Oh my gosh! Thanks for all of your reviews and support for this story! I greatly appreciate it and hope you enjoy the second chapter; nice and short…and strange…XD
Dawn. All signs of the night instantly disappeared once the rays of the light touched the lush countryside. The sun poured through the baby blue curtains, tickling at the children's closed eyes. However, it was the opening of a door that awoken them. It was one of the servants from before that had greeted them last night. He offered a small smile.
"Rise n' shine you two~" In his hands was a fresh pair of clothes. Behind him was another servant, taller than the one before. He seemed to have slightly a bit more muscle tone than the first one, but he too also had a bundle of clothes in his hand. Scowling, he looked down at the shorter servant.
"Why'd you have to go and wake them up Duncan? They were sleeping…"
"N-No, it's ok…" Alfred stated quickly as he rubbed his eyes to get focus better on the two in front of him. The young child jumped to his feet and helped Matthew get out of his own bed. Duncan's face lit up.
"See? They were gettin' up anyway…" he turned to the two dazed children once again. "My name's Duncan, an' this is my older brother Cooper. We're going to be the ones to personally get you dressed for the day ahead." Alfred felt his cheeks grow hot. He had no problem dressing himself for the past months they've been alone, so why all of a sudden would he need someone to do it for him? He would never really understand the upper class properly, even though he was considered apart of it. Before he could so much as let out a single word of protest, the two servants had already begun undressing them. After some moments of fidgeting here and there, the children were now completely dressed in the clothing of the privileged. While Matthew didn't seem to mind, it bothered Alfred that lace was on his clothing. Somehow, it appeared to girly for him.
"Now then, all done!" Cooper declared and took a step back to admire the new clothes on the two. "You're now free to go downstairs and enjoy your breakfast…" he added with a bow.
"That's good, but why do we have to wear these clothes?" Alfred questioned, raising an eyebrow.
"Mr. Kirkland likes everythin' neat and presentable. It's one of his many things…besides his tea of course." Duncan explained on the way down the stairs and through the halls. "It's only just that you look your best in front of him…"
Finally, they stopped at a cherry wood door. "And here's where you'll be dinin' with Mr. Kirkland…enjoy." The two servants gave one more bow before leaving the children alone. When those double doors groaned open, all the kids could do was stand in shock as what was put before them. Everything that lay on the table was only something both of them could only dream of having. The table was littered with every breakfast dish that anyone could ever imagine; porridge, cereals, bacon, pancakes were scattered around the table. Positioned at the end of the table sat the gentleman, beckoning them with a warm and gentle smile. "Come, don't be afraid…."
Hesitantly, the two sat down next to Arthur and shifted uncomfortably in their seats. But finally after some silence, Alfred spoke up.
"T-This is all for us?" he asked, incredulously. Whoever had time to put together such a fantastic meal in less than an hour? Were the cooks working up all night just for one breakfast? The Englishman chuckled.
"But of course it's all for you. I said I was going to look after you, didn't I? I have to at least make sure that my precious ones are fed properly; or am I wrong?" he asked curiously before raising an eyebrow. Alfred's cheeks grew hot.
"No! It's just that it's amazing that someone like you with wealth would care about us…everywhere we went, we've been denied shelter…"
"Well, it's not every day someone such as myself is out on the streets either. I prefer the quiet comforts of the country, away from the hustle and bustle of the city." he took a sip of tea before turning to the Canadian. "You've been awfully quiet lad…is everything alright?"
"Y-Yes; of c-course!" Matthew squeaked. His brother cut in.
"Matty just doesn't like to talk a lot, and when he does it's very soft; barely above a whisper."
"Ah, I see…well, if you ever need anything Matthew, I'm here." the Englishman said as he ruffled the child's hair. "Nothing will ever harm you." 'Not even myself.' he added to his thoughts. "Now, there are a few rules I must go over with you. This house is very old, built before you were born. As such I prohibit you from going on any of the upper floors of this house. It isn't safe for you, especially the attic. Secondly, lights are to be out exactly by eight in the evening. Thirdly, don't ever….please don't ever venture out alone by yourselves. I wouldn't want a thing to happen to you; do I make myself clear?" The children nodded their heads.
"Yes, Mr. Kirkland." they chorused. The man gave a small smile.
"Please call me Arthur."
"Arthur's too formal." whined Alfred. "Can I call you Arty?" The American could've sworn that along with the eye twitch he saw a blush across Arthur's pale cheeks.
"Let's not get carried away now; Arthur will do just fine."Alfred pouted.
"Fine. Arthur then…" he murmured under his breath. "But I still like the term 'Artie' better…"
About a month passed and the house of Kirkland didn't seem so strange and foreign as it had the day the two arrived. In fact, the two had gotten used to the customs Arthur expected from them, they were always in bed by night fall, and they never went out into the city without the Englishman being present. However, Alfred couldn't help but wonder with fierce curiosity why the rules were what they were. Though Arthur kept on telling them it was for their own safety, yet the American just didn't believe his words. There was something that the Englishman didn't want him to know. Alfred and Matthew had lived out in the streets before meeting Arthur…though it may only be for the fact that he was a guardian, Alfred still got the strangest feeling something was a bit….off.
Sometimes he would stare at him and Matthew a little too long. Those emeralds would suddenly transform into something that consisted of desire and hunger. And just the other day, the Englishman suddenly grabbed the arm of the American, glaring slightly before releasing his grip. Just the way he looked at him sent shivers down the little boy's spine.
Regardless, life went on in the house. Both sides of the table kept their secrets about their past and origin, referring to keep it as simple as two adopted orphans and their guardian with his servants. That was, until the day Matthew suddenly stumbled upon Arthur's door.
There was no exact rule that said they wouldn't be allowed to enter their guardian's room; Alfred had visited on occasions whenever he needed help with something. The Canadian cautiously stepped into the room, glancing around at his surroundings. It was the same as their own room, except for the curtains were a deep shade of red, giving the room the impression that the walls were as well.
"A-Arthur?" The little boy squeaked. "A-Are you in h-here?"
A chilling groan called out in response, causing Matthew to jump back. Drawing up all the strength he could, he moved towards the bed.
"A-Arthur…?" he called out again, tapping the sheets lightly. His blue eyes trailed down to the bottom of the bed, eyes widening fearfully. Something was moving down there….
The Englishman gave another groan, rolling over slightly in his covers. At that instant, the moving thing wrapped itself around the Canadian's leg. The little boy's pulse quickened and he squirmed his leg out of whatever the thing was. Sure enough, it let go. Another proper glance at it and Matthew bit his lip to stop his screams from echoing throughout the room when he finally realized what it was.
It was a tail.
Desperately, the child ran out of the room as quickly as he could. He didn't get very far when he ran into one of the servants.
"C-Cong…." he squeaked, trying to catch his breath. The Asian raised a thick eyebrow.
"Yes…?"
"N-Nothing!" he nearly screamed, running past the servant and into his and his brother's room. Alfred looked at his sibling in confusion as the other trembled uncontrollably.
"Mattie….what happened? You look like you've seen a ghost…"
"N-No, A-Arthur's r-room!"
Alfred furrowed his brows. "What about Arthur's room?"
"I-I went in there…and Arthur….h-he was a-asleep; a-and…I-I wanted to w-wake him u-up and…and…"
"And what?"
"And….and this thing g-grabbed m-me! It was tail!"
"A…tail?"
The Canadian nodded furiously. "Y-Yes…a tail! A-And it l-looked like it belonged t-to Arthur..!" Alfred's eyes widened.
"Arthur has a tail? That's totally badass!"
"I-I d-don't t-think A-Arthur's human…" the Canadian whispered, ignoring his brother's words. "I-I t-think he might be something more…dangerous…" Alfred frowned.
"Well…I do get the feeling that something's a bit odd about him…but still, that's no way to judge him! It was probably a piece of cord or something that grabbed your leg!"
"Alfred…I know what I saw! It was a tail! Arthur's not normal…!"
"Well of course he's not; he's a good man that took us in! We should at least be thankful for that!" He shifted in his covers a bit. "I think it's just that he's nervous about raising kids. Maybe that's the reason he's so…odd around us." Matthew just sighed.
"….Alright, but…still…something is…s-strange a-about him…"
"Tell you what; how about we go into town? It'll clear things up…Arthur's asleep anyway as you've said…he won't notice a thing!" Matthew opened his mouth again to protest, but Alfred had already had him out the door and out the house in an instant.
Alfred looked nervously at the setting sun. They were out way past their time. Arthur wouldn't mind would he? It was like this before he met them anyway. Still, it was best to get the two of them home before any real panic started.
"I-I think we're lost…" Matthew whispered and tightly gripped the other's hand. The sun had been their only chance of getting home, now that it was getting gradually dark by the second, the path was impossible to find.
"It seems you boys are…"
Out of the shadows came out three figures. The only thing Matthew and Alfred could make out was their glowing eyes. The shadow-like things surrounded the children. One of them chuckled.
"What do we have here; a couple of helpless children…"
"We're not helpless!" Alfred called out bravely. "We can take care of ourselves and don't you guys think we can't for a second…!"
Crimson eyes glared back at them. "Watch your tongue boy, or I'll rip it out. Anyway, aren't you supposed to be home? Where's your mommy and daddy? Did they leave you alone; are they dead?~"
"N-No…" Alfred lied, backing up slightly, but kept holding onto Matthew protectively.
"Something tells us that you aren't saying the exact truth, mes amis." another one whispered.
"S-Stay away from us!" Alfred bellowed as the shadow like things inched nearer. He clutched onto Matthew, who was now whimpering slightly.
"Arthur where are you? We need you…"
Suddenly, one of the things let out an ear piercing scream, falling back onto the cool grass. The two others looked at the source of the attack. Sure enough, standing in front of them was the Englishman, his eyes blazing with fury, something neither Alfred nor Matthew had seen before. The fact that it was directed towards them made it all the worse.
"I told you boys not to wander out past eight in the evening…"
"Ah, Arthur! You care to join your little children?" the German sounding shadow snickered.
"I came to get them back Gilbert." Arthur said through clenched teeth. "It's past their bedtime…"
"And you're past due for an appointment…as I recall, your time expired years ago. We're just here to retrieve our prince."
"I'm not going back; I've told you this before." Arthur stated coldly. "I don't understand why the hell they would send the three of you out here. Alone or together, you don't stand a chance against me." He let out a dark chuckle that made both children huddle in fear. Even the shadows seemed to have pulled back slightly.
"We just want what's best for you Arthur." the Frenchman said, "And being here has tainted your mind."
"Si, Francis is right; you've grown away from your true nature…"
"…You've been hanging around with these…people for too long." Gilbert stepped in, giving a distasteful look at the confused young ones.
"And by order of the code, we're here to bring you back by any means necessary; that means fighting as well."
"Or removing the source of the problem…" the German muttered, glaring at the children.
"Alright then, let's have it."Arthur challenged, to the shadow like figures. "I will remain here, with my children. And there's nothing that will ever change that." The three advanced towards the Englishman, leaving the two kids alone.
"We'll see how this'll end…" Gilbert chuckled, charging straight towards the Englishman…
