Konekomaru giggled as he tossed the ball that was being played with up into the air. On the other side of the field, Ryuuji caught it with outstretched arms, then passed it on to Renzo. Konekomaru stopped to adjust his new glasses, as the frames had slid down his nose during their play.

It has been two years since Konekomaru had fallen into his depression and was visited by these same two boys. Since then, the two had been visiting him every day while he was still ill. Slowly, he began eating again. He was gaining more weight and was closer to the weight of a child his size. Eventually, he was able to pull himself out of bed, and now here he was, able to play in the sunshine with the two other boys who had helped him. The elders had decided, for the boy's health, that it would be for the best to not go back to the over-working that was forced upon him before. So, to prevent a relapse, they lightened his responsibilities to give him more time to act like the child he was. Now, he was any other healthy, happy child.

–

Konekomaru clutched a paper bag that held a carton of milk and a little cloth-covered bento box to his chest as he hurried his legs to keep up with Yaozo and the rest of the family heads. As the temple had affiliated itself with the True Cross Exorcist's order, it was required for all of the heads to attend a meeting to introduce themselves and their temple to the head of the order, Sir Mephisto Pheles. To be entirely honest, the small boy was nervous about the whole thing. This was the first time he had been a part of something so big and important for the future of the temple, and he still wasn't sure that he was ready for that large of a responsibility.

Still, here he was, walking the halls of the True Cross Order whilst moving his legs as quickly as possible to keep up with the elders. He was constantly pushing his glasses back up the bridge of his nose, as they kept on sliding down from his rushed pace. He didn't want to tell them to wait, though, but he also didn't want to fall behind. The True Cross Exorcist leading them had looked at him strangely when he had first seen him, and he didn't want to do anything to stand out. So, he quietly rushed along to follow them. The sound of objects hitting the floor caught his attention.

"Damnit! Crap!" He stopped and looked over in the direction of the noise. A teen girl with fiery red hair and blonde tips was on her knees, hurriedly picking up scattered papers and books. A boy with long blonde hair held back with a hair tie stood behind her. He was laughing aloud at the girl.

"Wow, you sure are clumsy, aren't you, Shura?" His voice was filled with sarcasm and mockery. The girl didn't even take a second to glare at him as she fired back a retort.

"Stuff it, blondie!" The blonde boy snickered and went off down the hall.

"Better hurry up, or else you'll be late~"

"Screw off!" The boy disappeared into a door, leaving the girl to gather up her things. "Damn jerk-ass! Who the hell does he think he is?" She muttered under her breath, alternating between frustrated swears and muttered threats to the boy. "I swear, when I get my hands on that guy, I'm gonna'-" she paused mid-sentence as a large amount of her papers and the last of her books were handed to her in a neat pile. "Hah?" She looked up, and saw a little boy with a shaved head and large glasses holding them out to her.

"Um, here, I think these are yours." He was looking at her kindly and good-naturedly. Shura raised an eyebrow, but took her things from him nonetheless.

"Eh... thanks," she muttered. She stuffed them into her bag and stood up. "Man, you just saved my ass, kid. I don't think I would have made it on time if you hadn't come along. She took off down the hall, waving her hand back at him as she went. "Hey! If I ever see you again, I owe you big time!" She skidded in front of a door, flung it open, and disappeared inside as she slammed it shut behind her. Konekomaru stood there for a moment, then turned to continue following the rest of his group. He let out a slight 'oh' when he realized they were nowhere in sight. He made worried noises as he looked to and fro, trying to figure out which way they may have gone. However, there was no clue whatsoever as to which door they went through or which direction they went.

What do I do now? He wondered worriedly. I've lost them, and I'm lost. After standing in the middle of the hall for a moment, he sniffled and went to sit against one of the walls. I guess I'd better just stay put, that way they can find me. He slid down onto his bottom, placed his bento on the ground next to him, and pulled his knees up to his chest. He stifled another sniffle, and swiped a hand across his eyes. Why am I so teary-eyed? I thought I was used to being alone, he thought with some confusion. However, he knew this was not true. As he had gotten better, he found that he craved other peoples' company more and more. He hated being alone now. And being away from the ones who cared for him, in a place that was strange, it made his eyes feel hot and his throat tight.

He sniffled again, and he was just wiping his eyes when he heard a sort of grumbling noise coming from somewhere close to him. He moved his hand away and found himself looking at a strange little green creature with a red tail, arms, and horns. His eyes widened as he realized what it was.

One of the creatures. He adjusted himself so he was on his knees, facing it, and held out a hand to it. "H-hello there," he whispered gently, not wanting to startle it. The thing stared at him, then warily edged closer to him. It was finally so close that he could have pet it if he wanted. He suddenly remembered something he had found about these creatures when he was younger. He reached into his little bag and pulled out the milk. He pulled it open and held the lip out to the creature. It stared warily, sniffed, then dipped its' tongue into the carton. It took the milk from him and guzzled it down, spraying a few droplets as it did so. Konekomaru giggled gently as the comedic scene. The carton empty, the creature came closer and sat next to him. It didn't struggle or resist as he picked it up and held it in his lap. He pet a hand between its' horns and giggled as it made a noise similar to a purring cat.

A gasp drew his attention upwards. He looked and saw a boy about his age standing a few feet down the hallway. The boy, who wore glasses just like him was staring at him with wide eyes, hands clasped over his mouth. A bit nervous, Konekomaru raised a hand and waved it slowly. Apparently bored, the creature grabbed his arm and gave it a playful little nibble. The other boy made what sounded like a terrified squeak and raced down the hallway, disappearing into one of the doors and slamming it behind him. Konekomaru forgot about him in a moment, though, as he giggled as the creature was cuddling in his lap. He sat there like that, feeling a sense of happiness, though he was still separated from his elders.

"See! He's right there Father!" Konekomaru started and looked up again as he heard the voice. He saw the boy with the glasses who had run off just a moment ago. He was pointing a finger at him and was hanging onto the sleeve of a man dressed in black. Upon seeing the man's clothing, a long, black overcoat, he squeezed the green creature to his thin chest. Though it had been a couple of years ago and his vision had been blurred, he would have recognized that kind of clothing anywhere.

"Hello there little one," the man surprised him by speaking gently, but he still refused to let his guard down. The man knelt before him, and he saw that he wore glasses as well. "What are you doing here?" Konekomaru hung his head against his chest.

"I got lost, and now I can't find the people I was with. So I sat here and I'm waiting." He habitually rubbed the head of the creature in his arms, right between its' horns. It responded in a pleased sort of way and cuddled against him. The boy standing behind the old man was still frightened. "Are you going to kill this one, too, sir?" The old man smiled gently and shook his head.

"No, I'm not going to kill this one, it seems harmless enough." He took the little creature by one of its' appendages and lifted it gently out of Konekomaru's grasp. He set it down gently off to the side and it scurried off without a single look back. The old man stood, brushing dust off of his knees. "So, you said you were lost, right?" Konekomaru nodded. "Well then, let's go find your people." He held out a hand to Konekomaru, who looked warily at it before taking it and letting himself be pulled to his feet. Then, being taken by the hand, he allowed himself to be led off.

–

Konekomaru looked at the other boy with glasses as they both sat in chair on the same side of the table. They hadn't spoken yet, and they only looked in the opposite directions out of shyness. Finally, though, the other boy spoke.

"So... what's your name?"

"Konekomaru," he answered softly. "And you?"

"Yukio," was the simple response. Konekomaru nodded, pushing his glasses up his nose. The two boys sat in silence after they introduced themselves. "Hey," Yukio finally said.

"Yeah?" The other glasses-wearing boy looked at him seriously.

"How come you were holding that demon? They're dangerous!" Konekomaru blinked slowly, not understanding.

"A... demon?" Yukio seemed confused by this lack of response, it showed clearly on his face. "I've been around little creatures like that one all of my life, they've never hurt me before. That was really a demon?" Yukio nodded, adjusting his glasses with a serious look on his face.

"Yeah. That was a demon. A hobgoblin to be more precise! They're vicious demons!" Konekomaru was taken aback by the other boy's sudden excited talk. Just as he was about to respond, the old man, who had introduced himself as Father Fujimoto, came back into the room.

"Now, Yukio, don't get too overexcited. The boy probably doesn't know any better." He smiled at Konekomaru as he sat down next to Yukio. "I just talked to one of the other exorcists, they should be able to find the people you were with.." He rested his chin on his hands as he continued to smile. "So, why did you come here, little one?" Konekomaru fidgeted uncomfortably in his seat.

"Well, I came here with the heads of family from my temple in Kyoto, they're joining up with the True Cross Order." The old man raised his eyebrows with interest. Yukio wiped his nose with the back of his hand and gazed at him with interest.

"Really? Are your parents the head of your family? Did they bring you here to see what's here?" He motioned to Fujimoto. "Father Fujimoto takes me hear to learn how to be an exorcist, just like him." Fujimoto chuckled and rubbed Yukio's head.

"My, my, this is the most I've ever heard you talk to someone besides your brother." Yukio smiled sheepishly and looked at Konekomaru brightly.

"Well? What about it? Who's the head of your family? Your father? Your grandfather?"

"Me." Yukio halted, blinking with wide eyes like an owl. "I'm the head of the Miwa family, since the rest of my family is gone." Yukio seemed to sober up and lose some of his previous chipper.''

"Oh... I'm sorry." Konekomaru shook his head, smiling softly.

"It's okay, you didn't know." He smiled a bit more, trying to keep happy, thinking of his friends. "Besides, it's a big responsibility, and I can handle it. I'm a monk of Myo-Da after all." Fujimoto's eyebrows went up at the mention of the temple.

"Myo-da? That's where you're from?" Konekomaru nodded, a bit confused by the reaction. "Ah, haven't heard that name in a while. Man, that brings back memories." Konekomaru opened his mouth to ask a question, when he heard a low grumbling noise. He looked to the side of him, and saw Yukio looking away, embarrassed. "Oh, you hungry, Yukio?" Konekomaru felt his own stomach tighten and growl, and he smiled nervously. Fujimoto chuckled and stood up from the table. "Well, it seems we've got two grumblers. Come on, you two, let's get you some lunch."

–

"So, you are the representative heads of the Myo-Da order, eh?" Yaozo forced a smile at the white-clad, purple-haired man sitting behind the desk.

"That's right, Sir Pheles. I am Yaozo, head of the Shima family, and this," he motioned over at Uwabami, who sat to his right, "and this is Uwabami, head of the Hojo family."

"A pleasure to meet all of you," Mephisto greeted smoothly with an open, armed gesture. He placed his elbows on his desk and his head on top of his hands. His eyes slid from side to side, as if examining the group of them. "... Weren't there supposed to be six of you?" Yaozo, taken aback, quickly turned to do a head count. When he stopped, he had indeed only counted five family heads. It didn't even take a moment to realize which one among them was missing.

"Where's Konekomaru?!" He cried out, shooting up from his seat. The rest of the family heads whipped around, seeing the empty seat that should have been filled by the youngest member of them.

"What!? He's gone?!" Uwabami cried out. Yaozo tightly gripped a handful of his hair.

"Craap! When did he disappear?! I never even noticed!" He turned to Uwabami, who had the same frantic expression on his face. "Did you notice?!"

"No! He's so quiet! How could I have noticed?!" Yaozo gripped double handfuls of his hair from the stress.

"Agh! Well, we've got to find him! Do you know what Torako and Kayako will do to us if they find out we lost him?!" He ran to the door, calling back behind him. "I'm heading back the way we came, you all fan out and look in the other hallways!" The rest of the family heads jumped from their seats, racing from the office room and into the halls in search of the young head. Mephisto, left behind in his office, slowly blinked twice.

"Erm... did I miss something?"

–

Okay, I know it has literally been months since I last updated. And for that, I am SO sorry. I let the time get away from me. This story is NOT dead, and I shall have it completed as soon as possible. For all those who are still with this story, please forgive me, and I shall not disappoint you for the conclusion. I send my love to all who have faithfully waited! Please review to give me that last bit of encouragement, if you can.