I was going to write more but my love of cliff-hangers pervades me. Anywho, I'm much more proud of my writing in this chapter :D

Thank for all those who reviewed, favourite, followed, and read this at all!

Gauging Ciel's reaction, Aberline reached the conclusion that he not been informed of the sort of… wrongdoers the case involved. He could hardly believe it himself despite having caught one of the children red handed. Literally. To fathom that a child could do such a thing…

The detective found his eyes wandering over to the young earl who was now cooly analyzing the circumstance presented to him. The feeling sympathy welling in his chest was pierced like a surging wave by the bow of a ship, crashing just as quickly as it had arisen by Ciel's impatient glare.

'What crime are they guilty of?' Ciel asked, refocusing his gaze on the children oblivious to their presence.

'Murder.'

The look of consternation flashed briefly in his eyes that failed to affect the rest of his expression. He only gave a mute nod before strolling into the room with Sebastian and Aberline instep behind him, the click of his shoes reverberating through the eerily silent room. Despite being occupied by several persons, the atmosphere was no more lively than a funeral parlour.

Ciel seemed to be mildly perturbed by the continual lack of acknowledgement from the children who were deeply engrossed in their stuffed toys. After attempting to command their attention verbally, he settled for snapping his fingers in the face of a child holding a bear.

As though awakening from a slumber, the boy blinked his eyes heavily and appraised Ciel with mild interest. 'Hullo Mister Rabbit.'

Ciel raised an eyebrow critically and cocked his head to address the detective, 'What's wrong with him- Them?'

Aberline scratched his cheek tentatively, 'We haven't been able to figure that out… In truth, you've made more progress already then the Yard has.'

'Is that so?' Ciel commented in mockery of a sincere question.

He stepped forward to more critically study the children. They seemed be all equally out of… whatever it was that afflicted them so. The boy that addressed Ciel so oddly was still observingly him mutely. However the other four were preoccupied with their fluffy animal companions, nuzzling and whispering things to them as children would. It was only when his eye came to a rest on a girl holding a rabbit bearing an eyepatch much like his own that Ciel made the connection.

All the toys were Funtom toys .

Typically that fact wouldn't have affected him the slightest except for perhaps affirming his pride in his business. However they were murderers… Could it be that the toys were linked somehow? The possibility didn't sit well but at the same time Ciel wasn't entirely sure what exactly the crime dealt with. Perchance the toys would offer some insight into the matter.

Ciel approached the boy whose attention he had already caught and asked for pleasantry's sake, 'Could I see that bear for a moment?'

'The poppy cat smells like lemons.'

'...'

'...'

The earl tsked in annoyance. It was stupid to think that he may be able to actually hold a coherent conversation with someone who was clearly beyond that capacity. Disregarding the feeling of needed repartee, Ciel grabbed hold of the bear's arm.

And all hell broke loose.

The boy let out an unholy screech, startling Ciel. He fell backwards onto the floor, bear still in his grip. Like some possesed thing, the child lunged forward, murderous intent clearly etched into his features. Ciel raised an arm protectively but found the gesture unnecessary as Sebastian fluidly inserted him between the two, effectively become a sort of black wall. Aberline wrestled with the child who seemed to posses the strength that was beyond his stature.

'Are you alright?' Sebastian questioned.

Ciel swallowed hard, his pulse still drumming at an obscene pace, 'Y-yes.'

Sebastian smirked™ knowingly, but said nothing, efficiently grating Ciel's nerves. He opened his mouth to retort but was interrupted by the detective's pleas.

'Could you offer a little help?' he asked. His voice was tight with strain as he struggled with the boy that kicked and clawed like a wild animal, still screaming like a banshee all the while. Aberline clamped a hand over their mouth, 'He's- ah! You bit me!'

Sebastian shook his head with dismay as he went to his aid. With the child now thoroughly restrained, Ciel picked himself from the floor and brushed the dust from his clothes. He eyed the stuffed bear, then the boy who was still attempting to fight the butler.

Aberline seemed to recognize the questioning look he possessed and answered, 'We found that the children become extremely violent when some officers tried to take away the toys… I think it may have been the reason why they er- dispatched their parents.'

Still rather annoyed that crucial bit of information had been given a little too late, Ciel was still satisfied to have the bear in his hands. Whatever the reason for their violence had to be in the plush plaything. However, he found himself at a loss of what exactly to be looking for. There was a sweet scent that emanated from the fabric that remained rather unplaceable. Raising the Funtom bear to his nose, Ciel-

'Young master.'

Ciel lowered his arms, 'What is it Sebastian?'

'Unless you intend to become as thoroughly drugged as those children I would highly suggest not sticking your nose into your own business,' he said slyly.

Ciel narrowed his eye in annoyance but heeded the warning. He thrusted the bear at the child who calmed just as quickly as he had been riled up. Aberline guided the boy back to ever oblivious others, enthralled in whatever substance held him so enchanted.

'We're done here,' the earl stated, stepping into the hallway once more.

'Wait!' Aberline hurried after Ciel, stopping him just in front of the room. 'I just wanted say that if you need assistance with the case...'

He entertained the notion, if only for entertainment than serious consideration. 'That won't be necessary,' Ciel said surely.

Aberline said something in response but Ciel's focus drifted to the door that was slowly drifting shut behind him. The opening became no more than a hair's width wide when a sweet floral fragrance filled his senses. Impulsively, he maneuvered around the ever naive detective and wretched the door open.

A bright and sunny room. No one thing was different, save the absence of the five children with only a whiff of lavender left in return.