This is a companion to TKC: P II.

*If any havn't read my Kuro. trilogy, I recommend reading the trilogy first to understand this piece.

For those who have read the trilogy, I personally imagined that six months have passed since Ciel met up with Lizzie the night he "Surfaced." Read, and review. Thanks!

"They will pay for this!" the rouge girl whispered to herself, as she bent her legs and drew them close to her chest. The winds howled beyond the fragile, creaking wood of the barn walls. The rain heavily poured down on the slopes of the roof with no mercy. Little droplets of water mananged to trickle through the numerous cracks, and they fell upon her, wetting her tattered gown bit by bit. "They will pay for doing this to my family! They'll see what I shall become."

She was now alone in the world. All thanks to the banks and to the overly-strict landlord, and to the doctors who were unwilling to aid her ill parents and her current suiter— And her recent miscarriage hadn't lightened things up in the least. No one paid any attention to a lowlife such as her.

Why had her body been resistant to the fever, and not theirs? Perhaps, it was because her system was strong yet and unaffected by the curse of growing old? (Save for her beloved Merrill. His lungs had been growing meek to begin with, since he worked in the smoky factory.) Or perhaps, she survived for a higher purpose? To seek justice, to become something...no, somebody great.

Suddenly, a strip of electricity bolted downwards from the sky, and thunder shook the earth under her. And within a flash, two strange outlines of two strangers emerged within the shadows under the barn's loft, across from her private nest of straw. One, was quite tall and stiff as a post. The other was a head shorter than he, and stood with prideful posture.

They exchanged their subtle words in hushed tones beneath the storm's racket. But somehow the girl accomplished in picking up a sliver of the tall one's comment. "—stay with you, until it's done?"

"No," his slender associate declared, "I'll be fine. Just return to the Manor. I want you to look after her, if you could."

"Very well." Tall Man granted causally. "Remember do it right, do it quick. There's no room for mishaps in this practice. Ask the final question, the seal it."

"Yes, yes, I remember. Now go. If we are both gone for too long, she could come and hunt us down for it."

Tall Man's silhouette crouched on cue, leaped away, and then vanished without a trace. She panicked, once left alone, and unaided with Slender.

He moved for her slowly, but Slender One paused when she warned him to.

"Stay back, crook!" She found the strength within all her fear. Even the darkest of mania had its rewards to give. "I have no money for I am poorer than a mouse, and my body isn't yours to take!"

"I have no interest in money," Slender chuckled, when he gradually strolled from out the under the beams so she could finally view him better in the little moonlight there was left. His handsome features were yet blessesd with youth much like hers, and his garments were a worthy quality. "Nor do I crave your body," he drawled out with a sneer, as if she had totally repulsed him by the concept.

The tense sensation in her shoulders faded. A little. As a minimum, those ideas could be crossed off the list of horrible possibilities of why a male would aim for a defenseless girl. Though, that did nothing but rise additional questions in her mind. "Then...what does a Nobel want with the likes me?"

"Just that," Slender replied equably, "you."

"But you just told me you aren't interested in that."

"Not in that sense, no, but in the sense of claiming you beyond your physical body..."

He then emphasized on the key points, and highlighted the general meaning of it all, making the logic of the mysterious situation more understandable.

The girl felt many emotions flow through her, simultaneously, while listening to his lecture. They talked of his promises, discussed his conditions, and covered the perks.

And after their lengthy chat, Slender concluded by requesting, "Just introduce me an old childhood friend, who has come to stay with you, if you will. No one else will recognize me anyhow. They won't want to believe what their eyes see otherwise. It's not proper for the common citizen to be superstitious, which works in our favor."

The girl nodded eagerly. "And then you help me get what I want?"

A sly smile. "I never lie."

"So, let us get started!"

She stood, sweeping the dust and grime from her clothing, and approached him. They stood closer, eye to eye, but he happened to be just a tad bit taller than her still. The girl could not prevent the blutterflies that began to flitter around in her belly from ceasing. The "demon," he called himself, was far more attractive once she studied him over. He possessed a rascal-like touch to him, an aspect that she'd seen other girls on the streets giggle over. Dark hair, a mischievous red stare, complete with a charming mouth that twiched in the right corner with playfulness.

"Wait a moment," Slender One cooed, waving his gloved finger at her mockingly. "For the final question, and the last warning to turn away while you still can..."

"Call me Alana."

"...Yes alright, do wish to partake in the contract with me, Alana?"

"I do!" she cried, "Now get on with it! If God has quitted on a poor soul like mine, then likewise, I shall return the favor."

Slender nodded. "It's done."

"Good. Now, what name do I call you by, sir?"

"By whatever name Milady wishes."

"But, you must have a name, a past?" she insisted.

"I do."

She huffed, growing quite unsatisfied with his bluntness. "Well, care to share more?"

"I won't."

He said he could mold her into a Lady of the Noble Class. And the first step she decided to tred as a Nobel Lady was demand respect, even his.

"You must have something you could give me."

"I'm...similar to an Earl." he chose his words wisly. "And now, I must mark you."

Special thanks shout out to:

rainbowspring, for always being there to read my works straightway thus far. I enjoy reading your opinions.

Yuki Minamoto, you seem so enthusiastic about what you read of mine, and therefore, your comments undoubtedly make it worth my while.

Loved-For-What-Your-Not, your latest review on TKC, P II was so intense, and I loved it! You inspired me to go forth and complete this idea.

Shu of the Wind, you're own stories leave me speechless and wanting more, and I never grow tired of your depiction of Lizzy.