Mewtwo3462- Thank you kindly ^^

Imaginefun- XD His handsomeness only makes him more adorable!

VioletDawn00- Really? o.o Great minds think alike, I guess =D

GigiandMad- That's a pretty good idea and I thought about doing that, but decided it would be more interesting to think if Death had a sibling. And yes he does XD

ChiChi-O- Thank you! I think he looks pretty awesome too!

Guest(8888Dearie8888)- Haha, I just love that you're too lazy to sign in XD

Anywayyy here's the next chapter! Hope you all like it!

I DO NOT OWN SOUL EATER

"Now, remember, after you complete a mission to report back to me. Find a reflective surface and say '42-42-564 whenever you want to knock on Death's door.' Also, once you get 99 evil human souls, you must get one witch soul in order to turn your weapon into a Death Scythe; one of my weapons. Any questions?" He looked at his students.

A boy raised his hand. "Would we still be able to use our weapon partner?"

"Yes~! It is not necessarily required for them to immediately come work for me, they have a choice in the matter. They may also go to different locations in the world and protect that area if they so wish." He replied happily.

It had been over ten years since the opening of his school, which was fitfully named "Death Weapon Meister Academy." The school had progressed exactly the way he had hoped it would and the Order in the world was still perfectly in balance. The first generation students had long since graduated, some remaining to become teachers, while others went to different locations in the world to protect the cities there. Death had an array of Death Scythes at his disposal, but only kept one close to him at all times. His current partner, his first partner, was an actual scythe. She was a tall, silent, and serious woman named Nadine.

"You are all dismissed! Don't forget to check with your teachers to see if there are any missions you can complete!" He called after his students as they ran off.

Nadine was standing beside him, her arms folded across her chest. He patted her shoulder. "Why don't you go on a tea break? I have an engagement to attend and she doesn't like to be kept waiting."

She nodded wordlessly and headed to the tea shop down the road. Death waved to her before going the opposite direction. The people greeted him enthusiastically and he responded just as lightheartedly, pausing a second to ruffle a boy's hair. The boy grinned and ran off to join his friends. Death continued on his way, approaching Ophelia's house.

She was outside, chatting away with a woman Death had never seen before. As he got closer, he realized the woman wasn't quite a woman; "girl" would describe her better. She didn't seem to be any older then fifteen, her face round and affable. She had large green eyes and a wide mouth. Her long brown hair was pulled up in a bun, a few strands brushing against her cheek. Looking at her, Death felt his stomach drop. He knew who she was and at the same time hoped he was wrong.

Ophelia turned and looked at him, her face brightening more.

"Hey, you made it!" She called, grabbing the girl's hand and bringing her over to where he seemed rooted.

He was grateful for his mask, hiding his dismayed expression, and cleared his throat, saying, "Hiya! Who's this lovely young lady?"

The girl blushed embarrassedly, smiling shyly. Ophelia giggled and hugged her around her shoulders.

"This is my little sister, Beatrice. She's going to be staying with me for the next month; her boarding school is on break. Bea, this is my dear friend, Death."

Beatrice curtsied, murmuring, "It is very nice to meet you, Lord Death."

He bowed at his waist. "The pleasure is mine, Miss Beatrice."

His heart plummeted. She has family? Why hasn't she mentioned anything before? It would have been so much easier if she didn't have family, but now things have changed.

Death still hadn't told her she wasn't going to die any time soon, delaying the information longer than he should have. Her fortieth birthday was nearing and she still didn't look any older than twenty-one. She was suspicious, of course; she noticed she didn't have wrinkles or gray hair, but dismissively thought she was simply aging gracefully. He knew he shouldn't delay it any longer, but he was terrified of her reaction.

"Death? Are you alright?" He looked up at her. He was suddenly in her house, sitting at his usual spot with a cup of tea in his hands. The two women were peering at his mask, Beatrice with curiosity and Ophelia with concern. Their two decades of friendship had sharpened her perception of his expressions beneath his mask. It was something that both annoyed and gave him relief. He wanted at least one person to understand him.

"I am alright. Forgive me, I am a bit stressed." He muttered, takin a sip of his lukewarm tea.

Ophelia squinted her eyes, but didn't press him. She sat back down and turned to Beatrice, asking her about her school. Beatrice replied quietly and Death couldn't help but compare the two.
Had they not looked so similar, he would have doubted their relation. While Ophelia was outspoken and opinionated, her sister was reserved and shy, timid even. Ophelia was confident, Beatrice had obvious low self-esteem. It was almost interesting to see such polar opposites.

He took another sip of his tea. Beatrice turned to him. "Big sister told me that you are headmaster of the Death Weapon Meister Academy. What's your school like?"

"The other teachers and I train weapons and their meisters to hunt evil humans and witches so that the world may remain in order." He replied.

She nodded thoughtfully. "It sounds dangerous."

"Oh, yes, it is. I myself used to hunt witches and evil humans with my seven warriors, but that was a long time ago." His mind drifted off, thinking back to what the world seemed to call "The Grim Times."

"But, now he's an old codger training a bunch of whipper-snappers." Ophelia jested, laughing when he shot her an irate look.

"Don't make me split your head open." He warned, waving his hand at her.

"I'm pretty certain my head is as hard as rock what with all the times you've struck it." She said, still laughing.

"Would you like me to test that theory then?" He playfully hit her and she feigned pain.

Beatrice watched the two's interaction with wide eyes. It was a curious sight for her to behold, one that she was glad to not have missed. She always found her sister to be coolly polite with everyone, especially mean. This warm, playful side of Ophelia was one Beatrice had never seen graced upon a person outside their immediate family. Beatrice smiled softly, enjoying the scene.

After their banter, Death finished his tea and looked out the wooden pane window. The sky was dark. He stood up, the two women looking up at him.

"Im afraid I must be going. Thank you for a lovely time, ladies." He said, bowing slightly.

Ophelia frowned. "Must you go now? I was going to show Beatrice the moonflowers and I would like for you to come with us."

He shook his head regretfully. "I'm sorry, Ophelia, but I have things I need to do. Miss Beatrice, it was a pleasure."

She nodded and smiled at him. "Goodbye, Lord Death."

He turned back to Ophelia, placing a hand on her shoulder. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Yeah." She answered forlornly.

He exited her house, the night air crisp, and returned to the Academy to finish some paperwork that had been filing up.

Ophelia turned to Beatrice, her disappointed expression disappearing. "Oh, well. He'll have to come with us another time. Go get your shawl; it gets quite chilly here at night."

Beatrice nodded and did what she was told, wrapping her shawl around her shoulders. Ophelia grabbed her own and the two left the house. While Beatrice didn't share her older sister's fondness of botany, she certainly did appreciate the flowers' beauty. The sisters linked arms, Ophelia going about a mile a minute.

"The moon flowers here are so tall; taller than Death! And so beautiful! There the flowers I want for when I die, you know."

"Wouldn't a grievous flower be more appropriate, though? A funeral is a sad occasion." Beatrice inquired, puzzled.

Ophelia smiled wistfully. "They don't have to be. Moon flowers symbolize dreaming of love. When I die, I want to dream of love, like I do now. I don't want anyone to be sad at my funeral; I want flowers that symbolize my dreams!"

Beatrice shook her head. She was already used to her sister's eccentricities. She said purposefully, "You know, Lord Death seems rather fond of you."

"Naturally; we've been friends for over twenty years." Ophelia was missing her point.

Beatrice tried again. "I mean, I think he cares for you like a man would his wife."

Ophelia looked at her sister with wide eyes before snorting in amusement. "I highly doubt that. He isn't looking for a wife. We're just very good friends, Bea."

"You love him." Ophelia stopped dead in her tracks.

"W-what? I do not!" She sputtered, her face turning crimson.

Beatrice laughed. "Your expression says it all! Ophelia, you're in love with Lord Death!"

Ophelia shook her head quickly and resumed walking. "E-even if I was, which I'm not, it wouldn't make a difference. He's immortal. I only have a few years left."

"Now that I doubt. You don't look a day over twenty; it's like you stopped aging or something. It's odd."

Ophelia shrugged. "We all die sometime, Beatrice."

"I know, but I just can't picture you dead; it's too painful." Beatrice admitted quietly.

Ophelia hugged her sister. "It's alright; I find death to be quite a beautiful thing. Remember what I said? I don't want anyone sad at my funeral."

Beatrice smiled and nodded. Suddenly, there was the sound of a twig snapping. The two women froze and looked around. They were at the outskirts of the city, but far enough away that if anything attacked them, it would be a while when help, if any, would come. Heavy breathing came from somewhere in front of them. Beatrice whimpered and clung to Ophelia.

"W-what was that?" She whispered nervously.

Ophelia didn't respond. She couldn't recall if there were any wild animals out in the fields, but didn't doubt it. Whatever it was that was stalking them was certainly large and hungry. A dark form moved in front of them and they squealed.

"Bea, we need to run." She breathed. She grabbed Beatrice's hand and ran back toward the town.

The thing after them roared and gave chase. Ophelia and Beatrice ran as fast as they could in their heavy dresses, neither daring to look back.

Death stood in his favorite room in his school. It served as his "office", properly coined as "The Death Room." The only way into the room was if he gave permission. No matter the weather or time of day, the room was always bright, little white clouds floating lazily on the walls. A large mirror in which he could watch any student's progression was in the very center. Yes, it was certainly his favorite room.

Nadine was there, sitting down at a table near the mirror, eyes closed. She opened an eye when she heard him approach and bowed her head in respect.

"Good evening to you, too, Nadine." He replied.

He froze then. He sensed three souls outside of the town. Two were gentle, their soul wavelengths passing over him warmly. The last was angry and bitter. It was nearing the pure souls. A wavelength hit him and he recognized it immediately.

"Ophelia." He turned around. Nadine was already standing, looking expectantly at him with her steely eyes.

He nodded once at her and her body began to glow. He grabbed the staff of her weapon form, the glow shattering. He raced out of the Death Room and out of the school. He silently cursed himself for not thinking about sending someone to keep an eye on Ophelia and Beatrice.

As he got nearer, one soul abruptly disappeared. The evil soul swelled and he heard a bloodcurdling scream. He determined the owner of the scream and moved faster.