Hannah's sister Lucie has arrived on the scene with Leviathan in her hands. Will Claude be able to fend her off or will he die in the process. Sebastian finally breaks through the barrier to find his lover on the floor covered in blood. Did he make it in time to save him or will he end up planning a funeral?

I hope you enjoy,

~The Dark Ringmaster

I do now own Kuroshitsuji.

Chapter 17: Embrace

Claude jumped out of the way and blocked her kick. She was a better fighter than Hannah she didn't have to use guns. Lucie grinned wickedly as she spun and slashed his shoulder. Claude attempted to get out of the way but felt the sword slash his skin. He hissed and began to wish that Sebastian was there. He jumped back and clutched his shoulder; she smiled brightly as she lunched at him. Normal swords hurt however Leviathan was beyond painful, it was excruciating. She swung at him again and slashed his chest. He reached through his bond with Sebastian desperately. Demons didn't get married; however they could bind each other. This bond enabled them to feel each other and contact one another.

Lucie laughed and Claude did a back flip to avoid her next attack, "What's the matter Claude, can't fight back?" she asked. He smirked and responded, "We're fighting? I thought you and I were dancing." Lucie glared and took another swipe at him, this time she managed to slash the back of his knee. Claude was dizzy with pain as he fell to the floor. Alex watch in horror as the woman loomed over him, "Well you aren't half the demon you use to be huh?" she said. She took the tip of the sword and tipped his head up, "Pity it feels like you aren't even trying," she whispered. She was about to deliver the final blow when was sent flying backward. Sebastian's crimson eyes had turned a brilliant purple and his demonic aura was flickering. Claude slowly collapsed on the floor, his head was spinning and he couldn't stay awake anymore.

Sebastian looked down at his lover and saw red, he was furious. He looked at Lucie and noticed the sword. His eyes narrowed and he smirked darkly. Lucie jumped back and shuddered, "You," she whispered. Sebastian looked at Alex and said, "Close your eyes, and don't open them until I saw to." Alex nodded and closed them, he then turned to her. She stared as he slowly transformed into his demonic form. "No please, don't," she cried. There was silence and the sound of blood hitting the wall. "I told you once before in the past, to keep your hands off my mate," said Sebastian darkly.

Grell stared in shock; he had never seen Sebastian's true form however he couldn't stop himself from shaking. William was silent and he looked over at Alex who still had her eyes closed, he noticed Claude's jacket which was covering her and looked at the demon on the floor. "Open them," he whispered. Alex was hesitant and slowly opened them to find the three shigami standing in front of where Lucie had been. Sebastian was on the floor, he was cradling his unconscious lover in his arms. "You're safe," he whispered as he kissed his forehead. Alex slowly got off the alter and walked over to them. She watched Sebastian stroke Claude's hair and blood red tears stained his cheeks. "Is he okay?" she asked hesitantly. Sebastian looked up at her and responded, "He will be, it's going to take some time though." Alex was relieved to hear that and watched as Sebastian carried his lover in his arms. Although Claude was bigger than himself he made it look easy. His eyes were still purple but his demonic aura had settled down. "I can't believe they put up a barrier," said Grell. William walked over to the mutilated body and pulled out the green sword, "What I find even more amazing is that Sebastian managed to break through it, he couldn't at first but I've never seen him that angry before," said William. Grell nodded and pointed to Ronald's glasses and death scythe which had been near the alter. "He never used magic like that around Ciel; then again Ciel didn't allow it," said Grell. William nodded and noticed the look of shock on Alex's face. "Are you alright?" asked William. Alex looked up and nodded, "Just tired, I haven't slept in a while," she responded. William sighed and held out his arm, "It's the least I can do," he muttered. Grell whistled as Alex took his arm and William responded, "Don't go there." The three left leaving Ronald behind.

He looked about the room, he felt as though there were another pair of eyes watching him. Yet there wasn't a thing, "Hurry up Ronald, Sebastian wants to get home," called Grell. Ronald hollered, "Yeah," he hesitated and then left the room. Once he had gotten outside he watched Sebastian's eyes glow again only this time a fire was kindled. "What are you doing?" asked Ronald in a panic. Sebastian looked at him and responded, "Erasing evidence, everyone was killed, not even the children were alive when we arrived." Alex shuddered; to think she was the only survivor again terrified her. "Let's go home," said Sebastian, she though he was talking to Claude when she noticed his crimson eyes locked on her. She smiled and nodded as she fallowed Sebastian home.

Sebastian carried him up the stairs and placed him on the bed in the master bedroom. He had treated Claude's wounds many times, however, he had never been injured to this extent before. He could remember how his heart was breaking when he saw his lover injured on the floor. Sebastian slowly removed his tattered clothing; his blood had soaked through his once white shirt. After a moment he removed his pants and began cleaning his wounds. He hissed when he realized how deep they were, "Simply disinfecting them isn't going to be enough," he whispered. He opened the night stand drawer and pulled out a silver case, nestled in it was a spool of bronze thread. He had learned over the years how to treat Claude's wounds, in order to do so properly he had special thread created which would ensure that no scar would be left behind. "Why did you have to get cut so deeply," he whispered as he began to lick the wounds. His tongued caressed each injury as he generously coated them in saliva. Claude was breathing but barely, which concerned him. He had never seen his lover in such a state before. After a moment he threaded the needle and began stitching the lacerations closed. Each stitch was perfectly spaced, he was so engrossed in his work that he didn't noticed Alex had entered and was sitting on the bed. "Will he be alright?" she asked, he continued stitching. "Yes, he will be," he said softly as he pulled the thread to tighten the knot and then clipping the thread with a pair of golden scissors. Alex watched as he drew another piece of thread, it glistened in the moonlight and she noticed how attentive he was being.

Alex could tell he was hurting and simply sat silently on the bed. She was unsure of what to do, he was in pain and knew the look of sadness in his eyes. "Thank you," she whispered as she watched Sebastian's fingers move smoothly. He completed sewing the next long gash and looked at her, "You're welcome, get some sleep you've had a rough day," said Sebastian. Alex shook her head and whispered, "He was injured protecting me, if there's anything I can do." Sebastian sighed and looked at her; his gaze had softened after a moment. "Help me turn him on his side and I'll put the stitches in the back of his knee," said Sebastian. Alex nodded and gently did as he asked, she watched Sebastian lick the wound, he paused and smiled, "He doesn't need stitches, but it will need to be wrapped," he breathed. Alex held gauze out to him and Sebastian slowly took them. He was gentle as he pressed them against the wound. He slowly wrapped it in tape and nodded. Alex turned him back over and noticed the look in Sebastian's eyes. "Good night," she whispered. Sebastian nodded and watched Alex leave.

Sebastian slipped into a pair of boxers and pajama shirt; he left Claude nude as he slipped into bed. The smaller demon slowly placed Claude's head in his lap and whispered, "That was reckless." His crimson eyes were filled with love and affection as he slipped his fingers in Claude's curly hair. Claude's head rested in his lap as it had the say he proved that he could snuggle like a cat. His other hand rested on Claude's shoulder as he continued to touch his hair. "You're finally back in my arms," he whispered. Claude stirred a little and looked up at him; he smiled weakly after he realized he was in Sebastian's lap. "I thought I felt soft feathers brush my skin," he whispered. His golden eyes were calm and tranquil. Sebastian continued to stroke his hair, Claude felt his hand brush his cheek and he closed his eyes. "I was so afraid I wouldn't see you again," he whispered, and Sebastian paused.

"Let's not think of what could have happened," said Sebastian as he cradled Claude's head in his lap. Those crimson orbs seemed to be locked on Claude's face as he whispered, "I can assure you if you left me alone I would fallow you." Claude slowly reached up and touched Sebastian's cheek, he felt the dampness under his fingers and asked, "You cried for me?" Sebastian was silent as he bent over and kissed Claude's forehead. "Don't ever do that again," he whispered, "Never go beyond my reach." Claude noticed the pain in Sebastian's voice and he slowly sat up, "Sebastian," he whispered. His hand rested on Sebastian's cheek and he slowly kissed him. Claude's tongue trailed along Sebastian's lower lip, and Sebastian slowly parted his lips. Claude's tongue slipped in and the pair let their tongues mingle for a moment.

Sebastian pulled back and whispered, "I love you." Claude smiled and responded, "I know." Sebastian slowly pushed Claude back down and leaned against the head board, "Sleep," he cooed. Claude nuzzled into his lap and slowly drifted to sleep, as Sebastian watched him through the night.