Chapter 2! And the continuation of the previous chapter. So, this is like Chapter .6. Yeah. My math was off in the header of the last chapter. Why .6? Because this is in no way where I wanted to originally end the first chapter. Yes. It is long.
Still no kitchen sex! But there is burger and pizza murder. So if you're vegetarian, I apologize for the cow that died to make this chapter possible.
And I dedicate this chapter to mah friend Miki! Whom, without her encouragement, this chapter would not have been possible. As it would not have been finished.
Disclaimer: Still don't own Soul Eater.
She led him, bag still dangling from her wrist, to another end of the two-story mall. How long did they have left until he could slink to the side of his other friends and get help with the torture he was being out through? Soul stole a glance around, trying to find a clock to get a basic understanding of what time it was. Dammit. Why did malls never have any clocks when you needed them?
"Soul!" He jumped out of his thoughts at the call, halting in the walking motion and turning his gaze down one isle. "This way." Maka nicely waited for him to catch up before starting back through the maze of halls. At least she looked like she was enjoying this day out. And that caused a small smile to cross his face.
Down past book stores, game stores, and even clothing stores- in which the pace was slowed and window shopping took place- the two went, Maka leading Soul every step of the way since he had been told little of their actual reason for being here two hours early. No attention was paid to the many stores they passed by. The sooner they got to wherever they were going the quicker this could end and he could get home to lie on the couch.
And with a feeling of dread that this would be just as much torture as the last, Soul entered the party store behind Maka. She smiled at the cashier that greeted them, earning a roll of ruby colored eyes in response. 'Please make this quick!' echoed the mental prayer in his head. The bright green of St. Patrick's Day assaulted him from the moment he set foot in the little store, seeming to make the entire place look a light grassy color. Why did it have to be him?! Why couldn't she have dragged Tsubaki with or Liz even! Girls liked to shop, right? A longing glance was shot at the game store across the hall.
If only Maka could catch the subtle hints, the little sighs every now and then from him, the slower than usual pace. Maybe, just maybe if she paid a shred of attention to him instead of the inanimate objects they were here to buy, he might be able to leave, to return to sanity. Of course, it wasn't going to turn out that way. Nothing was ever that easy for him.
So, he was doomed to spend what felt like hours in the store, being Maka's bagboy, a cart with legs! Napkins, plates, cups, everything a basic household needed (only in the paper and plastic variety) was piled into his arms. Thank God for the check out. Soul had never seen such a total amount in his life. Well, maybe he had before. Now, the bag count came. Maka helped here, taking a few bags and leaving the rest for him. Oh his wrists hurt just thinking about how long he would have to tote around the bags of items.
No wrist was spared the horror. Soul was constantly adjusting the way the plastic rubbed on his skin, and the twisting and turning of the bags only made things ten times harder. His feet ached, his arms threatened to fall off. He was in a dire need of a break. That nicely placed bench in front of the glass panes that allowed shoppers to overlook the first floor worked well! And slinking along behind Maka gave him an opportunity to make his way over to the seat and settled down before she even noticed. Maka may be ruthless, but she wasn't mean enough to deny him a break when he needed it.
He plopped down onto the hard wooden bench, the bags piling up in between his feet. Soul rubbed a sore wrist. "Maka, let's take a break," he voiced to the girl looking at him.
For a minute there, she looked like she would have liked to object, puffing out her cheeks in that way she did when she was irritated. However, thankfully, she didn't say a word against it, looking past Soul at something behind him. A store, probably. Either way, Maka walked over to him, dropping the bags she carried (minus the one from his favorite store). "Then you wait here. I'll be in the store behind you." Before he could argue she added a quick, "It won't take long." Sure it wouldn't. How many times had he heard that this morning?
"Thanks, Soul!" Maka smiled, bounding off to do whatever it was she was going to do.
"Yeah."
Soul sank down deeper into the bench, shoving his hands into his jacket pockets. Well he would have a good half an hour to sit here and do nothing. The bad thing was, the less you had to do the more time seemed to drag on. He tilted his head back, looking up at the panes of glass allowing light to flow into the building. What had Maka gone to do anyway? Shopping for clothes had only been a guess that came to mind. He tilted his head back more, trying to see if he could catch a glimpse at the brightly colored sign that hung above every store.
"Hey, Soul."
Upon hearing his name being called by a familiar voice, Soul lifted his head, finding the two people he expected to see here the most. Kim and Jackie were looking down at him, surprise clearly visible on their faces at seeing him here. Alone. With shopping bags. Oh he could feel the amusement coming off them at the possibility that he had gone shopping alone for party things. Like hell if he did! Games and jackets, yes. Those were things he would buy. But never would he be caught dead with anything else unless he was shopping with Maka. "Is Maka with you?"
The weapon straightened up, or as much as he wanted to, Soul caught sight of Ox and Harvar behind the two girls, bags and boxes in ox's arms. Looks like Kim was having a rather fun time taking advantage of Ox's feelings for her. And behind those two were Kilik with Fire and Thunder, the two twins licking bright colorful lollipops. Soul sighed, dragging one hand out of its safety in the jacket pocket, jerking a thumb over his shoulder at the store behind him. "She's in there."
Oh he could see the two girl's disappointment at him not being there alone. No gossip for them. Thank God. He didn't need whatever reputation he had built up being destroyed. That wasn't cool. So when Kim and Jackie started whispering something to each other, smiles crossing their faces, Soul felt a jolt of suspicion flow through him. Though, they just thanked him, heading to the store he had pointed out. Oh great. With them there it would take ten times as long!
"Wait up, Kim!" Ox shouted out, trailing after the two.
Harvar sighed, following after his meister. Poor Harvar. How much torture had he been put though today? Soul watched them go before looking back over at Kilik, who had taken a seat on the bench next to him, Fire and Thunder sitting down on the ground next to their meister to finish eating the sugary treat. "You're not going with them?" Soul questioned Kilik.
"Nah. It'll get too crowded in there."
He had a point. And a silence descended upon the small group of four. Soul was fine with that. He never had a best friend relationship with Kilik as he, somehow, did with Black Star. God only knows how much time passed in which they were sitting there listening to the two small ones licking the lollipops.
It was Kim's voice that called out to him. "Soul! Come here for a second!" Oh great. What was he needed for now? "Hurry up! Kilik can watch the bags! Just get over here!"
"Good luck, man," Kilik voiced with a small laugh.
Standing, Soul sighed, making his way past Kilik and his weapons, giving the meister a small high five as he passed. "Thanks." He would need all the luck he could get if Kim was the one calling him into that store. And now that he was off the bench and could see without all the blood rushing to his head, Soul had cleverly found out that the store was indeed a clothing store. A female clothing store. With dresses, and skirts, and tight shirts, and what was Maka even doing in there?! As he neared it, Kim and Jackie both came to meet him, grabbing either of his arms. There was no escape. And Soul mentally cursed himself for even getting out of bed this morning.
Being dragged through the very girly store, Soul couldn't help but feel that this had been one entire bad idea. Firstly, there was no sign of Ox or Harvar or the many bags Ox had been carrying. Second, both Kim and Jackie were smiling while dragging him through the store and that was never good. Third, Maka was nowhere to be seen. Oh God, what had they done to his meister?
He was soon to find out just what horror and mind-blowing shock Maka had been put through.
Or lack of.
Kim knocked on a fitting room door he hadn't seen until now. Soul visibly paled. Oh no. Not more fitting rooms. There was no way he was going in that! And to prove it, he dug his feet into the carpeted floors, refusing to budge another inch if it meant going anywhere near that small space. If Maka could torture him that much in one of his favorite stores, just think about what she could do here with Kim and Jackie on her side. But, Soul didn't have to worry. Kim had rapped on the door to get the attention of someone. A certain someone.
Maka walked out of that dressing room looking like she'd rather be anywhere else but standing where she was right in front of him. The only problem was the other two girls had sealed off all escape routes. Maka had ditched her own clothes for a rather plain looking tight light blue shirt and tight jeans, just showing off part of her midriff, but it wasn't just that. Kim, somehow, had talked Maka into putting her hair back in one pony tail, leaving some strands to frame his meister's face. Together with the black choker she had chosen to wear today, it made for an interesting combination. A combination that left Soul standing there speechless. Well, standing there blinking at Maka.
It didn't exactly go over well with Maka. "Well?" she huffed, seeing his hesitation.
When Soul didn't seem to hear her, Kim socked him in the arm. Sending the shorter female a small glare and massaging the sore spot on his arm, Soul finally tried to say something intelligent to Maka. Keyword there is try. "You look…." He couldn't think of anything to say that wouldn't get in trouble. If he said she looked like a girl now, Maka Chop to the head. If he made fun of her, Maka Chop to the head. If he said nothing, it would lead to a Maka Chop to the head.
He was screwed either way.
"Kay! Thanks, Soul!" Kim shouted, distracting both meister and weapon from the small conversation at hand. She steered him away from Maka and the back of the store to the front again, barring his way back into the store. "Jackie!" she hollered back, "Get the other one!" There was a moment of a pause. "And let Ox out of the other fitting room!"
Well it wasn't like he wanted to go back in there anyway. Watching Kim retreat back into the store with a glance over his shoulder, Soul made his own way back to the bench. Fire and Lightning had taken over his place, sticky and covered in a brightly colored mess. Brushing off Kilik's apology, Soul instead chose to lean against the metal guard rail, hands back in his jacket pockets. Why they had him go in there just to see Maka in that dress was beyond him.
"Soul, you're face is red," the male meister stated with a small smirk.
There was a moment of silence. Was his face really red? From what, though? He wasn't cold. He didn't feel hot. This left one option he refused to believe in. And when one is caught in a conversation corner, you change the subject! "Going to Kid's party?"
That was the lamest attempt at a change in conversation ever. Even so, Kilik nodded, leaning back in the bench. "Kim and Jackie are making everyone go. How about you and Maka?"
Soul returned the nod. "Yeah."
"Come on, Kilik! We still have some shopping to do!" Jackie's voice echoed over the buzz of everyone else in the halls.
"See ya, man."
At least that signaled the end of store torture number 3. When the group of seven left, Soul knew it was a matter of time before Maka came to join him by the bench. And if the horrible amount of time that passed told him correctly, that meant soon it would be time to go meet everyone else. This, hopefully, meant no more time spent here.
Maka came out to get him, another bag hanging from her wrist and her face looking just a bit flustered. The glare she gave him kept Soul from making a smart comment. "Don't say a word," she hissed.
He decided to play it cool, picking up his share of the party bags. "About what?" Soul waited for Maka to take the lead. She was the one who knew where they were going, after all. The bags pulled down on his wrists, rubbing them red with friction. This was going to get painful real quickly. "Where are we meeting them?"His gaze turned upon his meister, that ever bored look present. Soul didn't know what he would do if they weren't going to meet the others now. He couldn't deal with another store. It just wasn't cool. Not at all.
She looked a bit taken aback that he hadn't said anything to the color her face had decided to turn, blinking at her friend and weapon for a moment. "Um. Kid said to meet them at the food court."
Typical. He could have guessed that was where they would be meeting. Though, Soul couldn't say he disappointed. After waking up earlier than he had intended, and getting a light breakfast (Maka had wanted to get here before the big rush), he was indeed hungry. The growling that came from his gut told everyone within a certain range of hearing that exact fact. Maka smiled, not even trying to hold back a laugh at his pain. And even though there was God only knows how many bags covering his wrists, she grabbed his arm, pulling him in the direction of the food court. "Come on, Soul."
Like he had a choice? Still, the mixture of scents coming from the food court was making his mouth water. Burgers, pizza, fries! Even that Chinese place that never had a lot of business. All of it just smelt so good!
Maka let go of his arm as they neared the outer tables of the place of food glory, trotting ahead of him to greet the gathering of their friends. Two of the small tables had been pushed together to allow for enough room, bags scattered about. Liz looked rather happy with herself, chatting to Tsubaki about a new nail polish color she had found at a store and the many different outfits she had managed to but that fit Kid's symmetrical standards. Patty was busying herself with a coloring book, scribbling down random crayon colors on the pages. Black Star looked rather bored, brightening up the moment he caught sight of his best friend.
Kid nodded towards the two, giving them a small smile. "Soul, Ma-."
"Heey, Soouull!" Black Star called out, cutting Kid off, waving a hand high in the air and nearly standing on the table. The only thing that stopped the short ninja assassin was the presence of Tsubaki almost literally holding him back.
Soul immediately went over to the empty seat next to his friend, dropping the bags next to it. Freedom! "I'm getting something to eat. Maka, do you want anything?"
She took a seat next to Tsubaki, looking up at Soul at his question and taking a moment to think. "Pepperoni pizza."
And when he turned to head to join in the lines of hungry shoppers, Black Star jumped up, following Soul with his hands behind his head and a rather sly grin across his face.
"What?" Soul questioned as soon as he got in line for some greasy burgers. It was never a good sign when Black Star smirked. It always lead to some sort of trouble. Slightly hilarious and fun trouble, but still trouble. Keeping one eye on the line and the other half of his attention on the blue haired meister, Soul waited for an answer. But by the way Black Star's smirk grew and he took a pause before answering, Soul wasn't going to like it one bit.
Black Star raised a finger to point at his friend, not bothering to cover up the snickers leaving him. "You're face is beet red!"
Oh no. No. It couldn't be possible. No way in a million years could it be possible. Never. He refused to believe it! So, Soul scoffed at his friend, turning his full attention back at the line of people in front of him. "Yeah. Right."
"No, really! You look like a tomato! Did something happen with Maka?" There was a pause. "Soul likes Maka!"
Just the way Black Star chose to voice that little sentence made Soul snap back around, letting you a bark of, "What?! NO!!" that got the attention of those around the two. He lowered his voice to a hiss. "What the hell would make you even think that?" Oh, as if he didn't already know. Was someone's cheeks turning the color of an apple really the universal sign that something had gone on between two people? Well, according to Black Star's thought process, it did.
Soul rolled his eyes, deciding not to get into an argument with his friend when he was this hungry. It would only lead to a disaster and payments to the mall. Payments he wouldn't be able to afford. And, by some form of twisted luck, Black Star kept his mouth shut. It was a good thing for the ninja assassin that he had made that choice. After dealing with Maka's clothes torture, Soul didn't know how much more he could take before he snapped. And it would not have been pretty.
Moving up in the slowly moving line, Soul took a glance at the menu hanging above his head. He already knew what he wanted, but it never hurt to check, make sure that they hadn't changed anything since the last time he had visited the mall. And like he had guessed, it hadn't. Great. Made his job as a consumer so much easier. "Black Star, did you and Tsubaki do some shopping?" There was no way all the different bags around the table belonged to Kid and the two sisters.
Black Star tore his eyes away from the brightly colored menu. "A bit. Why? Did you get something for Maka yet?"
Why was the dork bringing this up again? Nothing had gone on between him and Maka! Nothing out of the ordinary anyway if you didn't count the entire dress fiasco. Soul would rather not being that up with the loudmouth. While Black Star was his friend, that was something he didn't want spread around the school. "Why would I get something for Maka?"
"You haven't? She's going to be pissed if you don't!"
What he hell did he mean by that? Why would Maka be waiting for something he gave her? It made absolutely no sense. None at all. What type of game could Black Star be playing at? What could he possibly gain by confusing and messing with him? "What are you saying, Black Star?"
The meister's green eyes blinked in confusion. Confusion over what?! Was there something going around that he hadn't heard? If so, why hadn't he heard? Surely Maka would have told him! It wouldn't be like her to withhold information like that. Not unless it was something she didn't think he needed to know. Even so, this seemed like something important. If Black Star knew what it was, it had to be. It wasn't her birthday. He knew that. So why? Why would she be expecting something from him?
With this thought bothering him, Soul walked to the counter, ordering his combo meal. Could he eat knowing that he could be in deep trouble? After his stomach let out another rumble, the fires looked good. It took a short while, but his order was completed and sitting on a tray ready to be brought over to the table. Picking it up, and leaving Black Star to wait, Soul made his way to the pizza place.
"Where are you going, Soul?" he heard Black Star ask.
"To get Maka's pizza."
Had the blue haired kid already forgotten what she had asked to eat? Probably. If it didn't involve him or fighting Black Star didn't pay attention to it. What a simple way to live.
Joining the line for pizza, the scent of different meats and cheeses assaulted his nose. The pizza smelt much better than his burgers now. Though that could be the hunger talking. Thankfully the line was short, more people wanting the greasy burgers or foreign food than the pizza. He ordered Maka her slice of pepperoni, paying the man and getting it quicker than he thought he would. With the tray full he headed back to the group.
Black Star had beaten him back, already digging into his food with vigor. Used to this type of behavior from his friend, Soul took a seat, passing the pepperoni laden slice of pizza to his meister. It was accepted with a small word of thanks. And with that, he picked at his food, what Black Star had said earlier still on his mind. Why would Maka want something from him unless there was a reason? It wasn't a holiday, not her birthday, then what?
"Kid, we're still having a punk themed party at your house, right?" Tsubaki questioned.
And Soul choked on the bite of burger in his mouth. Punk themed?! Was that why Maka had handed him all those clothes?! He couldn't believe it. Who in their right mind had suggested punk?! It wasn't right. Not at all.
"Are you alright, Soul?" asked the shinigami.
Managing to dislodge the piece of food with a quick gulp of the Coke, Soul nodded. "Yeah. Fine. Punk?"
Looking quite proud of himself, Kid nodded. "Yes. Punk. It's the theme for the Partner Appreciation Day party at my house tonight."
What was that last part? Partner… Appreciation Day? How many things had he been left in the dark about? The gift for Maka, the punk theme, and now this! Nothing seemed to be going well for him today. And the smirk Liz was tossing at him didn't help. What was she smirking about anyway? He had barely said a word to her. Unless… If Black Star had said a single WORD to Liz about his flustered face… well it would be simpler to say the ninja didn't know the meaning of the word pain yet. Casting a small glare at Black Star, he busied himself with finishing off the fires. He would ask his friend about it later. After he was out of earshot of Maka and the other girls. God help him if it spread around school.
"Tsubaki, what are you going to wear?" Maka looked over at the taller girl as she asked her question. Liz tore her attention away from Soul and at Tsubaki. If it related to fashion, Liz was there.
With a sigh of relief that the older sister's attention was off of him now, Soul half listened to the conversation at hand. It was mainly the girls conversing back and forth anyway.
Resting one elbow on the table, Soul stared at the half eaten burgers and fries. The question about the gift and Maka being angry about it must really be getting to him. Though he didn't get why. She had been mad at him before, and for the stupidest reasons! So why should now be any different? He sipped at the pop while the thought swam through his mind.
Liz bumped the table when she jumped up, an all too happy look on her features. Great. What was she planning now? A hostile takeover? "If Maka's done, let's get going, girls." Now she turned towards her meister. "Kid, you'll take care of the bags, right?"
"Sure."
Maka stood, dragging the two bags he wasn't allowed near up with her. "I'll take care of these two. Soul, make sure Black Star doesn't get into any trouble."
"You think he'll listen to me?"
Tsubaki gave him a pleading look. "Please, Soul?"
With a sigh, he fell back into the chair. "Fine." This was going to be a big issue already. Black Star never listened to anyone, let alone him. And after that earlier conversation, he knew he was in for an earful after the girls left. At least there would be some form of authority with Kid around. He hoped.
"Behave. We'll meet back up at Kid's house around 5." Maka set her empty plate on his tray, going over to stand next to the other girls. "Don't get into trouble, Soul." With a small wave, the girls went off to do whatever it was girls did.
He sunk lower into the chair, mumbling something under his breath. Like he was the one going to get in trouble. That was Black Star, not him.
Liz hung back though, coming up to him and shoving her face close to his, hissing under her breath, "Listen, Soul. You do anything to hurt her, and I will personally rearrange your face." As Kid cleared his throat she added, "Symmetrically."
Had Liz really just threatened him? And who was he going to hurt? "What are you talking about?"
Seemingly glad that her thread had worked, or slightly worked, Liz just ignored his question, heading back to the group of waiting females. Well this was great. Black Star had an untrue thought in his mind, Liz had just threatened him, and now he was stuck with two people having the wrong idea about him and Maka. Could this day get any worse?
"So, Soul," Black Star almost literally purred. Oh God. Not now. Don't let it be what he thought it was. "What happened between you and Maka?"
"Nothing happened!"
"Then why is your face all red again?" Cue the sly smirk. God Soul wanted so badly to just deck Black Star right in the face.
"It's not."
"Is too!"
"Is not!"
"Is too!"
"Shut the hell up, Black Star!"
"So you admit it!"
"Do not!"
Dun dun duuun! XD
Will Soul figure out what Partner Appreciartion Day is? Will Black Star be tackled by Mall Security? Will Kid ever find perfect Symmetry?! Read on and wait for chapter 3 to find out.