Sebastian has managed to get Claude back, however he has no idea how to save him. He had managed to heal Claude before, but this is beyond his abilities. In an act of desperation he calls the only being that can possibly assist him, his father.

Will Sebastian be able to save Claude with Lucifer's help?

Why isn't Alex afraid of Lucifer?

What happened in the past between Sebastian and Lucifer?

And what does the Undertaker know about it?

Hey guys I've been helping another writer out with her work recently, she's very talented however would like a second opinion. Check out Colleen Winter's work on fictionpress titled "Scellée avec un Baiser." She has been my sound board for many chapters; I hope you enjoy her work as much as I do.

I hope you enjoy,

~Kuro

P.s. I do not own Kuroshitsuji, however Alex, Lucifer and Seiki are all my original characters.

Chapter 64: Crimson Lips

Sebastian stood before Claude's bed, everything else around him didn't matter, all that mattered was Claude. He had returned and was lying before him, battered and broken but still there. His hands shook as he slowly reached out, he couldn't get the shaking to cease, it was as though he were shaking himself to pieces. Yet Claude was there, he couldn't stop trembling. He had been drowning in darkness and yet when his light returned it was nearly snuffed out. What had once been a steady flame was now an ember which was on the verge of cooling permanently. Sebastian gently caressed the side of Claude's face and he whispered, "Why?" His voice cracked as he looked at his mangled body, "Why did you save me?" he asked again. He was battling tears. He had never seen his spider this mangled. The venom had gone too far, usually he was able to suck the venom from Claude's blood by lightly sucking it out of the wound. However this had gone unattended, "I'm not experienced enough for this," he whispered in agony, "I can't save you." He closed his eyes and bowed his head. No amount of prayer to god would save Claude, for he wasn't god's creation. He was no ones son; he had been alone for a very long time. He didn't even know who his parents were, a lost little boy in the woods who was being chased by monsters. His tears fell as he fell to his knees, "Father," he cried. He closed his eyes and called again in vain, "Father, please. I don't know what to do."

Crimson ribbons streamed from his eyes and he begged, "I can't do this on my own, please help me." He lowered his hands and closed his eyes tightly, he had lost Jasper, and to loose Claude was too much to bear. "Help me," he cried again and he began to feel dizzy, it had been so long since he fed and his despair was ripping him in two. "Dad," he muttered before he lowered his head. Sebastian shook violently as he lifted his hands and covered his face. "I don't know what to do," he cried, his tears streamed through his fingers and landed on the floor in front of him. Sebastian had never gotten along with his father, there were many times in which he questioned whether his father recognized his existence. Naturally Lucifer had managed to stop his mother from killing Sebastian one day, and yet after that he was never around. "Please," he choked, "I'll do anything, just help him." He closed his eyes and hugged himself, "I haven't heard you cry in a long time, Michaelis," said a deep voice, it was lush and soothing. Sebastian looked up to see a figure standing before him, he had long black hair and a pair of beautiful garnet eyes. He hadn't aged a day since Sebastian seen him as a child. "Dad," he cried as he wrapped his arms around Lucifer, in the past he feared this demon, he still feared him however he was more afraid of loosing Claude. Lucifer looked down at his son in shock, and then slowly encircled him, "It seems you aren't petrified of me, I thought you were," he whispered as he gave his son a squeeze.

Sebastian looked up at him and whispered, "I'm still afraid, but I'm more afraid of loosing Claude." Lucifer's expression changed, his smile faded and his gaze softened. Long fingers slowly tucked one of Sebastian's bangs behind his ear, "This is the first time you cried, and called my name," he said softly. He looked over at the demon on the bed and hissed, he had never seen anyone sustain this much damage. He looked at Sebastian and asked, "Why haven't you returned home?" Sebastian slowly wiped his tears with the back of his hand and rose from the floor. He pushed his black sleeves back and looked at the bed. His gaze softened and he whispered, "Because my home is where he is." Lucifer looked at Sebastian; he had never seen this look in his son's eyes. "Home isn't defined by walls and doors. A house provides shelter from the rain and the wind, but home," Sebastian paused. He smiled and looked at him, "Home is a place I feel safe, where I can return and smile. With out him, a house is just a house." He slowly walked over to Claude and swept one of his bangs from his eyes and continued, "Home is with him, in his heart and his arms. No one can touch me there, and they will always be mine. His arms have protected me from the rain, the wind, and loneliness. Where ever his is, is my home." He looked up at his father, Lucifer sighed and slowly smiled. His eyes looked lonesome and he looked at Claude, "I see, and if I said I wanted to see you more often, would you visit me?" he asked. Sebastian looked at Lucifer and noticed how his words seemed to hurt him. Sebastian slowly smiled and nodded, "As long as I'm still welcome," he responded. Lucifer smiled a little and turned his attention to Claude. He slowly pulled off his plum robe and placed it on the chair beside the bed. His fingers made quick work of tying back his hair. He was wearing a button down and pair of slacks underneath. He quickly unfastened the first two buttons and rolled up his sleeves. Sebastian watched as his father slowly turned into the man he had seen sitting in his study at the end of the day.

As long as he could remember he could sneak a peak at his father through the crack in his study door. Lucifer's eyes would be closed and his lips parted as he managed to obtain a few hours of sleep. His father looked so much younger as he slept and Sebastian remembered how Victor would drape a blanket over his father and take the crystal glass from his fingers. The soft glow of the fire would emphasize his deep and noble features; it also made his dark circles more visible. He would whisper, "Good night, my lord," and press a soft kiss to Lucifer's head before turning to the door. Lucifer never stirred when Victor did this, he simply slept. Sebastian never knew if his father was aware of Victor's feelings for him, or if Victor knew he was outside the door every night. Just to see a glimpse of his father.

"The venom has done a lot of damage," said Lucifer as he picked up Claude's discolored arm. "What bit him?" he asked slowly. Sebastian was jolted from the memory and looked at his father. "An ice spider," he replied quickly and Lucifer looked up at him in confusion. "A conjured spider?" he asked slowly, his eyes narrowed and he looked at his son. Sebastian nodded and Lucifer sighed, "This is going to be difficult, luckily his body has gone into hibernation," he said swiftly as he slowly traced Claude's veins with his fingers. "However, if the venom progresses too far, he will be trapped in this state," advise Lucifer as he slowly looked at the damage done to his legs. "Once we get the venom out, his legs will heal, however there may be scaring. There is little I can do to prevent it," he said slowly, his garnet eyes were locked on his son's face. Sebastian looked uncomfortable; however there was this will which hadn't diminished. "What can I do to assist?" asked Sebastian and Lucifer smiled. "Do you remember why I grow wisteria and hydrangea?" Sebastian looked at him and slowly thought about it, he could remember learning how to mix basic healing creams. "Wisteria reduces inflammation in demons and improves blood flow, and hydrangea acts as a narcotic," replied Sebastian. Lucifer smiled and asked, "Do you remember what happens when we mix the two?" There was silence as Sebastian searched his memory for the answer; his father would lecture him on these flowers for hours. "They can be used to combat poison, however the spiders were conjured," he said slowly. Sebastian looked up at Lucifer in confusion, the elder smiled and nodded.

"There's something special about our blood, something which no other demon is able to do," Lucifer said as he looked at Sebastian. Sebastian seemed a little uneasy and curious as he listened to his father, "Unlike him, poison doesn't affect us, the only thing which will are an angel's tears. If we add our blood to the wisteria and hydrangea you get antivenin which will treat even that produced by conjured creatures," Lucifer stated. Sebastian nodded slowly and watched as his father pulled a pouch of dried wisteria and hydrangea from his pocket. It was a beautiful black velvet pouch, "I need a silver bowl," he said softly. Sebastian nodded and was about to rush out of the room when Canterbury knocked on the door. "Enter," called Sebastian. Much to his surprise one of the purple haired triplets was standing in the door way with a silver dish in his hand. "I thought you may need this," he whispered as he held it out to Sebastian. The younger demon smiled and remembered the evening he had handed the same demon a tin of cream to treat holy water burns. "I figured the only thing which you could mix medicine in was silver," he whispered, his voice trembled when he noticed the demon lord and he bowed his head. "Thank you," breathed Sebastian as he took the bowel. Canterbury looked up for a moment and stared at the pair, his eyes widened and he whispered, "You're?" Lucifer looked at the small demon curiously and then back to his son. "Yes, he's my father," he replied softly with a small smile. Canterbury looked at Claude and his mouth dropped, "You and him?" he asked, he placed a certain emphasis on the word him. Sebastian chuckled and nodded, "He really is a lucky bastard," he grumbled before giving Lucifer a deep bow.

"Michaelis, you really never did tell anyone," said Lucifer softly. Sebastian nodded as he held the bowl out to his father. Lucifer opened the bag and emptied its contents into it, he then reached for a silver blade. Canterbury stiffened and felt queasy, Sebastian looked over at him and said, "You may go," his tone was soft and Canterbury nodded in appreciation. In seconds he was out the door and they hear the latch click. "He's young," commented Lucifer as he looked at the blade made of Judas silver. It glistened in the light and he looked at Sebastian, "Just a few drops of our blood will save him," he whispered. He held his wrist over the bowl and was about to slit his wrist when Sebastian forcefully stopped him. His long slender fingers were wrapped around his father's hand, "Allow me," he said sternly. Lucifer looked up to see a pair of determined ruby red eyes looking at him. Even though Sebastian looked pail and drained, he was willing to give Claude everything he had. "Michaelis?" he asked softly, Sebastian squeezed his father's hand and looked him directly in the eye. "As grateful as I am that you are willing to go so far," he said slowly, "This is something I must do." Before Lucifer could protest Sebastian whispered, "Please, Dad." The room stilled again and he looked at his son, the little boy from his memories was gone. Standing before him was a demon who desired to protect his lover, "Please, he sacrificed himself to save me, let me do this. I'm tired of being the one he saves," he said slowly. He had saved Claude from Lucie, however that wasn't enough. The golden arachnid had always been watching over him and he desired to do repay him. "I understand," replied Lucifer as he pushed memories of the small onyx haired boy who played in his garden of black and blue roses into the back of his mind. He handed the dagger to Sebastian and watched as the demon rolled up the sleeve of the black sweater with care. Slowly Sebastian positioned his slender white wrist over the bowl and he drew a deep breath. He could remember how badly the silver had burned before, however this was the only way he could draw enough blood without borrowing a death scythe from one of the shinigami. The blade was cold as he slipped it across the skin, it burned as badly as he remembered and he closed his eyes. He had to tolerate the pain, that bitterness which he had tried to shy from just long enough to bring the sweetness back into his life. A bright red ribbon fell from his open wrist and into the bowl. Lucifer nodded and Sebastian pressed his fingers to his wrist, he watched as his father made a cream and slowly lathered it on the bite.

Veins which had once looked like Claude's black web slowly faded and he noticed the wound ooze. Lucifer placed an ashtray under his arm which was hanging off the bed. The poison was black and Sebastian stared as the swelling decreased and the black veins which had covered him faded. Even the blue bruising around his eyes disappeared, now Claude was simply pail and his legs were still broken. "The poison leached his body of nutrients, he need blood," said Lucifer softly. The elder of the pair was about to slice his own wrist, when Sebastian said, "No, hold him up, and tip his head back." Lucifer sat on the bed behind Claude and did as instructed, Sebastian held his wrist over Claude's open mouth and he whispered, "Drink, this will help you heal." Sebastian's blood trickled into the arachnid's open mouth; he watched Claude's pigment slowly return. His once blue lips were now stained bright red from his blood. However, the cut he had made began closing, Sebastian was quick to grab the blade again and make a deeper cut. He hissed in pain as the blade sliced into his skin, his blood slowly turned dark purple and he panted, his head began feeling light and he heard, "Sebastian that's plenty." His head was swimming and everything sounded as though it were under water. He shook his head and said, "No, he's almost there just a few more drops," he managed to say. Lucifer watched the demon slowly turn a pale pink, the right color and he stared in shock at his son. Sebastian was pale and began to waver, "That's enough," shouted Lucifer as he quickly wrapped his arms around his son before he hit the floor.

Garnet eyes widened, Sebastian was too light, he didn't realize how worn he was until he was holding the slender demon in his arms. The baggy black sweater made him look larger and then he realized whose it was, he looked over at Claude and grumbled. He still wasn't happy that Sebastian was bound to Claude, in fact Claude didn't even ask for permission. He sighed and remembered how earnestly Sebastian had begged for the demon, it was the first time Sebastian had ever acted selfishly. A smile appeared on Lucifer's lips as he placed Sebastian on the sofa at the foot of the bed. He grabbed the heavy cream blanket and tucked his son in. His eyes were locked on Sebastian's sleeping face, he had exhausted himself and the demon lord slowly tucked one of Sebastian's bangs behind his ear. "Sebastian, that's the name you call yourself," he whispered with a hint of amusement. He chuckled and took a seat by the bed, he positioned himself so he could watch both his son and Claude rest. The sound of their breathing was soothing and he hummed.

Alex stretched as she slipped into jeans and a sweater; Lord and Lady Campbell were chatting and having tea. She had spent a majority of her time with them; however, she was still worried about Claude and Sebastian. She could remember how upset Sebastian was as he cared for Claude the first time he had nearly died. The image of a pale Claude on the brink of death upset her. She paused outside of the door of her room and looked across the hall. Before she even realized it her hand was resting on the door and she looked up at it. "Sebastian?" she called cautiously. There wasn't a response and she slowly opened the door. It was dim and she called again curiously, "Sebastian? Are you alright?" The door swung silently as she gently pushed it open. Their room was pristine and she sighed, it reminded her of how neat their mansion was. Her eyes looked over at the stack of folders on the coffee table and she noticed a mixture of Claude's and Sebastian's penmanship. There was soft breathing in the bedroom and she noticed how light seeped through a crack in the doorway. "Sebastian?" she asked again as she crossed the room and slowly pushed the bedroom door open. Her eyes widened to find a pale and well worn Sebastian, "Sebastian!" she cried as she ran to his side and fell to her knees. "He's asleep," commented a lush voice, it was soft and sounded similar to Sebastian's however it was deeper. Alex looked up at the bed in confusion. Claude was resting peacefully and then looked to the chair beside the bed. Her eyes widened when she noticed the man sitting in it, his long legs were crossed and his head was leaning on one of his hands. Her lips parted as she looked at his fiery garnet eyes which seemed almost black, and his long onyx black hair. His featured were deep and noble, and she slowly looked at Sebastian again. Her ocean blue eyes glided back to the man in the chair and she felt as though she were looking at a slightly older version of Sebastian.

His long fingers wrapped around the arm of the chair and his lips were curved into an amused smile, it was impossible to deny the uncanny resemblance the pair were to one another. "You're his father, aren't you?" she asked slowly as she stood up. She looked into his eyes and he nodded. "I am," he said softly, "Who are you?" Alex walked over toward him and held out her hand slowly, "Alex," she answered sweetly. The man looked at her hand and then into her eyes, he looked confused. "Haven't you ever shaken anyone's hand before?" she asked curiously. His expression soured and he barked, "Did you think I was that rude?" Alex lowered her hand and wrung them together, "No, I mean I know Sebastian isn't human and neither is Claude, but," she paused and looked back over at the bed. She was still uneasy as she looked at the sight of an injured Claude. Her gaze was soft and her brown hair was a mess, "I apologize," whispered Sebastian's father. Alex looked over at him and smiled sympathetically. "It's alright, he is your son after all, surly you're worried," she commented. Lucifer smiled and shook his head, it had been a long time since he spoke so casually to a human, "I am, but he's strong," he commented before rising from his seat. Alex stared at him and realized he was slightly taller than Sebastian, yet just as beautiful. "What's your relation to my son?" he asked slowly. Alex froze and looked at him that was what she wanted to know. On paper she worked for them as a designer, but privately they filled the roles of her guardians. "I was hired, by Sebastian as a graphic designer for one of his firms called Artistry," she replied slowly.

Lucifer looked at her and smiled, "There are several?" he asked. Alex nodded and tapped her chin with her index finger, "There are seven total, however Artistry is the main one and holds the larger contracts," she replied with some thought. She watched his eyes shift to Sebastian and then to her, "What's your last name?" he asked curiously. His eyes held a spark and his expression became more relaxed. She shrugged and replied, "Stark." Lucfier's eye brows shot up and he looked at her in confusion, "Stark, I thought you were," before he could finish the Undertaker appeared. He slowly walked over to her and said, "Lucius and Marcus are looking at leaving soon, and they would like to wish you well." Alex smiled and nodded before looking at Lucifer, "It was a pleasure to meet you Mister?" she asked. Lucifer smiled and replied, "Luce, just call me Luce." Alex smiled again and said, "Luce," it was as though she were testing it and she nodded. In moments the young woman had bounded out of the room in search of Lucius.

"She doesn't know," said the Undertaker, "it was their decision." Lucifer sighed and sagged in the chair, he had known the Undertaker for a long time and he commented, "It's nice to see you out and about." The Undertaker smiled and tilted his head to the side, "It's nice to see you as well, I see he gave Claude his blood," he paused and noticed the red mark on Lucifer's own wrist, "and from the looks of it you used your own blood to save him." Lucifer was silent and looked at the shinigami, "He's afraid of you because of your wife," he commented and Lucifer sighed. He knew, he had known for a long time the meaning behind Sebastian's statement about being welcomed. His wife had abused Sebastian and he unfortunately was usually too busy trying to stop a coo that Sebastian was normally neglected. "I should have addressed it after the first incident," he commented and he looked at his hands. "If I had maybe he wouldn't have left like he did," he commented. The Undertaker took a seat on the edge of the bed and looked at the demon lord, for the first time in a long time; the lord looked like a troubled parent. He chuckled and commented, "Parenting is tough. He came out pretty good in the end." Lucifer looked up at him and the Undertaker regretted what he had said instantly. He had been there the night Sebastian left, and unfortunately witnessed Claude's dismissal as well. He closed his eyes and remembered the cold night as clear as the moment he was sitting before Lucifer.

The Undertaker had just finished an assignment and was going to see Lucifer to give him a letter from the Shinigami Dispatch. The pair had been friends for years, however after Lucifer had been selected as the Demon Lord, they hadn't seen much of one another. Victor was leading him through the palace when he noticed a young man and his tutor in the garden. "Wait a moment," said the Undertaker as he slowly opened the window and watched the young man. He was the spitting image of his father, and a smile cured his lips, "Michaelis, you're the son of Lucifer! Why are you pruning the roses!" shouted Seiki, he was furious and the Undertaker laughed. Sebastian had requested that white roses were put in the garden to go with the black and blue ones his father preferred. The flowers were Sebastian's pride and joy. "Well the gardeners won't take care of them, without attention they will die," commented Sebastian as he clipped another dead stem from the bush. Seiki glared and drew his sword, in a swift motion the white rose buds fell to the ground, they had been hacked off by Seiki's sword. "What have you done?" asked Sebastian with a note of irritation. His crimson eyes glowed pink and Seiki purred, "I told you it's useless to feel affection for such things." Sebastian stiffened and took a defensive stance, "You killed my raven and cat and now you destroy my roses," he spat with irritation.

The Undertaker watched wide eyed as Sebastian lunged at his tutor. "Sir, he's expecting you," said Victor with a note of irritation. The Undertaker nodded and slowly walked off to Lucifer's study which was further back. Seiki swiftly pinned Sebastian to the ground. He was much more muscular than Sebastian and Seiki laughed. "I've been waiting to get you under me," he commented. Sebastian looked confused, it was clear the demon lord had never warned him. "I know what you are," said Seiki happily as he viciously ripped open Sebastian's shirt. The demon squirmed in an attempt to escape Seiki's grasp, only for Seiki to flip the young demon and remove his trousers. "You aren't escaping me, young master," Seiki breathed. Sebastian struggled even more and gripped the grass under him. Seiki smiled as he ran his fingers over every inch of the young demon, he had desired to take Sebastian for so long. He ran his tongue down Sebastian's neck and the young demon trembled in fear. "Get off of me," Sebastian shouted as he attempted to throw him off. Seiki clicked his tongue and sat on Sebastian's hips, pinning him in place. "So feisty," he commented as he slipped off his neck tie and swiftly tied Sebastian's hands together. "I was going to let you enjoy this," he said darkly, "however now this will be for my pleasure and not yours." A screamed pierced the air as Sebastian called for Claude. The sound of china crashing to the floor was fallowed by a storm of footsteps. Even Lucifer and the Undertaker were sprinting, only to see a figure being thrown across the garden. "How dare you, lay a hand on my master," Claude sneered. The young golden eyed butler picked Seiki up by his collar, Seiki trembled and Lucifer called, "Enough." He took several steps into the garden; however he hadn't noticed the scene of his son being bound against his will. Lucifer's eyes darkened when he noticed the neck tie around his son's hands and he dashed over to Seiki his hand wrapped around his neck and he hissed, "Why should I keep you alive?" His tone was glacial and his eyes flickered purple, the Undertaker had never seen Lucifer this angry. Claude stepped back and bowed, "Quit kowtowing and assist my son," spat Lucifer. Claude rushed to Sebastian's side; he made quick work of untying the demon.

"I'm the best tutor in the underworld and you know it," said Seiki in a rush. Lucifer grinned wickedly, "No, I know someone better," he commented with a dark smile of pleasure caressing his lips. Seiki looked at him in confusion, "Me," said Lucifer darkly. Seiki trembled with terror as Lucifer squeezed his throat until the Undertaker interrupted, "Wouldn't banishment serve a better purpose?" he asked slowly. Lucifer looked over at the silver haired reaper, "He clearly wants to die, I can't think of a better from of torture, force him to live," he continued. Lucifer's eyes sparkled and he smiled, "Alright, bring the brand," he called with a grin. A pair of guard rushed off to grab the brand and Seiki whimpered, "No, not banishment." Banishment was worse than living in hell, it meant you were to be hunted by angels, humans, shinigami, kami, and other demons as well, no where was safe. Lucifer threw Seiki at a pair of guards and held his hand out for the brand. He grinned with glee, and his eyes glowed dangerously, "With this brand you are banished from the underworld, no one will protect you, those who shelter you will be slaughtered. Those who come to your aid will die and it will all be on your head," he said darkly. Lucifer pressed the hot brand into Seiki's skin, the smell of burnt flesh filled the air along with Sieki's agonizing scream.

The Undertaker looked over to see Claude removing his tail coat, and watched as the butler draped it over Sebastian. Claude fell to his knees and gently took Sebastian's hands in his own. He had never seen this tenderness between demons and he looked over to Seiki, his gaze was locked on the pair. A wave of uneasiness swept over the Undertaker, trouble was brewing in the demon lord's house, and he was one of its reasons. The sky became dark and he looked at Lucifer, Seiki was limp in the guards' arms, he had passed out from the pain. "You are not allowed to leave," hissed Lucifer as he marched back to his study, "The palace is under lockdown." The Undertaker watched as the guards dragged Seiki to the dungeon and he looked over at Claude who picked up Sebastian. He watched as Claude carried Sebastian away and turned on his heel to see how Lucifer was going. They had a long night ahead of them.

The Undertaker was shaken from his thoughts when he heard Claude moan. He jumped and looked over his shoulder. "What time is it?" he asked slowly. Lucifer straightened up in the chair and realized that the golden eyed demon couldn't see him; it was going to take a while for his eyes to adjust. Lucifer pulled out his golden fog watch and replied, "10:30 in the evening." Claude's eyes widened and he looked over at Lucifer, he was about to bolt up right when the demon lord said hastily, "Stay down, you can bow all you want later, your body is still repairing it's self." Claude looked at him and then to the Undertaker. "Where is Sebastian?" he asked slowly, it was clear he had figured out what had occurred. Lucifer pointed to the sofa at the end of the bed and replied, "Sleeping." Claude's shoulders slowly relaxed and his golden eyes seemed to be at ease. "Why are you here my lord?" asked Claude softly. Lucifer sighed and shook his head; it just occurred to him that Claude hadn't been able to shake his formal speech. "Sebastian called me to help you," he said coldly. Claude stared at the sleeping demon that was wrapped in a cream colored blanket. "I didn't understand why until I watched him jump through hoops for you," he said as he cross his arms and legs. "You break my son's heart, and you will experience a fate worse than death," said Lucifer darkly, "You will be begging for it, when I'm through with you." The Undertaker cackled and looked at Lucifer, "You really do sound like a father when you say that."