Disclaimer: I do not own Servamp or any of the characters.

"Make a line in front of the lifeboats! We will only be seating the women and children at this time." Mahiru was barely able to hear the crew above the voices of the confused passengers. It was clear that the crew was ill prepared for the emergency. She folded her hands together and prayed that the people she loved would escape safely. She hated that she couldn't do much more.

"Let me fix your lifejacket." Mahiru said when she saw a young child struggling with the straps. She knelt in front of the boy and helped him tie the straps around his waist. She patted his hair and glanced around the crowd. It appeared that the boy was alone so she asked, "Where is your mama and papa? Did you get separated from them?"

"I can't go back to our cabin. The gates are locked. Mama said I should go up here and get on a lifeboat." He told her and the implication made her heart drop.

Mahiru took the boy's hand and walked to an officer nearby. She caught his attention by tugging on his sleeve lightly. "Excuse me, Sir! This boy has lost his parents. He said there are gates keeping them separated. Please go and bring his mother here. Even if you cannot find his mother, open the gates so they'll be able to reach the lifeboats."

"At this moment, we can't open the barriers." He shook his head. The sailor went on to explain the reason and she became sick. She had to cover the boy's ears so he wouldn't hear the sailor. "If the third class passengers all rush up here, it will be complete chaos. We'll open the gates if we have time later. Please, get on a lifeboat, Missy."

"The man is right, Mahiru, get in the lifeboat." Her grandmother ushered towards a lifeboat being loaded. Mahiru looked at the women and children in the boat. Their confusion and fear were apparent on their face and Mahiru could only imagine the fear the others in the lower deck felt. She watched families and couples tearfully part ways. Kuro appeared in her mind. Was he still under arrest below deck?

She reached the front of the line and her grandmother said, "This boat is quite crowded. There are only two seats left. I hope it's arranged according to class at least."

"Do you not understand the situation we're in, Grandmother?" Mahiru screamed, her frustration finally boiled over. "The ship is sinking and there are not enough lifeboats for everyone. People are trapped below and the water is freezing. Half of the people on this ship are going to die! I'm going back down to unlock at least one of those barriers and give the other half a fighting chance at surviving."

Mahiru picked up the boy and placed him in the last seat. She ignored her grandmother's screams and turned away from her. She pushed her way passed the crowd to run back into the sinking ship. While she couldn't know if she could make a difference, she needed to try. She prayed that she would be able to reach Kuro before the deck was flooded.

Metal rang against metal as Kuro struggled with his handcuffs. The master of arms was called away shortly after they handcuffed him to a pipe. The only person who stayed behind to supervise him was Kazuma. He didn't know his intention and he glared at the man. "This ship is sinking. I thought you would leave long before now."

"I wanted to know the man who tried to steal my fiancé." Kazuma took a gun from the officer's desk and loaded a bullet into it. "My father left me billions but only under the condition that I find a wife. I almost lost my inheritance because of you. I don't like gutter rats who don't know their place. But you're going to the bottom of the ocean with this ship."

"Mahiru doesn't belong to you or me or anyone else. She'll marry whoever she chooses. That's not you." Kuro returned the glare he gave him. Kazuma punched him and he grunted in pain. His knees buckled but he didn't fall to the ground. He saw the ring of keys the officer gave Kazuma. If he had any hope of escaping, he needed to steal the keys. "Do you plan on staying here to beat me up? Can't deal. Unlock these handcuffs and make it a fair fight."

"I'm not stupid." Kazuma shook his head and tossed the keys across the room. "I have a lifeboat to catch. The boats loaded by Murdoch on the starboard side allows a limited number of men on the lifeboat if there are no other women or children nearby. I'm sure he would be more willing to let me in for the right price too. You and your brother are going to die on this ship. Goodbye. It's a shame you won't be at our wedding."

"Don't do anything to Mahiru!" Kuro screamed and hopelessly tugged on the handcuffs. He tried to loosen the pipe and free himself. He called for help but he didn't know if anyone would come and help him. Most of the crew were likely already gone. He couldn't give up though. His brother and Mahiru needed him so Kuro desperately fought against the chains. He tried to pull the cuffs over his hands but they were too tight.

In the corner of his eyes, he saw water creep into the room. He let out another curse and then pulled a chair towards him with his feet. The freezing cold water would only make it more difficult for him to break free. He needed to stay out of the water as long as possible. Kuro awkwardly climbed on the chair and then continued to tug on the pipe.

He was shocked when he heard someone call his name. At first, he thought that he was merely hearing things but the voice came again. "Kuro! Are you down here? Please, answer me!"

"Mahiru?" He called her name. Even though he heard her voice, he couldn't be more surprised to see her enter the room. The water pooled around her feet and she waded her way to him. Mahiru threw her arms around Kuro and clung to him. She kissed him quickly. He was happy to see her but he had to say, "What are you doing here, Mahiru? You should be on a lifeboat!"

"I couldn't leave. I heard that the barriers for the lower class were locked and people were trapped below. It's crazy and stupid but I had to come back. I took a lift down here but the operator said he wouldn't stay. Please, tell me the officer left behind an extra set of keys." Mahiru quickly explained. He pointed her towards the corner of the room. "Thank God."

"The officer used a silver key." He said as she fished the keyring out of the water. She rushed back to his side and unlocked the handcuffs around his wrists. Kuro immediately placed his hand on her back and pulled her out of the room. The water was rising slowly but he knew that the weight would eventually make the ship sink faster. They needed to reach the upper deck quickly.

Mahiru pocketed the keys and she ran as fast as she could. She didn't want to hold Kuro back and be a liability to him. The large ship was like a maze and it was difficult to navigate their way to a safe stairwell. It was more difficult considering they were both afraid for their lives. They briefly stopped in front of a map to find the main stairway. "This way, Kuro!"

The stairway was gated and Mahiru fumbled to unlock the barrier. She was faster than the water and they reached the next floor. Kuro was more familiar with the third class's layout and he took her hand to lead the way. He ran towards his room and hoped that they would find Hyde quickly.

People were crowded in groups. Some were beating against the barrier and trying to reach the upper deck. Others were huddled together, crying and praying. Everywhere she looked, there was panic and despair. The sight broke Mahiru's heart but she understood each person's reaction to their hopeless situation. She tightened her grip on Kuro's hand.

"Hyde!" Kuro waved to his brother when he spotted him among the crowd. He pushed away a few passengers in his desperation to reach him. He was relieved that he found Hyde close to their room. Knowing his brother, he guessed that Hyde searched for him instead of trying to escape. He stopped next to their door and faced Mahiru. "I need to get something. Stay out here and tell us if water comes."

"This is no time to get your luggage." She insistently tried to stop him. Kuro let her go and pulled Hyde into their room. He slammed the door closed so Mahiru couldn't overhear their conversation.

"Mahiru's right, Nii-san! We need to get to the top." Hyde followed his brother. Once again, Kuro ignored their protests and pulled out his suitcase. He cut open the secret lining in the suitcase and took out a small bag of money. It was his entire life's savings. Kuro thrust the heavy bag into Hyde's hands and forced him to hold it in his fist.

"The ship's protocol is women and children first but there are a few lifeboats on the starboard side that will let men on. It's still a long shot though. If you have to, give an officer named Murdoch this money. Do everything you can to make it to America and Broadway. For our family." Kuro ordered. "I'll take Mahiru to a boat on the other side."

"Why don't all three of us go to a lifeboat on the starboard side?" Hyde argued and Kuro wished that it was that simple. The entire time he was handcuffed, he thought over the best option they had.

"There's a limited number of seats. Mahiru is guaranteed a seat on a lifeboat. But us… We both know that there's only enough money for one seat. Every minute we're down here arguing, the less chance one of us has of surviving." Hyde wanted to argue that he could never live with himself if his brother died while he survived. Kuro must've read his thoughts because he went on to say.

"You're my little brother. It's my job to protect you. Please, make my job a little easier and get on a damn lifeboat. I don't want our siblings to lose two brothers tonight." Kuro grabbed his shoulders and forced Hyde to face him. "Do you remember what I said at dinner yesterday? My dream is to see my siblings have a long, happy life. That's all I want."

Hyde knew that their chances of surviving were slim. He thrust the money into his pocket and hated himself for doing so. Kuro hugged his brother tightly, knowing it could be the last time. His chest felt tight but Hyde managed a hoarse whisper, "I'll make you proud, Nii-san."

"I'm already proud of you. Take care of our siblings for me." Kuro forced himself to appear composed and brave for his brother's sake. The minute either of them hesitated could lead to their death. He let go of his brother and they left the room.

Mahiru could see that they were both more solemn but she couldn't say anything to them. Without a word, Kuro took her hand and nodded to his brother. He was determined to see the two safe and far away from the sinking ship. They raced to the main stairway but it seemed impossible to reach the top past so many people. She tried to shout over the group that she had the key but no one heard her.

"It's impossible. Let's try another way up!" Kuro said and pulled her to the next closest stairway. There were fewer people and she was able to make her way to the front of the crowd. After she unlocked the gate, she was almost trampled by the passengers desperately running to freedom. Kuro pulled her out of their path and held her protectively. He kept his arm around her so she wouldn't slip on the slick steps as they raced forward.

The topside was as chaotic as the decks below. The band played a lulling song in hopes of keeping the passengers calm. Yet, they were periodically interrupted by the loud signal flares. People were fighting to enter the lifeboats. Kuro gave his brother a subtle nod and pushed him in the direction of the lifeboat. While he hesitated, Hyde quickly forced himself to go to the starboard side. Neither of them was religious but they both prayed that the other would make it to safety.

With the knowledge that his brother could escape the icy water, Kuro focused on Mahiru. The area was crowded so they wouldn't be able to reach a lifeboat before it was lowered. "Most of the lifeboats here are full. Maybe there are more boats up front. Mahiru, no matter what, don't let go of my hand until you're in a lifeboat."

"I promise." Mahiru vowed and quickened her pace to match his. She noticed that some of the lifeboats were being lowered half full and their hopes of entering one dwindled. The crew were struggling to keep order with all of the confusion. They were also worried that the weight and pull of the sinking Titanic would drag the lifeboat down as well so they hurriedly sent them off.

She spotted an elderly couple sitting on a bench and she went to help them. She didn't know why they appeared so calm in their situation. Mahiru stopped in front of them and placed her hand on the woman's shoulder. She tried to help her to her feet and spoke in an urgent voice, "Are you hurt? We will help you to a lifeboat but we must hurry!"

"Thank you for your kindness, young lady, but I am not leaving. I've been with my husband here for forty years and I intend to spend the rest of my life with him. I love him. Where he goes, I go." She said and glanced at the dark water rising closer. Mahiru wished she could save everyone on the ship but that was impossible. The couple must've known that as well and resigned themselves to death.

She nodded to the woman and continued to run with Kuro towards the stern. The Titanic was starting to tilt and it became more difficult to keep their footing. Mahiru looked over her shoulder to see others slipping into the water. Adrenaline made her heart race faster. They reached the final lifeboat but it was already being swamped by people.

"Let us through!" Kuro scream as he helped Mahiru to the front of the crowd. There were only a few seats left and he was glad that they managed to reach the lifeboat. Mahiru was safe. As they waited for their turn, he held onto her hand so she wouldn't accidentally fall over the side. He squeezed her fingers and then kissed them softly.

Mahiru was trembling but not because of the cold or fear for herself. She turned around and threw her arms around Kuro. She clung to him and clutched his shirt in her hands. "I can't leave you. I need to know that you'll be safe as well, Kuro. Maybe we can find another way to escape. Together."

"We both that's impossible. You have to go, Mahiru. Licht, your uncle and your dream is waiting for you in New York. Please, live." He couldn't help but kiss her one last time. She was like the sun in his arms but he had to eventually let go. Kuro hated to lie to her but he needed her to climb into the lifeboat. "I'll find another lifeboat and meet you in New York."

"Kuro, I'm sorry." Tears entered her brown eyes and he tenderly wiped them away. Mahiru wanted to smile so the last image he had of her wouldn't be tears. Yet, she couldn't be anything but honest when she was Kuro. Her heart ached and she held onto his hand desperately. She didn't want to let him go. In the short time they knew each other, he had given her hope.

Mahiru never took her eyes off Kuro as she placed a foot on the edge of the lifeboat. There was a short pause as she hesitated. The loud signal flare made her look away from him and she gasped. "Kuro, look out! He has a gun."

She leapt back to Kuro and knocked him to the floor. Kuro was confused but he circled his arms around Mahiru protectively. He was too focused on her to realize that the panic had became a chaos. She moved out of his arms but she grabbed his hand to help him to his feet. He looked around sharply to see what she was pointing at.

Kuro swore the moment he saw that Kazuma had a gun aimed at them. He pulled Mahiru into the crowd where he couldn't shot them easily. He held her close to his side so he could protect her further. "Is that guy crazy?"

It was difficult to run through the crowd and find a safe place to hide from him. Even if they did, the boat was sinking. They kept each other from falling whenever someone would bump into them. Kuro managed to keep his footing and he looked back to see where Kazuma was. He couldn't find him but he heard his scream.

Mahiru started to turn too but Kuro cupped her face. He shook his head before he pressed her face against his chest. He wanted to keep her from seeing Kazuma plummet into the water.

Kuro loosened his arms and looked down at her. "Are you okay, Mahiru?"

"Yes, but we need to keep going. We won't survive in that water so we have to stay on the ship as long as possible. We don't know where Kazuma is either. Head to the stern." Mahiru pushed him forward. She couldn't give up. The bow was sinking first so they needed to reach the other side. Kuro understood that as well and grabbed the rail to keep them from falling backwards.

Together, they ran to the stern without knowing if there was any chance of survival there. Kuro helped her around the benches and over the gates. It was difficult to find a place they could hold onto the stern's rail with so many people crowding the deck. He found a place they could hold onto and he gripped the bar. He pulled Mahiru into the circle of his arms so she could be safe.

Mahiru hugged the rail and tried to ignore how cold it was. She knew that Kuro would catch her if her grip slipped but she didn't want to make him fall. The world turned and it almost made Mahiru nauseous. She stared up at the starry sky and tried to orientate herself. Among the crying and screams, there was another dreadful sound. Wood cracked and splintered until the Titanic was split in two.

The stern pitched back down into the ocean and Kuro buried his face into her neck. He could feel her pulse racing but he felt helpless to do anything. Kuro swore when the ship started to tilt again. His strength was waning and he didn't know how much longer he could hold on. He made certain that Mahiru had a secure grip on the rail before he started to climb over it. Perched on the other side, he grabbed her arm. "Let go of the rail and I'll pull you over."

Mahiru was still trying to process what was happening but she trusted Kuro not to let her fall. She let go of the rail and grabbed his wrist. With all of his strength, he pulled her onto the other side of the rail with him. She didn't let go of his hand. Once the ship froze, they were facing the dark water. They were barely given time to catch their breath before the ship started to sink again.

She looked at their joined hands and said, "The ship is going to drag us down but there's a chance we can make it. We need to kick as hard as we can and escape its pull. Take a deep breath and swim."

"Don't let go of my hand or else we'll get separated." He squeezed her hand and nodded to her. Kuro took a deep breath before they plummeted into the water.

The world suddenly became pitch black and the cold hit him like a thousand needles. He focused on Mahiru's warmth around his hand and swam to the surface. It was difficult to orient themselves in the water. Mahiru fought to reach the moonlight above them. They broke through the surface and she made a few painful coughs. Kuro swam next to her and patted her back.

"Thank you, I'm okay, Kuro. We need to get out of the water." Mahiru could already feel her body becoming stiff. She looked around the water but it was difficult to see far. Other victims were flailing in the water as well. She spotted debris floating nearby and she tugged him towards the rubbish. They were out of breath by the time they reached it.

Mahiru clung to the door and rested her forehead on the wood. She felt like her strength was gone after the ordeal. Kuro urged her onto the door and helped her up. He tried to climb on as well but his weight caused the door to tip. He cursed and slid back into the water. She grabbed his hand when he started to pull away. She was too cold to speak so she motioned for him to try to climb on again. He shook his head. "There's only enough room for you."

"Is there something else we can climb onto?" Mahiru looked around desperately. It was difficult to see anything in the darkness. She couldn't see anything he could climb on. Most of the passengers were clinging to pieces of wood to stay afloat. People were screaming and calling for a lifeboat to return to save them. There were twenty lifeboats a fair distance from them but she didn't know if a single one would come back. They would risk being swamped and drowning as well.

She felt a hand on her cheek and she looked back to Kuro. "It's okay, Mahiru."

"No, Kuro." She wanted to scream but she could barely manage a whisper. Mahiru forced her body to move backwards on the plank. She stretched out her hand to him and said, "We can balance our weight on this door to keep it from tipping. Please try again, Kuro. You can't die here! I love you. Oh, God, this is all my fault. If you never met me, you wouldn't have been arrested and had more time to escape."

"Don't say that." Kuro managed to climb onto the door. He wanted to go to Mahiru and hug her but he couldn't risk tipping the board again. They sat on opposite sides of the door. "This isn't your fault, Mahiru. If you hadn't come back for us, it would've been more difficult to get pass the gate. You saved my brother. Thank you."

Even though both of them was out of the water, it felt like Kuro was saying his goodbyes to her. Mahiru wiped her tears but more quickly replaced them.

"Kuro, it's cold. Can you give me your hand? Move exactly like I do." Mahiru waited until Kuro nodded before she started to lean towards him. They both moved slowly, wary of falling into the icy water. They managed to keep their weight balanced as they inched closer together. She caught his hand and felt how much he was trembling.

Mahiru raised his hands to her lips and breathed on them softly. "You made me promise not to let go of your hand until I'm on a lifeboat and I won't. We're both going to survive this tragedy and pursue our dreams. I'll hang your beautiful art in my gallery and you'll provide a wonderful life for your family. Please, I want to achieve our dreams together."

"I love you, Mahiru. Meeting you was the best thing that ever happened to me." He didn't know if he should give her a promise he couldn't keep. His wet clothes were frozen stiff and pricked his body. The cold made his body numb so he couldn't squeeze her hand like he wanted to. There was nothing they could do but wait for help. Kuro thought that the screams around them were horrifying. What chilled him more was hearing their cries turn to silence.

"This I need to say; You have stolen my heart; Please don't go away." Mahiru sang softly to keep their spirits up. "Will you sing with me, Kuro? Just so I know you're still with me."

"I won't give up on us." He continued the song. Unfortunately, neither of them had the strength to sing the next lyric. The only reassurance she had that he was still alive was his trembling hand in hers. Time passed slowly as they sat on the door and simply waited. Mahiru glanced up at the night sky and started to count the stars. She needed to do something to keep herself from falling asleep in the cold water.

Mahiru counted to almost a thousand before rescue came.

Only two lifeboats returned to save the victims in the water. Mahiru spotted their flashlight in the distance and kissed Kuro's hand. "We're going to be saved, Kuro. Someone is coming for us. Do you have enough strength to swim to the boat?"

"I can try." Kuro's voice was weak but he would try for her sake. The nearest lifeboat was a fair distance from them though. Mahiru wasn't certain if they could make it. Could the boat see them? As she measured the distance with her eyes, she saw something in the water. A whistle hanging around a man's neck gleamed in the dark water.

"Kuro, stay here and I'll bring the boat back for you." Mahiru said and steeled herself against the cold water. He couldn't stop her before she jumped into the water.

Her lungs hurt and she gasped for air when she felt how cold the water was. It was difficult to move when her body felt so heavy. Mahiru ignored how stiff her arms felt and swam towards the whistle. The journey seemed long and impossible. It felt like she was moving in place but she continued to move forward.

Mahiru reached the whistle and took it into her trembling hands. She took breathed in deeply and a shrill sound blew out of the whistle. She only had enough strength for one loud whistle yet she continued. It hurt but the only thing on her mind was saving Kuro. She vision became hazy and she no longer had the strength to stay afloat.

She only realized that the lifeboat was beside her when someone pulled her out of her water. Mahiru used the last of her strength to point towards Kuro. Her voice was hoarse as she said, "Please, save Kuro. Please."

She wanted nothing more than to collapse on the dry chair but she clung to the edge of the boat. She did her best to point them towards Kuro despite how dark the night was. Her strength eventually left her and Mahiru had to rest her head. The boat rocked as it came to a stop. A blanket fell over her shoulders and she was wrapped in warmth.

Mahiru opened her eyes and saw that Kuro was holding her. His lips moved but she couldn't hear what he said. She leaned her head against his shoulder and closed her eyes. She whispered, "Thank god. Licht was able to go on a boat. Do you think Tsurugi and Hyde are safe too?"

"For now, you need to focus on staying warm. You can't fall asleep." He took the blanket and tried to rub her hair dry. He could feel how cold she was. Kuro kissed her temple. But then he realized that Mahiru's breathing was shallow. He lightly shook her and yelled her name. "Wake up, Mahiru! Please, open your eyes."

She didn't open her eyes but whispered, "I love you."

A few years had passed but Kuro would never forget that night the Titanic sank. Only a handful of others were rescued from the freezing water. Now he sat alone on a park bench and he stared at the open water. It was a little past midnight so the park was mostly empty. He looked down at his hands. Softly, he sang the final lyric he wasn't able to that night: "In my heart you will stay."

The sound of footsteps behind him made Kuro turn his head. "I'm sorry for making you wait."

Mahiru stood behind him with a bouquet of flowers in her arms. Every year, they would place flowers in the water on the anniversary of the sinking. She wished she could do more to honour the 1,500 who lost their lives. They weren't able to pursue their dreams like she fortunately could. Guilt made her shoulders heavy. She took a deep breath and walked to the edge of the water.

She lowered the flowers into the ocean and watched them drift away. Mahiru saw a ship in the ocean and she silently prayed that there would never be another tragedy like the Titanic again. Kuro touched her cheek lightly before he gathered her into his arms. She pressed her face into his warmth and thought of how it helped her survive the cold water.

"Can you hold me a little longer?" Mahiru whispered. He nodded and kissed her hair.

I write angst a lot but I'm actually a softy who doesn't have the heart to write an on-screen death. I will write angst with mourning, long-distance and mutual pining though.

I did have two other endings planned. The first was to go the same route as the movie. For the other, Mahiru died in Kuro's arms. There would be a small epilogue where Kuro opened an art gallery in her honour so her dream would live on. He made a portrait of Mahiru as a mermaid but he would never sell it.