[fic] The Devil's Canvas [chapter Forty-One] (part two)
Title: The Devil's Canvas
Chapter: 41 (part two)/?
Authors: Akiru chan & Disgruntled Minion
Pairing/Characters: Sebastian/Ciel
Rating: M
Summary: Ciel's skin was marred with ink and blood, telling tales twisted in darkness. What an evil path the devil walks, tainted hands staining the innocent canvas. For the most beautiful art is painted in blood.
Warnings: Violence, adult content, yaoi, and language
Part Two
“I think they tried to cover their trail.” Claude stooped to the floor for a closer look. “Unless Ciel has a habit of dragging his bags behind him.”
Sebastian shook his head. “No. They were covering their main tracks, which means they want to be found, but they want us to search for them.” He paused and glanced around the room again. “If they didn’t want to be found, they would’ve used other means to cover their tracks. Ways that wouldn’t be so obvious.”
“They want us to know they were here...” The sentence trailed off and Claude looked around the room. He stood and waved Sebastian over. “If they do want us to know they have Ciel, then they have a reason for it. Look for a ransom or something that could be a calling card.”
Nodding stiffly, Sebastian made his way into the old bedroom. The room was empty now, with only old, rotting boxes that had been left for years. Now, they were nothing but sagging pieces of cardboard that would fall apart at the lightest touch.
Sebastian glanced at them briefly before disregarding them. Even their enemies wouldn’t bother themselves with something so foul and decomposed. He moved into the bathroom and clicked the light switch on. A single bulb burned lowly, providing little light as Sebastian searched the bathroom.
A small splash of red caught Sebastian’s eyes and he knelt down before the cabinet doors under the sink. A lone playing card was slipped into the door and Sebastian reached for the card, plucking it from its holding spot. It was flipped over and a blood smeared king of hearts stared up at him.
The card was set aside for the moment and Sebastian gripped the cabinet doors. He was certain that something else was waiting for him under the sink and his heart raced as he drew his gun. Without another thought, the doors were opened and Sebastian blanched as his eyes focused on the object that was housed inside the tiny space.
A gray-black cat stared back at him with unfocused eyes as a pool of blood around its body slowly grew larger. It panted heavily and laid its head back down, trying its best to stay alive even though the wound around its stomach was fatal.
Blood matted its fur around the wound and the only thing Sebastian could see was Ciel’s similar gray-black hair, slick with blood. A gunshot rang loudly in the apartment as Sebastian quickly ended the animal’s misery and everything that it stood for. With a steady hand, he reached forward and ignored the stench of copper as he peeled away the second playing card, taped to the back of the wall. The joker.
Hurried steps announced Claude’s presence as he ran into the bathroom, gun drawn and ready to shoot if need be. What he found had his shoulders slumping and eyebrows arching. “Angry at the plumbing?” He asked as he continued to watch Sebastian, expecting something under the sink. The cabinet doors blocked Claude’s view of the contents and he leaned back against the door frame, awaiting Sebastian’s explanation.
Without a word, Sebastian held out the two cards to Claude. “They’re looking for both of us. It’s not just Ciel they’re after,” Sebastian said as the cards were plucked from his hand. “We had an assignment a few months back at a club. I killed their men in the bathroom while Ciel was playing poker with some of their other men. This is their way of letting me know it’s them.”
“So they’re after you cause they’re butt hurt over their guy getting taken down? I would think they’d already gotten their revenge for that.” There was no need to specify just what incident Claude was talking about, and the man wasn’t about to bring it up either. What happened with Bard only made this situation all the more dangerous. Whoever these people were, it seemed like they had no problems killing bargaining chips. “If they are just after you as a form of payback, then why take Ciel with them? Why not do the deed here for you to see?”
“They’re looking for something,” Sebastian said as he shifted back slowly. He brushed the dust and filth off his pants before taking the cards back. Memories from a time not so long ago pulled at his mind, reminding him of the random attacks and of the day they found Bard. They were looking for something that he had taken and they wanted it back.
Claude looked over the cards in Sebastian’s hands once more. “And let me guess, you don’t know what it is they want.” It wasn’t hard to come up with that conclusion. Had the family known, the item would have been used as a bargaining chip or destroyed. “I don’t even see any clues on the cards. What sort of idiots have you been dealing with? Expecting something back with nothing to identify the item.”
Sebastian grunted. “I told them the same thing when we first met, but they seem to think that I can read their minds.” He wasn’t sure who the mastermind behind all this was, but he couldn’t wait to put a bullet in between their eyes.
“Really? I thought you perfected the art of mind reading ages ago.” It was a tease that didn’t quite fit Claude in words or tone. The smile that threatened to show through was brushed aside and he coughed, blaming it on the dust and mold in the room.
The comment was ignored as Sebastian leaned forward once more to look at the dead cat. A small glimmer caught his eye and he reached out to lift up the animal’s paw. A casing rested on the boards, the cat’s paw covering it, as though it was keeping the casing safe. The sight, though, made Sebastian growl low in his throat.
“They want me to meet them at the circus,” Sebastian said slowly as he stood up and cleaned off his pants. “They’re just teasing and taunting me now,” he stated and brushed past Claude.
“How do you figure that?” Claude was now kneeling in the spot that Sebastian had previously occupied, pulling the cabinet door back to get his first full look of the contents. His nose scrunched in distaste for the scene. Killing a cat seemed overkill and hardly classy, and Claude just grunted his annoyance.
Sebastian held the casing up for Claude to see. “Because this is the casing that came from the bullet that shot Bard. I doubt they’re keeping Ciel there, but it’s a start at least.”
It was a start, but Claude didn’t like where this situation was going. Everything seemed a little too easy, too planned. “You know it’s a set up,” he voiced, even though he knew Sebastian was more than aware of the circumstances.
“I know,” Sebastian answered and glanced out the window where the sun was starting to peek over the buildings. “But I don’t have a choice in this. It was my fault and I need to find a way to fix this. Even if it means walking into a setup.” The cards were tucked into his pocket, along with the casing.
“You’re right,” Claude said, not even trying to bother disagreeing. “You have to do this. Even if it means dying.”
Sebastian snorted. “So long as it brings Ciel home alive and safe,” he said under his breath. He didn’t trust these men with Ciel and his mind was only too quick to provide horrible situations in which Ciel was being subjected to.
A pregnant pause stretched out until Claude broke it with a troubled sigh. “Just don’t try to get yourself killed. I’d rather have you back home alive; that brat’s more tolerable with you around anyways.” Never once did he turn to look at Sebastian as he talked, too interested in a spider inching its way up to its web in a corner.
There was no answer as Sebastian scanned the area one last time to see if there was anything else that he might’ve missed. Their information was limited already and anything else would help. But nothing else could be found and Sebastian huffed slightly. “Let’s go back,” he said finally.
Claude nodded and followed. He stayed behind Sebastian as they walked, seeing the other man’s tense shoulders and slow but purposeful walk. For a moment, he wondered if he’d go through all of this and more for Alois, but tossed such thoughts aside. This was Sebastian’s issue and not his own.
When they reached the car, they both got in without a word and Claude drove off towards the mansion. It was a drastic contrast to the ride there. Neither spoke, nor did they look at each other. It was as if they were in the vehicle alone as they disregarded their companion. Nothing could be said. Claude was all out of insults, taunts, and sarcasm; there was no room for comforting words in his vocabulary.
They reached the mansion as the sun was fully above the horizon and Sebastian climbed out, ignoring Claude. He didn’t want the man there when he presented the evidence to Tanaka. Sebastian knew he was already skating on thin ice with the older man and he didn’t want anyone there to see him when the ice broke and he fell through.
“Remember, don’t do anything stupid!” Claude yelled as he got out of his car, Sebastian already several feet ahead of him. He made no attempt to follow as he took his time. It was already early morning and breakfast was sounding good. The problem, as it was, could be left to Sebastian. It was of no concern of to Claude; although, for the sake of being informed, he would keep an ear open to hear how everything turned out in the end.
Sebastian ignored the comment as he moved into the mansion. He passed a few people but their presence barely registered with Sebastian as he turned down a hallway that led to Tanaka’s office. He paused briefly outside of the office before he knocked, and a second passed before he was called in.
Tanaka barely glanced up when Sebastian came in. He was currently speaking in hurried tones on the phone, giving out orders to secure certain areas while keeping a vigilant eye on other areas. So far no report had been given that would point to his grandson’s whereabouts and it was quickly becoming a frenzied search. It was like losing his daughter all over again, and there was nothing he could do at the moment to rectify that.
The phone was hung up, and finally the old man looked up to regard Sebastian. “Report,” he said, tone nothing less than demanding.
“I discovered these hidden under the bathroom sink,” Sebastian said and produced the items that he had found. “One of my assignments ended with me killing several of our enemies in the bathroom at a club. They’re looking for something, Sir.”
“And this something is?” They needed the identity of the item, anything to pinpoint what they were looking for. Tanaka could only hope Sebastian had that answer. It would make things easier in the end.
A frown marred Sebastian’s face. “I’m not sure, Sir,” he admitted with great reluctance. It could be anything that he had collected in the years past, but no doubt, it was something recent. “But I know someone who may know.”
Tanaka turned his gaze away in a dismissive manner. “Then don’t stand around here; go get me some answers.” His phone was picked up once more, numbers dialed, and then he was once again yelling over the phone, hoping to find the silver lining in this dismal mess.
Sebastian inclined his head slightly before turning on his heel and moving out of the office. Adrenaline rushed through his veins as he walked down the hallway and to the front of the mansion again. His body protested though, demanding sleep despite the sudden burst of energy that rushed through him.
But Sebastian pushed the urge aside. Sleep could come after he found Ciel’s location, not before. He climbed into the car without another thought and started the vehicle. It was still early and the chance that his informative was awake already was slim, but there was nothing stopping Sebastian from waking them up himself.
Minutes passed and Sebastian found himself pulling into the parking lot outside the brothel. Its neon lights were off but Sebastian stepped out of the car anyway and made his way to the front doors. They were unlocked and he let himself in, eyes falling on the front desk.
He moved towards it, eyes locked on a pretty little woman who was manning the counter. She had yet to notice Sebastian’s presence as he moved closer, too busy going through papers. Sebastian half expected Lau to intercept him, the man always had an odd ability to sense his presence when he entered the establishment.
“I need to speak with Elizabeth,” he said, voice calm and level, as he stood before the front desk.
The girl seemed startled and raced about her for something to say. She looked futilely around her for someone to take care of this issue but the front entry was empty. “You’re not supposed to be here, Sir,” she said at last.
Sebastian’s eyes flashed. “I have every right to be here and if you don’t let me speak to Elizabeth, I’ll just show myself to her room.”
“But...” The girl seemed lost for words. A glare was flashed her way courtesy of Sebastian. He was in no mood to argue with dolled up harlots. She shrank back from the look and pointed a shaking finger down the hall. “She’ll be in her room.”
“Thank you,” Sebastian said pleasantly and turned towards the hall. His pace quickened as he counted the doors until he reached Elizabeth’s room and knocked loudly on her door.
A reply wasn’t forthcoming but after a moment, the door handle turned and Elizabeth peeked around the door frame. “Se--Sebastian?” She looked shocked at seeing the man, not having expected to see him. Instantly she peered around, a hopeful look within her crystal blue eyes. She half-expected to see Ciel hidden behind Sebastian with a scowl. It did not help to calm her when she noticed that Sebastian was very much alone. Ciel had always been a relaxing presence when the two came to visit her.
“Good morning, Elizabeth,” Sebastian answered and inched his foot forward to wedge into the open space so that the door could not be forced closed. He wasn’t about to allow Elizabeth the option of dismissing him. “We need to talk. I have a few more questions that I’d like to ask you.”
The girl squeaked as she jumped back and out of Sebastian’s reach. “Ciel isn’t with you today?” She could only hope that Ciel was coming along shortly. Having to spend any amount of time alone with Sebastian was unnerving and she did not trust the man to hold his temper while in her presence. It didn’t help that she had already put herself on his bad side, something she wasn’t going to easily forget.
Sebastian shook his head. “No. That’s the reason why I’m here actually,” he said and moved into the room, shutting the door behind himself. His eyes watched as Elizabeth darted back to put space between herself and Sebastian as he continued to move further into the room. With an annoyed growl at the skittishness she was showing, Sebastian’s hand shot out and wrapped around her wrist. The hold was tight and she was forced to not struggle further unless she wanted to risk harming herself. “I’m not going to hurt you, but you have to stop dancing around like that.”
“Sorry,” Lizzy said meekly but wasn’t any less tense. Her body was tightly wound like a spring and she looked desperately around her, looking for an escape. Nothing came to her rescue, and Sebastian seemed reluctant to release her; Lizzy sighed, deciding to play along. “What is it you need from me?”
“I need to know if Dagger and his friends ever mentioned if they were looking for something. Anything at all,” Sebastian urged and let his hand fall from Lizzy’s wrist so she could relax more.
The action was appreciated, and Elizabeth rubbed gingerly at her wrists. She retreated away from Sebastian and fell back onto one of her plush couches and looked up at Sebastian, eyes hesitant. “Nothing of importance to you, it would seem. They should already have what they want. I haven’t heard from them since a week after you confronted me for my transgression.” Lizzy studied her wrist where Sebastian had held her, frowning at the red skin. It wouldn’t be good if she bruised; her customers wouldn’t appreciate damaged merchandise.
Sebastian shook his head. “They’re still after something. Something that they’re willing to go to great lengths to get.” He hesitated, not wanting to tell Elizabeth the current situation with Ciel, even though playing the sympathy card would probably work with the female.
Silence fell for a moment, and Lizzy’s eyes darkened as a pressing thought overtook her. The robe she wore was wrapped more tightly around her and for the first time she looked up to stare deep within Sebastian’s eyes. “Where’s Ciel?” A knot grew in her stomach as she awaited an answer, hoping not to hear the worst, not when she had tried so hard to keep this outcome from happening.
“I don’t know. They took him and I need him back. If anything happens to him...” Sebastian trailed off and looked to the side. He didn’t want to think about something happening to Ciel and his eyes hardened with resolve once more. “Please, if you know anything, anything at all that can help me find him and bring him back home.”
“But they shouldn’t want him,” Lizzy breathed, voice choked and eyes wide. “He told me he got rid of it.” Her head shook back and forth in disbelief as she tried to push back the tears.
Sebastian’s hands twitched, trying to keep himself from lunging forward so he could shake the rest of the information out of Elizabeth. “Got rid of what?” He asked and grasped his hands together behind his back. “What did he get rid of?”
“The ring!!” Tears now flowed freely down the young woman’s smooth face. Her makeup ran in black-grey streaks down her face. Lizzy couldn’t bring herself to look at Sebastian then; she could already see the clenching of his fist. She didn’t want to see the look in his eye.
Jaw clenched, Sebastian wheeled around and left the room, shoulders shaking with fury. He didn’t trust himself to stay in the room any longer without harming the girl. It had been the ring since the beginning. Something so small and simple that Sebastian never even thought twice about it. It didn’t make any sense and Sebastian couldn’t even begin to fathom what they would want with a ring.
Sebastian made it out to the car in record time, not even bothering to say anything to Lau as he passed the man. The car started quickly and Sebastian drove away just as fast. The guilt was growing once more as he continued home, knowing that it was once again his fault for putting Ciel in danger.
If he hadn’t picked up the ring in the first place. If he hadn’t given the ring to Ciel. His hands tightened around the steering wheel. Now wasn’t the time to be dwelling on the ‘if’s’. Now was the time to fix the things that had been wronged and get Ciel back.
The mansion came into view quicker than Sebastian expected and he slowed down, giving himself a chance to collect himself before going inside. The hallways were more crowded but no one bothered Sebastian as he made his way to Tanaka’s office once more.
Tanaka was sitting at his desk, tea in hand, and looking even more grim than before. Only his eyes moved to look at Sebastian as he entered, not even commenting the lack of a knock upon the man’s arrival. “Tell me you have a lead, or God help us all,” Tanaka whispered just loud enough for Sebastian to hear.
“They want Ciel’s ring,” Sebastian answered and ran a hand over his face. Exhaustion was setting in now and Sebastian’s body quivered with the desire to lay down and sleep. “It’s what they’ve been after this whole time.”
“The ring?” Tanaka questioned, not quite believing that to be the cause of all of this. “Does Ciel have it?” It wouldn’t be for their benefit to have the ring outside of their hands at the moment. If they had the ring, then they had no reason to keep Ciel alive as a bargaining chip.
Sebastian shook his head. “It’s still here. Upstairs in our room.” He knew exactly where it was and Sebastian itched to grab it now so he could demand Ciel’s safe return. But he knew that things didn’t happen in such a way. This would take patience and time in order to ensure Ciel’s safety.
That knowledge came as a relief, and Tanaka relaxed just a bit more into his chair. “At least we know Ciel is safe for the time being, but we don’t know how long they’ll wait.” These issues were often time sensitive and Tanaka knew they wouldn’t keep Ciel forever. Either the boy would be killed instantly once their patience had worn thin, or he would slowly die due to torture, disease, or whatever ill situations presented themselves. It twisted Tanaka’s heart, knowing that the boy had never been trained to endure such things. Time was of the essence.
“Do we have a plan, Sir?” Sebastian asked, watching Tanaka closely. This assignment would require all their skills and assets at hand. Time was a critical factor against them and Sebastian could only hope that Ciel could hold out long enough.
“I want to put the ring under surveillance. We can’t lose it now. Whatever its importance, it’s our only bargaining chip and something that might be harmful if in the wrong hands.” It was hard to believe the ring was of much importance, but it was better safe than sorry. The enemy wanted it, and that was reason enough to keep it away from them. “And call in the Undertaker. We’ll need a counterfeit ring produced.” An assessing look was given to Sebastian, and Tanaka’s face softened. “Get some sleep. You’ll be busy by tomorrow night and I want you at your best. Mistakes won’t be tolerated.”
Sebastian nodded slightly. “Am I moving out tomorrow night?” He asked, curious and eager to know how soon he could go after Ciel. Calls would have to go out first before they could move at all and Sebastian would see to those before he went to bed.
“If all goes well. I want you out of this house as soon as I can afford to let you go. Ciel needs you...” The old man’s words trailed off and he said no more, only giving Sebastian a wave of his hand to dismiss him.
Without another word, Sebastian inclined his head and left the office. With any luck, he would be able to leave within a a day or two. The Undertaker would work quickly to make the fake ring and Sebastian could only hope that it would be able to pass their enemy’s inspection.
He made it back to the room without any hassle and was instantly greeted with two attention starved animals. Sebastian leaned down to pick up Soot who was meowing her greeting and held her close, letting the cat rub her head against his cheek. The action was comforting as Sebastian crossed the room to search for the ring.
A whine caught his attention and he looked over his shoulder to see Alex sitting in the middle of the room, looking towards the door as she waited for Ciel to come in. Sebastian winced and dug through the dresser to find the ring in an attempt to ignore the dog.
Alex trotted over after a moment and pawed at Sebastian’s legs. She whined, sensing something was not right. Her small frame shook and her ears were pulled back.
Sebastian stepped to the side, not wanting to bother with the dog right now. She reminded him of Ciel and in order to bring Ciel home, he didn’t need to deal with the animal. He had to call The Undertaker before he could even think about showering and sleeping.
A soft knock sounded at the door, hesitant and feeble. It came again after a few minutes of no answer, slightly louder but all the more unsure. There weren’t many people it could be, only a handful brave enough to bother Sebastian under such morose times.
With an annoyed growl, Sebastian moved over to the door, trying his best not to step on Alex as she pranced around his feet. No doubt she was hoping that Ciel was on the other side of the door, and Sebastian felt as though they would both be disappointed when he opened the door.
Finny stood there, looking a queer mix between wanting to cry and run off in fear. “I--I... Ummm...” He began without much success. Swallowing, he tried once more, not meeting Sebastian’s eyes. “Tanaka said you had something that you were going to give him. He wanted me to pick it up.”
“Hold on,” Sebastian answered and moved back into the room. The ring was picked up from the dresser and Sebastian dug around in the desk for a small box to place it in. Finally, he found an old iPod box that was in the back of the drawers and Sebastian pulled out the contents inside.
Padding into the bathroom, he plucked several cotton balls from a jar and filled the box up with them before placing the ring inside it. The lid sealed the box and Sebastian walked back into the room to find Finny waiting just inside the room, looking shifty and tense at the same time.
“Here,” he said and passed the box over to Finny. “Give this to Tanaka. And for goodness’ sake, stop acting as though I’m about to shoot you.” Probably not the right choice of words, but the fidgeting was making Sebastian’s head ache.
A mumbled ‘sorry’ was offered but Finny didn’t seem any less anxious. He flushed despite himself and went to quickly leave the room. The door paused halfway to closing and Finny poked his head back in to look at Sebastian.
“You’ll bring him home, won’t you?” Finny whispered, looking half-scared that he’d receive a ‘no’.
Sebastian nodded. “I will,” he answered without hesitation. Though whether or not Ciel came home alive or dead was an entirely different matter, and one that Sebastian didn’t want to think about.
Nothing more was said as Finny left, leaving Sebastian alone in the large room with no one but Soot and Alex. The puppy whined at the door, hoping for Finny to come back. When her plight seemed useless, she turned once more to Sebastian, her tail wagging hopefully.
“No,” Sebastian told her and started to pull off his dirty clothes. He wanted nothing more than a shower and bed so he could try to pretend that none of this had happened. With a small grunt, he moved into the bathroom and turned on the hot water.
Steam built quickly in the room as Sebastian scrubbed himself clean twice, making sure that all the filth that had built up over the past few days was washed clean. By the time he climbed out of the shower, his skin was pink, but he felt a little better.
Instantly, guilt washed over him as he realized that Ciel was still surrounded by filth and was probably suffering at the hands of their enemies while Sebastian enjoyed a hot shower. He was clean and had a soft bed to sleep in until he left again while Ciel was in who knew what kind of conditions.
The thought sickened him and Sebastian tossed the towel to the side. A pair of boxers was grabbed and after a long mental debate, some sweats were tugged on as well. In order to help Ciel, Sebastian had to be at his best, and that meant not forgoing the things that would help his body recover. While it did little to help erase the guilt, it eased it, if only slightly, and Sebastian ran a hand over his face.
Soot mewed at him from the bed and Sebastian cast the plush surface a quick glance before realizing that he couldn’t stomach sleeping on it without Ciel next to him. He picked up the cat and set her on the desk so he could strip the bed of its sheets and blankets, piling them onto the floor.
Exhaustion was once more setting in and Sebastian settled down on his makeshift bed, the covers and sheets holding Ciel’s scent. His nose buried into them, inhaling deeply to further imprint the smell onto his mind, and he silently hoped that this wouldn’t be the only thing he had left of Ciel after this assignment.
A cold wet nose pushed at one of his hands, accompanied by a soft pleading whine. It happened twice, and then three times before a paw was curling at Sebastian’s hand as it pulled on it for some form of attention. Alex seemed insistent, wanting some comfort of her own. No matter that she was a dog, she could still sense the worry and grief that fell off Sebastian in torrents. It made her anxious and wanting for attention.
Sebastian pushed Alex away, ignoring the pleading. Soot was already curled up against his side, providing enough silent comfort that he didn’t need any more from a dog. An insistent bark made Sebastian sit up and glare at the animal.
Alex whined again and her paws lifted off the ground slightly, a sign that Sebastian knew all too well. She wanted under the covers. Sebastian frowned, about to send the animal away when he realized that Alex was the only thing of Ciel that he had right now.
She tried again, pushing her nose up under Sebastian’s arm and digging into the blankets. Alex was relentless, whining as she went about trying to get her way. There was no way that she would be pushed aside while Soot got all the attention, not with her master gone. Her efforts were redoubled; all she wanted was the comfort of a warm body.
Finally Sebastian sighed and lifted up the blankets. The dog quickly moved under them and pressed up against his other side, giving a contented sigh before closing her eyes. “This is just a temporary thing,” Sebastian whispered as he let the dog curl up against his back. “Once Ciel comes back, I’ll go right back to not liking you again.”
Alex gave a small huff that told him she didn’t believe a word Sebastian was saying, but he didn’t bother to push his point further. With Alex curled up against his back and Soot sleeping peacefully near his head, Sebastian let his eyes shut and allowed himself to fall asleep as well.
To Be Continued . . .
Chapter: 41 (part two)/?
Authors: Akiru chan & Disgruntled Minion
Pairing/Characters: Sebastian/Ciel
Rating: M
Summary: Ciel's skin was marred with ink and blood, telling tales twisted in darkness. What an evil path the devil walks, tainted hands staining the innocent canvas. For the most beautiful art is painted in blood.
Warnings: Violence, adult content, yaoi, and language
Part Two
“I think they tried to cover their trail.” Claude stooped to the floor for a closer look. “Unless Ciel has a habit of dragging his bags behind him.”
Sebastian shook his head. “No. They were covering their main tracks, which means they want to be found, but they want us to search for them.” He paused and glanced around the room again. “If they didn’t want to be found, they would’ve used other means to cover their tracks. Ways that wouldn’t be so obvious.”
“They want us to know they were here...” The sentence trailed off and Claude looked around the room. He stood and waved Sebastian over. “If they do want us to know they have Ciel, then they have a reason for it. Look for a ransom or something that could be a calling card.”
Nodding stiffly, Sebastian made his way into the old bedroom. The room was empty now, with only old, rotting boxes that had been left for years. Now, they were nothing but sagging pieces of cardboard that would fall apart at the lightest touch.
Sebastian glanced at them briefly before disregarding them. Even their enemies wouldn’t bother themselves with something so foul and decomposed. He moved into the bathroom and clicked the light switch on. A single bulb burned lowly, providing little light as Sebastian searched the bathroom.
A small splash of red caught Sebastian’s eyes and he knelt down before the cabinet doors under the sink. A lone playing card was slipped into the door and Sebastian reached for the card, plucking it from its holding spot. It was flipped over and a blood smeared king of hearts stared up at him.
The card was set aside for the moment and Sebastian gripped the cabinet doors. He was certain that something else was waiting for him under the sink and his heart raced as he drew his gun. Without another thought, the doors were opened and Sebastian blanched as his eyes focused on the object that was housed inside the tiny space.
A gray-black cat stared back at him with unfocused eyes as a pool of blood around its body slowly grew larger. It panted heavily and laid its head back down, trying its best to stay alive even though the wound around its stomach was fatal.
Blood matted its fur around the wound and the only thing Sebastian could see was Ciel’s similar gray-black hair, slick with blood. A gunshot rang loudly in the apartment as Sebastian quickly ended the animal’s misery and everything that it stood for. With a steady hand, he reached forward and ignored the stench of copper as he peeled away the second playing card, taped to the back of the wall. The joker.
Hurried steps announced Claude’s presence as he ran into the bathroom, gun drawn and ready to shoot if need be. What he found had his shoulders slumping and eyebrows arching. “Angry at the plumbing?” He asked as he continued to watch Sebastian, expecting something under the sink. The cabinet doors blocked Claude’s view of the contents and he leaned back against the door frame, awaiting Sebastian’s explanation.
Without a word, Sebastian held out the two cards to Claude. “They’re looking for both of us. It’s not just Ciel they’re after,” Sebastian said as the cards were plucked from his hand. “We had an assignment a few months back at a club. I killed their men in the bathroom while Ciel was playing poker with some of their other men. This is their way of letting me know it’s them.”
“So they’re after you cause they’re butt hurt over their guy getting taken down? I would think they’d already gotten their revenge for that.” There was no need to specify just what incident Claude was talking about, and the man wasn’t about to bring it up either. What happened with Bard only made this situation all the more dangerous. Whoever these people were, it seemed like they had no problems killing bargaining chips. “If they are just after you as a form of payback, then why take Ciel with them? Why not do the deed here for you to see?”
“They’re looking for something,” Sebastian said as he shifted back slowly. He brushed the dust and filth off his pants before taking the cards back. Memories from a time not so long ago pulled at his mind, reminding him of the random attacks and of the day they found Bard. They were looking for something that he had taken and they wanted it back.
Claude looked over the cards in Sebastian’s hands once more. “And let me guess, you don’t know what it is they want.” It wasn’t hard to come up with that conclusion. Had the family known, the item would have been used as a bargaining chip or destroyed. “I don’t even see any clues on the cards. What sort of idiots have you been dealing with? Expecting something back with nothing to identify the item.”
Sebastian grunted. “I told them the same thing when we first met, but they seem to think that I can read their minds.” He wasn’t sure who the mastermind behind all this was, but he couldn’t wait to put a bullet in between their eyes.
“Really? I thought you perfected the art of mind reading ages ago.” It was a tease that didn’t quite fit Claude in words or tone. The smile that threatened to show through was brushed aside and he coughed, blaming it on the dust and mold in the room.
The comment was ignored as Sebastian leaned forward once more to look at the dead cat. A small glimmer caught his eye and he reached out to lift up the animal’s paw. A casing rested on the boards, the cat’s paw covering it, as though it was keeping the casing safe. The sight, though, made Sebastian growl low in his throat.
“They want me to meet them at the circus,” Sebastian said slowly as he stood up and cleaned off his pants. “They’re just teasing and taunting me now,” he stated and brushed past Claude.
“How do you figure that?” Claude was now kneeling in the spot that Sebastian had previously occupied, pulling the cabinet door back to get his first full look of the contents. His nose scrunched in distaste for the scene. Killing a cat seemed overkill and hardly classy, and Claude just grunted his annoyance.
Sebastian held the casing up for Claude to see. “Because this is the casing that came from the bullet that shot Bard. I doubt they’re keeping Ciel there, but it’s a start at least.”
It was a start, but Claude didn’t like where this situation was going. Everything seemed a little too easy, too planned. “You know it’s a set up,” he voiced, even though he knew Sebastian was more than aware of the circumstances.
“I know,” Sebastian answered and glanced out the window where the sun was starting to peek over the buildings. “But I don’t have a choice in this. It was my fault and I need to find a way to fix this. Even if it means walking into a setup.” The cards were tucked into his pocket, along with the casing.
“You’re right,” Claude said, not even trying to bother disagreeing. “You have to do this. Even if it means dying.”
Sebastian snorted. “So long as it brings Ciel home alive and safe,” he said under his breath. He didn’t trust these men with Ciel and his mind was only too quick to provide horrible situations in which Ciel was being subjected to.
A pregnant pause stretched out until Claude broke it with a troubled sigh. “Just don’t try to get yourself killed. I’d rather have you back home alive; that brat’s more tolerable with you around anyways.” Never once did he turn to look at Sebastian as he talked, too interested in a spider inching its way up to its web in a corner.
There was no answer as Sebastian scanned the area one last time to see if there was anything else that he might’ve missed. Their information was limited already and anything else would help. But nothing else could be found and Sebastian huffed slightly. “Let’s go back,” he said finally.
Claude nodded and followed. He stayed behind Sebastian as they walked, seeing the other man’s tense shoulders and slow but purposeful walk. For a moment, he wondered if he’d go through all of this and more for Alois, but tossed such thoughts aside. This was Sebastian’s issue and not his own.
When they reached the car, they both got in without a word and Claude drove off towards the mansion. It was a drastic contrast to the ride there. Neither spoke, nor did they look at each other. It was as if they were in the vehicle alone as they disregarded their companion. Nothing could be said. Claude was all out of insults, taunts, and sarcasm; there was no room for comforting words in his vocabulary.
They reached the mansion as the sun was fully above the horizon and Sebastian climbed out, ignoring Claude. He didn’t want the man there when he presented the evidence to Tanaka. Sebastian knew he was already skating on thin ice with the older man and he didn’t want anyone there to see him when the ice broke and he fell through.
“Remember, don’t do anything stupid!” Claude yelled as he got out of his car, Sebastian already several feet ahead of him. He made no attempt to follow as he took his time. It was already early morning and breakfast was sounding good. The problem, as it was, could be left to Sebastian. It was of no concern of to Claude; although, for the sake of being informed, he would keep an ear open to hear how everything turned out in the end.
Sebastian ignored the comment as he moved into the mansion. He passed a few people but their presence barely registered with Sebastian as he turned down a hallway that led to Tanaka’s office. He paused briefly outside of the office before he knocked, and a second passed before he was called in.
Tanaka barely glanced up when Sebastian came in. He was currently speaking in hurried tones on the phone, giving out orders to secure certain areas while keeping a vigilant eye on other areas. So far no report had been given that would point to his grandson’s whereabouts and it was quickly becoming a frenzied search. It was like losing his daughter all over again, and there was nothing he could do at the moment to rectify that.
The phone was hung up, and finally the old man looked up to regard Sebastian. “Report,” he said, tone nothing less than demanding.
“I discovered these hidden under the bathroom sink,” Sebastian said and produced the items that he had found. “One of my assignments ended with me killing several of our enemies in the bathroom at a club. They’re looking for something, Sir.”
“And this something is?” They needed the identity of the item, anything to pinpoint what they were looking for. Tanaka could only hope Sebastian had that answer. It would make things easier in the end.
A frown marred Sebastian’s face. “I’m not sure, Sir,” he admitted with great reluctance. It could be anything that he had collected in the years past, but no doubt, it was something recent. “But I know someone who may know.”
Tanaka turned his gaze away in a dismissive manner. “Then don’t stand around here; go get me some answers.” His phone was picked up once more, numbers dialed, and then he was once again yelling over the phone, hoping to find the silver lining in this dismal mess.
Sebastian inclined his head slightly before turning on his heel and moving out of the office. Adrenaline rushed through his veins as he walked down the hallway and to the front of the mansion again. His body protested though, demanding sleep despite the sudden burst of energy that rushed through him.
But Sebastian pushed the urge aside. Sleep could come after he found Ciel’s location, not before. He climbed into the car without another thought and started the vehicle. It was still early and the chance that his informative was awake already was slim, but there was nothing stopping Sebastian from waking them up himself.
Minutes passed and Sebastian found himself pulling into the parking lot outside the brothel. Its neon lights were off but Sebastian stepped out of the car anyway and made his way to the front doors. They were unlocked and he let himself in, eyes falling on the front desk.
He moved towards it, eyes locked on a pretty little woman who was manning the counter. She had yet to notice Sebastian’s presence as he moved closer, too busy going through papers. Sebastian half expected Lau to intercept him, the man always had an odd ability to sense his presence when he entered the establishment.
“I need to speak with Elizabeth,” he said, voice calm and level, as he stood before the front desk.
The girl seemed startled and raced about her for something to say. She looked futilely around her for someone to take care of this issue but the front entry was empty. “You’re not supposed to be here, Sir,” she said at last.
Sebastian’s eyes flashed. “I have every right to be here and if you don’t let me speak to Elizabeth, I’ll just show myself to her room.”
“But...” The girl seemed lost for words. A glare was flashed her way courtesy of Sebastian. He was in no mood to argue with dolled up harlots. She shrank back from the look and pointed a shaking finger down the hall. “She’ll be in her room.”
“Thank you,” Sebastian said pleasantly and turned towards the hall. His pace quickened as he counted the doors until he reached Elizabeth’s room and knocked loudly on her door.
A reply wasn’t forthcoming but after a moment, the door handle turned and Elizabeth peeked around the door frame. “Se--Sebastian?” She looked shocked at seeing the man, not having expected to see him. Instantly she peered around, a hopeful look within her crystal blue eyes. She half-expected to see Ciel hidden behind Sebastian with a scowl. It did not help to calm her when she noticed that Sebastian was very much alone. Ciel had always been a relaxing presence when the two came to visit her.
“Good morning, Elizabeth,” Sebastian answered and inched his foot forward to wedge into the open space so that the door could not be forced closed. He wasn’t about to allow Elizabeth the option of dismissing him. “We need to talk. I have a few more questions that I’d like to ask you.”
The girl squeaked as she jumped back and out of Sebastian’s reach. “Ciel isn’t with you today?” She could only hope that Ciel was coming along shortly. Having to spend any amount of time alone with Sebastian was unnerving and she did not trust the man to hold his temper while in her presence. It didn’t help that she had already put herself on his bad side, something she wasn’t going to easily forget.
Sebastian shook his head. “No. That’s the reason why I’m here actually,” he said and moved into the room, shutting the door behind himself. His eyes watched as Elizabeth darted back to put space between herself and Sebastian as he continued to move further into the room. With an annoyed growl at the skittishness she was showing, Sebastian’s hand shot out and wrapped around her wrist. The hold was tight and she was forced to not struggle further unless she wanted to risk harming herself. “I’m not going to hurt you, but you have to stop dancing around like that.”
“Sorry,” Lizzy said meekly but wasn’t any less tense. Her body was tightly wound like a spring and she looked desperately around her, looking for an escape. Nothing came to her rescue, and Sebastian seemed reluctant to release her; Lizzy sighed, deciding to play along. “What is it you need from me?”
“I need to know if Dagger and his friends ever mentioned if they were looking for something. Anything at all,” Sebastian urged and let his hand fall from Lizzy’s wrist so she could relax more.
The action was appreciated, and Elizabeth rubbed gingerly at her wrists. She retreated away from Sebastian and fell back onto one of her plush couches and looked up at Sebastian, eyes hesitant. “Nothing of importance to you, it would seem. They should already have what they want. I haven’t heard from them since a week after you confronted me for my transgression.” Lizzy studied her wrist where Sebastian had held her, frowning at the red skin. It wouldn’t be good if she bruised; her customers wouldn’t appreciate damaged merchandise.
Sebastian shook his head. “They’re still after something. Something that they’re willing to go to great lengths to get.” He hesitated, not wanting to tell Elizabeth the current situation with Ciel, even though playing the sympathy card would probably work with the female.
Silence fell for a moment, and Lizzy’s eyes darkened as a pressing thought overtook her. The robe she wore was wrapped more tightly around her and for the first time she looked up to stare deep within Sebastian’s eyes. “Where’s Ciel?” A knot grew in her stomach as she awaited an answer, hoping not to hear the worst, not when she had tried so hard to keep this outcome from happening.
“I don’t know. They took him and I need him back. If anything happens to him...” Sebastian trailed off and looked to the side. He didn’t want to think about something happening to Ciel and his eyes hardened with resolve once more. “Please, if you know anything, anything at all that can help me find him and bring him back home.”
“But they shouldn’t want him,” Lizzy breathed, voice choked and eyes wide. “He told me he got rid of it.” Her head shook back and forth in disbelief as she tried to push back the tears.
Sebastian’s hands twitched, trying to keep himself from lunging forward so he could shake the rest of the information out of Elizabeth. “Got rid of what?” He asked and grasped his hands together behind his back. “What did he get rid of?”
“The ring!!” Tears now flowed freely down the young woman’s smooth face. Her makeup ran in black-grey streaks down her face. Lizzy couldn’t bring herself to look at Sebastian then; she could already see the clenching of his fist. She didn’t want to see the look in his eye.
Jaw clenched, Sebastian wheeled around and left the room, shoulders shaking with fury. He didn’t trust himself to stay in the room any longer without harming the girl. It had been the ring since the beginning. Something so small and simple that Sebastian never even thought twice about it. It didn’t make any sense and Sebastian couldn’t even begin to fathom what they would want with a ring.
Sebastian made it out to the car in record time, not even bothering to say anything to Lau as he passed the man. The car started quickly and Sebastian drove away just as fast. The guilt was growing once more as he continued home, knowing that it was once again his fault for putting Ciel in danger.
If he hadn’t picked up the ring in the first place. If he hadn’t given the ring to Ciel. His hands tightened around the steering wheel. Now wasn’t the time to be dwelling on the ‘if’s’. Now was the time to fix the things that had been wronged and get Ciel back.
The mansion came into view quicker than Sebastian expected and he slowed down, giving himself a chance to collect himself before going inside. The hallways were more crowded but no one bothered Sebastian as he made his way to Tanaka’s office once more.
Tanaka was sitting at his desk, tea in hand, and looking even more grim than before. Only his eyes moved to look at Sebastian as he entered, not even commenting the lack of a knock upon the man’s arrival. “Tell me you have a lead, or God help us all,” Tanaka whispered just loud enough for Sebastian to hear.
“They want Ciel’s ring,” Sebastian answered and ran a hand over his face. Exhaustion was setting in now and Sebastian’s body quivered with the desire to lay down and sleep. “It’s what they’ve been after this whole time.”
“The ring?” Tanaka questioned, not quite believing that to be the cause of all of this. “Does Ciel have it?” It wouldn’t be for their benefit to have the ring outside of their hands at the moment. If they had the ring, then they had no reason to keep Ciel alive as a bargaining chip.
Sebastian shook his head. “It’s still here. Upstairs in our room.” He knew exactly where it was and Sebastian itched to grab it now so he could demand Ciel’s safe return. But he knew that things didn’t happen in such a way. This would take patience and time in order to ensure Ciel’s safety.
That knowledge came as a relief, and Tanaka relaxed just a bit more into his chair. “At least we know Ciel is safe for the time being, but we don’t know how long they’ll wait.” These issues were often time sensitive and Tanaka knew they wouldn’t keep Ciel forever. Either the boy would be killed instantly once their patience had worn thin, or he would slowly die due to torture, disease, or whatever ill situations presented themselves. It twisted Tanaka’s heart, knowing that the boy had never been trained to endure such things. Time was of the essence.
“Do we have a plan, Sir?” Sebastian asked, watching Tanaka closely. This assignment would require all their skills and assets at hand. Time was a critical factor against them and Sebastian could only hope that Ciel could hold out long enough.
“I want to put the ring under surveillance. We can’t lose it now. Whatever its importance, it’s our only bargaining chip and something that might be harmful if in the wrong hands.” It was hard to believe the ring was of much importance, but it was better safe than sorry. The enemy wanted it, and that was reason enough to keep it away from them. “And call in the Undertaker. We’ll need a counterfeit ring produced.” An assessing look was given to Sebastian, and Tanaka’s face softened. “Get some sleep. You’ll be busy by tomorrow night and I want you at your best. Mistakes won’t be tolerated.”
Sebastian nodded slightly. “Am I moving out tomorrow night?” He asked, curious and eager to know how soon he could go after Ciel. Calls would have to go out first before they could move at all and Sebastian would see to those before he went to bed.
“If all goes well. I want you out of this house as soon as I can afford to let you go. Ciel needs you...” The old man’s words trailed off and he said no more, only giving Sebastian a wave of his hand to dismiss him.
Without another word, Sebastian inclined his head and left the office. With any luck, he would be able to leave within a a day or two. The Undertaker would work quickly to make the fake ring and Sebastian could only hope that it would be able to pass their enemy’s inspection.
He made it back to the room without any hassle and was instantly greeted with two attention starved animals. Sebastian leaned down to pick up Soot who was meowing her greeting and held her close, letting the cat rub her head against his cheek. The action was comforting as Sebastian crossed the room to search for the ring.
A whine caught his attention and he looked over his shoulder to see Alex sitting in the middle of the room, looking towards the door as she waited for Ciel to come in. Sebastian winced and dug through the dresser to find the ring in an attempt to ignore the dog.
Alex trotted over after a moment and pawed at Sebastian’s legs. She whined, sensing something was not right. Her small frame shook and her ears were pulled back.
Sebastian stepped to the side, not wanting to bother with the dog right now. She reminded him of Ciel and in order to bring Ciel home, he didn’t need to deal with the animal. He had to call The Undertaker before he could even think about showering and sleeping.
A soft knock sounded at the door, hesitant and feeble. It came again after a few minutes of no answer, slightly louder but all the more unsure. There weren’t many people it could be, only a handful brave enough to bother Sebastian under such morose times.
With an annoyed growl, Sebastian moved over to the door, trying his best not to step on Alex as she pranced around his feet. No doubt she was hoping that Ciel was on the other side of the door, and Sebastian felt as though they would both be disappointed when he opened the door.
Finny stood there, looking a queer mix between wanting to cry and run off in fear. “I--I... Ummm...” He began without much success. Swallowing, he tried once more, not meeting Sebastian’s eyes. “Tanaka said you had something that you were going to give him. He wanted me to pick it up.”
“Hold on,” Sebastian answered and moved back into the room. The ring was picked up from the dresser and Sebastian dug around in the desk for a small box to place it in. Finally, he found an old iPod box that was in the back of the drawers and Sebastian pulled out the contents inside.
Padding into the bathroom, he plucked several cotton balls from a jar and filled the box up with them before placing the ring inside it. The lid sealed the box and Sebastian walked back into the room to find Finny waiting just inside the room, looking shifty and tense at the same time.
“Here,” he said and passed the box over to Finny. “Give this to Tanaka. And for goodness’ sake, stop acting as though I’m about to shoot you.” Probably not the right choice of words, but the fidgeting was making Sebastian’s head ache.
A mumbled ‘sorry’ was offered but Finny didn’t seem any less anxious. He flushed despite himself and went to quickly leave the room. The door paused halfway to closing and Finny poked his head back in to look at Sebastian.
“You’ll bring him home, won’t you?” Finny whispered, looking half-scared that he’d receive a ‘no’.
Sebastian nodded. “I will,” he answered without hesitation. Though whether or not Ciel came home alive or dead was an entirely different matter, and one that Sebastian didn’t want to think about.
Nothing more was said as Finny left, leaving Sebastian alone in the large room with no one but Soot and Alex. The puppy whined at the door, hoping for Finny to come back. When her plight seemed useless, she turned once more to Sebastian, her tail wagging hopefully.
“No,” Sebastian told her and started to pull off his dirty clothes. He wanted nothing more than a shower and bed so he could try to pretend that none of this had happened. With a small grunt, he moved into the bathroom and turned on the hot water.
Steam built quickly in the room as Sebastian scrubbed himself clean twice, making sure that all the filth that had built up over the past few days was washed clean. By the time he climbed out of the shower, his skin was pink, but he felt a little better.
Instantly, guilt washed over him as he realized that Ciel was still surrounded by filth and was probably suffering at the hands of their enemies while Sebastian enjoyed a hot shower. He was clean and had a soft bed to sleep in until he left again while Ciel was in who knew what kind of conditions.
The thought sickened him and Sebastian tossed the towel to the side. A pair of boxers was grabbed and after a long mental debate, some sweats were tugged on as well. In order to help Ciel, Sebastian had to be at his best, and that meant not forgoing the things that would help his body recover. While it did little to help erase the guilt, it eased it, if only slightly, and Sebastian ran a hand over his face.
Soot mewed at him from the bed and Sebastian cast the plush surface a quick glance before realizing that he couldn’t stomach sleeping on it without Ciel next to him. He picked up the cat and set her on the desk so he could strip the bed of its sheets and blankets, piling them onto the floor.
Exhaustion was once more setting in and Sebastian settled down on his makeshift bed, the covers and sheets holding Ciel’s scent. His nose buried into them, inhaling deeply to further imprint the smell onto his mind, and he silently hoped that this wouldn’t be the only thing he had left of Ciel after this assignment.
A cold wet nose pushed at one of his hands, accompanied by a soft pleading whine. It happened twice, and then three times before a paw was curling at Sebastian’s hand as it pulled on it for some form of attention. Alex seemed insistent, wanting some comfort of her own. No matter that she was a dog, she could still sense the worry and grief that fell off Sebastian in torrents. It made her anxious and wanting for attention.
Sebastian pushed Alex away, ignoring the pleading. Soot was already curled up against his side, providing enough silent comfort that he didn’t need any more from a dog. An insistent bark made Sebastian sit up and glare at the animal.
Alex whined again and her paws lifted off the ground slightly, a sign that Sebastian knew all too well. She wanted under the covers. Sebastian frowned, about to send the animal away when he realized that Alex was the only thing of Ciel that he had right now.
She tried again, pushing her nose up under Sebastian’s arm and digging into the blankets. Alex was relentless, whining as she went about trying to get her way. There was no way that she would be pushed aside while Soot got all the attention, not with her master gone. Her efforts were redoubled; all she wanted was the comfort of a warm body.
Finally Sebastian sighed and lifted up the blankets. The dog quickly moved under them and pressed up against his other side, giving a contented sigh before closing her eyes. “This is just a temporary thing,” Sebastian whispered as he let the dog curl up against his back. “Once Ciel comes back, I’ll go right back to not liking you again.”
Alex gave a small huff that told him she didn’t believe a word Sebastian was saying, but he didn’t bother to push his point further. With Alex curled up against his back and Soot sleeping peacefully near his head, Sebastian let his eyes shut and allowed himself to fall asleep as well.
To Be Continued . . .