Disclaimer: I do not own Fruits Basket or Black Butler. They, and their characters, belong to their respective creators.

Chapter Twelve - Undertaker

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Tohru stared in awe at the vast palace in front of her. Even Kyo had to admit that it was unlike anything he'd seen in person.

Lizzy practically bounced up and down in excitement. "Didn't I tell you it was grand? This is where the Queen lives, though I don't think she's here at the moment," she added a bit sadly. The flag indicating her being at court was missing. Her servant, Paula, remained silent, just watching.

Ciel was glad, though. He didn't need to risk running into either the Queen or one of her many servants who might send him off on some wild goose chase, not with everything else going on. He had his own interests to look after at the moment and didn't need to be sent off to some foreign town to solve someone else's troubles.

Tohru craned her neck to see the topmost tower. "It's so large!" She had to shade her eyes against the sun as she stared. "And all of this belongs to the Queen?"

Kyo tried to act like it was nothing though. "Heh. This is nothing compared to the Sohma House. You just haven't seen all of it yet." He didn't want to admit in front of the others that he hadn't either.

Sebastian glanced wryly at the boy but didn't call his bluff. He had no way of proving that it wasn't true so he just smiled.

"It's a shame, though," Tohru commented, "That Mr. Tanaka wanted to stay with the carriage. He'd probably like to see this."

Lizzy took Tohru's arm. "He's seen this place a hundred or more times," she said to ease her friend's worry. "Isn't that right, Ciel?"

The earl nodded. "Yes, he's been here many times." He didn't want to mention that he'd noticed the old butler was running out of steam and had thought it better that he rest than go out walking under the hot sun, especially since Sebastian was with them, not that Tanaka wasn't capable, but Sebastian was the more fit of the two.

"Shall we walk around the gate," Sebastian asked politely as he waited for them. "Not all the way around, mind you, since the grounds are quite large and it is quite warm today. We wouldn't want the ladies to become overly tired or be exposed to too much sun."

Tohru looked up at the comment. "Oh! I'm fine! I'm used to long walks!"

Kyo had to smile at her comment. It was typical Tohru. Never say die. It was one of the things he liked about her.

Ciel noted the smile on Kyo's face. Perhaps the red head liked Tohru more than he'd been willing to admit. At the very least, seeing her as a good friend, though he rather thought it was more than that. "Shall we then?" He smiled, causing Lizzy to become even more excited. She ran to his side and took his offered hand.

Kyo watched them. Did he dare try holding Tohru's hand? Would she see it as something weird? Before he could make up his mind, she had grabbed his hand and started walking. "Come on, Kyo," she said. "We'll be left behind if we don't keep up!"

Kyo blinked but didn't pull away, walking beside her. At least she didn't want to hold onto him the way Lizzy was holding on to Ciel. That would cause all kinds of problems that neither would want to deal with. Paula followed behind.

Sebastian began telling them the history of the palace as they walked, pointing out various sections as they passed them, must to Ciel's amusement, though the young earl knew he was doing it more for Tohru and Kyo's benefit than for any other reason. Well, and his love for pointing out things like that. He was showing off a bit, though, Ciel thought.

Up ahead, there appeared to be a gathering of some sort, though Ciel could not immediately determine the reason. But that a group so large should be there was definitely out of the usual. "Sebastian," he said quietly and the butler looked towards the crowd ahead, then back to Ciel, who nodded.

Tohru blinked as Sebastian moved away. "Where's Mr. Sebastian going," she asked as the party stopped to wait.

Ciel smiled his fake smile again, giving the appearance that everything was well. "I sent him to inquire after the crowd ahead. He should be back momentarily."

Lizzy moved over to Tohru's side, letting Ciel's arm go. Her fiancée seemed more intent on watching what was going on ahead of them than on talking with her, and Tohru was usually more than willing to talk.

Kyo let go of Tohru's hand to move up by Ciel. "You don't think it's a demonstration or something, do you," he asked the younger boy, who shrugged, continuing to watch.

Paula looked around, moving closer to the two males of the group. Her mistress and the other young lady were talking animatedly. She turned her back for five seconds, then realized that the chatter behind her had stopped. She looked behind her to make sure everything was well. She let out a strangled sound as she turned completely around. "Miss Elizabeth!"

Both Ciel and Kyo whirled around at her outburst. They both let out cries of dismay. Both girls were gone.

"Elizabeth!" Ciel's eyes went wide. He looked quickly back and forth, hoping they'd just wandered off a short distance, but he couldn't see them.

"Tohru!" Kyo did the same, with the same result. "Damn it! Where are you!" He started to move away, looking around the corner they'd turned only a few minutes ago, but couldn't see them.

Ciel stopped and looked back towards the crowd, which was dispersing. This didn't feel right. "Sebastian!"

Kyo ran back to where Ciel and Paula were standing. He was breathing hard and had to taken a moment to catch his breath. "I went all the way down to the corner but I couldn't see them," he confessed.

Paula swooned. Sebastian arrived in time to catch her. He set her gently against the stone wall of the palace gates.

Ciel ground his teeth. This was getting out of hand. They were beginning to create a scene. "Sebastian, Lady Elizabeth and Tohru have disappeared. Find them, and send Tanaka. We need to get Paula out of the sun."

Sebastian inclined a bow. "Yes, My Lord." He seemed to disappear in a flash.

The young earl slammed his cane against the cobblestones. "Damn!" How had this happened? He'd only looked away for a moment, a slight distraction. But apparently that was all the time that had been needed. He tried to recall anything that might have aroused suspicions, anything out of place but he couldn't think of anything. He didn't even flinch when, no more than a few minutes later, Sebastian returned.

Sebastian bowed on one knee. "My apologies, Young Master. I could not find any trace of them. It's as though they simply vanished into thin air. Whoever is responsible for this crime is obviously no amateur."

Ciel cussed again. How could they just vanish? No one vanished without a trace. No one.

Kyo eyed the butler warily. How was it possible for the man to investigate thoroughly enough to say there were no traces, and send for the carriage in so short an amount of time? It just wasn't humanly possible. For one, they'd left the carriage a good ten-minute walk behind them. And, unless the man was lying or just assuming, there was no way he could know for sure that the two girls had just vanished as if they didn't exist.

Ciel looked deep in thought. "Sebastian, do you think it possible for their disappearance and the disappearances of the other young ladies to be related somehow?"

The butler contemplated. "I suppose it is indeed possible. I cannot recollect any other incidents that have occurred recently that might fit the modus operandi, unless this is an isolated incident."

The earl scowled. "If this is an isolated incident, it's possible that they were after me somehow. If that's the case, we should hear from the kidnappers before too long. They'll probably send word to the manor, but only if that is the case. Either way, I don't like it."

Sebastian frowned. "Nor do I. I am tempted to believe it is more likely an unrelated incident, but I can't be sure either. The women previously targeted were all of the lower class and not well known so it does not quite fit either. Whichever be the case, we likely will not hear for a few hours, unless this was a well planned crime, which I find to be less than likely as this outing had only been planned the night before and was not publicly announced."

"That doesn't give us much to go on, either way," Ciel had to admit.

Sebastian had to agree. "No it does not. What will you do, Young Master? Stay in town and continue to investigate the other disappearances in hopes they are related, or return home, hoping someone will send for a ransom?"

At that moment, Tanaka pulled up with the carriage. After setting the brake, he climbed down from the driver's seat. "Young Master," he said as he bowed formally. "Mr. Sebastian told me what has happened."

Kyo's ears pricked up as Tanaka confirmed that Sebastian had indeed gone and informed the other man. But how was it possible? Even if he'd run, there was no way, and the butler hadn't been out of breath when he'd returned.

Ciel sighed. "For now, let's move Paula inside the carriage," he instructed both men. "I need to think for a moment."

The two men gently lifted and carried Lizzy's servant to the carriage and set her inside while Ciel paced back and forth, thinking. Either way, the results looked to be few and far between. Of course, it was always possible that a certain someone had overheard or been told something about either case.

Ciel stopped pacing to stare directly at Sebastian, who stood waiting by the carriage door. "Sebastian, have Tanaka take Paula back to the manor. We will continue on foot to the Undertaker's place where we will inquire about both cases. Also, call the Manor and instruct Bard to keep an eye open for any ransom demands. We will return before nightfall."

The butler bowed. "Very good, Young Master. I will attend to it immediately." He went to find the nearest telephone.

Having been given his orders, Tanaka regained his seat on the driving board and set the carriage in motion, heading back to the Manor.

Kyo chewed on the inside of his cheek. Apparently they'd forgotten about him. Well, he'd fix that. "So, who's this Undertaker and how is he supposed to help find Tohru?"

Ciel looked over, taken from his thoughts. He knew he'd been forgetting something. "I suppose there's no helping it," he thought to himself. "The Undertaker is a friend of mine. He usually has good information. It's possible he has heard something about this kidnapping or about other kidnappings of young women that may or may not be connected."

Kyo rolled his eyes. "I gathered that much," he grouched. "It's not like I've been standing here the entire time or anything."

"There's no need to be impolite about it," Ciel reprimanded. "You're not the only one who has lost someone today. Don't forget that."

Kyo crossed his arms in a huff. "Whatever. Just don't forget that you're not the only one here."

Ciel chose to ignore that comment. Instead, he began tapping his cane against the stones as he watched the various carriages and pedestrians coming and going. Sebastian was taking his dear, sweet time.

The butler finally returned. "My apologies for taking so long," he said first off before Ciel could make any comments. "Bard required me to repeat the information twice before everything was understood completely. He has not yet heard anything from the kidnappers but will keep an eye and ear open and will send word should anything turn up."

The earl nodded. "Good. We should get moving as well. Come, Sebastian." He turned around, heading in the direction they'd originally come from. "The Undertaker may have all the time in the world but we do not."

Sebastian waited politely for Kyo to follow after the earl before taking up the rear. He kept a sharp eye as they walked.

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Kyo stared in shock at the outside of the shop. It looked like something out of a bad horror movie or a haunted house. Tohru would definitely be scared to enter such a place. He sighed. Well, she was part of the reason he was there. "Let's get this over with," he said as Ciel and Sebastian turned back to look at him questioningly.

They walked into the shop and Kyo knew Tohru would definitely not like that place. Coffins were everywhere. It looked rather creepy inside, and dark.

Ciel walked to the middle of the room, his expression stern. "Undertaker! Are you here? I need information!"

A rather crazy kind of laughing seemed to be coming from one of the coffins. "Heh heh heh! If it isn't the little Earl Phantomhive!" The coffin lid creaked open and the gray-garbed undertaker sat up from the cushions. He got out of the coffin, still smiling. "You know the price for information, little earl."

Ciel bit back a snide remark. "Very well. Sebastian…"

Kyo took that opportunity to step forward. " Hey, what's with the whole coffin sleeping thing? Are you some kind of crypt keeper or something?"

The Undertaker turned to look at the orange-haired boy. "What? Who's this? A new friend, Earl? He looks an interesting type. Is he good for a laugh?"

Ciel let out an exasperated sigh. Kyo was ruining everything. "Who knows," he said sharply. "So far, I don't think anything he's done is amusing."

Kyo bristled. "Hey! It's not my fault things turned out this way! It's not like I wanted to join this crazy circus of yours! It makes fighting a pack of boars seem tame in comparison! At least I knew what I was up against! Ever since we got here, we've only been jerked around so don't be getting all high and mighty!"

"Oh ho, little Earl," the Undertaker said, watching with interest. "He's definitely a feisty one. Why don't you just let it all out, lad? He can take it!"

Ciel glared at the Undertaker. "Don't encourage him!"

Kyo clenched a fist as he moved closer to Ciel. "Heh! As if I needed it! You're always acting like you don't care, hiding behind that patch of yours like it's a badge. Well, even if you don't care, I do! You should try showing some real emotion for a change! It would do you some good!"

Ciel turned to him, stung, but he wasn't about to show it. Instead, he lashed back. "What, and wear it like a badge the way you do?" He was tempted to hit him with his cane. This was pointless and was getting them nowhere fast.

"Well, at least I show something real! It's obviously you like Elizabeth and yet you don't show it!" Kyo leaned over Ciel, dwarfing him as he glared down.

Ciel glared up. "And you're one to talk? If you're so high and might, why don't you prove it?"

Kyo was more than eager to jump into a karate stance. "Bring it! I'll mop the floor with you!'

Their little spat was interrupted by the Undertaker bursting out laughing, shocking both. "My but that's something you don't see every day! Who knew you'd find someone to be your match, eh, Lord Phantomhive? I'll have to write this one down in my diary!" He continued to laugh.

Sebastian looked at the two boys with raised eyebrows. Inside, he was smirking. Well, someone had finally stood up to Ciel. Who would have thought it would be the time traveling stranger? And though things could have gone ugly, he'd been right in not interfering, though he'd have to keep an eye out, just in case the boy's temper flared in a less than appropriate way in the future.

The Undertaken sat down on the coffin he'd vacated, still chuckling. "You should bring this young man more often," he commented. "He's quite amusing. So, what did you want to know, little earl?"

Ciel closed his eyes for a moment, composing himself, trying to convince himself to not order Sebastian to maim Kyo. He let out his breath, then took a deep one. "I understand a lot of young women have been disappearing as of late, mostly those of the lower class. I wondered if you knew anything about it, or if any such women had recently come into your shop."

The Undertaker's eyes lit up. "Ah! So you're after that case, are you? I have seen a few women lately who appear to have died of natural causes from the onset, though they also seemed to have died rather painfully. Not many, though. A few here, a few there. I had one yesterday, in fact. No physical injuries or foreign substances. One would almost think they died of heart attacks, but that's a lot of heart failure."

Ciel stiffened. Was this what they'd been looking for originally? "How many, and where were they found?"

The Undertaker seemed to think for a moment, tilting his head to one side. "Now let me think. How many? Over the past few weeks, I'd say about five, all younger, no older than twenty-five. But they were all found in different locations, scattered one might say. Like flower petals." He chuckled to himself.

Kyo scowled. What an unreliable way of getting information, he thought as he folded his arms and sat down on a coffin. He couldn't see any chairs anywhere and Ciel seemed to not mind sitting on a coffin either. He rather thought it morbid but didn't say anything.

Sebastian had chosen to stand. "And where exactly were they found," he inquired politely.

Undertaker turned to face him. "Here and there. One was down on the Thames near the Chinese shipping companies. Another was found out in a field. Another in a ditch down in Grace Church Street. The other two were found behind warehouses in different directions."

The butler mused. None of the locations seemed to be related, except for maybe the warehouses. But it was something to investigate. Perhaps it had only been a convenient place to relieve someone of the bodies. But they still didn't know if it was related to Elizabeth and Tohru's kidnapping.

Ciel rather agreed. "And you wouldn't happen to know anything about their disappearances? Or that of any others?"

The Undertaker stood and moved to a replica of a skull and began playing with it. "I've heard of such disappearances as of late, though more have disappeared than have come my way. Though you probably already know this, most of the women who disappeared had no place to call their own, displaced souls at the end of their ropes, so to speak. And most of them were not originally from here, traveling in hopes of finding a place to belong one might say."

Kyo almost stood up. He and Tohru hadn't come from England. Was that a reason, somehow? He looked over at Ciel and Sebastian, who had exchanged glances.

Ciel leaned forward. "Have you heard of any recent disappearances, Undertaker? Any at all?"

The old man's eyes lit up even more as he peered out from under his mat of gray hair. "I have, but you already know about those two, eh, little Earl? Unlike the others, mostly, though. Not lower class, not unknown, but displaced in a way."

Ciel went pale. "You don't mean…"

The Undertaker grinned playfully. "Oh, you've guessed already? Yes, Earl, it was them, your little Lizzy and his friend. They disappeared in the same manner as the others. Word travels fast, you see, when you have the right connections."

Ciel and Kyo stood in shock at the same time. "Do you know where they are, Undertaker," Ciel asked urgently. "Do you have any idea at all?"

The Undertaker scratched his shoulder. "Unfortunately, I don't know where, but I'm sure you can find out if you try hard enough." He turned back to his anatomy models, playing with them.

Realizing that he wasn't going to get any other information from the man, Ciel bowed stiffly in thanks. "Sebastian, hire a carriage to take Kyo and myself home, then go investigate the locations where those women were found."

Sebastian looked up in surprise. The Young Master did not usually hire carriages. His anxiety must be great, combined with an unwillingness, perhaps, to not be caught in the web being spun around them. Or, perhaps, he hoped to discover something back in the solitude of his own study. He bowed. "Yes, My Lord."