HI~!

Sebastian: It would seem you are joyous...

LostAngel: What is wrong with that, Sebastian? You could be a little more joyous...

Sebastian: What is wrong, you ask. Nothing. Other than giving me a headache, it is absolutely fine.

LostAngel: And, yet, your master does not give you one?

Sebastian: I am not allowed to freely answer as I please.

LostAngel: Ciel's doing...?

Sebastian: You are typing my responses this way... *irritated*

LostAngel: Oh yeah...oh well. Enjoy the chapter, everyone! And, don't forget:

Comment, Comment, Comment!

Sebastian: You are truly annoying on occasions...many occasions, in fact.

LostAngel: *crying* You're so mean!

Sebastian: *Smirks* I am merely one hell of a butler, after all. *grins innocently*

"Katherine, before you go..." Sebastian was cut off by Katherine, "What now..?" She felt a sudden weight on her shoulders, her blinking until she realized it was Sebastian's coat. She hid a blush, grateful for the warmth it gave her, her muttering, "Thanks..."

"Of course, my kitten. I certainly would not want you and my young master falling ill," Sebastian gave an innocent smile, Katherine wandering out of her hiding place, calling out to Beast when she was close enough, "Can I do anything?"

Beast looked shocked at Katherine, expecting she had just overheard the last bit of her and Joker's words. But, she had to be careful that "Ice" did not overhear too much, of course. "Ice, what are you doing out here? You should be asleep. Go back to your tent." Katherine noted that Beast seemed irritated but she wondered if that was just her usual tough-girl attitude. After all, barriers were always up when you had a hurting heart. "I could say the same to you," Katherine replied, Beast giving her a surprised, but dark look. Beast looked away, Katherine walking closer, trying to comfort her, "So, can I do anything to help?"

Beast shook her head, "No. Unless you can make someone open their heart, no." Katherine gave a sad smile, "Sorry." Beast seemed to get irritated once more, "Leave me alone. This has nothing to do with you." Katherine walked closer, giving a look of understanding, "You are right, it doesn't. But, I've experienced heart break before, too. And, I know that talking usually helps, even if only a little."

Beast gave Katherine a thoughtful look, but still kept her barriers up. Katherine needed to go a step further, exactly like Sebastian said she would have to. "If it makes it easier, I have a bargain for you. If you share something personal or private, I will share something of equal value in my own heart. No lies." Beast's eyes widened, walking closer to Katherine. She gestured to the coat first, "That looks like Black's." Katherine eyed the coat, giving a small smile, "Yeah, I sort of borrowed it. He doesn't care. Besides, the guy never gets cold. I think he only wears it for fashionable reasons."

Beast gave a smile, a small one, "It seems you care for him. When I look, he seems to always be near you. Are you two together, then?" Katherine immediately blushed, Beast giving a nod, "You're lucky. You are with the one who makes you happy, then. Your expression gives me all the proof I need." Katherine gave the girl a look of sadness, "I'm sorry. Black isn't the easiest person to...uh, get along with, I will admit. But, no matter what I say or how tough to act to others, one thing always remained the same. I still can't stand to be away from him for too long."

Oh, Katherine prayed Sebastian wasn't listening nearby. If so, he would surely use her own words as ammo against her later on. Katherine took a leap of faith with her next words. "I guess Joker isn't easy to love, either."

Of course, with that single sentence, Katherine knew that she was just outwardly admitted to loving Sebastian. Oh well, it's not like it was a fib. She did love him, though she tried to act tough around him. Beast looked at her when she said the word "love", giving a sad chuckle, wrapping her arms around her body as a way to try and comfort herself.

Beast shook her head, "It seemed so simple, when we were all kids. We were poor and had lived on the streets. We were all damaged in some way, so we were all outcasts in the world. Joker acted like our leader and he took care of us. Even after Father took us in, he still care for us."

So, they were all street rats, then. That life compared to theirs now had to have been quite the change indeed.

"Father? Is that his sign on your leg, then?" Katherine was met with a stunned look from Beast, Katherine quickly defending herself, "You wear short outfits...if close enough, one would see it eventually. I swear I'm not a pervert of any sort." She seemed to buy that, so she nodded, "Yes, it is his mark. He is our patron. He gave us new bodies, and we are grateful for it but..."

Katherine began to understand, "In essence, he owns you all."

She gave a nod of sad agreement, "Yes. We have to do everything he tells us to."

And, they do not want to...not anymore. "I'm sorry. In a sense, I know what it feels like to not have a place to call your own. I have no memory of my true mom and dad and no side wanted me, so they tried to get rid of me. They failed and I went years without any memory or knowing of them. The people who raised me, the man and woman I believed to be my mother and father, were fakes. I don't doubt they loved me but, upon knowing, I felt I have been lied to all my life and I didn't know what to believed or where I truly belonged. In a way, I still don't. Smile and Black help me, so it's easier to bear. Without them, I don't know what I would do."

Beast gave a smile of understanding, "I don't have any reason to dislike Black but I cannot say I like him. But, he seems good to you. Can I ask you what your name actually is, Ice?" Katherine blinked, "Which one?" Beast gave a puzzled gaze, "I don't understand."

"Well, I have two. My birth name and the one I was given later on. If you ask for the birth name, then I ask for the name of your patron. That way, we're even on a personal level of sorts." Beast seemed to wonder about it, but ultimately agreed, "Our patron, our Father, is Baron Kelvin."

Got it... Katherine thought. And Sebastian said I could not do it.

Katherine gave a smile, motioning to herself, "My birth name was Amaranth, but was soon changed to Katherine."

"Amaranth? Like the flower?" Katherine nodded. "Yeah, I think they named me after that. Maybe they named me after the 'unwilting' part, you know how it come from a Greek myth or whatever. I'll never know, really."

After a few more minutes, Beast and Katherine went their separate ways, Katherine feeling accomplished. Moments later, Sebastian met up with the girl, his smirk following her every move. He enjoyed her behavior, even more when she seemed to feel proud of it herself. She shrugged off his smirk, ignoring him, "Well, we can go home soon enough. Hopefully Ciel is better at least somewhat."

Somehow, even unknown to Katherine herself, she had managed to fall on the way to the medical tent. She felt something inside her leg, so she carefully moved, hoping it wasn't what she thought it was. But, of course, her wish did not come true. Blood was seeping out, her whimpering. "This isn't fair." Sebastian came forward and examined the ground, "It appears you came across a few pieces of glass, most likely from a bottle or some sort. You truly are quite the clumsy one." Katherine narrowed her eyes, Sebastian paying her glare no mind. He briefly looked around, seeing no one nearby whatsoever, so he grinned, "I suppose it cannot be helped."

"What cannot be help...?" Katherine asked, but Sebastian only ignored her.

She wasn't surprised by this, of course. He seemed to enjoy ignoring her. He knelt down beside her, using a bit of cloth from his black jacket to wipe away some of the blood, carefully examining the wound to see if any glass had entered the wound and remained there. Luckily for Katherine, there was none. If there would've been, then she was sure he would've taken it out himself—and that would have been very painful. Finally, she figured he would have wrapped some cloth or something around the wound.

He did something entirely different, naturally...

Instead, she found the butler leaning his head down towards her leg, a blush immediately spreading on her face, "Sebastian!" He smirked, holding her still. After getting a proper hold of her leg, Sebastian's hands felt up her leg more than what was necessary (meaning, if you have a slice on your calf, there should be no reason to caress the thigh), Katherine felt a wet and warm sensation, as well as a definite stinging one. She knew what he had done—he was licking her wound. As he did this, he continued to feel up and down her thigh, Katherine grabbing his hand before he could go too far up. She could not fight the blush that creeped upon her face, even if she wanted. "That is not needed to clean my wound, thank you very much!"

Almost immediately, Sebastian crawled towards her, his face before her own within just a second or so, "It is needed but not for you, my dear. I have unique desires, you might put it." Katherine noticed something—his eyes were glowing. You have got to be kidding me. "Are you already aroused? Don't you even think about doing anything here, where people could easily see and hear us!" Sebastian merely chuckled, "I am afraid it is too late for such words, for such thoughts have already entered my mind. However, it is not the reason for my actions, no."

Katherine blinked, "Huh?"

"I told you that I crave you in many different ways, my kitten," he licked his lips. Katherine immediately put it all together—her blood aroused him. She gulped. Did this mean he would bite her, like he had had her bite him on a few occasions? Well, it was kind of romantic...

WAIT, WHAT?! She screamed in her head. IT IS NOT ROMANTIC AT ALL! I DO NOT LIKE PAIN. AND, I CERTAINLY WILL NEVER, EVER, LET SEBASTIAN PURPOSELY CAUSE IT FOR HIS OWN ENJOYMENT! END OF DISCUSSION!

Sebastian immediately gave an impish grin. "Are you certain of that?"

"!" Katherine gave bugged eyes, "You...get out of my head!"

It had been maybe an hour or so, Katherine now back at the medical tent. Ciel had woken up a few minutes ago, drinking water whenever he would begin coughing again. He seemed better but he certainly was not out of the woods. He still needed to rest more, but he said he was well-enough. He looked at Sebastian, noticing his hands, "Where are your gloves? Your nails and the mark of our contract is showing."

Sebastian looked down, as if he just now noticed them, "Ah, yes. I am afraid they got a bit dirty." Well, that excuse made no sense. This guy cooked, did yard work, dusted...everything with gloves on. But, he wasn't lying. William's scythe kind of made the glove useless with that nasty tear in it. "We've all the information we need. No one's watching, so we can leave while they're at breakfast. And, do not worry, young master..." Sebastian paused, Ciel glancing his way with a perturbed look. Sebastian continued, "I will not mention to Lady Elizabeth that you shared your bed with another young woman." Ciel looked like he'd been pierced with a knife, Sebastian giving his usual shit-eating grin. Meanwhile, Katherine was lost.

"Another young woman...?" Both ignored her, Katherine pouting.

"All you two ever do is ignore me. Watch, one day I will not be here and you will regret it!"

"Finally! We are back home! No more circus life!" Katherine could not help but beam in happiness. Sebastian and Ciel seemed, more or less, their normal (happiless) selves. "Would it kill you two to smile...?"

"I for one am happy to be back. I didn't think I could take living like that much longer..." Ciel replied, Katherine giving an awkward smile. "To be honest, anymore and I think you would have died."

"And...that makes you happy, why?" Ciel glared.

"It doesn't..." Katherine gave an innocent grin.

Opening the door, Katherine's eyes met with two people she had never met before. They eyed her, blinking. Obviously, they did not know her, either. She gave an awkward smile, "Hello." The bigger one, Katherine knowing neither of their names, clapped his hands together, "Welcome home!"

"Oh, yeah..." Ciel said in irritation. "I forgot about them..."

"Ciel! You're so cruel!" Whined the younger of the two. They both looked Indian or something similar. He, then, looked at Katherine, "I have never met you before. I am Prince Soma. This is my khansama, Agni. We are very pleased to meet you." Katherine blinked, "Khans—what?" The one named Agni gave a friendly smile, "I serve and protect my Prince, much the same way Sebastian cares for Lord Ciel."

Katherine nodded, a grin spreading on her face, "So, you're a butler!" Agni nodded, "Basically. And, if I may ask, what is your name?" Katherine smiled, about to answer when Ciel spoke first, "You can introduce yourself later, Katherine. Let's get inside!"

Well, now I don't have to introduce myself... Katherine thought to herself. Either way, Ciel was still bad, so she certainly had no objections. Soma must have noticed Ciel's condition, immediately getting worried, "What's wrong?! You're so pale!" Ciel just became more annoyed, "It's nothing serious, just leave me be." They tried to walk on but the prince just followed after, "Of course it is! You've obviously caught a cold! Do you have a fever?!" Again, Ciel became annoyed and tried to get rid of the prince. It did not work. However, once inside the room, Sebastian closed the door before the prince could enter, Katherine sighing at Ciel, "He was just worried about you, you know. That means he is a good guy."

Ciel scoffed, "He irritates me. Leave it be. He'll bounce back...he always does."

Katherine smiled, getting some stuff so Sebastian could wash Ciel's body here and there. The steaming water on the cloth would no doubt feel good on the child. Still, Katherine wished Ciel could just take it easy. He was still coughing a good bit, too. He needed time to heal. "You've been ill since infancy and I had no idea," Sebastian said with a small smirk. "Why did you never tell me, young master? I do believe it is important information the Phantomhive Butler is to know."

Ciel brushed it aside, "You never asked, so I never told. Besides, I out grew it." Katherine crossed her arms, "Not so, as you relapsed. This is serious stuff, Ciel. Be more careful." Sebastian seemed to agree with Katherine, "I'll read a medical text on asthma, just in case. A good butler is prepared for anything." Katherine could not help but smile at Sebastian's words—at least he acts the part of caring, faithful butler.

"Nevermind that," Ciel said. "Just report your findings to the heraldic authorities. The crest on the seal belongs to the Baron Kelvin." Katherine noticed Sebastian nod, the butler looking to Katherine with a smirk. She blinked in confusion—what was with that look? "Do you know him?" She asked Ciel. He shook his head, "Not really. I think I might have met him when my father took me to a party he once hosted but I am not certain. I don't fancy Philanthropists."

In a few minutes, Ciel was ready to leave. Katherine did not want him to go anywhere but she knew she words would do no good. Sebastian did not seem to have a problem with it, Katherine wondering if he even truly cared about Ciel. Or, did he just see the boy as his next meal and nothing more? He was a demon, so it would not have surprised Katherine. What a nice person to be in love with...really (note the sarcasm, please).

However, Agni standing in the doorway prevented anyone from leaving. Katherine blinked, looking at Sebastian for an explanation. Where was Soma? That answer didn't take too long. "Not so fast, Ciel!" Soma popped out from behind Agni, Katherine blinking in confusion even more. "Don't think you'll have such an easy time escaping this town house! I know you've caught a cold, and as viceroy of this house, and your dear friend, I cannot allow you to leave." he pushed Ciel into the room, Ciel attempting to go around him, "Don't be daft! And, who made you my 'dear friend', anyhow?!"

Soma, then, commanded Agni, "Agni, don't let Ciel past you!"

"I haven't got time to play games with you! I have work to do! Now, move aside!" Ciel shouted, though this quickly ended in a fit of coughing. Soma shook his head, "You are sick, no? A sick person's job is to be in bed and get waited on hand and foot."

Katherine agreed with Soma, "I agree. It wouldn't hurt to take a single day off and get better, Ciel." Soma beamed with glee, "The new maid is right!" Katherine shot him a glare, Soma giving an awkward smile, "I couldn't remember your name, forgive me! You're almost as terrifying as Ciel's Khansama!" Sebastian...his name is Sebastian. Katherine watched Ciel slap Agni's hand away, "Don't presume to touch me! Sebastian, get these two out of my way!"

Sebastian bowed, "As you wish, my lord."

Katherine was seconds from exploding on the butler. But, luckily someone beat her to it. "You ought to be ashamed, Sebastian!" Agni roared. "And, you dare to call yourself Lord Ciel's khansama!?" Katherine blinked, actually scared of this guy now. Note to self, do not piss Agni off.

Sebastian gave a curious look, "Pardon?" Maybe Sebastian didn't know how to properly care about someone. What, did he think caring about someone meant just following them around everywhere they went, obeying every order that was barked out? If so, then he did an excellent job of "caring" for Ciel. "As a fellow khansama...no, as your friend, I must speak my mind! The health of our masters must be our first concern! Don't you think you should stop Lord Ciel for the sake of his health, even if it goes against his orders? We ensure that our masters are always in good spirits and in good health! We stake our very lives on it! That is the butler aesthetic, is not not?!"

Katherine blinked—a little melodramatic but it got the point across well enough. During the next few silent moments, Katherine whispered a thought to Sebastian through their mental connection. Besides, did you not say you couldn't go through with an order if it jeopardized the terms of the contract? Isn't ignoring Ciel's health like this kind of doing that...?

Sebastian glanced at Katherine, giving a nod moments later, "I consider my role is to fulfill my master's wishes. However, there is some truth to your thoughts."

"Hey! Don't let him turn you!" Ciel tried to shout. "My orders—!" It was no use, Soma cut him off, "It is settled! I will personally nurse you back to health! Agni, porridge and herbal infusion!" Agni bowed, "Certainly!" Soma, then, gave orders to Sebastian and Katherine, "Ciel's khansamas, nightclothes and icepacks!"

"Right away!"

"I will get them promptly."

"HEY!" Ciel tried again...and, again, it did not work.

Later on, after Ciel had been dressed in some night-clothing and was in the process of getting his temperature read, the boy held the most irritated look on his face. Was it really this horrible to take a day off to try and get better before going out in the cold, again? Prince Soma had left the room, leaving Katherine and Sebastian with the young earl. "Come on, you could have died at the circus. Leave it at this for the day, or I will tell that prince what happened with your asthma at the circus. I am sure he would coddle you twice as much, if I did." Ciel's eyes widened in almost-fear, him shooting a glare at Katherine afterwards, who only smiled innocently in return. Sebastian took the thermometer, looking at it, "You do not have a terrible fever. Given a day of rest, I am certain you will be able to continue the work tomorrow. We have made good progress on the case, after all."

Sebastian took Ciel's coat, feeling something in its pocket. It was a lollipop—a Funtom lollipop, actually. How ironic for him to be given such a gift, Sebastian assuming Ciel's roommate had given it. The kid, Freckles, became close with Ciel...Sebastian knew this. Sebastian thought about tossing the candy into the fire, wanting Ciel to forget about the "friend". He left the room, seeing as his master was now sleeping due to his illness, to find Katherine. Eventually, he found the maid snooping around in the kitchen. Sebastian walked over to the maid with the lollipop, "For you, my kitten."

Katherine looked and brightened when seeing the candy, "Aww, thanks!" She unwrapped it and put it in her mouth, about to walk away when Sebastian folded his arms, "Hmm...I expected more. Maybe, perhaps, I should have thrown it away." Katherine looked at the butler, blinking, "Are you pouting?"

Katherine did not even think about it, but someone watched her and Sebastian—Soma. The young prince watched as Sebastian wrapped his arms around the girl, Soma's eyes growing wide. So, then, did even this guy find a girl? That was indeed a surprise. "Well, my kitten, I hoped to have an even better award than a spoken 'thank you'," Sebastian replied, Katherine giving him a narrowed look, "Oh, really? Does it involve me taking this lollipop out of my mouth at all?" Sebastian gave a small smirk, "Only for a small moment."

"Nope," Katherine tried to walk on, Sebastian taking the candy by force, "Then, I shall dispose of this?" He was taller than Katherine, so even if she jumped (which she tried) she could not get the lollipop back. "This is mean, Sebastian! Give it back!" Sebastian wrapped am arm about her waist, pulling her roughly against him, "What will you give me for me, dear Katherine?" Katherine let out a small growl, "What do you want?" Sebastian gave a knowing look, Katherine's eyes widening, "What!? 'That' for candy? Come on, Sebastian! That's not even close! Maybe a kiss or something, yes, but...'that'?!"

"But, why would I settle for a mere kiss when I can end up getting so much more?" Sebastian questioned, Katherine blushing.

Soma blinked, him being confused. What was the 'that' they were talking about? Agni, who had been listening to the conversation between Sebastian and Katherine, led his prince away. "Agni?" Soma asked, Agni shaking his head. "There are some conversations you are to not to be listening on, my prince."

"I get my lollipop and you get sex? That is hardly fair! Even out the reward, and maybe." Katherine crossed her arms, Sebastian grinning, "Oh, I believe you will be greatly satisfied, my girl. After all, I was quite good at satisfying your needs last time, was I not?" Again, Katherine's cheeks went red, "You can't just say that stuff out loud! I don't want Agni or Soma hearing us!" Sebastian held Katherine's chin, making her look up at him, "If I increase your reward, would you be willing to make a deal?"

Katherine gave a surrendered look, "Even if I did not, you would just attack me tonight anyways...if not then, then you would eventually."

"My kitten knows me very well, doesn't she?" He greedily licked Katherine's neck, placing a kiss upon her lips immediately afterward. All Katherine could do was shiver, narrowing her eyes at the butler, "Must you do that? You do it too much and it will no longer surprise me anymore." Sebastian's eyes began to glow, Katherine mentally scolding herself. You idiot! Why did you say that?! Now, he's going to find new ways to torture you!

"We can't have that, now can we?" Sebastian smirked at his girl, taking her hand afterwards and nipping at her palm's skin. She pulled away, immediately grabbing the lollipop he had stolen from her and rushed away in a hurried walk.

Geez, can he ever be a pervert...

Okay, so that is that for this chapter!

So, I had to try to add in Soma and Agni...since I never put in the Curry Arc, it was a little difficult. So, please do not say "well, you didn't do this right" because I didn't I didn't. I had to change little things so I could fit Katherine in.

So...next chapter will be a lemon lol

I am certain at least a handful of you have wanted one for a little while. Well, you're getting it!

I will, most-likely, make the lemon in a separate "chapter", so if there's a single soul who does not want to read it, they won't have to in the "true chapter".

So...later!