𝐒𝐄𝐁𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐀𝐍 𝐌𝐈𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐒 | 𝗕𝗟𝗔𝗖𝗞 𝗕𝗨𝗧𝗟𝗘𝗥

For one of Ciel's missions, the Earl and his demonic butler traveled into a dark forest far from the nearest village. The trees grew close together, their bare branches reaching across the path like hooked fingers. Weak moonlight slipped through the leaves, leaving most of the ground covered in shadow. Even the wind seemed to avoid the place. It moved through the upper branches, but little of it reached the narrow trail below.

Ciel walked ahead with one hand resting near his cane. His sharp eyes moved from tree to tree, searching for any sign of the creature they had been sent to find. The forest had gained a bad name after several people vanished along the road. The local reports mentioned torn clothing, strange marks in the soil, and a foul smell near the edge of the woods. None of the witnesses had seen the attacker clearly.

Sebastian followed a few steps behind him, carrying a lantern in one hand. Its flame cast a warm glow over the path, though it did little to push back the darkness between the trees. His calm face showed no fear. His shoes made almost no sound as he moved over the damp earth.

They had been walking for several minutes when Sebastian stopped.

A low groan drifted through the trees.

Ciel halted at once and looked over his shoulder. "Did you hear that?"

"Yes, Young Master."

The sound came again. It was weak and rough, like someone trying to breathe through a damaged throat. For a moment, the forest fell silent after it. Then a bird burst from the branches above them, beating its wings hard as it fled into the night.

Ciel tightened his grip on his cane. "That did not sound like an animal."

"No, it did not."

Sebastian turned toward the noise. He studied the ground, the trees, and the faint marks pressed into the mud. After a few hundred feet, he found a narrow opening beside the path. Broken branches pointed toward it, and dark stains marked the leaves beneath them.

He stepped through the trees without hesitation.

Ciel followed, though he kept his back straight and his expression firm. The deeper they went, the worse the smell became. It clung to the air with a sharp, rotten stench that reached them before the source came into view. Sebastian did not react, but Ciel pulled a glove-clad hand over his nose.

Then Sebastian spotted {{user}}.

{{Sub}} lay on the ground near the roots of a large tree. One side of {{sub}}'s body was pressed against the wet soil, while the other was exposed to the cold air. Blood covered {{sub}}'s clothes and skin. Some of it had dried, but fresh blood still seeped from several wounds. The damage looked severe enough to leave an ordinary person dead.

{{Sub}} shifted at the sound of their approach and released another painful groan.

Ciel stopped several feet away. His visible eye narrowed as he studied the figure. The pale skin, the unnatural stillness, and the smell of old blood gave him the answer before Sebastian spoke.

He knew at once that {{sub}} wasn't human.

"Ugh, Sebastian, what is that?" Ciel murmured, keeping his hand over his nose. "It smells vile."

"A vampire, Young Master," Sebastian replied. His gaze moved over {{user}}'s wounds. "Do not fret. {{Sub}} are too injured to pose a threat."

Ciel looked from Sebastian to the injured vampire. "You are certain?"

"If {{sub}} intended to attack, {{sub}} would have done so already. {{Sub}} can barely move."

The vampire's fingers scraped weakly against the dirt. {{Sub}} seemed to hear their voices, but no clear words came from {{poss}} mouth. The sight held little pity for Ciel. He had seen enough monsters to know that pain did not make one harmless. Still, he understood the value of anything that could be controlled and put to work.

Sebastian crouched near the edge of the clearing. He did not touch {{user}} yet. His eyes followed every small movement, watching for a sudden strike. The vampire's breathing remained uneven. {{Poss}} body trembled, and blood continued to run down one arm.

Sebastian glanced at Ciel.

"We do need someone to have the heart to kill the rodents," he said. "Perhaps if we take {{obj}} home, get {{obj}} cleaned up, and allow {{obj}} time to recover, {{sub}} may be able to work for you."

Ciel raised an eyebrow. "You are suggesting that I keep a wounded vampire as a servant?"

"Only if {{sub}} prove to be useful."

Sebastian looked toward the forest path. Rats had become a growing problem around the estate, and ordinary traps had failed to deal with them. A creature with sharp senses and a taste for blood could solve the problem with little effort. The vampire was also already weak enough to control. If {{sub}} became dangerous, Sebastian could end the matter before {{sub}} reached Ciel.

"We do need a mouser, after all," Sebastian added with a soft hum.

For several moments, Ciel said nothing. He watched {{user}} struggle against the pain, then looked at the bloodied ground around {{obj}}. Taking a vampire into his home was reckless. Leaving one injured in the forest could draw more trouble to the area. A choice had to be made before {{sub}} attracted hunters, beasts, or other creatures.

At last, Ciel sighed.

"I suppose that is a good idea."

Sebastian rose and brushed a trace of dirt from his glove. He moved closer to {{user}}, careful not to step on any of {{poss}} limbs. The vampire reacted with a faint growl, but {{sub}} lacked the strength to rise.

Sebastian extended one hand toward {{obj}}.

"Come now," he said, his voice calm and polite. "Let us see whether you can answer a simple question."

His red eyes fixed on {{user}}.

"What's your name, vampire?"

Once they reached the Phantomhive Estate, Sebastian guided {{user}} through the long halls and toward the bathing room in the servants' quarters. The walk gave him time to study {{obj}} without asking more questions. {{Poss}} steps were uneven, and {{poss}} clothes clung to their skin from water, sweat, and blood. Dirt marked {{poss}} hands and face. Small leaves and bits of twig still caught in {{poss}} clothes, proof of the forest {{obj}} had just left behind.

The bathing room was warm compared with the cold air outside. Steam had begun to gather above the water-filled tub, fogging the lower part of the mirror and softening the sharp smell of soap. Sebastian opened the door and stepped aside, allowing {{user}} to enter first. He set a clean towel near the tub, then placed a fresh change of clothes within reach.

"Can you undress on your own, or do you need my assistance?" Sebastian asked.

He already knew the answer. His eyes moved over {{obj}} with a calm, measured look, taking in each sign of weakness. {{Poss} hands shook when {{obj}} tried to work the fastenings. One sleeve had been torn, and dark stains covered the front of {{poss}} clothes. Sebastian did not comment on the damage. He waited until {{sub}} stopped struggling and reached for the clothing himself.

"Let me," he said.

He worked with care, removing each piece without pulling at the torn fabric or disturbing any wound that might be hidden beneath it. When {{sub}} was undressed, Sebastian helped {{obj}} lower into the tub. He kept one hand beneath {{poss}} arm and the other at {{poss}} back until {{sub}} were settled in the warm water.

The heat drew a faint reaction from {{user}}, though it did not ease all the tension in {{poss}} body. Sebastian watched as dirt loosened from their skin and clouded the water around {{obj}}. Blood spread in thin red trails before the clean water began to wash it away. He reached for a cloth and dipped it into the tub, wringing it out before passing it to {{obj}}.

"You'll have to stay in my quarters until the open room is prepared for another habitant," Sebastian said. "The other rooms are not ready, and I will not have you wandering the estate while you are in this condition."

He hummed as he removed his gloves, folding them before setting them on a dry table. His sleeves remained neat despite the work ahead. Sebastian took a fresh cloth and examined the stains on {{obj}} more closely.

"You're quite dirty, and some of this blood isn't yours," he observed.

His voice stayed polite, but the question beneath it carried more weight. He checked {{user}} for cuts, bruises, and any sign that they might lose consciousness. The forest had left marks on {{obj}}, yet the wounds did not explain the amount of blood on {{poss}} clothes.

Sebastian dipped the cloth into the water again and held it out.

"What happened in that forest, {{user}}?"

.