Quick Vague Recap: After revelations and explanations, Roxas knows what he must do. And that, is to fake his death. Fortunately, Ciel seems willing to help.

"Well, I suppose that this journey wasn't a complete waste after all," Ciel said softly as he left Roxas to his thoughts. He sure had a lot to think about.

Ciel didn't know if that included himself when Sebastian inquired, "Young master?"

He'll leave it to another time. "Undertaker will finally be able to make me a coffin. Not for me, but it's still mine." Ciel grimaced, the thought giving a bad taste in his mouth. "Ugh. Going coffin shopping. I mean I knew I was going to have to do it eventually, but still…"

"Young master, are you sure about this?" Sebastian sounded skeptical.

Ciel turned to his butler and narrowed his eyes. "Sebastian, think about it. He has so much potential to him. It would be a waste if he were to be destroyed. He knows so much more about this threat, and you have to admit, even you are intrigued as to what he is." Sebastian watched the blond closely follow them at a distance that would make it hard to eavesdrop before he replied.

"Yes… I must admit that I am. He certainly is an amusing character, to say the least."

Ciel watched him from the corner of his eye. "What do you mean?"

"Don't you see, young master?" Sebastian's voice curled. "He's more human than you'll ever act to be."

Ciel frowned. "I knew that. That was a given. You disappoint me with your observations." Before they realized it, they have reached the Undertaker's coffin Shoppe. Without even knocking, Ciel opened the door. "Undertaker?" Ciel called, eye looking around the dreary shop.

He heard Roxas mutter, "Creepy…" and turned around to watch the blond as he entered the store, eyes also looking around, studying for the sake of understanding his surroundings. After he entered, Sebastian closed the door, making the room dim in the candle light.

"Earl," A disembodied voice called, and Ciel had to admit that he might just keep Roxas alone just for the sake of scaring him. His reaction to the voice was for him to jump in the air and hit a shelf with various books, glass containers, and a skull. The skull fell from the shelf and into his lap, and he screamed as he rose from the floor and hid behind Sebastian all within a span of three seconds. The Earl let himself smile for a millisecond before putting his mask of indifference back on.

"Undertaker, I need a favor. And I think you will be quite interested in it." Ciel said, eye watching as the standing coffin at the back of the room started to creak. He took a peek at Roxas, who was taking deep breaths and trembled behind Sebastian, whose eyes chuckling at the scared Nobody.

The coffin slowly opened, and a long-white haired man draped in black and purple fabric, long bangs covering his eyes appeared. He made his way to the customers, and picked up the skull from the floor. "Hmm? And what would that be, Earl?" He asked, playing with the open eye sockets, grinning madly. "If it's about the new case - "

"I need for you to prepare me a coffin," Ciel cut him off, and the Undertaker's grin grew wider, if that was even possible.

"Oh? For you?" He asked, circling around them. "I knew that you would come to your senses. Death is only inevitable for us all, including youself. But of course, you've been dead for a while now, haven't you? Although…" He studied the Earl, who refused to crumble under the gaze. "Something seems a bit different."

"Not for me, but for him." Ciel turned back at his company, seeing Sebastian in front of just a tuff of blond hair.

The Undertaker frowned. "Your butler? That's not fun at all."

"No, you fool." The current Earl of Phantomhive wasn't known for his patience. "The one behind Sebastian. The blond."

Roxas peeked from behind Sebastian, who shivered under the man's gaze. It lingered there for a few moments that Ciel thought was longer than necessary before the Undertaker wheezed.

"Oh, interesting friend you have here…" He disappeared from the young lord's side, and suddenly appeared next to Roxas, who jumped at his new companion, who just barely missed his arm.

"H-h-h-hi…" Roxas stammered out, still holding Sebastian's suit like a small child. "P-p-p-pleased to m-me-meet you."

The blond's low tolerance for all things scary and sudden was really sad. Then again, it was quite an entertaining sight, just as long as it doesn't interfere with his duties, Ciel mused. The Undertaker seemed to fascinated by the Nobody, and it slightly put the Earl on edge.

"I don't believe you need the details, but please make me a coffin suitable for him." He said, not liking the way that the Undertaker was studying his new servant. The man was about to grab Roxas' arm before dropping his arm and turned back to address the Earl.

"Oh, I believe I have such the size. Would you like it now, or later?"

"Let's test it out first. Would you be so kind as to bring it out so we can check it out?"

"Of course, of course… That is, if you can pay the price." The proprietor of the shop smiled as his where his eyes would be visible if not for his hair never left Roxas' visible ones, who was still shuddering.

"How much is it?" Ciel pulled out his wallet, ready to pay right then and there.

The Undertaker studied Roxas some more, about to grab his arm when Ciel frowned, put away his wallet, turned around and walked to the door, grabbing the blond's arm as he passed Sebastian.

"Sebastian, you know what to do. We'll wait for you outside." The bell above the door rang, and both of the boys were blinded by the onslaught of light that attacked their eyes. It took a few moments to readjust, but when they it finally did, they just stood outside to wait for the Earl's demon butler.

"So..." Roxas attempted some conversation when they finally readjusted to the shift in light. "What exactly..."

"You wanted a funeral, am I correct?" Ciel asked, looking at the ground. "For a funeral in England, one needs a coffin. You didn't expect us to just toss you away, did you?"

"... Actually, yes I did. Like you have Sebastian mortally wound me or something like that. I could have given you a Phoenix Down." Roxas said, searching his pants.

Ciel looked up to see Roxas shuffling around in his pockets. "Phoenix Down?"

"Ah, here, I have one." Roxas took out a feather that shifted colors from yellow, red, orange, and gold. He had a mischievous look in his eye. "Don't tell anyone, but I stole it from this guy dressed in red." Roxas shivered from the memories that the man brought. Creepy dude he was. Too bad he didn't stick around long enough to see if he was a vampire or not. "It revives people. I was about to use it on you when you came back to."

Ciel's interest was piqued. "It can revive the dead?"

Roxas opened his mouth to answer, closed it, shook his head before shrugging. "Honestly, I'm not too sure. I think only unconscious people. Haven't tried it on the actual dead. Why? Is there anyone you want to bring back? I wouldn't risk it, however." The magical feather floated in Roxas' hand, and Ciel thought about it.

Flashes of his parents appeared in the Earl's mind, as well as all those nameless children that had suffered along with him.

"… No, I'm good, thanks."

Before Roxas could comment, loud laughter could be heard from the shop, causing him to jump back in surprise. Roxas stared at the shop. "… What was that?" He asked his companion.

Ciel shrugged. "Come along then, they're done." The lord reentered the shop with the Nobody to see the Undertaker smacking his hand on the table, chuckling madly.

The man took in breaths in between chuckles, trying but failing to compose himself. Sebastian just smiled from the reaction before taking his side back to his master. When he finally composed himself - somewhat anyway - the Undertaker disappeared and reappeared a few moments later, a mahogany coffin in arms. It was of a dark shade, practically black, with swirls of white gold on the sides.

"I believe this one will be suitable to your cause, yes?" The Undertaker passed over the coffin to Sebastian, who held it like it was nothing.

As Sebastian took a glance at his pocket watch before putting it away, Ciel answered in a dull tone, "I suppose it will have to do," sounding somewhat bored with the fact that he was planning a funeral. "Let's go then, I still have lots to do and not a lot of time left to do them." He turned around and left the store, not stopping to wait up for his servants.

"… Is he always like that?" Roxas asked as he watched the child leave, questioning the butler.

The Undertaker answered instead as Sebastian just ignored him and followed his master. "Oh, this is going to be interesting, alright. I do hope you come back soon." He grinned as Roxas backed into the door, still chuckling as Roxas quickly took his leave from the creepy man and his Shoppe.

"Yes, return soon." The pale man grinned a Cheshire grin.

"Oof!" The blond bumped into Ciel, who would have fallen if not for Sebastian's quick reflexes. The Earl just shook himself free from dust as he regained his footing.

"Took you long enough. I would have guessed that you would have been the first to leave, because of your nerves and all." Roxas frowned, but was promptly ignored. "Anyway, while Sebastian's getting the carriage, let me ask for a formal reply to my offer."

Roxas looked around and saw no sign of Sebastian. "Offer?"

"To work for me?" Ciel sounded patient, but Roxas could tell it was a forced patience as his eye studied him.

"Oh, about that…" Roxas' thoughts swirled in his head. It has been swirling ever since they started walking to get the coffin for that funeral, but after entering the dark shop, his attention was elsewhere. Which was understandable. But now to the question at hand.

Honestly, the boy said it himself. He had nothing left to lose at this point. It was game over.

"… Yeah, I guess that I'll have to take you up on that offer."

Any regrets?

Roxas saw flashes of black and red as Ciel grinned. "I'm happy that you came to that decision." He held out his hand. "Welcome to the Phantomhive family."

"Huh?" He asked as he took the hand, coming out of his thoughts. After a few seconds of contact, it ceased.

Ciel looked out into the road, watching for Sebastian to return with the carriage. "Well, obviously Elizabeth wouldn't be able to accept that you have suddenly become one of my servants, since I truly doubt that her family will allow you, a child with no past who appeared out of nowhere, into the noble Midford family. Hmm, I have to think of a role for you. It would be annoying to try and get around her to pass you, her 'friend', as a servant of mine. She's not as dim as people believe."

He shrugged. "Guess it can't be helped, I'll adopt you into my family, teach you the tricks of the aristocrat trade, and perhaps I will even throw you a cotillion ball. Or débutante ball. Wait... no, beau ball?" He shrugged once more before sticking out his tongue in disgust. "Meh, I hate social gatherings. I don't even think I had one… so I suppose we can come out together."

"Come out?" Roxas was so confused.

"Coming out to society. It's what the nobles do. Tck, how annoying. Hmm, I wonder if you truly are of noble blood." Ciel studied the blond head to toe. "Odds are highly improbable, but appearance wise you can pass as one. That will have to do. We could just forge the papers anyway."

It was at that moment that Sebastian arrived back with the carriage along with the horses. He dropped down from the driver's seat and opened the door and bowed as Ciel and Roxas stepped inside, and after closing the door, quickly made his way back to the reins and soon they were off.

Roxas looked out the window and was able to deduce that they were going back to the Phantomhive manor. Ciel leaned on his arm as well, staring out in the opposite direction. There was an awkward silence between the two as they drove off.

Roxas coughed, wanting to clear the confusion as well as start up a conversation. "Wait, can you run the plan by me again?"

Ciel ignored him, making the silence even more awkward.

"… Okay then."

Ciel blinked back to attention. "Hmm? What? Did you say something?"

"Oh, I just asked if you could repeat the plan to me, please?"

"… I'll repeat it again when Sebastian's listening. He plays a role as well." Ciel coughed as he looked out the window once more. Roxas could take a hint.

Besides, I'm not even sure what I'm to do yet.

Ciel Phantomhive was deep in thought. It wasn't his intention to ignore Roxas, but his voice was just so soft that it didn't break into his thoughts.

What an eventful day. The sun would be setting soon, which would bring it to a close. From the few answers he received, dozens more questions came into existence. As well as problems. Now he needed to plan a funeral, work something out with Elizabeth, and somehow still be able to shake off Roxas' employers as well as solve the case that the Queen has given him. It was an annoying task.

There was a lead, however. Roxas was somehow related to the case. It wasn't much, but it was something.

Personally, however, he thought it was worth it. Now he has gained another chess piece. But what it was exactly he couldn't put his place on as of yet.

A pawn? No, the pawn wasn't the right word. Roxas was a chess piece that he didn't have much control over just yet. Nor was he that weak and useless. Ciel was positive he wouldn't sacrifice his new piece as easily as he would have with a pawn.

He was sure, however, that with enough time with built up royalty it will become a powerful piece to him - one worthy of its many skills and talents, perhaps on caliber of Sebastian. Perhaps a bishop or a rook of some kind? Maybe even an additional knight, like Sebastian? The possibilities were endless as long as he had his life in his delicate hands.

Role? That could come later, after this whole fiasco of funeral planning. The idea of adopting Roxas was more of a spur of the moment than an actual plan, but now that he thought about and explained it, he supposed it would have to do. Hopefully, Elizabeth wasn't doing anything rash and will be preoccupied for at least the next few days, at least for two. If it went as planned, it would take her about three days. Not a lot of time to work with, but it would have to do.

They were only moments from arriving back. His eye watched the sun start to go down, and he asked his new chess piece that was yet to be discovered, "Would you like to see the sunset?"

There wasn't even an answer as Roxas hurried over to Ciel's side of the carriage, not taking great caution as he practically ran over his new master/superior.

"Hey!" Ciel huffed, trying to straighten out his clothes. He was ignored as Roxas just stared outside, the sky blending from orange, red, purple before finally shifting to black. He didn't even notice when the carriage stopped, and Ciel had to exit from the opposite side as Roxas just refused to budge from his spot.

"He seems to be fixated with the sky," Sebastian commented as he moved to his master after putting away the horses before quickly moving to open the front doors for the young nobles to enter.

Ciel just watched Roxas watch the sky as the stars began to become visible, and did not miss the single tear that fell from his eye. "It would seem so, yes…" He looked up to the sky as well, watching the stars start to illuminate the night. Pollution hadn't spread as far as to block its light.

Sebastian grinned. "Should I put away the carriage while he's in it?"

After a few moments, he faced his butler. "No, don't do that. I think he needs some time to adjust." The words escaped the Earl's lips before he was conscious of what he was actually saying. "Perhaps he's looking out to his own planet or something."

Sebastian stared. "… It sounds like you are describing a homesick alien, young master."

Aliens? No, that -

"… Well he is, isn't he?" Ciel replied, "He's not from this world, so what else could he be? Must be an extraterrestrial. We're still fixated on magic, anyhow. Anyway, let's get inside and discuss our next move." He looked back to the blond, whose eyes were wide with wonder.

Honestly, he couldn't understand why he didn't order Roxas to just come inside. It could have been the fact that he was still a dangerous character that was not fully yet under his thumb.

But enough was enough. "Roxas, get out of the carriage. We have much to discuss." He entered his manor, and knew from the footsteps that his orders were followed.

He led them to his own office, where Roxas was creeping in just night the night before which seemed like such a lifetime ago. Sebastian lit the fireplace as Ciel sat in his main chair and Roxas took a seat across from him.

After getting comfortable, perhaps it was time to get to the main discussion at hand. "Alright, I think I know what we're going to do. First off, Sebastian, bring the coffin here." Ciel waved him away. Sebastian bowed before leaving to do as he was commanded.

Before Roxas could strike up what would probably be another failed attempt at a conversation, Sebastian returned with the coffin. Ciel motioned for him to bring it to the center of the room, pointing to the door. There was a soft click noise as Roxas quickly summoned his weapon and locked the door before banishing the keyblade back into the light from whence it came. Ciel and Sebastian were quiet for a few moments before they regained their focus back to the coffin.

Ciel examined the coffin as Sebastian opened the lid and the lord took a good look inside. He got up from his chair and peered inside. "Damn, I hope you're not claustrophobic or anything." The Earl muttered as he motioned Roxas to come close to him. Hesitantly, the blond approached him, somewhat skittish.

Ciel placed his foot on the lid and tilted his head to the casket. "Get in."

Roxas was taken back. "Say what?"

Ciel sighed. "Have you ever attended a funeral?"

"… No?"

"Says the one who requested it in the first place," Sebastian commented.

Roxas was about to reply but Ciel cleared his throat. The blond turned back to the lord. "Roxas, get in the box."

"But…" Roxas looked in the box before shrugging. "Funerals are weird." He moved to remove his shoes but Sebastian waved his hands to get his attention.

"No need for that, come along then," Ciel said before reaching out for the blond to place him in the box. Hesitantly, Roxas moved to the box, following Ciel's instruction.

It dawned on the Earl. "You don't even know what a funeral is, do you?"

The Nobody looked away. "… No…"

"Ah, now you would think that would be a problem, but in reality it actually isn't." Ciel answered, feeling the velvet plush interior of the coffin. Plushie. "A funeral is just a ceremony used to mourn over the dead and to acknowledge that the dead are truly dead." He rolled his eyes.

"Of course, you won't actually be dead, but I'm sure that we could arrange such a thing as so that there would be a corpse inside."

Sebastian nodded before bowing, ready to leave and do what his master had implied.

"Wait," Roxas raised his hand to stop him. "I… I think that we need to actually use my body. I'm sure that the Organization would send someone over to check everything. Hopefully he will come..."

And understand…

Ciel watched Roxas carefully, noting the sad look in his eyes that gave a plume of despair. Sebastian shrugged before closing the window and made his way back to his meal and another area of interest. "Alright then, that could be arranged. But before we could actually do anything of that nature," Ciel motioned to the coffin. "Let's see if you actually fit in this thing."

Without another word, Roxas stopped his defenses and took a step inside before he was fully inside. He pat the velvet, getting somewhat snuggy inside. "Interesting. Feels like I'm going to be buried alive."

Ciel pulled the lid over him, casting him in darkness. Oh god, the darkness.

"Well I suppose you are, technically speaking," the lord replied, "But I'm sure that we could figure something out." He removed the lid. "You can come out now, by the way."

After Roxas got out, he said, "I think that I have something that could work." The blond fished out a flask from his pocket.

"Where is all of that stuff coming from?" Ciel questioned, curious about the various objects coming from the blond.

Roxas shrugged. "Just stuff I've picked up on my travels. Well…" He studied the flask. "Not this actually. I was reading this book the other day, and my… college would be a good word I suppose, saw and gave me this. It's supposed to be a replica of the potion used in the story." He gave a face. "A story in poor taste, if you ask me. Stupid teens controlled by hormones." If that's what a heart did, Roxas didn't think he would want it if he would be that stupid as a result.

"What was it?" Ciel reached out for the bottle, and Roxas promptly handed it to him. The Earl studied the mixture with his single eye. It looked nothing like what Roxas had given him before. Hmm, considering the context of the conversation as well as the description of the story…

"… You wouldn't have happened to have been reading Romeo and Juliet, would you?"

"Huh?" Roxas was surprised that his new superior knew of the book kept in Zexion's private library. "Y-yeah."

Ciel grinned and closed his eye. "I agree with your opinion. I hated that work."

Before the two could have a deep, intellectual conversation about the works of Shakespeare - which Roxas would have been humiliated without a doubt as he had only read that and Hamlet - a cough interrupted the two. "Well, wasn't that convenient?" Sebastian said, looking at the potion.

The blond nodded. "Really is, and I already summoned someone who will be coming to check on me… He should be here by tomorrow night." Roxas' voice was hollow as he said this, matching his eyes, almost sounding like regret.

Ciel grabbed the Nobody's neck collar, snapping him out of his stupor. "No regrets now, Roxas. You heard me?"

Roxas gulped. "R-right."

Ciel pulled him closer and glared. "Right?" He said, more forcefully.

"Right." Roxas confirmed with a firm tone. "No regrets."

"Glad to see that we're on the same page here," Ciel said as he released his new servant, who proceeded to fix himself. The Earl turned to the window. "It will be a private affair, for Sebastian and I as well as your friend. Not that we would see him, at least face to face." He turned to his butler, who handed Roxas a list. Confused, that didn't defer the blond as he took it. He began to flip through the rather long list, glancing on various names on the paper.

"This is a list of names that -" Sebastian was shocked as Roxas stopped flipping the pages and handed him back the list.

"I'm not changing my name."

Ciel turned to the blond. "What?" He glared.

Roxas refused to back down. "I said, I'm not changing my name. I just can't do that."

He just wouldn't change his name, he couldn't. He didn't think that his new employer would understand, but he just couldn't. It was the only thing that made him him. The only thing he really and truly owned.

"It would be practical -" Sebastian started, trying to hand the blond the list again, who refused to take it.

"I decline." That was his final word, and nothing would change his mind.

Sebastian studied the Nobody with a poker face before turning to his master for his direction.

Ciel shrugged. "Fine. Keep your name. Hopefully it won't cause any trouble."

Roxas smiled. This result was something that he was obviously pleased with, Ciel knew that. "Let Sebastian and I prepare and plan for the aftermath after the funeral. You may leave and rest now. Sebastian will tend to you in the morning."

"O-okay..." Roxas replied softly, slowly making his way towards the door and out of the room. He reached the door, about to leave, when he stopped in the front of the wood. He turned to the lord and bowed deeply. "Thank you, Ciel."

Servants don't address their masters in such a familiar manner.

Sebastian watched as Ciel just waved him off. "Don't mention it. Now get some sleep, we have a lot of work to do tomorrow."

Roxas rose from his bow. "G-good night!" He scurried off back to his room.

The young master let out a pent up sigh. "… Go after him. I'm sure that he's going to need help tending to his clothes," Ciel said as he waved Sebastian out of the room, who bowed.

"Yes, young master," Sebastian replied. Ciel eyed him from his eye as the demon left to obey his young master's wishes.

After the butler left, the Earl tsked, taking a seat on his chair towards his desk. He shuffled the papers, looking for the ones that were key for the situation. He turned to the grandfather clock to find the time to be a little past midnight.

He sighed. "What have I gotten myself into?"

Oh my god what in the hell am I doing? was Roxas' mantra as he made his way back into his room, too engrossed in his thoughts to notice a certain demonic butler trailing after him at a somewhat close distance.

So far this mission has gone from okay, to almost finished, to a screw-up mistake, to horrible, to completely and utterly fucked.

But he had already knew that.

What was strange was that whole idea of a funeral, that ceremony to celebrate the dead. It was… disturbing, to say the least. Not to mention terribly and outright cruel. How devastating could it be to hear that someone you cared for has moved on from the world, but it's almost like rubbing it in the person's face that the person is dead, and that there is no way to bring them back.

But that's true, isn't it?

If it was a real funeral, yes. But this one, this fake one, was a sham. He wasn't dead, just faking death. It's disrespectful to the whole practice.

And oh god he was going to trick Axel, his only friend in the Organization.

Could he live with the guilt?

"Lord Roxas, you should be more careful."

A velvet voice snapped him from his thoughts and the Nobody found himself about to walk right into his bedroom door to find it quickly open. He lost his sense of balance and found himself tripping from the change in flooring, falling down about to hit the floor.

Before he could greet the ground with his face, a white, gloved hand caught his waist and brought him back to his feet, and Roxas found his face buried in the expensive fabrics that covered the Phantomhive's butler's chest. He let out a yip before struggling in vain to release himself from the demon.

Sebastian let out a chuckle from the blond's struggles. "Do not worry, Lord Roxas. My master has not betrayed you, therefore neither have I. He has sent me over to help you, and I am to respect his wishes."

"W-with what?" the blond squeaked. Even if they were not on the same side, this man - or perhaps demon was the word now - gave him the creeps. Which, he thought, was rightly in place. Maybe one day he'll find out just how in the world the demon of darkness ended up with such a strong heart. Or soul or whatever. He didn't really care for the technical terms at this point.

The butler proved that actions spoke louder than words as he picked up the blond easily and carried him to the bed, placing him in a sitting position on the mattress. Before the Nobody could comment, the raven-haired man/demon reached up the blond's abdomen and started to unbutton his vest. Roxas grew wide-eyed, blushed, and stammered, "W-what -"

"Just undressing, Lord Roxas. Remember what I said this morning?" the butler smoothly cut him off, undoing the laces of the shoes and pulling off the silk socks as slowly as possible. "And please do not struggle, as it makes my job more difficult ant this longer than necessary."

"…." Roxas stared as Sebastian moved up to unbutton his collar now without a ribbon as it was left in the city, staying as still as possible. This was actually quite easy, used to staying still. He had a lot of buttons, he thought off-handedly, when Sebastian was finally reaching the end of the shirt.

He was about to pull off the sleeve when Roxas asked, "Is this really necessary?" Sebastian replied with a dip of the head.

"I do hope you're paying attention, Lord Roxas, as I am deliberately going very slowly to teach you. Unless you enjoy being undressed by someone else's hand other than your own?" Sebastian smirked at Roxas' completely red face as he began to speed up the process.

Within a span of three seconds, Roxas was completely redressed into his black silk pajamas and was about to tucked into bed by a demonic hand. He immediately rose from his position, having goosebumps.

"Is there anything wrong?" Sebastian feigned concern. Oh, Roxas could tell. The demon was quite amused with the recent turn of events.

"Just, uh, I'm good, thanks," he muttered, tucking himself under the sheets. "You can, uh, go back to Ciel. Thanks." He hid himself under the covers, waiting for the weight to shift off the bed and out the door.

After what seemed to be an eternity, Sebastian finally stood. "Very well, I shall tend to you in the morning, Lord Roxas." Roxas heard a glass bottle be placed on his table and peeked from underneath to eye it. He turned to the butler, who smiled at the curious gaze.

"I'm sure that you would be plagued by nightmares, am I correct? This would prevent such a thing. I would suggest you take it." The Phantomhive's head butler headed towards the door and back to his master. "Have pleasant dreams," were his last words as he closed the door, leaving the blond finally alone for the first time since waking that morning which truly was an eternity ago.

Not wasting another moment, Roxas promptly rose from the bed and took the flask, studying the dark, bubbling liquid it contained. He gave it a few seconds before opening the window and dumping the potion outside.

New master or not, Roxas didn't trust that demon just yet.

Ciel dipped his quill for the final time, wondering vaguely as to why he was using such an old fashioned writing utensil in the first place when he heard a knock on the door. He ignored it and continued to work on the papers. Without an answer, Sebastian stepped in, carrying a silver tray of what the lord presumed to be his tea.

"Hmm, little late, aren't we?" the Earl said, expecting his tea a good hour ago.

"My apologies, young master. It would seem that there was a little problem that I was forced to attend to." Sebastian poured the tea into a cup, handing it to the young master along with a plate of scones. The demon didn't say anything further, and Ciel was forced to look up from his work to see that creature that Roxas was communicating with earlier that afternoon.

"… Was Roxas informed?" He took a sip from his tea before reaching out to taste a scone. Jasmine and honey.

"Not yet, my lord," Sebastian replied, watching the subordinate carefully as it stepped forward and placed a note on Ciel's desk, its flaming red color contrasting from the rest of the egg white sheets. Ciel eyed the paper, tracing the edges with his finger. He put down his tea and eyed the Samurai.

The Samurai said nothing as it inclined his head to the paper, obviously wanting Ciel to read it. Ciel looked over to Sebastian for safety reasons.

"I do not sense any abnormalities from the paper. As he refused to hand it to me, clearly it is a note addressed to you. Would you like for me to open it, to see if it's safe?" Sebastian reached out for the paper, to find himself quite amused at how the creature steadied its stance, hand on the katana it was ready to unleash.

"I suppose I should read it then," Ciel said, taking the red manuscript in his hands and opened it carefully. Ciel began to read.

God damn it Roxas, I can't believe you did something so reckless! I'm on my way right now.

The letter ended abruptly. Ciel eyed the Samurai. "Why did you give this to me?"

Instead of an answer, the subordinate gave a slight bow and disappeared into a pool of darkness that appeared on the floor.

"Sebastian," Ciel said, "Go and wake up Roxas." He rose from his seat, made his way to the door and bit his lip.

"We haven't much time."

A/N: I do not feel like beta-ing this at the moment, which I know I'm going to regret so much when I read this over later, so excuse any errors would you kindly. At least I published it by the end of the month. Hooray for Leap Day.

Damnit these fandoms are in the backseat. I see you driving Tsuna!

Anyway, supposedly this should be monthly, if all goes well. Thank you Solar Flare013 for reminding me about this month. Even if you threatened me with fire. Lol fire. xD Feel free to go and bug me about it if it isn't posted by at least the 20th of the month.

Have the next part written about/started. It's gonna be something really different. If all goes to plan.

By the way, I screwed up the last chapter. Roxas asked Ciel three questions and used them all up with this request. The way it was worded made it sound that Roxas had four questions and has one left. No, he had three and used them up. Maybe I'll play on that on a later chapter. Eh, who knows?

… Think that's about it…

Please review!

Maybe it'll motivate me or something.