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

Chapter 5: His Butler, On Ice

One day Ciel, Shana, and Sebastian were attending the Frost Fair, a winter festival in London that takes place once every 75 years. “Impressive,” Sebastian said, “the Frost Fair certainly is an apt title for this.” “A large gathering held at the foot of the London Bridge when the Thames River freezes over.” Ciel explained, “From what I'm told, it hasn't been held in decades. In fact, the previous one was in 1814.” “Wow that's amazing. . .” Shana said, “England sure is full of interesting things.” Meanwhile, at a different part of the fair, Ciel's fiancee, Elizabeth Middleford, was with her maid, Paula. “My lady, please!” Paula said, “Slow down a little bit!” “Careful,” Elizabeth said, “you're going to crack the ice if you keep on stomping around like that.” Paula then started to get all worried, causing her to stop stomping. Elizabeth laughed. “Please understand my lady, if your parents knew that we took a detour, they'd be terribly angry, and I'd be in a lot of trouble!” Paula persuaded. “But Harrods and Liberty were utterly useless, they had nothing to offer!” Elizabeth exclaimed. Then she jumped, and Paula got all scared thinking that the ice would crack. “I was joking, it won't crack!” Elizabeth teased. Paula sighed with relief. “Excuse me my lady, but there seems to be something specific you've been searching for. Might I ask what it is?” She asked. “Something special.” Elizabeth said, “I need a present for Ciel. It's almost his birthday. The perfect present, the one that will make him happy. I mean very, very happy!” “Oh Lady Elizabeth! That is absolutely adorable!” Paula exclaimed, “I understand now, you have my word. I pledge to help you in what ever way I can in this endeavor!” Elizabeth smiled. “Thanks Paula, how sweet!” She replied. Meanwhile, Ciel, Shana, and Sebastian were still looking around at the Frost Fair. They happened to pass by a booth where someone was selling antiques. “Is there something amusing?” Sebastian asked. “Those goods are all of dubious quality.” Ciel replied, “Funtom should set up a stall, I mean our products would be better than what that man is selling. Like that one.” Ciel pointed to a model of Noah's Ark. “Ah! Hello there, nobleman!” the salesman exclaimed, “You have a good eye! That piece is one of a kind! It was manufactured by the Funtom Toy Company years ago! Back when it was only just a small craft studio!” “No,” Ciel replied, “That is a blatant fake. The Funtom arks are rare, only three were ever made. My predecessor employed the talent of an artist incredibly skilled in this craft. Since our estate burned down, even we no longer posess one. One wouldn't most certainly turn up here.” “Noah's Ark. . .” Sebastian said, “You know, it reminds me of this country.” “Why is that?” Ciel asked. “Think about it, a boat captianed by a single person.” Sebastian said, “One filled with only the select few who have been chosen to be saved. Kind of arrogant, don't you think?” There was a small moment of silence. Then a Scotland Yard inspector saw Ciel. “Are you. . .” the inspector said. “A Scotland Yard inspector has time to attend the fair. . .” Ciel said, “London must be pretty safe today.” “It's not!” the inspector exclaimed, “I'm on duty right now!” “Oh. . . well then, I'll leave you to earn you wages in faithful services to the queen and country.” Ciel said, “Good day, inspector.” Ciel, Shana, and Sebastian were walking away. “Wait! Don't go yet!” the inspector said, “I have some questions to ask you! Ciel!” He was about to touch Ciel's shoulder when Sebastian slapped his hand away. “Pardon me,” Sebastian said, “My master is a touch fragile at the moment. Perhaps you could be a little more gentle when you approach him.” The detective then treated Ciel and Shana to a chinese cafe for some tea. “Now, what is an inspector from the yard doing here?” Ciel asked, “What's your business, Abberline?” “Murder,” Abberline repiled, “a man's corpse was found this morning trapped in the ice on the Thames. We learned that he was a member of a certain criminal organization. I am here because Scotland Yard wants to hunt down that man's killer and we also want to recover a ring that he stole. A blue diamond, one supposedly worth about 2,000 quid.” “The Diamond. . . the ultimate symbol of eternal radiance.” said a Chinese man named Lau, “A stone that bewitches anyone who sees its sparkle, one man wouldn't inspired to pursue such an exquisite prize, even knowing all that awaits him is total destruction” “Impossible!” Abberline exclaimed, “How do you know about the hope piece?!” “You're after the hope piece?” Ciel asked. “Oh? Interesting! Such a gemstone actually exsists? Oh my!” Lau exclaimed. “Wait, hold on!” Abberline said, “You said-” Just ignore him,” Ciel interuptted, “He was just blathering. Anyhow, what are you doing here, Lau?” “I own this place, my lord.” Lau said. Ciel looked around and saw some pretty looking Chinese maids smiling and giggling. “I could see that. . .” Ciel said. “And by the way, who's this young lady here? Is she your girlfriend?” Lau asked. “Girlfriend?!” Ciel exclaimed. “Ah! So the earl of Phantomhive has a girlfriend now!” Abberline exclaimed. “W-we are not dating!” Shana yelled “She's a traveler whose staying with me for a while.” Ciel explained, “Her name is Shana.” “Ah, nice to meet you Miss Shana.~” Lau said, “So how often do you and your boyfriend here pleasure each other under the blankets?” Then Shana got really mad. “SHUT UP! SHUT UP! SHUT UP!!!” She yelled as she kicked him, sending him flying to a wall” “Wow, this girlie here has got quite some power.” Lau said, getting up off the floor, “Anyway, this hope piece you are talking about sounds fascinating, my lord.” Lau said, “Perhaps you could tell me more about it?” “Have you never heard of it?” Ciel asked, “A blue gem known as the Hope Diamond. Named after the man whose collection it was a part of. Henry Philip Hope.” “Nope, don't know it.” Lau replied. “It was passed to Louis the 16th and Marie Antoinette.” Ciel informed, “And we know how they ended. The diamond is said to be a cursed stone that brings ruin to all who posess it. At one point it was stolen and cut into smaller pieces to disguise it. Rumor has it that two such pieces still exist. Those shards of diamond would sure be valueable. Tell me Abberline, is that what you are looking for?” “The diamond is being moved as evidence, It's carriage was attacked. It was stolen” Abberline said. “Interesting. . .” Ciel said, “Give me details. I would like to give you a hand in this case. Of course, I shouldn't force you, but if you do decide to refuse me, I would see to it that Sir Arthur would see himself in a rather akward position.” Abberline looked at him. He was surprised by what he had said considering he was only 12 years old. Then again, he was the current head of Phantomhive after all. “Okay, fine.” Abberline said, “I will allow you to help me.” “Good.” Ciel said, “Now then shall we get going?” Before long, Ciel, Shana, Abberline and Lau went off to search for the gem. Abberline took them to the Undertaker's parlor, which was appearently set up at the Frost Fair too. “Are you sure this is the right place?” Ciel asked Abberline. “Yes it is.” Abberline replied, “He set up a shop here because so many people have freezen to death during the Frost Fair.” “Inspector,” Lau said, “you can't be serious! Not him!” “Yes him, and you lot wait right here outside. You're lucky I let you accompany me at all.” Abberline replied. He walked into the parlor and tripped. “What a hopeless fool.” Ciel said. “One of the privledges of youth, my lord.” Lau said. “So what's this place?” Shana asked. “This here is the Undertaker's parlor.” Ciel replied, “We met with him during the Jack the Ripper case.” “Oh.” Shana replied. “Abberline won't last a minute in there.” Ciel said, “Sebastian, perpare to-” A big laugh then erupted from inside the parlor. Ciel and the others were stunned. They walked in to the parlor and saw the Undertaker laughing like a hyena. “I assure you man, you are an amazing profession that was hilarious!” the Undertaker exclaimed, “You could be a world-famous comedian!” “What did you say to him?” Ciel asked Abberline. “I have no idea,” Abberline replied, “I was just talking to him normally. He began laughing like a madman.” The Undertaker continued to laugh his guts off. “How unexpected,” Ciel said, “You aren't without talent.” “For sure,” Shana said, “how can you even say anything random to make someone laugh?” “It seems that you are a man to be reckonned with, most interesting.” Sebastian said. “But I didn't do anything!” Abberline replied. Sebastian glared at him. “Tell me more about the ring!” Ciel demanded to the Undertaker, “I want to know it all! The man you pulled out of the river was the last to have it.” The undertaker was giggling. “Perhaps it was frozen in the ice with near the body was found,” Abberline said, “You are a citizen of this country, right? Please help us in this matter.” “Hee-hee-hee-hee-hee!” the Undertaker chuckled, “Like I said before, I am absolutely impressed with you, inspector. I'll tell you everything! Where is the ring you ask?” The Undertaker showed them an ice statue of a person, and on it there was the ring on one of the fingers. “You see? Right there.” the Undertaker said as he pointed to the ring. “Ah, it appears that the sculpter happened to appear upon the ring and desigened a beautiful ice sculpture to complement it. Our mystery is solved.” Lau said. “Collect the ring, right now!” Abberline ordered troops from Scotland yard. The troops went to go collect the ring when they were haulted by an old man. “What do you think you're doing, thieves?!” The old man yelled. They turned around and saw an old man with a group of other people. “That dear lady will be rewarded to the contest's victor.” Said a young, handsome blonde man, “You wouldn't want to defile her now, would you?” “Viscount Lord Druitt!” Ciel exclaimed. He had met this man before. He was one of the Jack the Ripper case suspects. “They're holding some contest. . .” Ciel said, “Why is he a judge?” “Yes, wasn't he arrested for human trafficking? What a naughty man. . .” Lau said. “He was release the other day.” Abberline replied. “He must of bailed himself out. . .” Shana said. “Excuse me,” Abberline said to the old man, “But this statue is now under the charge of Scotland Yard.” “Absolutley not!” The old man replied, “I don't care if you're from Scotland Yard sir. The Frost Fair is an event for our citizens, I will not let you disrupt it!” “Just look at her beauty,” Druitt said, “such an exquisitely noble lady we could never allow her to be violated by anybody.” “You're one to talk.” Ciel remarked. “If you insist on posessing this lady you should offer something of equal beauty.” Druitt said. “Well spoken pronouncement from our true lover of art and beauty.” said the old man, “I see sense, if you want this statue, win the contest!” “There's merit to your argument,” Ciel said, “the ring belongs to whoever is the winner of this contest. Nice and simple.” “Really, Ciel?” Abberline asked him. “No worries inspector, I'll get the ring.” Ciel replied. “But it's stolen property!” Abberline replied, “Not to mention the fact that it's our key evidence in serial kidnappings of young girls-” Then he realized what he was saying and covered his mouth and shutted right up. “I see, that's why the Yard is so frantic to have it.” Ciel said. “The legend is true!” Abberline exclaimed, “Every person who has owned the ring has met a horrible end! It's a cursed stone, yet you still go after it?” “Cursed, eh?” Ciel said, “Well then it sounds like the perfect ring for me.” “Come to think of it,” Undertaker said, “Isn't that family ring you wear set with a pretty blue stone as well?” “Yes.” Ciel replied. “Maybe you should be more careful,” Undertaker advised, “Diamonds are quite hard. But because they're hard, they're also brittle. If you go to far, you may be shattered as well.” “I'm not concerned.” Ciel replied, “My body, along with my family ring, both have already been shattered and reborn. I've been through too much to worry about that anymore.” Shana looked at him. Ciel. . . she thought to herself. “Win the contest, that's an order.” Ciel ordered Sebastian. “Indeed, young master.” Sebastian replied. Before long, Ciel and Sebastian have entered the contest. “Welcome everyone to the Thames Frost Fair!” A man said, “Now it is time for the traditional ice sculpture contest! You all have until 3 o'clock pm, allright? You may begin scuplting!” And with that being said, Ciel and his group began their sculptures as the audience cheered on. Meanwhile, Elizabeth and Paula were still looking for a present for Ciel. “Oh, look at that!” Paula exclaimed, “Something's happening over there! It sounds exciting!” Elizabeth was not responding however. Instead she was thinking about the time she went over to his estate and angered him by destroying his ring. Sebastian fixed the ring later that same day, however she has not known about it yet. I'm sorry ciel, she thought to herself, I'm so sorry Ciel. . . But I'll make it up to you. I'll find you an amazing present! Then she noticed a model of Noah's Ark, the one that she and Ciel used to play with together when they were little. “That ark! I want it!” She exclaimed. When the London clock tower rang at 3 o'clock, the ice sculptuing has just been concluded. “And now folks, the judging shall commence!” Said the announcer. The audience cheered. “First up, we have Scotland Yard and it's merry men with it's sculpture, Guardian of London.” The announcer said. Many people didn't like it at all. The judges gave it 1's and 2's and 0's, which totaled about 5 points. Next up was Lau. “Next team, whose name is “All women's dresses should be tiny, and their entry.” The announcer said. It was an ice sculpture of a naked Chinese lady. Some people thought it was quite sexy. However, it was dissqualified due to obvious reasons. “Why would you possibly think that that was appropriate to display?!” Shana yelled. You know, when they hide bits like that, I think it only makes it more erotic.” Lau replied. All the judges gave it an X, except for Druitt, who gave it a 10. “Win this, you can, right?” Ciel asked Sebastian. “Of course I can,” Sebastian repiled, “You explictly ordered me to do so, and I exsist solely to fufill your orders, my lord.” “And next, from the team known as Queen's Puppy, we have, the Ark of Noah!” The announcer said. A big curtain was covering the sculpture, and as it was removed, everyone was absolutely stunned by it. “An amazing piece!” the announcer exclaimed, “let's see the total scores!” “One moment, please.” Sebastian said, “My apologies, but you have not seen all of the sculpture yet.” He then snapped his fingers and the house split in half as it reveal the interior of the Ark. Everyone was stunned as they saw the animals of the Ark. “Brilliant! He deliberately make the seam of the roof weak so it would melt and fall apart in time!” The old man exclaimed, “Outstanding work young man! It's high opt! I declare you the ice sculpter of the highest calibur!” “No sir, you are too kind.” Sebastian replied, “I am simply one hell of a butler.” He smiled. “Is everyone ready for the final scores?” The announcer asked. “Hold it right there!” Said a man. Everyone caught attention of him. “Hate to break up the party, but this ring is ours! We're taking what belongs to us!” The man yelled. “Hold on!” Abberline said, “That means that you're the-” “That's right,” The man said, “We're the group of thieves London has been talking about! Maybe you recognize these.” He lifted up his coat to reveal explosives that he taped on to his body. He got the explosives from a nearby barrel. “You got ten seconds!” He said, “Anyone who doesn't want to die should get the hell out of here!” As he began the countdown, many of the people fled, except for Ciel's group and Scotland Yard. “Master, Lady Shana,” Sebastian said. “My orders remain the same.” Ciel said, “Do it now, Sebastian.” “Indeed, young master.” Shana drew out her sword and activated her flame haze powers. “Whoa, how did your hair color change?!” Abberline asked Shana. “I am a flame haze.” Shana replied. “Flame haze?” Abberline asked. “Flame hazes are people that maintain balance in this world.” Ciel said to Abberline. “I wish I could understand what you are trying to say. . .” Abberline replied, “But nevermind that, we need to hurry up and get out of here!” “You can go if you want,” Ciel said. “We'll be fine. No need to worry.” Shana said. “I can't leave you two here!” Abberline replied, “I joined Scotland Yard to protect our citizens! That includes noblemen like you, Ciel! You too, Ms. Shana!” “What a fool . . .” Ciel said. “You got only three seconds left. Such sweet little kids, shouldn't you be running away? “I see no need for that,” Ciel replied, “Look behind you. . .” The thug then turned around and saw Sebastian kick the gun out of his hand with a pair of ice skates on. “What the-” another thug said. The other thugs began to shoot at Sebastian, but Sebastian dodged the bullets by performing a spiral trick on the ice skates. The judges were amazed by this act, and gave it 10's. “Damn you! Little brats!” The thug yelled as he lit an explosive, “I'm gonna blow you away!” He threw the explosive at Ciel and Shana, but Sebastian caught them in time. The explosive landed on the ice, and exploded, causing some of the ice to break. “Again?! I hate this guy!” The thug yelled. He lit and threw more exlposives at Sebastian, but he kept dodging them, and when they exploded, more ice was breaking. Before they knew it, The group of theives caused a large area of ice to break, However, the Ark sculpture wasn't broken, and Ciel, Shana, and Sebastian were standing on it. “It appears that the hope diamond will sleep safely at the bottom of the Thames.” Ciel said, “Not a bad end.” “But won't it curse all of London now?” Shana asked. “Somehow I doubt that will happen,” Ciel replied, “Besides if a ring can destroy a city, it wasn't meant to survive. After all, we Phatnomhives have left hope.” Ciel. . . Shana thought to herself. “Tell me something, earlier you have accused Noah of being arrogant. But he was only trying to save a few people. Wouldn't the disire to protect everyone be even more arrogant?” Ciel asked Sebastian. “Yes, it would seem so.” Sebastian replied. “How well, an arrogant fool like that every now and then might not be so bad.” Ciel said. “You might actually be right,” Shana said, “in fact I know someone who's a pretty big idiot, but he always tries his hardest and is always willing to fight alongside me. He's been becoming better and better at his training too.” “And surely, you'll meet up with him again someday.” Ciel said, “I would actually like to meet him. Who knows? Maybe someday, we could all be a team.” “Maybe. . .” Shana repiled, smiling.

Later that evening, Elizabeth was at her home throwing a fit. She threw the model of Noah's Ark that she got for Ciel at the Frost Fair to the floor and she was crying. “What's the matter?” Paula asked. “My father. He said that it's obviously a fake!” Elizabeth cried, “It's awful, I thought I found something to make Ciel happy!” “I'm so sorry. . .” Paula said, “Please cheer up! Here, I have just the thing! Jingle, jingle, jingle!” She shook some bells. This didn't make Elizabeth feel better at all. “Leave me alone!” Elizabeth cried. Paula walked out of her room. “Ciel, I'm sorry.” Elizabeth said softly, “I just. . . wanted to give you a wonderful gift. . .” Then she noticed a ring with a blue diamond on it. . .