Every Rose - Mello Fanfiction

By: Kayani Neko

Chapter One

Cleo knew many things. First, she was an abandoned child. Second, she had to find hope. Third, she was very scared. That is, until she found her angel. A baby boy, no more then a few years old at the most, left all alone amongst garbage.

She now stared down at the boy, his grey eyes were so scared. She picked him up and moved the blanket off his head. She gasped slightly. An angel! He had the purest white hair, the softest pale skin. She was now concerned, he didn't appear too healthy. There was only one thing to be done.

She ran with the child cradled in her arms to find help. She ran across a small street and gasped as she was knocked to the ground. She squeaked in pain, holding her shoulder. She had protected the boy from the horse, but ended up hurt herself. She looked up to see a surprised older man and a blonde boy in his lap looked down at them in surprise. A chance! "Please, good sir! My brother here," He wasn't, but in spirit, she felt she was his sister, there to protect him until he could protect her. "needs help! I think he's sick! Please, I beg of you, assist us! I will be forever in your debt!" She quickly bowed her head, holding the boy protectively in her arms.

"Oh my, stand up dear. We'll help you. Are you alright?" She looked up at the man and tears came to her eyes. He seemed surprised when they spilled over her cheeks. "Are you hurt?"

"N-no." she sniffed, holding the boy close. "I just never thought anyone would help him." She looked down at him fondly, then flinched. Her shoulder was bleeding.

"Oh dear, come along with us." The kind looking old man lead them along until they came to a large estate. She was in awe as she looked around. She'd never even seen such a fantastic place before.

After her angel had been looked at, the doctor told her he was simply born this weak. He would have to be on bed rest until he grew stronger. "Thank you so much sirs," she looked fondly up at the old man and his son. "I wish to be put in your service until he is stronger. I will serve you well, I can promise you this." She bowed low, as a servant does her master. "I beg of you."

The man smiled down at the girl. "Very well, I must say, you are quite strong for such a young lass. My name is Quillish Wammy, and this is my second son Mihael. My older son is Lawliet, but he's at lessons at the moment. And what might be your and your brother's names be?"

She looked up at him. "My name is Cleo, and I'm five years old! He's-"She paused, but only for a moment. "Nate and he's three!" She bowed, but in a boyish manner.

"Oh, that's a darling name dear. Where are your parents?" He looked at her kindly.

"I am but an orphan sir." She looked down, trying to avoid eye contact so he wouldn't know it was a lie. She had parents, they just left her.

He nodded. "That's a shame, you're such a sweetheart too." He frowned. "Too bad you aren't a boy, we could use more farm hands."

Cleo flinched at that. She hated when people said that. "Very well!" She called out with such force, it made Mihael jump slightly. She ripped a ribbon off her dress and pulled her scraggly hair into a low ponytail. "My name is Leo from now on!" She looked into Wammy's surprised gaze. "I have the manners of a stable hand, and I look more like a boy then I do a girl anyway. I will serve you in anyway needed Master!" She saluted him, standing like a soldier in her torn, ratty dress.

Master Wammy sighed, seeing no way to convince the young girl that it was not necessary. "Very well. But if you ever want to go back to being the young lady you are, feel free to ask the maids for a dress."

The young girl was now seven, and looked completely inconspicuous in her stable hands wear. Actually, she came across as quite a dashing boy. From her skinny legs to her messy hair, she played the part of a mischievous servant so well, some of the neighboring girls began trying to woo her. She laughed so wildly, every one of the servants called her Peter Pan. Of course, that being said, she never did anything to hinder her Master in any way. Now, annoying the stable master, or the cook; that was another story.

Another thing that hadn't changed, was the condition of Nate. Nate was still weak, but did his best to help. It turned out he was a mathematical genius, so he helped Master by planning the best way to make money, save it, and spend it. Master was delighted.

Cleo, on the other hand, never got any more book smart. She did grow, however, quite the vocabulary.