CHAPTER 18

A/N – Hello everyone! Wow, I am so happy now that we're getting close to 200 (you know what I'm talking about, God, it's my ultimate fantasy:)))) Again, I cannot find enough words to express how delighted I am that you like my story, I know I write the craziest things but here you are, sticking with me! Darn, I could at least make an effort to update more often, right? Yeah, I'll try :). For now, enjoy the new chapter!

Kid could feel the prince's scrutiny even through the mask, but he suddenly felt oddly calm. Possibly any answer he could give was wrong, if Black Star really had caught onto something (although there was hardly any way he could have beyond the man's own intuition), so it didn't really matter. If she was indeed the one and she had to be…

"I thought there were no rules and everyone could fight as dirty as they wanted, as long as it made them win," the young shinigami said neutrally. "But of course, the ultimate rules are the ones you decide upon, Milord."

The prince sighed, leaning back in his seat. "That is true," he agreed, mischievously chewing on his bottom lip. "Very well. I shall think of a proper punishment. After all, it is my duty to make sure that people don't forget who is in charge…"

So, there would be punishment for the Emerald brat, Kid concluded. He would have no reason to show too much emotion in the face of this - after all, as far as he was concerned, it was enough to know that she would survive and he didn't think that Black Star would decide anything life threatening for the blonde. The prince may have been many things, but he wasn't particularly cruel. And besides, there was little the young shinigami could do to prevent it and it would have been worse for her if he arose any unwanted suspicions.

"You are right, Milord. Then, all shall love you and despair," the reaper said, recklessly not bothering to keep the irony out of his words.

Black Star burst into laughter, nearly choking on his wine. "I like how this sounds. But are you sure it refers to me?" The blue-haired boy reached out and let his fingers wander lazily up and down his guard's arm.

"Clearly. While I wouldn't take interest in someone so insignificant myself, it is my job to notice how people look at you, Milord. Perhaps it was a bit too bold for a slave girl to behold you that way, in that… longing manner."

The prince laughed even harder. "Quite the heartthrob, am I not? Yes, her pure, virginal smile was all mine…" Nimble fingers now reached the hem of the shinigami's sleeve and cunningly slipped under the fabric. Short nails traced the smooth, sensitive skin as if attempting to guess the pattern of the ink lines sinuously adorning the reaper's arm. "You're not jealous, are you, Kid?" he purred. "Serves you right for wearing so much clothing, though…"

Kid didn't answer. His gaze slipped past the blue-haired boy's frame over to where his wife sat, chatting quietly to a lady from her escort. A scowl crept on the shinigami's face upon thinking of Princess Tsubaki. Was she aware of what was going on between him and her husband? The shy brunette never looked at him, not even when he was wearing the mask and behind her always serene, calm expression Kid could read hidden sadness. She was unhappy. Not so much because of Black Star - because the reaper didn't think that the prince was unkind to her – but she'd been given this role with a purpose and no doubt that the Ourouboros, through his faithful servant Gur Kylee, never ceased to put pressure on her. I wish we weren't playing this cruel game…

"I have a feeling that the Clowns will eat you, Death the Kid," Black Star stated, continuing his gentle ministrations even when his guard flinched, torn from his own thoughts. His smile was gone now and he stared straight ahead, with a serious air. "In fact, they will probably eat me too – and most likely Tsubaki as well - as soon as I produce an heir for the Star dynasty. But you'll go first, for sure."

The reaper inhaled sharply, for once acutely feeling his lack of an actual plan. He'd known from the start that it was a dangerous game, the one the Great Wizard Eibon had asked him to play and if he wasn't thinking things through, if he wasn't careful… yeah, that would probably end up happening.

"Why do you think that, Milord?"

A wry smile curled the prince's lips. "Well, theoretically you're here to guard me and my wife is here to give me a son, but we all know that there is an additional purpose for which the two of you were sent into my bed. And until now, you have both failed to deliver."

Behind his mask, Kid grimaced. Of course, the prince was right. Now he saw it too –it was a simple design, really. Black Star was considered undesirable by the Ourouboros and even if he'd wanted to, he could probably not pretend to be what it was required of him, so the moment his son was born his life would come to an untimely end. And with him gone, there would be no purpose for Princess Tsubaki, she'd be deemed as knowing too much and being a threat to the state affairs.

The blue-haired boy refilled his cup and took a long sip from it. "It's only a matter of time, you see. I am curious to see which one of us runs out of time first. But like I said, it will probably be you, Kid. You're putting too much heart in it to please me without getting anything in return. Maybe you lack the ability, maybe you lack the will, it's hard to say…"

Pulling his hand away from the prince slowly, Kid reached up and removed his mask, pushing the black hood back. "Or maybe it doesn't matter anyway," he replied, offering his master a cheeky smirk.

The large, pale green eyes were everywhere. There was no hiding from them. The shinigami suspected that they were attached to a heavy, gruesome body currently concealed in the shadows. Sweat ran down his bare arms and torso as he tensely clutched the black-blooded swords. The air was thick and stale, he could barely breathe, one with the adrenaline rush as he waited for the unseen beast to attack. A low growl resounded in the marble hall, reverberating among the finely carved columns, sending cold shivers down his spine. The thing circled him cunningly - Kid was sure - drawing closer and then moving farther, but those sinister eyes watched his every movement, his every breath. And then it jumped with a swish of air, a black shadow lunging for him and knocking him off his feet. One set of claws tore through his stomach while another blocked his airways. It was over.

Kid jerked upright, clutching his abdomen as he panted hard and stared bewildered at the silk curtains dancing slowly in the warm night breeze. At last he sighed, ascertaining that there was no real danger. A nightmare, the first in a very long time… The muscular arm which had been draped around his waist had now slipped to the top of his thighs, but the prince was still sleeping. Again this cuddling, all this affection the young shinigami had no idea what to do with…

He glanced down at Black Star's peaceful expression with a chagrined scowl – how could he sleep so carelessly when the shadow of death hovered above him, inescapable? He wished he could have trusted the Star prince, he wished that the blue-haired boy had not been another enemy piece to be carefully dodged in his path to the assigned purpose. But there was no way to that, after all Eibon had not specified what he would do with the Stars once the Ourouboros was killed. They would no longer rule, that was certain. But would they at least be allowed to live? Kid didn't know.

Eventually he collapsed back onto the soft pillows, taking a deep breath and turning his head to the other side. The reaper felt suddenly very tired and he didn't want to think of prince Black Star, princess Tsubaki or the Emerald brat anymore. He couldn't think of them. All he should think of were Liz, Patty and his loyal servant Chrona. He had to keep them safe, whatever it took and the hell with the rest. Carefully pushing the covers and the prince's arm aside, the young shinigami hauled himself up once more and soundlessly slipped out of bed.

Maka's first won match as a champion had left her quite terrified and even more disgusted than usual. Training Master Ox Ford, who for once was pleased with her, had told the blonde that she should feel victorious. And right now, in the middle of the glamorous feast going on in Galiel's apartment at the Arena, she couldn't feel any less so. The lycans had freed her and Soul of the dirty armors and she'd had a bit of time to clean most of the blood from her face and hair, but she could still feel it there. Her simple leather skirt, bra and boots currently made her outfit and Maka felt like no more than an insignificant, dirty little savage to be looked down upon by Galiel's wives and guests.

Ox Ford had held a long speech as to how they were to behave on such an occasion (since both Maka and Soul had been wounded after their fight with Harthgor they'd missed the celebrations held then and had not been properly instructed with the protocol). The Training Master explained that they were not to mingle excessively with the Master's guests - because they were there on display and not to make conversation – and they were not to stuff themselves with too much food or wine. Soul 'Eater' Evans for one seemed not to heed that particular advice too much, downing cup after cup with a smug smile and surrounded as he was by giggling girls who insisted upon touching his muscles in wonder.

The blonde herself wasn't getting much attention, but if anything it was a relief and besides, she had more important things to think about as she watched her Master's face, observing his every move. Her main concern was, now that he'd made a considerable sum as a result of her victory – because that much was known even to her – how much would he be willing to erase out of her father's debt. Poor Papa… She had barely thought of him lately, but even the vaguest thought of him proved to be painful.

"Come, my little emerald," Galiel called suddenly from his seat, motioning for her to approach with a ring laden hand. His eyes were full of mirth as he seemed to take his time assessing her frail, almost petite frame. And again the wives beheld her disdainfully, as if she were some piece of trash their lord and husband shouldn't have bothered with. At length Galiel thoughtfully caressed a white braid of his hair and spoke again:

"You know, Maka Albarn, the prince sent word that next time you pull such a stunt, he will punish you for breaking the rules," he said and the blonde flinched, startled. A cold shudder shot down her spine as the wives chuckled maliciously. Her gaze trailed to where Evans stood – if he hadn't done that, she'd be dead now… And besides, there were no rules, were there?

"But, Master-" she murmured weakly, her eyes wide with fear.

"Oh, he assured me that he'll see to that," the Lord added. "Personally…" he clarified. And now everyone laughed, much to Maka's horror and utter humiliation. Her face turned red and she wanted nothing more than to bury it in trembling hands. "Heh, who would have thought you'd gain such high favor?" he went on, good-humored. "For that, I've decided to erase the rest up to a quarter of your father's debt. Three quarters left to go, my little emerald."

Three quarters left to go? But that's so much…Maka pondered morosely clutching the towel close to her body as she walked back to her cell. Another reason to feel less than victorious on this 'grand day'. Eventually she'd been allowed to slip away from the party and she'd gratefully taken the time to have a long bath and soothe aching muscles. Stein had briefly suggested that they'd have a lot to work on still as far as her technique was concerned so heavy training was ahead, along with more gruesome matches she'd rather not think about right now. She was tired and all she wanted was to fling herself onto the rough mattress of her small cot and drift into unconsciousness.

Running a weary hand through her damp hair, Maka carefully closed the door and sat on the bed, finally able to kick off her boots and stretch her legs. But then, suddenly, a random flicker of her small candle drew her attention on the black shadow standing silently, motionless in the corner, just behind the door. She yelped, startled, and quickly withdrew to the far end of her bed, clutching the covers and pulling her knees to her chest.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you," said shadow stated softly.

"Oh, Kid…" the blonde murmured breathlessly, eyes wide and still panting slightly. "I didn't think you really would-…"

"What, put my money where my mouth is?" the young shinigami asked, a thin eyebrow raised questioningly while a light smile tugged at his lips.

To be continued