Summary: The Shinigami Dispatch Society calls Undertaker on what to do about a possible new threat, not knowing that the 'threat' is his consort. Will disapproves and Grell stands up against him! Of course, Catherine walks in like it's her damn house… taking Lizzie on a tour of the whole place.
'This meeting is called to order.' Undertaker said in a serious voice, sitting on the highest seat, smack center between two rows of shinigami, those of high ranking ascending up to him. On his left was Will and on the right, Grell. He took off his hand and placed it on the table, smoothing his hair back. He remained the only shinigami with no need for glasses. 'Will, explain why a retired old shinigami like me was called…' He drawled in his sweet tone.
Will cleared his throat and spoke. 'There could be a possible threat to us. A witch hybrid.'
Undertaker's face revealed nothing but pleasantry. 'Continue.'
'A half demon, half witch… demons are no friends of ours and we have no qualms with witches but we have suspicions that she's planning to tamper with certain souls.' William explained professionally. Grell fidgeted.
'Incorrect!' Undertaker trilled as if this was a game show. 'She will only tamper with one soul. My lovely dear would have told me if otherwise.' He smiled.
The room filled with murmurs but Undertaker raised his hand for silence. 'Do care to explain please.' Grell asked in a feminine voice but his eyes were sharp.
'Of course, Miss Sutcliffe. Two contracts.' He said, holding up two fingers in a peace sign, tapping them on the table. Sebastian Michaelis is under contract. Catherine Michaelis is under contract. Usually quite simple but due to sibling relations and the nature of the contract, it's become a bit… messy. Regardless of me being her consort, I would've halted her were it in violation of Shinigami Law.' Undertaker spoke simply.
'She is in violation of Shinigami Law.' William said coldly.
'An exception. The soul of Ciel Phantomhive has been sold. Though a body is not to be reanimated without a soul, do remember there are naturally soulless creatures. And a witch of that calibre… can do many things.' He smiled, Catherine loved that last sentence.
'There are no exceptions to Shinigami Law.' William protested while Grell watched carefully.
'That is for me to decide. I wrote the Shinigami Law. I know its flaws.' Undertaker said seriously.
'Your decision is flawed by your relationship with the demon witch.' William said, causing Undertaker's eyes to flash dangerously and his temper to burn. Grell rose from his seat to challenge Will, eye to eye.
'Watch your words, William.' Grell spoke in his ordinary deep voice, not caring to change it into a sweet girlish one. This was a voice that befitted the current most skilled active shinigami. Note: active. 'But if you won't then spit it out!' He demanded.
William glared. The ice to the red-head's fire. 'Catherine Michaelis must be eliminated.' He said with the finality and authority of the most experienced active shinigami. Note: active.
'Bullshit! She's powerful enough to kill more than half the shinigami here. At once!' Grell stepped on Will's idea vigorously. 'She also happens to be Undertaker's consort, regardless of what kind of being she is… She. Is. His. Consort.'
'She is a danger to our kind and is getting in the way of our job, fool. Shinigami Law dictates that any threat or obstruction to shinigami and their work must be destroyed.' William argued in a sub-zero tone.
'She hasn't done anything yet, you stupid idiot! Shinigami Law also states that a shinigami's consort must be protected and a human one, made immortal. A consort of any being.' Grell pounded in this fact with a blazingly passionate voice.
'That rule was made before knowledge of a demon witch hybrid. And now that the situation has appeared, Undertaker is in no position to judge it. And neither can you, who even stoops to a level of a demon.' William retorted.
'That's it!' Grell yelled in rage and the two drew their death scythes and attacked. A single clash resounded as Undertaker's scythe blade came in between. The mortician yanked it back harshly, forcing the two back to their places with the impact. He leaned the scythe on his shoulder and looked at both of them, fighting like children.
'No one here… can judge in my place. So don't speak as though there is another alternative. I have yet to misjudge any soul, threat or unforeseen circumstance. So shut up and sit down.' Undertaker said calmly. The two shinigami sat down wordlessly in the stunned silence. 'Any shinigami that dares to attack my consort will be punished severely.'
'Dominating, no? That's the face of the Elder Shinigami, as you can see, he's King here.' Catherine explained with a smirk as Lizzie looked at the Undertaker with surprised eyes. 'This room is only used for every important meetings held in a state of emergency.'
'There are a lot fewer than I expected. Are shinigami endangered?' Lizzie asked almost innocently, her bright green eyes twinkling. Eric Slingby chuckled to himself.
Catherine grinned in response. 'These are only the members of the Main Reaping Branch. These are the only shinigami authorized to eliminate other beings. So I suppose, they're a little more powerful… They're also known as the Demon Slaying Branch.'
'Hello, Undertaker!' Lizzie greeted from the doors cheerily, not even caring that the nice laughing man she knew had just commanded shinigamis and now wielded a very large, intimidating scythe. She also seemed to not mind anything Catherine had just said.
Undertaker giggled and waved in return. 'Hello, my dears! Do tell me, what brings you here!' He asked playfully though he truly wondered. Catherine and Lizzie walked up the aisle leading to Undertaker's elevated seat.
'Catherine's teaching me all about shinigami today! We just came from the library!' Lizzie said proudly, immensely happy with the field trip.
'How did you even get here?!' Ronald Knox spluttered at his seat in the same row as Grell who merely grinned at Catherine's appearance.
'A witch can do many things.' The demon witch said mysteriously. She turned with her back to Undertaker suddenly, grinning sinisterly at the shinigami. 'I heard a hunt is going on and if it's still going on, I just need to make sure you know exactly who's going to be the prey.'
Lizzie sighed at her teacher's dangerous threat, sending Grell and Undertaker an apologetic smile. William became furious. 'You have no right to barge into a realm that is not yours.' He spoke coldly.
She smiled at him as one would a stupid child. 'This meeting is about me. I came to teach my apprentice but I wouldn't want to trouble Undertaker with my safety. So if you want to fight me, fight me. But I warn you, I can make the dead die again, Spears. You can't take me on.' She warned him.
The cold man fumed along with many shinigami in his row. 'You're just a petty witch.'
'And you're just a sad shinigami who's pissed I beat the crap out of you a certain autumn day in Japan… isn't that right?' Catherine stated, staring down William who froze. 'Anyone who wants to hurt me, go ahead! I'm dying for the target practice!' She laughed, plucking William's scythe from his hand and snatching away his glasses much to his fury.
Undertaker smiled wryly at the trouble she was causing but she jumped up to him and placed a sweet kiss on his lips. 'Sorry for the trouble. It's how I am.' She whispered.
'I'm well aware.' He chuckled in return. But his orders to the shinigami would stand. She jumped down and seated herself before Grell on the table, smiling.
'My lady would like to invite you to an autumn ball. Sebastian needs a partner.' She grinned at the man's pleased face and the blush on his cheek. 'Oh and thanks for defending me. I owe you one for that! Bye, guys!' She said cheerily, waving goodbye to the shinigami as she lead Lizzie out of the room.
Grell's row of shinigami waved back politely while Will and his supporters fumed silently. 'Have a safe trip, Miss Michaelis!' Ronald bid in his happy go lucky way. Catherine smiled back at them genuinely, her demon red eyes sparkling. Undertaker giggled to himself.