Chapter 3

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Disclaimer: I do NOT own Kuroshitsuji. All rights go to Yana Touboso.

William broke from his distant memories, twitching at the feeling of a warm hand. For a split second he leaned to the touch. He immediately remembered he had left the demon unattended in his office. His eyes shot open, not that he disapproved to the soft touch.

"You have been distant lately. Remembering the past, my dear William?" Sebastian asked.

"Nonsense," William spat.

Wanting his personal space, William stepped back, unable to look into the demon's lustful gaze. It was only for a night, nothing more. It wasn't like he actually felt something for this demon. They were enemies, wanting nothing more than to see each other suffer.

Looking once again to those eyes, William asked, "Why does this situation concern me, demon?" William was already stressed by all the unexpected events. All he wanted is to have a vacation for once. However, there was no knowing what could happen next. William could only pray for things to brighten up once in his life.

"You will soon find out," Sebastian said.

William was left with no choice but to follow the demon to the earl's mansion. Lifting the unconscious reaper, William shook him slowly until the flamboyant reaper woke from his deep slumber. It was expected for Grell to run behind William, surprised to see the demon butler in front of them. Grell felt awkward, as if threaten by the demon's presence. Sebastian was not welcomed and that was obvious to all.

"What is he doing here?" Grell spat, attaching himself to William's forearm.

William ignored the trembling being and motioned for Sebastian to lead the way. The trip on carriage was silent, not a word to be spoken. There was no use for words. William's sixth sense shot off the roof, an alarm ringing loud through his soul. This feeling engulfed him deeply like never before. He has forgotten how it felt to know someone he truly cared for was in harm's way. It has been so long…really long. William ignored it for now, but will immediately put it on his main priority for later. The carriage came to a stop. The door opened, revealing the great beauty of those blazing wine eyes. Those eyes displayed lust towards the stoic reaper. It was those little thoughts that caused William to wonder how much hatred there really was in his heart for the demon. Or how much love there could ever be.

Slapping the hand offered to him, William stepped out and walked to the front doors of the Phantomhive mansion, Grell following in tow. The butler opened the door, allowing them entrance to his master's mansion. William has visited the mansion a few times and was well acquainted with the high quality and luxurious halls. Minutes later the butler came and led them to the large living room. William sat on the coach. He was not happy being here.

The blue-headed child sat in his usual position, emitting a strong, fearless aura. Grell sat quietly by William's side, looking only at the floor.

A baby's cries was heard through the thick air surrounding them.

William's eyes widened, knowing too well who those cries belonged to. It was impossible. How could this be? There was no doubt that those cries belongs none other than baby Claude Faustus. William never thought he would ever hear those cries of need, those cries of agony. There was no reasonable explanation. That sound was so vivid. William shook his wild imagination out the window and composed himself. Was he becoming delusional? The better question is why an earl would have a child in his mansion. The boy does tolerate noises. William needed to find out why he was asked to come here.

Sebastian appeared from nowhere, holding a crying child in his arms. The loyal butler stood next to his master, eyes only on William.

The young earl cleared his throat and began, "To my utter disappointment…" he paused to emphasize his utmost discomfort. "…I found this thing in front of my door steps. For what Sebastian has gathered, it seems the thing has your scent all over. Mind to explain?"

William twitched. How could he possibly explain? William knew that that damn demon knew nothing of the child he holds. And how dare that damn, spoil brat call a child a thing?

Grunting inaudibly, William responded, "I-"

William couldn't finish his words as pain surged through his body, paralyzing his very soul.

This can't be happening….not again.

His heart threatened to burst from its confines sooner or later. William's body slowly fell to the ground roughly. He was on his knees, grasping his throbbing head. His heart was soon accelerating, his body unable to respond properly to the immense blood gushing through his veins.

Grell held his numb body while Sebastian and Ciel just watched.

"S-stay…away…from…me!" William warned.

If this continued, William didn't know what his dark side was capable of. He needed to control the inner beast that threatens to burst at any moment. He was covered in sweat, struggling with an invisible predator.

The darkness was devouring his soul. This has not happened for so long. What could have triggered this? Those once beautiful eyes turned blazing red. William couldn't stop from breathing in short pants. Ever since that night, that fateful night, this side of him has grown rapidly throughout the years. It was ignored, thrown to the back of his head, thinking that it was an illness. What harm could come from that? He was so wrong. Why didn't he listen to that quiet voice in his head? Those quiet warnings that disturbed his mind each second, yet they were cast away, never to be heard again. He was an idiot for actually thinking it would ebb by and disappear. How he hated himself right now. All William wanted to do is hurt himself endlessly, endure the pain once more, and die from the stupidity of not listening to that clear voice.

Damn it! William thought with pure anger, growling.

Give in, William. Why suffer more when you know you need me? We are one and the same. It makes no sense to cage me. We are better off without all those damn, bloody fools! Lose your sanity. Give in!

"I…won't… Never..." All he wanted is for that voice to seize.

God damn it, William! Listen to me! There is no bloody point on resisting this reality!

William would laugh at the desperation of this dark being. If he had sustained this pain for centuries, why give up now? Why lose all sanity?

Grin all you want, but we both know we are unable to live without each other.

This voice was so mistaken. Throughout the years, William was capable of living his own life. Why give in to this elusive dream?

"Boss, are you alright!" Alan Humphries' broken voice rang through the living room. All eyes fell to the thin reaper in the wooden double doors.

Boss, this pain must end now, Alan thought, at the verge of tears, heart dropping to the pits of his stomach.

After a few seconds, Eric appeared with a needle between his index and middle finger. Those eyes only showed the concern he had for his boss. There was only one choice. They had to bring William back to his senses.

William looked around the living room, eyes landing on the sinful demon. With a last glance to the demon, William jumped through the window, ignoring the shards of broken glass sliding through his skin.

I won't allow them to see me like this, William thought before fleeing far away.

Alan and Eric sighed sadly, disappointment clear in their eyes.

Adjusting their glasses, they followed their boss, wanting nothing more than to see those cold, yet warm eyes again.

We'll help you, Boss, they both thought before drifting through the broken window.

For a split second, Sebastian saw remorse, guilt, loneliness, terror and what seemed like… love in those crimson eyes? Were his eyes deceiving him? No, he saw those emotions filling those once beautiful hues of emerald and yellow iris. Sebastian drifted his attention to the broken window and back to his master. To his surprise, Ciel merely waved him away. Making sure those worthless servants weren't around, Sebastian went to his room. The night was warm; reassuring him the small, fragile child will sleep without any interruptions. The first thing Sebastian took in consideration was that the infant was a demon. The infant needs its mother. A demon child are vulnerable to everything. They would easily capture a disease with their undeveloped immune system . It must be fed the moment they are born.

Even if Sebastian knew nothing of nursing a child, there was something in him –a low voice perhaps—that told him what to do. Almost as if his instincts reacted to do anything to cherish and nourish the child. It felt mostly like a father's instincts. For all he knew, William could be the father of the demon infant.

Who did the reaper intercourse with? This pain his aching heart.

Alan and Eric held William down. Alan took hold of William's wrists with one hand, knees pressed harshly on William's leg, right forearm placed on his boss' left cheek.

It happened so fast. At one moment they had William held down and within seconds the two reapers were thrown to the ground. Eric side-kicked William, causing the furious being to crash into the trees. Eric whispered an apology for his actions. It showed that they still felt utter respect and loyalty to the stoic reaper. If they had to, they would sacrifice their own lives for their leader.

William rose to his feet, not even exhausted from that attack.

Ronald appeared through the mansion's doors. He had heard the news.

"Where's William?"

"It would seem your boss ran off. He was acting strange."

"...Not again…" Ronald mumbled inaudibly.

What does the blonde reaper mean by "again"? Sending a cold glare to the trembling reaper, Sebastian asked, "What do you mean by 'not again,' Knox?"

This concerned him to no end. He'll be damn if he allowed valuable information to slip with ease. He was the great demon for Pete's sake!

The blonde reaper's eyes widened, frustrated that he allowed valuable information slip fluidly from his lips. Scratching the back of his head nervously, Ronald avoided his gaze from the demon, tapping his foot. Of course he'll be nervous. Sebastian Michaelis was well known in the reaper realm as the most powerful demon. Ronald stood no chance against Michaelis. Hell, Michaelis wouldn't even bat an eye when he was through with him. The demon could end his life with a single hand, probably with just one finger.

Having no other choice, Ronald explained, "One day our boss came to the job trembling… His legs couldn't even support him. As much as we gave our aid to him, William''s pride would be shattered if we helped… that's what he told us. As the months passed by, Alan, Grell, Eric and I noticed that William was always on edge. He would have mood swings. The worst thing happened…he…he…"

Sebastian growled inwardly, agitated that the reaper paused in the middle of his explanation.

Even if those tears threaten to fall, Ronald continued, "…William attacked me. The superiors were in the verge of expelling him. I couldn't allow that. We wouldn't allow that…"

Ronald tilted his head, looking at the small child in the demon's arms. Even if he wanted to ask, it was better to keep silence.

Adjusting his glasses, Ronald continued, "William was off the hook. The superior gave him an opportunity to act right. It would be easy to misinterpret our boss' actions…b-but we all knew that he was not himself. Five months passed since the attack and William disappeared all of a sudden for six months… Six months without him! It was unbearable…!"

"Where did he go?"

Ronald was actually perplexed at the concerned voice. If his boss found out about this, Ronald was a goner. It wasn't Ronald's intentions to spill the soup and tell the whole story to the demon. Damn my big bloody mouth! Ronald cursed himself as he debated with himself to either: tell the demon and accept any punishment from William, or avoid the situation with a pathetic excuse.

Gulping nervously, Ronald continued, "No one knew where he went. When he walked through those doors, we were all happy. He apologized for his absence. There was something different about him."

"Did he ever tell you where he went?"

"William said he was sent to Italy for an important mission. That was all we needed to know of his location for all those six, lonely months."

Sebastian looked at the sleeping child. Even if there were gaps in the explanation, Sebastian will ask the William soon enough.

"You really do care for William…but why?" Ronald asked, not a bit embarrassed to voice out his question.

There was no point in denying this longer. There was no doubt that he is attracted to the reaper.

"I love him."

Ronald's felt as if his jaw dropped to the ground, mind exploding viciously. Several questions began to flow through his head. This was impossible. This was too much to handle. Ronald thought Sebastian Michaelis would say those three words. It was abnormal for God's sake! Did William know about this?

Alan flashed behind William, grabbing his wrist. With much force, Alan threw William to the ground, his legs on William's back. Mumbling million apologies, Alan waited for Eric to approach and inject the substance into their boss' neck. They wouldn't have had the cure if it wasn't for Undertaker. The retired reaper was willing to help, cheerfully ranting something along the lines of: "Of course I will help Will!~ He still needs to take care of that small, cute, angelic child, you know." Even if Alan wanted to ask what the grey hair reaper meant, there was no time to waste at the moment.

As much as William wanted to struggle, as much as his dark side begged for freedom, he wanted no harm to come to his co-workers. He was able to overcome the dark being. It was better to die, but not yet. There were so many things he wanted to do before death got a good grip on him.

Gasping harshly, William said, "I surrender…."

Relaxing, he allowed Eric to inject him with the anesthetic. The pain was over for now. There was nothing to worry about at the moment. At least he'll sleep peacefully knowing his child was safe with his father.