Ciel breathed in the cool morning air as he strolled down the sidewalk. The rain from the previous night had washed the streets clean, and now the pale sun was drying everything slowly through a layer of clouds. Despite the cold air, winter was on its way out, and the birds had taken to singing happily. The trees that grew in the parks and on the sidewalks were beginning to bud with the promise of green leaves. There was the scent of spring in the air.

Ciel could not remember the last time he had felt so clean and refreshed. This only strengthened his creeping suspicion that staying with Sebastian would be the best decision he could make at this point. He comforted himself with the knowledge that he could leave anytime he wanted, but for now he would take advantage of the man's wealth and kindness.

This very moment, however, Ciel was on his own again. He couldn't get away with just stealing a small amount of food here or there anymore. He had a time limit now. It was crucial that he be back in the apartment before Sebastian came home. Ciel took a chance on the assumption that Sebastian would not go all the way home for lunch, and so he had until later that day to slip back into the apartment, lock the door, and shift to his cat-form. Sebastian would be none the wise.

Ciel needed to eat a full meal at least once every day now were he to keep his plan running smoothly, without his human form overcoming him from its hunger, like it had that morning. For today at least, there was one way he could ensure this. It was not his favorite option, but it was one that had paid off in the past, every time he chose to take it.

So as he approached the tiny pawn shop he braced himself for the what he knew was waiting inside. A small bell tolled his entry into the shop, and he expertly weaved his way through the cramped maze of pawned items toward the little counter he knew to be in the back. The familiar smell of cheap cigarettes reached his nostrils as he approached, and the sound of deep, dark music playing on a dingy little radio hit his ears.

"Well, look who we have here!" A shrill voice almost sang. "I was beginning to think that you'd curled up and died in an alley somewhere."

Ciel's lips curled slightly as long, red-nailed fingers reached out across the counter and stroked his chin lightly.

"Hmm…we are looking a bit thinner than usual, aren't we?"

Ciel jerked his chin away from the offending fingers, glaring at the grinning man behind the counter. He was a flamboyant transvestite, his face clearly masculine despite slightly feminine features. He wore a hideously fluffy red feather boa by hooking it over his elbows and letting it hang behind him like a sash. The false eyelashes and red lipstick only added to his disturbing appearance, although it was rounded out completely by the bright eye-watering red of his hair. Ciel sometimes had to admire his commitment; that hair dye must do terrible damage to his brain.

"Save it, Grell, you know why I'm here. Now get on with it." Ciel said.

"Oh, so cold you are, PrettyPaws!" The man said, with a dramatic tossing of his artificially red head. "Not even a hello, after all these months? Not even a simple, 'good morning Grell, how are you?'" Ciel's frown deepened.

"I just need to make a sale."

Grell pulled a sad face and pursed his lips.

"Of course, PrettyPaws. Might I ask…"

Those fingers reached out for him once more, and Ciel stiffened as they pulled off his hat and ran carefully along one of his cat-ears. "how in the world did you manage to get so clean? You are practically glowingly beautiful!"

Grell used the end of his boa to tickle Ciel's cheek.

"Did you finally kick that infernal pride of yours on its ass and join a Shelter?"

Ciel hissed and Grell pulled back without looking the least put out.

"I'll take that as a 'no', but then how did you get so clean?"

"If you let me make the sale, then I will tell you." Ciel said harshly, pulling his hat on once more to hide his ears.

"Oh, you naughty boy, tempting me with such wagers." Grell said in his sing-song voice, his words as always, making Ciel uncomfortable. "What man alive could resist such a charmingly serious expression, those eyes piercing me like blue knives?" Ciel set his jaw, and Grell got the message.

He leaned against the counter with a deflated, bored expression, tilting his head to the side and lighting a cigarette. He made sure to take a few drawls and then blow out a long stream of smoke toward the ceiling before saying,

"Very well, let's see that jacket of yours."

Ciel shrugged it off and placed it on the counter. It was a deep red, so he knew that Grell would not refuse it, not that he had ever refused any jacket that Ciel had sold him.

"I just made it this morning, so it's brand new as you can see." Grell ran his hands over and through it, stopping a second to sigh and say, "Ah, still warm…" before continuing with his inspection.

"I think the usual price then?" He asked, and Ciel nodded. Grell opened his cash register, which was one of the few things behind the counter besides Grell himself that was actually gleaming, it was so well attended.

"You know," Grell said, "I was thinking, while this is a hefty price to pay for just an ordinary jacket, yours are always created by magic, aren't they?"

He gave a small wink at Ciel through his sickly false lashes, and Ciel shuddered slightly and put out his hand at once for the money.

"Wait just a moment, PrettyPaws, I seem to remember you saying something about telling me why you are so clean, if I bought your jacket. Aren't you going to tell me now, or are you unfaithful to your promises?"

Ciel growled slightly but answered in a quick rush,

"A man took me off the street last night and-"

"Oh my, that's how all the best stories begin!" Grell interrupted, leaning his head on his hand as his green eyes grew huge and expectant to hear the rest, as he puffed away at his cigarette.

Ignoring the comment Ciel continued,

"I couldn't exactly get away so I waited until he left this morning and took a shower before I snuck out."

Grell laughed and waved the notes as though to fan himself.

"Oh my, bathing in a stranger's house without their knowledge, how incredibly naughty of you!"

"There, I told you, now give me the money, Grell." Ciel said wearily, holding out his hand once more.

"No fun, are you PrettyPaws? Well, never mind, here you are." Grell counted out the notes into Ciel's waiting hand, being sure to cup it when he was done and say, "doing business with you was, as always, a pleasure."

Ciel tugged his hand away angrily and turned to leave. A few steps away he stopped briefly.

"Thank you, Grell." A soft utterance, and then he was out the door.

It had always been that way, ever since he and Grell first met. While Ciel did not particularly like Grell as a person, he was the only one in the whole of this country that Ciel considered an almost-friend. Grell was his go-to if things got so bad he had no other options. He hated to admit it to himself, but Grell had saved him more than once.

The first time had been when Ciel had darted into the shop as a kitten to escape the cold. He had been able to hide out for a long time before exhaustion took him over and he fell asleep on one of the cluttered shelves. When he awoke he was curled in Grell's lap, with those polished fingers petting him gently. He had struggled, hissed, and spat, but Grell had not let him go even when he had scratched and bitten his perfectly manicured hands. Grell's strangely lilting voice had told him that there was nothing to fear, but Ciel had not believed a word, he had just wanted to escape the disturbing man.

Finally, he had shifted forms, leaving Grell holding one of his arms and looking very startled. This time when he struggled, he escaped, but had pulled away too hard and fell against one of the cramped shelves, causing a small avalanche to come down atop him before he could stop it. He had cut his leg badly, and Grell, with much coaxing and reassuring, had bandaged him up. The man seemed not to care that Ciel was what he was, or that he had partially wrecked his shop. He had been genuinely kind in his own flamboyant fashion.

In the end he offered to buy Ciel's jacket to give him enough cash for a hot meal. Ciel had jumped on the opportunity. Since then, he had tentatively returned if ever he was teetering on the brink of complete starvation. Grell had always paid more than what his jackets were worth, and Ciel had even slept in the shop several times just as he had the first time he came to it, curled on one of the shelves among the long lost treasures.

He would never, ever admit to himself that he actually held a sort of fondness for Grell in his heart. The man was following a very unconventional lifestyle, and seemed very happy. Part of Ciel's discomfort around Grell was for the simple fact that he was jealous of the man. Grell was doing exactly what Ciel wished he could; being his true self, despite what society thought. Ciel could not help but admire him somewhere in the recesses of his heart.

Ciel made his way discretely down the streets, now more crowded as the morning went on. He passed by a few of the cafés, and the smell of coffee and hot chocolate drove him wild. But he decided to go right for the breakfast restaurants instead. He always had to play the part of everyday normal human boy when he did this; make eye contact, act confidant and relaxed, and of course, never let his tail or ears become visible.

He had stealing down to a science, but lying was a different matter. He was talented at it, but the lie could fall apart at any time.

He stepped into the restaurant, and went right up to the sit-down bar. The waitress came over to him and he gave his order quickly,

"The breakfast combo with bacon, cinnamon cakes, and make the eggs scrambled please. Oh, and a glass of milk—you know, just make it orange juice." Ciel had managed to catch himself; had he been confronted with a glass of milk the rapidity with which he would have drunk it down would have undoubtedly caused suspicion.

The waitress smiled at him as she left. Ciel had found that those humans who were not suspicious of him found him endearing. He was only fourteen, and while children was his age being independent enough to go around by themselves were not uncommon, some people enjoyed them.

For Ciel, the waiting for the food to arrive was the most nerve-wracking part. He felt as though everyone was watching him, suspecting him. This was not true, of course, as he glanced around he noticed that there wasn't a single person looking in his direction. This helped him relax a bit. He tried to focus on something else, so he watched the TV screen that hung on one wall.

Another debate about the new proposal. Ciel had heard enough to know about it; equalization of Leonards. He wished with all his heart for the law to be passed, and yet he was afraid of what he would do if it did. Would anyone truly take care of his kind? He was most worried for all those who were kept as pets or companions; if the law passed, what would become of them? They would no longer be considered property. There were so many possible outcomes if it did pass, both positive and negative, that it made Ciel's brain hurt just thinking through each one.

After his orange juice came he had to sit and listen to the higher ups on the screen bickering for almost twenty minutes before his food arrived. He could not help but listen, and form his own opinions.

As he hungrily devoured his breakfast, he felt the war within him simmer for the moment. He was clean, eating the best food he'd had in weeks, and he had a place to go home to. At least for now, what more could he ask for?