A/N: So Even So won the contest. It ended with about 116 and a half points, while Fate of Blackbird had 56 and To Have an Angel had 47 and a half. This is the first chapter to the follow-up and I hope it lives up to your expectations!

Title: Rose Painted Red

Author: liketolaugh

Rating: T

Pairings: Ciel/Elizabeth, Vincent/Rachel

Genre: Family/Supernatural

Warnings: AU

Summary: What if Ciel's parents lived? What if he still made the deal with the demon? Why, everything would really be quite different... Follow-up to Even So.

Disclaimer: Sadly, Black Butler is not mine.

Ciel stared at the building before him.

A month. He and his father had been held there for an entire month. He felt his father's hand – resting on his shoulder – squeeze it in a weak offering of comfort.

It was his devil, though, who Ciel chose to speak to.

"You asked, back there, what I wanted. What I want… What I want is for them to pay for everything, every crime they committed against my family. I don't know who they are, but I'll find out. Last time, we lost the battle. Not this time."

He heard a stifled snicker, behind and to his right. He twisted around to frown at his devil. "Something funny?"

"Well, master, it seems that, though you told me never to lie, you yourself are quite the liar."

Ciel's frown turned into a glare. Was it too much to ask for one person who would never lie to him? He sighed and looked back to the front, resting his head against his father's side.

"Daddy? Do you think Mama's been alright without us?" he asked quietly.

"I don't know, Ciel," Vincent admitted truthfully. His hand tightened on Ciel's shoulder, worry – for his wife, but even more for his so very young son – filling him.

"Shall we return to your manor?" the devil inserted, still far too lighthearted for either of their tastes.

Ciel shook his head silently. Seeing the devil's confused look, Vincent expanded, "The manor burned down the day we were taken away. In all likelihood, repairs are nowhere near complete. It is not even entirely certain that they have begun."

The demon frowned. "I see."

"My sister-in-law works at the royal hospital in London," Vincent continued. Ciel looked up, first to Vincent, and then the devil.

"We'll go there," he said quietly. Though the words were simple, they made one thing clear. Ciel had made the command – not Vincent. Ciel had the power now. His eyes met the devil's, unafraid, and he continued, "What is your name?"

The devil smirked, looking amused. "My name? You may call me whatever you like, master."

Ciel looked at him, up and down, wondering.

"Sebastian. Sebastian Michaelis."

Vincent stifled a snicker. Ciel smiled.

"Was that the name of your previous butler?" the newly dubbed Sebastian asked.

"No," Ciel said quietly, eyes turning back to the front. "It was my dog's name."

He felt Sebastian freeze behind him and stifled a laugh. Beside him, Vincent shook with quiet chuckles. He leaned against Vincent and smiled.

At the hospital, Vincent walked up to the front desk. Ciel stood back a little, nervous.

"I'd like to ask that Doctor Durless be summoned," he told the woman, voice quiet but firm. Before he could go on, however, he heard a cry from behind him.

"Ciel! Vincent!"

Vincent turned around and his eyes widened.

Rachel was rushing across the room, and as he watched, she scooped Ciel into the air and hugged him tightly, looking as though she would never let go again. "You're okay… You're okay…" she mumbled. Ciel's arms closed around her back and he squeezed.

"I'm okay, Mama," he murmured in her ear.

Vincent moved away from the desk and toward her. "We're both alright, Rachel," he promised, planting a soft kiss on her cheek.

She didn't look reassured, putting her hand on his face, so gentle that she must have thought he would break at the touch. "You're so gaunt…" she murmured. "Both of you."

She looked down, and for the first time, spotted the bandages hiding Ciel's eye from sight. Her hand darted out to caress the side of his head. "Ciel, your eye…"

His visible eye averted instantly. "I'm okay, Mama," he repeated.

Vincent glanced darkly at the devil – Sebastian – currently hanging back, watching the proceedings with an expressionless but somehow disapproving face. Then his eyes moved forward, toward where Rachel had come from, only to find Tanaka struggling forward. He caught the old butler's eye and he cried, "Master! Master!"

"Tanaka," breathed Vincent. Ciel's head shot up and he twisted to look at Tanaka, the same name bursting from his mouth in pure surprise.

"Oh," Ciel said quietly. "So you didn't see them either."

Vincent looked down at Ciel and put a hand on his back comfortingly. "Feathered masks," he reminded the boy. "And ritual sacrifices. There are ways of distinguishing them."

Ciel nodded, subdued.

Tanaka looked up at the still-silent Sebastian. "You are going to be the Young Master's butler now?"

"Yes," Sebastian confirmed.

"You said your name was Sebastian?" Without waiting for a response, Tanaka reached into his pocket and withdrew something, which he held out to Sebastian. "Take this."

Sebastian took it, a vaguely puzzled furrow in his brow. "This is…?"

"That pocket watch has been passed down through generations of Phantomhive butlers. As the newest heir gains his butler, the watch is passed. It was given to me when I first became butler to Master Vincent; now I pass it on to you." He looked up from the pocket watch to meet Sebastian's wine-red eyes, and an almost pleading note entered his voice. "Please take care of the Young Master."

Sebastian tucked the watch into his pocket. "I assure you, I will care for the Young Master to the very best of my ability."

Ciel jumped as Vincent's hand found its way under his chin, and then gently pushed it so that Ciel's eyes met Vincent's.

"Ciel, you have to tell your mother." Vincent's voice was soft and there was no hint of reprimand in it, but it left no room for disagreement.

Instantly, Ciel paled. He gulped. "Right," he whispered.

Mere minutes later, they were alone in a different room. Ciel wouldn't meet Rachel's eyes as she looked at him with concern. Vincent had his back to the wall, and tension had long since claimed his frame. Periodically, he would glance at Sebastian, his gaze just short of a glare.

"What's wrong, Ciel?" Rachel worried. Her eyes – wide and blue and just like Ciel's unmarred one – were sad and pained. "Does it have something to do with what happened to your eye?"

Ciel bit his lip and shuffled his feet a little. Vincent closed his eyes, clenching his teeth and his fists. Sebastian smirked.

"I did something bad," Ciel admitted. He glanced up, meeting Rachel's eyes for the first time since Vincent had brought it up. Then he added, almost defiantly, "I don't feel guilty."

Rachel bent to his level and hugged him tightly, just for a moment. "It's okay, Ciel."

When she let go, Ciel didn't take his eyes off hers. He couldn't bring himself to rip his gaze away, to break the eye contact.

He reached up to the back of his head and pulled at the string, which loosened the bandage and allowed it to fall away. The marked violet orb stared up alongside the blue mirror of her own, and she clapped a hand over her mouth, eyes widening in shock and horror.

"I made a contract." His voice dropped slightly. "With a devil."

Rachel's lungs felt paralyzed in her chest, but she managed to choke out, "Who?"

"…Sebastian."

Rachel turned wide eyes on a gently smirking Sebastian.

Vincent and Ciel stared at the burned-out shell of their family home for the first time. Vincent's expression was tight, and Ciel's eyes were wide and wet.

"The damage is quite significant," Sebastian observed indifferently, a half-curled hand coming to rest on his chin in thought.

Wordlessly, Vincent put his arm around Ciel's shoulders and gave Rachel a sad look, before the small family of three went and walked away.

"The gardens are intact," Rachel told Ciel, who perked up, if only slightly. "Just a bit overgrown."

For a moment, Ciel didn't speak, but then…

"…Can we go see them?"

Rachel smiled, a pleased look with a hint of relief, and Vincent squeezed her hand. "Of course we can, Ciel. Let's go do that now."

Rachel led the way into the gardens, and both male Phantomhives accepted the distraction gratefully. None of them noticed when Sebastian stayed behind, frowning contemplatively at the fire-scarred structure. "Hm…"

For hours, they wandered among the gardens. Ciel was delighted to find the white roses, clustered at the base of a tree he sometimes enjoyed climbing, completely unharmed, and Vincent smiled when he found his favored sweetbriars intact. Rachel was gratified to see the pair of them, so gloomy – though understandably – since their return, cheering up, even if only slightly.

All three of them were startled when a voice, preceded by only the softest of footfalls, sounded behind them. "Young Master, my lord, my lady. The sun will set very soon." As they turned to him, he continued, "The night air would be detrimental to your health."

Ciel sighed and nodded, and Vincent stated, "There is an inn close by, we can…"

"There will be no need for that," Sebastian interrupted cheerfully.

They frowned.

Scarce moments later, the three were staring up at a fully restored, precise replica of the Phantomhive manor.

"How…?" Ciel breathed.

"As I said," Sebastian smiled, finger by his face in a playfully sly gesture. "I swore that I would never tell lies."

He took Ciel by the hand and followed the two elder Phantomhives into the manor. "An earl and his family must live in a grand castle," he continued. The door opened and Sebastian ushered the trio in. "And this will be yours." He smiled. "Welcome home, master."

Later, Vincent and Rachel were together in the master bedroom. Rachel, not ready to leave her husband alone just yet, was helping him to get clean for the first time in a month. Sebastian, at the same time, was helping Ciel.

Water crashed down on Ciel's head and he yelped. "Hot!"

The downpour stopped instantly and Ciel propelled himself what little distance he could without leaving the bathtub, then turned on Sebastian with a fierce glare.

"Who in their right mind would pour boiling hot water on someone without warning?" he demanded. "At least check the temperature first!"

Sebastian frowned down into the steaming bucket. "I beg your pardon, sir. I will take more care next time." Trailing off into a mutter, he added, "So this is too hot…"

He placed the bucket aside, taking up a washcloth instead. "Now," he smiled. "if I may, I shall bathe you, sir."

His scrubbing was rough, pulling at the cuts on Ciel's body, and Ciel shrieked. "Ouch!" He only withstood this for mere moments before jerking away. "Stop it! I'm getting out now!"

Sebastian frowned in disapproval. "What are you saying? You are still covered in filth." Eying his master's fragile, emaciated frame, he added, "I will not stand for you suddenly dropping dead from an infected wound or some such."

Ciel splashed him. "Get out!" he commanded, glaring.

Sebastian paused, reigning in his temper as water dripped from him. "As you wish."

He straightened up and headed out of the room. Ciel glared after him for a moment, but then sighed and relaxed slightly, suddenly realizing how tired he was. Halfheartedly, he scrubbed at the cuts littered across his skin, but very quickly stopped, instead standing to reach for a towel.

The ground tipped and swayed suddenly.

Ciel lost his balance and fell into the towel rack, tipping it over, and then smacked his head into the ground. He groaned.

The door opened again. "What happened, sir?!"

Ciel bit his lip and flipped over, wincing. He struggled to get up as he muttered, face starting to flush, "I tried to get a towel and I fell into the rack!"

He looked flustered as he grabbed Sebastian's arm and used it to pull himself up. Sebastian released an aggravated sigh and said tightly, "You must be exhausted from all that has happened today… Allow me to wash you down."

Ciel flushed deeper with anger and pulled away. "I said no!"

The next thing he knew, Sebastian had grabbed him by the jaw squeezing tightly. He was up close to Ciel's face, glaring. "Humans are frail creatures. You can readily lose your life if so much as a single, measly germ worms its way into the smallest of cuts. As a child who cannot so much as care for his own injuries, do not see fit to waste my time!"

Ciel glared for only a moment longer before he deflated. Once he had given in, it took only moments before he was completely washed.

As Sebastian was toweling him dry, his stomach rumbled.

For a moment, both of them froze. Then Sebastian chuckled. "Humans hunger in even the most dire of circumstances."

Ciel sighed. "Shut up."

Minutes later, the Phantomhive family was gathered at the table, and Sebastian placed the tablecloth on it with a flourish. Instantly, the table was covered in extravagant foods of all kinds, leaving the humans wide-eyed.

"Choose something bland, Ciel," Vincent warned after a moment. "You aren't used to strong flavors anymore."

Ciel looked over at him and nodded. "Okay, Daddy." Sebastian, though, frowned in realization and snapped his fingers, and in an instant, the rich, complex foods vanished, replaced by a far simpler selection.

Ciel looked at him for a moment, but then reached forward to take some food. From his plate, he chose a small roll and nibbled at it and then smiled slightly.

Satisfied, Vincent took a little too. Rachel looked at both of them and frowned.

"You really ought to eat more," she worried. She reached forward as soon as they had finished and placed a little more on each of their plates.

Vincent looked at it and sighed. Reluctantly, he set in on the food again, eating just a little more, grimacing slightly.

Ciel, though, only managed a few more bites before putting his fork down and shaking his head. "I'm full, Mama," he insisted.

"Just a little more," pushed Rachel.

Ciel pushed his plate away and shook his head again, bristling slightly. "No! I'm full!"

Seeing that Ciel was fast becoming upset, Rachel soothed, "Okay, Ciel. But make certain to eat more tomorrow."

Ciel deflated and nodded, more tired than ever.

Sebastian chose that moment to say swiftly, "I believe that it is high time for the little master to be getting to bed."

As if on cue, Ciel yawned. Half asleep, he bid his parents goodnight and led the way to his bedroom. He sprawled on his bed, and Sebastian entered after him, pushing a cart. Ciel looked up at him.

"You can't do that again, you know," he mumbled.

Sebastian frowned. "Young Master?"

"Conjure food out of nothing. Fix the manor in a day." He yawned. "Humans can't do those things. People will get suspicious."

"You wish me to do things step-by-step like a human?"

Ciel turned his face into the pillow, hugging it tightly. "At least pretend to."

Sebastian frowned but nodded. "Very well, master." He turned to the cart and picked up a small kettle, pouring its contents into a little teacup as he spoke. "If you will not eat any more food, perhaps you will consider some warm milk?"

Ciel turned his head again, leaving his arms wrapped around the pillow. "Is there honey in it?"

"As much as you like," promised Sebastian, picking up a pot of honey as well.

Ciel pushed himself up. "Tanaka says honey before bed will rot my teeth."

"And from tomorrow on, I shall do the same," Sebastian assured him, adding a generous measure of honey to the cup. He then held it out to Ciel, who took it silently.

Ciel sipped at the warm milk, and then sighed, smiling softly. "It's good," he said quietly. He grew sleepier as the cup grew emptier, and by the time its contents were gone, his eyes had drifted closed, and Sebastian took the cup from him and laid him down in the bed. He ensured that he was beneath the blankets before he turned and went out the door.

As it shut behind him, he muttered, "Such a child."

The sounds of an argument echoed loudly through the manor. Tension hung in the air like a storm cloud.

"They're fighting again," murmured Rachel with concern.

Vincent sighed wearily, glancing at the door with equal worry. "They'll learn to get along eventually, I'm sure." Now, when precisely that would be was another matter altogether. He just hoped that it was before Tanaka returned.

Below, as stated, Sebastian and Ciel were arguing. This time, it was about Ciel's schedule.

"No!" yelled Ciel, one step away from stomping his foot. "I am not going to give up Funtom!"

While his father, Vincent, owned a highly successful medical company, complete with research facility, Ciel had long possessed an inclination to help where he could. After Ciel had caught a particularly obscure and important error, Vincent decided to start allowing Ciel to manage a small company of his own. Since then, Funtom Corporation had grown steadily, and Ciel was very proud of it. He certainly wasn't going to shut it down.

"Young Master, you are still a child," Sebastian pushed. "It is best if you focus on your classes at present."

Ciel's jaw set. "No." There was no uncertainty, no leeway in his tone. "I will not. You will leave Funtom alone and cease your insistence that I shut it down." His eyes darkened. "That's an order."

Sebastian's jaw snapped shut, his frustrated expression giving way to one of surprise. Then he dropped to one knee and bowed deeply. "Yes, my lord."

Over time, Sebastian and Ciel's clashes grew less and less. By the time Tanaka was permitted out of the hospital, the little animosity that still lingered was not readily apparent. Then, there came a sunny day in early spring, and Ciel, sprawled among his white roses, was smiling contently.

"My lord?"

Ciel didn't look up from the rose between his fingers. "Yes, Sebastian?"

"You seem content. Are you, perhaps, considering giving up on your foolish revenge? Everything is, after all, as it was before, with no lasting harm done at all."

He held his breath. By his assessments thus far of Ciel's personality, he was fully expecting the child to nod, to say that he had long dismissed the notion. Seeing his childishness, it was by far the most likely response. And then the boy's soul would be his own.

Instead, though, Ciel pushed himself up and turned around to frown at the demon. "What the devil are you talking about?"

Sebastian froze, shocked to his core.

Mindless of this, Ciel continued, "Give up my revenge? What nonsense! What do you take me for, an infant who thinks of nothing but sleep and meals? Those people sullied my proud name, dared to capture me and my father, and they will find that to be their greatest mistake. No, Sebastian, I am not thinking of giving up my revenge, nor will I ever. And that's that."

Ciel huffed and turned away, settling back on his stomach with his head in his arms to glower at the roses. Behind him, a slow smirk spread across Sebastian's face. Perhaps serving this child wouldn't be quite so tedious as he had thought.

And that's that. That alright? Please let me know what you thought!

This will follow the manga, but this is the closest it's going to get to copying it. Because let's face it - Ciel's parents f*** everything up. Please review!