Hello again, my dear readers! It's me again, CharuChaos!
First of all, I want to thank xXSadisticChiibiiXx and ChibiGlowKitteh for reviewing the first chapter! Since it's my first story, I was really surprised that you sacrificed some of your precious time to leave a review. You really inspired me to keep writing on this story, have a virtual hug!
I hope you all will enjoy the second chapter. It's a bit longer than the first one and even more fun to write! I have so many plans for this fanfic, I can't wait to keep writing! Okay, I'll shut up now so you may go on reading the actual story^^
The chocolate cake ended up being more than perfect. The glazing shone in a most delicious way, the swirls of whipped cream seemed too good to be true and it's sweet, chocolaty fragrance… One would want to eat it in one bite, except if the one is Sebastian of course. "What human beings see in these sweet substances is over me." He turned around to take a look at the clock, only to see he had still plenty of time left to return to his master – with the cake of course. 'Well, I still have some time on my hands… Maybe I could bake something for Grell too… Wait, did I just think of being nice to him? I guess that even a demon can lose his mind. Even though this idea may not be half that bad. If I'm nice to him, he will tell me what's wrong, I could then take care of the problem and afterwards I can stop thinking about that nuisance. Yes, I shall do it this way. And knowing Grell, this problem shouldn't be hard to solve.' Still, something kept nagging on him. He did suspect something more troublesome behind Grell's recent behaviour. 'I should get to work now.'
Sebastian was so concentrated on making the treat for the troubled shinigami perfect, that he didn't sense Meyrin watching him from afar. He also didn't notice her, as she hurried away in a sort of panic. 'I must tell Bard, Finny and Tanaka-san what I've just seen!'
In the meantime, Grell was still unsure about Sebby's offer. Not only that, his depression was getting worse too. With every second passing, more negative thoughts invaded his mind. 'Will was right… I really can't get anything done on my own. Maybe I really am a failure. There are many young shinigami who could take my place. Soon Will won't need me anymore… He will probably end up firing me. Then I'll end like the Undertaker… Or even worse!' The redhead stopped sulking along the street and looked up just to see Big Ben. 'I should at least make myself look presentable. It doesn't happen every day, that my Romeo invites me to a…' Grell blinked. "Could this be a… Date!?" He shook his head. 'No, he said he would "arrange a meeting". What if it's a trap? What if the little spoiled brat wanted to avenge Madam Red? Sebby seemed honest, though. But he is a demon, a master of manipulation...' He couldn't believe where his own mind led him. 'Sebby wouldn't be that mean to a lady! Nothing bad should happen – and it is kind of exciting.' Grell felt a tiny tad better. Not much, but it was a start.
"Is he really…!?" The servants couldn't believe what they were seeing. "I told you, Bard! Sebastian is being really weird!" Bardroy nodded in response and whispered something: "What is he planning?" "Maybe he just had a good day?", Finny suggested. He couldn't see why Sebastian couldn't be just happy without a reason. "Pssst! He could hear us!" They continued to peer through the door in silence. Bard was the first one to say something again. "We should spy on him today! He's creepier than usually. Who's with me?" "Ho ho ho!" They worked out a plan and then returned to their tasks, always keeping an eye on the suspicious, smiling butler.
Ciel was sitting in front of an empty dish. Well, empty but for a few crumbs. He put his feet on the table. "The cake tasted better than usually. Did you try a new recipe, Sebastian?" The butler remained as stoic as always, a small smirk on his lips. "No, my lord. This time, I only used chocolate made from South American cocoa beans." Ciel looked slightly annoyed, but he continued talking: "Before I forget to tell you, you're free until dinnertime tomorrow. Aunt Frances wanted me to go to a ball with her and Lizzy. She explicitly stated that you were not to accompany me." Ciel sighed and gave his butler further instructions for the case of something happening to him and of course for tomorrow's dinner. "Well then, after you help me get dressed and escort me to the carriage you are free to go." As always, Sebastian knelt in front of his young master. "Yes, my lord." He smirked inwardly. 'Seems as if I won't have to hide Grell tonight. What pleasing news.'
Grell had returned to his home in the Shinigami Realm in order to get ready for his meeting with Sebby. Right now, he is putting on his make-up, the gloomy clouds still hanging over his head. Suddenly, there is a knock on the door. Grell chose to ignore it, but the knocking only intensified. A familiar voice could be heard shouting through it: "Mr Sutcliff, open the door. I have news for you." 'Will.' He really didn't want to see him, but it seemed to be important. 'What if he wants to fire me…?' Grell's eyes widened in shock. 'No, as stiff as William is, he would have called me into his office. What else could it be?' Curiosity got the best of him and so he let William in. "Hello Will." The other shinigami only corrected his glasses. "Good evening, Mr Sutcliff. I am here to inform you, that you have another day off tomorrow." Grell was surprised that the news weren't bad ones. "I shall take my leave now. Good night, Mr Sutcliff." With that he was gone. 'I don't have much time left and I still have to pick out an outfit… If only I had that pretty dress…' Needless to say, the depressing thoughts returned instantly. Grell sighed and walked to his armoire, trying to concentrate on finding something suitable to wear.
"Time to report what you have seen. Meyrin, you first!" The servants were holding a secret meeting regarding Sebastian's behaviour in their chamber. Meyrin nodded in response and started to describe what she had seen: "I saw him hurrying around the mansion. He looked like he was preparing something special. Then I went to the salon. It was really pretty! There were red roses in the vases and most of the decoration was in a red colour! And every time I've seen him, he was smiling!" Bard looked thoughtful. "Finny, you continue!" The gardener concentrated on his given task. "Sebastian made some changes in the garden. He planted lots of red roses and he prepared the terrace with candles and so!" Finny was really excited. This is the first time Sebastian was doing such a thing out of his own accord. They had heard about his day off. "Okay, it's my turn now. Sebastian has baked another cake and he also prepared dinner… For two! The most unnerving thing was his happy, smiling face! He seemed to enjoy what he was doing…" Then it dawned upon them. "Sebastian has a date!", they all, but Tanaka-san, shouted in unison. This was a thing they had never really thought possible. Sebastian probably – they doubted that the young master knew about this - breaking the rules by inviting his girlfriend to the mansion. "We have to find out who this girl is!"