Author's Note: Hey all! Thank you for reading my story! I am posting a day early because I have to do adult things tomorrow since the places I need to go to are closed today due to the holiday. I hope you enjoy this chapter! To those living in California, please stay cool and drink lots of water or gaterade or powerade or whatever helps you replenish during this crazy heatwave. Thank goodness the worst of it was yesterday, however it'll be extremely hot all week, so please try to keep cool and drink plenty of fluids! Okay, onwards!
Chapter Twenty-Two: His Butler, Offering, His Bodyguard, Compelling
One morning about two weeks after Frances' birthday, she was in one of the bedrooms cleaning when she paused. Someone was coming to the manor. She placed down her rag before going to find Sebastian to let him know. She went to the Young Master's room. She was just about to knock when the door was opened. Sebastian seemed surprised for just a moment. He smiled. The Young Master exited the room. He gave a brief inquiring glance before walking past her. Sebastian closed the door behind him.
"Someone is coming to the manor." She informed them, as they began walking down the hall towards the stairs.
The boy sighed.
"Is it Elizabeth?" He asked, wearily.
Frances shook her head, "No, it's not Lady Elizabeth. I believe it is Her Majesty's butler."
The boy grumbled. They reached the stairs, made their way down before walking down the hallway on their right. Sebastian began to list the boy's schedule for the day.
"This morning you have a dance lesson with Mrs. Bright, and this afternoon Lord Wensler who has an import-export business… Are you listening, Young Master?"
Ciel glanced back at Sebastian.
"I told you, I'm sick of dancing (He turned back around, continuing to walk.) I'm not cut out for it."
"You are too modest." Sebastian said, placing a hand upon his chest as he bowed his head slightly, "Your dancing soothes the hearts of those who watch."
"You mean it makes them laugh."
"I would never say such a thing."
Frances gave a wide smile in order to hold in her laughter. Sebastian glanced at her with a smirk. He looked back forward. Suddenly, two sets of laughter could be heard coming from the door on the left of them. The three of them paused.
"Huh?" The Young Master said, turning to the door.
He grabbed the handle and opened it. There sat Ash, sitting with his legs tucked under him, holding a green cup filled with tea. Tanaka sat in front of him. The three of them entered the room. Frances could feel the incredulousness and surprise from the Young Master.
"Look, Tanaka, there are three upright tea stalks! It promises to be a good day!" Ash exclaimed, smiling.
"Are you…" The Young Master began as he recalled seeing him at the curry competition, "Her Majesty's butler?"
"Ah, Lord Phantomhive." Ash started, he stood up from his position on the seat, "I apologize for this embarrassing display."
Sebastian closed the door behind them.
"Why is the Queen's butler drinking tea in my mansion?!" The Young Earl demanded.
"You didn't know, Young Master?" Sebastian asked, "Ash has been delivering Her Majesty's orders all this time."
The Young Master turned to Sebastian.
"That's no job for a butler…"
Frances gave him an incredulous look.
*You have Sebastian do so much for you as your butler, yet delivering orders is not one of the things a butler should do?*
Sebastian glanced at her with a smirk seeing and feeling the incredulous look upon her face. Their attention was brought back when Ash started speaking, a smug smirk upon his lips.
"A butler who can't…" He started before rushing through the rest of his statement at top speed, "use Her Majesty's naptime to check the Doomsday Book for an audience, come straight to deliver an envelope to Lord Phantomhive, and stop for an elegant tea with Tanaka while he's at it, isn't worth his salt."
He took a long sip of his tea. Frances couldn't help but giggle at the angel. She felt Sebastian's jealousy spike. She stopped giggling and glanced at him to see his dark aura surrounding him slightly. She sent him calming feelings. He relaxed.
As that was going on, the Young Master spoke with irritation.
"Somehow I doubt the tea bit is really a requirement."
Tanaka laughed. Frances and Sebastian turned their attentions back to the conversation at hand.
"Might I ask what brings you here today?" Sebastian asked with just a smidge of hardness to his voice.
*So possessive.* Frances thought, sighing in her head.
"Ah, yes," Ash said, looking at Sebastian as he set the teacup on the table, "Outside of Preston, there's a Catholic abbey that was burned down during the Reformation, and is no longer in use. A cult espousing deviant doctrines is gathering there. We have heard that its leader has the Doomsday Books of all followers."
"You mean the land registers, where their livestock and property are recorded? But why would he want to know that?" The Young Master inquired.
"No, the Doomsday Books, they revere are of a different sort. They are registers required when you stand before the Lord in Heaven on Doomsday… the Day of Judgement. All your sins and good works are supposedly recorded there."
Frances mentally narrowed her eyes. She was getting a bad feeling about this. She didn't like this at all. It felt like a trap, a lure to get them to go there. Though her face betrayed nothing of her feelings.
The Young Master placed his hand to his head.
"The occult again?"
"There are rumors that they plan to revolt against the government. Her Majesty laments that the people of Preston are quaking in fear of these heretics." Ash said, holding one wrist in his hand as his other was clenched in a fist, bowing his forlorn looking head.
"And? Are you telling me to disperse them, or to eradicate them?" The Young Master asked.
"We leave that decision to you." Ash said, a dark look in his eyes before he bowed.
"Very well." Ciel agreed.
Suddenly, a shadow fell upon them and banging from the window was heard. They looked up to see Pluto there, barking and panting happily as he stared at Ash. He began to bang on the window.
"Pluto?" Ciel asked, confused.
Frances frowned at how happy Pluto looked to be greeting Ash.
*Perhaps he and Angela are the same.* She thought.
She was pulled out of her thoughts when Pluto whined looking sad and crawled away. She glared at Ash, knowing he had something to do with Pluto's look of hurt, but quickly put a smile upon her face as he turned back to them.
"Who was that?" Ash inquired.
"Just a servant." Sebastian answered, nonchalantly.
"I see. (He turned towards the window again.) He seems amusing."
Both Frances' and Sebastian's eyes hardened at him for a moment. Once he turned back around their faces were neutral once again.
"That is all my business, please excuse me, Earl Phantomhive." Ash said, bowing.
He straightened and his gaze lingered on Frances for a moment as if calculating something. Frances stared straight at him; gaze unwavering.
"I shall escort you to the door." Sebastian said, a little tensely.
Ash nodded, finally taking his gaze off her. Sebastian turned his gaze upon her.
"Could you make the tea for the Young Master? I shall be back momentarily to assist you."
Frances inclined her head, "Of course."
The four of them exited the room, leaving Frances to make the tea. Sebastian did indeed return to her in a few minutes. They worked silently as she made the tea as Sebastian made a sponge cake for the Young Master.
"Sebastian." She said softly.
He glanced at her from the corner of his eye.
"I don't like. It feels like a trap." She whispered.
He placed the cake into the oven. Once he closed the door, he moved towards her. When he was directly in front of her, she looked up. His demon eyes swirled as he wrapped his arms around her. She leaned into his embrace, one hand wrapping around his waist and the other resting upon his chest. He placed a gentle kiss upon her forehead.
"I won't let anything happen to the Young Master nor you." He promised.
She gave a small smile. She reached up to caress his cheek. He leaned into her touch.
"So protective." She commented.
He smirked. She leaned up and kissed his lips. He kissed her back. They pulled away, loving smiles upon their faces. Sebastian pulled away to retrieve the finished cake. They soon found themselves in the Young Master's Office, serving him tea.
"Well, what now?" The Young Master asked.
"According to Ash, the abbey is heavily guarded." Sebastian explained.
"So, it would be difficult to go in through the front door…"
"Incidentally, he also mentioned that a large number of coffins have been delivered there in recent days."
The piece of sponge cake that was heading for the Young Master's mouth halted.
"Hm." He said in distaste, "Coffins? (He let out a sigh.) I suppose we'll leave for Undertaker's in an hour. Ready the carriage, Sebastian."
Sebastian bowed, "Yes, my lord."
An hour and a carriage ride to London soon after, found themselves outside Undertaker's parlor. Sebastian opened the door for them. Frances gave her usual thank you to which he inclined his head for.
"I'm coming in!" The Young Earl called into the shop.
A different, familiar (to Frances) laughter filled the room as "Undertaker's" back was faced away from them.
"Welcome." "Undertaker" said.
Frances smirked and shook her head in amusement.
"You know, for all your acting skills, you aren't able to quite get Undertaker's voice down, Grell."
Grell turned around with a disappointed, "Pweh! I can too!" He pouted.
"Grell!" The Young Master cried out in shock.
Frances laughed lightly before turning serious.
"Where's Undertaker, Grell?" She asked.
"Right over here, Fearless Frances, Little Lord, and Mister Butler." Undertaker's voice called out from a giant grey vase.
They walked towards the voice. Frances' and the Young Master's eyes widened in shock.
"Undertaker?!" They both called out, wondering why he was buried in a vase of salt.
"The bounder told me he wasn't afraid of Grim Reapers so I buried him in salt." Grell explained, hands on his hips.
"Uh…" Frances started, glancing at Grell before turning her gaze back to Undertaker.
"Oh, I just love the sensation of all the moisture in my body leeching out of my skin!"
"A dangerous game." Sebastian commented, muffled sounding.
Frances turned to see he had a handkerchief covering his mouth and nose. Her eyes widened and she gasped lightly as she felt his slight discomfort. She pulled him away a bit. He glanced at her, a small amused smile upon his hidden lips, but she could feel and see how pleased and amused it made him. The Young Master turned towards Grell.
"What are you doing here?" He demanded.
"Will's having me do a bit of investigating. But there was just no information, and I got hungry and sleepy… So I took a nap in a flowerbed and woke up to find myself here. (He leaned sideways a bit.) Perhaps I shouldn't have stopped breathing while I slept? (He turned towards Sebastian with love in his eyes.) I was waiting for a Prince…"
Frances promptly stepped on his foot.
"Ouch!" Grell yelped, holding his injured foot, "You little wench! Why can't you share, Bassy?!"
Frances huffed, turning towards Sebastian, who was smirking at her, the arm that she held slid around her waist, pulling her closer as she spoke.
"He is mine and mine alone just as I am his."
Sebastian's demon eyes flashed as she spoke those words. She leaned up as he leaned down and embraced each other's lips in a passionate kiss. The Young Master grumbled, face tinting pink, Grell stomped his injured foot causing him to cry out, Undertaker still had his grin upon his face. They broke apart when they heard a sharp cough from the Young Master. The demon smirked as Frances caught her breath. Sebastian stroked her back gently as he turned his smug gaze to Grell.
"What are you investigating?"
"Oh, we've had some Cinematic Records stolen lately."
Frances turned in Sebastian's arms and frowned as everyone else in the room turned somber. The Young Master looked confused. Undertaker frowned. The air around them turned dark and serious.
"Cinematic Records?" The Young Master asked.
"Not something a kid needs to know about." Grell retorted.
Frances rolled her eyes.
"They're reels of film containing all the memories of a person's life. Remember how I told you the Reapers collect them?"
The Young Master paused for a moment before he nodded his head in understanding.
"Just so we're clear, you humans can only see them when you die. Unless you're special, like Frances."
Frances ignored the comment/insult. Sebastian turned towards Grell.
"Are Records the sort of things that can be stolen?"
"Well, they're stored in the Library when we're not using them. The full pasts of all people now living… In other words, of everyone on the to-die list… All the crimes, everything, in the form of books…" Grell explained.
"So they're books made in preparation for the Doomsday." The Young Master surmised.
"That rings a bell, doesn't it?" Sebastian asked.
"Grell, we may know where your books are." Frances told the Reaper.
"Oh, yes!" Grell shouted, happily.
The Young Master turned back to Undertaker.
"Undertaker, there's something I want your help with."
Undertaker chuckled lightly, "Then give me prime laughter… (He glanced at Grell who glared at him.) Well, on second thought, I'll do this one free of charge."
The Young Earl gave a curt nod, "I need you to take some coffins to the abbey outside of Preston."
Undertaker nodded, "All right, Little Lord."
Frances turned to Grell.
"Grell, you put him in there. Take him out and give him his clothes back. You look better in your own outfit."
Grell stared at her for a moment before he hugged her tightly, squealing.
"Still the same adorable girl only stronger!"
Frances laughed as she hugged him back. She parted from him instantly when she felt Sebastian's jealousy rise. Sebastian's burning hands touched where Grell touched her arms. The Young Master coughed once again.
"Let's go outside to wait for them." He ordered.
"Very well, my lord." Sebastian said, not taking his burning eyes nor hand off Frances.
They soon were outside waiting. After about ten minutes, Undertaker rolled up beside them with a mule and a rather large coffin.
"Where's Grell?" Frances wondered.
"Right here, Frances!" Grell said, shoving open the lid to the coffin.
Frances' eyes widened. There was a pause. She nodded.
"All right then."
The three of them entered the coffin which was surprising comfortable despite the fact that four people were currently inside it. The Young Master was on the left side with Sebastian behind him with their backs facing each other, Frances was cuddled into Sebastian's arms, and Grell behind Frances with his back facing her. Grell was sulking though because Sebastian made him lay that way so he wouldn't touch her nor him. The Young Master was a little red in the face from embarrassment at having to share such a confined space. Frances and Sebastian were more than content to snuggle into each other's arms, though they could do without the other two… Soon enough they were off. The journey took most of the afternoon. Frances couldn't help falling asleep during the ride. She was awoken by a small shake to her shoulders.
"We're almost there, my love." Sebastian whispered to her.
They could all feel Grell's jealous anger as he gritted his teeth.
"All right." She whispered as she nodded her head.
She yawned and stretched in his arms. He smiled fondly at her as he ran a hand through her hair gently. She snuggled into his chest as a small noise a content escaped her.
"Could you two NOT do that now?!" Ciel demanded embarrassed.
The two of them chuckled and giggled.
"My apologizes, my lord." Sebastian said, not sounding apologetic in the least.
The carriage came to a stop. They could barely hear Undertaker conversing with someone.
"Let's go." The Young Master said.
The three of them nodded. Grell opened the coffin and the four of them hopped out quickly. Sebastian, the Young Master, and Frances ran over to some bushes and trees. Grell closed the coffin quietly before running over and joining them. They ducked down with Sebastian holding a tree branch. They heard Undertaker looking for his "document" for the coffin. The man at the gate of the abbey stuttered a moment. A few things were dropped from Undertaker's robes.
"All right." The man said, calming down, "Please come in, then. (He turned to where they were hiding.) And you, as well."
The four of the stood. The Young Master making a small noise of surprise.
"Well, I'll be off, then. I've finished what I came to do." Undertaker said, cheerfully.
Sebastian glanced at Undertaker.
"I see. Thank you. (The man raised his hand.) May your soul be cleansed."
Frances waved to Undertaker.
"Safe travels, Undertaker." She said.
He waved back to her, a giggle escaping his lips.
"This way, please." The man said, turning to lead them into the abbey.
The four of them followed the man in the grey hooded cloak with red lined in white ribbon and a navy blue dress underneath. The Young Master tilted his head towards Sebastian.
"Oi, I thought it was supposed to be difficult to get in here."
"Yes, I was under that impression…" Sebastian stated.
Frances looked around her surroundings. There were farmlands on the left of them and many trees on the right. Ahead of them there were three people: two women, one man carrying basket of lettuce and nuts. They smiled at them as they bowed before continuing on their way.
"Perfect smiles." The young boy said in distaste.
A giant fake, mocking smile spread across Sebastian's lips.
"Shouldn't that be educational for you, since you've forgotten how?" The demon butler teased.
"Don't be dull. Those smiles are fake." The Young Master said in a hard voice.
They arrived at the abbey. The church was made of stone, slightly shamble looking.
"You are welcome to explore. Our church is always happy to welcome everyone." The man said.
"Thank you." Frances and Sebastian said, politely.
The man nodded before walking away. The four of them entered the church. It looked like any other church with high walls and high ceilings. There were four stained glass windows. The two on the outside had little cherubs playing in the clouds, the one in the center had an angel holding her hands in prayer, directly above her was a symbol. The same symbol that had been on the floor of Drosell's tower! Frances' eyes hardened slightly. The Young Master ran forward slightly before pausing. He gasped in horror. Frances could feel his horror and looked at him worriedly. Sebastian approached him and leaned down slightly.
"Young Master?" He questioned.
Little laughter was heard as well as running feet. Frances turned towards the sound.
"Good evening!" A little boy greeted.
Sebastian, Grell, and Ciel turned towards the voice. There were three boys, no older than seven, smiling at them. One child had glasses and they were all wearing white mini robes that ended at their shins, a stripe of black just above the bottom of it, red string tied in a bow around their necks, with red shawls lined in grey hanging down the front of their bodies with another going across their chests. Frances leaned sideways slightly to see the same symbol as a button to the shawls. They also had on very short block shorts that went just below their robes and white berets on top of their heads.
"Good evening! Another wonderful day today, right?"
"Well, aren't you cute?" Grell asked, tilting his head slightly, he waved his hand carelessly, "I don't really do kids, though."
Frances walked towards Grell and reached him just as the little boys stopped in front of him.
"Hello, unclean one! You're impure through and through, I see." The child with glasses said to Grell.
"What?!" Grell shrieked, incredulously.
"Huh?" The boy's friends next to him asked, "What's the matter unclean one? Are you ill…"
Grell interrupted him by knocking his fist onto his head causing him to flinch.
"You little brat! Who are you calling "unclean"?!" Grell demanded.
The boy promptly started crying.
"An unclean one touched me!"
"We need to be cleansed!"
They turned and ran. Grell gave chase.
"Grell!" Frances chastised, running after the Reaper, "They're just children! Leave them be!"
"Get back here!" Grell shouted.
Frances shook her head slightly. Suddenly, a woman walked through the door. She had brown hair peaking out of her nun hat, green eyes, and was dressed in the same uniforms as the others that they had seen so far. The children flinched back slightly before making a wide circle to run around her and out the door. Grell and Frances stopped.
"Huh?" Grell asked.
The woman smiled kindly at them. She gave a light laugh.
"Everyone over a certain age is called "unclean". (She looked over at Sebastian and Ciel.) I see from your clothing that you're a new convert. Don't worry. If you study the teachings of our leader, your body will be cleansed."
"Hey! Is this place…" The Young Master started.
Sebastian placed out a hand with a small glance to silence him. Sebastian looked up into Frances' eyes. She gave the tiniest nod. Frances turned to the woman.
"Just our bodies?" She asked, looking into the woman's green eyes, waiting for her focus to be all on her, it was in an instant, "We don't really know about your religion. The only thing we read from the newspaper was that every day happiness occurs. Would you mind telling us more, please?"
"Of course." The woman said, nodding.
"Shall we go somewhere more private, Miss…?"
"Oh, Matilda. Matilda Simmons."
"Wonderful."
The woman walked towards the doors. Frances glanced at the others and gestured with her eyes to follow them. As they walked, Sebastian muttered, "It smells wrong." as Frances' feeling of foreboding increased. They arrived at a barn that was made of the same stone the church was, however, it had a red roof. Sebastian lit the small lamp inside where they could see bales of hay all over the place.
"Please, make yourself comfortable." Frances said, politely.
The woman took off her nun hat revealing more of her brown hair and sat upon a spread out covering of hay. Frances sat on the bale of hay across from her as the other three stood off to the side.
"When you are cleansed of all your sins, you can live happy lives where no pain or suffering occurs."
"How is someone cleansed?" Frances asked.
"Through the passages of the Doomsday Books. They are of those who have lived a long time are impure. Our leader cleanses the unclean passages. And we're told that not only the past, but the future is recorded there."
"Oh, the future, eh?" Sebastian asked.
"Yes. But only the chosen children of the heavenly choir can be told it."
"The heavenly choir?" The Young Master asked, "What, do they sing hymns?"
The woman looked away bashfully, a blush covering her cheeks.
"I believe "sing" may not be the right word. But I heard beautiful voices from our leader's bedchamber…"
Frances' and the Young Master's eyes widened in shock. Frances quickly recovered, though she was still disgusted.
"Thank you." She said, "Please return to whatever you were doing before."
The woman stood and bowed. She walked out the door leaving the four of them alone. A few minutes later, they walked out together. Grell ran off somewhere while Sebastian, Frances, and the Young Master stood in one of the abbey's many hallways.
"If only young boys are chosen for the heavenly choir, that means you are the only one who can get close to their leader." Sebastian said.
"Rubbish!" Grell cried out.
They turned towards his voice. Frances shook her head with an exasperated sigh. Grell was wearing some poor child's uniform that barely covered him.
"I could easily get into the heavenly choir!" He declared, spinning around excitedly.
Sebastian and the Young Master gave him disgusted glares.
"Why you!" The Young Master growled.
"Well? How do I look?" Grell asked, hand running through his hair.
The child he stole the clothes from stood next to him and began to cry.
"You'll make me impure!"
"Why you…" The Young Master began only to be cut off by singing.
They looked around. A shiver raced through Frances at the haunting notes. Sebastian instantly noticed and wrapped an arm around her, gently pulling her closer.
"Oh, it's time for our leader's cleansing ceremony." The boy explained, hands clasped together in prayer.
Suddenly, Sebastian and Frances glanced to their left.
"I was right. It smells."
Frances felt even more on edge. Something was going to happen. She could feel Sebastian's disgust and protectiveness as his arm tightened around her. The Young Master turned to him.
"What is it?" He asked.
Sebastian's eyes narrowed.
"Oh. I just smelled a rotten apple fallen from a tree, that's all."
There was a pause.
"Let's go view this "cleansing"." The Young Master ordered.
"Yes, my lord." Sebastian said.
After Grell changed back into his regular outfit and gave the poor child his clothes back (which promptly caused him to start crying again.), they made their way into the church. They took a seat in the last pew. Sebastian continued to hold Frances as they sat down. Grell grumbled and glared at her, but nonetheless sat down beside her. Ciel was on the other side of Sebastian.
A man in white robes with a red shawl lined in gold walked towards the alter with four people cloaked in black robes following only to stop at the edge of the few steps. The priest turned to face the audience.
"Here, tonight, the sinful unclean shall be made pure."
The four people walked onto the stage next to the alter. Two of the followers took off the other two's robes leaving a man and woman bare except for that symbol upon their backs. Another man stepped forward with two books. Sebastian leaned over towards Grell.
"Are those Cinematic Records?" He asked quietly.
"Hmmm. Too far away to tell." He said, quietly leaning on Frances.
The priest opened the book.
"I shall read the Doomsday Book of these impure, lost children. Jill Peasant. (The young woman started to tremble as she cried.) The second daughter of a farmer, she conceived a child at fifteen. Thomas Atkins. (The man clenched his fist harder in anguish.) There are no evil deeds especially, but he has spent his life meaninglessly. That is a grave sin."
Their bodies began to shimmer in a black hue, their voices sounding as if they were choking. Suddenly, the window depicting the angel shimmered in a golden glow.
"Hey!" The Young Master exclaimed in shock.
Grell and Frances' eyes widened. It showed Jill pouring water with a small baby bump. It changed to Thomas throwing his fishing rod string into the lake.
"That is…" The Young Master started, however, he was cut off.
"Snuff out the unworthy. Snuff out the unnecessary. Snuff out the unfruitful. Snuff out the unclean!"
Ciel gasped. The window changed back to Jill holding her new born child. What happened next, happened simultaneously: the organ's music grew to a loud crescendo, the window shattered, the two naked humans let out a scream of anguish. Frances flinched. Her hand gripped Sebastian's pant leg as her breathing quickened. Sebastian glanced at her for a moment, tightening his hold on her, as he felt her fear before turning back to the priest. Suddenly, everything was quiet. She slowly released Sebastian's pant leg.
"Now nothing unclean exists on the dais. They are our brother and sister, made pure as snow!"
The congregation cheered.
"Leader! Leader! What a blessing!" Someone shouted.
The two people were covered in new cloaks and led off the stage. Sebastian turned to the Young Master who merely stared straight ahead.
They waited until the congregation left leaving the four of them within the church. Sebastian, Ciel, and Frances stood from the pew, standing behind it while Grell remained seated. Frances glanced around, still slightly on edge.
"Something's off." Grell said, gaining her attention, "Those books weren't the Cinematic Records."
"Then he doesn't have the power to see the past?" The Young Master asked.
Sebastian had a hand to his chin in thought.
"But…" Frances started but was cut off by a voice calling out.
"Ah, you're still here!"
They turned to see Matilda and two other women standing in the doorway.
"The heavens have smiled upon you both!"
Frances tilted her head in confusion.
"Both?" Sebastian and Frances asked.
"Yes." Matilda said, nodding vigorously as she looked at the Young Master, "You have been chosen for the heavenly choir (Her gaze turned to Frances.) and you, young lady, must be cleansed as all women must be."
Frances' gaze hardened for a moment.
*And what about men?!* She thought.
She caught the Young Master's gaze, he gave her a small nod. She gave a small nod back, her gaze turning neutral, even though she was a bit nervous about showing her scars… She sang hers and Sebastian's song forcing herself to remain calm. She could feel Sebastian's gaze upon her and the Young Master as they walked towards the women. She felt him sending her reassurance. She sent him back gratefulness.
The women led her and the Young Master to separate bathrooms. They started to try and undress her, but she moved out of the way.
"I can undress myself." She said.
"Please, Miss, it's all right." One of the women said.
"We've been cleansed already." Another said.
Frances suppressed a sigh and allowed them to undress her without complaint. Once she was bare and her scars were revealed, there was silence, though she noticed they exchanged glances. They washed her head to toe. Once she was cleansed, she was given clothing and a nun hat that matched their uniforms. After she was dressed, was she allowed to leave.
As Frances dealt with her cleansing with grace, Ciel was not dealing well with the women trying to take off his clothes.
"S-Stop! I'll do it myself!" Ciel shouted, attempting to pull away from them, but they held firm.
"Nonsense. You've been chosen for the heavenly choir, so we must cleanse you from head to toe!" One of the women explained.
The other, to Ciel's utter horror and embarrassment, placed her cheek upon his arm, rubbing up and down against it.
"Oh, such unblemished skin!" She sighed.
He moved faster than he ever had before breaking out of the woman's grasp. He clutched his shirt tightly.
"D-Don't touch me!"
"Don't worry, we've already been cleansed."
"That's not the issue!"
"Pardon me." Sebastian interrupted, hand on his chest, "I'll take care of the rest."
"We can't allow that. You're still unclean."
Sebastian looked at them with a cross look of innocence and hurt, beautiful white roses surrounding him.
"Am I impure?"
Ciel was not pleased. In fact, he was rather disgusted.
"Maybe you're not…" One of the women swooned, holding her face as a blush came upon her face.
"Certainly not!" The other woman said, shaking her head, her cheeks also containing a blush.
They showed Sebastian to the cleaning products before leaving. Soon Ciel was in the bath.
"You're getting carried away today. What would Frances say to that display?" Ciel asked, moodily.
"No, my lord. I simply wish to make sure everything goes smoothly. I have no intention of exposing you to danger. And Frances would agree." Sebastian said, cleaning his back.
The Young Master glanced back at him in slight surprise.
"I never thought I'd hear you say that. (He paused a moment.) How is she doing?"
The demon butler cocked his head to one side, listening and trying to feel for his mate. He smiled lightly feeling her slight discomfort but overall, she was all right. He heard no comments about her scars.
"She is faring well." He said, he moved back to the other topic at hand, "Even if the Doomsday Books in that ceremony were fakes, it doesn't change the fact that they have some sort of power. I believe Frances was going to say the same thing before they came to inform us of both your cleansing."
The boy said nothing for a moment.
"Unclean…"
Sebastian paused.
"The doll called me that (Sebastian resumed washing him.). And… there's this." Ciel said, lifting his arm to expose his brand, "This mark that cast me into Hell is my only spider's thread right now."
"Do you truly believe that grasping it will let you crawl out of Hell?" Sebastian asked.
"No," He said, putting his arm down, "I'm not crawling up. I'll grasp it and use it to drag them down into the hell I suffer."
Sebastian smirked, "I expect nothing less from my master."
Ciel glared at him from the corner of his eyes.
"There's only one thing you should be saying to me now."
Sebastian bowed his head, "Yes, my lord."
Frances walked the halls of the abbey before finding herself outside behind the abbey where Grell was. He looked her up and down. A frown formed upon his lips.
"I don't like it." He stated.
Frances took off the nun hat and tossed it on the floor.
"I don't either." She said, "I'll be right back."
She walked to a tree a few feet from the abbey. She summoned her dress and changed quickly. As she was pulling it down, she frowned.
"You know, it's considered rude to try to sneak up on someone while they are changing."
A dark chuckle surrounded her.
"Perhaps you shouldn't have used a tree as a changing screen then."
Frances rolled her eyes, but a smile was upon her lips. She walked out to see Sebastian standing behind the tree, a smirk upon his face. When she came into view, it morphed into a look of concern.
"Are you all right?" He asked.
She smiled slightly. She walked up to him, reached up, and caressed his cheek. He leaned into her touch, still watching her.
"I am. At least, about my scars."
He smiled slightly. He took her hand from his cheek and placed a gentle kiss upon her knuckles. He lowered their hands but kept them entwined.
"Come. The Young Master may need us soon."
She nodded, "Yes."
He led her back over to Grell who glared at their intertwined hands. They released once in front of Grell. She immediately turned to Sebastian.
"I will only be a hinderance as you assist the Young Master so Grell should carry me."
He bristled for a moment before he gave a curt nod, reluctantly agreeing. She turned to Grell with a smile.
"Will you mind carrying me?"
He grinned widely.
"I wouldn't mind. Then I can drop you to your death and have your man alllll to myself!"
Sebastian growled in warning. Frances placed a hand on his arm to hold him back. He glanced at her from the corner of his eye.
"He's only joking, Sebastian."
This only darkened his mood. Frances shook her head when suddenly, the feeling something was going to happen hit her hard causing her to jerk.
"Frances?" Sebastian and Grell called, concerned.
"He'll call soon." She said, quickly.
Sebastian nodded, face focused, poised and ready to go. Grell picked up Frances. Grell opened his mouth.
"Don't make any stupid comments!" She snapped.
Grell's eyes widened slightly. He swallowed back his comments.
"Sebastian, this is an order! Kill him!" They heard Ciel yell.
"Yes, my lord." Sebastian said, demonically yet angelically.
Sebastian jumped up and smashed through the window. Grell jumped behind him. He quickly placed Frances on the floor as Sebastian grabbed a piece of the window and threw it with great force at the priest. It landed straight through his forehead. He flew back with a grunt. Dead. Frances summoned her sword. Another person started for Ciel.
"No!" She snarled, swinging her sword through the hooded person just as Sebastian turned and threw his knives.
The figure flew up with not a scratch on them, white feather floating down. Frances and Sebastian glared.
"I thought that was you, Angela." Sebastian said.
Frances gritted her teeth and tightened her hold on her sword.
"H-Hey! What's an angel doing in this realm?" Grell asked, nervously.
Angela floated down behind Ciel.
"No!" Frances snarled, running towards her.
But, Angela had already grabbed Ciel and floated up with him in her arms. She pulled out a book.
"Look!" Grell cried, pointing at the book, "That's a real Cinematic Record!"
Reels of film burst out from the book and wrapped around Frances and Sebastian. Frances dropped her sword. She gritted her teeth. Both of them moved their eyes to Grell.
"Grell, your death scythe!" They shouted.
Grell was already working on it. Sadly, he had even smaller pathetic scissors than his last set.
"Give me some time! I'm working on it!" He cried.
"What are those?" Sebastian asked, stoically.
"I can't help it! Will took my last set of scythes away, too!"
"Grell! Keep cutting!" Frances shrieked, trying to break out of the Records despite the fact that she knew she wouldn't be able to.
The angel and Ciel flew into a portal of white light. Ciel screamed.
"Young Master!"
"Ciel!"
Sebastian and Frances yelled at the same time. Suddenly, Grell finally cut through the Records. They floated around them in pieces.
"I cut it!" He shouted, excitedly.
Sebastian gathered Frances into his arms and ran towards the portal.
"Here we go." He said, reddish-brown eyes glaring and focused.
Grell ran beside him. Frances summoned her sword to her hand, just in case. She tried to keep her eyes open, but the light was too bright. She closed her eyes and buried her head into Sebastian's chest as they jumped through the portal.