[A/N: Wow, we have grown a lot recently. Thanks to everyone who subscribed, commented, or just hung with this. These chapters may take a little longer to get to in the near future. Also to those following me directly, I wish I had more to share with you. I'm glad you guys are enjoying this as much as I am, and extremely glad I didn't get a negative response. You guys rock! Get ready for some more... bonding in this chapter! Enjoy! ~DMLR]

Disclaimer: I don't own Kuro, just the OC's, and if my representation of any character isn't how you think they ought to be, bite me, that's what they're like here.

Ch 7

When we got back from the funeral I was exhausted and still slightly shocked by what had just happened. I plopped onto a coffin with a heavy sigh. I closed my eyes when I felt hands on my shoulder, absorbing the comfort of their pressure. "What's the matter dear?" The voice behind me was like warm velvet. Undertaker was always so kind to me; and such a gentleman! I smiled and put a hand over one of his.

"You're so strong and independent. You're silent about yourself and lean on no one. I know you don't need me but I want to be there for you, if you'd let me. I want to know what goes on in that head or yours." I threw a look over my shoulder and tried to give off my best look of concern. I wanted him to see how much I cared about him.

Undertaker let go of my shoulder and slowly walked around the coffin. He knelt in front of me, taking off his hat. "You want to know what I really think?" he spoke softly as he swept the bangs away from his face and looked me dead in the eyes. He smiled sheepishly. My eyes went misty; not only at Undertaker's stunning beauty, but also because of the tenderness and vulnerability he was showing me. "I think that you are gorgeous. Since you came to live with me, you have brought light and joy back into my life. You are smart, and make me laugh so much. I think that you have a strength sleeping within you that being here will help you find." Undertaker took my hands in his. "I think... I think that I'm fa-"

The bell on the door blasted through the quiet shop. I jumped in my seat. Undertaker just bowed his head, letting his hair fall back into place, and donned his cap to complete the look of the mysterious Undertaker. He quickly stood and left to tend to whoever had come in.

I went into the study and perused the books on the shelves. There was quite the collection. Lots of first editions. I made a mental note of books to have Undertaker pick up as they came out... But then I froze. Had Undertaker really been about to say what I thought he was?


I set the kettle down after pouring two cups of tea. I didn't really know what I was doing, but at least my effort would be appreciated. I had already made and eaten dinner. Undertaker didn't come eat. I was going to bring him some tea to see how he was doing.

With both hands on the counter I stared at the beakers of brownish-yellow liquid. It suddenly occurred to me that, since I had gotten here, I had never once questioned anything. I just accepted and moved on. It was a wonder how I hadn't gone mad. I imagined myself as a homeless person on the streets covered in filth, with a box on my head, yelling about how I had "seen the future." I smirked a bit.

"Those need sugar~" my heart skipped a beat. I turned and saw Undertaker at the door. His hat and robe were missing and his sleeves were rolled up. The apron he wore sported a few new stains.

"Undertaker, about earlier-"

"The sugar is over here. Here, could you fetch me a spoon?" The smile on his face shrunk. He also seemed to be blushing.

As Undertaker ladled the sugar into the "cups," I stared at him. I never really thought about how old he was. He never showed it! He acted just like a smitten schoolboy, all shy and demure. However old he was, he certainly didn't look it. Maybe that was why he always mentioned it to me. Because you could easily forget that kind of thing.


That day had been entirely too exhausting. I needed some sleep.

Undertaker was busy with his guests. He had told me that he would be downstairs all night so as not to disturb my rest. I was grateful and decided to take this opportunity to sleep naked. I used to do it before I came to this time, and I kinda missed the freedom and comfort it gave me. I lay on my belly, on the left side of the bed, facing out. The sheets felt so soft on my skin that I easily drifted off.

I fell into a light sleep. I don't know what time it was, but I rolled over in the middle of the night. Still half asleep, I snuggled into the warmth that I encountered. My palm rested on something smooth. I ran my hand up and down the object to determine what it was, but couldn't. Eyes still closed, I ran my hand up further. I pulled my hand back quickly and sat up, opening my eyes.

I had snuggled up to Undertaker, and a bare-chested Undertaker at that! "Mmm~" I heard his voice grumble lightly, "you sto~pped." I started in disbelief. Was he talking in his sleep? I was surprised further when he brushed the hair out of his eyes lazily and opened his eyes. The green-yellow irises glowed like a cat's in the dark. I made a move to cover my exposed breasts with my arm, but stopped and put it back down. Somehow, it didn't seem that modesty mattered anymore.

"You said you wouldn't..." I whispered, "Why are you here? And in bed with me?"

Undertaker smiled, a breathtaking sight. I felt my stomach flip and my heart flutter.

"I didn't expect you to wake up. I didn't think you would mind either since it was your idea~." I saw his gaze slip over me. "I guess I picked the wrong night for my little innocent bed sharing experience." His voice hitched and deepened saying the word, "innocent."

This whole thing seemed like a setup to me. But my inner perv, who hadn't been laid in quite a while, was screaming "SEXYTIME!" And I could swear I could see little chibi me on the sidelines, scrolling through her iPod for 'Let's Get it On.' If there was any time to make a move, it was then.

I swooped down and kissed him full on the mouth. Soon lips parted and our kisses grew deeper and more heated. Undertaker shifted to get more directly under me and put his hands on my back. I supported myself with my right arm and held the shinigami's face with my left. He began to drift his hands towards my butt, but then reversed and rested on my shoulder-blades. I had started playing with his hair and got a bit of a rumble from his throat in return. He smiled under my lips and took a deep breath, grabbing me firmly. I let out a short squeal when I found us suddenly moving.

It took me a minute to register that I was looking up at Undertaker instead of down when he pulled away from our kiss. He smiled at me, his lips slightly swollen. My face burned. This was too easy, life never went like this. But there I was in bed with Undertaker and oh, god, he was lowering his mouth to my neck! He licked and nibbled along my neck and collar. It sent shivers down my body and made my nipples perk. I grabbed one of his hands and put it down on my breast. His touch was so wonderful.

Breathing deeply, I stroked his cheek with one hand. Undertaker came back up and met my lips again. A slight grumble came from his throat as my fingers traced the scars on his torso. I intertwined my legs with his, pulling him closer until he lay flat on top of me and we were kissing again. I could feel the heat through his trousers, and took the opportunity to grope his butt. Undertaker chuckled a bit and rubbed himself against me. I could feel his want. I blushed.

Undertaker drew away from me. We panted.

"We... don't ha-"

"It's okay... I want to." We kissed. My head swam with what we were doing. I'm not sure how it happened, but somehow Undertaker had removed his pants. I felt another shiver of pleasure as Undertaker parted his lips from mine and adjusted himself between my legs. This was happening!

"What the fuck is going on here?! Undertaker? Is that... Undertaker?! And why the hell are you two naked?! Oh. My. Fucking. God!"

"Holy crap!" I pulled Undertaker up to cover me, terror and shock printed clearly on my face. Then I recognised the figure in the doorway, "Amethyst?"

"No shit, Sherlock. Now, what the hell is going on? One minute I'm in MY house, going to my closet to pack a bag so I can look for your sorry ass. And the next I'm opening the door to... THIS!" She waved her arms in our direction as if we were dirty.

Undertaker rolled over and slid into a robe, to leave and give us our privacy, I pulled the sheets up around me. "But how did you get here? It makes no sense."

"About as much as you. Nobody has heard a word from you since you left the country. There's not even record of you getting to your hotel. You could have een picked up at the airport by freaking slave guys!" She sighed and came over to me, sitting on the bed. "I was so worried about you."I heard her sniffle. I pulled Amethyst to me and she hugged me tightly, sobbing on my shoulder.

"I missed you too."

"Liar." we laughed.