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He was going to die.
That was the only clear thought that went through his head. His vision had already started to blur, pain overtaking most other senses, more pain than he'd ever felt before. All he could see clearly was the long, thin, curving blade that stuck out from his stomach. His body was getting heavier and heavier, vision turning black around the edges.
He always assumed he would die eventually, but he never expected it to be like this.
A flash of blue caught his attention, and he fought to focus on it. Ciel was still falling. Even though he was so close to just letting go, he couldn't let Ciel die too…
Gathering what little strength he had, he pushed, reaching, and grabbed Ciel's hand. His whole body screamed with pain as he pulled the boy against him, spinning them so that he was on the bottom. The impact rocked his head, only adding to the sensations, and his vision went black. Hah, he really was going to die here, wasn't he? He was so close to letting go…
Ciel was shaking him, and the sting as Ciel's hands just barely brushed the wound in his chest shocked him back. He pushed himself up, trying to seem strong even as his head swam. God, he was so close to just letting go, letting the water rushing in his head pull him under. Only vaguely did he see Undertaker take position to strike again, and then Ciel was in front of him, shielding him. It should be the other way around, he thought. That was what he'd agreed to. He knew he'd be used as a living shield, he didn't care, as long as Ciel survived…
Something jarred the ship, and it took him a moment to realize that it had broken. Pushing himself up, he fought through the remaining reapers, most of it forming into a blur as he tried to stay conscious. Fighting through the pain, he grabbed Ciel, launching them into the air as the part they had been on sunk beneath the waves. Landing on the other half, he could feel how unstable it was, searching quickly for a way off. Finally, to his relief, he found a lifeboat that had been left, and quickly lowered it as he grabbed one of the lifesavers and pushed Ciel off. It was better his master was on the lifeboat than him, Ciel would be more affected by the cold water.
Landing in the water himself, he did his best to ignore the sting of salt water, even as he fought to grab the side of the lifeboat. Sighing at the small amount of relief, he began to push the boat; he didn't know where he was going, just that he needed to get Ciel out of here.
Ciel was falling asleep. That wasn't good. He shook the boy a bit, pulling his jacket off and wrapping it around him. Using just a bit of his power, he made the jacket warm and dry, attempting to keep Ciel from getting hypothermia. If Ciel fell asleep, who knew what would happen.
Something grabbed his leg, and with a painful gasp, he turned to see one of those god-forsaken zombie things hanging from it. Quickly, he kicked it off, a sinking realization in his mind. If they couldn't drown… He shushed Ciel, turning and watching as more of them appeared from the water. And more. And more, and more, and more. They were surrounded.
Ciel yelled for him to get in, and, attempting to conserve what strength he had, he tried. Grabbing an oar, he swung it at the approaching things, he watched as they sunk into the water.
Ciel made a good point. If they tried to leave, they would lead the hoard straight to the others. The only thing to do was destroy them.
Taking a deep breath, he gathered what little strength he had left, and began to fight. He was slower, weaker than normal, almost not enough, even though he was still much more than these primitive things. He was so tired, even though he was keeping a strong face, gritting his teeth through the pain and showing none of it.
Every movement made his body burn, even the sight of those things disappearing wasn't enough to make it worth the pain. The only thing that kept him from just surrendering was the knowledge that he was protecting his master. Even as he spit blood, even as he felt his body growing weaker, he still continued to fight. He had to protect Ciel. If he couldn't even do that, he would be a disgrace. He would be leaving Ciel defenseless, and that just wasn't something he would let himself do.
Once the final one was gone, he took a breath, turning to Ciel just as his legs finally buckled and he fell to the floor of the boat. Ciel's worried expression was the only thing he could really focus on. He was truthful in that the Deathscythe wound was much more than any human weapon, but he still tried to keep some semblance of his proper manner.
Well, until he bent over, coughing up blood. He attempted to apologize to his master, he was in quite the unseemly state now, but Ciel barely acknowledged it. Instead, his master continued to watch the horizon, though he briefly reached back. Sebastian felt Ciel's hand briefly running over his hair, an attempt to comfort him, perhaps. Even though it was hard, the small gesture brought a small smile to his face, his master was so kind…
His vision swam, and briefly blacked out. He shut his eyes and gritted his teeth, fighting to stay conscious. He just needed to stay awake a little longer, so he could make sure Ciel was found and saved. Just a little longer. That was all he needed. Just a few more minutes, just a little bit more time. He could do it.
Just a little longer…
Ciel was the one to spot the rescue ship first. Pushing himself into a sitting position, Sebastian watched as it came closer and closer, his only hint of hope. Ciel would be okay, he just had to wait until the boat got there. He was so tired…
Ciel looked worried. He didn't know why, he was just fulfilling his duty. He could barely respond to Ciel's request for him to rest when they were home.
So sure that Sebastian would make it there. Heh. He wasn't so sure, but he'd try, if it was what his master wanted.