Black Butler 3-The Story Continued

Chapter Two-Familiar Faces

"Sebastian let me out of here!"

Ciel continued to struggle hoping to break free from his bondage, but his attempts were futile. Even if he was able to release himself the doors to his prision were locked. He was trapped with no way to escape, and the Master of his cage would never release him, not until he was delivered to his destination. He cursed Sebastian's name. It was his doing that got him into this mess, and he had yet to get him out of it as he had so many times before.

"Sebastian, I said let me out of here! You're disobeying my orders! Listen to me and let me out!"

Sebastian sighed. His Master could be so stubborn at points. It was the only of his traits that had continued through the ages. The act reminded him of days gone by when Ciel had used the pawns he possessed with swift and efficient movements, never looking back, never regretting his actions. That was the true Ciel Phantomhive. The boy he served under now was a mere shell.

He was crude and selfish and without the admirable drive that caused him to seek justice for his beloved parents. Even after he had promised his soul to Lucifer's minion he retained some kind of innocence, but what more could be expected? He was eleven when he had made his Contract and received the mark that binded the two together for all of eternity.

However, Sebastian didn't expect to actually serve under him for that long, but Claude Faustus and Alois Trancy had different ideas. They had to interfere with him, and because of their annoyance Hannah Annafellows and was able to forever keep Ciel's soul out of his reach. He had often thought of returning to that island and killing the women who had robbed him of his prize, but he was not a petty man.

Besides, he had enough trouble taking care of his thirteen year old demon master. He didn't anymore tasks to keep him busy. So he was forced to ignore his own feelings of vengeance, and focus on the duty at hand.

"Really Master, I don't see why you're making such a fuss. It's just middle school."

"For the last bloody time, let me out of this car, drive me back to the hotel, and shut up about this nonsense of attending middle school!"

"Must I really explain myself again? With all due respect, you are out of touch with the times. You still wear your tailcoats around the house and expect to be served on fine china. That is not how the modern world works. Times have progressed, and if you expect to stay under the radar you must adapt with the age. Interacting with a few of your peers will do you some good."

"I'm nearly one hundred years old! Just because I look thirteen does not mean I need to socialize with a bunch of adolescent brats!"

"But Master," cooed Sebastian,"you'll have so much in common."

The small boy slumped down into his seat and brooded. He couldn't understand why he was being forced to attend some pathetic academy in some pathetic town. What was the point really? It was Sebastian's job to keep them safe and sound. Why did Ciel have to socialize when both of them knew that in less than a decade they'd be declared dead, and they'd have to start their lives all over again. Why force him to socialize with peers whom he would never connect with? Why force him to learn tasks he would never need? What was the point of it all?

Truthfully, there was no point. Sebastian was just growing tired of his Master's constant annoyance. He dreamed of the sweet relief of isolation he would receive. Finally able to enjoy himself while Ciel was the one to fret over something for a change. He could picture it now in fact. The boy bent over his desk, fingers clenching his hair as he struggled over algebra or long division. The sneer that would appear on his face, the sweat forming on his brow, the inevitable tantrums he would throw, oh Sebastian couldn't wait.

Soon the car came to a halt, and Ciel was liberated from his bondage.

"It's about bloody time!" he cried.

"Really Young Master, you must learn patience. Need we go over your etiquette lessons again?"

"Just get me enrolled Sebastian. I don't want to be here any longer than I must."

"As you wish," he said with a bow.

"Now what exactly do you expect me to achieve in this Hell you've sentenced me to?"

"Nothing more than what was discussed earlier Young Master. Socialize a bit, grow accustomed to age."

Ciel's eyes narrowed.

"I don't believe you, Demon."

"Oh really? Then what do you believe?"

The boy didn't answer. He knew full well Sebastian didn't arrange his enrollment to help Ciel. However, he also wasn't exactly sure just why he had arranged it. He would figure it out sooner or later. The Phantomhives are born with a gift for solving mysteries, finding answers to questions other were baffled by. It was a mere matter of time, but for the moment he would be left in the shadows.

"Are you the new student?"

"Excuse me?" asked Sebastian.

"I-I said are you the new st-student?"

"Afraid not, but he's closer than you'd expect. You're looking for my Little Brother. Say hello Ciel."

There was silence.

"You'll have excuse him Miss. He's rather shy around meeting new people. Just why are you asking? You do seem a bit young to be a teacher."

The young girl blushed and hid her redden face. There was something familiar about the woman, something that Ciel couldn't properly place, but somewhere deep inside the crevices of his mind the memories began working their way through the darkness. It would be dangerous journey for the faint recollections, filled with obstacles and twists and turns. Though soon enough they would again see the light of day and force Ciel to remember them, just as the Strangers had planned.

The two watched from afar as the meeting continued, pieces falling precisely into the places they had set.

"How long is this going to take?"

"Patience, patience my Friend. It is a virtuous fruit, and you must learn to cultivate."

"Cultivation is not my specialty. I await the harvest."

"Proper planning and preparation are essential if you wish a bountiful meal, dear lady. The events will come into action soon enough. We need only await the trigger."

"The trigger is jammed," the figure said.

"Ah, but look, the tables are turning as we speak."

Sebastian continued to stare at the blushing girl. He too felt the sense of deja vu that Ciel had experienced moments before. There was something familiar about her, but neither of them could identify what. Nothing about her was striking. She appeared as any other girl would appear, plain and ordinary. Freckles sprinkled upon her delicate skin, clothing matched the school's uniforms, and bright orange hair lay tied behind her back with long bangs hiding her eyes. No, there was nothing about special about her appearance...

...And that was the perfect disguise for what lay beneath.

"Y-You're right Sir," she said,"I'm not a teacher. M-My name is Lydia Moores. I'm part of the welcoming comity. I'm here to take you to the Principal."

"Is that so? Well then lead the way. Come now, Little Brother."

Ciel sneered at the mention of his relation. In their past they had never taken aliases so close to one another, usually a cousin or legal guardian, never one of true blood. It was different in that moment. In that life, however short, however false, they were family. The thought sickened them both.

Lydia guided them through the hallways of her school stuttering a few sentences here and there describing school protocol. She prayed that the rest of the comity would join her soon. First introductions weren't usually her task, and she found herself feeling out of place. However, she was rather proud with herself. The last time she had tried welcoming a new student she was tongue tied beyond repair and nearly lost her membership, but something was different about these two. She instantly felt at ease with them. They seemed familiar, as if she had known them somewhere in the distance past.

"Y-You'll find Principal Harvey to be a v-very nice woman. If you ever have a problem, not that you ever would..hopefully," she added nervously,"you can always come to her. She's very helpful in those kinds of situations...Or at um..least she's been for me. Oh! H-Here's her office. She'll give you a briefing on school protocol, and the rest of the comity will be here afterwards to help show you around. W-Well..here you go."

And she opened the door...

Neither Ciel nor Sebastian expected to witness what they saw that day. The very moment they looked upon it fear and shock gripped their bodies and rocked them to the core. They doubted their own senses, unable to believe the truth, but it was real and it was sitting right in front of them. There, at her desk, in the principal's chair, sitting before them, was Hannah Annafellows.

"Well, well, well...what a pleasant surprise," she said.