I hid around the corner, trying to keep out of sight. My headache was seemingly warning me not to do this. I stepped out anyway, and Bon jumped in surprise.

"Why the hell are you so quiet?!"

I gave a little squeak and hid back around the corner. Bon came after me, yanking me out from my hiding place by my arm.

"You're wearing the uniform."

I noticed the grudging tone, but nodded. "I didn't want to seem…disrespectful. And I promise to honestly pay attention in class!"

Bon growled a little. "What the hell, you don't have to try so hard."

I raised an eyebrow. "But I want to. I want to do well and become an exorcist. I'm only a Page at the moment. I have to try and become an exorcist!"

"What type?"

"Um. I really want to fight, but I need a weapon."

Bon raised an eyebrow. "Why do you want to become an exorcist?"

"To stand up to my father."

He glared at me. "How does that logic work?"

"I'll become strong enough to defeat demons and then…" I gritted my teeth. "Then I won't have any trouble defeating him."

"So you want to be what?"

"Well, I think I could be a Knight. Probably."

He looked down at me. "You probably don't know how to handle a weapon."

"Then quit criticizing me and teach me to handle one. I know how to use a knife."

He glared at me again. "First choose a weapon and earn my respect. Then I'll teach you how to use it."

I nodded and raced off, grinning.

…

"I want a knife. A proper knife with a long blade."

Yukio looked sideways at me. "You're choosing a weapon, then?"

"Yes. Bon said he would teach me how to use one. I'm going to become a Knight."

I felt something brush against my shoulder and looked sideways.

"Oh, cute!"

A coal tar demon the size of my fist was sitting there.

"Ah, you probably shouldn't let them swarm you…" Yukio said, sounding uncomfortable. I looked at him.

"Hey, he's okay! I'll call him…"

The coal tar smiled and made a weird cooing noise.

"…uh…I'll call him Kione. Fits him and me."

"Do you often hand out with evil things?" Yukio asked me shakily.

I frowned. Insensitive of him. I was a demon, therefore I was an evil thing, at least in an exorcist's eyes.

A voice echoed in my head, somewhat familiar. In the exorcists' eyes, we are prey.

A boy floated into my mind's eye. His hair was green as grass, but his eyes were demonic. They held a proud look in them. My brain gave a scream of protest and I winced.

"Ah. Headache."

Yukio passed me a cup of tea. "It has herbs for those in it." I took a sip and my headache immediately felt somewhat better. The image stubbornly refused to fade.

Kione sat on my hand and struggled up to the teacup. I looked down. "Anyway, he's not evil. He likes your tea."

Kione stole some and burped a little. I smiled and Yukio shook his head. "Coal tars are not really a good thing to encourage."

I frowned. "I like them!" And I truly did mean it. I think they're cute little critters.

"Okay. Just don't let them swarm you." Yukio made some tea and poured it into a saucer, putting on the table for Kione.

"I won't. Don't worry." What, did he think I was stupid?

I shook my head. "I might as well ask you to help me find a weapon."

"Okay, I'll get you one. But don't let every demon you come across invade your life."

I shuddered, thinking of the one who had been my friend. No fear.

…

Hachiro bowed before Egyn. "You want me to trail her?"

"Yes. Keep an eye on her. She is useless, we know that much, but she has my blood. Even if my brother keeps an eye on her, she would get into trouble anyway."

Hachiro smiled, the expression looking kind of weird on the frog.

"I will make sure she does not get into any unarranged trouble. She's too scared at the moment to do anything. And even if she doesn't know Mephisto is her uncle, I'm sure she won't want to displease him."

Egyn nodded, absentmindedly. This protectiveness he felt was an odd feeling, given how many times he had ordered demons to attack her.