A/N: oooooo another update =D Thanks for the awesome support guys! I know I left you with a cliffhanger so I worked my butt off to update =) But don't worry, I only had two classes today and already had most of it written =D Just remember…there is still another chapter in this arc (hides from angry readers) HAHA I will update soon (me (as Kuroko) and Kise are having a photo shoot date this weekend, then next week it's Kagami's turn =D)

This is the longest chapter for a reason guys! It was tough to write but I think it turned out well. Make sure to leave me comments or rants or whatever you want =D

I DO NOT OWN KUROKO!

Read and Review =D

Preparations for the trap took up most of the day. The group worked diligently only taking a break to eat lunch: that is all except Kuroko who was stayed in bed as a means to get all the energy he could muster. He would need it. Already he could feel the unsettling chill that began to form in the house, as if the demon was watching their every move. If that were the case, then the demon would not show. He prayed that they wouldn't have to drag this on longer than it would need to be. He wanted make this home safe, after all…he had made a new friend.

Kuroko smiled to himself under the covers. He had actually talked to someone. It was similar to the feeling of being able to rely on Kise and Kagami in battle but was more so centered on his heart than his mind. He never got a chance to speak his feeling to anyone without consequence, and it felt good to do so with Takao.

"Kuroko." Kagami peeked into the room. "We just finished placing the seals, what now?"

Kagami watched as Kuroko sat up in bed, his eyes had a dazed look and his hair was a mess on his head. His skin looked a bit paler than usual.

"You okay?" Kagami asked entering the room and sitting on the bed's edge beside him.

"I feel a little worried. I'm afraid I'll mess up to be honest."

"Psh, like that will happen. And even if you do fuck up, me and Kise will beat the shit out of it." He smirked revealing his canines. His enthusiasm spring a small laugh from Kuroko.

"I'm glad I know you guys can handle things without me."

"Well don't even think about dying or anything!" Kagami put a hand on the priest's head who in return looked at him with a puppy like look. Kagami blushed pulling his hand away.

"I want you to live as well Kagami-kun…I don't want you to be hurt."

Kagami wasn't sure if Kuroko was saying it as a friend or as something more.

"I told you I won't die. I have to protect you."

Kuroko looked down as he slid his hand toward the others. Their fingertips touched as Kagami let out a surprised gasp.

"Kuroko?"

"I…might not be able to live as I had before if anything were to happen to you." He knew it was a vague and mysterious statement, but he didn't' know how else to convey his feelings. His hand slowly wrapped around Kagami's. who looked at him with loving eyes. "I hate that I feel so scared. I used to be much braver, but now I'm hesitant. I have to do this job and all future jobs, but now I…I'm just so scared."

Looking at the boy one could not assume such a thing. He looked as he always did, blank and expressionless. His words however conveyed so much more. Kagami would tell how much of an inner struggle he was in.

Kagami pulled the boy into him, wrapping his arms tightly around him. "It's okay. I will always be here no matter what path you decide to take in life. I will be here to protect you and hold you and love. Always, remember that. "

Kuroko embraced back, tears began to suddenly flow from his eyes as he found himself full of so much emotion. . "I want you here! I want you by my side. I'm terrified to lose you; you're the first person I've become so close to. I don't know if that's love or not. All I know is that I don't want to ever see anything happen to you." His fears of something bad happening tonight drove all of his emotions outward. He couldn't control it and that just made him even more fearlful.

Kagami pressed his lips against Kuroko, as the two fell backward onto the bed. Kuroko pulled Kagami closer to him, lips sucking on the other's in a desperate attempt to keep him close. He couldn't control his body, his arms found themselves around Kagami's neck and his heart beat radically in his chest.

Kagami was shocked beyond belief. He had expected the other to pull away shyly and leave the room. But no, he was kissing back, roughly and desperately. His lips had parted and Kagami took the chance to slip his tongue inside. Kuroko complied, wrapping his own tongue up with the others.

Kagami knew they should stop. The way Kuroko was acting…it felt off. He knew he was scared of messing up, was he doing this to ease his anxiety? Did he really want this? Kagami struggled with his thought. "I'm not going anywhere." Kagami mumbled between them.

Kuroko didn't respond as his hands found their way to Kagami's pants. He began to remove the cloth belt that wrapped around Kagami's Hakama as he moaned Kagami's name.

"K..Kuroko, stop." Kagami whimpered feeling the brush of the bluenettes hand against his cock.

Kuroko couldn't explain what had come over him. His body was moving faster than he could comprehend. It wasn't a demon..it wasn't a spell… it was him. He was scared he would never get the chance again, like Kagami would vanish from him, just like his mother had. He would be left alone. He didn't want that.

Kuroko undid the belt yanking at Kagami's pants with one hand and fumbling with his own with the other.

"Kuroko!" Kagami snapped pulling away from the small priest. He watched the boys eyes widen with fear, tears streaming down his face.

Kuroko stopped, eyes glazed. "I…I'm so sorry, I don't know what came over-."

"It's okay. I love you and I'm not leaving you. I want to hold you…but not like this." Kagami really did want to take him right then and there. But as he was now, Kuroko might regret the decision. He had said it himself that he wasn't sure if it was love, and Kagami wouldn't do this until he was sure.

Kuroko nodded wiping his eyes with his sleeve. He had for that moment broken apart. His emotions had gotten the better of him. He wouldn't let it happen again.

Kagami removed himself from the bed adjusting his pants.

"Wahhh No way did you guys just have sex?" Kise shouted coming in without knocking.

Kagami glared tying his belt tight around his waist." Get out Kise!"

"But Kurokocchi said he needed rest, not your dick!" he retorted

Kagami blushed. "We didn't do anything so just get out!"

"Nu uh, you are going to ruin Kurokocchi and I'm gonna tell Riko-san."

"Will you two stop!" Kuroko interrupted walking between them. "Let's just get down stairs and begin okay. I'm rested enough."

Kise gave his a worried look. "If you say so."

The creature had been watching them

"Heh, look at them working so diligently. They should know this is only going to fail. They don't know the truth. They can't see the true demon here is so much worse…no not a demon…a devil."

They had set the trap in the oversized dance hall. It was a more than spacious are with white floors and a huge gold chandelier hanging from the high ceiling. It was a perfect spot to fight, sure the room could get damaged, but going outside was risking more lives and Kuroko would not have any of that.

Midorima stood back, arms crossed with Takao at his side. The green haired boy had been glaring at Kuroko the entire time.

"So what is this plan of yours exactly?" Midorima asked adjusting his glasses.

Kuroko answered while stuffing sutras in his shirt, "We set up a barrier throughout the house that would lead the demon straight here. Once he's in, we will lure him over to that ground symbol, which will ensnare him. After that, I'll be able to exorcise him. I can't do it while he's moving so getting him to that spot is a priority."

"And just how do expect him to even appear, maybe he won't bother coming here."

"That's okay, We have bait set up."

"Define bait."

"An Obake."

"You expect me to know what that means?" he glared.

Takao chimed in "It's a shape shifting spirit right?"

Kuroko nodded, "I will have it take on the appearance of Takao."

"Takao?" Midorima eyed his small companion. "Why Takao?"

"Because he is the main target here. The beast will follow, I know."

Midorima scoffed looking away.

"It's okay, no harm will come to the real Takao." He reassured with a smile

"That does not concern me." He turned on his heels and walked away from them. Takao gave Kuroko a smile and followed.

They were prepped and ready now. The barrier was made and the seal had been drawn on the floor. They would finish this quickly yet efficiently he hoped. Still the hate that was now overwhelmingly obvious in the house was intense. Kuroko prayed all would go well.

The priest pulled from his sleeve what looked like a paper doll. Wrapped around it was what looked like black hair. "Obake, I summon thee. Take form and do my bidding." He muttered as the doll caught on fire. He dropped it to the floor and watched it burn. The flames turned blue as what looked like some unidentifiable mass began to form in it.

It started to take shape, forming hands first. It reached out of the fire pulling itself out of the flames. The mass took on an even more human shape forming a head and legs. The mass turned to the color of skin as it formed eyes and other more detailed aspect of Takao.

Midorima looked away as it took form revealing its barren body. Takao laughed. "Wow, it copied me perfectly."

The Obake smirked as Takao often did.

"Kise, can you give it the clothes."

" ." Kise blushed handing a set of Takao's uniform to the creature.

It put them on quickly waiting for the okay from his master.

"Do it." Kuroko ordered as he watched it disappear.

Almost immediately he could feel a surge of energy run through the house. "It's coming."

Takao and Midorima made sure to stand back so that the group could do their work. Kise had already drawn his sword while Kagami stood ready to fight next to Kuroko.

The house began to shake violently. Takao fell on his butt as the others held their ground. "What the hell!" he shouted.

Kuroko ground his teeth. The shaking floor was making it difficult to stay focused on the entrance to the room, which seemed to move and bend away from their view. Kuroko cursed under his breath.

The light flickered, although they stayed on, making it more than difficult to concentrate.

Kagami steadied himself. This may be more difficult than they expected.

"It's here!" Kise yelled as the 'other' Takao ran into the room with a smirk. The beast followed it, jaws snapping at his back.

Midorima stared at it in horror. This was what had been disturbing his home. "Demon…" he muttered.

Kuroko's javelin materialized in his hands. "Let's get it over to symbol!" he shouted running toward the creature who snarled and growled. It charged him, leaping into the air above.

Kuroko gasped as the creature avoided him, still going for the fake Takao. "It's still after him, Takao get hidden!"

" ?" the real Takao spat. Midorima silently moved his body in front of him to keep the demon from seeing him.

"Midorima?"

"Stay quiet." The tall man demanded. He watched the fight with intent.

Takao felt his chest ache. He looked at Kuroko, focused in battle, then back to Midorima. His eyes wondered down to the gun strapped at his waist. He bit his bottom lip. "Please..Mido-"

"I said quiet." He glared looking back over his shoulders. His eyes were wide and wild looking. "Just do what I told you to do."

Kise cut the creature off unsheathing his sword. "You're going the wrong way!" he shouted lunging forward. The creature ducked snapping at Kise's feet. Kise was fast and jumped backward letting his sword fall and slash at a mess of black fur. Blood dripped down in streams from the inflicted wound, but the creature made no sign of defeat. He leapt again at Kise who brought his sword up in a blocking position.

Kagami ran up behind it pulling out his dagger and thrusting it into his back.

The creature whelped, thrashing back, claws out. Kagami felt a sting in his arm as dirty claws ripped through flesh. "Damn it!." Kagami stumbled back a bit.

"Midorima…" Takao whispered. "I think we shou-"

Midorima turned to face him shoving him against the near wall. "I said stop talking."

Takao scoffed pushing him away.

Kuroko's heart sank when he saw Kagami get injured. That's the exact thing he was worried about.

The creature made lunges at Kagami who barely dodged. His clothes were tearing and his balance was beginning to fail him. "You're starting to piss me off!" Kagami yelled doing a quick side-step before sending a strong kick to the beast's side. Again it cried in pain sliding across the floor, a trail of blood following close behind.

It didn't take long before it was on its feet.

Kuroko eyed it suspiciously. This fight…is far too easy…nothing at all like I expected. In fact I may have been able to handle it alone.

Kuroko whistled at the beast. "Over here!" he was standing close to the symbol on the floor.

The creature wasted no time, switching targets he ran with great speed at Kuroko.

"Got you." Kuroko smiled jumping aside as the monster landed where he wanted him to. "Retsu!" he chanted as a whirlwind of energy whipped black fur. The creature was held in place, no longer able to move. He cried out in pain and whimpered.

"All right!" Kise and Kagami shouted. The fight had gone great.

Kise ran to Kuroko's side, "That went much better than –"

The sound of a gunshot echoed through the room. Blue eyes went wide as the creature before him dropped to the ground. Blood seeped from a hole between its eyes, getting soaked up by mangled fur.

"You've finally held still."

"What the hell Midorima! " Kagami shouted. "Kuroko was going to exorcise to make sure it wasn't just possessed!"

Midorima lowered his gun and adjusted his glasses. "Does that really matter? A demon is a demon. Even if it was just hiding inside that creature…it makes no difference."

"Midorima-san…what have you done."

A smile crept across his face." I've merely taken care of another nuisance."

Kuroko looked at Takao who merely smirked.

"Put down the gun." Kise said standing in front of Kuroko defensively. "You've killed your demon . We will go."

"Ha! You think you are innocent yourself?" He pointed his gun forward. "You were also the same as that creature were you not?"

Kuroko gasped pushing himself in front of Kise. "He is different. He has repented his sins even though they are not his. "

"Move out of the way priest. Your words mean nothing. You're just as tainted as they are, letting one of the filthy creatures inside your home and body."

"I don't want to have to fight you." Kuroko pulled a talisman from his shirt. "If you even attempt to do us harm, I won't hesitate in killing you."

"Takao." He uttered

Takao nodded. "Kuroko, if you walk away, you will be spared. You're powers will not have any effect on us." Takao pulled a scroll from his belt. "The charm you gave me…the one for protection. That will be your downfall Kuroko." He tossed the scroll into the air and clasped his hands together. "Protect us, I summon thee Shishi!" The scroll opened releasing a shower of orange light. "I made sure modify it against your type of power specifically. Your summoning techniques are nullified."

Kuroko tried to remain calm. His heart ached and his body was shaking. The feeling of being unable to do anything was killing him. "We have to run." He mumbled. Both Kagami and Kise looked at him.

Midorima would kill them. He could see it in his eyes.

Midorima smirked cocking the gun. "I don't think so!"

"RUN!" Kuroko shouted, his voice drowned out by the sound of the gun, his thought was drowned out by the feel of blood on his leg. Blood that was not his own.

Kise shrieked falling to the floor and clenching his leg. Blood was staining his kimono at an alarming rate.

Kuroko turned to see him. His face displayed horror. How had Midorima been able to take that shot with him standing in the way?

"Kise!" Kagami shouted he was about to move when Kuroko ordered him to stay still. "Why?" he yelled.

"Because, he'll kill you if you move." Kuroko looked at Kagami with an angry expression. "He tricked us."

Midorima smiled. "Now you know."

"W..what the HELL! I don't even know what the fuck is going on!" It was true. Kagami was dumbfounded.

"I guess I can explain it since you are going to die anyway. " he adjusted his glasses. "I hunt things like you. Unlike Kuroko here, I do this because I want to rid the world of you monsters. I don't money; I don't need to save lives. I just want you all dead."

Kagami clenched his fist. "Why?"

"Your kind…destroyed everything I ever loved in this world. My friends, my brothers, my parents. You took it all away from me end of story."

"So you're gonna get your revenge by killing innocents?"

"Heh, innocents…you're as innocent as I am." He laughed.

Takao couldn't look at him. Not when he was like this.

"Wait!" Kuroko snapped. "Then what about that dog demon just now? Did you trap it here on purpose to get to us?"

"I'm a priest and Midorima is an Onmyodo." Takao stated. "He has the ability to do summons and spells like you Kuroko, not nearly as strong. Although he hates to admit it, he can't always control it and things like this, " he gesture over to the dead dog. ",are created."

"You say that like he's done it a lot."

"Oh he has a bunch of times actually. We usually just kill them off but that one just wouldn't hold still long enough, it even came after me, calling me a demon and what not."

"THOSE CREATURES ARE THERE TO PROTECT YOU!" Kuroko was furious. Onmyodo used their powers to summon friendly spirits to their aid. This guy was simply slaughtering them; he couldn't blame the dog for fighting against them. "HOW COULD YOU!"

"Easy. The moment they got close enough…" he lifted his gun aiming it at Kagami. "I killed them." He fired the gun nailing Kagami in the shoulder.

"KAGAMI!" Kuroko yelled as the red-head collapsed to the floor. He started over to him but was grabbed by Kise. "Let me go!"

"Don't, " his skin was pale from blood loss. "He'll kill you both…"

Kuroko watched in horror as Kagami gripped his shoulder leaning over in pain. The blood was seeping through his fingers.

"How could you." He glared at Takao. "You lied about everything to gain my trust! I confided in you, I trusted you. For the first time in my life I had made a friend that I could speak heart to heart with!" his eyes were watering. He felt betrayed, absolutely betrayed. He was foolish to have let a stranger into his heart. This was all his fault and he could do nothing to right this wrong.

"Fuck…you both…" Kagami muttered forcing himself to his knees. "You may have…stopped Kuroko from using his powers..but, " he held his hand out at them as he walked closer. ", you haven't stopped mine!"

Midorima aimed at Kuroko, looking the red head in the eyes. "I dare you."

Kagami froze. " !" he panicked. "Don't!"

"Kagami kill him!" Kuroko shouted.

"I can't idiot!"

"Forget about me and-"

"Like hell I could. I told you I would protect you so just keep your mouth shut!"

Midorima smiled. "Those are empty words."

Takao looked away again, the smiling leaving his face.

Slowly, Midorima turned the gun at Kagami.

Kuroko couldn't stop himself he pulled away from Kise and ran at Midorima. "Stop!" Kise shouted at him. Was he crazy? He would only ge-

Midorima could only smile as he aimed back at Kuroko shooting him through the stomach.

Kuroko felt the bullet enter and exit his body before he fell. His whole body surged with pain as tears streamed from his face. The pain made him sick as he threw up blood. The front to his Kimono was painted red.

"Kuroko!" Kagami cried out going to move before he felt cold metal against his temple. "You bastard!" Kagami screamed. "I'll kill you!"

"I'll kill that boy before you get the chance" he cocked his gun. "You will die first!"

Kuroko screamed at the top of his lungs. He couldn't scream enough, he couldn't cry enough. He tried to get up but only toppled over, his hand reaching for Kagami. "STOP! PLEASE! KAGAMI FIGHT BACK!" his vision was blurred by tears.

Kagami could only smile at him. "Idiot, I would end my life before I'd watch you die."

Kuroko screamed his name, over and over for what seemed like an eternity. His voice was fading now.

Takao and Midorima simply watched the display.

"Please Kagami…I love you. I really do." his heart was broken utterly and completely. He felt it break in his chest sending pain more powerful than anything he had felt before. "I don't want you to die…"

Kagami gave him a grin. "I know…I love you and I'm sorry…"

Midorima cocked his gun. "That was touching but unfortunately we don't always get what we want."

Kuroko shrieked as the room was filled with the boom from the gun. Blood sprayed across the floor as Kuroko cried and Kagami fell backwards…

Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ooooo

Preview:

"I love you…and it just hurts so much…"

"Have you ever loved someone…and knew for a fact they never even thought of you"

"I wish that I could have saved you back then…maybe this has always been my fault"

Chapter 10 : A Devils Tears