Sebastian peered through the curtains of his large estate, an activity that he repeated each day in the hopes of catching a glimpse of his former master as he passed by. It had been three years since Ciel Phantomhive became a demon, giving the order for Sebastian to remain his butler until he had eaten the boy's soul. Sebastian was most displeased, not by the request, but by his own failure to protect his master.
It wasn't until six months ago that the young master had released him. Sebastian knew that Ciel had been feeling different about the contract almost immediately after entering his new home. He sensed a mixture of sadness and guilt, he hated to see the boy tortured by this.
Cynna, Sebastian's own servant was more than a little surprised at the arrival of the new resident but quickly accepted him.
"Master, are you quite alright, you seem different today." The slightly shorter demon asked quietly.
"I'm afraid not Cynna, he has yet to show himself, I cannot understand what-" Sebastian coughed suddenly. Cynna rushed to his side.
"Master, that is the third time today, won't you allow me to get-" Sebastian held up a hand to silence him.
"That won't be necessary, I will be fine. Anyway, I have more pressing matters to attend to."
"Of course sir, I understand. If you should change your mind, please inform me and I will help in anyway." Cynna gave a low bow and grinned at the slight smile on Sebastian's face.
The servant's horns, very closely resembled very young deer antlers, they curved outward at an awkward angle and Sebastian found the sight amusing.
"I shall, thank you, please keep up the good work."
"Yes sir." Cynna paused in the doorway.
"It's none of my business sir, but from one butler to another, you did your job well. He would speak very highly of you to me." Sebastian turned to reply but Cynna had already turned his head back to the window. His thoughts wandering back to that day, six months ago when his Master left him.
Ciel sat silently on the large antique armchair, in Sebastian's opinion, he looked rather forlorn.
"Young master, is everything alright?" He had asked though he knew the answer already.
"No. I need to speak with you. Sit down." Sebastian obeyed at once, his heart felt as if it had dropped to his stomach.
"I want to release you from our contract, it isn't fair for me to keep you, I can't give you what I don't have. You held up your end of our deal and as of that day, I am preventing you from finding food." The demon butler stared in shock at the boy, he found himself feeling panicked but attempted to hide it.
"Young Master, you realize that should you elect to do so, you could never-"
"Yes, I know. I hear you sometimes, you sound as if you're starved. You are my butler, I cannot allow this to go on, therefore I will release you"
'But my Lord, you have nowhere to go, no one else to rely on, we are not all the same, you cannot seriously believe that I could ever allowed for you to be unsafe. You can hardly dress yourself, you are making a big mistake!' Sebastian's mind screamed
"My Lord, if I have in someway-"
"It's not you. If I didn't know better, I'd say you were trying to talk me out of it. What have I to give in return?"
'If it appears that way young master, it is only because it is true. I don't wish for you to go, stay at my side, always you have more to give than you realize.'
"The decision of course is yours my lord, but if you go, permit me to make arrangements with some of my acquaintances, they will look help you find a home of your own and anything else you may need, it is the least I can do, as my final act as Phantomhive butler."
"If it makes you feel better, fine." Ciel didn't bother to look at his butler as he spoke, if he had, he may have noticed the pain in his eyes. Without another word, Sebastian left the former Earl sitting alone in the room, trying to conceal the tears that were now falling.
It had taken time to make such arrangements as Sebastian carefully picked the demons. He gathered together a small group that he believed he could entrust his life to. He needed to be absolutely sure the boy would be safe.
"Young Master, I would like to introduce you to some friends." He had told him, gesturing to the demons behind him.
"This is Aodh, Morana, Deimos, and Fenrir." Ciel stared silently at the demons in front of him, unsure what to say.
"They are the closest to what you may call friends. They will help you in anyway they can." The group bowed politely.
"They seem like an interesting lot, I haven't seen anything like them."
"They are indeed a rare group my Lord. I would trust them with my life."
Sebastian was pulled from the memory by a sharp pain in his abdomen and a wave of dizziness. He leaned against the wall for support. It was at this moment, at last that Ciel passed by, Aodh and Fenrir walking on either side of him, chatting happily, Sebastian couldn't make out the conversation, seconds later he was taken by darkness.