Author's note: Ok so warning in this chapter I'm introducing an odd concept. I did this to give you some information on the angels and also to show how different the limbo angels are from the ones in heaven or hell. Also Adramelech did not cause 9/11, the building was just a regular apartment building. Remember that demon was actually very weak believe it or not. So with that let's begin.

Death walks slowly down the hall, his feet making no noise, he's silent and deadly. His eerie eyes stare straight forward not even giving the angel's that bow before him a glance. The reflection of this boy from off the polish floor looks more like a shadow, he is nothing but darkness, the only color coming from his eyes.

Death stops before a familiar pair of red doors, he's been coming here a lot more lately after the girl had inhabited it. He points at the doors and they open at his command, they obey his command as all should.

"Mortal it's time to-" The boy walks into the room and stops as his yellow eyes fall on the girl.

"M-Mom..." The girl is whimpering, liquid falling from her eyes. Her face is scrunched up, her lower lip quivering. She moves around restlessly, the bed covers no longer on her. Her eyes are squeezed so tight. "M-mom...p-please…" The girl sobs, her shoulders shaking.

Death studies her, his face giving nothing away. His eyes fall on the liquid that keeps falling down her cheeks, they're staining the pillow she's laying on…Death doesn't like the liquid, he's never liked it. He has seen so much of that liquid, it always comes with death, he always causes it. Death's eyes never fall off the girl as he walks slowly towards the bed, being so quiet and careful.

"D-don't..." she's pleading, her body trembling.

The boy stops right by her bed, right by her, looking at her with blank eyes. How much liquid can be in one girl? Or really how much liquid can be in any mortal? It comes out so much, he causes it so much. He's used to it, but for some reason...he doesn't like the liquid more when it's falling from her eyes.

"Shhh." Death reaches out his hand and lightly touches her forehead, it lights up as the girl hiccups, her lip stops quivering, her body goes still, and her face lets go giving it an emotionless appearance. "Peace." He whispers as he gently wipes the liquid off her cheeks with his thumbs, the skin feeling soft under his touch. The girl moves, but that's it. She would not awake, not yet. He didn't want her to.

The reaper lets go of her face to grab the covers, he pulls them over the girl till it's at her neck. She mumbles in her sleep, but she still does not awake.

"..." Death looks down at the girl's face...when her lips turn in a small smile...a smile of content he experiences an odd feeling...he doesn't know how to explain it but he knows he likes the smile better than the liquid. Death didn't see much of them.

The boy takes one last look at her before he slowly walks out of the room, leaving as quietly as he came in. the reaper making sure the doors close just as silently.


"Mommy! Mommy!" A little girl runs into her mother's room, tears falling down her cheeks. At seeing her daughter the woman gets up from her bed and quickly goes towards her.

"Maka what's-

"Mommy you have to come quick! S-something is wrong with Sprinkles!" The girl grabs her mother's hand, dragging her into the other room quickly and into her room.

Maka lets go of her hand to run to her small bed that has a cage on it. She grabs something on her bed as her mother walks closer, a frown on her face. "Mom, Sprinkles! He's not moving! What's wrong with him? Is he sick?" Maka holds out both her hands to her mother, a small hamster lays in them.

It's lifeless, its chest doesn't move.

The small animal's fur that used to be shiny looks dull. Her mother frowns more as her daughter looks at her desperately. "He's just sick right? He's going to be ok right?"

"Maka…baby..." Her mother sighs as she sits on the bed next to her little daughter, the girl looking at her with big watery eyes. "I'm sorry to have to tell you this but..." She slowly takes the small animal from her hands, holding it in her own. "...Sprinkles is dead, baby."

"W-what?" Maka's eyes get wide, the tears falling down more. "B-but he can't be dead! We...we just p-played together today...maybe...maybe he's just asleep?"

"No…no baby...he's dead." Her mother looks at the tiny animal wishing really that she was wrong but it's still lifeless.

"B-but...Sprinkles was my b-best friend!" The little girl sobs, her small body shaking as she looks at the hamster. "He...he will come back right? ...He can't be gone right?"

"I know Sprinkles was your best friend...oh baby I'm sorry" The woman embraces her daughter, holding the small girl close to her as she trembles. "...Sprinkles isn't coming back baby...he's gone."

"W-where did he go?" Maka sniffles against her mother, her tears wetting her shoulder.

"To heaven of course." Her mother lets go of her and smiles warmly. "All hamsters go to heaven."

"..I don't want Sprinkles in heaven I want him here with me!" The tears keep falling. "W-why did he have to die?"

"Nobody knows why anything has to die...but I can tell you he is in a better place. He may not be here with us, and we will miss him but he will always be in our hearts." She puts a hand on her daughter's chest. "We will keep his memories and he will live on through us. Don't be sad baby, sprinkles probably having the time of his life right now."

"D-do you think he will miss us too?" Maka rubs her eyes. "D-do you think he will remember us?"

"How could he forget someone like you?" Her mother smiles and pokes her nose. "He will miss you dearly."

"G-good because I miss him so much!" Maka sob.

"I know...how about I take you to the pet store and we can get a new Sprinkles?" Her mother meant well but the little girl pulls away from her, looking at her in disbelief.

"We can't get a new Sprinkles! There is only one Sprinkles and he's..." Her eyes fall on the small animal and she sniffles. "He's dead...I don't want any other hamster unless it's him."

"Okay baby... Mommy didn't mean anything by it, I just wanted to make you feel better."

"I know..." Maka sniffles... "I-if Sprinkles died..." She looks up at her mother with eyes filled with fear. "D-does that mean I will too?"

At this her mother pulls her into a tight embrace, holding her so close. "No baby, of course not."

"W-what will happen if I die? Will I see Sprinkles again?" She hugs her mom back. "Will…will we still be together?"

"I promised you that we would always be together and I meant it. I will hold on to you, you're not getting away from me." She rubs her head against her daughters. "Me, you, your father, and Sprinkles will always be together. Death can't separate us. Sprinkles is gone but you will never forget him will you?"

"N-no never." Maka shakes her head, her eyes wide.

"You keep him alive that way." She gives her daughter a smile.

"Ok.." Maka sniffles and wipes her running nose.

"let's give Sprinkles a good burial." Her mother gets up. "Wait here."

Maka nods her head as she leaves. In a few minutes she's back with a small box. Maka raises an eyebrow, her face falls in horror as she sees her mother place the hamster into the box.

"W-what are you doing?"

"Oh this is his coffin." Her mother looks at the panicked look of her daughters face and frowns. "It's to bury him in."

"You're putting him in a box?" The little girl's lips quiver at staring at it.

"It's just his body baby, Sprinkles isn't really here. It's just a place where his body can rest."

"...Mommy do me a favor." Maka looks at her mother seriously. "...Please don't ever put me in a box when I die...that's just scary."

"Please don't even talk about that baby." Her mother frowns deeply. "You don't have to worry about that, it won't happen."

"...Ok" Her eyes watch as her mother puts the top on the box, her eyes getting glossy again at just the thought of Sprinkles being in there...even if it's just its body...it's in a box...and he's gone.

"I love you baby." Her mother hugs her tightly. "I'm so sorry."


Maka's eyes slowly open, her hands gripping the sheets of the bed tightly...another one of those dreams...why was she having them? They weren't so much dreams then painful memories. She had forgotten about Sprinkles…or her mother putting him in a box... Remembering her mother in the dream makes tears almost come to her eyes...her eyes in the dream where free of madness…free of the deep sadness they hold now. It's ironic really how she had asked not to be put in a box, but she still was. Death has separated them all. She was not with her mother. Who knows if she ever will be? ...Oh mom-

"There she is!" Maka jumps up at the voice, her eyes wide as they fall on Liz the arch angel grinning at her. "Deja vu right?"

"Y-yeah kinda...what are you doing in here?" She looks at her wide eyed before they narrow...wait a minute... "Don't tell me Death assigned you to me to clean the kitchen again." She groans...so that bastard is going to punish me! It's not so bad but still..

"Well your half right." Liz sounds surprisingly giddy. "Death did assign you to me but not for punishment." Her grin grows as Maka raises an eye brow.

"Then what for? ...He didn't leave me again did he?" Maka grumbles...He promised he wouldn't do that...

"Nope he's here." She brings out a piece of paper and looks at it. "This is what Death told me, quote un quote, 'I've assigned the mortal to you for you two to do whatever it is that females do.'"

"So um-

"He's assigned some girl time." Liz's eyes sparkle as she brings out another piece of paper, this one looks like a list. "I am so excited! We have so much to do girl you don't even know! But first things first..." she looks form the list to Maka. "I've got to do your hair, you look a mess."

"Well gee thanks." Maka sighs.

"Don't worry I can make you less ugly." The angel beams as she walks closer to her bring out a white brush out of nowhere.

"Look this is nice of you and all but I'm- ugh!" Liz grabs a hold of her hair and with the brush starts to viscously brush it ignoring the girl's pleas as she struggles with all the knots and tangles.

"What do you wash your hair with?! Tooth paste?" Liz tugs at a very large knot, Maka whimpering in response.

"Ouch! That hurts! Can't you be more gentle?"

"Stop being a wimp." she grunts as she continues to brush it. "Beauty is pain."

"Then I should be gorgeous- ow!" Maka knows she just heard some of her hair rip out, her eyes are getting watery.

"Ok knots out...now style!" Liz beams as she starts to pull her hair back, Maka just letting her seeing she doesn't have much choice. She waits patiently as Liz messes with her hair...she likes this better than her brushing it that's for sure. "Ok done!" Liz squeals as she grabs Maka by the hand leading her over to a mirror in the room. "What do you think?" She pushes Maka in front of the mirror...her eyes widen a little.

Her hair is back in a single high pony tail, wrapped in the pony tail is a small green flower that matches the color of her eyes. Where Liz got that from she doesn't know but she can't help to smile at her reflection. The style was simple like her and she liked that. Her hair looked and felt a lot better.

"It's good." Maka gives Liz a smile, the arch angel beams.

"It's not my best but hey it makes you look better." She smiles as her eyes get a faraway look. "You know I use to do my sister's hair all the time...she had the prettiest hair...I was mad when she cut it…"

"Why did she cut it?"

"So I would stop playing with it." Maka can't help the small snicker that escapes her lips. "Oh you think that's funny do you?" Liz smirks at her as she takes out the list again. "I think it's time to do your make up then your nails, then your toe nails!" Her eyes light up.

"W-wait." Maka puts her hands up defensively when Liz was about to pounce on her. "It's not that I don't appreciate what you're doing...but I've never been big on any of those things...I'm more of a tom boy kind of girl you know? ...Can we just skip all that?"

"That's fine, I didn't really want to touch your toe nails any way." Liz checks stuff on her list. "Ok...so now we can go to the spa! Oh mortal you're going to love it there. It's so amazing." She puts the list back into her dress before she points at the door opening it. "Let's go!" She beams as she leaves the room, Maka following close behind.

"...Death really just assigned me a free day?" Maka looks over at Liz a little skeptical.

"I know kind of shocking huh? He's a weird guy. He said you deserved a day to yourself or something." Liz shrugs her shoulders as she leads Maka across the polish floors, the hall is empty again.

"Really?" Maka looks at her in shock...you never cease to surprise me reaper...

"Yeah...I think you're the only being he has ever been merciful with. It's weird really." Liz leads her over to a pair of large blue doors, she points at it and they open. "But I always thought he was a lonely guy."

"Yeah?" Maka follows Liz as they walk through the doors, steam hits her face as soon as she does. In ground small hot tubes all cover the room, most are occupied by five angels enjoying the heat and conversation with each other.

"Yeah I mean he's Death. I'm sure the job gets pretty lonely" Liz leads her over to a tub that isn't taken by any one, it's a bit larger than the others. Some angels give Maka a glare once they see her but they quickly go back to enjoying themselves. "This is it!" Liz starts to undress right in front of Maka, pulling off the dress and taking off her crown. Maka can only look at her in disbelief as the arch angel gets into the tub letting out a sigh as the hot water hits her body. "Aren't you coming in?" she looks up at her.

"You..." Maka looks around at the other angels to see if anyone else had saw that but she just notices that all the other angels are naked as well, the water was just covering it up. "O-oh..."

"What's wrong?" Liz raises an eye brow at her. "Get in already, this is amazing."

"Ok..." Maka goes to get in but Liz raises an arm stopping her.

"Whoa you can't get in with Death's robe on, take it off."

"But..." Maka bites her lip…the last time I saw my dress it looked horrible.. "Can't I just keep this on?"

"No..." Liz suddenly closes her eyes, a look of irritation coming to her face as she opens them back up. "Never mind you can, just come on!"

".." Maka sighs of relief as she slowly gets into the water, smoke coming off the top of the water as she merges into it. Maka feels her face get hot from the heat but...it feels really good. "Oh my gosh..." She leans her head back and lets out a happy sigh.

"I know right!" Liz lets out a sigh of her own.

"…So did Death leave me again?" Maka asks looking down at the water.

"No, he's right here."

"What?" Maka whips her head up looking at her confused.

"He's watching us." Liz points over and Maka follows it, her breath hitches. He is watching them. He stands on the other side of the room, his yellow eyes locked on her. He looks like a creepy statue. Not moving, not blinking.

"U-um.."

"Don't ask. Hold up I'm going to try to get rid of him." Liz leans up more, Maka averting her gaze when the water wasn't coving her chest anymore." Hey Death I got her now, you can go to work."

"Are you ok with this mortal?" The reaper is far away and his mouth doesn't move but she can hear him in her head.

"Yeah I'm fine...um...thanks for this..." She sounds even unsure in her mind, her eyes locked with the boys.

"..I'll come by later to pick you up. We have some collecting to do..." There's a pause. "I'll take you to see your mother first." Before she can say anything the reaper is gone and so is his voice.

"...He's a mystery…" Maka mumbles staring at where Death was in disbelief...What's with him? ...Why is he being so nice?...it doesn't make any sense..

"Who death?" Liz tilts her head, and lets out a sigh. "You're telling me. To be honest you probably know him better than any of us."

"What?" Maka looks at her, her eye brow raised. "I just met the guy...haven't you all been here since...Adam and eve time?"

"Yes but Death is an odd guy. He has been here but at the same time he hasn't." Liz sighs when Maka's face just deepens in confusion. "What I'm trying to say is that, you're right he has been with us since then but at the same time he never shows himself unless something is wrong or if he has an order."

She looks at Maka with her blue eyes glossed over.

"...I may not like you too much but I'll admit you have caused Death to come out a lot more. I didn't even know the guy could have a regular conversation but I've been watching him around you. It's weird really, everyone is terrified of him. when I say terrified I mean there about to shit themselves when he speaks but yet you talk to him like he isn't Death, like he isn't the most powerful angel there is. The most shocking thing is that Death allows that, and he even talks back to you. He doesn't treat you bad...he almost seems hospitable towards you."

"...Well he isn't all nice, he's just been acting like that lately for some reason." Maka huffs. "He is so confusing…one minute he is a total ass to me threatening punishments then the next he's giving me days off and watching over me like he cares..."

"He threaten punishment?" Liz's eyes get wide. "And he didn't give it to you?"

"Well...no..." Maka speaks uncertainly for some reason.

"Huh..." Liz leans her head back and closes her eyes. "Such a strange angel..."

"..Did he uh...say anything about me when he assigned me to you?" Maka plays with the water nervously. Why do I even care? Sometimes I'm a mystery to myself.

"No, nothing." Liz keeps her eyes closed.

"I don't get it..." Maka mumbles and her brows furrow. "He…why is he being so nice to me? I really don't understand...just yesterday he was yelling in my face for disobeying him and now he's..." She shakes her head, a weird feeling griping her heart.

"...I don't get it either to be honest." Liz opens her eyes, there still glossed over. "…Usually disobeying Death ends in hell yet...you're still here and unharmed. I must say you are one lucky mortal."

"Apparently." Maka grunts as she leans down in the water, it stopping right at her neck giving her a red line separating the skin that is under the water and the skin that is not.

"...Was it bad out there?" Maka raises an eye brow and Liz continues. "Adramelech's one shot...I heard it was a fire."

"Yeah it was...I don't really want to talk about it." Involuntarily she sees it all again, the flames, the bloody pavement. The screams resounding in her ears causing her to grip her hair.

"I understand." Liz sighs. "You know Adramelech use to be a fun guy…we use to go to parties all the time but...I don't know he just decided to turn bad...he was stronger as an angel…"

"Adramelech use to be an angel?" Maka looks at her in disbelief remembering the ugly beast.

"Yeah and he used to be hot." Liz lets out a loud sigh. "But look what being a demon got him."

"...but he's…like...a monster..."

"He used to be beautiful. The evil rotted that though." Liz eyes get glossed over. "You know all demons at one point where angels? That they all use to be on are side?"

"...What happen? Why did they turn evil?" It's hard for her to picture Adramelech as a beautiful angel, she really couldn't see it.

"It all started when Lucifer turned evil..." Liz's expression changes to that of anger as she grips her fist. "He...he had it all. He was the most beautiful angel there was, and the strongest. He was God's right hand man, he had high honor but...he wanted more. He wanted to be better than God...so he rebelled. God cast him out of heaven and into hell, where he swore he would drag as many as he could down there with him. If he had to suffer, he would make sure all the humans that God loves dearly to suffer too. It's his way of hurting God, by damning the mortal's souls. Getting the humans to turn against him. All angels turn evil for similar reasons. They want power, they want to do what they want without following God's rules but they will pay, oh they will pay." Her eyes get watery and Maka's eyes get wide but the arch angel blinks and it's gone. "...You've seen what being a demon does to them…they're ugly...when they use to be so beautiful...it hurts."

"I..." She doesn't even know what to say...she's speechless.

"You know...the only difference between the demon's and us...is that were on this side, and there on their side. That's it." Liz shakes her head suddenly forcing a smile. "That and we are more attractive than them."

"…Amen to that." Maka smiles nervously back humoring her, she knows she doesn't like the topic and she wouldn't push it.

"Well, wait I lied some demons are sexy as hell..." Her nose wrinkles up. "...No pun intended."

"Really?" Maka can't help to chuckle at that. She wasn't expecting it.

"Yeah...like there's this one… Damn I can't remember the name but he has this wild spiky white hair, with abs so hot you could cook off them...not to mention some sexy ass scars."

"...Are you by chance talking about Soul?" Maka raises an eye brow, that odd demon coming to mind with his sharp grin.

"Yeah him!" Her eyes light up only for them to dull and her to raise an eye brow. "...Wait how did you know?"

"Well...I kind of saw him after the battle with the two demons-

"Wow what?! Did he make it through the glass?!" Liz looks at her with panicked eyes. "And are you ok?!"

"Y-yeah…Death was there with me." At this Liz settles down.

"Did he try to get through?"

"No…he just wanted to warn us I guess…"

"Warn you?" She raises an eye brow.

"..He…" Maka looks around paranoid before leaning in, she felt she needed to tell someone of this. Liz sensing it's a secret gets closer. "He said that there is a traitor here, that an angel told the two demons that death wasn't here..."

"...Did he say who?" Liz whispers back seriously, her brows furrowed.

"No...well he was going to tell us…if Death handed me over to him.." Maka shivers. "Thank goodness he didn't! I don't even want to think of what he would do to me!"

"Oh I want to think what he'd do to me." Maka gives her a frown and Liz smirks. "Sorry, had to say that. It doesn't surprise me he wanted you, he likes to collect mortal girls and put them to work for his own pleasure if you know what I mean."

"…Unfortunately yes."

"You know you're lucky you belong to Death or you would belong to Soul, he's a very powerful demon, he's almost a demon lord! With that being said he gets what he wants...so if he wants you I doubt he will give up that easily." Liz learns closer. "About this traitor thing...even though Soul is a demon, the enemy...I can't help but to feel what he says makes sense. It's too odd to me that two demons would attack at the same time when Death isn't here. The only time he isn't here I might add. If there is a traitor here, he or she must be smart...I think it's best we keep this conversation between ourselves."

"Keep what conversation to yourselves?" A voice coos beside them, both Liz and Maka looking over at Justin, the arch angel looks between the two his blue eyes cold. Maka can't help to tense but Liz keeps her cool.

"Nosy aren't we Justin? You shouldn't butt into girl's conversation's that's rude." Liz waves him off

"I'm sorry I must have forgotten that I'm speaking to women." Justin shrugs his shoulders as he slowly starts to take off his robe. Maka's face catches on fire as she looks down at the water no way in hell is he getting in here with us!

"Cute." Liz rolls her eyes as Justin eases himself into the hot water...Maka can't help but to feel uncomfortable.

"Tell me of this conversation you two were having." Justin looks between the two his eyes landing on Liz. "It's not very angelic to keep secrets Liz."

"Alright fine, if you must know, me and Maka here where just talking about how hot Soul is." Maka's mouth drops as Liz gives Justin a pointed stare.

"Soul, the demon?!" Justin actually starts coughing, the disgust on his face very noticeable.

"Hey, he has a nice body and I'm sorry to say that if he wasn't the enemy I'd gladly partner up with him more than once." Liz shrugs.

"You're gross." Justin rolls his eyes.

"And you're an ass." She gives him a fake sweet smile.

"Okay...soo…" Maka can feel the tension as the two arch angel's glare at each other...this is just too weird with them naked and everything

"L-Liz I've gotten the w-wine you requested." Crona suddenly lands next to the tub, holding a tray with many glasses of red wine.

"Ah thank you Crona, just place it next to me." The boy does as she said and she grins taking a glass and holding it towards Crona. "I'd like to introduce my new assistant, I've taken him under my wings to train him so one day he can be an arch angel like myself."

"Really?" Maka looks at the boy and can't help but to smile. "That's great!"

"O-oh m-m-Maka" Crona's eyes fall on her, his face getting red. It seems he can't help the smile on his face either. "Y-yeah...L-Liz is so nice to do this..."

"Yeah, yeah I know." Liz takes a chug of her wine. "Crona come on in, the waters great."

"B-b-but..." His eyes look over at Maka and his face gets darker as he grips his robe. "I w-would have t-t-to..."

"Look just get in with your robe, the mortal over here is doing it so you might as well be a wimp with her." Liz sighs.

"O-ok." Crona seems satisfied with getting in as long as he didn't have to undress. He gets in the tub sitting next to Maka, his face getting darker.

"How are your wings doing?" Maka chimes once she thinks the boy is comfortable looking at his grey wings. The boy tenses at first but then relaxes giving her a wobbly smile.

"T-their doing good." he mumbles still smiling. "I-I really like them..."

"The other angels showing you respect now?" Maka looks at him.

"O-oh yes...I-it's nice really."

"Good…" The four sit in an awkward silence after this...no one making any noise or attempt to talk. it makes Maka uncomfortable so she tries to think of something to distract her...the reaper pops up and before she can stop herself she asks. "Is it possible for an angel to love a human?"

All eyes fall on her and she can feel her face get hot, Crona's mouth's open, Liz looking at her with wide eyes and Justin glaring.

Surprisingly it's Justin who answers. "I don't know about angels..." His cold eyes lock onto hers. "But I've heard stories of demon's messing around with human's, you know they're into gross things like that." His face scrunches up. "But an angel? Loving a mortal? No, it's unheard of. No angel would even like a mortal, you're so filthy and gross, you stink, you're ugly. No angel could possibly love a mortal, especially one like you."

"O-oh." Is all she can say...Ouch?... Maka looks down at the water only to notice that there are riffles in it, confused she looks over at Crona. The boy is twitching, his face tomato red, and the grip on his arm dangerously tight. His blue eyes shift every second.

"What's wrong with you?" Justin looks at Crona and raises an eye brow.

"N-N-N-nothing!" he squeaks the panic visible in his eyes.

"Ugh why can't that be me?" Liz suddenly groans getting Justin's eyes off Crona. Every one follow's her gaze and Maka's mouth drops. In the tub next to them...two angels are...well...one's on top the other and they're not wrestling. Maka quickly looks away not wanting to look at that, Crona doing the same. "I wish I could partner up with someone, it's been so long but no man is skilled enough for me."

"Oh really?" Justin smirks at her and Maka is really starting to feel really uncomfortable.

"Yeah really." She smirks back at him.

"I disagree." The arch angel is closer to Liz now, his smirk hasn't fallen. "I believe you will benefit from a partnership with me more than I will with you."

"Ha, well let's see…" And at that moment they kiss, not a cute kiss, it's rough, almost violent.

"L-let's get out of here." Crona mumbles as he gets out of the tub, Maka happily following. She did not want to see whatever was about to go down. Crona's hand finds hers and he quickly leads her out of the steam filled room. "I-I hate when they do that." He lets out a sigh when there out of the room, the blue doors shutting behind them.

"...What just happened..?" Maka's eyes are still wide…that...that was just weird.

"A-a partnership." Crona frowns.

"A partnership? Is that some fancy word for sex?" Crona's blush reaches his ears and he tenses. "I didn't even think angels could have sex!"

"W-we can…" Crona's eyes move all over the place, him obviously not being comfortable with this conversation. "B-but sex is such a d-d-dirty word M-Maka, partnership is easier to deal with."

"..I'm sorry...it just kinda shocked me is all." Maka puts a hand on her fore head...nothing makes sense here!

"...Y-you will see a lot of those..." Crona frowns more. "Angel's partner up a lot..."

"...Is there a reason...can angels get pregnant?" Maka gets closer to him, interested in the weirdest way.

"N-no partnerships aren't for that." his gaze shifts. "T-they're for connecting two d-different angels, it h-helps make them stronger through each other...in a p-partnership y-you get a part of them and they get a-a part of you..'

"So...it has nothing to do with love?" She had to ask.

"S-sometimes it is...I've seen some angel's only partner up with one other angel…but most the t-time it's not."

"…Have you partnered up with anyone?" It's a really personal question she knows it is but she couldn't help it when it seems these partnerships aren't that big of a deal. I mean Justin and Liz are probably getting it on and the last time I checked they didn't like each other...

"N-N-No! O-oh n-no!" He shakes his head viscously, his blush spreading to his neck. "N-never!"

"I'm sorry I shouldn't have asked that." Maka puts a hand on his shoulder to comfort him and he calms down. "I was just curious...it seems everyone is used to partnerships the way you talked about them."

"W-well…I j-just haven't found an a-angel that I like..." He rubs his arm nervously and Maka smiles. Aw that's cute...he's actually looking for love...not just power.

"They're all beautiful, I'm sure you'll find an angel perfect for you soon." She smiles encouragingly as the boy looks at her with wide eyes.

"..." His dark eyes study her face for a moment before looking down his blush coming back to him. "Y-yeah.."

"So um..." Maka puts a hand to her chin as she tries to remember something important... "Oh." her eyes light in realization. "..Crona have you seen a soul of a man named Sid? He has braids in his hair...Death took him just the other day so...I was hoping maybe you know where he ended up?" She speaks nervously afraid to hear the worse for her gym teacher.

"S-Sid...braids?" Crona closes his eyes then opens them, his eyes light in realization. "I-I saw a man by that name i-in the chambers."

The chambers? Maka's heart falls... "O-oh..." She feels weak...Sid…he's going to be tortured...he doesn't deserve that ...no…

"M-Maka?" Crona frowns and gets closer. "W-what's wrong? W-was he a friend of yours?"

"...He used to be my gym teacher." At this Crona just tilts his head, Maka sighs. "Yeah he's my friend…I'm...worried about him."

"O-oh." His gaze shifts a lot before his eyes fall on her. "If y-you want...I-I c-could." He takes a deep breath. "I-I could take you t-to see him."

"Really?" Maka looks at him with wide eyes.

"Y-yes." Crona grabs her hand again and starts to lead her towards the black doors. His shoes making a pitter patter sound against the polished floors. "W-we have to be quick though..."

"...Thank you..." Maka looks over at the small angel, her eyes widening a little at how he's leading her when just today it was her that was leading him. It was her who was doing him a favor, helping him. But now the tables have been turned. Her lips tug up in a smile, a warm smile of appreciation.

"D-don't thank me, I owe you." Crona looks over at her and when he sees her smile, his gaze skits away...his grip on her hand tightens a little as he points at the black doors, they open and he brings her inside. No angels are here, no souls are being shoved into chambers. When Maka raises an eye brow Crona comments, "Day off."

"Oh…" So it wasn't just me who got the day off?

"I-I think he was in this one...I can't remember to well t-though Liz had me work in many different chambers." The boy points at a white door, as it opens he leads Maka inside.

"…So do you like being her assistant?" Maka's eyes lock onto him, not wanting to look at the souls that are now reaching out to her from their prisons as they walk by. She hates it here. She hates it more that Sid is here.

"Y-yes, I'm getting to be useful and I-I'm learning how to be s-stronger." Crona picks up the pace maybe sensing Maka's discomfort.

"Yeah, and you will someday get to be an arch angel right?" Maka can't help but to beam at him.

"Y-yeah...I can't b-believe it..." The boys lips twitch in a excited smile as his dark eyes fall on her "...All this is because of you, I-I can never thank you enough.."

"Thank me for what? Letting you save me?" Maka chuckles as the boy continues to lead her, there pace fast as all the tortured souls call out to her. Don't look. Don't look.

"N-no...if it w-wasn't for your friendship, I w-would have never gotten my wings." His dark eyes fall on their enjoined hands, a small smile on his lips, his eyes bright.

"I don't believe that." Maka smiles at her friend. "It was in you this whole time..." She points to the boy's heart.

Crona stops suddenly, his dark eyes looking deep into hers, there's something in them that she doesn't understand, that she can't sort out. His lips are slightly parted, his cheeks flushed. "Y-you always b-believe in me…n-no one has ever done that...because you have b-believed in me I have gotten my wings." He bites his lip. "…Because of y-you..." The boy is so tense, his body trembling as he opens his mouth as if to say something else, but instead he bites down hard on his bottom lip, his gaze skittering away from her. "U-um...let's...let's find your friend.." Crona begins to pull Maka again threw the hall way full of chambers, his bangs covering his eyes, his face still red.

"…Ok..." Maka is curious to what the angel was about to say, but at the same time she knew they didn't have much time, she would ask him after they found Sid.

"T-this is it." the boy stops in front of a pair of bars, Maka letting go to peer into the cell eagerly. She gasps; there chained to the wall is Sid. The man looks a lot rougher than the last time she saw him, he hangs limply on the wall, the chains wrapped around his wrists making sure he can't get away. They look as if there digging into him. The man's head hands low, him looking much like she had seen his body in the cabin, limp and lifeless.

"S-Sid..." Her hands grab the bars tightly her eyes wide. "Sid!" She shouts this time when he doesn't respond. He doesn't deserve to be in here, he's a good man. He doesn't deserve this.

"Maka…" The man coughs finally looking up at her, his eyes as tired as his body looks. "Don't worry, I'm alright."

"You're not alright! You're trapped in there!" Maka fights against the bars. "Why...why are you even in there?...You're not a bad person!"

"Heh the man I used to be wasn't as good as you think he was Maka." Sid speaks weakly and her heart sinks. "I'm lucky to be here."

"You're not lucky at all! I don't care what you say you don't deserve this!" she grips the bars so hard her knuckles turn white. her shoulders shaking. she's seen children in these chambers, and plenty of other souls…but to see someone she knows...someone who use to be a part of her life inside one...it made it a living hell. it's real, it's real to her.

"Don't worry...I won't be here for much longer…" this statement gets both Maka and Crona to look at him

"You're almost pure..?" Maka leans closer eagerly, Crona looks over at her and frowns, his brows furrowed but he doesn't say anything.

"Nope, but I'm not going to be here for much longer." Sid smiles at them, the two giving him a confused look. "My friend...he will give me life and I will be taken from this place. I will live again."

"...Sid..." Maka frowns…he still thinks that guys going to bring him back? Doesn't he see that he's already claimed? There's no way...there's no way..

"Did you see my friend? Did he take my body?"

"Yes but...I don't think-

"It won't be long." The man leans his head back a smile on his face. "…It's all up to you Stein."

"M-Maka, I'm sorry to cut this s-short but we have to get out of here. I'm not supposed to b-be in here without Liz." Crona looks around, griping his arm, paranoid.

"Alright..." She frowns as she lets go of the bars to grab Crona's hand. "Bye Sid...I'll try to come back to see you ok?"

"I probably won't be here when you do come back." The man grins and Maka's heart sinks. "Maka...take care of yourself."

"..." She nods, not being able to help her frown as Crona starts to lead her out of the chambers, the man grin never falling...He really believes that...that the scientist can get him out...it's not possible...right?

"W-what was he talking about Maka?" Crona asks once there out of the chambers and back out in the large hall with the polish floors.

"It's a long story." She sighs as they come to a stop, but Crona's hand doesn't leave hers. Her eyes fall on her refection, the girl staring back at her looks worn out...her eyes just look tired and she is tired...she's tired of all this. ...What's going to happen to Sid when he realizes that his friend can't bring him back? That he's really stuck there for who knows how long...Sid's hope will be crushed...He will be a broken man... "How long does he have till he's pure...?"

"…H-he won't be completely pure f-for another h-hundred years." The boy mumbles looking at her sadly.

"What?! Why that long? What has he done that is so wrong that he has to stay in that cell for hundred years?!" Maka snaps looking at him with her fist clenched. When she sees Crona's wide eyes looking at her and his body trembling, she frowns. "…I'm sorry I didn't mean to yell at you...I'm just...just frustrated...I know it's not your fault I'm just." She holds her head in her hand. Real smooth Maka, yell at your only friend why don't you.

"N-no it's ok, I understand you're upset." The boy stops shaking and puts a comforting hand on her shoulder causing her to look at him. "I-I don't know what your friend has done...w-we don't know what any of the mortals have done, we are just g-given the orders from heaven to where they are s-supposed to go." He frowns. "I-I'm sorry I couldn't be of any h-help."

"You guys don't know their sins?"

"N-no."

"Then why are the angels so judging of us when they don't even know what we have done?" Maka tries to keep the anger out of her voice as not to scare him.

"...T-they go off of what the mortals are wearing." Crona averts his gaze. "T-the clothes of the spirit can s-show us a lot and even can give hints to the sins that person committed...t-they judge off of that."

Maka looks down thinking of what her dress looks like...and what the angels possibly see about her. "…There's more to us than just are sins." She gives her refection a challenging look.

"I-I know." At this Maka looks over at him surprised. Crona's eyes finally come off the ground to look at her. "I-I use to think humans were j-just dirty, and e-evil because that's all I heard about them...but t-then you came along." The boy starts to shift under her stare but he continues. "I-I saw your dress…I saw the rips and the color but..." A blush comes to his cheeks. "Y-you helped me. You're the first person to do that, and you were n-nice to me. y-you may have sinned a lot but y-you're not dirty and you're not evil. m-my wings are proof of that." He grips his arms tight; his grey wings flutter a little. "A-and if there are humans like you out there then t-they all can't be bad..." He takes a deep breath. "I don't care about your sins, y-you seen past my small wings and I see past them. I-I only see you."

"Wow Crona…" Maka pulls him into a hug not being able to help herself. As she wraps her arms around the boy gasps. "I'm so glad I met you...I don't know if I could do this alone." She mumbles into his shoulder as the Crona slowly wraps his arms back around her.

"D-don't worry about that." His voice is no more than a whisper.

"…Hey Crona?" she pulls away to look up at the tall boy.

"Y-yes?"

"What were you about to tell me back there? ...You were going to say something but you bit your lip..." Once Maka said the last part Crona's eyes lit in realization a mad blush coming to his face.

"O-oh that, I…" His gaze shifts all over the place before he lets out a sigh, his body starting to tremble. "I-I…" The boy bites his bottom lip, abusing the poor flesh even more.

"…It's ok Crona, you can tell me anything." Maka frowns at his behavior, as she grabs his hand and gives it a reassuring squeeze.

"W-w-what I'm about to s-say is wrong...a-and I-I don't r-really know how to deal with it m-Maka...I-I don't understand it." Crona bites his lip harder, as if punishing himself looking down shamefully.

"Stop doing that, you're going to hurt yourself." At this the boy releases his bottom lip only for it to quiver. "...Maybe if you told me I could help you understand?"

"O-ok." He takes a deep breath as he looks down his eyes glossed over for a moment. The boy slowly looks back up to her, his resolve showing through his eyes. "I-I think I-I..." He holds Maka's hand in both of his as he lift's it up, holding it tenderly. He looks at her with his face so red, his eyes shaking. "I-I think I-I might l-

"Mortal." At the reaper's voice Crona squeaks and let's go of Maka's hand. She looks over to see Death marching over, not looking too happy with a flushed Liz who looks panicked.

"See I told you she was alright! ...Crona was watching her the whole time, so in reality so was I." Liz chuckles nervously only to get a glare from Death. She shuts right up.

"When I came back for the mortal you were partnering up with Justin when you, not Crona, were supposed to be watching her." His eyes go off of the arch angel to look over Maka. "…You're lucky she is unharmed, or your punishment would have been great."

"I'm sorry, but you know I haven't partnered up in a while..." Liz looks down still flushed, probably embarrassed. "I had to soon…and really there's not many guys I can partner up with that will be a benefit to me and you know that."

Death puts a hand up and she is silenced. "Mortal...did you have a nice day off?"

"…Yeah, I spent it with Crona." She gives the boy a soft pat on the back and he blushes.

"..." death's eyes fall on the boy for a moment before he looks back at Liz. "Only because the partnership was necessary am I letting this go. Do it again and I'll rip your wings off."

"Y-yes my lord!" Liz quickly bows, fear pronate in her eyes.

"Come mortal, it's time to go." Death reaches his hand out towards her, staring at her blankly.

"Ok.." Maka looks over at Crona and gives him a smile. "…Thanks again.'

"No p-problem." Maka lets go of his hand to grab Death's, the boy looking at Crona another moment before he starts to lead Maka away.

"Bye Crona!" She waves and gives him a smile, unknown to her, death has started walking faster.

"B-bye Maka..." He smiles and gives her a small wave back. He watches the girl leave with longing until he can't see the girl any longer.

"Don't even think about it." Liz suddenly gets up giving him a pointed look. "She belongs to Death, you're getting in way over your head."

"I-I know..." The boy closes his eyes a frown coming to his face.

"...come on we have work to do." The arch angel walks past him, Crona opens his eyes and stares at were Maka went with Death, where he can no longer see her..

Her soul belongs to him...Crona grips his fist and turns on his heel after Liz…but does her heart?

"You weren't really going to rip off her wings right? I mean I was fine with Crona..." Maka looks over at Death, his gaze straight and cold.

"Yes I was. I gave her the order to watch you and she failed. Only reason I did not, was that she did need to partner up and that you were unharmed."

"…You speak of partnering up as if it's a need..." She averts her gaze. "Isn't it just sex?"

This causes Death to stop, his cold eyes falling on her. "Sex for angel's is different than sex for humans. Human's do it out of want and lust. The angels here do it because they need to." Maka just looks back at him, waiting for him to go on. "Sex between angels is called a partnership. It's for gaining power, for surviving and nothing more."

"…Angel's need to have sex to survive?" This is all very weird to her, and she can't help but to just call it sex.

"In a sense, yes. Well at least in this place." Death doesn't blink, as if this topic wasn't weird at all. "In heaven and hell partnerships are not needed, for that is were here power lies. The demon's power is of hell, and the angels' power is of heaven. But in this place that's in between…we are more venerable." He puts his hands behind his back and takes a step forward. "The other day you were surprised that angels could die, well it's only here they can die. angels can't die in hell, and they can't die in heaven. The same with demons. But in this place, in limbo angels can die, as can demons. It's dangerous really for us to be here but someone has to do the job." Death's face is still blank. "Having partner ships are like charging a battery...we can't go to heaven to be recharged so we must stay down here and do what we can. So you will notice that after a battle there will be a lot of partnerships...they must or they will die of lack of power."

"…If it's a way to get back power..." Maka looks at him, trying to digest all of this. "Then how come you were able to recharge without having one?"

"I'm a different case." Death closes his eyes. "God has blessed me with special abilities so that I may be able to complete my job as death. What good would I be if I ran out of power on earth and then needed a partnership? We would have been stranded there."

"…Have you ever had one?" Again she does not know why she's asking people theses personal questions.

"Never." He opens his eyes to look at her coldly. "I'm Death, I do not love in any shape or form."

"Oh…" Maka can't help her stomach to turn...He can't love huh?...Why do I feel so weird about that? Of course she should have seen that coming. What could Death love? Life? No...He only loved to take it away.

"Come." Death starts to lead her again, Maka following behind him numbly. "It seems you are close to that angel." He looks at her from the corner of his eye. "I believe his name is Crona."

"Yeah. He's my friend." Maka states as they passed a couple of angels that give Death a bow.

"Friend?" Something changes in his eyes as they look at her. "...Why?"

"Well he saved me, he's nice to me, and I can trust him." Maka stares him back in those eyes trying to sort out whatever is in them. "He was the first person to accept me.'

"This friendship is from your gratitude towards him?" Death turns away from her still leading the way. She knows this route. He's taking her to the elevator.

"Well not exactly..." It's a hard question to say what their friend ship was, it was just one. She didn't think it was just because of gratitude…no rather… "He doesn't judge me. That's why."

"Everyone judges." His cold eyes fall back on her as they come to a stop before the elevator. "Even Crona, he's no better than anyone."

"At least he doesn't judge like you." She didn't mean for it to come out so rude sounding...or snappy.

"I see the truth, I speak the truth, I am the truth." He challenges right back. "I have a right to judge, especially someone like you, whose soul is dirty from your actions of hate and anger."

"..." Maka crosses her arms and looks away from him. Death lets go of her, walking over to the machine and starting to type something in...Alright Maka...he's a dick right now…but he gave you a day off...be a little considerate and he didn't punish you…remember that... Death comes back to her as the elevator rings signaling it's ready.

"Come." He reaches his hand out.

"Wait..." At this the reaper gives her a cold look and opens his mouth probably about to scold her. "I wanted to say thank you..." This closes the boy's mouth and he looks at her blankly. Maka averts her gaze. "…For everything...for giving me a day off...for healing me…" She takes a deep breath. "I know you think I'm unappreciative but I am grateful to you for your acts of kindness. For helping me with my mom, for taking me to her, for healing me, and for giving me another chance." She looks at him with a fire in her eyes. "...I'll try to be better from now on, with following you. But I can't promise anything."

"...Come." Is all Death says, reaching his hand out towards her, his face stayed blank but his eyes couldn't. Her words caused him to feel something but she's still unsure of what. He was a mystery. "Let us go."

"…Ok." Maka puts her hand in his, Death's fingers wrapping around hers as they walk into the open elevator. The boy holds her hand but at the same time...Maka feels as if he's trying to keep his distant from her. His eyes stay straight not even giving her a side glance like he usually does. Maka looks away as the elevator starts to go up, not being able to think what's in store for her this time...she's more restless about seeing her mother than the collecting...what if she sees the madness again...what if she sees more of it..? Maka shakes her head, trying to shake the thought away…no she won't see it...her mom's not mad, she's just upset. Those eyes flash threw her head, and the way her mother had kissed the necklace in such a weird way...my mom's not mad...

Right?