Something Brewing

Susannah

As far as I know, I am the last survivor of the Azul Clan. My tribe is no different to any other, except, our DNA has the ability to be able to control the most dangerous weapon in the world: BREW. The Star Clan killed my father when my mother was pregnant. Then she too died shortly after giving birth to me. In her last days, she walked the desert just to take me to Shinigami-sama, the leader of Death City. Shinigami's are the only other being that have similar abilities to the Azul Clan where BREW is considered. I think that's why she made such an effort; to keep me safe.

Because I am the lone survivor of my clan, I had been forced to carry BREW. It hid deep inside my soul, undetected by anyone. Anyway, seeing as both my parents were dead, Shinigami took me under his wing. I grew up with him until I was 10, but I will get to that part later. His son, Death the Kid, was extremely wary of me at first. I remember him avoiding me for the first few years. As we grew older, and he became more adult, we grew closer.

Shinigami, by my mothers wish, sent me to a normal school. No meisters, no souls, no magic of any sort. To protect me probably. I asked Shinigami why Kid didn't go to school. He said that Kid had gone once, but he disliked it so much that he never went back. I think it was because everyone knew he was different. Not like me. I slot into normal life like any other person. Only Shinigami and I know about BREW. I wasn't even allowed to tell Kid… I felt like I was hiding my true self from him. I told him everything… except that. I knew all about his obsession with symmetry and was the only one, apart from his father, who could calm him down. I did worry about him. If it wasn't the number eight, it was the wall hangings, or forgetting to fold the toilet paper! Meaningless things that felt so important to him.

At school there used to be so many rumours about Kid. However, no one knew that I lived with him, so I just used to smile and not say a word. Inside, I guess I felt angry. How dare they? They don't know him like I do! But I couldn't let my anger show. For if I got too angry, BREW would become more prominent in my soul, which meant it was easier for enemies to spot.

My perfect life came to a halt on my 10th Birthday though. Unusually, I woke at half 5 in the morning. As I was thinking, I heard shouting and banging from below. My heart began to beat loudly in my chest. Cautiously, I crept across the hall to Kids room.

"Oi", I whispered, shaking him, "Kid? Wake up." He mumbled something unintelligent. " KID! Wake up!" He shot up and looked wildly around the room… until his eyes fell on the clock, placed perfectly in the centre of his room.

"Half 5?! B-but I always wake up at eig-" His worries were interrupted by a loud bang from outside his room. Kid looked at me, and then swung his legs out of bed. "Stay here," he ordered before walking towards the door. Before he could reach it, it was flung open. I screamed. Kid chuckled. It was just Sid, Shinigami's advisor, stood in the doorway. His expression was grave.

"Come with me. Quickly. Both of you." He lead us silently out of the back door and up the hill to the Shibusen. My legs were shaking uncontrollably. What's going on? I ignored the fact that Kids eyes lit up when he saw the building had perfect symmetry. Inside, the school was a blur. The events which happened in the office though… I will never forget. I shivered as I was pushed lightly onto the circular platform. Sid bowed and left. As I clutched at my sleeves, Kid took control of the situation.

"What's going on father?" he asked forcefully. I saw in his eyes how grown up he had become, at only ten years of age.

"Now, now," Shinigami waved his hands, "I'm afraid, the day has come. Susannah, I'm so sorry. Somehow, a witch found out about you. I'm afraid that it is too dangerous for you to stay with us anymore…" he hung his head. Meanwhile, Kid looked confused.

"What does a witch want with Suze?" I shook my head at his question.

"I'll go. I'm not putting you in danger."

"It's not me I'm worried about, Susannah" Shinigami pulled me into a hug.

And from then on, I was no longer a part of their family. I moved into a foster home with a family in the city. Before I left, Shinigami explained to me the importance of discretion. I was banned from seeing him or Kid… I felt so heartbroken. They were my family, but my secret was more important. So I moved away without another word. I understood. I had to be independent. I remember Kid saying that he was really confused, but he hugged me.

"I promise to come rescue you next time anyone tries to hurt you."

He squeezed my hand and walked away. Just as I was leaving, he called to me:

"Suze! Happy Birthday!" Then he disappeared from my life.

School was the same. It went on as if nothing had happened. I began to avoid the streets near Shibusen and the Shinigami mansion. It became habit that I didn't go into that part of town. For seven years.

I adapted quickly. Now, I'm 17. My foster family have been great, but the memories of my 10th birthday still haunt me. 7 years ago… Has it really been that long? If I saw Kid on the street, would he recognise me? I wouldn't. Who could miss the pitch-black hair with three bright white lines circling half his head? I chuckled, as I would remember the fit he would get into. "Not symmetrical!"

That's not my life anymore. I'm a photography student in my last year of college. Not the sole survivor of an ancient clan, carrying the most destructive weapon in the world. Am I?

Death the Kid

Absolute perfection! I felt so happy! My candles were in perfect alignment! So beautiful. Symmetry is my art. It must be perfected.

I heard a knock on my door. Raising my head, I saw my two weapons, Liz and Patti Thompson entering my room. I wince as I am once again reminded of the asymmetrical form in which they take when they are human. A smile is forced upon my face as Patti giggles at me. Liz on the other hand, scowled and folded her arms tightly across her chest.

"This Kishin egg is going to get away if we don't leave now!" She began to tap her foot.

"Fine, fine, I'm coming." I make a start to the door. "Wait!" my eye catches the wall hanging on my right. Is it exactly 90 degrees? I heard Liz behind me muttering.

"You would think that someone turning 18 in a few days would act more mature than this." It was my imagination; my wall hanging turned out to be perfect.

"Onee-chan~ Onee-chan~" Patti sung clinging to her sister elbow.

"Fine, let's go." I took one last look at my room, before leaving to catch the monster eating peoples souls: Lupin.

Susannah

It's snowing, for the first time in about five years. I pulled my scarf closer to my neck and shoved my hands into my pockets. I was trudging home from a night class, which I go to. My mind was focused on a great idea I had for my new project. Suddenly, I noticed the ground shake for a second beneath me. I take out one of my earphones. So it isn't just my loud music. I smile, Oh well. I put my earpiece back in and carry on my journey. I could feel snow floating about my face and in my hair. Snow always looks more beautiful when viewed from inside. I could get some brilliant photographs though… I began to hum along with my music, when I lost balance and slid on some wet snow. Righting myself, I flicked back my hair and hoped nobody noticed. Then I got a strange feeling…like, someone was watching me. I slowed my walk and slightly turned my head. My blood ran cold. Someone was watching me. I could feel it. As I turned to look again, I screamed. A giant werewolf ran towards me and pounced. My heart skipped a beat as, thankfully, I skidded again on the snow and landed on the floor, unharmed. My hand automatically reached up to my heart, almost as if I was protecting my soul. My headphones lay on the ground, beating out soft music as I stared into the eyes of the predator. Suddenly, two gunshots rang out, from behind me and the werewolf's eyes widened, just before stumbled and fell back, replaced by a glowing soul. I heard a high-pitched giggle from where the shots came from. I wonder whether I was its target for a reason… Did it know I have BREW? I just continued to stare at the soul, not bothering to turn to my rescuers. I wonder…

Death the Kid

I grin as the girls return to their human form. I give them both a high-five and Patti began to sing.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!" Liz notices the girl sat on the ground and approaches her. Her sister follows.

"Hey," Liz waves, "You ok? Lupin almost got you then" I see her shake her head. "No, I'm fine, really." Her voice… It sounded so familiar. But where…? The girl picks up her headphones and lets Liz give her a hand up. "Thanks." She tells the girls, brushing snow off herself, her back still facing me.

"No problem," Liz winks. Patti however, skipped over to the floating soul, takes it and faces me.

"Kid! We got another one!" At my name, the girl whips round with wide eyes. No… can it be…?

"Kid?" she asks. I step forward.

"Suze?!"