Monster, how should I feel?
Creatures lie here
Looking through the window.

"Monster" by Meg & Dia

"So, where is this kishin we're looking for again?" Soul asked. The pair continued down a narrow alleyway at a meandering pace. All of a sudden, Maka stopped.

Soul stopped too and looked back at her. "Wha-"

"Shh," Maka said. Her eyes were closed and she looked as if she was listening for something.

Well, in some ways, she was listening for something. Souls to be exact.

She pointed further down the alley. "This way," She said in a urgent whisper. "We've got to hurry!"

The two set off down the cobblestone path at a sprint. They reached a larger street and Maka turned left, following her instincts. Soul followed. They ran past houses and shops, of which most were closed, seeing as it was six o'clock on a Sunday morning. Kishin knew no rest.

They turned again down a small alley and stopped. It was a dead end. Facing the wall, was a little girl, wearing braids and a flowery pink dress.

Soul stepped forward. "Hey, have you seen a-"

Maka held him back with her arm on his chest. "Something's not right," She closed her eyes, feeling her partner's and the little girl's wavelength. "The kishin's right here,"

Soul knew not to question his partner's judgement but he was confused. The only people there were him, Maka and that little girl. Unless-

The girl turned her head to look at the pair. Her eyes were completely black.

"Soul!" Maka cried. But Soul was already on it. His scythe form spun around in the air before being caught by his meister.

The girl's back bloomed as she grew into a giant skeleton. Her skin seemed to deflate and fall away.

"What is that thing?!" Soul asked. "Is that girl okay?"

"Possessed by a kishin," Maka said, gritting her teeth. "There's nothing we can do now,"

She lunged forwards, swiping her weapon through the air, The skeletal kishin dodged and then lumbered closer to Maka. She ran under it's huge legs and looked around. There were some trash cans next to the wall at the end of the alley. Those would have to work.

She jumped on top of one and bent her legs. With all her strength, the young meister propelled herself towards the kishin's skull. Maka let out a yell as she swung her scythe through the air, feeling it connect with the thick, bone-like material.

The kishin let out a animalistic cry and crumpled towards the ground. Its bone began to glow a eerie blue color and then they shattered, the fragments floating towards the sky, All that was left was a round, red soul.

Maka landed safely on the ground. Soul transformed, taking his human form once again. She at once felt a sense of relief, but couldn't shake the uneasiness she felt. She closed her eyes, hoping to find her inner peace. She felt the three souls there; hers, Soul's and the kishin's.

However, the kishin's soul was different. She could feel the repulsion she normally did with other kishin souls. However, this one was more human. She could feel the soul of a little girl in braids, running through the cobblestone streets.

Her eyes snapped open. "Don't eat that," she said to Soul.

"Huh?" He said. "Why not?"

"That's the soul of that little girl," Maka bit her tongue. "Come on, we'll take it back to headquarters,"

Maka took the soul and tucked it safely inside her long, black jacket.

Inside the apartment next door, they heard yells.

"Où est ma Belle?"

"Avez-vous vu Belle?"

"Belle!"

Maka bit her tongue. Better to let someone else handle telling the family.

She pulled Belle's soul closer as the three walked out of the alley.

Author's Note: Well, I'm back. I don't even have an excuse this time. Sorry about that.

Still getting back into author mode. This is the first thing I've written in a while and it's definitely a bit sobering (especially after last chapter). Oh, and if you don't know this song, go to YouTube right now and listen to it. You're welcome.

Some really exciting things are happening soon in the story, so stay tuned for that! :D

Reviews make me happy. Merp.