(A/N: I'm skipping the song thing for a few chapters; I'm on a roll right now XD)
Maka took a step towards the circle, dropping her crutch and trying to keep any look of pain from her face as she nodded at Pops.
As she stepped closer she saw that the people that formed the circle had gotten a hold of their torches and started to move closer to her.
"To be able to fight our leader you have to prove that you are worthy… We have one question for you." One of them said as they took one step in our direction.
Maka took in his appearance, he was wearing ripped jeans and a shirt that fit loosely on him, untucked, his build was lean. His hair was a deep orange and his eyes a daring blue, his smile held a demonic twist to it as he smirked down at Maka, taking a step towards her and looking down at her, trying to intimidate her.
"We can count on you when we need to, am I correct?" he asked her, bending his knees so that he was at her eye level, looking deep into her eyes so that he could tell if she was lying, this talent was one of the reasons that he was fourth in command after all.
Maka looked him in the eye and a small smile lit her face. "I think its best that you know the reason I'm doing this." She said as she looked behind him to motion everyone to take a step closer.
They looked at each other and murmuring to one another they walked over so that they stood behind the man that was looking at Maka, confusion clouding his eyes.
"I am the daughter of a meister and her scythe… the scythe wasn't faithful and this drove my family apart… my mother Kami had had enough… and she got a divorce leaving me behind with my father Spirit…
"My life was hell, I loved my father, but I will never forgive him for tearing apart what was most important to me. But then I met Soul, he used to be my partner, my scythe…" Maka took in a deep breath… she didn't have to do this… but then again, she had too. "He broke my heart… but I saved his life." She whispered her good hand going up to caress the scar that was on her cheek… the scar that made it look like she was smiling a deliciously evil twisted smile.
"After that, his life was threatened… I had to leave him… so I came in look for the comfort of my mother… only to find that she had moved on, she had made a family, I felt unloved, uncared for… and I hated it." Maka managed to say without her voice trembling.
Jared looked at her and gave her shoulder a squeeze with his hand.
"But… then I found out that I had a chance… a chance of having a family and I was over joyed… so over joyed in fact that I'm willing to do whatever it takes to not let any of you down… if you guys had to go through this in order to be a part of this family, than so will I, not matter how hurt I am." Maka growled. "Now, I don't mean to be rude but please step aside…"
The guy with the daring blue eyes softened a bit as his grin turned into a soft smile, he nodded at her and grabbed her hand, handing her his torch. "You have my permission to go ahead." He whispered as the others turned to set the torches right back down where they had gotten them from forming the small circle again and stepping away from it.
Maka saw this and confusion raced through her.
Pops smirked at her. "Well what are you waiting for?" he asked her with a small chuckle.
Maka looked at the man in front of her and he motioned her to go ahead with a small nod and stepped back to where everyone else was silently watching.
Maka looked back to ask Jared what was going on but he wasn't there, with a shrug she walked forward, trying her best to disguise her limp.
"I thought you couldn't walk without your crutch." Pops said his brow rising in suspicion.
Maka looked up at him a small smirk on her face as she shrugged. "That thing was making feel useless and I need to stay positive… that's the only way that I've been able to survive this long…" Maka said her head up with pride as she moved closer to the circle, gripping the torch in her good hand which was starting to sweat from nervousness.
Stepping into the circle of torches, Maka stabbed the torch down into the ground, completing the circle and then turned back to Pops, walking towards him.
"Are you sure you want to do this Maka? This is your last chance to back out." Pops warned once Maka was standing in front of him.
"I'm not going to back out Pops, once I have my mind set on something… I… I'm not backing out." Maka murmured as she looked up at Pops.
Pops sighed and ruffled her hair. "Alright then, I don't know what Jared told you about this but I'm setting down the ground rules. Rule number one, if either one of us so much as touch one of the torches or are pushed out of the circle, the fight is over and the winner would be the one that is still in the circle.
"Rule number two, no fighting dirty which means no hair pulling, no hits below the belt and I'll try not to damage your already damaged areas.
"Rule number three… this was originally supposed to be a five minute fight but because you are injured it shall be three minutes." Pops insisted.
Maka frowned and shook her head. "No, I insist it to be five minutes." She said through clenched teeth.
"Why? You're injured." Pops said.
"It's not fair to the others, they had to do a five minute fight, I need to make it fair." Maka insisted.
"The decision is already made Maka. You can't do anything about it." Pops said calmly.
Maka glared up at him. "I don't want any special treatment Pops." Maka grumbled.
Pops frowned down at her. "It's not special treatment Maka, it's taking necessary precautions."
"It's the same thing Pops, five minutes and no holding back." Maka growled.
"We'll see what happens." Pops said as he motioned for someone behind Maka to walk over.
Maka looked behind her to see Jared walking inside the circle, careful not to touch the torches as their flames flickered light against the darkness that was the night.
"Jared here is going to be your weapon for this fight. I have no use for a weapon there for I don't need one." Pops said.
"I don't need a weapon either." Maka insisted.
"Don't worry Maka they got to use weapons of their own also." Pops said rolling his eyes as Jared walked up to them. "Plus, he is your weapon and you guys have to have your backs."
Maka flinched and looked down at the ground trying to keep her mind off of Soul, she shouldn't be remembering him in a time like this… she needed to stay focused.
"Well Maka… lets do this." Jared said his arm transforming into a blade and soon enough his body turned into a scythe that was being twirled around in Maka's hands.
"Let's do this." Maka repeated silently trying not to wince at the pain that was shooting up her legs and arms.