After the fight, Alex spender her week end working on the advertisement, she just couldn't get his picture out of her head. Feeling guilty she jumps at the chance to design the bottle, box and poster for Intrigue's latest signature fragrance, "Fascination". She finishes the design and manages to impress Sterling again the only thing is who is Sterling really?

3 Shigami, 2 Demons and a Transvestite walk into the mansion… what on earth could possibly go wrong? *shrugs* Well you would be amazed, The three attempt to figure out what they can do to prevent anymore of these incidents but it ends up that the shigami need to report their findings. Claude goes to comfort Sebastian, well let's say it doesn't go to well. There is a lemon scene with the two, but it's not as intense as the others. Don't worry you'll understand when you get there.

Someone has broken into Alex's apartment and left her a gift. What's the gift and where can she hide?

I hope you enjoy,

~The Dark Ringmaster

I do not own Kuroshituji.

Chapter 8: Regret and Agitation

Alex sat at her desk; she stared at the time on her desk top. Sebastian wasn't there, as Claude had said, he was absent from work. She could remember his pained expression; he looked as though she had crushed his heart. Those trails of blood which flowed down his cheeks as a result of crying, such sadness she had known and yet inflicted the pain. He looked shocked when she had yelled, his lips even quivered. Not even Claude looked relaxed after that, he looked upset as well and then reverted to his cold and emotionless self. "How can something so sweet be evil?" she asked in confusion. She had been doodling for the past hour and noticed all she kept drawing were their hurt faces. "Sometimes the forbidden fruit is so wonderful that angels can't help but fall for it," said a familiar voice. Alex nearly jumped into the man's arms when she thought it was Sebastian. It turned out to be Arnold Sterling, a gray haired man in his late thirties. "I saw the finished product you made for Martinez and was interested in seeing what you had planned for us," said Sterling. Alex dropped her pencil and looked at him, this project was different, she had given the design for the main collection however Sterling had decided to also create a signature perfume and cologne pair. He already had it mixed and held the simple vial. Alex had been tasked with designing the bottle, package and poster. It was a lot of work, however the Intrigue contract had landed her in the fast lane. "To be honest I need a sample of it before I can start," she responded. Sterling smiled and handed her the two glass vials. "This is it," he responded, Alex cautiously took the vials and he continued, "It was mixed in Venice by Carlo Vesugi." Alex knew the name well enough; it was one of the most famous men of the craft. She slowly opened the bottle for men; she had expected something musky and was greeted by an array of spices and wood. It was very different, there was the trace sent of alcohol and just a touch of warmth. She closed the vial and took a sniff of her coffee to clear her pallet. She then untwisted the women's vial and was surprised again; it had the spices of the orient but was subtle and soft. When the two scents combine they were enchanting, "This is the smell of Intrigue," she whispered. She closed her eyes and attempted to see a design. Sterling stared as he watched her, he was interested by the stillness in the room, as she took it in.

After a moment her eyes opened and she picked up a pencil, he watched as she drew rough lines. Her eyes were open and yet they looked as though she were in a dream. Her pencil moved swiftly and he watched even more intently as he watched them take shape. Those lines became the curves of a woman standing in a garden, one hand extended to a man off to the left side and the other resting on the chest of the man to her right. The one of the left had her hand in his and was kissing it, while the one on the right had a hand on her neck and tilted her chin. Her lips were parted, yet her eyes were open. He was enthralled by her, the two men looked so different yet were attracted to her. Alex filled in details and wrote down the side "Fascination: by Intrigue." He was shocked by how beautiful the sketch was, she took the sheet and placed it on the side and it occurred to him that she wasn't finished yet. She drew a box which she labeled midnight blue and then sketched the bottle being nestled in silk. There was a silver lock on the outside and he stared at the engraving, "Amour," she had written on it. The lock it's self was beautiful and he stared at the vines she added to the box. They were silver, with leaves and were thin. She then moved off to the side and designed the key; on the top he noticed the difference between the keys, two different designs. Sterling couldn't believe that she was doing, one key was for him and the other was for her. Once she had finished the designed a tassel midnight blue with a small charm with the intrigue logo on it. Silver and Midnight blue like the night sky. The box for the man had simply vines while the women's had a moon. She placed that drawing on the desk and finally designed the bottle. He noticed how it was tinted blue, dark enough to complete the look but light enough to see the bottle's contents. She added the name Fascination to the bottle in script and then wrote Intrigue in a different font spaced apart. She handed him the sketches and asked, "Will this do?"

Sterling paused and looked at her, she was nothing like the others who would have spent weeks, she simply sketched and created what she thought. "It's wonderful, I can't wait to see the final product," he said happily. Alex smiled and replied, "Good." Sterling placed the designs back on the table and said, "You know I wish I could find Mr. Michaelis. I've been calling him but he hasn't responded." Alex had been pulling her pencils when she responded, "What?" Sterling nodded and continued, "It's odd even when he isn't in the office he answers my calls, he must be ill." She dropped the tin and looked at the other sketches on the table, she couldn't get Sebastian and Claude out of her mind. If something happened to them she knew she would regret it. "Miss Stark?" asked Sterling in a panic she looked up at him in confusion and he watched tears fall from her eyes. "I'm sorry," she muttered, Sterling pulled out a handkerchief and asked, "Are your contacts irritated?" Alex took it and responded, "Yeah, thanks." She was lying and he could tell however he couldn't question her. After a moment he asked, "Better?" Alex nodded and returned his handkerchief to him. "Yes," she whispered, before she rose from her seat, and then she paused, "May I ask you a question?" she asked. Sterling's eyebrows lifted with curiosity, "Certainly," he replied.

She looked at him and asked, "What would you do if you fought with two people who were really important to you, and you hurt them?" Sterling paused and smiled a little, "I would apologize sincerely to them and tell them how much you care about them," he answered. She smiled and rose from her seat, "You'll have the finals by Friday, I have to run and take care of something," she said. Sterling nodded and watched her run down the hall way, "So pure," he whispered, "So fragile." He smiled and whispered, "Just wait until you're mine."

Sebastian and Claude looked at the three shigami, "We have to report this to the office," said William. He tipped his glasses and Sebastian said, "I understand however innocents are being killed ahead of time and so far the office hasn't noticed, we need to stop this." Ronald nodded and said, "Yeah, besides the sooner we get on this the better." Claude nodded in agreement and Grell looked over at the desk, "Ho? What's this?" he asked as he picked up the file with the name Alexandra Ross on it. He opened his book and said, "Wired she doesn't appear anywhere." Sebastian ignored him and asked, "Who would have the power to distract the shigami from noticing something like this?" William shook his head and replied, "I have no idea." Sebastian knew it was nearly impossible to interfere with the internal workings of the shigami unless a contract had been made. His cell phone rang again and he sighed, it was Sterling. "My he's persistent," he mumbled. He was about to slip it in his pocket again when he looped at the images Sterling has sent. "What on earth?" he asked. The three paused and looked at Sebastian, "What is it?" asked Claude and Sebastian walked over to his computer. He opened the email and looked at the images, "That's beautiful," chimed Grell. William nodded in agreement and Ronald asked, "Who designed that?" Sebastian covered his mouth in shock when he looked at the image for the poster, "That's even prettier," Grell said happily. Claude noticed his expression of shock and looked at the email address, "I think she's apologizing," he whispered. Sebastian rested his head in his hands and muttered, "So this is what Sterling wanted to show me, I have no interest I know she's a good designer." He closed the email and walked away, "What's with him?" he asked Grell and he paused, he noticed the expression on Claude's face, it was twisted with regret. "I wish he would let her go," he whispered.

He sighed placed a hand on Grell's shoulder and went after Sebastian. Grell watched the other demon and said, "Wasn't he colder?" William looked at him and then to Claude, this was the first time he's seen Claude look like that but he figured he couldn't act like an ice sculpture for all eternity.

Claude entered the bed room to find Sebastian sitting on the bed. He looked stressed and exhausted. Claude felt a sharp pain in his chest and he slowly walked over to Sebastian. "My beautiful Spider, when will the pain subside?" asked the smaller demon. Claude took a seat next to him, "When you see her smile," said Claude. Sebastian sighed and looked at Claude; he knew it was true, seeing her smile did make him feel better. However he hadn't seen it since she started working there, he began to wonder if she even remembered how to smile. Claude shifted behind him and asked, "Why don't I give you a massage?" Sebastian obediently stripped his shirt off and lye face first on the bed. Claude rubbed his hands together and applied a little oil to them. He slowly placed his hands on the small of Sebastian's back, he gently began to press. He could feel the massive knots he had acquired from worrying and work. His fingers danced in this area and he noticed Sebastian's shoulders relax and heard a soft sigh. Claude smiled and placed his hands on the side of Sebastian's back and gently began to work the knots from the lower back up. He delicately stroked his hands up Sebastian's back to the neck and then down the sides. It felt like a gentle wave rolling over him and Sebastian relax a little more. He continued this motion for a few more minutes and then began to lightly kneed Sebastian's shoulders. They were toned but much more delicate than his own. He straddled Sebastian's back and his fingers lightly dance on his neck and shoulders. "Mhm," moaned Sebastian, Claude felt his heart skip a beat. He noticed the smaller demons eyes were closed and he looked so peaceful. He moved to the arms, he lightly squeezed and rubbed his tense biceps and worked slowly on the forceps. He then swept his fingers down his back and Sebastian gave another moan. Claude bit his lower lip, Sebastian was extremely sensitive and he could feel the heat pooling in his groin.

Claude's hands rested on the small of Sebastian's back and he began to make circular motions with his fingers. "Oh!" gasped Sebastian and Claude noticed him twitch. Claude felt his heart skip a beat and grit his teeth. Before his eyes lye a beautiful feast, which was begging for him to take just a taste. However he knew Sebastian would be irritated and more likely than not throw him across the room. It was driving Claude insane; he meticulously continued the circular motions up his slender back, until Sebastian twisted around and was looking up at him. Claude groaned when he felt something hard brush his. He stared at Sebastian, his lips were parted and he was panting, "I couldn't take it anymore," he panted. Claude snickered and whispered, "I thought it was only me." Sebastian smirked and sat up, "If it was only you I would still relieve you." Claude smirked and asked, "Really?" his sultry voice gave Sebastian a chill. He nodded shyly and blushed as he slowly slipped his hand down Claude's pants to touch him. Claude moaned and reached to touch the bulge in Sebastian's trousers. Claude slipped his hand into Sebastian's pants and pulled out the length. His large hands slowly wrapped around it and he began to stroke. Sebastian shivered with pleasure and whispered, "No, together." Claude couldn't refuse as Sebastian did the same. It got even hotter as the pair drew closer, their hands moving in sync with one another as they stroked their throbbing cocks. "Claude," he panted as he delivered a hot and heavy kiss, his tongue mingled with Claude's and Claude groaned. "Sebastian," he sighed as he looked tenderly at his lover. He slowly kissed down the smaller demon's neck to his collar bone and nipped. "Ah!" he cried and muttered, "I'm coming!" Claude released his collar bone and whispered, "Me too." Before they climaxed Claude pushed as hasty kiss, stealing that precious moment as they both ejaculated. There was a bright flash and their eyes flickered open, "Oh my, Sebas-chan that was wonderful! Who knew that ice sculpture could get so hot!" cried a voice near them. Claude's eyes narrowed and he glared at the red head shigami. "Grell!" Claude shouted and Sebastian immediately wrapped himself in the covers. "Get the hell out!" cried Sebastian in anger and embarrassment. Claude grabbed the shigami by the arm and was quick to do a judo throw, which landed Grell outside the room.

"I'm going to kill him!" he shouted angrily as he marched out the door. Grell screamed in terror and ran down the stairs, "Will! Save me!" he cried. Claude threw more cutlery at him and Will noticed how furious he was. "Give me the camera!" Claude ordered. The two ran past Will and Ronald, who simply gave them a sideways look. "It appears Grell is taking pictures of Sebastian again," said Ronald. Will shook his head and said, "No this time he took a picture of both Claude and Sebastian, probably as they orgasmed." Ronald sighed and leaned on the wall. "He really has a death wish," said Ronald. Will nodded and watched as Claude lunged at him, "Should we save him?" asked Ronald. Will adjusted his glasses and responded, "Only if he appears to be in immediate danger." There was a loud crash and a scream which fallowed, "That's not immediate?" asked Ronald. William shook his head and replied, "Nope that's his own stupidity."

Alex smiled she was walking back in her apartment, "The best way I can apologize is to get this project done," she said. A paper bag was in her hands, she had stopped for groceries and a drink. She swiped her key card and walked up the stairs, she began digging for her keys when she noticed that the door of her flat was ajar. "Huh?" she asked as she slowly approached. She slowly pushed the door and noticed that the lock wasn't broken. Her heart started pounding in her ears and she slowly entered her apartment. She was quiet as she made her way in, after a moment she turned the lights on to find her home a mess, "No, not now," she moaned as she placed the groceries on the sofa and went to check and see if she still had her cameras and computer. Nothing was missing, "Odd," she mumbled. She opened all of the closets to realize that the intruder wasn't even in the room. She walked into the kitchen and opened the fridge to put the groceries away when she screamed. Sitting in the fridge was a hand in a jar, around the thumb was the ring she had given her brother. The silver band was covered in kanji which read, "The un aimed arrow will always fly true to it's target." She slammed the door closed and noticed a note attached to the door, "Found you," it read this time it was written in dark red ink. She felt queasy and sprinted into the bathroom; she doubled over the toilet and felt everything she had eaten come up. "Shit!" she cried, as she felt another wave. It was time like this she wished that someone would be there to comfort her. She felt as though nothing else would come up, all she did were dry heaves. Alex had to get out of the apartment, it wasn't safe.

Once she had finished she grabbed a backpack and threw in two changes of clothing, her cell charger and laptop. She grabbed a small digital camera and locked her camera safe. "I have to get out of here," she whispered. Once she had done this she grabbed her tooth brush and other personal items. She didn't bother with making the bed or anything, she was about to leave when she spotted Sebastian's note. "No I can't go there," she whispered, "Not after what I've done." Alex turned her back to leave when she looked over her shoulder again. She sighed and picked it up. Even if she couldn't got there having something of his was enough. She wandered out of her apartment calmly and locked the door. The land lord was very stern with visitors and her apartment was in a good area so she didn't have to worry about thieves, but if they found her there she couldn't stay. Once she was out of the building she called Jodi, she knew it would be inconvenient. She was married and did have kids, however she really had no idea who else to turn to. "Hey Jodi," said Alex, she could hear her five year old twin sons in the background. "Hey Al what's up you never call this late?" she asked, Alex paused and drew a deep breath. "Someone broke into my apartment," she replied. There was a loud clatter on the other end and Jodi shouted in the background, "Tyler, get the kids to bed." She then shouted, "What? Are you alright? Was anything stolen?"

Alex responded, "Nothing was stolen. I'm just uncomfortable; could I crash at your place?" Jodi had clearly been discussing with Tyler and she replied instantly, "Yes, where are you?" Alex looked at the font of their apartment and said, "Outside." In a flash Jodi was at the door and ushering her inside. "The kids are in bed, you look awful," said Jodi once Alex was inside. "I panicked," said Alex softly and Jodi noticed how pail she was. "You can sleep on the couch I need to clear out the guest room, but I'll do that tomorrow," she said calmly as she handed Alex a blanket to use. Jodi had no idea how thankful Alex was for this, and Alex smiled, "Don't worry about it, the couch is better than the floor in my book," she said. Jodi noticed this and turned to Tyler, "Well our room is upstairs, call us if you need us," he said. Alex simply nodded and the pair left, she slowly sprawled out on the couch and began to tremble, of course it was only after she had gotten some where safe that she would start shaking. "It's alright you're far away from there," she mumbled as she closed her eyes to sleep.

It was cold and the air smelled of mold. Her eyes slowly adjusted to the light and she looked around. Not a single window was in the room, she was shackled to a bed and she felt her heart pounding. The large door slowly opened and she shuddered, "Oh look who's awake," said a deep voice. Alex squirmed and screamed, "NO!" The man was dressed in a long black cloak with a violet colored stole. He grabbed her harshly and dragged her by the chain which had been used to keep her shackled to the bed. The room was lit be candles and she noticed that it was surrounded by stands; it was as if she had entered the coliseum. In the middle of the room were five large candle stands dripping with wax. Close to fifty people were in the room and she noted the smell of blood on the floor. There was a massive pentacle drawn on the floor in chalk, in the middle was a pool of fresh blood. "Get the brand," the mast of the ceremony commanded. She was held down by a number of people; they put a collar around her neck and forced her to stretch it forward. She could feel the heat of the iron before it touched her skin. She struggled only for her to feel it touch the skin of her back. She cried in agony, as she smelt burnt flesh and felt it sear its ugly mark into her. Her eyes stung with tears and she couldn't see a thing. The brand was pulled away and she felt it sting as the air touched it, she was relieved for a moment, until she felt a leather switch hit the part of her back which hadn't been branded. Over and over she was hit with it, each time it hurt more and more. "Please," she begged, only for them to laugh and it resorted to beating. She felt a blow crash into her abdomen and then another delivered to her head. She was hit so hard she could see spots. "Let's finish this," said the head priest. She stared in shock as the collar was removed and a rope was put in its place. She felt it get tighter around her neck, and she gasped for air.

Alex screamed in terror and her entire body seized. Her eyes were open and she was covered in perspiration, "ALEX!" cried Jodi as she dashed down the stairs fallowed by Tyler. They turned the lights on to find her shaking, Jodi reached out to touch her when Alex pulled away. "Al it's me, relax your safe," said Jodi. Alex's heart was pounding, slowly she realized that was a dream and she had just woken up the entire house. "I'm so sorry," she mumbled. Jodi sat next to her and went to touch her when Alex pulled away once again, "You still can't stand being touch huh?" she asked. Alex paused, no that wasn't right, she was okay with Sebastian and Claude, yet afraid of everyone else. Her eyes turned apologetic and Jodi said, "Talk to me, my kids have nightmare all the time." Alex sighed and replied, "I guess I've been staying up and watching too many horror flicks." She laughed and Tyler chimed in, "I've done that." Jodi laughed and nodded, she noticed Alex was still pail and asked, "Are you sure you're okay?" Alex nodded and slowly got up, "Nothing a cup of hot milk can't fix," said Tyler. Alex paused and remembered that night again. Claude had gone to make a cup of hot milk, and left her with Sebastian. She looked at the floor and responded, "Yeah."