Hello! Sorry it's been a while since I've updated this. First off, I'm sorry that this chapter is a bit rushed. When you read it, you'll know why I say that. I really do rush things this chapter, and I'm sorry. I have had ideas for some future bits, but…honestly, I'm having trouble with some "filler" type stuff to, well…fill in the gaps. So, beware—you've been warned, so no complaining about how rushed certain parts are. I know they're like that and it bugs me too. Lately, I've been giving a lot of attention to my Yu-Gi-Oh! Story, New Face. But, I want to get this updated, as well as my Black Butler fanfic, although they might be slow updates.

But, without further delay, here is the next chapter of my Servamp story.

Chapter Begin!

Ai currently laid on her bed, staring at the ceiling as her mind drifted from one thing to the next. So much had happened, and, honestly, it was hard to process it all. If things didn't' change, someday…she would be killed—whether it happened by Kuro and Mahiru or C3's members.

"And what chances do I actually have of Mahiru and Kuro doing the 'honors'? None…" Ai said to herself in a slightly bitter tone, but that tone disappeared as a sigh was realized. "Not that I could ever blame them for not fulfilling that wish of mine…"

Mahiru had promised that it wouldn't come down to that, but Ai…Ai doubted those words.

The odds were stacked against her. Even a child could see that.

"Tsubaki…" Ai said, her eyes still glued to the ceiling. "Everything relies on him and what he does. The longer he plays around with these games, the better it is for me…"

Immediately, her eyes narrowed on the ceiling, an irritation coming over her. "Never thought I'd ever say those words…"

"You know, this sulking pisses me off…" Hyde's voice came to Ai, her sitting up and looking at him as he stood in her doorway.

"When did you open the door? I always close it…" Ai said as she crossed her arms. "I come here for some 'alone time', you know. I'm used to Kuro barging in, so I don't even say anything anymore. But…"

Again, Ai sighed. "Look…just tell me why you're here. I doubt it's to listen to my depressing ramblings."

"Heh, far from it, Kid…" Hyde said as he walked inside her room. "I guess I just wanted to check up on ya. No harm, no foul, right?"

"Not really…" Ai said, her back making contact with the bed once more. "But, there's nothing to 'check up on', Hyde. Regardless of how I might be acting, I am fine. For everyone's sake, I have to be."

"Fine?" Hyde said, crossing his arm as he narrowed his eyes on Ai. "Care to choose a different word…?"

"No," Ai said, trying to end the topic, her tone only furthering the Servamp's irritation. "Don't give me that annoyed expression. I have a reason to feel this way. If Tsubaki stops playing around, I get taken out of here before I even know what happens, which will end in me dying no matter how I look at it. So, unless I'm missing another option, I'm about as 'fine' as I'm ever going to be able to be."

Hyde sighed in aggravation.

"You're not very bright, are you?" Hyde asked, Ai immediately sitting up and snapping a glare his way, to which Hyde simply chuckled at. "Big Bro told you your other option, Airi-chan. One of us Servamps bite you, you drink our blood to establish a new 'connection', and…voila! Everything's all better! There's nothing scary to it!"

"Hyde…nothing is ever that easy…" Ai rose an eyebrow. "Call me a doubter…pessimistic…whatever."

"Look, would you be okay with another one of us biting you or not? All my big bro needs is your approval." Hyde finally cut to the chase, Ai's brow rising at his words.

"How can I give a 'yes' or 'no' to that without even thinking?" Ai asked.

"It's easy…" Hyde said. "You say 'yes' or 'no'…still, I don't know why you'd refuse. Yeah, technically, you'd belong to one of us, but…frankly, I don't want you. Especially when you already belong to my big bro..."

"Somehow, this isn't any more reassuring or comforting than before you came in here and started talking, Hyde…" Ai said, her self-esteem growing dismal. "I'm not going to lie. I don't want to be bitten by anyone…"

"You're really going to sit there and lie to yourself, Airi? Really?" Hyde asked, Ai once more raising a brow at him. As such, Hyde continued, "If there was any of us you'd want to do the job, it would be just one of us seven—"

"Eight," Ai corrected, the interrupted Hyde blinking before sighing and rolling his eyes, Ai speaking on, "Whether you guys like it or not, he's your brother. Honestly, I think your creator was detestable. Tsubaki always dreamed of meeting you all, just hoping you would accept him. Your creator didn't seem to desire the same thing. I might not agree with anything Tsubaki does, but…after seeing what I did during the few visions he showed me, I do sympathize for him. To be alone for that long, knowing you had siblings, only to find out they never even knew you existed…I can't even imagine how that would feel. No wonder he's gone mad…"

"Sounds to me like you more than sympathize for him…" Hyde said in annoyance.

"It's just sympathy," Ai stated. "And, about what you were saying…I could never ask Kuro to do such a thing."

"Tell him to! You could get through to him better than anyone else!" Hyde shouted but not in a bellowing tone. "He cares for you, but he's not willing to help you? What the hell?! You're already planning out the day of your death, ask him and his Eve to do the job…and he still refuses to budge?! Why!?"

"What would you do…? If you were in the same situation, Hyde…what would you do?" Ai asked, bold and forward.

Hyde felt his breath hitch, his mind drifting to Ophelia. Surely, he would bite her…wouldn't he? Why wouldn't he? Putting her in Ai's situation, he could save her, in more than one way. But, the thought of biting her, knowing he caused her any sort of pain…that feeling was familiar. It had happened, obviously. She was his Eve. Just like all Eves, to use his true power, he had to drink her blood. Even so, although her blood tasted good, that didn't mean he liked drinking from her. Hyde looked into Airi's eyes—the more he thought about it, the more he could see his brother's perspective.

Even so…

"If it meant saving Ophelia from C3 or Tsubaki, yes…" Hyde stated with determination. "It's a tough choice…but, sometimes, Airi, tough choices need to be made. That's why I'm offering to save you from Tsubaki, which would save you from C3. Big bro said if you agree, he doesn't have a problem with it."

Ai looked at the floor, her heart slightly breaking. "Hyde…thank you for the thoughtful offer, but…I don't want anyone other than Kuro doing it. I know it's wishful thinking…and I know it'll never happen. Kuro cares too much, and, honestly, how can I be upset at him for that? Still, it'd be easier to bite me than to have to probably kill me later on…but it's his choice. I can't make it for him, and I don't want to."

Hyde felt a sigh release, a small smile forming. "I understand. If you change your mind, just tell me. I worry about you. More than one Servamp is crazy about you, so there must be something special about you."

Ai felt a smile form. "Yeah…I'm gonna get a nap in. I'll talk to everyone later."

"I'll send him in," Hyde said, him walking out before Ai could anything in protest.

"…I don't need a babysitter…" She said in irritation.

A minute or so later, Ai heard the door open. The footsteps were slow, her knowing they were Kuro's. She knew his movements by now, so she moved over and gave him some room to sit on the bed. To her surprise, he laid down right next to her, closing his eyes. She stared at him, about a foot of space between her and the Servamp. She'd been close to him before, but every time always seemed to show something new to her. Perhaps, his breathing would catch her attention in ways it never had before or she wouldn't see the lazy Sloth that everyone else saw…instead, she'd see "Kuro" (if that makes any sense).

"I don't blame you," She said, Kuro's eyes opening and looking at the girl. Her eyes were closed, so she couldn't see his expression, but she could imagine it. "But…I don't want anyone other than you, Kuro. If anyone is to ever bite me or 'make me theirs', I want only you. So, I've decided…"

She scooted closer, her head pressed into his chest. "I'll spend as much time with you as I possibly can, until Tsubaki inevitably makes his move. That might be a while down the road…or could be tomorrow. So, I won't waste one moment."

Kuro placed his chin on the girl's head, his arms wrapping around her as he kept her close against him. Why couldn't he just bring himself to help her? He wouldn't take much time or energy—he bites her, she drinks his blood…that's it. Nothing more. He could relieve her of this misery and fear.

"I'm sorry…" He said with a shaky voice as he held her, tightening his grip.

She looked up at him, surprising the Servamp when she connected her lips with his. He didn't pull back. Instead, he deepened the kiss. He never got enough of this feeling, one that only Ai could provide, and he loved it even more when she started these little moments. Eventually, after a few more moments of kissing, the pair parted and Ai once more cuddled into her Servamp lover.

Her mind stumbled across Tsubaki, her mind wondering further than she wanted it to. If he did succeed in turning her, would he truly force her to play the part of "mother and wife"? Her mind wondered to everything—kissing, hugging, and more. A chill went through her at the thought of those things ever happening, and yet Ai knew that they very well could. If she were his subclass, would he have the power to control her?

She tried to shake away the thoughts, Kuro looking down at the girl.

He knew something was bothering her. So, he tightened his hold on her, pulling her closer to him. Ai got the message, her looking at him and speaking, "Don't worry…my thoughts are just racing."

Soon enough, both drifted off to sleep.

[Inside Ai's dream world]

Ai found herself sitting on a wooden bench, blooming Cherry Blossoms towering over as the petals fell over her like a pink rain shower. This scene was beautiful! The scene, then, became slightly less enjoyable when she noticed a black fox appeared right beside her on the bench. She knew who it was—this was Tsubaki's animal form.

The fox creature looked at her, Tsubaki's voice coming from it, "Enjoying the scenery?"

Ai attempted to keep calm. "It is beautiful. Cherry Blossoms are always lovely to see. It's why we hold festivals for them, after all."

"Sadly, Airi my dear, I didn't come here to chat," Tsubaki's voice proclaimed, successfully leaving Airi with a growing fear inside herself. "You disappeared so soon, I didn't what happened. Then, I heard that Sakuya helped you. I was so very disappointed in him. I realized that the game had gone on for too long. In fact, I've grown tired of these games we've been playing. I've been far too patient with you, more than I've ever been with any of my subclass."

"Hold on," Ai said, raising a brow at the fox. "What do you mean 'we'? I've been playing no games, Tsubaki! In fact, I've stated many times that I just wanted you to leave me alone!"

"Hmm?" Tsubaki's voice sounded, his usual amused tone breaking through from where he stood, Ai unable to see him yet. "I can feel your sympathy radiating from the walls of your mind, you know? I'm touched that you care about things that happened so long ago…"

Ai crossed her arms, glaring down at the fox. "And your point is? Anyone would sympathize with a story like yours…"

"So, have my brothers come forward to save you, then?" Tsubaki's voice pondered aloud. "Or, have they left you on your own?"

"Greed has…" Ai said, clarifying her words. "He's offered to, as you said, 'save me'."

"Oh?" Tsubaki asked, his voice a little childish. "What about Big Brother Sloth? Hasn't he offered to help you?"

"It's more complicated than that!" Airi shouted, her looking around as she remained sitting on the bench. "I know you can see me! Stop talking to me through this fox, and show yourself!"

With those words, the fox disappeared. Ai looked out in front of her, knowing Tsubaki would appear. She didn't know where or how, but she knew he would. She felt two kimono-covered arms wrap around her from behind, the arms keeping her from moving off the bench. She didn't know why, but she felt her fear growing to areas it'd never been before. Tsubaki's whispered words didn't help that feeling, his words echoing in her ear, "I've grown tired of our game, darling. I think it's time…"

Ai's eyes widened as she felt Tsubaki's fangs sink into her neck suddenly. She felt paralyzed. She couldn't move. She couldn't scream. She could only hear and see. Seconds passed, Ai realizing that he'd drank more than Ai ever remember him drinking. Then, it occurred to her—could this be a way of putting her into a trance-like state? It would make sense, if one thought about it. Draining her body and draining her inner self were two different things, after all. Inside here, she was stuck, Tsubaki's control having been "reinstated" when he bit her previously. Inner Kuro, she knew, would not be there to save her—not this time. After what felt like ages, she felt her body (this is still all within her 'dream') slump, Tsubaki drawing enough blood to render her on the verge of passing out. She was still conscious, though. She inwardly cursed anything and everything. She wanted to spend more time with Kuro! She never truly anticipated Tsubaki striking this early! She knew he could, but she didn't think it'd actually happen so soon…

[In the real world]

Ai's eyes opened but had someone looked into them, they would see that they were void of any emotion. They were dim and glazed over. She moved herself out of Kuro's grasp, her getting off the bed and walking out of the room in a slow and somewhat awkward pace. She moved past the other rooms, not noticing a pair of amber-colored eyes retreating from the bathroom with a towel draped over his head.

"Ai?" Mahiru asked, walking closer. When Ai in no way acknowledged him, Mahiru called out once more, "Ai! What's wrong? You look a little…"

Ai turned her head his way, Mahiru's eyes widening in fear when he peered into her blank expression. Any form of life usually present in her eyes was gone, and Mahiru knew what was going on. Hugh's words from earlier repeated in the Eve's thoughts—"They share a link, a very dangerous sort. Had he wish for it, he could call to her from the mental connection that has been established. She would be completely powerless, and, in fact, she wouldn't even know where she would be going until the trance-state was broken. It would be far too late by then, I'm afraid. The girl is living on borrowed time, and I'm surprised she's lasted so long"

Mahiru reached forward and grabbed Ai's wrist, trying to keep her from going any further.

He was prepared for what happened next…

Ai grabbed his wrist with her free hand, twisting that arm behind his back and forcing him to his knees. She increased the pressure, Mahiru fearing his shoulder would be dislocated if you didn't do something immediately. When had Airi become so strong?!

"Kuro! Help!" Mahiru called out.

Immediately, Kuro's eyes opened. For a split second, he wondered where Ai had gone, Mahiru's scream that followed micro-seconds later making Kuro fear for not only the girl but his Eve as well. With unusual speed, he sprinted to Mahiru's rescue, but his steps froze when he saw what had been the cause of his Eve's distressing call. Ai had wrapped Mahiru's arm behind his back, forcing pressure that would threaten to dislocate the Eve's shoulder—or, at the worst, break the limb.

"Kuro!" Mahiru choked out through the pain. "Ai…she's under…Tsubaki's control! We can't let her leave! If that happens, she…"

Mahiru was cut off from finishing his words, Ai applying more pressure on the limb, her words sounding, "Finally be free…"

Kuro's eyes widened, his breath hitching in his throat.

Ai looked to him, her speaking once more, "You knew this was going to happen…but you cared more about your own inner disappointment. It shouldn't have been about you…now, I'm going to die. This is your fault…"

Kuro looked broken, his knees ready to collapse under his weight.

Mahiru wasn't going to stand for this. Perhaps, if he could make Ai pass out, the connection would break. As such, he summoned his weapon. The spear-like weapon was more than enough to defend the Eve, creating some distance between himself and the possessed Airi. He pointed his weapon at the girl, Kuro's eyes widening in fear.

"I know those aren't Airi's real thoughts or feelings!" He shouted. "She understood Kuro's actions! She told us so herself!"

"Do you think understanding something and being okay with something is really the same thing?" Ai asked, Mahiru's eyes widening just slightly. "I said I understood…but that didn't mean I was alright with it. I don't want to go to Tsubaki…Mahiru. But, I cannot escape his call now that it's sounded. Use your weapon on me, if you must. The connection cannot break so easily…"

Mahiru waivered in his stance, his weapon lowering.

What were they going to do? They couldn't let her leave! If that happened, Airi would be gone forever!

Mahiru had no choice, him turning to Kuro. "Bite her! Now!"

Kuro, however, didn't move, which only pissed Mahiru off, the Eve shouting, "Kuro! If we do nothing, Ai will forever be gone! Tsubaki will turn her! I know you don't want that! I can't do anything—only you! Please, for Airi!"

When Kuro still didn't move, the tension in the room thickened. A black energy of some sort swirled, a red glow outlining it. Mahiru and Kuro knew this was Tsubaki's doing, but what would come out of it? They were a little surprised to see the product of the swirled energy turn out to be Tsubaki's black fox form. Tsubaki's words came from the fox, "Big Brother took away Sensei…so I'm taking away Airi from him. Isn't that fair?"

Those words seem to snap Kuro back into reality, a glare pointed at Tsubaki's fox form.

"Bastard!" Kuro shouted, his eyes growing dark with anger.

Laughter seemed to fill the area, it quieting down in seconds, Tsubaki speaking, "Not interesting…"

Without warning, red flowers seem to appear out of nowhere. They formed together, Tsubaki's traditional weapon, his black katana, coming into view. Before Mahiru or Kuro could blink, the blade was launched directly at Mahiru, who managed to knock it away with his own weapon. The katana disappeared, much to his surprise, but things weren't over yet. The same red flowers that had formed the blade shot their way in a fury, the force being similar to the winds of a hurricane. Mahiru felt himself fall to his knees, him not able to stand up against the winds. Kuro was stronger than Mahiru, however, even he was having some difficulty moving past the fury of flowers. Kuro shielded his eyes from the flowers, him noticing that Ai had already turned and was making her way to the apartment's exit.

Kuro didn't even register when his legs moved.

Kuro knew what he had to do, every single guard he once held up now being dropped. Again, he didn't even register what happened in the following moments, not until they'd already passed by. He'd grasped Airi from behind, pulling her against him in a firm hold. She struggled, but it didn't last for long. In a moment, everything stopped—the hurricane of flowers, Airi's struggles…all of it.

Kuro's fangs had sunk into Ai's neck, the girl's eyes widening in shock. The girl's blood was like nothing he'd ever tasted. It tried to make himself hate the taste, but he could not. His Eve just stared at the scene, eyes widen in shock. Kuro kept drinking from Ai until her legs began to cave in under her own weight. Naturally, Kuro caught her as she slowly sank to the floor. Kuro was half-finished, and with nearly no hesitation he continued. Biting into his wrist, he drew some blood into his mouth before placing his lips over Airi's. His blood drained down her throat, Kuro just waiting for Ai to snap out of the trance Tsubaki had placed on her.

Tsubaki no longer had any hold on the girl—she was Kuro's now.

Ai blinked her eyes a few times, her looking around in confusion. "Umm…what's going on? What happened?"

Without warning, she was pulled into Kuro's embrace as the Servamp held onto her, not loosening his grip for anything, not even when Ai began pulling away after pure confusion and shock attempted to overtake her. Kuro just held her, and, after a moment, she gave in and savored the embrace. That was when she remembered that dream. Tsubaki had told her that it "was time". So, then…did he actually put her in that trance-like state Kuro had warned her about not even a week ago?

"I'm sorry…" Kuro apologized, the Servamp still holding onto Airi with a vice-like grip. "I didn't want to hurt you, but…I can't see you die. I'm sorry, Ai…"

His voice was shaky, which Ai was completely blown away by. He didn't show much emotion, and it wasn't due to normal "manly reasons", such as a man thinking he's too tough to shed tears. Really, Ai just assumed Kuro was too lazy to care about much of anything.

"What are you—?" Ai began, putting her hand up to her neck when she felt an odd burning sensation. She didn't even finish her question, not when she noticed there was blood on her hand and it'd come from her neck. She felt the skin, her wincing as she felt the bite mark.

Kuro bit her?

"But, you said…" Ai began, not finishing her question, not that she needed to.

Kuro understood her question perfectly. "This…it was easier than keeping your promise."

Ai took a second to put together the pieces, the light going off inside when she realized Kuro was meaning the time she'd asked—rather, promised—that if she was made into Tsubaki's subclass, that Mahiru and Kuro would be the ones to kill her, not C3.

"I'm not strong not to do that one…" Kuro finished his thoughts, Ai not able to hide her smile.

"That sounds a bit strange, Kuro…" She said with a small laugh, her slowly getting to her feet. Kuro, however, had to balance her, as the amount of blood he'd drawn had made her a bit lightheaded. She looked at Mahiru, noticing he was babying his arm. "Did I…I didn't hurt you, did I?"

Mahiru tried to act tough. "Nah…it's fine. Ugh!"

Of course, he winced the moment he would move his arm the wrong way, but he still just wrote it off like it was no big deal. "Besides, it wasn't actually you. You were being controlled, Ai. But, I am going to need help icing this…"

"I'll do it. It's the least I can do." Ai offered, guilt overcoming her.

She went into the kitchen to get some ice, Kuro following her. No doubt, he was feeling his own sort of guilt, even though Ai would never be mad at him for such a choice. Kuro stopped right behind her, Ai feeling his arms wrap around her from behind. She blinked, thinking his behavior was a bit odd. She just smiled, her inner teen girl giggling inside as she gathered ice for Mahiru's injury. She, however, stopped when she felt a rather odd sensation—Kuro's tongue licking her neck. She stiffened, her heart racing. He was licking the bite he'd created, licking off the remaining blood, as well as "nursing" the wound, if one wished to call it such an action.

Ai glanced back at the Servamp, turning her body in his direction. "You know, they have cream to take away pain."

"I guess…umm…it's a kind of habit…" Kuro said, quickly growing embarrassed about what he'd done. "Sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable."

"I wouldn't say I was uncomfortable," Ai mumbled, Kuro hearing every word, leaving him a little flustered as a result. Ai quickly returned to her previous task. "Come on, Mahiru needs ice."

Okay, everyone! This where I end this chapter. It's a weird place to end it, no doubt, and a lot happened this chapter. No doubt, parts were a bit scattered, and they probably didn't even fit in some places. Again, this was a rushed chapter simply because I didn't have much filler to work off of. My brain just hasn't wanted to cooperate, yet I still want to write chapters for you all. Either way, I still hope you could enjoy this chapter. Review, please!

Also, this is not the last of Tsubaki we'll be seeing. He's not going to give up that easily! Still, no spoilers!

So, until next chapter…BYE-BYE!