Kuroshitsuji © Yana Toboso
OCs © reaper-of-lost-souls
A/N: Well now that I don't have school you should assume I'll be reviewing these chapters XD Anyways I hope you enjoy this next chapter. Now we move back into the story a bit… just a bit =3
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Sophie groaned, opening her eyes before flinching back in astonishment. She gulped once she realized where she was, back in the lobby with her food still fresh on the coffee table beside her. She stood up and looked around, grabbing her watch from her pocket and looking at the time. "It's 6am," she heard a voice behind her, Sophie jumping back startled and almost running into the coffee table.
"Don't do that!" Sophie huffed, pouting as the woman giggled at her and flew past her till she was standing alongside her.
"Aw~ you're the little jumper aren't ya'?" Time snickered, Sophie sighing as she rolled her eyes and looked around. "It's like nothing happened," Time told her, "but if you look out the door your little friend will be coming in angry and mad. I suggest you find your dagger before anyone else does because disaster will befall on your world if you don't."
"What?" Sophie asked, turning around to find Time had disappeared in an instant. "Hey wait!" she called in the room, "I still have a question –"
"Don't yell! You're so loud," Time huffed as she appeared behind Sophie's back. "Now what's the question?"
"Ummm… What about Naum? Are you saying I have to do this all alone?" Sophie frowned, Time raising an eyebrow before chuckling smugly.
"No~! We have as much incentive on finding the daggers as you do," Time smiled. "Space is currently with Kaoboros and I'm with you. Just don't gobble us up. That's all we ask."
"A-alright I suppose," Sophie sighed, "but I wonder how I'll explain this –"
"No wait!" Time shook her head, "Don't talk about this with anyone yet."
"But –"
"Do you want to confuse everything?" Time pouted. "Think about it. If you can barely grasp this situation how can anyone else? Just go about your life as if nothing is happening and find the daggers in the meantime. You'll figure it out; after all you're the being it's calling to."
"I-I suppose," Sophie sighed, scratching her head and looking away. "This doesn't really help explain anything though –"
"Sophie?" Sophie turned around to find Fiona walking towards her, Time having vanished from her sight in an instant. "W-what is – what happened –"
"You know I have no idea," Sophie sighed, "but right now let's just keep this to ourselves alright? I'm going to do my work early. If you need me I'll be out reaping."
"But –" Fiona huffed as Sophie already left down the hallway, leaving her food behind on the table as Fiona groaned and scratched the back of her head. "Can't you people ever listen? Just like your father aren't you? Why do I~ always have to babysit?" She sighed as she left the lobby, walking back outside and scratching the back of her head. "There's only one person I know who will help me," Fiona thought to herself, "but I wonder how he'll react to this."
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Sophie sighed as she slung her scythe over her shoulder, letting the blood drip down from her black scythe and puddle on the ground behind her. "You're a brutal little person aren't you?" she heard a voice behind her, Sophie shaking her head as she wiped the blood off of her hat.
"It's my job Time," Sophie huffed, "and I don't like it when there are beings staring down my back –"
"I'm not trying~ to be a nascence," Time pouted, "but I'm bored~~. Besides there's not much for a divine being like myself to do, except tamper with time I suppose." Sophie rolled her eyes as the other chuckled, Sophie making her way into one of the buildings and walking up the stairs.
Sophie had gotten done with everything she had to do today and for a few days to come, since she had time to spare. Sure William didn't like all the work she was doing, but if it was to keep him off of her back while she took on this new task she was given. "Hello!" she heard in front of her, passing by Lewis on the stairway. "What have you been doing?"
"What I do every day," Sophie grinned back, stopping at the top and wiping her scythe clean before letting it disappear behind her.
"So who's that lady following behind you?" Lewis pointed, Sophie turning around to find Time creeping out from behind her back and giving the boy a grin.
"She is Ti –"
"The name is Zona," Time giggled, "and I'm guessing you're Lewis?"
"W-why yes I am," he chuckled. "How did you kno –"
"I just do," she smiled. "Plus I can tell by the charm around your neck that you're a time traveler. Last name… Herman correct?"
"How did you –"
"Zona are we done?" Sophie sighed as she continued up the stairs.
"Oh sorry~!" Time giggled as she waved over at the boy. "I'll see you later, alright little Lewis?"
"A-alright?" Lewis questioned her, shrugging it off as he continued down the stairs to begin his own field work for the day.
"How do you know him?" Sophie asked as Time shrugged.
"He's a descendent of mine," she told her. "I've always been the one who experiments you see." Time finished with a giggle, Sophie rolling her eyes as she walked down the hall to her cubical.
"… Why Zona?" Sophie asked, Time looking at her before giving her another shrug.
"Meh I just came up with it on the spot," Time answered, "but don't you like it?"
"Well I guess it's not unknown to hear a name like that," Sophie huffed. "Anyways I'd advise you go and help Namu. I'll be working on paperwork and that can get tedious –"
"Aw~ you don't think the boy can do the work himself?" Time giggled.
"I didn't imply that –"
"Look kid," Time hushed her, pressing a finger against Sophie's lips as she flinched back startled, "just accept the fact that you are a deity, a very lovely one if I must add." Time giggles as Sophie grumbled back, pushing her hand off of her lips as she took off her coat and hat and spun around in her chair. "… You don't like the idea do you?" Time grinned, leaning over Sophie's shoulder as she tediously tried to organize her desk before starting.
"Never have," Sophie huffed. "Can't I just be human and die? Nope, have to be a savior to everyone, don't I? Living to expectations, marrying someone I'll probably despise, it's too much for me alright. And now I can't do something as boring as paperwork with time of all things breathing down my throat! Sorry if I'm not ecstatic about all this, but I'd rather not be this."
"Are you saying you don't want everything to exist?" Time asked, Sophie over her shoulder as the woman stood back to give her space. "If that's so, destroy everything. Obliterate existence. You can do that you know, just by the tip of your pinky finger… What? What's with that look on your face?"
"… Y-you don't understand," Sophie pouted, grabbing a pen and beginning to scribble her name down, "not at all –"
"I may not," Time interrupted her thoughts as she slammed her hand on Sophie's desk, causing her to instantly drop the pen on the paper, "but who really does? I don't and my brother certainly doesn't. Life and Death don't, and neither do you. As you say, who cares~? There was only one who knew everything and they're gone, so suck it up and do what you were created to do. Destroy or give life right? Like a god or something like that," she shrugged.
Sophie sighed scratching her head and picking up her pen, "well deity or not I'd rather just stay a Serbus. There's nothing more to say."
"Fine whatever," Time huffed, "but I was only telling you what you'll have to decide soon enough." With those last words Time vanished, Sophie shaking her head as she look at the forms she'd have to sign all over again.
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"So do you know there's a party next Friday?" Marius asked as he sat back in a chair and had his legs propped up on the desk next to Sophie. "June 20that the Ioreta residence."
"Uncle Nic?" Sophie huffed, "Why do I have to go to that?"
"Well it's one of the first parties for the year," Marius explained, "and father wants you to go to at least one party a year until you're married. I figured we'd save some time and show up at the first and last ball, perhaps more if you'd like –"
"You have some hidden agenda don't you?" she pouted.
"Aauuummmmmm…"
"Is this something you came up with all by yourself or does Dominic have something to do with this too?" Sophie sighed and scratched the back of her head.
"Actually Uncle requested you attend," Marius continued, "and he told me that the party is secretly being held just for you, though no one else knows about it except for a few high-standing supernatural families. Only families and practically men he thinks will complement your… assets~, he said, are attending. He just told me to bring you along."
"Oh so that's how it is?" Sophie huffed. "I'm dead and he thinks he can run my decaying life, is that it?"
"No, not at all!" Marius pouted. "Just… w-we were talking because mama told me to keep Uncle company for a while and you've come up in our conversations more than once. We're not trying to insult you, just help you."
"… Friday you say?" Sophie sighed, "What do I have to wear?"
"A gown would be nice," Marius smiled, "but not overly dull like an all black dress. Add some color I suppose," he finished with a light chuckle.
"And how do you suppose I attend?" Sophie huffed. "My alias around here is that I'm the wife of the Undertaker. I think you'll come across a problem if I keep up that facade," she smirked.
"Well I – Wait what?" Marius pouted. "You did what? Sophie what the hell! He's your father for crying out loud –"
"His idea not mine," Sophie held her hands up in defense. "It just happened alright. That's all I'm going to say. And besides if there are humans and this is a noble party the boy that assumes I'm the Undertaker's wife and has seen me as such will show up. Your plan is flawed Marius."
"But…" Marius grumbled under his breath and scratched his head, "What's his name?"
"Earl Ciel Phantomhive," Sophie told him, "and there are a few others who have shown up at the shop as well, but he tends to show up more often than not. Though there's a possibility he~ won't show up, but others will. So what? Plan on dressing me up with a different hair color or something? That won't work Marius. Even if that does work I'd like to be as natural as possible if you expect me to attend this… ball~" she grumbled with disgust.
"Okay maybe it's flawed," Marius sighed, "but please attend. I can't stress this enough. Uncle wants to see you too, actually before he dies."
"He's going to die?" Sophie frowned.
"Death told me it will be soon," Marius nodded, "and I have to keep a stern watch over him seeing as he's contracted to a demon. A powerful one too. I don't know how I'll do it though… I'll have to reap his soul first I suppose to prevent the demon from taking him."
"When?" Sophie asked.
"Ummm… I can't tell you," he sighed, "because I promised Uncle I wouldn't. If you end up being the shinigami that comes to collect his soul great, but I'm responsible for him. Mostly for mama's sake really. She loved the poor fool too much." Then Marius chuckled and scratched the back of his head, "He also told me he wants to make amends with you. He hasn't had a party since his wife died and I only show up every once in a while to keep him company. He even had to order that disgusting demon to leave me alone, but still he's getting old Sophie. He'd either die of old age or that demon. Plus you're about thirty five now. It's about time for someone for you anyways," he smiled.
"Again we're back to marriage aren't we?" Sophie shook her head. "Alright I'll show up, but don't expect something fancy. I may be taking time off of work for this and I haven't gone dress shopping in a long time… plus there are more things on my mind right now."
"Like what?" Marius asked.
"Ummmm… I can't say," she told him, "but don't worry about it. I'll be fine. I'll tell you this though; if you find a dagger called The Dagger of Life or The Dagger of Death do tell me. I'm looking for them."
"Then… OH! Death told me to search for those just this morning," Marius smiled, "but I don't know what he was talking about. Do you?"
"Sadly I don't," Sophie sighed, "because all I know about is the names. Plus I can't tell you anymore so stop trying to get information out of me."
"Okay fine," he huffed, "I won't… Say I wanted to ask your permission on something."
"Like what?" Sophie asked, turning her head to look over at him.
"Now what would you think to this idea," Marius began, "that I live here on earth with you?"
"Did Death say that was okay?" she responded.
"Yes but –"
"Then why hesitate?" Sophie grinned. "You love that shinigami don't you? So? I could care less where you live and what you do. As long as you do your duties I suppose that's no problem… Where do you plan on living?"
"Probably here at Margret's apartment room for now," Marius nodded. "I'd probably become a shinigami too. I have the training already. Just have to sign myself up and complete you test… a-and I was told I'd have to ask Mrs. Obki about that."
"Then do," Sophie answered. "It's your life Marius. You have been given a life to live and I personally think you shouldn't be spending it stuck in heaven as Death's lackey all the time. Sure that may be your job, but you shouldn't have to do that all the time if you are given the choice to live here."
"W-well there's always the problem of my soul becoming tainted and I can never return once I die," Marius sighed.
"Don't worry about details like that," Sophie shook her head. "Just do it. If you need help I'll do it –"
"No it's alright," Marius chuckled. "I want to do everything myself… I know something important is going on with you. Is it because of Michael?"
"Probably," Sophie sighed, "but I think there's more to it than just that. It's something bigger then myself, of course, but it's happening in such a short amount of time. Just this morning there was this being that showed up and this battle I was subconsciously that all happened in only two minutes. Weird really. I don't know how to describe this…"
"Well whatever happens I'll stay by your side," Marius smiled as he stood up, "if you need me of course. I don't want to impose. Now I should head down. I want to talk to Margaret about something."
"Ah I see~" Sophie grinned at him.
"W-well I…" Marius chuckled lightly as his face began to blush. "Anyways," he quickly cleared his throat, "I'm going to go. Just call if you need me."
"Alright," Sophie nodded as she turned in her chair and set her feet back down on the ground.
"And one for thing," Marius reminded himself before he began to walk towards the stairs. "I noticed Jericho and you are on bad terms. Have you tried talking?"
"More than once," Sophie huffed, "but he won't listen. I've given up trying to make amends right now. I have more important matters than trying to keep my personal life intact."
"Don't say that," Marius pouted. "I may despise him, but it doesn't give you a reason to. If he can't understand everything that's his problem. I won't invite him if you don't want me to –"
"Marius you can," Sophie sighed, "but if he makes a scene I'd like you to kick him out. After all this party is for our Uncle. Even if mama's family name isn't going to live on in the human world we should still keep their honor together. You know how papa is with touchy topics like honor."
"Yeah," Marius chuckled, "he can get rattled up about subjects like that. Well bye," he waved as he made his way down the stairs. Sophie sighed as she sat back in her chair, looking at her paperwork as she loomed over the fact that she'd have to attend another ball.
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Sophie grumbled under her breath, eating her lunch outside and away from the noise coming from the cafeteria. She wasn't annoyed because of the noise, but rather that she was done again for the day. Usually when she had all this time on her hands she would clock out and perhaps go drinking or smoking, but Sophie knew that if she asked anyone that they'd go off and squeal to someone else and she didn't want to deal with those problems right now. Plus she knew if she went out on her own she would end up missing for a day or two before she realized what had happened. Sure she put that life of drinking and drugs behind her, but the temptation was still there. "Damn," she growled as she began to make scratch marks on the table next to her food, "I need a god-damn smoke –"
"Isn't smoking bad for you?" came a voice next to her, Sophie flinching as she noticed Space grinning before sitting next to her and taking out a long cigar. "… Want one? It's called a Cuban –"
"Cigar I know," Sophie huffed, staring at the tobacco and giving him a nod. He grinned and chopped the end for her, handing her the cigar as he lit the end with a lighter and did the same for her. She smiled as she let in a big puff of air, letting a stream of smoke come out of her mouth as she let out a content sigh. "My god that's strong," she chuckled lightly as she looked over and he breathed into his own cigar, "but I shouldn't be doing this –"
"Live life a little," Space said as he leaned against the table and looked at the white building before them, "before you die that is."
"Trust me I've said that more than once," Sophie chuckled, leaning back in her seat as she puffed out smoke before grabbing a piece of food and cramming it into her mouth. "So why are you here anyways? Traded places with your sis or something?"
"Nah she's talking to Naum before coming back here and told me to keep an eye on you," he explained as he let out a puff and put his elbow on the table. "It's an experiment to see if the dagger in his world calls to you, since the two of you don't seem to be responding to the daggers in your own worlds."
"Hold on," Sophie held out her hand, "You're saying there is a dagger hidden in each of our worlds."
"That's what I've found," Space nodded. "Naum explained to me what he heard. It was a strong commanding voice telling him to come and destroy. So that's what he did, came to this world and tried to destroy everything by blocking out the sun and gobbling up your earth."
"One voice?" Sophie asked, Space giving her a nod. Sophie looked over at the wall, letting in a deep breath and filling her lungs with the sweet taste of tobacco before breathing out with a sigh. "Mine started off with one voice, but then it became a multitude. It was like chanting and they told me to go and help. Help where? I don't know…"
"Probably to Naum's world," Space explained, "because your voice came after his voice. Plus he heard only one voice. With you there was many… like a choir."
"So your theory is true," Sophie nodded as she breathed the cigar smoke into her lungs and breathing out again, "that there is a dagger in my world calling to Naum and a dagger in Naum's world calling to me. What's the plan then? You bring me to his world?"
"Probably," Space answered, "but we still don't know a lot about this. It may be safer to keep the two of you together, since you are able to calm him down and him to you."
"We're starting there?" she sighed as she pouted and looked over to him, the cigar sticking out of her mouth as she thought.
"If you'd like," he shrugged, "but it's up to you –"
"I'd rather start in Naum's world," she told him, "because I don't know how he will react. With these cosmic forces pinning us together, he is darker then I am. Besides he's the one who tried to destroy my world, not the other way around. It'd be easier for myself anyways –"
"What is this I hear about you leaving little maiden?" they heard from behind, the Undertaker grinning as he took two more short steps before pulling the cigar out of Sophie's mouth and pressing it into the middle of her plate.
"Hey!" Sophie pouted, narrowing her eyes at him before sighing and scratching the back of her head. "How much did you hear –"
"Enough to know the situation," he answered, scooting Sophie over as he sat down and held out his sleeve. "I don't believe we've met, Mr. Space."
"Oh? Mr. Undertaker now, correct?" Space responded casually as he shook his hand as he held his cigar between his teeth. "Yes we –"
"Before you do something as reckless as bring my little maiden away, I suggest you go and ask me first. You don't want to get on my bad side do you~?" Undertaker asked, the smile on his face growing smaller as his eyes narrowed at him from behind his bangs.
"R-right," Space gulped as he scooted away slightly. "I'm sorry I didn't know –"
"It's quite alright," Undertaker smirked widely, "as long as no harm is done." Sophie poked her head around his back, trying to look at the both of them as the Undertaker turned and caused her to flinch back. "So my dear~" he snickered as he poked her nose, "care to explain, hmmmm~?"
"H-hey I don't really know what's going on okay?" Sophie pouted, "But it has something to do with me so I figured I should find out more about it. Okay? And it happened this morning by the way, so I thought when I get home –"
"If you ever~ you mean," Undertaker interrupted her, Sophie shaking her head and sighing.
"L-look I don't like getting other people caught up in my own affairs and the same goes for you. Plus why did you put out my cigar?" Sophie pouted, "That was all that I was going to have today! –"
Undertaker hushed her as he pressed a finger to her lips, his face close to her own as he grinned deviously at her. "Don't you think you're getting off the subject?"
"Look M-mr. Undertaker –"
"Tell me everything~ you've found out," he interrupted Space, "but in the meantime little Sophia needs to go to this other world~ as you call it."
"It's a world that holds life like here, but has its own differences between this world and the –"
"You can tell me later," Undertaker told him, "but can I speak to my little maiden alone before your sister has her leave."
"I… alright," Space nodded, standing up and leaving them in an instant.
Undertaker quickly turned his attention back to Sophie, who was drinking her tea down before letting out a tired sigh and setting her head on the table. "Did you figure this all out yourself or did someone tell you –"
"Mrs. Obki came to the mortuary this morning," he explained, "but she told me not to worry."
"But she knew you'd overreact," Sophie sighed, "so I didn't want to tell you."
"Sophia~ –"
"Hold it right there," she stopped him. "I've had some pretty fucked up stuff happen to me and I'm still trying to process everything. I would think you'd understand that."
"… Then tell me something to put my mind at ease," Undertaker grinned, grabbing her hands and bringing them up to his lips, "or else I'll come with you."
"Y-you – Okay," Sophie sighed, looking down at the ground as she tried to compose herself. "I know whatever will happen is going to change things, for me at least. A dagger controls me and when I lost control I… I-I felt cold and lonely. Sure I had this memory in the back of my mind that there was still a place I called home, but that voice in my head telling me what to do take me over. I-I don't want that to ever happen again, so I want to figure this out before my mind is taken over again. A-and it's not just this. My other soul felt empty too. I could tell. I may be used to falling into the darkness, but I'm never going to shake off that feeling right now... But don't worry about anything;" she grinned at him, "I know something big is going to happen. If it's for the better I don't know, but I can tell that I have to go through with all of this."
"… I still don't like this idea, but I'll respect your decision," Undertaker nodded, kissing the top of her hands before kissing the top of her forehead. "Keep your soul safe," he whispered into her ear, standing up and turning around to leave her.
Her eyes filled with worry at his words and the look on his face as she sprang out of the chair, wrapping her arms around his waist and burying her head into her back. "I-I'm sorry if I can't explain anything," she began to yell as tears threatened to fall down her face, "but there are things I have to do myself! That's why I'm a Serbus! I shouldn't have to rely on anyone else –"
"Hush now," he demanded, Sophie looking up at the harsh tone in his voice before biting down on her bottom lip and burying her face back into his trench coat. "Don't say dense accusations like I'm a Serbus~. It must be so~. It's not. Learn to rely on other beings Sophia. You expect them to rely on you so do the same courtesy for them." They stood silent for a few moments, Sophie whimpering as she tried to keep a tight hold on his clothes. She knew he only used that voice when he was trying to make a point or he was losing his temper, and she hoped it was only the former. "… Now my little maiden what's wrong~?" he giggled as if his previous comment hadn't been said, turning around and grabbing her shoulders as her hands let him go and slumped to her side.
"… Why insist on that?" Sophie frowned as she kept her gaze on the ground. "I've relied on too many people in this lifetime. You know why. That aunt of mine, my uncle… even my father, mother, and brother. Papa said he would always be there, but is he? Nope. Same with my mom, and my uncle didn't stand up for himself. My aunt tried to kill me more than once and… well there are just some things I'd rather keep locked away deep inside."
"But do you have problems telling me~?" he asked, running a finger over her cheek and gracing her face with a nail.
"No, but –"
"Then why?" he continued to ask.
"Because you're all I have!" Sophie looked up at him, a tear falling down her face. "I don't want anyone I know to die because of me. I'm recluse. I'm stupid. Even if I'm not looking for trouble it comes and finds me. How can I react to that? I have problems trusting other people, I know, but it's not going to stop because you say so… okay?..."
"Sometimes you act too much like your father for your own good," Undertaker answered, Sophie's crystal blue and shinigami green eyes looking up at him stunned before they gazed back at the ground.
"A-are we done now?" Sophie asked. "I-I didn't want to leave you on a bad note if I end up dying –" Sophie suddenly stopped talking as he pressed his lips against her own, a nail fluttering under her eye as he wiped away her tear. He giggled into her mouth as he saw her cheeks tainting pink, turning around and giving her a wave as he left back into the forest.
"Wow," Space said from behind, startling Sophie as she jumped and spun around to face him, "didn't think he'd do that. He's usually such a subtle being."
"Okay let's go," Sophie huffed as she tipped her hat so it was hiding the burning red glow on her cheeks. "The sooner I understand everything and we retrieve those daggers the faster I can get back to work."
"Work, work, work. All you shinigamis do is work," Space chuckled grabbing hold of her hand. "It's alright though, but your species needs to learn to lay back and have some fun."
"Trust me I've tried," she chuckled back, "but they don't understand~" Space nodded as they evaporated on the ground, transporting her across light-years of time and space to end up where Time and Naum was awaiting them on the other side.
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A/N: And there we have it. And yes, I'm sad I don't put Undertaker in the story more. Just in order to get through this and throw all my ideas out there I have to keep him on the side. I hope you guys enjoyed this. SEE YOU LATER!
Prometheus – Greek mythology; is a Titan, the son of Iapetus and Clymene, and brother to Atlas, Epimetheus and Menoetius. He was a champion of mankind, known for his wily intelligence, which stole fire from Zeus and gave it to mortals. Zeus then punished him for his crime by having him bound to a rock while a great eagle ate his liver every day only to have it grow back to be eaten again the next day. His myth has been treated by a number of ancient sources, in which Prometheus is credited with – or blamed for – playing a pivotal role in the early history of mankind