Right guys, it's Saturday so that means...UPDATE :D

I didn't get as much time to check for grammar in this one because I have a pharmacology assignment due so and fractional occupancy curves aren't fun to draw so I'm a bit pooped :o

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this installment and I appreciate the reviews!

Stay awesome xx

Yukio

Yukio had stood in shock horror as his father's sentence was delivered. Not only had he been stripped of his title but he had also been completely removed from the True Order. He was no longer a registered exorcist and to make matters worse Shiro was prohibited from seeing his son ever again.

As the trial had ticked on by Shiro's actions had surprised Yukio. Especially, when he had convinced the Grigori that he was not Rin's twin. Yukio knew better however, he knew his father was just trying to spare him the same punishment he faced. In a last ditch effort he had saved Yukio from the same faith. However, Yukio had no intention of obeying the Vatican's orders to never see his father again.

Yukio was very clever and he knew there would be no way of getting Rin back by working through the order. Even though he had been cleared of suspicion the Vatican was sneaky, they would be watching Yukio.

He was actually conflicted, he knew they were doing their job. After all they were trained demon hunters. However, Yukio vowed to save his brother, demon or not. He had thought about it before and had always come to the same conclusion. There was no way he could hate his brother. It wasn't Rin's fault that he had ended up the way he had and Yukio didn't like the idea of just leaving him to his faith in Gehenna.

Once the trial had ended Yukio had been escorted out of the hall and was brought back to his monastery. After showing the exorcists his father's study he left them to ransack it and went to his room. He stood silently in the doorway as he looked longingly at Rin's bed. He had moved out a while ago as the empty space was crushing him. Rin's stuff and mess hadn't been touched and it always reminded Yukio of where his brother was. Of what he was going through.

Yukio strode over to Rin's bed and, after pushing some of the clothes off of it, lay down. He let his thoughts wander and his mind went back to that night. When his brother was lost to the gates of hell. Where he had found his father, bloodied, broken and crying. He had stood on the spot where Rin had willingly stepped into the gate with the Demon King of Earth.

He still didn't understand why his brother had chosen that life and he didn't want to know. He knew it was foolish, but he believed Rin would return and be the same stubborn but care free boy he had been five years previously. He wanted his brother back in one peace but he knew that it wouldn't happen like that but there was an idea that was pushing him on. The idea that Rin needed him and that he needed Rin.

A loud knock came to the door which made Yukio jolt. He sighed and climbed back to his feet. It was probably the exorcists asking where something of Shiro's stuff was. He reluctantly pushed open the door and he was right, in front of him was a young exorcist. However, he didn't say anything, instead he handed Yukio a piece of paper before he walked back down the hallway and into Shiro's office.

Yukio retreated back into the room and frowned down at the note. He hadn't a clue who it could be from but didn't hesitate from opening it.

'Meet me in my office tomorrow at 1pm. We'll have some tea

~ Love Mephisto.'

The note was crumpled up in Yukio's fist as he went red with anger. That bastard!

Shiro had told him about Mephisto's betrayal with Rin and now he had turned on his father. Yukio felt nothing but anger towards that devious demon but Mephisto knew the game well. He knew that Yukio would come and he was right. Yukio had decided to go as soon as he read the note. Not because he trusted the demon or that he believed he had something valuable to say. No instead he just wanted to beat the shit out of him. It was his fault that all this had happened, he had told Amaimon about Rin and their lives had just spiraled down from there.

If it wasn't for that trickster Rin and Shiro would probably be sitting down with Yukio for dinner about now. With that thought, Yukio let out a deep sigh, calmed himself and headed for the kitchen.

Rin's POV

Rin lay in the bed and did not move. He didn't fidget nor did he toss. He just lay still, as if he was a statue. He hadn't been able to move his mind from the torturous memories of his time with Gōmon. He had vivid and horrifying memories of every bone breaking, every knife piercing his chest and each individual needle that had been pushed under his sick.

It would be clear to anyone that Rin had been deeply traumatised. There would be no way that he could have come out of that the way he had gone in. He promised himself that he would never go back to that room, never. He would be obedient, even if it was just to spare his sanity. It may be a selfish thought but Rin wanted to do his best to keep himself safe.

A pang of guilt swept through his gut as his memories turned to the throne room. God, he had hated that with a passion. He hated what they made him do but worst of all he hated the relief that it had brought. Once he had felt the slave's neck break he had been satisfied, even though it had been very briefly lived, he had been satisfied that he wouldn't be sent back to the torture room.

Maybe, that was what being a demon meant. Maybe it was all about self-preservation. It would make sense why so many demons were selfish and self-absorbed. On some level, Rin could now relate to them and it made him feel slightly sorry for them.

A knock came to Rin's door but he didn't move. He didn't even turn his head towards the sound. It came again, but Rin remained silent. After three more knocks the demon gave up and left since Rin hadn't made a move or a sound. He didn't want to talk to anyone and he certainly didn't want anything to eat. Nobody had come to bring him anywhere so he had just stayed by himself.

The silence was like Rin's sanity. It was fragile and it wouldn't take much to break it, especially now, since it was so weak.

Lying in his bed Rin counted the minutes that went by. Thirty seven minutes had passed when another knock came to the door but he did not answer it. However, a second knock didn't follow. Instead, he heard a big sigh from outside the door before it was abruptly opened as a small slave stood behind it in shock.

As Rin slowly turned his head he realised it wasn't the young girl that had burst through the door but instead it was Kamiko. Pure white as always. However, that was all that was pure about her. Now, she just stood at the foot of Rin's bed, arms crossed and scowling. He didn't say anything as their eyes locked, hers looked as if they were on fire.

"Are you done sulking?"

If looks could kill then Rin thought that Kamiko could be a serial killer because the look she was giving him was one of pure murder.

He slowly pulled himself up into a sitting position and grunted at his stiffness. Though it probably shouldn't have been a surprise. After all he hadn't left the room, let alone his bed, in three days.

"I'm not sulking."

Rin's defence was mediocre at best and he really didn't care all that much. He just looked away from the girl. He was finding it hard to look at her without picturing her caked in blood or dragging a slave to its death. He had been fooled be this girl and had almost forgotten her true nature. She was a demon through and through, proving it with conviction.

"Bull. You have been mopping around this room for the past three days without eating anything or answering your door." She nodded towards the girl who ran out to grab the cart full of food that must have been sitting in the corridor.

Kamiko took the cart and ushered the girl out before closing the door. Rin watched in silence as Kamiko set up ….two meals.

"Wait are you eating here…?"

"Yeah dummy, what you thought you were getting two meals? No, I'm eating with you from now on until you get a grip of yourself to eat properly again. Can't have a student of mine die of starvation. Now I heard you like this, so eat."

There had been two make shift tables set up for both of them and they sat on the edge of the bed. Kamiko placed the two plates of ….

"Nahhhh, is this real yakitori?!" A grin spread across Rin's face for the first time in a while. He had been craving it since he left and this looked like the real thing.

Kamiko nodded as she stuffed some into her mouth. Through a mouth full of food she mumbled her reply.

"Yeah…heard you asked for it before…..Amaimon," she swallowed her food, "Amaimon had taken a trip to Assiah recently and I asked if he would bring some back." The girl just shrugged as she took another mouth full.

Rin took a bite of his own as he looked questioning at the girl. Was she trying to make up for what he had been put through, what he had seen her do?

They just ate in silence and Rin enjoyed it immensely. He had been a bit sceptical when he had seen it at first but it tasted perfect. He doubt he could have made it better himself.

Rin finished first and sighed before lying back on the bed. He lay in silence as Kamiko finished her own in peace. She seemed to be enjoying it which surprised him. He didn't know much about demon taste buds. But then again, he was a demon, he just shrugged it off and looked at Kamiko as she spoke.

"It doesn't get easier, you won't forget, but you need to get over it and get stronger. Otherwise, it'll destroy you."

Rin sat back up but looked down to his lap. He didn't need to ask what she was talking about and he cursed her slightly, for a brief moment he had forgotten about it as he held her company.

"How….how do you know?"

Silently, Kamiko pulled back a sleeve of her kimono. Rin's eyes widened as he seen the scars that ran the length of her arm. There was a variety, some were small nicks but there were other larger, nastier scares higher up. She rolled down the sleeve and forced a smirk.

"Gōmon is a heartless bastard and lives for inflicting pain. I've visited him enough before I got to where I am now. What I'm trying to say is, you need to use it to harden yourself and get stronger. The weak break…..so don't break."

With that Kamiko got up to leave but stopped at the door with a smile.

"Training tomorrow, usual time. Be there or I'll drag you by that tail of yours."

The girl winked before she quickly vanished down the corridor. Rin couldn't keep the small smirk from his face. There was more to that girl than he had originally thought and as her bloody image danced in his head he pushed it aside. She had been through what he had, even worse to have scars, so he understood. He didn't like it all that much but he understood none the less. However, he wouldn't let himself forget what she was capable of.

A slave came in shortly after, cleared the tables and brought everything away once again. Rin felt better after his meal and stood up and stretched.

He was extremely stiff and smelled really bad. He decided to bathe and once he was done, dry and clothed, left to find Kamiko. The girl had cheered him up slightly and since he had nothing else to do he might as well ask to train now.

With his hands in his pockets Rin wondered through the corridors as demons went about their business. Nobody looked at him directly which surprised him. Normally, he would get snares or glares but now it seemed like people were staying out of his way.

He caught a glimpse of his features reflected in one of the mirrors that hung in the halls. His expression was blank but it was his eyes that took him aback. They had a new found fire and that brought a small huff out of Rin as he continued walking. He wouldn't be weak here.

As another non-slave demon scurried passed him, with his head down, Rin couldn't help but smirk.

Yukio's POV

Yukio sat stock still in front of Mephisto who had his legs propped up on his desk. He was sitting with his eyes closed, sipping tea, seemingly deep in thought. Though it was probably about something trivial, like what merchandise he would buy next.

Yukio had been early for their 'tea date' as Mephisto had put it. He had started to give out but the eccentric demon had quickly hushed him and made them both tea. Yukio's sat in front of him, going cold. His fists were clenching and unclenching over and over and he wasn't doing much to stop them.

There was about five minutes of delicate slurping before Mephisto finally finished.

"Ahh yes, nothing better than a cup of herbal tea," Mephisto frowned as he opened one eye, "huh yours is still full, ungrateful guests are hard to please."

"I don't owe you my gratitude." Yukio practically spat the words through clenched teeth.

"Tsk, tsk," Mephisto waggled one of his fingers," Now is that how you talk to your superiors."

"It is how I talk to those who I don't respect."

Mephisto simply shrugged as he slightly twirled in his chair, unphased by the boy's words.

"Why did you call me here Mephisto?"

The demon stood to his feet and leaned forward onto the table.

"FAMILY REUNION!" A flurry of confetti exploded from his pockets as Mephisto yelled. However, Yukio just sat there with his legs and arms crossed with an expression as hard as stone.

Mephisto's gleeful face quickly turned as Yukio didn't react.

"You, are no fun." He tapped rapidly three times on his desk before following it up with two slow ones.

Once he was done the door opened and Shiro stepped through. That got Yukio's attention as he quickly jumped to his feet. He went to his father as they embraced in a quick hug before releasing.

"Father, what is going on?"

The ex-paladin nodded towards Mephisto, "I'll let him explain."

Mephisto was now lying on one of the couches in his office. Yukio cursed the demon who couldn't seem to stay still.

"Well…" Yukio just stared at him impatiently.

With a huff and a sigh Mephisto pulled himself up onto his feet.

"Okay then, it's time to get down to business."

He ushered the pair back over to his desk and as they sat down the demon launched into his speech.

"I'll make this brief. Yukio, as you know, I alerted the Vatican to the activities of your Father for one reason. So he can get Rin back."

"What?!" Yukio yelled out in confusion. The demon wasn't making any sense at all. "So, first you get Rin pulled down to Gehenna and now you want him back?"

"Eh, eh," Mephisto held up a finger, "It is true that I got Rin involved with Amaimon, however, it was never my intention that he was to be brought back to Gehenna. Amaimon seemed to take matters into his own hands. Also, if I am not mistaken, Rin willingly walked through the gate."

Mephisto arched an eyebrow as a sly smirk crossed his face but Yukio just sat in silence.

"As I was saying, your father will be able to work better once he is not restricted by the Vatican. I will help him fall below the radar and once he has 'disappeared' he can work freely. You will be happy to know, that since you are taking up a teaching position here soon, you will get to see you Father as we will be working together. You will also be helping by keeping your ears open and sending a copy of all your reports to me. You will not go asking questions that will draw suspicion, you will be watched. Understand?"

Yukio simply nodded before placing his head in his hands

Mephisto waved both hands in the air, "Surprise, secret plan!"

Rin's POV

He hadn't had a clue where Kamiko had buggered off to and after asking a few demons he was pointed towards the castles gardens. He hadn't even known that the place had a garden. He had gotten a bit lost and had to ask the same demon where the garden actually was. Now, he stood outside.

The air seemed heavy and there was a bead of sweat forming on Rin's forehead. He wondered along one of the paths through the garden as he took it in. There were numerous plants around him but he didn't know any of their names. Some had giant leaves, while others had long stalks with spiked foliage.

Rin could hear water running and decided to head in its general direction. He seemed to have lucked out, as approached a small opening where Kamiko sat. She was on her knees beside a small pond and seemed to be washing her hands.

Rin silently walked up to her, slightly surprised as she turned her head. He didn't think he was loud enough for her to hear. However, he quickly forgot about that as eyes widened. Kamiko's mouth was covered in blood. She quickly turned back to the pond and splashed some water onto her face.

"Kamiko….what happened?"

Before she could answer the girl jumped to her feet and ran to the nearest bush like plant and threw up. Rin grimaced at the sound and watched with pity as the girl stumbled back to the pond to wash more blood off of her face.

"Ah just…a bit sick is all…"

Rin was annoyed that she was dancing around the subject and cut straight to the point, having no time for any nonsense.

"Kamiko, seriously, what's wrong."

The girl sighed and looked at Rin. He didn't expect the apologetic look she gave him.

"It was the yakitori. This happens to me when I eat food from Assiah."

"So….why did you eat it idiot!?"

"It made you feel better didn't it?"

Rin was taken aback and feel silent. He hadn't expected that as an answer and he didn't realise the girl cared that much to make herself sick like that. He felt a bit guilty for yelling at her. She may be a demon but she was strangely kind. He wondered if she was like this with everyone. On thing was for sure, she really was insane.

"Well what food can you eat? Can I get you anything to make you feel better?"

As Rin babbled on trying to help her, Kamiko looked down at her palms.

"See, I can't eat any food, my mother was one of many demons who lived off of blood and I was unfortunate enough to inherit that trait."

"So….you are like a vampire….."

Kamiko just shook her head, "No…no...its more complicated than that because my father doesn't drink blood. It's hard to explain but the main thing is that I really only need blood if I am injured or sick. It heals me quicker."

She barely finished her sentence before she jumped up and got sick again. Staggering back she seemed to be looking for something.

"You didn't see a flask by any chance, I brought it with me but dropped it when I started puking."

Rin quickly looked around and seen it glint beside a nearby stone. He handed it to the girl and she quickly downed its contents. He was going to ask her what it was before a small dribble of it ran down her chin. It was blood. Duh, idiot she just said she needs it if she's sick.

She finished it off and once she washed her face again she stood to her feet.

"I feel a little better now so don't worry about it. Now, did you need me?"

Rin wanted to ask further but it seemed she didn't seem as if she wanted to talk about it anymore.

"I just wanted to train some more."

With a smile the girl nodded and ushered for Rin to follow. All the while he couldn't help but realise how little he knew about Kamiko and about Gehenna.