*I feel I need to apologize again for not having posted a chapter sooner. A lot has gone on. There was a funeral, me getting sick, and, of course, my radio dramas, but I hope the wait was well worth it as you read this new chapter.*

Chapter Twenty One: Even Greater Complications

The rest of the evening had gone on in rather an uneventful manner. Even Sebastian had to admit to that. His young master had fallen asleep not too long after his supper, despite his obvious alarm at the news he'd been brought, sure that the mysterious deaths reported by Shigure to the butler were somehow connected, as the demon also believed. But any investigation on the matter had been stalled by keeping his promise to socialize with those below, not that he'd learned much from the newspaper clipping he'd managed to pinch from the writer.

And now he was searching around town once more, silent as a shadow, only a hundred times more deadly. He'd come across quite a few unsavory souls as he'd backtracked to the location the bodies had been found, a bit surprised that he'd somehow missed them earlier that day, though it was entirely possible that the incident had happened after he'd already swept the area. If not, they had some major problems.

With an almost satisfied smile, he disposed of a doctor's lab coat he'd managed to procure at the hospital morgue. He'd read the coroner's report and made a quick inspection of his own. The silly humans had put down the poor victims' deaths as due to natural causes, but he knew better. Their souls had been forcefully sucked from their bodies, and probably when they'd least expected something like that to happen, which meant their foe was far more clever than he'd wanted to give her credit. There was a slight essence of the feminine left behind, which was more than enough for him connect their original quarry to this incident.

She had to be of demon-kind, or something similar, he decided. There was no doubt in his mind, and, to be sure, he went back over the entire trail he'd traversed earlier, spending more time than he had previously, to seek out the scent, along with the interweaving of spiritual energy around certain locations. Going into more detail with this investigation allowed him a slightly more clear notion of what had transpired, and though he was still not sure who had dispersed this confusing web of decoy energy, he was glad for it else he knew more would be lost, including Tohru's other mortal friends.

He had his suspicions, of course. The energies were definitely familiar, but elusive at the same time, like they didn't mind being admired in the sunlight, but were like quicksilver the moment you tried to grasp them for a more thorough investigation. It was almost disconcerting, but since it didn't seem to mean any harm, he tried to ignore that point and thank whoever had left it for their foresight in its protective properties. He rather though certain strands were more than adequate, in full strength, to befuddle the minds of those either unaware or of weaker minds, either to their protection or damnation, though he rather thought the former was the intention.

It was upon his further investigation, following the slight trail of these younger, more virulent energies that he came across yet another scent of a familiar nature, two to be exact. He let out a loaded sigh of recognition and resignation. He supposed it was only a matter of time before curiosity got the better of certain people, and a certain Chinese Dragon Lord was one of them. Of course he'd follow after, curiosity getting the better of him, and of course he, or his companion, would remember how to get to the portal that would bring them forward in time.

Sebastian pursed his lips thoughtfully. Should he go after them? Before they got themselves into some major trouble and ruined everything? Or should he let them be and hope they continued in a bumbling, even if feigned, course throughout modern times? He shook his head. It would not do. He had to track them down and bring them back with him. With a roll of his eyes, he set himself on their trail, hoping they hadn't done anything to throw things out of the already precarious balance they were in.

Ciel groaned in his sleep, trying to find a more comfortable position to rest his body, but didn't find any. His shoulder throbbed painfully. His headache banged against his skull like Finny with a hammer set free on wrecking something. His throat felt like it was on fire, the gland swelling as he slept, making breathing increasingly more difficult. Soon, his breathing was like someone panting for breath.

Tohru sat up in her room next door, not quite sure what had woken her, but she sat still, listening for the sound that had woken her. She found it. With an alarmed cry, she jumped out of bed and raced from her room to Ciel's.

Ciel was breathing rather heavily, his breath coming in wheezing gasps, his whole body heaving with the effort.

She flicked on the lights, with no response from the boy in the bed, but she could see the sheen of sweat that covered his pale skin. Her eyes were wide with alarm as she ran to his side and felt his forehead. It was hot. "Oh no!" She quickly ran to Shigure's room, pounding on his door.

From inside, Shigure stirred, groaning as he rolled over to look at the clock. "What is it," he asked groggily before Tohru uncharacteristically threw his door open and bounded into the room. He sat up, blinking. "Yes? What is it?"

Tohru felt out of breathe, adrenaline pumping like liquid fire through her. "Shigure! It's Ciel! We need to call Hatori right away! I think he's having an asthma attack!"

Sleep fell from Shigure like water poured from a pitcher. He quickly got out of bed. "Make the call. I'll see what I can do in the meantime. Where's his butler, that Sebastian?"

Tohru bit her lip. "I don't know." Her eyes were wide, but, upon further encouragement from Shigure, she bounded down the stairs to the telephone in the kitchen, not waiting to see what Shigure was going to do about the whole situation.

Lau stared dreamily up at the moon, Ran Mao's arm wrapped around his waist. This city was truly magnificent, with his many lights and horseless carriages streaming around like banshees on the prowl. He let out a contented sigh and closed his eyes. Even though it was akin to his homeland, it left none of the usual taint he might have felt from his past.

A few passing men whistled at Ran Mau and her rather skimpy attire, her short skirt coming well up above her knees without actually revealing anything but most of her leg. Both she and Lau ignored them. Most of them smelled of alcohol anyway, and they both didn't need to draw unwanted attention to themselves, not sure on the costumes of the place.

They were standing thus when Sebastian found them, arm in arm on a street corner. The butler cleared his throat to get their attention, and then offered a slight bow. "Master Lau and miss Ran Mau. How good of you to try and find us." He smiled knowingly, well aware that they were both probably just exploring an intoxicatingly new world.

Lau turned with a sanguine slowness, a slight smile on his own face. "Hello! Fancy meeting you here, eh, Ran Mao? However did you find us?"

Sebastian resisted the urge to roll his eyes. He was not about to tell them he'd followed the scent of their souls, though he had long suspected that the Chinese man had at least an inkling as to his true nature. But so long as they both chose to dance around the subject, he was more than willing to let it remain unconfirmed. "I was merely in the area," he replied, "though I might be inclined to ask why you are here as well."

Lau tilted his head to one side. "Now why are we here again? Was I on my way to buy something?" He shrugged his shoulders. "I don't really know! But isn't it just such a nice place? All full of lights and strange sights, isn't it?"

Ran Mao remained stoically silent, as usual, though she was constantly on alert to what was going on around her, despite her calm demeanor. The butler knew it was all an act though, and she didn't mind if he knew it either. She would do anything to keep her beloved save.

Sebastian mused to himself. He doubted the opium dealer was as vague as he portrayed himself, though sometimes he couldn't help but wonder. However, he did not smell the usual opium on his presence and so guessed that the man was choosing to be vague on purpose. "Perhaps you would accompany me to the young master's lodgings?" He left it an open-ended question as he indicated they could travel with him if they so chose, still giving at least the illusion that it was theirs to decide.

Lau raised a brow at the tone and one corner of his mouth tilted just a bit more upwards at it. "Accompany you eh?" He glanced over to his companion. "Would you like that, my little flower?" She didn't so much as many any visible sign but he cast a dreamy expression and turned back to the butler. "Very well. Why not?"

The demon nodded. "This way then," he directed, turning to lead t hem back. He felt a sudden twist to his midsection and his eyes opened wider. Something was not right with his master. His contract dictated that he do anything and everything in his power to prolong his master's life, and to aid him by whatever means to fulfill his part of the contract, but he also had two civilians, for lack of a better word, who possibly knew his true nature but who he could not, in good conscious, reveal this secret to, thus removing any possible doubt. Not to mention they would likely not be able to find their way unaided.

Lau lifted his nose a bit and sniffed the air. "Something wrong, butler? You seem rather tense all the sudden."

Sebastian scanned the streets, looking for one of the taxicabs they'd ridden in earlier that day. Finding one would definitely speed up their arrival without giving away his nature, though it would still be slower than he'd like. He could, of course, simply deposit the two interlopers into such a vehicle and simply propel his own way towards the house, arriving well before them, though that would look suspicious as well.

He mentally cursed. He did not like this situation in the slightest. "Nothing is wrong," he lied smoothly. "I am merely a bit behind schedule." To emphasize that point, he looked at his pocket watch, snapping it closed with more enthusiasm than was necessary. "This way please." He began to briskly walk down the sidewalk, looking for one of the cabs that he felt should be in the area, despite it being so late.

Tohru wrung her hands. She didn't know what else to do as she stood on the front porch, waiting for Hatori to arrive. She supposed she could have, should have called for an ambulance, but, again, she trusted Hatori, and he was the first person to come to mind when such crises came up.

Down the long drive, she saw a pair of headlights coming her way, which only increased her agitation. What it if wasn't Hatori but someone else? And where was Sebastian during his master's time of need? He must be off on some errand or he'd be there. She wasn't sure what all he did, but whatever it was, it had to be important. She just hoped that one or the other showed up soon.

The car stopped, engine and lights turning off. With the door opening, Hatori stepped out, hair disheveled, white lab coat on, doctor's bag in hand. He glanced towards the house and heaved an inward sigh. From Tohru's obvious agitated state, things couldn't be good, though it was not unheard of for her to overreact to other's misfortunes. He moved briskly towards her, up the stairs, and gave a brief greeting before following her into the house and up to Ciel's borrowed room.

Shigure had propped the small earl up with as many pillows as he could find. Despite that, the boy was wheezing with obvious difficulty, his lips a delicately light shade of blue, indicating that despite his lungs trying to bring air inside, he was not getting nearly enough.

The doctor moved forward and immediately pulled out a stethoscope, listening to heart and lungs, feeling for his pulse with one hand. A brush of his fingers across the boy's forehead revealed a fever. He didn't utter so much as a word as he pulled a small phial from his bag and filled a needle with medication that should help open his airways. He injected the serum, prepared to hold the boy should he convulse.

Ciel's eyes flew wide as the medicine coursed through him and his airways eased. He tried to breathe in deeply, rushing oxygen to his lungs, coughing violently as the air reached his sensitive lungs. He gagged and choked on his own mucus, bending almost double while Hatori supported him through the wracking coughs.

"We need to get him to a hospital," the doctor finally stated. "There's not much I can do here without the proper equipment." He looked around, realizing that the man they'd called his butler was not there. He decided to dismiss this small point, filing it away to ask about later. "Shigure, call for an ambulance. Tohru, fill a hot water bottle and bring it to me."

He didn't really need the bottle but it would give the girl something to do. She looked positively petrified at his declaration about Ciel's need for more attention than he could immediately give. Hatori stayed with Ciel with both Sohma and Honda went to accomplish their appointed task.

It had taken some doing, but Sebastian had finally found a taxicab that was actually running. He'd almost decided to commandeer a vehicle and return it later when he'd found the lone cab and bundled the two Chinese inside, giving the address with an added emphasis on a speedy drive to their destination with the reward of a handsome tip.

Safely inside the vehicle, which Lau admired greatly, they sped across the city towards the far outskirts where his master was located. Somewhere ahead, he heard the sound of a siren that he had earlier learned, during his explorations, was associated with an ambulance and other emergency vehicles. Instinct told him that it was somehow associated with his young master and he urged the driver to greater speeds, chaffing at the slow pace he felt they were making.

They pulled into the long drive, the butler slipping the fair, plus the generous tip offered as Lau and Ran Mao stepped from the vehicle to the sight of many flashing lights and a lot of strangers. Ran Mao scanned the area, her muscles tense, ready to spring into action at the slightest provocation while Lau stood dreamily, eyes closed.

Tohru, seeing the cab pull up and recognizing the tall dark haired man who got out first, ran to greet them. "Sebastian! Sebastian! We looked all over for you but couldn't find you! Ciel! He'…" She had to stop for breath, clearly distraught. "He's had an asthma attack and Hatori came over and now they're taking him to the hospital because he's not doing well and might have complications on top of that and it's just terrible!"

Sebastian took her by the shoulders, knowing she needed the reassurance, and well aware that none of the Sohma males would be able to do so. "Miss Tohru. It's all right. You did the right thing. I am only upset that I was not present for what has transpired and only hope that not only will the young master will forgive me, but that you will as well."

Tohru burst into tears and he held her for a moment, constantly watching the activity going on in the yard. He watched as two paramedics brought down a gurney from the house, with the young earl firmly secured thereon. He could clearly see Hatori giving instructions as he followed them down the waiting ambulance. And as much as he knew the girl needed comfort, he knew that some things needed to be taken care of. He pulled away from her.

"Miss Tohru, now that I am here, all will be well." He wiped at a tear streaking down her face. "I will accompany the young master to the hospital. However, I would ask that you take care of a few more friends who have followed us here." He looked pointedly at Ran Mao and Lau. "They will not understand what is going on and will need to have it all explained to them. I will return as soon as I am able to help you in your search for master Kyo."

She nodded, sniffing and resisting the urge to wipe her nose on her sleeve. "Okay." Hearing Kyo's name almost encouraged her to burst into a new set of tears.

Sebastian glanced towards the two Chinese. "Master Lau and Miss Ran Mao, please do try to stay with Miss Tohru and her household until I return. The poor child has received a rather nasty shock as of late and will need some comfort. Please try to behave while I am gone." With that, he loped off towards the ambulance, engaging in earnest conversation with the medics and doctor before sliding into the back with his master, whereupon the doors closed and the vehicle pulled away, lights flashing and siren wailing.

Ran Mao turned to watch the rather large box-like vehicle leave, expression unreadable as Lau turned to Tohru and grinned. "If it isn't our little friend! What was your name again?"

Tohru looked over, distracted. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Hatori get into his own car and follow after the ambulance. "Huh? I'm Tohru. Remember, Mr. Lau?"

On the porch, Shigure and Yuki, who was still rather sleepy, stood, watching, wondering who these new strangers were. Shigure lamented that he would have to put up even more houseguests, as they seemed to be connected to the earl, since Sebastian had come with them. He sighed. It was just as well.

Ran Mao came over to Tohru and wrapped her arms around her. "Poor little girl," she said, breaking her usual silence and stroked Tohru's hair like she was a cat. "Poor little girl."

Tohru blinked, not sure how to take this, but let the woman continue in her ministrations a bit longer before turning, realizing that Shigure and Yuki were probably just standing there, staring. "Um…" She took a few steps towards them. "Shigure, Yuki, allow me to present Lau Tau and Ran Mao. They're friends of Ciel."