The Choice is Mine
Disclaimer: I do not own the Black Butlers characters; however, Briar is all mine!
Chapter Nine
We landed with an ungraceful thump. I was lucky that I managed to land us in the chef room and on my bed. Though I wish the bed was softer.
"Are you alright?" I ask as I got off the mattress.
"I'm fine. You don't have to be such a worry wart." Ciel said with a slight smirk.
"Tch. I was just making sure you were ok. You don't need to tease me and call me childish names." Frustrated, I yanked him off the bed, pulled the covers back and pushed him back onto the mattress.
"Ow! Gen-tle." He whined.
"What happened to 'I'm fine'?" I say in an attempted British accent.
"Geez. Do you have to be the epitome of your Zodiac sign? Overly emotional."
"You are such an ass." I say as I make my way to the door. "I am going to get Grell. Don't you dare move!"
"That's not-"
The rest sounded mumbled; I had shut the door mid-way through whatever sentence he was about to form. With no one around I quickly changed back into my uniform and made a B-line for the kitchen.
Grell agreed to administer First aid to Ciel if I told him what happened in hell and how I became a demon. I gave him a rushed version of the details and promised I would go indept at a later time. Satisfied with my response, Grell went to my room to take care of Ciels' wounds.
Thirty Minutes Later
"Ciel, are you doing ok?" I asked as I walked over to the bed.
"I'm fine. Stop worrying so much." He said with that annoying grin. "Grell did a great job."
"Oh, it was nothing." Grell said as he smoothed out his hair. "You were starting to heal before I even got back here. I just patched you up. I have to get going Briar, I'll come by tomorrow to check up on you." Grell ruffled my hair as he walked by. Before he left he turned to Ciel. Mouthed something to him and then walked out.
"What did he say?" I asked.
"Nothing." Replied Ciel.
"Mhmm. Nothing my ass." I say under my breath as I look at him. I just wanted to make sure that he was actually healing. Surprisingly he really was on the road to recovery. Many of his wounds had already closed back up and his skin was returning to its normal color.
"See." He said with a mock in his tone. "Nothing to worry about."
Annoyed, I pulled the cover up, resting it on his neck.
"Whoops." I say as I press down on his neck with the sheet.
"Hey! What do you think-"
"I slipped." I said as I released the sheet. "Sor-ry. You should probably rest."
I walked to my desk and powered up my laptop.
"You talk too much." I say to myself.
"What was that?" asked Ciel.
"Hmmm. I said rest up."
"Of-course you did." He glared at me as he rubbed his neck. In return I gave him the sweetest smile I could muster up. You can't be annoying and not get something in return.
I was working on my journal. For days I could feel my emotions as they worsened. Day to day task pissed me off daily. Everything else, like the grudges of the past and the few days I just had left me feeling over the edge. When I write, I lose myself in the words. Almost like a trance. I just type and type away, forgetting the world that I am in. I was in a nice flow when I heard a soft thud against the desk. My eyes followed the direction of the sound and landed on a crumpled pillow that was on the floor. A pillow that was supposed to be on my bed. Glaring, I turned around. Sitting upright was a smugged face Ciel. His hair was tousled, and he hide his hands behind his back.
"Sorry. It slipped." He said as he bit his lip. "I was trying to get your attention."
"Well." I said through gritted teeth. "You have it know."
"Indeed, I do. What are you typing?"
"Nunya." I say as I close the laptop.
"Nunya? Is that some sort of new genre? I haven't heard of that one."
I burst out laughing as Ciel looked on. A confused expression covered his face.
"Nunya is short for none of your business. I can't believe you fell for that." Snickering to myself I rolled the chair over to the bed. Ciel was now the shade of a tomato, from the top of his head to the tips of his ears.
"That's really immature." He said as he raised his chin.
"So is throwing pillows at people to get their attention." I countered.
For a moment there was silence as my checkmate rung in the air. With what pride he had left he cleared his throat and muttered a sorry.
"I was just curious." He admitted.
"I'm sorry too. I didn't need to get that angry and defensive. I was just writing my thoughts on everything that has happened to me."
"Oh, journaling."
"Yes. It helps me get some of the emotions out."
"Well, since you are being open can I ask you a question?"
"Well. It's only fair. Go ahead." I say. Not really knowing what he could ask.
"Do you think you would choose heaven to side with?"
"Why would you ask that?"
"Well, you were a Christian before this whole ordeal began. I wanted to know if your faith would make you automatically choose that side. I was just curious. It's very hard to read you sometimes." He finished his statement and then proceeded to watch my face. Guess he learned that my face tells the whole story.
Automatically I started swinging my feet, a nervous gesture that I sometimes do when I get caught off guard.
"I really don't know. My life had its uncertainties before this whole mess got started. I feel even more uncertain now. Especially when it pertains to how I feel about God. I wonder if he even sees me. Does he even feel the pain I go through because of how he wanted me to look? Did it even matter how I would feel? Even the fact that he hasn't even bothered to send a representative, it feels like a slap in my face. So, to answer your question, Ciel. I really don't know."
I stood up, wringing my hands as I went over to the desk. My emotions got worked back up again.
"Did that answer your question?" I say over my shoulder.
"Yes. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to."
"It's fine. You aren't the one I'm angry with."
I thought that our conversation was over but Ciel had other ideas.
"I want to bind myself to you." He blurted out.
I turned from my laptop and looked at him. Had he lost it?
"What?"
"I want to form a contract with you, uhm, except it wouldn't require me to devour your soul. That is the least I can do to repay-"
"No."
"No?"
"No. I am not in the business of enslaving people. It was wrong when it happened to my ancestors and it is wrong now. You owe me nothing, Ciel. You are free to leave as soon as you are well enough. Now enough contract talk. Just, lay down."
I was confident on the outside but inside, I was knotted. Why would he propose such a thing? I saw how Sebastian was bound by his contract. He had to do Ciel's bidding. Why would Ciel put such a burden on himself with no return? It made no sense. He made no sense. With trembling fingers I went to typing again. After that emission I know had even more to write about.
Now a days, my work was really starting to take the shape of hell. The kitchen felt like a fiery furnace despite the loud vent that was supposed to pull the heat out. My hands and body seemed to guide itself through the terrain by bumping into different objects. The work itself felt like torture, hours upon hours of standing and catering and swallowing my pride to serve the rudest customers known to man. It felt never ending and gave me no worth nor value. Just a lump of dirt whose rights and opinions felt stripped away.
Ciel
"What am I doing? Why do I care?"
I ask myself as I run my fingers through my hair, hoping to piece together why an emotion as such has decided to creep up into my space.
"Foolish girl." I think to myself as I leap out of the bed. My mind made up as I hear her heart stutter and the bones in her legs as they begin their betrayal. Swiftly I walk down the hall, past the odors of unbathed bodies who didn't shower simply because they were too lazy to do so. Swallowing my disgust I make my way to the living room where it was unusually silent. Into the kitchen to find that I was not too late.
She was on a slow decent down. Her legs due to the pain, would not hold her upright, causing her to descend towards the floor.
"Tch. Foolish." I say as I scoop her up and place her on the counter. Shock and confusion registered in her eyes.
"Your body has taken more of a toll then you can even phantom. The demon form is nothing to play with. If you are not careful it will drain you from the inside." I snap as I walk over to the coat rack by the door, I remove my coat and hang it up. Rolling up my sleeves I walk back over to the workstation.
"Why are you still here? I told you that you can leave. You owe me nothing." Says Briar.
"You need help." I say. Her face begins to contort as she ponders my statement. This woman before me cannot be this stubborn! Or am I using the wrong "S" word.
"Your stubbornness and pride leave me no choice." The air turns still as the once humid room ices over. Shadows that once lurked in the corner dance across the roof forming a dark circle above us.
"Stubbornness and pride!" she screams. The stove top starts to heat up as her temper ignites. Quickly I place both of my hands over hers. Trying my best to dissuade any violence that might decide to rise.
"I will be blood of your blood, sealing us as mistress and her servant for eternity as the dark witnesses the union of our lives in an unbreakable- ow!" Swiftly I dropped her hands as a warm current runs through my fingertips. The current, it moved, from my fingertips to my bones, through the muscles that held them in place. As it spread, I could feel my body bend to the will of the current. I was in a kneeling position on the floor when it had completely taken over my body. Looking up I could see that Briar was slumped over on the counter. I called out to her but she was unresponsive.
"She is not yours too claim demon." The voice said. I knew him, although in my human life I never heard him. All demons recognize the voice, and all bow to him.
"Like you're one to talk. You're no better than an absentee father." Instantly my face was pressed down on the floor by the nauseating weight of his presence. The pressure was building to point that I thought my head would explode.
"I am present in the silence. I know what each of my children need. Do not bind yourself to her."
"Alright alright! I won't!" My head was released from the floor and my body was freed from its kneeling position. Slowly I rose to my feet, sweat started to build on the back of my neck as I weighed the words that were spoken to me. I looked over at Briar who was still asleep on the counter. I wondered; did she know how loved she was?
Briar
I sat there like a lump on a log. I couldn't remember what had happened to me. I had awoken on the counter in the kitchen. Ciel was in the kitchen with me. From the counter I watched him as he did the dishes, counted the money and cleaned the vents and kitchen with supernatural speed. Before I knew better, I was fast asleep in my hard bed.
I saw a wolf. His fur was black and white. He stood calmly as blood dripped from his jaw. The image was then changed into a highway. It was vacant for the short distance that it ran. At the end was a paradise of turquoise glass water. The sun was shining, and the sand was clean and pure.
Mumbling. That's how it started as I slowly rustled out of my slumber. Hushed whispers filled my ears like a rattling beehive. I opened one eye, hoping to go unnoticed. Silly me thinking that a supernatural being would fail to hear an eye lid open.
"Good Morning Briar." Said Ciel. I had fully removed the covers as I looked at the three people that were encroaching in my space. I checked my phone. It flashed 3:50 am. I groaned as I looked at the unholy trio that was placed in the middle of my room.
"Good morning Darling. I hope we didn't wake you." Said a very concern Grell. Apparently, I had awakened to a very heated argument. I noted the tense atmosphere and the weapons in everyone's hands.
"We did wake you up. Didn't we. My apologies." Said Sebastian as he bowed. "I shall take my leave. You'll see me at a later time." He then turned to Ciel. "I'll be off then." In return, Ciel nodded his head and like that, Sebastian had disappeared leaving just the two.
"You may take your leave Grell." At Ciel's words Grells' fist had tightened around his chain saw.
"After you." He calmly said.
"I am not leaving."
"Tch. There is no way in hell. You are not staying here with her by yourself! Especially after that little stunt earlier."
Ciel let out a warning hiss but Grell, being the stubborn reaper that he was had just ignored it. Stalking over to my bed, he sat cross legged at the end. His weapon balanced perfectly across his lap.
"I stay. So suck it." Said Grell.
For a moment I thought that maybe they forgot about my presence but then Grell turned to me.
"Briar, honey. Get some rest. Don't worry about the morning preparations. Me and that piece of sulking scum will take care of it in the morning."
Scum? I thought to myself. Why was there animosity between these two now. Did I forget something important? I was about to ask what happened when Ciel turned off the lights and just like that, I returned to sleep.
I stood in the kitchen, the appliances around me sparkled. The money was counted, paperwork was done, and the floors were swept and mopped. I stumbled forward but two pairs of hands caught me. At the sudden contact Grell and Ciel went right back to glaring at each other.
"So. Are either of you going to tell me what is wrong?" Ciel, yet again, had placed me on the counter.
"And why do you keep picking me up?" I ask Ciel. "You've been acting weird since yesterday. It's like you are hovering." Ciel lowered his head. Ignoring my question entirely.
"You aren't getting out of this." Growled Grell. "Tell her what you almost did!"
"What you almost did? Ciel?"
"Tell her." Said Grell as he glared at Ciel.
Ciel hissed again and then he finally raised his head.
"I tried to place myself in your servitude." Said Ciel. He spoke it with such ease.
"Did you not understand my words from last night. I didn't want to form a contract with you. Why? Why would you do that?"
"I just wanted to keep you safe. With the bond in place I could tell when you are hurt."
"You could simply ask if I am hurt. This bond was not necessary! What are you gaining from this!?" I said.
"Nothing. I swear. Plus, I didn't even succeed in the ritual. A contract was never formed."
"Why even tell me then!" I say.
"You need to know how sneaky he is!" Said Grell. He walked over to me and had placed his hand on my back.
"Don't touch me! You aren't any better! I feel you when I am at my low. Temtping me to become a reaper just like you! Both of your actions are the same! Your interest is in getting me on your side!"
"But that's not!" cried Ciel
"Leave." I say under my breath.
"But-"chorused Grell and Ciel at the same time.
"I want you two to leave. Get out!"
Relunctantly they both left with hurt expressions on their faces. I didn't care. They were both giving me a massive headache.
I sat in that kitchen, not moving as I tried to numb myself of the pain that was only growing stronger. I wanted to sob, to weep and cry out in my frustration. I needed a release that I could not attain. As soon as I started crying the noise would alert the cops that were right outside the door. They would come in asking if I was ok, which would lead to more sobbing. I was alone without a voice to release all the pain. Instinctively, I did what people did before me. I let my voice ring out with all the pain I felt.
"Please don't let me die,
I don't want to be in the night,
And for all my days, what will I say?"
"Gods your beginning, your ending, your middle for life."
"Who said that?" I rose from my hiding spot on the floor. Who spoke those words? The voice seemed familiar.
"What will you say? Briar? What will you say?"
"Who are you? Are you heavens representative?" I ask as I frantically look around. The voice ignores my question and continues to repeat the same line two more times. After that, it seemed that the voice vanished.
"After all this time." I say to myself. "Heavens' Representative was here."
At the Grime Reaper Headquarters
"William! YOU WON'T BELIEVE WHAT I JUST DISCOVERED!"
"Why are you yelling?" Said William who was giving Grell the stank eye.
"Oh, sorry."
"What is it that you came to tell me?"
"Oh, right. It's Briar! She turned into a demon!"
"And."
"What do you mean "and"!? This is terrible."
William sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose.
"This is normal?"
"WHAT'S NORMAL ABOUT THIS!?"
"Volume Grell."
"Sor-ry."
"Briar is just trying out the demon form. Think of it this way, some teenagers go through different phases. A human that is growing up can go through a tomboy phase, a goth phase and a nerdy phase before they settle on what their personal style is. Briar will go through the same thing. She will experience all three forms before a decision is made."
"Oh, I really don't remember that William."
"I know you don't. Hold on."
William placed a book back on the shelf and made his way to the front entrance with Grell on his heels. Outside the doors was Sebastian who was laughing hysterically. The two reapers that were supposed to be guarding the door had left their post.
"What did you do with our newbies demon?" William released his death scythe. It's blade cut through the air as he wielded it.
"Oh nothing, I just sent them a text saying there was a party going on and that half naked women were in attendance. Pft."
"They sure do move fast." Spoke Grell as he watched the two figures as they ran down the street.
"Hey! You two! Get back to your post! "screamed William.
He was just about to walk down the path that the Reapers took but then he was stopped in his tracks. The air grew still, bees stayed perched on their flower of choice and the horns of the distant traffic had stopped. A minute later, the earth and its inhabitants went about their day, like nothing had happened.
"Did you see that?" asked Grell as he looked around.
"Tch. Well well well. I guess better late then never." Spoke Sebastian who was now backing away.
"What's happening and where are you going Sebby?" asked Grell
"As far from here as I can get. If you don't know by now then I will tell you. Heaven has just made its presence known." Said Sebastian.
"Which means that things are going to get very interesting. The final player has arrived. Now the games can really begin." Said William as he withdrew his weapon. "Always in your time."