Totally inspired by Jay Chou's 'Chrysanthemum Flower Bed'. Go listen to it some time if you don't mind listening to music that makes no sense if you can't speak Mandarin. That sentence... also made very little sense.

Anyways, Kuroshitsuji belongs to Toboso Yana. The sister's of the Pearl Pagoda belong to MOI.

Pain scorched through my head. I let out a sharp cry, my hand instinctively going for my scalp. Looking up, I glared at the reflection of Beautiful Moon through my vanity mirror, her hand holding a tortoiseshell comb. She brought the teeth roughly through the knots in my ebony hair.

"Ai-ya, Beautiful Moon! There's no need to be so rough!" I snapped, flinching away, where I turned to glare up at her. She stared down at me with her black eyes, lips curling into a smirk. "What in the name of Kuan Yin are you trying to do? Make me bald?" Uttering a curse under my breath, I once more turned to face my reflection. I stared at my face, pale as a ghost. I still needed to apply my makeup. My emerald eyes seemed to sparkle with apprehension for the supposed ball tonight, but they glittered with excitement as well. But why? I had been to a fair amount of parties hosted by yang guizi. I had no reason to be excited for this one.

Beautiful Moon let out a tsk-ing sound behind me. "How terrible," she murmured. "To swear under the name of the Goddess of Mercy!" She shook her head, but I could still see the smirk on her face. "You are being very unladylike, Spring Jade."

My eyes narrowed. "Hold your tongue, Beautiful Moon," I snapped. I cursed myself once more, irritated now that I could not keep my composure.

Beautiful Moon's smirk deepened. "Come, Spring Jade, I thought you were always praised for your manners! To pair such an attitude with such a pretty face can be sometimes considered as ill-disciplined and disobedient. It'll be unwise to bring a bad name to the Pearl Pagoda. The Golden Flower would be very angry."

"I understand that," I shot back. "Do not treat me as an incompetent idiot, Beautiful Moon."

Beautiful Moon said nothing; instead, she brought the comb through my hair in a rhythmic motion, finally pulling out each of the knots. After a bit, she murmured, "You are so lucky, Spring Jade. You have so many opportunities…"

I frowned slightly, my eyebrows furrowing. What was she getting at? "Opportunities? For what? Beautiful Moon, we are in a prostitution house. We have no opportunities for anything. The only miracle that we could ever have is to become a rich man's tai-tai, or perhaps his concubine. But why would any yang guizi want us? We are a Chinese minority against a mass of Westerners." My hands curled into a fist at how cruel reality was, and I sighed, attempting to push away the ghosts of my past; of my betrothal to Jianyu; of my family.

"But you are so beautiful, Spring Jade. You are so lucky. One day -" her voice was cut off as the door to my room was opened, revealing Ivory Blossom.

"Do jeh, Beautiful Moon, but I think I'll take over now." The older said. Beautiful Moon bowed slightly, before she slipped out of the room, closing the door softly behind her. Ivory Blossom took a seat behind me, her hands raking through my stick-straight hair. I could see her amber eyes appraising me through the reflection of my mirror.

"Now," she murmured. "To style your hair into the traditional Japanese style called the 'split peach'." She giggled at that as her hands began to skillfully divide and style my hair. "Do you see what that hairstyle might suggest, Spring Jade?"

I sigh. She was being immature. "Yes, Ivory Blossom. It may suggest my ripeness as a virgin. Am I right?" I frowned at the thought of that; how fallacious that notion was, when I had sold my virginity many times.

But Ivory Blossom just shrugged. We continued to sit in silence as she twisted and braided my hair, before setting a red pillow-like thing into the chignon. She then set the two long pins that Lau had given me into the bun, the chrysanthemums dangling from the blackness of my hair, catching the light quite prettily. Turning my head slightly to the side, I let my fingers run over the crystallized flowers.

"They look so beautiful in your hair. How lucky you are," Ivory Blossom said, her voice pleased, a broad smile on her face. "To get such a lovely gift."

"What? Ivory Blossom, I've gotten more beautiful gifts than just this. You have too. What is so special about these hairpins?"

Ivory Blossom let out a low laugh, throwing her arms around me. I recoiled in my surprise, leaning away from the other woman. Why was she so… happy today? It was odd to see her like this. She was a beautiful, elegant, and haughty woman, respected by the younger sisters and sought out by many men; now, she acted like one of the giggling idiots that acted as our maids. Whirling, I stared into her glittering eyes, dreamy as though she were afloat on the clouds. Her cherry-red lips were set into a wide smile, and her cheeks were rosy against the whiteness of her skin. "The thought is so romantic. Such a gift coming from a handsome, young man. The gifts we usually get are from those stinking old beasts."

I frowned. What? Of course; they give us these expensive jewels and makeup and perfumes because they were infatuated with us. No other reason why. They spent money on us to make us pretty, and when we did not meet their expectations anymore, they would cast us away like a dirty piece of clothing. That was the cruel reality of a prostitute. One moment, we would be on a rose-colored cloud, the next we would be looked upon as no more then a flea-infested dog.

"Don't frown, Spring Jade. We do not want you to ruin such a pretty face." Ivory Blossom held my face between her hands as she leaned forwards, her nose barely touching mine. Feeling suddenly uncomfortable at her closeness, I pushed her away.

"Ivory Blossom," I said, wiping my cheeks with the back of my hand. "Why are you acting so strangely?"

Ivory Blossom whirled away from my vanity table, the skirts of her pale pink dress fluttering prettily around her dainty ankles. "There is a man."

"A man?" I turned back to my mirror, and began to powder my face, making it whiter then it already was.

She grinned, falling back onto my bed. She rolled onto her stomach, balancing her chin in her hands. I could see her glowing face from the corner of my eye. Her hands reached into the pretty glass bowl that held the chrysanthemum flower Lau had given me, and she gently played with the pale pink petals. She remained silent; as did I. I began to rouge my cheeks, ever so slightly until they held a sensual blush to them. Turning my head slightly to the side, I admired my handiwork.

"Yes, a man." Ivory Blossom finally replied, her eyes dreamy once again. "I met him a couple nights ago. He is ever so handsome. A young English man. He is so boyish looking, but so handsome nonetheless. His eyes are wide, and they are so pale in color, like the moon. He has such white skin, and his face is so smooth, like a young girls! And he was such a gentleman. Compared to all these other gwai-lo's" - she used the Cantonese saying for foreign devil, while I used the Mandarin yang guizi - "he is truly a charismatic young man. And to think he does not have some pompous tai-tai by now." She scoffed, her finger running across the rim of the bowl.

My heart plunged in my chest. Silently, I prayed to the Goddess of Mercy that Ivory Blossom would not be silly enough to fall for this man and let her heart be broken. This was another darkness that plagued the heart of a courtesan; we were designed to pleasure a man with our skills in both bed and the arts. We were meant to make them lust us, make them infatuated with us; yet, we were never meant to fall in love. We could not. What if the man we were to fall in love with… what if he left without a trace? It would leave us heartbroken. So, in my resolve to never be forlorn without love, I hardened my heart. I could not allow myself to love. Infatuation was out of the question. Yet, I still paraded around with a pretty smile on my face and an elegant dress tailored to my slender body. Still, I needed to look beautiful. I sneered at the though. How contradictory: an elegant whore.

I turned my attention to my emerald eyes.

"Spring Jade?" Came Ivory Blossom's voice.

"Yes?"

"What would you call this feeling?"

I thought about it for a moment. "Infatuation, perhaps."

But Ivory Blossom shook her head. "No, I think it may be love." She murmured, moving to stand behind me. My heart was now at my feet. Oh, Ivory Blossom… "I don't know; he is like the purist peach, one that no has tainted. It is like… like… Oh, I do not know how to describe it, Spring Jade! That night, he did not ask for pleasure, for anything of the sort! Instead, we talked of my life here, and then I played for him my zither. He was so enchanted."

My frown deepened. "When was this, Ivory Blossom?"

"A couple days ago! Did I not say? You summoned me to greet him."

Thinking back to that day, I realized that he was the guest that the Golden Flower had not wanted me to greet. Horror knocked in my chest like a great, pealing bell. Turning in my chair quickly, I grabbed her hands. "What did you talk about, Ivory Blossom?"

She stared at me, stunned. "I just told him of my past, then told him of what I do here. Nothing else."

"Are you sure?"

She shook her head. Then, a curious expression passed over her features. "Is there something wrong, Spring Jade?"

Exhaling slowly, I shook my head, turning to once more face my mirror. "No, it is nothing, Ivory Blossom."

I saw her frown from the corner of my eye. "Well then," she said, straightening. Her fingers flitted over her perfectly-styled hair like a butterfly on the tip of flower. Once more, that hauteur appeared on her features; all wistfulness disappeared. "It is time I go and greet him. He is coming again today." She smiled at me through the reflection of the mirror, cherry-red lips turning upwards languorously. "Have fun at the ball." With that, she nodded, and was gone without a trace.

How could I not stop the dread that was creeping in the pit of my belly?

Ciel Phantomhive glared at himself through his mirror. He was dressed up as a decorated sea captain, complete with regalia of one from the British navy. A jacket of deep blue velvet was draped across his body, with golden tassels at the broad shoulders. He wore a lacy ascot tie, and a crimson sash tied around his lean waist. He wore brown breeches, tucked into polished black cavalry boots. A belt holding a sheathed sword was fastened over the sash, and the sword just hung past his shins. A black hat was placed upon his head, and a white plume feathered from the back.

He looked stupid. Grabbing the hat, he flung it to the floor as he turned to stalk back towards his bed.

"Are you not pleased with the costume, Young Master?" Came Sebastian's voice from the corner of the room. "Perhaps you would like to wear that dress designed by Ms. Hopkins?"

Ciel's eyes flashed, and he shot the demon butler a withering glower. "Shut up, Sebastian." He snapped. Then, he sighed. "Why must I attend this stupid ball? I have no interest in meeting one of Lau's 'girls'." Somehow, Ciel knew she had to be a prostitute, no matter how highly Lau spoke of her. He grimaced at the thought; dancing with a whore.

"It is her Majesty's decree." Sebastian replied simply. "As the Queen's guard dog, it is your duty under the Phantomhive name."

Ciel sighed once more. "Yes, I know." He pushed his hand through his hair, his other hand balancing him against the bed. Dropping his head, he found himself staring at the plush carpet underfoot. Quietly, he contemplated to himself the outcome of tonight's ball. Opium smuggling? He smirked at the thought; that would be easy enough to uncover. Yet, he felt unease churn through him. Something didn't feel… right to him at the thought of the ball. Why would one smuggle drugs in a place so blatantly obvious, where the Queen's guard dog was bound to appear? Or perhaps it was a trap? Exhaling slowly, Ciel shook his head. Something was going to happen tonight, yet he could not determine if it would be for the better or for the worse.

Sebastian's voice once more shattered his thoughts.

"Young Master?"

Stupid demon; couldn't he see that he was thinking? Turning to fixate another scornful scowl at his butler, he spat out a single word.

"What?"

Ivory Blossom drifted through the passageways towards the reception hall, where she knew her guest was waiting for her. He had requested her again, to her delight, and now her heart fluttered in her chest like a trapped hummingbird.

She felt excited, enthralled almost, to know that this handsome man was waiting for her, just moments away. Something about the young man caused a thrill to run through her body whenever she thought of him; whenever she thought of his touch, his beautiful eyes. Pausing, she quickly checked her hair; smoothed any wrinkles in the red cheongsam she wore, one that hugged every slender curve of her body, that had a slit daringly high up the side; one that bedazzled almost anyone.

Then, she took a deep breath, and stepped through the beaded curtains. A young man looked up at her entrance, regarding her as though she wore a beautiful portrait. She felt her heart stop as his moon-pale eyes held hers, felt a warmth spread through her body. Smiling shyly at him, she stepped forwards, towards him.

"Sir Grey," she greeted as he stood. "What a pleasure to see you again."

The young man smiled, taking her hand and bringing it to his lips. "And a pleasure to see you as well, Miss Ivory Blossom. How… stunning you look."

She giggled girlishly at that as her cheeks took on the faint blush of a blooming flower. Stepping back, she was delighted when he took a step after her, as though afraid she was to disappear. Her hand, slipping from his grasp, was once more gripped in his strong, but gentle, hold. He stared at her with a curiosity in his eyes, as though attempting to dissect her soul, piece by piece. She felt hot under his piercing gaze.

After a few more awkward moments, her full lips broke into a dazzling smile, one that rendered the man winded. "Come, Sir Grey," she said, voice playful now. "Let me take you to my room."

I sat in my room, dressed in nothing but a simple white robe. Under the Golden Flower's scrutinizing eye, had picked out something for me to wear at the ball. I was still waiting for her or one of the maid's to deliver it to the room so I could get dressed. It was to be something beautiful, I would imagine. Of course, the Golden Flower would want me to look stunning; to leave a lasting impression.

But on who? I thought to myself bitterly. Yes, I knew I would catch the eye of many men; yet, I knew that I would also be looked down on by many of those rich yang guizi's tai-tai's. Who would want to remember a prostitute, was all I could think about.

Beauty without virtue is like a rose without scent.

I thought back to what my mother had told to me so many years ago. And alas, I had lost my integrity as a woman and chastity as a girl when I had first stepped foot into this opium den. Without virtue, all I could leave was the physical impression of beauty that would be quickly diminished like a smothered candle; an illusion of something stunning and pure, but polluted by many hands. I may have excelled in the arts, yet I was restrained within the Pearl Pagoda. How could I showcase my true talents? All I did was I flaunt my skills to drunken and horny men. What good would that bring me except sex and perhaps gifts?

How disappointed my mother would be if she saw me now. That very thought caused my chest to suddenly feel leaden, as though I was being crushed under my shame and frustration. Balancing my chin on my hand, my face felt heavy with all the makeup I wore. To hide all imperfections. I sneered at that thought. If only I could hide my soul too.

There was a knock on my door. I startled, my thoughts vanishing. Sitting up straight, I stared at the tall wooden door. "Come in."

The Golden Flower entered my room with a wide smile on her aging yet elegant face, two things folded in her arms. Dressed in a deep plum dress, she looked classy in this house of prostitutes.

"Ah. Spring Jade," she crooned as she noticed me sitting there. "You look stunning. Now come. Let us get you changed." Unfolding the thing, I was stunned to a silence at the absolute beauty of a very beautiful kimono. It was made of shimmering midnight-blue silk, which caught the firelight from my candleholders ever so prettily. Reaching forwards, I brushed my fingers over the patterns etched upon the dress. It was gorgeous. Absolutely stunning. The smile on the Golden Flower's face widened.

"I knew you would like it, Spring Jade. You would look beautiful in it. Now come over here to see if it fits."

Standing, I allowed the maid that had followed her to strip me of my gown so that I stood, bare-naked to the Golden Flower. They wrapped the kimono around my frame, and it poured down my body, fitting perfectly, the silk cool against my hot skin. After fastening the obi, I turned to face my reflection, and was left breathless.

Perhaps, for one night, I could relish my splendor without having the name 'prostitute' emblazoned upon my forehead as though written there. Perhaps, for one night, for one, single night, I could feel truly beautiful.

Lau sat silently as his horse-drawn carriage bumped along the cobblestone roads. Ran-Mao was seated beside him, her chin resting on his shoulder.

Today, he had visited the manor that was hosting the ball three times. After overseeing the credibility of the boxes that were to be shipped the next day, he prayed to the Gods that hopefully, tonight would be a success. That hopefully, nothing would go wrong. If all was to go well tonight, than perhaps the Queen's little guard dog would leave filled with a night of bliss, and perhaps, he would make a profit from that little Spring Jade who had so wonderfully caught his eye.

He held an odd affection for the young woman named Spring Jade; she held such a pure air, untainted by anything, despite her occupation as a 'flower girl'.

And besides, he didn't want anything to happen to the Queen's guard dog. He didn't want to put the blame on him, when it was obviously not his fault. He adored the boy all too much. Yet, if it was needed, then all fondness would have to be put aside.

After all, business came first.

Lau felt a wry smile break across his face at the thought of tonight. Oh, how he loved balls.

Smirking, he looked up, through the window. There, the Pearl Pagoda loomed in the distance, where he knew that behind its closed doors, was a world filled with intriguing sensuality and dark secrets.

Yay! Finally, Chapter 4. Yea... the Lau part was sort of rushed... a little foreshadowing too, perhaps? Nope.. wait... I think I put in too much foreshadowing. Ah, whatever. So, hopefully, Spring Jade will meet Ciel in the next chapter? Idk... but it's possible!

Anyways, I was so uncreative that I had to use Ciel's costume from that party with Alois or whatever in Kuroshitsuji II. I was thinking of making him somewhat reminiscent of James Bond, but I realized that there was no such thing as James Bond during that time.

...But then again, Sherlock Holmes is good too, but nawwwww. Too lazy to change it now. And btw, yes, the 'split peach' is a real hairstyle. Idk. I read it in 'Memoirs of a Geisha or something'.

Anyways, that 'beauty without virtue is like a rose without scent' was something that I just saw on the internet somewhere. The author is unknown, but I'll credit whoever it was nonetheless. Thank you, 'unknown author'!

So yea, please rate and review! :3

THANKS. BAIBAI.