Black Butler: Ancestral Burden

Author's Note: This is my first fanfic. In order for this to make sense, we must pretend that Black Butler season two NEVER HAPPENED! Say it with me now: NEVER! HAPPENED! Now that we are over that hill, let's go over a couple more hurdles: I know the title isn't so great, but its just a filler until I think of a new one, but if anyone has ideas, I'm game. I also think that I'll have the rating as M for future stuff. And that's that. So here it goes...

Prologue

December 18th, 1897 A snowstorm harbored over Phantomhive manor. The howling wind slapping against the window, nearby trees scratching against the roof while Ciel lay awake. Not that the storm was keeping him up. He was never able to sleep, not with the things he's seen. Not with the things he's done. But these things had to be done, for the sake of the Phantomhive name: to reclaim honor. For revenge. But he was not thinking about that. Tonight, he would fulfill his contract with Sebastian. Ciel was not afraid of death, he was in its clutches before, and almost found it comforting. Ciel was not afraid of Sebastian, he's seen his true form, and although not exactly pleasant, he became desensitized to Sebastian's demon nature. Ciel Vincent Phantomhive was no coward, and he made a deal, and sure will keep it. There's no point in bringing back the Phantomhive name to its high standard just for him to bring it back down again. If he somehow managed to double cross the demon, no mortal would know of his betrayal. But he would know, and that was good enough. The thoughts that kept him up tonight were the thoughts of his wife. Elizabeth lay beside him, fully asleep, fully unaware of Ciel's tribulations as she dreamed of the future. He watched her sleep, watched as she let a heavy breath out of her parted lips. He wanted to touch her golden hair that spewed across the pillows, wanted to touch her face, kiss her softly, wanted to stroke her full belly due to maternity. He wanted to touch her so badly, but held back from fear of waking her. If she woke up, it would complicate things, make things difficult for him. He watched her breathe in and out for as long as he could, and this is what scared him, not his own death, but the fact that he will never see his beloved Elizabeth again. He would never love her again, or know his only child. This is what devastated him. But this is the deal he chose, and he had to leave the comfort of his bed, the comfort of his wife and fulfill his end of the contract. He got up quietly, as not to disturb her. He stumbled in the dark, feeling for a candle stand and a match. The match sparked, and Ciel lit the candles. he reached for the doorknob-

"Ciel," Elizabeth moaned, half-asleep. He knew that her hands were searching the empty space that Ciel once filled, but he could not look back. If he looked back, he would jump back to her, never letting her go, waiting for Sebastian to drag him off, as if he were a babe still suckling on its mother. Elizabeth called for him again, her voice getting stronger:

"Ciel."

Please...do not call my name again, Ciel pleaded mentally "I can't," he managed to say aloud. As if she heard him, she fell back into a deep sleep. He quickly left the room, and stared through the hard wood door that led back. This would be his only regret.

When he got comfortable in his study, he poured himself a drink, even though he didn't usually touch the stuff and he didn't drink it now. His hands were just idle. He waited for him, but he wouldn't wait long.

"Sebastian," Ciel called out, "you know I don't like to wait... not even for my own death." "Humans can be particularly sentimental," a voice answered, "I thought you would like some time to reflect, Master" Sebastian appeared before him, wearing his usual uniform and devious smile. "I have been ready for this moment for very long time." "It's good that you are well prepared." Sebastian's eyes started to get a demonic glow. "I have a last request." "Oh?" Sebastian's amusement peaked a little. "Lady Elizabeth, I presume?" "Make sure she is taken care of in her time of need. Only until the child has grown. This is my last order." "Yes, my Lord." He bowed to Ciel, in both obedience and mockery. His smile grew bigger as he stood. "Sebastian, will it hurt?" "Yes, it can be quite painful. But I will be as gentle as-" "No! Be as brutal as you want. Make it hurt. Let it show that I had a life well lived" Ciel stared coldly into Sebastian's eyes. This confused Sebastian for a moment. But only for a moment, as humans can only surprise him so much. "Yes, my Lord." Sebastian didn't bow. "Now, my young master..."

It was Mey-Rin who found him, and the Phantomhive manor,as well as the rest of England-no, the whole world grieved for Ciel. Thousands of people flocked to his funeral, paying their respects to Ciel and Lady Elizabeth. As she went to see her husband for the last time, she saw a peacefulness that she hadn't seen in him since they were children, before the fire. As she waddled back to her seat, she could hear the other mourners comment:

"He was so young!" They said

"And Lady Elizabeth is all alone in that big house." They said

"And she's having a baby!" They said

"That should distract her." They said

Long after the burial, Elizabeth stood alone on Ciel's grave, just staring into the frosted grass.

"You should be proud that so many came to see your husband, Lady Elizabeth. Master Ciel has had a true influence on the world." Sebastian offered Elizabeth a handkerchief. She nodded, took the handkerchief, and dotted her eyes

"It's a shame that Agni wasn't here. He doesn't even know..."

"Shall I pen a letter to him?"

"Yes, please."

"Angi should please you. He always has." Silence. Too much of it. Elizabeth's eyes started to water. Sebastian was going to think of another comment he could give to Ciel when Elizabeth said:

"At least...the funeral was beautiful."

"It was," he agreed.

"...Sebastian?"

"Yes, Lady Elizabeth?"

"I want to go home."

"Of course." Sebastian gave his arm for Lady Elizabeth to hold, and with her other hand, she placed it on her stomach, wondering what the future held for them.