I do not own Kuroshitsuji, owned by Yana Toboso
Story based off information from first season of Anime
p.s. I am aware that Sebastian is the name Ciel gives him and that the way he looks is to resemble Ciel's father, but I could not picture him any other way, with any other name… sorry
A Demon's Past
The streets of London were chaotic, as Ciel and Sebastian made their way to get the young master's new suit tailored for his upcoming meeting with other English nobles. The cool crisp air of spring nipped at Ciel's face making him pull his coat tighter around his neck.
"I hate having to come all the way to London just for a suit, my time is needed elsewhere," Ciel said irrigation littering his expression and voice. His uncovered eye glanced over his shoulder to his ever present shadow, Sebastian, demanding a favorable answer from the tall man dressed in black.
"Yes my lord the inconvenience is great, but unavoidable. Only the best tailor is suited for my master and given the time constraints I was unable to bring such a man to the manor," Sebastian replied, his common closed eyed smile seemed to mock the situation, somewhat annoying Ciel further.
"Fine," Ciel stated plainly "let's make this quick then, shall we."
"Yes my lord."
Minutes turned to hours and the sun had begun its fall from the sky before Ciel and Sebastian made their way back to the carriage, the young master leading as always, his head held high, making everyone think twice before taking the boy lightly. Sebastian was strolling behind his arms full with various boxes, containing any and all accessories needed for a distinguished gentleman's attire.
Then just as they turned the corner toward the carriage Sebastian saw her, and for a frozen instant her brilliant green eyes met his deep red gaze. Sebastian stopped his eyes fixed on her. The woman was lean wearing an elaborate black dress, the delicate lace design decorating the corseted waist and skirt. She held a folded umbrella in her gloved hands, her long black hair flowing free in loose curls, dancing in the slight breeze. It was as if time was standing still for her, painting her like a master piece, every detail of her enhanced. Sebastian could not believe he was the only one staring at her, her beauty should have made every man, woman, and child stop to admire her. Seconds which seemed like minutes past, her eyes penetrating his own gaze, she stood with St. Paul's Cathedral behind her, it in flames in the setting sun. Transfixed Sebastian lost his grip on the boxes in his hands, suddenly dropping them. Only the loud slam of them hitting the cobblestone street brought him back to reality.
"What on earth are you doing!" Ciel shouted.
"Forgive me master I was distracted," Sebastian said, quickly gathering the fallen containers. Glancing back hastily to the spot where he had seen his diversion, disbelief marked his expression when she was nowhere to be found. His deep red eyes wide as he searched the street for her.
"What could have you so unfocused?"
"Nothing my lord, I thought I saw someone I once knew that's all. Shall we go young master?"
"Indeed." Ciel said turning quickly back down the street toward the carriage, Sebastian followed and though he knew she would not be there, he could not help but glace back across the street to where she once stood. He was sure that he had seen her; he could not fathom why his mind would have fabricated her otherwise. Or could his eyes have deceived him, it had been over 3,000 years since he last saw her and yet just a glance, just the thought of her even, had his black heart racing. Memories that he had long forgotten filtered back into his mind, and images of a man he no longer knew plagued his thoughts. A man whose soul was eaten away over time, to produce an empty shell he was now.
Over 3,000 years ago
"Sebastian what on earth are you thinking! If you go out into the wasteland you will be killed!" the elder of the village yelled as Sebastian grabbed his bow and arrows from their holster.
"My family is starving, I cannot sit idly by and watch my mother and sisters suffer, if going into that wasteland brings back food then I must do it," he said, his dark eyes holding a fire in them the old man could not argue with.
"You will meet the same fate as your father then." an old woman stated from her seat next to the fire, sipping lightly on her tea.
"Shut your mouth you old hag!" the elder yelled at his wife, however leaning in close to Sebastian he spoke in hushed tones "she is right you know"
"I still have no choice in the matter; I can handle any barbarian that stands in my way." Sebastian said adjusting his robes as he spoke.
"It is not the men in that place that will kill you," the old woman spoke again, worry and hesitation marked her voice.
"What do you mean, if you are speaking of monsters from the gods, I do not believe in such stories," Sebastian stated plainly making his way to the door of the rather large hut.
"That is precisely what I mean, and you are a fool if you do not heed my warning, there are beast in that land that will charm you, and eat your very soul, and remember not all monsters are so plain to see," the old woman said. Placing her hands on her knees she pushed herself up from her seat, and walked over to the table, grabbing hold of a grey stone.
"Take this," she said, tossing it over to Sebastian.
"This is a rock." he replied, looking back at the old woman with a critical brow.
"That is not just a rock that was taken from the river on a full moon and contains river salts, that rock, as you so plainly put it, will ward off evil spirits. So carry it with you wherever you go, do you understand?" the woman snapped.
"Fine, I will be back before sun down," Sebastian said
"Good because that is when evil is free to wander, it will be best if you are back by then," the woman continued, sighing Sebastian walked outside, this was to be his first time so far outside the village and he was a bit nervous, the elders words and those of his wife had not put his mind at ease; but he had to this, for his family if for nothing else. He was one of the best hunters in his village but with time the game had grown thin and less and less people had food to eat. He left the village with nothing but his bow and arrow and the rock in his robes, he had to come back with food, no matter what. The country side was vast, hills rolling into the horizon, never ceasing their green pursuit. Looking back down the hill Sebastian, stared at his home, it was a small village of little importance to the world, but it was his home. Nestled by two hills it sat protected from the harsh winds of the plains, a meager 20 huts lined the narrow dirt street, all of which looked out of place compared to the green expanse that lay just beyond its borders. However Sebastian's sights were now set on his new destination, past the green hills painted by the sun, to the distant mountains shrouded in fog, untouched by the hands of man.
For hours he walked, measuring his footfalls to not scare off potential prey, but with each hour that passed and the closer he drew to the mountain side the less luck he had. There was no sign of any animals, fear that they had all migrated on, edged its way into his heart. Without food his family and village would surely die. He kept walking hoping with every noise he heard that a large stag just laid past it, that over every hill he would find a boar just waiting to be plucked from life. But with every noise he found it was only his own, and with every hillside he was met with empty grass. Despair hit him hard, and as the sun was falling closer to the horizon he dared not to turn back without food, he would not. His only choice of action was to draw nearer to the mountains, to the wastelands he so wanted to avoid. He walked until he met the mountain, placing his hand on the stone cliff side he sank to his knees, resting his head against the cool stone. He had found nothing and the sun was now just above the horizon setting the sky on fire, it losing the power to light the world.
"DAMNIT!" he yelled, sitting back to rest against the stone base. He closed his eyes listening to the world around him, slowly he began to relax, laying down his bow, and he wrapped his arms across his chest. This place was unnervingly quiet, and Sebastian's mind was free to wander. Slowly he took out the grey stone from his robes, twirling it with his fingers.
"A lot of help you have been," he said, then with a wave of emotion he acted without thinking, throwing the stone as far as he could. He watched as it bounced along the ground then disappear in the tall grass. Placing his face in his palm he sighed deeply. Just as he did a sound caught his attention.
"Meow?" Sebastian's eyes snapped open, finding instantly the source of the noise. A large black cat sat atop the hill in front of him, staring at him as if confused by his presence.
"Hey there," he said slowly leaning down to grab his bow, unsheathing an arrow with his other hand. He did not like the idea of returning to the village with just a merger cat but it was better than nothing at all. He positioned himself in a proper stance, pulling back the bow's string as tight as it would allow, the sounds of the twine tensing rang in his ears. The cat merely sat atop the hill, wagging its tail vigorously, its sharp green eyes never leaving Sebastian's face. Steading his breath and hands Sebastian prepared to fire and with one fluid motion the arrow left the bow, hurtling toward its prey. In the last possible moment that cat hissed and jumped, darting over the top of the hill and out of view.
"Oh no! you don't!" Sebastian yelled, grabbing another arrow from its sheath, he darted up the hill after the beast. He fired again wildly as he reached the top of the hill, the suns setting rays blinding him for a moment.
"You would dare kill a cat," a calm, female voice said. Sebastian fell back in shock, landing on his backside with great force, he could only sit and stare at the woman, his eyes wide and mouth slightly open in astonishment. She was by far the most gorgeous woman he had ever seen. Her skin was a pale as the moon, making her long stark black hair all the more vibrant. She had large green eyes and full pale lips, her face lean, with beautiful strong cheek bones. She was wearing nothing but a long silk-like black robe, tied off with an equally long deep red sash; the robe falling off her shoulders to expose more of her effervescent skin, giving her an hourglass figure. Sebastian's eyes could not help but wander to her exposed cleavage, trailing down to focus on her bare legs and feet, which the slit of the robe exposed. His pulse increased with every passing second that he gazed upon her. Moments that seemed like hours passed between them, her eyes never leaving his face. Another wave of shock hit Sebastian when he looked to her hand, in her lean fingers, with long nails painted in harsh black, she held his arrow; the black cat from before rubbing itself upon her ankles, walking in entwined circles around her slender legs.
"Cats are messengers of the underworld, it could be quite unwise to kill one, thus its message never reach the proper ears" she continued, bending down to give the cat a sweet rub down its body.
"...Sorry..." was all Sebastian could manage to get his mouth to say.
"You should not be apologizing to me, you should be to him." she said lifting the cat from the ground and resting it in her arms to look at the young man sprawled on the ground.
"...Sorry" he said again looking at the cat this time as he spoke. Laughter radiated from the mysterious woman, it was a beautiful laugh, one that Sebastian instantly wanted to hear again. Dropping the cat back to the ground she placed a hand over her mouth to stop herself from laughing further.
"I did not think I would actually see a man apologize to an animal," she said, as she walked over to him, extending her hand to the fallen man. In response Sebastian quickly crawled away, standing again he reclaimed his bow, taking an arrow he aimed it at her heart. He was met with shocked eyes, the woman swiftly placing her outstretched hand over her heart.
"You wish to kill me now? I assure you the cat would make a better meal," she said.
"I was warned of beasts in this land that wish to eat the souls of the living."
"Beasts?" the woman said looking hurt by his words "Do I look like a beast to you?" her eyes begging him to be kind to her.
"No, but not all monsters are so plain to see," he replied.
"Awe, you are quite wise then," she said, giving them the distance she knew the young man craved, slowly she lowered herself to the ground, tucking her legs beneath her, the black cat eagerly laying down in her lap. The wind blew her hair about her face, and body, creating a veil hiding her expressions from him.
"Are you saying that you are one of these monsters?" he asked, not releasing the tension in his bow.
"Yes… I am a demon that devours the souls of humans," she answered quite plainly. Sebastian tightened his grip on his bow with her words
"There is no need for that, I caught your last arrow with ease what makes you think I will not be able to do it again." She continued turning to look at him again.
"Why would you tell me what you are?" Sebastian yelled.
"Because I have no intention of eating your soul, thus there is no harm in telling you what I am, however the greater question to me is why you have not tried to get away, why have you not run from me? Even now as my back is turned to you," she said running a long hand down the cats back, its purrs of delight plain to hear.
"I can't run, I can't do anything until I find food for my family."
"Really? How noble, risking your life for the sake of others, and refusing to give up even in the face of danger. Perhaps your soul is worth devouring" in response Sebastian raised his bow again, until he heard her laughs.
"Oh calm down! I will not hurt you... actually I have a proposition for you" she said turning around to face him once more, smiling as she spoke.
"If you return here tomorrow, I will give you what you seek."
"Why do you want me to return, what will I have to pay to get help from a demon?"
"I want you to return merely because I have lived for a very long time, and I have grown quite lonely, your company would be very welcomed. As for the price for my assistance is only your time." she said.
"I can't trust you to keep your word," he said.
"Fine take this rose," she said producing a beautiful red rose out of thin air "and with it my name, if at any moment you feel I have betrayed you, merely crush it in your hand, I will have no choice but to leave this world." raising her wrist to her mouth she bit at her own flesh, the dark red blood dripping upon the petals of the rose. Extending the flower to her cautious guest, he slowly walked over to accepted it, her cool fingers touching his for only a moment
"And your name?" he asked, a smile spread across her expression
"Evey"
"Fine I will be here tomorrow," Sebastian stated plainly looking back to the rose.
"I am so glad to hear it!" Evey said, shooing the cat off her lap toward Sebastian.
"Take him with you, it will be far too dark for you to find your way home, this cat will see that you make it there. Now let's get you what you seek now shall we." She continued standing.
"I have looked everywhere; I doubt you will find anything quickly," he said, looking down at the cat that was to be his companion.
"I am simply one hell of a woman, don't underestimate me so quickly," she said, raising her hand into the air, the wind surrounding her picked up, throwing her clothes and hair violently about her. Then as if called, a large stag appeared on the opposing hill, the last sun's rays making only its outline visible. Running straight for Evey it did not stop until at her side, gabbing hold of its antlers her hand pet down its long face.
"Is this acceptable for you?" she asked.
"Yes… of course..." Sebastian said in disbelief at what he was seeing.
"Good." She replied with a smile, then the beast collapsed to the ground dead, not a single wound on its body.
"How on earth did you do that?" he yelled running over to the downed stag, rubbing his hand over the still warm body. Sebastian looked up quickly when he received no answer. To his surprise he was alone on the hill, with nothing but the stag and the cat. Looking around for the woman that saved him from hunger, his eyes found nothing in the dying sun.
"Then I guess I will see her tomorrow then," he said, looking back to the cat who sat next to the fallen stag, hunger present in its eyes. In response the black cat yawned, stretched its long body then rubbed its self against Sebastian's arm.
"I guess it's time for you to show me home then." He said smiling down at the cat, rubbing its ears as he spoke.
To be continued… Thanks for reading!