Sebastian, Ciel, and Madam Red were shocked. Where had these three new figures come from? Where they there the whole time? Who were they? Thoughts like these ran through the three’s heads. Grell couldn’t think of much, trying to be as still as possible as to not have her neck pierced by the knife being held to her neck.

“Now,” Y/N purred, eyes shining with bloodlust, “as dear to me as you are, Madam Red, orders are orders. I’ve worked hard to get to where I am today. I’m not going to let family bonds get in my way.” Her voice was cold, piercing as if she truly felt nothing towards what was happening.

“If it's kill or be killed, there’s only one choice!” Madam Red exclaimed, rushing at Ciel, who was closest to her. She pulled a dagger from her sleeve midway. Sebastian jumped in front of her, grabbing both of her wrists and stopping her just before her dagger could nick Ciel’s skin. “You’re a doctor! How could you?!” Ciel shouted, unable to understand his aunt’s motives. “A child like you would never understand even if I told him!” Madam Red shouted, heartache and distress clear in her tone. She tried to get away but Sebastian just tightened his grip on her wrist. Her shoulders started to shake, tears forming in her eyes. “Let her go Sebastian,” Ciel commanded.

Grell had finally managed to come out of the trance she was in and somehow get past the baby blue haired figure. “You're a disappointment, Madam. Come now. Hurry up and kill the brat. And why not go for the other one while you're at it,” Grell instructed, walking over to them. “I can’t,” she murmured, “I can’t kill him, nor can I kill her. I can’t kill either of them,” she repeated, louder this time. “You’re really going soft on me now, even after all those deaths?” Grell questioned, bewildered. “If you don’t erase them, they’ll erase you.”

“Madam…” Ciel trailed off. “They are my--” she was abruptly cut off by Grell’s ‘Death Scythe’ being rammed into her heart. “Too late for that, how disappointing~” Grell purred. “I have no interest for you if you're just another woman!” Grell shouted.  “Is that…” Sebastian questioned out of nowhere. “A part of a reaper’s job is to replay and examine the memories of those on the ‘To Die’ list. We determine what kind of person they were from their own perspective what kind of life they’ve lived. Then we decide whether they should live or die,” Grell explained. “I remember that. It was one of the lessons Koro-sensei had drilled into us. That what they describe as ‘My life flashed before my eyes’”, Karma started, his classic smirk across his face. “Though it’s so much more than that, isn’t it. That was what you would classify as your true power, the Cinematic Records, yes?” his question came out more as a statement like he already knew the answer to his question.

“How beautiful you were dyed crimson in your victim's blood. I loved you so,” Grell mutter to herself. “I’m disappointed you turned out to be such a trite woman! You don’t have what it takes to wear red,” she said, taking off Madam Red’s red overcoat and slipped it over her own coat. “Your cheap little melodrama ends now. Farewell Madam.”

“Now to heaven you go…”

She paused mid-sentence when her eyes landed on Y/N, Karma right next to her and ready to fight. Her eyes widened, shock rushing through her being and freezing her in place. The duo raised an eyebrow in sync, confused by the reaper’s actions. “Karma, take care of her.” On cue, Karma charged, fist raised and ready to knock some teeth in. “I can’t believe it’s you,” Grell muttered. Karma just barely managed to stop his fist from making contact with Grell’s face after Y/N shouted at him to stop his assault. “It's been sixteen years since then. I almost forgot,” Grell continued to mutter incoherent things about ‘I never thought I’d see you again.’

“Karma, have you met the reaper before this case came to our attention?” Y/N questioned, intrigued, as the statements seemed to be directed at him. “No Mistress. I have no recollection of meeting any reapers before we started work on the case,” he responded, sounding as puzzled about what was happening as everyone else (or those alive anyway).

“I never thought I’d be able to see my baby boy again.”

That one line made everyone freeze. “Did I hear that right?” Ciel asked. “I believe so Master but I have not a clue as to what she means,” Sebastian responded, sounding just as shocked as everyone else felt. The four of them just stood there, silent, waiting for Grell to continue and further elaborate what she meant by ‘baby boy’.

“I wasn’t completely sure before, but I see it now. You’re him. You’re Chioma,” Grell uttered out, her shock starting to wear off. After hearing what she said though, Karma tensed. The other three figures, Nagisa, Rio, and Kayano, were worried about their friend. They have never seen him so tense and on edge. Out of nowhere, Karma charged at Grell, fist ready to fly. Y/N didn’t say anything knowing that Karma was, ultimately, following orders.

Once Karma reached Grell’s position, he threw his fist straight at her face. At the last second though, Grell leaned backward, Karma’s punch flying right over her. Grell continued her movement through, throwing her hands past her head to steady her landing, and kicking Karma in the gut in a back spring. The kick sent Karma flying into a wall, causing a slight indent, and knocking the wind out of him. He coughed a bit, trying to regain lost air.

“Don’t damage my beautiful face! And what’s got you so worked up, don’t you remember me~,” Grell purred at Karma. “No, and frankly, I don’t care who you are!” Karma shouted. He ground his teeth and charged again. What he said seemed to have hurt Grell to a degree, but she recovered quickly and started up her ‘Death Scythe’.

The two redheads traded blows. Karma was swiftly dodging the ‘Death Scythe’ while charging into a series of punches and kicks on Grell. Grell, on the other hand, wasn’t having much luck. Karma was too fast for her to land a blow on him. It was highly frustrating for the reaper and her frustration was just growing, which gave Karma more openings, which led to more frustration.

The cycle continued for a few minutes, turning it from a life or death fight into and a game of cat and mouse where Karma was Jerry and Grell was Tom.

Out of nowhere, though, right as they were about to charge again, a pole slammed into the concrete between them, coming from the rooftops. All eyes shot up the pole in an instant from shock. “I apologize for interrupting your little exchange,” a mysterious man interjected. He has a black tie and a dress suit with black dress pants and a white undershirt. He had short dark brown hair that was neatly combed and black square rimmed glasses that were reflecting the moonlight and blocking off his eyes. He also held a black record book“Let me introduce myself. I am William T. Spears and the administrator of the Grim Reaper Staffing Association. I came to take charge of that reaper there,” he stated, using the clipper end of his pruner death scythe to push up his glasses, revealing his yellow-green eyes.

“Will! William!” Grell shouted. “You came to save me--” she was cut off but this ‘William’ character jumping from his position on the rooftops and landing on the back of her skull, making her eat concrete. “Temp worker Grell Sutcliff, you have violated regulations,” William read from his notebook. “Firstly, you killed people not on the To-Die list. Secondly, you used a death scythe that was modified without authorization. And finally, you leaked classified information about the cause of death and identity of the murderer,” William listed off in a monotone voice, digging the heel of his dress shoe further into Grell’s skull with each offense. Once finished, he closed his notebook and it seemingly disappeared into thin air.

He jumped off the back of Grell’s head, standing only a few feet away from Karma, and bowed his head. “I am sorry for all the trouble this wretch has caused,” he apologized, using his scythe to pull something out of his coat. “Here’s my card.”

Karma took the card silently, a smirk forming on his face. “No need to apologize to me or my mistress. We quite enjoy these kinds of scuffles and bloodshed.”

“I really never thought I’d see the day when I’d have to bow my head to a noxious beast like you, halfbreed,” William uttered out. “This is a disgrace to the profession of a grim reaper.” “Call me what you will, I don’t care. The only thing I care about is the safety of my Mistress,” Karma said, turning to leave. “Oh, and if you don’t want to bow your head again I’d advise you keep close watch over your staff.”

“Come Grell Sutcliff, we’re leaving,” William announced, dragging Grell by the end of her hair like a ragdoll. “Honestly. We’re already shorthanded,” he uttered into the wind. In the middle of William’s mutterings, Sebastian took Grell’s death scythe in his hand and threw it at William. Said reaper only held up two fingers, the flat end of Grell’s scythe slipping between his fingers and abruptly coming to a screeching halt. “You forgot that,” Sebastian sang with a smile and closed eyes. “Thank you. Now if you’ll please excuse us.” With that, William disappeared into the shadows of the late night, dragging a limp Grell behind him.

“Well, that went differently than expected. I apologize for not completing your initial order Mistress,” Karma said, walking in front of Y/N before bowing in apology. “No need for that Karma. You know how much I hate apologies. Besides, tonight was interesting,” Y/N stated before lowering her voice. “We’ll further discuss this in private.” “Of course Mistress.”  Karma said, walking in front of Y/N before bowing in apology. “No need for that Karma. You know how much I hate apologies. Besides, tonight was interesting,” Y/N stated before lowering her voice. “We’ll further discuss this in private.” “Of course Mistress.”

“I, too, am deeply sorry My Lord for letting half of Jack the Ripper escape,” Sebastian followed in Karma’s steps, walking to stand in front of Ciel. “It’s alright. It’s done,” he muttered out, looking lifelessly down at the ground. Sebastian placed his hand on Ciel’s cheek before saying, “You're chilled to the bone Master. Let’s hurry back to the house now. I’ll make some hot tea.” “Sounds like a good idea,” the younger muttered out, getting to his feet before he collapsed. Sebastian, being the closest, tried to catch him before he hit the ground, only for Ciel to slap him away with a defiant and independent look in his eye. This surprised both Sebastian and Y/N, though they both got over their shock quickly. “I can stand on my own!” Ciel declared. “I’m fine, only a little tired.”

“First things first, though. Madam Red deserves a proper goodbye. I’ll take care of it. You two go back to the townhouse, Karma and I have everything covered here,” Y/N declared, sadness flashing in her eyes. “Fine,” Ciel dismissed, thought sadness and fatigue were evident in his tone to a trained ear. “You three. Head back to the estate, we’ll be there in a few days a least,” Y/N waved off her other three servants. They only nodded before disappearing into the night as well.

£~~£

Church bells rang out, the clouds making the day seem dim, matching the mood of those in the church. “She has departed from us now as all mankind must the earth. As someday, we all will. Her flesh will turn to ashes, but her spirit will remain,” the officiant read out. Elizabeth was kneeling in front of Madam Red, who was laying in her coffin. Her red hair was brushed out till it lay smooth, her skin pale from the makeup applied during her prep, lips lined with blood red lipstick, and a string of pearls circled her neck. She was fitted into a white, shoulderless dress that accented her curves.

“Goodbye Auntie An,” Elizabeth choked out through her grief. Out of nowhere, the door to the church creaked open, revealing four figures. The officiant stopped reading from surprise, everyone clad in black turning their attention towards the doors. Elizabeth whipped her head around, almost giving herself whiplash.

In the doorway stood two people and two other people stood at the edge of the door. Y/N and Ciel stood in the middle, holding a blood red dress between them. Karma and Sebastian stood to the side to allow their masters through.

“Ciel!” Elizabeth shouted, standing up. Ciel and Y/N walked forward, not caring for the looks shot at them. “Is that the Phantomhive boy? And Isn’t that lady with him Lady L/N? What’s she doing here?” The muttering continued, comments on how inappropriate their appearance was and as to why Y/N was even at the funeral.

Y/N let go of the dress and as soon as she did Ciel jumped the steps to reach his aunt. As he landed, he positioned the red dress to fall on top of Madam Red, coming to rest on her lifeless body. “White flowers and plain dresses don’t suit you. What suits you is the passionate color red,” Ciel declared, taking the red rose from his chest pocket and placing it in Madam Red’s hair. Red petals soon began to fly into the church, everyone's head turning toward the door. “Rest peacefully,” Y/N said.

Shortly after, the church bells rang out again, signaling the end of the ceremony.

£~~£

“So, want to talk about what happened that night?” Y/N demanded, sitting at her desk in the guest room for the Phantomhive summer townhouse. “Which part Mistress?” Karma shot back, trying to postpone the inevitable questions to come. “She called you Chioma, an obvious nickname. She also asked if you remembered her?” Y/N questioned. “You tensed up after what she called you and you don’t become tense for no reason. So what was it that triggered that reaction from you?” she pressed.

“I honestly have no memory of her. The Chioma part on the other hand…” Karma trialed off. Y/N waited for him to continue, knowing it wouldn’t help if she tried to force it out of him.