Thorns

Summary: AU. Sebastian, an aristocrat of the Michaelis family, one day came across a small, frail boy allowing himself to die on the middle of a pathway. Taking him in, he learns about the boys true past and his life-threatening illness.

Rated: T+

Chapter Four

"Demon, you say?" said Sebastian, looking amused over the name he had already been called before. "Explain your reasoning for calling me that... Ciel Phantomhive."

Ciel himself was unaffected with the name. He had suspected the raven before him had known his true identity from the very beginning, and if he didn't, then Finian probably gave it away. Standing tall, his normal eye closed while the one that glowed purple looked him over carefully.

"There have been numerous hints this whole time." explained Ciel, taking a couple of steps away from him. "Your eyes sudden change in colour, that fact that you've suffering headaches when being around me for long periods of time, and your lack of appetite in 'human' food."

Sebastian blinked his sharp red eyes, unsure on what to say. He knew everything that was happening to him, but it still didn't explain how he was a demon.

"You always thought yourself 'different' from other humans. Indeed, you are different from them in nature, but if you count in creature, however.." Ciel smirked and allowed a grin to spread across his face. "Remember, I like to play games, and figuring you out was like piecing together a puzzle game."

Sebastian couldn't help letting a smirk come across his lips as he felt the temptation to rub at his temples increase. Talking to the boy right now was stirring a headache, but he put that down to not getting much sleep. There was no way what Ciel was saying was true.

"And of course..." Ciel felt his heart pound as he tilted his head to the side, exposing his neck and scratching a nail down it, causing a small amount of blood to ooze from the wound inflicted. "I know you can sense the high pressure my souls been giving out."

Sebastian didn't know when he had done it, but he had grasped Ciel's throat with one hand and slammed him into a wall, causing the boy to cry out in pain while clenching his eyes shut. His eyes were glowing a dangerous red as he was gritting his sharp teeth together, watching pale hands reached up for his hand in an attempt to pull it away. Using his nails, Ciel gripped it into Sebastian's hand, earning a hiss but it didn't make him move. This is what happens when you provoke an untamed demon.

He could sense it. Sebastian was truly a kind person... In the human flesh. But his normal form was like the spawn of the devil. Tensing, Ciel let out a gasp, forcing his eyes open only to shock himself. Sebastian was shaking. It was as if he was fighting for his control again. He could see those red eyes looking at him, but behind them was the kind man who had taken him in before.

Ciel's eyes flashed open as he choked, feeling the grip on his throat tightening. He kicked his legs weakly in his futile attempts of escaping. For a twelve year old to be able to out-strength a seventeen year old.

Closing his eyes slowly, Ciel felt himself going limp, his hands falling from the raven's wrists as he lolled his head forwards. He didn't really mind if he died, since he would get to be with his mother and father again, but he was still scared. Ciel could always remember his father saying that when he died, that he probably wouldn't see him again. He would either go to hell to suffer, or his life just ends there and he'll reincarnate. There is no such thing as 'heaven'.

His mother told him not to listen to him, but how could he not listen to that? He wouldn't know what happened when he died!

A stray tear trickled down his cheek, landing on Sebastian's hand. Sebastian seemingly snapped out of it then, letting go of Ciel quickly and looking at his hand with wide-eyes. There was blood there and on Ciel's neck. He could remember Ciel deliberately scratching his neck and making it bleed, tempting him and-

And after he couldn't remember. He looked at the boy was sprawled across the floor, unconscious. Bruises were spreading across his neck, replacing the fading ones. Sebastian kneeled down and looked for a pulse, sighing with relief to find one. He picked him up, looking at the near-enough peaceful expression on the boys face and the already drying tear-stains.

He was a horrible person. He just hurt a poor child, even though he couldn't remember doing it. Strangely enough, however, a smirk still crossed his face without him noticing as he walked out of the bathroom and into Ciel's bedroom, walking slowly to the bed and laying said boy down, placing blankets over him and tucking him in.

Brushing the hair away from Ciel's face, Sebastian ran a finger over his right eye, silently contemplating to himself. A demon... A demon was a horrible creature that didn't care for other humans, right? So he couldn't be one. But if Ciel of the Phantomhive family had told him, then it was probably true. They had that family ability, after all.

Ciel walked down the stairs, his shirt sloppily done, his stockings a little too long and the wool coat he wore hanging loosely on his frame. The cap was hanging lop-sided, but he didn't really give a damn. He rubbed at his sore throat, buttoning his coat up an extra button to hide the bruises.

He appeared in the games room, and his eyes glinted slightly when he saw a pile of new board games sitting next to a chess set that was half played. He was curious on who was playing and didn't continue the game. He wouldn't leave until he finished a game, unless he was certain he was going to win.

He walked over to the pile of board games, noticing that there were also puzzles. There was a game that was clearly meant for older children, since it required a lot of logic and the ability to think mathematically. It looked like a game where you were trying to become richer than the other player by buying properties, renting them out, etc. It seemed silly for a game, but it was also intriguing.

"I thought you'd go straight to that when you spotted it." Ciel jumped, toppling over and falling on his backside, turning his head round to see Sebastian sitting in an arm-chair, seemingly playing chess by himself. "I'm trying to improve my skills so I can hopefully beat you at a game."

Ciel blinked at him and unconsciously reached for his neck, which Sebastian noticed instantly. He looked ashamed of himself, or so Ciel thought as he allowed his hand to drop to his chest, bowing his head.

"Don't you dare apologize." said Ciel softly, causing Sebastian to cock his head to the side, his red eyes looking him over. "I kind of deserved it for trying to provoke the demon inside of you. I just didn't think that your true self would try to kill me."

"But it's still me." said Sebastian, causing Ciel to nod. "So I'm still going to say it. I'm sorry."

"I do not need your pity." said Ciel suddenly, raising his head and allowing his blue eye to harden. "I am the Queen's watchdog. I can deal with something so minor."

"That is hard to believe. You were crying before you passed out." said Sebastian slowly, getting to his feet and kneeling down and stroking Ciel's cheek softly. "And when I first brought you here, you claimed to be a 'street rat' when you were a well known aristocrat."

"I tossed the title aside since I didn't think I had the ability to sense unnatural beings." said Ciel, clenching his fists before swatting Sebastian's hand away. "But since I now have that ability, I will do what I was born to do. The Queen's watchdog has to make sure things stay settled in the underworld."

"A young child such as yourself cannot take a burden like that." said the raven firmly, refusing to let his arms be swatted away as he gripped the boys shoulders firmly. "You have a full life ahead of you, you shouldn't-"

"I will do as I please!" shouted Ciel angrily, suddenly freezing and then pushing the man before him away, watching as red eyes flickered and he backed into a table, biting his lip at the pain that rushed up his spine. Sebastian was kneeling on the floor, gritting his teeth again as he stayed still. It was that same feeling he felt last night, and it wasn't pleasant.

Ciel stayed still when the door open and Maylene walked through with a broom, only to stop and look at the two of them with a confused expression.

"What are you two doing, Master Sebastian?" she asked innocently. Ciel turned his head towards Sebastian, who was hiding his eyes with his hair as he rose to his feet, smiling.

"So sorry to worry you. We were playing Charades." said the raven softly, walking to her and petting her on the head. "Keep up the good work, Maylene."

She nodded, blushing lightly as Sebastian quickly exited the room. Ciel bit his lip and gave a half-hearted bow to Maylene before he ran out the room, still hiding his neck as he hid his own eyes.

Coughing and clutching at his chest, Ciel leaned his head against the wall as he continued his midnight trek to the kitchen, this time for sure getting the sweet treat he desired. He walked into the kitchen, but stayed at the door when Sebastian was in there, pulling out a cake from the oven before he turned round and spotted Ciel just standing there, a tight grip on his nightshirt.

"Heart-burn?" asked Sebastian, slicing the cake in half and lathering the middle with chocolate butter cream and sprinkling some cocoa on it. "Go get some milk from the cooler room. I'll warm it up for you if you want."

Ciel nodded warily, walking across the kitchen and pulled the door to the cooler open. Walking through, he grabbed the milk but when he turned round, he frowned when the door shut itself. He couldn't see the handle, so there wasn't much he could do. His skin was already getting cold, so as he felt at the wall, he found the handle and pulled it, but it wouldn't open.

"Sebastian?" he called nervously, still pulling at the handle. "The door won't open!"

He heard something being placed down with a clatter and then heard footsteps walking over. He felt Sebastian tug on the other side, but it wouldn't open.

"Have you locked it from the inside?" he called back. Ciel blinked and then felt over the door. He didn't feel anything strange.

"No."

"It's just jammed, give me a moment." Ciel nodded, before sighing. Obviously Sebastian wouldn't see him nodding through the door. He wanted out now, he was getting rather cold and his flesh was covered in goose bumps. After a few minutes, he was shivering and Sebastian hadn't come back.

"Sebastian?" he got no response and he started walking about, dropping the milk from his numb hand and turning round and round in circles in his attempt to keep warm. His nightshirt was made of silk, so it wasn't really helping much as he clenched and unclenched his fists to keep them from going to a painful numbness.

He looked up into the darkness when he heard noise from the other side, shuddering from the coldness and wobbling lightly, leaning against the wall and closing his eyes. The door was pried open, but he didn't move, he simply slid down the wall and remained still before he felt warm arms pick him up and carry him out.

"You caught quite a chill. Staying in there for twenty minutes with only that silk shirt probably had it's bad affects." Ciel nodded in agreement, snuggling into Sebastian's chest, seeking the warmth. Sebastian managed to carry him one handed, going back into the cooler while keeping the door open with his foot and grabbing the milk before placing it on the counter, opening a cupboard above his head and grabbing a pot, turning on the stove before pouring milk into it.

Ciel stirred a bit when he smelt milk mixed with honey and brandy warming up, clinging to Sebastian's shirt in a childish manor. During the day, he was stoic, but at night, his mind kind of shut off and he acted a little clingy when he felt at his weakest. Night time was jus a strange thing for him. Maybe it was the nightmares it brought with it?

He whined when he was brought away from the warmth and sat down on a chair, only to be delighted when the milk was put down in front of him. He took it in both of his hands, the heat from the milk coming through his hands as he drank on it, blinking in confusion when Sebastian pulled it away from his lips.

"Do not drink it so quickly, you will make yourself sick." scolded Sebastian. Ciel's dark blue eye looked at him as if to say 'I don't care' but he did as told, drinking it before he stopped at the slice of cake being placed in front of him.

"Chocolate Fudge cake tastes good with hot milk, no?" Ciel smiled and actually let out a small laugh. Indeed, milk and cake went really well.

Perhaps not all demons were bad.

A/N: *yawn* I had this written on THURSDAY! STUPID HURRICANE! YOU STOPPED ME FROM UPDATING! HYAAAA!

*cough, cough* Anyway, Hope you enjoyed the chapter~

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~Sky~