It's been three days and they still haven't found Claude. Sebastian has spiraled into a state of grief to the point that even time doesn't matter. Out of desperation the Undertaker has called Ash to assist in finding the demon. As William, Ash, the Undertaker and the triplets search for Claude, Ronald stays behind with Sebastian and learns something unusual about the pair.

Will they be able to find Claude?

Will Sebastian's stopped time start to move again?

What does Sebastian tell Ronald?

Why did Sterling leave the book in the first place?

I hope you enjoy,

~Kuro

Chapter 63: The Spider and the Fly: Part IV

Ronald looked as though he had his own heart ripped out of his chest; Claude and Sebastian were perfect for one another. He removed his fedora and bowed his head; it never occurred to him that Claude could possibly be killed. He watched Sebastian walk by; even Sebastian's eyes were void of light. It was as though he had died inside; there was nothing now, just the shell. Claude had managed to break Sebastian and Ronald trembled, tears stung his eyes as he watched the once proud demon walk past him. "He looks as though he's lost his wings," whispered Ronald. William wrapped his arms around him and whispered, "No, Icarus has lost something much worse than that this time." William kissed the side of Ronald neck and gave him a squeeze, "He lost his heart."

Warmth, soft sheets and lavender. Soft sounds, whispers which hung in the air and slowly sound became voices and voices thus became thoughts. "She's stable, however I advise you to make sure she rests. She's a step away from pneumonia, if she stresses herself now she may trigger it," said a firm voice. She had no idea who it belonged to however he sounded rather annoyed. "I understand, I will ensure that she rests," replied another however this one was warm and soothing. It was soft and sweet, a voice which she remembered from the party, "Thank you Doctor," it said again. She heard the door click as it closed and she slowly opened her eyes. Her vision was blurry and she felt something stuck to the back of her hand. "Don't," it whispered softly and she felt a gentle squeeze on her hand. Her vision began to clear and she stared up into a pair of ocean blue eyes. "Lord Campbell?" Alex asked slowly, her voice was soft and weak. He nodded and smiled, it looked as though he hadn't seen her in ages. "Thank god," he breathed again, his thumb ran across her knuckles as he slowly relaxed. "I was afraid I lost you," he said softly. Alex looked at him in confusion and slowly sat up. Hanging by her bed was an IV and she was wrapped in a number of thick blankets. "How long have I been out?" she asked slowly as she rubbed her head. Lord Campbell looked at her and responded, "Three days." The room was tranquil and she looked to see Lady Campbell asleep on the sofa next to the chair Lord Campbell was sitting in. The furniture in the room had clearly been moved and she realized she was in the room Sebastian had booked. "Where are they?" she asked curiously as she perked up. Lord Campbell was silent and looked at her in confusion, "Who?" he asked softly. A small and sweet smile spread across his lips. "Claude and Sebastian," she responded, she looked over at the window and smiled when she saw Sebastian. "Oh never mind, Claude must be getting coffee," she commented.

Lord Campbell gave her hand a squeeze and whispered, "No he isn't, he didn't come back." Alex froze and looked at him, her ocean blue eyes widened and her lips parted. She looked as though she had lost everything. "What? No he has to he must be here," she stammered as she looked at Sebastian. He was still and she noticed how he was dressed, this was the first time she had ever seen him dressed this way. He wore long black pants and a loose black sweater which hung off his shoulder, his feet were bare and she noticed the deep creases in his pants. The snow had ceased to fall and he was illuminated by moonlight. His arms were wrapped around one of his knees which he held close to himself, while his other foot rested on the floor. It was as though, if that foot wasn't there that Sebastian would be blown away. His gaze was locked on the landscape outside the window and his eyes sparkled. A thick pair of red lines traveled down his cheeks from his tears and Alex fell silent. He looked as though he had lost everything. "He's gone," whispered Sebastian, "I've lost my lifeline." Alex felt as though someone had run a dagger through her heart. He looked so broken, so lonely, so painfully alone. "Sebastian?" she asked softly and slowly lifted a hand in his direction. He didn't respond, "I've lost something irreplaceable," he muttered.

Tears pricked her eyes and slowly fell down her face and onto the sheets which she had been wrapped in. Lord Campbell slowly left his seat and took a seat on the edge of the bed, he slowly wrapped his arms around her. "Please don't cry," he whispered, "Please." Alex trembled in his arms, she didn't want to push him away in stead she simply wanted him to hold her there. His chest wasn't as broad as Claude's nor was it as warm. Yet it wasn't irritating either. Claude had finally been smiling at her, even if he was a nuisance when he wanted to be. He would smile; she could remember all the shots she had taken of him. All of them of the golden eyed spider who loved his raven unconditionally, a man who she had come to see as a father.

Grell was standing beside the Undertaker as he looked out the window. "He's gone," whispered Grell softly and he shivered, "That jerk didn't come back," he hissed. The Undertaker sighed and responded, "I suppose we could go look." Grell looked up at him in confusion and asked, "What?" The Undertaker picked up his black dinner jacket which he had taken off, and sifted out his cell phone. He swiped on of his fingers across the screen and he commented, "Ash only repaid Claude, he still owes me," said the Undertaker. His tone was void of emotion and Grell stared at him as though he had lost it. "Ash owes you a favor?" he asked in confusion. The Undertaker looked up to see Grell's confused expression, and he chuckled. "Yes he does. Who do you think is his main investor?" he asked. Grell stared at the Undertaker; he had never imagined the gray haired shinigami owning a club like The Ministry of Sound. "Ash, I need you here in Switzerland, don't doddle," he said coldly. There was a flash of white light and Ash was standing before them in a white coat and books. "Yes?" he asked, there was a hint of irritation in his voice. The Undertaker's eyes narrowed dangerously, it was the same look he had given Hannah. "I need you to aid me in finding Claude Faustus," said the Undertaker.

Ash crossed his arms and shook his head, "No way, no, I'm miserable but not that miserable," he commented coolly. He looked at the Undertaker and continued, "Besides, I already repaid him." The Undertaker walked over to Ash and grinned before whipping out his silver scythe and pinning Ash to the wall under its blade. "Remind me again why I didn't kill you, pest?" he asked darkly. Grell's mouth popped open and he stared at the silver haired shinigami. Ash paled and trembled, "I will do it," he managed to say. The Undertaker removed his scythe and Ash fell to the floor. "I can't guarantee that he's alive, however I don't understand why you are so concerned," said Ash honestly. Grell was about to shout only for the Undertaker to say, "Fallow me." The silver haired shinigami's strides were quick and long, to the point that Ash had to double time to keep up with him. The Undertaker opened the door of Alex's room. "Oh Ash," said Alex softly, her voice shook a little and she smiled listlessly. Ash's violet eyes widened in shock as he watched her tears fall and he looked at the window. Sebastian was sitting in it, he was waiting, waiting for the demon who wouldn't return to him. "How long has he been like that?" he asked quickly as he practically sprinted across the room. Ash was standing before Sebastian and he slowly reached under and tipped Sebastian's chin up. His eyes widened with fear as he looked into a pair of cold dead ruby eyes. "Three days," responded the Undertaker. Ash slowly pulled away and looked at the Undertaker, "With his position you allowed it to progress this far?" asked Ash hastily. The Undertaker sighed and replied, "They were bound, and tightly bound at that. Apparently the mark hasn't faded." Ash's face turned red with anger and he took a step forward, he looked as though he were going to charge at him any moment. "If he secludes himself any further we are all in for it," he shouted, "If his father finds out we are all dead."

The Undertaker looked at him and replied, "No we won't be, I've informed him already. However he is currently preoccupied, he instructed me to call you." Grell looked at the Undertaker in confusion and Alex stared at him. "Wait Ash, you can find him?" she asked slowly. Ash turned to her and smiled, she was back in one piece however it was clear she was as worried as Claude's mate. Ashe ran his hand through his white hair and he turned to her, "Yes I can and I will," he responded firmly. He wasn't able to deny her this, not after what had happened in his club. He looked at the Undertaker and gestured for them to leave. Once they were out of the room Ash stated, "Three days, I'm not sure if I can find him if he's gone into hibernation." The Undertaker nodded and looked at Grell, "I'm going with Ash to look for Claude, Sebastian can't take much more of this," he stated.

"No we are going with Ash," said authoritative voice of William T. Spears. The Undertaker turned to see Ronald beside him dressed in his thickest gear. The blonde simply gave a firm nod and William looked at Ash. "Unless you don't want help," he commented. Ash shook his head, as much as shinigami irritated him, he wasn't about to turn down help to find the demon. There was a tap and William looked over to see the triplets standing at the ready, "We will assist," they said in unison. William turned to Ronald and looked at him, "If they are going I would like you to stay, someone has to be there in case they need anything," said William. Ronald was about to protest when he remembered Sebastian's valiant effort to train Grell to be a butler. "Yeah I'll stick around, just in case," he commented as he took a step back. William smiled thankfully and Ronald shrugged, "Besides someone's got to look after the fort while you guys are out," he commented. Ronald smiled and waved as he watched the group walk outside and mount snow mobiles. They flew up the path and he turned on his heel. "I guess I'll see how they're doing," said Ronald as he walked back to Alex's room.

Ronald took a step inside and noticed that Lord Campbell had fallen asleep in his chair. The couple, who had been asked to do one of the hardest things that night, was now fast asleep. They had been awake for days just to make sure that Alex would wake. He sighed as he slipped out of his dinner jacket and placed it on the table near the entrance. He was wearing a pair of blue jeans and a thick sweater, which William had given him. It was warm and reminded him of the older shinigami. Ronald's eyes shifted to the bed and he noticed Alex had fallen asleep. Sebastian was still sitting in the window, he hadn't moved a muscle. "Michaelis?" asked Ronald softly as he placed a hand on the demon's shoulder. Sebastian didn't respond and Ronald slowly took a seat in front of him on the windowsill. To this day he could remember the first time he had met Sebastian. He had been sent in Grell's stead as Sebastian attempted to solve another crime at Ciel's side. However he hadn't expected the same haughty demonic butler to be sitting in the windowsill waiting for the man he loved. Something about it seemed too twisted. "What are you thinking about?" asked Ronald softly. Sebastian turned his head and looked into Ronald's eyes. "Him," he responded softly, his voice was barely audible. Sebastian smiled a little and hummed. He looked so lost, "I remember the day he confessed to me," he whispered. Ronald froze and looked at Sebastian, he had always seen them together, after Ciel and Alois died. He never thought about how their relationship had started. "He had served me a number of years, before I left the house," he stated softly. Ronald stared at him in confusion, he thought that Sebastian had met Claude as they were first introduced to one another as they battled in place of their masters a the Trancy estate. However, this was clearly not the case. "Years had past since he had served me, and I ran off to sign my first contract," said Sebastian slowly, his eyes glowed and he placed his hand against the window.

There was a rustle from the bed and Ronald looked over to see Alex slowly sitting up. She held a finger to her lips and the blond shinigami looked at Sebastian. "In a stint of rebellion I signed a contract with a man named Xiang, a young Chinese warlord. Who had no right to even think about claiming the throne for him self. However being as ambitious and naïve as I was, I worked tirelessly to fulfill the contract and lay my hands on his soul." Sebastian drew a deep breath and looked at Ronald, "One by one the provinces fell at his feet and I worked in the shadow to ensure his victory. However I didn't count on another demon making a contract with a young woman, who desired to be Empress. She was a bold and beautiful woman which my master found irritating, most Chinese women were submissive and yet this women openly challenged him," Sebastian said with a hint of a smile on his lips. Ronald felt odd as he watched the demon tell his tale, "We had taken the capital and a grand gala was held in our honor. Among the many nobles invited was this woman and her mysterious advisor. He had was muscular and had a pair of piercing golden eyes, his black hair was unruly and rumor had it he had an affinity for spiders," whispered Sebastian. He chuckled and continued, "I was in the court yard cultivating my master's cherry trees when I noticed a golden spider among the blossoms. Rather than swatting the spider from his web I gently picked him up and placed him on a flower in the sun. I watched the spider with curiosity as it wove a soft and delicate web between the branches. It was beautiful; however I had no idea who the spider belonged to. I simply wanted it to be safe, and away from anyone who would harm it."

Sebastian paused and looked out the window once more; Alex looked lost in the demon's story. "I had no idea what was going on while I was tending master's garden. Apparently the court had made a move to kill me, thus an assassin was hired who specialized in killing demons like us," he whispered. He closed his eyes; it was as though he were lost in the moment in which he was speaking about. "The assassin leapt off the roof and landed in the garden bellow, I didn't even realize he was there until I saw a flicker of gold and plum out of the corner of my eye. There was a whisper of silk, fallowed by a muffled scream. I looked up to see the golden eyed advisor draped in gold and plum robes above me. The assassin had fallen to the ground, he had been run through with his own sword, and a silk swatch was in his mouth. The dead man's blood covered the advisor's face and hands and yet his golden eyes looked calm. He looked unmoved by the action he had just done. I had seen glimpses of him before, however I had no idea it was my former servant until he was standing before me," Sebastian said with a smile, the memory its self seemed to bring the demon a great deal of comfort. "Those golden eyes which would reflect myself in them, that gaze I had desired for years and found comfort in what once again upon me. Claude said nothing, he simply held out his hand which was still covered in blood. 'May I?' he asked, his voice was soft and soothing in comparison to his usually harsh and bitter tone. I naturally accepted stared as he slowly pulled petals from my hair, 'For as long as I can remember I have watched you from afar. At first to ensure your safety, however over the years it turned into something else,' he has stated," whispered Sebastian as he leaned back on the wall behind him. A smile caressed his lips, it was listless and wrenched the blonde shinigami's heart. "I questioned him relentlessly, demanding an explanation. My father had agreed to let me hold a contract without guidance or escort. His reply was three words, the three biggest words which had ever left his lips, 'I love you,' was his explanation. I called him a fool at first. A servant loving his master was taboo and yet part of me was overjoyed. I wanted him to belong to me heart and all."

Alex looked at Sebastian and was even more confused; the fact that Claude was Sebastian's servant surprised her. Their relationship seemed nothing like that, and yet, they were once locked in the role of servant and master. "I simply stood there in silence, I had never dreamed of him returning my feelings. I had admired him for so long and yet he always seemed to be out of my reach. Rather than whispering those three sacred words I gave him a kiss. It was sweet and wonderful when compared to all other emotions I had felt. His lips were soft and yet fire swept through me, I wanted him," said Sebastian and he sighed. Ronald looked at him and asked, "What happened after that?" Sebastian's red eyes looked back at him and he replied softly, "I collected my master's soul and ran off in search of another contract. There was no way I could stay there," Sebastian's fingers slipped through his bangs in exasperation, "For my entire existence, Claude has been chasing me and when it really mattered he sacrificed himself for me. Why didn't I save him?" he asked. Alex stared at him; his entire life consisted of his games with the golden eyed demon. She slowly slipped out of bed and wrapped her arms around Sebastian. The demon's eyes widened and he looked up at her, she buried her nose in his hair and whispered, "He will come back, if there is anything I know about Claude it's that he will come back." Sebastian's hands shook as he slowly lifted them and grasped her arms. "He must come back," she whispered.

Ash came to a stop and slowly dismounted the snowmobile, "We've checked the entire area there is not sign of him," he said slowly. The triplets leapt off the machine and landed in the snow, it was knee deep and they looked at one another. It wasn't looking good; they couldn't even sense Claude his aura was weakened. Even if he was injured they would be able to find him, however he couldn't be dead, his bond with Sebastian would have faded. "Where are you?" asked William as he held his hand up to shield his eyes from the sun. It was bright on the peak and he groaned. The day was stretching on and even a demon couldn't survive this long in the cold. Ash turned on his heal and looked to the east, "This snow is mixed with dirt," he said as he knelt in it and slowly picked up a sample of it. The Undertaker looked at him and said, "Didn't the cave fall in? Or at least that's what Sebastian mumbled before he became lost in memories?" William slowly opened his pad which he had scratched down what little coherent sentences Sebastian had managed to say before slipping into a world of memories. "Yes, there was water in it as well," William stated before closing the book. Ash nodded and began to march off to the East, "You three tell me if you can hear him," shouted Ash. The triplets nodded and fallowed him, the snow crunched as they moved through it. It was cold and the wind began to pick up again, "Ash, look!" shouted the Undertaker, he held up a black glove and pointed in the direction in which he saw the rubble. Ash's eyes widened as he darted through the snow and came to a stop, "There is definitely a cave behind this wall," he whispered. The Undertaker smiled and said, "We've got to get through it." The triplets nodded and began grabbing rocks, each bolder was moved with haste. William was quiet and whispered, "Just breathe. Please keep breathing."

The Undertaker was quick to leap over the rocks and slip into the cave, "Ash I need a torch!" he shouted. The white haired angel was quick to toss a torch in the Undertaker's direction. The silver haired reaper caught it with ease and jumped into the dark. It was damp and he called, "Faustus!" His voice echoed off the walls, he waited for a response and hissed. He had no choice but to continue into the darkness, with a torch in hand. The light was dim, the sound of rocks sliding was behind him and he looked over to see William and Ash sliding down the pile. "The triplets are outside," said William after a moment as he flicked on his torch. Their foot steps echoed in the empty space as they advanced into the darkness, "Just keep breathing," said Ash as he stepped over a large bolder.

Numbness, darkness and agonizing pain, those were the three things which occupied Claude's mind. He dreamed of warmth. Not the warmth of a fire which had burned in the hearth, but the warmth of Sebastian's arms. He ached to see his lover, to touch him all over again. For his fingers to roam across the skin which he had been prohibited from touching, he desired to drown in that heat. He missed seeing Sebastian's smile in the morning when they woke up in each other's arms, the way his lips curled in a coy smirk. His voice, which made Claude's heart leap, the one which wished him "Good morning," and "Good night." The burning from the venom spread through his body. He missed soft silky black hair, ruby red eyes and a slender from which he had worshipped from afar. His heart ached to see him again, just one last time before he lost himself in oblivion. "Faustus," called a voice it was rough and scratched like sand paper. "Faustus, what were you thinking?" it asked again. Claude moaned he began to feel as though he were floating. "Easy now, it looks like he's been bitten by something, and he's done some serious damage to his legs," said a voice, it sounded as though it was eons away. "It's really too bad Faustus, I hoped that I would be able to place the order for your custom coffin," the voice cooed.

Ronald was silent as he slowly took in what Sebastian said, he wasn't aware of this demon's position. However he was well aware that Sebastian wasn't a lowly demon, none of them of lower ranks had servants. Not a single one and he looked at Alex, she cradled him to her chest and whispered, "You really care for them." Alex looked at Ronald and nodded, "They were there when no one else was," she replied simply. Ronald looked over to the others side of the room and noticed the pain expression on Lord Campbell's face. It was clear she had no idea that she did have relatives, which were in fact in the same room as her. His yellow and green eyes looked back at her and then to Sebastian, who seemed to relax a little. Ronald sighed and looked out the window, the sun was slowly setting and he became worried, the search party hadn't returned yet. His eyes narrowed as he slowly rose and walked across the room. He slipped his hand in his pocket and slowly took out his cell phone, he was about to dial the number when he heard the buzz of snowmobiles. He dashed out into the snow, his heart pounded and he called, "Did you find him?"

The three snowmobiles came to a halt and Ronald stared in shock at the sight before him, wrapped in a blue safety blanket was a pale and battered Claude. He looked as though he had been through hell and back. His eyes were closed and his skin was nearly translucent, there were large blue rings around his eyes and his cheeks had sunk in. "Whoa," whispered Ronald in shock as he dashed to open the door. The Undertaker walked briskly to Claude and Sebastian's room, "Will he be alright?' asked Ronald, his eyes were wide and William looked at him. His hair was a mess and he noticed a streak of dirt on the side of William's face. His cheeks were red from the cold and William responded, "I have no idea." Ronald watched as the Undertaker slowly unwrapped Claude, his eyes widened in terror when he looked at the arm Claude had been bitten on. It was black, his legs were turning black as well and he could spot a bone protruding from his body. "Why didn't he heal himself?" asked Ronald in confusion. Timber entered and responded, "The venom is prohibiting it." Thompson was carrying a basin and rag and continued, "He's never had an issue before, however those spiders weren't natural." Canterbury slipped into the room behind his brothers with the black story book in hand. "We should tell Sebastian," whispered Ronald and William looked over at the Undertaker. The silver haired shinigami looked perplexed, it was clear he had never seen this kind of damage done to a demon. "Not yet, I have something to talk to you about," said Canterbury and the pair froze. Ash slowly entered the room and glared at the bag, "What is that stench?"

Canterbury held up the bag and responded, "This." Even the Undertaker looked up and asked, "Was that left by Sterling?" Canterbury nodded as he slowly opened the bag which he had sealed the book in. His small hand wrapped around the spine as he pulled it from the plastic. "Now we know that Sterling is dead, however there is something about this which is bothering me," said Canterbury. Ash looked at the demon and watched as his nimble fingers flicked through the pages. He stopped and read allowed, "Thinking only of her crested head, poor foolish thing! At last," he began and even the Undertaker's hands stilled, "Up jumped the cunning Spider, and fiercely held her fast." Canterbury's eyes roamed over the page, "He dragged her up his winding stair, into his dismal den," his voice carried and he finished with a note of finality, "Within his little parlour, but she ne'er came out again!" The room stilled and the Undertaker whispered, "I haven't heard that in quite some time, that's not Sterling's style." Ash nodded and held out his hand for the book, which Canterbury passed to him. He looked at the page and the drawing, "She, is Alexandra, the girl who none of us has told her true identity," he stated. William sighed and looked at Claude, "Of course not, they thought they could protect her if she didn't know what her name was," he stated. Ash glared at William, it was clear he was beyond irritated with this, "You can't hid it from her forever! History will repeat it's self!" he shouted. His words were like knives and Ronald looked dumbfounded, he didn't understand a word of what was going on. "What is everyone so scared of saying?" asked Ronald in confusion.

Ash and the Undertaker looked at one another and then to Ronald. "The fire which burned down the estate wasn't an accident," said the Undertaker. The blonde's jaw dropped and he stammered, "What?" Ash looked at Claude and whispered, "Something terrible happened that night, something which even Sebastian desires to forget." He looked as though he had been swallowed by darkness. "Richard Campbell and Lady Campbell were slaughtered by the rest of the court, in response to a case they were working," said Ash slowly. Ronald looked at them and asked, "What?" The Undertaker turned his attention to binding Claude's legs and he continued, "She has been running from something very dark, for a very long time." Ronald looked over at William who looked disgusted and was about to asked something when he heard some one clear his throat. Standing in the door way was a haggard Sebastian. "Don't," he whispered. Ash fell silent and looked at Sebastian, "Not tonight," he whispered as he approached the bed. He took a seat at the edge of the bed and looked at the state in which Claude had returned to him in. Alex had fallowed him in and they all knew the topic was now off limits.

Alex heaved a sigh of relief and whispered, "Even if he looks like hell, he's still here." She smiled and looked at Ash, the Undertaker, William and the triplets. "Thank you," she said softly. The Undertaker nodded and noticed a pouting redhead in the door way, "It would appear I've been gone too long," he commented. The bed squeaked as he rose and walked across the room. Alex watched as the pair embraced and she smiled a little. Ronald and William nodded and slowly left the room, "Let's give them some time to be together," said William smoothly. Alex nodded and was about to say something to Canterbury when she noticed the book. She looked at him in surprise and asked, "Where did that come from?" Ash looked at her and she continued, "That book, where did you get it?" Canterbury held it up and Alex slowly grabbed it, she smiled sweetly as she touched the cover. "I remember this," she slowly opened the cover and continued, "Or at least I think I do." The room as still and she closed her eyes, "I had this dream that a handsome young man with eyes like mine read this to me on day, it was raining and after an incident which scared him. His voice was soft and deep which made me feel comfortable." Her eyes opened slowly and she passed the book back to Canterbury, "I think it was my brother, or at least someone related to me," she said slowly. Ash looked nervous and Alex sighed, "Well, it's just a dream anyway." Her eyes shifted to the bed and she looked at Claude, "How is he?" she asked slowly and Sebastian remained silent. Ronald placed a hand on her shoulder and whispered, "Let's leave them be, Sebastian can attend to him better than any of us."