I rose from sleep at dawn, as is my tradition from childhood, and rubbed my eyes. I looked around and saw that the other servants were still sleeping –this brought a scowl to my face –but, it is for the best. I reached up and took my cap from my head, shaking out my hair and running my fingers through it. Until I received a brush, this would have to do. It was undeniably tangled, something that happened often. I frowned and stood from my bed, pulling on my boots before standing up. I had been required to wear my day clothing to bed, this caused by the fact that my normal sleeping attire had yet to be delivered and was, per say, quite girlish. But it was comfortable. And I don't have to wear pants when I have it on. I rubbed the skin that no doubt bore a red mark from my hat. It was getting a bit too small, but it'd have to do until a later date when I'd be able to purchase a new one. Sighing, I bowed my head and preformed my morning prayer:

"In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ I will begin this day. I thank you, Lord, for having preserved me during the night. I will do my best to make all I do today pleasing to You and in accordance with Your will. My dear mother Mary, watch over me this day. My Guardian Angel, take care of me. St. Joseph and all you saints of God, pray for me. Amen."

I reached to my neck and took out my saint's pendant. My patron is Saint Sebastian. He is for athletes, archery, and soldiers. I found that he is the most compatible saint for me. His story is very interesting. He was a Roman who converted many souls. However, he was tried to be executed by the Roman emperors for spreading blasphemy against the Roman gods. He was a very valiant man, and I look up to him greatly. I want to be like him, strong and swift-witted. I don't want to be afraid. I want to stand up for what I believe in. And I don't believe in what I have to do here.

I tucked my dark chestnut hair under my cap and settled the brim correctly on my forehead. I quietly stood from my perch on the side of my bed and walked from the room, closing the door softly behind me. The manor was dark, so I don't think that anyone has gotten up yet. Something that piques my curiosity is that Sebastian does not share a room with the rest of the male servants. Back in my household, the head butler would only get a very comfortable bed and slightly more room to store his things –as well as a bigger payment. He still slept in the same room as the other servants. This difference confuses me –he must hold some type of favoritism. Or is it just that my family is weird in our housing arrangements? We are very strange, so that wouldn't be unbelievable.

I wonder when that Arabian man will come to court Marie. Could he be the one…? No, probably not. Marie is very stubborn in her childish beliefs in true love. In her fantasies, she'd probably think that I'll fall in love with Ciel –which will obviously not happen. Even if the boy is pleasing to the eye, it's not like his personality strikes me as worthy of my affections. Now that I think about it, that boy really is pleasing to the eye. Really damned pleasing. Not that I see anything in him anyways –I'm just thinking like a girl. Because I am one. Isn't that what girls are supposed to think? About how aesthetic males are? If not, then I guess I'm a bad girl. From my dealings with the lower-class boys, I know that males tend to … ahem… relish on feminine charm more than they should. They always found me weird when I didn't take part in the… adulation. Sometimes, they would suggest that the reason why I didn't was because I was a girl! Of course, they were right with their suspicions, but it's not like I could tell them that!

Shaking my head, I continued down the hallway, the thick soles of my boots making slight clicking sounds. I should at least try and eat something this morning. I woke up later than usual yesterday –having almost killed Finnian when Sebastian clapped loudly to wake us up –and I didn't get breakfast. Normally what I have is a simple piece of fruit or a slice of bread if I'm lucky. Honestly, I don't know what's available currently, so I guess I should try and find out. As far as I know, Phantomhive doesn't have any orchards like we do back on my estate. I grew up eating healthy –since Elise didn't feed me, I had to find food myself. Sometimes, I would walk through the trees and grab fruit from the branches then wash them in the small brook that ran through our property. It's a very pretty, babbling thing, and it feeds into a larger stream that runs the length of our property. The water is crystal clear and fast moving, polishing the black rocks that line the streambed.

One of my cousins, Lei Zhu very much enjoys picking up the smooth rocks at the bottom and using them for massages. Her current residence is in China, but she and her husband, Ju-Long, and their son, Kang, visit as often as they can. Lei is very pretty, with dark brown eyes and short, feathery brown hair. She has a slight build, but is very good at martial arts. I believe that I will end up being very petite as well, so she's a very large inspiration to me. Even in our family, when strength, speed and intelligence is expected, she's excelled beyond many of the men's limits. I want to be like her. However, I don't believe that I feel any emotional connection other than adulation and my need to emulate her.

My thoughts turned, going back to my home.

It's a beautiful place, with large green plains, and a very rustic feel. My family has been occupying it for some time –ever since the Viking days when we were the Bächström's. When our family helped conquer England when Scandinavia ruled the world, we succeeded in taking all the land we now possess. We basically sit on a large Viking fortune –along with our own business in weaponry. When my ancestors decided to try and "make nice" with the native Anglo's, they took the Middle English name of Brooks, which roughly translated is the same as Bächström. This worked since there is a brook in our territory. As far as I am aware, we have never given up any of our present land, and have divided it up amongst ourselves. The largest landowner is, of course, the head of the family, currently my father, then Rosalie, then Melissa. The Greensvitch's come next, and after them are the other, older persons –like my Great Grandfather Henry and my Grandfather George. They each have a smaller home, more like a large cottage, and 7 acres in their possession. All of the land is equally aesthetic and fertile, something we pride ourselves on.

We also have many animals. While we don't have livestock we can consume, we do have many different types of horses, dogs and a few cats. Felines aren't very popular with most of the members in my family; this is caused by the fact that having a cat doesn't really benefit you in any way. It's not like they'll follow your orders or do what you want.

The rants in my mind kept my attention until I made it into the kitchen. I yawned, stretched and looked around, trying to locate the fruit. I rummaged around, opening cabinet after cabinet after cabinet, only to be greeted with the same stomach dropping displeasure of not finding anything. If I knew where it was, I would have checked the pantry, but this kitchen is styled very differently than my own, and since I obviously don't know where anything is…

I sighed. Maybe I should try to wake up Bardroy. Or just ask him where the pantry is and he could go back to sleep.

Then again, I did wake him up last night with my fit and he'd most likely be very tired today. The sudden appearance of my family must have caused my series of nightmares. That must be the cause. I frowned at the thought of Elise as I bent down and stared at the door of the last cabinet. She'd just left. In our "house" we slept in the same room, yet I didn't see her go. I just thought that she had been going out for a nightly walk –she'd often take those, maybe meet a few people, then come back. But she didn't. She never came back. Not even for my tenth birthday. My face flushed with anger and I slammed the cabinet with a loud:

Bang!

Before huffing with pent up frustration, turning around and laying eyes on an irritated Sebastian.

"Samuel, what are you doing?" he asked, putting a hand to his face.

"Looking for something to eat, sir," I answered, bowing my head slightly.

He gave me a pitying look, "Lord Samuel, the pantry is right over here," he gestured to a white door built into the white wall with a white handhold to slide it open. I scowled.

"I couldn't see it," my tone was defensive as I glared at him.

He smirked, "Coming from one with your background, I'm surprised. Is it not in your capability to find and destroy something?"

My face flushed with rage, but I made no comment as I spun on my heel and stalked to the pantry, roughly pulling the door open and surveyed the contents.

"I'd have assumed that you'd know how to search without making a racket loud enough to wake the young Master."

The color drained from my face, "I woke Ciel?"

"Yes," Sebastian's tapping footsteps came nearer to me, "the young Lord sent me to inspect the noise. He was having quite a fit."

"Tell him that I apologize for my rudeness. I let my frustration consume me," I told the crimson eyed man, still looking through the pantry with little vigor after his announcement.

"Of course," Sebastian said, "Is there anything else you'd like me to inform him of?"

Even if Sebastian didn't mean anything by the question –since he couldn't know, it wasn't possible –I still felt my heart skip a beat. Tell Ciel of what? My true gender? My family's ulterior motives? The reason my estate is so large? The reason I was drilled so hard as a child? Maybe it's to tell him of who Elise truly is. Is that what Sebastian means? The question is innocent in itself, to another person it'd just be a loyal servant asking another if the apology they were submitting to their angered Master pleased them and explained their intentions well enough. The tone he said it in, a smirk in his voice, the knowing inflections –it all screamed that he knew all of my deepest and darkest secrets –ones that I refuse to think of now.

He can't know.

But, what if he does?

"No," I answered, my voice wavering slightly, "there is nothing else you need to tell him."

"I shall relay your message, young Samuel," his footsteps tapped evenly away –not missing a beat. After I felt Sebastian's overwhelming presence leave the room, I let out a breath of relief I wasn't even aware I was holding. Looking back to the pantry, I spotted an orange -not what I came for, but it was fine –and reached out a shaking hand to grab it. I felt the soft, yet hard peel against my palm and I started to pick at it, getting off little chunks of the outer skin. After the insides were displayed to where I could eat it, I took out the natural slices and bit into one, relishing in the sweetly sour juices that danced around my tongue. I moaned slightly at the taste, the orange's liquid dribbling down my chin as I ate the slices.

"Samantha?" Bardroy's voice called out to me from the doorway. I looked at him from over my shoulder. He had an eyebrow raised as one of his hands smoothed his blonde bedhead down.

"What is it Bardroy?" I inquired, finishing up the orange and letting the peel fall into the waste bin.

"How long have you been up?"

"Since around dawn," I answered, "What time is it now?"

"7 am. Sebastian woke all of us up so we can get everything ready for the Master. Finnian, Tanaka, and Mey-Rin should be in here soon."

"How do you get ready so fast?" I questioned. I've never met anyone outside of my family that has the ability of being quickly assembled for the day.

"Well, I was a soldier. We had to be up and ready to fight at a moment's notice. It's a tough life, but I'm better off because of it."

A yawn came from the edge of the room and a very sleepy, blurry eyed Finnian plopped down at the servants' table. "Morning everyone."

"Good morning, Finny," I greeted, smiling at him as I pat his head. His hair was undeniably soft, and I rustled it some more, finding myself attracted to its sleekness.

"Chin up, lad," Bardroy commanded, removing my hand from Finnian's blonde locks. "We've got work to do."

"But I'm so tired Bardroy!" he protested in a tired tone.

"Sam, go and get Finny something to eat. That should give him an energy boost," Bardroy demanded.

I nodded, and scampered off to the pantry once more, responding, "Aye, Captain!" I could just imagine Bardroy shaking his head at my early morning antics as he brewed tea –most likely for Ciel. I glanced into the pantry's dark corners and pulled out another orange. I lengthened my stride, walking at a swift pace towards Finny. I laid the fruit down before him. He lifted his head up to where his wasn't facing the table and his cheek rested on his arm. He opened his mouth wide.

"Sorry 'bout him," Bardroy said, "Finnian can be pain in the mornings."

I just shrugged and rolled the orange closer to him.

"Ah," Finnian opened his mouth even farther, "I'm tired, can you feed me Sammy?"

Sighing, I sat down next to him and he maneuvered his body to where he was comfortably facing me with his head still on the table, his mouth still gaping open.

"You know Sammy," he began, "from this angle you look exactly like a girl."

Bardroy spit out his glass of water and my eyes widened, "What…? No way, Finnian!"

"I'm just saying. You'd make a really pretty girl, Sam!"

"I-I-I-I-I-I don't know what you're talking about! Ludicrousness! Ridiculousness! You're spewing such nonsense in the early morning hours!" I laughed nervously, ripping off the peel with new vigor. Finnian just shrugged, making his head bob.

"I'm just saying. I know you're not a girl, Sam. You'd have told me and Bardroy!"

"Y-Yeah…" I muttered, taking off a slice.

"Ah," after he made this sound, I put the slice in his mouth and he chewed, "That's really good Sam! Ah…!"

And so it continued until the entire piece of fruit was gone. I grabbed a cloth and wiped the juice from his mouth.

"Thank you Sam," he said nicely, "I feel a lot better now!"

"No problem!" I replied, standing up, "Well, I better go and see to Ciel. I was hired to be his companion after all."

"Hey Sam," Bardroy called, "What else were you hired for?"

"To be his physical instructor and friend," I responded, already heading out the door. I walked with swift-footed grace to the dining room to help Mey-Rin set up. I can't help but feel a slight loathing for the woman. I don't understand why, but I do. Maybe it's because she's allowed to bear her women's weeds?

I swung open the door and stepped inside.

"Oh!" Mey-Rin began, "Samuel, what are you doing in here?"

I shrugged, nonchalant as I turned on an aloof manner, "I just came to see if you needed any help. Isn't that what servants are supposed to do?"

"Bardroy and Finny don't help me with the women's work; why are you?" she inquired in a thick Cockney accent as I began setting up Ciel's dining requirements.

"I am but a boy, yet, having a twin sister makes me well versed in women's work as you so call it."

"Well, I guess that makes partial sense…"

I shrugged once more, continuing an indifferent air as I folded the napkin into a crisp rectangle, the flowering pattern facing upwards. Mey-Rin looked over my shoulder then continued wiping down the table. My family had left the dining room in some disarray.

"I'm also helping due to the fact that my relatives caused this disastrous environment."

"That makes sense," she said again, most likely mentally questioning me. I think I'm doing pretty well actually. Yet…

He'll find out one day…

I know that the fact is true, but deep down, I refuse to believe it. Ciel can't find out, he can't know that I'm a girl. If he does then I'll be sent home and be subjected to the explosive wrath of my father who –while he's better –has taken up drinking again ever since Terrance was murdered by the people they were trying to assassinate or save, or whatever they were doing that dark night. The door opened and Bardroy, followed by Finnian and Tanaka walked into the dining room. I followed their example and lined up in between Finnian and Bard. Just then, Sebastian opened the door, followed by a cold Ciel. Ciel then sat down and started to eat the food that Bardroy heaped onto his plate –consisting of a scone, two eggs, and a strip of meat as well as Earl Grey tea. Ciel took a bite and I inwardly cringed. I know he's not a Catholic… but he still said no prayer over his food whatsoever. While I may be hypocritical in that aspect since I normally forget to bless the food, I still get angry when others don't.

Ciel wiped his mouth and fixed his blue gaze on me.

"Samuel," he began, "I would appreciate it if you'd organize my office. Set it up properly for my arrival. Sebastian will accompany you to be sure you're doing your job correctly."

I nodded, inwardly cringing, "Yes sir."

I left my place beside Finnian and then headed out of the dining room, my earlier encounter with Sebastian weighing heavily on my mind. Sebastian followed me close behind and I subconsciously crossed my arms behind my back, walking slightly faster as my heart fluttered inside of my chest due to nervous anticipation. The muscles in my legs trembled, jittered as I felt the need to run away, flee from the man behind me. He made my chest constrict and my breath come harder from my lungs. Everything about him, down to the way he walked and held himself –his perfect face –all screamed that he wasn't normal.

"So," I started, trying to ease the anxiety I felt, "what exactly does Ciel need me to do? How should I begin to organize?"

"Alphabetize his work papers," Sebastian drew even with me and looked down at me through crimson orbs, "Then set them in stacks based on subject. Afterwards, put them together in order of importance –older dates trump the newer documents."

"I see," I said, "Sebastian, how long have you been hired under Ciel?"

"I have been with the young Master for two years," he sent me a look, "Lady Samantha."

I stopped dead in my tracks, my instincts telling me to flee and get out of here as fast as I could. My breath froze in my lungs and my heart slammed into my ribcage, as if it was an untamed beast trying to break free of the restrictions. I could feel the throbbing in my head as my heartbeat sped up, pushing blood faster through my body, "W-What?"

"You heard exactly what I said, my Lady."

"W-What are you talking about?" I stuttered, "I'm not a dame! I'm a boy –I'm a bright young lad!"

"Samantha, why are you lying when you know that it's pointless to do so?" Sebastian turned to face me, backing me up against a wall. I shrunk back in fear, my lungs heaving to pull in oxygen that wouldn't come. A small whimper left me.

"I-I-I… I'm not lying!" I protested, my voice rising in pitch to its original, female form despite myself. Sebastian's white gloved hand placed itself underneath my chin and he pulled my head up to face him. He frowned.

"Such a stubborn girl…" he sighed, "Your efforts are futile, Miss Brooks."

My bottom lip trembled, it's all over now, "How did you know?"

He leaned down, an intimidating smile on his face as he brought himself down to meet my eyes directly, "Haven't you figured it out? I know everything."

Oh, my dearest Samantha! I know everything, love~!

"Y-You really could make a replacement Elise…" my breath hitched in my throat.

"Elise?"

"Yes," I answered, slightly confused. He was so similar to her, yet so different, "Elise Hathaway."

Sebastian's face remained impassive as he let me go and began to turn away, "Come Lady Samantha, let us not dally."

I nodded dumbly and stumbled after him on wobbly legs, head spinning. He knew. He knew. He knows who I am.

"Does Ciel know?" I called out. Sebastian turned his head slightly.

"No," the man told me, "He is unaware."

"W-Will you tell him…?"

"Not unless he commands me," Sebastian remarked, "I find the progress very interesting and will enjoy watching how it plays out."

"So… you don't care?"

"I care greatly for the Master."

"I thought you'd have told him straight away," I said, "I assumed you lived to serve him."

"Ah, Samantha," Sebastian paused, "My bond with the young Lord is something your mind will never be able to comprehend. I feel no love for the child, I only desire something he possesses –my ultimate payment. I will do anything to do receive it –I will help him reach his goal."

"What? Why?"

"I'm just one hell of a butler," he smirked at me, opening the door of Ciel's study. I walked in, only to stop, my heart once more slamming into my ribs. There, standing before me was a woman, tall and lithe, like a cat. She was dressed in a dark blue dress with black lace over the skirt and her long dark hair cascaded down her back. She turned her upper body in a way that no human woman –or man for that matter –ever could and smiled. My eyes met hers –a stunning and inhuman magenta.

One word escaped the confines of my lips.

"Elise…?"

Well, here's the next chapter! I hope that you've enjoyed it and will tell me how you felt whether you were disappointed, amazed, astounded, sad, mad, anything! Heck, tell me about what you got/want for your birthday! I'm all ears!

A few things I want to point out.

For those of you who've been wondering why Sebastian hasn't known/done anything about Sam being a girl, you've got your answer. It's for his own amusement. Sebastian strikes me as the type of guy -if you can call him that -which relishes in making Ciel's life a living hell. Naturally, YMMV on that. So, that's the reason I'm having in my story. Also, yes, Finnian noticed that -GASP!- Sam looks like a girl! Now, for him to notice, he had to look at her from below, he noticed her small shoulders, thin neck, and rounded softly angled face, as compared to the more boxish build of a male. Also, she has her bangs parted to where they cover up the more -ahem- feminine aspects of the female eye, so, when Finnian looked up at her, he saw the long, thick eyelashes and rounded shape. Also, when she was feeding him, he noticed how her hands weren't big like a male's, but dainty like a female's. I think that Finnian is actually smart, but he's also a ditz, so the ditzy part outweighs the smartness that he retains. So, basically, he noticed how female she was then in his mind was like:
"Wow! Sam sure looks like a girl! Oh well~!" and went on his merry way.

So, yes, Sebastian knew already, Bardroy now knows, and Finnian is going to come across the realization later, as is made obvious by this chapter.