Me and Kid eventually left the group and were walking down the road towards the menacing school. We stopped by the apartment to put away my book and disc. We were silent for the most part. Memories unfolded about the first time we walked together on this same road. I slowed my steps, in deep thought, as Kid kept his long stride. Eventually we were quite a ways apart.
"Hmm? Alice?" He turned his head and stopped walking. I kept my pace, and finally caught up to him.
"Is something wrong?" Kid asked, his golden worried eyes burning into me. He looked at my clouded eyes, seeing that I was in a daze, thinking. I shook my head slowly.
"Oh!" I tripped, stubbing my toe on something hard. I fell, arms flailing in order to protect my face. Suddenly, someone grabbed my hand and pulled me up, right before I slammed into the hard cement stairs.
"Watch yourself." Kid smiled at me. He pulled my arm way up over both our heads, with me totally pressing up against him. Once I realized what a position we were in, I quickly squirmed my wrist from his strong grip and scurried up a few steps. I waved him away his worry.
"Oh, sorry! Hehe… Such a klutz!" I laughed, attempting to put a fake smile on. Kid saw straight through me.
"Eh…" I ended rushing up the stairs, thankfully Kid simply began walking up again.
Why am I running? Ugh… my face is pink!
"Oh! Alice!" I almost bumped into Shinigami, who waved his massive white paw in front of me. I stood back and waved slightly back. He looked around. "Where's Kid?"
"Here, Father." Kid walked the final steps of the massive staircase.
"Please, please, come in! Come in!" Shinigami opened the door for me, like a gentleman, so I scooted my way into his office.
*-.-.-.-*
"So, how are you, Alice-chan?" Shinigami asked as he sipped he tea. All three of us were sitting at a small table drinking homemade tea, talking about recent events. I shrugged as I set my cup down.
"For better or worse." I laughed at myself. Shinigami cocked his head at me.
"Kid told me what happened to you. Are you sure you're alright?" I nodded vigorously. Shinigami clapped his hands together. "Perfect! There's something I need to talk to both of you with personally." I looked at Kid. He returned my look. "Can I talk to Alice first, Kid?" Kid got up and calmly walked out of the large office. He shut the door slowly behind him.
I sipped my tea. It was piping hot, but still wonderful. "What is it, Shinigami?" I propped myself on my knees, sitting Japanese style. I didn't wanna see how Shinigami sat down. Frankly I was too scared.
"Have you met Maka and the others?" I nodded. "They're in Professor's Stein's room, and he has them in teams."
"So… Maka… Kid… Black*Star and the weapons are in just one big group?"
"Yes! It helps with missions and such, plus with soul resonating lessons! That group is the strongest in the class! First off, I want you to join them!"
"E-eh!" I shook my hands in front of him, as if to shoo him away. "I barely know them! Plus what a fool I made of myself, I'm a wimp compared to them…" I buried my face in my hands. I sighed. I felt Shinigami gently pat my shoulder. All of a sudden he jerked his giant hand down. My sleeve went down, revealing my neck and shoulder. I gasped as I quickly covered my tattoos from him. He nodded.
"Mm… I saw some when Kid used Soul Sensation, but I had to make sure there were more… All over your right side…" He thought for a moment. I hugged my right arm tightly. Shinigami looked at me sternly.
"Amuza."
(*-*-*)
"What?" I looked at the masked man with wide eyes.
How could he have found out?
What? …How?
I blinked a few times before staring at my lap. I failed at trying to keep my breath steady. I shook my head and looked at Shinigami.
"No!"
He was taken by surprise. "What?"
"I don't know what you're talking about!" I slammed my fist on the table. The cups near spilled all over us. I didn't care. I was outraged.
"You do." Shinigami tried to calm me down. It didn't work. I stood straight up, this time making my cup fall and splatter over my shoes.
"I do not!" I stamped my foot. I wanted to scream. I clenched my fists.
"Then why are you acting crazy?" My eyes could've popped out of my head. I knew my eyes had become dull and lifeless. I looked down at the floor. I felt tears sting at my eyes. I've been found out. Damn it!
…
…
…
I thought of everyone. I thought it was the end for me. I wanted to kick Shinigami, run away, fight everyone who came after me, but something deep in the back of my mind forced the thought away. I simply dropped to my knees, landing in spilt tea. I hung my head in shame, staring at my legs. My eyes were as wide as quarters. I… was, well… shocked.
I suddenly felt a large hand reach over and stroke my back. I made no movement.
"I've seen your soul, and it seemed familiar. Your markings, too. Then I remembered, well over a century ago your ancestors were one of the Great Families." He picked my chin up with his finger. "He was a kind man, and his wife, too. They were a wonderful family, and one of greatest friends I've ever known." Shinigami wiped the tears from my cheeks. I couldn't help but smile. I scooted over to Kid's seat, since mine was… well, soaked in tea.
"I can't believe you knew." I sighed as I looked up at him. Behind the comical mask, I couldn't see his face. I wondered if he was angry at me for freaking out. I gave Shinigami a sad smile.
"No worries! You're secret will forever be safe with me!" Shinigami pretended to lock his lips, which made me start laughing. "What'cha laughing for?" I pointed at the mask through giggles.
"You… you, don't…" I choked for air, my side was getting cramps, I bent over. "You don't have a mouth!" I laughed so hard I thought my heart would burst. It took a good five minutes to settle me down.
*-.-.-.-*
"So was there anything else?" I asked. I had dried my pants and seat with a hundred napkins, and I was now standing up and stretching, towering over Shinigami.
"Yes, one more thing! It'll be quick!" He reached under the table and pulled out a long, skinny box. I looked at him a confusing look as I sat back down. "Go on, take it!" He urged, happier than Patty with ice-cream. I slowly took the box from his large hands. I looked at it at awe. The box shined a pretty silver, and it was heavy against my hand. Metal?
"Go on, open!" Shinigami was anticipating something. I was scared to open the beautiful box. I noticed large, black letters were carved into the top side of the box. I slowly put my fingers on the rim and pushed upward. It clicked open.
My eyes widened yet again. Inside the case was a beautiful bracelet. It was silver, like the case, but it shined and glistened more with every time my hand shook. There was a single keychain on the thin bracelet. It was black, with a silver keyhole going in the middle of it. It was a black heart. I couldn't help but smile.
"Thi- This…" I choked back, keeping my breath as steady as possible. I fingered the keyhole gently. "Is this for me?" I looked up at him. Shinigami nodded. I looked back down, at the piece of jewelry. It was just some jewelry, but it touched my heart that he would do this. I noticed a small note stuck to the end of it. I fondled it until it came loose.
To: Alice- From Shinigami and Kid
I closed my eyes. I opened them again and wiped my tears away with my hand. Gently, I put on the chain. I held it up towards the light. I jingled my wrist. A soft, bell like sound came from the black heart. I held my hand close to my chest and covered it with my other.
"Thank you…" That was all I could say. Shinigami smiled.
"Say that to Kid. It was his idea." Shinigami nodded. He yelled. "Kid! You can come on in now!"
The door creaked. I stood up and slowly walked over to him. He began to walk, too. As we passed, I turned on my heels and wrapped my arms around his neck. I got him by surprise.
"A-Alice?" He didn't know how to respond.
"Thank you." I let go of him and smiled. He rubbed the back of his neck. I walked out the door, smiling, leaving it wide open. I skipped down the hallways, listening to the quiet jingle. I practically danced down the stairs when I got outside. I hummed to the birds' song. I smiled and skipped and felt all fuzzy inside.
"Ugh, look at Miss Sunshine!" Himari popped out of my shadow, laughing. I looked at her, grinning. No one was around so I spoke out loud.
"Even you can't ruin it!" I jingled my chain at her. She looked at it closely. "Jealous?"
"Nope." She crawled back to the mirror. I skipped all the way to the dorm.