A message to my faithful readers: We are nearing the climax of this story. This was a hard chapter to write for various reasons; the details continued to change, and the inspiration kept on escaping me. Many of you are probably gonna cuss me out when you read this but it will also make you want to continue reading it. I got most of my inspiration from the movie "Pan's Labyrinth" a visually sad but beautiful movie by Guillermo Deltoro.

The movie's titular protagonist, Ofelia is given a mandrake by a Pan to help her ailing pregnant mother to get better. During an argument, the mother takes the mandrake and throws the mandrake into the fire causing her to have painful contractions. The mother dies soon after giving birth to a baby boy. And Ofelia is left to the mercy of her brutish, military commander stepfather. Probably best not to watch if you are prone to tears like I am. Also, Sebastian will be an ass in this chapter. Don't hate me.

Disclaimer: Yana Toboso owns Kuroshitsuji down to the very last end scene. I am merely a wayward authoress taking liberties.

Warnings included: eating disorders, angst, domestic violence, character death (not main character), and language.

Chapter 25: Winter Felled Rose

The days passed slowly and painfully for the bluenette. The haunting words of the two Shinigami ran continuously through his mind like a river among sharp rocks. The ticking of the wooden clock outside his door ticked softly. However, the rampant clicking sounded like a clap of thunder; almost as if it was taunting him. Much akin to the impending executioner awaiting its next victim. That was exactly the case for young Ciel. It was now a new week and four days since the cryptic prophecy that would ultimately deal in life and death. That left approximately three days from now. Ciel stood on thin, shaky legs from his bed and asked himself; if that was the case, then why had he not done anything? Ciel glowered in response to such an idiotic question. As if he was going to run to Rita, clarify about some warning that a bunch of befuddled fools told him that she was due to die if she didn't change her ways. Rita would likely not believe him anyway. Also, that the Shinigami were not liars.

A loud crash and the sound of yelling interrupted his thought process. Ciel rolled his eyes in annoyance. It was Samuel again; causing unneeded trouble for everyone. Ciel was not a cruel individual but seriously, that guy deserved to be locked away in a mental hospital instead of this place. There was simply no help for someone who broke into fits of tantrums for no reason. Once the sounds faded, the boy finally felt it was safe to venture outside. Normally, Ciel would chide himself for being so cowardly. However, the redhead was one of the few individuals that scared him senseless. He sighed dejectedly. Lord Baltimore was right; he really was a Chihuahua; yapping noisily one minute, then running back towards its master with its tail between its legs. Ciel shook his head of the depressing speculation. He needed advice advice about his concerns.

There Marcus seemed like a good idea but tossed the idea aside. It would mean having to face the man after so long and be forced to answer questions about himself that he was not ready to answer. There was the option of Sonya and the girls. Then he remembered the Chelsea incident. They would turn on him viciously in an instant and call him a liar. There was the option of discussing his concerns with Dr. Archibald. Lately, he begun to have suspicions about the man. Clarice had warned him about the man. Sonya and the other girls disliked him as well. Sure, he was a bit pushy but encouraged him to do some very questionable things. But that was only because he wanted to help right? It then occurred to him that he had not spoken with Anna in forever. Perhaps she could offer some advice. He had no one else coming to visit him anyway.

()

A bored yawn left Anna's mouth. Ciel had come to her once again seeking advice. Didn't he see that she was simply not interested in his useless drabble? She never voiced out that thought because she needed him to help enact her plans. So she put up with it. Ciel sighed.

"I really don't know what to do Anna. Rita and I both want to leave this place desperately but that dratted dean won't let us leave until we can convince him that we are well enough. And fat chance of that ever happening. With him looking us over every other day" he said. Anna raised a cynical brow and crossed her arms. "Have you been taking those pills?" she asked. Ciel shrugged. "Yes, but lately they have been making me dizzy and I always get headaches after throwing up!" he complained. Anna's lips thinned. "Do you eat anything between that or do you heave it in your mouth until the nurse turns around and then spit it into the napkin?!" (1)

Ciel looked away and blushed. Anna rolled her eyes. Ciel began again. "Although I admit, I have taken more nibbles than I should have just to save face. God I know I am a failure. But the freaking dean won't let up on his watch" he seethed. He clenched his fist and teeth before releasing his hold. "Perhaps it is best I just quit. It is plain to see that I will never achieve my goal of the perfect figure. All I can do is hold my head up as future head and heir of Funtomhive Estates" he muttered glancing sadly at the ground. Anna's eyes twinkled ominously. She couldn't very well reach through the transparent looking glass to shake him by the shoulders so she did the only thing she could.

"Then I guess it is all over" she whispered. Ciel shot his head up gaping at her with shocked eyes. "Everything I have helped to accomplish with you, all for naught. All that advice, the days I spent consoling you, even the wonderful gifts I gave to you. And now you want to throw all that away because you're discouraged. What a waste" she said disparagingly. Anna shrugged her shoulders. "No matter though. I can always find another lost soul that I can bestow my wisdom upon. You may as well return the items I sent you and go back to being that sad, miserable, fat, waste of-

"STOP!" Ciel waved his hands in front of him desperately. Then he bowed in front of Anna whose arms were crossed and was looking away from him.

"Listen, I'm sorry. I did not mean to offend you Anna. I appreciate everything you have done for me, honestly I do. I was foolish. I will do better next time you see me". Anna smiled happily at Ciel with pride. In reality, another person would know it to be a wicked grin. Ciel was like a small child eagerly awaiting his parent's approval. With all children, they will blindly listen to everything an adult said. And Ciel was none the wiser. "That's a good lad" she purred. "Now hurry along. I am sure your friends are missing you" she replied assuredly. Ciel nodded and turned to leave before he was stopped. "Oh and one more thing" Ciel glanced at her "give my regards to Rita for me" she replied. Ciel nodded and closed the door behind him.

All was quiet in the room. Suddenly, the room echoed with an eerie, demonic laugh.

"Oh yes, indeed. Just one more to go".

Ciel felt refreshed after his visit with Anna. He could continue his quest without fearing the repercussions. He was about to pass into the next hallway when he heard the indiscernible conversation in one of the rooms. He tiptoed quietly to inspect and peered behind the door. It was Cain and he was being talked to by an older woman with blond hair tied up in a bun with a few strands loose around her mature yet pretty face. However, the mood of the place was a dismal and somber one.

"Cain, your mother loves you. You know that right?" she asked her boy with unshed tears. Cain could only smile and nod. The woman hugged her boy tighter. "You have no idea how much I wish I could take you home and meet your brother and sister" she said. Ciel snorted. Then why don't you?" he inquired scornfully. "But your father won't allow it. He says it would be a great unkindness to expose you to the world again after so long. But we know the truth. It is to make sure you don't ruin our family's reputation. I had to come here in secret to see you, you know? Your father does not want people to know about you. Ciel scrunched his face in disgust. May the devil take him. Cain said nothing but only nodded numbly. All he could do was express himself the only way he knew how. He clasped both his hands on each side of his mother's face and kissed her on the forehead. Ciel looked away no longer being able to stare at the wonderful yet painful scene. It was an all too painful reminder of a time when his own mother would caress and hold him like that. He jolted when he heard rustling from the room and went to go hide. The woman bade her son a tearful goodbye.

"Farewell, my son. Know that I will always think of you". The woman turned away clasping the front of her dress in a tight hold. As Ciel watched the woman leave, he struggled to keep a string of retorts from leaving his lips. What are you doing, foolish woman? He's your child. Go back to him. Can't you see that Cain needs you? Don't you know that boy needs his mother? Forget your husband! But no sound left his lips. He slunk to the floor and shook and began to weep. Someone as kind and sweet-tempered as Cain did not deserve to have such a cruel fate befall him. After what seemed like an eternity, he found the little amount of strength to stand up. There was no mirror in sight but he was certain he looked rather terrible from all the crying he did. (2) Perhaps by the time he entered the Rec Room, he could get away with the excuse of having allergies.

()

Ciel was about a foot from his destination when a voice called him. It was the dean and it looked as if he had something important to tell him.

"Dr. Zephyr, what is it?" he asked. "I'm glad I caught up with you. I was about to send one of the doctors. Your uncle has come for a visit. I told him he could wait for you in hallway near your bedroom. " he replied. Ciel gulped inwardly not showing his consternation. He knew well to whom the dean meant. "Thank you doctor, I shall see him at once". With a heavy heart, he turned around to head up to greet the bane of his existence. As expected, Sebastian was leaning against the metal doors, his eyes closed and his face in an arrogant calm. Ciel grimaced at his butler's impudence. He coughed to signal his arrival. At once, Sebastian regarded his young master.

"It is good to see you again, young master" he said indifferently. Ciel snorted. Pompous windbag. "Cut the crap, Sebastian. We both know that the reason for your visit is not to grant me a fellow greeting. Now why are you here?" he snapped. Sebastian unclosed his arms and wiped off imaginary dust from his shirt. "Now, bocchan I am certain you were brought up with better language than that. Besides, I merely came to check on your wellbeing; to see how your progress has been fairing. That and to get a certain annoying Indian off my back" he added the last part secretly. Ciel crossed his arms and tapped his foot impatiently. He sighed in defeat.

"Whatever. If you must know, I am quite well. You may now have my leave to go back to London to tell my subordinates and relatives that I shall soon make ready to leave within the month" he stated authoritatively. Sebastian turned a glower on the boy causing him to stumble back a little.

"Really? Cause from where I am standing that is not the case. In fact, you look even worse for wear than when you came here". He emphasized that point by lifting up Ciel's frock shirt to show the very pronounced outlines of his ribs through his skin and the evident yellowing from malnourishment. Ciel recovered from his shock and tugged his shirt from the butler's strong grip. An indignant snort left his lips as he smoothed out the wrinkles.

"Next time warn someone when you're gonna do that" he retorted. Sebastian frowned.

"You hardly deserve one after what you put everyone through" he countered harshly. Ciel winced visibly. He cleared his throat before remembering something important. "Ah blast it. I left my spare inhaler back at the Rec Room. You stay here while I go back and get it. Don't follow me" he stated sternly pointing at the raven. Ciel took off leaving the older male alone. Sebastian blinked a few times. "You know bocchan you could have just asked me to get it for you" he whispered incredulously. He looked about the room where his master resided. He sat on the bed and sighed in exasperation. The raven butler hung his head and took a deep breath.

He honestly did not want to be stuck in such a drab and oblique place. He was only here because a certain Bengal prince pushed his way into his busy schedule and created such a ruckus.

Flashback

The gates of the Funtomhive Mansion were pushed wide open as a frantic fuchsia-haired Indian ran up to the large doors. The loud yelp of a red-haired bespectacled female were the first things he heard.

"Prince Soma w-what are you doing here? Ciel is not here. He is' she was interrupted.

"My apologies Mey-Rin for disturbing your work. But I need to see Sebastian. Is he around" he asked desperately. His hair was in disarray and his face all sweaty. Meyrin blinked and stumbled. "Uh-uh yes. He should be in library. Would you like me to-she didn't get a chance to finish before the Indian male took flight once more leaving the poor girl confused.

Sebastian was just dusting the last of the bookcases when the doors to the library were slammed open. The raven didn't need to turn around to know who it was. "Sebastian, we need to talk" the prince huffed and puffed leaning on the door for support. Sebastian resisted the urge to roll his eyes at the idiotic display. He slid down the large ladder and landed suavely on his feet like a cat. (LOL)

"Prince Soma, to whom do I owe the pleasure" he inquired casually. Soma glowered hatefully at the man. Screw fear. He was in too much stress already. "Not that it would concern you but I need you to hear out what I have to say. Agni was in a horrible accident and he is barely fighting for life at one of your hospitals. See, me and Agni personally visited Ciel at the clinic he was residing. The boy looked worse than a starving dog since I saw him. I was practically struggling not to puke. Then when my back was turned' Soma's face contorted as if trying to keep back a disgusting memory "Agni was horribly injured…you should have seen him. He was so cut up and there was so much blood…" Soma clenched his eyes shut tightly trying to get his bearings together. Sebastian stood there not batting an eye. Once Soma calmed down enough, he continued his story. "When Agni finally woke up, he told me something quite unsettling" Agni's voice strained. He turned to Sebastian with a horrified glance. "Agni's accident was no accident. Something unnatural lives in the walls of that facility. Something unholy" he warned. Sebastian glanced at the Indian man. He too felt something was off about the place but not enough to cause alarm; not that he would ever tell the man that. The clever man donned a concerned look.

"What do you propose I do then that you can't do yourself?" he inquired. Soma narrowed his eyes. "As his faithful butler and confidant, it is your duty to go there and see to his welfare and if not the least, rid of the spectre that haunts the place" he demanded. Sebastian closed his arms in pensive silence. He shrugged his shoulders. "Very well, I shall go and see to his wellbeing and see whether his condition has improved for the better" he said uncaringly. Soma's face contorted into anger. "You…don't…care…at all do you?" he ground out. Both men stared the other down for what seemed to be hours, even days almost. Finally, Sebastian chuckled. "If it will ease your worries" he said patronizingly. Soma grimaced but nodded.

"See that you do" he said but not before making one last demand. "But if any harm or tragedy befall that boy because of you, may the gods have mercy on your soul". The prince of Bengal swerved to leave the door. Sebastian shrugged his shoulders and snickered. "If I only had a soul to wager".

Flashback ends

Sebastian grew increasingly frustrated as the minutes passed. Ciel remained painfully stubborn and ignorant about his deteriorating health. He took his pocket watch from his front pocket to check the time. He growled. "Just what the devil is taking Ciel so long? Surely, it can't take that long to reach just one place and back" he complained quietly. As he went to slide his watch back inside his front pocket, it skid under the bed causing the demon to utter an inaudible swear. He kneeled on the floor and reached beneath the bed and grinned in triumph when he grasped the object he wanted. He smiled as he put the golden item back in his suit pocket before something rolled out from under the bed. With a raised brow, he picked up the item; a white cylinder. His pupils dilated and began to glow a bright red. A low, ominous, threatening growl left his lips. Just then, Ciel reentered his room.

"Sorry, I'm late Sebastian. It took me longer because Fifi was-' he stopped mid-sentence when he saw the stiffened posture of his butler. Fear gripped the young boys being. His one eye widened with rapt fear. Without warning, the door slammed shut behind him blocking out his only means of escape. Sebastian rounded on the boy with rage filled red eyes.

"Ciel…what-the-hell is this?" he ground out pushing the bottle in his face. Ciel shook uncontrollably. "Se-Sebastian let me explain. I" he was suddenly gripped by the shirt and tossed roughly on the bed. Ciel recovered only to be grabbed again…by the hair. He yelped in pain as he was lifted on his ttoes. The hot breath of his enraged butler choked him. "You rotten, ungrateful, wretched boy. We are not paying for your stay here to watch you destroy yourself. And yet here you are downing pills like a depraved drug addict! Tell me you are seriously not that weak!" Ciel grit his teeth and opened his visible eye. Tears trickled down his face. Sebastian continued boring holes into him. With a grunt, he released his grip on the boy's hair and watched as he dropped to the hard floor. (3) Ciel held back his screams as a shot of pain reverberated through his whole being. He laid there for a while before curling up into a ball and trembled furiously.

"Get up!" Sebastian barked harshly. Ciel continued shaking. Sebastian growled again and stomped his feet. "I said GET UP!" Ciel did. He was suddenly flung back against the wall causing another round of pain to shoot through his body. Ciel watched fearfully as Sebastian rounded on him once again. His gloved fist landed above the lad's head. "How dare you do this to me! After everything I have done for you, all in the name of avenging your parents. And for what? So you could slowly starve yourself to death in some run down shack" A sardonic chuckle rang in Ciel's ears. Sebastian stepped away several paces from the nearest wall and shut his eyes. Ciel was about to breathe sigh of relief that he wasn't going to be killed. Suddenly, the demon's red eyes flew open and a roar as he threw the bottle and the capsules scattered. Ciel planted himself into the wall as he watched his normally complacent butler lose his temper.

"Do what you want then! If this is the thanks I get for assisting you in your quest for revenge, then by all means continue to do so! Starve yourself to death. Down as many drugs as you can. You can forget about freedom, revenge, and the wedding! I curse the day I rescued you from that cult. I wish I had never met you! Your soul is not even worthy to be feasted upon!" he chuckled sadistically. "They say food is nourishment for the body and soul. I am willing to bet with all the damage you had done unto yourself, it would taste rancid and chalky". Ciel's eyes flooded with tears. It reminded him of the nightmare he had months previous (4). Sebastian frowned distastefully at his charge. He opened the latch to the door but not before delivering one last scathing statement. "I curse the day I met you. I wish I never even laid eyes on you! Do not bother hoping for release! Good riddance, bocchan" he replied the last statement mockingly. The door slammed making everything in the room tremble. Ciel's knees buckled beneath him and he sobbed pitifully into his arms. He had now lost everything; his freedom and the respect of his butler. The blue-nette wondered to himself how no one had heard the quarreling from outside. Tch, Sebastian likely soundproofed the room before he came in. He peered at the scattered capsules on the floor. He scoffed. He had little to worry about any nurses or doctors entering his room without his permission. Unless, the patient posed a great risk to themselves then the physicians were not to enter. He laid there and let his tears fall silently.

The next three days were a blur. Ciel spent them confined to his bedroom. He would not leave the room for anything. He had a bathroom connected to his room so he would not have to leave the room to use one. He was completely numb. He didn't even notice when Clarice would bring him food and take small nibbles no matter what food it was. He knew not the day or the hour and even forgot what it was that he was supposed to dread so much. He reached under his mattress and took out the bottle of pills. There were only a couple dozen capsules inside. Slowly, he unscrewed the cap off and shook a few out. There they lay in the middle of his palm. As he was about to swallow them…the clock chimed. He immediately broke his trance.

"Gah! What am I doing?" he shouted. "I shouldn't be doing this? Everyone is right. I am just being silly. Heck even-"

A terrible realization hit him. How long had it been now? He looked outside and saw it was still midday. Sebastian's visit was three days ago so that means" his breath halted in his chest before he shot up. He rushed out his door. He winced when a sharp pain in his ankle shot up his leg. He ignored it. "Maybe…its…not too late. I have to get to Rita. He rushed as far as his legs could carry him. Luckily, he caught Rita just as she was leaving her room.

"Rita!" he shouted before breaking out into a hacking cough. The blonde glanced at him and immediately floated over to him. Ciel took a puff from his inhaler. Rita kneeled down and patted his back. Once he regained control of his breathing he looked up at her. His smile died when he saw her current state. Her face was more sunken in than usual and her dress was practically hanging off her body. Rita looked as if she wasn't aware of why Ciel looked worried.

"What's wrong Ciel? Is everything alright? Did you get in a fight with your uncle?" Ciel bit his lip and shook his head. "It's nothing" he lied. Rita did not seem to believe him but kept quiet. Then her face lit up. "Oh by the way. Good news I got a new refill from Dr. Archibald. It was not easy but he was able to get it" she yelped happily lifting up a small white bottle with her very, very, bony arm. Ciel gaped in horror.

"NO!" he stood up breathing heavily. Rita stepped back startled. "Rita. You have to throw those away right now. If you don't you will die!" he screamed hysterically. Rita glanced at him. "What-are-you-talking-about?" she asked slowly. Ciel continued. "Don't you get it Rita?! These' he grasped her wrist gently 'things are destroying you from the inside out. Not only that, but you look as though you haven't had a real decent meal in your stomach for ages" he shrieked. Rita's grey eyes narrowed angrily. She ripped her wrist from the boy's grip.

"You hypocritical, spoiled, selfish little ingrate! You are the one who agreed to take part of this like me. Don't you dare tell me you are having a change of heart because you're discouraged" she countered in disbelief. Of course, she failed to recall she was the one who advised him to take the pills to begin with. Ciel did not relent. "Please Rita, I am begging you. If you only just-

"You're just like the others. You are just jealous of me. That not only of my progress but that I will come out as the most thin and beautiful when I leave this wretched place. With or without your help!" Ciel shuddered violently. He was riddled with rage. "You cannot mean to tell me you are doing this because of some filthy man who clearly does not deserve you?". Before Ciel could realize his mistake and apologize, a sharp stinging pain left its mark on his right cheek ( A/N: I mean face, perverts). Ciel held his face and looked at Rita. Her face held a mixture of devastation, betrayal, hurt, and sadness. Unshed tears flowed from her eyes.

"You too, Ciel…I trusted you more than anyone in this whole place…even more than my own friends. I thought that I could count on you to help me carry out this quest. That I had found a kindred spirit. Someone who was in a similar situation as I was-possibly worse. And now just like him, you go and turn against me too". Rita muffled her sobs with her hand. Ciel shook his head in protest. "No Rita- that is not" but the girl would not listen. Her eyes became hard and cold.

"Shut up! I see how you truly are! If that is how you truly feel, then that is just fine with me! I don't need you or anyone else telling me what to do". She stomped away from the sitting boy and headed down the hall. "In fact, you can tell the Dean Zephyr he can kiss my ar-…."

Rita went completely still. She gripped her chest in pain. She collapsed and began rasping out. "C-iel…hel-help me" she choked out. Ciel snapped out of his shock and ran over to her. He hugged the woman closed to him and plead. "Rita. Stay with me. Stay with me. Someone help me! She's not breathing! Someone hurry, Rita is dying!"

Immediately, doctors and nurses were on the scene. Clarice was one of them. "Ciel what is-

"Clarice, get the dean. Rita has collapsed and-and…" he broke down and buried his face into his friend's shirt crying out her name desperately. Clarice paled in shock. Without wasting time, she and a team of doctors and nursed laid the girl onto a stretcher. Ciel followed shortly afterward. The only one who did not help with the medical care was the man who the girl had trusted the most of all.

Rita was rushed immediately into the I.C.U. Every physician worked tirelessly to attempt to save the girl's life. Nathaniel Zephyr was one of them. No one was allowed inside. All who knew Rita waited for news of her. The La Dominica's all clasped their hands in silent prayer, Marcus paced the room agitated. He clenched his fist feeling guilty that he had not been there to stop it. Ciel sat in farthest from everyone. He did not want anyone to see him breakdown or have them found out that he had caused this.

Afternoon turned to night. The ticking of the clock taunted everyone as if to alert them of the impending tragedy. As if things could not have been worse, life it seemed; loved to deal a cruel blow. The doors opened to allow the dean to step through. Everyone immediately stood up apprehensively. The dean stood before them with sad eyes and deliberated the dreaded news no one wants to hear.

"It gives me no pleasure to deliver such bad news. Especially if it is about a loved ones. But I believe to lie about such would be an insult not only to the victim but to the friends and family of the patient. There were…complications and I regret to say that Rita…did not make it".

All hell broke loose. There was a chorus of screams, wails, tears, cursing, and denial. Ciel clasped both hands over his mouth to quell his sobbing. No one slept a wink that night. Within the week, a funeral procession was held.

T_T

If you understand what this symbol represents, then you are likely crying alongside with me. Poor Ciel, he just cannot catch a break. I'm sorry for all you Sebastian lovers, but don't hate me. Sebastian won't stay mad at Ciel forever. I hated writing this chapter so much especially because I had to kill off one of my creations. I had wanted to write a chapter that was emotionally riveting to give the readers a feeling of love, loss, anger, sorrow, etc. Rita was just the integral turning point for Ciel.

The scene with Cain and his mother got to me especially. I was reminded of my own mother and how painful it is to not being able to talk to her or even spend time with her. Many of you will think badly of Cain's parents previous to this chapter for coldly dismissing him to a mental hospital. I hope this chapter will provide a different viewpoint. From a modern standing, parents who have children with difficulties and challenges. Sometimes, they are at a loss of how to cope or even relate to them. Most of the time, they lack the capability to care for such a child so they look to the only alternatives they have. With Cain's parents, it was no exception. In most part of the world, children such as Cain are forced into isolation or left to the mercy of less than understand individuals who view them as nothing more than dumb animals. Thankfully, we live in a period where disabled people are treated with more regard and laws protecting their rights. Truthfully, I think bigger strides could be made to ensure the rights of these people.

It will depend on the reader's point of view if the events in this chapter will prove to be a turning point for Ciel. He will still struggle and have doubts, but our boy will pull through in the end. It is undetermined if things between Sebastian and Ciel will ever be the same. He will be civil though.

Until next time. Read and review.

Chapter Footnotes:

(1) A common trick that people with eating disorders use to make it seem like they have eaten but really don't.

(2) Ever used that excuse to hide the truth about why you are crying? I sure have, multiple times.

(3) You ever get that feeling when you fall really hard because you are in so much pain that you can't get up for a long while? That happened to me when I broke my right arm.

(4) Chapter 7