Hello, people! I'm so happy all of you loved last chapter's little twists and turns concerning Ai. I was a little worried, honestly, but you guys loved it! I need to be a little honest with something…a bit of a "confession", really. I wish I could say that all of this I've written in the chapters, thus far, was completely planned out, but, in reality, 90% is literally just "made up on the spot; i.e., Ai being given the strawberry by Inner Kuro, Tsubaki giving/taking blood from her, Tsubaki's complete fascination/fixation on her, her getting power from the strawberry…all of it and, no doubt, more. I wish I could take credit with some sort of planning or whatever, but…it's literally the story telling/making itself. Almost all of it is just a "spur of the moment" idea, and I end up running with it. Which is why I get so cautious with nearly every "twist and turn", because, usually, none of it is planned out much at all.

I just wanted to tell that little confession of mine.

Thank you for your review: "xenocanaan", "Keelan1210", "NightlyRowenTree", "BlueMoon Goddess", "Guest1995"

Thank you for your follow: "xXZaporaXx", "Alexandra780", "Ryu Pendragon"

Thank you for your favorite: "Alexandra780"

Also, Guest1995, I wanted to address something you brought up. I actually thought about having Licht have a little "thing" for Ai, and I might very well do it. I just…I don't want people to think she and he would end up together. This is a "Kuro x Ai" story, after all. Also, of course it's okay to "fangirl"! We all do it! I fangirl over Kitty Kuro…any and all of his moments! Actually, I just fangirl over anything Kuro-related. And Tsubaki-related. I love them both…but not together!

*Shifty Eyes*…I should probably get on with the chapter so you all don't just hear me go on and on, huh? Well, then, let's get a move on!

Chapter begin!

Misono and Tetsu, who was carrying Lilac like a bag of luggage, just stared at Mahiru and Ai. They couldn't believe what they'd just heard. None of it. But Ai and Mahiru knew just how true it all had been.

"What…did you say…?" Misono asked, continuing, "You mean that black ball…is the Servamp of Sloth?!"

"Misono, just…back down a little. Mahiru is really torn up over it, okay?" Ai said, her sitting on the ground right beside Mahiru, who just stared at the pavement, the black ball Kuro had become near him.

"My weapon…is inside, too." Mahiru said. "But I don't know why!"

Butterfly Lilly and Bat Hugh hovered around the black sphere, Lilly speaking, "I can feel his presence within it…"

"That guy also took Licht…" Ai added, looking at Mahiru, her eyes shifting to the black ball.

"And I did nothing…" Mahiru said with a heavy voice. "I needed Tetsu! I should've listened! I mean, Ai did more than I was able to!"

Ai looked at Mahiru, feigning a look of shock. "…I did?"

Misono looked to Mahiru, Mahiru speaking before Misono had the chance, "Kuro is still alive, right? Is this only temporary?"

"They sensed his presence, Mahiru…" Ai said, placing an arm around his shoulders. "So, that means that Kuro is still alive. He's just…well, I think he retreated inside himself. Or something similar. Cutting himself off from…well, everything. He hasn't been 'normal Kuro' since Lawless said all that stuff. Obviously, he has some serious issues he needs to deal with…but, instead of doing that…"

Ai looked at the black ball. "He's doing everything in his power to avoid it, even if he isn't meaning to."

"Pretty insightful, Maeda…" Misono commented.

"I'm just reading the situation…" She shot back.

"Putting that all aside…" Misono said, addressing Mahiru once more. "What did you mean when you said Airi did more than you were able to?"

Mahiru looked up, looking to Ai with hesitant eyes. "She…she forced Higan away from taking her…"

Misono's eyes got wide. "She…what?"

"Ai froze for a moment, and in that time, her personality changed." Mahiru said, looking from Ai to Misono and back to Ai. "It's hard to describe. Higan was shocked, too. So, I'm going to say it had nothing to do with Tsubaki. Ai…seemed possessed, in a way. She doesn't remember anything, either…"

Ai stepped forward. "That's…not true."

Mahiru just gave a look of pure shock. "Ai…you said you didn't remember…"

Ai sighed, a heavy look in her eyes. "I…sort of lied. Okay, I completely lied. It's just…you had so much to deal with. I didn't want to put even more weight on your shoulders. At least, not until Misono and Tetsu could get here. I'm sorry, Mahiru…"

"So, you remember everything?" Mahiru asked, Misono, for now, staying quiet.

Ai nodded. "From start to finish. This wasn't Tsubaki's power…"

She looked to the black ball. "In fact, it was Kuro's…"

"Ai…that's dangerous!" Mahiru shouted, his hands on her shoulders. "How could you let this happen?!"

"If I hadn't, I'd be gone! Ever think of that?!" Ai shouted, her almost slapping away Mahiru's touch as she stood to her feet abruptly. "Look what happened to Licht! Do you really think I, alone, would've had any sort of chance?! I'll do anything to not fall into Tsubaki's grasp! I trust Kuro a hell of a lot more than that lunatic! So, tell me I was wrong!"

"You…shouldn't have to be forced to such situations…" Mahiru said with a hurting heart. "Kuro and I…we're supposed to protect you. He told me he'd be there…"

"And who knows what he's dealing with! You can't rely on one person all the time!" Ai shouted, hoping to shock some sense into him. "Sometimes, you don't have a choice but to step up and do things on your own! It's not 'convenient' or 'safe'…it's hard. But what can you do when there's nobody there to lean on?! You need to take action…not wait for someone to take it for you…"

Misono and Tetsu looked to Ai, Misono gaining more respect for her.

That was a hard lesson to learn…he knew that all too well.

"How'd you do it?" Tetsu asked, obviously confused. "Push this Higan guy away or whatever?"

Ai looked at everyone, even Lilly and Hugh. "I guess I should give an explanation…"

"Yeah…" Misono said, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Well…it all has to do with that strawberry Kuro's…I guess it's his Inner Self or something gave me way back when Mahiru got his weapon." Ai began. "When Higan was ready to grab me so he could take me to Tsubaki…something happened. I blinked and met with 'Inner Kuro'. The little cat creature and I talked. He told me that that strawberry I consumed way back was actually a piece of Kuro, and when I ate it it was like drinking some of his blood. He spoke of a contract being partially made when I ate it…but it's not like a contract between Eve and Servamp. He said it's very different. He's the reason I lost control when Lilly was attacked."

Mahiru looked at Ai with wide eyes. "That wasn't Tsubaki?! Ai, if that was the power from that part of Kuro…I don't think you should be tapping into it! Look what it did!"

"He explained that, too…mainly since I flipped out in the same way you just did…" Ai said, getting back to her explanation. "He said Tsubaki's blood interfered with the pact he'd began to make, what happened back then with Lilly being the end result. He said, 'We were unstable back then, but we are no longer.' He said when I get scared, like I was when Higan tried to take me, my fear calls to that part of Kuro. Even though the 'bond' was started, it wasn't completed. Since I took something from Kuro…he needed something of mine…"

Misono's eyes widened. "Your blood…?"

Ai nodded. "I didn't want to go through with it. Making such a pact…it worried me. Even if it is Kuro. He's still a vampire, after all, but, like I said, I trust him much more than Tsubaki. What won me over was when that part of Kuro said finishing the pact would weaken Tsubaki's hold on me. No random visits during the night…none of that, or so I assumed. Still, even if it is weakened and nothing more, I took the chance. He said he'd never hurt me…and that Kuro wants me safe. I trusted those words…so, I accepted the pact, finishing it. By doing so, I guess I temporarily borrowed some of Kuro's power, forcing Higan away."

Honestly, none of them knew what to say.

Finally, Hugh, in his human form, spoke, "I believe you did the right thing. Your actions, no doubt, saved you from Tsubaki's grasp. However, I'm not sure a human can safely use a Servamp's power. I've never heard of such a thing being done."

"I trust Kuro…" Ai said, looking at Hugh. "Even if it was merely a piece of him. Kuro saved me…I didn't do it myself."

She, then, put her hand on Mahiru's shoulder, a reassuring smile directed at him. "We'll get him back to normal. I promise."

"Look…" Misono said, all eyes falling to him. "This was still a win. Take a look at this."

Misono brandished a red flip phone with a Belkia strap that couldn't help but catch Ai's attention before the phone itself. "I found it here."

"Obviously, that belongs to Higan…" Ai said, taking hold of the strap. "Handmade? Wow…never took him as someone who would make something like this…and by hand no less. I'm impressed."

"Ai…" Mahiru groaned.

"What?" Ai defended. "It's well-made!"

"…As I was going to say," Misono continued, rolling his eyes at Ai's words. "We'll spy on Tsubaki's movements using this. And then we can finally make a move before they do."

And, as if it was perfect timing, the phone started, ringing, giving Misono, Mahiru, and Ai minor heart attacks in the process.

"AH HA HA! YOU HAVE A CALL! AH HA HA! YOU HAVE A CALL! AH HA HA! YOU HAVE A CALL!" A voice that sounded a lot like Belkia shouted, over and over.

Ai just blinked, the caller's information appearing on the screen.

Her look of shock faded to one of bother when she noticed the picture. It was Tsubaki posing in his usual outfit with his left arm lifted over his head in a dramatic fashion, three sets of arms behind being held at different levels.

"I'm…not even surprised." Ai said, sighing as she stared at the photo.

"What's with the photo and ringtone?" Mahiru asked. "Is annoying people all he cares about?!"

"Probably…" Ai said with a shrug. "It's definitely something he enjoys…"

Misono answered the phone, a voice that was highly familiar to Mahiru and Ai coming from the other end, "Hello? You found this phone? I'm a friend of the owner. You have his thanks. Higan! Your phone is safe!"

"Great!" Came Higan's voice from the background. "Can I pick it up?"

"Be sure to thank them, Higan." Tsubaki's voice replied to the old man.

"Of course! How should I think them?" Higan's voice asked, again in the background.

Ai spoke in a loud voice, "How about by giving Licht back, you bastard?! Lawless, too! I might not be fond of him, but he's still a top priority."

"Oh?" Tsubaki's voice came, him sounding rather amused. "Is that my dear Airi? Did you find this phone, then?"

Ai snatched the phone from Misono, shouting into it, "I'm not yours! How many times do I have to say that?!"

"That's no fun at all, Airi. You look so adorable while sleeping. Did you get the pictures I sent? I'm rather fond of looking at them, you know. I just can't bring myself to delete them." Tsubaki replied, sounding quite amused as he did so.

In fact, he sounded a little…um, "suggestive", Ai feeling violated just from listening to his words.

"You're sick, you know that?" Ai growled.

Misono took the phone from her. "So…how about it? Give us the Greed pair, we give you the phone."

Mahiru and Ai were stunned at Misono's offer.

Ai highly doubted Tsubaki would agree to it just like that. I mean…this was Tsubaki. She enjoyed playing games. He got a thrill out of it. Plus, considering what Lawless did to all of this subclass…she knew he wasn't going to hand over the Servamp for a measly phone.

And, in a few seconds, Ai's thoughts were proven.

"Ah ha ha…" Tsubaki's began. "AH HA HA! AH HA HA HA! AH HA HA HA! HA HA HA HA! AH HA HA HA!"

"Can't have a conversation without the laughing…" Ai muttered with a sigh.

"But that's no fun!" Tsubaki replied with obvious amusement. "This is Lust's Eve, right? That trade is so unfair, don't you think?"

"Knew it…" Ai said, not even bothering to whisper. "You need to sweeten the deal, Misono."

"Tch!" Misono sounded in irritation.

Ai took the phone. "Let me try. I know him better…"

"Oh? Airi's back?" Tsubaki teased.

"Yes, it's me." Ai said, fighting back her own irritation. "We have one of your servants, too, and he's safe. I'm personally making sure of it. So, if the phone's not worth the Greed pair…how about him? Is that more to your liking?"

"Ai!" Mahiru voiced, but Misono stopped him.

"No…it's a good move." Misono said. "You said Tsubaki rescues his subclass…it's our only chance."

"Ah ha ha ha…" Tsubaki began, Ai expecting more laughter, but that's what came. "WHAT A BORING OFFER, MY DEAR."

Ai felt her heart increase, but she continued speaking, "Look, it's a fair trade. Is it not?"

"I suppose it'll do…but there's one more thing I'd like…" Tsubaki said, Ai almost feeling his grin. "But we'll wait for that…"

Ai's heart died down a bit.

She knew what he meant…the thing he desired was her.

"We'll work it out…we'll call you when the trade is set up." Ai said, calm and collected.

"Very well, my dear. I won't touch them…" Tsubaki said, his voice growing quite threatening, "But, I can't speak for the others, Airi."

"Tsubaki!" Ai shouted, her worry growing.

"Uh uh! I'm going to sleep now, my dear, so don't call until late afternoon." Tsubaki said, adding, "Oh! The strap on that phone is handmade, so please be careful. Old man Higan made it himself. He said to tell you. Ah ha!"

"Yeah yeah…" Ai said, hanging up.

[Tsubaki's place]

"My my, dear Airi has quite the temper, it seems." Tsubaki said with a grin, him looking to Higan. "But your phone is in good hands."

"Ah, thank you, thank you," Higan said with a laugh.

"You've been shamed, Higan! Commit suicide!" Shamrock shouted at that old man.

Higan just gave a bright smile. "I suppose you're right, this old man should lose his head."

Shamrock felt his irritation rise. "How are you number two and not me?!"

Belkia, who looked to be in his pajamas, brushing his teeth, spoke in irritation while looking towards Higan, "Ew! Old man smell! Higan's back…"

While the three bickered, Tsubaki's amused grin fell into a look of displeasing. He'd noticed the hold he had previously held on Ai had seriously weakened, and he couldn't help but ponder why that was. What happened to cause such a thing to suddenly happen?

He, then, grinned. "It seems the plans have been rewritten a bit…"

The scene shifted to Lawless's current state. He was tied with Otogiri's strings, him rendered completely immobile. Not to mention he was completely battered. He wouldn't lie…he was in pain. He was weak. No doubt, Licht was dead by now. He might claim he's an angel, but…he wasn't. He was human, and human lives were meaningless.

"We stand in the spotlight and whimper…but our death…means nothing in the end."

"Life is but a walking shadow," Lawless whispered, his eyes dimmed. "A poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage…and then is heard no more."

Lawless paused, speaking, again, "Licht's music is awesome…but you know, you…and everyone…won't become anything. Most lives are empty."

[Back with Misono and the gang]

"With the Servamp and Eve distance problem, we're in a time crunch." Misono stated, hasing out the plan.

"Obviously…" Ai stated, growing a bit perturbed.

Misono just became irritated. "Six hours, ill. Twenty-four hours, dead. Was that so obvious, too?"

Ai felt herself shrink a bit. "…Sorry."

"When did Licht start feeling sick?" Misono asked Mahiru.

"Kranz called me around six o'clock." Mahiru replied.

Misono nodded. "Go back six hours…the Servamp was taken around midnight."

Mahiru grew panicked. "If those two are still apart…then tonight, at midnight, Licht's life is in danger!"

"I know…" Misono growled. "This is serious…"

"Hold on…" Ai said, Misono giving her that scowl he was famous for. "You'll only going off the possibility that they're keeping them apart…right? What if they're not? It's possible, right?"

"Possible, yes, but very unlikely." Misono said, dismissing her idea immediately. "Tsubaki is ruthless. He wouldn't keep them together, even remotely."

"But…" Ai said, Misono nearly glaring at her.

"We don't have time for it, Ai! This is serious!" Misono shouted.

"Should we mount an attack?!" Tetsu said, standing up as if he was ready to ship out then and there.

Misono grew even more irritated, shouting to him, "You dolt! Attack where?! We're not battle-ready! Let's split into three groups and—"

"Three?" Mahiru asked.

Misono gave a serious expression as he looked to his fellow Eve. "Mahiru…you and Maeda better skip this one. Ai can't control herself when she gets too scared, and your Servamp is a black ball. You can wield your weapon, either. We don't have time to figure out why. Tetsu and Hugh can be out front line…Lily and I will try to assist. We have sixteen hours to rescue both of them. Now, let's plan our strategy!"

Misono and Tetsu, along with their Servamps, exited the room.

And Mahiru was left feeling even worse than before.

"I'm useless…" He said, poking the black ball that was Kuro.

"Probably shouldn't poke that…it is a ball, after all." Ai suggested.

Mahiru poked it, pushing it back and forth with his index finger, only to have to chase after it when he rolled off the table and nearly falling to the floor. Luckily, Mahiru caught it. Ai took his jacket, folding it up so he could place the ball on a safe surface.

For a few minutes, Mahiru was silent, Ai just sitting there.

"I just…wanted to help Licht…" Mahiru muttered, Ai looking his way with a pity expression. "I thought I could save him…but the truth is I just expected Kuro to do all the work, as usual."

"Mahiru…" Ai tried, but Mahiru just shook his head.

"No…" Mahiru said, continuing, "Despite his complaining…"

Mahiru, then, sighed. "I'm such an idiot. Have I improved at all?"

Ai scooted a little closer to him. "Of course you have! What about Sakuya, huh? And, you've help me more than once, you saved Misono…you—"

"You saved Sakuya…and Misono…" Mahiru said dryly. "Even when Kuro was losing control, you just spoke…and saved yourself. I tried, and he didn't even listen. Face it, you're better than me, Ai."

"Mahiru…" She, again, stressed.

"I just…" Mahiru began, shaking a bit as he spoke, tears dropping from his face to the table. "I really wanted to get stronger. I wanted…to be an adult everyone could count on! I never…learned to get along with Kuro. I didn't face him head-on at all! I pretended I didn't know how to deal with him. That I was a nice guy…but, I ran away. I never listened to him. You listened to him more than I, Ai. It was thanks to Kuro that I did so many wonderful things. Things I could never do alone. And, the time it came for me to help him…"

Mahiru wiped his eyes, sobbing. "I'm sorry…Kuro!"

Ai felt her heart sink.

Well, Mahiru definitely learned some stuff, like listen to your partner, for one.

"Pfft! Man, you're such a pain…" Came a very familiar voice, Ai and Mahiru looking to the ball in complete surprise.

The black smoke inside the ball began to shift, a little tiny Kuro coming to both their sights. Ai blinked, Mahiru's sobbing stopping as he just gazed at the ball. Kuro was so freaking tiny! If Ai wasn't so stunned from the scene, she'd be dying of cuteness overload inside.

"Kuro?!" Mahiru shouted, his muteness finally gone.

Kuro moved in the ball a little, complaining, as usual, "What are you being so noisy about? Your whining ruined my nap…"

Ai had to laugh a little. "That whining was him apologizing for being a jerk before, you know…"

"About time…" Kuro, again, complained.

"Is that really you, Kuro?" Mahiru asked, the shock still getting to him.

Ai just sighed. "It's him…just more adorable."

"What happened to you?!" Mahiru shouted.

"I don't know, either…" Kuro said, his little hands tapping on the glass. "I can't get out."

Okay, the tapping was just too much. Ai was about to explode from cuteness. He was adorable already…how could he get even more than he already was?!

Ai, ignoring her inner emotions, spoke, "At least…you're okay. We were worried when you turned into a ball. Kind of gave us quite the scare, you know."

"Ah…well, I guess it's not so bad in here…" Tiny Kuro said in his usual lazy tone. "Kinda cozy…"

Ai's brows furrowed.

What did that mean? Did Kuro not want to come out of that thing, then? Suddenly, she didn't feel so happy anymore. In fact, she felt as if her heart had sunk just a bit.

"Yes, it's bad!" Mahiru shouted in anger.

Ai got to her feet, her cheery exterior fading as she spoke, "Well, I'll let you two talk…see ya…"

"Bye…" Kuro said, yawning.

Mahiru looked to the door as Ai slid it shut. She'd been so happy to see him, but it suddenly went away? Was it what Kuro had said moments ago? No…he couldn't focus on that. Kuro needed to be back to normal!

He picked up the ball containing Tiny Kuro. "Ai and I will get your back to normal!"

"I can't deal with you…bring Ai back. She doesn't yell." Kuro, again, complained. "It's so comfy in here…out there, too much to deal with…such a pain."

Mahiru felt his irritation build, again. "Deal with it! You may be smaller, but you're still the same Kuro!"

Well, well, well…another one done! Did you guys enjoy it? Let me know your thoughts in the review section! Or PM me! I love both!

Well, until next chapter…bye-bye!