Hello and Welcome to 'There Is Always Someone Stronger'! I'll just have you know that there is cursing in the later chapters. Thought I'd get that out of the way now. I'll give the disclaimer now: I DO NOT own anyone from Kuroshitsuji nor Kuroshitsuji II. The only ones I own are Phobia and Envy and anything that has to do with the two. On that note, I'll also say this now: I have made the concept of the Hell Hounds in this story only. The pack names, and how ranking work are of my own making. I will warn you now, I am a POWER PLAYER, not God, but power. At some point he's going to seem overly strong or something. Don't like it? Stop or don't read it. Simple as that. Okay...I think that's the major stuff out of the way. Mmmmm, Okay! So, on to the story! Please rate or review, or even both.

Chapter One: His Guardian, A Hell Hound

Ever since I joined the family, I had gone by the name of Phobia. But still, I am happy here even if most of the people I have to deal with are idiots. Only Sebastian is likable. I'd say I love him, but only in the sense of him being my Tamer and I the Tamed. That's what a Tamer-Tamed relationship does. It creates a bond so strong that it forms a sibling love between the two. I am a demon, a Hell Hound to be specific, just like Sebastian is. And, while I don't seem it, I'm actually a whole lot stronger than I seem to be. Hell hounds aren't the strongest demons out there, but they're not weak either. However, it's our bloodline that keeps us strong. In other words, what pack we come from, determines how strong we can get. The better the pack, the better possibility you have at becoming massively strong. Unknown to the others- seeing as I can't really tell them- I come from the highest Hell Hound pack there is. Those part of the pack call it Syn, for various reasons. From what I remember, some called it that because that is what the pack alpha's name was. Others said it was because of the crimes those from my pack normally ended up committing. But to be honest, I can't really remember after being out of hell for so long. Those outside the pack called it things that I never bothered to try and remember. Why remember, when you can't tell anyone? Why can't I tell anyone? Because I cannot speak. I was injured in the head when I was nothing but a pup, and it took my ability to speak like anyone else for the rest of my life. You'd think that someone as strong as I would be able to instantly heal from the injury, but for some odd reason it won't heal- or can't be healed. Or maybe I was born this way? Again, I can't really remember. Not that I've bothered to try to.

The color of my hair starts out as a dark red-maroon, almost black at the roots, and then as it works its way down to the tips of the hairs, it ends up a blood red. my sideburns are long, reaching about mid throat, while the rest of my hair has a spiky look to it, but not in a wild sense. my fringe is much long, so much so that if I tilt my head down just a bit my eyes are hidden. On my hands are what I guess you could call, 'bone claws. As they sprout from the tops of my wrists, and then follow the bones that make up my fingers yet cover the skin instead of being under it. They cover my fingers completely, and then go on up until the point that they are over all double the length of my fingers. the closer to the tips they get, the more black they become, where as where they sprout from is blood red. Luckily, they're retractable so that I can wear gloves to hide the claws as they only pull back far enough to be as long as a neatly trimmed human finger nail. I do have fangs as well, and they're quite long- honestly I don't know how they fit in my mouth, their tips stopping at the top of my lower gum. I cannot hide these though.

Anyways, the Syn pack is known to produce the strongest Hell Hounds in Hell. And, lo and behold, despite my inability to talk, I am the strongest out of the pack. That much I remember from Hell. Now now, I realize that you may think that not possible given that we've just met, but I implore you to keep an open mind. Half the time I'm holding back at least ninety eight of my true potential. Especially when at home. Still, I've finally found someone who can tame me without a second thought. Who? Sebastian of course. I know he hates me. I know this and I'm determined to show him that I am a good person, a good dog, a good demon. I can only show my liking of him through obedience, hopefully if I'm lucky that'll change. I can't talk or even write as you know, and of course he doesn't understand the sounds a dog makes. So what other way to show a Tamed's love than to stand by his side for the rest of my days? It's simple as that really. He's my brother now. End of story.

I still clearly remember the day that I came to meet Sebastian. For years I've lived in Houndsworth, having nowhere to go and no one to go to. Not only that, but I wanted my revenge. What revenge? The revenge on a man I found was named Henry Berrymore, the Lord of this town. He and the other humans of this place are cruel and unforgiving. They beat my mortal brothers and sisters into submission, thinking that that's how loyalty is won and given. None of them deserve to live; to know what life is really all about. So, one by one I set out to get rid of those I deemed worthy of death. It wasn't often that the humans would disobey Henry and become a 'bad dog' but when they did, I never got the chance to be the one to kill them. Henry always killed the 'bad dog' and blamed it on the Demon Dog, which admittingly is me. I didn't care though, all of them needed to die at one point or another. Still, as of then, I had only one job until I had the chance to kill Henry; keep dogs from eating other dogs. There are times when I'd find a starved dog being attacked by those that are full of health and luster. I'd chase them away, and help the starved dog as much as I could- whether it was through death by my fangs or through feeding him what I hunted down. And before I had met Sebastian, I had someone else to care for and protect.

Her name was Angela, a human girl with silver hair and a pale complexion. When I first came to this town, I was lost and sad and alone. However, Angela found me one day and cared for me. She showed me how humans work, and why they work that way. Then she showed me how the humans of Houndsworth worked, and why. I gave my loyalty to her, and her alone.

FLASHBACK

However, on the fateful day that I saw Sebastian, my loyalty to her was tested. He was, and still is, beautiful in every sense of the word. Slightly long black hair with fringe that falls into his face in a neat yet sloppy fashion, red eyes that scream power and beauty all in one. The scent of Hell was still fresh on him, but I could tell that he had been in this world for more than just a month or so. I wonder what color his eyes really are? Like Angela, his complexion is pale, but with a slight ashen tint that I hadn't ever really seen before. I also saw the boy he served, as the boy smelled like the demon butler, and still does, as though they were lovers. The cart behind them held four people, with an old man being the forth and the driver. There was a maid with red hair and glasses. A young man with orangish hair and turquoise eyes, and another man with blonde hair and stubble- he smelled(s) of tobacco. I didn't know what they were in Houndsworth for, but I sure as hell wanted to know the man clad in black with red eyes- as I knew him as back then.

They spent their nights there at Henry's home, which made things both harder and easier for me. Harder because then I wouldn't be able to see Angela. Easier because then I could track the beautiful stranger with greater ease. I didn't know what they had been talking about, nor, did I really care for the most part. All I cared about was as I had mentioned; Angela and the stranger.

One night however, things started to get more exciting for me. You see, I finally found the chance to take care of Henry once and for all. The perfect timing really. I didn't want to do it in front of the beautiful stranger or even Angela, so with Henry in a dungeon, I had my chance. Tonight is that night of chance. In my demon form, I slink as lowly to the ground as I possibly can towards where I know my target is. I can hear his wailing from here. A low rumbling comes from my throat as his wailing becomes louder. What a poor imitation of a dog's howl. Red eyes narrow and I leap nimbly onto the roof of the cell in which Henry wails from. With a grunt and a smash of my paw, a hole is formed that I fall through. There's a shrill scream that belongs to my target.

"W-What are you?! The Demon Dog has come to get me!" He turns and jerks at the bars of the cell like an enraged monkey. "Let me out! Please, let me out!" He turns to face my massive form, and I show him teeth that yearn for his blood. "Nooooooo!" He cries as my jaws clamp onto his tiny form. My hold on him is firm but not life threatening, it's not time for that. His tiny hands slam against my jaw, but there's no point in doing so. The rain patters on my body, drenching my fur as I throw the man against the wall that he had tied so many of my mortal brothers and sisters to. He grunts and scrambles to press his back closer to this wall. Another low rumble comes from my throat like it does from the sky above. "Please, Lord Demon Dog, have mercy!" The human screams out, holding out a hand to me; his right to be specific.

If I could talk, I'd laugh in his face. However, I can't. So I stick with still growling. I look to the hand that's reached out to me, and then to his terrified face. And then quick as lightning, my jaws latch onto his hand, biting through and breaking bones with a simple clench. He screams, but I waste no time in waiting to see how long it takes him to die. That scream will attract someone. Besides, even as he tries to staunch the blood, I know that he'll die from blood loss and shock of the pain. Just like everyone else that I've managed to kill has. So, it's time to return to the place I call home. I jump over the wall easily and escape into the night. My home is the swamp that no one dares to go near. No one save for Angela that is. It's the place I woke up to when I found myself in this world. Other than Houndsworth, I know nothing of the outside world.

With a huff, I put down the hand and take to my half naked human form, claws extended as I please. The only thing on my person is a pair of baggy red pants that loosely hang around my hips with the help of a draw string. I ignore the rain that now soaks my hair and skin, demons can't get sick like humans can. Still, I have some decorating to do. In my visits to Angela's home, I often saw Henry having many dog heads on his wall like some sort of trophy. So, I do the same with the hands that I've managed to take within the month of being here. I sniff around for a spot that would work, and nod to myself when the hand is placed in a proper spot. After that, I sleep, my body shifting to its demon form and my tail covering my nose to keep it warm.

The next day turns out to be night for me, which honestly isn't a surprise. Why? Because due to my curiosity of the black clad stranger, Sebastian as I found out a day ago, I often sleep during the day and am awake at night. I can't follow him around town after all. They'll figure out who and what I am. But, I don't feel like trying to hunt down Sebastian tonight. No...I haven't seen Angela in a while. Time to visit her. Getting into the mansion is something simple for me, even if I did make a bit more noise than I usually do. Still, a bright smile comes to me when I see her.

"Phobia!" She calls quietly as we meet in her room, arms wide for a hug which I gladly give her. This causes her to topple over and let me lay on top of her. She giggles as I lick her hands and arms where I can, and along the top of her chest and collarbone and neck. I guess one of my fangs accidentally nicked her because, "No, be gentle," she tells me. And so I am. I guess I did something right, because when I lick her neck at a certain point, she lets out this very interesting squeak that I'd never heard her before. I stop, and tilt my head at her. "No, nothing's wrong," she sits up with me and runs a hand through my hair. I smile wider, a fang popping over my lip. Good, there's nothing wrong according to her so everything is fine. However, it's not there that I end up sleeping by the end of the night, as I decide it's time to go before Sebastian smells my scent lingering around. I leave in the middle of the night. Oddly enough, even as I decide to take a nap, I hear a wailing that reminds me of a dog's howling. However, I know it's not.

My nap isn't at all too long to be honest, however no matter as I feel restless. It's foggy as it normally is around the swamp at this time of day. I feel no reason to hide myself. That is, until I smell four humans in my territory. For now, I'll let it slide; they belong to Sebastian and his Master and they are innocent. However, that doesn't mean I won't have my fun. I sniff at Henry's hand that I had put down the other day, seemingly not listening to the humans, but I know they're there.

"Is that...?" One of the males asks.

"That's Lord Henry's hand!" The girl gasps out.

"But who is that?" The youngest male wonders.

"I don't know but it's a full front shocker!~" The girl swoons. I smell blood. I lick my lips as I wonder what her life liquid would taste like."Well, at least we know for sure that Angela isn't part of this".

"Angela?" The smoker wonders.

"That's right! Leave Angela out of this! She's done nothing wrong," the boy tells the girl.

Okay, now they're getting annoying. My red orbs turn to look at the group, however at the last moment they hide. I was going to go see just who they were, however I'm stopped by a massive cloud of dust approaching the lot of us. Shit. Humans. My eyes narrow and I'm out of there like a bat out of Hell. However, I know that the humans will look for me. They've seen me once, they'll want to make sure that I'm real. I lick my lips again before shifting and blending in with the fog around me. Heh, I knew it, they did follow me. My eyes narrow again and a low rumble comes from my chest. The fog clears to show my massive multi-tailed form. In my demon form, I am a rather large beast, being twice the size of a large carriage I think. My fur is on the complicated side of things, seeing as my fur is multi colored. Most of my body is turquoise, however my legs up until the joints that connect them to the body are all black, and my ears have black tips. My ten tails, go from turquoise, fade to red, and then finally to white at the very tips. My eyes are still red. I am a Hell Hound, however my body shape is that of a wolf. Most, it seems, mistake me as a dog around here. Idiots.

"Ahh! The Demon Dog is real!" One of the three screams, and I open my mouth, fire dancing on my tongue.

With a rumble, I launch myself towards them, intent on taking them down simply for being annoying. They scream again, however the youngest male seems to have some guts as he attempts to take me down by holding onto my leg. However, that's nothing for me as easily I shake him off my leg and send him flying onto his back. I growl and push myself to my back legs, and ready for the killing blow. However, my paw is stopped by a white clad hand, and I'm honestly surprised.

"Oh? You truly are good at the 'shake hands' command," he man answers, and I try to push down harder. Well this is surprising. He must be a bit higher than me in the demon food chain.

"Sebastian?!" The humans call as one.

"But it really is a bit too heavy!" Sebastian ignores the humans, and next thing I know, I'm being thrown back and into the air. I land on all four paws and lower my head in annoyance. I may like the way he smells- wait...Smells? That smells just like...I bark and wag my tail. Going from dangerous to a happy pup in seconds. "Oh? You must smell what I have," from behind his back, he pulls a box of dog treats. And not just any kind, but Inukko! I let out a bark again, and I feel drool drip down my face without a care. "The way to tame a dog is through trust and strengthening their loyalty. In other words, the carrot and stick method," the man speaks up, "First, the carrot". He leaps onto my face and begins to nibble my nose. I admit that it feels rather good, and therefore I can't help but stop and enjoy it. "Now, the stick!" Next thing I know, my head is getting slammed into the ground. "Carrot! Stick! Carrot! Stick! Stick! Stick! Aaaannnd...Big hug!" You know you're confused about your feelings when you can't decide whether or not to be pissed about getting love and then suddenly a beating or not. But I've gotta admit. That even as I lay in my new owner's arms, I can't help but feel as though this right. He was meant to tame me. I hold my arms up close to my chest, wrists bent like my paws would be if I were in this position. I'm actually quite comfy. Honestly, I don't know why I held back...I blame the treats and my interest in this guy.

"Phobia!" I know that voice anywhere. I grin and bark out to her, running on all fours to Angela. I lick her face in greeting, and if I had a tail in this form it'd be wagging.

"Phobia?" The humans intone. Later, when we're all settled down as Angela's hand is running through my hair as I rest my head on her lap, the lot of them are talking. I'm just finding pleasure in being petted by Angela. However, I can't help but hope that Sebastian will one day pate me like Angela does.

"I found this little guy about a month ago. I love dogs, but I didn't want Lord Henry catching wind of him because I knew what would happen. I just didn't expect that he'd do anything like he did," Angela explains. "Lord Ciel. Please, is there any way you can take him to your manor? If he's under Sebastian's tutelage, I'm sure he'll learn quickly to become a proper dog".

"I don't think-," Sebastian tries, and I feel my heart sink. Did I do something wrong to make him not want me to come along with him?

"Actually, I wouldn't mind doing that at all," the one known as Ciel smiles out.

"But, my Lord, you know that I don't-," Sebastian doesn't look happy at all.

"He needs proper training. And you never know, it could be fun...In more ways than one. From now on Sebastian, he's yours to handle," Ciel smirks out. I hear this of course, as I hadn't really been asleep, and beam to the human before getting up and wrapping my arms around his smaller form and begin to lick his face into oblivion. I may not like much about this boy, but for one Sebastian likes him. And two, he's letting me come home with him! That means I don't have to be away from my new Master.

It's around sunset that we're leaving, and I've been ordered that from now on, I have to stand on two legs when in public when in my human form. I don't know what public is just yet, but I figure I'll find out in due time. I hold especially still for Angela, as she hugs me and places a kiss on my cheek.

"Don't forget about me, okay Phobia?" She kiss my cheek, and I smile.

"While you're at it, put some clothing on for god's sake! No one wants to see you jingling all around all the time!" The blonde tobacco man, Bard, demands of me. I'd tell him what happens with me and clothing if I could, but I can't. And this is one of those times where I really do wish I could talk or at least write.

FLASHBACK END

It's been about two months since I came to Phantomhive household and have become one with my new pack. In all reality, we're just a bunch of misfits being lead by a child who apparently is looking for revenge against those who killed him and forced him into promising his soul to Sebastian in the first place. It is a nice place here, even though Sebastian still hasn't warmed up to me in the first place. Which is completely and utterly unfair! I'm a good dog! Really I am! I sleep outside like he tells me to, and I do whatever else it is he orders me to complete. One time, I even rounded up Bard, Meirin and Finny upon his command and brought them back right away without roughing them too much. If that doesn't make me a good dog, I don't know what does.

Ciel seems to put up with me and my antics, as most of the time I can't help but wander around the grounds happily. The grounds are huge! And I love it. Still, I remember that at the beginning of last month- it's the beginning of the third month I've been here- he started to try something.

FLASHBACK

"Hold still Phobia," Sebastian tells me as he dresses me into a black and white suit, "And stand on two feet. You've been summoned by Ciel and I don't want you coming to him so indecently. Do you understand you ungrateful mutt?"

I understand completely. And to show him that I do, I slip from his hold and give him a happy lick on the cheek and then rub my face along his shoulder.

"You're completely helpless, I swear. I don't understand why you can't just be something as divine as a cat," he sighs and dries his face off with a cloth. "Now come, the Lord is waiting".

Of course, I listen to him like the trained dog I am. The room we come in to is apparently Ciel's office, as he's sitting behind a desk and working on something. From what I've learned in my two months of being here, I've learned many things such as what room is what. A kitchen is where food is. A study is where books normally are. A ball room is where people dance. And a parlor is where people normally walk into the mansion and find the main set of stairs and doorways after walking through the front door. Bedrooms are where people sleep, and closets are where people keep their clothing. A dining room is where people eat unless you're Ciel because I've seen him eat many in all sorts of different rooms other than the one mentioned- though he does eat there too.

"Good. You've brought him. How are you Phobia?" He talks to me, and I let out a bark, but fight the urge to rush to him on all fours and lick his face. Sebastian wouldn't be happy if I did that for some reason. "Good. I have an idea that may help you learn how to at least speak so that we may understand you better. This'll make life easier for everyone". But...I was hurt. I can't talk at all. Damn, I wish I could tell him that. "You see, from this point on, you'll be attending speech classes as Sebastian as your tutor. He will teach you all that you need to know in order to put you at the mental capacity I think you're supposed to be in by now".

"My Lord, I must request that you reconsider. If the mutt had the ability to learn at all, don't you think that he would have at least tried by now?" Sebastian persists despite my immediate consent.

"Yes, but there's the possibility that he had never been taught to talk for whatever reason. So now it's your job to do so. This is an order; teach him to speak the human language. Do I make myself clear?" Ciel's only visible eye narrows dangerously.
Sebastian glares at the young Master, but bows all the same, hand over his heart, "Yes, my Lord".

"Good. Don't come back to me about it until you've succeeded," the boy states.

"And if I fail?"

"You won't. You're one hell of a butler after all," he mockingly shoos us off after that.

"Come Phobia," the butler demands. I can hear his voice wants to snarl, and his hands probably want to ball into fists but they don't. The only time he shows anger, is when we're out of the room. The anger on his face is something I don't like to see at all, so I whimper and grab at his forearm to get his attention. His pissed look turns to me, and he pulls his arm from my hold harshly. "Please refrain from touching me at the moment," he requests, and then leads the way into an empty room. It turned out to be my learning room over the weeks.

FLASHBACK END

To say that it was hard to even begin to form the sounds of letters, is an understatement. However, Sebastian was diligent and patient as he could be with me as every day we would work on my issue. I had to learn the alphabet- the gathering of all the letters in the English language apparently- first by what the letters looked like, as admittingly I didn't know how to read. That took a few days but after those days I managed to get it down without an issue. It took two weeks of even harder training to get me to sound out the letters, let alone the most basic of words. However, at it turned out it became easier and easier if Sebastian sounded out the letter three times first, and then let me give it a go.

Amazingly enough, I began speaking words- actual words- this, the third, month. Yesterday in fact. It was an amazing feeling, for me to be able to form words in my mouth and then speak them without issue. I can't form what Sebastian calls sentences yet, but after going over things with Ciel he and Sebastian decided that sentences will come as time goes on. I'm understandable enough that I can guide someone around with the manors my Master has also beaten into me, as well as hold a simple conversation. It's not that I don't know the words that are needed to help me become more understandable, it's that I don't know how to form them. Doesn't make sense? Sorry, I'm still getting through the 'explaining' thing that people seem to have to have half the time.

Today is a very important day for the household of Phantomhive. You see, during all the troubles of me learning how do speak, many things have happened. There was this one time where Ciel and Sebastian let me come off of Phantomhive's grounds for the first time. And although I was excited, I managed to keep my wits about me. A lot happened on that day, what with some weird blue ring being fought over, and Sebastian creating a Noah's Arc- whatever that is- out of ice in a competition. It was funny to see Sebastian ice skate as he told me that's what it was after I asked him. And while the human that was our enemy kept Sebastian busy, I made sure that Ciel was safe and sound. I knew that Sebastian wouldn't be happy with me if I let his Master get hurt. Not long after that, though, something more interesting came along. Ciel's mate, Lizzy, had been kidnapped by some stranger that smelled much like Angela, which although I found weird, I did not find unwelcome. I still have issues discriminating between people without their scents, so I know no better.

So uhhhh, the first chapter! Let me know how you like it and what not please~ If you any questions feel free to ask through PMing me or simply writing a review.