Hello!

If you're reading this, then you've stumbled upon my newest fanfiction! Basically, this story is a written version of the Kuroshitsuji OVA, Welcome to the Phantomhive's. (For those who don't know what in the world an OVA is, the full term is Original Video Animation; Like extra episodes or clips for anime. Pretty neat, huh?)

Being a fan of Sebastian, the OVA made me very happy. If you haven't watched it yet, I recommend you watch that before reading this! It's not necessary though. I am in the middle of rewriting and improving this fanfiction. If you, the reader, see any misspells or errors, feel free to let me know in a review or message.

Disclaimer: The plot and characters don't belong to me - they come from the wonderful mind of Yana Toboso.

Anyways, if you read, review! I'm curious. Thank you, and enjoy this first chapter.

Simply One Hell of a Writer

She was almost too easy to manipulate.

The fiancée and cousin of the target; Elizabeth Ethel Cordelia Middleford. Age 13. Blonde, green eyes. 163 centimeters tall. Daughter of Alexis Leon and Frances Middleford. That was all I knew of her, in the basic sense.

At the ball, where we 'met', she appeared excessively cheerful and naïve. False smiles, the bow of my head, and the occasional soft giggle was all it took for her to trust me. She even gave me a nickname in place of the alias I'd given; 'Onee-sama.'

Older Sister.

I didn't understand why she would want to call me that.

Convincing her to bring me along to the target's manor was simple enough. Over the years, I became accustomed to playing the shy, delicate woman, scared of her own shadow. No one would suspect a woman, let alone one such as that, to be an assassin. During my first year as an hired murderer, I felt genuinely guilty, and annoyingly nauseous about killing. The first time I took another human life was the hardest. The months passed, the faces seemed to blur together. A gang lord here. A noble there. I was no longer concern about who or why; as long as I got the job done. It didn't matter that my conscience fell silent; Murder was a slippery slope. I have too much blood on my hands to ever wish for the gates of Heaven to open for me...Not that I wanted that.

The carriage bumped and rolled down the path, with only the sound of horse's clomping to accompany us. Trees and portions of stone wall from the manor were visible, and I knew we would be arriving any second. The maid - Paula - giggled at something Lady Middleford said while I lifted the corner of my lips into a small, careful smile. I didn't know much about her maid, besides what was necessary. Typical maid, nothing notable or out of the ordinary. No history or training of any sort that could pose a threat. Brown hair, brown eyes. Friendly and submissive. That was all I needed to know. Once I completed the mission, I would never see these women again.

Or if I did, they wouldn't recognize me.

"Onee-sama, this is Ciel's mansion!" Lady Elizabeth's voice pulled me out of my thoughts, and I gave her a fleeting look before following her gaze towards the window. When I looked back towards the girl, she gave me a cheery smile, to which I forced myself to she knew...she wouldn't smile like that. Outside, one of the horses neighed. I glanced outside to see the carriage slowing to a stop.

We had arrived. The grand manor: Household of my next target, Ciel Phantomhive. Head of the Phantomhive family and owner of the Funtom Toy Company. Age 14. Navy blue hair and blue eyes. 155 centimeters tall. Notoriously known as the Queen's Watchdog and son of Vincent and Rachel Phantomhive (both deceased). I tried not to think how I had to murder a child. The mere thought made me nauseous and I focused on the carriage slowing to a pause.

The door slid open, and bright rays of light lit up the small space. With a bow, the butler outside said. "Thank you for your visit, Lady Elizabeth". She smiled at him then chirped a brief "Thank you, Sebastian!". After the black-clad butler helped her down, the girl ran out of my line of sight, yelling eagerly. "Ciel, Ciel, Ciel!"

So….this was him. Sebastian Michaelis, the 'flawless' butler of the Earl Phantomhive. The Boss warned me of him, cautioned that he was more capable than he looked. The first thing I noted about him was his abnormally colored eyes, framed by long black hair. His eyes were a deep ruby red, like the color of dying embers in the fireplace; They looked harmless enough, but perhaps just like what they so resembled, get too close and they might burn.

I was overthinking, again. They were most likely some shade of brown. Who would have naturally red eyes? The subject of my thoughts then turned to me, bowing his head once more while offering his gloved hand. "We've been expecting you, Milady." His voice sounded polished, soothing though it was difficult to tell if he was acting. After I was sure to pause in 'hesitation', I took his hand and I let him guide me down the carriage steps. I didn't look back up at the butler, but was all too aware of his presence. I needed to stay on my guard.

My pink glove paled in his pristine white covered hand, with his black uniform a stark contrast to my current attire. The dress I wore was pink and white - much to Lady Elizabeth's delight and my distaste - with black buttons and white lace decorating the torso. The bottom flared out around my ankles, concealing the plain, sensible shoes underneath, as well as the daggers hidden on my person. My auburn hair shone, falling over my left shoulder. The feel of the sun against my face was surprisingly pleasant, and I resisted the sudden urge to soak in the warmth. And the corset...The corset was, as always, a nuisance but I had learned to do my job with the annoying obstruction.

The manor loomed in front of me, much larger than the previous one I had visited. The manor was made of almost entirely stone. At the top of the stairs, where the large doors loomed, an older butler stood poised. Making sure to smile at the elder man, I noted the many windows (always good for a convenient escape). Sebastian Michaelis stood to my left, bowing with a hand over his heart. Before me was my intended target, Ceil Phantomhive. He was just a boy...Or was he? Most 'boys' didn't run their own companies. Most 'boys' didn't have enemies that want them dead.

Ciel Phantomhive was much more than a simple boy.

"Onee-sama, this is Ciel, the Earl of Phantomhive." Lady Elizabeth explained with a smile, meeting my eyes. Really? Like you haven't told me several times already...My smile came a little more naturally as I nodded. She then turned to her fiancée and grinned. "Ciel, this is the lady I mentioned in my letter. I've made acquaintance of her at the ball last month. She is lovely person who knows a lot of things!" While she chattered to the boy, I took the opportunity to study the butler closer. Sebastian Michaelis was still bowing, eyes fully closed, lips tilted upwards politely. His hair was longer than as was normally expected, but it suited him, and I knew that was hardly the only thing that made him stand out. He was pale as well. Paler than I, even. Appearance aside, he appeared the average butler, however I wasn't about to let my guard down. I would have to be wary around him. Perhaps make myself blush in his presence; no doubt he had many women fawning over his looks. I had to (pretend to) be one.

Lady Elizabeth finally finished talking, glancing over at me with another smile. It seemed she was always smiling. I let my lips curl up into one in return. "Good grief." The Earl Phantomhive sighed, shaking his head. The boy sounded mature for his age, as I was told he would be. "I am the head of the Household of the Earl of Phantomhive, Ciel Phantomhive. Please enjoy the ball tonight." A hint of a courteous smile touched his lips as he nodded his head to me lightly. I won't be staying long enough to enjoy it….And neither will you, Ciel Phantomhive. I thought, holding my smile in place.

His uncovered eye met mine. They were a brighter blue than my eyes, which were once described as a "silver-blue" (all I saw was grey in the mirror). I swallowed quietly as another thought passed through my mind. I would see the light leave that eye, see the vivid blue dull. Taking in a small breath, I focused on his other eye. It was hidden behind a silk eye patch. curiously enough. I reminded myself assassins didn't have time to be curious. However, even the Boss didn't know the secret behind it, as there most certainly was one. What could he be hiding behind an eyepatch? It doesn't matter, I told myself. Focus. "Sebastian, offer her our hospitality." Earl Phantomhive shot a sharp look towards his butler, who in return, nodded obediently. "Very well, my lord." Sebastian turned to me, meeting my eyes with an almost friendly smile. "Pleased to meet you, Milady. I am the butler of the Phantomhive family, Sebastian Michaelis." I'm well aware, thank you.

Once more he bobbed his head, that polite smile never leaving his lips. "We hope you enjoy hospitality à la Phantomhive." You won't be so calm after tonight, Mr. Tall, Dark and Smiling. Soon the Phantomhive legacy will be no more. A strange flutter in my gut. I peered at the butler through my eyelashes. I have to keep up the act, for now. It's too soon…Gesturing towards the grand double doors in front of us being pushed slowly open by the other servant, Sebastian Michaelis exclaimed. "Welcome to the Phantomhives!"

"This will be your room."

Sebastian Michaelis told me as he stepped aside to let me pass. I resisted grumbling under my breath. His long legged stride through the various halls had forced me to pick up my pace. I was well aware of my shorter stature. His height wouldn't give him any advantage against me, though.

The first thing I noticed about 'my' room was a tall dresser in the corner as it's burnished wood glinted under the light. On a small table beside it, a mirror edged with intricate gold designs and a small book sat side by side. A full-length mirror stood just behind the door, along with a fairly large bed, with it's clean white sheets. A desk stood beside the bed, with only a small purple and gold lamp to decorate it's dull but tidy surface. I had to admit, this place was much nicer than other places I had been sent to work. Teal curtains were drawn back to let the sunlight stream inside, filling the room. I eyed the window momentarily, then turned my attention to the butler behind me. I needed to check if the window creaked when opened later. "What a wonderful room.." I murmured out loud, remembering to keep my voice soft. Sebastian leaned forward to hear my 'shy' whisper. "A wonderful room, you say? Thank you for your compliment."

His eyes could've passed for brown from afar, but with only a few inches apart from our faces, they were clearly an intense crimson. Not that any of that really mattered, but it was important to take notice of smaller details. Maybe not about his looks, though. Attractive as he was - my cheeks were suddenly warm, most likely from the sunshine coming from the windows - Sebastian Michaelis was still a possible threat to my mission.

Perhaps I should've spoken a bit louder.

"Many of the furnishings of this room are of the finest pedigree, collected over generations of Phantomhive." I imagined the butler's chest puffing in pride, not bothering to glance back at him this time. How very interesting, I quipped, rather childishly, in my head before I could stop myself, but I don't care. Although...A new thought popped into my head. How was anything salvaged from the fire that destroyed the original Phantomhive mansion?

A line of photographs above the fireplace suddenly caught my eye. "Each of these befits Your Ladyship, so please make use of them as you please." Your Ladyship? It had been awhile since I last played the role of a noble woman. I didn't miss the fancy titles, though. Ignoring the unnecessary rambling from behind me, I approached the photographs, allowing the tiniest hint of curiosity to escape.

Along the line of photographs, the first was a picture of the Earl at a younger age - maybe 10 or so? - standing in the manor. Both of his eyes were uncovered, wide-eyed and

...innocent.

The nausea returned.

There was a vast difference between the boy in the picture and the one I know now to be Ciel Phantomhive, more than it should've been for only a few years. The picture was indeed taken before the fire burnt down his home and family….It still didn't explain the eye patch, though. "That is the last Earl of Phantomhive, Earl Vincent Phantomhive and Madam Rachel." I glanced towards the butler, who simply carried on with his explanation. The next few photographs were of the Earl and his parents. The Earl looked eerily similar to his father. "Not only were they enthusiastic philanthropists but also proponents of flood regulation and medical services provision-" As he spoke, he looked towards the window, almost like he was remembering something. Sebastian didn't serve the Phantomhives until after the Earl's parents had passed away, hadn't he? "-they were prominent personalities that the citizens dearly loved." They were murdered, too. Just as their son will be...I nodded. Years ago, the guilt would've been overwhelming at this point. "Her Majesty the Queen had deep faith in them as well. My Master can tell you more at tea time later this afternoon. For now, please-"

Sebastian was cut off by a resounding explosion which shook us and the manor. My hand flew my side, not yet pulling the dagger out. An explosion? Someone was bombing the manor? No, that wasn't it. Sebastian paused and glanced towards the door. Then, still using that false smile of his, he turned to me briefly. "Please wait here. Now if you would excuse me." With that, he walked out the room, rather calmly, although I thought I saw a flash of irritation hidden in those ruby eyes. Strange..