I'm back the second chapter of Repentance :D I really hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Disclaimers: (because I forgot to do them in the first chapter) I do not own Kuroshitsuji or any of its characters

Warnings: none for this chapter

The car journey had been a quiet affair, with myself and Elizabeth travelling in one car and her parents in another. Every so often, Elizabeth would turn to me and smile, occasionally lightly squeezing my hand. I wasn't exactly sure whose nerves she was trying to calm, hers or my own.

I felt as though no time had passed before we pulled up at the large mock Tudor mansion, that was the Phantomphive family's country estate. As a child, my parents and I had spent our summers here and the odd weekends where my father was able to get away from work. Now the house was only used by the Funtom Company to entertain guests in a less formal setting than the one offered by its London inner-city headquarters.

I climbed out of the car as soon as the driver opened the door, making sure to offer my hand to Elizabeth, so she was able to exit the vehicle in the refined manor that a dress did not always allow.

As we neared the house I could already hear the hum of chatter and music coming from the garden and I led Elizabeth towards the source of the noise. Sure enough, as we rounded the corner I took in the sight of a large garden party, already in full swing. I couldn't help but smile, Elizabeth had really out done herself with this one. Not only was the party aesthetically pleasing, with the garden in full bloom, the style harkening back to old Victorian cottage gardens, but the guest list was just as impressive to say the least. Just from where I was standing I observed CEO's, politicians, musicians, film stars, models and every other member of high society in-between. I also couldn't help but notice the half a dozen photographers, standing off at the end of the party, drinks in hand, cameras hug around their necks awaiting the inevitable announcement we would have to make.

"Lizzy!"

I turned to see who was calling her name, only to spot a small group comprising of Elizabeth's best friends madly waving her to come join them.

I turned to look at her, "you should go, have fun; this parties all about you and you deserve it. You've done a wonderful job of organising everything Elizabeth, I'm so proud of you", I gave her a warm smile which she returned,

"Thank you, are you sure you'll be alright on your own", her voiced raised in a concerned tone.

I tried to fake a small laugh replying, "it's only a party, I'm sure I'll manage, what's the worst that could happen".

I was unconvinced by my own words, and judging by her facial expression, Elizabeth wasn't putting much stall in it either, but she seemed to let it slide and after a minute added,

"Okay, well I see you for the announcement later then", before tottering off to her friends who greeted her with delighted squeaks.

Watching Elizabeth go, I looked around the party for someone to talk to, however, the only people I recognised were members of the Funtom Company and its various business partners, not exactly the people I wanted to converse with in a social setting. Then again, I was hard pressed to think of anyone who I would be. The majority of the guests were here because of Elizabeth, not me. Her influence had spread rapidly over the last couple of years since starting up her own company at the age of sixteen. Elizabeth had always loved fashion and with a future dependent on me unsure, she had taken her own initiative in setting up her own design studio. Though the company may only be a few years old it had grown rapidly in size to a multimillion pound fashion brand and had turned Elizabeth from an A list it girl to a world renowned business entrepreneur.

At first I had been hesitant about Elizabeth running a company, it would mean unnecessary stress for her and I feared that her main motive was fear for her financial security considering that at the time it may have been inconceivable that I ever take up control of my father's company. I vowed that once I was head of the Funtom company I would make Elizabeth know that she would never had to work another day in her life as I would always be there to provide for her. Yet over the years I saw how much Elizabeth had thrown herself into her work, at first being a welcome distraction for her from all that was going on, but the company soon became her pride and joy and I understood that asking Elizabeth to give it up would be tantamount to taking away her one constant form of happiness.

Sighing, I decided to at least get myself a drink and then it probably wouldn't hurt if I tried to get to know some of the company's business partners a little better. Decision made I started forward but was stopped by the sound of my name being called.

"Ciel, Ciel, ah, there you are, I've been waiting ages for your arrival".

I felt my lips curl into a small smile, "Diedrich, it's good to see you", and the truth is, it was. My father's old friend was the only person I knew from before the incident who I was still able comfortably look in the eye anymore.

"Likewise, how is everything been going, it's been a few weeks since I've stopped by the office but I'm sure you're managing just fine without me", he flashed me a smile before continuing, " I do feel a bit ashamed to admit it but I may of abused some of my influence to have a copy of the Funtom companies figure for this quarter sent over to my new offices, a 0.6% growth is highly impressive, Ciel, something I'm not ashamed to admit I could not of achieved even with the years of practise I've had. Yet look at you, you've only been running the company for a year and sales have shot up, you really are your father's son".

I smiled at the compliment; it was high praise indeed, praise I felt I did not deserve yet.

"Diedrich please, I would never of achieved anything if it had not of been for all of your help, the Funtom company owes its very existence to you, I shall always be grateful for what you have done".

"Nonsense, Ciel, I haven't had anything to do with the company all year, all its success have been down to you, and its time you started taking some pride in the things you've achieved, I know your father would have".

A shriek of laughter was heard at Diedrich's words and I snapped my head around, searching for the source of it.

Oh no.

That was my only thought as I saw who the laughter had come from. Angela Blanc was standing a slight distance from Diedrich and myself and judging by her expression she had been listening to our conversation with interest. Even worse, I looked down to see a, now, almost empty wine glass clutched in her well-manicured hands, and judging by the way she was slightly swaying on the spot, the glass had not been her first.

"Proud… of that brat, oh Dierich, don't make me laugh, old Vincent would be turning in his grave to know that his coward of a son was standing here bold as brass ruining the reputation of the company and family he worked his whole life for", she giggle again before sending me a glare.

"Angela", Diedrich snapped harshly, "do not dare throw such accusations around, I knew Vincent Phantomphive as if he was my own brother, and I know, that he would look at the achievements his son has made with a great deal of pride".

I, for my own part, said nothing. I could not find myself agreeing with Dierich's words, how could my father be proud of me after all I had done.

Angela snorted, "Oh yes Dierich, whilst I agree his achievements for the company have been admirable, that is not what I was referring to".

I froze not wanting to hear her next words. Angela had begun to cause a scene, one that most of the nearby guests were now closely watching and I noticed that Dierich had seemed to have had enough, as he motioned over the security that had been hired for the party.

"Alright that's enough of the false accusations", he said, "your drunk, Angela, your speaking of things that you don't understand nor do you have any business in doing so, I think it's time you left".

The security gently grabbed hold of each of Angela's arms and attempted to steer her around but Angela was having none of it.

"No business in doing so, how dare you, Angelina Durless was my cousin, a cousin I care very deeply for, and because of that piece of filth she's dead".

I paled at her accusation; my breaths were coming in short gasps which I desperately tried to control. I could not bear the thought of breaking down into an asthma attack in front of the, now, large crowd that had gathered to watch the commotion.

But Angela had not finished and was determined to say her piece, "And what about poor Edward Middleford, huh?" she continued, ripping herself away from the security and jabbing me hard in the ribs with her finger, "he would still be alive and not ripped to bloody shreds if it had not been for your cowardliness, you have disgraced your family name, the disfigurement you cover up so nicely only reflects the true creature that you are".

Diedrich had had enough, snapping at the security guards he demanded that she was removed from the party immediately, but Angela was not going to go quietly even as the guards dragged her away she continued with her cries.

"That's right Ciel Phantomphive, you have blood on your hands, it doesn't matter what you do, that won't change. If your father was still alive he would die from the shame of a son so lacking of a back bone that he would happily allow others to go to their deaths in pure agony so long as it meant saving your own precious skin. You will never live up to him, you're not worthy enough to lick the dirt from his shoes and yet you stand there, in some sick mockery to his name, as though you deserve everything you've been left. Well here's to you, Ciel Phantomphive, to everything you deserve, may your soul eternally rot in the flames of hell for all that you have done".

The last sentence was followed by shrieks of laughter that seemed to piece my body like knives. My legs were shaking, my breathing harsh, my blood was pounding. The pressure in my head was immense and I just wanted it to stop, I wanted to claw away the front of my head with my nails. To break open my skull and relieve the pressure I felt. Everyone was watching me, they were blurring in and out of focus. Dierich was talking to me but I couldn't comprehend what he was saying, my ears filled with the sound of my own blood. Angela's words of hell replayed to me yet I felt I was already there, the burn of hell's fire in my lungs, the smell of smoke constricting my breathing. The oh so familiar smell of smoke, I felt it was etched into my very being, it was always there, always present as painful as the memories that rushed to the forefront of my mind. Smoke and fire, blood, photos…

No, I would not allow myself to think. Despite, the searing pain in my lungs, I turned, I ran, just like I had run from everything since that day…

Well wasn't that interesting hmmm! Yeah I'm not going to tell you what's going on yet, I'm going to make you wait mwhahaha

God I hate Angela, she's such as bitch so she was just screaming out to me to fill that role, but I do love me some Dierich, just in case it wasn't clear he was the one controlling the Funtom company in between Vincent's death and Ciel taking over, he such a good friend right?

Oh and the "disfigurement" that Ciel has that Angela was talking about is the one under his eye patch. Those hate speeches from Angela were so hard to write, I wanted her to really insult Ciel but at the same time I wanted to retain the impression that she was from high society. I've tried to do that with everyone, thus you may of notice the language is been all PG- 13 worthy. But don't worry that will change ;)

Wow this is turning into a long Author's note but I do just want to say that Sebastian will be coming into to this soon, maybe not next chapter but he will and oh how things will get worse for Ciel, ooooooo my fingers are all quivering at the thought of writing his intro already.

I really hope you enjoyed this chapter, and if you did please leave me a review :D

OHHHHHH and I want to say I HUGEEEEEEEE thank you to promocat for my first ever review and I hope you liked this chapter :D