BROTHERHOOD: PART 2

The duel with his brother would be held at dawn. It was the typical time for such confrontations to be held. So Lukas had time to prepare. He didn't wish to fight Ciel, and yet he didn't intend to lose to his brother machinations, either.

In his room, under the bay window overlooking the back grounds of the Manor in a large wooden chest he used for bed comforters and the like, Lukas removed a large handcrafted rectangle wooden box. Inside was the Tanto he had purchased from a skilled craftsman in town.

Lukas had explained to the craftsman exactly what he had wanted. The weapon was to look like what he imagined in his dreams, what he could recall, withholding the fact that he had used such a weapon when he was an assassin for Bryon Kelvin. It had been his most utilized weapon to murder his enemies.

The craftsman, an elderly Englishman, wondered why Lukas wanted such a weapon stylized like ancient Samurai weapon used in feudal Japan. But he never answered the question. Sebastian had been with him and with one look from the demon butler the man never asked again. The weapon was completed weeks later and handed over. The cost was a tiny sum, but it was worth it. The Tanto was exactly like the one from his past. And shockingly, it triggered some terrible memories from his past. Namely, some of the faces and names of people he had killed in the name of "Father", Bryon Kelvin.

"Why would you wish to own such a terrible reminder from your past, sir?" Sebastian had said to Lukas when they were walking out of the store after picking it up from the craftsman.

Lukas remembered stopping in front of the horse and carriage they had come in, parked on the street. He looked at the wooden case that held the Tanto inside thinking of that exact same question. "Because it is who I am," he recalled saying.

Sebastian said no more about it.

Lukas had disliked how he had been used and abused by Bryon Kelvin. But his teachers, as he recalled, were nice to him. It was one of his teachers, in particular, his trainer, in fact, that had suggested Lukas begin to use a lighter weapon on his missions, and presented him with a Tanto. From that day on, it had been his favorite weapon. And it was light weight and easy to wield.

With the threat of possible enemies attacking the Phantomhive's he thought it best to arm himself, and what better weapon that one he knew all too well to use. It was also a formable weapon; one he knew how to use masterfully. And that did not bode well for Ciel and their duel.

Lukas removed the Tanto from its case and looked at it, but he found himself frowning. So many memories flooded back of all the people he had killed, maimed and slaughtered under the influence of Bryon Kelvin. But he did not feel sad or depressed about it, for he knew it was not his fault. He was programmed by a power more sinister that his will could control.

The blade gleamed as it was exposed to light. The handle was a light wood and polished. It was a single-blade edge weapon; its total length was just under 12 inches long - one shaku, in Japanese measurement. Even though it was a copy of the original, its look still haunted him. He remembered he had wanted to throw it away when he first brought it home, but told himself at the time it would do no good. The memories would remain.

But this had been the first time he had taken it out since he bought it. Ciel had said such weapons were deemed to showcase and that it was a waste to buy the weapon and then store it away unseen. But Ciel didn't understand, and they got into one of their stupid arguments about it.

Renfrew sat cross-legged on Lukas's bed. Vincent was not with him. And from the corner of his eye Lukas saw the young boy staring at him. "Why do you and cousin Ciel always have to argue?" the boy asked.

"It isn't I who starts them, Renny," Lukas replied. "Ciel has issues he must work out and often his frustrations vent towards me."

"Why? You are his brother separated from him by seven years because of Bryon Kelvin's machinations. He should cherish your return."

Lukas agreed. The boy was much smarter than the average ten year old. In fact, Renfrew was over 150 years old.

Renfrew's spirit possessed the body of a dead boy named Johnny Lazarus, who had been used by Decco in a failed attempt to usurp Lucifer and take control of Hell itself. Decco was Sebastian Michaelis's third son, and after the demon's death, Renfrew, for his help, was granted a new body after so many years wandering aimlessly, that of Johnny Lazarus.

Johnny Lazarus had been killed along with other sacrificial children and members of the Inner Circle by Sebastian after Ciel and he finalized their covenant to save Ciel's life. The Inner Circle were attempting to contact a demonic spirit to learn otherworldly secrets. The deaths of all those involved sealed the deal with their sacrificial blood.

Renfrew lived in the Manor with Vincent, a ghost cat, who had been Renfrew's pet in a previous life. It could be said that everyone who resided at the Phantomhive Manor, including the servants, were granted a second chance at life. Everyone had a past that almost ended their lives at one point.

"Ciel is pugnacious," Lukas said. He took a seat in a chair next to the chest resting the Tanto on his thighs. "He enjoys quarreling, annoying people. It is his raison d'être, his reason for existence."

"It doesn't have to be. Cousin Ciel doesn't have to feel he has to keep fighting all by himself. He's not alone anymore. He has a family again. His parents - your parents - were killed by a mysterious foe. But he has us now, and we will all continue the search for their murderers."

Lukas smiled, looked at Renfrew. "Thank you, Renny, and you a wise beyond your years."

Renfrew smiled back. "I've been around," he said cutely.

Lukas laughed. "But I can understand Ciel's reasoning, his need for retribution and revenge against those who murdered our parents that nearly destroyed our family."

Renfrew frowned. "Do you want to kill Bryon Kelvin too?" he asked.

Lukas mused for a moment. "I have thought about what I would do if he and I were to come face to face, and I can honestly say, yes, I would wish him dead. I want justice too. However, I do not wish so if it were to cost me my soul."

"So, Sebastian made a deal with cousin Ciel for his soul in exchange for killing all his enemies. In the end, who gets the worst of it? Sebastian will gobble up cousin Ciel's soul. I don't want that to happen."

"Neither do I, but Ciel made his choice. And without it neither of us would be here if it were not for his sacrifice."

Renfrew nodded. "I would still be a wandering spirit without hope for redemption for my sin of killing myself, and you would may still be one of Bryon Kelvin's assassins, never learning the truth about your abduction and manipulation."

Lukas agreed. "In fact, none of the servants would be here, either," he said. "If I recall: Finny, Mey-Rin, and Bardroy's histories', Finny was a human test subject for crude experiments by scientists to learn 'new-medicine'; Mey-Rin was an assassin and a very good one, but born-again, as some religious fanatics would say; and Bardroy was a court-marshaled soldier who failed to heed to his superiors orders that actually cost everyone in his company their lives. When they come together they are Ciel's protectors, assembled by Sebastian. But under the guise of a gardener, a maid, and a cook." Lukas chuckled. "An eclectic bunch, if I do say."

"And now cousin Ciel has us, too." Renfrew beamed a smile. "I was 'reborn' in his body, but I am apt at communicating with spirits. Vincent is proof of this. And you have your training and skills. We are also his protectors." Renfrew scratched his temple. "Then why is cousin Ciel so miserable all the time? He never smiles, even when Lady Elizabeth comes to visit. I think she's very nice. I know you do, too." Renfrew chuckled.

Lukas swallowed nervously. He had a secret crush on Lizzie. "That is between you and me, and Sebastian," he said. "Ciel must never know about it. Elizabeth is Ciel's fiancée."

Renfrew smirked. "As you wish Romeo." He laughed.

"As for Ciel and his moods, I believe when he was alone for two years he grew a second skin. He had to adapt to the harsh realities of the world. He had to be tough, strong and hardnosed. He believed at the time, he was the last of the Phantomhive's, and in that time, and because of what he experienced, from what Tanaka told me, Ciel changed from a good-natured, smiling little boy, to a forceful-temperate person, whose heart became closed to every avenue of nicety."

"I hope that will change one day," Renfrew said.

Lukas nodded. "I hope so, too. But when you foresee a future as bleak as Ciel does, in the belly of a demon for all eternity, you become very cynical of life itself and care about nothing…"

Sebastian stood aside as Ciel polished his Sabre with a cloth. They were in Ceil's private chambers, his bedroom. Ciel also considered his bedroom his sanctuary, so no one was allowed to enter without his permission and that even meant family.

And at this moment that rule was law.

All accept "that damn cat", as Ciel often called Vincent. Vincent was curled up on his bed sleeping. But he had come to accept Vincent doing what he wanted when he wanted in the Manor. For one thing, Vincent was a ghost cat, and second, he only listened to Renfrew. Vincent was also very stubborn and felt the Manor was his domain as cats often do! That even meant Ciel's bedroom.

Vincent wasn't afraid of Sebastian either.

Vincent was also the only cat who didn't trigger Ciel's allergies, but just because the cat was a ghost did mean Ciel liked the animal.

Ciel eyed Vincent. How dare he sleep on his bed at this juncture? And where was Renfrew? Vincent and Renfrew were inseparable. Was Vincent here to spy on him? Ciel knew Vincent liked Lukas a lot better.

Without opening his eyes, Vincent yawned. Ghost cats didn't need sleep, why was he pretending?

Sebastian eyed Vincent for a moment, but then turned his gaze to Ciel. "Are you certain you wish to go through with this, sir?" Sebastian asked, referring to the duel. It was late afternoon now.

Ciel looked sharply at him. "Don't ask such stupid questions. Of course I am!" Ciel tossed the cloth down. He thrust the Sabre forward in an attack move, then pulled back in repose. The tip of the blade glinted and it was sharp.

Sebastian sensed Lukas was also preparing for the duel. "Do you not believe this is overkill?"

Ciel stopped, eyed the demon butler. "How so?"

The question was left up in the air for a moment. Sebastian was betting on Ciel to win the duel against Lukas. His talk did not curry in his favor. But he felt it to his duty to talk Ciel out of the fight with his brother, even though he knew it would do him no good. It was job to protect his master. But he knew Ciel was as stubborn as a mule. Ciel had too much pride. However, he would never allow any harm to come to Ciel. He would be ever mindful when the duel took place.

"By his own admission, my lord, you brother has vowed he will not lose," Sebastian said. "And his skills with a Tanto are great."

"What are you saying? Do think I will lose?"

Sebastian approached Ciel and stood tall. Ciel was short, but the boy glared at Sebastian with utmost confidence. He was Ciel Phantomhive, son of Vincent Phantomhive - a proud and well-versatile man back in his day. And Ciel wished to uphold that legacy.

Sebastian knew Ciel couldn't afford to lose the duel. To lose would be to refute his father's honor.

Sebastian extended his hand out to the Sabre.

Ciel looked confused, but then hesitantly passed the weapon to Sebastian. The butler stood back and began to fence with it, masterfully. Of course, Sebastian had taught Ciel everything he knew. Sebastian was very well versed in the art of fencing, in its mechanics, its techniques and poise.

"A weapon is only as good as the person who wields it." He thrust it sharply at Ciel. The boy stood firm. The blade came within an inch of Ciel's face. That staunch Phantomhive glare met him. Sebastian smiled, then withdrew. "You are an expert fencer, my lord. But you must be your weapon, be one with it." He swung the Sabre in a salute to finish his fencing demonstration. He looked at Ciel, the blade of the Sabre between his eyes. "Master Lukas is a master of his Tanto, I have seen it in his dreams. You will need an advantage."

"So you do think I will lose," Ciel said annoyed.

"Not if you have help."

"I will not cheat!"

"Nothing of the sort, my lord, but I little guidance can go a long way."

"I have all the tools I need to defeat Lukas. I don't need your help!" Ciel took the Sabre back, literally snatching it from Sebastian's hand

"And what if I were to say your brother is employing his own help?"

This got Ciel's attention. His eyes narrowed with suspicion. "What help?!" he demanded. "Your sons?" he guessed. "How dare they enter the fray!"

"I am not one to say, but they did mention that Master Lukas will be the victor when we spoke together alone, that you would be utterly outmatched."

"Did they now." Ciel sneered.

"And a wager; naturally I bet on you, my lord."

Ciel's gaze narrowed even further. "Did you now. A wager, you say?" Sebastian nodded. "And how much is this wager?"

"A pound."

"A pound? Is that all?!"

"Need it be more? It was more of a Gentleman's wager. When Braydon and Brandon said you did not have the skills to defeat Lukas, I came to your aid and told them that you would be the victor, taking the bet."

"I see. Very wise, for I will win!"

"If the need arose, I could be persuaded to assist you when called upon."

"Do you believe your sons will use their powers to help Lukas in the duel?"

"Not mine to say, sir. But when one's sons grow, they always wish to overshadow the parent in some fashion, be better. If Lukas does win, this will prove to them, by proxy, that they have overcome me?"

Ciel mused. With the death of his parents, he had become head of his family. He never had the chance to grow and overmatch his own father, like Sebastian's son's wished to. "So, they will be using this duel in an attempt to superseed you, interesting." Ciel smiled wickedly. "Very well, without Lukas or the others noticing, will you help me win? Subtly, of course."

"You wish to see me better than my sons?"

"Don't be absurd! I wish to see myself better than you all."

Sebastian smirked. "Indeed, my lord." He extended a hand, and then swiped it over the entire blade of the Sabre. It glowered with a weird light for a moment and then faded.

"What did you do?"

"I have reinforced your Sabre blade. Now it will withstand a direct blow from Master Lukas's Tanto. Without this, a swift strike to the blade will have cut it in two otherwise."

Ciel looked at the blade differently as if he held a magic sword, he nodded approvingly. "Now we will truly see who the master swordsman is!"

Vincent suddenly hissed disparately, fully awake. His eyes looked upon Ciel disapprovingly of this action. The cat obviously didn't like Ciel's advantage.

"Tch!" Ciel voiced from the side of his mouth. "I hate cats!"

Sebastian said, "I think the feeling is mutual in this case, my lord."

To be continued...