The light from outside stung Sarah’s eyes, making her moan and toss around restlessly. The familiar feeling of Yuki’s fur comforted her, and her eyes fluttered open.

Her hunch was right--Yuki was resting beside her, his chest heaving up and down silently. Sarah stroked his white fur, making him whimper and rub his head against her palm.

Chuckling, she continued to stroke him until he stopped, getting up groggily as she withdrew her hand.

“Morning, Sarah.” He shook himself, then had a good, long yawn.

“Good morning,” she groaned, her back to him in an attempt to hide her grin. Yuki dropped off the bed with a ‘tap’ of his long claws, and walked around the blue and golden sheets of the bed. Before Sarah could react or wipe the grin off her face, he was raising an eyebrow at her with a frown.

It was usually a look that meant: ‘Really, Sarah?’ But this time it wasn’t that--there was something else mixed in it. She decided to look closer and then it was almost clear to her--

“Sarah! How many times have I told you not to stroke me in my sleep?!” Yuki yelped at her, obviously irritated. Sarah took the strange look as anger, and shrunk back.

“I-I’m sorry, Yuki! It was just so tempting, and I was half asleep anyway…” His expression softened, and he licked her cheek affectionately, making her giggle.

“No. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have yelled at you. You are still a child, after all.” He smiled at her with those sharp teeth, and pulled back. A pang sat in Sarah’s chest as he moved away from her, and she whimpered softly.

Little did she know that Yuki felt the same pain, and a tear rolled down his cheek; for he had heard her small whimpers.

---

“Alright, we’re here.” Will stood gaping at the massive castle in front of him, made of gold and silver lines and even some simulation of stars on the roof, if one looked at a certain angle.

“Hey, kid! Come on!” Snapping out of his trance, Will started walking towards the golden gates, which had the initials “S.W.” on the gates.

He felt for the pocket watch in his pocket, and the smooth surface comforted him as he hesitantly walked through the gates.

Unblinking guards stood there in heavy armor, holding spears twice as long as themselves. Will cowered away a little, having seen pictures of these guards in history books.

This was the Victorian era, the 18th century.

Panicked, Will squeezed his hands firmly into fists and walked quickly to catch up, glancing at Clary who was still in her strange trance. Her eyes were even duller, if that were possible, and Will felt his heart flutter in sympathy.

Before he knew it, they were inside the massive wooden doors, passing through the long, dark hallways lit only by candlelight, until they were standing in front of a golden throne in which sat the queen.

She wore golden robes which trailed on the floor, and a red dress with blue lining. But she was…young! About 18 or 19, Will observed.

Well, he thought, this is a parallel universe, after all.

“So, you found foreigners, Ashton.” The girl swayed her golden hair aside and tucked a hand under her chin, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

“Yes, my lady.” Ash bent low, a hand over his beating heart.

“Alright. You may leave.” Ash bowed and, with a hand over his sheath which held a sword, left the room.

The queen observed them and their clothing for a few moments before clapping her hands.

“Take them and dress them properly.” A maid appeared at the door almost immediately and bowed, ushering them to follow her. Will gripped Clary’s hand and half carried her after the maid, for she was still utterly dazed.

When they were shown to the proper rooms, a butler took Will away into a room for men, and Clary was taken into the room just across the hall.

When the butler started dressing him, Will was deep in his own thoughts, worrying about Clary. She had been the only one who was really nice to him. She was a friend.

Before he knew it, his hair was brushed and he was dressed up in a suit and dress pants, and given a small golden badge which read: ‘Guest.’

Will was then taken outside into a massive garden. The queen was standing over the white roses,

taking in their scent. Her hair was in a messy bun, and she wore her silver crown over her golden hair.

Her clothes had changed as well; she wore a blue dress with a small rose-colored cape draped over her shoulders to keep her warm. Clary sat on a nearby bench, wiping her eyes with the long sleeves of her green dress.

Will walked towards her and patted her shoulders, making her look up with teary eyes. The dullness was gone from them, and the gold gleamed as it always did.

“W-Will! We--we’re in the Victorian era- ”

“Yes, I know, Clary.” She was shaking her head and gripping him tightly, and it was all he could do to keep from wincing.

“I don’t like it here! I want to go back…”

“Shush…. We will go back, I promise. But now you must act. Act like you know where this is and you are not surprised. We don’t want to make them suspicious.”

Clary nodded at him and wiped her eyes again, taking a few deep breaths and putting on a fake smile. Will mimicked her smile and held out his hand.

“M'Lady?” She chuckled and took it, standing up and dusting off her dress. They started towards the queen, slowly.