Calls for a suitable punishment filled the courtroom. "Order! Order!" The Grigori called out for them to silence their blood-lust until they had heard everything. Astarte stood beside Mephisto, the holding circle at her feet glowing brightly. "Sir Pheles, would you explain what happened during this recent incident?" The female member of the Grigori asked. Mephisto nodded and recounted the tale, emphasising the parts where the former Paladin had made the situation worse. The Grigori listened patiently whilst the crowd gathered murmured amongst themselves. "And those present with you today were present during the incident?" One of the Grigori asked. "They were." Mephisto stated. "Then we will bring Okumura Rin to the stand to speak to first." They waited as Rin walked forward. "You encountered the demoness in question before the incident in question correct?" He looked at them confused. "Did you encounter Astarte before she went missing?" Yukio translated for him. "Oh, yeah I did." Rin said. "Would you tell us what happened?" Rin nodded and began to recount his fight with Astarte before she went missing.
When he finished, everything was silent. It was stifling. "You may step down Mr Okumura." The female member said. "Listen, I know it's gonna sound weird but…even I can tell this wasn't her doing." Rin said. Astarte snapped her head round to face him, stunned by what he was saying. Was he standing up for her? "I mean, yeah, she's a psychotic monster who looks and acts freaky…" She frowned. "Oh, thanks a bunch." She said sarcastically. "But, I don't think she would actually do all she did and not gloat like mad about it." "Yeah, shut up now Rin." "I mean she is the daughter of Satan and…" "RIN! SHUT THE FUCK UP!" She yelled. He spun around. "I'm trying to help!" He snapped. "YOU'RE FUCKING INSULTING ME! AND LAST TIME I CHECKED THAT WASN'T CLASSIFIED AS FUCKING HELPING!" She shrieked. "Fine." He huffed as he walked back to the others. "Don't accept my help." "Why you insolent little…!" "Demoness Astarte! You will calm down otherwise you shall be sealed within a crystal until this judgement is over." She wisely chose to bite her tongue.
The Grigori debated amongst each other once they had heard all the recounts of the incident. "Exorcise her!" A voice called out from the crowd. "It'll break out again! Get rid of its source and we'll stop it from happening again!" Yells and cheers of agreement emerged from them. Astarte shifted around slightly on her feet. "We have made our decision. Demoness Astarte, step forward." The holding seal moved forward, forcing her to step forward as well. "Demon princess Astarte, do you have anything you wish to say before we announce our judgement?" The female member asked. "Gomen Nasai." Shocked gasps emerged from everyone. "Repeat what you just said." Astarte looked straight at them. "Gomen Nasai." She said, before pausing. "Though I suppose Sumimasen would be a better apology." She mused. "You're….apologising?" The Grigori were confused by it.
"Whilst the actions that occurred during the incident were not of my own doing, I willingly allowed the Outcast to take over my body and gave it free run of my powers. If I had not let my emotions overrun my mind and instincts, none of this would have happened. So for that, I apologise to you." She bowed to emphasise the apology. "Taking this into consideration, it seems right to reinstate the heart bind as your punishment." Everyone snapped their heads to look at the Grigori. "Sir Pheles, please step forward so that we may reinstate the heart bind." Mephisto stepped forward to stand beside Astarte. As the heart bind was reinstated, silence ruled over all. As the final stages were completed, she felt their hearts beat in unison. "The heart bind has being reinstated." A sigh of relief escaped her lips. Outraged cries filled the room.
"You cannot allow this!" One exorcist yelled. "We can and we have!" The Grigori stated. "I will not let that monster live!" The head of the American Branch of the Order pulled out his weapon and took aim at Astarte. In the instant it took him to aim, her flames appeared and shot towards him. Before he could fire a shot, the flames coiled around the weapon and wrenched it from his grip. The gun was then cast aside and melted into a pool of bubbling metal as the whip of flames returned to Astarte. The Grigori watched then nodded amongst each other. "You are well skilled in the control of your flames demon." They stated. "Therefore, as a condition of your heart bind and continued survival in Assiah, you are to teach Okumura Rin how to control and master his flames so that they can be used against Satan." When she opened her mouth to protest they added "failure to comply with this condition will result in your immediate exorcism." They disbanded the meeting and sent them away.
Back in Japan, Astarte stood and stared at Rin who glared back. "I don't need your help." He snarled. "Yeah, 'cause the last display of your control of the flames was really inspiring." Astarte snapped back. He was about to retort when she held up her claw. "Listen, I don't like this anymore than you do but we've got no choice. If I don't help you learn to control your flames, I'll be exorcised. If you don't gain control of your flames, you could end up killing those you care about. So like it or not, we have to work together in order to survive. Now, are you going to accept my help or not?" He looked away as she held out her claw. "Fine." He sighed, taking her claw and shaking it. "Good, we'll start tomorrow. You'd better be ready, my annoying little brother."
Phew, finally. Yes, an unusually short chapter but really all I needed for this was the heart bind to be reinstated and the condition of Astarte having to teach Rin how to control his flames. Next story will be up soon I'm just coming up with a title for it. Hopefully, something that won't have the word "Angel" in the title, I'm sick of looking at that word in titles of my stories. Anywho, until next time this is sayonara from the psychotic author.