My, my, folks - it's been a while, hmm? I know I should be getting more to updating Monster and Disarm, but I wanted to get this up here before the thought left my mind. And fear not, Monster's next chapter is in the editing phase, so I should have it up here by the end of the week. Thank you everyone that's been checking this out - Been so wrapped up in school, I hadn't had the time to write, but I'm hoping to redeem that soon - with updates galore, and even more new material. Stay tuned~

And on that note - I do not own Kuroshitsuji in any way, shape, or form... It'd be a lot dirtier if I did. ;)

Chapter 1

When he'd woken the boy, he'd done so silently, not bothering with the usual playful banter he typically engaged the young Earl with. Whether his master picked up on the abnormality or not, he wasn't sure, but the boy simply sat back with his usual bored expression and allowed his butler to groom and dress him to his known perfection.

He'd dressed the boy in black for a number of reasons, only half of which Ciel was aware of. He was trying his best to remain as passive as ever, but he just couldn't stop his anger from reaching his eyes.

Ciel Phantomhive's soul was now that of a demon's, and as such was forever out of his reach. That sweet, dark, tainted yet still so deliciously pure soul was no longer free for him to devour and the loss was driving him mad.

He wanted that soul!

Damn Claude Faustus! Damn Alois Trancy! And damn that despicable woman, Hannah Anafeloz!

Without them, he'd have been free right now and happily digesting the utterly mouthwatering soul that was his young master, his Bocchan.

Glaring at the boy's back as he descended the stairs, Sebastian forced his inner hunger back and realized bitterly that Claude had been right.

He should have eaten Ciel Phantomhive's soul when he had the chance.

And now he was paying for it.

The end of the day saw the devil back at his master's side, his 'death' announcements delivered, the servants dismissed, and his estate boarded up. A part of him commended the boy's decision to leave his human life behind and embrace what he'd become, yet at the same time, he utterly detested it.

Ciel expected him to stay by his side, serving him fruitlessly for all eternity, just as he swore he would.

Sebastian's red eyes darkened as he recalled the promise he'd made to the once-human Earl.

He couldn't keep that promise.

No, that was a lie; he most certainly could. But somehow, caught in the middle of his growing rage, Sebastian Michaelis decided that he simply wouldn't. His anger forbid it and it was his anger that he would obey.

The rage and hate that he was born with revolted violently at the idea of remaining by his master's side – there was no way he could accept doing so, smelling that still oh, so tantalizing soul only to know he'll never be able to so much as taste it, even when his very existence craved to rip the boy apart.

He would not stay.

"Sebastian," Ciel's voice called, drawing the elder demon's brooding attention. Among the field of white flowers with the black watered river behind him, the pale boy looked almost angelic, even when his once crystalline blue eye glowed a disturbing shade of red. Once again the tortured anger that wanted to lean over and bite the boy's ear off returned. "Where are we going?"

The devil's own red eyes widen for a second and he stared off behind the boy where he knew the gates of hell stood tall and proud to all those - willing or otherwise - to enter at their own risk. A smug smirk spread over his lips and his hand twitched as his cursed mark picked up the boy's caution at the sudden mood swing almost immediately.

"We are not going anywhere, Bocchan."

Ciel glared at his butler, his mind working quickly as he analyzed the crow's tone. "Oh?"

"Yes, Ciel Phantomhive," Sebastian smiled charmingly, laughter in his eyes in an expression that would've disarmed anyone else in a second flat. "This is where you and I part ways."

The look of astonishment that swept over the boy's face gave the butler both a swell of grime satisfaction and an uncomfortable twisting in his gut, which he dismissed immediately. Those were human emotions, something he attributed as Ciel's that must have leaked through their contract.

The young earl's expression darkened quickly, defenses rising as he regarded the demon with one fiery red eye. "You don't make those decisions."

"But I do," the tall man continued to smile, a distinct tone of mockery in his voice. "I swore I would serve you as a human, until you died. Today, you have declared Ciel Phantomhive dead. You are no longer human and your soul is no longer at stake – and I have no qualms with breaking vows with other demons."

"Enough! I order you t-ughk!"

Whatever else he had intended to say was halted before the words could make it past his lips as Sebastian appeared before him, one gloved hand wrapping around the boy's neck and trapping any further sound from escaping. The black haired man leaned down and trailed his nose along the others ear, ignoring how Ciel struggled to pry his gloved hand from his throat and escape the crow's suddenly treacherous grasp. Hunger surged through his system as the same tantalizing scent washed over his system and Sebastian almost shivered in delight.

The boy still smelled human, for now at least.

The reminder made the demon frown in childish anger.

"I don't like losing, Ciel, as I'm sure you're more than aware of by now. That being said, I have no desire to be your dog when I have nothing to gain in return. I'm sure you understand, don't you?" he purred, lips brushing against Ciel's ear as he spoke. The boy gave a pained choke in response. Once more the butler's mouth stretched into a smirk before he turned and bit into the middle of the boy's ear lobe, tearing off a hunk of flesh and cartilage and barely containing his chuckle of delight as the boy thrashed in muted pain.

Chewing slowly, the crow savored the taste of his young master's flesh and blood, thoroughly enjoying the fact that he still tasted as delicious as he smelled. He entertained the idea of eating the boy anyways, but decided against it.

Tasty or not, eating fellow devils usually tended to end worse than anything else for demons.

Losing interest in the boy's struggles, Sebastian swung his arm back and hurled the earl across the field, only half amused when the child bounced and rolled with the force of the impact, the sweet air he had only just regained knocked violently from his lungs.

"I grow bored of this," he shrugged nonchalantly, shedding himself of his coat, vest and tie. When he was free of the bothersome articles, he raised glowing vermillion eyes to meet dim violet flickering blue. "I bid you farewell, Ciel Phantomhive. See you in hell."

"S-Sebastian!"

But the crow didn't respond as he disappeared in a whirlwind of feathers and fire. All that remained of the man that had been Sebastian Michaelis were the butler's discarded left glove, his bleeding master, and a contract left unfulfilled.

Yes, a rocky start, but I've actually chugged right along on this one, so updates should be fairly often, should people want them, of course.

Sooooo, what do you think? Is this worth continuing or shall I give up on it in favor of other work? Please let me know - I do so love all kinds of input~ :)

~L