Raychaell: Hello! Sorry about the long wait, but I had writer's block and another story wanted me to write it…
Before I get on with the story, I've got a letter from CIEL HIMSELF! OMG! Let's see what he wrote.
Onehellofaciel: Great job, your story amazes me still. Please continue, and I hope that you receive this letter, I meant to review earlier, but once again I found myself to be preoccupied with problems arousing from our issue with the reapers. Lady Roisa sends her regards.
Raychaell: OMG! CIEL! I love you! Anyway, betcha you're all waiting to see how our two favorite demons are going to deal with the news that the twins and William aren't normal humans, right? By the way, *turns to William* Where's Claudia?
William: She's sulking in her room again. She says that she's not going to come out till you promise no more pranks.
Raychaell: Don't care. I'll just get on with the story then.
Disclaimer: I do not own Black Butler, only my OCs.
Ciel and Sebastian sat down heavily on the chairs provided, their minds reeling as they absorbed the story. Claudia and Carlisle merely stayed where they were, Carlisle with his head in Claudia's lap as she ran her fingers through his hair idly. William still remained behind the twins, watching his mistress fondly while Jade had left mid way through the tale without a word.
Ciel was the first to break the silence. "So you're saying that you twins are actually genetically engineered assassins, and William here is actually a super soldier. If that is so, how do you explain the telepathy? Is it part of your genetic makeup?" He questioned.
The twins exchanged glances. Claudia was the one who replied. "That's a good question. We ourselves are unsure of it too. We were both eight when we realized that we had telepathy, and our parents theorized that it was a side effect from all the experimenting done on us. After all, we were supposed to be more perceptive to our surroundings, and somehow, it must have upgraded into telepathy." Ciel lapsed into a thoughtful silence at this, and Sebastian decided to ask the next question.
"Since the both of you have so much power in you, not to mention, all those contacts you have, shouldn't it be easy for you to destroy Lord Bogart and his son Jonas to make them pay for the suffering they caused?" Sebastian asked.
Carlisle sighed at this, before replying, "Yes, we can actually destroy them, but we can't. Before you ask why, the reason is because Bogart has some powerful friends on his side. While they may not bother helping him with his finances, they actually use him as their pawn, so if we destroy him now, we may never find out who these friends are. We suspect these friends are the reason why Bogart killed our parents."
Ciel asked, "If that is so, what is your purpose in involving me and Sebastian? I mean, you've got so much strength and power on your side, so why involve us in your plan?" At this, the twins gave way to similar sighs.
"We need you because you guys are demons. Before you ask how we found out, do remember that Claudia here is a telepath. When she made eye contact and touched you, she managed to look deep into your mind and with that, she found out that you were a demon. And to answer your earlier question, we tried to do a sneak attack on him, but he was defended by his friends, and somehow got tipped off even though only William, Jade, Claudia and I knew that we were going to attack Victor. When we tried to get to Jonas, we ran into trouble, since high-ranking nobles also surrounded that imbecile, so if we tried to assassinate him, those friends would notice and cause some trouble. Therefore, we did nothing but wait for a chance." Carlisle said tiredly.
"That was, until you guys appeared. Brother here wasn't exactly too sure of your intentions, so we decided to observe you from afar, and he decided to do something revealing to test your intentions. If he hadn't started to publicly expand his stake in the Underworld, he would have remained a mystery to both of you." Claudia explained.
Ciel sat up at this. He demanded, "So you're saying, all this time, you had been luring us in, and using us as your pawns, instead of us doing the same to you?"
Claudia and Carlisle exchanged amused glances before giving Ciel huge grins that clearly said yes. Ciel swore loudly in his anger while Sebastian did a face palm. They had thought themselves clever enough to hide their presence and also manipulate the twin Roses. Instead, they had been chasing after false bait provided by them all along!
Then a question occurred to Ciel, "But you still have not told us why you want us in the first place?" Ciel asked.
Claudia sighed at this, and replied, "We need you to find out who these friends are and help us kill them."
Ciel smirked. "If you want us to do this, then make a contract with me." He said arrogance clear in his words. Carlisle and William started forward at this, angered at the suggestion of a contract with the demon. However, Claudia, who had raised her left hand, who didn't break her steady gaze on Ciel and Sebastian, stopped them.
"A contract you say? What if I say no?" Claudia questioned in an icy tone, scorn clear in her voice.
Ciel leant back and retorted a reply. "Then, I have no interest in helping you." This served to only make Claudia laugh in his face, causing both demons to frown their annoyance.
"What's so funny?" An irate Ciel demanded, an equally annoyed Sebastian glaring at the smirks that were now present on both William and Carlisle's faces. Claudia retorted a sarcastic reply.
"Nothing, except for the fact that you forgot something. We're both currently in my home, my territory, and you seek to form a contract with me. Not to mention, we're still on a case to find out the reason behind the mysterious disappearances, so you can't exactly order me around when we're supposed to be partners. Do I need to say more?" With that, Claudia tilted her head to the side, flashing him a smirk at her success at silencing the now silently furious Ciel. Sebastian was quick to notice the tension in the room increasing, and decided to take matters into his own hands.
"You still have not told us the real reason for your refusal. Most humans would have taken the chance to form a contract with a demon to fulfill whatever purpose they have, but you and your twin, not to mention Mr Sentis himself, have not been approached by any demon even with your delectable souls. Care to explain?" Sebastian asked curiously. Claudia's eyes became shadowed at this, and her voice took on a steely edge as she spoke, gripping Carlisle's hand tightly.
"When I first saw the mansion my parents died in and learned about the people responsible for their deaths, I swore on my family name and soul that I would avenge my parents no matter what, and I would use whatever means necessary to do so. However, I also made a promise never to do anything life changing unless it was a matter of life and death. That is why I'll never make a contract with you demons unless I truly have to. I wish to think that you two would understand, but seeing as to how you both are demons, it would just be fat hope on my part." At this, Claudia glared at the two demons, daring them to say a word against her. Ciel spoke first.
"I understand how you feel. Remember what I told you about my parents' murder? I too, suffered when I was kidnapped and sold to a cult. They tortured and abused me there, and tried to sacrifice me to Sebastian. Luckily for me, he formed a contract with me instead, so I plotted my revenge on those who had hurt and humiliated me. It changed my entire life from then on, but I don't regret it at all." He said softly, staring straight into Claudia's eyes while Sebastian stared at him with something akin to shock since it was rare to hear Ciel talk about his past, especially to a suspicious ally. Ciel ignored Sebastian as he continued.
"You may wonder why I'm saying this. If you think I'm using a sympathy card to pressurize you into making a contract with me, you're wrong. The reason why I say this is because I want to say, I understand. I won't force you, but I want to make a small bargain with you instead. If a situation forces you or the rest of your family to make a contract with me, take note that I will do it. I will do everything in my power to make sure you live because I still have more questions for you." Ciel finished, lifting his chin up arrogantly, daring the younger girl to insult him again. However, he got a chuckle instead, making him blink in surprise. Claudia tilted her head to the side, giving him a wry smile.
"I get it, Ciel. No worries, I won't let that cloud my judgment of you, but I also will make sure that situation in which I have no other option but to make a contract with me will never happen. So can we get on the crux of the matter? After all, we still have a case to solve, remember?" Claudia said, amusement clear in her tone. Ciel nodded, and was ready to start brainstorming about the new case when Sebastian spoke.
"Forgive my interruption Lady Claudia, but I have a question for Miss Jade herself. I noticed that she had not spoken much during our conversation, and also, only Mr Sentis and you twins have revealed their past. We have not heard from Miss Jade herself at all, so can you call her back in and ask her to tell us her story?" Sebastian questioned, meeting Carlisle's sharp gaze steadily, since the boy had sat up upon the mention of Jade. He ran his hand through his hair seemingly in frustration before turning to his twin and giving her an uncertain glance. This was answered by a glare from her before they started their silent conversation, ignoring the rest.
The twins seemed to have a mental argument with each other as they exchanged glances and short clipped words that made no sense to Ciel and Sebastian while William merely looked bored and stared out of the window, but not without an occasional glance towards the bickering twins. Finally, it seemed the argument had come to an end, and judging by Carlisle's triumphant look, Carlisle had won. Turning to the two demons, the younger boy grinned darkly, and said cheerfully, "You can talk to Jade, but whether she's willing to talk or not is up to her. We will not force her at all." With that, he twisted his body and tilted his head up to meet William's expectant gaze.
"Hey Will, call Jade up for us all right?" Carlisle asked, and William smiled before leaving the room to find Jade. Jade must have been near since William returned soon after with Jade close behind him. The older woman glared briefly at Ciel and Sebastian, before looking back at her master with a weary look.
Carlisle was quick to reassure her. "Jade, it's all right. No one will force you. We're just interested in knowing more about your past that's all." Jade rolled her eyes wearily at this, before retorting, "I know you said that you wouldn't force me, but don't forget, I know you too well. I'm the one who watched over you and your sister ever since you were born; so don't give me that crap. After all, you always were the curious one among you twins, and that was what led your parents into deciding that you were to be the Black Rose." At this, Carlisle gave a way to a small blush of embarrassment at this, since he had forgotten that Jade could easily guess his mind, making it impossible to lie to the older woman. Jade then turned back to the demons.
"Since you want to know my history, I might as well just get it over with. I was born Sara Somers, and was born a street kid with a large distrust of everyone. My mom was a drug addict, my dad a drunkard. I have no siblings, and constantly lived in fear and hatred since my parents would go on a rampage whenever they wanted more money to feed their addictions. I escaped my home at five, and lived on the streets until I was 12. Lady Claudia's mom was the one who found me. Apparently she had a dream about me, and how I would play a large role in the future. So she took me in, had my name changed to Jade Dionte and raised up till I was 18. She gave me chances to where I carve out a life for myself now that I was a legal adult, but I refused to leave her, so she gave me a job as one of the manor staff and from then, I witnessed her pregnancy then birth of the twins. I was with the twins the day their parents died, so I was there to console the Young Mistress and Young Master, and also was there by their side when they each took on the roles left to them by their family."
"I may be just a mere human servant in your eyes, but take note that I have trained with the greatest fighters themselves, and I have beaten grown men twice my age. I was also William's mentor and I carved him up from a young man unsure of his part in the world and sculpted him into the Thorn he is today. So underestimate me or at your own risk demons, or if you dare to taint my Young Master with those filthy hands of yours and I'll show you what this 'mere human' can do." Jade finished with a glare at the two demons which Ciel and Sebastian instinctively found themselves cringing away from. After all, the phrase 'hell hath no fury like a woman scorned' was applicable to Jade herself at that moment of time. In the background the twins were snickering away at Ciel and Sebastian's uncomfortable expressions while William did a face palm at Jade's words. A throat clearing from William soon brought everyone back to reality.
"Forgive me, Milady, but it's time you went back to bed. After all, you are still weak from your injuries and the doctor had said plenty of bed rest for you." William said gently, putting his hands on Claudia's shoulder. Claudia looked up at William and pouted.
"But I want to talk to Ciel!" Claudia whined, turning to her twin in a silent plea for support but Carlisle merely frowned at her, making her sigh and stand up. Turning back to Ciel, Claudia once again, smiled sweetly and said, "Guys, while I'm resting, I hope you'll continue with the case then share your findings with me tomorrow. After all, we still have a case to solve." With that, Claudia swept out of the room, William close behind her. The guys and Jade all watched the doors close behind Claudia and William before turning their attention back to each other. For a while, the two rivals studied each other, each wondering whether they could trust the other. Then Ciel smiled, not a calculating smile, but one full of rare friendliness.
"Truce?" Ciel offered, getting up and extending his right hand out for a handshake. Carlisle also gave way to a friendly smile before getting up and clasping the hand.
"Truce it is." Carlisle agreed, and Sebastian and Jade smiled at the scene. With all the malice and distrust gone, the two former rivals turned their attention back to the case assigned to them and started to exchange findings.
"So all the information we currently have on this case is that there is no specific brand of victims. Instead, all of them are either children or adults?" Claudia questioned, a frown on her face as she leaned back in her leather swivel chair behind the office desk. Her twin, Ciel, and their butlers were spread around the office the twins shared; Carlisle perched on the desk while Ciel sat on the settee, Sebastian standing beside him. William and Jade were standing on either side of the long desk on which several files and pictures were spread. It had been a week ever since the two former rivals had made their peace with each other and start working together while Claudia made a speedy recovery thanks to her genetic makeup providing her with an accelerated healing rate. As soon as Claudia was declared healthy she had headed straight for her office and buried herself in the case, determined to stop the mysterious disappearances and, if possible, save the victims. Yet despite everyone's constant efforts, all they found that the disappearances had no pattern whatsoever, making them almost impossible to trace and find. Claudia could already feel a headache coming on as she stared at the pictures and files on her desk in frustration, wishing that there were a way to find out the truth.
"Hey guys, maybe the victims were kidnapped for cult purposes?" Ciel theorized, his face turning thoughtful as he thought hard. "I mean, as you have said yourself, there's no difference in the victims as all, and it sounds consistent with what I know about cults." At this Carlisle shook his head.
"If there was cult activity, I would have learned about it through my contacts and anyway, even if it is cult activity, wouldn't there be bodies?" Carlisle said, only to tilt his head curiously as Ciel and Sebastian widened their eyes at the word 'bodies'.
"What's wrong?" The twins asked in perfect unison before widening their eyes too as they read the rush of thoughts in both demons' minds.
Carlisle was the first to speak, but his words were full of shock and astonishment even as he hopped off the desk and stood in front of the demons. "You know the creepy dude?" At this, the two demons looked at Carlisle in confusion, not understanding his words. The younger boy ran a hand through his hair in frustration again before clarifying.
"You call him Undertaker." Ciel and Sebastian both yelled in shock at these words.
"YOU KNOW THE UNDERTAKER?"
Raychaell: Surprise surprise! Carlisle knows the Undertaker! And YES! THIS CHAPTER IS FINALLY COMPLETE!
Carlisle: About time too! You took your own sweet time.
Raychaell: *rolls eyes* I told you; I had writer's block when it came to writing the middle part so it was rather hard on me! Anyway, if you love it, then review! Reviewers will get dedications!
