Ciel rushes down the busy street, past crowds of tourists and herds of people who are doing nothing more than meandering about, looking around at the vibrantly decorated shop windows. He wears a look of tired weariness and complete frustration as he marches on.

Yesterday finished with little ceremony. I wanted nothing more than for him to call me back into his room and tell me all the words he had been trying to say. I hoped they were the words I've been longing to hear but he didn't say a thing – not for the rest of the day. In fact, it seemed he wanted little to do with me as after dinner, he had Mey-Rin attend to him in the evening. The gesture struck me like a slap in the face but I understood – he just isn't ready yet.

Ready for what, I wonder? What is he struggling to say to me? Of course I fixated on the thought for hours last night. I spent my night wanting to know and wondering what it was. I don't want to push him and I don't want to rush – this has to be in his own time, when he wants to – if he wants to. Still, I can't help but wonder; when will he be ready?

For however adult Ciel seems to be, he still reverts to being a child. This is something I have grown used to but it's frustrating, I know he must feel something for me – but what? When he was strung out, that was the closest I've ever felt to knowing what's going on in his head but he doesn't really remember and even though I subtly try to remind him, it comes to no avail.

In any case, currently, he seems preoccupied and frustrated over something but he simply won't tell me what it is.

"Young master, what is the rush?" I ask as I follow behind him.

"Nothing, I just want to get there." He responds curtly.

"Are you sure because it seems-"

"Leave it Sebastian." He scolds me like a bad dog. Just when I think I'm making headway with him, it's always one step forward and three steps back.

We're off to see Undertaker today, I am unprepared for this meeting as all I got was Ciel putting on his coat and demanding we leave that instant. I think this meeting has something to do with one of the heads of the south area. From what I understand, there is a brewing tension between Azzoro of the south and Lau of the west. I try not to get too involved in Family business; I'm just here to protect Ciel and nothing more.

We finally arrive at the Undertakers' funeral home and he hesitates before he goes inside.

"Are you ready?" He wonders as he eyes me curiously. I nod; I'm as ready as I'm ever going to be be. Truthfully, Undertaker gives me the creeps – it's not his profession but his mannerisms and behavior. I especially don't care for the way he leers at Ciel, it makes my skin crawl just thinking about it.

I go to the door and I hold it open as Ciel walks through. Little has changed since the last time we were here, except the flowers on the table in the center of the room. I see Gregory in the corner. He is sitting amongst the coffins aligned along the wall, his knees are up and he is running a pencil vigorously across a sketchpad. He glances up at us for a second, and then he goes back to the task at hand.

"Well, well. Welcome back kitty, I see you brought the boy this time?" Undertaker chortles from behind a curtain.

"Hello Undertaker," Ciel greets him coolly as he appears.

"Young Phantomhive, how long has it been?"

"Not long enough," He mumbles. Undertaker grins deviously as he approaches him and runs his fingers across Ciels' cheek, causing him to flinch slightly but he manages to remains still. I instinctively take a step towards them; my eyes lower as I scowl. Undertaker merely smiles at my protective reaction and moves his hand away from Ciels' face.

"Easy kitty," He coos as I stand right behind Ciel. "I wouldn't dream of doing anything, not with you there at least."

Ciel frowns, steps away from me and to the side.

"Undertaker, I need some information."

"Of course." He titters as he motions for us to follow him into one of the weeping rooms, sweeping the curtain aside, he ushers us in. "You must be here because of the mafia." He continues.

"The mafia?" I repeat as Ciel nods. Undertaker leans up against one of his show coffins and drums his long fingers across his cheeks as he thinks aloud.

"Tricky business the mob, they never seem to have any allegiances to any one power, especially when it comes to furthering their own prospects, like expanding their territory into the west."

"So you know?" Ciel arches an brow. Undertaker hums and nods his acknowledgement. "Then you know that I won't allow that." He scoffs as he folds his arms across his chest.

"You may not have much of a choice." Undertaker smiles.

"There's always a choice."

"I don't think you hear me."

"They're going to force my hand." Ciel concludes and Undertaker nods again.

"Bingo."

"How?"

He shrugs. "That, I don't know."

Ciel starts to slowly pace about the room, tapping his index finger to his lips. I can see the cogs in his mind turning as he thinks.

"So the Italians want to expand? Interesting." He mutters aloud.

"Why would they want to expand?" I interject.

"Why else? Drugs. The west is Laus' area; he controls the trade there." Ciel answers.

"If you let the mob expand, there will be a turf war." I reason and Ciel shakes his head.

"The mob has always had short term thinking mentality. There will be more than a turf war but they never consider that."

"Because that's your job." Undertaker sings and Ciel rolls his eye.

"Can't you give me anymore information?"

"I could but where would be the fun for me?" He giggles.

Ciel stops pacing and arches his eyebrow at Undertaker, who just holds his sides as he tries to stifle his laughter. Realizing he isn't going to get anything else out of him, he drops his arms to his sides, preparing for a strop.

"Tch, fine. Let's go Sebastian." He snorts as he turns to leave, stomping out of the weeping room, and I start to follow behind him.

"Oh kitty," Undertaker calls after me between his laughter. I stop and turn to see him right beside me. "Watch the boy – I would really hate for anything to happen to him again – anything at all." His causal tone still managing to convey the breadth of his warning to me but I'm unsure of exactly what he means.

"What are you saying?" I ask.

"I haven't said a thing, not a single word." Finding amusement in his last comment, he chuckles to himself as he pats me on the shoulder. "I see you with him you know, I'm very observant."

"Is that so?"

"You'll protect him no matter what, I can see that but who will protect him from you?"

"That is of no concern of yours." I emit a growl in my tone before I have the chance to stop myself.

"I knew it!" He simpers lightly. "Do not mistake me; I'm only being amenable to you because he looks so much like his father and I want to protect him, so, if you harm him in any way – well."

"Are you threatening me?"

"More like a promise."

"Well, you needn't worry; I would never do anything to harm Ciel."

Undertaker nods at my comment and brushes his fringe aside. I can see the scar he hides underneath quite clearly now as he glares at me with eyes I'm seeing for the first time. He smiles at me as he tilts his head to the side, examining me fully.

"Desire is a funny thing; it can make even the most sensible people with even the biggest of God complexes act like monsters." He states dryly, and I can't help but shrug at his remark.

"That's where you're wrong; there are no Gods and monsters, only humans." I lower my eyes at him and he smirks.

"And they are the worst."

"Sebastian!" Ciel barks from the foyer.

"Sounds like you're being summoned, kitty." He continues to stare at me, unflinchingly as I glare back at him. I smile and I dip my head slightly as I make my way out of the room. "See you next time." Undertaker waves me goodbye.

He is right, desire is a funny thing; it's causing me not to think clearly, as it throws my perspective out of focus. I walk into the foyer and see Ciel leaning against the doorframe to the exit, arms folded tightly against his puffed out chest, right foot tapping frantically and a scowl etched on his porcelain face. He's haughty, proud, difficult and absolutely divine.

"Took you long enough," He snaps.

"My apologies young master."

"Whatever, let's go."

Yes, desire is a funny thing.

...

As we leave the funeral home, Ciel strops off down the busy street with a huff, grumbling along the way.

"What is the matter young master?"

"Undertaker, he knows something more but he isn't saying."

"I can see how that would be frustrating."

"How dare the mob want to start a turf war with Lau – how dare they think that they can defy my control."

"How do you want to proceed?"

He stops for a moment as he thinks.

"These rats need exterminating." He replies coldly and then he has an idea, his eye widens as he looks up at me. "We'll invite them over and give them the very best of our hospitality and wait for them to make their move against me."

"Do you think they will?"

"I'm not sure but I do know I won't give them control of the west."

"Who else should we invite?"

"Well invite the heads of the bigger gangs; I'm not really concerned about the smaller ones."

"That's wise, and then they'll be less likely to push the matter in front of the others, especially Lau."

Ciel nods and starts to move again, his head switching left and right as he seemingly looks for something.

"I can't lead on that I know what they're planning." He states.

"Very well."

"And Sebastian," He says coolly.

"Yes?"

"No matter what happens to me, you will not deviate from my wish, I will not let them expand their territory – no matter what happens." He reiterates firmly.

I don't understand what he means but I know I can't completely acquiesce in his request.

"Forgive me young master but if it's a matter of your life or the plan, I chose your life as per the terms of our contract." I state. He smiles wryly and nods his head.

"I suppose you're right. Let's hope it doesn't come to that then."

He starts to walk back towards the car and I follow behind him. I can't help but wonder what his plan actually is, especially as he doesn't seem to want to tell me. As we go down the street, we pass a phone shop and he stops suddenly.

"What's the matter?"

"I want to go into the shop."

"All right," I smile, although I am unsure of his reason why.

Once we get inside, Ciel wonders around the shop floor, tracing his fingers over various phones and accessories until he lands on one he likes the look of. A sales girl comes over to us with a broad, beaming smile on her face.

"Good afternoon. How can I help you?"

"I would like this phone please." Ciel smiles back.

"Great, it comes in a variety of colors, which one would you pre-"

"Black."

"But we also have-"

"Black, please." He reiterates firmly.

"Okay, one in black."

"Actually, I would like two."

Two? What would he need with two? The clerk nods and excuses herself as she disappears in the back room of the shop.

"Why are you getting two?" I ask.

"So we can communicate," He answers plainly.

"We're communicating now aren't we?" I jest.

"Sebastian, if something were to happen to me and we get separated – we can use them to communicate."

I still don't understand but I nod an acknowledgement.

"Young master, do you know more than you're leading on?"

"It's something Undertaker said or rather didn't say that concerns me."

"Care to share?"

"Not really, just in case I'm wrong." He smiles wryly at me. I feel an ache in my chest – either he doesn't trust me or he doesn't trust his instincts. Either way, I wish I knew which.

The sales assistant returns with two boxes and motions for us to go to the counter. As she rings up our purchase, Ciel leans over to me.

"This is just in case," He assures me. "I trust you."

It's almost as if he knew what I was worrying about but I'm still concerned.

"Won't you tell me what's wrong?"

"I can't, not yet."

"Maybe I could help?"

"I'm sure you could," He says dryly but he leaves it at that.

…

A few days later, Ciel has invited most of the heads of the gangs over for a recreational gathering. This happens quite often so no one found it to be anything out of the ordinary – especially as Ciel likes to keep tabs on what's happening around London.

The four main powers are from the North, South, East and West areas. However, the only two Ciel is concerned about are Lau from the west and Azzurro Vanel from the Ferro family in the south.

Each area has its own subsection of gangs, which again fractures off into another sub group – the possibilities are endless. You can have as many gangs as you like, from the extreme and organized, to the kids on the street, playing around in the estates. All of them are controlled by their heads, and the heads all answer to Ciel.

I stand aside in the shadows as I watch him laugh and interact with the others. Despite his young years, he holds so much power it's almost otherworldly, these grown men cower in front of him and the way he commands them – it's magnificent. I am still no closer to knowing what his plan is, but I can only assume that it's going according to the way he wants it to.

Currently, he sits on the plush red velvet chair just to the left in front of me. He crosses his legs as he leans to the side; holding his cue in his other hand and wearing a disaffected, bored look on his face. He casts his eye over the snooker table and a sly smile creeps onto his lips. Azzurro bends over the table and angles himself in a position he's comfortable with to take his shot. He shoots but misses the ball entirely.

"Are you going to go or will you pass on this turn too?" Lau inquires, resting his chin on the back of his hand as he quietly watches the game and Ciel shrugs.

"You know me; I never like to make a move unless I know for sure that I will win." He says calmly.

"You English are obsessed with winning, yet you win nothing at all." Azzurro huffs as he bends over the table again to take another shot.

"I doesn't matter if we win or not, we are inherently greedy, always wanting more. Something I'm sure even you can relate to."

"Hmph, I don't know what you are trying to say to me." He scoffs.

"I'm not trying to say anything other than the fact that you and I are alike, we're both greedy." He smiles sweetly as he stands upright and moves over to the table. He sits on top of the edge and leans over to take his shot. Azzurro frowns at his response as he steps aside to watch Ciel.

"Your greed will undo you," Azzurro warns. "And the rules state that you must have contact with the floor as you take your shot."

Ciel smirks as he strikes his cue against the ball. It clacks loudly as it hits the others and they start to roll into the pockets.

"I wonder, am I undone?" He grins as he slides off of the table. "My house, my rules."

He goes over to the chair and places his hand on the back of it as he looks over his shoulder towards me.

"Sebastian, come here please." He beckons me, moving from the chair and walking to the side. I go to him and stand just behind him as he keeps his back to me.

"Well played match young master," I congratulate him.

"Thank you," He nods, then motions for me to bend over. "Sebastian, I think I'll take afternoon tea in the study."

"Yes young master, I'll bring it to you straight away."

Ciel plasters on a bright smile and turns to address the room.

"Everyone, you can stay here as long as you like, please enjoy our hospitality. However, I have other business I need to attend to now and will take my leave." He smiles politely as everyone in the room nods their understanding.

Ciel walks back to the table, lays his snooker cue down on top and leaves the room as I watch him go.

"If you'll pardon me, I need to attend to the young master. Our maid, Mey-Rin will be in momentarily to assist you in anything that you'll need." I bow as I too excuse myself from the room.

As I walk into the kitchen I can see that everything is working quite smoothly, for once. I set about arranging the afternoon tea; I prepare the tea itself, warming the pot, adding the tealeaves and the water – just off the boil. As I let it steep, I go over to the side and pick up the deep crust apple pie I made earlier and place it on the trolley. Mey-Rin comes over and sits a teacup and saucer, along with a small plate, next to the pie.

"Thank you Mey-Rin," I smile at her, which causes her to blush. "I am going to take this to the young master in the study, could you please attend to the guests in the recreation room?"

"Yes Sir!" She grins, excited at the prospect of personally taking on this type of responsibility, she takes off with a sprint.

"Mey-Rin, don't run!" I call after her, she slows down, walking out of the kitchen and down the hall.

I exhale loudly as I tap my foot on the brake lever and start to wheel the trolley out of the kitchen.

Arriving at the door of the study, I can see that it's closed. This is strange; Ciel never normally keeps this door closed, especially if he knows I'm coming.

I knock on the door.

"Young master, I've brought your afternoon tea." I call out to him. Nothing but silence. I knock again and again, there is nothing. I open the door and peer in. There are papers strewn about the room, books pulled from the shelves and littered about floor, and the windows are open. Going in to the room, I smell something quite familiar to me, that sweet perfume I adore so much – the smell of fresh blood.

It's all over the desk and dripping on to the floor. It's obvious something has happened here and there was a struggle. I don't know if this was part of his plan but what I do know is Ciel is gone.