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Lost Keys

Chapter 19

After laying Max on a fancy red bed in one of the extra bedrooms in the house, Maka sat down on the edge of the bed, wondering how this big, scary, muscular man was actually a doctor. He looked like he would fit very well in a wrestling ring than a hospital. He had a few patches of black hair on his head but was pretty much bald, a huge mustache, large shoulders, and he revealed a dragon tattoo on his overly muscular hairy arm after rolling up his sleeves to wash his hands.

"Now you stay right here while I go fetch something real quick." Ben said with a smile, hardly visible under his mustache. Maka simply nodded and he walked off. Sighing, she sat down on the edge of the bed, watching Max sleep, most of his body covered under a huge, comfy blanket.

Make pressed her hand to her head, trying to rub her frustration off. She thought back to when Max ran away. She remembered how a mysteries voice suddenly spoke in her head. Who was that voice? It sounded like a woman, but her voice was unfamiliar. Maybe it was Lady Blue the Scorpion had mentioned?

But, she sounded so friendly… and why had she tried to help her? Things didn't add up.

She looked back at Max. The tired little boy slept peacefully. She felt a rush of relief, knowing he is safe. She gently brushed her finger through his white, messy hair. It reminded her so much of Soul's. Max made a tiny sound as he blinked a few times. His eyes searched the new room and saw Maka next to him.

"Miss. Maka?" He whispered, rubbing the sleepiness from his eyes.

She gave him a tender smile, "Hi, Max."

He smiled back, but still looked tired. Ben walked in, holding something Maka couldn't quit see as he passed by. He placed a few bottles and a little plastic bag on a table. Crinkling sounds were heard as he opened the bag and started placing tiny transparent objects together. It was then she and Max realized what it was. The scary, muscular doctor held up a syringe, liquid squeezed out of the needle as he tested it.

Max clung onto Maka's clothes tightly, burying his face in her chest.

"Max?" Maka asked, gently rubbing his back. He shook his head and made a cute whimper. Of course, every kid is scared of needles held by doctors. Bringing a child for their shots was like dragging a St Bernard into a bathtub.

"Don't worry. You'll feel all better after this." The doctor assured, but Max wrapped his arms around Maka's whist and squeezed hard, not wanting to lose his protector.

Maka sighed. This wasn't going to be easy.

"Max?" she called but he didn't move, "Max, it's okay,"

Nope. Nothing.

"Max, look at me," She said softly, "Please?"

He slowly looked up. She pressed her finger to his lips, preventing him from saying anything, "It won't hurt – I promise." She said with a warm smile.

He's eyes widened in realization. It looked like he made a connection to something but decided to keep it to himself. He looked down for a moment to think.

"It's going to be alright." She said.

As much as he hated it, he nodded.

Splashing water on his face, Soul repeatedly washed his face with ice cold water from the bathroom sink. Leaning down on the sink, hunching forward and resting his arms on the sides, he looked down at his hands.

Shit. He was trembling.

That asshole of a father wanted to ruin his life again. That's why he wanted him back. Not because he wanted to see his long, forgotten son whom he hadn't seen, or heard of, in years. He wanted to expand. The fucker never cared about him. He wanted to use him for advantages. He was his little tool, and nothing more. Running his hand through his white hair, he looked at the mirror in front of him. Red eyes staring back at him.

"You planning on standing there all day?"

His arm suddenly slipped, accidentally head-butting the sink. That voice… It's that voice again! Rubbing his sore head, he looked around the bathroom, making sure no one has been playing tricks on him, but nobody was there.

"Sheesh, relax, would you?"

The voice chuckled. It sounded deep, husky, and almost – scary.

The little demon! Even though the voices did not match, it must be him! Who else would screw with his head like this?

"Knock it off, you little shit! I don't have time for you right now!" Soul yelled, clutching his head.

"Hate to break it to you, Soul," The demon said, laughing slightly, "but it wasn't me this time."

Soul's eyes widened. It wasn't him? "Then… who…?"

"Oi, don't ignore me when I'm talking to you, kid."

He backed up, back pressing against the sink. His eyes searched around, making sure he was truly alone. The voice was in his head!

"Who are you?" Soul growled, gritting his teeth.

"Trust me – you don't want to know."

Even though The Voice sounded deep and strong, he seemed to have a rather relaxed attitude.

"Cut the crap! What do you want?" Soul asked angrily.

"Calm down – I'm on your side." The Voice chuckled, "Man, you sure are uptight for someone who claims to be cool all the time."

"I already have the demon in my head!" Soul pointed at his forehead, "I don't need another voice screwing with my life."

"Maka didn't seem to mind."

Soul was about to growl something nasty at him before his brain analyzed his words, making him swallow whatever he was about to say. Eyes wide in shock, jaw hanging open, and hands shaking in fear and anger.

"M… Maka?" Soul's whispered. When The Voice failed to replay, Soul's hands turned into tight fists.

"What did you do to my Meister?" He growled, demanding answers.

The Voice huffed carelessly, "Nothing." He was obviously not taking him seriously.

Lair. Why had he mentioned her name, then? Did he mess with her head, too? "Stay away from her!" Soul yelled, pulling on his own hair in frustration, "Don't you dare go near her!"

"Can't promise that."

Soul was squeezing his fists so hard it was painful. Without thinking, he ran out of the bathroom as fast as light, passing by people like wind. He continued running even after accidentally knocking down a woman with his shoulder. Her husband shouted nasty words at him.

Maka. He had to get to her! The fucker in his head had definitely done something. Whatever happened, Maka seemed to keep it to herself. Maybe she didn't want to worry him? That idiot…

"There we go." Ben said happily.

Max rolled his sleeve back down. Maka patted his back, "Well?" Make said with a smile.

Max gave her the wider, cuter smile, "Didn't hurt."

"See?" Maka giggled. She saw a white bag held in front of her.

"Medicine." Ben said, still waiting for her to take it. "Give him one once a day after a meal." He said, smiling. Maka nodded and took the bag. He bowed down politely before leaving. Max leaned back down and covered himself with the blanket, yawning tiredly. Maka brushed his head with her finger, which helped him get sleepy even more. She heard feet running before suddenly hearing a loud thud from behind the door.

"Dear lord – Soul! Watch where you're going! What's the hurry?"

"Sorry Uncle – Not now!"

The door flung open, revealing a sweaty Soul, "MAKA!" It looked like he almost gave her a heart attack. Maka literally jumped, "W-WHAT?"

She was startled when he grabbed her shoulders, looking her straight in the eyes, missing the pink blush on her cheeks. His face was too close.

Max didn't know what to do, other than stare wide eyed.

"S… Soul?" Maka whispered, sweat rolling down her had.

"Are you alright?" Soul asked eyes filled with determination.

Maka blinked, "Huh? Of course I am, Soul."

He kept staring at her, it was almost scary. He sighed and released her, plopping down on the bed's edge. Something seemed off. Why did he suddenly react like this?

"Did something happen, Soul?" She asked in concern, looking away to hide her blush.

He paused for a minute, scratching the back of his head before finally replaying, "Nah, just had a talk with the Old Man."

She crossed her arms, "And?"

Soul huffed, "Said nothing important, so I ditched him."

The stare she was giving him meant she didn't believe his lie, but she decided to look away, not wanting to go any farther.

…

Time passed, and everyone was silent.

Max was happily wrapped in a blanket. Maka pulled a chair from another room to sit on because Soul decided to rest on the edge of the bed.

"Max?" Maka asked quietly.

"Huh?" the little boy turned over on his side to face her.

She smiled, "I'm sorry – Did I wake you up?"

He shook his head, smiling and pressing his cheek on the pillow.

"Max, what's your mother like?" She asked.

Soul raised an eyebrow.

"She's pretty," he said softly, "And she's kind, and she buys me books, and she tells me she loves me a lot."

Maka giggled, "She seems nice."

"Uh-huh." He nodded, "I love Mom."

That line made her heart melt.

"And your Dad?" Soul asked randomly. He didn't know why he was interested to know.

"I love him too." Max snuggled his face into the soft pillow, "He's really cool, and he buys me action figures and teaches me piano when he gets home from work with Mom."

His smiled faded, "But…" He squeezed the pillow harder, "Sometimes they come back hurt… I don't like it when that happens."

Both Soul and Maka's eyes widened.

"They tell me they are alright, but I feel sad when they get hurt."

Damn… what kind of job do those two have?

"But… I want to be like them." Max whispered, "I know they said it's tough, but I want to be like them."

Soul hesitated before asking, "So what do they do?"

Max turned to Soul, "Dad's a Death Scythe, and Mom teaches kids how to fight monsters."

To Be Continued...

Review please :3 Next chapter will be up soon!

If you find any spelling mistakes please tell me so I can fix them :3

So cute, Max's daddy is a Death Scythe :3

And face it, you hated needles too when you were a kid ;D