The world had never been kind to him. The family he adored and was devoted to was shredded and burned before him; his proud family name was slandered and dragged through the mud, his body was tortured and given as a sacrifice; and for what? A sweet child who'd done the world no wrong was subgected to every misery life could throw at him. It was in the throws of such misery that an unbreakable bond was formed.

In exchange for protection of his human body Ciel Phantomhive sold his soul to a demon. Wicked as the devil himself this demon gave sweet promises to a yearning child; promising revenge on those who'd wronged him, safety from those who wanted to slay him, and someone to be his companion until the time was right for the demon to call in the debt made to him. The child named him and so Sebastian Michaelis became part of the Phantomhive household and no one could remember it being any different. What a pretty little illusion they'd created.

Little did Ciel know, things wouldn't be as simple as his demon had implied; but then when were demons known for usuing anything but sweet seduction to get what they wanted? After all, all contract holders should read the fine print before signing their soul away; for when this demon promised to take the boy's soul as payment he'd had no intention of taking it for sustinence. Instead he agreed to take the boy's soul, to make it his, and to keep it all to himself - he wanted to keep his sweet bocchan by his side forever. His wish would be granted of course, there was no doubt about it, for Ciel had given his soul to him and now he was stuck to reap what he'd unknowingly sewn his soul belonged to a demon and it was his to do as he wished with it; to eat, torture, love, hate, abuse, treasure, all of it was his.

"Master . . . Master, it is time you got up. This is the third time I've tried to wake you today! It's five after twelve; lunch will be ready, you have papers to file, places to go, and demons to – AH!" With a sharp, highly accurate, throw a pillow collided into the young Phantomhive forcing him to the floor for what felt like the umpteenth time today, interrupting his lecture again.

"Not now, my love. I'm tired . . ." grumbled the older male as he rolled over, his back facing the butler-in-training.

"That's it Sebastian! I can't take it any longer," the boy cried, "Do you realize I've been in here at least five times this morning just to wake you up? You've interrupted me three times, the other two you ignored me! And you've thrown something at me every time I've come in here! First, it was the spoon for your tea, and then it was your pocket watch from your bed-side table; which took forever for Maylene to get my brow to stop bleeding. Then it was – Oomph!" Another pillow collided into the boy's torso, thoroughly winding him to the floor again.

"As a former Earl yourself, and having been your butler, I know that you know better than to speak to your superiors in such a manner; it's incredibly disrespectful, my dear. Perhaps your time being thrown into a working class has made you rusty in etiquette, I believe we will be doing something to teach you manners today. Since you seem to have forgotten all the lessons I've taught you." Sebastian hissed, causing the wounded youth to widen his eyes in fear. He'd had one of Sebastian's punishments a small handful of times and once truly should have been enough for more than a lifetime. Sebastian had broken the boy so badly that not only had his pride been shattered, but he'd been a shell for weeks. He'd utterly refused to meet anyone's eye for months; instead, his head was always bowed deeply, eyes downcast to the floor - to which he was reprimanded for, afterall that's no way for a wealthy demon's loyal and beloved servant to behave.

Ciel's downcast stare was almost better than when he did by chance look up though, for when he was forced to look at someone his eyes were void. A glassy look to those empty emotionless eyes made the young lad's old servants want to sob but no one could deny what a pretty doll he'd become. Though Sebastian didn't cry for his expressionless doll, he did feel tremendous guilt; maybe beating a twelve year old boy beyond his breaking point wasn't the best thing to do; especially when it was over something as simple as how the master preferred his tea.

Yes, Ciel was a far cry from the former master he once was.

Ciel's face once again lost color in remembrance of that fateful night only a few months ago. He'd give anything just to forget; but now it was going to happen again. When would he learn to swallow his pride and bite his tongue? Ciel turned his back, deciding he couldn't be bothered his master didn't get out of bed today, it was obvious the demon wasn't going to listen to a human - a child no less. What did Ciel care if nothing got done? If his master got behind on work, then it was on his own damned shoulders.

Before the boy was completely out the door, Sebastian called out to his youngest slave, "Be back by eight, we have many things to discuss, little one, your behavior being the most important." With trembling hands, Ciel closed the door behind him; already emotionally shutting down in knowledge of what was to come. Continuing on his way, he entered the kitchen where he sat at the small, worn table and sullenly rest his head in his hands. Oh how things had changed.

"Hiya, young mas – I mean, Ciel," Finnian chirped. Coming around the table, the gardener sat in the open chair to Ciel's left. When the contract between the former young master and the demon had been completed the servants had been informed of the two's contract and what options they had. They were given the choice to either come along with their old master into the depths of hell with the promise that while they continued their old jobs, they'd be given a place to call home and protection. Even though there was no true need for them, they had all decided to come along, with the exception of Tanaka-san. He passed away shortly before Ciel's enslavement, which suited Ciel just fine, at least his former mentor didn't have to see how far he'd fallen.

Finny's gaze never strayed, gathering the younger boy's over all appearance. His hunched shoulders and downward gaze. "Ciel, what's wrong?"

Raising his head, Ciel stared at Finny; the same look in his eye he'd had after surviving Sebastian's first punishment. Dull. Lifeless. Glassy. Squirming in his chair, Finnian wished he could get away from the empty look Ciel gave. It was too raw, too much like the stare he's had when he was just another experiment and all he could think of was the thirst he had to feel the sun on his face and the fresh air in his lungs. The blonde squirmed again in his chair. Then again, he wanted to comfort his old master. Everyone knew what Sebastian had done to the child, it was never a secret though no one ever spoke of it. It was so obvious to everyone that if you dared to enter the master's room, where the tragedy had taken place, you could almost see the abuse being replayed on the walls; Ciel had to enter that room time and time again; his master's bedroom, formerly Ciel's childhood bedroom.

"He . . . he didn't hurt you again . . . did he?" Finny sadly asked the younger male. Getting up off the chair Ciel bowed his head, walking away from the kitchen and towards his own room.

A step before leaving the kitchen, Ciel stopped whispering a soft, "Not yet," before continuing on his way, never having the courage to look his former gardener in the eye.

He retreated down old hallways and creaking floorboards he'd have to add to the list of things to fix all the way down to a small room. The walls were bare and dingy, and a small bedframe and mattress rested in the corner, a tarnished candlabra rest on a small desk at the opposite side of the room. This was his safe haven. It was a far cry from the luxuries he'd been entitled to as a child, but to him it was home. He eased himself onto the worn mattress and the old springs groaned in distress. He knew there were chores to be done, and meals to be cooked, and so many other things that he should have been doing, but he couldn't help but listen to that little voice inside his head singing to him, "You should rest while you still can, if you know what's best for you"and for once he took his own advice, knowing he wouldn't be able to get a good night's sleep again for weeks. Not with the nightmares he was sure to have.

X To Be Continued X