Important!

Tied by words is not yet complete, but I am publishing this anyway. I'm making changes in the story. This is now a series of multiple two\three shots that is called 'Tied With a Ribbon', and every story is called by a diffrent name. The first is 'Tied by Words', and this secound one is called 'Tied by Contract'. I hope I made that clear.

Tied by Contract, part one

"If you won't find a bride, Kid, I would. You must get married by the time you're eighteen! Your soul will never be complete otherwise."

Kid sat up in his bed, breathing heavily. A few years had passed since they had that conversation, in which a lot of things happened. They defeated the kishin... for him it was as if only yesterday he saw Maka punch the living shit out of Asura.

Lord death had from a very young age let Kid know of his rare soul downsides. He was only a piece of his father, which meant he would need to find a filler before he is ready to take over the job. That said, not many fitted him- he would need the donor to have an incredibly large and strong soul that is resonated with his or it will never work. Then there is the fact that Kid isn't even interested in anyone. Liz and patty may be resonated with him, but he refused to even discuss that option. Even if he did, they won't fit him, no offence.

He just hoped his father forgot all about it, since Kid was almost seventeen and a half. Wasn't he powerful enough on his own? Why would he need anyone on his side? He frowned, dropping back on his bed symmetrically. Better go to sleep, or he won't get his eight hours perfectly.

His hops were soon to be crashed.

…

Kid sipped his dark chocolate milkshake. Not many knew of his love of dark chocolate- it always made it to improve his mood. Today, too, it did the job. At the two sides of him sat Patty with strawberry and Liz, drinking nothing, who stared at soul in front of her. He and Maka had both ordered a big cup of vanilla shake and split it to two small cups. They were only five, asymmetrical- it bothered him a little. Black*Star and Tsubaki went on a mission, so instead of the regular noise the air carried blessed silence. Well, at least until Maka decided to start a conversation about the most random subject in Kid's opinion.

"So... what sauce do you like with your pasta?" Soul pulled his shoulders. Maka turned her eyes to Kid. "Rose, maybe? yea." He answered carelessly. Maka hummed at Liz and Patty's answers. Soul stretched back in what seemed to be another long moment of silence.

"Milkshake?" She asked, breaking the peaceful state of Kid's mind for the second time. "It's a secret." He brushed her off. "I think vanilla is the best." Where was she going with this? Kid exhaled, deciding to give her what she wanted. "I don't think so. Vanilla is such a... cliché flavor, and most of the time it's too sweet." Maka puffed her cheeks. "Well, I would have insulted your favorite too, if you weren't too much of a snob to tell me what it is!" Soul rolled his eyes. "Maka, chill." He advised.

"Hmm... well, if it means that much to you, you can taste some." Kid handed Maka his cup. She glared at him with suspicion, then took it out of his grab. She was clearly focused in his stare because she didn't even realize she was using the same straw as he did. Kid's expression turned blank for a moment. "Ewe! You kissed Kiddo indirectly!" Patty called, receiving an intense glare from Kid and a shocked expression from Maka, only now noticing her mistake. Soul and Liz laughed. "That is what you get for being an airhead." He added. "Oh... uh, him, it's..." She stumbled with her words, slowly remembering what she intended to do. "That is terrible! How do you love this junk?" In truth, Maka really liked the taste, but she already decided in her mind to insult it. Kid frowned.

"Do you have a problem with my choice of milkshake?" He asked, ready to defend his favorite taste. She should be thankful he agreed to tell her, but no! She had to make it awkward, and then dare to insult him. Seriously! "You made it pretty clear you have a problem with vanilla, so it only makes sense that I won't like your flavor either! It's stupid." Death, she was so stubborn. But cute, without doubt. "Is not!" He hated himself for acting so childishly. Maka frowned and held Soul's hand, dragging him to the door. "We're going home, got work to do. Enjoy that disgusting shake of yours!" she shouted, ignoring the small complaints soul made. "And by the way, your hair is asymmetrical!" she screamed as they stepped outside. Causing Liz to facepalm at Kid's twitches.

...

"Seriously Maka, you two fought over nothing." Soul was still upset about them leaving before he finished his milkshake. "He was being rude!" Maka insisted. "No he wasn't. You probably just looked for something to fight about, didn't you?" Maka clutched her fists, to which Soul rolled his eyes. "I don't look for reasons to fight, you jerk!" She protested. "You are right now." He pointed to her embarrassment. "Am not!" She called. "Look, I'm not going to try reasoning with you about it. You flat chest ain't worth the sweat." Maka was about to chop him. How dare Soul call her that? She thought she rid him from that bad habit months ago. His eyes widened. "No! I'm sorry, you're not flat chest, okay? You're wearing sports bra." The cover up made her even angrier. "Maka... CHOP!" she called as she slammed the top his head with a book she pulled out of nowhere.

"I don't like his attitude, is all." She spoke quietly. "Why? you never had a problem with Kid before." Soul asked in a painful tone, not bothering to stop the stream of blood her chop caused. "He's too gloomy lately, haven't you noticed?" She asked. "No, I haven't. You're probably imaging things." He sighed. "And if he was gloomy, I don't think insulting him helped." Maka's heart filled with guilt. "Well, I'm not apologizing, if that's where you're going with this." Soul closed his eyes and shook his head. When he opened them, they were filled with softness. "Geez, so proud. What are you gonna do? Wait for him to apologize to you? Cas' he ain't doing it." Deep down Maka knew he was right, so she decided, next time she will meet Kid, to put things in place.

...

Maka passed her finger on the thick bookshelf of the school library. She was currently searching for a book about physics. From her very first day in this odd school Maka already knew she wasn't going to study what normal kids do, so in secret she would always teach herself those things. Subjects like math, not so much geometry like algebra. Human history that doesn't include Lord Death in it at all- she liked Greek mythology, and found a spatial interest in the first and second world wars. The fact that those were people hurting people, exterminating them like that was the natural thing to do, It all sent a shiver down her spine every time. History aside, Maka also loved studying chemistry and biology. She even came up with some theories herself, about magic, about portals, about all the things that weren't supposed to make sense. After all, she was Maka Albarn, a genius, even if right now she was only reading peacefully.

"Maka? What are you reading?" She jumped, hiding the book behind her back. "Kid! Oh, hi. I thought you were a teacher." He raised an eyebrow. "Answer my question." Maka frowned. Here he goes again, with his shitty altitude. "None of your businesses." She answered in annoyance. "I guess it's not anything for me anyway." He snorted. Why was she hiding it from him? Kid thought, offended. For a moment he thought she was reading a book he knew, about light and the way it can break and reflect- it was rather interesting. But it couldn't be the one- not for Maka, at least. She was too much of a snob to have anything in common with Kid. Besides, they were not supposed to read those- they were for much higher ranked meisters.

"What do you mean not for you? How many stars do you think I have?" Maka, on her side, took offence nonetheless. Her plan on apologizing quickly faded, as anger took its place. "I don't committee to stars; my ID can get me any book I want." Kid wasn't trying to brag, but it sure sounded like it. "You must be SOOO SMART to have that! It's not like it belongs to your dad." Kid reddened. "Don't act innocent; I know you use Spirit's ID too!" That really got Maka mad. "Well, what if I do? The fact I can handle them is already enough to prove I'm worthy!" The two stood in front of each other, looking like any moment now one of them will jump the other and (or at least attempt to) kill him. It was Luck that brought the young librarian to the break the fight.

...

"Hello kiddo!" Lord Death greeted his son as he entered the death room. "Hello father, you called me?" Kid asked in a gloomy tone. He was just fighting Maka earlier that day, and now he was called for a talk with his father. Kid suspected it was about the thing he so feared, the subject that hunted his dreams, marriage. It fitted his dad to look so cheerful at a time like this, where his son was the most stressed- He always knew the best way to get on his nerves. Though, Kid still respected him, no matter how stupid he acts.

"Yes, I needed to talk to you about something. You might have guessed what it is." Cold sweat dripped down Kid's neck. "How are you at school? Are your friends alright?" Kid's eyes fell to the floor. "Actually I... we had some sort of fight, me and Maka. It bothers me. I guess you don't really care, those are just standard questions every parent must ask their child." Lord death seemed troubled by the news. "Well, I'm sure you will get over it soon enough, you are best friends, after all." Kid sighed. "Kiddo, I am making a contest. Tournament, only for the best girls of the DWMA schools around the world. Do you know what for?" Kid closed his eyes in fear. "No." He lied, in hope that he was wrong. "I know you do; I bet it doesn't leave your mind. I am hosting a competition to find you a bride, Kiddo. I know you aren't happy about it, but there is only so much I can do to help you. For example, I'm giving you the freedom to choose. All the girls I will invite here will be fitting for you, but you will be their judge. If you decline, I will gladly pick one myself." Kid curled into a small ball. He was getting married; It was not a dream anymore. Strangers from all over the world will gather in death city, and he will have to walk through them knowing he will be stuck with one of them forever or at least until one of them dies. Sleep in the same bed, give birth to children; Kid was ready to throw up only thinking of his future life.

With a woman he does not love, in an arranged marriage, will he ever be happy? will he really feel free?

"It's okay, take your time." Lord Death said softly. He felt bad for his little boy, so confused and startled, his fatherly instincts told him to go and hug him, but he knew Kid would rather be alone at this time. Besides, he wasn't one to comfort him seeing as he caused this mess. And as much as he wanted to hold him and tell him things will be okay, he knew for a fact there is no solution. It simply must happen or Kid will turn kishin. Nice and clear.

...

Kid sat on the big chair next to his father. Today was the big party stating the opening of 'Miss shibusen tournament'. Girls found fitting from DWMA schools spread across the world gathered in the small room to celebrate and get to know each other. Kid scanned them all carefully, suddenly feeling like there was a lack of air in the room. "I'm... going, to get some fresh air." He told his father before making his way outside.

"Kid?" His eyes widened. "Maka?" He called, turning around to face her. "What are you doing here?!" He asked, stunned. "What? Don't you think I'm good enough to compete?" She asked grumpily. "Why... do you... why would you enter it?" his eyes widened. "To your information, Lord Death picked me. He said I was fitted, but you obviously don't think I have a chance so..." Kid was too shocked to reply. Maka was here, she was offended he didn't consider her. "Why are you staring at me like that? It's creepy." She asked suddenly. "I didn't, you never- do you? I mean, why would you compete?" Kid's face flashed pink for just a moment.

"Why the hell would you ask that? I am competing for me. There is no real prize for this." Kid squinted his eyes. "Out of the blue Lord death calls me to say he is hosting a competition, something fun that is limited only to the best girl students. Releasing me of school for the week, so I thought, why not? I think I have a good chance of winning, too." Kid closed his eyes. So she had no idea. That was both a relief and a problem on Kid's side. All of those girls, they weren't in this because they wanted to marry him, they were driven by their fighting spirit. Some may have friends at home, supporting them, maybe even a boyfriend that they want to make proud. The whole situation was so twisted, but he knew he had to cooperate.

"I have to go, sorry." He pushed Maka on his way inside. "Jerk!" She called after him. Not only that he offended her and lowered her self-confidence, staring at her and then spacing out, he also left her like that to be mad at him when he's not there to take it. "Tch." she hissed, stepping back inside.