Chapter Sixteen: Movies and Complications

Ciel had to admit that modern shoes were far more comfortable than his own. Of course, they lacked the finesse of his more classical footwear, but the pair of sneakers Momiji had found for him, called Shape Ups, were very comfortable indeed, and still gave him that little bit of extra height that he had come to love from his usual heeled shoes. But how on earth did they make them so soft inside? They were obviously not made of leather. Well, that didn't matter at the moment, he decided as he walked around in his new shoes.

Another point was that they seemed rather to look like a boat because of the size of the sole. And why on earth did the shoes seem to want to cause a rocking motion each time he took a step? He knew that if he continued to think about it, he'd probably find that it was causing his leg muscles to move in ways they were not necessarily accustomed to being moved.

Sebastian smiled behind his master. The boy looked nothing like what he had before they'd left the house that morning, or even from England. If he had been a normal human, with normal human senses, he would likely have never recognized the boy in his new attire, though the eye patch would have been a dead give away from the front, at least to anyone who knew the young earl.

Tohru had to stop and admire the handiwork of the day. "I can't believe it! You don't look anything like yourself!" She clapped her hands in excitement. She wondered how Shigure would react when they returned home. It would be so much fun if he was unable to immediately recognize their young guest.

"Yes," Hana chimed in. "It's amazing what a little more modern looking clothes will do for a person." She'd been mulling over the electrical waves emitting from both the butler and his master the entire time they'd been out and about. She'd come to the conclusion that Sebastian was not human and that they were both not exactly who they said they were, at least not so far as time went. She could still feel the lingering threads of disrupted time around them, the same threads she'd felt the day before at eleven and eleven minutes. To be completely truthful, she also had to admit that they were the same strands she'd felt on both Tohru and Kyo several months before, after that rather random storm.

Momiji pursed his lips as he thought. "He may look different but that ring definitely stands out." He pointed to the ring on Ciel's left thumb, a rather large blue stone cut in a rectangular shape. "Maybe you should put it somewhere for safe keeping." He didn't mention the other ring on the boy's right hand.

Ciel stopped, looking affronted. "Put it away for safe keeping? The ring that signifies the house of Phantomhive? This ring has been in my family for generations! I don't care how outlandish it looks! I won't do it! Not even for a thousand crowns!"

Momiji looked rather taken back by this declaration as he sucked on his bottom lip. "Well, I guess that's okay too," he finally said. "After all, if it is an important family item, I'd probably want to keep it close by too."

Sebastian smiled. If only they knew what that ring really meant. Out of those assembled, only himself, Ciel, and possibly Tohru, understood what that ring meant. It was both an heirloom and a chain that would drag its master down into the very pits of hell. It was a symbol of his ties with the royal family as their doer of dirty deeds. As Ciel had once said, it has seen the end of each of its bearers and it would eventually see the end of the boy earl as well.

Tohru could sense the sudden tension in the air and it made her uncomfortable. She already knew that Ciel could be difficult, when he wanted to be, but having something like this come out was definitely more than she wanted on what was supposed to be a relaxing outing. "Okay then," she said too brightly, "what else should we do?"

Hana blinked, giving a very subtle shake of her shoulders. "Yes," she agreed. "What else shall we do?" She glanced impassively at Momiji.

The blonde haired boy closed one eye as he thought, one finger to his chin. "I know! Why don't we go see a movie!" He seemed pleased with this idea. After all, he knew that Tohru didn't see many, and he wanted to relieve her obvious discomfort.

Hana nodded. "A fine idea. Would Ciel and his butler like to see a movie?" Despite her casual expression, her eyes probed both the butler and his master with an intensity that even the boy couldn't help but feel. She was fairly certain that neither knew what a movie was, unless they'd had some time to research the subject, which was less than likely.

Ciel was taken aback only for a moment, sensing the air of challenge coming from the black-haired girl. Did she know something she shouldn't? Or was he just imaging things? His visible eye narrowed almost imperceptibly. He'd have to keep an eye on this friend of Tohru's. She was far too observant and might prove a hindrance to their investigation. "I would not mind," he answered after his moment of hesitation. "After all, it is but an innocent diversion. Wouldn't you agree, Sebastian?"

The butler nodded almost imperceptibly, smiling knowingly. He had, perhaps, a better grasp on what the party was talking about, at least more so than his master did apparently. But it wouldn't take much to discover what a "movie" was, though he rather thought it had something to do with motion from the term used.

Kyo felt like a swimmer drowning in inky black water. He was completely submerged, unsure which way was up or down, left or right. He flailed his arms, trying to hold is breath, but he could feel the strain of air that wanted to escape his aching lungs. How long had he been like this? Minutes? Seconds? Hours? Days? He wasn't sure.

How had it all started? He wasn't entirely sure. His mind felt oddly fuzzy, with an undertone of something that tried to tell him it was best to just let himself sink to the bottom of whatever pool he was in, just sink to the bottom and stay there. It would be easier. All he had to do was give up, just stop moving, stop trying to reach the top.

But he couldn't do that. There was no way he could allow himself to just give up, admit defeat. He would find the end of this and be free of whatever black water he was in. He wouldn't give up. He wouldn't let himself. He would wear himself out if he had to. He would hold on, until someone could come rescue him.

Around him, shimmering black, red, and green snakes floated in the dark water, intertwining around him, whispering in hisses that he should just give up, give in. Drown. Just drown. They were waiting for any sign of weakness to attack him, pull him down. But, for now, they were kept at bay, gleefully waiting, because they knew eventually his mind would tire, his legs sink like weights, and he would succumb completely.

Shigure scratched at the back of his neck. He wasn't sure what else to do. They'd combed the area as thoroughly as they could, and hadn't found any other traces that might suggest Kyo had been there. But Haru was convinced he'd at least made it that far, before he suddenly up and vanished.

Haru leaned against one of the many fences in the area. "There's no way he'd just throw that bracelet away," he mused. "Not knowing where it came from. So he either dropped it as a clue, or it came off without his knowing about it."

Shigure sighed. "Even knowing that, it still leaves the possibility that it came off because it wasn't secure enough when he was running away, though, I have to admit, the evidence doesn't seem to suggest he did run away."

"Yeah," Haru said dismally. He kicked at the sidewalk with the toes of one of his boots. "But where did he go? Did something happen to him? What if he transformed? Did someone see him?"

Shigure folded his arms. "That's far too many questions and conjectures for my taste. But one thing is certain, if we can't find him by tonight, tomorrow we'll have to let Akito know. Of course, I'd rather not," he added at a look from Haru. "After all, I don't want to even imagine how mad he'll be when he finds out." The very thought made him shudder.

"Do you even have to tell him?" Haru pushed away from the fence. "I mean, what he doesn't know won't kill him. Can't you wait, at least for a few more days?"

The writer let out his breath in one long sigh, his shoulders sagging. "I suppose, but it's probably better that he hear it from me than from anyone else, and the chances of him hearing it from someone else rise the longer we wait."

Haru nodded. It was a dangerous rope they were walking on. It could snap on them at any second. "Fair enough. Well, let's not let the day go. Back to work."

Shigure frowned but followed after his younger cousin. After all, he knew more about Kyo's usual hideouts and hangouts than he did. Neither noticed a dark presence peering out at them from a small nook of a shadow.

The movie theater was massive. At least as far as Ciel was concerned. It was amazing to think that there was such a large building meant purely for entertainment purposes, outside of an actual theater for stage plays. And even though Sebastian had found out exactly what a movie was, thanks to some quick subterfuge, the size of the building still blew his mind away.

"How many different theaters did you say this building houses?" he asked as he stared up at the façade that made the front of the building look like some kind of futuristic structure he'd never seen before, not even in the time he found himself in. It was so outlandish and bizarre.

Momiji shielded his eyes against the sun as he looked up at the marquee outside the building that advertised what movies were playing. "Twenty-five," he answered, pointing at the lists of movies above them. "And each one is shown on an IMAX style screen."

Ciel blinked, not sure what the boy meant by IMAX. It must be some kind of technology, though what kind, he wasn't sure. The very idea of a movie, of what it was, still made his mind spin a bit. He'd heard of something akin to the principle before, but they were small trinkets in comparison to what was before his eyes as they stepped into the main lobby, which was easily the size of his front foyer back home at the Phantomhive Manor.

The closest thing his time held to a "movie" was one of those kinetiscope things he'd heard about but never taken the time to actually look into beyond the potential for adding it to his business enterprises, though, at the time, it hardly seemed like anything would come of it. After all, who would want to see the same thing over and over, exactly the same way every time? Theater was far more entertaining. But, apparently, his thinking had been wrong, along with that of many others who believed that the motion picture had no future. Learning that not only had they been wrong, but that it had developed into such an enterprise, he decided to rethink some of his business dealings, making a mental note to look back into the venture when they returned home.

"So," Tohru broke into his thoughts as she walked over to him, "what kind of movie would you like to see? Do you want to watch a drama? Something with action? A romance? Or maybe something science fiction?"

Ciel's eyes went a bit wide as she mentioned the different genres. He frankly had no ideas, though was sure about one thing. "No romance, please," he requested. Lizzy was enough romance to last a lifetime, and he had no desire to be inundated by any more female foolery than was necessary.

Hana glanced at him thoughtfully. "He is a bit young to appreciate romance," she noted. "Perhaps something more action or adventure?"

Momiji jumped up and down. "Oh! I know! How about that one about the little people who live in the walls and borrow stuff! I heard that one was really good! And it has a lot of action and adventure in it!"

Hana and Tohru exchanged glances. Hana shrugged. Tohru smiled. "I think that's a good idea," she responded. "I heard that one was good too!"

Ciel wasn't sure he knew what they were talking about, but hoped they were choosing a good show. He stood helplessly in the lobby, looking around him with almost child-like wonder, and perhaps a bit of alarm, as the others, minus Sebastian, when to buy tickets. The butler had given them some money to pay for them, since it seemed the best course of action. They both knew Tohru didn't necessarily have a lot of money, thanks to Shigure's informative mouth. The financial affairs of the other two were, as yet, not ascertained, though they seemed much better off than Tohru. It was likely that Momiji, at least, had more than sufficient, being a Sohma, but he had already treated them to the taxi ride.

It didn't take long for them to buy their tickets. The theater line wasn't too busy. Most teenagers were out shopping or doing chores. Either that, or this showing just wasn't that popular. Either way, they were soon back with the tickets.

Momiji spotted the concession stand. "Ooh! Popcorn! A movie isn't a movie without popcorn!" He zoomed over to the shortest line. "Tohru, do you want some," he called over his shoulder.

Tohru smiled. "Sure!" Popcorn was, after all, good for a movie. She turned to Ciel and Sebastian, "would you like some too?"

Ciel glanced up at the signs above the concessions, trying to figure out what the different items up there were. There seemed to be a lot of different types of candies and drinks. Some of the names he recognized from their little lunch break. "Some popcorn would be good," he finally conceded.

Momiji waved, "Okay! Three popcorns!" He placed his money on the counter, waiting for the worker to fill his order.

Hana moved into the line as well, to purchase some snacks as well, leaving the boy and butler alone for a moment.

"Sebastian," Ciel said quietly, "while we are watching this show," and he gave a bit of a funny look, "you are to slip out undetected and investigate matters. From the times listed on that board, I presume this attraction lasts about two hours. Be sure to return before that allotted time to reduce any suspicion. If you can, discover where Kyo is, and see if you can't make any headway on our own investigation."

Sebastian bowed. "Yes, my lord. I will see to it. Oh, and please be sure to tell me how the movie is, young master. It would appear rather odd if I did not know the contents when I was supposedly there the whole time." He smiled mischievously.

"Fine," Ciel grouched, unable to fold his arms for the one in a sling. "Just don't disappoint me."

The butler bowed again, though less formally. "Of course."

Everyone else rejoined them at that moment and Ciel had to force himself to smile less grimly as they chatted about the movie and what to expect. He followed them into the theater and sat down near the end, Sebastian on the end of the row.

Once the lights went down, the audience quieted and he found he actually was looking forward to this amusement. Chances were, however, that he might see more of the inside of his eyelids than the movie. He found himself blinking as Tohru handed him his drink.

Some advertisements began to play across the rather large screen in front of them and the boy found he couldn't help but stare at the flashy colors. It was a most ingenious way to advertise one's products, he decided, wondering how to use this to his advantage when he returned home.

About five minutes into the actual movie, Sebastian leaned towards the earl. "Enjoy your show," he whispered into his master's ear as he slipped out of the theater. The boy only nodded as his butler merged with the shadows.

Tessa had decided. And now she was on her way to visit the man who was reported to be Kyo's father, even if not by birth. Perhaps she would find this visit a bit more fruitful.

She found that she was actually following the same path she'd followed just the day before when stalking the boy turned cat who would now be her slave. Perhaps he had been on his way to visit, she mused, for the address of his home was not the same as his foster parent's. And since she's already been there and only found a bumbling idiot, she could ignore it, at least for now.

She had just about reached the area where she'd run into Kyo when she stopped abruptly. She felt similar, yet two distinctly different sets of spirit energies radiating threads into the air. They were more like Kyo's, and less like a normal human's. Her eyes narrowed fractionally as she peered round the corner and saw two males loitering around the exact spot she'd transformed the Sohma boy. Who were they?

"Fair enough. Well, let's not let the day go. Back to work," the lighter haired one said. He was wearing a traditional Japanese garment. She knew it was traditional because of her research. The other was more modernly attired with two colors of hair offsetting each other.

Intriguing. They emitted very similar energies to her prisoner, though decidedly not the same. They were less chaotic, and probably the least easily manipulated because of it, though both seemed to also harbor a darker side that both kept fairly well hidden. This intrigued her beyond any other point. If they could be persuaded… but no, she should not be greedy. But she would follow them.