THANK YOU TO ALL OF MY 21 FOLLOWERS, 18 FAVORITES, 29 REVIEWS, AND 2142 VIEWS! SUKIDESUYO! HONTOUNISUKIDESU! THANK YOU! Now, here's the chapter you've all been waiting for! Please, if you read this story, leave a review! I thank you greatly!p.s, I wont be able to post until next saturday! I'm so so so sorry! Enjoy Chapter 12: The Memories of Old...

"This one has gotten pretty bad. Black Star and Tsubaki are struggling. I'm sending you guys as motivation really. You know how Black Star can be," Lord Death concluded. The five other teens either smirked or laughed.

"Aww, come on, Lord Death, Black Star can't be doing that bad. We should let him finish this on his own," Soul suggested. It was the beginning of October. England was nothing but rain and fog now. And rain and fog were so not cool.

"I agree with Soul, father," Kid added.

"Oh, come on guys, England's not that bad!" Maka tried to lighten the mood. Soul smiled at her. This girl could look at him and immediately he'd feel better.

"This kishin soul is the equivalent to four souls. If you guys go, each weapon can get a soul that all of you need," Lord Death countered. Soul and Kid's shoulders slumped in defeat while the girls jumped in joy. On their way out, Liz and Patty began talking about all the shopping they could do in Paris. Kid had to remind them that they were going to England, not France.

"Let's go to our tree," Soul whispered into Maka's ear, taking her hand. Maka nodded, softly blushing. It was the tree where they first met, made their secret code, had their first kiss, started dating. It was mid-afternoon when they got there. Maka sat down at her usual spot at the base of the tree. Soul sat next to her and wrapped his left arm around her waist. Maka rested her head on his shoulder. The couple sat silently content for a while.

"Maka?" Soul asked softly.

"Mm?" Soul shifted so that they could look at each other. A look of concern crossed Maka's face. He was about to tell her something important. The sun had begun to set casting a soft orange glow across their world.

"Maka," he began, "I love you." This wasn't the first time he'd said it but, it felt appropriate to him.

"I love you, too, Soul," Maka said confidently but with curiosity. What was he getting at? Soul stared into Maka's eyes. They were eyes that were brilliant, bright, deep, understanding, caring, eyes that loved him. Soul kneeled in front of Maka and cupped her face in his hands. Their hearts began to race in anticipation and uncertainty.

"Maka," Soul said her name as if it was the only that kept him alive. Her breath was staring to become irregular.

"Marry me."

Maka's breath stopped. Marry him? Marry Soul? She was only sixteen. She shouldn't be thinking about marriage now. But, looking at Soul, staring into his eyes, she knew he was serious. He wanted to marry her.

"Soul," was all Maka could say. Soul moved his hands into her hair.

"I'm not saying to marry me now. Hell, I'm not saying that you have to marry five years from now. I'm just asking you to eventually marry me." As their eyes watered, Soul closed the gap between them and rested his forehead on hers.

"Soul," Maka struggled for words as her tears fell. She couldn't give him an answer, not now.

"Maka, please?" His voice was desperate, a tone she had never heard him use before. Her heart broke a little. His tears fell on her cheeks. Maka was stunned. She couldn't even move. She felt Soul take a deep breath before looking her in the eyes. He smiled ruefully.

"Think about it," he said before kissing her forehead and then standing up. He held a hand out to her. "Let's go home."

x

It was well after dinner when Maka got the courage to enter Soul's room. He was sitting at his piano scribbling away at sheet music. She smiled at his back.

"Soul?" She asked softly. At the sound of her voice, Soul jumped and began collecting the sheet music before quickly stuffing it under his pillow. He cleared his throat before speaking.

"Oh, uh, hey," he managed to stutter. He smiled at her laughing at him. The sound of her voice gave him courage to walk to her. She took a good look at his eyes and what she saw was enough for her.

"About earlier today," she began on a serious note. Soul stiffened. It was a risk, a major risk, asking that of her. "I can't answer right now."

"I know," Soul replied quietly. "I know, but I'm not taking it back." Maka felt her chest explode. She took the one step that separated them and kissed him.

His hands were warm as they trailed up and down her arms. She shuddered slightly at his touch. Her hands roamed his muscled chest. There was nothing that could separate them. He took her bottom lip in his teeth and tugged slightly. She allowed her tongue free will as she explored his mouth. They moved towards the bed without anything having to be said. But, like always, she slipped at the most inappropriate times. They were falling and they didn't care.

They fell onto the bed and Maka relished the feeling of Soul's weight on her. Soul managed to free his hand from her waist and pulled on the blankets at the end of his bed. They were under the covers, kissing and touching. Her heart was racing in her chest. His mouth left hers in search of new skin. He kissed her cheek all the way down to her collar bone. Her hands tangled in his hair. She gasped as he slipped a finger underneath the waist band of her skirt. Her heart was ready to jump out of her chest. She wasn't ready for anything like that! She was about to tell him to stop when he chuckled against her neck.

"Were you about to let me?" he asked, his voice breathy and deep. Just the sound of his voice was enough to send her over the edge.

"N-no," she stuttered. "Don't laugh at me!" She smacked his shoulder. He laughed some more, making her laugh with him. He picked his head up and looked at her. His eyes were piercing. He picked up her left hand and kissed it. Maka knew that this was right. She could feel that she belonged with Soul. There was no doubt in her mind.

"Tomorrow we leave to England," he began softly. He kissed her hand. "Pleasebe careful," he said softly, staring at her hand the whole time. With the same hand he held, she turned his face towards her. She leaned up on her right elbow and kissed him.

The kiss was long, deep, and sensual. She pressed her chest against his. Shivers ran down her spine as he moaned into her mouth. Her arms wrapped around his neck and held him close. Yes, she thought, this was right, he was right. Soul wrapped his arms around her waist and brought them to a sitting position.

Her lips now did the exploring. She kissed and sucked his neck. His hands roamed her back but stopped in their path as she sat down on him. He inhaled a sharp breath as he felt her through their clothes. She moaned into his neck, feeling him grow underneath his pants.

"Maka," he breathed out. Her hands found themselves under his shirt. She felt every inch of skin, every muscle. Her hands stopped at the scar. Her heart clenched at the memory of how he got it. She looked into his eyes, hands still on the scar and made up her mind. To hell with waiting! She'd marry him right then and there if she could. Seeing her expression, he cupped her face in his hands.

"I will always protect you," he told her, his voice filled with conviction.

"I-" she began, but was cut off with a kiss.

"You can tell me when we get back," he smiled. "Come on," he continued, laying them back down, "Let's go to sleep." She curled into his chest and fell asleep in his arms.

x

"Soul what's in the box?" Maka asked. It was five in the morning, not even the sun was up. The couple was at their tree. Soul held the box in both hands. He looked down at the hole he'd already dug.

"In this box," he began, "Is something that I need to give you but, not now." He looked at her carefully. She stood with her chin up, expression guarded. "If we come back from England, I'll give it to you."

"If?" Maka's façade broke a little. "What do you mean 'if'?" Soul took a deep breath. He placed the box in the hole and started to fill it with dirt.

"What do you mean 'if'?!" Maka was close to yelling. Soul stood when he was finished and placed his hands on her shoulders. He smiled a small smile.

"If," he whispered before giving her a kiss softly. He took her hand as he said, "We have to go catch our bus to the airport."

x

The kishin was definitely more than Black Star and Tsubaki could handle. It was nowhere near Asura level but it was putting up one hell of a fight. The trio of meisters cornered the kishin soul into an abandoned shipping building.

"Guys!" Maka called out to her partners. "We need to do a team resonance!" The kishin noticed their powers growing and took the opportunity to lunge at Kid. The gash that Kid sustained was enough to shock him out of the resonance. His stomach was an open wound from hip to hip.

"Kid!" Liz turned to her human form and began to use Patty as her weapon. Black Star rushed Kid out of the building before returning to the fight.

"Maka," Soul called from his weapon form, "We need to use witch-hunter!" Maka nodded and avoided another attack. Patty was now using Liz as her weapon.

"Maka!" Tsubaki called out from her weapon form, "We need to fall back! We should let a death scythe handle this." The kishin soul let out a screech that shook the building's foundation. Cracks appeared along the walls and ceiling.

"Fuck it!" Maka yelled. "Let's get out here!" Liz and Patty were the first ones to run out; their attention completely focused on helping Kid. Black Star and Tsubaki were next. Maka and Soul were last and almost out the door when a hand caught Maka's ankle and pulled back. Maka fell face first and broke her right wrist trying to break her fall.

Maka rolled onto her back and swung Soul in a wide arc, cutting herself free from the kishin. She stood as quickly as she could and ran for the exit. Trying to help Maka, Black Star threw Tsubaki in ninja star mode at the kishin. The kishin caught her and bent a point backwards before throwing her back at Black Star. Tsubaki's screams were all that filled Black Star's ears as she transformed back into human form mid-air. He caught her and noticed that her right leg was twisted at an unnatural angle. Black Star hated to do it but, he left Maka alone and rushed Tsubaki outside.

Maka was fighting the kishin face-to-face, new hatred in her eyes. The kishin grabbed the shaft of Maka's scythe and pushed her against the wall. It was a battle of wills now. Maka tried to free herself with all her strength. Soul was pouring all his energy in to Maka. But the kishin was too strong. Maka felt Soul beginning to bend.

Soul didn't make a sound. He knew Maka would give up if she heard him scream. The battle of wills continued for a second later and Soul was suddenly bent in half. His screams violently filled the air. Maka couldn't breathe. She stared wide-eyed at Soul's broken form. The kishin smiled and pulled back his fist. Right before the kishin could hit Maka, Soul transformed back into human form and pulled Maka out of the way.

Soul ducked them underneath the kishin's arm and pushed Maka towards Black Star's reentering form. The kishin screamed as its fist hit the cement wall; small pieces of the ceiling began to fall down. Maka stumbled before turning around to face Soul. He was standing but his spine was obviously broken. The kishin recovered and pulled Soul's shoulders down as it jammed its knee into Soul's already broken back. Soul bit his lip so hard that he nearly chewed it off. The kishin picked Soul back up and held him in a head lock. It screamed again and this time large pieces of the ceiling began to fall. Maka eyes never left Soul's.

"Maka, you have to get out of here, now!"

"No! Soul, I can't leave you!"

"Black Star, get Maka out of here!"

"Stay away from me, Black Star!"

"Maka! Go now!" Soul looked at Black Star. He could see the hesitation in Black Star's eyes. Maka took a step toward Soul and the kishin twisted Soul's head violently to the right. Maka's foot stopped mid-step. She was stuck. If she went to him he died, if she left him, he died. Tears began to form. No. No, this wasn't happening. Soul smiled at Maka.

"I-I won't die here," he promised.

Maka felt a painful blast of energy as she was hit with Black Star's soul wavelength. She crumpled over Black Star's shoulder.

"No!" Maka screamed. The building was falling faster and Black Star was having trouble avoiding it. Maka was kicking and screaming against Black Star. He hit her with another one of his soul's wavelength. Maka's vision began to blur. She looked towards Soul. He gave her his classic, toothy grin. Maka's heart-broken scream were too much for Black Star.

They made it out of the building just as the entire building collapsed. Time moved in slow motion. Through the falling debris she looked into his eyes. His face read confident but his eyes read scared. He was scared. She reached for him. The kishin smiled as it began to twist Soul's neck. The final pieces of the cement building collapsed on them.

The resulting wind and dirt that blew had no effect on Maka. Black Star set her on her feet when the air cleared. She was still reaching for him. She walked back to the now leveled building. Maka sunk to her knees and screamed his name at the top of her lungs. She screamed and screamed his name. She kept screaming until help came. And even then, she'd stopped screaming his name and just begun digging for him.

Everyone was cut up and bruised. Patty and Liz had managed to stop Kid's bleeding. He'd have nothing but a scar. Patty had a black eye and Liz had a hairline fracture in her left forearm. Tsubaki's right hip had been dislocated and was popped back in at the scene. Black Star had a dislocated his left ankle and wrist. He was also missing a few teeth. Maka fractured her right wrist and had a hairline fracture in her left collar bone. And Soul was dead…

Soul was dead…

Soul was dead.

Even though she had refused to believe that he had actually died, there was a part of her who seriously doubted that he was alive. She usually told that part of her to shut up. And she was happy she hadn't listened to that part. But, when she saw him at the concert hall it was as though she was dreaming. The fact that she had woken up the next day by herself, in a strange bedroom, only seemed to confirm that.

But now, for the second time, she was faced with the only person she cared about. As Mrs. Evans led her to the main table, her eyes never left the red eyes of the boy with white hair who was standing at the back of the ball room. And she couldn't help herself; she smiled.