Author's Note: I started writing a new fic (also for Soul Eater and also SoMa goodness) that I'm super excited about and hope to get up soon-ish! Yay! (Shameless plug.) Unfortunately, school is killing me slowly so it might be a bit...

Thank you so much for the responses to last chapter! I'm also very curious about your reactions to this chapter. I love reading your reviews it's actually kind of ridiculous! So keep them coming! And enjoy! I just love exclamation points!

Maka whirled around and saw a single eye peering through the bookcase, staring straight at her.

Soul leapt up and stood in front of her. Maka looked around for a way out. She was acting on pure instinct now.

She heard Ashura chuckle from behind the bookcase. "Relax, I'm not going to hurt either of you,"

Maka found no sense of comfort from Ashura's words. "What do you want?" Soul asked in a harsh tone.

Ashura chuckled again. It then turned into a full-fledged laugh, filling the previously silent room and echoing off the wood bookshelves and plastered walls.

Maka tensed. This guy's crazy. She thought. There's no way we can be safe around him. We've gotta get out of here.

Ashura suddenly stopped laughing. He turned his one eyed gaze to Soul. "Why don't you two come out from behind there? I said I wouldn't hurt you,"

"Soul," Maka whispered, tugging on his jacket sleeve. He looked down at her. She was visibly scared. She stood up and whispered into Soul's ear. "We should do what he says. We don't know what he's got up his sleeve,"

He nodded, realizing she had a point. He grabbed her hand and the two slowly walked out from behind the bookshelf. Ashura did the same, slowly creeping out from behind the opposite shelf.

Light from the full moon filtered in through a giant bay window, casting an eerie glow over the entire room. Soul's eyes widened when he saw Ashura. His white shirt was flecked with red-brown spots. Blood. Maka gasped.

Ashura smiled his crooked smile. "Why so nervous?"

Maka grimaced. She already knew what happened but she had to make sure. "What happened to Arachne?"

Ashura laughed again. Soul tightened his grip on Maka's hands.

"Arachne?" Ashura said, holding his stomach and trying to keep from laughing again. "Arachne? That dumb whore? Arachne?" He starting laughing again.

He stopped laughing and looked straight at Maka with a smile.

"She was in the way,"

Soul's unwavering stare hardened. "In the way of what?" He looked at him, as if just realizing he was there.

Ashura's gaze flicked back to Maka. She tensed up even more.

"You. Maka,"

"W-what's that supposed to mean?" Maka said, trying to sound unafraid.

Ashura laughed. Apparently, he found the whole thing very comical. "Oh, Maka, Maka," He said, shaking his head and smiling. "You just don't get it, do you?"

"Get what?" She asked. Soul and Maka were both very confused.

"Maka," He smiled. "I love you,"

"What?" Soul said in a harsh whisper.

"Oh, Maka," Ashura said, taking a step closer to the pair. Maka tried to step back but found they were right up against a wall.

"You just don't get it do you? You thought you never saw me before. But I've seen you," He stepped closer. Soul frantically looked for a way out. "Oh, I've seen you. I've been watching you. Always,"

Maka swallowed. "Why?"

"From the moment you set foot in this school, you interested me,"

"I…interested you?"

"Yes. The way you were quiet and kept to yourself. The way you loved reading and studying. Even the way you walked and talked." Ashura's smile only widened. "I loved them,"

He continued, his smiled fading. "But I could never talk to you. I didn't want to. It would've ruined your perfectness. But I was going crazy," He stepped closer and Soul edged a bit in front of Maka.

"I had to talk to you. I couldn't live just watching you. So that's how this happened," He waved his hand wildly, gesturing to the entire room.

"I knew you stayed late usually in the library, so I stayed late too. Unfortunately, you," Ashura gestured to Soul. "And Arachne were also here. Arachne always liked me, but only for what I could do to her. I put up with it for a while, but she started getting her emotions involved. That's why she was in the way. I couldn't stand her. So," He made a stabbing motion toward the air in front of him.

Maka gasped. It wasn't because she now had confirmation that Ashura killed Arachne. It was more because he showed no sign of remorse. Or that he even cared.

"So you know the way out?" Soul asked, coldly.

Ashura laughed. "I do,"

He reached into his pocket. "Here," Ashura tossed Soul a set of keys. He caught them with his free hand.

"That's your ticket out, buddy. Thanks for taking care of Maka for me," Ashura stepped towards the pair so he was standing right in front of Maka. He took her free hand. "I'll take her now,"

Ashura's touch was cold. His hand was large and bony. His skin was smooth and felt like ice. Maka looked up at Soul. She didn't know if she would get out alive if she stayed. But none of that mattered now. The only thing she could do now was trust in Soul.

Her shaking lips formed one word.

"Go,"