"Good afternoon, Madame Red, Lau, Ran Mao" Luke said with a bow.

"Look at how handsome you've become, Lucas. You've grown taller too. I absolutely adore your red hair" Madame Red said and her butler Grell bowed to Luke and Ciel.

"Well who else did I inherit it from, Aunt Anne?" Luke asked and Madame Red flipped her short red hair over her shoulder.

"Who are we expected today?" Lau asked.

"Lord Randall, Azure Venere and Mr. Faruda" Ciel replied with a small smirk.

"The Queen's Dogs are up to something" Madame Red commented and Luke smirked.

"The Queen's Dogs are always up to something, Madame Red" Luke replied and then led them to the game room.

A large snooker table sat in the center of the room and the curtains were shut. With the lamps on, the room looked rather eerie which was normal for the house of Phantomhive. Luke sat down on the large armchair and crossed his legs.

"Your leg seems to be doing well" Madame Red said as she sat down on the couch.

"It doesn't pain as much as it used to" Luke said and he exchanged a knowing glance with Sebastian.

The doorbell chimed and Sebastian went to open the door. Their three expected guests arrived together. Luke smirked and greeted Lord Randall of Scotland Yard, Azuro Venere of the Ferro family and Faruda who was a Russian drug dealer. As the game began, some of the lamps began flickering and then eventually shut off.

"Sebastian, go check the power cables. The rats of London have come here" Luke said and Sebastian left.

"You have a rat problem and you've let them run around long enough until they disturbed the power cables?" Faruda asked incredulously.

Ciel wrinkled his nose at the way Faruda was stuffing his face. Luke merely chuckled.

"I find them quite enjoyable" Luke replied.

"It appears our elder dog like to make trouble. Such a mischievous boy" Lau said in his dreamy voice.

"When will you handle the problem?" Randall asked, looking visibly annoyed.

"Any moment now the rats will be sinking their teeth into the forbidden cheese and I hold the store house key" Ciel replied with a smirk.

As Ciel said this, Azure hit the cue ball and it sank into a corner pocket.

"But locating and destroying the vermin's nest if rather tedious so I would spend this time to prepare a suitable reward" Luke finished glancing at Randall expectantly.

"You both are vultures" Randall said.

"I would be careful of how you smear the Phantomhive crest if I were you, Lord Randall" Luke said in a low, threatening voice.

"Will you pass this time too?" Madame Red asked.

"I think we should put an end to this silly game, don't you think, brother?" Luke asked.

Ciel stood and headed to the table. On the way he passed Randall.

"When will you have the payment ready?" Ciel asked in a low voice. Luke didn't hear Randall's reply.

Ciel jumped up to sit on the table.

"You're aiming for all the balls at once?" Faruda asked in shock.

"Of course" Ciel replied.

"Greed will be your downfall" Randall said ominously.

"Greed, huh?" Ciel mocked and sunk all the balls in one shot.

When the guests left, everyone else retired to the sitting room. Luke sat down next to Ciel and fingered the ring he wore on his right hand ring finger. Sebastian entered with a car laden with tea and other treats.

"For today's tea we have a special-" "Darjeely from Fortune and Mason" Luke finished.

Everyone's eyes turned to him in surprise and Sebastian smiled eerily.

"How did you know which tea he was going to give us?" Madame Red asked in curiousity.

"The smell was familiar" Luke replied looking down at the table.

"The pot wasn't open" Ciel pointed out.

"Lucky guess?" Luke asked with a feeble smile.

The rest shrugged it off and Sebastian served the tea.

"Smells lovely, tea can be excellent when made well, can't it Ranmao?" Lau asked his female companion, she nodded before she took a sip.

Luke took a sip and closed his eyes. Sebastian made the most heavenly tea he had ever tasted. The beautiful fragrance was just icing on the cake.

"Grell" Madame Red said and her butler stood at attention.

"Yes, my lady"

"Learn something from Sebastian" Madame Red said and Grell visibly deflated.

Luke almost felt sorry for Grell. He probably tried his best but things always seemed to go wrong with Grell.

"Just look at his physique" Madame Red began rubbing Sebastian's ass which made Sebastian twitch. "You should quit this country job and come work for me in the city!"

"Madame Red" Ciel said with a cough and Madame Red let go of Sebastian.

"Oh! Sorry, I couldn't help it; it looked like he needed a physical. Just a doctor's habit" She stated in a sing-song voice.

Luke chuckled and Ciel frowned.

"I'll be right back" Luke stood and began making his way to the nearest bathroom.

He opened the door of his bedroom and stepped inside. At that moment a hand clamped over his mouth and he slumped against his attacker and lost consciousness.

"How many families have you crushed and tossed aside, Ciel Phantomhive?" was what Luke heard when he awoke.

His eyes were so heavy and he couldn't move his limbs. As he gained his senses back, he realized his was tied to an armchair.

"Who is that?" Luke murmured and the kidnappers attention turned to him.

"Nice of you to join us, Lucas Phantomhive"

"Azuro Venere, I should have known. What do you want, the key to the storeroom of drugs?" Luke said glaring at Azuro.

"Where is it? If you tell me where it is then I shall release both of you, free from harm" Azuro said.

"I'll never tell you where the key is, Azuro. It goes against what the Queen expects from the Phantomhives" Luke spat and Azuro punched him right on the face.

"This is why I hate all you English men, the queen this, the queen that! You act like this woman is your own mother!" Azuro cursed.

"I have left orders about your key, and if I don't come back my servants will know and make sure the authorities get it" Ciel stated and that earned him a kick in the stomach.

"We have no interest in doing business with you" Luke said and Azuro began punching him harder and harder.

Then Azuro picked up the phone. "Did you hear that? All negotiations are off!"

With those words Luke knew Azuro had just sealed their fates. He glanced over at his brother who had blood running from his nose and split lip. There were several bruises on his face and body.

"Don't worry about me brother, you look worse" Ciel said and Luke stretched his jaw, wincing in pain.

Back at the manor...

"Sebastian!" Meyrin cried as she ran down the hallway. "This letter just arrived at the door, yes it did!"

"Addressed to whom?" Sebastian asked.

"To the attendants of Ciel Phantomhive" Meyrin replied.

Sebastian turned slightly and spied the sniper seated in a tree right in sight of the window. He frowned and turned to Meyrin who tripped on her untied boot. She flew through the air and landed right on Sebastian throwing him onto the ground just as the sniper shot. The window exploded along with a vase, bits of glass rained onto the floor. The pie in Sebastian's hand stayed intact even if he tumbled to the floor with Meyrin.

"The letter" Sebastian said in a monotone and Meyrin blushed as she lifted her head up from his chest.

"Oh! Yes!" Meyrin said and handed the letter over.

Sebastian stood and brushed himself off before reading the letter.

"If you ever wish to see the two earls safely, then come to Nova Garden, Bethenal Green as soon as possible." Sebastian read with the same monotonous expression.

The rest of the servants came to the scene as well as the guests.

"Sebastian," Finny asked, "What happened here?"

"What the devil is going on here?" Madam Red asked.

"Sorry for the noise my lady, nothing is wrong I assure you." Sebastian bowed, "Now if you will excuse me." He handed the pie he was holding to Bard, "If you wouldn't mind cleaning this up." He continued his way down the hall.

"So… when you say clean it up, you mean eat it right?" Bard looked around for the butler, "Sebastian?"

Sebastian had disappeared.

Luke tried to break out of the bonds and Azuro smacked him at the back of the head because he was rattling the chair. Luke stared over at his brother whose head was bowed so only his hair was visible. The phone rang and Azuro picked it up. Luke closed his eyes.

He could hear everything that was being said on the other end of the phone. He opened his eyes and the voices stopped. He leaned against the chair and closed his eyes again.

"We missed!" the sniper on the phone said.

"What do you mean you missed?" Azuro screeched into the phone making Luke wince. "You are complete idiots! Never should have hired you British scum! Just get back here!"

Luke smiled. At least he knew that the occupants of the manor were safe.

"Sir, someone or something is following us" The sniper said.

Luke listened carefully and then heard the sound of tires running over a rocky path. The sniper was obviously in a car. Who was chasing after them?

"It's gaining on us!" the sniper cried, terrified.

"What, did you girls see a bear in the forest?" Azuro asked and the bodyguard next to him chuckled.

"It's… it's coming!" the sniper said and Luke smirked. He knew now who that was.

"Who is it? Answer me or else you'll be next to die!" Azuro screamed into the phone.

"No good! It's here! AAAAAAAAAH!"

Luke winced as the screams of the two snipers came through the receiving end of the phone. It was loud enough even for Ciel to hear. Then the sound of the car crashing was heard and nothing but static was heard the phone. Luke opened his eyes and turned his head to look at Azuro who looked scared out of his mind.

"Looks like your little game of fetch is over" Ciel said cockily and Luke turned his head when Azuro started releasing his pent up frustration on Ciel's body by raining punches and kicks on the young boy.

After he was done Azuro picked up the phone again.

"You listen here! If one of you doesn't answer right now I swear your life will be like hell!"

Then a familiar spoke from the receiving end of the phone.

"Hello?" Sebastian spoke.

"Who is this?" Azuro asked his eyes wide.

"Pardon me, I represent the Phantomhive household. I was merely wondering if my masters were available" Sebastian replied coolly.

Luke exchanged a smirk with Ciel and they both turned to the phone.

"Hello? Are you there?" Sebastian asked.

"Woof" Luke and Ciel said in unison.

"Very good, Master, Young Master. I shall be there to fetch you momentarily"

The connection was lost and Luke smirked. Azuro seemed to have frozen in shock. Then he suddenly came to life.

"The Phantomhive have help on the way! Close the gates! Shoot anyone on sight! Don't let anyone in!" Azuro screamed himself hoarse with the orders.

After a while, screams and yells were heard. Luke closed his eyes and winced as he heard a man's arm break. His eyes shot open in surprise. Hearing things over the phone was fine but how could he hear what was happening in the foyer? Azuro seemed truly afraid and he had a silver shotgun in his hand ready to shoot.

The screams and gunshots went on and then deathly silence followed. The door opened and Sebastian stood there in all of his glory.

"Is this a joke?" Azuro asked in disbelief. "I was expecting some giant and instead I get a scrawny dandy in a tailcoat"

"No sir. I am simply one hell of a butler" Sebastian replied.

"Heh, sure, it doesn't matter anyway. I have no intention of fighting. Not yet at least" His eyes narrowed and his smile grew, he grabbed Ciel by the top of his head.

"Let him go, Azuro!" Luke said.

"What can you do to save him, cripple?" Azuro spat out and Luke glared at him with cold blue eyes.

"Do you have what I need?" Azuro asked.

"It is right here" Sebastian lifted up the key and stepped forward. In an instant, shots were fired.

"Sebastian!" Luke struggled to remove his bonds as more bullets rained on Sebastian.

Sebastian fell to the floor, dead and Azuro cackled.

"I knew I was going up against the Lords of Games but I had a trump card hidden in my sleeve" Azuro said with glee as more of his men stepped out a torn painting.

"You're damaged goods but I can get a good price for you, little Lord Phantomhive" Azuro held up Ciel by his hair.

"Don't you dare touch him!" Luke said struggling and the chair toppled to the floor.

"Lying on his back, tied to the chair. Don't worry, cripple, I'll make your death quick" Azuro said.

"Alright…" Ciel finally spoke up, "I am tired of messing around. How much longer are you planning to feign death?"

Luke's eyes widened as he heard a few sickening cracks.

"Modern guns are much more improved. They shoot more bullets" Sebastian and Luke grinned.

"How can you be alive? The bullets hit you!" Azuro said.

Luke grinned even wider as he heard the other men die and now Azuro was the only one left.

"Master, how unfortunate, they don't seem to have taken very good care of you…". He walked towards the young lord.

"No! Stay back!" Azuro threatened.

"You look like a helpless little child all bound up like that." Sebastian mused, "But I guess that is appropriate."

"If you come any closer I will shoot him and the cripple!"

Sebastian stood near Luke and then lifted the chair up to stand on its four legs. Luke looked up at Sebastian and was surprised at the angry look in Sebastian's crimson eyes. With one swipe of Sebastian's hands, the bonds were broken and Luke rubbed at his arms.

"Can we move this along? His breath smells" Ciel said.

"Masters, you know what to do" Sebastian replied.

Luke moved his bangs to the side, revealing the faded mark. Ciel opened his right eye.

"This is an order. Save me now!" They both said in unison.

"NO IT'S OVER!" Azuro shouted. A gun fired and smoke filled the air.

The gun was still pointed at Ciel's head. The child turned and glared at the Italian. "What? How? That's impossible for you to still be alive!"

"Are you looking for this?" Sebastian stood behind them holding the bullet in between his gloved fingers. "Let me give it back to you then." He dropped it into Azuro's front jacket pocket.

Then Azuro's arm twisted in a horrible way. He screamed and Luke stood up. He held onto the chair as his bad leg wobbled and Luke crumpled to the floor.

"Let us go" Sebastian said holding Ciel in his arms.

"Just a moment" Luke whispered as he attempted to stand again.

Vanel crawled forward. "Wait, come back! Work for me! Be my body guard and I will pay you ten times what he does!" Sebastian didn't seem to be listening as he set Ciel down on a plush chair. "Alright twenty times!"

"You can have all the liquor and women you want too!" Sebastian ripped the belt that was used to tie Ciel easily.

"I am sorry Mr. Azuro, it is an attractive offer but I have no interest in materialistic things…"

"You see… I am simply, one hell of a butler." His eyes glowed a demonic pink. His pupils reduced to cat like slits.

Luke gasped as pain shot up his leg.

"Master?" Sebastian turned, his eyes still glowing pink.

"It hurts. Too much" Luke's eyes rolled to the back of his head and he lost consciousness.

Luke woke up to his dimly lit bedroom. He had been redressed in his nightclothes and his wounds had been tended to. He could feel that someone had placed his foot on a pillow to keep his leg elevated.

"It is good to see you are awake, Master" Sebastian said from a corner of the room.

"What happened after I lost consciousness?" Luke asked looking over at Sebastian.

"I disposed of Azuro and brought you two back home. Young Master is asleep at the moment but I prepared dinner for you in case you were hungry" Sebastian replied.

"If there's soup, I'll have some. And the herbal tea that Madame Red gave me to drink" Luke said.

"Yes Master. I shall return momentarily" Sebastian left the room and Luke sat up, ignoring the pain in his leg.

When Sebastian returned, he brought a bowl of soup and a pitcher of water. Luke accepted the bowl of soup and began eating. While he was eating, Sebastian cut his wrist and added a few drops of his blood to the water pitcher.

"I thought you said your blood was dangerous to consume" Luke said.

"You seem to fare well after the first few drops. This will help the pain you are feeling" Sebastian replied.

"There aren't any side effects to this, are there?" Luke asked.

"Usually there are but this is just three drops. They won't affect you" Sebastian replied.

Luke nodded and drank a glass of the water. He felt warmth pool into his stomach and the pain in his body left him.

"Thank you, Sebastian" Luke whispered and Sebastian reached out to tuck his master into bed.

"Goodnight Master" Sebastian said and Luke's eyes shut.

The bond is nearly complete. Soon Luke Phantomhive will be mine.