A/N: So here we are old friend. You and me in the final chapters. (Trying to blend Doctor Who and Soul Eater together. This isn't working out.) I'll have more on this later. However, now enjoy some shit hitting the fan in the second to last chapter of "A New Deal". Kind of funny how this came out today considering it was my second to last day of school. Not really? Ok, cool ... Anyways, enjoy! :D

Sweat beaded their foreheads. Blood pumped under their skin. Heat nuzzled into their clothes every time they got a bit too close to the flames. Their feet landed heavily upon the ground despite their best efforts - after all they weren't ninjas.

Sleath was Tsubaki and Black*Star's job.

Unfortunately for the rest of the group, the two were doing a very good job at being stealthy. A very, very good job. The group found a small patch of fire where the flames were low, and they jumped over into the territory of Arachnophobia without a problem. Well, except for the fact that they couldn't find Tsubaki and Black*Star. That was a very big problem indeed.

"How do you find people who are very good at staying hidden," Liz asked, a bit annoyed with the current situation.

The group started inside the closest building to the fire, the local convenience store. For a convenience store it was pretty big - or at least it seemed that way from the back. There was the main floor filled with small aisles of junk and wrapped food. In the back of the room was a cash register, and a black door behind it. Soul couldn't tell what the door was made of, but it looked pretty thick. Not thin enough to chop down with Maka's axe, but if they had a crowbar then maybe ...

He shifted his thoughts to the second floor, which looked like a small office room if Soul had to guess. There was only one window, and it wasn't completely even with the layout of the first floor. It just kind of stuck out of the flat roof like a sore thumb. If Black*Star and Tsubaki were hiding here it would explain how they got the fuel to light the fire, but they'd have to be fantastic at the art of stealth to hide here. Unless they somehow managed to sneak past that back door.

Soul weighed the options of entry while the others scouted out the perimeter. Maka stayed by Soul, trying to wipe some red substance that Soul really didn't want to think about off her blade. She just sighed and gave up hope of rubbing the red off before resting it over her shoulder again. Maka's sigh didn't even sound frustrated, it just sounded tired. Soul considering saying something to her, but she shook her head before he even looked at her. He wasn't sure if he hated or loved how well she could read him at that moment, because he really had no idea what to say.

So instead he went back to his contemplations. How would they be able to enter the building through that door if he didn't have a crowbar? Would they be able to break the window in and climb in through that second floor room? Was Tsubaki and Black*Star even here, was that possible?

He rubbed his head as he thought.

"We can't make it through the window you know," Maka mumbled.

Soul raised an eyebrow at his partner.

"Why do say that," He asked.

She pointed to the window on the second floor, and started.

"If we try to climb around from the second floor and climb in that window, then we're going to most likely ending up falling, cutting ourselves with our weapons, or revealing ourselves to the enemy."

"Aren't we doing that right now being in their territory?"

She redirected her pointer to figure to the fire.

"See how high the smoke is rising? It's concealing us now, but if we go up on the roof we're toast," Maka explained.

Soul grunted. That was just what he needed to hear.

"Thank you Maka," He said bitterly.

"No problem," Maka replied back carelessly.

Soul opened his mouth to say something, but the glare Maka was giving him caused him to shut it quickly. It wouldn't help each other to piss one another off, especially when they need to find their fellow comrades.

"Look, I'm sorry -"

She shook her heading, cutting Soul off.

"We need to focus on the mission right now. We can worry about everything else later."

"Seriously Maka, I'm -"

"Soul," She replied, "Please. Just. Stop."

He nodded resistively, and scowled over to the flames. This mission sucked.

"Soul, Maka," Liz called out.

The pair turned to the direction of her voice as she, Kid, and Patty rounded the corner.

"We need to get out of here," She said.

"Come on sissy, it was just a ghost," Patty laughed.

"A ghost," Maka asked as she raised her eyebrows in confusion.

Kid started to explain, but Liz cut him off.

"We need to go. This place is haunted," She squeaked.

"Liz, we are perfectly alright," Kid said, "Now let's just figure out a way to get inside -"

"I'm not going in there!"

Kid sighed as Patty tugged on her sister's arm and laughed.

"There's nothing to be afraid of sissy," She announced.

Soul and Maka both shared a look before Soul simply shrugged.

"Are you going to be ok Liz," Soul asked as he burrowed his hand in his jacket's pockets.

Liz sniffed a little, but tried to smile bravely as she nodded.

"Yeah. Yeah, I guess I am," She responded.

Her smile grew a bit more as Soul grinned.

"Then let's go kick Arachne's ass," Soul said.

Liz was about to respond, when she jumped with a frightened squeak. Behind her Black*Star stood laughing, and Tsubaki looked down at the fallen girl with concern.

"Are you ok Liz," Tsubaki asked.

Liz's face turned beet red as her look of terror turned into a look of anger. Scratch that, a look of rage.

"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FOR," She practically screamed at Black*Star.

Black*Star beamed at her, still chuckling a bit.

"I thought it was funny," He answered.

Liz looked like she was going to pounce on him and maybe beat him to death, but Tsubaki and Kid intervened before she reached him.

"We're sorry Liz. I guess Black*Star's still excited from the explosions and stuff," Tsubaki said.

Liz nodded as her face started to return to her normal color, but she still glared at Black*Star.

"I forgive you Tsubaki," Liz said bitterly.

Tsubaki nodded kindly in return, "Thank you Liz."

"If he does that again though, I'll -"

"So how'd the distractions go," Maka asked before Liz could finish her threat.

"Pretty good if I do say so myself," Black*Star answered with a grin.

"It was pretty exciting," Tsubaki added.

"I bet. It looked like hell from the house. So where is the rest of Arachnophobia at," Soul questioned.

Black*Star shrugged.

"We only really saw the ones at the house. All we know is that there's a few of them in there, so we tried to set this place on fire," He answered.

"Didn't work," Maka asked.

Tsubaki shook her head.

"We think there's something on the walls' exterior. Maybe in case something happened with one of the gas pumps. Hopefully inside's a different story," Tsubaki replied.

"Yes but to set fire to the inside, we'd have to get inside first. That could lead us to possibly being trapped in there, and if we inhale more smoke ..."

Kid didn't have to finish his sentence to announce what would happen. They all knew. If that was what it would come down to, they'd all die regardless. Soul wouldn't let that happen.

"No. I'm going in there, beyond that door. If anyone's going to set Arachne on fire, it's going to be me. I want the rest of you to keep the hell away from that door. Guard the store. If you can guard it from the outside, great. If not, then stay by the front door. That way when the flame starts, you can get the hell out of here."

Soul looked at his circle of friends.

"Everybody got that," He asked.

Of course she'd have to step up and say something. Of course she'd have to be so fucking stubborn and almost make him shit his pants. Piss him off. Scare him.

"I'm coming with you," Maka said.

"Maka-"

"Shut up Soul, we're partners so we're doing this together. Someone needs to cover your ass anyways," She said.

Soul gave her a hard look, which she returned ten times worse. Damn it, why'd she have to do that?

"Partners. Stick. Together," She said slowly and sternly.

The rest of the group stared at the two, waiting to see if a fight ensued.

"Damn it, Maka."

He stepped away from her and growled, "Fine. But stay by me at all times."

"When did I let you down before," She asked.

"Never."

"See?"

"That's what worries me," He answered.

Maka opened her mouth to say more, but she was interrupted by a grunt. She looked around at the group to see if it had come from any of them, but they all simply shrugged.

"Who was that," Liz asked.

It was silent for a second. A second is much too long for comfortable silence.

Then there was a noise.

"If you think you're going to get to Arachne," A voice said behind the group as they turned to face it, "You have to go through us."

Behind them was a man with a very, very sharp noise. He looked short, but heavy and round. Kind of like he was packing muscle that couldn't fit his frame around under his suit. The old man glared as his red eyes sagged into his skin. Standing behind him were people wearing the same masks as the others had worn earlier. All looked extremely pissed off.

Soul curled his lip up in a snarl, and Maka glared at the man igniting a green fire in her eyes.

"Who are you," Black*Star asked.

"Never heard of Mosquito huh," The old man asked as he raised his hand, "What a shame."

He dropped his hand, and the masked people rushed forward. Soul grabbed Maka's hand and sprinted for the door.

"We'll get this guy, get Arachne," Kid yelled.

Soul and Maka jumped behind the counter just as a shelf flew over their heads.

"Damn it, these guys are strong," Soul muttered.

"So we got to be fast," Maka responded.

Heavy footsteps were approaching. How the hell were they supposed to open the door? Soul looked up at the shelf laying in front of them. It was steel or iron, but it could work.

"Soul," Maka warned.

More footsteps.

"Soul," Maka said more urgently.

"Worth a shot," Soul grunted as he picked up the bended shelf and wedged it into the door.

"Watch out," Maka yelled as she swung the axe just above his head and lodged into the approaching masked person's arm.

The masked person yelled out in pain, and he ended up shooting the other person behind him as his gun flailed from his hand. Soul pushed the shelf, and he yanked as hard as he could on it. Maka grabbed him around his waist and she pulled with him.

"There's another one," Maka announced after glancing over her shoulder.

"Fuck," Soul cursed.

They pulled even more before the door finally wedged open a bit. Just enough for someone to slide in, thank the stars. However their relief was interrupted as a bullet lodged itself into the wall by Soul.

"Go," Maka yelled frantically, fear painting her face.

She shoved Soul into the space as another bullet swirled past their heads. Maka slid herself in as soon as she couldn't see his feet anymore from her side. Another gun shot, but Maka made no wish to see the bullet. As soon as she slid into the dim hallway on Soul's side of the door, he slammed it shut. Hopefully the shelf was bent enough for them not to be able to make any use of it.

"What's that," Maka asked.

"What's what," Soul replied as he rubbed the dirt off his arm.

"Shh, idiot and you might hear," Maka whispered.

Soul shut his mouth and turned all his attention to his senses. Most importantly, his sense of hearing. To their right was a staircase leading up, and descending from it ... Was the sound of someone singing. Maka and Soul locked eyes, and nodded, a silent agreement.

Arachne.

They crept up the stairs, Soul on Maka's heels, and Maka with her axe ready. The voice grew clearer and clearer as they reached the landing to the second floor's room. It sounded like Arachne was singing a lullaby.

"What is she pregnant or something," Soul whispered.

Maka shrugged, "I really don't know."

She raised her axe a little as Soul turned the knob. A dull light flooded the dark landing, and Maka stepped cautiously in the room. Soul followed her in, and he shut the door; he didn't want anymore unexpected guests appearing. Maka eyed the room until her sight fell upon Arachne in a corner filled with spider webs ... Cradling a boy.

He was wrapped up, but Maka could see his mouth moving to the words of Arachne's song. So this was Asura. Was he weakened, sick, unable to fight? Maka surely hoped that this was the case.

After a while Arachne noticed Maka's axe, and her eyes trailed up to her face. Their eyes locked, and Maka was a bit stunned. Arachne wore purple contacts, and her eyes were heavy. She looked almost drunk. Maybe she was considering the glasses around the room. She wore designer purple clothes, and her lipstick was dark. She laughed quietly at Maka, a laugh as smooth as the champagne she just got drunk off of.

"It seems we have a visitor Asura," She murmured.

His lips slackened, and he raised a hand up towards Arachne's voice like a child longing for a toy.

"Yes, Asura. It's me. I am here. I'm -"

Maka swallowed hard, and Soul tried to grab her hand but it was slack. Her eyes had widened immensely, and he understood why. Asura sat up from Arachne's lap, his hand clutched tightly around her throat.

"So," He said as he dropped the woman her eyes lifeless yet stunned, "You have come to challenge me?"

"We just want our friend's turf back," Soul started but Asura round kicked his jaw.

Maka's eyes watched as Soul fell to the ground, clutching his face. His cheek was red, and when he tried to close his mouth it made a loud pop that caused him to grimace. Asura started pulling his bandages off his face, revealing white and black bangs for hair, sharp red eyes, pasty skin, and tightly pressed lips.

"Well what about you little-"

He was cut off as Maka brought her axe handle up to butt him from under the jaw. Asura caught the handle an inch before it made contact though, and he smirked.

"So you want to play then," He chuckled.

"You hurt my partner," Maka answered as she brought her foot up to his head and slammed it to the ground, "I'm just getting even."

Asura just laughed from the floor, and he tried to grab Maka's foot but she was too quick. She used him as a board to leap over to Soul instead.

"Give me the axe Maka, quick," Soul grunted.

Maka tossed him the axe as he stood. Asura started to rise from the ground, but Soul slammed the blade into his shoulders. Not a flinch. Asura grabbed Soul instead, and he threw him against the wall by using Soul's foot. Soul shouted out in pain as the axe sprawled across the floor.

Asura raised his foot to kick Soul, but Maka deflected the blow by using her own shin. She bit back a yelp from the pain erupting along her shin, and instead smirked at Asura. He frowned at her for a second before laughing.

"Stupid girl. Do you seriously think you can beat me," He asked.

Maka laughed.

"Why are you laughing," Asura snarled as he wiped his hand from behind and slapped her across the face.

Maka continued to laugh as Asura continued to punch, slap, and kick her.

"Are you going mad? Did you snort some shit? Is that it," Asura practically screamed at her.

Maka shook her head.

"You're such an idiot, you know that right? You believe drugs will be a way out, that madness and flooding it through the world with your meth is the best way to gain control?"

Asura stopped advancing on her with his attacks. He raised his scowl, causing the lines in between his eyebrows to furrow. As he has his back turned, Soul fumbled to sit upright. It knocked the breath out of him, and pain shot along his chest but he kept going along anyways. He searched Arachne's body until his eyes caught something that interested him.

A lighter hanging out of her pocket.

Of course, she'd have to smoke the meth up here somehow. Soul reached for it, trying to ignore the pain coursing through his body telling him to back up. Maka noticed Soul from her position on the floor, and shifted her eyes over to Asura. She had to distract him from Soul.

"What do you mean stupid girl," Asura asked, his face getting uncomfortably close to hers.

His breath smelled like piss, but Maka couldn't tell if it was from him drinking alcohol or him smoking the meth. She quickly checked on Soul to see he was getting a flame started, or at least he was trying to. In the back of her mind away from the revelation of her eyes she silently prayed for Soul to hurry up.

"I mean, idiot boy, that you're not going to get anyway in life with this. Look where you are now, fighting two people who compared to you are children. I mean after all, I'm still a student, and he's around my age. You're losing most of your men, you just lost your girlfriend, and a lot of other shit is happening. Maybe if you didn't fuck up so much shit in your life and realized that none of this is going to help you be ok and accepted, then none of this would happen," Maka replied coolly as she pushed him away.

"SHUT UP," Asura screamed.

"NO," Maka hollered back.

Asura glared at her as he reached into one of his bandages.

"SHUT UP, SHUT UP, SHUT UP! Do you have any idea what's its like? To be looked over? To be neglected? Do you, bitch," He snarled.

Soul growled, but Maka nodded to him. Cursing under his breath, he went back to getting the damn lighter to work.

"Yeah, I do. Every night when I was young, my dad was out on the town with a new woman. It seemed to be every woman except for the one that mattered - my mom. I got over it though. I decided I was going to show him how well a person can be without being a womanizer, or a drug dealer, or an addict. I made my pain, my motivation. I became strong. Was ever afraid I was going to fail? Yes. But acknowledging your fears and knowing you're afraid doesn't make you weak. It makes you stronger because you know what you're up against."

The room was silent for a moment as Maka stood up, her eyes locked with Asura's. She leaned against the wall for support, and checked on Soul. He had the lighter going. There was a flame. They would be ok.

Then there was a bang.

Maka didn't feel the pain, just pressure. Swelling, in her chest. She couldn't breathe. All could do was look hopelessly at Soul as she fell to the floor. Asura laughed. It was the sickest sound Soul had ever heard in his life. Worse than Black*Star throwing up after a hangover, worse than Patty scheercing for giraffe stuffed animal when she and Liz spent the night, worse than Kid's OCD attacks, worse than the sound he made after the first time he smoked a joint.

It made him want to kill the man.

Everything was coated with red, but not the red of his anger. It was the red of Maka's blood. He didn't feel his pain in his own chest or his legs. His feet were no longer sore, but heavy. Everything had slowed down. All except him. So as Asura turned to him, laughing wildly like a child, Soul grabbed the bastard's bandages and he watched as Asura turned red. He kicked him over, letting him fall to the ground as the boy tried to set out the fire. All it did was set the carpet aflame with an orange hue. Soul guessed that son of a bitch never picked up his drugs.

He swooped Maka up in his arms, holding her like he would a bride. She reached her heavy hand up to his face, but she could only reach his neck.

"It'll be ok Maka, I'm going to get you out of here," He said, his words slurring in his rush.

Could it be possible for the green to start to fade from her eyes, or was that just the meth hues getting to Soul's head? He shook the thought off as the smoke rose and set off the fire alarm. Asura's cries were growing faint to Soul's contentment, but so were Maka's tears. So not a good sign.

He tugged at the door handle trying to open it, but the damn building was so old that it was jammed. The axe, he couldn't see the axe. He tried to hold in his coughs, but Maka couldn't.

"Close your eyes Maka, and keep your legs tucked in," Soul warned.

There was only one option left.

"Soul," Maka asked weakly.

More smoke. No axe. No door. No other options unless he was going to drop her. That was not happening.

"Soul," She asked again.

From outside, the street lights shone onto her face.

"Soul just drop," She was interrupted by a fit of coughs, "Me."

"No," He replied back harshly.

"Soul, please. Please don't do this, I love you! Please don't jump," She cried into his shirt.

He inched closer and Maka tried kicking him, but she was too weak. The bullet was eating her heart.

"I love you too. That's why I have to save you," He answered.

"But you'll die," Maka cried out.

"My job was to protect you, and I failed. So please let me do my job when it matters most - now."

Before she could respond, Soul clutched Maka to his chest and he rammed his body, back first, through the window. He hoped to everything good and mighty in the world that Maka would be ok.

Yet as his ass hit the burning ground below them, all he heard was her cries.