Chapter 11

The townhouse.

-K

Kagome stared at the letter, the swirled script that seemed so brief. Then again, he had always been a concise man. Anything longer would have been a waste to write anyway.

So, she slipped the letter into an envelope and closed it with the D'Aeth seal. In the corner of the envelope, she scrawled a simple "S" before tossing it into her fireplace. She could expect him to arrive tomorrow evening at the latest.

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Sesshomaru watched the flames in his fireplace dance and flicker, gently glowing and engulfing the small room in warmth. He knew the moment she had thought of him. He felt it in his very bones, an ache that lingered, a warmth that ghosted over his skin.

He knew she would send word soon.

And it was within the hour that the letter arrived, emerging from the ashes pristine and new. Silently, he bent down, reaching through the flame and embers to snatch the crisp envelope. He gracefully tore it open in one swift swipe and emotionlessly, he scanned the contents before tossing it carelessly back into the flames. Cold golden eyes watched the fire reclaim the slip of paper as it darkened and disintegrated into nothing.

It was time to reclaim his fiancé from her little independent adventures and back to reality. She was being far too reckless, and clearly could not handle herself if she needed his assistance. She was still too young a demon; she had yet to learn her lesson.

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Down at breakfast, Souta was happily eating a selection of pastries and Ralph was quietly sipping a glass of water. While Souta had convinced Ralph to take breakfast with them instead of the other servants, he still didn't indulge himself with the pastries and treats purchased in town.

As she entered, the two looked up, Souta sporting an energetic smile and Ralph a slight look of worry. She smiled back. She was staring to get used to this "family" life, it was much different then the solitude she usually kept. Yet, she knew it would end...and soon.

"You look well, Souta. What does the doctor say about going out?" She asked, his smile brightening even more as he launched into the details.

As he did so, Ralph stood and helped her into her chair earning a quiet "thank you" and "You needn't worry so much" from her.

"…and he says I can try going for longer walks and maybe if that goes well, even trying a sport! I've always wanted to do fencing. Maybe now I can!"

"That's wonderful," Kagome beamed, "we shall have to take more walks around the park and build up your endurance. Perhaps this afternoon," she suggested, sending a look to Ralph asking silent permission to which he nodded his head discreetly.

Souta bounced in his seat eagerly and even Ralph had a slight smile on his lips.

"But, this morning I think calls for a trip into town. We must prepare for a guest," she added, watching the look of surprise cross Ralph's face as well as curiosity on Souta's. "And, I'd love if you two accompanied me. Besides, there may be some heavy lifting and I need two strong men to help," she smiled, glancing to Souta whose cheeks had a noticeable red tint from the compliment. "I'll tell you about him while we're out, if you'd like."

Ralph raised an eyebrow. "Yes, I must admit to being curious as to the identity of this mysterious guest." Souta nodded his agreement, before an idea seemed to enter his head and a slight frown came over his features.

"Is something wrong Souta?" She asked with slight concern.

"No, it's just…well…with a guest…you'll still have time for walks with me…right, Anna?" He asked, bashfully, eyes cast downwards. And, Kagome couldn't help but giggle at the silly question.

"Of course, Souta! Do not fret, out time together will not change."

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Ciel finally had a good lead. The killer was undeniably superhuman. Not a shinigami, so perhaps a demon? And, the demons he knew were his own butler and Alois's servants. And there was that strange woman Sebastian seemed familiar with…Lady D'Aeth? She was a suspicious character, likely not human. But, what was she? Demon? Or something else entirely?

Questions only led to more questions and certainties turned into uncertainties. The young boy frowned. Sebastian was being of little help in this case. Far too little help. Which meant he knew something.

And so, it was time to force Sebastian's hand…if he could.

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In town, Kagome purchased enough meat to feed a small army and then some. At Ralph's incredulous look, she only said "He likely will be here for a while, and it is all he eats." And with that, she closed to topic, leaving Ralph and Souta to look to each other and imagine what kind of man he must be, for he certainly would be an odd one.

As they loaded the carriage, Souta finally spoke up to ask about the stranger. "So, what is his name? What is he like?"

"His name is Sesshomaru, and he is…well…the best way to put it is that he is himself," she said, brows furrowed a bit in thought as she tried to find words to describe the man.

"That's not a very good description," Ralph said, voicing his and his little brother's thoughts as she continued to look at them in thought.

"Well…he is quiet, I would say. Terribly stiff and domineering, but not bad. He is quite agreeable, really. Once you get to know him, that is, and he takes a liking to you."

Ralph and Souta shot odd glances to each other as she continued to ramble about this mysterious man, Sesshomaru.

"Is Sesshomaru also Japanese?" Souta finally broke in, curious at the name. It seemed foreign and awkward on his tongue as he stumbled over the sounds.

"Oh, yes," Kagome clapped a little, "he is a dear…uh friend." She smiled overenthusiastically to the two males in front of her, yet only Ralph picked up on her nerves. For perhaps the first time ever, she was nervous and as Ralph noted, it was a very out of place emotion on the usually cool and collected woman. Continuing to speak Ralph helped her into the carriage, her eyes took a faraway look. "He is one of the few from home I know, yet we actually met here in London. But, nevertheless, we share the culture and security, dare I say, that can only come from ones childhood home. But I'm rambling again." She laughed a bit…well forced a laugh that seemed a bit high strung to Ralph. "I'm sure everything will work out perfectly," and yet she knew she was trying to convince herself as well that it would all go smoothly. After all, it had been quite some time since her slightly unannounced departure from her…her…fiancé. And really, she wasn't quite sure how that had happened. Honestly, she wasn't. But somehow along the way, she—a proud feline—had ended up betrothed to an arrogant, cold, yet somehow pleasing dog demon. A very old one at that. Perhaps even older than Sebastian, yet she wasn't willing to wait around for them to duke it out. Not to mention Claude. He was definitely a factor as well.

Caught up in her thought, she suddenly came back to reality as the carriage ran over a bump and sent the occupants a few inches in the air. While Souta laughed, Ralph only looked slightly disturbed and a though hit Kagome.

"Wait!" she called out to the driver. "I forgot something, we must go back!" She slightly shouted as to be heard. And Ralph looked to her, a questioning expression plastered to his features. She was very out of it today. Then again, it might link back to her rather action filled wake up…yet he couldn't help but think it was all the mystery guest. Whoever this Sesshomaru was, he was one to be watched out for.

As they re-entered the bustling streets of town, Ralph had to wonder what they'd possibly forgotten. If anything, this was servants work. Not that anyone was complaining that she insisted on doing the errands herself.

As if reading his mind, Kagome spoke. "We need to buy a pocket watch."

However, after the purchase of a very expansive and decorative pocket watch, Kagome felt something. A pull inside of her. A feeling that told her she needed to follow it, something she had never experienced before.

Narrowed eyes, she turned to Ralph and Souta. A pleasant face plastered on, she suggested they take the carriage back for she just remembered another errand that she needed to do…alone. She would find another means of transportation back to the house, she assured them. And, while Ralph was now brimming with suspicion, he hesitantly acquiesced to her demands.

"Should you be out alone?" he asked, to which she assured was fine. And to which he didn't question further. He had no right to force her back—if he even could—and she could certainly handle herself...right? She'll be fine, he thought to himself. I know she disappears sometimes, but she always comes back. But somehow, he felt things were different today. Today just felt off. Yet despite it all, he and a happily oblivious Souta waved her off and returned to the carriage to make the trip back to the estate.

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As Kagome rounded the corner into the alleyway, the tug inside of her faded away and she heard Sebastian's distinct voice, as well a stranger. But before anything else was said, the two turned to their newcomer. Sebastian's lips turned upwards into a somewhat expecting smile but the other man had no expression. Only a hard look to his odd colored eyes.

And then she knew what the feeling was, the pull that urged her here. Because standing in front of her was William…long dead William.

But he only stared back indifferent. Unrecognizing as any feelings she had started to crumble inside of her. As every memory burned and every smile withered away. And she couldn't help but clutch the spot where her heart was supposed to be. And then he looked away. Uninterested.

But, as Sebastian watched her heart break in her eyes, his smile widened into something more inhuman. And in the next instant, he had her in his arms. "Poor little Kagome. Fated to such misery." And then his mouth was next to his ear as he whispered so only she could hear. "Won't you let me fix it?"

But, something was wrong. William T. Spears couldn't help as his head snapped up to the name. The name that lingered in his mind and run in his ears. He knew that name.

How could she be a demon? How was she alive?

"Kagome…" He couldn't help but say it. But voice the name that had lingered as his only memory from before. The only face he thought he knew.

But he didn't know her anymore. Not as she was there, wrapped in Sebastian Michealis's arms. Not as the filthy demon whispered into her ear, or as she looked into his yellow and green ringed eyes with her own desperation.

And yet he knew those eyes. Those beautiful pale blue eyes. They were still his. They were the eyes he remembered. And, as she forced herself away from the butler, it was his Kagome who did so.

And Sebastian was left to watch on, unpleased, as the two long lost lovers stared into one another's eyes.

Damn the Shinigami. Damn his timing. Damn his memory. And Damn himself for calling her Kagome instead of Adriana.

Damnit.