Chapter 1: "The Art of the Sword"

Ciel Phantomhive found himself grinning at the misfortune that his fraternal twin Lukas was having not knowing much about the art of fencing despite all his sword training as one of Byron Kelvin's 'little assassin's' in a past life.

Lukas had the skills of a master swordsman and had had been trained in many areas of warfare and espionage, self-defense, including an array of weapons training, and specialized with a Tonto, a Japanese small sword. But when it came to the artful grace of fencing, Lukas floundered.

While Ciel should not have been happy to see his brother fail at something, it only gave him a oneupmanship on his brother. His brother, who was a well-trained killer. And this he did enjoy.

As he, Lukas, Renfrew and Sebastian resided in the Games Room of the Phantomhive Manor, Ciel watched with silent glee as his brother failed over the simple mechanics of what Sebastian attempted to teach him.

Apart from being a butler Sebastian was a teacher of many attributes with great knowledge at his deposal. His intelligence was boundless. For a demon, Sebastian wished the best for those he served. Since Lukas and Renfrew had come to live with Ciel, Sebastian's duties had tripled, but the demon didn't seem to mind and he almost relished the extra work.

Lukas's training as an assassin should have been an asset to learn the art of fencing, but in this instance it was a crutch. Lukas kept on falling back to his programming and skills as a killer. Fencing was more graceful with a less warfare. Lukas had wanted to learn to fence because they had went to a competition held in town last week and he enjoyed it. He thought it would be easy with his skills. But it was not.

Lukas held the foil in his right hand and performed a few jabbing moves. Sebastian had to correct Lukas's stance a couple of times for proper form, because without proper form it was an insult.

The foil was a light beginner's tool for amateurs. It had a small circular hand guard to protect its user's hand from direct stabs. Scores were made in fencing only with the tip, hits with the side of the blade did not count and touches that landed outside the targeted areas, such as the neck, torso and groin, did not count.

And this appeared to be Lukas's main issue, because a Tonto was much different than a foil.

When someone advanced their training, they were elevated to an Epee, a thrusting weapon like a foil, but it was much heavier, and at this stage the entire body was a valued target. The hard guard is enlarged to extend towards the pommel effectively covering the hand.

Experts use a Sabre. This weapon is a light cutting and thrusting weapon. The hard guard extends further and the guard is used to protect the fencer's hand from direct stabs and attacks. The edges of the blade are valid and rules involve the "right of way" regulation, so whoever hits first, wins the point.

Ciel held a Sabre in hand and watched his brother perform his lessons. Both he and Lukas wore the standard white fencing attire, including protective jacket, breeches, socks, footwear and gloves, and mesh masks were sitting near-by used in battle-mode.

Renfrew sat away from the action with Vincent in his lap watching.

"Thrust…and now repose…and now thrust again…and now repose…" Sebastian taught, trying to drill it into Lukas's mind. They were basic techniques of both hand and footwork of attack and defense.

Lukas performed well. "Very good, Master Lukas. You appeared to have trouble at first, but I believe you are improving. But more work is necessary for proper form."

Ciel snorted. "It will take more than that to match me," he said amused.

Lukas eyed him. "Don't be so smug, brother. You've been doing this longer and I. But I am a fast learner. In a real fight I would certainly out-match you."

Ciel's left eye narrowed, the other was covered by an eye-patch that held the demonic covenant between he and Sebastian. "And what do you mean by 'real fight'? I admit, you bested me in 10 paces because I underestimated you. But fencing is far different! It's mechanics are compared to the grace of a swan, if done correctly. not that of a hampered thug."

Lukas blinked. "If I am not mistaken, I believe I've just been insulted. But knowing your honest nature, I'll let it slide. My skills with a Tonto are unmatched!"

Sebastian put up his hands to silence them. "Now, now, my lords," he said, wanting to quickly squash another argument between the brothers that would eventually lead to an unwarranted challenge he saw coming. And he wanted to nip it in the bud quickly. "Both weapons in the right hands are equally versatile and each have their own unique qualities."

Ciel smirked. "Let us put that theory to a test. My Sabre versus your Tonto. Within six months of you residing here Lukas, you purchased a Tanto from a high quality craftsman, a perfect representation, you said from what you could recall from your past, used in your killings."

"But I have never used it. It is merely a remembrance from my past. Some things die hard. I remember I used my Tonto quite often during my missions for Bryon Kelvin as one of his assassins."

"You have proven your skill with a gun, prove your skill with a blade!"

"I need not have to proven anything to you, brother!"

Sebastian put a hand to his face. This was exactly what he didn't wish for. But he knew Ciel had to prove something to Lukas. Namely his authority and superiority as head of the family. The boy was jealous, something Ciel would never admit to, but Sebastian could clearly see it. Their arguments was sibling rivalry at its core.

"Honestly, I would like see that," Renfrew spoke up, petting Vincent. He had been sitting quietly watching and listening everything unfold. "But I don't want to see anyone get hurt. I just found a new family."

"No one is going to get hurt, Master Renfrew," Sebastian said. "As there will be no match. The mere idea is ludicrous to say the least!"

"Trust me when I say, I would not be the one to get hurt," Ciel retorted, completely ignoring Sebastian's No-Fighting-Rule. "I am unmatched with my Sabre!"

"Have you been in many matches, cousin Ciel?" Renfrew asked curiously. "Are you really that good?"

Lukas smirked. "He has not," answering instead. "Ciel hasn't been in any contests of skill. His education in fencing is purely home taught."

"Hold your tongue, Lukas!" Ciel chided. "Sebastian has taught me extremely well and I would not hold this Sabre if I was not worthy of it!"

Sebastian nodded. "That is true. Your mechanics are excellent, my lord. But alas, you have not been in any contests. You have had matches with me, but I am but one opponent and I am your servant."

Ciel's face filled with rage. "Are you telling me, you let me win?"

"I am not saying anything of the sort, my lord. But with all due respect, I must admit, you do have quite a ways to go."

Ciel growled. And Lukas smirked.

"Regardless, this challenge can not happen," Sebastian said conclusively. "My lord," he said to Ciel. "A Tonto is a formidable weapon and Master Lukas does have the skills to wield it masterfully. I have seen so when I watch his dreams."

Since Lukas entered into the Phantomhive fold, Lukas had asked Sebastian to 'reawaken' his past through his dreams. Bryon Kelvin had used powerful programming to induce amnesia, that to this day created large gaps in Lukas's memory. But even though certain memories were gone, his survival skills and instinctive training drummed into him by Kelvin's educators as of his 'little assassins' remained frontrunner.

"If he can not hit me, his Tonto is worthless," Ciel said confident.

"You seem determined to have this match, brother. I do not wish to harm you."

"Believe me, Lukas. You would not even touch me!" Ciel grinned.

To be continued...