Chapter 11: Enter Death Scythes

It was rare to ever see Shibusen this empty. It was honestly disturbing. Even on weekends you'd see some students lingering about, using the academy's resources as they saw fit. Supposedly that would be coming to an end soon, with the school finally opening after nearly two weeks of inactivity. Being one of the few to have finally entered the school after the long break, Lyra pushed open the doors leading to the high balcony looking over the wooded area outside of the school. It was a little unsettling how quiet it was, but after the argument she had just had with her father, the young woman didn't mind the silence.

Leaning forward on the railing, she let out a long sigh, allowing her once annoyed expression to leave her face. She had entered the school with the sheer notion of being able to speak as an adult to her father about what was happening and in the end, he had simply patted the top of her head affectionately and requested she be on her way. She grimaced slightly. Why was it that he couldn't acknowledge her as an adult? She was fully capable of going on assignments with or without her partner. Yes, it wasn't necessarily safe to go off on anything at the moment, but she felt as though she could at least know some of what was happening at the moment. All the older adults had been meeting regularly about their current situation and about the fate of Shibusen, but outside of those who had come to these meetings, no one knew what was going on. If anything, the silver haired young woman figured at least the students should have some inkling of what their futures potentially held.

"Hey you." Chirped the all too familiar voice of the meister's mother. She huffed in response and slouched further as the golden haired woman joined her side. "Your father said you were a bit moody today. Would you like to talk about it?"

"Not really…" The young woman grumbled. She mentally slapped herself for sounding like her grumpy teenage self and the knowing, all too affectionate look on her mother's face wasn't helping.

"Come on now. You've always been able to talk to me far easier than your father." She said breezily. The woman was always so positive, despite her violent mood swings.

"What's the point? It's not like you'll answer my questions." Lyra retorted grumpily. "21 years old and my dad still treats me like a five year old." Marie hummed in acknowledgment to her daughter's complaints.

"Well, if it's fair, you are still his little girl is his eyes. That's just how it is for fathers with their daughters I suppose." She began to explain. "When I was pregnant with you and even when you were first born he hadn't been certain how exactly to handle you, but as you grew you were always priority. He always wants you safe."

"Is that why he won't tell me what's going on?"

"What?"

"Why won't anyone let any of us, especially those of us old enough, know what's going on?" Lyra asked, now standing up straight. She was never anywhere near the height of her mother, which was annoying, but she still held her ground and annoyed expression. "I can be of use in this war!"

"It's not a war." Marie spoke swiftly. "Right now the main concern is pinpointing the reason behind these incidents and rectifying it. There's no reason students should be concerned."

"And what about the assignments? Or those reports those officials were supposed to be doing? Or Miss Misery? Does anyone know where she is?!" Marie faltered and seemed ready to cave in to her daughter's questioning. That was the kind of woman she always had been, except when pushed the wrong way.

"Won't let it go, will you?" The pair turned from each other as Stein walked out onto the balcony, pulling a lit cigarette from between his lips, a bored expression on his face. Marie perked up at the sight of her husband, despite Lyra's decision to become rebellious.

"Are you done with your meeting with Kid?" Marie had asked, her usual warm smile crossing her face. He gave a mute nod, his eyes focused on their irritable daughter.

"Yeah, the others should be here shortly…" he answered. "Lyra, you should be on your way. I'm certain Ares is wondering where you are."

"Ares is a big boy. He can handle himself." Lyra answered, crossing her arms and ignoring the concerned look her mother was now shooting between the two of them. Stein eyed her momentarily before shrugging a shoulder carelessly causing the young woman to bristle in irritation. "Dad, come on!" she yelled.

"What?" The man held an uninterested look the entire time.

"Let me help!"

"No." Lyra's face fell and Marie face palmed. "Your place is to help out when needed and right now you aren't needed." The young woman couldn't help but to allow her face to fall at these words and her mother clearly noticed despite the lack of response from her father. "You need to know your place."

"Frank!" Marie hissed.

"Hey." The family turned and Lyra felt some ease when she saw her confused partner standing in the balcony doorway. "Sorry if I'm interrupting a family moment, but…" he then paused and wrinkled his nose, eyes focused on his partner. "Are you ok?" She brushed past her parents, despite her mother's call for her to cease and nodded.

"Yeah, let's just leave…" She answered. Ares nodded and she saw him glance over at her parents once more before following. "What was that all about? Should you finish talking to your parents?" Lyra shrugged a shoulder in response.

"It wasn't anything that important anyway." She muttered and glanced up at her partner when he grabbed her hand and pulled him to her, a concerned look on his face. "What?"

"You look bothered? Tell me what's wrong." Frowning up at him, Lyra had to fight back a snide remark about how he always had to pry. He always meant well, but he never seemed to get the hint of when she didn't want to be bothered. "Lyra, come on." She pursed her lips.

"Why do you care so much? I just told you it's not a big deal."

"Because that look on your face says otherwise." He answered, frowning slightly. "Would you just talk to me? I thought we agreed when we started this whole thing that we'd be more open with each other?" Lyra flushed under his intent stare. And was he moving in closer?

"Well yeah…"

"Well would you look at this? And I thought the school was closed." Snapping from their own moment, Ares looked over his shoulder as Lyra looked around him at the new comer. Lyra felt her partner stiffen as her own eyes narrowed. There was a young woman, around their age, standing not too far from them, clearly having watched the scene between the pair in some kind of entertained silence before deciding to interrupt. She had cropped, jet black hair and deep, calculating green eyes that were filled with entertainment at the moment. Hand on her hip and teasing smile on her face, the new comer continued to prod. "Lyra and Ares. What a cute couple you two have become." Yanking away from her confused partner, Lyra scowled.

"Kimmie Yumi. What brings your sorry ass back to Death City?" She asked and the young woman scoffed in response.

"Last time I checked, reaching three star weapon status at the age of 15 is a pretty high feat." She informed and tapped her chin mockingly as she looked up in thought. "Now what exactly were you doing at 15? Oh that's right! Playing Marco Polo with a runaway!" Even Ares frowned at this but Kimmie shot him a flirtatious smile. "Though I have to admit, the results seem to be worth the effort. How you doing over there, Ares?"

"I'm good… But seriously, Kimmie. What're you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be in Japan taking over your mother's post?" Ares asked, taking a slight step closer to his irritable partner. He wasn't touching her, still looking calculatingly at Kimmie, but Lyra felt herself starting to calm slightly. She was certain it was his soul wavelength.

"Shinigami requested me." The pair blinked in confusion. "It would seem that things are getting a little out of control over here so a good group of us have been asked to come and help out." The dark haired beauty explained with a careless wave of her hand. "There's only a handful of active Death Scythes, so they have to pull who they can I suppose."

"So they called you?" Lyra asked with a scoff. "Where's your meister at?"

"She's on vacation, but I'm pretty self sufficient so I told her not to worry." Kimmie answered and chose that moment to stride past them, sending a smile at Ares as she passed. "Give me a call when she becomes to much of a nuisance." Ares sputtered in response, looking to his enraged partner but finding she was too busy seething for other reasons.

This had to be some sick joke!

0

O

0

"At the end of the war with the kishin, Soul Evans was proclaimed to be 'The Last Death Scythe' due to assistance from the witches during the war, developing a new alliance between withes and Shibusen. It would seem that there was no longer a reason to have to capture the soul of a witch. Shibusen's main purpose was to solely protect. However, after the Grand Witch's passing, there was a rebellion and the witches found themselves divided. There were those who were against the union, and those who found solace with the decision. To say the least, attacks began, connection to witches were made and Shibusen's treaty with the witches changed. Any witch that were to go against the agreement made between both parties would be considered a rogue and thus a kishin. Very few Death Scythes have been forged, however there are weapons that rank that of three star who are more than capable of the same abilities of a Death Scythe and take very much pride in such."

"How do you know all of this?" Liam looked up from what he had been doing only to meet with the skeptical look from both Ayame and Aimee. They had all finally returned back to school and were seated in homeroom waiting for Professor Stein to enter. There had been gossip, once again, about the arrival of Death Scythes in Death City and questions on why they would be there.

"I think it's kinda necessary for him to know such things, don't you?" Zeke countered, eyes never leaving the music book propped up in his lap. "He's a Shinigami and when his time comes there are things he should already know." Eyes fell on the disinterested weapon before falling back on the mellow Shinigami.

"So then there really are Death Scythes after Soul-sensei?" Aimee asked.

"Of course." Liam answered and nodded towards Ayame. "Tsubaki-sensei is a Death Scythe. There are only a handful more after her and the rest a fairly far spread out. Rogue witches have gotten better at hiding their activities." He explained easily.

"In other words, any of us becoming Death Scythes would be a serious honor." Aimee hummed, leaning back in her seat. Liam nodded, going back to what he was writing. "But I suppose all the training and such is to become a three star meister as well… to be a part of Shinigami's special league. Kinda like the people who are here now." There was an excited twinkle in her eyes. "That would be so boss…"

"Hey guys." Ava and Rion had arrived, later than the rest of their group and took their respective seats. Ava pulled something from her cardigan pocket and placed it in front of Liam, who grimaced at the sloppy folding job and the random creases in the paper from her clear attempts at other folding methods.

"What's this?"

"It's from mama." Ava answered easily. "She said she's not very happy with you but since she and daddy are gonna be away for the next couple of days, she'd express it in this note." Liam grimaced at the note in his hands.

"She's not very happy with the fact you missed that family dinner the other night. She cooked all by herself." Rion explained from his spot next to his meister. "She's pretty scary when she's mad so I can only imagine what's in that letter." Liam stared at the folded note momentarily before sticking it in his pocket.

"I-I think I'll read it later." He stammered out before poising himself again. "Either way, you guys all should be savvy with Death City history. It's not only my history, but it's yours as well seeing as you're members of the Shibusen community."

"So then, about these visitors." Aimee continued to press on. "You know who they are?"

"They're people that are gonna make a major difference in this… this whatever it is we're in right now." Liam answered and leaned back in his seat. "My dad doesn't tell me much. I just kind of listen and pick pieces together as things happen." There was an almost defeated look on his face that Aimee easily picked up on. She smiled slightly and gave his cheek a teasing pinch, which his irritably swatted away.

"Hey now. You're not required to know everything just yet." She informed and jerked her chin towards their lounging classmates. Zeke was reading a thick book with Ayame next to him doodling on a random sheet that Rion was eyeing critically, Ava on the other side of him staring blearily ahead. "Enjoy your youth just a little bit longer, ok?" He smiled slightly.

"Yeah…" All his friends seemed to always enjoy being themselves and carefree while he found himself dwelling on adult matters. Glancing at the red to his side, who was now chatting it up with another classmate, Liam cocked his head to the side thoughtfully. She was always so lax. Even after a bummed out date that she returned back from at least twice a month. He could never figure her out. Once, his father told him that the red head reminded him of his mother and the young Shinigami grimaced at the thought. Aimee and his mother weren't alike at all. Aimee was far more carefree and way less harsh. "Hey Aimee." She blinked, turning and looking at her partner.

"Yeah, what? You ok?" She asked a lot sweeter than he was used to. He faltered.

Uh… ah…"

"Li, you ok?" Zeke's voice cut in. The white haired teen was eyeing him, as was his dark haired partner. They both wore matching calculating expressions and when he turned his head, Liam noticed even Aimee was waiting for a response. It was in that instance, he was glad that Stein had come strolling in, because his voice had caught in his throat and he suddenly found himself at a loss for words. While all attention was fully on the man at the front of the class, the young Shinigami slunk back into his seat, slightly embarrassed by his actions and even thoughts towards his partner.

"You think she's hot." Shooting up, Liam turned around and stared wide eyed at his cousin who was beaming up at him from her seat. She was leaning dangerously forward in her seat in the row above from his and had a mischievous glint in her eyes. She slowly sat back in her seat at the sound of Stein clearing his throat for their attention and whispered something to Rion, who perked up, eyes widening some as he glanced at the paling meister in the row before them. The younger boy then gave him a thumbs up and started scribbling something in his notes. Liam glared at the pair harshly as Ava giggled into her hands.

"I hope my announcements aren't too boring for those of you in the back row." All eyes were on the group of friends, including the annoyed look of Professor Stein. "It would do you some good to listen up because if any of you break any of these conditions, you'll be having detention and remedial lessons for the rest of the month." He said harshly and went back to his speech about staying out of the way of the guests. It was important to listen, but Liam caught himself taking in the hidden connections between his friends and their respectable partners. The way Ayame and Zeke could lean easily into each other as Zeke whispered something, their faces significantly close, about what he had read in his book. Or the random pokes and pinches exchanged between Rion and Ava. Even Gabe and Aiden seemed to have a way of expressing their closeness without physical contact. He and Aimee, however, it sometimes felt awkward. Maybe because of his uptight tendencies, because his partner held no problem in invading his personal space.

There were a lot of changes happening, some for the better and some for the worse… maybe it was time he made a change as well.

0

O

0

"HI!" Black Star and Tsubaki watched as the bubbly, auburn haired girl came running up to them and instantly latched onto Black Star in a tight hug. The boy in her company gave a warm smile from where he was walking up and waved as the assassin laughed and patted the young woman on the head.

"Angela, welcome back." Tsubaki greeted as the witch turned to her and gave her a less dramatic, yet still warm hug. "What're you doing back so soon?" The witch beamed at the pair.

"Did you hear? Shinigami requested us!" she informed and placed her hands on her hips, puffing out her chest proudly as she spoke. "I don't know if you guys remember, but Arty and I rank as a three star team! We're practically on the same level as a meister with a Death Scythe, so we are back to the city to help aide the cause!" Black Star let out a scoff.

"Kid requested you brats back? We've already got enough brats and elderly people on the job! Now we got a snot nose little witch who swings around a sword while flying on a broom?" he teased rudely. Angela glared but her partner quickly spoke up, a smile in place.

"C'mon, Star-sensei. We learned from you after all." He chirped and Angela shot him an abashed look while Black Star seemed to smirk knowingly. "Besides, we've been doing some pretty special training while we were away. I think we'll be of plenty of use. You and Tsubaki-sensei might have to watch out." Black Star let out a loud laugh, slapping the young man on the back.

"Good one, Arthur, but you've got a long way to go before getting past me!" he informed, ruffling Angela's hair teasingly as she swatted at him.

"All the same, we're heading towards the Death Room now. Kid was mentioning more people would be arriving." Tsubaki cut in with a pleasant smile. The younger pair nodded and proceeded to follow them, Angela and Black Star chattering and sometimes bickering along the way while Arthur and Tsubaki spoke on more calm terms about events and their partners' behavior.

"You're here. About time." Kid's voice cut into their chatter as they fully entered the room where others where the rest were waiting.

"Tsugumi!" The dark haired woman turned and beamed at Tsubaki. Beside her stood two other women, one humming to herself as she rocked on the balls of her feet and the other with a stoic expression on her face.

"Anya, Meme and I were asked to get together and come back!" The woman answered, still her usual chipper self. "I was hoping to see Maka-senpai though…"

"She had some things she and Spirit went to take care of, but Soul is here." Kid informed, indicating to the bored scythe sitting of to the side. He lifted his hand in a short wave and Black Star quickly joined his side, rambling on about something or other that had happened in the city. Tsubaki took in all that had come, Liz joining her side. Old friends greeting one another, some of them being Death Scythes she remembered meeting in her youth, others being students that had graduated and called back as three star meisters.

"What do you think?" The blonde asked in a low tone as the others greeted one another, Kid busy with chastising his long time companions on proper etiquette. Tsubaki allowed her smile to falter some.

"Things have changed since we were kids. We've got to use who and what ever resources we can… If a witch is really behind this like Kid believes, we might have more to take into consideration."

"Are you nervous?" Liz asked as Patty and Kilik made their entrance, followed closely by Ox and Kim. "For what's ahead. Tsubaki shook her head.

"No… I'm more worried about our kids."