The exorcist cram school was getting smaller in numbers. Izumo was still under intensive care in the private ward. Nemu Takara had been withdrawn by Mephisto, having no need to place him amongst the exwires anymore. Meanwhile Shima was with the Illuminati, having turned out to be a traitor, and Amaya was resting in Gehenna.

"Aw, stop looking so sad, all of you kids!" Shura slammed the table, trying to get the attention of the gloomy students; she was getting disheartened by the lack of vigor in the classroom as well. "Especially you! Okumura Rin!"

"Y-yeah, Rin," Konekomaru prodded the low spirited half-demon. Even Shiemi was trying her best to cheer him up. Rin was feeling miserable, after facing Illuminati's overwhelming forces, the betrayal of Shima, and especially learning the death of Sophine from Mephisto. It wasn't anybody's fault, Mephisto had reminded all of them, it was only but a beautiful sacrifice and it's inevitable that losses would happen in a battle.

"Now, guys!" Shura took out an envelope in an attempt to brighten the atmosphere, "I have something for all of us! Remember the kraken incident? Nol has kindly sent us tickets for a hot spring stay in gratitude for True Cross Order's help!"

Konekomaru and Shiemi cheered albeit too loudly but Rin stayed sullen, staring at the desk. "Stop it, Rin." Bon glowered, his voice low with danger. Despite Bon having a hard time accepting Shima's betrayal, he knew that he had to stop acting like a brat. "We have to face forward." Bon grabbed Rin's collar suddenly, trying to shake the grieving man out of reverie.

"Yes, I'm sorry…" Rin mumbled.

"Thank you Amaimon, for everything." Amaya smiled, her face was tired but she knew she had to stop worrying the people around her, there was no time to grief anymore. Amaya had lost consciousness in the Illuminati's headquarter, her heartstring was broken when her beloved father passed in her arms.

Amaimon had brought the fire princess back to his garden, and she had stayed silent for the three days that passed after waking up from her slumber of tears. Amaimon was helpless, he didn't know what to do, except only to bring food to her bedside daily and placing bouquet after bouquet of flowers in front of her. He was glad that Amaya was finally back to her usual self, the strong willed and happy girl she always was.

The Earth King was having a difficult time trying to understand his emotions as well, the words from his former fiancée had still lingered in his mind. He had felt sympathy and regret for the ice demon; but now he was clear on what to do, he knew he had to protect Amaya at all cost.

Amaimon loved Amaya dearly, his instinct to protect her even stronger after watching Vulcan disintegrating into ashes right in front of them. For Amaimon, it was the very first time he had learnt of kinship and loss; and for the first time, he had never felt so miserable for being unable to save somebody. He had only know how to kill but now he had to learn how to protect.

"Let's take a break." Amaimon showed Amaya the two tickets for hot springs stay. "All of us need a rest." Shura had tasked Mephisto with two tickets to invite Amaimon and Amaya to the hot springs with them, it would be perfect if the entire class could come together.

On the way to Assiah, Amaya suddenly clasped Amaimon's hand, much to the latter's astonishment. Amaya only smiled in shy reply, and Amaimon's expression softened immediately. No words were actually needed between the two.

"You guys are late!" Shura yelled as she noticed the two figures approaching them while the rest looked on in surprise. "I am so glad you are here as well!" Shiemi waved vigorously, sauntering forward to envelop Amaya in a tight hug.

Rin smiled, leaning forward to pat Amaya's head affectionately, all the while Amaimon looked on in disdain but he had finally accepted their friendship. The group was together, even with Izumo who was discharged, the exwire looking tired but her health was back.

Izumo was being caught for her bloodline to become a vessel for the nine tail foxes, and fortunately, the demon was yet to be instilled into her body. She was being detained for blood tests and the infusion of potent anesthetics had rendered her immobile in the preparation for transit to the main headquarter of Illuminati in Japan. Behemoth had appeared in the nick of time to interrupt the procedure, managing to retrieve the exwire before she was transferred over to the main branch.

In the distance, a certain pink haired man was running enthusiastically to join the group and it was Shima's appearance that was the final straw, throwing the group into chaos. Shima had begun his relentless explanation to clear his name; with Shura giving evidence after having learnt the truth from Vatican, and they had proven his undercover job as a double spy. The bridge of trust was being salvaged but his name had been marred indefinitely as the eyes of distrust still gaze at him.

"Let's just enjoy ourselves today, alright kids?" Shura initiated, bringing an end to all the loud banter, gesturing for them to follow her. She needed a rest too, she was worn out after endless missions.

Yukio was unnerved by the movements of Illuminati and he had wanted to stay back in the academy to prepare for the upcoming battle but he knew that a break was necessary. Even Yukio was mentally and physically drained. All of the exwires were on the tips of their toes, especially with the sudden deaths and losses, the betrayal of friendships.

Yukio then pulled Rin and Bon away from the group, who was in a heated argument with each other about nothing in particular. He was glad that the two of them are back to being themselves but their noisy chatter was getting on his nerves. Konekomaru and Shima were trudging quietly at the back, while Shiemi was showering Izumo with endless questions and promising to look at her wounds properly later.

Shura stood at the hem of the small group, conversing with Amaimon while Amaya followed in silence, leading the group up the long staircase to the Japanese inn.

"This place is near Hokkaido, isn't it?" Amaimon had wondered aloud, and Shura answered his question. "Yes but I don't think they are ready to launch another attack anywhere so soon." Meanwhile, Behemoth drooled in Amaya's arms as the familiar lay quietly asleep, comforted by his mistress's warmth. In time, the exorcists and demons alike had quickly adjusted to a relaxing mood, deciding to enjoy themselves for the time being as they put the impending danger in the corner of their minds.

Of course, none of them were aware of the dark skies brewing in near distance.

"Let's enjoy the bath, shall we?" Shima perked aloud, as soon as everyone had unpacked and were gathered in the main hall of the inn. They sat on the tatami mats, dressed traditionally in yukatas, and everyone was sipping a cup of green tea. Even Amaimon, the demon prince, was lying leisurely on the mat, propping his chin up as he listened to what Shima was saying.

"Now that everyone is ready…. let's all enter together!" Shima cheered, pumping his fist into the air in excitement as he made the lewd suggestion. Rin began to blush fervently as his thoughts ran amok in his head while Bon glared at Shima, his old friend's perversion had never change.

Yukio raised his eyebrows in contempt as Amaimon turned away, expecting the exorcist to say something that would be of more interest. Luckily the group had the whole inn to themselves; they sure were making a loud ruckus over Shima's suggestion.

"N-NO, WE CAN'T!" Rin suddenly yelled, "It's not the right time yet!" As he began mumbling illogically about waiting after marriage; Shura, Izumo and Shima were engaged in a noisy banter as the two women attempted to punch Shima.

"Thre's a mixed gender bath here, I don't see what is wrong!" Shima protested as he stood up with a new determination, "It's not as if we would enter stark naked or anything!" Shima grinned lecherously, wanting to see as much as possible.

"Even if the ladies have the towels on… you are planning to do something more, ain't ya?" Rin asked quietly, his face a queer shade of tomato red. Shima yelled proudly at his question, "Yes, you are correct, Okumura-kun! Let all of us embark on this beautiful journey together as we deepen our comradery!"

"B-but… Shiemi-chan…" Rin started his incoherent stutter again; with Yukio looking upon them in disbelief as he closed his exorcist notebook, in preparation to stop the childish thoughts of his brother at once, "Izumo-chan… Shura-sensei… and Amaya-chan…I… I-I…"

At the mention of Amaya's name, Amaimon twitched with agitation, it was obvious that Rin was thinking of something unpleasant.

The Earth King then stared at Rin before casting a long glance at his companion as well, Shima; his finger pointing at the two of them as he made no attempt to conceal his contempt for them.

"I will kill you."

Amaimon's dangerous threatens had sent the room into a state of disturbing silence and Shura grinned in approval; the Earth King had successfully ended all of Shima's perversion and the group was able to enter the bath in turns peacefully.

The ladies had entered first, the hot steam had effectively concealed their bodies from any possible prying eyes; with Shura entering the bath rather brazenly with nothing on and the rest shyly with their towels. Everyone was tired and had much needed this soak. The water was warm and had a sweet fragrance of Earth; the ladies took their time inside and conversed leisurely.

After the group had all taken their bath, everyone was having dinner together in the main dining hall when Shura's cellphone rang abruptly.

"Mephisto…?" Shura looked at the caller ID in bewilderment as she pressed 'accept'. It was unusual for the principal to call Shura, especially when they were having their time off from missions.

At the same time when Shura was speaking to Mephisto, Kuro and Behemoth ran out of the hall suddenly, having sensed something out of the ordinary in the vicinity. The inn was seated on a lone mountain, near the source of the spring water, and it was isolated by thick bamboo groves around the area. It would be unusual for anybody to pass by, especially since the whole place was reserved by them. Unless, it were demons…

"Behemoth! Kuro!" Amaya stood up to chase after the familiar, the reins slipping through her grip. Kuro had knocked down some of the dishes on top of the table in its haste to head out; it was unusual for the two familiars to be this upset suddenly.

Amaimon grabbed her arms to stop her, as even the prince had sensed something foreboding. Rin unsheathed his blade and whispered, his tail standing on end, "Something is coming."

Their meal was abruptly put to an end; all of the exorcists started to take their weapons out as they prepared to face a battle with the unknowns. The sky turned unnervingly dark as the last of the luminous moon was eventually devoured by the passing dark clouds; the vicinity turned eerily silent as the soft noises of the insects and animals in the vicinity was gone. It was as if time had stood still.

It was a premonition of something horrifying.

"Bad news." Shura started to draw her blade out of her chest as she put her cellphone away. "This is the end of our vacation. Mephisto had gotten wind that Illuminati is going to conquer Hokkaido by force tonight. Their demons will move when night falls… which means… now."

The earth started to shake at her words, and everyone was struggling to keep their foothold as the ground shook violently. Food splattered onto the mats as the lights on the ceiling flickered on and off. Amaya stabbed her sword down into the ground, trying to keep her stance. Amaimon and Rin ran out into the darkness, preparing to destroy the incoming demons as both of them chased after their familiars.

Amaimon and Rin came face to face with an all too familiar demon; a humanoid demon with a large flower disturbingly sprouting from his forehead, fingers of stalks elongated from the stump of her palms as the demon greeted them with razor sharp teeth. It was the same demon; the tentacles from the Illuminati basement, the murderer of their comrade and the fruit of Amaimon's powers.

Amaimon scowled at Sophine's murderer, and he swiftly touched the ground, sending the earth to a standstill. Rin's bright blue flames shone brightly in the dark as his blade faced their opponent, revealing the horrendous creature in front of them. Amaimon and Rin were preoccupied by their challenger while many smaller demons attacked the inn from other directions.

"Let's put an end to this, vile creature from my past doing."