Author's Note: A little something I wanted to do for fun. Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 21: Back Story

The Observant One

You may not know much about me. That's because I tend to fade into the background and observe everyone else… Mostly because everyone seems to need to be observed. My name's Aiden Éclair. I'm a weapon. A flame thrower to be exact. I guess flame ability runs in the family. My mom's a lantern. Her name's Jacqueline. My dad's name is Harvar. I've been told I'm nothing like them. Apparently I'm far more approachable and friendly than either of them. I'm not sure what to say on that. I think my mom's pretty kind. But that's not what I'm here to tell you about. I'm here to tell you about me. See, I'm 13, a weapon, and a student at Shibusen. I've seen a lot in the few months at the school and I'm kinda worried.

Madness is starting to spread. I've heard the professors talking about it. They're worried it's doing of the witches again. If that's the case, then I feel like I should keep I close eye on my partner. He's really head strong and has a huge knack for trouble… That's what screwed us up when we went up against Bloody Mary. Sometimes I wonder, if this is witch related, is there a chance that a war will break out causing us to choose where our ties lie. Gabe doesn't have the best relationship with his parents… but would leave behind his partner to protect his mother's honor?

Hm, maybe I'm too worried. There are other people to be keeping a closer eye on other than Gabe. People don't realize it, but these googles I have with me can see more than you'd imagine and with my meister, we can find even the smallest waver in ones soul…. If only we could properly resonate souls. I know you're thinking, why not sit back and relax? What about school work? Friends? Maybe even girls?

Have you seen the people I spend time with? They're enough for me right. Ayame's like a sister, my meister is my best friend and like a brother to me, as have the other guys. Aimee's pretty, but she's got a boyfriend and I don't know how Liam would take to me flirting with his partner… even if I knew how to flirt. Oh and Ava? She's super cool. She's fun too, but I don't think any of us are at any point to be thinking such things.

Plus, her mom kinda scares me.

The Runaway

Shibusen is nothing like back home! It's amazing. It's colorful. It's like a constant adventure and I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy every moment. I mean, don't get me wrong, sometimes it's pretty terrifying, but I have the most fearless partner that school could provide. My name is Aimee Siochana and I'm 16 years old and weapon partner to THE Shinigami's one and only son. I mean, it's gonna be some kind of rags to riches deal, right? I came from a hippie family, selling hemp garmets and handmade soaps with my parents and adopted siblings to waking up with central air conditioning and constantly running hot water. What more can a girl ask for? As for my partner, he's a cutie.

Liam's different from any boy I've ever met. I mean a lot of the boys at Shibusen are unique, but Liam is something special. I mean, he's a little OCD with this whole anti-germ and keep everything neat and tidy, but there's more than just that. He's proper, polite, well spoken, and an all around little gentleman. I shouldn't speak about him as if he's a child, he is 14 after all, but he's always so kept together. He's what keeps me going despite what I am… What I do. You see, I have this thing. An ability really. When I lose myself, I lose control and I become a weapon that can completely absorb my user and cause damage. I was taken before and I don't remember anything but waking up with dead bodies everywhere, some place I couldn't recognize. The guy I had originally been with had completely freaked himself and wouldn't stop shaking when I tried to calm him myself. I never wanted to use my weapon form again. But then these people came through, on some weird assignment and I saw them in action. They're the ones who recruited me and I left him without a word to find out more about this life. A life where I wouldn't be looked at like some freak of nature.

That's what its like for me here in Death City. I mean, I've already had a boyfriend and a break up, but you live and you learn. Plus, there are bigger things to focus on. Liam's dad, who's a complete hottie by the way, has been saying something about possible threats to the school. I'm certain it has something to do with recent attacks in Seattle, but I usually stay to myself until more details are revealed.

Sometimes, there are things I don't want to know.

The Sympathetic

My mom's the most fun person I know and my dad is just as cool. I'm an only child but I have two people I consider to be my big brother and sister. They're my dad's weapons, Pots of Fire and Thunder. My name's Ava Rung and unlike a lot of my family, I wasn't born in Death City. My parents did a lot of traveling so I was born on the road. I'm a free spirit, just like my mom, my dad says, that's why I wasn't born in a hospital. I'm not sure if that's exactly the truth, but it's fun to tell people.

What you need to know about me is that, yeah, I have a lot of my parents' personality, but I'm still my own girl. I love having fun and all that, but I see myself helping my friends a lot. I'm always the little sister no matter where I go and if I can help others then I will. I guess I got my first taste of that when I met my cousin Liam for the first time. He's two years older than me, but he has weird habits. One time, he found mud on his shoes and wouldn't stop scrubbing until Ayame snatched the cloth from his hand. He's a funny guy. He wants to be so mature, but he's still a kid like the rest of us. He's not the only one who needs that reminder.

My partner Rion is the youngest and smallest one in our class but he's got a lot he tries to do to prove himself. I don't think he needs to prove anything though. He's amazing as a partner. He always listens to ways to make us better as a team and he's even taught me a couple things. He's the cutest really. I don't think he's used to people caring for him though. He's been hurt badly by the people he was with before he came to Shibusen and I don't want that to happen to him ever again.

He got hurt when we went to Seattle. I should have paid closer attention and got us somewhere safe… I won't let that happen ever again.

The Headstrong

My name is Ayame Star Nakatsukasa, I'm 13 years old, a meister and really the biggest competition any one in Shibusen has coming. Yup, I said it and if you know who my dad is, you might assume its genetic, but there's more to me than meets the eye. Firstly, I'm not living to be like my parents, I'm aiming for higher than that. I want to leave a path different from what anyone would ever expect of me. My dad's been striving to bring honor to the Star clan name and I want to make sure that none of this is in vain. That's why I take on every challenge, head high and with pride… I hate to admit it, but I guess I have a soft spot myself though. My mom always likes to point it out.

My partner is my best friend. Zeke. I've known him my entire life and I don't think I'd want anyone else as my partner no matter how much of a hard time I give him. He's always watching out for me and protecting me. He always has. He understands how I am and I understand him. Mom says were like Ying and Yang, just like her and dad. I don't know if she's hinting at something, but I do know that me and Zeke are destined to go far. But it's my fault he was hurt. I should have been more careful. If I had stayed focus, maybe he wouldn't have touched that soul and then…

Everyone says it's not my fault, even him, but the feeling won't go away. I've never seen Aunt Maka look so stressed, but maybe that's because she's seen something that I haven't. She told me to watch for him. To make sure he's himself. I don't know what the means? Is there something that I missed? Is Zeke himself or is there something still inside of him that could take control whenever it wants? He seems the same as always. Still doing better than me in class. Still pulling my hair for fun. Still the same old Zeke I've always known. But sometimes, there's something different about his eyes.

Sometimes, I feel like the Zeke I know isn't the one looking at me.

The Bold

Sometimes I wonder what the hell makes one person that much more valuable than other. I mean, they say blood is thicker than water, but I don't think I'd ever be able to choose between my friends, family, and partner. I mean, my parents are kinda weird. They're both always busy and my mom's not around so much, so my partner's family has become more of a family for me, but I don't think I could choose between the family that raised me and the family that adopted me.

My name is Gabriel Ford, I'm thirteen years old and I'm half witch… Is that the term I want to use? Well my mom's a witch and my dad's normal. So yeah. I don't know. Anyway, you need to know that I'm here to do big things at Shibusen. I want to be the top of the meister/weapon pyramid. I want people to know and respect the name Ford where ever they go. Don't get me wrong, my dad is respected, but not to the same extent as Death Scythe. You see, sometimes I feel like if you're not Death Scythe or Shinigami himself then you don't really matter. I mean, the current Death Scythe isn't the only Death Scythe in the city, but because he's so powerful, he's instantly at the top of the food chain. That's where I want to be and one day I will be, with a gorgeous woman by my side.

In fact, I already have my eyes on someone special. And she really is something special. She's fierce, strong, brave and super cute! She's like the perfect package… I just need her to realize that I'm just as amazing.

I'll be more than another pawn on the chest board.

The Poised

As the son of a Shinigami, it's my place to hold a certain appearance. I realized this at a young age when I realized my mother would act different at dinner parties and such, than she did when she was with family and friends. She told me it was because dad had to show the world that his home was a composed and distinguished as they would expect. I knew that wasn't the case though. You see, my dad has this really insane obsession with symmetry. I don't think there was any bigger celebration than when I turned 8 years old. But I guess crazy runs in the family because I'm not exactly the most stable person you'll meet.

I'm not as bad as my dad, but I've got my own bit of OCD. I hate dirt. Messes to be exact. Germs even more. It's disgusting. How do people honestly live knowing that the impending demise of their immune system lies on a door knob or that fork that's been sitting out on the counter for the past ten minutes? Am I the only one who realizes that a little sanitation, dusting, and bleach would make the world such a better place to live? My best friends, Ayame and Zeke, they understand how I am and for the most part, they let me have my moments, but my partner, she wants to help me get over it.

Aimee's a great person. She's a couple years older than me and considering the life she lived before she came to Death City, I know there are some things she would know more about than me, so I listen to her. She has her own habits that need to be fixed though, don't get me wrong. She's kinda messy and she's always going on about some guy. Dad told me she kinda reminds him of how mom used to be and I cringe at the idea. There's no way my mom was anything like Aimee. She's far more elegant. Before you call me a mama's boy, just know that I'd never speak ill of my mother or father.

My name is Liam Thompson and my father is Shinigami, Death the Kid.

No matter how bad things get in this city, I'll stand by my father, his decisions, and everything that Shibusen orders.

The Orphan

I'm not too fond of telling my story. It's troublesome. People always give me this sad look like they wish they could help me, but the thing is, the damage is done. You can't help me any more. I've gotten away from the problem and the problem was the family, if that's what you want to call it, that I had before I came to Shibusen.

My name's Rion, I'm ten years old, the youngest in my class, and a circus runaway.

My parents died when I was young. I remember their faces really well and the accident as well. We were all in a traveling circus together. It's not like I'm a special case they found sitting on the side of the rode with no home. No, they knew me. These people were there when I was born. When I took my first steps. When I discovered what I was capable of. You see, a pole transforming in the middle of acrobatic performances to a little boy brings in the big bucks. That's what master told me. So I did what I was told but slip ups aren't acceptable. No one's ever gotten hurt because of me, but that's not the point.

The first time my partner saw the scars on my back, she cried. Those marks are a sign of me messing up. That's what I tell her, but she's too kind. She won't accept it no matter what. Ava. She's a really special person to me. Her soul called to me. That's what Maka-Sensei says. She wants to protect me and I want to protect her as well. She treats me like a human, not an item. She worries if she's being too rough with me in training or battles, but I'm tough even if I'm the smallest in our class.

In this new life ahead of me, I want to protect these people who have given me a new reason to live. These people who stumbled on me and directed me to a place where I'm not a freak, but something special.

I don't know what those things were that attacked me and Ava and the others in Washington, but next time, I will be ready.

The Determined

My names Ezekiel Solomon Evans. You can call me Zeke though. I prefer it. When you look at me, you probably see my father, oh, but my mother's eyes and smile. Trust me, I've heard it all before. I like to read. I really enjoy music. I can play two instruments- piano and guitar. It'd be cool to learn another. I'm good in school and I don't really like arguing at all. A lot of qualities about me people say remind them of my parents. Thing is, I'm not my dad and I'm not my mom. I'm me, Zeke.

Maybe that's why I treasure my partner so much. She and I have a lot in common. We both strive for something bigger and better. We want people to identify us as ourselves and not by what our parents have done. No, I'm not going to change who I am, my mom raised me to be far more respectable than that, but I am going to go whatever path takes me where I want to be. There's just one problem.

There was an incident. I got myself mixed up in something I don't think I have full control of. The professors say I'll be fine and it's something they can manage, but sometimes I feel like there's another side of me that wants to come out. At night I have these dreams where I talk to this guy. I never see his face. There's always a shadow blocking his face as he sits in this huge comfy chair in a vacant room. He has a soothing voice and he always tells me to stop holding back my truest desires. I don't know what those desires are but when I snap out of it, I either wake up in a cold sweat or with Ayame yelling at me to pay attention.

I don't get what it is, but I need a better control of this stranger that wants to take over my life.

Author's Note: Sorry I've been kinda delayed with the updates. Life's been catching up with me and I've been a responsible adult, between work and now dating ;) So i've had a lot of distractions. Not gonna lie, they're huge distractions but I'm going to try my best to keep up with updating regularly:)

As usual, please read and review. They keep the fire burning