Disclaimer: I do not own Kuroshitsuji nor am I making any money off of this fanfiction.

Author's Note: Thanks to all of those who have read this new story of mine and I hope you like this chapter.

Chapter One

The two returned to the manor after only five more minutes of walking and when they entered the ball room, everyone turned to them. Women twittered quietly about the handsome young man that stood two steps and to the right behind the Earl Phantomhive while men grumbled about the beautiful face.

Alois and Claude were surprised to see the new man and quickly made their way over to the pair only to be interrupted by a young man who had clearly gotten intoxicated after Ciel had taken his breather. Alois tensed and Claude's glasses glinted in the light when the intoxicated man reached Ciel and went to lay a hand on the young lord only to be stopped by the newcomer.

Crimson eyes flashed and his hand wrapped around the foolish young man's wrist tightly, stopping him from narrowly touching Ciel. A cold mask replaced the smile from earlier and past memories of bullies twice his size ganging up on him when he was around Ciel's age came to mind. All he did was flex one finger, and the man was brought to his knees by the pain in his wrist.

"I don't believe that you have permission to touch the young master." He whispered, eyes glaring daggers into the man's still form, where he rested on his knees. Alois could see the shock in Ciel's eye and then awe took over as the mysterious man pulled the man sharply to his feet and turned to the guards that were waiting near the doors before looking to Ciel for permission.

When Ciel tilted his head in slight approval, he pushed the man towards the guards and said in a highly controlled voice, "Please escort this man out, he has had far too much to drink and come morning, I am sure that he will be regretting what he nearly did." A charming smile graced his face and the guards were awestruck by the mysterious beauty, quickly taking the still drunken man away and out of the mansion in their rush to do his bidding.

"Might we know who you are, my good sir?" Claude asked for his lord and master as Alois watched in stunned silence.

"Hm, quite sorry, I have just recently been employed as the Lord Phantomhive's butler and my name is Sebastian Michaelis." Sebastian introduced himself after turning back to them with a slight smile still gracing his face. The rest of the room was shocked. Nobody had ever expected for the Lord Phantomhive to take on another butler after what had happened with the last butler.

Everyone but a mere few were urged to leave after that and the few remaining people retired to Ciel's office room to speak about this sudden change in heart.

S/U

Ciel settled into his large chair and watched quietly as his aunt Angelina Dalles and her butler Grell Sutcliffe sat together on a small couch and turned to watch him in turn quietly. Lau, a Chinese nobleman and head of a Shanghai trading company along with his assassin/little sister Ran-Mao, stood near the couch. Alois and Claude stood in front of the desk and Undertaker-the undertaker still shrouded in mystery- was leaning against the wall that faced Ciel and his desk.

Sebastian stood behind Ciel two steps back and to the right once more. He smiled pleasantly at the group and waited for Ciel to speak.

"Sebastian, you should introduce yourself to the rest of my staff." Sebastian tilted his head at the order and swiftly left the room, all the while his eyes showed amusement. Really, Ciel was far too young to be trying to sound so severe. Nevertheless, he would try to show Ciel the happiness that every child should have.

Memories of the first time he had met Soren moved through his mind and Sebastian closed his eyes, listening to the soft footsteps he had taken as he walked through the hallways to the kitchen. He assumed that the staff would be there; still cleaning up from the gathering that had taken place.

He entered the kitchen and met the sight of a cheery looking boy with large eyes, a young lady dressed as a maid with unfortunately thick glasses, a scruffy looking man who didn't look that much older than thirty-five and an elderly gentlemen dressed like that of a butler with a cup of green tea held cradled between his hands.

A soft smile lit his face and he bowed to the four present, "Hello, it's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Sebastian Michaelis and from this night on, I'll be taking over as the young master's head butler…"

S/U

"Ciel, was that man serious?" His Aunt asked as soon as Sebastian had left the room. She wasn't sure what to think of the handsome young man who had declared himself her darling nephew's butler. It was very suspicious with how Ciel left to get some air and then ends up coming back with a new butler; very suspicious indeed.

Lau smiled as his closed eyes watched the young Earl; he had never expected his young friend to take on another butler after what had happened but was proud that the boy was finally moving on. Of course, he didn't actually know if Ciel was moving on or just trying to use the beautiful young man, but he would soon find out, Lau was sure of that.

Alois was in heaven, his dearest friend in the world had found such a gorgeous butler to serve him and it didn't even look as though the man was trying to use Ciel for his power and fortune; if anything, it would be Ciel trying to use him.

The group waited quietly as Ciel let out a sigh and leaned on his arms when he moved closer towards the desk. Why couldn't people just let him do as he wished without asking troublesome questions? He was an Earl for god's sake; he was also controlling a company that was known throughout nearly the whole world!

"Yes, what he said is the truth. When I went on my walk-don't look at me like that, I had to get away from those imbeciles, Alois- he jumped down in front of me out of a tree. I demanded to know who he was and why he thought it proper to trespass on my property; he seemed a bit dazed after I asked but quickly answered me politely and respectfully.

"Instead of just handing him over to the authorities for simply getting lost, I told him that he would work for me as my butler. He then informed me of his true occupation and said that if anyone injured needed his help that he would treat them with or without my authority seeing as he is a doctor. After that, he simply followed me back." Ciel waited with baited breath, if they got too rowdy, he could simply have them all thrown out and never allow them back into his home. It was really quite simple when the earl thought about it, in fact, he had done that right after his parents' deaths. He had not allowed anyone to try and visit him in those days and had only recently started to allow people back into his home.

"Young Master Ciel, are you absolutely sure that this Sebastian Michaelis can be trusted? It would hurt His Highness Alois if you were to be harmed." Claude questioned as Alois nodded slightly to show his support even though he truly believed that Michaelis would never harm Ciel. In fact, the little time he had seen Michaelis with Ciel, he had noticed that the older man looked sad. It was peculiar but Alois just knew that Michaelis wouldn't hurt the young earl. He was usually able to trust his instincts quite well when it came to people and so he would listen once more. Alois could also tell that Michaelis was hiding something; whatever it was, he didn't know. But he did know that it wasn't something that would harm Ciel so the blonde wouldn't mention it.

S/U

"Hm, Sebastian Michaelis. I saw how you protected Master Ciel and I was quite impressed. But how do I know for certain that you won't use those same skills to harm our Young Master?" Tanaka spoke gently as he sat at the small table, a new cup of green tea cradled in his hands. Sebastian watched the elderly gentleman before scanning the faces of his new colleagues. Baldroy scratched at the scruff on his chin before lighting a new cigarette while Finnian looked down at his feet with a large brimmed hat twisted between his hands. Mey-Rin was shyly blushing at him as she tried-and failed- to wash the dishes.

Sebastian brought a hand up to his face to hide the slight smile that was forming. All four of them were listening closely. It seemed as though they all cared about Ciel greatly and that was perfect in his opinion. To have such people who cared a great deal about someone was a wonderful thing. His crimson eyes seemed to soften and his hand lowered to once again lay itself over his heart.

"I would never harm the Young Master, not when he has so many people that care for him so fondly. That is a vow I made, and I never break my vows; no matter what." He let his words sink into everyone's mind before swiftly taking off his trench coat and folding it over the back of one of the table's chairs. He then pulled off his gloves and folded his sleeves over his elbows and began to help the severely struggling Mey-Rin with the dishes. In no time at all, the dishes gleamed and the two were done.

"Th-thank y-you very much!" Mey-Rin struggled to say as very red blush inflamed her face and almost seemed to match her hair. Baldroy sighed at the maid and sent out a slight smile to the raven-haired young man while Finnian smiled brightly. Tanaka stood from where he was and offered his hand to Sebastian, "I suppose that I'll be entrusting the Young Master's care to you from now on. You really couldn't have come at a better time, really. I'm getting far too old and can't do have of the things that I was once able to."

"Nonsense Tanaka-San, I'm sure that you can still do many things. Really, ah, I must ask though. What kind of tea does the Young Master like, as well as his guests?" The older man looked at Sebastian before slowly speaking, this young man seemed like a good person and hopefully nothing crazy would send him running for the hills.

S/U

Ciel sighed and before he could speak to make everyone shut up, a knock was heard. He called out for whoever it was to enter and glared harshly at Lau and Undertaker as they were struggling to conceal their chuckling after the argument between Alois and Angelina had begun.

It was Sebastian who entered, much to Ciel's surprise. He had thought that the older man would have loathed coming back despite being so pleasant to everyone; if only for the fact that almost everyone was watching him as though Sebastian had some nefarious plan to carry out.

The raven haired man balanced a large tray on one hand and served the group quickly without a hassle. A warm cup of herbal tea and a slice of dark chocolate cake was set in front of Ciel and his mouth almost watered. Sebastian must've asked Tanaka what he might like before coming back.

The others were equally surprised seeing as no one had asked for anything but it seemed as though the new butler had brought the things they were most fond of. Alois was especially happy with his slice of butter cream cake, yum, how sweet it was.