Ciel scowled at his reflection in the mirror, understandably grumpy. Why, exactly, was he doing this? Oh, that's right. The Queen had asked it of her loyal dog, and Ciel could do nothing but obey, no matter how embarrassing it was.

"My lord, you need to smile. A frown is most unbecoming of a young lady," Sebastian's dark voice spoke up behind him. Ciel scowled harder, hearing the amusement that his butler didn't even try to hide. Ciel had received orders that morning to locate and terminate a prostitution ring that also dealt in drugs. It would provide addictive drugs to potential "employees", and then make them sell their bodies in exchange for another dose.

The Queen had gotten involved in this because the prostitution ring dealt in young children, all under the age of thirteen. Such an abomination could not be allowed to exist in this country, and so the Queen had sent out her execution orders.

With so little time to complete his given mission, Ciel had taken the most expedient route and used his age to his benefit. So now, here he was, wearing yet another high-class dress and a long wig, staring at himself in disgust. He hadn't bothered with the eye patch this time, and the pentagram shone brightly in his right eye, bearing silent witness to the contract he held with the demon standing behind him.

The dress, a classy teal number, left his shoulders bare and swept across his chest, just high enough to avoid showing everybody that there was no cleavage to be seen. Fortunately, because this ring went after prepubescent children, his flat chest would not set off any warning bells.

Underneath the dress, a corset pressed along his body, restricting his breathing and giving him curves that most males weren't supposed to have. The skirt fell all the way to his ankles, where two small silver anklets flashed teasingly in the low light of the bedroom. Dainty heels slipped over his feet, the heels low in deference to his inability to walk in anything higher. It would do them no good if he twisted his ankle trying to catch the bad guys.

Long white gloves covered his slender hands, sliding up to his elbows, leaving a tantalizing strip of pale flesh before the dress straps cut across his upper arm. He had forgone a lady's hat this time, and simply wore the wig pinned up with a delicate comb, a long ponytail sliding down his back. A simple choker wound its way around the slender column of his throat, the color matching the dress perfectly.

"Is the young master ready?" Sebastian interrupted his critical perusal of the outfit. With a sigh, Ciel turned, careful not to trip over his own feet in the low heels. Without a word, he headed for the door that Sebastian graciously held open with a bow. Ciel didn't waste any effort glaring at him, sweeping out the door and heading for the stairway. No doubt Sebastian already had a coach ready and waiting for them.

The plan was a simple one; they would drive to a nearby theater and Ciel would walk from there, wandering into the general area that the ring was thought to have its headquarters. Hopefully, they would try to take Ciel, remaining unaware of the demon that was tracking him. Once they were gone, Sebastian would follow them to their hideout, destroy everybody he found, and rescue his master.

Just business as usual, Ciel thought wryly, grimacing at the vague sense of irritation he felt towards his Queen for sending him on this mission. Surely there were better qualified people to take on a job like this? Of course, none of them had a demon at their disposal, either, who enjoyed taking human lives when given the chance.

The other three servants were nowhere to be found, and Ciel was grateful for the reprieve. It was bad enough that Sebastian had to see him like this, and that they were going out in public. Fortunately, they were going far enough out that they shouldn't run into anybody who might recognize them. Small breaks, but they made this roughshod plan possible.

Allowing Sebastian to help him into the coach, Ciel curled up on the seat and watched out of the small break in the window curtains as they headed out. Dusk was falling now, and it was about an hour's ride to their destination, by which time, it should be nearly full dark, the time when their prey would come out to hunt for new employees.

"We're here, my lord," Sebastian's soft-spoken voice brought Ciel out of his light doze, and he sat up straight, looking out of the open door. Nighttime had finally come, and the pavement was a dark river winding its way between drab brick buildings that looked like they hadn't been cleaned since the day they were built.

Taking Sebastian's hand, Ciel allowed his butler to help him out of the carriage, and glanced around. They were parked on a side road near the theater. The show had long since started, but Ciel was hardly interested in watching a play. He had more important matters to attend to.

"Shall I wish you good luck?" the demon smiled at him, and Ciel scowled, shaking his head. Why, exactly, had he made a bargain with this particular demon? Oh, that's right…because he was the only one who had heard Ciel's cries for help and answered them, bathing himself and Ciel in his tormentors' crimson blood.

Setting off, Ciel appeared to be wandering aimlessly, but he was, in fact, very sure of where he was heading. He didn't see Sebastian, but he had no doubt that his servant was following him closely from the shadows, watching everything.

"Hey, little miss. What brings you out this way tonight?" a deep voice rumbled, and Ciel spun around to stare at the big bear of a man that had spoken to him. He stood a little over six feet tall, had a barrel chest and shaggy brown hair. His dark eyes glittered in the light that shone from the nearby lamppost.

"Ah, I got bored of the play and decided to explore a little bit," Ciel replied easily, his story planned earlier and slipping from his mouth easily now. His voice was young enough that he had no problem playing the part of a young girl, as long as he kept his voice down.

The man laughed, a great big rolling laugh that threw his head back and rocked his body. "Just wanted to explore a little, aye?" he boomed, and Ciel winced at the loud tone. He was going to bring too much attention to them, and his prey might scatter.

Ciel ducked his head and backed away from the large man. "I'm sorry, sir, but I really must be going now." He intentionally made his voice quaver, as if this large man terrified him. Perhaps, if he had been alone, he might have been afraid, but he was certain in his knowledge that Sebastian would not let him be hurt by anybody who wasn't their intended target.

Turning, he bolted back the way he had come, the man's raucous laughter echoing behind him. He took several back alleys before he slowed down, glancing around himself warily. The stranger's presence may have actually helped him, because he was well and truly lost now, and nobody would find it odd that a little girl running away from a big, scary man had gotten lost.

Slowing down and glancing around, Ciel realized that he really didn't know where he was, exactly, but he had headed back in the direction he had originally been going, so he should at least be in the right vicinity.

Wandering past an alleyway, Ciel's cry of surprise was muffled as strong arms reached out and grabbed him. "Hello there, missy," an oily voice purred in his ear, and Ciel shuddered. "You seem to be lost. We can give you directions, if you'd like. Of course, you'll have to earn it first," he chuckled, and Ciel froze, not daring to breathe. Could they have really been that easy to find?

A sharp prick in his neck, and Ciel found his vision blurring. "Don't worry, we'll take good care of you," the voice chuckled, and other voices blended in with it. There are more of them, Ciel thought hazily, his mind already starting to shut down. Sebastian had better be watching. With that last thought, his eyes closed and he slumped, unconscious, into the arms of his captors.