[Warning(s)] OC involvement. If you do not like the idea of OC in fanfiction, then I'm sorry.

[Disclaimer] I do not own Kuroshitsuji. This story is not a SebxCiel fanfic, I do not write about them as a sexual (yaoi) pairing. This is simply a fanfiction that involves Kuroshitsuji characters as well OCs. The story is also a re-edited and upgraded of the original 'Red Butler' on my deviantART account. All reviews are greatly appreciated. Enjoy!~

"What are you going to do?. . ."

At that time, I was not worried about myself when you asked me. As a fellow reaper I figured you would have understood me by now. There was a life growing inside me. A life that I loved more than myself. . . Why did you not understand then? When I made you her guardian, I figured you would have understood my intentions. If you hated me then, I understood. . . I betrayed our kind. . . I will admit that now; would it have made you happy if I told you in person? Ah. . . But how can I? I am dead after all.

xxx

"That's what I've been hearing. Apparently an heir to the old Funtom Company has been found. Isn't it exciting?" A rather voluptuous woman giggled, her bosom gently shaking as her shoulders moved; gossiping with a small group of elegantly dressed ladies. "It's been nearly twenty years since the name Phantomhive had been mentioned."

"That's true." A thinner woman chimed in, gently fanning herself as she spoke. "I was a little girl when I read about the former heir's disappearance. I remember about it being listed in the newspaper like some form of scandal." The women around her nodded in agreement before adding their own input about the latest buzz.

"What ever happened to the former Funtom heir? Did he truly vanish?..." A woman asked from inside a pub, gently cleaning the inside of a small mug with a slightly tattered rag. Her slender hand, slightly calloused from hard work, turned a few times in the mug before placing it on the counter. "Poor chap. Wasn't he only thirteen?" Brown eyes then turned to a wrinkled, elderly man who recently ordered a drink from her. "'ard to imagine someone so young taking up such responsibility, don't you think?"

"And Madam Red was the poor fell'ers aunt." The man answered in a gruff tone. Bind in one eye he cackled, turning to face the lady barkeeper with a pint in hand. "Back when I had me good eye I used to see the Earl around here. Short thing he was! Short litt'r fell'er, and his butler always wore a tailcoat that made 'em look like a crow!" He cackled madly once more before taking a giant gulp of the alcoholic contents in his pint. With a loud 'thud' he set his pint down, watching it's contents splash onto the counter. "Ju'st a strange fell'er he was, that butler."

The news of the Phantomhive heir consumed the streets of London. Excitement filling the air as the gossip was spread between nobles, middle class residents and commoners. In the mist of it all was a rather unusual creature. A black cat. One with the oddest patch of red fur on its forehead. The feline was laying quietly underneath a broken down wooden crate, contently listening to everything being said about the Lady Phantomhive. "Interesting isn't it?" A voice spoke, causing the black creature to look over at a woman no older than twenty years of age conversing with a gentleman equally as young. "I hear the Lady will be living in the old Phantomhive mansion. You remember, Richard? The mansion?"

Phantomhive mansion?

The new bit of information caused the cat's ears to twitch. Its tail began to sway to the rhythm of their conversation, slow and timely. Not a care in the world.

"That run down place?" The young man named Richard couldn't help but laugh a little. "Oh come now, Mary. That place has been deserted ever since the last Phantomhive died. Ciel, wasn't it?" He paused to think, crossing his arms over his chest with a tilted head. "Son of Vincent Phantomhive?"

"That was his name?" Mary asked before continuing with their idle conversation, both of them oblivious to the cat's presence. Curiosity caused the dark creature's whiskers to twitch. The current excitement was too much for the feline to handle and it desperately needed a break. A quiet yawn escaped parted jaws once it stood, giving a quick stretch and a flick of the tail it started to pad off down the nearest alley.

Lady Phantomhive. . .at the Phantomhive mansion. . . How very interesting indeed.

It had been nine years to the very date since the girl had last seen the strange black cat. Since then, she had been home-schooled by her father: causing her to rarely leave the security of their cabin home. When she would question Sebastian about the cat he would go silent before ignoring her question completely. Vondria tried her hardest to contain her curiosity, but she felt strange not knowing the answers to her questions. Your father is just having a moment, dear. Ciel would tell her. As her mother, Ciel always had a way of comforting her. He cherishes you, Cassity. We both do. . . We only want what's best for you.

Today was her seventeenth birthday, but she didn't feel like celebrating it at all. Her mind had been preoccupied all day. Slowly but surely, she had begun to notice things about Ciel. For instance, both of his eyes were the same red-brown shade of her father's eyes; and yet both of her eyes were two completely different colors. She was told by Ciel that he inherited his hair color from his late aunt, but what about her eye? Why wasn't she told about a family member with yellow-green eyes?. . .

"Cassity, are you listening to me?"

At the sound of Sebastian's voice, her eyes shifted to meet the demonic one's of the raven haired butler. "Forgive me father. . .but I was thinking. . ." She answered him quietly, slowly turning her head to look down at her desk. If she had mentioned that she was thinking about the cat once more, Sebastian would possibly scold her this time. Slender fingers with blackened nails gently tugged at a lock of red hair, eyes turning to stare at them. These nails are the only thing I have of mother. . .

"That is quite natural my dear," Sebastian stated as he began to scoop a generous amount of tea leaves into a kettle of recently boiled water. "I simply wanted to remind you that you will be moving to the Phantomhive mansion tomorrow."

Cassity could only smile a bit from where she sat in her father's office on a simple wooden chair. "Honestly Father, are you sure you and Mother aren't trying to get rid of me?" She jokingly asked.

"Not at all, my dear." Sebastian spoke quietly, reaching into a pocket in his tailcoat and removed the silver pocket watch to check the time. About two minutes to set. He thought with a small sigh as he replaced the watch back in his pocket. "But Cassity…you must remember this.." A rare smile quietly spread on his lips. Though it was small, it was rather thoughtful and warm. "You are a demon.. Even if you were born normal you would still have to leave us eventually. I know you're only seventeen, but I have faith in you. Now," he paused to quickly check the time once more before calmly pouring a small cup of tea. "It's time for your evening tea. No daughter of mine is leaving this house without a warm cup."

"Father…" Cassity started quietly. It was rare to the raven-haired man give such praise. She was used to hearing a mere 'You will be fine.', but she never heard her father say that he had faith in her. She then smiled as she reached up with her left hand, slowly running her fingers though the sea of red hair. Red hair… To her knowledge nobody had read hair in her small family, nor did anyone have caramel brown skin. . . It is a birth defect, darling. Pay no attention to it. Mother would always tell her that when the school children teased her about her appearance. When the teasing didn't stop, Sebastian volunteered to homeschool her. Demonology, Mythology, Herbology and Etiquette and Refinement. All of these things were a necessity to learn, especially for a female demon about to live on her own.

The crimsonette then frowned. She had never been allowed to leave the cabin on her own since the appearance of the black cat, but now she would be living freely on her own starting tomorrow. Stories of the Phantomhive Manor were told to her as if they were mere bedtime stories for normal children. Ciel would be the one to often tell her these stories when she became interested enough or simply when he felt like sharing a memory. Sebastian raised a slender brow at the sound of Cassity's voice as the last drop of tea landed in the porcelain cup. He hadn't been aware of the change in atmosphere until now and this brought a frown to his face.

She suspects something. . . He thought to himself, taking note of the puzzled expression on the young woman's face. He knew that she was bound to notice something but he honestly didn't expect that she would show signs at such a fragile age. Sebastian then forced himself to smile. "Yes?" He asked quietly, gently placing the cup of tea in front of her.

"Why. . ." He heard her say softly, her expression deepening as she turned slightly and eyes hardening as she asked. "Why don't I look like mother?"

She didn't mean to blurt it out so suddenly, but the once buried anxiety demanded freedom. She felt her growing conscious would not rest unless she knew the truth. This only caused the butler to blink and Cassity's gaze to harden once more. "Father. . ." Her voice demanded. "Tell me, why don't I-" But she was silenced by a gloved finger pressed against her lips.

Sebastian smiled a bit more as he looked into her eyes. "Young ladies should not ask such questions.

Irritation flashed in the young woman's dual colored eyes as she looked off, speaking freely once the raven-haired man removed his finger. "Father I'm not a child anymore. . ." She sighed as her attention shifted to stare out the window of the cabin. "I just wanted to know a simple answer to a simple question. Why deny a lady such knowledge? . ."

She has a point there. . . Sebastian frowned in secret as he observed her reaction. On the inside, he was proud that she was using what he taught her about using charm to an advantage. On the outside, he was as worried as any parent would be. Arms crossing a bit and eyebrow raised he lightly chuckled to himself before closing his eyes. Then again. . .she had multiple points. . . As his eyes opened his frown reappeared. That face. . . A slight pain tugged at his heart as he stared into the familiar green eye of his daughter's, now staring back at him. The double irises in that eye seemed painted, as if pleading silently for some form of an answer. There is so much of you inside of her. . .

"Tell me, Father. . ." Cassity pleaded to the butler, slowly standing to where her eyes met his shoulder briefly before tilting her head to look up into his demonic eyes. Her hands came up in a slight prayer pose while the sea of red shifted slightly against her shoulders as she spoke. "Father. . .please. . ."

You're not ready yet. Sebastian thought quietly as he heard her plea. Not right now. . . Once you know the truth, I fear that- But his thoughts were interrupt by the sound of a familiar voice. The raven turned his attention to see his Master walking soundlessly into the room, a warm smile on his face as the contracted approached them.

"Cassity, there you are dear." Ciel called out to them, stopping to briefly notice his butler's distant expression before shifting his gaze to his daughter. "Have you finished packing everything for tomorrow?"

Disappointment began to wash over Cassity as she noticed her question was ignored by her father. Although she heard the question Ciel had asked her, she found herself being unable to look the other in the eyes. We don't share the same eyes. She thought to herself, lowering her hands to her side and forcing a smile on her face. "A-Almost, Mother." She managed to answer in a distant voice, eyes closed as she slowly lifted her head. "If you two will excuse me, I will be retiring for the rest of the evening."

"Are you sure? . ." Ciel asked out of concern but received no response as she hurried away from their presence. Stubborn, just like a Phantomhive. He thought with a sigh, smiling a bit before slowly frowning. "I worry about her, Sebastian. . . Allowing her to live on her ow-"

"You worry too much." Sebastian replied sternly, causing Ciel to narrow his eyes after being interrupted. The butler then turned his attention to the now cold liquid in the teacup before picking up. It was always a shame to waste perfectly prepared tea, but he knew that their daughter had her reason for doing so. "She's my pride and joy. . . As long as she knows that, Vondria will be just fine."

I promise. . . I will continue to watch over her. . .

xxx

It had only been a few hours since she had retired from the company of her parents, but her mind was still questioning every thing that had ever happened in her life. She felt she would have remained ignorant of everything if it were not for the strange cat she had seen all those years ago. Could it have been possible that they cat had somehow opened her eyes? Could it have been possible that she had always known but managed to realize the truth all on her own? Such thoughts often caused her to become bitter towards her parents- no, not her 'parents', but her father and the stranger that claimed to be 'mother'. A lady should not be thinking of such things. . . It isn't natural. . .

Nothing is completely natural now, is it? Her deeper conscious echoed.

Cassity tried to convince herself while brushing the kinks out of her long hair. She changed into her night gown as soon as she entered her room and eventually finished packing. The piles of luggage were neatly stacked against the wall near the hickory wood entryway. The mirror to her vanity was turned away from sight. Her reflection would only remind her of the reason she left the study room to begin with. Moving to the manor will give you time to think things through. Then again. . . She suddenly frowned, placing the brush on the end table beside the bed where she sat. But. . .why does it feel like they are trying to get rid of me?

No! The crimsonette thought violently, head shaking as she balled her hands into a fist before sighing and flopping back against the plush sheets. Mother and Father would never cast me aside. We are a family. A family? . .

The open widow carried the nightly sounds into her bedroom. The quiet cry of crickets, the rhythmic vocals of the pond frogs and the rustling of the leaves caused by gentle breezes. These sounds often helped her clear her mind when she felt distraught. Frogs were soothing, crickets were supportive and the leaves brought a nostalgic feeling. Strangely, these noises were her earliest memory; but she never understood why. Vondria could only remember the sounds but there was no rain tonight.

"You seek something. . ."

Wha-! The sound of the voice caused the crimsonette to abruptly sit up on the bed. Dual colored eyes widening as she began to look around the room, but noticed nothing strange. Did I just. . . With a sigh she closed her eyes, pressing her right hand to her forehead. No, I'm just tired is all. She thought to herself, hoping that she was not beginning to hear voices.

"Ah. So you wish not to believe, my Lady?"

Turning her attention to the open widow across the room she began to feel drawn towards it. Almost as if a stronger force were pulling her off her bed. Carefully, she draped her legs to the side before leaving the plush sheets and walking towards the window. "Who goes there?!" She demanded, trying her best not to sound fearful. After remaining silent for a few moments she sighed. "There's no one there, you're just-"

"My Lady, I assure you. You are not imagining. I am actually here"

A gentle breeze caused the leaves to crackle and rub together, the fallen ones lifted from the earthen floor and sailing down a small path. "Come to me." The voice spoke, allowing the breeze to carry it into a whisper against Cassity's ears. "I will show you the reality that you've dreamed of." It seemed to promise, provoking her to climb out the window. "The truth you've always wanted to know."

How can a mere voice provide such answers? Cassity thought, trying to listen to the last bit of reasoning that she had left. Turning her attention to the bedroom door she began to worry. What will father think if he discovers that I am missing? Then again. . . Without hesitating a moment longer she quickly jumped out the widow, her head turning to look down one of the small paths that lead into the heart of the forest. If the voice speaks the truth then it will be of aid to me. This is my only chance! Taking a small breath followed by a quick nod, she began to carefully press onward. I have to know. . .

xxx

Cassity was left alone in the fog in her nightgown. Tears streaming silently down her cheeks, soaking the collar of her nightshirt while the rest dropped down freely to the forest floor. Disbelief and anger clouded over her pain: her heart beating slowly as her arms found their way around herself in an attempt of a comfort hug. "Th-That's not true. . ." She whimpered to herself before screaming. "THAT CAN'T BE TRUE! MY FATHER WOULD NE-" But she began choking on her tears. If her Father had truly loved that man- no, her Mother. Her real Mother. If Sebastian had truly loved him he would have never married Ciel.

"Is this the answer you seek?" The voice asked in response, undisturbed by her reaction.

Out of the shadows crept the unusual black cat with a patch of red fur. The same cat that she had previously seen wondering the forest exactly nine years ago. It's tail swayed with each step it took, stopping once it was within a few feet of the distressed young woman. It's eyes curiously flicked while carefully observing her. "Lady Cassity Michaelis-Phantomhive." It began, voice as rich as warm velvet. "Half-demon, half-shinigami." The voice began to echo, causing the fog around them to thicken even more. "Daughter of Sebastian Michaelis and Grell Sutcliff. Do you wish to form a contract with me, my Lady?. . ."

A part of me somehow knew things would come to this. . . Was our love so terrible that the gods determined her fate before she was born? . . I could never regret anything that we have done, but. . . I never wanted things to come to this. Sebastian, please. Protect our little girl.

A/N: Thank you for reading this chapter! It was honestly the longest chapter that I've EVER written in my life. o_o So I apologize for the length. I also apologize for the lack of updates on this fic as well as the Nekotalia one that I'm working on. I've been very busy with college as of late, so it's hard to write slighty detailed fanfiction in a decent amount of time.

The time skip in the forest is intentional. I will reveal what Cassity saw in a later chapter. Hopefully no one is too upset by that... BUT there will be new characters introduced in the next segment. :'D

If you wish to leave a review, please feel free to do so. Any and all advice/inputs will be greatly considered as I continue. Please look forward to reading the next chapter, and thank you for staying with me as long as you have.~