Chapter 1

A sigh escaped through Shima's lips. Checking the seal on the Academy was a lot of hard and tedious work. It's been an hour, and there wasn't a single break in the damn thing! Why were we doing this anyways?! I groaned, wiping the sweat from my brow. On top of everything else, it was a hot day. A really hot day. When I see Sir Pheles I swear I'm gonna smack the hell out of him!

"Ridiculous…" I said, getting up to move on to the next part of the seal.

"It's not that bad, Bon. I know it's hot, but at least you aren't doing this all by yourself, like Izumo is." I let a small smile peek through my face. The only reason I hated Izumo so much was because she made it so easy. She always had to comment on everything, and every comment she had dripped with sarcasm. Just the thought of her suffering in the heat with no one to bitch at made me feel much better. We reached the next part of the seal, and I noticed this one in particular was weakening.

"We'd better mark this one up, Shima. It's a little weaker than the others."

"I wonder why?" he said, thinking out loud. I knew exactly why. I saw it on the director earlier this week. He seemed a little antsy when he was talking to us about the seals. He said we had to check them since one might be breaking. He never gave us a reason why, but judging by the way he was acting, he was struggling with his mating season, and that would have affected the seals.

We learned that during a demon's mating season, the most important thing to them is reproduction. Most demons can't control themselves during this time, and rape pretty much everything they see, until something gets pregnant. If a demon can last a week without sex, their need for sex goes away, and they return to their normal selves. But most of the time, they become like wild animals, driven by their desire to pass on their genes. I thought it was amazing that Sir Pheles could talk to us during his mating season and not rape someone in the room. I guess he's too civil for that.

I finished marking up the weak seal when Konekomaru came running up to us.

"Whats up, Konekomaru? What's the hurry?" I asked.

"Sir Pheles wanted to see you, Bon. He didn't say why. Rin says he asked for Shiemi earlier, and she said he looked a lot better than before. Less fidgety. I can take over for you here."

"Uh… ok. I'll be right there. Thanks, Konekomaru." I took out the key to his office and made my way to a door with a lock. I wonder why he wants to see me. He probably wants an update on the seals. His mating season is pretty much over, so I'll be able to talk to him without the threat of getting raped. Even though I'm a guy, I could still get pregnant. Demons can change the anatomy of humans during sex, but only during mating season. I'm pretty sure only males can do it… I racked my brain for a definite answer, but I was interrupted when I walked right into a wall. I bumped my nose and fell back onto my butt, cradling my face. My nose started bleeding a little, and I growled, lifting my head up and breathed through my mouth.

"Are you alright?" I looked up to see Sir Pheles looking down at me, a worried expression clouding his face. "Here, let me see." I uncovered my nose, still tilting it up to prevent the blood from dripping down my face and onto my shirt. He took a look at it and muttered something about it not looking broken. He pulled out a handkerchief and shoved it in my face, putting a little pressure on it. It took a few seconds but soon, my nose stopped bleeding. Still looking worried, he helped me to my feet and I brushed myself off.

"Thank you, Sir Pheles. I was just coming to see you." I said, slightly embarrassed. Somehow, I feel a demon is always swooping in to rescue me. Most of the time it's Rin, but this time it was Sir Pheles. It hit me that he was King of Time. If that was the case, that must make me the princess that always needs rescuing by the prince or the knight... it was official. I was a damsel in distress. I cursed to myself for even thinking that stupid thought, no matter how true it may be.

"Let's take a walk. I'll make sure the walls don't attack you again." He purred. I'm gonna smack him. I swear to god I'm gonna smack him.

"Thanks…" I grumbled.

"It's terribly hot, don't you think?" he said as we walked.

"Yes sir. Um, why did you want to see me?" I asked, raising an eyebrow at him.

"I'm just escorting you to my office for a break. I figured since its air conditioned in there, it would be a nice change of temperature. Don't you think?" he smiled at me, with that sly, devilish smirk of his. The one that made you question his real motive for doing the things he does. I mean, he says he's going to use Rin as a weapon against Satan, but he hasn't done much to prove it. All he's done is sit back and watch as we all nearly get killed! We're lucky Rin manages to save us every time!

My mind wandered again, but this time it wandered off to a place I never want to see again. The thought of Sir Pheles' true intentions for bringing me to his office lead to thinking about the fact that he might still be in the middle of his mating season. Which would explain why he was enticing me with the promise of an air conditioned room. But that would also mean he wants…!

"Oh…!" I gasped, swaying and feeling dizzy. I vaguely remember losing my balance and someone catching me from the front before passing out. The next thing I know, I'm in a cool room, with a fan on me and a bunch of ice packs around my body. "Ungh…"

"Here," said a voice. "Drink this." Gloved hands brought a glass of cold water to my lips and I weakly swallowed what they gave me.

"What happened…?" I moaned. I tried opening my eyes to see the person that was helping me, but my vision was blurry for some reason.

"You fainted in the courtyard. I think it might have been from the heat." He said. "I managed to get you to my house and get you to cool down significantly. You should go back to sleep, and get your strength back. Unless you think you can get down some more water?" I could make out his purple hair and white clothing, and realized it was Sir Pheles that was helping me. I gave him a slight nod, and he gently put the cup to my lips again. I drank the water, starting to gain some of my strength back. I mumbled a thank you, and closed my eyes, falling asleep.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

I could hear them, but I don't know what they're saying. I knew who they were, but my thoughts were too muddled to assign names to the voices. I knew one of them… but the other two I didn't recognize. I wonder who they are? As my mind neared consciousness, the words became clearer, and I started to assign names to the mysterious voices.

"So he'll be alright, then?" That was Sir Pheles.

"Yes, Mr. Faust. Mr. Suguro here should be fine. Enough bed rest and water will make him good as new." Uh… I think… A doctor of some sort…?

"Thank you, Doctor." Yeah. He's a doctor. I hear the door open and close and the third voice becomes slightly hostile.

"You're lucky it's only a case of heat exhaustion, Mephisto."

"And tell me, Arthur. How is it any less dangerous than heat stroke? They can both be fatal if left untreated." Said Sir Pheles musically.

"You know what I mean, you demon!" growled the guy called Arthur.

"Ah. That. There's no need to worry. I have enough self-control to keep myself away. Plus I have a hand." He said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Disgusting beast… I'll be checking on him daily, until he recovers."

"You do that. He shall be resting peacefully in this bed when you return."

"He'd better be." I heard Arthur leave, slamming the door and making me jerk fully awake. Sir Pheles jumped as well, and turned to me. He smiled warmly, and took the melted ice bags away from my sides. I heard him run some water for a bit then fill up a cup. Watching him come back, I relaxed. I still felt weak from the heat. In his un-gloved hand was a damp cloth, and in the other hand was a cup of water. He put the cup down on the nightstand, sat on the bed and began dabbing my face with the cool, damp cloth.

"How are you feeling, Ryuuji?" he asked me, looking into my eyes with worry.

"Better," I croaked. He put his bare hand on my forehead, like my mom used to do when I was sick.

"Good. Still no fever," he said, getting up. "Which means it isn't going to come back if things stay the way they are now." He went back to the sink and ran the water over the cloth again, wringing it out and coming back over to wipe down my face.

"Sir Pheles—"

"Drink some water. You need to rehydrate yourself. Are you hungry at all?" He asked raising an eyebrow. I nodded. I was starved. He smiled and finished patting down my face and chest before calling his familiar. I guess I was drifting off again, because I don't remember what he told it to do.

I think I slept for a while, because when I woke up again it was pretty dark outside. I tried sitting up, and got nowhere fast. Sir Pheles looked like he was nodding off on the couch. I grunted, trying to get up again and apparently woke him up.

"Ryuuji? Are you awake?"

"Yeah..." I managed to say.

"You want something to eat? Ukobach is almost finished cooking."

"Food…" I grunted. He chuckled, and walked off. When he came back, he had a bowl of food that smelled spicy and delicious. My mouth watered a bit as I imagined what it would taste like. I loved spicy food. "What is it?"

"Ukobach says it's called 'gobi aloo'. It's an Indian dish, with potatoes and cauliflower in curry sauce." He said as he sat me up on the bed. I wondered why I was so weak. Did Sir Pheles... did he… rape me…? Is that why I'm so weak…? "Are you alright?" he asked me with wide eyes. He could tell I was thinking about what he did… he… he did do it…! Right?! Oh god!

I didn't realize I was starting to have a panic attack – complete with hyperventilating—until Sir Pheles crammed a paper bag over my face. I breathed in and out, feeling pretty spent.

"What has gotten into you? Are you sure your healthy?" he exclaimed as my breathing slowed. I took the paper bag away from my mouth and sighed.

"Did you… r-rape… me…?"

"I beg your pardon?!"

"You're in the middle of your mating season right? I would've made a real easy target while I was out. So… did you…?"

"Hmph! Of course not! If I'm going to choose a mate, they must choose me as well! Rape! I never!" he crossed his arms and frowned, glaring at me in disapproval.

"I… I'm sorry Sir Pheles… that was out of line…" his deep frown disappeared and his gaze softened.

"No, your right to think that happened. It is a likely explanation, since I am enduring my mating season. But I do have enough self control to ask first. Come on. Get that food in your stomach and go back to sleep." I did as I was told and finished the bowl, resting my head down on the feather soft pillow. Sir Pheles cleaned up after me, and once again, I fell asleep.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

The smell of food woke me up. I lifted my head from the pillow, leaving a slight trail of drool. I wiped my mouth with my wrist and got up to go pee. As soon as I sat up I realized I had no clue where the bathroom was. I also realized I had to ask Sir Pheles where it was. Luckily, he was in the kitchen, looking at something his familiar was showing him. I cleared my throat, and they both turned around.

"Your up. I'm assuming you want to know where the bathroom is, huh?"

"Yeah," I said, rubbing the back of my head.

"It's across the hall and to the left of your room."

"My room?"

"The room you've been sleeping in this whole time."

"Oh." I mumbled with a slight blush. I started out in the direction of the bathroom, trying not to freak out about my liking the notion that he called the room I was staying in "my room". He really wasn't a bad guy… so what if he was a demon. He wasn't acting like one now.

Oh, what am I thinking?! Sir Pheles is known to lie about things! Even the Grigori barely trusts him! Why am I justifying his kindness?!

Because I love him, that's why.

No, that's impossible. I can't love a demon like him! Besides he's a guy! And I'm a guy! That's gay! I'm not gay!

But I might've not realized I was gay until now.

I'M NOT GAY!

"Ergh!" I banged my head against the hallway wall after finishing up in the bathroom. This was so hard… was I gay? Did I really fall in love with a demon? The King of Time, to be exact? A son of Satan?!

"Ryuuji, breakfast is ready!"

I guess I'll figure that out soon enough…