The Next morning about six am

When Rin finally opens his eyes he notices that Shiro was still fast asleep as was Yukio. He also notices Yukio's arms wrapped tightly around his waist, so very gently as to not disturb him he removes the arms. Once free Rin dresses quickly and leaves the room, heading outside for some fresh air. As he exits the building he feels the hairs on the back of his neck prickling; he looks around quickly checking for possible dangers… he sees none only a single man dressed in white robes striding toward him. Rin watches as the man continues walking quickly towards him and that's when he realizes who was walking towards him. It was the Paladin… the head of the True Cross Knights… Angel A. August.

"Demonic spawn kneel before the Paladin." Angel's loud voice booms and Rin just stares blankly at him.

"No."

"No… what do you mean no? I am your superior and you shall show me respect." Angel orders and Rin just laughs.

"I am a fully recognized demonic prince… I'm more powerful than you ever will be only matched by Satan himself, so technically you should be bowing to me." Rin points out punctuating his last word with a burst of blue fire as his tail swishes back and forth challenging.

"Draw your sword and we shall see youngling." Angel orders expecting Rin to resist, but instead he just laughs.

"I'm not going to fight you, Angel. Why are you here?"

"A wise decision demon prince. I am here for Shiro and Mephisto Pheles." Angel says with a smirk and it makes Rin's skin crawl so he puts on a serious expression. He notices the demon's change in demeanor and that only makes him smirk wider.

"But why?"

"Are you not aware he attacked the Grigori?"

"I am, my brother and I were the ones who saved them. Your point?" Rin answers as he stares the Paladin down defiantly, there was no way in Gehenna Angel was going to take Shiro away from him even if he had to die trying to save him.

"He must be judged for his crimes and Mephisto is coming because the Grigori have a few questions for him." Angel explains briefly as he goes to push past the demon, but Rin throws up a wall of flame in front of the doorway stopping Angel in his tracks. Neither person notice the appearance of another robed one.

"Angel stop." Raguel orders as he appears behind Angel, dressed in dark green colors and his face covered by a dark green cloak that only allowed his mouth to be shown..

"But Raguel, you yourself ordered me to apprehend them."

"And now I'm ordering you to stop, Rin and his brother risked their lives to save ours… This family has paid their dues and as long as they don't cause trouble for Assiah they will be left alone." Raguel says with a smile as he pulls Angel back.

"Fine, I shall await orders at the Vatican… filthy demonic scum." Angel says in a huff as he stalks off into the morning light. Rin watches as Angel departs Raguel removes the hood of his cloak revealing a man of about sixty with salt and pepper hair, and eyes that were unnaturally green.

"So we're even?" Rin asks as he closes his eyes in pain, using his powers had caused him a massive head ache. Ever since yesterday using his powers caused him a great amount of pain and weakened him immensely.

"Yes we are, but what's wrong with you?" Raguel asks noticing Rin's grimace.

"Nothing I'm fine…" Rin lies because the last thing he wanted was to tell one of the Grigori that he was hearing voices.

"No you're not, but I will leave you be… for now. Have a good day Rin Okumura and make sure you think before you act." Raguel warns as he walks up to the door and puts a key in it creating a portal to the Vatican. After Raguel leaves Rin starts walking with no real destination in mind just walking. He passes through the School's courtyard and watches as the other students lounge around on the grass or talk loudly to their friends near the fountain. Rin remembered when he had been one of those kids awhile back, not a care in the world other than getting to class on time… but now, well now he had responsibilities. Like figuring out how to fix Kurikara and then he had to work with Yukio and now Shiro on controlling their powers which he had a feeling that was going to be hard. However before he could think anymore something started tugging on his mind.

'Draw the sword Rin… draw it.' A wispy voice in the back of his mind called. He tires to ignore it but it just becomes louder. 'The sword Prince, draw the sword!'

"I don't have a sword." Rin whispers back and that seems to stop the voice momentarily and the pain accompanied by it.

'Why?' The voice asks and Rin had, had this conversation with the voice many times.

"Because I broke it in the fight with Tadao saving him from his evil self." Rin explains quietly to avoid attracting stares from nearby students. The voice says nothing as Rin leaves the area filled with students and takes a path into the forest. He walks past the meadow where Amaimon was 'killed' and then he crosses the river where he first met Satan. Rin didn't know where he was going exactly he just knew he needed to be somewhere.

'Come to me, and we will draw the sword together.' The voice suggests quietly and that stops Rin dead in his tracks.

"What did you say?" Rin asks in shock as the head ache from before comes back.

'Otouto come to Gehenna and I will show you the secret of the sword from which your flames were born… I will show you the true power of your flames.' The voice promises in an alluring tone and Rin tries to resist it but the promise of power and control were to much for his already weakened mind. 'Come to Gehenna and follow the path that the flames have created.'

"If I come with you will you teach me how to control my power and my stepfather's plus Yukio's as well." Rin inquires quietly as he steps through the portal he had created to Gehenna. The voice doesn't answer him as Rin follows a path made of inviting cerulean flames into the unnatural darkness of a Gehenna night.

Meanwhile in the dorm

noon

Yukio was in a deep sleep until he rolls off the bed and lands with a loud oomph on the hardwood floor, jolting Shiro awake as well.

"Yukio are you all right?" Shiro asks as he rubs his eyes tiredly as his dazed son stands up slowly.

"I'm good."

"Does that happen often?" Shiro asks playfully as his son rubs the top of his head feeling the small bump there slowly receding.

"Not usually Nii-san… Where's Nii-san?" Yukio asks as he looks around for Rin, but he doesn't see him. He can feel the fear tugging on his mind as all the possibilities begin to play through his mind.

"He was just here... Rin!" Shiro shouts and Yukio walks out the room then starts towards the stairs. Once he reaches the ground floor Yukio goes to the kitchen hoping Rin was just in there early making breakfast or something, but no… The only person there was Ukobach and he was making lunch.

"Have you seen Rin this morning Ukobach?" Yukio asks quickly and the kitchen demon just shakes his head in a solemn no.

'Yukio, I have a very bad feeling about this.' Ukobach states quietly and Yukio nods his head in agreement.

"Yukio he's not in this building!" Shiro shouts in panic as he races down the stairs as he passes Yukio on his way up. He quickly throws on some clothing and his Exorcist gear then rushes out of the building; where Shiro waits patiently with his tail swinging back and forth anxiously.

"Shiro what happened after I passed out?" Yukio asks having remembered watching his stepfather nearly burn down the Vatican.

"Your brother collapsed due to stress, and I had to call Raijin to help me move you two back here." Shiro answers as he pulls out a cigarette and lites it taking a small drag.

"Wait you and Rin fought?"

"No Yukio, I would never fight your brother… I don't have a death wish, but we exchanged some words and he shouted something about Shima touching him, then passed out after saying something about a voice." Shiro explains and Yukio just closes his eyes in frustration.

"Not the dam voices again…. Hey and why did you fight me, but you won't fight Rin?" Yukio asks with a bit of resentment in his tone.

"Yukio, your brother is much more powerful then you and also he has had a lot more time to figure out how to control his powers so no I don't want to fight him. I would rather fight you because you rely heavily on your firearms still while Rin fights solely with his powers since his sword is broke." Shiro states and Yukio nods his head in understanding. He had to admit Shiro did make a valid point. When it came control of the flames Rin did one up him on that.

"We need to find him now though because if this is as serious as it was last time he is going to need us." Yukio says and Shiro cocks his head in confusion.

"This has happened before?"

"Yes many times before and the last time drove him insane… Satan had to lock him in Gehenna because he was a danger to himself and others." Yukio answers as he looks down at the floor remembering that awful day, and Shiro watches as a single tear drips from Yukio's face onto the dusty ground making a dull thud sound.

"Yukio we'll find him, I promise." Shiro promises as he puts a reassuring hand to his son's shoulder. However Yukio just shrugs it off as a bitter taste fills his mouth.

"I have no doubt that we will find him, but in what state… Father I won't lose him again." Yukio states as he meets Shiro's sympathetic eyes with determination filled ones.

"Yes Yukio I too refuse to let him go this time." Satan agrees as he appears next to Shiro, Mephisto and Amaimon walk over with determined smiles as well.

"Come let us go find Otouto." Amaimon states and they all nod in agreement.

Gehenna

Three days later

Rin had been walking for three days straight, following the lighted path before him, and the voice keeping him company; but other than that he had no contact, except for the demonic bear that tried to attack him however the cerulean flames quickly devoured the danger rendering Rin unharmed.

'Just a bit farther little one.' The voice urges with excitement and for some reason this made Rin smile happily.

"It's nice to be wanted." Rin mumbles out loud and in his mind Rin can feel the voice smile.

'Little one you will always be wanted in my domain… and with your flames well, I would say your very much like me indeed.' The voice tells him and Rin doesn't know why but he knows this is a good thing. Though when he thought about it anything a demon in his mind tells him he should be wary, but he just isn't. Rin doesn't notice that the path ends as he was to deep in thought, and he smacks hard right into what feels like a brick wall. However upon further examination he realizes that it wasn't a wall but rather a demon. Said demon had short hair about the length of Yukio's casually ruffled and the color of a cloudless sky. His tail was similar to Satan's however the only difference was the color, and that was the color of his eyes which, were the shade of crystal clear tropical water. He was a little taller than Amaimon, but with a more expressive face. The demon wore a pair of dark grey jeans and an unbuttoned white dress shirt with a gray undershirt on. Upon his feet he wore a pair of black dress shoes.

"Otouto! It is wonderful to talk to you in person." The demon greets him with excitement as if he was surprised that he actually came. Said demon offers him a hand up and Rin takes it gladly pulling himself off of the hard Gehenna ground.

"Otouto?" Rin asks as the friendly demon smiles brightly and sincerely at him.

"Of course Otouto, what else would I call my little brother?" It says with confusion and if Rin knew anything about demons it was that they were never this friendly, so with that thought he begins to back away slowly. "Rin what's wrong? Have I frightened you?"

"No… it's just… I'm sorry, but who are you exactly?" Rin stutters out as he attempts to control his wavering voice as the demon smiles at his shyness.

"I see Amai has rubbed off of you… Rin I am, wait I have a better idea! Let's play a game!" He says with excitement as his light blue tail swishes side to side in excitement. At this point Rin has begun to regret following the voice inside of his head… he chastises himself on the inside for it.

"I'm so stupid… Yuki was right, never follow the voices, they always lead you into trouble." Rin mutters and the other demon smiles widely.

"Alright here's the game, you have to guess who I am! If you don't guess correctly I'll burn your tail off." The demon says jokingly, but Rin thinks he's serious and grabs his tail protectively.

"Can I have a hint?" Rin asks hesitantly and the demon nods happily, it had been too long since one of his brothers came to play.

"Of course! I am the demon king of fire, one of Satan's sons, and Amaimon's first mate." The demon tells and watches as Rin's face first contorts into thinking, but then into recognition.

"Ibis?"

"Yes! Otouto your so smart." Ibis praises and Rin's tail wags at the praise. "So now that, that is out of the way how is Assiah?"

"Wait, I came here to learn about my flames and my sword not talk about Assiah." Rin says and Ibis smirks as he ruffles Rin's hair lightly.

"Of course Otouto, but it has been very many years since I was allowed to go to Assiah… see Father hasn't always seen eye to eye with me, so that's why I no longer live at the castle." Ibis explains and Rin nods his head in understanding, then he launches into the long story of how he had come to break Kurikara and everything that happened after that including when Amaimon had started telling him about them.

Several hours later

"And that brings us to now." Rin says as he takes a deep breath as he sits down in his brother's house. They had moved inside at the part where he had first met Satan.

"I see, that is quite a story Otouto… and it is unfortunate that Lucifer had to die, though it's not surprising. He and Father never ever got along, he was always jealous of Mephisto even after he left." Ibis tells as he gets up and disappears to another room. When he comes back he has a glass of clear liquid that Rin assumed was water, but can't be sure as he warily inspects it. "Rin if I were to kill you, I wouldn't have allowed you to set foot into my home."

"Fair enough." Rin says as he gulps down the beverage and smiles as he feels lightheaded afterwards, however he quickly grows to regret that decision when he feels the burn on the back of his throat.

"Rin! Otouto that was one of Gehenna's strongest liquors, you're supposed to sip it not chug it." Ibis shouts sternly as he watches Rin's ears point downward in submission and fear. The older demon chastises himself for yelling when he sees his younger brother's harsh reaction.

"I'm sorry… Ibis, the room is spinning and it's making me dizzy." Rin slurs out as he looks like he might cry, and Ibis just rolls his eyes at his now heavily intoxicated brother.

"Yes I suppose it would be, come on Rin let's get you into bed. You must be exhausted from the trek." Ibis urges as he helps Rin to stand up, which doesn't go so well... so for the sake of time and Rin's dignity. Ibis picks him up and carries him to the bed, once there he pulls of the boy's jacket and pants lying them on the dresser neatly. He goes to leave the room but Rin makes a small whimper noise in the back of his throat that stops him dead in his tracks.

"Where are you going?" Rin asks as he looks to the demon with pleading eyes. He didn't like to be alone, when he was alone his thoughts always turned into flashbacks of Shima's torture and Rin didn't… no couldn't handle that right now.

"My couch to sleep, why do you need something Otouto?" Ibis asks tiredly as he observes Rin's hesitance to be alone as the younger looks down at the sky blue covers.

"No… it's just I thought…"

"Thought what Otouto?" Ibis asks quietly as he sits down on the edge of the bed. He knew what Rin wanted, but was waiting… because he knew there had to be a better reason for following the voices in his head.

"I thought it would be easier, and I thought I would be back with Yukio by now… Ibis I have been gone for over three days now… Yukio must be a wreck and not to mention Shiro…."

"Rin we will start training tomorrow and I will get you back to your mate as soon as I can, but you must be aware that you won't see him for a few weeks." Ibis replies apologetically. He was suddenly glad he had given Rin the alcohol because by the look of shock, Rin would have decked him if he was able.

"Weeks?" Rin squeaks out.

"I'm sorry but this kind of knowledge takes months to learn and years to master, hell I'm still learning even now. However I will teach what you need to learn to protect yourself and others… You will need to come back eventually to finish the training." Ibis explains and Rin just nods in understanding laying down and turning away from his brother as tears fall from his eyes. He suddenly wishes he had brought Yukio… well it would have been more of a dragging because Yukio didn't trust his judgement anymore since the voices began again. Ibis says nothing else as he goes to leave but Rin's tail grabs his quickly.

"Can you stay? It's just that this is a strange place and I'm…" Rin stammers out, but is cut off by Ibis.

"Of course Otouto. I understand this is a lot to take in at once, but trust me when I say this. You will return to them and you will be able to help them." Ibis promises as he settles down next to him and he is unprepared for Rin to snuggle himself closely to him. Thanks to Mephisto and Amaimon (well mostly Amaimon) Rin had grown very attached to his demonic brothers lately and he had no hesitance when it came to this one; after all he had saved him for a demonic bear and guided him safely through the maze of Gehenna. At first Ibis wasn't sure what to do; it had been many years since someone had snuggled with him, and if he had to put a number to those years it would have been at an eon or so if not more. So hesitantly he wraps his arms around the sniffling demon, knowing that from the combination of physical exhaustion, sleep deprivation, and the shock of the news he had received had crippled this already fragile demon. "Otouto, shh… I'm here." Ibis whispers in a calming tone and can feel how Rin falls asleep slowly as his breathing evens out. Ibis then leaves the bed undressing, and then slipping back in quietly and Rin resumes his cuddling. Once settled in Ibis too falls into a deep sleep filled with dreams of his family for the first time in eons.

Awhile later

Still night

"No, no, no! Shima stop! You're hurting me, please stop!" Rin screams in his nightmare jolting Ibis awake as well as himself.

"Rin, what's wrong? Are you all right?" Ibis asks with concern as he sits upright in the bed noticing how Rin had bolted from the bed and was now in the far corner of the room. He was facing the wall and huddled in there making himself as small as possible.

"I told him no and no, but he wouldn't listen… he wouldn't listen, he just kept going… Ibis, I tried to stop him but the.." Rin rambles and Ibis looks at his broken brother sadly.

"Rin I know what he did but it's over now, I watched Yukio kill him… Come back to bed Otouto." Ibis urges gently as he helps Rin out of the corner slowly. He then helps Rin lay back down and Rin clings to him desperately. "I tried to send help, but my demons were cut down by Exorcist's and Mephisto before they could contact Yukio or Amaimon… Not to say it was their fault. How could they have known?" Ibis says soothingly while stroking Rin's sweat soaked hair as his breathing remains erratic. "Do you want to know what I used to tell Amaimon when he was scared?"

"What?" Rin asks in between ragged breaths.

"Look to the sky for there are stars there to guide you even in the darkest of nights, and if that didn't help then I would tell him... There are many truths of this world that cannot be changed. One, darkness is always conquered by light. Two, when you're frightened think of me for like the sun I am always there for you. Three, the moon will light your path at night while the sun in the day and they will guide your path to that of the truth which is always revealed to those who look for it…. So in short… The sun, the moon, and the truth." Ibis explains and he watches as Rin focuses in on the words taking them to heart.

"The sun, the moon, and the truth…" Rin mutters and repeats the mantra as he feels it even out his breathing. Ibis joins him repeating the mantra, and soon Rin falls back into a deep sleep. It is not long before Ibis joins him as well.

meanwhile in Assiah

"Dad it's been over two weeks an no one has seen him, he must be dead by now." Yukio insists as he tugs at the sleeve on his Exorcist's coat angrily. "I'm not throwing him another funeral and I can't stand the not knowing." Yukio grumbles as he stops fiddling with his coat. Lately Yukio had been having very vivid wet dreams that left him satisfied, but not really satisfied he wanted his brother back… No he needed his brother back because more often than not he could feel his demonic side creeping up on him when he got angry… it was getting harder and harder to hold back.

"Yukio I understand your frustration, but we can find him… You know your brother how he always loves to hide.. I'm sure we'll find him a day or two." Shiro says reassuringly as he puts a hand to his son's shoulder.

"No we're never going to find him." Yukio mutters in defeat as he begins stalking towards a nearby door and jams his keys in, opening a portal to True Cross dungeon.

"Yukio what are you doing?" Shiro asks as he follows his son to the dungeon room, where Yukio proceeds to lock himself in one of the available cells.

"I'm staying in here now, take over my Cram school classes please. We were in the middle of chapter twenty the effects of wolfs bane on lupines in the middle of transformation." Yukio says in despair as he pulls the door shut.

"Mr. Okumura I think you're being a little over dramatic." Mephisto says as he observes the scene before him with a smile.

"Go to hell Mephisto." Yukio mutters dejectedly as he turns away from them, laying his coat and guns on the other side of the room.

"Again with the dramatics." Mephisto says with an eye roll as he throws his hands up in defeat..

"Hey I know this is kind of irrelevant, but I may have found him." Amaimon mumbles hesitantly as he walks into the room slowly.

"You found him! Amaimon of course that is relevant, where is he?" Yukio shouts as he pulls the cell door open, quickly gabbing his stuff.

"Maybe… his trail is faint but it's there." Amaimon says as he opens a Gehenna gate quickly and they all step through into the dark, rocky landscape of Gehenna.

Ibis' Training grounds

"Good Rin, now three inches to the left… Fantastic!" Ibis shouts as he dodges the boy's flames, over the last few weeks he had been training Rin constantly in an attempt for the boy to better master his powers… and after what seemed like forever Rin had finally gotten good at aiming, controlling, and just using his flames in general; not as good as Ibis but much more proficient than when he started. If this next part went well Ibis was going to start field training him tomorrow to see how well Rin did in actual combat.

"Ibis!" Rin shouts as he is narrowly burned by the older's powers.

"Otouto in real combat the other guy isn't going to make sure you're ready, so you must anticipate everything." Ibis replies as he sends another burst of flame at Rin causing him to jump onto a nearby rock. Rin says nothing as he focuses on lighting the other demon on fire. "I want you to draw your sword, Rin."

"Ibis we have tried this before it…"

"Draw your sword."

"I…"

"Draw it now!" Ibis shouts as he wills his own sword made completely of flame to life he then begins to attack Rin, forcing him to go on the defensive. Rin dances to the side narrowly avoiding being burnt by him. "Otouto you must concentrate."

"How? You're going to kill me!" Rin shouts as he tries to focus on making a sword, but he is unable to.

"Rin focus on the truths and will the flames to obey you! You are their master, command them!" Ibis shouts passionately as he attacks Rin, burning the demon slightly. Rin hisses in pain but does as he suggests.

"The sun, the moon, and the truth… the sun, the moon, and the truth… the sun, the moon, and the truth." Rin repeats and he can feel the sword forming in his mind. Slowly the blade forms in his hands and Ibis stops attacking him to allow fully form his blade. Ibis watches as Rin closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. The blade is thinner than Kurikara and the handle was shorter with a decorative hand guard on the outside that looked like small foxes swirling around his hand. However it was the same length and design as the sword finally manifests itself completely. So with a huge smile Rin looks up to see Ibis clapping proudly as Rin swishes his new sword through the air in excitement, loving how much lighter this felt compared to his old one.

"Congratulations Otouto you have successfully made a demonic blade. What shall you call it?" Ibis asks as he claps Rin on the back proudly. Rin says nothing for awhile, he was in deep thought.

"A blade forged by the flames of redemption." Rin states with confidence as he slashes the air getting a feel for it.

"Are you ready Otouto?" Ibis asks with a sly grin and Rin takes his stance

"I was born ready." Rin says with confidence and the two start the battle immediately. The clash begins at an astonishing rate as the two leave scorch marks all over the ground. As the battle continues each side calls forth their true power and each of them is then engulfed in their respective flames. Rin a blaze of bright blue and Ibis an illumination of cerulean light. The two fight beautifully and brightly unaware of the approaching party of demons.

Please review, it fuels my creativity... All reviews are welcomed even if you hate it.

- Steff