Hey it's been a while... I wanted to have a little light chapter... my kiddies have been through enough crap for now... so have a little fluff...

The sisters stayed for another two hours, catching up and eating breakfast.

Maka was happy to talk with them. It had been too long and she'd been very lonely in Paris.

"So Maka? How were the guys in Paris? Is it true that they are the most romantic ones in Europe?" Liz wanted to know, quirking an eyebrow.

Maka flustered. "Ah – I'm not really sure." Maka mumbled.

"What do you mean, you don't know? You walked around there right? Didn't you meet up with some hot French meisters?"

Maka shook her head. "I wasn't really paying attention to them." She didn't add that her attention was at a certain demon weapon.

"That's just sad."

The meister shrugged. "I wasn't planning on staying there for long. Why settling with someone?"

"Well where did you want to go?"

Maka bit her bottom lip. "I was considering going to Japan. You know, getting back to my roots. But then Kid and Tsu send me the message and everything went to hell after that."

The Thompson sisters flinched at the meister's harsh words. "Well, you can always go there later." Patti suggested. "Maybe when you're on a mission."

Maka shook her head. "I can't get on a mission. I don't have a weapon."

"Well maybe S-"

"I don't think Soul will want to partner up with me. Not after all the things that'd happened."

Patti pouted. "Don't say that Maka! Soul misses you. I'm sure he'll want to get back to you."

"You make it sound like they're in a relationship." Liz commented dry.

"Well they kind of are right?"

While the girls started bickering about the relationship between Maka and Soul, the meister started giving herself face palms. "Look, guys, you don't see the point." She interrupted when she had enough of the girl's discussion. "It's safe to say that I won't have a partner. And I refuse to take another partner."

Liz gave the meister a sympathetic look. "We're sorry Maka. We'll stop about it."

"Thanks." Maka got up from her seat and started doing the dishes.

"So, what are the plans for today?" Liz asked, changing the subject to something lighter.

"Let's go shopping!" Patti suggested.

"Good idea! We need to get something nice for Maka to wear to the party."

"Excuse me!" Maka protested. "I'm standing right here."

The sisters turned to the meister, both smiling in a way Maka could only describe as disturbing. "Oh you are coming," Patti said, wringing her hands together. "Even if we have to force you."

"And besides," Liz joined, though more normal. "You don't really have something in the closet to wear to a formal party."

"I thought Kid said it would be casual!" Maka protested.

"There's nothing wrong with dressing up a little."

And before Maka could protest some more, she got grabbed by the arms by Patti and dragged out of the apartment, following by Liz carrying their bags and smiling, highly amused.

"This looks nice," Liz whispered to her sister. There were standing at a rack filled with dresses.

Maka, standing on the side lines, fidgeted nervously around. She never was a fan of shopping, let alone for dresses!

"Maka." The voice of Black*Star made the meister look up.

Black*Star was walking the formal clothing store in, followed by Kid and... Soul.

"Hi Black*Star." Liz greeted. "What do you think of this." The demon gun pulled a lavender dress out and held it in front of the meister.

"Bit small on you don't you think?" Black*Star asked.

Liz grimaced. "It's not for me. It's for Maka!"

"Than it is a bit big. Maka doesn't have a big enough rack to fit in."

That got him a Maka Chop right in the skull. Maka was fuming, was everybody talking about her like she wasn't there?

Patti was laughing her butt off while the others – excluding Black*Star – were chuckling softly. Even Soul.

Maka dared to shoot a look at him. He looked like he hadn't slept in quite a while.

And as if the demon weapon knew she was looking at him, he looked up and met her gaze. Maka felt a stab in her heart when she saw the flash of hurt – and fear? - in his eyes.

She dropped her gaze, clenching her fist. I'm sorry Soul. I never wanted this to happen.

To her surprise she felt a small tug on her soul. Maka looked up again, for she knew where the tug came from, and was yet again met by burning red eyes. Soul gave her a small – though sad – smile, nodding in assurance, before he turned away. Following his friends who'd gone for the man section.

"Maka! We found the perfect dress!" Liz cheered.

Maka shook the small sparkle of hope away and turned back to her girl friends.

Liz was holding a little black dress. The piece was off the shoulders and the top was covered with black lace. "Try in on!" Liz encouraged. "I bet it'll look great!"

Maka smiled. She knew what her friend was doing. Trying to keep her spirits up. And so Maka decided to not let Liz's efforts go to waste. She plastered a wide smile on her face and took the dress.

Four hours, two coffee stops and one delicious lunch later, the meister stumbled back into her apartment. She bought the dress, and more necessities. Like a pair of normal freaking jeans and some shirts. She even brought a toaster since she didn't have that in the kitchen.

With a content sigh she dropped the bags on the couch and walked to the bathroom. When she looked in the mirror she smiled at her reflection.

This was her.

Maka Albarn, two star meister, risen from the dead and a little broken.

She wouldn't want it any other way.

Quick note: here's the link to Maka's dress: media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/d/r/dresses-lace-splicing-off-shoulder-little-black-dress-006367_

I suck at describing clothes... ^_^'

So I hope you liked the chapter! thanks for sticking around. I love you guys! 3