*FANFARE*

New Chapter! Back into my comfort zone here really... glad to know the fight scene turned out alright. Not much to say about this chapter except that you can now probably tell that Finny is my fave of the other four servants :3 Anyway, it's a kind of sad and thoughtful chapter ahead. Just a warning. Remeber to feel the sympathy.

Disclaimer: Don't own. Never will. *cries in corner*


Sunlight streamed in through the large window and past the dark curtains, resting on the prone figure lying silently in the satin sheets. A young boy lay under the freshly changed cerulian covers, his too small frame looking even smaller on such a large bed. Looking closer, you could see that his dark hair was matted and damp and beads of sweat steadily rolled down his flushed face. His gentle features were scrunched up in discomfort and pain. The thin blue cover was pulled over his bare chest and stuck slightly to the moist and heated skin. Every now and then, his hand would twitch or his fair lips would slip into a grimace for a moment, but other than that, Ciel Phantomhive was still.

Sat by his side, and just as still as his young master, was the Demon Butler, Sebastian Michaelis. His head was resting on his arms, face creased with worry and red eyes watching Ciel's every breath. He was slouched over in a way that he would never allow another being to see, for he had a reputation to keep, but whilst alone, he could let out all the stress that had built up over the previous few hours. Had it not been for the occasional gesture of checking the Earl's forhead or rubbing his pale face in frustration, one would have thought him to be some sort of statue.

"How could so much have happened overnight?" he asked to the almost empty room, not really expecting an answer.


***flashback***


"Bocchan!" he cried before taking off again around to the source of the blood.

His young master was unconscious, resting heavily on the edging on the fountain, eyes closed lightly and his mouth slightly open. His breathing was heavy and rasping, chest falling and rising with every strained gasp. His frail form was slumped on the damp grass, clothed in nothing but a dirty and shredded white tunic to shield him from the elements.

Small scratches were littered across his porcelain skin like cracks and blood slipped down his cheeks like crimson tears. His hands and feet were covered in gashes that seeped lifes liquid into the already drowned ground, small trails connecting from further up the limbs to create tiny red pools around him. However, what shocked Sebastian more about Ciel's hands and feet was the currently impossible scene he was witnessing. Fine black hairs were slinking back into his pores whilst his nails were long, sharp and silver yet they were slowly returning to normal. Holding one of the smaller hands in his own, the butler observed closely as the nails short and pale, like those of the average human. He watched in facination as the small cuts began to knit themselves together, scratches fading into little pink blotches before fading from view.

He had only been there for a few minutes and yet almost all of the scratches had healed and there were no more -visible- bruises. Leaning forward, he catiously placed a re-gloved finger between his young master's parted lips, lifting the upper and observing his teeth. What he saw confirmed his theory. Lengthy fang-like teeth were steadily shrinking back to those of a human, the gums turning back from their deep black into a pale pink. The wounds, the claws, the fangs. Although he didn't want to believe it, the evidence gave him no choice. Ciel Phantomhive was the feline creature.


***flashback end***


A light knock on the door broke Sebastian from trance and drew his attention.

"Come in Finnian"

The door opened with a soft creak and the young man walked in, a grim smile on his face and a small tray held in bandaged hands. His expression became serious as he turned his sights towards his young master and swiftly walked towards the bed, carefully avoiding the debris. The room had not yet been cleaned, the only difference being that the sheets had been changed so as to contain the Earl. Other than that, a few things had been fiddled with and two simple wooden chairs had been drawn to the bedside. Even the blood from the en suite had been left alone, forgotten in it's unnatural pools and drying streaks. For the moment, the focus of the two males rested on the youngest figure upon the mattress.

Silently, Finny took the second seat opposite from the butler, his back towards the suns rays, although they did nothing to warm him. Gathering the items from the tray, he handed the black case to Sebastian, who nodded his thanks and accepted it graciously, whilst placing the small bowl and cloth on the chestnut unit. A soft sigh escaped his lips as he wrung the cold water from the cloth, folded it neatly and placed it upon Ciel's flushed forehead. Grabbing another, he repeated the routine, only this time placing the damp fabric on his young master's chest. The child's breathing hitched momentarily as the material settled in place, but after that it seemed to give him a positive result.

Turning his attention back to the butler before him, he watched in a child-like curiousity as the hands moved swiftly and gracefully, wrapping the stark white material over the various wounds and scratches.

"How are the others, Finny?"

The sudden break in the silence made him jump, startling him as he turned towards Sebastian. It took a moment for his mind to register that he had in fact, been asked a question and another moment for him to remember the answer.

"They're fine for the most part. I found Tanaka in one of the kitchen store rooms with his tea, apparently he had stayed there when the noises started. Mey-rin should be good as new pretty soon. It was mostly just bruising and cuts from the glass. She's a little sore and tired at the moment but I bet she'll be back to her old self by tomorrow. Unfortunately, Bard'll take a little bit longer, seeing as how badly he was burned. There might even be scaring. He woke up for a little while before I gave him some painkillers. I must have been crying at the time, because he gave me this massive grin and made jokes about how ladies love scars. I hate to say how such a horrific made me laugh but it did. I also managed to get a good look at Pluto. He'll probably be resting for a little while but luckily there was no lasting damage. You must have put up one hell of a fight Mr Sebastian. I mean, I swore I saw a dent in one of the trees out there. I never knew you were that strong! How-"

He cut off, realising how much he had ended up talking. With a heavy blush set upon his cheeks, he turned his head up towards the butler, expecting a look of annoyance at the very least. Sebastian, however, sat it the hard seat, a light smile gracing his features, his only response being the mirth in his eyes and a curt nod.

"I'll need your help for this part Finny. Could you help me lift bocchan into a seated position and keep him there whilst I work?" the demon asked

"Of course, Mr Sebastian" he nodded enthusiastically as he placed one hand on Ciel's shoulder and the other on his ribs, near his armpit.

"Gently does it"

Within seconds, the unconscious Earl was sat up loosely, the botanist holding onto his upper body carefully, blushing slightly at the prospect of holding his half-naked master. The sheets had slid down from his burning chest, revealing the still weeping gash across several of his ribs. Looking at the wound, the butler couldn't help but feel guilty.


***flashback***


He was so preoccupied with his young master's transformation, he barely noticed the small stain of blood spreading through the shirt over his ribcage, above a large tear in the fabric. The red was growing fast and dark, sticking the material to his pale and inflamed skin. Bracing himself, the demon tore the drenched shirt from his master's chest, leaving the remnants to hang over his arms and back. It scared Sebastian more than he'd like to admit how his bocchan made no reaction to the sudden removal of the fabric, nor to the harsh morning conditions or rippling jolt from the tear.

The lack of cover soon revealed a rather shocking amount of bruised skin, fading from deep purple to a yellow-ish green. Minute scratches were spread across the boy's torso and a straight cut just above his naval was leaking blood down his icy skin. His back had not been left unscathed either, as a long line of black snaked it's way down and around his spine. That, however, was not what left the butler speechless. It was the great and undoubtably painful split that rested over the lower ribs and was bleeding profusely. The skin surrounding it was sore and cracked, flashing a dangerous maroon shade as it was continually moistened by the flowing fluid. The wound was deep but, fortuantely, clean, washed from either the rain or the fountain, he did not know. Drawing his red eyes up to the head of his master, Sebastian noted that blood had long since stopped flowing into the pool of the fountain behind him, leaving only a tinged streak in it's path. Studying the back of Ciel's head, the butler came across a small and already healing cut, obviously looking worse than it was. Sighing with both relief and regret, the demon slid back to rest on his knees whilst gazing at his young master's fair face and the crimson lines that marred his features.


***flashback end***


The guilt was bubbling painfully in Sebastian's chest as he tightly wound the garment around the young master's torso, carefully weaving between the gardeners arms as he supported the unconscious figure. The emotional anguish was rearing it's ugly head, screaming it's threats and torment, bringing silent and hidden tears to the butler's eyes. Tears that no-one would see. Tucking the edges in, he leaned back to admire his handiwork. The bandages were smooth and even, crisp and white and standing out against the almost fushia tinted skin. No blood could be seen seeping through the soft materials yet it was not tight enough to cut off breathing or circulation.

"That should do it, Finnian."

The boy in question looked up swiftly, a look a surprise on his face before the blush returned and he carefully lowered the young Earl back onto the covers before standing from the wooden chair, stretching to remove the knots that had formed in his cramped muscles. He turned towards the butler, head dipped slightly, his quivering voice breaking the silence once more.

"Is there anything else I could do for you, Mr Sebastian?"

"No thank you, Finny. Head back to your quarters and catch up on some sleep. You may be quite the persuader but you are not fooling me."

"Are you su-?"

"Yes, quite sure. Now please, check on the others and get some rest. You may be stronger than others but you are not invincible. Remember that."

Finnian was quite taken aback. Never before had he heard the man speak with such emotion in his voice before, often sticking to more stoic and monotonous tones. The concern and pain in those words left his stomach in knots and his mind in tatters. Stuttering, he nodded his head towards the raven-haired male, giving his thanks and casting one long regretful look at his young master before departing from the large bedroom, the door closing with a soft thud.

Running gloves once again over his flustered face, Sebastian leant forward and resumed his watch over his oblivious young master.


Many hours had passed when Sebastian first noticed signs of life in the still figure. A simple twitch of the hand had caught his attention, followed soon after by an almost inaudiable groan. This led to scrunching facial features and fluttering lashes. It was a agonisingly slow process and Ciel's resistant body pulled him back into a dull consciousness. The first thing he noticed was the cool glass placed against his parched lips, and the crystal liquid that trickled down his dry throat. Next was the dull ache and heat that seemed to radiate off of his entire being. It was painful yet bearable. Finally he noticed the black clad figure seated at his bedside. The sun had begun to set and the dimming light was casting shadows across the room.

"Sebastian..." His voice was soft and cracking, straining out the syllables.

"Young master, I believe you have something you wish to tell me."


Ooh, we're getting into it now! Tell me what you thought of it in a review!

ALSO! Tell me people, should the other servants find out about Ciel's secret? 'Cuz at the moment, Sebastian knows, Finny thinks he was attacked and the others are clueless?

REVIEW! Reviewers get the next chapter dedicated to them as well as a virtual hug!