Chapter 13

As Mai Ueno arrived to the second door, just some ten steps from the unprotected, black door in the back street, her mind decided to "play" her the theme from "Mission Impossible". She allowed herself a small smile before focusing. The letter didn't say what would happen if she punched in the wrong code and she really didn't want to find out. Even though she knew the passcode by heart, she took out the paper on which she has re-written the letter and studied it in the dim light and then very carefully punched it in.

7 - 7 - 5 - 8 - 2 - 6 - 6 - 4 - 9

The door buzzed and clicked open. With the slightest hesitation, Mai pushed it open further, revealing a short, empty corridor and the beginning of a staircase, both dimly lit by lamps built into the walls. Mind producing scenarios inspired by all the scary films she has seen, she entered before she could change her mind, trying to tell herself that in this story she was the super-hero. She still jumped probably a full meter up when the door slammed closed behind her.

She has had to argue long and loud to go in alone and now, in the dimly lit staircase, she regretted it just a little bit. After all, with or without her friends, she stood no chance against Yukari Mishakuji and Sukuna Gojo, not if what captain Munakata has told her about them was true and the man had no reason to lie to her about it. She could have taken them as company in that case, but then: that was exactly why she couldn't. Because if she has miscalculated or if the message she has received has been a trap there would be nothing and nobody to save them.

And Mai Ueno could never live with herself, if she was allowed to live by the Green King, if something happened to her friends, whom she has pulled into that mess. Even more so since she was going into the underground out of the selfish desire of acquiring a powerful clansman.

Therefore, she chose to have them wait outside, keeping the van ready to leave at the smallest notice. If her plan worked, she would leave the underground maze with a formidable fighter, but she might be in a hurry, if something triggered an alarm. If her plan worked, they were heading straight to Mihashira Tower to provide any help they could and that was when she would need their strength. Plus, if she has failed, she needed them to let captain Munakata know that perhaps his man has truly betrayed him, rather than playing a spy.

Of course, the captain has never said or even hinted at the fact that Saruhiko Fushimi hasn't really deserted and turned on his colleagues, but that wasn't enough to fool Mai. Every time the turncoat was mentioned, everybody from the Blue and Red clans present flared with anger, the vicious magenta of their feelings drowning everything else for a brief moment. Everybody, except for the captain of Sceptre 4, who looked angry and sounded angry but felt worried. It took her a while to realize why. And as much as Mai hoped Munakata was right to trust Fushimi, if only because she suspected he has sent her that letter, she thought he might appreciate to know if he shouldn't.

She still wished she didn't have to go down the metal stairs alone. Down and down, seemingly without an end. She wished she could at least see the bottom, but it seemed to be fading in the dim light. Surely that was her imagination, she told herself, and continued steadily downstairs, listening carefully for anything that wasn't her footsteps and their echoes. There was nothing.

She didn't meet anybody on the stairs. She followed the map as fast as she dared, never once hearing anything but the echoes of her footsteps on the concrete and metal. When she finally reached what must have been the hall marked with the large "x" on the map, she hesitated. She knew that the Green clan should be attacking the Mihashira Tower right now and thus the place should be empty, but it did feel like it was too good to be true.

Plus, the hall was- Frightening, for the lack of a better word. She couldn't judge the size at all, because all the walls were drowning in darkness. The entire cavern was, with three exceptions: the small circle of light from the corridor she has just arrived through. A similar circle of light and a doorway to the left, so far she could believe there was some trick or mirrors involved. And a large patch somewhere in what could be the middle of the cavern, lit up by lamps hanging in the air.

In that patch of light stood a construction of- a room? It was placed in such a way that sitting inside one could see both entrances, because it was missing one wall. It had a tatami floor and three, greyish walls with posters and bookshelves and even a window. Crowded, it looked like a studio flat. And in front of it, on the concrete floor, laid a human-shaped figure, unmoving.

Scenarios of why and how flashed through her thoughts, one worse than another.

Mai looked around again, biting her lower lip in hesitation. The darkness could be hiding just about anything, probably including tanks and a small army, if the distance to the other door was anything to judge the cavern's size by. Or, it could be hiding nothing and there was only one way to find out.

She would have run, but a vague thought about uneven, invisible ground, slowed her steps and it felt like an eternity until she arrived to the edges of the light patch. Since looking where she walked made no sense in the darkness and so did looking out for traps, she kept her gaze on the room and the person on the ground. And when she was relatively sure that nobody was waiting in the room, she focused solely on the person, certain by then that it was the Black Dog.

He hasn't moved at all, but she couldn't see any obvious injuries. He was partly curled in on himself, one hand at his neck, except for the outstretched other arm, bend in the elbow, hand tightly holding a sheathed katana over the tatami floor. A fallen katana stand nearby told Mai that he must have jumped to grab the weapon, or at least has grabbed it with a considerable force. His hair and clothes were a mess and Mai couldn't stifle a shocked gasp when she was close enough to notice the scars and scratches on his neck. Simultaneously she could tell that the Green clan has treated him well enough: he didn't seem malnourished or, except for the scratches on his neck, hurt. Except for whatever they have done to render him unconscious and- Trembling? Convulsing?

With a frown, Mai kneeled next to him. She was extending her hand to check his pulse, when she noticed a hair-thin line of green jumping nervously from the metal collar tightly closed around the Black Dog's abused neck, going along the skin. She pulled her hand back quickly and watched. And now that she knew what to look for, she could clearly see green lines, like tiny lightning bolts racing over his skin.

Wasn't the Green King's ability electricity? She thought and shivered.

Then she turned her attention to the collar that appeared to be the obvious source of the electrical discharges, already taking out the letter. It said there was a passcode to the collar, but where- Ah, she noticed a patch that looked like a touch screen, and a small button next to it. She pressed the button and the touchscreen came alive with numbers and letters. Licking her lips nervously, Mai checked the code and looked for the first letter: q.

As soon as she pressed it, all letters and numbers changed, making her blink in surprise. She found the "i" and pressed it and all the values on the touch screen changed again. Painstakingly, checking the letter in between each value to make no mistakes, she punched in the rest of the code.

3 - 2 - c - l - 9 - 8 - 0 - 0 - 5 - 6 - m - o - w - j - k

The green lines disappeared and the collar clicked open. Gently, Mai pushed the Black Dog's hand away from his neck and pulled the collar off. She put it on the ground next to her and only then checked the man's pulse. His trembling stopped soon after the collar was removed, but right then Mai realized she had no idea if the healing should kick in automatically, since he was a Colourless clansman, or whether she was supposed to do something.

Almost subconsciously, she brushed the long hair off his face.

Should she call her "clansmen" to help her get him out?

Her ability proved useful yet again right then, no later than she wondered about calling Kadota to come down. A pale, translucent haze that Mai easily read as confusion of the awakening spirit blurred the lines of sharp contrast between the black hair and pale grey concrete. Thus, she was unsurprised when he groaned quietly and his eyes fluttered open moments later. She has had more than enough time to pull her hand back and put both hands on her lap, calling up a small smile onto her face.

'Hi,' she said when his feelings became intense enough for her to believe he has regained enough consciousness to focus on her. And, sure enough, he moved his head slowly, blue eyes blinking at her lazily. 'My name is Mai Ueno. I am the Colourless King,' she introduced herself, watching how his eyes widened at the information.

'Ueno... Mai?' he repeated in a hoarse, barely audible voice. Then he coughed, face twisting in a pained grimace.

'I'm sorry, I have no idea how to heal you,' she apologised, biting her lip. He shook his head slightly and looked at her again. His eyes searched her face, but she had no idea what for and it made her a bit nervous. 'Also, do feel free to make fun of my name. You wouldn't be the first one to say it sounds like the beginning of a cheesy haiku, I promise,' she assured him, unable to keep herself from smiling. She used to hate her name when she was a kid.

The Black Dog looked at her in silence, so she didn't say anything more, waiting. When he made a move to pull his outstretched arm, she twitched in surprise, but it didn't seem as big as his, when he realized he was holding the katana. He looked at it for a full minute, before making an attempt to sit up. When he spoke again, his voice sounded much better.

'My name is Kuroh Yatogami,' he said and Mai was infinitely glad he wasn't looking at her, because she was sure her eyes became round as saucers upon hearing his voice. He sounded just like- Oh my god, she thought and forced herself to contain her sudden, childish excitement, especially when she saw Kuroh moving his head to look at her. 'I used to be the vassal of the 7th Colourless King,' he added. Neither his tone nor expression betrayed the blade of regret and pain that slashed through his emotions at the use of past tense.

'I know,' she replied, thankful that the seriousness of the situation that erased whatever was left of her excitement at the fact the Black Dog had a voice similar to the Black Butler in the anime. 'I came here hoping you would be willing to lend your strength to the 9th Colourless King,' she admitted, figuring she could just as well get that out of the way. The blue eyes narrowed.

'And if I refuse?' he asked. The tone of his voice wasn't exactly aggressive, but something close to it: cold and unwelcoming. However, his feelings were smooth and calm, belying the attempt of intimidation. Besides, if he was hoping to surprise or corner her, he had to try harder, because Mai was ready for that question.

'If you so wish, I will get you to where the Silver King is,' she said, allowing some deception to be heard in her voice. She didn't want him to think she didn't care either way. Not only it would be a lie, but also she did realize that the young man in front of her wanted to be cared for. Be it as a friend or a vassal or even only as an ally, but he wished he wasn't indifferent.

The Black Dog looked away for a moment. And Mai patiently watched his emotions shifting: hiding the disappointment he felt when she mentioned Weismann, as though he was ashamed of it. She knew when he has reached his decision, all the remaining confusion clearing, burning away in the flame of new determination.

'That will not be necessary,' he said and turned to look at her. 'I owe you my life for coming here and releasing me from this-' he paused abruptly. His feelings said clearly: humiliation, but his words were more measured. 'Unpleasant stalemate. I intend to pay my debt.'

Mai smiled and bowed her head, thanking him. Then, to not waste any more time, she got up and helped him to stand up, waiting for him to fasten the katana to his belt. He was slightly unsteady on his feet in the beginning, but as she had them follow the map backwards, his footsteps became steadier and steadier. Before she noticed, he wasn't leaning against her anymore. At some point, he even went through the trouble of putting his hair in order, without slowing at all. And when they emerged into the back alley, into the light that felt almost blindingly bright in comparison to the underground maze, she realized that most of the wounds on his neck were already gone. So maybe the healing was automatic.

'I have some friends, waiting in a van,' she explained, grabbing his hand to pull him along, forgetting her manners in her haste. With her other hand, she was already pulling her phone out, but just then the van appeared around the corner of the large street they stepped out onto and she waved instead. The van's lights blinked once in acknowledgement, but the car didn't speed up at all, keeping in with the traffic.

'The plan is to get far away from here before the Green clan realizes you're gone,' she informed him as they waited for Togusa to pull up to them. He nodded, relief fluttering though his emotions like feathers in a gust of wind. At the same time, a slither of doubt wavered in the other direction, as though he was questioning his decision.

'It's a good plan,' he said, his tone betraying none of it. Mai had to smile. The van pulled up and stopped and she opened the back, ushering Kuroh in before jumping in herself and closing the door, telling Togusa that they were good to go.

The van started. In the light from the streets, becoming more and less intense in a steady pattern as the car moved, Erika smiled at them and voiced her agreement that Kuroh did need some new clothes, just like Mai has expected. But that was alright, because they have picked up some outfits in different styles and different sizes and there should be some that were fitting. He would even have a choice, she promised, and if he couldn't decide, she was ready and willing to offer advice. It was clear she was going to enjoy this.

Sitting in the corner and making sure that he had all his equipment ready, Walker muttered that he felt sorry for the guy. Mai didn't need her ability showing her the toxic green jealousy fuming from him to know what he thought about Erika enjoying dressing up another guy.

'What is this?' Kuroh asked, frowning at the clothes Erika was quickly pulling out from a bag. Walker froze and looked at him. Erika, who was happily babbling about the clothes, snapped her mouth shut so abruptly that Mai was sure she heard her teeth click. While she looked at Kuroh in shock, Mai bit her lip to stifle a smile that was threatening to split her face in half otherwise.

'Can you say something else?' Erika asked after a moment of silence.

'What?' the Black Dog asked back, frown deepening. Erika's and Walker's excitement sparkled like glitter in the air around them. Erika looked at Mai with wide eyes and there was no more the reason to hold back the smile, seeing a mirroring expression slowly appearing on

'Oh my god, Mai-' she started.

'I know,' Mai all but squealed, relieved that she could finally express her exhilaration. 'It's unreal, isn't it?' she asked and Erika squealed an excited "yes" in reply. The glittery excitement was filling the whole back of the van now.

'Hey, hey, Kuroh, can you say "yes, my Lord"?' Walker asked. Kuroh looked at him as though he has lost his head. Or grown a second one. He certainly felt like he was regretting getting out of the cavern a little bit and wondering what he has gotten himself into.

'Yes, my Lord?' he repeated hesitantly nonetheless. Mai wondered if he was already considering whether the speed the van was going at would make it fatal to try and jump out.

'No, no, not like that. Look at Mai,' Erika commanded. Kuroh glanced at her before focusing on Mai, who was slightly worried what the crazy otaku had in mind. Erika smiled slyly and Mai immediately knew she should be worried, but before she could protest Erika's next words derailed her train of thought completely: 'She's your King now, right? Imagine she gave you an order. Say it the way you would to acknowledge the order.'

Kuroh looked at Erika doubtfully then at Mai, who was literally holding her breath. He also glanced towards Walker, as though he expected a hint on how to deal with the situation, but Walker was watching it unfold with the same intensity as Erika. Resignation tinted his emotions. Then, shocking the three of them, Kuroh moved so that he was fully facing Mai, kneeling on one knee. He put one hand on the hilt of his katana and the other flat over his heart. He bowed his head.

Mai felt as though it suddenly got very hot in the back of the van.

'Yes, my Lord,' Kuroh said solemnly. It was perfect. Feeling her head spin, as though she was drunk or about to lose consciousness, Mai gasped. She vaguely heard Walker and Erika cheering and Togusa shouting at them to keep it down and not dance in the back of the van while they were on the move.

'Oi, are you alright?' Kuroh asked. Mai realized that he has moved closer to her and that she was leaning against the seats, holding both hands pressed to her chest. He looked and sounded worried even without the grey cloud darkening his thoughts. Calling up a shaky smile, Mai assured him that she was.

'Don't get too distracted,' Kadota called from the front seat. 'ETA to Mihashira Tower is ten minutes.'

'Mihashira Tower?' Kuroh repeated. He sounded confused, but the haziness cleared from his feelings almost immediately after he spoke the name. He must have realized why they were going there, perhaps having been told by the Green clan what they were planning. His determination flared.

'Hey, shouldn't he be more less my size?' Walker asked somewhere behind Kuroh. A feeling of foreboding washed over Mai as both she and Kuroh looked towards the overenthusiastic duo.

'We have perfect clothes for you, Kuroh, perfect,' Erika announced, opening a second bag, which said "cosplay". Mai wondered if it was really the best idea to dress Kuroh up in Sebastian Michaelis' clothes. It probably wasn't, but did she really expect herself to have enough self-restraint and will power to stop it from happening? And really, a part of it wasn't exactly very different from what the Black Dog was already wearing, was it? Right?

For those who don't know, which I imagine is the most people, Kuroh Yatogami has the same Japanese voice actor as Sebastian Michaelis, Mai's little, childish crush and the main character in one of my absolute favourite manga, "Black Butler".