Ciel only stayed with me another few minutes before he said he had business to take care of and left me alone in his study. Vivian had also seemed to vanish. I was alone in the Phantomhive mansion with a demonic butler that was not my own.

"Lord Daero, since you're under my care for a while, would you like anything to eat or drink?"

"I don't know. I'm a bit worried about Vivian. I don't know where she's gone."

"Don't worry much. Vivian knows what she's doing. She probably has some work that she needs to finish up here in town."

"I know. I can't help it though. There's just something...I care about her."

"That's quite surprising to hear. I've never heard a master say that they care or worry about their butler before."

"Let me guess. I suppose that makes me one hell of a master?"

Sebastian smirked. "Yes, I believe that does make you one hell of a master."

I laughed, and focused on some of the finer details of Ciel's study that I hadn't taken the time to look at. There seemed to be very little of Ciel's personality in the room. In fact, the only thing that made it obviously his was the game on the table between the chair I sat in and the one Ciel normally sat in.

"Is there something wrong Lord Daero?"

"Nothing really. I mean, this may not be how demons are, but I just noticed...Ciel's study isn't very personal to him."

"It's the way young master lives. He doesn't like to have things out that are personal."

"Is there any particular reason why?"

"It probably brings up too much of his past, which he doesn't like thinking about."

"Sebastian, why would someone murder Ciel's parents?"

"There are murderers out there, and all they enjoy doing is killing people. I don't know why they would, but it happened, and you can't change the past no matter how much you wish to."

"Do you have a past you wish you could change?"

Sebastian frowned. "No, I don't regret anything or wish to change anything."

"I think you're a liar. Everyone has at least one thing they wish they could change in their pasts. Whether you tell me or not is a different story. I just wondered if you would tell me the truth or lie."

"It's easier for some people to completely erase their past, than to think about it, and keep wishing to change the impossible."

"Granted. That's how I feel most of the time. But sometimes, there's a trigger, and I just can't help remembering. I think if it were an option, I would wish to forget my parents completely, and the boy that killed them. I would still be alone with Vivian, but I wouldn't keep reliving that night in my nightmares."

"Of course, it does take a long time before things like that fade. Usually, that's why it's easier for us demons to forget. We live longer. Actually, we are to never die so as the years go by the past fades. Your butler has taken my interest. For some reason she acts more like a human than a demon, and that surprises me."

"But she really doesn't act so different from you, Sebastian. You're more human than those people who killed my parents. More human than my parents, who left me alone."

"I wouldn't say that. I made a contract with my master, so he can fulfill his wish and I can have his soul. That's the only thing I want."

"Here's one thing I can't figure out. Why take the souls you take? Why not other souls?"

"I don't pick the souls I take. It's the process of the master desiring a wish to be fulfilled and nothing else. The master basically calls us mentally, and we make contracts with them, and once the wish is fulfilled we are allowed to have their soul. That's why I find your butler interesting. It's a totally different case for you guys."

"Tell me. Would you have ever taken a contract like mine, or do you know anyone else besides Vivian who would?"

"To tell the truth, I probably wouldn't. From my past encounters with demons who have masters, I have not known any who has or would take a contract like yours. As I said, most demons only want the souls of humans."

"It does make you wonder. So, why do demons want human souls? What is there to gain, since you're so much more powerful than us, and immortal besides?"

"We might be immortal, but not all of us are very powerful. It takes years, maybe centuries, to be able to become as powerful as I am today. Taking souls helps us become more powerful than we are."

"And why do demons need more power? Or are you all just power hungry lunatics without a cause?"

"It is true most of us demons are just power hungry lunatics, but some demons want souls to contain something more. I've known some that want to become so strong that they can take control over Hell."

"But with all demons constantly growing stronger, it's impossible to ever become strong enough. What is your preferred type of wish to grant? What was your favorite one that you've already granted?"

"That's exactly why demons want more souls. They are going to keep fighting each other until they get what they want. I typically like granting wishes that include revenge because it's fun to see what's going to happen. My favorite wish to have already granted was about four years ago when there was this girl who wanted revenge on her own parents. The girl hated them, and wanted them dead. It was fun to grant her wish. I'm not going to go into gory details."

"Why did she hate her parents so much?"

"Her parents were drunkards, and they beat her since she was young. They hated her too. They treated her really badly, and I don't blame her for wanting them dead."

"Why didn't they like their own child?"

Sebastian turned completely serious. "I don't know. There are just people out there who like watching others suffer, even if it is their own child."

"That's horrible. I don't know what I would do, if my parents had hated me. I definitely wouldn't be the same way I am. I guess I only resent my parents for leaving me behind."

"Of course. It's understandable."

"Have you ever had something horrible happen to you, or someone you care about? If you have, I wish it wasn't so. The world is dark and cruel, and a child is too naive to live in it by themselves. That's why I cannot be a child. I have to be strong. I know you don't like me Sebastian. You think I'm annoying, stupid, pointless. Possibly arrogant. But tell me, Sebastian. Were you so much better, an uneducated child, alone and on your own in this world? Can you honestly say that when you were a child, you knew everything and had no faults? No. That is impossible. I grew up on the streets, simply teaching myself to survive. So, when you call me stupid, know that I am still learning, and can't help the naivety of a child, as much as I struggle to be stronger than that, and rise above it."

That word rang in the room. Rise. Almost like a memory. But what could I have risen to?

"Yes, I have had something horrible happen to me, but not as bad as some others have. I must say, you are a strong person. No, I was a well educated child. It's been so long since then, and becoming a demon slowly takes away your humanity and emotions. Very few still have their human emotions, and until now, I've only read about them."

"Ah, so it's true. You don't care in the least one way or another. You can't, because of what you are."

"Yes, it's been a long time since I've become a demon. It's better off, considering how the world is."

I shrugged. Whether or not the world was evil, a human could not control their emotions.

"I'm not too worried about young master. If he ever gets in any trouble, he will call for me."

"Just as I called for Vivian when I was taken."

"Yes, if you order your butler to do something, then they have to do what you say, depending on what you order them to do."

"I didn't know a butler could refuse an order."

"Most of the time, a butler can't refuse, but if the butler is strong enough and wanted to, they could refuse. It doesn't happen very often."

"Have you done it?"

"I have, only once."

"What made you want to refuse an order?"

"I was tired of the person, and found them useless to me. When the person ordered me to come help them, I left and didn't go back. He probably got himself killed."

"I suppose I should be glad that I know how to survive on my own, in case Vivian ever leaves. But, well, I can't help wondering if she's grown attached to me like I have to her."

"Knowing how you guys are together, I believe she has, though she might deny it or seem like she doesn't. That also shocks me, because demons aren't supposed to become close to humans."

"Why not?"

"Demons are created for destruction, and humans are supposed to hate us. Another reason is if a human and demon would form a bond, that bond won't last. Humans must always die, while demons don't age, and will live forever."

"What if a human became a demon?"

"If that happens, I can't tell you what would happen. Once you become a demon, you change, like how I was saying earlier. You will lose your humanity, and emotions, but there might be a slight chance that might not happen. The process of becoming a demon is worse than having the contract."

"Why do you say that as if I am going to become a demon? As if you know what will happen to me?"

"I'm not specifically talking about you. I'm talking in a general manner. You asked a question, and I answered."

I narrowed my eyes, knowing he was hiding something. He knew something about me. "What are you hiding? What do you know? Why does Vivian treat me the way she does? I'm a girl off the streets. I was given worth only after Vivian brought me to the manor in Avon. What is so special about me?"

"You see, Lord Daero, it isn't in my intentions to tell you. Some things are meant to be unsaid for the protection of you and your future. I can't tell you why Vivian treats you the way she does, that's all upon her. I don't know much about Vivian. I've only met her once before this, about a century ago. I can tell you what's so special about you, though. Just like young master, you have a powerful soul, and many demons would hunt you down to have that soul of yours."

"But why is my soul so powerful? What makes it so different? What makes Ciel's so different?"

"Now, that I can't answer. The both of you were just born with a powerful soul."

"You're a demon. Surely you would know why some souls are born more powerful. You're a powerful demon. So what makes the two of us so special?"

"Sadly, this is the only thing I seriously don't know. I've been trying to figure it out, but I haven't. All I know is that humans with the most powerful souls always end up changing something, whether for good or bad."

"What kinds of things do they change?" I asked, a note of fear entering my voice.

"It all depends on the type of person they are. If they are hateful and vengeful, they end up doing some terrible things. If they have a good heart and soul, then they might end up doing something good, but there aren't very many of those kinds. Trust me when I say you don't want to know what they did."

"What determines if a person has a good heart and soul?"

"People who aren't devoured by hate or revenge. I don't know much about it because I've never had anyone ask me these questions. If you have a good heart and soul you will just know. I sound kind of pathetic because I'm having a talk about how to be good, when I am a demon that is evil."

"I don't think being a demon in itself makes you evil. I think it's what you do as a demon. And you don't kill people without reason or terrorize cities. In my eyes, that makes you a good person. But, I don't really know what kind of person I am. It's hard to tell. Sometimes, I wake up numb, emotionless. I'm cold and mean. I hide in my room most of those days. Other times, I wake up, and I'm my usual self. Is that strange?"

"From the way you grew up, it's not that surprising. Ciel was like that for the first year he was with me. After a while, you will figure out how you want to be, and change."

"Has Ciel changed?"

"He has in some ways, but he hasn't in others. After a while, he decided he wanted to start the Phantomhive business selling toys, and he started coming out of his room more often than he did the first year. He's sort of changed because of you, as well. Then there's him and his revenge for his parents' deaths. He won't stop for anything until he hunts down the killer and takes his revenge for them."

"How have I changed him?"

"For the first time, I've actually seen him happy, and it's only since you've been with him."

"What about you, Sebastian? What makes you happy?"

"Happy? I don't need to be happy. All I'm here for is to be a butler for a master. I don't need to be happy. If I become happy then I will get too close."

"No. You don't need to be happy. You may not want to be happy, either, because you think you're better off. But what makes you happy?"

"I don't know, I've never been happy. I haven't thought about it."

"You must have been happy once. Maybe before you were a demon? What were you like then?"

"Not really. Back in those days I wasn't a very nice person, either."

"Is Sebastian your real name, or did you change it?"

"No, Sebastian is my real name. Changing my name wasn't going to solve anything."

"I meant before you were a demon. But if it's your birth name, that's fine, too. I was just curious. Do demons normally change their names, or keep their birth names like you?"

"It's my birth name, and it depends on the demon. Some change their name to seem more powerful, and there are some that keep their names from before."

"What is being a demon like? I mean, I understand the messed up emotions and all, but what kind of powers does it give you? Are there different kinds of demons?"

"There are many types of demons, and the powers depend on who turns you, and what powers suit you best. When you are a demon, you don't get to grow anymore. You're stuck in a world watching others grow and die, while you're never going to die. Some demons may say the same. Some may say different. It's practically the same for demons. Just out to hunt or destroy."

"Why do demons want to destroy things? Why don't they try to do something fun, or creative with all the power they gather up? Isn't it boring doing the same thing for centuries?"

"Most don't think to do anything like that. A lot of them have so much hate that they have turned into monsters, and are only power hungry. Not all the demons are like Vivian, or even myself."

"Why don't you do something like that, I suppose is a better question. Don't you get bored watching time go by without really doing much of anything?"

"I don't know, maybe. Right now I still have to obey my master, and complete his wish."

"What if you had a master whose wish was your happiness?"

Sebastian laughed. "No one would wish for my happiness. People are too greedy."

"When I first saw Vivian, she looked really sad. I almost did wish for her happiness. But she kept asking me what I wanted, what my wish was, when I tried to ask her questions. So, in hopes of being able to make her happy, I asked for a life a fulfillment. If she was stuck with me for the rest of my life, maybe I could find a way to make her happy. I have a few decades to try, don't I?"

Sebastian's eyes widened. "I don't understand you. Unlike everyone else, you decide to make a wish to make one of us happy. You are getting too attached."

I shook my head. "You're wrong, Sebastian. I didn't know who she was, or where she came from. But the sad look in her eyes...I just wanted her to be happy. She saved me from a carriage. I didn't thank her because at the time I would have rather died than live. My parents were dead, I didn't know anybody, and I was living in a box at the end of an alley, living off of what I could find at the farmer's market off three or four hours a week. But I didn't really think about any of that. All I saw was the sad girl in front of me. I think that's why I didn't wish for money, or something else greedy, like others do. I saw, her, and I just wanted to make her happy, for no other reason than she was sad."

"Well, you have a good heart. Just be careful that you don't become too close to a demon."

"Why? You and Vivian both seem like good people. I don't see how getting close to either of you could hurt me. Afterall, Vivian is going to be the last person I see before I die."

"That's exactly it. It won't hurt you, but it will hurt us. As you grow old, we will stay the same age, and Vivian will get close and will be the one to watch you die. We have to get over you, and go on with life."

I giggled. "Sebastian, you are not as heartless as you like to pretend. But, if it's the after that you're worried about, make friends with another demon. They won't age and die, and neither will you. I do see your point, about the demon being left behind, however, within a contract. But, that makes me wonder. What would happen, if a human wished to live life as a demon? That human would become an immortal demon, and the already existing demon would be bound to them for eternity."

"It depends on whether the demon is willing to turn the human into one of us. I believe if that happens, then yes, they would probably be bound to each other."

"Can demons love?"

"I am not for sure, but you should ask Vivian that question."

"You say your emotions are gone, Sebastian, but that isn't true, now is it? If it was, you would not fear getting close to a human, because it wouldn't be possible. You would not fear the after, because it wouldn't mean anything to you."

"Okay, maybe you're right. I haven't really thought about any of this for a very long time."

"What little human was able to break your loving heart, Sebastian? Was it that little girl you were talking about earlier?"

"No, it was someone else. When I first met her she was different. She wasn't like everyone else."

"Tell me about her."

"I only met her once, but we spent some time together. She made me realize that love could still exist. I fell for her back then, but she already had someone in her life and she was really happy. I knew I couldn't have her, but she just made me realize that not everyone was the same."

"What was her name?"

"I can't tell you, it's my secret. I can't tell."

"Was it Vivian?"

"Indeed it was."

"Who was she with?"

"She didn't tell me his name. I saw them together and they both looked so happy that it seemed fake, but it wasn't. She wasn't just with the guy though. There were a couple others too, but I could tell the others were just friends or something. It surprised me because they were all demons living like humans."

"Seems like they have the right idea. So what broke your heart about your encounter with Vivian?"

"It was just so long ago, and I never had seen them again after that. I started seeing a lot of desperate people wishing, and I decided to make their wishes come true, and for the wish I get their soul."

"Has that made you any happier?"

"No it hasn't, but I stopped thinking about my happiness after the encounter. I didn't know how to make myself happy."

"Do you enjoy talking to me? Does that make you happy?"

"I guess you could say that. I am starting to enjoy talking to you. I've never had this long of a conversation with someone in a long time."

"Let me guess. Thought I was an airhead, didn't have much substance, wasn't worth anyone's time? Prior to today, I mean. But that's my point. You have to get to know someone before there can be any kind of connection. So, if you want to share a bond with people close to you, you have to open up to them first."

"Yeah, you're right. I should probably stop being an asshole."

"I wouldn't say you're an asshole. Disinclined to be sociable, maybe."

Sebastian laughed. "It can go either way because I am both."

"I suppose. So, what's the first thing you're going to do?"

"To tell you the truth, I have no idea."

"How about you start by talking to Ciel a little more? You guys are around each other a lot. I'm not saying you have to get really close to him or anything, but I'm sure he'd like to know some of the same things you've told me. At this point, I know more than he does about demons, and he's been around you for a couple of years."

"Yes, you're right. I'll start talking to Ciel more."

"And once you're more comfortable with him, what are you going to do?"

"Then I'm going tell him more about myself."

"Yes, but after that? Ciel is a human. We're trying to think bigger, someone you can get close to without that fear of their death."

"I don't know."

"Another immortal being, silly. Whether it's a demon, or, hell forbid, an angel, you have to get to know another immortal."

"Oh, yeah. I'll try, but for hell I forbid it to be an angel. I hate those beings."

"Are their any other types of immortals I should know about? Obviously there are demons, and I guessed there were angels, since they're kind of your polar opposites, but are there any other types?"

"Well, of course, there are the grim reapers. Mostly there are only different types of demons."

"Grim reapers? Like from the old stories? They take your life?"

"Yes, but they decide whether you live or die. They aren't what you seem to know them as."

"How do they decide, if, say, it's a human in a contract, whether they live or die?"

"When a person is in their dying moment, the grim reaper uses his tool and gets your Cinematic records, in which the reaper gets to see the memories of the person. I don't know what is required to know if the person lives or dies though."

"What different kinds of demons are there?"

"There are way too many different kinds, I can't even begin to tell you all of them."

"What kind of demons are you and Vivian, and what makes the two of you different?"

"I'm a crow demon, and Vivian is a cat demon. Every demon is different depending on our kind. We have different powers, and it's best for a human not to see our true forms."

"I get all of that, but what is it that makes each of you a different kind of demon?"

"I guess, it depends on who changes you, and what makes us a different kind of demon is how we were in our human lives. It's some of the mysteries that live within the life."

"Have you ever transformed someone into a demon?"

"No, I haven't."

"Would you?"

"I might, I might not. It depends on the person."

"Could you save a human from a contract by turning them into a demon?"

"I could, but that would be up to the human, if they wanted to or not."

"So, say, if you turned Ciel into a demon. You wouldn't have to take his soul?"

"No, I wouldn't be able to."

"Wouldn't be able to turn him, or wouldn't be able to take his soul?"

"I wouldn't be able to take his soul, but I wouldn't be able to turn him either."

"How come?"

"I wouldn't because I wouldn't want anyone changed into a demon. Live life at its fullest as a human."

"What's so bad about being a demon? Can you die while you're being transformed or something?"

"It's possible, but if a human is turned, there is no going back either. You're stuck as demon forever, and everything changes."

"If someone was absolutely sure, would it matter?"

"If someone was absolutely sure, then I guess I would turn the person. I'm not going to fight with the person who wants to change so badly."

"What made you become a demon? Or was it even your choice?"

"I didn't have a choice."

"What happened?"

"It was the night my family had a big fight. I was still living with my family at the time. My family members were the kind of people who were the rich know it all's, and my father and I never got along. My younger brother was the one who had all the attention in the family, because he was more tolerable than I was and was the smarter son. My father and I had this huge fight one night and he complained that I wasn't a good enough child to be his, so I decided to leave. It was about a quarter 'til moonlight and it was pouring outside. I took a walk out into the forest. I don't remember much, but I remember that a woman much older, not even human, decided right then and there to take my life, turning me into a demon."

"Why would she turn you into a demon?"

"To this day I still haven't figured out that answer. I haven't been able to find the demon since."

"Did you ever see your family again?"

"After I found out what I had turned into, I couldn't go back. I was a different being. If I went back there, they would have realized that I stopped aging, and would question my existence."

"Not if you just went back for a visit, surely. You don't really age in a day."

"I decided that I needed to live a life of my own without them, so I completely shut them out afterwards."

"I'm sorry. I may not really remember my parents, but at least I know they cared about me. You didn't even have that. It looks like I've finally found someone who has had it worse than I have."

"It's nothing to worry about, Lord Daero. I'm over the past, which is completely fine with me. There are people who have worse pasts than my own. I finally learned to deal with things after a couple centuries."

"I suppose I seem like a brat to you, don't I?"

"No. You're still kid, and still learning. I can't say that you're a brat."

"You could. I probably am one anyways. A lot of people called me a street brat when I hadn't gotten to take a bath in a week or so."

"Well, that was back then. You can change if you really want to."

"I think I already have been. I just don't know if it's been for good or bad."

"You can make it either good or bad. It's your choice."

"How do you choose good or bad? Isn't good or bad a part of a person's nature?"

"It is, but you can also choose whether you decide to do good things or bad things. Close your eyes and listen deep with your heart. If you concentrate close enough, you can tell whether you are or not."

I concentrated hard on a place deep within me, imagining a glowing blue light as my soul. I listened, and waited. And then, I just knew. My soul was good, despite my cold heart. I had good intentions, despite my lack of ability to truly trust anybody.

I opened my eyes, and realized my body had been shaking with the effort of that much forced concentration. I was breathing heavily, too.

"Not bad, for your first time. The reason it caused such a struggle inside of you is you tried to picture your soul as the wrong color. Blue is a color of tears, of sorrow. You do not have a sad soul. Your soul is purple, a color of purity and strength, courage and virtue. Your soul is very old. Perhaps that is why it is so powerful."

"Do souls change color as a person changes?"

"Slowly, and only after a span of many years. Unless you become another creature entirely, like if you became a demon. Your soul would change as you transformed, which is what causes the pain, and the possibility of death. Becoming a demon transforms your soul forever. Even if a demon dies in battle, or something else extinguishes their life, when they are reborn, their soul will still bear the mark of that life. At least, that is how the stories go."

"What if the mark of a reborn immortal entity is a soul more powerful than an average human? The more powerful the soul, the more powerful the immortal was?"

"Yes, and if it was a more powerful soul, the more dangerous it could be for a human."

"You mean, like, the soul could burn the human body up?"

"If it is very strong, it can. There are reasons why demons don't age. We don't want our souls to get reincarnated into a human. Some can handle a strong soul better than others."

"So, assuming this is all right...CIel and I might have really strong souls because we're reincarnated immortals."

"It could be, but you both are strong humans and you can contain the souls."

"Do you think stronger souls are at more risk in the transformation? That they are likelier to die?"

"That could be true. Some are either transformed or some will just die."

"Can you be only partially transformed, or is it a join or die kind of thing?"

"There is no way to be partially transformed."

"Join or die. Right. I'm surprised in you, Sebastian. I figured you would've asked me why I'm so curious about all of this."

"I didn't need to know, but since you made me curious, why are you asking me about all of this?"

I laughed. "Why wouldn't I be? I have a demonic butler, my best friend has a demonic butler, and I may very well have the soul of a demon. Who knows what will happen to me?"

"That is true, but I wouldn't worry too much. I believe both you and Ciel will do just fine, and not worry about having anything happen to you. Except, maybe, having a few demons try to kill you. Vivian will protect you, though."

"Yeah. She'll protect me for a long, long time. It's strange, to think, no matter what, in the end, it won't really matter."

"At least in the end, you'll both have those precious memories of each other. If that's how you would put it."

I laughed. "I wonder what I'll be thinking about in those last moments."

"Who knows, that could be years from now."

"Could be. Or I could get hit by a carriage tomorrow."

"Now, don't contradict yourself. I doubt Vivian would let that happen."

I laughed. "You're probably right. I don't know. Sometimes, I wonder if she hates me, regrets her choice to bind herself to me."

"No, she doesn't hate you. Vivian just has a problem. Call it a defect of using emotions. From how I've seen her act, it's like she doesn't know how to use her emotions."

"Well, the only way to learn is to practice. Like you Sebastian," I said, teasing him.

"Yeah, yeah I know. I guess an old cat can learn new tricks."

I laughed, hard. "But you're not a cat, Sebastian. You're a crow."

"It's just a figure of speech, and I know I'm not a cat. I might be a crow, but people assume that crows hate cats. Not all do."

"I know you don't. But the saying is actually that an old dog can learn new tricks. Cats are thought of as very intelligent creatures."

"To tell you, I hate dogs. They get quite annoying."

"Really? I've always liked dogs. When I was living in a box, some of them would follow me sometimes, and sleep with me in the box. Those were the warmest nights."

"Everyone has their own opinions about that."

"Of course. I don't expect you to like dogs just because I do. That would be rather foolish."

"Indeed, it would."

"So, what do you like to do in your spare time?"

"I don't do much. I just read, play music, and give attention to kitties on the streets when I'm out. I am mostly busy taking care of young master."

"You like cats?"

"Indeed I do."

"What kinds of cats?"

"I like any kinds of cats. They are just so adorable, and playful."

I giggled. "You're a weird one, Sebastian."

"When you are alive for several centuries, you tend to become weird."

"No. I think it's just you." I stuck my tongue out at him. "Anyways, would you play a game with me, Sebastian?"

"Of course. What would you like to play?"

"Have you ever played hopscotch?"

"Never heard of that game. Is it a card game or board game?"

"It's neither…" I said with a wicked grin.

"I have a feeling I'm going to regret this, but I did agree to play. Show me how to play."

"Let's go outside. We need to find a place we can draw on with charcoal."

"If that is what is needed, we shall go outside." Sebastian bowed.

Sebastian picked me up and carried me outside and around the manor to a patio in the backyard. He set me down, vanished, and returned momentarily with a piece of charcoal.

I sketched out a hopscotch game and numbered the boxes, leaving the charcoal nearby in case I had to redraw it. Then I found a smooth, round stone nearby and went to the line drawn before the first box.

"How is this game played?"

"You throw the rock and jump box to box, one foot on the single rows, one foot in each box on the doubles. At least, that how we'll play for now. The only three rules are that you can't step outside the boxes, including on boundary lines, you can't step in the box with the stone in it, and you can't fall."

"Sounds easy enough. I can do this easily."

"Then try it."

He tossed the rock and it landed in one of the squares, number seven. He jumped as he was supposed to into the square at the end.

"Now what do I do?"

"Jump back the same way."

He jumped back as he was told and smirked.

"It's not hard at all."

"Just wait," I said with a grin.

I jumped down, and on my way back, scooped up the rock with ease, avoided the square, and arrived back at the start.

"Now I throw it, and you have to pick it up on your way back, but you still can't step in the original square the rock was in, or the new one. And since this is so easy for you, you have to keep the spaces memorized."

"That'll be fairly easy."

I threw the rock with it landing a couple spaces away from the original space and he hopped over with ease, not landing in either of the two spots.

"And you throw the rock for me."

He picked the rock up and threw it back, landing it on a square towards the front. With my two spaces spaced out, thirteen and four, it would be an easy task to jump across.

"It's getting pretty late, I wonder what's taking them so long?" Sebastian asked in a low whisper.

"Should we go look for them? Ciel said he wouldn't be long…"

"Yes, usually my young lord is precise about things, but they aren't back yet even though he said he would be back by now."