Warnings: nasty arguments, mentions of drug use, some angst, medical inaccuracies, and language.

Disclaimer: Kuroshitsuji belongs to Yana Toboso. The only liberties belonging to me are other characters and their back stories.

Chapter 23: Torn Wounds

It had been little more than three days since Agni was immediately driven to London. His injuries had not been too severe but it was still a cause for alarm. The wards at the clinic could not figure out for the life of them what had caused such damage. The lacerations, broken bones and ribs, and slight internal bleeding all appeared to have been the work of a wild animal. Of course that possibility was ruled out when it was noted that there were no animals allowed inside the building out of sanitation concerns. There was also no way that anyone could have snuck into the room and get back out unnoticed. Whatever the case, Agni was admitted to the I.C.U.

He was wrapped tightly yet carefully in bandages to stem the bleeding. His chest rose up and down slowly and a breathing mask was applied to assist with his breathing. His eyes were closed to show he was sleeping. His hair was out of its binding allowing it to splay out like a halo. Every so often, his fingers would twitch as if to show the man fighting his coma. Sitting next to him was Soma who looked on sadly. Soma curled his fist against his legs. He was struggling quite hard not to pound on the floor and let out a string of curses that would have the gods shake their heads in embarrassment.

"Dammit Agni. Why didn't you listen to your own advice when you said not to wander off? And now look where it has gotten you" he whispered loudly. His eyes shuddered. That feeling he had was threatening to show itself; helplessness. He recalled having to feel it a lot in his life. He was helpless when he failed to stop Meena from leaving. He felt it when his own mother abandoned him to the care of nurses in her foolish pursuit to seek the approval of her father. The feeling rushed out tenfold when he learned Ciel had been admitted for an eating disorder and sent away to get treated. It was just one more reminded of how weak he was. There was always some incident or event taking place that he was too slow to do anything about until it was too late. Now, here he was sitting by his longtime friend's side because he had been too late to prevent any further damage. Soma clasped his fingers praying for whatever deity was listening to bring back the white haired man back to life.

As if by a miracle, Agni began to shift. His eyes squinted and his fingers twitched painfully. He teeth were clenched and his mouth opened to let out a pained groan. Agni opened his eyes and landed on the relieved face of the prince. Agni opened his mouth to speak but was cut off by the violet haired prince.

"Don't say nothing, my friend. You are still in the midst of recovery" Soma interjected. Agni relaxed and sighed. "How long was I out for?" he wheezed. Soma pursed his lips thinly. "Three days now. Gods Agni, what were you thinking wandering off by yourself?! You could have gotten killed!" Agni glanced at his master whose hair was out of place and sweat dripping off his face. His golden eyes were dilated with fear. Agni chuckled lightly and shook his head. His master always did like to make a big deal of things even when the situation did not necessarily call for it. His smile disappeared. "Wait, did you just say three days?" he asked. Soma nodded. The prince then gasped when the latter grasped the front of his frock and pulled him close.

"Listen to me, Soma 'cough' 'cough' that place...Master Ciel is not safe" Agni wheezed out before going into a coughing fit. Soma placed his hands on his friends biceps. "Don't exert yourself too much Agni or else the doctors will not allow any more visitors" the prince warned gently. Agni stopped coughing and gripped harder. "No… 'wheeze' listen to me my prince. There is something in that place 'wheeze' it…it is not human. It is not what it appears to be. Whatever it wants with Ciel, it can't be anything good". Agni coughed harshly once again. Soma winced. What the white haired attendant said next shocked the fuchsia haired prince to the core. "Go get Sebastian. He is the only one who can deal with the creature and more. Do so and hurry. Ciel depends on it". With that Agni collapsed falling back into his coma.

Soma watched Agni for a while to see that he was truly fast asleep. He stepped back slowly. He clenched his fist tightly and grit his teeth. "Go seek the help of that, that…bastard?!" he nearly shouted. Sebastian; the name alone brought a bad taste to his mouth. Sebastian was the reason Ciel was even in that god forsaken place to begin with. And Agni expected him of all people to help the Earl. Agni must have doped up on more pain medication than he digressed. And what was this about the creature that attacked Agni? What did he mean; wasn't human? (1) He mulled over every other course of action. At last, he could find no other but that which he did not wish to. "Ciel's butler it is".

Ciel hugged his knees close to his chest. It was now four days since the untimely visit from Agni and Soma that turned into a race against time to save the Indian's life. Four days since Collin made his unexpected arrival. Four days and three nights since Collin…confessed to him. He shuddered and wiped his mouth unconsciously. What the bloody hell was that? First, the daft nimrod gets himself doped up, tells about his life story, then he goes and kisses him.

"Gah!" Ciel coughed out. "Of all the things to go in my mouth…that was probably the most wretched" he sneered. After that, Ciel and Collin made a silent agreement with one another not to speak or look at one another. It made things less awkward for Ciel and he was ever thankful. If a reporter were to catch wind of it, he did not want to think of what his family or The Ton would think of him. He moved his train of thought to other people. His last session with Dr. Archibald was last week. There was not much to talk about except for the usual tips about decreasing waist size and to continue using the pills. He had not seen much of Rita around except for outside where she would sit in the sun. She was looking a tad too skinny for his liking which worried him. He did not voice his thoughts to the woman as he did not want to draw any unwanted attention. Deciding he had enough of being cooped up in his room, he decided to venture out and go visit with some friends. He was able to down some pills before his forced lunch and wanted to help the process by taking a lengthy walk. When he got to the room, he saw Rita and her group sitting at a table talking animatedly with one another. Then he saw Marcus sitting with Cain, Roger, and Nixon. Samuel was nowhere in sight, thank god for that. Marcus greeted him with a smile. The older was about to speak when a nurse carried in a stack of newspapers and set them down on the table. Any type of mail or media that wasn't personally administered to the clients was rare. It could set off triggers. Marcus and Ciel looked at one another curiously. They then heard one of the nurse speaking to the doctors.

"Hey did you see here? It says "Ciel Phantomhive of the Phantomhive company has not been seen in London for over four months. His relatives claim that he is oversees attending school elsewhere. But I have my doubts. I am willing to bet a whole bag of shillings that he is out doing something shady and his family is just covering his tracks. That family always was a strange sod. Must take after his father".

Ciel growled inwardly. How dare that woman poke her nose into things she knew next to nothing about? He crept slowly to pick up one of the newspapers and looked on angrily as he read the headlines. Ciel Phantomhive: Out for season? What could this mean for the company?

Ciel did not get to read further when he heard a scoff from Marcus. "Ha! The Phantomhives! What a couple of scoundrels they are! And the son is probably no different!" he sneered crossing his arms. Ciel glared at the consternation. "What has got your knickers in a knot?" he asked sardonically. Marcus glanced at the boy and turned around.
"Oh nothing. I just don't care too much for crooks and the criminally insane" he dismissed.

"The Phantomhives were hardly a bunch of crooks and psychos, Marcus" he ground out. Marcus narrowed his eyes. " (3) Ciel, the Phantomhives were just like any number of carpetbaggers who diminish and ruin innocent people's livelihoods and crushing those they deem inferior".

"Alright, assuming that was true then they were much misunderstood and misled" he defended. Ciel fought the urge to shake. He did not want to give himself up just yet. Suddenly Sonya and the others came up. "Hey, hey, hey, what is going on? You guys are causing a scene. And ruining my sleep at the same time" she added sluggishly. Marcus scoffed.

"You sleep one way. You sleep the other. Also, Ciel is telling me that the Phantomhives were such wonderful, good-natured people who went out of their way to help the common good. Don't make me laugh! They were the most obsequious, corrupt, monstrous people that ever lived. Give him time, and their son just might end up the same as them!"

Ciel balled up his fist and glowered at this oversized prat who dared to insult his family. "You ignorant bastard!" Ciel walked away leaving Marcus and the others bewildered and confused. Marcus recovered and glared heatedly at Ciel. He sauntered up to him. "You dare to speak to me that way! I am your elder and you will respect me as such!" he retorted childishly.

"You are a judgmental idiot talking about things you know nothing about" Ciel countered. Just like that a very loud banter between the two began until it was broken up by one of the physicians who told them to take it outside. Blue and brunette glared at one another respectively each deciding to take their "conversation" elsewhere.

()

Ciel's P.O.V.

Once Marcus and I reached the Back Alley, we quietly walked far away from eachother. I have no idea why I got so angry; but when he began to speak ill of my parents and the rest of my family, I just lost it. It was the first time ever that I became angry with Marcus. I guess it was to be expected. Just last week, I asked one of the La Dominica's: Chelsea and Rita about it. As I toured the inside of the hedge brush covered trail, a memory took place.

It was another eventless day at the clinic. I had a heck of a time convincing Clarice to let me out of my room without the need for a checkup. I shuddered at that because I couldn't find my magic satchel nor my pills. God knows how many calories that I put on from that last meal. After some time, Clarice let me outside but only if I made it back before lock-down. I decided to go visit the girls for a while. Rita was in the hallways speaking with or should I say arguing softly with Chelsea. I greeted them and they did likewise.

We sat in Chelsea's room and talked about all manners of things. Then Chelsea brought up the spat between Sonya and Marcus. Apparently, the girl had egged on the brunette about something in regards to his hatred for nobles. I got curious and asked.

"Hey Chelsea, what exactly does Marcus have against The Phantomhives?" Rita bit her cracked lips and sighed. "You mean to say you don't know everything about your family? It was practically all over the front page news several years ago!" she shouted. I raised a brow. "As to why he (Marcus) hates your family's gut…it is because your grandfather Henry Phantomhive screwed over his family! Your granddad didn't like that some other company was rising into the same ranks as his so he sought to bring that down by making up lies and accusations!" My eyes widened in disbelief. There is no way that they could be talking about the same man.

"That is a lie! My grandfather was not like that! He was a good and honest man! Sure he was fierce in his convictions as a businessman but never was he such a cad!" Chelsea huffed. "Oh really, then why is it that so many small businesses 'mysteriously' went under just within months of signing leases or contracts with said man?" she retorted. I bit my lips unable to find a feasible answer. I shook my head. No, my grandfather was not a monster that I know of. Which is why I cannot tolerate such blasphemies.

"Well, I began 'perhaps those companies were too soft and they just could not stand up to the pressures put on them by their consumers". Chelsea and Rita shook their heads shamefully. Chelsea stood up and looked to me. "Listen Ciel, it is natural to want to defend family or close relations when confronted with facts about their wrong 'doings'" she began sadly "but the hardest part is admitting that their intentions are not always the best". My body shook with suppressed rage. Who did she think she was to speak of my family that way. I understand her a little. Just a few days ago, I overheard a rather nasty conversations between her and who I presumed to be her parents. I quickly changed the subject wishing not to dwell on it further. However, I would later learn that I would have to hear more about, sooner than I wished.

I spent the rest of the afternoon combing the gardens over again until I surmised that I would have to face Marcus sooner or later. I later saw him again in the Rec Room sitting down with Cain and Fifi. I swallowed my pride and decided to try to make amends. But alas, all attempts at my making amends end up going awry. Marcus and I appeared to make up when as they say; shit hit the fan. Marcus had let slip that he had no intention of taking back his opinion.

End Ciel's P.O.V.

Normal P.O.V.

The hallway echoed with the banter of two patients. Apparently the outdoors did not give the young men enough time to calm down.

"I just cannot understand you can be so insistent on defending that group of scoundrels? Nor can I figure what your problem regarding them is?" Marcus yelled.

"That is the problem" Ciel retorted. "You are merely referring to them as such because you don't understand them nor did you even know them that well or their relatives. You referring to them as 'scoundrels makes you as much scum as them" Ciel shouted. Marcus chortled. "Oh so you admit that I am right. The Phantomhives and all their associates are scum".

"That is not what I meant and you know it!" Ciel shouted again now very, very, angry. More so than the time he had to dress up in that god forsaken dress. More than he felt than when Sebastian inadvertently humiliated him. Marcus ignored the blatant anger in the younger voice and stepped forward folding his arms. "You realize that you are defending a family who ran a business that ruined lesser fortunate people's lives. Not to mention make it nearly impossible for polite hard working people to earn a decent living. Those people and the Midfords respectively are pure evil!"

Ciel clenched his fist at his side. "They were not pure evil and neither are the Middlefords! Why do you think they ran their franchise the way they did?! It is because certain people and rival companies in the past have more than once attempted to take advantage of them or make fools of them. That and make up ridiculous lies about them out of jealousy. That would include people like you!" He glared at Marcus making the older stumble back somewhat. "P-p-people like me?" he inquired indignantly.

"You're biased and discriminatory!" Ciel accused hotly.

"I'm a victim!"

The hallway went completely quiet for a moment. Not a single sound emitted through the silence. No one said a word. Not even Fifi made her usual barking noises. The silence was so deep one could cut a knife through it. Marcus after a time exhaled and closed his eyes. He turned from Ciel and began walking toward the window. "You want to know why I despise the Phantomhives? Why I can't stand rich people or trust anyone from a major corporation/company?" The La Dominica's all glanced at Marcus sadly. Ciel glanced at the man in confusion. "It is because the Phantomhives ruined my life and took away my families livelihood" he replied. Ciel gasped silently. He took a quick puff from his inhaler. Marcus straightened himself but did not face the people. "What most people don't know...only a few on the outside have ever been told this...'sigh' see my family was once a household name much like they were". At this rate Marcus refused to stop referring to the source of his animosity by name. "If you look back at old news articles, you would see their name almost every week or month. The Arboroughs were much like any household name and one of many large corporations that dominated Britain. Well, that was until my father made the mistake of joining forces with Henry Phantomhive". Marcus sneered while he gripped the windowsill. He collected himself briefly before continuing.

"At first it began innocently. For a time, things were good for us. The Arborough International Inc. was a company that dealt in leather tanning and upholstery. Every other house you visited, you would see my family's name and logo on the furniture. It was a small business but none the less a household name. My family and I while we were not super wealthy as most families in Britain, we were still well off than most. My father was one of the most known business dealers and had the most wondrous of dispositions. My mother kept the house and I was but a young lad of 10 1/2; ready to face an uncertain future but none the less truly happy and content with his life; a good family, great friends, and a life of endless riches and wealth. And with the adjoined forces of both companies, things could not have been better. Or at least I thought so". Marcus swerved around to sit on one of the chairs.

"It was nearing the second year of the partnership between our families. I was on my way to attending a high end academy and sales were soaring higher. Then one day, the bubble popped. I do not remember the entire details of the conversation, but I can remember it like it was yesterday. Henry Phantomhive stormed into my father's office and started shouting obscenities and harsh accusations. It was not until next day's news articles that I learned what they were about. Apparently, rumors circulated around the company that my father was embezzling funds from the Phantomhive Corp. or stealing ideas and concepts. Of course it was complete bullshit but being the bull headed blaggard he was, the Phantomhive patriarch would not listen to reason. My father of course sent in some of his own private investigators. Each time led to no avail. Soon the news became far more severe. Accusations left and right began accusing of the same crime. The one person who could have helped us when we needed it the most, did nothing. Things began to go from bad to worse. Our company's sales went downhill, sales decreased, we initially became outcast in our own neighborhood. It was in the final year of the corporation that my father finally learned the truth. The one's responsible for the embezzlement was some spies from a rival company that the Phantomhives and the Arboroughs had the displeasure of dealing with some years back. They had wanted revenge so the best course of action was to turn us against one another. Even more shocking was that some of the spies were of Henry Phantomhive. But instead of taking responsibility and ending the scandal, the bastard chose to stay tight-lipped and leave us to rot. My father tried everything to fix the damage that was caused but alas in the end, it was for naught! The Phantomhives drained us of all we were worth. The company went under. My father's reputation was ruined. Everything turned to hell after that.

My father attempted to take his own life but could not find the will to go through with it; I guess. So he turned to alcohol and became an abhorrent drunk. My mother who had once been a respectable housewife, resigned to shutting herself inside to escape the cold glances from those she once called friends. And since my father would not work, and no one was willing to give a job to the wife of a "thieving cad"'; her only resort was to whore herself out. As for me, I was the worse one off. With no feasible income and all the money being wasted on rum and food, my chances of going to high end school were out of reach. My so called friends turned against me when the news of my family's company going bankrupt became international. There were times I had to go outside wearing a disguise so I wouldn't have to endure the beatings and harsh words from angry former customers and employees. Which made for the next couple years of my life for an unbearable childhood" he ground out by punching the arm of the chair. It wasn't until years later when I was of 15 years of age, I found my relief in the form of a cigar pipe and a soothing "remedy" I call "Aunty Emma" (4).

Marcus grinned widely with a deranged look in his eyes. Sonya crept up to him to give a comforting gesture. "Marcus I..." she began but did not get to finish.

"NO" Marcus sat up. He put his hands behind his back. "Do you want to know why I despise the Phantomives? It is because they are all a bunch of liars, scum, thieves, hypocrites, and mercenaries!" That was the snapping point and before the adolescent could stop himself..

"Yeah, well maybe we were all just tired of being taken advantage of!"

The hallway went completely quiet. Marcus gaped at Ciel with unparalleled shock. Ciel gasped silently and stiff like a deer caught in the headlights. "I...uh..." with that Ciel zipped away from the area. He ignored the calls from his friends. While a few just stood there trying to comprehend what had just happened now. Ciel meanwhile rushed all the way to his room and slammed the door shut. He inhaled and exhaled slowly before sliding to the ground. He lay there limp for a while as he attempted to calm the storm brewing within him. He stood up after a while and walked to his window. The moonlight poured over him. He gripped the windowsill with one hand while the other placed itself over his heart. He shook his head defiantly.

"It can't be true" he whispered to himself. "It just can't be. Father always talked to me about how great a man my grandfather was. No one in my family would do something so heartless or underhanded". But if that was true, then who else was Marcus talking about? The entire time, Ciel knew the man; Marcus was never a liar no was he the petty type. Ciel exhaled deeply. He then looked down at his stomach. He grimaced when he saw the "weight" he put on. Dammit, it had been days since he took his last dosage. With that in mind, he went to his hiding place and pulled out his bottle. He sifted out three pills before popping them into his mouth and then took a swig of water that was sitting on the bedside desk. He patted his stomach with grim satisfaction. He will most likely purge in the morning. The recommended dosage stated that he was only to take 2-3 pills to help the process along. Anna warned him to be weary of overdosing for it would seem all too suspicious if he purged more often than normal. He rubbed a hand through his fraying locks. He started noticing that his hair was ashy and looked completely unwashed. His teeth took on a yellowish stain. And he bruised more than usual. Ciel shrugged it off regarding it as a small price to pay for getting closer to his goal. Screw what anybody thought. It was his life. Anyone who didn't like it could piss off. Little did the young Earl know...there were other lives that hung in the balance.

()

Ciel slept soundly, ignoring the numb throbbing of his stomach. The door to his room crept open. Through the crack, appeared the devious form of Paris Archibald. He grinned in sadistic satisfaction at the frail form that lay bundled beneath the covers. He chuckled darkly. "Just a little more. A little more till' my payday. In another room, Anna's mirror glowed ominously as a deep chuckle echoed. Anna's visage crossed her arms. She too had plans for her male counterpart but it did not involve money. Unfortunately, she would have to wait a while longer and wait for events to come to her favor. Right now, all she needed to do was wait.

Ciel just loves to fool himself with that notion. Also, I wanted to bring into light Soma's feelings toward the situation since his last visit to Phantomhive manor. I know it is pronounced Funtomhive but I like the other way of saying it much better. By the way, I think I might one day write a side story regarding Soma and his relationship with his own parents. That will have to wait while I am still going in depth about each of the characters. I realize by now that Ciel is unnaturally spry for a child with his disorder and not at all exhibiting the normal symptoms of people with anorexia/bulimia nervosa. None of them really do unless someone is very astute and looks deeper. I want to thank all of you for not remarking or bashing me about the previous chapter regarding the rather sensitive topics I discussed. It is rather refreshing to see such great reviews.

The next chapter will feature another visit from the Midfords and Sebastian. Although the latter will be far from pleasant. Chelsea will also be included but she will not have much leeway with the protagonist. Finally, a very ominous visit from two of our favorite shinigami. That is as far a spoiler as I will go. Have to wait and see. Have a great and Happy Summer all of you. I know I will.

Chapter Footnotes:
(1) Soma is still rather pissed off at Sebastian so he refers to the "man" as the only thing he can think of.

(2) In some recovery clinics, things like magazines are limited as they could cause "triggers".

(3) A famous term referring to Northerners who moved to the South after the Civil War so as to profit off the unstable social and political conditions during the Reconstruction. Who says you can't learn anything from this site?

(4) Just one of the many street names to describe opium.