Chapter 25: Answers and Farewells

The walk to the carriage hadn't taken that long. So much had happened, it was hard for me to wrap my head around it all. I was growing quite fatigued—though I knew sleep was the last thing I was going to get.

I didn't waste any time asking questions. As soon as we sat down, I blurted, ''Where were you two?! I almost got killed in that spider web!''

Ciel and Sebastian exchanged glances. Then Sebastian said, ''Perhaps I can explain this one.'' Ciel nodded, crossing one leg over the other.

''First and foremost,'' Sebastian began, ''I want to apologize for putting you in so much danger, as I know it was my duty to protect you upon order.'' He put his hand over his chest, as if to emphasize the point. ''The reason I was held up for so long was because of the Trancy maid, .''

I raised an eyebrow. ''I didn't know she was that much of a challenge for you."

''Normally, she is not,'' came the reply, ''but having already been cut by Claude several times, as well as having numerous other injuries, it was harder to fend her off.''

''But you got her in the end.''

''Quite,'' Sebastian finished. He paused a moment, a slight smirk on his face. ''I must say, she was awfully eager to keep me away from you.''

''That's probably because of my…relations with Alois,'' I said, looking down at my feet. ''She values him. A lot.'' Probably more than the both of you realize.

For a moment the carriage went silent. Then another question surfaced.

''Am I really going home?'' I asked them. ''Or was that just a lie you told William to get me out of there?''

''It's the truth,'' Ciel responded. ''Do you'd think I'd be so foolish and take a chance with a reaper? It's not like I want to meet up with him again anytime soon.''

''Well, I don't know, it's just…after all this time, it's hard to believe I'm actually going home. What made you change your mind and come back for me anyway?

''I simply learned all the facts," the Earl exclaimed. I watched as Sebastian handed him a small piece of paper. Ciel glanced at it, then held it up for me. My eyes widened when I saw what it was. The small paper was a picture of me, my parents, and my siblings, posing for a family photo in front of the camera.

''Where did you…how did you get that?'' I asked, shocked.

''It was in my office,'' Ciel replied. ''I figured you had put there as to give me proof to back up your claim. When you said you had a family earlier, I was skeptical you were telling the truth. But this clearly proves otherwise.''

I shook my head. ''But I didn't bring it with me and put it in your office."

''I thought that might have been the case,'' he said, ''because after we left you at the Trancy mansion, more papers showed up with your name on them. Take a look.'' Sebastian reached into his tailcoat and pulled out more sheets of paper. He handed them to me, my eyes scanning them intently. Some were homework pages. Others were random poems and short stories I had written. There were even some more photographs. I stared at them, dumbstruck, puzzled as to how Ciel could have possible gotten his hands on them. But then I realized something—all of the pages proved that what I was saying about myself was true. They were exactly what Ciel needed.

''Ciel,'' I began, ''I think these appeared here because you wanted them too. All of these papers are things I wrote. Ever since I've gotten here, all you've wanted from me was more information about who I was, and my connection to you. And it looks like your wish was answered.'' I paused, and saw a look of surprise cross over the Earl's face. ''You know, if it's possible to bring me into this world, I guess it's possible for other things of mine to follow me here. In fact, that's probably how Alois got that poem. He wanted to know what I thought of him, so he got his answer."

I paused, waiting for Ciel to address me. Instead, he looked over at his butler and said, "Sebastian, if you bring this girl back home, will these papers stop cluttering my mansion?''

''I believe so," the demon answered.

''Good.'' Then he looked at me again. ''Cynthia I'd like to apologize to you.''

''For…what?'' I asked.

''For assuming you were someone that was…not of good character.'' My eyes widened. Not of good character?

"I haven't told you this,'' Ciel continued, ''but until tonight, I hadn't believed a word of what you said. When you appeared in my dreams, I thought it was because you were someone from my past. Someone that I should have despised. And because you had been in my dreams I also thought that-'' he paused, a strained look coming over his face. ''That you might have been partly responsible for my parent's deaths as well.''

My mouth dropped open. ''Ciel, I would never-''

''I know,'' he finished. ''Well, I know that now.'' A slightly flush came over Ciel. He looked embarrassed.

I smiled a little. ''It's alright. I don't really blame you. I must have seemed awfully suspicious since I knew facts about you.''

''You did,'' he stammered. ''In fact, that's something I still haven't fully comprehended.''

I shrugged. ''I tried to describe it to you the best way I could. The only thing I can think of comparing it to at this point is a…cinematic record."

Ciel raised an eyebrow. "Well, I suppose that explains why you mentioned "moving pictures" earlier. The world you live in seems quite strange." He paused, interlocking his fingers. ''But that doesn't concern me anymore. Since it's already been proven that you're not the person I presumed you were, you can return home."

"I'm quite happy about that.''

''Though there is one thing I would like to know,'' he continued. ''Why did you write a poem for Trancy in the first place?''

I looked down at my feet. ''Well, let's just say I saw his cinematic record too. It didn't end too well. And for some reason, I just felt compelled to write something for him." I looked back up at the Earl and added, "In case you were wondering, I never saw the end of your record.''

Ciel looked over to the side. "I was just curious is all. Not that the poem matters anymore…you're going back home, so you won't see Alois anymore.''

I twinge of sadness went through as Ciel said that. But he was right. ''Speaking of home,'' I started, diverting myself from the sad thought, ''is it possible I can do one more thing before you send me back?"

''What would that be?''

''I want to say good bye."

''Waaahhh, we're going to miss you Lady Cynthia!'' Mey Rin cried, wrapping her arms around me.

''Yeah,'' Fini chimed in, ''don't go!''

I was back the Phantomhive manor. Ciel's servants had been so nice to me before, I didn't want to leave without wishing then farewell. Though I underestimated just how emotionally they'd react.

''You were a good kid,'' Bard said, patting me on the head. ''You made the young master happy." I looked over at Ciel, who wore a frown on his face.

''You think?'' I asked skeptically.

''Definitely."

''Ho, ho, ho,'' Tanaka chimed, nodding his head.

I smiled. ''Thank you so much for letting me stay. You were all really wonderful.'' I waved to them before walking over to the front door where Ciel and Sebastian were standing. I felt sad knowing that as soon as I went home I'd be able to see them anytime, but they wouldn't be able to see me. It was unfair.

''I take it you're ready to leave now?'' Ciel asked me.

''Yes, I am.''

''Then be sure to bring these with you,'' he said, handing me two folded clothing items. They were my dress and cardigan from earlier. ''Both items were washed for you."

''Thank you, Ciel.''

''You're most welcome." Then he cleared his throat. ''Well, you should be on your way. Sebastian will escort you home, just as he did when you first got here.''

''Okay,'' I said, nodding. Hesitantly, I stepped closer to Ciel. Just do it! I thought. C'mon, there's nothing to lose. I wrapped my arms tightly around the Earl, giving him a hug. Ciel's body went stiff, and I instantly let go. ''S-sorry,'' I said. ''You, um, don't seem like the hugging type, but I just wanted to say thank you in a way that was memorable. "

Ciel let out a large breath. ''It's alright. But you really should be going now.''

I nodded. ''Right. Goodbye, Ciel.''

Ciel waved to me as Sebastian and I stepped out of the mansion, the doors closing behind us.

''You've made the quite the impression on the young master,'' Sebastian stated as we began strolling through the front yard.

''It seems so."

''Not too many make get as close to him as you did.''

I shrugged. ''Well, he did suspect me as an enemy at first, so I think I just got lucky in the end."

Sebastian chuckled. "I don't think my young master believes in luck. I find it amusing you do." Then suddenly, the butler paused near a rose bush that was on side of the path. ''My lady, do you remember what I told you about these plants when you first arrived?''

''Um, I think so. You said something about them looking pretty, but their sharp thorns can hurt, right?''

''Very good,'' he responded, a smile forming on his lips.

Silence fell over us, and I looked towards down the path way towards road. ''I don't see a carriage there. Is it late?"

''It isn't late,'' Sebastian replied. ''We're not taking a carriage."

''Oh, really?'' I said in surprise. ''Then…what are we taking so we can get back home?''

But instead of answering the question, Sebastian stepped towards me and said, "As I've told you before, these plants may look nice, but when you get to close, they can hurt you." Then suddenly, he clasped his hands over my eyes. I heard a rushing sound that got louder and louder, and then everything went black.