Alex waked up to find herself in her apartment and learns that Sebastian took the liberty of cleaning it. Not only is it spotless but he even leaves a note advising her to enjoy her weekend. In response she goes to the park to watch acrobats perform. Claude is enjoying his morning until he reads a disturbing article and learns that someone is attempting to summon Sebastian. Both realize that what ever happened those 2 missing years is the key to understanding what's going on now. However, they don't have time to look. Time is fleeting as they attempt to keep Alex from harm. Who else is in the park waiting for her and what on earth is that pungent odder?

I hope you enjoy,

~ The Dark Ringmaster

I do not own Kuroshitsuji

Chapter 6: Blood Red Rose

The sun shinned through a crack between the curtains in Alex's room and she stirred. She groaned and slowly sat up, "how did I get back here?" she asked. She remembered falling asleep at her desk and that was it. Her eyes slowly adjusted and she noticed something even stranger, her apartment was spotless. She had been so busy that she didn't have time to clean, however it was spotless. Her laundry was done and hanging, the bathroom scrubbed, the trash gone and her desk was organized. "What on earth?" she asked in confusion when she found a note on her desk. She slowly picked up the legal pad and stared, it was written in pristine Victorian script. "You fell asleep at the office, so I took the liberty of taking you home. You're landlord let me in, I hope you don't mind. I also straightened your apartment, take better care of yourself. I can't afford for you to get sick," she read aloud and laughed. It sounded like Sebastian was giving her a lecture on paper, "Have a good weekend," she paused and looked at his signature at the bottom of the page. She placed the pad back on the table and sighed, "He takes me home, cleans my apartment, and then lectures me," she said, "Wait, how did he clean this disaster zone in one night?" Alex looked around the room and realized that he had put everything where she would have. Alex shrugged and decided it was time to put that all aside and have some fun.

Alex threw on a pair of jeans and a tee before grabbing a cap and slipping on a vest. She smiled and looked in the mirror, her contacts needed to soak so she wore her glasses. The dark circles had finally disappeared and she smiled, "I haven't slept so well in a while," she commented before picking up her camera bag and leaving her apartment. The sun was out and the sky was beautiful, "Let's take advantage of the day," she said with confidence as she left the building. Even though she was a graphic designer she still found photography to be a relaxing activity. She walked down the streets and wandered into the park, she had seen a poster which stated that a group of acrobats were going to be in the park. It was the perfect opportunity to take plenty of pictures, bright colors, smiling faces and an air of mystery all things which she desired to capture in her view finder.

A group of people had gathered around a statue and she walked over to find the acrobats, they were clad in bright colors and masks as they tumbled through the air. In moments her camera was in her hands and she was capturing as many of their movements as possible.

Sebastian was in the garden, a pair of pruning sheers in one hand and a pile of dead roses on the ground. The sun was warm and the air was filled with the smell of roses. Claude was sitting on the patio admiring his lover's work. Sebastian could have easily asked the grounds keeper to maintain the roses, however he preferred to do so himself. Supple white rose petals brushed against his well calloused fingertips. Claude couldn't stop admiring him, he was aware he sounded love sick half the time but the truth was he was infatuated with Sebastian. That silky raven black hair, slender figure and lips which always held a smirk, were all things he loved. However they weren't the only things, he loved watching him parade around in his shirts, that delicate blush which spread across his cheeks, his laughter which rang sweetly, those adorable pouts when he didn't get his way and his sleeping face. Claude smirked he remembered the first time he saw it; he couldn't believe how beautiful it was. As soon as he got his phone he had to get a picture of it. He pulled out his phone and snickered, it was his wall paper when he had to be away from Sebastian for a long period.

Sebastian disappeared from view and Claude picked up his tablet, he loved reading the news paper however it was easier to use his tablet. He was scrolling though an article when he felt a pair of eyes on him. He looked up to see Sebastian's crimson orbs gazing into his, a rose was tucked between Sebastian's fingers and Claude admired the dramatic difference between the snow white rose and his ruby eyes. He smiled and watched as Sebastian slipped the single white rose into the vase of red ones which was on the table. "You're day dreaming again," said Sebastian as he took a seat across from him.

Claude sighed and responded, "My head has been so filled with the case for the last week that it's nice to have a breather." Sebastian leaned back in the chair and nodded in agreement, he looked over the garden and Claude chuckled. Sebastian looked at him inquisitively and Claude whispered, "Even the white roses envy you silky hair." Sebastian blushed as Claude reached over and pulled it out. "Thanks," he muttered as he reached for the coffee pot. It was cold to the touch and he slowly rose, "I'm going to get some more," he said before leaving. He turned his attention back to the tablet and pulled an article. He froze and stared at the title, "Boy murdered and found in a warehouse" he would have ignored it if there wasn't a picture of and emblem. He opened it and noticed it was the seal which appeared when Sebastian signed demonic contracts. However it wasn't Sebastian's handy work it had been painted on the floor using blood around an Alter which the boy's body had been found. The only reason he knew that it wasn't Sebastian's was the fact that he took the liberty of ravaging him all night once they got home. He continued to scroll down the article and noticed something else which disturbed him. A different symbol except this one wasn't demonic and it had been branded into the boy's back as though he were an animal.

Sebastian returned with a silver tray in hand when he noticed the scowl on Claude's face. "What's wrong?" he asked as he placed the tray on the table. He looked at the article and froze, "I didn't do that," he whispered. Claude turned to him and touched the side of his face, "I know that's not what I'm worried about," he whispered. Sebastian paused and knew instantly what he was talking about, "I don't think anyone realizes she's alive," said Sebastian. Claude released Sebastian and watched as he poured himself a cup of coffee. "I can't help it, we have no idea what happened to her for two years," said Claude. Sebastian was sitting again and crossed his legs, as he took a sip of coffee. He then placed it down on the table and rubbed his temple with two fingers. "Two years," whispered Sebastian, as he closed his eyes. Decades passed in the blink of an eye for a demon but for a human those two years must have been horrible. Sebastian's first plan was blown however he had no idea what to do in the mean time.

Alex had shot close to one thousand photos, before the acrobats packed up. "That was wonderful," she said happily before placing the cover on the lenses. She was about to leave when a small boy tugged her sleeve. She turned around and looked down at him, "Yes?" she asked curiously. The boy held out a long rectangular box, it was black with a violet bow. "Who's this for?" she asked and the boy pointed at her. "You," he responded. Alex paused and slowly untied the bow, the boy continued to stand there and watched as the violet satin ribbon fell to the ground. She hesitantly opened the black box and a shill ran down her spine. In seconds she released the box and grabbed the boy's shoulders, "Who gave you the box?" she asked, her voice trembled as she spoke. The boy turned around and pointed to a figure in black standing by a tree, he had silver hair and tipped his hat to Alex. "He said he would meet you soon," the boy said, "He said you needed to temper more." Alex turned pale white and noticed how the boy knew so little about what he was saying. "Carson!" and older woman called, the boy ran off to her. "I told you not to talk to strangers," she shouted as the boy's mother walked away. Alex looked back at the tree and noticed the man had disappeared.

On the ground nestled in the black box was dark red rose, which wasn't what scared her. What frightened her was the fact that it wasn't originally red; the petals on the outside were white underneath. The flower smelt of copper and was still damp; she shivered as she pulled a card which had been placed in the box. Written on it was one line which scared her even more, "Found you," it read. She left the box and ran as fast as she could. Her nightmares had come back to haunt her, and this time she might not get away. Her heart was pounding in her ears, but that wasn't the only thing she heard. She could hear the screams which had haunted her for so long. "No," she muttered and ran faster, yet the screams got louder. "Shut up!" she screamed as she cupped her ears and fell to her knees. "Please stop," she begged, her head was pounding and she felt the urge to vomit. Her chest got tighter and she struggled to find her inhaler. Cries which had filled the air day and night, begging for mercy and the only time they stopped was when their owner was dead. "Stop," she begged and began panting. She closed her eyes and attempted to calm down when she felt a pair of hands grab her. Her eyes shot open and she was about to struggle when she noticed some how Sebastian had found her. "Claude, over here!" he shouted. In seconds the golden eyes man was on the ground beside Sebastian, "Find her inhaler," said Sebastian. Claude began digging in her camera bag until he had managed to produce it. Sebastian was holding Alex up right as Claude placed the inhaler in her hand.

Her hands shook as she took a puff and then another. Sebastian continued to hold her there until she was finally breathing normally again. "Are you okay?" he asked sweetly, his voice chased away all the screams and she unconsciously clung to his arms. "No," she answered and Claude watched tears roll down her cheeks. Claude sat next to Sebastian and placed and hand on her head, "It's alright," he muttered and Sebastian nodded. Alex felt a little more relaxed, she didn't understand why but somehow knowing they were there made her feel comfortable. They watched as she slowly relaxed and Claude noticed an odd smell, his head snapped in the direction it had emanated from and Sebastian whispered, "I don't want to leave her alone, she could relapse." Claude looked at him and then down at her, she was as pale as they were which for a human wasn't good. Her eyes were still filled with fear and he could smell stomach acid in her breath. "I agree, take her to the mansion, I'm going to fallow that rancid scent," said Claude. Sebastian had noticed it as well and nodded, before picking her up and carrying her. Claude watched the pair and remembered how Sebastian carried Ciel constantly. Another unique soul Sebastian had acquired, yet he couldn't bear to sign a contract with her. Once they were out of his sight he turned and walked over to the garbage can she had thrown the box in. He picked it up and knew instantly what was on the rose, his eyes narrowed and he determined that it was a good thing Sebastian had taken her to the mansion.

He pulled the rose from the box and whispered, "It looks like your past has come back." His fingers wrapped around it as he slipped it back in the box, and he began to fallow the stenches path. It was a pungent odder worse than any cheese, it was nauseating. In seconds he sprinted down the paths in search of its source.

Sebastian pulled in front of the mansion and looked over at the passenger side, Alex was still pale white. He put the car in park and pulled the keys from the ignition, "This is our home," said Sebastian. Alex looked sleepy and he remembered that she had fallen asleep after the nebulizer treatment as well. He smiled sweetly and got out. He knew she was frightened, and exhausted. He opened the door and offered his hand to her, she looked at it hesitantly. "Come inside its warmer," he said softly and Alex slowly took his hand. Both Sebastian and Claude acted like gentlemen in public but she didn't expect it to extend to their privet lives. The house was massive compared to what she thought it was, each room was beautiful and filled with antiques. Paintings and tapestries adorned the walls and she realized that most of the items in this house were probably priceless. Sebastian noticed her discomfort and asked, "Would you like to rest while I make dinner?" Alex paused, she had expected there to be a butler. The house was beyond expectations as were the cars and clothing they wore but the fact that the house wasn't fully staffed seemed odd. It took a large number of people to keep an estate this size running properly.

Alex realized that she hadn't answered his question and replied, "Yes." Sebastian nodded and was about to show her to a bed room when she stopped him. "Do you mind if I watch you cook?" she asked shyly. Sebastian looked at her in shock, he hadn't foreseen this. Most people didn't care to watch; in fact many found it boring. "My ex was a chief, the sound of someone cooking has always been soothing for me," said Alex with a hint of embarrassment. Sebastian nodded and took her to the kitchen, "Wait here," he said. Alex did so and stared as he brought in a wingback chair for her to sit in. It clearly didn't belong in the kitchen but it was large and comfortable, "Just in case you fall asleep," said Sebastian. Alex took a seat and watched him roll up his sleeves and slip on an apron. "What are you making?" she asked. Sebastian reached into the cabinet and responded, "Risotto." She smiled and listened to the sound of a knife chopping ingredients, it was swift yet rhythmic. "How long have you lived in this house?" she asked softly. Sebastian reached for a pot and responded, "A while." She sighed it figured he wasn't going to say much, that was where the pair were alike. The smell of spices filled the room and she closed her eyes. After a moment she fell asleep, and Sebastian turned to her. He sighed and whispered, "I had a feeling you would drift to sleep." He placed his knife down and walked over to her. As always he didn't make a sound as he placed a blanket over her. He clapped his hands and then returned to making the risotto.

"Miss Stark," said Sebastian and Alex opened her eyes, she was still in the chair, he hadn't moved her. However there was a blanket draped around her and she could smell the finished risotto. "We are eating upstairs, Claude will be out tonight, he has unfinished business at the office," said Sebastian. Alex nodded and found her self in the dinning room, she could barely remember the path she had taken through the house. All that she cared about was the risotto. She hadn't eaten anything since that morning, and found herself rather hungry. Sebastian simply smiled as he served her a large portion before taking his.

Sebastian watched her eat quietly, Alex wasn't usually quiet and he realized that something had honestly upset her. Her ocean blue eyes were dull and her skin color had only improved a little. "How are you feeling?" asked Sebastian. She looked at him and smiled weakly, "Alright, the food helps," she replied. Sebastian knew instantly this was a lie, she wasn't doing well. Yet he couldn't bring himself to ask her another question. They finished the food in silence before he showed her to the room she would be staying in for the night. It was large and elegant; usually she would obsess over the beauty of the furniture however she remained silent. "Would you like me to draw you a bath?" Sebastian asked. Alex shook her head and climbed into bed, "I just want to sleep," she muttered before slipping into the covers. Sebastian was about to finish tucking her in when he stared in shock, she was fast asleep. He sighed and turned the light off beside the bed before leaving the room.

Claude had returned and was standing at the end of the hallway. Sebastian was there in a flash and asked, "What did you find?" Claude held out his tablet and Sebastian stared, "How many have there been?" he asked in shock. Claude pushed his glasses up his nose and replied, "I have no idea." Sebastian paused and sniffed the air, "What is that stench?" he asked in disgust. Claude held out the black box and replied, "This." Sebastian watched as Claude opened the box and he spotted the rose, "That's fowl," he said. He felt as though he were going to gag and Claude closed the box, "It smelt worse there," said Claude.