Been a long break, sorry guys! Don't really have a good excuse, but college and relationships have to come first I'm afraid. Thank you so much to everyone that's reviewed, I know I don't reply often but I read each and every one of them. More than once! You guys keep me going ;) Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 3

The massive iron gates of the True Cross Academy slowly swung open to welcome the Vatican's finest. Shura felt a bead of sweat drip down between her shoulder blades. She so didn't want to be executed. Shura glanced at the demon standing next to her and was pleased to note that Mephisto looked as bored as she did. At least she could be sure that they wouldn't be found out due to a shitty poker face. The front yard was as packed as it had been yesterday thanks to the celebrity status of the arriving exorcists. The mood in the courtyard was practically festive now that the brooding aura of Pandora's Box had so mysteriously vanished. Shura longingly dreamed that she was just one of the crowd. A nobody. She could sneak off, drink a few beers, laugh at Arthur's stupid outfit in peace… The exorcist sighed. Such sweet, sweet dreams.

The Vatican party swept towards them, and Shura snorted. Arthur really did look stupid. Always brightened her day. Mephisto stepped forward to intercept them and Shura felt a deep sense of relief. Stress that she hadn't realised she was holding melting away. After all that had happened, she just wasn't in the mood to do anything apart from curl up, eat chocolate and watch some dumb anime. Trying to look normal and, most importantly, not guilty in front of the top brass just wasn't on her to-do list today. As the group got within range, Angel striding in the lead, Mephisto gave an elaborate bow.

"The Vatican, here in person. This is an honour."

Angel sniffed. "Of course it is. Now let's see this damn box, we've got demon eaters popping up all over the place and we've been dragged all the way out here chasing a rumour!"

Lightning chuckled. "I've heard rumours it's the real deal. I'm interested to see it."

Mephisto twirled his cape and winked.

"And so you shall! A gentledemon would never be so rude to keep his guests waiting."

He turned and strode off, the guards and the Vatican left scrambling to keep up with the sudden departure. Shura turned to head after him as well, but just before she did she caught the look on Angel's face. Hatred. Pure and simple hatred. The redhead felt a shiver run down her spine. Suddenly she knew. The paladin would spit on her dead body if it meant taking out Mephisto.

The crew headed further into the labyrinthine depths of the True Cross Academy, leaving the mob of lower level exorcists behind to guard the front gate. As they walked Shura could sense the growing puzzlement from the other people with them. Pandora's Box should be emitting poisonous presence so strong it could be felt even through the thick protection of the vault it had they had placed it in. Instead there was… nothing. Shura kept it cool, even as the group approached at visibly confused guards by the vault. The guards were huddled together muttering. The captain only skulked forward when Angel started shouting.

"Reporting for duty, sirs."

Lightning smoothly took over for the disgruntled paladin.

"It seems like something isn't right, captain."

The guard looked a picture of confusion and a miserable certainty that he was going to get in a lot of trouble.

"Well that's the funny thing, sir. All night we could feel the damn thing in the vault behind us like a rotten tooth. And then it stopped."

Lightning looked interested. "Just like that?"

"Well..." The captain looked like he wanted the floor to swallow him up. "A few of us thought we heard voices, but when we opened the vault there was no one there. No way anyone could have slipped past us though…"

Angel looked confused by now, but Lightning looked fascinated in a way that made Shura's skin crawl.

The group from the Vatican had spent a long time huddled around the stupid fake Pandora's Box and the longer they spent on it the more irritable Shura got.

"What the hell is the plan?" She hissed to Mephisto, no louder than a breath.

The demon didn't move, except to flick his eyes down towards her and give her a lazy smirk.

"You're just going to have to… trust me." He whispered back.

Shura wanted to throttle him. Her life was on the line here! The exorcist was about to launch into a tirade, but had to choke back her bile when the crew broke apart. Angel was tossing the dud box back and forth, complaining loudly.

"Lightning, this was such a waste of time. The box is obviously a fake."

Shura huffed, determined to get some groundwork lies in.

"What a pain in the ass. This thing ruined my weekend fer nothing."

Lightning was watching her. Eventually he gave one of his weird chuckles and took the box from Angel, turning it over in his hands.

"You know, there is one way for the box to have so much power and then lose it all. If it was an amulet, and it already worked its magic."

His eyes slid slowly over to the odd pair. There was a long painful silence, as he studied the box again. Angel, and the rest of the Vatican exorcists looked confused and Shura was ready to crack under the pressure.

Finally Lighting looked up again, pinning them with his dark eyes.

"Hmm, it's so funny, I've never seen you two stand together for so long… Almost as if you're stuck together."

At this point, Shura was ready to die just to get it over with. Especially when Angel started shrieking.

"I knew there was something funny going on here!" Angel ranted.

Mephisto was Shura's unlikely hero.

"Ah, ah. I think everyone's gotten the wrong end of the stick. Such cruel accusations! Miss Shura and I would never get involved with a ritual as sick, and twisted, and as very illegal as you are suggesting!"

Lightning smiled. "Then move away from each other."

Mephisto's smile was just as sinister.

"Well, you see, the thing is-"

He was cut of by the soft swish of metal, and Angel's sword was at the demon's throat. Shura knew she had to act. The paladin was a moron, but his strength was no joke.

"We're engaged!" She blurted out.

"You're… engaged."

Angel looked to be somewhere between outrage and disbelief, with a hint of a mini-stroke, at the ridiculous lie. Shura fake laughed and wrapped an arm around Mephisto's neck in a manner that wasn't quite friendly.

"Can't wait ta get married, righ' honey-bun?"

Mephisto swept the exorcist up in his arms and did a stupid looking twirl.

"My heart is just bursting with human love for you sugar-bee!"

He winked lazily at the other exorcists. "As I was trying to explain… Shura and I cannot leave each others side until the wedding."

The demon looked apologetic. "It's a Gehenna tradition I'm afraid. All very silly I know, but as the Vatican knows so well, one cannot turn their backs on history."

Mephisto laughed and his voice changed to velvet.

"It's just as well though, it does mean we have an alibi. Last night Shura was in bed… with me."

Shura choked and tried to turn it into a playful giggle. She swatted at him, trying hit him as hard as possible while still looking flirtatious.

"Yer embarrassing me, sweet-pea."

Strangely, the Vatican accepted this excuse much more quickly than Shura was expecting. That, and the fact that Lightning was doing all the talking, made her edgy. Mephisto took care of the politics. A Vatican member would be present at all time, blah blah. 'Had to make sure there was no funny business', yes sir. "I will execute you, traitor." Alrighty Angel. And then they were dismissed. Rather abruptly. As they walked away, just when Shura was starting to think maybe they had gotten away with it, Lightning called after them.

"Ah, just so you know. Couples don't talk to each other like that."

Mephisto didn't even hesitate.

The demon called over his shoulder, "Well, we are very much in love!" and kept striding away.

He steered Shura away from the Vatican's top brass, only pausing to mutter.

"Couples don't talk to each other like that?"

"How the hell would I know?!"

The odd pair finally made it back to Mephisto's apartment. Shura was relieved. The luxury that surrounded her made her feel like this was some kind of crazy dream, rather than a very real chance she might end up dead. Frankly she was in need of some serious me time. The exorcist eyed the one thing standing between her and sweet, sweet freedom. Mephisto returned her sideways look with one of his own.

"Do I have something on my face?"

Shura groaned and clutched at her own face.

Mephisto made an odd tutting sound that was almost… concerned. "My dear, you look a bit stressed."

That was the nicest possible way of putting it, even Shura could acknowledge that. She jumped when strong fingers dug into her tense shoulders, easing some of the pressure that had built up over the day.

"What the hell are ya doing?" The exorcist groaned, but didn't move an inch. It felt heavenly after all.

Mephisto swept a hand out in front of them, though Shura noted he was savvy enough to keep one hand rubbing the knots from her neck.

"My lady, you have had a terrible couple of days!" He snapped his finger. "Allow me to pamper you."

Shura jumped as the puffiest beanbags she'd ever seen popped into existence, accompanied by a massive TV. The exorcist didn't hesitate. Within a second she was plopped down, sighing with relief as the beanbag cradled her body.

"I'm onto ya, you're just trying to stop me from going postal. You got the right idea though…"

Mephisto's usual smooth chuckle had a darker edge to it this time. "I really hate people who can figure me out."

Before Shura could comment he snapped his fingers again. The towering stacks of anime and games that puffed into existence was enough to silence her.

"The choice is yours my dear!" His voice was bright and cheery once again.
Shura gaped at the towering shelves of games and dvds and books, eyes wide and mouth open. God she wanted to be this rich.

"I'll even challenge you to a match any time you want," Mephisto was holding a fighting game between his long fingers. His face was sly.

"You would have to be willing to make an interesting wager though."

In a trance the exorcist walked slowly towards the collection, fingers caressing the spines of some manga collections, before gently pulling a classic off the shelf. She turned back to Mephisto, not quite able to meet his eyes.

"I need some time alone," she eventually muttered. "Can you just… Pretend not to exist for a while."

Mephisto bowed low to the ground and his face was almost kind, "My dear. Your wish is my command."

'Of course,' Shura thought sourly, 'When my wish is to not have to teach this damn class…'

The exorcist shot a filthy look at the fluffy little, white dog sitting on the desk next to her. He wagged his tail winsomely. What a prick. However, Shura was feeling more optimistic than she had since this whole fiasco started. She even had this strange hope that she might get through this class, using subtlety and outright lies, and that at the end of the day she might still have a shred of dignity. This didn't last long.

"Yo Mephisto! Why the hell are you here?!"

Most of the students shrieked with surprise when the cute dog disappeared with a bang and reappeared as their bizarre headmaster. Shura felt a deep depression settle over her. Kids sucked. Demons sucked. Teaching sucked worst of all.

"Hello my darling students!"

Mephisto practically gleamed with enthusiasm. Shura actually had to squint.

"I'm here today because I am courting my beautiful fiancé!"

The demon didn't seem to be phased by the crushing apathy coming off of the redhead in waves.

There was a long silence and the students looked insultingly confused.

Shura felt a vein throb in her forehead. "I'm the beautiful lady! Ya little shits!"

Slow realisation dawned on their little faces as they finally got it. It was enough to make a teacher's cold heart feel again. Rin even looked a little ill, which actually made Shura feel a bit better.

"I don't believe you," he hissed at her, "You can't be marrying that freak!"

Gold star for the star student. Almost as if he had read her mind, Mephisto smoothly interrupted.

"I know this is hard to believe, but this beautiful young lady and I have been together for a long time."

His sharp fangs glinted in his broad smile, and Shura found herself… distracted. As the class erupted into gossip and chatter, Mephisto leaned close to her, his lips almost brushing the skin of her smooth neck.

"Mind out of the gutter," he murmured his voice holding a tinge of amusement that made the exorcists blood boil.

"Just having an idea, my dearest," she ground out through clenched teeth. The exorcist stood abruptly and addressed the mob.

"Mephisto's here t'assess yer progress. He'll be teaching this class." Shura turned away from the class to give Mephisto a smug look at pawning off her responsibilities, but felt her heart sink. The demon was smiling like a tiger.

"My thoughts exactly, dearest."

The demon strolled towards the blackboard. "Now, who can tell me what sundew can be used for…"

By the end of the hour, Shura was mildly impressed that Mephisto had managed to give an entire class on the brewing of anti-demon potions. It was quite extraordinary watching him. He talked circles around the poor students until their heads were spinning so hard they didn't realise that Mephisto wasn't actually delivering that much content. Shura was pretty confident that this really wasn't the demon's speciality, but couldn't quite figure out why he'd picked this topic. Did Mephisto even have a teachable skill? Shura wasn't convinced. She also wasn't really too bothered, this observation role suited her just fine! The exorcist turned her eyes away from Mephisto and took a long look at all the students. Rin's eyes were practically spinning in his head, and even the normally bright students looked confused. Not really their fault this time though. And then there, in the front row. In contrast to her classmates, Shiemi was practically radiating enthusiasm. Shura pursed her lips at this display of intense nerdiness, but most of these potions were plant based… A coil of suspicion curled in her gut. She glanced at Mephisto just in time to catch a sidelong glance from him. So he really could feel her as well then. He'd implied as much, but it made her feel… dirty, to know for sure. And that suspicious feeling hadn't gone away. Shura slowly looked back at the starry eyed girl. There was a pang of irritation that was not her own. Shura knew.

The class ended soon after that.

"I hope you learnt a lot, dear students!" Mephisto winked, "But it's time for the ordinary world. Go to your next class."

The students started packing up their things, but when they started to file out, Mephisto stopped them again.

"Oh, Miss Shiemi. Don't worry about class; I have a job for you. I need you to go to the gardens and harvest some Voodoo Lily for me."

Shiemi hesitated for a moment, giving a slightly torn look towards her classmates.

"Now."

Her will crumbled. His precious baby brother, true to form, loudly volunteered to go with Shiemi to the gardens, but so sad, Mephisto only had one hall pass with him. The principal couldn't help but smile at the sight of Rin slouching off to class. Human crushes were just so brutal. Mephisto's attention turned back to the short, blonde girl in front of him when she finally spoke.

"U-um, I could always get them after class, sir?"

That would really ruin things.

Mephisto smiled charmingly, "Now is better, my dear. Bring them back here when you're done."

Shura finally interrupted, and Mephisto had to struggle not to snarl.

"I'll go with her."

Mephisto gave her a smile that could have killed a lesser man.

"You will not."

Shura glowered at him, but seemed to remember the weight of their shackles, as she didn't try to leave anyway.

However, once the confused Shiemi had left, Shura rounded on him.

"He's going to be lying in wait for her, ain't he! Ya can't send her there alone!"

Mephisto gritted his teeth. "This was your idea!"

"I was going to go with her! He'll eat her alive!"

Mephisto tried to smile. "I assure you, my brother is entirely under my control. Her life is his life, her pain is his pain. I make sure of it."

Shura looked apoplectic and Mephisto realised his mistake.

"You ordered the attack on us in the forest," she whispered.

Her eyes blazed. Mephisto felt finality settle heavy on his mind. Kirigakure Shura knew too much.

Shiemi tripped happily through the sprawling gardens of the True Cross Academy. She knew them well; her mother had often brought her here to gather ingredients. She guessed that was why Mephisto had sent her out here so suddenly. The girl couldn't understand why it was so urgent, but was happy now out in the sunshine and surrounded by the plants she loved so much. Shiemi wandered through the carnivorous plants greenhouse, not feeling bad about the detour, loving the sight of the delicate flytrap, the bizarre pitchers, and even some of the weird smells. The crunch of gravel underfoot, the soft greens and vibrant colours soothing and natural. Back into fresh air again, and a whole new host of wonders. The young tamer knew that she would never grow tired of this. She finally came to the Voodoo Lilies. Half beautiful, half revolting. Putting down her basket, Shiemi knelt next to the lilies, loving the sensation of grass on her bare knees. There could be nothing better than this.

After a while, her basket filled, Shiemi finally stood to leave. It had been too long since she'd been in a garden, the girl realised. Making friends was important, but being where she belonged was important as well.

There was a man watching her. Shiemi stood frozen, fear turning her blood to ice as she stared into those cold eyes. Like a rabbit caught in the headlights she stood motionless as the strange man walked closer to her. She saw his slitted eyes, and pointed ears, and sharp teeth. Not a man. And he was familiar to her.

Amaimon stood before her, the weight of his presence enough to make her heart pound with terror. Shiemi knew him, but she didn't know how.

"Hello, my bride."

Chapter 3 done! Hope you enjoyed, let me know what you thought! I'd love to hear your opinions and ideas. ;)