So sorry about the long absence! Life is beginning to fill with responsibilities, which leaves little room for writing! I've made a much longer chapter, hopefully you all enjoy it! All rights and characters belong to Yana Toboso, Mari Okada, and Square Enix. If you'd like, leave a review, it helps me a lot with my writing if I get some constructive criticism.

Sebastian fixed the glasses onto is face as he examined his mistress carefully. She strained, letting out a growl of frustration. The object before her was a large marble column weighing approximately 10 tons, laying laterally on the ground. Having a firm grip, she took a deep breath and attempted to lift again, only exhaling a frustrated grunt when she had to withdraw. To her credit, it budged quite a bit at her attempt.

"Be careful my lady." Sebastian said, "Don't hold your breath, lift with your legs." Though, his instructions did not help. After another failed attempt, the young demon let out a shrill cry, losing her temper and punching the damn thing several times with her fists. Sebastian took off his tutoring glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose as his mistress drilled cracks into the stone with each powerful hit.

A young demon was very volatile, unable to properly handle the heightened emotional and physical stress that came with demonhood. Sebastian decided to begin lessons that would improve her knowledge of the workings of this new world, as well as increase her control of her new demonic abilities, and lastly help his mistress channel her heightened emotions appropriately. But now as he watched her pounding part of the column into dust, he regretted not beginning with lessons of emotional control first.

No name who was watching from a few feet away, tossed his cigarette to the ground and walked to Sebastian's side, signing to him.

After several more punches, Ciel stopped. She simply panted, glaring at her marble adversary as it lay cracked and demolished. Her ears caught Sebastian's voice speaking to No name.

"I suppose you're right." He said.

"What are you two talking about?" she asked, her voice none too pleased that they conversed without her knowing. "Are you mocking me?"

"Not at all my lady." Sebastian said, walking over to place a gentle hand to her face, tucking several locks of her hair behind her ears as they had fallen from the ponytail he so carefully made. This motion seemed to calm her a bit as she slowed her breathing; her glowing red eye subsided back to their lovely royal blue. "He simply pointed out something important. Before we can properly train you, we must first find your animal."

This threw her off quite a bit. "My animal?"

Sebastian nodded, gesturing her out of the garden and into the greenhouse. A change of scenery could perhaps calm her down a bit more, they spent most of the morning training in the garden. It was getting later, and the butler excused himself to grab her afternoon tea. Ciel sat herself down at a small tea table in the middle of the green house, watching as No name followed and sat at an open seat across from her. She observed as he exhaled loudly, taking off his stetson hat and setting it down onto the table between then. How ungentlemanly, though she had grown used to this behavior from him. As she looked between him and the hat she wondered about his origins. Obviously from his fashion he was closer to the American mid-west or South America than English or European. He lit a cigarette and took a deep drag, being careful to blow it away from the lady of the house. Ciel looked away, taking a moment to observe her green house. In the human world its counterpart was filled with beautiful greens and vibrant flowers. Now in this world the only foliage were the luminescent white roses, set upon black stems and black leaves. She looked back to No name, almost caught off guard as she saw he was looking right at her.

"Can I help you?" She asked, quirking an eyebrow.

He merely smirked, shaking his head.

Ciel hated those smiles, it looked as if he was openly mocking her. "Do you find me amusing?" She asked, her tone not finding humor in his smile.

The cowboy smirked, bringing his hand to her. Ciel obliged, knowing this was his only way of communication to her, as slow and intimate as it was. He drew out the letters carefully on her palm with his index finger, as she slowly read them to herself. "You're… So… Frail.."

Ciel nearly withdrew her hand, her anger flaring. He was mocking her! "I am not frail anymore!" She objected. He smiled, looking down as he continued to trace out letters with his finger. "Can't… Even… Lift… A column." Oh, he was testing her patience all right.

She immediately withdrew her hand, scoffing at him. "I will not be mocked by a man of low standing such as yourself!" she said, crossing her arms. "All you do is smoke and drink all day. I'll wager you can't even lift it yourself."

He sat back against his seat, now looking her down with the same look. The two words he mouthed, as she refused to give him her hand, were very clear. "I can."

"I sure hope you can. What a pathetic guard you'd be if you can't." She challenged, getting the upper hand in the situation as she saw his patience was beginning to wear thin.

She tried not to flinch as he got up, his full height was quite intimidating, his steely eyes livid as he abruptly left the green house. Ciel waited until he was a safe enough distance away before exhaling.

Sebastian returned, setting down the platter of tea and biscuits before his crimson eyes searched the area. "Where has No name gone?" he asked, setting her cup in front of her, before pouring her tea. The dark brown began glowing softly, a sign that it was infused with a human soul for sustenance. Before Ciel could answer, they both heard his return.

His steps were heavy as he came into the glass house, toting on his shoulders not one, but two giant marble columns Sebastian manifested for practice. Ciel had to grit her teeth to keep her mouth from opening in shock as he slammed them both onto the ground, causing a momentary tremor as the tiled floor beneath him shatter like eggshells at the weight. Sebastian sighed, closing his eyes as the two glared at each other. "Honestly, I leave you two alone for 2 minutes."

"He mocked me!" Ciel exclaimed.

"She questioned my strength!" No name signed to the other demon, his exaggerated movements showing expressing his frustration.

The butler decided to forgo explaining the tea he poured for his mistress, encouraging her to drink before it got cold. Also on the silver tray was some specialty beer bottle with what looked to be an anchor on it. He beckoned No name to sit down, as the giant of a man obliged, sitting across from her but refusing to look at her. "Now for this to work you two must behave."

"Don't speak to me like I'm a child Sebastian…" Ciel countered, hating that her butler needed to order her to behave.

No name flippantly signed that she was a child, a spoiled brat to be more accurate. The demon butler was glad his mistress could not understand. "My apologies, my lady." He said sincerely. "For a change of subject, would you like to know what I meant when I referred to finding your animal?" he asked.

Ciel took a sip of her tea, nodding as she licked her lips slightly. The soul infused within the drink was palatable. The person this soul came from lived their life with little sin and good virtues. No name took a swig of his beer as well, not enjoying the soul infused in his, but satisfied that it will sustain him.

Sebastian straightened, fixing the tutor glasses over his eyes again. "Well, my lady…." In a blink of an eye, he managed to manifest a chalk board and standing in front of it in a regal manner, quickly drawing as he explained. "All demons have ways to channel their divine demonic powers, containing them within conduits, or animals." He withdrew for a moment, revealing a quite realistic drawing of Ciel, and lines from her drawing connecting to images of various mammals and insects. "Though conduits can also take other forms, like insects."

Ciel thought about Claude Faustus, remembering him to be a creeping spider, dangerous and manipulative. She shivered in disgust, wanting to put him out of her mind as quickly as possible.

No name made a strange sign to Sebastian, baring both of his hands in a claw like manner his mouth slightly ajar as if he were breathing fire. Sebastian took note of this, using his enhanced speed to draw another creature. "Or even mythical creatures, such as dragons. Though the only person I've witnessed take this form is our King Lucifer." He said.

Ciel noticed the change in tone at the last sentence. Sebastian always sounded different when mentioning the king of hell, always avoiding the topic as well when she attempted to bring it up. Though now was not the time to do so, as he continued on with his thought. "Like humans, not all demons have the same strengths. This is reflected by which animal the demon has as their conduit."

The visual illustrations were not warranted, but Ciel knew it pleased Sebastian to create them. He drew a crude image of a crow, then an arrow pointing to a drawing of himself. He fixed his glasses, looking quite proud. "Mine is a crow, intelligent, resourceful, cunning-"

"Manipulative, annoying, loud." Ciel cut in, even No name joined in, signing several of Sebastian's negative attributes as well. The demoness smiled a bit, not knowing what he was listing but enjoying the look of annoyance in Sebastian's face.

"That's enough of that." He quickly recovered, clearing his throat and moving on. He quickly drew No name, purposefully not making his image flattering. "No name's is a bull. Powerful, stable, stubborn." He listed, finishing the drawing of a bull and connecting the images with a line.

"I have a cow protecting me, I feel much safer now." She chuckled a bit, though this made sense. He was large, imposing, and he demonstrated his amazing strength by carrying 20 tons of solid marble. A bull fit him perfectly.

The demon huffed, mouthing something to her. It was one word, and one that made her frown immediately. Brat.

Before another fight could ensue, Sebastian continued, elevating his voice a bit to get both of their attention. "THAT leaves you, my lady." He said, drawing a flattering image of her, connecting it to a question mark. "Before we can carry on with our training, we must find your conduit."

"I see." Ciel lifted the cup to her lips, finishing off the drink and setting the china back down on the table. She was not able to lift that column because her demonic strength was limited, unlike No name's. With determination, she stood up, looking at her servant expectantly. "How do we go about doing that?"

"Your eagerness to learn is refreshing, my lady." He said, "Though, I myself cannot help you. It is up to you to find out for yourself."

Ciel exhaled, she hoped it wouldn't take as long as trying to lift that column. "Alright, tell me. How do I do it?"

Sebastian smiled. Her determination was beautiful. It was one of the many things about her that he enjoyed seeing as she grew to be a beautiful young lady. Proud, strong, and unflinching in the face of adversity. "The easiest way to do this is if you transformed into your conduit's form." He made his way over to her, "Close your eyes my lady."

Ciel obeyed, closing her eyes and taking deep breaths. She felt Sebastian's presence beside her, leaning his head in to whisper to her. She felt his warm breath against her ear, momentarily getting distracted by the intimate space.

"Relax my lady…" he whispered, his voice was reminiscent of a hypnotist, calm, soothing. "I want you take deep breaths… Withdraw into the deepest part of your mind…" he said.

The demoness did as she was told, taking deep breaths, relaxing her body. After some time doing this, she began feeling that she was no longer attached to her body. It was a strange sensation, like she was floating within the deep recesses of her mind. All she saw was darkness… She heard Sebastian's voice ringing in the blackness.

"Find your conduit, my lady… It's there with you in the darkness, it is a part of you. Beckon it to come forth, and then bring it to the surface." Though his words were vague for instruction, she found that she understood them. She made herself call into the darkness several times, until something soft and warm pressed into her arms. Fur... She felt warm fur. Now she must bring it back with her to the surface, feeling as if she was awakening from a dream.

She opened her eyes, blinking as they adjusted to the light of the room. She was… On the ground? Very low to the ground from the looks of it. She looked around, looking up to see No name's shocked face. The demon's gaze shifted immediately to Sebastian, who was standing in his original position beside her. Well, now he was over her. Was her animal a mouse or something? She felt so small. Ciel followed his gaze and looked up at her butler.

The look he gave her terrified her more than his most frightening glare. It took quite a lot to shock the demon servant, for she was sure he'd seen it all from his thousands of years alive. But shock was plastered on his face, quickly melding into a look of utter elation. She imagined cartoon flowers and an aura of light surrounding him, it was unbecoming of him. Blushed cheeks, his calm and calculating eyes practically glowed in happiness. Why, he only ever gave this look to…

Oh no…

She opened her mouth, and the sound that came out confirmed her deepest fear. She meowed.

Oh no!

Before she could run, Sebastian swept her up into his arms as quickly as demonically possible.

"My lady! Oh my lady, you're a cat!" His voice was as unnerving as his damn face. He began petting her, stroking her soft fur, "The same color as your hair, a beautiful shade of dark blue… Oh my, such a cute face, you're the loveliest creature I have ever lain my eyes upon!" He mused, ignoring the hiss and several scratches she brought on his face. Bleeding and scratched, he continued as if he didn't even notice them. "Such soft fur, beautiful and glossy… Such lovely paws, and strong claws!"

Oh god, I'm trapped! Ciel tried to move away from him, get out of his hold, but he was steadfast, not letting her go especially as he examined every inch of her.

Luckily, No name made his way over, swiftly taking Ciel out of his arms and keeping her safe in his. He's spent hundreds of years around Sebastian, and he knew how the demon acted around cats. The man simply raised an eyebrow at him, willing him to reflect on himself and his actions.

Sebastian blinked a few times, straightening himself and his fixing his clothes after he took a moment to calm himself. Still ignoring the cuts on his face even as they bled, he bowed to both of them. "Forgive me for losing my composure… It was quite unfitting of my station…" He apologized as No name set her down.

Ciel was sure to keep her distance from him, angrily hissing as if to say his apology was not accepted.

"Please, allow me to instruct you on how to bring yourself back to your human form." He said, though he sounded sincere she could hear in his voice that he wished her to stay like that forever.

The demon cat hid behind No name, still wary of her butler. She wagged her tail, giving a quick nod. As she transformed back, she hoped the bull demon would protect her from the getting swept up again by her butler. And from the way he stood over her in a defensive stance, she was sure he would.

Sebastian instructed her to close her eyes again, taking several deep breaths as she found it was easier to sink deep into her mind this time around. The directions were very similar; she waded through the darkness, finding her human self and coming back to the waking world.

Ciel opened her eyes, blinking a few times. She was sitting on the ground, her legs together. In the haze of transformation, she felt a bit cold… Very cold, in fact. When she looked down at herself, making sure she was properly human again, she let out a scream.

She had transformed back naked!

Sebastian took off his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose, sighing. "My lady, you must manifest back to your human form with your clothes."

No name looked back only briefly, before looking away, a blush rising in his cheeks. He tipped his hat forward as if to hide his face, as well as keeping himself from seeing the young woman naked.

"You tell me this now?!" she screamed, covering herself up. Sebastian has been taking care of her since she was a human girl, he's seen her body naked more times than she could count. But she was still a woman, having some modesty especially since No name was a stranger.

"When you transformed into your conduit form you were also able to manifest your clothes away. I assumed you were capable of bringing them back." He explained, though it was a half-assed explanation. Almost as if he withheld that information on purpose.

"Damn you Sebastian, you dirty pigeon!" she exclaimed, her face felt so hot she was sure she was as red as a tomato. With his eyes still closed, No name removed his leather coat and dropped it on her. It was long on him, as she put it on to cover her naked form it easily touched the floor.

"Now that quite hurtful, my lady." Sebastian said. He smiled, taking off his tutoring glasses and folding them carefully. "I suppose that ends our lesson for the day…"

Ciel just wanted rest and relaxation as she sat in her bath tub, warm water surrounding her as Sebastian's skilled hands gently massaged soap and softening oils onto her pale skin. The day was exhausting, to say the least. But her moment of silence interrupted by Sebastian's unnerving voice.

"Appearing naked in front of another man, how unladylike of you, my mistress." He practically purred as his careful hands washed her legs. She took the moment to splash water at him.

"Don't make me scratch your face again… Or maybe next time I should go for your throat…" She threatened, glaring at him.

He chuckled, taking a moment to run his hands through his dampened hair, slicking the raven locks back before continuing to wash her. It seems that her claw marks on his face had already vanished, most likely due to some sort of demonic healing factor. "Oh, please do transform back into a cat, my lady…" he sighed, "You were so lovely… Deep down I knew a cat suited you as a conduit. They are such proud creatures…"

Ciel scoffed, looking away as he mused about cats. "Cats, of all the animals I could have been, why a cat?" She asked, almost disappointed. "It's the universe's way of punishing me I suppose… I've been allergic to cats all of my life, why not make me into one in the afterlife?"

"Well, it's a blessing to me." He said, earning him one of her signature displeased looks. She got out of the tub, raising her arms and allowing Sebastian to carefully dry her. The butler helped her into a nightgown as well, pulling her long hair from the neck of the gown and allowing it to flow down her back.

"Shall I take my leave, my kitten?" He asked after she had climbed into bed, smirking as the nickname brought a blush to her cheeks.

"Get out Sebastian!" She ordered, as her servant narrowly dodged a pillow lobbed at his head.

"Yes, my lady…"