Hajime

Really, why did all the wealthy manors in the area have to be so large? The Phantomhive manor was definitely bigger but this one was a close second. Harry didn't even want to think about what was going on in some of the other rooms of the manor. Sebastian was correct when he said Druitt was the only human that could fit the bill for the Jack the Ripper. Too bad for Ciel that the perpetrator wasn't exactly human…

"We did not come here to amuse ourselves. Do not let your guard down!"

Harry glanced at Ciel, who was dressed up as a lovely lady with long pigtails with a pink dress and a matching pink hat with flowers covering his right eye, just to see him get hugged almost to death by Madame Red.

The green eyed demon chuckled at the picture they made. He had to admit that Ciel would have made one hell of a cute girl. The two started bickering about Ciel being forced to go as a girl and Harry decided to cut in.

"You're not the only one with a corset on Little Lord. Stop complaining."

"Hadria is right you know. And a lady never raises her voice, My Lady," Sebastian stated as he wrapped an arm about Harry's waist.

The small demon jabbed his nails, elongated into talons, into the butler's side subtly. Sebastian's smile widened as his hand clenched around Harry's upper arm. If he was going to pretend to be the other's wife he was not going to be nice about it. Especially, since he wasn't consulted about this change of wardrobe or cover identity beforehand. Ugh. Now he had to -visibly- play nice. That always got annoying.

Harry did have to admit that Sebastian looked ravishing with glasses and part of his hair gelled back. It made him want to jump him. It had been a long while since he'd indulged in such carnal pleasure and as he'd come to find out humans didn't quite satisfy that urge. As he was hunted by demons it wasn't often he'd found someone willing to tango with him. However, it seemed wrong to ask Sebastian so he'd refrained.

Everyone made their way inside and the impression he got was one of money and wealth. Fancy nobles wandered around everywhere, the entire manor was opulently done in marble, real crystals hung from the chandelier above, and a spread of food that could have fed all the orphans in London was set against the farthest wall. It was disgustingly suffocating. Being the best people person ever, Harry enjoyed rooms full of people. Mostly when he was slaughtering them for pleasure but no one needed to know that. Attending for a dance on the other hand was repulsive. He really didn't want to be here.

Harry glanced longingly at the door but Sebastian caught it and gave him a stern glare. The small half demon sighed. Now that Sebastian was watching he'd never be able to slip away. Wonderful… Was this even part of his deal? Servants weren't normally cross-dressing infiltrators.

"Now then…we must first locate the Viscount of Druitt," the butler turned tutor stated.

Madame Red and Lau had already left with Grell trailing after them, and Sebastian and Ciel had moved into the crowds while the little lord complained the whole way. Harry stuck to the walls and decided to be what everyone called 'a wallflower'. They were such wonderful things. It was as he was becoming one with the wall and ignoring all socialization going on around him -well he was listening, it never hurt to gather bits of gossip, he just wasn't responding- that he spotted Ciel and Sebastian running from a little blond in…No way! That was Elizabeth! The blonde monstrosity was at the Viscount's party. How in the nine hells had that happened?

Ciel had just approached Druitt only to be foiled by Elizabeth. Though, Harry noted that the blond lord had taken notice of Ciel after the boy had hidden behind him. Sebastian was able to safely pull the little lord out onto the balcony and Harry, making sure no one was watching, melted into the shadows and appeared right behind Ciel.

"That was a dangerously close call," the wizard remarked sourly.

Ciel jumped and spun with a righteous fury in his eye, "And where the bloody hell have you been?"

Harry was unperturbed by the outburst and calmly replied, "Blending in with the walls, of course. It has a wonderful perspective. You should-"

He was cut off as the violins started playing and Ciel cursed. Harry frowned as everyone made their way to the dance floor like a herd of cattle. Did he mention that he really didn't want to be here?

"Very well… Let us employ the dance as a means of getting closer to the Viscount. You will be able to manage what you were taught, yes?"

"Are you telling me to dance in public with the likes of you!?" Ciel looked flabbergasted.

The wine eyed demon pulled Ciel inside with a smirk. Harry would bet his demonic heritage that Ciel would be exhausted when they reached the other side. Poor thing had the worst stamina ever. He watched as they made it to the other wall of the ballroom, barely missing any steps in the upbeat tempo, and Ciel leaned over gasping for breath.

Ding Ding. Where was his prize?

Then the Viscount approached and Harry frowned. That man was a nasty piece of work he could already tell. He had quite the taint on him. Watching him initiate subtle flirting with the Earl rubbed him the wrong way. He focused his magic on his ears casting the spell audire and slightly enhanced them with his demonic heritage at the same time.

"I am most honored by your compliment," Ciel stated a bit shakily, looking close to a nervous breakdown.

"Pray tell, with whom did you come this evening, Miss Robin?" The blonde laid a gentle kiss upon Ciel's hand and held it for slightly longer than appropriate.

Harry pursed his lips, eyes narrowing in displeasure.

"Auntie Angelina brought me here," Ciel said subtly wiping any traces of the kiss off of his hand, trying to compose himself.

"Madame Red? I see… Are you enjoying yourself?"

"I really am terribly impressed with this wonderful party-" Way to lay it on thick with that simpering there, kid, "-but I have wanted nothing more than to talk to the Viscount all this time."

"Oh?"

"I have had my fill of dancing and eating," the blue eyed boy stated a bit snobbishly.

"A willful princess aren't we…my little robin?" A shiver ran down Harry's spine. If that cockroach was even thinking of taking his child to the auction they had brewing downstairs his pretty little head was going to reenact his old quidditch days, starring as the quaffle with Harry as a beater.

"Y-yes. Have you something more interesting in mind, Viscount?"

"Allow me to show you, my lovely little robin…"

He was going to rip out his intestines and string his head and limbs along it like a macabre parody of Christmas lights.

"What sort of things?" At least Ciel was a good actor.

"Would you like to know?"

Hm. No more creativity was necessary, he didn't want a repeat performance of Azzuro.

"Oh yes. I am most curious."

"But perhaps it is too soon for you?"

Maybe rearranging some limbs and organs and keeping the man alive as a pet? No no. Too much effort.

"I am a proper lady already."

No. Precious child don't say such crude things… even if they were technically true depressingly enough.

"Can you keep a secret from the Madame?"

Ugh. Druitt's tongue was going to be ripped out and used as a bloody paintbrush for the macabre story of how his entire body spontaneously combusted.

"Of course! I certainly can!"

Maybe he could snap every bone in his body first.

"You seem to be worried about something?"

Harry grit his teeth as he watched Druitt's hands practically caress Ciel's chin. No one was ever allowed to touch his cub like that again. Not with him around. Ah, and there was the pink beast making her way closer to the pair and putting the entire operation in danger. Harry made his way forward, slipping through the crowd ready to play interference.

Sebastian appeared in the middle of the hallway with a large black box, stunning the entire crowd and distracting everyone from the two leaving the room. The green eyed wizard stared horrified at the large box. Sebastian wasn't going to do that was he? But when the other demon pulled out swords and asked for a volunteer (which happened to be Lau…) he knew he was.

Worry about Ciel and the situation he was again allowing himself to be put in or Sebastian who was technically weak from starvation and about to be stabbed a million ways from Sunday? He'd yet to feed the demon a soul and he was using so much energy healing the surprising damage the human was causing that it was slightly worrying. The contract could only sustain him so much. Actually now that he thought about it Sebastian missing the earlier battle with the Hunter was probably for the better.

Once everything about the conjuring was cleaned up, Harry stormed up to Sebastian stabbing a finger into his chest and started lecturing him.

"…With the stunts you like to pull off, your contract is not going to be enough to sustain you! Either you accept some of my own energy or I will force feed you. I don't need you attracting all the Hunters because of your need to show off and then not being able to fight them off!"

Sebastian cocked his head his gaze eerily piercing. Harry felt like prey caught beneath the gaze of a curious predator that was contemplating whether to eat you. That wasn't unnerving at all.

"To share your energy..."

"Yes. Yes. I know it comes with its own risks but if this will keep you healthier…"

Harry wasn't as nonchalant about this as he was coming off as. He was really nervous, really, really nervous. Doing this was a huge risk and had a high possibility of affecting how their chemistry was now.

"Would you like to dance, My Lady Hadria?"

Harry glanced up in surprise (when had he looked down?) and accepted the offered gloved hand. The two swept out onto the ballroom floor and Harry was reminded again as to why he hated crowded places. Too many people… too many memories.

He was distracted from his disgust when Sebastian leaned down and whispered 'I accept' before Harry was swept up into the best kiss he had ever had in his life. Even better than the last one now that he wasn't struggling against the horrors of a dress.

The taste of Sebastian was unique. A mix of blood, flesh, and funnily enough dark chocolate. It left him slightly lightheaded as he felt his own energy being drained in such a way. It left his toes tingling and his mind reeling. He tried to dominate it after the shock faded but the elder demon gave no quarter, harshly controlling the direction and speed with which everything was happening.

With a start he realized he had completely forgot about the reason for the kiss. At the rate Sebastian was absorbing his energy… Maybe it would be okay to-

Sebastian pulled away suddenly his breath coming out a blue icy glow. He reigned his energy back in and was surprised at how much he had given away. It was almost enough to start a mating ritual.

He ignored the small voice saying he should have continued. No matter how nice that felt. That would have been a terrible idea.

The entire situation had gone unnoticed by the dancing nobles around them.

"Hadrian, anymore and-"

"It's fine. I only got a bit caught up in the kiss. It's been awhile since I've indulged in anything like it." Harry grit his teeth to help him focus and push away the annoying fog of mixed emotions wreaking havoc on his mind. "I'm going outside. It is much too… suffocating in here," he bit out.

"That's not-"


Sebastian watched as Harry rushed outside unable to even finish his sentence. He could smell… emotions? Anger, lust, joy, bitterness, hatred... How very very strange.

Perhaps he should have just continued? He'd wanted to make sure first. Hm. He would probably have to explain to Hadrian later.

It was a pleasant surprise the sarcastic spitfire had offered his energy, his life essence, so casually. He thought maybe the man was finally returning the -admittedly subtle- courting offers he'd been making for a while. He had to be sure, though, before following through because there was no actual confirmation yet. He didn't want to be trapped for eternity with an unhappy temperamental hellion. He didn't really like the idea of slaughtering Hadrian to get out of the pairing either. Or at all actually.

Perhaps the way he had done it had been a mistake.

Now he was slightly regretting not just finishing it right there. Hadrian could be extraordinarily pigheaded. He started towards the balcony when he heard his master's call. He spared Hadrian's form one last glance before leaving.


"Sebastian?"

"Yes, my lord?"

"What is going on between you and Harry?"

"There was… a bit of a misunderstanding, my lord. Harry is stubborn and will not hear me out."

Ciel glanced up from his paperwork in surprise, "You called him Harry. This must be serious if you call him by the name he prefers. What happened?"

Sebastian was silent.

"Are you really going to make me order you to tell me? Fine. Let me put it this way. Whatever is happening between you two is impeding his work. He is lounging around like a particularly slovenly cat. If you cannot resolve the situation then the Master of the household must get involved. Meaning me. Now what happened?"

The demon tsked. The brat was right. "Hadrian offered something and I only took part of it. I should have just taken all of it. Now he is offended at the perceived slight and won't listen to a thing I say.

"I…see. I will see what I can do."

"My apologies for the inconvenience, My Lord."

Ciel's lips quirked up.


"Harry."

"What?"

"Sebastian says you will not listen to him."

"Oh, did he now?"

"Harry, I cannot have you two working as you are. If you just hear what he has to say-"

"I will not! There is nothing to hear," Harry sneered.

"Nothing you want to hear, you mean?" Ciel responded quickly, ignoring the slight sting the bite in the demon's words made him feel. "Why are you still here?"

"What?"

"Why are you still in my mansion?"

The green eyed demon blinked in surprise and opened and closed his mouth a few times but nothing came out. Ciel sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose.

"Did you know that Sebastian actually messed up my tea yesterday afternoon while I played chess with Madame Red?"

Harry's shock was well warranted..

"My aunt believed that Grell had made that but I know it was Sebastian. His herbal tea was salty Harry… My butler does not mess up, especially not so terribly. You need to talk with him. I do not know what is happening between you two but it needs to end. I will not tolerate it continuing any longer." The half demon stayed quiet. "Just talk to him please."

"Little Lord… I want to but I'm confused. If I talk to him now it may make things worse."

"Confused he didn't take all of what you were giving?" Ciel himself seemed confused now. Which just made it worse for Harry. Didn't take all of what he was giving? "If this helps," the boy enunciated slowly, "he said he should have taken all of it."

Harry swallowed thickly. Should have taken… all of it? As in should have completed the ritual? But then why did he stop? What even did that mean for the future? Harry wasn't looking for a mate. Didn't need anyone getting that close.

The ravenette glanced at Ciel before turning his contemplative gaze back to his bedsheets.

He'd let Ciel into his heart but… a mortal was different from an immortal. Ciel would be gone quickly, a brief flame he could warm himself with before he fell back into wintry solitude. Sebastian would be a constant raging flame that could burn him.

He heard the door click shut and bit his knuckle harshly. Did he want it? Could he even trust the crow demon enough to do it? He'd been so willing in the moment but would he have regretted it afterwards?


"Sebastian?"

The tall demon turned slowly his eyes softening at his hesitance.

"Ciel said you needed to explain something to me… I…um," Harry stumbled to a stop not sure what to say. Sebastian understood and motioned Harry to a chair in the library he was previously dusting. The small demon sat, his hands in his lap to keep from chewing on them.

"I apologize, Hadrian. I did not mean to make it seem like I was rejecting you. I wanted to tell you but you had already run off. I have been interested in you for mating for a very long time… Since the days of the coliseum. When I asked for your assistance it was also another way to get closer. I have been trying for many years to get you to notice my courting attempts but you never responded. I had assumed you weren't interested or mayhap did not understand. Then when you offered your life essence I thought, perhaps you may be returning the gesture. You let me keep taking and taking… I had to stop and ask to be sure. You know that demons mate for life unless one of the pair dies. I'd prefer neither of us be trapped in an unending mateship."

That was so not what he was expecting to hear. Since the coliseum? That was almost two millennia ago! It was enough to make his head spin slightly.

He took a deep even breath before letting it out slowly to calm himself. All of the questions from earlier came back and he couldn't help but blurt out the first that came to mind.

"But I'm not able to have-"

"I do not need offspring. I know most do not take barren mates because of hatchlings but I would not mind spending eternity with you and no one else."

"How did you know I was-"

"Barren? Most demons are. The fertiles ones often have a very unique smell. While all the others chase after a limited stock, I can freely woo you."

Harry could feel tears prick in the corner of his eyes. Actual tears. When was the last time he had actually cried? Not since the other dimension really. Still, he needed to know.

"Why me?"

Sebastian licked his lips, eyes glowing deviously, and fangs showing through his sharp smile.

"You are different, Hadrian. One of a kind. So very very humanlike with all the cruelty and cunning of the Court. Even the King of Hell has taken an interest in you. How could I not?"

His lips pursed into a tight line. If this was all because of Lucifer he was going to destroy something, preferably the crow's face.

"Now, now," he chuckled. "Don't make such a face. That was only what started my fascination. Beyond that I have come to know that you can be so annoyingly stubborn it is endearing. You're commitment levels left much to be desired but after three years here I see it is not sloth that plagues you. No, you stayed away from forming attachments. So very very human of you; another fascinating trait of yours. I must admit that human emotions have always intrigued me even beyond their natural greed that attracts us so. And to see them play out in one of my kind. Enthralling. Humans feel so much stronger than any other creature I have met. To have those emotions turned to me, their intensity and focus given only to me..."

Sebastian let out a soft exultant breath, his face abruptly inches from Harry's own, his black claws resting gently on the expensive arms of the chair. Harry himself was captivated by the utter greed and longing Sebastian was so easily displaying. He'd never seen the man more than slightly amused or irritated. If this is what he got when they mated. Wait no… that was really shallow.

Sebastian leaned down and pushed his lips onto Harry's unresponsive ones while he was lost in thought. It took a moment for Harry to respond and then they were in a heated make out session. Just as Harry had done, Sebastian started pushing some of his essence into Harry's mouth. It tasted of fire and oily shadows, of pain and sadistic enjoyment, of rotting carcasses and bloated life. He shivered letting the energy swirl and mix with his own, teasing it out, pulling it back to its master. They almost exchanged enough to start the ritual when the door was thrown open and Lau sauntered in followed by Madame Red and Grell.

The two demons were separated quicker than a flash and no one suspected anything. Well maybe except Ciel who trailed behind the group and threw questioning glances at the two of them.

"We just came to say goodbye~!" Madame stated as she flounced into the room.

"To the help," Harry asked, mostly politely, with a raised eyebrow.

"Well I couldn't just leave without saying goodbye to the two most handsome fellows in this household, could I?"

"Yes you could, Madame. If you'll excuse me I have to go prepare dinner. Oh and Sebastian? It's Harry!"

The red clad woman watched the smaller servant leave with a frown. She turned to Lau who only gave a shrug, then to Ciel who only shook his head.


"It's cold…"

Harry frowned and glanced at Ciel who stood garbed in peasant clothing. Sebastian, whom he hadn't talked to since yesterday in the library due to lack of time (okay he might have been hiding. Maybe), offered his coat but the little lord refused. So Harry put his own over the boy's shoulders before Ciel could object. He frowned at the action but made no protest, only pulled the warm article closer to himself.

Harry only rolled his eyes and Ciel turned back around to Sebastian. "You're certain he'll make an appearance if we keep watch here, right?"

"Yes. This is the only entrance, and this is the only path that leads to it."

"And you're positive the next target will be Mary Kelly, who lives in that tenement?"

"Of course we are," Harry cut in annoyed.

Ciel started saying something else but his attention was caught on Sebastian lavishing attention on a cat that hadn't been there a moment ago. The crow demon's obsession of them was strange considering his leaning but he was also a shapeshifter. And Harry had to admit the animals topside were much better than hellbeasts.

"…Hey are you listening to a word I'm saying!?"

"Ah. I'm sorry I couldn't resist."

Harry snickered.

A scream resounded from the alley behind them and Ciel rushed passed Harry to throw open the door of the residence only for Sebastian to cover his eye with instructions not to look. Ciel, unfortunately, had already seen it and lost his dinner on the pavement. Harry peeked inside delighting in the gruesome visual and coppery scent. Grell hadn't operated cleanly this time. No. Mary Kelly's organs were strung across the room and bits of viscera and gore were splattered everywhere. Mary's face, untouched, was contorted in pain and her eyes wide with fear but blank in death. There was a wound on her shoulder that suggested that the first attack was a miss. Her death was must have been extremely painful. And there above the whole scene was Grell spattered with drops of crimson.

"N-no this is…I rushed in because I heard the screams but she was already-"

"Already... what? We have been keeping an eye on the sole path all night. How in the world did you manage to enter that room at the end of this blind alley and evade us? Do you really plan to feign ignorance looking as you do? Enough of this, Mister 'Grell'. What say you cease your silly act? This is my first time meeting one of your ilk in the human world. You did a superb job acting like one of them."

Suddenly Grell's face twisted into a creepy grin. "Teehee! Did you really think so~! Hit the nail on the head, you did. I am an actress." Well this one was just as crazy as the rest of them. How unfortunate. "And a first-rate one at that. But you are not 'Sebastian' are you?"

"The young master gave me that name, so yes I am Sebastian for now." Harry pursed his lips, staying silent to avoid drawing attention.

"Oh my, his faithful dog are you? That type of stud makes me weak in the knees too, he does!" Okay now he knew that horrible twisting feeling was jealousy. At least he avoided growling. "Now then, once again Sebastian…no… Sebastian Darling~!"

Fine. He might have growled, though it was quiet enough Grell didn't seem to catch it.

"I am the butler of the Burnett house, Grell Sutcliff at your service~! My dearest fellow butler I am in your hands!" Grell blew a kiss that made Harry want to incinerate him. "Ooooohh! I finally get to show you my true colors! It was utterly mortifying to be seen in front of a stud like you with no make-up on!"

Really now. This was just getting on his last nerve now. He'd always been a bit temperamental and maybe slightly possessive. Regrettably he shared these traits with almost all the demon population. If he killed a reaper would it cause him much of a headache?

He startled at the flash of information that rang in his head. Huh. He'd have to fill out paperwork? That was it? And when the hell did he learn that?

He grinned menacingly.

"Little old me's never run into a devil posing as a butler before. So, at first, I was just as shocked as shocked can be!"

"Allow me to echo those sentiments," Sebastian replied. "I have never heard of one of your ilk being a butler. One who is supposed to stand neutral between god and humans, a grim reaper! Why did you, a god of sorts, become a butler?"

"You could say I fell head over heels for a woman."

Based on his new red coat he had to wonder if it wasn't because she was Madame Red.

"And that woman is?"

"Whether you hear him out or not, I think you already know…"

Harry tuned the conversation out focusing on the feeling of encroaching death. Two more pests were on the way. Stupid soul reapers didn't know when to leave well enough alone. At least Grell provided a good distraction for him to go take care of the other two.

He melted into the shadows, appearing a few blocks away on top of a storage building.

"You need to learn to mind your own business reapers," he snarled loud enough for them to hear.

Oh. Oh no. He knew one of them. Spears, if he remembered correctly. Harry had had a run in with this one while in Japan a few centuries ago. He was all business, no bribes.

"Our reaper is down there. This is our business!"

"Koral stand down. My colleague is right. You are not our business at the moment; Grell Sutcliff is."

"Tch. So you're going to drag him away to where he'll get a slap on the wrist for all his wrongdoings. How disgusting. After he brutally murdered those poor women-"

"You are not one to talk. You revel in carnage. It is unbefitting of the Master of Death-"

"Don't call me by that title," Harry roared.

The younger obviously not understanding the danger, and being indignant on his superior's behalf, attacked with a gleaming dagger. It was juvenile and rushed, easy to dodge. The shinigami was persistent, though, he'd give him that. With each new miss he turned to swing with more vigor.

Harry could feel the irritation building along with something. It wasn't this peon's place to be attacking him with killer intent. As if he could actually win.

With a softly whispered 'Stop' and the blade halted an inch from his skin. It heated quickly in the other's hand and the reaper was forced to drop it with a sharp cry. Hm. Could he have some control over scythes? That might be useful in avoiding them in the future. But first…

"You dare attack me?" Harry's voice was soft, almost crooning, and the boy backpedaled quickly. The half demon struck, grabbing the supple flesh of the reaper's throat in a crushing grip.

"William! S-ir, help- m-me," Koral choked.

The man frowned as rain started falling, adjusting his glasses and watching as a translucent figure appeared behind the detestable demon. He made no move to help. "You attacked the Master of Death with intent to kill. You must suffer the consequences."

Harry didn't really care what was going on. He needed death and blood right now. His very blackened soul called out for it longingly. His hackles were already raised because of Grell and these reapers were just two more threats in his territory. And now that he knew he only needed to fill out specific paperwork… A malicious grin formed, baring his sharpening teeth. He tossed the pest up and punched with his other arm.

Harry's hand came back from the hole in the reaper's skull with a wet squelch and he licked the blood off of his wicked talons slowly letting the rain do the rest of the work for him. He glared at William, daring him to attack him too so he could end his life as well. He could attack the suited man if he wanted. He could actually slaughter the entire division of field reapers but he had a feeling it would come back to bite him in the ass. He had no need for cosmic karma trying to take it's piece from him; or Death either.

"That's going to cause a lot of paperwork."

His eyes dropped to half mast. Hm, he almost sounded like Kingsley had when he was still alive and working in the Auror department trying to help Harry get away from the public out to murder him. Too bad he was publicly executed to keep others from trying the same.

He waved his hand and in front of him all the paperwork that would have to be filled out for this death appeared. The ink swirled across the paper forming words unimpeded by the rain. A few seconds later the thick stack settled into Williams hands. The reaper looked surprised but gave a nod of acknowledgment. For a moment he looked as if he was going to try to continue to pursue Grell, then he glanced at the papers, closed his eyes, and tilted his head towards the heavens before he turned and jumped away.

Harry wasn't going to worry about him at the moment. He was more focused on the fact that Grell was fighting Sebastian now and with the limitations he had to work with from the little lord...

He jogged across the rooftops back over to the alleyway and barely dodged a surprise swing from a death scythe (that looked exactly like a chainsaw. How the hell did a shinigami manage to get a chainsaw? They didn't even exist yet!) as the battle moved upwards onto the roofs.

"You're eyes are the eyes of one who does not love – tarnished eyes. You are a devil that defiles innocent souls with your vile hands and lips."

Harry hissed in displeasure but Sebastian didn't need distractions and probably wouldn't appreciate help unless he 'asked' for it. So, he dropped down to the alley and knelt next to Ciel to tend his wound. Seeing as he couldn't use his magic for this he had to focus on his demonic energy. Malignant forces from Hell didn't usually lend much towards healing but after coming here he'd forced himself to learn it, to the detriment of his health more often than not. At least he'd figured it out eventually.

Harry heard the thump Grell made once Sebastian dropped him to the floor. An amused smile tugged his lips which he unsuccessfully tried to hide. Ciel raised an eyebrow, the glint in his cerulean eye knowing.

"I shall send you to the next life with the help of your little toy," Sebastian stated cheerfully.

"Wait please! Stop! Don't you want to know something about your demon friend!"

Harry paused, eyes widening and hands stilling. That little prick wouldn't dare!

"D-did you know he's the Master of Death?"

His fists clenched, pulling away from Ciel and the almost completely healed gash as he rose to glare venomously at the downed reaper. He ignored both Ciel and Sebastian, he couldn't look at them right now. Not with his recently unearthed emotions dangerously out of whack again. He refused to look at them and see their shock, their betrayal, or any hint of their rejection.

Grell was going to be very very dead soon. As he started forward his way was blocked by a very firm chest.

"Move," he growled, his voice deepening and acquiring a slight echo.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

He glared up at the crow, trying to ignore the brightening glow in the others eyes. "Move," he repeated.

"Hadrian now is not the time to be stubborn."

He gnashed his fangs, claws growing sharp, his fingers stretching and curling.

"Why would I tell you? It's not like I wanted it in the first place," Harry hissed. "Wasn't any of your business, nor was it Grell's to give it out. Now move before I stick my hand through your face."

"Secrets like that… I can't accept that in a mate," he murmured, eyes growing sharp and stinging Harry's heart with doubt.

"Yea," he breathed out, struggling to retain his anger and pain. "Then looks like it wasn't meant to happen, was it?"

The crow's nostrils flared and his mouth dropped open slightly as if to say something. Harry didn't let him. Didn't want to hear anything from him. He knew it was stupid to take the deal, to stick around, to even think of mating and adopting a kid into his life (because dammit if he was being honest he never should have let the damn cub empathize with him).

"Deal's off.

Ciel looked absolutely confused at what was going on but he said nothing. It was with worry that he watched Harry's body stiffen unnaturally and then he turned and sprung away.

"Harry!"

But the young demonic wizard couldn't hear Sebastian call him through the pain of the backlash of his deal.


AN: I did remove the Omake from this one, maybe I'll save them for later but... for now they're gone.

Anyways tell me what ya'll think!