Artemis's pink lips was in the shape of a frown. The maid tighten her grip in Artemis's hair, making Artemis close his eyes in pain again. He could hear the maid's heavy breathing. Many ideas ran through his head of why the maid was holding him hostage. Only one hypothesis seemed to make sense.
Artemis moved his eyes to Earl Phantomhive. While Artemis revealed his first name, the young Earl did not. Phantomhive held a gun out and pointed it at the maid. The nameless maid yanked Artemis's hair back again and pressed the gun harsher against his head. Alright he was getting sick of the hair pulling.
" If you take another step he dies!" She screeched. Artemis noted that the maid was trembling, arms shaking. Artemis felt the cold steel of the gun tremble on his head as well. What struck Artemis as odd was that Phantomhive relaxed suddenly. Artemis heard footsteps walk down the stone steps as tall man with black hair and red eyes walked down, grinning as he took notice of the situation. The man was carrying John Wester over his shoulder, tied up and gagged.
" Master?" The man asked. " What has happened now?" Artemis felt uncomfortable around that man. The way he smiled was creepy and he had an uneasy feeling.
" You took your time, Sebastian." Phantomhive commented. The man now identified to Artemis as Sebastian bowed. " I apologize Master, but his screaming was so loud,I had to silence him so the other servants did not notice the situation." The maid released Artemis and reached out her hand to John.
" Master!" the maid yelled. Her concern seems to be greater than the basic Master and Servant relationship, proving Artemis's theory correct. The maid and John were involved intimately. Artemis saw that the young earl take notice of her concern as well.
" Perhaps we can have a trade" Ciel bargained " The boy for the man." The maid hesitated. Artemis saw the eyes of John Wester glaring at the maid. Slowly she nodded and moved the gun away from Artemis's head. John let a muffled scream of rage. Sebastian walked over to the maid and placed John on the ground. The maid knelt and proceeded to untie John. Sebastian then placed a hand on Artemis's shoulder.
" Please follow me." Sebastian guided Artemis to the Earl Phantomhive. As Artemis reached Earl Phantomhive. A loud slap and a cry made Artemis turn around.
" You bitch!" John slapped the maid again." You let him go!" Slap. "He was my ticket to destroy the others!" Slap. "To make me rich!" Artemis watched as the maid fell on here knees, crying." I'm sorry! They had you tied up and-" John slapped the maid again. " I don't care you useless-"
" Earl Wester" Phantomhive called. The man turned his eyes to the younger Earl " Once people know what happened here, you'll be arrested and your wealth shall be taken away." John Wester's eyes widened and took on a desperate light.
" You! I'll kill you!" Artemis watched as Earl Phantomhive turned and walk away. 'Is he serious! Is he turning his back to someone who has a gun!' John did have a gun, taken away from the maid, pointing at Ciel. Ciel turned his head back to John.
" I doubt that you have the courage to shoot me." Ciel smiled smugly. John started to tremble in anger. Ciel turned his head away and resumed walking.
" Don't test me!" John yelled. Ciel kept walking, ignoring the desperate man. John couldn't take the insult anymore, he shot the gun, the sound echoed throughout dungeon. Artemis widened his eyes in shock and pain. Blood poured out of Artemis's mouth as he fell to the ground.
Ciel heard the gun being shot. He wasn't worried, after all Sebastian would protect him. Strangely Ciel heard Artemis let out a small gasp. With a confused look on his face, the young Earl turned to Artemis only to see the paler boy on the ground. Blood seeped out of the other boy, making a small red puddle.
Eyes wide, Ciel ran to Artemis. The earl knelt and held the boy close. Artemis held a hand to the wound and was breathing heavily, eyes closed and unconscious. If possible the boy went even paler.
" Ahahaha" Ciel glanced at John to see that he was chuckling, eyes wide. " You shot him!" Ciel narrowed his eyes "Why? Were you too cowardly to shoot me? Did you not want to keep him alive?" Ciel asked harshly.
" Now" John gasped "Now you don't have proof! My wealth is still here. You have no proof since to boy died! You can do nothing!" John smiled, pleased that he could get away with this. " What are you going to do with a dead boy! You can't accuse me! My servants won't say anything! You lost Earl! You lost!" Ciel felt Artemis start to rouse from all the yelling. Artemis's eyes were open in little slits. You could barely see his eyes at all. What struck Ciel as odd was that Artemis was smiling. Ciel felt a shiver run down his spine at the smile. It looked wolfish, despite his tired state.
" Do you honestly think that you could get away with this?" Artemis whispered, barely having enough energy to stay awake. Now John lost his smirk.
" What do you mean." John had paled, something about Artemis made him terrified. Artemis let a few chuckles pass his blood stained lips. " The document, in the dungeon. Check in there."
John was tense as he walked into the cell. On Artemis's desk was the said document. Ciel watched as John read the document, eyes widening as he read every sentence, also turning red.
" You-you little" John ripped the document to shreds. " You little piece of-!" John was too angry to even speak. " What does it mean!"
" Why Earl, can't you read?" Artemis taunted, voice still quiet. " It says ' At the beginning of August the eighth John Wester will generously give all the five companies their money back'… Every single penny will be given back to the companies you stole from" Artemis explained. John turned a darker shade of red. Ciel looked down to the bleeding boy as he felt Artemis's warm blood pour on his hands.
" How did you get me to sign it!" John screeched pointing the gun at Artemis.
" Do you really have to ask?" Artemis started to breathe slower "You thought I would obey you, you let your arrogance in the way" Artemis closed his eyes " So when I asked for you to sign the contracts, you did so without even thinking." ' Contracts?' Ciel thought ' He tricked the man more than once?'
" If I kill you now, I'll still have it all!" John placed his finger on the trigger, desperate to keep his wealth.
" It's too late, I already had the other companies sign it and made more copies." Artemis opened his eyes again, however they were unfocused. " Right now there are four other contracts that have your signature on it. I doubt you can find them all."
John let out a scream of rage, moving his hands to grab and yank his hair. Artemis's words help the man realize that he lost. Incoherent words spewed out of his mouth. John pointed his gun at Artemis and yelled.
" At least I get to kill you and get away with it!" Again Artemis smiled. All of a sudden a butler ran in.
" Master, Scotland Yard is here!" John paled again. Ciel could see that the man was losing his confidence " How! How is Scotland Yard here!" John demanded. Ciel also wondered how Artemis had gotten Scotland Yard here. All Artemis did was smile and whisper, eyes closing.
" Where's Alex?" Before he passed out. John's eyes widened. Alex would never leave Artemis alone like this. John was so concentrated at destroying Ciel he forgot all about Alex. Ciel widened his eyes, impressed. Artemis had slowly destroyed John Wester from the inside-out.
Ciel looked up as John pointed his gun at the unconscious and limp Artemis. Ciel opened his mouth to order Sebastian to stop John when the sound of a gun cut him off. John fell to the ground, clutching his arm as Alex ran to Artemis. Behind Alex, a few people from Scotland Yard ran inside and placed handcuffs on John's wrists. Men ran inside and started to arrest the butlers and maids.
" Check for others!" There was much yelling and running. During all the madness someone took Artemis from Ciel and started to give the boy medical attention. Sebastian took out his pocket watch.
" It is fifteen after midnight" Sebastian announced. Ciel looked at Sebastian. Fifteen minutes before it was August the seventh. John screamed. ' You lost this game the moment when you imprisoned the boy.' Ciel thought, looking at Artemis pale face before he was taken away for medical treatment.
There was a light that shined harshly at Artemis's eyes. His side ached and he had a horrible headache, and for some reason Artemis's sides felt constricted. Artemis let out a soft groan. His eyes fluttered as he tried to open them. Slowly the vision of a fancy room filled his eyes. Artemis slowly sat up and placed a hand to his head. Looking down Artemis saw bandages wrapped around his side, where the bullet wound was. A small gasp made Artemis look at the door. There was a redhead maid with glasses. Quickly the maid ran out.
" Master! He's awake! Yes he is!" the maid yelled. All of a sudden thudding footsteps was all Artemis heard as the door slammed open. Two people, both blonds ran in the room. One wore a straw hat at the back of his neck. The gardening gloves made Artemis believe that he was…well the gardener. The other wore an apron and was smoking a cigarette.
" Hi! How are you? My name's Finny" the gardener introduce himself.
" My name's Bard Roy" the chief pointed his thumb at himself. He had an American accent. Usually Artemis could name what accent it was, but the headache was making it difficult to concentrate. After they introduced each other the maid ran back inside the room.
" The Master's coming" She yelled excitedly.
" Hey Meirin, introduce your self." Bard Roy gestured to Artemis. The maid smiled. " Hello! How are you?" After the maid asked that many questions followed.
" What's your name?"
" Where are you from?"
" Where's your family?" Artemis closed his eyes tightly. The voices and questions made the headache even worse.
" Enough. You're giving him a headache." Artemis looked up. It was the Earl of Phantomhive, with his butler at his side. Artemis felt a pang of sorrow. What about his butler and his parents. How would they feel once Butler informed them that he had disappeared again.
" What are you doing?" The butler asked " If you have time to talk, you have time to work." Artemis was surprised that all the servants ran out, terrified. The butler just sighed and walked out, closing the door. Artemis stared at the other boy. " I apologize for my servants' behaviors. They were excited about meeting someone new." The Earl explained. Artemis nodded, his headache slowly going away.
" What happened after I passed out?" he asked.
" Scotland yard arrested John Wester for kidnapping and attempted murder. You were rushed to the hospital to get the bullet out and treat the wound. Since no one knew who you were I took you in." The Earl explained.
" What about Alex?" Artemis asked. The guard was the only one who helped him in the dungeon.
" He felt that you would be safer here." The Earl looked apologetic "He left to find his family" Artemis put his hand down to his side.
" Was he kidnapped by John as well?" Artemis asked. It would explain a lot.
" Yes" He answer. Artemis sighed. " I see."
" He told me to say goodbye for him, and he hopes that he could meet you again" Artemis nodded. He felt touched.
" Thank you, but please tell me, why did you take me in?" Artemis asked. Artemis saw the other boy's eyes widen then turn back to normal.
" I have an offer for you." Artemis looked at the child-Earl seriously. " If you help me, work for me and my company, I'll help you find your family." Artemis raised an eyebrow. " How did you know I was going to look for my family?" Artemis asked. In response the Earl help up a small, circular, silver locket. Artemis's eyes softened. It was his mothers present when he came back from his first adventure in time. Artemis reached out his hand and the locket was placed in his hand. Artemis opened the locket. On one side was a picture of his mother and father, holding his little brothers. On the other side was a picture of him and Butler, Artemis sitting on a chair with Butler standing behind him.
" Well?" The Earl asked " Do we have a deal?" Artemis looked up at the Earl seriously, going through his choices in his head. " What is your name?" Artemis asked, tired of identifying him as Earl or Phantomhive. The Earl looked at Artemis. " Ciel" The earl answered "Ciel Phantomhive" The Earl-Ciel answered. It was nice to finally name the earl. Slowly Artemis reached out a hand. " It will be a pleasure working for you Ciel Phantomhive." Ciel took Artemis's hand " Likewise." Artemis ignored the warm feeling he felt as he held Ciel's hand.
" I'm impressed, how did you plan for the date, time and events so accurately." Ciel had to test how smart Artemis is. Artemis smiled. " As I said, Wester believe that I would always serve him and became arrogant. He told me what to do and the dates. The rest was easy planning." Ciel nodded.
" His arrogance destroyed him." Ciel summarized. Artemis nodded. " Precisely." It was quiet. Ciel noticed a familiar game-board and reached his hands to the desk next to Artemis and took the chessboard. " Do you play?" Ciel asked. Artemis smiled. Ciel noticed happiness shine through Artemis's eyes.
" Yes." Ciel placed the chessboard on the bed. Ciel picked the black pawns so Artemis played with the white ones. Many moments passed. Ciel had to admit Artemis was good. A few more moments later Artemis smiled. " Checkmate." Ciel widened his eyes. Artemis had won. Instead of feeling angry Ciel smiled and stood
" Congratulations" Ciel held out his hand. Unlike before Artemis stared at the hand and slowly. A few moments passed before Artemis slowly held out his hand. They shook hands and Ciel noticed that Artemis looked strange, as if he didn't know how to feel. " Thank you." Ciel nodded.
" Tomorrow your bandages will be changed and you will start to work for me." Artemis nodded. Then Ciel noticed that Artemis had the strange expression on his face again. " Thank you" Ciel raised an eyebrow. " For what?" Artemis gripped the sheets. " For…taking me in, when you didn't have to and…rescuing me and-" Artemis gripped the sheets and blushed lightly. Unfortunately for Artemis, his skin tone was so pale, the blush was easy to see. Ciel smirked. " It's alright, go to sleep. You need it." Artemis slowly nodded and laid back down on the bed.
Ciel walked into his office, ignoring the fact that he felt a little happier after he talked to Artemis.
Ciel opened his eyes as Sebastian opened the curtains, sunlight hitting his eyes. " Good Morning, Master." Sebastian poured out his tea in the delicate china. Ciel sat on the bed as Sebastian put on his shoes, drinking Earl Grey tea. Ciel stood, making his way to the dining room. " Sebastian, give Artemis a tour and make sure he is not harmed." he ordered. Sebastian bowed. " Yes Master."
Artemis's eyes fluttered open. He sat up and looked at his bandages. They were new, so someone had changed them during his sleep. Artemis looked at the edge of the bed to see a new set of clothes. It was a black suit with a white dress shirt, and a blue tie. It only took Artemis a few minutes to get dressed. There was knocking at the door. Artemis walked over and opened it to see Sebastian.
Sebastian bowed. " My Master has ordered me to give you a tour." Artemis stared at Sebastian, wondering if it was safe to go with the red-eyed butler. Seeing as he had no choice Artemis nodded. Sebastian stepped aside and Artemis walked out of the room. Sebastian started to walk.
So far Artemis had seen the library, the garden, where he was nearly hit with a giant tree by Finny, and the dining room, where plates almost dropped on his head by Meirin. Artemis followed Sebastian to the kitchen, wondering if this was safe. " Here is where we prepare the finest courses," Artemis saw Bard Roy holding on something that was not a cooking utensil "courtesy of the Phantomhive household." Sebastian turned to Artemis. " What do you think?" Artemis answered with another question.
" Is that a flamethrower?" was all Artemis could say before Sebastian widened his eyes and tackle him to the floor. On the floor Artemis was about to yell at Sebastian when a loud explosion was heard right after. Artemis could smell something burning. Artemis stayed on the ground still. The pale boy stared at the ceiling, shocked, that the kitchen blew up. Artemis didn't even think about getting up until Sebastian got off of him, wondering if this happened daily. Sebastian held out a hand and Artemis took it. " I deeply apologize for putting you in danger again." Artemis shook his head. " It's alright." Bard Roy ran out, covered with soot and his hair in an afro.
" Are you alright?!" Bard Roy asked, worried. " Yes, I am just showing our newest worker around." Sebastian answered. Even though Sebastian did not show it Artemis knew that Sebastian was not happy.
" Perhaps I should ask what I'm suppose to do." Artemis suggested, not wanting to see what happens next. Sebastian nodded. " I shall escort you" Artemis was uncomfortable with Sebastian, but he knew he had no choice, since he was new here. Artemis slowly followed Sebastian through the hallways and up the stairs to Ciel's office.
Sebastian opened the door and Artemis walked inside. Artemis saw that Ciel was at his desk, working on paperwork. The door behind Artemis closed causing Ciel looked up. Artemis slowly walked to the middle of the room.
" What did you think of the tour?" Ciel asked placing his head on his hands and crossing his knee. " It was alright…does you chief always use a flamethrower to cook?" Artemis asked. Ciel gained an anger mark on his forehead, closing his eyes. " Yes, luckily most of the food here is served by Sebastian." Artemis nodded. Sighing with relief. " Do you have any other questions?" Ciel asked, opening his eyes again. Artemis looked at Ciel. " Why are there only five servants… and do your servants always break dishes…and throw trees?" Artemis had to know. Ciel sighed " Yes." An awkward silence fell over the two.
" So what am I suppose to do?" Artemis asked, now feeling uncomfortable again. Ciel, in response, picked up a pile of papers and handed them to Artemis. Artemis stared at the papers as he reached to take them. Alright he had to do paperwork." Where am I working?" Artemis asked. Ciel pointed to a desk in a corner of the room. It was parallel to Ciel's desk and was facing the wall. Artemis stared at the desk.
" I'm suppose to work in here?" Artemis asked, surprised that he was working close to Ciel. Ciel narrowed his eyes as he uncrossed his legs and slowly walked over to Artemis. Artemis had to lean back, for their faces were one or two inches apart. " Do you have a problem working with me, Artemis?" Ciel asked. Artemis blushed his skin tone turning more peach. " No it's just that I'm surprised that-"
" Surprised at what?" Ciel cut off, leaning a little closer. Artemis's blush darkened, as he inwardly panicked. " Nothing, I'll start working." Artemis squeaked before quickly walking over to the desk. No one had ever been that close to Artemis unless he allowed it. So it was strange for Artemis that Ciel had leaned casually close. Artemis swiftly sat down on his chair and started to write. Artemis was so busy working that he didn't notice Ciel smirking as he walked back to his desk.