Chapter 1

That Butler, Deceived

It felt like any other day at the Phantomhive Estate. It was almost noon, and Sebastian was on his way to serve afternoon tea to Ciel Phantomhive, his young master. Sebastian had just reached the study his young master was currently occupying. He was about knock on the door to announce his entry, when he heard a faint sound coming from the front of mansion. It was a sound he was familiar with, but not one that he had any interest in hearing. The sound of Grell Sutcliffe's Death Scythe.

Sebastian ran to the location he had perceived the sound was emanating from, noticing it was growing steadily louder as he approached. Louder, he thought, than one would expect it grow from simply closing in on the source. The realization of what was happening hit Sebastian; Grell was cutting his own entrance into the mansion! Sebastian rushed quickly to try to prevent further destruction of his young master's house.

Unfortunately, Sebastian arrived far too late. As he reached the foyer, he heard a loud crash. There was a cloud of dust floating where the crash had originated. Sebastian stood, shocked by what he was seeing. As the cloud dissipated, Grell came into view, standing on what looked like a pile of rubble. Behind him, a gaping hole could be clearly made out in the mansion's front door.

Sebastian's jaw dropped, and his eyes went wide. Never before had anyone demonstrated such insolence in front him before. As Sebastian tried to regain his composure, Grell began to approach him. He spoke, while leaping at Sebastian, "Oh, Sebas-chan, I've missed you!" Sebastian quickly threw up his arm to block Grell's advance. The sudden stop caused Grell to fall flat on his face.

With a cold voice, and harsh glare, Sebastian began to speak. "You have damaged my young master's mansion. What made you think that action would be acceptable?" Grell picked himself off the floor, and rubbed his sore face. His eyes met Sebastian's cold expression, and a chill ran up his spine. "Owww. I needed to speak with you."

Sebastian walked away from Grell, and towards the door to inspect the damage that had been done. He ran his index finger along the freshly cut hole in the door, then turned his attention to the pile of debris on the floor. He picked up a piece, and held it in his hands for a moment, then returned it to it's place on the floor. Sebastian then turned back to Grell, and spoke, slightly calmer. "That is no excuse for not properly using the entrance. You should consider yourself fortunate, because as the Phantomhive's butler, it is well within my ability to fix this mess you have created."

Sebastian quickly pulled the broken door off the hinges, then picked up the pieces that had been sliced away as well, carefully balancing all the debris without obscuring his view. Grell watched eagerly, giddy at this display of strength and grace. "Sebas-chan, how amazing!" Sebastian ignored this comment, and simply walked outside with the clutter in his hands. He returned a moment later holding a new door, a perfect replica of the one that was intact and in place only moments ago. Sebastian placed it on the hinges, making sure it matched the location of the previous door perfectly.

Once he had finished, Sebastian turned back to Grell, who had begun to grow impatient, tapping his foot on the floor to display that fact to Sebastian. "Now that your rudeness has been attended to, perhaps we can discuss the matter of why you're here again," Sebastian spoke, emotionless. Grell responded, "Listennnn~ Some souls have begun mysteriously vanishing in a small town to the south of here. I need your handsome assistance," Grell finished with a wink at Sebastian.

Sebastian was filled with disgust after the wink. He spoke with a tone reflecting that feeling, "I cannot just leave my young master unattended all day to help with Death Reapers' problems." Grell walked towards Sebastian, ignoring his comment. He quickly grabbed Sebastian's arm, and began to speak, trying to pull Sebastian along. "No time to waste, let's go!"

Sebastian swiftly pried Grell's hands from his arms. He smoothed out his sleeve, which had become crinkled from Grell's tight grip. Sebastian let out a quick sigh, "Perhaps my young master can live without me for a short while today, his schedule is quite full. I shall inform him and the other servants of the situation. Please wait here for my return, and kindly refrain from causing any more damage to my young master's mansion in my absence." He finished this comment with his trademark grin, then walked off.

Sebastian found the other servants in the kitchen. He informed them of the situation, and gave them basic instructions for dealing with the young master while he was out. They nodded as he explained, and responded with an energetic "Yes!" in unison when he asked if his instructions were understood.

Sebastian then proceeded back upstairs to Ciel's study. He took a deep breath to prepare himself for his young master's impending judgment. Sebastian walked in, and began speaking immediately, "Forgive my lateness young mas-." Ciel cut him off before he could continue, "I don't want to hear your excuses, just make sure it doesn't happen again." Sebastian bowed, and humbly spoke, "Yes, my lord."

Sebastian spoke calmly as he served Ciel his tea, "Young master, it would appear that there is a case of disappearing souls in nearby town. Grell Sutcliffe stopped by to ask my assistance in the matter. I thought perhaps with your schedule as full as it is today, that you wouldn't mind my absence for a short while to help deal with this matter." Ciel looked up from his cup for a moment, "I suppose I can let you go off for a short while to help, just make sure that my dinner isn't late like this tea was."

With a quick bow, Sebastian agreed, then walked out of the study, leaving Ciel to tend to his business in peace. He quickly returned to the foyer, to find Grell patiently awaiting his return. "Everything here should be taken care of here for a short while, so I have some spare time with which to assist you. Perhaps you can inform me of this situation that so desperately requires my assistance.

Grell eagerly jumped up seeing Sebastian return to the foyer. He threw his arms tightly around Sebastian, then spoke quickly, "OH SEBAS-CHANNN!~ HOW I MISSED YOU! Don't ever leave me for so long again~." Sebastian was annoyed at yet another violation of his personal space by Grell. "If you insist upon clinging to me so tightly, I may just force you to handle this situation yourself, as any proper Death Reaper should." He pulled Grell off of himself, and straightened out his uniform once more.

Grell pouted as he spoke, "Sebas-chan, you're so mean. It would be easier for me to show you rather than explain things. You're ok with me leading, right?" He blew Sebastian a quick kiss as he finished his question. Sebastian found himself disgusted again by Grell's actions. "Why you feel you must act this way is beyond me. But I suppose I can ignore it for now, and follow you to the location."

Eagerly, Grell began to lead Sebastian towards their destination. After nearly an hour of traveling by foot, they arrived in what appeared to Sebastian as a completely deserted town. Grell began to look around, "It was here in this town," he said, with his voice drifting off at the end. Sebastian looks at Grell, with an expression of annoyance on his face. "You failed to mention ALL the souls had disappeared. I suspect you lack concrete information on the subject because you intended to trick me into investigating things for you, then claiming the credit for resolving the matter. Does that sound right to you?"

Grell giggled at this comment. "Oh my Sebas-chan, always so smart~. Well, come on, let's investigate together then," he said happily. Sebastian responds, with anger and contempt in his voice, "To think I left my young master alone for such trickery! Show me to the location of the first soul that disappeared. We'll start the investigation there. I'll simply resolve this matter quickly so that I may return to his side."

There was a glimpse of jealousy in Grell's eyes at the way Sebastian spoke of Ciel, with such care. Always wanting to be at his side. Grell knew he shouldn't have made up this lie to get Sebastian's attention. He looked downward to mask his pain, and lead Sebastian to a house he chose at random. Sebastian had calmed down by now, and it reflected in his voice as he asked, "What do you know of the soul that disappeared from here? Sex, age, profession, anything could matter. Additionally, were they scheduled to die and the soul was simply stolen, or was it someone who was to live awhile longer?"

"Uh...um...I...I'm not really sure..." Grell stuttered nervously at this questioning. This wasn't like him at all. Normally he was capable of composure in all situations, but his deep feelings for Sebastian were too much for him to keep to himself much longer. Sebastian easily noticed this nervousness, but mistook it for Grell being upset at the anger Sebastian had displayed just a few moments ago. Grell had hardly spoken, and hadn't even looked at Sebastian since then. "Do not fear, I have no intention of harming you for your trickery, if that is what is making you nervous." With a quick grin, Sebastian thought to himself, not yet at least. He spoke again to Grell, "Now then, calm yourself, and share what information you have on the missing souls here."

"It's.. it's not that...There really are no missing souls..." Grell sighed, "I just wanted to have you all to myself for one day." Grell looked away ashamed, "I wish you could look at me... the way you look at that boy." Sebastian was infuriated at this confession! Nobody had ever before shown him such insolence! With a harsh coldness in his voice, he said, "THAT BOY is my Young Master. To leave him unattended for an entire day would make me a disgrace to the Phantomhive estate. I have already troubled him enough as it is, and I have nothing to show for it. How do you suggest I explain this waste of my time to THAT BOY?"

"NOOO!" Grell cried, then threw himself at Sebastian's feet. "PLEASE PLEASE DONT BE MAAAD~" He started crying. "And please stop talking about that boy," Grell sniffled. "It hurts my feeling..." his voice began to drift off as he wiped the tears from his face. Sebastian was annoyed at this gaudy display of emotion, but he didn't let it show. "How do you expect me to not be mad. You've pulled me away from duties as the Phantomhives' butler for nothing."

Sebastian paused for a moment, to think to himself. Perhaps he could use this opportunity to his advantage, he realized. "However, the young master is expecting me to be away for another two hours... I might be willing to let you have my company for that time, in exchange for a favor from you. I can't say for certain what, or when, I'll ask, but you must agree to say yes, no matter what."

Grell's eyes opened wide at Sebastian's words. "You really mean it!" he smiled up at Sebastian as he asked, his thoughts running wild with the possibilities. Sebastian looked away from Grell with disdain. What might he have gotten himself into, he wondered. He turned back towards Grell, "You have my word. For the next two hours, I shall stay with you and not mention my young master. But only two hours, no more. Once your time is up, you will then owe me one favor, anything I ask. Are the terms of this agreement acceptable?"

Grell jumped up, his usual happy attitude had returned. "Of course Sebas-chan, whatever you want~! Now let's go, no time to waste!" He grabbed Sebastian's hand and began dragging him along the deserted town's main street. Sebastian began to question him plan. He had no idea what it was going to lead to, and that worried him. Two hours with this person, who agitated him more than anyone else. This might just be the worst two hours of my life he thought to himself, as Grell pulled him along the road to some unknow destination.