There is one thing you must know, the story of Lucifer's fall is entirely fiction. Please forgive me but you will see soon that it makes sense.

Ash has figured out what's causing the migraines, only Sebastian hasn't told Claude everything about his family. Ash arrives only to tell Claude one of the most important stories of Sebastian's lineage.

What's causing Sebastian all this pain?

What hasn't he told Claude?

Why does Ash look as thought he's seen a ghost when he looks at Alex?

Enjoy,

~Kuro

P.s. I do not own Kuroshitsuji.


Chapter 49: A Cruel Fate

Ash sighed and leaned against his desk the conversations he had with Sterling was fresh in his mind. He ran a hand through his white hair and groaned, he had no interest in getting tangled in something this complicated again. It had ended badly for him after he had attempted to cleanse the world by using Queen Victoria as a puppet. Sebastian had no issue in encasing him in bronze, "So troublesome," he muttered as he slowly looked at the rose in the vase. Then again it had been a while since he had been part of the drama in London. Usually he ran the club and avoided the attention of other immortals; he paused and remembered the look in Sebastian's eyes. Something was off. Sebastian's gaze was filled with anger and pain, but not emotional pain. They were glassed over with physical pain, "Sterling what have you been doing to him?" he asked after a moment. He froze and noticed a note on his desk, it was a parchment envelope with emerald green ink, "How the hell did he get into my office?" asked Ash in shock before pulling a letter opener and tearing into it. Ash sighed, it was clear Sterling had to maintain his signature style. With his elegant script and emerald green ink, "Oh my, you're really causing me a head ache," he groaned. Ash paused and slowly lifted the page to his nose, "Head ache," he muttered, his eyes widened and he dropped the letter on the desk. He turned on the ball of his foot and grabbed his coat. It rustled as he ran down the stairs, "Sir?" asked the manager. Ash ignored him and ran out the door; he had to get to Sebastian and Claude.

Ash sighed and looked around before closing his eyes and snapping his fingers, as much as he hated jumping he knew he had to do it. He opened his eyes to see a massive bed before him and two demons cuddling in the center of it. "Ash, the interruption isn't appreciated," said Claude with a hint of irritation. Ash cleared his throat and cautiously stepped closer to see Sebastian asleep, sweet on his brow and his face twisted in pain again. "He's still hurting?" asked Ash softly, his eyes never left Sebastian. Claude sat up and looked at Ash, "Yeah I can't figure out what's causing it thought," he replied. Exhaustion had worked its way into his voice. Ash held the letter between his fingertips and asked, "How many notes does Sebastian receive from Sterling a week?" Claude looked slightly confused and answered, "I'm not sure, Sterling is one of Artistry's major contracts." Ash sighed and ran his fingers through his hair, "I think I know what's making Sebastian sick," he said as he held the envelope between his fingers. "The paper which Sterling is using, it's tainted," he said as he held it out for Claude to examine. Claude hesitantly took the note. He recognized it, "What do you mean?" he asked in confusion. Ash was slightly surprised; Claude was a very intelligent demon for him to not know this was confusing, then again not many knew about the lineage of the ruling family of hell. "You are aware that Sebastian is a noble correct?" asked Ash, his eyes had narrowed and Claude nodded firmly. "Do you know the story? The story which must never be told?" asked Ash quietly. Golden eyes widened with confusion as they glided back to Sebastian's sleeping face. Ash crossed his arms, "I can't believe he didn't tell you, every angel knows the story," he commented.

Claude sat at attention as Ash looked at the dying fire in the hearth, "May I? This tale is rather long and it's getting nippy in here," he said softly. Claude responded, "No, allow me," he was on his feet in moments and jostled the logs slightly so the fire would burn better. After doing so he gestured for Ash to sit in the chair beside the bed, "I will make some tea," he said as he headed toward the door only for it to open with Canterbury strolling in with a cart. Ash was slightly taken a back Canterbury bowed and proceeded to making the tea, "I knocked," said Canterbury as he skillfully made the tea, it was clear Claude had taught him. Claude watched the small demon complete the task quietly, "Where are the other two?" asked Claude after a moment. Canterbury looked at him and replied honestly, "Timber is tending to Steve and Thompson went to get more wood." Canterbury held the cup out to Ash who took it gratefully and then one to Claude. "Thank you," said Claude earnestly, the words were almost alien coming out of the tall intimidating demons mouth and yet Canterbury smiled and bowed deeply. "Of course master," he said firmly. He stood there for a moment and Claude said politely, "You may leave." Canterbury nodded again and left the room, the door closed with a soft click.

"I didn't know you had servants," said Ash his gaze didn't leave the door. Claude drew a deep breath and smiled a little, "I didn't know either, until recently." Ash looked at the seat by the bed and looked at Claude who nodded. Ash slowly took a seat and looked at Claude who was sitting on the bed again. "Claude, do you know why Sebastian has black wings?" asked Ash after a moment, his eyes were locked on Claude's, it was clear he was serious. Claude was silent and after a moment looked back at Ash, it was clear he was at a loss. "Prior to the creation of the cosmos there were eight angels born, Michael, Uriel, Raphael, Camael, Gabriel, Samuel, Aniel, Metron, Yahweh," Ash paused and smiled a little, "and Lucifer." There was silence in the room and Ash continued, "Each angel had its own gift, Raphael of confidence, and Yahweh head of the muses and messenger of god, Michael of compassion, Gabriel of Science, Samuel of Justice, Aniel of love, Metron of hope all of them except Lucifer. No matter how the young angel tried he couldn't master anything the others did not, he couldn't out shine the rest, the only thing which set him apart from the others was his beauty." Ash took a sip of tea and looked at the sleeping Sebastian, "Lucifer was perhaps the most beautiful of all the angels, his hair was white as snow, his eyes an ocean blue and his completion was perfect. He was loved by children and could be seen in the garden constantly tending to pure white roses," Ash's voice was tender and Claude noticed how sad this story made him. "Lucifer was innocent and a fun loving angel, which irritated Michael. Michael desired to prove he was superior over the others and even the youngest of the eight Lucifer."

"So he hatched a plan which in turn destroyed the young angel," said Ash, "He tricked Lucifer into tainting himself. As the angels grew, the earth did too. Michael walked onto earth and found a new born boy, who had been born blue. He was unable to breath and wouldn't survive much longer. The next day Michael told Lucifer of this and showed the baby to him. Lucifer felt horrible for the child and desired to aid the baby in anyway he could. Micheal was the oldest of the eight and considered the wisest, so what ever he said was to be done happened, excluding Yahweh who often rebelled against Micheal. Micheal convinced Lucifer that it would be better if he killed the boy and discontinue the new born's suffering." Claude stared in shock at Ash, he had heard many things about Micheal however nothing this disgusting. Ash placed the teacup and saucer on the cart and continued, "Lucifer picked up the child and hugged it to his chest, tears were streaming from his eyes and he whispered over and over again pleas of forgiveness. He slowly kissed the child's forehead and then stopped it's heart. As Lucifer did so Michael ran out into the street and called for the local people. They flooded into the room to see Lucifer holding the dead child he had killed in mercy."

Claude was trembling with anger and Ash closed his eyes, "Lucifer was put on trial and it was determined that he was to be punished severely. Despite his pleas with the others and the town's people he was sent to hell. The beautiful angel's wings turned onyx black; his snow white hair became as black as his wings. His once fathomless ocean blue eyes turned to pools of blood as he fell from heaven. He was locked away bellow in a place with no light, no love, and no hope. A broken and abandoned angel," said Ash softly. His eyes flickered open and he looked at Sebastian, who's fever had gotten worse. "He's a fallen angel?" asked Claude in confusion. Ash nodded and pointed at the note, "That was soaked in an angel's tears, for a demon it's an aphrodisiac, and angels it's a mild rash, however for a fallen angel it's a death sentence." Claude looked irritated as he rose from the bed, the floor boards creaked as he rose and he looked at Ash, "You've red this correct?" he asked. Ash nodded and looked at him slightly confused. Claude walked over to the fire place and tossed the note into the hearth. He watched the paper curl on it's self and the green ink loose its hue. The edges turned a bright blue and then slowly black as the fire consumed the paper.

Claude turned back to the bed and suddenly realized why Sebastian was named Michaelis, "A compassionate demon, no matter how hard he tries to hide it, it's always there," he said with a smile. Ash nodded and slowly rose from his seat, "I should be going, I left without telling them where I was going," he said. Claude nodded and was about to allow it when they heard a blood curdling scream. Sebastian shot out of bed and was on his feet in moments. Claude had already dashed out of the room and was across the hall. Sitting up in bed panting was Alex, her eyes were wide with terror and the pair of demons realized she had another nightmare. Ash was slightly confused as were the triplets who were standing in the door way. Alex's blue eyes were wide with terror and she began to hyperventilate. Sebastian sat on the bed and Claude stood behind him, "It's alright you're safe now," he whispered. Sebastian reached out to touch her only for her to pull away. This hurt Sebastian and he slowly approached her again, she attempted to pull away only for Sebastian to crush her against his chest. "You're safe, as long as you're with us," he whispered softly. Alex whispered, "So much blood," her voice trembled and Claude's expression twisted into one of sadness as he sat on the other side of the bed and wrapped his arms around the pair. "They just wouldn't stop," she whimpered, "I can hear them laughing still." Claude looked at Sebastian, the pair were slightly confused until Ash asked, "Who?" Alex trembled and responded, "The men and women in robes, the shinigami who were battered by demons." Claude's eyes narrowed, there weren't any humans there, and there were only shinigami, demons and angels.

Claude simply caressed her hair and Sebastian hummed softly, "You're safe now," his voice was even more soothing than usual. "No I'm not, the rose, I saw that damn white rose!" she cried, her tears made Sebastian's bare chest damp and he looked at Claude in confusion. "Rose?" he asked curiously and Claude shook his head. Ash cleared his throat and said, "I did see a rose on the counter." They turned there attention to him and Ash sighed, "We found it while cleaning, it was odd." Alex looked at him and her eyes widened, "You're not human either, are you?" Ash was taken back and he looked at Claude and Sebastian with a hint of confusion. "We didn't tell her," said Claude, "She seems to be able to sense it." Ash looked at Alex, she looked oddly familiar and his eyes widened before he turned to Sebastian. "That's dangerous, are you certain she is human?" he asked cautiously. Sebastian nodded and said, "She's human she's just been around immortals for a while." Ash looked at her and his gaze softened, he had seen her from a distance in the booth and he slowly reached out to touch her, "You're their little Alexandra," he whispered. It was as though Ash had finally recognized her from so long ago. Claude and Sebastian noticed the look of nostalgia in his eyes and he sighed, his fingers caressed her cheek and she ceased to tremble. "Do I know you?" she asked after a moment. Ash froze, he just realized he said something he shouldn't have. He looked up to find both a pair of blood red eyes and golden eyes looking at him, they were telling him to keep his thoughts to himself. Ash shook his head and smiled, "No Claude has told me a lot about you, that's all," he said quickly as he pulled back. Alex looked at them and then to Ash. She was still nervous and yet they weren't telling her a thing, "What?" she asked. Ash pulled away and said, "I must return, I hope you feel better the both of you." Claude grabbed Ash's wrist and said, "Wait, what will help Sebastian?"

Ash paused and looked at him he sighed and reached in his pocket, after a moment he produced a small flask with golden liquid in it. "This will help, it's nectar from a flow which only grows in one place," he replied. Claude looked confused and Ash sighed, "It's from a flower in hell, don't ask me how I got it, just use it," he said coolly before walking out of the room. He stopped short of the door and looked over his shoulder, stealing one last glance of the couple who was holding the girl in their arms. "Fate is cruel," he whispered after a moment and walked out the door. His eyes were teary and he looked as though he was about to weep. Ash walked out of the door; once it closed behind him he leaned on the wall and allowed his tears to fall. "Fate is so cruel," he repeated, "To think that once again you're the reason she's in pain." He whipped away the tears with his fingers and looked up to see Claude in the hallway. "Sebastian wants to sit with her until she's asleep, he told me to see you out," he said. His eyes widened as he looked at Ash who had slipped down the wall and was squatting on the floor. "That child, you are protecting her, I didn't realize who it was until I got closer," he said in shock. He looked up at Claude, his eyes were irritated with tears and he said softly, "So cruel." Claude was shocked and he asked, "Ash, what aren't you telling us?" Ash looked up and slowly rose from the floor, Claude had only dealt with Ash when he was the queen's butler, to see him in such a state was unheard of. "Look up what had happened at the Campbell estate when she was little, you'll understand then," he whispered before turning to leave. With the snap of his fingers Ash had vanished leaving a single white feather on the floor of the hallway.

Ronald felt the hot water rush down his back and sighed, it felt wonderful and he heard the shower door close behind him. His glasses were off and the world was a blur, which was oddly more exhilarating than usual. William approached him and wrapped his arms around Ronald. "Wait! How can you see me?" he asked in confusion. William chuckled and whispered, "The miracle of contacts." Ronald pouted and responded angrily, "You put in contacts!" William kissed the side of Ronald's neck and responded, "How could I miss the sight of my lover dripping wet?" Ronald's cheeks turned bright red and William purred with delight, Ronald had no idea William could say things like that and he began wondering which one of them had a silver tongue. Ronald felt large warms hands slowly roam over his body, they were slick with soap and he shuddered. "Will," he gasped as he felt the older shinigami lick the nape of his neck.

William watched the younger shinigami trembled with pleasure; his hands slowly touched every inch of Ronald's upper body. He slowly trailed two fingers down Ronald's chin; they gently glided down the smaller shinigami's throat which elicited a sweet gasp from the trembling blonde. His fingers slipped across his collarbone, his fingers slipped as the soap lathered and William smirked. Claude had been right about one thing, torturing your uke was a necessity for hot sex. The steam from the shower created a soothing blanket and the hot water made their bodies even hotter. William's soft lips pressed against the back of Ronald's neck as his fingers slid down his abdominals, his fingers felt each pack of tightly formed muscle. William stepped in front of Ronald and captured his lips, which were parted from his panting. William's lips were as soft as always however his kiss quickly turned from a casual one to a hard and hungry one. Their lips locked together and their tongues fought for dominance. It was a tango as they slipped over one another, and Ronald moaned as William's fingers swept down the small of his back and paused before reaching his entrance. "Will," he moaned after the older shinigami released his lips. A thin strand of saliva connected them and William looked into Ronald's eyes, they were glazed over and his face had flushed.

William smiled as he slowly wrapped his hand around Ronald's arousal, his motions were tender and oddly soft compared to what they usually were. It was as though he was savoring every inch of the trembling blonde. "Will," Ronald cried again only this time he stumbled backward and William's eyes opened in shock. He was quick to catch him and pressed his forehead to his own. "It seems this was a bit too much for you," he said softly and chuckled. He swiftly picked Ronald up and carried him into the bedroom. "What am I to do with you?" he asked teasingly as he dried him off and slipped him into a pair of his pajamas. He slowly tucked Ronald in and got dressed himself, he was slightly disappointed that he couldn't ravage the young shinigami however it was better if he didn't. William wandered into the bathroom and took out his contacts, he was slightly disappointed that he couldn't have a little fun with Ronald however he didn't want to hurt him. He slipped a pair of square frames half way up his nose, he couldn't push them all the way up, they would open his wound.

"Why did you stop?" asked Ronald softly. William looked over at him and gently pushed his wet hair out of his face. "You passed out, I'm not going to make moves on an unconscious man," said William sweetly as he slipped a pair of glasses on Ronald's nose. Ronald's eyes looked at the sheets of the bed and he pouted, William shook his head and pressed a kiss to the pouting shinigami's head. "Don't worry about it, tonight's been tough on all of us," he said sweetly. Ronald looked up at him and suddenly grabbed William's shoulders. "Was Sterling's body found at the scene?" he asked quickly. William stared at Ronald in confusion, he hadn't seen Sterling, "No," he responded. Ronald looked at him, his eyebrows arched and he shook his head. "I'm certain it was Sterling, he's the only one who wears that cologne, it's a custom blend," he said after a moment. William sat behind Ronald and wrapped his arms around him, "Alex is with Claude and Sebastian she's safe for tonight, let's worry about Sterling tomorrow, when the two of us can function," said William, his voice hummed in Ronald's ear. He could feel William's powerful broad chest against his back, it was warm and soothing. The younger shinigami sighed and looked at William, "I know it's just bugging me, the trapped souls, rotting souls, and Alex. I just wish I understood why all these horrible things happen to her," said Ronald, there was pure sadness in his voice, "She's actually really nice too." William squeezed Ronald and slowly leaned back, taking Ronald with him, who squeaked in shock. "She is," he muttered. Ronald sighed and was about to say something when he heard a soft buzz, he looked behind him to see William had fallen asleep. He snickered and looked at his sleeping lover; he really did look handsome when he was asleep.