A/N: A huge thanks to all those who favored and followed! Hope you enjoy this chapter!
When the Exwires emerged Shura and Yukio were already engaged in battling the demon, moving carefully around Iblis so they wouldn't hurt Shiemi by accident. Rin raised his hand to draw his sword, only to find his hand empty. He cursed Shura and his brother mentally while he wondered if he would be able to control his flames enough to attack without the use of his sword. Meanwhile Bon was running through lines of scripture as he tried to find Iblis' fatal verse, but his efforts were to no avail.
"We have to do something!" Bon cried in frustration. "We can't just stand here while they fight!"
"We have to save Shiemi!" Rin yelled back. As his anger grew he had to fight to suppress his flames, all the while wanting to release them and allow them to destroy Iblis.
Bon turned to Rin, "Where's your sword?" He asked.
"I don't have it with me." Rin muttered.
"What the hell do you mean you don't have it with you?" Bon yelled, "That damn thing is the only thing you're good at!"
Rin took a step closer and stared Bon down, "What the hell is that supposed to mean?" He yelled back.
Bon shook his head and turned away with a low growl of frustration. He looked to Shima, "Give him your K'rik." He snapped.
"I-I'm sorry, what?" Shima stammered, pulling the K'rik closer to his chest protectively.
"Give him the staff." Bon snapped, "He needs something to fight with."
"And what about me?" Shima snapped back.
Bon raised his eyebrows, "Do you want to go attack that demon?" He asked. Shima gulped and shook his head. "Then hand it over." Bon said.
Shima sighed and reluctantly handed to K'rik over to Rin. "Take care of it." He said softly, looking Rin in the eyes, before letting go of it and taking a step back.
Rin nodded, "I will." He tossed the K'rik to his other hand and scrutinized it as if to check the balance. After a moment he raised his eyes and looked at Bon. "You coming with?" He asked.
Bon nodded, "Well someone's got to keep you from trying to be the hero and getting yourself killed."
"What are you even planning to fight with?" Rin asked.
Bon pulled a gun out from where it was tucked in the back waistband of his pants, "This." He said. At Rin's questioning look he continued, "I snagged it while we were inside."
Rin nodded, "Follow my lead?" He asked, glancing toward the ongoing battle.
Bon's eyebrows shot up, "Like hell I will." He snapped. Without another word he charged forward, leaving Rin no choice but to go after him.
Yukio took another shot at Iblis, hitting him in the right shoulder. As he stumbled Shura lept forward, bringing her sword up in a gleaming arc, but it was intercepted by Iblis' own blade. Shura was shoved backwards, but their combined attack had their desired effect when Iblis dropped Shiemi. She scrambled backwards where Shura quickly pushed her behind her. As Iblis threw himself towards the two girls Yukio fired off multiple rounds, each hitting Iblis squarely in the back. The demon toppled forward, directly towards Shura, who swiftly rolled out of the way- pulling Shiemi with her. Yukio stepped forward and raised his gun again, intent of delivering the final shot, but Iblis stood swiftly, catching Yuiko off guard. He grabbed Yukio by the arm and swung him to the side before releasing him by throwing him into Shura. Both exorcists went flying backwards for a short distance before slamming into the ground. Iblis raised his sword above Shiemi who put her hands up in a fruitless attempt to protect herself, but before he could lower his sword it was struck out of his hands. Iblis wheeled around, glaring at whoever had disarmed him, and found himself staring at the very person he was after. Yukio blinked blearily from his position on the ground as he watched Iblis approach his defenseless brother, his only weapon now laying on the other side of the demon. "Rin, NO!" He thought.
As fast as Bon was running, Rin was faster, and he quickly surpassed him. Rin reached the demon first and Bon watched as he threw the K'rik in a last ditch attempt to protect Shiemi. "You idiot!" He growled, "Now you don't have a weapon!" Iblis took a menacing step towards Rin just as Bon grew close enough to get off a shot. He lined up the gun and fired, striking Iblis in the middle of the chest. The demon stumbled backwards, and in the moment it took for him to be off balanced Bon reached Rin and Yukio was able to struggle to his feet. Yukio grabbed the K'rik from off the ground and threw it to Rin, who caught it in one hand. He flashed a grin of thanks but Yukio brushed it off.
"Get Shiemi out of here!" Yukio yelled as Iblis stood back up, "Now! Go, I'll handle him!" Shura stood behind him, biting into her thumb in order to use the blood to power her sword.
Rin shook his head, "No, we can help you!"
Yukio sighed as he fired off another shot at Iblis, using the moment as a distraction so that he could run around to where Rin was standing. Shira followed close behind him, slashing at Iblis where she could. "You need to go!" Yukio ordered. He leaned closer to Rin so that he was the only one that could hear what he had to say. "He's after you." Yukio stage whispered.
"That's why I need to help." Rin snapped back. He turned to Shura, "Give me my sword."
Shura raised her eyebrows and glanced at Yukio, who shook his head. Shura shrugged in response and looked back at Rin, "You sure you can control it?" She asked.
Rin nodded, "Of course."
Shura nodded once, then placed a hand over her stomach and murmured a few words. A purple glow emanated from her navel and she slowly drew out the sword.
"Shura!" Yukio snapped sharply.
Shura shrugged again, "What? The kid can help."
Bon fired off another round and glared at the others, "Can you all please get back to the fighting?" He yelled angrily.
"Be right with you!" Shura yelled back. She slid her bloodied thumb across the blade before leaping into battle. She and Iblis crossed blades for a few minutes before he overwhelmed her and she went skidding backwards.
Rin growled and went to draw his sword to engage Iblis but Yukio stopped him by placing a hand on his shoulder. "Don't." He whispered, "If you lose control they'll execute you. Let me handle it."
Rin reluctantly let his hand drop away from the sheath and stepped back so Yukio could take on the demon. Before they could engage Rin heard footsteps come running up behind him, he turned and saw the remainder of the Exwires approach. "What are you doing?" He yelled.
Shima paused, out of breath, before replying. "You were gone for a while." He said between gasps of air, "We got worried."
Rin sighed, "You sh-"
Iblis cut him off with a cruel sounding laugh. "So the whole gang's here now, eh?" His gaze drifted over the group, though Rin felt it linger on him for a second longer than the others. Iblis sighed, "Good. I was beginning to tire with these foolish games." He flicked the wrist of his sword hand, and flames lept from the edge of the sword and came forward like a whip. The flames wrapped themselves around Yukio's throat and lifted him off of the ground. Yukio struggled, kicking and trying to pull at the rope, but Rin could tell that he was rapidly running out of oxygen.
"Yukio!" Rin yelled. He tried to lunge at Iblis but Shura put a hand out in front of him to stop his attack. Rin fumed, his hand flitting at the hilt of his sword, "Let him go!" He yelled.
Iblis shrugged, "As you wish." The flaming rope suddenly disappeared and Yukio fell to the ground where he lay gasping and coughing, his gun laying a few yards away. Bon rushed forward to grab Yukio's arm and pull him back to where the rest of the group was standing. He helped Yukio stand while Iblis laughed. It had become a standoff, and each side knew it.
"Who should I take next?" Iblis asked. He pointed his sword at Bon, "This one? He seems like a tough one." He flicked his wrist again and the flames wrapped themselves around Bon's throat. He made a choking sound as he was lifted up. "I wonder how long it would take him to run out of air?" Iblis asked in an innocent tone, toying with them.
"Stop this!" Rin yelled as he tried to draw his sword only to be stopped by Shura again. This time he pushed past her and took a step closer. "Stop." He commanded, his voice taking on a low threatening tone.
Iblis pretended to shiver, "Or what? Come on, I'm dying to know." He took a step forward, twirling his wrist absentmindedly, and as he did so the rope around Bon's neck seemed to grow even tighter.
"I'm the one you want." Rin growled, ignoring the taunts, "So let the others go."
"O-Okumura." Bon gasped, "S-stop."
The others made similar comments of protest, and even Yukio- who was still struggling to breathe, managed a weak, "Rin, no!"
Iblis chuckled, "Now that is a tempting offer, but I came for blood. So how about this? You and I, one on one. You win- you and your friends get to leave unharmed."
Rin nodded, "And if you win?"
"Then you come with me to Gehenna." Iblis replied.
Rin ignored his friends sounds of protest as he said, "And what happens to the rest of them?"
Iblis shrugged, "I don't particularly care. They can go on their merry way."
Rin sighed, "So either way," he thought, "my friends go free. They'll be safe." He locked eyes with Iblis, "Deal." He closed his eyes, attempting to block out the sounds of dismay from behind him.
Iblis chuckled and released Bon who collapsed weakly. Rin looked between Iblis and Bon then hurried forward and helped Bon to his feet. He threw one of Bon's arms over his shoulder and half helped, half drug Bon back to the others.
Bon glanced up at Rin, "What the hell do you think you're doing?" He growled, his voice painfully raspy.
"Making a deal." Rin replied, not able to look Bon in the eyes. He passed Bon over to Shura but he brushed her off and stood on his own, albeit shakily.
Yukio grabbed Rin roughly by the shoulder, "What did you do?" He all but yelled, "You can't break a deal with a demon."
"I-" Rin tried to defend himself but Yukio cut him off and continued as if he hadn't heard him.
"How could you be so stupid?" Yukio hissed, "That's one of the Eight Demon Kings! He could kill you!"
"He would have killed you!" Rin snapped back, "And Bon, and Shiemi, and all the others! And it would have been my fault!"
Yukio sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, "Goddamn it, Rin." He murmured. He turned away from Rin. "Suguro, Shura!" He called, "Come here!"
"Yeah, sure." Iblis muttered sarcastically, tapping his foot impatiently, "Take all the time you need. I'll just be waiting here!"
Shura walked over to Yukio, Bon close behind her. "What it is?" She asked.
Yukio pulled them further aside, not wanting anyone else to hear. "Shura," He started, "You and I are going to attack Iblis, I don't care what Rin said he'd do." Bon opened his mouth to talk but Yukio continued before he could say anything. "Suguro, I want you to get Rin and the others out of here. Whatever you have to do to get him to go, do it." He commanded.
Suguro nodded, "Yes sir."
Yukio turned to Shura, "Are you ready?"
She grinned, "Always. You sure this is smart? Breaking a deal usually has some pretty serious consequences."
Yukio sighed, "I know, and no- I don't think it's smart, but what other option do we have?"
Shura shrugged, "I guess you're right." The three disbanded, heading back to the group. Bon picked up Shima's K'rik from off the ground, turning it over in his hand and looking at it thoughtfully.
"Are you finally ready?" Iblis asked.
Rin nodded, "Ready whenever you are." He glanced back at his friends, wanting to see them one last time before he drew his sword and their view of him was changed forever. However, what he saw was his brother and Shura sharing a look before Yukio nodded and the two of them lunged forward, pushing Rin back as they did so.
Yukio fired off multiple rounds as Shura attacked Iblis with her sword. The combined attacks occupied Iblis' attention and gave time for Bon to grab onto Rin. "Run!" Bon yelled, "Get back to the dorms!"
Rin struggled against him, "What the hell!" He yelled, "Get off of me!"
Bon pinned his arms behind his back, "Come on, Okumura, we have to go!"
"No!" Rin cried, "I have to fight!" He tore his arms away from Bon but didn't make it more than two steps forward before he felt something heavy strike him in the back of the head. Rin stumbled forward, his head spinning as he crashed to his knees.
"Bon, stop!" He heard Shiemi scream as he turned around to face him. Bon swung again, this time hitting Rin underneath the chin so hard that his head flew backwards. Rin remained kneeling for a moment, swaying slightly. His eyes staring at Bon accusingly before they rolled back in his head and his eyelids fluttered shut. Rin fell forwards as he collapsed onto the ground at Bon's feet. Bon hoisted him up and laid him over his shoulders before beginning to run. The others kept pace with him, not stopping until the reached the dorms, not even to look at the battle raging behind them.
A/N: I hope you enjoyed this and the next chapter should be up soon. Please favorite/follow/review! Reviews make me happy!