He was in the forest again. The second place where he battled Rin. The blonde girl was walking
toward him, her eyes green and vacant because of the moth he had lay eggs in her.
Shiemi he heard someone call her. She was beautiful. He had never thought that way about any human he had seen. It fascinated him that he felt this way. Although, he couldn't distinguish whether there were any emotional feelings attached to this attraction. The closest he had come to feeling this way, was a long time ago when he would sometimes still hear his previous host's thoughts.
His host had once admired a girl. No doubt she was long dead now. The Shiemi girl was almost to him. He reached his arms out like he had when this actually happened. He remembered feeling excited to play with such a pretty mortal. He couldn't wait to see the look on his half-brother's face as he taunted him with her. It would be priceless. And then he finally gets the battle he was looking forward to. When she was almost up to him, she spoke unlike the first time.
"It…doesn't…matter…that…you…think…I'm…pretty…" He stopped smiling.
"What?"
"It doesn't matter. Many demons like pretty things. But you don't really care. You can't. You've been this way your whole life. And because of that, nobody will ever truly care about you." Her voice sounded robotic, or very songlike. Definitely not natural for a human.
"Th-that's not true. My-my brother-"
"Your brother is a demon too. But he has lived with humans. So he despises you as well. To him you're just annoying and childish. He wouldn't hesitate to kill you if it meant protecting humans which he loves."
"No he wouldn't. He's my brother. He-he's given me things. He likes me."
"He has to pretend. You're his brother. If you knew how he felt about you, then no one would be able to contain you. He only cares about the humans."
"No! I know him! Stop lying!" Shiemi cocked her head.
"Why do you want to be liked? You can't care about anyone, why so why should they care about you? Your half-brother who is half demon despises that world. He would feel no guilt in completely killing you if he could. Nobody would mourn for you. Nii-san would be relieved he didn't have to babysit you anymore." Water was dripping down his face. Tears? He'd never cried in his life. He didn't think he could. Perhaps being in Assiah was doing things to him. He wiped his eyes.
"N-no." His voice sounded muffled. He walked up to her and placed his hands on both sides of her head, stroking her hair gently. He wasn't holding her creepily like he did last time. This time there was warmth in his touch.
"B-b-but I-I can care." He gently hugged her head to his chest.
"I care about you. From the moment I saw you, I thought you were pretty. I'm not incapable of love. It is possible for people to care about me!" He heard a snort below that didn't sound natural from her. He let go of her head, and she faced him with those creepy eyes again.
"Thinking something is pretty does not equal love. When humans love, they don't use their loved ones as things to taunt others with. Humans who care wouldn't want to take out the eyeball of the person they love. You don't care! You may be around humans but you are not one, and there's nothing you can do about it! You have no purpose and do nothing meaningful so why should people care!"
"No!" He screamed. He stomped on the ground. The earth opened up and Shiemi fell into the crack. A look of fear was on her face as she fell.
"NO!"
Amaimon shot up to a sitting position on his bed. He'd never dreamt like that before. He felt that his face was wet. He actually had been crying. Was the dream true? He had thought she was pretty when he laid eyes on her in the forest. Was that love? Was he even able to?
He'd been feeling attracted to Anri lately, but for different reasons. Something about Anri reminded him of Shiemi, even though he'd only seen Shiemi for a few moments. Plus, Anri seemed to be able to understand him in a way the others couldn't. She was more tolerant and caring whenever he was being weird. It probably had to do with the demonic spirit inside her. They did have that in common.
What was he supposed to do with this now? Was it even worth fighting Rin anymore?
The door swung open, and Izaya walked in. He was wearing a gray robe. There wasn't a clear expression on his face, but he appeared to be hiding something. He cocked an eyebrow.
"You don't have very many dreams, do you?"
Amaimon realized the sheets to the bed were strewn on the floor. His hair was ruffled, worse looking that the "broccoli" hairdo. Amaimon wiped his eyes and cleared his throat.
"No, not really. Was it that obvious?"
Izaya sat on the foot of the bed."Well, based off of that scream, you sounded more surprised that you could be so scared."
Seriously? Why did he always talk like that?
"Do you ever have dreams like that?"
Izaya casually tapped his fingers on his lap."Well, now that's not something I would talk about."
"So, that's a yes then?"
Izaya laughed, but it didn't sound happy."What am I going to do with you?"
Amaimon wasn't sure how to take this question."um, can I ask you something? It's kind of weird."
Izaya put his hands out as though he were surrendering something. "Ask away."
"If someone who isn't well liked doesn't change, is it possible for anyone to love him?"
He put his fingers up to his chin, as though he were thinking.
"Well, it would certainly depend. There are some humans so filled with love and compassion that they would care for a person no matter what. This answer usually varies based off of the situation. I'd say for most people though, even the most loving humans out there, would eventually get tired of waiting for a mean person to change. Even they have their limits on how much they can love.
Eventually those people lose their ability to love that person and give up on them. This of course isn't the case with everyone, but all humans have their limitations. I'd say in that case the person of this topic would have an option though if they don't like this turn of events. Everyone always has an option. They just don't always see it."
Wow. His answers always leave me speechless, which is something I didn't think was possible.
"Do you think that's why demons think they're superior to humans? They don't have that limitation of love. They're never disappointed by situations like that because they aren't able to love in the first place so there's no sympathy to exhaust themselves with?"
Izaya looked at him. His expression was amused yet scrutinizing."Well, I'd say you're more qualified to answer that question, wouldn't you agree? I however personally don't think that demons are incapable of love, although I don't know them as well as humans."
Amaimon blinked."Really?"
"Sure. After all immorality doesn't necessarily mean they don't love at all. Demons desire things, and love is definitely a desire. I think demons can love specific people or things but still care absolutely nothing about anything else. Also, their love is probably a little bit different than a human's. It could be like a fascination with a possession, or possessiveness with something they find pretty.
Demons can be more ruthless concerning the things they love though, since there is still evil inside them from being a demon. For example, if a demon decides he's fallen in love with a pretty human girl and another person hurts her in some way the demon wouldn't hesitate to slaughter the wrongdoer and their entire family. Simply because they loved the girl, and only saw the girl.
Anything that would make the girl upset or hurt her, the demon would see that thing as something that simply needed to be destroyed. Since demons are creatures, the way they experience human emotions or try to is more animalistic. There's not much sense or reason in it. Does this make any sense?"
For someone who didn't know as much about demons, Izaya seemed to understand this pretty well.
This reminded Amaimon of what had occurred with his father and Rin's mother. Father killed so many exorcists just so he could save her from being executed.
"Yeah. I think so. Thanks"
Izaya smiled and nodded."Of course." He stood up."Alright. Since there's no school for you today, how about you come with me today?" Amaimon attempted to smooth his hair back.
Oh that's right. Today is Saturday.
"Go with you? Where?"
Izaya smiled."I'd like you to come with me on a job of mine. You'd get a good feel for what happens in this town." The smile on Izaya's face read that he was up to something.
And yet, even when Amaimon knew this was the case he always went with him.
Izaya and Amaimon were standing at an apartment.
At some point during the week, Amaimon didn't know when, Izaya had managed to get some normal looking clothes for Amaimon to wear. This struck Amaimon as odd, especially since they seemed to be exactly Amaimon's size. He should have been used to Izaya's weirdness by now. Anyways, now Amaimon was wearing somewhat normal looking clothes.
He was wearing fairly ordinary blue jeans and a white t-shirt that had the words 'Save the Earth' down the middle in bold green letters. Amaimon had wondered if Izaya had picked this shirt on purpose knowing who he really was. He was never sure with this info broker. His shoes however were the same. They were raised black boots that were curled up at the tip where the toes were. He also still wore his hair in his same green spike.
Amaimon was biting on his claws again."What are we doing here? And what is it you do again?"
Izaya sighed."Sometimes I forget how much like a child you are."
Before he could respond, the door opened. A man in a lab coat wearing glasses, and who had wild light brown hair opened the door.
"Izaya! What are you doing here? And what is he?"
This wasn't planned? What was he up to?
"Nice to see you too, Shinra.I have a job for Celty." Izaya walked in, Amaimon followed.
"Okay. But why did you come here? You usually email her a job."
Amaimon started walking around the apartment and sniffing strange looking furniture.
"Well, part of the job involves him and I felt she should formally meet him."
Amaimon stopped what he was doing and turned to face Izaya.
"Wait, what? You didn't tell me that. I thought I was just watching you on the job."
Izaya smiled.
He's so frustrating.
"Well, you'll have to wait a few minutes for Celty to finish getting ready. "
Amaimon sighed.
Shinra was staring at Amaimon's arm.
"My word. What happened to you?"
Amaimon followed his gaze. His forearm was covered in a big red blistering burn somewhat shaped like a star. He hadn't even noticed it.
That must have been from the holy water. It still hasn't healed? Amaimon had been feeling weak ever since that fight. Perhaps this was why. Maybe it was just from thinking about it, but Amaimon's arm began to hurt again. He winced and started to fall.
Shinra caught him.
"Here, let's take a look at this on the couch." Shinra gently laid him onto the couch and began to closely examine the burn.
"I'll pay for your services if you need money. I've been looking after him anyways." Izaya proposed.
"I'm not so sure how well human medicine-" Amaimon started.
"Yes I've already figured out that you're not human. This isn't my first time working with nonhumans. As long as I don't use any blessed instruments, you should be fine." Shinra said.
Amaimon was shocked.
How did he know?
"Hmm. I think I know the perfect remedy for this kind of burn. I'll be right back." Shinra went to the kitchen. From the corner of his eye Amaimon say the black rider from that night. She showed the phone to Izaya. He laughed.
"Don't worry. He'll be fine. He's in good hands with your fiancé. I reckon more than anything his problem is that he's not used to feeling any kind of weakness." Amaimon wished he didn't have to sit there and listen to them talk about him like this.
Did he say fiancé?
"Actually, he's part of the reason I came here."
The two of them walked into the other room. Shinra came back holding a bottle of a strange looking blue liquid.
"Here we go. It's harder to find remedies for your kind of creature considering most things we use for good are repelled by your bodies."
Amaimon made a faint growl from irritation. Shinra put some gloves on. He placed some of the liquid in one of his gloved hands and began to gently rub it over the burn.
"Now, this burn looks stronger than normal. Was it from holy water or something?"
Amaimon blinked.
"Why are you helping me?"
"I'm sorry?"
"You've clearly figured out that I'm a demon, so why would you help me?"
Shinra thought for a second.
"Well, I am a doctor. When I see someone needs my help I can't help but try to help them no matter what they are. And I have no problem helping nonhumans. I am engaged to one after all! I find they're more interesting to study anyways."
"Yeah, but, demons are evil."
"Well, I find it's best not to judge someone off the bat. I don't know what your intentions are. I know someone who has demonic powers who only uses them for good. She's more human than many I know. Plus, I met a half demon once whose main goal was to use his powers to protect people from the evil in this world."
"Wait, did you say half-demon?"
Shinra didn't seem to hear that last question."Would you mind if I were to study your body some time? I'd be curious to see how much it differs from a human one."
Amaimon seethed. Shinra put his hands up in a form of surrender, and smiled nervously.
"Hey, I had to ask."
The burn looked slightly better, but Amaimon was used to healing faster than this. Izaya and Celty came back into the room. Izaya gave Shinra a questioning look.
"I used a fast acting salve on him. It's the best one for supernatural creatures. He'll be alright, but he should sit for a little bit longer."
Izaya nodded.
"Thank you Shinra. Well I suppose while we're waiting, we'll explain the plan today."
Izaya and Celty sat by the couch Amaimon was laying on.
"What I told you earlier was true. I am on the job. There's important information I was hired to get. However, it's very sensitive so my client didn't want anyone knowing who hired me."
Celty began typing on her phone and Showed Amaimon. He squinted slightly to read it.
[That's why he called me. I'm a transporter. He knew I'd do a good job of transporting this information discreetly and quickly.]
"Okay, but what has this got to do with me."
"First, I thought it might be good for you to go with her. You'd get a feel for the kind of thing I do. Plus, you'd receive interaction, which you are not very good at. I thought the headless rider here would be someone good for you to interact with.
To get a feel for this town. Second, I wanted you to see more of this town so I asked Celty when she's done with this transport to take you to some places in Ikebukuro. Places she might like to go to and such. So you can experience more."
He's always pinning me on someone else to site see the city.
"Shinra can come too if you want, after the first task is completed."
This was definitely more than what the average houseguest would be offered. Why does he want me to experience things so much?
"Um, alright."
"Will he be a hindrance to your job?" Shinra asked Celty.
She shook her head and typed,
[No. He won't be doing anything. It's a quick drop off. He'll just be along for the ride.]
Amaimon sighed.
"Well, alright." Amaimon slowly began to sit up. "Am I able to get up yet?"
"Not yet. Just wait a few more minutes."
Amaimon groaned.
Why was he so annoyed by this? After all, the reason he came to Ikebukuro was to experience things. Was he losing his sense of curiosity? His desire to constantly cure his boredom? This day should be interesting after all. Someone banged the door open.
Shizuo was in the doorway, holding a half-beaten man.
"Shinra, I accidentally- wait what is he doing here!?" Shizuo flung the unconscious man onto the other couch, and pounded up to Izaya, grabbing the collar of his shirt.
"Why are you here you-you flea?"
Izaya looked more annoyed than anything."Honestly Shizu-chan, any other time I would love to taunt you but I'm very busy today. So do you think you could postpone trying to kill me just for now?"
This made Shizuo growl.
Then he noticed Amaimon on the couch.
"You! You-you're in league with that flea! Aren't you!?"
Remembering how their last fight went, and still feeling his weakened state, Amaimon was feeling anxious about Shizuo.
"Shi-Shizuo, calm down please. I was caring for this boy, then I'll look at your friend there. Celty is getting a job, that's all. Izaya isn't here for you. Please don't fight him here." Shinra reasoned with.
Shizuo still looked furious, but let go of Izaya."Fine. Just this once." He glared at Amaimon.
Amaimon quickly looked to Shinra and cleared his throat.
"Am-am I good now?"
Shinra looked at his watch and then nodded nervously."Yes-yes you can go now." He pulled Amaimon up, and practically pushed Amaimon and Celty out the door. "Good luck you two."
Celty typed on her phone,
[Shinra was getting nervous having a patient of Izaya's in there with Shizuo.] Amaimon nodded.
Since the man Shizuo brought in had been beaten so bloodily, and Amaimon's thoughts were on other matters, Amaimon had not even recognized that he was the same man who had attacked him a couple of nights ago.
The 'independent exorcist' had attacked Shizuo, since he received information from a certain info broker that there were rumors going around that Shizuo fought someone that wasn't human. The info broker had also brought up the question why a demon, especially that specific demon, would choose to fight a human. He had implied that Shizuo might not be.
This underground exorcist was not in his right mind, so it didn't take much for him to believe the info broker. However, since he tried to attack Shizuo with anti-demon weapons they had no effect on him. Shizuo overdid himself again. Since he had no idea who the man was that attacked him, and assumed he was crazy, he felt he should take the man in to the underground doctor he knew. After all, he was trying to be a better person.
It wouldn't take much for there to be a misunderstanding about Shizuo, given how destructive he could be. Shizuo was being surprisingly understanding, especially regarding since this had to do with himself.
Izaya was more involved in everything going on than even Amaimon himself realized.
Amaimon had no idea what was in store for him, nor did anyone else. Not even Izaya, even though he was the one who was catalyzing everything. This would be a first for him.
A/N: I'm also putting Celty's 'dialogue' on the phone in Bold, due to my difficulty with adding spacing on fanfiction for some reason.