End of last chapter:

"Thank you…but I think I can manage from here…" She raised her hand to take the rag out of his and a bright light enveloped them both. When she touched the mark that bound him to Ciel it glowed and burned, it was incredibly painful yet the contract was evaporating as a result of nothing more than her touching it…what was this young woman?

Chapter Two of Without Light

Oblige: to make indebted or grateful (to someone) by doing a favor or service.

Sebastian –

Sebastian was about to demand who and what she was, his fingers had wrapped around her shoulders when her head bent forward so her chin rested on her chest. Whatever energy was used in cleaning away his contact had drained her to the point of unconsciouss. He had to laugh, the absurdity of the situation wasn't lost on him. The chain that bound him to Ciel was gone…he was free for the first time in over a century. He could have altered forms or slipped away, certainly Ciel was likely to have felt the pain when the contract dissolved so the young demon would want to know what had happened to his servant.

Michaelis…now he was free to make new contacts however he pleased…with the same woman that was slumped in his hands, lost to the world for the time being. At least unconscious she was without the pain that had summoned him here, and to a point he felt giving her that last rest before offering her terms of a more final deal was fitting payment for her aid even if it had been unintended.

Did he really want to wait almost two full decades for another meal? At least another truly worthwhile one…he could always feed on other souls in the meanwhile but after he was denied Ciel's soul when it would have been delectable Sebastian wanted something wholly unique. The fact that he found a holy soul willing to offer it was another of a few first's for him. She was refreshing and he was curious what else she knew, playing back through the conversation and her reactions he assumed she'd known other demons.

He picked her up, she couldn't have weighted much more than Ceil, she was a little too thin, to the point that it seemed more unhealthy than attractive. Carrying her down the hall to a bedroom they'd passed on the way here, it seemed as though it would be hers by the bedding and general décor. A humble estate compared to what he'd grown accustomed to but not unpleasantly so. He realized her blood was still on his hands as he set her down, it made his mouth water.

No, not yet, he still wouldn't indulge…no, it was too rich and he might not be able to stop himself. He'd waited far too long for Ciel and even now if he'd have turned him back into a human and taken hold of the child's soul it wouldn't have been worth the trouble.

What was two decades compared to over a century? No, he would form a new contract…her innocent nature would make it worth the wait. She didn't seem nearly as demanding as his former master so he would wait. He couldn't risk seeing Ciel before then…Ciel had fed well in his years and while he lacked Sebastian's experience at least until he had a new contract to help fuel his own power Sebastian Michaelis hesitated to take on the boy.

The following day…Kagome-

"What an odd dream…" She thought as she lay there, the sheet was soft, smelled like usual. She knew she was in her room even if she didn't remember how she'd gotten there. She supposed someone found her in the well. "Wait…the well…"

She shot up, blinking against the sunlight coming down in rays from her window, it was well into afternoon. School, she was incredibly late. She was about to leap out of bed when a hand again held her down, the pale face and ruby gaze of her demon savior was there again…and it shocked her. She had assumed that part at least had been nothing but a dream…had the supernatural re-entered her life?

"Good afternoon, usually I'd prefer to wake someone sooner but you had a fever well into the night." Sebastian announced in a light voice, it was comforting to have someone there when she woke. "It finally went down around sunrise."

"Fever…you took care of me? I'm clean…and in my pajamas…" Kagome flushed as she pulled the blankets closer around her chest. "You changed my clothes?! What? Oh my god! Why would you? Ew…wow…I…I can't even handle that right now…what are you doing here? I thought you said that you couldn't deal with me right now."

It was like it went in one ear then swiftly exited through the other.

"I took the liberty of making you breakfast. Eggs Benedict with a small pinch of salt and pepper, hash blended with capsicum and red pepper and turkey bacon on the side. I was somewhat limited by the stock within your kitchen. I'm afraid I was hesitant to serve your pre-made teas so I squeezed orange juice instead." He described, setting a tray over her lap for people eating in bed. Kagome blinked, staring at the delicious looking meal a long moment before looking back to Sebastian. She did want to eat but her question seemed a little more important.

"Uh…thanks but…I'm a little more concerned with yesterday." Kagome looked at the bandages on her hands before she lifted silverware. There was no reason to insult his hospitality, but she felt guilty suddenly. "Aren't you going to eat?"

"I don't eat the same foods as you." Sebastian remarked. He nodded toward the chair at her desk. "Do you mind?"

"No, of course not, please sit where you like." Kagome somehow felt like she should be the one trying to be a host in her own home. It was still such a relief just to have someone else there when she woke, it made her want to cry but she managed to instead focus on her meal. She didn't want to turn into a blubbering child.

"Would you prefer to speak as you ate?" He asked after turning the chair to face her and seating himself. He was so precise, almost pristine even in action…

"Yes." She nodded, and then dutifully cut into her meal when he glanced between her and it. What an odd person this Sebastian was…

"Circumstances have, altered slightly." Sebastian started to explain as she began eating. Unlike Ciel she seemed very content even with the meager food he was able to prepare in the humble setting. "I am no longer bound by my previous contract, because of you in fact. I am curious how it was that you removed something otherwise permanent."

Kagome frowned a little, sipping at her orange juice before she answered. "I…don't know. I guess it was my priestess abilities? I never really learned to control them much…I'm sorry. Was it bad?"

She was staring, genuinely apologetic and unsure of herself. It was comical, he could imagine the way Ciel must be grinding his teeth as he searched the city for Sebastian. The youth was resourceful, by now he probably had learned that Sebastian meant to make him human again. Perhaps he would believe Sebastian dead, usually that was all that could remove a contract – its fulfillment or the death of one of the parties. If not the young demon was bound to be incredibly angry.

"No. It was quite the opposite; it leaves me open to form a contract with you. If you still wish for one," Sebastian answered calmly, he wanted her soul but he couldn't force a contract and now that she'd freed him he wouldn't repay that by eating her without permission, it would be a crime to waste her in that way. "Of course, if you do, then we'll need to discuss the terms and where you would want the mark of your contract."

"For my soul…" Kagome spoke lightly, sipping her orange juice again and staring at the immaculate plate he'd prepared for her. She felt safe for the first time since she walked up on the fire and the police had stopped her from running inside…she wasn't willing to give that up. Not when she already knew what awaited her after her death. "Yes. I still want to make a contract with you. Nineteen years…if you stay near me, if I don't have to feel alone…you can have my soul. What else does it involve?"

"I will be your servant during that time. I will listen to any orders you give me and when our time is complete I will devour you. Where would you like me to leave the Mark on you?" Sebastian was somewhat excited for the first time in a while. He would have pray again…and while he expected she would make it easy he was long overdue for a vacation.

Kagome thought about the question, chewing on some of her eggs as she considered. She hadn't heard any of this about demons before, though she remembered that Rin told them once over a bond fire that Sesshomaru didn't eat human food. This must have been what she meant. Sesshomaru bound his will to mortals for their souls? That seemed strange too but that wasn't what he'd asked her. This man who seemed kind but could be anything other than and she was going to just accept him into her life? What other choice did she have?

"Here…" She tapped her upper chest, near her heart. Inuyasha had held her heart and this demon was the closest she'd ever be to him again. It seemed a fitting tribute. "Should we now?"

"It will hurt…I should remove the tray first. Feel free to finish your breakfast." Sebastian's tone remained light, neutral despite the serious topic they were discussing. She supposed it was just business for him, had Sesshomaru done the same thing to survive? Chippou had eaten human food, as had Inuyasha, was it only after a certain age and only for full demons to deal in this way?

"Aren't you concerned…if I removed your contract before, don't you worry I could remove this one? I wouldn't do it on purpose…I can't always control my power though…" Kagome asked between eating and sipping at the orange juice. "I don't want to mislead you."

Sebastian smiled. She was selling her soul and didn't want to cheat him out of it? Yes, this would be worth two centuries…he would make certain of it. "I imagine if you did you would allow me to place it again."

"Oh, yeah…" Kagome nodded at that, setting the glass down. "Okay, if it's going to be bad I'd rather go ahead. I'm not that hungry anyway…"

She went to lift the tray but he was already doing it…it was a little disconcerting the way he just reacted and tried to serve her. That would take getting used to…at first breakfast in bed made her remember special occasions and mom but the way he acted removed that comparison quickly enough. Then he reached for her shirt, the top button was undone before her hands shot up to his, her eyes widening as the blush returned. She stammered unable to even find words of protest, he'd already undressed her once and she'd had quite enough of that.

"I will need to mark your flesh, unless you'd prefer the Mark somewhere higher." Sebastian smiled; this girl was going to be far more fun than Ciel ever was if she was this innocent. "You must also reveal the mark if you are going to call on me, so it might be more prudent…"

"Neck, put it on my neck." Kagome insisted suddenly. Whatever tribute she thought to make to Inuyasha was replaced by the idea of having to unbutton her blouse if she was in need of help… "What are you doing?"

He'd leaned closer again and she backed into her headboard, sort of wishing she'd just fall off the bed instead of running into the semi-wall. When his gaze shifted to her she was certain her cheeks were mirroring the crimson of his eyes. "Forgive my forwardness but a brand requires both parties, after some difficulties with my last contract I'd prefer to make sure it's not a limb easily lost and steal an idea from a former foe."

"Meaning…" Kagome whispered, afraid to raise her voice further…pretty sure this wasn't what she'd meant when she said she didn't want to be alone. "what exactly?"

"I wish to put the brand on my tongue…which requires it touch your neck as that was the placement you asked for." He said in the same neutral way, which did not reassure her. "It will be short but painful, then I will not touch you unless it is to protect you or at your request, my lady."

Kagome eyed him a moment longer, he didn't seem to just be a perv so she nodded and canted her head back and to the side, giving him access so he could do what he had to do. Her hands settled in reaction on his arms when he set them to either side of her, no doubt giving himself a sense of balance. Though her nails dug into his sleeves a moment later when the burn started. She cried out, wanting to worm away but unable to move, she could smell copper in the air as the blood started to flow down her neck. Sebastian had already moved away but she followed with him, her nails still firmly dug into his arms. It wasn't just painful, it was the most agony she'd felt from a physical source in her lifetime…while it was already starting to subside there was a glimmer of shadow that seemed to follow it. Yet she embraced that darkness warmly, she'd just literally sold her soul to a devil…but now she wouldn't have to be alone.

Kagome let go of his arms only to bury into his chest, the pain was incredible and even though her body was shedding tears she knew she was smiling. Whatever he actually was in the cosmic scheme, as far as she was concerned in that moment, he was a savior; the relief that accompanied the sudden feeling of attachment (however sinister in origin) far outweighed the pain.

Sebastian –

Even in the creation of a bond she tasted like ambrosia…usually he wouldn't choose something so crass but he refused to have a repeat of the Ciel Phantomhive incident. As it was he was the laughing stock of many demons for the unfortunate circumstance he'd been in for so many years. She was as close to heaven as he would ever get but he didn't linger. She followed him, her weak claws had dug in and she seemed unwilling to allow him to completely withdraw. Then she hugged him…and she was smiling despite the fact that her neck bled in result of the brand-like mark he'd left on her…

It was a full three or four seconds before he managed to settle his arms on her back, why was she so happy? Certainly he'd seen a variety of reactions to the set up of a contract but the victim had never hugged him before…was she simply overcome by the pain?

That had to be it. She was also likely to be clingy in the future…the whole point of her entering this at all was insecurity, lonliness. Yet, her presence against him wasn't unpleasant, her aroma was arguably the best he'd found in lifetimes. She was soft, gentle, her body almost as innocent as her soul…and it had been some years since he had been particularly close to a woman. It wouldn't bother him if she wished for him to keep her company in the pursuits of a more primal nature.

Under Ciel he had neither the time nor inclination, but now everything would change. He wasn't certain what role she would ask him to play but he doubted from her reactions thus far that butler would be the name for it. Clearly she was fine with the form that he'd worn for his former master and he had grown fond of it. It was acceptable to him to retain it for the time being…unless she asked him to choose another one.

His formation of a new contract wasn't a moment too soon; he heard the soft landing of his former master's boots outside seconds before the rap at the door. At least he retained his politeness…it would be a pity to slay Ciel after all the time they'd spent together. He started to get up and Kagome's grip tightened, but before he could say anything she'd let go again.

"If you don't mind my lady, the knock is for me. A former comrade coming to pay respects if my hearing is right. May I get the door while you finish your…" Sebastian meant to say 'breakfast' yet he paused, the appreciation in her teary gaze surprised him yet again. She pulled away on her own, not needing to be prompted but seeming to sense that he wanted to do it she picked up the tray on her own.

"Yeah, I'm sorry…I'll eat, you went to all the trouble to make this. Thank you, it's really good, I didn't mean to ignore it. Just…everything…" Kagome rambled before shaking her head. "Sorry, go see what you need to. Be careful."

"Careful?" So many first's with this young woman, here she was wishing him well…he found himself incredibly curious as to his new contract. He had much to learn…he smirked and headed out of the room as she returned to her meal. So obliging, she would be a breath of fresh air compared to Ciel.

He reached the door and opened it, only to have the slap turn his head to the side as the petite Ciel was still tall enough to reach Sebastian's face. He grinned slightly as he heard the barely controlled anger infused into the man's face. "What is the meaning of this Sebastian? What happened to the contract!? I demand you tell me."

End Chapter

So…I'm not sure why I like this…I guess it's really different for me when it comes to a take on Kagome (my crossover whore XD) and that interests me. I'm sure it helps that Sebastian is a hottie. *fans self* Anyway, at least thus far I'm liking the opening…I am really glad to hear so many others seem too as well.

-Aura

To my reviewers:

Thanks to all of you for your kind words, they really make me cheerful. All the lovely feedback was why I managed to get this up so quick. I decided to work on it instead of something else after all the love I got for it. I'm always grateful for the reviews!

BatmanFanatic123 – Actually Grell is one of the things I like least about the series, he isn't likely to make an appearance here. I did like the Undertaker though, he was cool. In the end I just think the series should have been slated as Yaoi and wasn't. Which is fine for those that like yaoi but I'm not really into that and all the undertones of it sort of ruined the series for me.

Paxloria - 3 your Lina pic. Ciel is clearly mad about it right now at least. And yes they formed a contract, I thought it was sort of an amusing scene to be honest. Kagome all: OMG…what do you mean you changed me. The irony of him making a deal for her soul being okay but him changing her clothes not just gets me to smile.