Chapter three

Haji looked around stoically. Inside, he was panicking. Saya was asleep in the seat beside him. Honestly, she had tried to stay awake through the flight but couldn't even make it halfway. To be truthful, she had started to doze a half hour into the flight.

Haji let out a silent and wistful sigh. He let his sight slide over to the teen sitting in front of him. Kai was sound asleep. So was Louis beside him. In fact, he and David were the only ones still awake. David was furiously texting someone and glaring at the phone.

Haji leaned back into his seat and closed his eyes.

It wasn't just his servants he was worried for.

His children, his beloved son and daughter—but mostly daughter—were in danger.

They could fight. They had adequate weapons and training against chiropterans. But how the heck was he going to explain this? How would Saya react? He had avoided telling her of his life outside the chiropteran war.

He didn't want to explain. He didn't want to do this. He didn't want to drag his children into this.

Then there was the whole business with Riku.

And Saya's secret elder sister Raine….

And his biological brother was the ancient queen's chevalier….

How had he gotten into this mess?

Francois sat in the newly rebuilt living room. She calmly sipped a cup of earl grey tea.

"Lily, I assure you, you are perfectly safe," She took a sip. "Please stop shaking so."

Lily was indeed shaking. Her hand was shaking so bad that the tea cup was rattling against its saucer.

Outside the window Karl and Sully were engaged with fighting off a beast-class chiropteran. Elsewhere her brother and Riku were doing the same.

Raine rolled her violet eyes as she watched the fight. "They're just playing with it after all…" Beside her a black haired chevalier took a sip of his tea; green.

"Boys," Francois agreed.

"M-Madame," Lily managed. "How is it this doesn't bother you?"

"Hmm?"

"This behavior…these bêtes…they just keep coming!"

"Yes, until Amshel runs out…" She sipped her tea.

She heard the crunch of gravel as a car pulled off the road and onto the path that would inevitably bring it to her door.

She sighed. "Oh dear, unexpected guests. I do hope it's not Amshel."

The Black-haired chevalier looked up. His delicate green eyes flared. "Non, it's…oui! It's Mon Frère!" a slight smile graced his features.

"Your brother?" Her slim brows knit together then a look of happiness crossed her face. "That means—Father!"

Haji sat in the limousine next to Saya again. The feeling of dread was almost suffocating him now.

'Dear god above,' He silently prayed. 'Please let Kaji behave so David doesn't find out that he and his sister are chiropterans too.'

They pulled up to the mansion and stepped out of the vehicle.

"Oh! Master Haji!" A slip of a fifteen year old boy came running up. He had his silvery-blonde hair drawn back off his face and his bright green eyes sparkled. "You have come unexpectedly! Oh! I have yet to plant the silverling roses and then there's the matter of pruning the oak trees…" he continued on for a moment. "Do forgive my discourtesy! Incidentally, does Miss Francois know you're here?"

"No. That's all right about all that, Finny! I'm not staying long," Ha paused. "She shouldn't…I didn't call her but…"

Suddenly he was energetically tackled from behind.

"Papa!" a pretty black haired girl cried as she hugged him. She released him and he turned around, dropped his cello case—*gasp*—and picked her up. He spun in a little circle as he hugged her.

"Francois! Mon Petit Ange! How are you?" He smiled as he set her down. Then he froze—wait…didn't he want to avoid them knowing that he had children? Ok, time to play up the angle of Adoption.

She stared back with happy, level eyes that were the exact matches of his own eyes. She nodded.

"Papa, I was so worried," She smiled. "There are so many bêtes lurking about, but I am relieved now that you are here. I see we have guests."

"Yes, this is Mademoiselle Saya, the red queen, David from Red shield, Mr. Louis, And Kai Miyagusku."

Kai whistled. "Man, Haji, who is this kid? She's gorgeous!"

"A fine French girl," Louis nodded beside him.

"Haji, who is this?" Saya narrowed her eyes warily.

"She is my adopted daughter. Her mother was a friend of mine who dies of an illness many years ago. She asked me to take in her young children, Francois and her brother Kaji," He looked around. "Where's your brother?"

"Um…"

"DAAAAAD!" Kaji exclaimed as he came out of nowhere to tackle his father.

"Oof! Ah…Hello, son," He looked first at Kaji's torn and somewhat bloodied clothes, to the sword strapped to his back and finally to Solomon and the two other young boys standing behind him. "What. Did. You. Do. That is not even a question."

"Erm…I…uh…It was Amshel, Dad! First he attacked Riku," He pointed to the young, 18-year old appearing man with Brown hair and Blue eyes. "Then he pushed Francois down! And then He destroyed half the living room! I had to! Anyway he has been sending Bêtes—beasts—all week! Me, Sully, Riku and erm, Charles, have been fighting them all week!"

"Charles?" He turned his eyes to the shorter male. He was thin and somewhat tall. He was Asian with silky, medium length black hair pulled into a George like Haji's. He had sweet gray eyes that were directing fury towards Kaji.

"I much prefer to be called 'Ciel', you know that." He hissed.

"Haji, that boy,"

"He was a chevalier created solely to protect my children. Please let it be Saya." He whispered.

"And your 'children'?" Saya demanded.

"I will explain it to you later." He replied calmly.

"You will explain it to me now!" She whispered back. Francois rolled her eyes and Kaji signaled Solomon to step in.

"BONJOUR MADEMOISELLE SAYA!" Solomon smiled taking her hand and placing a gentle kiss to the back of it. "How good it feels to be able to serve you instead of Diva!"

"I…Solomon! What? I…don't understand!"

"Never mind that!" Francois smiled holding her arms open. "Let us retire to the living room! I shall have Lily bring tea! Oh and I baked a tea cake."

She led them through the halls to the living room. Riku and the other chevalier brought up the rear.

"Kainiichan," Riku sighed. "Stop eying me so. I have not changed that much have I?"

"What…Riku! Is that really you?"

"Yes, brother," He rolled his eyes. "It's me."

"But, I thought you died!"

"I did."

"Th-then…N-Naze?"

"All will be explained when we have tea."

"Now, isn't this nice?" Francois smiled sipping her tea.

Ciel sat to her right, Kaji and Solomon sat to the left. Across from her were Haji and Saya. Louis sat in a wing chair to the right of them. David sat next to Raine on the left. Kai and Riku sat on the floor. Sora stood quietly in a corner.

David glared at Raine. "I thought you were blown up by a land mine."

"I thought you learned to treat your elders with respect."

He snorted. "So you admit that you're about a billion."

"I would have said 'Your betters' but we both know that concept goes over your enormous ego—head. Sorry, slip of the tongue."

"Brat."

"so, Haji, who are they

?"

"Ah, that's Raine, your older sister." He nodded to the bespectacled girl arguing with David.

"My WHAT?"

"Yes, I know." He rolled his eyes. "The other is my biological brother, Sora, who was made her chevalier."

"I had to wait four lifetimes for him to be reincarnated." She smiled as Sora rested his hand on her shoulder.

"She brought Riku back to life. Her chiropteran power is over regeneration."

"And what does 'Ciel' Do?" Saya asked perturbed. 'Ciel' simply folded his hands in his lap and stared quietly at them. He trembled slightly, fearful of the woman who had ended him.

"Ciel does whatever I need him to do," Francois replied with a hint of venom. "He will not leave to help you. He is my friend. I won't let another die because of your crusade. Not that it isn't a noble one."

"What's that supposed to mean? All chiropterans are to be destroyed! Even me. Even Haji. Even Your Ciel. I wouldn't expect someone like you to understand. Ciel is Mine isn't he?" Saya demanded coldly.

"Don't be a brat! You already took our father! But I won't let you take Ciel! He's not of your blood!" She snapped back.

"Then He's Diva's!" She stood abruptly and drew her sword. 'Ciel' Visibly flinched.

"NO! He's Not!" She snarled in response. She pulled an AK-74 from under the cushion she was leaning against.

"That won't stop me."

"But it will slow you down and make you weak. Amshel could kill you easily then."

"So, you're a traitor after all."

"I'm no traitor. But you will not threaten my friends or my father!"

"We're monsters little girl!" she let out a scathing laugh. "We don't have friends! We don't have family!"

"Hypocrite." Francois accused angrily. "What of Riku? Would you kill him?"

"Yes."

"S-Sayaneechan," he raised his hands defensively. "You can't mean that."

"Riku, people like us can't exist."

"Oh, so you're a person now! I thought you were a monster!" Francois goaded.

"You know, a chiropteran can survive the loss of a limb, I wonder how you'll do!"

"I'd like to see you try!" She removed the safety. "COME ON! HAVE AT IT!"

"Let's see you try to breathe without a head!" Saya charged at chiropteran speed.

"Sora, my love." Was all Raine said with a slight nod of her head.

"As you wish, my dearest." He nodded.

As Francois Braced herself for the first blow, the Russian weapon was ripped from her hands and she was thrown backwards over the couch.

Saya's Sword landed in the ceiling, sticking there like an obscene chandelier.

Saya went head over heels over the seat she had vacated.

"Well, now that that is taken care of," Rain stood. "Look, besides Nathan, I am the oldest living chiropteran. But age is just a number so I will explain it this way. I am the strongest. My blood can save or Kill anyone of you. I used it to save Ka—Ciel—during the Vietnam War when Saya here massacred Mai Lai. He is therefore my responsibility. You cannot command nor kill him without incurring my wrath." She thought a moment then turned to Francois. "I saved him for you as I knew you two were meant to be together—"

"How did you know?" Kaji interrupted.

"Ask Nathan. Anyway, I knew you were meant for each other so I brought him back. My gift to you. A gift that is easily taken away. Now behave and don't hurt/annoy/destroy the one sister I do like." She sat down again. "Could I please have a spot more of tea?"

"Wow, just…wow, Raine, for once you actually did something meaningful…" Haji smiled in gratitude. "Thank you!"

"Don't get used to it. I still intend to annoy you thoroughly."

"That's to be expected."

"My lady, that was quite risky, that stunt you pulled today," Karl sighed. "You must be more careful."

"It was for you, love." She blew a kiss. She sat in front of the mirror—already in her nightgown—brushing out her hair. Karl was sprawled out on the bed behind her. "I would wade through fire and water and face the most brutal torture to ensure your safety."

"But that's my job." His left hand still clutched his right shoulder fearfully. "I am to keep you safe."

"There's no reason we can't both do that." She replied sitting beside him. He sat up.

"God, that was scary." He shook his head.

"I won't let her take you from me," She hugged him. "I won't let her hurt you either."

"Not that, she could have killed you!" He shook his head a little more violently. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close. "I don't know what I'd do without you!"

She placed one hand on his shoulder. The other hand found its way to his cheek. She stroked it as before. Her fingers began to tangle themselves in a strand of hair that came loose from his hair tie.

He leaned down a little. "Just the thought of it…"

"Shhh…I'm not going anywhere. I'll never leave you. I promised you that a long time ago."

"Francois…" he sighed happily.

"Yes, Karl?" She smiled back.

"We should stop talking." He pressed his lips gently to hers; a firm but loving gesture. Just the simple contact of his lips upon hers.

She gently returned the kiss. Both inexperienced in matters of the heart and—in this case—willing to let someone guide her for once.

He brought his hand up to the one on his shoulder; freeing it to intertwine with his.

He pulled back to angle himself a little better. He kissed her gently again. She pulled away slightly.

"Karl," She whispered.

"Yes?"

"I," She blushed. "I'm sorry; I'm not used to this yet."

"It's ok." He smiled. "Unlike when most people say it, we actually do have all the time in the world."

"Oh, Karl!"

She leaned back and kissed him again more firmly. He smiled into the kiss.

"Je T'aime, Francois," he murmured between two kisses. She hummed in response.

"Madame Francois! Dinner is—" Lily stopped dead. "Oh! Monsieur Fei-ong! OUT! OUTOUTOUTOUT!" She shooed.

"But I—"

"OUT!"

"Oh Man!" he shouted dodging the pissed off maidservant. He transformed himself back into Ciel. "I'll see you later, mon Amor!" Francois waved.

"OVER MY DEAD BODY! IT. IS. NOT. PROPER!" Lily Growled. "OUT!"

He rushed out into the hall—barely avoiding getting his derrière hit by the door.

"Stupid human." He muttered. "She thinks that she could stop me."

"Really Francois." Lily shook her head. "What would your father say?"

"He'd probably say something like… 'Where did I go wrong?' then go play emo music on his cello."

"Oh miss Francois."

Yeah, sorry if the Kiss was pathetic. No experience writing it…no experience at all…but that's probably a good thing. Anywho, I played with the whole Karl/'Charles' thing and the fact that 'Charles'/Karl from the Blood+ manga looks like Ciel Phantomhive from Kuroshitsuji AKA Black Butler.

BTW, the whole time Francois and Saya were screaming at each other, Louis, Solomon and Kaji were filming it for future embarrassment. Kai put a copy up on youtube. Haji was pretending to be dead while thinking "Where did I go wrong?"

And David? David was taking his diet pills while staring longingly at a picture of Julia.

Outside, Chiropterans were doing the Can-Can to the 'Maple leaf Rag'.

Raine was drinking tea and Nathan is off in Paris creating his new Fall line.

Nathan did not answer any questions because you did not ask any. Write some reviews folks or else!

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Translations:

Betes - Beasts

Non - No

Mon Frere - My brother

Mon Petit Ange - My little Angel

Bonjour Mademoiselle Saya - Hello Miss Saya

Je T'aimes (i think I spelled that correctly...) - I love you

Mon Amor - My love

Kainiichan - Niichan - Brother

Sayaneechan - neechan - sister

naze - why

Kuroshitsuji - Black butler