A/N:

Welcome back, readers!

Here is the newest chapter, to-dah! I had fun writing this one as well. One thing I would like to point out is I changed the shower scene in the last chapter and made it a bath scene because I didn't read ahead and find out they used buckets instead so sorry for that.

Also, we are very close to the part where Sebastian does the dirty lmao. I'm still debating how Rina will react because I do plan on her finding out. I'm curious about your thoughts on the matter if you wish to put a comment in about it.

I think that's about it, anyway thank you for the follows and comments! They always brighten my day when I get them! You guys are so sweet sometimes.

Enjoy this lovely chapter!

0o0o0o0o

Something disturbs me from my sleep, and I crack an eye open. I find Sebastian standing above me with impatience dancing in his eyes. I scowl at the unsightly look and shut my eyes again. I already know he wants me to get up. I'm still tired from yesterday though. Not to mention, we were up late last night. I barely got enough sleep, probably five hours or so. Judging by how dark it is inside the tent anyway.

"My lady," he starts with a sigh. "you must awaken, we need to make the food as we are newcomers."

I give him an incomprehensible grumble and pull the blanket up to my nose. It smells good. I hear him sigh again and I smirk internally. I love to irritate him sometimes. It's all revenge for last night and all those other times he picks on me. Stupid jerk.

"Get up, I am serious, we will be late, and you still need to dress," Sebastian states in a stony tone. "Plus, I need my jacket back."

I scowl as I try to fall back to sleep, "Just go get another jacket, I'll be up...soon." I lie halfway and snuggle into my pillow.

I hear my bed squeak and feel the weight dip a little. "That is my only jacket. Not only that, but I know when you are lying, my lady."

I sit up as irritation eventually takes over the forefront of my mind, "Ahhh, whatever, just go."

I peek at him and I find my face right in front of his. I swear there are at least three inches between our lips touching. His eyes are wide as he was not expecting me to be that close. We just stare at each other until I glance away. My cheeks feel warm and I know I'm blushing. I cough awkwardly and scoot back a little. "W-Well, I'm up now." I point out and slid out of my bed.

Well, that was embarrassing, I think. I stretch my arms up to the sky, as the bed was not the most comfortable to sleep in. I dare not look at Sebastian as I kneel to the ground. I grab my clothes from underneath and stand back up. However, he is still staring at me apparently when I accidently glance at him. He wears a calculating look on his face. I look away once more and find William is not in the tent. No wonder it is so quiet. I hate William because of last night. I flush at the reminder of him calling me a demon's whore. Fucking asswipe.

I start to unfold my clothes and lay them out on my bed. I turn to look at Sebastian curiously, wondering why he is still here. "Are you going to leave?" I ask. "Don't you need to go help my brother?"

He shrugs, appearing bored, "The young master has not ordered me to come to him. I assume by his vocal complaints in the tent not far is toward his roommate."

I snort by accident, "Will his roommate dress him? He can't even button his shirt right."

Sebastian smirks, "It will be amusing to watch him today."

I nod in agreement as a smile creeps up onto my lips. He's going to experience what it's like to live like a normal person today. How cute. "By the way, you need to leave the tent if you want me to get ready." I tell Sebastian with a piqued eyebrow at him.

His smirk broadens as he leans back, his arms holding him up behind him. "What if you need help, my lady?"

I stare at him, feeling perplexed. He needs to not do that. He looks very sexy right now. Ah, why is doing that?! Does he know that would make any sane woman melt? I gulp as a blush rushes to cheeks once more. "I know how to dress..." I mutter.

"What was that?" he asks as he tilts his head.

I grab the dress part of my outfit, wanting to beat him with it. "I said I can do it myself!" I shout at him and start to hit him with the fabric. He grabs his jacket off the bed swiftly and makes his way out of the tent as I follow him. I attempt to hit him more but he dodges on the way out. "Asshole!" I cry at his back as he takes his leave with a small laugh.

I glare at him until he is out of sight. I go back inside the tent and ready myself for the day. My eyes feel extremely heavy though. I leave my hair down as we weren't performing any time soon. I don't put any makeup on either. I walk out of the tent and comb my hair with my fingers. I approach the area where we serve food. There are a ton of people gathered around trying to prepare breakfast. I find Sebastian carrying a large bowl, not sure what is in it. I hear heavy pants coming from behind me. I turn and find Ciel carrying a bunch of potatoes.

"Do you need help?" I ask him, already offering my hands out.

A tick mark appears at his temple, "I can do it myself!" he huffs.

I shake my head as he walks past me and puts the bucket of potatoes down. I walk next to him as he tries to catch his breath. "What is your outfit?" Sebastian asks nearby with a smirk directed at my brother. "It seems you are unaccustomed to changing clothes on your own."

I put a hand on my hip as a bubble of laughter escapes me. "Do you remember how I tried to teach you how to dress when you were younger? It seems that the lesson was pointless."

"I barely remember that!" Ciel yells at me and I snort in return. "I was hurrying..." he says with a sigh afterward and turns around. I shake my head at wander over the counter. I find some uncut vegetables and begin to slice those up.

"Oh, dear." I hear Sebastian say next to me. I look up curiously and find him looking at my brother still. He walks forward and bends forward. He lifts his hands to Ciel's hair and starts to undo the knot for his eyepatch. "You are going to have a difficult time untying a dead knot on your own." Sebastian informs.

People stare at Sebastian and my brother. I bet they are wondering why Sebastian is even doing this. Ciel's roommate, the one with freckles, starts to laugh, "Smile, Black's not your mum!"

Everyone begins to laugh, and I join in. Sebastian is like a mother hen sometimes, it's so funny at home. I wheeze harshly. Sebastian, a mother, the image is too funny. "Black is like a mother hen." I joke loudly and more laughter erupts around me. I catch Sebastian's death glare and I shrink back with a failing smile. Ciel blushes lightly, "No...! It's—" he tries to explain but fails.

People leave my poor brother alone as they go back to working on what they were before. I continue to chop the vegetables. Twenty minutes pass by within a blink of an eye.

"Smile, what're ya plannin' on makin' from them potatoes with peels thicker than the meat?" Ciel's roommate asks in shock. I peer over at him and find him peeling very thick potato slices. I chuckle as I set down my knife and wander over to the two. Sebastian joins in to see how bad of a job he did.

"Uh..." Ciel voices, unsure.

"Smile! Whaddya think you're doin'?!" his roommate cries.

"I-I'm sorry!" Ciel apologizes.

I pick up a peeled potato and examine it, "This is sad." I comment and toss it back into the bucket.

"No kiddin'. Cor blimey, what part of this can we eat?" his roommate questions.

Sebastian moves beside me and takes the bucket of peeled potatoes from Ciel. "It cannot be helped. I shall deep fry them as they are into crisps and make them into fish and chips."

I snap my fingers at the brilliant idea, "Nice one, Sebas—Black." I correct myself with a grin.

"Cor, I love those!" my brother's roommate cheers.

"That is good to hear." Sebastian replies with a smile and gives my brother a side smirk from behind.

I shake my head, knowing Sebastian wishes to show off. I glance at Ciel and step to his side. I put a hand on his shoulder causing him to startle a little. I offer him a smile and kneel. I grab one of his hands and wrestles me, "What are you doing?!" he whisper-shouts at me.

I make a 'shush' noise and examine his hands. They are red and slightly raw. He's not used to this kind of work. "Do they hurt?" I ask.

He seems to understand what I'm asking, "A little." he mutters.

I smile softly and blow on his fingers for a second. "If you need help, it's okay to ask me, okay?"

He scowls at takes his hands out of my grasp, "I don't need your help."

I stand with a frown, "You're so stubborn. I understand you want to do everything like a grown-up. But listen here, you are still young and learning. Your mind may be matured to some degree, but that does not mean you don't need help with anything. I get you're trying to be independent, but it's harder at your age despite your efforts so far."

He looks away, a deep frown on his lips. "Whatever, I still don't need your help."

"Must you rebel so much?" I ask. He does not answer, and I stare at him sadly. "You should let me help sometimes. I don't mind helping." I tell him. "You're my younger brother and responsibility after all." I remind him with a smile. I ruffle his hair and walk away from him.

It hurts he does not want my help, but it does make me feel useless sometimes. I walk over to Sebastian as he begins preparations for the fish and chips. Other people work around me. "Anything I can help with?" I ask him as I look over the ingredients.

"You should know that the young master does not take helping hands." he replies, dismissing the question.

I freeze on the spot, "Must you listen to us?" I ask.

"The young master's concerns are my concerns."

I frown at that and sigh, "I know, I know. I don't need a lecture about how my brother is."

"Then please refrain making him upset. It will sidetrack him."

I raise an eyebrow to that, "I didn't mean to upset him if I did."

Sebastian puts down a fish he was gutting and turns to look at me. "You may not realize this, but the young master is greatly affected by you. You influence him in ways I cannot at times. But you also, upset to him to some degrees I do not like either."

I did not really know this; I can't help but feel a bit touched. "We make each other upset." I tell him with a sincere smile.

"I have noticed this as well." Sebastian adds on.

"I would call it a sibling thing, for the most part. However, I know his past affects me to some degree as well. He contains different thoughts about me due to that. I know he sees me as his sister, that much is evident. Though, I can tell he views me as an enemy as well. Like on a chessboard. I object to many things he says or does."

"You are indeed a threat to us." Sebastian states, his eyes flickering to their true nature.

I feel my own eyes widen at the notion, "You see me as a threat?"

"I have always seen you as so. You may change the way I want my meal to prepared." he says frankly.

A small spark of anger erupts within me at the thought of my brother being treated as food. But I know that's how Sebastian's views it. I calm myself down quickly. "I bet you hate me deep down then, huh?" I mention as my hand balls into a fist at my side and my neck burns.

"Hate is a strong word. More like you are an irritation." he corrects and sets the knife down. "However, I do like you to an extent as a human being. That overcomes the irritation usually."

I smile briefly at that and bump my shoulder with his, "I do like you to an extent as well, for a demon I mean." I joke in a whisper at the end. "You can be pretty irritating yourself. But I suppose you're decent for a person."

He gives me a smirk and continues to do his task, "Decent, eh? I am described better than so most of the time."

"Funny, hah. Just get back to work." I tell him and wander off to find something to do. I need to take my mind off the fact my brother is going to die by the man who I accidently fell in love with. How far that love goes, is something I ponder about daily.

0o0o0o0o

More people pile into the area to receive their breakfast. All of us are swift to deliver their needs and wants as they line up for food. I secretly ate some food earlier, so I am not hungry. They forced me to stay and help serve the food. These circus members are like savage beasts who have been starving for all their lives. I've never seen a man clean his plate so fast. I see someone pushing themselves through the crowd and they are accompanied by a shout, "Hey! Outta the way!"

I find Ciel being dragged by his roommate through the throng of people. I laugh silently to myself at the look of panic on my brother's face. The two boys almost get squashed, everyone is taller than them and bigger. They fight for their food and eventually walk off with their plates. I could not see where they went.

After breakfast is served, many of the troupe members leave for practice. I did the dishes and it felt nice to do chores. As stupid as that sounds, I miss living like an ordinary person. I am often bored inside the manor. Sebastian won't let me help clean, cook, or even do laundry. It is very rare that I do any cooking. I don't mind this small ounce of commonality I receive while living at the circus. It gets rid of pent up stress as well.

When everything is cleaned, I march off to the practice tent. It is time to master the trampoline once again. I spot my brother already inside along with his roommate. Sadly, I do not know is name yet. Now that I look at him though, he looks strangely like a girl. Must have one of those feminine faces. I begin some stretches and decide to do some pushups on the ground. Some people ask me what kind of exercises I am doing. I just say its stuff I made up when in fact it's some yoga I remember watching on YouTube when I was little.

I finish my last workout and decide to use the trampoline now. I wander over to it and take my shoes off along with my stockings. All of a sudden, the circus members start to chatter loudly, and a large shadow falls over me. I look up and find three ginormous colorful balls and Sebastian balancing on the top one. I feel my mouth fall open when I find William next to him, but he is using some kind of mechanism with a wooden board that lifts him high.

"Black is amazin'!" someone shouts in the tent. "No, Suit's ain't bad either!" someone else counteracts. I charge over to the two of them as the crowd expresses their awe's.

"Sebastian," I hiss loudly but trying to make it so the other's around me can't hear. He glances down at me in response. "You're going over the top! No human can possibly do that! It's too much!" I scold.

Sebastian smirks and hops down from the top, landing as superman would. The balls begin to fall over, and he grabs them one by one, setting them down. I just gawk at him like he is insane. No one can just land and catch those balls like that either! "But Missy, Suit is doing the impossible as well. I thought I might as well join." he informs with a slight pout (?).

I smack his shoulder; I am surprised he does not dodge. The look he is giving me is weird too, I don't like it. It's probably fake. "Oh my god, all men are the same." I whine. "Who cares if he's doing the impossible, that's all on him!" I point out. "Stop trying to beat his ego!"

I walk away from him then, not caring for much more of his thoughts on the matter. I go back to the trampoline and climb on top of it. I begin to jump up and down, practicing on my legs and their position.

0o0o0o0o

The trampoline ended up taking a lot out of me. I exit the practice tent panting like a dog that's been running for too long. All my muscles ache and my feet protest to keep walking. I may be fit, but a trampoline and a fighting dummy are two different things. I didn't even notice I had other muscles by the time I am done. I force myself to walk to the bathes. I need to get clean and cold water in the dead of winter sounds nice and horrible at the same time. Not to mention, it's late into the evening and the stars are starting to shine. It's colder at night compared to the day.

I walk over to the area and find some other woman inside. I don't even care. I keep my gaze at the ground before I come over to an unused tap. I take the bucket and fill it with cold water. The cool air is slowly getting rid of the heat from my skin. I strip out of my clothes and decide to dip my shift into the water. I scrub at it to get rid of any stench it might contain from working out. I wish I had more clothes!

I hang it up on the tap and start to clean myself. The cold water makes me shiver constantly and my teeth chatter once more. I'm going to develop a cold at this rate. As I run my fingernails through my hair, a thought occurs to me. Cold weather, sickness...why does that feel important all of a sudden? I ring my soaked hair out as I ponder. I grab a thin towel laying down nearby and dry myself off in a hurry. For some reason, this is really bothering me. What am I forgetting?

After I finish drying myself off, I grab my cold, drenched shift and slid it over me with a shiver. I take the rest of my clothes and slip on my shoes. I venture back to my tent and find no one inside. I sigh through my nose and fold my clothes up. I stuff them under my bed. I take my blanket sitting on the bed and wrap it around my shoulders. I pull it close to me as I shiver constantly. The cold won't go away. My wet hair is helping the matter either. My thought from earlier pests me as I sit next to a single lit candle.

My breath fogs in front of me and I huddle into myself. I did not have to perform tonight thankfully. Neither did Ciel or Sebastian as far as I know. My hair slowly dries as time passes on. I hear the circus become rowdier from outside. Joker asked me to help move stuff if I didn't have anything else to do. However, my muscles are incredibly sore, and I'm exhausted from lack of sleep still. Eventually, I sigh and decide to get up anyway. I want to stay here, but it's best if I do something. Plus, tonight would be a good time to check the top-tiers tents.

I pull my dress back out and slid that on. I take my blanket again and tie it around me like a cape. I wish I had a robe right now. I enter the backstage of the tent and many people are getting ready for their acts.

"Has someone seen my earing?!" a woman shouts nearby. I look around and don't see anything. It is kind of chaotic in here. I push my way through people until I find Sebastian's back. I walk toward him and come to his side. He is giving someone a headdress with a fake smile. He glances at me in the corner of his eye, "Where have you been?" he asks.

I tug the blanket closer to me, "If you can't tell from my hair, I went to take a bath." I tell him.

I sniff as I continue to tremble from the cold air. He does not reply and Dagger's voice rings through the air, "We don't've enough knives! Are dere spares?!" he shouts.

"Yes guv'" someone replies, and I see Ciel dash across the tent somewhere.

Sebastian leaves my side to go help someone else and I walk to the sidelines of the tent. Ciel comes out of the crowd of people and walks over to me. He sits down on a stool that is beside me, looking defeated. His complexion is a bit pale, but maybe I am overthinking it. He slouches in the seat, "Ah...will I get around to investigating that tent first or will I kneel over from overwork?" he complains.

I chuckle slightly, "Hopefully the first before the latter."

The backstage begins to clear out and there are only a few people left. Most of them went to go perform on the stage. He looks up at me then, "What should we do while the show is going on—"

He stops and finds no one is left really, "Huh?" he voices in confusion.

"They are all gone, thank god. I don't feel like doing anything tonight." I breathe out in relief.

Ciel stands up abruptly and starts walking over to Sebastian who is in the wardrobe room. I follow naturally, curious about what he plans on doing or asking. "Sebastian!" Ciel calls out. Said man turns to look at us while he is shuffling through the clothes. "His mark missed! We don't know when our next chance will come. Let's get through with investigating that tent now!" Ciel informs.

"Oh, we're doing that so soon? Great." I comment and cross my arms, ready to hear the plan.

"Have it be over within ten minutes!" Ciel commands and starts to dart off. I follow him and so does Sebastian. "Yes, my lord." Sebastian replies with a smile.

However, before we could exit the tent fully, "Black!" Joker calls out, his voice is panicky. We stop automatically and turn to look at him. Wendy is on Joker's back and Peter by their side. "Wendy twist'd 'er ankle, so she cun't appear in the performance 'nymore." Joker informs us. "So Black, please go out in 'er place!"

Shit, not good, we almost had the opportunity to investigate too. "The show'll be fine if ye do it, Black, so I beg of yer." Joker continues with a pleading gaze.

I can hear my brother breathing a bit shallowing and concern crosses the forefront of my mind. Is he okay? I think his face got paler. Sebastian does not respond to Joker, but he takes his silence for a yes. "It'll be yer turn shortly, so please git ready soon!" Joker persists and proceeds to exit the tent to take Wendy to the doctor I assume.

Sebastian turns to us, appearing regretful of the situation. "'Tis a pity, young master. We'll have to wait for another chance."

Ciel coughs next to me and it bothers me greatly; something's wrong and I can't put my finger on it. Ciel walks away after and into the room where all the members were getting ready earlier. We follow along. "We don't need to sneak into that place for long. On top of that, now might be the only time when that person is not in there," he explains. "I have time. The tough part is just the venomous snakes." Ciel looks up at the schedule for the show in thought, "According to the program, your debut will end at 19:50 and the encore is at 20:00."

"That'll give you time to get all the snakes in five minutes top, then you'll appear in the show," I conclude. "I'm going too, the more people, the faster we can search and be out of there."

Ciel nods, his eye is full of determination. "That's fine," he tells me. "Finish your debut at 19:50, and once you've gone into the back and released all of the snakes, you'll return for the encore." Ciel finalizes.

"We'll investigate the rest! Let's go!" Ciel shouts and grabs my wrist.

"Okay!"

"Yes, sir." Sebastian replies.

Ciel drags me out of the tent and we make our way to the top-tier tents in a rush. Sebastian ran ahead to Snake's tent and got there before us. He ends up tying all the snakes into knots and beckons us inside the tent when he is finished. He has the last snake in hand, knotted up. "This is the last of them, right?" I ask hesitantly as I stare at the cage full of snakes next to us. Sebastian smirks at what I said and tosses the last one into the cage as an answer.

"All right. You go straight to the show tent. You'll be suspected if you are tardy." Ciel states to Sebastian.

"Certainly, sir. I will be back at once." Sebastian confirms and exits the tent with one last look at us.

I look down at Ciel, "Are you feeling okay by the way?" I ask.

He appears weakened to a degree; his breathing is making me worried. "I'm fine," he says and grabs my hand again. "Come on, we don't have much time."

We search through two tents but could not find anything. We make our way to another one and walk inside. "This tent is quite austere." Ciel comments.

I walk further in and examine it, "I agree, it is. I believe this is Beast's tent."

Ciel wanders over to a chest and I peek underneath the person's cot. There is not much under there surprisingly. I hum in thought and get back up.

"A photo of children?" Ciel questions. I perk up at what he said and come up behind him. "Are they from the troupe?"

I examine it curiously, "That looks like Beast, I think." I point out.

Ciel hums and hovers a finger over a fat man, "Who is this?" he asks.

I squint and take the picture out of his hands. "What the hell? Where have I seen that fat guy from?"

"You recognize him?"

"Mm, but from where?" I ask more to myself.

Ciel opens the chest as I continue to examine the photo. Fuck, where have I seen him before? His name is on the tip of my tongue. I remember I didn't like him, but why? "There's another photo of him in here." Ciel mentions.

I look down and find another picture of the fat man, "God damnit, why can't I remember him? His name is on the tip of my tongue."

Ciel frowns and glances at me, "Think harder."

"I'm trying!" I hiss at him.

He lifts the photo up to me and points at a sign in the background, "Do you recognize this sign, 'workhouse'?"

I shake my head, "No, unfortunately."

Ciel sits still in his thoughts and puts searches more inside the chest. A twig snapping in the distance brings me out of my thought bubble. I listen attentively as I hear someone coming close. I begin to panic, and I grab the photos and toss them back into the chest. Ciel turns to stare at me, ready to complain. I make a 'shush' sign and zip my lips, telling him to be quiet.

"Get in the chest. Someone is coming." I whisper and start to push him inside.

He is about to get in when something grabs me at a rapid pace and slides me underneath Beast's cot. I hear the chest close and automatically know it's Sebastian. I hold my breath as I hear someone enter the tent with a sigh. I could identify it is Beast due to her shoes I could see. She comes to a stop at the chest and turns around. I hear fabric ruffle and her top falls to the floor. "Aw, I liked this one." Beast murmurs sadly. I spot Sebastian opening the chest a little and letting a piece of clothing slide through.

She turns back toward the chest and grabs the top that Sebastian slid through. She begins to walk away as she puts it on and exits the tent. I wait until I hear her walk away far enough to know she's not coming back before I scoot myself from under the tent. The chest pops open and Sebastian climbs out of it.

"That was a close one." I sweatdrop and dust off my skirt.

"Yes, I made it in time it." Sebastian adds. Ciel climbs out afterward with the help of Sebastian and Ciel takes a photo out from his pocket.

"I see. So, you found something in that photograph, young master." Sebastian says and puts a finger to his chin in thought.

"Yeah, Sebastian, do you notice anything?" Ciel asks and lifts the photo for him to see.

I scoot closer to them and peer over my brother's shoulder to look at it closer. "You are right." Sebastian states. He points to something on the man's hand in the photo, "I have seen the same hallmark before like the one on this signet ring recently."

"Signet ring? Hallmark?" Ciel questions. I narrow my eyes on the ring in the photo. Somehow, I can analyze the design on the ring as well. "You can even see small things like that?" Ciel asks, a bit astonished.

"Where have I seen this ring before?" I mutter lowly. "Ah, I'm going crazy," I complain and scratch my head in thought. I am beginning to develop a headache.

"You see it too, Rina? How?" Ciel asks me, surprised.

I shrug and stand up straight, crossing my arms in thought. "This hallmark is the same as the one at the base of Ms. Beast's prosthetic leg." Sebastian mentions.

"So, they are all connected then? To this one man." I deduce.

"The hallmark on the prosthetic leg, the workhouse—this man has my attention. Especially, if you recognize him, Rina." Ciel says.

"I'm trying to remember, I really am." I whine.

"Young master, my lady," Sebastian says and takes out his pocket watch. "it's almost time. This will be all for today."

I stretch my arms out, happy to sink into my bed. "Finally."

Ciel remains silent, not responding. "Young master?" Sebastian questions.

I see that he has his own pocket watch out, "There's still Joker's tent left. We're short on time, but we do have eight minutes." Ciel states.

My brother grabs my wrist again, "You head back so that you don't draw suspicion. I'll finish up everything today! When the encore is over, return here ahead of the troupe members and release the snakes." he instructs and begins to run with me in his hand. I fumble slightly but eventually match his pace. Before we leave, Ciel turns to look at Sebastian, "All right?!" he asks.

Sebastian smiles and bows slightly, "Yes, my lord."

Ciel brings us to Joker's tent and we dig around as quickly as possible. After a few minutes, we don't find anything, and time is slowly disappearing. Ciel begins to search the bed and reaches underneath the pillow. He pulls out a random envelope.

"Huh, who is it addressed to?" I ask curiously and walk to his side. Ciel begins to open it and I read the back, "Tom, the piper's son?" I mouth in confusion. "Why is it referring to a nursery rhyme?"

"Like mother goose?" Ciel adds on, just as lost.

He starts to take out the contents. A surprised look flashed across his face abruptly, "Why?... This is my name!" Ciel cries.

"What?!" I shout and hover his shoulder immediately. It is a whole document about him, such as his birthplace, his family, even I am in there! "Why does he have your information? Does he know about us?!" I ask rapidly.

Suddenly, I hear people's voices and their footsteps coming toward the tents. I panic and grab the letter out of Ciel's hands. I stuff it back in the envelope and push it under the pillow where we found it. Ciel is about to protest once again tonight and I give him the 'be quiet' sign. "They're here," I whisper. He grabs my hand and we sneak out through the back of the tent. I spot some boxes and I tap his shoulder, pointing to them.

He nods and we crouch, sneaking over to them. We hide behind them as the troupe passes by us. Suddenly, a light overcast us, and we both freeze in our spots.

"Hey, what're you doin' here?" a voice behind us says. We look at each other in fear. I can't believe we just got caught. Ciel and I turn around in sync and find Doll staring at us through a large gap in the boxes. "Uh..." Ciel says, not sure what to use for as an excuse. Suddenly, Doll lurches forward and sets the lantern she is holding down beside me. She puts a hand on Ciel's mouth, and I panic. What is she doing?!

"Hey, Doll. ~" Dagger's calls out from behind Doll. "What're ya doing?"

Her eyes widen when she looks behind us and grabs something, "Snake!" she shouts. She sits still and holds out the snake, her thumb pressing the snakes head forward in order to not get bitten. "A venomous snake was slithering about." she informs.

Dagger cries in horror and the snake continues to hiss violently. Doll gets up with it in her hand, "Didn't I tell you not to let them loose outside?" Doll asks someone, I'm guessing Snake. "You'd better put 'em away in your room properly now."

"I'm sorry for my carelessness that I could have sent you to the next world." Snake says, I think. I hear someone walk away and assume it's him. I hear Dagger walk away as well and that's when Doll turns to look down at us again. She leans down and grabs both of our hands, "This way." she states.

We both get up and she starts to jog, leading us away from our hiding spot. "Hurry," she commands. We quicken our steps and she led us to a fenced area made with rope. She gets on the ground and shuffles her way under it, "Don't touch the rope." she instructs. We follow her directions and do the same action.

Ciel is breathing heavily the more we go until she stops us at some point. His breathing is haggard, and I instantly remember why I was concerned earlier. I forgot he has asthma. He hasn't dealt with it in a while but now he is exposed to new conditions such as prolonged cold air. Sure, he had no problem in the past in the wintertime but I'm sure living in harsh conditions out here triggered it.

"It should be fine now since we came this far." Doll informs while looking around once more for people.

Ciel coughs, "Why did you help us?" he asks in confusion.

Doll begins to pull the bow off around her neck, "You still don't get it?" she asks, seeming to be hinting at something. Now that I look at her, she appears familiar. Once the bow is untied, she lifts her hands to her wig, "It's me," she states and takes the white wig off. "Me!"

I gasp when I realize who it is once the white wig is gone. "Ah!" Ciel voices beside me and points at his roommate. "Freckles!?" Ciel shouts, his eye wide with surprise. "You're a guy...yet you wear that costume?!"

"How rude!" Freckles says, appearing offended by the comment. "It's obvious I'm a girl." She grabs Ciel's hand and lifts it to her breasts. "Here."

I gawk at the action and intervene immediately, "What do you think you're doing to my brother?!" I shout and take Ciel's hand away from the girl. His face flushes red as he registers what just happened and I hold in close in case this girl attacks him or something.

Freckles laughs until she smirks suddenly, "He can take a peek downstairs if he wants."

"What?! How perverted are you?!" I cry and Ciel clings to my side.

"No, thank you!" he shouts back, not wanting any of it.

This girl is insane! How dare she say that! Ciel coughs again next to me, and my horror is easily placed with concern. "So, why were you in there anyway? Didn't Joker tell you about those venomous snakes?" Freckles asks, almost with a boom.

"About that..." Ciel trails off, not sure what to say. I try to think of an excuse but I'm really bad at doing that though. Anyone can tell when I lie on spot usually. Suddenly, Ciel grabs his head and looks guilty which surprises me. "I'm sorry! I didn't actually steal anything today though! Please don't boot me out of here!" Ciel pleads.

"Today? You!" Freckles gasps in shock.

"Before I became a page boy, I was actually in the East End having to do all I could to survive. I knew it was wrong, but I couldn't help myself. The mansion I worked for previously found out about it..." he lies and fake trembles next to me in despair. I look at the ground sadly, trying to play along also. "I-If I was driven out of here, I'd have to live in the East End again..."

"...so, you really didn't steal anything then?" Freckles asks.

"No, I didn't I swear to God." Ciel insists.

Freckles thinks about it for a moment before looking at me, "What about you? Why were you there?"

I rub the back of my neck in thought, making it look like a guilty gesture. "As his sister, I know about his bad habits. I saw him sneaking over there and I had an inkling what he was doing. I got lost on the way until I saw him hiding behind those boxes last moment. Sorry..." I say with look away.

Freckles sighs after a second, "Oh well, I guess I have no choice then...it's okay." she says. "Anyhow, I owe you."

"Thank you so much!" Ciel and I say in sync.

"I think everyone has something about them that they don't want anyone to know...besides I did something bad to you today." Freckles acknowledges.

I tilt my head in confusion, "Did I miss something?"

Freckles smiles at me, "Don't worry about it. I won't tell anyone about this but now we are even. However, don't steal again no matter what!" she lectures.

"Yes," Ciel replies. "Um, can I ask you something? Why does a first-tier member like you share a tent with me?"

Freckles startles slightly at the question, "Ah...I'm just not a fan of private rooms." she informs and turns around with a sigh, "staying with someone else seems to help me sleep better sometimes. I hope that you don't mind sharing a tent with me now that you know that I'm a first-tier member."

"Of course not." Ciel breathes out with a sweatdrop.

Freckles chuckles awkwardly and reaches a handout to my brother, "Neat. So, we will keep what happened today our secret."

I sweatdrop when my brother meets the girl's handshake with a fake smile, "Okay!"

We wave her goodbye until she is gone completely. Ciel cools his expression into something indifferent. "Good thing she owed you a favor." I point out. I peer down at his reddened face, "Are you sure you are feeling okay?" I ask.

He scowls at me then, "I said I'm fine."

"I'm worried, no need to get an attitude. You're showing symptoms of your asthma..."

He turns away with a shallow cough, "I'm not repeating myself."

I watch him walk away with a sigh, "Seriously, he is too stubborn." I mutter under my breath. "Hey! Wait for me!" I shout and jog to him.

Hopefully, Freckles can keep her mouth shut...