This is the next chapter. Whew, this is getting hard. I'm honestly losing motivation for this and it may get put on hold for a while. Sorry about that, if I miss more than two updates I'll just put it on the shelf because I'm just losing the drive. I need a muse… anyone got Orlando Blooms numbers? Okay RxR! Enjoy!

Important note: When Kid "killed' Maka he didn't purge the Black, he only cut off her memory from the pain of it. Even if her body were unconscious the black would invade her dream making awful scary…stuff. So she still has it just avoided the initial strike.

You know that feeling you get after waking up from a nap in the middle of the day? When you think it's time for school and you slept in but really it's six o'clock at night? I feel like that times 100. My eyelids feel like cement is sealing them shut and my arms and legs are taped to my body.

"Maka? Are you finally awake?"

Shit… I have to wake up now don't I? Kid is trying to sound unconcerned but the worry is seeping through anyway.

"Do I have to be?" I manage to crack one eye open and find myself very thankful that I am in a room with such soft lighting. Candles flicker in the dark setting a warm and far too romantic mood.

"I supposed you could sleep more if you wanted but you would miss the last day of the festivities." I sigh and push myself up. The covers slide off my chest revealing a white dress shirt. I eye Kid but don't mention it. There's enough to deal with right now.

"How long was I out?"

"About two days?"

"Shit…what happened to me?" I rub my hand down my face shaking out the sore muscles. My body hurts all over and my mind is fuzzy.

"Well, in your fit you tore most every muscle in your body, screamed your throat raw, and had your mind twisted into the worst depths of hell."

"Oh…lovely. And what exactly caused this little out break?" He is suddenly quite. His eyes are averted and his normally still hands wring together.

"I- I was hoping you could inform me. You didn't have a chance to notify us before you lost consciousness." Then, I notice something I missed in the fuzz of sleep. The normally stoic and organized Prince's appearance is disheveled. His shirt is wrinkled and stain with what I hope isn't blood, his hair is tangled and choppy, even his eyes seem to have lost their light.

"Kid? Are you okay?"

He is silent.

"Kid? What's wrong? Are you feeling alright?"

"ME!?" I shrink back at his sudden outburst. He doesn't seem to notice. "ME? What about you? I find you in a dark hallway with the worst man in the literal universe and you are asking about me? What kind of self-oblivious fool are you?"

"I- I was just wondering. You look a little rough and-"

"I look a little rough? Maybe it's because I have spent all my time worrying about you the last two days. You won't tell me what happened and all I have is to assume! Do you know how hard it is to resist the urge to kill that Bastard?*"

His breathing is ragged and his voice horse. I wonder how long it has been since he's eaten or drank. I'm sure he doesn't need to but it can't be healthy either way.

"Thank you." His face contorts in confusion as I say it. He's so cute I can't resist. I reach over and pull him into a hug from his place on the edge of the bed. He's stiff at first but slowly relaxes enough to hug me back, albeit awkwardly.

"Whatever for? I should be apologizing for that horrid display of emotion." He pulls away and I shrug.

"For caring." I beam a smile at him and despite the cold act I can see the muscles near his mouth twitch to hold back his grin. Clearing his throat he rises from the bed to adjust his wrinkled shirt. He looks down in distain before, much to my embarrassment, just removing it and searching for another.

"Well in any event, I am glad you are okay. As a guest of my kingdom I must take any affront to you as a direct insult to my father. Please do tell me what happened."

I try to think back but my mind is so fuzzy. It's like some sort of fog has closed in around that memory and blocks it from view. "I'm sorry Kid, I just don't remember."

He sighs but nods affirmatively. "That is quite alright. It may be for the best anyway. I will see what I can find out."

"I really am sorry. I don't know why I can't remember."

"It is the way of the Black." His eyes stare off into the carpet as he speaks. His voice is hollow and empty of emotion. "It eats at your soul, turning fears into reality, feeding off your madness. It makes you an entirely different person and when you wake up, you don't remember what you had done."

"Kid?" Suddenly he is back, like nothing had ever happened.

"In any event, are you feeling well enough tonight to attend the closing ceremonies?" His eyes are bright as he asks.

"Yeah, I think so."

"Excellent! I shall inform the girls and allow you to get ready." He starts to exits the room before stopping at the door. He turns and then quietly mutters, "I am quite glad you are feeling alright Maka."

"Thank you Kid. I never stay sick long anyway. I got a killer immune system." He nods and closes the door behind him quietly. After a moment I crawl out of bed and stretch out my stiff limbs. Every movement is like plucking rubber bands away from skin and the freedom feels great.

I'll have to ask how I ended up in Kid's room but I'm sure there's a decent reason for it. As I look around his room my eyes land on two beautifully wrapped boxes. I walk over eagerly to read the card placed in the middle.

Dearest Maka,

My apologies but it seems the dress you were so fond of has been lost. I had these two tailored to suit your needs. You may pick whichever of the two you would like and wear them to the banquet tonight.

Yours truly,

Death the Kid

I smile for a moment before the urge to rip apart the beautiful wrapping over takes me. I am astonished by what I see.

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"Kidddddd, are ya ready?" I am sitting in the foyer of our room waiting on the girls. They have spent the last day shopping for this event and my father's accountant has assured me that they spared no expense.

"Yes, Patti."

"Introducing, the most fanciest smanciest, wondrous, beautiest-"

"Okay enough of that." Patti is kicked through the curtain and followed very shortly by Liz. The two are dressed head to toe in emerald green and gold, the colors of the Life kingdom. The both wear variations of the same dress that flows in long deep cloaks of fabric.

"You both look very beautiful." Despite our years together the women still blush. It is times like these I feel selfish for hoarding the two to myself. I have never discouraged them from finding mates and running off with their 'love', but I can sense the hesitance of them to ever leave my side for very long. And that is something that will trap them with me forever.

During my thought's the girl's smiles fade. Patti's eyes have begun to water as her lips form into a pout and Liz's eyes are narrowed. "Is something the matter?"

"You aren't wearing green." Liz looks furious and crosses her arms angrily.

"Yeah Kid. It's tradition that everyone is all green. Why are ya wearing black?" I sigh at Patti and try to think of a lie so she doesn't cry. I am noticing I have become soft lately.

"It was her wasn't it?" Liz's harsh tone jolted the poor girl, finally making her tears fall with understanding.

"Why does she do this to you Kid? Why can't she love you like we do? I promise if she got to know you she'd see you were a nice guy!" I raise my hand and Patti stops. Liz has her arm draped around her little sister in a comforting manner as they stare at me.

"She does this precisely for the same reason she dislikes me. Gods cannot love, and neither can you so stop with such sentimentality's." Her eyes well up again and she turns to weep into her sisters chest.

"Kid. Don't be mad at us, we didn't do anything." Liz rubs slow circles on her back while muttering in her ear.

"It's okay sissy. I'm just sad Kid has to look like that all alone. It's not fair for her to hate him. He didn't do anything." I glance down at my suit. It was delivered today while the girls were out picking up Maka's dresses. The suit is all black, even the undershirt and tie. Skulls form every button fastener and decoration on it. I am the walking entity of death while everyone else may revel in life. The note came with a snake inscribed on it with instructions to wear it tonight. There was not much of an option.

"I know Patti, but the world isn't fair. Not to people like us or Kid. But don't cry, he still looks great." And I suppose she is right. The suit fits well and is symmetrically sound. I look formal and appropriate; it is the principle that holds the insult.

My bedroom door swings open slowly. A figure slowly walks out and I turn away. Suddenly I don't want her, to see the difference between us, the way I am ostracized.

"Woah…Maka you look…" It is strange to hear Liz speechless; she always has an opinion on something.

"Pretty!" Patti finishes for her and I hear Maka chuckle. The girls fawn for a moment before silence falls again.

"Kid?" Her voice calls out, soothing and sultry. I am sure that is not the intent of it but I cannot help but find myself drawn to it. I turn slowly ready to view her and I am astounded.

A tight silk dress clings to her like a second skin. The black drops low and a slit is cut up high to her hip. There is a cut out in the front in the shape of a triangle that shows off only a teasing hint of her smooth stomach. The fabric brushes the ground when she walks and flows behind her like billowing smoke. A thin strand of silk looped around her neck is all that holds it up.

"Maka… You're…"

"Beautiful, perfect, someone you wish for your bride?"

"Wearing black?" The black is deeper than I have ever seen, as if it were pulled right from the midnight sky. It's deep and feels so easy to be lost in. "Both of the dresses I gave you were green, where did you find this?"

I feel myself moving but I can only focus on the beauty to the woman before me.

" Oh right. It seems your father has some interesting foresight into situations. I found this in one of the trunks while I was getting ready. I couldn't help but feel drawn to it." A hand touches her cheek softly and my anger flairs before I notice that it is mine. I stare into her eyes mesmerized by the life I see there. On the surface you see the cool green of the oasis but as I dig deeper I can only see kindness and love. Something all human inherently possess before they lose it to the cruelty of the world, something I hold a major part in.

"You look striking Maka." Her eyes light up with something I cannot pin as she stares into mine. So hypnotized by the other we do not move. There is too much beauty in this moment, too much perfection in an imperfect world.

Liz clears her throat and Maka turns away, a scarlet blush tinting her cheeks. It would look foolhardy and childish on anyone else, but on her it is endearing.

"Love birds, we best be off."

"Yeah I want to eat all the food! I bet they have roasted boar, and ice cream, and candy, and pancakes…" And so it went on all the way to the banquet. I had instructed Liz and Patti to never let Maka out of there sight but whenever she gets close to me I see the needlessness of this command. I am drawn to her. She possesses the one thing I can never have and I would give most anything to have her share just a shred of her humanity with me. But, due to the impossibility of this I will accept just standing by her side.

"What no grand entrance?" I snap out of my daze and find that my party has already reached our destination. The room is grand naturally but it speaks of more of a personal space as opposed to one reserved for special events. An elegantly elongated dining hall stretches a few hundred feet. The large oak table is filled with guest ranking from low exalted to royalty. Silver and gold plates are set and await food while shining under the small sun that BlackStar has provided for the night. Every few seconds with fades to a different color.

"No not this time. This is the closing banquet, a much more casual event."

"Psh… dangerous is more like it." I shoot Liz a look but she ignores it before taking her sister to their spots nearby.

"You know, for body guards, they seem to spend a long time away from you."

"Fear not, should any ill will befall me I can guarantee they will be by my side in less than a second. Shall we take our seats?" I hold out my arm and she smiles. I smile back, finding myself completely taken with her charms, something that has not escaped those around me.

"Look it's that girl again."

"What is she doing with the prince?"

"Why is she wearing black?"

"Are they… matching?"

"I heard she's his human sex toy."

"Me too, and that he was so captivated by her beauty he stole her away from her realm."

"Don't be stupid she isn't that beautiful."

"Well then she must legendary in bed, the Death Kingdom is pretty strict about interacting with humans, at least living ones."

A different whisper draws my attention however, Maka has slightly leaned forward before covering her mouth with a red laced fan. Black roses are stitched into the pattern. I must remember to either kill or thank my father.

"Why aren't we sitting with the girls?"

"This is a royal function, while we treat our servants and guards as close trusted friends not every kingdom is so kind."

"…I'm not sure I like these people."

"You can…how you humans say, join me in the blunt wooden object*." She giggles before dropping the fan back to her wrist. Other women's eyes glare in envy but she doesn't seem to notice, or more likely care about the others opinions. It is something I truly admire.

We arrive at the head of the table and I pull out a chair for Maka. She sits graciously and I take a seat to her left. The lead seat and the one to my left are empty and on a fools whim I wish for them to stay that way. But, as the saying goes, if wishes were fire we all would have burned.

Maka is telling me a story about when she was a child when silence interrupts her recollection. It was so abrupt and noiseless it was impossible not to notice.

"Oh friends, no need to stop chatting on my account, please continue to enjoy your small talk." They start again as soon as they stopped but a mechanical feel flows its way into every conversation. Soon they only ones still hushed are myself, Maka, Darkness, and Light.

Finally as a chair is pulled out I am forced to pull my attention from Maka and greet our host. I stand before reaching to kiss her hand. "Medusa, how lovely to see you."

"You always have been such the gentleman, Prince. It makes me wonder how you did it within such heathen masses." She smile is gentle yet lethal, exposing the insult hidden in the compliment. A deep green dress flows in long waves behind her, showing too much skin, exposing too much of her to be considered elegant. "And who might this be?"

Medusa has sat and now stares over at Maka who has calmly faced forward until addressed. "You girl, what is your name?"

"Maka Albarn, your majesty." Her head bows slightly in a respectful way. Hey eyes blink slowly and a small but noticeable smile is painted on her face. Deep down I can see she doesn't mean a word of it.

"How nice to meet you. Prince Death, please have a seat. You are being rude." I sit and she turns her attention back to my guest. "What lovely and vibrant eyes you have. They are the deep emerald of life stones and spark with the fire of one."

"You are too kind, your majesty."

"Oh there is no need for formalities my child. You may call me Medusa. You are not a low and insignificant creatures like the rest of this dreck before us. Isn't that right, Animas?" A beautiful woman further down the table rises and bows.

"Yes my queen, we are all the lowest of trash who you have chosen favor for. Please accept my sincerest gratitudes."

Medusa turns away before saying a word and back to Maka. She is still smiling sweetly but the way she is crushing my hand under the table shows the rage the surface will not.

"Thank you Medusa."

"Please do tell where you get those marvelous eyes from my sweet. Such eyes must be a treasured trait, no?" I do not like where this is going.

"My mother's side. My father used to tell me her eyes were deeper than any green that could be seen on earth."

"How poetic. He is correct you know. Eyes that color are a rare sight indeed. They hold the essence of life in them."

Shit.

"Essences of life?" Maka questions quietly while slightly releasing her grip on my hand. I can feel the curiosity drip its way into her voice. It's a dangerous topic, and one that could end badly.

"Yes, it's the trait that binds humans to the earth and sea, connecting them with it, and in turn life itself. A trait that has died out in recent generations I fear."

"I agree, that is…tragic."

"Indeed, all the more reason why you should join my kingdom." Medusa takes a bite of a nearby apple causing multiple stomachs to growl, but still no one uncovers the silver trays. They don't dare try, unless their queen gives the order.

"What the- I mean, forgive me what do you mean by that?" She releases her grip but I keep my hand resting on hers, partly for some show of support and partly to contain my own anger.

"Why my dear, the gift of life is a rare one, to see it in a human soul is remarkable. It is only right you leave the plague of death and join the side of life and happiness. You would be wasting your talents otherwise. Such marvelous talents." She tosses the apple to Maka and it turns in the air. The bite from the apple has browned and began to rot. I can see death slowly consuming the oxidized flesh as time ticks by, a simple side effect of the absence of life.

However, as Maka catches it, the rot stops. Slowly, life consumes it, growing the mass back from nothing, reversing the damage time has done. All while she stares unknowingly at the fruit.

"That is quite a wondrous trick Medusa, but I fear I must decline your offer." I dare hope as she squeezes my hand but do not let my wishes get the best of me. She rolls the apple across the table and back to Life.

"Maka, do not speak so swiftly. I can offer you great power, happiness, life; more than he or his father could ever give you." Her smile is long and snakelike. Her eyes squint slightly at the affront of the refusal. Maka treads in dangerous water and I can do nothing but hope she will not drown.

"I assure you that I am perfectly content with Kid. His father is a kind and giving man and I plan to remain with them until they dictate otherwise. I am very honored by your offer however."

"But, Maka-"

"Ms. Albarn, if you please. My name is only lent to the very few who know me closely." By now the entire dining room has heard, the human not only refused Life, not once, but twice. And now, the hushed crowd leans closer in trepidation of the queen's response to the veiled insult.

After a near eternity Medusa breaks her stare with the girl and laughs. Throwing her head back and enticing others at the table to do the same until everyone but the gods are in an uproar. But, as soon as she stops the rest of the party grinds unnaturally to a halt.

"Very well, Ms. Albarn, as you wish. I enjoy your fire, it does credit to what you carry. But remember, my offer will still stand."

"Indeed I will. Thank you, your majesty."

"Slaves!" As she shouts vines shoot up from around the room. They flower and burst open to reveal beautiful and nude servants carrying trays. The guest applaud while the exalted slaves look up at the queen while awaiting orders. A nearby nobleman helps himself to a handful of one of the girls as a tester. I find it sickening. "Let the dinner begin!"

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From the diary of Patti

Today I got to dress up pretty and go to a dinner with big sis and Kid… oh and Maka. We had lots of food and danced a whole ton too. I think Maka made Medusa mad but I couldn't tell cause we were so far away. Anyway, later when we were dancing a cute guy asked me to dance with him. I think he only did it to look good but he was so handsome I didn't mind! I asked big sis about seeing him again but she just shook her head. She said I won't see him again, like ever! She said because we can't become exhaled for a very long time I will never be able to have anything with him so I should just give up. I don't remember what we did but it's been so long. When do we get to be exalted and reborn? Could it have really been so bad that it's taking so longggggg? What if we were bank robbers, or if we were vampires that started a war with werewolves over forbidden love?! That would be so cool! I'm so excited, I think I'll ask big sis tomorrow!

Love

Pat Pat

P.S. Maka looked like a dark version of Jessica Rabbit… it was so pretty I just didn't want to forget.

That was just a little bit of fun for the Kiddies. A little side story type thing. Well did you enjoy? Let me know!

NOTE TIME!

*Bastard: An insult and a fact. Due to Medusa having him but his father being human and thus "dying"( there are some rumors around that), he has no father and is a literal bastard.

*Join me in the blunt wooden object: Join the club… way to kill a joke.