This chapter connects with the third (both set up part of the plot). William contemplates while Ciel and Grell discuss things and Sebastian gets more and more disturbed by their conversation.

Disclaimer: Nope, I still own nothing from Kuroshitsuji.

William was getting behind in his work. It irked him because there was no excuse that he should be getting so far behind. William didn't even know why...well, he knew that part of it was because he hadn't heard any news of Grell for the past fifteen days. He should have collected the souls by now, but Grell being Grell, had probably run into some kind of trouble.

William dropped his pen and massaged his temples again for the third time that day. He couldn't work like this. He wasn't making any progress. For some unknown reason, Grell not being around made him unfocused and distracted. William frowned. No...perhaps it was because he hadn't heard anything, and that made him wonder if the redhead had gotten his work done. That was it. If the other hadn't, William would have to do it himself, and that would mean overtime...again.

William looked at the stack of papers on his desk, then the time. He'd work for a few hours more, and if Grell still hadn't shown up, he'd go and find the other shinigami. If he was merely having a hard time locating the souls, maybe he'd be more lenient. William adjusted his glasses and scowled. But if Grell was flirting with that demon again...he was going to have to do something about it. Why Grell even found the demon fascinating was beyond William. The demon obviously didn't like Grell, but Grell didn't seem to care whether the demon did or not. William frowned down at the paper in front of him, not really seeing it as he thought about the state he had found Grell in during the Jack the Riper case.

Grell had been beaten up, mostly in the face, which meant Grell had probably told the demon not to hit. So, it seemed the demon had ignored the plea and went for the aforementioned place. Grell had appeared to be happy to see him, but the other shinigami had already been stressed about finding all the violations, and had been in no mood for Grell to try any means to get out of trouble or listen to whatever he had been about to say.

In a way, he had saved Grell, considering the demon had tried to kill him with his own deathscythe. William hadn't liked the look he had seen in the demon eyes for that split second...

Perhaps he shouldn't have stomped so heavily on the back of Grell's head, but he had been angry at the moment at all of the problems the redhead had caused, including the ridiculous amount of overtime he had had to do because of it. And had even had to take on some jobs that had been for Grell while the other underwent punishment.

William came back to reality in the form of paperwork.

Grell had better just be lost, because if he was near that demon...

William sighed.

He didn't know what he would do. There was some lingering feeling that the dark-haired shinigami felt...but he denied it was there. He wasn't worried about Grell. William didn't care that the redhead had been so infatuated with the demon. He didn't care that Grell looked at the demon with that adoring expression even if the demon beat him up. He didn't care...

Dammit.

William sighed and set the pen done once more. He had to go, now. It would more than likely take him hours to find Grell, so he may as well start now. William left his office after a moment, and decided to try and find the group of people that Grell had been told to find. If he found them, he should find Grell.

Because really, after everything that had happened, Grell should have learned his lesson and at least made sure to get his job done.

William could only hope that was the case.

121

Ciel kept a neutral expression as he mulled over Grell's statement of a promise (or deal). Ciel recalled that he had asked Grell to protect him when he went to rescue Elizabeth. In exchange, he had said that the shinigami could do whatever he wanted to with Sebastian for a day. While Ciel wouldn't exactly say that Grell had done a good job of protecting him (other than making the first doll drop him), Ciel reminded himself that he wanted to inconvenience Sebastian.

Ciel realized that he was staring at his desk, so he raised his head and found Grell staring down at him impatiently. Casting a look over at Sebastian, who appeared unhappy that he had made a deal, looked back at the waiting death god. Oh, Ciel was so going to let Grell have that day, but not until he had a little chat with the shinigami to set down a few rules. He wouldn't want to be bothered with any complaints from either of them. Although...how to speak to Grell without Sebastian listening in. Or he could, Ciel reflected, if he wanted to know what fate had in store for him.

Ciel looked up at Grell again, "I remember, Grell. Would you mind accompanying me for a bit? We can work out the details while Sebastian is working on lunch."

Grell offered a very pleased smile, while Sebastian looked as if he were going to lose his cool at any moment, "Young master...why not just talk to him here?"

Ciel matched Sebastian's wavering smile with a small one of his own, "Oh, I needed to have a chat with Undertaker, to see if he'll assist you and Grell tonight. Why not hold a conversation on the way there?" Ciel enjoyed the look of frustration appear on Sebastian's normally composed face. Ciel stood up and walked toward the door, followed by Grell, who was nearly bursting with happiness. Ciel glanced over his shoulder at Sebastian, who was still in the same place as before, "We'll return in time for lunch. Make sure the others don't destroy the mansion while I'm gone."

"..."

Ciel blinked, his uncovered eye widening. Sebastian...not answering? Did it have to do with the fact that Grell bothered him to the point that he had become distracted? Or was it because Sebastian had realized that he was enjoying the idea of making him potentially miserable? "Sebastian?"

Sebastian shook his head a little and half-turned to offer a small smile, "A late lunch, yes?"

So he had heard him. Ciel nodded, and was about to leave, when Sebastian spoke up in a low tone.

"Why would you make a deal...with him?"

So that was what was bothering the demon. It was odd to almost hear the hint of hurt in the other's voice, but Ciel decided he imagined it as he responded with an amused smirk, "I needed someone to protect me while I went to go look for Elizabeth." 'While you didn't show up until later...and acted creepy.' A singing Sebastian disturbed Ciel, and he hoped to never witness it again.

Sebastian's lips curled in a mocking sneer, "Yes, he did a good job of it, seeing as I was the one to get you out of your...predicament."

Ciel was somewhat unnerved at the change in demeanor, but reminded himself that Sebastian was a demon, "He did help me for awhile, then stayed behind to fend off our attackers while I kept looking," Ciel neglected to add that he had tried to order the shinigami to stay there forever if he had to, to stop the puppets.

"What kind of deal did you make?" Sebastian queried softly, still half-turned and eying Ciel with one eye. It was almost as if Sebastian was trying to read his mind, he was staring so intently at him.

Ciel himself stared back fearlessly, lip curling to match the sneer Sebastian had adopted. Dimly wondering how the demon would react, Ciel spoke, "Grell wasn't interested in money...so..." Ciel prepared to slam the door shut should it seem like Sebastian might get angry and lash out. Ciel didn't think that Sebastian would actually hurt him, but Ciel wasn't too sure if Sebastian would allow him to go through with the idea. The demon would no doubt hound him relentlessly, until he gave in and gave up. No, not this time. It was too good an opportunity to pass up. Ciel looked and saw Sebastian still waiting, a small smile replacing the sneer.

Ciel offered a very tiny, genuine smile in return, "I told Grell that if he protected me, I'd let him do whatever he wanted with you for one whole day," Ciel watched with interest as the smile on Sebastian's face froze, his eyebrow twitched, and he turned the rest of the way to face Ciel directly.

"What was that?" The smile was threatening to vanish.

Ciel knew better. Sebastian had to have heard him, so he added, with an evil little smile, "Oh, and Grell mentioned something about a kiss...with tongue..." Ciel fell silent and watched as a shiver made its way up Sebastian's frame, a disturbed and disgusted look on his face. Sebastian's expression then slowly became horrified as he thought aloud in halting tones, "You said...to him...he wanted to...a kiss...oh no...can't be serious?"

Ignoring the look of desperation, Ciel responded, "Yes, I'm serious." With that, he beat a hasty retreat when he felt an angry aura radiating from Sebastian. Ciel would have kept taunting Sebastian, but he didn't want to press his luck.

As soon as Ciel had left the vicinity, Sebastian's aura died down, and the demon butler let out a sigh of annoyance. Ciel was certainly causing him unneeded trouble. He didn't want Grell to start causing trouble for him as well...Sebastian was silent as he tried to decide whether or not to follow Ciel...but the risk of being sensed by Grell...No, he wanted to know what was being decided, especially if it involved him. Sebastian left the room and headed for the entryway, where he stopped abruptly as he saw Ciel about to leave the mansion.

Ciel somehow sensed Sebastian's presence, and glanced over his shoulder casually, "I expect lunch to be ready when I return." With that and one final glance, Ciel left the mansion to catch up with Grell.

Sebastian smiled thinly. So, Ciel believed he would eavesdrop, while at the same time expect him to have lunch ready? Sebastian turned and headed for the kitchen. Very well then... If that's how Ciel wanted to play...he'd have lunch ready and catch up in time to listen in on the conversation. Then return before they did.

A minute or so later...

Sebastian left the mansion, easily catching up to the carriage with long, running strides. Without the driver of the carriage knowing, Sebastian latched onto one of the sides of the carriage, so he could listen in on its occupants.

Hopefully without detection.

121

Inside the carriage, Grell wriggled back and forth in his seat, excited with the thought of being so close to what he'd imagined...Though there was a lingering doubt when he thought of what would happen if William found out...

"Grell?"

Grell broke out of his thoughts upon hearing Ciel's voice, and looked at the boy with a distracted, "Hmm?"

Ciel sighed. It was hard to keep the other focused on the matter at hand, "I thought we were going to work out arrangements for a day with Sebastian...perhaps even two..."

"T...two days?" Grell stuttered, ceasing movement and leaning forward, looking at Ciel hopefully.

"If you assist me with my current investigation. It seems like we're looking into the same thing. Help solve it tonight..." Ciel held up a hand to stop Grell from interrupting him, "Do that, and not only will you be with Sebastian during the investigation, but if it's resolved tonight...I'll let you do whatever you want with Sebastian for...three days. If it isn't solved tonight, two days." Ciel paused when he saw that he had lost Grell to fantasies. Ciel waited a moment before speaking again, "We still have to set some ground rules and agree on arrangements."

Grell reluctantly left his daydream fantasy and focused on Ciel again. He had been distracted with the prospect of three whole days alone with Sebastian, "Rules?" He asked in a vague, dreamy voice.

Ciel nodded, "Yes, rules."

Grell frowned a little as he thought about it, then shrugged indifferently, "Such as?" Restrictions meant little to him as long as he could get his day (or days) with Sebastian. He'd make sure the brat's case was solved tonight, as well as complete his own job. To make sure William didn't find out what he was up to. If the dark-haired shinigami ever found out what he was planning to do with Sebastian, Grell would find himself either restricted to office work, or bogged down with so many jobs that he had no free time. William would never allow him to be anywhere alone with Sebastian. Whether it was because he cared about him or because he didn't want an incapacitated worker, Grell had yet to find out. It was hard to tell what William was thinking sometimes.

And why did it make him feel bad that he wasn't going to tell William what he was planning?

Seeing that Grell was actually paying attention now, Ciel smiled ever-so-slightly, "The first rule, then..."

121

Outside the carriage, Sebastian was slowly beginning to get more and more unnerved the longer Ciel spoke to Grell of rules and arrangements and such of when and where Grell would get to do whatever he wanted to with him. Sebastian wondered if he could get away with botching the investigation tonight. That way, he'd have to deal with Grell one less day.

Sebastian shivered involuntarily when he heard one agreement. He didn't want to think about having to do whatever Grell told him to do...it was too disgusting just thinking about it, and what Grell might think of. Ciel said a few more things but Sebastian had more or less tuned it out, already disturbed by what he had heard, and wondering if it would get any worse.

121

Inside the carriage, Ciel was unaware of Sebastian's dawning horror. Instead he listened to Grell, as the shinigami summed up what he had just been told.

"I may have Sebastian to myself for two, maybe three days, as long as I don't disturb you. If you need help from Sebastian, you'll add the time lost plus one extra hour for interrupting me. I should not disturb the other servants of the mansion or any potential guests. Sebastian will more or less do what I say but he doesn't have to..." Grell paused in the summery and pouted, "That sounds like he won't have to do what I say if he doesn't want to..." Grell broke off as he caught sight of people outside the carriage, staring at it as it went down the street. They looked...bewildered.

Grell's mouth made a little 'o' of understanding, and with a faint smile, sighed dramatically, "I guess that's better than nothing," Grell tilted his head at the window and mouthed 'Sebastian' with a wider smile. Ciel's eye widened but then nodded. Grell ran a hand through his hair before speaking again, "And I may do what I want with him as long as I stay within the vicinity of the mansion, inside or out," Grell eyed Ciel, "Is that all?"

Ciel responded with a "yes" but with a slight wave of his hand at the window, indicated that he'd say more later, when Sebastian wasn't around. Seeing Grell smiling even more widely, Ciel spoke up as the carriage slowed down. "We're nearly there."

Once the carriage came to a halt, Grell and Ciel stepped outside.

Sebastian was nowhere to be seen.

Ignoring Sebastian's disappearing act, as well as Grell's disappointment, Ciel merely walked to the door, above it a sign stating 'Undertaker.' Ciel entered the building, followed by a somewhat reluctant Grell, who was somewhat unsure what to expect.

One could never know what would happen when it came to the Undertaker.

Sebastian plots ways to get Ciel to not agree to the deal, while Grell and Ciel visit Undertaker (and get the story moving already). There'll be more humor starting in the next chapter (with a hint of Undertaker/Grell-mosty Undertaker creeping Grell out).