Little Miss Hood

Chapter Two

Sebastian greeted Ciel in the same spot that the two hard parted ways. Apparently, as he explained later, wolves weren't allowed to get within a certain distance of civilization. It was one of the many rules among their kind. They also weren't supposed to step onto the estate of Vincent Phantomhive. However, Ciel already knew that.

"Well, that is a particularly new look," Ciel eyed Sebastian from head to toe. His eyes wavered a bit on the crotch area, for reasons. The man was dressed like a butler. The suit was a rather nice one. His tail poked out through a hole specially designed for those pants. His ears noticeable on his head. His claws too long. He couldn't wear gloves. But, that didn't matter. The wolf looked very dapper.

"Since your father lives in a manor, I figured looking like a butler would be fun. It suits me, does it not?" Sebastian outstretched his arms and turned around in a circle. His tailcoat spun with him.

Ciel giggled, "Mr. Big Bad Wolf has three tails."

"Little Miss Hood has a very interesting taste in humor," Sebastian said. He began walking when Ciel did. The two walked side by side to the manor. They talked of meaningless things. Things like what Ciel had done that day, what food he brought, if Sebastian had seen anything interesting in the woods. It was a wondrous conversation. Ciel quite looked forward to tomorrow. He couldn't wait to do the whole thing again.

"Goodbye, Mr. Big Bad Wolf," Ciel waved as he stepped over the invisible line.

"Goodbye, Little Miss Hood," Sebastian waved too. "Hope to see you again," he smiled to reveal his pointy teeth. Ciel snorted. The wolf was very clumsy at being friendly.

Vincent stood waiting for Ciel the moment he walked through the doors. His arms were crossed and his eyebrows furrowed. Usually Vincent was never expecting Ciel. He was always in the middle of something somewhere in the manor. He didn't look pleased either.

"You've been talking to a wolf, haven't you?" Vincent asked.

"I wouldn't say that..." Ciel averted his gaze. He shifted the basket in his hand to his other hand and then back again.

"You have, I saw you. I've seen you," Vincent took a step forward. "If I have seen you then they have seen you. Do you know what this means? Ciel, do you want to end up like me? Trapped here? Day in and day out? Unable to leave?" Vincent placed his hands on Ciel's shoulders. He stared him in the eyes. His own eyes revealing no secrets. No anger. No fear. That made Ciel all the more nervous.

"I wouldn't mind being trapped here with you, Father," Ciel spoke only the truth. He hated returning to the village. He would much rather stay in the manor all day with the parent he loved the most.

"You can't think like that," Vincent ran a hand through his hair and turned around. He walked a few steps before turning around again and facing Ciel. "I'm not going to ask you to avoid him. I'm just going to ask you to be careful. Please, Ciel, will you be careful? Don't get too attached..."

Ciel nodded. How could he tell his father that he was already attached? Being friendly with wolves must run in the family. First his father and now him. Would he really be cursed? Ciel refused to think about it any longer. He held out the basket and smiled. "Let's eat, I didn't eat much for breakfast..."

Vincent smiled too. "Yes, let's eat."