Chapter 4: Saving the World

A:N- Hey guys, this chapter is gonna start kind of dark and shed some light on how much the survivors know. It's gonna turn fluffy and the romance is really gonna kick start in this chapter so yay for that. It ends on a serious note, but other than that and the beginning it's pretty fluffy. Have fun, kiddies~

"No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don't want to die to get there. And yet death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it. And that is as it should be, because Death is very likely the single best invention of Life. It is Life's change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new." –Steve Jobs.

How do you react to death? Usually you cry. Scream, maybe, about how it's unfair for that person to be taken from your life. But… how do you react… when the world is already dead? When there are more dead people than there are living, when the dead are trying to eat you? Are they even really dead, or are we murdering them? All I know is… the only escape from this Hell we now call earth… is death.

Date: 10-09-13

It's been a week since we lost Jaqueline. She was Kim's weapon, but now Kim uses her witch powers for healing those that go on runs instead of going on them herself. It just so happens that the one window we didn't have enough wood and iron bars to block got broken. Whether it was by the walkers or not, we don't know. I hope it was… because if not, who knows what else is out there. But, then again, if it was them, then they're getting smarter; adapting, because a rock was used to smash the window. We buried her in the graveyard that we put a fence around. The other day, Ox's father "wandered" onto the school grounds… he was a walker. It just so happened that he showed up the one time Ox had been on a run in weeks. Then, the first time Azusa went on a run in two months, her sister showed up as a walker. The strange thing is, they were both wearing nothing but underwear and witnesses said they didn't have any bites. We thought the only way you could be changed is by being bitten. Maybe… maybe someone infected them on purpose. Using family members to get us killed in our moment of hesitation. How cruel, I hope that's not happening. I don't know if I could kill Mama… If that is happening though, then who has the resources to do that? Death has said that it is some sort of supernatural being, that's all he says. He gets this look in his eyes, though, when he says it… Sadness, maybe? Regret? Both? I'm not sure, all I know is that he's like a second father to me and I don't like seeing that in his eyes.

I've noticed something. When we kill the walkers, souls come out of them. They're so very faint that I can hardly see them, but they're there. That means the walkers are technically alive. That must be why they aren't rotting. Maybe this whole thing is just a giant virus that we can cure. Stein left a while ago to capture a few to study, hopefully he can find a cure. Kid said that it seems like the creatures are left with only their survival instincts and can sense large objects that come near them. They can't see, but can hear and smell, obviously.

Kid and his weapons have been proven to be of good use around here. The girls are good scavengers, having grown up on the streets. I meant what I said to Patty, about being her best friend, and she knows that. She protects me and I protect her. Liz and Kid have told me how glad they are that she has someone, and they asked me to do my best to make sure she's always safe. I will, I promise.

I no longer deny that I feel something for that shinigami. He's adorable, with his OCD and stripes (even though he hates them…) I don't quite know what it is I feel yet. He's proven to be trustworthy over the week he's been here, and being Lord Death's son must mean he was raised to be a gentleman… Maybe… maybe I could trust more than just my weapon Soul, Death, and Blackstar… Just because Papa used to- no, still is a total flirt and is un-trustworthy doesn't mean all guys are. The three I mentioned before proved that. I'm not sure though, I mean I've only know him for a week, too. I'll give it some more time, maybe 'til Halloween and if I'm not sure I'll wait till Thanksgiving to put my trust in him. Ha, look at me. Saying all this as if I haven't already put my trust in him. Nice job, Maka. Way to hold out. I like him, I'll admit. I don't love him yet, God no! But… there's… something there. He feels it too, I can see it in his soul. He has a… attraction, I guess, to me. I can see it. I guess that's how I could describe the way I feel about him, as well. Maybe I should just ask him out on a date… How would we do that anyway? Eat together away from everyone else? How pathetic… You know what, I'll ask him out. I will. I'll make tempura and we can eat it on the balcony. There. Bam. Date. Now let's just hope he says yes.

-Maka

Maka sighed as she put her journal under her pillow. All she had to do now was muster up the courage to ask him. Come on, you're a tough motherfucker! You can ask a guy out! …No. You can't. Because you're weak. You're a baby. That's why Mama le- NO!

"Damn, I really do let my thoughts run away…" Maka sighed. She always felt that maybe Mama left because she was weak. She would always sit and cry whenever she got a scrape or little bruise and acted like such a baby when she was younger. That's why she decided to make Soul into the best Death Scythe and become a better meister than her mother. She climbed out of bed and made her way to the kitchen. Kid and the sisters were with Lord Death, walking around the school. Once she reached the kitchen she checked her team's stock and made sure they have the ingredients for tempura. They did, and she could even make extra for everyone else. Just as she walked out of the kitchen she bumped into a blob of black. Before she could fall on her rear, a large with foam hand reached out and grabbed her arm. Pulling her up, Lord Death said "Sorry Maka-chan, I was talking with Kiddo and the girls."

"That's okay, Death. Hey everyone," Maka greeted making eye contact with the girls and Kid, blushing when she reached said shinigami. Lord Death giggled at this. "Did you just giggle?" Maka asked stifling laughter, which she failed at doing and guffawed at the Death Gods actions. Everyone, including the reaper in question, laughed with her. Still laughing, she waved and started to walk away, saying that she had to fold laundry. Before she got far, she felt a hand grab her arm. She looked down and saw a skull ring on the middle finger of her captor's hand. "What is it, Kid? Something wrong?" she asked, looking at him noticing the other three had proceeded into the kitchen. He blushed and looked away while apologizing for grabbing her.

"It's fine Kid, really. What's up?"

"Well, I uh- I- What I mean is…" Kid sighed, "Would you like to… go on a date with me? I mean like, we could eat away from everyone, or something or go look through dad's mirror, or something or-" he was cut off by Maka's finger on his lips, silencing his rambling.

"Or course I'll go on a date with you, Kid." Maka smiled. She could've sworn she heard three voices, two female and one male, cheer in victory in the kitchen. "I was actually gonna ask you. I'll make shrimp tempura and we can eat it on the balcony, okay?"

Kid smiled, "That sounds lovely Mak-" "I WANT TEMPURA, TOO, MAKA-CHAN!" Patty screamed, obviously eavesdropping, while bursting from the kitchen. Maka laughed, "I promise to make you some, too Patty. I'll make some for our whole team. But make sure you don't go to the balcony while Kid and I are there, okay? We want to be alone."

"Okiee, Maka- chan. Are you two gonna kiss?! MAKA AND KIDDO SITING IN A TREE, K-I-S-S-I-N-G!" Patty ran away giggling, while Lord Death and Liz ran, also giggling, before they could get chopped for eavesdropping, leaving a blushing Kid and Maka in an awkward silence.

"Well… I'm gonna go get started, it's almost 6:30 and it'll take a while. Meet me on the balcony at eight, okay? Oh, and tell your dad to quit giggling, it's not manly or something a Death God should do." Maka said with a laugh.

"Okay," Kid answered, also laughing. "I'll see you then Maka." He smiled one last time before going to scold his dad on his manliness.

After making tempura for everyone and setting up a blanket on the balcony, Maka set the basket in the direct middle. She sat and waited for Kid to show up, knowing he would be right on time. She had let her hair out of its usual pigtails, and was wearing a knee-length, symmetrical, light yellow dress with an emerald necklace that Liz picked up for her on a run a few days ago. Liz and Patty helped her with make-up at the kitchen counter while the rice was cooking, putting very little on her. Just some lip gloss and mascara. They helped make sure she was completely symmetrical before shoving a bottle of wine and glasses into her basket and pushing her out of the kitchen before she could protest.

Opening the basket, Maka found an iPod and speaker in the basket that Liz or Patty must've put in while she was cooking. She plugged the speaker into the iPod and pressed play, turning the music low as Need You Now came on the speaker. She watched her watch and at 8 seconds past eight the door opened and Kid walked out. He was wearing black slacks with a yellow button down the same color as her dress, no doubt picked out by Liz and Patty. Maka stood to greet him and blushed when he stared at her.

"…Wow. You look beautiful."

"Thanks, Kid. You look amazing, too." He blushed at the compliment and noticed the unlit candles and lighter sitting by the food outside the basket. "Candles?"

"For if we're still out here when it gets dark. I figured we might need them."

"You're really smart, you know that Maka?" Kid asked sitting down. "This looks and smells amazing. I hope you didn't go through too much trouble…"

"No of course not." Maka assured. It only took one and a half hours of standing in a hot kitchen getting burned by oil splashes, she thought. They talked while they ate and continued chatting after. While Maka was lighting the candles she finally noticed that Kid had brought a bow with him.

"What's that, Kid?" she asked pointing to the box next to the reaper.

"Oh! I almost forgot! It's for you," he said with a blush while holding the box out towards her. She took it and he explained while she was opening it "I remembered you talking about a stuffed moose that was your mom's that you didn't have time to grab before the bomb went off. So when I was on a run yesterday I saw this and got it. I know it's not your mom's but I figured you might like it…" He trailed off ad he watched her stare at the half-foot tall moose. When she finally looked up he noticed the tears beginning to spill over from her eyes and dance down her face. He was about to apologize when she tackled him in a hug, knocking both of them to the ground. She buried her face in his chest and said "Thank you, Kid. I didn't know you were even listening when I said that. This means so much. Thank you…" Kid hesitated but eventually wrapped an arm around Maka and rested the other hand on her head. The song changed and Maka instantly recognized it.

Shooting up, Maka held a hand out to a startled Kid and said "May I have this dance?" with an adorable smile that Kid could never say no to. He took he hand and stood up, then hesitated. Maka giggled and took his hands and put them on her waist. She put her hands on his shoulders and they danced as the lyrics began.

You tell all the boys "No"

Makes you feel good, yeah.

I know you're out of my league

But that won't scare me away, oh, no

Maka was mouthing the words now and Kid led them over to the speaker. He bent down to turn it up just as the hook and chorus began.

You've carried on so long,

You couldn't stop if you tried it.

You've built your wall so high

That no one could climb it,

But I'm gonna try.

Would you let me see beneath your beautiful?

Would you let me see beneath your perfect?

Take it off now, girl, take it off now, girl

I wanna see inside

Would you let me see beneath your beautiful tonight?

As the song continued and eventually finished, Maka buried her head in Kid's chest and danced slowly with him, moving and swaying and dipping with the crescendos and decrescendos. By the time the song was over they were just swaying. Maka lifted her head and found Kid's golden orbs staring at her. They both noticed the close proximity of their faces but neither made a move to separate. In fact, they each leaned forward, finding that there was too much space between them. They were mere centimeters apart now, and both worried the other cold hear their heartbeats. When their lips connected, Maka realized that kissing someone never gave her this feeling. She'd had boyfriends in the past, but things always ended on good terms because neither partner felt the spark when they held hands or even kissed. But now, with Kid, she finally felt it. The bubbly feeling, and seeing flashes so realistic you would think fireworks were really going off. Kid had been thinking the exact same things as her and neither noticed when the song changed. When the new song ended they finally separated, gasping for air. Kid smiled and held Maka to him.

"Maka… Would you please do me the honor of being my girlfriend?"

Maka laughed lightly, and the sound sent chills down Kid's spine, "Or course I will Kid."

The night continued with laughs and talks of their childhoods. Maka eventually dozed off and Kid blew out the candles then carried her and everything she had brought outside back into the academy.

Maka and Kid have been dating for a month and a half now, and both know that they love the other, yet neither are willing to say it for fear of moving too fast. It was almost December now, and no one has found anymore family members as walkers since Kim saw her aunt. A week before Halloween.

Blackstar and Soul threatened Kid yesterday, saying if he hurt Maka then Blackstar would use Soul to cut his balls off. Kid didn't even flinch and explained that he would never hurt her, for he loved Maka but didn't want to move too fast with her. Blackstar and Soul just snickered because they heard Maka tell Tsubaki the same thing a few days before.

The group of 7 (much to Kid's dismay) were now sitting together in the DWMA's large auditorium. Lord Death walked on stage and cleared his throat to get everyone's attention.

"Students and teachers of Death Weapon Meister Academy, it is time that I stop hiding things from you. I have recently received solid evidence as to who it was that started this outbreak by looking at the footage in my mirrors. The creatures outside… are in fact human still." This earned multiple gasps from the audience. "Their souls, since most have killed, are mostly Kishin eggs. I have seen what this virus is constructed of, and we just need to create a vaccine and spread it to all infected. Once we do that… We can save the world."

A:N- I know right! It's revealed! Next chapter is more information from Lord Death, then fun, and probably a cliffhanger ending so get ready for that. See ya soon The song is Beneath You Beautiful by Labrinth.