It was just another mission, or so I had thought. We were battling another kishin. I didn't think that my whole world could possibly be shattered, but it was, that day. They took her from me because of what she was.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Soul's Point Of View
Maka was doing great. We had made a ton of progress. This kishin would be our 79th. She delivered a back slash to the chest of Jack the Ripper, a former serial killer.

He let out a wheeze as he clawed at the laceration. His form doubled over and he gave Maka the evil eye. Jack slashed at the air with his razor sharp knives-for-fingers.

Suddenly, Maka's eyes glazed over and she looked at her hand. It began to turn red and raw and was spreading up her forearm.

"Maka! Snap out of it!!" I shouted as Jack took a menacing step forward.

Her skin was peeling and was bruising itself. She shook her head and her vision cleared. Maka braced herself for a block, but her knees buckled and Jack missed her scalp with just inches to spare.

"What are you doing? Are you ok?!" I was getting worried, this was not the time for her body to give out.

"Everything's fuzzy...what's happening...to me?" Her breathing was becoming ragged.

"I don't know, Maka, but one more critical hit and we're done! We can go home and rest. I promise." I reassured her.

She nodded in understanding and hoisted herself up. Jack licked his lips and then charged once more. Maka was ready then,
and planted one foot forward. She swung hard and sunk my blade deep into his chest.

He let out an inhuman screech as the life was leaving his body. His talons rested on Maka's shoulder and he looked into her eyes. I took the opportunity to detransform and pulled her behind me. Maka's  head rested against my back.

Her temperature was boiling. I devoured the kishin soul and then turned to face my meister. I looked down at her. Maka's forehead was clammy while her hand released small tremors.

"Let me see your arm." I whispered.

She timidly pulled back her black coat sleeve. Her arm was bruised beyond recognition and a small, narrow bump was sitting on the underside of her forearm.

My eyes widened. Then, Maka's hand twitched. She began to scratch at the area furiously, her nails digging into her own beaten flesh.

"Stop...," I began but her scratching intensified, "I SAID STOP!"

Her hand faltered and I grabbed it. She slowed her breathing.

"We have to get you checked out." I muttered.

"No." She stated firmly, "I'm fine. Let's just go home."

Maka began walking back towards Death City. I followed behind her, trying to forget what I just saw.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was later and the sun had just dipped into the horizon. Maka was shut up inside of her room.

The time was 8:03 when I checked the clock inside of our apartment. I decided to make some dinner for us. After a few burnt creations and the struggle of tying my apron, I finally made Maka-worthy pasta.

My palm was to take it to her in her room and possibly cheer her up. I made my way down our dimly lit hall to her door. I opened it carefully and then dropped the platter in surprise. Maka was crumpled into the fetal position in the middle of her room. A tank top covered her bust, but the markings that had covered her earlier, were now spread across her shoulder blades.

She was shaking and whimpering in pain. I ran to her side and pulled her into my lap. I cradled her body in my arms while she opened her eyes that were full of tears.

"Are you ok?" I asked stupidly.

She shook her head, "I hurt so bad, Soul."

Her hands gripped my shirt as she let out a yelp. I glanced at her back and the markings were spreading, but seemed to sizzle. Her hands reached to itch her raw skin, but I stopped her.

"You can't. You'll only make it worse." I cautioned gently.

She nodded in understanding as I lifted her up and carried her bridal-style into my room.

"Wh-what are you doing?" She asked, bewildered.

"There is no possible way that I'm letting you sleep alone tonight." I answered.

I gently set her onto my mattress and covered her shaking frame. I crawled in next to her and let her lay against me with my arm around her fragile body. My lips planted a gentle kiss on her forehead.

Several times that night, she woke up screaming as new parts of her skin became tainted and new bumps surfaced.

The next day, we had to go to school. I protested, but Maka wouldn't listen, something about her 'perfect attendance record'.

We walked into class and I caught her before she could fall to her knees. My arms guided her to our seat and we took our places. She seemed out of breath and her brow was coated with sweat.

"Will Maka Albarn and Soul Evans please meet with Lord Death in the Death Room please." The loudspeaker announced.

We gave each other a concerned look before leaving the class. I walked beside Maka as the guillotines towered above our heads.

Death stood there, at the end of that hallway, looking on edge.

"How was your mission?" He asked.

"We were able to complete it successfully." Maka answered back.

"And how do you feel Maka?"

She seemed taken aback as Death's stare intensified. Suddenly Maka's head shook, then her body, until finally she dropped to her knees. She clutched her head and began to scream in pain. I moved to help her.

"Don't, Soul. Back away." Death said coldly.

"But, sir, she's my meist-"

"I said back away!" He interrupted.

I froze as Maka's screams intensified. Suddenly, scythe blades erupted from my partners body. Her clothes were shredded and blood gurgled from her mouth while oozing from the protruding blades. Two on her shoulder blades, two on her forearms, two on the back of her calves, and a curved one tore through her spine. My mouth was agape as shock and horror filled my body.

Maka fell to the floor sobbing and spasming uncontrollably.

"I'm sorry Soul, but your partnership has been terminated." Death broke the sob-filled silence.

My head snapped away from Maka as I stared daggers at Death, "no. No! You can't seriously expect me to be ok with that. Maka Albarn is my meister and I will never abandon her."

He shook his head, "then I'm sorry."

Death snapped his fingers as guards picked up Maka's limp body. I let out a low growl as I ran to her, but unknown arms restrained me. I struggled and attempted to bite at the arms, but to no avail.

"Soul. Please help me. " she called out weakly.

The men pulled her through a door. I knew it led to the catacombs.

They took her; They took her away from me.