When William opened his eyes again, he was shocked to actually be able to see. He thought he would still be in Undertaker's body, but based on the fact that he didn't have the reaper's silver bangs in his eyes, that couldn't be the case. Tentatively he dragged a tongue across his teeth, but they weren't sharp at all. They felt like his teeth, with imperfections and all. With a relieved sigh he closed his eyes for a moment and allowed himself to relax into the cushions.

Wait, where was he exactly?

"Ah," Michaelis was suddenly hovering over him with an impish grin. "It seems one of them is awake, young master."

With a glare, William reached for his deathscythe, intent to push the demon as far away as possible. His hand groped at empty air. He looked down to his side with a feeble expression. "What?"

"My apologies, Spears," Phantomhive said from an armchair near the hearth. "I'm afraid we had to collect your deathscythes."

William pushed himself up into a seating position, prompting Sebastian to back away. "That is completely uncalled for," he pushed up his glasses. Your kind are never permitted to handle our-"

Phantomhive didn't even flinch. "I couldn't chance someone as unstable and unpredictable as Druitt to come across them again."

"Good grief. As though you're any more reliable than he is. You're the one with a demon. At least Druitt doesn't stoop to that level of abhorrence."

Michaelis chuckled, but the Earl sighed. "Retrieve his deathscythe for him, Sebastian."

"Are you sure that is wise, young master?" Despite the question, there was no fear in the demon's voice, only mockery. "How can we be certain he won't use it against us?"

William sighed and looked around the room to see Grell just coming to. "Grell," he whispered, forgetting completely about Phantomhive and his pet demon, and went to her side. "Are you alright?"

"Will-?" She rubbed at her temples, "What a ride…"

He managed a small smile and took her hand. "It is you, isn't it?"

She nodded with a sharp-toothed smile. "It does feel good to be back again."

Behind them, Phantomhive grew impatient. "I suppose you won't be wanting your deathscythes back again then?" As good of a strategist as he could be, he could be such a spoiled brat sometimes.

"Are you planning to hold them hostage then?" Undertaker asked as he got to his feet. The entire room seemed to go tense at his words, and it reminded William again of being down in his shop surrounded by darkness and with the long blade of a deathscythe pressed to his throat. "That might not be very wise. I mean, William here is a supervisor. You'll have the entire shinigami world down on you if word gets out that you've stolen deathscythes. Goodness, it's one thing to raise an army of undead," he chuckled. "But it's quite another to steal a reaper's deathscythe!"

Phantomhive and Michaelis exchanged a nervous glance at Undertaker's words. It was a bit of an exaggeration since he and Grell would be in terrible trouble for losing them. They would likely both get demoted to interns for such an act. However there was a shred of truth to it too. Phantomhive and his pet would both be considered dangerous and orders would be given to kill them on sight. Grell gave him a small knowing smile, but William kept his expression neutral. It was a crude ruse, but he would play along.

He got to his feet and turned to Phantomhive with a stern expression. "Will you hand them over willingly then or do I need to contact higher authorities?"

The young Earl studied him for a moment before giving Michaelis a short nod. The demon handed all three of the blades, Grell's chainsaw, Undertaker's satoba, and of course his cane. William glanced to Undertaker who hid his scythe under his robes with a disturbing grin.

"You wanting me to fix it again for you, dearie?"

William had to refrain from flinching. "Please."

The old reaper took the cane in his hands, then spun it once in a strange comedy impersonation. "You sure you want it back to the way it was? The cane is rather distinguished."

William twitched and clenched his fists. He couldn't say anything though because he needed his deathscythe transfigured back.

"Alright, you're no fun, Mr. Spears." Suddenly the cane was his pruner again, and William breathed a sigh of relief as it was handed back.

"Thank you."

"What ever happened to the other demon?" Grell asked as she unsummoned her chainsaw.

"Remley?" Michaelis asked, "Ah, he was dispatched rather quickly."

"Yes, Sebastian removed his head," Phantomhive stated.

"Yes indeed," the demon chuckled. "Once he had wasted his energy on moving your souls around, it was quite simple to remove him. I dare say he tried to kill my young master too."

"Indeed," Phantomhive said. "That was his second mistake. His first was trying to move shinigami souls."

"No," William added as he adjusted his glasses. "His first was thinking he could devour souls in London without being punished for it. As for his employer," he turned to Druitt who was spread out on a white chaise like some painting. "I ought to examine his cinematic record to see where he employed such vermin."

"Come now," Undertaker was suddenly at his side. "He may have poor taste in employees, but I don't think he really knew what Remley was up to."

William gave him a long-suffering expression. "How in the world can you vouch for him? He was trying to displace your soul as well."

"Yes, but it was damn funny! Did you see the way he was groping at Grell's rear?" He degenerated into giggles and Grell flushed. "I don't care if it was dangerous or not, it was damn funny, and I don't want you killing him or tearing up his soul. I think a human's life is a small price to ask for helping you find him, you know."

William was at a loss for words. Undertaker was a deserter. He had broken countless laws and would likely face harsh charges once he was brought in, or rather once he was willing to be brought in. Yet instead of asking for amnesty for his own crimes, he would instead ask for a human to be left alone. It made absolutely no sense.

Phantomhive was on his feet. "Come with us, Undertaker. All I want is some explanation."

"Ah, for the Campania then?" Undertaker gave the Earl a sidelong expression. "I'm afraid I can't do such a thing."

That was apparently not the response the Earl had wanted. He stepped forward with clenched fists. "And why not? I need answers."

Undertaker turned back to William. "Promise me you'll do no harm to him for this. He does give me a good laugh now and again. It's just a bit of harmless fun."

According to shinigami law, Remley was at fault for his actions not his ridiculous human employer. "I suppose," William said. "There is no rule against it at least."

Undertaker gave a wide smile. "Excellent. Well then, I suppose I'll be off." He gave a low bow, then had vanished in an instant.

"I could go to his carriage, young master." The demon added, "He'll likely return there at some point to retrieve it."

The young Earl was angry, but resigned. "No need. I still have his trinkets. He'll have to come back at some point."

"Come, Grell." Will adjusted his glasses, "We need to be getting back."

"Oh, already?"

"Yes. Say your goodbyes."

Grell sighed and then threw her arms around Michaelis' shoulders in an awkward embrace. The demon looked highly uncomfortable with it and gave William a concerned expression. "Oh Sebastian Darling, I'm going to miss you. But don't you worry your pretty head," she said as she pulled back and put a gloved hand to his cheek. "I'll see if I can't make it to your next killing."

"How thoughtful," the demon said as smoothly as he could. "I look forward to it."

"Don't encourage her, Sebastian." Phantomhive added. "She's incorrigible."

"Phantomhive, I do have a question for you." William asked, "What would you have done had we not returned to our bodies? I assume that was the real reason you took our deathscythes away, to save your own skins."

The boy gave a cold, distant smile. "Begged your forgiveness, of course. Though what other choice did we have? Remley's method was crude, but it was effective at keeping you lot at a distance. In the end, it was his fear of death and your kind that led to his demise."