When Sebastian left, (y/n) assumed it was to help the Young Master with something. She also thought that he'd return to finish the preparations for dinner.

When he didn't, (y/n) assumed it was her duty now. So she prepared countless meals, followed each recipe that Sebastian had left on the table. Using this much magic was a lot of work for the girl, and she felt herself growing tired by the minute.

Somehow though, she managed. The girl had finished a full-course supper for a large number of people in just a few hours. She was rather proud of herself.

Afterwards, (y/n) had set up the table in the dining room in one or two minutes with a few spells and incantations. She had made sure that it was perfect; the cloth was wrinkle-free and not a single piece of silverware was clouded or stained.

Just as the girl was finishing the last few decorations, she felt a familiar presence nearby. Was it Sebastian? No, this soul was far, far to pure to be that of a demon...

"Young Master?" asked (y/n) as the said boy entered the room. "Can I help you, Sir?"

Ciel cast a perplexed look in her direction. "Yes," he said. "Have you seen Sebastian? Isn't this his job?"

The girl shrugged. "He ran off somewhere, so I figured that I'd do this for him."

"Oh no, is dinner prepared yet?"

"Yes."

"All of it?"

"Yes."

Ciel's one good eye widened in disbelief. "Well... Alright. Well done."

"Oh!" said (y/n) in surprise. "Thank you, Master. I hope it will be to your liking."

"You can take the rest of the day off, until tonight's reception. You did well."

"Thank you, Sir. You are very kind."

Ciel then left the room, nose in the air, like any other noble. (Y/n) respectfully let him get ahead, then went up to Mey-Rin's room- her room as well, since they were now sharing. Then she put a spell on herself; to wake up when it was time for the reception.

And the witch fell into slumber.

The next few days, weeks, and months were uneventful, other than the regular explosions from the kitchen, shatters of expensive tea sets and cries of 'I'm so sorry Mr. Sebastian!'.

Actually, scratch that. Those were not special events.

The only odd thing in the Phantomhive manor- for (y/n), at least- was the way that demon stared at her. It wasn't a satanic look or an evil gaze, like the one you'd expect from someone like him, but almost an expression that suggested longing.

The girl wasn't sure if it was for her or her soul or both, but she did know that Sebastian was hiding something. She also didn't know if she wanted to find out what it was.

Whenever Sebastian talked to her, it was very brief or emotionless. His body twitched and remained stiff around the witch most of the time. She didn't understand.

Little did she know, Sebastian didn't understand either. He couldn't get that bloody witch out of his head... She was always on his mind, sneaking in and distracting him from whatever he was doing. It was almost like the Young Master's soul.

Not quite. Almost.

The Young Master's soul invaded his thoughts because of it's superior flavour and powers. And (y/n)... She was just... there, for the lack of a better word. He didn't know why, and it drove him mad.

When he was around her, desire almost took over his senses, although he didn't know just what he wanted so desperately.

"Sebastian! Are you even listening to me?" The Young Master's irritated voice interrupted the demon's train of thoughts.

"My sincerest apologies, my Lord," he said, bowing apologetically. "Please do continue."

"Like I said, there's a new case in London, and the Queen wishes for me to see to it..." Ciel went on and on about the recent series of murders. Sebastian tried his best to look like he was paying attention, but it would be lying to say that he didn't miss a few parts of the story here and there.

"Sebastian, fetch (y/n)," ordered Ciel after his lengthy explanation. "She might be of use in this case."

Sebastian bowed again. "Yes, my Lord."

He then swiftly exited the Master's study- where they had been talking for the past half-hour- and headed toward (y/n)'s and Mey-Rin's bedroom. The door was closed and the room was silent, but Sebastian could sense an attractive soul inside- a witch's soul that he desired.

The butler lifted his fist to gently knock on the door, but it opened before he could do so. He took a step back and spotted a cat- or rather, (y/n) in a cat's body- lying sleepily on the bottom bunk of the bed she and Mey-Rin shared. Her feline (e/c) eyes were fixated on Sebastian as his body stiffened again.

Now, it was hard enough for him to resist (y/n) as it was, but when she was in that perfect feline form... The demon couldn't help himself. A pale blush shaded his usually emotion-free features and he took a slow step in the direction of the cat.

Sensing all of this, (y/n) quickly morphed back into a human before Sebastian could pick her up and pet her to his heart's content.

"Can I help you?" she asked. Sebastian stopped walking and shook his head to rid it of the thoughts of cat-(y/n). 'Such lovely fur...'

"Yes," he said instead. "The Young Master has requested your presence."

"What for?"

"I am simply your escort. The reason is the Young Master's to tell. You see, I am simply one he-"

"Don't you dare use that pun."

Sebastian smirked. "Alright then. Now, follow me."

(Y/n) stood from her somewhat-comfortable bed reluctantly and did as told. Sebastian was walking three or four steps ahead of her at all times and seemed uptight and overly-conservative. She tried to catch up to him and stroll by his side but whenever she did so, he picked up his pace.

She frowned as they passed yet another beautiful antique painting in one of the many, many hallways of the Phantomhive manor. Why was he like this around her? Did demons have some kind of grudge against witches that she didn't know of? Was it something that she did?

"Hey," she said, putting her hand on his shoulder ever so slightly. With the stiff reaction he gave, she might as well have stabbed him a couple times. "Why are you suddenly so cold?"

His expression remained blank, though (y/n) could sense confusion in his words. "I give every symbol of disaffection when you're around, yet you keep trying to talk to me. I practically am telling you to stay away, yet you always manage to get close. Why is that?"

(Y/n) tilted her head. "What do you mean, Sebastian?"

His hands balled into fists. "Exactly what you're doing right now. It's just like a human, yet something is different..."

She blinked confusedly a few times but remained silent.

He sighed in defeat and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I'll have you know, it's taking all of my self-control not to pounce on you."

The witch turned tomato-red. "W-Why?"

Sebastian exhaled loudly in frustration. "I don't know."

The demon turned away from her and kept walking toward the Young Master's study. She followed, and gladly stayed back in silence.

Sebastian was thankful for the absence of sound. It gave him an opportunity to think clearly without being interrupted. It made him realize that maybe, just maybe, he did know why he was attracted to that cat-witch.

It was probably the first time in his long life as a demon that Sebastian had lied.

chapter end.

bonjour! ça va?

[yes i actually do speak french]

this one is a bit shorter, but in my defence, it is quite difficult to separate this thing. by the way, in case you didn't know, for some reason i put all three chapters here into one on my deviantart. go figure. i realize now how long and discouraging it must have been for people to read XD

anyway, i hope this wasn't a complete waste of time :)

thanks for reading!