Updated. Finally! But now it's switched to M for safety. This is a bit different then I was originally going for but I've procrastinated long enough and maybe as a treat, a lemon or two. (Don't ask. OTL)

Anyway, enjoy this super long chapter.

As tragedy strikes

Meanwhile in another lab not too far away

"Damn this stupid research."

A crabby scientist was grumbling under his breath as he started typing down reports on the lab's basic computer. He adjusted his glasses as he cursed out a typo he made and didn't notice it at first. "I hate doing this. Why do we have to work so hard for those stupid things? It's not like they are working. Especially with this fucker over there."

"You know why, Dr. Rondart."

The person in question turned his body halfway around as saw a tall, well-endowed, black curly-haired woman walking towards him with a stern look and a tray of food.

Frowning, he leaned back on his chair. "Yeah, I know." He tapped his finger on his crossed legs irritably. "But we're not getting the desire results. We have been adding does to that thing over there and nothing much happens. So much fucking trashing and growling. I'm glad that we got the inner room sound-proofed or I'd kill it myself." He received a thump on the head.

"We've been here only for a few weeks." The woman reminded him. "And Ms .Yuuko had warned us that it may not work right away. Besides, we're not the only ones that have this dilemma. I'm sure you heard about another test subject that ended up as a mishap."

Sighing heavily, he took the cup from the woman as she got close enough for him. "Of course, I know. Everyone has that file now and people won't stop crying about it." He took a sip. "All I want is success in point of the study and experimentation so we can move on up until we are the leaders of this damn place. That way I can change that dumb rule back and wipe them out en masse."

The woman sighed. "You were such a promising doctor before, Kyle. Uncle Wang would have been very disappointed in you for thinking that way."

"No. He wouldn't, Xing." He glared at the woman. "He have told us that if you want to do something right, you do it yourself. Cast aside everyone else and make your own path, damn the consequences and work hard to achieve your wish." He turned around and placed the cup next to him as he went back to work. "He has always lived by that rule. How else he came up at the top of investments in drug-distribution?"

Xing sighed. "True, but you know it was the same kind of thinking that got him killed in the first place when all of that happened."

Kyle glared at the screen. "He's a prideful man. He would always think of his merchandise first. But he knew that things have a price and he took it. End of story." 'Stupid snitch double-crossing him. He was caught in a police gun fire because of him. Good riddance he was eaten alive by those things…' He then pressed a button and a sound of a ding went on. "You've always disapproved of his actions, cousin."

"And you were such a kiss-ass," Xing sneered. "Always trying to shine bright to get his approval even though he wouldn't bat an eyelash for either one of us." She almost slammed the tray down next to the doctor. "That's why I said you would have been a wonderful doctor like Seishiro."

Kyle frowned. "We were the brightest in our school, got everything and more. Is it wrong to crave for a bit of attention to our guardian who made it happen for us?" He mused as he smirked. "Though either way….I will surpass him and let it be known that I will be the one to get the attention and praise that I deserve. Even dead, I know he'll have no choice but to acknowledge that. We are family after all…."

Xing shook her head as she walked away. "I'll get the documents and have them sent." She pointed to a nearby printer.

"Thanks." Kyle's smirked softened a bit. "And can you get some medicine on your way back? Neck's a bitch and I can't afford any more therapy sessions with that other doctors." He rubbed the base of it.

"Sure." Picking up the documents, Xing walked out of the lab and closed the door behind her. She sighed gravely. "Arrogance and greed was the downfall of our Uncle, Kyle." She muttered to herself. "I don't want that same thing to happen to you…"

"Brother….!"

…

"Brother…!"

…..

"Brother…" A blurry silhouette obscured the vision. "Brother, I know you're awake. Mother won't be happy when she finds out that you're trying to miss school."

….

The figure gave out a laugh. "Come on, we have to get ready before eating breakfast. You're your favorite! It's -. I know you like sweets so I convinced mother to make it. Now get up before it gets cold…."

A pair of eyes opened; revealing bright blue orbs to the world. It looked around and saw a room that wasn't his own. He sat up from the bed and looked at his skin. Covered in bandages and hooked up to an IV. He blinked. "W-Wha…?" He looked at his arms. He tore off the sheets and saw that his legs were the same. He was confused. "What…what?"

His musing was interrupted as the metal door across from him opened up and revealed a red-eyed younger man staring at him in shock. He blinked. He tentatively raised a hand up, giving the other person a weak wave.

Next thing he knew, the red-eyed young man was very close to him with a deeper level of shock. "Fai!" The person shouted as he looked at him with calculating eyes. "Are you okay? Are you hurt, or hungry or something?"

He found out that the person wanted an answer so he tilted his head. "Um…I-I just w-woke up…" His voice sounded a bit delayed for some reason. He couldn't remember what happened. In fact, he can't remember anything. Almost nothing. Except…. "I-I'm sorry. D-Do I k-know you?"

And just like that, the other person's look of shock fell into slight disappointment. "Uh…" He rubbed the back of his head. "You…sort of do…before….I…found you in France. And….I took care of you…"

"You f-found m-me? A-And you t-t-took care of m-me? The blonde asked. "T-Thank you. A-Am I in a h-hopsi-ital?" He asked. While it was nice of this person to do so, he still don't remember much. His head was there but his mind…it was like the memories were sucked clean right out of him.

"No…you're not." The red-eyed young man sighed as he fished into his pocket and put on his glasses. "I don't know if I should say it. You may not like the answer. Even I don't like the answer and I've been here since the beginning."

"S-Since…the…b-beginning…." The blonde tried to remember. "I-I'm s-sorry….I-I don't know w-what you t-talking about…" It was a mess. Why can't he remember? "B-But you know my name…-y-you heard y-you say it…h-how?"

"You got hurt. And when you last woke up you said, you remembered your name; Fai." The other person explained. "I never knew your name until then so I'll call you by your name from now." Sticking his hand out he tried to give the blonde a hand shake. "Name's Kurogane Suwa. Head of this lab room."

Staring at the hand, the blonde found his body slowly and shakily reaching out. He touched the hand and grabbed it too gently. He moved his arm a bit. "S-Suwa…" He mused. It rang some sort of bell in his head. It was faint but there. Why is that? "W-We are in a l-lab? W-Why?"

"Well, you see—"

"You are what we call a miracle."

The two whipped their heads to see a third person at the doorway. An older woman with an unreadable look. There was a smile but there was another emotion that both males couldn't see.

"You took your damn time." The one named 'Kurogane' commented rudely. "I told you to hurry the hell up."

"Well I have to have my morning coffee first. Can't do much without the help of caffeine, now would I?" The woman smirked as it walked into the room. "And I see you two are getting acquainted…"

The blonde slowly nod. "Y-Yeah. H-He told me a b-bit. He s-said that h-his name is K-K-Kuro…" For some reason after that, he couldn't say it. "K-K-Kuro-tan!" He smiled at the scientist.

"….." Kurogane stared at the subject with wide eyes. He then frowned. "That's not my name. It's Kurogane…" He never got a nickname like that before. What the hell is going on in that healing brain of his?

"B-But it's t-too long…" Fai whined. "I like K-K-Kuro-tan better. Or K-Kuro-muu….K-Kuro-pon…" He smiled. It was a good feeling. He wondered what that good feeling was called.

"Oi!" Kurogane blushed. "Just because you're in this bed and healing doesn't mean that it'll stop me from kicking your ass!" He then felt a delicate hand on his shoulder. He looked over to see an amusing smile.

"Now, now." Yuuko chided playfully. "Let's all play nice. Fai is still in fact our patient. We have to take care of him as best as we could." She patted that shoulder before walking up to the blonde. "Joking aside," She knelled in front of the subject. "I was wondering if we can ask a few questions." Her eyes were unreadable but her smile was kept in place.

"W-Why?" Fai asked; somehow feeling the air in the room being a bit tense. "I-Is there s-s-something w-wrong with m-me?" He pointed to himself before risking a glance to Kurogane who was staring down on the floor with a mix of sadness and hopefulness.

"Not at all." Yuuko placed a hand on the blonde's knee. "In fact, you are getting better. We just want to figure out a few things about what you know or remember and find some sort of path to go from there." Her smile softened. "It's nothing horrendous or awful; I assure you."

"….." The subject slowly blinked; not really knowing what to say. He didn't want to talk much but if he answered some of the woman's questions, maybe a few of his own will be answered in return. With a hesitant nod, Fai sat upright on the side of the bed. "O-Okay."

Yuuko nodded; clearly seeing the reluctance in those color-like eyes. "Very well, how about we get you dressed and we'll start." She glanced at Kurogane with a playing smirk. "A clipboard and some clothes, please."

Kurogane rolled his eyes as he waved at the woman. "Yeah, yeah. I'm on it." Something told him that he won't be around to hear Yuuko and Fai talk but he'll still be around to make sure nothing else happens. He may still be young but he wasn't stupid.

And Fai still had a long way to go.

Seishiro rubbed his eyes as he was walking through the hallway one night. He was carrying a bag of vaccine for some patients who had fallen ill. Nothing major but with sterile environments and potential dangers from the zombies, one must be careful. He had long since took off his glasses and coat; thinking of them as dead weight. He liked being a respected doctor but even he would get sick of wearing the uniform from time to time.

Minding his business, he spotted another person walking in the opposite direction. He couldn't see exactly who that was but he gave the other a polite nod as he and the other brushed shoulders. However he never made another step as a familiar voice cut through the silence.

"I see you are working as hard as ever."

It didn't take a genius to know who exactly it was. Seishiro turned around and sighed. "It's nice to see you too, Rondart." He stated in a bored tone. "Truth be told, I thought you'd be holed up in that lab of yours; trying to become more of an arrogant ass than usual."

It has been like that for the two. Others may not know it but he and Kyle went way back. During their younger years, they had been the best of friends. Shared their lunches together, their secrets, even dreams. However, it was obvious later on that things just wasn't working between as well as before. Kyle fell into the wrong crowd and Seishiro was trying hard to take care of Fuuma when their parents were killed in an accident. Soon hate filled the void between the two as friendship slowly and painfully died.

It was rather hard on Seishiro mostly to lose a great friend. So when he heard that Kyle was not only alive but now working in the same facility as himself, the anger and hate boiled up again; the memories of what was still clear in his mind.

Kyle smirked as he placed a clipboard under his arm. "And I thought you'd be dissecting fellow co-workers like the frogs in middle school but hey, we can't always assume just by looking."

Feeling his eyebrow twitch, Seishiro angrily grunted. "At least frogs were better company then you ever were." He noted in satisfaction in Kyle's fading smirk. "So, how's it going with your subject? Going horribly wrong, I imagine."

"For your information," Kyle seethed back. "My subject is doing quite well. Great in fact. There were no signs of thrashing or animalistic characteristics as well as no need to eat human flesh." He was lying through his teeth; the subject was in fact doing much worse but no one would know by just looking at it. But he wanted to gloat in the doctor's face just for the fun of it.

"I see." Seishiro wasn't buying it at all. Even after all these years, he knew when the other was lying. "I guess even fools get lucky now and again. I feel sorry for Xing though," He grinned darkly. "Having to put up with you and your constant whining and bitching. If I didn't know any better I would say that you're being the female on her PMS."

It was a game they would play; trying to see who would get riled up first. Only this time; they really intend to mess the other one up.

"Oh really?" Kyle kept his somewhat calm composure. "I would say the same for your brother, Fuuma."

"…."

"Oh, grown quiet, have we?" Kyle grinned. "Word has it that there was an unusual subject that was brought here by a former finder and you helped a former boss get it and mercilessly torture it to find some sort of answer to the thing's unique genetic structure." He swayed around on his feet. "And when your brother found out, oh dear." He covered his mouth with a hand. "He thought of you as some sort of monster, didn't he? Don't know why he would be so surprised since he's a younger version of you anyway—"

Seishiro took three big steps up to Kyle; looming over him with a dark, sinister look. "You haven't changed one bit, have you?"

The person in question was suddenly afraid. They may be the same age but Seishiro was taller than him and even stronger than him. Time indeed have a way of changing people; inside and out.

"Say what you want to me." Seishiro continued. "We have history together and we know what pisses the other one off even when we haven't seen each other for years. I can take whatever pathetic hits you dish out." His eyes grew darker as he glared at the man. "But don't you dare say anything about my little brother. He has nothing to do with us and even if he hasn't forgiven me for that incident; I will always help him. Unlike you, I have a heart. I can admit when I'm fucking twisted but I have a heart. You of all people should know that. But then again, you wouldn't know a thing about having a heart, do you?"

Kyle hung his head as Seishiro stepped back and started to walk away. "….I've fallen in love with you once."

The doctor stopped; wanting the other to go on.

"We've been friends for so long; our families knew each other and things were great." Kyle then gritted his teeth. "But then your damn brother came into the picture and you cast me out. My father didn't notice me and I had no one else. You were all I had!" He shouted; his voice echoing throughout the hallway.

"...I never stopped thinking about you." Seishiro didn't turn his head but his voice was soft and low. "You were my first friend. We did everything together. But…I'm sorry. I never felt the same way; not then, not now." He gripped his medicine bag tightly. "But I never cast you out; you left me. My parents died, Rondart and Fuuma was my little brother. I grew up and I survived this hell of a world. Now I have a new love to cherish. Cling to the past all you want Kyle but we both know that it'll never go back to those innocent days no matter how much you wanted to." He slightly turned his head to the other. "You've made your choice a long time ago. And now I'm making one. Good bye, Kyle Rondart. Hope you have a happy life."

Kyle just stood there; his own heart and soul crushed by the doctor's words. He never stopped thinking of Seishiro as well. He wanted the other to befriend him again; even fall in love with him as well. But it was too late and his own demented ways have finally caught up with him. The dream they both had ripped apart at the seams and now he didn't have anyone.

Fei was dead, Xing couldn't care less and the people he manipulated into befriending him were dead or the living dead. He was alone.

Seishiro didn't have to turn around to know that Kyle had dropped to his knees and started crying. He just carried on; trying to make haste now that he wasted so much time when he was supposed to help the sick. Yuuko of all people knew about Kyle and him and she hired him anyway. He can never know what was going through that woman's head. Everything happens for a reason; she would say. He never questioned that even now. He worked for her; nothing more, nothing less.

Kyle may not have anyone but it was Seishiro who felt lonely. And friends were something that the both can't have; a fact that still hurt them but shaped them. The perfect flaw.

"A-Are y-you sure that I-I can w-wear this?" Fai asked shyly as he was in a blue buttoned-up shirt that was rolled up to the elbows and a pair of designer jeans with blue swirls down the legs.

"Of course~!" Tomoyo giggled. "We can't have you in dull, bland clothes now do we?"She had Kurogane and Fuuma put in a dresser and got some people install a toilet and a shower since Fai's motor skills were increasing. The speech was still a bit rough but the subject's personality was making up for it. Plus, the girl now had someone new to try on her custom-made outfits.

"T-Thank you v-very much." Fai smiled brightly; grateful that he had made a few friends in such a short time.

Fuuma snickered as the girl continued to bombard the blonde with clothes and ideas for outfits. "Seems that Fai is fitting into our niche of weirdoes quite nicely; wouldn't you say?"

"Speak for yourself." Kurogane grumbled as the two were leaning on a wall in the inner room. "I'm starting to miss the quiet nitwit. Now I have to deal with this fucker." After Fai had talked to Yuuko in private; he had been talking about anything and everything. Memories though were returning just little by little. It was abstract at best but it was better than nothing.

"K-Kuro-sama!" Fai's cheery voice called out. "C-C-Can you please get s-s-some ice cream? I'm hungry~!"

"You just ate!" Kurogane shouted. Though he was glad for that. It would mean that the subject's digestive system was slowly going back to fully functioning; hence the lack of meat and more of sweets. However, that didn't make the young scientist any happier. "Be like everyone else and wait until dinner, fatty."

"Wah! T-Tomoyo-chan~!" Fai suddenly hugged the girl loosely around her shoulders. "K-Kuro-pon is b-being mean a-again!"

"Aw, there, there." Tomoyo patted the subject with a smile. "I'm sure Kurogane didn't mean that." She gave the scientist a calculating smirk; sending chills down the young man's spine.

"….." Kurogane gulped as he then sighed. "Agh! Fine, I'll go to the cafeteria and see what I can do." He turned and walked out of the inner room; ignoring the cheers that came from the two. "Stupid idiots."

"You say that but I know that you're just happy for Fai as much as anyone." Fuuma randomly stated; following the scientist. "Besides, you had a talk with Yuuko not long before. He knew that it'll get better for him. And that's good, isn't it?"

Body functions returning.

Motor skills improving.

Redeveloping personality.

Memories coming and going.

Loss of need to eat flesh.

Eyes almost at full color.

Subject in conclusion is a success.

Threading his fingers through his own hair, Kurogane took off his glasses and placed them in his coat pocket. "It is but as far as the brain goes, we still have a long way. He knows his name and now knows a few more things; that he had a family, his birthplace and he may have had a brother."

"So that's what you've been doing for the past few days." Fuuma grinned brightly. "Any luck finding his family?"

"So far, no." Kurogane opened the cafeteria door; letting the two of them in. "Since I don't have a last name yet, finding people born in France is more like finding a freaking needle in a haystack." He nodded to a chef who grinned and went in the back. "I thought that maybe bringing in any surviving relatives might speed his memories along but I haven't found squat. Plus I have more paperwork to do now that the moron doesn't need to be taken care of so often."

"What flavor does he want this time?"

"I don't fucking know! Get the most disgustingly sweetest flavor you got!" Kurogane shouted at the chef. "Anyway, things are just so damn stressful what with Kamui and Subaru going on those minor missions and Yuuko along with Seishiro and Fujimoto having things to do. It's like none of us have the time anymore."

"Well, we're still one of the few labs running and the world's problem of zombies is almost gone. If that cure you had for Fai is working then who knows what will happen. The big guys just don't want to have their hands dirty and all."

"Fucking technicalities." Kurogane got a big bowl of ice cream and gestured Fuuma to follow him. "Now then, what's with you and Kamui? Still at each others' throats?"

"More or less." Fuuma shrugged. "He's just so cute when he's angry. But I have a plan that will make him the happiest person on earth!"

"You're going to do him and everyone a favor by killing yourself?" Kurogane asked with a deadpan expression.

"Haha! Nah, too much effort." Fuuma laughed. "I'm going to propose to him~!"

"HUH?" Kurogane dropped the bowl; spilling ice cream on the floor. "You're going to do what?"

"Yep~!" Fuuma crossed his arms. "I have been searching for a perfect ring to propose to Kamui with and after getting help from Subaru and Sei-nii-chan, I finally got it!" He then rubbed the back of his neck as small blush was seen on his face. "And I was hoping, since we're on the topic, if you can be my best man when we have a wedding."

"…" Kurogane didn't know what to say. He knew that Fuuma and Kamui were friends and more then friends but to go as far as marriage? Well, who knew that would happen? "You're really serious about it, aren't you?"

"Of course." Fuuma's smile faded. "It's not that I haven't thought this through. In fact, I had talked to practically everyone who I can trust; not that I don't trust you but you were a bit busy." He added. "And I came to the conclusion….that…I don't want to lose Kamui. I want to marry him and have a happy life with him. It's corny, I know but I can't wait forever. I'm going to take my chance."

"Fuck, you are serious." Kurogane burst out chuckling. He picked up the bowl with a toothy grin. "Hell, if that's what you feel then whatever, I'll be your best man. Just don't blame me when you go through with that proposal and you get a black eye."

"But that's his way of showing his affections~!" Fuuma joked with a smile.

"You're not even married yet and you're being abused." Kurogane joked back. "But hey, whatever gets you laid. Less problems for me; that's for sure." He then heard a growl down the hallway. It shook him to the core. "The hell was that?"

"Hmm?" Fuuma turned his head. "What was what?"

The young scientist narrowed his eyes. It sounded like it was coming from that Ron-what's-his-name's lab room. Shaking his head, Kurogane sighed. "Nothing. Must have been a fuse or something." He then growled. "Now I have to go back and get some more of this crap. Stupid blonde."

Fuuma laughed as the two went back to the cafeteria.

The inner room was quiet. The lights were out. No more growling, no more thrashing. It was silent.

Good.

Two figures were in that room but only one stood up. It grinned toothlessly at the fallen victim. It's breathing was broken and shallow; the skin sewn together like a ripped up doll and blood was splattered all over the walls and window.

It walked over to the body and with soulless eyes, blinked.

"…" It wanted to say something but there were no words; just noise. It reached down and with dirty, greasy hands; ripped an eye from the socket thus spilling more dark blood before eating it whole; the sounds of chopping echoed within the room.

"Hey Kyle?" Xing just walked into the lab and switched on the lights. "I got the injections you wanted. I don't understand why you couldn't have gotten them yourself." She placed them on the desk. "You haven't been yourself these past few weeks. I know that what Seishiro said to you was harsh but you didn't exactly make pleasant with words either."

Xing made her way to the inner room; oblivious to the horror inside. "I also got you some medicine for that stomach ache of yours. I told you go rest but oh no; you just like to work yourself to death that's why you-" She suddenly noticed that the metal door was opened a bit. Cautiously, she pushed it open. With the light switch flickering on; she suddenly dropped the medicine and took a step back.

"…K-Kyle…." Xing sobbed as the thing turned its head to her and growled. Her legs couldn't move and her hands were searching for a phone. "Kyle….what have you done?"

There was a roar before screaming was heard along with noise of rips and scratching.

Then silence.

Minutes before

"You know for a healing subject; you're so damn annoying."

Fai giggled as he got Kurogane in a hug. "Aw, you don't mean that~! You like it when I'm livelier. After all if you didn't find or help me, I wouldn't be here right now." Yuuko had told him that he was indeed a zombie when Kurogane found him. And after some time, he was being treated from a serum to help him go back into a human. While at first it was scary to know that he was bitten and turned; he felt like he owe the people who have given him a second chance.

Especially the one who found him and never lost hope.

"Well, your speech has finally improved….which sucks." Kurogane grumbled with a faint blush. "But what about your memories, anything new?"

"…" Fai's smile grew sad as his hold on the scientist loosened. "I….I remembered…living in a house with my family, I think….and one of them….looked like me." He sighed. "I thought I was looking at a mirror but the hair was tied back and….mine wasn't….that's about it."

"Hmm…" Kurogane thought about it. "That's different. Maybe your brother's a twin then?" It was an assumption but it was what he can make out of that.

"A twin?" Fai asked with curiosity. "What's a twin?"

"Twins are like natural-made clones of some sort." Kurogane calmly explained. He wasn't surprised. Fai was basically relearning things now that his mind was being put back together. "They come in pairs. They can be fraternal; meaning looking different from each other or identical; almost looking the same. You might have an identical twin roaming about somewhere if that's the case."

"Really?" Fai's smile was brought back ten-fold. "That's so cool~! I thought I was an only child but to have a brother that looks like you, that's amazing!" He then patted the scientist on the head. "Thank you so much, Kuro-sama! You're so smart!"

"It's nothing." Kurogane denied. "You're just getting the hang of thinking again; that's all." He was glad that Fai can touch someone without the urge to bite or eat them. That was a sign that he's becoming human. Maybe someday- "Okay, now that you're stupidly happy again; can you let go of me. I need to send in some reports to Yuuko."

"Oh…okay." Fai let go of Kurogane. "You do work very hard."

"Yeah….yeah I do…." Kurogane got up from the bed and picked up his papers. "I'll be back in a few." As he started walking away; his sleeve was pulled back. He looked over his shoulder.

"W-Wait." Fai pleaded softly. "Um…I want to know something…."

"Yeah?"

"Y-Your family…m-my family can be dead for all I know but…ever since I can talk and think, you never told me….what happened to yours…" Fai was then surprised as Kurogane turned around. "I-I don't mean anything bad, I just—"

"I know what you mean." Kurogane's voice wasn't harsh but lost all emotion. "And while it's none of your business, it's sort of a reason why I continued this." He touched the top of Fai's head. "Let's just say though that my mom wasn't lucky and my father, though an asshole, wanted more for me. That's all I will say."

"I-I'm sorry." Fai leaned in and hugged Kurogane around the torso. "I didn't want to make you sad. I was just curious. I can't imagine losing both of your parents so soon. I can't even remember. Now I'm scared that I will. I don't want to have memories of loss. I can't…."

"You have friends." Kurogane hesitantly hugged back. "People who have been through losing love ones and you have me; so don't worry about shit like that. When it happens; it'll happen. So don't worry."

Crying, that's the reaction that Fai can't remember experiencing but it felt right. Just letting the tears come out. "T-Thank you…you're such a good friend…"

"Pfft. Friend?" Kurogane let out a small grin. "That serum must have messed you up more than I thought. Get your eyes checked."

The two laughed; if a bit softly. They never met and yet they were growing on each other; liking the other's company. However, in the back of their minds, it felt familiar somehow.

Why was that?

At the hallway

Two security guards were walking down the hallway for a check. For the most part, it was boring since things were tight and no one would be stupid to do something reckless but the pay was good so there was nothing to complain.

One of them spotted something leaking out of Rondart's lab door. Upon further inspection, it was blood.

"Oh shit. Hey, look!"

"Huh? What are you—oh my god!" They jumped back. "Is that?"

"Yeah. Fuck, what is he doing in there?"

"Hell if I know! He was a very weird one!"

Suddenly, there was loud banging on the door. The guards inched closer to it. They jumped back as a huge dent was made. One of them backed away as the dent got bigger and bigger.

"W-We got to alert the whole lab!" The second guard hastily looked around for the level to do so.

The one guard turned and nodded as a gun was pulled from the holster. "D-Do you think it ate that creep?"

"I don't know." The level was seen. "But if he did then good riddance—"

The door was ripped opened as one of the guards screamed and fired on sight. However the things was faster as the second guard quickly pulled the level before being bit on the leg and pulled to the floor; the screaming of the two was soon drowned out as a red light came on along with an automated voice.

Alert!

Alert!

Alert!

Escaped subject!

Repeat!

Escaped subject!

High risk of infection!

Repeat!

High risk of infection!

Kurogane didn't know what was happening but he sure as hell didn't like it."Hold on!" He let go of Fai as he ran to the metal door and closed it; leaving him and Fai inside of the room. "There." He ran back to Fai.

"What's that sound? Why did you close the door? I don't understand!" Fai was panicking; it was happening all too fast. He didn't like it and it was scaring him.

"Hey, hey!" Kurogane placed hands on Fai's shoulders. "Hey…you have to calm down and take some deep breaths."

"But—"

"Calm down." The scientist repeated; his voice still calm. "Just breathe. You're safe here. Between outside and here; there is at least ten feet of solid metal and that glass isn't glass. You're going to be okay."

"W-What do you mean we're safe?" Fai kept on asking; trying not to freak out. "K-Kurogane please. Tell me what's going on?"

Ignoring the faint but clear sound of the alarm and people screaming, Kurogane nodded. "Remember that one night when I told you about you not being the only one being treated?"

Fai slowly nodded.

"….You're the only successful one in the whole batch."

"Y-You mean…" Fai's thinking process was still a bit slow but he got the idea. "Will everyone be okay?"

"I hope so…" Kurogane reached over and was glad that he had a gun. "I sure damn hope so."

"Everyone, go to your assigned labs and arm yourself!" Yuuko screamed as many people were running around. "If it's in the line of the infected then regroup with others and go to the nearest safe room!" She couldn't believe that this was happening. The security was tight, everything was in order, and nothing could have sparked into something so horrid.

And yet in the back of her mind; she knew it would happen someday.

"Fujimoto!" Yuuko ran as quickly as she could to the receptionist desk to get the young man and take him to her office where it's safe. "Fujimoto!" However as she was near, she was stopped by a silhouette of two beings.

"Please—no, get away! Stay back! I have a girlfriend! No—wait stop—"

Yuuko rushed in and pulled out a gun and fired out of impulse. A shot hit the thing's shoulder as it snarled and ran back into another hallway.

Once inside, Yuuko saw Fujimoto shell-shocked and covered in specks of blood. The whole room had blood and limbs splattered everywhere. And on top of that, he was crying. She walked up to him. "Hey…sweetie…."

Fujimoto let out a choking sob. "I…I could have been eaten…." He started crying again. "I could have died….then that stupid Dobato would have been alone….I was almost…"

"I know." Yuuko placed a hand on his shoulder. "But you're alive now. That's what you should focusing on; being alive and staying that way." She then looked over and saw that he wasn't bitten and no blood went into his eyes or mouth. The zombie's blood can infect others that way.

Closing his eyes, Fujimoto nodded.

"Now then, let's get you in a safe room." Yuuko gently and quickly led the young man out of the room. "I have a failed subject to kill."

"What the hell do you mean that we have to wait outside?" Kamui shouted. "What's going on? And why can't we go in?"

"We told you many times, sir. There has been an outbreak. A subject has been let loose and the facility is at risk for infection."

"But Seishiro's in there!" Subaru cried. "So is Kurogane, Tomoyo, Yuuko, Fuuma and others. We can't just leave them inside!"

Kamui flinched at the mention of Fuuma but kept his stance and glare.

"I'm sorry but we are under orders from the boss herself. She said that no one is to get in or out of the facility until the problem is taken care of. No exceptions."

Feeling his blood rise, Kamui picked up a rock and threw it far away.

Subaru rubbed his eyes as he felt his heart breaking. "S-Seishiro…please be safe…please don't die…"

Tomoyo hugged Fujimoto just as Yuuko opened the door and pushed him in. She looked up at her superior with such sadness. "How many?"

"On the top of my head and what I saw, about twenty; most of them by-passers." Yuuko stated; feeling both dejected and angry. "That zombie is fast; faster and stronger than any undead creature I have ever seen. We have known that the serum can either help or hurt the subjects. But it seems that it has caused some sort of genetic mutation and the worst part is…I have a feeling that this wasn't from the subject."

The girl held onto her friend a bit more tightly as the sobbing grew louder. "It's horrible. I heard from another that Xing is still missing. People are looking for her at this minute." She hadn't heard from Fuuma or Seishiro but at the very least Kurogane and the subject Fai are safe. "Do you think the zombie might….escape?"

"No." Yuuko answered with conviction. "It won't. I made sure that when this lab was built that nothing; not even the undead can break through. However, I'll personally see to it that it won't harm another human being." She reloaded her gun and grabbed the door knob. "Stay here. And keep Kurogane posted."

"Huh? How did you-?"

"Cell phone, remember?" Yuuko gave her a small smile before closing the door behind her.

"Sei-nii! Hold on!"

"I'm fine." Seishiro groaned as his vision was going in and out. He didn't see it coming. Only that he pushed Fuuma out of the way before a burning flash of pain went through his body. He got a brief look at the zombie before he passed out for a few seconds. He knew that he was bitten; he just wondered how much he had before….

"Sei-nii!" Fuuma cried out; pulling the man back to reality. "You have to stay awake! You're going to be okay!" He was trying to stop the blood from flowing. But he knew that there wasn't much he can do when one is bitten. "Fucking hell, why did you do that? You were supposed to be that jerk of an older brother who makes fun of me and laugh with me like we were younger!"

Chuckling bitterly, Seishiro glanced at Fuuma with tears in his eyes. "My dumb little brother was going to ask that vamp-nerd to marry him. How can I deny him of that opportunity?" He coughed up some blood; they were starting to fill up his lungs.

Fuuma threw his glasses away as he rubbed his eyes; careful of his blood-stained hands. "You dummy…you're going to make Subaru cry…he needs you, Kamui needs you, I need you…please…." He was at his wits end. He may have been too young to remember the deaths of their parents but he knew selfishness when he saw it and right now, he didn't care. "Just stay awake; for me…."

"I-I'll try." Seishiro's skin started losing color. Though his broken specs, he caught sight of a weapon; a machete. "F-Fuuma…"

"Yeah?"

"See that Machtete over there?"

"…Y-Yes?"

"Use it."

Fuuma's eyes went wide. "W-What did you say?"

"Use it." Seishiro smiled. "Get that thing and chop my head off. Before the infection spreads and I die. I don't want to come back as those things. And I don't want my sacrifice go in vain if you stick around. I know that it'll be the last thing you want to do to me but we're not given much of a choice…" He jerked his head to the weapon. "Please…"

Sniffling, Fuuma got up and grabbed the machete. Without his glasses, his vision wasn't that great but it was better than his brother's. Once in his hand, he laid a kiss on Seishiro's forehead. "You're the best big brother a guy can ever have. Thank you…"

"Ugh, don't go sappy on me now." Seishiro chuckled softly. "You're starting to sound like mother." He then closed his eyes. "But thanks. I'm sure….Kamui will say yes. And…tell Subaru…I'm sorry and I love you. Can you do that for me?"

"Duh. I will." Fuuma lifting the machete with a shaky smile. "I'm sorry…." The machete then went down.

A scream echoed in the room.

It didn't take long to find it. Yuuko just had to follow the trail of blood. The blood led her to a certain lab. A lab that she never thought that she would go into ever again. With her gun ready, she stepped inside and closed the door behind her. The lights were flickering on and off; giving her just a general vision. "I know you're here. Even being the undead, your mind has retained just a small percentage of consciousness."

In the dark, a pair of glowing white eyes were seen behind a cracked pair of glasses.

"I hired you so you can better yourself without the burden of that man." Yuuko continued as she slid to the left and grabbed a microphone. "I knew him when he tried to court me. He used you and Xing to climb so eventually you two will come to me. I knew that he would be dead long before…." She turned on the mic. "You could have started clean and have a life; not influenced by the past but you've dug yourself in a deep hole with little hope of getting out."

Into the faulty light, there it was. Kyle or what was left it him. He was far from looking like a human as his teeth rotted out and his clothes were torn and ripped apart. Though what really stuck out was the huge bite mark on his hand; messily wrapped in gauze. It was red and brown; the mixture of human blood and the subject's.

Leaning the mic to her mouth, Yuuko sighed. "If anyone is still at the communication section; send this live feed to the following person and quickly."

"Is it over yet?" Fai asked his head was cradled on Kurogane's chest.

"I don't know." Kurogane held Fai as close as he could without hurting him. "Everything is quiet but that doesn't mean it's safe to come out. Besides we need the okay from Yuuko who is god knows where right now."

Nodding, Fai sighed. "This isn't what I imagine my life would turn out to be. I still can't remember much but I think I had a good life."

"You're alive now so you still have a life." Kurogane argued. "And I don't doubt you had a good life; most people did. Shit just happens and innocent people pay the price. But even when all is lost; we push ourselves back up. And life goes on."

"Words of a wise scientist."

Kurogane blinked as he looked up. "Yuuko?"

"Was that Yuuko just now?" Fai was curious as well. "W-Where is she coming from?"

"Where I am isn't important right now." Yuuko stated. "What matters is what I'm about to say to you."

"O-Okay." Kurogane was confused.

"Now then, I have a few things to let out. First off, I'm glad that I was in a group that wanted to make the world better from the apocalypse. Your father, despite everything, was a good man and I'm happy to work with him and his son. Also, I'm glad to be assisting in working a miracle; Fai, I'm referring to you. Who knew a zombie can turn out to be such a cutie?"

Fai blushed; apparently not used to being complimented.

"But as much as there was good, the bad kept coming back. I have made mistakes and other people had to pay for it. That's not how I do things. But now, I have to settle the debt myself. Even though I knew what will happen to me….if I did…"

"Witch-Yuuko!" Kurogane shouted out. "What the hell are you talking about? Where are you going with this?"

"There are still things that I haven't told you and I thought that given enough time, I would. But it seems….that my time has run out."

"….." Kurogane blinked before it sank in. "No…."

"Kuro-sama….what's wrong?" Fai asked.

"No…no no no no no!" Kurogane glared up at the ceiling. "Don't' you dare! It's here with you, isn't it?" Now it made sense; why Yuuko was talking through the feed; why she was being so sad and remorseful. "You can't do this! You can still get out!"

"No. I can't. The door within the room I'm in is very weak and it can break out when it wants to. I'm the line of defense between it and the rest of the faultily. My only regret is not doing more when I knew I could have. You're in charge of the whole place, Kurogane. The paperwork has been done and sent to the higher-ups. Take care of everyone; especially that sweet cutie."

"Y-Yuuko…" Fai started crying; not liking where this was going. "I-I may not be all there yet…and I'm still…weird but…I want to thank you…for helping Kurogane, for giving me a second chance at living. I don't…I don't deserve it but…I won't waste the efforts you made…so thank you…" He rubbed his eyes. "I'll never forget you."

Kurogane was silent; trying his best not to breakdown in front of Fai. "Witch…you know…he won't be happy to hear that his dear aunt did something reckless. I really hope that…you still have a body as we can bury you. Just…shoot the fucker then. If you're going down; be the badass witch you are and do so."

"….You're way too cute for words, Kurogane Suwa. Give my best regards to everyone. Until we meet again-"

"Witch?"

…..

"Witch? Yuuko! Yuuko! Can you hear me? Yuuko!" Kurogane shouted but there was no response. He breathed in and out with a pained expression. "Fuck…"

"It got her, didn't it?" Fai asked softly. "Oh god...it did. I can't believe it. It go her...my own kind got her-"

"No!" Kurogane yelled. "You're not a zombie! Not like that! Don't you ever put yourself with those things! Do you hear me?"

Fai was so thrown off by the man's reaction. Not the shouting however. "I'm sorry…" He pulled back and with both bandaged hands, gently touched the scientist's face. "It's okay. I'm here. I won't become like that again. I promise…" He caressed the young man's face with a small soft smile. He was thrown off by the yelling but there more important things at hand.

Even big boys cry every now and again.

"Kurogane, it's me again."

…..

"Listen, I know the incident has been hard on you. I just wanted you to know that there are still people who are here and will help you."

….

"Fai's been asking for you. He wants to know when he can see you again. He's a bit shaken up since that day. He's scared that you've beaten yourself over because of it."

…

"Kurogane, please. Come out of your room. We can't do this without you. Fai can't do this without you. We need our boss, I want my friend back. Fai wants to see you again. Come out…please…."

The door lock clicked as the frame opened; revealing a tried, very upset looking young man with messy hair and blurry red eyes. He pushed passed his female friend and walked down the hallway.

"Kurogane—"

"I wouldn't." Fuuma came in with a hollow smile. "He just needs time to adjust again. And the first thing he would do is get a cup of green tea, yell at the chef for it being too sweet and then…."

Tomoyo slowly had a smile on her face. "I see. It's nice to see Kurogane having an anchor to keep him grounded. I know that he still blames himself for what happened even if he doesn't admit it. I just don't want to lose him too."

"We won't." Fuuma patted her shoulder. "We just need to give him time. He'll come around. We all do eventually…."

"Kuro-sama…" Fai pressed his hands on the glass with a smile. "You're back. I was so worried…" He took in Kurogane's attire. "Are you okay?"

Dropping his cup of green tea on the desk, he sighed. "No, I'm not." He started. "But I'm starting to. It can't get be any worse than your situation." He grinned. "After all, I still have my annoying subject to take care of until things do start to become okay, right?"

Fai didn't know what to think about that. But sure enough, his eyes started to water as he rubbed his eyes. "Y-Yeah, that's true." He then sat upright. "So, what are we doing today?"

Walking up to the glass, Kurogane pressed his hand on the glass; not surprised that Fai did the same. "Don't know. How about we wing it and see what sticks, hmm?"

TBC

Please proceed to pick up any weapon you desire and beat me senseless. Thank you.

OTL