"We have a new student at Raira academy today. Would you like to stand up and introduce yourself?"

Amaimon had been biting his claws again. He wasn't really sure what to do now. He was completely out of his element. Along with that, he didn't like the Raira academy uniform he had to wear now.

He stood up.

"My name is Amaimon."

He heard a gasp. Amaimon looked towards the sound to see Mikado from yesterday. He looked at him with bewilderment. Remembering his mistake from yesterday, Amaimon immediately looked away from the boy.

"Is there anything else you'd like to share about yourself?"

Amaimon shrugged his shoulders.

"I like games. I don't like to be bored. I like candy."

Everyone was still staring at him. He thought he heard whispering.

"Oh, and I don't like to be laughed at. Anyone who does laugh at me will be very sorry. That's all." He sat down.

The room was quiet. He propped his legs up on his desk, no one complained though. He leaned his head back.

How was I supposed to do this school thing?

He could feel behind him that demonic presence again coming from the girl. This time, it was a voice that couldn't be understood. Amaimon was surprised by the lack of demonic activity here. Not even normal lower level demons. Could it be because of the other dark presences in this city? This made him curious.

Later on, he tried to catch up with the three from earlier. Most of the other students were avoiding him.

"Hey, wait."

They all stopped and looked back at him clearly surprised he was coming to them.

"Izaya says I should interact with you three."

The Kida kid crossed his arms.

"We don't really have any interest in what Izaya says. He has a hand in every bad thing that happens in this town."

"Please. I won't last here without something close to friends."

They all exchanged looks.

"Apologize to Mikado."

"What?"

"Apologize for trying to take Mikado's eye."

"Why?"

Kida scoffed. "Seriously? What is wrong with you?"

Amaimon glared at him.

"Wait." Anri started. "You actually don't know why that was wrong?"

Amaimon felt a sort of understanding in her voice that wasn't with the others. Was it called sympathy?

"Well, to be honest, I usually don't do things intentionally because they're wrong."

"Okay, but can you understand why that would upset someone?"

Amaimon thought about this.

Well, human body parts usually don't grow back. And taking one would hurt.

He'd never really cared before whether he caused harm to a human. He'd never had a reason to. Usually he had the free time to do as he please, and being a demon king helped with that. He'd never needed to think outside of himself, nor had he wanted.

That is besides his brother, who was the only one he cared for. He'd obey his father, but that was usually more out of fear. Now in the situation he was in he had to think outside of himself. In this world lacking powers you needed friends to survive. Which meant that he had to think more about how his actions could affect others. This was going to be a struggle for him, but he had no choice.

"I suppose I do. I hadn't really thought of that before."

Kida looked skeptical and confused.

Amaimon turned to Mikado. "My intention had not been to upset you the other day."

Mikado looked surprised at his words.

"Is that supposed to be an apology?" Kida demanded.

Anri shot him a look. "He realized it wrong at least."

"Well…"

"I won't try to take your eye again. Is that better?"

"Why did you want to in the first place?"

"Oh, I have a cousin who has an interest in the occult. He wanted me to bring him a human eyeball."

"Is that supposed to make it sound better?"

Amaimon shrugged.

"Sounds like you have a pretty messed up family."

Amaimon laughed.

He didn't know the half of it.

Although Masaomi still acted suspicious of Amaimon, they let him be with him. He still weirded them out at times, but they seemed to handle it better. Many times, they would stop by the manga store after school before heading home.

"So, did you hear? The slasher is back?"

Mikado faced Masaomi.

"Really?"

Anri looked down at her lap.

Yeah, you would be upset by that, Amaimon had thought to himself. Izaya had been gradually sharing information with Amaimon on the monsters of this city.

"Yeah. It's not as powerful as before. But word on the street is that it's looking for whatever defeated it the first time, so it can be dominating again."

Amaimon crossed his hands behind his head and leaned back on the bench.

"Well, I for one would love to watch that showdown. It sounds so interesting. Although, I'm sure it's probably more fun to join in on the fight anyways."

"I swear dude, sometimes it's scary how much you remind me of Izaya. Are you sure you two aren't related?"

Anri sat next to Amaimon on the bench. This made him blush, though he didn't know why.

"No, as far as I know. Although, I wouldn't be surprised if he ended up being a demon though."

"Wait, what?"

"What did you mean by that?"

Oops.

"Well now, aren't you four getting chummy?" Izaya came up to them out of nowhere.

"What are you doing here?"

"I thought I'd escort you back to the apartment. It's getting dark out now."

"You do realize I'm the kind of thing people look out for in the dark, not the other way around. Right?"

Izaya clicked his tongue.

"You should be careful who you say that around, Amai-chan."

Amaimon realized the mistake he made and who he made it around. Izaya put his arm around the back of Amaimon's shoulders and rushed him away before Amaimon could even look back to see his "friends'" faces.

As they rushed away, Izaya whispered into his ear.

"I meant what I said earlier. You shouldn't be out here late. Word on the street is that the pharmaceutics place is kidnapping nonhumans."

This surprised Amaimon. He hated how weak he was now that he had to worry about things like that.

Did this guy care about him now? Why? He didn't ask because he didn't want to chance being wrong, but he didn't know why. What has being with humans so much done to him?

-Kyo has entered the chat room-

-Mai has entered the chatroom-

Purewater100%: Did you hear? The new guy is looking for some sort of fight?

Hakai: Huh?

Chrome: Yeah. I heard that too.

Hakai: What do you mean?

Purewater100%: Well, it's pretty strange for someone to pick a fight with Shizuo.

Kanra: Yeah. And he was taunting him too. Like he was laughing. Almost as though it's what he wanted.

Bakyura: That's pretty weird.

Setton: Yeah.

Hakai: That's not how it happened!

Purewater100%: How would you know?

-Gaki has entered the chat room-

Kanra: Yeah. And why are you always defending him?

Hakai: Um

Saika: Guys, he probably just doesn't want us talking bad about someone we barely know anything about. I certainly don't like it.

Gaki: Hi everyone. I agree with Saika.

Taro Tanaka: Hi Gaki.

Bakyura: No. I don't think that's it though.

Purewater100%: Well, whatever he is he better watch out acting like that.

Hakai: What do you mean?

Purewater100%: I heard that shady pharmaceutics place has been kidnapping people again.

Kyo: Oh yeah. I heard about that.

Mai: Scary.

Kyo: There's rumors going around that they're focusing on nonhuman victims now for unknown reasons.

Hakai: So what are you saying?

Taro Tanaka: Are you implying that this guy's actions are going to make him seem nonhuman?

Setton: Do you think this could put him into some kind of danger?

Chrome: It's kinda strange that we still don't know his name considering how much talk there has been about him.

Kanra: You guys almost sound like you're sympathizing with him. Maybe getting rid of a monster might be a good thing for the good of this city. Especially with as destructive and twisted as he's seemed.

Saika: You could be totally wrong about that, Kanra.

Setton: Yeah. I mean after all, the black rider isn't human and it's actually helped the city.

Purewater100%: Let's not get started on that debate now.

Chrome: Yeah.

Taro Tanaka: It sounds like no one really knows his name because everyone's been too afraid to approach.

Bakyura: Well, he does kind of weird people out.

Hakai: I don't think there's really any point discussing him over and over again.

Purewater100%: Why?

Hakai: Well…it gets old. It seems like there's so many other interesting things happening in this city. I can't wait to see how things play out.

Bakyura: You seem to have a twisted sense of fun. It reminds me of a certain info broker I know.

Chrome: Ha! Like that dude would come up with a lame chat name like that.

Hakai: Hey!

Amaimon had been logging into the chat room almost every evening. It was something to do to cure his bored, especially regarding that he unfortunately had less options now. Plus, he'd get updates on the town news. It was odd to be able to hear what others were saying about him though.

The next day was like the other day. They were in the manga store. Amaimon was looking at the mangas he thought his brother would like; wondering when would be ok to see his brother again.

"I think that Walker dude would be better at picking out manga." Amaimon stated as he had difficulty finding titles he recognized.

Masaomi laughed."Yeah; If he ever lets you near manga again. Sounds like you really freaked him out, whatever you did in their van."

"Hi there, Mikado."

The three looked up to see a boy with dark bluish hair that had sharp looking bangs. He was slightly shorter than Mikado was. There was a group of other boys standing behind him.

Mikado looked away and put back the manga he was holding.

"Oh. Hey Aoba."

The boy, apparently named Aoba, winked at Anri. This made Anri look down nervously. For reasons Amaimon could not explain, that boy's actions towards Anri made him very upset. Amaimon clenched his fists but unclenched when he felt blood in his hands.

Aoba leaned against the wall of mangas next to Mikado, facing Mikado.

"We haven't seen you around much, Mikado. You haven't been avoiding us, have you?"

Mikado still looked away. His body seemed tense. Almost as though he was preparing for something unpleasant.

"N-no. Of course not."

Aoba crossed his arms.

"Well then, why haven't we gotten a response yet? I already told you that we were tired of waiting."

Mikado sighed and faced him.

"Well maybe if you haven't gotten a response yet, that in itself is your answer."

There was an edge to his voice. Mikado looked Aoba in the eyes very seriously. Mikado suddenly was sounding braver than he looked. Masaomi was beginning to look very anxious about the situation.

What was going on here? Amaimon had thought this Mikado kid was too innocent and boring to be involved in any serious city stuff.

What types of things in this city was that kid involved?

Aoba leaned in closer to Mikado, a devilish grin on his face.

"Now, why don't I believe you? If you really meant that, then you would be straightforward with your decline. I know it's what you want. So why are you so hesitant to accept it? Think about the possibilities."

Aoba's body language was beginning to seem a lot less friendly. Mikado looked almost surprised by the words Aoba was saying, as if he didn't like what he was hearing. The friends behind Aoba were also coming across as more threatening.

The group reminded Amaimon of a gang. He wondered if that's what this was. Even though Amaimon didn't understand what was going on, he had the feeling it was something he wouldn't want to be around Anri. Although, she could probably take care of herself, but he still didn't want her in harm's way.

"Hey Mikado, remember we had to meet at that place soon? Come on! Let's go!" Amaimon took hold of Anri's hand and motioned for the other boys to follow him. Seeming to catch on quickly, Masaomi quickly went to join him towards the door.

Mikado went to join them, but Aoba moved to block his way.

"Hang on; we're not done here yet."

Without thinking Amaimon let go of Anri's hand, walked up to Aoba, and flicked him in the head sending him flying to the other side of the store and landing hard into a wall. Aoba's posse quickly ran over to Aoba.

"Come on!" Amaimon shouted, and the four of them ran out of the store.

Almost as soon as they left the store, Izaya appeared out of nowhere and started pushing him towards the apartment again. Like last time.

"Sorry, but you know it's late again. You need to get back quick."

"Seriously? Are you still going to try to play this off like it's no big deal you're trying to protect me?"

"What? I'm just not done with you yet."

"Whatever."

"Hey, I'm not the one who's-"Izaya stopped midsentence.

Amaimon noticed that he was pushing him anymore.

"Izaya?" Amaimon noticed he was in a dark alley way.

How cliché. Whoever is behind this has seriously no style. Nii-san would disapprove.

"So, tell me. Why would a human be helping a demon like him?" A voice came from the shadows.

Amaimon saw a figure in a hooded jacket. They were restraining Izaya, a knife put to his throat. Izaya wasn't even resisting, he almost looked amused. Amaimon couldn't see their face, but the body figure looked feminine.

"Well, I wouldn't exactly say I'm helping him."

Amaimon looked at the hooded figure.

"Using a human as a hostage? That's pathetic really. What would I want with him?"

"Because, simply put, you need him." Another figure appeared.

This one very muscular. His face was covered with tattoos and ugly scars. A rugged brown beard on his face.

"We're very much aware of your situation, and how weak you are now; Amaimon, demon king of the earth."

Amaimon was taken aback, something he wasn't used to. How would they know? Then the man pulled out a sword covered in strange writing, glowing.

Amaimon seethed.

"Exorcists. What would the true cross be doing out here?"

The man smiled.

"Oh, I'm not a part of the true cross. I'm you could say an independent exorcist." He pointed the sword at Amaimon.

"And we were hired by a pharmaceutics company to take you to them. Although, I'd prefer to just take you out." As the man swung his sword down, Amaimon leaped out of the way and laughed.

"Did you forget that I'm an upper level?" Amaimon dodged another blow, but got hit by holy water. He laid on the ground, wriggling from the burning sensation. The man laughed.

What was going to happen to me? He didn't know what to do now. He never went down so easily. What other weaknesses did he have now?

Then he heard the man cry out in surprise. Confused, Amaimon looked up. The man appeared to be restrained against the wall by some sort of black spider web material. The other figure was pinned as well.

Izaya, freed from her grasp, appeared to be brushing himself off.

"Well, it took you long enough Celty." He was talking to someone dressed in Black wearing a yellow cat helmet.

Celty? The figure of this black dressed person struck Amaimon as seeming feminine.

"Whaa?"

They both turned to him.

"Amaimon, this is the black rider. I called this transporter knowing we'd run into trouble."

But how when? The black rider typed something into its phone and showed it to Izaya.

He just shook his head.

"It would be a lot to explain. I don't even understand it all myself." Although he was smiling as he said that.

The Black Rider typed something else into its phone and showed it to Amaimon.

[Izaya called me to pick you two up and take you to his apartment.]

Amaimon just nodded.

[Is there anything else that I could do? You look like you were pretty banged up.]

Amaimon scoffed, and tried to get up but almost immediately fell down. Izaya rushed behind him and caught him.

[You're not exactly human, are you? I gathered that based off of what I saw back there.] The black rider typed.

Amaimon didn't respond to this.

"Hey, you're the headless rider I've heard so much about, right?"

It paused for a moment.

[…yes.]

"Can I see you without your helmet off? It sounds so interesting." Amaimon clapped his hands together, but was still leaning into Izaya. He heard Izaya laugh behind him, but for some reason this didn't anger him like it usually would.

[Oh…ok.] It removed its helmet. Amaimon jumped up responding with glee when he saw that there was indeed no head like he'd been told. Instead, there seemed to be a continuous black mist emanating from her neck.

How monstrous. How exciting!

Amaimon immediately sank back to his knees after attempting to jump up. This time the headless rider caught him.

"Are you some sort of a demon?"

[No, I'm a dullahan. It's a sort of fairy.]

"Well, whatever. It's still interesting." It was almost a shame that she was not a demon. He knew demons' weak spots. It's no fun to go against someone if you don't know what you're dealing.

[Maybe I should get you two home now. You look pretty drained.]

Amaimon groaned.

"Alright."

Celty put her cat helmet back on. Amaimon sat behind Celty on the horse-like scooter. Celty created helmets out of her shadows for Amaimon and Izaya. Amaimon wondered if he even needed a helmet, since he wasn't aware of his weaknesses now.

"After all, you want to save your energy if you ever want to face off your half-brother again." They took off. Amaimon didn't respond to this.

How did he know I wanted to face my half-brother? I don't think I ever told him.

AN: This formatting is taking longer than I thought it would. Since I'm copying them from another document, I must look over it again to make sure I add back the italics, proper spacing, and page breaks. I am determined to get the rest of this story back up though. Again, like always, feel free to give me some feedback.

A/N: Okay, so in case anyone didn't know-

Purewater100% =Aoba, Chrome is another username that Izaya uses,

Gaki = Akabayashi, Kyo = Kururi Orihara, Mai = Mairu Orihara

Let me know if there are any questions