Hello, everyone. I know, it's been so long since I've last updated. I've just been trying to enjoy summer before I start school again. Ugh. So not ready for it yet. Anyways, here is the next chapter. I hope you enjoy it.

Disclaimer: Sorry, I don't own them.

16. Questioning

"Maka." Soul called to her from the couch.

"What is it, Soul?" She sounded like she was busy. Or maybe just reading a book. Maka walked down the hallway and turned her attention to Soul.

"Let's play a game."

"What kind of game?"

"It's called 21 questions. You think of something, and I only have 21 chances to ask you what it is you're thinking. If I get it right, then I'm the winner."

"And if you don't get it right?" She raised her eyebrow at him.

"Then, I lose. Duh." Soul rolled his eyes at his meister's stupid question.

Maka stood there for a couple seconds, weighing the pros and cons of this game. Then she turned to Soul and smiled. "Alright, it sounds simple enough. Should I start thinking of something now?" Soul nodded his head in response and Maka put her fingers under her chin and started to think of something. "OK, I've got something. Ask away." She sat down next to Soul.

"Are you thinking of a person?"

"Yes."

"Is it someone I know?"

"Yes."

"Are they a male?"

"No."

"Is this person incredibly shy and introverted?"

"Yes."

"Does this person have long, black hair?"

"Yes."

"Is it Tsubaki?"

"...yes. That didn't take you very long."

"Then maybe you shouldn't pick something so obvious." Soul crossed his arms and leaned into the couch. He grunted, and sat back up. "OK, now it's your turn to guess."

Maka looked at Soul and tried to analyze what he was thinking. "Is it a person?"

"Yeah."

"Are they famous?"

"...sort of."

"What do you mean 'sort of'?"

"They're... famous in their own special way. How about that?"

"Fine." She looked up and continued to think. "Do I personally know this person?"

"Yes."

Maka began thinking of all the people she knew who were "sort of" famous. "Is this person Shinigami-sama?"

"...no. Why would you think that?"

"Because you said they're somewhat famous, and he is someone who single-handedly killed Asura, saved this town, and now owns a school in Death City. I believe that qualifies as 'somewhat famous', don't you agree?"

If that was part of your 21 questions, then you just wasted a question."

Maka sighed. "OK, I'll continue the questions." She paused, trying to think of anyone else. "Is it a female?"

"No."

"Is it a male?"

"Yes."

"Black Star?"

"Definitely not. He doesn't even qualify as 'somewhat famous', let alone famous. Even though he continues to preach about surpassing the gods."

"Ugh. This is a really long game, Soul."

"Well, you're obviously not thinking very hard. It's so easy to see. Just think."

"I'm trying!" She crossed her arms in frustration. There was no one she personally knew that was famous. "Okay, is this guy our age?"

"Yes, he is."

"Does he have a car?"

"Umm... yes, and no."

"Yes AND no? That doesn't make sense, Soul."

"He has a... mode of transportation."

Now Maka was really thinking about anyone she knew that had a 'mode of transportation' and was a guy she personally knew. Nothing was coming to mind, until... "Please don't tell me it's you?"

Soul smirked and looked at her from the corner of his eye. "C'mon. How could you not get that?"

"Soul, you are not even close to famous. And talk about hypocrisy. You told me not to pick someone so obvious, yet you clearly did."

"Except it wasn't obvious to you, was it?"

Maka closed her eyes and sighed at Soul. He could be such a punk sometimes. "Okay, that was a really fun game. Can I get back to my reading now?" The sarcasm was just dripping off of her words.

"No, just one more game. And because I'm so nice, I'll give you a hint this time." He smirked at her.

"The hint is: living room... and, go."

Maka gave Soul a funny look and tried to figure out what he meant. "Do you mean our living room?"

"Yes."

"Is there... something in the living room?"

"Yes."

"Furniture?"

"No."

"Um... something you want me to do?"

"Yes." He smiled.

"Do you want me to find something for you in the living room?"

"Yes."

"Oh, Soul! Did you destroy something and now you're trying to cover it up with this silly game?"

"No, no! I'm not that stupid. Just keep guessing."

"Uh, OK... is this something big or small?"

"It's very small."

"Is it on my half or your half of the living room?"

"Your half."

Maka got up from her seat and started to look around the furniture and TV.

"You know, you can ask me questions while looking for it."

"Oh, right. Is it hidden behind something?"

"Yep."

"The DVDs?"

"No."

"TV?"

"Nope."

"Lamp?"

"No."

"Table?"

"Sorry, no."

"Ugh, this is getting frustrating. It's something small, and it's hidden. It could be anywhere in my half of the living room... could you give me another hint?"

Soul thought about it for a second. "I suppose so... It's near me, but on your half of the living room."

Maka walked back to the couch and dug her hand between the folds. She ran her hand through until she abruptly stopped and tried to bring something out. When it was in plain sight, she noticed that it was a small cloth-like box. "Soul, is this it?" She outstretched her hand to show it to him.

"Yep, that's it. You won. Go ahead and open it."

Maka sat down next to Soul and brought the box to eye level. She examined the box first, making sure that there was no booby trap on it. When she felt that it was safe, she opened the box. Maka gasped and her eyes grew wide.

"Heh. I was hoping you'd like it. I've been looking for something like that for a long time. I know you don't like fancy things very much, so I thought I'd get you something simple. You know, something you." He stopped talking to grabbed the box out of Maka's grasp. He pulled out the object and got up from his seat to kneel down.

"Maka... I know I can be a really uncool guy at times, and sometimes you don't speak to me for hours. But, after fighting so many battles with you and finally becoming a death scythe, there's just one thing that makes me feel whole; Makes me know that everything is going to be alright. That something is you. And, I was hoping that you'd feel the exact same way about me." He slowly breathed in and out. "Maka... will you marry me?"

She leaned into the couch and tried to comprehend what had just happened. "Oh my gosh, Soul." She put her hand on her chest to stop her heart from beating so hard. "Yes. Yes, I will." She gave Soul the biggest smile and crashed into him with a big hug. Within a matter of seconds, Soul went from being totally childish to completely handsome. And she was never going to forget this. "Soul, you always surprise me with gifts, gestures, or even just being there for me. But now, you've made me so incredibly happy to be with you. I love you, Soul." She smiled and leaned forward to place a chaste kiss on his lips. Soul smiled into the kiss and just knew that they were going to have a wonderful life together.

Ta Da! How was that? Surprised? I sure was. I didn't expect this to happen, until my own hands just started forming words and voila! An idea came to mind. What did you think of it?