Disclaimer: If I did own them, this wouldn't be necessary.

Warnings: None.

AN: Hey one and all! Sorry for the lack of update, but it's been both a busy and fun-filled week! I wanted this to be longer, but I'm feeling crappy, and shorter chapters are easier on the head (and get put out more quickly anyway). Time to get this baby back on track. They say slow and steady wins the race, but that's a lie. The rabbit broke a leg and no one saw XP

(The italics takes place in the past, okay?)


There once was a bush that housed a lone rose.

The rose was beautiful, stark white against the lush leaves surrounding it.

However, no one ever tried to pluck it, for it was surrounded by many tiny but merciless thorns. They were cursed to bring death to any who dared defy them.

Day after day went by and the rose remained as the flowers around it were taken. Some became crowns, some beautifully strung garlands, and others a gift for some much-loved sweetheart. The rose decided to remain hopeful, awaiting the day that it too would bring happiness to someone.

Though its beauty captured the attention of many, no one was willing to harm themselves in an attempt to pick it. "It is not worth it," they all said, and settled for a flower that posed less threat. Soon, all of the flowers were gone, but the rose remained. After some time, the rose forgot its fondest wish, succumbing to fate and waiting for the day it would wilt alone.

One day, a young boy came across the rose, and having never seen a flower so pretty came close to the bush that bore it. Unaware of the sharp thorns, he stuck his hands into the bush and retreated with a shout; his skin was laced with blood, the sharp caress of each and every thorn. But the boy tried again. Again he was wounded, but he continued to pry, until finally the rose had come free. The rose had no way in which it could express the utter joy it felt.

The boy intended to take it home and treasure it so he carried it gingerly in the palm of his injured hands. He had quite a way to travel, however, and as he walked every cut continued to bleed. The rose could feel the warmth of the blood that flowed beneath it, and in an attempt to heal its savior, began to drink it in. But no matter how much it took, the flow would not stop. The rose could do nothing as the boy weakened and sank to the ground.

There the rose remained, still cradled in his hands, as the boy continued to bleed. The wounds which were caused by the cursed thorns were unwilling to heal. Unable to do anything the rose watched as the boy died and though it was only a flower, it was filled with such sorrow, for the only person who had shown it care was gone.

Grieving, the rose drank of the boy's spilled blood until it became the very same red, the droplets cascading down its petals like the tears it did not have to give.

After a few days a group of people passed by in search of the boy. They found him but they could not reach his unmoving body; he lay protected by a ring of rose bushes. Because the people knew that the roses bore deadly thorns, they dared not try to remove him. However, the people were in awe, for the halo protecting the boy was covered in roses…

But every rose that had bloomed was blood-red.

Though many were warned of the nature of the roses, every now and again a fool would be tempted by the ruby petals, picking a flower and receiving the same horrible fate.

And so in this way it came to be that red roses grew across the world. As people prospered and became more wise, they learned to cut the roses and grow them, and they were never again so dangerous. With time the rose became a symbol of true love and passion, for it never relinquished its thorns, and they never ceased to protect what they held so dear.

Every now and then, though, a stray traveler would find the ring of wild roses, and there were those who thought they might be going mad… For they could swear that they had seen a little angel smiling brightly, a rose of stark white in its palms.


"Oh, darling, why are you crying so?" His mother had asked him as she hugged him close.

"B-Because it was so sad, mother! I…" he wiped at his tears, "I thought that love was beautiful, and warm, and happy!"

"Oh, it is all of those things, Ciel," his mother soothed as she rubbed his back, "but it can also be the very opposite."

"The opposite?"

"I am afraid so, darling. Love can also breed pain, jealousy, hatred… many unhappy feelings. I do not intend to let you become a victim of those, however. Not if I can help it."

"Mother… did your love towards father make you unhappy?"

Rachel's pale blue eyes widened at the unexpected inquiry. Ciel was quite sharp-minded despite his young age, and even the Goddess could be caught by surprise by her little boy.

"Darling, what happened between your father and myself made me the happiest I have, or ever will be. Can you guess why?"

Ciel had stopped crying and his face was pinched with concentration as he thought. "Tell me, please!"

"Because I had you, Ciel. The moment I knew that I would become your mother, I became entirely impatient. I could not wait to see you!"

"I was inside of your belly though, right, mother?"

She laughed, "Oh, yes! Whenever I whispered to you, asking if you were close to arriving, you would give a little nudge! Sometimes a kick, if I continued to pester you." Ciel laughed at his mother's memory.

She continued, "But the day finally came! When I held you, Ciel, I knew in that very instant that I could never love anyone more than I loved you, my precious baby boy, so fragile and perfect. So you see, although my love with your father began as something sad-"

"It became something happy!"

"That is right."

"It was still a sad story, though…" Ciel frowned. "The rose and the boy were not happy, in the end."

"Really? Although they perished, I think the boy and the rose were quite happy."

"How so?"

"Because, darling, the rose found true joy. Out of fear, no one had ever tried to pick the rose, but in the end, it received its dearest wish. It was cherished, and so it cherished in return."

Ciel's sapphire eyes went round with realization. "I understand, mother! You mean to say, or I think that you do… that one cannot fear love, even though it may seem deadly, like the rose?"

"Precocious little thing you are!" Rachel pat his head. "But yes, darling. There are things that are worth suffering for. You are proof of that." She kissed both of her child's cheeks. "And now it is off to bed with you. There is plenty of time for stories tomorrow."

Ciel whined in protest as he was tucked into bed. "Mother, just one more question!"

"Oh, alright. What is it?"

"Do you think I will ever find love like that? Something that strong, I mean."

Rachel's smile fell just a bit. "Perhaps…"

"Hm. Well, good night, mother. I love you."

"And I you, darling. Good night."

It was then that Rachel realized that Ciel was slowly maturing…

But she had no intention of allowing him to be enamored so easily. She knew the sting of love, and though the pain had long left her, she could still remember the feeling.

Like the thorns of a rose tearing skin.


"Sebastian?"

Ciel spoke very quietly, holding a black feather in his hands as he lay in the sea of silk of his sheets.

"Ciel?" Sebastian's voice sounded thick, as though he had just awoken.

"Oh, did I wake you? Forgive me if I did."

The chuckle that followed made Ciel's cheeks go rosy. It was huskier than the usual. "The only thing I cannot forgive you for is for waking me while being so far away."

"Yes… but I prefer this to being unable to speak to you at all."

"A good point."

"Can we meet today, Sebastian? Please say that we can…"

"I could never bring myself to say otherwise. Where shall I find you?"

Ciel's heart swelled at the thought of seeing the God he so loved. "There is another place that I wish to show you."

"Oh? I should like to see it. You will not say what it is, I take it."

"I will not," Ciel smiled, "since it is a surprise."

"With your tastes, I am certain it will be as lovely as the pond in the forest, if not lovelier."

"Lovelier seems like a fitting description. Will you meet me in the forest, then, and let me lead you to it?"

Sebastian's purr thrummed against Ciel's skull, "It would be my pleasure."

"A-Alright," Ciel stammered, remembering the indecent events of the night prior. "I will see you."

"I hope so, little one. Very much."

He dropped the feather, ending the conversation. Again he found himself filled with a sense of excitement, nearly trembling with it as he dressed. He chose another of his mother's favorite robes: This one a midnight blue that had no back, held in place by a white ribbon that looped around his neck and tied in the front. He smiled at the memory of wearing it for the first time; his mother had nearly squealed at the sight.

That brought a deep, sinking feeling. Again, he would be lying to his mother about his whereabouts. How long would this last? Would he ever be able to tell her-?

"Ciel, darling! Are you awake?" Rachel was calling to him. Ciel left his room at once and answered as he made his way to her. "Yes, mother! Good morning!"

He found her close to the exit of the house. Her hair was out today, falling behind her like a thickly-spun gold, and Ciel could not help admiring it. "Are you going somewhere special today, mother?"

"Good morning!" She pecked him quickly, "And I would hardly call it special, but I will be going to your father's house for a while."

"Did he summon you there?"

"You could say that."

"Oh… Will you be gone long, then?"

Rachel sighed, "I suppose so. I would have finished my usual duties quite early today, but this will most certainly set me back. Oh, darling, I have not had much time to spend with you as of late… I promise you that I will put an end to everything, that we may enjoy each other's company tomorrow. What do you think?"

"That would make me happy, mother." Perhaps he would be able to tell her the truth then…

"And I as well! I will see you, if not tonight, then in the morning. Do take care as always, please, Ciel?"

"Only if you promise the same, mother."

The Goddess laughed, "Of course. I love you."

"And I you."

Rachel intended to go to the peak of Mount Olympus, but it was not Vincent who sought audience with her, though she had refrained from saying so. What Ann might want with her now, she could not guess.


AN: Where will Ciel be taking Sebastian this time...? Watch out, cause I think he just put his FREAKUM DRESS ON :D