The new and improved first chapter! It's shortened considerably but I think it flows better. I've done some serious editing and a little re-writing in the early chapters, so if you would, please re-read them and tell me what you think!

LOCO Chapter 1

No one else, as far I had known, could see them. The demons, I mean.

That day in particular was nothing special, a day during my summer break during my first year of high school. The small church I'd gone into a couple times was my destination since the demons were particularly bold that day, tugging on my hair and stealing things. I'm not really religious but demons don't enter church grounds for obvious reasons. They were gone once I entered the gates.

"First thing to remember about hobgoblins is that if you try to fight back, they'll only be more persistent. The best way to get rid of them is to just ignore them and they'll eventually go away on their own." A priest holding a broom on the steps of the church was standing there and had seen the whole thing. This was how I met Father Fujimoto. It was the first time I had officially met him. I had only seen him once or twice in passing.

"You can see them?" I had asked warily.

"Of course! I wouldn't be much of an exorcist if I couldn't."

I was dubious. "Exorcist? You're kidding right?" I looked him up and down. He had looked like a regular old guy. The thought that he might have been crazy crossed my mind.

"Why don't you come inside where we can talk? Maybe I can help you. I am a priest after all." He smiled. He didn't honestly look or act much like a priest. Not that I'd ever really met one.

"Tell me about yourself, Ms.—"

"Honda Mio."

"Ms. Honda, I've noticed you stop by before but we have never met. You have quite the arm. I've seen you take out a goblin with your fist!" He laughed loudly. "That's pretty gutsy of you. How long have you been able to see demons?" He took a seat on the stairs in front of the altar with his arms crossed in his lap. His lack of decorum really helped me relax. I was glad he didn't tell me to sit in the confessional.

I hummed a little and pondered whether I really should tell him. "A while," I finally said.

"I see." He didn't seem to mind my vague reply. "Have you told your parents?"

"Sort of. But then it continued all the way up until the beginning of junior high. They thought I needed professional help. My parents are sort of well-off and so they had to keep a lid on me so I wouldn't cause them to lose face. Eventually they just started to tell me to stay in my room while company was over.

"After a while I started lying to them, pretending that I couldn't see them anymore. So now they pretty much let me do whatever I want…

"You're the first person I've really been able to talk to…"

"Fujimoto Shiro. That's my name." He grinned at me. He stood up from his seat and made his way to me. Out of his robe, he pulled out a four-leaf clover charm and holds it out to me. "Remember that I'll be here if you want to talk."

"…Thanks."

I left shortly after that and then frequently visited him and the church. Even after school started up again, I would take the train back so that I could say hi and ask questions. Father Fujimoto was really the only guy I could talk to about my demon troubles. I never did meet the sons he often talked about, though I never learned their names.

It was a few months later after I had met him that I started asking about becoming an exorcist. I was sure that I wanted to be able to fight for myself and not have to rely on Fujimoto forever.

"Mio, becoming an exorcist is a very important decision. It's committing your life to fighting and killing. As a girl coming from your particular background, I'm not sure if becoming an exorcist is the right choice for you," he told me.

"So you're saying that because I come from a sheltered lifestyle that I shouldn't become an exorcist?" I couldn't help but bristle at the accusation. I thought he had known me better. "I'm not some spoiled rich kid," I snapped.

He sighed again and didn't say anything at first. "I didn't mean that. What I meant is that it's not for the faint hearted."

"Father Fujimoto," I started, still irritated, "I… it's true that I was pretty sheltered as a kid but… that doesn't mean that I'm incompetent or don't know what I'm getting myself into."

His laughter caught me completely off guard. I stared at him.

"Even if I say no, you'd just keep coming back, am I right? I can see it in your eyes." He kept on laughing in his seat on the steps. I narrowed my eyes and stared at him, annoyed. 'What was so funny?' I thought.

Finally, he stops laughing and wipes a tear from his eye. "I'll help you. Or at least get you in the right place. But you have to tell your parents."

"Why? They've never listened to me before."

"Make them listen. If you are really serious about this, then you will do that." I pursed my lips and said nothing.

"But how will I convince them?"

"This is your decision, Mio. You need to take responsibility of it." I nodded, looking at the floor boards. Then I thanked him for his time and left the church.

A few nights later I finally sat my parents down in the living room. I couldn't say anything at first. They asked me what was wrong; Mom even felt my head for a fever. After what seemed like forever of my arguing to myself mentally, I said it. I told them that I had never stopped seeing the monsters from all those years ago. At first they stared at me for a long moment, probably waiting for me to tell them that if was some sick joke, but when I didn't, they looked at each other with equal expressions of worry. That expression is what really set me off. All of the frustrations that I had bottled in suddenly let lose all at once. I shouted them about how I was pissed off about how they never listened to me and how I wanted to choose my own future, about how I want to be an exorcist. I realize now that I really must have seemed childish. But my dad sat there without making a sound while I burned off steam.

When I was done I was out of breath and tears were stinging my eyes. I refused to walk away. I was not going to show him any weakness. I needed to show him that I was completely serious and hopefully that I didn't need a shrink, again.

"An exorcist…" He had finally said. "Who did you talk to that put that ridiculous idea into your head?" I almost went off again but I took a deep breath.

"No one put it in my head. I decided it for myself." He hums and leans back with a frown.

"Don't you need to be religious to be an exorcist?"

"No," I answered curtly. I actually didn't know whether I had to be religious or not but I didn't want to tell him that. My dad sighed and checked his blackberry.

"I have someone willing to help me but I needed to tell you and get your permission first."

"Do what you want." I wasn't expecting much of a fight but I felt a slight twinge at the thought that he didn't care at all about what I did. Mom didn't even say anything at all.

"That's it?" He holds up a hand to silence me.

"On the condition that you continue to prepare to take over the company someday. Whatever hobby or whatever you want on the side is fine."

After that I returned to Fujimoto's church and told him about what had happened. He made a few calls and had me enrolled in the cram school at True Cross.

Which leads to today.

The True Cross Academy now looms over me and the other incoming students returning for a new year. I narrow my eyes and watch the other students crowd into the large entry way, shuffling my feet almost anxiously. I wonder how many of these kids are exorcists in training…?

The idea is still ridiculous to me. True Cross Academy is one of the top high schools in Japan, ran by Johann Faust V, some rich foreigner. I had heard he was a freak but I never would have guessed he was the head of the Japanese branch of exorcists. I hadn't even known exorcists were for real until I met Fujimoto. Of course, I had learned early on that telling people about seeing demons was a bad idea. I had thought there was something wrong with me. Thinking back, that's probably where I went wrong. I ended up shutting myself away and became a delinquent, falling in with the wrong people. But somehow, by some miracle, AKA my dad's money, I landed myself in True Cross, as a regular student. And it wasn't until a month ago that I learned about the True Cross Knights. I play with the idea that it was fate.

I wave away the car that my parents hired and advance to the tallest of the mountainous group of buildings that made up the school. I have to find the principal's office to receive the cram school information. I wonder what he will be like.

I also wonder what would have happened if I never met Father Fujimoto.

I had agreed with my father's proposition. I would continue to train to someday take over the family business. But until then, I could also train to become an exorcist at the cram school here. Maybe if I became successful enough he would recognize me for me and not just that estranged daughter who dyed her hair and only got in trouble I junior high.

The receptionist points me to the elevator which I take to the top floor. I look around while walking. The hallway is pretty ornate and sort of gaudy, just like the rest of the school. Again, I wonder about the personality of Mr. Faust, or rather, Sir Pheles. Mephisto Pheles… What a weird name.

The doors I arrive at are the largest ones in the corridor and the gilt nameplate reads principal so I know I am in the right place. I almost hesitate to knock but school my expression to that of confidence and knock firmly.

I hear the assent to enter and I open the door and walk into the office warily. It's just as gaudy, even more so, than outside. Behind the mahogany wood desk sat the principal.

"Welcome, Ms. Honda. I've been expecting you. Shiro has told me much about you. You're quite the firecracker, I hear." I stare at him. What exactly did Fujimoto say about me?

He looks at me expectantly. "Oh. Uh, yes. It's nice to meet you sir…" I bow slightly. Ugh, I hate speaking so formally. But this guy kind of controls my future right now.

"You may call me Sir Pheles here."

"Yes sir." He beckons me forward. I try not to make a weird face. How ridiculous. What's with his outfit? Must not say anything rude… He looks like a clown… and are those pointed ears? He can't be… I see the hint of pointed teeth in his smile…

"Are you a demon?" I ask. I snap my mouth shut quickly. Shit. I've done it now.

"How rude, Ms. Honda. Not a very good first impression." And yet his grin widens, showing more teeth.

"Er… sorry. I wasn't thinking." He waves his hand.

"It's not uncommon to find demons and half-demons who have switched sides to defend Assiah. I am, however, an oddity who has found myself in a position of power."

"Uh-huh…" The hell? Having a demon heading an exorcist school… Even if he is on our side. Is he possessing that body or is it his?

I had seen demons like him walking around the city. They look more human but they have pointed ears and teeth and usually sometimes something else distinguishing them from humans. They don't bother me and I avoid them when I can. They're much more dangerous than the simple hobgoblins and coal tar that I see around.

"Now now, Ms. Honda, first rule to remember is to never question in Vatican." He waves a finger and I frown. "Back to business. I have a skeleton key for you so that you can get to the cram school building—don't lose it—and your schedule of classes. " He sets them on his desk in front of me and I advance to collect them.

"If that's all, I'll be leaving… I need to unpack my bags." He is really making me nervous…

"Very well. Your father has made many great contributions to this school so it is my pleasure to welcome you to the Order of True Cross Knights, Ms. Honda. Would you like an escort down?" No! My teeth grind together. He's looking down on me isn't he? Ugh! I'm not some spoiled, rich brat!

"Thanks and no," I manage to bite out. "I can find my way out." Just get me out of here.

"Very well then. 'Till we meet again, then, Ms. Honda." I bow and turn to leave, letting my poker face slide. How creepy…

"Remember, cram school starts today!"

"Got it, thanks." I leave the office and shut the door with a snap behind me.