Chapter 2- Uncle Amaimon

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The next morning Aurelia pads out of her room at the sound of bickering downstairs. She recognizes one voice as Samael, but the other escapes her. The person speaks in a flat monotone— enough that the conversation sounds more akin to a one-sided argument than two people speaking colloquially to each other. The pair continue to banter in the familiar Gehennan language, revealing that both speakers had to be demon— or that one was a very strange human.

"You can't keep spamming the same move over and over again! That's cheap!"

"Ah, sorry." The person doesn't sound the least bit apologetic— and her thoughts are confirmed when Samael yells out again, this time the sound of a game controller hitting a hard surface following his outcry.

Hesitantly, the blonde tiptoes down the spiral staircase, curiosity fueling her movement. The last step creaks slightly, alerting the two other occupants of the mansion.

Both demons turn to the human child on the staircase. Amaimon remembers what his brother told him and gives his version of a friendly smile (a large grin that exposed his fangs). Aurelia backs away on instinct, but continues towards the pair when she notices all the human inventions, remembering a few faint conversations about them.

Mephisto gives a more appropriate smile, ushering the girl closer to them with a dramatic wave of his hand. She peers nervously at the green-haired stranger who stared back unabashed, fingers digging into the pocket of his coat to reveal a wrapped candy.

"I'm Amaimon, King of Earth. I'm kind of like your uncle... I think." He offered her the cherry lollipop with barely an expression, cerulean orbs lidded and sleepy.

Aurelia takes the candy, curiosity apparent in her amber orbs. "...What is it?"

"Candy." He replied simply, taking the lollipop. Unwrapping the sweet carefully with his claws, he shoved the lollipop into her mouth without warning. She almost snapped at him only to pause, absorbing the taste of the candy. It was... surprisingly good!

Giving a little hum of approval, Aurelia bit into the lollipop, munching on it happily.

"I did some research. I was told that besides demons, human children also liked candy. Was I nice enough, brother?" Amaimon turned to look at his brother.

Mephisto sighed. "Yes, yes. I'll set up another 'play date' with Rin for you, as promised. Just try not to kill him this time, alright?"

It was obvious that the green-haired demon had stopped paying attention as he moved towards the door. He ignored his brother's previous statement to take a few pieces of candy from a jar in the foyer, sticking a lollipop into his mouth.

"Bye, brother. Bye, kid." He gave a mechanical wave, pulling out a golden key from his pocket before inserting it into the lock. Opening the door, he paused as a hobgoblin appeared at the door, carrying a human skull in its mouth. Taking one last glance at the pair, he walked past the threshold, chastising his familiar lightly.

His voice rang out one final time before the door shut, "Behemoth you can't play with the humans all by yourself!"

Mephisto clears his voice, shooting an annoyed glare at his brother's departing figure before turning his attention back to the child. "Well, Aurelia, I've gotten most of the paperwork done. I have a few… colleagues searching for your parents. With any luck, we should be able to find them relatively soon. But, in the meantime," he paused, suddenly snapping his fingers.

Almost immediately, the pair was engulfed in a flash of white smoke, causing the blonde to cough. Holding her hand to her mouth, she peered through the smoke to see that the demon was now dressed in his typical clown-inspired fashion, a sharp grin on his face. Looking down, she realized she was in what appeared to be a school uniform.

"While you are much too young to be attending my school, I believe that all human children should have a proper education. My butler, Belial, will be attending to your studies. Belial~!" He called out in a sing-song tone, emerald eyes searching the room until they focused back at the spiral staircase. There was the rushed sound of footsteps until a well-dressed man appeared, bowing slightly. His silver hair dipped over his eyes at the motion, obscuring them.

"Yes, Sir Pheles?"

"This is Aurelia. She is under my care for the time being. Due to a few special circumstances, she is unable to speak any human language. I need you to focus her studies in learning Japanese as well as German."

The butler gave a curt nod, holding out a gloved hand. "Aurelia, is it? Please come with me." The small child gazed at Mephisto, amber eyes furrowed in worry. She held to his arm, tiny fingers curled in the sleeve of his coat. The demon's gaze softened at the sight.

"It is alright. He will be your teacher, Aurelia. This means that if you listen to him you will understand Assiah better. You want to learn all about humans, right?"

She nodded slowly, uncurling her fingers from his arm. "Okay… I really do want to see more of Assiah. It is so bright and loud. I like it a lot more than Gehenna."

Mephisto chuckled. "I'm quite fond of Assiah as well. Now, go with Belial. He is to escort you to my office after your studies."

Reluctantly, she followed after the butler, climbing up the stairs. The demon waited until the pair disappeared up the staircase before snapping his fingers, teleporting himself back to his office.

It was around sundown when Mephisto received a knock at the door. Shuffling the papers aside, he stood.

"Come in~!" He cheered, opening the door. Expecting to see Aurelia and Belial, his expression changed minutely at the appearance of a regular second-class exorcist.

"Sir Pheles, I've done the research you've asked me for and… there is only one case that matches your credentials."

The principal was handed the manila folder with a curt nod. He quickly skimmed the papers, a frown working its way onto his face. This couldn't be right at all, even if he was staring straight at a black-and-white photograph of Aurelia. Her hair was shorter but her eyes were the exact same shade of hazel.

"Are you sure these papers are correct?"

The exorcist nodded. "Yes. The child you are describing disappeared from Russia over a hundred years ago."

"Hey, broccoli head! What the hell are you doing here?" Rin stalked angrily over to the green-haired demon who had been hiding in a tree in the Academy's immaculate courtyard. He was dropping candy wrappers from his perch, chocolate coating his darkened nails. Amaimon gazed lazily at the blue-haired teen, purposefully throwing a wrapper in Rin's direction. The half-demon swatted it away, letting out annoyed growl.

"I'm not allowed to play with you right now—"

"I don't give a crap about that! Why are you here at the Academy?"

Amaimon paused, bringing a finger to his chin in contemplation. "Hmm? Why am I here…? Ah, that's right! I was told to wait here. And I got candy for that girl since he said I still have to be nice to her."

Rin sighed again. "What the hell are you talking about? Who is this girl?"

"She is brother's kid… kind of. Kind of like how I'm your older brother."

"You're making no sense!" The teen had never felt more of an urge to punch someone before. While he definitely didn't want to antagonize the Earth King, he wished that the demon would be at least a bit more specific.

"You're just slow." Amaimon replied calmly, hopping down to the ground. He gave an icy glare to his younger brother before brushing past him, letting out a fanged yawn.

"…Follow me." He said quietly, swaying slightly as he bit against his thumb to stay awake. The afternoons always made him so sleepy… all he wanted to do was curl up on his brother's sofa and take a nap. But, he had been told by Mephisto a while ago to make sure the Okumura twins were aware of their new 'sister.' But Amaimon cared little for Yukio; at least he was bringing one of the twins. It was the reason he sat outside where cram school usually ended, eating chocolate hearts until the blue-haired boy appeared.

Not bothering to look behind him, Amaimon began to walk away, hands stuffed casually in his pockets.

"H-hey! W-wait!" Rin called, following after the confusing green-haired youth.

"…You really are slow, Okumura."

A/N: Belial isn't an OC, btw. He's appeared once or twice in the manga as Mephy's butler. We haven't gotten a good enough look at him, but I'm going to roll w/ the idea that he's a weaker demon that is employed under Mephisto. So… yah ^^' Thanks to those who have taken an interest in my story, I'm glad that some people enjoy it~! Anyway, I'll see you guys in Chapter 3, which will hopefully be longer than this chap!

Review?

-Isis