Chapter 10

The night passed slowly as Annalise tossed and turned in her small bed. She and Ciel agreed to search for Roy in the morning but she couldn't sleep with anxiety flowing through her body. She hopped out of bed and put on her shoes. Her hands went up to her head as she grabbed her hair in frustration. Everything was falling apart. Roy went missing, her parents need money, she fell in love with an engaged man, and her father is dying. Dying… she never thought of it like that.

Annalise blinked hard and pushed the door open. It creaked when the old wood had pressure on it, but something caught her eye. The light reflecting her black camera shined in her eyes and she was tempted to take it with her. She shook her head and walked away, but sprinted back to snatch her camera. She should at least take some more pictures; she was leaving in two days.

The raven haired girl stepped out into the gloomy environment with a gentle breeze. Annalise tried to remember her way to Ciel's house through the forest, hoping for a chance to bumping into Roy. How much she ached for his warm and comfort yet she let him down. Annalise knew Roy's feelings for her, but the idea of loving a demon hound hadn't crossed her mind. She brought up her camera and snapped a picture of a bare tree and its acute shadows. She wasn't sure if they'd go in her scrapbook but the thought of taking pictures took her mind off her the perilous reality.

Annalise brought down her camera and realised she was lost in the middle of the forest. She bit her lip, nervous and angry because she wasn't paying attention to her surroundings. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath but an aroma hit her nose. It was a faint smell of earth and burnt wood. Annalise crept closer to the smell and heard a small rustle to her right. As she snapped her head towards the sound, she jumped a little in her skin. Roy, a large brown demon hound, towered over her and the fallen trees. His breathing was calm and relaxed and his eyes closed. She sneakily walked closer to him, trying to not to wake him up. Butterflies flew in her stomach and she was finally excited to find Roy. Suddenly, his ears perked up and his head rose in the air. He turned towards Annalise and looked deep in her eyes.

She saw confusion and loneliness in those large sandy yellow eyes. Annalise couldn't help but noticed the beautiful pale blue and white light casting on his beautiful long fur. She slowly reached out to pet his face but Roy stood up and zoomed down the opposite direction, deeper into the forest, and away from her. His speed was incredibly faster than hers, outrunning her in seconds.

"Wait up!" Annalise called out to the demon hound but it didn't stop for her. In a frantic situation, Annalise stepped on her shoe and tripped herself. She landed on the hard, dirt ground and coughed when the dust kicked up in the air. Her camera skidded to her left, cracking when it collided with a nearby tree trunk. Annalise got up halfway but she had scraped her knee and it wouldn't let her stand up. She pounded her fist at the ground and realised tears were flowing onto her cheeks. She was frustrated with everything to the moment she started crying about it. Annalise wasn't a strong girl, even though she tried so hard to look like it, but everything got on her nerves.

Roy halted at the sound of teardrops falling onto the ground as he walked back to where Annalise laid. She felt his nose rub against her face as she looked up to see Roy with a forgiving look. She hugged his head, holding it close to her, and felt the warmth and comfort from Roy. She was sorry for whatever she had done to cause Roy to feel his pain as she kissed the top of his head. Annalise heard a small whine coming from deep his throat and giggled. She didn't want Roy to be depressed so she put on her best smile.

"Come here, Roy. I'll take a picture with you." Annalise limped over to pick up her camera. Her leg gave out as she slightly fell but Roy caught her this time. She grinned and held up the camera. Annalise opened the cap and captured the picture from the exposure. When she recapped it, Roy tilted his head, questioning Annalise about something. She couldn't quite understand it until she remembered about Ciel. Her heart sank at his name, making her want to cry, but she held her ground this time.

The day was just beginning with the sun high in the air, a beautiful sunrise, and Roy didn't want to waste it. Roy couldn't help but to understand Annalise. He was the wrong one anyway; he should have known Annalise's feelings for Ciel, he should had understood that his feelings were selfish. He put his nose into the air, smelling the breeze that wafted past. There was the light stroking of Annalise's soft fingers along his back which soothed his skin. Oh, that felt nice… His ears perked up to the soft sound of her groaning. Wait, why was Annalise groaning? Did he do something wrong? Roy scrambled to get up and face her, the soft, "Nnnh…" of her voice melting in his ears. She rubbed her head in a circular motion, kind of like what Ciel does when he was stressed out. What's wrong? Roy sniffed her face in concern. She smelt of honey, salt, sadness, and fear. Roy didn't know what to do, but he tried to lick her face to cheer her up. That's what best friends do for each other right? A smile crept over Annalise's face and she giggled a little, her teeth gleaming in the sunlight.

"I'm okay Roy. I'm okay…" her voice drifted off as her smile disappeared again. He nudged her with his nose, pushing her forward. Roy needed to know what's wrong with Annalise, or else he wouldn't be able to help. She sighed, and clutched his fur tightly, but it didn't hurt Roy. He didn't mind how she supported herself on him.

"What can I do Roy?" she first whispered with a wavering voice. Her eyes looked sullen and down with the reflection of her gripping hands shining off of them, "My family needs money, or else I'm going to leave. My father might die too and I don't know what to do. I love my family, but I also love you and-," she stuttered, tears pushing their ways past the corner of her eyes, "-Ciel. I don't want to leave you guys!" She declared, stuffing her face into Roy's fur. He felt something soaking his coat wet and thought maybe Annalise was crying. It made Roy want to cry as well; he didn't want her to always be sad but he declared Annalise was strong because she cried silently on his body. Roy closed his eyes while he let Annalise hold onto him. Annalise was leaving, even though she doesn't want to. She shook while she hung on, so Roy put a reassuring head on her shoulder. It okay, Roy's here.

"Is that true?" a boy's voice was heard behind them. Roy picked up his head and his tail wagged automatically to the sound of Ciel's voice. Roy couldn't stay mad at his master; it wasn't Ciel's fault that he was so cool. Ciel was looking seriously at Annalise, staring straight into her eyes, as if searching for the answer to Annalise's happiness. Annalise's head pulled out of the fur, brown tufts of it clumping out into the air as she replied, "Ciel?" Annalise's voice went from a high surprise to a low voice of grief. Her heart raced as she let out a small gasp, she didn't want him to know that she was leaving. She was planning to disappear without him realizing it. "It's okay, I'm fine though. You don't have to worry." Annalise gave him a weak smile as Ciel stared for a little while longer, and then closed his eyes, contemplating on what to do.

"If you want, I can hire you to be my professional photographer," he supposed, opening his eyes to stare at the camera that she held. Annalise stared in those eyes as if they were her saviors, and Roy looked at them too, finding the soft kindness that he remembered that Ciel showed him when he was just a stray. Annalise waved her hands around, broken through that trance that she was in.

"No need! You don't have to! I'll be fine by myself," she disapproved sharply, standing up to Roy's surprise. Ciel just came up to her and smiled warmly, "But I want to." Roy stood up and felt the wind rush behind him as he wagged his tail, he wanted Annalise to stay too! Annalise stared at the both of them, and couldn't resist between the two beings that she loved. Maybe leaving wouldn't be so bad if she left knowing that these two loved her.

"Alright, I'll take pictures, but for free," she smiled, and this time was a true smile, Roy knew it.

Next Day

Roy awoke peacefully to the sound of the birds chirping their little songs and the light streaming into the room through the window. Completely refreshed and ready for some playing with Annalise, shaking his whole body such that fur clumped off into the room. He was disheartened that Annalise didn't want to stay, but still, she seemed happier than before. If she was happy, then he was happy too! His maw opened wide into a yawn, tears appearing at the corners of his eyes. Weird how he cries every time he yawns. Ciel does that too. Thinking of Ciel…

Roy turned his eyes onto the neatly made bed that held no Ciel in its covers. That's very strange, usually Roy was the one to wake up before Ciel, and the one to bark Ciel out of bed (to Sebastian's distaste). Where was Ciel then? Maybe playing with Annalise? Roy scrunched up his nose in jealousy, why did Ciel get to play with Annalise more than him? Roy loved Annalise too! In anger Roy ran out of the room and was faced with Finny and Pluto. It seemed like there was a commotion outside with colorful things floating about and banners streaming above the ground. What was happening? Roy wanted to take a peek and see what the house was up to, but Finny stopped him by opening his arms to squish Roy into a bear hug.

"Don't go yet Roy! There's nothing to see here!" Finny said nervously with a funny looking smile. Roy huffed at him. What did he mean nothing to see? Roy can tell that there is definitely something to see in the outdoors. Pluto agreed with a bark and tackled Roy with a friendly nip to the ear. Roy was tempted to play as well, but just then he heard a voice that he had wanted to hear all morning.

"Um, how many balloons go here again?" she asked with a confused ring to her voice. What was she doing? Roy struggled to get out of Finny and Pluto's grip, but he just flailed about with no effect. I want to see her! He whined. The two barricaders had a understanding shine in their eyes, but no more. Roy growled and whined, hating how they pitied him, hated how he was so confused, and hated how he couldn't see the girl he loved.

Fueled by an extra push of motivation he shook his whole body unexpectedly, throwing off the guard of the two who were pinning him down. Roy took the chance to fly off into the direction of Annalise's voice, not hearing Finny shout out, "Wait Roy! The party is not ready yet!"

Roy's heart pounded in his chest in a flurry of heart beats while he ran desperately towards the one he loved. The wind brushed past his fur swiftly as his paws pelted the ground in a flurry, dirt flying out behind him in clumps that his paws had unconsciously dug up. Annalise turned slightly as if she felt his presence approaching from behind. Her eyes widened as she finally saw the huge demon hound racing towards her with his ears flinging about in a circular motion while he ran.

"Ah, stop Roy!" she shouted, flinching as she readied herself for the impact. Broken from the trancelike state, Roy shook his head, seeing Annalise only a few meters away from him. He dug his paws into the dirt, pieces of soil billowing outwards and falling on top of Annalise's body lightly. He pulled his weight back to stop himself and he slowed down at six metres, four metres, two metres, ten centimetres, and then finally pulling into a full stop at one centimetre away from Annalise's legs, the momentum causing Roy's nose to bump into hers with a squish.

Annalise opened her eyes to find a panting demon hound in front of her, looking deep into her eyes. Roy smiled with his teeth gleaming in the sun. He found her! Roy couldn't resist a big, sloppy kiss with the tongue that he implanted on Annalise's entire cheek.

"Ah, Roy!" she laughed, hugging his huge face with her arms. Roy gave his own hearty laugh with a deep rumble of his throat. He wanted to bark, but he didn't want Annalise to let go. His tail swished wildly behind him in a blurry motion. He couldn't contain his excitement!

"No!" a defeated cry was heard behind them. Annalise and Roy looked over the demon hound's furry shoulders to find a very agitated Ciel, clutching his blue hair with a huge frown on his face.

"Bocchan, frowning will give you wrinkles…" Sebastian said behind him, seeming to appear out of nowhere. Sebastian glared at Roy right in the eyes, and Roy glared back, static seeming to jump in between the ferocious connection. Ciel, meanwhile, was still fuming muttering, "Finny and Pluto, those brats. They completely ruined the surprise." Annalise came over and patted his head lightly with a smile on her face.

"There there, it's not like there was any harm done. Even if we ruined the surprise, Roy will still be able to celebrate the party," she spoke as if she sang it with an optimistic ring to it. Ciel looked up with a small blush coloring his cheeks and patted his hair while he composed himself.

"Yes, you're right indeed. The party will commence," he ordered, Sebastian bowing and broke the stare from Roy. Yes! Roy has won for now! He almost jumped when Annalise stroked his back, not realizing that she was behind him.

"Hey Roy!" she laughed with a huge grin on her face, "Ciel has something to say to you!" Ciel cleared his throat, as if trying to look as manly and professionally as possible. His eyes lowered in embarrassment to what he had to say next, "Hey Roy, you remember that time? When I first let you into the mansion? Well, today is our first anniversary!" He shouted and flung his arms up. Right when he swung his arms, an explosion of confetti and balloons showered before the while backyard, and Roy looked at all of the tiny papers and floating balloons in wonder. Roy then returned his gaze to Ciel, which smiled warmly at him with such kind eyes.

A huge puff of smoke appeared and he had changed into a crying, laughing, and happy pile of mush. Roy ran towards a Ciel (as Ciel looked away and pulled his arms out in defense to what was coming next) and hugged him, rubbing his teary face into Ciel's fancy clothing.

"Roy! Put on some clothes now before we start partying!" Ciel shouted, his face completely beet red in embarrassment. Annalise just laughed and held her belly, completely entertained by the whole scene.

With Sebastian's unwilling help and a struggling demon hound, Roy was fitted into a plain collared white shirt with buttons. His pants were brown plain, or "commoner's clothes" as Ciel would put it. And best of all, he was going commando. Sebastian gave up on putting underwear on him, and as long as those parts aren't showing, it didn't matter right? Roy came out of the house ready to have fun with his tongue lolling out, some spit drooling out of his mouth, and panting heavily, thrilled to begin.

Ciel rubbed his head a little in response to Roy's outfit and demeanor, but gladly accepted him for the party as long as he was happy. Annalise simply smiled, but Roy loved that smile anyway, so he grinned back, a goofy grin with his eyes squeezed tight and his lips pulled up over his teeth. Annalise just laughed back, making Roy's heart flutter in happiness.

The party began with a flourish of colors with flower petals falling in swirls around the mansion's outside. The first part of the party was a breakfast, which Roy gobbled up quickly and hungrily. Breakfast was the most important meal of the day! There were scones, bread which were baked fresh and warm, sweet sugary crumpets, buttery croissants that make you want to lick your fingers after consumption, and earl grey tea, which Roy didn't really like, but drank anyway to help push down the food when he ate too fast. The other guests that Ciel invited to celebrate, Englishmen had nothing else to do, stared, frozen stiff by the sight of the sloppy mess.

Annalise ate slowly, her small mouth moving in tiny circles to chew the food. She ate little as well, only a little bit of everything that the party had to offer. She finished quietly with a drink from the tea, her face squishing together at the taste.

Ciel plopped himself next to her and Roy, separating them. Ciel himself had curry bread, made just for him by Sebastian. He smiled, asking, "Bitter?" Which Annalise responded with a nod and blush. Roy was a little too busy filling his stomach to listen too closely. Annalise looked at the curry bread, the sweet, spicy, and buttery smell of it wafting into her nose making her sigh.

"You want a piece?" Ciel chuckled, seeing Annalise's reaction. At first Annalise shook her head quickly, but then slowly nodded, the warmth spreading to her ears. Ciel used his small fingers to rip off a piece of the curry bread carefully and brought it to Annalise's lips. The two stayed like that for a while, frozen in time. They didn't breath, didn't move, didn't dare break the moment, until Roy came.

Roy had just finished eating with his belly bulging. He was feeling great! His nose caught a scent that Roy recognized, curry bread. Roy liked curry bread a lot, but even Ciel wouldn't give him much to eat, because Sebastian made it "especially" for Ciel. Roy looked to his side to find Ciel holding a nice piece out to Annalise, and they were acting funny at the same time. Why weren't they moving? And they were just so red too! Roy gave Ciel a nudge, wondering if he could have that piece if Annalise didn't want it.

The sudden push made Ciel's arm go forward and squish the curry bread all over Annalise's lips and face. He sat there with wide eyes for a moment Annalise burst out laughing, small chunks of the bread falling off of her face. Roy huffed, guess he wasn't going to get any curry bread today…

Ciel's frown turned into a smile quickly, and he returned the laugh, grabbing a napkin on the way. Annalise shook her head and just licked her lips, saying, "Tasty!" with such enthusiasm, that Ciel's face was crimson.

Everyone else seemed to be done, so Ciel ordered a dance to be held. Everyone started to grab their partners and swing about in a circular motion. Roy didn't mind dancing, he rather liked that dizzy feeling you feel when you spin around too much. He quickly grabbed Annalise before Ciel was able to, and grabbed her hands in his and spun her widely, literally sweeping her off her feet. Annalise laughed and cried in fear at the same time. Tears fell out of the corner of her eyes, whether it's from the spinning, or laughter or panic was not known.

Ciel waited for Annalise to finish dancing with Roy so that he could dance with her too, until Elizabeth swooped in and curled her fingers against his own.

"It's great to know that you found Roy!" she said, gracefully moving to the beat. Ciel's mouth frowned in surprise, he didn't really expect Elizabeth to come, she didn't really care for Roy anyway.

"Yeah," he muttered, dancing while sneaking glances towards Annalise. Then everyone came together and switched off partners to the dancers to their sides. Ciel grabbed Annalise the second the chance came by. They moved about slowly, making their footsteps light and rhythmic. That meant that Roy went to Elizabeth, who he didn't care for as much. Nonetheless, the dance was for swinging about, so Roy continued to swing his each of his partners that he came upon wildly around.

The dance finished with an extravagant ending to a song of which an orchestra played. There was nothing much to do during a party in England but to eat and dance, but Roy wasn't contented yet. He touched Annalise with his nose, and ran away on all fours, barking loudly for her to follow. Of course Annalise would know what it meant by now. She threw her arms forward and cried, "Let's play tag!" Her first target was of course: Ciel. When he realized that she was coming to him, Sebastian appeared before her as if he had just materialized in front of her.

"Even in this silly game, I must protect my Bocchan," he declared halfheartedly with a slight smirk, and with that Annalise had ran into him in something that looked like a hug. Ciel had begun to run away as to not get caught, but he secretly wished that she had tagged him. Sebastian's eyes gleamed as he looked around for his next target. Of course, his hatred towards Roy made the demon hound the objective. He pushed his foot into the ground and propelled himself towards Roy. Roy scrambled to get away, but cried in pain when Sebastian spanked him hard on the bottom. With a wide smirk he said with a sinister voice, "Tag, you're it."

Roy tried to chase Sebastian in anger, but Sebastian was fast, and at the last second he disappeared in front of another guest. Roy crashed into the guest and they both lay on the ground , sprawled out in pain. Roy the remembered that the tag game was still in play and quickly got out of the way in order to not get tagged again. The other guest rubbed their head and then got up with a smile. The guest started to chase everyone else around, and the game continued on like that with everyone pitching in to play. With so many people running about, it took a while until everyone was completely exhausted, sitting down on the chairs around and fanning themselves with their hands (or with the ladies, their fans).

With everyone exhausted and with the day ending soon, it was decided that the party was over. The sun has started to set anyway, casting an orange and pink glow to everything the light touches. Annalise, Roy, and Ciel stood at the front of the mansion, ready to say their farewells. Annalise grinned sullenly, her eyes showing the sadness of leaving England. Roy whined, still in his human form. Ciel looked down with serious eyes.

They all stood there in silence, until Sebastian appeared, finished with clearing the party from the outside. He looked at the children and sighed, "Bocchan, I'm sure Miss Annalise has to go now."

Ciel's eyebrows furrowed, but he nodded, "Yeah, I know," he looked up to meet her eyes and held out his hand, "It was nice knowing you." Annalise didn't shake his hand, instead she came in close and hugged him, kissing him on the cheek. Ciel's face turned a rosy color as she backed away, smiling such a sad smile. Roy knew that Annalise hated to part with Ciel but he growled, jealous for a moment, until Annalise did the same to him. He whined even more and licked her cheek as she pulled away. She smiled, and whispered, "Good bye." A small sigh escaped between her lips as her back faced Roy and everyone else.

And that was it. She left England the day after.