Disclaimer: We own nothing but our own characters, Aoi and Midori molded after ourselves and the idea to create this fic. -Hikari and Hime


"Midori, time to go." Aoi grabbed Midori's coat and held it out, waiting.

"Fine, but do we really have to go? Their shows are dreadfully boring..."

"Yes mistress, but the fact remains we must attend, you are of status and it's beneficial to business and image." Aoi smiled slightly.

"If we must," Midori sighed, shrugging into her coat. "Sometimes I find keeping up with appearances is simply too big of a hassle."

"Yes mistress I know, but if you want to further the franchise.."

"Of course I do, but that doesn't make this any more pleasant." She stepped out of the door into the crisp air and took a deep breath. "Why do I get the feeling there will be trouble tonight, Aoi?"

"I have the same feeling, maybe we will get a lead on the current case your working on?" Aoi opened the carriage door for Midori.

Midori stepped into the carriage and nodded her thanks at Aoi. "Possibly, though I wouldn't get my hopes up. Did you hear the Phantomhive boy is supposed to be in attendance tonight?"

"Yes and his butler... I wonder if I can keep the appearance of being your butler for tonight, seeing as they disaprove of you going out in public with me, one devil of a maid."

Midori laughed. "One of the many reasons you should've followed my instructions to act as a tutor or perhaps a long-lost cousin. No, no. Had to be a maid!"

"Well, for now. Only way to get you out of the house. Would you prefer me to change to your tutor? Of course, remember once you choose I cannot be changed. You gave me the choice until you thought of something suitable." Aoi closed the door with a smile and flicked the reigns, heading for the theater.

"As if I ever had a choice in the matter," Midori huffed. "Do as you please. Makes no difference."

"Very well then. Lady Valcourt, we have arrived. Please wait here so I can park the carriage." Aoi spoke opening the door. "Also, Lord Phantomhive is here as well, wait me for me though mistress."

"Alright," Midori murmured. She looked around at the other finely dressed men and women around her and scoffed. 'What pawns,' she thought loftily.

"Ah, Miss Valcourt!" a plump woman in a green dress called. "How lovely to see you again, my darling."

Midori barely hid the way her eye twitched in annoyance. "Hello, Madame Wilkshire. Same to you." 'Hurry, Aoi.'

Aoi parked the carriage and heeding her mistresses orders, changed quickly into a dress. "Lady Valcourt! How lovely to see you! Thank you for going to this play with me! Hello Madame Wilkshire." Aoi politely bowed and grabbed Midori by the arm and led her away. "The boys must be here already!"

"Another time," Midori said in convincing apology to Madame Wilkshire. She sighed in relief and pulled her arm out of Aoi's grasp. "There was almost an issue," she murmured as she scanned the crowd. Ciel stuck out like a sore thumb. "Ah, there."

"Yes well, she is nothing more than an annoying human." Aoi deadpanned, in her actual voice. "Lord Phantomhive!" Aoi waved and pushed Midori into the young lord, making it look like they tripped. "OH dear! I'm so sorry! These dresses are borrowed." Aoi sighed.

Midori shot Aoi a glare. "I'd appreciate it if you'd be more careful, my lady," Ciel growled.

"And I would agree," Midori said, glaring daggers.

"Oh dear, your like clones." Aoi frowned and sighed, dropping the false act of happiness. "Now that pathetic excuse is occupied, what shall I do my mistress?"

Ciel and Midori's faces transformed into twin looks of outrage before dropping into a more agreeable neutral. "You shall enjoy the show. What else would you do?" Midori said with a hint of a smirk, raising an eyebrow.

"Oh I don't know... Our assignment?" Aoi rolled her eyes. "Besides perhaps you would like to spend time with your soul-mate, after all, you do make a rather cute couple!" Aoi grinned and stepped back a bit.

Midori growled. "You know full well what we are doing here, and any discussion of the assignment is merely formality- and you know how I detest formality, Aoi."

"Relax, after all we are here to enjoy the attempt of the play no?" Aoi sighed. "Besides, trouble will find us eventually. Shall we find our seats or may we sit near you Phantomhive?" Aoi asked, noticing a green blob heading towards us.

Sebastian noticed something odd about the pair and discreetly mentioned it to Ciel, who had noticed as well.

"Oh Midori, who is the lovely young lady you brought with you! I was thinking of introducing her to my nephew." Aoi blanched and smiled falsely at Madame Wilkshire.

"Just a single mother I took under my wing, Madame Wilkshire," Midori lied smoothly. Madame Wilkshire's pig-like face blanched. "I'm sure she would be very interested in your nephew! Her child needs a strong father figure, you see. Isn't that right, Aoi?" She gave Aoi a smug glance and turned her attention back to Madame Wilkshire and awaiting a response.

"Yes, well my husband died, and I haven't found anyone to attract my interest. You see he must be one hell of a father." Aoi covered with a smirk, eyes glowing slightly.

Madame Wilkshire frowned. "Right. Of course, dear. Well, I must go. Enjoy the play," she said quickly, bounding off with one final, slightly terrified glance at Aoi. Midori gave a mock-annoyed sigh. "Aoi, I thought tonight was about appearances and climbing the social ladder, not terrifying the public."

Aoi sighed. "Even you agree she's annoying and an exception, besides why would I have a child? The only one I'm ever around is you." Aoi shot back. "And she doesn't count as public, this is the first time she's been out in over five years... Besides, her being afraid is good for her. It won't stop us climbing the social ladder tonight. I'm not stupid as you like to think."

Midori opened her mouth to retaliate, but didn't so much as draw a breath before she was cut off."Would you two be so kind as to knock it off?" Ciel butt in sharply. Midori looked at him with wide eyes and started chuckling. "Apologies, Lord Phantomhive."

"Oh dear, sorry." Aoi smiled. "We'll leave you in peace Lord Phantomhive, my apologies." Aoi bowed at the waist, as Sebastian always does. "Come mistress, the seats will be filling up soon and I'd rather not be stuck to Buckingham again..." Aoi frowned and began walking away, waiting for Midori to follow.

Midori composed herself and glided along behind Aoi. "But of course, that would be a tragedy." Nothing appeared to be out of the ordinary, but Midori found herself hyper-aware of the twin guns strapped to her legs underneath the dress. "Looks as if we got away just in time, no?"

"Yes indeed." Aoi looked at the people and kept a close eye on the young earl. "I have a feeling something is planned to go wrong tonight, do be careful mistress."

"When does anything ever go smoothly in the presence of the Queen's lap dog?" Midori replied mildly. "Or us, for that matter."

"Oh dear, this will end very badly indeed. Shall I annoy the young master more or leave him be?" Aoi pointed to some available seats near the front but where no one was sitting at yet. "That would be best."

"Leave him be, for the love of the Queen," Midori snapped in exasperation. "Honestly, you'd think you were after Ciel and not Sebastian." She followed Aoi's gesture. "Yes, yes of course."

"Ciel is merely a way to get to Sebastian mistress." Aoi stated. "Ah, this won't turn out well if that pervert tries anything again." Aoi nodded to Buckingham, who had spotted them. "Poor Ciel, looks like he will be annoyed no matter what."

"Lady Aoi, Lady Aoi, over here!" Buckingham shouted, waving his arm. Aoi bluntly ignored him and continued to the seats, sitting next to Midori who was smirking, Ciel and Sebastian on her right.

Ciel massaged his temples. Midori chuckled. "Aoi, are you positive you don't wish to sit with your favorite admirer?"

"Sorry young Lord, and no. The last time I did, he tried to kiss me and rape me." Aoi said bluntly, and stared straight ahead.

Midori settled in her seat, a small trace of her smirk still in place. Ciel turned his body away from her pointedly, making her want to laugh. "Aggressive little bastard, aren't you?"

Aoi sighed. "Midori, I do believe I shall be back, I don't want both of them over here." Aoi nodded at the three and deterred Buckingham and Wilkshire.

"Sebastian, when is this disaster supposed to start?" Ciel asked, still ignoring Midori.

"Anytime, my lord. Please be patient," Sebastian answered, watching Aoi shoo the two pests. "Quite an escort you have there, Miss Valcourt."

Midori's mouth twitched into her approximation of a grin. "Yes, she is a devil of a maid, isn't she?"

Sebastian scoffed, and Ciel gave the two of them an angry, confused look. "What the Hell?"

"Exactly," Sebastian answered, placing his finger to his lips.

Aoi finally got them distracted and turned away, placing a hand over her face in annoyance before returning to her seat, saying nothing.

"I expect you took care of their annoyance permanently, yes, Aoi?" Midori asked quietly. "Though I do hope you kept them somewhat lucid. What a shame it would be for Wilkshire's nephew to have to care for his mentally ill aunt."

"Of course mistress, can't have them ruining the night now can we?" Aoi showed just enough of her eyes to Midori to show they were still faintly glowing before covering them again, catching Sebastian smiling faintly in her direction. "Midori, did you play nice while I was gone?" Aoi uncovered her face, looking at the still fuming young Lord.

Midori feigned shock. "Me? Play nice? Must you even ask, Aoi?" She chuckled and clasped her hands together. "Of course I didn't." A sudden hush fell over the theater, giving Midori a sense of unease. "Stay sharp," she whispered unnecessarily to Aoi.

"Of course mistress, you as well." Aoi leaned back comfortably in the seat and watched as the badly acted play reached the climax.

Midori watched on, enthralled by how...awful the performance was. How had someone agreed to fund such an embarrassment. A flash of silver caught her eye. "Aoi," she whispered sharply, gesturing in the direction of the actor. "Him. Watch him. He's armed."

"He's not an actor, what do you want me to do?" Aoi knelt next to Midori.

"You know what to do. The rest is merely formality," she repeated. "When the time comes, when he fires his first shot, you take capture him and ensure I am unscathed and with the necessary information in the end. Now, Aoi."

"Of course, what maid would I be if I didn't help my mistress?" Aoi bowed and jumped discreetly backstage and bump into Sebastian, who merely smiled and put a finger to his lips. Aoi mock sighed and smiled, handing him an outfit while taking one herself. She quickly changed and met Sebastian right as the actors were figuring out the guy with the concealed weapon, wasn't an actor. With a quick nod, Aoi made her way on stage, dressed in a golden gown. "Oh Rupert! It has been too long!" The killer turned to Aoi confused.

Ciel pulled a face. Midori smiled and pulled out her twin revolvers with practiced ease. "Best prepare yourself, Lord Phantomhive. Things are going to get...interesting, to say the least."

As if on cue, Sebastian strode up beside Aoi. "Oh, what a surprise, darling! Our young Rupert has inherited his third cousin twice removed's love of sharp-shooting." He deadpanned. The killer raised his gun up to the demon and fired a shot. Sebastian gasped dramatically. "How...will I ever get the blood out of this costume?"

"Oh dear, that's not nice at all Rupert..." Aoi tsked. "Honey, are you ok?" She asked Sebastian, feigning concerned only to let it slip into a smile once the lights went out. "Shall you or shall I raven?" Aoi asked, stripping off the costume, revealing a seductive party dress.

"Ah, Miss Aoi, I couldn't deny you the pleasure," Sebastian said with a smile, placing his hand over his heart and bowing. "After you, m'lady." He swept his arm out in a wide gesture toward the killer.

"Ah, such a gentleman! Thank you, I might have to repay your kindness." Aoi smiled and turned toward the killer, eyes shinning brightly and he screamed, firing shots at her and she merely caught them and tossed them aside, descending upon him. "Now be a good useless human and end your life." A final shot rang and the lights returned, revealing a dead body on stage.

Ciel watched with wide eyes. "Quite a maid you have, Midori," he said over the frantic yelps of the cast and the theater.

Sebastian walked over to the body and frowned. "Ah, what a pity. Here I was, thinking there would be a challenge." He turned to Aoi and gave a short bow. "Well, m'lady, I congratulate you on a job well done."

"Thank you kind sir. Anything I can do to soften the blow of your fun being taken away?" Aoi curtsied.

"Oh, I could think of a few things. Though sadly, I don't find them appropriate for present company." He said with a wink, turning to greet Midori and Ciel. "Ah, my Lord. I hope I defended your honor in a way that is sufficient?"

"Yes, Sebastian, as always," Ciel replied.

"Midori, I think this play was decent towards the end..." Aoi mused, looking at her mistress with a sickeningly sweet smile. Aoi glanced once in Sebastian's direction with a small glare and nodded politely to Ciel. "Shall we be going then mistress?"

"Yes, we shall. Farewell," she said politely, nodding politely to Ciel and Sebastian, the latter of which bowed back to her. "I believe this was successful, overall. Wouldn't you say?"

"Of course, it always is. See you around." Aoi curtsied to the men, Sebastien bowing with a knowing smile. "I shall fetch the carriage." Aoi quickly walked away, moving smoothly against the mass of people.

Midori waited patiently in the throng of people, stretching her stiff limbs with a groan. "How funny," she said to Aoi when she returned with the carriage. "I didn't lift a finger, yet I'm sore and tired. Sitting through such unstimulating events takes it out of a person."

"Of course it does, I'm sorry you were caused such discomfort. A long bath in order once we return to the house?" Aoi asked, opening the door for Midori.

"Yes, of course," Midori answered. "But first we need to discuss why this attack was planned, of course, since you demons like to keep us in the dark."

"I have no idea what on earth your hinting at mistress." Aoi shut the door with a smile and returned to the front and drove home, humming slightly.

"We are home mistress, shall I draw a bath for you?" Aoi opened the door.

"I'd rather prefer you put on some tea and discuss what transpired tonight," she answered with a stifled yawn. "Get all of the stressful things out of the way first, yes?"

"Mistress, you have all the information but you must simply put it together." Aoi was cryptic as ever.

"Just tell me what is going on! I order you to!" Midori shouted, more than fed up at this point.

"Very well mistress." Aoi bowed and placed Midori's tea in front of her. "Simply put, the crimes that have been committed dealing with the drugs rings are tied to this case. Someone in charge has henchmen, like the one tonight, doing his dirty work. I wasn't able to get a name, the lead man doesn't tell his name. A smart move but also a dumb one." Aoi explained as Midori quietly sipped her tea.

"So you're saying we are chasing a drug lord?" Midori practically shouted. Aoi nodded. "Well, the sloppy hit-man had to have been Russian, surely. Motkov, perhaps? The motive is there, after his run in with Sebastian."

"Perhaps... Shall we join the Earl in the search or prolong the inevitable?" Aoi asked, placing a plate of cookies before Midori.

"Can't let Ciel and Sebastian have all the fun, can we?" Midori answered, eying the plate warily.

"The cookies are just regular cookies mistress, nothing added." Aoi smirked. "Shall we pay a visit to the Phantomhive household tomorrow and share our information?"

Midori picked one up and examined it. "Not in the mood, I'm afraid." She placed it back on the plate and sipped her tea. "Yes, of course. You will see to acquiring Ciel's invitation?"

"Of course mistress, shall we call upon him on the morrow? I think sending word of our arrival in the morn will place us at the household in the early eve." Aoi picked up the plate of cookies. "Anything else before you retire mistress?"

"Yes, that would be best, Aoi" Midori stood and yawned. "Nothing that can't wait until the morning, I don't believe. Should here be?"

"No, do you want a bath for the morning?" Aoi grabbed the candle and led the way to Midori's chambers, opening the door.