A/N: I just needed to get this out of my head where it has been tormenting my on and off again. Like all my others, I will update when I can. Just a few notes though, this will only follow the manga. There are a few things I like in the anime too, but I will not be adding them for continuity's sake. Also, this will eventually veer from known events, so after some time it will become AU. Just as a heads up. This is an OC, but it is not a displaced person. Hopefully, you will all enjoy. Thanks!

Chapter 1

Sebastian had already settled the young master in for sleep and taken care that Lau and Madam Red would not be disturbed or disturb anyone. The three bumbling, ahem, helpful servants were fast asleep as well. Normally, this would be when his duties as the Phantomhive butler would actually start, but he needed a few moments to himself first.

He didn't leave his master's side often, but he didn't plan to go far. Since they were in London, it would not take him long to find what he was looking for. The one thing he could always count on to soothe his aggravation without fail.

He slipped out the back entrance from the kitchen and headed to the nearest alley. He didn't have to wait long until he heard the dulcet tones he had been hoping for. He turned the corner and found her, the one he had been searching for. Her hair was the darkest black and her eyes a shocking blue. He was instantly kneeling in front of her. His speed took her by surprise, and she arched her back before hissing at him.

He ignored it and quickly scooped her up. He gently rubbed the pad of her paw before he pressed lightly against it, causing her claws to extend. He cooed at the sight of her razor-sharp nails, even as those same talons traced red lines across his cheek as soon as he released her. She started struggling in his arms, and even though he knew she was trying to get away, he could not bring himself to let her go yet.

He brought her close to his face and smiled. "What lovely eyes. I don't think I have ever seen another black cat with blue eyes. Such soft, thick fur as well. You have taken great care of it for being out in the weather." The cat's only response was to hiss again and try to twist from his hands. Had he been anyone else, he might have dropped her. Sebastian merely smiled at her efforts.

In the next moment, he was taken by surprise when shadows started to coalesce around the tiny form in his hands. It was unlike anything he had ever seen or felt before. It didn't feel like one of his own kind, that was certain.

It was only a matter of moments later that the shadows disbursed, and instead of a lovely black cat, he was holding onto a petite woman with raven hair that tumbled down, hiding most of her top half from sight. Her piercing blue eyes were narrowed at him. He wasn't often shocked, but he was so surprised by the unexpected transformation that he didn't let her go until she spoke.

"Release me. Now."

Ever the gentleman, or at least pretending to be, Sebastian immediately set the female on her feet. His hands only moved from her sides to her shoulders, though. When she glared up at him, he merely smiled back down. "That was quite the impressive act. I would love to know the secret behind it."

His immaculate brow raised when he heard a low growl, but the woman's face quickly cleared, and her shoulders stiffened. "I owe nothing to the likes of you. You will release me now, demon."

Had Sebastian not had many, many years of practice, his shock might have shown. He could tell by scent alone that this woman was no demon. Nor was she entirely human. She was, however, not like anything else that he had ever encountered before. Her recognition of him made the situation even more tenuous.

He managed to give her a smile that never reached his eyes. "Dear lady, I believe that is quite the rude appellation to attach to someone you have just met, don't you?"

When she realized he had no plans to let her go, she started to struggle against his grip. He was surprised to find that she was much stronger than her small frame would imply, but not nearly as strong as he. It was not long until he had her arms pinned to her sides and her back to his chest. The smile that flashed across his face was far more pleased and far less gentlemanly than his previous one.

"Now, I am sure that it would be dangerous for you to be out here alone in such a place in the dead of night. Why don't you quit fighting me, and I can see about providing you with appropriate clothing, at least?"

The girl was still breathing hard in his arms, but her voice was as confident and hard as it had been when she first spoke. "I have clothes. If you had released me before I transformed, I would already be dressed."

She stilled before she continued. "If you do not plan to consume me, then release me."

Sebastian sighed. It was a shame that he was currently under contract. Such a unique soul was sure to be a delicacy. Still, just because he had sworn off gluttony didn't mean he wasn't still greedy. He was not ready to release her, either. It wasn't every day that you found a cat that could become a woman or the other way around. Whichever the case may be. At that thought, something else occurred to him.

He still had not moved his hands, but his tone was casual while his grip was tight. "Why have you not transformed back? If you had done so while I was distracted, you might have been able to escape."

He could practically feel the frustration rolling off her as she spoke through gritted teeth. "I cannot. Not yet."

One finely arched brow rose at her statement. Even more mystery. Finally, he leaned until his lips were next to her ear. "I will release you on the condition that you return with me."

She made a sound that was much like a snarl, and he chuckled as he stood and let her go. She jumped forward and spun to face him in a slight crouch. He doubted she realized how feline her motions were, even in this form. He was shocked to find the similarities fascinating. He was further shocked when she leapt to the top of a pile of nearby crates in a single jump and from there to the closest roof. His resultant grin was wholly predatorial.

It was less than a moment later that he was on the roof as well. It took even less time for him to cut her off, even though she had already made it halfway across the roof along the narrow seam. She almost fell backward when he appeared in front of her. It was a mixture of her quick reflexes and his outstretched hand that saved her. He had not grabbed her, as he knew he didn't need to, but he had offered her the means to save herself. With his presence, of course. It made no difference that he was the reason she had nearly fallen in the first place.

Once she was stable once again, he tsked at her. "It is quite rude to run without at least giving me a reason for declining my invitation."

The girl tried to back away from him, but he still had her hand in his. When she realized it, her eyes flashed. She tried to jerk from his grasp, but his smile widened when her efforts didn't even move his arm. "Come now, would it be so bad to at least sit and talk with me. I could offer you some warm milk." She froze at the offer, and he had to repress the urge to laugh aloud when he realized she was considering it for that fact alone.

After several moments of deliberation, she stood straight once again and somehow managed to look down her petite nose at him. "Allow me to get my things, and I will come with you. For now."

The gesture reminded him so much of the young master that he wondered how much more there was to her tale. He repressed his curiosity for the moment and gestured back the way they had come. "After you."

She bristled at his self-satisfied smile but walked back along the rooftop as if it were the sidewalk below. As he watched her, he also wondered at her lack of worry over her nudity. He could detect nothing from her to indicate it bothered her at all. At least not any more so than his presence. He grinned as he realized that could well be it. She did already know his true nature. It would be reasonable that fear of death took precedence over the fear of disgrace.

When they reached the edge of the roof, she jumped down as lithely as she had jumped up. From there, it was only a matter of minutes until he followed her into a nearby building. It wasn't abandoned, but the owners seemed to be gone already. He didn't take his eyes off her as she quickly dressed.

She was halfway through when she finally turned to him with a glare. "Must you watch my every move? Was it not enough that you have seen more of me than would ever be decent?"

He gave her a genial smile. "Why are you worried only now that you are covered? Did it not occur to you when you were in my arms?"

He never lost that smile when she glared back at him. He knew it would only rile her further, but he couldn't resist the urge to do so. He had no doubt that she knew he had not paid any more mind to her nude body than he currently was to her clothed one. Her objections were all for show and possibly as a last-ditch effort to get away, and they both knew it. No, his interest was in something far less visible. At least to the human eye.

When she realized it was a lost cause, she huffed and finished dressing. Once she was finished, she picked up a bag that had been hidden as well and turned to him with a slight frown. "I am ready."

When she walked to him, he realized that what she was wearing was not the clothing of a vagabond. She was dressed in the fashion of the lesser nobility, or perhaps a very well-paid governess. Even her bag was of high quality. He did not speak right away. Whatever his thoughts on the matter were, he kept to himself as he gestured for her to lead the way out, and he directed her where to go.

As they walked in silence back to the townhouse, Sebastian had to admit that he expected more tears. Humans were usually a lot more emotional when faced with the possibility of their death, and he had no doubt she knew it was a definite possibility. Females especially tended to be noisy and bothersome. He wondered why she was so calm. He could tell it was not a front either, as her heartbeat was no faster than the walk would cause. Another little curiosity to add to the pile. He kept it to himself for the moment.

It wasn't long until they were back at the kitchen door to the townhouse. Sebastian only paused long enough to listen for any unusual sounds. When all he could hear were several sets of deep breathing, he smiled once again and finally offered to take his guest's bag. He was shocked when she allowed it. He didn't take it far before he gestured for her to take a seat at the kitchen table.

He raised a brow at the look she gave him. As though he had offended her by even offering, but she still took the seat. He filed that back as well, as he quickly made her a glass of warm milk. When he set the tray down in front of her, he saw her eyes dilate slightly as she stared at it. He chuckled lightly, and she glared back at him. "Don't worry. I have no intention of killing you. Not today."

Her glare continued for several seconds more, but finally, she reached out and tentatively picked up the cup and took a delicate sip. She set it back down and gave him a thankful nod before she spoke. "If it is not your intention to devour me, then why have you asked for my presence?"

His grin widened slightly. "You have piqued my curiosity. Tell me, how is it that you can change forms? I know you are no demon."

She looked away from him with a slight frown. "It is a long tale, that I have no desire to get into with the likes of you."

He leaned forward slightly. "Oh? Then can you explain what you were doing sneaking into another's home? I could still turn you into the authorities."

She shocked him once again by pausing and looking around. She didn't seem threatened, but she was contemplative. Finally, she focused on him once again. "You are the butler of this household. At least one person knows what you are."

It was not a question, but he treated it as though it were. "Yes, the Young Master is currently contracted with me."

Her eyes widened with shock. She had obviously not expected him to be so honest. She looked around once again before she turned back with a slight nod. "Your threat is of little consequence as I have the key, but I will cooperate."

His smile grew. "You have the key legally?"

She bristled slightly. "Of course. The Barnards were my last employers. They left the key with me and allowed me to stay after they went back to France. At least until I found a new employer."

He raised a brow. "That sounds very generous. Also very suspicious. Why would they do such a thing?"

Her chin lifted, and she glowered. "Our families are distantly related."

Well, that confirmed one of his suspicions. She was part of the lesser nobility. If she was also looking for employment, it was also likely that she had been working as a governess. His eyes flashed as an idea occurred to him that would allow him to keep her around while his current contract ran its course. He clamped down on the thought, though. He needed to learn more before he brought it into the open.

"Well, if you plan to cooperate, why don't you start with your name."

The girl eyed the demon for several moments. This was the worst situation she had ever been in, but she had learned to never let her fear rule her mind. If she was to find a way out, she had to stay calm. She also realized that this being was likely to scent any lies. With that realization and a sigh, she did something she had not done in a very long time. She gave him her real name. "I am Lucienne Allard"