A Demon's Pursuit: Confronting Undertaker

Summary: Sebastian is brought to Undertaker's court. What could Undertaker have planned for a demon bound to serve him for a month? Meanwhile, Sebastian watches Ciel...

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Previous

A Demon's Pursuit:
(Sebastian)

The air was chill. I had expected to labor in Hell, devouring spirits and forging alliances for a proud, untried demon, but there I was—languishing in a musky, shadowy room at the behest of an (apparently renegade) eccentric Reaper. His taste in décor was as deplorable as ever, and the spider webs, mysterious beakers, and recreational coffin were at the center of the visitor’s eye. If one looked past those, I wondered, what might one find?

But alas, the Reaper spoke, jerking me from my contemplation.

“Undertaker.” I reluctantly knelt before the reaper. “I am at your service…for one month from this day.”

“Hmm, well I don’t know about that. . .” Undertaker drawled. “The Phantomhives are old associates of mine, so I don’t think I’ll be needing my month of service just yet.”

More’s the pity. My eyes flickered up to his face, and he leered at me. He looked the picture of satisfaction, and the old scar ran deep and thick against his pale skin. I listened.

“It’s much more effective to wait…give me time to settle my affairs and let Phantomhive senior forget all about you.” With the long overcoat sweeping behind him, he stood before me in a few skittering steps. He let his long, silvery hair brush my face where I knelt. I tried to hide my distaste.

“I very much doubt that he’s going to forget about me, Undertaker.” I paused, and he took liberties—namely, he traced those long nails across my cheek. Did he expect me to flinch? To jerk away? I refused to give him the satisfaction. “Even if you were to wait a year, the Queen’s dog is hardly going to forget me after I infiltrated his home,” I remarked, and his hands wandered to trace my lips.

“But Ciel will be older…”  Undertaker frowned, and again, two icy fingers traced patterns on my cheek. “And certainly he will not forget you. Do you think your contract will go a bit better with me calling the shots?” He laughed, long and high. It was a sound like the wind, long and distant, but filling the ears with a sound that penetrated the bones. He looked at me, and his green eyes glistened behind the ridiculous hat. “Oh, but the things you will do for me…this may be the most interesting experiment yet.”

He stepped back, moving disjointedly as a spider might to languish on the coffin. The wood was lovingly polished, and if I breathed in just so, I could smell the grave dirt. A man of peculiar interests, the Undertaker. His bone-white hands twitched, and he looked thoughtfully at me.

“I think I’ll keep your name the same…” he announced. “So, Sebastian. Go on. Rest a while. Answer my call and be obedient…and I’m sure you and I will have a grand time.” With that, he opened the lid of the coffin, and slipped inside.

With as clear a dismissal as that, I could only watch the shadows grow. Hell’s door beckoned, and with a secretive ‘master’ such as this? No others would realize my humiliating defeat…perhaps things were not as bad as I had first suspected. I lifted my chin.

Black feathers surrounded me, and a taste of ash settled the affairs. I was gone from that place, bound again for the silence and despair of the Hells below.

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“Sebastian.... it’s time.” Undertaker sang out, his voice carrying even to the depths of hell. Reluctantly, I answered his call.

I gave an ironic bow. It wasn’t wise of him to keep my old name—it gave Ciel a higher priority that wasn’t much under the word of the Reaper. Another month on earth without a contract, and little hope of securing one. Even in the Undertaker’s office, I felt the wind howl in response to my desire, and my frustration.

Undertaker was dressed in a suit today, but the effect was ruined by his sloppiness; the jacket wasn’t buttoned, and his suit trousers were too tight around the hips, and too long around his boots.

“It’s February, just so you know. Little Ciel has just about enough time left in this school—as an almost innocent junior high student—as you have with me.” Undertaker gave a little bow of his own.

I stood straight and immobile, letting my servile posture speak nothing of the irritation I felt.

“Things will be complicated if the Phantomhives discover my...shall we say nature? And any information I choose to withhold from Vincent will remain undisclosed. That is an order, Sebastian. Ciel ... is a more difficult matter. Do not betray my plans,” Undertaker gave a leering smile, and his yellow-green eyes glittered. “But I’ll let you speak with him at your own discretion... in a week, we’ll say. Until then, nothing outside of your duties. You can fob him off, but not have any heart-warming conversations. Or arguments. I order you to ignore Ciel, Sebastian.”

As unappetizing as the idea was, I agreed with a smile. “Yes,” I bit back the ‘master’ on the tip of my lips...the Reaper was  not, after all, any master of mine.

“One more thing... do what Agares tells you, will you? We have a new position for you in school—librarian. Ours happens to be taking a “child rearing leave.” She will be coming in one day a week to help you adjust for a while. Your new contract is for six months.”

“Forgive me for saying such,” I paused, and allowed a glimpse of sharp, white teeth to show, “but I will only be with you for a month. Something tells me Ciel will be attending a different school next year, with the circus girl likely to show up again.”

“Oh, little Doll? I’m afraid we’ve expelled her for her attack on a student and teacher. She will not be here next year...”

“Indeed?”

“Um hmmm. I have a few errands I’d like you to run... Agares tells me you’re well known for being fastidious...you will be a great help to managing the school, I think. I also need you to pick up a few things. Restock my apothecary as well, would you? And check to see I have enough baking goods in stock at the café and the shop.”

I gave him a long suffering look.

He clapped his hands together. “Oh, how I love this school...so many eager minds...so many loyal, busy teachers to order around,” Undertaker snickered. “For today, make sure you bake the pastries before 6:00 am—they need time to cool—but finish the bread by 7:00. The dorm students do love fresh bread...perhaps you could do Halloween themes?”

“Valentine’s would be more appropriate,” I said.

“Hm, well, make some of those too. Remember to do some Japanese decorations—make an iron crown with flaming candles next to a hammer with a stake! They’ll love that.” (*1)

I vaguely wondered what ghost or monster would dare to wear such unappealing—brutish, even—weapons. Whip and high heels are much more tasteful...Ah well. Perhaps Ciel wouldn’t come to the café for the next week...

The library, however...Ciel seemed likely to visit if only for use of the school computers. It would be hard to avoid him once he realized I was in the school.

“Well? Go on then. You’ll need to hurry if you’re going to make the morning meeting.”
 

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By the end of my third day, Ciel still didn't seem aware of my presence in the school library. I had been, after all, careful to let the student library assistants check out books to the students who came...

Unfortunately, my luck didn't hold.

I was taking a stack of newspapers to the office, when I heard a familiar voice squeak in surprise. I didn't need to turn around to know that it was Ciel.　I finished my task with inhumane speed to slip out of sight. But after that first sighting, it was only a matter of time before he found out about my reappointment.

Sure enough, Ciel was stalking the library during his lunch hour, once more searching for an opening. An opening that I was reluctant to give, with my new orders. As amusing as a game of cat and mouse could have been, I couldn’t play my cards right with Ciel sneaking along so early in my sentence.

Ciel slid into view not long after he first discovered my presence, standing between the bookshelves as though he had more right to be there than I.

“Sebastian? Stop pretending not to hear me. I want to talk to you and Iwill. Or else I’ll send Grey in after you,” Ciel said, his tone surprisingly conversational.

I declined to answer at first, attempting to find a loop hole in my orders. Ah yes, ‘only talk to the boy in an official capacity…until the first week comes to a close), so technically, I have some leeway. “May I help you, Mr….”

“Oh please. Where did you disappear to? And why are you back now?“

“If there are any students wishing for help with either a computer or finding a book, I recommend that they ask a library assistant. I’m afraid my schedule does not permit—”

“I saw you helping a student not ten minutes ago. It’s just me you’re trying to avoid.” Ciel scoffed. “Answer my questions, Sebastian.”

“I’m afraid discussing personal matters with students is frowned upon, Mr. Phantomhive. Besides, officially, I was on health leave.”

“My dad saw you in my house. He shot at you.”

“Is he quite sure I was there? I believe you both are mistaken.” I said, smiling in an unassuming, politely servile way.

Ciel's frown deepened. He shook his head and scoffed, unable to say anything for a moment. I could smell the fear and loneliness on him, so much stronger than it had been when I left him a little more than three months ago.

The time had not been kind to him. I imagine without me looking over him, any close-calls would have been...close indeed. Did the Circus troupe try and capture him? Did he see any of the missing children his father guessed about?

The thought of little Ciel Phantomhive, so alone and vulnerable, reaching out for me. Because he had called me. Once. While I waited for permission to come to my quasi-contractor. But if he called me once, he might again.

When Undertaker sent me back here, I also learned that he was no longer on the list of students for “guaranteed transfer to high school level,” and instead was listed under “転校希望” Student Transferring to another school. He would leave, but what did it matter? I would only stay for the Undertaker’s month.

I looked at him dispassionately, and secretly wondered what sort of long-term reaction my absence would have on him. No doubt he viewed it as “abandonment” and followed by “silent treatment.” My lips curled upwards.

I could see the words he wanted to say (flitting behind his eyes) better than he could, He shifted from one foot to the next. “I know what I saw. I have evidence--“ he began.

“Do you?” I raised an eyebrow. “Please remember...I was on health leave abroad...”

“In hell, you mean--”

“...and I have been graciously offered a place as librarian, seeing that I have the qualifications.”

Ciel fumed. “How convenient.” He deadpanned. “But I won't stay here. I'm transferring out--”

I turned away. “Please see the library assistant if you need something. Otherwise, return to your homeroom, as lunch is ending,” the bell chimed musically, just on time, “as we speak.” I gave him another smile.

Ciel scowled and made his retreat.

I wait just long enough for him to walk away from the library when I pool some of my energy to aid me in remaining unseen. Seeing that Ciel already knew I was there, it wouldn't be too much of a risk to do a little bit of investigating on my own.

Undertaker might have his eye on me, but he seemed nearly as interested in Ciel as I was. I doubted he'd limit our interactions so much, as long as we continued to...amuse him. In any case, I was very curious to know what sort of trouble the boy had gotten up to in my absence.

I walked soundlessly down the hallway, cloaked in wind and silence. A human eye would overlook me as though I were merely air.

I would soon have fresh insight to Ciel's little world…

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Tbc…