Happy Friday everyone! Here's chapter 3! Please enjoy!

A/N: I made a few edits in the previous chapters, but the biggest one is that this fic takes place a year after Kishin Asura was defeated. Just to give you a heads up. :)

-warehouseluver13


SOUL'S POV:

"Stupid, stupid Star. One of these days I'm going to take that ninja down a few pegs," I muttered.

As I let myself back into our apartment, I was pissed all to hell because like I had suspected, Black Star had won our game. I was keeping pace with him earlier in the game, but Star has a boundless supply of energy. I have no idea where he stores it, or how Tsubaki puts up with her energized partner; it's beyond me. Now I was extremely sweaty and thanks to Star, I ruined one of my favorite t-shirts with the stench of sweat. "I need to shower," I declared.

"Oh, you're back," said a voice.

I jumped at the sound, because I hadn't noticed said person appear in the hallway, due to the fact that I was too busy thinking of ways to deal with Star and his stupid bet. "What do you want Liz?" I looked towards the living room and saw only two sleeping figures outlined by a small light. "Is Maka using the bathroom or something?" I asked.

"Um… no," she said.

"What happened? I thought you girls were supposed to have a sleepover?" I inquired.

"Oh we are, it's just… we kind of hit a nerve and she stormed into her room to get away from us. Well, mostly me," Liz remarked.

"I thought 'girl time' was supposed to make Maka feel better, not worse, Liz."

"It was working at first, it's just that I pushed her into talking about something she obviously didn't want to talk about," Liz said.

I ran a hand through my hair to channel my frustration. "Why would you do that Liz?" I asked through my clenched teeth. Looks like I'm not the only one who has had a shitty night.

"I just felt like it needed to be addressed, that's all."

"Are you going to tell me what struck a nerve in Maka?" I questioned.

"Hmm. Nope. I will always live by the girl code, Soul. That means I can't tell you anything we talked about." The blonde mimed zipping her mouth shut and put a finger to her lips to emphasize her point.

I groaned. "Then why did you tell me any of this in the first place?"

"Because Maka may be acting off in the next few days, and it's no longer Travis' fault. It's mine," Liz stated.

"I guess if she's slowly getting over Denis it's better than nothing. But if she doesn't regain her appetite in the next few days, I will know who to blame." I flashed a grin, including my razor sharp canines, to silently send her a message of her impending doom if Maka doesn't start feeling better.

I saw her slightly shiver and I internally grinned. "Has anyone told you lately that you smell like the inside of Star's gym bag?" Liz teased.

"I was going to shower before someone interrupted me to explain how she messed up my partner's emotions even more than they were before she tried to help," I shot back.

"Whatever. You smell really bad."

"I was playing against Star, what did you think I was going to smell like? Rainbows and flowers?" I countered.

"What was the bet that was made?" Liz asked.

I clenched my teeth. "That's none of your business."

"Ooh. It must have been an interesting bet if you're being defensive about it." The blonde grinned impishly at me, and I glared right back.

"I'm going to shower. Go back to bed, before I call Kid and tell him that your eyebrows are not symmetrical," I said.

"But I just got them done yesterday!" she protested.

I smirked. "Kid doesn't know that."

Liz scowled in defeat. "You win, Soul Eater. Keep in mind that it doesn't matter if you don't tell me what the bet was, loud mouth Star will tell all of us tomorrow." She casually waved as she made her way back to her makeshift bed in the living room and I imagined my glare burning holes in the impish weapon's back.

"Damnit Star." I hung my keys up on the coat rack next to the door, and moved to my room to collect what I needed for the shower. I passed Maka's room on the way to the bathroom and paused outside her door for a minute. I hope you're feeling better than you did before Liz intervened. The last thing I wanted was to make things worse for you, Maka.

I entered the bathroom and placed my stuff on the counter before turning around to close the door, but not before taking one more glance in the direction of my partner's room. You're going to be fine Maka. You'll be back to Maka CHOPPING me in no time at all. I winced at that thought, but long ago I accepted the fact that when I got Maka CHOPPED, I usually deserved it.


"Soul! Get up, I made breakfast!" Maka yelled from the kitchen.

I turned over in my bed, not really believing what I was hearing. "This has got to be a dream," I mumbled.

"Soul! Don't make me come in there!" she yelled.

The shock of getting Maka CHOPPED before school motivated me to get ready for the day. I slipped out from under my sheets and picked up one of my many outfits I had unceremoniously dumped on the floor a few days ago. I pulled on my tan khakis, and my orange t-shirt with ease before pulling on my black jacket and taming my white hair with a thin black headband that actually could get the job done. I cooly checked my reflection and moved out of my room into the kitchen area, where the smell of bacon assaulted my senses, and I immediately drooled.

"Easy tiger, what's there to drool about?" Liz teased.

I growled, having completely forgotten about how Liz and the girls slept over last night. "Soul loves bacon, and I made it for him because I wanted to show my appreciation for his patience he had for me while I tried to forget about Travis," said Maka as she placed a plate of pancakes with extra bacon in front of me.

"You're the coolest partner around, Maka. Thanks." I attacked my breakfast, eating the pancakes first and saving the bacon for last.

Maka brightly smiled. She was wearing her ash blonde hair up in pigtails as well as her usual outfit with her black overcoat, her blouse and sweater vest underneath it, along with a green tie that matched her eyes, her red plaid skirt that made her legs go on for miles and her black and white combat boots. "You're welcome, Soul!"

I smirked and returned to eating my breakfast, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw Liz watching in horror as I shoveled down my food. I silently laughed, and quickly looked to Maka to see her unfazed by my eating habits. "Maka, how do you put up with… this?" She gestured to me wolfing down my breakfast as if it was my last meal.

Maka shrugged. "I guess you can say I'm used to it." She started eating her own breakfast, which consisted of eggs, a few tater tots and a slice of a bagel covered in cream cheese. Thank Death that she's regained her appetite.

"At least he's not as bad as Black Star when it comes to food," Tsubaki commented.

"Look sis, I drew another giraffe!" Patti exclaimed, and waved her drawing directly in front of her sister's face.

I took this opportunity to try to snag a tater tot off of Maka's plate. Unfortunately, she noticed and slapped my hand away. "These are mine, Soul! I gave you extra bacon for a reason!"

I leaned across the island so I invaded enough of her personal space to set her on edge. "What's the reason, Maka?" I stared straight into her eyes and grinned.

Maka rolled her eyes and moved the plate closer to her. "I don't need to explain my reasons, Soul! Can't you just enjoy your breakfast?"

"I'm surprised you're enjoying your breakfast this morning bookworm. You constantly have a book in your hand; I'm surprised you haven't sprouted mushrooms on your head from reading too much," I jested.

"That's not even scientifically possible Soul!" Maka shouted.

I heard the girls trying to contain their laughter, and once again I had forgotten that we had an audience to witness our morning banter. "Come on Maka, you don't want to be late for school, do you?" I grabbed my small bag from the bench below the coat rack as well as the keys to my bike before I dangled them in the air.

"Okay, Soul. Let me just grab my backpack, I left it in my room!" She made a dash to her room and I gulped, because she left me alone with the girls. Well, I was nervous because she left me alone with Liz.

"Is it always like that in the morning?" Liz jested.

"Like what?" I innocently asked.

Liz rolled her eyes. "Keep denying it, and you're going to get nowhere, Soul."

"I'm ready, Soul!" Maka said as she reentered the kitchen.

"I'll meet you at my bike Maka," I called.

"Okay!" I watched as she exited the apartment before turning to Liz, Patti and Tsubaki. "Are you coming or what? Today is the day when Denis is going to regret asking Maka out in the first place."

A mischievous glint appeared in Liz's eye. "You don't even need to ask, Soul."

"Let's get a move on then. The DWMA is waiting." We exited the apartment and I locked the door before heading to meet Maka at my bike. I looked up to the laughing sun slowly rising in the sky and grinned. Today is going to be a great day. For others, probably not.

"Let's go, Soul!" Maka yelled.

"I'm coming bookworm!" I shouted.

Yup. Today is going to be a cool one indeed.


I decided that no matter how much I did not want to go to this meeting with our friends, I had to do it, for Maka's sake. She was using her free period like the studious bookworm she is in the library with her head buried in another boring book, which meant it was safe for us to meet to finalize our plans against Denis. We decided to meet on the basketball court to take precautions because the last thing we all wanted - mainly what I wanted - was for Maka to find out what we were planning. She is very independent and constantly wants to fight her battles by herself. I understand that, knowing her personal history of her family, but I won't allow her to take this fight, or any fight really, on by herself. She has our friends to stand by her side, and she will always have me.

"What took you so long, Soul?" Liz called. I looked up to see all of my friends lounging on the nearby benches placed on the sidelines of the basketball court.

"WHY HAVE YOU KEPT YOUR GOD WAITING, SOUL?" Black Star yelled.

"I didn't know you guys were in such a big rush," I replied.

"Oh, we're not. We were starting to think that you weren't go to show because you decided to hang out with Maka instead," said Liz.

"Why would I hang out with Maka? She's always in the library during free period. Besides, I wasn't about to bail on this. Cool guys always defend their partner's honor," I said.

"So what exactly is the plan?" Kid asked.

"Black Star mentioned it had something to do ambushing Travis, but that's all I can remember," Tsubaki stated.

"Can my giraffe help?" Patti held up her stuffed giraffe and waved it in my face.

"NO MATTER WHAT THE PLAN IS, YOU CAN COUNT YOUR GOD IN!" Black Star shouted.

"Feel free to say that a bit louder, Black Star. I'm sure the entire academy didn't hear you," I sarcastically remarked.

"So what's the plan?" Liz asked.

I smirked. "I was thinking that a duel would work. That way, when I send him to the dispensary, he knows never to cross paths with Maka ever again."

"I like it, but there's a small problem," Kid said.

"What is it?" I inquired.

"From what I've heard, Travis is a weapon, and his meister is named Derek," Kid added.

"Of course he is. This still doesn't change a thing, though. How about we look for him after Stein dismisses class?" I stated.

"That will work for me," said Kid.

"I can't wait," Liz commented.

"Yay!" Patti cheered.

"YOUR GOD AGREES!" Black Star yelled.

"I hope Maka won't catch onto our plan…" Tsubaki said.

"There's nothing to worry about. Everything is going to be fine," I replied.

The warning bell rang, letting us know that it was time to head to Stein's class, and we all shivered. "Maybe Stein won't dissect a rare animal today?" Tsubaki asked the question that was lingering on all of our minds as we headed to the crazy professor's classroom.

"At least there's no test today. I don't think I could handle taking one," said Kid.

The memory of Kid attempting to write his name on the top of his test flashed through my mind, and I felt sorry for the symmetrical freak for once. "Anything is better than Stein's tests. Come on, I don't want to be late. If I am, I'll never hear the end of it from Maka."

I rolled my eyes as I heard my friends giggling at what I had said. "Yeah, yeah, I know it's funny."

"No, no, it's not funny... It's hilarious! Soul Eater actually worried about not being tardy to class?! I thought this day would never come!" Liz remarked.

We arrived outside of Stein's classroom, and I rolled my eyes once more. "Whatever Liz. Cool guys actually care about their grades you know."

I looked over my shoulder before entering Stein's classroom to see all of them sharing a knowing glint in their eyes. Damn you Black Star. Why did you have to tell them?

Luck seemed to be on my side because as I stepped through the doorway to head to my seat, the bell rang, causing my friends to immediately race to their seats out of fear of getting a detention from Stein for being late.

"What took you so long, Soul?"

I turned to see my ash-blonde haired partner staring at me in confusion, and smiled. "I was hanging out at the courts with Star and Kid. Why, were you worried, bookworm?"

"No," she sharply replied before turning her attention back to one of her many thick books.

I sighed as I watched her read for a few minutes. I guess once a bookworm, always a bookworm.


MAKA'S POV:

"Alright class, I will see all of you tomorrow. Class dismissed," Professor Stein remarked, and waved his hand dismissively at our EAT class.

I just hoped that there wasn't going to be a test this week, because I didn't pay attention to a word Professor Stein said today. Liz's questions hauntingly echoed in my mind in a taunting manner, and I shook my head to try to get rid of them as I collected my belongings before exiting the classroom to move to my next class, which was taught by Miss Marie. It's all Liz's fault! If she didn't ask me those stupid questions at the sleepover, I wouldn't feel this way right now! I can't afford to feel this way! I need to get top marks, and beat Ox! I need to become the best meister the DWMA has ever seen! I'm not about to let my feelings get in the way now! It's your fault Liz, and somehow you need to pay for deciding to put my feelings through a blender.

I marched into Miss Marie's classroom, determined to find Liz and take her down a few notches. I waited in my assigned seat for Liz to show up, but as the bell rang to signal the start of class, Liz never showed. I looked to Kid and Patti's seats as well and noticed that they weren't there either! I moved my gaze to where Black Star and Tsubaki sat and realized that they weren't present either! Finally, a cold breeze brought to my attention that Soul was missing too. I wondered why they would all skip class, and not tell me about it. I wonder why Soul didn't tell me where they were going… maybe Lord Death needed them?

I promptly raised my hand and quickly thought of an excuse to use so I could investigate where my friends had disappeared to. "Yes Maka?" Miss Marie asked.

"Miss Marie, can I use the bathroom?" I inquired.

"Of course, Maka!" the blonde death scythe replied, before she resumed her lecture.

I slipped out of the classroom, and looked up and down the long hallway, before thinking about how large the DWMA is. This is going to be challenging. Thank Death I have soul perception to help me out. I wonder where everyone is? Time to find out.

I began to roam the halls of the DWMA occasionally using my soul perception to help me out. Ten minutes had passed, and there was still no sign of my friends anywhere. Well, this is going to be tougher than I originally thought. Don't worry guys, I'll find you!


SOUL'S POV:

I barely heard Stein's words, but once he waved his hand, I knew class was over, and dashed out of the room and into the hallway to wait for the others. It didn't take long for them to exit Stein's room, and we waited until the hallway was clear of students before beginning our manhunt for Travis.

"Where should we start looking?" Tsubaki asked.

"I heard that he likes to cut class with his meister and another pair of troublemakers, so I guess they can be anywhere," I said.

"Right, because that makes everything so much easier," Kid remarked.

"I will use my ninja skills to sneak up on Travis! He will never see it coming, YAHOO!" Black Star added.

"You mean to tell us that we're going to have to do a sweep on the entire academy?" Liz inquired.

Patti laughed. "Come on! It'll be a game sis!"

"I was thinking that we should split up to cover more ground, and when someone finds Travis, they text the others their location," I said.

They nodded their heads in agreement. "I don't see anything wrong with that. Liz, Patti, let's go."

The two sisters nodded. "Right!" They fell in step behind their meister and headed to the left.

"We'll search the East Wing," Kid called.

"YAHOO! We'll search the West Wing! Come on Tsubaki!" Black Star skipped off in the opposite direction of Kid, Liz and Patti to head to the West Wing. Tsubaki gracefully followed her meister, and a drop of nervous sweat beaded on my face.

"To think that Black Star is actually a ninja constantly surprises me." I sighed. "I guess I get to cover the rest of the academy. Hopefully one of us finds him quickly." Although, I hope to Death that it's me.


My search brought me to one of the many training areas that are stationed throughout the school. Some were practice ranges, a few were weight rooms. I was about to head back to my friends, letting them know I was unable to find Travis when I heard a conversation taking place.

"That's crazy, dude! Seriously?! Here I thought you were going to chicken out and not ask the loser out," said a raspy voice.

I moved closer into the training area to see four guys circled up. One guy was laying down on his back doing barbell lifts, while one of his friends with brown hair, who was slightly taller than me, was spotting him. The other pair were leaning their backs against nearby machines and the taller guy took a drag of his cigarette. Needless to say it didn't take me long to recognize that Travis was the one doing the barbell lifts. I texted the others my location, and promised myself that I would try to stay silent until my friends arrived.

"She was so easy to pick up too, you wouldn't believe it, Tony!" Travis laughed, and his other friends joined in.

I hissed and clenched my right fist, but remained silent. "Then, the day after I asked her out, we met up to confirm our 'plans,' and her shark toothed guard dog had the nerve to interrupt our conversation. I honestly thought that he was her boyfriend at first, and I almost felt sorry for him. She's not even that attractive to begin with." His buddies cackled like a bunch of hyenas while Travis kept on saying degrading things about Maka.

"I bet Eater is secretly pining for her. I don't understand why he would ever consider her in the first place. Although the way she wears her skirt, it's like she's asking for it, and I guess Eater also got the message. It's not like he stands a chance though, because I'm totally going for it the next time I see the loser."

"What the fuck is your problem, asshole?" I stepped out from the shadows of my hiding place and glared daggers at the douchebag. "I don't recall Maka ever doing anything to piss you off."

Travis was laughing so hard, he nearly fell over. "Hey, look! It's shark boy! The loser's guard dog! I don't have a problem with her. She's fun to mess with, and if she didn't want the attention she's getting, she should change her wardrobe!"

"You left my partner in shambles this weekend, so I thought it would be generous of me to return the favor." I charged at Travis, only for a foot to fly into my chest, and I tried to gather my wits as a shadow fell over me. I looked up to see the brown haired kid leaning over with a smug smile on his face.

"The name's Derek, and Travis is my weapon. I'm not about to let a punk like you fight Travis without going through me first." I rolled away from Derek as a pink soul wavelength knocked him over.

"You're going to have to go through us to get to him, got it?" A deadly voice called.

I looked up to see that Kid and Black Star had arrived, with their weapons at the ready, and both were glaring directly at Travis.

After Derek flipped to his feet, he glared at Kid, and extended his hand. "Travis, let's teach these guys a lesson."

Travis snorted. "Let's make it quick. I want to finish my workout." I watched as Travis flew into Derek's extended hand and transformed into his weapon form. He was a shotgun, which definitely fit the size of his ego if you ask me.

As the two pairs circled each other, Travis' buddies tried to pull a surprise attack on Kid, and was thankfully intercepted by Black Star. "Where the hell did you come from?" the meister asked in confusion as he parried Star's attacks.

Black Star grinned. "I'm a ninja, I move within the shadows and wait for my chance to strike. Besides, a god like me isn't about to let his friend get hurt because of a dirty trick."

I watched in amazement as Black Star went on the offensive. He really has changed since last year. I guess he's finally learned that a ninja doesn't announce his presence to the enemy. It's about time.

"Soul, look out!" Kid yelled.

I ducked just in time as a dark green soul wavelength flew through the air where I had just been standing. I glanced over at Kid, who was rapidly firing at Derek. The other miester was actually doing a good job of avoiding most of Kid's attacks, but he was firing back at a slower pace, which Kid easily dodged. "Soul! Anytime now!" Kid yelled.

I looked at him in confusion, but I saw that he was boxing Derek in and forcing the meister to move in my direction. I rounded on the meister and transformed my right arm into a scythe. "This is between me and Travis. This does not involve you!" I used my scythe arm and slashed down towards Derek's left forearm. He let out a small yelp and dropped the front end of the shotgun as if it burned him. With a deadly smirk on my face, I didn't allow Derek the chance to recover, transforming my left arm into a matching scythe, and slashed at his fingers positioned on the trigger of his weapon. Afraid of getting his fingers sliced off, he dropped Travis completely, and I crudely kicked the weapon away, effectively separating Derek from Travis.

I ignored Derek's terrified behavior and stomped over to Denis, and kicked him once more. "I still have a score to settle with you. Stop hiding like a coward!" I demanded.

Travis willingly transformed back into his human form, and I quickly took him by the collar of his shirt and roughly slammed him into the nearby gym lockers. "You're lucky I'm not going to kill you," I hissed.

"STOP! ALL OF YOU, JUST STOP!"

The pleading voice stopped me cold in my tracks. I looked in her direction, and saw tears running down her face. I slightly relaxed my grip on Travis, not knowing what I could do to comfort her. "Maka? What are you doing here?" I asked.


MAKA'S POV:

Frustration. Anger. Embarrassment. Those are some of the mixed emotions I had to deal with as I tried to process what the hell my friends were doing. What the hell Soul was doing. This wasn't even their fight to begin with. It was mine, and I planned on dealing with it by myself.

"What do you mean 'what are you doing here?' When you guys didn't show up for Miss Marie's class, I wondered where the hell all of you were! I searched the academy from top to bottom, and I find you guys here fighting… him!"

I stormed over to Soul's side and grabbed onto Travis' collar. Soul quickly removed his own grip and stepped back. "And you! I actually trusted you! What was so important on Saturday that you had to cancel at the last minute?!" I yelled.

Travis looked me right in the eyes and smirked. "Nothing. I just did it because I didn't feel like going out. What would make you even think that I would go out with you anyway? You're nothing, nobody and a miss goody two shoes who is constantly asking for it."

Soul lunged towards Travis, but I was faster. I delivered a powerful right uppercut to his chin, and he gasped for air as he collapsed against the gym lockers. "Don't you dare say anything like that ever again, got it?" I hissed.

"Heh. Ni-ice job M-" Soul started.

"I don't want to talk to you right now, Soul," I whispered.

I saw Soul reaching for my shoulder out of the corner of my eye and moved out of his reach. I wheeled on all of my friends, glaring daggers at all of them. "I DON'T WANT TO TALK TO ANY OF YOU!" I yelled.

Taking advantage of all of my friends staring at me in shock, I sprinted out of the room as fast as I could to make a break for the academy entrance. I needed to leave. I needed to get out of here. Away from Travis. Away from my friends. Away from Soul.

I was nearly at the entrance of the academy when I heard footsteps screeching to a halt behind me. "Maka, please wait! I can explain!" Soul pleaded.

I didn't even look back as I continued down the academy stairs. "Explain what, Soul?" I bitterly asked.

"Everything you saw back there!" he replied.

"I don't want answers, Soul. I want you to leave me alone," I spat.

"I know what I did was stupid Maka, and I'm sorry!"

"Sorry isn't going to cut it, and you know that! You know me, Soul! When you created this plan, what did you think was going to happen? That I wouldn't find out?" I jumped up on the sidewalk and continued to walk back to our apartment.

"I was willing to take that risk, Maka! After Travis cancelled on Saturday night, you were utterly destroyed, and you sounded so lost! I had no idea what I could do, but I just wanted to help you, alright?! Where are you even going?"

I turned and looked back at Soul, who was standing next to his bike. "If you must know, I'm going to walk home. I don't need to be chaperoned by you. You're my partner, that doesn't make you my guardian!" I yelled.

"Either you get on, or I'm going to ride next you all the way home," Soul proposed.

I glared at him, knowing that he was dead serious. "Fine." I stomped over to his bike and got on behind him, and unfortunately I had to wrap my arms around him to prevent myself from falling off of his metal death trap.

Soul revved the engine of his bike before taking off down the deserted streets of Death City, and I kept my eyes locked on the laughing sun, determined to hold onto my anger and not allow it to dissipate just because I was assaulted with the smell of Soul's expensive cologne. I am not through with you Soul. In fact, I'm just getting started.


SOUL'S POV:

I was grateful that Maka decided to take me up on my offer of a ride back to our apartment. If she declined, I definitely would have rode next to her until she decided to give in and hop on. She would have done it sooner or later, and I'm glad she recognized the fact that I was dead serious when I told her that I would have kept pace with her the entire way home.

It was a silent drive to say the least, and I could tell that Maka was itching to get off of my bike more than usual by the way she was sitting. Normally, she would tightly wrap her arms around my waist and press her head into my back on occasion. Now, it's like she's a stone statue. No movement whatsoever, and her arms are wrapped loosely around my waist. I hope she has the mercy and kindness to forgive me… I guess we'll see…

I came to a screeching halt outside of our apartment complex, and Maka immediately jumped off and made a break for the apartment. "Maka, wait!" I yelled.

She chose to ignore me and continue to sprint towards the apartment. I set off after her, in a fast pace myself, knowing that if I didn't beat her to the apartment, she would lock herself in her room, and give me the cold shoulder for weeks; perhaps months. Bottom line, I needed to fix this now, before it got worse.


I arrived at our apartment door, just in time to see Maka fumbling around for her key. trying to figure out which one it was on her small keychain. I moved myself in front of the door, pulling my own copy out of my pocket. "I'll open the door Maka, but only if you promise to hear me out,." I felt bad for cornering her like this, but I knew as soon as I opened the door, she would lock herself in her room, and it would take a good few hours to try to coax her out.

I unlocked the door and allowed her to enter first. To my relief she silently sat down on the couch and waited for me to explain why I had attacked Travis. I was about to explain my course of action when I heard her mutter something. "What did you say?" I asked.

"I SAID THAT I DON'T NEED YOU TO PROTECT ME!" Maka yelled.

"I don't understand, Maka! What do you mean?" I knew exactly what she meant, but I figured I would play it safe and act dumb.

"I can take care of myself! I can fight my own battles, alright?! I don't need my friends to fight them for me, and I certainly don't need you to fight them either!" The venom was clear in her voice as she resumed glaring daggers at me, and I couldn't help but flinch.

Seriously Maka? You don't need to fight your battles alone anymore, I'm here to fight them with you! I glowered at her, and didn't give a shit if I looked menacing while doing it. "Excuse me for wanting to protect my meister in any way I can! I didn't realize that it was a crime! I-"

"IT IS A CRIME WHEN YOU ALMOST DIED PROTECTING ME, SOUL!"

I looked at her in shock, and as I watched her break down I had a revelation; this ran deeper than Travis. So much deeper, and I had a feeling that Maka had been holding a lot in ever since we returned from Italy last year. Ever since I came close to dying because I protected her from the Demon Sword, Ragnarok.

"Maka, are you still angry over what happened in Italy?" I softly asked. Now that I had a clue of what Maka was so agitated about, I had to tread carefully. Anything I could say might set her off.

"You will never understand," she muttered.

"Understand what?"

"You almost died in Italy," she said quietly.

"Okay? I thought we agreed to move on from Italy."

"You almost died. If you died, I would've been all alone, Soul." She stood up and pointed accusingly at me before she continued. "DO YOU UNDERSTAND THAT? I WOULD HAVE BEEN ALONE! WHY DID YOU DO IT ANYWAY? WHY DID YOU STEP IN FRONT OF RAGNAROK?"

I rose to my full height, sick and tired of Maka's guilt still eating at her. "You want to know why I did that? Why I stepped in front of you that day?!" I took one of her small hands and held it in my own. "IT'S BECAUSE I LOVE YOU, DAMN IT!"

She ripped her hand out of mine and moved to the living room window to stare at the grinning moon hanging in the dusky sky. "No you don't, you can't possibly…"

"Because cool guys can't like bookworms? Nice try, Maka, but I'm different, and you know it." I was shocked. She had heard it from my own mouth, and she didn't believe me. She should know by now I wouldn't lie to her, especially not about something as huge as that! It's not cool at all to lie right to a girl's face, and I knew she knew it. "I'm different, and so are you. That's why you chose me… right?"

"I… I… I… need to think about this!" Maka leapt over the couch and before I knew it, she was in her room, and had slammed her door shut.

Well, shit. She might have been angry at me before, but now… I don't know if she will ever talk to me again.

I sat down on the couch and ran my hands through my hair in frustration. I should have expected that reaction from her… I slammed my fist into the small decorative pillow that was resting on a nearby cushion. "...Damn it!" I muttered sharply. After everything that we've been through, and knowing how much Maka trusts me, why did I tell her my feelings now?! I had been able to keep my emotions in check, but then Black Star's questions and stupid bet screwed everything up! A cool guy like me should be able to keep a lid on his feelings! Not cool, Star! Not cool!

This could ruin everything for us!


Wasn't this chapter a crazy ride? Let me know what you think by leaving a review below!

-warehouseluver13