Ciel laid down on the floor with his face against the carpet. He imagined the worst—pictured Grell in the worst of situations. He wondered if he would ever see him again. The door creaked open, making the master tremble.

"Who told you to enter, huh?" Silence. Ciel sat up, wiped his eyes, and looked at the open door. There was no one there.

"Pardon me, young master." Tanaka's voice startled Ciel. How did he get behind him without notice?

"Oh, it's you. Why didn't you knock?"

Tanaka was full size, holding a silver tray and dressed in black. Ciel stood and faced the butler, his face hot.

"Pardon me, my young master, but I came in to give you some tea. It is around your usual evening tea time, correct?"

Ciel stared blankly. Tanaka pushed the tray forward, "It's Earl Grey, your favorite."

The young earl walked across the room and sat in his chair, his feet resting on the table. Tanaka handed him his cup of tea, making himself comfortable in the seat next to him. Ciel sipped his tea, eyeing the room as to not look Tanaka directly in the eye.

"Where's Sebastian? Has he heard any more news on Grell?"

"My lord…" Tanaka's wrinkled face was firm but kind. His eyes narrow, yet calm as he placed his hand on the boy's shoulder, "Sebastian has gone to fight off a Shinigami who was sent here tonight."

Ciel's eyes widened. "A Shinigami? How do you know what a—"

"There is more to me than meets the eye, young Phantomhive. If I were you, I would take my advice and not question my knowledge of the supernatural."

He leaned back and adjusted his glasses, making Ciel nervous. Since when did Tanaka keep his glasses on?

"My Lord," he continued, "the Shinigami was sent for Finnian."

Ciel's mouth dropped and his tea cup hit the floor. His vision blurred. Finny? Young, flamboyant, happy-go-lucky, nature loving Finny? How? Why?

His palms began to sweat and a tear threatened to fall from his face.

"Where is this Shinigami now, Tanaka?"

Tanaka's brow raised as he stood. He lifted his head to look out the window and sighed. "They are in the rose garden. That is where Finnian fell to his death."

Just where Grell disappeared… Ciel thought. He heard a thump of a tree falling, the sound of a roaring engine ringing in his ears. But that wasn't possible…

Only two Shinigami had electric death scythes. Grell and….and….

The figure fell, his scythe spinning out of control and cutting down the tree behind him. Sebastian tightened his glove and landed on his feet in front of the fallen Shinigami.

"Give up now, you rotten excuse of holiness," his vicious eyes glowed pink, "I will not give up my Lord's gardener and only friend."

The man pushed his glasses up and stood stiffly, stifling a grown. "I'm not leaving without that boy's soul. This is my chance to prove to my teacher that I am, indeed, a good Shinigami! It is his time to die, now just leave me be and I'll leave you unharmed."

Sebastian laughed, his spine straightening to make him look taller. Behind him, Finny's crushed body lay still, white streams of light emerging from his chest.

"You think you can defeat the contract between myself and my young master? A naive rat like you defeating a demon like me? What's wrong with this picture, Ronald Knox?" He took a step closer to the Shinigami, blocking him from the gardener and his cinematic record. Ronald backed up, stopping when the back of his knee hit the handle of his scythe. The engine roared, comforting him. The demon didn't know who exactly he was messing with. When it came to a Shinigami and his work, nothing could stand in their way.

"Sebastian Michaelis, demonic butler of the Earl Phantomhive, thinks that he is more powerful than a death god and his death scythe. This humor makes me want to crack!"

His hands found the handle of the lawn mower, bringing a wild grin to his face.

"William would not be very pleased to hear that two of his precious workers are gone in one day. A teacher and his pupil both disappearing into unknown hands? Imagine how angry he'd be at himself—at you."

Ronald scowled at the demon, his knuckles turning white. "What do you mean? My mentor is a very smart, wise man. You cannot defeat him either, you foul piece of-"

Sebastian crossed his arms. "I don't have to. Grell Sutcliff is dead. He went missing this morning, and hasn't been found. I was sure William had found out about this by now."

Ronald's heart beat faster. "Grell is….gone?"

The smile on Sebastian's face made him sick. "You. YOU had something to do with this, didn't you!?"

Sebastian was silent. Proving his innocence would be pointless. Besides, he would rather anger the Shinigami more, since the more distracted he was, the longer Finny would remain alive. His silence angered the student Shinigami further, enraging him and blanking out his judgment.

"Tell me what you've done with him, you disgusting demon! Tell me! I should have known that a stupid creature like you would be behind his disappearance! TELL ME!"

He slung his arms above his head, the motor of his mower roaring loudly as it launched into the air. Sebastian blocked it with his left arm before it hit his face. He didn't have much time before the young gardener would die out of default. He had to make Ronald give up the cinematic record quickly if he wanted any chance. He kicked beside the Shinigami's face, making him move out of the way just as his fist made impact with his stomach.

Ronald dropped his scythe and fell to his knees. Minutes of hushed, struggled breath passed as Sebastian watched him carefully. For a time, the worry of Ronald not being able to write off Finnian's death made him tremble. The young master's heart wouldn't be able to take the news if he were to die.

A cough, then Ronald's green eyes met the demon's. "I will help you find him…" he choked, "If you swear to me that he will be alright when we do."

Sebastian nodded and Finny's cinematic record fell back into his chest. When Sebastian turned back, tears had filled the Shinigami's eyes.

"Let him be alright…"

Sebastian bowed, holding out his hand to show a truce, and then proceeding to care for the fallen gardener.

The thick black wire collapsed against Grell's wrists, digging into his skin. Fear raced up and down his naked body, filling every inch of his skin with goose bumps.

"P-please.. show your face… I-I can't do anything unless I know who you are!"

The hooded figure grinned deeply, sliding his large hand up Grell's thigh.

"My little flower, you don't have to do anything," his breath swept across Grell's ear, causing a tremor down his neck, "I will take care of this tender flower."

The crimson Shinigami fought back the urge to scream. "Please… tell me who you are..?"

A nail dug into his thigh and ripped open his tender flesh. He let out a shriek, his skin around the cut trembling in ecstasy. Pain was a key factor in pleasing a Shinigami. This man must have known that beforehand. He knew how to get Grell to pay him mind.

The redhead bit his lip between his sharp teeth to keep himself from making any more sound, but the blood now trickling down his neck made it even worse. He thought of Bocchan—anything he could to take his mind off the dark, dingy room. The little boy's smile warmed his heart. His innocent grin…his porcelain skin…

"My red rose, what's got you so quiet?" The creepy voice was in his ear again. Goosebumps filled his skin, but he did not reply. Instead, he kept to his mind. The boy smiles at him and hands him a rose from the garden—where is that rose now? Where is his beautiful dress that Ciel had bought especially for him? Grell imagined it torn to pieces and a tear rolled down his cheek.

The hands crept up his legs again, making his skin cold. "Stop.." Grell's voice was weak and cut off by the strap around his neck. The man didn't listen to him. He just smiled.

"Do not stop what you enjoy most, Grell Sutcliff."

Tears flooded the Shinigami's eyes. "You shouldn't treat a lady this way, you dark misshapen thing! Do you not understand proper etiquette?"

The figure chuckled, and then laughed aloud. Grell's spine tightened as the laugh struck a bell in his memory.

"A LADY? My rose, do you honestly believe that silly old lie? Your mind is playing tricks, my dear. For you are no female."

The Shinigami gulped, his skin shivering. How dare he? How dare this man remind him of his damned cursed body?! A sharp feeling between his legs jolted him, emitting a howl from his throat.

"This blessed stem of yours, my flower, shows no sign of womanhood. You are a fool to think down upon such a blessing."

The figure's rough, cold hands clasped around him, causing Grell to gasp and let the hot tears fall. "Stop! Don't touch me!"

But no matter how much he begged, he knew it was no use. Grell closed his eyes tight and closed off his body as much as he could. Pain shot through him and tears rolled down his cheeks.

"Have you.." he looked at the figure, sobbing and weak, the figure's green eyes staring back into his, "Have you no heart..?"