A/N: Thanks for your lovely reviews! It seemed that you all guessed correct too ^^; Also thank you to 1 Hell of a Monster for pointing out some errors. If you find any more please tell me and I'll fix them :D If you have any questions about the story or whatever feel free to drop in a review. By the way .:: Blah ::. Means a transition to a place in Ciel's dream (or out of it). As always POV changes are expressed.

.:: The Chessboard ::.

Ciel woke slowly, his head trobbing painfully. The pain in his side and arm seemed nothing but a dull ache. He groanded and pushed himself up into a sitting poition with his shaking arms. He realized that he was on hard ground and wondered if he was still in the garden. Surely Sebastian wouldn't of left him out there? He reasoned that he must of passed out for a couple of minutes. He rubbed his one visible eye to wake himself and had a quick streatch. Strange, the soil was a lot more stone like than he remembered.

He looked around him for the first time and his jaw dropped. This was not the garden. There were no trees or greenery. The floor was made of alternating black and white marble squares like a chess board and extended as far as the eye could see on all sides until it met with the dark purple and black swriling sky. Far off in the distance there was a small dark blotch on the landscape that could be easily lost in the surronding darkness if one didn't have a good eye. There also didn't seem to be any sort of sun, nor a moon for that matter. This was definitely not his garden!

Ciel pushed himself up to his feet with some effort. This had to be a dream, right? If it was, then how come his injuries were still painful? He shook his head slightly to clear away such thoughts. Of course it was a dream and you can also feel pain in dreams as well. He reasoned that it was just best to roll with it than oppose it considering recent evens.

He started walking in the genral direction if the dark spot. He had no idea what the thing was or how far away it was but, he could feel himself being drawn unwillingly towards it. It was an ominous feeling and pracically reaked of danger but, he couldn't stop walking. It was like his body didn't belong to himself. It was a little strange but, for some reason it felt natural as if it was his own choise which he assumed it was.

"I just hope that I can get out of this boring place!" He mummbled under his breath.

He supposed that most normal people would be in awe of such a wide open place because they had never seen such places. And by normal, he meant all the poor people who didn't have money to travel like he had. All those people would of never been out of the cities and that was all they had ever known. He had been fortunate, beeing born into nobility he could have anything he wanted when ever he pleased. Or he would have if his parents didn't teach him self restraint.

He stopped walking, the dark spot on the horizon getting no bigger. Thinking about his dead parents made his chest hurt. He haden't really had much time to stop and think about them since he was so occupied with work for the Queen or various duties or even spending time with Lizzy. Even his revenge had been put aside for the time being. Sebastian seemed happy thought, which was strange. He reasoned that he was a demon and as long as he was intrigued by something he would remain content. That or there were more cats flocking to the black tail coated man.

This thought made Ciel chuckle as he began walking again. The demon would be so happy if a group of cats just flocked to him one day. He could see himself being abandond for the blasted creatures. Now that wasen't funny at all! If the demon ever did think about such things he'd 'try' to beat him senseless with his cane. The keyword being try. He would most proberly suck out his soul before he could so much as think about it.

He shook his head again. There was no use in thinking about such things. When it happens it would happen and that would simply be that. His revenge would be fufilled and he would then cease to exist like he had never been there in the first place. He had accepted that but...

"I am still somewhat frightened..." He admited out loud dealing a huge blow to his pride.

Ciel sighed deeply and looked towards the spot in the distance. It looked considerably larger than it was last time he had looked which was good, he supposed but, he still had quite a ways to go it seemed. At least he could sort of tell what it was. It sort of, in a strange and possibly twisted way considering his fratured mind, looked like the ruins of a large castle. Well, what ever it was, he wasen'y going to get anywhere just staring at it.

He went to take a step forward but, a sudden wave of dizzyness engulfed him. This was like what happened on the stairs but, several times more severe. He groanded in pain and allowed his legs to give out under his trembling frame. He could feel his breath coming in short ragged gasps rather than being steady.

'Wait a second. I'm in a dream so this should not be happening! This is not what happens in dreams!' He thought desperately fighting for air.

The world was already beginning to close in on him and turn dark. His mind was spinning as much as his vision. He was beyond disorientated. Wait, wasen't the floor black and white? Why the Hell was it red then..? He looked down at the floor trying to make sense of it but, there was no sense to see. It was clear. He was bleeding and that was that. Simple. But, how did he get wounded? Now that was the question...

.:: Reality ::. Sebastian's POV

Sebastian watched as the small form of his master thrashed in his bed once again and had to restrain the child from harming himself. He had been like this for the past half hour occasionally stopping then starting up once again, moaning in pain and gasping for air. He was worried, yes but, he was also quite intrigued. He had never experienced human insanity firsthand so it was all very new to him.

Luckily for the boy, he had not acted on his curiousity as it had been quickly over rided by the worry. He had wanted to call a doctor immediately but, that would mean leaving Ciel to thrash around of his own accord therefore, increasing the possibility of making his injuries worse. He looked as if he had taken quite the tumble.

He didn't think that the boy had broken anything yet, he had unfortunantly wounded himself as well as coming down with a fever. How, he would not know unless he either took him to hospital (which wasn't truly an option for him as Ciel would want to keep this private) or called a doctor. He couldn't trust any of the others to do such things apart from but, he really did not want to worry the old man as he had served Ciel's family for a very long time and had known the child earl since birth. Althought, with Ciel's asthma he reasoned that he had seen him sick before.

Sebastian sighed deeply and focused more on the the child cradled in his arms. He had finished with his little tantrum and calmed once again. Looking at him like this made him seem a lot smaller than he was. He was very small anyway but, while being swamped in fluffy bed covers and being held in an older, large person's arms made him seem so increadibly tiny. He suspected that the doctor would said he would need a better diet. He knew how much the boy could eat and he did eat much more than most adults. Sometimes he wondered how he could keep doing such things without putting on vast amounts of weight.

"It seems that you've finaly calmed down." He said smiling slightly as he layed the young earl back in his bed properly, "I shall call a doctor then return immediately."

He bowed before exiting the room gracefully. He would use the phone in the office since that was the closest place and he didn't want to leave the child for much longer than he ad to out of fear of him injuring himself even more. He passed MeyRin on the way who was (for a change) walking while carrying some of the more delicate china tea sets. They were supposed to be having a guest in the next few days but, it seemed that they would have to cancel if Ciel had not improved.

He quickly made it to the office and fished out the small book he kept in one of him many pockets in his tail coat, quickly obtaining the number and calling the doctor up immediately. This was a man that Ciel trusted deeply with his health as he had took care of him when he was bed ridden for long periods of time. He said he was a blitthring old fool when he wanted to be but, trust worthy and smart when he had to. Ciel had described him as an old man with the stature of a whale (which he assumed meant he was a fat old man) but, he was very kind and a proper gentleman. His father had gotten on with him like a house on fire, no pun intended.

It seemed that his master trusted him so he was the man he had called up. They quickly exchanged words. Luckily, the man, , was free as not a lot of patients came to him nowadays. He seemed concerned with Ciel's poor condition and told him to keep a close watch on him. He said that due to his birth complications there could be issues. He didn't go into much detail but he said he would be there as soon as he could.

After their exchange, he quickly rushed back to his master's side. He could see from the windows as he passed that Finny seemed to be enjoying himself and none of the trees were burning, yet. This was a good sign as it seemed that all the servants could sense that their young master was ill and needed rest. That or they had actually improved their skills after countless failures. There was a loud expolsion from somewhere down stairs. Well, at least two of the servants had. He would check on Bard once he kenw that Ciel was alright and not caught in the middle of another distressing nightmare.

He was greeted with quite a surprising sight when he entered the room that was exactly the opposite of what he had expected. Hi young master was sat up fully awake but, he seemed frustraited.

"How are you feeling, young master?" He asked walking over to check his temperature.

"If you want to know, I'm feeling no different than I usualy do!" He snapped batting his intrusive hands away from him.

"You were unconsuious in the garden last night as it was going dark. This morning you were burning up with a fever and you have severe bruising down your right side with a small wound that I've tried to bind to the best of my ability." Sebastian said ignoring the child's feeble attempts at batting him away to feel his temperature.

"Nonsense, I'm perfectly fine!" He growled atempting to move away.

As soon as he did, he gasped in pain curling in on himself. Sebastian waited a moment allowing him to get the idea of escape to drift out of his mind before taking the child in his arms like he had been while sleeping in a comforting manner to help ease the pain.

"See? I did tell you that you were injured and sick. It's best for you tp just keep rested." He informed as he layed the now more docile earl back in his large bed to be once again swamped by the covers, "Also, I have also called a doctor to come and see you. He should be here very soon."

"You know I hate doctors Sebastian. Can't you just do it?" He mumbled pulling up the covers so that only the top of his head and eyes could be seen.

"Do you remember when you told me about that doctor who treated you as a child? Well, a wile back gave me the man's details incase you got sick again."

Ciel practically threw the covers off him, mouth agape.

"Oh, God, why on Earth would you call him? It's not like I dislike him or anything, quite the opposite. He'll just treat me as if I'm still five!" Ciel moaned burying himself under the covers, "Tell him to go away!"

"Now, now. You don't want to stay ill do you? I must admit, that is quite childish of you, young master." He teasted earning the privelidge of having the child pull down the covers to send him a glare then pull them back up again as if he were playing hide and seek.

There was a knock at the door and Sebastian permitted the person to enter earning himself a kick to the side. Even if the young earl was sick, he could still punish him if he so pleased. If fact that was a good thing, he supposed, it meant that he was getting better. MeyRin came bustling in nearly tripping over her shoe laces that had come undone. She looked slightly flushtered and almost fell ont the bed but, managed to cath herself before she fell at all which was quite an achievement.

" ! The doctor is here!" She announced a little too loudly.

"Sh, MeyRin. The young master is ill and I don't think he needs a headache as well." He scolded, "Have you let in yet?"

"Ha ha ha! Don't you worry about that ol' friend. I can let myself in don't you worry young young self!" An old man chuckled bursting (rather dramatically) into the room.

Sebastian couldn't help but, think that Ciel description of him had been spot on. The man didn't seem like a doctor and certianly didn't dress like one at all. He wore a plain white shirt, a bottle green and yellow stripy waiste coat, a pair of deep green trousers and a pair of brown classy shoes. He wouldn't of looked out of place at a fancy party if it weren't for the only thing that identified him as a doctor and that was his pristien white coat.

The doctor gave him a friendly smack on the back that would of succesfully would of knocked the wind out of him if he were human. He almost flug the covers off of Ciel who gave him a rather angry look before giving up and pulling himself back in a proper position to greet the man.

"Hello again, Doctor. It is a pleasure to see you again." He said holding out one of his hands.

"My, you've turned into a proper little gentleman haven't you. Parents have done a splended job!" chined happily.

There was an akward silence in the room for a while which the good doctor wasn't aware of. Ciel cleared his throat gaining the elderly man's attention.

"Mother and Father died three years ago, Doctor. I'm surprised you don't know." The boy said a hint of bitter sadness in his voice.

"Oh my Lord! I did not know such a thing happened. Oh, you poor little thing!" He gasped genuine shock taking over all of his features, "I've been traveling around Europe with my two daughters for the past four years and a half so I was never told. Such terrible, terrible news. I am truly sorry."

Ceil sent Sebastian a look that said 'this is why' as the old mantook the child into a tight hug and he couldn't help but stifle a small chuckle.

After that, the meeting went without incident. That was Ciel trying to struggle away from ' many ways to diagnose the problems. Over all, with Ciel's constant struggling and the fact the doctor had to re do his stiches, it had taken two entire hours. Luckily, Ciel had passed out when the doctor had started sticting him up which stopped him struggling at least.

"So, what is exactly wrong with him?" Sebastian asked as he was helping the doctor down the stairs.

"Well I believe it's just a simple case of physical and mental exhaughtion. Simple to cure really. Tomorrow, drop by to the mainstreet phamacy in London and they'll have his perscription ready. It'll also include some pain killers to numb the pain from his bruises. My good friend will give you more instructions tomorrow."

Sebastian opened the doors for him and bidded the man farewell. His carriage was already waiting for him outside which he supposed was good since he never phoned for him to pick himup. Maybe he had estimated how long it would take to sort the problem since he did know how tricky Ciel could be as a patient.

"You tell him if he ever needs someone to talk to, he should give me a call!" He bellowed out of the window as he rode off into the distance.

Sebastian already knew that would not be happening any time soon. He would have to begin preparing for the trip tomorrow and also sort out the possible mess in the kitchen due to the explosion earlier. With that thought in mind he shut the doors.

A/N: So, what do you think? Things should start getting interesting soon. Please drop in a review if you feel like it 3