Lady Keiko here...

I'm back? I'm so sorry QAQ I have no words and my face if it could turn red, it would.

But here's this chapter so enjoy. I apologize if its not long enough and if you stumble upon any grammatical errors. More about this story below...

Disclaimer: I do not own Kuroshitsuji

28. The End of Our Hero's Story?

Heavy...

I feel so heavy and cold. Like Im being weighed down by ice. I think I felt my hand twitch but I wasn't sure. Everything felt too heavy, too much. Even breathing. Slowly, so slowly I didn't even realize it, I opened my eyes.

Stars. Millions and billions of bright tiny specks of light. They were scattered against the inky darkness. A puff of white escaped my stiff lips as I tried to make sense of my own consciousness. I could hear whispers in the wind, voices. English sounding voices.

They didn't seem familiar to me. Where was I? Why was I outside in the night? Why was I feeling so wretched?

"Hero? Hero your awake! She's awake!" cried a male voice, sounding a bit shaky.

Suddenly a pale face blocked the stars. Bright green eyes, tuffs of blond hair underneath a top hat. Edward. I blinked.

"Edward?"

"Oh! God be praised, she's alright," exclaimed a voice I was beginning to recognize. Aunt...Francis. Aunt Francis! Edward smiled when he spotted the recognition in my voice.

"Deary me, Hero. You're such a handful," tsked. Madame Red. Her lovely face came into view as she inspected me. Her fingertips were cold against the skin of my face. "She's awake but still a bit out of it."

"I feel…like I drowned," I rasped, wincing at how much it hurt to talk. I lifted a hand to massage my throat.

"That's because you nearly did. The both of you!" Madame Red exclaimed. "Trapped underneath a wall with the water rising! Why I still don't understand how you could have let Ciel go Edward, he must be in a state similar to Hero."

Ah! Ciel!

"Ciel!" I cried without meaning to. I struggled to sit up, despite Madame Red's warning. Edward helped me, careful that I didn't fall over. When I sat and looked up, I gasped. I don't know how I didn't notice before but I was on a small life boat with ten other people, out a mile away probably from the sight of the sinking Campania. The sight was terrible; it looked too surreal, too fake. But even from hear I could hear the faint chaos from the people still aboard. "Oh my gosh," I whispered.

Edward looked at the ship and frowned, looking pained. "Yeah. I tried getting as much people aboard the life boats before I was hauled in here myself."

"Ciel is still in there? With Sebastian?"

"We tried waiting as much as we could but one of the sailors cast us away five minutes ago," Aunt Francis replied. Beside Lord Alexis looked serious, lips tightened as he stroked Lizzy's head on his lap. I hadn't even noticed her there.

The hands on my skirt tightened. That ship looked like it was sinking fast. The boat was still within reasonable swimming distance…I could still…

I saw my knapsack next to a silent Stanton who sat next to Madame Red. I grabbed it and rummaged through it.

"Hero what are you doing?" Madame Red asked.

As I found what I needed, the memories flowed back into my brain. With them came anger, outrage among a slew of other things like worry and relief. I remember blacking out after attempting to shove that wall away from us. Sebastian must have finally rescued us, thank God for that. But…they had left me behind. AGAIN.

So what if the ship was sinking with a crap load of flesh-eating zombies? Ciel and Sebastian, from what little I could remember from the manga, were going to be in trouble. The last scantalation I read online before coming here was when it was revealed that the Undertaker was behind this mess. Amanda had seen his real face and legs and had swooned like some sort of virgin saint. I wasn't sure what happened after that but there was no way I was going to wait in this boat and twiddle my thumbs, praying that they would be alright.

I looked at Edward. He watched me with steady eyes.

"What is it, Hero? Are you alright? Are you cold?"

I noticed then that I had been wearing Edward's coat jacket. No wonder the stinging wind felt less chilly. I gripped the lapel and took it off.

"Edward, please let me borrow your sword. I don't know where my other one went." I mentally winced at having lost the gift Tanaka had given me. As usual I was such a mess up.

"Eh?"

"Hero what are you planning now?" Madame Red asked, suspiciously. I tried to get on my knees in the small boat and Edward steadied me as I tried to fix my skirts. There was no way I would be going anywhere this heavy fabric.

"By the way, so sorry I'm going to have to do this," I told them all.

I griped the top portion of my bodice and without much thinking tore right through the fabric. Like ripping paper. It was that easy. My eyes widened at the simplicity. That could only mean...I had my strength back. The relief washed off me in waves. I almost cried in happiness. Never before have I ever associated happiness with my monster strength. They were right to say that you don't really know what you have until its gone.

The morning I found out that my strength was gone I hadn't known whether to believe it. I had tried breaking things and only ended up with purple and red bruises for my trouble. Had I been home in the shabby but comfortably furnished apartment that Dad owned, without a doubt I would be screaming in joy, claiming that God really did love me because I was FINALLY normal. I seriously would have cried tears of happiness. I mean that would have put a damper on my detective extraordinaire business but hey, I'll live.

But back then, I had only felt dread because this time, I wasn't home. I was Ciel's pawn. Part of my usefulness was my strength, however much irritating Ciel sometimes found it. How was I going to assist him on his missions? More importantly, how was I going to protect him?

Blessedly, two weeks had gone by without a word from the Queen. And in those two weeks no one had noticed my missing monster strength. Certainly not Ciel or even Sebastian. Finny certainly noticed that something had been off with me when I declined to play with him. And I was the only one who would for obvious reasons. Wisely he said nothing to no one, the sweet boy. The whole two weeks I was secretly feeling on edge, ready for the other shoe to finally drop and reveal to them my secret. Well my paranoia did not disappoint for finally, Lau and Lizzy made themselves known and so the dreaded zombie began.

But guess what? Hero Sanders, Detective Extraordinaire, was back bitches.

And this time, I was going to catch up and get Ciel and Sebastian the hell out of that sinking ship and no one was going to stop me.

"Miss Hero!" Aunt Francis cried in shock. "What are you doing?"

I looked at them and offered an apologetic smile as I stepped out of the dress, grabbed the sword Edward was holding up for me, his face in stunned disbelief, and gave them all a half salute.

"I'm going to fetch Ciel and Sebastian. It's what the Queen pawn would do, after all."

"HERO!"

I wasn't sure who called my name after that. The water was freezing and dark when I splashed into it. Like ice needles piercing my skin when I broke through the surface. I struggled to tie Edward's sword around my waist but once I did I swam up. Breathing in the night air was worse then diving into the ocean.

The moisture in my lungs throat and lungs had evaporated.

My teeth clattered violently as I forced myself to swim forward. The ship was in sight. If I swam with determination and focus I would probably make it in five minutes. The closer I got, the bigger the ship became. It was massive by the time I swam to the nearest ledge. People were scrambling everywhere, those in the water were trying to swim away if they could move. Those that weren't remained still. I tried not to look at them. I looked up and frowned, the nearest ledge had to be hundreds of feet high. No way was I getting up there. Maybe if there was a hole or a...

A suctioning of water sounded near me and I moved towards it. To my pleased surprise, one of the portholes's glass had broken, allowing the ocean to get inside. I swam closer and that if I maneuvered myself carefully I could get in. The water rushing inside did most of the work as I forced through.

I ended up being swept into an empty room, the water rising fast by the minute. I stood up, my heels finding purchase on the floor the closer I struggled to the door. When my hand touched the knob, I wrenched it open, the water rushing out of the room.

I entered the hall and gasped, dead bodies greeted me. Bits of flesh were scattered around, being swept away by the water intermingling with the blood. I retched dry heaves, closing my eyes and shaking my head. FOCUS HERO, FOCUS.

Carefully maneuvering myself so I wouldn't have to step on anyone, I dashed through the hall, shivering as the cool air and wet clothes clung to my skin. According to my fading memories, the whole mess with Undertaker should be happening in the...First-Class Passenger Lounge right? I stubbornly thought back to where and what that is. After a minute of running, no such luck.

A scream had me stopping in my tracks.

"Someone help us!"

That had me running even faster until I got to the end of the corridor, turning left only to find three zombies slowly approaching a room, the door hanging wide open. Sensing me, one of the zombies slowly turned its head in my direction. I placed a hand on Edward's sword and pulled it from its sheath. It was shaped way differently then the katana but improvising with a zeal to protect whoever had cried out, I ran forward. In one quick stroke I plunged the sword into the first zombie's skull. It splintered and got smashed when I used the momentum to swing it against the metal wall. I high-kicked the next one's head clean off its shoulders, blood spurting like a forth of July fire cracker. Shoving the body aside I grabbed the last zombie by the shoulder, its mouth extending wide open as it sensed my close proximity. I pulled my fist back and punched its face, an audible snap sounded as the only thing attaching its head to its shoulder was a rotting meaty neck. It fell like dead weight at my feet. I stepped back, breathing hard, blood pumping. Actually scared but a little relieved.

I did it.

Someone started sobbing and I turned. A mother and her baby. The former's lower body trapped under a heavy-looking wooden dresser, completely unable to move. Her baby, a mere infant wrapped in bundles of cloth, was in her hands, arms outstretched in an apparent effort to save her son from being crushed underneath her.

I rushed over and forced the dresser off her. Didn't even cost me a sweat.

"T-thank youuu. Thank you s-so much," the woman cried between wails. She had really been terrified. Her skin pale white, cold and clammy to the touch. The baby started crying, a little shrill sound against that of its mother.

"Its okay ma'am," I said. "Can you stand? We have to get out of here."

Her sobbing subsided until she hiccuped, face red with tears. She nodded her acquiescence. I took the baby carefully, peering into its little face as it calmed down when the mother stopped crying.

"Oh!" she exclaimed when she tried moving her left foot. The ankle looked swollen. No way was she going to walk on that. I had a strong inkling that it was broken.

"Make sure that gets splintered okay? I think it might be broken." I helped the woman up carefully. Once she was steady enough on her feet, I handed her back the baby.

"I was so scared fer ma son," she admitted once we were out in the hall. "I woke up ter screaming. I grabbed ma son and was about ter leave when the ship shook and I fell, the dresser coming down on me."

"Its okay, things are going to be fine now," I reassured.

Thankfully the woman knew how to get to the ship's deck. I gave her a piggyback ride once we reached the stairs. Turns out we were on the sixth floor this whole time. Thankfully I didn't come across anymore zombies. Edward's sword hung on my hip, sheathed.

When voices reached our ears I knew we were close. Music soon accompanied it and by the time we were outside, I realized it was the ballroom band playing, their classical instruments attempting to calm the frantic people on the deck with the soothing sounds of their music.

"We made it," the woman stated, looking awed.

I moved us toward the nearest official sailor, directing women and children onto the smaller life boats. Once I made sure they were safely on board, I moved to walk away when the woman grabbed my arm.

"Wait, whats yer name?" she asked.

I grinned and winked. "Sanders. Hero Sanders, Detective Extraordinaire at your service."

Cue me leaving like a cool bad ass with a swish of my short wet skirt.

Sadly my foot stepped on stepping, messing up my balance. I would have tripped, probably sprained my ankle and landed on my face again if a kind nearby sir hadn't gabbed hold of my arm.

"Careful there, miss," he said, doing a double-take as he stared at my corset, drawers and heeled boots, all stitched with ruffles and so much intricate lace it was a shame no one could see the detailed work. Although I could understand why it wasn't allowed. Boy would Ciel and Sebastian blow a casket.

I thanked the kind sir, face red, as he averted his gaze. Then a thought dinged in my head and I quickly looked up.

"Hey mister, do you know where the First-Class Passenger Lounge is?"

"Hmm? Isn't that on the third floor?"

Third floor. Oh my gosh he was right. That was where the party had taken place. I started running like crazy towards the nearest stairs, bypassing the desperate people as they rushed to and from.

I tripped again when someone had jostled me to the side. But this time it was over a dead body. I freaked out, backing away quickly. That was when my little eyes spotted something interesting.

A gun.

Two guns actually.

There was another dead body near the one I had tripped over. Men. They kind of looked like ex-Aurora Society members. I stared at the guns, my eyes not leaving their metal forms for what seemed like a long time, eons maybe. In reality it had probably only been two minutes. My nails scrapped against the wooden deck as my mind raced and warred with my hesitation and reluctance.

I grabbed the two smooth guns, resisting the urge to shudder. I engaged the safety lock and took out the magazines for the remaining bullets, remembering everything I knew about firearms. Phil came to mind and my heart ached, missing him dearly as I recalled his soft-spoken voice speaking about guns and their intricacies.

You have to handle it with respect, okay Hero? Because a gun can become a life saver or your worst nightmare.

I clutched the cool metal of the handle tightly, sweat beading down my forehead. No time to chicken out. I stuffed the magazines in the inside pocket of my corset, right where the cleavage was. It was tight, real tight, but at least it wouldn't be going anywhere. I tied the two guns as best as I could to my short ruffled skirt.

Alright, third floor here I come.

If there's one thing Ciel has concluded throughout this entire night, is that boat cruises are overrated.

That and grim reapers need to, how would Hero put it? Ah yes, STOP FUCKING AROUND WITH HUMANS.

Ciel was just so done with everyone.

Sebastian actually felt that way too, probably ten times more strongly as he lunged after the grinning grey-haired undertaker/apparently former grim reaper. He used his pristine silver knives to block the Undertaker's incoming attack. The man cackled.

"Are you sure you'll be able to take me on with that small tableware?silverware?"

Sebastian smirked. "It may not be as good as a death scythe but...," His white gloved hands firmly grasped the marked battle stakes. "Our silverware has top-grade sharpness!" With that last word he slashed at the weapon, cutting it in half.

Undertaker swiftly backed up, grabbing three more of his large stakes and throwing them at Sebastian in less then two seconds. Sebastian did a quick air flip, bringing him away from the oncoming attack, landing on the rail a good fifteen feet away.

"Hey, hey, what's up? You really can't do any better with this with the three of you? Weren't you going to hunt me down?" Undertaker mocked with a grin. "It's too sad little Hero isn't here. I'm sure she'd make an interesting attack on me."

"No!" Ciel exclaimed in anger. He wanted Hero nowhere near here! It was much too dangerous. Thank goodness she was safe abroad the life boats with Snake and the Middford family. After that very frightening situation earlier of almost drowning to death, Hero managed to shove away the broken wall trapping them. Ciel had swam to her and stopped her from sinking further to the bottom. Her soaked skirts were a blasted pain though and with his puny strength, not that Ciel would ever admit it, he had had a hard time getting them both to the surface. Thankfully Sebastian jumped into the water and saved them both.

It was a relief knowing you weren't going to die with your significant other quite just yet.

"I'm afraid Miss Hero is indisposed at the moment," Sebastian graciously replied. "I'll have to give her your message at a later date."

"Oh? Is that so? It feels to me like she's here."

To be honest it always felt that way to Ciel. But that was because he was used to her constant presence in his life. He wouldn't know what to do with himself if she ever stopped. Just trying to picture things before she came was impossible now. Hero had become too involved in his life, whether he had welcomed her or not.

Sebastian chuckled. "Even if she were, I'm sure she wouldn't appreciate your hand in causing the zombies."

"Dolls," Undertaker corrected. "They're dolls. Zombie sounds so unrefined and gruesome wouldn't you say? Look! They've even found the young master up there."

Ciel swiftly turned his head to look behind him and he gasped when he saw some of the zombies that weren't dead making their way where he was standing. Cursing under his breath, Ciel reached for his gun and pointed it at the pitiful creatures.

The shots that rang out were loud and piercing, firing at a rapid rate that Ciel was sure was not normal. Heart pounding, palms sweaty, Ciel swallowed as the deafening consistent piston sound made him mentally cringe.

Turns out the bullets were not coming from his gun since his gun was out of ammo, his trigger finger already pulled back.

On the same floor but the balcony across from Ciel stood a figure pointing two guns, firing them both, simultaneously, without an ounce of hesitation. Zombies fell like exploding flies as each bullet found their heads with little problem. Ciel breathed hard, not moving until the shots stopped raining down.

Whistling silence echoed through the ballroom as a distinct chest rose and fell, exhaling hard from the exertion she had to pull. All eyes were upon the pissed off petite American time-traveler who looked like she ran through a blood shower, white fabric stained gruesomely. Muddy eyes glinted angrily, her arms began shaking as she lowered the two empty guns.

"I swear," she said loudly. "if I don't get some decent food after this entire ordeal, I am going to break someone's face."

And I was serious.

You don't make a coward do terrifying things without some sort of compensation that will bring them to their happy place and stop any potential nighttime paranoia from happening.

Tendrils of smoke drifted from the mouth of the guns in my hands as I surveyed the hot mess the ballroom seemed to be in. I dropped the guns, not lingering my thoughts on them as they clattered to the floor. I rushed down the flight of stairs and made it across, by passing a "passed out" Lord Druitt, to the other flight of stairs where Ciel stood at the very top, looking he's just seen a ghost.

"Hero? Wh-What-What- WHAT ARE YOU WEARING?" he exclaimed in shock, looking at my clothes with a beet red face. I looked down and lifted a brow, utterly confused until I remembered Madame Red telling me that these were my "undergarments". They were utterly silky and white, which made me swimming in the ocean probably not a good idea. But oh well, I mean, so what if certain assets were see through? Life and death is at stake here! And it's not like anything too private was being flaunted.

A whoosh of wind behind my back had me turning my head to catch a glimpse of Sebastian with his neutral face on. Smooth as butter he took off his jacket and placed it on my shoulder.

"Ah thank you," I said, pushing my arms through the too big sleeves. Then I let both of them have it. BUT Ciel beat me to the punch.

"Hero, what are you doing? You shouldn't be here!" he exclaimed in a mixture of anger and panic, blue eye blazing.

"Like hell Ciel! You and Sebastian ditched me! What have I told you two before?" I replied angrily. "There was no way I was letting you handle this alone."

"Miss Hero," Sebastian murmured before Ciel could explode. He looked very much serious, eyes unreadable. "We have this under control. There was no need for you to be here."

My eyes stung, my ears and cheeks feeling unbearably hot. I was embarrassed to have him say that. I mean I suppose it would be safer for me not to be here but..."Guys I'm fine, if that's what you're worried about. I have my super strength back! I swear! I can kick ass and...Sebastian what is it?"

Sebastian looked at me strangely. "What do you mean? Your super strength was gone? When?" Those eyes looked at Ciel for explanation but Ciel refused to glance at him. Sebastian's jaw tightened. Suddenly the air around us felt tense. I swallowed. Sebastian hadn't know about my temporarily missing strength? But I thought Ciel had told him and it was the reason why I wasn't taken along, besides being unconscious of course.

"AH-HEM," interrupted a familiar voice from across the ballroom. Grell Suitcliff glared at me with irritation. "Nice little reunion and all that but we're on a tight schedule here. This ship is going to sink any minute now! There's more pressing matters then a tiff with the little harlot."

"Hey!" I exclaimed, clutching the railing and pointing down at the angry ex-butler. "That's Miss Little American Harlot to you, sir!"

"Hero stop saying that! You're not a harlot," Ciel snapped, clutching the lapels of Sebastian's jacket and bringing them together to hide my modesty. Before I could reply to that my eyes landed on the other occupant in the room.

I gasped. "HOLY SHIT IS THAT THE UNDERTAKER? HE'S HOT!"

The air around Sebastian began to crackle. Undertaker, newly unveiled with his silvery long hair and green eyes chuckled, long black nails tapping his chin. "Nice of you to join us Miss Hero, I was quite put out that I wouldn't be seeing you this evening."

Even his voice was killing it. It didn't sound anything like the shrilly croak from before. I knew about his transformation but I didn't think the change would be this major. Clearly manga can't hold a candle compared to reality.

"I'm surprised you felt that way, seeing as you orchestrated this whole thing," I reminded him, not feeling too charitable with the guy, especially not after tonight's horror show.

"Not by myself," he smiled.

"Alright enough!" Grell snapped. "We're out of time. The ship is tilting badly."

Grell's young partner, the infamous Ronald Knox, looked at his watch and whistled. "That's right. Time to finish this." They both jumped in the air, death scythes ready, eyes gleaming as they lunged at Undertaker.

"We can only go for a head-on fight now! I don't care how it looks!" Grell shouted.

But with little effort, Undertaker blocked both attacks using the momentum and "magic" of the scythes enough to reveal to all of us his ultimate weapon as he slashed both grim reapers in one fluid movement.

It was deadly in its obscene beauty. Silver glistened in the flickering lights, fusing to bone as Undertaker's death scythe was unveiled. It was large and so very bad ass. If Steven were here, he'd have an orgasm at the sight it for sure.

"I see," Sebastian murmured as he glanced below. "The 'It Can Cut Anything' phrase is incorrect when multiple death-scythes are involved."

"I'll say," I added, getting a real bad vibe from that thing. Its skeletal design looking ominous. Sebastian locked eyes with Ciel but said nothing and vice versa. He jumped below, ready to join the fray. I glanced at Ciel.

"Ciel you didn't tell him about my super strength?"

"We were a bit busy at the moment," he replied coolly, not taking his eyes. "Besides, he doesn't need to know everything about you."

I wasn't sure how to reply to that.

"They should've collected it when you retired…," I heard Ronald struggled to say, blood running down his chin.

Undertaker grinned. "It was with me for such a long time that it became hard to part with. I went through quite some trouble to take it with me you know." Then his eyes and tone of voice became serious. "Well then, how about," he raised the scythe. "I hunt you guys instead hmm? Like the pitiful rabbit in a hunting game."

All he did was swing it in our direction but somehow the blow of the move got magnified and it obliterated the pillar a feet away from where Ciel and I were standing. The sound was deafening and I blocked my ears with my hands, closing my eyes as dust and debris flew around us. This wasn't a kiddy blow, Undertaker was serious. Suddenly I knew we weren't safe. Undertaker was no longer Undertaker, he was a hunter, a killer, Other and completely unapologetic.

With the pillar destroyed, the floor we were on began to break and tilt, chairs and tables falling below. Ciel and I grabbed hold of the railing for support. Sebastian took the chairs and tables that had fallen and tossed them. Undertaker sliced them in half, smiling.

"It's no use. Cutting a table with this takes no more effort than breaking a cookie," he informed him. But to Undertaker's momentary surprise, Sebastian was no longer facing him, instead, he was sliding within the Undertaker's death scythe's range, smirking triumphantly.

"I just wanted to get within the wide reach of this scythe," a swift kick followed, but Undertaker performed the smoothest backflip, his heavy clock, scythe and hair not a problem.

"You think of some interesting stuff, Butler," Undertaker chuckled. "Then…," He took one single step before suddenly, impossibly, he was behind us. US as in CIEL AND I. "So will I." I could feel the brush of cloth behind my bare shoulders before I saw Undertaker grab Ciel.

"Undertaker!" I exclaimed, grabbing his arm and attempting to pull him away from Ciel whom he easily lifted and turned to face him. My super strength wasn't breaking his arm. For one wild second I thought my strength was gone again. "Stop! Let him go!"

The man laughed. "If you say so. I shall finally put him in one of my specially-made coffins." Sebastian lunged at us like a bat out of hell, face and hand distorted as he came in for the killing blow. Before I could react or scream or anything, Undertaker threw Ciel over the railing, high above Sebastian. Just in time before his hand connect with the former grim reaper's face. "I knew you'd come at me," Undertaker said with a secret smile.

Flabbergasted, Sebastian and I watched at Ciel sailed through the air, tiny hands outstretched towards us. I screamed just as Sebastian used the railing to twist his body and catch the boy's hand. I saw it all in slow motion, their fingers touching, almost, but then, the scythe came down hard like an ax, stabbing Sebastian in the back like a hot knife against butter.

"They may be weak and fragile, but a human life is quite hard to drag out…Butler," Undertaker said, face looking haunted for one quick second before the smirk made its appearance. He pulled his scythe out of Sebastian's body. "I always wondered, why a vicious beast like you would dress up and play the butler, the loyal servant to a child who intends to take away your demon mate? Show me…your record."

The air in my lungs came in short gasps, my legs became stiff as a cold sweat broke out. I watched in horror as both Sebastian and Ciel.

"SEBASTIAN!" Ciel and I shouted but for the next ten seconds, Sebastian was gone from us. I had never felt such a heavy terrifying feeling deep in the pit of my belly in all my life. I turned to the Undertaker still next me and clutched his robe.

"Please save them!" I asked him desperately. "Why are you doing this?"

Those unusual green eyes slid to regard my pale frightened face.

"Small foolish Hero. The time for farces and charades has come to an end, its time you too decided." He grabbed my arm and roughly turned me to face him. "Now tell me, who do you choose? The little Earl or butler?"

My eyes widened in shock. "What?"

"Time is ticking and things have become too stable. Choose."

"This is no time for that!"

"Who do you love most? Who would you rather save? Who would you rather be happy with? Die for? Who do you choose Hero?"

My voice became stuck as I opened my mouth, eyes desperate. This was too much, too fast. Ciel! Sebastian! This was no time for that stupid universally asked question!

"I c-can't answer that! I can't choose!"

Undertaker tsked and lifted me up. I gasped, grabbing his hand and using all my strength to break his firm grip. But nothing was working. It was then the words "not human" really started to hit home.

"Then that means you love neither. And I cannot entrust to you anything with such shallow feelings."

It was at that moment that I heard Ciel shout Sebastian's name, followed by an angry and desperate grunting from Sebastian. I turned and Undertaker let me. I watched Sebastian grab Ciel, watched them both land roughly but safely on the ground. Undertaker grabbed me by the waist before we jumped down to the black and blue pair. He used his scythe and slashed the air in mid-flight. Nothing happened.

"I knew you'd be able to protect the Earl," Undertaker smugly announced, not letting me go once we had landed, despite my struggling and wriggling. "As expected from the butler."

"Ciel! Sebastian! You guys are okay right?" I asked, desperate to know. Ciel sat up and looked at the blood he was covered thanks to the wound in Sebastian's chest. That's got to have hurt like a bitch, I wondered quietly.

"Sebastian? Hey Sebastian!"

"Sebastian yo! Don't speak up if you're dead," I joked half-heartedly.

"You're too loud…," Sebastian weakly and tiredly replied as he began to sit up. "I can hear you both just fine." I smiled and struggled some more before glaring at Undertaker.

"Dude let me go!"

"Ah! Almost forgot. The butler's record was interesting but it seems like you only make the Earl miserable after all. I thought maybe Hero would be different but it seems she cannot choose between the pair of you, how terribly superficial of her, especially when you've each made your intentions and feelings known."

"Who can make such a decision at a time like this?" Ciel exclaimed angrily, seeing Undertaker's hold on me.

"Life and death is supposed to bring clarity with a simple honest choice but I'm afraid Hero has failed to decide which means she loves neither of you."

"That's not true!" I exclaimed angrily.

"Oh? Then who do you choose?"

Things seemed to come at a standstill, I could feel it in the air, thick and tense. I knew whatever I said next was going to be officially it. I could never take back those words once I uttered them. I opened my mouth…

But the terrible shaking started and the ship began to tilt.

"Wha-!"

"Crap!" exclaimed Ronald whom I'd forgotten was still in the ballroom with Grell. "Could it be already?"

"Dammit!" Sebastian exclaimed. "The floodwater's weight is making the front of the ship tilt upwards!"

The sensation was surreal and the most frightening thing to feel. From a distant I could hear faint screams of the poor passengers not on the life boats. Ryan Stoker whom I had also forgotten was actually in the ballroom all this time gave a bloodcurdling scream as he slid down the floor and landed in a crunching and sickening red splat.

"Ryan Stoker, born August 24th on 1854. Death by a falling accident on April 20th, 1889," Grell announced without preamble, gathering his things as he jumped and landed on a broken but sturdy pillar. Sebastian, with Ciel in his arms, was clutching a metal crushed railing that supported their combined weight. "Sebby-darling, as you can see, there's really no time to play around anymore. I'll be taking him now," he said, pointing to Undertaker and I. "You just stay there and watch."

"Hero!" Sebastian exclaimed but it was too late. Grell and Ronald were upon us. I shrieked as Undertaker made us duck the chainsaw, his grip on me and the scythe steady.

"Still want me to let you go?" Undertaker chuckled.

"Alright I ge-heh!-it!" I gripped the man's cloak tighter as Grell kept his attacks consistent. Before Sebastian could do anything about it, he dodged out of Ronald's way. The brash reaper dragged a pillar, smirking at the butler and earl.

"Mr. Suitcliff is stronger than me, so I'll leave that one to him. I'll finish off the weakened butler over here~!"

Sebastian grabbed another pillar, looking equally exhausted and annoyed. Ciel scoffed, haughtily looking down at Ronald.

"I can't have you looking down on my butler. Weakened? Lose to you? That joke isn't even funny. Right, Sebastian?"

Sebastian sighed but grinned despite the pain. "Yes, very much so. We do still have to collect Hero before we leave after all." Suddenly he coughed up some congealed blood. Ronald sighed, looking annoyed.

"Oh man, it's like I'm picking on the weak here—!" A sudden punch to the face left Ronald speechless for a one quick moment. He skidded down the floor and Sebastian followed him, dodging his swinging lawn mower with brilliant and beautiful high back flips. Sebastian followed that with a swift kick in the gut, throwing Ronald against a cluster of tables and chairs. The butler land neatly near-by, approaching the beat-up looking grim reaper sinisterly.

"Wha…why are you moving…," Ronald asked breathlessly but grunted in pain when Sebastian's foot struck his shoulder.

Sebastian cracked his knuckles. "I have to answer my master's order, don't I?"

That was the last thing Sebastian said.

This is too much, I thought. I was being carried around like a shirt in a tumble dryer. Undertaker landed neatly on a pillar. "You…," he said to Grell. "I thought I'd seen you somewhere, you were the grim reaper who acted as Madame Red's previous butler."

"No-derrrrrrr!" I squeaked, taken to the air where he landed on another pillar a few yards above Grell, dodging the crimson reaper's attack.

"No one likes nosy guys!" Grell shouted.

"Hmm, time's up for you guys isn't it?" Undertaker casually inquired, cocky as you please.

Grell followed him. "With all these handsome men in front of me I'm not just gonna leave like Cinderella!" With that he arched his chain-saw for the final blow…unfortunately that was when Ronald was thrown at him like yesterday's trash, throwing Grell completely off course. Both landed with a heavy thud below. Ronald's face was unrecognizable when Grell pushed the boy off him.

From above, Ciel and Sebastian smiled. "Young 'uns these days are really feeble. Isn't it kind of old-fashioned to just rely on your death scythes? So what's left?"

Undertaker's gaze darkened.

"You guys are okay!" I yelled from up top.

"Hero! We'll get you, I promise!" Ciel shouted.

"I should hope so!"

The ship shook again, more violently then the last time.

"Th-This is bad!" Ciel pointed out, clutching at Sebastian's arm. "THE SHIP IS SINKING!"

The wall from the side burst open with cold rushing water, filling the long ballroom without preambe. Undertaker looked at me.

"Well little Hero, its time to give us an answer. Time is up."

"You're still on about that?" I shrieked.

"Choose."

He let go of me.

Like, let go. Finally but I was falling. Until he caught my hand, dangling me in mid-air, arm straining with the weight of my body. Shit it was painful.

"Undertaker what are you doing?!" Ciel cried, Sebastian growling in hideous anger as he gripped the pillar on the other side of us, cold water assaulting them in an almost punishing manner. Would Sebastian make it in time if Undertaker really did drop me?

"Choose, little Hero."

"I-I-I can't choose!" I sobbed, eyes wide, tears spilling at my desperation.

Again, Undertaker tsked, looking almost regretful. "Such a shame. But I did offer to help you get home, little lost Hero. Once apart, I'm sure you'll for sure."

He let me go.

And he did not catch me again.

The sensation of falling was not pleasant. My gut was numb and seemed to be trying to escape out the top of my ribcage. My belly felt hallow, adrenaline pumping into my blood a mile a minute. Terror seized me as the water below became closer. I screamed for I was sure there I was no tomorrow. I could distantly hear my name being called. I closed my eyes and waited for that moment where my heart would stop, when the pain of my broken body could began. Probably not in the order, or maybe so. Who knows?

For one minute, eyes closed tight, I felt a weightless sensation grab my body but then it was over as quickly as it came. Cold stinging bullets hit my body and I opened my eyes, shocked to see myself falling outside. As in the middle of the choppy stormy ocean with lightning and thunder raging war like a mad house. My desperate scream was drowned out by the howl of the icy bitter wind.

I cannot describe falling into the water.

It was mind-numbing. I stopped thinking, feeling the air whoosh out of my lungs, the burning of my throat and nasal passages. My tears mingled with the ocean water, bubbles rushing away, taking my dying screams to the surface. I was no longer cold, falling through the water slowly as if it were see-through quick sand or clear molasses. I felt I would sink further down to the murky gnashing darkness...but I didn't. I began to lightly float up. The light around me began to fade, slowly…but surely…

"HERO!" Ciel cried in disbelief, eyes wide in stunned despair.

But then he blinked and she was gone, falling through the air and just being swallowed up by it until not even her fingertips were visible or her screams could be heard. His eyes held that spot where she disappeared like a child possessed, refusing to let go.

"Undertaker what did you DO?" The boiling rage around Sebastian became palpable, black mist sprouting from the butler's body, eyes crimson red. His semi-transformation was unnatural "WHERE IS HERO?"

Undertaker smirked. "Don't get so testy. I merely sent her back to her own time, where she originally belongs in I might add."

Blue and red eyes widened at this revelation.

"Impossible!"

"Incorrect, very possible. There are many things a death scythe can do and opening dimensions is one of them."

"But that's illegal!" came Grell's raggedy voice from the other side. "It can't be controlled! You can't do that!"

Ciel let go of Sebastian's arm, falling. Sebastian's reflexes were quick, grabbing the boy's gloved hand. "Young master!"

When Sebastian stared at the lone blue eye, his voice stopped working. Speech deserted him and he actually stiffened.

"I am getting Hero back and that's final," Ciel declared haughtily. "Now LET GO, THAT'S AN ORDER."

Against his better judgement, against reason, against his instinct and everything Sebastian knew himself to be, his hand loosened and Ciel fell.

Fell...and fell...until he aimed himself in the spot where Hero seemed to have disappeared. Then he too was gone. Gone from their sights, swallowed up by the air, as if some invisible slit existed and he merely fell through it.

I gasped, blood shot eyes peeling open as I coughed and puked briny cold water from my lungs. My eyes were stinging from having a light shined in them. I began to shiver violently as the wind continued to slap my body, my wet clothes sticking to me uncomfortably.

"Hey she's all right!" someone called from near-by.

"Quick tell the captain!"

"JOHN PLEASE DON'T EVER DO THAT AGAIN!"

"You're a hero man!"

"Goodness what was she doing in the ocean? Good thing we were passing by, eh?"

"God Almighty! This is just one exciting cruise trip isn't it Dolores?"

"Jeez shut up Harold! When we get back to Chicago, I'm leaving to my mother's house in DC!"

"People please get inside! The storm is only going to get worse!"

So many voices they became almost indistinguishable to me. I'm not sure what happened but there was one thing my fuzzy brain could understand. I was not drowning. I gulped fresh cold air like a starving woman, uncaring that it grated against my burning wind pipe. I was not drowning. Not dying.

Safe.

Alive.

Just…safe and alive.

The sailor rounding the people to go below the deck glanced back at his partner and the guest who saved the mysterious young teen. They stood next to the girl, gently grabbing her to transport her to the infirmary below. This girl was lucky they happened to be sailing by, delayed from their journey to New York by the storm.

The sailor's radio at his hip crackled. He picked it up and pressed the button.

"10-4 this is Blue-10. Tell the captain we have a situation, over."

His elaboration was need.

"Tell him we found a girl in the ocean."

His friend and the guest came close. "Damn what a storm," they complained when they went inside, the wind silenced by the door.

"Poor thing, look how she's dressed!" The sailor carrying her pointed out.

"…Kind of looks like that one picture of that girl that went missing in London a year ago, remember mate? When we visited that pub in Fleet street?" the second sailor with the radio remarked absently. "Darted her face by accident."

"How could I forget, you knocked my drink on your second try."

"Hero," the man who was with them said suddenly. "I remember. It was all over the local news. I live in Fort Lauderdale in Florida, my brother's girlfriend is a cop in Miami. The name was so unusual. Apparently her dad is a cop there too."

"Well isn't that great! We found her! But what was she doing out here?"

"Probably thrown out here to die," radio sailor added.

"Fucking bastards. But won't her father be happy," the man said. "She'll be home soon."

"Yup, home at last."

To Be Continued...

Alrighty, this is the final chapter of Through The Looking Glass. I'm stunned that I finally finished. It feels so surreal. Now I do plan to make Part 2 called Over the Crystal Gate, wish me luck that my fast typist fingers come into play. I remember uploading a chapter every two weeks. Blessed heaven. I'm going to try to repeat that. I will also raise the rating for OTCG as things will get serious, more mature and dark? Comedy will be a given as I cannot seem to help myself.

I shall elaborate more on the Demon Mate principle, how she traveled, her spotty past and answer who Hero will choose and the consequences and journey her choice will leave as well explore more canon characters and introduce some new ones.

I remember people asking for OVAs and I definitely want to do them. So be on the lookout for an extra chapter or two here.

I do plan on re-editing this whole thing as I do find myself reading my own story sometimes so if you decide to read the story again some day, don't be alarmed by some changes that take place. The plot is essentially the same.

Any news I shall post it up on my profile on the Status Report of Some Kind section.

Thanks for sticking with me on this crazy journey and reading my story. You guys, with your patience (or impatience sometimes too), are the real MVP. Any news I shall post it up on my profile on the Status Report of Some Kind section.

Stay beautiful and Cheers~!

Sincerely, Lady Keiko