Author's Note: Bad News: Seeing as how school for me starts in two days there may be a bit more time in between updates. But not a ton since I spent my New Year's Eve writing by myself in my room instead of going out and partying! Yay!

Also, did you know emeralds are symbols of love and hope? It's also said to bring the wearer reason and wisdom. Just a little symbolism for you...well, you'll see... :)

"You better?" Soul asked.

Maka was still glued to him, her tiny hands twisting the cotton of his t-shirt.

"Mmm-hmm," she said, lifting her head. She looked down at the stain on Soul's shirt where her tears had soaked through. "Sorry 'bout that,"

"It's okay," Soul said with a half-smile. "I guess I was pretty shaken up too. Not every day that you see something like that,"

Maka blushed when she realized she was still sitting between Soul's legs and his hands were on shoulders. Soul blushed when he realized why she was embarrassed all of a sudden.

"Sorry," he mumbled, dropping his hands.

"Nah," Maka said, shaking her head. She scooted back a foot so she was sitting opposite him. "Thanks for that,"

Soul rubbed the back of his head, his blush deepening. "It's no problem,"

Maka looked down at the floor. "Arachne and I…we used to be friends,"

Soul looked at her questioningly, trying to communicate with his eyes that she didn't have to bare her soul like this. But she kept talking.

"We grew up next door to each other. Back in elementary school, we were best friends. More like sisters, actually,"

She turned her gaze from the floor to the ceiling. "But all that changed when her father's company got rich. She moved away and…she changed."

"We promised to keep in touch, but her parents weren't too keen on her hanging out with people like me. So she went to a fancy private school and got new friends. But not too long ago, her dad lost his job and she was forced to come back here. I was excited when I found out we would be at the same high school. But she was all different. Before, with me, it had been about finding good books at the library and playing on the playground. Now it's all about the clothes, makeup and boys."

Maka sighed. "She started to torment me endlessly. I still don't know why. She made it hard to find any friends. Everyone's scared of her, you know that. I guess her rotten attitude was something she picked up at private school. But…" She looked back down at the floor.

"She was still my friend, you know? She was definitely still that girl I once knew. Somewhere, anyways,"

Maka looked up at Soul shyly. "It's stupid,"

"It's not stupid,"

"This whole thing is stupid,"

Soul chuckled. "'Stupid' isn't the first word to come to mind when describing this whole deal, but yes, I guess you could say it's stupid,"

Maka looked around the dark room. The large windows let in some moonlight, making the situation even more creepy. She shivered. "Do you think we're safe in here?"

Soul grimaced. "As safe as we can be here. The door's locked so no one can get in,"

"Do…"

Soul cocked his head. "Do I…?"

"Do you think it was Ashura who ki…killed Arachne?"

Soul looked out the window, as if the answer was right outside, perched on the windowsill. "Who else could it be?"

"Yeah…" Maka said, trailing off.

They sat in silence. Maka shivered again. She couldn't shake this creepy feeling the library was giving her. It was odd, seeing as she spent so much time in there. She traced the familiar spines of the books, hoping to calm herself down. When she found it didn't, she sighed and shifted herself so she was sitting next to Soul.

Soul slowly brought a hand up to her cheek. What am I doing? He thought to himself.

Maka looked over at him questioningly. But Soul wasn't backing out now.

He slowly pressed his lips to hers. She tasted sweet and her lips were soft. He wanted more. But he pulled away gently to see Maka's reaction.

Those emerald eyes looked up into his. They looked worn and beaten down before, like a gem in the rough, but now they sparkled with delight. She reached for him and brought their lips together.

When they parted again, Soul wrapped his arms around Maka in a tight embrace and brought his head down so that it rested on her shoulder.

"Hey, Maka?"Soul whispered, turning his head so that his lips were right beneath her ear.

Maka smiled. The breath from his words tickled her skin. "Yeah?"

"Promise me one thing,"

Maka wrinkled her brows. "What is it?"

"If Ashura finds us, promise me you'll run,"

"Yeah, sure, but…will you be running too?"

"Only after you,"

Maka hesitated before answering. "Fine. But promise me this,"

"What?"

"You won't try to fight him or anything stupid like that. I don't want you getting hurt,"

Soul smiled. "Fine,"

Maka smiled before resting her head on Soul's shoulder. The two stayed like that a little longer.

"Hey, Maka?"

"Yeah?"

"When we get out of here, will you go on a date with me?"

Maka smiled. "I think I would like that,"

She could feel Soul pump his fist in victory behind her back and she laughed.

The two were still.

"Hey, Soul?"

"Hm?"

"Are you scared?"

"Yeah! Asking a girl I actually like out was a lot scarier than I actually thought it wo-"

"I meant about sitting here when there's some crazy murdered wandering around the building,"

"Oh,"

"Yeah,"

"Well," Soul raised his head and looked at Maka. "There's nothing we can do. And being scared about it won't change anything,"

"You didn't answer my question," She said, pointedly.

He sighed. "Can't get by you with some half-assed answer, huh? Well, yeah," He looked away. "I'm scared. I'm really scared. But really, what can we do about it?"

"Hm," Maka said, thinking about his answer.

"You scared?" Soul asked.

"Yeah," Maka answered without hesitation. "I've never felt more terrified in my life. But's it's just like you said, right?" Soul's gaze swung back to her.

Maka felt a chill go down her spine as a sinister aura destroyed the happiness and peace Soul had given her. She swallowed.

"There's nothing we can do, right?" She finished.

"Well, there is something you could do," that voice said. The one that would haunt Maka for the rest of her life. The one that made her skin pucker in goosebumps and go pale at the thought of.

Ashura was here.

AN: I especially want to know what you think of this chapter. I didn't actually plan on them getting together until the very end. I'm curious as to whether you think this is better than waiting until the last chapter. And, of course, general comments are much apprieciated!

OMG A BUTTON.