Disclaimer: I do now own Blue Exorcist!

Sooo… people have been asking me if I will follow the anime or manga. I'm thinking of following the anime till a certain point, then breaking off to go with the manga. I'm not sure yet.

Oh, and just before I posted this, I got another review asking me to pair Rin up. So I made a quick poll. Go check it out because I WILL NOT be tallying up pairings from the comments section.

Anyways, here is the next chapter.

"Talking"

'Thoughts'

Emphasis

~X~

The alarm went off.

Rin groaned tiredly and buried her face into her pillow. She reached out towards her nightstand, searching for her alarm clock. Finally, Rin found it and hit the dismiss button. All she wanted to do was roll over and go back to sleep, but she couldn't. Mephisto was arriving this morning to pick her up and take her somewhere. He had specifically told her that he would not accept any lateness.

Yawning, Rin practically rolled out of her bed and landed on the ground. She sat there for a few minutes to collect her thoughts. Memories of last night – of Satan's blue flames and Fujimoto's blood everywhere – filled her mind. Rin pulled her legs up, locking her arms around them, and buried her face into her knees. She bit her lip hard enough to draw blood to stop her tears from falling.

'I can't cry…' Rin told herself. 'I have to be strong… I have to become an Exorcist… and kick Satan's ass!'

With those thoughts in mind, Rin rose to her feet and headed over to her vanity. She looked into the mirror. Her skin was paler than usual and she had dark rings under her eyes… she had been up all night because of her nightmares. Rin's hair also currently looked like a rat's nest right now.

Rin tugged on a strand of her long hair. 'This is going to be a bitch to brush…' She then shrugged her shoulders. 'Whatever…'

Moving quickly, Rin went about her daily morning routine. She struggled with her hair for a bit, though eventually she managed to brush out all the tangles and put her hair up into a lazy bun; she knew she should've taken a shower, but she was too tired and lazy. With her hair done and out of the way, she brushed her teeth and washed her face. Rin then changed into a pair of black skinny jeans with chains on the side and pulled on a white undershirt with a red, loose, off-the-shoulder sweater.

Rin also finished packing up the rest of her stuff.

With everything done, Rin slipped her sword over her shoulder and pulled on her red-and-white boots. She exited her bedroom, looking around the halls as she made her way to the kitchen.

'This place… it was home for fifteen years…'

Rin reached the kitchen, entering it and standing in the middle. Memories were quickly filling her mind, overwhelming her.

~X~

"Kids! Dinnertime!" Fujimoto announced, grinning.

Rin nodded her head happily.

"Sure, Daddy!" Yukio smiled.

"Today, we're having curry!" Fujimoto placed two plates for Rin and Yukio on the table. Standing behind him was Kyodo, Nagamoto, and Izumi.

Rin and Yukio cheered happily!

~X~

'Stop it…' Rin scolded herself. She shook her head and headed out the back door of the kitchen. It led out onto a little porch of the sorts. Rin looked up to see the petals from the cherry blossom trees falling. It was a beautiful sight, especially with the morning sun rising in the sky.

Rin walked along through the grounds of the monastery, thoughts swirling around inside her head. Yukio… he hadn't come to her to ask her about how the Old Man had died. And it was bothering Rin. Didn't he want to know? Wasn't he even curious? 'What is he thinking?' Rin wondered.

The sound of gates opening made Rin look up. Maruta and Nagamoto – who were both recovering from their injuries – were standing in the entrance gates of monastery, looking at Rin.

"It's time to leave already?" Maruta said, sounding slightly sad. "I'm feeling lonely already."

"Feel free to drop by anytime!"

Rin looked over to see Izumi and Kyodo. They were both cleaning the outside windows of the monastery. They, too, were recovering from their wounds. The sight of their bandages made Rin feel so incredibly guilty. How could they ever want to see her again?

"This is your home." Kyodo told her.

"Y-yeah…" Rin nodded her head slowly. She couldn't look any of them in the eyes. Just then, something dawned on her. "Where is Yukio? Did he go back to the dorm already?"

"No, he didn't. He still had some stuff here. Though, we haven't seen him today." Maruta said.

Rin nodded her head. She walked over the monastery gates, exiting them. "Goodbye, you guys." Rin said to all the priests, and then she hurried away before any of them could say anything.

~X~

"Dammit…" Rin said, stomping her feet and crossing her arms. She'd been standing here forever on the sidewalk where Mephisto had told her to be. "That clown-guy is late. And I can't find Yukio anywhere, either!"

'I actually got up early today! I so could've slept in!' Rin thought in annoyance. 'And I would've had time for a shower, too!'

Rin stepped down off the sidewalk and onto the side of the road – seeing as how no cars were coming – and shielded her face from the sun, looking back and forth. 'It shouldn't take this freaking long to get here!'

Suddenly, the sound of a roaring engine caught Rin's attention. She looked to see a fast approaching pink limo… coming directly at her. Rin panicked, moving backwards and tripping over her own feet. She landed on her butt on the sidewalk.

"That was close!" Rin shouted angrily, glaring at the pink limo. "Are you blind or something?!"

The door nearest to Rin opened up. "Oh my, what a sunny day!" The voice of Mephisto said cheerfully as he stepped out of the limo, wearing the same attire as yesterday. "A beautiful clear sky to accompany you on your new journey!"

Once he was done speaking, Mephisto finally took notice of Rin sitting on her butt.

"My, oh my." He said, reaching down and easily pulling Rin to her feet. "We can't have our darling Princess sitting on the filthy ground."

Rin glared at him and stepped away. She gestured to the atrocious-looking, pink limo. "What's with the car?" She questioned him. "And where exactly are you taking me anyway?"

"To True Cross Academy, of course."

Rin's glare disappeared. "True Cross Academy?"

"Exactly." He confirmed. "You know, to the general public I'm the Principal of the Academy."

"Huh?" Rin gaped at him. No way! What moron would put this… clown… in charge of multiple students!

Mephisto looked at Rin. "And thus from today, you will be a student of my Academy as well."

"Sorry for the wait!"

Rin whirled around, turning her back on Mephisto. Yukio was coming their way, holding a bag slung over his shoulder. He was smiling as always and saying, "I'm glad I don't have to be separated from my dear sister!"

"Yukio?" Rin said questioningly

Yukio ignored her and continued on, "You know, I never thought we'd be going to the same school, Rin… and who would've thought that the Principal of that school would be our guardian!"

"G-guardian!" Rin shouted. She turned back to Mephisto, looking at him in shock. He simply grinned at her. This moronic clown was in charge of her!

Yukio bowed to Mephisto. "Thank you for going through all this trouble, Mr. Faust."

"Faust?" Rin mumbled, confused. She moved closer to Mephisto. "Weren't you Mephisto Pheles?"

Mephisto leaned in towards Rin, whispering in her ear, "Johann Faust V. It's the name I use in public."

And with that, Mephisto turned and placed one hand on his hip and pointed the other in the air. "Now…! Let us head to my True Cross Academy!"

~X~

Rin was sitting with her arms crossed and scowling. She couldn't believe she'd actually gotten into the horrible pink limo. She looked over at Yukio. Since they had gotten into the limo, he hadn't looked at Rin or spoken to her. He just sat there, reading his book.

'What's going on…? Rin thought, looking over to Mephisto. He sat at one end of the limo, whistling a tune. 'I asked him to make me an Exorcist…'

"The hell…" Rin murmured.

"Hm," Yukio looked at Rin. "What's wrong?"

"N-nothing…" Rin lied, surprised that Yukio had finally spoken to her. "By the way… where were you this morning?"

"I visited Father's grave. Did you go too?"

Rin shook her head. "No…" She admitted. She hadn't gone because she didn't want to start crying again…

"That's just like you." Yukio said, and then he turned back to reading his book.

Rin blinked. She suddenly had the desire to smack Yukio in the face.

"We'll soon arrive at the center of True Cross Academy Town." Mephisto announced.

Rin was glad that he'd stopped his annoying whistling.

Mephisto grinned, motioning for them to look out the window. "Welcome to True Cross Academy!"

Rin shifted in her seat, looking out the window. Her eyes widened in amazement. It was huge! "Amazing!" She exclaimed out loud.

"This is the Academy Town with all of our educational institutions." Mephisto explained, also looking out the window. "Please study to your heart's content."

Rin scoffed quietly. She wasn't interested in studying… she just wanted to become an Exorcist.

The limo pulled to a stop in front of the fancy-looking school. Rin just gaped at it. Obviously, she'd never been to a school like this before. Fujimoto… he would not have been able to afford a school as fancy as this.

Yukio opened the limo door and stepped out. Rin was about to step out as well, but stopped when Mephisto called her name.

"Rin-chan, you must change into your uniform." Mephisto informed her.

"Would it have hurt to tell me earlier?" Rin questioned him as he handed her the uniform. She looked at it in displeasure. The female-version of the school tie was an ugly bow, and the yellow jacket to be worn over the white blouse was also just as ugly. Rin looked up at Mephisto, holding up the yellow jacket and enormous bow. "I'm not wearing this bow or this jacket. I want the boy's uniform tie and black blazer. They look better."

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. You are a picky one." Mephisto shook his finger at her. "But I guess I can agree."

He then handed Rin the black blazer and tie from the boy's uniform. Rin had no idea where he'd gotten it from, but she really didn't care. "Where am I supposed to change?" She asked.

"You may change in the car." Mephisto told her.

Rin looked at him expectantly. "…. Then get out."

Mephisto gave her a creepy grin as he stepped out of the limo. Once he was out, Rin made sure to lock all the doors – she didn't trust him – and quickly changed into the uniform. When she was done changing, she climbed out of the limo to stand beside Mephisto and Yukio. She felt nervous and embarrassed.

Rin stood there wearing a short, pink skirt with a black belt, a white blouse, black thigh-high socks, a loose necktie, a black blazer, and stylish shin-length, lace-up boots.

Blushing furiously, Rin tugged on the bottom of her skirt. She felt as though it was too short.

"You look lovely, Rin-chan." Mephisto complimented her.

"Pervert…" Rin murmured.

Mephisto raised an eyebrow at her. "Hmm? What was that?"

"Nothing, nothing."

Mephisto gave Rin a knowing look then said, "I trust you two can find your way to the auditorium."

"Wait. What –" Rin began.

But Mephisto had already gotten into his pink limo and was driving away.

"You bastard!" Rin shouted angrily, waving her fist in the air and stomping her feet.

Yukio sighed and shook his head. "Come on, sister." He said. "I know where the auditorium is."

"Oh… Okay." Rin nodded her head. She began trailing silently along behind Yukio. "Sooo… Yukio. Were you surprised that a dropout like me got into your True Cross Academy, too?"

"Huh?" Yukio said, looking at her. "Sorry, I didn't catch that. I'm a bit nervous…"

'Nervous about what…' Rin wondered. She was about to ask, but they reached the auditorium. There were plenty of students around, entering while laughing and talking. Rin didn't dare look at anyone.

Rin and Yukio entered the auditorium together. They found a couple of empty seats somewhere around the middle and sat down.

It took a few minutes for everyone to settle down. Once they had, a middle-aged woman walked onto the stage. She headed over to the microphone and tapped it. She then spoke, "Freshman Representative… Yukio Okumura."

"Yes!" Yukio said, rising to his feet.

'WHAT!' Rin gaped at him, watching as he made his way to the stage.

"The freshmen representative got the highest grade on the entrance exam, right?" A girl in front of Rin whispered to her friend.

"Amazing!"

"Yuuka, isn't he cool?"

Rin's eyes were wide, and she looked to the stage. Yukio had begun speaking…

"Passing through the gates of the Academy I so admired, I felt nervous just as much as grateful…"

Rin blinked a few times as Yukio continued on with his speech. She could hardly believe it. She remembered when they had been younger… Yukio had always been the crybaby who had gotten bully. Rin had taken her duty as a big sister really seriously, and so she had always protected him… no matter what. But now, Yukio was all grown up and was the freshmen representative…

'I'm proud of you, Yuki…' Rin thought, smiling.

When the assembly was over, Rin rose to her feet and followed all the other students outside. One of the teachers immediately began gathering around all the freshmen students.

"Freshmen! I'll be leading you around the Academy, so please follow me!"

Rin ignored the teacher. She was beginning to drift away from the group. She spotted Yukio not that far away from her. He was surrounded by plenty of girls. They all seemed to be smiling shyly at him and flirting.

As she watched Yukio, Rin couldn't help but remember when she'd found out about Yukio's dream…

~X~

Little Yukio was tying his slip of paper to the mini-tree along with all the other ones. Rin quietly came up behind Yukio, reading the little slip of paper of his shoulder.

"Huh…" Rin said, moving to Yukio's side and surprising him. "You want to become a doctor?"

Yukio jumped in fright and whirled around, a faint blush on his cheeks. "Well, um, that's…" He stuttered, looking as though he was about to cry.

"Amazing!"

Yukio looked at his sister in surprise.

"That's so cool!" Rin exclaimed happily, smiling. "You'll be the best doc ever!"

"Well... I don't know…"

Rin placed her hands on Yukio's shoulders, leaning in closer. "I'm sure of it!"

Yukio finally smiled, nodding his head. "Thanks!"

~X~

'That's right. He's going to become a doctor.' Rin thought. Images of a possessed Shiratori and Fujimoto in blue flames filled her mind. 'Yukio doesn't know anything… and I can't involve him in this. This is MY problem…'

Glancing at Yukio one more time, Rin decided to walk off to explore the school a bit. She gazed around in wonder and amazement as she went. She could barely believe what she was seeing.

The first place she checked out was the entrance hall. Rin got onto the escalator, surprised that the school even had them. Of course she'd never been to a school with escalators.

"What the…?" Rin said loudly, looking around in complete shock. "Is this even a school?"

Rin stepped off the escalator. She headed down the hall when she noticed a sign saying "Dining Room".

'I have to check that out…' Rin thought, rushing down the hall. She pushed opened the doors and opened the dining room, only to gasp in shock as she looked around. The dining room – or cafeteria, as Rin wanted to call it – was massive and fancy-looing, like just about everything else in this school.

Rin twirled around, taking everything in. "There are even chandeliers…" She mumbled. "Like in a five-star restaurant…"

People were looking at Rin and giving her strange looks, but Rin just ignored them all, or at least she did her best to. She exited the cafeteria, heading back into the hallway. Rin stood there for a few minutes and pulled out her timetable to study it. She checked to see what her homeroom class was, then shoved her timetable back into her pocket and took off down the hallway at a semi-quick pace.

In no time, Rin made it to her homeroom class. She opened the door and entered the classroom. As expected, the classroom was massive, fancy, and expensive-looking.

"Wow! It's so huge!" Rin exclaimed as she walked in the rows between the desks. She chose a desk right by a window. "This classroom is just too big." Pulling out the chair, Rin sat down, patting the top of the desk. "This desk is even larger than the one in the monastery!"

"What's wrong with that girl?"

Rin's head snapped up. Standing a few feet away from her – all huddled together in a group – were three girls. They were whispering to one another, or at least attempting to.

"What's she doing here?"

Rin's expression darkened and she rested her cheek against her hand, glancing out the window. 'Bitches…' She thought, now feeling vaguely annoyed. It was quite obvious that she wouldn't be making friends with the other girls in this class…

The rest of homeroom class seemed to pass by at an excruciatingly slow pace for Rin. She just silently sat there and attempted to keep her eyes open as the teacher gave the students an outline of what they would be doing for the school year. Rin didn't need – or want to – talk to any of the other students. They didn't matter to her.

"That will be all for today." The teacher finally said, much to Rin's relief. She had once again been on the verge of falling asleep. "Everyone return to your dorms and be sure to attend classes starting next week."

Rin rose to her feet, slinging her sword over her shoulder, and followed all the other students out into the hallway. As soon as they were in the hallway, Rin separated from her classmates, heading in the opposite direction down the hallway towards a staircase.

'That was so boring…' Rin thought as she walked down the staircase. 'All I wanted to do after middle school was to work… I didn't plan on going to high school… I don't give a shit about it… I am only here to be an Exorcist!'

Rin reached the bottom of the staircase and turned to the left. Just then she stopped walking, realization dawning upon her. "Hey!" She exclaimed, throwing her hands in the air. "Where's the dorm? No one told me that!"

There was a whimper. Rin looked down to see a dog at her feet. He was a small, white, fluffy, Scottish terrier-looking dog. The dog wore a large, pink ribbon around his neck with a silver trinket attached to it. He was wagging his tail excitedly.

"A dog…?" Rin murmured, bending down to get a better look. She carefully held out her hand, allowing the dog to sniff her, and then she scratched the top of his head. "You are a cute doggie…"

The dog nudged Rin's hand and then walked past her. Rin rose to her feet and whirled around, facing the dog.

"Do you want me to follow you…?" Rin asked, and then she immediately felt stupid for asking a dog a question.

The dog simply looked back at her, his tail still wagging. He then took off down the hallway, and Rin followed after him. The dog led her through the confusing corridors of the school with ease – something which surprised Rin considering the fact that these hallways were like a maze – and out of the school. The dog then led Rin through areas of True Cross Academy Town which weren't crowded. Eventually, Rin found herself jogging lightly down a road without a single car in sight.

Rin watched as the dog easily jumped onto the ledge at the side of the road and tried to climb to the top of one of the light posts.

"Hey, watch out!" Rin rushed towards the light post. "You'll hurt yourself, doggie!"

The dog ignored Rin and made it to the top of the light post. He sat on the top of it with amazing balance, something which annoyed Rin. How could a dog have better balancer than her?

Suddenly, there was a cloud of pink smoke… the dog was gone and sitting there was Mephisto. He sat with his legs crossed and his cape blowing in the gentle breeze.

Rin reeled back in surprise. Her first thought was, 'I called his dog-form cute! That is so embarrassing!'

"Pardon me. But the Principal can't just meaninglessly wander around the campus." Mephisto said in a way of greeting.

'But he's the Principal… so he should be able to do what he wants…' Rin thought. Though, instead of voicing her thoughts, she asked, "I… I… can all Exorcists shapeshift?"

Mephisto finally looked at Rin. "Of course they cannot. I am a special exception."

'Special exception…' Rin wondered what that meant.

Mephisto held up an ordinary-looking key which he'd taken out from his pocket. He tossed the key to Rin.

Rin easily caught the key, looking at it curiously. "What is this for?"

"With that key, you can conveniently go to your cram school classes from any door." Mephisto explained.

"Cram school?" Rin tilted her head to the side.

Mephisto jumped down from the light post, landing on the ground without a single sound. "Cram school for Exorcists, of course."

Rin's attention came into focus and she leaned forward curiously.

"While you will be attending high school classes just like everyone else, the Exorcist training will take place in the cram school." Mephisto was telling her. "As a Page, you will study Exorcism. While the high school classes begin next week, your cram school starts today." He walked towards Rin and was now standing in front of her. He leaned in close to her face, looking her in the eye. "You're prepared, right?"

"Of course I am!" Rin said with determination. Though, on the inside, she was a bundle of nerves.

Mephisto straightened up, holding up his index finger and pointing it at Rin. "Let me warn you." He said. "It is a secret that you are Satan's offspring, darling Princess. Even if we can cover up your teeth, ears and tail, there's no explanation for your blue flames. Please control yourself."

"Y-yeah," Rin nodded her head. "I'll do my best."

"Great!" Mephisto whirled away from Rin, making his way over to the ledge. He jumped onto and looked at Rin. "Then, shall we get going?"

And with that, Mephisto jumped off the ledge and out of sight.

"What… wait, wait!" Rin shouted, rushing over to the ledge and looking over it. Mephisto was standing below her. The drop to the ground below didn't look that high…

Rin swung one of her legs over and positioned herself so she could easily jump over. 'Just do it, Rin. Just jump over!' She told herself… and she did. Rin jumped and landed awkwardly on her feet, quickly losing her balance and falling face-first into the ground. She winced in pain. "Ouch!"

Mephisto held out his hand to Rin and she reluctantly took it. He helped Rin up, steadying her.

"O-okay… l-let me go now." Rin blushed, pulling away from Mephisto. That was the second time today that he'd helped her off the ground.

Mephisto ignored what she said and gestured to the door before them. "Try opening this door using your key."

"Sure…" Rin nodded her head, walking over to the door. She looked at the keyhole – there was no way her key would fit. Shrugging her shoulder, Rin slid the key into the keyhole… and it git! She turned it and heard a click as the door unlocked.

Slowly and nervously, Rin pushed open the door and stepped inside.

Rin found herself standing in a long hallway, looking back and forth. The floor had pink-and-purple diamond-shaped tiles and there were pillars consisting of the colours green, yellow, blue, and orange. In-between the pillars were glass-paintings and red walls.

"Amazing!" Rin exclaimed, her voice echoing in the hallway.

Mephisto walked in behind her, closing the door, and moved to stand at her right.

"The first-year classes are held in classroom 1106." He informed Rin, already beginning to walk down at hallway. "Let's go."

"H-hey, wait." Rin said, hurrying after Mephisto. He walked at a brisk pace.

As Rin walked behind Mephisto, she continually looked around in wonder. The cram school sort of reminded her of an old cathedral church in a way.

Rin suddenly ran into the back of Mephisto as he stopped.

"Sorry!" Rin apologized, stepping away from him.

Mephisto waved off Rin's apology and pointed at the classroom door before them. It was room 1106. "This is it." He looked at Rin. "Just for today I'll stick around."

Rin crossed her arms. "Are you even allowed to do that?"

Mephisto grinned at her. "Ein~Zwei~Drie," He said, and then he snapped his fingers. There was a puff of pink smoke and the small, fluffy, white dog was back.

"Let's go." Dog-Mephisto said, turning to the door.

Rin's eyes widened and she pointed a finger at him. "You can still talk?!"

Mephisto simply ignored her silly statement and said, "Didn't you want to become an Exorcist? Isn't that the reason why you're here?"

Rin looked at the door. Yes, Mephisto was right. That was the whole reason she was here, putting up with this stupid high school experience. She wanted to become an Exorcist. Nothing else mattered to her. She couldn't back out now – that would just make everything she'd gone through already pointless – and it would be like a personal insult to her. After all, she was Rin Okumura and she didn't like to quit!

Rin placed her hand on the door handle, drawing in a deep breath. 'Don't be afraid. Don't be afraid.'

With those thoughts in mind, Rin pushed open the door to classroom 1106 and entered the room with Mephisto trotting along beside her. She stopped in the doorway, looking around the room. There was only her and six other people. Right away, Rin's silly nerves and fears dropped down to almost nonexistent. She had nothing to worry about. Everything was going to be okay.

'It's so dirty in here…' Rin observed, wrinkling her nose. She wasn't one for cleaning, but she definitely wanted to give this room a good washing down.

Rin noticed that everyone was starting at her.

"I'm Rin Okumura. Nice to meet you," She introduced herself, trying to keep her expression cool and her voice confident. Rin strolled across the room, choosing to sit in a desk near the front of the room. She set her sword right down next to her.

Mephisto jumped onto her lap and settled down.

"Who the hell are these guys?" She mumbled quietly to Mephisto.

"They are going through Exorcist training just like you." Mephisto informed her, speaking just as quietly. "Some of them have yet to receive a Temptaint, whereas some already have."

"Temptaint?"

"Wounds or illness inflicted by a demon. You become able to see demons when you get a Temptaint. It is necessary to go through it to become an Exorcist." Mephisto paused, and then purposely added, "Well, you don't need it since you're a demon yourself."

Rin narrowed her eyes and flicked Mephisto on the nose. She didn't like being called a demon. She never had. When she was younger, Rin had lashed out at people who had called her that. Now that she was older – and knew she was actually a demon – she detested being called one even more.

The sound of the door opening rang throughout the classroom. Rin didn't bother to look up to see who it was as she was busy flicking Mephisto's nose and blowing in his eyes to annoy him.

"Ah, your teacher is here." Mephisto said, dodging one of Rin's flicks.

Rin finally decided to look up, wanting to see who her teacher would be. Her eyes widened dramatically and her mouth dropped open in shock.

Standing at the front of the room, placing a briefcase on the teacher's desk, was her brother.

"Good afternoon. I'm your teacher, Yukio Okumura."

~X~

FINISHED! Okay, so when I had originally finished this story, I went to close down Microsoft word and save, but I accidentally didn't save and lost everything I'd just typed up. I was soooo annoyed, and so I was up all night re-typing everything while silently cursing myself.

ANYWAYS, I apologize for stupid grammar mistakes! Please review!