Songs of Our Lives
Ch. 9
Willow's P.o.V
Our feet touched down on the cobblestone ground, the townhouse looming before us. Giving everyone an encouraging smile, for the drama waiting for us just beyond the door, I lead the way to the front door. I took a deep breath and opened the door to be met with shock and angry faces. My eyes locked onto Sebastian's. On the outside he had a passive look, like I hadn't just ditched this world, but just below the surface I could see a storm brewing.
Ciel stalked forward and grabbed my collar, bringing me down to his height. Kelly and the other's slipped past us and ushered Madam Red and Lau upstairs so they wouldn't have to witness this.
"What game do you think you're playing?" Ciel hissed. I gently grasped his wrist and pulled it from my shirt.
"Careful, don't want my new shirt to have any wrinkles or stretches." I said casually, walking to the stairs. "Let's talk somewhere else." I led Ciel and Sebastian to my room. Placing my hand on the door I mumbled some Latin and a barrier concealed the room, keeping all sound in, so nobody could eavesdrop. I tossed my bags next to the ones I had left here and took a seat on the foot of the bed while Ciel to the armchair in the corner of the room next to the window. Sebastian standing just next to him.
"So… Ask away!" I waved my hand in a flourish. His one blue eye narrowed angrily at me, I smiled back.
"You knew the Viscount wasn't our guy." He stated.
"Hmm, not a question… But yes." I inspected my nails, my indifference to this entire situation apparent. "I did know that the Viscount wasn't 'our guy', as you say."
"Then why didn't you say so and save us the trouble?!" He shouted, making my ears ring a little.
"No need to shout, I can hear you perfectly clear." My hand rubbed against my pointed ear in attempts to sooth the ringing. "And I didn't tell you because that would be too easy." The bed creaked as I stood up and walked over to the blue-haired boy. My fingers ran through his hair. "I said I would help you with your cases, not do it for you." My voice was cold and sharp.
"Bu-" Ciel started but I cut him off by pressing a finger to his lips.
"Ciel, you need to understand something about me… I'm not the type of being that stops every bad thing from happening to people." My eyes flashed gold, "I'm a creature of balance, as much as I would love for all the bad things to go away, it is my duty to keep the balance. Whether it be by stopping a murder or being the murderer." I said solemnly.
As much as I hate to admit it, I must keep the balance… I haven't exactly kept up with that lately, only going after monsters, that includes humans who are monsters in their own right. I can feel the imbalance in my soul, the demon in me fighting to escape and regain balance… by killing those who do not deserve to die…
"…Then… That's fine…" Ciel mumbled looking away, out the window. "But where were you? I didn't see you at all after the Ball?" Ciel inquired, looking back at me. I chuckled and rubbed the back of my neck, taking a step back.
"Oh… Um… I had Steven take us back to the world I had come from… We stayed there for about a month." I explained. Both master and servant's eyes widened.
"A month?" Ciel asked out of shock.
I explained the entire situation to him and how we had brought back two more people that can be trusted. Ciel didn't look too happy about having to house more people but he'll get over it, I'm sure he'll get along just fine with Ryan.
For the rest of the day Ciel and Sebastian worked on the case with a few hints from me. Kelly and the others had gone to explore London, making sure blend in with the current fashions. Sebastian and I tried avoid each other as much as possible, but the moment the thought crossed our minds and we were too far from the other, a searing pain flooded our bodies. We begrudgingly occupied the same room put on opposite sides.
Soon the sky began to grow darker and rain poured down on London, my group returned to the townhouse drenched to the bones because they insisted that it wasn't going to rain and they didn't take a carriage. I scolded them all in my mom voice before allowing them to go dry themselves.
Madam Red arrived soon after them and roped Ciel into a game of chess, I sat by idly polishing one of my katana; Madam Red would send me nervous glances every few moments, I merely grinned widely at her.
Grell botched the tea and The Madam exploded on him. So far this night has been terribly boring. They reminisced the day Ciel's parents were killed and how Madam Red remembers how she felt when he was born.
I could feel her remorse in waves that made me feel like I was drowning, but an equal rage battled for dominance. She didn't know what she wanted deep down; The influence of Grell is what makes her believe that killing is what she truly wants. My heart went out to both her victims but also her.
Ciel stood and kissed his aunt's cheek before announcing that he was to retire. Grell returned then with fresh tea that would go to waste.
"Why must that child bear that kind of pain and coldness at such a young age…?" Madam Red sighed, resting her chin on her folded hands.
"Master is the type of person who will work tirelessly towards something once he has made up his mind. Even if the path he chooses is long and dark… or even cold and merciless…" Sebastian responded to the Madam's rhetorical question.
"Even so, Sebastian, it does not mean he can't have people there to support him on any path he chooses." I sipped the tea Grell had served me, the slightly salty taste making me cringe… "Which is why Ciel is lucky to have his Aunt here for him." I smiled gently at the red haired woman.
Was I pulling a cheap trick, yes. Yes, I was. But it's for her own good as well as Ciel's, whose happiness is my main concern.
Madam Red gave me an awkward smile that reeked of guilt.
"Yes, but during his most painful times, I was not by his side." She said, trying to get out of the trap I had her in.
"True. But I know that Ciel is truly grateful that you are here for him now, because you are family. Just being beside him is enough, so please continue to support him." I pleaded with her, trapping her completely.
"I-I…" She struggled to find words. Opting out of respond to nod her head solemnly. I smiled knowingly.
"Is something the matter, Madam? Something you'd like to talk about?" From next to me I felt the suppressed irritation coming from Grell. "What about you Grell?"
A hand was placed on my shoulder and I looked up to see Sebastian's red eyes.
"Miss Willow, I'm sure if the Madam had something to share she would. Because of her love and loyalty towards her nephew, of course." He said with a sickly sweet voice. I nodded my agreement.
"You're right. I'm sorry if my question made you at all uncomfortable." I stood and bowed my head slightly. "If you'll excuse me, I think I'll retire for the night." I exited the room with as much grandeur I could muster.
Once I was out of the room I slouched my shoulders and cleared my throat, acting all posh as I have been, has been tiring. Kelly and the others are lucky, having been lounging in Steven's room so they didn't have to deal with all these formalities.
I trudged to Ciel's room, entering without knocking. He shot up in bed with a panicked look. I said nothing as I plopped down next to him and pulled him into a hug. He struggled against my arms.
"W-wha- Willow… What…" He stuttered as I just rested my cheek against the top of his head.
"Hey, Ciel?" He stilled at my voice his hands loosely grasping at my forearm that went over his chest.
"Y-yeah?"
"Even if all of your pawns leave you, I'll always be here for you… I'll always protect you. Even from Sebastian…" I muttered, feeling said demon's presence outside the door. I know he heard me.
Ciel relaxed in my arms. I let my lips pull into a content smile.
"Do… Do you know who Jack the Ripper is?" He asked quietly. I nodded my head slowly.
"I do, but so do you Ciel. You've always known who it is, you just didn't want to believe it."
I felt his grip on my arm tighten.
()()**()()
Ciel shivered from next to me as we stood guard in front of Mary Kelly's apartment. We being Ciel, Sebastian and I. We had left the others back at the townhouse to make sure any undesirables don't get in.
Good thing I brought one of my old tattered jackets that won't stand out too much as Ciel rejected Sebastian's fancy trench. I pulled the jacket from my tiny Mary Poppins bag. It had a spell on it that repel water. I passed it to Ciel who gratefully took it and putting on, the fabric being slightly too big for him.
They spoke idly about the case as I became lost in thought. I can save them… I can… According to Jackson, there is so much I can do as Life Source, such as being able to bring the dead back to life… But I can't even keep a fish alive…
We were all interrupted by a piercing scream, the three of us jumping into action. I grabbed Ciel's arm and pulled him to me before he could see what lays beyond the door. Sebastian kicked it in with a swift movement.
Despite Ciel not seeing, the smell of blood was enough to make the thirteen-year-old empty his stomach. I smoothed his hair down with one hand, the other covering his eyes. His hands clutching my jacket tightly. Still so innocent…
"That was rather over the top, it's all over the floor…" Sebastian commented casually as if it wasn't a dead woman he was talking about. "Jack the Ripper- No… Grell Sutcliff."
The meek looking butler stepped out of the shadows covered in blood. His glasses glinted in the moonlight. He protested against Sebastian's accusation. The demon quickly shooting him down.
"I must say, it's the first time I've encountered one of your kind in the human world. Didn't you act so convincingly?" Grell was silent at first before grinning like the madman he was.
"Is that so~~?" He slowly took apart his disguise, his hair going from brown to shocking red and his teeth pointing into shark teeth. "That's correct! I'm an actress~ And a top rate one at that!"
"Hm, I always found your acting ability lackluster… But that's just because I'm the inspiration for the Preforming Arts." I smirked at the red reaper that now stood before us.
"And you would be? You're not human, but I've never seen something like you." Grell sent me an unimpressed look, peering over his glasses at me. I simply grinned allowing my power pour over him.
"Oh, no one important. Just your Boss's Boss!" As the Life Source I can control both Death and Life, I'm essentially God's right hand man… woman… "The Life Source was created by God himself to keep the balance in his world and all the dimensions within it. And you Grell Sutcliff, have tipped the scales."
"So that's what you are… I had thought you were going to out us earlier, but you're just a little girl trying to be a Goddess. You have so much to learn!"
Grell took a step back as my eyes glowed gold, his pointy grin turning to a wide frown when I released more of my power over him. I noticed his posture slouch a bit. I returned the frown with an amused smile.
"I may have a lot to learn still but I can still kill you. But, I find myself to be quite bored, so put on a good show for me and I might change my mind." I didn't want this to end so quickly, as this wasn't about e currently, but about Ciel.
"Though I must put in a word of warning, even if you do change my mind of not killing you, there will be intense consequences. It sickens me to even think that a being like you would do this." I add.
"Indeed, a Death God resulting to such savage ways, and for what?" Sebastian put in.
"Oh right… Well you could say I've been captivated by a woman…" Grell cooed.
"That woman is…?" Ciel asked from my arms. I tighten my grip on him slightly but her removed my arms from him as a voice spoke from inside the house. The regret and despair was stifling.
"You don't really have to ask, do you?" Madam Red stepped out from the shelter of the building into the rain.
"Madam Red." Ciel's voice was dull and his eyes were blank, even for me, a being who felt emotion could hardly detect any shred of sadness or hurt. My heart went out for him. This betrayal of his aunt, the last thing he had of his mother, hurt him to the point he was dead inside.
"My calculations were wrong… who would have thought the person to uncover Grell's real identity would be people by your side, Ciel."
"From the very beginning you were on the list of suspects; However, your alibi was perfect." Ciel wiped his mouth of his sick with the sleeve of the jacket I gave him.
"How terrible Ciel, you would suspect on of your own?"
"What's terrible is that you would do this known that he would eventually find out it was you. You knew he would find out yet you acted selfishly and thought nothing of your only family's feelings. Humans can truly be such self-centered monsters." I snapped at the doctor.
"Ah, Willow, I had hoped we could have been friends… It's such a shame that it has come to this." She lamented is a sarcastic tone. I scoffed.
"Please." I laughed. "You don't have to keep pretending, Madam Red." My amusement vanished from my face and voice, to be replaced by gentle understanding. "I know what you're feeling, even though I've never experienced it before. Please…" I reached out a hand towards her."
Her blue eyes flickered for a brief moment before her raged showed through.
"You know nothing of what I feel!" At her shout Grell shot forward with his chainsaw going straight for Ciel and I. Sebastian jumped in front of us, grabbing the rotary blade by the sides.
"W-what is that?" Ciel asked in shock.
"It's a Death Scythe." I answered. "Grim Reapers use them to collect souls, but Grell's is a little over the top…"
"Oh please! My death scythe is magnificent! It can cut through anything! Even silly little goddesses who try to play with the big kids!" Grell came at me again, I pushed Ciel to Sebastian, drawing my two katana, crossing them in a 'X' in front of me.
"Maybe not everything, Grell. As long as my soul's intact, my Amaterasu and Daichi will not be cut."
"Shining over Heaven and Great Earth, huh? Fitting names for the swords of Heaven and Earth~ But you're missing one!" Grell jumped back and we faced off, looking for an opening. I raised an eyebrow at his comment.
"Missing one?" I asked, rushing at him only to disappear and reappear behind him to slice at his back, he spun to block but swords. Sparks flew in our faces, illuminating Grell's features in an ominous shade as he spoke.
"Of course, dearie! You didn't think it was just Heaven and Earth did you?" He went to kick my legs out from under me but I leapt over his booted foot and used Daichi, who was in my right hand to slice at his leg.
The cut made him loose his balance momentarily, but it was enough for me to knock his scythe away and land a heavy kick to his chest. He flew into the brick wall across from the door of Mary Kelly's home.
"That hurt, you little brat!" He screeched, waving his scythe wildly. I shrugged and walked back to Sebastian, patting his shoulder.
"You can play with him; it'll be more interesting."
"Sebastian, in the name of Her majesty and my own wretched name, I command you! Capture them!
Sebastian pulled his glove tighter over his hand with his teeth, his eyes glowing with hellfire.
"Yes, My Lord."
I approached Ciel while digging through my bag. I pulled out a vial with a bright orange liquid in it. Popping off the cork I handed it to Ciel.
"It'll keep you warm for now." I explained as I heard Sebastian and Grell battling it out behind me. Ciel took the potion hesitantly as I pulled the hood up on the jacket for him, to keep his head from getting any more soaked.
Once Ciel took the orange substance he turned to Madam Red who had been silent until now.
"Why?"
"Why…? You're asking me now, how do you expect me to answer?" She smirked, but her eyebrows were drawn up in a pained expression. From all the power I let loose her natural instinct as a human is kicking in. She's become more perceptible to my influence, just as Kelly was on time her life.
Ciel on the other hand has a much stronger mind than Madam Red and Kelly when I first met her. He isn't as receptive to my power, but I've noticed his opening up more and more each day.
"You and I have become 'guard dog' and 'prey'." She drew a knife from her jacket, if you weren't a guard dog of this place and became the hunted instead… THEN THERE WOULD ONLY BE ONE PATH FOR YOU!" She lunged forward stupidly, as I was standing right next to Ciel. I stood in front of the blue eyed boy and I felt the dull pain of the knife sliding in between my ribs.
"W-Willow!" Ciel breathed. I turned my head to smile at him, his body rigid and eye wide.
"It'll take a lot more than this to kill me, or even hurt me. It kinda tickles." I reassured with a lie. This shit doesn't tickle! It hurts! But it is true that this won't kill me, not even put my life in danger.
"B-but Madam!" Ciel turned his wide gaze to his aunt, I could see the child in him showing now. He feared his aunt right now, because she's someone he loves but he never thought of her capable of something as this. "As a doctor, why did you have to murder people?" He asked in a pleading voice.
"EVEN IF I TOLD A LITTLE BRAT LIKE YOU, YOU WOULDN'T UNDERSTAND!" She pulled the knife from my body and tried to go for Ciel again. I simply wrapped my hands around her middle, holding her in place. My face buried in her shoulder.
She yelled like a wild animal and tried to get me to release her. But I held tightly onto her, I felt her walls breaking. Her body thrashed against my arms and he stabbed the knife repeatedly in my back, but I took it for her, for Ciel.
"Madam, please. Look at him, look at your nephew… See how much he looks like her." I soothed in her ear. Her body stilled but the knife was still in my back. "Please, let me help you."
"S-sister…" She mumbled. I nodded and held her more gently, rubbing my cheek on her shoulder.
"Yes. He's your sister's son; the man that you loved, that's his son." I smiled gently as I felt the knife slide out of my back. "I may not have experienced what you have gone through Madam, but the path you are walking will not make you feel any better, and it will hurt those who love you… Set aside your rage and vengeance and live for the people who are with you now."
"Set it… aside…?" Her voice made it seem like she was in a trance.
"Yes... please be there for him."
"Be there… For Ciel…" Madam Red's body relaxed against mine. I smiled widely as her arms came up to warp around me. A golden light surrounded us as I felt her anger and despair leave her soul.
"You have been forgiven and saved, Angelina." I whispered to her. "Your days as Jack the Ripper are now over."