Chapter Twenty-one

Asthma.

I really shouldn't have found it surprising. Ciel was already a very small and helpless human, why not add an illness that makes this more so? Still for some unknown reason it upset me to see him like this. So pale and yet so flushed. He looked incredibly weak, something he fought his hardest to reveal. There was something distinctive wrong with it. This was not like Ciel Phantomhive.

I gazed down at him gently as I pressed a hot rag to his forehead. Beneath my hand he drew in a shallow breath, the only sign he was even alive still. His heart beat was low, even hard for a demon to catch the soft sound, but thankfully even.

Apparently the boy had done a fair job in hiding his illness, even Sebastian hadn't known. I couldn't refrain the upwards tweak of my lips at the reminder of his reaction to the surprising attack. It hadn't sat well with the demon, that was for certain. The butler had been rather peeved with the young master, going emotionally beyond what even a contracted demon should have. I didn't want to begin jumping to any conclusions about the relationship those two share, but I had a sinking feeling it was more than just contractor and demon.

I turned away to stir the damp cloth I had replaced into the steaming kettle of boiling water. The temperature would have easily burnt human flesh, but felt little more than warm to me. Using my gleaming ebony nails, I dragged the rag lazily through the water till it was steaming like the water around it. When it came time to replace the rag currently on Ciel's forehead, this one would be ready.

It was humorous to think that I had come to be the one watching over Ciel while Sebastian did lord knows what. But it had been under whatever the small earl had ordered. The brief exchange the two shared in morse code hadn't gone unnoticed by me before Sebastian had vanished. It was impossible to decipher what had transpired without knowing the exact pattern Ciel had tapped into Sebastian's palm. Therefore I could only wait until he returned or Ciel woke up to be allowed access to their investigation.

A shallow cough drew my attention back to the bed, where Ciel was peeking through his lashes. The sapphire orb seemed dazed, likely from the fever that I was currently trying to have him sweat off. The steaming rags however were not nearly as effective as a pile of blankets and an iron coal heater would have been, but alas I had to make use of what the circus could provide us with.

"Te..ssa?" He asked when his glazed eye fought to focus on my face.

I smiled softly and pressed a hand to his forehead, taking care to be ever gentle. The skin beneath my hand radiated heat, but I found it reliving that it was lower than what it had been at the start of the evening. I removed my hand and placed the fresh rag on his forehead after wringing the excess water from the rough cloth.

"It's a bit too early to be saying good morning just yet," I laughed lightly. "But it seems as if the worst of your fever has passed with the night. Are you feeling any better?"

Ciel tilted his head in a slightly nod, which was enough for me. I quickly pressed a hand to his shoulder to prevent him from trying anything more, which he succumbed to with as much dignity as he could with a face flushed with fever.

"Ha-... Has Sebastian returned yet?" He asked in a quiet voice.

I slid him a quick glance as I dropped the first rag into the kettle at my feet. Repeating the same process as I had with the second, I had to brush a stray curl from my face when the raising steam caused it to stick to the skin of my temple.

Sighing, I sat upright once more. "No, he hasn't. I'm sure that when he does he'll wake you to let you know. He's just as worried about your condition as I am."

A hushed snort echoed in the tent. "That demon just worries about my soul."

"I wouldn't be so confident about that answer if I were you, Ciel," I bit back with no venom or malice in my tone, just mere curiosity and a soft playfulness. "I haven't a clue as to what sort of relationship the two of you share when no eyes are privy to look, but I can tell you this for sure. You and Sebastian exceed any form of prospective meal and demon relationship that I have been privileged to see. I might even venture into a guess that you two are rather intimate friends, but that would be rather forward of me."

I didn't miss the slight darkening of Ciel's cheeks, even under the flush of fever. The sight of it made me arch an eyebrow at him.

"He-he-he's my butler and nothing more," Ciel sputtered rather loudly, before quickly glancing to the vacated spot besides him.

Sensing his worry, I gently placed a hand on his shoulder to ease him back to the mattress. "Don't fret, she left a little while ago. I don't believe she had plans to come back until the sun raises."

Ciel settled back and released a sigh. "Don't go assuming things like that."

I giggled, before cocking my head to the side innocently. "Assuming what?"

He huffed, puffing his cheeks out before he glanced away and muttered, "You know very well what I am referring too."

"Oh! So it must be true then," I grinned playfully, enjoying the way he gapped silently at me. Softening the grin into a smile, I batted a dismissive wave. "You should not get so bothered by such small things, Ciel. I only jest. Like I said before, it only appears that way though I do believe that at least one of you holds tender feelings for the other. Though whether those feelings are parental, friendly, or something more I couldn't be quite sure..."

Ciel's eyebrows pinched together as a puzzled look cross his flushed face. His gaze didn't leave my face, likely trying to gauge if I was sincere in what I said or if I was teasing him some more. Finding only sincerity in my own thoughtful expression, he allowed his eye to wonder towards the opposite side of the tent.

"If you are wondering who I am referring to, I shall be more than happy to divulge that information to you," I tempted. "There will be no price."

Ciel rose one elegant eyebrow at me.

I smirked, before covering it up by tapping my chin in false thoughtfulness. "For one reason why I believe this person to harbor these feelings is because I have known him for some time and have never seen him act so rashly when it came to any one person. He simply has not acted this... emotional before and it leaves me wondering what is so different this time. What could possibly be making him act rather rashly?"

Disbelief colored Ciel's face, but he didn't voice his doubts allowed. Instead he allowed himself to sink further into the cot with a thoughtful expression adorning his face. The look was surprisingly adorable, but knowing Ciel he would have reacted rather violently if I ever were to state that fact aloud and although I enjoyed teasing him on occasions his health came first. Once more I turned my attention to the water logged rag to keep my mind busy before I was tempted into teasing the poor boy any further from sheer boredom alone.

When I happened to glance back up after a few minutes, Ciel had once more succumbed to a fever induced slumber. I took the chance to move back over to the small pit of fire that sat at the other end of the tent. The circus tent acting as it's health clinic was the only one to have its own for very obvious reasons. I placed the cast iron kettle over the fire on the metallic shelf that was positioned over the flames. Keeping the water boiling was essential to keeping Ciel's fever at bay.

The gentle rustling to the tent flap made my head snap around. My expression drifted between relief to see the black clad demon and a confused scowl as I caught a whiff of his scent. Honestly if it had been only his scent I would haven't been so uprooted, but it wasn't just Sebastian's usual smell. The heavy scent of sweat and other bodily fluids was, of course, very familiar to me and I picked up on it right away. Pastel blue eyes narrowing, I drifted closer so that I could pin a name to the other scent- the scent of the other party. It took only a few small steps for the other smell to twist at my gut like a rusty knife.

Beast?

It was an almost ludicrous notion that Sebastian had engaged in those sort of activities with that woman of all beings and I would have seriously doubted it if I had not myself smelled her over powering scent all over him. It was obviously muted by whatever methods Sebastian had tried to use to rid himself of it, but it still linger there for someone with the senses of an immortal to catch.

"Had ourselves a nice rut while your master lays ill, did you?" I questioned, unable to keep the icy bite from my voice.

Sebastian merely sighed, "I'm afraid I was only following the young master's orders. I shared no pleasure in the activities that were required to do so."

I couldn't help but fold my arms across my chest, a very immature way of showing disbelief but an effective way nonetheless.

"I rather doubt that Ciel would order you to engage in such scandalous activities, even if it were for an investigation."

"It was the quickest and most effective way of gaining the information we sought," Sebastian stated, not so much as batting an eye. "I would assume that you know this first hand."

Reluctantly I nodded, before a brief smirk flashed across my face. With all the practiced ease of my kind, I sashayed over to him and carefully wound my arms around his neck. My nose wrinkled at the linger scent, but I forced myself to remain with my face just brushing the underneath of his jaw.

"You do realize that you could have always sent myself to do such tasks," I hummed, allowing my breath to wash over the junction where his jaw curved into his neck. "I happen to be very... talented with such things and you have all the power to order me to commit them."

"You also would have gotten carried away," he muttered.

I giggled at that and backed off with a playful peck to the underside of his jaw. "I suppose you would be right at that. It has certainly been some time since I last engaged in such activities and I doubt I would be able to contain myself enough not to steal their soul."

As I turned my back to him and headed over to check on Ciel, I heard him scoff. Smirking to myself, I made sure Ciel was still comfortable before addressing Sebastian once more.

"So were you able to get what Ciel wanted?"

"That and then some," Sebastian responded smugly.

I rose an eyebrow and made a show of piercing my bottom lip with one of my fangs as I looked the demon before me up and down. Pressing a finger to my chin, I smirked broadly.

"Maybe I misjudge you," I mused. "Perhaps the great demon lord has the makings to become part incubus."

Sebastian sent me a fierce scowl that might have frightened me if he had not turned his attention to his young master. The harsh look vanished as he examined the boy carefully before placing a hand over his forehead. At the gentle pressured Ciel stirred awake and blinked up slowly to focus on his demon's face.

"Se... bastion?"

Sebastian gave him a closed eye smile. "Good morning. Your fever has lowered considerably hasn't it. How are you feeling?"

Ciel struggled onto his elbows as a fit of coughs racked his small bodied. I watched on with worry that mirrored Sebastian's as Ciel bit out his next words through the coughing.

"I wouldn't call it good, but it's better than yesterday," he finally managed.

Sebastian carefully filled a glass with water before holding it out for Ciel. "Have some water."

"Yeah... hm?" Ciel accepted the cup only for his eyes to narrow onto Sebastian's bare hands. "What happened to your gloves?"

"Oh," he looked down at his hand as if just noticing it, before turning and flashing another closed eyed smile at Ciel. "I got them a little dirty."

I snorted, quickly clamping a hand over my mouth to prevent anymore noises from escaping. That was certainly a... different way of putting it, if not slightly misleading should someone not know what I did. Ciel and Sebastian turned to look at me with eyebrows arched and I used my other hand to offer a small wave. The fit of giggles were chocking me up and I didn't dare open my mouth in case they found their way through.

Ciel coughed and used his arm to cover his mouth, drawing the attention from me. "More importantly, I hope you carried out my request."

Sebastian bowed at his waist. "Yes, of course."

I rolled my eyes, if only Ciel knew the how.

A squeak drew my attention back around to find a rather amusing sight. Ciel's small body was being lifted up into Sebastian's arms, most likely with out warning with the way Ciel's face was contorted into a look of pure shock and embarrassment. I giggled at the sight and couldn't reframe from adding my own comment to the mix.

"If I hadn't known you two better, I would have found this little situation rather scandalous," I teased with a grin.

Sebastian shot me a quick glare, while Ciel just sputtered with no real words forming on his tongue. Finally he settled for just blushing and muttering a rather low oath with my name attached to it.

I laughed and reached over to pinch Ciel's cheek. Jumping back before either male could react, I moved to the tent flap with a small smile on my face. I pushed the cloth out of the way, but before ducking out I turned to flash a wink at the two.

"When both of you finish up with your little affair, met me outside, I'll be waiting."

With that I allowed the flap to fall closed on both the demon's and his master's horrified expressions. I felt no remorse for teasing them to that level, instead I found myself rather satisfied with the results. The grin on my face seemed almost permeant.

Until it faded at the site of the reaper.

"If I didn't know any better, Mr. Spears, I'd say you were stalking us," I stated dryly.

He pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. "Someone needs to watch over you demons, even if you both are collared."

I snorted, "Are all reapers as strict as you? I know that you creatures are not fond of the demon race, but are you all under the belief that we need to be watched ever waking moment?"

Will didn't respond, instead he flipped through the book in his hands. I peered over his shoulder to see what is was exactly, unsurprisingly he moved it further to the side so that I couldn't see the contents as soon as he noticed me hovering. Frowning, I scoffed and glanced back at the tent behind us.

How much longer were the two of them going to take?

"Well you should be happy to know that we'll be leaving shortly," I concluded. "Sebastian has gathered the last bit of information we required."

"It's none of my business where you, your master, and his master go. Be my guest." His green eyes slide over to me. "I can move around at ease again."

"Tessa, we will be taking our leave now," Sebastian started me as he appeared out of the tent with Ciel still in his arms, not even glancing my way as he made for the edge of camp. "We must not linger any longer."

I nodded, giving the reaper one last look before running after Sebastian's retreating form. I would be more than glad to be relived of that human hell hole once and for all. The comforts of Ciel's London manor would be much appreciated, even with the incapable servants there. I'd enjoy their company for eternity over remaining with the circus for a week longer. There were certain things even I couldn't stand for very long.

"CIEL!"

I instantly regretted my earlier thoughts as soon as we set foot inside the manor and the two Indians ran up to greet our arrival... I'd much rather be at the circus. Soma's loud whining and complaining hadn't changed in our absences it would seem. He was still as brash as always and his shrieking was threatening to burst my ears at the current moment.

"Where the hell did you go for two nights without telling me anything?" He yelled directly at Ciel, who was still safely cradled in Sebastian's arms whereas I lingered back behind both of them at a safe distance from the foreign prince. "If you were gone any longer I would have had to send out a search party!"

Ciel choose that moment to succumb to another fit of coughs before he chocked out. "It's none of your business."

Soma's infuriated face settled into concern as he took a step closer. His dark eyes looked over Ciel's shaking body as more coughs found their way out.

"What happened to you? You look horrible," he said in a softer voice, which I silently appreciated. I might have lost some hearing from his prior outburst.

"I'll just take my leave to get cleaned up," I mumbled silently as I pushed past them. "I'll check in with you two in Ciel's chambers."

After I whispered the last part to Sebastian, who nodded his understanding, I slipped up the stairway and towards my own chambers. Ciel's condition was the only reason I made it there without being stopped, the two Indians were much too concerned to bother with Ciel's apparently healthy sister. I'd wash up and then it's be back to playing the perfect noble, a daughter of Phantomhive- no matter how false the entire story was.

I shut my door behind myself and quickly pulled a gown at random from the closet before moving to the bath. With the way things had looked downstairs I'd be able to get a bath in and still make it to Ciel's chambers before Sebastian could fully prepare Ciel to leave.

I sunk myself into the warm water and quickly went about scrubbing myself clean with the various scented oils and soaps set to the side of the porcelain tub. The bathroom soon began to smell faintly like roses as I worked to remove the thin layer of grim from my body. Even demons were not privy to remaining clean forever, we also had to take care of our bodies. It was very unlike the topic of sleep.

I leaned back against the edge of the tub when I was finished, closing my eyes so that I could relax the tensed muscles in my body with the aid of the warm water. So many things had happened in the past few days that it was slightly overwhelming. Some of them more so than others.

I lifted a hand from the water to examine it closely. It was like looking at it for the first time or at least seeing it through a different pair of eyes. Though nothing physically looked different, I could faintly see a glimmer of new energy around it. Humans might call something like this an aura. All immortal beings had one, each color and hum of energy was different for the different species of being. It was a representation of our inner strength and powers. Perviously mine had been a murky mess of different sensations and soft taints of color, but now it was even more so. A whiter tone had been added to it, making it seem to glimmer in and out of focus. This was the angel part of myself, something I had fought to hide for so long. What would come of it in the future? I would just have to wait and see.

Reluctantly I stepped up and out of the tub, quickly drying myself off with one of the soft towels. I carefully pulled my damp hair back into a tight plait before pinning it to the top of my head. The undergarments were uncomfortable and took some getting used to after having worn loose tonics and trousers for the past few days. The corset was even worse as I tightened it just beyond what a normal human woman would have been able to withstand.

I lifted the dress into my hands and examined it closely before pulling it on. A pastel green and soft cream silk had been used to fashion a form fitted bodice and straight flowing skirt. A gathering of more of the pastel green silk was placed at the waist before flowing back in a small train at the rear of the dress. Lace lined the edge of an upper coat with three quarter sleeves. The dress was pleasant enough and complimented the color of my skin and still damp hair.

Once I was sure everything was perfectly in place, I headed for Ciel's chambers at a swift paced walk. Outside his doors, I paused briefly only to knock once before stepping inside without approval to do so. Neither male inside took notice as they continued their conversation, oblivious to my presence.

"Kelvin?" Ciel was asking.

The name rung some bells in my head and I frown briefly as I tried to picture why as I moved forward to perch myself on the foot of Ciel's bed. Kelvin?... Baron Kelvin? I scowled as I pictured the rather friendly face of the naive noble. It had been a while since I had seen him at one of soirees my human father in this incarnation had held, but I couldn't say that I could regret this. The human had always left me feeling slightly uneasy, something had been rather odd with him. Especially with his obsession with beautiful people.

Sebastian glanced up as he slipped a fresh shirt onto Ciel's slim shoulders. Moving down to button it, he asked, "Do you know him?"

Ciel huffed, "I'm not too fond of charity events so he isn't one of my direct acquaintances, but I did greet him at some parties my predecessor took me to."

Sebastian nodded as he slipped on first Ciel's black jacket and then a silk ribbon. As Ciel continued to speak, he slipped on the Phantomhive family ring onto his thumb the sapphire gem gleaming in the dim lighting of the bedroom. As a finale touch, Sebastian placed the earl's black coat on.

Ciel turned to eye both Sebastian and myself before his face settled into a stern line.

"Let's go."

"Yes, my lord," Sebastian swept a bow as he opened the door for our exit.

We came to an abrupt halt when we were prevented from moving forward by a human wall blocking the doorway. My gaze slid up to Agni's determined face before falling into a small scowl. It appeared we would not be going anywhere anytime soon.

A/N: It's been a while since I updated this one and I do apologize for that. To make up for it I made this chapter slightly longer than I normally do. Forgive me.