"Are you sure you will be okay?"

"Yes Sebastian. Enough already." Ciel growled in annoyance.

"Fine, but please call me when you arrive so I know you're safe."

"Right." He hung up the phone and sighed in agitation. Sebastian was being paranoid. He was running late with his shopping and wouldn't be home for another half hour or so, which meant he would either have to wait or go himself. Not wanting to spend anymore time there than he had too, Ciel had opted for the latter choice. Sebastian though, being the wonderful and responsible guardian he was, had protested. He was thirteen, almost fourteen. He could handle walking to a friends house.

Friends.

Yes, that was right. He had friends now, didn't he? A week or two ago, he would have never believed you. The whole situation was almost surreal. So much had changed in such a small amount of time. He just hoped it was for the better.

Ciel pushed the thoughts to the back of his mind as he slid off the stool and placed the phone back on the receiver. He grabbed his keys, cell phone and the directions that Lizzy had given him before walking out and locking the door behind him. He shivered at the slight chill in the air. October had brought with it the promises of winter soon to come. Not only that, but Halloween was also well on its way. Pulling out his phone he sent Sebastian a quick text message reminding him to pick up some candy. Pulling open the directions, Ciel headed off down the street.

…

"Go, Pikachu! Use thunderbolt!"

"Pika-chuuuuuu!"

Alois stared at the screen as bright pictures flashed across it. Pikachu was by far his favorite Pokemon. Cliche? Yeah, but he didn't care. Pikachu had spunk; its own awesome personality and abilities. Plus, it was cute and adorable. What did they call it in Japan? Kawaii? Yeah, that was it. He always had his own fascination with the Japanese. Maybe someday he'd learn.

"Alois." he quickly turned his head at the sound of his name. "Are you staying here today?"

"Mhmm."

"Very well. I may be home late."

"Okay." not that he cared. He watched as Claude grabbed his brief case and walked out the door. Listening to the sound of the car starting and pulling out of the driveway he turned his attention back to the T.V. What was it that Claude did anyway? He never had told him. Why?

…

Claude kept one hand on the steering wheel as the other loosened the tie that hung around his neck. It was a pain always having to dress nice only to take most of it off as soon as he got in the car. What could he really do though? His job required him to do so; working underground that is. Yes, that is where the infamous Claude Faustus spent his "office hours." He was a smuggler, a dealer, messenger, you name it. He did what he was told and in exchange he was offered protection from the law and a great salary. It was brilliant. Risky, but brilliant.

A smile spread its way across his face as he spotted a child walking on the side walk. A boy who's shiny blue hair moved in the breeze.

Ciel Phantomhive.

What on Earth was the child doing out here so far away from his house? He looked at the clock on his dash board. He was already a few minutes late. At the same time though, he knew he wouldn't have another opportunity such as this one. The boss wouldn't mind, not if he brought him a present. It wasn't exactly as he planned it, actually it was better. It seemed the cards were in his favor and he wasn't one for passing up a chance like this. Pulling the car over alongside the sidewalk and slowing down to match the boy's pace, he rolled down the window offering up a kind smile.

"Nice to see you again, Ciel. Need a ride?"

…

Ciel looked down at the paper in his hands and back up to the addresses on the nearby houses. Maybe it was just him, but he got the feeling he had taken a wrong turn a few streets back. He really was bad with directions. Maybe it was his getting lost that had Sebastian worried and not so much him being assaulted. He had to admit though; he never really saw the logic in Sebastian's mind. They did, after all, live in a relatively safe part of town and the neighborhood even had its own night watch. What was there to possibly be so worried about? Noticing the car that suddenly pulled up beside him though, he suddenly got the feeling that perhaps he should be more worried than he thought.

"Nice to see you again, Ciel. Need a ride?"

Or not.

"Claude...right?"

"How kind of you to remember me. Where are you headed?"

"A friend's house. Though I'm not sure I'm going the right way." he admitted sheepishly.

"Hop in, I'll give you a lift." Ciel hesitated as he thought about the offer. Sure, this guy was an adult so he surely must know his way around. Besides he was responsible...right? He had helped him before with no problems.

"Alright." he grabbed the handle and opened the door, plopping down in the passengers seat. Almost immediately Claude locked the doors. At first this startled him, but then it occurred to him that Claude was obviously a man of safety and in turn he buckled his seat belt. He adjusted himself quietly as they began to drive down the road. When they reached the end of the street, Ciel pulled out the paper that had the directions written on them.

"Here. I'm not really sure where it is, but I don't think it's too far." Ciel waited patiently for the man to take the paper. Instead he watched as they made a right, then a left, and another right bringing them out onto the main streets.

"Claude." the man ignored him. "I don't think this is the right way. It shouldn't be this far from my house. Are you listening to me?" Things were beginning to frustrate him as he was continuously ignored.

"I can hear you just fine."

"Then here." He placed the directions in front of him. Claude glanced at them before taking them and tossing them out his window.

"Hey! What the Hell do you think you're doing?"

"I'm taking you to a friend's house." Ciel could feel his heart beating against his ribcage. This was not what he had asked for.

"Take me back!"

"I'm afraid I can't do that." Claude took a turn down a narrow street and stopped the car on the side of the road.

"What do you mean? Hey what are you-!" The rest of his words were blocked by the older males hand.

"Look, I was nice enough to give you a ride. How about keeping quiet?" Ciel's eyes widened as he was about to protest. Before he even had the chance, a sharp pain shot its way through his neck. His eyes closed as his consciousness fell into darkness.

…

-singing- Bad boys, bad boys. Whatch'ya gonna do? Whatch'ya gonna do when they come for you?

Yep Claude's a meanie. For now anyway. Sorry for the late chapter. I was distracted by Pokemon. This would have been up earlier had I not spent my entire morning watching it. XD Hope you enjoyed the chapter. :)

Review~

Also if you're up to it, PM me. I'm board and always up for chatting and making new friends.~ :)