Disclaimer: I am not the owner of Blue Exorcist or Once Upon a Time
(Today, near Storybrooke)
Getting to the small town not far from Storybrooke was easy. Seeing those blue flames again was nothing but a reminder. Rin! Get back, those flames are a sign that Satan is here! Kuro's shout was the first one Rin heard as he entered the streets, hearing the screams in the air.
Not even looking back, Rin scowled and glared up at the sky. "Yeah, I know it is." He took a deep breath, scanning the city for the exact body Satan was in right now. Behind him, he could hear Neal and Shiro stop running, seeing Rin standing the the center of town. "Hey, Kuro? You wanna know why I didn't want to tell you what I was?" The cat blinked at him, tilting his head. "It's because I hate what I am. I hate knowing the truth…but sometimes, I guess it is better to just accept it and begin moving forward. Maybe I'm not strong, and maybe I can't do anything but be a hot-headed kid who starts fights he can't win…but here, I might be able to save someone by just being what I am."
Rin, please don't! I want to know more about you, and have you scratch my back again. Don't let Satan win, Rin! You don't have to be a hero, when you can step back and live to fight another day.
"Rin, get back from there! This place is dangerous…and these flames—" Shiro was speaking, but Rin was done listening to others.
"I know exactly what they are. Hey Kuro? I'm sorry I lied before…maybe I'm not a full-blooded demon…but I'm definitely half-demon." The cat blinked at him, before smiling widely.
I knew you smelled like one! I guess that's why you also smelled different too. See, we're a lot alike, right? Doesn't that make you want to step back so we can try to be friends, Rin?
He smiled, happy to hear that Kuro really did care in some way. Maybe he hardly knew the cat, but an odd bond was forming quickly between the two of them. "Thank you, Kuro…for being the first to accept that I might not just be a monster because of this. However…I think I'm going to have to destroy even that. Because…because I'm not just any demon, Kuro." Looking towards the cat, Rin felt tears on his cheeks again. Behind him, Shiro had gone oddly silent, with Neal's eyes wide as they both listened in on his conversation with the cat. "You'll see in just one moment…because I need to do something big and flashy to get his attention before more people die."
Rin, wait!
Kuro tried chasing after him, likely with the intent to stop him. However, Rin reached behind his head, closing his eyes. "I'm ready. You wanted to find me, well here I am!" Rin shouted out his words to the sky, drawing out Kurikara and feeling his body ignite with warmth. His tail lashed out behind him, swinging around as he glared around through the blue flames to try and spot anyone approaching. "Show yourself! I heard you before, looking for your son. Well, take a good look! Because I can't possibly have this power if I'm not your kid, right?"
He could remember Amaimon's words, about this power being just like Satan's. Not only that, but Red had pretty much said the same thing about their scents. He could not deny this, not anymore. "Hell…Shiro, what kind of a kid did we just find in the woods today?"
Neal's voice came from behind him, talking to his partner. "He's…it can't be…Yuri's son…" He recognized the name again, blinking in surprise at the old man. "She's alive. Somehow, she is still al—"
"No. My mother died the moment I was born." Rin spoke harshly, not wanting to let him have any false hope. "Still…I'm surprised that an old fart like you even knew about her. I figured it would be something you exorcists didn't like…the idea of some human having a demon as her kid."
"And you would be correct, my son." A different voice spoke, layered with undertones as a person walked forward, covered in blue flames. Rin did not recognize the person, but he knew what the voice and fire meant. "Finally…I've found you. Such a shame Yuri passed on before our dream could be realized…but together, you and I can make it a reality." A hand was held out towards him, while Rin swallowed and tightened his grip on his sword. "Those exorcists were the ones who forced my hand, who forced me to send her away! I spent decades, searching for her, for you…and now that we're together again, I'm never allowing us to be apart. My son…how I've longed for this moment."
Stay away from Rin! Startled, Rin looked back to see Kuro growing inside, growling and charging forward. I don't care if he's your son, he's my friend. I'm going to defend him just like I defend Shiro. He was crying about what he was…he doesn't want to be your son, so leave him alone!
"Kuro…please, don't—" Satan laughed, interrupting Rin as he gazed at Kuro's form.
"You'll keep me away? Don't make me laugh. I am called the king of Gehenna for a reason, puny pet." Moving forward, Satan moved to attack. However, Rin wasn't going to sit back and watch him hurt Kuro. Moving forward, Rin slashed out with the flat edge of his sword, slamming it into Satan's stomach to shove him back.
"I'm not letting you hurt him!"
"Oh? I see you've already reached your rebellious stage. No matter, we can sort that out back home." He smiled, as if pleased with the announcement. "Now, don't you want to be free of this world? Haven't you seen enough of their hate? With me, we can find a way to make it all go away…to create the perfect world of peace, just as Yuri wanted us to do."
"Somehow, I don't think this is what she had in mind when she thought of peace." Rin scowled, glaring at him. "You want a peaceful world? Fine, I'd be happy to help. However, this isn't the way to get that!"
"Then you will come with me by force, and I will show you exactly why it is the only way to get there! Do you think I have not tried other methods, my son? Look at what my power does to bodies here in Assiah?" It was a horrifying sight, with the body now bleeding from his eyes as blue flames consumed him. "Stop being so immature. Just grow up and learn to listen like the rest of your brethren."
"But I'm not like them." Rin realized he really was different. "I'm not a demon. But I'm also not human. See…I'm just me, and right now, the person I am can't stand the sight of someone like you…willing to throw lives away for something as pointless as anger over a person who gave up everything just so your own kid could live! What kind of messed up logic is that? Kill for the person who fought for life? If you ask me, that's what is screwed up about your plans. Find another way…and once you have, maybe then I'd be willing to talk."
Turning away, Rin sheathed his sword and took a deep breath. Satan was silent, staring at him with wide eyes as his body began to burn away. "You do this again…and I don't care what I have to do, I'll hunt you down and find a way to beat the shit out of you."
There was no response, and Rin didn't really expect one. However, as he stared into the eyes of Shiro and Neal, he somewhat found himself wishing there had been one. He had just gotten himself into a huge mess, and he really had no way of explaining what had just happened other than the truth. He was so dead, especially considering he had inherited the very power exorcists feared so much from Satan.
(Many years ago, in the Enchanted Forest)
Rin could tolerate many things from his step-mother. He had accepted that she was grieving over a loss from long ago. Snow had told him about it, of course, but she spoke so highly of Regina that he never really thought it would be a problem. Yet, there were some things that took it too far. After the death of the king, Regina was crowned queen. At the same time, she changed. Everything about the mother he had grown to know vanished in an instant. The kindness he thought was in her was gone, and he often found himself hiding away in the castle, playing games with Snow and Yukio to avoid her wrath.
Really, he didn't understand why she had changed. "He must miss my father. I do too." Snow spoke about it softly, on rare occasions. However, what he saw that angered him most was her treatment of Snow.
"That dress is not becoming of a princess. It makes it look like you are selfish, flaunting your wealth to those beneath you." Regina had tossed Snow a set of maid's rags instead, dirty and unwashed, rather than the sparkling pink ball gown she had been wearing. "Try these instead. They'll make you more presentable to the public."
Yukio had said nothing, but Rin couldn't stand it. "No way! She's fine in what she's wearing, and people will laugh at her for—"
He broke off as Regina spun around on him, moving forward and grabbing his wrist harshly, tugging him closer. "What did you say? Are you trying to argue against your queen?"
"Mother, please release Rin. You do know that my brother can be an idiot at times." Yukio spoke, actually defending that girl! Angered, Rin glared at his brother, while Regina simply huffed and released him.
"Of course. Now, do as I ask, and all will be just fine."
Of course, Snow had done as requested without complaint. "Really, you didn't need to complain, Rin. It doesn't matter what I wear. Mother used to always tell me that true beauty lies within, and I know my heart is as pure and beautiful as they could come."
Maybe, but it didn't mean Regina was kind. His dislike only grew the more Regina tried to fight back against Snow. Then, the disaster came. Rin had still been fairly young when he noticed it. Regina had told both Yukio and him that Snow would be gone for a while, saying she moved away to one of the other castles to have some time by herself. However, when he was in town shopping, he saw the flyer. Pictured in a crude drawing, Snow White was labeled as a bandit and traitor to the queen, with a reward for bringing her in either dead or alive.
Angered, Rin had turned to find Yukio who had been getting books while Rin got the ingredients to make supper for their family again. Really, it was the one task Regina ever left him in charge of around the castle these days. "Yukio! Hey, are you there?" His brother blinked at him, frowning faintly at Rin's expression.
"What's up, Rin?"
"Have you seen these flyers?" Yukio took the paper from Rin's hands, frowning as he studied it. "Regina is trying to get Snow killed! I told you there was something off about her. We need to get away from her now, before she does the same thing to us."
"Calm down, Rin. There's no reason to be rash." Yukio frowned, looking back up at him. "From what I could tell, Snow really was the only one of us she truly hated like this. Maybe we should figure out a way to help her, but running off with her will only make Regina angry with us as well. Then we'd all die together, and no one would win."
"Just because it's dangerous, you want to back out?"
"Rin, that's not what I'm saying."
Glaring at him, Rin crossed his arms over his chest. "Sure sounds like what you're saying. She's our sister, even if we're not related by blood. In fact, I'd say she's just as important as if she were. Family is more than blood, Yukio."
"I know that! But listen, if you leave, Regina will know you are helping her. She'll force someone to track you down too, and I won't be able to protect you."
"Then we just will have to not get caught." Rin grinned at his brother, grabbing his shoulders tightly. "Snow was always more like family to us than she was, Yukio. Regina never loved any of us…we were all just burdens to her."
"She cared about us, in her own way." Yukio looked away, staring at the ground. "It's just that she doesn't seem to know how to show it. I wonder, sometimes, how she grew up. If she was loved…and if that love was displayed in harsh forms."
"I can't believe you just said that. The Evil Queen, caring about others?" Rin snorted, shaking his head. "Whatever. I'm not going to force you to do anything…but one day, you're going to wake up, and I'll be gone. I'm not going to abandon Snow when I'm needed. In fact…I wouldn't abandon anyone, no matter what cost I had to pay to save them."
"Such a martyr, Rin. I suppose I can't stop you." Yukio sighed, giving him a faint smile. "I'll do what I can to keep Regina's wrath away from you while I'm home, then. I think that will be the best role for me to have in this plan of yours."
Reaching over, Rin hugged his brother and smiled. "Thank you. I wish you were coming too…but thank you for not forcing me to stay."
"How could I ever do something like that to my own brother?" Yukio chuckled, pulling back and patting Rin's shoulder. "I'll always be by your side to support you, Rin, no matter what. Just like I know I can count on you to always have my back when I need you."
Together, they returned to the palace. However, Rin couldn't help but feel himself focusing on the truth of those words he had given to Yukio. If it meant saving someone's life, he really didn't care what it took. It was the right thing to do to protect others, and he was going to show Yukio that he really could succeed on his own and save Snow, in his own way and without needing to rely on his little brother for help.
So, Rin's now impulsively revealed himself, and faced off against Satan directly for the first time. Sadly, this is also where my incredibly rushed ending begins, since this is the point in the draft where I began to run out of future ideas for this story. So, if you would like to see the ending improved, suggestions are welcome! Otherwise, we actually only have two more chapters left until it is complete. Feel free to review and tell me what you think!