As a side note- the main OC in this fanfiction doubles as the one in my other Kuro-fic. Her real name is slightly altered, to fit the story- her story does mirror to some extent the other fic as well…just, humanized! (She is still Abbie, just…not? You'll see soon enough…I hope…!)

Anyway, this chapter dates prior to the first by about a year, maybe a bit more. After this, we'll be in present day!

Disclaimer:
I own nothing but my OC(s), and the idea for this plot. Everything related to Black Butler/Kuroshitsuji belongs to Yana Toboso.

The Demons Inside

II.

Suffocation, Isolation.

Fingernails buried into the flesh of her palms. Furious wouldn't be enough to cover it. The stoic calm of her father's face was baffling of itself, as she herself was livid with absolute fury. He'd called her up just days ago, spouting sweet words of how much he missed his baby girl. Pathetic. She'd been duped. He'd found another way to try and reign her back to the nest. And now she stood, in the same cherry wood office, with the same glossy table, and same oversized luxury chairs any CEO would be lusting after.

"How dare you try and play that card!" she finally shrieked, nails digging deeper into her hands. "You have no authority to do this to me, not in this era!"

His eyes darkened, going cold. "I beg to differ, sweet one. In our world, as a business leader, I have every bit of authority to keep my child close to home."

"I'm twenty-one!"

"Regardless of your age. After the tragedy with Maria, I do not trust the safety of any of my children where I cannot see them." His eyes dulled, the fiery brown graying as the man before her reclined wearily back into the plush black office chair.

Maria. "…Papa, that's not fair." Her inherited eyes of his softened, tired and worn. "You let Juliette and Camile both go out into the world…"

"They originally left so that they could hone in on their own skillset, to better structure and strengthen the family's name and business. They both returned of their own volition, now only venturing out when it deals with business- or the rare vacation. And both have been wedded."

Her eyes narrowed, face hardening. "Just because that's what they chose to do, doesn't mean you can push this arrangement on me! I'm not the only factor into this. Do you honestly think your eight-legged pet isn't having drawbacks about this?!"

"He is my employee, my protégé, to mold and move as I see fit." Her father mused. "But that does not mean I do not care about his wellbeing. He is like a son to me, after watching him grow and flourish under my care. I've allowed him to wander on his own, making sure he has a roof over his head and enough luxuries and money in the bank to do as he sees fit when not working on assignment for me. He is a good young man- respectable, intelligent, and strong. He would make a fine match for you, love."

She turned her head away. "…But it's not what I want."

"How could it not be? Well provided, and living far enough that you aren't under my constant surveillance. And one day, the two of you will take up another branch of the business as equal partners. I really don't see how you can compla-"

"Because I don't want to be your heir!"

He was taken aback by her outburst. He'd heard similar words for years. He'd cracked enough before upon hearing them, allowing her to study in Britain to become a qualified educator. She'd graduated her secondary education at sixteen, due to his restrictions and hiring of private tutors and instructors. Through her exams and his pulling of strings, she'd gone to and graduated college after roughly three years, placing her at twenty upon graduation. For the last year she had been exploring parts of Europe, taking her degree and qualification with her to rack up experience.
He had grown more cautious, though, during her later years at university. Informants had brought information to him of a romance that had spanned well over a year. It ended for unknown reasons; his little girl showing no signs of heartbreak, fury, or devastation. He never brought it up. She never told him outright.

Since then, he'd become acutely aware of the rift growing between he and her. She had also been distancing herself from her mother and sisters, and her baby brother. His youngest daughter may have well been aware as to the reasons why, but if she did, she showed no hint or signs of knowing anything.

He frowned at her, rubbing a calloused hand over his sinuses. "What do you mean you don't want that mantel? It is in your blood. It is part of you, sweetheart. Just as it is part of me, and part of Shea. Of all of my children, you two are the only ones to show natural-born signs of capable leadership. This is our family business, and duty."

She shook her head, grabbing her coat from the unoccupied chair across from him, and turned to leave. "That's just it, Papa. I want to choose my identity, not have it forged before my eyes without my consent."

~.:*:.~

The door clicked shut behind her. Her breathing heightened, quivering and stuttering as her lungs forgot how to breathe. She fell back against the wall behind her, bringing a hand to her mouth. No, no, no…nonono. She shook her head, pressing harder to muffle the choking noises emanating from her.

A rough hand brushed feather-light over her temple, drawing a startled gasp from her chest. At least the alarm had evened out her breathing. Her eyes met an all too familiar shade of khaki, looking down at her from behind silver-frames.

"Claude…"

He shook his head, brushing layered ginger hair out of her eyes. He smirked faintly. "You've cut your hair since I last saw you."

She chuckled at the completely abrupt off topic remark, hiccupping as she pulled herself back to a somewhat-solid state. "Yeah, it's been a while…"
She sobered up quickly. "…Claude…I'm… I'm so sorry, Claude." She murmured. "I know you had to have heard at least a large portion of that."

He pat her head lightly, pulling her away- away from the damned office, and away from the pain and heat still roiling around it. "You don't need to explain."

"Yes I do!" She jerked away, but he held fast. "You're my friend, someone very important to me. But Claude…I can't do this. I won't let my life be decided by anyone but me. I want my name to stand on its own, not be another branch of the business…"

He chuckled tiredly, leading her outside. A furnished patio waited, unoccupied. He found it appropriate. He forced her to take a seat, joining her without breaking the bubble of personal space between them. "Fiery as ever, kitten."

She laughed weakly, a hint of bitterness resonating. "That name never suited me."

"Oh yes it does, more so since you took in that furball."

"Yeah well," she laughed again, looking up to a surprisingly clear blue sky. There hadn't been many of those of late. "…You weren't around when I brought him in. At the time, I wasn't even sure I would keep Cass. But I did, after he left. No real reason why I did. I suppose…the company wasn't taxing, and he's easier to leave alone than a dog."

Claude simpered, leaning over and ruffling her mid-long hair. "Just out of curiosity," he dodged the topic of him. "Would it really be so terrible to marry me?"

She paused mid swipe, frowning thoughtfully. "…No. It wouldn't. You'd make any girl very happy. It's not that I don't love you. Our friendship is our strongpoint, though- we agreed on that mutually. But more than that, I'm not the type of girl to get married. It's never crossed my mind- not with him, and not with you." She grinned teasingly at him. "So don't feel inferior. It's just not for me. Especially with what I have planned down the road."

He guffawed, slapping a hand to his thigh. He brushed a thumb over his eye, wiping away the tears from his harsh laughter. "Oh, how you cease to amaze Abi."

She elbowed his side, snickering when he buckled over in pain. Her autumn brown eyes looked again to the sky, letting the Paris sun drown her in its light. "…I am sorry…"

It had been a good idea, a good one indeed. To relocate in his early retirement to the coastline of Wales. Away from the business, away from him, away from his mistake…that cost him something more precious than he cared to admit out loud. The figure clad in charcoal robes hummed thoughtfully, tapping elongated nails along the bridge of his own nose. He'd had a good long run in the business, he'd often muse. Capable, flirtatious, adventurer. The man in charge promoted him time and time again, bringing him in so close as to place the care of his family in his charge.
He was surrounded by wildflowers, bushes upon bushes; a never-ending palate of color and fragrance. It was heaven, nirvana even. And at the same time, purgatory. But he was willing to accept the time he had left to live, as punishment for not being able to protect his charge.

He plucked a wild leek, humming thoughtfully at its bright purple hue.

"A pretty sprout, often misunderstood." He mused, letting it go as a breeze blew by. "And yet, it holds its own beauty, uncopied. Pity the rest of the world just can't see that."

The breeze blew harder, sending his long silver-gray locks dancing in its grip. For a brief moment, saturated spring green eyes could be seen staring coldly at the world, despite the twisted simpering smile splaying over his wide mouth. The scars along his face and neck pulling and stretching with his grin. How many years had it been? Since he had retired. Since she had died. He plucked a cuckooflower, placing it through one of the braids of his long hair. His grin fell, as he stood in the midst of all the wild flora.

"I wonder what she's thinking now…?"

"How could you let this happen?!"

"S-Sir, we're so sorry. S-she just slipped by us. Our tech wing is looking into it now, but it appears she managed to shut off all surveillance without us knowing. J-just enough for her to sneak out undetected."

They stood in the guestroom she had been staying in at his manor. Key word being had. At some point in the earliest hours of the morning, she had slipped out undetected, some of her things and all. What had been left behind were all her credit cards and visas, and the small cross her mother had given her as a gift after… Maria…

He shook his head. Eryl scowled at his faculty. "I want her located. NOW!"

The rest bolted from the vicinity, seeking to be anywhere but within the path of Coalter's wrath. Eryl stooped, lightly fingering the mangled and shattered sterling silver chain. His face fell and sank, showing the aging his life had brought upon him.
She had taken simple clothes, and whatever cash she had stowed away. All of her visas and credit cards remaining. She was serious this time. Reine was going to be most displeased when she learned their daughter had finally left home. He sighed, rubbing a hand over his sinuses.

"Sir…"

He looked over his shoulder, face crestfallen. "Yes?"

"Sir, she's hopped a plane to Edinburgh."

So that was her game. He knew now who she sought. He could bar him from giving her a new ID and papers, but that would only bring more heat and venom between them.
"Leave her be. Instead, watch her movements and report any changes. I'm heading to Cardigan."

"You mean…?"

"Aye, that I do. It's time to bring him back to work."

"I'm both surprised, and not at all, to see you at my isolated cottage, Eryl."

The aging man laughed lightly, genuinely. "It's been a long time, Cyrus."

"Aye, that it has." The head of silver hair simpered. He gestured to a simple china set. "Tea?"

"I could use a cup or two, my friend."

They drank in silence. Eryl kept his eyes focused on the world outside the window. It was beautiful. But it was also lonely. He frowned in thought.

"You're reading too much into things that need not be mulled over."

He eyed his old freelancer. "You've found a beautiful place to make your own purgatory."

The other shrugged. "It is, what it is. After everything that happened, I thought this most appropriate- my own slice of Heaven and Hell together in tangent."

"I hope you haven't settled your roots too far in, then." He grinned at the puzzled puckering of lips. "I'd like you to come back to work, Cyrus. Just once more."

The other sobered. "It's been a good while since I last took up the rank, Eryl."

"Six years, I know."

"…I have a feeling this isn't the usual assignment. Care to elaborate?"

Coalter paused, sucking on his teeth while he carefully constructed what it was he was asking. "…She's finally left."

Cyrus hummed in thought. "…Who?" He had a hunch he knew exactly who it was.

"Breila… She's finally taken measures to leave. She's in Edinburgh, no doubt getting new papers documented and forged by Drossel."

Cyrus chuckled. "Well it's 'bout time she flew the coop."

"Cyrus." The conversation grew evermore serious. "You know what it is she plans to do. Maria's death not only left a permanent mark on your soul and heart, but hers as well. She'll stop at nothing, now, to find them. She's finally taken up the hunt."

The other clicked his teeth. Eryl was indeed correct. While spirited and highly intelligent, a dangerous fire had been sparked within the girl six years ago. It did not help that she showed the capability of relentless execution.
"But what is it you're trying to sway me to do, my friend? I can't bring her back to you forcefully."

Eryl nodded once. "Find her, and guard her. And should anything come up, any leads at all, make sure that she doesn't catch wind. I've lost one child. Don't make me lose another, Cyrus."

The other remained silent and neutral, relaxed even. But slowly, oh so slowly, a grin broke across his face again. "I won't let this one die, my friend."

Author's Endnote:

This one isn't nearly as long. But that's because this time there wasn't much that needed details. Granted, I'm not totally thrilled with this chapter. But it was needed to go into the real story. Why she defected from home, and a little about the sad man that is known as Cyrus. (Any guesses to his real identity~? ;) I actually read all of his dialogue in his voice while I was writing…)

Just some quick tidbits:
Eryl, nor Abbie's family, will make much of an appearance. They affect her in different ways, and will pop up from time to time. They are not main cast. But they'll show frequently when the need arises. 3

There will be romance. But not in the way I might have accidentally made it seem. It's a support to one of the themes throughout the story. This story is about the necessity to form bonds with people, and the struggle to survive. Eventually, the ClaudexAbixSebastian triangle will break. But who will be with whom? Well, who knows! [I know…! With a few surprises too!] I'll let you guys mull it over.

Yes, there will be moments between Claude and Sebastian. Many moments. Heated moments. Touching moments. As with Abbie and Claude, and Abbie and Sebastian. The three of them have a special dynamic, one that I plan to utilize to the fullest.

Ciel and Alois are part of the story. Even if I'm not writing directly from their viewpoints as often as some of you may like, they drive the story, because the other three have to cooperate and exist together, in order to protect them. Ciel and Alois are the driving factors to the overall point/plot/theme.

So, here you go! Onwards to the real juice!

~ AoZ