Author's Note: Sorry about the wait! This summer has not been what I expected it to be.

In other news, THERE ARE NEARLY 100 OF YOU ALL. I AM SO HAPPY. I promise to eventually fix my update schedule for this story and my other one, Tilt, but I have my summer finals this week so... yeah. If you read Tilt, expect an update sometime in the next week. This story should be updated Saturday though cause the next chapter is near done!

Shion Devereaux: Thanks! I loved this little bits of fluff, though I normally can't stay in the fluffy mood for long... we shall see what happens in later chapters~ XD

: Thank you so much!

Bookaholicgurl78: Glad you liked it so much! And you are really sweet! Thanks!

Nivellia Neil: Thanks! And here is the update! :D


Disclaimer: I do not own Kuroshitsuji.


Chapter 9: His Mate.


They stayed like that for a few minutes, his face buried into the crook of her neck as he knelt at the bedside, before Sebastian found himself shifting up onto the bed. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he drew her close to his chest and pulled her back with him as he laid against the headboard.

She grumbled a bit at the movement, causing him to chuckle, but as soon as he settled them back down, she began to purr, her fingers grasping the lapels of his suit jacket while she pressed herself as close as she could to his chest, tucking her head up under his chin.

While keeping his hold on her, his fingers began to absently play with the ends of her hair, twisting the curls within his grasp. A small smirk settled on his face before realizing that he could not stay here for long. Sighing, he dropped her hair, his fingers traveling up to lightly grasp her chin and tilt her head up to face him as he leaned back. "I believe I deserve an explanation…"

He loved the adorable little pout she gave him. "Later," she sharply stated, trying to reposition herself, but he kept a firm grip on her chin. "Sebastian…"

Her voice still sounded hoarse, a slight, almost animalistic tone flickering underneath it. She appeared to have not been using it often, for he could only explain the tone as being from lack of use. Still, he needed answers. "I need to know how to explain this to the Young Master… And I will likely take this answer better than him."

Her pout replaced with resignation. "Finally back after three years of being a flipping cat, and I can't even cuddle…"

"I do not cuddle…" he remarked stiffly, before something clicked in his head. "Did you say cat?"

She grinned up at the shell-shocked demon. "Yes, I am quite surprised that neither you nor Ciel realized that your little 'Belle' was not quite the usual cat…" She burrowed her face into his neck. "And this is certainly cuddling…not exactly a bad thing."

He felt himself rumble in response to her nuzzling, enjoying her warmth. "We knew you were a strange cat, but we did not realize you were… we thought you were dead."

She frowned as her head rested on his shoulder. "I am sorry…"

"Do not apologize," he quickly remarked. "I doubt you chose to remain a cat for so long."

"I got stuck." He began to laugh, and she glared at him. "Don't laugh! You try surviving on the streets as a cat for so long."

His gaze softened, and he drew her close. "I will never allow that again." Kissing the top of her head, he murmured, "I will not allow anymore harm to befall my mate…"

She stiffened momentarily before relaxing back into his hold. "Yours…"

He smirked into her hair before turning back to the issue at hand. "We need to go see Ciel."

"This is going to be interesting…" she muttered, making no motion to move. Sensing this, he shifted to slip his feet over the edge of the bed, curling her into his arms. With a squeak, her arms wrapped around his neck as he began to stride towards his washroom. "What are you doing?!"

With a sly smile, he casually remarked, "Oh, you cannot be seeing the Young Master looking like this. You reek of blood…"

Her cheeks reddened. "I didn't mean to… they were heading to attack Ciel."

Carefully sitting her onto the edge of the tub, he leaned over her and pressed yet another kiss to her brow. "I know, my dear. But still, that shall still be one hell of a clean up."

The blush deepened. "I can help clean—"

"A Phantomhive butler who cannot clean up a little blood is not worth his salt," he interrupted smoothly. "Besides, a lady of the house should not have to clean up her messes. That's the jobs of the servants."

She snorted and crossed her arms over her chest as he drew the bath. "I am not a Lady."

"You certainly are unusual, but still a lady." Turning off the tap, he turned back to her, a positively sinful smirk resting on his face. "Would you like some assistance?"

He didn't know that it was possible for her to grow this red, and he found he enjoyed this result of teasing her. "I can manage," she squeaked out.

"Very well. I shall find you some more… appropriate clothes." Heading to the door, he remarked, "I would be quick if I were you. Unless you would prefer that I come in and help you finish…"

He grinned widely at the sight of her nearly slipping over the edge of the tub into the bathwater.