Thaumaturge: The Phantomhive's Phantom

Anime(s)/Manga(s): InuYasha/Kuroshitsuji

Pairings: ?

Rating: T (May Change)

Author: Dark Void Princess 21

Summary: Sometimes people don't even notice Kagome is there, and for a good reason. Her condition limits her contacts as she awaits for time to catch up to her original time period. So while she is in England, Kagome makes a promise with the Phantomhive family, gaining a job. But what's up with the Phantomhive phantom legend that has spread throughout the underworld?

CHAPTER TWO: That Thaumaturge, Shinigami

Edward was currently home for a short vacation away from his studies at school. It seemed to be an average day. His father had already left for some meeting, so it was currently just him, his precious sister—Elizabeth—and his mother sitting around a table to eat a light breakfast. In fact, for some reason, he was especially relaxed that morning. It was peaceful.

Edward had quite enjoyed his first scone and decided upon eating another. He had taken a large bite and began chewing when a stranger, a girl nonetheless, suddenly appeared, entering the room, causing him to abruptly choke. Edward was appalled by her scandalous choice in clothing. Or to be precise, a lack of being dressed. The shirt and footwear were appropriate, but the skirt was an atrocity. It only just surpassed her knees! That length skirt was way too short for someone her age! She was what? 18? 19?

During this time, both Elizabeth and Frances, along with a nearby maid, quickly approached Edward who was flustered. He was a traditional man who could not handle the absurdity of inappropriate dressing. It simply was not proper! Edward calmed his coughing fit, but gained odd stares from his family as his face glowed and he pointed a trebling hand to the unknown stranger. It was then that the others took notice of her presence.

Edward finally exploded, "Who're you!"

"Huh?" Elizabeth turned to look at the older girl. Despite the plain clothing, they looked quite cute on the girl. But clothes aside, something about the intruder felt familiar. It was odd.

"What happened?" said the confused girl who had just entered the room.

"Ah. Kagome, it is about time you have awoken. You may come be seated with us. There is still more food," announced Frances who was quite calm.

"You heard her! Report the reason for your being—wait—what?" Edward stared incredulously at his mother. She was the last person he expected this from. His father, perhaps, but his mother showed no sign of worry nor fear. Not that she should. She was a strong woman, but you get the point. She didn't even speak of the shortness of the skirt (though in general she did appear tidy). She spoke so familiarly as well—oh. Perhaps she wasn't an intruder. But he could not recall a guest arriving the prior day.

Edward had a weird feeling. Something was amiss.

The girl, in which Edward already forgot her name because of his surprise, bowed and said, "I apologize. My name is Kagome. I arrived last night." She offered an inviting smile. Lizzy reacted positively to her friendliness but Edwards still wished to be far away from her. Although it sounds trivial, the skirt thing really bothered him.

Elizabeth skipped over to Kagome and greeted her animatedly, guiding her over to the table where the two sat down and continued to talk. During the conversation Elizabeth told Kagome that she could call her Lizzy. Edward was jealous that his sister was being all buddy-buddy with Kagome; though, he kept repeating to himself that it could have been worst: it could have been a boy or worse—Ciel.

Frances took a sip of her tea when she stated, "You're being quite rude, Edward. You've yet to say a word to our guest. I expect more of you." Shivers ran up Edward's back. His mother was definitely someone who he did not ever wish to cross. She could be merciless if the situation called for it.

"Pardon my behaviour, but her attire needs to be altered," he said.

She replied, "It would be wise of you not to make such comments to her directly. She would not like such criticism. And for only being 15, she has quite a bit of strength."

"15?!" Edward felt uncomfortable. Surely, she is older than that. That makes her younger than me.

"Lower your voice." Frances stared at her son who appeared to be stunned. His expression soon turned to a guilty one. "Also, mentioning her age will result it worse consequences than fashion criticism."

Edward stared at where Kagome stood. She continued to converse with Lizzy. She didn't appear to notice his statements, even with his booming voice. Still… To have mother defending her… she must be someone to be respected. I cannot comprehend. Aside from the inadequate choices, she has appeared to have made, she doesn't seem to stand out. Who is she? Edward still refused to approach her. If he did, it would lead to him being a flustering idiot. At least the attire was more appropriate than what Nina wear.

Kagome left the Midford estate to look for an old acquaintance. She would get to know Frances's children later. She wandered the town looking for a particular building. She walked for a while and began to feel restless until she comes across an eerie, dark building which presents itself much different from the rest of the area. The sign said Undertaker. "He would choose to work with the dead," Kagome muttered.

She opened the door slowly and cautiously. She knew he could be quite a character. Who knew what he would do. It was quiet. Too quiet. While undertakers should not be loud and boisterous for the sake of respect for the dead, the one she needed to meet wasn't the standard undertaker. Kagome was positive that he'd—

The coffin not too far behind Kagome opened and a figure jumped out at her. "Kaggy!"

Kagome vanished, but the man's body continued to fall past where her body had been and into another coffin which had been placed properly on the floor. Kagome reappeared by the coffin the man originally came out of with an irritated look. "What have I said about calling me by that name?" she said in an undertone that dared him to lie to her or say something outrageous.

The man stood up from his crash. He was a lean man with long grey hair, including a few braids throughout. His fringe position to conceal his upper half of his face. A noticeable scar marred him. He wore all black, including an incredibly long, black top hat. He dusted himself, a large grin crossed his long visage. "To not call you Kaggy." Kagome's eyes bore heavier into him. "However, Kagome, you are not the boss of me, and I will continue to call you as I like."

"True. However while I cannot control you, I can harm you."

The man waved her off, not particularly frightened by the petite girl. He said, "What brings you here? It's been a few decades."

Kagome externally stayed calmed when she was internally scoffing and glowering. They hadn't left off on a great note. Actually, she would be surprised if their relationship was still on key. Claudia had been a major factor with their situation. "I need your help." The word help struggled out of her mouth with distaste.

"Now don't give me that face." His remark perplexed Kagome. Had she shown her distaste? "But you are going to be more specific." He watched as Kagome attempted to stay calm. She had never been this antsy before, though she did do a good job containing it.

"I need to get to the Shinigami Dispatch. They've relocated their headquarters, and I don't know where it is." The man hummed as if contemplating as if he should. "Please."

"Well, since you're begging I suppose I can."

She responded, "You're so generous." She rolled her eyes. "By the way, what name do you go by now?"

"Undertaker. You may call me Undertaker."

Kagome had to be serious. She was intrusting these shinigami with her life. Quite literally in a sense. However, the current lack of organization was irritable as she was being sent all over the place. She kept being sent to different centres. To make things worse, Undertaker quickly left after appointing her to this nightmare and she kept being stared at by various shinigami because of her eyes. They clearly were aware that she didn't belong there because her blue eyes were different from their green-yellow shinigami eyes.

As she waited in line to speak to yet another supervisor, she saw a familiar face a bit of a distance away. He was a tall man with short, neatly-combed, black hair who wore rectangular glasses. He was dressed in a black suit and lacked any form of enthusiasm towards a small group of people who Kagome guessed were trying to become full-fledge shinigami due to their lack of glasses. Glasses were essential for shinigami vision—or so she was told.

Leaving the line she was currently waiting in, she made her way over to the man. Kagome didn't get any recognition from him until she was in his personal space. When he recognised her appearance, he seemed annoyed that he had been interrupted. The students, however, were quite interested thinking that they might catch something important come out of her voice. "What would you like?" he asked.

For a moment Kagome was quiet. The group stared awaiting a response. "What would I like? What would I like, William T. Spears? I am quite positive that you owe me an explanation and that you should reassure me that—" Kagome looked at the youngsters. She figured that she didn't want to break their protocol if they didn't or weren't supposed to know. "You know what is safe and in one piece. I haven't been content with the recent disturbances."

William pushed up his glasses. "While the Shinigami Society may be aiding you, it would also do you well to recall that we have no obligation to do so. However, that being said we have accepted and complied with your request." He turned to the anxious newbies. "You may have a break as I take care of some other business." Whatever curiosity they previously had vanished with the thought of free-time; they could be lazy! "Follow me."

Kagome did not miss the beat and followed in his lead.

"Listen close Higurashi as I will explain this only once." Kagome listened expectantly but gave no recognition of her listening. "This new facility has heighten its security." They entered through another room that few had the authority to access. That room lead to another room that was completely white—from the floor, to the walls, to the ceiling. The thing that contrasted its emptiness was a wooden coffin with enchantments placed on it. "Your problems are safe here."

Kagome never spoke back. Instead her eyes were glued on the coffin. At first glance, she appeared more emotionless, calmer, when she stared at the death bed. Yet the sight also ignited something within her.

William stayed by the entrance as Kagome moved slowly to the sole object. A pounding sound echoed through her ears as she approached it. The magic surrounding it pulsated too. Kagome kneeled on the floor, her hands resting on the edge of the coffin. She pushed the cover far enough for it to fall off the other side and lean on the body of the framework. "Well, you've done your job. Thank you."

"If that's all, then I'll be taking my leave. There is much that I must do. I entrust that you will lock the path once you are done." With disinterest William left. The last thing he wanted to do was work overtime again.

Kagome stared at the body before her. This was what she has entrusted the shinigami to guard for centuries now. It was something that she couldn't afford to lose. Kagome looked up at the face. The eyes were closed, and the skin faintly pale, but the identity was unmistakable. The corpse was Kagome Higurashi's—it was her's.

I'm purposely leaving it at a cliff hanger, and I hope you enjoyed it.