Woot~

Since I can remember, I've had the ability to see strange things... or rather, spirits.

They follow me everywhere I go, pulling on my hair, tripping me, doing everything they could to taunt me and make me cry. When I was little I was considered a freak because I could see these things. Kids thought I was crazy, or that i was a traumatized child. No one believed be, not even my own parents. They thought it was all because of the over active imagination of a bullied child. Eventually, when I finally decided that no one was going to believe me, I told my parents that I was making it up because I wanted more friends and for people to think I was special. They thanked me for coming to my senses and sent me off.

Some parents, right?

But, you can't really blame them. Wouldn't you think the same thing if someone told you they were being bullied by ghosts? Anyway, over the years I just learned to ignore them, and decided it would be best if I never spoke about it to anyone. I still have troubles with these spirits tripping me and knocking me over every now and then, but I have learned to pass myself off as a klutz. Oh, how rude of me, I haven't introduced myself have I?

My name is Fukunuma Mana, and you would think that because part of my name means 'Lucky' that I would have a little more luck than I do.

But I don't.

Which sucks.

I am fifteen years old, going on sixteen tomorrow, and I am a sophomore in high school. I'm not all that popular, and my grades suck, and I have absolutely no talents. Well, I am artistic... but that's about it... But what do you care, you're just here for a story right?

Well, believe me, you're about to get one...

"You alright, Senpai?" Emi asked with a blank expression as I tripped over my own feet and smacked my nose off of the pavement. Well shit, of course I'm not alright! I may as well have broken my damn nose!

"Of course not! Owww!" She bent down in front of me, yanking my hand from my nose. I watched as her face paled slightly.

"Oh crap... We need to get you to the nurse... It's bleeding a lot..."

I paled and stared to spaz out. "Oh no! ah... how bad is it? I'm sure it's not that bad, right? What are we sitting around here for, we need to go before I die of blood loss and-"

I watched her face twist into a teasing smirk. "Dumbass. Your nose is fine, but your expression is priceless!" She fell over laughing while I examined my hand.

There was no blood.

I punched her on the head and glared at her.

"Don't scare me like that!"

"C'mon Senpai, I need to get my kicks somehow, right?"

"You're evil Emi!"

Emi was my best friend, and in the grade below me, a freshman. I hadn't met her until the middle of summer last year. She helped me up and picked up the books I was carrying to hand them to me. "You're always such a klutz. It's gotta be some kind of illness if you trip this often."

I glared back at the little green and red imp creature that was snickering at me and hopping from foot to foot. "Yeah... sorry..." The bell rang and we headed towards the school.

"By the way senpai, your birthday is tomorrow, right?" I grinned.

"That it is, Emi-chan!"

"So, what do you want for your birthday?"

I froze and looked away from her. "What, didn't you think about it?" I glared at her.

"Of course I did!"

"Okay then, what is it?"

She raised an eyebrow skeptically at me. I felt my tongue twisting.

"W-Well..." I couldn't tell her that I wanted to get rid of these creatures and this annoying ability for good. I hadn't even told her I could see spirits in the first place.

She smiled and spun to stand in front of me, causing me to stop. She took hold of my shoulders and grinned at me. "You want a boyfriend, don't you?" What the hell? I shoved her away in my embarrassment and looked away from her. "Guys just have to like you! You're really beautiful, and funny, and you're really smart!"

I straightened my uniform, the gaudy old-fashioned sailor suit, and made perfect eye contact with her. "Aside from my looks guys hate all that other stuff. They want someone stupid and easy. And need I remind you I'm a D average student? I'm not smart. And even if a decent guy exists at this school, they probably want someone who's athletic and super friendly, like you. For all I care everyone can kiss my ass. I don't need anyone but you."

She frowned and punched me in the shoulder before grabbing my wrist and dragging me into the school. "I'm sure a lot of guys like you for you, Senpai."

"Phah... well, thanks for trying to cheer me up anyway Emi-chan- OW! QUIT HITTING ME!"

The school day came and went, but one thing was off about today. The ghosts were clinging to me more than usual today, practically dog piling me on my way home. I drug my feet as the heavy weight and feelings of bloodlust and despair overwhelmed me. I sat down on a bench that was sheltered by the little shack over it, indicating it as a bus stop. I slipped off my duffel bag and opened it up to pull out a water bottle.

Big mistake.

The second I placed the aluminum canteen to my lips, one of the creatures reached out to smack it, soaking the front of my white uniform shirt. My head burned, and I hugged the duffel bag to my chest to hide my bra before swatting a few of the creatures away. More suddenly came and latched onto me, the disparity and bloodlust suddenly becoming stronger. I exhaled and fell sideways to lay down on the bench. "Seriously, this is enough to make a normal person commit suicide..." I frowned and hugged the duffel bag tighter. "Good thing I'm not a normal person, huh?"

"Yes! A very good thing indeed!"

My eyes shot open and I quickly looked up at the man hovering above me.

He was certainly odd looking...

He was adorned in a white top hat and outfit with a cape, a large pink polka dotted handkerchief stuck out of his coat collar. His hair was indigo, he had a small, pointy beard, large gleaming teeth, and most noticeable were his large, pointed ears. I took in his unusual appearance before sitting up and starring at him.

"I'm... sorry?"

The man grinned and took off his top hat to bow to me, the large curly cowlick that stuck out from his head tickling my bruised nose. "It certainly is an honor to meet you, Hime-chan~." I flushed and backed away from him.

"If you're some kind of pedophile, you better back off, I know how to kick ass!" I was worried he would call my bluff and attack me anyway, but instead, he shot up quickly, putting his hat back on and putting up his hands defensively.

"Of course not! Believe me, as cute as you are, I'd never do something like that!" I frowned at him.

"Well... thanks I guess..."

He regained his odd composure and grinned once more. "Milady, you see, I am here to offer you a way to escape these creatures that are following you around~." He reached over my head and swatted the creatures away, causing them to disappear. I starred around myself in amazement and stood up to look behind me, forgetting about the duffel bag and allowing it to drop to the ground.

"How did you-"

"Here's my card~"

He handed me a white index card with a picture of a cross on it. "True Cross academy... Johann Faust the fifth?" I eyed the little chibi version of himself on it with disdain.

"You see my dear, I am the head master of the famous True Cross Academy. My real name is Mephisto Phelles. I've heard of your little epidemic, and came to see it for myself. Now that I have confirmed it with my own eyes, I would like to offer you a way to keep these spirits at bay, and to live a normal life." I starred at the man, his emerald eyes leering.

"You've got to be joking... First off, who or what are you and how can you see these things too? Second, why would you want to help me? And how do you expect me to pay off going to an exclusive academy like this? This just sounds like a scam to me." He grinned and placed his hands on his hips, bending slightly at the torso to get in my face. Hadn't this guy ever heard of personal space?

"Your questions will be answered in due time. And you don't have to pay a cent. Consider this a scholarship." I starred back down at the card.

"A scholarship student... me? But... My grades are horrible and the only thing I have going for me are my artistic abilities, and even then it's not enough to get me by in life..." He grinned and pulled out a white parasol from under his cape and snapped it open.

"Your ability to see spirits is enough. You see, True Cross is not only a private school, it's also a school to train exorcists in the making."

I blinked in surprise. "Exorcists...? Like, priests and guys who exorcise demons from people...?"

"Well, that's one kind of exorcist, but it's more complex than that. If you would like, you can call to set up a tour and see if you like the school. But please respond as soon as possible. You don't have much time." I raised an eyebrow at him.

"As I said, joining the school would be in your best interest, Fukunuma Mana. That is, If you wish to continue living. Of course, it isn't a threat. It's a forewarning of what could happen to you if you choose not to."

I stopped him. "How do you know my name? Moreover, who I even am?"

He smiled. "Like I said I have heard things about you. Well, I best be going, I have a school to run, after all."

He spun around and began walking down the street, when he suddenly stopped. "Tomorrow is your sixteenth birthday, am I correct? Consider this your birthday present, Hime-chan." He glanced at me over his shoulder, his expression serious. I wanted to ask more questions, but knowing it would be impossible, I simply nodded.

"By the way, lace suits you~." He suddenly scaled the stone wall that lined the road and disappeared from my vision like some kind of parkour pro. But wait...

"Lace? What the he-" I suddenly remembered my soaked uniform and glanced down at my white embroidered bra. I howled, a mix of anger and shock. I picked up the canteen and chucked it as hard as I could over the wall.

"YOU PERVERT!"

BONK

The deep voice that howled in pain after ward told me I had hit my mark.

I had skipped dinner that night, too focused on examining the card and what this Mephisto guy had told me. Mom asked me if anything was wrong, but I didn't want a repeat of my childhood. So I just told her I would eat later. Here I am, lying on my bed, holding the card above my head and scanning over the number printed in italics. Mephisto could see them too, couldn't he? He offered me a real scholarship, to a private school no less. All because I can see spirits. It seemed too good to be true, but on the bright side, If I gave him a call and tell my folks about getting a scholarship to an all-exclusive school, they'd freak. And what do I have here to keep me from going?

I love my mom and dad, but they were never all that supportive of me unless it benefited them in some way, and though I love Emi with all my heart and she's the best friend anyone could ask for, we could still talk and hang out every now and then, and it's not like I had any other friends.

My mind was made up.

I whipped out my cell phone and quickly dialed the number on the card, sitting up in my bed.

"Moshi mosh~ You've reached Johann Faust the fifth~!"

"Ah! Mephisto-san, I'd like to-"

"I am unable to answer at the moment so please leave your name and number and I'll get back to you ASAP!"

I frowned as I heard the beep. I took a deep breath and pushed it out. "Mephisto-san, this is Fukunuma Mana. I've decided to take you up on your offer and I would like to tour the school. Please call me back as soon you get this." I left my number and thanked him before hanging up and smiling.

"Maybe... this would be for the best..."

Oh, that's right.

I should go tell mom and dad.

I bolted down the steps and told my mom and dad about Mephisto, using his Johann Faust name just for safety, about the info he gave me and how I gave him a call and told him I'd love to tour the school. I don't think I'd ever seen them so ecstatic in my entire life.

"This is so wonderful honey! You're being accepted into the best school in Japan!" My mother hugged me with vigor.

"Not only that, but with their great academics and programs, your grades will shoot through the roof and you'll be accepted into ITT Tech for sure!" I glared at him lightly as he ruffled my hair.

My dad always had this dream of me becoming a law major and going to ITT Technical University in America like my big brother did. I would always fight with him over it, but since then I have learned to just smile and nod whenever he goes on a rant about it.

Of course, I wouldn't ever go to ITT Tech anyway.

But for now, It would make him happy and stay off my case.

"We have to have a celebration!" My mom's eyes brightened.

"That's right! Tomorrow after school we'll take you anywhere you want for your birthday! You can bring Emi-chan too if you like!" What the hell, were they even planning on doing anything for me tomorrow? Nonetheless, I smiled and put my hands up.

"It's fine, we don't need to do anything-"

"Of course we do!" I jumped and looked at my dad. "It's your sixteenth birthday after all!"

I nodded hesitantly. "Okay then. I want to go to the aquarium."

"Excellent choice honey!" I hugged and kissed them good night and went back to my room.

I flopped on my bed and picked up my pink phone to text Emi.

:You're never gonna believe this, but I just got a scholarship to True Cross Academy. I'll fill you in on the details tomorrow. Good night:

I shut off my phone and stuck it on my end table before slipping under the covers and shutting off the lamp next to me. I settled into sleep whilst looking at the moon out my window. Tomorrow would surely be interesting...

"TRUE FRIGGIN CROSS ACADEMY?"

Emi tackled me to the ground and was shaking me repeatedly. I shoved her off and brushed the dirt off my uniform. "Are you crazy Emi?"

She grinned maniacally. "No offense, but your grades totally suck and you're dirt poor! Why the hell would the head master come and invite you in person?"

"Oh so now I'm not smart, huh? I know who I'm going to next time I need guy advice and it sure as hell isn't you." I glared at her and stood up. "He said that he was interested in my abilities and believes that I would be better off at the academy."

She bounced around me. "I'll say! You should totally go for it! You'll never get a chance like this again!"

I grinned evilly and looked away from her whilst folding my arms over my chest. "Huh... so you're trying to get rid of me? And here I thought you'd be crying and begging for me to stay."

She laughed and threw and arm around my shoulder. "Of course I'm going to be sad... But think of it this way. You'll have a chance to start over and make new friends, and you won't hate everyone. This is a sucky school anyway, get out while you still can. You said yourself that everyone can kiss your ass, right?" She gave me a hug with the arm she still had around me.

"Thanks Emi-chan. And no matter what, we'll still hang out and talk every chance we get."

She nodded.

"Of course!"

Everything started in Math.

Of course, I was sleeping as usual, when something hit me in the head. I stirred awake and looked at the paper football that had the words 'Open me' on them. When I unfolded the paper I nearly squealed in shock.

'Hey Fukunuma-chan. I don't know if you know me, but I'm Yamaoka Jun. I'm sitting a row and two seats behind you. Meet me during lunch on the roof. There's something I'd like to talk to you about.'

I carefully looked behind me, and to my surprise, Yamaoka Jun-kun actually waved and smiled to me. I waved back sheepishly. Jun, the most handsome guy in the school as well as the captain of the baseball team, wanted to talk to me? Alone?

There had to be a catch to this...

Five minutes after I had made my way to the roof, Jun came up the stairs, smiling away. He was a good head taller than me, lean and tan with luxurious chestnut locks. He came over to stand next to me by the railing. I kept my gaze focused on the school grounds below, the oak trees scattered around, mixing horribly with the Sakura trees... Dammit, bad time to be an art critique.

"So, do you know why I called you up here, Fukunuma-chan?" I looked away, trying not to show the growing annoyance on my face.

"To get my hopes up and make fun of me later?"

He jumped away from the railing quickly. "Wha... What? No, of course not! Why would you assume that?"

I looked over at his shocked face. "Because your idiot friends have done it to me enough times in the past. What makes you any different?" It wasn't just the baseball team. Guys from the tennis team and soccer team too. They would call me out after class, ask me out, shout, "Surprise!" and do something embarrassing to me, or their buddies would come out of no where and laugh at me for thinking I stood a chance with a sports star.

Jun shot up and put his hands up in his defense. "No! No no no! I wanted to tell you that... well..." He looked down, a slight pink color to his cheeks. I starred in surprise. "I... I think you're really pretty... And you're funny in class... You make jokes all the time, and though no one laughs at them, I always do because I think their funny and cute... and You're really smart, and know how to handle yourself..." I looked away from him.

"You're stupid, because if you knew me at all you'd know I'm not like that at all. Pretty? Maybe. Funny in class? I crack smart ass things to say because the teacher is annoying and can't teach to save his life. Cute? Hah, do I sound cute to you? I talk like a fucking yakuza half the time. Are you stupid or just stupidly love struck? I'm not smart, and my grades are horrible. But you're right about one thing. I know how to handle myself because I'm not gonna fall for some jock like you."

I turned on my heel to walk away, when I felt him grab my hand and immediately paused.

"And there's the other thing. You're steadfast and strong, and let people know what's on your mind..." He pulled my hand and turned me around to face him. I starred at our hands awkwardly. Okay... so maybe he was serious... Even though he was attractive and nice, I didn't have such feelings for him.

"I like you, Fukunuma-chan. I would like it if you would go on a date with me."

I analyzed his face. He was looking at me with half lidded eyes, his cheeks pink, and mouth set in a stern line. He was being sincere.

...

Well, what the hell am I supposed to do now?

"Look... You're really nice... and you must be pretty serious after a beat down like that... but even so I really don't-"

He tilted my chin up and smiled at me. I felt the embarrassment rising in my chest and tried to look away, but his grip wouldn't allow it. "Say yes and meet me back here after school, okay?" ... crap... I starred at him for a moment before nodding and looking away. He grinned and gave me a light hug. "That's great! I'll see you after school then, same place!" He placed a kiss to the top of my head, lingering for a moment, before hopping away down the stairs.

I ran to the stairwell and shouted down, "I swear to God if this is a prank, I'll kill you, Yamaoka!"

I fell against the wall beside the door and slid down to sit.

My heart was racing a mile a minute.

Maybe I didn't see Jun in that way, but that didn't mean that I wasn't eager to go on a date with him. A guy had never asked me out with such vigor, or with that much sincerity. It was too real. I smiled and hugged my knees to my chest.

This had to be the best birthday ever~

I had told Emi about Jun's confession and she nearly suffocated me in a massive hug. For the last bit of school, all she talked about were date tips and how to stay bold. Though I already knew how to handle myself, I just nodded and let her talk, knowing it would satisfy her. Once school let out, we bid good bye and I went back into the class room to finish cleaning up, seeing it was my turn for duties. I had finished cleaning the chalk board so I wiped at my fore head and grinned at my handy work. "All done~ now to go home~"

I took the bucket and sponge to the bathrooms and dumped out the water before squeezing out the sponge and heading back to put them away in the classroom closet. Once I had closed and locked the closet door, I heard a voice from behind me. No, not a voice... many small, squeaky ones...

"That's her."

"She's the one."

"We must have her."

"Eternal youth and power!"

I slowly turned around to look behind me and nearly screamed. There had to have been fifty of them. The green and red creatures who would always follow me around and trip me and torment me had multiplied ten fold. This time I could hear their voices. If I could just ignore them and make my way out of there without acknowledging them, I would be okay. But the second I took a step towards my bag, they all stuck to me, pulling my hair, scratching and biting me. They had never done this before, so why all of a sudden are they coming after me?

I quickly grabbed my bag and started running out of the classroom. The second I made my way to the stairs, a few of them grabbed onto my bags and caused me to trip, nearly causing me to smack my head off of them. My duffel bag went sailing to the floor below. I starred at it in horror and looked back at the imp-like creatures who were gnawing on my legs and back. It stung, and I could see the blood as their teeth sunk into me, like a pack of wolves attacking a hunk of lamb meat. "No... This isn't right... something is off..." I quickly stood and ran down the stairs to grab my bag, then running back up them to get on the roof.

I slammed the door open and panted heavily, watching as Jun jumped in surprise. But something looked weird about him too. The little black creatures that I would see floating in the air around town occasionally, seemed to swarm around him without his realization. Was it because of me? I shrugged it off and smiled at him.

"Are you alright, Fukunuma-chan? What happened?" My hair was a bit tousled and my clothes were wrinkled. Not to mention the cuts on my legs were still bleeding lightly.

"Oh, sorry, I fell down the steps on the way here! I didn't mean to make you wait so long..." He smiled and made his way over to me slowly.

"It's no trouble at all." I shifted and looked away from him. I suddenly wanted to run away again. Something about him was off, like the spirits in the classroom.

"Which reminds me, I have a present for you. It's your birthday today, isn't it?"

His happy-go-lucky tone suddenly became sinister. I looked up and backed away from him. A pair of horns were growing out of his head, and his teeth were razor sharp and jagged, jutting out between his lips.

I didn't know what had happened until it already occurred. The pain in my left cheek, the afternoon sky making its way into my vision, and the pain in my head as it bounced off the concrete. He had punched me and knocked me to the ground. I tried to get up, but he grabbed my neck, momentarily shocking me, and shoving me back down. I grabbed onto his arm, digging my nails into it, but it didn't have much of an effect. He grabbed my wrists suddenly and placed my hands on the ground.

I screamed.

He shoved a thick nail into each of my hands, pinning them into the concrete. I couldn't help but sob. The pain. Dear God the pain. I couldn't move my hands at all. Just sit there and cry, praying for anything to happen. Praying this was a terrible joke, praying that I would get out of it alive. He shoved a hand over my mouth. Biting him was useless. It was as if he couldn't feel it.

My sobs halted for a moment when he suddenly straddled me, hand making its way up my skirt. I screamed and thrashed around, trying to get him off of me, when he took his hand away from my mouth and slapped me across the face, on my swelling cheek. His eyes glowered in sick delight.

"Oh my sweet Hime-sama... I can't wait to taste your blood and devour your flesh... You were right to be cautious of me, though you should have stuck with your original plan and rejected me." He let out a strange laugh. His voice was no longer that of Jun's.

He flipped my skirt up, then gathered my shirt and pulled it up to shove the bottom half in my mouth, probably in case I tried to scream some more. With his free hand, he reached over to his zipper.

"Whatever power you have to offer, I'll take. With that said, I'll be devouring you as well."

I am going to die.

I am going to be violated and I'm going to die.

I let out a shrill shriek despite the shirt gag, hoping someone would come and save me, or at least discover my body and give this bastard the justice he deserved.

"Hey now, is that anyway to treat a woman of that caliber?"

My eyes shot open and I looked behind Jun to stare at the new comer. Jun had momentarily paused . I blinked tightly to clear my vision, hoping I wasn't seeing things. "Mephisto-san!" He tipped his hat and grinned back at me as if there wasn't an injured, traumatized girl about to be raped sitting in front of him. I envied his laid back attitude in that situation.

Jun spun around and glared at him.

"Fuck off! You had your chance to take her, I'm claiming the Senka as my own now!"

The what?

Mephisto sighed and took out his parasol, resting it over his shoulder.

"Come now Asmodeus-sama, you know as well as I do you won't be taking her today."

Jun growled and jumped off of me, turning to face my savior.

"Like hell I won't! I'll kill you for getting in my way! I don't care if you're one of that brat's spawns!"

Jun lunged at him at an inhuman speed, his hands tearing open to reveal claws. Mephisto pulled out his closed parasol and smacked Jun on the head with it as soon as he was within range. What amazed me was that he had hit him with so much strength that his face smashed into the concrete and left an imprint. He then used the hooked end to lift him by the collar and pulled a wine bottle out of his cloak, popping off the cork with his thumb and dumping the clear contents down Jun's throat. Jun choked on it, trying to spit it out even as Mephisto dropped him to his knees. His body erupted in steam, as if he were burning, and suddenly black smoke shot out of his mouth. The massive cloud vanished as soon as it had materialized, and Jun's body fell limp to the ground. Mephisto grinned at me.

"I got your message~."

I couldn't move. The shock from what I had just seen was so great, I had forgotten about my hands and already they were numb. Mephisto waltzed up to me, bending down and smiling at me.

"Well now, you look like you've been scared enough for one day! Let's get you out of this and cleaned up!"

He pushed down on the area around the wound, holding my hand in place as he gripped the nail. I watched with clouded eyes, all dried out from crying and exhausted from my screaming.

"This is going to hurt like hell... so I suggest you take this..."

He reached into his pocket and put a pink polka dotted hand kerchief, much like the one in his collar. He shoved the piece of cloth deep into my mouth, instructing me to bite down on it and to watch my tongue. I pulled my tongue back drowsily, before realizing what he was doing.

Before I could do anything, my vision suddenly became clear again, and I screamed behind the cloth.

The tears came back and burned my cheeks, already raw from the first round of pain. He moved onto my other hand, and I bit down hard on the cloth as he proceeded to rip that nail out as well. I didn't dare move my hands. I didn't want anymore pain. It was too much. Mephisto pulled the cloth out of my mouth and used the dry half to dab the saline and mucus from my face.

"This is the exact reason why I wanted you to enroll in True Cross Academy, and why you will be safer there. You are what is known as the Senka. The celestial bride. Once every hundred years a human like yourself is born. You have the ability to see spirits because of your blood. It's like an elixir of life to these creatures. Those who drink your blood will have their life prolonged. Those who eat your flesh will have eternal life. And those who sleep with you will be granted unimaginable power."

My head slumped forward. I didn't have the strength to do anything anymore. Everything that had occurred was too much. My head was so clouded over I could barely hear him speak to me.

"The 16th birthday is known as the awakening day. They day that the blood of the Senka truly awakens. Your life is in grave danger if you continue to stay here Hime-chan. Come to True Cross and the exorcists there will be able to protect you. You could even become an exorcist yourself and fend them off."

He pulled the cloth away and snapped his fingers in front of my face.

Bink.

I was suddenly awake again. I looked all around, forgetting momentarily where I was, before looking over at Mephisto. He raised an eyebrow.

"Are you even listening to me?"

I nodded slowly.

He sighed and pulled a first aid kit from his cloak.

"First we'll patch you up so you don't bleed every where and attract more demons. Then we'll take you to your parents and explain the situation."

I watched as he pulled out a small vile of some transparent pink liquid. He took off the lid, which doubled as a dropper and put two drops of the strange, potent material in my wounds. I watched in amazement as the tendons in my hands reconstructed themselves and the muscle healed over them. He turned my hands over and put an extra drop in my palms, effectively sealing the wounds. Whatever he had used on my hands had completely erased the damage, as If I had never been practically crucified to the concrete in the first place. Whatever that stuff was had healed over what the months of surgery I would have needed would have done. I flexed my hands and starred at them in wonder.

Suddenly I snorted and looked away, finally finding the strength to speak in the aftermath of the chaos.

"My parents never... My parents never believed me when I was younger... What makes you think... they'll believe me now? I've passed myself off... hic... as a klutz and a ding bat so that they wouldn't have to stress about the whole spirits thing."

I looked down and frowned.

He lightly took my chin in his hands and lifted my head to look him in the eyes. "Would you rather another way, if this is the case?"

I raised an eyebrow.

"What do you mean?"

He grinned and took my hand, wrapping it tightly in the bandages, causing me to wince. "Let's talk about it with your parents first. And if things turn out for the worst, I can erase their memories of the conversation and we can continue on to True Cross as if it had never taken place. And they wouldn't even have to know about your injuries or that you were attacked."

I thought about it a moment, then took a much needed breath of fresh air.

"...Sounds like a plan to me..."

"Very well then. As soon as I'm finished, we'll be off."

I frowned and nodded.

Mephisto had picked me up and jumped off of the roof of the school and we landed through the sunroof into the back of an old fashioned pink Cadillac-styled limousine. Needless to say I nearly pissed my pants.

We drove to my house without a word exchanged. He held the door for me as I got out, and walked with me to the front door. He rang the door bell, and my father answered.

"Can I help you? Oh my... Mana! What's wrong!"

He grabbed my shoulders and examined my face, which was still pretty blotchy from crying. Of course, my swollen cheek may have brought in some attention. I would imagine the scratches and bite marks on my face and arms didn't go unnoticed either... and the blood.

"What the hell happened to you? Who did this? I'll kill them!"

"D-Dad..."

Mephisto held out his hand.

"Hello there Fukunuma-san, I am Johann Faust the fifth, do you have a moment? I would like to discuss with you what has happened to your daughter and her scholarship to my school."

Mephisto talked to my parents about what had happened. I had chosen to sit in my room and wait until he called me down. What would they say? Would they choose to believe it, or shoot me down again?

"Hime-chan~! Please come down now~!"

I exhaled and slowly made my way down to the living room. My mom and dad looked pale as sheets, gripping each others hands tightly.

"...Mom... Dad..."

My dad looked up at me.

"So... What he's saying is true... a boy in your class played such a horrible prank on you?"

I blinked at them in surprise.

"Faust-san tells us that the baseball team boys would confess to you under false pretenses and play pranks on you... but who would have guessed they would do something like this...?"

My mom blinked away the tears that threatened to fall. I looked over at Mephisto who winked in response. He either erased their memories already or he chose to beef the story a little.

...Yeah, he beefed it.

"I think that It would be best if you went to live at the academy, for your own safety. We're so sorry that we allowed these things to happen sweetheart..." My father motioned for me to go to him, and sat me down between he and mom before turning to Mephisto.

"Tell me Faust-san. Why did you give my daughter this scholarship?"

Mephisto smiled and pulled his hat down slightly. "For her artistic skills. We at True Cross do admire the arts and believe that we can turn her into something great beyond our wildest dreams." There was a strange twinkle in his eyes, something willing me to believe that half of his statement held truth to it.

"Very well then... Whatever the case, please take care of our daughter." I smiled at my dad and gave him a light peck on the cheek.

"I promise you, this will be for the better. Mana-chan will become a great individual, more so that she already is. Thank you for your consideration." I hugged my parents and looked back at Mephisto. He was a pretty cool guy. I turned around and gave him a hug too, which seemed to catch him off guard.

"Thanks... Thanks so much..."

He grinned and pat my head before stepping aside towards the door. "I'll be back tomorrow to help you with your things Hime-chan. We'll get you set up in a dorm and you'll be moved there by tomorrow evening. I do hope you'll be okay with the sudden change of scenery. True Cross is a marvelous place. You'll fit in just fine." With that, he walked out.

And my life suddenly hit its turning point.

"Well, everything has been moved to the girl's dormitories at the academy. All that's left is to get settled in and I'll be taking my tour of the school tomorrow. I will be officially starting after spring break."

Mom and dad nodded, along with Emi, who came along to say goodbye to me. "You're leaving so suddenly now... And I can't believe that jerk Jun... Believe me, he's gonna get a fistful when I see him."

I flinched and waved my hand in dismissal. "Don't even worry about it! Just a prank gone wrong!" It wasn't Jun's fault, he was being possessed by a demon. And now that I thought about it, how the hell did Mephisto convince them that me getting my ass kicked was a prank?

Mephisto's chauffeur laid on the horn. I jumped and spun around. Mephisto stood holding the door open for me, his grin ever present. Emi shifted over to me, raising an eyebrow at the man before us.

"You sure about this guy? He seems kinda off to me..."

I smiled.

"Don't worry. He saved my life after all. He's a good guy... I think..." She sweat dropped and shrugged, giving me a tight hug.

"I'll see ya later. Keep texting me, when your hands are better that is, and tell me when you're available to hang out. We can visit each other too."

"Ah~! Which reminds me~!"

Mephisto danced up to Emi, who jumped and took a step back in return. He shoved a piece of plastic in her face. "This is a visitor's pass. It'll allow you access to the girl's dorm at the academy whenever you want to visit Mana-chan."

Her eyes widened. She took the pass and stared at it for a moment before grinning at him. "Thanks mister!" He nodded and glanced back at me.

"It's time we take our leave Hime-chan." I nodded and hugged my parents and Emi before hopping into the pink car and waving goodbye.

Mephisto got in the car and snapped his fingers, signaling the chauffeur to drive. "So, you and that girl are close, eh?"

"Emi-chan's my best friend. I've only known her for a year now, but we've always been there for each other." I smiled and looked down at my feet. "Thanks for giving her the visitor's pass. It puts my mind at ease knowing we wont lose touch."

He grinned. "Not at all~. Anything for you, Hime-chan. You are a special case after all~." I snorted and looked away.

"So, we will be arriving at the school in forty-five minutes. Wanna play a game?"

"Not really." I raised an eyebrow at him. He certainly was an odd one. He shrugged and turned to look out the window. "No matter. I myself will take a nap. Eins~ Zwei~ Drei~"

POOF

Suddenly in the place of Mephisto was a cute puppy with shaggy gray fur.

"What... the hell...?"

He waltzed up to me and laid down on my lap before letting his eyes droop closed. I knew something wasn't human about the guy, but I never imagined anything like this. No matter, if this guy was a demon, he didn't appear harmful. I placed a hand on his head before resting mine on the window and drifting off into sleep.

True Cross Academy, here I come.