Author's Note: I think that Ciel is confused despite what he thinks. He's a teenager and they're always confused. I know that I was, even though I told everyone that I knew everything. I'm not sure that he knows which one that he wants. And if he does, well, he hasn't told me yet. I also want to apologize to all the people that were hoping for little demon babies to be running around at some point. That doesn't fit with the origin I have planned for Sebastian, that I will be explaining...eventually. (Insert author's evil laugh with screechy background music and lightning.)

Disclaimer: I do not own Kuroshitsuji or any of its characters. I only claim Serena, as well as the demons and descendants that I introduce.

A Demon's Mate

Chapter Twenty Two

Serena stared at Sebastian, not noticing the fight going on before in front of them anymore. The demon still didn't take his eyes from his master.

'Besides, demon's don't have children.'

That one sentence bounced around her head, replaying over and over. Questions were right on the tip of her tongue but none would come out. Sebastian suddenly pulled her to the side as Elizabeth was pushed back by Ciel. There was a noticeable breathing echoing around the room, heavy and out of time. Serena's concern shifted to the Earl and whatever questions she had would have to wait.

"He's breaking down," she said softly.

"Yes, Master lasted longer than I had anticipated." Sebastian brought a finger to his lips as he thought about what they had seen. "Still, Lady Elizabeth is strong to have held him off until this point."

They watched from the sidelines as the tide changed. Elizabeth realized it as well and began pushing back. The Earl was quickly put on the defensive, just trying to keep his footing. Serena took a step forward when she realized that Ciel was using all his energy just trying to stay on his feet. The demon held her back, shaking his head. His Master would not appreciate her interference. The weakened body swayed, limbs losing the intricate and powerful movements that had defined him throughout the match. One well timed thrust to the chest sent him down.

Ciel collapsed to the ballroom floor and ripped the mask from his head. Lizzy dropped the foil in her hand, the metallic ring echoing through the room was overpowered by the Earl's coughing and erratic breathing. He rolled over to hold himself up on his arms as his head hung down. His whole body heaved trying to get air into his weakened lungs. The blonde rushed to his side, but the butler still got there faster.

Ciel pushed them all away. "I...I...I'm...fine."

Another round of coughing pushed both girls forward. They were blocked again by Sebastian as the Earl struggled to his feet alone. He was still breathing heavy as he straightened, keeping his back to the others.

Serena remembered the Jack the Ripper arc, after Madame Red had been killed. 'I can stand on my own.'

"Ciel..." Lizzy started forward but the Earl held up a hand.

"You are...really good." He waited for another round of coughing to finish. "Aunt Francis must be proud."

She nodded as Ciel's breathing finally started to even out. He was still coughing a little as his lungs started to accept the air that they were pulling in.

"You should change, Master." Sebastian clipped his pocket watch shut. "I'm afraid that is all the time that we have allotted to practice today."

The Earl nodded and started slowly out of the room.

"Ciel!"

"I'm fine, Lizzy. You should get cleaned up as well. I still have some paperwork to go over. I'll see you for dinner." He didn't turn as he left the room, faithful butler right behind him.

The blonde threw down her mask as the door closed and turned on Serena.

"I thought you said that you would tell me when to tone it down!"

"There was no time for you to let up. I didn't realize that Ciel was that good at fencing and I apologize for that. It changed what I had planned but you handled it right."

"I knew that I shouldn't have listened to you." Elizabeth put her hands over her face as a sob escaped. "I knew that I shouldn't have accepted this. Aunt Ann was right."

"No, she wasn't. If you had gone easy on Ciel, he would have known and it would have pissed him off. You still don't understand that you saw your fiancé and the man that you've been in love with since you were a child when you stood in the middle of this room." Serena picked up the foil and mask before turning back to the younger girl. "Ciel saw only another opponent to defeat. He wouldn't have appreciated you taking it easy on him. Ciel would have seen it as you were pitying him. If he thought that you were giving him a handicap because he is weaker than you, the damage to your relationship would never be fixable.

"You did the right thing, Elizabeth. Even if you can't see it right this minute. You beat Ciel in a fair fight and he'll respect that. If you had lied to him about how strong you are, he'd never trust you again. In the end, he'd hate you for it."

The blonde fell to her knees, hugging herself as she cried. Serena pried the younger girl's hands away from her sides and put the sword and mask back into them.

"This is who you are. Your mother taught you what you needed to know to be the Countess of Phantomhive. After his parents' murders, Ciel knows what is needed as well. If you're not ashamed that you have that, than there is no reason for him to be ashamed of you." Green eyes looked up, still unsure as the older girl pulled her to her feet.

"Now, let's get you cleaned up. Strength is a good thing in a girl, but showing up in front of your man all sweaty and nasty is never a good idea."

Elizabeth laughed a little and let the red head lead her out of the ballroom. As they crossed the hall, both saw Ciel still on the stairs. Sebastian was behind the Earl as he took each stair slowly, gripping the railing hard. He had almost reached the top when his legs gave out. The butler caught him easily and swung his Master into his arms.

"Master, I believe that has been enough bravado for the day." His voice was soft, but the girls still heard him. Ciel was quiet for a moment before he nodded and laid his head against Sebastian's shoulder in exhaustion. They watched as the two disappeared into the wing housing the Earl's rooms.

"There is something between them too." Lizzy said distracted. "Ever since Ciel came back with Sebastian, I've always seen something between the two of them that leaves no room for anyone else. When I was younger, I thought that they were good friends, as well master and servant. I know now that is not what it is. There is some connection that chains them together and no one can sever it."

Serena looked over, feeling sorry for the other girl. If Ciel was able to find the people that murdered his parents and tried to destroy the Phantomhives, the life that the Elizabeth wanted really would be just a dream.

'Oh Lizzy, you don't want to know what their connection is.'

******************A Demon's Mate******************

Shortly before dinner, Serena caught Sebastian coming out of Ciel's room.

"Master has decided to take dinner in his rooms."

"Is he okay?" She looked to the closed door.

"I assure you he's fine. My Master is just tired." The demon brushed a lock of her hair as he walked past to go down the stairs.

Serena looked to the door again and remembered Elizabeth's crying face.

'No way is he going to hide out. I'll get the blame.'

Nodding to herself, the red head knocked on Ciel's door and waited for him to tell her to come in. She saw the sitting room was empty as she closed the door. The door to the bedroom was open.

"Sebastian, what are you doing out there?"

"Sorry, wrong person." Serena popped her head into the room with a smile. "I wanted to check on you."

"I'm not some invalid."

She raised an eyebrow, taking in the Earl propped up on a stack of pillows with the covers up to his chest. "Well, you're the one who doesn't want to come to dinner. Do you really expect people not to worry?"

Ciel glared at her but she shrugged it off. He realized that he was seeing her through two eyes. With a gasp, the Earl reached over for his eye patch, keeping his hair over his eye. Serena stopped him with a hand on his shoulder.

"I know that your contract mark is in your eye. You don't have to cover it."

"How do you...One of your books I assume?"

"Yes." She answered simply and brushed the hair away from his eye. "Can you still see out of it?"

"Of course. There is nothing wrong with my eye, just others cannot be allowed to see it." He put a hand over it. "It burns a little when I send Sebastian away for an errand."

"Incentive to keep him close." Serena leaned forward and brushed her thumb over the soft skin below his glowing eye. She saw him swallow hard before he pulled away.

"You really shouldn't be in here. Lizzy and Sebastian will get suspicious."

"I never get why everybody thinks that if two people are in a bedroom together that there is something going on. I'm just visiting. You're the one who won't get out of bed. So, I guess I'll visit here." Serena smiled as she jumped up on the side of the bed. "Do you feel better now?"

He glared out the window. "Yes."

"What is it?"

"I hate that I'm so weak."

"You're not weak, Ciel. You're not a physical combat person. So what? Neither am I. At least you know something about defending yourself."

Ciel fiddled with the blanket that he was crushing in his fists.

"I mean, look at the time that I've been here. I was drug around London by Elizabeth and wished I could have slept for a week. I was captured by a demon and had to wait for Sebastian to rescue me. And I was almost killed by a reaper. It was pure luck that I didn't fall and break my neck while Grell was chasing me. The only thing that I can do is draw. At least can say that you're a smarty pants."

He nodded with a smirk.

"You should feel better about Elizabeth now." The red head nudged his leg with a smile.

"I do." The Earl sighed, still playing with the blanket. "I still don't want to bring her into this."

"You love her."

Ciel jerked back, staring at the red head in shock.

"You do. It may not be that, be all end all, the world is hearts and flowers, I have to marry you right now because I can't spend another minute without you kind, but it's there."

He shifted in the bed, obviously uncomfortable with the discussion.

"Honestly, I don't think that is love anyway. I think that's infatuation. It's fleeting, you can't keep up that level of intense forever."

"I agree with that, but I think that is what she's expecting."

"Maybe, Elizabeth is still a teenager, but I think that she'll come to realize that's not what makes a marriage. You told me once that most people in your class sometimes hate who they have to marry. You and Elizabeth have been together your whole lives. She puts up with your grumpy and you, reluctantly, put up with her annoying. I would bet that there are a lot of marriages that turned out alright, based on a hell of a lot less."

Ciel nodded, still thinking.

"Good." She slapped a hand on his leg. "Now that you've had your pep talk, get dressed. Come down to dinner and show Elizabeth that you're alright."

"Fine," he huffed.

Serena smiled and slid off the bed. As she reached the doorway to the sitting room, Ciel called her back.

"How do you know? That I love Lizzy?"

She held the doorframe as she looked her shoulder.

"You wouldn't be so worried about her if you didn't. I'll see you downstairs." The red head walked through the sitting room and out the main door. When it had closed behind her, Serena let out a sigh. "When did I become Dear Abby?"

***********************A Demon's Mate********************

Sebastian stepped into his Master's bedroom smelling his mate's perfume. Irritation rose to the surface but was swiftly shoved back down. His Master stood at the window in his nightshirt. The confused look on his face as he held onto the drapes made him seem younger than the demon had ever seen in their time together.

"Master, is something bothering you?"

"It's nothing." The Earl turned from the window, his face set in its normal lines. However, Sebastian could still see the worry hidden beneath the surface. "I've decided to go down for dinner."

"Very well. Then we must get you dressed." The butler moved quickly to the room housing his Master's clothing, choosing a green suit that was appropriate as well as comfortable.

"Was Serena is here again, Master?"

"You know that she was. She said that she was visiting since I wouldn't get out of bed."

"I see. I will inform her that it is not appropriate for her to be in your bedroom, Master." Sebastian slid the gray waistcoat over the Earl's shoulders.

"I highly doubt that will do any good. Serena does what she pleases and you should get used to that."

"Yes, I believe that you are correct." He held out the coat that matched the rest of the suit. "Master, I have noticed that you seem rather attached to my mate."

"What of it?"

"I feel I should warn you that I do not share."

Ciel thought of all the times that Sebastian had kept people from touching him. His expression when Lizzy would hug him or he would have to escort the blonde to some function. The Earl had always thought that the demon's aversion to others touching Ciel came from Ciel's own need to not be touched. Now, he wondered if it was the demon not wanting anyone to touch his prey.

A laugh bubbled up before he could stop it. "Believe me, Sebastian. You have made that more than clear in the years since our contract was made. Yes, I like Serena. If she wasn't bound to you I probably would have broken my engagement to Lizzy so that I could have her."

A low growl filled the room.

"However, she is with you and I know better than to pursue a woman that is already taken." Ciel glared at his demon in the mirror. "Besides, you're the one who is acting on nothing but his emotions lately."

Sebastian jerked back at the observation and the truth behind it. The Earl straightened his shoulders and moved for the door to the hall.

"Sebastian?" He didn't turn back around, just stared at the door in front of him.

"Yes, Master."

"After our business is finished, you will watch over Serena better."

The demon knelt on one knee and put his hand over his black heart. "Yes, my lord."

****************A Demon's Mate******************

After everyone had gone to sleep, Serena sat up looking out her window. Snow was falling once again and she found herself enchanted by the all-white landscape that was bathed in moonlight. There were no tracks in the snow, all the bushes and trees and pathways were covered once more. The world from her window looked fresh and clean.

'Does it look like this at home after it snows? No, normally there are still cars making tracks and plows moving the snow off the roads. There are still lights in everyone's house, making the moon and stars shine duller. The longer I'm here, the more I don't want to go home. Maybe I'm supposed to be here?' The girl laughed at herself. 'Although, I would kill for a pair of jeans right now. And maybe a Big Mac.'

Her stomach growled and the red head sighed. 'Great. Now, I've made myself hungry.'

The house was quiet as she made her way downstairs, just as peaceful as outside. Everyone had gone to bed long before and she could almost hear the tranquil dreaming coming from the other rooms. Ciel's presence at dinner had brightened Elizabeth's spirits considerably. The blonde had remembered what Serena had told her and had managed to rein herself in all through the meal. After, Lizzy had played the piano in the music room for them, another skill that Ciel knew nothing about, but admired. Both teens had retired to their rooms at the end of the night, content with their little worlds, and Serena happy that she could help.

'So then, why did I feel a little jealous everytime that Ciel would talk to Elizabeth? Best not examine that too closely.'

Serena opened the door to the kitchen and wasn't surprised to see Sebastian moving about the room.

"I'm beginning to think that this is your favorite room in the house." She laughed as the door shut behind her.

"There are preparations that have to be made for tomorrow."

"Because the chef really can't cook?"

The demon smirked at her and pulled a bowl down from a cabinet.

"And the maid can't really clean and the gardener is a plant killer."

"Our household is a little strange."

"I couldn't imagine it any other way."

"I suppose that it is interesting." Sebastian looked to his mate. "What are you doing out of bed?"

"I was looking for a snack." Serena laughed as she headed into the pantry. She felt Sebastian behind her and tried to ignore him as she looked around.

"What would my mate desire?" His fingers trailed lightly down her neck and the demon smiled at the shiver he saw go through her.

Serena's stomach grumbled again and the girl blushed as he laughed.

"Food first then." The demon pressed a kiss to her temple and stepped around her. "What would you like?"

"I don't suppose that you have a Big Mac hiding in one of those barrels?"

"A what?"

"Yeah, I didn't think so." Serena sighed as she looked at the shelves. "I don't know what I want."

Sebastian led his mate out of the pantry and over to the small table in the kitchen's corner. Holding out her chair, he waited for her to sit before going back to the cupboards. The demon kept his back to her as he worked and the admitted that she was curious at what he was making.

"You know, being in a time period where most women are expected to be in the kitchen, barefoot and pregnant, seeing a man in an apron is kind of hot."

He smirked as he brought a plate over. Even without baking, there was a small cake with berries she could see in it, slightly steaming in the plate's center. Serena picked up the fork he had laid next to the plate while admitting that it his creation looked really good.

"Isn't it winter?" She poked one of the berries.

"It is. Wait." Sebastian placed a dollop of fresh cream on the cake and went back to the counter for a sprig of mint. He placed the garnish on the side and wiped the small spot of cream on the rim of the plate. With a smile, the demon pushed the plate toward her and waited.

Serena looked between the dessert and the smiling face for a moment.

"Oh my...you enjoy this. This is your favorite room in the house because you enjoy this butler schtick."

"I suppose you are right. There is a certain pride one feels making everything run perfectly."

She pointed the fork at him and teased, "Pride's a sin."

"So it is." The demon smirked again before going back to pick up the small mess that he had created.

Serena took a bite of the midnight dessert and felt a moan come out of her throat. Her eyes closed in absolute bliss. "This is so good."

"It is one of master's favorites however, he wants me to do things the human way. He can only have it in the summer." Sebastian came around the table and knelt beside her. He gently took the fork from her hand and got a small whimper for it. Serena's pout turned into a blush when he held another piece on the fork for her to take.

"I can feed myself."

"Indulge me."

She sighed but opened her mouth to take the bite. Sebastian's eyes reverted to the swirling crimson of his demon form as he watched her eat what he had prepared. The pair remained silent, Sebastian feeding her and Serena accepting each wonderful bite. The plate was almost empty when the demon looked to the small door leading out of the mansion.

"Someone's here?"

"Several someones." Sebastian turned back to her with a smile. "I think it is past time for you to be in bed."

Serena hurried to get out of her chair and found herself being picked up.

"We are in a bit of a hurry, my mate. Close your eyes."

She did as instructed and felt wind passing over her face as her body swayed with his graceful steps. When she opened her eyes again, the pair stood in her bedroom. Sebastian set her down gently before going to pull the curtains shut.

"Please do not leave this room and don't look outside."

"Sebastian."

"It's alright. You should get some sleep." He came back to lead her to the bed and pulled the covers down.

"Will you come back? After..." She waved her hand at the window.

"Of course." Sebastian settled the blankets around his mate and disappeared.

Serena shivered and looked at the closed window. She started to push the blankets back but stopped.

'Go to sleep, my mate.'

As soon as the voice went through her mind, she felt the pull of exhaustion and fell back against the pillows.

********************A Demon's Mate*******************

Breakfast the next day was stilted with Serena silently glaring at the demon serving them. Ciel and Elizabeth didn't seem to feel the tension as the Earl read the morning paper and Lizzy chattered about plans for the day. The red head ignored them both and focused on the plate in front of her. The word London pulled her out of her funk.

"I'm sorry, what?"

"Lizzy wants to go into the city today." Ciel folded the flap of his paper down to glare at the girl as if say 'pay attention.'

"I want Ciel and I to have matching outfits for the ball."

"Ball?" Serena looked back and forth between them.

"Really?" Ciel finally put his paper down and decided to humor Serena. "The Midfords hold a ball every year on the eve of the New Year. This time it's a masked ball and everyone is expected to come in costume."

"That sounds like fun. You get to be someone else for a little while." Serena smiled as she took a sip of her tea. She looked at the eyepatch on the Earl's face. "I think you should go as pirates."

"That's a great idea!" Lizzy started to chatter about potential costumes.

"Ow!" Serena gasped at the boot that connected with her leg.

**********************A Demon's Mate***********************

"So, what is your problem anyway?" Serena strode into Ciel's office and the teen dropped the papers in his hand as the door closed. "You kicked me."

"I don't want to go into town with Lizzy. Even with a costume idea, I'll be stuck all day at the dressmaker's." He glared at her. "Now, she thinks that you're on board with this too and there is no way for me to get out of going."

"I'm sorry. Really, the pirate thing was a joke."

"I don't very much care what we go as. I tried to tell Lizzy that whatever she picks is fine."

"You may not want to do that. Knowing her, she'd have you going as the Easter Bunny. A pink Easter Bunny."

"This is a disaster." He raised a hand to rub his forehead as Serena came around his desk. He jumped as the red head laid her hands of his shoulders. Ciel's head slumped forward as her fingers started to kneed his shoulders.

"You need to relax. You're a heart attack in the making. Especially with all that rich food you eat. It can't be that bad. Just go with her into the shop, pick something out and leave."

"It's not that simple." He gasped as she hit a spot next to his neck.

"What do you mean? What's so hard about picking a costume when you don't really give a damn about what you go as?"

"You spent a whole day with Lizzy in London and you still ask me what could take so long?"

"Dressmaker's shop. She's going to want a new dress." The girl shook her head as the problem came to her.

"Or three. And she'll want to look at every piece of fabric and every single design and this will turn into an all-day event." Ciel shook his head. "I don't have time for this."

"Alright." Serena let go his shoulders. "I'm going to break about fifty girl laws and teach you how to get out of this."

"And how would that be?" He asked as she went to the chair in front of the desk.

Her explanation was interrupted as Sebastian came into the room with the daily post on a tray.

"Talk about having the world delivered to you on a silver platter." The red head laughed.

Ciel ignored her and took the letters. "Serena is going to teach me how to get out of spending all day at Miss Nina's shop."

"Really? I did not think that was possible." The butler watched her in disbelief. He came to stand at her side as she started telling them her plan.

"First off, go with her. Don't fight it anymore, just go. When you get to the shop, pick out your costumes first. We all know after that, Lizzy will start looking through the fabric and you are going to let her. You walk around the shop too. Find the ugliest swatch that is in that store. And I mean ugly. That fabric that almost makes you want to puke looking at it. Put that to the side but remember where you found it."

"Once you have found that piece, look around the shop and find another piece of ugly fabric that's not as bad. Show her that one. Now, they're going to look at you like you're crazy. Lizzy will probably try to be nice and say something like that's just not what she's looking for. Put it back and go find another one. Same thing all over again. Now, go for your coup de gras. Bring her that ugliest piece of fabric in the store. She's going to be irritated by now and she'll let you have it.

"Oh, Ciel. How could you pick out something so awful? You want me to be the laughingstock of parties. How can you pick all those ugly pieces when you dress so well...whatever. Just let her go. At the end of her tirade, she will expect you to say something. This is how that something should go."

Serena put a hand behind her head and looked up at them from under her lashes, a little sheepish and ashamed. "Actually, Sebastian picks all my clothing. I've always had bad taste I guess. That's why I didn't want to come with. It's embarrassing, Lizzy."

The girl went back to normal. "She'll feel bad about putting you in such a situation and tell you to go to the house and just send the carriage back for her. An all-day outing has been reduced to two hours. Max."

Ciel stared at her. "There is no way that is going to work."

"Trust me."

"I could just tell her that I was injured yesterday."

"No, because then she'll insist that Miss Nina come to the house and it will still tie up your whole day." Serena's smile faded as she saw something crawling along the edge of the desktop. She reached to the side slowly and took the silver platter from Sebastian's hand. With a quick move, the girl slammed it down on the small creature. Both men jumped at the crash and watched her slide the platter off the desk.

When she handed it back, Sebastian looked at what she had killed.

"A spider?"

"All that for a spider?" Ciel looked at her confused.

"Spiders are evil." She pointed to the Earl. "You should remember that."

******************A Demon's Mate****************

In the end, Lizzy insisted that Serena go with them into town. Since she had no intention of going to the ball, as much fun as it sounded, she really didn't want to see Lady Francis again or be a third wheel. She sat back while they discussed costumes with the tailor. Sebastian had been sent on errands, leaving her no one to talk to. Despite the strange and energetic artist that Miss Nina was, her attention quickly wandered to the bustling street outside.

'I thought that the nobles stayed at their country houses between Christmas and New Years. I guess that's not everyone.'

Seeing that Ciel and Lizzy were well drawn into their discussion, Serena started to slide out the door.

"Serena."

She jumped and looked back to the Earl.

"I think you should remember the last time that you wandered off in London."

"I won't go far and I won't talk to anyone." She raised a hand like she was being sworn in at a courthouse. "I promise."

"I suppose it's alright," He sighed and waved one of his calling cards at her. "If you see something, tell the merchants to have the bills sent to the house."*

She took the card with a smile. "I will. Thank you, Ciel."

'I guess the Victorian era had its own way making sure that people were who they said they were.'

Out in the streets, Serena was entranced by the hustle and bustle of London's streets. If not for the sound of horses instead of cars, she could almost imagine she was still in Tokyo. The sound of a crowd was the same no matter where you went. People who knew each other were stopping to say hello as merchants and vendors were trying to entice potential customers. The cold meant nothing as the flow of the crowd moved from shop to shop and street to street.

Serena let herself be carried with the flow when she saw a park.

'That must be Hyde Park.'

Even here, people milled around in the winter sunshine. Horse riders were following the trails, some in couples and some in groups. Carriages cut through the park's paths, seeing and being seen. Nannies watched children that had been bundled up for the cold as they played in the knee-deep snow. Noblemen walked with ladies on their arms and a servant or two behind them. Serena sat on a bench that had been cleared of snow and watched the people around her.

'It's always like this. Watching, not participating. For some reason, that's okay right now.'

"Is this seat taken?"

Serena looked to see a man in front of her. There was nothing exceptional about him. The man was neither handsome nor ugly. While dressed well, there was no indication of wealth in his clothing and he carried a simple walking cane. Silver hair seen from the sides of his top hat suggested that the man was past his prime, but the way he carried himself made him seem ageless. He was someone who could easily blend into the crowd around them and no one would be able to pick him out.

"Miss?"

Serena blushed when she realized that she had been staring and moved over.

"No, please sit."

"Thank you." The man settled gracefully on the bench and leaned on his cane. "Hyde Park is one of my favorite places. It's always so..."

"Peaceful." The red head finished for him and the man smiled. They watched the people going about their lives in silence for a few minutes when he shifted to look at her.

"How are you enjoying your trip to the Victorian era, Serena?"

*Author's Note and Historical Fact (maybe): I always knew that ladies carried calling cards for visits to friends or acquaintances during the Victorian Era, but a website I was looking through said that men carried them as well. Of course for business this made sense. What was interesting to note was that the master of the house could give one of his cards to a visiting relative or a new bride, that hadn't had her own made yet, to prove that they were associated with the master's family in some way. Since I've never heard of this custom before now, it may be incorrect, so don't quote me on it. If I'm wrong, please let me know.