Chapter 9 Black Butler (Red Jokers)
A beautiful noble woman holding a white parasol walks down the street of London being escorted by a tall, handsome redhead gentleman. She pauses in step as something brush against her senses. The male stop along side her concern, "is something wrong?"
"No, she replies shifting the parasol slightly to peer up at him, just thought I sense someone familiar" she continues walking.
"Hn, if you say so, he follows along knowing she would tell him if it was really important, so are you ever going to tell me why we move to London?"
"To witness history up close."
"Of course, he sighs, which one is it this time?"
"The case of jack the ripper" she whispers excited to prevent others from overhearing.
"Seriously, he deadpans, why do you always drag us to dangerous places, mother?"
"How rude, she huffs, I didn't drag anyone anywhere, finding out who jack the ripper is would be awesome, in my time the case remained unsolved that's why I came to London, you guys followed on your own" she lectures.
"Of course, we had to, who knows what kind of trouble you would get into" he rebuffs.
"Tsk, tsk, Shippo dear that's no way to speak to your mother" she reprimands with a pout.
"If only you would act your age and not like a child" he grumbles.
"What was that, dear" she asks with an overly sweet smile.
"Nothing" he quickly replies shaking his head.
"That's what I thought" she huffs then walks away.
He sighs relieved, 'so scary' the kitsune shivers then hurried after her.
A handsome male dressed in black stops in his track then glance behind him with curious red eyes at a retreating couple.
"What is it, Sebastian?" a young boy's voice brought him out of his musing.
"It's nothing, we should be on our way, young master" he spoke with a fake pleasant smile.
A few days later at a noble's mansion, Kagome sat in the drawing room reading the morning newspaper headline feeling giddy, 'Jack the Ripper Appears in Scotland Yard'.
"Is that something you should be happy about, mother?" her third son asks, the splitting image of his father except the hair color inherited from his mother.
"Don't be a buzz kill Shin, leave that to your father" she clicks her tongue, he sat across from her on a sofa reading a book. She throws down the paper on the glass table between them then reaches for her cup of tea and sips it delicately.
"Speaking of father, where is he, come to think of it I haven't seen older brother Shippo and big brother Tomoe either since morning" Shin inquires.
"They went to meet some noble about business" she informs.
"Hn, which company?" he looks up from his book.
"A toy company, I think" she places the cup down then picks up a cookie from the plate a maid brought earlier taking a bite.
"You think?" he raises a brow.
"I wasn't interested to know the details" she finishes the cookie then picks up her tea taking a sip.
"Right, where's big sister Rin-chan?"
"In the garden with her mate."
"Hn"
"Anyway, I will be going out to find Jack tonight, don't worry I won't interfere, she reassures when she saw the look on his face, Shippo will be joining me which should put your mind at ease" Kagome place the now empty cup down leaning back.
"Where are you going exactly to find this Jack person, his lips upturns slightly, without father getting involve since you didn't tell him that's the main reason for us coming here" he states knowingly when she looks away.
"Well, she pouts, a certain noble is throwing a party tonight which I will use to my advantage" she finishes smug.
"You do know you will have to show up there for your plan to work right, mother?" he asks amuse.
"Of course I know that, she scoffs, I will make an appearance for a few minutes then leave a shikigami as my substitute."
"Hn, I sometime forget you have that ability as you rarely use it" Shin turns a page going back to reading.
"Are you sure about that?" she asks slyly.
"What do you mean mother?" he drawls suspicious.
"Oh, nothing dear, just my usual rambling" she smiles innocently.
A few hours later at Viscount Druitt manor.
Kagome and Shippo enters the ballroom and hush whispers erupts amongst the nobles about them.
"Humans never change" the kitsune mutters with a scoff.
"I sadly have to agree and they get no better with time" Kagome whispers behind her black silk folding fan ignoring the human's stare and idle chatter.
"It's the Taisho's"
"What, why are they here?"
"I have never seen them in person"
"Look at what she is wearing, so scandalous"
"They really are eye-catchingly beautiful"
"I heard they are royals back in their country" and on and on they gossip.
"Just ignore the fleeting commentary and go mingle dear, have fun" she snaps the fan shut.
"Yes, mother" he whispers placing a kiss on her cheek then leaves, that sparks the gossip train even more.
Kagome walk further in taking a glass of champaign from a passing waiter without pause and took a swing.
"Miss your dress is just beautiful!"
The miko pause then half turn and see a blond little girl wearing red approaching with an excited expression, she downs the last of her drink.
"Are you addressing me child?" she asks patiently, cross gloved hands under ample chest (one hand holds down the empty glass the other holds her silk fan) eyeing the bubbly girl. 'Such pretty green eyes, she elegantly holds her close fan near painted lips, though not as lovely as my Shippo's.'
"Yes, your dress is like nothing I have seen before, where did you acquire it?" the blond asks delighted.
Kagome's dress is a blue and black, sleeveless corset top with an ankle length sheath skirt, slits on both sides exposing long pale legs clad in black mesh thigh highs with lace garter. Silk elbow blue gloves adorns delicate hands, her hair done up in an easy updo decorated with sapphire jewels. Her makeup was done light, black eyeshadow and ruby lipstick. Sapphire diamond neckless and dangling earrings occupied her neck and ears.
"You're far too young to wear this garment, suddenly she felt the presence once again that was in London, if you'll excuse me" she place the empty glass on a passing waiter's tray without looking then follows her senses, walking further in until she spots the target.
A male with a young 'girl' dancing together, close by a group of noble ladies fawning over the host got her attention. Aleister Chamber. The first time the miko met the blond male she almost killed the fool for coming on to her had Rin not stepped in, luckily her mate wasn't there at the time or things would have been worst, the idiot would have surely died. Her sons were there egging her on watching from the side lines until Rin intervene to their disappointment.
Kagome walks up behind her target startling the duo from their banter when she spoke, "Hello there."
Turning the hell spawn flinch upon seeing her, "Well, well, well, if it isn't Crow, snapping her fan open, holding it just above button nose, it's been a long time" smirking sapphire clash with trembling crimson.
"M-my Lady, he clears his throat, it's Sebastian, for now" the disguise boy is taken aback by his butler's reaction to the noble lady.
"Oh? What are you doing here last I heard you-, she stops and stares closely at the 'girl' invading personal space startling the child, straightening she snaps her fan close and rest it in her palm, Sebastian, who is this child?" she questions with a lovely smile.
A shiver went down the butler's spine, "this is my master" he replies feigning calm still smiling.
"Is that so, 'I don't have time for this' her smile brightens with a dark edge, Shippo is here and I'm sure he would love to see you, she rests her closed fan under his chin, I have another matter to attend to, we'll have to catch up later, look forward to it, Crow" he visibly shudders, the miko walks away leaving behind a nervous demon and a confused child.
Kagome walks to the nearest balcony, seeing no one else there she plucks a strand of raven hair then folds it into the paper doll she hid in her top. Channeling a small amount of spiritual energy into the paper she tosses it inches away, glowing in midair a copy of herself took shape.
"I am at your command, my lady" the copy bows, a gloved hand place above its opposite chest.
"I'll never get use to seeing myself like this, she mutters, while I'm away stick close to Shippo and don't make a scene" she holds out her fan for the shikigami to take while channeling her power, forming raven wings on her back.
"As you wish" it takes the offered object then watch her lady fly away into the night sky then went inside.
Landing on a roof Kagome spread out her senses while masking her presence then fly to where a divine aura radiates. The miko hovers out of sight watching the being holding a bloody chainsaw baffling her given they weren't invented yet.
'Now it makes sense why the case was unsolved, humans couldn't possible catch the divine much less contain it, she watches it leave disappointed, I was hoping it didn't involve the supernatural, hoping it was a smart human that never got caught but it's a Shinigami that's gone rouge, she frowns crossing gloved arms annoyed, I promised not to interfere so I'll let things play out then take action at the right time' the full moon's glow illuminates her form beautifully.
The morning headline didn't surprise her, 'Jack the Ripper strikes Again!?'
Kagome convinced Shippo to cover for her the next night. The miko fly above buildings heading to the location she senses four auras, three was familiar. She arrives just in time to see the Shinigami cut down a redhead woman wearing full red.
Suddenly reel like films bursts from the woman's wound playing out moments of her life. Kagome hovers out of sight watching and listening fascinated, 'so the saying is true, your life flashes before your eyes, is literally that.'
Crow and the rouge start fighting, 'more like flirting on the Shinigami part, she smirks behind a raised kimono sleeve amuse, reminds me of Jakotsu hitting on Inuyasha, her smirk disappear and a dark look overtook her lovely face, Inuyasha, that's a name I hadn't thought of in centuries, she shakes raven covered head, let's not think about unpleasant things.'
Turning her attention back below she saw the child kneel beside the woman and covered her with the jacket he was using, 'What had that child been through to willingly form such a contract with Crow' she muse seeing the seal on the boy's eye though highly entertain at the male's interaction.
The arrival of another Shinigami steals her attention, Kagome eyes him thinking he's there to help the other but he only watched and only interrupts the one-sided beating when the rogue blurts out a desperate offer. The miko stifles a giggle when the Shinigami stomp his colleague's face into the ground then bites her inner cheek when William (the other Shinigami) after bowing with an apology to Crow complains while insulting him.
Upon their departure Kagome lands where the woman laid dead on the ground, "she was such a pitiful child" kneeling she collected somethings from the ground then fly back home a minute later. 'Tonight's outing was well worth it and more entertaining than I expected.'
Four days later the miko stands outside a building the sign reads 'Undertaker' she enters after a second with a vailed woman trailing behind. Glancing around the dimly lit room her gaze lingers on a close coffin leaning upright against the wall, "Are you going to come out on your own or should I 'help'."
The lid creaks open after a second followed by crazed giggles, "what can I do for yuh deary" the male steps out closing the coffin behind him.
"You can sate my curiosity by answering why I keep running into your kind, first a rouge on a murder spree then another came to apprehend him and now I find you running a funeral parlor on the human plain" she states while he bites his thumb nail with a grin.
"You know what they say about curiosity and cat" he chuckles moving to the counter eyeing the person behind her.
"Well, I'm no cat" she places a hand on slim hip.
"Yes, haven't seen one of your kind in a very long time, Miko" he leans on the wooden structure.
"You're avoiding the question" she huffs.
"I don't know about the others but I have my reasons as I'm sure you do for that" he gestures to the figure behind her.
"I see, she drawls then turns to leave, oh by the way, she pauses the veil figure holding the door open for her, you'd be wise to keep quiet about my friend here, I would hate for word to reach you ex-superiors about your little side project, retired Shinigami" she threatens with a glance at a sealed coffin in a corner, a radiant smile was the last thing the male saw of her before the door close.
Undertaker chuckles as chills went down his spine, "Quite a scary woman that Shikon Miko" he grins amuse.
Later that night;
Kagome and her veil companion walk down the path leading to the Phantomhive mansion. They stopped a good distance from the entrance, "Crow, he appeared a second later standing three yards apart, it's time we catch up, she smiles slyly, but first meet my new servant" she holds out a hand to motion the person forward.
The figure walks to stand beside Kagome then curtsy, a gush of wind sweeps by lifting the vail exposing shoulder length red hair.
"Madam Red?" Sebastian whispers shocked.
"Not anymore, she sing-song with a smirk, she's my latest masterpiece, my new and improve shikigami, the miko lifts the vail completely exposing the face, the soul is the same wiped of her previous life to avoid troublesome situation, had to build a new durable body from scratch though" she informs.
"I thought the Reaper took her soul?"
"Have you forgotten who I am, Crow, she huffs placing her hands on kimono covered hips, retrieving it was child's play."
"The young master won't be happy about this" he sighs.
"Right that child, such a tragic soul, I always had a soft spot for children but this is difference, his aunt is gone this is my servant, I couldn't let such a soul that interest me slip by since I sympathize somewhat with kindred spirits, introduce yourself dear" she orders the quiet shikigami.
"As you wish, she monotone, hello my name is Rebecca Namazaki, a pleasure to meet you" the redhead straightens and stares at him with blank eyes.
"Now for the reason I came, we have much to talk about, Crow" sapphire eyes glows ominously.
End.
Omeka
Sometime later
Kagome walk to the mansion basement, standing before the door she rests a hand on the handle channeling some spiritual energy into it then pulls it open. She steps forward closing the door behind her, the miko appears in a large room filled with large tanks full of clear liquid, most occupied by unconscious, nude children.
Inhuman beings dress in white lab coat walks about monitoring each occupied tanks, writing down notes of each subject's progress.
"Report" Kagome commands the head doctor who had walk to her when she sense the miko's arrival then bows in greeting.
"There have been no changes from last time, she trails behind her boss who continues to walk further in, if nothing unforeseen happens they will be ready to be release before year end, my lady" the silverette monotone.
"Thank you, Kanna, she stops before a tank with a blond child, giving these kids a second chance at life is the least I can do, she pats the teen looking female silver head, these pure souls murdered by noble scums and that fallen angel for their warp self-morals and greed pisses me off" her expression darkens.
"You are very kind, my lady" Kanna praise, enjoying her lady's attention.
"Hn, why do you think so, Kanna?" she asks, absent-mindedly continuing her petting.
"You went through the trouble of retrieving the children's souls before the Shinigami's, placing decoys and then construct a new body for each" machine noises sound lowly in the background.
"What mother wants to see her child suffer like they had to, she retracts her hand and cross both under ample chest, I did it out of motherly love and a sense of basic moral, something most humans lack, abandoned by their own kind I provide them with whatever I'm able and they serve me in return, so Kanna, she turns to the young demoness with a soft smile, it's not exactly kindness as we both benefit, they get a better longer second life and the family gets more loyal subordinates."
"My lady" a female voice draws the duos attention.
"What is it, Rebecca" Kagome ask the redhead shikigami who appears the same way she did then walks to them holding a silver antique letter tray.
"A letter has arrived from the Phantomhive manor address to you, my lady" she informs presenting said letter.
"How interesting, she picks up the seal envelope inspecting it, I wonder what that child wants" she grins.
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