-Note-

So here's the next chapter! I honestly have nothing to say here but I hope you enjoy!

I also suggest listening to "Monochrome no Kiss" by SID. Of course it's the opening of "Black Butler" (which inspired me to write this story in the first place) but I find it cool to imagine the song being the opening to this story too!

Disclaimer: I don' own Hetalia!

British Butler

Chapter 2: My Butler, His Nightmares

The flames licked his skin as it overtook his senses. He felt only one emotion, fear. Fear clouded his judgment as he ran throughout the house, trying to seek all those who live there to get them to safety. Fear clouded his common sense to retreat when the house began to fall in on him, the flames of the angry fire scarring his skin. Fear gave him the reckless bravery to search for the one he feared of losing. The only thing he has ever cared for all the centuries he has lived.

"Alfred?" he called out as the roaring flames grew louder. "Alfred!"

"Arthur!" Alfred called back. Arthur whipped his head here and there, trying desperately to find the source of the voice.

"Alfred! I'm coming to get you!" he called out. "Stay put!" He dodged a pillar that fell to the ground, engulfed in angry flames. Arthur gritted his teeth as he ducked when the windows burst. Rolling across the floor, Arthur groaned in pain, flipping over to his side as he held himself. Murmurs of past regrets played in his head making the pain even worse. He grabbed his head, curling into himself to try to stop the slander.

"Arthur!" The voice was so close. Arthur gasped, quickly looking up. His eyes met an unsightly scene. A man with slightly darker blonde hair with a sweater vest sat there. He had freckles on his face, emerald green eyes and rather bushy eyebrows.

The man grinned as he held Alfred closely to himself. A dark chuckle escaped his lips as he grinned, pointy teeth shining in the light. He had his hand close to Alfred's throat, sharp claws about on top of his jugular.

"So much for a guardian," he whispered before slitting the young boy's throat.

=IAL=

Arthur gasped as he shot up in his bed. He was panting harshly; sweat rolling off of his face and onto his sheets. His eyes were wide with fright, face pale from the horrible experience. He let out a calm breath, running his fingers through his messy locks. He looked at the clock next to his bed, taking note that it was almost four in the morning.

With a sigh, he threw his sheets off of himself. Slinging his legs off on the other side and ran his fingers through his messy locks.

He couldn't completely put the pieces together of why he had been having such dreams as of lately. They were indeed repetitive so in a sense it kind of frightened him. The same feel of the flames licking his skin still stung as he prepared himself for his early morning routine and tasks.

He couldn't let anything rubbish such as a dream tear him away from his daily duties.

=IAL=

A butler begins his day early. He is the last to finish his work late at night and first to begin work in the morning. Such is the duty of a butler who manages the household.

1.) His first task is to assign the day's work to the servants:

Arthur burst through large wooden doors with a stern and serious look on his face. Those who occupied the rooms straightened up in attention, ready to be given their daily chores. Arthur straightened himself up, clearing his throat and began to speak in a stern voice.

"Good morning everyone," he said.

"Good morning Mr. Kirkland!" a very chirpy brunette said, waving frantically. The man beside him with darker hair grunted something under his breath.

"Ohiyo Kirkland-sempi," a teen with dark hair greeted politely, bowing slightly.

"Right," Arthur nodded in acknowledgement. "It's about time you should all be getting to work. Feliciano go get breakfast ready. Lovino, tend to the garden. It's about time those tomatoes be harvest. Kiku, why don't you dust around here? Laundry also needs to be attended to."

"Yes sir!"

"Hai!"

"Whatever."

"Now that's settled," Arthur coolly said, pulling on his usual white gloves. "Hop to it! We need to get these things done before the master awakes!"

The three nodded their heads, scurrying off to attend to their duties.

"Alright," Arthur said with a sigh. "It is time to awaken young master. I'll let Master Bonnefoy sleep in a little more just so I can have enough time to help the boy with his practices."

2.) Once he has dispatched the servants, he prepares early morning tea for his young master:

Arthur walked down the massive halls, his polished black shoes clunking on the shining floors. He had a tray of cups and pots on in his hands, coming to a complete stop in front of one particular door. Bringing his hand up, he tapped the door hard enough to alert the person inside that he was about to enter.

"Pardon me, young master," he said before slowly opening the door. He looked inside, squinting his eyes through the darkened room. He couldn't see, but he could make out that his young mater's bed was empty. Arthur frowned, laying the tray o a nearby table and walked up to the window, opening the curtains.

"Young master?" Arthur called with restraint patience. "This is no time for games. Where are you?"

"I'm right here," came a soft reply.

Arthur turned around and came face to face with a sleepy looking Alfred. The small blonde yawed widely, rubbing his eyes tiredly. "You're up early this morning," the older blonde said with a small smile. "What's the matter?"

"Nothing," Alfred said. "I was up practicing the violin."

"You were up after curfew?" Arthur asked.

"Um, no?" Alfred answered.

Arthur sighed, kneeling in front of the boy. He began unbuttoning his shirt, removing it and replacing it with a new shirt. "Why do I feel you are lying to me?" Arthur asked with a sigh, standing up. "Hurry along lad. If you want to get these lessons in, that is."

"But I practiced already," Alfred whined, slouching his shoulders. "Can't I take a quick nap first?"

"Now that's your problem for neglecting your sleep," Arthur hissed lightly. "Now-"

"Mr. Kirkland," said a panicked woman as she busted through the doors, a panicked look in her eyes. "There's someone here. He's saying something about taking the house."

"Bloody hell," Arthur cursed under his breath. "Alright, I'll be down in a moment. Please, inform Master Bonnefoy. Send someone to take care of Alfred. Ad keep him away." He whispered the last part. The woman nodded, rushing off while grabbing Alfred's arm.

"W-What's going on?" Alfred asked, looking at Arthur worriedly.

"It's fine Alfred," the butler said. "Just go. I'll be back to get you soon enough."

Alfred hesitated, looking worriedly at the butler. Arthur sighed, turning down the hallway he was rushing down.

"Where are you going Kirkland?" a very eerie voice hidden in the shadows said with a dark chuckle. Arthur stopped, feeling himself being suddenly possessed with unbearable fear and unease. His fists clutched at the all too familiar voice, the sound ringing in his ears. That voice…the same voice that hunted him in hi constant nightmares.

He slowly turned, seeing a dark shadow standing in the corner, casually leaning on the wall with his arms crossed over his chest. He had Arthur's hair but it was slightly lighter. He had his eyebrows and face except it was littered with freckles.

The thing chuckled again, pushing itself off of the wall and slowly walked over to the other.

"It's been a while, hasn't it and yet you are still a slave of the Frenchman."

"Why are you here?" Arthur asked teeth clutched. "Go back to your own realm you bloody fiend!"

He chuckles, throwing his head to the side with a shut-eating grin. "Oh? And how so?" he purred. "I am you after all. The you that you so desperately try to lock out of your life. You can't deny forever what you really are. You have to feed sometimes you know~"

"Shut up!" Arthur snapped.

"How precious," the other said with a widening grin. "You've grown attached here haven't you? It's just like you to be so weak and seeking approval."

"I said shut up!" Arthur snapped again. "Why don't you go somewhere else and harass somebody!"

"Hehe, I am part of you," the other purred as he circled his counterpart. "And just to le you know, I come with very valuable information." He grinned, running his fingers down the butler's neck causing him to shiver in distaste. The other's red eyes traced themselves over the flesh, slowly licking his lips as if hungry to devour.

Arthur scowled, relaxing his stance but was still on guard. "What?" he harshly asked. "I have no time for this."

His counterpart chuckled once again, pacing around before walking towards the window. The sun was hiding behind some clouds, giving the air a slight mysterious feel. The dark Arthur looked at his hand, a small smirk forming on his lips.

"Just to let you know, your precious master will betray you. He'll betray everyone here," he said darkly. "Oh, how beautiful the flames will be."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Arthur snapped. "Are you saying he's going to kill us all?"

"Make it however you want to," dark Arthur said. "But I'd take my warning if I were you. At exactly twelve at midnight next Friday, Bonnefoy's gonna take this house down. All fueled by the greed and lust for more riches."

The other turned swiftly, a huge smile showing his sharp fangs and brightening his red eyes. "You all are gonna die. What are you gonna do about that Kirkland?"

A dark chuckle filled the air as the other disappeared. The sun shone brightly once again. Arthur stood in his place, green eyes holding slight fright. What if that thing's right? He shook his head to clear it. But what if it's wrong? Arthur sighed and headed for the front door once again.

=NOTE= Annnnnd I leave it as that, sorry! Anyways, hey, I added 2p England in here for a reason. You'll see soon enough though. So, how is it so far? I hate writing the beginnings of stories because they tend to drag but it'll get better I promise! By the way, does anyone know the name of 2pEngland?