Crimson Butler: A Shakugan No Shana/Kuroshitsuji Fanfiction Story (Vol. 1)

Chapter 3: His Butler, Merrymaking

Ciel was in his study room with Shana and Sebastian. They were having a meeting about a vacaction. “A vacation?” Sebastian asked. “At this time of the year?” Shana asked. “Yes.” Ciel replied, “Tell me, have any of you heard of past time called bear baiting?” “Nope, can't say I have.” Shana replied. “The phrase does sound interesting, but I'm afraid I haven't heard of it either.” Sebastian replied, “Enlighten us.” “A bear is chained to a fence, and is then surrounded by vicious dogs which slowly bite and kill it.” Ciel explained. “Sounds like something humans would dream of.” Sebasitan said. “It was banned when the Cruelty to Animals Act of 1835 was passed.” Ciel continued to explain, “However, there was a loophole; the ban didn't effect the attack dogs that were being used. So a new game developed.” “They use dogs to attack other dogs. . .” Sebastian said, “Would that be considered dog baiting?” It's especially famous in a village known as Houndsworth.” Ciel explained, “It has long been known for raising fierce hunting dogs. But they take it a lot further.” Ciel took a bite of his cake. “Houndsworth. . .” Shana said, “Sounds like a village full of dogs. . . yet they use them to kill other dogs. . .” “It breaks her majesty's heart.” Ciel said, “So we will secure the village's land for a royal estate. Something simple to put an end to the crimes.” “A village full of dogs?” Sebastian asked. “Yes, why?” Ciel asked. “Pardon me master, but this task isn't quite worth the while coming from someone like you.” Sebastian said. “Sebastian,” Ciel said, “You should already know my reasons for these things. This is indeed a suitable task for a Phantomhive.” Soon after, Ciel, Shana, and the rest of the residents of the Phantomhive household were on there way to Houndsworth. “Vacation! Vacation! We're going on vacation!” Finnian, Baldroy, and Mey-Rin were chanting. “This is so exciting! I can't believe it!” Finnian exclaimed. “Spectacular! He's actually bringing us! We get to go on vacation at the queen's own resort!” Mey-Rin exclaimed. “Looks like the young master is quite generous when his spirt moves him, huh?” Baldroy said. “Mm-hmm!” Finnian and Mey-Rin answered. “Do you hear how excited they are?” Sebastian asked Ciel, “They are quite greatful to you. Such a nice young master.” “I couldn't leave them home alone.” Ciel said, “We could come back to find the manor destroyed if we did.” Shana added. “Indeed.” Sebastian replied. The group then passed by a sign that said Welcome to Houndsworth. “We're here now.” Sebastian announced. “All right!” Finnian, Baldroy, and Mey-Rin exclaimed. Then they noticed a bunch of nooses and dog skulls. They shrieked in horror. “Oh yeah, I forgot to mention something,” Ciel said, “The proposed resort is yet to be constructed.” “Yes master. . .” The servants said, in a dissapointed tone. As the group continued their trip to Houndsworth, Finnian noticed an old woman with a baby carriage. “Look! Someone actually lives here!” Finnian pointed out, “Tanaka, stop the carriage.” Tanaka stopped the carriage. “Let me help you out, granny.” Finnian said as he hopped out of the carriage. No Finny! You shouldn't! You could hurt the baby if you aren't careful!” Mey-Rin yelled. “What was that?” Finny asked. Just then he noticed that he had the baby carriage was up in mid-air. He slammed the carriage onto the ground. “I'm so sorry!” He cried. “Oh, this is awful! Is the baby okay?” Mey-Rin asked. The three then got shocked as they noticed a dog skull inside the baby carriage. “There is no baby.” the old woman said softly, “There is no baby any more, the child was eaten by it.” Finnian, Mey-Rin, and Baldroy stood there in shock as the old lady walked away. “The white dog is the good dog the good dog good, the black dog is the bad dog the bad dog bad. . .” The old lady said as she walked away. “And that's another reason why we are here.” Ciel said, “Appearently several of the villagers have been brutally murdered or gone missing. In fact, the village's population has decreased drastically in recent years. Part of my job here is to investigate the reason behind this and put an end to the problem.” Before long, Finnian, Mey-Rin, and Baldroy got excited again when they saw the village and a big lake in the distance. “All right!” Baldroy exclaimed, “It's startin' to look like a place we're stayin' for a while!” Soon the group arrived at the village. They went by this one place where a guy was telling his dog to do some tricks, and petting and hugging his dog. “Who's a good boy! My good boy!” he said to his dog cheerfully. “Oh my,” Mey-Rin said, “I'd let him pet me, yes I would!” “He manipulates it with rewards and punishments, and demands obedience. A fine sight.” Sebastian said, “But the dog is not to be blamed, it fawns on humans, and welcomes the chain around it's neck. It's actually kind of hard to understand.” “What is it that you are trying to say here?” Ciel asked. To be honest, I like cats more than dogs.” Sebastian said, “I don't like dogs that much at all. In fact, I hate them.” “Woof.” Ciel said. The group soon arrived at an old-looking manor, and saw a beautiful maid with blue short hair. “I take it that this is the Phantomhive household?” she said. “Yes,” Sebastian replied. “Welcome to Barrymore Castle,” she greeted, “My master is waiting for you inside.” Sebastian was giving her a suspicious look. “Eh,” Baldory said. “She's so lovely, yes she is!” Mey-Rin said. Finnian was looking at her, infatuated with her apperance. The maid was escorting Ciel, Shana, and Sebastian to her master's room. As they looked around, they saw many deer heads hanging up on the walls. “Wow, they must really love hunting animals here.” Shana said. “I bet.” Ciel said. Then they heard the maid getting whipped. They looked over and saw her getting whipped by her master. He appeared to be a large, middle-aged man with black hair and sideburns. “Who the hell is this Chihuahua?!” The man yelled, “I told you to bring me the queen's guard dog when he arrived!” Ciel, Shana, and Sebastian looked stunned by the man's words. “Chihuahua?” Sebastian said. The man continued to whip the maid. “Can't you do anything right?!” He yelled as he whipped her and whipped her. “Move Sebastian.” Ciel ordered Sebastian. Sebastian then took the man's hand that he was holding the whip with. “What are you doing you stupid doberman?!” The man yelled, “Somebody should have trained you better! Let me go now!” “He's acting on my orders.” Ciel said. “Who are you?” The man asked. “From the sound of it, you have already got the letter I sent you.” Ciel replied, “I am Ciel, the earl of Phantomhive.” Sebastian then let go of his hand. “Are you telling me that a toy poodle like you is the queen's guard dog?” The man replied.” “You don't like small breeds Lord Henry?” Ciel asked, “Now that's hardly fair.” Henry was looking through the documents that Ciel sent him. The maid, bruised from the beatings, was trying to pour tea. “Excuse me miss,” Sebastian whispered to her, “Allow me to handle that.” Sebastian was pouring tea as Henry finished reading through the documents. “There's nothing to talk about.” Henry said, “I refuse to sell Barrymore castle to anybody.” “Why is that?” Ciel asked. “Because of the curse.” Henry replied. “What curse?” Ciel asked. “This village and it's dogs has existed for centuries, and anyone who interferes with us will be cursed in worst way.” Henry explained, “Even the queen is unable to lift the curse. Your mission is pointless. The fate of anyone who opposes the desires of the Barrymore family will be unimaginably terrible!” “Wow,” Ciel responded calmly. “What?!” Henry yelled. “You've peaked my curiousity,” Ciel said, “I want to see this dreadful curse of yours, Lord Henry.” Henry growled and glared at him. Meanwhile, the other servants were conversing with Henry's maid, Angela. “Really? You're the only maid for this entire estate?” Baldroy asked. “That's amazing! I don't know how you get everything done, Angela!” Mey-Rin exclaimed. “It's nothing that impressive, really. I do a poor job most of the time.” Angela replied. “Just let us know if you need help with anything.” Baldroy said, “After all, we servants gotta stick together, right Finny?” “Of course!” Finnian said. “How kind of you all to offer your help, thank you all.” Angela said happily. Then the bell was ringing. It was Henry summoning Angela. “I should be getting going, my master is calling me. Please excuse me.” Angela said. She then walked out of the room. Later that evening, Ciel and Shana were in there rooms about to get ready for bed. “Hey, Ciel.” Shana said to Ciel. “Yes?” Ciel replied. “When you mentioned that the people of this village were missing. . . do you think that this could be a Denizen?” Shana asked. “Possibly,” Ciel replied, “But we still have yet to find out. After all, if it was a Denizen, wouldn't you have been able to sense it?” “Yeah. . .” Shana replied. “Then you shouldn't worry about it much.” Ciel said. Suddenly, someone knocked on the door. “Come on in” Ciel said. Angela opened the door and walked in the room. “I apoligize for calling so late.” she said. What is it that you'd like? My young master and his partner are about to go to bed for the evening.” Sebastian said. “I have a request.” Angela replied, “Leave this castle, and this village completely. You musn't stay here!” “And why is that?” Ciel asked. “I cannot give you the reason.” Angela replied. Then a dog howling sound went off. “That sounds like a dog howling. . .” Shana said. “No! The demon hound! It's coming!” Angela exclaimed, “The what?” Ciel asked. “Demon hound?” Shana asked. Shana and Ciel looked at the window curtain and saw a shadow of a wolf head. “Sebasitan!” Ciel exclaimed. Sebastian rushed to open the curtain, and when he opened it, he saw nothing. “What was that thing? Ciel asked as he walked over the window. “Master, look down there.” Sebastian said, pointing to a trail of green shiny powder. They went downstairs to take a closer look at the powder. “Master!” Mey-Rin yelled. “Angela!” Finnian yelled. The servants were rushing outside the front door of the estate to check on there master. “What's going on here? What's all the fuss about?” Baldroy asked. “The demon hound is here.” Angela replied. “Demon hound?” The three servant's asked. “It brings great catastrophe to the village.” Angela replied, “And anyone who defies my master will be punished by the demon hound. That is the law here. There's no way to stop it.” They went to the village center to look at the punished one. It was a young man who appeared to be bitten to death by dogs. The servants Shana, and Angela were saddened by the sight. “How awful,” Shana said. Ciel took a closer look at the body. “So that explains it” He said. “Stay back! Don't touch!” Henry said. Everyone looked behind them and saw Henry Barrymore looking at the dead body. “I see,” he said, “So it's James that was the punished one.” “Yes,” Said a villager, “He broke the legal restriction on dog ownership. He had six dogs, one more than is allowed.” “Six dogs, eh?” Henry said, “And this was inevitable.” “That's all you can say? Really?” Baldroy asked. “This village is under my rule and no other!” Henry said, “The demon hound protects that rule! As guardian of the Barrymore family it punishes anyone and everyone who dares to go against me!!” “The white dog is the good dog the good dog good. the black dog is the bad dog the bad dog bad. He'll eat your flesh down to the bone down to the bone. He'll crunch you up until you're gone, until you're gone.” The villagers chanted as they lifted the dead body onto a stretcher and walked away. “I assure you that outsiders would be it's next prey.” Henry said, “You were lucky to have escaped.” then he and Angela left. However, Ciel and the others were not done yet.