Author's note; I do not own Ao No Exorcist, nor any of the characters. Reviews and/or ideas are loved! I get writer's block a lot and small things can give me inspiration~ ;D Also, because I am weird, check out my profile to see an image that inspired me in regards to what Naoki looks like. ( once it's been updated )

A blood-curdling scream left her throat.

The same thing that had ripped into her back was the same thing that forced Naoki onto her stomach. As her cheek met the cool cement of the sidewalk she tried to force out another scream. But no noise left her throat; instead she coughed up blood. It sprayed across the concrete.

"I'm going to die…" Naoki was fully aware that these might very well be the last moments she had on this earth. And she was beyond scared. She hoped that someone would come by. That someone would save her from whatever it was that was causing her this pain. But she knew it was unlikely. She stood a chance if she could call for help, but whenever she opened her mouth nothing but blood came out.

She was moments away from closing her eyes and just giving in.

That is, until she heard the muffled yells of someone, the sound of footsteps approaching, and a gunshot ringing out. Feebly she turned her head to the side to try and see the person who saved her. But her energy was gone. Instead she closed her eyes and smiled; the tears that had started earlier running down her cheeks. They were a mixture of pain and relief.

It wasn't until the next day that Naoki woke up.

A small groan left her lips and she furrowed her brows together. Gently her eyelids fluttered open and her blue eyes were met with a white ceiling. She blinked a few times, her mind trying to process exactly where she was, before turning to look to her side. Naoki was confused for the last time her eyes had been opened she had seen a fuzzy shot of someone running towards her in the dead of the night yet here she was surrounded by white walls and bright lights.

As she turned her head, her gaze rested on a single figure sitting in the corner. His arms were crossed, as were his legs. A typical smile sat upon his lips and his green eyes were focused on her. Smiling lightly, Naoki pulled herself into a sitting position. "Mephi… chan." She murmured. Oddly relaxed knowing that the male was watching over her. "Where… am I? What happened?" She questioned him at last. Finally the feeling of worry was gone, replaced by curiosity, especially in regards to the lack of pain in her back.

"You're at True Cross Academy. In the infirmary to be exact." His voice echoed around the small room due to the lack of furniture. Pulling at some of her hair, Naoki tried to figure out exactly what the male meant.

"I'm… at True Cross Academy?" She paused, unsure exactly what to think about her predicament. But before she could say another word, Mephisto cut her off.

"Yes. As for what happened… It seems as though you were the victim of a demon attack. As wi-" It was Naoki's turn to cut him off.

"A what? Mephi- chan… are you messing with me again! Come on. I was just injured and you're going to be playing games? Harsh." She groaned, not in the mood to deal with this at the moment. Slowly, Naoki pulled herself off the bed and stood up.

Mephisto sighed. "I'm not messing with you this time, I'm afraid. As I was saying, though, was that I wish to offer you the chance to become an exorcist. I think it'd be the sort of change that you need." He smirked. Remembering all the times that Naoki had subconsciously complained about the lack of excitement in her day-to-day routine. He didn't say anything else to her. Instead, he muttered something under his breath and in an instant there were a hundred small black floating… things in the air.

Naoki shrieked slightly and tried to fan them away, her actions resulting in a loud laugh from Mephisto. She glared at him, understanding that he was telling the truth about demons and that he was responsible for these little ones showing up.

"So they are real…" She muttered to herself. Mephisto just sat and watched her, trying to get a read for what she was thinking. Eventually Naoki sighed and quit flicking the little bobbing black demons. She turned her full attention to Mephisto.

"If I agree? What happens then?" She pondered. Not sure she was sold on this whole idea.

"You'll move to True Cross Academy's dorms and start attending classes during the day. And after you'll attend Exorcist 'training'." He got up and looked out the window; interlacing his fingers behind his back.

"And if I decide not to?" Naoki murmured… this time merely trying to get a reaction out of the male. Trying to figure out just why he was so entertained by messing with people. "Does it all end here?"

Mephisto glanced at her from the corner of his eye, his green orbs studying her every move and expression. It took a few seconds before he finally spoke up again, his gaze returning to the window. "Of course. I won't force you into it." He smiled. Turning around he fished something out of his coat; tossing the bag onto the bed.

Curious, but still hesitant, Naoki glanced at the bag for a moment. Suddenly she started laughing. "Mephi~ Bribery is a crime you know." She picked up the bag and pulled out one of the orange lollipops sitting inside. Pulling off the wrapper, she popped it into her mouth.

"Ah, I don't know what you mean Nao. This is merely a gift to a healing friend." He brushed her words off.

"Sure, sure. Except you've never really seen me as a friend. Considering the fact that the only time we talk is the five minutes you come in to buy your candy!" She chirped. He turned to look at her, his hands spread out wide, and she knew he was about to go off onto some sort of tangent. Naoki raised her hand. "But! I think I'll give it a try. This… exorcist thing. It might give me something to look forward to… Oh… But I'll have to tell my Uncle I can't work for him anymore." Naoki groaned.

"Ah, I already informed him of your departure. He said he hopes that you have fun and not to worry; he'll get your younger cousin to help out." Mephisto's grin grew wider when he saw the stunned expression on Naoki's face. She was so stunned, in fact that her lollipop fell out of her mouth. But she regained her composure in the blink of an eye.

"Well played Mephi-chan. Well played." She smirked, replacing her fallen lollipop with a new, vibrant orange, one.