*ahem* Hello. Been a while, hasn't it? Just realized what I said in the first chapter about what episodes this happens inbetween is completely wrong... but I don't remember when it happens. Oops.
Anyways, this one is still while Ciel is gone. I wanted to go back to present, but couldn't think of what could happen. Needless to say, this is... I think? Rachel's second day in the manor. I may go back to her first impressions in a later chapter, but I just felt obligated to put up another chapter right now.
Without further ado... enjoy!
Sebastian led Rachel to her bedroom after dinner. "Would you like to take a bath tonight, Young Mistress?"
"Er, I don't know…" She looked into Sebastian's patient eyes and nodded her head. "I mean- yes. Yes, I would."
He bowed. "Very well. I shall draw it up for you."
Rachel followed him into the bathroom, and watched him prepare the water. After he was finished, he turned to her.
"Would you like assistance, Young Mistress?"
Rachel blushed before responding. "Um… I can do most of it by myself, but…" She paused. "Could you help me clean my back? I can't reach it very well."
Sebastian bowed. "As you wish, My Lady."
"I'll, er, do it myself first. Then you can come back and help me. But, um… I think I'll leave my undergarments on when you return."
"Very good, Young Mistress." He turned and walked out the door. Before he closed it, he called over his shoulder. "I shall be right outside if you need anything."
"Alright. Thank you," She said. She stripped off the clothes she had borrowed from Ciel, and eased herself into the steaming water. She sighed contentedly, sitting in the bath for a few minutes not doing anything. Then she remembered Sebastian was waiting for her. She quickly cleaned herself; all the dirt and grime covering her body floating to the bottom of the tub. She then grabbed her pants and undershirt, pulled them on, and sat back down before calling her butler. "Alright, I'm ready."
Sebastian reentered, an eyebrow raised. "You've put your shirt on backwards, Young Mistress."
"I know. I wanted the buttons to be on the back so it would be easier for you."
"Ah. Well, thank you for your consideration." He pulled the shirt open, and nearly gasped. "What is this?"
"Oh," Rachel muttered as she remembered. "It's nothing. Just some old scars."
"They don't look to be healed, Young Mistress."
"I told you I can't reach my back very well. I don't clean them as well as I should."
Sebastian took the sponge from the side of the tub and poured soap onto it. "Well then, I shall try my very best to clean this up." He began to gently scrub, Rachel blushing as his delicate fingers brushed against her spine.
"Ah!"
"What is it?" He stopped, his brow creasing with what Rachel could only define as concern.
"Nothing," She said. She gritted her teeth, determined to not let Sebastian see her cry.
"I am sorry if I have hurt you, Young Mistress, but if these are to heal they must stay clean."
"No, it's fine," She replied. She crossed her arms over her chest, clutching tightly to her shirt. "I'm alright. Please continue."
He nodded, and began once more to scrub. Rachel's breathing was heavy, and she felt light-headed.
"Sebastian?"
"Hm?"
"Se...bastian…" She blinked. "The water… it's turning red."
"Don't worry, Young Mistress. Everything will be alright."
She nodded, then her body jolted. She tried to cry out, but her mouth wouldn't work. Her eyes rolled back, and she sunk into the water.
"Young Mistress?" Sebastian's voice was distorted, coming to Rachel as if in a dream. "...Young Mistress…!"
Rachel was vaguely aware of what was happening. She felt Sebastian's strong arms carry her through the mansion, and then was set on a bed.
"...I apologize… Young Mistress…" She heard Sebastian say. "I must… do this…"
A shiver ran down her spine as she felt his warm hands gently removing her soaking wet shirt. She could do nothing; her arms were like deadweights. She tried to wake up all the way, but the darkness enveloped her once more.
When Rachel's eyes fluttered opened, she was alone. She was lying on her stomach, fresh, warm clothes on her body. Her hair was still a bit damp. She tried to sit up, but a sharp pain ran down her back.
"Ah!"
The door opened, and Sebastian knelt by her side. "How are you feeling, Young Mistress?"
"I…" She swallowed. "My back hurts," She answered truthfully.
Sebastian nodded, a slight smile on his lips. "That is to be expected." He held up pile of white linen. "I am here to change your bandages."
"What happened?" She asked.
"Don't you remember? I was attempting to clean your 'scars', when they burst open. You lost quite a bit of blood." He began unbuttoning the back of her shirt; it was on backwards once more. "I carried you here, changed you into clean clothes, and then you fell asleep."
"You…" Rachel blushed furiously. "You… changed my clothes?"
"Yes." Sebastian faced her, his brow creased. "Is something wrong?"
"Did- did you…" She stuttered, her face turning redder. "...see anything?"
Sebastian's expression changed once again as he released a small laugh. "Young Mistress, what do you take me for?" His hands continued working, untying her bloodied bandages. He shook his head. "I was blindfolded. And Mey-Rin assisted me, as well."
"Oh." Rachel's voice was full of embarrassment. "Well… Thank you."
"It was simply my duty, Young Mistress." Sebastian smiled gently, but Rachel could see the hunger hidden behind his eyes.
After he had replaced the bandages, he stood to leave. "I shall bring you your afternoon tea presently. If there is anything else you require, do not hesitate to call for me."
Rachel nodded. "Thank you again, Sebastian." As he closed the door, she whispered after him.
"...You saved my life again."
A Phantomhive Butler who cannot keep his mistress from drowning isn't worth his salt.
Interesting factoid: I named her "Rachel" in my head a while before I started writing this, then re-watched most of the episodes. Imagine my surprise when I realized Ciel's mother has the same name! Oh, well. Too late to change it. I'll just pretend it was intended ;)