Summary: Ciel finds himself being taken on a whirlwind tour of Tokyo as Sebastian tries to seduce (in a non-romantic/only-hintingly flirtyway, guys ;) ) Ciel into making a contract.

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Chapter 14: pretensions fall away

Sebastian was standing against the fading light, his face cast in shadow. But Ciel knew the smile when he saw it. It could almost be a mask, hiding some deeper intentions, or a clever distortion of them. Ciel swallowed, and attempted to look unimpressed.

"Is this what you want to see, little master? The entire city for your taking. Power that only a demon could place in your hands…" Sebastian's heels clicked on the cement. "You would wear the victor's crown in any game of your choosing."

Ciel eyed Sebastian with mild curiosity. "Uh-huh." He wondered if Sebastian was alluding to the yakuza(*1)...some non-native teachers seemed obsessed with them, despite dwindling numbers. And despite people like his dad.

He continued trying to ignore the horizon line, which had moved considerably since he'd noticed it last. It was distinctly lower than it would be if he were on the ground, where he was supposed to be. Not to mention, it was rather windier.

"Form a contract with me, and you will never have want for riches, power and influence."

"I don't think you can offer me anything that my family hasn't already," Ciel scoffed, turning up his nose.

Sebastian frowned, not expecting to be turned down so easily.

He changed his surprise into an advantage, though, and purred, "Ah, so you think such things can be passed down from father to son." His teeth glinted in the low light. "Your father cannot give you everything. You hinted at it yourself...you suggested as much on that day..." he leaned in close, his gloved hands a breath away from Ciel's cheeks. "...your father does not trust you. And so he could not give you everything he has."

Sebastian's eyes were luminous in the sunset, reflecting a violent red.

"And how do you propose to give me anything?" The words tumbled out of his lips, less cross than he intended.

"I am a spirit." Sebastian's tongue was just a touch of red against the shadow of his mouth.

Ciel laughed outright.

"A demon," Sebastian said carefully.

Ciel gaped. "You're joking." Ciel started looking more seriously for a way out. Where were the police when you needed them? Or even a particularly talkative salesperson would do. Anything to distract Sebastian from him long enough for Ciel to slip away.

Sebastian's gaze was steady. "I am not."

It dawned on Ciel then, that Sebastian was not tipping his cards. He was flashing them quite on purpose.

If this is a plot, he thought, distracted, I don't know what the stakes are. I don't know what game we're playing. Ciel started to move out of Sebastian's direct line of sight. He walked toward the building's edge, glanced down, and thought hard and fast.

Sebastian Michaelis had arranged for Edgar Redmond to be caught at his own game. He procured things at speed. He learned…if he was learning…monstrously fast. Is he…could he really… Ciel thought.

Sebastian caught Ciel's hand as he moved away, gently restraining him. His hand was hot— burning.

Ciel yelped in surprise.

But when he looked at his hand, there was no mark of a burn...only a strange numbness. He stared.

"I would have you, Ciel Phantomhive. Join me in a Contract, and I shall give you all the power you want."

Ciel opened and closed his fist. His expression flickered between confused and curious. "There's a trick," he muttered, as though he hadn't heard. Ciel scoffed. His irritation had returned, and he stopped looking like a fragile boy. He leaned over the balcony. "There's a trick to this. I haven't figured it out yet, maybe, but I know there's a trick to this."

The way Sebastian stood, near looming over Ciel, had a hint of malice, and no small amount of greed. Sebastian was tall, slender, and darkly amused. Against the light, his features were blurred and cast in shadow. It was as though he had no true form at all. Ciel looked on at his smile, transfixed as Sebastian began to speak.

"I could give you the secrets of life, and death." Sebastian arched an eyebrow. "You could stay young and healthy for an eternity."

Then something of the shock of the situation fell away. Ciel shook his head and snorted again. "I won't even spend time in private with you if you say obvious lies like that." He made a face.

Silence stretched between them. Sebastian looked vaguely annoyed for a second, but his face was quickly a smooth mask again. Ciel wondered then if he saw anything at all…or just imagined it.

"If you were to be my servant..." Ciel said slowly, making sure not to agree just yet. He wasn't stupid enough to bargain away his life or worse without knowing more details.

Sebastian's eyes flashed a burning red once more. He continued smiling, if that's what you could call the subtle tilt of lips.

Ciel's heart was in his mouth. "Don't lie to me. Don't betray me. Do not do anything that goes against my plans." He looked from Sebastian to the cityscape, and a blush stained his cheeks. He wanted to grin all the sudden now he was in on the joke, but that lack of decorum would not speak well of him.

Sebastian frowned, and then smiled slyly. His eyes glittered. "You want knowledge and power, then. I could tell you your friends, teachers and parents' secrets, Mr. Phantomhive. Your plans would be greatly improved by such knowledge."

Ciel felt his interest pique, but kept his expression carefully wary. He had the feeling that if he showed a hint of greed, a hint of interest, it would be like admitting a fatal weakness to a predator.

Sebastian's hands were usually still. By his side or calmly clasped, as though he were at attention. But now, he leaned in again. While they were alone, Sebastian would use subtle gestures, soft movements, and other ploys to get close. It was as though he gained something…

Some kind of…pleasure? Power? Ciel wondered. From being so close.

"How could you know these things?" Ciel demanded. "I won't be tricked into making a bargain. I have too much to lose. Now take me home, or I'll never—do— never make a contract with you." Ciel faltered, but he didn't need a contract to boss anyone around.

Sebastian's composure slipped. At first he only chuckled. Then his eyes closed, and he laughed. That smile— wilder and wider than before— split his face as he laughed, and soon he was bent over, clutching at his stomach.

Ciel stared, surprised, uncomfortable, and a little shocked.

Then Sebastian stood up straighter. He let his features fall into blank acceptance, and nodded once. "As you wish, my lord."

Ciel turned imperiously on his heel, determined not to show his confusion. "Then get me off this building. We need to get back, or the cafeteria will close—"

Sebastian reached down, and pulled Ciel into his arms.

When they leapt off the building, Ciel was sure he had made a terrible mistake. However, the scenery flashed by, and before he knew it, they were running on a train. Running atop it, racing across the scenery faster than humanly possible. There was a new chill to the air, and a desperate beating in his chest that matched the pressure of the wind. They really were moving.

What trick could allow for this inhuman speed? Thoroughly spooked, Ciel said nothing.Maybe it's not real. Maybe this is a hallucination… he didn't like that thought. Losing control of his perception would be a quick way to lose his "innocent schoolboy" reputation. If it was still there at all, after Redmond's rumor mill.

He swallowed and waited, torn between impatience and awe, for the journey to end. He turned his face against the biting wind, and closed his eyes, counting the beats of his heart.

Once properly on the school grounds, Ciel felt faint. He clutched at Sebastian's arm, weaving backwards. He was about to test his footing, look at his electronic pass or something to tell him it'd been real, when someone cleared his throat in the dark.

"It is past curfew, Mr. Phantomhive," the voice rang out dolefully.

Ciel's untrusting eyes flashed toward it in the dark, and his eyes immediately stung. He wanted to look away, wanted to sit down. It was as though his few minutes in Sebastian's grasp had left him weaker, and his eyes certainly sorer.

But that soon passed, and he could discern the figure frowning before them. Vice Principal Agares swung his flashlight to the pair of them.

Ciel privately thought that a lantern would look more appropriate, considering the old fashioned clothes the Vice Principal preferred. He swayed as he tried to distance himself from Sebastian.

Mr. Agares continued. "You are quite out of bounds. We will have to discuss this matter of student discipline among the teachers."

Sebastian offered a tiny, formal bow. He looked as though he had several things to say at once, but could not decide on what he wanted to say first.

Agares turned his gaze to Sebastian, then. "I take it you found him wandering around the grounds?"

Sebastian nodded. "I'm afraid so." He merely smiled when Ciel turned to glare at him, colorful protests already on his lips. But he seemed to think better of it; instead he fell back on his role as an inconspicuous Junior High student.

"I was only trying to get some fresh air…cool air helps my asthma." Ciel chewed his lip.

Sebastian bent down, his eyes shining in amusement. "That's a rather obvious excuse, don't you think?" He murmured. "As his assistant-homeroom-teacher, I will escort him to the dorms…"

The Vice Principal nodded gravely. "I will go record the offense."

Safely out of hearing range, they headed back to the dormitory. Annoyance and anger
kept Ciel's steps brisk as he pondered the best course of revenge.

Oh, yes. Sebastian Michaelis, you should know better than to mess with me.
Innocent reputation or not, Ciel Phantomhive knew how to get even.

…but this was the first time he tried anything against an adult… No matter, he thought. He wants something from me. I'll use it against him, and he'll fall so hard…

He tried to forget his teacher's role in blackmailing Redmond. He tried to ignore that inhuman speed, and the strange events that always seemed to follow Sebastian Michaelis.

"Have a good evening, Ciel." Sebastian's face was calm, but humor danced behind his eyes. "You'll find a boxed-lunch on your desk. Eat it…and I'll treat you to warm, French-style foods next time."

"There won't be a next time," Ciel sniffed. "Good night, Professor Michaelis." He sincerely doubted Sebastian would have the ability to sneak into his room now. There were too many people watching, and teachers stood out.

Sebastian smiled, mysterious as ever. He watched Ciel enter the dorm, and when Ciel turned to look back, he was already gone.

And sure enough, when Ciel flung the door open—perhaps letting it slam shut a bit too loudly, but he was annoyed—there was a lunch set on his desk, a glass and bottle of something suspiciously wine-looking, and a note in Sebastian's antiquated hand.

Enjoy the evening meal, Ciel. I will collect the dishes when you have finished.

Ciel crumpled the note and threw it in the bin.

Demons and teachers be damned.

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*(1) a secret organization of criminals in Japan that is similar to the Mafia (This definition is from Oxford American dictionary online).

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