Hello Everyone,
Sorry it took so long to post, but here is the next chapter. It turned out to be a bit longer than I was anticipating. Thanks for your patience. ^.^ I hope you enjoy it.

Maka and Soul entered Death's office and saw Black*Star and Tsubaki talking with him from across the vast empty room. The only things in the high ceilinged room were a full body mirror - which Maka knew was also a computer screen used for video calls - and a low, Japanese style, coffee table off to the side. The thing that often caught the attention of newcomers was the painting. The ceiling was painted a sky blue with clouds and at the horizon on the walls was an endless dessert with hundreds of grave crosses painted all around the room. It was an unusual space, and an even more unusual office.

"Oh, there you are Maka." Lord Death's voice was surprisingly light and musical. "I see you met Soul already." For being such a tall man, Death wasn't very intimidating. He wore black pants and a hoodie; his face was half covered by a comedic skull bandanna.

"Black*Star was just telling me that he thinks Tsubaki should be his new partner. I would tend to agree with him. Would you two be okay being partners?"

Soul and Maka just looked at each other then back Lord Death.

"Yes sir. We actually just discussed that." Maka said with a smile.

Black*Star had looked over by then. He stepped up to Soul and eyed him up. "Oh man. Why does Maka get such a cool guy as a partner. I want to switch." turning to Tsubaki, "No offence."

She just smiled and shook her head.

Maka stuck her tongue out at him.

"Okay kids, these will by your new partners. Well, get along now." Lord Death spoke as the door opened admitting some older members of the gang in – including Spirit. "You have much to learn about each other. And don't be late for classes tomorrow."

The group of teenagers turned to leave when Maka was almost tackled to the ground by the red-headed Death's Scythe.

"Maka!" he sang as he clung to his daughter, nuzzling her shoulder. "How is my darling little girl?"

"Maka..." the girl started "Chop!" she finished as she brought her hand down hard on the top of his head. There was no doubt he was seeing stars.

The combat teacher, Sid, was part of the group following Spirit into the room.

"Very good technique Maka. Maybe next time hold back a little though..."

Maka's displeased look could have wilted flowers, but did little to affect the war veteran. In fact, the only one actually affected was her father.

"Why Maka?" He blubbered. "Why does my little angel hate me?"

By this point, Soul and Tsubaki were standing to the side looking utterly confused and Maka had already stormed out.

"Come on you two. The great Black*Star will give you the grand tour. Be grateful that a god like me has the time to show you around!" the teen lead them after Maka who was fuming in the hallway.

"Calm down Maks. He really isn't worth that much energy."

For all the crap that he spews, Black*Star has some wise words sometimes. Maka thought as she took her friends advice and took a deep breath. They didn't always get along, but they were childhood friends who depended on each other.

The four teens walked down the hall two by two, with their new partners.

"So, what was that all about?" Soul asked as he sauntered beside his new pig-tailed friend, hands in his pocket, jacket over the crook of his elbow.

Maka rubbed the back of her head self consciously. "Yeah, sorry you both had to see that. That guy just... " her voice trailed off as if she couldn't find the right words. Noticing that Soul still looked confused, she clarified. "He's my Papa. But we don't get along."

Soul stared at her in disbelief, How could she be so ruthlessly to her own father? Not that he hadn't felt the same way about his parents, he supposed. The guy was acting a bit over the top, seems like the exact opposite to this girl, could they really be related?. Soul glanced to Black*Star, who was walking behind him, for confirmation. Black*Star just nodded, walking with his hands behind his head beside Tsubaki.

"They don't look or act like it, but he is her father. And, Maka is actually one of the top martial arts students. So don't mess her around, 'cause she can so some serious damage. She is also the top academic student." At Maka's quizzical glance he continued "Even a god like me shows credit where credit is due. But if you ask me, she goes a little over the top with studying." Maka shot Black*Star another glance that asked if that last part was really necessary.

"Hey, when you are such a star like me, you don't need too many book smarts."

Maka just snorted."Yeah right." Rather grudgingly she continued "But he is the top martial arts student. He is a natural and even I have a tough time against him. You are in good hands in that regard Tsubaki. And he has spirit, though I'm still not sure if that is a good thing or bad thing yet."

Black*Star reached forward and pulled one of her pig-tails. "Hey, watch it nerd."

They got to the end of the hall and were back at the entrance.

"Black*Star and I will show you around and get you set up for tomorrow. There are classes, so we will get you the necessary books. There are a combination of academic classes like reading, history and math, and more practical skills. Pick-pocketing, hand-to-hand combat and parcour are the main things right now." Maka informed the new-comers.

Tsubaki looked a little scared and eyed up the muscled, dexterous, best-in-the-class Black*Star - her new partner.

Seeing this, Maka eased her worries. "Don't worry, you won't be paired with Black*Star until you are at his level. You and Soul will be paired together in combat lessons for now most likely."

Tsubaki looked a little relieved as she took stock of Soul.

"Oh yeah? What makes you think that I can't take you?" asked Soul, looking slightly emasculated.

Black*Star stepped back to lean on a pillar and started laughing. "This'll be good." he said while pulling Tsubaki back to give them space.

"You think you can take me?" Maka asked sceptically. She moved into a combat position. Her feet spread wide, her arms up and close to her body. "Okay, give me your best shot."

Soul eyed her doubtfully. She was hardly dressed for battle in her plaid skirt and dress shirt.

"Are you sure you want to fight in that?" he asked bringing up his concerns about the skirt.

"Trust me bro, it's not a problem." shouted Black*Star from the side lines. "Besides, Maka's panties aren't anything interesting"

"It's not a problem." Maka replied to Soul. To Black*Star "Shut the fuck up pervert. I wear shorts underneath!"

Maka's yelling had gained them the attention of the other teens who were still in the entrance. Kid, Liz, and Patty walked over to see what all the fuss was about.

"What's this?" asked Kid. "Did the new guy insult Maka?"

Liz chipped in too "You teach him a lesson Maka. Us Academy girls ain't to be messed with."

Maka looked at the the slightly older girl "While I appreciate the support, you can hardly say that. I mean, you only got here last week yourself..."

"Yeah, so you have to defend all of our honour, as the oldest girl member here." Liz retorted.

"I dunno, if I can do this. It's so uncool to hit a girl" mumbled the white haired boy.

"Then think of her a boy, I mean, she is as flat chested as one."

Soul thought that was taking it a bit too far - apparently so did Maka.

"That is fucking it Black*Star!" screeched the girl.

In the blink of an eye, Maka was now in front of Black*Star. Soul barely had time to wonder how she moved so fast as he watched the scene before him. Maka's long black coat billowed out behind her as she planted her combat boot and pivoted; slamming her first into the loud mouths face with the full weight of her body. The boy was thrown back into the pillar – his head whipped side-ways from the force. He wiped his lip with his thumb as he turned to look at her and just laughed.

Their attacks were a flurry of fists and feet. Soul had no idea what he was witnessing, but he was sure they were super human. After taking a foot to the stomach, Maka was thrown back but she managed to keep her feet and just slid backward before stopping and charging forward again.

All 7 teens were so wrapped up in the fighting that they didn't realize they had company until there was a soft cough behind them. Black*Star and Maka froze – he had her in a head-lock, and she was just about to punch him in the gut – and just stared at the person behind Soul. Slowly he turned around to see a tall thin black woman wrapped up in bandages.

"Now kids, what do you think you are doing? I would expect this from Black*Star, but Maka?" the kids were untangling from each other. Maka at least had the decency to look slightly ashamed.

"I'm disappointed Maka, you have always been a good girl. You both know the rules about fighting - not in common areas. The training grounds are there for a reason. And you should have a referee, not a crowd." The woman's words were soft, but still sent a chill up Souls spine. She was not someone he wanted to cross. The woman dismissed them with a look, waiting for them to leave her sight.

The teens scrambled out of the the entrance and down another corridor. Most of them were giddy at their encounter.

"Haha! The look on Nygus's face was priceless." laughed Black*Star.

"Oh man, I've never really been in trouble before. I hope she doesn't tell my papa." Maka sounded quite worried about being caught.

"I'm sure it will be fine." reassured Kid. "The girls and I should head back home now though. It getting to be dinner time and I need to make sure all the frames in my house are level."

"Okay Kid. Have a good night. See you later Liz and Patty." Maka bid the trio farewell.

"We should probably set you both up and head out ourselves." Maka said to Soul an Tsubaki.

They walked down the corridor until they came to a decently sized supply closet. It was filled with clothes of varying sizes and styles.

"This is where most of the clothes are kept. We can pretty much help ourselves to the things in here." the pig-tailed teen told her comrades. "There are some rules of course. Don't take more than you need. Return the things you out grow - that sort of thing. Don't worry about it too much for now though. You will come to understand everything as time goes on." The girl was walking through the isles picking out a couple plain shirts and pants for the girl and boy. "Basically we are a giant family. So let that thought guide your actions for the first little while. Now, these things should fit for now." She said as she placed the clothes in Soul and Tsubaki's arms. "There is a set of street-, gym- and night clothes for each of you. We will get the rest sorted out later."

She wrote some notes in a ledger by the door and then left down the hallway. The group followed her past a bunch of class rooms before she stopped in front of a door marked "SCHOOL SUPPLIES". She opened the door revealing another large supply closet, this time filled with – as the sign suggested – school supplies. Once again Maka set about the room picking up things she thought the new pair would need.

"All the class specific text books can be found in here" she said as she picked out a couple "but all other books are kept in the library. I will show you where that is another day." She finished picking out things they would need and put everything in a couple book bags which were conveniently placed by the door. Soul took a bag and rummaged through it, taking out a text and inspecting it. "Human Kinetics: the flow of the body." he read out somewhat mystified.

"That is an excellent read," replied Maka "It's about how the human body works and how to best utilize it when in motion. It's for our parcour education."

Tsubaki nodded her understanding as they walked out the door and back toward the entrance.

"Uhhhh", Soul sounded a bit embarrassed "What's parcour?"

"Oh sorry" replied Maka. "You must not be from around here. It's a pretty common term and activity in these parts."

"DUDE!"exclaimed Black*Star, "You're gonna love it! It's running from one place to another, but you get to jump off of roofs and shit!"

"While not incorrect, Black*Star, that's a bit of a simplistic explanation. It's about getting from one place to another using the fastest and most efficient manner possible. Sometimes utilising jumping, vaulting and rolling." explained Maka in more detail.

"And jumping off roofs!" exclaimed Black*Star once again.

Soul had a mischievous half-grin of his face "Cool."

Maka could only roll her eyes. "Boys."

"Let them have their fun Maka." Tsubaki said to the other girl softly as the boys chattered about how cool it was. "I think they are entitled to a little child-like excitement. It's a bonding thing for them." She cocked her head to the side and smiled down at the much shorter girl.

They passed many doors and other hallways until they came to the back of the building. Opening a door, Maka lead them into a grassy field. It was at the top of the hill and overlooked the city – all the small roofs sprawled below them in a cluttered mess. There were two large buildings near the back of the field which Maka lead them to. As they walked she explained.

"These are the girls and boys dormitories. Everyone is welcome to stay on site in the dormitories, but there are some who have houses in the town below. I am assuming you both will need to stay here?"

"Uhh, yeah. I left my family way behind. I was expecting to have to sleep on the streets for a while, so this is really cool." Soul replied happily.

"My family is actually from town, but I would appreciate a room here." Tsubaki smiled sweetly. Maka gave her an intrigued look, but didn't press her new friend for any details.

"Basic rules, no girls allowed in the boys dorm and no boys in the girls dorm. You will be roomed with others of a similar age. Black*Star will help Soul and I will help Tusbaki." Maka looked at her watch. 5:30. "Dinner is in the mess hall in an hour, I suggest getting there a few minutes early. Black*Star will show you where to go at the appropriate time, but I have to leave soon." At the quizzical looks she got, she further explained. "I live off site with my Papa. I have a bunch of homework to do and once a week we have dinner together. It just happens that today is that day. Now, let's get you set up."

Thanks for reading everyone. Hope you enjoyed it.
I would like to give a special thanks to the following people for the favourites and follows:
ATolley13, cherryblossom808, marie-marie1315, Kiahlucky1, Twistedmind64, and amy2may. it means so much that people enjoyed it enough to follow ^.^
If you have any comments or reviews I would love to hear them. Also any tips on how to write Death the Kid. I feel like I'm not doing a great job on him...

Until next time!
Tanima