Here is the edited version of chapter 14. Enjoy!

How Many Miles to Babylon?

Kuroshitsuji / How Many Miles to Babylon?

Chapter XIV: Good Sportsmanship?

xMiss Shizaya Michaelisx

"I suppose," I began, suddenly feeling the bitter chill of the growing December wind as I sat frozen atop the blue roan horse that Fred Aberline, had brought for me. Sebastian rode close by on his dark bay, slightly crazy, stallion and squeezed my coated shoulder when he saw my frame trembling with the cold, "that I would much rather watch the war than be in it."

We had been at the camp for some time at that point.

"So you would rather be home?" Aberline inquired as he lightly tapped his heels against his horse's underbelly. This caused the horse to surge forward a little.

"I wouldn't say that." I replied, shaking my head as I glanced up along the path in front of us.

"Why so?"

The aggravated expression upon Sebastian's tired face caught my eyes. He almost looked pained at having to be in Aberline's presence. He rolled his burgundy eyes and gnashed his teeth in irritation. He was lucky that he was shielded by myself so the other man couldn't see him. It was quite clear that he didn't have the same view that I had for the other slightly care-free officer. I made a mental note to pull him up on it later.

"I think there's something rather splendid about it all." came Fred's oddly cheerful reply to his own question. His voice seemed to slice through the frosty air as he looked over at me, "There's always a chance that one might become a hero. Does… does that not stir your blood?" he queried excitedly. It surprised me a little to see how his eyes lit up at the prospect that one might actually survive this Godforsaken war.

"I can't say it does." I retorted, "But I know one thing, I'm bloody freezing." I grumbled as I tried to shuffle my disastrous coat closer to my body than possible.

Aberline's laughter rattled through the frigid air, "And here I thought that all English people were romantic." he chuckled.

"There's nothing remotely romantic about it." Sebastian replied tediously, speaking for the first time that day. He never said much when in the company of others. His icy response seemed to chill the air even more and I shivered violently.

"Pity." Fred commented before turning his attention to my shivering frame, "Ciel, do you want my coat? I don't mind." he smiled genuinely as he began to unbutton down his front.

Sebastian cleared his throat, like a warning bell.

I smiled back at the man to my left and shook my head, "That's quite alright, Aberline. Thank you for the offer though."

I threw an irritated look to my right, hoping that Sebastian saw it.

"You know," said Aberline, "my life has been a little dull up until now. It has just consisted of patterns, you know? Everywhere you look. Patterns. This is the best thing that has ever happened to me, besides my wife. I'll either become a hero or I'll die."

"Death is more permanent." I suggested, "But how has your life been dull, you know, since you're married and all that?"

"I worked for Scotland Yard. I have to say, it wasn't at all exciting. I think fighting in the war will help secure freedom for the next generation. Fighting in this war seems more effective than trawling the streets of London."

"Hm."

"You're quite the cynic, Ciel." he laughed, "Besides, at least death is a mystery."

"So is tomorrow." Sebastian added before he cantered ahead of us looking mightily unimpressed.

"So," Aberline spoke lowly as he neared his horse to mine, "Friends?"

I squinted over at the ruddy haired male, inwardly cursing the sun stinging my eyes, "Excuse me?"

"You two are friends?" he repeated, looking a little embarrassed with himself.

"Yes… Friends." I answered, offering him a small smile, hoping to whatever God existed that he didn't see the light blush coating my cheeks.

Ever since Aberline had leaned down from his horse and held out his hand to Sebastian upon meeting, he instantly had my respect.

"How so?"

How so indeed.

I allowed for a bitter, slightly nervous laugh, "It's my job to sound like a snob, Aberline, not you."

"Phantomhive…" he said slowly, allowing my name to roll off his tongue as he thought for a moment, "Let me guess. You're the heir to that toy company. Funtom Company… Phantom Company..."

I fought the urge to laugh as he compared the two strange names.

"It's not just toys, but confectionaries too. Am I right?" he asked.

"You're right."

"But that's not all, is it?"

I felt my stomach twist uncomfortably as I began to wonder just how much Aberline really knew about my family. My racing thoughts were interrupted by a truly pissed-off Sebastian who shouted back to us.

"Are you two just going to sit around and chat all day long or are you actually going to get a move on?!"

Aberline smiled sheepishly and scratched at a sudden itch on the back of his neck while I fixed the black haired male with a warning glare of my own.

"Tell me, Sebastian, why did you join?" the man beside me asked as we caught up with our impatient companion.

"Cash."

I hated that word.

"Just for the money?"

"Yes." Sebastian nodded once and jerked his head towards me, "And he joined because his mum wanted to get rid of him. Now you know it all."

I felt myself blushing, from embarrassment or anger, I didn't know.

My poor fellow officer looked startled.

I began to laugh, hoping that it sounded as carefree as I wanted it to.

"Are you… eh… pulling my leg?" the officer asked nervously.

"Not at all. Ask him yourself." Sebastian replied and smiled as his burgundy eyes met mine, "Well, seeing as you two are such good friends, it's only natural you should know."

I swallowed as the male looked at me.

"Is it true?" he asked, eyebrows furrowing together as he gave me a look I did not want to recieve.

"There is a strong element…" I began, "though mind you," I said, looking Sebastian straight in the eye, "I don't think I would have mentioned it myself. Sebastian is quite the contortionist." I finished, sending him my iciest smile.

He had the nerve to look pleased.

Aberline didn't seem to know where to look, "My… my mother cried. It wasn't unexpected, but…"

"Mine played Chopin triumphantly on the piano the moment I left the room." I invented. It was probably true anyway, "Grand Valse Brillante."

"How eh… how very remarkable." the ruddy haired man countered, looking awkwardly about himself.

"Exactly." I smiled.

"My mother didn't seemed too fazed," Sebastian added, "seeing as my bastard of a father went before me."

There was silence as the horses slowly sauntered their way along the trodden path through a field. The path to where, I didn't know.

"I know what we could do." Aberline exclaimed suddenly, possibly out of desperation to lift the sudden tension in the air, "First one to that battered giant oak tree wins… eh… actually, let's just do it for fun's sake."

"I'm in." I said without hesitancy. I never backed down from a challenge. I glanced over to my companion, hoping to whatever God upon high that he would just drop his sour attitude.

Sebastian met my demanding stare before sighing in defeat, "Fine. You're on Aberline. But," he spoke, "you are not to join in." he warned, pointing a finger at me.

I shot him an incredulous glare, "What?! Why not?" I demanded.

"You and I both know that you can't handle a horse very well. You'll be off like a shot and they'll be no stopping you."

I breathed out heavily through my my, creating a white hazy mist, before hanging my head in defeat. Sebastian was right. I'd never be able to control a horse while it galloped. I'd be killed by a bloody horse, not the war.

"The winner," Sebastian continued, "can give him his coat. Does that sound agreeable?"

The urge to laugh was too hard to resist.

What was he playing at?

"Aberline, what do you say?" he almost goaded. The edges of his lips curled upwards into a taunting smirk.

"Alright then."

The two seemed to be conversing in silence as I glanced from one to the other.

It was ridiculous, but I couldn't help but feel excited to see who would win. Sebastian Michaelis excelled at horsemanship, but maybe Fred Aberline could conquer over him?

The two of them lined up side by side and on my mark, they were off, like birds lifting from a summer hillside. It was an incredible sight. The competitive glares shot from one to the other didn't go unnoticed.

Sebastian, of course, reached the goal before Aberline. I cantered easily behind them and saw the steam rise off the horses backs as I neared. My heart's rhythm picked up pace within my chest when I saw the triumphant grin grace Sebastian's lips. Fred shook his hand. A symbol of good sportsmanship. I'm just glad he wasn't a sore loser.

Sebastian winked at me and patted his thigh, signalling me to ride closer to him. I did my best not to roll my eyes. I sidled my horse beside his, lucky that our faces were now out of Aberline's view.

Ever so slowly, Sebastian began easing the buttons out of the holes on his front. His coat was maybe two sizes bigger than my own. It would fit easily over my own coat.

He was truly enjoying himself, well, if that smirk was anything to go by. The coat slipped off his lean frame and he beckoned me closer as he held it out, ready for me to put my arms through the sleeves.

Aberline fidgeted in his saddle as he watched the transaction. He seemed a little put-out that he didn't win. I thought it best not to figure out why.

The man beside me buttoned me up and fixed the collar, all while grinning foolishly. I knew I'd have to thank him later.

"Well, wasn't that fun?" Aberline laughed suddenly, taking out a handkerchief from his pocket and dbbing at the sweat forming on his brow.

Sebastian winked at me, "Indeed it was."

I would never have been able to tear my gaze from those eyes if it wasn't for my fellow officer slapping me on the back with a laugh.

I decided to break my silence, "You both did well... considering. At least you get to stay warm, Aberline." I smiled.

"You know, I think I'll live in the country when this show is over." the man proclaimed.

We walked the horses soberly back over the field. The skin on my horse's neck trembled too, possibly due to a fly of some sort. Do flies live during the winter?

"You would rather live in the country than in London? There's absolutely nothing at all exciting about the country. London would be more suited to you, don't you think?" I offered.

"After this war, I will have had enough excitement." Aberline replied tiredly.

"If you survive it."

Why did he always have to add something so melancholic to the conversation in order to ruin the mood?

"For God's sake, Sebastian." I mumbled under my breath.

He smiled warmly and winked again, causing my cheeks to almost glow with a dusting of pink.

Maybe I shouldn't have worn the extra coat after all.

And that's it for chapter 14. I hope you enjoyed! xD