~1~
It was a complete debacle. Never, in the history of the whole kingdom or of the whole warped world, had this ever happened. But there it was, the letter, lying innocently, on his large polished desk. It had arrived that morning, as he had expected it would, delivered by one of the Higher Breeds. He stared at it; his eyes glowing as only feline eyes do, orbs or moons reflecting the yellow glow of the firelight.
The enemies were pressing hard at his gates and no other Kingdom had the power to help him but that of the Black King and his army of panting morons. He had to admit that though the Canines were an inferior race, they had survived just as long as the Felines and that every unit of his army was well-matched in strength and skill by the other.
He sighed.
That much was true. The Pact proved that. His father had been wise to end the war between the Kingdoms. It just wasn't practical, sending all those people and precious resources, loosing troops and fighting just because they were superior and more refined. Yes, they must endure for that very reason- they must help the brutes by befriending them- showing them how it is to live as a civilized species. He wondered how it was that the tables had turned- how he now faced this letter asking for compensation for the other Kingdom's alliance and help.
He cursed under his breath.
The Reptilian army had been sacking the villages at the eastern border of his kingdom. Riders, Fliers and other monstrosities had left the fringe-dwellers in panic with their houses burnt, livestock gone, wives and children taken. It was brigandage at a wide scale- it was unappealing, immoral and generally lawless. In the centuries of war with the Canines, never had they fought like the Reptiles did. They were always at a level playing field, and no Canine-Mongrel, Higher Breed or Lycan had ever broken the rules of engagement. They were still weak from the conquest of lands to their North and from fighting the Arachnids, if their villages were continuously pillaged and their supplies taken- the Kingdom, no matter how great, would topple.
He had to act while the peasantry still believed in his ability to. He feared for their safety but also for his throne. If this were to continue the power of the people to go against him may be used and a rebellion will definitely happen.
He read the letter again.
It was in a fine flowing script, written with a steady hand. He had met the Canine King before, and the other was far from what he imagined. He was a young man, who had probably seen fewer summers and harvest moons than he. Black hair, like that of the Crows and red piercing eyes, he was not a Lycan- he didn't have the airs of a brute but he wasn't one of the Higher Breeds either. He was a whole new kind of Canine for no Mongrel could ever command the dignity and power he did as he entered the room. Surprisingly, he had grace and tact for the spoken word. He smiled amiably and treated everyone with respect though he still held a somewhat haughty air. It was rumored that he took no Queen nor did he have a harem and that so far, since Grell the Insane, he seemed one of the oddest Canines to ever acquire of any position in court.
As he mooned over this, he heard a quiet knock followed by the sound of the great oaken door opening. He turned to see a white bundle running, with unsteady feet, towards him.
"Father!" the little voice squeaked as the billowing mass of cotton came crashing on him.
"Ciel…" he took the child in his arms and heaved him up.
The kitten giggled and laughed flailing his arms in a frenzy- his soft teal hair, so much like the King's, mussed and in disarray.
"Oh Vincent, you spoil him…" a stately woman entered. Her flowing blonde hair braided and tied at the back.
The child had her bright blue eyes.
"Well, Rachel, who reads him bead time stories every night even at his age?" the father asked humor in his eyes.
"But I'm only six! Lizzy still gets stories! Although I don't think I'd like auntie to read mine-if I were her…"
The couple smiled. Their little prince was surely still a kitten with his wide eyes and twitchy teal-colored ears.
"Well come on Kitten, sleep is important or else you'll never grow. Father has to finish a few things too."
The kitten pouted but he obliged and reached out for his mother's hand.
"Good night, Father!" he waved enthusiastically as the door creaked shut.
He felt more desolate than ever. Ciel was his heir and more importantly his only son. How could he agree to give him up to the other Kingdom? He thought of how cruel it would be for the child to live amongst those he did not know, to be different and maybe even scorned. That precious little child was the future of his Kingdom; but if he were to keep Ciel there would be no Kingdom to give that future to. He thought of the other King again. He promised to treat the young prince as well as any Lycan of his house, to care for him and keep him then give him back when all is over and done. All he wanted was the child to learn of the Canines and maybe a stronger bond might bind the two powerful Kingdoms.
"Think of it, dear Monarch, as a simple education for the young Prince. Assured he will be well and loved here as much as any young noble is- this is all I ask in payment for the help we offer against your enemies. If this may be- your enemies shall be my own and every Canine under my command shall be under the same banner as long as the war does not yield our side victorious. You have my word and my honor on that…"
He knew that the word of the Canine was something he was bound to by culture and nature. All of those that had promised and had not delivered were put to death by law no matter the rank or power he held. It was the Canine way- but his heart would not rest steady. He had so little time to teach Ciel all he had wanted the child to know. A mere three years until their contract became valid and the prince taken to the Western End were the kingdom of the dogs flourished amidst the rocky untamed coasts.
He closed his eyes and prayed to the gods.
Let the boy keep faith, let him have courage and most of all let the child know that no matter where he was or whatever happens- he was loved.
He took the quill and, on a fresh scroll of parchment, sealed all their fates.
He tried hard not to cry as he looked around-nothing seemed familiar
He had been so happy to have been allowed to move about in the Great Capital for the Solstice. The city was a wonderland of lights, glazed by the white snow that fell and caked the streets. Usually, his parents wouldn't allow him to go wandering even with an escort but he'd somehow convinced them that he'd be fine and that since it was his birthday he had been promised one special wish. The royal couple seemed reluctant at first but they really couldn't break their word and so by mid-morning of the following day the little kitten was dressed in his fur and velvet coat ready for the short ride to the Center.
It didn't take long for him to get lost in all the excitement and bustle of the city. The coming Solstice was always a good reason for all the nobles to over-spend more than they usually do and, as everyone knew, there was no better place to spend good money than the Great Capital. It was neutral ground for all Kingdoms and tribes where one could trade and buy goods without fear of bias. The little prince was fascinated by the various wares displayed in large shiny glass windows. Jewelry, clothes, books, pets and other things he had never seen in his life, anything one could possibly put a tag price on was there.
The glass fogged as he placed his face close to it.
"Tanaka this is the biggest candy store I've seen in my life!" he exclaimed almost trembling with excitement.
The old man tried to catch his breath as he ran up to the boisterous child.
"Highness, you have personal chefs at home ready to make anything you may want." He reminded the young monarch.
"It's not the same- look there are other children from different races!" he pulled the door and all but ran inside. The attendant sighed but did his best to match the vigor his Master showed.
Inside was a colorful universe of various wrapped, jarred and boxed sweets. The boy was sure that every single candy ever invented was there as he looked at the high shelves with a quiet awe. The building reached to the third floor and in the middle of the large circular room stood a huge pine tree covered with red and white- stripped canes. Children were running around grabbing from this or that jar, taking from this or that box and it didn't matter if they were of different Kingdoms the store catered to whatever taste they preferred. From chocolate-covered flies to licorice shaped like balls of yarn they had it all.
He wasn't sure but maybe he'd died and gone to heaven.
"Highness please wait!" Tanaka called at the overly-excited prince.
"Just wait for me outside, Tanaka. I'll be fine!" he called over his shoulder before he disappeared into the pillars of colored shelves.
It really didn't take much to lose the boy- with all the people and all his running around because of the sugar in his veins. Noon came up and the little kitten was hopelessly lost somewhere in the big city.
Now he stood by an unfamiliar bridge trying to keep calm and keeping his tears in check. He couldn't remember how many turns he was from the candy shop or which way it generally was. He gathered he was at the other end of the city since none of the shops or the other landmarks seem familiar. He took one last sweep of his surroundings, on the other side of the bridge where he stood was a long wide side walk lined with park benches. He finally felt how tired he actually was from the running and the worry as he trudged through the snow to one of the nearest benches.
'It's good that the snow stopped a few hours ago' he mused as he brushed the thin white layer of frost on the wooden bench. He took as seat and curled himself up to keep warm.
'Tanaka must be worried sick- he must have gone home to tell mother and father…" thoughts of how to get home started to run through his head. He knew the city was huge and dangerous for a kitten like him. Suddenly, he felt small and scared. His panic slowly rose as he thought of how things maybe if he was never found. His wide sapphire eyes started to water. His nursemaid had told him that, sometimes, in big cities, awful things happen to little kittens- something like they get turned into filling for hot bread buns.
His stomach lurched.
He didn't want to be someone's afternoon snack! He closed his eyes hard, as if someone was about to hit him, and tried to push down his thoughts along with his tears.
"Is anything the matter little kitten? Are you lost?" a voice broke through his internal battle.
He opened his sharp eyes and looked up. It was a man way older than him but a little younger than his father. He had silky black hair that fell on his pale face and very red eyes that seemed to know what he was thinking.
He sniffed. His nursemaid had also told him about strangers and how they were the ones who made the kitten-bread buns. A shiver ran up his spine.
He continued to look at the man not daring to speak a word.
"Scared? I see, it's okay." He took as seat beside the boy.
The little prince noticed that the man was dressed rather simply but that his clothes were made of the same materials as his father's. His long black over coat seemed to be of fine quality and his black gloves were probably made of the best leather. He also noticed the stranger held a small colorful box that smelled of burnt sugar and cinnamon.
The raven-haired man must have noticed him looking and smiled.
"You like sweets? Here you could have some if you like…" He opened the cardboard box to show what Ciel would come to know as one of the best pastries he would ever have.
"Cinnamon rolls?" he murmured. His mouth was watering and his stomach grumbling but his mind was still some how reluctant.
"It's okay." The raven said taking one by its paper-covered base. "It's safe- I'll eat with you if you want."
He really couldn't stand it anymore- he got lost some time around noon and it was now the fifteenth hour. He took one and gave a small bite.
His eyes widened and he almost forgot he was a lost child in the middle of a huge dangerous city. It was delicious- more memorable than anything anyone had ever prepared for him. He knew that there would be nothing better and he just wanted to forget his manners and take the whole box for himself.
"Is it to your liking?" the man asked finishing his roll as if it were nothing special.
He nodded his head vigorously, trying to prolong chewing every bite just to savor the spice of the cinnamon and the perfectly made caramel. He tasted the nuts and butter well- it was as if everything formed one good taste without loosing their own particular flavor.
"Well, if you want I could spare another one…" the other offered.
He must have looked really happy since the other smiled at patted his head gently.
"Children really love sweets, don't they?" he wore a warm gentle expression that made him all the more attractive.
He took a bigger bite. It was still warm at the core as if freshly baked. It felt like home- it felt like one of the home-cooked dinners he'd always dreamed of having. It wasn't just warm to the tongue but also to the heart and he didn't feel so lost or cold anymore.
He blinked. He wasn't scared anymore.
"Thank you…" he smiled at the stranger after he'd finished eating.
"You're welcome." The man did likewise. "are you lost?"
"yes…" he wanted to trust the raven-haired man somehow it was as if he was meant to.
"I see. Do you remember where your house is?"
Ciel shook his head.
"Does West End ring a bell?"
Now that he mentioned it, it did. He'd heard his parents say it numerous times.
"Yes, I think so…" he bowed his head-embarrassed that he didn't even know where their house was.
"I'm going there you could just tell me which house you live in and I'd be happy to take you home." The other seemed to like smiling since he did so again.
"Ah…." The little prince thought but he knew he'd say yes anyway since he had no other choice and because he'd somehow placed his trust on the man. "yes, that would be a great help- thank you…."
The other stood and offered his hand to the kitten which the other gratefully took.
"Sir, what is your name?" he asked as they walked beside each other.
"I'm sorry for not introducing myself-"the other chuckled bowing slightly in apology. "my name is Sebastian- and yours?"
"My name is Ciel!" he started to perk up again.
The grip that held his hand was gentle yet strong. It was protective warmth against the cold and the fear of being so small and lost.
"You seemed so rattled then- are you okay now?" Sebastian asked in a gentle voice.
"Quite, I don't feel like I'm lost anymore" he gave the older man's hand a slight squeeze. "Thank you again for taking me home!"
Scarlet eyes grew wider as the child smiled at him- the winter light making the boy's face all the more beautiful and surreal. Sebastian squeezed back just so he could be sure that the boy really was beside him and it wasn't all a figment of his imagination.
The letter reached him and he smiled- things were going perfectly well.
"Just a little more time, Ciel."
He stood from his black marble throne and proceeded to the council room where his ministers and generals awaited him.
He pushed the doors opened for him and all rose to greet their king.
"Members of the esteemed Council, we have a war at hand…." His scarlet eyes shone with a cold murderous light.
Author's note:
I just wanted to post something so here it is the product of a long lecture and hours upon hours of thought! I just wanted to write a fic about something I heard of late and this came out of my bleeding head! I hope you enjoy. I think I'll update pretty quick on this one since there is a lot to go on and I got it planned more or less ^_^ , you know the drill! Please review! Oh and I'll start answering reviews now since my internet finally died and got a better one! If you think Sebastian is something of too sweet here and Ciel is too innocent and happy well Ciel was five when he got lost and you know Sebastian he's indescribable (I've only started reading the manga and I see a different side to him every now and then- I love the very short council scene though hahaha)