Ronald followed silently after Eric as they made their way to the sitting room.
"So now to decide what to do about the demon." William said
"Sir would it be so hard to use her name? After all she is half shinigami." Eric tried to keep the irritation out of his voice.
"We don't know her full potential so why not make her an officer?" Alan asked as he came in the room.
"And who do you suggest mentor her? I don't have the time,Mr. Knox is to young,and Grell and Eric are already mentoring recruits." William challenged
"Well out of us it looks like Alan-senpai is the only one available." Ronald commented. So Alan-senpai was going through with it? Well then he would hold up his end "And now that he doesn't have to worry about the Thorns of Death he would be a great mentor."
"Why not Will? I think it would be fun to have her around." Grell added happily
"Who's side are you on?" protested William but he didn't get an answer from his partner. Partners! Yes he could you that as an excuse "Besides it is regulation that every dispatch officer has a partner. Grell is my partner and Mr. Humphries is Slingby's partner. Therefore there is no one available."
"I volunteer." Ronald said which earned him a cold glare from his boss.
They were determined to win this one. Sighing William gave in "Fine. Humphries you are in charge of her training Knox you will be her partner. Do not make me regret this decision." he stood and without another word left with Grell chasing after him.
"I hope you guys know what you are doing." Eric wasn't sure this was the best idea but at least she would be staying.
"Well I guess I should be off as well." Ronald followed his angry boss out the door.
After the door was closed Eric asked "You had something to do with this,right?"
Alan smirked "Whatever gave you that idea?"
Eric just shook his head "So how has she been holding up today? Rather till William scared her. That glare could kill someone someday."
Laughing Alan replied with "She slept most of the day" he tone became serious as he added "Until the attack while Ronnie was here her fever went down. I think that the vines have burned away for the most part."
"So what caused the attack?" Eric looked at his lover with concern written on his face.
"I'm not sure. My guess it the thorns are still trying to grow." Alan's tone was serious.
Eric let this sink in. So the Thorns of Death were still trying to grow? Looking Alan over he finally noticed how tired he looked. The man yawned and Eric took his hand "Why don't you go to bed early?"
"What about Jasmine? Now that the thorns are causing her to have attacks..." he trailed off with another yawn.
"Would it make you feel better if I went in there with her?"
Alan yawned again "I can. I'm not that tired..." he mumbled resting his head on Eric's shoulder.
"Ya know love that might work better if you were actually awake." he teased before picking Alan up and carrying him to their room. Kissing Alan lightly on the cheek he whispered "Sleep well my love." Going to the kitchen for some water he paused by the door to Jasmine's room on the way back. Sticking his head in to make sure she was still alright he found the room empty and the window open. Curiously he went over to the open window and looked out. There against the white light of the moon sat the small silhouette of a fox. Its lithe body was completely still as it gazed on at the moon,not knowing or ignoring that it was being watched. Its tail hung from the tree it was in. What puzzled him though was its size. It was very small,not more than a foot tall at the shoulders and two feet long not counting the tail. The beautiful silver-gray pelt seemed to glow in the moonlight. Its ears twitched back and,with a small flick of the tail,turned its small head. Eric knew instantly this was Jasmine's demon form. Her eyes were a deep red but remained the green and yellow of a shinigami around the edges.
(A/N: Okay so before I continued I want to clear something up. When you see 'This' it means she is speaking from her demon form. Also her demon form is based from the Cape Fox.)
Eric was frozen in place. So she had taken on her demon form? He tensed as she jumped with ease from the tree and trotted over to him. She sat on the ground a few feet from him,tail brushing the ground as it flicked from side to side, her intelligent gaze set on him.
~X~
Jasmine felt Eric's presence as he watched her from the window she had left open. Not moving from her spot she continued to watch the moon. After allowing the shinigami a few more minutes she gracefully jump to the ground. Trotting over she made herself comfortable a few feet from him. The two simply stared at the other. Finally breaking the silence she said 'Why do you look so shocked? I told you I was a fox demon.'
Eric had no idea what to say. She had just spoken. He was under the impression that a demon couldn't speak in their true form "How are you talking?" he mentally slapped himself for not knowing the answer.
'All demons can use a kind of telepathy while in their true form. Well good night.' she stood and hopped through the still open window.
Okay Eric could not believe that just happened. Shaking his head the blonde shinigami turned and went back in the house. Well couldn't get much worse,right?
~X~ MORNING ~X~
Jasmine was curled up pleasantly sleeping, her nose tucked under her tail. Yashashii was snuggled next to her. She vaguely heard Eric and Alan wake up and go to the kitchen. Sitting up with a yawn she groomed her fur before trotting out the door,which Eric had left open last night. Her paws made no noise as she padded through the hall toward the kitchen.
Alan knew the events of last night since Eric had told him as soon as they were awake. He knew William would not like this in the least, but he had already agreed to her staying.
'Morning.'
Eric sighed "Could you at least change back? No offense but it is...well weird to have conversation with a fox."
Laughing she changed back "Better?"
"Much...what's with the hair?" her blonde hair was now a silver color with gray highlights.
"Eric leave her alone." Sighing he added "And to think you mentored me. A demon's appearance can change after their true form has fully developed.
"Sorry Alan."
"Are you hungry?" Alan turned to Jasmine
"Not really."
"Oh right I almost forgot! Here Grell went back to your house and brought these." Alan handed her the bag from the table.
"Careful knowing Grell he added a few things." Eric warned as she unzipped the black suitcase.
"Like what?" she asked before really seeing what was in there.
Eric never got to answer. Her face now held a look of pure horror and was a vibrant red.
"Do we even want to know?" Alan cautiously looked to see what their red haired friend had done this time. He paled at what was there.
"Alan? What did Grell do?" Eric asked hesitantly while thinking back on what Grell had pulled in the past. Lets see...the dress for Alan's birthday...the other dress he gave Eric for Christmas. All of this had been burned or thrown out without use "On second thought don't tell me..."
"Smart choice. I'm sure we can get a more...appropriate uniform...and clothes. Are those even yours?"
"My sister has a closet full of these damn things! He must have mistook her room for mine...but other than that everything else is mine."
"Sister?" Eric questioned.
"The family I was living with already had a daughter. Father would slip in at night and teach me about being a demon."
"Oh."
"Come with me. I'm sure I have something for you to wear. Your clothes are ruined and that wouldn't go over well William. Eric why don't you fix breakfast?" Alan led the embarrassed girl away. Grell would pay for what he did! Alan began plotting his vengeance as he dug through his closet. Pulling one of his uniforms from the far right he turned back to Jasmine and handed it to her "Here try this one. It's a bit small on me so I think it should fit."
"I-is this really alright?"
"We just barely convened William to let you stay. If you show up in what you are wearing he won't be pleased."
She gave him a confused look. So she would be working with them? A surge of emotions and questions ran through her mind. Who would her partner be? Who would mentor her? Would she really be welcome there? Why had their boss agreed to this?
Alan watched as the emotions passed over Jasmine's face. All the unsaid questions were easy to read. He smiled "You were partnered with Ronald and William said I could mentor you. Now go change or we will be late."
She had no response to any of this. He gazed at her with soft eyes and a gentle smile which made her blush "A-alright Alan-senpai."
"Just because we will be working together now doesn't mean you have to call me senpai. Here you can change in there." he gestured to the master bath before turning to leave.
Jasmine swiftly changed into the black suit. It fit perfectly although it was a bit big. Her long silver and gray hair framed her face as it fell from the old hair bow that she should have thrown out long ago. Leaving the room she went back to the small sitting room to wait for Eric and Alan.
"Does it fit?" Alan asked as she passed
Giving him a simple nod she walked on. She found Eric's sitting on the couch with a cup of coffee. He looked up as she leaned back against the chair "That looks good on you." he commented "Though I must admit I always thought chairs were used to sit in." he added in a teasing tone.
"This is more comfortable."
"Come on or we will be late!" Alan called from the door.
The two got up and followed after Alan. Eric knew he would have extra work since he was covering for his partner today "Alan so what are you planning any way?"
"Well first I want to get her some glasses and a scythe. I plan to show her around and she how well she can really fight. You know just let her get a feel for work."
"Alright. By the way how good is your vision? You appear to be able to see just fine without glasses." Eric asked
"To be honest my vision has always been bad but I never liked to wear my glasses since they got in my way for band.."
"I see. That makes since." Eric replied "Well I will meet you for lunch 'kay Alan?"
"Sure. Bye Eric."
Jasmine blushed slightly and looked away as Eric pulled Alan into a deep kiss. Breaking away the brunette glanced around nervously "Not here Eric!"
Eric gave Alan a fake pout "But why not?" he whined
"Eric go do your work. Come on Jasmine let's go." he walked off with the young half demon following close behind. As the two made their way through the halls they passed William with a group of recruits giving them the tour of the dispatch. William gave a small nod to Alan but glared at Jasmine.
Once they were out of hearing range a blonde recruit asked "Sir why is a demon here? I thought they are our enemy?" he asked. Little did he know Jasmine had heard this.
Jasmine stopped and turned "Do you have a problem with my working here?" she asked innocently
"She is here as a dispatch officer. She is a half demon." William replied coldly.
"An...officer sir?"
"A dispatch officer is responsible for the collection of the souls." William glared over his shoulder "Honestly didn't they teach you anything at the academy?"
"Come on." Alan pulled Jasmine gently away from the gawking recruits "And she is just as good as you are at her job."
"Thank you for that."
"They had no call to say such things. Here we are. Mr. Anderson?"
"Hmm?" an old man with gray hair looked up the pair. His eyes narrowed as he took in Jasmine "I assume you need glasses?"
"Yes sir." Alan replied
"Very well have your choice. I must admit I am a bit shocked Spears allowed you to stay." getting up he shook Jasmine's hand "Lawrence Anderson. You're a popular topic around her Ms. Michaelis."
"I have chosen the life of a shinigami. That name no longer holds meaning to me."
"Why don't you try these?" Alan suggested while looking through the glasses. He had left while the two got acquainted. He handed her the pair of glasses. They were simple. Thin metal with black half-rims on the top.
Jasmine slipped on the glasses and was handed a mirror by Mr. Anderson who commented "They look good."
Alan nodded in agreement "That they do. What do you think?"
"I like them."
"Welcome to the division. Now I have work to do if you will excuse me."
"Have you thought about your death scythe?" Alan asked as they started for general affairs.
"Yeah...so how does this work anyway?"
"All you do is fill out some papers and they will take care of the rest."
Turning the corner they ran straight into Ronald.
Eric's Alan: So if I'm correct this chapter is a bit shorter and I apologize.