A/N: (Warning) side-quest. If you want to get onto the plot, feel free to skip to Chapter 41 (Resolved). If you like reading for the hell of it (and cute antics), continue reading chapter-by-chapter.

Summary: Sebastian returns to Ciel's boarding school to find that Ciel's life hasn't been as uneventful as he first suspected. Sebastian snoops, all the while attempting to abide to the Undertaker's rule of "no unnecessary contact" with the said boy. How will Sebastian get those answers?

Chapter 36: That Librarian, Snooping.

(Sebastian)

oOoOoOo

Ciel may not have been consciously aware of my presence behind him, but he seemed more than a little aware of the many eyes following him. More eyes than mine watched him make his way to his home room, though none approached him.

Young faces turned like flowers, and conversations stalled as he slid open the classroom door.

A few turned away purposefully, as if trying to continue as they might have before, when I first met him. But mostly, they watched him out of the corner of their eyes, as though Ciel might do something unexpected at any moment. The thought was certainly an interesting one.

When I'd left him before, they were sympathetic, not suspicious. When had their sympathy turned to fear?

Something has their attention...was it still the old news of Ciel being targeted by Noah's Arc, or has something else, something more fresh garnered their attention? I wondered. More than one girl eyed him with interest. But was he elevated in their eyes, or a source of curiosity.

"Ciel!" McMillan stood up to greet him. That boy at least seemed the same as ever. "Soma-senpai (*1) came looking for you during lunch. Did he find you?"

Ciel shrugged. "No." He was more withdrawn than before, not even trying to pretend to be a cheerful, boringly normal junior high student. He came off as bored, or perhaps a touch arrogant. The effect was irritating as it was charming.

McMillan's tiny frown deepened, and his round face seemed more adult-like when worry lines creased his forehead. "Don't you-"

"He'll find me eventually...Soma always does." At McMillan's disapproving look, Ciel pulled out his cellphone as he sat down. "He's sent me a half dozen messages...don't worry."

"You found out about Professor Michaelis," the boy's eyes shown with awe. "He's back on duty, you know."

Ciel snorted. "Mm." He settled into his desk, moving his things around and glancing irritably at the clock.

I tilted my head, considering. Did Violet's remark about Phantomhive senior being with the police carry so much weight? Or was there something more convincing that McMillan was thinking of? Either way, Ciel had gone a long way from being thought a harmless, and somewhat sweet boy.

No longer was he the one gathering information about his classmates and being admired only for his British heritage. Instead, he seemed to have become a local aristocrat. I wondered at the story behind that.

Ciel glanced over his shoulder at McMillan in a way that suggested a few things; this wasn't the first time McMillan had said such a thing: Ciel hadn't come up with a way to dissuade him from that line of thought; and, that all protests would be ignored. Ciel huffed.

I smiled, amused.

"...have you talked to him, then?" Ciel asked quietly. His eyes shone.

"No," McMillan said cheerfully. "I thought I'd let you...though I don't know why they didn't let him come back to the history department... he was on medical leave, wasn't he? From being shot? I heard that he had a hairline fracture in his neck or his spine or something! But I also heard he was in a coma..." he trailed off, finally noticing precisely how amused Ciel wasn't.

"You should go ask him yourself." He allowed stiffly. "I would be interested in what he told you." Ciel turned away again, his small hands tightly wound together. "I heard there's an interesting new section in the library..."

I snorted. Interesting wasn't the word...

"What? I didn't notice a section."

"The youkai, Japanese monster, section! There's even an artifact shelf! Professor Michaelis is supposed to have a speech and short lesson available, too."

Ciel smiled. "A lesson?"

McMillan nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah. I think he only does it after dark or something? It's supposed to be really scary..."

At that moment, the history teacher entered, and the students began to meander back to their seats.

"Good afternoon, class." Professor Grey intoned, beaming at the students in that particular way of his. He looked down at the class notebook, then back to the class seating chart. "Take your seats please..."

"I'll have to ask him about it then." Ciel murmured noncommittally.

"Do you think he'll come back?" One girl asked, not bothering to lower her voice. "To teach?" She snuck a glance at Ciel, though her target was a girl a row to the left and behind him.

Ciel shook his head, and made himself busy fishing his textbook out from his desk.

Grey's eyes scanned the class, but he ignored the girl's outbreak. "We'll be finishing up World War I today, so everyone get your pens and notebooks out..." he smiled a little. "If we finish the lecture, there's a movie clip at the end, so let's get cracking, shall we?

The students obediently did as he instructed.

Ciel smiled thankfully at his father's informant. Curiously, though, Grey hadn't said more than the obligatory greetings or well-wishings. Odd, I thought. But then, Agares does have a...way...with correcting people's perceptions. Doubtless the other demon made some...adjustments on Undertaker's behalf.

I lingered a moment longer, but there seemed to be nothing else to hear. I would listen at Ciel's door another time, and his actions would tell me more about what exactly occurred since I was gone.

I left with a quiet turn of the wind, and no one saw me leave.

o0o0o0o

"Shut your mouth and stop looking at me!" Ciel hissed. "You don't belong here!"

I was, in fact, looking at Ciel when he said this, but by no fault of my own.

After all, the Undertaker expected me to accompany the dorm students in the required Fire Safety session, so there I was, free to over hear whatever interesting tidbits Ciel might divulge after school. Instead of ignoring me (as he had all the previous month I was here), or observing me for whatever he might learn, though, Ciel had snapped. Whatever he could gain from that, I couldn't discern. Perhaps he was under too much stress due to the upcoming change of school.

I resisted the urge to snicker, or tease him outright; instead I gave a bow, and continued with my duties. "Students, please continue into the study room for the fire department's lecture."

Ciel walked stiffly, and Redmond barely missed a step. As they continued down the hall, I heard them continue talking.

"What were you thinking, speaking to a teacher like that?" Redmond admonished, frowning at Ciel even as he adjusted his neck tie.

"He's a temporary librarian!" Ciel snapped.

"Ciel, you've been strange recently…ever since that party, it's almost like you're another person." In anyone else's mouth it might have sounded concerned, but when Redmond said it, it only sounded like a petty complaint. I wondered how he had snuck back into Ciel's graces after his failed attempt at blackmailing Ciel a few months earlier.

"If there's nothing else for you to add," Ciel said crisply, slipping into polite Japanese language, "then I'd like to continue with the others..."

His use of the Japanese formal language was a bit of a surprise- I suppose it has the same effect as Victorian sitting rooms...put distance between yourself and the listener (or visitor, as the case may be) with elaborate (or at least lengthy) phrases.

"You really ought to stay at our school," Redmond continued. "Do you really want to leave just because your cover is blown?"

"What cover?" Ciel said waspishly. "I never said my father was anything but what he was."

"You let us think he was working with the police, not a secret agent."

Ciel snorted. "He isn't a secret agent."

"Nevertheless, we can't overlook your behavior as long as you're with us. Whether or not you're transferring, you have to respect the school rules and regulations," Redmond continued, ignoring Ciel's temper.

The two of them disappeared into the study room, while I continued ushering the stragglers in.

I may be curious about Ciel's recent escapades, but there's no way I can take it by force…

There was a gift, one that Agares has stronger than I, that was similar to the Reaper's ability to read memories. I suppose Undertaker gave it to him, but he had not deigned it necessary to bestow unto me.

Even still, I felt my eyes flutter as I considered my would be prey. The Undertaker may have given me a good move after all...avoiding him seemed like the best move at the moment. The boy would seek me on his own.

o0o0o0o

(Ciel)

The students who weren't on familiar terms with Ciel Phantomhive would all look at him when he came in. It was this attention that spurned the reconciliation with Redmond…their families wouldn't want a feud. Even today—especially today, because Sebastian was walking about there, in the same room as him. Ever so visible.

"They say his father brought Professor Michaelis back as a body guard…he must be good, if even after he got such bad injuries they want him back on the job."

"Good? Or the only one available? He's like the prince of the underworld isn't he?"

"No, he's got to be some yakuza heir. He's no yakuza."

Ciel frowned. The dark prince. The dirty noble. The black noble. All the different names bored teens and preteens were coming up for him were equally appalling. It brought a bitter taste in his mouth.

Ciel slid his eyes around the room, watching Sebastian as he played at being a waiter. Ciel was positive that Sebastian knew- a thought that made him feel at once furious and anxious. What was Sebastian planning on doing with the information?

Sebastian appeared in front of where Ciel was stirring milk into his tea while he stood at the counter. Sebastian was as quiet and unassuming as a high-class servant, his face as un-revealing as a mask, but somehow more pleasant to look upon.

"It's been a while...thought you had stopped doing that," Ciel remarked, a frown twitching on his lips.

"Good morning, Mr. Phantomhive. Would you care for a croissant? We're doing a special today." Something gleamed behind his dark eyes, and Ciel wondered what was going through his head.

"Have you already gotten information about me then," Ciel asked, his voice even and calm. He took a croissant from Sebastian.

What's with that expression...why is he smiling... Ciel couldn't help but think.

Sebastian's hair fell loosely over his face. "I overheard an interesting conversation, young sir. You might be curious to know what your classmates are saying about you..." When he looked up, Sebastian's smile was as poised as ever.

"Why are you so interested in my reputation?" Ciel played for time. He could guess what the demon was alluding to.

"I don't." With the pause, Sebastian's smile only widened. "I only mention it because you do...and I seem to remember an accusation when we last met..." he tilted his head. "Something about me pulling you into trouble."

Ciel looked away. "You did."

Sebastian stepped close, two fingers hovering near Ciel's neck. Then he relaxed his posture and stepped back. "You seemed to manage to have difficulties even without me..." he murmured. "I suppose you have your share of enemies. Unless you think I can organize the world above while I lingered in Hell?"

Instead of jerking away or falling back, Ciel stepped forward, his small hands pushing on Sebastian and forcing him to balance the tray carefully. Ciel's expression was tight, nearly unreadable, but anger and fear must have moved him.

"You know about that." Ciel hissed. "You swore you would protect me-"

Sebastian caught Ciel's wrist, pulled him closer still, and felt his heart beating unsteadily. "Only if you sealed the contract." Sebastian's voice was icy. "Which you did not."

Sebastian straightened up, and gave a little bow. "I have my orders. I am not to speak to you except about school business for this first week."

"...Clearly there is some leeway there, if you can mention hell, and getting me into trouble...I'm starting to wonder how binding your contracts are."

"It's an agreement which I am obliged to obey, but not compelled to. This is not a contract..."

Ciel regarded him, raising one eyebrow. "Why are you 'obliged to obey'?"

"...I am not required to answer that question," Sebastian purred, enjoying Ciel's annoyed scoff.

"...let's play a game then. A theoretical position, if you would. If I were to call you now, would you consider that an opportunity to break your current contract and start a new one?"

"I must ask you to wait. Call me again in one month." Sebastian held up a long, slender finger, looking more sly and amused than before. This, Ciel thought, was the face of a mocking tempter, not the cool and polite facade Sebastian presented most of the time. Sebastian seemed as wild as he had that first night in the window- a memory he mysteriously did not have until Sebastian appeared in another window, that night he left.

"...we were speaking in the hypothetical. I will not be calling you."

Sebastian made a noncommittal noise. His dark eyes glinted in the morning light, both knowing and taunting.

oOoOoOo

(*1) (先輩) Senpai,
also spelled sempai, is an honorary title given to students (or coworkers, or club members) who are older than you. Usually. It gets complicated if it's for club, and one person has been a member of the club longer, but is actually younger…(laughs) it makes people go "? But…you're younger than me…." Anyway. In this case Soma is both older and a grade or so above Ciel.

tbc...

A/N: so! How will Sebastian learn what he wants? When will I update next? I don't know~~