Okay, I know I said two weeks, and I really did mean it, I promise. But I completed chapter 23 and I kinda just felt like you guys deserved another chapter. So, here it is! I'm really excited for the next couple of upcoming chapers(:

Thank you all for your support and I suppose I should once again remind you that I do not own Black Butler/Kuroshitsuji in any way, shape, or form. I don't own the characters, or the over all Canon of the plot. Because if I did, SebaCiel would be so Canon that it hurt.

Hope you all enjoy this one, please let me know what you think.

Ta,

Majix

Sometimes, all it takes is a nudge in the right direction; the subtle slip of words that plant an idea and leave it to grow.

Steady footsteps echoed through the corridor with measured calculation as the ravenette steadily paced. The Trancy boy's life glittered before the golden eyes of a demon and he carelessly ran his fingers across the blood red spindles. Flashes of memory passed before his eyes but the dark haired male paid them no mind; he had what he wanted.

Upon careful inspection, the spider demon had found the final piece of his intricately woven puzzle. Along the outer edges of a lone web, a teeny tiny alternate reality left forgotten by time and unlikely hood, he had bared witness to a second chance meeting between the two similar souls. The knot of blue stood proudly among the sea of red and a wicked grin replaced the elder's flat expression.

All the blonde needed was a tiny push, one small shove in the right direction, and the ancient being would have to do nothing else; all would fall into place as it should while he watched from the sidelines.

Jim Macken, who would later became Alois Trancy, was an interesting soul. Not on the level that Ciel was, but interesting none the less. His soul held potential for great suffering, something the ravenette could hardly resist. The blonde would make a lovely appetizer before he indulged himself on the main course.

A small flash of silver revealed a set of scissors and the golden eyed man gazed at them in deep contemplation.

What he planned to do was against all sorts of rules. As a demon, he normally regarded rules as little more than suggestive guidelines but in this case, if he were to be caught, the consequences would be severe. The battle between self-preservation and greed took place within the darkest corners of his withered heart but within seconds, the war was decided. The white king fell before the inky blackness of greed and the arachnid's smirk mirrored the cat who'd finally caught the canary.

Without a second thought he reached out and snipped a small segment of the red thread. A quick burst of energy was released before the fragile web turned to dust and crumbled away.

The elder silently considered the thread in his palm as he weaved through the shadows of his personal labyrinth, returning to the hall that housed the webs of Ciel Phantomhive's life.

"Nasuada."

The tiny grey spider appeared out of seemingly thin air and snapped the fragile silk thread to land smoothly on the demon's shoulder, her voice soft and subtle within his thoughts, "Master?"

Cold eyes scanned the various blue webs before he found the one he'd marked for construction, "I must ask you for a favor, my dear."

The tiny spider seemed to almost dance at the mention of helping the golden eyed man, "Of course. Anything for you, Master."

Steady fingers traced slowly through the selected web, viewing hidden moments and events that had yet to pass before he stopped at a specific point. The merry music stilled his quest and he pulled the scissors from his robe before looking to his tiny companion, "The moment I slide the red silk in, I need you to bind them or the web will collapse."

Excited legs stilled, "But Master, what of.. them."

The ancient waved off the question with cool indifference, "They won't know."

The tiny spider said nothing but the demon could feel her disapproval yet she made no move to stop him as he made a tiny snip and laid the red thread in with the navy blue. Legs quick and nimble with practice slid across the web and easily bound the thread in place, sealing the new pathway in silence.

As she finished, the web glowed faintly with power and the male scooped up his companion, "Thank you, my dear. Now come, we have much to do before our two boys meet face to face."

The next morning, Ciel dragged himself from bed with slow and sluggish effort. Dark circles lingered under his eyes and his lack of sleep became apparent through the Earl's mood. He was quick to snap and his eyes actively sought out any possible flaw that Sebastian could've made.

Ciel knew that his time was no longer his own. As Lau roamed the halls of his manner, the reminder of his duty held stark within his thoughts. Prince Soma's words still clung to his weary mind and the Earl knew that the dark skinned man would insist upon being present for the conversation that would, undoubtably, be held after breakfast.

Mr. West and Agni forged a deal based on secrecy, the mention of Mina alone proved that but what stumped the bluenette was their goal. There was little doubt in his mind that it pertained to the humiliation of British noblemen but he couldn't figure out much other than that. What use would a butler with an Indian background be to a wealthy Brit? It occurred to Ciel that perhaps Agni's position alongside Prince Soma was the reason he was chosen but even with that theory, he was left with little more than creative guesses.

A sigh escaped his lips and Sebastian mentally smirked as he cleared the table, flawlessly balancing each and every dish on his arms as he walked from the dining room. Ciel flashed a small smile at the man's back as the demon's subtle attempt to humor him.

He'd never admit it aloud but the bluenette loved it when the elder man did small things to amuse him without having to be told. It left him feeling cared for and though the Earl doubted that Sebastian truly cared for his well being, it warmed him none the less.

However, despite his "promise" never to say such a thing out loud, Ciel wasn't sure if his initial reaction was accurate. He'd been doing many things lately that he normally wouldn't have done and the Earl couldn't be sure what tomorrow would bring; whether it be confessions or actions.

Dark eyes dulled with boredom as the teen made his way through the manor to the sitting room. As Ciel entered, he spotted the sitting chairs where he himself along with Lau and the late Angelina Durless had spoken of Jack the Ripper mere weeks ago.

The thought made his throat thick with emotion but the prideful male swallowed it down and took his seat, awaiting both of his guests.

Sebastian materialized beside the blue haired teen and nodded his head respectfully, "My Lord, the Prince and Lau shall arrive momentarily."

"Mm"

Ciel made no other move to acknowledge the butler's presence, along with his statement but he took their brief moment of solitude to speak his thoughts, "Though I am unsure of the part Agni plays in this, I assume you are fully aware."

Sebastian said nothing but he smiled coyly. The knowing grin was more than enough proof for the teen and he sighed.

"If such is true, which I have no doubt that it is, move this case along quickly. I am the King, and I move the pawns from square to square but I tire of this game as well as the company it brings, especially in Lau's case."

Sebastian frowned, "Young Master?"

The teen closed his eyes in irritation and tried not to snap at Sebastian, "Must I spell it out for you?"

Normally, the demon would've forced the blue haired teen to be excruciatingly detailed in what he wanted but Sebastian could see the strain present on his Master's face. He watched the Earl visibly tense as he avoided snapping in anger.

It was obvious that he desired a lapse in challenge. The dark circles below his eyes spoke volumes, and Sebastian found himself wondering what caused them to appear. He wasn't so niave as to believe that the Earl wanted the butler to take over and perform the duties reserved for the King alone but it remained clear within the crow demon's mind that Ciel wanted the waters of information to remain clear; free of the misleading paths the murkiness often brings.

"No, my Lord. I shall see to it."

Pink lips parted to release a scathing retort but the order died on the bluenette's tongue as he realized that Sebastian was cooperating. It left the teen feeling somewhat uneasy but before he could gather his thoughts, a quick knock sounded at the door.

Ciel granted them entrance and waited silently for both Lau and Prince Soma to take their seats. Thoughts of Sebastian melted back within the shadows of his conscious as the Earl organized himself.

With little consideration, the teen decided it would be more helpful to be almost painfully blunt. He looked to the Prince and was unsurprised to see that the dark circles beneath Soma's brown eyes mirrored his own. It didn't shock Ciel that the Prince had also found sleep to be elusive.

"Soma."

The dark skinned male looked startled that Ciel had called him out first but he looked to the teen, waiting for him to speak.

"Last night, Mr. West mentioned "The Hand of God". Explain, if you would."

The elder teen's eyes flashed with recognition. Hesitation lingered on his lips before he cast it aside and appeared to square his shoulders, "It's an ancient technique used to make curry."

All three men shared similar look of befuddlement and Ciel was pleased to see that even Sebastian looked slightly caught off guard.

"Curry?"

The Prince nodded and leaned forward, "Curry is more complicated than people think."

"In traditional Indian curry, the spices all have to be picked by hand. There isn't just one combination. There are hundreds of spices and depending on the meat you choose, some of them can ruin the dish completely. Spices can clash, make the meal to hot or even over-flavor it. In India, good curry is judged by taste, smell and the amount of time it takes to prepare."

Sebastian and Ciel shared a questioning look but it was Lau who broke the silence within the room, "And The Hand of God?"

Prince Soma's features turned serious, "I've never had better curry than Agni's. Ever. His curry is heavenly and nobody knows how he makes it. Not even him."

Dark brows show up in exclamation, "How can he not know?"

The Prince bowed his head in silent understanding of the Earl's surprise, "He allows faith to guide his hand. The flow of desire for something divine allows him to chose an impossible combination of spices each and every time without having to try."

"His curry is without equal."

Ciel turned to his butler, "Sebastian, how could these skills pertain to the current events in Britain?"

The silent butler appeared to ponder the question for a moment but Ciel was positive that the man in black did it merely to build anticipation. However, the blue haired teen waited patiently for the answer he knew Sebastian possessed.

And the demon didn't disappoint.

"Three days from now the Exhibition of Indian Culture will be held in The Empire at Crystal Palace."

Sebastian opened his mouth to continue only to be cut off my Prince Soma, "Exhibition of Indian Culture?"

The demon smiled slyly and looked to the Earl of Phantomhive, "A curry contest."

Ciel paced the floor of his study as he rolled new found knowledge around within his thoughts. After the big reveal of the contest, Sebastian had gone on to explain that the grand prize for the event was a Royal Warrant.

It made sense that West would be eager to possess such a prize. His wealth revolved around the success of his restaurant, and the Warrant would guarantee that his food was of the highest quality. A stamp of approval from Queen Victoria herself, and nothing was better for business than something her Majesty vouched for.

If he had to guess, the Earl could safely assume that one or more of the British nobles that'd been unfortunate enough to find themselves upside down and naked within the public square were experienced in cuisine. They'd each traveled to India and it wouldn't be that much of a leap to also assume that any chef visiting the area would hear of the complex puzzle of choosing spices for traditional curry. It also made sense that if they'd learned of such a challenge, they'd be eager to experiment until they found something unique that they could take back home to Britain. These experienced cooks would have no need for the curry powder Britain sold to the public, a product that Prince Soma scoffed at.

It wasn't surprising that West wouldn't want to work for the seal of approval, especially when it was so much easier to incapacitate any competition he might encounter.

But why would he need to do so when he had Agni? If what the Prince said was true, there would be no chance that some aspiring chef would compare to the butler of an Indian prince. Did West doubt Agni's talent? And how did Mina fit into the equation? Could it be that she knew the secret behind The Hand of God? Did West know where she was? The elusive woman seemed to be the only other connection between all three men; Mina and curry.

All the rest was based on speculation and the Earl of Phantomhive did not like to speculate.

With a tired sigh, the teen dropped himself into his high-backed chair and rubbed his temples, "Sebastian."

Within moments the demon was knocking politely on the door and Ciel bid him entrance, "What can I do for you, young Master?"

Ciel laid his palm in his cheek and balanced his elbow on the desk's smooth surface, "I'd be eternally greatful for something sweet."

Sebastian's face betrayed nothing but the nature of Ciel's request, or rather how he phrased it, made the ancient wonder just how tired the boy really was.

Normally, Sebastian would surprise the teen but in a fleeting moment of thoughtfulness he turned back to the bluenette, "Do you have any preference, my Lord?"

The steady scratching of a quill on paper stopped immediately at the question but Ciel didn't lift his head, both eyes focused entirely on the parchment in front of him, "Something with strawberries."

Dark hair brushed impossibly pale skin as Sebastian dipped his head in respectful acknowledgement before exiting the room with quiet grace.

Impatient fingertips drummed against the smooth wood surface in synchronous order as the blue haired teen waited. Even now, surrounded by his work, Ciel couldn't help but to think back to the previous evening. More than anything, he pondered the nature of being gay.

Did Prince Soma consider himself gay, or was his love for Agni enough to make the other man's gender irrelevant? And what was he? Ciel had long ago accepted that he didn't feel any sort of attraction towards Lizzy but as he continued to think, he couldn't help but to wonder if that was because he thought of her strictly as family or because he didn't find women attractive in general.

And Sebastian.

The teen couldn't rid himself of the single stray thought that'd taken hold of his conscious like a vice. Sebastian as his lover. It was an untouchable idea that should have repulsed the Earl beyond wit or measure but, strangely enough, it didn't. The thought of taking one of his servants as a lover made his spine stiff with distaste but the truth was that Sebastian had never really been his servant, had he?

Ciel could call him a fiend of Hell or a demon all he wanted, coating his tone with layers of distaste, but in the end, the teen was human and Sebastian was something more. He was a servant by choice.

Ciel was unsure as to why he was trying to justify his thoughts in the first place. It wasn't as if the Earl would ever have any sort of romantic contact with Sebastian, and his thoughts were his own. Nobody would ever know of them unless he chose to speak of it.

At the sound of Sebastian's knock, thoughts of butlers and lovers were forgotten, "Enter."

The raven haired male opened the door and wheeled in a cart with careless ease. Within moments of stopping, Sebastian placed a slice of spongy white cake in front of the teen before laying diced berries on the side of the plate and drizzling a thick red sauce over the top, "Please excuse the preparation, young Master. I didn't want the strawberry glaze soaking into the cake to quickly."

Ciel waved it off and took a small bite as the butler strained his tea leaves. The new scent caught his attention as Sebastian set the steaming liquid in front of him.

Steady fingers clasped the fragile cup and Ciel brought it close, taking a slow inhale, "What is this?"

"Lung Ching Dragon's Well, courtesy of Lau. It's produced near to the village of the Lung Ching in the Zhejiang province of China, my Lord. With flat jade green leaves, it has a delicate aroma, and a mellow flavour with a slightly sweet after-taste. It's easily enjoyed throughout the day, especially alongside rich food."

He accepted the answer by taking a small sip. Though not as strong as the teen preferred, the hot liquid was calming and he took another soothing sip.

"Sebastian."

Dark pools of maroon looked to the blue haired teen, "My Lord?"

Ciel set the cup back in the saucer and reached happily for the fluffy dessert, "I dislike the idea of West winning the Royal Warrant."

Ciel hummed slightly as the rich flood of strawberry met his tastebuds, "I want you to submit our company in the competition."

Dark brows raised in surprise, "I was unaware that you'd thought of expanding Funtom in the direction of cuisine."

White teeth worried the solid metal of his fork before he laid it quietly on the plate, "That was not my original intention, no. However, I do not find the idea distasteful. What better way to introduce ourselves into the culinary pool than by entering with a Warrant? It'd guarantee a successful introduction."

Sebastian pondered his contracted's statement for a moment, "Agni could prove to be quite a problem, my Lord. I am, unfortunately, not experienced with curry as you do not enjoy spicy food."

Ciel snickered, "I'm sure you could convince Prince Soma into tasting your creations to see how you measure up against Agni's legendary curry."

Sebastian said nothing but Ciel could almost see the surpression of a groan at the mention of working with the eccentric male, "Of course, young Master. I shall see to the preparations right away."

Ciel nodded and Sebastian smoothly exited the room, taking the cart with him as he made his way back down to the kitchens. The tedious nature of his task left little to be desired but he would complete it as ordered.

There was much to do.

First, he would have to acquire a wide assortment of fresh spices. Though the freezers were in no way lacking, Sebastian also deemed it necessary to stop at the butcher's shop for choice cuts of chicken, pork, beef and a scatter of seafood. They were quite low on rice, so that would also have to be gotten. It probably wouldn't hurt to stop at the Farmer's Market just outside of London for some harder to find produce.

Next, he would gather the servants, as well as Prince Soma, and have them all play guinea pigs to his creations.

And last but not least, the black clad butler would have to find something better than the one-in-a-million spice selection that Agni had mastered to the letter.

A smirk crossed the demon's lips as he set to work, thinking briefly that there was never a dull day in paradise.