Chapter 42: Seiki

Alex stretched her arms over her head and Steve yawned, "Shesh it took all day to shoot that thing," he muttered. Alex groaned and replied, "Yeah I didn't think it would be that difficult." She looked over at the chair and noticed Haru sitting with his tablet on and a stylus between his fingers. She had grown so accustomed to watched Claude work with his that seeing Haru with one was almost alien. He held it in his hands and there was a pair of headphones with massive ear covers around his ears. His movements were no where near as smooth as Claude's thought with the stylus, however he was pretty into what ever he was working on. Claude always crossed his legs while working and practically lounged in the chair, however his work was spot on, Steve and Alex walked over and noticed he wasn't simply listening to music; he was working with frequency charts and splicing pieces together. Steve's mouth dropped as he watched the guy fuse jazz, electronic and hip hop elements together. Alex smiled and watched as the stylus moved quickly over the screen and he adjusted the speed of the mix, the orange frequency chart went crazy as he layered two pieces and added elements. It was as if he was back in Japan at his studio, Alex tapped Haru on the shoulder and he took off his head phones. "Done?" he asked only to stare in confusion as she slipped them over his ears and lean over his shoulder. Her fingers danced lightly on the screen as she fixed a cue, added three layers, slowed a section, removed another and then built the track. "Try that," she said as she slipped the head phones over his ears. Haru laughed and shook his head, before looked back at her. "Some times I wonder who the real DJ is," he said sarcastically and she snickered. Steve looked at Haru and suddenly realized where he had seen him before, "You were on the cover of People, not too long ago as one of the hottest DJs since Yani," said Steve.

Haru looked at him and grinned, "Yeah, I'm here to help a friend of mine, he needs a DJ for the next two nights. Although it's tempting to ask a certain someone to help me," he said teasingly as he bumped her in the side with his elbow. She laughed nervously and blushed, "Oh come on that was four years ago," she said. Steve looked at her confused and asked, "Wait DJ?" Alex was walking away and spun on her heal, "Well I had to pay for college some how," she shrugged and Steve sprinted after her. His hair swayed and Haru smiled, "She was damn good too, she made me look like an beginner," he said. Steve was confused until Haru grinned, "Al I have an idea, why don't we show him what a club should sound like," he said happily. Alex froze and looked at him with a note of confusion, "I can't I have a ton of work to do, besides I told my boss I would be back," she responded. Haru scratched his head and then looked at Steve who nodded, "He boss doesn't like it when she's late," he commented. Haru sighed and crossed his arms, "How bad could he be?"

Claude entered Sebastian's office and slowly gathered the papers he needed, "What are you doing here Mr. Faustus?" asked Jodi. She looked him with a hint of confusion as Claude finished picking up folders and pages. He turned on his heel and looked at her, his golden eyes seemed to pierce through her and he responded, "Mr. Michaelis isn't feeling well, I'm here to pick up his paper work." Jodi's lips parted and she stared at him in shock, "Is he alright?" she asked with a hint of concern working into her voice. Claude nodded slowly and responded, "He'll be fine, he just has a fever." Jodi looked even more upset and said sweetly, "I hope he feels better." Claude nodded firmly and watched a Jodi turned, she was about to walk out the door when he realized it hadn't opened. He looked up to find her standing in the door way, a small smile was on her lips as she said softly, "He's lucky to have you." Claude's hands stopped working, she seemed genuinely happy about it and he smiled a little. Even though Jodi was married with twins but she genuinely cared about others. Jodi turned and walked out the door, she really was sweet, and he sighed. Claude returned to gathering paperwork for Sebastian when he heard the door open, "Oh Claude," said a familiar voice. Claude knew right away who it belonged to, it was Alex's and he could tell she was Steve. "Where is Sebastian?" she asked as she looked about the office. Claude looked at her and replied, "At Shadow Pont, he wasn't feeling well." Alex froze and looked at him; it was as though a piano had just fallen on top of her. "What's wrong?" she asked, her voice trembled and Claude realized how upset she was. He placed the pages back on the desk and walked over to her, "It's just a fever he'll be fine," he said as he slowly grabbed her hand and stroked the back of it. Alex bit her lower lip and shook her head, "He's a demon Claude you said it yourself they don't get sick," she said. Claude's golden eyes were locked on her concerned ocean blues and he sighed, there was little which seemed to get pasted her. "I'm not sure what's wrong but I know what ever it is I can solve," he said with an air of confidence. Alex was about to criticize him when she remembered that Claude had always been a sanctimonious man. He was about to say something when to door of Sebastian's office opened and standing there was Haru.

Claude's golden eyes narrowed dangerously as he looked at the young man, "Who is this?" he asked. His voice was cold however his expression gave more than enough of a warning. Alex looked at Haru and said, "This is Haru, he's a DJ from Japan we went to college together." Haru's eyes looked over Claude and he asked with a hint of irritation, "This is your boss? He doesn't look like the graphic design type." Alex watched as Claude twitched and she said, "No that's my boss's," she hesitated and Claude finished, "I'm a close friend of Michaelis." Oddly hearing Sebastian's last name come from Claude's lips seemed harsh and forging in comparison to how he said Sebastian's first name. "Since when does the close friend of the boss enter his office," said Haru skeptically. Alex bit her lower lip and she responded, "Claude is actually Mr. Michaelis's lawyer and from the looks of things he's looking over licencing agreements." Haru looked at her and Claude nodded, if there was one thing she had learned from being around the pair was how to lie. "Well then since your boss isn't around you can help me out at the club," said Haru happily. Alex froze and noticed how Claude's attention turned to him, his eye brows peaked and Alex looked at him nervously. "We can give the owner a real run for his money with two DJs in the house," he said with delight. Alex could tell that Claude was beyond irritated. With Sebastian in bed at Shadow Pont with an migraine and Haru in town as well as the auction in December dangerously close she could tell Claude was about to snap. "Steve will you join us?" she asked and Steve looked at her, he looked just as uneasy as she was. "Yeah of course," he responded sweetly. Claude still wasn't pleased and she knew it, he had taken to the role of protecting her a little too well. He was about to say something when his cell rang with a familiar ring tone, it was Sebastian's. Immediately the phone was to his ear and he said, "I'm at your office now, I will be there soon." Alex noticed something unusual Claude seemed uncomfortable which frightened her. If Claude was uncomfortable that meant they were in trouble. Claude walked out of Sebastian's office with the documents in hand and the cell phone pressed to his ear, it was clear that Sebastian wasn't doing well. "Okay let's head to your apartment, you can't be a DJ looking like that," said Haru. Alex looked at Steve who smiled it gave him a change to see her dressed in something that wasn't professional, "Okay," she said hesitantly her eyes were locked on Sebastian's office doors. Claude always said good bye no matter what, it was one of his many ascetics. Haru walked down the hall and Steve whispered, "What's the matter?" Alex looked over at him, it was clear she couldn't fool him, "Ever get the feeling that something strange is going on?" she asked, her voice was even however there was a hint of concern in it. Steve looked at Haru's back and he asked, "How well do you know him?" Alex looked at the floor and replied, "We went to college together and now he's back, that's it." Steve's expression changed to one of suspicion, "Why?" he asked. Alex shook her head and said after a moment I have no idea.

Claude was standing outside the building and he paused, "Haru, that's the name you're using now," he muttered angrily. He lifted his phone to his ear again and instantly a familiar voice cracked through, "What is it Faustus?" asked an annoyed William. Claude looked up at the building and said, "We have a problem, Seiki is back." There was a pause on the other end and William responded, "Can't you and Sebastian handle it?" In the past they had fended Seiki off however now it wasn't even remotely possible, "Sebastian is in bed, he's ill," said Claude after a moment. He could tell William was shocked and heard what sounded like Ronald's voice in the background. "You take care of Sebastian we will keep and eye on Seiki, but why is it so important?" asked William, Claude could hear the rustle of sheets as he sat up. It was obvious William was in bed with Ronald, "He's with Alex," said Claude. He swore he could hear William's heart stop, "What does he want with her?" asked William as he got Ronald out of bed. "William, do you honestly think Sebastian and I would be attracted to her for no reason?" asked Claude coldly, his words were like ice and at that second every member of the conversation was reminded that Claude was a demon, no matter what. "Wait Ronald found something odd at your old manner, an orb that was registered as a soul," said William, "Grell went to the Undertaker who stated it was a Trapped Soul." Claude's eyes widened, how something like that had gotten in his former house was a mystery. "I don't have anything of that nature in my procession," he said after a moment. He looked at the building and watched as Haru left, "This is a nightmare," he said after a moment, Claude adjusted the silver frames on his nose and ran his hand through his black unruly hair. "Claude isn't it too strange that we find a trapped soul and that Sebastian isn't well and Seki just happens to be around?" asked Ronald. Claude figured William was in the middle of getting dressed, Claude was about to argue other wise when he remembered what Sterling had said, and he paused, "Sterling," he whispered.

Claude turned on his heel and his eyes widened, "Sterling is up to something, however I don't know if he's behind this," said Claude. He could hear both Ronald and William in the background they were clearly discussing the possibility of Arnold Sterling being a player, "I don't think so," said William after a moment, "It's not possible unless he was contracted to a demon and if that were the case wouldn't you be able to see the seal?" Claude paused, usually demons placed seals on their master's in a visible place like Ciel's eyes and Alois's tongue. However this wasn't always the case. "Not always," said Claude after a moment, he suddenly felt sick to his stomach he had allowed Alex to go with Seiki, an ancient Chinese Demon who had probably sealed that one soul. "Claude, we'll look after her," said Ronald firmly, his voice seemed to ring reason and snap Claude back to the moment. "Sebastian needs you," said Ronald, "Oh and Claude thanks for you know what you told William, it felt great." Claude blushed and nearly dropped the phone he hadn't expected the young shinigami to say that out loud. "Yeah, you're welcome," he responded. With that the two shinigami hung up and Claude turned to his car. He knew the pair could hold Seiki off for the night; however it wasn't safe for her to stay in her apartment. That was asking for her to be injured and he wasn't about to ask the shinigami to watch over her all night. He was well aware that this was already taking out of their schedules and he would get an earful later from Sebastian when he found out. Claude opened a new message to Alex and typed instruction that she was to get in the black town car he sent to pick her up at one am and it was going to take her to Shadow Pont. Once the message was sent he sent similar messages to Ronald, William and Steve. He wasn't about to have her harmed by the mutt named Seiki. He had worked far too hard for Seiki to come in and mess everything up.

Sebastian was lying in the bed his head was pounding and he felt as though he had been smashed in the head with a 400 ton marble statue. His cell phone was lying beside him on the pillow and he whimpered, "Claude, it hurts." Sebastian's mind was foggy and he closed his eyes, it was easy to drift into a dream, "It hurts so much," he whimpered again. Sebastian snuggled into the comforter, it smelled of Claude's cologne. Sebastian sighed and began to remember what it was like the first time Claude actually spoke to him and that terrible day in the rain.

It was raining and cold and Sebastian could hear the droplets bounce off his umbrella. He turned the corner and was about to get in his carriage when he noticed a trail of blood in the water. He paused and looked in the direction it had emanated from. "Young master, we should be going," said a deep voice behind him, Sebastian turned and looked up at the footman. Sebastian had had servants before however this was his first outing with this particular footman, which annoyed him. The entire time he was being told what was on the itinerary, despite the fact that he had written it himself. "Young master," said the footman again, Sebastian blinked and responded, "I'm aware, however that is a substantial amount of blood in the water." The footman sneered and said, "It's probably some useless demon who's been killed." Sebastian turned away from his servant and sighed, even though the footman was more likely than not right Sebastian just had an odd feeling about it. It was as though he was being pulled toward the figure curled up under the tree. His feet began to move on their own as he made his way to the figure; the rain was ice cold and dripped down the side of his face. As he drew closer he noticed the black mud that became caked on his once clean shoes, however he didn't care. "Perhaps I should disappear," Sebastian's ears twitched he didn't recognize the voice however it was a deep sultry voice laced with pain. "Young master," called the footman, his coarse voice hurt Sebastian's ears.

Sebastian was about to turn away when he noticed a glint of silver and the smell of blood pierce the air. His blood red eyes widened with shock, demons never committed suicide, they were usually too proud. He had been right there was something different about this demon, "I will finally be free," the voice whispered. Without thinking Sebastian sprinted over to the tree, nestled beneath it was the source of the crimson ribbons which he had spotted in the water. He was a rather large demon with messy damp curly hair, it was clear he was much more muscular than himself. Sebastian's eyes were locked on the silver dagger and the quickly palling completion of the larger demon. At that moment he felt as though something had tugged at his heart, and he wrapped his hands around the demon's wound in an attempt to stop the bleeding. "Hang in there!" he cried as he squeezed the wound even harder, the crimson liquid was seeping through Sebastian's slender finger. "Young master!" shouted the footman and he sprinted over. "What the hell were you thinking!" Sebastian cried, he hissed in anger, he never thought a demon would be dumb enough to use Judas silver; it was reserved for executing demons. Sebastian stared at the dagger it looked similar to the sword his father wielded during the executions. "No matter how badly you want to disappear don't! Someone out there cares about you; don't end it just hang in there! Keep fighting!" he shouted. The footman stared as the young lord knelt in the mud and was covered in the blood of the other demon. Sebastian looked as though he was on the verge of tears and he whimpered, "Please don't disappear."

The footman was shocked, Sebastian was young however he never thought the young lord would take a liking to another demon yet. He watched Sebastian's small hands attempt to feebly stop the bleeding. Sebastian's eyes were locked on the larger demon's face and he stared as the older demon opened his eyes. They were a pale yellow, however they didn't show pain rather they glistened with loneliness and yet they were still beautiful. "It doesn't matter, I'm not wanted, I have no value," the demon whispered before promptly loosing conciousness. "Let him die in peace," said the footman. Sebastian grit his teeth and looked up at him, "No, he will return with us," his voice was filled with authority and the footman felt as though he was dealing with Lucifer. "Young master," said the footman and Sebastian glared, "He will come with us, I have a right to select my own servant and I have decided I want him," he responded. The footman's jade green eyes narrowed and he sighed, there was no arguing with the young master. "Yes young master," he responded before picking up the larger demon. To his surprise the unconscious man weighted less than he anticipated. "Why?" asked the footman as he fallowed Sebastian to the carriage. Sebastian looked at his hands and whispered, "The heart string." The footman was silent he knew better than to argue with Sebastian, if he ever disobeyed he would be castrated by the demon lord himself.

Sebastian sat in the carriage with the larger demon's head in his lap, his fingers which were covered with dried blood pleated through the demon's curly black hair. Sebastian's eyes never left the demon's beautiful face, it was stern and his features were angular, sharp and strong. The cairage came to a halt and the footman collected the unconscious demon in his arms and carried him into the mansion. Before Sebastian even stepped foot inside he was summoned by his mother. He sighed, it was frightening how powerful his mother was. He walked through the dimly lit hallways; it was always dark, no matter the time of day or the year. Sebastian pushed the door open to find a beautiful slender woman looking at him, her eyes were nearly black and her hair was a light brown, Sebastian looked nothing like her. He took after his father, "I heard you brought home a stray," she said sharply. Sebastian was silent his mother was known for her temper. "A disgusting thing covered in mud, blood and semen. What are you going to do with it," she placed a certain emphasis on the word it, which made Sebastian twitch. "He, and I intend to make him my personal servant," he said coolly, there was no way he was going to be out maneuvered by his mother, not this time. "What would you need a personal servant for, you're not even two decades old," she said harshly, her voice pricked him like needles. She walked over to him, her black gown swayed as she moved, "You know I regret giving birth to something so weak, I wish you would just die," she whispered before wrapping her hands around his throat. Sebastian closed his eyes and felt her squeeze, he had no intention of resisting, in fact if he didn't she would give up sooner. However that wasn't true this time, his mother squeezed harder with bone crushing force causing Sebastian's eyes to open wider with shock. He gasped as he felt his airway being closed off, "Stop," he gasped. Her eyes glowed purple and she grinned wickedly, her blood lust had already set in.

Sebastian squirmed in an attempt to break free only to start feeling light headed, "What is going on here?" boomed a familiar voice. Sebastian's vision tunneled and before he passed out he saw the familiar violet robes of his father, Lucifer.