A/N: This chapter is dedicated to KasunaVC! Thanks for the review!

This chapter is just laying the groundwork for future plot and ideas. I needed to create a setting and explain what Maka's doing also, hints at some of the ships... *cough*

I don't own Soul Eater.

"I still don't understand why I'm alive." I ask tentatively.

I sit with my hands folded in my lap, as I was taught by officials. My broken one still bound by cloth. The log serving as a seat felt rough underneath, and it was so low that I stretched out my barefeet toward the ground. Blazing, a fire cast a warm light across all the unfamiliar faces around it.

I was at a campfire with those who threatened to murder me.

Tsubaki sat beside me, for she was the one tasked with watching me. Honestly, I think she volunteered to do it, and everyone let her. They didn't want to babysit a princess.

She looked over at me when I asked the question. "I don't understand Princess."

I bite my lip and rephrase my words, "Well, Soul could have killed me at the boutique, and BlackStar in the van, and you at the cabin, and BlackStar again, and the Soul in the woods..."

The japanese girl smiled, "Well isn't it obvious Princess? We don't want to kill you."

Frowning, I looked up at fire. It raised high into the night sky, casting specks that looked like stars. "What do you want me for?"

Unknowingly, I must have crossed a boundary, because Tsubaki's expression seemed to darken. But before anyone could move I heard an all too familiar "Ya-HOO!"

BlackStar jumped through the fire and landed in front of Tsubaki. The girl seemed to turn a shade of red when BlackStar said "You look great tonight!" But maybe it was just the fire.

They then a had a short conversation how he was off on a mission and would be back in the morning. The way they looked at each other, it was so painfully obvious.

When the strange boy left, I turned to my left and asked Tsubaki "So what's the deal between you too?"

Normally I wouldn't consider asking a fugitive of the king about their romantic interests, but something about the setting and her calm personality made me even more open than usual. Which wasn't saying much because I haven't had a normal conversation with a human being since I got engaged to Death the Kid. But even before that I was never one to be a "girl".

Tsubaki looked down at her cream coloured dress. "Oh, what do you mean Princess?"

"You like him don't you?"

"No! He's a... a colleague of sorts, you could say."

"He obviously likes you. I just met him two days ago when he threw me in a van, and Death, even I can see it!"

"No, someone like him would never like someone as shy as me..."

I give her "the look".

She widens her eyes, "Princess, stop assuming such fantasies!"

With a sigh of defeat I say, "Fine, but all this tension between you two is gonna blow up sometime..."

"What ever you say Princess..."

"My names Maka. "Princess" makes me feel so..."

Trailing off awkwardly I looked around the ring of chatting individuals. Without realizing it, I was looking for Soul. Stupid, I thought, he's out of your life now. You can't hurt him this way.

But I thought back to when he confronted me in the woods when I ran away from arguing BlackStar and Tsubaki.

XxX

"It's all because of you."

I felt as if his arm had gone right through me. All air I had breathed wasn't enough to prepare me for this. Gasping for air my eyes widen at the man with a murderous glint in his eyes. He also had a scythe for an arm and was obviously much more physically capable than I was.

Carefully, I considered my options:

1.

After that thought I gasped out an "I'm sorry-"

His teeth grit together and sweat beaded his forehead as he started yelling at me, cutting my apology short.

"That's what everyone says!"

I could see the hurt in his ruby red eyes, all because of me.

A vine bulged on his forehead, "Soul, I'm sorry for your loss! I'm sorry you have to deal with this! I'm sorry-"

Soul was gasping and doubled over. At first I thought he was trembling with anger, but the shake of his shoulders was unmistakable.

He was crying and it was all because of me.

Still shuddering Soul turned his back to me and took a deep breath. It was as if a flame of anger had been extinguished. He must have been holding that sorrow for such a long time, and needed to direct it at someone. I was just the perfect target.

After a moment of eerie silence, Soul broke it by saying " I better take you to camp. I told those idiots you would escape."

Needless to say Soul had been pissed at BlackStar.

XxX

I snapped back into reality when Tsubaki snapped her fingers.

"Um Maka, it's time to go."

"Go where" I ask oblivious.

"To sleep. You're in my cabin tonight."

I blinked, unsure, "I'm not being... Locked up?"

She only giggled in reply, "Obviously you're too smart for BlackStar to handle, and we can't necessary leave you alone now that he's-"

"He's what? Who are we talking about?"

Tsubaki bit her lips then quickly said "Oh it's nothing, don't worry."

She takes my broken hand and tried to leads me into the trees, following the group of ruffians who dispersed from the laid back campfire. I gasp in pain then she switches and grabs my right hand instead. Annoyingly, my wedding dress got caught in roots on the ground constantly, and we had to stop several times. Everyone headed in different directions. This location must have been an old campsite before the group got to it. I'm honestly surprised they hadn't been discovered yet. Then I think to the old cabin they had thrown me in yesterday, if all of the cabins looked like that I guess no one would suspect anything. Still, it was suspicious.

"Most people share their cabin with two to four people, but I'm alone for now. I got a blanket and pillow for you from Kim."

I didn't know who Kim was or why Tsubaki was alone. I was still in shock she wasn't shoving another potato sack over my head and locking me in a van. She was treating me almost like a... fiend.

I've never really had a friend before. Well except Soul.

Of course, I think ironically, I have to think as someone who kidnapped me and threatened to murder me a friend.

Then I laugh out loud.

"Is everything alright?" Tsubaki asks concerned.

"Perfect" I smile back.

Quickly the graceful girl stops and holds me back. At my feet was a porch, in the dim night light I hadn't even seen it. A pine towered over the small dwelling, making is partially obscured to anyone looking at it. I guess that answers why no one has found them yet.

She twists the knob and pulls a string from the ceiling, and I'm in awe.

In the far left corner was a bed made neatly, and beside it a nightstand with an old fashion oil lamp,a jar of daisies, and a picture of a family. In the far right corner was a katana hanging on the wall, and below, a suitcase painted with camellia blossoms. The windows were adorned by dark blue curtains. The walls all held pictures Tsubaki and her friends by pins. I could see a couple were her and BlackStar laughing. And lastly, at my feet lay a small mat.

"It's so... Cozy." I say once I find the word.

She beamed, "Thanks! Soul says we shouldn't get to used to it because we may have to abruptly leave, but I couldn't help adding a few touches."

Smiling I walk in a watch Tsubaki slip of her sandals, then before I could do the same, I realized I was in barefeet. The girl looked at me sheepishly, "I guess it's time for a makeover."

Before I could object Tsubaki pulled material and scissors out of no where and began her work. I stood in awe in a whirlwind of snips and knots, all I could do was stare dumbfounded. Before my very eyes she transformed my awkward ball gown into a comfortable outfit. Combat boots almost flew out of the suitcase and landed at my feet. How? I'm still wondering.

"What..."

Tsubaki just laughed and removed her ponytail. Her long hair hung loosely, and then the girl started climbing into bed.

Now I glance at the floor where a pillow, a mat and a blanket were thrown. Clean sheets! Was my only thought as I layer on the floor and sighed. It was so nice after sleeping in a van and on a floor. Though I guess that was partly my fault I think as I look at my broken hand.

"Um Tsuabki."

"Yes?"

"Aren't you going to tie me up?"

"I think, if you really wanted to escape, you would have done it by now. And you don't even know where we are if you were to leave."

With that I realized the truth in her words, I could have escaped by now. I was bound or carefully watched. I guess, I never really wanted to leave. After all what was there to go back to? Not making my own decisions, constantly being monitored, acting perfect every day, an arranged marriage with someone I had met twice, a father who cheats every other day and comes home smelling like alcohol, the list goes on.

Even though she had kidnapped me, Tsubaki already seemed more of a friend, and brought me more happiness than home ever would.

XxX

When Liz saw Kid she was 87% sure he was dead.

Laying perfectly straight in the centre of a lavish king sized bed was Death the Kid. His hands were folded gently on his chest like a corpse in a coffin. You couldn't even hear him breathe.

She had busted into the Prince's chambers to deliver urgent news regarding the Maka Case, but had stopped cold when she saw his snoozing figure. They say everyone looks younger when they sleep, and it's true. To see a stressed Prince, hidden by office doors and embellished suits, so relaxed was strange.

Of course that is not to say he was well guarded, but after a flash of the badge the two guards at his door had fluently let her in Kid's room.

Now entered into the chambers Liz got a good look around. Above the bed was the same Shibusen Insignia as in his office, a skull and stripes. The black headboard rose a few feet, an led way to pure white blankets neatly creased that caressed the sleeping Prince. Either wall on the bed held a window , and beneath that window, a bench. On the walls of the double door were two black rectangular wardrobes. Strange, now that Liz thought about it, the place seemed symmetrical. Wasn't his office like that too?

Now, looking at Kid, Liz regretted kicking the doors open. It seemed like he needed his rest, after all this stress.

Liz turned to leave swaying her hips as she walked. Then she heard a voice call out.

"Is that you Elizabeth?"

She turned and looked into those golden eyes. At first she just looked at the tired eyes, then at his face. His face seemed off... Was that a face mask? Ha! He was even girlier than she thought! Liz would have to tease him, about that later.

But all thoughts of teasing Kid vanished when he sat up.

Because he was shirtless.

Normally men couldn't bother Liz, on the streets they were nothing but tools to manipulate. When her and her sister landed their jobs at the DWMA she had been so focused on her career, men had been the least of her worries. Everyone thought she was secretly dating someone. She guessed people always assumed she was the kind of girl to seduce a man, but honestly, romance was not something Liz hadn't experienced first hand. Even her extreme sister Patti had a boyfriend before her.

"Investigator, was there something of importance you needed to inform me?"

As he sat up straight all of his torso was now exposed to the moonlight streaming through the the two windows.

I'm a Thompson sister. I was raised on the streets. Nothing scares me. Men don't make me nervous. Especially shirtless men. Shirtless princes who are definitely off limits. Athletic half naked-

Liz mentally scolded herself then looked back at Kid.

"Elizabeth? Is something wrong."

Composing herself, she took a deep breath and responded "It's all sorted out, go back to sleep."

Confused Kid laid back down in his cold position and Liz spun toward the door. Walking with a little less attitude, she clicked her heels on the polished floor then shut the double doors behind her.

Embarrassed she raised a hand to her hot face.

A/N: Was it good was it terrible was it meh... let me know by reviewing! This is one of the longest chapters I've written and I've been working on it for two hours now. My fingers hurt.

Thanks again for all the amazing support from each and everyone of you! 20 follows? What!? That's fantastic!