Disclaimer: I do not own Kuroshitsuji or any of the characters and thus I make no profit off this fan story which was made solely for free entertainment only.

Summary: When you're a shinigami and life gets to long and painful, is it possible to start again? Will you be able to start over with those you loved before? Grell-x-Undertaker. AU Rated T

A New Start

*~CHAPTER ONE~*

It was a warm April evening in 1909 as a slowly setting sun was casting light across the marble flooring of a large white-walled building built up in the clouds of another realm. The Reaper Library was a grand example of higher power where all the souls or better called 'Cinematic Records' were stored for centuries and centuries. The Reapers were the collectors and guardians of these records, going about their daily lives, if you will, making sure that demons or angels don't mess with the correct order of existence.

Upon closer inspection of the library, a gaggle of gossiping first year shingiami students are walking through the halls. Wearing clothing of their homes before death, they chattered about school, friends, things happening in London; an assortment of conversations fluttered about them.

"…he told me he would take me out after lessons…"

"…I can't wait to pass and get new glasses; these ones are so not fashionable…"

"…I got a AA on my written but only a C on physical midterms…"

"…we should totally go check out that new production in London tomorrow…"

The swarm of new reaper students continued to chatter amongst themselves as they walked down the hall, shoes clacking against the stone floor. As they turned the corner they spotted an older reaper leaning against the wall. He was wearing a black robe to large for him and his long silver hair hung down untidily over his shoulders and face; a black top hat sitting slightly crooked on his head. He had a few scars on his face and a belt made of silver charms. The students started at him; he was clearly different from the other reapers in the library. Undertaker smiled and waved at them and the girls in the group stepped back whispering

"Who is he?"

"Isn't he too old to be a reaper?"

"I heard he's retired…"

"He's kind of creepy, why would they hire him?"

Undertaker continued to smile, looking the recruits up and down from behind his bangs; their clothing was far more relaxed these days then when he first turned Shinigami back in the 1450's*. His eyes softened with memories of years gone past and he closed his eyes with a chuckle. The recruits were startled by his cynic smile and laugh, and continued to walk past at a faster pace, looking back once before turning down another hallway and their chatter continued and faded in the distance. Undertaker then turned his attention back to the door that sat across from where he stood. He was waiting for a meeting to be over. Being retired himself, he wasn't called upon for special missions… or any missions these days. He sighed, trying his best to push the comments from the students from his head and pulled a book from his sleeve and opened it, beginning to read.

After waiting around for approximately an hour or so, the door opened and five reapers stepped out, chatting amongst themselves while flipping through brown folders marked with the reaper seal, discussing whatever was on the papers. But there was only one reaper Undertaker was waiting for, and that was the sharp-toothed grinning red-headed reaper who stepped out last. Wearing his long red hair clipped up, and that fashionable red jacket hanging off his shoulders, the reaper in question's grin grew wider when he saw Undertaker as he rushed over, pushing past the other reapers.

"Undertaker~"

The reaper said in a sing-song voice bouncing over and wrapping his arms around the elder man's neck. Undertaker smiled

"Heehee hello My dear lady Grell, and how was your meeting?"

"Dull… boring… lifeless… the usual..."

Grell rolled his toxic green eyes behind his red framed glasses then smiled again, looking through Undertaker's bangs at his eyes. They stood there for a moment, loosely locked in each other's arms while other reapers whispered and walked around them.

"Shall we head home my lady in red?"

"Oh yes, please…"

Grell stepped back a bit giggling, then looped his arm around Undertaker's and the two reapers left the Shinigami Library arm in arm.

Back in the human realm, Undertaker lead the way through the dusty streets of London as the street lanterns flickered casting eerie shadows on the brownstone buildings. As they turned down the darkened alley, Grell tugged gently on Undertaker's arm haulting the man's steps.

"Hmmm…?"

"Is something wrong Undertaker? You're awefully quiet tonight…"

The silver-haired reaper smiled, patting Grell's arm then continued to progress into the darkness.

"I'm fine my dear… just… feeling under the weather…"

Grell blinked watching the retreating back of his lover and frowned, then jogged a bit catching up. He placed his arm around Undertaker's waist and leaned his head on his shoulder as they walked in sync. Undertaker gave a soft chuckle, wrapping his arm around Grell's shoulders holding the red reaper close. They soon arrived at the dusty shop and Undertaker opened the door, allowing Grell to enter the dim shop first. Grell quickly found the lamp by the door and lit it, casting a gloomy light over the coffins and cobwebs that lined the walls of the small shop.

Grell removed his jacket and turned to hang it on the rack by the door when he stopped, seeing Undertaker standing there. The old reaper was looking into an old dusty mirror behind the door, and gently poked his face.

"Undertaker…?"

"…am I… old and creepy, Grell?"

Grell was taken aback by this, his eyes widened in shock.

"What... no… never… not to me… Undertaker….?"

The old reaper pulled at one of the scars on his cheek then turned away smiling at Grell.

"It's nothing my dear… heehee… come… let us prepare dinner and retire for the night…"

Undertaker removed his robes and hung them up; wearing now just his priest robes he turned back to Grell who was watching him. Undertaker folded his hands in front of him with a smile.

"What shall we eat tonight my fair lady? I have some Curry Bread left over from that party at the Earl's…?"

"Undertaker…"

Grell stepped closer reaching out to touch Undertaker's face.

"Tell me what is bothering you. You never act like this, what is wrong?"

The sharp-toothed reaper frowned looking into the other's eyes. Undertaker gave a sigh and couldn't meet eyes with Grell. He looked back to the dusty mirror and stared at his reflection, seeing a younger version of himself staring out at him for a brief moment, before the scars reformed and he sighed.

"I feel old Grell… I've been a shinigami since the mid 1400's… that's over 400 years I've been living this life… I'm feeling… tired…"

He sighed and looked into the mirror at Grell who sadly stood behind him. Undertaker averted his eyes, he hated when Grell was sad. Grell was just the same. He hated when Undertaker was depressed, it was happening more and more over the last handful of years since they moved in together. Grell gave a soft smile to his lover.

"Undertaker… you may be over 400 years old, but you're not creepy… and to me you're not old..."

Grell gave a smile. Undertaker's face flushed, he then smiled and took Grell's hand.

"As always, you are too kind my dear, heehee…"

Grell stepped closer, a cynical smile growing on his face as he placed a hand against Undertaker's shoulder and pushed him against the wall

"Undertaker my love… I believe we need to test your youth a bit… prove to you that you are still young… and… "

"Grell…I don't think…"

Grell slipping a knee between Undertaker's legs and gently pushed up. Undertaker sucked in a deep breath.

"Now now Undertaker my dear… I do believe we need to change the way you think, you need to be more positive…"

He leaned down placing a kiss against the crook of Undertaker's neck then smiled before biting down and listening to Undertaker succumb to whimpers as his legs almost buckled from under him.

"Uuhhh… Grell…"

Grell smiled,wrapping his arms around Undertaker's neck, leaning in and pressing his lips to his kissing him deeply. Undertaker responded by wrapping his arms around Grell's waist pulling the red head closer.

"Let's see how young you really are my love…"

Grell growled against Undertaker's lips, nibbling softly there before stepping back and pulling Undertaker towards the bedroom where they fell onto the bed and became entangled in the bed sheets in a passionate evening.

The following morning, Undertaker rose from the tangle of cold black sheets and moved his mess of silver hair from his face. The sun was already raised over the horizon cashing bright light into the dusty bedroom. His body ached from the nights activities. He reached over and found the bed empty save for a piece of paper. Picking up the paper and pushed his hair from his face and read the parchment which was scrolled with red ink. He smiled as he read the note.

""Going on my First group mission as the lead shinigami. Wish me luck! Come to the Library to night to meet up after I get back. XOXO""

Undertaker couldn't help but laugh at the lipstick mark beside the elegantly signed 'Grell' at the bottom of the page. Folding the note and placing it on the table, he slid from the bed and moved across the room still slightly achy as he made his way to the bathroom to ready himself for the day.

Per usual, like nothing had changed over the last hundred years or so, Undertaker busied himself in his shop prepping bodies for the grave and building new coffins. He was carving the edging into a new mahogany coffin when he sat up and wiped the sweat from his brow with a giggle.

"My my my… Grell certainly would have something to say about this one heehee…"

He sat back with a grin then looked over at the crooked clock on the wall.

"Oh my my my look at the time. When one is having fun I guess heehee…"

Undertaker placed the tools down and stood up to his full height and turned from the coffin walking over to the sink to wash his hands free of the days' grime. Then grabbing his top hat, he blew out the lantern and left the shop, humming a happy little tune as he made his way down the alley and disappearing from the human realm.

Up in the shinigami realm, night had completely fallen on the library as Undertaker made his way down the hallway. He was still humming to himself down the halls as he made his way to the main hall. As he turned a corner, he stopped suddenly. Another man sharply dressed in a black suit and tie stood before him holding a clipboard. He bowed at the sight of Undertaker.

"Greetings Undertaker. May I have a word with you in my office?"

Undertaker smiled, folding his hands in front of him.

"Ahh William… I shall speak with you momentarily. As it is… I am late for another meeting heehee…"

Undertaker continued walking, gently brushing past the other reaper. William turned on his heel and reached a hand out to stop Undertaker who avoided it with little effort. Undertaker turned another corner and entered into the main hall where he was greeted with the whispered sounds of many other reapers who seemed to be gathered around one central point.

"Ahh… they have arrived back… good good…"

Undertaker approached the crowd, none of whom paid him any mind as he slowly weaved his way through those in the back of the crowd.

"Undertaker, sir… I insist please come with me…"

William hurried to catch up with the retired reaper who was already deep into the crowd. As he weaved, he began to get a foreboding bad feeling. Pushing his way through the crowds, loosing William on his way, Undertaker reached the center of the gathering where he saw three very tired looking reapers standing and kneeling staggered in the center. The whispers around him died down a bit as the others began to notice the silver haired man.

Undertaker's eyes widened as he looked from each of the reapers, then his eyes fell on two objects he didn't notice at first. Before the other mission reapers, laid two bodies covered under white sheets; one did not recognize under the sheet, but the other was unmistakable. A mess of red hair fanned out at the top of the second sheet told Undertaker all he needed. Beside him William caught up and stepped next to him.

"The mission was a success… but at a terrible loss… I'm sorry Undertaker…"

Undertaker stepped from the crowd and approached the sheet, dropping heavily to his knees as he pulled the sheet away from the face of Grell Sutcliff. The red headed reaper looked like he was in a peaceful slumber like he had been all those years ago when his body was accidently brought to the Undertakers shop being mistaken for dead. Undertaker reached out and touched Grell;s face gently and could feel how cold the body was, a familiar feeling to him.

"Grell… my fair lady… no…"

He brushed hair from his face and traced Grell's jaw line, his own eyes softening to show all pain that tore through his heart. William approached from behind as the whispers around the room died down, everyone watching the scene before them.

"Undertaker…"

He reached out to touch the man's shoulder but Undertaker swatted him away, standing up quickly.

"No… leave me…"

He walked away quickly from as the crowd parted to allow the retired reaper through with ease. William called after him but the silver headed man never stopped or turned.

Undertaker made his way back to his shop quickly, slamming open the door and not bothering to light the lantern. He tossed his hat across the room then walked over to his desk, slamming his hands on his desk. He looked at his desk and the papers scattered there before letting out a painful howl. He turned his head to the side clenching his eyes tightly then gripped his desk flipping it into the wall, scattering objects all around the floor.

He crossed the room, anger building inside as he kicked the mahogany coffin sending it into a pile of other coffins, toppling them all not caring for the bodies that fell from inside. He kicked one of the now broken coffins and it smashed into the wall knocking over a shelving unit which smashed and crashed to the floor scattering random urns and small things across the dusty floor. Dropping to his knees, he held his head and let out painful scream; tears falling from his eyes as he leaned forward pounding his fists into the floor boards.

Soon it became too hard for him to breath and he leaned back against a toppled coffin. He took a few deep breaths calming his rage slowly, as the dust from his outburst slowly settled around him. The full moon outside casted a soft light through the window into the dark shop, landing on something glistening in the rubble. Undertaker's eyes glanced over to the object and he reached, picking up a small red jewel encrusted box. He brought it closer and opened the lid. A soft music* played from the box and it brought tears back to Undertaker's eyes. He hugged the small object close as the music played softly through the room.

"My fair lady Grell… may we meet again someday, somewhere…"

As the music box's tune faded, so did Undertaker, the jewel encrusted box falling from his hands, hitting the floor and casting silence into the room. Undertaker slipped from existence with a smile on his face.

Back in the Shinigami library, William T Spears was sorting through some books when a large black one fell to the floor. He looked at it and read the name on the cover before picking it up and flipping to the black page where the words 'The End' was written in a classic script.


Author's Notes: Sorry the first chapter is short and a bit rushed. I just needed to cover the background information before getting into the main plot. Now on to the real story. It's an "Alternate Universe" type story. The main plot will take place in modern London. Sorry for switching back and forth between "reaper" and "shinigami". I can't decide which I prefer.

*Taken from "Why He Laughs" by CroWhite

*The music is a child's lullaby "London Bridge is Falling Down, My Fair Lady" played in an old fashioned music box tune.

And the reasoning behind Undertaker's death, I guess you could say heartache. He lost the will to live. He was over 400 years old and his love was gone. That and if I didn't kill him, the plot wouldn't progress. ^^