Hey guys next chapter. I know it's odd timing. I really need people breathing down my neck to get this stuff done. Anyway, it was really funny. I was thinking of the new age of ultron trailer and where he's talking about strings. Which lead me to batman which made me think of how funny this story would be if everyone wore a bane mask. Right well rxr

When Maka woke up, something seems a bit different to her. By this point she was used to waking up next to Kidd. As a matter-of-fact, even if she was bothered by it she would still let him. If only for the sake of sanity that comes when he's fully rested. The last time she denied him it took 3 hours of reorganizing their camp before they left.

He was quiet, not that it was a new thing for him. But this quiet was a more at peace kind, as if he were thinking of something. Not bad or good, just something that was on his mind. She had meant to ask him what was wrong but when she went to tap his shoulder and his hand accidently brushed hers she found herself losing her nerve.

The girls seemed rather oblivious to all of this as they packed up the camp. Very shortly the trio of demons were ready to depart with their human guest. After a few hours of traveling the dusty rock began to give way to plants. At first it was just a small bush and a few blades of grass but the further they continued on the land gave way to huge canopied trees. Fruits and flowers of every species Maka had ever seen (and many she hadn't) dotted the trunks and were nestled in the branches.

The temperature too began to change. While it was still unbearably hot, it became more humid. Maka was convinced she could feel water in the air if she tried. The hard rough ground of the desert gave way to a soft wet sand.

"Kidddddd! Are we there yetttttt?" Patti whined from her spot on her horse. At some point she had switched her position to laying in a U-shape over her saddle and letter her arms brush the leaves.

"Stop whining. It's very unattractive in a girl." Liz countered but she didn't seem much happier. The dense jungle seemed out of their usual elements.

"Almost it should be just through these trees." As Kid had promised the leaves gave way to bright sun light. At first Maka was blinded by the sheer intensity of it. But, as he eyes adjusted, she look out to see some of the most beautiful coastline ever imagined. The pristine white beach was being crested by turquoise blue waves. The sky here was bright blue and for a moment Maka thought she was back on earth.

"It's beautiful. I have never seen a sky so blue." The girls had taken the lead again and were riding at a slightly brisker pace now that the wind could cool them off.

"Yes. Tsubaki is one of us closest to the humans. She is still worshiped through cultures today and always has been. As such she has been known to immerse herself in many of the same things as they have."

"Tsubaki? You mean the Light Goddess? We are in her kingdom?"

"Yes, Father said we needed to meet with her but I do believe he was just forcing a vacation on us." Kid seemed somewhat off put by the through but urged his horse forward. Maka tore her eyes away from the scenery to follow him.

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"Here we are!"Kid declared while walking over an unassuming part of the beach.

You have got to be kidding me. Maka thought as she looked around. the only living quarters in sight was a beaten up old beach shack. Now Maka was no snob but compared to the other Kingdoms she had been in, Light's palace seemed kind of… dingy.

Before she could think of an awkward and more than likely see-through response small puffy clouds the size of beach balls came whizzing toward her. "Hello Miss Maka. Prince Death. Demon Twins. The Lady has sent us out to greet you. She is currently making refreshments."

Maka was slightly surprised that just like other kingdoms she had servants, they just weren't people. "Come along Maka. Just leave your horse there. They will remain here."

Maka did as she was told and true to his word the animal only wandered a few feet away before bending down to nibble near the dunes. Without another word she and Kid walked towards the porch with Kid and the sisters trailing behind them.

When they got there the cloud puffs travelled through the ramshackle door leaving Maka staring at the small entrance. Kid swung open the door and gestured her in. The light coming from it was too bright to make anything out but Maka knew her eyes would adjust once she was inside.

However, what she didn't expect was the giant grand stair case and beautiful marble flooring. A huge chandelier hung from the tall ceiling reflecting light from the floor to ceiling windows like disco ball. Potted plants were everywhere and Maka could even see full grown palm trees near the back of the room.

"It's… so big." She continued to stare in awe at the small detailed littering the room. The floor was flaked with gold giving off the feeling of walking in a sea of solid sun light and white curtains billowed inwards from the open windows in an ethereal beauty.

"Ah yes, the house is just a portal to here. She says it's something about not ruining the natural beauty of the place." Kid answered with a roll of his eyes.

That's new. Maybe I am rubbing off on him. She smiled inwardly to herself.

"Mistress Maka? Would you please follow us? We know the lady is so excited to see you? The clouds from outside had morphed into 2 little dogs. They were still cloud like and almost see through but she could definably tell they were dogs.

"Oh my gosh! You are so cute! I will do whatever you sayyy!" While Maka was not the kind of girls to fall for the puppy in the purse cliché she couldn't help herself. The very fact that they were the first animals she had seen since coming that weren't covered in black goo and trying to attack her made her feel so… light.

"Hehe. Hey Kid maybe you should get Maka a puppy." Liz joked as she followed behind the entranced girl.

"Not likely."

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It was a short walk through the manor but that was mostly because of the connection portals. Tsubaki never understood the idea that people should have to have to think about where they are going in their own home. So there was really only ever one door from a room but it could lead you to any room you wanted to go with just a thought.

As the small talking animals were explain this to the very entranced Maka Kid was trailing behind. He couldn't help but think how much happier Maka could be here. She would have any number of places to visit and it was most like her home. She may even have a pet that wasn't demon spawn.

"I know what you are thinking. Stop it." Liz always seemed to know what was going on in his head when his thinking got too deep. It was a talent he never questioned because quiet frankly he was far too scared of the answer. "Even if she would be happier here. And she wouldn't. Tsubaki could never protect her like we do. You know as well as I do she's a lover not a fighter."

Kid simply nodded as they finally passed through the portal. While Maka still needed guiding he was familiar enough with Light's kingdom he simply thought after its master. He arrived in a cozy brick kitchen with a warm fire roaring in the over. Nearby Tsubaki had Maka buried face first in her chest.

"Honey! It is so good to see you! I know we didn't talk much at the banquet but I just took such a shine to you I was always wondering how you were. Would you like some tea? It's fresh?"

"Mmmhrmmsmmmh." Maka muffeled from her position. Tsubaki turned bright red and began to apologize as soon as the kettle started to whistle. Kid who as very familiar with Light's drifting mind took it upon himself to serve the tea and pour three cups. It seem that the sisters had wandered off to another part of the palace, no doubt to cause trouble.

"It's so bright here! I love all the windows!" Tsubaki was about to reply when one of the windows shattered into a million tiny pieces and a blur of blue came flying in.

"All the better for me to make my awesome entrances with my dear! Yahooooo!" BlackStar shouted at her before wrapping her in a large hug that greatly resembled a bear hugging a fawn. Kid was a bit shocked to find that feeling again. The knot at the back of his throat.

"Shadow." Whispered Tsubaki. It was rare they ever called each other by the names Life gave them. Hearing them just brought back too many memories. Finally he had let her go and Kid could breathe again. He could sense the tension coming from him and forced himself to relax. BlackStar too had picked up on it and was in a defensive stance.

"Forgive me. It has been a long journey." Maka who was oblivious to the situation was pouring another cup of tea.

"What, you creep? Do you wait outside for windows and listen for the right parts of conversations to come in on?"

"What conversation? Was my greatness interrupting? Well it's never interrupting. "

"You know when I said the thing about the windows?" BlackStar just looked blankly at her.

"Wow. You are so strange."

"No! I am the great BlackStar and this is NZXT9! I call her…Jodie!" With that BlackStar ripped another supernova star out of his pocket and everyone had to evacuate as Tsuabki's kitchen collapsed into a black hole.

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Kid was sitting under a beach umbrella and watching the girls play in the water. It had been a few days since they had arrived and the 'business' he had with Light was just signing a paper for his father. Never had he been more sure this was just a set up. However, after he had announced that their work was finished and it was time to return home Maka had insisted on staying to play on the beach, 'just once' and somehow he relented. it was that swim dress of hers. They certainly make them smaller in this generation….

"Kid." Black Star had instead wandered out into the deeper water to wrestle with the legendary monsters from throughout time. He manage to make it back with just a small cut on his shoulder that was in the process of healing. Without another word he sat next to the Prince.

"Must be important. You are never quiet." He kept his eyes on the girls and so did BlackStar. Kid had no interest in the beach or the water. It would just get him dirty so he just sat. But, watching Maka smile was worth more to him than any setting.

"You have gotten observant."

No response.

"But not more talkative. It's about the girl. She's changing you."

"I am aware."

"Why?"

"I am unsure."

"Do you like what you are becoming? What she is doing to you?"

"I… I cannot tell. I feel different things with her. Not always good. Things that in all my years I had never felt before."

"We have always been close, right Kid?" Kid nodded. "Darkness and death go hand in hand."

"Where is this going Shadow?"

"I only say this for your sake, and hers. Something is coming Prince. He may be able to force my shadows but they know what they are made of. I can still hear them whisper."

"What's coming BlackStar." Kid's voice was low. Strained even as he watched Maka turn to smile and wave.

"War."

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"It was soo nice to see you! Come back anytime you want! I will make you more sandwiches and tea."

"By Tsubaki, you too BlackStar!"

"Always remember the great- oof!" Kid watched Maka wave one more time before spurning Bronte forward. The girl's road farther ahead to set up camp before they arrived. There was not fear of danger in Tsubaki's land. Everything here was controlled by her, even the plants would stop any bloodshed.

"They seem so…happy." Maka stated with a pained look.

"The plants?"

"What?"

"Nevermind. My mind was elsewhere. Who?"

"Tsubaki and BlackStar. They are just so perfect for each other. It isn't fair that they can't be together."

"Indeed. Even though they can no longer love it was too hard to let go completely."

"Why do they do it? Even though you say it's gone I can still feel it."

"Well, for Light and Shadow it was different. There love was never one of the strictly emotional sort."

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"It's a part of our history." When she did not relent Kid explained. "From the beginning they knew love. While light was created first, Darkness was made by Life only for her. He would never love anyone else and would give everything he had for her in the same was she would for him. However, Life did not see the flaw in her design. While Darkness was created to give the earth reprisal from Light's element, Shadow was made just for her and thus still had light in him as well."

"The stars…" Maka stared in awe up at the fading to purple sky. There would not be any stars she remembered there. The ones here had all died out millennia ago.

"And the moon. So really the humans were never devoid of Light's love for them. However, as shadow chased her through the sky the humans could rest and if they were inclined look at the love Darkness also had for them, it was never something he chose. It was just a side effect of having Light as a part of him. He never really loved the humans on his own."

"What does this have to do with-" Kid shot her a dark glare. "Right, sorry."

"The problem came one day when Shadow did finally catch her. She was high in the sky over the humans. It was a warm season and they were out in the fields harvesting. After years of running, for the first time her ever caught her. And they both were so happy we could all feel it from our temples. However, the humans could see it. The light from her had been over taken by the darkness he possessed leaving nothing but a small halo to see by. "

"A solar eclipse." Kid nodded.

"The humans were distraught. They had been sure they had in some way displeased her and offered her many things but she was not concerned with material items. She wanted nothing more than to keep holding Shadow. The longer she did though, the more the cropped wilted, and the people panicked. Finally Life had no choice but to break them apart. Light was so desperately confused and upset she had refused to rise at all, leaving the humans with just Darkness and his pieces of her. Seeing no other route Life made the two a deal. They would forever chase each other in the sky but once every year he would catch her and they could embrace.

Once Medusa took over and destroyed love they were unconcerned. They had refused to fight because they didn't think what she had done applied to them. However, the first time they embraced afterward they near-instantly ripped apart. It was nothing like it had been. Ever since then they felt the draw to each other physically but the emotional part is what scars them because it is what they felt so deeply in their souls.

"You have souls?

"Of course we have souls Maka. Why do you think we have strings?"

"So she still loved him, even though it hurt her to think about what it used to be?"

"A god's love is eternal. Even if it is gone, a small part will never let go. It will eat us from the inside until nothing is left but want to be with them."

"Did your mother love you?" Kid halted his narration. The question was a strange one, but even stranger still he was not afraid to answer.

"From what I remember I would say yes."

"So…"

"What?"

"Why Kid? Was it so she could remember? Why not Child in that case it means the same thing?"

"…Maka? Where do you think your word Kid came from?"

"What?!"

Dear diary,

Soooo it was soooo much fun playing in the water allll day. I wanna do it again like…all the time. It was also so cute watching Maka play with the ghost puppies. But, big sis told me not to tell her that they were dead. That it might upset her. It's weird Light always had animals after all she's where they go when they die. Why is it sad? I think running out of cake is sad. Light's kingdom is not sad. In fact! I even made this hugee sand castle. With a working drawbridge and everything.

Well sis says I gotta go. Camp is near the dead place and we don't want any spooky monsters wandering in… bye!

3 Patti