Hi hi! So far, I've read two reviews and…guys, you have no idea how unbelievably happy you make me! I'm not kidding. Even if it's just two of them, or more…heck, even if it's just one I get so overjoyed. So, thanks. It's probably why I try to get these out ASAP, or at least one of the reasons.
Well, there's gonna be a lot that happens in these next few chapters. I don't have a lot planned out, though some of it I have ideas and such. Just reading the manga, I can tell a lot is gonna take place, and I'm perfectly okay with that!
Thank you for your review: "BlueMoon Goddess", "Keelan1210", "NightlyRowenTree", "xenocanaan", "Lady Storykeeper"
Thank you for your favorite: "fantasy.92"
Thank you for your follow: "fantasy.92", "basecannon"
So, how about we begin?
Chapter start!
Inner Kuro peeked around a corner of Kuro's mind, Kuro laying on the ground. He was on his stomach, head lazily resting on his head playing with his bell a bit.
"Kuro?" Inner Kuro asked in that creepy-cute voice of his. "In the dark again? That's Sloth for you, I guess. No one else comes here anyway. We could bring Ai here, you know. You'd like her company, wouldn't you? Well, Kuro…it doesn't really matter."
The little cat creature slumped into a sitting position, using Kuro as if he were the back of a chair.
Kuro just looked at the little creature, the bell jingling as he continued to move finger-to-finger.
Kuro closed his eyes. The bell still jingling. He didn't want Ai there. It meant she'd know stuff he wanted to keep from her. From Mahiru. From everyone.
"You talk too much…" Kuro said, releasing all thoughts of the subject as he fell into a sleepy state.
"Why do you think your life should have any meaning? Why do you think you should be able to become someone?"
[New York, Six Months Ago…]
Lawless sat in a chair, legs propped up on another piece of furniture as he looked at a piece of paper. "A piano concert?! Whyyy? I don't wanna go! You don't even know any pianists!"
"I don't have much of a choice," answered a rather beautiful woman.
This beauty was a world famous actress, as well as Lawless's current Eve.
"He's taking me out to dinner, too. I have a ticket for you, ****…" She continued as she put on her makeup. "But it's not near us."
Lawless just seemed to glare at her when hearing those words, the flier he was reading falling from his hands, it possessing a picture and the name "Licht Jekylland Todoroki", who was the person he Eve would be having dinner with, supposedly. "I see…so, it's a date, huh? I really…don't like that weirdo. Stay home and rehearse! The critics have been harsh lately."
"That's not your concern." She scolded, continuing to apply her makeup and jewelry.
This Eve of his had not been what he expected. He expected a woman who dazzled the film world to have a much brighter future than you truly had. It was such a shame…really.
He headed to the concert hall, cursing at himself for being late…not that he felt he missed much. So, he proceeded to find his seat, stopping for just a moment. People were…crying? And smiling…? Why?
"And now we'll resume with part two of our concert." Said the announcer.
Lawless felt almost blinded, him hearing music next. This had not been what he was expecting. He swore the pianist even had wings! Of course, that had to be his imagination, naturally. This was Licht, the dubbed "Angel of Music".
Lawless felt himself grin. "It's all decided then…"
Lawless's Eve touched up her makeup in the bathroom, her sensing his presence as he appeared behind her, leaning against the wall as he grinned, hands shoved in his pockets.
She scolded him, flicking some of her hair back as she did, "This is for women only. Honestly!"
She, again, spoke, "I'm having dinner with him. You can come, but you'll be sitting somewhere else. Well, ****? Are you coming?"
Lawless spoke, a grin still on his face, "Nah. That's okay."
"Are you off to another odd job?" She asked. "Well, don't stray too far."
"And you be sure…not to get into any accidents." He whispered into her ear, touching a piece of her hair to his lips. "Bye-bye."
"AN UNFORTUNATE ACCIDENT."
"A GREAT ACTRESS'S TRAGEDY."
Those were only some of the headlines in the New York newspapers, Lawless stepping on them with a scowl on his face. He pulled out his phone, tapping away until he found what he was looking for. Oh, so the lil' angel was still in America? Perfect! Where…where…where. Ah ha! Boston was his next location, hmm? That was perfect, too.
"What?!" Kranz shouted upon hearing Licht.
Licht looked so pissed. "I said…that hedgehog from Boston is a—"
Lawless cut him off, speaking a very hyper manner, "VAMPIRE! I'm Lawless, the Servamp of Greed!"
Kranz was so confused. "Hold it, hold it! Hedgehog? That thig you picked up and named? Has the world gone mad? It's a person?!"
"I'm a Servamp, to be exact!" Lawless corrected. "A powerful vampire. I needed a name to forge a contract. So, I stayed a cute lil' hedgehog, waiting for someone to cuddle with! Eh he he! Man, I lost it seeing Licht coo over my tiny adorable self!"
"Kranz…let me make this clear…" Licht began, hissing as he spoke.
"Huh?" Kranz gulped.
"I HATE THIS VAMPIRE." Licht finished, venom in every word.
Lawless just gave a crazed grin. "Like me or not, stray too far away and you die!"
Lawless, then, got a little more serious…just barely. "Now…prepare a room for me, will ya? And book all my hotel suites!"
"DIE!" Licht shouted, attacking Lawless on the spot. "Right here, right now!"
Kranz, of course, was left to settle the matter, him sweatdropping. "H-hey now, don't fight inside!"
Lawless looked at his now-smashed glasses. "Well, damn. My specs are toast. Time to buy new ones. This new master sure is violent for a pianist."
Tossing his smashed specs aside, he began to slightly chuckle. "Meh. He…will die just as easily as all the others. in the end."
He leaned back, relaxing as he felt a memory creep up on him.
[Memory Begin] [For this area, I'll be calling them by their real names or by the sin they represent, not Eve-given ones.]
The year was unknown, simply shown as "XXXX". In an old, dusty, cob-web laden building, the seven Servamps had been gathered. They needed to discuss something, a rather important matter. Well, at least some considered it that.
"We haven't seen each other in forever…" Lawless complained in pure distain. "And this is all we talk about?! What a load of crap!"
All of Love sat at the end of the long table, arms crossed over his chest, a grin forming as he spoke to his brother's words, "Don't say that…it is a big problem."
"WHAT'S TO THINK ABOUT?! THE ANSWER IS NO!" Gluttony shouted. "I WON'T KILL A HUMAN ON REQUEST!"
Envy just, as usual, stayed silent, him looking at Pride.
Pride, then, added to the matter. "That's assuming they even are one."
Wrath just glared at Pride, her speaking, "Are you…implying they may not be human? Is that your stance here?!"
"No need for debate…" Pride countered. "We can settle this with a vote. This order we were given by C3…do we accept, or reject it?"
"Come on! When did we become assassins?!" Gluttony shouted, slamming his hands on the tabletop.
Greed added his own two-cents. "Yeah! We do this, and what's next? Nothin' good! This life…can't be taken by some vote!"
Pride spoke directly to Greed, speaking in a calm voice as he closed his eyes, "You need to calm down. This isn't about her. You mustn't let your personal feelings affect it."
Greed's widened, slightly enraged. "WHAT?!"
Pride continued, ignoring Greed's anger, "Envy, Lust, and I accept. Wrath, Greed, and Gluttony oppose. So…what say you…Sleepy Ash?"
The Servamp of Sloth simply raised his head, which had been sleepily resting on the table, him looking at his siblings as they bickered. H's mouth moved…but nothing came out.
[End of Memory]
[Present Time]
Lawless appeared on a rooftop, stretching his arms, "Augh…well, that was a dull memory. What a waste."
"No matter great a person…they still die by an arrogant vote. No one gets anywhere. Not just her, nor that person. No one's life has any meaning. Anyone who thinks otherwise is just a fool. That's why…I'll continue my quest to prove it." Lawless said in his thoughts, a grin forming.
"I'll show all humans who think they're 'special'…" He said aloud, his grin growing more and more crazed. "'I will preach to thee…when we are born, we cry, that we are come to this great stage of fools.' William Shakespeare. King Lear. The hero who should have been pretending to be made, slowly finds himself falling into madness. And there's nothing wrong with that."
[At C3]
"Isn't it about time you leave, Mikuni?" Tsuyuki asked with a slight glare.
"Still awake, huh? Sorry for barging in…" Mikuni said with a perky smile, holding some papers in his grasp.
Tsuyuki's look of irritation only increased. "What are you even looking for? Don't 'borrow' someone's ID when someone's asleep…these are classified!"
Tsuyuki looked at the information Mikuni had up on the computer screen, it showing Greed's info.
Tsuyuki narrowed his eyes at the screen. "Greed's habit of choosing a famous Eve is annoying. It makes it that much harder to hide that vampires exist."
Mikuni just gave an amused smile. "Well, that task…keeping vampires a secret from the public is C3''s job, right? Ah ha! Ignorance must be bliss."
"By the way…" Tsuyuki said. "The president wants to speak with you."
Mikuni tossed the ID badge he had 'borrowed', headed for the exit. "Too bad. I'm not up for that right now."
Tsuyuki felt himself grow even more irritated, him staring at the Eve. "Mikuni…Please try to not cause any more problems for us, will you?"
Mikuni, at first, was a little shocked at this request, but his shock turned into a sly-looking smile, him not giving any sort of verbal reply.
[Back at Tetsu's place, the next day]
"Look inside it!" Mahiru shouted, pointing to the ball black. "See? It's a tiny Kuro!"
Misono, Tetsu, and Mahiru all gathered around the Tiny Kuro Ball, Misono looking a bit confused, as well as irritated, but…honestly, he was always irritated, or so it seemed.
"I don't see it…" Misono said.
Tetsu poked the ball. "It's quiet, too."
"What?! But Ai and I can see him! Oh, where is she?! I looked in her room, but she wasn't there…just a note that said she'd be back soon! Perfect timing!" Mahiru shouted.
"Probably just getting some air…" Kuro said, him next addressing Tetsu. "Hey, cut it out. Treat me like the small delicate ball I've become. Stop poking me…"
"See! He spoke!" Mahiru shouted.
"All we see is black…" Misono replied. "It seems only you and Maeda can hear or see him."
Mahiru was shocked. So, then…Kuro turned into a black ball, and he doesn't even know why. And…no one but him and Ai could hear Kuro? So…did that mean that only he or Ai could help Kuro? Or, maybe, it had to be both of them, not just one?
It was just a theory, but it was a start!
[With Ai]
She, currently, walked near Tetsu's place. Honestly, she didn't want to stray too far away. Who knew if or when Tsubaki might attack. The guy never really followed a predictable way of thinking. Still, Ai couldn't keep herself locked in Tetsu's place. Her mind was filled with a lot of stuff.
Kuro wasn't some silent ball of blackness. He could talk!
But…it didn't sound like he wanted out of there any time soon. Ai strolled into a nearby café. In these parts, it was her favorite. She'd been there several times, actually. Well, when there was time for such stuff. She ordered a glass of juice, not wanting anything to eat right now.
She stirred her juice with the straw.
Her mind was so clouded she couldn't even eat.
"Heh," Ai felt herself chuckle. "Why would I think he would be ready to jump back into our world? It's Kuro, after all. Lazing around is his favorite thing. Besides…why should this even bother me? After all…Kuro's not my Servamp. He's Mahiru's. Honestly, the others should worry about it more than me. So, it baffles me why it's bugging me…"
No, she knew why it bothered her.
She sighed, looking at her drink. "I just…I can't wait to be able to hug him or something, but, obviously, he doesn't see me as anything more than Mahiru's friend. Should he even? He's a vampire...I'm a human. Other than what that little creature, Kuro's inner self, said...what proof do I have that tells me that Kuro even thinks of me? He said he cares, yes, but…"
Ai stopped, sighing, again. "Everyone says they care, honestly, but what do I really expect? Why am I sitting here, pouting? I shouldn't be…I should be there. Helping Mahiru."
She took a long drink of her juice, finishing it off before heading out of the café, making her way back to Tetsu's. After a minute or so, though…she felt odd. She felt lightheaded. Could that juice have been bad, or, perhaps, she was getting sick?
"Tetsu's isn't far away…" She told herself aloud, stumbling a bit as she walked.
As she rounded a corner, she blinked, looking around. What the—? Where was she? Wasn't this the way to his place? She surely didn't miss a turn, did she? She felt herself feel faint, this sudden sensation alerting her. This wasn't some "bad juice". Oh no…did someone spike her stuff?
"Miss? Do you need some help?" A woman asked, rushing to Ai's aid, gasping when she took in her appearance. "Oh my! You poor thing! We need to get you somewhere safe!"
Ai gladly took the woman's hand.
Until she looked into the woman's eyes.
"Red eyes…" Ai whispered, her fear growing. "Are you…a follower of Tsubaki?"
The woman looked confused. "Tsu—who? I don't know what you mean, my dear. Come on. You're not thinking straight."
Ai's breath hitched when a single fang in the woman's mouth caught her attention, Ai shoving the woman away. "Liar! Get away from me!"
The woman's confusion faded, a smile forming. "He did say you'd be a bit of a problem. Even in your state, you're still able to fight back. Now, now…don't fight. I wasn't lying. I will bring you to a safe place. You won't be harmed."
"Like hell I wouldn't! He wants to turn me!" Ai shouted, pressing her back against the building she leaned on.
"Like Sloth isn't doing just nearly the same? His blood's in you, is it not?" The woman asked in confusion.
"That's different! I trust him, at least!" Ai shot back.
"You can trust Tsubaki, too. He cares about his family…and you will become a part of it, whether you come willingly or not." The woman grinned darkly, energy extending from her nails until she wielded claws of some sort.
Ai's eyes widened.
She took off, stumbling horribly. All she did was trip over nothing, running into every little thing. The woman, who was perfectly mentally-sound, chased after her as she enjoyed this little game of "cat and mouse". Ai felt her fear rise, her heart beating faster and faster. The woman got close, her claws swiping at Ai's form, tears and blood left behind. Ai screamed, grabbing the first loose item she could, who luckily was a rather heavy stone, chucking it at the Tsubaki follower. For just a moment, the woman was down, groaning in pain when the rock collided with her jaw.
Ai's vision was becoming hazy. She couldn't keep this up much longer.
Just then, she saw Inner Kuro, the little cat creature, standing by a building, motioning her to come that way. So, without even questioning it, she did. The creature appeared at what Ai thought was random corners and roads, but it wasn't random locations at all. She soon saw the entrance for the hot springs Tetsu's family owned, her feeling tears form as she ran closer.
[This would be taking place as Ai was running from the mad Tsubaki follower…]
"Tetsu? You're not going to help with the plan?" Mahiru asked, noticing Tetsu was carrying a saw and a weight of some sort.
"Thinking's not my thing. Misono will figure it out. Since Ai's not around, I thought I'd help you." Tetsu replied, holding the saw up to the black ball, Tiny Kuro getting extremely agitated. "So, if we break the ball…the Sloth gets out, right? Got it."
Mahiru panicked, placing his hand on Tetsu in a cautious manner. "Tetsu! Just don't hurt Kuro, okay?!"
"Right!" Tetsu agreed, determined.
"Scream if it hurt, Kuro!" Mahiru shouted.
Poor Tiny Kuro, on the other hand, looked ready to have a heart attack from pure terror. Tiny Kuro began to shake, tears forming as he stared down the blade, flailing his arms as he screamed. "GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!"
"WE HAVEN'T EVEN DONE ANYTHING YET!" Mahiru shouted in irritation.
Mahiru, then, shout to Tetsu, "Hold on, Tetsu! No…this isn't the way. I need to think…You only see blackness in there, which means…"
"Mahiru…" Tiny Kuro said in caution.
Mahiru took the blade from Tetsu, holding it before the black ball. "I've got to do it! With my ow hands!"
Tiny Kuro stiffened, him speaking in a soft manner, "That's really…not the issue here…"
Mahiru tried sawing away, Tiny Kuro screaming in pure terror once again, it echoing to the point that even Ai in her current state would have been able hear it had she not been preoccupied with other matters. They tried everything to break the ball but no luck. Was the thing indestructible? Sadly, Tiny Kuro paid the price, him lying flat on the ball's floor, looking almost passed out. Mahiru, however, was interrupted as Tetsu's father came to speak to him.
"Tetsu…that girl who gave the extra room to returned, but…she's not in good shape." The old man said, a worried look on his face. "Your friends need to see this…"
Mahiru's eyes widened.
He must have meant Ai! He grabbed the ball, rushing to where Tetsu's father lead them, which was to Ai's room. When he entered, Mahiru froze in his steps. Ai was asleep, but Mahiru could tell it wasn't a peaceful state.
"She passed out when we brought her here…" Tetsu's father informed. "By the looks of it, I'd say she was drugged."
"No way…" Mahiru said with terror.
He looked to Tetsu, who was looking at Ai with obvious concern. "I'll stay with her…I'll let everyone know how she's doing. Give this latest news to Misono, please."
"Right." Tetsu agreed before he left.
Mahiru sat on his knees as he placed himself beside the sleeping girl, setting the Tiny Kuro Ball beside him. Tiny Kuro could see Ai, and he felt fear enter him, too. She'd never been attacked like this. He wanted to get closer, but the glass prison he thought he rather enjoyed prevented that. He pressed his tiny hands against the clear wall, giving a hopeless look at the girl. He could see where something tore her shirt, only shreds of material left in the area.
"Mahiru…!" Tiny Kuro sounded when he noticed Ai open her eyes.
Mahiru noticed, too, him getting closer. "Ai? Ai! Can you hear me!?"
"A little…too well, Mahiru. Voice…loud…" She said, closing her eyes. "I can't…focus. My head hurts."
She tried to sit up, only to fall to the side. Luckily, Mahiru caught her, Ai just leaning against him as if he were a pillow of some sort. She couldn't even sit up? Just when Mahiru thought he could lighten up on his worry…he found out he couldn't.
"Ai…can you tell us what happened?" Mahiru asked.
Ai gave a faint nod. "I went to my favorite café…and got some juice. I drank it…hashed stuff out inside…and made my way…back here. I started feeling…weird. Couldn't walk. Couldn't focus. Further I went, worse I got. A woman offered to help…and I took it. Turned out she…was a Tsubaki lackey. She wanted…to bring me to him. By force. I ran…threw a big rock…it slowed her down. And…Kuro helped me get here. The little…cat creature thing…the one inside him. It led me to the hot springs."
Mahiru's eyes widened.
Tiny Kuro's widened even more.
"I thought it was just…you know, some illusion. But…here I am." Ai finished. "Mahiru…I don't feel so good…"
Mahiru comforted her, as it was what she truly needed more than anything. "Just…go to sleep for now. We'll figure out everything else later…"
Ai fell asleep, her still leaning on Mahiru. Mahiru just kept his arms around her, Tiny Kuro looking away from the scene. Still, he couldn't stop looking at her. Ai was in bad shape, but it was in a far different way. It had nothing to do with blood. This time, she'd been drugged, and Tsubaki, again, was behind it. Tiny Kuro felt his hand subconsciously press against the glass once more, him wanting to get closer to Ai. Obviously, that wasn't going to happen.
Mahiru noticed Tiny Kuro's pained expression.
Seeing Ai like this was really hurting the Servamp. Mahiru wasn't surprised.
"Do you still…want to stay in that little ball, Kuro?" Mahiru asked, looking down to Ai. "She needs you, you know. I know you care for her, Kuro. It's easy to see. She cares for you, too."
Tiny Kuro looked to Mahiru, looking back to Ai when the Eve finished.
Tiny Kuro sighed. "I can't deal with this…"
[About 2 hours later…]
Ai felt herself wake up. She was in her room, and her head was aching. Other than that, though…she was fine. No upset stomach, no wobbliness…nothing. Was she really drugged? Didn't the effects last a lot longer?
"I guess I shouldn't be complaining…" Ai said, getting to her feet.
Apparently, she was still a bit lightheaded, but it was nothing compared to how she was before. She walked from her room and into where Mahiru and the others were. She was a bit surprised to see Kranz there, as well as Gil.
Kranz was just as surprised to see her, though Ai wasn't sure why.
As for Gil…well, due to the costume, she couldn't tell if he was surprised or not.
Mahiru and everyone looked her way, Misono speaking first, "Maeda? You should be resting. Get back to bed."
"I don't need it." Ai said, still wobbly, of which Gil walked over and helped her.
She nodded to the subclass, giving a grateful smile. "If I didn't already know it, I'd never guess you're Lawless's subclass, Gil. Thank you."
The mascot just gave a bow of respect, Ai sitting down next to Mahiru, who gave that look saying she shouldn't be there. Ai just sighed. "Look…I've said it before. I can't just stay down. If I do, Tsubaki will think he can whatever he wants to me and I'll…cave to him. I need to be strong…"
"Fine…but stay with Mahiru. Don't go off on your own. Understood?" Misono said in a general-like manner.
Ai, then, saluted. "Yes, sir!"
Misono fought back his irritation at Ai's child-like behavior. "Let's go over this, again. Tsubaki has captured too people: Greed, AKA Lawless and his master, Licht Todoroki. It helps we have photos. Best case, they escape. We should avoid fighting, if we can…but we have to rescue them by midnight. For firepower, how useful is that mascot?"
Kranz replied, "Gil's a servant, so he's quite capable."
Misono nodded, continuing, "First, we have to hide Lilac from Tsubaki. I doubt he'll just do an exchange."
"Speaking of Lilac…" Ai chimed in. "He's free to go, if Tsubaki gives them both back…right, Misono? That was the deal."
Misono just looked irritated. "I did, didn't I? Fine…"
Lilac looked to Ai. "Wh-why do this for me?"
Ai looked to him, a gentle smile on her face. "I said I'd keep you protected. Besides, Mahiru already told you…we don't really want to fight Tsubaki. I prefer peaceful means of getting things done."
"I agree…" Tiny Kuro chimed from his ball. "I'm a more peaceful vampire myself. When will it be the age of cats? So chill…"
Ai just furrowed her brows at the tiny Servamp. "You really never change, no matter your size…"
Then, something donned on her. "Also…what's the 'Age of Cats', again…?"
"Maeda, are you sure you're fine?" Misono asked, Ai looking his way.
She sighed. "Not perfect, but well enough. I'll be fine."
"It's strange…" Misono said, crossing his arms over his chest. "You should have been under the effects of that drug for at least a few more hours, and yet you feel almost back too normal? Perhaps, the vampire blood in your system had more advantages than we assumed. It's the only real explanation."
"Guess so…" Ai shrugged.
"That reminds me…" Mahiru chimed. "Kranz, you're human, right? Do you have any ways to fight vampires?"
Ai expected a "no", or a confused reply.
"Yup!" Kranz said in a pepped-up way, shocking Ai.
He pulled out a water gun. "Holy water kills vampire, right? Well, I've got this!"
Ai blinked. "A water gun…?"
Kranz felt the need to demonstrate, him taking Hugh's hand. "Your hand, please. I'll be gentle."
"Hmm? What for?" Hugh asked, offering his hand anyway.
"This isn't regular water, so if I hit a human, no worries," He said, putting just a little drop on Hugh's hand. "But a vampire…"
Immediately, Hugh was rendered unconscious, passing out on the spot.
"HUGH!" Mahiru shouted.
Kranz looked so freaking surprised. "Y-You were a vampire?! You look normal!"
Ai just gave him a stare that wondered if he was crazy. "Come on, man! He looks like a mini Dracula!"
"He…He's out cold?!" Mahiru exclaimed.
"Even a drop and a vampire's frozen. Not as effective as Servamps, though…" Kranz stated.
Ai just blinked. "Looks pretty effective to me…"
"Pfwaahh!" Hugh sputtered as he came to, flailing his arms in an irritated manner. "Impudence! You will rue this day!"
"Sorry about that." Kranz apologized, continuing, "Lawless never listens, so I use it on him. I must say it is quite effective."
Ai laughed a little as she imagined that little scene playing out. "I'd use it on him, too. That stuff would be useful for me to carry around. You know, for emergencies."
Mahiru just sweatdropped. "What a lame vampire…death by water gun."
Tiny Kuro spoke, "I always knew humans were crueler than vampires…"
Kranz couldn't hear him, obviously, him addressing what Mahiru said, "Ha ha! It works longer on servants."
"Kranz, can I have some of that?" Mahiru asked, Tiny Kuro getting immediately worried.
"Huh? Yeah, sure." Kranz said, handing the bottle over.
"Umm…Mahiru? What are you doing?" Ai asked, her also getting worried for Kuro.
Mahiru held the little bottle of Anti-vampire liquid, Tiny Kuro gaining a long of sweatdrop due to stress. "N-Now, Mahiru…vamps plus Holy Water. B-Bad, you know?"
"Mahiru, Kuro's right…probably not a good idea. You know, for Kuro's sake." Ai said in caution.
"But maybe this can break the ball…" Mahiru replied, twisting the cap off.
"Mahi—MREEEOOOW!" Tiny Kuro screamed as the Holy Water splashed on the ball, leaving only an unconscious and silent Tiny Kuro behind.
"That's a no, then…" Mahiru said with a look of bother.
"MAHIRU! THAT STUFF IS DANGEROUS TO VAMPIRES!" Ai shouted, taking the bottle from him. "WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU?! LUCKILY, IT ONLY RENDERED HIM UNCONSCIOUS!"
"I seemed like a good idea…" Mahiru defended.
"May I ask how you can see Kuro?" Kranz asked. "I'm a bit puzzled on that."
Ai looked to him. "Long story short, I drank his blood which was in the form a strawberry that had been given to me by a demonic-looking cat that is actually only Kuro's Inner Self. It's not as complicated as it sounds, I promise."
"Ai…when you put it like that, you sound really crazy…" Mahiru said with a sweatdrop.
Mahiru, then, gestured to the bottle. "So, can you just buy this?"
Kranz gave a perky reply, "I have a friend who runs a curio shop. He's Japanese…kinda weird, too. Mid-twenties, carries a black snake, has a doll he likes a bit too much."
"Sounds familiar…" Ai said dryly.
"MIKUNI!?" Mahiru exclaimed in his thoughts.
Kranz pulled out a business card Mikuni had given him some time ago, Misono pulling out the web address on his laptop. The site just wreaked of Mikuni. The Abel doll was more than enough to say that. Abel was ever listed as Manager!
"It's Mikuni for sure," Mahiru stated with a sweatdrop.
Misono grew irritated. "That idiot! What's he doing?!"
"Hey, Misono…" Mahiru chimed, Misono looking at him with a shocked expression. "Ai and I are going to Mikuni's shop. He might know how we can help Kuro. I may not be able to help fight…but I can at least ask Mikuni for help."
Ai blinked. "Misono might want me to stay here…"
"No, go with Shirota." Misono said. "No doubt, you will be needed to get Sloth back too normal, Maeda. After all, you and Shirota can see and hear him. We can't. Your place is with him, for now."
Ai nodded his way. "Guess it's settled."
"Well split up from here…" Misono said, pushing himself to his feet.
Mahiru spoke, "Misono…Tetsu…be careful."
Misono just smirked. "Really? You're one to talk."
"We'll be fine. I'm not good at being careful, anyway." Tetsu added.
"Hey! Are you implying my plan isn't careful?!" Misono asked as if he had been accused of something.
Tetsu just gave a calm response. "Nah, you're reliable…"
Ai walked over, giving Misono a hug, which he didn't allow to last for long at all, Ai chuckling at his shyness. Afterwards, he hugged Lilly, who hugged her back a real embrace. She hugged Tetsu, hugging Hugh after Tetsu hugged her, the little vampire hugging her as if he were a little child. She stepped back, placing herself beside Mahiru again.
"For luck." She said with a smile.
Tiny Kuro, who was had been awake for a few minutes or so, just looked at Ai. He stared at her for a minute, his eyes falling to the ground. He looked at the ball that confined him, and he inwardly decided. He wanted out.
He wanted to hug Ai, too.
Okay! There is another chapter finished and done! Thanks for reading!
So, there were some more "twists" in here, so hopefully you all enjoyed them. I didn't want Tsubaki to kidnap Ai, not yet…at this point in the manga, a kidnapping scene just wouldn't fit. But he'll be paying her a visit eventually.
Well, as usual, tell me your thoughts, views, comments in the review section!
And, until next chapter…bye-bye!