Chapter twenty-five: Run
Rin threw himself at Izumo. He wrapped his arms around her pulling her into a tight hug. Despite being surprised by his sudden movement Izumo returned the hug. Rin pulled back to look at her and cupped her face gently, his eyes searching for injuries. Izumo had a few scrapes on her face but other than that she looked fine. He was so happy to see her. Until he noticed the crease between her small eyebrows.
"What the hell are you doing here Rin!?" Izumo yelled.
Rin leaned back at the yell. His tail twitched nervously behind him. Rin gulped and rubbed the back of his head.
"I-I was worried! That phone call freaked me out!" he yelled back.
"'Phone call'…That phone call!? I was telling you I had Rika and I didn't need any help!" Izumo yelled. She grabbed his nose and pulled it, something she did when she was angry at him. Rin slapped her hand away.
With a growl he glared. Usually he'd back down but not after everything that happened that night. "Oh yeah, I'm real sure you didn't! Rika and you got separated!"
"And I found your stupid ass getting strangled! Why didn't you just burn him!?" Izumo snapped.
"Well I…you still lost Rika!" Rin yelled. He was blushing now.
"This is so typical of you!" Izumo groaned. "You always have to be the big stupid hero!"
Rin went to yell but stopped when Rika hugged Izumo. She was crying softly and hiding her face in her sister's shirt. Izumo turned and gently rubbed her back.
"I thought you got caught or hurt!" Rika cried.
"No I'm okay. I told you I'd find you," Izumo said. "Don't worry, everything will be okay."
Rin sat back and sighed gently. Despite they're arguing he was so thankful to see Izumo safe. Looking to the porch he saw the two foxes, Mike and Uke , sitting there yawning. Izumo must have been with them since she came here. Maybe he was stupid for barging into the mansion.
"I found Izumo," Rin said to Yukio. He heard Paku cheer in response and smiled. Jeez, shortbrows really doesn't know how many people worry about her annoying butt.
"Good. Is everything okay?" Yukio asked. "You were quiet for a while."
"Is that Yukio?" Izumo asked. She took Rin's ear piece off forcefully making him yelp. She put it on her ear. "Your brother is a dumbass."
"I know. Are you alright?" Yukio asked.
"Yes I'm fine," Izumo answered. She heard Yukio yawn and sigh.
In a physical sense, yes she was quite fine; mentally, not so much. She hated this place. There were hardly any good memories for her here. There had been way too many familiar faces in this place wondering around as well. Izumo wanted out of this mansion right away.
Yukio wasn't convinced but knew better. Izumo was like an iron box locked up with more keys than a prison. There was no hope for him trying to get her to open up. The only people that had the keys were Rin and Paku. So he let it go deciding Rin would take care of it later.
"Alright, you do know your way around the house right?" Yukio asked.
"Of course I do. I use to live here," Izumo said. If he wasn't her teacher she'd call him stupid. Now that she thought about it she was looking forward to graduating so she could call him stupid.
Yukio recognized her tone and sighed. "Then hand me back to Rin. Be careful Izumo."
Izumo handed Rin the ear piece without a word. Rin fiddled with it until he had it place once more. He watched Izumo stand with Rika. He quickly did the same and followed her up onto the porch.
"Are we getting out of here finally?" Mike asked.
Izumo rolled her eyes at the demons. The foxes had been uneasy since she summoned them. She didn't understand why though since they were high level demons. They shouldn't be bothered by ghosts. It was as if there was something else in the house that was bugging them.
"Yes we're leaving," Izumo said.
"Um…I can't leave just yet…" Rin said. He pointed to himself and had a light blush on his cheeks. "Here comes a Izumo bitchfest…"
"Why not?" she asked slowly glaring at him a little. Rin gulped.
"The idiot lost his sword," Rika said.
"You did what!? How the hell did you lose your sword!?" Izumo yelled.
"Ah, well you see there were these kids and-"
"Stop! I get what happened," Izumo sighed. Earlier she'd seen a few of the dead kids running around with what looked like Rin's sword. She'd just scoffed it off hoping Rin wasn't stupid enough to lose it. She was starting to wonder why she put so much faith in that idiot. "Let's just get Rika out of here first. Then we'll find your stupid sword."
"I'll be okay," Rika said.
"No, were getting you out of here. Rika I'm still mad at you as it is. Don't push it," Izumo warned.
Rika looked at her feet. Rin bit his lip a little stepping next to Izumo.
"Hey listen Rika knows she did something wrong, but she was just really worried about you," Rin said gently. "You're her only sister after all."
Rika was surprised by Rin's sudden defense. Despite everything she thought about the young demon she found herself smiling a little at him. Rika felt glad he said that because after all, that was what this was about. She just wanted to make sure her older sister was safe. Izumo looked at Rin and sighed. Jeez, he even got to her sister…Izumo quickly started walking without a word with Rika in hand. Rin knew Izumo had just agreed with him so he grinned as he followed the sisters.
Izumo really was amazing. She knew where to go and had them back at the small living room with the stairs in minutes. Izumo glanced at the hole and glared at Rin who tried to whistle innocently. She could only roll her eyes as she walked around the hole. The small group went down stairs.
"Rikaa…"
They froze. Rin heard Rika whimper and hid her face in Izumo's side. The foxes growled low at the figure at the top of the stairs. Rin shinned his flashlight on the shadow. It was the burnt woman! She looked down at them with a blank stare.
Izumo felt her heart break. Oh no not her! Anyone but her! "Makoto…"
Izumo recognized the woman instantly. Her name had been Makoto Himuro and her aunt once. For some reason unknown to Izumo she'd taken her father's maiden name. Makoto had been so kind to Izumo when she was a child. She had treated Izumo like her own daughter and she had been the one to tell Izumo about True Cross. Izumo felt tears roll down her cheeks.
"Oh my, look at you Makoto," Mike said. There was a slight sneer in his voice. "How sad."
"Yes very sad," Uke agreed.
Rin looked at the foxes confused. They knew the lady!? Before Izumo could speak Makoto had slammed her down to the ground, her hands around her neck. Rika screamed as her sister struggled and tried to pry the ghost off of her. Rin grabbed a vase from a shelf and threw it at the ghost. She quickly dissipated and reappeared in front of him. She glared at Rin with her one good eye and grabbed him by his hair, and quickly slammed his face into the ground.
Rin felt the world spin as he desperately grabbed the spirit's arm. He closed his eyes and concentrated and set her arm on fire. She screamed and let him go. The blue flames did nothing when she decided to dissipate once more. She reformed and growled at Rin ready to tear his heart out with her bare hands. She picked Rin up by the shirt roughly.
"Auntie Mako!" Izumo screamed.
The woman froze mid punch; Rin had his eyes closed ready for pain. When it didn't come he opened an eye. Slowly, the burnt woman looked at Izumo, squinting her one eye.
"Iz-Izu?" she whispered.
"'Izu'?" If the world wasn't spinning Rin would have probably snorted.
Tears rolled down Izumo's face. She nodded. "Yes it's me Auntie! D-don't hurt him! Please! I don't want to exorcise you!"
"Ex-Exorcise me?" Makoto whispered.
She let Rin drop down to the floor. Slowly she looked at her hands seeing one burnt black while the other was fine. She touched the right side of her face shaking a little. The spirit spotted a small mirror on a shelf and looked at it. A tear rolled down from her one eye seeing what was there. She shook holding herself and sobbed hard. Makoto fell to her knees and screamed.
Rin watched her disappear from site, her sobs slowly leaving after that. He pushed himself up to his feet and ran over to the sisters. Izumo had her face covered with her hands and was sobbing quietly as she tried her best to control herself. Rika was hugging Izumo around her stomach sobbing softly.
"Izumo…are you okay?" he asked. Rin grimaced at the stupid question.
Izumo took a deep breath and wiped away her tears. She nodded. "I'm okay. I'll be okay," Izumo chanted softly. She took another deep breath. "Let's go."
Rin nodded and took Izumo's hand. They needed to get Rika out of here. Rin was pretty sure she was about to break down. She didn't need to see this anymore. The y quickly headed into the large foyer after a few seconds. Izumo ran to the front door and pushed. It wouldn't open. She pushed harder trying her best to get it to move.
"Girl, that door is sealed," Uke said. He sighed at the glare Izumo shot him.
"Can you break it?" Izumo asked.
"Not unless you want to be carried out of here. It would take a lot of your energy to do so. A strong demon has sealed it," Mike explained.
"What should we do then?" Rin asked.
"Kill the demon who made the seal and it will be gone," Uke answered.
Rin groaned and sighed. Great, not only did they have homicidal ghost here there was a strong demon to deal with! And here he was with no sword!
The foxes started to growl towards the door from where they came from. The small group turned to look at whatever had come.
Rin felt his blood run cold. He heard a whimper and whisper come from Rika and Izumo looked ready to vomit. At the door was the figure he saw on the stairs at the festival. Except his time it was armed with a sword. Rin looked at Izumo and felt his heart beat faster. The look of pain and panic was so clear on her face. Rin was sure he knew what was in front of him. Izumo's soft whisper only proved it.
"M-mama…"
Rin jumped in front of the girls. "Get out of here! I'll distract it!"
Izumo seemed not to hear him. All she could do was stare. No, this wasn't possible! Her mother was dead! Why was this here!? Izumo felt tears roll down her cheeks once more. This couldn't be real!
"Izumo!"
Rin's yell brought her back. She looked at him.
"Get out of here! I'll find you guys okay!" Rin flashed her a grin. "I'll distract it until you're gone."
"B-but Rin!" why did he always have to be the hero!?
"Just go! Get Rika to safety!" Rin yelled.
She wiped her tears and nodded. She grabbed Rika's hand and started to run. She knew there was a secret door to the left of the room. Izumo headed to it quickly. The demon started to walk towards them but was stopped when Rin stepped between them. He had a discarded board in his hands holding it much like he did with his sword.
"Nuh-uh! Not happening loser!" Rin yelled.
He swiped at the masked demon. It dodged his attacks easily watching every move he made. It swung the sword low towards Rin's feet. Rin quickly blocked it with his board but the sword got stuck in it making them both stuck. Rin pulled back on his makeshift weapon only to have the masked demon to pull the weapon out o his hands.
He heard Izumo and Rika make it through a door behind him. Good, he'd follow once he got this demon dead. Maybe a taste of his blue flames would finish this. The masked demon pulled the board off it's weapon and threw it aside. It slashed and swung at Rin trying to slice him. Rin was fast, dodging everyone and making sure he didn't get caught in a corner. He just had to get closer so he could touch the demon…Rin picked up a large piece of wood and threw it at the demon's head. The block of wood hit the demon right on the head causing it to stop. It gently touched the spot where it had been hit. Rin instantly regretted this feeling the utter hate radiating off of the masked demon.
He gulped and took a step back. Okay maybe touching this demon was a bad idea. The demon watched him move towards the door that led to the small living room. A twisted laugh came from it giving Rin the chills. Rin turned to run but was pulled back by a hand grasping his arm. He watched at the masked demon leaned in close. He could see the gold eyes behind the mask. They were filled with hate.
"What a foolish child."
Rin was in pain instantly. It was all his body knew. Every part of his body felt like it had been sliced to pieces. His vision was hazy…where was he? The smell of dirt and flowers reached his nose. He couldn't move…so he was going to die in a garden? Like a weak little hobogoblin? How disgraceful…
A sweet smell came to him. The sound of rustling came and sunlight blinded him for a moment. A looming figure was over him. It smelled like a human. He growled, not wanting to be touched by the filthy thing.
"Oh dear! Little fox, what happened to you?"
It was a girl. He growled ready to bite. She reached out to pet him and he reacted violently. He bit her hand drawing blood. She gasped but didn't pull back.
"It-it's okay. I will not harm you," she whispered. "I only want to help."
Her blood was sweet and innocent. He bit down harder, wanting the foolish human to disappear. The woman stayed waiting for him to let go. She did not cry or yell, just stared. What a weird child…Slowly he let go. What a strange human.
The girl giggled and picked him up gently, ignoring her injured hand. "There, there. See? No harm done. Let's get you taken care of Mr. Fox."
Her arms were warm and inviting. His injuries were getting the better of him now. He felt himself drift off to sleep.
Rin awoke with a start. He was laying face first on the wooden floor of the Kamiki manor foyer. He slowly pushed himself up groaning. His head hurt like hell and the world was spinning again, except not as bad. He sat back on his butt and rubbed his head. His vision was slowly coming back, a little blurry but other than that he was fine. What the hell was that anyways? A dream? That was totally different than Mayu's visions.
"Y-Yukio?" Rin called.
"Rin!? Where the hell have you been? What happened? I've been trying to get a hold of you for fifteen minutes!" Yukio said. "What happened?"
"Dunno. This demon wearing a fox mask came out of nowhere. I distracted it while Izumo and Rika ran. It touched me and I saw…" Rin rubbed his forehead. "I saw part of that story I think. The one Paku told us at the festival. I was a fox…I think this human girl helped me. That's when I woke up."
"That's strange," Yukio said.
"Everything is fucking weird here. I'm going to go look for Izumo and Rika now. Hopefully that demon will stay away," Rin said.
"Izumo…Are you okay?" Rika asked.
The girl had not talked since they were separated from Rin. She'd been focused on loosing the masked demon. Izumo was still shaking terribly. Everything felt wrong and upside down. They should have stayed away from this house. Taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly Izumo looked down at Rika.
"Yeah I will be. Come on we need to find a safe place to meet up with Rin," she pulled Rika along.
When she had lived here Izumo had never gone down this hall. She wasn't allowed to explore too much when she was young. Actually she wasn't supposed to know this place existed. When Izumo had been young she had seen her aunt come from it on that faithful night. The girl knew nothing about the mansions secrets until then.
Izumo had always known something was up with her family despite that. The demon who possessed her mother had been hell bent on killing everyone that night. While she knew a few demons took pleasure in doing acts like this, this masked demon had seemed more vengeful than happy. It wanted everyone in the Kamiki family dead.
When Izumo had been separated from Rika she had found many damaged books around the house that filled in a lot of holes. They were all vague of course, talking about the old story about the fox and the mask. And there were ones that wrote something about a ritual, but it had been so damaged Izumo could only get a few details. All she could gather was the ritual required a fox mask and blood.
As she wandered around this place looking for more clues Izumo had seen her grandmother's ghost many times. She had never liked that woman. She treated Izumo as if she was some burden, like she didn't have the right to exist. Izumo's mother always followed her grandmother's orders. She had many memories of the old bat telling her mother not to get close to Izumo; that she had work to do and Izumo would only slow her down. Makoto had been the only real family had outside of her sister and father.
Her heart still hurt remembering the state Makoto had been in. She had been better than that thing they encountered….
Izumo shook her head. She had to focus! The demon that had the house sealed had to be the one in the mask. She had to figure out a way to kill it for good so they could leave.
"Izumo…" Rika pulled on her sister's shirt.
Rika pointed down the hall. At a door was the ghost of their grandmother. She was dressed in her sleeping robe and covered in blood. The old woman hadn't noticed them and went inside a room. Izumo debated whether or not it was worth following her. She had Rika with her now. Before she'd been alone and wasn't worried about spirits. She could take them easily. Looking down at her familiars for a bit Izumo thought about how many more exorcisms she could do. Two maybe if she was lucky.
She tightened her grip on Rika's hand and they went to the door their grandmother's ghost had disappeared in. Izumo opened the door a little and peaked inside. There was no sign of their grandmother. They slipped inside and quietly shut the door. Rika was attached to her sister's side, wondering why exactly they had come in here for.
The room was a small but full library. Every wall had shelves filled with old tattered books. Lying on a desk in the back was an open book. Izumo went over to it and quickly read the page it was open to. Her eyes widened
"What is this!?" Izumo hissed.
She read the passage one more time and covered her mouth. "What's the matter Izumo?" Rika asked. She peaked over to see the book.
Izumo slammed the book shut. She picked up and decided to keep it with her. They needed to talk to Yukio now. She shook as she took Rika by the hand deciding to go back to the foyer. She practically slammed the door shut and turned to go down the hall. Izumo shrieked when a hand grabbed her by one of her pigtails and pulled back harshly.
"What are you doing back here foolish girl!?"
Izumo's grandmother growled deep and low at the girl. She recognized Izumo despite her older appearance.
"Let go of me you old hag!" Izumo yelled.
"Some time has passed apparently. Look at you…you are the perfect age for the ritual now. Stop fighting you brat!" she yanked harder. Izumo flinched and growled. "Now all that is left is to lure that stupid boy running around."
"Let go of my sister!" Rika yelled.
Their dead grandmother slapped Rika away. Izumo swore as she struggled. Her grandmother knew what she was…a ghost, a demon…But that did not mean she could not fulfill her job. She started to yank Izumo down the hall, who continued to struggle and yell. There was work to be done.
"Hey ya old bitch!"
Izuom's grandmother stopped. Rin had arrived and swung a long board at the woman's face. She dissipated and let go of Izumo's hair. Rin didn't need to tell Izumo to pray. She clapped her hands together and started the prayer. Rin kept the ghost distracted swinging and swiping to keep it from forming completely.
"Expel Spirit!" Izumo yelled.
The old woman screamed in pain as a bright light enveloped her. Rin shielded his eyes. The woman was gone. Izumo breathed hard and stopped to check up on Rika. Rika was fine except for a large red mark on her cheek.
"You look terrible boy," Uke said to Rin.
"Oh gee thanks," Rin rolled his eyes. "You okay Izumo?"
"Yeah I'll be fine," Izumo said. She was beat. She would need to dismiss the foxes soon. "Wait let me talk to Yukio!"
Rin blinked but let her have the ear piece. Izumo quickly walked down the hall a little bit away with book in hand. Rin couldn't hear anything but stayed near Rika.
"How are you doing?" he asked.
"I'm okay," Rika said. She rubbed her cheek. "Stupid old hag."
Rin snickered and rubbed her head. He wondered what the old woman had been talking about. He had heard the old woman talk about luring him to do something. Rin was curious as to what the old bat wanted him to do. Glancing up he watched Izumo for a little bit. Izumo looked panicked as she looked through the book. Rika looked at Rin.
"Why aren't you over there?" Rika asked.
"Hm? Well…I know how Izumo is with her family problems. If she wants me to know she'll tell me," Rin said. "I hate not knowing but she's like a stray cat you know? If you get to close too soon she'll run. Give her time and she'll come purring to you."
"You're so weird," Rika said.
"Yes he is quite a strange young man," Mike said in agreement.
"Aww shut up," Rin patted the fox gently on the head.
It growled low. "Do not pet me like I am some common pet boy," he warned.
Rin smirked and stuck a tongue out. "Oh really? I am the son Satan right? I've been called prince a few times recently. I think I can pet you if I want too."
"You are idiotic," Uke snickered at his brother. The fox growled and let Rin pet him.
"Just please be careful Izumo," Yukio urged. "Until Rin gets his sword back you guys only have one shot at getting out of there. Just be patient please."
"I will. Do you mind if I keep the ear piece? If I find any else out I may need your help again," Izumo said.
Yukio sighed and she knew he was tilting his head thinking. "Fine. Just keep Rin with you."
"Will do," Izumo said. She turned to look at her sister and boyfriend.
Rin was busy scratching Mike under the chin. Despite the angry look the fox did look quite relaxed. This was a weird scene…
Izumo walked up to Rin and they stopped. He stood up and looked at her. "Is everything okay?"
"…No it's not. We have to get your sword back first of all," Izumo said. "I have to stop that demon. It's my responsibility."
Rin frowned and nodded. "Okay. But after all of this you're telling me everything," he said. "Please."
Izumo looked up at his worried face and nodded. She took Rika by the hand and they walked down the hall with the two foxes behind them. At the end of the hallway there was a set of large doors. Izumo walked forward and opened them. They entered a huge room filled with red lanterns all around them. It gave the room a eerie red glow and tinted everything it seemed. Izumo kept the book close to her chest as she walked to a large set of door s in the middle of the room.
"Thank you for saving me the trouble of dragging you here."
Rin turned and saw the masked demon guarding the doors that led out of the lantern room. The young demon felt Rika grip his hand tightly. Shit…he had nothing to defend them with now!
He quickly put Rika behind him and glared at the demon. Well, if he couldn't hit him with an object, maybe he could punch this demon out! Rin charged forward with his fist up. He threw a punch which the masked demon dodged easily by stepping to the side. It shoved the handle of it's sword into his stomach making him cough. Rin held his stomach as he tried to punch the demon once more.
It caught his hand and brought him close. The masked demon let his hand go and grabbed his face. "I'm not done with you yet boy."
Rin cried out in pain. A sharp stab of pain stabbed through his head before the masked demon let him go. He collapsed onto the floor holding his head. Things went dark for a moment until the pain subsided. He slowly opened his eyes to see the courtyard once more. He was sitting on the porch looking up at the moon.
"I have wonderful news."
He looked to his right to see her sitting next to him. Yae had grown more beautiful over the years. He was a lucky fox.
"Yes? What is it?"
She shifted a little ad a light blush came to her cheeks. "I am pregnant."
He felt his heart start to beat against his chest. His wife…was pregnant! The fox was over whelmed with joy. He found himself smiling and laughing happily. He took her hand gently.
"This is wonderful Yae! You will be a great mother."
"O-oh I don't know about that," Yae blushed and shook her head.
"You don't give yourself enough credit," the fox chuckled. "You will be a good mother."
"S-sir? There is a visitor asking for you," a servant came up to the couple. "They are quite insistent on seeing you despite the hour."
The fox sighed and stood up. "Well, I suppose I should honor a guest then. I will be back later. Do not wait up for me Yae."
The foxed followed the young servant. She took him to the meeting hall. The guest was someone he was not surprised to see. Akira Maki had been one of Yae's ex-suitors and had been an extremely persistent one. He could not stand the fact that the fox won Yae's hand in marriage. The old fox was starting to think he should have scared this boy away years ago.
"Ahh, Maki I see you are well," the fox smirked. The young man narrowed his eyes as the fox sat down across from him. "Now what can I help you with at such a late hour?"
The young man was quiet for a moment. With a shaky hand he took out a small silver flask from his clothing and opened it. He went to take a drink but instead threw it at the foxes face. The water burnt like hell and sizzled when it touched his skin. He yelped out holding his face covering it with the sleeve of his robe. He growled at the young man letting his gold eyes and fangs show. Holy water…
"Y-you are a demon!" the young man yelled. "That priest had was right!"
The fox watched him stand up. Despite the pain the fox kept his anger in check. He couldn't afford to kill this stupid child.
"Boy I will warn you once," the fox stayed seated. "Leave to night and I will spare your life."
"What do you want with Yae!?" the human boy asked. "Are you going to kill her!?"
The fox wanted to rip his throat out. "How dare you say that," he growled. "I am a very old fox boy…think before you say anything more. If I were you I would run back to your little exorcist friend before I lose anymore of my temper."
The fox darkened the room as he glared and let his eyes glow. The young man seemed to panic. He gulped and walked to the door.
"Th-this isn't over you monster!" he yelled. "I will kill you!"
The fox only chuckled at the naïve boy. He may have an exorcist friend but the fox had experience.
Rin awoke moaning. His head hurt like hell, but at least it was on something soft. Something wet dropped onto his cheek. He opened his eyes and waited for the blurriness to away. He was lying on Rik'as lap and she was crying. Both were still in the lantern room. Rin realized quickly that Izumo nor the masked demon was in sight.
"Oh no…" he sat up barely missing Rika's head. "Where-"
"He took her down those stairs! I can't open the door!"
Rin felt his stomach drop. He rushed to the door and slammed his body against it. Rin banged his fist against it realizing he'd lost Izumo again.
Sorry it took me so long to get this chapter done. I had over ten pages written for it and I'm a slow writer. I'm still not very happy with it but it's better than when I first started writing it. Thank you guys for your encouraging words. They really help! Hopefully the next chapter will be posted on Sunday.
This is the longest chapter yet. It was fun, but I'm still sorta eh on a lot of parts. All will be explained in the next few chapters. I want to keep the mystery and stuff so that's why everything is so vague. I hope I did a decent job at that.
Not much to say this time except thank you all for your wonderful reviews! I love them all and like I said they really encourage me! I'm so happy you all enjoying this plot so far as well! There are a few more chapters left of it then we'll focus on Rin a little more next. I'll let you guys wonder what I mean by that. Anyways, thank you all so much once more!
As always I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter and have a fantastic day! Please don't forget to review!