dreamgirl: Okay, so this is basically a recap of what is going on inside Ciel's head during the first six episodes. That's really all I wanted to say.

warning: Ciel's angst is in heavy need of a warning. -_-

disclaimer: Black Butler is owned by Ms. Toboso

Chapter 21

Two weeks passed since Ciel realized his true feelings. Leviathan would come and go as he pleased. Usually he would only arrive at the mansion for the night with a partner or two to fill his bed. Ciel, on the other hand, didn't have the luxury of relaxing so much.

A few days prior, Ciel's impulsive fiancée had appeared at his mansion demanding that Ciel would take part in a dance party she was having at his mansion. After that, Sebastian realized Ciel's lack of dancing skills and gave the pre-teen a crash course in dancing. Things started heating up, but the demon-butler had to go and ruin their "moment" (as known to Ciel) by telling his master to smile. The blue-eyed boy let his butler know that he had long forgotten how to laugh. Everything after that went downhill. Ciel's dumbass of a cousin had gotten jealous of his family heirloom and broke it. He loved her, but there was just so much crap he could withstand from the blonde girl.

A couple of days after that, the Queen gave him the assignment of searching for "Jack the Ripper". The young Phantomhive lord had to suffer a great deal of pain, mostly just physical. Ciel had been forced into infiltrating a perverted earl's mansion while dressed as a girl. He had suffered being in many classes for lady-like etiquette, dancing, speaking and Sebastian had even put him into a goddamn corset! As a result of trying to catch Viscount Druitt "in the act", Ciel was drugged and almost sold off to some sick, perverse people. Of course, Sebastian rescued him before any creepy shit happened.

Now, the pre-teen was out with Sebastian looking for the real Jack the Ripper since Viscount Druitt had a pretty much stable alibi, or rather, lots of money. Well, to be truthfully honest, Ciel had a pretty good idea who Jack the Ripper was thanks to Sebastian's little "hints".

Ciel and Sebastian went undercover to where Jack the Ripper might do his next attack. Then, there came a high-pitched scream. The pre-teen ran over to the door and opened it. The sight that welcomed him was that of a bloody room and a massacred woman.

"You cannot—!" Sebastian yelled at he covered Ciel's eyes with his hand. They withdrew and the boy was still in shock. Unfortunately, he threw up.

A few moments passed and Jack the Ripper revealed himself to be a Grim Reaper named Grell Sutcliffe. Then, a woman's voice appeared and Ciel removed Sebastian's hand from his face.

"Madam Red", he said.

"This was beyond my expectations. To think that there would be someone able to see Grell's true nature…"

"You were on the preliminary suspect list, of course, Madam." The boy replied. "However, your alibi was perfect."

"You suspected me, one of your relatives?" Madam Red said in a semi-sad tone.

"If the individual was capable of becoming "Jack", blood relations had no bearing."

After a few words of exchange, Sebastian began a fight with Grell. While the demon-butler was occupied in his fight with the shinigami, Ciel's beloved aunt made the attempt to kill him. Though, once again, Sebastian interfered.

"I cannot kill this child". Madam Red exclaimed as she remembered the whole reason for her loving Ciel as her own child.

In a heartbeat, Grell slashed his chainsaw right through Madam Red's abdomen and killed her almost instantly.

"The cheap show is now over." The Grim reaper said while putting on her jacket, "Goodbye, Madam."

Sebastian, as well as Ciel, froze in shock as Grell walked away.

Ciel couldn't believe his eyes but maintained composure, "Sebastian, what are you doing? I told you to hunt down Jack the Ripper. It's not over yet. Don't stand around. Get rid of the other one."

The ebony-haired man grinned, "Understood."

Once again, the demon battled with the shinigami but in the end they were stopped by another Grim Reaper stepping in and dragging Grell away.

It was all over. Although they weren't able to kill Grell, the case was solved and everything was to go back to normal. Or so Ciel had hoped.

It was the day of Madam Red's funeral. Ciel was running fashionably late, but when he did arrive, he made a grand entrance…as always.

As the church doors opened, Ciel stood there with a red dress in hand. He walked with grace and pride as he made his way to his aunt's casket. Once he did, he laid the dress on top of her cold body.

"Neither do the white flowers, nor the plain clothes suit you. What suits you is the red of passion, the color of licorice that burns the landscape. Aunt Anne…"

Sebastian watched closely from outside the church, not daring to enter the holy place. Soon after, thousands of rose petals came floating into the cathedral, making its way to that casket.

Ciel looked down at his dead aunt, "Rest in peace…Madam Red."

Ciel looked at the tombstone in front of him, "This is…"

"My last guest from the Jack the Ripper case." Undertaker said while holding a bouquet of flowers.

"It seems that she was an immigrant. We could not find anyone to take care of the body." The blue-eyed boy said.

Undertaker said a few words and did a bit of teasing before he finally left. Ciel, on the other hand, stayed back for a little while with Sebastian. He settled flowers on top of Mary Jane Kelly's grave.

"How kind", Sebastian said to his master as he covered him with his jacket.

Ciel's pride kicked in, "Don't make me repeat myself. This isn't kindness…"

"It is kindness," The demon cut him off, "If not…then it's weakness."

The pre-teen was taken aback, "You!"

"Why didn't you shoot? Standing by and letting your relative be killed. It's bad to tell lies." Sebastian continued to tease him in a most cruel manner. "Why is it what you can kill any person you wish but you cannot shoot at someone related to you?" The demon thought he had the upper hand.

"That's because it is your job", Ciel responded. Sebastian seemed shocked. "You'll protect me even if it costs your life, that's why I didn't shoot. Our contract states that, until my goal is fulfilled…You'll become my power and protect my life from danger. Demons don't have a sense of loyalty or conviction, right? All they have are principles. That's why, in order for fulfill your principles you'll protect me, no matter what happens." Sebastian continued to ask him reasons as to why he did certain things and he answered all of them. And then Ciel concluded, "I'll not stop moving forward. I'll not regret a single step I had taken. That's why…I order you…Do not betray me! And do not leave my side! No matter what."

Sebastian knelt down with a hand over his heart, "Yes, my lord. If that is your wish…I'll follow you, no matter where you go."

Ciel began to walk away. His heart hurt, and he knew why. What he and Sebastian shared was only part of the contract. The young earl could only ever give orders that would benefit him, but he could never really have the demon's love. Ciel's heart belonged to Sebastian, yet he received nothing in return. Once the contract was over, Ciel will be no more. Sebastian will use him for his own amusement and throw him away once it all ends. That is what made love so painful.

"This heart, it beats, beats for only you

My heart is yours"

- "My Heart" by Paramore

dreamgirl: I've been itching to write this chapter because I think it's been a while since I've dosed this story with some angst, so I was practically on a sadistic streak with this one. Though, it was sort of a pain. I had to watch over the episodes and read the manga for the dialogue and to make sure I had everything in check. PLEASE REVIEW!!!