Rated K+ as this chapter is quite tame

Chapter 12: Contracts

"A bond between souls is ancient – older than the planet."

– Dianna Hardy, The Witching Pen

Stein didn't know what was worse. He could see clearly that their soul wavering from the simulations, and yet, their expressions were an emotionless mask. A normal person wouldn't be able to see that they had gone through traumatic experiences, because they were too good at acting, almost like it was their forte.

"Well done overcoming your fears -"and showing a shred of what you went through -"And allowing to me to see that my simulations are still imperfect, as it dug too deep on the first attempt." Stein looked evenly in their eyes, hoping that they would see that he was apologetic.

Maka, seeming to be the mouthpiece of the group, spoke. "Professor, as much as I admire you for your inventions, I hope whatever you saw in our heads or the horrific things we went through will not be shared with anyone as we do not need any pity." Her voice was even, but there was tinge of resentment that they were made vulnerable. She hated that.

It was a silent agreement amongst them that they never wanted to go back to that wretched place and had no intention whatsoever to get caught into the web of torture again. Just being sent on missions to rid of those monsters was a bonus for them, for they were all thirsty for their tormentor's blood to be spilled all over the floor.

They were no different from them in the ways they killed, but they were the product of their cruelty and the very same instrument that will be used against them in time to come. It was hard to break out of the chain of hatred for once cast; not easily undone.

Just as Stein was about to dismiss them back to their dorms to rest, His demon weapon came out of the lab, her eyes red and puffy from crying. She pulled all the ex-slaves into a spontaneous hug, like an overprotective mother bear.

"You've done well fighting those bastards. May they be condemned in Hell." She whispered to them. She didn't sympathize - no - she empathized them. No child should go through such a horrible and brutal thing.

The gang froze at their teacher's gesture, as none of them had experienced much affection in the circus. Perhaps between them, it was always the comfortable silence of knowing they'll be there for each other, no need for outward actions to prove it.

It was the way they lived by. Show nothing but an impassive face.

The ash-blonde stopped questioning if she was even sane ever since she joined the circus. She glanced at the contract, wondering why they even needed such things. So what if there was another needle that was going to sticker into her skin? Or that people are watching, expecting her change? The world was like that, she decided, just black and white, no grey, no blurring of lines.

I, Maka Evangeline Albarn, hereby declare that The Death City Association is not held liable for any side effects of Genetic Change may give as I give consent to the Genetic Change that is to occur. If I survive the Change, which may result to untimely death between transitions, I am bound to the association without any conditions to serve as a meister or a weapon.

The doctor in charge of the procedure is Doctor Frankenstein, and he will do to the best of his ability to make sure that I survive the Genetic Change. The Genetic Change will occur on 8 September 2013, a week prior from when this contract is being approved and signed.

The information provided in this contract and I am of sound mind to execute it.

Signature: _

Signed by: Shinigami

"Well this has got to be the first time someone actually asked for my consent before placing me on an operation table." She muttered, chuckling slightly as her twisted joke as she signed the contract quickly.

She glanced at Soul, who did not even look at contract before penning down his messy and yet fanciful signature, slouching back into his seat, dozing off instantly.

The only people who were actually considering the contract were those who were inexperienced, and she could see some jaws slack with horror along the lines of 'death'. She stared at them incredulously, wanting to ask them why were they in this school if they never an intention to go through the change.

Were they expecting that they won't go through the genetic change and know about the secret of how they changed? As Maka would see it, the change was what bonded them. No one would want others to know how they became like that. It might make the Death City Association look….. Monstrous for doing such things.

"Pretty giraffe!" The younger Brooklyn sister giggled, admiring her creation. Everyone in the classroom looked at Patty in amusement, seeing that she had folded her signed contract into a giraffe and coloured in respectively. An evil glint flashed past her eyes before she smashed the giraffe, giggling hysterically.

The gang rolled their eyes, expecting such a reaction as Liz bumped heads with her sister affectionately, having a silent message. From far, they'd seem like a family in their own way, with small gestures and words of affirmation. They were broken inside…. But they made a perfect piece with their different personalities.

The young Shinigami woke up, disoriented. He wasn't sure how he should judge the floating clouds and the blue skies that looked kind of cartoonish. He groaned; feeling like his entire body had just been restructured. The last time he felt like that was when they poked his brain with Shinigami-knows-what.

"Kiddo-kun. Are you better now?" He stared at his descendent with his never-ending hollow eyes.

"Right as rain. What did I miss, Honourable Father?" Kid answered stoically, his pale gold eyes unwavering. Most people would have different reactions when they saw the Grim Reaper. To bow in submission or run and cower in fear, or to defy the definition of 'death'.

"Not much. I suppose you immediately inherited knowledge about the association through the maddening contract?" The Shinigami tilted his head in curiosity.

Kid thought for a moment. "Well, my head does feel fuller than usual. Maybe that was the reason I passed out."

"It must be." He nodded, before continuing. "Your only agenda right now is to find a weapon that is compatible for you, seeing that you aren't in need of any education about how this place is being run."

"But if I'm not wrong, the change only happens in a week, right? I'm more interested in the current batch that is about to be created." Kid murmured, his memory flashing back to two familiar blondes that he felt an instant connection to.

They plagued his memory with their kindness, saving him from the searing heat that surrounded him that he was sure he wouldn't have survived. They were pale and connected, looking deprived of food and there was just a look of resistance that they refused to accept what they were condemned with, and willing to survive against whatever odds they were given. It was addicting, the personality of theirs.

Seeing his heir's resolve, the Shinigami nodded mutely, immediately cancelling all the weapons that he had in mind that might be compatible with his child. Death the Kid certainly wasn't some who liked to be pampered or spoon-fed and the bond between him and his weapon would be stronger if he hunted the souls himself.

To say the least, he had gotten the seal of approval from the Shinigami, who was thanking his ancestors for choosing his heir well. 'He has a great aptitude to become a greater Shinigami that I am, perhaps even settling the feud that had gone on for too long….' He thought.

With a grand swooping gestured, his eyes seem to crinkle into some sort of smile. "Death the Kid, the next in line for the role as the 8th Shinigami, I, Death, welcome you to Death City where your legacy will be made!"

The back stories has come to the end, with the cast needed complete. The official thing starts right after this, which is the change! This isn't like my other stories. There won't be romance, what so ever and well, the movements made by the gang will be different from the original Soul Eater!

Some of you may not like what I have in store, but remember, I'm the one who's writing this, and this is no longer a work I started as a 14 year old and the plot has expanded.

Stay tuned for more ^^ Consistent posting is not guaranteed, but I will try to upload as soon as I can! (Might have writer's block, who knows?)