A/N: Okay, I'm not gonna sugar coat this, it's been years since I have last updated. And every once in a while, I see my emails telling me that I have gotten a review about how much they love my story and how much they love my OC Alex and I'm just always in a bit of shock about it all because- just how did you find this story guys?! I actually thought people lost interest or couldn't find it but I'm not gonna lie… That's not the reason I stopped updating so long.
I've just lost interest in this for a long time. In longer detail, I can't even explain it all- my memory is awful and its been such a long time for this story either way. Sometimes though I randomly gain a spark of interest to write more for this story but it comes and goes a lot. I can't promise I'll update this story as often as I have used too and life has been busy like always now. Only time will and can tell.
Sadly, this chapter isn't much. Only six pages of how this story continues on. And I couldn't have Sebastian nor Ciel in it as much as I would have liked with Alex due to what they have to do in the plot. So, I'm calling this chapter a filler chapter. Until I can actually get somewhere to use the main three more. But while in doing so, I had to move things forward in an odd way? But I did try to have a new character have some light too but don't worry she's not a huge important character, hope you guys don't hate me too much for not updating up until now and I do hope you enjoy the new character Precious!

Chapter 38: He's cute, isn't he?

"Hello, my name is Precious! It's very nice to meet you!" A bow, no flower petal falling right out of her hair, I found myself smiling even more at the cheerful greeting. After finding out where the three of us now sleep in which tent, me and the girl named Precious decided to start making our way to tent 11 already. Of course, Ciel did try to get the demon, Sebastian, to switch tents to bunk with him but Joker sure knew how to tell them a final no.

Walking inside- it looked like any other tent for campers. Only thing different are the small flower pots just outside the entrance and the inside had a large, wooden, chest and actual beds instead of sleeping bags. "It's been quite a while since Joker paired me up with someone new, it's so exciting!" I perked up at the girl, actually taking a moment to get a better look at her. Brown hair, blue eyes, a shit ton of freckles and well… The already stated fact: a lot of flowers in her hair. She appeared to be a bit shorter then me too.

"So, your name is Madam Hatter, yes?"

I nodded in reply as the young lady begin to make her own bed.

"Sounds like a lovely name- sounds even better then me!" And just like that I shook my head no rather quickly. "No, not really… Well okay, the name does sound super cool but your name sounds a lot better then mine." At that, Precious perked up. "What? Oh no! My name isn't as wonderful as yours!" She tried to fling back at me but I shook my head. "Come on now, don't be like that!" I put my hands up as to try and show her I'm not trying to upset or cause any harm through my wording. The flower girl only giggled in reply. She seems too nice to me… "Well in that case- how bout we both say our names are wonderful and let it be at that?" I couldn't beat her with that so I gave in. "Alright, deal!"

And just like that a moment of silence as I begin to start making my own bed on the other side of the tent. Soon enough though the moment I turn my back- I ended up seeing Precious actually getting changed and I quickly turn my back to her again. "Oh gosh, I'm so sorry!" I could hear Precious bump into her bed with her leg but it didn't sound too bad. "W-what? Did I do something wrong?" Oh… R-right, she probably didn't realize I saw her back topless…

"It's just… I wasn't expecting you to get undress so quickly into your night wear?" A light chuckle came. "Sorry... I suppose I'm still used to changing around my old roommate. I'll try to remember warning you in the morning, okay?" I would've nodded but she wouldn't be able to see that so instead I only replied with a quick but small okay.

Once the awkwardness around us begin to die down I started to put on an extra pair of night clothes Precious has handed to me and sure enough, we started talking before we both hit the hay. Most of the time though, Precious seemed to go on and on about her adventures with the circus here and she didn't even stop to ask about me about anything- which is a good thing on my part here so I didn't stop her too. But it was only a matter of time… Before she realized just how much talking she was doing. "Oh! I'm sorry I should have just let you speak more then I did!" I only shrugged. "It's okay, your stories are far more interested in mine."

"Really? That doesn't sound quite right to me!"

"Huh…? What do you mean?"

"I mean… Well… Please beg my pardon here but you look like the type to be on a whole lot of adventures yourself." Now at this I perked up. "Hm? I don't understand?" "Well it's just… The moment I had laid my eyes on you and your two friends- you three had that look that you have been on quite the adventures in your youth." Before I could even say anything to tell her no, that isn't the case- Precious leaned forward, whispering now. "And I'm not the only one but a lot of the folks here think you and your husband look very cute together!" I froze, confused by all means now.

"Uh… I'm sorry?"

I commented, now even more confused.

"What do you mean?"

"I… Don't understand? Husband? I don't have-!"

And that's when it finally clicked. My face went red, my heart starting to beat fast! In the end, I started to panic! "W-WHOA THERE! We're not dating!" I begin to shout. "W-we're not husband and wife!" I shouted again, fixing my first reply rather quickly but… It turns out I was loud enough for others in their own tents to hear. "KEEP IT DOWN PLEASE!" I flinched. I kept my mouth shut but I still can feel the heat coming right off my cheeks. Precious sighed and gave a small smile. "That's a shame really… You two looked so cute together, a lot of us actually thought you and Black were together…" I quickly shook my head no at her. "T-that's not the case, I promise! Seb- err, Black and I are just friends, that's all!"

Why the hell is this so troublesome now?!

And why did that…?

No- forget it!

"Well… Do you at least like him?"

"N-not in that way!"

I quickly answered, hands back up now in defense.

"How about his appearance? He is a rather handsome fellow, is he not?"

"I…"

I shut my mouth tightly- why is she doing this to me all of a sudden?! Precious gave a light giggle again. "I think I understand now, Madam Hatter!" I stop panicking and stared at her. "You just haven't realized that you think he's really handsome! Or rather… You know it but don't want to admit it." She let out a long sigh. "Love is so wonderful, my friend…" I only frowned and crossed my arms. "That's not funny." I finally said something but that only made the girl wink at me. "Okay, Miss. Hatter!" Suddenly a call for lights to turn off came out of nowhere from outside the tents. "Hmm, looks like its time for bed. If you need an extra blanket, please feel free to go into my chest box, okay?" I gave an unsure and slow nod. The other didn't seem to mind being so nosey at all with her questions as she begins to remove the flowers and pins from her hair before lying down in bed.

"Goodnight, Madam Hatter!"

A paused reply soon came from me.

"…Goodnight."

Sighing to myself as the woman turn off the lamp light next to our beds, I too, soon enjoyed in on the sleeping as I tuck myself away. I didn't know how long it took but before I finally fell into a slumber- all I could think about is of what Precious has just spoken of. Sebastian's my friend… A demon, a butler even! We are just friends! Only friends and nothing more!

…

Why did it feel so upsetting just thinking that though?

The Next Morning

"Rise and shine, Madam Hatter!"

I quickly woke up to the voice of Precious and I almost even sent out an incoming punch but lucky for the both of us, she jumped right out of the way. "Oh goodness! That was unexpected!" My green eyes landed right on her and with a fast reaction- I found myself awake rather quickly. "Oh, Precious! I'm so sorry- it's just you scared me and I didn't mean to attack you like that!" The flower girl's expression started to change and she only smile warmly in understanding. "Ah, I see... I should be more thoughtful of my next actions so I won't scare you again."

I couldn't help but frown a little.

"But now that the misunderstanding is out of the way, its time to start waking up and make some breakfast!" Breakfast? I start to remove the blankets off me. "What kind of breakfast are we having?" I asked as she begins to get her clothes for today from the chest. "Probably the usual kind we always have." I perk up at that, nothing of good interest to Ciel and Sebastian but hey- I like food so can you blame me?

Once Precious has taken some of her own clothes, she then takes a moment to look at me, I soon realize she's trying to figure out if I would fit into her clothes. "Hmm… I'm shorter then you. So, I don't think you'll feel comfy in my clothes- let me go see if I can find some clothes for your size. Changing now!" And I turn away to look at something else other then my roommate, at least she remembered to warn me this time.

Soon enough though as she soon left after getting dress to find me more fitting clothes, I realize something… She's kind of strange. But then again, I'm not really normal anymore either, aren't I...? A frown placed itself upon my lips as I waited for only a few more minutes until Precious came back with some bigger size clothes for me. Taking them, Precious decided it would be best to wait outside the tent instead of standing around on the inside for me. Once finishing that, she begins to lead right to where Ciel and the others are. I gave a morning wave to the Earl once I have spotted him. "Morning Ciel!"

Ciel only muttered a greeting back, not enjoying the cold air lingering about and I stop when I noticed that he didn't look like he dressed himself very well. In fact, I could see his scarf is somewhat hanging off of his neck and his shirt isn't button all the way. I raise an eyebrow in question, did his roommate rush him out of the tent? Suddenly I found myself turning around to spot Sebastian walking right to us with an empty bowl. He looked like he was about to laugh at the display of Ciel's appearance. "Can you really call that personal grooming? It seems you cannot even dress yourself."

"I was in a hurry."

I sighed, shaking my head at the boy as Ciel begins to try and lift up a bucket of potatoes… Only to end up dropping it and a couple of the said potatoes dropped right out of it. I sighed once more and decided to help pick up the ones he dropped. Sebastian decided to pull out three so called chairs for us to start peeling the said potatoes. In only a matter of seconds, Sebastian didn't think twice on helping Ciel with his eye patch, tying it up in a much better knot. "Dear, oh dead. You will have trouble undoing a half-knot alone."

But that only caused everyone to look our way.

SHIT!

"Smiiiile! So, like, Black ain't you're mum, okay?!"

A couple of the others begin to laugh.

"No! This is… A habit… I mean, I just happened to…"

Suddenly Ciel turn to look at Sebastian while I shot those who are laughing a nasty glare.

"Sebastian! Do not treat me as your master while you're here! Leave me alone!"

Ciel whisper to Sebastian very quickly.

"Understand… Then without delay-!"

…

We got right to work!

Until Sebastian finally begin to question on how bad Ciel did on his bucket of potatoes.

"Smile, what do you plan to make with the potatoes when the skins have more potatoes on them then the potatoes themselves?"

"…EH?!"

And then Ciel's roommate, Doll, came over to see the problem as well.

"SMIIIILE! WHAT'RE YOOOOU DOIIIN?!"

"I'M SORRY!"

"HEY- HE'S TRYING!" I snapped right back at the other who only sighed in defeat soon enough and begin to take a closer look at the potatoes… Or what's left of them. "Arrrgh… There's ain't much to eat…" But of course, lucky us that Sebastian already has an idea or two on how to fix this problem quickly. Taking up the bucket of Ciel's potatoes, he smiled. "There is nothing else to be done… I believe there was some fish in the larder. Let us fry these nice and crispy as-is and make some fish and chips." Doll perked up and smile at the idea too. "I like that!" I couldn't help but nod at that idea too but of course Ciel didn't feel so happy about all of this. "I am glad." Said the demon, now giving a grin at Ciel's way.

I did notice the look Sebastian gave Ciel before the demon begin walking off with the said potatoes. I turn to smile back at Ciel in return and patted his back but he reacted by walking out of my reach. Another sigh escapes me, this boy needs to realize that making mistakes is not going to get him killed… Okay, I should probably rethink on those choice of words, good thing I didn't say it out loud though!

In due time though, once again Sebastian begin to serve to a great deal of us some yummy fish and chips! It was a real struggle though, most of the folks here came so fast that they really wanted to eat! Unfortunately, Ciel was one of the last few who couldn't get much food. As I finally got a plate full of some of Sebastian's good cooking- I quickly spotted Ciel and his roommate having a little chit chat. Deciding to sit over there, I noticed that the girl started to fork over some of her own fish and chips onto Ciel's plate. "Awww, fine! I'll give you some o' my sides! You're short, a little bag o' bones, so fill your belly and grow big!"

"Thank you…"

I couldn't help but to smile to myself as I joined the two. "Well isn't this lovely!" I commented, getting the attention of the two. Ciel already looked a bit worn out while the other smile back at me in return. "Thank you for helping out Smile here, sometimes a crowd can be hard to get through." The other nodded my way. "It's no problem! Also pleased to meet ya, Madam Hatter!" I nodded right back. "Pleased to meet you too!" "I gotta say… Black's cookin' is really ace!" I nodded in agreement. "It is." Ciel commented. "He used to be a butler, I hear. I guess butlers are even good at makin' grub!" Oh, you have no idea kid! "He sure turned the tater skins you messed up into somethin' delicious."

"Yes."

"He's a good cook!'

"I agree!"

But then suddenly Doll begins to get up with an empty plate already! I didn't even notice how fast she was eating! "Good, I'm done! Thanks for the chow! Time to practice! C'mon!" We both perked up in surprised. "Eh? Already?" I dropped my fork in my own shock. "Of course, already! Oh, and Madam Hatter, Precious will pick you up real soon for your own training!" I gulped- now starting to wonder if everyone here eats rather quickly like this kid does. "R-right…" Seeing Ciel quickly finishing up his own breakfast, he begins to try and catch up with the girl, leaving me behind. I did try to wave him a goodbye but he didn't turn around to see it.

But I should have payed less attention to Ciel's leaving as suddenly Precious walk up from behind.

"Ready for some training?"

I jumped right out of my seat!

"Don't scare me like that!"

"Tehe, sorry about that!"

Unlike Ciel though, Precious actually let me eat a bit more before heading out to train. Once we entered the said training grounds, I could already spot the two. Although I've soon come to worry for Ciel, Precious sure as hell kept me on my feet. She seemed to not mind doing any of the training herself but she did help with showing me how to practice. But that still didn't stop me from looking at Ciel every few minutes- I couldn't help it, I'm worried for him but… I knew that if I helped I might draw attention like Sebastian has done only a few hours ago this morning. "Keep right on your feet, Hatter!" I should really stop worrying… Sebastian is always around for him.

And speaking of which…

Said demon is actually standing right onto three large balls while Suit seemed to be trying to keep up against him- not with him and let me tell you, both of them knew what they were doing no problem! Demons and Grim Reapers… Can you not?! "BLACK IS AMAZING!" "NO! SUIT'S DOING JUST AS WELL!" I sighed in defeat as all training came to a complete stop due to those two and I took this chance to take a small break. "Show off… The both of them!" Precious turn to look my way. "What do you mean?" I flinched, realizing I said that out loud. "It's n-nothing… Just thinking out loud to myself." Precious only gave a puzzled look before shrugging back with that really cute and warm smile of hers.

After hours away of training, everyone begins to head off for the showers.

"Don't worry the water isn't as cold as you might think."

"H-huh? You… Don't have any hot water?"

"Nope! But we get used to that after some time."

I felt an anime sweat drop incoming on the back of my head.

… Let's just say I did not enjoy the cold showers.

And by the time we finished our showers, loads of people started coming around from all corners of the town just to see tonight's show! Unfortunately, I will not be a part of the show due to just joining only yesterday night so… It's understandable. Of course, Sebastian would most likely be apart of the show as well- he can't suck at anything really! Dude's too much of a Superman to not do anything wrong… But I still wished I could be part of a show at least. Only thing I could do is help with Precious and the others to put on makeup and help with the costumes.

Which made me pause for a moment.

How come Precious isn't taking part?

"… Hey Precious?"

"Yes?"

"How come you aren't getting ready?"

The girl eyes went wide at the question and for a moment, she started to look very sad. Did I hit a bad nerve? Shit, I hope not! Just before I could even apologize for my question- that sadness got replaced rather quickly. "Well it's because I'm just a helping hand right now…" I soon tilt my head in confusion. "A helping hand? You don't perform with the others…? Not even a little?" She nodded. "I used to but I've learn the hard way that I'm not able to do certain stunts like others can do so Joker had me assigned to help the others until I can perform the stunts I can't do." Oh… Welp, I now feel like shit for asking. "Hey, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset-!"

"Oh no, it's no trouble at all, Madam Hatter! It's understandable actually!"

And before I could even ask, someone ended up drawing her attention now.

"Hey, Precious, can you give me a red rose of my hat?"

"Okay, I'll be right back!"

…

…

…

This is weird to me now.

…

And it got even more weird when Suit and Black came up next at 7:30 for the show and already Suit is being troublesome during their part. As I stood there, watching at the back stages, I have lost my count on the sighing I have been doing a lot lately today. I begin to wonder just how much searching Ciel and Sebastian were doing- I haven't been able to get anything done myself. All I have manage to get info on was that Precious is a sweetie and nothing else. Someone being nice though could be an act but… I'm no good at this! How the hell can I even help if I can't get information for my friends?!