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"Hurry! We must evacuate!"

"But Lady Lauretta!"

"Now!" Lauretta pushed the small servant towards the crumbling archway. The girl stumbled through the thick smoke, coughing and searching frantically for a way out.

"Laura? Laura!" A burly, brown haired man searched through the crowd of people rushing out of the castle. His jaw tightened, fists clenched. The red cloak around his shoulders billowed in the breeze as a young girl pushed past him, her ash blonde pigtails trailing behind her. "Wait!" He grabbed her elbow, forcing her back.

"Let me go." Her green eyes bore into milky brown. She looked so little, maybe no older than thirteen.

"I shall not let you pass. It be to dangerous!" The girl puffed her cheeks out in agitation.

"And who are you?" His brows shot up at the statement. Surely she was joking.

"I am the king of this land, Lord Charles Kinsey Aldrich the third." The girls eyes widened and she suddenly became more rigid.

"I'm very sorry your highness. My name is Maka Albarn." She tried to curtsy, but was unable to do his firm grip. He released her arm after giving her a quick look over.

"Why do you wish access to my castle?"

"Well I..."

"Maka!" A white haired boy broke through the crowd. His red eyes barely spared the king a glance as his attention was on the small girl next to him. "You idiot! Don't run off like that." The boy sneered at Maka, revealing a mouth full of sharp teeth.

"Demon!" The king took a step back, but the girl grabbed his arm.

"It's alright! Soul is not a demon. I promise." The reassurance in her voice made him relax, but only a little.

"Damn right I ain't a demon." Soul spat back.

"But thou hast the eyes and teeth of a demon."

"So? Doesn't mean I am one." Maka tried to hush his rant, but to no avail.

"I shall believe you for now."

"This place has absolutely no symmetry!It is disgusting." Kid, Liz, and Patti pulled themselves out of the crowd.

"What's up guys?!" Liz appeared next to Soul, flipping her long hair over her shoulder. Kid and the Patti joined them as well soon after.

"I don't have time for this."Lord Aldrich began calling for his wife again.

"Who is Laura? Maybe we can help find her." Maka offered with a sincere smile.

"Laura is my wife. I fear she may still be stuck inside."

"Lets go then!" Maka grabbed Souls wrist and sprinted towards the crumbling archways. The walls were black with smoke, the air thick and almost impossible to breathe in, but Maka pushed on. She ran blindly through the large throne room, stumbling and coughing uncontrollably. She felt Soul slip from her grasp, but she kept on. The smoke stung her eyes, tears streaming down her blackened cheeks, leaving trails in their wake.

"Laura?!" Her voice came out choked and muffled, but it was enough.

"H-help!" The voice was distant, but Maka found her, curled up in a corner coughing and heaving. Her body was covered in sweat and burns. Her once elegant purple dress was completely shredded, the wire frame and under skirt showing. Maka reached out and pulled her up, moving one of the woman's arms over her shoulder to help support her.

Another coughing fit caused her to stop. The air was getting so thick and warm. All she wanted was to allow her body to give way to the weariness that edged it. All the screaming from outside had stopped, sound itself was gone. Finally her knees gave way. Maka crumbled to the ground, Laura landing with a soft thud next to her. Her eyelids drooped open and closed, and the last thing she saw was a small mouse scurrying along. It looked at her with almost a melancholy expression. It flipped its tail,adjusting the little hat on its head. A mouse with a hat. How cute...

This ones really short and I don't like it that much, but I needed to set some things in motion and well that's what this one does. More stuff to come. I promise! I have to many stories right now:( I have seven stories to keep up with. This. Is. A. Problem. So I apologize if I take a while to update. ~Sky