Chapter One

The butler stood in the kitchen, polishing the silverware. A mundane task, but it kept his hands busy. His mind was wandering to his days before his current master. Though his cinematic record may show no signs of it, Sebastian himself still retained all the memories of his life before becoming one hell of a butler. At the moment, he was thinking about a certain Japanese cat demon, who he had courted for some time roughly five years prior to his current contract.

Sebastian's pleasant memory was interrupted by a practically inaudible rapping at the front door. If it had been anyone but him, they would not have heard it, even if they had been standing right beside the door listening intently.

"Who could it be in this storm? My master will soon be retiring, who could be calling so late?"

The butler put down his rag and the spoon he had been working on, and walked up the steps to the front hall. However even he had no warning as to what he would find behind the door. For upon opening there stood, soaked to the bone…

A little girl. Her skin was dark and reminded him of that cat demon from not so long ago. She was small and could be no older than five. However her eyes, which seemed so much like his own, held wisdom far beyond her years. Under a thick cotton hood, long black hair was plastered to her skin and clothes, all the way down to her feet where it clung to her buckle shoes like wet grass. In her tiny hands, she clutched a small black bag. From it she pulled a slightly damp letter and held it up to him. It was addressed to Sebastian Michaelis.

Ushering the girl in from the rain, Sebastian took the letter from her and led her down to the kitchen, where he gave her a small cup of warm milk sweetened with honey, and a slice of what was left of his master's dessert. She sipped the milk daintily, but was unsure of how to approach the sweet. Sebastian observed the young guest for a moment, then proceeded to open the letter.

My dear Sebas-chan,

Has it really been five years since you were last with me here in Japan? The girl before you is called Aiko Neko, sometimes Kuroineko, other times Koneko, but to me she is known by another name: Neko Michaelis. Yes, this long-haired, red-eyed child is your daughter and I fear I can no longer care for her properly. She is your responsibility now. Take her in or send her away, but make sure she is well taken care of.

Love Always,

One hell of a kitty, Aiko Nekoma

At the sound of the shocked gasp her host made, Neko looked up with concern. The sudden movement knocked back her hood, revealing two silky cat ears. She rushed to cover her head again, but Sebastian had already seen. Setting the letter down, he reached over and removed her hood.

Her ears flattened against her skull and she let out a warning hiss. Sebastian ignored the threat and gently stroked the top of her head. After a few repeated strokes, Neko relaxed. A soft, gentle purr emanated from her chest.

"Neko, my name is Sebastian Michaelis. Do you know who I am?"

Neko nodded drowsily, in time with his hand, "Mother says that you are my father. Is it true?" Her voice was soft and light, like a kitten's mewing.

Sebastian stopped petting her and lifted her chin, observing her face, "You have your mother's skin tone and round face, but those eyes and that mouth solely belong to me. That nose, however, is something of your own."

Neko stared into her father's face, noting where his features mimicked her own, or rather the other way around. They sat there for some time, studying each other with the same blood red, piercing eyes. Finally Sebastian clapped his hands and broke the trance.

"Well Neko, my dear, we must first get you a hot bath and a warm bed. Have you any night clothes?"

The kitten demon shook her head.

"Then I guess you will have to wear one of my shirts until I can procure some proper nightwear. Tomorrow you will meet the master and I will figure out what to do from there."

Neko nodded in silent agreement.

Sebastian led his daughter to his own humble room, then got a bath ready for her. However, when he reached to remove her rain-soaked dress, she leaned away from him.

He sighed, "Come now, Neko, you cannot bathe your dress on." He reached for her again and she jumped away and hissed.

"No!"

"Come here!" Sebastian made a wild grab for her and managed to catch her. With much howling and spitting, not to mention biting and scratching, Sebastian managed to get the girl out of her dress and underthings, but made no effort to get her into the bath. She scowled at him and turned her back to him. That was when he noticed the long black tail at the bottom of her back.

"You have a tail, as well?"

She sniffed at him, but could not maintain her silent treatment, "Yes. I can move it any way I want. Watch!"

The she sneezed.

This alarmed Sebastian, "You should get in the bath while it's warm, Neko dear, so that you do not catch cold."

Neko looked away from him, "Mother and I always bathed in the hot spring together." she said with a whimper, her tail dropping low. Then she burst into tears.

Sebastian sighed, "I know you are used to the way things were in Japan, but in England hot springs are for relaxing at a resort. Come now. Into the bath." And with gentle coaxing, Sebastian managed to wash and dress her without another meltdown or tantrum.

Then he put her to sleep in his own bed and went to help his master prepare for bed as well. When Ciel inquired about the noise, Sebastian assured him it would be best to wait until morning. Then he went to make some calls.