I don't own anything to do with the Soul Eater series, so please don't sue me. I'm broke as it is :P
CHAPTER ONE
He tossed and turned as a nightmare flashed through his mind's eye. Pain danced through his tense joints making him groan ever so slightly in his sleep. Taunting laughter filled his ears making him bristle as he studied his wispy surroundings. His breathing sped up in response and panic began to set in. He wanted to leave this place. He wanted to drift off again into a peaceful darkness. Voices he recognised flitted through his awareness making the horrible dream fade from his memory. He felt himself relax and come into consciousness. Light filtered in through a crack in his heavy curtains stirring the young man from his slumber. Not one for lazing around in bed all day, he sat up and rubbed his heavy eyelids with a groan. In the stillness of the morning air he heard his heart thud rhythmically and his chest expand as he drew air in slowly. He was still stiff and sore from his nightmare making him flex his limbs experimentally. He still felt tired but passed it off as fatigue from a late night studying for exam week. His stomach churned slightly making him lift a hand to his torso in comfort. A headache was forming behind his eyes causing a furrowing effect to his perfectly manicured eyebrows. Dehydration, he told himself. With little else to complain about he swung his legs out from under bed linen and placed them flat on the soft carpet. With a heave he stood up and yawned. Spying the en-suite bathroom to his left he gingerly padded into the room to take a quick shower and prepare for the day. With a click he shut the heavy door behind him.
Death the Kid, as his one and only parent had named him, was now standing in front of the bathroom mirror with a look of utter disgust upon his face. Jet black hair adorned with three parallel white stripes wrapped around one half of his head. It was the bane of his existence and short of shaving his head bald there was nothing he could do about them. Oh, he knew their significance and how much his Shinigami body needed them for life but the sheer asymmetrical colour made his left eye twitch manically every time he looked at his reflection. He sighed and proceeded to place a dollop of crystal white toothpaste on to his coal-coloured toothbrush. His thoughts began to wander as he went about his morning routine, brushing his teeth exactly eight times to left and then eight times to the right.
He had class this morning with his two Weapons, Liz and Patty. They were just about the only two people in the world he could stand to touch him, well, maybe Maka but only because she was the epitome of symmetry and smelled liked flowers. Shaking his head from those thoughts he continued to ponder on all the friends he had made in the past year. Going from a lonely existence, which he told himself he didn't mind, to having a full circle of reliable friends was surprising to say the least. He knew it himself when people called him crazy. His many ticks and quirks made becoming friends with someone nearly impossible. Again, he told himself, he was just happy bringing order to the world. Everything was about balance. It was his number one priority, a perfectly balanced world where light and dark or chaos and order existed in perfect harmony. He broke from his reverie to spit out the remains of his frothy toothpaste into the sink. He finished off his daily routine, washing his face and styling his annoying hair and left the bathroom.
"Hey Kid!?" yelled an obnoxiously loud voice from his bedroom doorway, making Kid wince slightly.
"Patty, I told you not to do that" he scolded her.
"Sorry," she said quieter this time, "Liz is finished making breakfast, ya want some?"
"Yes, I'll be down in a minute" he sighed as he unbuttoned his pyjama top to change into his pristinely ironed shirt.
"Okie doke" said Patty with unnatural cheer for so early in the morning and raced down the hall towards the dining room.
"Must she be so loud" Kid griped and finished dressing. He left the bedroom and followed Patty down the lavish and perfectly symmetrical hallway and into the opulent dining room.
"Hey Kid, I made scrambled eggs on toast, ya want some?" asked Liz, the eldest of the trio as she sat nonchalantly opposite her sister. She never bothered to look at him when he entered; instead she was concentrating on filing her nails to a perfect rounded tip.
"I suppose" shrugged Kid, not bothering to argue with her. He rarely ate breakfast especially eggs. The thought of where they came from slightly disgusted him if he were honest. He sat at the head of the table where Patty was on one side and Liz was perched on the other. He knew it was now an unconscious response to living with him for so long but he appreciated the symmetry all the same.
He grabbed a slice of toast (perfectly square) and munched on it quickly not even bothering to butter the thing. His stomach growled in protest at the sudden onslaught of food but he continued to chew on his measly breakfast. His pale and delicate fingers, so much like a pianists', clutched at the leg of his trousers in distress until every morsel was finished. He could see Liz watch him closely from the corner of her eye so he kept his facial expressions neutral. He knew he was thin but he liked to think he had filled out a bit more over the months. His long legs had definitely stretched resulting in him ordering a tailor to procure him several new suits. Kid's golden, yellow eyes swept along the table until they rested on the youngest girl, Patty. She was busily making a mess trying to, what Kid could only assume, draw a picture with ketchup. She was humming absentmindedly and completely out of tune making his eyes twitch in aggravation. He bit his tongue lest he say something he would regret. It was never wise to upset the Thompson sisters, should you want to see tomorrow. He rose quickly from the table and glanced at Liz who was draining the last of her coffee.
"Excuse me, there is something I must do" he said with forced politeness and stalked out of the room towards the study.
"What's up his butt?" he heard Liz ask rhetorically as he left but ignored it.
He wanted to check in with his father before school and the only way to do so was through mirror communication. A skill passed down by his father to all the students of his school. He walked up to the full length mirror that was standing in the centre of the room and exhaled a fine layer of condensation onto the glass.
"Forty-two, forty-two, five six four. Whenever you want to knock on Death's door" he said as he wrote the corresponding numbers in the warm mist with his right index finger. The glass rippled for a few seconds and then filled with a bright white light when it finally connected to his father.
"Hello Father" spoke Kid with an air of maturity and patience unbecoming a sixteen year old boy.
"Ah Kiddo, it's good to see you son. What's up?" said the overly cheery voice of his father, Lord Death.
"Must you use that voice with me?" sighed Kid in frustration.
"Now, now Kiddo, what's your boggle?" he said ignoring his son's complaint.
"I'm just checking to see if any new missions have popped up" he explained.
"Nope," said Lord Death as he bounced too close to the mirror making Kid take a step back in reflex, "all is quiet for now"
"Very well, I must attend my classes, good day" said Kid coldly seeing through his father's lie instantly. He lifted his hand to end the call but stopped when his father interrupted.
"Now, hold on Kid, are you alright m'boy? You're looking a bit on the pasty side this morning?" asked Death suddenly dropping his voice to a more normal timbre.
"I'm fine, merely tired" replied Kid, avoiding his father's concerns.
"You sure?" prodded Lord Death.
"Yes, I am perfectly healthy, now, are you done with this touching display of fatherly concern?" asked Kid viciously through clenched teeth.
"Very well, talk to you soon" waved Death taking the hint to back off.
Kid nodded and ended the call with a swipe of his hand. His breathing had become heavy and his head pulsed with temper. Trust his father to point out his weaknesses. Yes, he had been feeling a little under the weather lately and yes, his father was only enquiring but the fact that his father could so easily spot his faults and make him seem imperfect was sickening. He swallowed reflexively and held his breath for a moment to regain control of his emotions. Anger, guilt and self-loathing swarmed his mind making his hands tremble and eyes sting. He would not give in however, the very notion of releasing his pent up frustration was shameful in his eyes. He was a Shinigami, the next Lord Death. Clear thinking and logic were his strengths and he clung to them with all his might.
It was nearly five minutes later when he had finally regained the careful balance of his emotions. Calmness now restored he walked from his father's study and onto the upper landing where he spotted his two closest confidents standing idly at the door. Patty was bouncing with unbridled energy making Kid tired just watching her. Liz was leaning against the wall, legs crossed and a bored expression gracing her features.
"Yay, we can go, we can go!" laughed Patty with excitement once she spotted Kid walking down the stairs.
"About damn time, we're gonna be late" scolded Liz.
"Since when did you care?" asked Kid sceptically as he opened the front door.
"Since –"she started but stopped and blushed. This intrigued the young reaper but he refrained from commenting.
"Since what?" asked Patty oblivious to the situation as usual.
"Nothing" grumbled Liz as she looked at the ground in embarrassment.
"Hmm, well Liz is right Patty, we must set an example for the rest of the students where possible" informed Kid, walking in between the two sisters.
"'Kay, but school is boring" whined Patty as they got closer to the academy they attended.
"Nevertheless, rules must be adhered to or we would have chaos" lectured Kid, back straight and finger pointing upwards.
"Ugh, we get it, you freak" jeered Liz as she rolled her eyes. The three them finally reached the top of the steps to the entrance of the school. Kid stopped for a moment to take in the perfectly symmetrical building standing proudly in front of him.
"Absolutely perfect" he gushed.
It was magnificent, he thought, a true work of art. With its many turrets and spires topped off with three black orbs floating gently above the building, it was in perfect alignment. Tension from this morning's events seemed to melt from Kid's shoulders as he absorbed the glorious view.
"You say that every morning" griped Liz under her breath.
"Yes well perfection is worth mentioning" said Kid proudly.
"Whatever" said Liz dully, rolling her eyes for the second time that morning.
A chiming bell interrupted their conversation, signalling the start of class and alerting the trio that they were now late.
"Come on, Stein is usually late himself so we still have time" said Kid to the two girls on either side of him. Patty giggled girlishly and Liz huffed but they followed their Meister quietly into the building.
A slender hand, belonging to one Maka Albarn, shot out from under the tussled blankets to quieten the shrill alarm blaring loudly from her alarm clock. It was seven in the morning and already a watery stream of golden sunlight permeated her bedroom making her tired eyes squint painfully.
"Ugh, suppose I better get up" she said to herself.
Slowly she inched her body from under the covers of her comfy bed and slid to the floor in a clumsy heap. Maka was many things, studious, clever, loyal, logical and an excellent fighter; she was not however a morning person, much to the amusement of her Weapons partner and flat-mate, Soul.
"Com' on lazy bones, you're being uncool right now" laughed Soul to the crumpled body of his Meister.
"Go 'way you" she slurred back.
"Very eloquent Ms. Albarn" said Soul rolling his eyes at the display.
"Sh'up you, go make breakfas'" she slurred again as she sat up and yawned.
"Tsk, should be more grateful" mumbled Soul unhappily only to receive a thick book to the back of the skull when he turned around.
"Oww Maka, jeez, you're gonna kill someone one of these days" he complained hotly. He could feel a large bump forming as he ran his hand through his spiky silver hair. He winced when his fingers brushed the tender spot.
"Could be today if you're not careful" warned Maka with a glare, feeling more alert by the minute.
Snorting in response to the empty threat Soul waltzed casually from her bedroom and into the small kitchen to start breakfast. He wasn't known for his cooking, often struggling with the simplest of recipes but he could stretch to oatmeal and maybe some toast.
An hour later, Maka and Soul left their apartment and strolled lazily up the cobbled street towards Death Weapon Meister Academy. Classes started at nine sharp so they still had time to enjoy the warm albeit slightly creepy looking sun.
"Hey guys" came the soft greeting of their friend from behind them.
"Hi Tsubaki, where's Black Star?" asked Maka when she turned around to her demure friend.
"Oh he's gone on ahead. He said something about a challenge" answered Tsubaki shyly.
"And he didn't bring his Weapon?" asked Soul in confusion.
"He left before I could catch up to him" she smiled sheepishly.
"Don't worry. I'm sure we'll see him soon. Black Star's not one for subtlety" joked Maka when they resumed walking towards their destination.
"I do worry about him always rushing off without me though" complained Tsubaki in exasperation.
"Black Star doesn't need a Weapon most times. He's got that thick skull of his to bash through his enemies" snorted Soul.
Maka smacked him on the back of head in reprimand when Tsubaki lowered her head.
"Ouch! Maka what the-"said Soul in outrage but stopped suddenly when he realised he had upset the soft spoken woman.
"Sorry Tsubaki, I was only playin' around" apologized Soul to the modest girl.
Tsubaki nodded her head and smiled graciously.
"It's ok Soul," she said quietly. The trio continued on joking and laughing all the way up the steps to the front entrance of DWMA and into the monochromatic hallways that lead to their classroom. It was to no-one's surprise when they heard the loud boastful voice of Tsubaki's Meister Black Star yelling his virtues for everyone to hear.
"I, the great Black Star, will avenge the one called Susan. You will pay with your life!" he roared, pointing at one of the other pupils in the back row.
"What's that numb skull shouting about now?" whispered Maka to Tsubaki.
"Em, I'm not really sure. I don't think I even know a Susan" said Tsubaki worriedly.
"Oi, Blockhead, what're ya doin'?" yelled Soul over the commotion.
"I am avenging Susan, N.O.T Class student from this guy" he crowed as he pointed dramatically at the livid looking student.
"Why?" chirped Tsubaki ignoring the bell signalling the start of class.
"Uhhh," said Black Star in confusion for a moment before regaining his composure, "It matters not, I'm gonna kick his ass!" he cackled madly for dramatic effect and leapt from the bottom table right at the offending student. With crash they both landed in a heap under the table with a cacophony of gasps and shrieks from the other shocked pupils in the classroom.
"Black Star!" yelled Tsubaki and Maka
"Idiot" breathed Soul in amusement.
"Get your hands off me ya big ape!" bellowed the assaulted student.
"Never!" replied Black Star as he picked the guy up by the scruff of the neck and threw him down with an almighty crash to the bottom level.
A groan came from the many books and other school paraphernalia that the unfortunate student had landed amongst.
"You'll pay for that you MORON!" screamed the boy in humiliation. Black Star was still cackling wildly, oblivious to the boy's threat.
"Riu, TRANSFORM!" he yelled to his partner who stood in shock beside Black Star. With a snap back to reality he leapt in the air and with a flash changed into a long handled axe. It spun in the air towards its Meister where its sharp edge was wielded with precision.
"Oh, somebody wants to play huh?" said Black Star coyly.
"See how big and tough you are now!" said the student confidently as he swung the axe around skilfully.
"Tsubaki!" ordered Black Star, ignoring the protests of his partner. She changed into her katana form in seconds landing smoothly into her Meister's hands.
"Black Star this is nuts!" shouted Soul now slightly worried for his friend.
Black Star ignored him and leapt to the ground level landing with a roll in front of the open entrance to the hallway. He barely had time to stand up straight before the other student was charging at him with his Weapon held high. Black Star managed to block with his sword and kicked him away from his body.
"That the best you got?" he said taunting the other boy.
He charged again but stopped short, catching Black Star by surprise when he threw the axe at his head. He barely managed to duck in time but charged at his now defenceless opponent. With a flourish he rolled forward and out into a kick sending the boy flying when it connected with his chest. He never noticed the ripple of silent horror spreading out across the classroom. His triumph dampened his other senses and he whooped for joy at his win. Nobody could defeat the great Black Star. Not even God himself. He turned around to bask in the glow of his friends' praise when he suddenly felt the air leave his lungs. There, standing in front of him was Death the Kid with an axe embedded in his chest. The only sound that could be heard was the loud thud of Kid's body hitting the floor.
TBC
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