Raychaell: And hello everyone here and welcome to my lovely story!
Rouge: Stop talking to yourself 'cause no one reviewed.
Raychaell: T^T I know! It's so pitiful to see that people don't like a story, which I've poured all my efforts into!
William: Would you please shush and get on with the story since I want to know if Lady Claudia is all right!
Raychaell: FINE! I do not own Black Butler, only the plot and my crazy and demented OCs!
William and Rouge: Whom are you calling crazy and demented?
Warning: Blood and violence! Some minor swearing as well.
And to dearest sister, here you go! A bag of marshmallows just for you *Hands over bag of marshmallows *
Thoughts – Italics
"Mind speaking"
"Normal conversation"
"Are we there yet?" Rouge asked again for what seemed the hundredth time that day ever since he woke up and immediately demanded that they set out to rescue Claudia. Will had been right behind him on that, but Jade, Sebastian and Ciel had their doubts. Jade doubted him because he was still a little weak from the information overload, while Sebastian thought that he was being too hasty. Ciel did not doubt him much, and the only reason he held back was because he was doubtful of Rouge's earnest need to rescue Claudia. To Ciel, Rouge and Claudia were pawns, albeit important pawns that were to be his future allies in solving the case the Queen had set for them.
William was the one who replied him with all the patience he had. "We're not there yet, Master Rouge, so please stop asking." Rouge gritted his teeth in response. He had experienced almost all of Claudia's pain and from his small taste of it, he knew she wouldn't be able to last much longer unless they got to her in time, therefore his worry for her.
"Master Rouge, do not worry about Lady Claudia. I'm sure she'll be fine." Rouge snapped back to reality at the sound of Jade's voice through his Bluetooth earpiece. They had all agreed to wear the earpieces to allow easy communication between them all. Jade was currently riding a motorbike, a Yamaha 998cc YZF-R15 sport bike to be exact. The sleek black bike wove its way behind them silently and kept up with Sebastian, who was driving the car Ciel had arrived in, and also the very car William, Rouge and Ciel had piled into.
William currently sat in the front passenger seat while Ciel and Rouge took the back. Presently they were discussing about Claudia.
"So how did you meet Claudia in the first place?" Ciel queried, trying to get more information from his rival. Rouge merely sighed in response before replying.
"We were childhood friends." That was all Rouge cared to say about the subject. There was no way he was going to tell Ciel the truth until Claudia allowed it. That is, if she survives to give permission, the pessimistic part of him whispered. Rouge ignored the traitorous voice in his head. After all, he had endured listening to it during many dangerous situations.
Ciel meanwhile looked frustrated at the lack of information forthcoming from Rouge. How he wished his demon abilities included mind reading since it would make life easier for him! Rouge must have heard what Ciel was thinking, for he turned his head to glance at Ciel with an amused expression on his face, whispering, "Even if you could read minds, I can always make a mental shield for myself and black you out so, tough luck, shorty." With that last statement, Rouge went into a laughing fit.
William was the one who managed to stop Ciel from losing his cool and Rouge from any more laughing with his words. "We are nearing the location Lady Claudia gave us." At this statement, everyone went still and jokes were abandoned, a thing of the past now that they were remembered the reason for the long drive in the first place.
Rouge whispered mentally to Claudia, hoping to reassure her and awaken her will to survive because during the last few times he tried to go into her mind, he had received a worrying silence, making him fear for the worst.
"We're almost there, Claudia. Just hang on a little longer and I'll be there to save you."
Claudia felt numb all over. Hours or days could have passed without her knowing it. She had been electrocuted to the point that even her accelerated healing rate was not kicking in and helping her. She was barely aware of the numerous stabbings and blows she had endured when they weren't electrocuting her to break her will.
Someone, most probably Bogart was lifting her head by her chin and saying to her something that she couldn't hear clearly since her ears were buzzing away and she was too damn tired anyway. "… Hear me?" Bogart was saying something, but Claudia didn't respond. For that she got electrocuted again and another punch, not that she cared by then since she was too busy screaming at the new pain. Her ears finally cleared enough to hear Bogart say something again.
"I said, are you ready to give up yet, Lady Claudia? There's still time, you know? Bogart was saying. Upon hearing it, Claudia gave way to a humorless laugh.
"Give up? For what? To marry your ugly son? Puh – lease, I wasn't born yesterday. You might as well just kill me since I will never obey. Then again, if you do, you'll be hunted by the Black Rose and two other demons who will hunt you down with the Queen's blessing since she is my grand aunt." Claudia managed to rasp in a dry voice.
There was a muttering of deep unease, which came from hearing her mention demons or the Queen she wasn't too sure. Bogart silenced the mutterings with a sharp look, before turning back to her. "What do you mean the Queen is our grand aunt? And there are no such things as demons so you can't scare us!"
Claudia laughed again when she heard the slight quiver in Bogart's voice, and was instantly silenced with a punch to the jaw. Her world spun and she saw stars for several minutes before slumping forwards in exhaustion. Dimly, she heard Bogart say to the rest of his lackeys, "I'm going out for a smoke so you guys shall take over from here, all right?"
There was a chorus of "Sure boss," then Bogart left. She started to think furiously to herself despite the pain. She had heard Rouge's message to her, telling her to hang on since they were near, but inside, she knew the truth. Given the strength of the torture her body had been subjected to, she did not have much time left before her body gave up completely. If that was to occur, she wasn't about to die alone. No. She would drag them down to Hell with her if that were to be it. Therefore, it was time to reveal her secret weapon.
"It's time this game ended." Claudia whispered. She had been in the middle of another electrocution when she whispered these words; therefore those who heard her were all confused. They exchanged confused looks before someone kicked her in the ribs, demanding an explanation.
Claudia simply looked up into their eyes, making eye contact with all of them and smiling a bloodied grin before repeating her words again loudly.
"It's time this game ended." She said both out loud and in their minds. The men gasped loudly to hear her voice in their minds but gasps turned into shrieks of agony as her words grew in volume. They continued even as they died when their brains began to bleed. Some of them were lucky enough to pass out before they died while the unlucky ones continued screaming till their deaths.
Looking at her handiwork quietly, Claudia sighed. "Looks like my work here is done." She murmured before falling into the waiting blackness, her body slumping forward as she fainted.
Sebastian was the first to sense something was wrong even as they reached the barn Claudia had been talking out. He frowned. Rouge saw his frown and immediately knew that Sebastian had just sensed the same thing Rouge did. "You sense it too?" Rouge asked.
"Depends on your definition of it." Was Sebastian's answer. Jade and William exchanged confused glances before looking expectantly at Ciel, who looked at them annoyed before answering.
"There's no sign of anyone living in there. It's too silent. We should hear some noises at least but there is only the sound of someone breathing and the stench of death in the air." This made William more concerned.
After a few minutes of brief silence, William spoke. "Master Rouge, let me go in and rescue Lady Claudia. I'll be quick, I promise." Rouge nodded his compliance and William moved forward only to be stopped by Sebastian.
"Move out of my way, demon." William hissed in his frustration. He had been so close to rescuing his Dia until the demon had blocked his path.
"Mr. Sentis, I understand your anger against me, but you are just a human so if you encounter any trouble in there, you can easily get hurt." Sebastian said smoothly. William, Rouge and Jade snorted at this.
"But Mr. Michaelis, I'm not just any human. I'm more than just a normal human, which I'm sure you and Earl Phantomhive have noticed long ago." William replied. Sebastian was taken aback at William's words. He had no idea William had noticed. While Sebastian was still in a state of shock, William moved around Sebastian and towards the barn doors where Ciel stood glaring at him.
Meeting the younger's demon stare equally; a silent message seemed to pass between them before Ciel spoke. "Sebastian, grab the doors and open them. I don't think William can open it on his own." William smiled at this and gracefully bowed, his ponytail bobbing in the wind as he bowed.
"My deepest thanks, Earl Phantomhive." William said. Ciel merely gave way to a derisive snort before moving out of the way. Sebastian was quick to comply and opened the heavy doors effortlessly, allowing William to slip through into the darkness.
When William entered the barn, what he saw surprised him. All over the floor, many men were lying motionless on the ground, their ears and nostrils bleeding. Definitely Lady Claudia's work, William decided before picking his way carefully over them.
It was then he saw her. She sat motionless upon a chair, bound and helpless, her formerly pristine clothes dirtied with grime and blood. Her face was bruised and bloody as well, while her dark hair formed a curtain on either sides of her face. William rushed forwards upon seeing Claudia and he hurriedly took out his pocketknife, swiftly sawing through the masking tape binding her. Sometime during his steady sawing, Claudia must have woken up, for he heard her voice.
"William?" She murmured tiredly. William didn't pause in his work as he replied her.
"It is I, Lady Claudia, my Rose."
"I feel… so tired…"
"I know."
"Can you… remove the collars? They hurt."
"Of course." With that, he ripped off the shock collars with disgust.
"Thank you."
"No problem, my Lady."
"I want… to go home."
"Wait a little longer, my Rose, and we'll be home soon."
"Really?"
"Yes. I will never lie to you, Dia." There was a light chuckle from her at this.
"I know… You swore… that you would…. Ugh… Never lie to me… when I found you... two years ago..."
"I'm glad you remember, Dia. There. All done. Let's go." With that, he lifted Claudia into his arms, cradling her gently even as her head settled upon his left shoulder. Claudia immediately fell asleep upon contact with his shoulder.
Watching her sleeping figure, William whispered again, half to himself, half to the sleeping figure in his arms.
"I'll protect you, Lady Claudia, with my own life if that is needed, for I will never forget how you saved me from mindless servitude two years ago."
William was approaching the entrance when he heard an argument. "He's been gone for too long! Let us go in and search for them, because, for all we know, William may be in trouble." Ciel was arguing again, this time with the impassive Rouge.
Rouge simply replied. "He's coming out." Taking it as his cue, William stepped out of the shadows, Claudia still fast asleep on his shoulder even as he mused aloud.
"My, my. It sure is noisy out here." Upon hearing him, Rouge stepped forward in his concern.
"Is Claudia all right?" Rouge asked. William smiled and nodded down towards the sleeping figure in his arms.
"Let's go then. Lady Claudia looks like she needs urgent medical attention." Jade said in a business like manner, making Claudia twitch in her sleep. William merely shifted his arms to make her more comfortable and watched in relief as she settled into a deeper sleep.
Claudia wasn't aware of how long she had been asleep. She just remembered William whispering to her about how she was safe now before she fell into a deep sleep. Therefore, when she opened her eyes, she was surprised at the sight of bright sunlight streaming into her room. Claudia blinked and put up a hand instinctively over her face to shield her eyes from the bright sunlight.
"Good morning, Dia." She turned to see William smiling at her as he sat on a chair next to her bed.
"… William…" She murmured tiredly. She noted the pot of roses on her bedside table, her mind fuzzy before her memories rushed back. With a gasp, she sat up straight only to have a dizzy spell overcome her.
"Don't rush yourself, Dia. Your body is still very weak and the doctor said that you need plenty of rest if you are to make a full recovery." William said anxiously, gently pushing Claudia back onto the pillows. Claudia compiled and leaned back with a tired sigh. She hurt everywhere and was so tired too. Noticing her grimace, William stood up and disappeared from her view before returning minutes later pushing a trolley. Tired as she was, she did not fail to notice a bottle simply labeled painkillers, a jug and a few glasses. Will poured out a glass of crystal clear water and shook out a few pills into his hand before turning back to her and silently asking her to swallow the pills. Claudia willingly opened her mouth, allowing him to put the pills in before she gratefully swallowed the water he offered and pills.
The pain soon ebbed away and Claudia felt more alert now that the pain was gone. She scanned her surroundings with curiosity, realizing that she was back in her room at the manor and that there was pots of red roses placed in regular intervals around her room, though not so much that their scent would overwhelm her sensitive nose.
Claudia asked the first thing that came to mind. "The roses, what breed are they?" William smiled at her question.
"Premier Red of course, since there should only be the best for you, Dia." Was his reply. Claudia gave way to a faint smile at this, before asking another question.
"Are the servants all right? No one got hurt, did they?" She asked anxiously.
William shook his head in reply. "The intruders caught only us by surprise with the sleeping gas. They thought that the servants didn't need to be gassed so they foolishly attacked the kitchens and tried to destroy the main hall. Needless to say, Isaiah and the rest of the chefs took care of those who attacked the kitchens, while Gertrude led the some of the servants against those in the hall. The intruders also had reinforcements in the forest, but Keith and Mira say that the traps worked perfectly well and those who survived the traps were killed by the servants who were summoned for help."
Claudia's smile grew bigger upon hearing this. She had always wondered how the servants would do in a real fight instead of the quarterly drills she held to ensure their readiness in defending the mansion. It seemed like the drills had paid off.
Then her smile grew serious. "What about Rouge and Ciel? Are they still arguing?" William smiled in reply.
"They are in the rec room. Jade and Sebastian are keeping a close watch on the two to ensure no fights will occur. Although, in my honest opinion, Earl Phantomhive will snap first since Rouge has been taunting him by reading his mind and cheating during chess." William replied cheerfully.
Claudia snorted. It was what she expected, since Rouge had always been a natural prankster and joker at heart, unlike her, since she preferred to concentrate on her duties as the Crimson Rose and solving her parents' murder. And speaking of their murder…
"William, did you find Lord Bogart among those I killed?" She asked seriously.
William sighed and shook his head before replying. "I'm sorry, milady, but I'm afraid I did not see him anywhere near or inside the barn." Claudia gave way to a vehement curse at this, and punched her blankets in anger, only to yelp in pain as her fist made accidental contact with her painful leg under the blankets.
William merely looked at her through his glasses before asking, "I assume he was behind the kidnapping?"
Claudia nodded before pushing the blankets off her, which wasn't easy since her arms still hurt from a cut she received and also the fact that the left arm was broken and in a cast. William watched her actions with a curious gaze, before deciding to intervene.
"Dia, what are you doing?" He asked in curiosity.
"What else does it look like? Getting out of bed of course!" She retorted in reply.
"But you're still very weak and you should rest."
"Don't care. I'm getting tired of secrets anyway so let's just get it over with."
William gave way to a sigh at this before replying. "If you say so, Dia." Then he effortlessly lifted her blankets off her, allowing Claudia to see the full extent of her injuries. Her right ankle was in a cast, while bandages and plasters covered various spots on her body from what she could see. With a resigned sigh, she moved her legs off her bed, gritting her teeth as a fresh wave of pain rolled over her. Before she could move any further though, she was stopped by William's hand on her shoulder.
"What now?" She said irritably, amethyst eyes glaring into icy blue.
William merely smiled before asking, "Are you going to meet the Earl and the rest in your nightgown?" Claudia blushed crimson at the reminder, and was wracking her brains for an answer when she felt a huge load being tossed into her lap. She looked down in surprise to see her favorite day attire neatly folded. It included her white collared shirt and red vest, including a pair of dark jeans and a baby pink neck ribbon.
"Thanks so much, Will! You're the best!" William smiled in response before leaving the room to give her some privacy to dress. It took her quite a while due to her injuries, but she was soon ready and called out for Will to enter. He was immediately by her bed and lifting her into his arms carefully, careful not to jostle her. When she was settled, they set off for the rec room.
Ciel glared at the smug bastard who was currently seated opposite him with oh so smug grin of his. "Checkmate, my Lord." Ciel seethed quietly, watching helplessly as he was defeated for the third time that day ever since Ciel foolishly challenged Rogue only to regret it after he realized that the bastard had been cheating all along!
"My dear Earl, please tamper down on the cussing. It really doesn't help if Claudia hears you, since she'll have another curse word to add to her growing collection thanks to you." Rouge said cheerfully, enjoying the sight of a seething mad Ciel. Ciel was so tempted to lean over the table and snap the bastard's neck, only to be stopped by the sight of Rouge's distant expression.
"What is it now?" Ciel asked wearily. Rouge's distant expression was quickly replaced by a cheerful grin.
"Will's here! Jade, open the door for him would you?" Jade moved towards the door upon gearing Rouge's request and opened it to reveal William who was carrying Claudia in his arms. Ciel and Rouge stood up immediately at the sight of Claudia, whom, upon seeing Rouge, nudged William to put her down. William complied and carefully lowered Claudia, who tottered over to Rouge. Rouge was quick to grab her before she fell, and gently scolded her.
"You should be resting in bed, not out and about while you're so weak." Claudia merely grinned.
"I was tired of keeping secrets so I came to tell the truth that Ciel has been wanting to hear." She replied, while Ciel stood a little straighter upon hearing her words.
"You'll finally tell me who Rouge really is and who holds the title of Black Rose?" Ciel demanded. Claudia nodded before speaking to Rouge, who was watching her carefully.
"It's time to take off your mask, Carlisle." Carlisle? Ciel thought in confusion. Who is she talking to?
Rouge sighed before taking off the grey mask, which had masked his features for so long, revealing a very familiar face and very familiar amethyst eyes. A boy who looked just like Claudia grinned an identical grin as her. Claudia spoke then.
"Ciel, Sebastian, meet my twin brother, Lord Carlisle Damien Donovan Darius, and bearer of the title, the Black Rose."
"YOUR TWIN BROTHER?"
Raychaell: Betcha you guys didn't expect that did you?
Ciel and Sebastian: Claudia has a TWIN BROTHER?
Claudia: Yup!
Rouge: Don't worry, all will be revealed in the next chapter!
Raychaell: So review please!