"Happy birthday!" Mika yelled, wrapping his arms around the smaller boy's shoulders.

Ciel cracked a smile, looking between the expectant faces of his mother and Father.

"Happy birthday!" Elizabeth squealed,  wrapping her arms around Ciel as well.

"I got you such a cute present," She said. She held out a small bracelet, slipping it around his wrist. The bracelet was thin silver and had small bunny charms all around it.

"Thank you, I love it Lizzy," he said, flashing her a smile as he peered at it.

"Lets go in the kitchen and make you a cake!" Mika suggested, grabbing his free hand and pulling him after him.

"Yes, lets go!"

Elizabeth chased after them, giggling and running out of sight.

"They seem to be getting along wonderfully," Ciel's mother Rachel commented, glancing at her husband Vincent.

Vincent wore an amused expression, "That's true. Our child seems rather fond of Michaela, doesn't he?"

"I just wish Ciel would be a bit more understanding of this situation. I feel as if he's only pretending to please us," She said.

"Well he is the Phantomhive heir. To rule the underworld one must be a good actor."

"I know. I just wish he could have a had a much easier lifestyle."

Vincent placed a hand on Rachel's shoulder, "He's strong willed. You have nothing to fear, besides, he won't be head for another couple of years you know."

"Yes, I'm aware." Rachel glanced outside at the cool night sky, her eyes softening at the sight of the moon.

*°°°°°°°*

An unpleasant smell reached Ciel's nose and he sneezed before sitting up.  There was the sound of heavy footsteps and he climbed out of bed, peeking out of the bedroom door.

The sight of old man Tanaka approaching eased Ciel and he stepped out into the hallway. "Tanaka, what's going on?" Ciel asked.

"Young Master, you have to go!" Tanaka yelled, his eyes filled with fear as he pushed Ciel away.

"What's wrong? Why're you-"

Ciel was interrupted by the  flickering of red and dark orange down the hall. His eyes widened as they traveled up the curtains, Turning the hallway bright.

"Fire," Ciel muttered. "W-where's my brother!" He shouted, looking up at Tanaka for reassurance.

"Run! Go and hide!" Tanaka ordered, turning his back to Ciel.

Ciel took a step back, his heart hammering in his chest as he turned and ran down the hall to his parents.

"Momma!" he screamed, bursting into the bedroom.

His mother sat in a chair, her head slumped and her eyes peacefully closed.

His father sat beside her in a chair wearing a smirk, his eyes open and staring forwards, with the familiar family  dog Sebastian at his feet.

Ciel stepped back, hitting against a hard surface. Glancing up he screamed as white gloves reached for him, covering his mouth and grabbing him.

He fought as hard as he could as the figure in white carried him away, spotting Mika struggling down the hall.

The flames were everywhere; the entire mansion on fire and tears streamed down his face as he tried to reach for the familiar hand.

Ciel slowly closed his eyes, unable to fight back, as he realized his helplessness.

*°°°°°°*

When Ciel awoke, the first thing he noticed was how cold he was. Shivering, he wrapped his arms around himself barely aware of the others who sat beside him.

All he could see was the figures in white. One approached the front of the cage and peered down at him.

"You're quite the catch. So pretty and delicate. You'll make a fine pet."

"Where's my brother?!" Ciel yelled, his eyes ablaze.

The figure in white smirked as he pulled out a key and unlocked the cage. Grabbing Ciel by the shirt he threw him on the ground and began kicking him.

"You have quite the mouth. Seems we're going to have to teach you proper manners!"

Ciel curled into a ball, taking the hits as he stared at the boy across from him; large blue eyes watching in fear.

Ciel flashed a smile, to reassure him, when he was grabbed by the hair and thrown back in the cage.

The cage was locked again and Ciel coughed, spitting out the blood and leaning back against the cold steel bars.