Hi there, everyone! Thank you so much for dropping by to read this, it really means a lot to me. This story is my baby, my pride and joy, and I really hope that this chapter catches your interest and entices you to read more. I promise you, it will be a ride worth taking a spin on!

Disclaimer: I do not own Black Butler, nor do I own any of its characters. Only those I have created are mine, and this plotline is also mine, but the idea and the original characters belong to Yana Toboso. Please support her by buying the DVDs or manga!

Chapter Zero: Prologue

"This is what you want? This is what you get."

- "The Order of Death," Public Image Ltd.

The wind howled. It was a dark, stormy night, almost as though Nature herself had begun to cry in utter anguish, and through the wind, she wordlessly proclaimed all her hurts to all her inhabitants. Torrents of rain poured down from the heavens, hitting the sides of the stately mansion with a constant, rapid thudding. Lightning would occasionally flash, lighting up all the ugliest parts of the world for no more than a second, only for God to growl in disdain at what He had seen.

And all the while, the wind howled.

Inside the manor, a storm of its very own was unfolding. The lady of the house, a tall, beautiful raven-haired woman with sparkling blue eyes scampered down the slightly spiraled staircase, clutching her loose white nightgown in her one hand so that she wouldn't trip. Just behind her was her somewhat shorter, blonde husband, his jaw clenched in frustration as he stiffly stomped down the steps.

And all the while, the wind howled.

"Leonard Baxter," he growled once he reached the bottom of the staircase, speaking directly to a meek-looking fellow with dark blue-gray hair, cradling a small child in his arms. "What in the bloody hell happened to my daughter?" For indeed, the sweet girl was covered in scratches and wounds, practically coated entirely in dark, cracked red.

"Oh, Avery!" his wife gasped softly, gently removing the little girl from the other man's arms. "It's all right, Mummy's here, hush now," she cooed, running her fingers as best she could through her daughter's mess of long raven hair, just like her mother's.

"Well?" the man pressed.

"Darius, hush, you'll scare her," his wife scolded, coddling her child as though she were an infant once more.

"Evelyn, honestly, there are more important things to worry about right now." Darius fixed his cold emerald eyes on Leonard, who seemed to flinch under his gaze. "Well? Tell me!"

"Ah, s-sir will have to excuse me, but, I-" Suddenly, he was hoisted up into the air with two thick fists grabbing onto his jacket.

"Bastard! Tell me, what the bloody hell did you do to my daughter, you cur!"

"Darius!" Evelyn protested, clutching little Avery in shock.

"Sir, y-you won't believe me if I tell you!" Leonard squeaked out, pitifully trying to release himself by placing his white-gloved hands on Darius's fists. "She was attacked! She- she is now a-!"

Lightning flashed. Thunder rumbled. Evelyn screamed. Darius gasped. Leonard fell.

And all the while, the wind howled.

His shadowy form leaned casually on a boulder, twin eyes of ice peering up into Hell's forever-crimson sky. Hell, despite all its rumors of constant screaming, torment, and pain, was for the most part, empty. Conversation was rare. For the most part, Hell involved becoming a very introspective individual. With the ravenous appetite that came with being a demon, most were eager to slip through the cracks into the human world and didn't care much for being at home. But he was tired, and lonely, and felt that taking some time to himself would be worth it.

Suddenly the wind slightly changed around him. "I know you're there," he hissed in their strange language to whoever it was. "Come out. Show yourself."

From behind a boulder, a smaller, wispier shadow crept out. His twin rouge eyes peeked out shyly from underneath all his darkness, and from his posture, the other knew instantly that this one hadn't been turned for long.

"New, are you?" The smaller one nodded. "Eat your first soul yet?" He shook his head 'no.' "Then, why don't I tell you a story?"

The littler demon looked somewhat puzzled – well, as puzzled as a mostly ethereal shadow could look. "A-a story?" His voice was small and squeaky, as though he wasn't used to speaking. That, too, would pass in time – and being immortal, he had all the time in the world.

"Yes," the first demon said. He patted a spot on the rock next to him, and the smaller one crawled up on top of it. "I want to tell you about one special soul. It wasn't my first, and it won't be my last, but, for me… I learned why demons are not meant to have hearts."

"What do you mean?" the younger demon asked, scratching the top of his head not out of need but of habit – he wanted to itch in confusion or a lack of understanding, and convinced himself that he was, but in truth, he didn't feel anything.

The older demon chuckled. "Forgive me. I began to ramble. But you'll learn quite a bit about being a demon from this story. Namely, why we can't try so hard to be human, no matter how much we may wish to be." The older demon turned his head and looked the younger one square in the eye. "This is a long story, I should warn you."

"I've got time," the younger one replied, crossing the legs he willed his form to make.

"We have until the end of it." A deep, thoughtful sigh. "Ah, how fleeting time is for our prey…"

Well? Did you like it, love it, hate it? Please let me know, I'd really appreciate it if you gave me critique so I can improve as a writer :) If there is something that you don't like, feel free to point it out to me, but do be gentle, I try very hard to produce good work ^^;

Until next time, adieu!

-Winter