Hi hi!

Another random update! Yay!

Okay, before I forget, I'm sure most of us know about that Black butler Book of Atlantic movie, which is coming out very soon. So, I found out not too long ago that the dubbed version comes out on my birthday!

I cannot explain how happy I am to find this out, so you all know what I'll be doing!

To anyone else who'd like to know, the movie will be playing in some theaters on June 12 for subbed and June 14 for dubbed.

Alright, enough wasting your time, let's go!

ONWARDS!

It had been so long since Kuro had last felt this safe.

She walked to the Rift with what felt like a newly found pride, head held high as if to say, "come at me bro".

She couldn't help but notice how Vanth was the exact opposite, looking like she'd snap and book it. She wouldn't let go of the back of Kuro's hoodie, squeezing it whenever someone that looked their way got a bit too close.

You could see the difference from the rich people land to Rift, how the rich tall shops turned into much smaller tents with tables that held all sorts of stuff you'd never find in a rich people shop.

It was like a mall compared to a farmer's market.

The only difference being that, instead of food, it was a lot of illegal shit.

"I don't think t-that they're a-a-allowed to sell that." Vanth murmured, looking over one tent, only to squeal and turn around when she'd caught the seller's eye.

"You should know better than questioning it." Kuro sighed, looking over her shoulder to give him a look, before walking on.

But, the deeper she got into the Rift, something felt...wrong.

Walking down one road, she stopped, watching as a troupe of five guards walked past. Each of them held weapons, ready to draw them at a moment's notice.

"I don't like this." Kuro murmured, before making a quick turn down an alley, "Come on, I need to drop by my old place first." Looking around once more, she pulled her hood over her head. Even if there were no guards, there was no doubt that some of the locals knew exactly who she was.

The last thing that she wanted was to be attacked.

Kuro hurried on when Vanth didn't question her, pulling her through the alleyway, before going up a flight of stairs, walking down a hallway. Kuro looked around, reaching into the crack of the wall, pulling the key out, "I always lose it if it's on me." Kuro murmured, unlocking the door, before pushing it open.

Kuro walked in, taking a deep breath. It was good to be home. This was the place where she could go around and sleep wherever she wanted to or sleep in to however long she wanted.

Looking around, she made sure to look for any signs of anyone going through her stuff, before kicking over her old coffee table, "Fuck, someone has been in here."

"H-how can y-y-you tell?" Vanth questioned, looking scared to death of the place.

"This table has been moved." Kuro murmured, "You can check the indents that the table has left in the carpet. They're on the side rather than right under."

Kuro then looked over her bookshelf, dragging her finger along the top, "Whoever it was, they decided to do a bit of cleaning." Kuro murmured, before stopping, "Fucking shit, I swear to Satan." She growled to herself, going on as she got closer to her bedroom. Throwing it open, she cringed.

Her bed had been made.

"Did they-?" Kuro growled, ripping her dresser open, only to scowl, all of her rags for clothing had been ironed and hung, "-They did." She growled, throwing it shut.

She then looked under her bed, pulling a bag out from under her bed, throwing it over her shoulder. In the event that something happened, such as a huge Rift purge by chance, she'd have a chance to get some much-needed things before being forced to leave.

Ripping it open, she grinned rather evilly, before pulling out the heavy looking chain links, "I haven't worn these in years."

She pulled them on, when finished, it looked like casual wear, just to look nice. Zipping up the bag, she threw it back over her shoulder, before walking out, into the living room, "Alright, I have what I need, let's go."

"Where'd y-you get the chains?" Vanth asked, watching as Kuro pulled the couch to the side, grabbing what looked to be a crowbar.

"From a group of friends." Kuro murmured, tugging at the ones that hung around her arms, "It was like...proof of initiation."

"Initiation?" Vanth murmured, following Kuro out, watching her pocket the key, "This s-sounds more like a cult t-then a group of friends."

To this, Kuro grinned, throwing her head back with laughter, "Yeah, let's stop it at that and call them a cult. Better than the truth."

Vanth didn't ask, as Kuro lead her back down the stairs, scratching the back of her head, "I don't know about you, but I never did get use to how damn hot it is down here."

Once they were free from the apartment, Vanth cleared her throat, "Hey, Kuro?"

"Hmm?"

"C-can I ask y-you a question?"

"No."

"O-oh." Vanth muttered, hiding her face, "S-sorry."

"I was just fucking with you." Kuro grinned, slapping her in the back, "Go on, I don't bite. Much."

"W-w-well," Vanth murmured, awkwardly rubbing her hands together, "If y-you got the chains from y-your...friends, then w-where did you get y-your ring? Did Prince Crow give that to you?"

Kuro shook her head, "If he was the one to give it to me, I wouldn't wear it 24/7."

She looked over the red ruby ring, "If I'm honest, I have no idea where it came from. All I remember is that I've had it forever."

"O-oh." Vanth murmured, "I was j-just wondering...I haven't seen too many rings, but it doesn't look like anything I've seen on the hands of any nobles."

"Who knows; maybe I stole it from Satan himself at some point in my life." Kuro shrugged, much to Vanth's discomfort.

"I c-can never tell when y-you're kidding or n-not." Vanth grumbled, trying to look irritated, "Y-you can't say that k-kind of stuff here! E-even if we're only in R-rift!"

"We both know that no one really cares. Everyone here is either ready to fight or seriously chill." Kuro shrugged, "It's like Hawaii."

"W-wait, where?"

"Don't worry about it." Kuro shook her head, before looking up at the bar, "We're here."

Vanth looked over the building, "Roaring fire? Sounds familiar."

"Shax probably stole it from some Rock band generator online." Kuro shrugged, knocking on the door.

Before Vanth could ask, the door opened, "I'm sorry, but we're closed. Even if we weren't, this is no place for little girls."

"What if this little girl has a better sharpshooter eye then you could ever wish for, Broker?" Kuro scoffed, looking up at the tiger demon.

While he didn't visibly flinch, Kuro could see the surprise in his eyes, "Well, this is not a conversation to be having out here." He murmured, ushering her in.

Vanth tried to follow, only to yelp, jumping back when Vale whipped his knife out, the jagged blade right under her chin, "I see you've got vermin following you around."

"It's my personality." Kuro joked, shrugging.

"Well, trash does attract more trash." Vale sighed, looking just as nonchalant, as if he wasn't holding a knife under the chin of a child.

"Okay, on the legit, let her be. She's with me." Kuro sighed, waving him off.

Vale looked over Vanth, before pulling back, "If she ends up being a spy." He growled, tail flicking about behind him, before closing the door behind her, walking off.

"Don't mind him," Kuro said, trying to console the shaking girl, "He's either trying to look cool or he's acting like a grouch. I'd call him grandpa, but he isn't Reinhardt worthy just yet."

Vanth didn't bother questioning her, as Kuro lead her over to the bar countertop, "H-h-he had a-a knife...a-a knife…"

"Okay, you should probably stay down here then." Kuro sighed, having her sit down at the counter, "Oh, and give me your list."

Vanth pulled the list out of her dress pocket, hands still shaking, "K-Kuro?"

"Yeh?" Kuro asked, looking over the list.

"I'm g-getting a b-bad feeling down h-here." Vanth murmured, holding herself, "P-please don't leave me d-down here alone?"

Kuro looked around, before shaking her head awkwardly, "I know that it feels odd, being down here alone." Kuro murmured, watching as Vale stalked back up the stairs. So much from a friend, "But what we're gonna go over is probably gonna be worse. MUCH worse. It's safer down here, so just...Just stay down here?"

Vanth looked like she didn't agree, and yet she nodded, "O-okay." She murmured. If Kuro had to guess, Vanth didn't like to speak against someone that spoke with authority.

Honestly, Kuro couldn't blame her, "Look, I'll go ahead and get your list done, you just stay and chill down here. 'Aight?"

When Vanth nodded, Kuro flashed her one last grin, tossing her bag to Vanth's feet, before climbing up the stairs.

The hallway was as dark as usual, the door at the end wide open, for once. She could hear the others talking, only to stop at one particular voice. She shook her head, no way, it couldn't be him…

She walked into the room, eyes going wide, nearly dropping the list in her hand, "...Abraxas?"

At the sound of his voice, a dude with a familiar looking hoodie turned, his eyes widening, "Well would you look at that, Kitty cat is finally-."

He was forced to stop talking when Kuro reared her hand, backhanding him across the face. She could hear Zagan laughing from behind her, but at the moment, she wanted to deal with this...asshole, "Looks like the Panda is finally back." Kuro hissed, grabbing him by the collar, "Nice of you to drop by after being absent for a long ass time."

"Kuro, please do play nice." Shax sighed from the front of the table, his usual spot. As always, his bodyguard was on his left, best friend on his right, "I managed to find him and call him in."

"And why the fuck did you bother?" Kuro scowled, giving Abraxas a look, and yet, her sneer was more of a smirk, "I thought that I got the sharpshooter position."

"He asked me to come in to fill in for you." Abraxas grumbled, causing him to leer away when Kuro shot him the glare of death.

"So, the replacement got replaced by the original she was brought in to replace?" Kuro scowled.

"If we could all calm down," Vale scowled, giving the two a look, before finally relaxing into his chair, holding his forehead, "Then maybe Shax can explain."

"Thank you, old friend." Shax mumbled, before looking everyone over, "We managed to call Abraxas in from his...side hobby so that we could have a full team once again. But," He added quickly, not being the only one to notice how her grip on her chains tightened, "We also needed someone else who knew the layout of the castle."

"But we have Vale." Kuro muttered, no longer infuriated, but also nowhere near okay with it.

"Vale has connections." Shax corrected.

"We I've been in and out, on multiple occasions." Abraxas grinned, hoping that she wouldn't beat his ass, "Ya see? We're trying to bust your ass out."

Kuro wasn't sure what to make of that. Sure, Abraxas had bounced the second that he knew he wasn't needed to do what he wanted, but it did mean a lot for him to agree to stopping by to help.

Even if it was only after she was forced into a marriage with a prideful Crow demon.

"I guess you're not in the wrong." Kuro murmured, giving Abraxas a look, "But, I know how you can be in the right."

"And that would be?" Abraxas questioned, half scared that Kuro would cave his head in.

"Be a dear and go get everything on this list."

Abraxas looked over the list Kuro was holding out, watching out it had bounced onto the ground, before looking over to Shax with pleading eyes.

Shax shook his head, "She's given you her requirements; do you plan to run from this as well?"

"Low blow big bro." Abraxas grumbled, walking past, ripping the list from Kuro as he did so, "After this, we're good."

"I can agree to that." Kuro murmured, watching him walk about, before giving Shax a serious look, "Okay, why is he really here?"

"We've just told you." Vale sighed, shaking his head.

"Like he'd come back for something like that." Kuro scowled, giving Shax a look, "You and I both know that he hates being here, so why would he come back for any reason?"

"Have you ever thought that, maybe, just maybe, Abraxas could care for your well-being?" Shax sighed, smoothing his hair out.

"Like he'd come back for me." Kuro scoffed, throwing her boots up onto the table, reclining.

"Oh, come on!" Zagan finally snapped, nearly breaking the table when he brought both hands down on it, "I know I'm not all that bright, but even I can see that he cares!"

"Zagan." Shax said in that commanding tone, ordering the giant to sit down, before going back to Kuro, "Even after all this time, you can't just accept that there are some people that care for you, can you?"

"Hard to do that in hell." Kuro scowled, "But that's not why we're here now, is it?"

"No." Shax sighed, resting his head upon his intertwined hands, looking over to Vale, "If you'd be so kind."

"They're bringing more and more guards into the Rift." Vale sighed, rising from his chair. Kuro groaned, this meant that he was gonna begin to pace, she hated it when he paced around.

He always looked like he was missing the bald spot and the smoke pipe.

"We don't understand why, but we've been watching them for a while." Vale sighed, pulling a piece of paper out of his pocket, tossing it onto the table, "I've attained a bit of information from those still left; half of them have been apprehended."

"That's not what this paper says." Zagan murmured, looking over the scrap.

"Zagan, my dude, last I checked, you can't read." Kuro scoffed, taking the paper from him, only to knit her eyebrows together, "Fuck, apparently, I can't read either."

"It's written in code." Shax sighed, shaking his head.

"More like chicken scratch, but hey, who's keeping count?" Kuro muttered, tossing the paper to Shax, who read it over.

"Anyway, we have reason to believe that they're cracking down here and on information brokers because of a belief going around about how the nobles think that we're working with the surface smugglers."

"Are you not?" Kuro questioned.

"While we do, there is a difference between exchanging information throughout their group and being part of getting demons to the surface." Vale corrected, before going on, "Anyway, with that said, there has been more security. I have been told that they may be on the verge of putting a sort of schedule into place."

"Like it'll last long." Kuro scoffed, "Control isn't a thing that most Rifters know, must less are willing to conform to."

"The nobles have also never cared enough to go this far." Shax sighed, "Think of it; most of the upper class are demons are mainly pride followers. We've managed to keep them out for so long, but due to a certain big event, they have been given a chance and path into the Rift."

"What did I miss?" Kuro asked, yawning.

"Why, you being claimed as a princess, of course." Vale said, as if the answer was the most obvious thing, "Think about it, while you, a common Rifter, being a princess is only a rumor, there are still those who will want to know more on you. To see how and where they can break you down."

"So, with that said," Shax said, building off of the thought, "You can imagine the increase in guards here for when the two of you become official, or possibly even when he decides to take you out into public."

"Speaking of which, how is he?" Zagan asked.

"Can we not talk about him?" Kuro groaned, "The guy is a control freak. An arrogant, prideful, ignorant prince, if you ask me."

"...Alright then." Zagan murmured, watching Kuro go from irritated back to lazy within seconds.

"So, if I'm to get this straight, the longer I'm there, the more guards here?" Kuro asked, before groaning, holding her face, "Fuck!"

"And with the guards, demons like us will have to get creative." Vale sighed, shaking his head as he paced.

"Well, last I checked, you're not a talking notepad, so why don't you just sit down and talk instead of stalking around like a fucking vulture?" Kuro murmured, already knowing that no one would get the reference.

Hell, did you guys reading even get the reference?

"While we're no good, we are a lot more united then those rich bastards." Vale scowled, "If they have the guards pour in, we'll have a major problem on our hands."

"I may be no information broker, but I've heard a word or two." Zagan murmured, "Apparently, news of our little group has spread; a decent portion of the nobles know of us."

"How could they not?" Kuro shrugged, finally taking her boots off of the table when Shax and Vale shot her a glare, "I'm proud to know that I've dropped a few of those assholes. They should be scared."

"Fear often spawns both stupidity and bravery." Shax murmured, before shaking his head, "We are getting once again off topic; Kuro, I have some work for you."

To this, Kuro grinned, "Please Satan tell me that I'm going in with a knife or six and assassinating all sorts of rich bitches."

"I want you to play their game."

"…Hold up, huh?" Kuro said, laughing awkwardly.

"While you're being treated like a princess, I want you to take up the role. Do what you can to become a part of their system."

"The sooner you do that, the sooner you'll have a say in things." Vale murmured, connecting the dots verbally for her.

"I know that I sound stupid either way but does anyone else know who they're talking to!?" Zagan poked in, speaking Kuro's mind, "Like she'd even have the talent to pull it off."

"But Kuro is great when it comes to deceiving." Vale thought aloud.

"Always the best actor," Shax murmured, giving Kuro a coy look, "With acting to charm the worse of the worse into being your pawns. That's what you prided, with the only thing over it being the fact that you're quite skilled at sneaking around."

"I'm used to performing for morons." Kuro hissed, irritated to a point with it all, "I'm sure that they've spent enough money to know a real performance from someone like me."

"Well, as you oh so loved to say back then, 'that's your problem'." Shax nearly grinned, "Besides, I'm sure you'll manage. Even if you hate being seen, you've always loved putting on a show."

Kuro scoffed, "Fuck, I don't have much say then, do I?"

"Don't be like that." Shax sighed, "It really is for the best. If anything, during this whole problem, you're in the safest place. I intend to keep it that way."

"And if I want to fight by all of you?" Kuro questioned, glaring at them all. How dare they just put her to the side, this was a big problem! She could be up on a rooftop, dropping these fuckers like flies! But no, she's being pushed to the side for her original job of looking pretty, gathering information and playing backstage.

"You will." Shax sighed, "But on your own accord."

"What part of 'we want you safe' do you not understand?" Vale sighed, giving Kuro a look. She, of course, glared right back, challenging him.

"What part of 'I'm an important part of this team' do you not understand!?" Kuro shouted right back, throwing her fists down onto the table.

Finally, Zagan was the one to snap, "Kuro, get a hold of yourself!" He shouted right back, ten times louder. With that, she wouldn't be surprised if people next door could hear, "Even I can see that this is the most effective option!"

"Him saying that means a lot." Vale muttered, finally sitting back down.

"Will you shut it, I am trying to back you up." Zagan growled, before turning back to Kuro, "We want you to see how you can help from your standpoint. You're helping and safe; what more can you ask for?"

"Not to mention that we have to worry about that prince of yours." Vale murmured, pulling a small book from his back pocket.

"Is now really the time to start writing your obituary?" Kuro murmured, as Vale opened it up, "Need your reading glasses, professor?"

"Corvus, Crow demon, follower of...Oh, that's interesting." Vale murmured, looking closer, "He seems to be associated to more than one clan, but he is mostly known for his affiliation with Pride."

"No shit." Kuro grumbled.

"Even with the incomplete information we hold on him, it is safe to say that he is possessive, to put it kindly." Vale said.

"But I'm sure that Kuro already knows that." Shax voiced, Zagan nodding.

"...I'm only agreeing because I don't want more eyes on me." Kuro scowled, "Not to mention that, even if people here want to kill me, I feel a lot safer here. Having a prince following me around would be much worse."

"Then it's settled." Shax groaned, stretching as he stood up, "You'll continue what you're doing. You really do have the easiest job; be yourself. Meanwhile, Vale, I want you to gather what acquaintances within the brokers you have left."

"Of course." Vale sighed, before looking to Kuro, "Kuro, if I may...What happened to Dajjal?"

Kuro cringed, rubbing the back of her head, "I'm so sorry, he was executed."

"That was to be assumed." Vale sighed, shaking his head, turning to Shax, "May I have someone find and bring in Sarlea?"

"That would be of much help." Shax sighed, turning to Zagan, "I'll want you at my side at all times."

"Someone still gets to play bodyguard." Kuro teased, "Lucky you."

"Better than playing tea party with noble trash." Zagan shot right back.

"You're infecting an open wound." Kuro grumbled, shaking her head.

All of them looked to the hallway, as loud fast footsteps dashed in, Abraxas breathing heavily.

"In all the years I've been stuck with you, I've yet to see you run that fast." Shax mused, scratching the back of his ear.

Abraxas scowled, still catching his breath, before coughing, "We've got an enemy gang closing in!" He coughed out.

Shax sighed, standing, "Zagan, I want you to barricade the bar. Vale, you see if you can get into contact with any close ally groups."

The two nodded, dashing off, before Shax looked to Kuro and Abraxas, "I want you two at the roof, hold them back as long as possible."

Kuro nodded, grinning, "One last job before I'm shoved back into luxury's lap." She grinned, watching Abraxas salute, before dashing downstairs, most likely to get his gun. What had he named it? Cinnamon? Sugar? Something like that, "Do you still have my new toy?"

Shax nodded, moving the table, before pulling up a trap door, "We figured that it would be best placed in the most secure area in this establishment."

Kuro grinned, pulling the sniper out, before looking to Shax, "And my old weapon?"

"Still at the roof." Shax insisted, fixing his tie as the noise outside grew, "If you need me, I'll be in the basement. I have things to do."

Kuro nodded, "Oh, that's right." Kuro murmured, moving out of the way before Abraxas could run her over, sniper in hand, "I've got a little kid downstairs, keep her safe?"

Shax's eyebrow rose, "Since when do you care? For 'devish children' much less?"

"Don't think, just do." Kuro said, taking a moment to pinch his cheek, "Please, babe?"

Shax scowled, slapping her hand away, "Just stay vigilant." Shax murmured.

Kuro grinned, winking, "Yes sir."

Right before she could dash off, she heard Shax clear her throat, "And, Kuro?"

"What?"

"Stay safe."

Kuro shot him a grin over her shoulder, "I'm the fucking Nightwatcher; I'll be fine."

With that, she dashed up to the roof, the adrenaline rushing through her veins once more.

This was gonna be a whole lot of fun.

Wow this chapter was a bit longer then I thought it would be.

I don't have much else to say, so I'll go ahead and wrap it up.

I hope that you guys liked this, please do drop a review if you did, and I'll cya guys next time!

Also, call out to all of my Black butler fans, I'm willing to bet that there is a lot of those out there XD.

Till next time, bai bai!