punkish furball – Hello, everybody! XD
Words to Ponder:
Thank you for reviewing from FF .net: o0KittyBlue0o, Wicken25, Black Firelight, AnimeIceFox, Shi Kami the Murderous Prodigy, watergoddesskasey, MidnightReader1, AnimeFreakAmanda, theheartstourniquet, JollyLoser (3x), Blackmoon OniOokami, LoneWolfSage, Denisthepinkgoldfish, ShiTsukisama, Bishonen'sFoxyMiko, YueLilianPotter, Anti-Social Otaku, Luna Yue, ThePandaHat, Genuinely-Unique, Starmoongoddess, and aurla0! XD
Thank you from commenting from AO3 .org: Birdie! X3
Chapter 4
"Who exactly is that girl?" Ciel asked Madam Red, "Aunt Frances wouldn't hire a stray worker out of the blue."
After some persistent coaxing from Elizabeth, Ciel's servants and Grell begrudgingly left the room to be made cute by the tiny noblewoman. Ciel more than appreciated the diversion. Now that they were alone, he and Madam Red were free to talk openly.
"You're asking the wrong person," Madam Red answered flippantly.
"So Aunt Frances didn't tell you?" Ciel questioned, raising a slender eyebrow.
"She doesn't know the answer either," she replied, "The proper one to ask would be Kagome."
"What are you saying?" Ciel asked incredulously, "Why would she hire her without knowing her history? Where did she even come from?"
"Kagome just appeared on the outskirts of the estate a few months ago. Frances took her in and called me to treat her injuries. She was in very bad condition. Had she been worse, she would have died even with my treatment."
She paused and took a small bite of her daifuku. "Once Kagome was well enough, Frances offered her the job. She didn't have anywhere else to go, so Kagome stayed."
"Without telling anyone who she is or where she came from?" Ciel continued, skeptical.
Madam Red nodded. "Kagome's injuries suggest she could have been an escapee from a brothel. Frances and I did a little research on it but didn't find any information."
"Is that so? What kind of injuries?"
"Really, Ciel? You are my nephew, but I can't possibly break doctor-patient privilege for you."
The child earl nodded. "Very well. I understand your station as you should my own."
Despite the lack of answers, Ciel's interest remained piqued. Several days ago, Queen Victoria summoned him to the city to investigate a recent string of murders where prostitutes were killed, mutilated, and their corpses displayed on the streets for nearly seven months. If Kagome was a former street walker, she could be an escaped victim from one of the culprit's earlier attempts. If that were the case, Ciel needed to speak with her as soon as possible. She could hold vital information he needed to solve this case.
'It could only be a coincidence, but it's a lead worth investigating,' he thought.
"I'm back!" Elizabeth announced, rushing into the drawing room with Ciel's disgruntled staff and Grell in tow. She proudly displayed the domestics garbed in cute outfits.
"Aren't they just adorable?"
Madam Red giggled and complemented her niece on her fashionable choices. However, Elizabeth's reappearance made Ciel quietly groan. With her here, he wouldn't be able to get close to the Asian maid to obtain the information he needed. Elizabeth should not be exposed to that kind of unpleasantness. He was lucky his conversation with Madam Red ended by the time she returned.
'I'll have to separate them,' Ciel decided.
After a few more minutes, Kagome and Sebastian returned with the latter pushing a cart topped with a new batch of tea. Kagome followed behind him with her bag slung over her shoulder.
"Here we are, milord," Sebastian stated, pouring tea for his master before doing the same for his guests. Ciel held the teacup and tentatively sipped the brewed beverage, marveling at the unexpected flavor coupled with a fragrant aroma. It was robust and strong just the way he liked.
"Delicious as always, dear," Madam Red commended.
"Kagome always makes the best blends!" Elizabeth praised with a giggle.
Ciel said nothing but nodded his head appreciatively at the raven haired maid. Elizabeth happily noticed he was pleased by her servant.
"But Kagome's good at just about everything," she continued to gush, "Even playing games!" She motioned for Kagome to pass her the brown bag, and the maid readily complied. Once Elizabeth had it in her possession, she pulled out a deck of cards and proudly held them to her fiancé.
"She's been teaching me how to play some card games. Would you like to play a game with me?"
The offer was unexpected, and Ciel considered it for a few silent moments. He could use the innocent request in his favor.
"Very well," he finally acquiesced, surprising nearly everyone in attendance.
"But," Ciel added, "I would like to challenge Kagome in your stead."
"Me, Lord Phantomhive?" Kagome questioned.
Ciel looked at the petite maid and smirked. "I prefer my opponents to be more skilled. From what Elizabeth told us, you certainly have the experience."
Kagome's eyes widened before she smiled in the face of his challenge. "I will play you if you wish, milord."
She turned to her mistress. "Would that bother you, milady?"
"Of course not!" Elizabeth exclaimed, thrusting the pack of cards in Kagome's hands. She was simply ecstatic Ciel agreed to play and couldn't wait to watch.
"What game would you like to play, milord?" Kagome politely asked as she sat in front of Ciel's desk. Sebastian already cleared a small area on its surface for them to play the game.
"Poker seems like a good choice, don't you think?" Ciel suggested.
The game was started in the Americas but rapidly grew in popularity. He could tell by the look on Kagome's face that she knew the game quite well.
"As you wish, milord," she replied, "Jokers wild?"
"Yes."
"Aces high or low?"
"Both."
Kagome nodded and shuffled the cards rifle style before dealing out both hands. Everyone around the two players was quiet, eagerly watching the game begin.
"In games like this, it is customary for the players to make wagers," Ciel stated as he held his hand high.
"That is true, but I don't have much to offer you, Lord Phantomhive," Kagome replied.
"Perhaps you'll agree to a penalty for the loser of our game?" Ciel suggested, "If I win, you must stay at the manor and train under Sebastian until I find you suitable to return to the Midford estate." The boy's butler grinned.
"You are a new servant; consider it more as a service to you," the young noble continued.
Kagome remained silent in her seat, fighting the urge to sneer. Just because she wouldn't harm Sebastian didn't mean she wanted to be around him any more than she had to be. If the fleeting looks on their faces meant anything, he and the boy were up to something, and she was involved.
'Two can play that game, kid.'
"I accept your condition," Kagome replied with a sugary sweet smile, "but if I win, I would like permission for Lady Elizabeth and myself to stay overnight at the manor and leave in the morning."
Elizabeth cheered loudly as Ciel cringed, but he quickly righted his composure. He was confident he would not lose this match. After all, he never lost a game before.
"Very well. I accept your terms." He spread his hand across his desk.
"Four of a kind. Eights."
Kagome nodded and quietly placed her cards on the desk surface. A ten, a jack, a queen, a king, and an ace all of clubs were spread perfectly in front of her. Ciel stared in disbelief at the displayed hand before looking up to Kagome who wore a slight, triumphant grin.
"That's a royal flush. I win."
"You beat the Earl?" Mey-Rin shouted.
"That's unheard of!" Bard and Finny added, "The Earl never loses!"
"Well then, my lady," Sebastian addressed Elizabeth courteously as he turned to her, "Shall I show you to your room for the evening? We also need to contact your mother of your change in plans."
He cast Kagome a glance from the corner of his eye. "I assume your maid will accompany you?"
"Of course she!" Elizabeth exclaimed and tightly hugged her victorious maid before pulling her up into a standing position.
"You were brilliant!"
"Thank you, milady," Kagome replied before she and Elizabeth followed Sebastian outside.
As he watched the two leave with his butler, Ciel mentally berated himself for losing. His plan was completely ruined. There was no way to get Kagome alone now. He'd have to try other methods if he wanted to obtain the information he sought.
"Oh buck up, dear!" Madam Red said as she lightheartedly slapped her nephew on the back, "There's no need for you to keep brooding. One loss isn't anything to get all upset about. Although if I were in Kagome's place, I would have thrown the game to train under Sebastian!"
"I'm not brooding," Ciel insisted, though, ironically, he wore a pout.
He groaned as Madam Red ignored him and continued with her usual lewd comments about his butler. Everyone else was caught up with her act and went into hysterics along with her.
Ciel groaned before lowering his head to his desk, resting his forehead on the cool surface. 'I'll never get anything accomplished at this rate.'
-O0o0O-
Elizabeth sighed happily as Kagome brushed her long blonde hair. She was absolutely giddy after having dinner with Ciel, seating right beside him like a real wife would.
"Thank you so much, Kagome!" she exclaimed, "Just imagine it! In the morning, Ciel and I will wake up and share breakfast together. It'll be just like a dream!"
"Think nothing of it," she replied, setting down the brush, "After being away from Lord Phantomhive for so long, I suspected you would like this."
"And I did!" Elizabeth cried cheerfully, turning to face her, "But there's one more thing left for you to do!"
"There is?" Kagome asked, feigning ignorance.
"Of course there is! Don't tell me you forgot the promise you made me."
"I didn't. I just wasn't aware it applied here too."
Quickly catching on to her maid's ruse, Elizabeth grinned widely as she squirmed in her seat. "Don't tease me, Kagome! You left off at a really good part of the story."
"Of course, milady. I'll start as soon as you get into bed," Kagome instructed.
Elizabeth quickly scrambled of the char and into bed, pulling the covers up to her chin. Kagome giggled and took a seat at the foot of the mattress. Before she could began speaking, there was a slight knock at the door.
"Come in," Elizabeth impatiently ordered. Mey-Rin shyly stepped into the room with her hands folded in front of her apron.
"Evening, milady," she greeted Elizabeth in a slightly hushed tone, "I've come to bring Kagome to the servants' quarters for the night."
"Not now!" Elizabeth protested, "She was just about to get started."
"Started?" Mey-Rin repeated curiously.
"Yes," she replied and pointed to an empty chair, "Now sit over there and wait until she's finished."
The bespectacled maid was confused by the sudden order but took the seat without complaint.
Kagome cleared her throat. "Now where did I leave off exactly?"
"The handsome wolf prince kidnapped Kisa and declared his love for her in front of his entire tribe! It was so romantic!"
Kagome smiled; she knew Elizabeth would fall head-over-heels for Koga.
"A wolf prince?" Mey-Rin questioned, "Like a werewolf or something?"
"Not at all!" Elizabeth protested, "Koga is tall and tan with long black hair and crystal clear, blue eyes. He's completely and utterly handsome!"
"Oh my!" Mey-Rin remarked, her face growing ruby red as she pictured the wolf prince in her mind's eye.
Kagome continued the account, recounting in great detail the next encounters her group had with Koga. Of course, she gave Mey-Rin a quick background on what had happened before this point, so she would be caught up with the rest of the story. Elizabeth drifted asleep when Kagome reached the part of the tale when Kagura provoked Koga into fighting InuYasha. When she noticed she dozed, Kagome walked over to the bed and tucked her in before blowing out her candles. Mey-Rin stood from her seat and led Kagome into the hallway.
"That's such a lovely story!" Mey-Rin gushed as she and Kagome walked to the servants' quarters being sure to keep her voice down, "Thanks for letting me in on all the details."
"No problem. I'm glad you enjoyed it," Kagome remarked happily.
She shivered as she and Mey-Rin walked to the other side of the vast manor and passed in front of the main staircase. She felt Sebastian's dark presence flutter against her senses, caressing her softly. Looking to the front entrance, she saw him walking on the lower level by candlelight.
"He's still up?" Kagome commented.
"Who? Sebastian?" Mey-Rin replied, looking at the butler, "He always checks the grounds after Master Ciel goes to bed."
"I see," Kagome remarked. When he disappeared from view, his aura lingered before ultimately fading away.
"Do you like him?" Mey-Rin asked, causing Kagome's step to falter slightly. She halted as soon as the other maid stumbled.
"Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," Kagome replied and stood up straight, "but like is such a strong word. I barely know Sebastian."
"You really feel that way?" Mey-Rin asked incredulously, "You're the only woman he seems the slightest bit interested in."
Kagome discreetly rolled her eyes and said in a deadpanned voice, "Somehow, I can tell."
"So, does that mean you prefer Bard over Sebastian?" Mey-Rin pressed.
"Bard? What does he have to do with—?"
"Then again, Grell did greet you familiarly today. Maybe it's him you're interested in. Or is it a love triangle? If so, then it's just like in the story!"
Mey-Rin squealed as quietly as she could and pressed her hands to her heated face.
"Oh, Mey-Rin," Kagome remarked with dry humor, "I think it's time for us to go bed."
"I guess you're right," the maid replied, looking away as she blushed and wrung her hands together in embarrassment.
When the two maids arrived to Mey-Rin's bedroom, Mey-Rin handed Kagome one of her night gowns and directed her to a cot beside her bed. Kagome quickly changed and folded her clothes, placing them beside her cot.
"Good night, Kagome," Mey-Rin stated after the two were settled for the night.
"Night, Mey-Rin."
-O0o0O-
When morning came, Kagome and Mey-Rin were jerked awake by a hard, rapid knocking on the door.
"Wake up," Sebastian ordered, "We have no time to waste this morning, ladies."
"Alright, alright," Kagome groaned as she stood up from her cot and glared at the closed door.
"Don't fret," Mey-Rin told her, yawning, "Sebastian has always been a morning person."
Once both girls were up and dressed for their duties, they met Sebastian in the hallway.
"Mey-Rin, help Bardroy set the table for breakfast. The meal is already prepared," Sebastian instructed.
Mey-Rin nodded and quickly she set off to do what she was told. When she was gone, the butler turned his red eyes to the remaining domestic.
"Kagome, you should tend to Lady Elizabeth and prepare her for the day. I had her clothes laundered for her this morning."
Kagome quickly took the bundle of clothes from Sebastian sent a small wave of energy to him, enough to harshly prick his senses. She was not going to tolerate that patronizing tone of his, servant or not.
"I don't take orders from you," she said hotly.
Sebastian grinned and bowed slightly. "But of course, my lady."
Kagome huffed before turning heel and walking to Elizabeth's room. Once she arrived, she helped the perky girl dress, finishing by pulling her hair into pigtails and placing on her customary headband.
"Now let me do your hair!" Elizabeth suggested.
"Are you sure, milady?" Kagome asked, "We shouldn't keep the Earl waiting for long."
"It's alright," her mistress insisted. She stood from the vanity and motioned for Kagome to take her seat.
"Auntie Ann always tells me a lady must always look her best in front of a gentleman."
"If you insist," Kagome relented and sat down.
Elizabeth began to hum as she took the brush and smoothed it over Kagome's tangled, raven hair. When she was finished, she asked for the ribbons Kagome wore yesterday. Elizabeth used them to fashion her maid's hair into two high pigtails, matching her own.
Once they were ready to leave, Elizabeth and Kagome left the room and arrived in the dining hall where Ciel and his servants waiting.
"Morning, Ciel darling!" Elizabeth greeted Ciel warmly and took a seat next to him. Kagome stood behind her chair, ready to attend to her.
"Morning, Lizzie," he replied stiffly.
"Good morning, my lady," Sebastian greeted Elizabeth and placed a plate in front of her, "For breakfast this morning, we have prepared Swiss Rösti, poached eggs, and berry scones with Earl Grey tea."
"Lovely," Elizabeth remarked.
"Good morning, Kagome. Did you sleep well?" Bard bashfully asked her. He stayed behind after he and Mey-Rin set the table to speak to the alluring Asian.
"Good morning, Bard," Kagome replied with a smile, "I did until I received a rather rude wake up call." She cast a cold glance at Sebastian from the corner of her eye.
The butler cleared his throat and caught the attention of the other three workers. He curtly told them their duties for the morning and dismissed them. They hurriedly left to their appointed tasks, each bidding Kagome goodbye before they left.
Once the two nobles finished breakfast, Kagome and Elizabeth prepared to leave. Their carriage was already prepped and ready for their imminent departure. After giving Ciel a bone crushing hug, Elizabeth boarded the vehicle with her maid right behind her.
"Thank goodness that ordeal is finally over," Ciel stated once the coach left the estate. As he headed back into his mansion, he addressed his demonic butler.
"Sebastian?"
"Yes, my lord?" he dutifully answered.
"Prepare the carriage. We'll be leaving tomorrow morning," Ciel instructed.
"If I may be so bold, what is our destination?" Sebastian asked though he already knew where they were heading.
Ciel rolled his eyes but answered. "To the city. Jack the Ripper must be stopped on orders from the Queen."
"So urgently? I thought you wanted to obtain more information before you acted," Sebastian questioned, his tone teasing, "Did you get so discouraged by your recent loss?"
He bristled and stomped to his personal study. "That has absolutely no bearing on my decision."
-O0o0O-
Kagome curiously looked out of the carriage window, not recognizing the passing scenery. Their route was not in the direction of the Midford family's mansion in the country.
"Lizzie, where are we going?" she asked.
"Oh," Elizabeth replied, "I suppose with all the excitement, I forgot to tell you we wouldn't be going straight home. We're meeting mother in the city."
"Is there something planned, my lady?" Kagome asked.
Elizabeth nodded, bursting with glee. "The last party of the season at the Viscount of Druitt's mansion tomorrow. You will be accompanying me, of course. But you'll have to get a formal gown for the occasion. As cute as your uniforms are, you can't wear those!"
Kagome turned away and discreetly blew up her bangs, exasperated. 'Great. Another shopping spree.'
"Unfortunately, I won't be able to go with you," Elizabeth continued, wearing a small pout.
"Really?"
"Mother and I have to do some shopping on our own, but don't worry!" she exclaimed, placing a reassuring hand on Kagome's knee, "I'll be leaving you with someone who can help you pick out the perfect dress!"
"And who would that be?" Kagome asked suspiciously.
Before she knew it, the carriage suddenly came to a stop and the door was roughly pulled open. Kagome was tugged outside and held tightly in someone's arms with barely enough time to grab her bag.
"Grell!" Kagome exclaimed as the eccentric butler held her tightly, "What are you doing here?"
"We came to pick you up of course," Angelina stated, stepping beside her butler and the raven maid.
"Grell, stop this behavior at once!" she demanded. Reluctantly, he let Kagome go.
"Forgive me, my lady. I simply lost myself," he mumbled apologies with his head bowed.
The noblewoman shook her head before turning to Kagome with a kind smile. "Hello, dear! We are going to have so much fun!"
"You really don't have to do this. I don't want to cause you unnecessary trouble," Kagome weakly protested. Truthfully, a formal party was the last place wanted to go.
"It's no trouble at all, dear!" Angelina remarked and ushered Kagome through London's busy streets, "Besides, I've always wanted a girl."
Kagome sighed as Madam Red and Grell whisked her away with Elizabeth joyfully waving goodbye behind them.
Kagome's second shopping experience was by far worse than her first. Not only did she need to pick out a formal gown with far too many layers in Kagome's opinion, she also had to go through the painful process of getting a fitted corset. Angelina also proved to be much more aggressive than Elizabeth when it came to shopping, and she was extremely picky. Her vision continually clashed with Grell's, who meekly insisted Kagome's dress be red.
After visiting many boutiques and picking out numerous gowns, the two women ended up agreeing on a dark purple dress accented with shades of gray and black and layers of lace.
"My lady, I appreciate your generosity, but it's far too much," Kagome told her when they boarded the coach to her home, "I'm just a simple maid. Nothing more."
Angelina dismissed her protests with a wave of her hand. "Think nothing of it. I have more than enough money to spend. Besides, it's only for one night."
Kagome sighed. Instead of lifting her worries, her words made her feel much worse.
When the two arrived at the baroness's large, luxurious town house, Angelina graciously allowed Kagome to sit with her at the table dinner and use her personal bathing facilities, all without lifting a finger. In her months of servitude, Kagome forgot who enjoyable these luxuries and let go of her former protests. The Midfords were good to her, but she was still treated as a servant. She couldn't fully express her gratitude to the red haired woman for lavishing her with such attention.
'Although, I could have done without Grell drawing my bath,' she thought with a shudder. The water so thick with rose petals and perfume that it turned pink. Nonetheless, Kagome enjoyed it.
"Are you sure there isn't anything you need?" Kagome asked as she stood in front Madam Red wearing a spare sleeping gown.
"Dear, I have more than enough servants to take care of all that," Angelina assured her, "Tonight is a night for you to relax. Come sit with me!"
"But I can't overstep my station any more than I have," Kagome quietly replied.
"I won't tell if you won't!" she playfully whispered with a wink and a finger pressed to her lips.
Kagome grinned before joining the older woman on her bed. Angelina quickly began playing with Kagome's hair which was still damp from her bath. Not for the first time did Kagome wonder why the noblewoman was unmarried and without children of her own. She was such a gentle, motherly woman and clearly enjoyed being with her niece and stoic nephew. However, as curious as she was, she didn't ask. On some level, she suspected the explanation would be unbearable to recount. As a servant, she knew it wasn't her place to ask. As a patient and friend, she didn't want to repay the good doctor's kindness with pointed questions. As someone who also suffered a great deal of emotional pain, she knew the desire to keep painful memories buried was strong.
"You've been doing well with Elizabeth," Angelina commented.
Kagome shrugged her shoulders. "I doubt any noticeable influence I have on her."
"That's where you're wrong," Angelina insisted, lightly tugging on Kagome's hair, "Usually her behavior is enough to drive even the most tolerant gentlemen up the walls. But since you're been with her, she's started to mellow out and relax. You are a good influence on her. Even Frances can see that."
"Thank you, milady."
"Thank you, Kagome." Angelina pulled her hands away from Kagome's hair, leaving it fashioned a long, sleek braid.
"Now off to bed with you. We have errands to run in the morning."
Kagome nodded before she stood and left the aristocrat's bedroom, walking to hers for the night. As she traveled to the other side of the manor, she noticed something odd. A familiar presence that always surrounded Angelina was noticeably absent tonight.
'I wonder why Grell's not here.'
-O0o0O-
Kagome awoke the next morning feeling completely refreshed. Her light blue uniform and all her underclothes were freshly laundered by Angelina's staff and placed at the foot of her bed. After she changed and she started to do her hair, Kagome noticed her white hair ribbons were replaced with red ones.
'Grell must have come back some time last night,' Kagome thought with a snort.
After lacing up her brown boots and tying her hair into a high ponytail, Kagome met Angelina in the main dining hall where Grell was serving her tea with her breakfast. She giggled behind her hand when the noblewoman wrinkled her nose at the taste of the brewed beverage.
"Good morning, Lady Angelina," Kagome greeted, "Good morning, Grell."
The butler smiled brightly at her, immediately noticing the red ribbon binding her ebony locks.
"Morning, dear," Angelina replied before she wiped her mouth with a cloth napkin and stood from the table, "Shall we get going?"
"Yes, my lady," Kagome and Grell replied although the former had no idea where they would be going.
After the two women boarded the prepared coach, Grell drove to another large, townhouse in the city. When the vehicle stopped, Angelina and Kagome stepped off and approached the townhouse. Two other people that Kagome didn't recognize were waiting for them on the stoop. Both, like her, were Asian.
"Madam Red, lovely to see you again," the oriental man greeted, his tone a smooth, sultry tenor. His lips quirked when he noticed Kagome.
"Hello. I don't believe we've met," he said, politely bowing. When he stood up, he reached for Kagome's hand and placed a kiss on her wrist.
"My name is Lau. And who might you be?"
"My name is Kagome," she answered as she slipped her hand away, fighting the urge to smack the man. Odds were he was a nobleman, and it wouldn't look good for the Midfords if she acted out.
"Kagome," Lau repeated, "That's a lovely name, but I'm guessing it's not Chinese."
"That's correct. I'm from Japan."
"Japan, eh? What a pleasant surprise, right, Ran-Mao?" he asked the silent woman at his side. She said nothing, only continued staring ahead with cold, golden eyes.
"Hello, Lau," Angelina tersely said and brushed passed the Chinese noble and Ran-Mao. She stepped to the front door and opened it with little effort. Grell obediently followed behind her.
"Come on, Kagome," she said over her shoulder, "No need to lollygag with the likes of Lau."
Instead of being insulted, Lau grinned. "I believe that's our cue. Let's go in, shall we?"
He placed his hand on the small of her back and guided her inside the house, applying a small amount of pressure. Kagome flinched but did not move away.
'Just endure it,' she thought, putting the hand on her lower back out of her mind.
When the trio was in the foyer, Angelina called them up to a room on the second floor. She and Grell were inside, ransacking the place.
"Think you could help us find the tea?" Angelina asked as she riffled through some book shelves. Without any more prompting, Ran-Mao and Lau joined their search.
"Tea?" Kagome curiously repeated, "Shouldn't it be in the kitchen?"
"I'm not sure," Angelina remarked as she continued to look.
Kagome sighed before she joined the others, halfheartedly leafing through the contents of a nearby bookshelf. She stopped abruptly when she felt an aura gently engulf her body.
'Why are they here?' she thought.
Kagome turned to the door just as Ciel and Sebastian appeared in the doorway, looking just as shocked as she was to see them.
"For goodness sake!" Angelina shouted, "Where do they keep the tea in this place?"
"I can't find it either," Lau commented as he lifted the lid to a porcelain jar, peering inside it.
"Don't be silly!" Angelina reprimanded with a huff, "Of course it's not in there!"
"Madam Red! Lau! What are you doing here?" Ciel cried once he gained his composure.
"Oh, Ciel," Madam Red sunnily greeted her nephew, "you're here early."
"Your sudden appearance here—" Lau began.
"—means the Queen's guard dog has a new scent to follow," Madam Red finished.
'A guard dog?' Kagome thought as she stared at the young Earl and his servant, 'Just who is this kid?' Her eyes narrowed and she crossed her arms over her chest. She was going to get to the bottom of this.
-O0o0O-
punkish furball – I hope you enjoyed! X3 L83RN355! X3
(revised 10.12.2013)