This story is set after the 2012 Black Rock Shooter anime and season 1 of Ao No Exorcist and does not follow the manga's story. Having said that, please enjoy!
Present Time: Rin
Three months, four days, and five hours. Black Rock shooter has been in a coma for three months, four days, and five hours. It's been over three months since I've been able to watch her smile, run my fingers through her silky smooth hair, hell, I haven't even been allowed to be by her side. Her porcelain skin and dark hair remained out of reach even though I can see her lying peacefully in the stark white hospital bed through a glass viewing window. An IV ran along her bandage covered arm to provide her with oxygen. The hospital claimed they were doing everything they could, but since she wasn't human, it was hard to keep track of her vitals as when they searched for a heartbeat they were unable to find one, yet she breathed as if she lived.
So the otherself was placed in a secluded ward underground that was used for exorcists in need of serious treatment, hooked up to multiple machines, and laid to rest. It made no sense to me. Black Rock Shooter healed faster than any demon I'd ever encountered and had always rebounded from what should have been fatal injuries. So why wouldn't she wake up?! Her scars had healed over in the first month and her breathing had returned to a normal pace quickly after. Yet here we are, three months, four days, and five hours later, and we still remain separated. I placed my hand and forehead against the window, whispering and mumbling to myself. Black Rock Shooter, an undefeatable soul, had been taken down… and it's all my fault.
Five Months Ago: Black Rock Shooter
The sky shone in the colors of the rainbow. The now combined worlds had created a white and dusty gray world, the only color being the sky. It was a change from the previous separated ones, but not one that I favored. The land was barren, and it was harder to track down those who had wronged the girl I fought for, so when the otherself known as Strength had approached me from behind, I was surprised. As far as I had known, Mato and Yuu had been doing well together, and no problems had been occurring for either one of them. "I know what you're doing, Shooter. I won't let you fight, Shooter" Her voice echoed through my mind. "Stop following me."
This had been a reoccurring exchange since the otherworld was reborn in what seemed to be a mere hour ago, though it was probably more extreme, be it a few minutes or a few days. I will continue to protect Mato, in every way I can, and fighting those who bring her pain is the best way I can think of. "Black Rock Shooter there is no need for this now- Stop. Give up on it, the world has changed-" The mechanically enhanced girl's voice slowly faded to silence. I didn't realize I had been tuning her out, but it was a nice change from her preaching.
I continued to walk along, feeling her presence following close behind. The silence was heavy, far too heavy. She was definitely behind me as I could spot her arms swinging in my peripheral vision, but she hadn't said a word. In fact, the footsteps that should have been almost echoing throughout the empty plane we walked upon. The uneasy feeling in my gut only worsened as my mind began to fade, and I stumbled to the ground, my hands instinctively reaching out to catch myself before I hit the solid ground. Strength came into vision as my body began to ache, the feeling of my body being peeled away layer by layer gnawing at my insides. I could see a mechanical arm reach for me before the pain overtook my mind, and all I saw was blue.
"QUICKLY RESTRAIN HER-"
"SHH- She's coming to-"
Multiple voices echoed around me, as bright light engulfed by vision, and the feeling of multiple hands reaching across my body slowly brought me back into the world of the waking. When my eyes had fully adjusted to the light I could sense four people around me, one behind, another on the left, someone on the right, and one woman standing in front of me. Instinct told me to fight, remove them all from the equation and escape from wherever I was now, but whatever held me down against a chair was far stronger than I had anticipated, and my body quickly wore out. With each struggle against the bonds they only seemed to get tighter.
Not a word was spoken. Caged, trapped, cornered, whatever word of your choice, the fact of the matter is that I had been restrained and the people around me were watching as if it was some kind of show. My struggling ceased, as the bonds against my wrists and chest was becoming unbearably tight. Time passed, though I wasn't keeping track, and eventually, the woman in front of me stepped forward. She had long reddish pink hair with yellow ends, and she left herself exposed without wearing a shirt. "Black Rock Shooter…?" She stared at me with her pink eyes and waited. After receiving no answer, she continued. "We've heard quite a bit about ya Black Rock Shooter. Causing yer human counterpart a lot more pain that what she deserved."
The silence began to settle once more before she spoke again. "Do you know why you're here?"
"Do you know where you are?"
"Do you know who we are?" The pregnant silence sat in the room, as she began to walk closer. "I assume ya don't. Why should ya? One minute yer hanging out in the otherworld and the next yer in a small room with a bunch of strangers. Allow me to be the one to edit the last phrase. My name is Kirigakure Shura. I'm an exorcist. Exorcists fight demons not quite unlike yourself." Demon? No, I am an otherself. Whatever these 'exorcists' wanted, they were obviously provided with false information. I fought to protect Mato. I fought to keep Mato safe. They weren't wrong to restrain me though, as I would have surely fought them all for 'kidnapping' me.
"Confused, I'm sure." The busty woman continued. "Demons are beasts from a world that mirrors this one, called Gehenna. Currently you are in Assiah. The Otherworld is a branch of Gehenna, sort of like a district. It's kept separate from the main sectors of nothingness that dreaded place consists of, but it's still a part of it. As a being created in the Otherworld you classify yourself as an otherself, yes? Well, you can call yourself what you want, you are a demon that is more closely related to the beings of Assiah."
"Ma…to…" The shifting of clothing and raising of weapons could be heard from all sides of me but the front. "Mmm I knew ya could talk. Yes, Mato. That's exactly who I was talking about. You did quite a number on her back in your world." By now I had refused to stare this Shura in the eye. "Hmmm… She's here ya know. Mato that is." Struggling once again seemed like a viable option as I pulled at the restraints and let them continue to suffocate and bruise my body. With what strength I had I began to summon my rock cannon, hoping it could get me out of this mess. Sure enough, it started to take form. "Eh- Hey! Stop that-!" The circulation started to cut off from my legs and arms but it wouldn't stop me. I refused to hear their nonsense any longer. Unfortunately, my lack of hearing was not from determination, but rather a sharp shooting pain at the back of my neck. Once more, everything faded out, this time to black.
Five Months Ago: Third Person
"She's not cooperating?"
"Well what would you do if you were summoned to some new world and were restrained against your will?"
"Hm." Yukio and Shura hastily walked down the halls of the Vatican prisons, turning corners until they reached a heavily locked and sealed steel door. "She may still be recovering from that summoning but the True Cross isn't taking any risks. If she doesn't cooperate it's the end of the line for her." Yukio nodded at the woman who stood on his left, and broke the seal on the door, the locks slowly coming undone on their own. Carefully, the brunette removed one of his pistols from its holster, and raised it toward the opening door. Light slowly seeped in through the crack the door had made, illuminating the room. The otherself sat on her knees, gleaming blue eyes staring directly down the barrel of the gun pointed at her, fearless. "Black Rock Shooter," Yukio said, not once lowering his weapon, "You have been removed from the otherworld for the safety of Kuroi Mato, and you are currently being held at the main prison of the Order of the True Cross. You will listen and cooperate, or you will surely di-"
"Nah Yukio you can't just start off like that," Shura cut him off, pushing him aside and stepping into the cell. "Hey there, Shooter." The ponytailed exorcist said, kneeling down to match BRS' eye level. "Remember me?" Black Rock Shooter nodded. "Shu…ra…" "Yeah, that's me. Now I don't want to cause ya any alarm, but all that four eyes over there says is true. I'm not here to hurt you, I'm here to help. Listen, if you remain calm and cooperate, everything will be just fine, got it?" The otherself stared deep into the pink eyes of the woman sitting across from her, searching for deceit or a trap, but none were visible, or Shura was at least very good at keeping them hidden. Black Rock Shooter nodded, her gaze never leaving the one of that across from her. "Good," Shura said, standing with a long stretch. "That means this'll be real easy then."
The flame haired woman reached out her hand, which the otherself slowly accepted. Hands held, the two women walked out of the chamber to Yukio, who had slowly lowered his gun. Shura slowly turned Black Rock Shooter around and put her wrists together long enough for Yukio to handcuff them. Immediately, the twin tailed demon began to struggle and threw a disgruntled look in Shura's direction. "Shooter, you have to stay calm. I trust you believe me I do! But some people like four eyes are a little paranoid if you know what I'm saying. It's so everyone stays safe." With one last jolt, Black Rock Shooter shook her wrists before letting them slump naturally relaxed behind her back. Back through the hallways of the underground prison the trio traveled, before reaching a short set of stairs and a door. Yukio pulled a ring of keys from his coat, selected a key, and placed it in the key hole. Black Rock Shooter's fate was carried in this one moment.
Present Time: Rin
If I hadn't stepped into her life she might still be-
"Rin, it's time to go. We can come back tomorrow if you want." Yukio's voice interrupted my decline into volatile thoughts and ripped me back to reality. At least she was safe. There was nothing that could harm her down here, and when she does wake up, I'll be there waiting for her. Yeah, it's better to stay positive, right? Walking away from the window, I pat Yukio on the shoulder and continued walking toward the elevator to the surface, my brother following behind. With a few button presses we arrived at ground level, I gave a simple salute and good night to the lady at the front desk, and we were gone. A set of magic exorcist keys gets you around rather quickly, and in no time, we arrived back at the old boy's dormitory.
When we opened the door to our room a small furry cat wrapped his way around my leg and stretched out. "Hey Kuro," I said with a tired smile plastered on my face. Any news on Rock yet, Rin? Is she going to wake up soon? My breath caught in my throat for a moment, before I smiled down at the demon feline. "Not yet but she'll wake up someday soon, I can feel it." Kuro looked up at me with one of his adorable smiles before scampering off to the bedroom, snuggling up on the crumpled blankets of an unmade bed. Throwing on a pair of pajamas and getting washed up led to collapsing on the bed next to Kuro. "I'm so tired…" Don't worry, it'll be okay, Rin. "Hm? What makes you say that Kuro?" The small black cat padded over to my face before placing a paw just below my eye on my cheek. You were crying. It'll be okay Rin! She'll wake up soon! Placing a hand to my cheek I could feel the dried tears of my sorrowful moments in the hospital lingering, while fresh droplets began to run over them and take their place.
Thank you for checking out the reboot of my BRSxANE story, Comatose! Feedback on this rewrite is very much appreciated! I hope you look forward to the next chapter!
~Blondie