stick? Uwah!," Maka blushed and quickly hid it behind her hand," N-nice to meet you." Should she dare say her name? Of course not!

Tsubaki had a look of confusion at the quick attempt to hide the 'stick' but smiled.

" Well, thank you again for helping me." She stated while bowing. Another twinge of guilt made its way into Maka's heart. But why should she feel this way? This is only her own good.

" N-no problem." When the raven-haired girl hurried along, Maka groaned and slid against a tree. She did not understand why such a simple statement was making her feel so depressed since she was sure that she had gotten over that feeling. She thought that the feeling of pity and guilt was no longer needed for anyone.

Thanks to you dad... thanks.

The sound of the bell rang more clearly now that Soul was closer. He was passing through the gates out the front to go back because of a new response. And maybe to stare at the ocean again for a couple more hours. He also figured that Maka must still be busy so he didn't wait for her, not that he was planning to in the beginning. The wizard caught sight of a café near the building he was at earlier and a strange urge to blow it up came.

Soul could not wait until this crisis was over so he and Maka could just get back to their old missions. Ones where he could curse someone out of pure entertainment. Call him a dark wizard but he blames Kim for secretly teaching him interesting curses when his partner isn't around.

Damn, he missed Sukeruton so bad and it has only been day. He would give anything to-

" Hey Soul." Thank goodness he is so used to surprises because this one nearly gave him a heart attack.

" Y-You..." He responded when he turned to see Black Star grinning at him

" What are you doing out? Don't you have school?" Soul cocked his head.

" School? What's that?" Black Star gaped at the other male.

" Dude... everyone has school! Even toddlers." It was Soul's turn to be surprised.

" What? What is school? I could have sworn we were speaking English earlier." Soul sweated at the dumbfounded look. He could not see what Black Star was getting at."

" You really foreign... let's go over there then and I'll tell you all about it." He said while hinting at the café. This made Soul's face instantly brighten pink.

Like a date.

" I-I shouldn't!," He had already promised Kid and Maka that he would not hang around with Black Star again," I'd get in serious trouble-" He was cut off when his wrist was grabbed and Soul was currently being dragged.

" Come on. A few minutes shouldn't hurt."

Noooo! Makaaa!