Title: Heat

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Characters except for the unknown ones.

Warning: This story deals with gender bender, it's AU, and OOC for some characters.

Author Notes: Due to recent computer issues, I'm sorry to say that my updates will become less frequent as I cannot afford to replace my computer and getting it repaired would cost too much.

Pairing: Claude x Sebastian, Undertaker x Grell

Chapter 38.

Over inside the Trancy estate, Claude was speaking with Alois, Ciel, Mey-Rin, and Tanaka about the new estate. Only two had been found in London that might suit their needs, though the young humans wanted to see both to see which would be best for all of them. It was very lucky that Mey-Rin and Hannah had gone out so early looking, for that had narrowed the list down considerably.

While Hannah made tea to serve with the lunch, the rest of the group chattered away, having no idea of what was coming next. Thompson and Finnian, along with Bard-Roy, were busy elsewhere. There was a lot to do if they wanted it done in time for when Sebastian would return. At least, they were hoping that it would all be done. It would be much easier if they were done than trying to convince Sebastian to take it easy.

Unfortunately, with everyone preoccupied with other things, all the humans and demon had failed to keep any eye on anything dangerous that might enter the estate. They had no way of knowing of what was happening. As it was, only the Grim Reapers themselves knew that there was danger lurking nearby and none were there to warn them.

Inside of the funeral home, emotions were definitely running high as the small group stood silently for a few moments.

Glancing at Undertaker, Grell made a soft sound, for he'd seen the look of deep pain upon his face. Lucifer had left as quickly as he'd arrived, returning to the fighting back in the Demon World. Part of the redhead was secretly glad that Lucifer had told Undertaker to stay with Sebastian, but now he wasn't so sure if he should feel that way.

Clearly something had been distracting the Demon Lord when he'd been there. He'd actually called Sebastian Michaelis "Sebastian" instead of "Michaelis" That was something that Grell hadn't heard him do since the first moment he met that particular Demon. However happy he'd initially felt that Undertaker hadn't gone with Lucifer, Grell definitely didn't like to see him hurting like this. He glanced at the sleeping demon in Undertaker's arms before looking back more closely at the retired Shinigami.

Undertaker felt Grell watching him, though he was unable to force a smile or pretend that nothing was wrong. It wasn't in his nature to fake something he didn't truly feel- like the disdain he often felt for certain person that had a habit of coming into his home without being invited.

Seeming not to notice the undercurrent, William T. Spears cleared his throat finally, before he looked at the other three. "Well... It appears that you were correct, Undertaker," he murmured, thoughtfully frowning. "Someone is after Demon Lord Lucifer's life and if they succeed..."

"They won't," Undertaker flatly replied, his eyes flashing beneath the long strands of his hair. "They can't, because even if they did kill Lucifer, Sebastian Michaelis is in their way as well. Whoever it is would have to kill him, too."

Seeing the grim set to Undertaker's mouth, Grell stilled for a few moments. "You really want to go help him, don't you?" he softly asked, though he knew it was the truth. The whole thing made him uncertain, for from the way Undertaker and Demon Lord Lucifer had been interacting, it definitely seemed that there was something more between them than he'd thought.

Ronald coughed slightly. "So if it's such a bad thing for him to be killed, then maybe we should help him?" he suggested quietly, his green eyes clouded slightly. "I hate overtime as much as you do, William, but this situation is not the typical one." He exhaled slowly, rocking back slightly on his heels as he brushed his hair aside, though careful not to knock his glasses off.

"If this mysterious person is willing to kill Demon Lord Lucifer, I don't believe that they'd hesitate at having to kill Sebastian as well," he added, seeing that William still didn't look entirely convinced. "This same person also appears to be trying to revive the war between our races judging from the human souls that have been devoured already. Demon Lord Lucifer said he was going to look into himself; now someone is directly trying to kill him. I believe we can hardly call that a coincidence..."

William paused, weighing the weight of Ronald's words. Though younger and sometimes brash, Ronald was much smarter than Grell, though that didn't really take much doing. "Yes, Ronald, but we also have to tell the other Reapers what exactly is going on so they can act accordingly." Turning his head, he looked directly at Grell. "Grell, I want you to go back to the Demon World and help Demon Lord Lucifer; make sure he doesn't get killed. We'll join you as soon as we make our report..."

"Me?" Grell nearly squeaked again, shivering at the thought of fighting near that particular demon. He knew that Lucifer had been staring at him when he'd told Undertaker to stay here in this world, rather than going with him to fight. "I... um... I don't think that's a good idea, William..."

He brought his hands together, his index fingers pressed against each other, tip to tip, looking nervously at William with his widened green eyes. "I barely know how to fight Sebastian and I lost to him… How can I best anyone more powerful than him by myself..."

"Do what you're best at," William replied, giving Grell a rather stern look. "Distract them until we can get there, Grell; even for you, that shouldn't be too difficult..."

Grell felt stung, a distinct blush appearing on his face in shame as he looked away from the dark-haired Shinigami. Why did William always have to put him down like this? It wasn't really fair, considering that it wasn't fighting that kept him from wanting to go. He wasn't entirely certain of what Demon Lord Lucifer would do upon seeing him.

Certainly they'd never spoken directly to each other; at least Grell didn't think that they had. And what with the connection between Lucifer and Undertaker and Grell not really understanding it, it might be that he would be seen as an intruder. Even though Undertaker had asserted that their relationship was not really a romantic relationship, Grell knew he wasn't imaging things. There was definitely something there those two that hinted of much more than mere friendship.

Undertaker, for his part, might have gone after William for being such a clueless idiot if he hadn't still been holding Sebastian. As they were in the living room rather than his bedroom, he intended to let the young demon sleep peacefully in a bed, but hadn't had the time to take him there yet. "I have a better idea, William," he said, phrasing it like it was a mere suggestion when it clearly wasn't.

"Oh? And what's that?" William could detect the hint of something dark in Undertaker's voice, not liking it one bit. He didn't take a step back, but he was wary right now of the retired Grim Reaper.

Ronald wondered how William couldn't have noticed the looks between Demon Lord Lucifer, Undertaker, and Grell. Was he really that clueless when it came to what was happening around him? Or did William not notice things unless it directly involved him. Glad once again that those eyes were not focused on him, he remained silent.

"I will take Sebastian to where Ciel Phantomhive is while Grell heads to Lucifer's estate in the Demon World," Undertaker replied, "and when you are finished, William, then you and Ronald come to where I am so I can go to Lucifer as well. That way, Sebastian is thoroughly protected but so is Lucifer. No one here can fight as well as me- and I'm used to fighting with him."

He knew it was true; he'd fought together with Lucifer since he'd been the equivalent ages of a human teenager and a child of about ten. They'd teamed up for most of the fights that they were involved in when the Demons and Shinigami were on the same side. During the war, though, Undertaker had been the only Reaper that had believed in Lucifer enough to follow him. There was only once in all the time that they'd know each other that Lucifer had not been able to fight with him, but Undertaker hardly cast blame upon him for it.

The trauma of what the young demon had endured prior to the fight in question had been no small thing. Physical pain never lasted as long as mental, and considering the source, it didn't surprise Undertaker at all that Lucifer still carried that mental scarring inside. Because of it, Lucifer only numbered three individuals for his lovers; the first didn't count because he'd been the victim of a brutal crime. The second was Undertaker himself, and even then it was only for his required tryst when he was in heat. The final lover had been the mother of Lucifer's children, though she never knew why she could never engage his heart as their children had and as Undertaker had.

It was only to be expected, though. Once upon a time, Lucifer had been as innocent as Sebastian Michaelis currently was. Though unlike Sebastian, no one had been looking out for Lucifer when he went into heat for the first time- and at a much younger age than usual. After all, it wasn't every day that your father contracted you to a sexual sadist when you were just a child.

Undertaker's eyes narrowed as he remembered further, once again believing that Lucifer had been too merciful when he'd finally killed the bastard. Personally, he'd have tortured him for a very long time, rather than giving him an instant death that was over much too quickly.

Grell was much happier at the thought of Undertaker meeting him there than William or Ronald. William was being mean again and Ronald seemed to be in a weird mood. He was being awfully quiet today, not at all like his usual self.

William inwardly scowled, though he gave in once more. He was really getting tired of this, though; Shinigami really shouldn't be getting involved in Demon business, let alone rescuing them. Yes, maybe Demon Lord Lucifer was a decent person, but the vast majority of demons that William had encountered were not. He also wondered if the rumors about Undertaker and Lucifer might be wrong, since he and Ronald had found Undertaker about to sleep with Grell.

That was something he honestly never wanted to see again, especially considering how angry Undertaker had been with him for it. Those two clearly were an item or about to be one. That wasn't necessarily a bad thing, because it meant that Undertaker might help them out more if it was his lover was involved in a case that they needed help on.

Undertaker could see that William was none too happy but he really did not care. It was more important to him to be able to have Sebastian safe enough that he could go to Lucifer without being worried that someone would attack him while he was gone. It wasn't just Sebastian Undertaker was worried about, though; he didn't want Grell to be hurt, either, or Lucifer himself.

He honestly didn't believe, though, that Lucifer would purposefully hurt Grell, simply because he wasn't that vindictive of a person. The way he was pulling away, though, did have Undertaker concerned. He'd never considered that Lucifer would react by distancing himself, not after everything that they'd been through together. Even if they were not lovers anymore, Lucifer was his best friend. Nothing would change that; Undertaker would not allow it.

And if something did happen to Lucifer, he'd be the first to know. After all, Undertaker's contract with Lucifer had not been released yet. The mark of it still glowed upon his body, hidden beneath the clothing that he wore.

To be continued