Chapter 7

"Ash." I choked out. Stepping away from him as he approached, motioning for the dog to stay and though it continued to snarl it did not move.

"Oh Crystal." he said, running a hand across my cheek, a wicked grin spreading across his face. "Oh how far you've fallen."

"Shut up!" I shrieked, pulling out of his grasp. looking around desperately for a way to escape, but there was no way I would be able to beat him, Ash had always been a rank or two higher than me...though I could no longer imagine how he'd pulled it off. He didn't seem fazed by my outburst in fact he seemed relatively calm, but I just hoped that my cry would bring me help. Ash snickered as he pulled his golden handled sword from its sheath and I stepped back, cursing inwardly.

"I trust you know why I am here." he said with a casual smile, as if this was no more than a tea time talk.

"You tricked me." I hissed at him. "You've tricked everyone...you have no right to do this."

"You're a fallen Crystal." he said ignoring me. "You don't belong here."

"Fallen because of you." I snapped, causing him to laugh, as he continued his steady strides towards me. His laugh rang through the air, echoing in my mind like the bells of death playing at a funeral. It's sound, his very presence torturing my soul.

"You were falling long before I came in Crystal." he said raising his sword. "It's not something you can deny." my eyes went wide as the silver flashed; I was just able to narrowly avoid the blade, leaning and stumbling backwards. The next blow came in the blink of an eye; his swings becoming faster and faster as I slid out of the way, side to side in a desperate attempt to stay alive. The sword skimmed my clothes, shredding my dress. My green sun hat flew off in the wind as I ducked, finally managing to circle around him and create some distance between us.

"You've gotten faster." Ash acknowledged, lowering his sword. "But you're not strong enough." my eyes went wide as I spun around, face to face with the demon dog. His paw raised above my head, ready to crush me. I remained frozen, like a deer in headlights as the massive paw came down in a blur of white. I closed my eyes, waiting for the blow. There was a gust of wind and everything seemed to freeze, I opened my eyes to see Sebastian standing beside me, one hand held politely behind his back, his over hand holding the dog back.

"Are you alright my lady?" he asked, examining me from the corner of his eye. I took in a sharp breath of shock, nodding.

"Yes." I squeaked, flinching as the hound howled, loud enough to shake the ground beneath me. Sebastian's gaze turned back to the dog, his eyes sharpening.

"You've been a bad boy haven't you Pluto." he said, his calm voice unnaturally eerie, his face washing in shadow as his eyes turned red as he lifted his hand against the hound, raising his paw and overpowering the creature. "Now...SIT!" he demanded, his voice booming through the area as she threw the dog, it went rolling across the grass, transforming back into its human appearance, sitting on his naked butt like a dog, bowing his head in submission. "Good dog." Sebastian said, a wicked grin curling at his lips. A sound rang through the air and we spun around to face Ash, who stood calmly, clapping his hands slowly.

"Ah Sebastian Michaelis." he said, his angelic features seeming frightening. "I had hoped we would be able to avoid confrontation." Sebastian glared at Ash for a moment before putting one gloved hand across his chest.

"I am sorry sir." he said simply, as if addressing a guest. "But I cannot simply step aside."

"Is this kindness?" Ash snickered, his smirk growing in amusement. "It must be, why else would a demon be willing to help an angel?" Sebastian shook his head, his raven bangs falling over his forehead.

"No, but as a butler I am obligated to protect the guests of the Phantomhive manor...if I could not perform such a simple task what kind of a butler would I be?" I smiled, grateful for Sebastian's help, feeling an unusual calm settle over me.

"As you wish." Ash said with a mocking bow, his white hair falling over his eyes, casting his face in shadows "However I must warn you, I cannot allow a fallen to go free." he said, a grin beginning to spread across his shadow covered face. "Even if it means the death a demon." Ash lashed out, sword in hand. Sebastian didn't hesitate, a silver kitchen knife flying forward and deflecting the sword, another slicing through Ash's white suit shoulder, drawing a thin line of blood. Ash's eyes sharpened but Sebastian smiled, seeming as relaxed as ever.

"Oh, I missed." he mused, holding up an array of knives. "No matter." Ash growled dashing forward again, twisting and swirling as Sebastian's knives sailed over his head like dagger. Ash moved so fast it was almost hard to keep up with him...and then he was gone. I gasped in shock, turning to see him beside me. He brought the sword down with a battle cry and I felt a strong arm wrap around me. Sebastian shoving me out of the way as the sword tore down his chest, slashing his tailor coat and suit blood sprayed across his chest yet he did not yell, a silver knife slid free of his sleeve and buried itself into Ash's side. The angel growled, biting back a cry as the two jumped back, separating.

"You haven't seen the last of me." he threatened, his sharp eyes meeting mine. "Fallen angels with suffer in hell."

"I guess I'll see you there." I said snidely, receiving a final glare before the angel turned, vanishing into the distance. Sebastian sighted, holding up the shredded remains of his tailor coat.

"Such a pity." he said as he began to take off his shirt and coat, looking down at the wound as if were no more than a paper cut. I gulped glancing away quickly.

Are we SURE he is a demon...absolutely positive? I thought shamefully, cheeks flushed as I stared off into the distance.

"You should, uh...probably get that looked at." I said awkwardly, causing him to chuckle as he pulled a sewing kit from seemingly nowhere, stitching up the overcoat.

"M-madam Crystal?" Finny's childish voice called out, appearing around the house and startling me just as Meirin and Bard emerged from the nearby door, each of them stopping in their tracks at the sight of me and a shirtless Sebastian who looked perfectly healthy, if not good looking from the angel of his back they were looking from.

Oh no. I thought dreadfully. This is so not fair. Sebastian grinned as I jumped staring past him at all the servants who were awestruck by the scene. Sebastian slid his tailor coat back on before turning around, smiling at them.

"S-Sebastian-" Meirin began, her nose bleeding from the sight, her stance wavering as if she were about to pass out.

"What happened out here mate?" Bard asked curiously. "We heard yelling and Pluto's howl we thought something was wrong and we all came running...but it looks like we were mistaken." he said, muttering the last bit under his breath.

"We have a bit of an accident with Pluto." Sebastian confessed. "He ran up and hugged Crystal. Naturally it startled her...I have handled the situation." he said calmly, receiving curious stares from the trio. "Am I to assume all of your work is done?" the servants stiffened.

"M-momentarily Sebastian." Finny stuttered, turning tail and rushing from view around the house.

"Yea, yea I'm on it." Bardroy said with a frustrated sigh, turning and vanishing behind the door.

"S-s-Sebastian." Meirin fumbled her hands on her red cheeks as she wobbled around, accidently running into the side of the wall before finally managing to go inside.

"Oh and one more thing," Sebastian said, his calm voice calling them back as all three stuck their head around the house or out the door curiously. "Crystal is no longer permitted to help any of you three with your chores."

"But Sebastian!"

"Please sir!"

"Have mercy!"

The groaned and wailed.

"Hey! What about me?" I yelled out, "Don't I get a say in this?" Sebastian glanced at me from the corner of his eye, a look that immediately told me to shut up and behave. I lowered my head, hands folded politely in front of me.

"It is the duty of servants to keep the house tidy and ready to serve any guests...the guests do not take care of the manor...is this understood." he said, his tone suddenly growing dark. All three servants stiffened, raising a hand in salute.

"Yes sir!" they all cheered at once, vanishing from sight again. Sebastian sighed, turning back to me.

"You really can't tell me what to do." I said, crossing my arms and pouting like a child. Sebastian simply smirked, rolling his eyes.

"Today you were nearly killed merely by going outside." Sebastian told me. "The more you help the three of them the more open you are going to become, from now on I request that you stay within the manor and preferably near me or the young master." I nodded,

Great, now I'm a prisoner. I thought, Sebastian sensed my unease and spoke again.

"The ball is a mere two days away my lady, this is simply for your own protection." he added, his bangs falling on his face as he tilted his head, giving me a 'pleading' look in his eyes that I just couldn't meet.

"Alright." I sighed; "I'll stay inside." he smiled in triumph.

"Very good my lady...now if you please." he said, putting a hand on my back and leading me inside. "The tea is ready."