Her Butler, The Crescendo

You promised... You promised me you'd always keep me safe, where are you? Sebastian I need you... Sebastian... Hurry up and save me, you're my only chance...

Time meant nothing, the shackles around her wrist had begun to become comfortable, the once raw skin now healing slowly. The accommodations weren't horrible, hell it was a perfect replica of her room from the manor, it was just that damn color. White.

White, why did everything have to be white?

She reminded herself that once she was free she would make sure to give this man living hell, slowly lifting her head she watched the white doors open to let way for the man with the boy and girl enter again, his same smile always on his face.

"Good Evening Ciel, sleep well?" She refused to answer him, to give him the satisfaction; not that it ever mattered he never faltered. "Quiet as usual I see, I brought Gabriel to play and for her to watch. Won't you have some fun today?" He left without another word, without his smile fading, the door closing behind him as Gabriel sat across from her, smiling as he bounced in his chair.

"Oh Ciel it's so lovely to have you in the family, what game shall we play?" The girl piped up momentarily, her good eye shining brightly.

"Oh why don't we just read a lovely story?" Ciel winced as Gabriel turned to her sharply.

"No! I wasn't addressing you, father told you to never bother me when I'm with Ciel!" The poor girl turned her face away, her white gloved hand blocking the tears from her view. Ciel sighed heavily.

Sebastian where are you? I've relied on you, to keep your promise but if this the one time you wont...

Ciel smiled, lifting her head a bit to show it to the surprised Gabriel.

"Actually my dear boy, why don't we read a story?" She pulled at the chains, showing she could move no further than where she had been sat. "Since your father refuses to give me anymore freedom I'm afraid there's not much left I can do. Why don't you go to the library, surely there is one in this house, and find a great big book that we can sit here and read?" Gabriel's smile was on his face, immediately he stood but not before grabbing the girl roughly.

"You watch her now, father and I will be even more unhappy with you if you let her slip away!" The poor girl nodded feverously, satisfied Gabriel carelessly threw her into the wall, the door shutting with a bit of a bang. Ciel looked to the girl and gave a frown at the sign of already bruising.

"Are you alright dear? What happened at the party?" The girl froze, looking to Ciel with a wide eye.

I've relied too much on you, I need to accept what I need to do...

"Y-You speak to me Ciel? But why?" Ciel smiled softly, motioning to the seat in front of her.

"Come, sit. I like you, I know Arok and Gabriel don't wish to speak with you but I would love to hear about your wants." The girl looked at Ciel, as if trying to contemplate as to why she would ever want to, but slowly she made her way to the chair, sitting down timidly.

They sat there in silence, the girl staring down at her hands until Ciel couldn't take it, she gently placed a hand upon the girl's before speaking quietly.

"Why did Arok make you, what are you?" The girl didn't respond, Ciel gave a sigh until she felt something on her hand, she looked to see that the poor girl had started crying.

"Father created me to become you, to become the Ciel he wants... He doesn't understand..." She sighed, lifting her hand she removed the glove to show it was scarred in the palm, a sad smile upon her lips. "He doesn't understand that yes I may be but a servant, one who owes him my life yet I am but a demon. I can't help but be who I am, but he wants you. That's all he's wanted since that day he found out about you. He knew that you'd never give into him though." Ciel gasped as the girl stood, knocking the chair over she ripped the hat off her head, revealing her full face to Ciel making Ciel speechless. The girl's locks tumbled down her back, changing from the raven to a dulled almost rust color. "He doesn't understand that I am Mai, not Ciel! I will never, ever be you. No one can be but you! I wish I had never undergone his work but all he sees is his white pictures, his paintings!" Ciel smiled, standing slowly as the girl stood there, shaking as her body slowly began to transform into a beautiful woman, her skin grew tanner as her body grew fuller with her curves. Ciel couldn't help but admire as the dress ripped away, leaving only the corset and skirt left.

"Perhaps, Mai can we make a contract?" The woman looked to Ciel, her eyes were the only reflection of Ciel.

"What kind of contract? Your soul belongs to Sebastian, no one else can put a claim upon that unless..." She shook her head, a frown forming on her full blood red lips, black lines seemed to crawl across her body like snakes, some stopping while others continued.

"A contract that relives you of service to Arok but puts you as to work under me, in return after you fulfill a few duties I'll let you go free." Ciel had never seen a demon look surprised before, she blinked, turning her eyes to the mirror as the room slowly began to fill with a rust color.

Sebastian froze, dropping his fork onto his plate. The others turned to him, waiting to see what the matter was. He felt something within him stir, his eyes flashing momentarily before he stood, his gaze immediately turning towards the window.

"Ciel..." He whispered her name, knowing no one would catch it before quickly making his way from the dining room into the hallway. He quickly made his way down the stairs, a voice called just as his hand landed upon the doorknob.

"Lord Sebastian." Sebastian turned, not surprised to see Tanaka behind him, a bag in his hands. "I think she'd like some of her own clothes, bring her back safely." Sebastian smiled, nodding to the old man and graciously taking the bag before leaving. In an instant he was within the forest rushing towards the one whom he had been searching for.

Ciel, I'll be there soon...

Ciel stood still as Mai took her hands, meeting her eyes Mai smiled sadly.

"Ciel Phantomhive are you sure you wish to form this contract with me?" Ciel nodded, taking a deep breath.

"Heaven was never in the question for one as me, I accept this contract." She gasped as the black lines found their way into her veins, wrapping around her arms as they made their way to her back, she couldn't help but fall to her knees as the mark formed upon her back, tearing away the dress in it's progress, she gasped for air at the burning sensation upon her back. Mai smiled softly, her eyes slowly fading into a beautiful almost dull rose red.

"Arise Ciel Phantomhive, you have accepted my mark and freed me of my first contract. I am now your marionette for you to do as you please with." Ciel stood slowly, Mai let her hands drop before looking towards the window her eyes danced with the color black mixed around the edges as she laughed. "His blockade is gone, now he comes." Ciel smiled, a laugh escaping her throat.

"He's late."

Both women froze as Gabriel ran into the room, his eyes wide when he saw the two.

"WHAT DID YOU DO?" Mai snickered, a blade extending from her open palm.

"I took my freedom brother, you should do the same if you wish to live on this night. The Black Butler is coming, Arok has no power to stop this night from being painted black."

He stood in front of the manor, a sick smile upon his lips as he watched the white manor shook under the impending storm, he saw the man standing in the door and couldn't help but enjoy the look of shock upon his face. He slowly made his way towards the man in white, not caring that his power was showing.

"Lord Sebastian, I did not expect to see you here. How did you find this place?" Sebastian laughed, sending a fork flying towards the man's face. Arok easily caught it, a smile appearing on his face. "Ah I see, that bitch fell for your succubus's words did she? Well now we'll just have to correct their behaviors if Gabriel can't handle it. Come into my study shall we?" Sebastian frowned but followed, his nose wrinkling at the sight of white.

Ciel rolled away as the glass caved around her, her hands covering her ears at the sounds of Gabriel's screams. Mai was immediately next to her, covering her with the bedspread.

"I'm so sorry Ciel, are you alright?" Ciel nodded, looking towards the boy who's jaw seemed to have ripped from his face, the red of his blood a stark contrast to the white of his clothes.

"Sister you are so disappointing, what will father think of his perfect creation failing to do such a simple task?" Mai growled, lunging as she launched a line of black, Gabriel easily back flipped away from it, he snarled at the black stain it left upon the carpet.

"Oh shut it will you? I'm tired of this game, this perfect doll house was never going to work and you know it. This was all Arok's plan to get back at Sebastian for him taking Leana away from him. She's the only thing that Arok has ever cared for in his pathetic existence!" Gabriel had tears coming from his eyes, shaking his head his skin seemed to wrap back around his jaw.

"You're lying! Father loves us, new mother will love us too! Ciel loves us!" Ciel laughed as she stood, still surrounded by the blanket.

"When will you get it through your head boy? Life isn't a game, this isn't a doll house." Gabriel froze, his fist shaking in front of him as Ciel stepped towards him. "Look I don't know who Leana is or what happened between him and Sebastian but I do know this, I am in love with Sebastian and Mai is now with me. What binds you to Arok?" Ciel couldn't believe the words coming from her, was she feeling pity on a demon? Was she truly allowing her emotions to care for another? Ciel blinked as Mai laughed, her smile was nothing short of sadistic.

"That's the problem Ciel, he follows Arok blindly. Arok is older than Sebastian and has the power to bind others with his false fantasy that demons can ever hope to achieve the life of a mortal again, to live peacefully with the humans. He grew jealous of you and Sebastian, but Sebastian wrote his grave with Arok many eons ago." Ciel blinked, looking towards the demon girl until she felt her ring pulse, a blue glow coming from it. Mai's smile took a dark twist as she began running towards Gabriel. "Ah so he is here, then let the darkness of the night paint it all black!"