{This is my second Kuroshitsuji fanfic. Let me give you a little insight to the storyline at this point...

~Lizzy is dead, and a mysterious secret may have died with her. The secret to the Earl's happiness. Find out what happens when Ciel's childhood friend visits.~

There you go. I don't want to give too much away. I hope you enjoy!}

Young Love...

"Emaline, just what do you think you are doing?" I asked the uninvited servant, anger threatening my tone. Of course, I was no match for this white-haired, blue eyed maid. She was a demon, and so, there was no way possible I could beat her at anything. And yet, I was master, and she, servant. What a delicious game it had turned out to be.

She bowed her head and curtsied slightly, showing her honest loyalty that still held true considering the circumstances. It would have seemed remarkable to anyone else that a creature of her paramountcy would be bowing to me, a feeble human, but in my sadistic eyes, it was none more than required.

"My apologies, madam Crimson, I was simply delivering your afternoon tea." She said in a crystal clear voice without a hint of emotion.

Checking my clock, I realized she was right about it being tea time. I sighed, hoping she'd actually been in the line of error for once. Emaline Roshburg. You could searched for that name in a dictionary and next to it, you would find, 'perfect, never in fault, demon'.

I squeezed my eyes shut and sighed for probably the thousandth time that day. Life was so utterly boring in the mansion since Emaline had been hired. She had been working for me since I was 12 years old, and yet, today seemed especially boring in her presence.

"What is my schedule for the rest of the day?" I asked, hoping there might be something, just something exciting planned. Being the head of the remaining Crimson family entitled I took over the family business. That being the scouts of the queen. The Crimsons were right up there with the Elderads and the Phan-

"My lady, are you listening? You have a few papers to sign and then a meeting with lord Ciel Phantomhive at 6." Emaline said a little louder, making sure to catch my attention.

I shivered involuntarily at the mention of the earl Phantomhive's name. It was known that the earl and I had been friends as young children, but I hadn't seen him in almost 4 years! Not since the death of his betrothed Elizabeth.

I mentally shook myself and stared blankly at Emaline, who was now beginning to look concerned. "Ready the coach, we're leaving immediately." I said, standing and pulling on my thick white coat.

"But, my lady, it's not even nearly 2 o' clock!" Emaline protested.

Glaring at her, I pulled up the sleeve of my jacket revealing a pale forearm covered with scars from a blade and the obvious pentagram embedded with roses in it's design. "That's an order."

Emaline's eyes shimmered for a second, perhaps out of irritation or flat out anger, but either way, she curtsied, and quickly exited the room with a quiet, "Yes, my lady."

…

We arrived at the Phantomhive manor at a little past 3. My estate was located not an hour and a half's drive from the earl's quarters, but I still never seemed to find the time to visit him. Both of us had been busy, I suppose, but it still seemed a little extreme. On the other hand, he'd made no effort to visit me either.

'This should be a touchy experience.' I thought, wondering if I might have listened to Emaline about arriving early. Softly though, that same little voice in the back of my head spoke reassuringly, 'Don't doubt your instincts.' I flushed slightly at the recognition of that voice, but then shivered, pretending it was the wind, and signaled for Emaline to help me out of the carriage.

Before I'd even stepped foot on the pavement, I heard the bustling and then the high pitched voices as the Phantomhive's servants came barreling toward me. It was that delightful maid I heard over the rest.

"Oh, lady Crimson! So long it's been, yes it has!" She cried in her shrill yet loveable voice.

Next came that adorable gardener. "Oh madam Crimson, it's so wonderful to see you again! Sir Sebastian told us you'd be arriving and had me plant some white roses in your honor! Oh, I do hope you like them!"

I glanced over to the side garden of the manor to find he was correct. Bush after bush of glistening ivory roses painted the green landscape. Beautiful, it was. A brush of a smile tinted my lips and I looked back over to the cook, whom was now speaking.

"Madam Crimson." He took one of my gloved hands and bowed, lightly touching his lips to the fabric. Always a gentleman, that chef was.

"Oh Bard, get that filthy thing out of your mouth. Bad for your health you know." I spoke with a hint of laughter to my voice. He blushed and pulled the cigarette out of his mouth and quickly put it out.

"My apologies, madam. Such a big heart you have, always concerned for my well-being." He spoke with his delightfully deep accent.

Suddenly breaking through the small crescent that had formed around me, the devilish butler, Sebastian Michaelis, smirked at me and bowed, hand over heart. "My lady Crimson, what a delight to have you in our presence again. I know my master has been anticipating this meeting with great excitement." The demon smiled and gestured to Emaline. "Miss Roshburg, always a pleasure to see you as well."

"The same to you, mister Michaelis." Emaline replied bluntly. You would never have guessed these two had once been in a romantic affair. But both being demonic servants that must relate on a professional basis, it was only natural to hide all emotions when in front of their masters.

I shivered slightly and Sebastian and Emaline noticed at the same moment. It was always a competition between these two. A subtle competition, but a battle none the less. Emaline was first to react this time.

"Madam, I suggest we get you inside before you catch cold." She said looking at myself, but I could see the smirk of satisfaction on her lips. Sebastian smiled as well, seeing their little game would continue. 'Will they ever stop?' I wondered.

"Right this way, madam Crimson. The earl awaits." Sebastian spoke quietly as he led us into the manor.

Once inside, I saw that not much had changed. Same wallpaper, same flooring, even the same furniture. Nothing new or out of the ordinary, but that's when I saw him. He slowly descended the staircase. Ciel Phantomhive.

Looking at this man now in front of me, I saw barely a remnant of the boy I once knew. He was nearly a foot taller than when I had last laid eyes on him, and he was now considerably a head higher than I. His once neatly trimmed, short sapphire hair was now just a touch longer, but mainly swept to one side over his eye patch. His one deep blue eye was now even darker than before and seemed to be almost black rather than navy. His lips were pulled into a tight line that showed no hint of laughter nor smiling. Work and worry shown on his young face, but there was something else. Some emotion I could not find.

"Nyx?" He asked, the slightest hint of doubt tainting his voice, as if he weren't sure it was me.

"Ciel?" I asked back, equal doubt in my tone.

We stared at each other for a long moment before I could help myself no longer. I threw my arms around his waist and hugged him tight, knowing he would be flustered and reject the hug I offered him. To my pure bewilderment, he wrapped his arms around my shoulders and shared the embrace. This apparently not only surprised I, but everyone around us as well as a collective gasp was heard.

We quickly separated ourselves and I looked away, blushing slightly. To my surprise, it was Ciel that spoke first.

"It's been far to long, Nyx Crimson." He said, the longing of memories filling his tone.

I smiled up at him. "Yes, yes it has, Ciel Phantomhive."

We shared this smile for just a moment before a moan was heard from behind me and I turned to see the maid clutching her nose. Emaline and Sebastian both held out handkerchiefs for her to use as blood dripped down her cheek.

"Not another nosebleed!" Maylene cried out.

I chuckled slightly as I suddenly felt a hand on my arm. I turned to see Ciel. He slightly tugged on my sleeve, and motioned for us to leave the help to their business. I nodded and looked back, making eye contact with Emaline. Sebastian looked up at Ciel as well. Both slightly nodded as the sapphire-haired man led me up the staircase.

…

I sat in a chair next to the fire as Ciel called for Sebastian to make us some tea. Of course, the butler was already carrying a tray into the room seconds after the earl spoke. The ebony-haired demon poured both of us a cup of tea and then looked to his master.

"That will be all, Sebastian." Ciel spoke bluntly.

"But... master?" Sebastian questioned, slightly doubtful of leaving the two of us alone together.

"Do not make me repeat myself, Sebastian. Leave. Now." The sapphire-haired man spoke coldly.

The butler turned on his heels and exited the room without another word. I watched him leave and then looked back over to Ciel. He sat, completely emotionless as he drank his tea. I shifted slightly in my seat, and he seemed to notice.

"I'm sorry if I'm making you uncomfortable." He spoke quietly.

"It's not that... It's just..." I sighed and looked at the fire.

To my surprise, Ciel groaned. "That's one thing I don't like about women. They never just tell you what they want. Everything is a puzzle."

When I looked back to him, he was staring down at his tea cup. It was obvious he'd been very stressed lately. I laid a hand on his shoulder and he looked up at me.

"Ciel, you know I'm here if you want to talk." I said sincerely.

He opened his mouth and then quickly shut it again. "I suppose there is no use trying to lie to you. You know me better than I perhaps know myself..." He looked down again. "I've been... Angry, lately. Very angry. All of my staff is on edge, even Tanaka! No one wants to say anything because, well, it's best not to bother me when I'm angry." He stopped because I giggled slightly. "Well, I guess you know that too, huh?" He paused for a moment. "I thought... I thought maybe having you come here... Even perhaps...Stay a few days? Maybe you could cheer me up." He looked up at me and, with an effort, pulled his lips up into a small smile. "I'm sure everyone would appreciate it."

I nodded, thinking over his words carefully and then smiled. "I would like to stay here for a few days, if that's alright."

"Of course!" He replied hastily, and then straightened his back and tried not to blush at the anxiousness of his answer. "I... I mean, of course."

I only smiled at him and nodded. "Could you have Sebastian prepare a room for me then, and perhaps a space for Emaline as well?"

"Absolutely. He should have already made up the room next to mine. Unless Emaline has done it for him." He grimaced but a hint of a smile tinted this expression.

I nodded in agreement. "Do you think they will ever stop this foolish competition?"

He shook his head, a genuine grin spreading across his features. "Definitely not."

I smiled back and yawned. He took this as a signal that I may want to retire for the evening. We stood and he led me to the door. Emaline opened it without hesitation, hearing us approaching. Sebastian opened the second of the double doors to Ciel's bedroom not a second later. The ebony-haired butler shot a glance in the demonic maid's direction and hissed a nearly inaudible growl at her, to which, she laughed slightly. I simply sighed as Ciel led me to the room next door.

Both butler and maid slipped down the hallway, giving the earl and I a little privacy as we said our farewell's for the night. I pressed my back to the door and smiled at Ciel. He held the same half grimace, half grin expression he'd last used.

"Thank you for letting me stay here and arranging this meeting." I said politely to the old friend before me.

"The pleasure is all mine." Ciel slightly grinned, almost deviously, I realized. Seconds later, he placed his palm against the door just above my head, and stepped a little closer. His body now towered over mine as we were almost touching. His free hand reached down and grabbed my chin, tilting it upward. He leaned down slightly and pressed his lips, softly, to mine. Before I could react, he was pulling away, and the kiss was broken. I stared in shock at the man before me. "As I said, the pleasure, is all mine." He ginned again before slipping into his room.

I stood with my back against the door for what felt like an eternity. So many thoughts reeled through my brain. So much confusion. Emaline soon arrived and got me settled for bed. I laid in the sheets, reliving that kiss, and the smell of Ciel as he leaned over me. The seductive look in his eyes as he kissed me. The tone in his voice as he spoke. This man I knew now was so different from the boy I'd played with when I was young. But, much had changed since then, and I assumed, I'd changed as well.

'Yes.' I thought as Emaline blew out the candle and I was engulfed in the darkness of night. 'This is going to be a very touchy experience, indeed.'

{There you have it, Chapter One of Young Love. I don't know where this story is going to lead exactly, or how long it will be, but expect atleast a couple more chapters. Leave me a review or message me to tell me what you think!}