Ahh~~ been so long since an update. Tbh I had actually no idea what direction the story was heading, so I had to take a break to figure out what the hell I was planning to do after a certain situation was planned to be resolved. After a couple months of dilly-dallying, I FINALLY came up with something, hence, well, yeah. Lol.

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Disclaimer: Kuroshitsuji © Yana Toboso

Claimer: everything else © me

Chapter Fifteen: Growing Risk

"A-Annabelle…" Sebastian breathed.

"Step away from my husband," she threatened in a low voice, her azure eyes flashing with an angelic spark as she poised her sword at Sebastian.

"Annabelle…" Sebastian murmured, feeling extremely frustrated, "step aside." The baby has grown larger in her womb, he thought, glancing at her slightly-swollen stomach.

She shook her head. "If you insist on pursuing this battle," she challenged, "then from here on out, I will be your opponent."

At this, Sebastian gritted his teeth in annoyance, lowering his sword. "I insist that you step aside," he pushed, "do not get in the way of a demon's duel, Annabelle."

"I refuse-" Anna was cut off as she was suddenly doused in a glowing dark gold powder, and Sebastian reappeared before her, an empty bag in hand. A proud smirk touched his lips.

"What did you do to me?" she hissed acidly, and seconds later the powder seemed to disappear, having been absorbed into her angelic body. Anna suddenly stumbled sideways as a wave of dizziness overcame her, and Claude was suddenly by her side, supporting her against him.

"Nothing of major importance," Sebastian replied calmly, and the demon sword Lucifer vanished in a spiral of black smoke. "Either way, I'll cease my pursuit of Claude's life this time."

Claude mentally smirked, knowing that Sebastian was only giving up because he didn't want any harm to come to Anna. "Go back first, Annabelle," he advised, "I'll have a short chat with Mr. Michaelis before returning. Don't worry, he won't do anything." Rather he can't, he mentally corrected, given that you and your unborn child are my hostages.

Anna bit her lip, hesitating for a moment before nodding. Shooting one last glare at Sebastian, she unfurled beautiful white wings from her back and took off into the skies, leaving the two demons alone once more.

"Heh," Claude smirked, "seems she's pretty useful after all."

"Tch, coward," Sebastian hissed bitterly.

The bespectacled demon butler smirked. "I'd rather refer to it as being 'tactically clever'," he corrected in mocking amusement. "Now, if you don't mind, leave before you give Annabelle a reason to come back."

The Phantomhive butler's eyes narrowed. "This isn't over, Claude Faustus," he swore.

"Au contraire," he agreed with a smile, "this is just the beginning."

xXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx

Sebastian returned to the Phantomhive Manor with a heavy heart, and immediately as he entered the study, Ciel could sense the demon's mood.

Ciel sighed, "I assume things didn't go well?"

He bowed deeply. "I apologize, Young Master," he said, "I had been given an opportunity to rid the world of Claude Faustus, and unfortunately I was unable to take advantage of it."

"Anna interrupted, right?" Ciel guessed.

The butler nodded. "However, I am pleased to inform you that though I failed to kill Claude Faustus, I successfully managed to pour the starlight powder on Annabelle."

He sighed once more. "Well, I suppose that's good enough," he grumbled. "Is there anything more that can be done now?"

"I will continue my best to do more research on possible solutions that will minimize harm to Annabelle and her child."

xXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx

Two weeks passed without incident from both sides, and Sebastian was more restless than ever. Annabelle was at the mercy of the Trancys, and she wasn't even faintly aware of the fact that she was practically their prisoner, their leverage.

"Sebastian, please," Fang purred irritably, flicking his tail from side to side. "Stop pacing. You're making me nervous."

Sebastian stopped in his tracks as he realized that he had been pacing back and forth in the room. He sighed heavily in frustration. "It's been two weeks, Fangorn," he hissed in a low voice. "I can't help but worry."

Suddenly crying wails could be heard from the other room, and quickly both Sebastian and Fang rushed over to find Tristan sitting on the bed, huge drops of salty water streaming down his face.

"I want Mommy!" he wailed.

"Oh Tristan," Sebastian sighed, hugging his son.

"Daddy, save Mommy!" Tristan complained. "Save Mommy from fire!"

"What is he talking about?" Fang meowed in confusion.

Sebastian closed his eyes, clearing his mind and allowing his demon senses to extend out beyond the Phantomhive Estate. Certainly, something far off in the distance… he could sense that a demon fire was lit…

"There's a demon fire alit," he murmured aloud, his eyes widening in alarm, "Annabelle!"

"I'll stay here with the others at the manor," Fang said, feline eyes narrowing. "You go and save Anna. Please, save her."

Without another word Sebastian swept the still-crying Tristan into his arms and rushed to Ciel's study, expecting the young earl to be there. Knocking gently on the door, he opened it to see Ciel reading papers at his desk.

"Young Master," Sebastian began hastily, "Annabelle may be in deep trouble. I ask that you please excuse me for a while?"

Ciel stood up. "I'm coming too," he said.

The butler hesitated for a moment, as he knew that bringing Ciel would only slow him down. But he knew that he had no choice but to follow Ciel's order, and he bowed.

"Please come quickly, Young Master," he told him. "I'll have the carriage prepared at once."

xXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx

Quickly Sebastian drove the carriage carrying Ciel and Tristan towards where he sensed was the source of the demon fire… namely, the Trancy Manor.

Please, please be alright, Sebastian thought.

Upon arrival, Ciel and Sebastian were horrified to find the Trancy Manor had burned to the ground, leaving only broken pieces of concrete, large burnt pieces of wood, and everything else that made up a burnt, broken building. Entrails of olive-green smoke rose up from several still-burning green fires.

"No…" Sebastian breathed.

With a flash of Sebastian's demonic power, the green fires were extinguished, and quickly Sebastian helped Ciel out of the carriage.

"Tristan, stay here and wait," Sebastian ordered.

Immediately Sebastian and Ciel began searching through the ruins of the manor.

"Annabelle!" Sebastian shouted, lifting away large pieces of burnt wooden beams as he desperately searched for his angelic wife.

"Anna!" Ciel called, careful of the debris. "Oi, Anna! If you can hear us, let us know!"

But his call was only met with silence, and the earl gritted his teeth in frustration, continuing to navigate through the ruin. Moments later, he saw a pale, slightly burnt hand sticking out from underneath a pile of rubble and beams. His eye widened in horror.

"Sebastian, over here!" he called.

The butler was there in an instant, immediately removing the beams and digging through to find his beloved angel lying underneath, covered in soot, ash, and dust. Her silver hair was singed at the ends, and her pale skin was covered in burns. Her maid dress was covered in cuts, burns, as well as some blood. There was a glow around the bump in her pregnant belly, which alerted Sebastian that the child was alright due to the starlight powder. However, his heart sank in grief at the heart-stopping realization that Annabelle was already dead.

"No…" he whispered, pulling her into his arms.

"S-Sebastian… d-don't tell me…" Ciel breathed.

He nodded sullenly, cradling her against his chest as he hugged her close. "We're too late…" he informed softly. "She's already gone…" He palmed their unborn child gently. "The child is still alive and unharmed due to the starlight powder, nevertheless, because Annabelle has already passed, our child will follow her soon…"

"No!" Ciel hissed, dropping to his knees next to them, grabbing Anna's shoulder firmly. "Anna, you did this to us once, you're not doing this to us again!"

But she didn't respond him, and silently, the two began to mourn the beautiful angel that was already beyond saving.

Suddenly a small voice piqued behind them. "Mommy?"

Oh no… both demon and earl thought, looking in horror to see Tristan James Michaelis standing there, his innocent azure eyes wide in curiosity.

"Mommy!" Tristan exclaimed, running over to them, shaking Anna's hand. "Mommy, wake up! Mommy!"

Sebastian's heart ached for his son, not really knowing how to break it to the child that his cherished mother had already died.

"Mommy!" the child called, "Come on, Mommy! Wake up!"

NUUUUU! I DID IT AGAIN (killing Anna off, I mean)! POOR TRISTANN! Of course I won't leave it like this (I think). Anywho, sorry to leave you hanging with such a cliffy, but I'm afraid I must. It's my duty as a writer. LOL. 3 I luff u guys. Hahaha.

Till next time!

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