I don't own Soul Eater or any of its characters.
Death the Kid knew he was different from other children his age. Though, this didn't cause him to falter in the slightest. He'd always ignore the odd stares he received from passersby, dismiss the fear and hatred he felt radiating from their souls. After all, he was too young to fully comprehend the harsh feelings directed at himself as a shinigami. Or so Death thought.
Since Kid was young-only six or so-Death stayed at the mansion and projected his image through a mirror to Shibusen in order to continue his role as a headmaster of sorts while raising his son. With this arrangement, Kid could always find his father in front of a tall mirror conversing with Mr. Death Scythe or some other staff member. Though, the boy never dared interrupt Death more than necessary. He learned early on that it wasn't a good idea to pester his father too often-a Shinigami-Chop to the head served to teach him that much-so Kid tried his best not to cause many problems on his own.
However, while outside one hot afternoon, Kid overheard a conversation between a woman and her son. The boy was about Kid's age, with peachy skin and dirty-blonde hair. As the two walked past the mansion, close enough to the gates where the young shinigami could hear, the boy glanced over curiously.
"Momma, what's that place?" He asked innocently, pointing a finger over at Gallows Mansion. The woman peered nervously at the building before taking quicker steps, forcing her son to jog as he held her hand tighter. "Mom?"
"That's Lord Death's house, sweetie," She replied briskly. "You must never go there alone, nor should you ever be around his son if you happen to see him around the city."
"Why?" The boy panted, the swift pace at which the two were walking already tiring his tiny body out.
"It's too dangerous. Death rules over us and protects us, but in turn he will eventually take our souls. His son's sole existence is to do the same. Do you understand, honey?"
"I g-guess..." The boy replied uneasily, craning his neck to catch another look at the 'dangerous house'.
Why is death such a bad thing to these people? Aren't they supposed to follow the natural order and accept their fate, like Father told me? Kid wondered, watching as the two citizens hurried out of sight.
The young shinigami was confused, though he knew there wasn't much he could do unless he asked his father about these things. With that thought in mind, Kid headed back inside the mansion in search of his father. It didn't take too long. He peered into the doorway of one of the manor's studies and found his father there.
Death was free from work at the moment, settled in front of a floor-length mirror as he sipped tea. He heard his son's approach and looked over to him, tilting his head questioningly.
"Hm? Ya need something, Kiddo?" He asked in his typical goofy voice. Kid looked up to him with large gold eyes.
"I was wondering something. Father, do people...fear death?"
Death was silent. He knew that Kid would eventually read the troubled souls around him, though he was hoping this conversation could have waited a tad bit longer. He wasn't quite sure if his son could handle the burden such knowledge would bring him.
"Well...that is a touchy subject. Just remember, Kiddo, that fear is a good thing, and that having it keeps you aware of the danger around you. Only a fool claims to be fearless," Death lectured. Yes, he had avoided the question directly, but it was a good lesson to give all the same. Too bad that Kid-however young he was-still managed to catch this.
"I know that, Father, but you didn't answer my question," Kid complained with an irritated look on his childish face. Death sighed, setting his teacup down. He gestured for his son to come sit with him, Kid doing so without a word.
"Alright, Kiddo. Let me explain. People do fear death, whether it be from the thought of what lies on the other side, or the end itself," Death began. "It's completely natural for humans to cling to life, as well as their souls. It'd be strange if they didn't, ya know."
"But I feel like these negative feelings are directed toward us, Father!" Kid cried, his little fists clenching. Death pulled his son over into his lap, his mask appearing sympathetic. Kid looked up to him with watery eyes, confused at the sudden gesture.
"I know, Kiddo. It'll be hard for you to deal with, but as shinigami, it is we that bear the burden of balancing the world's population. It is a key part of our job, understand?"
Kid averted his eyes, but nodded in acknowledgement. Death grinned behind his mask and ruffled his son's striped hair.
"That's my boy~" He cooed, holding onto Kid even as he tried to squirm away to fix his hair.
The road to ruling the city wasn't an easy one, Death knew, but he had faith that so long as Kid was led in the right direction, he would make a fine leader.
Ugh, I feel like this one just plain sucked, but I posted it anyways. I hope you guys at least enjoyed it a little. I think tomorrow's will be a bit better, though, so there's always that. Humor me and review, will ya? I definitely need some feedback on this one.