Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters in this fandom, except Choki Akihito, I've merely taken them out to play for a bit of entertainment.

Summary: Mamori is being stalked and the one person she was sure wouldn't care actually shows up to help. What's a girl to do in order to repay the devil?

Warning: Use of language and adult themes can be found in this story. Possible trigger(s) (abuse, attempted rape, and stalking) warning scenarios. Reader discretion is advised.

Chapter One

One Month Ago…

Team practice was over for the day and Anezaki Mamori had given her report to that devil, Yōichi Hiruma. The man's methods probably weren't the best, but damn if he didn't get great results. It helped that he was such a great strategist and could think several plays ahead. She loved even more that she was equally just as helpful by keeping such great notes and presenting them to him in such a way that she never got yelled at about them. Taking in the fact that practice was both before and after school, she was thankful that she could still find time to get her studies and homework done.

"You guys get home safe and have a good night. Rest up and be ready for the practice game tomorrow!" Mamori said and turned to collect her notes.

Her childhood friend, Sena Kobayakawa, stood at his locker a little longer thinking about the talk and feedback he had gotten about his practice. Sure he was fast, but he didn't feel like he was fast enough. He didn't feel strong enough either, but he'd hoped to change that.

"You better hurry home Sena. I'm sure your parents are wondering where you are since it's so late."

"Yeah, you're probably right. Have a good night Mamori nee-chan."

For whatever reason, the fact that Sena was secretly Eyeshield 21 was being kept secret from Mamori. Everyone else in the team knew, but her.

"Guess I better get going too."

Mamori took one look around to make sure the clubhouse was in working order and grabbed her school bag and started off for home. The night wasn't bad for March, but there was still a bit of a chill in the air. She pulled her jacket around her tighter and made her way to the train station. As she stood waiting for the train, she couldn't help notice a figure standing a few feet away. They kept to the shadows so she couldn't exactly see who it was, but she made a mental note to be careful and held tighter to her school bag. Once the train arrived, she got on board and made her way to a seat. She noted that the shadow person still kept to the dark, but managed to sit only a few seats from her. She wasn't sure why she was so paranoid, but she tried to push the nonsense away.

'That person's probably just getting home late from work or something. Sorta like me.' She thought to herself.

When her stop came up, she calmly exited the train and started walking in the direction of home. The sound of a kicked pebble brought her from her thoughts of the player notes she was thinking about and she turned to see the person dodge into an alley she had just passed. She stopped walking and blinked in confusion for a minute before turning and continuing on her way. As she wasn't that heavy, her footsteps weren't as loud as the ones she heard walking a little faster towards her and she forced herself to calmly think of what to do. Not six blocks away, she thought of the corner store that she frequented and she figured she could run for it. Just as she came to the idea, a hand grabbed her right shoulder and spun her around.

"Excuse me, you're the manager for the Deimon Devil Bats right?" A man that looked to be in his twenties asked.

"Uh… y-yes. Can I help you?" Mamori asked as she tried to keep the shaking out of her voice.

"I was just trying to remember where I've seen you from. That kid, Hiruma, has always had a good eye for things."

"Umm… okay. Well it's late…" Mamori said hoping she could go.

"Oh, yeah! Sorry, you're still in high school. I forgot about that. The whole you shouldn't be out too late. Never know who's dangerous and then there's the curfew. Guess you better run along. Be careful. I'll see you around." The guy said in such a way then he turned and walked off the way he came.

Mamori stood there a moment longer trying to understand what just happened. She managed to get her breath under control and walked on to her home.

"I'll see you around." Kept playing in her mind and she frowned at the thought of it.

True to his word, for weeks after their first "meeting", the guy would pop up in the most random of places that she happened to be at when she was alone and would strike up a conversation as if they were friends. Mamori soon found it hard to sleep and started getting more paranoid.

Current Time…

"What's wrong? You aren't looking very well Mamori nee-chan." Sena asked after practice.

He'd been trying for weeks to talk to her about things other than football, but she'd quickly change the subject or remind him of how important it was for him to get home.

"N-nothing Sena. Just busy thinking about the game that's coming up. That's all." She said and started cleaning up the club.

"But Mamori nee-chan, there isn't a game coming up." Sena replied with a frown.

Mamori dropped what she had in her hands and thought about it. They didn't have another game scheduled for at least a month or two. She never was really good at lying. She honestly didn't see a point to it, but now… This was Sena, the boy she'd been protecting since she could remember. There was no point in telling him her problem. She'd just handle it the best way she could and go from there. At least it sounded good in her head. She wasn't exactly sure if that would actually pan out, but it was a thought.

"I'm just tired Sena. That's all. You better go. I'm gonna be heading out of here shortly myself." She remarked as she picked up the pages she dropped.

"Mamori…" Sena had to admit he was kind of hurt that Mamori didn't want to talk to him.

He was starting to wonder if maybe she had found out his secret and was hurt that he hadn't told her the truth. Maybe she was upset at him for not telling her. He started to say something, but she quickly turned and left. He figured he'd give her time and let her come to him when she was ready to discuss the matter. With a sigh, he left after and went home.

"Leaving late again?" The guy asked coming out of seemingly nowhere.

Mamori jumped and dropped her school bag.

"I… yeah. I guess I am. Umm… I never got your name?"

"It's not important. So don't worry about it. The Devil Bats doing well?"

"Yeah, sure. Umm… I've got to get going. Take care." Mamori tried to be polite before she took off running.

The guy didn't follow, but he did watch her until she moved out of his sight.

The next day had Mamori jumping at the slightest of things. Sena frowned as he watched her, but he was going to stick to his decision. Hiruma had to yell at her five times and that was just at morning practice. He could tell something was wrong, but he wasn't sure what it was exactly. After evening practice, he spoke with her and got the notes like always, but he could tell something was bothering her.

"What's wrong with you damn manager?"

He could see the bags under her eyes and she looked like she'd lost some weight. He frowned at that and waited for an explanation.

"There's nothing wrong. I…I've got school work to do. I'll be sure to get that project done as soon as I can." Mamori said and turned to leave.

"I asked you what's wrong. I won't ask again." Hiruma stated angrily.

He didn't normally care that much, but she was scared of something and it wasn't him. She wasn't normally timid either so there had to be something going on. Sure she kept up on her note taking, getting him what he needed for the games, but even he could see something was wrong and he didn't like the fact that he wasn't the cause of it. Most importantly, he didn't like that something was bothering her at all.

"I…" Mamori thought for a moment, but she wasn't sure she could handle it by herself anymore. What if the guy got violent? Sure he was only asking about the team, but why was he always popping up when she was alone? "…I think I have a stalker."

"A stalker?" Hiruma frowned at this.

"He's always showing up when I'm by myself, always asking about the team, and he even told me not to worry about what his name is. He just pops up out of nowhere and… I'm scared. Sure he hadn't tried to hurt me, but how long will that last? What if I refuse to answer any more of his questions, or if I decided to ignore him? W-what would happen to me?"

Hiruma could see she was terrified. Her slender body shaking was what really had him take notice.

"When was the last time you saw this guy?"

"Last night, h-he had been waiting at the gate and when I turned the c-corner to go to the train station, he came up behind me and c-commented how late I was leaving."

"Let's go."

"Go where? It's late and I just want to get home."

"I'm taking you home damn manager! Move it!"

Mamori blinked as Hiruma walked out the door, but left it open expecting her to follow. She gathered herself and her things and left to walk with him. She made sure the door was closed and locked before following behind him. She stayed a few feet behind him as they turned the gate and walked towards the train station. She could just make out the silhouette of the guy as she walked past the ticket booth.

"He's here." She said quietly.

Hiruma heard her, but didn't make a move to do anything.

"You keep going as if I'm not here, but I'm watching."

She sighed and took a seat. When it came time to get off at her stop, she got off and walked towards her house and tried not to scream when the guy stood in front of her.

"I wanted to talk to you earlier, but you weren't by yourself. You and Hiruma a thing or somethin'?" The guy asked.

Mamori frowned and shook her head.

"I need to get home." She said and made to go around him.

"Hey, I asked you a question." He said and grabbed her arm.

"Let go of me. I don't owe you anything." Mamori tried to pull her arm away, but he only held tighter. "You're hurting me."

"I didn't get a chance to talk to you earlier. You…"

The sound of a gun cocking made the guy pause.

"She told you to let go." Hiruma's cold voice could be heard in the darkness.

The guy tried to see who said the words, but he couldn't see anyone. Mamori tried and successfully removed her arm and turned to leave.

"I'm not done talking to you. And I don't know who's there, but mind your own business." He said and took hold of her again.

"No! Let go of me!" She tried to pull away, but the guy held tighter.

"Stop pulling!" He jerked her towards him and glared at her.

Mamori fell to her knees from the jerk and cried out in pain. Hiruma saw red and fired a couple shots at the guy's feet. Mamori turned her face away from the debris that ricocheted from the bullets. The guy released her arm and ran for it. Mamori grabbed her own arm and tried to rub it so that the pain would ease. She was sure she'd have a bruise by tomorrow. Hiruma walked out of the shadows and looked down waiting for her to stand, but she was shaking.

"Tsk, Damn manager. Get up, he's gone."

She managed to get to her feet and maneuvered her school bag onto her shoulder before subconsciously headed off towards her home. She managed to pull herself together at the gateway to her house and took a couple deep breaths.

"Do you think he's gone for good?" She asked.

Hiruma didn't bother with a response to her question.

"Thanks" She said quietly then ran up to her door to let herself in.

He took notice of the tears that fell down her cheek just before she managed to run for her front door. Frowning, he turned to head back to the train station.

"He'd better be gone for good if he knows what's good for him." Hiruma said while cocking his guns.

That's the end of the first chapter. Let me know what you think.