I'm so sorry that this is a bit late!
My lovely *cough-sarcasm-cough* swimming, orchestra, physical therapy, and all honors classes with no study halls schedule is killing me. I hate high school work. Period. I miss summer vacation D: I pulled two all-nighters to get this chapter out. I am *twitch* ridiculously *twitch* overtired. Yay for running on a half hour of sleep!
smile you're on a camera: I guess I didn't do that good of job of showing it *sweat drop*, but Sam wasn't really acting normal after the whole 'break out' thing… at least, normal by her standards. When she first saw Sebastian again, she was too relieved and happy to freak out over the fact that he was all bloody and injured. After they escaped, she was quiet, more reserved, and didn't really taunt Sebastian at all. Even in her thoughts, she was wondering what was wrong with herself for acting all lovey-dovey and feminine. She ended up clinging to him as much as she could and even got up out of bed to seek him out. Generally, Sam is independent and doesn't seem to care all that much where Sebastian is or what he's doing. She was still really worried about him… Oh!…and don't worry. More arguments between the two will be on the way. As I said, she was only being so nice because she was worried about him. She's still going to have her screaming matches with him, so no worries about them getting too lovey-dovey with each other ;)
Some Random Fan: The end? Of this story? Ah, no, no, no~ It will go on and on after Ciel is dead with Sam and Sebastian's own story. You freaked me out for a second with the whole "the end is near" gloomy, proclamation, thing *sweat drop* I was thinking, "The end? What end! Who's dying! NO!" .
Animefangirl010: Uhm… I sort of do, sort of don't read the manga… I know! I'm a failure of a fangirl *sobs hysterically in corner* I was keeping up with it… sort of-ish… until I started writing this fanfic which is based off of the anime *sweat drops* I DID see the Undertaker's face though *insert fangirl squeal* Almost as sexy as Sebby… but not quite XD
HeavyMetalRose: Yeahhh… I know she acts different. I think I explained why in my little reply to 'smile you're on a camera.' Sam will back to her smartass self in no time once her brief worry/freak out for Sebastian's well being thing has completely dissipated… which is this chapter XD And for your question… I honestly can't answer that yet TT-TT I know the answer, but I'm not willing to release such a big-ish spoiler yet. Sorry :( And I'd love to see your picture whenever you can get it up :D
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"You're a fool. If anyone finds out about this, you'll lose more than just your job," Ciel frowned. He peered up at the inspector from the rim of his borrowed cap. Escorting a 'traitorous' noble, no matter how well disguised, around London in broad daylight was practically suicide.
"I'm getting married, you know," Abberline smiled, ignoring the young Earl's statement.
"And what does that have to do with it?"
"Not long after that, I am to be a father as well. That's why I want to make this country better and safer for everyone who lives in it. My child deserves a peaceful country with no need for a guard dog. It's not just the tea ships that have outlived their day. The times are changing, Ciel."
"You're serious, aren't you." Ciel stated flatly, raising an eyebrow in skeptism.
"Of course I am," Abberline smiled. "What changes it is faith- faith in tomorrow, faith that we can make it better. That's how society evolves."
The young Phantomhive stared up at the detective in mild shock.
"Abby, my boy!"
The two turned to see an old women moving towards them as quickly as her age would allow.
"What is it, ma'am?" Abberline asked, voice laced with concern.
"I've found someone! Someone who says he's witnessed the murder down at the docks!"
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"I hate you."
Sebastian sighed, continuing to wash the dishes piled high in the sink. His red-brown eyes flickered to the female leering at his back.
"Why?"
"I'm not explaining myself to you."
He sighed again, turning to Sam with an irritated frown.
"You're extremely infuriating."
"And you're the reason my brother gave me a three and a half hour spiel on the birds and the bees."
Sebastian raised an eyebrow at her.
"That iswhy you're so frustrated this morning?"
"When someone lectures you on the matters of sex until five in the morning, you have a little freedom to complain," Sam groaned, flopping down in one of the rickety kitchen chairs. "I mean, how many ways can someone say 'If you get pregnant, I'll kill you'? I swear to God that Alex had at least three hundred."
"But, you did goad him on," Sebastian pointed out. "Your flirtatious attitude must have set off his rant."
"Flirtatious?" Sam repeated, voice catching as she choked. She coughed for a moment before clearing her throat. "When the heck was I… flirtatious?"
"I do believe 'flirtatious' would be the proper word to describe your actions when your brother ordered you to return to your room."
The strawberry blonde paused for a moment, thinking over what Sebastian had said. Her eyes widened lightly and her cheeks tinted pink.
"I was delusional! Beyond over-tired! I can not be blamed for my actions!"
Sebastian smirked, unplugging the drain to let the dirty dishwater flow into the dark hole and through the pipes. He wiped his hands on a towel and walked over to Sam, lips twisted in a mocking grin. He leaned in and Sam leaned backwards, cheeks blazing.
"Oh, really."
"Move. Away. NOW."
The demon chuckled, smug smirk still in place.
"Why ever should I? You did not seem all that concerned with personal space the other day."
Sam's cheeks darkened and her eyes narrowed.
"Well… That was the other day…! Plus, I was relieved to get you out of there! It was a natural reaction!"
"To cling to my side and admit that you cared for me?" Sebastian asked, amused.
"I was not clinging."
"I do believe you're in denial, love."
Sam's cheeks burned bright red.
"Don't call me that!"
"Why not, love?"
"GAH! I hate you! I hate you!"
"Surprising. You seemed to be rather enthralled with me when you-"
"La, la, la! Not listening! Not list-en-ing!"
"Sam, singing to yourself will not block out-"
"LA! LA! LA! LA! LA! I CAN'T HEAR YOU! LA! LA! LA!" she belted, plugging her ears.
"Oi! Shut up, wench!" Bard shrieked, trudging into the kitchen with Finni on his tail. "Some 'o us are tryin' to maintain a good mood this mornin.'"
Sam leered menacingly at him.
"Wha' she yellin' 'bout anyways?" the cook grumbled, lighting a new cigarette and spitting the old one into the garbage.
"Sam is refusing to acknowledge our relationship."
The strawberry blonde's jaw dropped open and Bard burst into laughter.
"Ya' mean… you two," he cackled, gesturing between the Sam and Sebastian with his finger. Sam shook her head rapidly side to side.
"No!" "I believe so." They replied at the same time. She leered at the black clad butler, skin flushed rosy red.
"I never agreed to anything of the sort."
The demon smirked down at her. Bard guffawed and placed the cigarette haphazardly between his lips. His mouth spread in a wide grin and he cleared his throat, spreading his arms dramatically as if he was preparing to serenade the two with an opera.
"Sam and Sebastian~"
Sam turned on him, deadly glare aimed right between his eyes.
"Sittin' in a tree~"
"I swear to God, Bard, I'm going to mur-"
"K-I-S-S-I-N-"
WAM!
"OW! Bitch!"
Sam snarled at the cook, uncurling her fist and shaking out the light shock from the impact of the punch. A tick mark flickered across her temple.
"I'm going to slaughter you… peal your skin back and chop you into pieces so unrecognizable and revolting that even Pluto wouldn't come near the corpse."
"Is tha' a threat?" Bard mocked.
Sam's eyes narrowed further and she took a step forward, cracking her knuckles.
"No. It's a promise."
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"A Chinese girl?"
"Ai, and she was a lovely one, she was," the boy declared "I thought she was the Cutty Sark come back from the dead!"
A Chinese girl… Ciel frowned, visible blue eye narrowing lightly. Could it be…?
"Did you tell anyone else about this?" Abberline asked.
"I told Havock about it when I seen it and a dandy of a fellow in white."
Ciel flinched, eyes widening as his mind made the connection. The boy noticed the young Earl's reaction and turned to face him.
"He really was quite a dapper of a gentleman, he was! When I told him about the girl I saw, he said I was a good boy with a pure heart!…And he gave me this!" The boy smiled, reaching into his back pocket and pulling out a loosely wrapped, Funtum Candy that Ciel had grown far too familiar with in the past few days. He and Abberline exchanged knowing looks.
"Give it to me!" A man across the room rasped. "You work for the Ferros, don't you? I-I-I'll get you your money soon, I swear!" He cried, lunging forward and hanging over the boy, trying to grab the candy from his hands. "No! Please! Give it to me!"
"HEY!" Abberline barked, grabbing the man by his collar and pulling him away. "Let's have a little chat."
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The anchor rose and the large tea ship began making its slow journey out of the harbor.
"So, now the entire East End territory belongs to me…"
Before the man could continue, his carriage shook and the men outside grunted. The door flew open and a figure jumped inside. Another spurred the horses into a gallop. The Italian man looked down in shock at the young boy holding a gun to the side of his head.
"Corraro, are you the bastard who replaced the product in my warehouse with opium disguised as sweets?" Ciel questioned, voice sharp.
"I haven't the faintest i-" Corraro was cut off as Ciel shoved the barrel of the gun into his mouth.
"Children can be very impatient," the young Phantomhive warned.
"All right, it was me," Corraro managed to grumble out around the weapon.
"And were you responsible for the death of John Stanley as well?"
"No, that was Lau! I swear it wasn't me," the Italian man stated.
Ciel pulled his arm and the weapon back, allowing Corraro to be able to talk more freely.
"Stanley was one of out suppliers. We both bought his product… but the idiot tried to blackmail Lau and got himself killed by the man's little tigress for it... Come to think of it, Lau told me you were in some trouble of your own and that's why he was running. I hear he got something valuable off of Stanley before he left though."
Ciel grit his teeth.
So, it was Lau.
The carriage jerked to an abrupt halt and Ciel tumbled forward. He looked up when Abberline called his name. Corraro chuckled, knowing full well that the carriage had been surrounded by his men.
"I heard you'd stoop to anything to get your way, Phantomhive. This is the best you can do?" the Italian man scoffed, leaning back in his seat.
Ciel made himself comfortable as well on the opposite side of the carriage. A smirk twisted his lips.
"True, this isn't like me."
"Ciel?" Abberline spluttered from his place on the driver's bench.
"I almost forgot. There are no fast rules in this world… or if there are, then I'm the one who makes them," he declared, reaching up to his eye patch.
The strings fell aside easily, loosening the patch and revealing a brilliant, glowing, five point star.
"In my name, and that of my defiled family, I order you! Come, Sebastian!"
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Sebastian's eyes snapped open and Sam sent him a curious look as his lips spread in a wide smirk.
"It appears the young master is finally calling."
Sam frowned and stood, stretching.
"Well, let's go then."
Sebastian sighed.
"Very well. Come here."
Sam raised an eyebrow in confusion but walked towards Sebastian, stopping at his side. She was about to ask him how they'd find Ciel when the demon scooped her up in his arms. Sam squeaked and her arms latched around his neck.
"What are you doing?" she spluttered.
"I'm traveling by foot and without my assistance, you would only slow me down."
"Oh…" Sam nodded, adjusting her position so she'd be more comfortable in his arms. "Let's go then. I'm sure Ciel needs you to save his butt."
Sebastian smirked
"Indeed… I suggest you close your eyes and hang on tightly," he stated, beginning to move forward. Sam tilted her head in confusion.
"Huh? Why would I close my… WAAAHH! Slow down! Slow down! I'm gonna' be sick!"
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Ciel sat calmly as gunshots echoed around him. Abruptly, the shots disappeared and were replaced by the screams of the gunmen outside. Once the last screech had been choked off, Ciel stood and opened the carriage door, calmly stepping out onto the cobblestone street. He peered over at the mass of bodies lying lifeless in the road with a blank expression. The young Earl's eyes then fell on Sebastian and Sam and narrowed lightly.
"You're late."
"You made me wait quite a while as well, young master."
"And why is Sam here?"
"I broke him out, I have the right to follow him to save you."
Ciel raised an eyebrow at her in disbelief.
"You actually followed through with it?"
"Did you think I was kidding?"
Ciel sighed and shook his head. His eyes flickered behind him to Abberline and the cerulean orbs narrowed into any icy glare.
"I let that soft-hearted fool get under my skin… but that's all over." His gaze moved back to his demon butler. "Sebastian, we're going after Lau. What use is a pawn who defies his player?" He seethed.
"You're certain about this, my lord? You won't be able to take back this order."
"I will not condone anyone who stands in my way… even friends or family. Is that understood?"
Sebastian smirked, placing a glove hand over his heart.
"Yes, my lord."
"Ciel!"
The three turned to see Detective Abberline, watching the scene in what appeared to be absolute shock.
"You should keep your distance from me," Ciel warned. "…If you don't want to end up dead."
Abberline flinched back in shock, eyes wide.
"My work is in the shadows, yours in the light. We walk opposite paths Abberline. It's best you remember that."
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The clipper ship's hull split through the gleaming waters of the canal. One of the crewman peered off into the distance, using his hand to shield the rays of sun from his eyes.
"What is that?"
A young boy dressed formally with laced boots, a top hat, cloak, and black eye patch stood proudly atop his perch on the roof of a large, castle like, military fort. His arms were crossed over his chest as he leered out over the calm waters at the ship. A strawberry blonde woman clad in riding pants stood by his side.
"I want to say it!" she whined.
The boy frowned.
"Too bad."
The female scowled and crossed her arms as the boy turned back to the canal, his visible blue eye filled with determination.
"Fire!"
Simultaneously, dozens upon dozens of canons shot off, shaking the foundation of the large building and filling the air with dark clouds of smoke. Most of the attack missed the ship, but some canon balls connected with the wood paneling. Each one that hit made an almost sickening crunch.
From his place under the deck, Lau smiled.
"Ah, you're finally here~ This is why I'm so fond of you, my dear little Earl." The Chinese man's lips spread in a grin. "You do play your part quite nicely."
Another canon ball hit the ship with an explosive 'BOOM!' and the mast began to fall. Crewmen ducked for cover, some jumping over board.
"Let's go."
"Yes, sir."
Sebastian jumped forward, Ciel and Sam each held in one of his arms. Another canon shot off and the butler hopped onto the projectile. The canon ball skid across the water, demon and companions on its back.
Sebastian lunged off of the canon ball and onto the deck of the ship right as the metal weapon collided with the boat's side, exploding in a burst of smoke and flame. He landed effortlessly on the deck only to quickly jump to the side as a large, ornamental club swung down over his head. The clubs collided with the deck, shattering the wooden planks. Ran-Mao stepped forward, yellow eyes dark.
Sebastian placed both Ciel and Sam gently on the deck.
"Go on. I'll take care of her."
"All right."
Ciel nodded, turning to head towards the back of the ship and the passage leading to the rooms underneath. Sam followed after him carefully. Ran-Mao watched the two for only a moment before her gaze fell back on the demon butler before her.
"You're my master's enemy... You die," she stated, voice clipped and cold.
"We'll have to see about that," Sebastian smirked.
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Abberline spurred the horse forward, eyes narrowed in determination as he watched the flaming ship across the water. He grit his teeth and turned back to peer ahead.
The detective's gaze fell on a few rowboats docked nearby and turned the horse in that direction. He reached the dock and jumped off the horse, not bothering to tie it up or see if it had even stopped when he'd made his sudden dismount.
Abberline bolted down the old, stone, stairway onto the dock and jumped into one of the rowboats. He quickly slipped the rope keeping the boat in place from it's hook and began to row furiously in the direction of the clipper ship.
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Ciel and Sam sprinted across the deck, avoiding broken boards and torrents of flame. Soon, they reached a door that Ciel assumed led to a staircase that would lead them to the lower levels of the ship… and to Lau.
Sam moved in front of him. She rolled her shoulders and cracked her knuckles before pulling back and letting her leg swing out in a fast, adrenaline fueled, side kick. The door fell easily and the two sprinted inside, Ciel with his hand gun pointed forward at the man inside. He paused when Lau smiled at him in greeting.
"I see that you've finally found your way to this humble place, my dear Earl. It feels strange that we should meet under such questionable circumstance… and yet inevitable, don't you think…? As if we always knew some day it would come to this…"
"You're right, Lau," Ciel scowled, the barrel of the gun coming into line with Lau's forehead.
"By the way, what you're looking for is right over there on that shelf," Lau gestured with a smile. "What do you suppose it is? It's actually quite a fascinating document."
Sam walked over to the shelf Lau had pointed out and plucked the roll of paper, neatly secured with a ribbon and royal seal, from its place. She moved back over to Ciel and handed him the letter.
"It's a diplomatic correspondence proposing a military alliance with Germany and Italy."
The young Phantomhive flinched lightly in shock, gun hand lowering as he stared at the papers in his grasp.
"It appears that your beloved Queen is trying to plunge Europe-no, the world- into full scale war," Lau chuckled. "I suppose she'll trigger it by attacking France through the opium trade with this new drug, Lady Blanc… Yes, just as your country once invaded my own through opium."
Ciel scowled and Sam winced lightly, eyes wide.
"Do you still think you will remain her loyal guard dog when the guns start firing, my young Earl?"
"Is that why you betrayed me?" Ciel asked. "You're a pacifist."
Lau laughed in amusement.
"Oh, dear me, no."
"Then why?" Ciel growled. The Chinese man smiled pleasantly and stood from his spot on the couch.
"I was just your pawn, remember? The only tie that ever bound us was profit, my little lord… and you see, lately I've been a bit bored. I was bored being just a pawn, so I decided that I wanted to be a player in a new game." Lau's eyes opened. "A game with both our lives on the line."
Ciel and Sam jumped back in shock as Lau pulled an intricately designed sword from the depths of his traditional Chinese robes. Ciel lifted his arm and aimed his hand gun before pulling the trigger. The bullet deflected off of the gleaming blade. His eyes widened in disbelief and fear and Ciel froze in place. Sam pulled him down as the sword swung out as his head.
"Now is not the time to zonk out!" she shrieked.
"My, my~" Lau smiled. "This could be quite fun."
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Ran-Mao fell to the deck with a thud, her eyes screwed shut in pain. Blood trailed in a thin line from between her lips. She forced one eye open to leer up at Sebastian.
The demon adjusted his white glove with a smirk, not a hint of an injury anywhere on his form. Rain was slowly begging to cover the ship with a light drizzle.
"Your small body houses magnificent reserves of power; however," he smirked ,"in the end, you're still only human. If you prefer, we could call an end to this now."
Ran-Mao forced herself to sit up, her large yellow eyes locking with Sebastian's.
"No… No end."
"Sebastian!"
The demon craned his head to the left, seeking out his young master and female companion. The appeared from behind a cloud of black smoke, running to the demon's side. Ciel stopped half way to stare behind him, eyes narrowed in on a figure moving in the smoke.
"I never thought I'd see Ran-Mao's strength pushed this far. It just proves what I've always thought about you," Lau smiled, also stepping out from behind the blanket of smoke. "You're not truly human, are you, mister butler?"
"You may believe what you like," Sebastian smirked. "I am simply one Hell of a butler."
Lau chuckled.
"Interesting. Very interesting indeed, my lord… but can a world so interesting be reality? Sometimes I catch myself wondering if I have been living nothing but a dream ever since that fateful day… He couldn't decide. Was he Zhou who'd just dreamt he was a butterfly…"
Rain dripped down Lau's sword and he lunged forward.
"…or a butterfly now dreaming he was Zhou?"
"CIEL!" Sam shrieked, rushing forwards.
Ciel gasped in shock as Lau charged towards them. He called out to Sebastian and the demon began to sprint to his master's rescue when Ran-Mao jumped to her feet and intercepted him.
"I won't let you."
She swung her ornamental clubs and Sebastian grabbed Sam around the waist, jumping backwards to avoid having either of them being hit.
Lau's sword sliced through flesh with a sickening squelch and Ciel stared on in absolute disbelief at the sword protruding from Detective Abberline's back.
"Abber…line…"
"Ciel… It looks like I made it… just in time…"
"You're in my way, inspector," Lau smiled. He pulled the sword from Abberline's gut and the detective collapsed. Ciel stared at him with wide eyes and mouth hanging open in shock. Lau raised the sword again, bringing it down over Ciel's head with a sound akin to a battle cry.
Two gloved hands reached out and caught the blade effortlessly. Lau's lips twisted into a scowl and Sebastian flicked the sword to the side, slicing out with his hand. Lau jumped backwards, only to double over as a large cut appeared on his side and began to ooze blood.
"Magnificent…my lord… You win by virtue… or rather… the vice," Lau choked out, slouching over as he clutched the wound.
"Why, Lau?" Ciel seethed. "Tell me!"
"The match is over… You've won the game, my little lord," the Chinese man smiled. Ran-Man hurried over to his side, eyebrows furrowed and face contorted in internal anguish. "Apparently, I don't have what it takes to be a player…"
The two stood and before Ciel, Sam, or Sebastian could do anything to stop them, they'd dove over the edge of the burning ship and into the waves below. Sebastian walked over to the side and peered into the dark water for a few moments before turning to see Ciel and Sam bent over the wounded inspector.
"Hang on, Abberline! Just hang on," Ciel ordered, his voice wavering and eyes clouded with the foreshadowing of tears.
"I'm glad, Ciel…" he murmured, lifting a hand to the boy's cheek. "I'm glad… that… you're alright."
"Stop moving," Sam demanded, working on tying her scarf more tightly around the gaping wound. She secured it in a tight knot and watched in horror as blood instantly seeped through the fabric. Her head bowed lightly and her eyes sparkled with tears. She may never have known the man personally like Ciel appeared to have, but he'd still saved the life of someone important to her by sacrificing his own… "Ciel… I… I don't think he'll… I… I can't do a-anything else…"
Ciel bowed his head.
"I was just like you…" Abberline commented offhandedly. "When I lost my family, I thought I'd never get them back… that nothing would ever be the same… But I was so wrong. You can have your family."
"You're wrong! I-"
Ciel's denial was cut short when he saw the caring look shimmering in Abberline's eyes.
"You do have a chance, Ciel… to move forward… to build a brand new future for yourself… Don't ever forget that… promise… you won't…"
Abberline's hand fell from Ciel's cheek, bringing the eye patch with it. Ciel stared down at the man in silence, eyes wide and shining lightly with unshed tears.
"But there is no future for me," Ciel whispered. "I exchanged my future for…"
"Young Master."
Ciel jumped up, hand striking out to slap Sebastian across the face.
"You didn't hold you your end of the deal! My life was in serious danger you did nothing to save me! You disobeyed the rules of our contract!"
Sebastian smiled contentedly, closing his eyes.
"Because you were perfectly safe, my lord."
Ciel looked up at the demon in shock.
"You didn't get hurt, did you? Of course not. I could tell that you wouldn't… that Mister Abberline would shield you from-"
Ciel's hand whipped out again and the blow turned Sebastian's head. The demon's smirk disappeared and he frowned down at both Ciel and Sam as the two mourned over the deceased detective.
"Abberline…" Ciel murmured. "You damn fool…"
Sebastian's eyes narrowed.
Yes… What a fool.
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Phew! I finished at last! *does happy dance* That… was really depressing to write TT-TT Oh, Abberline. I will miss you so *sigh*
My mood fluctuated a LOT throughout writing this chapter. First, I was sad, then I was sadder, then I was happy, then I was sad, then I was REALLY happy, and now I'm just tired… Is being tired a mood?…I'm not sure.
Until next time~