Disclaimer: I do not own Soul eater

Maka hadn't really settled down during the small gathering. It wasn't that she didn't enjoy her friends and their crazy behaviour, it was just something didn't settle within her. The whole night she was fidgeting, looking for excuses to stand which ended up with her drinking a whole lot of soda. The teen just couldn't relax. She had laughed and had indeed sung off key with the laughable Paddy and helped Chrona pick out a movie. She had helped BlackStar by moving the picture frames, vases and anything centre off just to hear Kid's scream of un-justice and then helped the sobbing boy back on his feet. She helped prepared food with Tsubaki and even allowed Liz to do her nails. They told jokes and watched movies which resulted in nothing more than massive pillow fight but it wasn't right. Nothing was right, not without Soul. She had painfully realised her friends purposely tried their hardest to not reminisce the good old days for that reason. They shouldn't have bothered though because he was the only thing that was on her mind.

Countless thoughts of him would wonder through that brilliant mind of hers. Thoughts such as if he was awake finding himself alone, or something had gone wrong, if he still thought she hated him, or… Or if he was in danger. The thoughts ate at Maka and countless times she thought about ditching the party and go to see him. When the gang was asleep and she was still wide awake she thought about sneaking away. She didn't though but it wasn't a surprise that once the gang were preparing breakfast she was out the door. She had done it. She had her fun but now it was time for her to go back, to see him again and hopefully allow her worried state to ease.

Once she arrived her beating heart began to slow and Maka exhaled her held breath. There he was completely safe, sleeping in the hospital ward. She walked up to examine him. New bandages were now hugging his body and the mood seemed a lot more lighter. Soul himself seemed to look more relaxed as he lay peacefully. Everything was fine…too fine.

'Maka there you are!'

In shock the blond spun towards the direction of Liz's voice to see the gang right behind her.

'why did you leave in such a rush? We were going to have breakfast…'

Guilt stung the poor girl as she sheepishly looked at Soul then to her friends. Liz was looking at her wide eyed while Chrona gaped followed by BlackStar and Paddy laughing uncontrollably as Tsubaki sighed.

'heh… Im sorry it's just that-'

'Its fine' Kid interrupted 'We understand, you were jittery most of the nig-.'

It was then that Liz popped out of nowhere and with one hand shoved her hand over Kids eyes while the other hugged him around his waist and pulled him back with such force Kid lost his balance.

'Liz! What are yo-'

'Just shut it for a second Kid! Now Maka listen…'

'- I get it Liz, I understand what I did was wrong and I am sorry I missed breakfast but-'

'-Maka…'

'I was worried O.K? Something was just not settling with me and I just needed to see him.'

'Yeah but Maka-'

'Now I totally understand if you don't get it because me myself doesn't really understand but I was just hoping that-'

'Maka!'

'you would understand and please forgive me… I wasn't trying to be rude honest!'

It was then that Liz lost it. Pushing Kid aside towards Tsubaki.

'Don't let him see' she murmured as she slid past Paddy. the girls hands slid into her purse until she found the small devise. Maka began to freak.

'Now Liz I'm really sorry!' she began backing away from the fed up teen quickly she glanced at the gang pleading for help.

As Maka backed away Liz moved with a vengeance and when they were less than a meter apaprt Maka scrunched her eyes ready for the punch. It never arrived…

'Ahem…'

Slowly she opened her green orbs to find a bored Liz holding a small mirror.

'If you let me finish' Liz began 'there's something on your face'

At first Maka didn't fully understand but when she moved her face to left she saw it perfectly. There it was tattooed down her right cheek bone the words BlackStar in playful black ink decorated her face. Magically the guilt died inside and Maka began to see red.

It was Tsubaki that spoke 'I'm so sorry Maka…'

'BLACKSTAR!'

'HAHAHAHA!'

_Soul awoke to a strange feeling, it was a warm feeling, a safe feeling, a feeling with no pain, he felt as though he was flying and completely at peace. Was that it peace he was feeling? No it was comfort, that was it. In what seemed like forever the weapon actually felt comfort. Comfort! It seemed like a lifetime ago since he felt this. The feeling of safety, being comfortable and relaxed beyond relief. It was weird, unusual. He wasn't use to it. Instead of a sharp high beating heart, it was now beating in a soft rhythm and his usually short, shallow breaths were now smooth and slow. Instead of freezing to death, he was now warm and the dam chilled air was now full of life, smooth, warm and breathable. What He loved the most was that there was no pain. The astonishing pain that left him screaming, riving and wanting to die had now disintegrated, vanished, gone.

Am I dead?

If he was THANK GOD! If this was the feeling of death then he liked it. Oh how he longed for the pain to disappear. It finally had. He was finally at peace.

Yet was it worth it? His life was short lived. Taken, grasped by the hands of an evil witch and played with until he could not scream anymore. There was so much he wanted to do, he wanted to be an awesome death scythe, to see his friends and to continue his adventure with Maka… to see her face one last time… to live.

Suddenly yet so subtly Soul began to hear whispers of words.

Hello?

The whispers continued their song as he lay there in the darkness. In confusion he listened to the words though he couldn't decipher it. With curiosity and having nothing else to do the calm albino decided to follow the soft tunes. Slowly the whispers grew louder, intriguing Soul as he listened in further. The more he listened the louder the tune. Soon the voices became more hoarse and savage and it was then when he realised the whispers were faint shouts and they became louder and louder until suddenly he hit gravity.

It wasn't hard though, it was soft, as if he were lying on a huge bundle of feathers, protecting him, keeping him warm. In an instant the scent of mint was discovered. The only thing disturbing him was the clear and loud shrieking that echoed like a blow horn in his ear.

'What the hell is your problem!'

'My problem! MY PROBLEM! YOURE MY PROBLEM!'

GOD WILL THEY SHUT UP! Soul growled to himself, and just to make his day he felt light throbbing entering his body. Great, the pain hadn't gone it was just in hiding. He sucked in a large breath of air as the pain entered like an unwanted guest.

Why did it have to come?

With the constant shouting, the throbbing pain and Soul realising his slumber was defeated let off a sigh which exchanged a gasp from…..someone. Followed by a whisper.

'S-S-Soul?'

'GOD YOURE SUCH A JERK!'

'IM NOT A JERK!'

'Quick Maka get it off! Its disgusting!'

'NOT NOW KID!'

Due to hearing long lost, familiar voices, Soul's eyes fluttered open. At first all he saw was a blinding bright light that he had to slam his eyes shut. A few seconds later he tried again slowly squinting allowing the light to clear his vision. It took a while though once he finally fluttered his eyes open he saw a scene thought he would never see. There he saw Paddy, her eyes filled with what seemed… joy? Her once sober face slowly turning into a large bearing grin who was sitting on top of Liz. Tsubaki was behind them her hand over her mouth as if trying not to cry slowly began to smile and Chrona jumped in surprise. Liz suddenly sniffled. The elder sister's eyes were filled of tears and a smile stretched across her face.

'Welcome back' she sobbed, finally attacking Soul with a huge hug, joined in by Paddy and Tsubaki.

Soul flinched but he was too weak to move as the girls embraced him, he was confused. Very confused.

What the hell happened? Why are they here?

Stein's words came reminiscing in his mind.

'Soul you are in the DWMA dungeons. You have been in our hospital for quite a while. We came to your aid two weeks ago but it seemed Medusa wasn't too happy about that. It's ok though she isn't within these walls anymore.'

So it wasn't a dream that was reality. They had saved him and he was in the DWMA. He was here, he was actually here in the hospital ward to be exact. It was too good to be true. But why was he feeling this way? For some strange feeling he felt like something was missing. He felt bitter, lost and it was not the reaction he thought he would feel if he ever saw them again.

'STOP SHOUTING! YOU'LL DISTURB SOUL!'

'THE GREAT ME CAN SHOUT IF I WANT TO!'

'Maka please! Its disgusting!'

Soul's heart almost stopped as he took sight of the dirty blond shouting at the foot of his bed. There was Maka at her best, her face red, full of anger yelling screaming her lungs out on BlackStar who was raging back. Both of them seemed so enraged with each other they weren't remising with their surroundings, hell the kieshin could suddenly walk in right next to them and they wouldn't realise it. Kid was next to Maka, his eyes watering and he seemed to be drenching Maka's face with a wet cloth sobbing as she kept flicking him away. Soul just blinked.

'I'm so sorry Soul' Tsubaki whined snapping Soul out of his thoughts.

Did they really act like this? Usually he was use to this behaviour but now it was weird or surreal. He felt like he just decided to watch the end of a movie without the beginning. He was so lost. Most nights Soul had pictured them in his mind so many times, all the memories they shared. From Countless games of basketball, Kid's OCD freak-outs to just hanging. They were the only things that kept him going, kept him sane in the hell he found himself in. But now watching them, something did not feel right. Was it the pain killers? No it was something though he just felt so empty. It was like a dream and if he properly awoke he would fine himself in the Medusa's lair.

Medusa…

Soul shuddered reminiscing and with a gentle touch he placed his hand over the bandage that contained the mark. It throbbed and stung but it seemed at a calmer level compared to what he was used to.

Now there are two scars covering my body…

He understood now how Chrona acted. He use to hate Medusa but now he was terrified of her. He couldn't imagine what she must have been like as a mother. He only spent a short time there compared to what Chrona had. Geez it was amazing that the kid was still alive.

'I ONLY WROTE IT SO YOU COULD FEEL BETTER!'

'YOU THINK YOUR STUPID NAME WOULD MAKE ME FEEL BETTER!'

'GUYS!' Liz tried, but the trio didn't listen.

With not paying any attention Liz sighed and began to remove her right shoe. With quick haste she threw it at the crew but missed Maka and BlackStar but hit Kid right in the face.

In anger Kid removed the shoe with full force.

'DAM IT LIZ ARE YOU TRYING TO MAKE YOURSELF ASYMETRICAL!'

'Souls up!'

'What!' he cried dropping the shoe and finally made contact golden found ruby and suddenly he seemed to reluctantly move away from Maka.

And suddenly he was there. He seemed over excited, like the excited, happy expression he got when he fixed his OCD accomplishment. Soul still half confused was shocked when Kid brought him to a brotherly hug.

'Welcome back' He stated smiling placing his hand on Souls good shoulder.

'Hey guess who's….' Kid sung until he abruptly stopped finally sighing.

The raging fight did not cease.

'THE GREAT GOD'S NAME CAN MAKE ABYONE FEEL BETTER!'

'NO IT CAN'T IDIOT!'

Soul just looked at the room around him. He still couldn't get over the fact that he was here, safe, away from Medusa. His memory of her evil laugh rung through his ears and he was still expecting her to come out of nowhere torturing him with that whip or the metal rod or using him with that haunting device and the unbelievable screaming pain that would follow it. He shuddered.

'Soul are you ok?' Kid asked

Realizing eyes were on him Soul pinned a small weak smile.

'Yeah just a bit lost that's all'

Was that my voice!

Soul took aback listening to his voice. It was croaky as hell, and not smooth at all! He sighed looking at Kid's concerned face. Obviously they had been through a lot; the last thing he wanted was them to over worry about him. In fact he didn't want them to know anything right now. He just wanted to be alone, to get things straight, and to understand what properly had happened. For instance how long had he been here, when did they actually save him, were they really there tied to Medusa's snakes did they actually see what he went through? Soul took a deep breath, he would had to let everything go for now.

'Lets see how long it takes till they notice.'

Liz laughed.

'YOU KNOW HOW YOUR ACTING!' BlackStar shouted

'YES TELL ME HOW I AM ACTING!' Maka persisted her teeth clenched, arms wide, back arched as if expecting the assassin's failed insults.

'WELL YOUR ACTING…. W-WELL Y-YOUR ACTING..'

'Uncool?'

'YEAH YOU ARE ACTING UNCOOL!

'W-W-what!' Maka gasped her eyes suddenly wide, her frame completely stiff, mouth dropped as she gaped at Black Star like an idiot.

Suddenly both of them froze, both completely stiff as if someone pushed the pause button. slowly both turned to look at Soul and gaped at him in shock.

'Hey' he simply implied making both of them blink in response.

Black Star was the first. Not even a second after Soul's greeting Black Star tackled Soul making his body ache in pain.

'SOUL! YOUR AWAKE! YOUR ALIVE! HAHAHA!'

'Gaa! BlackStar!'

'SEE I TOLD YOU MAKA, NO ONE DIES WHEN THE GREAT BLACK STAR IS AROUND! HAHAHA'

'MAKA CHOP!'

In an instant BlackStar fell off the bed and Soul let out a yelp in pain clutching his side that the assassin had accidently kicked earning him looks of concern.

'I'm ok' Soul panted 'just a bit sore'

'Soul…'

Soul looked up to see Maka. There was silence. She was looking at him with hopeful eyes as she stood there staring.

And then it slapped him in the face.

Then Soul remembered, he remembered her. Maka. When he was trapped in the grand room she saved him. He remembered how she had been there, persuading him to fight. Personally he had just thought she was a figment of his imagination, another illusion. But she was real that was really her. Souls heart began to race, though it wasn't the usual race it went with Medusa, it was racing of excitement, joy.

They seemed to stay there for a while as no one dared to speak in the silence. Maka's beautiful eyes stared into his and he could see the hope, joy and uncertainty in her eyes. Slowly one single tear ran down Maka's cheek and finally she pounced on him crying and sobbing.

Half choking from the tight embrace Soul felt her hands cling onto him as if he would disappear if she let go. Slowly not feeling this way for what felt like years Soul slowly allowed his sore arms to wrap themselves around her petite frame. The scent of sweet honey swept around him as he felt his body slowly relax.

Sadly a thought processed in his mind that he couldn't hug her for long. There was someone else that had her heart and that it was amazing that the gang were actually here with him. Hell why did they even come to save him? Slowly he pulled himself out of the embrace causing confusion down Maka's end.

'Soul?'

With a deep breath Soul decided to actually push his question further.

'Where's Steward?'

Wow he wasn't preparing for the looks. Suddenly his friend's cheery faces turned into nothing but dark glorious scowls.

Oh shit. What did I do?

'Why would he be here?' BlackStar growled

Soul was utterly confused, why wouldn't the brown haired boy be with them. Wasn't he their friend? What the hell was going on?

'I thought he was friends with you guys?'

'Ha friends!' Liz cried

'Soul' Maka began the confusion easily applied to her face 'It was all an act. Steward was working with Med-'

There was a light knock on the door, and Maka found Stein in the door way, a soft smile touching his lips.

'Ah so you're finally up Soul,'

Still confused Soul just stared at the man that seemed to be more cheery than usual. Way too cheery. Like it was an act.

'Maka do you mind if I talked to Soul alone?' Stein asked

Maka opened her mouth to protest but must have thought better of it. Slowly she allowed her mouth to close and unable to take her eyes off Soul she walked out of the room. The others gaped at her before Tsubaki gently pushed BlackStar out that Kid, Liz and Paddy also decided to move and suddenly Soul found himself alone with the professor.

'How are you feeling Soul?'

'Alright I guess'

'And the pain?'

'It's still there'

The professor nodded before he grabbed some medical equipment and rolled it over towards the sleepy teen.

'I bet you have a lot of questions…'

Soul just stared at Stein. There was indeed a lot on his mind but for some strange feeling he didn't want to talk about it. He just wanted to be alone. Slowly he lifted his hand to touch the bandages that was wrapped around his head. There were bandages everywhere from his wrist to his ankles, neck and his entire torso. He hadn't really known how many injuries he actually had until now.

'Soul?'

'hmm?'

The doctor just stared at him while he took Soul's blood pressure. There was a soft touch within his eyes before he finally sighed.

'So she got to you too…'

Soul eyed the doctor in disbelief until he sighed and looked out the window. Stein slowly and carefully turned a chair around and dragged it to the bed before he sat down.

'I know you may not want to talk about it Soul but as your doctor I need to make sure I have addressed all your injuries. I know that you don't want to talk and how confused you are about why Maka and the others came to save you. Am I right?'

Soul tensed as he finally looked at the professor.

'Medusa has played with your mind Soul, she has made you believe in twisted ideas, she just like your body has played with your mind that left you wanting death…'

Soul's eyes widened at Steins statement.

How did he know?

'So' Stein smiled 'Let's talk.'

'Maka do you mind if I talked to Soul alone?'

Maka's first response was to object but she kept her mouth shut. Quickly hiding her emotions and whipping her face she gave a quick glance at Soul and left without any hesitation, soon followed by the others. Once the door was shut Maka let off a huge air of breath, feeling absolutely exhausted. She felt the hot tears burning in her eyes but she wouldn't cry she was embarrassed enough as it was jumping on top of him like that. Quickly Maka showed her back to her friends, trying as hard to stop the tears that were flowing down her cheeks.

'What was that all about?' Liz cried 'Where's Steward?'

'I don't quite understand it myself' Kid proclaimed

She was partly hurt that he let her go but she understood why. What she didn't understand was the fact that he asked where Steward was. Didn't he see him in the lair? In fact his question was so off key that she wasn't prepared herself.

She forced her memory back towards the broken room and then she remembered.

Last time Maka had talked to him all she stated was that Stewart was nothing to her, trash. That was stupid, now thinking about it sounded as if she broke up with the guy. He still believes that Stewart is in this academy, still a weapon. Medusa must have done something, maybe it was the torture or maybe she played with his mind. Whatever she did it made him think differently. What else would he believe? That his friends still disliked him, that she hated him? No wonder he was confused. She was ashamed.

'I'm such an idiot'

'…Maka?' Tsubaki asked

There was silence as Maka slowly turned to her friends. Her eyes were struggling to fight the tears that longed to fall. So in hiding she hid her eyes through her bangs as she glared down at the floor. Silence fell within the gang.

'Look, umm well come back later' Liz stated taking the posy with her.

Maka watched as her friends walked down the long corridor finally signalling a wave before they disappeared through the school doors. She was alone. Maka had so many questions, most of them she didn't want to know but she needed to. He was awake, at last. From all the times he almost dyed it was surreal to be there awake in the bed saying hey. For once he looked at ease, relaxed, he looked like Soul, but not entirely. Maka knew, she knew better than anybody that he was putting on an act. She understood he was entirely confused, and freaked out. Who wouldn't he had been in some pretty deep shit. Instead of asking him questions Maka was going to talk, to apologise for the hurt she had caused him. To fix this. Maka waited for what seemed like hours trying to come up with a proper apology.

Suddenly the door opened. At Maka found Stein who was twisting the side of his screw. Maka suddenly became worried.

'Soul how is-'

'He is ok Maka' Stein cut her off a smile on his face. 'He has improved dramatically; I just came in to give him a brief biography of what had happened. I thought it might be better for me to explain the situation rather than place the burden onto you'. Stein simply put it focusing on his cigar.

'But Soul- Steward, I-

'It's all fine Maka, remember this is Soul we are talking about, he might still be a little confused but he has a great act of understanding…unlike a certain student we know.'

BlackStar's long shouts suddenly echoed through the long lost hallway.

Maka gave a simple nod as Stein let her through. Slowly and carefully Maka entered the room. There he was lying in the bed completely exhausted, he was looking out the window now fighting his eyes that seemed to close every second. Maka walked towards him.

'Hey' she simply stated looking at the ground.

Soul quickly changed his gaze at her.

'Hey' he weakly responded.

Maka took a deep breath but there was no use. No words came out of her mouth, just hot tears, which were streaking her face.

'Maka?' Soul whispered

Finally Maka slid towards him and began to sob on his bed grabbing his arm and clutching it tightly.

'I-I was s-s-o w-worried I-I lo-ost you!' Maka blurted burying her face into his shoulder.

Soul just stared at her in a half doze. He remembered. He woke up in hospital room but he completely confused and in so much pain he didn't recognise it, he remembered suddenly he hearing his name and he turned to see Maka. In pure shock and exhaustion he passed out, but he felt Maka catch him. He felt her sink to her knees crying out his name in alarm. Begging. He was just so tired.

'S-Soul I'm so sorry…' Maka cried. 'I-It's a-all m-my f-ault.'

'no- Maka- it isn't' Soul whispered trying to comfort her but he felt it difficult. It was so surreal, he wasn't use to this. Usually it was easy to comfort his partner but now… Now it felt like he had moved to a completely different country. It was strange and to make it all the worse he couldn't comfort the poor girl like he used to. He felt Maka's hot tears stain his shirt as she continued her crying.

Suddenly Soul felt hot tears run down his very own face. He didn't really understand why he was crying but it sure pissed him off. Roughly with his free hand he tried to wipe them away but they just kept on falling.

There they were both of them crying on a hospital bed.

This is so not cool.

Well there it is sorry if it is completely cheesy :S I also apologise for the long wait again. I had writers block but now everything is ok now I am back on track. Thankyou all for staying for his story you don't know how thrilled I am that so many people like reading it

Thankyou again please review.