A/N: The scene with BlackStar and Tsubaki is for effect, work with me. Please. :3

The time until the wedding was quickly winding down and things were getting hectic. The amount of things they had to do were still the size of a small hill in papers and the future Mr. and Mrs. Death were starting to fall under the stress. Maka started staying nights over at the mansion which also meant so did Soul and sometimes even Blair.

"Things sure are getting exciting, huh?" Blair asked, her hand raised in a paw like fashion. "Even Blair is getting excited now!"

"I know right?" Patty agreed after another sip of her milkshake. "Wow, I wonder what it's gonna be like when I get married~"

Liz shook her head at the daydreaming duo. After witnessing the melt downs and late nights of the engaged couple they were really still wishing for someone to drag into the abyss with them? "I'll never understand this," the pistol sighed. She leaned back in her chair. "The whole ceremony thing is nice and all, but this is just to much to go through for one day."

"The ceremony is one day but it lasts forever," Blair tried to reason with the unseeing weapon. "At least that's what Maka told me. Blair's only a cat so she doesn't have to get married, but how much fun it must be to get to wear a beautiful gown like the one Maka has. You're gonna be so surprised when you see it- It's amazing!"

"Maka looks great in it too," Soul added. "She had it tailored so it'd fit just right. She got lucky that Kid was the one who proposed to her. There's no limit to how big the wedding can be."

Liz sighed at the thought of all that expensive jewelry and accessories drapping from Maka's person. She got hella lucky on Kid. "So what do you guys want to do today? Kid and Maka have the house a mess while trying to finish sorting out everything. We have to stay away for the day."

"Blair knows just the thing!" the magical cat exclaimed happily. "Why don't we plan the party?"

"Wow, Maka get's a party too?" Patty replied with large eyes.

"Yep! And it's just for Maka and her lady friends. Kid gets one too," she explained. "Kid gets to have all his man friends over for a night of fun and regrets!"

Soul almost choked on his milkshake. "What do you mean regrets?" he snapped. "Don't even think about it Blair!"

The cat laughed. "Blair knows the man friends get to plan Kid's party, but what kind of party doesn't end with a little regret?"

"A safe one where he actually makes it to his wedding," Soul retorted. "We'll worry about the parties later. Why don't we see if we can't get in contact with any of the others? We should try to figure out when they're going to be back. There's only about three months until the wedding now."

"I'll text Tsubaki and see if they're in the middle of something," Liz said as she pulled out her cell and started tapping away at the keyboard. She got a quick reply. "She says they were just resting after the long morning."

"Tell her to get to a computer so we can talk," Soul said as he stood. "Mind if we go to my place so we can talk with them through my web cam?"

They followed the white haired death scythe to his residence. Soul unlocked the door and invited everyone to his room for a chat with the absentees. He set up the computer on the bed side table so it faced the middle of the room. Everyone piled in and tried to get in range of the camera.

Tsubaki shook the sleeping man next to her. "BlackStar wake up," she said softly. "Liz wants to talk to us over the computer."

BlackStar sat up, stretched, then turned to wrap his arms around the weapon's waist and rest his face in the crook of her neck. Tsubaki giggled at the feeling of his breath against her skin. "BlackStar," she said through giggles. "Get up."

"Alright, I'm awake," he yawned. "What is it?"

The screen was black for about ten minutes before they got a view of BlackStar's large forehead.

"BLACKSTAR!" they all shouted, startling the blue haired assassin.

"Oh, hey guys!" he greeted them with his signature grin. "I see you all couldn't stand being away from my greatness for so long- you couldn't even wait for my return!"

Tsubaki giggled in the background.

"Of course not BlackStar," Soul smiled. "We were actually wondering when you and Tsubaki would be getting back. There's only a few more months until Maka and Kid's wedding."

"We're done with the mission as of this morning so we should be heading back soon. Right Tsubaki?"

The black haired weapon got into the the camera's range. "Yes, we'll be on our way back by tomorrow afternoon. We should be back in Death City by the weekend."

"Hurry back so we can start planning the parties!" Blair interjected enthusiasticly.

"So how have you all been?" Tsuabki inquired. "Is everyone doing alright?"

"We're fine if you don't include the late nights and huge levels of stress," Liz said, answering for the missing couple. "Maka and Kid are completely engulfed in getting ready for the wedding."

"I bet it's going to be beauiful," Tsubaki mused. "I can't wait to get back and see everyone."

"We can't wait to have you guys back here with us," Soul remarked.

They talked back and forth for hours until the sun began to set in Death City. They didn't want to break up but the pistols would need to get food for their meister 'less he starve himself. His dedication was not something to play with at all. He would have refuse to eat until everything was finished had the women not threatened to throw off every symmetrical thing in the house.

"We'll see you guys soon!" Patty said.

"Hurry up and come back," Soul said to the grinning assassin on the other end.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah! I know things have been pretty boring without me but you'll have to manage until we get there," he replied.

"See you all soon," Tsubaki said before the cameras were turned off.

Soul put down the top of his laptop and stood. "Now we have to get those meisters of ours some food. What do you think they want?"

"Maybe they would like some fish?" Blair asked innocently.

"I think it's a great idea but none of us could make it edible," Liz pointed out. "Let's get them something they could eat without a big mess. They'll most likely eat while working."

The troop walked down to the nearest carry-out resturaunt and ordered two bowls of udon noodles. They would have to stop to eat it but that was probably for the best. A break, by now, would do them some good. Liz opened the door to the mansion and Patty walked in carrying the food with the others filing in behind her.

"We got dinner!" Patty announced loudly.

When there was no reply they went into the dining room but found it empty. They weren't in the kitchen or living room either. Had they gone out for dinner on their own? Liz went up to her room to get her phone charger since it was almost dead and happened by Kid's room. The door was cracked so she peered inside. She bit her lip to keep from 'aww'ing loudly. They were asleep in Kid's bed. Maka was lying in Kid's arms with her head tucked sweetly into his chest and his arms hugging her close, his head resting in her hair. She turned on her phone and took a quick picture before closing the door.

"There you are," Soul said from behind, startling her. "I started to think you got lost in your own house."

"O-oh! No, I just had to close Kid's door," she said quickly. "I'll go grab my charger." She hurried away to her room.

She found the small black charger sitting on her bed. She grabbed it and ran back down the hall to where Soul was still standing. She went down the stairs with Soul following and regrouped with the others in the living room.

"I left the noodles in the refrigerator for them," Patty reported.

"That's good," Liz said. "They're asleep in Kid's room so they'll probably eat late."

"I was thinking about everyone staying at me and Maka's place," Soul suggested. "We can stay out of their way and if they need something they can text me or you."

"Yeah, sure. I don't have a problem with that."

With everyone unanomous the Thompsons packed clothes for about a week then followed Blair back to the apartment. Soul carried their bags for them. When they reached the front door, he gave Blair the key to open the door.

"A slumber party at Soul's house~!" Patty sang happily. "So what are we going to do first?"

"First we're going to figure out where you will be sleeping," Soul replied playfully. "You two can take Maka's room. You don't mind sharing a bed do you? We have some extra sheets if you want to sleep on the couch."

"That's not nice Soul," Blair stated. She had reverted back to her cat form and sat on the arm of the couch. "If they don't want to share beds you should offer them your bed."

"Wow Soul," Liz said as she moved to pet the cat, "even the cat's a better host than you."

Soul snorted and went upstairs. Liz laughed and picked up her bags. Soul came back down with a sheet and pillow. "There," he sighed and dropped them on the couch. "Someone can have my room. Happy now?"

"I guess so," Liz sighed and walked up the stairs to his room. "Patty, you take Maka's room. Goodnight Soul and Blair~"

Soul grumbled as he set the couch up for him to sleep on. They took turns in the bathroom, each one going to sleep almost instantly after a warm shower. Liz lay awake in Soul's room that night. Time had passed quickly and it had been about two weeks since he apologized to her about the diner incident. She thought that once that was over everything would go back to normal. Words couldn't describe how wrong she was. Liz had made it seem like she was taking a hit by taking Soul's room, but that wasn't true either.

"This room smells just like you Soul. I really don't know if that's a good thing or not, but it does." Liz looked around the room at the posters on the wall and books stacked on the shelf. "I never took you for much of a reader," she thought aloud. Okay, this is just weird. Why am I acting like some creepy stalker person? The longer I stew here... The sound of footsteps just outside the door made her pause. Her heart beat so heavily she could have sworn it was loud enough to usher them in, but the footsteps faded. She let out a breath she didn't even realize she was holding. Oh Soul... Why did you have to find a way to ruin everything? We were doing just fine as friends until you had to go and pull that stupid stunt. It probably wouldn't have even been that good a kiss anyway... Ack! No, no, no! Liz what are you doing? Don't think things like that- he's your best friend! She turned over in the bed and tried to force herself to sleep.

Downstairs Soul was also wide awake to his own discomfort. Things had admitedly not been the same since the scene he created at the diner. Even he couldn't ignore that. Luckily no one else had noticed the slight changes. He never stood more than a foot close to her, his coolness was much more forced when talking to her now, things were just awkward. He tried so hard to blame it on the whole friends getting married thing but he knew it was much more than that. When they had stared so strongly into eachother's eyes he had seen something there. That was the exact thing keeping him awake now.

She's your best friend! Friends don't... Well, actually, BlackStar and Tsubaki did it. Maka and Kid are beyond doing it... Wait- What the- C'mon Soul snap out of it! Even if you did accept your feelings, why would Liz? She was over it all so easily. It wasn't anything to her. Soul sighed aloud and ran a hand through his hair. Since when did friendship become this complicated? No one would have disagreed to their relationship, he was sure, but still it would be weird. Liz wasn't like Tsubaki or Maka- she was a girl who liked expensive things and money. How was he even going to take care of her if they did get together? Wait, we're not together and it's not happening any time soon! Soul was easily more confused now than he had ever been.

"Can't sleep?" the small black cat asked from her perch on the back of the couch.

"Y-Yeah," Soul answered turning away from her. The last thing he needed was for Blair to find out. "It's nothing."

"It's Liz isn't it?" she asked, licking her paw nonchalantly.

Soul rolled his eyes. "What are you talking about?"

"I saw the way you were looking at her~" Blair purred. "It was unmistakable. You have a little crush on her don't you?"

Soul sat up and stared aggitatedly at the cat. "You have crushes in grade school. I'm to old for that kind of thing, it's not cool."

"Then do you find her attractive? Is that better?" she teased with a flick of her tail.

"Why are you even still awake?" Soul retorted and layed back down.

"Don't worry Soul, I won't tell anyone." she assured him before curling up to sleep.

"There's nothing to tell," he grumbled angrily.

The next morning started out as normal as any other. The house was quiet as Soul stretched awake. He got up from the couch and yawned widely. He had almost forgotten he had invited the Thompson's over until he went up to brush his teeth. Liz stopped mid brush when he came to the door. He was about to leave knowing how she was about her bathroom time but she waved him in. "Are you sure?" he asked, carefuly walking in behind her.

She nodded and moved over so he could get to the sink. "ot i ah oo(Not my bathroom)," she managed over her toothbrush.

"How'd you sleep?" he asked as he readied his toothbrush.

I slept amazing, thank you very much. Your room was very comfortable. Liz stopped brushing to answer, "your room stinks."

Soul smiled before starting the brush over his sharp teeth. They stared into the mirror as they brushed, neither sparing a glance at the other. The entire air of the bathroom had changed once he had walked in. They tried not to display any specific feeling in their faces as they stared. Liz tried not to get lost in his adorably sleepy red eyes and the lazy set of his features. Soul, on the other hand, was trying to avoid her soft, morning blue eyes. They were just as mesmerizing in the morning before she was completely awake.

"I didn't take you for the vain type," Liz said at a short interval in which she tried to get her eyes on something else besides his sleepy ones.

"I'm not," Soul replied simply, glad for the diversion. "Someone's bound to be staring at these teeth so I'd rather be careful than embarrassed later."

"That makes sense," she nodded then continued to brush her teeth.

Liz continued for a few extra minutes before finally rinsing her mouth and toothbrush. Soul stopped after her and rinsed his brush. He followed her out and stopped in front of his room. "Oh, do you want to go first? It is your room." She stepped aside to let him in.

"No, I can wait for you," he said quickly. "You go ahead."

"Here," she went inside then returned with an armfull of clothes. "I'll change in the bathroom and you can have your room."

She went into the bathroom and closed the door. Soul turned around to see Blair waving from the bottom of the stairs, a knowing smile on her face. He glared at her then went into his room. Patty walked over to Blair. Something weird was going on and she wanted to know what.

"Is there something wrong with sis?" she asked the magical cat as they set out breakfast. "She was acting all weird just now."

Blair giggled playfully. "There's nothing wrong," she answered. "Blair knows but she promised Soul not to say anything~ Sorry!"

"Aww~!"

"Watch them closely and you'll see it. It's not really a big secret, even Blair knows it."

Soul and Liz came down for breakfast dressed very casually.

"Good Morning~!" Patty greeted them. "We bought breakfast! Hope you like it."

Soul and Liz remained uncharacteristically silent as they ate. Patty looked worriedly at Blair who just waved back. Something weird was going on and if Blair knew, then it must be something big. How could the cat know what was going on before her?

"Are you okay sis?" the pistol asked her sister. "You're acting all weird.."

"I'm fine Patty," Liz assured her sister with a smile. "I'm just not feeling very talkative right now. It's still so early, my brain's still trying to wake up."

"No surprise there," Soul said just loud enough for her to hear.

Liz's smile faded as she turned to him. "Are you trying to say something albino?"

"I'm not saying anything," he insisted.

"I heard that little remark of yours," she snapped. "Are you trying are to say I'm slow?"

"You said it not me," he smirked.

They were thrown into another one of their meaningless arguements just like that. Blair smiled and ate her fish to the show. Patty laughed aloud. Now things were back to normal. They argued back and forth through breakfast then ceased to talk for a few hours because they had actually managed to make eachother mad. Sitting alone in Maka's room Liz calmed herself by screaming into a pillow.

"That stupid albino!" she screamed. "Sometimes I just want to strangle him! He's so annoying!" She appreciated the time away from everyone though. No matter how hard she tried to be normal, things between them were to different now. She'd never admit it out loud but...just maybe...she liked that stupid albino. No more than a simple crush though.

"Maybe if I can keep it to myself it'll go away on it's own," she asked herself. "If we keep fighting like this everyone'll think we hate eachother and I don't hate him. I just want to stay friends."

Liz put her face in the pillow and screamed out her frustration. In the other room Soul stared distantly into the cieling. Liz had left her sheets on his bed. They were still a little warm. Soul turned on his side and closed his eyes. He breathed in her scent from the sheets and an undeniable feeling came over him. His heart began to beat faster, his stomach was in knots just from the smell. Soul sat up and started to pace the room.

"I guess there's no denying it now," he sighed, somewhat relieved for the finality of it all. "I have a thing for Liz, huh?"

"I knew it!"

Soul almost jumped out of his skin as the cat appeared from under his bed. "When did you get there?" he shrieked.

"I heard you say it," she mewed. "You do have a thing for Liz."

"H-Hey, don't go around telling everybody, okay? Just because I do doesn't mean I can go acting on it." Soul sat on the edge of the bed.

"Why not? You like her so just go for it," Blair insisted.

"It's not that simple," he replied. "Just because I like her doesn't mean she feels the same way about me. Even if she does, this is Liz we're talking about. I can't do just anything..."

"You humans sure do like to make things difficult," she mewed. "I think if you want something you should do your best to make it happen. She's your best friend so you should know everything about her. If I find out if she's interested, will you try to win her over?"

Soul raised an eyebrow at the cat. It was bad enough he was talking to her so openly about it all, but to get her directly involved? Not to mention the wedding preparations and things they had to help with. This was starting to be to much for one death scythe to handle..

"No, we need to be focusing on the wedding right now," Soul concluded.

"Wow, already thinking about marriage, you must be serious~"

"You know what I mean Blair," Soul snapped aggitatedly. "Let's go see if Maka or Kid need something. We should be putting our energy into something useful like forwarding their lives."

"Alright~" Blair mewed disappointedly. Once Soul was on his way downstairs Blair started forming her plot. She was determined to get those two together if it was the last thing she did, and hopefully it wouldn't be.