AN: Okay, here it is (Eek! I'm getting goose bumps I'm so nervous!)! 'Kay, um this thought may or may not have crossed your mind; "so, where's the violence, blood, and suggestive themes, huh? The only 'suggestive theme' are things Yona hints at and the only violence that doesn't go on behind the scenes is when Hellie tried to choke Lu. Other than that this is FLUFF!' Yes, I know I'm sorry! *hides* yeah, so no one has actually asked about that, I just thought maybe you were wondering about it. *nervous smile* Anywho, there is going to be blood in this chapter, and a little suggestiveness (Alois…'nuff said.) oh, and fire…lots of fire. *evil aura*

Disclaimer: Kuroshitsuji or any of its characters. "Union of the Soul" lyrics belong to Kevin Max.

What is mine: The Knightingales, Rolette (if she ever shows up!), Strider and Tomas.

Okay I'm shutting up…for now…

Enjoy!

Part Three: Union of the Soul

The next day dawns bright and beautiful at the Knightingale Manor. It's that time of the year when winter slowly relinquishes its hold on the world and the first few sighs of spring appear. The last of the snow melted little over a week ago, the flowers are pushing their little heads out of their soil beds – oddly Yona's blue rose garden bloom year-round (in different colors too) – the birds are returning to build their nests, the animals are waking from their long winters nap. Yes, it truly is a beautiful day; a perfect day to be with the person you like most, Lucetta wonders why she never noticed days like this before.

The little dragoness sits up in her bed and stretches, looking to her side she sees the little brown haired child she was up half the night caring for laying at her side, smiling she leans down and gives the younger girl a kiss on the cheek. "Feeling better today, Kora?" Lu asks the sleeping bundle. A mumbled response and a face-still-buried-in-a-pillow-nod is the child's reply, two sleepy looking red eyes unearth to look up at the half-dragon from a sleepy looking tan face. "That's good, I'm not sure I could go anywhere today, knowing you were sick."

"I am feeling much better now after that yucky stuff," Kora says in her soft Indian accent.

"Like it should, Duckling, if you don't fight me when I'm trying to give it to you," Lu tweaks Kora's nose bringing a giggle from the little girl.

"I am sorry," she says bashfully covering her nose to defend it from further attack. "It just tastes very bad! Do you not have something that tastes better?"

Lucetta smiles at her little sister, there are very few things in this world that she cares about; Kora is number one on that list, for even after Lu underwent her 'change', Kora still loves her, didn't fear her like so many do. The little girl was an outcast in her own right, because of her red eyes she was thought to be a demon's child by the people of her village and she would have been killed if her mother hadn't ran when Kora was still a newborn – spiriting away in the dead of night. For two years the woman fought to keep her child safe. Near the end of their long journey her mother had been badly injured, but, she kept going, kept running to a point of collapse, vowing to find a safe place for her daughter. When she did finally fall, the last of her strength slipping away, she fell in front of a six-year-old Lucetta. Thrusting the toddler into the girls hands she begged what she believed to be a golden haired angel to take her daughter and keep her safe, when Lucetta nodded the woman smiled…and died knowing her baby was safe.

Lu starts when little fingers brush her cheek. "I am sorry Lu-lu," Kora says sounding upset. "I did not mean to make you cry!"

Looking at the child's face Lu sees she's on the verge of tears, confused she reaches a hand to her own cheek and pulls back in surprise and stares at the salty little drops sticking to her fingers, I'm crying? I-I've not cried since-since... Shaking her head she pulls blubbering little Kora into a hug. "It's alright, Angel," she says softly patting the little girl's back. "You didn't do it, I was just thinking about something."

"I-I do not want you to go!" Kora sobs burying her face in Lucetta's chest, surprising the older girl.

"Why ever not?" Yona trills from the doorway.

"I-I do not l-like str-strangers! Th-they will hurt Lu-lu!"

"Ooh, Kora!" Lu wails holding the nine-year-old at arm's length. "Alois isn't going to hurt me-"

"And if he does," Yona cuts in striding across the room to sit with them. "I'll gouge out his eyes and carve out his filthy black heart." Both girls laugh at that and Lu secretly feels sorry for Alois should he ever be foolish enough cross her mother.

XxXxXxX

Lucetta sits in front of her mirror after breakfast fussing with her hair, finally with a groan of frustration she gives up. How come it's so easy when she does it? She seethes inwardly. Looking at the tangled mess she's tempted to hack it all off. In fact… Picking up her bone knife she prepares to cut away the offending locks.

"Now, why would you want to do that?" A quiet voice says behind her. She jumps and the knife slips from her fingers. Standing she spins around and glares at the tall man standing in her doorway.

"Because it's ugly! Just like the rest of me!" she states bitterly.

Her father smiles at her. "Who told you that?"

"I- no one," the little girl says with a soft sniffle. "I know that's what they think of me though."

"Who?" He's starting to sound like an owl.

"Everyone!" She wails burying her face in her hands. Nicolas walks over to her and crouching down to her level he cups her small chin in his large hand, tilting her face so she can look directly into his cold blue eyes.

"Alois doesn't seem to think you're ugly," he says simply.

"You don't know that," she whimpers.

"I know he cares for you."

"But-" of course he followed them, even with Strider there he still follows – it isn't a lack of trust, it's more like a protective father making sure his children were alright.

Standing up her father turns her around and sits her back on the stool. Picking up her hairbrush he starts humming and gently begins brushing her long black tresses. Soon the humming turns to song, it's an old elven ballade that always makes the young half-dragon feel safe. Lucetta closes her eyes and listens to her father's quiet voice… When she opens them she finds her father is gone and her hair is fixed in pigtails. She smiles.

"Thank you, Daddy," she whispers.

XxXxXxX

The morning couldn't pass quickly enough for Lucetta, her lessons – science, math, geography, history, language arts, piano and violin practice, and etiquette – were soon complete and she notices it is only eleven (Helenora has the same lessons though she doesn't finish them as fast – and she is learning to play the flute) so Lu goes and paints until it's time for lunch. A large part of the afternoon is spent arguing with Helenora (out of hearing range of their parents) about why she should and shouldn't have tea with Alois – she ends up playing the guilt card and wins (otherwise it'd have gone on all day – which was probably Hellie's intention). Kora, who has given-up trying to make Lu stay, decides she's going too to keep her big sister safe and Lucetta (just barely) talks her out of it. Finally two-'o-clock rolls around and Lucetta – with Strider in tow – is off to the Trancy estate, arriving at three-o'-clock sharp.

Upon arrival Lucetta is ushered to the cream colored parlor where, Alois greets her with soft peck on the cheek and a warm "I'm so glad you came, Butterfly". He takes her hand and places it in the crook of his arm and leads her out onto the veranda looking out on the garden and to a small table set for two. He pulls out one of the chairs for her and she sits. Lu takes a deep breath inhaling the sweet fragrance of white roses and lets her eyes flutter closed for an instant. For the second time that day she's startled by someone brushing her cheek. Lucetta's eyes open and she finds herself staring into Alois' icy blues, that strange half-smile half-smirk on his face.

All he was doing was running his fingers through her long raven hair marveling at its silky texture. She's so cute; he says silently, a smile on his face as he watches her jump when he touches her cheek, her lavender eyes are cloudy and confused and her soft pale cheeks turn a delightful shade of pink. Alois chuckles at her stunned expression. "You looked so lovely, Butterfly," he teases, tracing her jawline with his long slender fingers. "It was too tempting to just let you sit here looking so blissful." He cups her chin in his hand and leans forward. A small gasp escapes her parted lips; her wide frightened eyes make her innocents all the more known to him.

Their lips touch, and Lucetta's senses are sent reeling. Alois places his hands on either side of her head and kisses her tenderly. A soft moan slips from Lu's mouth her arms plastered to her sides, unable react and unable to pull away. His hands slowly trail down her neck, her shoulders, her arms; he settles them around her waist and pulls her up from the chair, holding her closer and deepens their kiss. Lu places her small hands on his chest and tries to push him away, Alois tightens his grip and kisses her harder, bringing a frightened cry of alarm from the girl, his hands move from her waist and run up and down her back; causing further panic to rises in her throat… Then terror grips her. Opening her eyes she sees that the world has gone misty grey and she can no longer feel Alois' presence…

Meanwhile Alois swears silently when his little black Butterfly goes limp, thinking she's fainted he moves to set her back in the chair and revive her and he notices her eyes – wide open and pure white save her pupils. She blinks and her eyes return to normal – almost, he notes that they're still a bit pale – she looks at him in confusion a moment, and then suddenly pushes him away with such force he crashes into the table; breaking the legs, spilling the tea and shattering the dishes as they fell with him. "Ach!" Alois cries out looking down at his cut palm. "What-" before he can get the words out Butterfly leaps up and takes off at a dead run into the woods. "Wait! Bu- Lucetta!" He calls and runs after her…

Strider watches the blonde youth run off and immediately starts in pursuit – easily passing the boy without him even knowing he was there. He catches up to his charge swiftly – her pigtails flow behind her as she runs at a far greater speed than her usual gait. Something's wrong, he realizes noticing the subtle change in, well, reality, the further into the woods they run. Swearing heavily the half-elf leaps over a fallen branch. Soon he finds himself side by side with the young girl and can see the fear in her eyes even in the dim light of the forest – for it has become rather dark while they've been running – his inhuman eyes see something else too – her kiss with Alois had nothing to do with this strange flight. She's still half-way inside the void! Strider spits out another string of oaths. Now what? Suddenly the Countess's parting words before they left comes to mind; 'Do not let it get her!'

He sees it. A large black silhouette is running along on Lucetta's other side. Swearing again he jumps into the air; twisting to the side and landing between the incoherent thirteen-year-old and this unknown threat. The creature cackles – a dry throaty sound – and slows to a stop challenging Strider by waving it's massive fore-claws menacingly. As he turns and heads back – getting a strangely clear view of the beast – one thought makes it through the mass of strong oaths swirling around in his mind; That liar, I'm gonna kill her! Rolette said Yona was kidding about the arch-demons! Drawing his twin spirit katanas, the half-elf settles in for a long fight…

Someone's chasing her. It's a man in red. No! It's a man in black. No! It's a monster! What is going on? Her voice won't work, she can't scream. Her legs won't stop, she continues to run. Run, run, run, from what she cannot be certain. Her visions seem to be mixing with reality – twisting it, blurring the line between dreams and life – she can't pull herself out, it feels almost as if she's wedged in between here and the void and goodness knows what is slipping out around her – monsters, demons, ghosts, things that should not be out in mass – she has to brake free – quickly!

Lu suddenly pulls to a stop, nearly throwing herself over the ledge she stopped at. Her eyes clear and the world returns to normal – well, as normal as it was before. She looks out over the edge of the cliff…her knees give out and she sinks to the ground; she's looking out at a lake, a really, really big, deep, lake. No, she trembles, no, no, no, no, no! Why water? Why? She slowly moves back from the ledge and something slams into her back and sends her flying over the cliff. As she plummets to the water and sinks into shock a memory from six years ago forces its way to the front of her mind…

Helenora and Lucetta play by the river that runs near their home, Tomas is with them. Tomas is the son of the nice couple who offered to help around the house while mother was sick. Tomas was older then the girls, but, he plays with them anyways. He's reading them a poem he wrote for the girl he's sweet on;

"How can I be so despairing, when you are so full of joy, How can I be so laser-like and you are so passively content, How can I bleed my sorrows and you hide your accomplishments, Why must I wallow in the mire, when you fly above it all, I struggle with a word of truth, But you would wither if a lie passed your teeth, How can I be me and you be you? It is the union that makes us whole, separately in control of each other."

His voice is so soothing, so sweet. Both girls love how he can put his thoughts into words and make them sound so lovely.

"That was beautiful!" Helenora says wistfully, "I'm sure she'll like it."

"If she doesn't you can marry me," Lucetta says softly a blush staining her cheeks. Tomas laughs and ruffles the shyer twins long gold hair.

"I'll keep that in mind," he says flashing her one of his rare smiles.

"You should smile more, Tom," Hellie tells the youth, "it makes you look a lot more handsome then you already do." Tom tweaks her nose.

"Are you trying to charm me away from my sweet Anna too, Minx?" He asks playfully.

"You just like her because I'm not old enough yet!" The blue eyed seven-year-old says angrily.

"You're going to marry Ciel, Hellie," Lu whispers.

"Ah, that's right, you are." Before Hellie can reply Tomas casts a glance at the sky. "Looks like rain soon, we'd best head back." Taking each girl's hand he walks them to the river bank. The rain begins to fall as Hellie crosses the rope bridge spanning the river and starts coming down harder as Lu begins to cross. Thunder crashes and the little girl freezes.

"Lu, come on," Helenora yells above the roar. "You'll be fine!"

"I-I can't!" Lucetta cries cringing again as more thunder fills the air and lighting flashes. Strong hands grip her under the arms and help her up, startled she looks up into Tomas' bright green eyes.

"It's okay," he says brushing a lock of wet brown hair out of his face. "We'll go together-" His words are cut off mid-sentence as a loud crash sounds up river. Looking up Tomas sees a massive wave of water hurtling towards them and tightens his hold on Lu's slight frame – knowing he'd never be able to get them to the other side in time. Lu hears her sister scream…and the wave hits them.

Lucetta just barely breaks the surface of the water, but, she's too weak to stay afloat long and is sucked back under. The third time she makes it up for air she sees Tom; flailing about in the rising current. 'He can't swim,' Lu realizes in horror, 'he's going to drown!' She takes a deep breath and dives back under the water, kicking her small legs in Tomas' direction, hoping against hope she can help him get air before it is too late. But, her tries are in vain; when she reaches him he is flailing too much for her to get close. Needing air she surfaces and screams his name to get his attention; he can't hear her small voice above the rivers roar and that of the storm. Lu watches in terror as he passes out and gets swept along. "Oh no," she cries, but, there's nothing she can do, nothing but try and keep herself afloat as she watches her friend drown.

Her legs are getting tired…she been fighting the current so long…she struggles to keep her eyes open… 'Poor Tomas…' Strong arms wrap around her and drag her out of the river… "Daddy…" Darkness descends upon her…

Lucetta's eyes snap open. She rolls over onto her knees and begins coughing violently expelling the water from her lungs. Hearing similar coughing beside her she looks to find a sopping wet Alois. She opens her mouth to speak, but, the boy throws his arms around her and hugs her tight.

"I-I'm so, so, sorry!" Alois sobs, she notices he's trembling. "I-I didn't mean to push you! You-you just stopped so suddenly I-I c-couldn't stop-stop in time!" He clutches her slender body to him and continues crying. "I th-th-thought- I thought you'd drown! You went stiff and I-" Lu pushes him back and looks into his pale frightened face.

Clearing her throat she asks, "You pulled me out?"

Sniffling he nods. She turns from him and looks up at the cliff she fell from.

"You dove in after me?"

"Y-yes," he stammers.

Lu looks back at him and sees he's shaking from the cold more than tears now. For a wistful moment she wishes she could feel the cold of the wind around them, wishes she was so cold she had to burrow into his arms to take what little warmth she could. But she can't. She knows the chill is settling on her and Alois and they should probably get inside and into something dry before they catch their deaths of cold. But she doesn't want to move. Not yet. He saved me, she smiles. Leaning towards him she presses a kiss to his cold lips. "Thank you," she says softly. "We should probably head back to- ah!" She tries to stand and her legs give out and she lands hard. "Odds bobs!" She fumes. Before she can try again Alois is up and has one arm under her legs and the other supporting her back, carrying her princess style.

"Don't worry," he says, "I've got you."

Lucetta lets out a soft huff and wraps her stiff arms around his neck. On the walk back Lu explains the reason behind her hydrophobia to Alois.

"I haven't been swimming since Tomas drowned," she tells him after she finishes the story. "Just thinking about how close I came to joining him…I come to a near panic, and when I do end up in the water I go into shock."

"Why did you run away in the first place?" he asks.

"Run away? Oh, right," Lu fidgets nervously remembering the kiss. "I can't tell you…it-it's a secret."

"Oh, please tell me," Alois begs, "Why did your eyes change color?"

"Alois," her tone is a soft deadly whisper. "I cannot tell you."

The blonde opens his mouth to reply- CRASH! Strider suddenly flies past them and smacks against a tree. He staggers to his feet and looks at them confused. Warm blood drips from his mouth and his right arm is clutched to his side. Blinking a few times he seems to recognize them.

"Get-" He doubles over his breathing labored and spitting blood. "Get out of here, now!"

A thudding sound fills the air and rocks the ground beneath their feet. Alois – still holding Lu – turns around and stiffens. Lucetta's breath catches in her throat. The being walking towards them is massive. The only word to describe it is horrendous. The monster is covered in thick matted black fur; its eyes are a gross sickly looking green, it has large black horns on its head with two pig-like ears poking out from under them and its teeth are yellowed and broken in places. Its breath stinks of death and decay, its arms and legs are huge, its hands and feet ended in long grotesque claws and to finish it off; a long spiked tail twitches back and forth as the beast walks.

Alois turns and tries to run, but, a large talon grabs him and shakes him like a rag doll. Lucetta falls to the ground and rolls down an incline. The demon cackles – a horrid but a sound Lu finds oddly familiar – and tosses the boy away.

"Come out, come out, wherever you are, little dragon spawn," the creature calls wickedly looking around. "Come out, and give me your power!"

Gold knives fly out of the trees and strike them arch-demon's shoulder, she cries out in annoyance. Claude comes out of nowhere and charges towards the beast, more knives in his fingers looking like golden claws. She cackles again and snatches him out of the air, with a flick of the wrist the demon is sent flying right into Strider - who was still trying to right himself – and both end up in a heap on the ground.

So much for the grown-ups…

"Come here dearie," the larger – and apparently more powerful – arch-demon calls. "I want your power."

Alois looks franticly at the incline where Lucetta disappeared and is startled to find her standing a few feet from him…and she's smiling?

Yes, yes she is, but it's not a pleasant smile, it seems more…twisted. She cocks her head to the side like a sweet innocent little girl who's never done anything wrong – which is not what her expression suggests. "You want my 'power'?" she asks in a soft, sweet purr. The demon reaches for Lu and her features go from strange to almost smug. "Then you can have it!" she says wickedly throwing her hands out and yelling "Firaga!"

The beast realizes her mistake a moment too late. Green flames erupt from the half-dragon's fingers and engulf the monster in raging fire that eats away at her rough hide. After screaming and cursing for what seems like an hour the arch-demon falls at Lucetta's feet and dies – nothing is left of her but a charred corpse.

With a huff of disgust the little girl walks around the remains and kneels next to Alois.

"Are you hurt?" she asks dully all traces of the smug and twisted girl from a moment ago gone.

"Just a bit shaken," he tells her, still in awe of what he just witnessed.

"Yeah, I fine! Thanks for asking!" Strider calls sarcastically while he and Claude untangle themselves.

"I know, that's why I didn't ask," Lu says giving him a cold smile. She looks at Alois, and sees he looks like he's going to fall over. "Do you need help?" she sighs, her voice is like ice.

"No-" He's cut off by Claude, the butler sweeps him up and begins walking towards the mansion.

"You are soaking wet and chilled to the bone, Your Highness," Claude says in his emotionless voice. "You need to get inside and change quickly."

"But what about-" the blonde stops mid-sentence and his eyes widen when he sees Hannah carrying Lucetta who looks like she passed out. "Wh-what-"

"She's fine," Strider grunts coming up beside them. "She doesn't have a lot of control over her magic and when she does cast a spell it's usually a big one that tires her out." He gives the boy an odd look. "So, why are you two soaked?" Alois tells him and the half-elf laughs – a pleasant sound that an elf laughing (even if he is only half). "I see."

XxXxXxX

Upon their return to the manor both children are rushed upstairs and hot baths drawn up for them – Lu comes around beforehand – meanwhile Thompson and Timber attend to Strider's injures.

After she helps the girl bathe Hannah leaves to find some clothes for Lucetta. The maid soon returns with a dark green dress she says belonged to the deceased Countess Trancy when she was a child. Claude arrives soon after Lu has finished dressing and escorts her to the parlor. After sitting her in a wingback chair he informs her that the young Earl will be down shortly. The butler goes about fixing Lucetta some tea. Handing her the cup he watches the girl take a small sip, tasting it. After a moment of consideration she gives him a wry smile and spits the tea back into the cup.

Setting the cup down on the side table next to her seat Lu regards the butler with a smirk, "Did you truly think I'd fall for something as simple as poison?"

"It was worth a try," he says.

She rolls her eyes. "A stupid try," she remarks, then cuts her eyes at him smirking again. "Sebastian's attempts to kill me were much more creative." Her mouth spreads into a wicked grin at his glare. Ah, good; I've struck a nerve.

"But-ter-fly," Alois calls in a sing-song way almost skipping into the room, his hands behind his back.

"Wh-at?" Lucetta replies in the same manner – though in a cooler tone.

The boy giggles and prances over to her – making sure to keep his hands out of sight of Claude; as he had done throughout his bath (and somehow while the butler dressed him) – and gives her a peck before showing her his hands. "Look at what you did," he says seductively.

Lu gasps at the burns on his hands and grabs his wrists. Upon examining them she finds the burns are second-degree and need to be taken care of quickly.

Still holding Alois by the wrist she stands and walks out the door – stopping only long enough to grab her bag (that she takes everywhere) – heading for the kitchen, Claude follows behind muttering that 'his highness' should have said something (it's obvious Alois wanted Lucetta to do something about it).

Reaching the kitchen Lu pulls Alois over to the sink, turns on the cold water and puts his hands under it – giving him a sharp look when he tries to pull away – and starts rummaging through her bag. Finding a fresh aloe vera leaf she tells Alois to keep his hand under the water. Turning to go find a bowl and spoon Lu jumps at Timber standing next to her holding them. She thanks him and sets the leaf, bowl and spoon on the counter, taking out her bone knife (she is never without this either) she cuts the leaf lengthwise and uses the spoon to scoop out the insides – sap and pulp included – dropping it into the bowl. She then mashes the aloe leaf contents into a paste. While she does that she tells Alois he can dry his hands. He gently rubs the towel over his hands and looks at her curiously.

"Where'd you learn all this stuff about plants?" he asks cocking his head coyly.

Lucetta looks up at him then goes back to working. "When I was eight I got really sick – I still am it just isn't as bad anymore – and I couldn't go outside very often," she says, "so while Hellie and Fallon were outside playing, I was inside reading whatever books I could get a hold of." She gestures for him to hold out his hands and begins applying the paste. She continues speaking, "I've always been interested in herbal cures and alchemy – my mom is too, so we have a lot of books on the subject."

"Hmm," Alois purrs, trying hard not to wince while she rubs the salve on his burns. "I want you to do this again." He gives her a smile.

Lu raises an eyebrow. "I'm not planning on staying late," she states bluntly, cleaning up the counter.

The blonde boy sniggers, wraps his arms around her waist and nuzzles her ear. "Then I'll come to you tomorrow, Butterfly," he whispers seductively and gently bites down on her ear.

Did he really just invite himself to my home? She smiles amused. "Very well, I think mother would love to meet you," she says softly. "I'll see you a ten."

Not long after Lucetta bids Alois farewell and heads home. Along the way she remembers someone else was coming over tomorrow and smiles to herself. The following day was going to be a fun one…

XxXxXxX

AN: And there we go! =) Wow that's a lot… I hope you enjoyed it – if not you probably didn't read this far… Anywho! If you know what Lu's vision was about 'shh!' don't tell anyone (though most who read this probably know if they think about it)! I'm saving it for the END! O.O… That is not coming until after the NEXT chapter! ^-^ Yay! *confetti toss* another extra!

'Kay, so, looks like Lu's not as 'innocent' as Alois thought – well, violence wise anyway – um, I hope I have lived up to the stuff I said in the summary. *puppy eyes* please leave a review! Flames welcome (if you must), pointing out spelling errors/comments to improve my story are gratefully appreciated! ^-^

Cya next time for Part Four: The Technicolor Phase (Yep, I just went Owl City on ya'll!) BYE! – Esmeralda

P.S. Tomas's poem is actually Union of the Soul copyright goes to Kevin Max (yes I'm putting it twice)