Chapter 2: A Big Star and a Dark Arm - Confidence is Key?
The seven of them sat in the classroom, waiting for something to happen. Their teacher had walked in only to dismiss the lessons for the day. Professor Stein rolled towards the door on his chair, fell over, got back up and walked out of the room, dragging the chair behind him. For once, he didn't bother to try his crazy exit again. The smell of cigarettes wafted into the classroom.
"Well, since there's no lesson today, why don't we all head back to our place and chill?" Soul suggested, addressing his friends.
Everyone agreed to this unanimously.
"Wait, Soul, is everything clean back at the house?" Maka asked, worried. Her brow furrowed anxiously.
She's so cute, Soul thought. "Well, not to Kid's standards, but hell, who's that clean anyway?"
They all laughed except for Kid, who pouted.
The classroom was quickly emptying, and they all filed out. As they reached the bottom of the steps outside the DWMA, Maka grabbed Tsubaki's arm and started to pull her in the opposite direction.
"Tsubaki and I are going to go pick up some stuff to make us all lunch!" She called, smiling and waving to their friends.
"Uhh, okay," Soul replied. "Don't be long!"
Tsubaki waved cheerily and then turned back to Maka. "I take it you wanted to talk and not just shop." She smiled at Maka knowingly.
Maka stuck a little pink tongue out at her friend. "You know me too well."
They walked along the cobbled streets of Death City, among the bustle of the citizens who ranged from absolutely normal to absolutely strange. Maka loved the population of Death City, and it certainly was home to her. She never wanted to reside anywhere else.
As the reached the shopping centre, Maka grabbed a shopping basket.
"What should we get for lunch anyway?" She asked Tsubaki, realizing she hadn't thought too hard about it.
"Um..."
They browsed the aisles, wondering what Soul and the others might want.
"How about some simple spaghetti with meat sauce?" Tsubaki suggested. "We can serve it with bread and salad. It's something everyone likes, especially Black Star."
Maka laughed. "Yeah, if no one else likes it, at least we know it won't go to waste. Black Star is like a vacuum when it comes to that stuff."
Maka headed towards the noodle aisle with Tsubaki in tow. "So Maka, what did you want to talk to me about?" Tsubaki looked genuinely curious.
"Oh... Well, the whole lesson yesterday. The bell rang before I could really say too much about the whole Blair thing, and I just wanted to know... What do you think I should do?"
Tsubaki grabbed the canned tomato sauce off the shelf as Maka unconsciously walked past it. "Well, I think that you have feelings for Soul, Maka. I really do. My only reference is the way I feel about Black Star, and I know that isn't much, but... I think it's good enough for me to know you're in love with Soul."
Maka swallowed loudly, blushed, and studied the tile of the store. "Tsubaki... I'm not sure if you're right or not. I definitely feel strongly about Soul in some way. I haven't figure it out yet, though."
"I hope I'm right. That would just make everything so much better."
Before Maka could ask about this, the two girls rounded a corner and ran into none other than Death Scythe, Maka's father.
"MAKA!" Spirit yelled, taking her into his arms and squeezing the life out of her. She tried to get away from him, without much success.
"Maka... CHOP!"
Spirit was on the floor bleeding from the head, and Tsubaki and Maka walked away, Tsubaki looking concerned and Maka looking extremely irritated.
"Defeated by my own daughter... How humiliating... But she's so fierce, how cute is she, MAKA!" Spirit squirmed around on the floor, daydreaming about his daughter.
"Damn, Papa is so embarrassing." Maka screwed up her face and sighed. Straightening up, she looked at Tsubaki, who was picking out parsley and placing it in their basket. "Tsubaki, what do you mean 'that would make everything so much better'?"
"Well, I guess I wouldn't feel bad for having the feelings I do for Black Star. And admitting your feelings for Soul would relieve a lot of stress you have." Tsubaki laughed at the look on Maka's face. "And we wouldn't have to sit through that ridiculous class with Miss Marie anymore."
"What do you mean, 'anymore'?" Maka exclaimed. "We have to do that again?"
Tsubaki nodded gravely. "Every week, twice a week."
Maka groaned.
Back at the apartment, Soul, Black Star, Kid, Liz and Pattie relaxed at the table and on the couches. Soul yawned, still sleepy from his before-class nap.
"I wonder what Tsubaki and Maka are making for lunch!" Black Star said, rubbing his stomach. "I'm starving!"
"You two both live with such fantastic cooks, it's rather fortunate, really." Kid meant it as a compliment, but Liz stood up quickly, looking angry.
"What do you mean good cooks, Kid? Are you implying Pattie and I aren't good cooks?" She raged, standing over Kid, nearly suffocating him with her breasts. He cowered underneath her, shaking his head back and forth at lightening speed.
"Of course not, how could you say that, we have cooks at the mansion to do that!"
Pattie looked irritated. "Sit down sis, you're being an idiot." She said in her serious business voice.
Liz quickly sat down at Kid's side again. "Sorry Pattie."
Soul chuckled and turned towards the kitchen to grab his friends some beverages. He wondered why Maka had suddenly dragged Tsubaki off, and where they were now. Just when he was wondering, there was a sudden loud knock on the door, and Soul heard keys jingling. The lock clicked loudly and Maka yelled, "We're back!"
"Welcome home, Maka." Soul greeted her, unconsciously taking some of the shopping bags from her full arms. Maka looked surprised at his sudden polite gesture, and she also looked pleased. Soul realized his spontaneity and quickly hid his blush from her. Tsubaki came in with another bag of groceries, and closed the door behind her. She took note of the blush on Soul's face that Maka couldn't see.
"Pasta with meat sauce, huh? Sounds cool." Soul took out the pot for boiling water and filled it up, then placed it on their stove and turned the gas on. Maka watched him with eyes that would look predatory to someone who didn't know the situation. Really, her eyes were filled with the mixed feelings she had for her partner.
"Sit down, Soul, Tsubaki and I will do the cooking." Maka smiled at him. She was glad that her partner was helping out, but she knew he was a little hopeless with meals like this one.
Soul smiled crookedly at Maka, a smile that made her heart jump just a little. "Alright, alright. Don't get huffy." He backed out of the kitchen area and sat over on the couch next to Black Star.
Soul tried to get back into the conversation, but he really just wanted to watch Maka. Today she looked really cute with her casual pigtails and her normal yellow sweater and red plaid mini-skirt. It was a nice day out, so she had skipped her usual black coat. Soul watched her chop up garlic and parsley and sizzle it in the pan. The smells that filled the apartment were intoxicating, and he smiled as the smell brought back memories of all the nights in that him and Maka had spent together, just talking about life.
How did I not realize that I love her before yesterday? He asked himself. I've wasted so much time...
Though really he hadn't. They'd been trying to become the strongest partners at the DWMA, and defeat the Kishin. They had been trying to save the world. Maka had worked her cute little ass off to succeed, and boy, had she done well.
Now it was time for some relaxation.
"Wow Tsubaki, Maka, you've done it again!"
Liz was resting her head on Kid's right shoulder, Pattie on his left. He had his head tilted back and looking at the ceiling. The three of them looked relaxed.
"Really, thanks for the food, it was great."
Tsubaki bowed her head graciously and Maka gave a thumbs up. It was about four o'clock, and the sun was laughing as it lowered in the sky. The soft laughter of the moon could be heard far off like a whisper in a classroom with the strictest of teachers.
Black Star was actually not looking too fat this time around. He had only eaten two helpings of the spaghetti. Tsubaki had asked him if he was alright, and he had said "of course, I'm a Star!".
Now, he stood up rather quickly and said, "Well, Tsubaki and I have something very important to go do now! Later, guys!" And he strutted towards the door with his chin held high, humming to himself.
Maka gave Tsubaki a questioning look, but she looked just as confused as Maka felt. She returned Maka's look with a shrug, and followed Black Star out.
"Hm, I wonder what that was about." Liz rolled her eyes. "Black Star is such a dumb ass sometimes."
Soul and Kid locked eyes and grimaced at each other. This was the beginning of stage one. Black Star was going to beat them both to the punch; telling Tsubaki how he felt.
"Black Star, can I ask you where we're going?" Tsubaki didn't mind surprises, especially from her partner, though she wanted to feel at least a little prepared if they were going into battle. Lunch with her friends had been so relaxing, she didn't want to be out of step for Black Star.
"Don't worry, it's going to be great."
Tsubaki sighed and then smiled. She would just have to go along with her partner's wishes.
They walked down a steep hill, practically jogging to keep from tripping. When they reached the bottom, it was the boundaries of Death City, where a park with beautiful oak trees and meadows of flowers was visible. Tsubaki took the change of scenery in, and they walked along a cobbled path that was completely bordered by beautiful trees. The path took them to a wooden bridge that led across a small stream, which reflected the warm sunlight. On the other side of the bridge there was a beautiful glen surrounded by water tumbling over rocks into a stream flowing in a circle around the clearing. There were white and pink cherry blossom trees, Japanese maples that had the deep red tint that Tsubaki loved. Everything smelled so wonderfully clean. In the middle of the clearing there was a blanket which Tsubaki recognized from their apartment, with a dozen red roses and a picnic basket laying on top of it.
Happiness swelled inside of her, and she turned to Black Star with tears brimming in her eyes.
"Oh, oh my, I-" She began.
"Tsubaki, why are you crying?" Black Star asked frantically. "Is something wrong, did I-?"
She shook her head quickly, speechless. And without even thinking twice, she fell to her knees and hugged Black Star around the waist just as she had after eating the soul of her brother. She let a single tear fall from her eye and then sniffed. She looked up at him and smiled.
"Black Star..."
He took a hand and placed it on her cheek. Her face was so soft, and so happy. He felt their soul wavelengths intertwine with a different kind of embrace than before. Before it had just been companionship, the heat of battle, but this was so new, so overwhelming.
This was a wave of heat and dizziness that enveloped them both, making the both of them cling to each other. Black Star fell to his knees as well, facing his weapon, and they looked into each others eyes, considering this feeling.
A warm glow of light seemed to radiate from Tsubaki, and Black Star wasn't sure if it was his imagination, but she looked like the brightest Star he has ever seen in his life. Brighter than himself. Not bigger, no, she was a preciously small Star. But she shone brighter than any had before.
After the first intense resonance wavelength had passed, the two got up and walked over to the blanket. It was a countryside yellow color, and Tsubaki loved it. She loved everything in this clearing.
"These...These are for you, Tsubaki." Black Star was timid for the first time ever, and as he handed her the roses, she smiled at him and wrapped her hand over his.
"Thank you so much." She said.
Black Star actually blushed. Tsubaki felt the warm feeling in her heart swell to her throat. Black Star reached up and brushed her cheek again, and Tsubaki closed her eyes to the feeling of his hand against her face. She sighed softly, wishing this night could last forever.
"I know we just ate and all, but I packed some desserts for us... So there's-"
Tsubaki took his hand that was reaching for the picnic basket. "Not yet. We need to talk first, I can't stand eating right now."
"Tsubaki..."
Black Star had been staring at her hand holding his, and then he looked up into her eyes. Those eyes, so beautiful, he'd known he wanted to spend forever looking into those eyes since he met her.
Damn, that'scheesycrap! Black Star thought.
He felt a wave of annoyance hit him in the gut, and Tsubaki's eyes suddenly looked hurt.
Sorry, Tsubaki. You know this isn't... Being shy like this isn't normal for a Big Star like me.
Don't worry about it.
Black Star couldn't help but notice how unusual this connection was. He was communicating through soul wavelengths, and he could feel Tsubaki's clear as day. He suddenly realized what that bright glow had been; her soul was shining for him, and he could see it brighter than anything else.
"What is this?" He asked Tsubaki. "Why can I feel your soul?"
Tsubaki chuckled with her wavelength, and the intensity of it filled him up, cradling his soul in hers. She lifted one corner of her mouth in a small smile, knowing in that moment that she had claimed power over the "Big Star".
"It's because of the emotions that we're sharing, they're exactly alike."
What does that even mean...Black Star struggled with this unfamiliar feeling of confusion. He felt like he was in school, not knowing the correct answer to a question that the evil Professor Stein asked him in front of everyone.
And while thinking all of this, he completely forgot that Tsubaki knew his every thought and emotion.
She interrupted him out loud. "Black Star, don't feel that way. Just let me help you..."
It was her turn to take his face in her hands. The concentrated look on his face made her laugh out loud, and the strength of this wavelength was even more intense than the internal laughter. His face broke into a huge grin and he laughed with her.
"Black Star..." Tsubaki broke off her laughter, and she looked at him in wonder. Now that she had him, what should she do with him?
"Tsu...Tsubaki?" He gave her a questioning look.
"This might be really, really powerful. Just don't move, don't withdraw from it."
Black Star nodded, and he felt butterflies in the pit of his stomach. He shivered gently, taking a quick glance at Tsubaki's perfection; her dark eyes and shining hair, her skin as pale as snow. She was wearing a black sweater that fell off one shoulder and revealed more of her pale skin. The white miniskirt she wore covered only a small portion of her thighs, and she sat with her feet tucked under her. He looked into her eyes again, seeing the moon reflecting in them. Whenhadthemooncomeup?
Tsubaki smiled at him, and she leaned in slowly. Black Star could feel the butterflies flying even faster, and they were ecstatic with their limited amount of space in his stomach. Frantic, he made himself stay still and suck in his breath. He could do this.
He let his eyes slide closed.
The burst of energy that exploded from their wavelengths when Tsubaki touched her lips to his ever so gently sent both their minds into something that was like paradise. The both of them felt their souls connecting and resonating like never before.
White light slid behind Tsubaki's eyelids, and she pressed her mouth urgently to Black Star's, wanting more and craving his touch.
Black Star thawed from his frozen position, and more warmth traveled from his soul to his fingertips and toes. He took Tsubaki's face in his hands and kissed her back, feeling her flushed face on his palms. He felt her fingers tangling in his hair, and he could almost hear her heart pounding. He wasn't sure if it was gravity or the force of her body that pulled them down, but suddenly he found his back on the blanket and Tsubaki's weight on top of him. The weight felt amazing, and he let his hands wrap around her waist, pulling her closer to him. Then, with the sudden strength of a Big Star, he rolled over on top of her so that she was laying on the grass beside the blanket, and he had one hand on the ground next to her. His legs straddled her body to hold him upright, and to stop him from crushing her slight frame. Now that he was on top, he smiled internally and kissed her more passionately than before. He felt his tongue dance with hers, and though this was so new to him, his confidence took over and he just let his lips meld in with his weapon's.
When they broke apart, they were both breathless from the shock of their kiss. Black Star looked down at Tsubaki timidly, and with all the emotion he could muster, he locked eyes with the girl underneath him.
"I love you, Tsubaki."
Above them, the moon was chuckling, and not in it's usual dark manner.
"And I love you, Black Star."