Kuroshitsuji: Grasping Humanity

By: Tessa Naomi Thorn and Maria Albert

Chapter 2: His Butler, Damned

Sebastian Michaelis eyed his young master intently as he laid the morning paper beside Lord Ciel Phantomhive's immaculate breakfast plate. After thirteen years, expecting any sort of reaction was utterly pointless, but still, he vainly longed for one. The empty tea cup hesitated at the young master's lips, and he laid the cup back down upon the saucer, without taking his usual false sip—there wasn't any point to these motions now. Every cup and dish was bare of course—human food no longer held any appeal for the young master.

"Is something the matter, my lord?" the butler queried, innocently.

"No. Nothing important," he said with a slight hesitation.

Sebastian read the headline aloud, "Funtom Toy Company on Verge of Bankruptcy—Future of Phantomhive Home for Children Threatened. Oh, that's most unfortunate." His tone was almost sarcastic.

"As if I care what happens to that old pile," Ciel scoffed.

"Still, that manor was your home, and your former servants do run the facility."

"They should have just burned it as I suggested."

"Shall I get you more tea, young master?" Sebastian turned away from Ciel, not able to gaze upon the cold shell that once housed such a precious soul.

The bell to the front door rang, providing Sebastian a moment's welcome respite. However, that illusion of relief was shattered the moment he opened the door and saw the reaper Grell Sutcliff, standing there in all his crimson glory. Worse yet, he was smiling—the way he used to—before everything changed.

"Bassy~!" Grell cried as he wrapped his arms around the unsuspecting butler. "I have the most wondrous news!"

"Of course you do," Sebastian sighed. "What is it this time?"

"No really—I've come up with the most glorious plan!" Grell crowed eagerly.

"Oh dear, not another one," Sebastian grumbled. "Surely there must be some souls that need reaping or something?"

"Actually one less than expected," Grell said conspiratorially, holding up a thin volume: a Cinematic Record, but this one had the initials RN upon the spine, and a familiar looking black and pink bookmark protruding from the back pages.

Sebastian pinched his nose and exhaled loudly, "Who is RN and what have you done?"

"Oh it's simply the most marvelous plan! We're going to get Ciel to make a contract with a human!"

Sebastian glared at Grell, "That's not even remotely amusing."

"It's not meant to be, Bassy! I'm deadly serious."

"You're going to be unless you explain," Sebastian threatened, his eyes flashing with barely suppressed rage.

"Calm yourself, Bassy—I'm here to help!"

"Sebastian! Where the hell are you?" Ciel demanded imperiously.

A surprisingly sincere look crossed Grell's features as he clasped Sebastian's shoulder with unexpected tenderness. "Please, I really can, but Ciel can't suspect anything. We need to speak privately, as soon as you can."

"SEBASTIAN!"

Sebastian hung his head, "Alright. I'll meet you in the garden as soon as he's done with breakfast."

"You can count on me," Grell said, and remarkably, for the first time since he'd met him, Sebastian thought he actually could.