Chapter 17 The Aftermath
Disclaimer: I don't own Kuroshitsuji (Black Butler).
Artemis Phantomhive: XD At least I'm updating tonight so you don't have to wait until next Friday, ding dong. XD Hahahah, just kiddin', you're no ding dong. His wife and Lilith is not the same person… XD I'm sorry that you don't really like the sequel idea… I just don't want people to not read it because they don't like my ideas. :/
Guest: Thank you so much for understanding, dearie. XD I'm glad I succeeded at something, and I agree, they would make good parents.
ShitanePaiko: XD I love his dark side… something about it makes him even more… breathtaking. :D
Shadowclanwarrior: I'm not as sad as I was at first… but, things on this site could be better… everything on here seems so boring now… :D I'm glad you liked the chapter, and, oh… Well, if I go with that sequel idea, will you not read it? I don't want fans of this story to not like the next… I mean, that WON'T be the main focus of the story. XD
Life's Black Rose: XD You mean the sequel idea? :3 I most definitely will. Thank you for reviewing!
Zana Zira: I love those two as well! Oh… and, Eric is going to get a surprise from Alan soon. XD If Mpreg is your guilty pleasure, you're certain to like what is coming up. :3
Thank you, my lovelies for all the reviews! I'm sorry for that terrible cliffhanger but I'm making up for it with an early update! This one is going to be rather long and full of surprises and good things! Drop a review if you have time!
Undertaker instantly felt anger surge to the surface. He stalked forwards, the loud clacking of the heels of his boots drowning out Alan's feeble cries for Eric to get up. Lilith growled as Undertaker neared, his eyes a light with a look of hatred and satisfaction for what she had done to Eric.
"See, Adrian? Your fellow Reapers are too weak!"
The silver haired Reaper growled angrily, narrowing his hidden eyes at the demon. He stepped around Eric and the sobbing Alan, coming to stand stock still in front of the female demon. He clutched his Scythe tightly, glaring at her with angry eyes.
"They're perfect, and I will force you back to where you came from. The place you belong. Hell."
He darted forwards in a blur, imbedding the curved blade of his Scythe in the demon's stomach. She gasped, her eyes widening in disbelief as she grasped the blade feebly. Undertaker gave an evil yet pleased laugh as he yanked the Scythe free, blood spilling from her wound and staining the white tile floor of the lobby.
She gasped and stumbled backwards away from the silver haired man, falling into the arms of one of her leading officers. The male demon that now held his wounded leader spat at Undertaker, hatred in his eyes as he pulled the wounded female closer.
The demon glanced over his shoulder at the crowd, finding that the demons in the crowd were now wide eyed, obviously shocked that Lilith had been run through. Lilith groaned and hissed weakly at Undertaker before her eyes fluttered shut, her breath becoming very faint.
The male demon looked down at Lilith once more, a slight frown coming to his lips as he saw the extent of her wound and that she had blacked out. He growled angrily and looked up at Undertaker, clear hatred in his red eyes.
"It's not over, Reaper."
The demon spat at Undertaker and looked to the crowd once more, his words directed to the demons. "Retreat! Leave this place, now!" The demon lifted Lilith into his arms bridal style and turned around; walking through the halls calmly as the other demons hurriedly ran from the building.
Undertaker snarled and watched them go before looking to his group of Reapers once more. Will soon approached him, joining his former mentor's side and looked to the Reaper once more. Undertaker looked to Eric and Alan, who were still on the floor, the blonde bleeding heavily which Alan was trying to stop. The elder Reaper looked back to the ground and gave a curt nod.
"Well done, all of you."
Murmurs broke out amongst the crowd as Undertaker left Will's side, quickly hurrying to Alan and Eric's. Alan was still shedding tears at an amazing rate, still softly pleading for Eric to open his eyes and to get up. Alan's slender, shaking hands were pressed over the wound, and his face held an expression of pain, but he was too focused on the blonde to help himself.
Undertaker kneeled beside the two and touched Alan's shoulder, trying to calm the younger, weaker Reaper as he pressed his other hand to Eric's neck. His pulse was weak and barely noticeable, but it was there. The blonde was still alive and could be saved.
The elder Reaper lifted his head and yelled for some of the medical staff members to hurry. The medical Reapers scrambled and stopped what they were doing when they heard the silver haired legend yell for them, hurrying to his side.
Alan remained still and silent as he watched them gather Eric up and hurry off to try and repair the damage that had been done to him. The brunette remained kneeling, his eyes still blurry with tears and a look of distress, yet he seemed hollow.
Undertaker felt his heart clench as he watched the young Reaper and he gently squeezed Alan's shoulder. The brunette winced and lowered his head, a look of guilt and pain flooding into his eyes, which only caused Undertaker to become more concerned, feeling rather than knowing that something was wrong.
Undertaker lifted his head and scanned the area surrounding them. Will was busy instructing non-injured Reapers on how to clean and repair the area, while others were helping injured comrades away from the scene. The area had, in reality, been totaled. What once was in the infirmary lobby had been destroyed and the white had been turned red.
The silver haired Reaper sighed slightly and stood. He reached down, gently helping Alan to his feet, but still, the younger Reaper had a blank, hollow look in his eyes. Undertaker led him away from the mess and destruction, walking to the door that led into Grell's room.
The elder Reaper unlocked it with a flick of his nail and opened the door, met with the sight of Grell sitting up in bed with his knees drawn to his chest, a look of worry and fear in his green eyes. He immediately relaxed at the sight of Undertaker and looked to Alan, but once he saw Alan's expression his look of worry instantly came back.
Grell's gaze flicked to Undertaker face as the elder Reaper closed the door and lit some of the candles in the room. He sat down in a chair but Alan remained standing beside Grell's bed. The red head felt concern and fear pierce his heart and he looked to Undertaker once more.
"Undertaker, what has happened? Is everyone alright?"
Grell noticed Alan flinch and look down, the guilt returning to his eyes and the red head's eyes widen, hating that he had hurt the brunette even more. Undertaker sighed and looked down. "Eric was gravely hurt in the fight, but he is still alive, but only just…"
The red head's eyes widen, worry in the orbs and he looked to Alan. "Oh no… I'm so sorry, Alan! But, I'm sure he'll be alright, he's a Reaper, I'm sure he'll get better!" Alan's expression didn't change, and neither did his mood. He continued to stare at the ground, that guilty look in his eyes still quite apparent.
Grell frowned and gently grabbed the young Reaper's upper arm, squeezing it reassuringly. "Alan, please, what else is upsetting you?" Alan looked up at the red head, and tears came to his eyes. Alan gazed at the elder Reapers for a few moments before stammering out an answer.
"O-Oh, senpai… I-I should be the one h-hurt… E-Eric took the hit for m-me! And now… h-he could d-die… I-I wasn't supposed to be fighting in the f-first p-place!" Tears flowed freely down his cheeks, his guilt and despair very evident.
Alan looked up, sadness and worry in his eyes. "P-Plus... I-I'm pregnant... and I-I don't want the baby to have to grow up without Eric! W-Without it's..." Alan broke off as he sobbed, his hands over his stomach. Undertaker gasped quietly. Grell's eyes widen in shock at first, but then his gaze softened. "Alan, come here..." Alan, with teary eyes, came to stand right beside the red head, and Grell carefully touched his stomach. He felt the tiniest hint of a bump against the palm of his hand and through Alan's white shirt. It was small, but it was there.
Alan began to cry even more and he retreated, guilt, pain and worry in his tear filled eyes.
Grell watched for a few moments, sadness evident in the red head's eyes. He gently patted the sobbing Reaper's arm, shushing him gently and trying to get him to calm down, knowing how sensitive Alan had become since he contracted the Thorns of Death.
"Alan, listen to me, I'm sure Eric will be just fine. He's a strong Reaper, and you know that! I know that he'll be just fine. Besides, how many times has he been hurt before, and he turned out to be just fine?"
Alan smiles slightly and nodded. "Y-You're right, senpai. Thank you." The brunette looked to Undertaker and smiled. "Thank you as well, Undertaker sir. We would all be dead if it wasn't for you." Undertaker smiled. "You flatter me, Alan."
Grell smiled at the two, but his heart ached as he took in Alan's exhausted appearance, knowing that it wasn't healthy for him but in such a state. "Alan, I think you should return to your room in the infirmary… I promise that Undertaker and I well keep track of Eric's health."
Alan nodded tiredly, complying with Grell's wishes. "Thank you, senpai. I hope you get well soon, and that everything goes okay with you. Both of you, that is. I'm grateful to both of you…" Alan yawned and turned away, quietly opening the door and closing as he left.
Undertaker stared at the door for a few moments, before he sighed and looked to Grell. "I can't believe he fought in his health…" Grell nodded in agreement. His eyes scanned over Undertaker's body, looking for any signs of injury, but couldn't see anything apparent. "Undertaker, are you okay? You weren't hurt, were you?"
The silver haired Reaper smiled slightly and shook his head, reassuring the red head. "No, I'm perfectly fine. I'm in one whole piece." Grell laughed and nodded tiredly. "Good and how is everyone else? All of our friends also in one piece?"
Undertaker's smile slipped as he was reminded of everyone else, remembering the bad news he would have to tell Grell. The red head noticed, and a shard of fear pierced his heart. The elder Reaper sighed and looked Grell in the eyes, reaching out and carefully touching his shoulder. "Ron was being held captive and when I freed him he was in pretty bad shape."
Grell's eyes widen and he immediately tried to get out of the bed, worry for his junior quite apparent. Undertaker, instead of allowing him up, pushed him back down into the bed. "No, Grell. It's still too early. You've just gotten the antidote to the poison and you're still quite weak. And don't you try to lie; I can sense your pain as if it was my own. I know that you're still in some pain." Undertaker's voice was stern, but caring as well.
"Trust me, Grell. Ron will be alright, I know he will be."
Grell sighed and rested back against. "Alright, but I'm only doing this because I trust you." Undertaker smiled and retracted his hand, gazing at the red head. Grell rubbed his eyes and yawned, looking to Undertaker. "We should probably rest. You just fought demons and I'm still kind of sick…"
Undertaker nodded in agreement, and was going to lean back against the chair and get comfortable when Grell's voice stopped him. "You don't have to sleep there... and you don't have to sleep at the foot of the bed either." The red head was blushing, but smiling at the silver haired Reaper. "You can sleep next to me..."
Undertaker smiled and carefully climbed into the bed, wrapping his arms around Grell and holding him close. Grell blushed and leaned his head against Undertaker's chest, listening to Undertaker hum. Grell fell into a peaceful sleep, a smile on his face, and Undertaker followed soon after.
Whelp, I hope you guys liked this really long, really early update! Until next time, dearies and please drop a review if you have time~!
-zgirl16