AN: Finally I'm back. Sorry I took so long but I ran into some serious writer's block with this story. And then someone threw away my story notes. Everything that I ever planned about the end of the story was gone. Lost forever. So I had to go back and read the whole story so I could remember what direction I was going to take it. However, now that I've picked it up again I plan to finish it. So let's get this show back on the road.

Shout out to Dr-Crankestien for being my beta. Love ya man.

*Review Response*

Chabeli05: Thank you so much. It's great to hear from my readers. Thank you for reading and reviewing.

TrypMonster: It's one of the few details I strive for with FF. I'm glad I've been able to sway your opinion on the pairing. Though I am curious, what drew you into the story? Thank you for reading and reviewing.

Grz: I do, right now. Thank you for reading and reviewing.

Moonlightphonix-xX: Yes indeedy. I listened to music from Buffy the Vampire slayer to write Kid's soul XD I hope to continue to meet your expectations. Thank you for reading and reviewing.

The Egoist's Girlfriend: Yes, yes I am. Thank you for reading and reviewing.

Emma-sempai: I'm working on it. Thank you for reading and reviewing.

SkYeLiMiT: I'm glad you like the back-story. When I first started, I worried that it wouldn't hit off with the fans. I love character depth, love it so much! I hope you enjoy the rest of the story. Thank you for reading and reviewing.

Crona relished the night air on her skin as she walked through the broken city. If she wanted to live, truly live, then she would have to kill Shinigami-sama; regardless of her mother's wishes. This went beyond petty grudges.

Shinigami-sama was a fearsome opponent. No doubt he had been training to defeat someone like her for years, surrounding himself with powerful weapons. If she was really going to go through with this, she'd need help.

The pinkette sighed. Being of awkward social standings, she didn't have many allies. Then there was the fact that Kid still had bonds with his old life. She would have to find a way to sway his opinion permanently. An incentive of some kind for turning on his father completely. At this, she grinned. If she had to destroy everything to protect him, he'd have to do the same.

She could feel the power within her grow restless. At first, thin, white threads extended from her wavelength. They became tangled in the shreds of Ragnarok's soul and wove a stained tapestry of feathers. She sighed and the now formed wings extended; potential radiance smothered by her madness.

-8-0-8-

The floor of Lord Death's chambers would have been worn through by Shinigami-sama's pacing, were it not infused with magic. Everything had gone horribly wrong. In his attempts to protect their way of life he had pushed away his son. While he'd admit he hadn't been thrilled when Kid first arrived into his life. It didn't mean he didn't love his son.

-Flash-Back-

"Are you sure this is going to work?" Shinigami-sama asked as he tried on the new mask.

"Of course it will," Spirit reassured, "I've been telling him about you for months." While Shinigami-sama sorted out the mess Iroha and the Kishen left behind, Kid had to continue to live at Shishuben. Spirit had been charged with caring for the boy. Over time, Shinigami-sama came to terms with the fact that Iroha had a child, that was now, supposedly, in his care.

"But what if he doesn't like me? The last time I saw him, he hid behind you." Shinigami argued.

"That's what the new mask and cloak are for. A second chance at a first impression." Sprit smacked him on the back. "As far as he'd concerned, you're now a great hero. Now go in there and surprise Kid."

Lord Death took a deep breath and stepped into the death room. Gray lined a long table. His faculty clapped as Kid blew out eight candles on a white cake.

"We have a special surprise for you." Marie grinned.

"Another present?" Kid asked in wonder, this being his first birthday party.

"Sort of," Spirit chuckled. Kid turned toward the voice and was shocked to see a man, just like the drawings Spirit had shown him.

"Daddy?" Kid asked slowly. When Shinigami-sama nodded the child grinned. "Daddydaddydaddy!" He hopped out of his chair and hugged the figure. "Did you come here to take me home to a mansion?"

"It's, uhh... under construction, right now." Lord Death fibbed. "To-err... give you your own hallway." At this Kid leapt for joy and went to tell the staff, giving him a chance to ask Spirit.

"What all did you tell him about me exactly?"

-Flash-Back-End-

Lord Death finally took a seat, letting his hand rest on the back of the chair. So many souls had become frantic in the ending chaos. It was hard for them to revert back to normal when an unknown threat peaked on the horizon. He closed his eyes and hoped to rest for a moment. However, something pricked at the back of his mind and he focused his attention to seek out the soul that was currently harassing him.

That's when he saw it. The winged soul suffocating in madness. The Sekaigami had awakened.

-8-0-8-

"Hey," Crona said as she reentered the room, "you're still awake." Kid turned and looked at her.

"Yeah, I couldn't fall asleep." Kid shrugged. "I did figure this out though." He brought a hand up and touched one of the vines that had grown into the room. In an instant it withered and curled in on itself.

"Does it work on people?" Crona asked as she crossed the room.

"I don't know," Kid admitted. "I've never tried it on another human being." Crona rested her hand on his and pulled it away from the vine.

"I wouldn't worry about that now." He looked up at her. He didn't want to use his power to hurt others as she had suggested. "A lot has happened over the last few days." She grinned wildly as she dragged her hand up his arm. "You should take the chance to relax a bit."

"Crona?" Kid looked up at the girl who wore a deceptively sweet smile. Even through the veil of madness, Kid was certain this wasn't how Crona normally acted. His heart hammered in his chest. "What do you propose?" She couldn't possibly be suggesting what was going through his head.

"I'm so glad you asked." Crona purred. "It's a little too late to do anything now. But I was thinking that tomorrow we could do a little poking around. There has to be something in this town we haven't seen yet." There was mischief in her eyes.

"Sure." Kid agreed.

"Glad you agree." She kissed him passionately. "Get some rest, okay?" Kid struggled to calm the cinders in his heart. As she had said, it was late, he could hold out a little longer.

-8-0-8-

Noah walked into Gopher's room, tense in his movements. The girl was crying silently on her cot. He wasn't certain what she expected him to do.

"Hey!" He quipped. Gopher flinched and wiped the tears from her face.

"Yes Noah-sama?" Gopher looked up at him.

"Don't let something like this happen again." He said blindly."You aren't supposed to let anyone touch you other than me. And... and if someone does anyway, I'll kill them."

"O-Okay Noah-sama." Gopher nodded. This seemed to have the desired effect; his vassel had stopped simpering.

"And stay away from the Book of Eibon." He added. "I'll find a way out of this myself."

-8-0-8-

The morning light was filtered by a thick layer of clouds. Still, it was warm enough to walk around the decaying town.

Crona attempted to primp in the reflection of a broken mirror, then scowled. This was pointless. Her appearance had always been rubbish, why change now?

"Shini-kun, are you awake?" She asked through the thin door.

"Yes." He stepped out and offered the girl his arm. "Are you ready to go?" She giggled.

"Of course" She guided him out of the building and toward the old theme park. "I see the lines have disconnected." She commented, if only to buy her a little time. She needed to psyche herself up for her planned deception.

"I can't keep all of my shinigami powers and be at the whim of madness at the same time." He shrugged. They walked past dead leaves and shriveled rides.

"Was it worth it?" She asked, leaning into him. "Trading order for power?" She had successfully distracted him with her banter. As he mulled the question over, she slipped the door to a broken Ferris wheel open.

"I'd say so." He smirked. "For once I don't have to worry about upholding balance."

"That must have been stressful." Crona agreed. She led him into the car of the ride, closing the door behind them. "Though I'm ashamed, I haven't properly thanked you."

"For what?" Crona inched closer.

"For fighting for me." She kissed him and pulled him close. "That is; if you'll accept my gratitude." He kissed her back heatedly. Off balance, they pitched into the wall. Crona's back was the only thing keeping them from falling to the floor. Kid's hands roamed up her body and she tensed.

"You don't have to do this if you really don't want to." He muttered into her neck.

"I-I don't know what you mean." Crona groaned as his fingers found a particularly vulnerable spot. Reluctantly, Kid pulled away to look Crona in the face.

"I wouldn't want to do something you're uncomfortable with." She moved her thigh ever so slightly, finding proof of the contrary. He moaned. "I love you Crona."

"You love me?" She growled and pulled him down for another kiss. "Then prove it." He catered to his desire and grinded against her.

"I'll do anything." He panted into her ear.

"Anything?" She grinned.

"Yes, anything." He murmured; more of a mantra then a declaration. She wrapped her legs around his waist.

"Kill Lord Death for me." His reply wasn't immediate, as her request had to be deciphered through the haze.

"I'll do it." At this she smiled against his ear, her fingers tracing up the back of his neck. That night, they didn't leave the fairgrounds.