WELP, it's been EXACTLY 90 days since I've last updated (cuz Doc Manager wants to delete the chapter 15 doc. lol). Uni's been really kickin' my butt recently, hence, ya know, no time to write.

No idea when I'll be able to update next, but probs maybe not until Christmas TT_TT

Sorry if it seems if there's a change in quality of my writing or if anyone seems a little OCC in this chapter, I've been staring at various types of computer code the last two months, so it's been a while since I've written in legit English. Welp, that's what happens when you major in computer science. LOL.

Anyway, hope you enjoy!

PLEASE R&R!

Disclaimer: Kuroshitsuji © Yana Toboso

Claimer: everything else © me

Chapter Sixteen: The Short Life and Death of Annabelle Faustus

"Tristan, Anna's already…" Ciel trailed off, his voice breaking off in pain. Tristan was only a year old… much younger than Ciel had been when he lost his parents.

But Tristan continued to shake Anna's hand. "Mommy!" he exclaimed. "Mommy! Wake up!"

Sebastian could only continue clutching onto Anna's body tightly, silently and tearlessly weeping over his wife's body. Sensing his father's grief, Tristan realized that his mother wasn't going to wake up… nor would she ever again.

"No…" he whimpered, his azure eyes quickly spilling over with tears, "Mommy?! Mommy wake up!"

Ciel reached out for Tristan as he began to cry, and as Tristan broke out into tearful wails, the ground began to shake violently, the earth reacting to the Nephilim's raw power as various debris began levitating in the air.

"Mommy wake up!" he screamed. "Mommy!"

As he continued to cry and wail loudly, an aura of pure silver enveloped Anna's body, surprising both Ciel and Sebastian.

"Mommy, wake up!" he screamed, "Mommy! Wake up now!"

The aura vanished into Anna, cleansing her of all of her burns and injuries, and Tristan continued shaking her.

What did he do? Sebastian wondered, looking down at his beloved wife.

To all of their surprises, the angel began to stir in Sebastian's arms before azure eyes slowly fluttered open.

"N-No way…" Ciel breathed in shock.

"Mmm…" she groaned. "W-Where am I?"

"Annabelle," Sebastian groaned, hugging her tightly.

"Mommy!" Tristan cried, beginning to sob against Anna's dress. "Mommy you're alive! Mommy!"

Anna chuckled softly, patting Tristan gently on the head. "Shhh, Tristan… it's alright… why are you crying?" she muttered. "I'm fine…"

"Anna, you remember him? You remember me?" Sebastian asked.

She scoffed. "Of course," she said. "How could I… forget the handsome demon I… fell in love with and eventually married?"

"Anna, you've returned to us," he sighed, hugging her tightly.

In his embrace, she blinked slowly. "What's… happened to me…. these past few weeks…? I don't… remember anything… Everything's so fuzzy…"

"It's alright," the Phantomhive butler assured her. "I'll explain everything to you in time. For now, I'm just glad that you've returned safely into our possession."

Ciel couldn't help but sigh in relief as he watched the happy family. "So the one who died was Annabelle Faustus," he commented. "The Anna with us now is Annabelle Michaelis; our Anna." He smiled, relieved that the angelic maid had returned to their side.

But as quick as the smile came, it quickly fell as he recalled something very important.

However, Alois Trancy is still alive and on the run, he thought. Our fight is far from over. I'm sure that in fact… it's only just begun.

xXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx

After returning to the Phantomhive Manor, the Michaelis family was excused for the afternoon such that Anna could rest and Sebastian could fill in the gaps of her memory during her absence at the Phantomhive Manor. Anna lay in bed, brushing the hair of her sleeping son as Sebastian was curled up next to her.

"I'm sorry," Anna apologized guiltily. "I've treated you all so poorly… and Sebastian, I must've caused you so much pain…"

He smiled, brushing her hair gently before his hand wandered down to the noticeable bump of her womb. "It's alright," he assured, "as long as both you and our child are safe. Plus, we owe it to Tristan for bringing you back to us."

She smiled affectionately at their son. "Who knew that our beloved little Nephilim had the ability to resurrect the dead?" she murmured, leaning down to kiss him on the forehead. "I'm just happy I didn't do anything too extreme."

She laughed softly, and Sebastian's smile became a little strained. He had told her everything that he knew, however… he had carefully omitted the fact that Anna and Claude had had sexual intercourse during her time at the Trancy Manor. He knew that telling her would only fan her guilt and put further strain on her body, which wasn't something she needed right now in her delicate state.

"Take a rest now, my dear," he advised gently, planting a gentle kiss on her forehead. "I will tend to the Young Master in the meanwhile."

She yawned tiredly before nodding, closing her eyes before he drew the blankets over her and their son, offering a small smile before silently leaving the room.

To Sebastian's surprise, he saw Ciel walking towards the room, and he bowed.

"What brings you here, Young Master?" he asked.

"How is she, Sebastian?" he questioned.

The demon smiled. "She is merely sleeping now," he assured. "What would you like me to do in regards to Alois Trancy and Claude Faustus?"

"For today, you will do nothing but remain in the manor," Ciel ordered. "Tomorrow you are to locate their whereabouts."

Sebastian bowed deeply. "Yes, My Lord."

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Later that evening after Ciel had been put to bed, Sebastian returned to his room to find Anna alone in their bed, seemingly sleeping. But upon his entry, she opened her eyes and smiled at him.

"Welcome back," she greeted softly.

"Hello, my dear," he responded, going over to brush a kiss on her forehead. "How are you feeling?"

She sighed softly. "I'm okay," she answered honestly, "I've already put Tristan to sleep, and Fang and Kylee are keeping him company. I'm still trying to fill in the gaps of what happened to me though. I keep having this sinking feeling in my heart, and yet… I cannot fathom what could possibly be its cause. Would you have any idea, Sebastian?"

A heavy sigh left his lips as he sat down on her bedside, stroking her long silver-white hair. It seemed that it was inevitable that he told her the truth. "Annabelle," he began seriously, "there is something I must confess to you."

The angel blinked at him in curiosity. "What is it?"

"During the time you were at the Trancy Manor as Annabelle Faustus," he began, stroking her cheek, "you and Claude slept together regularly."

His words acted as a trigger as several fragments of memories returned to Anna, a sharp gasp escaping her lips as her body stiffened. All at once, bits and pieces of their nightly, lust-filled sexual encounters entered her mind, and she slumped against her bed while Sebastian leaned over her form with worry.

"Anna?" he prompted, staring into her wide, tear-filled azure orbs as he stroked her hair reassuringly. "Annabelle, it's alright. It's just me. You are at the Phantomhive Manor, and I am here with you."

Tears streamed down her cheeks as she closed her eyes, sitting up and burying her face in her hands. "I'm sorry," she apologized, her voice barely a whisper. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry…"

He slid his arms around her and pulled her into his chest, hugging her tightly. "Do not worry," he assured her. "What happened was not your fault. You didn't know what you were doing. I do not blame you. It is Claude Faustus who caused you to be that way."

Anna pulled back, her lips pursed together as her tearful azure gaze met his ruby one. "Please, Sebastian, make me forget," she pleaded softly. "Erase his ghostly touch on my body. I want to be embraced by the demon I fell in love with, and I want to have my sin of sleeping with another erased by your touch."

He nodded, leaning in to kiss her softly on the lips, pushing her down onto the bed and pinned her underneath his weight, but was careful not to put weight on her womb. Simultaneously a shimmering orange light began consuming the room as Anna raised an Angel Barrier.

"Do not worry," he assured her, "I will be gentle with you tonight."

She nodded, tears still glimmering in her eyes.

True to his word, Sebastian made gentle love to Anna that night. After their tender session together, the couple cuddled in bed before falling asleep. Shortly after they fell asleep, a white star pentagram appeared on the back of Anna's left shoulder, signifying a new trouble that would await them the following morning….

xXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx

Sebastian was the first to stir awake as light peeked in through the curtains, and he found his lovely wife still fast asleep. He noticed the white star pentagram on her shoulder, and raised an eyebrow at its appearance.

I do not recall that ever being there, he noted, smiling and planting a soft kiss against the mark. How oddly curious…

He rolled over to check the time from his hanging pocket watch, and sighed as he realized that it was just about time for them to get up.

"Annabelle," he prodded gently, "It's time to wake up."

She stirred, yawning tiredly. "Mmm? Sebastian, are you teasing me? It's still dark."

He sighed, "Are you pretending not to see the light outside? It's almost seven thirty."

"Impossible," she grumbled, opening her eyes. "Everything's still pitch black. I can't see a thing."

His heart sank in alarm as she rolled over to face him. There was a clear glaze over her azure eyes. "Annabelle, can you not see me?" he demanded.

She shook her head. "S-Sebastian? W-What's going on?" she asked. "I-I can't see anything."

He took her face in his hands, staring deeply into her glazed eyes before his heart sank as he confirmed that something had become terribly wrong. Anna had become blind!

Haaaaaaa, the moment one thing gets resolved, another starts! XD Yeuuppp, that sounds like something I'd do. XD You guys still luv me for it though, right? …. …. RIGHT? O_O
Haha, anyway, I wonder why Anna's become blind now? Lol I'm just teasing I totally know why. Feel free to take a wild guess and agonize over it until the next chapter comes out. LOL I'M KIDDING DON'T DO THAT XD *hint: blame Claude. As usual. XD*

Btw, please let me know if you feel that there's been a change in my writing or if anyone seems too OCC, I'll try to keep that in mind/fix it in the next chapter when I (eventually) get to it. Oh, and also please tell me if you think that I'm rushing anything, plot-wise or otherwise.

Till next time!

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