Disclaimer: I do not own Ao no Exorcist! Thank you, DragonFang2011 for your helpful criticism! It helped a lot! :D Also Song of Hope for inspiration!
"Who the heck are you?"
Hazel looked over her shoulder, possessively stroking the hilts of her swords yet again. A girl approached her, carrying a shopping bag in one hand while carrying a sack of potatoes in the other. She had a questioning look on her face as she examined the obviously younger girl.
Hazel narrowed her eyes. "I might as well ask you the same thing."
This new character has long brown hair tied back in a high ponytail, bangs that sweep to the left side of her face and hang down past her ears, hard hazel eyes, a slightly tanned complexion, and a slightly muscular, slender physique. Hazel guess she stands around 5'6. She wears a plain green-blue hoodie, a pair of baggy jeans, black Converse sneakers, a silver heart locket with a cross on it, black fingerless gloves, and a black leather belt.
They had a staring contest for a while, and the sky became darker as the sun set. The other girl sighed. "I'm Hope. Nice to meet you."
Hazel smiled and extended her hand, giving Hope a lopsided smile. "I'm Hazel Thorn."
"Thorn? Are you American too?" she asked, shaking Hazel's hand.
"I lived in America for three years and moved to Japan when I was four. My daddy was a business man so we did a lot of moving." Hazel felt her heart throb at the thought of her dad.
"So, Thorn, why are you here?"
"Well, to be honest, Maphisto gave me this paper telling me where my dorm is but...it said this building." Hazel gave the Mens Dormitory a strange look. "Its for guys. I don't think he can tell apart genders anymore."
Hope snickered at the comment. She then caught herself and straightened her face again. "Mephisto didn't make a mistake. Come on in. You must be hungry."
"Arigato!" said Hazel cheerfully. As they walked inside, Hazel and Hope had a small chat. "Do you go to the cram school?"
"Yeah."
"Why didn't you go today?"
"You guys learned summoning Familiars, no?"
"Uh...yeah," said Hazel, smiling at the thought of her own Familiar. Turns out he did like being called Shinobu.
"I don't like any demons."
That struck Hazel. "Not all demons are bad."
"But your Familiar can turn on you anytime."
"Only if you lack the heart to control them."
Hope opened the dormitory door and let Hazel walk in first. Hazel took her boots off, revealing mismatched neon green and black socks. Hope gave her new dorm mate another look, slightly gasping at the younger girl's pointed ears. Hazel gave Hope an odd questioning glace.
"Is there something wrong?" she asked. Hope saw her pointed canines as she spoke. The older girl resisted reaching for her concealed weapon and decided on a fake smile.
"Nah, nothing wrong. You're still hungry, right?"
"Oh, yeah! Totally!"
"Alright, I'll go get Rin to cook you something up."
"Do I wait in the kitchen?"
"Yeah, just go find yourself a table."
As Hope walked away to find Rin, she thought angrily to herself, Mephisto, you and I are going to have a REALLY long talk!
Hazel flopped onto her bed, heaving a sigh of relief. Her room isn't all that small, especially since she got a room for just one person. She stared at the key Mephisto gave her. Already, she has made some acquaintances. She admits, Shiemi seemed a little nervous to talk to her at first, well, actually, VERY nervous, but she didn't seem as bad the longer they talked.
In fact, it seemed, Shiemi got used to her personality and felt more comfortable talking to Hazel as their conversation carried on. Rin isn't that bad either. She actually quite likes him. He's easy to get a long with, cooks great food, and has that personality that can make anyone feel better. She smiled. Looks like her readings definitely were correct.
Now Hope. Hazel's eyebrow quirked into frustration. When she first saw Hope, she tried to read her. She got little information out of it. It seems her older classmate would prefer to keep her personal information limited to those around her. Hazel frowned. All she could get from the older girl is she's a broken soul and that something awful happened in her past. Hazel growled and clenched her fist. Why can't she read her?! This new character is such an anomaly, not even her genius can read her.
Wait...genius. That's it.
This new character has figured out how to avoid being read by people like her. She must be a genius herself. She remembers what happened during dinner. Hope had kept glancing at her, as if expecting her to lash out and commit homicide. Does she not trust her?
Something has definitely given her reason to. But what has? Is it her general appearance? Her usually sour attitude? She swears she tries to be a little nice when she meets new people. But she never knows. No one tells her.
She clipped the key back onto the key ring on her belt hanging by her bed. She stared at all of her unpacked things, neatly packed away in boxes and stuffed in bags. She sighed in dismay. On the bright side, the weekend is two days away. She'll be able to get some sweets and get some shopping done, as well as get some of her things unpacked. Maybe she could ask Hope to help her? Some bonding time?
Nah, she'll do it herself. She won't bother others with her problems. Not until she's desperate. This is something she knows she can do without help.
Hazel pulled her blanket over herself and snuggled against her pillow. She actually can't wait to get up in the morning. Cram school is definitely interesting.
Everyone's asleep. Hope threw her covers off and grabbed her set of keys. She stormed over to her door and inserted a key into the key hole. She turned the knob and opened it, revealing Mephisto looking at papers with a bored expression sitting at his desk in his office. Her eyebrow quirked in anger as she stormed over to him. She slammed her fist onto the desk, making him eye her with an annoyed expression.
"Yes? What is it?"
"You stuck another demon inside the dorm I'm staying in?!"
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
Hope slammed her fist again, almost breaking the desk. "Don't play dumb with me, demon! You know what she is!"
"Yes, but does she?"
Hope growled. "What is that supposed to mean?"
"Hope, you are a very smart girl. Yes, Hazel Thorn is a demon. But does she know that?"
"So what if she doesn't know?! She's still a demon! She deserves a merciless death."
"She believes demons deserve that fate as well. However, she does not know that she's a demon. She's never known. You are not allowed to kill her."
Hope looked down in doubt. "I don't know. I guess she hasn't done anything wrong yet." Mephisto smiled. Hope directed her gaze back onto him. "However, the moment she does, I WILL exterminate her."
"Very well. But you must become her friend. She really is a good person. Just give her a chance. Not all demons are bad. I believe she can be a good one."
Hope was about to leave when she stopped. She turned back to the demon. "Mephisto?"
"Hmm?"
"Who exactly is she?"
Mephisto smirked. "She's Hazel Damien Thorn. She was born October 31st, the year after Rin and Yukio's birth. She's the youngest spawn of a demon in that dorm."
Hope nodded in understanding. "So you wish to keep it a secret?"
"And it will remain a secret until fate decides it doesn't. Be patient, Hope. Now goodnight."
Hazel slammed her fist on her alarm clock. She hazily opened her orange-brown eyes and stared at the time. She dragged herself out of bed and pulled on her clothes. Today she's wearing a black Dark Mark muscle shirt. Yes, she absolutely loves Harry Potter. She slid into a pair of purple skinny jeans and grabbed her belts and slipped them through the belt loops. She grabbed her black leather boots and put them on as well. She grabbed a hair tie from her luggage and tied her hair up in a high ponytail. She grabbed her white gloves and her swords. She put a long cross necklace on along with some demon repelling bracelets, along with her two katanas wrapped in black cloth, and walked out of her room. She closed the door behind her and locked it.
She went down to the bathroom, seeing Hope brushing her hair and teeth. Hazel got out her toothbrush and toothpaste and was soon scrubbing her mouth in front of the sink next to Hope. Hope glanced at the younger girl next to her.
She then eyed the swords. Ancient Japanese is inscribed on the scabbards in silver. She still remembers how to read the ancient language. She studied the writing carefully. The left one is named Despair and the right one is named Devastation. Despair and Devastation? Is that a warning never to unsheathe the swords? She wonders if Hazel knows.
"Good morning, Hazel," she said in a monotone voice.
"Yo."
Hope spit the toothpaste out and washed her mouth, Hazel soon following her example. "What's with the swords? I completely didn't notice them until now."
Hazel gave her an unreadable expression. "I don't know."
"You don't know?" Surely, she must be lying?
"Yeah. I've never used them."
"Really?"
"I was told not to."
"By who?" asked Hope with an annoyed expression. Hazel looked down, her eyes flashing sadly.
"My mom."
Now Hope understands. She's haunted by something just like she is.
"I'm hungry," said Hazel, walking away after drying her hands. Hope stood by the sink by herself. She made up her mind and followed the younger girl. She walked into the mess hall and saw Rin and Hazel sitting next to each other talking. Ukobach was in the kitchen making rice, and Yukio is reading a book. She's honestly surprised Rin bothered to wake up early.
The stove spirit gave Hope the breakfast she had prepared for herself the night before, and then gave the other three their breakfast. Hazel ate hungrily as well as Rin. Yukio stared at the both of them with a blank expression as they wolfed down the food. Hope sweatdropped. It seems that all demons are alike somehow.
After they ate their meal, they used Yukio's keys to enter the cram school. They walked to their classroom and entered, seeing the other students...plus one? Another girl stood in the corner awkwardly, her eyes scanning the other teenagers around her. Hazel inspected her carefully. Lucky her, this one she can read. Yukio walked her over to the middle of the room after Hazel, Hope, and Rin took their seats.
"Class, this is Kaede Mashiro, your new class mate."
"We seem to be getting a lot of those," said Suguro, flashing Hazel a silent glare. Hazel glared back. She examined the new student further.
Hazel approximates that Kaede is 5'9. She's a girl with pale skin. She has a bit of fat around her hips and thighs, but her arms are lean and muscled, and her hands are slightly calloused. She has brownish-amber eyes with slitted pupils and tapered ears. Her hair is also dark brown, and reaches just below her shoulders, cut into layers, and has choppy bangs. It seems like she just rolled out of bed. Though Hazel is positive she brushed it. Her uniform is basically the yellow sweater vest over a short-sleeved white button-up, which is worn over a long-sleeved black shirt. She wears the standard skirt, which is longer than usual and ends a couple of centimeters above her knees, and black leggings, which reach just below her knees. Her shoes are ankle-high brown combat boots. She also wears the school tie tucked into her vest. Her accessories include a silver bullet casing strung on a silver bead chain, worn under her shirt, and a black leather cuff.
Hazel smiled. She'll get along with this chick as well. Kaede looked around the room with a blank expression, almost as if deciding who to sit next to. Her eyes landed on Hazel, who is currently sucking on a raspberry lemonade Dum Dum (its a brand of lollipop). The new girl shrugged. Just because she sits next to someone doesn't mean she has to talk to them. Right?
She folded her hands behind her back as she maneuvered her way through the desks. She pulled the seat out and sat next to Hazel. Hazel flashed her a smile before looking up to the board to learn the properties of different fire-repelling plants and their healing properties.
After the lesson, Yukio had the class silent read. Hazel rummaged through her bag and pulled out a single piece of lined paper. She wrote something on it and passed it to Kaede. Kaede looked down at it with a doubtful look. Is this weird looking chick trying to make friends with her? She eyed her partner carefully. She's strange, with her swords, pointed ears, and noticeable canines. Her orange-brown eyes were hazed over with boredom.
Kaede shrugged. Why not? She looked at the note. Her handwriting really is neat and light.
I'm Hazel Thorn. You're Kaede?
How does she respond to this? She shrugged again. What the heck?
Yeah. So?
She passed the note. Hazel's eyebrow quirked. She wrote something and passed the note.
I was just making sure. Not great with names, ya know? Besides, your name's pretty cool.
Uh...thanks?
It really is a compliment.
Oh. Awesome. Are you American?
Now what gave you that impression? *sarcasm*
Oh, sorry, its just isn't Thorn an American last name?
Haha lol I was just being sarcastic haha sorry if that was a little rough. Yeah, I lived in America for a bit. My dad was American.
What about you mom?
Kaede actually is having fun. Who knew passing notes was so interesting? Hazel's response was short.
She was Japanese and Filipino.
That's an odd mix.
Yeah...she was amazing...
Kaede got the vibe that she struck some bad chords with her. Maybe talking about heritage was a bad idea. She wrote down her last response.
You obviously loved her. I'm sorry for your loss.
Hazel looked over Kaede's words and her heart ached. No one has ever said that to her before. Maybe its partially her own fault, due to her not being very talkative about her parents and her own baggage. Why is it she's told people part of her life story? They can betray or turn on her anytime. They could turn around and be awful to her and bully her at anytime. So why is she talking about her past at all?
She got this different feeling from this girl. She has an interesting personality. She'll have to work extra hard to become friends. She decided to change the overall topic.
Meh. It was ten years ago. Its alright. So what dorm are you staying in?
The Girls'. Why?
That's a funny question because Mephisto stuck me and Hope in the Mens.
That definitely must have been some mistake.
Nope. It was on purpose. Reasons? No clue.
Oh, my gosh! He's awful!
*sigh* You definitely learn that over time.
Kaede snickered. Yukio gave the pair of them a warning look and the girls resumed reading.
Its class with Mr. Neuhaus again, though today they didn't discuss Familiars but they talked about protective magic circles. Hazel really is interested in this lesson. She came up with a question.
"Uh, Sensei? Is it possible to tattoo magic circles onto you and be protected against demons?"
Mr. Neuhaus gave her a blank expression, as usual. "Yes, but they protect you from being possessed."
"Has anyone ever tried tattooing a magic circle on them to protect themselves? Let's say that you tattoo a warding spell on yourself. Will it make you blind to demons?"
The teacher scratched his chin. "Possibly. I don't see why not."
"Cool," said Hazel while she leaned back in her chair and put her arms behind her head. She lifted her feet onto the desk, earning some disapproving glares from a few of her classmates. Hope gave her a look as well.
It seems all demons don't have manners. Hazel flashed Hope a smile and Hope smirked. She's a weirdo.
After class, Hazel dragged Kaede over to Hope while the older classmate packed her bag. "What's up?" says Hazel.
Hope shrugged. "Getting ready to go home and do homework."
Hazel shivered. "Ew! Never say that word again."
Kaede snickered. "What, Thorn? Allergic to work?"
Hazel smirked. "Depends on the work."
Hope rubbed her temples. "You two are so immature."
Hazel stuck her tongue out. "Nee-ner nee-ner!"
Kaede shook her head and held her hand out to Hope. "I'm Kaede."
Hope shook the girl's hand. "Hope."
"I gotta go back to my dorm. See you guys later." And Kaede left.
As the girl walked home, she wondered to herself why she was so talkative today. She doesn't normally warm up to others so easily. Is it because she sensed that that Thorn girl is almost just like her? Nah, she's actually trying to make friends and get to know people. Though some she's having more trouble than others, such as Suguro and a few other classmates. She walked in her dorm and set her things down, crashing onto her bed and falling into a deep sleep, absolutely ready to kill stuff in her dreams like a boss.
"Hope-chan! There's no flavors I like!"
"Don't call me 'chan', Thorn. And if there aren't any flavors you like, then get some different candy!"
"But lollipops are my favorite," pouted Hazel. Hope rolled her eyes and picked out some simple peppermint candies and Skittles.
"Buy Jolly Ranchers. Gosh, just pick something out!"
Hazel browsed through the candy store she forced Hope to go to with her. The older classmate was very unwilling to go with until Hazel told her she'd stop bothering her. So far, the younger girl isn't living up to her promise. Hope paid for her candy and turned to leave.
"Thorn, its starting to get late. I'm heading back to the dorm. Don't be late."
"Mm-hmm," said Hazel absentmindedly as she continued to browse for sweets. Hope left and Hazel concluded on some blueberry lollipops and some more Life Savers as well as a pack of strawberry gum. She likes blueberry but its not her favorite flavor if that makes sense. When she left the store, the air was cold and crisp, the sky beginning to darken. Hazel sighed. Good thing Hope left early. She must be back at the dorm by now. She figured she should get going. Its 8:30 and by the time she gets back it'll be 9:00. She doesn't want to get lost in the dark.
She walked down the street dotted with very few pedestrians. She reached her hand into the bag of candy and stuck one of the lollipops into her mouth. As she walked home, she could have sworn that something was following her. She couldn't place her finger on it, but she knew that it was an unknown presence. When she arrived to the dorm, she went upstairs and threw her things on her single bed. She went downstairs where Yukio, Rin, and Hope sat eating dinner. Hope gave her a sigh.
"I told you not to be out too late."
"Sorry," said Hazel sheepishly. Ukobach gave her her steaming dinner and she sat down, picking up her chopsticks and going to town on the rice. Hope couldn't help but sweatdrop at Hazel and Rin's similar eating habits.
I'm surrounded by weirdos, she thought.
"Hazel," said Yukio. Hazel looked up at her teacher from her food, her mouth full of rice and rice sticking to her face around her mouth. "Don't forget your homework. There's a test tomorrow."
"Aye, sir," she said through a mouthful of food, accidentally getting some all over Yukio's face. Hope and Rin couldn't help but snicker at the boy's dark murderous glare. Hazel blushed. "Whoops. Sorry."
"Right," said Yukio sarcastically. He put his dishes away and went upstairs.
"What did I do?" said Hazel as Hope and Rin gave her looks.
After dinner, Hazel went upstairs. When she approached her door, she smelled something funny. Sulfur? She opened her door and saw her bag of candy is empty and her window open. Hazel checked her room for anything out of place or missing. Having found nothing, she put her hands on her hips and shook her head. It doesn't smell like Rin or Yukio in here. Yukio is a possible candidate. He could have stolen her candy in an act of revenge, but that doesn't seem like him.
She huffed as she closed the window. Weird. She locked it and closed her door. She locked her door as well. She sat down at her small desk and did her homework. At last, its 11:48. Hazel stretched and turned her lamp off. She slid out of her clothing and put on a black Black Veil Brides shirt and some dark blue plaid shorts and slid under her covers. Tomorrow's Friday! She can't wait for the weekend!
However, it was pretty tough to sleep that night. She kept feeling like someone was watching her through her window...
Okay, guys! Announcement! Due to my academic responsibilities, I will be off of fanfiction for a little while. Sad, yes, but I need to focus on my stuff. I'm actually Batman okay? Haha kidding but this will also give me an opportunity to plan out some of my other stories and this one. I especially have to get over my writer's block for some of my older stories. I need to finish those *sweatdrop*
I think I'll be gone for about three to four weeks. Thanks for reading! Review, follow, and favorite!