I screamed as I fell.

The first thought that ran through my mind was, "asahgdfkjaghdahgdfkj."

The second thought was, "Screaming is not going to help my predicament- I might as well shut up."

And the third was, "Damn it! How could the puppy eyes not work?"

I opened my eyes and watched as the ground drew closer and closer. My fall felt like an eternity. Slowly, my body began to horizontally lay itself out.

Numbness seeped through my body, reminding me of my fall through the portal. Suddenly, white hot rage seeped through my body. I didn't ask for this! I didn't want to leave my world behind to end up in this situation, away from my family and friends in a foreign time and place. It was so unfair! God dammit, I DIDN'T WANT THIS TO BE MY END!

AND IT SURE AS HELL WASN'T GOING TO BE MY END.

My body went on autopilot and my hands and legs stretched out to catch myself. My tail extended out to keep my body balanced. My vision sharpened, allowing me to gauge the distance as the ground got closer; the tension in my arms changed accordingly.

WHAM!

I smashed into the ground, powerful jolts running up my arms and legs. I managed to hold my face only a few inches from the ground. I briefly wondered if this was what parkour runners felt. Slowly, I stood and looked at the distance I had fallen.

Any normal human would've died from that height and if they hadn't, their bones would have been broken. I should've at least rolled after I hit the ground to lose the velocity and momentum. I had seen parkour runners do that after a long jump.

Although… mine wasn't exactly a jump, per se.

It was more like a fall to my death.

I raised my eyes to glower at Sebastian, only to find he wasn't there anymore.

"Have fun?" Sebastian asked from right beside me.

I shrieked and stumbled away, waving my arms wildly.

I fell flat on my butt, my teeth clattering.

"Ouch," I whimpered, rubbing my butt.

"Still fell in the end," he sighed.

"Well, excuse me," I let out a cat-like hiss, "not all of us can flawlessly land after falling from extreme heights. And even then, I was under extreme duress, so EXCUSE ME for being clumsy when you scared me."

I angrily got up to brush myself off and storm off.

"Wait… I'm… sorry. I was being callous. I'm just not used to teaching a demon completely from beginning. They usually know the basics," Sebastian gave me a pleading look.

I felt some of my anger dissipate. My shoulders slightly slumped and I grabbed a hold of my poofed-up tail, trying to smooth it out again. Was it poofed up because I had been angry or scared? Or maybe both?

I shifted from foot to foot then said, "Maybe next time try from lower heights, yeah? 'Cause I really thought I was going to die. It's not a good feeling."

"Okay," he said quietly, looking down with a guilty expression.

Seeing him so crestfallen made my anger disappear completely and I reached out to tousle Sebastian's hair.

"Next time just be more aware, okay?" I smiled brightly, still patting his head.

He peeked up at me, a soft expression entering his eyes. I giggled at his reactions- he reminded me of a child that had just gotten scolded and was now trying to regain his parents' affections by acting timid and shy.

"It's been a long time since someone has touched me like that," Sebastian whispered once I stopped petting him.

My eyes widened, "How long exactly?"

"A couple of centuries. We are demons, after all, and not very loving at that," he muttered.

"Oh, you poor baby," I cooed, and then stretched my arms out, "You can get your daily dose of hugs from Mama Thena."

My grinned widened teasingly, to show I was messing with him.

A mischievous look entered his eyes and a cheshire grin spread on his lips, "I'm going to hold you accountable for that. Although I'd prefer you not to be my mother."

My eyes widened, "I was kidding!"

"No. No take backs."

"Uh, yes, yes take backs."

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

"YES."

"NUH UH."

"CHILDREN," Ciel screeched from behind us, "I've been calling your names since you dropped Thena from the sky."

I grinned, glancing over at Ciel, "Ooh, rejected."

Ciel's cheeks flushed, and he scowled at me. But then he schooled his features and said, "I wasn't rejected, you are just deaf."

I rolled my eyes, "Sure, sure, whatever you say."

"Well, I'll leave you two to your little chat," I said airily and strode off, but not before tousling Ciel's hair.

"Hey!" I heard him shout. "Come here! I was going to talk to you, too!"

I paused; he wanted to talk to me? I walked back to Ciel as he struggled to fix his hair, which I didn't think was very hard since his hair was straight.

I giggled and reached out my hand to help him, but Ciel smacked my hand away saying, "Don't even think about messing up my hair again."

I shook my head, "I was trying to help you fix it." I reached out again. This time Ciel didn't stop me, but had a disbelieving look on his face.

"So what did you want to say?" I asked, fixing his hair.

"Hm?" he asked, "Oh right, I wanted to say that you should pack your bags. We're going to go to a villa out south for an investigation."

"A villa?" I muttered. Excitement washed through me- I couldn't get enough of these big houses!

"You shall be taking the role of my sister, and Sebastian will be your husband," Ciel continued. "I trust you will be able to play out this role?"

That wasn't a question, it was obviously an implied command. Dammit!

I jerkily nodded, my body trembling with nervousness. This was going to get awkward.

"Of course, young master, we wouldn't do anything to give away your investigation," Sebastian purred, smirking at me. "We will be the purrfect love-struck couple," he said slinging an arm around my shoulder.

Damn him! Dammit all!

My stomach twisted, and I bolted away from Sebastian the moment Ciel turned around to leave.

"You can't run forever!" Sebastian's smug voice called out.

"Watch me!" I snapped.

I fled to my room, slamming the door behind me. I clutched a hand over my pounding heart. This can't be happening, this can't be happening, this…

"Thena?" called May-Rin, "I just saw you run into your room, yes I did, are you okay?"

Can't a girl catch a break?

"Um, yeah!" I shouted, "I'm perfectly fine! Just give me a minute!"

I quickly took deep breaths, trying to control my trembling. I wasn't excited even the smallest bit to play house with Sebastian, nope not the slightest!

I would never admit it even if it killed me! I could absolutely not succumb to my feelings. It would hurt a lot to leave him and the rest of the Phantomhive household behind if I grew attached.

Reign in your emotions! I focused on my breathing and grabbed ahold of my control.

I calmly walked towards my door and opened it.

"See?" I smiled, spreading my hands. "I'm perfectly fine."

May-Rin looked relieved, "That's good, I was worried when I saw the look on your face."

"What look?"

"You looked happy, and at the same time you were panicked," she explained.

Wow, May-Rin was sharper than I had given her credit for.

I smiled tightly, "I'm alright now, I was just worried about my mission."

"Mission?" May-Rin asked, tilting her chin.

"Er, more like I'm worried about the role I have to play," I admitted, feeling like I could trust May-Rin about my situation.

I stepped back, swinging the door wider, "Come inside, I'll tell you about it."

After explaining my (emotional) situation, May-Rin was silent for a moment.

Then she said, "You can't stop it."

"Huh?" I asked, confused.

"Love. You can't stop love," she said simply. "Trust me, I've tried."

A grin curved up my lips, and I wiggled my brows, "Ooh, who's the lucky guy?"

May-Rin flushed, "N...No one, miss!"

"Do tell," I said, delight lacing my voice.

"Well… do you remember the cook? The one who smacked the younger boy upside the head?" May-Rin blushed heavily.

"Awww," I cooed, "how sweet!"

May-Rin smiled sadly, "But I can't seem to find the opportunity to tell him. And I don't think he likes me like that."

I frowned, "Then he's just stupid."

"Thena!" May-Rin giggled.

"That's right", I said crossing my arms, "he's stupid, stuuuuuuuuuuuupid. Baka. Dumb-butt. An idiot."

At this point May-Rin was full out laughing and clutching her stomach. I grinned, happy to make my new friend laugh like that.

"Thena," she said between laughs, "you're so mean."

"Gasp, you caught me!" I dramatically placed a hand over my heart.

I straightened up after a few seconds, "In all seriousness, I will do my best to help you out, but I've never been in a relationship before or tried to get someone's attention like that." Then, I raised my hand for dramatic effect, "However, I have read tons of books, observed others, and read actual advice, so… hopefully that counters my inexperience."

May-Rin beamed and threw her arms around me, "You're the best, yes you are!"

I laughed and hugged her back just as tightly, "We girls have to stick together! Plus, what are friends for?"

Our little friend fest was cut short when there was a knock on the door.

"Oy, ya in there?" shouted Bard through the door.

I grinned and turned to May-Rin, nudging her. I wiggled my brows at her teasingly before calling out, "I'm in here with May-Rin! Gimme a minute!"

"'Kay, but hurry it up in there," he muttered.

May-Rin giggled nervously, "We'll be out shortly!"

"Is my hair good? And my dress?" she hissed at me.

"Girl, you're fine!" I said after making sure nothing looked out of place on her.

"Now that I've told you, it makes it all the more real," she mumbled, covering her red face.

I laughed and pushed her towards the door. Opening it, I saw Bard nervously pacing back and forth. Upon hearing the sound he look up and said in a relieved tone, "There you are! I've been looking all over for you!"

"Who exactly?" I asked leaning against the door frame, blocking May-Rin from coming out.

"May-Rin, of course. She has to help me cook the meals! Sebastian's orders!" He said, looking embarrassed.

Why was Bard looking embarrassed over Sebastian's orders? I shifted a little to let May-Rin through.

Bard grabbed her arm, "Hurry up! We're going to be late!"

May-Rin shot me a panicked look, but I just gave her a thumbs up.

'Go get him tiger' I mouthed at her.

The last thing I saw was Bard's pink ears. A grin formed on my face. That sneaky, sneaky man. He had lied about Sebastian's orders, that was why he was embarrassed. He just wanted alone time with May-Rin. I clasped my hands together in delight and twirled happily. It was like I was fangirling in real life!

A voice spoke next to me, "Bard just lied about my orders."

I just smiled widely at Sebastian and said, "I know, isn't it adorable?" And slammed the door in his face.