Crossover Together ~クロスオーバ 一緒に~

Lunchtime at the Phantomhive Manor, and Ciel was just about to get his dinner started for the evening. He had a lot less time to enjoy his time back at the manor as of late, but now with the weekend, things started to get back to normal for the young earl. At least he could go back home during these visits so there was some normality to it all. And even then it was the weekend, so he didn't have a reason to go back. For lunch, Bardroy and Mey-Rin were present this time, and Ciel was having dinner of fresh cut Krabby, a seafood dinner this evening.

"Standard. Good job, Bardroy," Ciel simply stated. Compared to the usual meals Bardroy would make up, this was apretty decent. Bardroy smirked on the compliment, rubbing the back of his head.

"Nothing burned this time," Bardroy said. The Krabby was a little crispy but it wasn't as bad as it would normally by, Ciel eating it bite by bite. Looking around though, Ciel did note that while Mey-Rin, Tanaka, and Bardroy had been on the ball, one other servant had been missing for sometime.

"Had any of you seen Grell by chance? He's been rather lacking lately," Ciel asked. With the discovery of Grell's true nature months ago, Grell had been around far less than he used to, and Mey-Rin and Bardroy both didn't know where he would go half the time so asking them wasn't gonna do them any good.

"Eh, wish I could tell you, sorry master," Mey-Rin replied sheepishly. Ciel wasn't too worried about it though.

"Guess that suicidal worrywart finally done himself in," Ciel thought. With how many times he risked and tried to kill himself, the idea wasn't too far off from the truth. Even with his true nature shown to him, the idea was still too deeply engraved. As he was having lunch, Tanaka took a step in.

"Sorry for the intrusion young master, but I do believe you have a call," Tanaka said.

"A call? Who from?"

"Nagisa Shiota, actually. I told him you were eating, but he kept insisting on talking to you," Tanaka replied. He even had the phone with him right by the door, and waited for Ciel to come over. Ciel just sighed, got up, and walked over to answer it. Whatever he had in mine better be important.

"Hello?"

"Ciel, that you? It's Nagisa."

"I'm well aware, now what is it? I'm in the middle of my meal," Ciel stated.

"I know, I know, but listen. I want you to come down to the 3-E building as soon as you can, it's very important."

"Can't you just explain details over the phone?" Ciel asked, not interested.

"I'd rather have the whole group together than just me and you, Ciel. Please, just meet the rest of us by the 3-E building. I'll explain there, but I'll say this: my future Vision needs everyone's involvement to not happen."

"To not happen?" Ciel thought. first time Nagisa was so worried about a future vision, that he wanted to forbid it happening. Whatever that future vision was, it had to be important and pretty bad too. Ciel sighed.

"Very well. After lunch, I'll be present."

~~

All morning Nagisa got the group together as best he could do, Aladdin helping him out during it all, but eventually that afternoon all the people he asked arrived at the 3-E building as he instructed them to. Soon, the people in question (Karma, Twilight, Blair, Aladdin, Ed, Al, Ciel, Pinkie, and Envy) were all there, waiting to see what this was all actually about, and Nagisa stood in front of the group.

"Ok, is everyone here? Where's Heine?" Nagisa started. He did get plenty of people involved, but Heine was especially one of the people he tried to find (being the prime target for the future attack anyway).

"We couldn't find him anywhere. He might've went off to Elysium or something," Alphonse figured. Far as Nagisa was sure, they didn't have anymore time to wait. Best to tell everyone now before any of these things happen.

"What's got you all railed up, Nagisa?" Pinkie asked.

"Yeah, since when were you the one to start meetings with us?" added in Blair. All jokes aside, Nagisa calmed down and then addressed everyone.

"Listen. You all remember that Future Vision right? You all at least got the idea," Nagisa began. They knew of it in varying amounts, but they all nodded in the end. At least Nagisa didn't have to explain the details to any of them them.

"You got another one, Nagisa?" asked Twilight. Yeah, they were right on the button with that one, but remembering the visions still gave Nagisa shivers. Still, Nagisa stayed calm and turned determined.

"Yes. ... And we have to stop them," Nagisa stated. First time a future vision had to be stopped in their recorded memory, and while Ciel did get told that ahead of time, he was still intrigued on what details Nagisa had seen. Envy was probably the most vague in details to this Future Vision business.

"Wait, come again? We have to stop this Future Vision now? They can't be that bad," Karma stated.

"You die for one thing," Nagisa firmly stated. Karma's confidence immediately got shattered on that statement, and it unnerved some others too.

"Die?! Well damn, of course we have to stop it!" concluded Ed.

"Right, now here's what I saw: the first vision I got was with Heine. I'm not gonna sugarcoat it: It showed him getting shot in the head. Now call me crazy, but I think it's going to happen at the main building, and in front of all the students, so we have to be on guard for that for Heine's sake."
Well that seemed simple enough on the surface to do, and since many of them were in Heine's class to begin with, it seemed like a fair task to handle.

"Wonder who the assailant is?" thought Twilight.

"Eh, you mentioned that I ... died, Nagisa?" Karma questioned. Knowing you were going to die was a scary thought for practically anyone, even Karma.

"Yeah. Hey, Yugure, did you bring that demon book I asked you for?" Nagisa asked. Twilight nodded, and soon she pulled out the demon guide, and after a quick thanks, he quickly skimmed through the pages of the book. The thing he saw in the vision looked familiar, and pretty soon one of the demons finally caught his eye. He stopped turning the pages fast, and then showed the picture of the demon to everyone there, a finger aimed directly at it so the others could see. The demon looked like a mix of a human and some sort of bird.

"My second vision featured this thing in it. Karma, in my vision, you and this demon were fighting out at the military base of Tokyo as it removed your sword from your hands before the finishing blow, and it looked like a lone fight too, so even just one or two of us with you could make all the difference. Don't worry."

"I'm not worried, I'm psyched. It was getting a bit dull around here," Karma stated.

"Of course you'd say that, Karma," Nagisa thought.

"So what's the last one?" Ciel asked.

"Now, this last one's a bit tougher to work with. Ed, Al, Envy, pay attention," Nagisa said. While envy seemed up to listening, Ed and Al looked pretty spooked.

"Oh no, we're gonna get killed?!" Alphonse gasped, shivering.

"What, no! Listen: The Homunculus are going to be coming back, and Envy, I think they're coming for you."

"Sombra would send them after me," Envy said, a bit more meek than usual. He was a homunculus himself, and they were acquaintances of his. that and none of them really have a clue what truly happened to Envy after Pluton, so this was something he had trouble dealing with. Especially with his 3-E friends on the line.

"Lust already tried to kill us before, why wouldn't they come back again?" Blair blurted out.

"It's more than just Lust. Gluttony was with her too, and ... Selim and Bradley."

"EH?!"
Talk about a surprise for plenty of the group. up to this point the only one who knew was Envy, and even then he only knew one of them was a Homunculus, but with this implication that only meant one thing.

"Selim and Bradley were there. That makes them ... Homunculi?!" Al and Ed thought in unison.

...

Suddenly Al and Ed were trying to hold back their laughing, down on the floor.

"... Not the reaction I anticipated," Nagisa commented.

"Sorry, sorry, it's just that sounds so ridiculous," Alphonse said.

"Yeah, the leader of Central and the same man who visited us with a gift basket happens to be a homunculus," added Edward. Nagisa hoped that they would take it seriously, but two out of three wasn't the worst score, plus they took the other two pretty seriously enough. Nagisa sighed and placed a hand on Envy's shoulder.

"Don't worry Envy, we'll be there to protect you," Nagisa reassured them. Envy just sighed.

"Not that I'd freak out but ... you didn't see anyone else taken with me did you?" Envy asked, though he tried not to look too desperate for that kind of answer. He may be a human himself, but that didn't mean he wanted to look like a complete wimp. Nagisa saw right through him though.

"No, you're the only one I saw there," Nagisa reassured him. Envy gave a slight sigh of relief.

"So here's an important thingy: when is this stuff going to even happen?" Pinkie asked.

"I'm not sure about Karma and Envy, but Heine's attack was very precise ... it's going to happen tomorrow, I'm sure of it," Nagisa concluded. It was then that Karma got up to his feet.

"Well, looks like our break's over. We need to be on our A game now."

The others had to agree. With that message given and now received, there was no other reason for them to stick around. As they were heading off though, Twilight took a moment to go over to Nagisa.

"Nagisa, did you find anything out about Lugia yet? Now would be a good time for his help," Twilight asked, making sure it was just them two. Nagisa was actually counting on this question being brought up by just them two, Nagisa still wanting to keep this part quiet until after they sort things out. However it wasn't all too good.

"Well, I couldn't find him there, all I got was his Future Sight used on me. Guess if we are going to find him, we're on our own," Nagisa said sadly. With the situation, it would probably be best to give that a break anyway.

"Well, let's help them first."

"My thoughts exactly."

.......

"Uh, sir? Sir?"

Back at the main building, even if it was the weekend, there was still some sort of tensity at the building for some of the workers and teachers amongst staff. Students weren't there of course, but as one of these staff members was gonna find out, that was the least of their problems. This staff member in particular was right in front of Gakuho's door. However, his calls went on a unanswered. That didn't mean there was no noise coming from the office though, as the staff member could hear some sound of papers being shuffled around inside. It took a bit of courage, but the staff member eventually went on to open up the door to see what was going on in there.
And as it turned out, Gakuho was doing far more than she would realize. Gakuho appeared to be very deep into writing out something in front of him, and judging by the crumbled up papers nearby in a trash bin, it had been going for a while. This was a side of Gakuho that she had never seen before. This wasn't the typical Gakuho look of calm, collected, and even slight intimidation. But rather a look of a student who's desperately trying to recollect himself. Admittedly, it was even more uncomfortable than the collected Gakuho. He was so deep in this that he didn't even notice her open the door.

"How ... how long has he been at this?" she thought in shock. Suddenly, she heard the pen in Gakuho's hand hit the office desk, a sign that whatever he was working on he'd finished up.

"Yes. Yes, this will do nicely," Gakuho said, satisfied at last. And it wasn't until now that he looked to the door to find the assistant standing there.

"Good timing. Where's Heine Wittgenstein? I have a little something for him," Gakuho asked, about five papers of questions in his hand for his ultimate test.

"Uh ... W-Well, I'll go get him," she said, going off to grab him. Or at least, she would if Heine wasn't already in the hall. Seemed that Heine either sensed this would happen or it was just some form of luck. All the assistant needed to do was go over to him, tap his shoulder, and point to the office for Heine to get the idea. With a nod, Heine went right over and went right into the office to see the stressed Gakuho Asano waiting for him. Guess he got the test done just in time.

"Wittgenstein, glad you could make it. I got a little something I want you to take," Gakuho made clear, pushing the papers towards him. Heine took a seat and looked at the test given to him: five papers with plenty a questions for him.

"Another competence test?" Heine questioned, a bit annoyed himself.

"A hundred increasingly impossible questions I took the time to make out myself, each one covering many fields of study: arithmetic, sociology, philosophy, history, and many others, not to mention it is written out in five different languages, so the best I can say is good luck ... though admittedly, I don't expect a small one like you to get close," Gakuho said, confident that his test would do him in. The last comment was just to be sure that Heine would actually do it, and Heine didn't like it at all.

"Just the way I like it," Heine huffed, before beginning the test given to him. But not before he actually placed a deck of cards on the table, which was a bit of an odd gesture.

"Cards, Heine?"

"I was hoping you'd take some time for a game, but clearly there's more important things to consider," Heine huffed again, referring to the test in front of him. Gakuho sat back and watched Heine from there, though admittedly he was just waiting for that look of defeat to hit him.

"You've bested me before, Heine, but I can reassure you, this will break you. Everything I've tried you just threw right back at me, but let's see you get past this one," Gakuho thought with a confident grin. ...

"Done."

Done? He couldn't be done, and that fast? Gakuho had to see for himself, and grabbed the finished test out of his hands fast and begun to scan it over closely. The sight of it made him stop cold.

"W-what? ... These all look right."

"And one more thing: there was a misspelled word in Vietnamese on question seventy two, and another in French on question fifty five. I marked it in red," said Heine. Gakuho rushed and checked that questions, and sure enough there was the marked words in red! Not only did Heine breeze through his supposedly impossible test, but he even corrected it for him! Gakuho looked over to Heine, and as if to just show off, he suddenly had a pyramid of cards on his desk.

"Any more tests, sir?" Heine asked, one final card on his hand as he finished up his pyramid tower right there.

It was too much for Gakuho: suddenly, almost automatically, Gakuho swung his hand and arm forward towards Heine. Heine quickly backed up, and all Gakuho got to hit was the pyramid, cards flying everywhere. Heine looked stunned at the sudden move, and Gakuho looked ... well, it was hard to say. Corrupt? Glitched out, maybe? Either way, Gakuho was far from okay with this, as he looked to his hand, which was actually twitching a bit from what he just did. Gakuho didn't know what to say to Heine, but Heine turned and walked away after that. He knew when he wasn't wanted, and staying around any longer would prove troublesome for both of them. Soon, Gakuho was alone with the completed test and mess of cards.

Now what to do? ...

.......

"So that's how you knew the E class."

Niji had gotten back to her 3-E friends (Nabiku particularly) after some time, and the feeling for her return after months was a bit positive overall. Envy had the main honor of getting Niji over back to Nabiku after figuring it out, and the reunion was met with plenty of smiles from Nabiku herself. Envy also had the little honor of bringing along Emi (maid outfit disguise of course), as he, Nabiku, Hinano, and Niji took a stroll around town. As they went, the others took the time to help Niji catch up with things when it came to 3-E and its events, Envy's inclusion apart of that too. The least they could do to catch up with everyone.

"Yeah, they all looked pretty beat up too. So after that it was me vs. Tataoka, turn around and BAM!" Niji said, doing some kicks as show for her fight with him.

"Then what?" Envy asked.

"Fought him off of course!"

"Well sort of. Gakuho ended the fight, but not until after Niji got a knife through her head," said Hinano. however, Niji was quick to try and make amends.

"Hey, hey, hey, don't say that, I'm trying to make it interesting!" Niji insisted.

"Getting stabbed and surviving isn't interesting?" Nabiku asked.

"W-Well ... Hey, Envy, who's that following us?" Niji asked. Nabiku couldn't help but giggle softly at the obvious question-dodge.

"Oh, she's just my little maid Korosensei gave me. Sweet girl, huh?" Envy said, but Emi didn't feel any better about it. She'd much rather go hang out with her actual friends instead of dealing with this troll of a kid.

"That demon king gave you a maid, Envy? If I were you, I'd better watch out," Niji questioned. That part got Niji a little bit concerned for him, considering a demon king was the one who gave him the maid. However, when they all heard that, they actually stopped, Niji not noticing them stopping until after five steps ahead. When she turned back though, the group looked stunned actually.

"Who told you that?" Nabiku, Hinano, and Envy asked. Niji cringed on her tactless words.

"Oh, uh, t-the government did. Yeah, they got word on it and they told me before sending me back out here. don't worry about it, now come on," Niji said, but the look on her face told Envy she was especially hiding something here. After all, he and Emi did see her come in with multi-hair and a set of wings to boot, which also didn't make sense.

"Ok, this is getting weird: first she disappears for months after her fight with Tataoka, and now she's saying she knew about this demon king business without anyone of us telling her."

"That, and she came to Yoshida's motors last night with blue falcon wings and rainbow hair," thought in Envy.

"This is my thoughts, Envy," Hinano said, though still surprised about what he said beforehand.

"You do know you're thinking out loud," Envy blankly pointed out. That case nevermind. All the same though, this new information Envy just got out to them did end up giving them something new to chew on, not to mention confirm their suspicions, so ...

"Wait, what's that?" Niji suddenly asked, glancing back to Envy.

"What's what?"
Niji took a look over at Envy, and soon Nabiku and Hinano noticed that something was poking out from the bottom of his shirt, something that none of them noticed until Niji pointed it out. When Envy saw it though, he started to worry a little, and even worse when it fell out and when Niji grabbed it to see.

Emi's picture! Emi froze in place on seeing that thing.

"Emi? ... That's Emi Isuzu!" Nabiku realized, her voice hushed.

"... I didn't know that about you."

"What, no, that's not mine! Some bitch must've slipped it in my shirt by mistake!" Envy insisted. He wasn't denying it out of embarrassment, but it was the only thing keeping Emi Isuzu in his favor, but now others were already seeing the thing, and Nabiku and Hinano recognized the person almost straight away. The reaction was shocking to say the least.

"Someone slipped this into your shirt, because. ..."

"The hell I'm supposed to know! I-It must be Emi herself. I did pull her hair out after all, probably trying to get even," Envy said. That didn't make Emi feel any better.

"But this is her in the picture, not you."

Another stab. Envy had to think about it this time, and honestly Emi was trying to figure it out too.

"I don't know. Nabiku, Hinano, she's known to act odd like that, right?"

"You're thinking of Pinkie, not Emi," Hinano said.

Again shot down! It was then that Niji took a closer look at the picture, comparing it to the supposed maid standing there.

"Ok, Envy, what's going on here?" Niji questioned.

"I said I don't know, really!"

"Then why're you freaking out? Envy, it's us, you can tell us," Nabiku reassured him, trying to make him feel a little more comfortable. As they were talking, Niji gave the picture to Hinano for a quick moment, and went straight up to the maid, looking at her more closely. Envy having her as a maid was one thing, but having that picture as well got her a little bit suspicious over it. Eventually, Envy appeared to give in, much to Emi's mix of horror and anger.

"I took the time to draw it out at one point, and I planned to use it as blackmail on Emi," Envy revealed. Well, it was only half right, and didn't truly reveal what she actually was, but it still was embarrassing to Emi that someone actually knew about the little issue.

"Blackmail? What'd she do to you?" Niji asked.

"She kicked me in the gut that's what she did!" Envy snapped. Niji though started to think about what he was doing exactly.

"So you plan to ruin her reputation because she kicked you," Niji questioned, going off what she got so far.

"Eh ... yeah," Envy said, sounding pretty fair to him even if she was still in punishment right next to him. Emi couldn't believe that her big secret was being shown to these three, even if they think it's just some drawing. Even so, it was surprisingly details for just some drawing, not to mention how good it looked to an actual photograph as well. Hell, it even had the date in digital in the corner as in any photo!

"Oh yes, just what I can do to her when she figures it out. Just to keep that quiet, oh it'll be sweet! I can get her to shine your shoes, maybe give us a ride -"

"Or make her be your maid," slipped in Niji.

"Yeah, and make her be my -"

Well, crud. Emi was found out now, more than ever, and now it was out. Envy would come up with something if he had time, but Hinano, Nabiku, and Niji now got the whole idea what was going on here. Guess his glory over it all just got to his head there, and the trio took a look at the maid.

"Damnit ... DAMNIT!" Emi thought, before she finally snapped out of it and bolted off fast as she could, but not before whacking Envy in the face for that. She better get lost before anyone else figures her out.

"My big mouth. ... Well, it was fun while it lasted," Envy sighed, getting himself back up. After sweeping himself off though, then came the rather ... troubled looks of the others standing right next to him.

"... What?"

"I know she's been a bit ... bad, to us, but isn't that a little much?" Nabiku asked, concerned.

"You're kidding me? She clobbered me at Orora High remember?!"

"After you pulled out her hair, and that wasn't even on you to begin with. Envy, I think you've pushed it a bit there by blackmailing her like that," Hinano said.

"I can't believe what I'm hearing! Nabiku, you said she kept mocking you, didn't she? With that "fluttershy" nickname or whatever the hell?"

"Well ... y-yeah, but ... I'm as bad as her if I do that!"

It was rare for Nabiku to yell her opinion, and that did make even Envy a little surprised. That just simply proves that this was more serious than Envy realized. Still though, with how much of a bitch Emi was anyway, he still didn't see what was wrong.

"Eh, look, let's just head home," Hinano suggested.

"Can someone tell me what I did wrong?!" Envy yelled. However, his question was left more unanswered. Seems it was gonna be a bit before Envy will get what was wrong here.

~~

While Karma's demon fight and Envy's capture still hung in the air, the time of Heine's supposed shooting was something especially on Team Harmony's mind, making last night a little bit restless for them. If there was some way to keep Heine alive in the end, then they have to get it before the assailant could make his move, whoever it would be. How it exactly would transpire they had no idea, but Heine didn't deserve to die, and if they can alter fate then great. No reason for the smartest mind of synapse to get shot to death.
The next morning, the day of the event, Heine himself was taking his time and getting off to school as per usual. With his little incident yesterday, Heine had a suspicion that something else was going to go on today, regardless if Team Harmony told him or not. The image of Gakuho's face after his swipe at the cards was still imprinted in Heine's mind. He paused and looked up at the building, thinking a bit more about Gakuho Asano.

"Perhaps it's time I discuss with him about this system of his. If I don't know, it might be dangerous to the rest of the students," Heine thought, sighing before starting to go into the building with some of the early arriving students. The walk from the front door over to the 3-E class. He thought that the class would be removed or something, but no it was still there, which was good. However, something else seemed to be going on over by the door: not many students there at the moment, but turned out that Karma was already there, leaning by the door and waiting for Heine to show up. Being so early, it was odd to see Karma so early. Pinkie was there as well, but the girl looked on edge herself, for some reason being in an Amestris guard outfit.

"Heine, that you?" Karma asked.

"Karma. you're early today," Heine stated, walking over to them, but when Pinkie saw him she immediately bolted right to his side, standing full and at attention like an actual soldier.

"Sir, here to protect you, sir!" Pinkie Pie said.

"... Dare I even ask?" Heine questioned, unamused. But Karma was tasked with telling what was what, and with Heine now here, he wasted no time in getting to it.

"Listen up chief, I know this is outta nowhere, but we got reason to think you're not gonna do well today. So we're just gonna keep an eye on ya throughout the day til things are over," Karma explained.

"Could he mean ..." Heine's thoughts then were reminded again of Gakuho. Well, that and one other little detail ...

The day before the trip to Elysium, and Nagisa and Korosensei managed to find Heine and they met up with him over just outside of the building. This way Gakuho wouldn't keep an eye on them during lunch period. Nagisa had the exams all in hand, all of which Korosensei was more than willing to grab for them.

"Here, Heine, it's probably best you get this," Nagisa said, giving the stack of papers to him, Heine looking them over for him.

"Tests? Gakuho never informed me about any tests."

"I know he didn't, but this is something for all classes, and it's not fair you'd be left out," said Nagisa, pointing to the tests. Heine began to wonder a little bit.

"Korosensei? You didn't take these without his permission, did you?" Heine asked, unamused.

"No, no, no, Heine-sama, Nagisa here just got me on the ball earlier and gave me the suggestion that's all. And what a call that was," Korosensei said, fluffing Nagisa's hair. He may not be a 3-E student, but Nagisa was glad to help them out anyway.

"Understood. Thank you for getting these to me," Heine said, Korosensei pleased to get a compliment from Heine. It was starting to get a little bit late in lunch, so they went off on their way back into the building, Heine taking his own way in as Nagisa and Korosensei went the other way. As they did, Korosensei snickered his signature snicker.

"I'm gonna take a wild guess and say future vision, eh Nagisa?" Korosensei presumed. Normally Nagisa would be surprised, but there was no need for something like Korosensei.

"Hey, it's the least I can do. Not like I'm gonna be flying off anywhere anyway," Nagisa remarked. Even if it was to themselves, Heine had just managed to hear over what they just said.

"Future vision ..."

Heine didn't need to think very hard to figure out why they were doing that, considering what happened with not only that, but with what happened with him and Gakuho as well.

"And how long?"

"For the whole day, or at least until this luck blows over whichever comes first."

"Understood. ... By the by, is there a particular reason why you're dressed like that?" Heine asked Pinkie, concerning the outfit mainly.

"DUH, I'm guarding you! No mean psycho's gonna shoot your cute little head off," Pinkie reassured. Heine was bugged by the "cute" and "little" remarks, but the situation shouldn't call for any griping.

"Shoot? Pie?"

"Eh, an extra detail to your luck today," Karma shrugged.

.......

So throughout the morning, the group had been like that. They tried to keep their involvement less open, but all the same kept an eye out for this attacker of theirs. People would try and question Pinkie, but that would be a lost cause anyway so they were good there. However, with each tick of the clock, it was another minute with nothing going on, and apparently with each of those minutes it felt more like a countdown to what they were sure to happen eventually. Basically, they were on a knife edge, ready to spring into action at any moment whenever that would be. This information also had Heine himself a bit more alert than usual. If this was going to happen, then he had to be as ready for it as anyone else would be, being the target or not. One hour, two, three, and so far nothing seemed to happen much. Why it wasn't some weren't so sure, but as far as Nagisa was concerned, it had to happen in front of some big crowd, so his best guess would be around lunch time, since it was the biggest time for any crowd to show up, as crazy as that may be. Then again, crazier things had happened so it wasn't too farfetch'd, especially with how much had happened so far.
Eventually, it was the break just before lunch time, and still nothing apparently happened. Twilight and Nagisa had just finished up their classes from there, and met up over by Nagisa's classroom for the walk to the cafeteria.

"Anything yet?" Nagisa asked. The least they could do was figure out who was doing it, but Twilight unfortunately shook her head.

"Nothing, sorry. You sure it's going to happen today?"

"I'm more than sure, why would I lie? This is Heine's life we're talking about," Nagisa whispered, trying not to set off any panic too soon.

"I never said you didn't foresee it, but so far nothing happened. Maybe whoever this assailant is might've smartened up," Twilight suggested. Nagisa didn't really consider that, if it was anyone who could get Heine, but then again how would it figure that out? No one could've told the attacker anything, considering no one in Team Harmony would actually know who it would be.

"Maybe, but keep a look out anyway. By the way, have you seen Ciel? I haven't seen him at all this morning."

"I don't think I had. My guess he's probably investigating it himself."

"Yeah, he would do that," Nagisa sighed. someone like the guard dog of London would try and snoop around a little bit in something like this. Anyway, as they went on walking towards the lunch room, at first things seemed to be going on as normal, but then Nagisa then realized something which made him stop in his tracks.

"Twilight? You guys checked around between classes, right? Anywhere we missed?" Nagisa asked. Twilight paused and thought over where they checked. It was something they've decided to do after figuring it out: check around the school for any potential attackers, and eventually one place did come to Twilight's mind.

"We have just enough time, let's check the office."
None of them would check it normally, but with little evidence anywhere else, Nagisa and Twilight then started to head off that way. spying in on Gakuho Asano of all people was a task no normal person had the balls to do, but with push comes to shove, and both Nagisa and Twilight only had that spot out of a few to check out. From Nagisa's class, it only took a minute out of their way to get to Gakuho's office, or at least to the hall leading to it. not many people were there if at all, so they were clear on going up to it.

"Wait here," Nagisa quietly instructed, so as Twilight waited by the corner, Nagisa started his move towards the door. He was fairly decent in sneaking around, but with Gaara's training it was as if he wasn't even there he was so quiet. Almost before Nagisa himself even realized it, he was right up at the door.

"Too bad Gakuho doesn't have a window to his door, it would make this so much easier. ... Careful," Nagisa thought, examining the door. Lucky for him, or maybe because Gakuho forgot it, the door wasn't actually closed, a very slight crack showing that it was still open. If Gakuho was in there, he had to really pull out all the shots to not be noticed here. Nagisa took a look over to Twilight, who was worried like crazy over if Nagisa would end up caught or not, and after that, Nagisa slid over to the door, and ever so carefully, opened it up just enough so he could have a look inside.
One look inside was all Nagisa really needed, lasting about ten long seconds. ...

"Crud, crud, crud!" Nagisa thought. Suddenly Nagisa was racing off out of there, as fast and as quiet as he could, and just as Twilight and Nagisa got out of sight, the office door swung open and showed Gakuho Asano now out the door, and checking the hall. Both teens soon saw just how troubled Gakuho actually look, irises shrunken slightly as he checked the area. And there, hidden in his hand, was all the proof they needed to find out.

"Twilight, we gotta go," Nagisa whispered. Twilight couldn't agree more, and Nagisa grabbed her and raced down the halls away from Gakuho, and to the cafeteria.

They found their assailant. And gun in hand too.

~~

Soon, the lunchroom was in full swing, and much of Team Harmony were keeping a good eye around from their table. Pretty crowded. Pinkie Pie was keeping her post right over by Heine like any good guard would, if he wanted it or not, not being an issue for her. Many of the students weren't aware of what was gonna happen like Team Harmony was, and as far as they were concerned it was probably best. Besides, they'll figure it out eventually when this whole thing starts anyway if it comes to that. If they could forbid the thing altogether then great. As they were waiting and trying to find this thing, Twilight and Nagisa got themselves into the lunchroom before Gakuho, and went straight over to the group.

"Nagisa, Yugure, you two are in a rush," said Blair.

"I know, we found him," Twilight said in a hush, just enough for the group to hear them. FINALLY they figured it out! Twilight and Nagisa weren't going to waste anytime in getting the information out, and as if hearing it too, Pinkie quickly popped up right by them too.

"You did?! Come on then, who?" Edward asked.

"Call me crazy, but I swear to god, it's Gakuho," Nagisa revealed.

"G-Gakuho?!" gasped Pinkie, just for Nagisa to hush her up. Again, they didn't need the school in panic if they could help it.

"SSHH. Yes, him, I just saw him with the gun in hand, the same weapon as in my vision. He's gonna show up any minute," Nagisa informed, hushed again to be sure.

"You mean our Gakuho? The principal Gakuho Asano?"

"What other Gakuho is there? Come on, maybe we can stop him before -"

"Say no more, Pinkie's on the case!" Pinkie suddenly announced.

"No, Pinkie, wait!"

But too late, the hyperactive girl was quick to bolt right for the door. Their arrival barely turned heads, but Pinkie's rush off was even more attention-grabbing, and it was before any of the group could stop her as well. The others just got up when Pinkie Pie was already out the door into the hallway, the pink girl hyped up and ready for anything. As Nagisa said, maybe she could stop him before things could get worse.
And not a moment too soon: Pinkie took a look to her right, and there was the very man in question walking her way. Gakuho Asano did pause himself when she busted out into the limelight. He wanted things handled, and he wasn't wasting time either. All Pinkie needed was that one look before she stood at attention and spread out her arms.

"YOU SHALL NOT PASS!" Pinkie bellowed, but Gakuho wasn't even remotely intimidated by this random pink girl, and he calmly walked forward. Pinkie could see in his eyes that he was ready to do some damage, but the gal didn't move, acting like a wall to block Gakuho's way.

"Now, now, madam Pie, it'd be easier on everyone if you could move aside for me." Gakuho insisted, but Pinkie Pie didn't budge an inch, quickly shaking her head.

"Nope, nope, nope, you're not allowed in the lunchroom! Head-shooter!" Pinkie yelled. not the worst insult spat out of her mouth, but she wasn't going to let this principal pop off any heads. Gakuho was started to get a little impatient, his hand twitching again as it hovered over the gun hidden in his pocket.

"I said move."

"NO NO NO NO NO, You get rid of that gun and then I'll move!" Pinkie demanded. Gakuho was not a want to take orders, especially by some pink brat. Gakuho stepped forward again, but Pinkie will not move for him. As Pinkie tried to keep him back, another one of Team Harmony caught up with her, and saw what was happening to her. As for Gakuho, he lost patience, and forcefully tried to move Pinkie aside, but before he could get her to move, the incoming helper Alphonse stepped in and managed t0o move Gakuho back.

"Elric, Pie, what's the meaning of this?" Gakuho asked sternly.

"Sir, I have my respect to you, but I'm not going to let you hurt anyone! Please reconsider," Alphonse made clear, even if he was still a bit humbled by Gakuho. The angry man finally slipped out the gun from his pocket, and looked it over calmly, worrying them both a little more.

"I know what I'm doing you two. Now move."

"NO! No one deserves this, now throw that away and stop this!"

"I SAID MOVE."

Gakuho had been beaten too many times, and with the pistol, he started to aim it right at them! It was clear this man was too willing to keep his system together for any morality to remain. Alphonse quickly moved himself in between the pistol and Pinkie Pie, his metal body easily able to block off any bullets from that gun.

*BAM*

The first shot had been fired! It didn't do jack on Alphonse and his armor, but the sound of the shooting gun and bullet hitting metal made the entire room flinch and jump. Team Harmony immediately jumped up and was about to rush to the door, just to find Pinkie Pie tumbling inside with Alphonse! They both were fine, but the momentum of the fire moved them back, and fall onto the cafeteria floor. There stood Gakuho Asano, pissed off more than ever, and his gun out in the light for everyone to see. They all saw the anger in his eyes, irises shrunk down and looking simply crazed. Gakuho walked right inside, both hands on his pistol, which aimed at the ground, as many of the students quickly tried to move out of his way, not wanting to be shot. Eventually, a more clear path remained for Heine, and soon the teacher saw Gakuho aiming his gun directly at him. Heine was warned about it, and he was already on his feet facing him.

"So it's come to this."

"I told you how this system worked, Heine Wittgenstein. And clearly you've been put here to destroy here. I will not allow that," Gakuho warned, moving towards him with the gun aimed right at him. Before Gakuho could fire, the rest of Team Harmony rushed in the way.

"Gakuho stop! You don't have to do this!" Twilight yelled.

"I'm keeping things in order, kids. Now get out of my way. ... Or do I have to make you?" Gakuho questioned, gun raised again. None of them wanted to fight him, but clearly it would have to end up that way if Gakuho was so willing to kill like this.

"Asano, we know you have your way to keep this Ant System in tact, but killing is taking it way too far!" Nagisa said. Gakuho almost looked amused by this.

"I'm giving you all five seconds to step aside. My system has made this school -"

"Screw the system," Karma suddenly said sternly, cutting Gakuho off cold. "As exciting as this is, you're just acting way too desperate. How's about you drop the gun before we take it from you?"

"Five ... four ... three ..."

"He's not even listening! GAKUHO! PUT THAT AWAY AND END THIS ALREADY!" Edward yelled.

"Gakuho Asano, please! We know you care deeply about your system, but it's not bad if someone's just trying to give everyone a better future. Is it so wrong to teach kids fairly?" Nagisa added.

"... Last chance."

"GAKUHO!"

but it was no use. Gakuho flat out ignored them, and aimed his pistol directly at Heine, who himself was keeping rather quiet. However, he was more worried over the state of his students rather than himself, more surprised that they would stand there and risk getting shocked despite everything. Gakuho was tired of waiting, and his finger itched to pull that trigger ...

.......

*ping*

Next thing he knew, the gun was dropped from his hand, as something suddenly ended up piercing Gakuho's hand. He'd dodge it but his focus was too much on killing Heine to even bother himself, but it was enough to make him drop it. When they all looked, it turned out that the object was actually a very well-aimed dart, and the dart made its mark right in Gakuho's hand.

"I believe this has gone on long enough," said a rather bemused voice.

Ciel Phantomhive! If he were a second later then someone would've been shot at.

"Not too late, I hope."

"We're just about to die and you choose now to show up?!" Ed asked.

"I don't have to justify my actions. A fair effort on all of you, I'll take it from here," Ciel stated, before walking out towards Gakuho. Gakuho got the dart out of his hand, and he quickly got his pistol out again, this time aiming at Ciel Phantomhive. The boy didn't even flinch, or even looked scared for that matter by seeing a gun aimed at him.

"Phantomhive. You got a bit of nerve to attack me like that."

"Remarks the man pointing a gun at a twelve-year-old child. Now, there is something I'd been meaning to ask you about, and I suppose now would be a good of time as any," Ciel inquired. The others weren't sure how to react to this, but they kept over by Heine just in case Gakuho would try to kill him. They knew the outcome if they let it happen, and it wasn't Ciel that was gonna die ... though it surely was looking that way.

"And what's that?"

"... Why? Why go so far to keep your ant system in tact? ... You know what, no. How did this even start in the first place? Judging by your willingness to your system over your students, I'm sure something in your history must've triggered something. go on then, might as well," Ciel said. Gakuho was admittedly more impressed that this young boy was so willing to just casually walk up to him, despite him aiming a gun directly at him. Gakuho looked Ciel right in the eye, and got himself calmed down a bit. He was ready to kill, sure, but some justification would be worth the time to perhaps let it slip by. Or at least to humor Ciel Phantomhive before he finishes the job.

"... Rikuto Ikeda."

"Pardon me?"

"Rikuto Ikeda. He was one of my students here at Orora high. That 3-E building was once the main Orora high building when he was with me. such a fun child, a sweet boy. Almost like the son I wish I had, if I'm to be honest. ... It all was fine for a while. He and I would meet up many times, he'd try to sneak out, but I always caught him, yet we had just the best time together ... But one day, he didn't arrive to school. At first, it seemed ok, but after the entire day, I tried to look for him. ... A young body, found at the bottom of the cliff just south of that 3-E building. ..."
Gakuho could still remember the images in his own head of the horrid incident: a bloodied, dead body of his closest friend laying down at the end of that cliff. The sad faces his parents had to figure out soon afterward as well, it all was something he could never get out of his head. The entire cafeteria was silent, all hearing every word Gakuho had to say crystal clear. Twilight got thinking about it.

"So. So then. ..."

I even heard a rumor that he drove three kids to gamble their lives away just for bullying a student of his.

"... Rikuto must've been that kid. That rumor is true!" Twilight thought in shock. Gakuho felt himself shiver on the memory, but then looked back to Ciel again, who appeared to be a little surprised about it.

"... To this day, my mind is still poisoned by that horrid memory. It was my fault: I taught my students then to be too kind. They couldn't do anything to help themselves. ... So I thought of how to make my students stronger. One thing lead to another, and ... well, here we are. ... I worked so hard for this, and I will not let by and watch my method crumble apart. I'll do anything to keep my system running strong, and if it means this ... well ..." Gakuho finished his sentence by reloading his gun and aimed it directly at Ciel. The others were worried about what would happen, and Ed was ready to go, but Heine raised his arm to stop them from going. He and Nagisa were seeing something different here that none of them were seeing.

Silence. Pure silence. ...

.......

... laughing.

Ciel Phantomhive started to laugh. And not a sadistic laugh, or a nervous laugh, but a joy-filled laugh as if he heard the best joke in his life. The entire room, even Team Harmony found this odd, and looked to Ciel as if he was crazy. What in that story was so funny to him? Gakuho was stunned, not sure what to say to this apparently suicidal idiot.

"I-Is that all it took to break you?! Good lord, one kid dies and you go this far to preserve this rule! You're even willing to kill for it!" Ciel said, continuing to laugh as if it was just ridiculous. It might be to him, but Gakuho never felt so angry in his life, his hands trembling, ready to pull that trigger just to shut him up. But he knew who his target really was here.

"How dare you just stand there and laugh at me. Every night I suffer from that, it's not like you -" As Gakuho was talking, Ciel continued giggling, and when he stopped, his eyepatch was removed by Ciel himself, which fell down to the floor. Then everyone who saw his face got a good look at his demonic eye, and Faustian contract that glowed. Gakuho looked to the contract with an unsure expression, Ciel smiling all the while to him with a knowing grin.

"A fair bit of yarn you weaved to everyone. ... Now allow me to give you mine. ..."

Ciel Phantomhive: Nine years old. The son of Phantomhive estate head - Vincent Phantomhive, and his wife Rachel Phantomhive. Joined with his aunt Angelina Dalles and their single servant Tanaka. A fun-filled life it was: my twin and aunt would play with me every day, my parents loved me deeply, and did their best to care for me in spite of being the Queen's current "Guard dogs". With a life like that, what could one ask for more?

"Now, there you two, it's time for bed."

Late at night, and Rachel Phantomhive was putting in bed both twin Phantomhives. While they both did look identical (in fact it was a mirror image), the bands going over their faces were moved differently: Ciel's to the right as the other brother has his to the left. Either way, both brothers were feeling a bit excited all the same, despite being so late. Rachel brought them both to bed despite that.

"You two are rambunctious, aren't you?"

"Sorry, mother, but we're just excited for tomorrow," said Ciel, the twin nodding in agreement.

"Anyone would be on their birthday, I know. now you two get some sleep and I promise you'll have the best day," Rachel promised. Rachel then gently gave them both a kiss on their cheeks, and it didn't take them very long until they were both off to sleep.

A promise for such a happy day for any young child. And indeed, the next morning it sure seemed that way: a ride through town on our own carriage, a visit off to the castle to see the queen, and to our excitement, a party was waiting for us back at home. ... But when we arrived at home ...

The two twins, finishing their visit to the castle, had just got themselves up and back at home. Both twins waved goodbye to the carriage, and both were now standing over at the door.

"You ready?" asked twin Ciel. Ciel smiled and nodded, as both twins got to the door, and the twin gave themselves a little countdown with his fingers, counting down from three.

Three. Two. One.

"WE'RE HOME!" both twins called, opening the door and going right in, expecting a celebration for them for their tenth birthday.
nothing. Not a sound, not a single decoration set up, nothing anywhere in the main lobby of the manor. The least they could get was a greeting from Tanaka, but he wasn't there either. No Angelina, no Rachel, no Vincent, just the two twins in a lonely house, barely a sound to greet them. The sight surely felt strange for the twins.

"MOM! DAD!" called Ciel, but no response. Both twins started to walk around the manor for a bit more, trying to find out where they were hiding, but no matter where they went around, they couldn't find them anywhere. The size of the manor never bothered them, but with it only being them, it was just ... empty.

Quiet.

With a hint of smoke.

"Wait. you smell that?" asked Ciel. both twins paused and sniffed the air, and sure enough it was smoke, and a good amount of it. Both twins wondered what was going on and,, curiosity guiding them, got them moving right over to the main office of the Phantomhive manor. When they got there, lingering smoke was seeping out from right behind the door, and both twins were worried.

"Mom, dad, you okay in here?!"

... And there they were. Our little birthday present: our dog, our mother, father, and aunt. They all were there alright: my mother and aunt resting in a bloody pool right by the door, all their clothes covered in a thick shade of red, and their eyes dazed and staring into nothing. Our dog laid permanently sleeping by the door, a cut through his own brain. And as for father: his heart removed with a gaping hole of flesh and blood, hanging with a simple sway from a noose. An image I'm cursed to bare for the rest of my life. All of which illuminated by a warm fire burning apart the table and wall. ... And then everything went dark, and still. ...

........

"H-Huh? ... Wha? W-Where am I?"

When Ciel woke up, he found himself nowhere near the manor. In fact, he didn't look like he was anywhere at first, the place looked very dim. He was trapped like an animal, stripped down to nothing, and inside a cage. When Ciel realized where he was, his nerves started to go haywire on him.

"He's awake." said a voice.

"About time. Thought he died on the way here," said another voice. Ciel looked up and he found himself surrounded by some odd figures, all in cloaks to hide their identity from young Ciel.

"Where am I? What is this place?" Ciel asked, terrified.

"We're gonna have fun with you, kid."

Just yesterday I woke up to a heaven. And from there onward, I was trapped in hell. Every single day those monsters tore me apart, bit by bit. Every sting, every cut, every part of my innocence was being choked out of me every passing hour I was with those anarchists. I never knew what ever happened to my twin, and those sick twisted things always rubbed their victory in my face, and how they ruined my life and destroyed my own home. ... I was left to wonder if anyone was still alive back home, as I was forced to undergo their traumatizing orders. Those smiles of glee they had every time they punished me. The eagerness some had to watch the young son of the Phantomhive estate suffer with their twisted ideas. All I could was lay there and listen to their ramblings, left to my fate. ...

"Is everyone ready?" asked the advisor.

"It's all taken care of, sir."

"Wonderful. you hear that, Phantomhive, we're gonna make you useful at last," mocked the advisor. At this point, Ciel was desensitized to everything done to him, and simply laid there and waited for it to just happen.

"... Is it the last one? ..."

"That depends if you somehow live or not." both the humans laughed and went off to leave him alone once again. Ciel stared up at the bars around him and the top of his cage. The only light he'd grown to looking to was a flickering torch, the fire gleefully watching him throughout every single torture he had to work with. If it could talk, what kind of stories could it tell him? Maybe it could tell him who was doing this to him. Ciel felt himself get angry, and turn away from the flames. ...

"Hello, young earl."

"... Is it time for me to go? ..." Ciel asked, not amused at all about it. Usually, it would involve someone opening the cage, grabbing him and do whatever, but that didn't seem to happen this time.

"If you wish to. And I'll help you with that if you're so willing."

"Why would I be willing to - ..." but when Ciel turned around, no one seemed to be there. No human in sight apart from a pearched bird hidden just out of the way.

"Great. I'm growing insane," he told himself.

"You're as sane as you always had been, my friend."

"W-Who's saying that?"

"I did. Up here."

Ciel followed the voice closely, and soon there was the crow again, still looking down at him. Far as he was concerned though, Ciel had no one else to talk to. no brother, no mother or father, not even a servant to talk to, or at least one that would listen to him. It was then the crow flew off the post, and landed right by the cage, looking him face to face. It truly was a big crow.

"... you?"

"Unlikely, I understand, for such a young human like yourself. I'll be more than grateful to let you out ... that is, if you're willing to make a contract with me."

Despite his age, young Ciel knew damn well that crows can't deal with something like this.

"What could a crow do? In case you haven't noticed, I'm trapped in a cage, and even if you get it open how do you expect to get me out of here?" Ciel questioned.

"What have you got left to lose? If you had any other option, I wouldn't be here, now would I?"

Ciel was still unsure about it, and the skinny child just turned away. The crow sighed, and flew over back to the stand, grabbed something, and flew back to him.

"If you change your mind, just follow this. We'll keep in touch."

And there I was left with the instructions in front of me, my only lifeline to get released out of the horrid hellhole. Left with only my insanity at listening to a simple minded bird. I could only wonder if I truly had become lost in my mind for even putting words in some bird's mouth. But each day, each pain, that offer only grew ...

"Be a good boy in there, you won't want to miss out."

Another lonely night, and Ciel was all by himself once again. Nothing but him, the cage, and the flickering lights of the torches around him. He'd gone through a harder time now, his whole body bruised up and two cuts bleeding out at the bottom of the cage. He would normally just be quiet and go with it, but he still remembered the bird's offer to let him out. And that night, he began to work something out.
With the instructions mirrored in his head, he brought his fingers to the bleeding cuts on his own body, letting his fingers get soaked in the red blood, before he started to draw something out on the cage floor. The wounds stung the whole time, and having to use his cuts like bowls of paint wasn't making it any better. Eventually, the symbol on the floor was made, resembling a spiked circle with a star at the center. It was the best he could do being so weak at the moment. It's now or never: and he waited for something to happen, focusing down all his energy in his hand, placing it on the now dry symbol. ...

Nothing.

"What the hell am I thinking? Of course this isn't gonna work. ..."

He spoke too soon, as the symbol started to come to life on him. He didn't realize it at first, but the lights around him started to dim, the torches blown away and left with only him and the darkness, the symbol glowing faintly. Ciel, surprised, stared intently down at the symbol and waited for something to get him out. Instead, a huge flash launched out, and soon Ciel felt his body being thrown to the back of the cage. The symbol dimmed, and Ciel felt a new stinging sensation on his face, only feeling blood coming from his right eye. He laid there on the floor of the cage, on his back, and soon enough he passed out once more. ...

Upon reawakening. I was no longer trapped inside that cage. It was quiet. Silent. Me suspended in the air, a red blanket keeping me warm. All I could see around was a sea of feathers. The feathers of the angels themselves, scattered everywhere around me like snow, and more slowly falling down from the empty abyss above. I felt more dead than alive. ... That's when he spoke to me.

"Think carefully. Should you reject the faith, even this once, the gates of paradise will forever be out of your reach."

It was him. I knew that voice all too well. The same voice that offered me freedom for the first time ever since my unfortunate capture. He stood perched on a dead branch a foot from me, that same gaze staring down at me from when we first met. Seeing this, I knew at that moment what he truly was.

"Do you think. One who is among the faithful. Would ever go so far as to summon someone like you?"

The crow gave a small chuckle at his remark.

"... I'll ask but once more: do you wish to form a contract with me?"

That one question. It was a choice that would decide if I continue to live, or fall before those who'd wrong me, and all I loved. There was only one answer that would accept. ...

"I do. Now stop asking these tedious questions, and let me know if we have a deal."

All the feathers then started to shift once more, moving up high and blocking the view between Ciel and the crow. The holy feathers stained black from a true devil's touch. All feathers soon turned to crow feathers, and the crow itself was no longer there, but instead a well dressed butler, one who's had extended to him upon the contract being made. ...

"You're looking at a child who had lost everything in his life. Hell took that away from me. And hell was what brought me another chance at what life I had remaining. ... A cursed child named Ciel Phantomhive."

Every living being in that room of Orora high couldn't believe what they were hearing about this poor child. Even Gakuho, who'd normally be so chill, found his hands trembling slightly, but not out of trigger-happy tendencies, but instead seeing what appeared to be a demon face to face. Gakuho just stared, shocked at everything he just heard like everyone else there, and looking in his eyes the entire time, Ciel meant every single word. Still looking to him, unmoving, Ciel stepped forward, and slowly started to remove the gun from Gakuho's hand, finger by finger.

"You talk about going through hell, when you've never truly seen what it's like for yourself. If I had a choice, I'd more than happily take your life over mine, Gakuho. ... And you wanna know what else? A young child like me can walk away from that and move on fairly, yet a full grown adult like you can barely handle it. If you ask me, Gakuho Asano, it doesn't sound like your fault at all. ..."

Eventually, a thud of the gun echoed everywhere as it landed on the floor, now removed from Gakuho's hands completely, Gakuho still just staring at him. Staring, and contemplating what 'yarn' he just weaved for everyone. Suddenly, Gakuho's story didn't sound as bad compared to the hell Ciel had gone through, and according to age, that was just a few years ago. ...

Gakuho truly lost.

"... Go home everyone. ... School's out for the day. ..."

And with that final word, Gakuho slowly walked away from everything, and silently walked out of the cafeteria, everyone left stunned at everything they heard. Ciel sighed and walked over to get his eyepatch off the ground, proceeding to retie it to his head.

"C-Ciel ..."

"Oh, you're all still here. ... Well, that's one of them over. If anyone needs me, I'll be going for a walk," Ciel stated, referring to the future vision Nagisa was talking about. All Nagisa did was slowly nod his head, and they all allowed him to go. BOY do they have something to talk about from then on, or at least until something else comes around. Ciel just left them all with their thoughts, and with all that drama over, they could contemplate themselves. Ciel took a few steps out of the cafeteria when ...

"Feeling better, my lord? I never took you to be that open."

"And how long have you been here, Sebastian?" Ciel sighed.

"Long enough. ... would you care for a ride back home?"

"Yes. Thank you."

.......

It had been a ... slow time for many of them. Word of the demon child Ciel Phantomhive had spread around Orora high very fast, and why wouldn't it be with not only where it happened, but who else was involved. Such a morbid backstory to how Ciel got to this point would spread around like wildfire in little time, and as far as Team Harmony themselves went, they surely had a different view on Ciel Phantomhive. They knew he was alone without his parents, but having to not only see his parents morbidly killed but get tortured right afterwards was far more than any normal human could deal with, and yet Ciel Phantomhive had to deal with the aftermath for years afterwards. Even Gakuho was a bit humbled, and everyone knew that the moment he called school off for the rest of the day. Ciel's "walk" brought him right back to London after everything, the young kid needing some time off of his mind, and as sunset came, Ciel took his cares away in a nice warm bath. Quiet, calm, and the water kept him warm as he just looked off into space. His little lecture earlier got more of an effect on him than he realized at the time, and only now did he find himself just thinking about it all. ...

*tap**tap**tap*

Ciel looked over, and soon he had one more little guest coming over, in the form of a letter with a gift basket by the window. Nothing else was there, so Ciel opened the window and brought in the basket, finding it was full of cupcakes! He placed the basket next to him and looked at the letter.

A little something for you. Heine.

Ciel just smiled.

"I'm never gonna live it down, will I?"