8. Meet Your Maker Mister Red

JO here...

Another updated chapter. Seems like things will be picking up in here!

EDITED 06/27/23

Disclaimer: I do not own Kuroshitsuji

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8. Meet Your Maker Mister Red

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Well, I certainly wasn't expecting that.

As soon as we parted in haste, my face reddened until it resembled a boiled lobster; no way could my olive tone skin hide this embarrassment! Ciel whirled around so quick I was unable to see his reaction.

My heart was beating a mile a minute as I tried to desperately calm myself down. But one thought kept running around wildly in my mind: I JUST KISSED CIEL PHANTOMHIVE.

The realization of what had just transpired wouldn't shut up, choosing to wail in the vast void instead. I clutched my head in mental agony. At home, it was well known that I couldn't stand watching kissing scenes in movies or dramas. I felt so awkward to the point that I had to look away or fidget in my seat like a repressed virgin—never mind that I was one. I suppose it could be explained that this habit of mine was influenced by the fact that I had never had a boyfriend before. The concept of romance in comparison to myself were like character foils.

Amanda had been the one with the relationships, always rambling on about her love life, giving me a detailed account of the highs and lows she was going through that week while I simply nodded and absently wondered what I'd be having for dinner.

Did I mention that I've never been kissed, either?

My gosh, I'm so pathetic. But really now, who'd want to date, let alone kiss, a grubby tomboy who didn't even speak English properly and thought only about mysteries and food? That question led to another thought that had me feeling way too warm in the face: CIEL HAD BEEN MY FIRST KISS!

So what if it was an accidental meeting of the lips? It was still a kiss, according to Amanda.

I calmed myself down before turning around, wondering if I was making the incident out to be a bigger deal than it really was. I mean, Ciel was probably over it. He did have Lizzy after all.

To my surprise, however, I found that Ciel's face was equally as red as mine had been a moment ago, though his expression was calm and composed. I blinked at the contrast. What did that mean? Why was his face red? Didn't he think it was no big deal? Then again, this was the Victorian era. People here were scandalized over a little bit of exposed elbow skin. Our lips touching would definitely explain the crimson flush to his cheeks.

I offered the boy a small smile.

"Oops! You silly little duck, you moved," I said, laughing nervously. "Ah, well, um." Think of something woman, quick! "So, don't you think you should summon Sebastian to get us out of here?"

"No need. I'm already here," came Sebastian's voice from behind us.

My heart nearly leapt out of my chest by his sudden appearance.

Ciel and I froze for a quick second before whirling around to find Sebastian's handsome form standing in the middle of the hallway. He stared at us with an unreadable expression that bordered on polite…and something else. Did he witness the accidental kiss? Great, an audience! As if the act wasn't utterly embarrassing already.

"Sebastian," Ciel greeted, surprised. "Were you here the whole time?"

Sebastian smiled innocently. "Of course, ever since you've escaped the Viscount."

Ciel's gaze hardened. "You mean you could have—"

"Saved us from getting lost?" I interrupted, eyes wide. "What the heck dude?! I could have been skewered alive by Grey!"

"I think you did well enough. Though I admit I should have made myself known earlier to prevent unnecessary…mishaps."

Was it me or did the atmosphere around us get chillier? And somewhat darker? Sebastian approached us, arching a brow at our disheveled appearance before smirking. I knew that smirk of his couldn't be trusted.

"Anyway, it's done," said Ciel, clearing his throat to speak steadily. "The case of Jack the Ripper is closed. I admit, however, that I can't help feeling as though it was over too soon."

I nodded, regaining some of my cool composure. "Agreed. At least the Viscount is now in the hands of the Yard."

Sebastian tilted his head. "I arrived after you two stormed out of the room. Out of curiosity, they didn't happen to catch a glimpse of the young master dressed as he is?"

Ciel flushed in anger. "Of course not!"

"We fled as soon as we heard them," I added. By now, our faces returned to their normal coloring. At least I hoped mine had. I wondered if Lau and Madame Red were back in the ballroom, or if they left for home. "Shouldn't we get going?"

"Of course. The others have decided to wait for us at the townhouse. The ballroom is in a state of confusion since the Yard arrived."

Ciel nodded. "Very well, let's go."

What Ciel didn't expect was for Sebastian to suddenly scoop him up and have him perched on his shoulder like a delicate damsel. I was expecting that of course—I was secretly pleased by the action. I was not, however, expecting Sebastian to do the same to me. I gasped, placing a desperate arm around Sebastian's neck. How was he even able to do this? How is it possible to carry two people? Sebastian only widened his smirk when I grabbed hold of him.

Seriously, what could that smirk mean? Why was I even worried that Sebastian had seen Ciel and I kiss? Why was I making such a big deal out of the accidental kiss anyhow? And why was my face heating up again at the thought? Just what is wrong with me?

"Now then, let us be off," murmured the butler in black.

And like some weird fairytale sequence, Sebastian made it outside, landing on the roof of Druitt Manor. The moon was high in the sky, the ground way down below. From this height it looked almost ominous. I fervently prayed we wouldn't fall. Though this scene was beautiful in the manga, in real life, it was scary.

Sebastian leapt on different rooftops across London like a ninja. Ordinarily, this would have been cool but I really didn't want us to fall. Namely me. Over Sebastian's head, Ciel's gaze met my nervous one. We both blushed before looking away.

I was going to have to get over this. The kiss wasn't that big a deal. I mean, Ciel looked calm about the whole thing and I was expecting him to blow his top off. Maybe…he didn't care. The thought was depressing, for reasons that escaped me.

I shouldn't worry. Like my dad would say, things happen and that's just a part of growing up. As a detective extraordinaire, it was only natural I take this as a learning experience. And besides, other girls have had worse first kisses. At least mine was with Ciel, as strange as the thought sounded, seeing as Ciel was fictional.

Was he fictional? I suppose not. The bruises I've gotten so far testified that I was in the actual Black Butler world, so it must all be real—as strange as the concept sounded.

I giggled as a thought suddenly occurred to me. My accidental kiss with Ciel reminded me of Katy Perry's song "I Kissed A Girl", except Ciel was actually a boy, but hey. Details, details!

Ciel and Sebastian eyed me briefly when I couldn't stop laughing. I smiled at them.

"Today was fun!" I said.

Ciel rolled his eyes in response. "If you say so."

By the time we made it back to Ciel's Townhouse, I was in better spirits. Ciel also seemed like he was back to normal. I suspected Sebastian knew about the accidental kiss, though I couldn't fathom why he was in such a dark mood over it.

Lau and Madame Red were present inside Ciel's home. When we made it to the salon, Ciel quickly broke the news to them that the case of Jack the Ripper was solved. Madame Red looked glad that the mess was over.

"Oh really? Well, what a relief!"

"Now London can return to normal," Lau added.

I smiled, saying nothing. I glanced at Madame Red as she calmly sipped her tea. Looks like my plan will have to move in motion tonight. After a few minutes of discussing what had happened at the Viscount's ball, everyone agreed to retire for the night. Lau left, leaving Madame Red to linger as she talked with her nephew for a bit before heading home.

After they were gone, both Ciel and I didn't waste time heading to separate rooms to change out of our party clothes. After freeing my boobs from the chest binding I had been required to wear—I didn't see the point since I was as flat as a washboard but whatever—I got ready for bed.

A knock came at my door and I was surprised to find that it was Madame Red on the other side.

"Good evening dear, I hope you don't mind me intruding," she said.

"Oh not at all," I insisted, rather happy to see her. "I thought you had gone home. Come in! Did you need something?"

Madame Red entered and gingerly sat at the edge of my bed. "Well, it just wouldn't leave me alone. So I thought I would ask. What happened when you and Ciel disappeared? You two were gone for quite a while. Luckily no one noticed."

"Oh, sure. Ciel and I just got captured by the Viscount, but it's okay now. The Yard has him."

She looked outraged. "Captured? Well, I'm glad as well! Hmpf! To think he'd try to sell off my adorable nephew!"

I cocked my head as I looked at her. Maybe I could…

"You really love Ciel, don't you?"

Madame Red seemed surprised by this. "Well, of course! He's my sister's son, my darling nephew. I wouldn't want anything to happen to him. In fact, over the years, he's become like a son to me. "

I smiled genuinely at her. "That's good to hear. He's been through a lot," I said solemnly. "You'd protect him no matter what, right?"

She smiled. "That goes without saying. I just want him to be happy. And fraternizing with the underworld is a very dangerous thing."

I sighed in understanding. "Very."

Madame Red tilted her head to the side. "Out of curiosity, how old are you?"

"Sixteen."

She blinked in surprise. "Sixteen? Really now?"

I grinned. "I know, looks can be deceiving. It's all the Hispanic blood's doing."

Madame Red smiled. "It certainly is. You should be married right now, at the very least betrothed."

I sat down next to her. "That's a little too much. Where I come from I'm still considered young."

The lady in red scoffed. "Nonsense! Even Americans have the good sense of marriage instilled in their daughters from an early age."

I knew from the manga that Madame Red herself had been a lot older before she had settled down.

"How old were you when you got married?"

She blinked before she gave me a rueful smile. "Alright you caught me, but that's because I couldn't seem to find the right man."

"But did you?"

Her eyes clouded. "No. I settled down with a nice enough man, but not the one I loved."

I looked down at my hands. Man, this was awkward. I knew of her story and had immediately loved her like the aunt I never had.

Seriously, when Amanda and I discussed Madame Red's character, she said if she had been in the older woman's shoes she would have confessed her feelings, tricked her sister, anything, as long as she didn't have to live Madame Red's tragedy. I told her I would have confronted the sister to somehow "battle" it out, giving the two of us a fair chance at Vincent. We agreed that one had to fight for one's love, that it wouldn't always be handed down on a silver platter. Nor was it easy to find it in the first place. Her words had always struck me. Of course, it was too late for Madame Red.

Way too late, I thought as I recalled her accident.

"Well," I said. "I'm sorry. It must suck a lot, things not going the way you'd once dreamed it would." I twisted the button on my gown. "But even if they didn't, you're still here. And that must count for something. If there's one thing the nuns taught me, it's that we're all here for a reason."

"A reason?"

"Yeah," I said, getting up and pacing. "Like, I was meant to go to London. I was meant to end up here and help Ciel, though I'm still working on that bit of logic. And maybe, you're here because you were meant to have looked after his son. It was you who would be entrusted with the special boy, something both Mr. and Mrs. Phantomhive considered their treasure," I looked up. "Does that make sense?"

Madame Red blinked in surprise before slowly curling her lips into a fond smile. "Well, what logic. I suppose it makes sense in a way."

"Madame Red?"

"Yes?"

"…what do you want to accomplish from your life?" I asked, face sincere.

"Eh?"

"I know you're living life but…what is it you yearn for? What do you envision achieving for yourself? What makes you happy?"

Madame Red was positively shocked by my words. "Hero…I can't…I can't possibly even begin to tell you."

I ducked my head. "I'm sorry if I'm coming across blunt. But, I just want you to live a happy full life, one filled with love." And here comes the kicker. "I do so admire the profession you've chosen, one where you can save people. Not everyone has the talent and fortitude to become a doctor, let alone a successful one in a time period where women aren't expected to amount to much. Your choice…it shows you have a good heart. You're a good person, a great woman and…I hope, a grand friend."

The woman looked away, her fists clenching her dress until her knuckles turned white. I felt the air around us tensing. I hoped I was getting through, making her regret her actions. Madame Red finally sighed, before looking up, a bright smile on her face.

"Oh look at me, Hero, I've made us think about my silly problems! Enough about me, deary! Tell me about you. You're what everyone's been talking about!"

I frowned. "Me? What about me?"

She grinned. "Any boy that's caught your interest back home? Maybe here in London?"

I thought hard on the boys back home, but the only one I truly loved was my dog Noodle and I don't think he counts. As for London…I blushed. I shook my head in a negative. Even though the kiss with Ciel happened, I wasn't sure where I stood exactly in regards to him, romance wise. Besides, wouldn't that make me like some cougar or something?

And why was I even thinking this? Seriously? "No I don't think so," I answered with a smile.

"Oh?" Madame Red faked a pout. "That's too bad. But I have to ask, what do you think of my Ciel?"

I blushed again.

"Oh well, what's not to think? He's just the darnest thing," I answered evasively.

Madame Red eyed me knowingly, but let my lame answer slip. I thought I had escaped the inquisition when she bluntly added, "I was only wondering because it seemed like he's attracted to you."

I spluttered, face turning beat red. "W-What do you mean? Oh Madame Red! You're such a kidder!" I said, laughing nervously, waving a hand at her. That devious glint in her eye had me looking for a possible escape route. This was going to make sleeping with Ciel awkward! Was she trying to ruin my peaceful night's sleep?

"I wonder why you evade the question," she said. "You can't possibly be so pure in the mind, can you?"

Pfft. As if. I know the mechanics of being in a relationship—not that I've ever been in one—but anything that has to do with feelings just gives me goose bumps. I can understand, sort of, when it comes to other people, but for myself, the concept was purely novel.

"To tell you the truth," I said, wondering if what she said was true. There was no possible way Ciel liked me. We only just met and I wasn't even remotely girly looking like Lizzy. Oh shit Lizzy! She was his fiancée so he must love her, right? I didn't remember the sentiment returned in either manga or anime, but I knew he cared about her a lot. "I've never really had to deal with this kind of stuff. Romantic stuff, I mean."

Madame Red blinked. "You mean you've never fallen in love?"

"Well, yeah, pretty much."

"You poor thing! If that's the case, it'll be harder for you to realize those feelings. And you'll be easy prey to rogues."

"How do you know if you've fallen in love?" I asked her.

Maybe I should have read one of Amanda's Cosmos Girl or Seventeen magazines so I could have better prepared for this. Sadly, my aspiring career as detective extraordinaire had been my only love. Everything else had seemed superfluous to me.

I scratched my head. Now that I thought about it, I really failed as a girl.

"Hmm, why don't I tell you that another time? It'd be good of you to let things flow naturally," she advised. "You'll know it when you feel it." She stood and stretched a little. "Well I'd better collect Grell and go home. Goodness what a night this has been."

I snapped back to the reality at hand. "Oh okay. No problem. I should too," I told her as I walked towards the door.

"Wait, don't you sleep here?"

I froze. Oh snap! Almost caught. I turned around and smiled brightly. "Oh, you're right! Silly me I must be so tired I can't think straight."

Madame Red smiled. "It's been a long night for all of us. I'll see you tomorrow, Hero."

She opened the door and we were both surprised to find Sebastian standing there, looking as if he was about to knock on the door. For some reason, I found myself blushing. Had he been there the whole time? Had he overheard our conversation?

"Oh Sebastian!" Madame Red exclaimed in surprise. "Evening. I was just about to head out."

He smiled politely. "Very good, madam. I came here to escort you to your carriage. Grell is outside waiting."

"Right then," she turned towards me and smiled. "Good bye, Hero!"

I waved as she left with Sebastian. Once the door was closed, I threw myself on the bed. Whoa that was close. If I hadn't been careful Madame Red could have discovered that I slept with Ciel and even though I loved it when he blushed and got all embarrassed, I didn't want to ruin his reputation, or his saintliness in front his aunt, not that she'd mind much I think. My dad wouldn't have found the situation awkward, not if he thought of Ciel as just some cute little kid—which he was. Now if it had been Sebastian on the other hand, he'd have definitely objected to the sleeping arrangement. And probably abused his badge to separate us.

Still, it was about time I went to sleep so I got up and opened the door, surprised to find Sebastian there about to knock on my door for the second time.

"Oh Sebastian," I said. "That was fast. What are you doing?"

"About to escort you to the young master's room."

"Okay," I walked beside him in companionable silence, my thoughts centering around how I was going to save Madame Red from her horrible fate tomorrow night.

Really, I love Yana Taboso, but there was no way I was going to sit back and watch Grell kill Madame Red. I hope my talk with her discouraged her from continuing any killings, but if Grell whispers in her ear, I was stuck. I sighed, knowing something would have to be done about Grell.

I looked up at Sebastian who was staring ahead with an unreadable expression.

"Sebastian," I said, capturing his attention. "Can I ask you something?" He casually nodded. "I need you to do something, especially for tomorrow night."

"And what would that be?"

I smiled. "I need you to keep on looking effortlessly smexy. Don't ask why, just trust me. Lives are at stake."

"…smexy?"

"As in sexy," I said, winking before walking ahead.

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Sebastian smirked, highly amused by Hero's unusual request. But if it would please her, then he'd comply.

"You find me appealing?" The thought pleased him immensely. That meant his future seduction attempts on her will succeed, making the claiming process that much easier.

"Of course. One would have to be blind not to," she told him. "Even my friend Amanda is in love with you and that's saying something because she's seen a lot of pretty faces. But I guess your hotness is your charm as a demon."

She skipped, sensing they were close to the young master's room. When they arrived, Hero turned around and smiled at him.

"So be sure to look sexy, especially tomorrow."

As Sebastian finally bid his young master and demon mate goodnight, he knew the time to act would be soon. Judging from what he had heard through the door when Madame Red and Hero talked earlier and the accidental kiss with the young master, his little demon mate was starting to develop twinges of affectionate attachment to the young master. He didn't know whether to feel jealous or amused at the change in situation.

Regardless, one thing was clear. He'd have to make them aware of what Hero was and soon.

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JACK THE RIPPER APPEARS ONCE MORE!

THE VICTIM IS ANNIE CHAPMAN

ANOTHER PROSITITUTE IS KILLED AGAIN!

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Ciel slammed the newspaper down in anger. "How could this be? The Viscount didn't go anywhere last night!"

"He was apprehended by the Yard," Sebastian confirmed as he stood to Ciel's right. I sat across the two, silently sipping my tea—with sugar and milk, of course. I had been hoping that maybe Madame Red would have taken the night off, but well, I guess not. I glanced at the mildly meek Grell standing behind Madame Red.

Looks like talking alone wasn't going to be enough.

Lau and Madame Red were present this afternoon, enjoying their tea until Ciel had snapped. Lau looked up.

"If it becomes seemingly impossible for our lone suspect to have committed murder, then it does beg the question of a possible copycat…or even of there being multiple culprits from the very start."

Madame Red looked up from her newspaper. "In other words, we were off the mark in suspecting the Viscount?"

"Absolutely," I told them. "The Viscount seems like the type who wouldn't want to get his fancy clothes dirty. It's more likely he'd send out someone else to do the dirty work."

Ciel sighed at my logic. "We're back to square one. I'll narrow down the suspect list. Sebastian," he said, turning toward his butler. "The list."

"Yes, sir," Sebastian responded dutifully as he left the room.

I quickly stood up and followed him out.

"Sebastian," I said, "Wait up!"

He paused and I rushed forward, grabbing his gloved hand as I put space between us and Ciel's study containing the vivacious Madame Red and the dramatic Cindi-Grella. I slowed down when we were safe enough away from prying ears.

"Is something the matter?" Sebastian asked, curious when I let him go.

"I was wondering if you could deliver this letter," I said, taking out a folded letter I had written this morning. I figured Madame Red gave the go ahead and allowed Grell to kill Annie tonight.

Sebastian took it and read the recipient's name. "It's addressed to a Mary Ann Kelly. Do you know her?"

"Not really. I've heard of her, but I've never really met her. She lives in Whitechapel."

"I see," he said noncommittally, tucking the letter into his jacket, probably already suspecting what this was about. "I shall deliver it at the earliest opportunity."

I smiled and turned to leave when Sebastian called my name. I looked back expectantly and saw him contemplate something for a quick minute before sighing and shaking his head. He smiled at me.

"Never mind."

As it turned out, Ciel and I were invited to stay at Madame Red's place later that night. And because she was so insistent and Ciel's supposedly favorite aunt, he acquiesced with a sigh.

So that night, as rain started to descend upon the Burnett townhouse, Ciel sighed once more as he leaned back in the high leather chair of the parlor room. Sebastian was at his side, going over the suspect list. A warm fire roared and crackled in the fireplace, a comfortable contrast to the cold night outside.

"The population in London alone is 4.5 million and that swells further during the Season. By simply relaxing the conditions, the number of suspects increases," Ciel pointed out in frustration.

The door to the room opened and in walked Madame Red. Behind her, I entered the room decked in a white button-up nightgown with puffy long-sleeves designed by the lovely Miss Nina Hopkins. Over that, I had on a night robe tied loosely around my waist.

"Sup," I greeted.

"Still at it?" Madame Red observed.

Ciel looked surprised to see us. "Madame Red? Hero? I thought you two were asleep."

"Puh-lease," I said, waving my hand at him in dismissal. "As if I'd sleep when you're over here with Sebastian working so hard."

"That's right!" agreed Madame Red. "And all work and no play makes Ciel a dull boy." I snickered at Ciel's face. Now where did he hear that before? "What say you take a break for a round of this?"

She held up a chess board.

Ciel looked at it, his expression oddly reminiscent. "The chess set, eh? That takes me back."

"Doesn't it? I got it out of the storeroom because you and Hero were coming over. Now break time, break time!" Madame Red insisted as she shoved Ciel's papers to the floor in a rather cheerful manner. I giggled and settled in a chair between them. "Grell, see to the tea!"

Grell later appeared carrying the tea. "As it is evening, I have prepared an herbal tea of rosehips."

I sighed at my teacup. No sugar or milk. The difference between Sebastian's abilities as a butler and Grell's were imminently clear. Madame Red roared at the poor Grell after taking a sip, ranting at his horrible tea-making skills. After that was done, she sighed before glancing at the focused Sebastian as he dutifully wrote down something on the papers in front of him.

"By contrast, your butler is really rather competent, or should I say, a hard worker?"

"Not particularly, certainly not to that extent," Ciel commented absently. "If Sebastian were that able, you may as well leave the investigation of the Ripper to him." He twirled a knight piece between his fingers. "He is both my 'might' and my 'hands and feet'. Sebastian is but a chessman." Bad ass photo op of Ciel's posing. "And only I, the horseman, can move the horse. If I could defeat my opponent with an automaton chess piece, the achievement could not be considered my own."

Wow, this kid sure knew how to analyze. Course I already knew Ciel was this manipulative with his "chess pieces". It's what makes him so good at what he does. Ciel took one of Madame Red's pieces and she pouted at the loss.

Ciel continued with a smug expression. "I always give the order. He's been disciplined not to move so much as a muscle without my say so. The only difference between Sebastian and 'this' knight, however, is that he can move to any square in one fell swoop."

I glanced at Sebastian and smiled before returning my attention to the game. Madame Red gaped when Ciel took a few pieces he wasn't supposed to. He succinctly explained that in reality there was no situation where one can win by following the rules. And he wasn't wrong. But in this situation, Madame Red was in the right. It didn't take long before she was easily defeated.

"Lost again," she muttered.

"It's okay," I told her. "He's unstoppable when it comes to chess."

"Indeed," she said. "Then what is Hero, Ciel? I remember you mentioning that she was also 'your pawn'. Tell me, what chess piece is she?"

I chuckled. "Yeah, Ciel, what am I?"

Ciel glanced at me with an unreadable expression. I had rather hoped he would say the rook because it's my favorite chess piece, but imagine my surprise when he holds up the Queen chess piece.

"It should be obvious. Hero is my Queen. Her knowledge is most beneficial to me, and as I'm recently discovering, so is her strength and determination. When I'm momentarily vulnerable, Hero will support and defend me. Though I would appreciate it more if she'd listen to me, I suppose she does as she pleases for my sake, quite like a Queen should," he said. He holds the Queen piece close to his cheek and winks at us, his expression playful and mischievous.

Madame Red and I looked at each other, stunned by his confession as well as his actions. Cue me blushing furiously in this instant. What a boy! And what confidence!

Sebastian looked over his shoulder at where we were all sitting, his expression indifferent. Beneath the surface however, was a whole other story.

I laughed nervously at Ciel. "Scary how chess can portray real life, huh?"

Madame Red leaned back and chuckled. "I'll say." Then her face sobered. "You really have grown, Ciel. Surely there could have been another way for you to live without becoming the underworld's watchdog. I'm sure my sister, your mother, wouldn't have wanted you to live this way. Despite that, you've returned to the underworld. Is it because you wish to avenge my murdered sister and her husband?"

Ciel stilled. He slowly lifted his gaze to his aunt. I stayed silent, playing with the ends of my sash.

"Nobody wants that for you, Ciel—"

"I have never once thought to avenge my parents or any sort of thing. Were I to avenge them, the dead would still not come back to life. Calling it 'vengeance' or a 'battle of revenge' is just glossing over the truth," said Ciel, face impassive. "Such utterances amount to nothing more than the selfishness of the survivors, after all. I did not return to the Phantomhive for the sake of the previous head. I returned for myself. All I want is give those who betrayed and defiled the Phantomhive name the same humiliation and pain that I suffered."

I stared at Ciel in concern. He was dead serious. I can only hope he doesn't fall or hurt himself in pursuit of his goals. If only I could make things better for him. I looked down.

Ciel set his chess piece down. "Checkmate."

"Gosh! That makes forty six loses in a row for me," Madame Red admitted sheepishly with a heavy sigh. "You've always been good at this kind of thing and I've been losing to you since way back then." She chuckled. "I still remember the day you were born as if it were yesterday. I'd just started out as a nurse. I didn't know what to do during the delivery."

"I bet Ciel as a baby was the most adorable thing," I told them, remembering how Ciel looked in the manga. Major aw! Ciel flushed and Madame Red chuckled.

"Indeed. As a newborn he was very tiny and precious and I felt I had to protect him," she got up then and stroked his hair. "Though in the end I couldn't bear any children of my own, to me, you're like my real son and as a mother to her son, I want you to wash your hands of the underworld."

I looked at the scene with mixed feelings. I knew Madame Red was only saying this so she wouldn't have to hurt Ciel if he did discover that Jack the Ripper was actually her and Grell. And on the other hand, Madame Red sincerely didn't want Ciel to suffer this dark destiny that Vincent had suffered before. Man, this was like watching a mild version of a Spanish soap opera.

Ciel removed Madame Red's hand with care. "I'm here now because I wished for it. I made the choice. So, I have no regrets and I do not wish to depend on anyone."

Ciel got up and gave his aunt a playful peck on the cheek. "Now if you'll excuse me, it's been fun Madame."

"I won't lose next time," Madame Red declared ruefully.

Ciel smirked. "Good night." He looked at me then. "Hero?"

I waved him off. "In a minute," I told him. He nodded before leaving. Grell appeared then with more tea. Madame Red sighed.

"Why must that small child shoulder something so heartbreaking and painful?" she murmured with hands crossed under her chin.

Sebastian spoke from where he was. "My master always carries out his word, even if the path he must walk as a result is long, dark, and cold."

"Sebastian's right," I added. "Ciel's made his choice and there's no budging him from it. All we can do now is support him, help him when he needs help, and keep him safe."

Madame Red chuckled. "How like a Queen you are, hmm?"

I blushed and stood up. "Madame Red! We all know what he said was just a joke!" I coughed, looking away from them. I took out my handkerchief from my robe's pocket and handed it to her. "Here. You can keep this Madame. Anyways I should head to bed too. Laters."

=/=/=

Sebastian and Madame Red watched the girl rush out the room. The Madame smiled as she eyed the handkerchief in puzzlement.

"What a dense girl," she said. "I'm sure she'll realize it as time goes by."

Sebastian said nothing. Madame Red looked over at him and smirked.

"Of course, she'll also one day realize that Ciel isn't her only suitor."

He stiffened, slowly putting the papers down and glancing at the smirking Madame. He gave her one of his deceptive smiles.

"Why, whatever could you mean, my lady?"

"Don't play dumb with me Sebastian. I may have my own affairs to look after, but I'm a woman and I notice these things. Don't act like I didn't see her give you a peck on the cheek yesterday afternoon."

He merely arched a brow. The move had certainly been unexpected but Sebastian had a strong feeling that it was a custom she normally did to those she considered friends. The realization was a bit of a disappoint to him.

Madame Red sighed sheepishly. "Well, Hero's inexperience in these matters will certainly become entertaining. She may not look it, but she's got a soft heart. An easy prey to certain predators," that gleam in her eye directed at Sebastian didn't go unnoticed by him. "But her devotion to Ciel will make things harder, won't it Sebastian?"

Sebastian sighed with deep patience, but gave Madame Red a small sinful smile. "Yes, of course."

Madame Red laughed again.

"Ah well, I look forward to seeing the outcome to this battle of courtship," she said, winking at him. "I'm sure you know Ciel won't lose or give her up easily."

Sebastian was already well aware of that fact. At the moment, he was merely waiting for the right time to break the news to Hero and the young master. It wouldn't do to leave them in the dark forever, especially when she was vulnerable as an unclaimed demon mate. He figured he ought to warn them before he made any advances. Once he did, he was sure the scale would tip in his favor. This was a universal fact to him.

Madame Red stared at him as though she knew what he was thinking. Her expression suddenly became serious. "Another thing, I know I shouldn't ask this of you when we barely know each other, but please don't ever leave Ciel's side. I don't want him to stray off his path and wander alone. I know Hero will be there for him, but it seems for the moment, the two of them will both need looking after."

Sebastian smiled before kneeling on a single knee and placing a hand over his heart.

How dramatic, Madame Red thought, slightly amused. That's Sebastian for you.

"Yes, I shall stand by him and Miss Hero both," he promised. "For as long as there is a need for me."

With that, Sebastian elegantly rose before leaving the room. His words reassured Madame Red for the moment, though she couldn't help but feel that there was a bit of forbiddance to it. As though she wasn't sure whether she sic'ed a guardian onto Ciel and Hero or something much worse that would affect them in the future.

Madame Red shook her head. Something much worse? Now she was being dramatic.

Madame Red sighed and took the handkerchief Hero had given her earlier. Hero. Oh Hero. What a peculiar child indeed. Her first impression on the child had been surprise, curiosity and intrigue. Had Ciel not introduced her the way he did, she was sure she would have initially pegged Hero as a gold digger of some sort. But oh how glad she wasn't!

Chuckling to herself, she unfolded the piece of cloth, remembering it was the one Hero had used at the crime scene. It had traces of dirt and rusted blood. When she laid the cloth flat on the table she gasped, sitting stunned at the damning piece of evidence she had overlooked.

Grell, having heard her, walked further into the room and stood next to his mistress with concerned eyes.

"Madame?" He said, hoping to cajole a response.

The severe unsmiling look in her eyes was revealed when lightning streaked through the dark raining sky. A sharp crack followed.

Grell's eyes widened. "Madame…"

=/=/=

I sighed and shook my head for the third time tonight. Even though Madame Red's house wasn't as big as Ciel's, I still managed to get lost. Three floors, four rooms each. He was on the middle floor right? Oh, but which one? Why was I so hopeless at this! Thank God no one was staying here. Otherwise, I'd be quite the annoying house guest.

Just when I feared I wasn't ever going to find Ciel's room I heard foot falls behind me. I turned around and grinned.

"Sebastian!"

He smiled. "Lost are we?"

I huffed, lifting the stray curl on my forehead. It rebelled and landed stubbornly back in its usual place.

"Yup, you caught me. Do you know where Ciel's room is?" He opened the door that was right next to me. Of course. "Don't laugh," I told him as I entered indignantly.

Sebastian merely smiled.

Ciel was lying on his bed, obviously waiting for my slow ass to hurry up.

"Took you long enough," he muttered, tone bored.

I stuck my tongue out. "Excuse me little boy blue. Some of us actually have a social life."

Ciel laid on the nest of pillows as I hopped on. He looked at Sebastian then. "Well? How about it?"

Sebastian looked down at his notes. "No matter how many times I simulate the events, only the Viscount could have been involved in the string of murders."

Ciel sat up and ran a hand through his hair in frustration. "So we have to alter our search conditions? The Viscount couldn't have been involved in yesterday's killing!"

"Nope," I agreed, stretching on the bed.

"Yes true. It would have been impossible for any persons who were at the Viscounts residence." Sebastian added as he glanced at his notes.

I rolled over and looked at them. "You know, it's possible that the killer might have an accomplice—a really…not human accomplice."

The room went silent as Ciel's eye widened in realization. He then looked at Sebastian with an accusing stare. "Sebastian," Sebastian's smile only deepened into a smug one. "You don't mean…"

Those sinful lips smiled further. "I have told you many times that I do not lie. I your 'chessman' am your 'might' and your 'hands and feet'. You alone will decide, you yourself will choose, and for that, I shall become your 'might'. You said as much 'that day.' I am merely a butler, I will not cross that line."

"Eloquently put," I commented, resting my head on my palm. Sebastian looked at me with a smug smirk as he kneeled. He was really in his subservient zone tonight.

"I only faithfully execute what the master orders, and answer what the master asks of me," he said.

"So it was impossible for a person who was there," Ciel began.

"Yes exactly."

Ciel clenched his teeth. "You bastard…"

Sebastian chuckled as he got up, tossing the useless notes in the air.

"By your order, I, your 'chessman', shall become your 'sword'," he said silkily. Ciel took this opportunity to remove the night patch over his right eye, revealing the Faustus contract. Sebastian placed a hand over his heart. "Now then, let us move to checkmate, master."

I sighed. "I sincerely hope this ends well."

=/=/=

At the end of the nineteenth century, as the social season came to a close, there occurred a serial murder case that shook Great Britain to its core. The victims were all prostitutes. Every one of them was discovered chopped into pieces, their wombs stolen right out of their bodies. Because of the hideous state in which the victims were found, the killer became known as . . .

Jack the Ripper.

(And it was way better than the Leather Apron.)

I shuddered violently as the chill of the cold night seeped into my skin. My woolen clothes barely held the cold at bay.

"T-THIS IS S-SUICIDAL!" I complained, teeth chattering. Next to me, Ciel stared at me in both concern and surprise.

"It isn't that cold," he said.

I gave him the death glare.

"To a native British person maybe, but I'll have you know that I've never suffered a winter below 60 degrees before! This type of temperature is enough to kill me."

I huffed into my frozen fingers, which by the way, were encased in black leather gloves I had stowed in my knapsack. I was currently garbed in Ciel and Sebastian's clothes as a way for me to blend in better to the shady neighborhood around us. If they were going for poor pageboy, Ciel should have made us look shabbier since the street urchins hanging around had been looked at us with suspicion. Luckily Sebastian had deterred any future assaults on our persons.

My Sherlock hat sat present and accounted for on my head. I breathed through a scarf Sebastian had owned—much to my surprise, I couldn't tell if he was given this by Ciel, the B-RM-F trio, Lizzy or if he had really picked this out himself. The thought felt strange for some reason.

"Well you could have stayed home," Ciel reminded me, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"And miss this? I didn't suffer time travel and culture shock to miss out on the good stuff. Besides, I have my own mission to accomplish tonight."

Ciel and Sebastian merely arched a brow before deciding to let my words slide. They focused instead on their wait for the serial killer. He was supposed to show up any minute now.

Ciel looked at Sebastian. "You're certain he'll make an appearance if we keep watch here?"

"P-Positive," I answered for Sebastian. "OMFG! I can't stand this!" I cried in frustration. I threw myself against Sebastian and shivered, hoping his body heat would warm me. Ciel scowled at Sebastian as he had been the one to lure me to him.

Sebastian merely placed a patient arm around me, smiling as if to say 'what can I do?'. He chuckled at Ciel's glowering response. "Yes, Miss Hero is correct, young master. That is the only entrance and this is the only path that leads to it."

"And your certain that this Mary Kelly is next and that she lives over there?" he asked, peering around the corner to glance at the door and lit window.

"Yes, Ciel. I know what I'm talking about," I said through Sebastian's cloak. "Don't be doubtin' my knowledge."

Ciel sighed. "I was only making sure. In addition to the murdered prostitutes missing their 'internal organs', they also had something in common. But what makes killing them a necessity for him? Moreover, I—"

"Cat!" I exclaimed as I threw myself at a startled Ciel, glomping him in the process. "I saw a cat near Sebastian! She was glaring at me, about to attack me I just know it!" Ciel looked over at Sebastian who was petting a stray tabby cat.

"Were you two even listening to me?" Ciel demanded, most likely peeved at being ignored in favor of a cat. But then he noticed that I was all over him rather than Sebastian. In the end, I'm confident Ciel didn't mind the cat very much in this instant.

"Ah, excuse me," Sebastian apologized. "I could not resist. And the cat was merely giving you a friendly glance, Miss Hero."

"Friendly? She hissed at me!"

The cat snickered at my ridiculous reaction. I had a damn strong feeling she had been hissing at me, probably wanting Sebastian's attention all to herself. I glared at the smug cat. Ciel shook his head at my silly antics.

"Anyways," he said. "We're not keeping the cat, Sebastian. Put it back."

Sebastian sighed and reluctantly let the cat go.

"Ha!" I said to her as she sniffed and walked away with her tail in the air.

I know I'm being petty, but cats just have a thing against me.

Ciel allowed me to cling to him. His thoughts looked like they were returning to the time when he had been informed about the very real possibility of our killer having an accomplice. A non-human accomplice to be exact. He had been pretty upset to have not have seen it coming, but Sebastian hadn't been in the fault as he technically hadn't lie.

The incident had happened only two hours beforehand.

"Indeed, you were telling the truth. However," Ciel had said, holding the useless reports up angrily. "The inquiry was all but a farce!"

"I was simply following your orders," Sebastian had stated simply.

"I wore a dress for nothing!"

Ciel angrily threw the pillow behind him at his butler. Sebastian expertly dodged but smiled politely in the process.

"My, my," he said. "Are you taking your anger out on me? It would seem Miss Hero's bad habits are rubbing off on you, after all."

I sat up at that point. "Hey! I only did that once and Ciel deserved it for the catty remark."

Sebastian chuckled as he bent to pick up the fallen pillow. "Young master, I thought you kept me by your side knowing full well what I am like."

"Shut up! I am well aware!"

"Temper, temper," I had reminded him. "Besides, I loved you in that dress! Better to wear it now before you get older and ruin it with your masculinity."

Sebastian continued to smile.

Ciel ran a hand through his hair again. He looked at Sebastian who returned the pillow back to the bed. "Is the accomplice…the same as you?"

"Hmm, no, he's not. I daresay someone like him being in the human world is unusual in and of itself, but—"

"He is neither human or a devil?" answered Ciel. "Then what is he?"

I whistled innocently as Sebastian smirked.

"He is—"

=/=/=

"WHAT?"

An outraged voice interrupted me from my memories. Back in the world of reality, Ciel and I looked at each other briefly before facing Kelly's place.

"What? But no one entered the room!" Ciel exclaimed. He was about to rush forward when I grabbed his arm. "Hero? What?"

"Someone's coming out," I told him. And at that moment, the door to the apartment opened. Out stepped a familiar figure.

"Indeed, our Jack the Ripper," said Sebastian from behind us. "Or should I say…Grell Sutcliff."

Grell Sutcliff looked at us with startled eyes. His face was clean of blood and from what I could see behind him, the floor was also blood-free. I exhaled in relief.

So Mary Kelly had listened to my letter—it might have also helped that I paid her ten guineas to scram the hell out for the night, money curtesy from Ciel's desk, not that he noticed it missing. I just couldn't allow another person to be murdered, not for the sake of proving a point.

"So Grell, whatcha doin' here? At a prostitute's home?" I asked him. "I didn't think that you were that kind of man."

The sky above rumbled and before we knew it, cold rain began to fall. A wet Grell fumbled for excuses but Sebastian gave him a knowing look.

"Never mind how you got here," he said. "The more important question is how you managed to enter that room at the end of this blind alley and evade us? We have been keeping an eye on this sole path here all night."

"You might as well confess," I told him. "We know Mary Kelly was next on the to-be killed list and weren't you just peeved when she wasn't here at home?"

"So enough of this farce, Mister Grell," Sebastian added. "No, even 'Grell Sutcliff' is just an assumed identity, so what say you cease your silly act, Mister 'Grell'? This is my first-time meeting 'someone of your ilk' in the human world. You did a superb job of acting like one of them."

Grell looked down, shoulders slumped as he allowed the rain to pelt him. That was when he looked up with a crazed look on his face. He smiled widely, revealing rows of sharpened teeth and a strange gleaming sheen in his neon green eyes.

"Tee-hee! Is that so?" came a much more feminine sounding voice. "You two certainly hit the nail on the head, didn't you?"

He fixed his appearance by loosening his hair, combing out the dull color to its original vibrant shade as he took off his butler glasses.

"I am an actress after all and a first-rate one at that." From nowhere he produced a pair of fake lashes that he effortlessly applied. "But neither are you 'Sebastian', yes?"

"The young master gave me that name," answered Sebastian. "So yes, I am 'Sebastian'…for now."

I stood staring at the grim reaper with wide eyes. I just couldn't fathom it. This was actually Grell. The real Grell, staring right at us with all his she-male glory. Mixed feelings came over me, all ranging from awe to amusement to slight anger to annoyance.

"Oh my, his faithful dog, are you?" Grell mocked. "That type of stud makes me weak in the knees, he does!"

Okay, that was funny. It's decided then. After this particular battle and if all went right, Grell will be dubbed as major comic relief.

"Now then, once again Sebastian—no, Sebby-darling! I am the butler of the Burnett house, Grell Sutcliff, at your service!"

I mentally clapped at his introduction. It was very well done, but I stood on guard, knowing Grell to be a rather wild card. Grell held a hand up to his lips and blew a kiss towards Sebastian.

"My dearest butler fellow, I am in your hands!"

Sebastian visually froze. Goose bumps arose from his skin where the air kiss had touched him before bouncing away. I mentally giggled. Was it possible that Sebastian was homophobic? That would be too funny and kind of ironic considering the fan service Yana T made this guy do.

"Ooh!" exclaimed Grell happily. "I finally get to show you my true colors! It was utterly mortifying to be seen in front of a stud such as yourself without any make-up. My hair color was dreadfully dull, too, just like Little Miss Hero's."

I touched my damp black hair self-consciously before eyeing Grell's magnificent color that seemed to shine despite the onset of heavy rain.

"Don't rub it in, jerk," I grumbled.

He only giggled like a school girl. "Little old me has never run into a devil posing as a butler before so at first I was just shocked as shocked can be," he claimed.

"Allow me to echo those sentiments, exactly. I too have been living for quite some time, but I have never heard of 'someone of your ilk' being a butler, one who is supposed to stand neutral between god and humans. A grim reaper, hmm?"

I clapped for reals this time. Everyone looked at me. "What? It was a very well said explanation. Very dramatic too. Had the audience on pins and needles."

Grell chuckled. "Queer isn't she? Oh I just don't see why you always fawn over her Sebby-darling. Especially when's she's just a plain stupid human."

Never mind the plain stupid human part, but queer? Really? I'm queer? Have you seen—wait, did Grell just say Sebastian fawned over me? Ciel and I both looked rather shocked at this. We glanced at said butler who merely narrowed his eyes at the grim reaper. He definitely looked annoyed, probably because the revelation, if true, has been outed. Was he going to sit on that forever or did he have plans to eventually talk about it?

Since I couldn't read Sebastian's mind, I couldn't tell you.

"Let's move this conversation right along," said Sebastian, smiling in response. "We can discuss this later."

"And it will be discussed," Ciel declared with conviction, eye set in determination. Sebastian glanced at him quickly, not saying anything for a moment before nodding.

So we are going to talk about it then. I scratched my head at their behavior. We are way off the main topic of the night here.

Sebastian turned back to stare at the grim reaper with renewed dislike.

"Why did you, a 'god' of sorts become a butler?" he asked, his almost mocking.

Grell chuckled in delight.

"Don't be such a stuffed shirt, sweetie. But if you insist, I suppose you could say that I fell head over heels for a woman." Ciel's face held no expression. I looked at him nervously. So in the end, this confrontation had to happen. Can't say I blamed Yana Toboso, but man, were dramatic climaxes really nerve wrecking. "And that woman is—"

"Whether you hear him out or not," interrupted a very familiar sultry voice. Slowly, but surely came Madame Red's shapely figure as she exited Mary Kelly's apartment. "I think you already know, Sebastian. Isn't that right, Hero darling?"

Ciel turned to stare at me in question. Damn, I was gonna get hell for this later. I gave Madame Red a sullen look.

"Well, I'm glad you caught the hints," I said. "I was just hoping you'd turn over a new leaf."

Madame Red chuckled in amusement. "Silly girl. Things aren't so simple. Your intentions were pure hearted but foolish."

"Madame," Ciel murmured.

Madame Red looked at us with such calm you'd think she did nothing wrong. "I miscalculated. I never imagined that you'd be able to see through Grell's disguise."

I said nothing, knowing it was Ciel's turn to have his say. He exhaled as he looked at his aunt.

"Madame, you were, of course, on our initial list of suspects, but your alibi was flawless."

Madame Red looked mocked hurt. "How could you, Ciel? You went so far as to doubt me, your dear aunt?"

"If the possibility of Jack exists—kin or acquaintance—then it matters not," he stated indifferently. "No human on the list of suspects could have committed all the murders. Of course, that includes you, Madame. But it is a different story with a reaper as your accomplice.

"If he can enter Mary's room in an instant without us noticing, he would also be capable of transporting himself over the lengthy distance between West End and East End. And if a servant were to disappear from the party for a few minutes, no one would pay any heed, therefore, only you two could be Jack the Ripper," he said. "Madame Red and Grell Sutcliff."

"And on top of that," I couldn't help but add, "all the victims murdered by Jack the Ripper also had something in common. Like, say, their names being on your list of a 'certain procedure' to be performed."

"And those patients were in order of their surgery date," Ciel continued, following my thread of thought smoothly. "The order in which the victims were killed corresponds perfectly to the order in which they underwent the knife. Only Mary Kelly was the last one and still alive. I thought you two would show up if we kept watch here."

"Good thing the note I had Sebastian send out earlier reached her and she was able to escape," I said to them. "That's one less murder to deal with."

Madame Red tsked. "So you knew all along, eh Hero? My aren't you clever. Such talent and beauty gone to waste. And you Ciel, how sad. My lovely nephew. My…elder sister's son. If you hadn't insisted on getting to the bottom of all this, we might've played chess again," she fisted her hands. "However, I WILL NOT YIELD THIS TIME!"

And then it began.

The familiar whrr of a chainsaw reverberated throughout the stone alley as Sebastian appeared in front of us and blocked the attack. His hands slapping the saw by its smooth metal sides. I blinked.

Grell just attacked us!

And I didn't even see it coming. It was freaking Texas Chainsaw Massacre all over again! Hated that movie, by the way; it just had no point. Grell backed away and landed a few feet from us.

"W-What is that?" Ciel exclaimed in shock.

"It's a chainsaw," I told him. "A gardening tool used to trim hedges and bushes and occasionally small branches from trees."

Grell looked offended. "A gardening tool? I'll have you know this most certainly is not a gardening tool!"

"All reapers possess a tool for hunting souls. Though this is my first time seeing one that looks like that. It's known as a the 'death scythe'," Sebastian explained.

"Pfft," I retorted, waving his explanation away. "I knew that. I'm just saying that his death scythe is a chainsaw. That's what we call it in my time."

"Hmpf! Something as regular as a 'death scythe' wouldn't become me in the least! So I had mine customized to my specifications. A 'death scythe' juuust for me, which plays the grandest harmony with the death throes of a soul!" boasted Grell proudly. "Of course, its sharpness is guaranteed."

"Can we get a move on?" I interrupted him. "Sorry to rain on your explanation, but if Ciel stays under this downfall any longer, he'll catch a cold."

Ciel looked indignant. "Me? What about you?"

I laughed evilly. "Mwuahahaha! I haven't caught a cold not once in my precious sixteen years of life, little one. I told you I'm made of sturdy stuff!"

"A-hem!" Grell interjected, ticked off at the interruption. "You brats have no respect! And you little miss girly! You'll be dead after I have my work out with Sebby-darling!" he proclaimed in a rather provocative voice directed squarely at Sebastian. "My body's gotten all stiff 'cos I've been a good little Grell this whole time. Now I soo want to work up a sweat with y-o-u!"

"Would you mind refraining from such sickening displays? Furthermore, I am on duty at present," Sebastian stated rather bluntly. I tried coughing to cover my fit of giggles threatening to make themselves known.

"Ahh!" he squealed girlishly. "You're so stoic. I can't get enough of this side of you either, Sebastian darling!" He paused, sobering up. He smiled. "Let me tell you something—"

"Come on Grell! As much as I wanna hear how much you love the color red, can we please hurry up?" I told him. "My Sherlock Holmes hat is soaked now! And the cleaning instructions clearly say dry clean only."

Grell pointed his chainsaw at me. "I will take so much pleasure in killing you!"

I patted Sebastian's arm. "That's if you can get past Sebby-darling!" I said cheerfully. Said Sebby-darling looked down at me with a dry ticked expression. He really hated that name!

"You're enjoying this, aren't you?" he asked.

"Just a little. Can you blame me? I'm a total fan!" I whispered to him.

Grell got into position. "Well, you're right about the red, little miss Hero! And I bet a fine stud like him will look best bathed in it! I'll cut him open deep, splatter him with all the many shades of crimson and," he looked at Sebastian and grinned, "I'll mess you up most glamorously, Sebby-darling!"

Sebastian mentally sighed.

"This will be a long night," he muttered to himself. Aloud he said, "A reaper is one who quietly hunts the souls of the dying. A butler is one who accompanies his master like a shadow. Your poor taste goes against the aesthetics of both, and fair raises my bile."

I let a chuckle escape but quickly cough when Sebastian gives me a side eye.

Grell pouts. "Boohoo! I worked hard as a butler for my master! I didn't wear any make up or dress pretty or anything when I was at work!"

"I am appalled. How can you call yourself a butler?"

The crimson grim reaper flashed us a sharky leer. He struck a pose, gesturing with his hand the devil design and moving his tongue to one side. "Even so, I am still a butler…for death!"

Ciel took off his medical-looking eye patch and spoke calmly.

"In the name of the Queen and mine own evil title, I command you Sebastian, hunt them down!"

Sebastian smirked most sexily. "Yes, my lord."

"Finally!"