*Poke poke* Hello, readers! Well, so far, it's kind of tied on the whole "Kuro and Ai" or a love triangle of "Tsubaki and Ai and Kuro", where Ai would have to choose a side eventually, whether on her own through hard choices or events that basically would make the decision for her. Now, I want to make something clear. The triangle one most likely wouldn't be Ai just suddenly falling head-over-heels for Tsubaki. Most likely, if it went that way, she'd struggle with it inside, 'cause he is the bad guy and a lunatic, in nearly all aspects. In my opinion, he's kind of like Lawless, who so many people love. Lawless kills out of boredom, etc., and clearly shows that he doesn't care. I think Lawless is…well, a bit of a psycho, but that's not saying I dislike him. He's awesome. It's just…at first he's not anywhere on my radar of "likeable", as well as Licht; harshly sending Kuro down Memory Lane, Lawless killing all of Tsubaki's servants (though to be fair they were there to do the same to them…eh *shrugs* Tsubaki cries, so I am a little bias on this, I suppose. I don't know…it just made me look at Lawless and go, "It's getting really hard to actually like you! Jerk! And Licht, you're pretty much a jerk, too!"), the fact Lawless kills his Eve when he's bored…the list goes on. Still, I don't anywhere near hate either of them. As time goes on, they get better and better. And get more and more awesome.

But…I'll decide on the pairing soon enough. Probably by next chapter. For the Tsubaki lovers, it'll probably go towards "Kuro and Ai". Sorry! I love Tsubaki, too, but Kuro is my fave. Tsubaki is 2nd. Maybe I'll make a Tsubaki and OC fanfic sometime. I do agree…he needs someone.

Any who, here is chapter 21! Ugh…this part in the anime nearly had me crying and definitely had me yelling at Lawless. It's gonna be a pain to write that out…but, for you guys, I'll give it my all and then some more! Ai can just channel my anger that's directed at the Servamp of Greed! ^_^

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Well, let's begin, shall we? Chapter begin!

Ai just stared at the scene, her still in Kuro's arm. Oh, the negativity between Kuro and Lawless was unimaginably strong. She actually could feel hate on Kuro's end…and it seemed the same way coming from lawless. And with only about a car's length between the brothers, Ai was feeling extremely comfortable at the moment.

"Big brother Sloth, still the same as ever!" Lawless repeated, a crazed grin on his face. "And I mean that in the bad way."

Kuro just strengthened his glare.

Suddenly, Ai could move. She didn't know if "Mister Angel" had released whatever he did, but, at this point, she didn't care! She began to move, Kuro looking down at her in mild surprise. She looked up at him, a relieved look in her eyes.

"Finally!" She said with a sigh. "I don't know how much more of that I could have stood."

"Hey!" Mahiru shouted, neither even looking at him, aside from Ai. "What's with you two? EH?!"

Mister Angel was about to jump off the roof, leaving his Servamp behind, Mahiru running over and wrapping his arms around his leg to keep him from leaving. "STOP! WAIT!"

The Eve just looked at Mahiru with a look of irritation. "Hands off, Demon Lover…"

"That again?!" Mahiru exclaimed in partial irritation, getting back to his original thoughts. "We need help to fight Tsubaki!"

The Eve just looked at Mahiru, that same irritation in his eyes. "What's a Tsubaki? A flower?"

Mahiru was just shocked. So…he didn't know about Tsubaki, then? Not at all?

Ai jumped out of Kuro's arms, because he didn't look to be putting her down any time soon, walking over to "Mister Angel", some force in her step. "You don't know Tsubaki? But…then why attack us like that?! Talk about being a jerk and a half!"

Mister Angel answered bluntly. "Don't need a reason to attack a vampire."

He, then, struck a pose, the same one from before. "After all, I'm an angel."

Lawless, in his little hedgehog form that Ai had to admit was truly adorable, tried to speak, bouncing around. "Yes, an angel!"

But, then, the Eve just stepped on him, the little hedgehog giving a squeak of pain. "You shut up!"

Ai just gave a weary look, sweat forming. "…Please drop the angel joke. It's kind of irritating after a while…"

Mister Angel just gave her the hardest glare imaginable, Ai taking a step back but trying to keep her cool. "Don't give me that! I said what was on my mind, and I'm not taking it back!"

"Ai…" Mahiru said, cautioning her.

She gave in with a sigh. "Sorry…to you, not Angel-Boy."

Mahiru interrupted before anything bad could happen. "Look, you have to help us! Tsubaki might target your vampire next!"

"So, then…" The Angel said. "Do you know how to kill a vampire?"

Ai inwardly prayed Mahiru wouldn't explain. Of course, that didn't go her way, Mahiru speaking, "Well, kind of. You break the item you have them…and they lose their powers."

Oh, Lawless's Eve didn't need to know that. "Good. Then I can kill this damn rat…"

Lawless added his own two cents, "Hee hee! We'd never help you! Too hard to cast that final vote…"

He, then, looked to Kuro, another grin on his face, though this one looked a little relaxed and not so crazed. "So, Pride, Lust, and Envy are in with you? Is that right? Not good, not good."

"Wrath and Gluttony came, too…" Kuro said, a dark look pointed Lawless's way.

"Of course! They are that type after all." Lawless replied, jumping and getting literally right in Kuros face. "BUT DID THEY FORGET? I DOUBT IT…"

Kuro's gaze on Lawless just deepen even more into hatred, Mahiru and Ai trying to figure out why these two brothers hated each other so greatly. They were brothers, after all! But…sometimes, that didn't mean anything, Ai had to remind herself. After all, she hated her mother…the woman who gave birth to her.

She came in between Lawless and Kuro, Kuro casting a look of pure shock down at her as she spoke, "You know what? Back off! I don't know what the deal is between you two, but it's getting out of hand…fast! Since it's all you seem to want to talk about, why not letting me and Mahiru in on it? He's Kuro's Eve, after all."

Lawless just looked at her. "So…what are you? I am a little intrigued. Maybe…brother has a girlfriend?"

She glared at Lawless, blushing forming on her cheeks. "That's got nothing to do with this! For the last time, I'm human! A bystander! You need not know anything beyond that point, got that!?"

"Oh? Well, from how Big Brother Sloth seems, you're not 'just a bystander'. And, then, there is the fact that Angel-chan's power sent you to the ground, paralyzed. That only works with vampires, little girl." Lawless grinned, cackling afterwards. "You're human? HA! I don't think so!"

Ai and Kuro just glared at the Servamp.

Suddenly, Lawless instantly calmed down, going into a type of "thinking" stance, speaking, "Well, then, let's take what we know and go from there, shall we? Licht's power affected you, so you're not completely human, but I you're not a vampire, either. So, I guess that makes you…"

He paused, gaining expression of twisted amusement with some darkness in his eyes. "…an 'it'!"

The feeling that same over Ai was, simply put, a paralyzing sort of shock. She felt her core go cold, her mind going blank as she just looked at him with pure disbelief. And all he did was grin.

"Are we beginning to understand?" He said, seemingly amused. "Pfft! Took long enough! But, I wonder…are you more human…or, as Angel-chan likes to call us, demon? Curious, curious, curious…"

Ai looked to the ground, her voice getting weak. "That's…not…"

Kuro placed his arms around her, pulling her back as his anger, again, soared. "Enough! She's not part of this!"

Lawless grinned. "Oh? Well, I think she is. More than you'd like her to be, too! Is that it, then? Did Big Brother Sloth fall for little Miss It? Guess it would explain a few…things. Ha ha ha! I doubt she knows anything, though! Poor thing!"

Mahiru stepped up, confronting Lawless as he put himself between the two Servamps. "Hey, Lawless…what are you talking about? Like Ai said, I'm Kuro's Eve, Shirota Mahiru! Your real name is Lawless, right? Like Kuro's is Sleepy Ash. What is your current name?"

Ai just had to look at Mahiru.

That's what he was curious about? A nickname?

Lawless spoke in a very dramatic way, reciting more poetry, "Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo? What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name…would smell as sweet."

Mahiru just gave the deepest confused gaze at Lawless.

Lawless answered simply, "I never keep track of names. I change them whenever I want, after all."

Ai just looked up at him when hearing that last line.

Did that mean…? Wait, did he simply kill off his Eves, then?

Mahiru was still confused. "Change them…?"

Lawless looked at his phone, panicking. "YIPES! Time for work! Aw crap! The boss is gonna be pissed! I'm still the new guy there!"

Mahiru furrowed his brows. "You have a job…?"

Lawless readied to leave, jumping off the building with a "See ya!", but he was stopped when mahiru grabbed his wrist. Lawless just looked at him when this happened.

"We need you both!" Mahiru shouted.

Lawless just looked him, speaking softly, "So this is big bro's Eve, huh? So…normal. Ah man…"

He, then, slapped Mahiru's hand away. "Leggo! You'll make me late!"

Mahiru wasn't exactly sure how to feel about this situation. He was so certain that this new Servamp and Eve team would sign up and help them out. But, it was like Ai said earlier, not every person was guaranteed to wish to help. He looked to Kuro, who was quiet and distant. Mahiru, then, looked to Ai. She, too, seemed lost in her own world. Lawless had said a lot of stuff...most of which was, sad to say, true. Ai wasn't exactly human anymore, but she wasn't a vampire, either. So…what was she, really?

They all went back to the springs, Tetsu, Hugh, and Lilly meeting them.

"We're back…" Mahiru chimed, Ai standing silent beside Mahiru as Kitty Kuro lazed on the Eve's head.

"It's about time!" Hugh criticized. "The TV's evening news is almost over!"

"So, what's up?" Tetsu asked.

Mahiru scratched the back of his head. "Lots of stuff…we met another Servamp and Eve."

"Next up is…" The reporter on the TV said in a cheerful voice. "The Australian Piano Whiz, Licht Jekylland Todoroki…"

"Licht…" Ai said in her head, knowing that name was familiar. She looked at the TV the same time Mahiru did.

It showed a picture of the guy.

Mahiru shouted, "WHAT THE—?! THAT'S HIM!"

"Who's him? Explain!" Hugh demanded.

"Why is he on TV? And he plays piano…" Mahiru said, trying to add everything up.

"Makes sense…" Ai said, coming back from her spacing out. "Remember, that Eve also played piano…it was his weapon."

"While new to Japanese ears, this pianist has a global following. His Japanese father was raised in France and a prominent violinist. His Australian mother was a well-known pianist. Only eighteen years old and a star! His music is said to purify all who hear it! Earning him the title of 'The Angel of Music'!" The reporter said proudly.

Ai perked her ears up. "…Like from 'Phantom of the Opera'?"

Few in the room looked at her with slight confusion, her shrugging, "I like it. Big deal. But…it does make sense. That Eve kept calling himself a 'real angel', over and over."

Turns out, this pianist has also been a lover of going karaoke-ing, which matched up to what Hugh's servant said earlier.

"Licht Todoroki…" Ai said, looking at the TV. "That's our guy. Lawless's Eve."

"Greed's Eve?" Hugh questioned in confirmation, Ai nodding. He suddenly looked troubled. "Such a shame…that boy won't live long, then."

Mahiru's ears perked this time. "But…why?"

"When Lawless gets bored…" Hugh began. "He kills his Eve and finds another."

Ai looked at the ground. She's said it before…she hated it when she was right. That's what Lawless meant when he said he "changed names whenever he wants", just as she thought. Mahiru, however, looked rather shocked by this. Guess he didn't put it together, like she had.

"He's the only one of us who does it." Hugh continued. "Something in him is broken."

The reporter on TV announced Licht's final concert would be tomorrow at the Tokyo Opera Hall, tickets already sold out. So, then, what would they do? Leave Lawless and Licht out of this little equation? Ai, in a way, hoped they would. She didn't really like him…Lawless. She wasn't fond of Licht, either.

She looked to Mahiru. "I'm going to bed. See you tomorrow…"

And, with that, she walked off.

She had too much on her mind, and all of it was due to Lawless.

Everyone looked at her, their eyes falling on Mahiru for answers. Kitty Kuro, however, just continued to stare at her retreating figure. She hadn't been the same since his brother had said those things to her. Kitty Kuro jumped of Mahiru's shoulder, catching his Eve by surprise.

"Kuro?" Mahiru asked, looking at him as the cat form of his Servamp scampered towards Ai.

"…What happened?" Lilly asked. "Is she feeling okay?"

"Health-wise, I think so. Everything else…probably not. When I said that lots of things happened…I was being honest." Mahiru said, sighing as he took a seat. "Lawless's Eve…Licht, well, one of his powers to basically paralyze a vampire. Kuro couldn't escape Licht's attack due to some sort of intense pressure pulling him to the ground. And…it had the same effect on Ai."

Everyone just stared at him.

"You're serious?" Hugh asked. "I won't accept any humor in this situation!"

Mahiru just gave Hugh a weary expression. "I wish I was kidding. Ai was…pretty freaked out by it. Then, Lawless took it further. He said she obviously wasn't fully human, but she wasn't a vampire either. He just called her an 'it' and laughed about it. He teased about what she was more of: human or demon. Licht calls vampires demons, so I guess that's where the 'demon' bit came from. Ever since then…she's been in her own little world. Not talking much."

"An Eve's power affected Ai?" Hugh asked, stunned. "I've never heard of such a thing."

Tetsu, then, added, "No wonder. She's probably second-guessing herself."

"Poor girl." Lilly said with sadness in his eyes.

Mahiru just nodded, looking in the direction Kitty Kuro had taken off. He knew Kuro had gone to Ai's room. Kuro was quiet, too, but during their walk back to Tetsu's place, Kitty Kuro had glanced to Ai several times. Even though there was something stirring inside of Kuro, due to Lawless and his words, the Servamp still seemed to worry about Ai.

"Are you going to check on her?" Lilly asked.

Mahiru just shook his head. "No…I think Kuro's got that part taken care of."

Lilly's eyes widened for a bit, him just smiling in the end. "Yes…I think you're right."

[In Ai's room]

Ai curled into the futon she had been sleeping on while they were at Tetsu's, opening her eyes to look at the wall. Lawless and his words…could Ai really ignore them? Licht's power had worked on her. Not as bad as it affected Kuro, but it still affected her. So, what did that mean? What had Tsubaki done to her? Did he even know this would happen? Or would he find it intriguing to see the little "side effect"?

Ai just curled into her blanket more.

These thoughts needed to go away. She wasn't a "thing".

Was she?

At that moment, her door opened a bit, though the process of it opening was rather slow. Afterwards, faint steps approached. It was an animal, she knew that, and she had a feeling of which animal it was. She sat up, but it was hard to see in the dark.

"Kuro?" She asked aloud, her voice attempting to sound like it's normal cheerful tone. "You kind of blend in with the dark, you know. I don't have night vision."

At those words, the steps stopped. In the blink of an eye, she saw a human figure, but she knew it was Kuro. He walked closer, sitting down on the floor beside the futon. She looked at him, but he wasn't looking at her. His eyes were on the floor.

"It's not like you to come in here…anything wrong?" She asked.

"I just…" He began, cutting himself off. "Are you...Are you…alright?"

Ai looked at the floor. "I…don't know, really. I'd love to deny all of what Lawless said…but I can't. Licht's attack…the one that paralyzed me and you, it prevents me from being able to. I'm not human…not completely. So, what am I, then? I'm not sure at this point, to be honest. And it's really messing with my head."

Kuro didn't really know what to say.

He wasn't good in these situations. He never usually involved himself in anything, after all. It was easier to stay out of it.

Suddenly, something came to him.

"Do you…feel alone?" He asked.

Ai looked his eyes, her eyes softening. "I'd be lying if I said I didn't, but, please, don't take it the wrong way. It's a very peculiar feeling."

"I understand." Kuro said, sighing afterwards. "I'm not good with stuff like this. Talking to people. I usually stay out of it. It's way too troublesome."

Ai couldn't help but to chuckle at his words. "True. So, why the sudden change?"

Kuro slouched a bit, fidgeting a bit as he spoke, "Because…it's you. I don't like seeing you upset. It's…troublesome."

Ai looked to him. "Don't people usually stay away from troublesome things?"

"You're not troublesome." Kuro corrected in his lazy tone.

Ai just looked at him, a smile coming to her face. "You're not either. Thanks, Kuro…I know you're trying to help. It's just…this is something I need to work out internally. If I don't face it now…I'm going to have to later on."

She moved over towards him, wrapping her arms around him in a tight embrace. "Thank you, again."

Kuro froze for a moment, but he wrapped his arms around her after a few moments.

He held her close, placing his chin on one of her shoulders, closing his eyes. He liked this. It felt…nice. It felt almost natural.

"I could stay in here, if you'd like." Kuro's voice lazily muttered.

Ai opened her eyes, removing herself from the embrace as she pulled back to look at him. "I got moved here so I wasn't sharing a room with other gender. Probably not a good idea, but I do appreciate the thought."

Kuro nodded, abruptly standing up as he got ready to leave. "You're tired…I should leave."

Ai gave an whimsical smile. "I'm not rushing you out. If you want to stay…stay. Just not for the entire night. If this was Mahiru's place, I wouldn't care. But it's not. I don't want to go against Tetsu's parents."

Kuro still insisted that he leave so Ai could get some rest.

She didn't object. Maybe he felt embarrassed after asking such a thing.

"Good night, Kuro." She said before he closed her door.

"Good night, Ai." He said, adding, "Also…there's nothing wrong with you. The way you are…I like it."

Ai felt her chest get warm, as well as her cheeks. What was this new feeling? To keep Kuro from waiting too long as she asked a series of questions concerning this new feeling in herself, she just gave a "Thanks. That makes me feel a bit better, Kuro." Afterwards, Kuro shut the door and left. Ai laid back down, and, surprisingly, she did feel better. That warmth was still in her chest, and she knew it was all because of Kuro.

This was something new.

She thought of Kuro once more, a smile, as well as a faint blush, coming to her face as she whispered, "Thanks, Kuro. You really mean a lot to me."

[At the Tokyo Opera Hall, the same night]

"The Angel of Music is here! All thanks to you, Kongou-san." A quite familiar voice said in excitement.

An older voice replied, "Speak nothing of it."

The first voice continued, "The power of a CEO, right?"

The one called Kongou just smiled happily. "Heh! It was easy! You're such a fan. It makes me curious about his future…Tsubaki-san."

Sure enough, it was Tsubaki. His attire was rather different, however. He wore a white suit, a grey undershirt, black tie, a jacket draped over his shoulders—much like his yukata—and a pair of black dress shoes. He looked extremely professional! Oh, and no glasses.

"Indeed," Tsubaki said with pleased expression. "It would be a shame if he died young…"

He and Shamrock left Kongou, Tsubaki speaking, "This was the worst set-up to date. You guys take over."

He transformed back into his usual traditional Japanese clothes, a grin on his face. "I never did like the classics."

And, like that, he walked out the doors and left everyone.

Sakuya watched Tsubaki retreated. "He's not coming? After making us wear these monkey suits…"

"Maybe he'll meet us there?" Otogiri asked, also a little confused.

Sakuya felt his irritated grew. "Damn him…"

Belkia, who apparently just became aware of Tsubaki's absence, shouted, "Wha? Tsubakyun left?! That's no fun!"

[The next night]

Ai just stood there, looking at Mahiru as he peeked from behind a building. Why was he peeking, though? It's not like they'd threw him in jail if he were caught. Kuro, naturally, was Kitty-sized and perched—more like lazing—on Mahiru's head.

"Why are we here?" Ai asked. "It's hopeless. Even if we could get to see him, he won't listen, Mahiru. You know that."

"I came because I was curious…" Mahiru said, looking at the guarded entrance. "But I don't have a ticket."

"Neither do I." Ai said.

"Why are we even here when you can't get inside…?" Kuro complained.

"Be nice!" Mahiru shouted, a man seeing Mahiru and Ai standind there, as well as Mahiru's peeking.

"Excuse me, sir!" Said a man's voice, alerting Ai and Mahiru.

Ai just sighed. This was it. They were going to be escorted off the premises. She knew this was a waste of time. As much as that sounded like Kuro, it was right.

"Here for the concert, eh?" Asked the man.

"No…I don't have a ticket…" Mahiru said, scratching the back of his ehad. "My friend and I wanted to meet Todoroki."

Ai decided to make it look more convincing. "Big fan! I tried to tell him it wasn't gonna happen but…he's the stubborn on in the group we have."

Mahiru gave sweatdropped to that remark, him laughing along in an awkward manner. "We'd love to talk to him…"

"Oh! You play piano?" The guy asked.

"No…" Mahiru said with some added awkwardness.

"Sponsors reserved the hall today…" The man sighed, removing his sunglasses, reveling he looked fairly young, actually. "But the world needs more kids your age listening. Hmm…follow me! We'll go in through the back. I'll grab you a program, too."

Ai just blinked. "…The back? I don't know…sounds illegal."

"Nah. You'll be okay." The man said with a grin.

Ai just shrugged, Mahiru and her following the strange man. Maybe he was somehow involved here, thus him not getting in trouble for going in an alternate way. Either way, it was awesome. Talk about a lucky break! And, so…they were inside! They were even going to be able to sit and hear Licht play. Honestly, Ai was a little curious. If he was "The Angel of Music", he had to have some good skills. She kind of wanted to listen to him sometime. However, what she didn't want was to be caught in one of his powers, again!

Ai felt something was amiss. For some reason, she felt uneasy inside.

This was familiar, though. Then, it donned on her. This was how she felt when she could "feel" Otogiri was nearby when at Arisuin Manor. So, then…was one of Tsubaki's subclass here, too?

"Mahiru…" Kitty Kuro said loud enough for just Mahiru to hear, the Servamp noticing that Ai had stopped walking.

Mahiru looked back. "Huh? Ai…what's wrong?"

The man who was escorting them looked back, him giving Ai a concerned look. "Are you okay? Do you feel sick? You don't look so good."

Ai, about to answer, happened to glance out the window. Her eyes went wide at what she saw. Actually, it was who she saw. It was Otogiri. She was talking on her cell and Ai could bet who she was talking to! It had to be Tsubaki!

Mahiru looked where Ai was staring, a panicked expression on his face. Tsubaki and his crew were steps ahead! This was bad! Really bad!

"Where is the concert?!" Mahiru shouted.

The man replied in an unsure manner, "In the big theater, second basement…HEY!"

Mahiru grabbed Ai's wrist, dragging her along as he ran in that direction. Ai felt sicker the futher she went. Something wasn't right. There wasn't just Otogiri here. There was more. She could feel it. It's like a weight was pressing down on her, and she was having trouble concentrating on what to do or where to run. Why was it like this, though? She shook her head, trying to brush it off. She couldn't give in! She wouldn't! Tsubaki's blood was in her…so what!? It wasn't going to stop her from being where she was needed! She wouldn't allow it!

[In the theater]

The entire audience who had been gathered to "listen to 'The Angel of Music'" were far from what they seemed to be. Every single one was Tsubaki's subclass. It was an impressive number, to be completely honest.

Lawless, who was sitting in the front row, wasn't fazed.

In fact, he was excited.

"Oh?" He said in a playful manner, turning his head towards the horde of weapon-yielding vampires. "Well, I did assume today would be the day, but I didn't think our enemy would be the entire audience."

"'Et tu, Brute?' Ready to rumble? Too bad…" He pulled out his weapon, which was a Rapier-style sword, twirling it around as he became even more excited. "The angel is my play-thing! You'll just have to wait."

Mahiru slid down the handrails of the stairs, Ai running to keep up. Luckily she was fit enough to be able to do so. No way she'd go his way…she'd be begging to get hurt! Poor Kuro was hanging on to Mahiru's head for dear life, the poor little cat.

"I don't like this!" Ai shouted as she ran down the steps right behind Mahiru. "No one is here! It's completely bare! Not even bystanders standing around and talking!"

"At least we won't get in trouble for going this way!" Mahiru said in return. "But if Tsubaki's crew is here…they must know Lawless is too! I bet those were the 'sponsors' that guy talked about earlier!"

"So…was this whole a sham?!" Ai shouted, jumping the last few stairs, sprinting after Mahiru. "Was it just some trap Tsubaki set up?!"

If so…this guy was good.

Just think of the cash one would have to fork up for this sort of plan to actually work…

"Please, don't tell me we're too late!" Mahiru shouted, seeing the door in sight.

Ai felt something almost pierce her heart, it almost causing her to stop running altogether. It hurt! What was happening?! This wasn't on Lawless and Licht's end…so was it on Tsubaki's? Was Tsubaki's end losing, then? Maybe Licht and Lawless had the upper hand?

Mahiru shoved the door open with his weight, him and Ai being met with a scene they were not expecting.

Blood was everyone, along with many killed Tsubaki servants. Ai felt something inside her almost break. This…this was too much. Mahiru was also shocked to the core, a look of horror on his face. This was more like a massacre. Did they…do all this?

"We're in over our heads…" Ai said fearfully in her mind.

Clapping began to echo in the room, the source being Lawless, praising his own handy work. Ai just looked at him with horror in her eyes. This guy…this guy was insane! Hugh was right…something inside this Servamp was broken. And, apparently, the same had to be for his Eve. Why else would the "Angel" have no care about what this guy did?

Kuro, who was in human form, just glared at his younger brother.

Kuro and Lawless didn't see eye-to-eye in the slightest. There was just hatred. Nothing else.

"Bravo!" Lawless cheered, glancing back towards Mahiru, Ai, and Kuro. "Hey, big bro! You missed the first song!

Mahiru shouted in disbelief, "Are these…all vampires?! You two did this?!"

"Nope!" Lawless corrected. "Just me! A few did escape though…"

Ai just looked at everyone. They hadn't just been killed…some were brutally destroyed. There were even some that looked to be reaching to hold hands, frozen in that position as they died. The more Ai took in, the more it hurt. Lawless had had fun during his time, and, honestly, it showed. Ai took a step back, Kuro's hand falling on her shoulder. She looked to him, him giving her a serious look, though it was also one of concern. She just shook her head, followed by nodding it. It was her way of saying she'd be fine.

He released his hold on her, Ai trying to focus on anything except the dead vampires. As they slowly faded into dust, Ai felt her heart sinking. Were these people like Sakuya or Otogiri? Both had said that Tsubaki saved them, thus they were grateful and indebted to him. These vampires were willing to serve him…not forced.

They were loyal.

"Ahem!" Licht said loudly, glaring at Lawless. "Could you stop interrupting, you damn rat? Little rat man…"

Lawless just gave Licht a grin. "I just had to attend to some unruly guests. You should thank me!"

Licht just jumped at Lawless, attacking him head-on. Did all these two do was fight?! Seriously?!

"DIE!" Licht showed, destroying a part of the room as he landed, Lawless dodging the attack with ease. However, Licht developed a shocked expression when he realized Lawless was right behind him, ready to strike.

"Here! I! Go!" Lawless shouted, delivering a powerful kick to Licht's side, sending him flying into a wall, cracking the concrete as Licht stayed in his body-formed imprint.

"Dear me! My Lil' violent Angel won't stop!" Lawless said in what appeared to be absolute glee.

"What are you doing?! Eves are human, you know!" Ai shouted, Lawless looking at her.

"Oh, it's little Miss It! How are you tonight?" He said with a grin, but he shrugged seeing her angry expression. "Aw, relax! Eves aren't as weak as regular humans. Besides…if he's gonna die that easily, I don't want him around."

Ai just increased her glare at Servamp, Mahiru looking to Licht with a worried expression.

"So…" Lawless began. "What brings you here?"

"Well…" mahiru began, Lawless cutting him off.

"Tsubaki, I presume?" He asked. "Why bother with him?"

"He just attacked you!" Mahiru exclaimed.

Ai looked around, nearly all the fallen vampires having been reduced to dust by now. Some remained, though. Mahiru made a valid point…if it had been anyone other than this pair. After all, look was Lawless had done to this horde of vampires.

"And I broke all his toys! By myself, I might add." Lawless said proudly. "My big bro there could do it too, if he really wanted."

Ai looked to Kuro, him giving Lawless a dark look once again.

Lawless just grinned in joy. "How long will you keep this allies thing up?"

"Kuro's the oldest…therefore he's the strongest. But just because someone has power doesn't mean they have to use it…especially not like this! I know these vampires were here to kill you, but…" Ai began, not realizing tears were in her eyes. "They didn't deserve this massacre! Kuro wouldn't do something like this!"

Lawless gave Ai a dark look. "You really don't know him, do you?"

Mahiru and Kuro cautiously watched the scene. He wouldn't attack Ai…surely not. She was human, after all. But, then again, Lawless didn't see her as such.

"Just who…" Lawless began. "Do you think you are?"

He, then, landed right in front of Ai, giving her but a push. Ai wasn't ready for what happened, though. She was shot back at an incredible speed, her eyes not even having time to shut as she braced for impact.

She, in fact, didn't even had time to scream.

She felt herself smack into the wall, a cry of pain escaping her mouth, the wall cracking under her as her weight smashed into it all at once. She gasped for air, a small couch exiting as she struggled for a breath. Odd enough, it didn't hurt as horribly as she thought it would. Don't mistake…it hurt like hell. But…nothing felt broken.

"AI!" Mahiru shouted in fear, him turning to Lawless. "Leave Ai out of this!"

"Huh? She needs to learn to keep her mouth shut, then!" Lawless criticized.

Ai couldn't even speak. She just fell to the ground with a painful thus. Amazingly, she was able to get to her feet, Lawless a little shocked at this. She was wobbly, but she got back up. He was highly amused.

"Like a human could stand after such a blow!" Lawless cackled. "Oh! Maybe Big Brother Sloth did this to you?! Nah….it doesn't fit his character in this, does it? So…who, then?"

"That's enough!" Mahiru shouted, Lawless giving him a shocked expression. "Ai was a victim of Tsubaki! It's one of the reasons why we need all the Servamps to stop him! So, please…join us!"

Lawless just gave Mahiru the darkest, most twisted smile. "So…you wanna be the hero, is that it? The main character who the special powers? Save your friend from a damned fate?"

"No! I just want to do what I can!" Mahiru shouted.

"Big mouth for a wanna-be hero." Lawless replied with a cackle. "You need to know the why, when, where, what and how of what you're trying to do. Who do you want to be? Acting so vaguely based on your own ideals gets you nowhere!"

Mahiru looked so shocked by these words.

Ai got to her feet, stumbling closer. It was getting better, but…she still hurt. Everything ached. Still, she was happy for nothing being broken. But how was nothing broken?

"You won't become anyone that way." Lawless concluded, a look of almost agony on his face.

Lawless, then, spoke, his voice carrying happy-go-lucky tones, "You're my big brother's Eve and yet you know nothing…so, let me entertain you as I educate. Once upon a time, there were seven Servamps…the siblings got along. In fact, they were happy as can be!"

Kuro's face instantly grew dark.

Ai felt the surge of power from him, despite her being somewhat far away. She was sure Mahiru could feel it, as he was right beside the Servamp.

Lawless went on. "One day, a letter arrived! An order from the neutral group C3. And it said to kill a certain someone. 'Kill who?!", the vampires wondered. The vampires decided to vote on it."

Greed, Gluttony, and Wrath were against.

Lust, Envy, and Pride were for.

Ai felt the darkness from Kuro growing, Mahiru feeling fear inside himself arise. The Servamp's desire to kill was immense. Mahiru didn't even feel like he could move. He felt like Kuro's growing darkness would rip him apart!

Ai felt it, but she kept walking. She needed to stop Kuro! He was going to do something he would regret!

"And so…" Greed said, continuing on. "It was a 3-3 vote! And Sloth's vote…? Take a wild guess…"

Ai felt herself walk faster, Kuro stomping his foot down in a chance to stop this from going any further. She felt his darkness grow. The demon inside, the one in charge of power, it was winning. Kuro was losing control. The ends of his jacket stood up, his body stiff and outline in glowing blue and black as power flowed through and out of him.

Lawless just laughed. "Temper! Temper! Did you not want this story told?"

Mahiru just stood there, frozen. He had no doubt that the pair would join. This outcome was far from what he expected.

"'Sleep no more! He doth murder sleep!'" Lawless shouted in dramatic fashion. "Poor brother would never again have a moment's peace."

There was undeniable hostility here.

Lawless, Rapier in hand, posed for an attack, speaking with a maddened grin, "There is nothing I hate more…than that which you and the others have forgotten!"

Well, at just over 7,000 words, this was the longest chapter yet! Yay! Did you like it? Now, I want to clear some things up. Yes, Ai is stronger than the average human. Yes, it is from Tsubaki's blood. Is she a vampire? Not technically. Is she human? Not completely. What does that make her, then? I don't really know. Maybe somewhere in the middle. Tsubaki's blood did change her, greatly. She can handle getting thrown into walls (as stated in this chapter) and her durability is greatly enhanced. If C3 could get their hands on her, you'd bet they'd want to do test after test on her, as she would be a "Science Mystery". Now, why is Ai so special? I don't really know. Like previously stated, I always wondered how Servamp blood would affect healthy people, and, at least in this story, Ai is the result. Until Tsubaki fed her his blood—which was just simply out of pure curiosity of what would happen—the vampire blood that had been given to Ai when she was a child weakened over time. It had changed her in some ways, like faster healing rates and such, but…all in all, she was normal. Her bones would break no different than you or I. Tsubaki's recent feeding her changed that, as now she had "updated blood" in her system. Would another Servamp's blood combat this? No doubt. However, with the Servamps available, not sure who would be a donor Ai would accept drinking from. Lilly is out, for obvious reasons (read previous chapters if you don't understand), Kuro she'd, honestly, never feel comfortable with drinking from (for the simple fact she knows it wouldn't willingly come from him but more out of force), and Hugh…well she's just not comfortable with that. The only other Servamps are Lawless (not gonna happen), Gluttony, and Wrath. So…not good candidates. Plus, it'd be messing with my plans! Now, Ai will get another visit from Tsubaki eventually (maybe next chapter, hint hint) but it won't be in the "usual" way. You'll see ^_^

But next chapter! Poor Kuro! Ai will also have a little eye-opener next chapter, I hope. It's all planned out, for the most part.

So, hope you enjoyed this chapter and hope my explanation of some stuff help you readers out, for those who were confused.

Well, until next time! Bye-bye!