It has been two months since the John Wester case. Artemis sat in Ciel's office writing and checking over the paperwork. Ciel sat at his desk signing his signature. By now Artemis heard the daily explosion, curtsey of Bard Roy. The sound of plates shattering followed and finally the sound of the garden being destroyed.
Artemis glanced out the window, at the garden, to see Sebastian run out. By now Artemis figured out what the servants had worked for before they worked at Phantomhive manor.
Meirin was an assassin, with sharp eyes. Bard Roy was a soldier and Finny was a human experiment. How did he know this? Artemis knows this because he was attacked and nearly kidnapped… for the past three weeks and the servants had to save him.
Once Artemis had gone out to the city with Meirin. Meirin believed that Artemis should enjoy a nice walk in town, because he was so pale. Along the way someone had grabbed Artemis and held a gun to his head. Before the attacker could utter a word, Meirin shot him. As Artemis looked up, he noticed Meirin's glasses were gone .
Another time Artemis accompanied Bard Roy to the city to buy more groceries. When they walked back to Phantomhive manor someone in a carriage attempted to run him over. Bard Roy in response threw a bag flour at the rider and threw a lit match at him. The following explosion could've been heard in the city. Unfortunately for the attackers they were in the forest near the manor. Ciel and Sebastian arrived later and Artemis never heard or saw the attackers again.
Finny had saved Artemis when Artemis was visiting the garden to relax. Someone had foolishly entered the manor and attempted to attack Artemis… again. Finny however was close enough to see what happened. In one punch Finny killed the attacker. As the attacker fell he shot his gun. It hit Finny's hat, which revealed the number on the blond gardener's neck.
That all happened in one week. The rest of the time Artemis was accompanied with Ciel and Sebastian. Artemis knew the butler was not human, even before the attacks and kidnapping attempts. The way he did everything was too perfect and he did them all the tasks in a ridicules short amount of time. Artemis still felt uneasy with the red-eyed butler. Now Artemis is positive that Sebastian was a demon. Not the fairy demons Artemis was used to, but the evil fallen angel one. The catchphrase of 'I'm one hell of a butler' helped a lot.
Now back to the Artemis-is-attacked-every-day situation. Apparently a friend of John Wester was angry at his arrest, he had placed a bounty on Artemis. So now Artemis is stuck at the manor until Ciel can find out who is responsible for the bounty. Because of the attacks Ciel didn't even have time to solve it. Luckily it seems Artemis wasn't the only that had a bounty on his head…well lucky for Artemis and Ciel, not for the other guy.
All of the attackers revealed, by Sebastian torturing them, that a gang was the one responsible. It wasn't the young people that does delinquent activity, it was the criminal one. And it so happens that one of the victims of said gang has ended up in a certine silvered haired undertaker.
" Master, a body has been found on a street. It seems that he was related to the John Wester case." The butler announced. ' I hope that it isn't Alex' Artemis thought. Lucky for Artemis it was not Alex.
Ciel nodded, sighing as well. " Prepare a carriage, it seems we have to see him." Ciel turned to Artemis. " Let's go." Artemis nodded and placed the papers on his desk neatly. Artemis followed Ciel out the office wondering'Who are we seeing?'
Artemis sat in the carriage with Ciel, Sebastian driving the carriage. The paler boy stared at the scenery as they passed by. Unknown to Artemis, Ciel was staring at him. Artemis turned his head and Ciel looked away.
" Who are we seeing?" Artemis asked, curiosity shown in his eyes.
Ciel stared at Artemis, watching as the other boy stared out the window. The porcelain skinned boy turned his head and Ciel looked away.
" Who are we seeing?" Ciel turned his head back to Artemis. " You'll see." Artemis pouted, though it seems like he didn't know it, and looked back at the scenery. Ciel stared at the other boy again, wondering if it was a good idea to bring Artemis. It was too late for any other thoughts as Sebastian stopped.
" We're here." Sebastian opened the carriage door, helping Ciel walk off the carriage. Ciel looked up at the sign label 'Undertaker'. Ciel turned and looked as Artemis walked off the carriage. " Undertaker?" he asked, looking at Ciel. The earl nodded in response.
" Let's go." Ciel said as he walked to the door. Sebastian opened the door and both Artemis and Ciel walked in. Ciel looked back at the raven haired boy as he looked around the shop.
Laughter was heard all of a sudden. Ciel saw Artemis tense as a coffin opened and the Undertaker's glowing eyes were shown.
" Who do we have here?" the Undertaker asked grinning." Earl!, are you here for a coffin?" Ciel signed softly " We want information." Ciel answered. The Undertaker held up a finger. " Remember I want my payment." Artemis raised an eyebrow. " Payment? Of what?" The Undertaker slowly turned to Artemis, a huge smile on his face. The Undertaker rushed at Artemis with incredible speed causing Artemis to lean back as Undertaker leaned in, smiling widely.
" Why dear boy, all I want is true happiness!" the silver haired man grabbed Artemis's face, Ciel narrowing his eyes, " I want to hear it, Earl." Undertaker turned to Ciel, becoming nearly hysterical. " Please let me hear the English laughter!" The Undertaker smiled, a line of saliva going down his chin. Sebastian coughed. " It seems that we have to pay Master." Sebastian pushed Artemis and Ciel out. The butler smiled "Now don't listen in." Was all the red-eyed said as he closed the door.
Artemis stared at the closed door, before turning to Ciel with a raised eyebrow. " What happens now-!" Undertakers laughter shook the building and the sign fell off. Artemis stared at the sign with wide eyes. " What?' was all Artemis could get out.
Ciel smirked and leaned over at Artemis. " You're not that surprised are you?" He teased. Ciel's smirk widened as Artemis stood straight and the surprised look was wiped off his face. " Of course not." Just in time, Sebastian opened the door, smiling. " I believe he is ready to talk."
Ciel and Artemis sat on a coffin, holding beakers of tea. Ciel snuck another glance at Artemis. Said boy was staring at Undertaker, suspicion in his eyes.
" My customer was average." Undertaker smiled " But I made him look perfect." Ciel looked at Artemis one more time, before turning his attention to Undertaker " Was there anything unique about the body" Ciel asked. Undertaker walked over too Artemis. " He hand a brand on the neck."
Undertaker brought a hand to Artemis's throat and tapped on it with a black nail "The brand was placed on him before he was stabbed with knifes" Undertaker leaned close to Artemis, taking his face in one hand. Undertaker turned to Ciel, " I hope you know what you're doing with him, Earl. If you don't I have a lovely coffin for him"
Artemis and Ciel sat in the carriage on the way back to the manor. Ciel running many ideas of how to stop the gang. Ciel narrowed his eyes. There was only one way to catch the gang, use Artemis as bait. Ciel looked at the other. Taking in the pale skin, ice-blue eyes, and pink lips ' But I don't think he'll like it.'
" Artemis" Ciel called " I have a plan , but we have to-" " Have to use me as bait, correct?" Artemis turned his head looking at Ciel. Artemis raised an eyebrow at Ciel's shocked expression. " It was the only solution, and you know that." Artemis looked at the setting sun " We have no choice." Ciel nodded, feeling anger rise up in him. He did not like the thought of Artemis being kidnapped. Making a mental note to have Sebastian torture the gang, Ciel discussed with Artemis where the trap will occur.
The wind blew against the child genius's face. The dark night was comforting to Artemis as the stars twinkled and shined. The streets were empty and no carriage was in sight. All the shops were closed. Walking down the street, alone was an obvious sign of a trap. As Artemis walked near an alleyway.
It seems that the gang are idiots because Artemis was soon surrounded by dark figures. A huge hand covered Artemis's mouth as he was dragged back in the ally. 'How cliché' Artemis thought before a small piece of cloth was forced on his face causing Artemis to passed out.
The plan worked. 'The gang are idiots' Ciel thought. A single blue eye watched as Artemis was placed in a dark carriage. The carriage was rode away. " Sebastian follow it" Ciel ordered. " Yes My Lord" Sebastian picked Ciel up and jumped the rooftops after the carriage to an old-looking building. Sebastian stopped on the sidewalk close to the old building and Ciel watched as the figures dragged Artemis in the building.
Ciel reached his hand to the eye patch. " I order you to find who the gang serves and kill him." Sebastian grinned, eyes glowing pink. " Yes My Lord" The demon butler disappeared. Screams were heard and the splash of blood. Ciel reached for his gun when everything was quiet.
Ciel ran through the building looking in each room for Artemis. Ciel saw light under a door. Ciel walked quietly to the door. As Ciel reached the door he opened it softly. The door creaked open and Ciel looked inside. Cerulean blue eyes at what he saw.
Artemis was chained on a wall, a poker was on the fire and a man was standing next to the red-hot iron. The man smiled and reached for the poker.
" Boy I know you're awake." The man spoke. Artemis didn't move " Wake up if you want to escape the whipping." Ciel stared at Artemis's prone body. Slowly Artemis raised his head. The man smiled " Good boy" The man grinned raising the poker to Artemis's face.
" Now let's see how loud you can scream" Ciel's eye's widened in horror as the poker came closer to Artemis, flashing back to his time with the cult. Artemis leaned away from the poker, trying to escape the heat of the metal.
Artemis is a close person to Ciel, even if Ciel won't admit it. As the poker nearly touch Artemis Ciel snapped and shot the gun.
The sound echoed and the man fell to the ground, dead. Ciel saw Artemis glance at him, eyes wide. Ciel ran over to Artemis.
" Are you alright?" Ciel asked, eyes looking over Artemis's body, looking for wounds. Artemis nodded his head. " No I'm fine." Ciel nodded, relief filled his body. Ciel knelt and looked at the chains on Artemis's hands. " Do you know where the keys are?" Ciel asked. Artemis nodded, and frowned. " The one who has the key ran out the moment he heard the screams." Artemis answered. Ciel narrowed his eyes in frustration " I see." ' Now how am I going to get him out?' Ciel thought. Artemis seemed to notice Ciel's distress.
" Ciel," the distressed earl looked at the chained boy " In my hair, there's a pin. Can you get it for me?" Ciel slowly nodded and reached a hand in Artemis's soft and silky hair. Ciel ran his head through Artemis's hair enjoying the feeling. Finally he felt the pin and pulled it out gently. Artemis nodded. " Please put it in my hand." Ciel nodded again. placing the key in Artemis's hand slowly pulled his hand away. Ciel watched as Artemis place the pin in the lock and started to twist it around. Soon Artemis was standing up, rubbing his wrists.
" Let's get out of here." Artemis said, walking to the door. Ciel followed. It was quiet. " Where is everyone?" Artemis asked. ' Sebastian is taking care of it." Ciel answered. Artemis looked at Ciel. " One human male stopped about fifty armed man?"Ciel narrowed his eyes. ' I can't hide it anymore, the boy is too smart' Ciel thought. Ciel and Artemis ran out to the streets. There was no one in sight and Sebastian wasn't anywhere. Ciel stopped and stood still. " Sebastian" Ciel called. The butler appeared grinning as usual. " Yes, Master?" He asked. " Bring us home." Ciel ordered. The grinning demon smirked and bowed. " Yes My Lord."
Sebastian grabbed Ciel with one arm. " What-?" Artemis started to ask before Artemis was picked up by Sebastian's empty arm. Ciel smiled as Artemis let out a small squeak of surprise. " Hold on" Ciel advised before Sebastian jumped on a high roof.
Ciel looked at Artemis, only to widen his eyes. Artemis was completely calm. ' Why, someone else would be terrified unless…' Ciel's eyes widened '...unless he knew' Ciel thought, shocked ' He knew that Sebastian was a demon.' Artemis was calm as Sebastian jumped roof to roof. ' He stayed, when he knew' The thought touched Ciel. No one else knew that Sebastian was a demon and Ciel doubt they would as calm as Artemis. As they jumped Ciel kept thinking ' He didn't leave.'
" We have arrived at Phantomhive manor" Sebastian informed as they landed in the garden. Artemis was let down gently by Sebastian and Ciel followed. Both followed Sebastian as he opened the back door of the manor. Inside Artemis quickly walked to his room. Ciel followed wanting to know why Artemis didn't leave or demand why Sebastian was a demon. " Artemis." Ciel reached out a hand to grab Artemis's arm. " Artemis you knew and-"
"We'll talk about it tomorrow" Artemis looked at Ciel " I promised." Ciel looked at Artemis, before slowly nodding. " Good night Ciel." Artemis walked into his room. Ciel stared at the door. " Good night…Artemis"
Artemis walked to Ciel's office wondering what would happen. Stopping at the wooden doors Artemis knocked. "Come in" Artemis heard. Artemis slowly placed a hand on the handle, opening the door. As Artemis looked inside, Artemis saw Ciel sitting at his desk working on paperwork.
" Ciel" Artemis called. Ciel looked up at Artemis. " Sit down Artemis." The earl gestured to a nearby chair. Ciel placed his paperwork down on the desk. " I want you to tell me" Artemis sighed 'here we go " How you figured out that Sebastian was a demon." Artemis stared blankly at Ciel, before smirking.
" It was simple. He could do anything perfectly. No human is perfect. That and the catchphrase helped." Ciel nodded. " Why didn't you leave, when you found out." Ciel asked. Artemis smiled. " You were the one who rescued me. You took me in and…you're my friend" Ciel widened his eyes. "Friend?" Ciel whispered. Artemis nodded. " Yes, and I don't leave my friends." Ciel stared at Artemis, before smiling.
" Well then, get started on your paperwork." Artemis smirked " Of course."
' Friend…friend.' Happiness filled his body. " Friend?" Ciel whispered. Artemis nodded and Ciel could see that he was he was having a little trouble explaining it. ' He is good at hiding it though' Ciel noted. " Yes, and I don't leave my friends." Ciel stared at Artemis, shock and happiness filling his being. He didn't feel so alone now. Someone can finally understand him.
Ciel smiled. "Well get started on your paperwork" Ciel teased. Artemis smirked " Of course." Artemis replied walking to his desk. Ciel picked up his paperwork smiling. ' Maybe someone can finally understand me' Ciel thought. Ciel flashed back to Artemis being chained up. ' and I won't let that happen again.'
Sebastian told Ciel who ordered the hit on Artemis and the man was never heard again.
Alright next chapter is the start of the Black Butler Anime Plot. I just wanted Artemis to know that Sebastian was a demon. Thank you Paxloia for helping me fix the mistake last chapter and remember if you see any mistakes let me know.