I do not own the characters of Black Butler or Demon Slayer. All rights go to their respective manga authors and anime adaptations to their studios.

Author's Note: I deeply apologize for the lack of updates for "Black Descent" Black Butler x Demon Slayer fan fic. The past two years have been exceedingly rough on my mental health, and I recently had covid for the first time. Scary! I'm happy to report that I finally have the strength and time to start writing again. Thank you for your support of this fic :)

Please comment on your overall thoughts on the chapter, predictions of what you think will happen next, what characters do you want to see interacting and fav character so far! It helps me with the plot planning!

The 98th Master of the Demon Slayer Corp, Ubuyashiki Kiriya, is Japan's oldest living person. He witnessed a nation known for its deep culture and history slowly embrace the future. He saw the birth of steam trains, allowing the public easy access to the major cities and far countryside towns. He saw electricity illuminate the streets of 1920s Tokyo as model T cars drove people to and fro places in a matter of minutes.

Despite the wonders of modern society, he also saw the tragedy that came with the change: war and death. The public knows Ubuyashiki has seen it all firsthand. Yet out of the dozens of wars in the last hundred years- only one war has made a grave impact on his life: the thousand-year war against Muzan Kibutsuji; the Demon King. No ordinary human knows of this war except a chosen few. Ubuyashiki lost most of his entire family that fateful, sacrificial night.

It has been nearly a century since the Demon Slayer Corp's disbandment. I remember my grandfather telling all the descendants of the Corp the stories of their ancestors and their sacrifices for a brighter future. After the last demon was slain, the heads of each family (who are direct descendants of the remaining Hashira) were given two choices. They could keep the legacy alive by taking the Corp pledge to protect humanity from demon threats (if they should ever appear again), or live a mundane life and disregard the legacy as nothing more than a childish fairytale. There was no shame in choosing option two. Master Ubuyashiki himself told us that our ancestors wished nothing more than to give us- (the next generations) true peace and freedom from the sinister threat that was Muzan and his demons.

The first generation of descendants chose normality, because they saw no reason to fight. After all, Muzan and the remaining demons were wiped from existence. A few from the second generation still held onto the fear that demons would rise and return for revenge. Therefore, they passed a few breathing styles to their children which was my grandfather's generation. They knew the demons could not come to power again without the infamous Blue Spider Lily; a rare flower that only blooms in the daytime for a few days every year.

Ten years ago, the Blue Spider Lily reappeared into the world. It was a worldwide phenomenon, causing a curious uproar among nations. To the remaining Corp members, it was the key to ultimate ending chaos, death, and destruction. Luckily, Master Ubuyashiki contacted the head botanical researcher (who surprisingly had ancestral ties to the Corp) and had it eliminated. Thus, saving the entire world from the rise of another demon lord.

Until..today.

I believe that there is something demonic at work in the Phantomhive Manor, and my family is in the center of it. If I am going to unravel secrets, I'm going to need aid. Thank heavens that the Ubuyashiki clan leader is here. However, finding the opportunity to talk to him is going to be difficult with so many eyes watching me.

"I'm glad to see you are doing well, Master Ubuyashiki." I said in Japanese and straightened my back from my bow and greeting. I stared into his plum colored eyes and saw that they were adorned by crow's feet. I'm amazed that he has not lost his sight, hearing, or ability to walk at his old age.

He gave me a warm smile as he parted his wrinkled lips. "T-tanjiro-san, you're looking younger every time I see you. I look forward to seeing your kagura's dance this new year's eve, if my old age allows me to." He replied softly, leaning forward and struggled to reach out his frail hands to meet mine.

I walked towards him, crocheted down to meet his height and held his hands gently. "Master, I'm not-"

"Grandpa!" Yuki yelled annoyed. "How many times do we have to tell you!"

Kaname turned and bent low to his grandfather's ear. I heard the faint whispers of my name and Tanjiro's. I looked towards Kode who no doubt wished he spoke our native language . His gray eyes swung back and forth like a pendulum from me and the Ubuyashikis' with confusion.

Kiriya-sama's eyes squinted at me and then popped out from realization of his mistake. "Ah, my apologies, Èliane-san."

"It's okay, Master." I said with a hearty laughter and squeezed his hands tightly before letting go. "Every year, Ashai-ojiisan (Grandpa Ashai) tells me I'm the spitting image of Tanjiro- Idaina sofu (Great-great- grandfather Tanjiro). As for the kagura dance, I'll be performing it this year."

Tucking a burgundy strand behind my ear, I revealed the dangling sun hanafuda earrings. All three Ubuyashiki's eyes widened, realizing the true significance and symbol behind something ordinary in the eyes of someone like Kode or my father who probably thought they were just a random pair of Japanese earrings.

"Better start practicing." Kaname said in a quiet breath, before taking a sip of orange juice from his glass goblet.

I shot him an annoyed glance and walked towards the seat next to Yuki who squealed in excitement and started rambling about designing my outfit for the Kagura ceremony. Despite me reminding her I would be wearing the traditional garments passed down in my family, she continued to ramble on.

"I'm sorry, who and what are you guys talking about?" Kode finally said as Claude appeared behind me. A white gloved hand was on the back rim of the chair, waiting for me to allow him to pull out the chair for me. His golden eyes were unsettling, and I held back the urge to give him a dirty look.

One of these days I'll figure out why he hates me. I thought and took my seat.

"My great-grandfather," Kaname said to Kode in English. "mistook Èliane as her ancestor who was a beloved friend of his when he was young."

"A friend?" Kode asked.

"He is over a hundred years old." Yuki interjected, "His mind isn't as sharp as it used to be."

"Usagi's great- grandfather's name was Tanjiro Kamado." My father explained to Kode as he placed his teacup on the saucer. "He is the man responsible for bestowing upon his descendants the rare traits of black hair with red tinted tips, maroon colored eyes, and the birthmark on the top left of the forehead. They are characteristics normally seen as a dominant gene in the men in her family. Usagi and I were quite shocked to see both of our sons taking after my side of the family, while our daughter took after hers. "

Yes, I'm the odd duck . Rub it in, why don't you. I wanted to say but decided to restrain myself from starting another fight with him. Instead, I stared at the display of jams with focus and wondered which one would taste the sweetest on my toast.

"Same with our family, Lord Phantomhive." Yuki chirped, drawing all attention to her. "All the members of my family bear plum like eyes. However, when it comes to hair color, the women are born with white hair, while the men have black or dark brown. Strangely, when my twin brother and I were born, my parents were quite shocked to see him obtain the white hair too."

"Genetics are fascinating, aren't they?" Kaname said dryly. His pale face was distorted in utter boredom of the conversation.

"Indeed, why my family shares a rare trait as well." Kode added, which led to a two and half hour discussion on how the Viscount Drude genes of silky blonde hair and gray eyes were envied for centuries, especially during the Victorian period.

My father, Kaname, and myself tried to shift the conversation to another topic. Alas, Kode just kept on talking about his ancestors. I had no idea why he was boasting so much about his family lineage. It was as if he was trying to prove his worth or something. To whom? I wasn't sure, but it was getting tiresome.

Thankfully, the conversation broke with Sebastian opening the door and Alexander walking in the dining room in a navy blue suit. His once long, wavy, black blue sheen hair was now trimmed and replaced with a medium length side part style. If it wasn't for my keen sense of smell and what I witnessed last night, I would have easily mistaken Alexander for Alastair.

"Excuse my tardiness, everyone." He said as his green eyes carefully made a sweep of the table. No doubt searching for our older brother who was still declared missing to the important people at this table. "My fiancé was not feeling well."

"I hope it is nothing serious." Father said, rising from his chair.

"Just a migraine. She apologizes for not attending breakfast but will be here this evening."

Alexander turned to Ubuyashiki-sama and gave him a formal Japanese greeting to him and his grandchildren. They returned some pleasantries, and then Alexander walked towards me.

"Mon petit soleil (My little sun)," He fussed, squishing my face with his bare hands. "You're not hurt, are you?" He turned my face left and right, examining it for anything out of the ordinary.

"I'm fine…but what about you?" I muttered as he released my face. "Your hair. Why did you cut it?"

"It was time for my annual trim. When my stylist started cutting my hair, I made the decision to just take more than a few inches off. I wanted something new. " He touched a loose strand of hair near his ear and rubbed it between his fingers. "What do you think?"

Blinking, I said softly, "It looks..."

Should I lie or be truthful?

What I admire most about my brother Alexander was the way he expressed himself. Unlike Alastair (who is cool, calculated, and reserved), Xander is passionate and carefree. His punk rock appearance reflected that freedom and fire within. When he told father of his ambitions and interests in fashion, our father was livid. Xander went off on his own and enrolled in a Fashion Institute in New York. Slowly but surely, Xander became one of the most popular and talented designers in the world. He styled royalty to celebrities and designed costumes for five-star films. He built his brand from the bottom up, transforming it into a fashion empire that rivials the Funtom Company.

Alexander's long, rugged hair was a symbol of his pride and rebellion. It literally became a fashion statement amongst the youth. When I look at him now with trimmed hair and suit neatly put together, the passionate fire is extinguished and is no longer fueling his soul.

The question remains: what changed him, who changed him, and why?

My brother chucked, causing my stirring thoughts to cease. "I can handle the truth, petit soleil. Speak your mind."

Fidgeting in my seat, I slowly looked upwards and stared into his emerald eyes. I motioned for him to crouch down. Amused, he leaned towards me with his right ear in front of my mouth. I cupped my mouth and whispered, "You are not Alastair, brother, so why are you mimicking him? This isn't like you."

Instantly, Alexander's emerald eyes went dark like Alastair when he's pissed. Due to them being mirror twins, he only looked like Alastair when he's mad. Nearly, jumping out of my seat from the sight, I glanced around to see if anyone else noticed his rapid change of expression. Everyone around us continued to talk as if we weren't here.

"Èliane." Xander said sternly, which indicated that I should be looking him in the eyes attentively. "I need you to promise me something."

My chest pounded an unsteady beat.

Could he be a part of Alastair's disappearance?

No. He's our brother. He would never try to hurt me or Alastair...right?

Doubt crept into the back of my mind, causing me to swallow hard and look at him in the eyes. "Yes, nii-san…anything."

"Promise me, you'll be more careful." He said warm heartedly as his dark eyes vanished. He laughed, raised a hand over my head and patted my hair. "If you get hungry, notify one of the staff or me. I'll have food sent to your room right away, okay?"

I shook my head in obedience and internally sighed in relief.

Alexander beamed as if he was proud of himself for acting like a big brother for once. I suppose it's understandable. I left the Manor when I was just four years old, so he never got a chance to be a big brother in my youth. As his palm left my head, he gave a quick glance to Kode. The two shared an intense stare which left Kode to shake his head in agreement.

That's weird. I thought, glancing at them both and wondering what kind of message that meant. I had no idea they talked frequently.

No, I'm reading into things.

Turning away from me, Alexander informed Ubuyashiki-sama and father that the front parlor room was ready for their meeting. As the commander's unofficial liaison and translator, Kaname helped his grandfather up from his chair.

Pushing back my chair, I rose out of my seat. "It was a pleasure seeing you, Ubuyashiki-sama." I said in Japanese and gave him a formal farewell bow.

Ubuysahiki-sama whispered in his grandson's ear.

Kaname nodded, lifted his head and said to me, "My grandfather says likewise. If your schedule permits, he wonders if you would have tea with us this afternoon."

"Of course!" I said, shutting down any chance for anyone to deny me. "It would be my honor. Let's say three in the gardens."

"We'll see you then, Lady Èliane." Kaname bowed and left the room.

Kaname bowing to me shouldn't be awkward. Rather, it was the way he said 'Lady'. Speaking in that aristocratic manner, it made my heart flutter. It was almost like a scene out of an anime or historical Korean Drama.

Yuki, on the other hand, never followed formalities. She ran and gave me a massive bear hug. "We will see you then!" She chirped as she squeezed the life out of me with all her strength. Pressing her lips against the side of my ear, she whispered, "Open your grandfather's gifts and bring them this afternoon."

"O-okay," I replied, making me wonder what gifts Grandfather gave me that was important to the Ubuysahiki clan.

"Be on your guard. I don't trust them." She whispered before following her brother out of the room.

Out of all my friends, Yuki is a good judge of character. She has a six sense with people, knowing who is genuine and who isn't from the first meeting. Having her warn me about someone in the room, it is notice that shouldn't be taken lightly. I wanted to ask who she sensed threats from. I couldn't ask without eavesdroppers. The biggest eavesdropper is sitting right across from me.

Since childhood, Kode has always been extremely clingy. As we got older, he's always trying to get me to date him or tell people I am his fiancé. Apart from that, he is harmless. I glanced at Claude and wondered about his role in this mystery. To be honest, I don't know what his deal is. Sebastian Michaelis, on the other hand, was awesome in my book. It is strange though. Ever since I met him, I feel as if I have known him my whole life. I feel at ease as my instincts told me that I could trust him.

As for my family? Father being upset with mother's will and dismissing my questions about Alastair? I fear he is somewhat involved and knows more than any of us. As for Alexander, his entire personality to appearance seems to have changed overnight. It went beyond mimicking Alastair. Something is definitely wrong with him. Could his fiancé be involved in his sudden appearance change? What was her name again? Aoi something?

It doesn't matter what her name is. I will uncover the secrets in Phantomhive Manor; I will prove what I saw last night was real.

Don't worry, Alastair. I said in mind as I reached for another muffin. I will save you no matter what.