Sorry about the late update! Who knew I could get so much homework in the beginning of school...huh. Anyways, this one is finally out. I'm afraid to say the other one probably won't be out this week, although I will try! I have ideas :) And I already know the ending to this story. I have it all planned out! So anyways, enjoy! And I'll never abandon this ;D

Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy VII, Soul Eater, or anything associated with either one. I do, however, own the plot of this story.

Maka's POV

"MAKA CHOP!"
"OW!"
Soul had burned the dinner again. It just sat there on the stove, a big black lump of what was supposed to be macaroni and cheese. He had even managed to burn the spoon he was mixing it with!

"I'm…I'm sorry!" he managed, while lying on the floor gripping his freshly dented head. I stood fuming, book in hand.

"You had better be! What are we supposed to eat now?"
"Take-out?" he offered meekly.
"You're paying!" I ordered.
"Fine, fine…" Soul got up and slowly reached for his coat.

"…I bet Kid and the others are enjoying a nice meal" I heard Soul mumble.

"That's because they can cook a decent meal without burning it!" I responded angrily, my patience running out.
"Yeah, yeah, I get it. Anyways, I'm off"

I watched as Soul headed out the door, then turned around and began to clean up his burnt mess.

"Damnit, Soul…" I mumbled, whilst scraping the pan clean.
Absorbed in my thoughts, I had almost missed the vibration of a mirror in the pocket of my orange PJ's. Pulling it out, I waited patiently for the caller.

"Yo, wassap!" cheered the jolly voice of Lord Death, holding out a big white peace sign. His hands always reminded me of those big sports fan foam fingers.

"Good evening, Lord Death! What made you call this late?" I responded calmly, completely forgetting my conflict with Soul for the moment.

"I would like to inform you of a mission I want you to attend. Report to the Death room tomorrow for details. You and Soul will be teaming up with Kid's team, as well as Cloud."
"Cloud?" I asked, suddenly remembering the new addition to our group.
"Yes, Cloud. This is a side mission, not in relation to Noah or anything else going on. I wanted you and Kid to test out Cloud's strength, and his soul." Lord Death's façade dropped at his mention of Noah.

"Oh, ok. Um, how are Black*Star and Tsubaki doing?" I asked, after a rather long silence.
"They have caught witch Eruka, and…well…let's just say that she was croaking for help when they did."

Not quite understanding what he meant, I simply nodded.

"Well then, see ya tomorrow, scythe-meister Maka Albarn!" Lord Death's usual attitude was back, and with that the mirror rippled back to my own reflection.

Pocketing the mirror, I resumed cleaning Soul's mess. He was in for it when he got back.

Kid's POV

During dinner, Father had called via mirror to inform us of a mission we were to attend; that is, including Cloud. We were to report to the Death room tomorrow morning. Although he didn't mention it, I knew that the mission's purpose was to test Cloud's strength. I was also curious to see this 'materia' in action. Throughout the call, Cloud looked rather curious but thought better of speaking while Father was talking.

Dinner was somewhat awkward, for no one spoke. Usually Liz, Patty and I are very talkative while eating, but Cloud's presence made it slightly uncomfortable. Well, for Patty and Liz. I tried multiple times to start a conversation, but Cloud's short replies stopped the conversation as abruptly as it had started.

As of now, I was pacing back and forth in my room, mulling over the Kishin, Noah, and what Cloud and his materia can do to help. I have to admit, the materia was driving me crazy.

Is what he said true?
How do you use it?
How powerful is it?
How will it affect the outcome of the battle?
Is it safe?

My mind was about to explode with these questions. Sure, I could always ask him but I needed to see it in action, useit myself. I looked around my perfectly symmetrical room. That seemed completely irrelevant compared to what was going on. Grimacing, I continued to pace faster.

Knock, Knock.

I snapped my head towards the closed black door of my room. It was topped off with a skull, similar to Father's mask. I reached out to the white knob and turned it, opening the door to reveal none other than Cloud.

"You busy?" was his hesitant question.
"Is something bothering you?" I replied instead.
"Not really…"

Knowing he had more to say, I stepped outside and closed the door securely behind me. I was never really comfortable with the idea of someone coming into my room; they could mess it up!
Cloud paused to stare at the closed door, then continued;

"Well actually, yeah it is. You see, I had a...vision, or something."
"A vision?"
"Yeah. I was just lying on the bed in my room, staring at the ceiling, when I felt a strangely familiar presence. Getting up, I examined the room, and just to be cautious reached for my sword. Before I could grab it, the door burst open and the next thing I knew I was stabbed in the chest by Sephiroth."
At this his hand tightly gripped his chest, face in a mixture of pain and confusion.

"It felt so…real."

I stood for a minute, contemplating this. It's possible Cloud could be affected by the madness. Considering all things, that was probably the most likely option.

"You're being affected by the madness." I stated.
"So basically I'm going crazy," he curtly replied.
"That's a rather...blunt way to put it. You've heard about the Kishin, I assume."
"Don't tell me, that thing's crazy too?"
"The Kishin is the source of madness. It is affecting everything on this planet. There is no reason as to why you would be an exception. Don't let your mind dwell on anything unimportant or the madness will get to you."
"I didn't come here just to get another version of 'dilly dally shilly shally'"
"What?"
"Nothing."

I looked at him curiously. Cloud really was something else. And these visions...hopefully they were a onetime thing. We couldn't afford another Stein around here, especially one as powerful as him.

"Just listen to me. We cannot afford someone else going insane, and unfortunately that is a very likely possibility. If this happens again, tell me immediately"
"I knew it, I'm gonna go insane here."
"Cloud!"
"Yeah, I will, don't worry. Now about this mission…"
"I have no idea. We will find out tomorrow morning."

Cloud looked down for a moment, as if he was deep in thought about something. I cleared my throat and glanced at the time, signalling that it was time to go to bed. After all, it was getting late. Even though reapers don't need to sleep, I liked the night, and I had a lot to think about as well. He got the message, and with a quick goodnight headed towards his room, his heavy footsteps echoing into the dark.

Throughout the night, I resumed my pacing, contemplating everything going on around me. I also realized that I was the only one who knew about the materia. Should I tell Father? Cloud didn't trust me to tell it properly, and yet…he had to know.

Stepping into the bathroom in the far corner of my room, I called my Father via mirror. Even this late at night, Father always answered a call from me, no matter how busy he was. After all, he never slept.

The mirror rippled, revealing Father's image. I had expected the jolly façade to greet me, but took a double take when his face looked rather…grim.

"Hey, kiddo," he greeted, minus the enthusiasm.
"Is there something wrong?" I asked.
"We still have no idea where the Kishin's location is, but the madness wavelengths are getting higher. Plus, a movement of witches is plotting something, that much I know. What they're planning, I'm trying to find out. But aside from all that, did you need to tell me something?"
"…Are you sure you need both Maka and I to test Cloud's strength? I could help, you know."
"No, no, that won't be necessary. It's important to find out how powerful he really is. Is that all?"
"No, Father. I need to tell you something very important. It's about Cloud"
"Oh?"
"You see…"

Left at a cliffhanger, didn't I? Well, it's not much, but it'll do :) I wanted to write more, really, but it just seemed suitible to end it there concidering what I have planned. Hope you enjoyed that! Review, Please! vvv