Chapter Thirteen:

My mind couldn't comprehend what had just happened. Undertaker...the one whom I had just met...is my mate.

"I'm sorry, I didn't want to tell you so soon. I was hoping that the process wouldn't appear so soon." he said.

"I...I don't know what to say..." I stuttered.

"You don't have to. I won't force you to do anything." he said. The tense silence lingered in the air even after he left the room. I stood there, my mind still reeling in shock.

Shaking my head, I crawled into my coffin.

Sleep didn't come easily for me, for my thoughts rushed through my head as if it was a racetrack and the thoughts were the noisy race cars.

Is there a marriage along with the mating?

Would I get pregnant?

Why did this have to happen?

Will I really go through with this?

Eventually, a fitful sleep took me.

I watched myself at a distance-at least, I'm pretty sure it was me.

My hair was cut to my shoulders, and I was dressed in a strapless black dress that was shin-length in the back, but had a wide opening in the front that was cut to my thighs. On my head was a thick, black top hat with ruffles hanging from it.

I noted that I was surrounded by enemies, though I couldn't tell what they were.

With a taunting laugh, the beings began to attack me. I nimbly evaded their attacks, slicing through them with my katanas.

When they were defeated, I sighed. Then I perked up in alarm, holding my head. Then I ran out of the room.

I watched myself leave with a gaping mouth. Why?

Could it be that my hair was shorter? No.

What about my revealing dress? No.

Or maybe it was the silver ring on my wedding finger? I don't know about you, but I think so!

I jerked awake, momentarily forgetting that there was a heavy wooden lid above me. I groaned in both pain and confusion.

Why was there a silver ring on my finger? Could it be that I was married to Undertaker?

I rubbed my head before peeking out of the coffin.

The room was empty.

I climbed out and checked every little place Undertaker could be hiding, waiting for me to come into sight so he could jump out at me.

Nothing.

I sighed, sincerely hoping he wasn't going to pop out at me as I walked down the short hallway to the bathroom, grabbing a towel and washcloth on the way.

I made sure the lock was strong, and turned on the hot water.

AS I stripped of the clothing that I wore last night, I caught sight of the faded scar on my stomach. It was a light pink, which stood out on my pale skin. It didn't hurt anymore, making me wonder if shinigamis had a fast healing genetic. The dead skin on my hand didn't really hurt if there wasn't any pressure put onto it, but I saw that it grew a little more. The base of my middle finger was slowing darkening.

I hoped that when-and if-Undertaker and I mated, the decayed skin would heal.

Jumping into the shower, I just stood there, letting the hot water run down my body. My mind turned to Undertaker, and I tried looking on the bright side of things.

Well, Undertaker is handsome. You know, in a creepy sort of way. Then again, I barely know him, so I don't know if that's how he always acts. Plus, I've been meaning to find someone to spend the rest of my life with. So now I'm killing two birds with one stone. How long do we live anyway? Speaking of which, how old is Undertaker? I guess it doesn't matter, though, so I guess it's best not to ask.

I don't know how long I was under the water, but when I finally pulled myself from my thoughts and washed my hair and stuff, I changed back into my hoodie and skirt.

"It's nice to be clean again," I said, leaving the bathroom.

It wasn't until I found myself in the middle of the main room that I felt something was different.

It was darker than before, and I knew someone else was in the room.

"Where are you?" I asked.

"Ah, so your instincts are starting to kick in. Tell me, has your speed improved?" Undertaker's voice echoed in the still darkness.

"Speed? Wha-" I felt a rush of wind and shrieked, turning to look at where I thought he was. "What was that?!"

"You have to be quick to be prepared in a battle. And I see you're without your death scythe too. How unfortunate." he said. I saw a glint of steel and my body reacted.

Although I couldn't see anything, when my body bent backwards, I felt something swoosh over me.

I stood upright.

"Did you just swing at me?!" I asked, astonished.

"Hmm, it seems your instincts are more advanced than I thought." he thought aloud, ignoring my question. I took this moment to sneak over to where I had hidden my death scythes.

"I asked you a question Mr., and I demand an answer." I said.

There was no answer, only another glint of silver. I swung on of my scythes, connecting his with a metal 'clank!'

"Very good," he praised with a laugh. I growled. "Use your anger and come at me," he said.

"Gladly," I said, and pushed his scythe away from me. I swung again with the opposite arm, but didn't hit anything.

"Over here~!" he sang, and I let out a frustrated sigh. I followed his voice and was met by a whoosh of air.

"Dammit, Undertaker! I'm not in the mood for this!" I growled.

"Then come and find me~." he called. His voice sounded distant and I clenched my teeth.

He wasn't in the room anymore.

I stomped out of the room to go find him. I might not know him that well, but I know him well enough that he wasn't going to stop messing with me.

I peered into the small hallway, not sure if strutting out into it was a good idea, considering that he might jump out at me at any time.

"I don't want to play this game, Undertaker. Can't I just relax today?" I pouted.

"You've read my mind," he said. But this time, he was closer.

Like, right behind me.