Hello to all. Did you like the previous chapter? I believe you did, and I will admit that my thanks to Paxloria was a 'bit too much'. It is true that I gave her material to work with, but she did, in fact, add in some of her own. This is more of her additions. I am merely making her descriptions and such be put into a story-format. So, before anything else, I would like to thank her once more. Without her help, I know I would not have thought about any of this and I'd, no doubt, still be in a writer's block 'limbo'. So, thanks Paxloria.

Well, let's begin. Chapter beginning now! ^_^

6 minutes and 48 seconds of silence had passed while the two had stood there staring at each other, one with an amused smile and the other with an irritated glare. Sebastian continued glancing at his watch, counting as the seconds passed.

49 seconds…50…51…52…53…

Katherine, finally, let out a breath and sighed.

It was pointless trying to talk sense to the demon when he was like this and there were other things that needed her attention. "Well, we're in need of spices, so I'll be going to the market for them."

She wanted to put the whole stupid argument behind her. She did not like giving Sebastian solid proof that she cared about him too often.

"I'll be going with you. After all," Sebastian gave a shit-eating grin to the girl, "I have to make sure you do not get placed into yet another life-threatening position, now, don't I?" She gave the male a glare.

"That does not happen all the time!"

(#)

A pair of light violet/ light blue eyes had been watching the manor, but these were no normal set of orbs. A voice spoke, the voice being male, "I was expecting to have to plan out the perfect time to act, but it seems I no longer will have to. This is the perfect opportunity, and they're giving it to me from the palms of their hands. Luck is most definitely on my side."

The stranger watched Katherine and Sebastian take their leave, the pair heading to London. He could not help but form a glare when looking upon the female.

Such a vile being…if she only knew what she truly was. No matter, I will finish the job that should have been done years before but first I have to set a bit of bait. And I know the perfect choice.

(#)

All that was heard was the sound of something crashing through one of the windows of the manor, the window being the one in Ciel's study, the boy's eyes wide with shock, "How dare you trespass on this property! Explain yourself!"

The male gave a smirk as he gazed at the boy for a short moment, "You truly are unfortunate to get involved in such a situation as this, but if I want to rid this world of that vile 'thing', then you will indeed be needed."

Ciel was puzzled, who was this man referring to? Did he mean Sebastian? It was possible, as 'vile thing' could easily point to Sebastian being a demon in reality, "I doubt you could ever take on my butler. He'd tear you to pieces in less time than it would take to say 'checkmate'."

The male brushed some of his pale azure hair out of his face, not answering the boy's comment directly, "There is so much you do not understand, but you are but a child, so I guess you can get away with it. I've no intention of playing any games, boy, so I'm afraid this cuts our little chat, for now. Therefore, it is time for you to have a little rest."

A gentle breeze brushed passed Ciel, the young male becoming drowsy instantly. He did not know what was going on, but he was sure of one thing—this male was not human. The Phantomhive child slid to the ground, passed out, the male before giving a grin of triumph. It was nearly time for everything to happen the way it was supposed to back then. He could hardly wait.

Finally…

(#)

"Thank you! They all smell so great! I can't wait to use them!" Katherine loved the smell of spices and herbs. She thought they always gave a rather enticing, yet refreshing aroma, "Well, Sebastian, shall we get going? You still have dinner to begin."

She was given a nod, her moving with the butler, "Well, at least you didn't have to come here alone. You had the pleasure of enjoying my company, eh?"

She was given a look of doubt from the butler, his reply being, "I could've completed this task much quicker if I was on my own, Katherine. Although, I will admit to liking your company, so I don't mind it all that much." Katherine gave a smile, teasing him afterwards, "As you'd better."

"Is my precious kitten telling me, a demon, what to do? That is quite bold." Katherine knew where this was going, "Uh-uh, I've been down this path before. So I'm not even going to bother commenting."

Suddenly she shivered and felt a chill run up and down her spine. "Let's get back. I'm getting a really creepy feeling. I really just want to be back in the manor…"

"Oh? And why is that? Everything seems peaceful out here." Sebastian knew Katherine was different. She had moments that were hard to explain to another. It was almost like her sense of intuition was greater than the average human's should be. She shrugged, hugging her arms, telling the butler she literally was feeling creeped out.

"I've no idea. I just have this very uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach." Sebastian was curious about what could be causing her to feel this way but considered, with her poor luck in drawing trouble, that perhaps it was best to get going after all. "Very well, My Lady."

Katherine gave the butler a look of faint irritation, "Ever think of saying things such as that and you actually mean them? I would have liked the title, if it were spoken sincerely, instead of you merely being a smart-aleck." That just wouldn't happen. Sebastian preferred to tease, not compliment, unless it was a 'special occasion'.

The butler couldn't help but smirk at that. He loved getting on her bad side for small amounts of time. Seeing her frustrated was indeed amusing , but it also made her appear even more adorable to the demon.

Sebastian gave a nod of agreement, as he still had things to do, so he could not idle around, "You are right. We still have much to do before dinner is to be served, yet so little time to do everything. I suppose humans are quite correct when I hear that there are not enough hours in the day. No matter, we shall work extra quick and twice as hard to ensure everything is finished before the day is over."

Joy. Just what Katherine wanted, more work. That was not what I meant…

(#)

"Hey, Sebastian. Look up there. Is it just me, or is that widow completely shattered?"

The butler looked up, his eyes narrowing. It was the window to Ciel's Private Study. No one would dare to ever break that one window and Sebastian not be able to sense his master's immediate irritation, not to mention the anger that would follow.

Something was not right. Sebastian went back to Katherine's previous feeling of dread at the market. Perhaps she sensed something after all?

There was no time to worry about that, "Come, Katherine. I don't like the looks of this."

Sebastian entered, the three servants standing there with worried looks plastered on their faces. There was even a hint of fear mixed with their worry. Katherine did not like this, "Guys? What's wrong?"

All they did was quiver, Sebastian narrowing his eyes as he tried to intimidate the answer out of the trio. It must have worked, due to Finni burst out nearly immediately, "The Young Master can't be found! All we did was find a note! We heard the sound of the window shattering but when we got here, there was nothing but the note! We don't know what to do!"

A note was left behind? Katherine blinked in confusion, "Ransom? Was it a ransom note, Finni?...Ugh, let me see. I'll get the answer much quicker, as you three are an emotional mess right now."

She opened the folded piece of paper, quickly looking it over. "This is...a ransom note."

It read:

To the Phantomhive Residence,

You should have, by now, known that your tiny master is not within the confines of his home. If you wish him to ever once again be safe within the walls of this manor, you will perfectly follow my instructions. My demands are simple: the butler and head maid are to bring the amount stated below. It is rather vital that both come. The location is listed below.

[End of Note]

Before Katherine could say anything further, Sebastian cut in, "I believe this is my job, Katherine. You are staying here." Katherine, really, had no objection to that idea. She knew she would just get in Sebastian's way, "But…the note said that both of us should come."

Sebastian added on, "Yes, but that would only be setting you up to get captured, should anything go awry. By only myself going, there is a greater chance of my master getting rescued, instead of matters just getting even more complicated. Therefore, you are staying here."

Katherine shrugged, not really caring. Sebastian was stubborn, but, hey, he is a demon, after all, "Very well. Bring Ciel back safe and sound, capiche?" She was given a nod, followed by the butler departing from the worried trio, Little Tanaka just standing there with a weary look on his face.

I have a bad feeling about all of this…

(#)

Sebastian stood at the location described, but nothing was there. In fact, the air was so still and silent it seemed dead in every way it could be. The butler noticed movement, causing him to snap towards the object, but he stopped—it was only a homeless male.

But the butler narrowed his vision as the man came closer, the person speaking once close enough, "You're a butler. Your clothes say you must be a butler. I was told one would arrive and that I should give you this. I cannot read, so I did not read it."

"Then, I take it you knew the one who gave you this?" The homeless male gave a look of fear, Sebastian's eyes nearly glaring at the poor guy, "No, no! I didn't even see his face, honest! He said that if I just gave a butler with messy black hair this folded slip that I could have payment for helping him! I have no food, so I did what he wanted. You'd do the same thing, wouldn't ya?"

Sebastian quickly came to the conclusion that the smelly male had nothing to do with this, except getting a few coins in return. Oh well…

The demon took the slip of paper the man handed him, taking note of the male's tattered clothing for a quick second, but then proceeded to read the note to himself.

By reading this, you did not find your young master. You were instructed to deliver the money with the young housekeeper, yet you did not. I will give you one last chance. The boy is still fine, not a scratch on his body, however if you once again fail to follow my words, I cannot promise his safety a second time.

You (and the maid) are to deliver payment. Make due to remember that.

Sebastian looked at the note with puzzled eyes—however the confusion was quickly replaced with fury. Why was he so keen on Katherine accompanying him?

It had to be a trap.

Suddenly, a thought clicked in his mind.

Was Katherine also a target? Or perhaps Sebastian was the target and Katherine and his master were just bait? He could not give an actual answer to anything. But one thing was for certain—Katherine was the key to his young master's safety.

"I have no choice. It would seem that my dear kitten will have to accompany me on this little journey…" He gave a sigh, the male disappearing in an instant.

(#)

Katherine looked at the note Sebastian had handed her. She'd just finished reading it. Why was she always involved in things? She wanted no part of it. But Ciel was in danger, so she'd put up with it this time. She did see the boy as a little brother, after all.

Looking at Sebastian, the head maid showed a little piece of paper, speaking afterwards, "Well…it would explain why this came nearly fifteen minutes after you left. It's another note, or at least I'm assuming it is. All that's listed is a location and a 'wait for further instructions once arrived'. Nothing else."

Sebastian gave a simple nod, taking a hold of Katherine's upper arm, "Let's be on our way now, my kitten. So much to do, and yet it seems my young master needs saving once more. Perhaps you and him are indeed related, Katherine?"

Katherine shot him a glare, "Watch it or else, unlike him, I will give you a well-earned smack that you should've gotten so long ago, Mister Sebastian Michaelis."

Next thing she was being dragged out the door, the female putting up a good fight, "Hey! Walking is something I am capable of doing, you know!"

The door was slammed shut, the trio standing there with confused looks on their faces, Finni speaking afterwards, "They do seem perfect for each other, don't they? I've never seen someone handle Mister Sebastian's remarks as well as Katherine can."

Mei-Rin added, "I felt jealous towards Katherine before, but now I love their pairing!"

Bard spoke up, shouting at the two as they went on and on about 'the perfect couple', "Are you two even worried about the young master?!" Finni looked at the chef, blinking at the male's concern, "Sebastian always brings the young master back safely, and with Katherine helping, they can't lose. That's how I see it, anyways…"

(#)

"Well, here we are. I guess we'll see where it goes from here." Katherine began to walk forward, Sebastian taking a hold of her wrist, causing Katherine to give him a look of surprise, "Sebastian?"

The demon spoke, his intonation being complete seriousness and nothing more, "You are to help your employer. Do not do or say anything to get yourself in any sort of danger. When I say we are leaving, you are to follow my instructions."

Katherine was puzzled. Why was he stating the obvious? Did he honestly think she was that careless?

Katherine gave the demon butler a smile, taking his hand off of her, in a gentle way, "Hey, I never planned on doing anything reckless from the start. I'm worried about Ciel and I want him to be safe, sound, and non-captured. So, I promise to not get in your way."

For Katherine to get in his way? Sebastian never meant it in that way. Honestly, that was the butler's way of saying he was worried she'd get hurt, or worse. He could not look after both the girl and his master. His master always had to come first. If not, he'd definitely break the contract.

"She holds, at least, some measure of your regard, enough that you might hesitate for a critical moment between the two of us when only one choice can be made on who you can save and who you cannot, should such a situation ever arise."

The words of the young earl now made more sense than they did before. Was this going to be such a situation? Sebastian glanced at Katherine, who was slowly making her way towards the abandoned building, their next location. He would rescue his master and he was not planning on losing Katherine any time soon. After all, he vowed to protect both, did he not?

The butler felt a smirk come to his lips, "Let's go, Katherine. I'm sure my young master is quite uncomfortable." Katherine only gave him a reply of, "Yeah, because everyone enjoys being tied up and gagged. Kidnapping is not a pleasurable experience, I'm sure."

Sebastian was going to comment on the 'tied and gagged' bit but he refrained of speaking his thoughts. After all, if he waited too long, his master would become highly irritated due to the demon's slacking off. It shall wait for later, then.

While Katherine and Sebastian made their way to the building's entrance, a pair of eyes watched their every move, a smirk coming to the individual's lips, "It seems the time has come. I will finish what should have happened nearly seventeen years ago."

(#)

A book was fetched by the mysterious male, the pages being turned to a specific spell, and, so, he spoke, "Creature of the darkness, be my pawn until the task is complete. The vile creature, the hybrid that should have perished long before the here and now, your target she is to be. Your will is no longer your own, but shall be mine own. I am your master, and therefore you can listen only to me. And when the command is given, your mind will belong to me."

The book was shut, Sebastian and Katherine entering the building both spotting a tied up Ciel within mere seconds, "Ciel!" There was no response by the young male, giving the impression he'd been knocked out for the time being. Katherine immediately made her way over to the boy, despite Sebastian's words of caution.

"Ciel? Hey, hey, wake up." Katherine gently began to shake the young boy, the young earl opening his eyes in a very slow manner. He began to speak, though his voice was quite hushed, due to him still be drowsy from the drugs he'd been given, "Took you…long enough."

Katherine held the boy in her arms for a second, smiling as she spoke, "You can fire me later. Let's get you untied, shall we?"

"Yes, that would be…quite to my liking, Kath—"

"HEY! OOF! LET GO OF ME, YOU BASTARD!" Katherine didn't even get a chance to begin to untie the boy, the maid getting pulled away from the boy in a very rough manner. She glanced to see who her attacker was, her eyes going wide.

"!" Ciel's eyes went wide, the young male seeing his abled butler holding Katherine by the wrist. Sebastian had jerked the girl away. When he said for the butler to worry about his safety over the girl' this was not what he meant. Hold on. Sebastian would never do such a thing. And what is with the look on his face? The look in his eyes…

Katherine noticed the butler's eyes the exact same moment Ciel had. They were so cold. Katherine began to struggle, immediately getting uncomfortable with such a look from the one she'd grown to love, "Hey! Let me go, Sebastian! Are you even listening to me?! Let me go, you jer—WAAAH!"

Ciel's eyes got even wider when Katherine's cry of pain came to his ears, Sebastian being the one who elicited the cry from the girl. Ciel spoke in a very stern voice, for he was not going to put up with such behavior from his butler, "Sebastian, you are to stop!"

It did nothing, thus he spoke once more, "I said for you to let her go, Sebastian!" The demon only responded with his twisting the girl's arm even worse, of which Katherine let out a cry of pain once more. Why wasn't Sebastian listening to him?! He tried once more, "I order you to stop!"

"You certainly are not the brightest, now are you?" A new voice came into the scene, Katherine looking at the person. It was a male who wore very light clothing, the style of which looked to take on a monk's robe in appearance more than anything. The voice was clearly male, but she could not make out any features, due to the person's face being shrouded by the robe's hood.

"State your business here, now! Who are you and why did you take me from my private property!? To do such a thing, do you have no idea who I am?!" Katherine wanted to speak, but she was preoccupied with Sebastian's extremely rough grip on her arm. If she tried to free herself, she'd break her arm. So, she was forced to stay in this position.

"I am a being who does not apply to the rules of your world, Ciel Phantomhive. Yes, I know who you are. You were never my target, but merely bait to get said person within m sight." Ciel immediately glared at the male, "You have control over my butler. He is my servant, yet he will not obey any of my orders. How can you control a demon?! You cannot be a normal being, like myself or my female servant, so, then, what are you?"

Katherine noticed the shrouded male let his hood drop, revealing his features. The male possessed pale skin and appeared to be very young to the eye. The male also possessed a very faint hue of blue hair that extended well past his lower back, but had it fixed into a high ponytail so it would never get in his way, the male also adorning bangs that complimented his looks. She also noticed his eyes were a combination of pale blue and violet. It was a very pretty shade, actually.

The male noticed the female taking in his features, giving Katherine a look of disgust, which caused her to burst in anger, "What's with that look, you arrogant piece of filth!?"

The nameless figure gave a smug grin, "Ironic on who's being called filth. And as for your questions, little earl, I shall answer everything. You are correct, on me not being human, but I am not a being who only desires to consume the souls of humans. I am quite the opposite, you see."

Katherine spoke her mind, "Ha! You, an angel? Don't make me laugh. Kidnapping a young boy, only so you can use his demonic servant like a puppet. Yeah, real divine there. Though, I'll give you your props. Controlling a being like Sebastian is quite a good move. It'd be real hard to take him down, so naturally you'd wish to target him."

Ciel could not believe that Katherine was praising the 'angel' for such a thing, however the divine being did not seem thrilled by her words, but instead spoke with a sharp intonation, "What makes you believe the demon was my target? Yes, I needed him for my plans to work, but he was not my actual target. I thought it'd be best for the demon to eliminate his own 'lover', rather than dirtying my hands on such a vile creature. What better way to rid the world of such a 'thing' than to have her body ripped apart and her soul devoured by the one she has fallen in love with?"

She? The angel was targeting Katherine? Ciel was astonished—to go through such trouble for his Housekeeper?

"What do you mean 'vile creature'?! Sebastian would never do such a thing!" Katherine noticed the look on the angel's face grew into a dark smirk, "Really? Then why is the demon looking at you as if you are nothing but a meal he'd been waiting quite a while to devour?"

Katherine looked at the demon she'd grown so fond of, her eyes gaining instant fear. The look on his face, in his eyes—it was the look saying he was yearning for blood. Katherine always liked the look of Sebastian's eyes when they were glowing, as she really liked the color, but now they only gave her an immense fear.

Katherine heard the angel speak once more, "Only angelic beings are able to even hope to control a demon, even though it is a sin in itself. But allowing one such as you to live a moment longer is a greater sin. Your parents were killed because of the bond that formed between the two, and yet you survived. I will correct that mistake, or should I say, he will do it for me. I am his master and he will only listen to me."

Katherine butted in, "You knew my parents. You said they were murdered because of some bond."

The angel spoke, giving the girl a bored expression, "Yes, an angel and a demon cannot love one another. It is forbidden, for many reasons. You were a being that was never to be allowed to survive, yet here you are. I've tired of this tiresome chat. Get rid of her. And seeing as how starved you must be, you can have her soul as reward for your efforts."

The snap of the angel's fingers was heard, Katherine's arm only even further being twisted. He wasn't kidding around. She had no choice, "Let go of me!"

Katherine allowed herself to be taken to the ground, which she managed to turn herself into a position where she was able to jab her foot directly into the butler's temple, in which his hold on her weakened just enough for her to wriggle out of it and crawl away from him.

She looked, seeing the butler give her a very displeased look. His eyes were void of, really, everything. She felt that coldness from his gaze once more. The female never before had been stared at in such a way from Sebastian, and she never wanted to be looked at in such a manner ever again.

Was Sebastian really going to try and hurt her or worse—kill her? Katherine felt internally paralyzed.

What could she possibly do? She knew she could not take him down. She had seen what he could do and the damage he could inflict, and those times he wasn't even being serious. This was completely different.

Ciel knew Katherine did not want to hurt Sebastian, even if she could, but he was going to try to kill her. She had to do something other than just playing the helpless damsel. But he even had to admit, it looked bad. Sebastian would not, more-so could not, obey anything the young earl commanded. But there had to be a way.

There had to be and it would be found. This was not just some meaningless determination, or even wishful thinking.

No.

It was a fact.

Well, there is the next updated chapter. I did read through this and found no errors, though I might have accidentally overlooked some. It is very possible with me lol

Well, how'd you like this. I did type it out and such, but the ideas and such did come from Paxloria, as previously stated, so give her credit, too. It wouldn't be right if I took everything. Sorry too leave on a cliffhanger, but cliffhangers are good, no? No...? Anyone...? Okay, guess I'm the only one who likes them...

Oh well...

I'll update ASAP! Thanks for reading!

And, of course, until next chapter... *POOF*