I was certainly in the best position that any other human could imagine. I was about to face a powerful demon with fatigue drowning my mind. Because of this, I was stupidly courageous and irritable. I was even more pissed off than I usually would be. I would have killed for a drink.
At the moment, standing in Mephisto's office, I definitely could have done anything for that drink. Watching Mephisto eye us like a new breed of insect with that evil glint in his eye. I could easily imagine he was considering killing us where we stood. Akari stood just slightly behind me, pretending to know what was going on. I just glowered at the demon.
Mephisto prepared to speak but I curtly cut him off saying, "Let's get this straight here and now. I know who you are, what you are, what you can do, and been doing. If you want all of that to stay a secret, you will follow our demands. Do you understand?"
I waited a beat and when he didn't answer, only had a blank look. I continued. "First, you will enroll us into the cram school. With that, in the privacy of this office we will have a Masho for my sister and me. Second, we will be staying in the Okumura building one the opposite side. We will have privacy at all times unless we specify otherwise. Third, if needed we will be free to leave at anytime to anywhere. With this stipulation, you will give us both an Infinity Key. If you do not follow any of these our deal is off."
"Now young lady, why should I do any of that?" His voice was cold as ice and I felt a shiver flee down my spine. He was trying to intimidate me?
I painted on a polite smile and spoke in a sugar-sweet voice. "Because we won't just tell the school. We won't just tell the exorcists. We will also tell the Vatican. We will go to the Grigori and tell them everything you plan and have been up to. We will be sure to mention all the under the table and back alley deals, what you plan for your new brother, and the interesting details about the Demon King of Earth. I believe his name was Amaimon, am I right?"
Something dangerous flashed in his eyes. He knew that I wouldn't hesitate to follow through on my words, he knew well it was a serious the small momentary change in his eyes, his face and composure was cold and reserved.
It's always the silent ones that you must watch. The lesson I was never given a chance to forget echoed in my mind. The demon in front of me was obviously a force to be reckoned with. I couldn't tell if I pissed him off, which I probably did. I felt intimidated by him. I barely kept my legs from trembling.
I would not bow to him! No man like him would hold power over me!
I used my resolve to shove my instinct and fear away. I knew that's what he wanted. I couldn't allow myself to quake in fear just because I wasn't on my own turf. I had been in worse situations.
"You do know that is a lot of demands for something so small?" Oh shit, I thought as he watched me. Here came the real kickers. "I will be evening the score with my own demands, if you do not mind. Of course you don't!" He laughed then paused to grab a paper and pen. His words instantly set off a red light in my mind. What could he possibly want from us? Is it going to be something so stupid I lose my cool because of it? I can't give him power over us! Or, will it be something serious and heavy? Like our souls or something? No, that's ridiculous. But then again, With Mephisto Pheles you never know. He's so unpredictable it's annoying and keeps most watchers on edge. So that comes back to the original question. What the fuck does this fucking clown want from us?
"So," he started cheerily as he wrote, "You want me to privately give you and your sister a Masho, enroll you two in Cram school, give you a room in the abandoned dormitory, ensure privacy and freedom, and give up two Infinity Keys that I assume you want to have unlimited uses of. If I can not follow through with any of these demands, you will reveal all of your information to all the people I do not want to know. Is that right?" When I gave a hesitant nod he continued.
His voice was heavily serious now. It sent a shiver down my spine. "In return, you will of course keep my secrets secret. This will be for the Masho. For the Cram School enrollment, you will attend my academy and keep at least a B average. For the room, you will keep an eye on the Okumura brothers. For the key, if I need you, you will respond and go where I need you within ten minutes of my call. And for your privacy and freedom, shall we call it a favor? And if you fail in any of these I will call for another favor."
"No we will not give a fav'ar to ya! I accept it as a penalty, not a price!" I hissed, hands fisting at my side.
"Then Sasaki-kun," he purred, with his patience visibly slipping, "What would you prefer the price be?"
"The secrets is the price for our privacy and freedom as well as our Masho. We know you have some serious juice."
He nodded in acknowledgment "Alright then, let's get started." After counting in German, he snapped his fingers, making two uniforms appear in a puff of pink smoke. They landed in Akari's and my arms and I realized that they were both girls uniform. I probably wouldn't have minded it, if it wasn't for the pink skirt and pink accent on the blazer. At least the blazer itself was a creamy beige color with an okay school crest and the tie was a tie and not a fucking boe.
I was glaring at the uniform when it suddenly changed to black slacks, a matching blazer with the same school crest. The tie was neatly laid on top of the folded uniform. I noted the black and red strips that covered a majority of the tie, the rest of it was black with a silver embroidered kanji with the style of a flame. "For encouragement, you see," Mephisto's voice was surprisingly soft when it drifted to my ears. "I want a B-average from you and your sister both, Sasaki-kun, I want you two to be at least slightly content in the school."
I could only blink in surprise. The softness in his voice was so out of character. I didn't know why. That scared me more than I could explain. He had to be planning something.
"So we do not mess up your uniforms, we will be doing your Masho here and in your own clothing." Mephisto started as he stood. I nodded in agreement and set my uniform on a near-by chair.
As Akari did the same she spoke irritably . "Will someone care to explain what a Masho is?"
"You'll find out in a minute." At her pissed look I sighed, "I promise to explain everythin' later, deal?"
At her curt nod, mephisto performed the masho.
;~~oO0Oo~~;
After it was done and our small wounds were treated, I turned back to Mephisto. "Remember yur end of the deal and we will remember ours. Also going through the day without a chaperone is part of the deal so don't even think of doing anything of the sort. We will probably be seeing each other often. So until then, nice doing business with ya." I turned picking up my uniform and walked. "Come on Akari."
I was almost out the door when I heard Akari's rushed voice. "I hope ya know that's an awesome outfit and yur so pretty and seem totally awesome and I really, really, really want to know if-" She jumped when I yelled her name. "What?" she asked dumbly.
"Ya want to know the truth or not? Move yur ass or it's bein' left!" I continued on and smirked when I heard her boots slapping the floor behind me and the door slam. I used everything I could to ignore the shiver down my spine as eyes stabbed my back.
;~~oO0Oo~~;
Mephisto turned in his chair to look out at the academy he created."She's sharp, just like her grandfather. I look forward to seeing if she's the one. You should be proud, old friend." The demon then remembered a long standing oath that still bound him. "They seem to have grown well. Though, the older seems like she will be quite troublesome. But, I would gladly take the inconvenience. If only to reveal who the true successor is. You won't tell me who it is though, will you?"
"Perhaps when I know what you would want her for." An old sturdy but withered man stepped from the shadows as he spoke and Mephisto turned to face him. "They have grown so much and are so different from the last time I saw them. Sora-kun still has bartering skills of both her mother and grandmother though. Clever girl."
Mephisto chuckled quietly. "Yes, too clever. You would do well not to interfere until your time though. Also, keep your soft spot tightly sealed. A test is not a test if the answers are given."
"You better not push either of them to far then. Despite their heritage they are still human. If you kill them my wrath will make you yearn for the flames of hell's damnation!" The glare on the old man's face promised just that. For a moment Mephisto was stricken by how much the two humans looked alike.
The demon gave a sigh, "Of course, old friend. You still have my word from both Fujimoto-kun and I years ago. You should also remember a demon's word is his bond. I'm stuck with that oath until it is fulfilled."
The man gave a satisfied nod before he strode out with the same crisp air as the girl before.
Mephisto turned to the window once again to contemplate his situation. When he notice the twin girls walking one of the many paths the demon couldn't hold back the devious grin. He was excited as to what would come next.
;~~oO0Oo~~;
Yo everyone! All of my readers that knew the original chapter five might notice the different pacing and added views and character. If you can I would love for you all to comment or PM me and tell me what you think. I am have having new plans for this series and would love the feed back!
*Uncle voice* One more thing! Thank you for all the favs and follows! I love you all and have tried to get back to all of you to thank you over PM but can't always. So on that note! The writer lightwithinthedark thank you so much for the fav and follow! I hope to see you in the reviews so I know what you think/like/dislike about the story. Also I would totally read Strike Goddess if I had my own computer and the time to read it! College you know?
One more time thank you everyone please review and vote on the poll.
Later MAKA OUT!
