A
Family Outing
Okay. So, for being gone for so long, here's a funny chapter.
xxx
A dark, stagnant space. Hot breath visible in ice cold air. Pale, ghost lips panted. A white nightshirt slipping off emaciated shoulders. Sapphire eyes wide with abject fear. Demon fangs hissed in an ear. A pink tongue slithered, licking the outer lobe. Demon eyes beam, devouring the shaking figure. Hands wrapped to a fragile neck and squeezed.
A vase shattered on. Water splashed, and vase shards, and roses scattered across Ciel's Study Room carpet. "OW!" Ciel hissed seethingly, holding his fingers. Blood leaked from slit grazes in his fingertips. "Dammit to puss spewing, blood gutted Hell!"
"Nice work, clutz." Alliahnna mocked him, setting important business documents on the desk. "That's 500 pounds staining the floor."
"Oh stuff it!" He barked. He grit his teeth at the broken vase. The broken circular ridge dripped with traces of his blood. "Those idiots at the Florists sent me a vase with sharp edges."
"You're the one who wanted a brand new one." Alliahnna reminded him, dabbing his shallow cuts with a cloth. "Custom made, fresh from the oven, Babylonian in design." She summarized his outlandish request.
"Well they could have at least dulled the edges!"
"They were in the process when you showed up and DEMANDED," She mimicked his famous tantrum stomp, "They hand it over."
Ciel's crotchety brow bounced, a vein popping on his head. "You are my sister, not my legal counsel! My side is where you're supposed to stand." He more ordered than reminded her.
"My job is to stand by you, not massage your ego. I won't rub salt in your wound, if that helps." She pat his cheek twice. Ciel growled with all white eyes. Veins popped in his cheek and head. Her passive aggressive nature always boiled him over. "You cut yourself good." She remarked on the slowing yet still flowing blood.
"Not all of us can have nail like skin." He scoffed.
"Stop being such a baby." She extended his fingers. She brought her tongue toward the wounds. A tongue licked his ear. Ciel went rigid, eyes wide in horror. Alliahnna stopped, arching a brow at his apprehension. "You okay?"
"Uh-YES!" He cleared his cracked throat. "I'm-I'm fine! Forgive me." Alliahnna nodded. She found his behavior suspicious, but returned to his fingers. What did I see just now? Ciel interrogated himself. Alliahnna closed her eyes. What on earth am I thinking? She extended her tongue. Alliahnna's a demon but...but she'd never do such a thing. Would she?
Alliahnna's tongue slurped the blood in one, clean lick. A rapturous eruption tossed her aback. Her mind reduced to a sparkling blank. Ciel gasped, startled by her bending all the way back, dropping to her knees. She was squeezing his wrist for dear life. Ciel grasped her hand, felt her shaking uncontrollably. Her whole face was wide in utter disbelief. Her breath expelling shakily. Eyes trembling as if seeing a glorious dream posed as a nightmare.
"De...delicious..." She licked her lips.
"Alliahnna?"
"UGH!" Alliahnna broke back to reality. Ciel was leaning an inch from her. Both blinked perplexedly. "Are you the one feeling alright?"
"To be honest I was up late last night." Ciel grimaced dreadfully, concluding only one reason she'd be up late. A nauseating scenario of she and Sebastian in bed together made his skin crawl. Alliahnna saw the cinematic long before it left his prude lips and punched it out. "Sebastian went for a stroll in the garden, and I was thinking about the baby in Cambridge in the parlor. Nothing salacious." She admitted with her serious face.
"Oh really?"
"Yeah really."
"Oh really?!" He grit his teeth, leaning in.
"Yeah-really!" She snarled, pressing her forehead to his. The twins argued away, blissfully unaware of the two demons spying on them from the trees.
xxx
Zanosuke and Jasper watched the two play at their childish, sibling rivalry. It intrigued them how childish two grown adults could behave. The price of being siblings. One cannot be related to someone and not be reduced to their child roots. Jasper felt a slight twinge of disappointment in his boys. He doesn't remember Sebastian or Zanosuke behaving like this. In fact, if he recalled correctly, those two never crossed a hallway that wasn't destroyed by their arguing.
"You and Sebastian could stand to learn from them." Jasper partly teased. He wished they would learn from the Phantomhive twins. Zanosuke replied jaded scoff. "Come now. I fondly hoped you both buried your hatchet for Elizabeth and Alliahnna's sakes."
"Toleration and Forgiveness are not hand in hand." Zanosuke retorted contemptuously.
"Forgiveness for what?" Jasper cooed, tilting his head with a menacing smirk. Zanosuke tightened his lips, turning from his father with flushed cheeks. He did not seek forgiveness from Sebastian. Nor - he was confident - did Sebastian seek forgiveness from him. Not that there was anything to forgive. Nothing at all. "And that response is what officially initiates my plan. Oh, good!" Jasper beamed at the approaching coach. "Lady Elizabeth will surely enjoy this..." He trailed off, leaping to the grassy Phantomhive Grounds.
"Plan?" Zanosuke could not recall the last time he was so scared.
xxx
"HUUUH! A FAMILY OUTING?!" Elizabeth, Alliahnna, and Ciel chimed simultaneously, spoonfuls of pudding hanging from their mouths.
"Indeed." Jasper nodded firmly, wearing a sly smirk. "Forgive me if this sounds presumptuous, Lord Phantomhive, but I consider us all to be family." He uncurled a graceful hand to Alliahnna. "Alliahnna and Sebastian's relationship is blossoming beautifully. While he may be your butler, I feel it prudent to, at least, sprouted a bud in ours." He touched his chest, as if speaking from the bottom of his heart.
Zanosuke and Sebastian groaned dreadfully, sweatdrops hanging off the sides of their heads. "And you let him come up with this plan?" Sebastian chastised.
"Control over this inane man is nil." Zanosuke gave up managing his father long ago.
"This is where Sebastian's sly tongue comes from." Ciel stated deadpanned.
"Yep." Alliahnna replied just as stone faced.
Elizabeth was squealing, eyes twinkling like stars. "I find it to be a charming trait. Zanosuke has one too." Ciel and Alliahnna's heads just dropped, puffs of dreary breath exhaling. There was no end to the silver tongue Michaelis line.
"Hazardous ordeals have plagued your fair city left and right in the short weeks of your return, Lord Phantomhive." Jasper proceeded to sell his idea. Ciel, as a gentleman, allowed him to finish before coming to a decision. Despite already having an answer prepared. "I daresay you, your sister, and your lovely fiance have been granted not a solitary moment's peace to enjoy another's company." The trio exchanged glances. He made a good point. When they thought about it, they've spent hardly any time together at all. "Von Price, a mad woman with a camera, and now the Grim Reapers-" Sebastian and Zanosuke placed a hand to his mouth.
"Grim Reapers?" Alliahnna and Ciel, stiff as creaky boards, nervously glanced at the pondering Elizabeth. "You mean those ghouls with the sickles that kill you?" Ciel and Alliahnna's snapped glares caused lightning to strike Jasper, demanding he change the cleared his throat uneasily. Zanosuke and Sebastian have reminded him to watch his tongue near Elizabeth before. Only now is he realizing the direness of the request. He reached into his coat pocket and placed a brochure on the coffee table. The trio leaned forward, ogling the colorful pamphlet perplexedly. Queen Mum Springs. "Hold on…" Elizabeth trailed off, scooping the pamphlet. "Isn't this the resort that opened over summer?"
"Yes, Lady Elizabeth!" Jasper startled her, extending an exaggerated finger to her nose. He crossed his legs, leaning back on the couch with his arms draped out. "This weekend the lot of us are heading to a Hot Spring Resort where we will be pampered, spoiled, and be obligated to endure 72 hours of relaxation." Nothing out of the ordinary for noble families. "The key to this trip will be to reconnect and take appreciative value in the family still with us. Plus it'll ease the pressures of daily business life, and allow you to tackle it refreshed and energized." Zanosuke and Sebastian further dreaded the idea when he said it aloud. The very thought that they would be forced to suffer each other's company for an entire weekend sickened the brothers. It was nowhere near as humiliating as Jasper's confidence in this plan of his.
"Out of the question!" Ciel declined curtly. Jasper knit his irked brow, requesting Ciel give a reason. "Alliahnna and I are the Lord and Lady of this household, as well as owners and shareholders in numerous companies that demand our constant attention. We do not have time to be pampered, spoiled, and relaxed."
"To be fair the lot of us were pampered and spoiled from birth to now." Alliahnna slyly tossed her two sense. She and Elizabeth were spoiled rotten as kids. Ciel was pampered because of his - ahem - delicate features. Alliahnna exchanged glances with Zanosuke and Sebastian, looking for protest. The two knew better. As did she. One does not argue with Jasper Michaelis. Alliahnna wrapped her arms to Ciel's arm, "But I don't remember the last time we took a weekend to ourselves. A chance to relax without work arriving work ruining the mood sounds lovely. Don't you want to spend time with us, Ciel?" She pouted, pouring on her glossy blue eyes.
Elizabeth grinned like a cat, "Yes, Ciel," and mimicked Alliahnna, batting her big green eyes. "Don't you want to spend time with us?" Ciel's resolve tore like a flimsy piece of paper. An arrow sticking him in his waning pride. He blushed angrily, ashamed his resolve was weakening at the mercy of two pairs of huge eyes and flushed cheeks. It was beyond unfair to have two girls twisting his arm(s). Zanosuke, Jasper, and Sebastian silently applauded the Lady Pair. They were quite crafty.
Sebastian gave the weekend a bit more thought. His Lord was running himself ragged. Elizabeth and Alliahnna are certainly worrying themselves to sickness watching over him. Perhaps it would prove beneficial to the trio's health. After all, there time together is limited. Why not allow them this leisure?
"My Lord..." Sebastian approached, bowing with a hand to his chest. "This is a most rare opportunity when one thinks about it."
"Oh really?" Ciel sarcastically replied. He knew it. Jasper bought him. Also, the demon was undoubtedly looking for a chance to romance his sister.
"Lady Elizabeth, Lady Alliahnna, and Yourself simultaneously are free for the coming days, if I'm not mistaken."
Zanosuke was surprised by Sebastian. He was actually for Jasper's cocamamy plan. Time have changed, this it true. But he expected Hell to freeze and serve snow cones before Sebastian followed Jasper. The obvious reason for his acquiescence was too obvious. There's something cooking in Sebastian's skull. He intended to find out what.
"It is true, Lady Elizabeth. Come Monday, your schedule is full for a prolonged period."
"Then it's settled!" Elizabeth sprang from her seat.
"It is?" Ciel groaned, not deciding on anything yet.
"Today were are going to the resort!" She put knuckles to her hips, puffing her chest with her famous confidence. She guffawed obnoxiously loud, fully aware no one was about to argue with her. Ciel groaned defeatedly, touching his brow.
The scene scrolled sideways, and Ciel's disposition towards the enormous resort hadn't changed in the slightest. He had dread lines running all down his brow. Eyes completely void of life. Elizabeth and Alliahnna were the polar opposite. They were awe struck. Zanosuke and Sebastian were impressed, feeding Jasper's growing ego. Paula, Finnian, Bardroy, and Mey-Rin were oozing adulation. Tanaka was his usual ho-ho-ho self.
xxx
Long crimson hair wafted in the wind. Olive green eyes scanned the crowd beyond a pair of rectangular spectacles. A familiar crowd of people entered the fancy, outlandishly luxurious resort. "Hmph! Figures that rich, pompous brat would would use his position to get into a ritzy place like this." Daggers narrowed to dour Ciel. "And those morons are with him. Always so cheerful. TCH!" The servants were cheering and dancing like absolute children. "Then there's the trophy fiancee with her idiotically happy aide." The bright eyed noble girl was also in a tizzy, dancing with her aide. "The brother and father - handsome but dull." A couple of good looking men. So serious in looks. "Where-is-my-OH-HO-HO! There he is!" Hearts replaced the eyes. Rows of sharp teeth shown in a grin. The handsome face of a certain demon butler sent the red head's heart rocketing to the moon. "My Sebby all ready to shed the confines of his rather slimming suit...and dress in something less appropriate." He purr. He kept on like this and his head will explode. "Ohh…" Gloved hands outlined that perfect figure, stroking and caressing every inch of him. "Let me massage hot oils into that vivacious skin, then run myself up and over you like a-HUUUH! Not her again!" A fist clenched. The target of his love shared an enamored smile with a certain demoness. "GRAH! THAT LITTLE BITCH! Six years with him and she's suddenly entitled to him? I'VE KNOWN HIM LONGER! I've SEEN the true demon!" He chewed at his coat end, wishing it was Alliahnna's face. "Yet she's the one who gets to...and then they...GRRR!" He yanked rotor, revving the furiously whirling chainsaw. Grell rose to his feet, aiming the chainsaw directly at the wench of his aggravation. "Prepare yourself, whore! I will reclaim the man who is rightfully mine!"
xxx
Crossing a stone bridge past an auspicious archway crossed them into an all new world. A garden modeled after tranquil grottos in Japan. Cherry blossom trees, despite not being in season, sprinkled their petals all across the garden. All the way until they entered an open, wood floor lobby did the servants marvel. Alliahnna dna Tanaka guided them by the back's of their collars to ensure they don't trip or crash into anyone.
"Hello. Thank you for joining us." The hostess curtsied, charming Bardroy with her smile. Mey-Rin and Finnian elbowed him. Finnian flipped Hana's photo in his face, reminding him she's only a train and boat ride away. "Mr. Michaelis, correct?"
"Indeed." Jasper bowed his head. "We have four rooms. Each with three beds."
"We do?" Ciel and Zanosuke chimed monotonously.
"Very good. Let me show you to your rooms." The woman vacated her desk. "These fine gentlemen will be happy to help you with your bags." Four able bodied men slid on scene, saluting to their new prestigious customers.
"How did he book four rooms so suddenly?" Ciel whispered incredulously to Zanosuke.
"He never executes anything suddenly. He's been planning this."
"For how long?"
"That's the mystery." The pair of brothers grimaced at Jasper shamelessly flirting with the hostess. The rather redundant horns, pitchfork, and Hellfire emanated from him. Ciel felt his imp status be robbed right from under him. He'd claim saint, but Alliahnna was very possessive.
xxx
The rooms weren't as extravagant as Ciel, Alliahnna, and Elizabeth had come to expect due to their noble lifestyles. However, in a charmingly rustic quaint way, the lodgings were satisfactory. The deluxe suite rooms were roughly the size of a study. Plants, a view, beds big enough for two, and cute chocolates on the pillows. Emerald green, Maroon, and two-tone are the chosen decor aesthetic to set apart the rooms. Emerald green for the VIP guests. For Zanosuke, Jasper, and Sebastian had to admit their slight disappointment. They may be demons obligated to serve whomever bears their crest, but they expect a lavish lifestyle. Jasper in Particular. Paula, Mey-rin, and the others fell in love with their rooms. While their masters house them in leisure, having rooms of these quality made them sparkle.
The brightside had to be the rooms and the atmosphere of the resort. The deluxe chocolates didn't hurt their attitudes either. Rich, thick, a few cream filled or minty. The room assignments kind of killed the mood. Finnian, Bardroy, and Mr. Tanaka would be in one room. Mey-Rin and Paula would be spending time together. Jasper ensured he and his sons would be sharing a room. Leaving Ciel with Alliahnna and Elizabeth. Nothing too scandalous. The attendants certainly thought nothing of it. Especially when Jasper used aliases for Alliahnna, Ciel, and Elizabeth. Ciel has two sisters now, all under the name of Monroe.
"Poor, Sebastian." Alliahnna groaned drearily, sitting cross legged on the plush bed. The contempt emanating from Michaelis' room next door was suffocating. "He may tolerate his father and brother, but the idea of being trapped in a room with them for prolonged periods is one of his nightmares."
"He mutters in his sleep, does he?" Ciel snidely remarked, putting his change of clothes off to the side. It has not gone unknown to Ciel that Sebastian often sneaks to sleep beside Alliahnna. What is performed is a mental image he choose to abstain from. He confronted Alliahnna about it a short while ago. She didn't try to deny it.
"On the contrary, Little Brother, he is a very silent sleeper." Handsy but quiet. Too quiet. It kills her. He loves it when he keeps her in suspense. "And, if you must know," She strongly used if to deter him from prying, "Sebastian and I find time for exchanging pleasant conversation." Ciel's skeptical dot eyes drifted to the side. She snapped her fingers, erecting a finger at his cynical sneer. "Keep your mind out of the gutter."
"Hold on." Elizabeth paused unpacking her bags when a thought occurred to her. "You and Sebastian are a couple. Why are you not sharing a room with him?"
"We're not married, and we're not engaged." Saying that out loud was awkward. What precisely are you if you're not engaged? "Jasper's a stickler for traditions. So until Sebastian gets on one knee and a ring is on my finger, we sleep in separate rooms."
"Don't you sound hopeful." Ciel mocked her, wriggling a brow. "What would he think of your late night rendezvous?"
"How many times have I threatened your life since childhood?"
"Then why are Ciel and I allowed to be in the same room?" Elizabeth questioned the tactic behind them being put in the same room.
"You're engaged, and I'm the sister in the middle. By all accounts we're legit." She shrugged. "But if you two plan to get naughty, I'm leaving." Mad blushes exploded across their cheeks. They exchanged embarrassed glances, then glared daggers at Alliahnna. "All's fair in love and war." She held her hands shoulder height.
xxx
Sebastian's throat reverberated a rabid growl. He pressed erect fingertips to a pulsing vein in his forehead. "Please explain the logic behind room partners." He demanded of the resting Jasper. Zanosuke, glowering from his spot on a bed, wished to know the same thing.
"No call for aggression, Sebastian." Jasper trilled, sitting up. "You will be able to play with your lady beneath the sheets at a later time." The vein split into two. Were it he wasn't a composed man, Sebastian would tear that smug look off his face. Zanosuke, too, was becoming impatient with his father's equivocating. "My Dear Boys, you must have more faith in your father."
"We will once you divulge the method of this madness." Zanosuke declared.
"Come now. You both caught on to my plot."
"We caught on to your ploy at family bonding." Zanosuke rumbled, using bonding very loosely. "There is a grander scheme of things within that Devious mind of yours."
Jasper chuckled charmingly. His boys were too smart for him. "You caught me. There is a purpose behind this." Zanosuke and Sebastian stared him down, prying those tight lips open. When his expression turned serious the brothers became unnerved. There is a golden rule unwritten for Jasper Michaelis. As the perpetual smile fades, prepare to have your soul devoured. "Alliahnna."
"What of her?" Sebastian's brow knit.
"Do you love her?" Jasper austerely interrogated.
"A ridiculous question." He lividly answered.
"Is she your world away from the demon world?"
"Why are you asking? Reminiscing in your alpha male centuries?" Sebastian tried to turn the table.
"Would you risk your life for her again just as you did at Notre Dame?"
"Either you answer my questions or I evade yours!" Sebastian threw the ultimatum in his path, no longer amusing by the third degree heat of questions. "Whose worth are you seeking to test this time?"
"It is not a test of worth, Sebastian. But of loyalty." Jasper approached him in steady stride, deadlocking hard crimson eyes that have seen all seven Hells. Sebastian flattened his twitching palm, patting knives hidden on his person. "I shall answer your questions with a question. Does Alliahnna know the consequences of her transformation?" Sebastian's eyes widened with horror, heart plummeting in his stomach. Zanosuke's eyes spanned with surprise. Looking at Sebastian lower his ashamed head, Jasper received his answer loud and clear. "You haven't told her. There is a chance Ciel and Elizabeth and the others are in danger."
"I've already considered that!" Sebastian snapped. He refused to be lectured.
"If you've considered that," Jasper had Sebastian's back at the wall. Sebastian refused to falter, "Then it should have become pertinent to tell Alliahnna what you have gotten her into."
"She was well aware-"
"She was aware she would lose her humanity." Zanosuke stopped him before he dug his hole deeper. He sighed resignedly, despising what he was about to do. "Loss of humanity, seeming eternity as a demon, powers beyond her immature comprehension. Yet has she been informed of the downside to her curse."
Sebastian hissed through gritted teeth. "Still spying, Zanosuke? You disappoint me!" He bared his fangs.
"Alliahnna has expressed curiosity in devouring souls." He jabbed an accusing finger to Sebastian, stabbing him in the pride. "I have lost count how many times you've changed the subject." Sebastian remained silent, training ashamed eyes to the floor. A hand planted by his head. Zanosuke leaned in with hard eyes. Sebastian met them, not giving his elder brother the satisfaction of seeing him falter. "What hidden terrors keep you awake at night?"
"Truly that dialogue should be reserved for Alliahnna." Sebastian stepped forward, edging Zanosuke back. "And there is no horror left that I have not been exposed to."
"Then what is it that drives you to persistently lie to her?"
"Speaking of lies, how are you former charges?"
Zanosuke's eyes narrowed to hot pink slits. "Do not turn this on me!" Her bared his fangs.
Sebastian matched the glare. "Do not call me black when you are ebony!"
"ENOUGH!" Jasper's voice distorted in two. He approached, inserting himself halfway between them. Two powerful demons like them getting into a fist match would level it to a ground zero. "Need I remind the both of you that three people whom you respect and admire vastly are within earshot. Unless you wish for them to hear this sensitive topic." Sebastian and Zanosuke's hollering hissed to a grinding halt. Neither deviated to look at Jasper, heatedly awaiting for the other to falter. "It is not false my hopes are for the Phantomhives and their friends to treasure their limited time together." He stressed limited, strongly urging Zanosuke and Sebastian to remember why it is they went along with this plan. "But my reasons are also selfish." That captured his sons' attention. "The fact remains Alliahnna is adapting swiftly to her powers. As such they, as well as the insatiable appetite, will grow along with it."
"What are you proposing?" Sebastian conceded.
xxx
"HERE-I-GOOO!" Finnian ran, jumped, and tucked his legs in. A steamy tidal wave splashed to ceiling, and onto nearby patrons. Finnian poked his head above water, relaxing in heaven of the herbal bath. It was roughly the size of an olympic pool, allowing users to enjoy a bit of isolation while they relaxed. But Finnian's condition caused waves in the relaxation.
"Oye! Finny! Take it easy!" Bardroy hollered from a smaller sauna. A waitress handed him an Umbrella drink. He thanked her and she was on her way. Finnian practiced his backstroke and butterfly from one end to the other, spouting water like a swimming fountain. "You're supposed to sit in a hot tub, not swim in it!"
"Sorry! I can't help it!" He giggled like a schoolgirl. He swam to the edge, folding his arms on the drench stone. "I've never been in bath this size!" He grinned childishly to the ceiling. It was so high. The steam in the air all but masked it. "This place is too amazing."
"Ho-ho-hubbll…" Tanaka submerged his nose and mouth. A cool towel rested on his head. His glasses were fogged up.
"Why haven't we been to a place like this before?"
"You know the Young Master." Bardroy leaned back, spreading his arms to the edges. "He's not one for frivolous outings like this." He plucked the umbrella, twisting it pensively between his fingers. "Rather seek out dead bodies and be trapped in the manor all day."
"Can't really blame him." Finnian tapped a tiny puddle. "He's been gone for six years, trapped in his own mind. I'd stay home too."
"Thank goodness for the Lady Earl." Bardroy cackled, chugging the rest of his drink. "She and Lady Elizabeth were the perfect excuse to get him out the door."
"They always could twist his arm!" The two threw their heads back laughing.
"Speaking of lovely ladies," Bardroy scanned the men's bathing area, "Where are the Young Master and the others?"
"Not sure." Bardroy sipped his drink, melting in the tangy, richness swarming his tongue. "But I'm sure they're enjoying themselves."
xxx
SSNNAAP! "YOW!" Ciel yelped from the reclining chair. CRUNCH! "DAMMIT!" He fidgeted and wrestled wildly. CRUSH! "BLOODY HELL!" Two women were having fun massaging his feet and cracking his toes. Meanwhile a third one was grounding her fingers in his shoulders. "Can you be a little more gentle?!" Ciel fumed at them. His grey robe kept slipping from his frame the more he struggled.
"They already tried." Alliahnna responded, reading a novel while a couple of men massaged her back and legs. The upper half of her robe was folded back to her waist. "But you're so tense they weren't making a dent." She shivered in pleasure as hot oil was rubbed into her calves and lower back.
"Apologies, Young Master." Mey-Rin was lying on a table, seaweed draped over every inch of her. A body suit barred her womanly assets from flashing. "Lady Alliahnna makes a valid point, she does."
"She's right, Ciel." Elizabeth concurred with cucumbers on her eyes. Paula was beside her with cucumbers over her eyes. Both were submerged in boiling mud, facial mud coating the entirety of their faces, and strips of seaweed beneath their nostrils. Thier suits absorbed the heat, actually massaging soothing warmth into Icy hotness flooded the canals. "You even admitted you couldn't feel their initial contact."
"That doesn't give them permission to break me like a china doll!" The three women snickered evilly. Simultaneously, their fingers contorting like claws, they PRESSED!
xxx
"YYAAHH!" Jasper's knuckles hovered a hair from the door. He shuddered to enter the room. A place of luxury echoing with screams kind of contradicts the R 'n' R ambiance. Pressing his ear to the door, he heard the distinct sounds of giggling, and a young man howling in agony, followed by moans.
"What does one have to pay to have this treatment?" He purred wolfishly. He rapped three times on the door. "Pardon the intrusion." He casually entered, then stopped dead with an aghast gasp. Ciel was passed out in his chair with a ghost expunging from his gaping mouth. Robe was half off his bruised body. "Umm…" He trailed off, glancing between the snorting young women.
"My brother is too delicate for massages." Alliahnna laughed out loud.
"Ahh…" Jasper bobbed his head. Ciel does strike him as fragile. He and Alliahnna are the definition of polar opposites with the occasional similarities. One being their talent for subterfuge. "Lady Alliahnna. Please forgive my gall in advance." He bowed with fist to his stomach. "Might I partake in a private audience?"
"Huh…" Alliahnna gaped, utterly stunned. She was sincerely nervous. Jasper's never polite like this. Alliahnna partially closed her eyes, staring at Jasper suspiciously. He must need something.
"Is everything alright?" Ciel awoke from his coma.
"Everything is fine." Alliahnna assured him, properly robing herself. "Jasper and I are merely having one of our chats."
"Indeed, Lord Phantomhive." Jasper slyly snuck an arm around Alliahnna's shoulders. "As my future daughter-in-law, it is important we share moments together." A ping gleamed in his grin.
"EEEHHHH!" Everyone except Alliahnna cried out in shock, while she was beet red.
"ALLIE'S MARRYING SEBASTIAN?!" Ciel and Elizabeth shouted.
"CONGRATULATIONS!" Mey-Rin and Paula tossed rice in the air.
"WE'RE NOT GETTING MARRIED!" Alliahnna howled. A twinge sparked the back of her mind. A floor up and a few rooms over, a similar spark caused Sebastian's impeccable tea pouring skills to lose course and spill to the tray. Zanosuke sensed the disturbance too. "At least...not yet...I mean…" Her cheeks darkened to ruby red. Jasper stifled a menacing chuckle. Mey-Rin, Paula, and Elizabeth were sparkling with dreamy glee. Ciel growled in the back of his throat. A storm was brewing within him. Alliahnna avoided the conversation by grabbing Jasper's wrist and marching out. "EXCUSE US!" The door slammed before they could be stopped.
"I can't believe they're getting married!" Elizabeth squealed.
"THEY AREN'T!" Ciel roared. Not if he had anything to say about it. He's pleased they get on so well. But as a noblewoman - demon blood be damned - Alliahnna must marry someone of her stature.
xxx
To appear less conspicuous amongst the patrons, Jasper put on one of the yukata the resort offered. Though Alliahnna was sure wearing red with pink bunnies contradicted his plan. Alliahnna was tempted to sit three tables away. And it wasn't because the bunnies clashed with her yukata.
"Is it proper to assume Sebastian and Zanosuke did not get their fashion sense from you?" She half joked.
Jasper was baffled by the question. He turned out the collar, wondering what was wrong with it. "The young lady who gave this to me said it was very chique." He flashed a debonaire grin.
"Were you throwing yourself at said young lady?"
"Not throwing." Jasper grunted bashfully. Alliahnna rolled her eyes. She wanted him to go away. The man has no shame. Much like a certain Reaper she knew. Jasper cleared his throat. "Let us dispense with this awkward conversation. There is an important matter I needed to discuss with you." He decreed in the nick of time. A waiter set champagne glasses and an ice bucket carrying a bottle of champagne on the table. He poured them glasses and then excused himself. "How are you as of late?"
"I'm...okay…?" She answered confusedly. Where is this coming from all of a sudden?
"And your powers?" He swirling the champagne in his glass. Not a motion normally performed, but he indulged in the odd shapes. "How are they?"
"They're okay. A hassle, but okay." She shrugged indifferently. How else could she describe them? "At night it does feel like someone is drilling screws in my toes to my head."
"That would be your bones reinforcing themselves and the building muscles preventing them from breaking." He shifted uncomfortably in his chair, able to recall what it felt like when he was maturing. "There will be a number of discomforts before the demon fully adapts to your anatomy. Centuries of tedious hard work and nightly pains."
"Centuries, huh?" That's right. As a demon, her life will be seemingly endless. A mass of generations will come and die. The world reshaping in terrain, growing advanced in technology. People achieving feats drawn on paper. For a grandeur of time, she will see it all. Saying it out loud - after all she has seen, heard, and experienced, Alliahnna was disappointed she still believed in the impossible. Oddly enough, that didn't bother her. Maybe when those she loves die of old age it'll hit her. "A lot to process." Even if Ciel wasn't going to sacrifice his soul, she'd wind up being alone in a matter of short years anyway.
Jasper let off a nostalgic chuckle, distracting her from her train of thought. "Forgive me. It's been awhile since you and I had time to ourselves." Alliahnna was baffled by the random comment. "During the first days of our meeting, we always seemed to find places in Paris where we could speak.. Nowadays we hardly have time for one another."
Alliahnna understood where he was coming from. With all that has happened, and what surely will happen, Alliahnna isn't privy to relaxation with her friends. "To be honest I'm a little grateful for that." There is candor amid her reminiscing. Jasper is the only person she can think of that she wasn't comfortable being alone with."Our last one on one was a little awkward." If she remembers correctly, Jasper ambushed her in the restroom about Sebastian's birthday.
"Was it?" He crooned, feigning innocence. "You must pardon me then. It was not my intention." His submissive behavior is catching Alliahnna off guard. Why is he apologizing so often? He seemed disheartened by something as well.
"Um...can I be frank?"
"Of course."
"Is there something you want to say to me?"
"Why do you ask?"
"Because…" She leaned in on her elbows, sharpening her sights to his soft expression, "You haven't been yourself at all today."
"Oh?" Jasper's notorious grin spread ear to ear. Alliahnna felt chills as he seemed to return to his menacing nature. "And what is myself? Please elaborate." He crooned.
Alliahnna was in the spotlight now. Eluding the conversation would not be available to her. "How can I put this?" Jasper's not easily offended. However, Alliahnna didn't need to make the situation even more awkward. "You're a passive aggressive man with no knack for sugarcoating. In a polite - albeit menacing - fashion, you get your point across in a way the person on the receiving end is dealt a blow." Jasper stifled a scoff. She made it sound as it his words were actual swords. She too has a knack for not sugarcoating. Alliahnna's serious expression put him on the edge of his seat. "But when you don't approve of something or someone, those feelings are projected. You don't bother hiding them. You haven't since the day I met you. Except for today." She added curiously.
"Hmm hm hm." Jasper's shoulders bounced. The number of times she's impressed him. "Zanosuke was not exaggerating. You are perceptive." He released a held breath. A tension gripped Alliahnna. She went rigid, sitting on the edge of her seat. Jasper snapped his fingers. The drinks and nearby customers vanished when Alliahnna blinked. Wonder when I'll be able to do that. "Earlier in the morning," Jasper leaned back, crossing his legs and folding hands, "Ciel's blood stunned you in ecstasy."
Alliahnna's spine encased in ice. 'Blood dripping from Ciel's finger, she casually licked it, and the world went spiraling in a gorgeous array of color.' She swallowed a large lump. "What do you-"
"Ciel cut his finger this morning." He wasn't about to let her play dumb. This was too important. "You licked his blood and practically flew into rapture."
"You've been spying on me? On us?" She exclaimed heatedly. Why should she be surprised. Coupled with Zanosuke, Jasper's always taken background position on the world. Watching from a distance and only getting involved when it suits them. An unfair conclusion on Zanosuke's part. He's provided support in the past.
"Monitoring your growth." Jasper reiterated. Doesn't make it any better. Alliahnna matched his posture, bearing a harsh glare into his skull. "There is nothing more dangerous than a newborn." He needed her to understand. He hoped she would understand.
"Or a Phantomhive Earless with a taste for violence!" She roared. Jasper would give her that one. But she was far from a threat to him. "Does Sebastian even know you're talking to me about this?" The real question is: Why are you talking to me about this instead of Sebastian?
"SEBASTIAN is the one who allowed me to speak with you." Alliahnna ground her nails in her flesh. "My son loves you far too much to act on his duty as your guardian."
"He's not my guardian!" Not anymore.
"He is Ciel's butler. But as the one who blooded you, it is his sworn duty to ensure you keep your mind, body, and appetites in check!" Jasper stressed the difference between her and Ciel. He is sworn to obey Ciel, but he is duty bound to manage Alliahnna. "He has done well thus far. Unfortunately, his desire to spare you the horrors of your circumstance have made him neglectful of a demon's worst handicap. Hunger."
"Is the hunger really so dangerous?" In spite of everything she's experienced, Alliahnna held doubts in certain areas. Being hungry was one of them.
Jasper understood her skepticism. He too was doubtful at first. Steadily doubts became as nonexistent as coincidences. "In his first century as a demon, Zanosuke devoured the entire family of his Master. Sebastian devoured a caravan of performers." Jasper's eyes ignited blazing pink. "During the years of Egypt's plagues, I was the one to steal the life of the eldest children. I could not allow the Almighty one to have all the good souls." He added with a hungry grin. Alliahnna sank in her seat. Absolute horror gripped her. "To call hunger dangerous is to say gun's are indiscriminate. The best of us have succumbed to this hunger. Some were eliminated to preserve and spare the human race. Without humans around, demons will cease to exist little by little. " He stroked the length of his arm, as if assuaging a scar. "I understand you wish to play as a human. To live in the past when all was normal in the world. But I am afraid those days are done and over." Alliahnna glanced away shamefully. She was hoping it wasn't obvious. For Elizabeth and Ciel's sake she needed to keep it quiet. She hugged her elbows, sinking in her seat. Jasper rose from the chair. He strolled to Alliahnna, placing his hands to her shoulders. "I do not tell you this out of malice or ill-will. It is simply my code to prevent unnecessary deaths." He turned her head by the chin, tilting her head to meet his sincere gaze. "One day you will get a taste for a soul. The desire for them will grow the more your eat. It will be up to you to control it." It will be up to her. How she was growing to despise that. Everything - her control, her family, her urges - rested on her shoulders. England may very well be in danger because she decided to return. Jasper pat her shoulder, sensing she received the message. "If you'll excuse me." He snapped his fingers again. Idle rambling of returned customers filled the restaurant. Bodies walked by, leaving the disheartened Alliahnna alone in the bustle. She touched a hand to her forehead, hiding the absolute rage she planned to unleash upon Sebastian when she finds him.
xxx
Roughly an hour later, feeling her treatment setting in firmly to her stress battered body, Elizabeth returned to her room. She threw herself to the plush bed, practically melting in the cloud like softness forming to her. The only thing that would make this perfect would be chocolates and a bottle of champagne. Paula joined her to give her some company. While the young noblewoman may be relaxed from her spa treatment, Paula knew Elizabeth well enough to know when she's upset.
Ciel decided to go for some fresh air after the masseuses practically broke him into pieces. And possibly went to see the on site chiropractor. He walked with a hunch the entire way. Mey-Rin voluntarily left afterwards to go relax in a hot bath at her room. Bardroy and the boys were gorging themselves at the buffet so she would have time to herself for a while. Leaving Elizabeth and Paula to have a bit of time to themselves. Giving Paula enough time to hear several somber sighs and watch Elizabeth's eyes lose their illustrious glow. And Paula was confident it had something to do with Ciel and Alliahnna.
"Pardon my prying, Lady Elizabeth." Paula casually sat beside her, leaning back on a hand. "Why aren't you spending time with the Young Master?" Elizabeth tensed at the question, burying half her face in her arms. Her emerald eyes glossy with sadness. "This trip is for you, he, and Lady Alliahnna. Why are you not with them?"
"Because I had Ciel while Alliahnna was gone." She croaked, swallowing a large lump in her throat. She sat up, hugging a pillow to her chest. "After Alliahnna left for Paris, Ciel and I felt a huge hole where she used to be. She never wrote, never made time for a visit." That hole still existed, and it wasn't closing. "He thought about her and worried about her everyday. Wondered when she would return, or if she was even alive." Elizabeth feared the same situation until she arrived to Paris. Every morning when she wakes up, she fears Alliahnna won't be there. "The day Ciel was taken from us - before she returned to Paris - the sorrow radiating from her made me realize that I may have lost a fiance, but she lost her other half and best friend." The only real family she has left in this life. "I want them to be able to spend as much time together as possible. Without me getting in the way."
"Preposterous!" The door burst open.
"Ciel!" Elizabeth squeaked, blushing bright red. Paula nonchalantly cleared her throat, backing to the wall.
Ciel strolled on in, letting Paula exit as she possibly could. He put his hands to his hips, glowering disappointed at Elizabeth. She cowered behind the pillow, feeling like that child about to be scolded by her father. "While I appreciate the sentiment, have you considered what truly made our childhood special?"
"Special?" Elizabeth repeated, tilting her head.
"Mine and Alliahnna's time was interrupted, yes." Interrupted because of pride, resentment cast in the wrong direction, and serious lack of faith. They lost nine years. "While we cherished our time together, she always expressed delight whenever you inserted yourself." He flashed a warm smile. "Saying the days are brighter whenever you're there."
"Really? She said that?" Elizabeth lit up like holiday lights.
"She did." Ciel sat with her on the bed, placing a hand to her shoulder. "Alliahnna and I are brother and sister. This is true. However, it wouldn't be quite the same if you weren't apart of our lives."
"Ciel…" Elizabeth was on the verge of tears.
Ciel tenderly took her hand in his. "I cherish the time I spend with my sister." He kissed the top of her hand. "But the sun won't shine as brightly without you."
"Oh...CIEL!" Elizabeth threw her arms around him. Ciel tenderly wrapped his arms around her waist, holding her closely. "Alliahnna and I are truly lucky."
"Don't you ever forget it."
xxx
The objective of visiting a Spa Resort is to rest, relax, and put all of your stresses behind you for the duration of your stay. Sebastian was able to do anything BUT. He wandered through the hallways of the guestrooms, fingers pressed to his throbbing forehead. The stress of his brother and father were aging him by several decades every second. It was a moot point now ever coming to the resort. No way he was going to be able to get any relaxation done. Not with the knots tying every muscle and bone. Perhaps a quiet stay in his room would alleviate some of this stress. Thankfully Zanosuke decided to make himself scarce some time after that interesting conversation with Jasper.
"Perhaps Alliahnna is correct about my old age." He mumbled heatedly.
A door opened and a hand clamped to his wrist. Sebastian was yanked into a room before he could react. He stumbled to stay on his feet. Twisting around he drew a handful of knives. He stopped with a shocked expression. A firm grip crushed the doorknob as if it were a tin can. A very enraged Alliahnna trapped him in the room. She shut the door easily so not to disturb the other guests. Sebastian has only seen her angry on occasion he can count on one hand. The steady, jadedly controlled strides she took to reach him resounded like thunder. Sebastian sheathed the knives, sighing resignedly to the storm already on his shore.
"Jasper has told you."
"Which only fuels my irritation since, once again, a third party relays information my the supposed lover is supposed to give me!"
"What do you mean supposed?" He retaliated offensively.
"The day I met you you've always done this!" Back then she appreciated Sebastian's silence. Today she feels cheated. "I pour my heart and soul out to you while you selectively tighten your lips."
"I do not not tighten my lips!" He growled. "I merely...wish to spare your feelings."
That is the final prick in her pride. She can't look at him whilst he looked down at her. "Why do you still treat me like a child?" She mumbled, biting her rancor. Alliahnna was not going to allow his famous silver tongue to weasel him out of this.
"I would never-"
Alliahnna whipped around suddenly, grabbing him by the collar and shoving him against the wall. "ENOUGH!" She roared, boring her hateful, glowing pink eyes. Sebastian was astonished by her strength. It was growing faster than he anticipated. "The Trancy Demons and now the hunger - twice have you kept secrets to spare my feelings! Long before that, secrets were kept because of my fragile feelings." She was disgusted using her and the word fragile in the same sentence. "Children have fragile feelings. Housewives and Deadbeat Fathers have fragile feelings. ARTISTS have fragile feelings!" She flared hot pink eyes. "I am not fragile!" Sebastian swallowed his sugar words, bowing his head remorsefully. "Why...did you...not tell me about the hunger?" She shook him between words.
"My reasons remain the same. With one addition." He cupped a hand to her cheek. "With all I have stolen, that which I will soon steal," Ciel's Soul, "It would mortally wound me to curtail this precious time." And his silver tongue won again. Alliahnna was beginning to feel selfish and very unreasonable. She may be able to read Sebastian, but much of his text was ambiguous. "Are you still upset with me?" He smirked teasingly.
"I'm always upset with you." She rasped. Sebastian chuckled woflishly, tenderly locking his lips to hers.
"THAT'S-THE-LAST-STRAW!" The closet slammed open, cracking the wall. Shrill whirring spoiled the moment. Fire infused eyes, razor sharp gritting teeth, and a very evil aura wafting long red hair froze Sebastian and Alliahnna like deer in headlights. Both wondered the same thing.
"Grell...?" Alliahnna trailed.
"How long have you been in there?" Sebastian finished irritably.
"Long enough to see this hussy throw her grubby paws all over you!" Waterfalls of tears flowed down his cheeks. Hussy? Alliahnna repeated offended. "How can you stand to have this filthy demonlet all over you," He exaggeratedly threw himself into a sexy pose, mounting his revving chainsaw, "When you can have a real woman writhing beneath you?" He purred foxily. The chainsaw revved a couple times to entice.
"What the Hell are you even doing here, Grell?" Alliahnna got off Sebastian. "We came here to relax. Not be subjected to more of your delusions." Sebastian fixed his uniform, disgruntled Grell's unnecessary interfered with his pleasure.
"I was here to work!" He pushed off. Sebastian and Alliahnna split up. The chainsaw sliced into the floor, ravaging the carpet. He swept to the side, prompting Alliahnna to jump away. "Now I'm adding a little pleasure to my business!" Grell took a defensive position before Sebastian, erecting his whirling chainsaw to a growling Alliahnna. He cackled crazily, raising the chainsaw. "I'll not have those pretty lips touching my man's."
The number of veins popping in her head erupted volcanoes. "Let me draw the line in the stone since you clearly possess little respect for the boundaries!" Literally from nowhere she drew her sword. The gleam was as sharp as her glare. Sebastian loves that look. "Sebastian does not partake in the company of a gender confused MAN WHORE!"
Man whore! Man whore! Man whore! Grell descended in the insult's echo. He burned out like a whick. A shine in his glasses hid his infuriation. Kanji characters wrote DEATH along the chainsaw. Alliahnna's eyes glowed bright pink. Lettering for KILL imprinted her blade. Sebastian calmly excused himself before anyone could notice.
"Sebastian!" Ciel barked, finally finding his wayward butler. "Where have you been?"
"Forgive me, My Lord." Sebastian bowed apologetically. "There was a sensitive matter I needed to take care of." BOOM! An earthquake rooted the pair in their place. "And...that would be the matter taking a destructive turn." He opened the door. A strong gust of wind dumbstruck Ciel and Sebastian. A gaping hole with a missing Grell and Alliahnna sent a chill down their spines.
Ciel groaned dreadfully. Dread lines hung to his brow. "Do I even want to know what happened?"
"Sometimes, My Lord, ignorance does offer bliss."
"Will my ignorance force me to pay for damages rendered?"
"Most likely."
"Then fill me in on the way."
xxx
Chipper women and men done with their day of relaxation exited the resort, eager to return later on in the year for the December Winter treatment. The regime was still on the drawing board, but it promises to be an excellent treatment.
A woman, giddy at her time spent with her boyfriend, bumped into a suited man with piercing olive eyes. The gleam of his glasses sharpened his hard stare. "Pardon me. Sorry." Her boyfriend guided her around, leading her to the carriage waiting for them. The man bounced his glasses with a pair of tree trimmers, obscuring the disdain for the human, stress outlet.
"Oh come, come, dear Will. Loosen up." Pale hands with outlandishly long, grey fingernails snapped to Will's shoulders. Undertaker peered around him, brimming with uncontainable joy. "This is a place to enjoy one's self and indulge in guilty pleasures. Walk in there as stiff as you are and you'll scare everyone away."
"I am not here for guilty pleasures or to indulge in meaningless human trifles." Will grunted irritably. "Reaper Sutcliff is late with his report. Likely goofing off in celebration of a hard day's work."
"And what's so wrong with that?" Undertaker flapped his long sleeve. "Back in my days as a Reaper I always flitted away to a beach side for my R 'n' R."
"Will all due respect times change, as do tolerances for work ethics."
Undertaker sighed dismally, conceding the issue. Once William T Spears sets his mind to a decision, Hell has frozen over twice before he decides to change it again. "Well then, while you look for your man," Undertaker showed a brochure for a deep foot massage with complementary wine, "I'll be enjoying my guilty pleasures as a retiree."
BOOM! CRASH! AAHH! Undertaker and Will paused before heading off. The resort was ransacked with chaos. A handful of people ran out screaming their heads off. Some clothed, others with bubbles blocking their private areas. Will snapped a hand to a racing man. The bubbles near his manhood were dissolving so Will had no intention of keeping him for too long. Human anatomy is very vulgar and repulsive to him.
"What is happening inside?"
"Some girl and this redhead freak are destroying the place!" He shrieked.
"Can you be a bit more descriptive of the redhead and girl?"
"THE GIRL HAS A SWORD AND THE REDHEAD HAS A CHAINSAW!"
Undertaker and Will exchanged blank stares. Two individuals come to mind. A madman with flaming red hair, and an even crazier girl with piercing blue eyes. A few more crashes and booms, coupled with screaming people running out, the resort was in danger of being leveled to nothing.
"So the stray is going to cause me mountains of paperwork once again." Will's brow bounced. He grunted impatiently in the back of his throat. "And here I was hopeful for a quiet day." He stormed heatedly for the resort.
"On second thought," Undertaker scampered for the entrance, "Perhaps I'll join you. This promises to be an interesting day."
xxx
"LOOK OUT!"
"AAAHHH!"
A nail stylist and woman screamed and jumped to the sides. Allianna back flipped onto the station. Grell laughed like a crazed man, twisting the chainsaw back. He swung with all his strength. Alliahnna leapt into the air. The chainsaw cut a hand display clean apart. Alliahnna touch her feet to the ceiling. She aligned the sword and dove. Grell retracted the chainsaw and sprang out of the way. The sword broke ground, getting stuck a few feet in. The salon cleared out in seconds. Curious, yet frightened, spectators watching from the huge hole in the wall at the brawling pair. Men who are supposed to provide security were too scared to approach, unsure how to disarm a sword wielding girl and chainsaw wielding loonatic.
Grell snuck up beside her, bringing the revving weapon down. Alliahnna abandoned her sword crouching to evade. Grell shifted the chainsaw, coming down like a sword. The blades were a hair from her skin. Hand clamped to the chainsaw's sides. Alliahnna lost her footing, hitting the ground with a loud thud. Grell put both hands to the hilt and pressed down. His reaper strength outmatched Alliahnna's demon strength, but she was holding her own as she normally does. Alliahnna slid down, letting the chainsaw hit ground. Grell was thrown off balance by the sudden change. Alliahnna sprang up, smashing her head into his nose. Grell ignored the throbbing blood trickling. He grabbed a handful of Alliahnna's hair and lifted her off the ground. He flipped her over his head and slammed her on the floor inches from the sword. The wind left her lungs on contact. The world blinded with stars. Grell dragged the chainsaw along the ground, going for her neck. Alliahnna threw herself forward, prying the sword by a pinky. Her hair was falling in place and she saw several inches missing. She pulled Grell's hair out and took an equal chunk of hair. Grell howled in outrage. She's crossed a line.
"I'LL MAKE YOU PAY FOR THAT, HORRID BITCH!" Grell surprised her with a full force ram, throwing the chainsaw up. Alliahnna stumbled to retaliate, bringing her sword up and meeting the chainsaw. Her back hit the table. Grell pressed the chainsaw to her sword. Alliahnna kept a palm to the blade, pushing against Grell's ridiculous strength. Sparks flared in every direction. Vials of nail paint broke on her back, soaking the robe to her skin.
"I've warned you about getting too close to my man, Alliahnna Phantomhive!" Grell frothed at the fangs, pouring the pressure on Alliahnna's struggling arms. "Sending him your pretty head may sway him to my side."
Alliahnna growled through grit teeth. She pushed up and shoved the chainsaw into the table. The blades got stuck in the strong pine. Alliahnna leaned on the table and kicked Grell in the ribs, sending him into the wall. Lotions and other products broke on his head, dousing his long locks with an assortment of creams. "When are you going to get it?!" Alliahnna ran up and pivoted to a stop. "SEBASTIAN IS MINE!" She thrust her sword for the middle of his brow.
Grell caught the sword by the blade, yanking Alliahnna in. A devastating punch to her face launched through a glass window. She broke through a wooden railing, splashing in a pond of koi fish. Grell hoisted his chainsaw over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. He strutted nonchalantly past the shattered glass, tauntingly admiring the drenched girl with a fish on her head. Alliahnna ripped the fish off her head, sick of the tail beating her in the nose. Grell put a hand over his mouth, laughing at her embarrassing state.
"You, sir, have got to be the most irritating ginger I've ever met in my life!" Alliahnna roared.
"Now, now, Dear, get too surly and those girlish looks will wither." He flipped his hair, flaunting said looks he believes he has. Alliahnna growled rabidly. She steamed the water to a boil. "Has that water cooled you off at all?" Grell crooned mockingly.
"It's quite lovely, now that you mention it!" Alliahnna lunged and grabbed his ankles. "COME TRY IT!" Grell yelped as he was hauled in. A tidal wave of wave doused the whole garden in water.
xxx
Ciel and Sebastian ran in hearing the splash. Aside from the water everywhere nothing was out of the ordinary. Although they heard loud grunting coming from ahead of them.
"By the noise we heard on the way here, Grell and Alliahnna must really be tearing each other apart." Ciel shuddered.
"It happens." Sebastian sighed dismally, scratching the side of his head. "Those two fight worse than warring prisoners. It gets rather ugly."
"Ugly is putting it rather mildly, isn't Sebastian?" A familiar chortle made the pair glance back. Undertaker gleefully waved at them with his long sleeves. Will kept behind him, refusing to be within two feet on the mongrel and his charge. "Jolly good to see you both again."
"Undertaker, what...treat." Ciel strained to greet the creepy man politely. He noticed Will glaring daggers at Sebastian from behind him. "And who's the gentleman who wishes to hang my butler by a noose?"
"Gentleman and noose are too kind of terms to describe our history, My Lord." Sebastian bounced an irritated brow at the dour reaper. "This man is the man Alliahnna was hoping wouldn't set foot in England with Undertaker and Grell. Will T. Spears."
"It would appear Alliahnna is going to be aggravated twice in the same day." Ciel felt sorry for his sister. The number of people she is acquainted with ale to how many have a sour history with her. "Why are Grim Reapers at a spa resort anyway?"
"No doubt someone met their end whilst relaxing in their bath." Sebastian assumed.
"That is none of your concern, human!" Will snapped at him. Ciel and Sebastian expected an answer like that. Undertaker cackled in the background. He loved it when Will met up with Sebastian. The sparks really fly. "Now tell us where your stray has diverted Reaper Sutcliff so we may be on our way."
"Stray?" Ciel scoffed. "Surely you aren't talking about Alliahnna in such a disrespectful manner." He warned the reaper, caring very little of his supernatural prowess.
"The stray is not worthy of my respect, human." Will taunted the powerless human. Ciel bit his lip. How dare he speak of his sister in this way. "Now either inform me where she and Grell are, or step aside."
"HOW DARE YOU! THIS IS DRY CLEAN ONLY!" Grell's cacphonus shriek echoed.
"ADD IT TO YOUR WATER COLORS!" That was Alliahnna. They were past the small bridge. Ruffles of water splashed on shore. Ciel shuddered to think what lied on the other side of that bridge. But if it'll get rid of Will, he'll climb a tree and jump into a five foot pond.
"STUPID SLUT!"
"MANWHORE!"
"DROP DEAD DEMON!"
"STANDARDLESS GENDER BENDER!"
Ciel, Sebastian, Undertaker, and Will filed to and along the bridge. No surprise. Grell and Alliahnna had each other in headlocks, pulling hair, and biting flesh. They kicked water all over the place. Tried to drown one another a couple of times. Then it dwindled down to spitting water in each other's eye. Animal fights were more sophisticated than this pair.
Grell and Alliahnna smashed foreheads together, shooting sparks between their glares. "I should have sawed you in half when you were buying that dress!"
"In half or in pieces, Sebastian would take a dog over you!"
"Ahem!" Ciel cleared his throat. Alliahnna and Grell turned their colliding heads. They gaped in awe. Sebastian and Undertaker waved impishly while Ciel and Will were disappointed two grown adults were behaving like children.
"WILL!" Grell swooned with hearts in his eyes. Alliahnna was left to hit the water. Grell leapt out of the water, wrapping his arms to the stoic reaper. "I knew if I waited long enough you'd come to see me." He ground his hips and rubbed his cheek to Will. "I've missed you these last couple of days."
"At least someone misses him." Alliahnna was helped out by Ciel. She wrung out her hair, seething at Will. "Why is it whenever Grell rears his flaming head your decide to show up?" She spat at him.
"It is not by choice, I assure you." Will huffed, shrugging Grell off and back into the pond. "Grell was sent to acquire a mark, I am here to acquire the second one."
"Second one?" Grell poked out of the pond. "The ledger spoke of one."
"A new one recently added itself. It should be in your ledger."
While Grell scoured his Death Ledger, Undertaker approached Alliahnna, pinching her soaked robe. "I always seem to find you drenched to the bone, My Lady." He purred, scrolling lecherous eyes over the robe. It hugged her assets nicely. "Not that the sight isn't pleasant, but should a lady of your stature be seen so scantily clad."
"Have you forgotten that I bear no shame in my appearance?" She cleverly countered. Undertaker and Ciel bobbed their heads. Sebastian chuckled roguishly. That's his lover for him. "Why are you here anyway?" She questioned curiously. Undertaker rarely leaves his shop. It must be something important. "Not that we aren't happy to see you, but this doesn't strike me as your scene."
"This is the only facility in England that sells marmite from all over the world." Alliahnna and Sebastian should have known it was something simple. Undertaker boasted he went to Germany to eat a barrel of new chocolate they made. "Perhaps the next time you need my services, I'll be happy to share some with you."
"Let us dispense with all these sickening pleasantries." Will hoisted Grell out of the pond, throwing him at the wall. Right after Grell found the new name added. "Let us locate our mark and put an end to this tiring day. The stench of this mongrel and stray are defiling my spectacles." Sebastian and Alliahnna grunted, sick and tired of Will's I art better than thou attitude towards demons. "Hurry and clean yourself up, Grell. No doubt the Stray's stench has clung to you like rotting meat on a hog." Arguing with him will only please him. So, a devil's grin stretching her lips, Alliahnna motioned a hand for Sebastian to lean close. Sebastian lent her his ear. Her bordering hand muffled her whisper. There was a twinkle in Sebastian's eyes. He stifled a chuckle behind a curled finger. Alliahnna arched an impish brow, earning a cat grin nod from Sebastian. She slid off scene while everyone was busy with Will. "Let us hurry and find the subject in question." Will pressed, that disgusted glare sternly locked on target. "The sooner we abandon this vermin rabble, the sooner my day brightens."
"OH WILL~" Arms wrapped to his shoulders and legs to his waist from behind. Grell shrieked in abject horror. The background behind him disintegrated by thunder. "You say just the sweetest things." A flushed faced Alliahnna cooed. She purposefully ground her boobs into his back. Ciel and Elizabeth was dumbstruck with gaping mouths. She bounced his glass playfully, "Why do you cease being coy and admit how you really feel?" Undertaker, pulling a camera out of nowhere, snapped a couple of photos for his own personal amusement. "You missed us this past year. I know I-missed-you." She poked his cheek, winking a heart." Zanosuke and Jasper were impressed. Sebastian was okay with this. Normally his jealousy would crack the roof. That's when they saw his sly smirk. He and the fanwing lady demon planned this. "
A gleam hid Will's rising irritation. "If you do not remove yourself from my person with all haste I will be forced to demean myself and remove you." Will stated flat, simply, and jadedly.
"Ask Sebastian." She put her lips to his ear. "I like it rough."
"That's quite enough, I think." Ciel clapped his hands, bringing the attention to him. "Our time at this lovely resort must come to a halt, I'm afraid." He glanced grudgingly at the damage rendered by Grell and Alliahnna's struggle. "Sebastian, escort Alliahnna to her room and help her make herself decent. I'll talk to the receptionist about the damages done." And so the stress ties him back in knots.
"Of course, My Lord." Sebastian bowed. He extended a hand. Alliahnna jumped off Will and gladly accepted Sebastian's hand. The two waved tauntingly to Will then disappeared inside the resort. Undertaker and his fellow reapers took their leave as well. They couldn't leave sooner.
"Ugh…" Ciel massaged his throbbing temples, "I need a vacation away from this vacation."
xxx
A quick bath, lather and rinse soap from her hair, Alliahnna was clean, dressed, and ready to return home the second the carriage arrives. Sebastian was over the trip as well. Nothing relaxing happened the entire day. Alliahnna threw herself to the bed, folding her arms behind her head. "I can't believe this! Of all the people to show up." She frothed at the ceiling. "Does Jasper plan these things? Or is this a result of lack of planning?"
"Perhaps it is both." Sebastian sat beside her. "Jasper never was one for tact." He leaned on a hand, hovering over her with an adoring smile. "Much like another whom I am well acquainted," He walked two fingers up her stomach, "His love of improvising lands him with mud on his face." He tapped her nose. Alliahnna pouted her lips. Her cheeks flushed pink. Sebastian brought his nose inches within hers. "The difference being he does not possess a faithful dog to lick said mud off." To play on his little metaphor, Sebastian slowly ran his tongue up her cheek. He chuckled when she groaned at him. She reminded him of little girl, red in the face for being toyed with. "The more you make these adorable faces the more I want to tease you. You're just too much for me to resist." He gushed elatedly, rubbing his cheeks in her chest.
"Why do you still call him Jasper?" She sounded sad by his decision to call his technical father by his name. "I know what he's done, but he's looked after you and Zano for years."
"Precisely why he will never be more than the man who blooded me." Sebastian growled. "You of all people should appreciate my decision."
"I know. But..." She broke character and rolled Sebastian on his back, lying on top with a sad look in her eye. She twisted a lock of his hair nostalgically. "When I first met you...remember how I made you wear that bag over your head?"
A tender chuckle escaped. "It was an odd request."
"It was because you look like our Father." She lied her chin on his chest, losing herself in that mournful nostalgia. "Sometimes I thought you were him, thinking he came back for me. Instead I get a sadistic demon lover with a fetish for cats."
"And I managed to procure to most adorable, if not incorrigible tease, of a kitten." A sneaky gaze made his eyes glow. "That makes a cute noises when I do this." He snuck a finger under her skirt and poked.
"HA...!" She bit on her finger to stifle the noise. Sebastian's moving fingers riled her hips, rocking them side to side. Squeaks and moans betrayed her. The feel of her grounding into his hips sent him spiraling.
"And she purrs as I pet her. My Lady, how is it you seduce me to the brink?"
"It's...not...purposeful..." She spoke between resisting moans. The fingers relieved her, slithering to her lower back. "Hnn...you really are one Hell of a sadist."
"It is as you said earlier," He cupped her cheeks, pulling her close, "You enjoy my rough play." Alliahnna gritted her teeth, growling in the back of her throat. Her ploy against Will was working against her. Sebastian locked his lips to her, drowning in her warmth. Alliahnna's fingers curled, pulling at his coat.
Knock, knock, knock. "Lady Phantomhive, the carriage is here." Sebastian and Alliahnna grunted heatedly, shooting daggers at the attendant beyond the door. "It is due to depart within half an hour."
"Thank you! You may go!" A vein popped her irately bouncing brow.
"As you will, Lady Phantomhive." The man left her and Sebastian. Good timing. Sebastian had knives ready to pierce the door. Alliahnna was having a difficult time steadying the hand.
"How is it someone with enough patience to deal with Ciel has none for an attendant?"
"Ciel is my master. I am duty bound to maintain a level of patience." He sat up, holding Alliahnna in his lap with one hand. "For the who interrupt US, my patience does not exist." He massaged her back. "Our time is seemingly eternal, but it can pass in a blink."
"Especially for an old man." She sniggered.
"You'll be there one day."
"Until then," Alliahnna stood, stretching and cracking her back, "Let's savor the time now. Not too much though. I'd hate for you to get tired of me."
"That, My Dear Lady, will never happen." Sebastian fixed his uniform as he rose to his feet. "Shall we depart?"
"Grudgingly." Alliahnna added with a sigh. "The thought of work waiting is stiffening my shoulders again."
"Would you like me to massage them?" He purred with his crow grin.
"As long as you stay at the shoulders." She smirked slyly at him. "I think Ciel finds our public display repulsive."
"Oh, once again, you torture me." He pretended to swoon. "My discipline wanes befores you."
"What kind of butler loses discipline?" She teased, opening the door.
"Have you met my family?" He quizzed, sauntering out.
"A whole thousand years in a nutshell." Alliahnna trailed after him, closing the door.
Not much to this chapter. Oh well. Wasn't intended to be.
Till next time.