a/n; I stopped writing for a while so this isn't going to be the best chapter, I'm already aware of that. But thanks to those who are going to be patient with me. ( 0' 3 '0 )v

Thanks for the positive feedback!

Soul Eater

written by caitcadaver 2011

Been To Hell

Soul slumped against the back of the wooden bench, his hands in his pockets. Crimson pupils watched the others toss the orange basketball back and forth. Normally he would have joined in, but today Soul wasn't feeling it. What he did feel was the estranged sun beating down on his back. Soul scowled and sunk lower upon the bench, forcing his hands even deeper within his pockets. The black headband in his hair glimmered in the sun giving off a halo to his tanned figure.

"You've been acting weird all morning, Soul-kun."

The white-haired boy's eyes slowly moved up, catching a glimpse of emeralds. Maka. He looked away and shrugged faintly, tilting his head back. "It's uncool to say shit like that…"

Maka blushed furiously and whacked Soul over the head with a book that she had gotten from who the hell knows where; the infamous Maka-Chop.

"What the hell was that for?"

"Because you're such a jerk! I was being seriously, Soul, I've been worried about you."

Soul looked up at his partner and kept himself composed as the two of them shared a stare down. After a few moments passed, Soul found himself keeled in a fit of the hysterics. He clutched his stomach and shut his eyes tightly, buckling over as Maka turned a deep crimson color and stomped her foot.

"Maka, seriously, that so wasn't cool to say!" Soul wiped his eyes and grinned, resting his hands on his knees. He looked up at his meister and then held up one hand, giving her a thumbs up. "I'm totally fine, quit worrying."

The sixteen year old threw her hands on her hips and looked away, a slight blush still resonating on her cheeks. "Fine."

Soul watched Maka walk back to the others and then sighed under his breath. He threw his head back and watched the clouds head towards a sleeping sun; his nightmare still hanging around in his mind.

Just give in.

Soul gripped his fists.

It will never stop calling to you…

"Shut up…" The ogre still hadn't left. That final battle with Asura had everyone, including himself, believe that the Black Blood had gone, but it hadn't. Maka had only temporarily blockaded it. Even after swallowing the ogre, Soul was still haunted. Still cursed.

You'll come to me soon enough…

The weapon stood up abruptly and shoved his hands into his pockets, still looking down at the ground. The voice was gone for now, but the memory still haunted him like the black plague. His friends all stopped their game and looked over at him, wondering what the hell was running through his head. Soul shrugged them off and slowly started walking away from the group until Maka called out to him like she always had.

"Soul-kun… where are you going?"

Soul lifted his head and took a glance at the clouds again, sighing. "I'm just not feeling the game today. I'll see you when you come home." He lifted one hand from his pockets and gave a slight wave before disappearing completely.

Kid cleared his throat and tossed the ball over to Maka. "What's going on?"

Maka didn't answer at first. She looked down at the basketball in her hands and then looked up at Kid. "I don't know, really… the last few nights I've awoken to his screams. His nightmares are returning and I just don't know what to do. He won't rely on me… he won't accept the fact that I'm right here."

"What do you expect? Tch, he's too cool to rely on a girl!" Black Star turned his back on them and crossed his arms over his chest. "Besides, Soul wants to be as big as I am! There's no way he'd ever depend on someone smaller than me! I bet that guy just isn't getting enough sleep! I'll give him my autograph tomorrow to help him get over those little nightmares, yahoo!" Black Star turned on his heels and grinned widely, pointing his thumb at himself.

The others laughed and Maka couldn't help but chuckle softly. She shuffled her feet inward and bounced the ball against the ground once before tossing it to Patty. "You're right, I'm sure he's fine." Maka took a deep breath and sighed, looking up at her friends and smiling. "Well what are you all waiting for? We have a score to settle!"

Closing the door behind him back at the apartment, Soul leaned back against the surface and slowly slid down to the floor. He closed his eyes and sighed, resting his head against the door. As he sat there, the dream unfolded behind the curtains in his mind;

Maka staggered back, blood dripping from her head and mouth. She dropped to her knees and looked up at Soul pleadingly, her eyes like saucers. "Soul…kun…"

Soul stood over her and stared in horror. He stepped back and gripped his head in agony, buckling over. Inside the real battle had begun against the ogre he could have sworn he had swallowed months ago.

"Soul give in to your madness… you can save her if you just accept the black blood…" The ogre grinned sadistically and walked towards Soul who was standing beside his piano in the Black Room. The two glared at one another before Soul finally smirked and slipped his hands into his pockets.

"I don't need this power to save Maka."

The ogre glared and suddenly grew three times the size he had previously been, looming over Soul. "You cannot escape it! The black blood is you, Soul! If you don't accept it she'll die because you aren't strong enough!"

Soul glared and stepped back, which caused the ogre to grin. Before Soul could look back, he was pulled into the darkness by numerous arms covered in black blood. The last thing he saw was the ogre's sadistic grin before he saw nothing but darkness.

On the outside, Soul could hear Maka and he could feel the tension as this impersonator stepped back towards Maka, grinning.

"Maka, it's alright." The ogre grinned as he stood in Soul's own perfection. He slipped his hands into his pockets and watched as Maka stood back up, holding her arms out to him.

Soul screamed in the darkness. "Maka that isn't me! Don't go near him, Maka! MAKA!"

Blood splattered and Soul awoke from his reverie. It always ended before he could figure out what had happened to Maka. However, whatever had happened, he knew it was his fault. "Maka…" Soul slammed his fists into the floor and gritted his teeth. He had to prevent his nightmare from happening, but how was that possible without completely abandoning her?

Just give in… you can save her.

Soul lifted his head slowly and flashed a toothy grin, his bangs hanging in his face. "You're wrong." Slowly the weapon stood and brought his head up, glaring, his fists clenched at his sides. "She's not just my meister. There's more to it than you'll ever understand…" he said, his hand over his heart.

These feelings are only going to kill you, Soul. Tsk tsk.

Soul gritted his teeth again and squeezed his fists. "Shut up…"

The madness can save you from the hurt.

"Shut it…"

We don't need her, really. Soul, you and I can become unstoppable as one. You know she'll never feel the same.

"I SAID SHUT THE HELL UP!" Soul turned and punched the wall, his hand going through the drywall. He panted slowly and opened his eyes, looking down at the floor. The torment was driving him insane and insanity was the last thing he needed on top of the madness.

It was quiet now except for the whispering sounds of dust and debris falling from the hole in the wall. Soul drew back his bloody hand and shook it off slightly, turning away from the wall. He walked down the hall and quietly entered his room, shutting the door behind him. The lock turned and he was alone. He fell on his bed and shut his eyes tightly, gripping the covers. Blood stained the sheets and soiled them, but he didn't seem to care. There had to be something he could do…

"I'll see you guys in class tomorrow! Thanks for the advice!" Maka waved to everyone and then turned on her heel, running down the street. Maybe they were right. Maybe it really was time to involve Stein and Lord Death again. Soul was growing distant and she didn't know what was going to happen. Maka drew her lips into a hard line and turned a sharp corner, coming up to their apartment.

With the sun setting, she expected to see a light or two on, but it was completely dark in the apartment. Maka swallowed slightly and ascended the stairs to their complex. She stopped at the door and stared at the knob for several moments before sighing and finally entering.

"What… the hell…" Upon entering, she came to a scene she really hadn't expected. Soul was sweeping the floor, wearing a folded apron. Her eyes glanced over the wall which had a piece of cardboard taped to it. Looking up from the broom, Soul blinked and raised a hand.

"Yo."

Maka looked at the bandaged hand waving to her and didn't say anything. She put two and two together and realized he had thrown his hand through the wall. Maka felt pain inside, but she faked a smile and looked at him. "You? Cleaning? Wow… to what do I owe this pleasure…"

"Relax. I made a mess and I wanted to clean it before you came home… looks like that didn't work to well." He grinned lopsidedly and set his hands on his hips casually. "Dinner's on the table. I'd go get it before Blair wanders around and takes it."

The young meister watched as her weapon walked towards the kitchen, leaving her in the doorway. She sighed and ran a hand through her hair. "I'll eat shortly. I'm going to do laundry." She walked down the hall, slipping out of her pink sweatshirt. Maka dropped it on the floor and walked into Soul's room to gather his laundry, but stopped upon seeing his bed. There was a dark spot on the sheets and as she walked closer, she almost fell backward.

"Black… blood…?"

a/n; Like I said, it wasn't going to be my best. But now that I'm shaking off the dust, chapter 2 will be longer.

Yahoo!