The Beginning And The End

I don’t own Kuroshitsuji or the characters there of.



Warnings: Standard warnings apply. Future Mpreg This story is AR(alternate reality.) Commissioned by JennaBlackfox



The Beginning And The End



Part Three



Vincent released a low groan. His head ached along with the throbbing coming from his abdomen. A small tallow candle was the only visible light in the room. It provided just enough illumination to keep servants from bumping into furniture. His head swam and eyes crossed as he sat on the edge of the canopied bed. Aching but determined to discover the extent of his injuries, he carefully unwound the bandage from his waist and stared at stitched slash. It felt worse than it looked. Small precise stitches held together the wound. There was no sign of drainage and only a healthy pick color surrounding edges of the wound.



How long had passed since he’d been injured? The wound looked several days old, though it ached horribly. Taking a deep breath, he stumbled to his feet and barely caught himself on the bedside table before he went crashing to the floor. His body felt unusually weak, his legs trembling beneath his weight.



He brought a hand to his face and fought to recall the events which left him in such a state. He recalled Alastair’s plan but the remainder of the night was a blur. Had he been drugged? It seemed reasonable. A drug would impair his response times, making it easier for the murderer to dispose of him. Had Alastair shown up as he’d promised? His mind struggled to push back the hazy fog and view the memories as he should be able to.



“My lord! You shouldn’t be out of bed.” Tanaka rushed to where Vincent leaned heavily against the table. Capable hands supported his body and ushered him back to the bed where he collapsed without argument.



“Tanaka…what happened?” he asked, needing some information to fill in the huge memory gap riddling his mind.



Tanaka placed a basin of water near the bed and began to bath down his body. Vincent then noticed the dried sweat coating his body, so thick in some areas it had created a faint sheen of crystals on his skin.



Tanaka clucked low in his throat and continued the bath. “Your friend, Mr. Allegro brought you to us. He said you’d been injured in a duel and that he would be back in several days. He was quite bloodied himself. If I may, my lord, what happened?”



Vincent shook his head, unable to dispel the horrible feeling that came with not knowing what happened. “I don’t know. How long have I been unconscious?”



“Nearly a week, my lord. A fever took hold of you almost immediately. The doctor left not an hour ago stating you were over the worst and should recover fully within a few weeks.” Tanaka lifted Vincent’s arm and rubbed the sponge lightly over the fever dried skin.



“And Mr. Allegro?”



Tanaka shook his head. “He has not returned since the night he brought you home.”



Tanaka disappeared, returning several minutes later with a tray of tea and biscuits. With cup in hand Vincent replayed the fateful night through his head as best he could. The holes formed through his memory bothered him.



The tea warmed his body, but a strange emptiness continued to seep out into his being. His worry over Alastair and his fate ate away at him. If he’d been well enough to see Vincent home, he was well. It was a small comfort.



A faint knock on the door jarred him from his musings. “My lord…Lord Cheshire is here to see you on order from the queen.”



Figures. The man possessed the senses of a bloodhound. He would want an accounting of that night and it was unlikely Alastair had even attempted to explain anything to servants of the Crown.



“Help me into my robe, and then show him in.” Vincent put aside his cup and struggled to his feet while Tanaka slid a velvet dressing robe over his loose sleeping pants and shirt.



Minutes later Lord Cheshire entered and eyed the pale, frail looking Lord Phantomhive. “I say, you don’t look so well. The queen has been dreadfully worried since receiving a missive of both your success in taking down the culprit and alerting her of your injuries. I don’t know who this Allegro person is, but I’ve been stopping by daily to check on your health and report it back to Her Majesty. I’m pleased to see you‘ve beaten off the fever.”



“I just awoke recently. I hope you’ll forgive the less than formal greeting.” Vincent gestured for Cheshire to take a seat in the second chair. “Apparently the fever took me for the run.”



“I’ll be pleased to report to Her Majesty of your increasing health. The report submitted was quite detailed. Obviously you didn’t handle it considering the current state of your health. Just who is this Allegro fellow?” Cheshire accepted the cup of tea and settled back to watch the normally well groomed Vincent Phantomhive struggle with his memories.



“I’m truly not sure,” began Vincent. “I don’t recall much about the last evening other than I was drugged by our target. It seems Alastair works for a private faction whose goal was the same as ours. They wanted the same as us, to take down this man. He was a member of their order until he went rogue. Apparently they don’t like that. It was just fate they sent Alastair after him at the same time as the queen sent me.”



“I see.” Cheshire played with the rim of his cup thoughtfully. “Do you have any knowledge of what happened to the body? The head was delivered to her majesty with a note saying the murders would stop. I must say, Her Majesty was not pleased. Do you think you’ll be seeing this Alastair Allegro any time in the future? Her Majesty is going to want to speak with him.”



Would he see Alastair again? It wasn’t likely. If he was a ghost in his organization, he would disappear. The name he gave was probably just an alias, something he used when dealing with people. Vincent wasn’t sure why he was hurt at not being given a proper farewell. As long as the queen’s justice was done, all was well. “I doubt we’ll hear from him again. What I remember from the night, they were both quite skilled in combat. I’m sure Alastair is just as skilled with disappearing.”



It burned him to be so uncertain of the events having gone down in his mission. The look on Cheshire’s face told he wasn’t so sure of Vincent’s tale, truth or not. It was all he was getting though. He obviously wanted to ask more but held his tongue for the moment. A fact Vincent was grateful for. All he wanted was the lord to leave and allow him to sulk alone.



He set aside his cup and gestured towards Cheshire. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m quite exhausted from our little chat and am going to retire to my chamber for the remainder of the day.”



“I’m sure you’ll notify me if you hear from your mysterious friend.” Cheshire stood and flicked his eyes over Vincent one final time before exiting the room.



Vincent sent a barely concealed glare towards the back of his peer. His teeth grated against each other in his aggravation. If only he could recall the entirety of the events of that night. The only image pulled to the surface was one of Alastair’s face bending over him, concern from his gaze heavy like the blood dripping from the deep slash across his face.



He’d been hurt, that much was certain. His head ached more with each attempt to recover the fogged memories. “Fuck it all!”



“My lord? Shall I turn down your bed?”



Vincent glanced to where Tanaka stood awaiting orders. He sighed and nodded to the servant with a weary move of his head. His body felt no stronger than a babe’s–the fever having weakened him dramatically. He would need to report to the queen once his body was well enough for the visit but afterwards he would return to the Phantomhive Estate. He wasn’t one for remaining in the city any longer than need be.



The warmth of his bed soothed him, Tanaka having already placed heated bricks beneath the padding for added comfort. His eyelids drifted closed and he could resist the pull of sleep no more.



Dreams haunted him through the night. He could swear Alastair was there with him–touching him and whispering unintelligibly in his ear. The touches began as light brushes and along his face, turning into firmer strokes that had him shifting beneath his covers.



Fingers stroked down his breastbone and under his sleeping shirt to pinch and tease nipples. Throughout it all, only darkness existed. His eyes refused to open. He couldn’t bear the dream to end with his waking.



The haze within his mind thickened and he arched beneath the warmth pressing into him. His hands reached to claw at warm shoulders only to grasp at air. His voice moaned out a quiet plea as the darkness faded and his eyes fluttered open at the feel of sunlight on his cheek.



Lying in the sleep warm mattress, his body shuddered. His erection, more than merely a normal morning hardness, throbbed unmercifully against the sheets. He clenched his teeth, refusing to touch himself much to the dismay of his body.



As if called, Tanaka glided easily into the room carrying a tray of tea and a light breakfast. Vincent wasn’t surprised to find himself ravenous. It was to be expected as he wasn’t sure how much food they’d been able to force down his throat during his week in fevered delusions.



“Good morning, Lord Vincent. Did you sleep well?” Tanaka arranged the tray across Vincent’s lap and carefully poured the tea into a bone colored cup.



Vincent nodded and accepted the cup. The breakfast was light, consisting of a thin porridge and dry toast. It wasn’t exactly the most appetizing meal, but it was filling enough to satisfy the hunger gnawing at his innards. Anything more rich would have probably sat thickly on his stomach. “Tanaka, please bring me my stationary and ink,” he asked after finishing the meal.



“Yes, my lord.” The man disappeared, returning moments later with the requested items including an envelope and wax for his seal.



Vincent needed to leave the city. His mind kept jumping to thoughts of Alastair. The previous night’s dreams were evidence enough of the matter. He wouldn’t be able to release thoughts of the man from his mind while he remained in the city. The faster he procured an audience with Her Majesty, the better for everyone.



His quill scrapped loudly on the parchment as he penned his request for an audience with the queen. He included all the necessary prose but kept the request short, making sure to hint at his desire to return to his country estate to rest and recuperate from the previous mission. All this was true, though he would be lying if it was the sole reason for his wish to expedite his departure from London. He had to get away from Alastair and all things reminding of him.



“Please have this delivered to Buckingham Palace.” Vincent dribbled wax onto the envelope and pressed his ring to seal it with the Phantomhive Crest.



“Yes, my lord.” Tanaka accepted the envelope and left to deliver it, leaving Vincent alone with his thoughts.



His legs trembled slightly upon standing but he quickly adjusted. He didn’t wait for Tanaka to return, and upon entering his large bathing room, he quickly drew water into the large hip bath. His home was one of the first to possess indoor plumbing, a fact he was immensely grateful for. His hair, oily and dirty was the first to be scrubbed, followed by his body.



The room kept a chill, making him hurry about the washing and drying of his body. There would be time later for a leisurely soak. He cringed at the sight of his injury. It still possessed a bit of redness along the suture line, but not so much to make him worry of developing another infection.



He stepped into his dressing room to find his clothing laid out for him. He couldn’t suppress the smile creasing across his features. It would be a sad day when Tanaka retired from his job as head butler of the Phantomhive family. There was no person on the earth capable of handling his duties as well as Tanaka. It would take a demon to keep up with him.



Smirking, he dressed in a pair of doeskin trousers, knee high black boots, and a loose linen shirt. Now all that remained was to wait for response from the queen’s secretary concerning a private audience. Her majesty wasn’t one to dawdle around when it came to her favorites. He could expect an answer to his query in no more than a couple of hours at the most.



To pass the time, he chose to seclude himself in his small library–a miniaturized version of the larger one at the country estate. His eyes scanned the titles before plucking a leather bound tome from the shelf and settling before the low fire. The gas lamps flickered throughout the room as he spent the better part of an hour staring at the same line on the page.



Once again Alastair Allegro was invading his mind and disturbing his life. The man was no longer present yet his presence continued to haunt Vincent in ways he’d never thought possible. Alastair, if that was even his name, was the first man to confound and tantalize Vincent. Thoughts dwelling on such images as those ruling his dreams rushed into the forefront to send sharp arrows of arousal through his body.



“Saint’s preserve me.” Vincent tossed the book aside and glared into the dwindling fire. Was he cursed to desire a man who he only knew by an alias? He’d never been attracted to men. True, he wasn’t attracted to women either. He recognized their beauty and frailty, but he rarely desired them–usually handling his sexual desires in the arms of women employed by brothels. He knew of the men who sought company in the arms of their fellow man, but he’d never truly considered himself one of their ilk.



He would have continued to analyze himself save for the faint knock forcing him to shove the thoughts into the back recesses of his mind until a later time. “Enter.”



“My lord, this arrived only moments ago.”



Vincent accepted the sealed letter in surprise. She’d answered with more speed than he’d expected. Flipping the envelope, he froze. The seal on the letter was not that of the queen. He didn’t recognize it at all.



Opening the letter carefully, he scanned the contents.



Vincent,



Forgive my speedy departure but I’m afraid Michael’s actions and subsequent death required more paperwork than is humanly possible. There were several committees and one wasn’t pleased in my leaving the severed head with Queen Victoria. I felt it most amusing to watch the look crossing the lordling I handed it to.



Forgive my sudden departure. Your health was a concern to me but I was unable to stay once my mission was complete.



I sent this note to herald my arrival to you. As per my request, I have retired from my former profession and find myself anxious to speak with you. I’m sure you possess questions which I hope to answer to both our satisfactions. I’ll call upon you at your country estate soon.



Alastair



“Unpleasant news, my lord?”



Vincent glanced up at Tanaka, not having noticed the frown creasing his lips. “No, it’s fine. You may go.”



Tanaka bowed and exited the room. The silence was a taunt as he reread the words scrawled across the parchment again and again. His first emotion was annoyance at familiar tone of the letter. The second was relief at being contacted. The final was dread for all too soon he would be faced with the smirking features of the man currently haunting his dreams in ways he longed to forget.



“Forgive me, my lord. A second letter arrived for you.” Tanaka bowed beside him, the letter sitting delicately on the silver platter.



Vincent was silent upon reading the letter. The queen agreed to see him tomorrow. It was a relief and not much of a surprise. Her majesty favored him enough to allow him to give his formal report to her without much wait. “Tanaka…”



“Sir?”



“I have an engagement at Buckingham Palace tomorrow at ten. Please have our baggage ready for departure. We’re returning home to the country as soon as it is finished.” Vincent tossed the letter into the fire but was unable to discard Alastair’s.



“As my lord wishes.” Tanaka bowed and left to set about arranging for their baggage to be prepared for leaving the city.



Tomorrow couldn’t come fast enough.



oOo



“Her majesty will see you, Lord Phantomhive.”



The familiar words rang in his ears, making him consider the last time he’d heard them. They’d signaled the beginning of his strange mission. Hopefully today would be the beginning of the end for this chapter in Britain’s history. A serial killer whose name and murders would go unrealized thanks to him.



“You look a bit different from the last time we talked, Lord Phantomhive.” Queen Victoria’s words rang harsh in his ears though they were not spoken so.



“Forgive me, Your Majesty. The illness following my injury has been difficult.” Vincent bowed before her while praying he would not stumble and fall as his equilibrium was tested. It would not do to collapse in her majesty’s presence.



“So it would seem,” she agreed. “You’ve brought the file?”



Ever to business. Queen Victoria was one to keep pleasantries to a minimum in favor of doing what needed to be done. Today was no different.



He handed off the file she’d given him on the day she assigned him the mission. It would likely be destroyed along with anything possessed by Scotland Yard. The Crown would not stand to have reminders of the atrocities committed.



“I see you added to the file.” Her eyes drifted over the added page of information he could recall from that night. There wasn’t much, only his name and the guessed reasoning behind his attacks. Adding on to a file destined to be destroyed seemed unnecessary, yet he found it so. Perhaps it stemmed from the small possibility the file would remain intact, possibly sealed away in some safe.



“Your statement concerning the night in question is hazy at best. Why is that?”



He’d known she would ask it. Her curiosity wouldn’t allow her not to. “I’m afraid I was drugged by the culprit. It is how he kept his victims from eluding him once he’d brought them to the various hotels. If I had gone alone, I’m afraid I would have been the next victim.”



“Ah yes, the mysterious Alastair Allegro. I wonder if he actually exists. His name is not on any record I’m aware of. What do you know of him?” she asked.



Vincent winced internally but answered as best he could. “He was a gentleman who assisted me in my investigation. He was possessing in knowledge vital to the case and an invaluable assistance to me.”



The queen gave an unladylike snort and settled her hands upon her abdomen. “He terrified Lord Fitzpatrick so badly, I’ve been told he messed his knickers. Was it truly necessary to dump the head in the hands of the first lord he came upon?”



Hearing the queen tell it in such a way sent a wave of amusement though him. “It’s just his way. From what I’ve gleaned about him during our short partnership, it amuses him to shock people.”



“Then I’m sure he received much enjoyment because Lord. Fitzpatrick was quite shocked. The poor boy ran back to his father in Scotland.” The queen smirked. “It was a shame. He was pleasant company for my ladies.”



Not long had passed but in his mind, it felt longer. The queen continued to grill him on his investigation and what he knew of Alastair, which wasn’t much. By the end, she had exhausted every possible question and he was ecstatic when she called an end to their meeting.



“Rest up, my watchdog.” She patted him lightly on the hand as he stood to leave.



Vincent nodded and gave his perfunctory bow before leaving her. His mind was exhausted along with his body. He felt in a haze as he exited the palace to his waiting carriage.



Tanaka opened the door, assisting Vincent into the vehicle before stepping inside and securing the door. “Did things go well, my lord?”



Opening his eyes, Vincent sighed heavily. “As well as could be expected.”



Tanaka hummed in agreement and offered his master a small meat filled roll which Vincent accepted gratefully. The bread was fresh and the inside still warm. It always amazed him how Tanaka did that.



“It will be good to return to the estates. Much longer in London and the matrons would have swarmed on me with their daughters and nieces.” Vincent chuckled at the thought. He’d already begun receiving the first trickling of invitations upon his arrival. The longer he stayed, the more difficult it would become to avoid them.



“Master should consider marriage. A wife to run your household isn’t a bad thing,” commented Tanaka. In times such as this, when they were alone, the wall of master and servant was lowered.



“You run my household much better than any woman ever could,” snorted Vincent.



“My lord flatters me,” Tanaka chuckled and the journey continued in amiable silence.



The carriage suddenly came to a halt half an hour’s drive from the manor, jarring the occupants from their thoughts. “My lord, we’ve a situation.”



Vincent pressed open the door to see two well dressed young ladies standing beside a small two seat carriage, the wheel axel broken. The older of the two, a blonde with cheerful eyes blinked up at him. “My lord, could we trouble you to take us as far as town.”



Vincent nodded and stepped from his carriage to assist them. It would delay their arrival at Phantomhive manor but only slightly. “Ladies, it would be my pleasure to see you safely into town.”



He assisted the two ladies into the carriage. The blonde smiled happily while the redhead blushed prettily. “Thank you for your assistance, sir. My name is Rachel Durless and this is my sister Angelina.”



“Vincent Phantomhive.” Vincent took the offered hand and bowed over it. “It’s no trouble, only a slight detour off our normal route.”



Rachel smiled happily. “You’re Lord Phantomhive? I had thought you were older from the way mother talks. She says you’re quite reclusive.”



“Rachel…” hissed the younger of the two, her blush increasing at her sister’s comments.



Vincent smiled kindly, finding the woman’s personality refreshing compared to the stuffy societal talk common among the ladies of the ton. “It’s quite alright. I suppose I am a bit reclusive. I find the chatter of parties dull; not to mention, the matrons are always on the hunt for wealthy husbands for their daughters.”



Both girls giggled. “But there must be some redeeming qualities about London.”



Vincent thought for a moment. The first redeeming thing he’d found in London of late was Alastair and that thought was debatable. Truthfully, he wasn’t sure what about the man he could be drawn too. The mystery? The dry humor? “There are a few worthwhile things about the town. Are you new to this county? I don‘t recall seeing either of you in the village.”



“We lived in London until recently. The city aggravated Rachel’s asthma so Father thought it best to come to the country. He considered Bath but that town is just as bad as London during certain seasons,” provided Angelina.



“I see. Your father is a wise man,” Vincent said as they pulled into the small village. “Is there anywhere I can take you?”



“Here is fine. We live just around the corner.”



Vincent nodded and rapped on the roof of the carriage with his cane, causing it to slow to a stop near the apothecary shop. “Thank you, Lord Phantomhive. Perhaps we’ll see you again?”



“Perhaps.”



Vincent assisted each girl out with a smile and bid them farewell. The two girls waved as the carriage drove away.



“A nice pair.” Tanaka sent Vincent a knowing glance, which was ignored.



“Yes.”



Tanaka didn’t press the issue–a fact which Vincent was thankful for. He had enough to deal with without worrying about two young girls and the matchmaking attempts of his butler.



The carriage rumbled down the dirt drive towards the manor house. In the distant a figure could be seen standing on the steps. It couldn’t be servants. There is no way they could have anticipated his arrival would be today.



As the carriage pulled before the steps, the identity of the man was revealed to be none other than Alastair Allegro. His mocking smile was plastered easily on his face, trademark shaded glasses in place to hide his eyes from view. The one difference in his appearance was his hair partially hid his face. It wasn’t until he moved did Vincent see the angry scar rising between his eyes and down across his nose.



“Welcome home, Vincent,” Alastair smirked gleefully.



“I didn’t give you permission to use my given name,” Vincent ground out upon stepping from the carriage.



“Oh, but you will.” Alastair’s lips parted in a gleeful smile before he turned to trot up the steps towards the entryway doors.



Vincent was left thunderstruck. Suddenly Alastair was returned to his life. Just as the first time he’d entered, Alastair never ceased to surprise him with the oddity of his personality. And Vincent was drawn to it much as the moth was to the flame. His hell would be one of his own making, punishment gratefully taken.



To be continued…



Thanks to all who read this...all like five of you XD I hope you continue to enjoy.