Yay! First BB fanfic! This story occurs after "His Butler, in an Isolated Castle". I haven't quite decided the exact time, but it's before (spoilers!) they discover Angela, Pluto, or any of that stuff.
Stuff you need to know: Ciel went on a little vacation without Sebastian. Why, I have no idea. While he was gone, he tried to stump Sebby by instructing him to find his closest living relative. This is the result. Enjoy the laughs, awws, and tears that ensue. Bye bye!
Ciel Phantomhive was met at the door by his butler. "Ah, you have returned at last, Young Master."
Ciel smiled slightly. "I don't suppose you were able to carry out my wish?" Sebastian shook his head.
"Tut, tut. After all this time, you don't have faith in my abilities? Of course I did." Sebastian walked alongside his master to his study. As Ciel pushed open the door, he was in for a shock.
"What the-?" Sitting at his desk, wearing his clothes, leaning on one hand, was a person who looked just like him. Ciel stood there with his jaw hanging as the person looked up.
"Oh! Master Phantomhive! You've returned!" The person leapt from the seat and ran to greet him. "Sebastian has told me all about you! Ha! We look just like each other!" Ciel stepped back as the person attempted to hug him.
"Sebastian…?" He looked to his butler for explanation.
"Young Master, this is the person you sent me to find; your closest living relative."
"My name is Rachel, Milord." The person -girl- curtsied before him. "I'm… er, I'm your sister."
"S… sister…?" Ciel was very confused. "I have a-"
"Indeed. I was surprised as well. Apparently she had been kidnapped by the doctor who delivered you, then sold as a slave to a rich family. I had to travel a very long way to find her, Young Master."
"I'm glad to have met you, Young Master!" Ciel looked the girl up and down before responding.
"You can call me Ciel."
Her smile grew. "Thank you, Young Ma- Ciel." She then asked, "Do you enjoy reading?"
"I… suppose."
"Would you like to come to the library with me? I can have Sebastian serve us tea in there."
Ciel looked at Sebastian, then back to Rachel. "Why not?" He finally responded.
In the library, Rachel urged Ciel to sit. "Here, we can read together. Or, if you want, I could read to you. Sebastian says my reading is superb now, and just last night complimented me on the different voices I used. He said they were interesting, and added drama to each tale." Ciel shrugged.
"Whatever you want." He built up courage to ask her a question as she scanned the large bookshelves. "Er, if you don't mind me asking, why is your hair so short?"
Rachel blushed a bit as she turned towards him. "Well… It was getting in the way." She stopped, biting her lip. "Actually, it was because once it got caught in the spinning wheel and my mistress got very upset. She cut it off as a punishment. It used to be very long, you see, and I thought it quite nice. But, she cut it off and that's that. At least it's grown back a bit." Her bright smile returned, and she turned back to the shelves. "Have you read this one before, Ciel?"
He shook his head. "No. I really don't have much time to read." That's when another question came to his mind. "Why do you wear that eyepatch?"
"Oh! It, um… It got hurt and Sebastian said it wouldn't do to have an open wound on his Young Mistress's face." Her hand came up to her face as she spoke. She quickly turned to the door. "Oh, Sebastian! You've brought the tea!"
He bowed low. "Yes, as you ordered, I have prepared Young Master's favorite."
As she ordered? Ciel shook his head. You're just overthinking it. There's no way… "Rachel?" She looked up at him.
"Yes?"
"Come here." She obeyed, standing before him.
"What is it?"
His hand quickly came towards her face, and, before she could protect herself, snatched her eyepatch off. She jumped back, covering her eye.
"Oh!"
"What is it? Show me!" Ciel commanded. Rachel shook her head, tears beginning to well up in her eyes. He turned to Sebastian. "Show me."
He bowed. "I'm sorry, Young Mistress." Rachel's face crumpled as Sebastian gently pulled her hands away from her face. She didn't try to fight him, and slowly opened her left eye. Ciel gasped.
"No… You- you didn't-"
She sniffed, blinking a few times. "Y- yes, I did." Sebastian's mark was glowing brightly in her eye.
"Why?"
"That's no one's business but mine, M- Master."
Sebastian nodded. "She instructed me not to tell you, bocchan."
Rachel wiped her eyes. "But… don't worry. It'll be fine." She tried to smile again. "I'm alright, and I agreed to Sebastian's terms willingly. Everything will be fine."
Sebastian took her eyepatch from Ciel, and tied it around her head once more. "Young Mistress has offered me something quite interesting." He bowed to Ciel. "However, she has instructed me that your orders take precedence over hers. No need to worry about losing your butler, Young Master."
"Sebastian?"
"Yes?"
Rachel blushed as she fidgeted with her hands. "Um… do you think you could teach me how to tie a knot? I've never learned, and now that Ciel is back I should do things by myself."
Sebastian nodded, smiling slightly. "Of course. Here, let me show you with Young Master's shoes. It seems he is useless without me." He knelt before the seated earl, and Rachel did the same.
"You shouldn't have to show me more than once. I'm a quick learner." He nodded again.
"Yes, I've noticed."
Ciel watched, fascinated, as Rachel copied Sebastian's movements. She wasn't much like him. He couldn't be bothered with trifling things as tying shoes. She, on the other hand, seemed eager to learn.
Perhaps it is because she wants to do everything she can before… He sighed, leaning back in his chair. I wonder why I've never thought of doing that?
Perhaps because you don't care one way or another what you do before I devour you, Young Master.
Sebastian's voice echoed through his mind. He closed his eyes. You are correct, once again.
Please grant her anything she wishes. She is young, and needs every experience she can get.
Yes, my lord.