Disclaimers Apply. I do not own Ao no Exorcist, only this story plot.

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Chapter 8

Assiah

Yukio did not know what time it was, only that it was late in the afternoon and he had not eaten lunch yet. He didn't eat breakfast either, but Kyodo - who had served it - didn't know that, and Yukio wasn't planning on letting him know the food had gone down the mouth of the sewer instead.

He lay in bed, covers clutched in his hands and swathing his body into a cocoon. He realized now why Rin had liked doing it so much. It was almost reminiscent of a warm hug, except it was only your body heat being coalesced by the covers and it was really a lonelier action than it seemed.

He dug his face into the pillow, smothering his nose so that he felt the pressure of not breathing.

Had Rin been lonely? Had he yearned for hugs and warmth so much he fooled himself into receiving it? Yukio thought of all the time he'd seen Rin swaddled like a baby, peacefully asleep, and of all the times Rin had squealed and run away in embarrassment from Shiro's boisterous affections.

Yukio thought of how he had people to talk to in school, and how Rin never had, because kids were cruel.

Demon!

Yukio grimaced at the familiar memory, turning his face further into his pillow. That horrible horrible name! Rin had never done anything to deserve it, Yukio thought bitterly. He was the sweetest kid there was, but kids were cruel and the world wasn't fair.

A melodious ringing sounded through the monastery then, and Yukio stayed in his cocoon, hoping that after being ignored for several minutes the visitor ringing their doorbell would just leave.

It was in vain, however, as soon the determined bother began to repeatedly press the door bell. The device was old and in ruins, so instead of just stopping short and replaying the melody it started over and over continously, overlaying the sounds and creating a cacophony of sound that had Yukio gritting his teeth and snatching at his glasses.

He thundered downstairs in a foul mood and feeling all the wrath of a demon, lips set in a deep scowl. Where are the rest of the priests? Yukio thought acidly after finding the kitchenette empty of bumbling exorcists. Sighing in dismay, Yukio finally decided to open the door.

The boy was in no mood to play nice, polite, or sweet. "Don't you know it's rude to ring someone's doorbell incessantly like that?" He remarked caustically, only to bite his tongue when the door swung fully open and revealed all of Mephisto and his blinding glory.

The demon scoffed, amused, and he swept his tall maude hat off his head, the trailing ribbons arcing as they followed the descent, little bells sewn into the lining twinkling as merrily as the shine in Mephisto's eyes. "My Okumura-kun, what a nasty temper on such a beautiful day. Nay a cloud in sight but I see they've all gathered in your heart. Such a terrible glower, it chills my heart." The cheshire grin that curled the demon's lips showed all his terrible pointy teeth, so Yukio scowled and looked away, heart thudding painfully.

"How can I help you," Yukio asked grudgingly, that ingrained respect rearing its stubborn heard despite the boy's cold iron heart. "If you're looking for my father, he's visiting the hospital for a check-up." He stepped back to allow Mephisto entry, and the demon inclined his head grandly, slanted eyes peering down at Yukio from far above. He walked towards the parlor as if he owned the place, and Yukio simply followed.

"Would you mind terribly if I waited for Shiro here? I've had such a long day, what with pacifying the Vatican over how not one, but two, Gehenna Gates opened in less than a week." Mephisto sighed long-sufferingly, gloved fingertips rubbing soft circles into his temples.

Yukio paused on his way to prepare tea, narrowing his gaze at Mephisto. "What do you mean two Gates. I know nii-san went through one. Who opened the other?" Then, "Oh, would you like some tea?"

"Coffee, actually. Tea is just too weak for me."

You didn't have to add on that last part, thought Yukio caustically, but he went and brewed the coffee regardless. While waiting for the coffee, Yukio snuck upstairs to quickly wash his face and finger-comb his unruly hair, feeling his tell-tale blushing as he realized how messy he had looked.

When he returned with beverages and suitable snacks Yukio perched on the end of a sofa, Mephisto taking the only armchair and grinning as lasciviously as always. "So, who opened the second gate?"

"Oh?" Said the demon, a twirl of his finger conjuring a dainty silver spoon that floated of its own volition to pick up sugar cubes and swirl them into the dark drink. Yukio winced at his lack of forethought to provide silverware. Mephisto hmmm-ed, took a quick cautious sip, before slanting a gaze back at Yukio. "Shiro didn't tell you?"

"Didn't tell me what," Yukio quickly asked, scooting forward. His heart suddenly sped up, and he tried to caution himself that Mephisto was a cunning demon who loved above all else to manipulate others. As if hearing Yukio's inner thoughts, Mephisto grinned charmingly, coffee cup held with a pinky crooked out.

"That Okumura Rin was back in Assiah."

Yukio sucked in a harsh breath, choking and feeling the sting of tears. Rin was back? But…"Another gate was opened," he managed, wild hope bridling his heart and seizing it. Did Yukio really dare to trust the words of a Demon King?

"Of course Astaroth was quickly sent to retrieve Rin. He is a precious commodity, after all," and the words, so cruelly and carelessly spoken, drove a sharp spike into Yukio's frail broken heart and the young boy thought he would cry over ghosts again that day. "Though I must say, Rin did quite a number to the King of Rot. Burnt flesh was falling off in chunks!" Mephisto laughed.

"You saw him?" Yukio clambered to his feet, eyes wide. "Why didn't you stop him!"

"Why should I, dear Okumura-kun?" Mephisto replied cruelly, cold yellow eyes glinting over the rim of the cup.

Speechless, Yukio didn't know what to say. Why should Mephisto rescue Rin? There was nothing for him to gain that Yukio could see. But, still! Out of a sense of respect for his and Shiro's longtime friendship? No, to demons like Mephisto that 'long-time' was nothing but a blink in their eternity. Yet, these reasons did nothing to alleviate Yukio's rising hatred. Here was a man who could have saved Rin, yet he had done nothing.

Grinding his teeth, he colored angrily when Mephisto guffawed in laughter. Swallowing his pride, Yukio sat back down and said, "I want to train more."

Mephisto cut his humor short. "What?"

"I want," Yukio gritted out, his jaws aching with the pressure it took not to cry. "To become stronger. Strong enough to protect my brother. Strong enough to march into Gehenna and retrieve my brother myself!"

Mephisto leaned forward, and Yukio felt a stab of fear in his heart when the demon grinned ferally. "Good, yes! Yes! That is a wonderful kind of resolve!" Long gloved fingers gripped Yukio's face by his chin, and the boy tried to keep down the whimper that arose when he could feel the piercing nails the pristine white cloth hid. "That is something I can support. Tell me, how many classes do you take now?"

Yukio jerked his head, freeing himself from Mephisto's tight grasp. He resisted the urge to soothe the sore skin there, instead clenching his hands by his sides. "I take three a week."

"Up it to seven. I will back you up Okumura-kun, but only if you're willing to bleed for it."

"I am. I will rescue him." No matter if Nii-san's human or demon.

A/N: What, an update so fast? Hell must be freezing over ;)

I'm not quite sure if Yukio already knew of Mephisto's and Shiro's 'grand plan' for Rin, so I opted to leave Yukio ignorant. I certainly wouldn't want to tell a ten year old or younger their twin would likely be possessed by Satan himself, though I suspect Yukio would figure it out early on anyways.

A big thank you to Orangeguise who spoke some true words in a review. I'll try not to let lack of reviews get to me ^^

As of 5/26/2015: 1319 words