CHAPTER 7

A/N – Hello everyone! Um… what can I say? Other than that I am truly overwhelmed and endlessly grateful and happy for all the reviews, favorites and follows you gave my story! Sorry I'm sort of late with this update as well, due to busy schedule at work and getting home tired and without inspiration, it just couldn't be helped. But I'm sticking to it, you don't need to worry;)

A/N – As you may remember from the previous chapter, I have changed the structure of updates, meaning that I shall be focusing on either Kid or Maka alternatively except for the chapters in which they will actually have 'screen time' together. That being said, since the last chapter was Maka centered, this one will be all about Kid. Enjoy!

"Master, could you possibly try to make a tiny effort not to look so grim?" Chrona said, kneeling to adjust his master's belt buckle. "You know they want to see you smiling. Unless…"

"Unless what?" the young shinigami asked absentmindedly, fingering the tassels of his cloak and not really paying attention to whatever his servant was saying.

The pink haired boy stood up looking very uncomfortable and cleared his throat. "Um… unless last night I managed to make it really awkward between us…"

"No… I didn't mind last night. I know you only wanted to help, but I want to keep you alive. Hell, keep us both alive. I just… don't know what the hell I am supposed to do now…"

Chrona winced at his master's words. The young reaper did not look angry, not even displeased, but rather sad, helpless and disoriented for some reason. Had he burdened him with that foolish confession, even if unspoken? That had been a very bad idea, starting with said 'confession' and ending to the conclusion it had lead to regarding Kid's obvious preference for girls. "What do you mean, master?"

Kid sighed. "Well I've got this job, just as instructed, but now what? Master Eibon said I would know the girl I am looking for when I see her, I will 'just know it's her'. But where the hell am I supposed to find her? And it's not like I can wander around either, now I'll have to watch after the prince's precious ass all the time! What kind of stupid plan was this anyway?"

"Master Eibon keeps a lot of secrets. I believe he knows more on the matter than he has been willing to share with you"

The reaper rolled his eyes, he'd suspected as much about the old mage. "I don't care about any of his secrets, but if he doesn't want to tell me what he knows – and might help - then perhaps he should have just proceeded to the task himself and leave my father and I out of it. It's not like we want this!" He picked up his white skull mask and inspected it closely. "Oh, great! Is this a crack?" he asked, running his fingers over what seemed to be a small scratch on the smooth surface, undoubtedly having arisen after his first encounter with Prince Black Star and his challenge.

Chrona leaned in to examine it as well. "No, just a scratch and it's barely visible… But speaking of masks, how do you think Master Eibon looks behind that mask he is always wearing?" the servant wondered out loud.

Kid blinked, then snorted - the magic child could have such peculiar ideas and curiosities at times, like now. "Oh well, I don't think he's a great beauty. I mean he's ancient , for fuck's sake. Now listen to me, I have to be at the palace shortly to babysit the prince. Try not to get into any trouble in the meantime and keep away from Kylee and that little bastard Pure Truth or whatever the hell his name is"

Kid was pleased that at least this time he'd been spared of Gur Kylee's company and of travelling across the Citadel in that absurd palanquin overstuffed with silk pillows, inside which one could only sit awkwardly with their knees practically in their mouth. The young shinigami liked walking, feeling the solid ground under his feet was always a welcomed feeling. Of course, when he travelled long distances he would use his flying skateboard Beelzebub, but in the Citadel that would have been too much out of place. Not that he wasn't drawing enough attention as it was - his black cloak couldn't have been any more conspicuous in a city so full of sunlight and bright colors everywhere – and people were steering clear from his path as he walked down the street.

Obviously, they are all terrified by the Ourouboros, not to mention by his shinigami elite and his Star assassins. And I am presently one of his minions… he thought bitterly. The young reaper let his gaze wander over the colorful, loud crowd roaming about their daily business. Somewhere, among all these people, is the girl or woman whom Eibon wants me to find… the warrior who will bring an end to this terror. But all women were wearing lightly draped, long summer dresses hugging their mostly willowy, graceful forms - either made of silks or just plain cloth - and some light veils over their luscious tresses to keep the sun away. Needless to say none of them looked even remotely like a warrior. Just great!

The royal palace seemed to be very quiet, just like the last time he'd been there and the massive Clowns guarding the entrance did not make any move as the young shinigami walked past them inside. Kid couldn't help wondering for a brief moment whether anyone wearing a black cloak and a shinigami mask could have slipped inside completely unbothered or if they would have been able to discover an imposter and attack them. Probably…

Although Master Gur Kylee had made him memorize the whole map of the palace, with its interior and exterior gardens, additional pavilions and all, Kid still managed to get lost in the enormous place and had quite the trouble finding Prince Black Star's apartments on his own. Eventually, the young reaper found the right door and knocked shyly, hoping to cause no more unfortunate intrusions in places he wasn't supposed to be. When no one answered, he pressed the knob warily and opened the door.

The large living quarters were lavishly decorated in shades of dark blue pleasantly mixed with white – the Star colors – and luxurious furniture was sat upon soft carpets in the same nuances. But the shinigami's observations were only brief, since he saw the Prince standing there, in the middle of the room, looking incredibly ill-humored.

This clearly isn't good… Maybe it's because I am a bit late? It's only just a bit though… Kid pondered, thinking of checking his pocket watch but immediately reconsidering.

"You are late, Death the Kid," a voice said from somewhere behind Black Star and the most likely reason for the young prince's foul mood soon revealed itself when Asura came into view. "Are you seriously trying to disappoint His Highness from the first day?"

"Forgive me, Milord." Kid rapidly removed his mask and pushed his hood back, taking a curt bow while the other shinigami snorted blatantly.

Asura wasn't wearing his cloak. Just like Kylee, he wore several rows of beads over his bare torso, probably meant to emphasize his tattoos, and a pair of simple, baggy black slacks also holding his sword belt. Kid personally found the interdiction of wearing even a simple decent shirt here quite annoying – despite the fact that here in the hot weather of the Citadel most men chose to wear very little upper clothing. Besides, a shinigami's tattoos were meant for protection, like a sort of body armor, and he viewed the preference for displaying them for mere show off as quite vulgar and of bad taste.

"Oh well, no bother," Prince Black Star finally spoke, plopping down on a couch."Your friend Asura has already taken all diligences to annoy me plenty by forcing his accursed presence on me yet again. Anyway, now that you're here at last, he can spare me of breathing in the back of my neck like the cheap whore that he is and go back to whatever depths of hell he came out from in the first place"

Asura's face literally fell at the prince's words and an amused smile made its way on Kid's lips before he could stop it. The other shinigami took a silent bow in Black Star's direction and retired towards the door, only stopping when he was in front of his replacement.

"Don't be so smug just because you got this job, you filthy little mercenary!" he hissed venomously."I am Gur Kylee's ward and I will be keeping an eye on you and that girly servant of yours!" Then he stomped out angrily, very nearly slamming the door in his wake.

"He is such a woman when insulted," Black Star commented from the couch, his mischievous demeanor seeming to return. "And not only when insulted. All whiny and backstabbing kind of bastard, that one. And I hope you realise that he hates you now"

"It doesn't matter, Milord"

The prince stood from the couch and ran a hand through his unruly, spiked blue hair, only messing it even further. "Oh well, come along now. Believe it or not, I have quite a busy schedule. The day's matches at the Arena will begin shortly and afterwards I'll have to attend my father's council. And yes, Asura will be there too, shadowing my father at every step, so brace yourself for you have not escaped him for the day"

Kid could almost hear the prince chuckling as he said that. Oh great, he only wanted me here so that he can piss Asura and amuse himself! And if only Asura wasn't Gur Kylee's ward! Now there'll be no way to keep the fat bastard pleased! the young reaper thought gloomily as he followed Black Star into a corridor adjacent to his living quarters.

"So… you can tell me," Black Star said casually, "What instructions were you given by our friend Kylee? He must have some sort of plan concerning you, beyond replacing Asura in my service"

Kid tensed involuntarily. Clearly the prince only looked like a loud mouthed, obnoxious idiot. In reality he had a sharp mind and was quite aware of what was going on around him. He would have to be careful. "Master Kylee has given me no particular instructions other than to guard you with utmost care and be really mindful as to not displease you with my provincial manners, Milord"

"I see…" the blue haired boy replied with a shrug which only made it obvious he wasn't buying any of it. He stopped in front of a door and lightly knocked three times.

As it was time for the royal family to attend to another day of fights at the Arena, it turned out that the prince too was travelling in a palanquin. Of course, this one was bigger and far more luxurious than Kylee's who was just a priest, but Black Star was only joined by his wife, Princess Tsubaki, and thus Kid was spared of being stuffed again in such a small, suffocating enclosure.

While the couple made their way to where the court's palanquins were waiting in line, the young shinigami took the opportunity to observe the prince's wife more closely. Tsubaki Star was a very beautiful and gracious girl, but she was also apparently very shy and quiet. Her long raven black hair was tied up in a very simple ponytail and her midnight blue dress was quite simple and accessorized with very little jewelry. Her lips bore a light and kind smile as she listened to whatever Black Star was currently telling her in a rather loud voice, but her large blue eyes had the expression of someone adoring yet slightly overwhelmed by the person they adored.

Pfft… what the hell was the Ourouboros thinking choosing her as a wife for him? They don't match at all! She's much too delicate and gentle for this young wildling, no wonder he finds her boring. And in turn he probably exasperates her, Kid concluded.

It was early in the afternoon and the Arena – the ultimate core of the Citadel – was absolutely full and buzzing with people. As the King's escort passed through the entrance and corridor leading to their section, Kid could almost feel the bricks vibrating with the crowd's fret. Soon, thousands of eyes would be upon the King and his court as they would make their entrance and the young shinigami was grateful for having to wear his mask in public or he wouldn't have dealt too well with such an exposure. Especially after seeing the people's reaction earlier.

The sun was so bright and almost blinding as it bathed the King's balcony in white hot light and the servants rushed to pull a large, dark silk canopy over the top and sides, providing much needed shade, before everyone could step outside and head to their seats. The air was hot and there wasn't even the slightest breeze blowing. Feathered fans were put in motion and cool drinks were served to the King and his court and the other reaper saw Asura plopping down carelessly on a seat which wasn't his and taking off his mask and hood. What the hell did he think he was doing? Kid said nothing and decided to ignore him. Asura however had other ideas.

"Well, well, you are such a prude, Death the Kid, always wearing your mask and cloak. You must be more uptight than the Ourouboros himself…" he cackled.

At this point Kid realised that confronting him was inevitable. Muttering a curse through gritted teeth, he turned sharply to face the other. "What?"

"See, I really think you got the regulations part all wrong, "Asura went on smugly, "It's not us who are required to hide under these silly outfits. We are just not supposed to be looked at. So they shouldn't look"

Right, Gur Kylee's ward was probably frustrated because he couldn't show off properly, Kid thought. But honestly, weren't they making enough of an impression as it was? What the hell was wrong with Asura anyway? What did he want?

"But the princess is here. I thought-"

"The princess is just a woman, she should know her fucking place," the other shinigami cut him off disdainfully. "She should keep her head down, or better do her fucking job and look at her husband instead"

Kid suddenly felt an ardent desire to take off his own mask and hurl the sharp part in Asura's face. "While you're just a bastard and a half-breed!" he hissed."And if you had known your fucking place, we wouldn't have to kiss the prince's ass in this manner! You think you're so great because you're Master Gur's ward, but when he finds out that you're jeopardizing everything he's worked for with your fucking attitude, I can assure you he will be very pissed!"

Asura stood up abruptly, a vicious expression on his face and he seemed about to raise his hand and strike.

"Kid?" Black Star called, interrupting their little scene. "Come and sit with me"

The younger shinigami turned his back on Asura and headed to where the prince was seated, noticing the mischievous and amused grin on his face. He sighed.

To be continued

A/N – I know this was a bit confusing, but the reason why Kid called Asura' a bastard and a half-breed' will be explained in later chapters.