Chapter 9 – Sunshine Street

Sai Summers

Soul and I strolled lazily through the streets of Death City, slowly winding our way back towards home. Or at least my temporary home. For financials sake I was staying with Maka and Soul right now…and their pet-cat-magical-roommate Blair.

The sun beat down on the streets, but I was still feeling a tad chilly. It was becoming a cold sensation that I just couldn't shake.

He had his arms folded behind his head, and he appeared to pay only half-attention to the direction he walked in. It wasn't a particular problem however, as the streets were mostly empty at this time of day.

I was waiting for Soul to bring up the issue of the suit coat since we left Shibusen, and he had yet to do so. Though he did eye me with a strange look every so often. A look of almost irritancy or mild disgust. I tried to play them off as I was wrapped up in my own thoughts about the town.

Soul came to a stop on the sidewalk beneath the fourth-floor apartment and leaned against the outside wall. "So, do you miss it?"

I didn't plan to guess at what he meant. "Miss what?"

"Home." His vocal tone seemed innocent enough.

My eyes narrowed at the subject matter. "Where's home?"

He raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean 'where's home?'"

My brow furrowed. "I mean just that. If you're talking about Reykjavík (1), I don't consider anywhere in Iceland home."

Soul scratched the back of his head with his right hand. "That was where I meant." He paused, looking like he was trying to avoid another faux pas. "But I guess I can see why you don't think of it as home."

My voice and attitude were bitter. I crossed my arms across my chest, wrinkling Kid's woolen coat. "I didn't end up there because I wanted to, Soul. You know that. My mother stuck me on a plane five years ago and shipped me off to Reykjavík to get rid of me. Told me she couldn't handle my 'magic tricks' anymore and wanted me somewhere I wouldn't hurt people. Why she thought the people in Iceland wouldn't get hurt is beyond me." I rolled my eyes.

Soul eyed me with a touch of pity. "I don't mean to sound crude, but we both know your mom is a few cards short of a full deck. She probably wasn't thinking."

I simply sighed. "Let's not discuss this right now. I'd rather not be angry when we go upstairs. Maka will harass me for answers as to why."

Soul rocked on his heels. "And she'll blame me for it."

"You are to blame this time."

His voice was low. "It was an innocent question, really."

My vision wandered down the street. "I'm not sure there's an innocent question regarding my personal life, Soul."

He stretched his arms. "You only say that because of Justin."

I right-hook-punched Soul in the right shoulder. "Don't bring him up nonchalantly."

He rubbed it with his left hand. "Sorry. That was stupid of me."

I sighed. "What made you bring him up, anyway? You know that riles me."

Soul leaned forward and gave a tug on the lapel of the jacket I wore. "It reminded me."

I paused a moment in thought. "I guess it would. He used to wear a black suit jacket a lot before..." It took me a minute to compile my thoughts. "…before he joined the church in Iceland."

He raised an eyebrow. "You're not projecting Justin onto Kid, are you?"

There was a growl in my throat. "Watch it, or I'll punch you far harder than before."

Soul gave me a crooked smile and put his hands up in front of his chest. "Just kidding."

I was pretty sure he wasn't joking; I could understand his concern though. And I couldn't help but wonder in the back of my mind if he was right. That was a dangerous thought. Being around Justin in Iceland had damaged part of my psyche, and I couldn't sustain a blow like that again.

I surveyed the surrounding streets. "Don't worry; I'm pretty sure it won't be that bad again, regardless of what happens here. People seem much more understanding here."

He stuck his hands in his pants' pockets and gave a toothy grin. "That's because the reason this place exists is because of people like us. Little town of freaks…or something." Soul's voice trailed off.

I chortled. "Nice."

I waited several moments in silence, still enjoying the sun, and then started up the stairwell towards the apartment.

Soul followed me, rubbing his right shoulder again, and feigning injury. "That's gonna leave a mark." He teased.

I rolled my eyes. "Ya know sometimes, I really wish it would."

***

I sat at the simple wooden table in the kitchen looking over the History of Weapon Shape-Shifters textbook I had yet to bother opening this semester.

A female black cat in a small black pointed hat jumped onto the table to my right, and puttered about the table. I picked her up by the scruff of her neck and dropped her on the floor beside the table.

"Try to keep the feline form off the table, Blair. I'd prefer to not have your cat hair in my food." I gave her a light push in the rear with my right slippered foot.

There was a puff of smoke, and Blair appeared in her human form – wearing nothing.

I turned away in mild disgust. "Geez Blair, why are you like this?"

A spatula came flying from the kitchen behind me. "Put some clothes on Blair!" I heard Maka yelling amongst the noises of pots and water.

Blair ducked out of the way and ran off to her bedroom giggling. I had already seen more of Blair than I wanted. At least it didn't look like I would have to share my room with her. Soul and I were planning to clean out the den this evening so I could have my own room.

I sighed and hung my head, then looked over my right shoulder. "Why do you let her stay here, again?"

Soul leaned against the wall near the front door. He no longer seemed phased by Blair's blatant nudity. "Because we blew up her house."

I rolled me eyes. "It was just a pumpkin. They grow everywhere on the outskirts of town."

He waved his hand at the thought. "Apparently it's hard to find giant pumpkins. And don't think we didn't try."

I simply shook my head. It was an absurd conversation already, and I decided to go back to looking over my textbook instead of continuing it.

At that point there was a light knock at the door.

Soul opened the door, and his voice reflected surprise with a touch of impoliteness. "What are you doing on this side of town?"

"Incurring my father's wrath, most likely." I heard come from the doorway.

I found myself happy to hear that voice, even though it seemed like a harmful idea to do so.

Soul stepped out of the way, and let Kid in the apartment. He then closed the door behind me. Soul looked displeased at our guest, and I may have caught a slight scowl on his face. I wondered if the discourtesy came from Soul having to deal with enough nonsense between Kid and myself already today.

"Here." Kid handed me a bundle of black cloth.

I eyed it and started to unfold it. "What's this?"

"That one will probably be a better fit for you."

I unfolded the cloth. It was a black suit jacket, but appeared smaller than the one he had let me borrow. It also had five buttons that were round, and seemed to be of a thicker material. I felt the cloth between my fingers.

Kid nodded. "It's also heavier wool so it'll be warmer."

I held it up in front of me, and then brought it down shaking my head. "I can't accept this Kid, this is too expensive."

He half-smiled. "I can't wear this one; it's too small." He paused. "Please. I hate to see it go to waste in my closet."

I held it out to him, and rose from the table. "Hold this a minute." I unfastened the coat he had lent me, pulled it off and held that one out to him. We exchanged jackets, and I pulled the one he brought me on. The buttons were easier to fasten and was cut thinner in the waist. It was a much better fit; I couldn't argue with him on that point. And he seemed far more comfortable with himself when he pulled the coat that he had lent me back on.

Kid pulled at his lapel, and straightened and smoothed his silk tie.

I turned and held out my arms. "What do you think Soul?"

Soul rolled his eyes and walked from the kitchen in silence.

Kid blinked and looked at me. "Did I come at a bad time?"

I shook my head. "I don't think it's you. He's probably irritated at me. And he's had a long day."

Maka wandered from the kitchen, rubbing a wet cooking spoon with a wore a long white apron over her skirt and sweater that was damp in a number of places. "Hey Kid. You want to join us for dinner this evening?"

He made a face, chewing on the idea. "I should go find Patty and Liz at the moment."

Maka seemed to like the idea of having company. Maybe it meant not eating in silence with Soul and I at the kitchen table. "They can come by as well."

Kid seemed in doubt still.

I turned to Maka, trying to avoid making Kid feel odd about the sudden invite. "Can we invite Tsubaki as well? I'd like to speak with her on something."

Maka patted me on the head. "As long as you and Black Star don't destroy the apartment, sure."

I smiled, injecting a touch of childlike enjoyment into my voice. "Okay. We'll be good."

Kid gave a slight nod. "Five o'clock then, Maka?"

It was almost two p.m.

She finished drying the spoon and returned to the kitchen. "Whenever you get back is fine. I'll call Tsubaki in a few minutes." I heard her call back. "We can eat early if you guys want."

He gave me a slight smile. "I'll go and come back in a couple of hours. I doubt it'll take me too long to find them, but I have to return to Shibusen first." He then walked to the door abruptly and showed himself out.

I blinked. His sudden desire to leave perplexed me. "What was with that? In a hurry to leave or something are we…" I muttered, returning to my seat at the table.

The spoon Maka had been drying came flying out of the kitchen like the spatula had, except it smacked me in the left side of the head.

I rubbed my head in silence.

"Morons." I heard her grumble to herself in the kitchen. "Both of you."

(1) Wikipedia article on Reykjavik: .org/wiki/Reykjavik