Hi! This is a new story. My second fic. However, the plot came to me before the other one, Angel from the past. So here you go! Enjoy! And I do apologize that this chapter is relatively short.
Disclaimer: Kuroshitsuji does not belong to me.
He looked up to the night sky. Sigh. It was long past his bedtime and here he was, completing the work Her Majesty had requested him to.
"Sebastian," he began. "How long more? I'm tired." Tapping impatiently on the cold hard floor with his cane. The man, clad in black, smirked. "So soon, my lord? I believe we have not accomplished what Her Majesty had asked."
Ciel scowled. Screw the Queen, he wanted to say. But being the Queen's loyal guard dog, he had to do whatever that was asked of him. Tonight's case was no different. Murder. However, it was the murders of noble children. Now, he was standing in a mansion of a Duke. He was sure that the culprit would target the child in the bedroom. He and Sebastian were now waiting outside the room for the guilty to strike.
A scream came from the room, sudden.
"Dammit," Ciel muttered, bursting into the room. The bed was empty and window wide open. "Sebastian, follow them," he ordered.
"Yes my lord," came the reply as the butler carried Ciel and jumped out of the window, catching the scent of both kidnapper and child.
As the scent grew stronger, Sebastian confirmed that they have reached the destination. Putting Ciel on the ground, they scanned their surroundings. A deserted place full of trees only with a tower in the middle of nowhere. After straightening his attire, Ciel went forward and then stopped. He looked at the man behind, saying, "What are you waiting for? Let's go."
Ciel and Sebastian climbed up the winding flight of stairs until they reached the top. The only door in the tower was facing them. It was slightly ajar and Ciel pushed it open effortlessly. It swung back, revealing a room with only a table and chair. The kidnapper was staring at them, knife held in his hand. Desperation. Ciel noticed the man's frame trembling. No one wants to offend the guard dog, or else, they are easily disposed of. Ciel smirked.
"Well, well, well. Who do we have here? A man helpless and hopelessly clinging onto whatever he can. How pathetic. What do you have to say, Samuel Herald? Is killing all these children your only way?" the boy said,amused, gun pointing at the man.
"You wouldn't dare. I have the kid with me. If you kill me, he will come along," the kidnapper snarled, turning back to the child behind him. Even before he could touch the noble, Ciel shot him clean at the base of his neck. Not caring about the child who was watching the scene. "That should keep Her Majesty's mind off," Ciel muttered, heading out of the room. "Sebastian, I trust you are able to clean this mess up. And once you are done, send the child back. I'll be waiting."
"Yes, my lord," Sebastian bowed before attending to the child.
As Ciel descended the tower, he thought he saw someone with red hair. "Who's there?" he asked, his pistol ready to shoot.
"SEBBY~" A figure came pouncing, Ciel ducked as it landed behind him. "NE! Where's Sebby, you brat?" he said, dusting his clothes.
"Grell. How nice to meet you. Sebastian is currently carrying out my orders. Why are you here?" Ciel asked.
"Well of course to get the dead man's cinematic records," Grell stated the obvious. "Anyway, why is my dear Sebastian still with you?"
"Of course he's still with me. The contract has not been fulfilled," Ciel answered, rolling his eyes. Shouldn't the death god know that already?
"Well, it has been void. Strange, didn't Sebastian mention this to you? And now, both of you do not have a bond and yet, Sebby stayed by your side! NOOO! WHY NOT ME! SEBASTIAN!" Grell wailed.
"What?" Ciel asked. I did hear it wrongly didn't I? "Care to repeat that again? Void? What do you mean by void? What is void?"
Grell stared at him as though he was someone speaking another language. Then, the red-haired death god walked up to the noble and ripped his eye patch off, revealing the contract symbol. "Yes boy, the contact is already void. It's been a few days now since those you wanted revenge on mysteriously died. Demons will know when it has become void, they can sense it. Surprisingly, Sebastian hasn't mentioned this to you," Grell explained, staring into Ciel's mismatched eyes.
Truly, the contract was dull, faded with major details out of place. The outer ring was glowing red, however, the star that was supposed to be in the middle had vanished. The contract is void? Ciel thought. No... It can't be. Sebastian would not hide such a fact from me right? Why? What happened?
Grell stared at the boy, tilting his head. He seems too shocked to reply. "Hey, brat. Are you okay? I didn't say anything wrong did I?" he asked. Ciel snapped his head up and had difficulty getting the right words out.
"Yeah... I think I'm... f... fine..." he stammered, not believing in his own words.
"If you say so," Grell replied, shrugging. "Well, I still have a job to do. See you brat." He released Ciel's chin, spun around and disappeared up the stairs. Ciel stood rooted to the ground, recovering from Grell's words. Void... demons will know... It has been a few days... Without realizing, he collapsed to the ground, at a loss of what to do. For the first time, Ciel had no idea how to respond.
"...master? Young master? What happened while I was away?" Sebastian knelt on the floor, trying to understand his master's current position. He had met Grell earlier when he came back. Strangely, the death god did not pounce on him or whatsoever. In fact, Grell even tried to hide from him. Something was amiss.
Ciel was staring at the ground, not being able to answer Sebastian's question. Thoughts were swimming in his head; he had no idea what to do with the given information. Firstly, Sebastian did not know what had happened and Ciel shall not give himself away. Lifting his chin, he spoke," What took you so long? I'm tired. Take me back."
"Right away Young Master," Sebastian replied and supported Ciel as he stood. Ciel jerked his hand away, and not give a second glance to his butler, he walked towards the carriage.
Sebastian narrowed his eyes; something was definitely out of place. Ciel was not in a foul mood when he left, he could only guess that the death god had a part to play. He then noticed the string of his master's eye patch was tied in a sloppish manner. It couldn't be that he has found out about the contract already.
As the duo rode back in the carriage, Ciel ignored the butler for the whole journey. He closed his eyes and rested his head on the wooden surface. What should I do? From what Grell had said, the contract is void. Should I keep quiet about it or ask Sebastian? He is hiding something. But why did he not tell me? Is it my soul he really wants or... No, it can't be. Demons do not feel at all. The feelings are one sided. If Sebastian does not need to follow my orders then, what will happen from now?
The carriage stopped. They have arrived at the mansion. As Sebastian got out, he held out his hand for Ciel to hold on. However, Ciel came out without help. Ciel exhaled, he had made his choice.
SXC
"I shall prepare a hot bath for you bocchan," Sebastian said as they walked into the mansion.
Ciel stopped and faced the man. He took in a deep breath; there is no turning back now. Untying his eye patch, the piece of fabric fell to the floor. Ciel opened his eye and stared at the demon.
"Is it true?" he whispered, knowing that Sebastian understood his question.
So, he knows."Yes my lord. I'm afraid it is," Sebastian replied.
"What's wrong young master?" he noticed his master began to shake uncontrollably. Reaching out to support him, he pulled Ciel into a hug. "I'm sorry young master, but yes, our contract is indeed void. This means I am able to and will leave."
Ciel's eyes widened, due to the surprising action from Sebastian and the fact that he, his butler, was calm about this matter. Leaving... Not coming back... Words processing in Ciel's mind. "NO!" yelled Ciel. "It can't be true! From that day, you said... you promised! That night too..." Water began to pool in his eyes, as he looked up at Sebastian.
Tears. No. He cannot cry. A Phantomhive does not and will not cry. Pushing himself away from Sebastian, he removed the traces of tears. "So... what now about my future?" the noble asked, back facing his butler. "None... Nothing... Gone... Meaningless," continued Ciel. "Tell me, Sebastian. I pray, do tell me, what I am suppose to do?" Bitter laughter filled the hall.
"..., young master, get a grip of yourself. Even if I'm gone, you will know what to do," Sebastian said. Humans are weak, fragile. Once fallen, they stay in that pathetic state. His master, a human no doubt, was different. Even as a child, he shows a great sense of maturity. Never giving up, completing what he wants to do. A perfect meal, a unique human. But now, a void contract, what can he do? Nothing. Nothing at all, it was irreversible.
"So, I ask, what happened to the promise? Two months after that incident, you said... No, you promised, to me, that you will care for me to your very best. For me..." If Sebastian were a human, he would not have heard those words.
"My lord, that was under the contract. And, I do recall you saying that promises are meant to be broken," the butler retorted, a small smirk forming on his face.
One minute... Two minutes... Of silence.
"All these, all these are lies! No, it can't be true! Lies, filthy lies!" voice escalating breaking the silence. Ciel spun to face the demon. Tears were forming in his eyes again. The brave front he was trying to put was breaking down. "…tell me, it's a lie," Ciel pleaded.
"Demons do not lie. Young master, you should already know that," said Sebastian. Shock and surprise flashed through his eyes for a second, before he returned to his original calm and composed state.
The façade, the mask; was falling off. Tears of anger, maybe sadness, streamed down Ciel's face. Using the back of his hand, the tears were wiped away.
"Yes… Just a meal to you. Just a toy for you to play with. Now, the contract has become invalid, your precious meal is gone," Ciel hissed, emotions lacing his voice. "And the sex... It is just something demons need isn't it? For you cannot take my soul and your hunger is killing you, you fuck me. Fuck me as though it was love making."
"My lord, if-" Sebastian, reaching out to his master again, was interrupted.
"DON'T TOUCH ME!" Ciel shouted, flinching at the hand. "Why don't we make it easier for you and me?" Sarcasm. "Leave, Sebastian, since you want your freedom back. Just leave. As your former master, I order you. Leave me… Leave this place. Don't… don't come back. This is my last order. Do not fail me," Ciel commanded, choking back a sob he felt, that was coming.
"Young master," Sebastian shook his head. "I am not obliged to listen to you, as you have just said; you are just my former master."
"Shut up. Shut up. SHUT UP!" shouted the boy. "Stop calling me young master then! Leave. Dammit. JUST LEAVE! You have your freedom back, I have my soul. Get out of my sight!" he continued, "For once I will say this, Sebastian, please leave."
That was new… His former master pleading, for the second time. But then again, Ciel never ceased to amaze him. Getting down onto one knee, Sebastian placed his right hand over his chest.
"As you wish… Ciel."
YAH! I'm done! How was it? I apologize if there is any OOCs in this chapter. Thanks for reading! If there is any grammer or spelling mistakes, please tell me. Reviews make me happy!