A/N: And here we are, the final chapter! I'm really excited to post this chapter after so long. I finished this chapter last year on December 8 and it's bitter sweet to see this story end, haha. This is a massive chapter, over 12k, but I hope y'all enjoy it. The rule for this chapter was the one that inspired the whole story. I'll have a final author notes at the end of the story ^^ Thank you everyone! :3

Many, many, many thanks to Kitty Gets Loose for reading through this story and giving me advice. And to Imperial Mint for encouraging me along the way ^^ And to socialbutrfly1379 for beta-ing :)

Warnings: Language, minor violence

Disclaimer: I don't own Kuroshitsuji

As a rule: Demons are reborn as a human a century after death and humans are reborn a half-century after their death ~ Shinigami rule book

A shadow slipped silently into the house and crimson eyes flickered to ceiling. Above, in the back part of the house, Ciel remained asleep and Sebastian smirked as he moved to the study. The Undertaker waited for him, sitting in the corner of the study with an expectant gaze. The Undertaker didn't need to ask, Sebastian knew he could smell the death around him, but The Undertaker would ask regardless.

"The colt's parents?" The Undertaker questioned. Sebastian nodded once in confirmation and The Undertaker tossed a smooth white ivory chess piece at him. Sebastian caught it easily and examined the white king. "Those were some of my best creations. His parents and grandparents. Now they're gone. Pity."

Sebastian chuckled and moved further into the study. "They were for a good cause."

"And now the colt himself?"

Sebastian turned the chess piece over in his hand. "Of course." He looked up at The Undertaker. "I have your kin to thank for that."

The Undertaker hummed. "As a rule, one hundred years," he recited.

Sebastian's eyes glowed with desire and his pupils narrowed, telling of his hunger. Lips curled into a smirk, revealing sharp fangs that glistened in the faint light. "One hundred and twenty-three years," he murmured. "I've waited a long time for this night, Ciel Phantomhive. And you will not be denied to me this time."

.:|As a Rule|:.

1889

Crimson eyes gazed out the window, anger and fury burning and reflecting in the glass pane before him. Outside, a cloud obscured the moon, casting the night into further darkness as behind him, the child slept even though it was unneeded for him now.

Sebastian shook his head. No, the thing sleeping behind him wasn't a child anymore. He was a demon now thanks to an underhanded contract that never should've happened in the first place, forever sealing away Ciel's soul from him and forcing Sebastian into an eternal contract. The mere thought of it made Sebastian snarl in fury, not so much at Ciel – as he didn't do anything – but at Hannah, Claude, and Alois.

Sebastian had hoped that Hannah was joking when she told him of Ciel's fate that hellish day. Why would any demon force another to suffer that destiny? But as fate would have it, it was anything but a joke and instead it turned out to be a nightmare. One that Sebastian couldn't escape from. Bound forever and eternally to Ciel Phantomhive, to do whatever the child demanded. And demand Ciel did.

Just because Ciel was a demon didn't mean they were equals. By any respect, Ciel should've bowed to Sebastian that night, as he was the inferior one in strength. However, the rules of demon etiquette didn't apply to Ciel because of the contract. It placed him above Sebastian and Sebastian had no choice but to continue dancing to Ciel's whims. Only this time, Sebastian would continue dancing without the promise of a soul.

Sebastian's eyes glowed in anger and his teeth lengthened, fangs digging into the soft flesh of his human lips. He had yearned for Ciel's soul, could barely wait to taste it. But years of planning, suffering through hunger, and patiently waiting vanished in the blink of an eye. His guard lowered for a mere second and that damn spider demon struck.

It was a harsh blow for Sebastian, but even he couldn't have predicted the outcome that happened on the island. Several months had passed since that fight and Ciel's rebirth as a demon, and even now, Sebastian couldn't get over it. Like a dog, Ciel had chained Sebastian to him, forcing him to abandon his freedom forever. The mere thought sickened Sebastian.

With a snarl, Sebastian vanished from the room. In times past, Sebastian could come and go without problem and would remain finely attuned to Ciel's presence no matter what. Now the bond from the contract wasn't nearly as strong. It allowed him to leave and for a moment, have a sense of freedom until Ciel's presence made itself known in his mind when Ciel awoke or needed him.

Despite the weakened contract, Sebastian could return to Ciel's side at a moment's notice if something were to happen. However, the truth of the matter was that no one would attack Ciel now. Fledgling he may be, but he had no soul to devour and no demon wanted to chance fate by attacking Ciel. Silently, they all feared the same fate that had descended upon Sebastian.

That fear left them safe as they lived in the quiet and peaceful countryside, far away from the populated cities that tempted Ciel in his young fledgling stage. That alone left Sebastian frustrated and on edge. Before, he had the chance to fight fellow demons, assert his dominance when needed, and protect his master. Now, he felt as though his life had no purpose.

Ciel didn't need protection, there was no soul to look forward to, and nothing could help pass the time. Ciel had effectively brought his life to a standstill with this curse. Ciel had bested the devil.

Sebastian's anger flared as he stepped outside, hot and violent despite the cold night air that surrounded him. No one should outsmart the devil. But Ciel had, along with some help, and found a loophole in the contract. Sebastian glared at the contract that rested on his hand, hating the mark for the first time in his long existence. How dare it allow someone to find a loophole and leave Sebastian suffering in this hell?

"Fuck you, Alois Trancy," Sebastian snarled in the silence of the night. Anger rolled off his body in waves and Sebastian ground his teeth together, his lip bleeding even more. With another snarl, Sebastian's body shifted, shedding the guise he wore and letting his true form grace the night. It was the only sense of freedom that he had now and Sebastian clung to it furiously.

His senses heightened in the dark of the night and Sebastian took in every sight, sound, and smell around him. This was the only time that he could feel free, away from Ciel and in his demon form when the contract was virtually nonexistent. For just a few hours, Sebastian could feel that sense of freedom that came with being a demon and he relished the feeling.

Sebastian continued onward, scenting everything around him until at last, he pinpointed the thing that caused his nerves to tingle. "Grell Sutcliff," he purred, coming to a stop and turning in the direction of the Shinigami. "Why am I not surprised to see you here. And with your keeper no less. I apologize, but I'm in no mood to play games with you right now."

"We're not here to play games with you, demon," Will answered, taking a cautious step forward. The simple motion made the anger in Sebastian mount and very little held him back from attacking. "Even though it disgusts me to stand here before you, it's something I have to do. We need to talk."

"Afraid I'm not in much of a talking mood right now," Sebastian answered shortly. "You're partly responsible for everything that happened and were it not for you; I wouldn't be in this current situation. So forgive me if I have no desire to talk to the likes of you."

Will adjusted his glasses while even Grell wisely kept back. Sebastian's anger gave them caution and they could feel it pulsing from him even though they remained far away. "I feel as though you would enjoy this talk if you were to simply listen." He approached slowly as he dug into his pocket for a business card and stopped a safe distance away. "It has to deal with your current situation. You're not the only one that it's affecting and it would benefit you greatly to talk with us."

Sebastian plucked the business card from Will's grip and glanced at it, memorizing the number before discarding it. "I'll think about what you said," he answered and turned back to the keep where Ciel slumbered without care. The sun would rise in a few hours, signaling the start of a new day. A day filled with meaningless tasks while Ciel watched him with amused crimson eyes.

.:|As a Rule|:.

A month later, Sebastian set aside his demon pride with great effort and called Will. The conversation that night had roused his curiosity and Sebastian couldn't help but admit that a small part of him wondered what Will wanted to talk about. At most, it would prove to be something different and hopefully exciting in his otherwise dull life.

They agreed to meet under the night of the new moon, Sebastian escaping into the night the moment Ciel fell asleep. Wind blew lightly across the designated meeting place and Sebastian waited patiently until at last, Will and Grell appeared before him. Sebastian's lips curled slightly at the sight of them but he curbed his anger for now.

"Demon," Will greeted as they approached him, pushing his glasses up.

"Shinigami," Sebastian answered, tilting his chin up as he gazed at the two grim reapers. "Seeing as how both of us wish to be anywhere else but here, why don't we cut to the chase? You tell me what it is you wish to say and I'll decide how long I would like to listen."

William scowled but otherwise didn't comment as brought out the black binder that he held under his arm. "We have our books that we keep, as I'm sure you know," he started and opened the binder, showing the page to Sebastian. "You know of our job. We collect and judge the souls of the dead that appear in our books."

Sebastian waved a hand, looking bored. "I know that already. You're not telling me anything new."

"Insufferable," Will muttered and adjusted his glasses again. "Ciel Phantomhive is listed in our books, despite being contracted to a demon. He was expected to die months ago as a human, by your hands as you devoured his soul and then the job would've been marked as complete, the proper paperwork filed, and the books closed. But now, Ciel Phantomhive is no longer a human and thus can't be killed."

"I fail to see how this is my fault. Your lot interfered, allowing the events to happen as they did," Sebastian snarled.

Will sighed. "But it was you who toyed with him once Faustus returned his soul. You hoped to make Ciel get a second revenge so his soul would become even more delectable. If you hadn't done that, we wouldn't be here either."

Sebastian smirked. "But isn't it a demons way to lust for such things?" he purred, looking amused before he grew serious once more. "But what's past is past and there's nothing we can do about it. If that's all you had to say, then I thank you for wasting my time and I'll take my leave."

"There's a way to end the contract," Grell called out quickly as Sebastian turned around. The words made Sebastian freeze and turn back around slowly, crimson eyes piercing Grell. Grell sniffed and turned his head away from Will, who glared daggers at him, before taking a step towards Sebastian. "But it's true you know, William. And it's the only thing that will keep Sebby here."

Grell grew closer to Sebastian, circling around him like a bird of death. "But I think I should get a reward for bringing this information to you. Perhaps a kiss as a down payment and then we'll discuss the rest of the payment options as we go." He gasped as Sebastian's hand shot forward and curled around his throat, tightening painfully. "Or I could just tell you," he rasped.

"That would be wise," Sebastian answered, loosening his grip just enough for Grell to speak properly.

Swallowing harshly, Grell nodded and started to speak. "The demon sword, Leviathan, can cause a wound that is impossible to heal for demons." He wiggled slightly in the grip. "If you find that sword, you could separate yourself from the Phantomhive brat."

Sebastian snarled and pushed Grell away. "Even if I could find it again, seeing as it was lost when the island was destroyed, I'm still bound to him and can't harm him. I'm fated to serve him eternally, staying at his side faithfully. Therefore, even if I had the sword, it would be worthless to me." He growled lowly. "And simply killing him wouldn't be enough. To complete the contract, I need his soul and there's no soul to receive."

Will took a step forward, ignoring Grell who lay coughing on the ground. "But you already harmed him. You went after Ciel that night with every intent to kill him. You plunged your fist into his chest, hoping to tear his very heart out if only to deny the truth," Will spoke. "Did you not find it odd that not even once during that whole attempt, the contract did nothing to stop you? It's been altered and the rules of the contract have changed since Phantomhive accomplished his revenge."

"The contract allowed me to harm him because it knew that Ciel wouldn't die from that injury," Sebastian said. "Your claim is void."

"Think Michaelis," Will snapped. "Fledgling demons aren't nearly as strong as mature demons. An attack on their body, like the one you bestowed upon Ciel, would've killed him had you gone further. If you continued and tore apart his body, it would've had no chance to heal. But you pulled back because years of serving under the contract are ingrained in your mind."

Sebastian stiffened slightly and his eyes narrowed as his brain slowly processed the words. The original contract between them prevented Sebastian from harming Ciel and ensured that Sebastian would protect him. But that night, it let him attack Ciel without attempting to stop him even though Sebastian had every intention of killing Ciel.

He only pulled back and helped Ciel recover because he knew the contract remained. The pains of disobeying and harming his master had tingled throughout his body but they were weak. Nothing more than phantom pains that Sebastian easily dismissed.

Sebastian shook his head and gazed at William. "How did you come across this discovery?" he asked curiously. "I never imagined that the Shinigami were so interested in the contract I held with Ciel."

Will sighed and flicked a few pages in his book. "Unlike you, we didn't fume and sulk for several months after Ciel's turning. We looked at the situation with a level head and started to research. That's what separates us Shinigami from the likes of you demons," he drawled. "I told you that this was in our best interest to work together."

Sebastian scowled. "So what did the great Shinigami find?" he snapped, his patience ebbing away.

"We keep books on demons," Will answered and held up another book that sat inside the binder. "This is the first time, which we're aware of, that a loophole came to fruition. Contracts between humans and demons are relatively simple. A contract forms between them, one where the demon agrees to abide by the human's rules and in return, acquires the human's soul upon completion. Simple."

Grell smirked. "But it's actually much more complicated than that. Outward appearances make the contract look simple, but the contract a demon bestows on their human targets works to benefit both parties." He ran a hand through his hair. "It ensures that the human can call the demon and protects the human from danger, both from the demon and by other external forces. At the same time, it allows the demon to mark his prey and keep track of him."

Sebastian nodded. "I already know that. All demons know that. It's common knowledge that we learn as we grow and learn how to master our seals."

William pushed up his glasses. "But in the history of contracts, no one has found a loophole until now. That's why you're still bound and demons fear Ciel. A contract works to benefit both parties," he said, repeating the words Grell said. "But above all, it ensures that the contract is fulfilled by both parties."

Every nerve in Sebastian's body stood on end. The way Will spoke made it sound as though the contract was a living thing, one that acted as a judicial system and ensured equality for both the contractor and contractee. "Impossible," he finally breathed. "That would mean the contract is alive and that it monitors everything."

Grell hummed. "Is it so impossible? The contract harms you if you go against it and understands when it's complete, allowing you to take a human's soul and not before. It creates the bond between the contractor and contractee. The bond flows from the demon, yes, but the contract strengthens it, ensuring that the contractor and contractee know where the other is at all times." He glanced at Sebastian. "It's alive in order to protect the both of you."

"When one part of the contract is complete, the other must follow. That is the way the contract works," William continued. "In this case, Ciel received his revenge, twice in fact. His part of the contract has finished."

"But my part remains unfinished," Sebastian snapped, unhappy with reminder.

Grell chuckled lowly. "While your anger is understandable, it's unnecessary," he stated. "The contract, no matter what, is binding and absolute. It ensures that both parties receive what they want, no matter what. Through direct means or through loopholes."

Will grunted. "Do you understand now, Michaelis? The contract recognizes that Ciel cheated you out of his soul and is working to help you. That's why it allowed you to attack him that night."

Sebastian's eyes widened, shock racing through his body. For a moment, he could allow himself to hope, to cling to a faint strand of light that dangled before him until he realized his thoughts. They sounded human and he felt disgusted. But still…the chance to escape this hellish curse was too good to pass up and Sebastian would be a fool to ignore the information before him.

"Simply killing my master doesn't assure me his soul though," he answered. "Killing him now, as a demon, would only release a demon soul. In the end I receive nothing."

The two Shinigami looked at each other, debating whether they should share the information before Will let out a small groan. "There's a rule in our books, one that we don't particularly pay attention to because we rarely deal with the same case twice, but it's in there." He held up the book. "Page five hundred and eight-nine, chapter forty-two, section four, subsection gamma clearly states. 'Demons are reborn as humans a century after death and humans are reborn a half-century after their death.'"

Understanding glowed in Sebastian's eyes and he nodded slowly. "There's still a chance for me to devour his soul, allowing me to gain what was rightfully mine from the start." His eyes burned with hunger at the thought and he forced himself to think with a level head. Things still didn't add up and he needed answers before he could start planning. "Why did you tell me all this? Why not keep it to yourself and let me suffer?"

William snorted and closed the book shut with a snap. "Believe me, I wanted to but I told you before, this will benefit us just as much as it does you." He pushed his glasses up. "If we let Ciel remain a demon and keep you tethered to him, our books remain unbalanced. Even if he dies and is reborn, they remain unbalanced. Our records show that Ciel Phantomhive dies because you devour his soul, never to be reborn again."

"Otherwise your books will never balance," Sebastian finished. A soul devoured by a demon never had the chance to be reborn, lost forever to the demon's appetite.

"Precisely," William answered. "Even though it's deplorable, we had to inform you of this information."

Sebastian nodded, his mind racing. If the contract worked to ensure that Sebastian would receive his end of the deal, then he would have to wait a century until Ciel was reborn. A century to play a game and help pass the time until Ciel's rebirth. A game that, if he played his cards right, would allow him to torment more than one soul.

A smirk spread across Sebastian's face and his eyes danced in the shadows of the night. "I refuse to take the soul of an innocent babe," he said. "What if I was willing to wait several more decades after his birth before I collect his soul? Would the contract deny me that right?"

Will eyed him wearily. "What are you talking about demon?" he questioned, his hand tightening on the staff in his other hand.

"The problem with taking Ciel's soul after his birth is that it lacks the flavor that I wanted. It doesn't match the tainted innocence that drew me to Ciel in the first place," Sebastian paused. "Therefore, I still wouldn't get exactly what I want."

Green eyes narrowed and William glared at Sebastian. "If you're suggesting that you wish to contract, again, to Ciel Phantomhive so you can flavor his soul, then you will find yourself severely disappointed when we refuse to let you do so."

Sebastian shook his head. "I won't directly contract him again, not if the original one still lurks beneath the surface for us. Instead, he will come to me and I will take it from him when his soul matches the same scent that it did when it was first promised to me."

"No," Will stated quickly. "We cannot allow you to do that. Keeping his record open for a century is bad enough. Waiting several more decades after his birth is just as bad."

"Think about it though," Sebastian said, circling around Will and Grell. "You said yourself that the contract is alive and ensures that both parties receive what they want. What I want is Ciel's soul as it was all those months ago, not the pure innocence of a babe. Therefore, the contract will not allow me to take his soul at birth. I would have to influence it to mimic what it once was."

Grell shifted, watching as Sebastian came to a stop before them again. "How would you plan on accomplishing this? Even you can't predict what will happen in a century, none of us can. Who is to say that Ciel will come willingly to you and not someone else?"

Sebastian smirked. "Because we have an advantage in this game laid before us. We can move in ways normal pieces can't. Humans are easily influenced when they don't know any better, believing dreams and other unexplained events to be signs or where they should take their life."

"You mean to play with the lives of humans, manipulating them to do what you want," Will clarified and at Sebastian's nod, he clicked his tongue. "That goes against everything we stand for and we could never let you do such a thing."

"I don't think you have a choice," Sebastian purred. "If you and your superiors wish to balance the books, then you have to let me coax Ciel along until he reaches the right stage."

William stayed silent, debating and weighing everything before finally speaking. "I don't agree with your thoughts but our hands are tied. Our supervisors are anxious to close this book. Although letting you run wild with your plans won't sit well with them." He paused. "And I shudder at the thought of working with you."

"I don't mind," Grell piped up, wanting to voice his opinion.

"I do," Sebastian answered before looking at Will. "I can say the same for you as well. I would rather not work with you if it could be avoided but it seems that in a time like this, we'll both benefit from this deal."

Will pushed up his glasses and turned on his heel. "We'll see." He waved his hand. "Come Grell. I can't stand to be in the presence of this foul beast any longer."

Sebastian rolled his eyes and repressed a shiver as Grell blew a kiss at him before he turned, heading back to the place that he called home for now. But if Sebastian had anything to say about it, it wouldn't be home for much longer.

.:|As a Rule|:.

1891

Wet wind gusted across the ocean, carrying with it the taste and scent of salt. It buffeted the cliffs and tore at the blades of grass, but Sebastian easily ignored it as he waited for the audience promised to him. Almost a year had passed since he last saw William and Grell, the time passing in the blink of an eye.

The urge to kill Ciel coiled throughout his body but Sebastian kept the desire under control. He tested the bond and contract, seeing how far he could push it and did his own research. He wouldn't make a move until he knew for certain that Will and Grell hadn't lied to him. Ciel, none the wiser, didn't question his motives and allowed Sebastian to test his reflexes along with other aspects of their life until he reached a conclusion.

That William and Grell had told the truth.

Ciel, as a fledgling, was still weak. Stronger than a human yes, but certain acts of violence against his body could still kill him. If the contract remained in Ciel's favor, it would stop Sebastian from acting on the urge to kill Ciel. Instead, it remained quiet in his mind and body, the pains of disobeying orders never once crippled him.

It gave Sebastian sickening joy to know that he had power over Ciel and know that, in theory, Ciel lived on borrowed time. Even if it took a century or longer, Sebastian would take his soul and that alone helped him push forward.

The year passed with Tanaka's death and Ciel had mourned the old man's death, watching his funeral from afar. Even Sebastian paid his respects, as he found himself fond of Tanaka and wished him luck in the next life. Life continued for them though and Sebastian minded his time, waiting until the Shinigami contacted him again while he took care of Ciel.

Ciel enjoyed the newfound freedom that came with being a demon and at the same time, hated the change. It kept him away from Tanaka's funeral and he disliked the solitude as he couldn't handle being around so many humans soul. He lacked the restrain that would keep him from trying to devour them all and he ordered Sebastian to bring a human from the city once or twice a month to satisfy his hunger.

Despite the year that had passed since his changing, Ciel couldn't let go of the lineage he once held as an Earl. He continued about his daily life as though nothing had changed, and Sebastian tutored him and cared for him just as he always had. Ciel, much to Sebastian's dismay and annoyance, even planned to build a future company that rival Funtom and set Sebastian to carry out most of the plans.

The nights belonged to Sebastian though and for that, Sebastian was grateful. Staying around Ciel, knowing that the contract would let Sebastian harm him, was tempting and Sebastian used the night to quell his urges.

Sebastian's head turned to the side, the wind carrying a scent towards him and reminding him again why he stood outside near the ocean. "Shinigami," he stated, growing tense at the mass amount that approached him.

"Demon," Will answered and they stopped a safe distance from him. "These are my superiors. Please treat them with respect, if you even have that word in your vocabulary."

Crimson eyes rolled slightly at the tone and Sebastian turned to look at the stiff looking Shinigami that stood behind Will. "Seeing as you're here, I assume that you understand the situation."

One of them stepped forward. "Considering we had to inform you about the current state of your contract, I would say that we understand the situation far better than you," he stated. "But should we agree to let you toy with the humans, we wish to place several guidelines first and discuss certain things."

"Such as?" Sebastian questioned as the Shinigami opened a book and he could make out the pictures of Ciel's parents.

"Ciel Phantomhive would need to have the exact same parents as before in order to raise him as they did in the past, and those parents would need to have the same parents as well to inflict their beliefs on them. If you wish to replicate a past soul, you must first replicate the past," the Shinigami stated. "However, I don't think I need to tell you that Rachel and Vincent Phantomhive had their souls devoured by a demon after their death."

Sebastian hummed. "I know that. A soul is a tricky thing, but at the same time, a spirit is exceedingly simple in that they cling to the call and feel of something similar." He smirked and held up a piece of paper. "I've done my own research as well."

He chuckled lowly as the Shinigami stiffened slightly and he wondered what thoughts raced through their heads. Sebastian knew though what he had to do and refused to let the Shinigami hold information over his head and out of reach. He spent several months researching and piecing together information until he could understand everything.

A human body held not just a soul but a spirit as well. The spirit was the real human, whereas the soul consisted of their mind, will, and emotions. It was impossible to create a new soul, as surroundings shaped the soul as the human grew older, giving it the flavor that a demon sought. But the spirit on the other hand, ran rampant through time, carrying with them physical attributes to help influence the body and personality.

The spirit clung to familiar things if it could find one in the stream of time. Reborn, nothing guaranteed that a spirit would find the same parents, let alone have the same name. Unless something familiar from the past beckoned to it from the shadows. If Sebastian wanted his plan to work, Ciel needed to have the same parents as in the past, drawing Ciel's spirit to the familiar again.

He would be born with a new soul, clean and unmarked with a contract, but one that was still Ciel. After his birth, Ciel's parents, Sebastian, and other external forces would shape and flavor his soul until it matched the familiar scent that Sebastian knew all too well. He would influence Ciel and his choices throughout his life, leading him along until the day they met. Playing a game from the shadows.

"What are you thinking, demon?" the Shinigami spoke. "What you wish to accomplish is impossible."

Sebastian shook his head. "It's not impossible. The contract is a living thing, that alone should be impossible yet here we stand. It's wholly possible to recreate the past if you play the game properly."

Will grunted. "Explain yourself."

"The Phantomhive line has a nasty habit of dealing with demons. Just as my master's parents feel prey to a demon, so too did his grandparents. We have nothing to start from unless we create their spirit ourselves and form a flesh body in their likeness." Sebastian said and his eyes danced. "A breeding program if you will; designed to coax my master's soul to his parents and to ensure that he is raised properly. An…informant of mine assured me that while the process takes a while, it can be done."

The Shinigami snarled, briefly losing his composure. "Who told you that? That's against Shinigami rules to manipulate the dead that way."

Smirking, Sebastian brought his finger to his lips, not willing to give away his secret. "My informant will remain a secret but it's not impossible for him. He can accomplish it without breaking your precious little rules. If you were to create the grandparents, then the rest would follow without problem. The grandparents will raise the parents exactly the same as they did in the past."

"And who would raise the grandparents?" the Shinigami asked tensely. "We can't create a whole line of Phantomhive family members."

Sebastian shook his head. "There's no need. I will raise my master's grandfather and my informant will raise his grandmother. After my master's father is born, I'll conveniently leave their life and then raise my master's mother. This will ensure that their lives are directly influenced by us and will travel down the prearranged paths we set before them."

William frowned. "And you can do that?" He questioned. "You have enough knowledge about them to create a mirror soul that can provide not just Ciel with the guidance he needs to grow but also the remainder of his kin?"

Sebastian nodded. "I can. I have the resources and knowledge about them to accomplish this. Raising them is nothing more than a game to me to help pass the time until Ciel is born again." He shifted his weight. "Is there anything else? I assure you that I have covered all the bases in my plan."

The Shinigami waved his hand. "Please elaborate then so we're not wasting time here."

Sebastian ground his teeth together. "Once my master is dead, I will destroy all history of the Phantomhive family and Funtom, erasing their name from history so no one can trace its roots back to England or its ties to the Royal Family. It gives them a clean slate. A new name and a new place where no one knows about us," he answered outlining his plan. "History will not write about the Phantomhive family because there's nothing to tell. We shall rewrite history and change it so that future generations will never find them."

The process was complicated and tedious, but not impossible for Sebastian. He had a hundred years until Ciel was reborn again and this game would easily entertain him until then. The game would start the moment he was free from Ciel's grip and then Sebastian could start changing history to the way he wanted it.

He would start anew in America with a new company under a different name. He would build it up while he waited for Ciel's grandparents to be born so he could pass the company off once his grandfather was of age. Sebastian would groom him, raising him into the person he was in the past until Vincent was born and everything would fall into place.

That part was simple, in Sebastian's opinion. The remaining pieces of the game would provide more of a challenge. Not just Ciel and his family were players on this chessboard, but also Alois and his family. In order to taste power, Ciel would need someone he could control and Alois would fit perfectly into that plan. Sebastian would watch over them both, with the help of The Undertaker, and make sure that they would meet.

The threads of his plan were twisted and complicated, but they would slowly reveal a clear plan as time passed. It wasn't set in stone as it needed to stay flexible because things so often changed, but the plan wasn't impossible. Complicated but it was the perfect game for Sebastian to play.

"The thought of letting you run free with this plan sickens me," the Shinigami said finally. "It goes against every fiber of my being to allow you to act this way."

Sebastian spread his arms out before him. "Times are changing," he answered. "If we, as immortal beings, don't adjust with the times, then we won't fit in the human world. It's in our best interest to accept this change, even if it leads to something we don't like."

The Shinigami glared at him. "But it means that we would play by your rules, letting you manipulate not just one, but several souls to get what you want. Why should we do something like that for a foul demon?"

"Because just as you're letting me run the show as I see fit, I'm always following the rules you've laid out for me. You get to keep a leash on me and you'll know my every action until Ciel's soul is mine. From there, we'll separate and hopefully never see each other again," Sebastian answered and gazed at them. "Let us repeat history in a way that only immortals can."

William looked at his supervisor and they scowled at each, clearly disliking the choices before him. Finally, they looked back at Sebastian. "Even though it pains us to work with you and let you run free," Will started. "We have no choice if we wish to balance the books. A demon's contract affects us all and yours is most annoying."

Sebastian smirked and his eyes glowed with pleasure. "You won't regret it," he purred and stepped closer so they could smooth out the details.

.:|As a Rule|:.

1892

Sebastian crept along the wall of the house, blending in perfectly with the shadows as he moved towards his destination. The familiar sword that he had used to kill Claude rested in his hand and now sang for Ciel's blood. Ciel slept once more in the dead of night, unaware of the danger that approached.

Sebastian stopped at the foot of the bed before circling around to stand next to the lump that was Ciel's body. His eyes gazed down at the body feeling the contract pulse lightly on his hand as he gripped the sword tighter. If Claude hadn't interrupted him that night, they wouldn't be in this predicament and Ciel would've died years ago.

The chance to right the wrong though, rested in his hand and was the first move in a new game they would play. They had always enjoyed playing games. But unlike last time, where Ciel controlled Sebastian, this time, Sebastian would control Ciel. How ironic.

Sebastian raised the sword high and before Ciel's demon instincts had a chance to warn him of the danger above him, Sebastian struck hard and fast, the contract silent in his mind. There was no time for Ciel to dodge and he screamed in pain as the sword pierced his body, blood streaming from his chest.

At first, confusion filled Ciel's eyes before realization settled in and Ciel's eyes turned furious. "What is the meaning of this, Sebastian?" he hissed and clawed at his chest. "You would dare attack your master?"

"The contract between us recognizes that your part of the deal is over, yet you still remain alive," Sebastian spoke and watched as Ciel's eyes focused on him. "You achieved your revenge, twice my Lord, and as such, we agreed that I could have your soul."

Ciel snarled. "That wasn't my fault," he snapped. "I was ready to give it to you that night but things happened that I couldn't control."

Sebastian smirked and brushed his fingers under Ciel's marked eye. "I know and I don't hate you for that. But there's still a way for you to give me what you promised and I am but a demon, my Lord. I'm greedy and I want your soul."

"So take it then," Ciel said.

"I will," Sebastian answered and leaned in close, pushing the sword in deeper. "But first you have to die. When we meet again, you'll be a human once more, without any contract or memory of our past. Then I can have the pleasure of taking your soul and our contract will finally end."

A smirk spread across Ciel's lips and he reached up to tug at Sebastian's tie, bringing him down closer. "Well played, Sebastian. Well played." The contract in his eye pulsed slightly. "I'll see you again when you make that final move. Don't hesitate. Take what's yours, that's an order, Sebastian."

Sebastian smirked and pulled back, watching as Ciel's eyes struggled to stay awake but Sebastian could already feel the life leaving Ciel. The contract remained silent, accepting the events and Sebastian watched as the mark started to fade on his hand as Ciel drew his final breaths. It vanished completely when Ciel took his final breath and his life left with a soft breath.

The physical markings of the contract were gone, but Sebastian could feel a very faint reminder of it in the back of his mind. It reminded him that even though he didn't bare the physical markings of a contract, it was still there and waited for him to claim his reward. No doubt, it would appear again, right before he claimed Ciel's soul.

Sebastian stood up and his eyes settled on the chess set in the corner of the room. Flicking the blood off the sword, Sebastian strode over towards it and set the pieces into play. The first black pawn moved and Sebastian smirked. Let the games begin.

.:|As a Rule|:.

1897

The taste of smoke and sea hung heavily in Sebastian's nose as he made his way through the streets of New York City, taking in the sights around him and finding them all too similar to London. They were both cities and in that sense, they had the same feel and smell as every big city did. There was no way around that fact and Sebastian gazed towards the west, knowing that fresh new land rested out there.

But for now, Sebastian needed to stay in New York. If he wanted to start a business that he would eventually pass over to Ciel's grandfather, then he needed to start things here first. Make contacts and build up the company name before moving some place new and fresh.

For the next century or so, he would remain among the humans, living in their world and while he enjoyed the sadistic nature of humans, a century surrounded by them would grate on his nerves. Sebastian could only take so much and even now, he yearned for the free lands where animals roamed.

There, he could run under the star filled skies and be himself. The populated cities made that impossible and after staying under Ciel's thumb for so long, Sebastian could taste freedom on the air that the rolling plains offered.

Already, five years had passed since Ciel's death. Sebastian gave Leviathan to The Undertaker for safekeeping as part of the deal with the Shinigami and The Undertaker agreed to act as an intermediary for them. The Undertaker found too much humor in Sebastian's plan to watch and Sebastian enlisted The Undertaker's help on several tasks that he had to complete before he left.

Together, they erased all mentions of the name Phantomhive from history. Crests and seals vanished from the books, and all lines connecting the family name to the Royal Family faded away. They were already weak to begin with after the fiasco that occurred the first time around and they found it easy to strike the name from the books.

The Funtom Company though proved more difficult. Sebastian didn't want to tarnish the Funtom name, seeing as he helped create it and pride kept him from tearing the name to pieces. Instead, he had The Undertaker close down the factories quietly and informed the workers that there was family trouble.

Months bled into years and Sebastian quietly disassembled them during the nights until at last, no one could remember anything about Funtom. By the time Sebastian passed the new company to Ciel's grandfather, no one alive would remember the name Funtom and the populace would accept it without a problem.

Sebastian smirked as he looked around the city, filled with cutthroat industries that would either chew a person up and spit them out or make them rich. It was just another game, a game that Sebastian knew how to play and manipulate. It ensured that his climb to the top would be easy. It would take time but right now, Sebastian had nothing but time.

He glanced at the nearest newspaper stand, taking in the date and humming to himself as he started to walk down the street. Forty-one years until Ciel's grandfather was born and ninety-five years until Ciel would be reborn again. To humans, the time would drag on but for Sebastian, it would pass in the blink of an eye.

"So much to do," Sebastian answered as he turned down another road, already having memorized the layout of the city and knowing the location where he wanted to set up his building. "And so many willing souls to do my bidding," he finished, chuckling lowly to himself. It was a new place and a new start. It offered and promised so many things that Sebastian found he couldn't wait.

He slipped into the medium sized building and glanced around the room. He had arrived in New York only a week ago and found the place interesting. It was filled hopes and dreams, the majority of which were destined to fall, and Sebastian would be there to catch them when they did. But he wouldn't spoil his appetite with such meager morsels when Ciel's would become available soon enough.

Sebastian climbed the steps to his makeshift bedroom where the few belongs he owned sat in the room. His eyes settled on the chess set, finding that it was quickly becoming his favorite thing as it showed exactly what steps he needed to take and which plays had already passed.

He looked at the white king that sat unmoving and he picked it up to examine its features before smirking. "Soon," he murmured and gazed out the window, hearing the tormented and anguished souls calling out to him. Their cries made him smirk and Sebastian leaned against the wall, taking in the lights below him. Things were just getting started and the game was only just beginning.

.:|As a Rule|:.

1900

The hot and humid air of Houston washed over Sebastian's face and he breathed in deeply. The heat reminded him of the home where grew he up and Sebastian found that he could like living in Texas. Something about the state called to him and after staying in the crowded cities of New York and London, Sebastian found the vast expanse of Texas to his liking.

He could feel the energy of the land and the untapped power it held. It called to him, encouraging his newfound freedom and urging him to claim the land for himself. The land would grow in time, but until then, Sebastian could enjoy the wildness it offered until it grew populated as well.

Sebastian glanced around again and a smirk made his lips curl. This was the best place to expand his company too. The newly born company flourished well in New York and now his small shop couldn't meet demon, forcing Sebastian to look for a new place to set up a factory. The wild land drew his attention, singing with power just underneath the surface and Sebastian knew something would happen here soon enough.

Despite the protests from his customers, Sebastian shifted the company down to Texas, promising to use the future railroad as a means of transferring his products back north. There, greedy little children could snatch them up once more and help his company bloom even more.

Sebastian chuckled as he gazed out at the harbor. Yes, Texas would be perfect.

.:|As a Rule|:.

1901

Sebastian hummed as he signed a paper for another piece of land in northern Texas, adding more property to his slowly growing list. Ever since Texans discovered oil near Houston, people had flocked to Texas in hopes of becoming rich and Sebastian used the increase of people to his advantage. In time, the cities would get too crowded and people would spread out across the state, eventually finding their way to his land.

Eventually, he would settle down on his lands once Vincent was born and he would start the final stage of his plan. But until then, he would keep this land and use it as a source of side income as people moved out further from the cities, looking for land. It would be a few more years until that happened and Sebastian gazed down at the plans for a new factory. For now, this was his main concern.

His company was drawing plenty of attention and was flourishing again despite the hurricane that struck. But this new location was the place that Sebastian officially wanted to start the company and Sebastian had plans to start building a factory in the years to come so he could continue to meet demand. With the discovery of oil, it wouldn't be long before the railroads made their way down to the state and soon his products would sell across the states.

Another pawn moved across the board and Sebastian glanced up to see The Undertaker giggling from his spot in the corner of the room. "You always give me the most interesting games, Sebastian," he said. "It's never boring with you around."

"How are they doing?" Sebastian asked.

"They'll make it in time," The Undertaker answered. "If that's your question."

Sebastian nodded and looked back at the plans. "I look forward to that day," he murmured.

.:|As a Rule|:.

1938

Crimson eyes watched as the woman at the orphanage picked up the bundle that rested on the front doorstep to the orphanage. She searched the area for its parents before bringing the baby inside from the elements, cooing softly at it. Sebastian watched her go; knowing what lay inside the bundle of blankets, as he had been the one who dropped it off.

Inside the mounds of blankets lay the body and spirit crafted so carefully over the years to mimic Ciel's grandfather. And in a year, when the child was old enough, Sebastian would adopt the child. It was a busy time for him but finally the pieces were starting to fall into place.

When everything first started, it felt as though they made little to no progress. They couldn't do anything until the grandparents were born except build up the business so it he could pass it on when the time came. Now that time had come and Sebastian was ready to start the next stage.

He would adopt the child and raise him properly to mimic the same ideals and upbringing that Ciel's grandfather received in the past. From there, it would only be a matter of time before he passed the company over and the rest of the pieces would follow. Nothing could go wrong.

.:|As a Rule|:.

1942

Sebastian snarled as his eyes settled on a sobbing child inside the orphanage. Next to him, The Undertaker giggled into his sleeve. "I told you Hannah was a tricky demon," he stated and gestured to the child. "She was always smart and loved Alois and his brother with an unbridled passion that I've never seen in a demon."

"Sickening," Sebastian spat. "That she would go to the lengths for them like this."

"But she did," The Undertaker stated and cocked his head. "We knew she died after the fight but even I didn't expect her to do something like this. To release the souls of Alois and Luka. I've never heard of a demon doing that."

Sebastian shook his head. "If she did know about The Rule, then she probably hoped to give them another chance at having a new life in the future, one that they could all live together."

The Undertaker hummed as he looked at Alois. "It would explain why we found his spirit so easily and saved us trouble in creating a new one."

"Except now Alois' spirit isn't exactly under our thumb as I originally wanted," Sebastian growled and his mind raced at how he would handle this new problem.

"Relax, Sebastian," The Undertaker cooed. "This is nothing but a small obstacle and easily fixable. You know that killing him now will result in his birth again in fifty years. His spirit will sense that of Hannah's and follow it there, the rest is easy to influence. The plan can still continue without a problem."

Sebastian's eyes narrowed and he stood up. "Hannah should've kept his soul," he muttered. "His next chance at life isn't going to be as pleasant as she hoped."

He heard The Undertaker giggle again as he moved away from their spot and headed towards the orphanage. The past years had been busy, making this little accident slip under his nose until The Undertaker brought it to his attention. No doubt purposely waiting until the last minute to inform Sebastian and finding some twisted humor in the situation.

The company continued to grow while Sebastian tutored Ciel's grandfather in every discipline he would need in life. And despite the busy and hectic life of raising Ciel's grandfather, Sebastian had felt a familiar spirit grace the Earth. Tanaka now walked among the living once more and Sebastian found that he had plans for the former steward.

Two years earlier, Sebastian rented out his land to a family who started a horse ranch, breeding black horses and Sebastian had instantly found himself drawn to the animals. Not as much as the cats he adored so much, but they were still intriguing. In time, Sebastian would find Tanaka and pass the deeds of his land to him, letting Tanaka hold onto the land until the time came to return it to Sebastian.

That was several years in the future though and Sebastian turned his attention to the problem at hand. He slipped into the building unseen and unheard before making his way to Alois. The child slept now, lost in a dream world and making it all the easier for Sebastian to end the fragile life that lying sleeping below his hand.

He finished the job in less than a second and Sebastian vanished the next moment, leaving nothing but a cold body and the promise to meet again in fifty years.

.:|As a Rule|:.

1963

A low hum left Sebastian's mouth as he held a screaming baby in his arms. A red face peeked out from the warm blanket as the nurses raced around the hospital room, tending to the mother as she recovered from the birth and leaving Sebastian to look at the new life that he had helped to create. It had taken some work and timing to make sure everything went according to plan, but in the end, the result had been nothing but perfection.

The Undertaker had created a spirit to mirror the late Vincent, ensuring that the child would grow to become the man that Vincent had been in his past life. The only thing needed was his upbringing before everything was perfect. After that, Ciel's spirit would have no problems finding his parents and they would raise him in a way that would flavor his soul just right.

Sebastian glanced away from the babe as the proud father came to stand next to him. With a small smile, Sebastian passed the bundle over to the man, watching as pleased eyes looked over the babe. "What's his name?" he asked.

"Vincent," the man answered. "In honor of the man of gave me everything when I had nothing."

Sebastian's lips curled into a smirk. "A fine name for a fine son. If he is to take your place in the company as you have done with me, then you need to make sure that you raise him right," he stated.

The man gave a sharp nod of the head. "I will raise him as you raised me. My son will have every advantage needed to succeed in this world, but I will not just give it to him. Instead, he will have to work for it so he knows the value of hard labor and dedication. He will be strong on his own feet instead of using me as a crutch."

A pleased glow settled in Sebastian's eyes and placed a hand on the man's shoulder, giving it a small squeeze. "You have made me proud," he said. "There is nothing more that I can do for you now. I know the company will flourish with you at the head. Take good care of it."

There was a quick incline of the head before the man moved to his wife's side, passing Vincent over to her so he could nurse for the first time. Sebastian watched the scene for a moment longer, a pleased smirk on his lips, before vanishing into the shadows of the room. He had other places to be.

Months later, Sebastian found himself sitting before a quiet, reserved man of twenty-four. He held a familiar face and Sebastian couldn't help but wonder if this was what Tanaka looked like before they met for the first time. Tanaka's personality hadn't changed much, something Sebastian was silently happy about and it made things easier for him.

He turned his attention back to the cards before him, gazing over them. He had a losing hand and could read the calm expression behind Tanaka's eyes that spoke of a winning hand. Sighing, Sebastian reached into his pocket and pulled out a piece of paper, setting it on top of the pile between them.

"I don't have any money left, but I can still wager this. The deed to my lands in northern Texas. Some families live on there and provide a small side income and it's well worth its weight," Sebastian stated.

Tanaka looked over his cards, weighing his options before offering a small smile. "Sorry stranger, but I feel as though your luck has run out." He placed the cards on the table, letting Sebastian see what had to offer.

The lowest of curses left Sebastian's mouth, even though it was all for show. Sebastian needed to lose the game so he could pass the deed over to Tanaka. In years to come, Sebastian would find his way back to Tanaka and convince the former steward to take him in, with the hopes that the land would once more pass back to him.

"Seems as though I can't beat that," Sebastian murmured and tossed his cards onto the table. "You play a good game. I wish you the best of luck with that land in the future." He placed his hat on his head and offered Tanaka his hand, receiving a firm handshake in return. He tipped his hat as he turned to go. In time they would meet again.

.:|As a Rule|:.

1989

The smallest of shivers raced through Sebastian's body as he gazed at Claude's body, lying prone in the crib with nothing but a flimsy pane of glass separating him from danger. It would be so easy to break through the glass and destroy that body, but Sebastian quelled the urge. He needed Claude for his plans to work and even though it was odd and slightly disconcerting to see Claude as a human instead of a demon, Sebastian held strong.

It was something Sebastian didn't want to believe when William told him that demons could be reborn again as humans and Sebastian had tried to play it off, feeling uneasy about the whole situation. It left a weird taste in his mouth and made him all the more aware of everything around him.

He tried not to dwell on it too much and Sebastian left his spot, heading back to his current residence. It was conveniently located between the areas of interest. Houston to his east, where Vincent was growing strong and the Funtom Company was growing stronger still. The Undertaker had decided to relieve Sebastian's burden of raising Rachel, giving Sebastian a small breather as he prepared for the second to last stage of the game.

Ciel was due to be born in three years, along with Alois, and by then, the game would start its final moves. To the north of him was Tanaka, who had settled the land he won and was now running a somewhat successful ranch. And to the west of him, Claude would live with his new parents and would come to Texas in fifteen short years.

Sebastian moved over to the chess set and glanced at the pieces before moving several of them into position. The white king remained in its original spot and as of now, only a few pawns remained along with the rest of the more powerful pieces on the board. It would be a few more years before they would start to move, but compared to the time that Sebastian had waited before, the remaining years would go by in the blink of an eye.

.:|As a Rule|:.

1992

Sebastian perched on a branch outside the Phantomhive house, watching as Rachel rocked a newborn baby in her arms. Vincent stood behind her, gazing down proudly at the child while his father beamed happily from the door. A healthy child blessed the family and they couldn't be any happier at the birth of young Ciel.

Sebastian inhaled deeply, tasting the pure and innocent scent on his tongue that could come only from a babe. Joy raced through him as he gazed at Ciel, pleased that all the years of planning and working had paid off. Ciel's spirit found its way to his parents and now they would raise him as they had in the past, until his soul matched the flavor Sebastian sought.

"You need to taste despair and pain first," he purred, sliding from the tree and vanishing into the night. "And only then will you be ready."

.:|As a Rule|:.

2002

"Hey mister, are you lookin' for some help?" Sebastian called, leaning on an old fence and watching Tanaka lead a brown horse into a small barn. It filled him with pride to see the ranch flourishing and to see how far it came after all these years.

Tanaka turned to look at him, his eyebrows furrowing. "Shouldn't you be in school right now, boy?"

Sebastian shook his head and shoved his hands in his pockets, looking every bit like a rebelling teen. "I don't like school, it's boring. Besides, I don't have any parents, so who is going to make me go? Not like the school can call them up and rat me out." His lips curled into a smirk. "Anyway, I'd much rather be here working with the horses."

A small smile settled on Tanaka's lips. "I'll make you a deal. You go back to school and I'll let you help with the horses for every day that you go to class. Education is important you know and you can't run a ranch without an education."

Nibbling on his lip, Sebastian seemed to mull over the proposal before nodding and shoving his hand into Tanaka's face. "You got yourself a deal," he claimed, finding far too much humor in the situation. This was turning out to be more fun than the first time around with Ciel.

.:|As a Rule|:.

2004

Sebastian pulled up the horse he was lunging, feeling a heavy gaze on his body. He turned around to find familiar golden eyes staring at him through thin, wireless glasses. "Can I help you?" He asked, his eyes tracing over Claude.

He knew why Claude was here in Texas, seeing as Sebastian influenced the decision for the family to move east. It had taken nothing more than a call to the boss to suggest that the family transfer and within a few months, the job was done. Now, Claude lived a few miles from the ranch, but they were still close enough for them to know each other.

It still seemed odd to work so close with Claude, considering their history and at first; the idea had left a bad taste in Sebastian's mouth. None of this would've happened if Claude hadn't interfered. But Claude had and now here there were. Claude was an innocent human, one that the devil could stain and suddenly the idea of working with Claude didn't seem so bad.

His eyes trailed over Claude again, pleased to find that Claude remained attractive and the thought of corrupting an old enemy made lust coil low in his body. The past century hadn't allowed much time for pleasure and now that Claude stood before him, Sebastian couldn't dismiss the ideas from his mind.

Sebastian's lips curled into a small smirk. He wondered just how far he could stain the innocence that was now Claude. It would be rather interesting to dominate Claude and know that once, Claude had been a powerful demon before falling so far into this human life.

"That's a nice horse," Claude stated. "I rode back at my old home and I couldn't help but notice this ranch. I was wondering if you needed help after school or something."

Humming, Sebastian considered the idea before nodding slightly. "Sure. Let's see what you know." He waited for Claude to duck into the ring before offering his hand. "I'm Sebastian," he stated.

A pale hand curled around his. "Claude. It's nice to meet you."

"Likewise," Sebastian purred.

.:|As a Rule|:.

2007

A pleased grin crossed Sebastian's face as his claws tore through the soft flesh of Alois's family. It took little effort to destroy their internal organs and Sebastian had to make sure that he didn't destroy their bodies so much that they were unrecognizable. He needed to set the stage to make it appear as though Hannah had killed her parents for sending her to a private school in Houston last year.

Her parents already thought she was unstable and had written as much to her psychologist, which would only offer further proof that she had committed the murders. The evidence was already set and in place, another piece ready to move into place as soon as the night was over.

The fact that she met Claude helped Sebastian in ways even he couldn't predict and he silently thanked fate, or perhaps it was the contract that helped to tweak the threads of fate. He knew that somehow in the future, Claude's relationship with Hannah would come in handy.

He stood over the bodies and flicked away the blood from his claws. For all of Hannah's attempts to give Alois happiness, he was so far having trouble with that. History repeated itself in cruel ways, with or without Sebastian's influence. Alois still yearned for Ciel, just as Ciel wanted nothing to do with Alois, and Hannah was the loving sister figure. Ironic how things played out.

Sebastian wanted nothing more than to destroy Alois, Hannah, and Claude after he had Ciel's soul, but the Shinigami forbade him from touching their souls. They gave him direct orders to leave them alone and let his history run its course, much to Sebastian's chagrin. Still, it didn't mean that he couldn't torment them from now until the time they parted ways and Sebastian looked forward to the upcoming years.

The time was drawing closer and Sebastian could scent the change already on Ciel's soul. It still lacked one thing to make it perfect and that was despair. Ciel had to suffer tragedy before he was ready for death and that time was soon coming.

One step closer to calling to check.

.:|As a Rule|:.

February 2012

Sebastian inhaled deeply as Ciel stepped into the barn for the first time and he purred with delight. Now it was time for the final plays to start. Everything was set and in place. Ciel's soul was close and it wouldn't be long now before Ciel was within his grasp. Grell had informed him earlier that Alois took the suggestion of the rodeo and that Ciel had seen his picture.

It had taken convincing on The Undertaker's part for the Shinigami to set up a company in Austin so that they could further watch their current subject of interest as the time drew near. In the end, they set up the company after several years, posing as a life insurance firm filled with Shinigami workers.

Alois received his job through them as a secretary and worked with Grell, who monitored Alois and updated them on his life so they could decide which path to take next. His words guided Alois and gave him the push he needed to accomplish certain things, eventually leading Alois and Ciel to Sebastian.

However, this time next year, the company would no longer exist. The Shinigami only agreed to set up the company until the conclusion of Sebastian's contract and the moment that happened, William swore he would close the company down. It would cause chaos throughout the world as stocks tumbled and economies suffered from the backlash. Sebastian couldn't wait for that day.

But for now, years of planning were quickly coming to an end and Sebastian found himself shaking with excitement. The pieces were set and primed. All that he had to do now was take everything as they came.

.:|As a Rule|:.

December 2012 (Present time)

Sebastian looked up from the chess piece. Ten months had passed since the final game started and everything that had happened during that time had been of Sebastian's doing. There hadn't been a time where Sebastian didn't know what was going on and he had slipped easily into his role of being the kind and handsome cowboy, seemingly unaware of the plans that circled around him.

But he knew and he used those plans to his advantage.

He prompted the debt from the start, by having Vincent raise Ciel as he once had in the past. It gave Ciel a sense of superiority that drove him to control Alois and act like the haughty Earl he once was.

The voice that urged Alois to follow Ciel to The University of Texas was nothing more than Sebastian whispering sweet words to Alois while he slept. He encouraged him, telling him to stay close to Ciel in hopes that one day Ciel would fall for him. Alois once believed in fairies and Sebastian stroked his imagination.

He sabotaged Alois's projects so it would further deepen the hatred for Ciel. It would make Alois gravitate towards Claude and in return, fall for him, setting up the dominos to fall when the truth revealed. Placing the new evidence against Hannah so that she would temporarily return to prison, invoking more tension between Alois and Ciel. All of it was Sebastian's doing.

The death of Ciel's grandparents to balance the books again…Sebastian had severed the souls from their bodies, letting The Undertaker claim them.

The car breaking down on Alois during his trip to see Claude...Sebastian's doing.

The nightmares that plagued Ciel during the night, nothing but Sebastian forcing memories onto Ciel of a time past, using that fear and anguish to help further flavor the soul and at the same time, sampling a taste for himself. Even if it meant draining Ciel's energy slightly.

He pushed Claude to forgive Alois, but held back against Ciel, making Ciel worry about their relationship as a means of flavoring the despair that came from the fight. It helped further taint Ciel's soul with fear and despair until it matched the scent of years past.

Every step that Sebastian took helped to further advance his plans as he moved each player across the board without them knowing.

Candlelight's flickered throughout the study as Sebastian walked to the old chess set that had borne witness to all Sebastian's transaction. It stood silently all these years, waiting for the final play that would end the game. The final move of Sebastian taking Ciel's soul.

He placed the king back in its spot and ran a finger over the top. "I never hated you, Ciel," he murmured and withdrew his hand. "With this I'll fulfill our contract and your final order, as you always wanted."

Chaos would reign tonight. The world would awake tomorrow to find that someone had brutally murdered Vincent and Rachel Phantomhive during the night and their heir Ciel Phantomhive missing; having decided to visit his parents first before coming to the ranch. Whether the police would find Ciel or not sometime in the future, Sebastian still hadn't decided.

He still didn't like the fact that Claude and Alois would get away without any more torture, at least one delivered by his hand. But it would seem that this time around, the fates would smile on them and allow them another chance at happiness. For now.

Sebastian hummed lowly and picked up the black knight. The piece he had used to represent himself throughout the game, as Ciel once viewed him as the same piece. It was a good game that they played, Ciel the unknowing player, but all games had to come to an end eventually.

The knight moved forward, coming to stand before the king and Sebastian smirked as darkness bathed the ranch and shadows filled the room while his eyes glowed in the dark. Above him, a loud scream pierced the night air and the contract mark on Sebastian's hand bled onto his skin, staining it with the familiar lines once more.

"Checkmate, my Lord."

A/N: And that's all she wrote! About this chapter: it hopefully answered all the questions that have built up throughout this story. Almost every chapter had a clue or hint of some sort, some more subtle than others but still there, haha. Hopefully no one was too surprised with the revelation :3

Thank you everyone for your support throughout this story. Y'all are awesome and never failed to make me smile. I hope y'all enjoyed the story. Though I know all the riddles and hidden meanings drove some people insane haha. Thank you again everyone! It really means a lot to me ^^