Chapter 4

Soul woke up to the sound of someone knocking at the front door. He looked over and found Maka still sleeping beside him. Slowly he climbed from the bed to answer the door in nothing but sweat pants. Rubbing a hand over his messy white hair, he opened the door to find Spirit. The man looked at Soul a minute, it looked as if he was going to blow up about Souls attire but he sighed and looked into the apartment before looking back at Soul.

"Is Maka here?" Spirit asked.

"Yeah, she's sleeping." Spirit looked at him a minute and was about to turn away. "Do you want to come in? She should be up soon." Spirit just nodded and walked in. As he entered, they heard Kaia begin crying out from the other room. Spirit watched Soul go into the room Maka used to live in and he brought out a fussing Kaia. "Mama's not up yet." He told his daughter, "But let's see what papa can fix up for you." Spirit watched silently as Soul shifted Kaia to his hip as he started cooking food for her.

"Do… do you want me to … take her?" Spirit asked unsure as to what to do.

Soul looked at him a minute before giving a smirk. "Kaia, say hi to your grandpa." Soul shifted for Spirit to take her. He held the girl in his arms awkwardly. It had been a very long while since he had held a child and he wasn't sure what to do but the longer he held her he remembered holding Maka when she was a little girl. He smiled as he held her closer and looked into her green eyes, green eyes just like her mother's

"She looks so much like my little Maka." He said softly making Soul smirk.

"She acts like her a lot too, but I guess it's better she be like Maka than me." Soul said as he continued cooking.

Kaia looked at the door leading to where Maka was sleeping and pointed. "Mama! Mama!" She called.

"Mama's sleeping. She'll be up soon." Spirit said making her look at him and whine pointing at the door. Spirit wondered what to do but Soul pulled a pacifier from the counter and put it in her mouth. She started sucking on it and calmed down looking back at what her father was doing.

"Did Maka whine so much?" Soul asked looking at his daughter with a small smirk.

Spirit chuckled. "No she was good. Maka was always getting into stuff and disappearing though." Soul chuckled. "She always wanted to find and learn more stuff."

"Sounds like Maka." Soul put food on a plate and put it on the table before he took Kaia and set her in the high chair to eat. "There, now stop your whining." He told her with a smile as he took the pacifier again and watched her smile up at him. "Yeah, yeah." He sighed and ruffled her messy white hair.

Spirit sat at the table to help her eat her eggs. "This takes me back."

"Before you started running around with every girl out there?" Soul said making Spirit look at him angrily before Kaia called for her food and he could not hold his anger. "Why would you go after other women? You had the best daughter and from what Maka tells me, you had a great wife and meister. Why would you throw it all away?"

Spirit put the fork down and sighed. "I… I don't have an answer for you. I didn't want to hurt Maka or her mother but it just all happened." He shook his head as Soul took a seat on the other side of his daughter to feed her as Spirit talked.

"Maka's still worried that the same thing will happen to us." Soul told Spirit. "It took years for me to be able to tell her how I felt because she always held a barrier up between us. She never wanted to get too close to anyone in case they hurt her. I don't really blame her but I won't let her go. I'm not going to screw this up, not with Maka."

"I hope not." Spirit said softly. There was a long pause. "You really love my daughter with all your heart?" Soul nodded. "You love your daughter with all your heart too?" Again, he nodded. "As long as you love them and won't do anything to hurt them ever… I'm okay with it." Soul gave him a little smile. "I'm glad you were able to give Maka the happiness she deserves."

The door to their bedroom opened and Maka walked out and stopped surprised seeing her father sitting at the table with Soul and Kaia. "MAMA!" Kaia smiled happily.

"Good morning baby." She smiled as she kissed her daughter's head and smiled at soul. "what are you doing here Papa?"

"I… um… I wanted to talk…" He trailed off becoming unsure.

"We were just talking about Kaia." Soul supplied as he stood up to let her sit down and handed her some food.

"She reminds me of you, when you were a little kid." Spirit said looking from Kaia to Maka. "i know you're grown up but you're still my little girl, that will never change. I just…"

"Papa, I get it but still… you can't be running around like that. It just makes you look like a fool." He looked at her crestfallen as she turned to the food in front of her. "Soul you should get dressed we have to meet with Kid at the academy in two hours and we still need to deal with this one." She smirked pointing to their daughter.

"I can take her." Spirit blurted out making the parents look at him. "I'll watch her for the day while you do what you need to." Maka looked at Soul who gave a slight shrug.

"No Chupakabras? No women, no running around?" Maka said looking at him sternly. "She's smart and gets hyper, if you lose track of her she could be gone. I'll never forgive you if something happens to my child when you're supposed to be watching her."

Spirit shook his head quickly. "No! I won't do anything you two wouldn't."

Maka paused and looked at Soul once again before she sighed. "Let me get dressed and I'll get her ready. Soul go get dressed while I finish my breakfast." Soul just shrugged and went into the bedroom to get dressed.

"He really loves you." Spirit said softly making Maka look at him. "I was talking to him before you woke up. He really does love you and Kaia." He looked at his granddaughter. "He won't hurt you."

"I know that. Soul is the only man I have trusted. I've trusted him when we went to fight, and when we were in tough spots. I trusted him with my life and he's never let me down. He's the only man I trust with my heart." She gave a small smile before looking back at her daughter.

"Papa!" She said shouting.

"Papa's getting dressed. He'll be out in a bit." Maka explained.

"Papa! Papa! Papa!" She chanted before the door opened and Soul walked out, pulling his shirt over his head.

"I hear you." He said walking over. "Come on princess; let's get you ready while your mama gets dress." He said pulling her into his arms making her giggle as they disappeared into her room.

Maka put the plates in the sink and turned to look at her father. "Soul will get her stuff; I'm going to get ready. Please take good care of her." She said and watched him stand and smirk as he put his hand to his head in a limp salute making her roll her eyes. Maka went to her bedroom while Spirit turned and walked to Kaia's room. He peeked in and heard Soul talking to his daughter as he got her ready for the day.

"So you be a good girl today. Mama and papa have a lot of work to do so we might be a little late but we'll get you as soon as we're done. Your Grandpa will take care of you, I hope." He paused as Kaia giggled and Soul set her on her feet in nothing but her diaper. "He's a pretty good guy once you get to know him, just don't let him go running off with any women; he's got a bad habit of that."

"Up!" She said making Soul lift her up.

"Okay, what do you want to wear today?" He asked her and waited for her pick out what she wanted to wear. "Maybe you will turn out more like me than Mama." He chuckled as he pulled a tee-shirt and pants out. "Alright let's get you dressed. Now make sure you stay with your grandpa, he's creepy and loud, but he loves you, so give him a chance."

"Love." She smiled at her father as he pulled the shirt over her head.

"That's right. He loves you." Soul smirked. "Just like Mama and Papa loves you."

She pointed to him with a smile. "Love Papa." She grinned and pulled her into a hug making her squeal with laughter.

"I love you too Princess." Soul said standing her back on her feet. "Okay, let's get some stuff together. What do you want to bring?" He let Kaia run around the room picking things up as Spirit pushed the door open and walked in. "She's going to try to bring the whole room." Soul smirked, watching his daughter.

"She's very hyper; I guess she gets that from you."

"Yeah right." Soul scoffed. "Kaia, take only what fits in your bag." The girl pouted but saw her father was not going to move so did as she was told. "She's brilliant just like her mom." Soul smiled. "You better watch out." Spirit chuckled as she ran over dragging the bag behind her. Soul bent down to situate the items better and close it handing it to Spirit. "There's some extra clothes and all in there too. If you need anything, we'll be at the academy. Take good care of my daughter." Soul said and watched as Spirit just nodded serious. The two men and the little girl came from the room as Maka opened her door in her red plaid skirt, white dress shirt and light yellow vest on and her hair pulled back into a half pony tail.

"Alight, baby, you ready for a day with your grandpa?" Maka asked as Kaia nodded happily. "Soul, don't forget her pacifier and blanket." Spirit raised a brow as Soul handed him a receiving blanket and a pacifier. "If she starts to get fussy usually the pacifier will calm her down but sometimes if you give her both she'll pass right out. Make sure she has her lunch, a real lunch, and make sure she takes a nap."

The group left together walking towards the academy. Spirit watched as Soul lifted Kaia up making her squeal in delight as he swung her up and onto his shoulders. It was their first time really out in public letting everyone know about them and their daughter. Both parents hoping it would not backfire at any point. At the academy, Soul put his daughter on her feet. "You be a good girl today." He ruffled her hair making her smile.

"Soul." Maka scolded as Kaia ran to her. Maka knelt down to fix Kaia's hair and kiss her cheek. "Okay, you be good and listen to your grandpa. We'll get you when we're done." Kaia kissed her mother's cheek and ran over to her grandfather's side. "You ready?" Soul just nodded with his hands in his pockets and started into the academy.

"So what are we supposed to do?"

"We're supposed to go up and talk to Kid first but I think we're going to be talking to some of the students and show them how to resonate and work together." She smirked hearing him sigh. "It'll be over before you know it."

"How about we go see the students practicing?" Spirit asked Kaia who looked confused. "Have you ever seen your dad transform?" The girl nodded as she walked beside him through the halls. "There are a lot of people here that do the same thing. Your mama and papa both went to school here. Here, look." He said walking into the large room before they stopped seeing Maka and Soul standing beside each other with Black Star and Tsubaki to their side.

"We will go down to the grounds and you'll be able to see how a team works together to battle." The teacher said before everyone lined up and went to the grounds outside through the back door. Spirit held Kaia's hand as they followed the class out, standing to the side as Maka, Soul, Black Star and Tsubaki walked out. "Alright. Begin." Maka held her hand out and Soul transformed, swinging effortlessly around his meister. Tsubaki transformed and landed delicately into Black Star's hand.

The two teams began their battle, pushing off each other, twisting and slashing. Kaia looked out worried as Black Star threw Maka sliding back. She lunged back at the other team. "Mama! Papa!" Kaia called as she took off running.

"Kaia!" Spirit yelled, running after her as Maka and Black Star lunged at each other. Kaia ran out between them crying. Black Star was able to shift and use Soul to stop from hitting the girl as Soul transformed and wrapped his arms around her blocking her from getting hurt as Maka dropped to the ground.

"What are you doing?" Soul asked as Kaia looked up at him with tears in her eyes.

"We were watching and she just took off running. I couldn't even stop her." Spirit tried to explain as Maka sighed in relief that her daughter was not hurt.

"It's fine." Soul said as he wiped the tears from Kaia's face.

"But… I…" Spirit stumbled.

Maka stood up and looked at her father who was afraid of what she was going to say. "It's okay Papa. We know how she is, we should have told you about how she is when we fight." She looked back at her daughter as Soul pulled her into his arms and stood as the teacher and others came closer.

"It's a good thing you have good reflects." The teacher said looking at the little girl. "Where did she come from?"

"She's our daughter." Maka smiled at the teacher. "I was hurt really bad and Soul was beaten up pretty bad about a year ago and she's been afraid to see us fight ever since." She reached out to touch her back as Soul held her to him.

"She's afraid of losing you." Tsubaki said looking at the little girl holding tight to her father and Maka nodded.

Soul pulled Kaia back to look at her. "This isn't a real fight." He told her. "It's pretend. Mama and me are teaching the other kids with Black Star and Tsubaki's help." He said making her look at Black Star and Tsubaki standing to the side watching. "They won't hurt me or mama. Okay?" She nodded as she looked back at him with her teary green eyes.

"Can you sit with Grandpa until we're done?" Maka asked. "When we're done we can go for some ice cream." The little girl smiled at her mother.

"Alright, no more running out into trouble." Soul said kissing her head before setting her on her feet to walk away with Spirit and the teacher.

"Alright, let's try this again." Black Star smirked as Maka rolled her eyes. Tsubaki transformed as Maka held her hand out taking Soul's as he transformed and the fight began again. The students were amazed at how effortlessly the two teams worked together. There were times when they gasped thinking Soul's scythe was going to slice into Maka but seemed to pass right through without touching her.

"End!" The teacher called making Maka and Black Star jump away from each other as their weapons transformed back. Kaia ran out to her parents with a bright smile. Maka lifted her up onto her hip as Soul ruffled her hair making her giggle.

"Icy cream?" She asked looking up at her mother making her smile as Soul shook his head.

"Yeah, we'll get you, your ice cream." He told her as he pulled her into his arms.

"You want to come too?" Maka asked Black Star and Tsubaki who explained they had to go take a mission from Kid. She looked at her father. "How about you, Papa? Would you like to come with us to get ice cream?" He nodded happily. "Okay, let's finish this and we'll leave." The three walked over to the class as the Teacher finished his discussion with the class.

"Do any of you have any questions?" The teacher asked and watched several students hands go up.

"How are you able to get your reflexes like that? I mean anyone else wouldn't have been able to stop." One student asked.

"We've worked hard together to learn how to be able to avoid things and move quickly." Maka answered.

"How were you able to move smoothly even when it looked like you were going to get sliced by your own weapon?" A student asked.

Maka looked at Soul and smiled. "We trust each other." She looked back at the group of students. "Soul and I aren't the normal partners. We've been able to resonate much higher than a lot of even the highest meister and weapon teams. And when we were younger we were up against an enemy Soul transformed back to protect me." She paused and looked at Soul as he laid his hand on her back. "The enemy's black blood infected Soul, and when we resonate it would transfer to me but it would clear out immediately because of my soul type. We have a power that none of the other teams have, but that doesn't mean we're the best."

"Did you fall in love because you were partners?" Called out a girl in the back making Maka giggle as Soul rolled his eyes.

"I don't think it was just because we were partners. I think being partners gave us the chance to see the things we liked about each other, but we didn't fall in love because we are partners. If you like your partner…" She glanced at Soul. "Just tell them when it feels right. If you hide it and try to bury it, it's only going to hurt you. Take it from our experiences. Your partner is your best friend, the one who holds your secrets, the one who hold your life. If you can't trust them with your feelings then why are you trusting them with your life in battle. A strong bond starts with no secrets."

"Icy cream." Kaia looked between her parents.

"Yeah, yeah." Soul said as he shifted her to one arm.

"Last questions." The teacher said.

A student raised their hand. "Was it difficult taking control of the Europe division without ever being a position like that before?"

"Not really." Maka said as she thought about it. "We've always been one of the teams working towards the top so taking a command potion wasn't that bad. I think the worst part was being away from our friends and everything we knew. But we managed and were able to discover even more about each other." She pulled her hands behind her back with a smile.

"Alright, that's enough. Thank you very much Maka, Soul." The two nodded before they left with Spirit to get Kaia her ice cream.