Hi readers! I promise I haven't forgotten about my beloved Sebastian and Katherine story. I do need to clarify something. Sadly, this story has kind of gotten on the back burner, and it was all unintentional. In a way, even my Servamp story has. I've been so focused on getting my novel finished in every possible way that I've pushed everything else aside, and I apologize. So, these chapters will be far apart, but there will be updates, regardless. It's not on hiatus or dropped. The time has come so I can send my novel to agents for representation, so I hope I can devote much time to my fanfics.
But, with no more delay, here is the next chapter…
Enjoy!
[About a month later…]
Things were looking up! Yep. It was awesome!
Okay, okay…things weren't so great in the current day and time, but, for once, it wasn't because the manor was under some sort of attack. This time, poor Katherine wasn't feeling her best, although she was striving to keep it hidden from the manor. Namely, she was trying to keep it from Sebastian but with their mind connection back up and working, it was difficult to keep, really, anything from him. She knew he'd be upset with her for keeping such a thing from him, but she couldn't call on him every time she turned around. It was just a cold. Given a few days, she'd feel better—hopefully. Currently, she was doing some stuff in the kitchen. Happily, it had been Bard who was giving her a hand and not Sebastian. Still, he couldn't really focus on the work he'd been asked to do, a curious glance falling on Katherine's form.
"Umm…Katherine?" Bard asked, the girl looking his way.
"Huh? What do you need, Bard? We're just putting stuff away at this point…shouldn't be too difficult," She said in return.
Bard stopped what he was doing, crossing his arms over his chest as he leaned against the counter.
"Well, yeah, but…well, I was just wondering why you're putting the spices where the dishes go..." He stated, brow raised as he stared at the maid.
Katherine just blinked. "What are you talking about? I'm not—"
She looked in front of her, dishes meeting her eyes, as well as the canister of nutmeg she'd just put there just moments before. It took her a few seconds to put the situation together in her head, her giving a nervous and embarrassed laugh. "Oh…silly me! Just one of those 'off days' everyone gets."
"I dunno…maybe I should get Sebastian…" Bard said, placing a towel over his shoulder. "You've been acting real funny all morning."
Katherine immediately became alarmed. "No! There's no need for him. I'm fine, Bard…it's just an off morning. That's all. We all have them! I'll be fine as the afternoon rolls around. I promise!"
Bard raised his brow even further. "…it's almost time for the young master's lunch, Katherine…"
Katherine blinked. "Really?"
"That's it…" Bard said as he started leaving the kitchen. "I'm getting Sebastian."
"NO! BARD! STOP!" Katherine shouted, running after the chef. "WAIT THERE'S NO NEED FOR SUCH HASTY ACTIO—uh…"
A dizzy spell hit Katherine, her knees beginning to buckle under her, Bard catching the maid before she completely collapsed to the floor. His eyes widened. She was burning up! At that moment, Bard noticed Mei-Rin walk by. "Oi! Get in here!"
"What's the matter?" Mei-Rin casually inquired, immediately panicking when she noticed Bard holding Katherine. "Bard!? What are you doing to Katherine?! If Sebastian sees you, he'll—"
"That's not it at all!" Bard snapped, Mei-Rin giving a confused stare. Bard steadied Katherine's body on a chair before he placed his hand on her forehead. "Damn it! Her fever is extremely high! Alright, Mei-Rin, I need you to go get Sebastian. Tell him Katherine is sick."
Mei-Rin's panicking once more picked up. "I'll go tell him right away! Not good! Not good! Not good!"
Katherine looked to Bard, her still feeling rather lightheaded. "It's just a fever, Bard."
"The hell it is! Your temperature is too high to just ignore it, Katherine! Now, stay here…I'll get some cold water and towels." Bard said as he left the kitchen, him popping his head back in. "And if I find you gone, I'll tell Sebastian everything…"
Katherine just glared at him. "…Using my fiancé against me…how cruel."
Bard ignored it, Katherine being left in the kitchen. She thought about her words from seconds ago. Sebastian was, indeed, her fiancé, by human terms. It was still weird to think about that. They weren't just "together". It was more than that, and it wasn't secret. Katherine looked at the ring on her finger, a smile coming to her face. She felt her heart race a bit, her placing a hand over the area.
[Elsewhere in the Manor]
Mei-Rin went to Ciel's study, her knocking on the door in a hurried fashion while shout "MASTER! MASTER! MASTER! IT'S AN EMERGENCY! QUICK!", quickly irritating Ciel.
"Stop with your incessant knocking!" Ciel called from the other side, him motioning for Sebastian to open the door. "What is it?! If it's not a real emergency, I swear..."
Mei-Rin entered into the room, bowing slightly before speaking to her young master, "Young Master, we have a problem, yes we do! Bard said to come get Sebastian! Katherine's running a real high temperature! I even almost collapsed!"
Ciel's eyes widened, his look of panic quickly replaced with a look of irritation. "I swear…that girl just loves getting attention. Well…go on, Sebastian. It's not something I can ignore. I want you to assess the situation. Take whatever action you feel is needed."
Sebastian bowed slightly. "As you wish, My Young Lord."
When Sebastian entered the kitchen, he found Katherine leaning on the counter to her right, completely passed out due to her fever. Mei-Rin panicked some more, Sebastian blocking it out as he walked closer to Katherine, examining her. A grin appeared on his face, this fading away when he noticed Bard enter the area, the chef carrying a large bowl of water and a few dry cloths.
"We won't be using that here." Sebastian said to the chef. "Follow me, Bard."
Sebastian picked Katherine up in a bridal-style fashion, him mentally noting Katherine's high fever. She obviously hadn't been faking it. She was weak, too. Sebastian could tell this through their mind connection, the fact Katherine being passed out not affecting that one bit. He had taken her to her own personal room, as he thought taking her to his room might be a bit "too much". Had it just been him and his bride-to-be, he wouldn't have cared, but Mei-Rin and Bard were tagging along. He placed her on the bed, Bard placing the water and cloths near the butler. Sebastian thanked the chef, as well as Mei-Rin for alerting him about Katherine, dismissing both afterward. When they left, Sebastian dipped the cloth in water, allowing it to thoroughly soak through. He laid it on Katherine's forehead, the maid slightly flinching as little beads of water ran down her neck from when the butler had moved the soaked cloth from the bowl to the girl. Sebastian just smirked at her reaction, the butler leaning down and licking the water away.
Again, Katherine flinched.
After a few moments, Sebastian noticed Katherine's eyes began to open. She looked around before settling on his figure, a small smile coming to her.
"Sebastian…" She breathed, her attempting to sit up, only for the butler to gently press her body back down.
"Uh uh," Sebastian shook his head. "You are much too ill to be up. You are not to leave this room until I give the approval, by order of the young master, but there is a way to speed up the process, of course…"
Katherine gave him a deadpan stare, her sighing moments after. "Sebastian…I don't need to be cured by your blood every time. This is just a cold…it'll go away with rest."
"It's unusual for you to be this nonchalant with such a thing, Katherine," Sebastian said with slight hints of astonishment. "You're acting as if it's nothing but a mere papercut. Perhaps, my kitten is adopting some of my personality?"
"Wha—? What are you talking abou—" Katherine began, a thought donning on her, cutting her words short.
In her time, colds were seen as no big deal. Even the flu was typically seen as nothing extremely worrisome, unless it got out of hand. Usually, it was the same routine person-to-person: Medicine and sleep, but here…things were obviously going to be different. People's immune systems were not that good, meaning the smallest thing could give them a death sentence. She was from a different time, though…so surely her immune system would be different, right?
"No…" She answered, trying her best to avoid the really confusing thoughts. "Your blood in me from before should help…right? So, given that, do I really need a new 'dose'?"
"You're mistaken, Katherine." Sebastian crossed his arms, gazing down at his sick kitten. "You see, that is one of my concerns. Actually, my blood has caused your natural defenses to weaken, seeing as how it has been relying on my blood to keep you healthy up until now."
Katherine felt a small hint of irritation building inside.
He decided to tell her this now?! How…convenient.
"So, in other words, I always will have to rely on your blood…" Katherine said, a little sour. "You get way too much amusement out of this…but I guess there's nothing else I can do."
"Very good, my kitten," Sebastian praised, a sly grin appearing. "But, first…I desire a little…exchange."
Katherine blinked. "Exchange…? What are you—"
Then, it donned on her. "Wait…you—you mean my blood? Why? You never 'desired' it before!"
Sebastian, again, smirked. "Do I need a reason, Katherine?"
Katherine narrowed her gaze a little. "I would say 'yes', but it wouldn't do any good. You'd never give one…"
Sebastian felt his grin increase, him hovering over Katherine's body as he whispered into her ear, "My kitten is learning quite fast. How…delightful."
Katherine knew why he had spoken like that. He was getting excited. Honestly, she was little afraid when he became excited in such ways, but, at the same time, she almost felt excited herself. It was weird, especially when she knew he wanted to bite her. Also, she highly doubted he'd be gentle.
Sebastian licked her neck a bit. "Are you ready, or do you want me to tease you a bit first?"
"Teasing leads to 'other things', Sebastian. Don't try and fool me with your seductive ways. It won't work." Katherine warned, her continuing, "Just get it over with, please? I'd really like this fever to go away. I feel weird with it…"
Sebastian scooped her into his arms, placing themselves in a sitting-up position as he spoke, "Close your eyes…"
She did so, her body going nearly limp when his fangs entered her neck. Why did she go limp at this!? But that wasn't the "weird" part. She…she was enjoying this. It hurt. It hurt like hell! Still, she was enjoying this. She could feel herself being pulled away from everything she'd ever known to be "normal". She liked his kiss, his bite, even his blood. She fought him tooth and nail, but it wasn't because she was being forced into anything. If anything, it was like this whole thing was just a twisted game of cat-and-mouse, but she wasn't really sure who was the cat and who was the mouse sometimes. No doubt, Sebastian was the dominant one, but she knew he enjoyed letting her "on top" for small spurts. She never felt on a leash or pulled around. She never wanted this to change—their being together, always. She couldn't see herself ever getting tired of him.
But…would he ever tire of her?
"Never."
She looked in front of her, her noticing Sebastian had stopped drinking her blood and now stared at her, his arms still around her in a firm embrace.
"No matter how many times I tell you, you never seem to believe me," Sebastian said with very slight irritation.
"Can you blame me?" Katherine asked. "I'm human…or at least I was raised as one. Humans can't afford to stay on one person forever. If they did, they would marry and die with the person they had their eyes set on back in grade school. We get bored easily, even if humans don't see it. We learn by experience. It's how we evolve. To think that you and I will be together until the end of time is…it's hard to grasp. Most humans say stuff like 'until the end of time', but…we're not together forever with that person. It's just until we die, which is why people celebrate their 50th anniversary where I come from. That day is meant to be seen as a big thing. I mean, it's seen as a miracle if they make it until both are 90."
"Your words are true, Katherine. However, there is a reason why humans and demons are different. Why do you think I desired to turn you into a demon long before I discovered your true roots?" Sebastian said, placing his forehead against the girl's. "You see, I forbid you to die…"
"Forbid?" Katherine said with a slightly narrowed gaze. "That would have sounded so much more romantic if you said it differently, you know. Something like: 'I'll never let you die.' Or 'As long as I am able, I will always save you.' The way you said it…it didn't have the caring aspect to it…"
Sebastian smirked. "Demons tend to show affection slightly different, Katherine. I have told you this before, have I not?"
"Yes, and I'm sure you'll say it several more…" Katherine said with a sigh, getting back to their previous topic. "Am I going to drink your blood or not? We got a little off-topic…"
"Had you not allowed your mind to wander, it wouldn't have happened." Sebastian criticized. "However, I suppose I should not expect anything different. Your ability to focus on anything is remarkably relaxed. Still, I do not think there is any way to truly fix that, is there?"
Katherine felt herself glare at him. "If you're going to criticize, leave. I still have a fever and am in no mood for your games, Sebastian."
Sebastian gave no response, other than his trademark smirk, biting into his wrist. Katherine knew what he would do: Feed her his blood, even though he didn't have to. She was sick, not unconscious. Still, this was Sebastian. The day she'd figure him out would be the day hell froze over. So, after the "feeding session" was over, Katherine feeling even more exhausted afterwards, Sebastian left the girl to sleep for the time being. But Katherine's sleep wasn't a particular easy one.
[Dream begin]
Katherine knew the area around her. She wasn't sure if it truly was but she considered it heaven. Why was it heaven? First off, there were angels. Seconds, it was bright but not blindingly bright. It was a nice and peaceful bright. But she didn't know why she was here. Last time, she was chased, even though she wasn't actually sure if she was truly in danger. Whether it be a vision or a dream, she couldn't actually be injured…right?
"Probably I should just assume the worse…" Katherine said aloud.
She snapped her attention behind her when she heard soft gasp. It was a man, and he looked familiar. It was a guy in a dream she'd had…or was it a vision? Honestly, she didn't even know anymore. She looked at his hand, seeing it was bandaged. It was the same guy she'd burned on accident. He looked at his injured appendage, a soft chuckle sounding.
"Yeah…I didn't actually think you'd hurt me by just touching me…" He said, Katherine's eyes widening.
Was he a threat?
She took a step back, but he reached out and spoke softly, "No…I don't want to harm you."
"Sorry, I can't believe anyone…" She said cautiously. "Too many people have tried to hurt me…"
"I know, but…we're not like those other people. Why would we? You're amazing!" He said with enthusiasm, Katherine giving him an even greater cautious-laden stare. "You may have been born as an abomination, but…the power that courses through you is unimaginable! We're not like that demon, who just wants to change you into whatever he wants."
Katherine scoffed. "That demon has claimed several times that he plans to change me into a full demon, and I always suspected it was for his gain over mine. Still, why hasn't he? I'm sure he could have, one way or another. In reality, I don't really care. It's nice to see at least one creature that doesn't want to kill me at the end of the day…one who hasn't tried to control me against my will…"
"We're not trying to control you…" The man tried.
"But you will. Maybe not right away, but eventually…" Katherine cut him off. "I don't want to fight anyone. So, I won't help you. Now that I've said that, what do you plan to do? Let me go off the hook? I doubt that. If life has taught me anything, it's that, now that you know I won't follow you, you guys will attempt to persuade me…and if that doesn't work, you'll force your 'ideals' upon me. Maybe you'll kidnap a friend…or maybe my young master. You might even try to turn me against Sebastian, or the other way around. I don't care about angels or demons or unicorns…none of it. I just want you people to leave me alone!"
"That will never happen. You're a half-breed! You'll never know peace, but we can give it to you!" The man, again, attempted to get his point across.
"How?" Katherine said, the guy giving a shocked expression, Katherine continuing. "How can you give it to me? Are you offering me freedom from the other angels and demons that want me dead? Sebastian already promised that, and he has kept to that promise more than once, let me add. I can't believe someone who seems to make a habit of randomly popping up in a dream or vision."
"You'll lose control," The man warned, Katherine blinking. "The creature…the 'abomination', she will take over. It is only a matter of time. That is why the demon wants to turn you. You'll be rid of her. You'll keep the demon part…but the rest will be destroyed. Do you think it's wise he do such a thing? To destroy what you were meant to be by God's own hands?"
"Sebastian's a demon..." Katherine pointed out. "I don't think he's worried about such things. Also, 'she' doesn't sound like a very good thing. She sounds like a monster."
"She'll feel like one," he warned further. "She's been sealed away for so long…and, no doubt, she longs for freedom. She might even devour you, if she must."
"Then I'll second Sebastian on getting rid of her." Katherine nearly growled. "This is my life, not hers."
The male angel noticed Katherine's eyes glow a red color, him taking a step back. Too much of the demon had been awakened inside her. This wasn't good, not to mention it could jeopardize their own plan!
"Look, if you would just listen to—" He, again, tried.
"Get out…" Katherine's voice came out as a growl. "Get out of my head, or I'll force you out. If it comes to that, I can't promise you'll make it out alive, so choose wisely."
The angel looked at Katherine, but he didn't see the human girl from before. This looked like another being. She had a succubus sort of outfit on, thigh-high leather boots, elbow length leather gloves, black claws, the "signature's devil's tail" which was black, horns, and black color-schemed makeup. Oh, and fangs. Couldn't overlook the fangs. The angel wasn't surprised by the demoness's appearance. Amaranth's father was an Incubus, so it was only common sense his daughter would take some of those genes.
[Dream End]
Katherine felt her eyes open, her immediately bolting up and looking herself over. It was her normal body, the girl feeling a sigh leave her. Of course it would be her normal body. She looked up, her eyes widening.
It was the demoness from her dream.
The female demon smirked. "So, you can see me? I'm impressed."
"Wh-what are you doing here?" Katherine finally spoke after staring for seemed like an eternity.
The creature just rolled her eyes. "I'm you. I've always been here, feeding on him. I am what you will become, eventually."
"We look nothing alike!" Katherine shouted, her anger beginning to grow. "Why can't you people understand?! I want nothing to do with you!"
The demon just chuckled. "Well, that's too bad. You see, it doesn't matter what you want. You'll be much better off if you become me. We will meld together, becoming one. You may or may not remember your life as a human, but you will have Sebastian. If you do nothing, you'll eventually become the half-breed you were always meant to be. It'll destroy you. Your soul will shatter."
"I'll lose it if I become a demon…" Katherine corrected. "Either way, bad luck for me…"
"Not necessarily," the demon said, her appearing beside Katherine on the bed. "If it shatters, you die…while if you become me, you just continue to live. The guilt, pain, suffering of living a human life is gone. The experience, however, will remain. I doubt it'll be an easy transition from human to demon, especially mentality-wise. We think differently…feel differently. But it's better than ceasing to exist. You won't go to heaven and can't do to hell. A shattered soul has nowhere. Not even darkness."
Katherine would be lying with she said those words didn't faze her.
Before she could reply, however, she heard the door to the room open, Sebastian standing there. Katherine gasped, her looking to find Sebastian's expression hadn't changed from his usual one. Could he not see the girl sitting on the bed?
"Katherine, whoever are you talking to?" He asked.
She blinked, looking at the demon-version of herself. "Um…no one?"
"Really?" He asked, crossing his arms. "You do not sound very confident in your answer. Perhaps your fever has left you with mild hallucinations? The young master might desire me to call for the doctor."
"I don't have a fever anymore!" Katherine groaned. "I was just…uh, talking to myself. People do it, from time-to-time. Completely normal."
"I would go as far as to call it that…" Sebastian criticized. "However, I shall tell the young master your fever has lifted. He might not be very willing to show it, but he has been worried about your well-being. I can finally tell the irritating 'Trio', as you like to call them, your health has improved. Maybe some work will actually be finished now."
Katherine sighed, a look of irritation forming. "Not exactly sure I can take this as you being happy for my recovery…"
Sebastian blinked and walked closer, his body climbing atop Katherine's own, Katherine noticing the demon-version of her had never moved off the bed. The demon female simply watched Katherine and Sebastian, a mischievous glimmer in her eye. "Perhaps I should leave? Wouldn't want to distract you from…"
She grinned even wider. "…other activities."
Sebastian noticed Katherine's gaze was not on him but directed as if something was near. He tried to scan her thoughts, but, oddly enough, he found them to be void of anything. That was not like the girl. She always had something on her mind, 99% of the time it being useless material or her criticizing the demon butler. Perhaps…could something be blocking him from Katherine? That didn't seem to be the case, as he could access other areas. So, then, what was going on?
Well, that is that! This chapter is over, finito! So, was it good? I hope I wasn't too rusty on it, seeing as how it feels like it's been forever since I released a new chapter for this story. Comment your thoughts, opinions, or whatever you'd like to say about the chapter!
Until next time, which I hope won't be too far away…
Bye bye!
