The night was filled with silence save for the sound of crickets chirping in the distance.
"This isn't how I planned to spend my evening. The things I go through for love." Grell mumbled as he wandered about the woods.
"I'm a grim reaper damn it, not a child's play thing. Bassy had best come up with something worth all this."He continued to grumble to himself. A twig snapped from somewhere behind him, he stopped.
"Surely you're joking. I can't say I didn't see this coming. Come on out little Earl, you've found me".Grell waited but Ciel didn't appear.
"This is ridiculous. Aren't you ready to call it a night, we've been at this for hours." He waited but no one came.
"I am deathly serious, come on out and end this before I'm forced to use my death scythe." A rustling from nearby bushes caught his attention. He walked closer, his weapon ready. He reached his destination and slowly began to move the leaves. Something moved from behind them.
"I knew it, you little monster, you waste my time and then don't even have the courage to come out and-"
"For your sake Grell, I hope you had no intention of using your little toy." Sebastian said suddenly appearing beside him.
"Bassy, can we stop now, there are a thousand and one things we could be doing right now, if that.. child of yours just gave up or something."
"If he gave up, what would he learn from this, he's done well thus far."
"You've got me playing a glorified hide and seek game, in the middle of the woods, at night with a little boy that can't get a grip on himself, let alone track a reaper!"
"Ciel can handle himself, he's growing more confident by the day. He was very gentle when tracking the servants, he had a great deal of control."
"Look Bassy, I love you but I just don't think-" A figure launched itself out of the shadows and into the reaper knocking him down. Grell jumped to his feet, his scythe ready.
"You little beast, Fine your father wants you to learn something, I'll show you what happens when you challenge me." Grell ran at the boy, anger visible in his eyes. Ciel grinned meeting half way. Sebastian stood close by watching the event unfold.
Grell raised his weapon above his head, bringing it down over Ciel, who blocked it with his knives. Grell added pressure, leaning in close to the Earl.
"It's really a shame, after all the struggling that you and dear Bassy went through to bring back your family, it looks as if I'm going to have to kill you."
The boy's red eyes flashed brightly. Ciel chuckled.
"Not even in your dreams, Grell." In one movement, Ciel pushed the reaper off of him . Grell stumbled backward, his eyes wide as he looked at the young halfling.
"Bassy, he's-" Sebastian stared in awe.
"I see him. You're doing an excellent job Grell, please continue."
"But Bassy, he's demoning!"
"So he is, finally. Go on Grell and you shall have the reward we discussed."
"Already, fine. I'm holding you to your word." He return to the fight, attacking once more.
"Mr. Sebastian, I- Young Master!" Finny shouted as he arrived on scene. He took a step forward only to be held back.
"You must not interfere. He's capable of handling Grell."
"The reaper looks like he's having a bit of trouble, the young Master is really letting him have it. will he benefit from it though?"
"What ever do you mean?"
"Throwing a fight, what does that prepare him for?"
"You think the fight is being staged, ?"
"Isn't it?" Finny asked a look of concern on his face.
"Certainly not. Grell's job was to help him achieve his stealth. Ciel finally giving into his other half and fighting was not originally planned. He reacted to Grell's anger." Finny gasped at the sound of metal hitting metal.
"Give in and I'll make this quick." Grell said, trapping Ciel against the tree. Ciel struggled to keep the scythe from his shoulder.
"That's enough Grell." Sebastian called.
"He wants to play games, he needs to realize when you're playing with a reaper,you're playing with the someone that can't be defeated by a mere halfling." Sebastian's own eyes changed as he began to make his way to the fighting pair. He stopped suddenly as Ciel managed to get free, caused the reaper's weapon to become stuck in the tree.
Grell quickly managed to pull it out and turned to the Earl.
Ciel didn't wait for Grell to approach him. He took his knives and held them in front of him as the scythe again came toward him. He allowed Grell to force him to one knee on the ground.
"Grell, that's enough now!" Sebastian said angrily but had no time to rescue his son. At that moment Ciel produced yet another piece of his set from his sock. He used it to jam the blade, and cause Grell to drop the weapon before pulling him down to the ground.
"I give!" Grell showed at the young demon beside him. Ciel moved away slightly but kept his eyes on his opponent.
"What was that about you couldn't be defeated?"
"I stand corrected, I concede." Grell said lying on the ground. Ciel leaned against the tree.
"Ciel, that was incredible. I could not do something like that at your age. You have an extraordinary amount of strength once you decide to use it. I'm impressed." Sebastian said helping his son to his feet.
"Young Master are you alright?" Finny asked.
"Yes, I'm fine." Ciel assured him.
"That was good thinking to put that in your sock like that."
"This is a truly proud day Ciel."
"You got lucky." Grell growled. Ciel turned to him.
"Luck had nothing to do with what just happened. It was skill. Because you see Grell, I am just that that damn good." Ciel said confidenty as he walked away.
"Bassy, wait, you promised we could-"
"Yes I did make you a promise, however, you attempting to harm my son was completely unacceptable and I cannot condone it. Nor will I do such a thing for someone who attacked my child. What kind of father would that make me goodbye Grell." Sebastián said he took a step forward but stopped, and walked back
"Actually I think you do deserve something."
"Really Bassy, so there aren't any hard feeling, I-" Sebastian's foot collided with Grell's face. The reaper shouted in demon knelt beside the reaper.
"Consider this your first and only warning. Do not ever attempt to take my son from me. Your department will find itself even more short staffed than it already is, and this time, you won't need to worry about having trouble with William, do you understand what I am saying?" Grell nodded anxiously as the demon stood once more and walk off in the direction that Ciel and Finny had taken.
A smile crept onto Grell's face. "Even when he threatens my life, I just can't get over that demon." He sighed and shook his head standing up and brushing the dirt from his clothes. After examining the death scythe he growled in frustration.
"Little monster, it's broken, Will's going to kill me."