Chapter 20:

Rin didn't know how long he stayed like that. His thin pale hand gripped tightly onto Bon shirt as everyone of his friends stared in worry. After calming down Rin gently pushed Bon away from him. Bon tensed debating on wether he should hold on tighter or allow him to push away. Bon decided on letting Rin move away just enough so he can look at the other. And the sight made Bon feel as though someone had put his heart in a shredder.

Pale, sickly skin, baggy eyes that are now puffy red and disheveled hair. Rin looked down, away from the scholars prying eyes.

"Rin…what happened?" I thought you were okay… a moment of silence before Rin spoke up.

"Nothing….just…guess I got a little claustrophobic…hehe…" Rin forced out nervous laughter. It rattled his hoarse throat. Bon opened his mouth to speak but words failed to come out.

Stop it…stop lying…you were okay…

"Hey Rin…" a soft voice spoke up as the pink haired exorcist crouched down next to Bon. Shocked, Rin looked over at Shima. Shima offered a small, reassuring smile "are you feeling better now?" Shima asked gently. Rin nodded his head before looking away, his hands gripping tightly onto Bon's shirt.

No...your not better, you never were...please stop lying… Bon's eyes never left the smaller teen.

Shima nodded his head before speaking again.

"Why don't we go play a few games. You said you wanted to go to the ferries wheel right?" Shima offered. Rin simply nodded his head.

"Yeah, the Ferris wheel will defiantly cheer you up!" Miwa chimed in. Rin took a breath before standing up. Bon stood as well and watched Rin look up. A fake small smile on his face.

"Yeah, sounds great. Sorry about that. Guess I freaked out back there." Rin waved off. Bon just stared in awe. How long has he been lying like that? The thought made Bon's heart squeeze painfully. Izumi looked up at Rin in disbelief. She knew it and so did everyone else.

But no one knew what to say.

Izumi wasn't good with comforting friends.

Shiemi and Miwa were too shy and quiet.

Shima just wanted to brush it under the rug until it blew over.

And bon….Bon was too baffled and heartbroken to say anything.

So without another daring word, the group made their way to the Ferris wheel.

The walk was tense and quiet. Occasionally Shima would drag Rin over to a game in hopes to ease the mood. After about five games, Rin and the others were able to relax.

Crash! Rin smiled as the baseball smashed into the glass bottles successfully breaking them.

"Your great at this game!" Shima said as the guy in the booth handed Rin a soft cat stuffed animal. Rin smiled and unconsciously petted the stuff animal.

"Of course I am. If anything I'm amazing at breaking things." Rin joked. Shima laughed and waved goodbye to the man at the booth. Rin was actually glad he was spending time with Shima, he wasn't prying or bringing up the incident. Shima was always the type to live in the moment. And that's what Rin needed.

To live in the moment.

With a happy jump Shima dragged Rin over to another stand. Bon and the others following behind.

"Hey Izumi, do you know what happened?" Bon asked the purple haired exorcist as they followed the exuberant duo.

"No. We were going to meet up with you guys but then…I turned around and Rin was entering the mirror maze. Next thing I know is that Rin is crying at the exit." Izumi explained as she looked at Rin, concern covering her expression. Bon frowned at the lack of answers before Izumi spoke up again. "I do remember the dean following him inside though." Izumi explained.

"The dean? You mean Mephistopheles?" Bon responded, shocked and confused. Izumi nodded her head before looking back at the two. Bon furrowed his eyebrows. What was Mephisto doing in the mirror maze, did he do something to cause Rin to get upset like that?

"I'm sorry…I should've been more careful…" Izumi said looking down at the ground. Bon looked at the girl.

"There's no need to be sorry. You did good, calling us. Also, you were able to comfort Rin." Bon said feeling guilty that he wasn't there for the half demon.

"Bon's right Izumi…" Shiemi's quiet voice spoke up, grabbing the two exorcists attention. "You did great. At least you actually said something." Shiemi said, twiddling her thumbs.

"Shiemi…" Izumi said quietly.

"Look, we're all upset. But we all did what we could. Let's just enjoy the rest of the festival and worry about it tomorrow okay?" Miwa offered gently. Everyone nodded their head and continued to follow behind Rin and Shima.

Eventually they all made it to the Ferris wheel. The giant wheel flowed vibrantly in the sky. Excitedly, Rin rushed over with his friends, grabbing hold of Bon's hand.

"Slow down! It's not going anywhere." Bon joked lightly as he was dragged by the eager exorcist. Rin chuckled and made it over to the line. The night air was crisp and cold as the teens stood in line.

"After this, there's a good spot to see the fireworks." Miwa explained. Rin nodded his head as they made it to the front of the line. As the next cart moved in front of them Bon and Rin made it inside and sat down comfortably. Rin smiled as the Ferris wheel began to turn. He looked out the window, eyes wide and shimmering with excitement. Bon watched fondly at the other as they rose to the top. Rin sat back down next to Bon and hugged his knees to his chest soaking in the view.

"Hey, you okay." Bon asked. Rin responded with a sigh and nodded his head.

"Yeah. I'll be fine." Rin said, not looking at the other. Bon sighed and scooted closer, rubbing the others back comfortably. Bon and Rin quietly looked out to the glimmering lights of the amusement park.

"Do you think Rin will be alright?" Shiemi asked as she stepped on the cart with Miwa.

"He'll be fine. This is Okumura we're talking about." Miwa reassured Shiemi as they both sat down in the cart. Shiemi looked down sadly.

"Yeah….I just wished I could do something to help." Shiemi said. Miwa frowned lightly at her.

"Don't beat yourself up. You being there by his side is enough." Miwa said. Shiemi nodded her head as Miwa grabbed his arms nervously. What was he supposed to do? Just saying that took a lot of confidence from him.

"If it helps, I wasn't much help either. I honestly didn't know what to say." Miwa said, the grip on his arms tightened. Shiemi looked up to see a trembling Miwa.

"Konekomaru…" Shiemi said quietly.

"He said he was okay…the other day, I should've known something was wrong…" Miwa bit his lip as his eyesight became blurry. Shocked, Shiemi walked over and hugged her friend.

"It's not your fault. Rin will be okay." Shiemi tried to reassure the small cram student.

Izumi walked into the cart followed by Shima. The pink haired exorcist flashed a smirk before sitting next to Izumi.

"Well, It looks like it's just you and me huh Izumi?" Shima said. Izumi glared and crossed her arms.

"How are you so calm!" The purple haired teen said. Shima made a questioning Daiu during and raised an eyebrow.

"What do you-"

"You know what I mean! Rin, your best friend, was in tears and your brushing it off." Izumi said angrily. Shima rubbed the back of his neck before looking out the window, away from Izumi.

"Look, it's just easier…-"

"Easier?! Of course! I'm not surprised. You would do anything to make things easier wouldn't you? Even at the expense of-"

"STOP IT OKAY!?" Shima yelled, startling the purple haired girl before looking down defeated. "Look…it's just…I didn't know what to do…and when I don't know what to do, I brush it off to the side." Shima explained quietly. Izumi stared at the other in shock before looking away. After a moment of silence Izumi spoke up.

"Well…your not the only one… I panicked when .I found Rin. I've never really had to comfort anyone…but…but that doesn't mean you should just brush it off! Sometimes you have to….uh…do things you never did before in order too…"

"Are you trying to comfort me?" Shima asked looking at .Izumi with raised eyebrows.

Shima's scream of pain echoed throughout the theme park that night.

Each pair got off one at a time as their carts stopped at the end. Shima and Izumi exited the cart and went over to the group waiting for them. Shima looked down and noticed Bon was holding Rin's hand. A sly smirk making his way to his lips he chuckled and pointed at the two.

"You two look like a couple." He teased. Causing Bon and Rin to move away from each other. Izumo covered her mouth and held in her laughter.

"SHIMA!" The two yelled in unison looking away from each other. Miwa and .Shiemi smiled before laughing quietly. Miwa then took the opportunity to speak up.

"Okay, there's a perfect place around here to watch some fireworks. Let's head over there now. Also on the way we'll be passing some food places so feel free to grab some food on the way." Miwa explained as he took the lead, walking in that direction. Everyone followed as they walked down the path. Izumo and Shiemi stopped to get some food and Shima and Miwa went to grab some drinks. Miwa returned later with a few cat treats, giving them to Rin saying that Kuro might want some. Rin smiled and took it greatfully.

"Thanks, I'm sure Kuro will love them." Rin said before tucking them away in his pocket, shifting the stuffed animal cat in his arms. Bon tapped Rin's shoulder and pointed to a food stand.

"Hungry?" He offered Rin shook his head no but followed Bon to the stand.

"I just ate with Izumo not too long ago I'll be fine." Rin explained. Bon nodded and ordered food for himself and they continued walking down the path.

"Alright we're here! Fireworks will start in twenty minutes." Konekomaru explained as the smaller exorcist laid down a blanket Shima smiled excitedly.

"Alright! Koneko you thought of everything! Perfect view, quiet and no ones around. Sweet!" Shima gushed happily as he sat down. Miwa smiled happily at the compliment and sat down with the others. They settled and talked amongst themselves. After a while, the first firework went off. Everyone awed at the burst of color in the sky.

Rin smiled feeling giddy until…

BOOM

His wrist started to burn.

BOOM BOOM

A lump formed in his throat.

BOOM BOOM BOOM

Rin's clock started to count down.

Bon looked over at Rin but paused what he was about to say. He watched as tears fell from his eyes. The scholar reached over and wrapped an arm around the others shoulder. Rin felt the warmth of his classmates arm, and then a comforting petite hand on his back. Then a hesitant, unsure hand on his arm and the comforting presence of his friends. More tears flowed freely down his face. Because his friends were there. And he was here.

And he felt happy.

A/N:

Me: yay another update! :) imma so happy. I want to say thank you to Aleks.5.15.1930 for posting that review! Honestly if it wasn't for that review this chapter probably wouldn't exist lol so thank you so much! It means so much to me and I appreciate it! :)

Please review and tell me what you think!

Bon: wow. An update.

Rin: and she even made a decent authors note, all by herself.

Bon:* sniffles*

Rin: are you crying?

Bon: they just grow up so fast…