That evening found three unhappy people standing on a nondescript corner in the night fog. Two of them looked like nothing more than street urchins, though if any had looked closer, it would be easy to tell they were not. They were far too clean. That image was further made null by the tall man that stood next to them.
The silence was absolute, as they were all caught up in their thoughts. The two humans thinking of what had brought them to that point, and the demon was as inscrutable as ever. Ciel barely spared a sideways glance at his butler as he remembered the conversation that had brought them to this point.
"Do you make a mockery of me with this!?"
His demon butler bowed with grace as he closed the doors behind them. "Of course not young master. This list included every aspect you gave me. Any person that did not have an alibi on the night of the murders, that had knowledge or skills in medical procedures."
He was cut off by the boy. "Then, you have lied to me!"
Sebastian gave him a devious smirk. "I have sworn never to do so. Do not fault the tool when the hand that wields it cannot see past the ordinary."
Ciel looked as though he had a scathing comment, but he paused. His voice was low when he spoke. "So those people could not have done this?"
Sebastian chuckled. "No. Humans are incapable of this."
"You may not have lied to me, but this-" The boy paused and held up the list of names. "This is a joke of an investigation!"
When he flung the pages at his butler, the demon sidestepped with another chuckle. "Are you taking it out on me? Surely you knew I was like this. That is why you keep me by your side, after all."
Ciel growled in frustration and pushed his hair back before he pinned his servant with a glare. "Do you think it could be one like you?"
Sebastian stood from where he had been picking up the mess. "No, I do not believe so. I would have noticed had they been a demon. It is something else."
It was at that point that Ciel was pulled from his thoughts by a scream coming from the home they had been standing watch near. All three of them jumped and raced down the enclosed alley to the only entrance of the small house, but as soon as they flung the door open, Sebastian grabbed him and threw his hand over the boy's eyes. "Do not look!"
Not that he had not already seen enough to know they had walked into a nightmare. Sebastian pulled him back, and he could hear Lucienne close by trying to stifle a gasp.
The girl had thrown a hand over her mouth to stop not just the sound but also the nausea that was threatening to crawl up and escape. She had seen many horrors in her long life, but this was beyond what she had been prepared for. Luckily her gaze was jerked from the sight in front of them when Sebastian spoke.
"Really now, that was rather over the top. It's all over the floor, Jack the Ripper. Or should I say Grell Sutcliff?"
Lucienne's eyes widened as the other butler stepped into a shaft of light before they narrowed. She was not as shocked as she should have been. Despite the blood across his face, the man tried to plead ignorance.
"No! It isn't what it seems! I heard screams, and I rushed in to see what happened."
Sebastian lifted one brow and gave him a sardonic smile. The sight of it both bolstered Lucienne's nerves and sickened her. Though it shouldn't have. He was a demon, after all. This was probably no worse than carnage he had himself caused in the past."
"And how did you accomplish that when we were right outside the whole time? You might as well stop pretending Mr. Sutcliff. No, surely, Sutcliff is a fake as well. I must say, I have never encountered another 'human' like you. One that should have stayed neutral between heaven and hell. A reaper of souls."
Lucienne felt a chill run down her spine when the man lowered his head and let go of an inhuman chuckle. She took a step back when he raised his eyes once again, and the expression he exposed matched the insanity around them. His voice had risen a few octaves, and he turned and pulled the ribbon that kept his hair tied back. As it fell, the brown seemed to bleed from it and left behind a vibrant red that matched the color dripping from the walls.
"Heh, you are correct. I am an actress and a top-notch one at that." The man seemed to be fiddling with fake lashes, and Lucienne frowned as he replaced his glasses with a different pair before he continued. "But aren't you the same 'Sebastian'?"
Sebastian seemed to stop just short of a grimace. "This is the name the young master gave me. I am 'Sebastian' at present."
Grell chuckled as he pulled on bright red gloves. "Oh, the role of the faithful dog! I suppose a handsome man playing a loyal dog can be nice too." He then paused and placed his hand on his chest dramatically. "Then allow me to reintroduce myself, my little Sebas. I am the Barnett family butler, Grell Sutcliff, and a grim reaper."
"Why did you choose to become a butler?" Sebastian's voice was cold and all business.
Grell lowered his face and looked up through his lashes. "Don't say it like that. Oh right. I have been captivated by a woman."
When the demon butler looked as though he was about to question who, Grell rolled his eyes. "You don't really need to ask, do you?"
At that point, he stepped aside, and Ciel stiffened in Sebastian's grasp when he heard his aunt's voice. He had expected it, but hearing it confirmed was not pleasant. "Sebastian."
The boy pushed his butler's protective hand aside and faced his relative with a glare. "Madam Red."
She gave him a sad smile and shook her head. "My calculations were incorrect. Who would have thought the person to uncover Grell's true nature would be someone by your side Ciel."
Ciel stifled a cough as he looked at his aunt. "From the beginning, your name was among the list of suspects, but your alibi was perfect."
She chuckled mirthlessly as she followed the group into the rain. "How terrible that you would suspect one of your own."
Ciel's eyes narrowed. He ignored Sebastian and Lucienne as they both gathered close to his side. "As long as there was a possibility, I could not ignore it, no matter if that person was a relative or a friend. However, on that list of suspects, no human could have done it. The same goes for you, of course. But if the co-criminal were not human, then that is a different matter. The only ones that could access the murder scene and not be noticed until it was too late would have to be both of you together."
Ciel paused at that point and pulled out a sheet of paper. "All of the victims, besides being prostitutes and having their ovaries removed, they had one other thing in common. They were all your patients. They all had you assist them with a particular surgery. The order in which the victims died corresponds directly with this list in the order in which they were performed."
Madam Red looked down with sad eyes. "How unfortunate. My cute nephew. My sister's son. If you hadn't discovered this, we could have still played chess together."
She then paused and clenched her fists before she looked up and nearly screamed at the boy. "However, I'm not going to go easy on you anymore!"
When the woman screamed, several things happened at the same time. Ciel felt himself being jerked back as Sebastian jumped in front of him. He only realized a moment later that Lucienne had grabbed him out of harm's way as he saw his butler stop the strangest contraption he had ever seen being wielded by the insane reaper.
"W-what is that?"
Sebastion spoke over his shoulder in answer to the question. "This is my first time seeing one, but each reaper has a weapon that allows them to capture souls. Their death scythe. Though I did not believe they looked like this."
Grell gave him a wink and revved the motor as he spoke. "A regular scythe is so old fashioned, don't you think? I had this one specially made to order. I guarantee it's first-rate."
Sebastian sighed and pushed his hair out of his eyes. "This death scythe is a troublesome thing."
Lucienne was still holding Ciel back and was trying to keep an eye on both murderers. So far, the woman was watching the whole thing with a faraway look in her eye, but the mad butler seemed to be preening after what Sebastian just said. His words definitely implied that was the case.
"The death scythe can cut through anything. And I've been so mild-mannered lately that I'm really looking forward to some vigorous exercise with you."
Sebastian lost all expression as he responded. "Can you not say such revolting things. And I'm working too."
Grell stuck his tongue out. "Oh, you're no fun." He then twirled with that absurd scythe and made an obscene expression of almost joy before he spoke again. "I do love the color red. Hair, clothes, lipstick, I love them all to be red. That's why I enjoy using fresh blood to make up those ugly women. The more flamboyant, the more beautiful they are, like a poisonous flower, right? A cool man that uses the color red to dress up would definitely be beautiful, my little Sebas."
Sebastian was still wearing that blank expression as he responded. "Reapers should quietly capture the souls that are ready to depart this earth, and butlers should follow their master's orders like a shadow. To violate these two principles like you have makes me want to be sick."
Grell pursed his lips as though Sebastian's words were something sour he had been forced to swallow. "I really did try to do my best to follow orders! I didn't even wear my make-up."
Sebastian's only response was to look disgusted. "How shocking. And you call yourself a butler?"
Grell's only response was to wink again. "Even if I'm like this, I'm still the butler of Death."
By that point, Ciel had heard enough. He pulled away from Lucienne's grasp and removed the patch from his eye. His voice was hard when he spoke. "In the name of Her Majesty and my own wretched name, I command you, capture them!"
Sebastian's face finally transformed into a smirk. "Yes, my lord." He then turned and pulled off his outer jacket to place over Ciel's head. At the boy's shocked look, the butler only grinned. "So you don't get cold. When we return to the townhouse, I will prepare some hot milk for you with brandy or honey." He then stood and looked to Lucienne with an even wider smirk. "I am sure the young master would not be opposed to sharing with you as well."
He ignored her huff as he turned to the indignant voice of the reaper he had turned his back on. "Hey, now! I won't let you three go so easily!"
Sebastian barely managed to jump away as the scythe made rubble of the ground where he had been standing. It was made worse by Grell's continued taunting. Lucienne was only paying half a mind to their interactions since she was not worried that the demon could not take care of himself.
No, her attention was drawn back to Ciel and Madam Red. To boy looked over to her with a soft voice. "Why?"
She chuckled and shook her head. "Why? You are asking me that now? You seem to have forgotten. In this place, you and I have become 'guard dog' and 'sinner.' As such, we only have one option."
Ciel's eyes widened as he saw his aunt lunge for him, but he didn't have time to do more than that. Before the knife he finally saw glinting could connect, he saw Lucienne standing between them in much the same position that Sebastian had been in earlier. She held Madam Red's wrist with little difficulty. Though it looked like she had something to say, she only glanced back at him instead.
Ciel felt his blood run cold then hot. He wasn't sure if he was upset that his aunt tried to kill him, or that he would have to bring her to justice. His words reflected his anger. "As a doctor, why did you have to murder them!?"
Madam Red's eyes had lost all semblance of sanity. "Even if I told a brat like you, you would never understand! It would have been best if you had never been born!"
With that, the woman wrenched herself from Lucienne's grasp and lunged for Ciel again. The young Earl's eyes widened, and he nearly fell backward. The sounds of the other struggle had gotten closer, and Sebastian's voice was heard calling for his master, even though he could not get away. Time seemed to slow for them all. At least until the inhumanly fast reflexes of the smaller female once again put her between Madam Red and her nephew.
This time, Lucienne didn't take any chances. Her tiny fist connected solidly with the woman's jaw, and it was a matter of seconds later that the older woman crumpled to the ground. Lucienne then turned to the Earl apologetically and curtsied. "Pardon me, but I hope that my actions will prevent the Earl from having to do something ungentlemanly."
She looked up into the blinking eyes of Ciel and gasped when she saw a bedraggled Sebastian standing next to them. Apparently, his fight had not been going well at all, but he had rushed over when he felt the threat to his charge was significant enough. They all stood there staring at each other for a split second, but they were brought back to the moment by a yelling reaper.
"What is this!? Sebastian had enough stamina to rush over here even though his arm was nearly cut off, but I find that woman has been knocked out? I suppose I'll have to kill you all myself. Her too. Useless."
Ciel jumped and frowned before he turned to Sebastian. "Only one half has been apprehended. Bring the other one in."
Sebastian bowed with a slight smirk before he turned back to Grell. "You heard the young master. I'm afraid that whatever your plans were, they will have to be canceled."
Grell nearly growled in frustration when Sebastian tried to once again jump on his face. "I already asked you once, not the face!"
Lucienne watched them jump away with a frown for just a moment before she turned back. She did not like what she was about to suggest, but she also knew it would expedite getting them out of this rain. "Young Master, given our enemy, it might be best if I assist Sebastian." She didn't pause before she handed him the knife. "I am sure that together we can have this handled before she awakens."
He narrowed his eyes at his newest employee. He had brought her out tonight after seeing her jump onto a roof the night before. Perhaps she could indeed help his butler, or perhaps she would get in the way. Either way, it was sure to be entertaining. He finally nodded. "Do not worry. I have restraints. Even if she wakes, it will be no issue. This is an order. Bring back the other half of Jack the Ripper." The woman with the young face and old eyes then curtsied and ran to join the fray. It only took her a few jumps to reach the other two where they were fighting along the rooftops.
Sebastian had not missed the conversation between the young master and Lucienne. He barely spared a frown for the girl when she reached them, but Grell glared at her. His voice was nearly pouting. "Can't you read the atmosphere? We have no need for a third wheel!"
Lucienne tried not to laugh at the look Sebastian shot the reaper. She managed to sniff as she dodged a blow and addressed the butler instead. "The young master will catch a cold if we stay much longer. We need to be quick."
Sebastian smirked at her and nodded. "Of course."
Grell nearly growled at being ignored. He wasn't sure what to think of the girl. He recognized her as being the new addition to the Earl's household, and he had known she was strange. All of the Earl's servants were a little odd, but when she jumped up to the roof, he had to admit he was a little shocked. She still seemed human before that point. As far as he could tell, she still did to his senses.
The three of them spent the next few moments in a flurry of dodges. Each trying to gain an advantage. Time seemed to freeze for them all when the reaper managed to get lucky, and Lucienne stepped on a loose tile. She did not fall, but her balance was affected just enough for Grell to sweep in with his scythe. He was sure it would split that aggravatingly pert nose.
Both males were shocked when she threw her arm up to block the blow, and it actually worked. The scythe cut through the fabric of her sleeve, but not her arm. She pushed back with enough force to put Grell off balance, and Sebastian was quick to take advantage of it with a punch to the nose.
Grell whined at the hit to the face but jumped back quickly. He was scowling at Lucienne as she grabbed her arm with a frown. "Why do you still have your arm? My scythe can cut anything!"
Lucienne gave him a twisted smile. "You forget your place. Your scythe is not meant to cut anything. It is intended to gather souls. Mine is one soul that cannot be gathered. I can be injured, but your scythe is the one weapon that cannot cut me."
Both males stared at her with widened eyes, but neither of them had a chance to do more. Before any of them thought to reengage in the fight, a long shaft shot down to where they had landed in the street. It had barely missed Sebastian and had not missed Lucienne's arm, but just like Grell's scythe, this one cut her sleeve but not her skin. She glared up to see a man pushing his glasses up and glaring up at them before he jumped down and landed on top of Grell's head.
Sebastian raised a brow at the action, but he wasn't sure if he should be amused or angry still. It was apparent the new male was another reaper, and he had also tried to test out what his pet had just claimed. He did not like the idea of anyone else trying to kill her. He kept that to himself as the reaper held out a card.
"I am William T. Spears of the Dispatch Management Division of the Reaper Society. I am here to take this reaper back with me."
Grell perked up at that point from where he had been knocked onto the ground. "William! Are you here to help me!?"
The new reaper kept a straight face as he stomped down once again. "Dispatch Member Grell Sutcliff, you have broken the rules. First, you have killed people not on the list, and you also used your scythe without permission. It was even modified without prior authorization. You are being ordered to return to headquarters to reflect on your actions until further notice."
Grell groaned as William grabbed his hair and started dragging him. "Wait! I could have been killed here! You are so cold!"
William stopped and looked down with a frown. "Shut up." He then turned back to Sebastian and Lucienne with a slight bow. "I apologize if this one has caused any undue trouble."
His eyes flashed when he stood. "Really, that I should have to bow to one such as you." He then looked over at Lucienne. "To an abomination as well. Hmph."
Sebastian's eyes narrowed, and he gave the reaper a grin. "In that case, make sure to restrain him in the future, so this kind of thing doesn't happen again. Humans cannot reject temptation. When they are plunged into hell-like despair, they will cling to whatever hope they can find. Even if it comes in the form of beings like me."
William looked at them both for several seconds before he huffed once more. "I suppose you are hounds that are leashed. At least that is better than the hounds that are not." He then turned and grabbed Grell's hair once more. "Let us return."
As the two reapers disappeared, Sebastian and Lucienne turned back to see Ciel still standing over the unconscious form of his aunt. The demon looked down at the kitten in human form once more and repressed a smile at the memory of her being called a hound, but didn't say anything as he bowed to his master.
"I apologize. I let the other one escape."
Ciel waved off the apology. "It doesn't matter anymore. We need to get the rest of this handled tonight. I am ready to turn in."
Sebastian could see that the boy was haunted by the fact that it was a person he had cared about, but that didn't stop him. The butler bowed before he turned to verify the unconscious woman was restrained before he picked up his master. "Of course, Young Master."
There were many things that they still had to discuss. Not the least of which was how Lucienne had not been harmed by a weapon that could have potentially killed even Sebastian. Still, that could be handled after they were back in the townhouse. If his calculations were correct, they also did not have much longer before she would have to transform back, He had no desire to push their luck and have her forms become unstable.
Lucienne huffed at being left to carry the larger woman but did not complain. She had precious little time left that evening, so getting this handled would be her top priority. Not even that glass of warm milk would slow her, though she did hope the butler would at least think to remember to bring it to his room after everything was managed. It was the least he could do to compensate her for this mess as well as the circumstances. His pillow might be otherwise unused and softer than her own, but that did not make it any more comfortable for her knowing he took sick pleasure in knowing she slept there in the hours she was in feline form. She shoved that thought aside and tried not to think about it further as she followed the other two back across the city.
A/N: I know this chapter is huge! I did promise to wrap up the Jack the Ripper arc in this one, and so I did. I just didn't expect it to be so long lol. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy it anyway! Also, I have a guest review I couldn't respond to directly, so voix de l'ombre - Thank you! I'm glad you like it and I appreciate the feedback. Also, yes, I am also on Ao3. I crosspost most everything. Thank you all for reading!