"Thank you, Tanaka." You said kindly accepting the tea he presented to you. It was chamomile, what you needed right now. There was a slight scent some cinnamon. Blowing a few times before taking a sip, set it aside on the nightstand.
He stood over waiting and watching. Keeping a close watch. As you shifted a bit restless sitting up, it would make sense you were horizontal for the past few days. Giving a stretch you swing your legs over tossing the sheets back and stand. Nearly wobbled if he hadn't caught you.
"Be careful Baroness," he sets upright, carefully looking you over. "you must not push yourself. Your body is still healing."
Softly smiling for his care nod. "Yes, I suppose I clearly have forgotten. I became more excited than I should have. I will not push myself in such a way." Releasing yourself from his hold take a few strong steps, spin around back to the man. "I am well." Feeling flushed quickly take a seat. Tanaka hurries to your side, you force a smile." A bit." Laughing lightly.
He did not find it amusing as you did. "Come now, back to bed with you." Holding you gently he helps you stand, feeling your body shaking lightly even when you took the small distant steps back to bed. "Careful, careful now..." he lays you down pulling the covers back with his a hand. "Though your spirit seems well, your body says otherwise."
How right he was, everything felt like molasses and jell-o. Resting seem like the best to do, even so your mind was not agreeing. "What of my sister? How is she?"
Looking up from tucking you in Tanaka saw all your strength in your eyes morph into concern. It was a lovely sight. "She is doing well, the master has her with him. She is enjoying herself well," careful not speak of her being sick, skips over it. "she is rather happy for Christmas. She nearly begs the master to take her out to see all the wonderful toys in the windows. She talks non-stop about the traditions the two of you shared."
Memories. Your lips form a mild smile at the thought. Harmony did enjoy this time, no doubt she was singing the songs the to of you would do together. She loved singing them to her toys. By this time you'd both be making cookies together, she loved gingerbread ones, recalling she told you that Sebastian made some with her once. To your surprise. Wondering what else she was doing...was enjoying her practice? If you had a phone near you, you'd call to find out.
Noticing this Tanaka opens his mouth to continue, for you to speak instead. With a light humor. "I have no doubt.."you pause taking a breath. Rest deeper into the pillow. "Harmony is rattling Ciel's nerves. Those together can be rather childish at times. It is rather amusing to watch. They can be rather..similar yet not realize it. Speaking of Ciel, how is my dear cousin? This weather," your eyes drift to the window watching the snow fall. "I know it's not good for his health. Did he take any of the remedies for himself? Did Sebastian take any? I-I..can't remember.."
"Baroness," Tanaka softly calls to you. Patting your hand lightly. "do not worry. Your sister and the young master are both doing well. Sebastian is with them both, I know wholeheartedly he will take the utmost care of them. He knows and is aware how important the two are. After all, he is a Phantomhive butler."
Sebastian, I nearly...that's right...you remember. That night...of course how could you forget. Taking some sort of comfort knowing settle your rising nerves. "Yes, you are correct. I had nearly forgotten." You tone returns back to its gentle nature. "They both also have Angi and Soma. And the others too. They will keep them well."
"Yes, they will." He nods. Finished tucking you in. Smoothes out any wrinkles. "You just rest, I must inform the young master you have awakened and are still currently restin-"
You interrupt him. "When shall they return?"
"Considering the master would like you to rest and regain your strength before the others returned. Wanting you to have the time to yourself before the others, I am not sure. "
Your face slightly drops.
"But, I will be sure to inform the master you wish for them to return sooner. A house is not a home after all this emptiness."
A sentiment you couldn't agree with more. Before he left there was one more thing you required of him. "Tanaka could you possible, make another call."
He stops at the door and waits for your request. "Yes, for course. I shall Baroness." Bowing he leaves.
This wasn't right, this had to be a mistake. Just to make sure Ronald needed a second set of eyes to look it over. Walking through the halls of headquarters stops at the office of William T. Spears and knocks.
"Hey, Will, are you in there?" he casually calls scratching the back of his head. "I've got something for you to see." Holding up the file in his hand puzzled."I mean, seriously are you sure this what you gav-"
The door and the Grim Reaper steps out. With cringe looked. Pushing up his spectacles. "I am quite busy at the moment."
"Yeah, I know. But, see..."he shows him. "Something is wrong with this file."
Taking the document Will's eyes steadily look them over. Seeing nothing out of the ordinary at first. "What is this..." he notices giving it a double look. "This isn't right."
"I know right!" Ronald peers over pointing. "I thought so too, I was all ready to go and collect them and next thing...it suddenly changed. So, it got me thinking really, about something, you remember a few years back it was the same displacement. With Howard, what was his last name again?"
"Cobbler. Yes, I remember he went to collect this very soul and never came back. There was another before him as well, a few in fact. None returned. Eventually, their bodies were discovered." Will recounts. "It was never stated how, but there was always either a slashed throat or deep puncture through the heart." The more grimmy details he gave sent a cold shiver through Ronald's spine.
The young reaper nearly when ashen. Swallowing. His words came out trembling. "A-And you...wh-where going to send me to them? Wait? Is this the one who did all those things?" His eyes move back to the file, resting on the picture. "Is it them? She doesn't look like much."
Will's eyes whip to the picture, studying it. His eyes drop the information noticing something again offsetting. It resonated from it. "This female...she..." her place of living matched the area in which the bodies were found. There was also something else. "Her time, it should have been..." his eyes narrow sharply. "something is wrong."
Adjusting his spectacles slaps the file close. "I will handle this." Will walks off. Leaving Ronald confused.
Cool air slipped through the small open slit from the window in your room. Its touch settled the rising flames on your skin, its light crease on your cheek tickled like a feather. A soft moan left your lips each time. Shifting slightly in your bed slowly flutter your eyes open from the extra presence looming over you.
"M-M..." you gaps through shallow breaths. "M-Mr. T-Tanaka...?"
Assuming the man was here, get no reply and with nothing but night filling your room your eyes couldn't see the visitor. Only shutter from their gentle stroke on your cheek. A smile slithers on their lips, clicking their tongue. Shaking a naughty finger at you, grab your chin softly between their fingers, lean hauntingly close. Their long grey hair veiled over you. Covering their face and your own.
You could feel their warm breath on your skin, with sweet desire. They lean close nuzzling their nose dangerously close to your lips. "My soon to be whithered flower," they purr intoxicated. "you are not to be withered away yet. No. Only stunned. They come, but, I will keep them back." They move closer placing a kiss over your left eye, holding the lips there.
Cursing inside, scream. While your body remained motionless. Their arm slips along your body and around your waist. Extra weight added to the bed, feel it rest on your chest and remain. "What a lovely heartbeat...so lovely. For one soulless." Their other hand moves along your leg stopping at your throat. With a single starting from your collarbone, they trail it all the way down stopping in the center of your chest bone.
Tapping it rhythmically.
If you could just move than you'd be able to...sending signals to your finger hoping it flinch find it useless. Nothing was working now, your body was numb. Limp. No matter what you did. Every second they remained on you, your mind screamed and cried. What worked? Just your eyes blinking, shutting hoping Tanaka would come in now, they'd leave. Yes, they'd leave.
"You," they continued to talk. "my little mouse, she nearing her time as well." Using two fingers walk them upon your skin back to your throat. "I know that isn't what you want, but, then again.." they rise and hover over you. Staring deep into yours, smiling. Quickly drops. "You're not being a good little flower," their hand crushes around your throat. Unable to claw back remained at their mercy. "I will not allow," their voice like ice and blades. "you to discern my research. Do you understand?"
I-I...you gasp frightened. I-I...try to swallow, scream the name burning your mind. Over and over again. Everything began slipping away, this wasn't how it was suppose to go...Harmony...Harmony she'd...Ten Sheng...Harmony...Ciel...Madam Red...one by one they disappeared. No matter how desperate you tried to reach them. They vanished.
No.
Worse.
No! No!
"Baroness," a voice whispers. "calm yourself, Baroness. You are unharmed." Their eyes lay upon you in their hold. Flicker down noticing the red markings around your throat. It was as they thought, someone was here...their scent sloppily plastered and drenched on you. Snarling, swallow it and lay you back to rest. Covering you. Stops hearing footsteps approaching. They stop before the door.
Turning the knob Tanaka enters and sweeps his eyes across the room. Nothing was out of place, his eyes lay upon you sleeping peacefully. "All is well," he walks over getting ready to tuck you in further stopping noticing it was done. "Well..." he smooths out the wrinkles, pats your head lightly, and leaves.
Not before glancing back noticing something quick slip to the window.
