Infiltration Arc: Deeper Down

As Rin joined Yukio in their dorm's cafeteria, Yukio immediately noticed signs that his brother had slept fitfully, if at all. Rin's hair was badly mussed and his eyes showed clear fatigue and an unspoken desire to find the nearest bed and not wake up for several hours.

Rin had worried- perhaps quite rightfully- the night before about Isamu's irate attitude. It was not often Isamu lost his temper, and as such it had been extremely hard on the boy as he remembered his words.

Isamu had been, and possibly rightfully so, irritated with Rin's lack of information. As a Lower Second Class exorcist and the son of Satan, it wasn't truly a surprise, but Rin suspected there had been a lack of information from not only him, but Shura and Anfisa as well. They received more information than Rin- though Rin had been working on breaking into Yukio's office at the cram school to steal some information- as they were ranked higher. Looking at his phone, the time blared at him. While early for many, it was late for him to be getting up.

"Sorry Yukio," he blinked wearily, accepting the food handed to him by Ukobach, "I didn't fall asleep until after four."

"You didn't get home until almost three. It's also six o'clock. I don't think you should work as many hours as you do, Rin. It's taking a toll on your health."

Yukio's acting as a mother-hen caused Rin to chuckle softly to himself, "According to Matsuri, this is just hazing. In a week or two I'll be on a part time schedule. Don't worry so much."

"You are exhausted, and you just fixed your grades. I don't think it will be beneficial to you to do something to cause your grades to plummet."

Rin sighed, barely able to laugh it off due to lack of energy. It was later at lunch that Rin managed to get some sleep, having fallen asleep in the middle of the preceding class and then awakening, only to vomit during class. Due to this turn of events, his teacher had sent him back to the dorms and alerted his teachers to his absence.

Yukio, having returned late from the cram school, found the pass from the teacher regarding Rin's leaving. He found it reassuring that his brother, however strong, was still capable of being plagued by the same things that had annoyed students for generations. He was not, however, completely pleased with his brother's course of action. He had told his brother not to leave classes for any reason, but at the same time, he had to see sense. His brother had respected his teacher's wishes by returning home instead of fighting them.

"Hey Yukio," Rin was in the kitchen, seemingly preparing dinner, "What's up?"

"Why didn't you tell me you were tired to the point of illness this morning when we were leaving for school?" Yukio knew the answer, but hoped he was incorrect. He didn't want to lose what little control he seemed to be gaining over his brother.

Rin barked in laughter, a sound Yukio had not heard in quite a while, "You wouldn't have bought that. Not in a million years!"

Yukio, smiling, continued bantering with his sick brother, enjoying the easy conversation shared between the two of them. As the minutes turned to hours, the two did eventually retire to their separate rooms, but nothing would seemed capable of changing to either of them.

However, in the dredges of their late sleep, it became quite clear to Rin he was losing his control. He had let Yukio close, and that was dangerous. Yukio could not become involved, as it would then be impossible for Rin to protect him. Waking to his phone, Rin quickly rose and dressed himself.

To Yukio, his brother seemed to be healing from whatever damages had been done to him, and enjoying the freedom he had without the test. Both acknowledged the existence of a true threat from the current Paladin, but neither voiced it.

Yukio, bolting up early in the morning due to noise, heard the front door slamming shut.

Renzou Shima was aware of his orders, but it became harder when he could not keep a steady watch of Rin. Yes, in fact, Rin had become quite the runner. He seemed never to be in a single place for more than a few moments. In classes, Shima and Konekomaru had taken to betting and making games out of Rin's constant energy.

It was good, he knew, that Rin had begun to get some of that same, hyperactive personality back. It had been far too quiet without rambunctious activities such as Rin's. Seeing the boy running and jumping to get places- even if the smile was gone and he had become beyond serious- was something that made for a far more relaxed cram school class.

Sometimes, anyway. Others, he made everything tense by devoting energy to high-level questions that caused the entire class to get a headache.

Watching Rin run from his dorm, despite his illness, Shima shook his head.

That boy was too devoted sometimes. He just didn't know when to take a break.

But then again, neither did Shima.

Lucifer had come close to the people of this little rag-tag group. They didn't bond like normal demons. No, they became like humans in that regard. Drinking and playing silly human games occupied quite a bit of their time, and watching as the maturity of the intoxication demon slowly deteriorated as those around her became more and more drunk became a game to him.

It was an interesting phenomenon. The intoxication demon could not get drunk themselves, but they could begin to seem drunk if they were in the company of others who were heavily intoxicated. It was regarded as a sort of coping system, as it allowed them to blend in with the group at large when alcohol was involved.

Even so, watching the group was a form of entertainment in and of itself. They acted like proper demons, but had the boisterous speech and personalities of the very people to which Rin had been born.

Truly fascinating still, was the way Rin acted. While he was a technical half-breed, there was so much more demonic presence. He had the poise, clever trickery, and deceptive expressions of a demon, especially of his current position, yet he acted so undeniably human.

Perhaps that is what endeared him to most of the demons he met. Looking towards the demons of the Vera Proelium, he found himself smiling. Yes, they were fascinating. They made the Illuminati seem monotonous and bleak, despite his work to ensure they retained some form of individuality. These leaders, however, each seemed to represent an individuality of their own.

And it was truly inspiring.

Truly.

[END CHAPTER]