Hiya there peoples! I know I didn't talk much-okay at all- during the first chapter, but it was so fresh in my head I had to get it onto paper...er...whatever, as soon as possible.
So, this story is based on the premise that Allen Walker and Ciel Phantomhive met as children before the terrible murder that allienated all of Ciel's family and, years later, they run into each other again! How will things work out this time around with Allen thrown into the mix? Will Sebastian really get Ciel's soul? Or will Allen stop him in time? As I stated in the summary, there will be some slash: both CielxAllen and SebastianxAllen.
Hope you enjoy! ^^!
Chapter 2: Bodyguard? No way!
"As a servant of the Phantomhive manor, there are a certain set of ground rules that you must follow," Tanaka said briskly, leading Allen down the hall to the servants quarters. He chanced a look back at Allen and his lips twitched into a small sarcastic smile. "Though I doubt many of them need to be expressed to a boy as young as yourself, I must make a few things clear," reaching a seemingly random door, Tanaka opened it into a medium sized room occupied by two beds, one of which was unmade. The Head Butler sighed and shook his head, then turned to face Allen. "This will be your room which you will share with two of our younger servants. First of all, you are to make sure your bedroom is presentable every morning before you prepare for your duties. Secondly, all duties are to be performed in a quick, efficient, and timely manner, we do not tolerate slackers here at the Phantomhive manor. Thirdly, if I catch a whiff of any contraband items on your person or within your room, you will be expelled immediately. The Earl expects all his servants to behave in a manner befitting the nobility themselves. Are you keeping up?" Allen nodded. "Good. Lastly, and I doubt I need to say this, but women are not allowed into the men's dormitories, and vice versa. If I catch you alone with a woman in your room, there will be consequences," Allen gulped at the stern look on Tanaka's face and quickly nodded his head to show he understood. He didn't understand why having a girl in your room would be so bad though. Nevertheless he silently took the lesson to heart. Tanaka smiled.
"Good. Now, on to your specific duties as..." Tanaka was stopped in mid-sentence as a scream echoed through the house and he was bowled over, two boys younger than himself racing into the room, one holding some sort of creature in his hands while the other tried to find a safe place to hide their discovery.
"Come on, come on, come on! Hurry up! If Tanaka sees then we'll never hear the end of it," The taller one said, excitedly holding the thing in his hands as the younger boy frantically opened drawers in order to find the perfect hiding spot. His bright red hair quivered in excitement under his green bandana, the only spot of color in his servant attire.
"Oh? And why would I do that?" Both boys froze, beads of sweat erupting all over their bodies as they realized they'd been caught. The older one swiftly turned around, busily hiding the creature behind his back and smiling anxiously, vivid green eyes glinting with aprehension.
"Eh he...No reason!" the boy said, backing away towards the door. "If you'll just excuse me I have...chores to do and..okaybye!" the boy made a mad dash for the door, only to be caught by swift, gloved hand. Tanaka sighed as the boy squirmed and begged to be freed.
"Really Lavi, must you do this every time?" The boy, now known as Lavi, grinned cheekily at Tanaka, even though a large sweat drop had accumulated on his temple.
"Hey, hey! At least I haven't done anything yet old man! It's not like I-AH!" Lavi groaned as he tried to recover from being sent through the wall.
"Please refrain from using such disrespectful words, it is unbecoming of a Phantomhive servant, or do you not remember what happened last time?" Tanaka asked calmly, serenely brushing the dust off his gloves. Surprised and slightly terrified, Allen and the remaining boy anxiously backed up into the same corner in an effort to avoid the deadly butlers' skill. Both squealed in fright when the head butler turned to them. "Master Ciel, how many times have I told you not to go outside without a coat on?" Allen turned in surprise to gaze at the boy beside him-the boy he was going to be guarding-Ciel Phantomhive.
He was a great deal like his father-concluded Allen. Same blue-slate hair and heart shaped face; but the cheekbones were finer, more delicate, and the cute button of a nose must have come from his mother. It was the eyes though, that truly took his breath away. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Ciels' eyes were a glowing azure blue, like a clear morning sky in spring. Allen found himself blushing as he took in the small, delicate boy who seemed to simply radiate a sense of joy and excitement.
"But Tanaka!" Ciel whined. "Lavi were gonna play 'The Princess and the Pea' with Lizzie," Tanaka's eyebrow crept up his hairline.
"I see, and since when did the princess and the pea have frogs in it?" Ciel blushed and scuffed his shoe on the floor. Tanaka sighed.
"Come, let's get Lavi and have you both apologize to Ms. Elizabeth,"
"She was trying to make me put on one of her dresses! I don't care if I'll look cute! I won't do it!" Tanaka looked behind at Allen.
"You should probably come too, as you'll be watching Master Ciel and Ms. Elizabeth from now on," Allen nodded and fell into step behind Tanaka, quietly taking in the form of Ciel Phantomhive. He was very feminine for a boy, with narrow, sloping shoulders and ambiguous hips. Of course, his body was at an age where it was hard to tell boy from girl, as most girls hadn't begun to develop yet, and the boys were still in their child-like phase. Still, it wasn't hard to see that Ciel Phantomhive would grow to be a heartrendingly beautiful man. Allen gaped as he was led into the upper levels of the house, gazing in wonder at the ornate walls and expensive decor. Tanaka led them into a private study where the Earl sat, engrossed in paperwork for the daily running's of the mansion. He glanced up and set aside his paperwork, giving Ciel a firm stare.
"Ciel..." Phantomhive began.
"It was her fault for making me put on a dress!" Ciel pouted, pointing accusingly at the girl sitting in the corner. Allen felt pity well up as he saw the pathetic shape she was in. Her blonde hair was tangled and messy, the light make-up she wore was smeared from all her crying; and what must have been a perfectly respectable dress was now a disheveled mess around her.
"That's not an excuse Ciel. You've upset Lady Elizabeth far more than she ever upset you. You've hurt her feelings by behaving so irresponsibly. What would you do if I punished you for messing up my paperwork by playing with my paperweights?" The flush on Ciels' cheeks told Allen that this had happened before. "Do you see? Now apologize to Lady Elizabeth," The Earl said firmly. Ciels' chin set in a stubborn frown. "Do I have to call Aunt Middleford and tell her how you've been treating her daughter?" A frantic head wildly shook its negative and Ciel turned to the Lady Elizabeth.
"Lizzie?...I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. I just don't like dresses. It's embarrassing to be seen in something that just looks so much cuter on you and..." As if realizing what he had said, Ciels' cheeks flushed and he hurriedly tried to scurry off, only for a small hand to catch the back of his shirt and grip it tightly.
"Really? Do you really mean that?" Lady Elizabeth asked in a tiny voice. Ciel gulped, but nervously nodded his head. "OH CIEL!" the girl squealed, wrapping her arms around the boy and spinning around on the spot gleefully.
"Lizzie!" he cried, his restricted breathing being further hindered by Lizzie's tight embrace and bringing on the feeling of another attack. All of a sudden the rib-cracking pressure was gone. Ciel blinked, then looked to his savior.
Angel, that's what he first thought when he saw Allen. With his snowy white hair and silvery grey eyes, he was like the winter landscape brought to life. Ciel stared at him, he wasn't much taller than him actually, even though he looked a year or two older*. That was a bit of a comfort. Ciel cautiously reached out a hand, wanting to touch his pale skin and see if it was as cold as the snow it resembled outside. Ciels' father looked at the snow angel and smiled. He held Lizzie effortlessly in one, gloved hand, keeping her from pouncing back on top of him.
"Ah Allen, so nice of you to join us. Is your room satisfactory?" The Angel-now dubbed Allen-nervously scratched the back of his head, setting Elizabeth back down on the ground, whom immediately began nuzzling Ciels' shoulder.
"Yes sir. I look forward to working for your household," he replied. Phantomhive nodded in reply, turning to his son.
"Ciel, this is Allen Walker, apprentice to General Marian Cross of the Black Order. He's here to help me solve a case for the queen, and as of now, he is your personal bodyguard." Ciel's eyes widened.
"But father! Why would I need a bodyguard? I can protect myself!" Vincent Phantomhive ignored his sons outburst, straightening a set of papers and setting them aside.
"Many children your age have bodyguards to protect them from kidnappers and such. It's not that unusual.
"Lizzie doesn't have one!" Ciel whined, pointing at his bride to be. Earl Phantomhive's lips quirked into a small, wry smile.
"Lady Elizabeth is a prodigy of fencing and can deal with any trouble by herself. Now enough whining! Allen will be acting as your bodyguard until this case is complete," Phantomhive said, staring down at his son and making it clear this conversation was over. Ciel pouted and tailed Tanaka out of the room back to his bedroom.
"I've been studying the sword too." Ciel mumbled sulkily as he sulked out the door. Allen had to hide his snickers behind his hand. Really, this little boy was too amusing, wanting to be so big and tough when really he was probably one of the most adorable things he had ever set eyes on. Once Ciel, Elizabeth, and Tanaka had left the room, Vincent Phantomhive turned his full attention onto Allen.
"Now, on to the finer points of your employment..."
.
!
.
"It's not fair!" Ciel said, kicking his toy train across the room." Why do I have to have a bodyguard? None of my other friends do! Why me?" Lavi winced as another toy banged against the wall.
"Don't worry Ciel, it won't be so bad-"
"Yes it will!" Ciel screeched, turning angrily on Lavi. "He'll probably make me stay inside all day! Or-or follow me everywhere I go, even in the bathroom!" he whimpered. "Or maybe he'll be an ex-military general who'll slave drive me through a grueling training regiment so I can 'protect myself'!" He shuddered. "I would have to fight bears with only my hands with no training! I'll get mauled!" Lavi hugged him tightly.
"Don't worry Ciel! I'll save you!" Lavi cried, totally swept up in the negative viewpoint of Allen and swearing to protect Ciel even if it meant fighting off the old fart that was Ciel's bodyguard. Upstairs with the Earl Phantomhive, Allen had to repress a shudder of foreboding.
.
!
.
"Okay. Operation: Freak out Stake out is in effect," Ciel whispered into the tin can he was holding, connected by a string to the place Lavi was hiding up in the rafters. Ciel peeked from his hiding place behind a corner, watching warily as Allen searched for the little master.
"Roger that. Commencing freak out in 5...4...3...2...1!" Ciel rushed from behind his hiding place and tossed a bowl of spaghetti on him while Lavi dumped a bucket of frogs they had caught on him from above. Laughing, Ciel and Lavi dashed off to go play outside, rudely bumping into Allen as they made their escape. Allen sighed, picking spaghetti off his uniform and looking forlornly down at the frogs he would have to catch. He had been at the manor for a month now, and Ciel's opinion of him still hadn't changed. If anything, it had gotten worse. He was subjected to daily pranks, fits of temper, and disobedience when it came to Allen's rules to stay out of trouble. Allen wanted to be friends with Ciel, he really did, but the boy seemed adamant about hating his bodyguard. He glared resignedly down at his left arm. "I hope you know that this is your entire fault," he said simply. His arm, being what it was, couldn't answer. Allen sighed and reluctantly began cleaning up.
"Did you see his face? Totally surprised," Lavi snickered, head touching his knees in the small place they called their hideout.
Well, not that you could really call it a hideout, more like a hiding spot. He and Lavi had discovered a hidden storage space under the servants stairs that was just big enough to hold two children. The ceiling was low and space was limited, but it was their spot and no one had ever found them when they hid in here. Ciel giggled with him.
"I don't see how father could ever have imagined that he would be able to protect me. He looks like one puff of wind would knock him over!"
"You wouldn't think that if you saw how he eats, he packs more down in a single meal than all the servants do in a day!"
"What a slob!"
"Master Ciel!" A faint voice called down the hall. "Master Ciel! Ciel! Come on, your father wants to speak with you!" Ciel rolled his eyes.
"Well, looks like sir pig-a lot has come to kidnap me," The boys snickered, before bumping fists and exiting their hiding place.
"Ah," The two boys jumped at the sudden voice behind them. "There you two are. Master Ciel, your father wants to meet you in the green drawing room. Please, come with me," Allen said, bowing to Ciel before turning and heading up the stairs. Lavi and Ciel turned to the other in shock. Their cupboard wasn't sound-proof right? They had heard Allen's voice over halfway down the hall.
So how did he get there so fast?
.
!
.
Allen sighed as he watched the Phantomhive family enjoy a day outdoors. Winter was setting in with a vengeance, but today it was pleasant, even warm, and the entire household was taking advantage of the nice weather.
"CIELLL!" Allen snickered as Lady Elizabeth chased the young Phantomhive heir around the yard, a frilly white dress clutched tightly in her hands.
"I don't wanna! Put it on Allen it'll be much cuter on him." Allen froze, feeling his world crack and a shiver of trepidation go up his spine. Apprehensively he watched as Lady Elizabeth raked her eyes up and down his form, before her face broke into a wicked smile. He nervously sent a smile back, before bolting across the lawn.
"Come back Allen! It'll be so cute on you!"
"I don't wanna!" Ciel giggled as he watched Allen be chased around the yard; served him right for laughing at his predicament. Noticing that the two were headed her way, he stuck out his foot casually, causing Allen to trip and sprawl headfirst into the grass. In a flash Lizzie was on top of Allen and had shoved the dress over his head. Leaning back to examine her work, Lizzie clapped her hands and squealed in delight.
"Oh I was right! That looks so cute on you Allen!" Allen flushed as he tugged uncomfortably at the hem of the dress. The dress was a beautiful thing, made soft pleated white cotton with ice blue ribbons and covered his frilly white lace. Lizzie gushed over how cute Allen looked, until she caught sight of Allen's mitt. Angrily she snatched up Allen's hand. "What's this?" She demanded, shaking his hand in front of his face. Allen sweated nervously.
"It's my glove. I use it to keep my hand warm-" Allen began.
"It's not cute at all! Take it off!" Lizzie said, stomping her foot to emphasize her command.
"NO!" Allen shouted, snatching his hand back and cradling it against his chest.
"Take it off!" Lizzie said, reaching for his hand and pulling on the glove.
"No! You'll see!" Allen protested, yanking his hand back.
"See? See what-?" Lizzie trailed off in mid-sentence as the glove came off and revealed what was underneath. Dry and shriveled like a corpse, Allen's hand looked stiff and painful, shriveled skin clinging tightly to the joints in his hands. Ciel's eyes stared in horror at the dark scarlet hue-like dried blood-of his skin and the sharp, claw-like nails.
The fingers twitched and the spell was broken. Lizzie screamed, horrified by the disfigurement of Allen's arm. Ciel began slowly backing away from his demonic bodyguard. Because that's what he had to be right? A demon, unlike the angel he had really thought. Allen reached out for Ciel, eyes pleading with him to understand.
"Ciel? Ciel please I-"
"No, stay away! Stay away from me you-you monster!" and with that he rushed off into the woods nearby. How could he have let this happen? That demon had wormed it's way into their family, it would slaughter them all! Ciel covered his mouth, feeling the beginnings of an asthma attack come on. No, not out here. Not with that thing so close by! He forced his breath to come out evenly and slowed his pace, glancing anxiously behind him.
"Ciel!" A faint voice called. "Ciel come back!" Ciel shook in fear and pressed on, only to run into something large, warm, and furry.
"Ciel!" The voice called again. Ciel paid it no mind and cautiously looked up.
There, standing in front of him, was a huge black bear over three times his size, gazing down at him with one lip curled.
Panicking, Ciel jumped back and scrambled away, screaming when the bear roared and began to charge.
"CIEL!" Ciel looked up just in time to see Allen Walker leap over him and go straight for the bear, his disfigured arm now covered in shining silver metal and twice its normal size, eerie green glowing energy-like fire-burned at his shoulder and the back of his hand. With one mighty blow, Allen sent the bear flying where it smacked into a tree. "Ciel!" Allen called desperately. "Master are you all right?" Ciel swallowed, trying to wet his dry throat and fighting off his asthma.
"Fine..." he croaked. "I-I'm fine," he managed to say, darkness filling in at the edges of his vision. Allen smiled.
"Good. Then just stay there, I'll protect you," the last thing Ciel saw, was Allen's back to him as he faced off the charging bear.
.
!
.
"...iel...Ciel...ake up...wake up...Ciel..."
"Honey are you okay?" Mom...Dad?
"His body passed out due to stress, he should be fine soon." What...Why would I be stressed...
The bear
"Allen!" Ciel cried as shot straight up out of bed.
"Ciel!"
"Master Ciel, please lay back down you're not strong enough too-"
"Where's Allen?" Ciel demanded, glaring at the people in his room. His mother and father looked sad and the servants all looked down.
"Allen's fine sweetie, he spent a lot of energy protecting you from that bear. He's resting right now to regain his strength, just like you," His mother explained, putting a gentle hand on his shoulder. Ciel shrugged it off.
"I want to see him," he said, sitting as straight and regally as his father when he wanted something.
"That wouldn't be a good idea." The doctor, an old fellow with graying hair and a thick salt and pepper mustache protested. "With your asthma the way it is, it would be better for you to rest in bed at least one more day before you start-" The doctor trailed off, shivering at the command in those eyes.
"I want to see him. Take me to Allen Walker," it was said simply, but with such finality that no one even thought of disobeying. Shooing the rest of the worried household out of the room, Ciel's personal servants helped him get out of bed and shrug on his dressing gown. Vincent Phantomhive gained a secretive smile on his face. While his son was still young and in many ways unprepared for the role as the Queen's Guard dog, there were times-few and far between-when his inner noble would show up, and the Earl was assured that when he did pass on, the company would be in good hands. Once he was suitably dressed, Ciel began purposefully walking out the door towards Allen's room. The Earl Phantomhive got up and began quietly following him. Ciel's mother anxiously got up.
"Dear, are you sure this is wise? With his delicate health, Ciel could hurt himself!" Ciel's father smirked.
"No, even if we locked him in his room he'd still find a way to get to Allen; most likely through the window. It's better that we let him go now so that we can keep an eye on him, then leave him to his own devices," He smiled to his wife. "Besides, he was very impressive just now. Already he's growing to become a fine Earl of the Phantomhives," Ciel's mother anxiously watched her sons back and bit her lip. "I suppose so." A small smile worked its way across her face.
Ciel didn't pay any attention to the conversation his parents were having behind his back, his only goal right now was to get to Allen and apologize. I called him a monster and he still ran to save me. Even as naïve as he was, he knew not just anybody would do that. But what was that strange arm? The more he thought about it, the less it made sense. There was no way Allen could put on armor that fast, and people's arms didn't just grow to twice their normal size either. Maybe he's a superhero, he thought. That thought just made him feel worse. He gets the privilege of meeting a bonafide superhero, and insults him. He stopped for a moment when he reaches Allen's door. He probably hates me now. He squeezed the handle. But I still have to make it right! With that Ciel opened the door and stepped into the room.
It was homey, Ciel noticed. The walls were decorated with various circus posters. A deck of cards sat on the dresser, along with a set of multi-colored balls that clowns used for juggling. Being able to get a closer look at them, Ciel noticed that they had small ridges that ran around the circumference of the ball to help the juggler grip them easier. Ciel picked one up curiously. They were also light, far lighter than he expected them to be. He tossed one experimentally into the air and caught it with ease.
"It's to make them easier to catch," Allen said. Ciel jumped, dropping the ball and knocking his other knick knacks and possessions off the top of the dresser.
"Allen!" he shouted in surprise. "Are you all right?" Allen smiled.
"Eh, I've had worse," he stated. Ciel shuddered at the implications of that as he took in Allen's injuries. His entire torso was covered in white gauze, spots of red showing through where the blood had soaked through the bandages. His arm, now regular sized again, was back to that same unearthly shade of red. Ciel averted his eyes to his hands, twiddling his thumbs and shifting nervously from foot to foot.
"I-I'm sorry Allen," Ciel said, gazing forlornly down at the bedspread. Allen chuckled.
"For getting attacked by a bear? Ciel no one can control that don't be blaming-"
"No. I-I mean...I'm sorry I ran away...called you a monster..." Ciel mumbled, looking off to the side. Allen gazed at him and was silent for a long moment, before he smiled sadly.
"Don't worry about it Ciel, it's not the first time someone's reacted that way," Allen laughed. "And it definitively wasn't the worst reaction I've faced either! You learn to deal with it after a while so don't wor-"
"That doesn't make it right!" Ciel shouted. "Are you saying I should be reassured that I react like everyone else? I'm a Phantomhive! Part of the nobility! It's my job to set an example for those under me. If I react the way I did, I'm saying it's right for people to shun you, and it's not," tears began falling down his face. "You deserve better than that. Everyone does," Allen stared at him for a moment, utterly shocked by his speech, before smiling.
"I think we got off on the wrong foot all those weeks ago," Allen said, holding out his red hand. "I'm Allen Walker, It's a pleasure to meet you," Ciel stared at him for a moment, before smiling and taking his hand, feeling how soft and frail the papery red skin felt under his palm, like lambskin parchment.
"I'm Ciel Phantomhive. I hope we become really good friends."
.
.
End.
.
Whew! You would not believe how hard this chapter was to write! Writing Vincent Phantomhive is especially hard since you never really learned what he was like. I hope I didn't make him to stiff and repetitive.
Now, I have a request. I don't own any of the Kuroshitsuji Manga (which I'm basing this on), but I have found some online scans. Unfortunately they've only posted up to chapter 58, when Ciel is on the boat headed for America and they're attacked by zombies. The last thing I read was Ciel handing Lizzie over to her older brother on the top deck as the boat slowly sank because of ramming into the iceberg. Oh, and Grell had just caught the doctor who brought all those people back to life as he tried to make his way up the stairs.
So here's my request. A little help? I need someone to tell me what happens next, tell me where I can buy the books I haven't read, anything! I don't like being behind like this!
Thank you for reading Saving Souls we hope you enjoy the rest of your tour of "". Good-bye!
*just for reference, Allen is actually only 12 years old in this part of the story, rather than the 15 and 16 he is in the manga and anime.
