Claude's Beginnings
Crack!AUStory about how Claude Faustus came to be. Tale is based upon random conversations in a Forum RP. As the story goes on it will include other characters of the Kuroshitsuji cast and how they all come to turn into one BIG happy family.
Ever since Claude Faustus first appeared onto the Kuroshitsuji Stage, it had been speculated that he looked to be the love child of Sebastian Michaelis and William T. Spears. Well what if that small little fact turned out to be true? Blame Catnip Tequila and one night of passionate lovemaking, and your end result is Claude Faustus. However, there is more to this story; join Claude as he goes through life experiencing heartbreaks and happiness and slowly but surely comes to find his place in life and somewhere to belong. Possible pairings: SebastianxSoma, WillxGrell, ClaudexMeiRin (added as story goes on)
Disclaimer: I do not own Kuroshitsuji
Chapter Four: The Runaway and The First Master
Last chapter, Claude returned to the human world in search for the spider to give him is contract words. When he found the spider and got his words he went to look for Sebastian, unknown to Claude however, Sebastian was in the middle of fighting William for the reason that Sebastian wanted William to accept Claude as his son. Unfortunately for Sebastian, Claude heard the truth and felt betrayed by his father and ran away.
Our story continues with the chase inside the forest…
"Claude wait!" Sebastian ran to his son trying to catch to him before Claude decided to make a wrong decision.
"No father! You lied to me!" Claude seemed to run faster at this point.
"Claude I did not want you to find out this way! Listen to me! Please?"
Both father and son stopped running however there was still quite a distance between them. When Sebastian tried to get closer Claude glared at him as if saying, if you take one more step you WILL regret it and I don't care you are my own father…so Sebastian just stood his place.
After a few minutes silence Claude was the first to speak. "Is it true?"
Sebastian looked to the ground ashamed. "Yes, it is true. The Shinigami known as William T. Spears…is…your mother."
Claude turned his back completely to Sebastian, tears threatening to spill out, but he would not let his father see them.
"So…I was a mistake? Did you even want me? Do you feel as if I have caused nothing but add burdens to your life? Do you despise me as well father!" Claude turned to face Sebastian, angry tears running down his face.
"No! You absolutely were wanted! Ever since you came into my life you have not been a burden. Don't you say that Claude!" Sebastian yelled back.
"You know what father, save it. I don't want to hear it. I'll save you the trouble of looking over me now." Claude opened up the portal and looked back at his father with a sad smile.
It dawned on Sebastian what Claude was going to do. "No Claude! Calm down, you don't have to do this! How will you survive? You don't even have your contract words!"
Claude laughed, "That's actually what I was going to tell you…"
Sebastian's eyes widen. "You received them?"
Claude nodded. "I'm off to explore the world without you father, if we meet after some time then so be it, but please do not look for me." And he stepped through the portal.
Sebastian ran after Claude, but before he could reach his son, the portal closed. Now Sebastian had no idea where Claude could have gone because he seriously did not think Claude would return to their home after what had just happened.
Well it wouldn't hurt to look anyway…I have to find Claude…Sebastian opened the portal and went to the demon world.
When he returned to their home in the demon world Sebastian immediately knew Claude was not there, it dishearten him. Claude could be anywhere in the human world, and Sebastian grew distressed just thinking about it.
Claude meanwhile was traveling through the portal without any real destination in mind. He was numb, he could not think or feel. He felt as if his life was a lie. Why was I even born?
The portal then opened and Claude stepped out, it would seem that he had landed in Egypt.
"This certainly is an interesting place to begin my journey…" his stomach growled. "I need to find a soul…"
Claude went to search for the nearest town and look for a desperate soul in need for help and willing to accept a demon's power. It wasn't long before he came upon the town's run-down alley, Claude's first thought was, It reminds me of that time in London…when father-he stopped his thoughts. No he would not think about father, not now.
Soon Claude's eye fell upon a small poor girl covered in dirt and whose eyes seemed to show no desire for life. She will just have to do for now…I need a soul…
Claude knelt down to the little girl, and she looked up, her eyes vacant. She lifted her arms as if she were pleading for food however Claude took her hand and smiled gently at her.
He whispered into her tiny ear. "If you want to leave this world and go join a better place then whisper these words…Hoheo taralna, rondero tarel…"
The girl nodded her head and repeated the words without a second thought. When she finished Claude took her soul, once he did the girl's eye closed, and Claude ate his first soul.
It felt…bitter. Nothing compared to the ones Sebastian always collected for them to eat.
"I guess I'll just have to learn how to cultivate tasty souls, but for now all I need from them is nourishment." With that said Claude went on his way and explored the world.
Decades went by again and no matter how hard Sebastian searched for his son, he could not find Claude. Sebastian was at the end of his limit, also his body was beginning to decay. Ever since Claude's departure, Sebastian has not had a decent meal in the past couple of years. Sure he would munch on a soul here and there, however he no longer put any effort into cultivating his souls for better taste and value.
That is until Sebastian met a soul that went by the name of Ciel Phantomhive.
It was a regular evening for Sebastian; he spent the day thinking of places where Claude might have been, but at every place he went he came up with nothing. Returning home at the sunset Sebastian heard his stomach growl at its lack of intake of souls. He knew he would not last much longer without a soul to feed on, but Sebastian just did not have the will to go on.
So were his thoughts as he passed a certain building overhead, and from that building a soul cried out to him. For help, but not just any help, but the help of a demon. Sebastian's interest was perked; it had been a while since he had encountered such a soul so empty and desperate. His mouth was beginning to water.
When he approached the human with the soul so desperate, he could tell right away what had happened and Sebastian smirked at the human. He whispered to the human,
"The dead can never come back to life…Never More."
"You have summoned me…Now choose."
The human, Ciel Phantomhive, yelled towards Sebastian. "This is an Order! KILL THEM!"
Sebastian grinned as a true demon. "Yes, My Lord…"
As Sebastian was making his contract with Ciel Phantomhive, Claude too, halfway around the world, was making a contract with his first human. Jonathan Brannigan.
Claude, now a 15 year old demon, was exploring the South Americas, learning all about their cultures and people, when he came across this specific soul.
It was not a friendly time in South America; all the countries were in the Battle of the Pacific. Chaos, destruction, death, misery, and utter hopelessness could be seen throughout the land. A perfect place for a demon, here Claude had no trouble filling his tummy with souls, though he yet had to make a contract and cultivate a delicious soul.
Claude had done what the spider told him to do, Claude secretly let rumors fly that if anyone wanted to make a contract with a demon to follow the rules precisely and Claude would appear. Now, for Claude, not many people went to him to begin with. In the South American countries he noticed that the people were more inclined to a thing they called religion. Whatever that meant.
Though he still got the occasional human come to him, but their wishes never brought out Claude's interest. From what he remembered from Sebastian telling him back in the day was, that when you cultivate your soul, be sure that their wish will bring about the soul's most delicious taste. In order for that to happen, your best bet would be to catch a soul with a vengeance.
Enter Jonathan Brannigan.
Jonathan Brannigan was a European noble who had move to the Americas when the time of exploitation was at its finest. Son of a prestige English noble family, young Jonathan wanted to set out and explore the world on his own. After convincing his parents to let him do so, he went to the Americans.
There he managed one of his father's business and ruled the town as if it were his own, surround by women and everything.
Then the war broke out.
Jonathan lost everything. All his assets were taken by the government and his contact back to England was cut off entirely. Now Jonathan was a smart lad, he could have easily figured out a way to return home if he wanted too. Had he not fallen in love with a local.
That's where his true downfall came from, not only had the girl he loved stolen his heart, but stolen the rest of his earnings as well. Jonathan was betrayed and left for broke. To say he wanted revenge was just a tip of the iceberg. He wanted them all to pay, and pay dearly.
Poor and homeless on the street, Jonathan heard of a folklore that said if one felt desolated and had no other option, that they could summon a demon to do their bidding.
Jonathan was so desperate that he gave it a try.
With a spider's web covered in the morning's dew on his face, Jonathan repeated the following phrase.
"Hoheo taralna, rondero tarel… Hoheo taralna, rondero tarel…"
After a few minutes of nothing occurring Jonathan laughed to himself.
"Right…how did I honestly think this would work out of all things…I must stop fooling myself…" as he began to walk away, Claude appeared.
Claude transported Jonathan to the other dimension and stuck him to a web similar of that which the giant spider did to Claude so many years ago.
"You summoned me? State your wish."
Jonathan was shocked, speechless even. It had worked? He thought.
Claude asked the question he already the answer to.
"Do you wish to accomplish your revenge by any means possible?"
With seriousness clear as day on his face and eyes determined, Jonathan responded.
"Yes. You will obey me and never betray me, and I will recover EVERYTHING that was taken from me…blood will flow."
Claude smirked as now he felt as a true demon. "Yes, Your Highness."
Immediately as those words were spoken, life changed for both Jonathan and Claude.
Claude first orders from Jonathan were to murder the corrupted government officials who stole Jonathan's father business from him and to set the blame on the thieves who stole Jonathan's dignity. When the deed was done, blood flowed all throughout the small village town and chaos ran about. With those pathetic humans gone, Jonathan could now reclaim what rightfully belonged to him. However Jonathan did not want to stop there, he couldn't because there still remained the fact of the woman who had trampled all over Jonathan's heart. Jonathan wanted her to pay dearly and suffer what he suffered.
Of course this next part had to be taken with the upmost care; if they were found out then everything would fall apart.
Once Jonathan regained his noble status in the Americas, he decided to enter the War of the Pacific. He wanted to earn back his respect and the only way to do so at the time was to be a war hero. Of course Jonathan was not doing any of the fighting, but instead Claude. After all Jonathan needed to stay alive because Claude needed to consume his soul.
Once the war ended Jonathan came out as a war hero and as luck would have it he found the girl who killed his heart. She was chasing after him once again. Oh the hopelessness.
Jonathan did everything he could to recover the girl's heart. Though this time he made sure not to fall for her again. While instructing Claude to work behind the scenes, Claude improved greatly in works that were required to be performed by a butler; however in doing this job it reminded him greatly of Sebastian.
Thinking of Sebastian made Claude curious on what his father was doing. He thought of ways on how to find information on his father, but now that he was in a contract, Claude could not leave whenever he saw fit. So having no other choice open to him he decided to ask Jonathan.
What could a mere human know, Claude did not understand but something in his gut told him to ask his master. Claude knew well to trust his gut, considering what had happened last time.
"Master," Claude began. "Have you heard of any news from England?"
Jonathan held his cup and pondered Claude's question. "Now this is rare of you, why the sudden interest in England?"
"N-no reason…"
"Claude, you cannot lie to me. You are not good at it. Now I order you, tell me why you ask."
Claude sighed. "Yes, Your Highness. I ask because I wish to recover some information on another demon as myself. He goes by the name of Sebastian."
"Do you have some sort of grudge against this demon?"
"You can say that…" Claude shifted his eyes.
Jonathan decided to drop the subject there. "Well as luck would have it, I do have some information on England and the name Sebastian is listed on here." He picked up the newspaper. "The lost child of the tragic Phantomhive murders has been found, the child was found alongside a butler who goes by the name Sebastian…" Jonathan stopped talking.
Claude took the paper from Jonathan's hand and looked at the picture included in the article.
There he was. His father, Sebastian Michaelis, standing next to a young boy who looked no older than 12 and Sebastian was smiling. Sudden jealously arose within Claude.
This jealousy arose for one reason and one reason only. Claude felt abandoned once more.
Though he had told Sebastian not to go looking for him, Claude knew that Sebastian would anyway. Knowing that he was still thought about and cared by his father gave Claude a sense of being loved. But now that Claude saw that his father had once again made a contract with a human and gave up his search for his son did Claude feel angry. And there was only one thing he wanted to do right then and there. Get revenge.
Jonathan knew something was bothering his butler but decided not to ask what it was, after all Claude was there to help him complete his goals, not the other way around. Jonathan's plan to destroy the girl continued.
Now that Jonathan's revenge was complete, there was only one thing left to do. Return to England. Claude however grew confused. Had Jonathan, by destroying the girl's life and killing her in the end, did that not complete their contract?
Before Claude could open his mouth and speak, Jonathan spoke calmly.
"Claude. This is your last order. When we return to England and I have given my father everything that belongs to him, our contract will be complete and you shall receive my soul as promised."
After days on a ship, both Jonathan and Claude reached England.
Claude's first thought when he stepped on familiar ground.
Father…you are here…serving and caring for someone and you have forgotten me completely…but I will remind you of who I am and what I have become…just wait for me.
Jonathan looked at Claude. "Claude, pull yourself together, soon you will have your meal."
"Yes, Your Highness. Please forgive my rudeness."
"Also when we arrive at the house remind me to give you the information on this Ciel Phantomhive you seemed so interested about…now now you don't have to give me any explanations, what you do after our contract is complete is up to you." Jonathan spoke nonchalantly.
Later in the afternoon once the carriage arrived at Jonathan's house, Jonathan was surprised to see no one out there to greet him. He was sure he had let his mother know of his returning home. Jonathan looked at Claude unbelieving.
"You did send the letter as I told you too, right Claude?"
"But of course Master, the letter should of arrived by now and your parent's here to welcome you."
"Odd…" Jonathan motioned for Claude to follow him inside the Brannigan Mansion.
Inside the servant's greeted their former master and tended to his needs. Suddenly Jonathan's father personal assistant came down the stairs with a serious face that looked very unpleasing.
"Master Jonathan, what an absolute pleasure it is to see you with us once again."
Jonathan returned the sarcasm, "Likewise Buford, where is father? I need to speak with him right away."
"Understood young master, if you will follow me please." Buford bowed to Jonathan, but not before giving a small glare to Claude.
Jonathan and Claude were brought into the Grand Office Room of Earl Brannigan. Earl Brannigan was sitting at his chair next to the fireplace reading the newspaper, and when he sensed people entering the room he set the paper down. Oh the look on the man's face. If Claude were not a demon but a mere human, he would have shaken in his pants, which odd enough was the reaction that Jonathan held, though he hid it well and only Claude detected it.
Jonathan Sr. stood up from his chair and walked over to Jonathan and smacked him right across the face.
"You ungrateful child! Everything you made me lose in the Americans! You know how long it took to recover all the losses you managed to make in a few mere months? You have no reason to continue being in this family! I banish you! Rot in hell for all I care!" Jonathan Sr. spit on his son's face.
A minute passed in silence and then Jonathan bowed towards his father and left the room, Claude following close behind.
"Master, are you-" Claude began but interrupted by Jonathan.
"Come with me Claude, I'll give you the information you seek." He said with a monotone voice.
Jonathan took Claude to the library and after searching through some files, came up with a folder and handed it too Claude.
"This holds everything on the Earl Phantomhive…may you use it to your benefit." He paused. "I know this already asking too much from you but I have one last request. Follow me."
He led Claude outside to the grounds right outside the Brannigan Mansion and with a dark face, Jonathan gave his final request.
"Burn it. Burn it all to the ground. I want nothing to remain. BURN IT!"
"With the people inside Master?"
"Yes, everything must burn."
Claude bowed. "Yes, Your Highness."
Within seconds the grand fire began and screams were heard from the house…then a huge explosion and the screams ceased.
Jonathan let out a giant sigh of relief when the screams died down and Claude returned to his side.
"Now our contract is complete. My soul belongs to you. Thank you…for everything Claude."
Jonathan closed his eyes as Claude approached him and he gently laid his hands on Jonathan's face.
"You're welcome Master. Now rest…" and with a flick of Claude's wrist, Jonathan's neck cracked and his soul taken away and consumed by Claude.
The feeling was incredible! So this was how a cultivated soul tasted like, it was far beyond anything Sebastian had ever explained! Claude felt so full and so full of energy, Claude felt like he could conquer a nation or two. Then the feeling was gone.
Claude took a deep breath and calmed down. Now it was onto more serious matters.
"I'm coming for you father, and I will take everything you hold dear away from you. Especially your precious Ciel Phantomhive."
Claude then gave an evil grin.