GigiandMad- O.O Erm, actually Ophelia now is roughly 150, give or take a decade ^^" I forgot how old, but I mentioned it a few chapters ago

wordfiend- Thanks!

confetti108- XD I know, I'm such a stinker

Imaginefun- I don't know why you're so surprised either! Guess that's a good thing, though ^^ Wouldn't want to get too predictable!

KuroIchigoGal- Hehe, just wait til you read this one!

Mewtwo3642- Yes, it would be pretty low, it's a shame she falls that low

greetingsfrommars- Haha, I think I screwed with a lot of people's heads (including my own) when it came to Rowan's gender. Glad you're caught up in the story and that you're enjoying it!

Can't believe this is over 100 reviews now! =O This is like a life goal of mine!

Onto the story~!

Death's scowl deepened. "You know I always hated you calling me that. Would you mind backing up now? Your idea of greeting me is...peculiar."

Miata's smirk softened and her shadow slowly retracted. "Alright. I'm not dumb enough to attack you anyway, little brother."

She stepped back from him and he subconsciously rubbed the area where her shadow had dug in a little too sharply for his liking. "While you may have been jesting, I had not been. What is it you want?"

"So serious, aren't you? I came because I heard you married the condemned human." She jabbed her thumb at the portrait of him and Ophelia.

"Who told you that?"

"Eibon. He's been working on the design of some interesting tools, you know. I stumbled across his home in my travels and we caught up. I always enjoyed his company as an intellect, unlike that failed creation of yours." The last part was mumbled, barely heard by him, but heard nonetheless.

"'Failed creation?'" He repeated, eyebrow raised.

She waved a hand at him. "Never mind. I forgot you don't have much recollection of that time. Anyway, is there some place where we can sit? I've been traveling for quite a long time and my feet could use the rest."

Hesitantly, Death nodded and led her to his library. As they passed the closed bedroom door, he noticed she paused for just a moment, frowning slightly. He wished her bangs weren't hiding her eyes so he could read her expression better; it was beginning to make him nervous. She caught back up with him and made herself comfortable in the chair across from his. He sat across from her, bridging his hands beneath his chin.

"How does Eibon know of my marital status?" He queried.

She shrugged. "He has his ways, I suppose. Tell me, Death, have you lost your mind?"

Her question was rhetoric and he kept silent, focusing on her elfin nose. "Not only did you fail to collect that human's soul, but now you marry her? What's worse; she is carrying a child! That child will become the embodiment of madness, you know. You should destroy both while-"

He looked from her nose to her eyes, noticing the ethereal glow through her heavy, inky strands. A chill ran down his spine and instinct told him to look away, but he remained sound. Now that he remembered, her eyes were frightful; one look was enough to make him bend to her will. He wasn't going to give in this time.

"I am well aware of the consequence of my failure to act, however, the child will be an embodiment of madness, regardless. Shinigami are madness, are we not? Wizards are madness. Ophelia knows of her fate and has accepted it, but, while I am here, I will not let her succumb to madness." He replied firmly, glowering at her.

Miata crossed her leg and straightened up, her back ramrod straight. "Ophelia, huh? What a tragic sounding name...Death, you cannot change fate. Humans cannot mentally handle the emotional burden of longevity. It's a fact."

"I will not kill her. If that is what you came here to say, I suggest you leave before I take your head." He growled darkly, muscles beginning to tense.

Her mouth twitched in the corners as though she were amused by his threat. "Your temper certainly hasn't improved much. Perhaps it would do you good to have a woman around. What would you say, or rather do, if I told you I came here to weed out the troublesome spot in this world's Order?"

He was a blur. She blinked and felt his hand constrict around her throat, not squeezing tight enough to endanger her, but tight enough to get the point across. Death's eyes were narrowed into cold slits, his lips curled off his teeth in a perfect snarl.

"I told you if you lay a hand on my wife, I will kill you. Do not test me, Miata."

"D-Death?" The two Shinigami turned their attention to the doorway, where a rather nervous looking Ophelia was. She was leaning against the door, partially hiding behind it, looking very much like a disobedient child.

Death's grip loosened as his attention was diverted. His voice became tender. "Ophelia, I told you to remain in our room until I came to get you."

She shuffled her feet. "You raised your voice and I got worried. Is...is everything alright?"

He released Miata's throat, his sister rubbing her throat uncomfortably. "We were just catching up; nothing for you to be concerned about. You should go rest."

Miata looked on with slight fascination at how quickly Death became tame around the woman. She eyed Ophelia, ignoring Death's warning glare. She was pretty enough and had a gentle face, something Miata found endearing in a childlike way. Then, she took a glance at her soul.

Ophelia possessed a very accepting soul and Miata's body felt warmed with each gentle wavelength that passed over her. She was finding herself beginning to rather like Ophelia, but frowned when she felt a shiver in her soul. It was a familiar sensation, miniscule, but still present. Madness. Sure enough, the madness was there, steadily growing at a slow rate. Miata suppressed her shudder and decided to read the child's soul.

It was weak, heartbreakingly so. Something wasn't right with it and she opened her mouth to warn the two, but paused. Death had gone over to Ophelia, his large hand pressed against her stomach lovingly. Her heart constricted and she closed her mouth.

"Oh, I forgot to ask! Lady Miata, would care for some tea?" She snapped out of it, her gaze snapping to Ophelia.

"Miata is just fine and no, thank you. I should probably leave anyway." Her voice sounded strange, even to her. Ophelia's brow furrowed slightly before smoothing out.

"Are you sure? You're welcome to stay here for the night, isn't she, Death?" She looked up at her husband and Miata watched with faint amusement when Death nodded obediently. To her surprise, though, he smiled at her.

"We would be happy to have you here, sister. I'd like to talk with you more." His words were genuine.

She shrugged indifferently. "If I wouldn't be a burden..."

"Oh, not at all! I'll got set up a room for you!" Ophelia cried happily, running out of the room.

Death turned his attention back on his sister. She was gripping her elbows, her chin tucked in slightly. "I can see why you fell in love with her. She has a very loving soul. It would be a waste to reap, but it would have come anyway."

"Yes, it would have been." He quietly agreed, noticing the change in his sister. She seemed almost melancholy. "Your perception has always been far better than mine. I couldn't tell that much."

Miata seemed to swell with the compliment. "...So, Death Weapon Meister Academy, huh?"

He chuckled softly. "Yeah. Someone needs to fight evil humans and I can no longer do it. I've no doubt Eibon told you of Asura?"

"That's right. I can't believe you bonded your soul to the land here, though. Don't you feel...restless?" He felt her eyes sweep over him, scanning his soul.

"Yes, more than you can imagine. I would most likely go mad if it weren't for the academy. It's easy to get distracted watching the young students' progression." She could hear the fondness in his voice.

"I'm glad you found some thing that makes you happy." She said sincerely.

"Thank you." He smiled widely at her.

Ophelia entered the room, seeming much more relaxed seeing the two siblings conversing without one strangling the other. "I've set up the room; third door down on the right."

Miata nodded her head, looking away from Death. "Thank you, Ophelia."

She walked toward the much smaller woman, bending down slightly. Death watched her warily, while Ophelia looked up at her with warm, albeit, guarded eyes. Miata carefully pressed her lips against Ophelia's forehead before straightening back up.

"I'll be in my room if you need me." She called over her shoulder, disappearing down the hallway.

Ophelia looked astounded before breaking out in a grin. "Okay!"

Death walked over to her, looking slightly concerned. "Do you feel alright? She didn't hurt you or-"

"Death, it was just a kiss. Your sister seems kind." She interrupted.

He shook his head. "That was strange, even for her. She's up to something..."

She sighed and shook her head back at him. "Stop being so paranoid! I'm going to make some tea. Your head isn't bothering you, is it?"

He smiled slightly at her concern and rubbed her arm once. "No, I'm fine."

"Good, then I'll make jasmine tonight instead of Skullcap." She smiled and left the library to go to the kitchen.

Death's smile fell and he rubbed his face tiredly. "Miata, I don't know what you're planning, but I hope it won't be anything too drastic..."

He sat down in his chair, just about to start a new book, when he heard Ophelia's startled shriek. He shot out of his chair and ran to the kitchen. Miata was in there, too, kneeling beside his wife, who was crumpled on the ground, her face twisted in pain. Her legs and the floor were stained with blood.

"What happened?!" He demanded, rushing over to Ophelia.

"The baby, there's something wrong with the baby!" Ophelia whimpered before crying out.