A/N: I'm so glad to finally get this up. Sorry to all those that have waited for this, and thank you all so much for reviewing once again!
There's only 2 days left to vote for which dress you'd like Sakura to be in, and so far the results are:
5 Votes for Ball-Gown 4! (The black and red mini kimono)
2 Votes for Ball-Gown 3! (The black and red frilly dress)
1 Vote for Ball-Gown 2! (The white/pink dress)
1 Vote for Ball-Gown 1! (The white frilly pixie-like dress)
Blood Stained Blossom
By
Obsidian Neko
x-x-x-x
Chapter Three
The Haunting Past
x-x-x-x
Claude Faustus's lips twitched in annoyance as he let out a small 'tsk' sound. He should have known that the Phantomhive's butler would be capable to notice such the smallest thing. He had underestimated Sebastian Michaelis, and he hated the very thought.
His gaze returned to his master, who -after countless hours had screamed and yelled obscenities at nothing in particular- sat crestfallen on his king-sized bed. He had yet to say a word, and it was beginning to annoy the demon butler even more. He was about to give up and leave the room, until Alois jumped up from the bed, a blazing determination in his sky-blue eyes that made him regret his earlier thought of the young lord being.. annoying.
"There is but one way to take back Sakura, and that is to take down the problem itself," The young boy murmured, his eerie smile coming back in place as his eyes glinted. "Sebastian Michaelis."
x-x-x-x
I had thought, being in a different residence with a much kinder master, would have been easy. But I was so very wrong.
Maylene, who had been my guide from the start, was a complete disaster. Even with her spectacles, she was as blind as a bat. First, she had tried to juggle as many plates in her arms as possible, resulting in her toppling to the floor and breaking an unbelievable amount of plates. Then, she had mistaken wood polish for boot polish, causing the wooden stair-rail to be coated in a thick black. I almost face-palmed. But I couldn't help but feel a sense of... freedom, being here with all these people. The atmosphere was light and carefree, whereas in the Trancy household there was always that suffocating tension in the air.
I found myself smiling before I had even realised, and once again Sebastian came at the wrong time. He saw. And he was so very amused, if the wide smirk upon his face was any indication.
My face grew warm, and to escape further embarrassment, I grabbed my cleaning equipment and dashed off some place else. All the while I felt his stare burning into my back.
x-x-x-x
After amusing himself over the pink-haired woman, Sebastian left to his young master's study. Knocking twice on the large oak doors, receiving a bored 'Come in', the crimson-eyed butler entered.
Ciel sat staring boringly out of the window as he twiddled with his feather ink-pen, his work for that morning stacked neatly to the side. He looked up as Sebastian entered and turned to face his servant; the navy-haired boy rested his elbows on the desk, lacing his fingers together as he leaned his chin against them.
"What is it, Sebastian?" The boy asked, trying hard to conceal his irritation at being disturbed. His butler merely chuckled and handed him a folded piece of paper, Ciel snatching it from his grasp. Sebastian smirked and handed him the note. The Earl took a moment to read over the letter, staring blankly at the paper in bemusement.
"He wants us to join his fancy dress party. All of us. Sakura, Mayelene, Finny, and Bard also." He raised a brow while looking pointedly at his butler. "What on earth is this all about, Sebastian?"
"Only one way to find out, my lord," The glint in his eyes unnerved the thirteen year old.
x-x-x-x
It was around five o'clock in the afternoon when I heard a knock at my bedroom door. As expected, it was none other than Sebastian. He wore no grin, nor a smirk. But there was something in his eyes that I didn't like the look of. I opened my mouth to ask him what he wanted, but he beat me to it.
"Alois Trancy has invited the Phantomhive Earl, as well as his servants, to attend his fancy dress party tonight at seven o'clock." My eyes widened.
"It seems this event is his way of taking you back, blossom." Sebastian said, voicing my fears. I began to tremble at the thought of being under his control once more. He must have sensed my displeasure for he gave a reassuring smile. I rose my brows at his strange behaviour. Up until he'd been teasing or creepy. But now he was being kind. It was a feat I hadn't realised Sebastian capable of, what with his distant and weirdly changing personality. But I guess even handsome men had their faults.
"Oh hell no..."
"Is there a problem, Miss Sakura?" His question made me realise I spoke out loud, and I shook my head frantically before a full-fledge blush assaulted me.
"I can't go." I said, glancing up into the butler's crimson gaze, a fierce determination set inside me. His face contorted into mock disappointment, and he made his way over to me. I backed up and my back hit against the closet, my eyes widening as he continued to advance upon me. His hand reached towards me and I squeezed my eyes closed, awaiting a hit for being disobedient.
The closet door next to me opened, and I snapped my eyes open only to see the man smiling down at me slyly with something in his arms. He draped it on top of the bed before coming towards me once again, his face only inches from mine. He was smiling at me with that closed-eye smile, his fingers curling in my hair.
"It is not a choice, blossom, but an order from young master," And then he left, and I found I missed the soothing warmth his fingers. I sighed and sat on the edge of the bed, fingering the bed sheet in defeat as past memories plagued me.
x-x-x-x
There was a time where I had lived with two adorable little boys; one younger than the other, with rusty brown hair, the other golden blonde. Both had such lovely blue eyes. And, despite being parent-less and looked down upon as nuisances, they were always smiling. I had taken it upon myself to look after the two boys, and after a few weeks, they even began to call me Sakura-onee-sama. The nickname they had given me after I taught them a few basic Japanese words. I had never been so happy.
Then that tragic day arrived.
I had left the small town to go to the city of London to buy the boys something special; two wooden toy soldiers painted perfectly, the red of the clothing gleaming in the sunlight. It had cost me more than I thought, but it was worth it to see the happiness in those children's eyes. The children I had thought of as my own, even though I was only eighteen.
I took a horse-and-cart ride home, smiling proudly at the box sitting in top of my lap. I could not wait to see the look on their faces. I nearly dropped the box containing the toys as the cart suddenly lurched to a stop, the horse making noises of resistance.
"What on ea-" I began, but glanced up as I heard the cart-driver give a sharp gasp. My eyes followed the direction of his horrified expression, my own gasp sounding as tears collected in my eyes and my heartbeat skip a beat.
"No.. no, no, no..." I hadn't realised it was me repeating that same word over and over until my feet began moving on their own accord. I didn't even realise I had stepped off the cart. I began at a slow, uneasy walk which soon turned into a full sprint as I dashed towards the burning town, hoping with all my heart that the boys were safe.
"Jim! Luka!"
My hopes came crashing down as I glanced at the numerous dead bodies littering the ash-covered ground. My knees buckled as I collapsed onto the path, the toys tumbling out of the box and rolling onto the ash; the paint spoiling as the still-hot ash melted it away. I spared them a glance before I stumbled to my feet, breathing heavily as a choked sob worked its way from my throat, my heart clenching painfully.
A cry met my ears as it echoed through the silent town, my feet moving on their own accord again as a tiny slither of hope filled me once more.
'Please let that be them! Onegai!'
A mass of dirtied blonde hair met my vision, and I released a half-sob half-cry, rushing towards the hunched over figure and wrapping my arms around him. "Jim!"
I let go after a couple of moments, and he turned to me. His eyes were dead-looking and filled with tears, and as he turned, I saw the reason why.
"He's dead." His voice was so broken. I felt tears roll hotly down my cheeks as I took the smaller boy into my arms, gentle with him even though he would no longer move. His skin was cold and pale; dull eyes open wide with unshed tears at the corners. I hugged him close to me as I cried until my throat turned raw.
All the while the blonde boy next to me stayed silent.
x-x-x-x
A few weeks had passed since then, and I was finding it hard to take care of a young boy by myself. I had rented a room at an old inn near the destroyed town, until I could find another place to live. I looked over at the boy, finding him silent and staring at nothing in particular. He had not spoken a word since I had found him and Luka, and even then it was only two words. He'd hardly eaten, and he was becoming too thin.
And then those men with their carriages came, taking boys of a certain age from the nearby areas. I had no power to keep them from taken the broken boy, and was pushed roughly aside as they hoisted him out and onto one of the few carriages.
I could only watch with tear-filled eyes as he stared blankly at me, becoming further and further away.
x-x-x-x
Two years had passed, and in that time I had taken up a job of being a maid. I had learned more of the English mannerisms and behaviour, becoming top maid in the household I worked at. It had given me the satisfaction of a higher pay, which I used to buy flowers for Luka's grave. I had saved quite a lot, hoping that one day, I would be able to find Jim and give him a happy life in our own humble home. But two years went by without a sign that he was even alive and the grief was eating away at me.
In my momentary distraction, I ended up spilling red wine all over my Mistress' guest's cream gown, staining it through to the corset underneath. I had never seen someone so angry in my life, and it cost me my job, as well as my temporary home. Being a maid, I had earned a small but quaint room in the over-sized house. But I no longer had such a place.
I began to wander through the thickest part of London, walking until the bustling crowds thinned and I found myself staring at a toy shop. The very same toy shop I had come to a little over two years ago. Funtom Company, the shop read. A great store for children, and reasonable prices too.
I turned and began to walk away before the past could catch up to me, and walked straight into someone. I felt myself lose my balance, about to topple to the ground, but a firm grip on my upper-arms kept me upright. Shocked, I glanced up at the figure, seeing a man dressed in a very expensive-looking butler attire. I had thought he belonged to royalty, and stumbled back, bowing in embarrassment.
"I'm sorry, I should have watched where I was going-" I began, but was cut off as he began to speak, ignoring my apology altogether.
"You are Sakura Haruno, correct?" The man had asked me, shifting his spectacles up as his stern golden eyes glared down at me. I felt a slight fear crawl up my spine at his gaze and obediently nodded.
"Yes, I am. How do you know my name?" I asked politely, trying to keep the small tremor out of my voice. I heard him sigh, and I peered up at him through my fringe as I continued bowing. He seemed slightly agitated, as though he thought it time wasting to talk to someone of my calibre.
"Master Alois Trancy requires a Sakura Haruno as his maid. And seeing as that is you; you will be coming with me." I gapped at his words, though a small bubble of happiness built up inside me. Only a few hours after losing my job, I had acquired a new one without even having to look. And to a wealthy sounding man, to boot, if the butler's clothing was any indication. A small smile lit up my face as I followed after the black-haired man. Lady Luck was on my side after all.
x-x-x-x
It had taken forty-five minutes to reach the large mansion from the middle of London, and I could not keep my mouth from gaping at the size of the place.
"Come, the master awaits." The man -he introduced himself as Claude Faustus- said, and as he was of higher-class than me, I had no choice but to follow him through the large double doors.
Inside was beautiful; rich, royal-blue carpet laid upon the double staircase, an enormous crystal chandelier hanging between them and reflecting against the polished wooden floor. I had not realised I stopped to gaze at the place until I heard an annoyed sigh from Claude. I flushed in embarrassment, mumbling an apology as I continued to follow him, all the way up the stairs, until we reached mahogany double doors; carved with the pattern of a spider's web.
"Enter," A voice called out, and even through the thickness of the doors I could hear the familiarity in it, though slightly changed with age. I could not restrain myself as I pushed past Claude, throwing the door open to reveal that same child I had waited two years to see again.
Same blonde hair; same startling sky-blue eyes. The life had returned to them, but there was something else that had not been there before, but I ignored it as joy continued to fill me.
"Jim! Oh, I had waited and hoped so long to see you! I was so worried about you! Jim!" I threw my arms around him, holding him tight against me as I felt hot tears roll down my cheeks.
"Claude." Faster than I could blink, I was thrown off of the blonde-haired boy, crashing against the wall. I felt my head slam against the brick, my vision blurring violently until I was coughing and gagging; a hot liquid piling in my throat. It spilled from my mouth, and with trembling fingers I wiped my mouth, eyes widening as bright red glared back at me.
I sobbed, wiping my mouth more roughly than before and gave Jim a shaky smile, tears continuing to roll down my cheeks.
"You are... you're n-not Jim." I stuttered, my lips trembling as I stared helplessly at the once sweet boy; a twisted smirk upon his face as he seemed satisfied at my state.
"No, I am Alois Trancy; head of the Trancy household," My eyes watered at the changed boy as he walked over to me, yanking my head up by a fist full of my hair. "And you are to be eternally mine; Sakura-onee-sama."
I could not control the fear that welled up inside me at the thought of being slaved by the boy I once thought of as a baby brother; almost a son.
x-x-x-x
Knocking at my door brought me out of my thoughts, and I rubbed my eyes, surprised to find moisture smeared across my eyes and cheeks.
"Do not forget about the party in less than two hours, Miss Sakura," The voice of Maylene said through the door before I heard her scurrying away; most likely only just remembering herself. I gave a small half-sob half-chuckle as I stood, wiping the rest of my tears as I began to get ready for the dreadful reunion only a few hours away.
'Kami-sama, save me.'
A/N: I'm really not satisfied with this chapter. I had re-written the 'past-scene' so many times I nearly forgot what I was doing. Anyway, updates may be a few days, or maybe even up to week-long as it's nearly Christmas and there's so much to do D:
But please tell me what you think of this chapter. I'm honestly not pleased with at all, so flames are welcome xD
R&R!
Onee-sama = Older sister/older sister-like figure
Onegai = Please
Kami-sama = God
You probably already know them, but just in case~ D:
3:52am... Off to bed I gogogo!~
Until next time!
~Obsidian Neko