A/N: New chapter! I apologize for the wait. This has been a bad week for me :/ Thank you everyone for your support on this story ^^

Warnings: Language, mentions of abuse

Disclaimer: I don't own Kuroshitsuji


Claude's fingers curled into fists as he tried to control his anger. Even though it had happened so long ago, the memory was enough to make Claude's blood boil. Hearing what Sebastian had to go through was painful. Especially knowing that at the time, Claude had been so helpless to save him. There was nothing he could've done to prevent those men from getting their hands on Sebastian. Claude hadn't even known they existed until Sebastian was in their clutches.

Sebastian had remained adamant about keeping that part of his past secret from Claude. Whether it was because Sebastian thought Claude would shun him for his actions or because he was ashamed, Sebastian never said. Claude had a feeling that it was a mixture of both and knew that if he had been in Sebastian's shoes; he probably would've acted the same way.

His eyes darted up to look at Will, whose face remained blank but his eyes gave away how he truly felt. Disgust and fury at what Tanaka and Gray had done to Sebastian lurked just below the surface of green eyes. The atmosphere in the court had changed as well. It no longer held the carefree atmosphere that filled the court when Claude first told his story.

That was a part filled with laughter and enjoyment. The story of two people falling for each other despite a rocky start. Now that image had torn away, revealing the cruel nature that lurked just below the surface the entire time. Everyone had known that the part existed. The court was in session for that reason.

But it was easy to forget that when things seemed to be going well and the danger hid from view.

"Where are those pictures now?" Will finally asked, his voice tight.

The Undertaker gestured to a file. "We collected several of them the night we apprehended the accused. We also took pictures of our own detailing the conditions that Sebastian and the others had to live and work in. Along with the injuries inflicted on their person."

Green eyes darted to Claude. "Did you ever receive the picture they sent to you? Or was that simply a bluff on their part."

Claude shook his head. "No, I received it. And it was the only proof I had when I went to the police." Despite the situation, Claude smiled slightly. "Sebastian was smart in his actions, despite everything that was going on around him and to him. He managed to keep a level head and provide enough clues for us to find him."

Will nodded and shifted in his chair. "Seeing as the pictures are evidence, I have to ask to see them," he stated.

Claude opened his mouth, ready to shoot down the request. He didn't want everyone in the court to see Sebastian in such a disgraceful way, but The Undertaker placed a hand on his shoulder, making Claude swallow the words. "We request that only Your Honor view the pictures. Not only are they graphic, but they're also humiliating to the people in question and we would rather spare them any more embarrassment if possible."

"The court understands and accepts your terms," Will answered, his voice softening slightly. "You may approach the bench. Both of you."

They both stood up and Claude moved stiffly next to The Undertaker, who held the file containing the pictures. Claude didn't trust himself with the evidence, as he wanted nothing more than to rip the pictures apart. They were memories and proof that Sebastian had suffered, not once but twice at the hands of Tanaka and Gray.

"Your Honor," The Undertaker murmured and placed the pictures on the desk before spreading them out. "The dates on this first set go back to when Sebastian was first blackmailed into working at the bar again, and shows the mark that Gray cut into his neck. The rest are from the remaining weeks that Sebastian spent under their control."

Claude turned away as William looked over the pictures, silently seething. He had seen the pictures as well as the result the night they found Sebastian. The before and after pictures were appalling to look at and made Claude's stomach turn every time he had to see the pictures. Stress and lack of proper nutrition had weakened Sebastian's body, making him lose weight. Not so much to the point that he was skin and bones, but he was still underweight and his clothes sagged on his body.

"This progress," Will stated, looking at the pictures that The Undertaker had laid out in chronological order. "These document exactly what they did to him while working there. Almost as though they were proud of their actions."

"They were," Claude hissed.

Will ignored the outburst and picked up the last one. "I assume this is the last day they had him?"

The Undertaker nodded. "Yes. We took our own pictures to document the result of their actions for evidence, but those are a different set of pictures. These are simply hard evidence that we took directly from the place of work."

"Why would they keep a record of their actions, knowing that it had a chance to blow back in their face if they were caught?" Will asked, placing the pictures back in the file.

"Because they had gotten away with this for so long that they grew cocky. They felt as though no one would find them and they wanted to enjoy the victory of their spoils." The Undertaker answered. "Sebastian knew that and played the angle well."

Will nodded. "And tricked them into sending the picture to Claude," he murmured and looked at the picture in question. "They were foolish enough to stand in the picture as well."

The Undertaker smiled. "Their arrogance was their downfall. Time and victory had made them lax and foolish, believing that they were gods and therefore, invincible. It's a classic human trait to let your guard down when things are going right for such a long time. You feel as though nothing can take you down and you let yourself become careless."

A small grunt left William's mouth before he waved them away. "The evidence has been noted and will stand firm for the rest of the trial," he said and waited until they were back at the table. "I assume that Mr. Faustus will be speaking again?"

Claude nodded. "Yes. There are a few things that need to be cleared up before Sebastian can tell his story again." He rolled his shoulders. "I read the text message Sebastian sent about ten minutes after he sent it. As you can imagine, I was extremely confused…"

.:|Wine Angels|:.

Claude stared at the mocking words, his eyes seeing them but his mind not believing them. He couldn't understand what would prompt Sebastian to send the cruel message, and pain tore at his chest. Calling Sebastian remained fruitless as the calls had gone straight to voicemail and Claude nearly tossed his phone at the wall after that.

That had been nearly four hours ago and now Claude could only stare at the message on his phone, seeing but not believing. How could Sebastian leave him just like that? The thought had crossed Claude's mind to go see Sebastian; but in the state Claude was in now, that would only backfire against him.

Trembling, Claude punched in the numbers to Sebastian's phone again, hoping that maybe this time, the device would be on. His thumb hovered over the talk button, ready to try again and when his phone started to vibrate in his hand. An unknown number appeared at the top of the screen, making Claude's eyebrows furrow and he brought the phone to his ear.

"Hello?"

"Mr. Faustus?" A frazzled voice said on the other line. "I'm terribly sorry to bother you right now and I know that you agreed to pick up the kitten tomorrow morning, but do you think it would be possible to take her home tonight?"

Claude frowned. "Excuse me?" He asked, unsure what was going on.

In the background, there was a loud cry of a cat before the woman spoke again. "The young gentleman who dropped the kitten off this afternoon said that you would pick her up in the morning. But she's having trouble adjusting and I don't think she'll make it through the night without a familiar human nearby."

"I didn't ask to take a kitten," Claude snapped, feeling his patience grow thin. He didn't need this right now, not when he needed to talk to Sebastian.

The woman gave an exasperated sigh, clearly not believing him. "You didn't agree to take care of a little black kitten named Soot?"

Claude tensed at the words and felt his body grow numb. "What was his name? The name of the man who dropped off Soot?" He asked.

"I can't divulge that information. Our records are classified until you pick up the animal."

"I'll be there in fifteen minutes," Claude snapped, already moving towards the door.

Sebastian would never give up Soot. Ever. He adored the kitten too much to do something like that and for him to sign the kitten over to Claude meant that something was going on. Perhaps Soot would provide the answer to the text message that Sebastian had sent as well. Because Sebastian wouldn't break up with him like that.

Sebastian hadn't shown any signs of distress while they were dating and they were both happy with what they had. Sebastian had no reason to break things off between them and now Claude was starting to wonder if something was wrong. The past nightmares Sebastian had came to mind and Claude could easily remember how terrified Sebastian was of something. How Sebastian had screamed not touch him.

What demons plagued Sebastian's past that he was trying so hard to run from? Whatever they were, Sebastian felt as though he needed to keep them from Claude. Either because he was scared or because he was trying to protect him. Whatever the case, Claude was tired of sitting in the dark and the next time he saw Sebastian, he would demand some answers. But for now, Claude had a kitten to pick up.

He made it to the shelter in record time and the moment he walked through the door, Claude could hear Soot crying in the back of the shop. She sounded scared and was no doubt wondering where Sebastian was. Claude's heart went out to the small kitten, knowing that they were both in the same boat right now; missing Sebastian already.

He approached the desk and gave a small smile. "I'm here to pick up a kitten. Her name is Soot," he said, watching as a relieved look crossed over the woman's face.

"Oh thank goodness. I didn't think she would handle the separation so badly but she hasn't stopped crying for the past three hours. It's like she knows that her owner is gone and she's alone," she said and grabbed a clipboard. "I couldn't bear to leave her overnight like this. Before I can pass her over to you, I need to see some identification."

Claude nodded and pulled out his wallet, handing his license to the woman. She checked it over with the paperwork in her hand before passing the clipboard over to him. "What time was she dropped off?" Claude asked, scanning the papers and recognizing Sebastian's handwriting right away.

She hummed in thought. "Around five or so, I think. Let me go calm Soot down before she kills herself. I hope she settles down when she sees you."

"Me too," Claude murmured and flipped through the papers. Sebastian's name flowed across the signature page, leaving little doubt in Claude's mind that it was indeed Sebastian. He wasn't leaving anything to chance and the thought that someone was impersonating Sebastian had crossed his mind briefly. Crazy and highly unlikely, but Claude wasn't dismissing anything.

In Claude's experience, it was better to lean on the side of caution and question everything than ignore everything around you.

His eyes narrowed at a small piece of paper at the top of the clipboard that someone had carefully hidden among the other papers. It was a piece of paper where the volunteers would write cute sentences for the animals, speaking for them, so to speak. After that, the volunteers mounted their picture and note on the walls. The first part of the note was easy enough to pass off as one of those notes, but it was the rest that made Claude realize Sebastian was trying to tell him something.

Kitten was Claude's pet name for Sebastian and he loved teasing Sebastian with it, knowing that it drove Sebastian up the wall. Now, his kitten was lost and needed Claude to find him; that much he understood. It was the second part of the note that had Claude slightly confused and he tucked the note away as the woman approached him.

Soot cried loudly in her carrier, her eyes wide and tail standing tall. Claude slipped his fingers through the door, letting her smell him and she quieted down at the familiar scent.

"Oh thank goodness," the woman said, placing a box on top of the carrier. "I'm so glad to know that she's in good hands now. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to call."

Claude nodded and tucked the box under his arms before grabbing the carrier. "Thank you." He said and moved towards the door, wanting to get home as quick as possible. Something was going on with Sebastian. Claude would bet his restaurant on that. Soot mewed at him as he placed her in the car along with her things and Claude grunted lightly at her.

"At least Sebastian was kind enough to give me your things instead of making me buy new things," he stated as the car started. "Still mad at him though for all the trouble he's causing me."

Soot hissed, clearly not believing the words as they pulled out into traffic and Claude had to laugh at her. Sebastian had told him before that Soot seemed to know when they were lying and would often point it out that she knew. A mini lie detector covered in black fur. Somehow, that sounded kinky and the thought made Claude laugh even more.

His laughter faded though once he arrived home and the situation settled around him once more. The last part of Sebastian's message burned in Claude's head and within the short time frame he had to look at the note, Claude couldn't decipher the message. But he was determined to understand it and find Sebastian. Because Sebastian wouldn't have broken up with via text message and then sign Soot over to him.

The thought made Claude pause as he set Soot's carrier on the floor. She pawed at the door, wanting out and Claude opened the door absentmindedly, his thoughts elsewhere. The words on the note floated through his mind, soft and murmuring. As though Sebastian was whispering them in his ear, telling him not to believe what he said.

Soot rubbed against his ankles and Claude picked her up, knowing that she wanted attention and right now, she was the only thing to Sebastian that he had. He carried her into the living room and sat down on the couch before digging out the note in his pocket. The kitten settled in his lap and Claude ran idly ran a hand over her body as he scanned the note.

The numbers at the end of the note confused him and Claude grabbed the adoption papers, scanning over them as well. A similar set of numbers next to the signature on the last page caught his attention and Claude frowned, noting that the last two digits were different. His eyes widened as he remembered the conversation with the woman at the adoption agency.

She had claimed that Sebastian had dropped Soot off around five. If that was true, then the numbers that Sebastian had written down were times. The first number was 5:15, probably the time Sebastian had finished the paperwork. Sebastian wrote the note after that, making sure Claude noticed and understood the time.

Claude looked down at Soot who was already asleep, no doubt tired from creating so much trouble. The woman had said that she had been crying for three hours after Sebastian dropped her off. And four hours ago, Claude had received the text message from Sebastian.

"No," Claude breathed and reached for his phone, nearly knocking Soot off his lap. She hissed at him for being so violent but he ignored her in favor of scrolling through his messages. "He dropped you off first," he stated, looking from his phone to Soot. Wide eyes looked up at him and Claude rubbed Soot's ear, making her purr.

Sebastian had returned Soot to the adoption agency first, left the messages, and then sent the text message. He had set it up that eventually; Claude would pick up Soot and find the note. Hopefully, figuring out that something was wrong. In addition, despite all the trouble that Sebastian had gone through to do that, the note was still vague, meaning that Sebastian was paranoid someone would find it.

"You have a smart owner," Claude murmured to Soot and silently marveled Sebastian's actions. If he had been under duress, Sebastian still had enough sense to get out a message. Claude could only hope that whatever had forced Sebastian to act that way at least wanted him alive. The thought that Sebastian might be dead now was enough to turn Claude's blood into ice.

It was too early to go to the police and they couldn't do anything based off the evidence Claude had now. A person had to be missing far longer than five hours in order to put out a search party. Even then, Claude had no physical proof that someone had taken Sebastian. Yes, he understood the clues Sebastian gave him, but the police wouldn't see it as that. All they would hear was that Sebastian had broken up with him and tell him that Sebastian didn't want to see him anymore.

As much as it killed Claude, he had to wait. Wait and hope that Sebastian would give him another clue somehow.

.:|Wine Angels|:.

Claude wasn't surprised the next evening to hear that Sebastian didn't show up for his shift. He had stopped by with the hope that Sebastian had left a message for him there but nothing appeared for him. Instead, Claude had to search Sebastian's locker thoroughly, which was still full of his belongings, only to come up empty handed.

Disappointed but not about to stop, Claude started to question the people who worked with Sebastian. Everyone knew him, as he was the only male angel, but none of the other females could give Claude anything useful. Other than the fact that Sebastian once had to wear a thong during his shift after a storm caught him on the way to work last year.

Had it been under any other circumstance, Claude would've jacked off to the image but for now, he simply tucked the thought to the side.

Currently, Claude was glaring holes at the wall, trying to figure out his next move. Sebastian must have left something else for him to work with. The first few clues had been good, but they weren't enough and Claude ached to have Sebastian in his arms again. Soot wasn't the only one going through Sebastian withdrawals.

The door opened and Claude watched as a head poked into the room. He raised an eyebrow at the man and waved him in, waiting for him to speak. "Elizabeth told me that you were asking about Sebastian," the man stated.

Claude nodded. "I am. Has he been acting weird lately…?" He trailed off, searching for a name and drawing a blank.

"Bard," he answered and shut the door behind him. "I don't know if it's what you're looking for, but a few weeks ago, an older gentleman came in and ordered a wine from Sebastian. Nothing strange, happens all the time. But the moment Sebastian saw him; you think he had seen a bloody ghost. Started to shake and looked really nervous. I asked him about it, but he brushed it off as a side effect from his last stunt."

Claude tensed, this was what he was looking for. And if he had to guess, it was around the same time that Sebastian first had his nightmare. "Did anything else happen after that?"

Bard nodded. "He didn't come back for a while and I went out to see if everything was okay, and found the two arguing. The man had Sebastian's head yanked back and I think his other hand was touching him inappropriately. At first I thought it was just a drunkard getting a little too frisky, but when the man spoke, he sounded sober." He frowned. "Played it off that we gave him the wrong bottle of wine and I kicked him out after that."

"What did he look like?" Claude asked.

"Older man, around sixty something? He had glasses and was almost bald. A little shorter than Sebastian," Bard answered and looked upset he couldn't remember more. "I know it's not much and could be a long shot, but you can't get into this place without a reservation. Maybe his name is on the list? I just don't remember the day that he came in."

Claude dug around in his pocket, searching for his phone. "I might," he answered, searching the call history. Sebastian had called late that night after his nightmare. If Claude were willing to bet, he would say the nightmare happened the same night this man came into Sebastian's life. He paused as the door opened and the hostess stepped into the room. "Yes?"

"This letter was just dropped into the mail slot at the front," she said, holding out the envelope. "It's addressed to 'the boss fucking Sebastian,'" she finished, voice trembling slightly.

Claude snatched the letter away from the female and tore it open. He nearly dropped it in disgust at the picture that was inside. "Bard," he said and waved him closer. "Was this the man?" He asked, covering up the part of the picture that showed Sebastian.

Bard nodded. "That's him," he answered. "I know without a fact. I remember all the faces we have to throw out when they get a little too friendly with the angels."

Claude grunted and skimmed over the letter, noting that it was a resignation letter. It claimed that Sebastian had found better pastures and wouldn't be returning. "I need to go," Claude murmured and swept out of the room, Sebastian's eyes haunting him. They were begging, almost pleading for Claude, and he had seen faint hints of fear in those crimson eyes.

Pulling out his phone, his fingers shakily dialed a number and brought the phone to his ear. This was the last piece he needed and Claude had no doubt that Sebastian had pulled some strings so that he would see it. This was enough proof that Sebastian wasn't just hiding from him but vanished against his will.

"Vincent," Claude spoke quickly when the person on the other line picked up. "I need your help, please."

"You didn't kill someone did you, Claude?" The voice teased. "You vanished again after the holidays and never bothered to visit during New Year's."

Claude shook his head. "No. But if I don't find Sebastian, they might kill him. I know it will sound crazy but I have proof and reason to believe that someone took him against his will."

"When can you come by the station?" Vincent asked, voice serious.

"I'm on my way now," Claude answered, jogging down the sidewalk. Traffic was heavy and it would be faster on foot. "I'll be there in ten." He stated and hung up so he could move faster. Sebastian's life was on the line and it had already been twenty-four hours since he vanished. Twenty-four hours that Claude had been helpless.

But not anymore.

He let out a sigh of relief as the police station came into view and quickly hurried into the front; pleased to see that Vincent was already waiting for him. Claude hadn't seen Vincent since his brief visit during Christmas and a small twinge of guilt pulled at Claude's conscience before he brushed it away.

"Vincent," Claude murmured as Vincent ushered him down the bustling hallway and into his office. Once inside, he shut the door and muffled silence enveloped them.

"I didn't expect to see you again after your Christmas visit. Hell, I wasn't expecting to see you ever again after everything," Vincent stated, gesturing to a chair. "After your restaurant grew into a success, you left the country to start businesses elsewhere and swore you would never come back. Not after the history you have with this town."

Claude shook his head. "Don't bring up the past, Vincent. My mother's death is in the past and I've laid her to rest now. I left so I could move on."

Vincent clicked his tongue. "You left to escape her memory and because you couldn't stand the thought of being within spitting distance of the man who killed her, even if he died a year after her death." He gazed at Claude. "You put her body to rest but that's it. You're still running from her and your hatred for your father."

A low growl escaped Claude's mouth. "Fine, maybe I am. There's nothing wrong with that. My father murdered my mother and tried to make it look like suicide. Forgive me if I never wanted to see him again, even after his death." He ran a hand over his face. "But I didn't come here to have my short comings tossed back in my face."

"Of course," Vincent answered. "You said on the phone that you think someone has been kidnapped against their will. Who are they and what proof do you have?"

"His name is Sebastian Michaelis and he's the reason I came back to town actually. I was informed that this man worked as an angel at my restaurant and came back to see him. We had a few rough patches at first but almost two months back, we started dating." Golden eyes closed. "Yesterday he gave his kitten to me and then broke up with me through a text message."

Vincent shook his head. "Claude," he started. "If he broke up with you, then there's a reason he's gone."

Claude shifted and pulled the envelope from his jacked before passing the papers over to Vincent. "Sebastian's smart and left a note for me with his kitten, telling me that he didn't mean to break up with me. And today at the restaurant, someone dropped off this picture in our mailbox, along with that picture." He straightened and glared at Vincent. "I think my fears and thoughts are very realistic at this point."

A frown formed on Vincent's face as he looked at the picture. "You think this man has Sebastian?" He asked seriously.

Claude nodded. "Sebastian had nightmares in the past, ones that started after he saw that man a few weeks back. He would scream at me not to touch him and lashed out if I came too close before he realized it was me. Whatever happened in his past was cruel and I know it has to involve this man." He closed his eyes. "I think Sebastian was sexually abused by him," he whispered, admitting the words aloud for the first time.

It was something Claude didn't want to think about, but the signs were there and they only grew after the nightmares. The way Sebastian reacted to certain touches, how he wouldn't let Claude close after a nightmare until he realized who he was, and the way Sebastian had flinched away from physical contact in their first few meetings.

It was easier to play off the reactions and call them something else than think that something so horrible had happened to Sebastian. Even though the thought had stayed in the back of Claude's mind the whole time, he still refused to believe it until now. Maybe if he had said something about it earlier, Sebastian wouldn't be suffering again at the hands of this man.

"I wish I could say that you're wrong," Vincent said softly and set the picture aside. "We've been following this man for years now, trying to get enough evidence on him to bring him to court, but he's careful."

Claude swallowed hard. "Who is he?" He asked, voice tight.

Vincent tapped his finger on the desk. "His name is Tanaka; no more no less. We can't find a record of a last name for him, which makes it even harder to track down his past. Tanaka owns a bar on the other side of town, about thirty minutes or so from here." He opened a drawer and dug through it, pulling out a file. "We have reason to believe that the bar is just a front and the real money comes from the happenings that go on behind the scenes."

"Such as?" Claude questioned.

"Sex trade, to put a name to it," Vincent answered. "We can't get past the bar so we're not entirely sure, but we know that some form of it goes on underneath the bar. Word on the street is that certain servers and bartenders are for sale and patrons can buy their time in exchange for sexual pleasure. More than likely against their will."

"Rape," Claude choked out.

Vincent shrugged. "We're not sure, honestly. We can't get anyone to talk anymore on the subject. Apparently, there are some high profile names that frequent the bar and they pay well for silence. We don't have enough evidence to get a search warrant to check the lower parts of the bar where the locked rooms are. They're usually careful." He looked at the picture. "But it's seems as though they're getting cocky."

Claude stood up and jabbed his finger at the picture. "Isn't this enough proof?" He snapped. "They have Sebastian and we have to go get him. They could be killing him or worse."

"Nothing in this picture proves that they're in the bar. For all we know, it could've been taken anywhere and if we go around flashing this picture around, they'll know that we're on to them," Vincent answered calmly. "I know you want to run in their guns blazing, but these men are cautious. Arrogant, but they are cautious. With the exception of this picture. Somehow I have a feeling Sebastian goaded them into sending you this."

"They probably thought I would feel disgusted and want nothing more to do with him," Claude spat and sat down heavily in the chair. He rested his head in his hands. "Do you have any ideas at all?" He asked weakly. "I can't just leave him there."

Vincent nodded. "I know you can't leave him there and I refuse to let him stay there as well. It's clear that he doesn't want to be at the bar and it sounds like he went through a lot of trouble to ask for help. You can't do anything because you're too close to Sebastian and I can't do anything because they know I'm an officer." He paused. "But I do know someone who works for the force but they're not on it. He would have the best chance to get into the bar and get us the information we need."

Claude lifted his head up. "Who?" He asked.

Vincent grunted. "We call him The Undertaker. He's helped us before in the past and is an informant to us. We have reason to believe that Sebastian is at the bar but we lack solid proof. The Undertaker though can get us that proof with Sebastian's clues. The man is brilliant, but to the point that he'll drive you crazy, in all honesty."

Golden eyes watched as Vincent reached for the phone and punched in a few numbers. He tuned out the conversation, his mind racing too much to focus on anything else other than what Vincent had said earlier. Sebastian was in the hands of someone who the police believed to sell off his workers for sexual pleasure. Again.

Because there was no way that Sebastian would willingly stay if given the choice. And there was no doubt in Claude's mind that it was Sebastian who left Tanaka, not the other way around. Sebastian was attractive and drew in a large amount of cliental, as Claude had seen firsthand at the restaurant. Tanaka would never let Sebastian go willingly.

However, Sebastian wanted to leave and had escaped Tanaka's grip. Only to have Tanaka track him down again. Still, Claude couldn't understand what Tanaka had on Sebastian that would make Sebastian agree to going back to the bar. That was the one part of the puzzle that Claude couldn't figure out.

Vincent set the phone down and Claude looked up, eyes pleading for good news. "He agreed to help us and will be here shortly," Vincent said and Claude let out a breath he hadn't realized he had been holding.

Hope blossomed in Claude's chest and for the first time since Sebastian had vanished, Claude felt in control once more.