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Chapter 3
"Kagome?" Frances called the Asian girl polishing the wooden furniture in one of the manor's guest bedrooms.
"Yes, milady?" Kagome politely answered, stopping her task and facing the doorway as she waited for her instructions. Lady Midford always addressed her with a specific purpose.
"Elizabeth told you of Earl Phantomhive, has she?" Frances asked.
"Yes, milady," she replied, "She told me a lot about the Earl."
Kagome smiled as she recalled how Elizabeth excitedly spoke of her young fiancé. It was easy to tell how dearly she loved the boy, and those sentiments were extremely touching.
"Madam Red will be paying the Earl a visit this coming Sunday, and Elizabeth would like to accompany her to see him as well," Frances continued, "Paula is previously engaged and unable to attend as her escort. Do you think you can handle acting as her chaperone for this outing?"
"Of course, milady. I will gladly look after Elizabeth in Paula's place."
Frances nodded once before leaving Kagome to her work. "I leave her in good hands then."
'I have a feeling there's more to that request than she's letting on,' Kagome thought as she resumed her duties, 'I'll have to be on my guard especially since Grell will probably be accompanying Madam Red.'
She exactly wasn't sure how she felt about Grell. Ever since that day he saw her clothed in red, he acknowledged her much more than before and his attention became increasingly annoying. He always tried to get her alone, to speak to her without anyone else around. However, on the few occasions he accomplished it, he didn't have anything significant to say. For the most part, all of their more private conversations revolved around his desire to see her dressed in red. It seemed like idle and meaningless chatter to anyone who overheard it, but Kagome knew better than to believe that.
'It's like he's speaking in some kind of code,' Kagome deduced then sighed, 'His fondness of red isn't that much of a clue.'
She also couldn't figure out what kind of creature Grell was. She couldn't detect anything specific about him other than the fact he wasn't human. On more than one occasion, Kagome tried doing some research in the Midford family's library, looking for any information she could find on any nonhuman creatures of English origins. Unfortunately, the selection on supernatural topics was slim to nonexistent, and, even if she did find something that could help her, her English wasn't good enough to fully decipher the text. Kagome briefly considered just approaching Grell directly and asking him what he was, but she quickly dismissed that idea. There was no way he'd let her off that easy.
'But I have to keep trying,' she thought with a determined pout, 'Every time I see him, he keeps smiling like he's taunting me or something.' The image of his wide, mocking grin was enough to make her scream in frustration.
"Kagome!" Elizabeth cried before she came into the room, grinning widely at her, "Did mother tell you the good news?"
"She did." Kagome smiled before standing up and wiping her hands on her apron. She playfully ruffled Elizabeth's hair and giggled when the blonde girl squealed with glee.
"Isn't it wonderful? This is the first time I get to see Ciel since I snuck out!" Elizabeth said happily, "And you'll get to meet him for the first time too! Aren't you excited?"
"Of course I am, but is there anything I should know about Lord Phantomhive or his estate before we go to see him?" Kagome asked.
She was certain Elizabeth already told her all she could about the young boy and hoped to hear a little more about the Phantomhive manor itself. She expected the estate had its own rules like the Midford household. She didn't want to step on anyone's toes and make a bad impression with the Earl. Lady Midford would not appreciate that in the slightest.
"Ciel's the most adorable thing ever! You'll have no choice but to absolutely love him!" Elizabeth exclaimed, "He has a few servants around the manor, but Sebastian is his personal attendant and head butler of the estate. You'll probably see him the most. He's so handsome, but he always dressed in such dark, drab colors. It's so unbecoming!"
"Are there any other servants I should know about?" Kagome questioned, knowing the Midford staff numbered in the twenties.
"In addition to Sebastian, there are four others working in the manor. The only maid is a girl called Mey-Rin. She always wears the most horrid broken pair of glasses! She would look so much better if she took those wretched things off and let her hair down. The estate's head chef is Bardroy and the gardener is Finnian." Elizabeth paused and pursed her lips together. "I don't know much about those two. And lastly, the estate's steward is Tanaka. He's the oldest and has worked in the manor for much longer than the others. He's also mother's favorite. "
"I look forward to meeting them all, but I'm a bit nervous," Kagome admitted, "I don't want to do anything to upset Lord Phantomhive."
"You don't have to be nervous. I'm sure you'll do fine!" Elizabeth said in an effort to lift her spirits, "I will be there, and so will Auntie Ann and Grell. The two of you have been getting on so well lately."
The girl giggled as she thought her aunt's butler. "I think he might love seeing you dressed in cute outfits just as much as I do!"
"Right," Kagome stiffly remarked, "I'm sure it will be an event to remember."
"On that note, we need to pick out your outfit for Sunday!" Elizabeth cried, "I think you should wear the light blue one. You haven't worn it yet, and it'll bring out your eyes just beautifully. Or perhaps the orient one? Or maybe one of the French styled ones?" She suddenly squealed.
"You'll just have to try everything on for me, so I can pick out which one I like more!"
Kagome sighed and took a brief look at her unfinished work but tending to Elizabeth's whims was her first priority.
"Coming, milady."
-O0o0O-
"What in the world are you doing here?" Ciel Phantomhive shouted, his visible eye twitching.
The short lived harmony of his mansion was broken by the sudden intrusion into his study on a pleasant Sunday afternoon. He cast an angered look at Sebastian, the one who let them in so this mess was his fault entirely. The butler returned the expression with a polite grin.
"Honestly! Is that any way for my favorite nephew to speak to his favorite aunt when she clears her busy schedule to come see him?" Madam Red asked, indignant.
"Madam Red," Sebastian greeted her with a respectful bow, "How lovely it is to see you at Phantomhive Manor again."
"It's always a pleasure, Sebastian!" she replied cordially, "Think you could be a dear and treat us to your delicious tea?"
"Who are you referring to we you say 'us'?" Ciel asked dryly. Surely Madam Red wasn't including Grell.
Angelina began to giggle. "You are a smart boy, Ciel. You should know who would come pay their respects to the Phantomhive manor like me."
"No one asked you to," Ciel muttered under his breath. Almost instantaneously, Sebastian appeared by his side and leaned forward, positioning his lips close to his ear.
"My lord," he quietly advised, "it would be quite rude to refuse entertaining your guests. You must act as a proper host and show them the customary Phantomhive courtesy."
Ciel sighed and stood from his seat, heading for the doorway. "Fine. I suppose you're right, Sebastian. Prepare afternoon refreshments and serve them in the drawing room."
"Right away, my lord," Sebastian answered dutifully before disappearing from sight.
"Are you coming, Madam Red?" Ciel asked over his shoulder, briefly pausing in the hallway.
She huffed before following her nephew some distance away with Grell behind her.
"Madam?" Grell timidly addressed his mistress.
"What is it, Grell?" she replied, looking at him from the corner of his eye.
"I was just wondering, my lady," he began meekly, "Are you going to inform the Earl of his other guests? They should be arriving soon."
"Of course I'm not," she answered curtly before smiling, "I'm sure Ciel will enjoy their arrival as a lovely surprise!"
The two continued to follow Ciel in silence until they reached the drawing room. Unbeknownst to them, Sebastian overheard all the details of their conversation as he traveled to the kitchen.
'Additional guests? I wonder who they could be,' he briefly thought before setting forth to his instructed duties. After all, his master's orders always held precedence above all else. Once the demonic butler entered the kitchen, he saw Mey-Rin and Bardroy tending to their usual chores. He cleared his throat to gain their attention.
"Sebastian!" Mey-Rin exclaimed at his arrival.
"You need us for something?" Bardroy asked.
"Not exactly," he answered, "Our lord is entertaining guests in the drawing room. I need the kitchen to prepare suitable refreshments."
Bard sighed. "That means you want us out, right?"
Sebastian smirked and approached the cabinet, retrieving the items he needed.
"If you don't mind," he stated, "Until you can return to your normal duties, check on Finnian in the gardens. I should be done by the time you return."
"Yeah, sure," Bard replied before heading out of the kitchen, Mey-Rin walking alongside him.
"I guess the two of us would have just made a mess of it all if it weren't for Sebastian," she commented, whining.
"Yeah," Bard replied, "but he doesn't have to talk down to us like that." The only reason the butler sent them out was to ensure they would be out of his way.
"We'll just have to do better next time!" Mey-Rin said proudly.
Bard snorted. "If he gives us the chance to."
The two domestics made their way outside the large estate and spotted Finny trimming the shrubbery. Surprisingly, he cut everything in the same, slightly disheveled shape. He spotted his two co-workers when he stopped to wipe the sweat from his brow.
"Hello!" Finny cried out happily, "So Sebastian sent you out too, eh?"
"He did not!" Bard loudly protested though the statement was true, "I've have you know he sent us to make sure you didn't mess up."
"Oh. Well, I saw some carriages arrive not too long ago," Finny began, ignoring Bard's outburst, "Who are our guests today?"
"Don't really know," Bard answered with a shrug, "Master Ciel must be entertaining them all in the drawing room."
"Then who's that?" Mey-Rin asked, pointing at a coach entering the pathway toward the manor. It clearly belonged to a wealthy family and seemed vaguely familiar, but none of the servants could place it.
"Dunno," Bard remarked with a grin, "but now's our chance to show how useful we can be! We'll tend to this guest without Sebastian's help and do just as good as he does."
"Right!" Finny and Mey-Rin eagerly replied in unison.
The excited trio ran to the carriage and stopped alongside it just as its driver brought the vehicle to a stop.
"Welcome to the Phantomhive Manor!" they chorused, bowing deeply at their waists.
"Hello!" the coach's occupant cried as the door was thrown open, hitting the trio of servants in the process. She quickly hopped out of the carriage, straightening her dress once her feet touched the ground.
"Lady Elizabeth!" Mey-Rin exclaimed as soon as she and the others recovered from the unexpected blow, "How lovely to see you again!"
"Is Lord Phantomhive expecting you?" Bard asked hesitantly. It was no secret—except from Lady Elizabeth—how Ciel viewed the unexpected visitations from his fiancée. It was still hard to believe the pair was betrothed to begin with.
"No!" Elizabeth replied with a cheeky grin and a gloved finger pressed to her lips, "Auntie Ann promised to keep it a secret."
"How nice!" Finny replied, his tone strained. He turned to the others and whispered, "The master's not going to like this."
"There's nothing we can do about it," Bard replied, "It's not like we can throw out his fiancée."
Thankfully, Elizabeth's full attention was elsewhere. With her arms folded haughtily over her chest, she glared at the coach's interior.
"Oh, do come out of there! Quit being so shy!" she demanded. She reached inside and latched onto someone's thin, pale arm, pulling it with all her might.
"Yes! I'm coming, milady!" a light voice replied. As soon as she spoke, Elizabeth grinned, victorious.
Slowly, a young woman emerged dressed in a light blue dress with a corset-styled top and knee length skirt, a short white apron, and a brown bag slung over her shoulder. Her long raven hair was loose and flowing down her back with ribbons tied on each side of her head. Her manner of dress and exotic looks made it hard to tell if she was a servant or not.
"Hello!" she stated with a bright smile adorning her face and light hint of pink on her cheeks, "My name is Kagome. I'm a new maid at the Midford household, and it's a pleasure to meet you." She bowed deeply as she finished her brief introduction.
"So she's a maid after all," Mey-Rin mumbled.
"Isn't she the cutest thing you've ever seen?" Elizabeth proudly asked, causing Kagome's blush to deepen, "I picked her outfit just for this outing!"
"Yeah!" Bard exclaimed, lowering his face and sheepishly rubbing the back of his neck. It was clear he was love-struck by Kagome's sudden appearance.
"I'm Bardroy," he zealously introduced himself, "but you can call me Bard."
"Oh? Then you're the head chef of the manor, aren't you?" Kagome replied.
"That's right!" he replied with a grin, gaining some confidence.
"Then you must be Mey-Rin, the maid, and Finnian, the gardener," Kagome said the two remaining servants.
"Yep, that's us!" Mey-Rin replied.
"And you can call me Finny if you'd like," Finny said happily.
Kagome nodded. "Lady Elizabeth told me all about you. I'm happy to finally meet you all."
"The pleasure is definitely ours!" Bard stated.
"Well, come on then," Elizabeth urged her maid impatiently, "There is a reason I dressed you up so prettily. We have to see Ciel!"
Kagome noticeably blanched at the mention of the young lord. Even though Elizabeth talked about him nonstop, her words held little substance. Her nerves about meeting him didn't wane, and she doubted he'd like her dress as much as Elizabeth did.
'Maybe those guys can tell me what to expect,' she thought and quickly devised an idea.
"Of course, milady, but do you think it would be a better idea for me to remain with Bard, Mey-Rin, and Finny for a little while?" Kagome suggested.
"Whatever for?" Elizabeth asked, annoyed.
Kagome was not deterred and motioned to her brown bag, "If I may be so bold, I brought a few ingredients to make something sweet for you and Lord Phantomhive for you both enjoy. I think he would appreciate the gesture very much if you would allow it, milady."
From the corner of her eye, she sent a pleading look in the direction of the other domestics. Bard quickly jumped in to her rescue.
"No trouble at all!" he said happily, "I'll show you to the kitchen."
Mey-Rin stood on the tips of her toes and whispered in his ear. "Do you think that's a good idea? What about Sebastian?"
"Don't worry about it. He's probably long gone by now," he replied.
"But don't you think he'll get angry?" Finny countered.
Bard shrugged. "Kagome's employed by the Midford family, so I don't think she'll do any harm. Besides, if Lady Elizabeth orders her to, we have no choice. She is the master's fiancée."
"You just want to get her alone!" Mey-Rin accused in a hurried whisper, "Vulgar American!"
"You can't really blame him, now can you?" Finny jested.
"Who are you calling 'vulgar'?"
"Well," Elizabeth stated, interrupting the side conversation, "I suppose it's alright. Ciel does love sweets after all. Promise to make the cute little pink ones?" She held out her pinky finger to Kagome.
"Promise!" she replied with a giggle, wrapping her pinky around Elizabeth's.
"Milady, I'll escort you to the drawing room where the Earl is entertaining his other guests," Mey-Rin offered, knowing that, without any guidance, Elizabeth would gladly ransack the entire mansion until she found him.
"No need! I going to surprise him after all! " Elizabeth shouted before skipping inside of the large estate without any escort.
"Milady!" Mey-Rin called after her, but it was no use.
"Oh dear. Well, that's my mistress for you. When there's something she wants, she'll stop at nothing to make it hers," Kagome uttered and sighed.
"Well then, let's go on," Bard said to Kagome before playfully offering her the crook of his arm.
She smiled before placing her delicate hand on his arm. "Let's."
Grinning widely, Bard led the new maid to the kitchen. Mey-Rin and Finny followed at their side.
"It's been a long time since we saw Lady Elizabeth at the manor," Finny commented, trying to draw Kagome in a conversation.
Because of her employment with the Midford family and close relationship with Elizabeth, he and the others were likely to see her more often. In addition to that, her friendly, open nature made him eager to know more about her. Although, he wasn't as earnest about it as Bard. It was funny to see the head chef so enthralled by the pretty girl.
"Milady told me," Kagome replied, "She is very excited to see Earl Phantomhive again."
"How long have you been working for her family?" Mey-Rin asked.
Kagome shrugged her shoulders. "About two or three months at the most."
"That's a long time," Bard commented, "How you get the job anyway? Referral?"
As soon as he finished the question, Kagome grew silent. When the kitchens came into view, she easily slipped her hand from Bard's arm and stepped inside, approaching a cleared countertop.
"Kagome, are you alright?" Mey-Rin asked worriedly.
"Was it something I said?" Bard asked, cringing. He didn't mean to make her so upset.
"I'm sorry," Kagome began without looking back at the others, "but I don't remember what happened to me before I started working at the Midford family. The only thing I know for sure is Lady Elizabeth and Paula found me unconscious on the estate. After that, Lady Frances took me in and offered me the job."
"Oh, I'm so sorry!" Bard exclaimed, distressed, "I didn't mean to—"
"It's alright," Kagome cut him. She turned to the other three servants, smiling.
"I didn't mean to react like that, but it's not something I want to think about. I have a new home now, and I'm grateful for it."
"It's alright!" Finny exclaimed, "We all feel the same way about being with Master Ciel!"
"Yeah, you're one of us now," Bard stated happily.
"And we've got to stick together!" Mey-Rin added. Kagome couldn't help but widen her grin. Other than Elizabeth, Paula was her only friend at the Midford estate. It was nice to make some new ones here.
"We do!" she agreed before turning to the counter and emptying her bag.
"What are you making?" Finny asked, curiously looking at the unfamiliar ingredients Kagome arranged on the counter.
"Daifuku," she answered, "It's a Japanese dessert made with red bean paste rolled in a dough made from rice flour. Elizabeth loves it so much, I've served them at afternoon tea for a few weeks now."
She lightly tapped a clear jar filled with a lumpy, dark red paste. "I already made the paste, so all I need to do is prepare the dough. Is there anything I can use to mix in? I'll also need to use the stove if it's not too much trouble."
"Sure!" Bard said. He disappeared to the cabinets and retrieves a pot and large spoon. He handed both to Kagome before walking over and carefully starting the stove, refraining from creating a huge blaze.
"Thank you," Kagome said before she poured some water into the pot and mixing in some sugar.
She waited for the stove to get hot before placing the pot on the open flames, humming as she waited for the water to come to a boil. Although the dessert wasn't difficult to make without the modern appliances, she missed the convenience of popping it in the microwave.
'No point in whining about it,' she thought, continuing to watch the pot.
Once the water was bubbling, Kagome poured in two cups of rice flour and began to stir. Looking over her shoulder, she grinned when she saw the other's confused and disgusted faces as they inspected the bean paste closer.
"It tastes much better than it looks," she remarked. She paused to add the dye to the thickening mixture, making the dough pink as Elizabeth requested.
"You can try some if you'd like."
"No thanks!" Mey-Rin cried, warily eyeing the paste.
"We'll just take your word for it!" Finny insisted.
"Wait!" Bard interjected, "I'll try it!"
"Are you sure?" Finny asked.
He nodded. "I'm going to eat it!"
Kagome giggled and turned down the heat. The dough was nearly ready. She wiped the spoon on the edge of her apron before retrieving the jar of bean paste. After opening it, she scooped out a tiny dab on the tip of the spoon. Grinning, she held the spoon the Bard's lips.
"Say 'Ah'," she instructed.
Bard gulped and reluctantly opened his mouth, shakily saying "Ah". Mey-Rin and Finny watched on bated breath.
'The things a man will do for a pretty girl…'
-O0o0O-
"You are hiding something," Ciel pointedly told Madam Red.
"Oh, my dear Ciel, whatever gave you that idea?" she asked, seemingly innocent.
He gingerly took a sip of the tea Sebastian prepared for him and his guests. As always, it was perfect, but the flavor did nothing to quell the unsettling feeling in his stomach. The smug look on the red headed woman's face and the fidgety behavior of her butler made Ciel more than a little suspicious. In addition to that, Sebastian continued to smile secretively in his direction before shifting his crimson gaze to the door. Something was definitely amiss.
"You truly have no talent playing coy and your servant is nowhere near discreet," Ciel replied matter-of-factly.
Madam Red sighed dramatically before placing her tea cup on her saucer. "I guess there's no hiding anything from you, my dear nephew. You're simply far too shrewd for me."
Ciel would have smirked in victory if Elizabeth hadn't chosen that exact moment to burst into the drawing room and latch onto his neck.
"Ciel!" she cried with glee, forcefully nuzzling her cheek against his, "Surprised to see me?"
"Elizabeth! What on earth are you doing here?" Ciel shouted, trying to pull away for his fiancée and losing every ounce of dignity he possessed in the process.
"You are surprised!" Elizabeth exclaimed as she released her hold, "I knew you would be, but there's even more surprises for you. And it's Lizzie! Call me Lizzie!"
"More surprises?" Ciel questioned, but Elizabeth only smiled at him. He looked to Madam Red for answers, but she was grinning as well only she looked more devious than her niece.
"Lady Elizabeth, would you like some tea?" Sebastian asked politely.
"Yes, please, Sebastian," Elizabeth replied with a small curtsey before taking a seat by her aunt.
Unnoticed by the surrounding nobles, Sebastian faltered slightly as he poured Elizabeth's tea. An unfamiliar, yet easily recognizable energy signature curiously reached out to him and probed his own energy. The touch was hesitant but deliberate as it made its powerful presence and lightly pricked his senses. He felt as though he was doused in icy, cold water.
'Does he know about this?' Sebastian mused, looking at Grell from the corner of his eye. The timid butler appeared positively giddy as he expectantly looked to the door. It was an odd reaction; he didn't expect someone like him to know this kind of creature.
"Master Ciel!" Mey-Rin announced just beyond the drawing room's door, "We've brought something for you and your guests."
"What now?" Ciel said miserably to himself before instructing his maid to open the door.
When the door opened, a petite Asian woman walked inside holding a tray of light pink, pillow-shaped desserts with the rest of the Phantomhive estate's servants behind her.
"Kagome darling!" Madam Red welcomed the young woman before Ciel could ask any questions, "How sweet of you to join us."
"You know this woman?" Ciel asked, eyeing the girl dressed so provocatively. The light flush of pink on his cheeks was only noticed by Sebastian.
"Of course she does!" Elizabeth remarked, "Kagome is my newest maid! Auntie Red took care of her, and now she's all mine! Isn't she lovely?"
"Hello, Lord Phantomhive," Kagome said sweetly with a slight bow of her head, "It's a pleasure to finally meet you." She hurriedly set the tray of sweets on the cart next to the teapot before taking her place at Elizabeth's side, smiling all the while.
"Kagome!" Grell screamed and quickly rushed over to her, clasping his hands over hers and pulling her close.
"Oh hello, Grell," the captured maid replied, trying to keep some distance between them, "It's nice to see you too."
"Grell, do compose yourself!" Madam Red whispered harshly to her servant. He frowned before hesitantly letting go of Kagome's hands.
"I apologize for my behavior, my lady," he said, lowering his head.
Kagome sent the noble woman a grateful grin before soothing the ache in her hands. Grell's grip seemed to be getting stronger every time he touched her.
"Now, why don't we try some of Kagome's delicious…what are they called again, dear?" Madam Red asked.
"Daifuku, milady," Kagome answered. Before she could serve the sweets herself, Sebastian already placed two of the pink desserts on a small saucer for his master before doing the same for the two noblewomen.
"It appears we're out of tea," he said after he moved to refill Ciel's cup.
"Kagome makes her own blends of tea!" Elizabeth readily supplied before turning to her maid, "Did you bring some with you?"
"Yes," Kagome answered "but I left my bag in the kitchen."
Just before Bard could offer to take her back, Sebastian stepped up and beat him to it.
"Allow me to escort you," he said suavely, gazing into Kagome's bright blue eyes with his piercing, crimson gaze.
"Well, I…" Kagome nervously began while trying to inch away from the insistent butler.
"Go on, dear!" Madam Red encouraged with a knowing grin, "We're all anxious to try your tea."
"Just get going," Ciel ordered Sebastian, looking at the foreign dessert on his plate with distaste.
"Right away, master," he replied before walking to the hallway. Kagome reluctantly followed him.
"That's too bad," Finny commented once the other two servants were gone.
"What?" Bard gruffly asked, upset that Sebastian swept Kagome away.
"It's really no contest if you're competing with Sebastian," Mey-Rin clarified. Absently, she dreaded the thought of the handsome butler she admired showing interest in another woman.
"Too bad," Finny added, "The both of you looked so sweet together too."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Bard shouted, indignant, "I'm every bit as good as Sebastian!"
"Not likely," Ciel quietly remarked before taking a small nibble out of the pink dessert. It tasted better than he thought.
'As if Sebastian would be interested in a woman.'
-O0o0O-
Sebastian fought the urge to smirk at the timidity Kagome presented him with. After they left the drawing room, she put a distance of about one to two feet between them. Her energy screamed the exact opposite before when she boldly sought him out, tinging the edges of his aura with her pure energy.
He curiously noted, despite her apparent nature and ability, Kagome had yet to attack him now that they were alone. Sebastian only ran into her kind on extremely rare occasions, and they wasted no time trying to eradicate his very existence. Fortunately for him, the time of beings with sufficient spiritual prowess to destroy him was long over.
'She's an anomaly in this era,' he thought, 'If she decided to strike me, there's a slight chance I could be destroyed.'
"So tell me," Sebastian said, abruptly stopping his stride, "What kind of blends do you make?"
Kagome barely had time to stop before she ran into his back. She steadied herself in time to see the amused expression he sent her over his shoulder.
"Pardon?" she asked.
"My master has a very fickle palate," he explained, "He favors the more robust flavors and abhors anything weak."
"Depends on what ingredients I can find in the market or grow in the gardens," Kagome answered with a slight shrug of her shoulders, "I brought a green tea, mint, and blackberry blend that Lady Elizabeth likes."
"I believe my lord will enjoy that as well."
Sebastian smirked, and Kagome subsequently flinched, shrinking away from him.
"So skittish, little priestess," he commented, "Why not purify me if I irk you so?"
Kagome huffed and defiantly crossed her arms over her chest, boldly looking Sebastian in the eye. The demon grinned; her apparent bravado was a welcomed change from her previous behavior. It wasn't the utter hatred he normally experienced from spiritual beings, and it intrigued him. The little priestess was unique in more ways than he first suspected.
"If I went around purifying everything that made me a little jittery, I'd miss out on meeting a lot of interesting people," Kagome stated hotly, "Besides, I don't think Master Ciel would take too kindly to that. I don't know why he would bind himself to someone like you, but he must have his reasons." She paused, narrowing her eyes.
"Even so, I will be watching you, Sebastian."
"Indeed, but I assure you, milady. I am simply one hell of a butler," Sebastian replied, his grin widened. Then the demon frowned when Kagome snorted and proudly walked ahead of him.
"Yeah, and Grell's a model employee."
-O0o0O-
punkish furball – Hope you enjoyed all of the changes I made. Until next time, TCB! X3
(revised 10.09.2013)