punkish furball – Hey, dawgs! XD
Words to Ponder:
I'm glad to see such good reception to this story especially with the inclusion of the Midford family. I hope the positive feedback and any constructive criticisms continue. ^.^
Thank you for reviewing: ToonyTwilight, kimmay94, kenshingirlxoxo652, TheAttentionJustEncouragesHer, Dark Void Princess 21, RoxasIsReal13, -Yuna's Reincarnation-1, Izno, Anne Whitehead, zoey tamagachi, theheartstourniquet, p00piehead, AnimeIceFox, Jessie, Black Firelight, and crazykenz. ^.^
Chapter 2
Kagome lightly hummed as she placed crisp, clean sheets on Elizabeth's four poster canopy bed. Working for the Midford family for the past few weeks wasn't as bad as she thought it would be. The work she was assigned was tedious and time consuming, but it wasn't hard to accomplish. The other servants treated her cordially especially Paula. Kagome quickly found a friend in her even if she was a bit of an airhead at times. She was a sweet young woman and her silly behavior was always entertaining.
Like Paula, most of Kagome's chores, unless dictated otherwise, centered on caring for Elizabeth and keeping the high spirited girl out of trouble. Immediately after their first meeting, Kagome found Elizabeth absolutely delightful to be around. Despite her persistent and stubborn attitude, Elizabeth always had good intentions and a good heart. It was hard for Kagome to be annoyed or upset by her for very long.
Lady Midford and her husband, Alexis Leon, were also very good masters and treated Kagome well. Kagome still retained some of her old mannerisms and didn't accept her new role of servitude completely, but the Midfords did little to provoke her defiant streak.
She had to giggle when she thought of her first meeting with Lord Midford. At first, he appeared as stoic and strict as his wife, but, after he observed her for a few silent, awkward moments, the marquis loudly proclaimed his gratitude, exclaiming the flower crowns Elizabeth made were simply adorable and that he used them to decorate his study. It wasn't how Kagome expected the lord of the estate to act, but, when she thought of Lady Midford, she assumed opposites did attract. She still didn't meet the eldest child of the family, Edward. Paula and the few of the other female servants informed her he was away in the city on business. They also told her with blushes adorning their faces that he favored his mother immensely.
'He must be very handsome then,' Kagome deduced when she considered how lovely her mistress was.
In addition to the Midford family, Angelina continued to come to the manor every once in the while. Every time she arrived, the red haired woman fussed over Kagome despite the fact she was no longer injured. Her doting behavior reminded Kagome of her mother; she was surprised the older woman didn't have any children of her own but didn't ask about it. She had little interaction with Angelina's butler, Grell, but Kagome often had to clean the messes he left behind when they left the manor.
As her employment continued and she performed exemplary, Kagome was allowed a few small liberties; Lord or Lady Midford didn't care what she did as long as she still performed her usual chores and remained a respectful employee. For some afternoon teas and midday brunches, she was allowed to cook traditional Japanese dishes the family enjoyed trying even though Frances wasn't quick to admit. The hobby was fostered when the Midfords allowed Kagome to browse English markets for Asian ingredients. They even allowed her to use a small plot in the garden to cultivate several herbs and seeds. Kagome did so with ease by relying on her previous training and instruction, holding fast to what she could remember. When the herb selection began to dwindle, she tried growing different types of tea plants and experimenting with different blends. Elizabeth loved to taste them.
This new life was a good distraction from Kagome's worries about what became of everyone in her own era and the other one she traveled to. Much to her dismay, she still didn't recovered any solid memories of her last moments with her friends and allies. She meditated for hours, trying as hard as she could to recall even a glimpse of her memory, but Kagome had no luck at all.
'Maybe I'm just trying too hard,' she thought with a sigh.
Once the sheets were in place, Kagome quickly placed the duvet and comforter on top of them. After smoothing over the covers over with her hands, she grabbed the soiled sheets and headed to the laundry area.
"Kagome!" Elizabeth sang, rushing toward her as she exited the room.
"Hello, Elizabeth," she greeted warmly and continued walking down the hall.
Pouting at being so easily dismissed, Elizabeth followed after her. "Lizzie, Kagome! Call me Lizzie!"
"Of course, Lizzie," Kagome repeated with a slight giggle.
"You still have chores to do," Elizabeth observed, matching Kagome's pace.
"I'm almost done!" she remarked encouragingly, "All I have to help with the laundry. After that, I'll be free until it's time to start cooking dinner."
Elizabeth nodded her head, digesting what she'd just been told. Of course, she already knew Kagome didn't have many chores today. Frances wouldn't have approved today's outing if she was going to be too busy; she even gave her a little spending money.
'It's going to be so much fun!' Elizabeth thought excitedly and calmed herself down so she wouldn't give herself away.
"You only have one uniform, don't you?" Elizabeth asked.
"Yes, milady. It's the only uniform I was given," she answered, curious. The blue dress and white apron was the same uniform that most of the other female servants wore. Why would Elizabeth assume she had anything else to wear?
"But you're so pretty!" Elizabeth protested strongly, bringing Kagome to an abrupt halt, "Wouldn't you rather wear much cuter outfits than that one? It's so plain and it doesn't do you justice at all!"
"Oh no, milady. The clothes I have now are fine. Your family's already given me so much I wouldn't ask for—"
"Nonsense!"
Elizabeth quickly gained the attention of another servant busy dusting in one of the rooms they passed. The maid joined them in the hallway soon after.
"Yes, milady?" she asked.
"Take these to the laundry room, will you?" Elizabeth asked. The female nodded before taking the soiled linens out of Kagome's arms and rushing away.
"But Elizabeth!" Kagome cried, but the girl already grabbed her forearm and began pulling her toward the manor's main entrance. There was no choice but to follow. She learned a while ago not to fight Elizabeth and her sudden bursts of strength when she was determined to do something.
"Where are you taking me?" she asked.
"We're going out to the city to do some shopping! I'm going to make you look cuter than you already are!" Elizabeth exclaimed.
She continued pulling Kagome's arm until they were standing in front of a carriage outside the manor. Frances was standing beside it, speaking to the driver in low, curt tones.
"Good morning, you two!" Paula called out, poking her head from the carriage window when she spotted Kagome and Elizabeth.
Also alerted by their arrival, Frances stopped speaking and turned to them wearing a smirk.
"There you are. Have a safe trip and try to return for afternoon tea."
"We will, mother!" Elizabeth cried before stepping into the carriage.
Kagome let out a defeated sigh before joining her, taking a seat across from Paula. As soon as the trio was situated in the carriage, Lady Midford nodded once at the driver before heading for the house. The coach began traveling on the cobblestoned roads toward the city, the clacking of the horse's hooves producing a steady rhythm.
"I'm going to get you so many new outfits!" Elizabeth gushed, "London has some of the cutest little boutiques. And, of course, we'll get some cute things for you too, Paula."
The brunette immediately stiffened and frantically waved her hands in front of her as she shook her head. "Oh no, my lady! This outing is for Kagome after all! We should focus on getting things for her today, not for me."
Kagome narrowed her eyes at Paula and mouthed the word "traitor". She simply shrugged her shoulders, giggling nervously. Kagome sighed and resigned herself to her fate; it seemed Elizabeth liked to play dress up with her servants, and she was her latest project.
'Lucky me.'
Still, she was happy to leave the manor for a while. She never had the opportunity to leave its boundaries before. The Victorian Era and the Industrial Revolution in Europe where both discussed during her studies, and the history enthusiast in her was excited to see it all first-hand.
'You travel to one era in the past, and you want to see them all,' Kagome thought, her sentiments bittersweet.
The ride into London was fairly quick by the current time's standards. Even so, Kagome suggested they play a few games to pass the time until they reached the city. "I Spy" was Elizabeth's favorite.
Once in London, Kagome peered out the carriage window at the streets, her bottom nearly leaving her seat. The streets weren't as bustling as those she grew up with in Tokyo, but there certainly were large masses of people crowding the walkways. The richest of the rich and lowest of the low all took the same pathway; old, haggard beggars and small, poverty stricken children freely mingled amongst the prime and posh socialites. Kagome wasn't sure how to feel about what she was seeing but understood there were heavy prices paid for the wealth and prosperity technological advancement brought the privileged few.
"Here we are!" Elizabeth announced when the carriage stopped in one of the nicer parts of the city lined with shops, restaurants, and small businesses.
The girls exited the carriage with Elizabeth holding Kagome's hand and Paula following alongside them. Elizabeth led them inside a small boutique decorated in various shades of pink and white with many different styles of uniforms displayed. Kagome quietly groaned as she looked around. It all reminded her of the Lolita fashions that were popular in her time. She didn't have a negative opinion of the look, but that didn't make her a fan of it.
"Hello, ladies," a male store clerk greeted them warmly, "What are you looking for today?"
"I'm looking for some new uniforms for my maid," Elizabeth said authoritatively as she gestured to Kagome, "I think we need to get her in some more colors! And perhaps a few different styles as well?"
The store clerk approached Kagome and circled her, slowly taking in her appearance. She bit her lip and nervously tugged on the hem of her apron, remaining still as a board as he scrutinized her.
"Hmm…" he mused, stepping away from Kagome and pushing back his glasses before he turned his attention to Elizabeth.
"She has lovely figure especially her legs. Her body type is perfect for our recent arrivals from France," he suggested, "And she is an Oriental, correct? We carry some popular pieces based on Asian designs if you'd like to try those as well."
"That sounds fantastic!" Elizabeth replied, "What do you think about colors? I'd love to see something in a much brighter blue than what she has on now."
"I do think a bright blue will do wonders for her eyes!" the clerk remarked, "A lighter shade might have the same effect as well. Perhaps she should try some greens and reds. A deep purple will also be nice."
Elizabeth happily clapped her hands together. "Perfect! Just let her try everything on and I'll see what I like."
'I'm still here, ya know,' Kagome thought. It was irritating to be talked about like a porcelain doll about to costumed and put on display.
Kagome yelped when several women appeared from the back of the shop then, without warning, grabbed her by the arms and pulled her to the fitting rooms. They viciously undressed and redressed her at rapid speeds, putting her in nearly every style and color of uniform the store stocked. Elizabeth and Paula were seated outside the dressing room, sipping tea while Kagome reluctantly paraded in one outfit after another.
After serious consideration, Elizabeth decided to buy six uniforms: a mint green dress with short white sleeves and a matching white apron, two French maid uniforms in the traditional black and violet, a bright red dress with long white sleeves and white apron, a light blue dress with a corset-styled top, and a light pink, kimono inspired dress with long, flared sleeves. Once her purchases were bought and packaged, she exited the boutique with Kagome and Paula in tow. Glancing at Kagome from the corner of her eye, Elizabeth grinned. After a bit of persuasion on her part, Kagome left the store dressed in the red uniform she bought for her.
Before the trio could return the carriage, a nearby toy shop immediately caught Elizabeth's eyes.
"The new toys from Funtom Company are here!" she exclaimed.
"Funtom?" Kagome questioned, "Are they are a popular brand around here?"
"Oh yes!" Paula answered, "The company is actually owned and operated by Lady Elizabeth's fiancé, Earl Ciel Phantomhive."
'Elizabeth's fiancé?' Kagome thought, slightly shocked, 'And he runs his own company. Just how old is he?'
"Oh, he's the most darling thing ever! You have to meet him, Kagome. I know you'll just love him!" Elizabeth cried, "The both have the most beautiful blue eyes!"
As the blonde continued to speak fondly of her fiancé, Kagome learned he was twelve years old and was very proficient in business, although he had only been heading the Funtom Company for a few months. Elizabeth's cheerful attitude diminished when she mentioned Ciel's parents died in a fire on their estate about two years ago, the reason why such the boy ran the company at such a young age. Kagome couldn't help but feel sorry for the orphaned boy. Apparently, Elizabeth tried many times to cheer him up, but none of her methods seemed to work so far.
"I'd like to meet him very soon," Kagome said with smile and walked into the toy store.
"Kagome, where are you going?" Elizabeth asked.
"I think we should buy something from here. Something to entertain us during our visit with Earl Phantomhive," she suggested, "I'm sure we'll find something he'd like."
Elizabeth grinned as she vigorously nodded her head and rushed into the store with Paula trailing behind. After carefully inspecting the toy shop's wares, Kagome selected a deck of playing cards.
"You think we should get those?" Paula asked. She and Elizabeth were looking at the more extravagant trinkets and toys.
"I know a lot of card games, and they're really fun when you play with a lot of people," Kagome explained, "I think Earl Phantomhive would like them."
"Great idea!" Elizabeth cried, "Ciel is good at all games. He always wins!" Within minutes, she purchased the cards and the trio finally made their way back to the coach, boarding it to begin their way home.
"Thank you for my new clothes, milady," Kagome said, sheepishly smoothing out the red dress and white apron across her lap.
"Think nothing of it!" Elizabeth remarked, "I always like to make things cuter!"
"Next time, we should get some things for Paula," Kagome suggested, causing the brunette to twitch, "It must have been so boring to sit and watch me try on such pretty outfits all day."
"Not at all!" Paula protested urgently, "I prefer to watch!"
"No, she's right!" Elizabeth remarked, "Next time we come to the city, we'll pick out some clothes for you."
"Thank you, milady," she shakily replied, pouting in Kagome's direction. She only smirked in return.
The carriage began moving out of the city at a much slower pace than before. The London streets had grown much busier with the afternoon traffic.
"It looks it'll take us a while to reach the country," Paula observed after peeking out the window. Elizabeth, quickly growing bored, huffed at the thought of staying in the carriage for so long.
"Do you want to play a game with the cards we bought?" Kagome proposed, "Or maybe I could start that story I promised to tell you?"
"Oh yes, please!" Elizabeth replied, immediately perking up, "I've been dying to hear it."
"Alright, settle down," Kagome instructed. She readily complied and folded her hands neatly in her lap, patiently waiting for Kagome to speak again.
"This story is about an ordinary girl who began an extraordinary adventure," she began with a slightly bitter smile. This was a story she knew very well, and she hoped recounting it would help recover her lost memories.
"What is her name?" Elizabeth asked. Kagome froze for a few moments, not wanting to use her own.
"Her name is Kisa," she decided, "but the story doesn't actually begin with her."
"But how is the story about her if she's not in the beginning of it?"
"I'll to get to that. The story has to be set up first before Kisa's role in it begins. So no more interruptions, okay Lizzie?"
Elizabeth relented and got more comfortable in her seat as she waited for Kagome to continue.
Kagome took a deep breath before she started to speak again. "The story begins hundreds of years before Kisa was born. In a time when humans and demons shared our world, living side by side but rarely in peace. Demons were much stronger than humans and frequently attacked villages causing destruction and slaughter. However, there were human beings with spiritual powers to repel demonic forces protected humans who could not defend themselves.
"One such person was a powerful priestess warrior named Midoriko. She was a powerful force that possessed a pure soul and strong heart, feared by many and revered by all. But, eventually, this brave warrior fell. She was cornered alone in a cave faced with her final foes, demons who took possession of the corrupted heart of a man who lusted for her, in a treacherous and painstaking battle. After seven days and seven nights of fighting, she was drawn into the massive jaws of a colossal creature, completely trapped. Midoriko realized she could not continue to fight or leave the battle with her life.
"In a final attempt to end the battle, Midoriko seized the spirit of the one who held her captive and bound it within her own. She used the last of her power to destroy the demon, killing both of them in the process. In the aftermath, a small pink jewel the size of a marble burst from Midoriko's chest and landed on the stone cave floor. Within the tiny jewel, Midoriko's soul and the souls of the demons she bound within continued their encounter, and the fighting will continue as long as the jewel remained whole."
Elizabeth and Paula hung on Kagome's every word, completely enthralled with her story telling. They were enchanted by her fantastic tales of large, monstrous creatures with unimaginable power and humans with supernatural abilities in an exotic, far away land. It all seemed far too unreal, even to be imagined.
The coach arrived in front of the Midford manor just as Kagome reached the part of the story when Kikyo pinned InuYasha to the Goshinbaku and her body was burned with the Shikon no Tama.
"Looks like we're home," Paula declared when the carriage came to a stop.
"But what about Kisa?" Elizabeth shouted abruptly at Kagome, "You can't stop there! You have to keep going!"
"I'll tell you more when it's time for you to go to bed," Kagome said with smile, gently patting Elizabeth's blonde head, "I still have work to do, ya know."
"Alright," she conceded but didn't seem too convinced. Sighing, Kagome held out her pinky finger.
"A promise is a promise, remember?" she said, wiggling the small digit in front of Elizabeth's face. She smiled slightly before holding up her own pinky finger, wrapping it around Kagome's, and shaking it.
All three girls exited the carriage with Kagome and Paula carrying Elizabeth's purchases while their vehicle was taken to the stables. Another horse drawn coach was being taken in the same direction.
"That's Auntie Red's carriage!" Elizabeth exclaimed and ran into the large house to see her.
Kagome and Paula followed their young mistress at a much slower pace. When they entered the manor, Angelina standing in the foyer, hugging her niece tightly with Frances was standing close by her sister-in-law and daughter.
"Hello, mother! Auntie!" Elizabeth greeted them as she pulled away from Angelina and curtsied, "How are you today?"
"I'm all the better after seeing your darling face," Angelina replied, "And how are you? I heard you went shopping today."
"I did!" Elizabeth exclaimed, "I bought some new clothes for Kagome. Doesn't she look so much better now?"
She pulled Kagome in front of her aunt and mother. Nervously, she wrung the edges of her apron as both women looked over her new outfit.
"Cute," Frances commented with a slight smirk and a curt nod.
"Can't say I don't love the color!" Angelina remarked cheerfully, "Grell, help them take her things up to her room."
As soon as he was given the go ahead, Grell rushed to Kagome and grabbed her hands tightly in his, forcing her to drop the bags on the ground. The sudden contact was very surprising; the meek butler was never interested in her before. Kagome blinked owlishly when he looked her directly in the eye, using a hand behind her head to hold his face close to hers.
"What are you staring at?" she asked, visibly shaken. She swore she could see a twinkle in his eyes and a pink blush on his face as he gazed at her.
"Forgive me, but I've never seen anyone so magnificent!" Grell exclaimed, tightening his grip on Kagome's hands, "You're a delicate angel clothed and dripping in bloody red from head to toe just as a true woman should be! The only woman I could ever love!"
"Thank you," Kagome whispered hesitantly, blushing heatedly at the attention. The growing redness in her cheeks made Grell squeal in delight.
Then, in the midst of his excitement, the entirety of Grell's energy engulfed her, and Kagome's innate spiritual energy reacted. Apparently, he never left his spiritual barriers down around her before and clearly had something to hide.
'He isn't human,' she discovered and felt a chill run down her spine.
"Stop teasing the poor girl, Grell," Angelina snappishly said, "Do as I told you and try not to mess it up."
"Of course, milady!" Grell exclaimed. He gave Kagome's hands one final squeeze before letting go. After retrieving the bags from the floor, he eagerly rushed down the halls of the manor.
"Wait! The servant's rooms are this way!" Paula shouted, chasing after Grell. Kagome ignored them, frantically thinking.
'He's not yōkai, that's for sure. I've never felt energy like his before,' she deduced, 'Just what is he?'
"Kagome?" Elizabeth questioned the silent girl.
"Are you still with us, dear?" Angelina asked, playfully waving her hand in front of Kagome's face.
"Sorry!" she amended as she snapped back to attention, "I was just thinking."
"Well, now that you've returned, go to the kitchens and bring our afternoon tea out to the garden," Frances instructed.
"Yes, milady," Kagome replied with a short bow and walked away from the noble women.
"Elizabeth, tell us about your shopping trip. I'm eager to hear what you're been up to," Angelina said.
She readily complied and grasped both her mother's and aunt's hands as they walked to the garden, animatedly talking about her day with Kagome and Paula.
-O0o0O-
Elizabeth hummed to herself as she brushed her long blonde hair seated in front of her vanity mirror. After tea and then dinner, Auntie Red left the manor, and her parents retired for the night. She too retreated to her room after bathing and changing into her bed clothes. While she was finishing her preparations for the night under the dim lighting of a few candles, a soft knocking at her door alerted her attention.
"Come in," she instructed without turning her head. Reflected in the mirror, Elizabeth saw Kagome open the door and walk into the room before shutting the door behind her.
"Good evening, milady," she greeted, "I hope I didn't bother you while you were getting ready for bed."
"Not at all!" Elizabeth shouted, setting her brush on her vanity before standing up, "You know I've been waiting for you all day. You have got to start Kisa's story tonight!"
She clasped Kagome's hand between both of hers and dragged her to her bed.
"You're a bit eager, aren't you?" Kagome commented with a giggle before slipping her hand from Elizabeth'. The blonde girl took a seat on the edge of her bed and waited. Kagome started to sit on a chair near her bedside, but Elizabeth objected and excitedly patted a space next to her.
"Sit by me!" she insisted. Kagome relented and sat next to Elizabeth on the plush mattress.
"It's almost your bedtime, so I won't be able to stay long," she reminded the impatient child.
"Just tell me all you can," Elizabeth pleaded, "Please!"
"I will. Do you remember when I told you about the Shikon Jewel?"
"Of course I do. But you said that it disappeared after it was burned with Kikyo's body."
"It did, but it didn't stay gone for long. On the morning of Kisa's fifteenth birthday nearly five hundred years after the jewel disappeared, Kisa was getting ready to go out that day when her younger brother, Sota, came into her room. The family cat, Buyo, got snuck in the old well house on their family's property, and he wanted her to go get him."
"Why did he ask her to get it?" Elizabeth interjected, "It's just an old well. What's he so afraid of?"
"There's more than how things appear on the surface," Kagome said solemnly, "Remember that and promise not to interrupt anymore so I can tell you as much of the story as possible, okay?"
"I promise!"
"Anyway, after Sota spoke to Kisa, she went inside the well house and retrieved their cat, but, as she turned to leave, an ancient force awakened deep within the well. This particular well was centuries old and rumored to have the power to dissolve the remains of demons. Because of this it was called the Bone Eater's Well. But it didn't destroy them as everyone thought, it pulled them through time.
"When Kisa approached the well, its ancient magic activated again. A centipede demon whose bones rested at the bottom reanimated and pulled Kisa down into the well's depths through time and space."
Kagome continued telling her story with Elizabeth listening attentively. When she reached the part of the story when the jewel was shattered, Elizabeth's eyelids began to droop, and she fought to keep her head up.
"Time for bed, milady," Kagome whispered gently and stood to her feet.
Elizabeth mumbled a few weak protests before Kagome pulled back the covers on her bed. She yawned and obediently crawled underneath the sheets. Once she comfortably settled on her side, Kagome pulled the blankets up to her chin.
"Kagome?" Elizabeth whispered before the maid could leave.
"Yes, milady?"
"You like your outfits, right? Cute things make you happy, don't they?"
"Yes, I do very much. And of course they do."
"So cute things should make you smile, right?"
"Yes." Kagome frowned; it seemed like Elizabeth was referring to more than just the outfits she bought her today.
"I just want him to smile again," Elizabeth softly admitted before her eyes closed and sleep claimed her. Kagome had a faint idea who she was referring to.
'Poor thing,' she thought reaching down and gently touching Elizabeth's cheek. Giving Elizabeth's head one final pat, she blew out the candles and left the room.
-O0o0O-
punkish furball – Another chapter down! Ciel and Sebastian make their appearance in the next one. L83RN355!
(revised 10.07.2013)