Disclaimer: Ao no Exorcist/Blue Exorcist belongs to Kazue Katou. May Yang, Quian Li Yang and all the new demons are invented by me.

I would like to thank Poisonsnake23 for beta-reading this chapter and making some suggestions/corrections.


Chapter 9 - Who you are

January 11th - True Cross Academy, Japan Branch

The next morning the exorcists and exwires traveled back to the Academy. First thing in the morning, Yukio goes and pays a visit to Mephisto.

"This time, I'm not going to let you get away with it!" he shouts as he enters the room and storms to Mephisto's desk, "You will answer my questions! What are you using May Yang for? What's your plan?!"

"I have to admit," Mephisto calmly starts off, "that pitiful charade you've been struggling all this time to keep up was very well played. I've been having a lot of fun watching it, but as much as I was enjoying it, it had to end at some point and time's about to run out. So this was the quickest and most effective way I could come up with to force you to drop it."

"Answer me."

"I want you... to open your eyes..." at Mephisto's declaration, Yukio freezes in pure shock, "Let me ask, have you ever actually stopped to wonder why I would always interfere with each and every one of your attempts to discover the truth about your origins?"

"So this was your plan all along... You want me to join the Illuminati... You would never answer my questions. You would hide all the reports... and now you're using her. Now it makes sense. You've been doing all this so as to leave me with no other choice but to join them."

"See? This is what I mean... You're totally blinded by your obsession. And I'm as untrusted as ever. So frustrating... Is there someone out there who's ever going to put some faith in me?"

At this, Yukio recalls May's words.

"I have my reasons for trusting him."

"Now, Mr. Okumura... shouldn't you be getting ready for the upcoming promotion ceremony?" Mephisto smiles. After a few seconds, Yukio leaves the room without further inquiring about the Demon King's plans.

After Yukio's gone, an exorcist, Dr. Neuhaus walks into the office, "...So, where they tricked by it?" he asks Mephisto.

"Absolutely. Thanks to your wonderful work, the demonologic autopsy staff was successfully deceived into believing Mr. Yang's body was actually soulless." Here another figure walks into the room, "Thank you for your wonderful interpretation of the inspector too, Belial... That camouflage suited you quite well..."

"Always at your service, Master." Belial bows to his master.

"Oh, and thanks for your help with the black flame transfer effect too." and last, Mephisto turns toward Takara, who's standing in a dark corner of the office, "Or should I thank that lovely puppet of yours for that?"


Lightning walks inside the medical section of the Academy.

"Hello there! I'm Lewin Light, Arch Knight... I have an appointment with the department head of the demonologic staff." he tells the receptionist girl at the entrance.

"Oh, Mr. Light... Yes, she's waiting for you in her office. This way, please."

Lightning is shown the way to the department head's office. A young woman is sitting at the desk and Lightning walks toward her as she stands from her seat.

"Ms. Kinoshita, is that correct?" the man asks, shaking her head.

"Yes, sir... Please, take a seat." she offers.

"So... I have a few questions for you." Lightning says as he sits on one of the two chairs in front of the woman desk.

"It's about Yukio Okumura, right? As you should know, all our patients' medical information is covered by a professional secrecy. Therefore I'm not sure if I can be of any help to you, but I'll try to answer any questions you have." Kinoshita clarifies.

"It's alright, it's not about medical stuff!" Lightning laughs, "How long have you being running check- ups to monitor his 'condition'?"

"...Well, I'd say... since an early age."

"You'd say?"

"I was assigned to this team only two years ago, so I can't say for sure..."

"What about Yukio Okumura's previous medical reports?"

"They're missing from our current archives. The ones we have to date are from the day I started working here."

"Really? What about the previous department head?"

"I... think his name was... Akito Komada. But, I don't know anything about him or if he's still working for the Order."

Lightning finds the name familiar. He starts thinking hard about where he heard or read that name before. And something suddenly crosses his mind.

"This is a registry of the Japan Branch staff."

Lightning walks out of the office without a word, leaving the woman completely speechless.


He walks back to his place and starts looking for one single piece of paper. Once he finds it, his eyes literally widen.

"Komada Akito... Former anti-demon pharmaceutical researcher..." in a matter of seconds, Lightning grabs his phone and starts dealing a number, "Yes... Lewin Light speaking..."


Around ten o'clock, all the exwires are gathered into one of the larger cram school rooms. All the teacher staff stands by Mephisto's side as he gives a quick speech.

"...And so I, Mephisto Pheles, as the Japan Branch's headmaster, in representation of the Knights of the True Cross, announce that today you're all officially promoted to exorcist! Congratulations everyone!" he turns toward Yukio, blinking at him, "Mr. Okumura, would you please..." and he steps back from his position to let Yukio replace him.

"I'm going to announce the final results of the exorcist certification exam..." Yukio starts off, "As I state your name, Meister and rank, please, come to the front to receive your certificate and ID card... Izumo Kamiki."

Izumo steps forward and bows at the teachers committee, "Meister title you applied for: Tamer... Final evaluation: promoted. Rank obtained: Junior Second Class..." Izumo lets Yukio pin the exorcist's badge to the jacket of her uniform. She takes her certificate and ID card, bows again and walks back to her place in line.

"Konekomaru Miwa." Yukio calls out and he steps forward, "Meister title you applied for: Aria... Final evaluation: promoted. Rank obtained: Junior Second Class..." and as soon as the procedure is over, Konekomaru steps back.

"Rin Okumura." and Rin walks toward him. Yukio stares at him for a few seconds before speaking again, "...Meister title you applied for: Knight... Final evaluation: promoted... Rank obtained: Junior Second Class..." Yukio grabs Rin's exorcist's badge and starts to pin it to his jacket while Rin keeps staring at him in silence.

Yukio remembers the moment of his own promotion, two years earlier.

"Yukio Okumura..." Shiro calls for him, "Meister titles you applied for: Dragoon and Doctor. Final evaluation: promoted on both... Rank obtained: Junior Second Class..." and Shiro pins the badge to Yukio's jacket, "Now, now, no need to be so tense, son! Relax! Here!" Shiro jokes, placing his hands on Yukio's shoulders and giving them a light squeeze, "Well done, Yukio... I'm proud of you." a blinding smile is flashed the boy's way.

Yukio's expression turns distant, and Rin notices it.

"You alright?... Yukio?" he asks him. Yukio snaps out of his memory and realizes that he had stopped pinning Rin's badge midway. He resumes his movements and completes the action. As he finishes, he watches Rin bow at him and the other teachers and walk back to his place.

"...Renzo Shima." and it's Renzo's turn, "Meister titles you applied for: Tamer and Knight... Final evaluation: promoted on both. Rank obtained: Junior Second Class..."

"Thanks for having resisted the urge to sting me with it..." Renzo, ironic, whispers as the badge is pinned on his jacket. Yukio doesn't reply.

"Ryuji Suguro." and last, Ryuji, "Meister titles you applied for: Aria and Dragoon... Final evaluation: promoted on both. Rank obtained... Junior Second Class."

After a few more formalities, the ceremony ends.


Shiemi, Paku and Godaiin are waiting outside and as soon as the now exorcists walk out of the room, they approach them.

"Congratulations everyone!" they congratulate them.

"Paku!" Izumo exclaims.

"Congratulations Izumo! I knew you could do it!" Paku smiles, hugging her friend, "Congratulations you guys too!"

"Hey, I did it too, so could I also-" Renzo begins while walking with open arms toward Paku. Izumo intercepts him before he reaches her friend.

"No chance in hell." Izumo coldly states.

"Aww! Come on!" Renzo cries out.

"Congratulations, Rin!" Godaiin walks toward Rin, "Hehe, now you're not a novice anymore! So, starting today, there shouldn't be any problem with me asking for your help, right?"

"Just don't make it a habit!" Rin ironizes, slightly smiling at him.

"Rin..." Shiemi calls for him. Rin turns toward her, "You did it... Congratulations!" she exclaims, giving him one of her brightest smiles. Rin stares at her for a moment, before placing a hand on her head, gently rubbing her hair.

"Thanks..." he says, smiling back at her.

"Man, still having a hard time processing this..." Ryuji comments, looking at his badge.

"Are you kidding? I should be the one saying that! I never thought I could make it..." Konekomaru comments, looking at his own badge, an expression of awe on his face.

"Yet you did..." Suguro smiles, patting his shoulder, "So, from now on, stop doubting your talent."

"Thank you, Bon." Konekomaru smiles back at him.

"Well, I never had any doubts about your talent!" Lightning exclaims, walking toward Ryuji.

"...W-Where have you been?"

"Hehe! Had some urgent matters to take care of... Sorry I'm late."

"...Yeah... Whatever..." Ryuji lowers his gaze.

Lightning grabs his shoulders, "Congratulations... my apprentice!"

"Nya-hoooo! Congratulations kiddos! I'm so proud of ya all!" Shura makes her appearance at the back of Rin and Shiemi, who were still standing side by side, and headlocks them both at the same time, "Now that that's over, let's go celebrate with lots of beer!"

"Yeah, we might have become exorcists, but we still can't-" Rin starts off, but Shura strengthens her grip on him to silence him, "Argh!"

"Oww, come on! That's just a detail! A detail!" Shura laughs.

At this point, an exorcist approaches the group, "Excuse me... Rin Okumura? Yukio Okumura? These are for you." and he hands them two letters. Rin frees himself from Shura and grabs his. Yukio takes his too.

They both stare at their respective envelopes before opening them and start reading the contents of the letters inside of them.

"What does it say?" Konekomaru asks Rin, since he's the one standing closer to him.

"It's from the Order..." Rin explains, taking his time to go through the text, "It says... that my execution order has officially been revoked... and they congratulates me on becoming an exorcist... And... to celebrate my promotion, I'm ordered to spend the day at the... What?"

As soon as Yukio is done reading his letter, he sighs. Rin turns toward him, "Does your letter..."

"Yes... We are both ordered to go back to the monastery." Yukio confirms.

"Back to the monastery...?" Ryuji is slightly alarmed. Lightning simply stares at Yukio, "You mean... the place where you grew up? What for? Has something happened?" he asks.

"It's not that..." Rin explains, "It just says 'to celebrate your promotion, go back home and have a heart-warming family reunion together with the people who raised you."

"...Did the Order really say that?" Konekomaru asks.

"No, this order is an additional note... Signed, Mephisto Pheles." Yukio concludes.

"But, I don't get it... If it's a reward for my promotion, why put it as an order?" Rin wonders. Yukio sighs again, "Well, whatever... Should we go, Yukio?"

"...It's an order... So... it's not like we have a choice." Yukio concludes while refolding the letter and putting it back in the envelope.

"...It's also been a while since we last went there and the last time it was for gramp's funeral..." Rin adds. Ryuji stares at him with a sad expression, "This time... I'd like us to spend some real quality time together with the guys... like in the good old days." and he smiles.

"Yeah..." Yukio whispers to himself.


After the ceremony. Mephisto is back to his office. He's reading a paper, humming a tune, as Lightning suddenly walks into the room and straight toward him.

"Not sure about you..." he starts off, slamming a folder onto Mephisto's desk, "...but someone who would secretly give a certain person access to info that could potentially lead him to discover this..." and he motions at the folder, "...That's my perfect definition of a traitor."

"And here I thought I was already done dealing with my daily ration of unfounded accusations." Mephisto comments.

"Well, as long as you act in a suspicious way it's only natural that people will make assumptions." Lightning retorts.

"That's right. That's what they are. Only assumptions."

"...So are you gonna tell me this is not what it looks like?"

"I know it's going to take more than just words to convince someone like you... Come back in a week, and you'll see for yourself." Mephisto grins.


In the early afternoon, Yukio and Rin are back to the monastery.

"Rin! Yukio! Welcome back, boys!" Seishiro, the abbot, greets them as they enter.

"Hey there, guys!" Rin waves at them.

"Congratulations on becoming an exorcist." Seishiro smiles.

"Congrats Rin!" Naoya, one of the monks, smiles too.

"...Thank you!"

"Guess what? To celebrate your promotion we're having your favourite food for lunch!" Maruta, another monk, adds.

"Sukiyaki?!" Rin asks and Maruta nods at him, "Awesome, you're the best!" Rin's smile turns into a broad one. And as the monks starts walking toward the kitchen, he and Yukio follow them.

"When Yukio became an exorcist we couldn't celebrate his promotion, so we thought about having a combined party, for both of you guys..." Seishiro explains.

"What?" Rin asks.

"Well, at the time you..."

"Oh... right. I didn't know anything about this... and... was supposed to never find out." Rin concludes. He slightly turns to peek at Yukio, who looks lost in thought and not paying attention to what's being said.


As soon as the sukiyaki is cooked and served, Rin, Yukio and all the monks gather at the kitchen table and start eating.

"Let's toast to our boys, everyone!" Seishiro exclaims.

"Congratulations!" all the monks shout in unison.

"Thanks! Thanks!" Rin blushes.

"Thank you, everyone." Yukio's less enthusiastic. Noticing his distant tone, Rin turns to look at him.

"Father Fujimoto was so proud of Yukio when he became an exorcist." Seishiro comments. Rin turns to look at him, "He would be so proud of you too, Rin... I'm sure of it." he concludes, smiling, "He loved you both from the bottom of his heart..."

Rin sadly smiles to himself at the statement.


After lunch, Yukio goes to visit Shiro's grave, behind the monastery building. He starts staring at it.

"Father Fujimoto, why are you raising us?"

"Why did Father Fujimoto raise us?"

"If my brother is the illegitimate child of Satan... then what am I?"

"Your brother is a demon... You have some demon in you too... It's a demon's face... It's your true self!"

"I can awaken your true potential. Do you not wish to know the mystery behind your eyes and the secret of your birth?"

"What circumstances surrounded our birth? And why is it all kept secret?"

"What's the point of knowing?! Why are you so interested?!"

"That's right... We're brothers, but we're completely different... Sorry, I forgot that..."

"...What happened to my little brother?... Who are you?"

"You're..."

In that moment, Rin approaches him. He stares at Shiro's grave too for a long moment, before starting to speak.

"I heard... that in order to be a Paladin, an exorcist is required to possess all five Meisters... If that's true, jeez, I'm screwed! For starters... Man, you pointed your gun at me so many times I think I might have developed some kind of serious phobia of them! Which means that at least one Meister is out of the question... But, you know, when I said I wanted to become a Paladin someday... I really meant it... So... I've been thinking of a plan..." at this Rin lowers his gaze, "The day we defeat that Lucifer guy and his Illuminati crew, I want us to do it together... with our brother combination..." Rin proudly states. Yukio's eyes instantly widen at his words, "...That way, we'll show the Order just how awesome we are when we work as a duo..." and Yukio slowly turns to face his brother. Rin turns to face him back, "Huh? What's with that face? You said that if I'd become an exorcist you'd acknowledge my idea! And I finally kept up my end of the bargain."

"When I'm an exorcist... we should team up and lay waste to some demons! Doesn't that sound fun?"

"All right... If you become an exorcist."

"Now, I know you told me that there can be only one Paladin at a time, but... I want them to change that rule. I want them to allow us both to be the Paladin..." Rin declares with a gentle smile. Yukio is more and more astonished, "In exchange for taking down the world's biggest threat it shouldn't be too much to ask, right? And with that, the all-Meisters-required thing will not be a problem anymore… We could split them up between us! You already got two, and I just got one. So, what's left? Hm... Tamer and... Aria... Well, I think you can guess what I'd want you to take next... And I can be a Tamer... Hey, now that I think about it, I already got a familiar! Does that count?... Hm... Guess not, huh?... Anyway... what do you think about it?" Rin smiles at Yukio, "...Wanna help me out, bro?"

After a long moment of staring at each other, Yukio lowers his gaze again, turning to face the grave in front of him.

"You're... gonna be a great exorcist, one day... I know it."

He lets a gentle breeze dance around his body and patiently waits for it to die down, "Rin... what's the real reason why you don't want to know about our origins?"

"...Because he didn't want you to know about them." Rin simply answers, nodding at Shiro's grave, "He told me something horrible would happen to you if you ever knew the truth... So how could I want to know it? How could I... show interest for something that could hurt my own little brother?" Yukio and Rin both stare at Shiro's grave, "Yukio... I don't want to lose you. I can't... lose you."

"...I guess the time has come. It will be quite a long story... but not a boring one, don't worry." Rin stares in wonder at Yukio, who slowly turns toward him with a radiant, peaceful smile. The very first one in his whole life, "...Didn't I also promise to tell you stories about Father Fujimoto after you became an exorcist?"

From the distance, unnoticed, Mephisto is looking at the scene, "Now, this is what I would call a heart-warming family reunion..." he comments, "Took you long enough but, well done, Mr. Okumura... You finally opened your eyes..." Mephisto states while staring at Yukio. "But getting you to do that was just the first step... Now... let's put that resolve of yours to test."