Thank you for your most wonderful reviews, I hope you continue to enjoy this story, just writing this chapter I have come up with some new ideas that I hadn't had before, so prepare for some twists and turns at some point *wink wink* expect the unexpected haha.
Chapter Eleven:
His master really was very mean to him, Sebastian had decided as he strode down the partially flooded streets of the city, looking for his target. He had known from the off that he would have to fulfil Ciel's order sooner or later; he had simply hoped that it could have been left until after the flooding had receded.
Having swam across the grounds to reach a speck of road that wasn't flooded, Sebastian had then continued onto the city, drenched; shivering and bloody cold! And it turned out that the city wasn't much better than the Estate, the pathways were water logged, the roads saturated and the cobbles slippery.
He had to constantly remind himself that he was a butler of the Phantomhive household, and that he should be able to complete his master's wishes with ease. However, the Young Master, seemed to draw some sadistic pleasure from trying to make him suffer and he had come to the conclusion that Ciel didn't give a damn whether or not he was half-human, half-demon or the Devil himself.
The amber eyed male had speculated that perhaps he was being tested. Well, they were damn horrible tests at that.
He ascended the bell tower with haste, glad at least that the building provided a little shelter for him from the worst of the prevailing winds and rain. He reached the top and concealed himself in the shadows as he observed the young thing before him.
Magenta hair ran loose around his shoulders, magnificently bright coloured eyes glinted and flicked around the bustle of Cockneys below. In his right hand, a rifle, loaded and cocked, ready to be fired and in his left hand was the scope which had formerly been positioned on the gun.
As the purple haired boy raised the rifle ready to fire into the crowd, Sebastian made his move; shooting forwards and grabbing the rifle in his hand. He turned the boy and captured his arms in a firm brace; he was slightly stunned to discover that the magenta haired boy... Was actually a girl!
He was also surprised by the level of violence this young lady was willing to go to in order to get free, he was certain that had he not been half demon, his crown jewels would have been permanently out of service thanks to the number of kicks she was aiming there.
"Stop fighting me," he commanded suddenly, having finally had enough of her antics, "I am not here to cause you harm, I am here to offer you help."
"What do you mean?" the girl asked, her eyes glinting with suspicion and disbelief, "Why would you offer a stranger help?"
"My name is Sebastian Michaelis," he took the rifle from her and broke it clean in half, "And I work for Earl Ciel Phantomhive, he desires to offer you a proposition among his staff. He has heard extensive rumours of your talents, and because of his position in society and in the underworld as the Queen's Watchdog, he requires servants who can protect the Phantomhive mansion, and the Earl himself."
She blinked and stared, several emotions passing over her face as she listened to his words; her expression finally settled upon curiosity, "What would I have to do?"
"On the front you would appear to be an ordinary servant, a maid, however if the need was aroused and you had to protect the Estate from unmentionable characters, you would be expected to use your talents to do so." He tilted his head, "We have a young man recently come into our employment named Finnian; he has taken the role of gardener but in reality he has super and devastating strength."
"And how many others are there?"
"There is another butler, Tanaka; myself, the head butler and Finnian, the gardener. Should you join there will be you as well." He replied, "And I have one other whom I need to recruit."
Sebastian saw that she was still uncertain and he released her wrists slowly, "What is your name?"
"Mey-Rin." She replied in a mumble.
"Well then, Mey-Rin, do you have anything else to go back to? Anyone who would miss you should you leave?" he asked.
Her reply took several minutes to formulate and Sebastian waited patiently, "I... Suppose not, no..."
"Then come with me, my Master is a high status aristocrat and you will be a high status servant, the pay will be above minimum wage and you will have a large; spacious room to yourself." He smiled slightly and offered his gloved hand to her, "Come with me, Mey-Rin, and have a new life."
She looked from his hand, to his face and back again before she finally reached out and curled her own delicate fingers around his, "Alright." She agreed.
Pleased that he had been able to convince her without too much mushy, emotional stuff, he pulled her onto his back and shot down from the bell tower, climbing down the wall like a circus monkey. He heard a sharp intake of breath from the woman on his back but he ignored it and continued until he reached the bottom, he set her on her feet once more.
Taking off his raincoat, he draped it around her shoulders and took her hand, leading her to a hansom cab and helping her inside. He looked up at the driver, "Take us as close to the Phantomhive Mansion as you can." He requested before climbing inside and shutting the door behind him.
As he sat down, the cab pulled away and the journey back to the mansion, and his lover began. He had been forced to leave without a chance to even say goodbye to Claude and he was already missing him terribly. He longed to curl up beside him, to kiss him and touch him; it almost brought a blush to his cheeks as he considered making love with him again and wondered if it would be possible, if Claude would even want to do it again so soon after the first time.
There were some many things he was uncertain off when it came to relationships, but he wouldn't panic about it fo he knew that Claude was patient and he would never force him to do or talk about anything he didn't want to.
With that in mind, he sat back comfortably in the rough leather seat and watched the outside world whizz by.
It took about half an hour to forty minutes to reach the bridge towards the mansion, which was still flooded; when they got out of the cab, Sebastian paid the man and picked Mey-Rin back up, "Close your eyes." He told her.
She looked doubtful for a moment but sighed and closed her eyes tightly, feeling the air gusting past her face as they moved. Only moments later they ceased moving again and she was set on her feet.
When told, she opened her eyes again and eagerly looked around, surprised to find that they had crossed the valley of water previously blocking their path.
"H-how on Earth did you..." she trailed off as she looked up at the dark aired male and swallowed, "Never mind."
He simply smiled in return and led her down the long driveway towards the mansion at a brisk pace. He ensured that she was able to keep up with him but as the rain continued to pelt he became more and more eager to reach the mansion and the comfort of a warm blanket.
His gaze sharpened as he saw the front door open and his heart skipped a beat as he watched Claude descend the stone steps with a large umbrella.
"Oh my, who is that?" Mey-Rin asked.
"The butler from another Earl's household." He replied.
His ears did not miss the tone of appreciation in her voice as she admired Claude; his jealous streak throbbing in response as he fought the sudden urge to gouge her eyes out and make sure she never set them upon his mate again. Of course doing that would have rendered her useless to the Young Master and considering that it had been an order to bring her back to the mansion unharmed it would probably be a bad idea to do what he wanted to do. Of course, he could writhe in silent pleasure knowing that no matter how much she admired Claude, he would never look at her in the same way, in fact he might never look at her at all.
"Sebastian," Claude greeted, a small smile touching his lips as he came to a stop in front of the two and ushered them under the protection of the umbrella he was carrying, "I was most disturbed to find you had disappeared from the mansion this morning without a word."
"I'm sorry, Young Master ordered it." He sighed and happily took shelter.
Waving a hand the golden eyed demon glanced at the magenta haired woman, "Come; let us return to the house lest you both catch cold out here."
Sebastian nodded and rested a hand on Mey-Rin's lower back, hastening her into the mansion and the warmth. Shaking his sopping wet hair as they reached the foyer, he felt a shiver run through him. He jumped slightly as a towel was wrapped over his shoulders and he looked at Claude approvingly; watching as Mey-Rin was given a towel to dry herself with too.
He dried himself off and clapped his hands sharply twice and watched as Finnian came running from the servants' quarter followed by Tanaka. The strawberry blonde beamed as he saw Sebastian had returned and came to an abrupt halt.
"Finny," he greeted with a nod, "Tanaka, this is Mey-Rin, she will be joining us as of today as the Phantomhive maid. Please show her to her room, Tanaka if you would be kind enough to collect her uniform from the laundry room and present it to her I would appreciate it."
Finny saluted and grabbed the girl's hand, running off with her and Tanaka bowed his head silently, turning and heading through one of the doors towards the laundry room as instructed.
Now alone, Sebastian turned to Claude, "I am sorry for disappearing, I had hoped not to be so long but the rain really got in the way of things. Are you alright?"
"It is fine, I understand although it appears your master is a little cruel, sending you out in such weather to complete such a task as recruiting servants." He chuckled and touched his lover's cheek, "You are freezing cold! We should get you warmed up before you do any further work for Earl Phantomhive."
"No it's okay... I'll warm up as I go along." He protested before finding himself slung over Claude's shoulder, "What are you doing?!" he squealed as he was carried to his bedroom, "Claude!" he hissed.
"Relax my love, I don't want you getting double pneumonia." He replied simply as he pushed open the bedroom door, went inside and closed it behind him.
He gulped as he heard the lock click and he was set on his feet once more, he pouted at him before squeaking as his clothes were half ripped from his body. Left in only his underwear, Sebastian was pulled against Claude's larger body and his arms wrapped around him tightly, warming him with his own body heat.
Amber eyes slowly glazed over and slid closed, he relaxed as the familiar scent of his lover washed over him and he sighed softly; feeling heat envelope his body and warm him from the outside in.
"Mm, Claude..." he mumbled and snuck his cold hands under the other butler's shirt, smirking as he felt his abdominal muscles jolt and tense in response to the sudden chilled flesh against his.
"Good grief Sebastian, next time you take a thicker coat." He muttered sternly.
"Yes boss." He teased.
Claude frowned slightly and tipped his head back forcefully, claiming his mouth heatedly and clasping the back of his neck, holding him in place. Sebastian jumped slightly at the abruptly commanding presence Claude emitted, deciding he rather liked it. He wound his arms around his neck and pressed against him, returning the kiss whole heartedly.
The golden eyes butler finally pulled away, resting his hands on the smaller male's waist, "Hmm... Well, we have a few hours before we can relax with each other properly but that kiss will keep me going if it will keep you sated for the time being too, my Prince."
Sebastian blushed faintly and nuzzled his neck softly, "You'd best stop calling me that, my Father probably had other kids so it isn't like I would ever inherit anything from him; I'm half human too so I would be even more unlikely to be considered for anything."
"He did have another child that much is true." Claude agreed, "But that she died during the War, you are his only child. His son, and heir. So, if it is all the same to you, I will keep using that nickname."
He tensed at this news and looked down, "Now that my powers are recovered, do you think he will send anyone to look for me?" he asked.
"I couldn't say, but if I was him then I would have done so." He replied, kissing his forehead, "Why? Does it trouble you?"
"Well... I just don't think I would be what he would be looking for in an heir. I'm don't exactly act like a demon do I?"
Claude simply shrugged, "I suppose not, but then I think that is one of your more endearing characteristics."
"Tch, you think all my characteristics are endearing."
"Actually, your habit of disagreeing is a little annoying."
Sebastian laughed at that and rested his head on the other's shoulder, he brushed his fingers through the hair at the bottom of his neck and sighed softly, content to just stay like that forever.
"We should get you redressed." Claude sighed, "Our masters are busy playing chess, but alas, I think they have nearly finished and will be wanting their evening snacks by now."
"Ugh..." Sebastian pulled back with a pout and looked at the scattered, sodden clothes on the floor before he walked over to his wardrobe and pulled out a new uniform.
"So, this Mey-Rin..." Claude trailed off as he picked up Sebastian's clothes from the floor.
"The Young Master ordered me to gather two further servants, each with special talents. He had heard rumours of a lethal assassin who used long range guns and never missed the target. It was natural he would desire such a being."
"And the other servant?"
"A man, a soldier I believe... I will seek him out in the next few hours and go and collect him tomorrow." He replied.
"I see..." Claude murmured, "Why not contract other demons? Why use humans? They are so frail after all... Easily squashed."
Sebastian paused, "I asked him the same question last night, and his reply was that we demons underestimate the power of humanity. So I suppose we will simply have to wait and see." He shrugged.
"Fair enough. Though I admit I am very curious now!" he chuckled.
Sebastian simply smiled at him as he tightened his eye and straightened his tail coat, attaching his Albert chain to his waist coat. He put his shoes back on and sniffed, running a brush through his knotted hair.
"Perfect." Claude praised as he looked him over.
"Heh, thanks." He winked and checked himself over once, "Alright, let us retire to the kitchen and fetch our master's a snack."
"Agreed."
As engrossed as they were in each other neither of them noticed the pair of pink and black flecked eyes which had appeared at the French windows outside as they left the room together.
To be continued...
