A/N: Well hello everyone, I just thought, in the spirit of Halloween, I'd write a story for the shipper in all of us. Reviews are always lovely, and I'll try to have the entire thing finished before the 31st. Happy early Halloween, and, to my utter disappointment, I do not own Black Butler...

"Mrow..."

Barely turning his head towards the sound Sebastian finished hanging the string of orange paper lanterns, the main level of the Phantomhive Mansion transformed into a Halloween haven. Streamers hung from the ceiling, elegant cobwebs lurking in every corner, the marble floor polished to a gleam as the chandeliers were lit by glowing candles. He cast an annoyed glance back over his shoulder at the three servants standing nervously behind him and sighed. They all had black whiskers painted onto their cheeks, gloves sewn to look like cat paws, and cat ears matching their hair color sticking up from their head. "I am not amused, my lord," the butler said, stepping off the ladder and dusting off his gloves. "Why are the staff dressed as felines when they should be helping prepare things for the party?"

"Oh Sebastian why does it matter, you'll end up redoing it all anyway, and besides, you seemed quite amused to me." Ciel stood at the top of the grand staircase, ignoring when the servants turned bright red in embarrassment, surveying the newly-decorated main floor with his lone cerulean eye. "I could have sworn you jumped at that silly little sound."

A pink tint crept into the demon's pale cheeks, but he brushed it off and continued adjusting his handiwork. "You must be mistaken, my lord," Sebastian replied, finishing and idly digging his fingers into the wicker basket of Funtom candies that was resting on a stand by the door. "Cats are not allowed in the manor. If I remember correctly, my lord, you despise them." He rolled one of the sweets between his thumb and forefinger, paper wrapper crinkling.

"Master, can we take these costumes off? They're itchy, they are..." Mey-Rin fidgeted with the red cat ears protruding from her hair. Turning bright red as Sebastian's gaze traveled casually over her, the maid squeaked and froze.

"I wanna keep it on, we look super cute!" Finnie beamed, the black whiskers on his cheeks already smudged across his face. "Besides, I like looking like a cat!"

"That is enough," Ciel said sharply and all three fell into a terrified silence, looking embarrassedly at the floor, hands clasped behind their backs. "Now, Sebastian, I am requiring that everyone, including the servants, dresses up." The Earl's mouth curved into a taunting smirk, looking directly at the butler. "Wouldn't want any demons coming into the house tonight, now would we."

Raising his head Sebastian turned, tossing a small treat to each of the servants over his shoulder. He sighed audibly as they unwrapped it, eating the candy noisily. "All Hallow's Eve is a time to dress up in costumes and scare away evil spirits," he corrected, brushing a strand of hair from his crimson eyes. "I see no personal need to scare away 'evil spirits' or anything of the sort. Therefore, I see no need for me to dress in an unnecessary outfit and amuse you, my lord," the demon finished, bowing politely.

Leaning on the wooden bannister and twirling his cane the Phantomhive scowled. "I am requiring all servants to do it," he snapped. "I am not doing it simply to annoy you. If you're finished decorating I expect you to start preparing the food, the guests will be here in under an hour." He twisted the silver ring on his thumb around impatiently, his grey-blue hair falling to cover his porcelain features slightly. "And because you're being particularly annoying today, you can decide on an outfit yourself."

"Yes, my lord." Sebastian started towards the stairs, shoes clicking clearly against the floor as he passed the other servants, still munching on the candy. "You three are dismissed. Go get into your costumes, they are pressed and laying on your bed in your rooms. And I expect perfection at the ball tonight, understand?"

"Yes sir!" they replied in perfect unison, straightening and saluting sharply. Finnie and Mey-Rin each had the stick from a lollipop sticking out from their mouth. "On the double, sir! We understand, sir!"

The three shrank back as Sebastian turned his red gaze towards them threateningly, pausing in his strides towards the staircase. "I believe I told you that you were dismissed."

"We're sorry sir, we'll be going..." They scurried off in the direction of their rooms, disappearing into the hallways like mice.

Rolling his eyes the butler waited to speak until they had left the room, straightening his uniform, walking up the stairs towards Ciel. "I have done the same with your costume as well, my lord," he continued, trailing a gloved hand up the wooden railing, wrinkling his face in disgust when he saw the glove was stained black. "It appears as though Mey-Rin has used shoe polish on the bannisters again. I would recommend you refrain from leaning on it in such a way, young master." Instantly the Earl shrank away, scowling at the black mark on his grey jacket sleeve. "Returning to the subject of your costume, I am quite certain it will not be what you had in mind."

Uncomfortably the Phantomhive toyed with his cane, looking down at his butler who was still a few steps below him. "What are you talking about, how complex can a masquerade be?"

Sebastian slowly advanced up the stairs, delicately removing his now-black glove with his teeth, tucking it into a pocket carefully before stopping on the step in front of Ciel. The demon smiled, tilting his head to the side as he looked fondly at the Earl. "I believe what I am trying to say is that I am wanting my beloved student to make an appearance."

Flushing, Ciel's already dark gaze turned murderous. His hand tightened around the head of his cane, knuckles turning white. "I told you to go finish preparing the food, demon."

"Do you disagree, Ciel?" Still smiling in his dangerous way the butler licked his lips, the movement causing the Earl to set his jaw. "Of course, I do know what's best for you, and you really cannot resist."

"I thought I told you to go finish the food Sebastian, I don't have time for whatever pointless scheme you've been planning," Ciel snapped nervously, starting to turn around and tripping on the step that was closer than he thought it was. In an instant Sebastian had darted forward, placing an arm under the Phantomhive's neck and knees, lifting him up and pinning his flailing arms and legs with his gloved hands. "Stop!" he shouted, kicking wildly as the butler started back up the stairs. "Let me go at once! I can do it myself! What are you doing?!"

"You do not need to shout, my lord," Sebastian said calmly, gripping the child's cane and using it to open the door. "The servants do not need to know of your reluctance to entertain your guests."

"Sebastian, I am not wearing that costume for the ball! The Queen's guard dog cannot be seen in a dress and acting so frivolous! Put me down!" Ciel's shrieks echoed through the house, becoming muffled once the pair entered the room, the door shutting softly behind them.