Ciel's spine hurt when he woke up. It was a sensation of being choked that awoke the young lord from his slumber with such a start that he hit his head on the wall behind him. His eyes looked around the room, but not even a shadow stirred about. He heard the flapping of wings, but nothing appeared to him. The pain in his back just worsened, and he wiped his eyes, suddenly halting as he caught the sight of his left wrist. The black line had disappeared, and replaced itself with a thick black cursive L on the inside of his wrist surrounded by a thin outline of flames. He balled his hands into fists before him and flexed his fingers, gasping as long black claws stretched out of his fingertips.

"SEBASTIAN!" he cried out into the empty space, feeling pain in his eyes, his back, and his hands. He wanted to die or scream or both. He had the urge to writhe in agony on the floor, twist his body in ways he never thought possible, and rip his heart from his chest.

He felt something inside his chest rattle around and tug hard on his rib cage as if they were the bars of a jail cell. He screamed over and over, feeling himself crying. "Sebastian, Sebastian!"

He shut his eyes tight and imagined his sweet Butler's face. The kind way he smiled at him all the time, and the deep chuckle he always tried to hide as if Ciel would hurt him for doing so. His face deeply resembled a cats, and so did his stealth and agility. And although Ciel was allergic to the tiny beasts, he secretly admired them and enjoyed watching them love on Sebastian.

Another sharp pain rose from inside his chest, causing him to scream again and writhe so hard that soon the cold floor greeted his face with a chilled slap. He lay there, face down on the frozen tiles, and realized finally that this wasn't his room. Where he was, he did not know, but fear instantly overtook him as flashbacks of the cult threatened to rid him of sanity.

His chest was being crushed, his back was breaking, his skin was being pulled off his bones.

"SebastiAAAAAAANNNNN!"

The young Lord cried out again, closing his eyes and imagining his last memory playing out again. Finally, after what seemed like hours, the pain dulled a bit, and Ciel felt like he was slowly being lifted up. He quietly whispered as the realization came upon him that he was dying, "Sebastian... I love you Sebastian... I love...you..."

Ciel heard a very distant door slam open, and several footsteps run toward him. He felt a slight tingle as two hands lay upon his back, shaking him, but they were so distant.

"Master! Master Ciel!"

The very far away cries of a distraught maid... That was the last thing he remembered.

~~~~~~~~~~~~•

"Mister Sutcliffe."

The redheaded Shinigami looked up from the golden book in his hands to see two thick black boots before him. He followed them up to the person's face, then realizing who it was, ignored them and continued to read.

"Grell."

Grell sighed and struggled to fight a small tear that threatened to creep out of his left eye. As he read the words before him, the ink began to get blurry as more and more armies of tears waited for him to blink.

The Undertaker knelt down and patted Grell on the knee. He didn't know why the Shinigami was so upset, but he wanted his old friend back.

Grell was aware of the Undertaker's presence, but he said nothing as he watched the words snake across the page of the Lifebook before him.

Ciel Phantomhive then took his last breath, screaming "Sebastian! Sebastian!"

"Grell, what is wrong? You've been acting like this for days. Ever since young Willy died, you've been acting just like him! Quiet, reserved, you won't even talk to me!"

The Shinigami looked at his old friend and sighed. He clicked his tongue against his shark-like teeth, and his green eyes darted around the room, looking for anyone watching.

"The Phantomhive boy's now a full demon."

The Undertaker's raspy laugh broke the minute long silence that hung over them. He stood and took the golden bound book from Grell.

"Phantomhive, Ciel. What a charming young boy..."

He bowed his head and threw the book aside. It hit the floor with a Thud, and Grell cringed.

"Well, well..." the Undertaker laughed, walking over to the wounded book and kicking it over, "The boy, then, must disappear."

He stepped on the cover and sighed, throwing back his large hood to reveal his scar.

"Ronald isn't going to like this..." Grell muttered, knowing what the young man's ties were to the devil. The Undertaker nodded and walked out, leaving the book there to stay.

Back at the Manor, Finnian sat on the couch desperately trying to comfort a weeping blonde girl in a blue gown and bonnet. Her maid was on the other side, trying to calm her as well. The girl's eyes were green and glossy, and her frail hands shook as she took the handkerchief from her maid's hand.

"Lady Elizabeth, please stop crying."
"O, Finny! You should have seen him! He's not moving.. He's not responding to anything I say!"

"He will wake up soon, m'lady," said her maid.
"Paula, no. There's no hope! Oh, my poor Ciel!"

The girl sobbed and Mey-Lynn poured her some tea. Nina smoothed her skirt anxiously as Bardroy paced back and forth, Xena following his every move.

"O, where is Sebastian? He's been gone for hours, he has!"

Mey-Lynn shook with the horrible memory of seeing her master lying on the bathroom floor, still and quiet. His eyes were crying red tears, and his arm was shaking.

What the Hell had happened to him?
He and Sebastian had gone upstairs right when they got home that afternoon. Everything had been fine... Now Ciel was dead.
Well, he wasn't exactly dead...
He was still breathing when Sebastian got home, but no matter what anyone said or did, he wouldn't open his eyes or move at all. It has been three hours since Mey-Lynn and Elizabeth discovered him, and Elizabeth still wouldn't shut up.

"Please, Lady Elizabeth, calm down.."

"NO! My poor Ciel! He's gone he's gone!"

"Paula, why don't you take Lady Elizabeth home. We will let you know if he wakes up." Bardroy nodded in Lizzie's direction. She nodded, and Nina led them to the door. She watched sadly as the blonde bound her way down the path to the awaiting carriage, the brunette lady chasing after her. Nina closed her eyes and went to shut the door, when it hit the toe of a thick black boot.

"Sebastian?"

Nina looked up and saw the grim face of the butler. He looked at her for a while, then walked right past and bounded up the stairs. A large bottle of blue liquid hung from his hand.

"My Lord? Are you awake?"
Sebastian's voice softly filled the dark room. Tanaka had made sure to turn off all the lights and make sure the young lord was cozy in bed. Sebastian walked to the nightstand and peered down at the boy's still face. He looked so peaceful, but Sebastian knew that he must be in pain. He removed his coat and hung it on the edge of the bed, sitting quietly beside his master.

"My Lord, you must wake up now. No one's here, it's just me."

Ciel heard the voice and tried to open his eyes, but he was so weak.
"S...se..."

His throat felt tight and constricted. He felt Sebastian sit behind him and pick him up gently, sitting him up.

"There you are. Drink this, my lord. You will feel better."

Ciel felt a cool glass push against his lips. He parted them with great efforts and Sebastian poured it in his mouth. The chill shocked the boy, and he almost choked. Sebastian chuckled.

"I know. It's called Spirit Tea. I made it with the new moon tea leaves just before I came home. It's cold because I stuck it in ice."

Ciel swallowed and felt himself groan in pleasure as the chilly liquid filled his throat and stomach, making sure to sooth his entire body on the way.

"Open your eyes, M'lord."

Ciel wanted to open his eyes. He wanted to look at his divine butler's beautiful face and smile and remember. But he couldn't. His body ached badly, and although the drink was cold, it did not entirely douse the fire that burned inside his chest.

"S...Sebastian?"

The demon felt a sigh of relief overtake him. He hugged the boy tight and pressed his forehead to his. "Bocchan, please open your eyes."

"Sebastian..." the boy smiled slightly. "Kiss me."

The butler smiled. "Bocchan, you saw what my kisses do."

"I'll open my eyes."

"Fine." Sebastian looked at his face and pulled him closer. He loved Ciel. He loved everything about the boy, especially the obnoxious attitude he possessed.

He kissed the boy on the lips. First gently, then harder, holding him close. Ciel smiled and kissed him back, and suddenly feeling able to move, he wrapped his arms around Sebastian's neck.

When the kiss ended, he opened his eyes to see his butler's beautiful face.

"Sebastian..."

"Yes my Lord?"

"I should hate you. You almost killed me."

Sebastian hung his head. "Yes...I did. I am sorry, Bocchan."

"I don't hate you," said the fresh demon boy. He sat up to face his love, smiling like the brat he was, "I thank you. I love you, and admire you. Now I can be as strong as you."

Sebastian smiled. "Yes. But my Lord, you have to train to become as powerful as me."

"Will you train me, Sebastian?"

He nodded. "I suppose I must. After all, that's what I do. Because I am simply one hell of a butler."