The next day, after receiving permission from the Director, the brothers left the School for their hometown's local Cemetery. Thankfully buses were working again. Rin shifted awkwardly in their seat, which Yukio noticed, "you okay?" he asked quietly. The Indigo-haired teen sighed, "yeah, I just- I haven't been to see Dad since the Funeral. I guess I haven't had the time" he muttered, curling his tail tightly around his body, hoping no one would see it through his School shirt. With the massive hoard of Demons attacking the city a couple of weeks ago, so many people had gotten Temptaints that if the twins weren't careful, they'd have a massive panic on their hands, since most people would be able to tell that they weren't human. "How about you?" Rin asked awkwardly. Yukio shivered, "well, I can't deny that I'm nervous too. Even if he can't talk back, what if Dad really does hate me now, after everything that happened? I mean, I did a pretty horrible job of protecting you that day." He replied, eyes filled with pain. "What happened wasn't your fault, I told you that Yukio. And Dad would never blame you for something when you were being manipulated and controlled" the older Demon replied.
The younger twin looked out the window with a frown, unable to shake his nerves, his fear. But with Rin sitting by his side, he felt at least a little at ease. As they got ever closer to the Cemetery where their Dad was buried however, Yukio's thoughts and anxieties began to overwhelm him again, 'what if, even after I apologise, Dad won't forgive me? Even if I hadn't promised him that I'd protect Rin, he's still my brother, and I let him be tortured horribly. How can I ever expect to be forgiven for something like that? I'm just as bad as that bastard who calls himself our Father, as Amaimon and all those who call themselves our siblings, but who would gladly tear us apart just for attempting to live as normally as possible! It's more likely that he really would hate me, like in my nightmare-' before he could continue down that line with his thoughts any longer, Yukio felt a hand land on his shoulder and flinched, "are you okay Yukio? We don't have to do this if you really don't want to, we can try again another time?" Rin asked worriedly.
The brown-haired half-Demon swallowed thickly, "n-no, I'm okay. I need to do this, for myself" he replied, but his tail was twitching underneath his shirt. Yukio clenched his fists, closing his eyes and imagining that he was in his safe spot, with Dad and Rin and even Shiemi, along with the rest of their family from the Monastery. He breathed slowly, deeply and evenly. 'Calm down. Just calm down, before you do something you'll regret' he thought. Opening his eyes again, Yukio was calm enough to not freak out when Rin spoke up quietly next to him: "we're here Yukio" he said, squeezing his shoulder supportively. The younger twin nodded and they both stood up.
Blue Exorcist
The short walk to the Cemetery from the bus stop allowed Yukio to try and calm himself further. His heart was pounding almost painfully inside his chest, he could almost imagine that he could feel the frantic beats against his ribs, but it was only his imagination. Yukio shook his head, 'get a grip damn it, I'm not this nervous and afraid anymore, I've changed!' he thought, trying to force himself to stop panicking. Soon the entrance to the Graveyard came into view and Rin reached out and gripped his hand. Looking over at his brother in confusion, Yukio felt his eyes widen when he saw Rin's face. It was pale and his lips were trembling, the hand around his was trembling so hard that he was hardly exerting any pressure. That was when Yukio realized, that despite being the one to suggest this to help him, Rin was just as nervous and scared to face their Dad as he was. The brown-haired half-Demon squeezed his twin's hand comfortingly, making the Indigo-haired teenager turn to look at him.
Yukio gave Rin a grimace that might possibly pass as a smile, before taking a deep breath to try and calm himself. Then, both young Son's of Satan moved forwards together. They walked slowly, nervously, towards the Fujimoto family's gravestones. The crisp Autumn air blew through the graves, making Rin shiver and clench his coat tighter around him. He'd never done well with the cold, and now, knowing that he was a fire-wielding Demon, it made more sense. Eventually the two of them reached their Father's grave. Both boys knelt down before the grave-marker and took up a position of prayer. Yukio was sure that it would have been considered strange for two Demon's to pray, but right now he didn't care. He closed his eyes, desperately hoping that his feelings would reach their Father. 'Dad, it's me. I know I haven't come to visit you in a long time now. A lot has happened, as I'm sure you already know. I- I did something, horrible. I betrayed Rin. I didn't protect him, in fact my actions caused him so much unbelievable pain.'
Yukio clenched his hands tighter together, but took a deep breathe and tried to calm down, 'I truly had no idea that he would be hurt so horribly and I thought that we would become human again, but I know that's no excuse. I broke my promise to you. To myself. I hurt, and nearly killed the last family member I had left. I was a horrible brother, and I don't know what to do with all this guilt inside me. I once told Rin that if he felt guilty about your death and wanted to make up for it, then he should die. I know that was a horribly cruel thing to say to him, especially when he was still mourning your death and already blamed himself. Please. I know I don't deserve it. But, for just one last time, as my Father- help me!' he begged desperately. There was a moment of stillness, as if the world was holding it's breath, even the wind had stopped blowing- then there was one more gust of cold air, and a familiar voice echoed all around him: "Yukio, my dear boy, you don't ever have to ask for forgiveness from me. You and Rin have both given up so much, it would be cruel of me to ask for more. You are my Son, and whatever you did, whatever Sin you think you have committed that makes you feel that you have to beg for forgiveness, please, know that I could never hate you. You are my Sons and I love you so much."
Yukio felt tears come to his eyes and spill down his cheeks, hands trembling, and not from the cold. He didn't dare open his eyes, in case doing so shattered the illusion that he was sure he was experiencing, "Yukio, despite the fact that you and Rin are Demons, I never once hated you. I never could. Every time I looked at you over the years I spent raising you and your brother, no matter what my head might have tried to tell me, I could only ever see my two precious Sons. Because in my heart, I had already fallen in love with you, I was your Father, and nothing and no-one, not even Satan himself was going to take you away from me." The voice paused and sighed deeply, "but then I died and left you two alone. I was terrified for the both of you, having no family, except for those who would hate and try to kill you. It deeply pained me that all I could do was watch while you and Rin suffered. But now, I can see just how much you've both grown, and, while I will never stop watching over you, and never stop loving you, I now feel like I can rest easier. Yukio, you and Rin need to take care of each other more than ever from now on. It will be hard, and painful, but if you rely on each other, as well as the friends that you've made, I know that you can overcome anything," .
The brown-haired Demon gasped softly as he felt a gentle hand touch his head, "I know that you can do it, together. I love you both so much- goodbye, my Son". The voice went silent after that, and the hand on his head faded away. Yukio snapped his eyes open, tears still filling them, to find that he and Rin were alone in the empty Cemetery. He looked around, meeting his twin's gaze. Rin also had tears in his eyes and looked just as shocked as he no-doubt did himself, "Y-Yukio- did you hear, a-and feel that just now?" he whispered. The younger Okumera twin nodded mutely, before turning to look up at the sky. He watched as the wind blew the clouds through the sky, 'Dad, thank you' Yukio thought.
Blue Exorcist
The bus-ride back was significantly less tense than the one they'd taken to get there. Yukio was as silent as he'd been on the first trip, but it was a much more relaxed silence, more peaceful. 'Dad, I swear, we'll do our best' he thought, as his heart filled with something that he hadn't felt in a long time now: hope. And by the look on Rin's face, he felt the same way.
Blue Exorcist
When they got back to the Academy, Shiemi was the first one to greet them, "hello Rin, Yuki, how was your trip?" she asked. Rin smiled sadly, "it was, amazing" he replied wistfully. The blond-haired human blinked in confusion, but smiled softly at them, "well, I'm glad that you enjoyed it. can I maybe come next time? I can bring some flowers from my Grandma's garden" she asked. Yukio nodded, "sure Shiemi, I'm sure Dad would love to see you again" he replied. "It was a bit much emotionally though, so do you mind if we talk later?" Rin asked. Shiemi nodded, "oh, of course, take all the time you need. I'll see you both later then" she replied, waving at the brothers, before walking away. The trip back to the old boys dormitory was a quiet one. Once they reached their room, Rin and Yukio practically collapsed onto their beds. Rin stared up at the ceiling silently, thinking over everything that had happened.
"Rin, do you really think that happened?" the brown-haired Demon asked as he removed his glasses. "Yeah, it had to of been. After all, we both heard his voice and felt his touch. That was really Dad's spirit alright." Rin replied. "Well, at least for ghosts we know that the Demons who possess their leftover feelings and thoughts end up taking on everything from the Host body. The child Ghost we delt with at Mepphy Land still had the memories of it's Host always being sick and alone at home, and wanting to go to the Amusement Park. So we know that what that Ghost said was how Dad really felt" Yukio muttered, rubbing his eyes. "Do you think Dad is still watching over us?" the Indigo-haired teen asked softly. "I don't think he can't, with all the trouble we get ourselves into, *sigh* I'm just glad that he doesn't hate me" the young Excorsist muttered. "Yeah, you and me both." Rin yawned, "wake me when it's dinnertime, will you, I'm exhausted" he said, before falling into a deep sleep. Yukio stayed awake for longer, staring silently up at the ceiling.
'Don't worry Dad, we'll do our best' he thought, before sleep eventually claimed him as well.
Blue Exorcist
The next day Rin and Yukio went to the Gym together, Yukio nervous, but ready to begin his new Demon training. Shura stood in front of the two boys, "well, hello their Chicken, I see someone slept well last night" she taunted. Yukio growled, "I told you not to call me a chicken!" he cried, blue flames flaring up around him. "Woah, easy Yukio, calm down" Rin tried to calm his brother. Yukio growled at the flames that refused to listen to him as they flared up even stronger due to his anger. "And that's why you're here. I know this stuff is new for you, but right now you're as bad emotionally as Rin is, and you let your anger take over too much" Shura explained, taking her bag of candles out. Yukio slowly managed to calm himself, and flames faded away with a lot of effort. "Hey, I know you can do this bro, and not just me, either" Rin said, smiling at him.
The younger twin took a deep breath, adjusting his glasses and sighing. That was right, Dad believed in them too, didn't he? Sitting down across from each other, back-to-back, Rin and Yukio began their training.
Blue Exorcist
"Oh come on! Again!?" Yukio groaned in frustration, as his candles melted down to puddles of wax. Rin frowned sympathetically over at him, "hey, I can give you some tips if you-" he began, before he was cut off: "I can do it myself!" Yukio snapped, flames flaring up again. Rin sighed, Yukio was even more stubborn than him, this was gonna take a while. "Just, focus on your own candles or something!" his brother replied, turning back to his candles and muttering angrily to himself. The older boy did so, but not without frowning first. This reminded him too much of himself from before. Yukio was usually the calm and composed one, but his new Demonic nature was making him a lot more volatile and emotional than when he had been a human. Maybe it would be better to wait until his brother was calm again, and then give him suggestions on how to control his flames. That decided on, Rin turned his focus to the three candles in front of him.
Taking a deep breath, the boy focused on the one thing that helped him control the flames they'd inherited from their Bastard, sorry, their "Father" (note the sarcastic air quotes). They were his flames, not Satan's. He would keep them under control. Suddenly three calmly burning blue flames appeared on the candles, each the size of a regular candle flame. "Yes!" Rin cheered at his success. That was much better than anything he'd managed so far! However Shura immediately put a damper on his joy, "what are ya cheerin' about?! I told ya that you were supposed to light the ones on the ends!" the fiery-haired woman exclaimed. Rin gasped, before getting depressed, "damn it, I forgot!" he moaned. Watching Rin did actually help Yukio though, and he took out three new candles, 'okay, I can do this, I refuse to give up, now or ever!' he thought, narrowing his eyes at them in determination. However, this time his flames barely flickered on the wicks, making the boy gape at them in shock. "What the heck is up with these things!?" he demanded furiously, only for the blue flames to burst to life and instantly melt the candles into pile of wax.
Shura burst into laughter, "what was up with that?! Tiny little weak flames, how cute!" she cried, before laughing again. That proved to be the wrong reaction though, because it brought Yukio's mind back to the day that that Minotaur Demon had attacked them, how he had been unable to protect Rin or his students, how it had mocked him, called him weak- "shut up!" he screamed, Satanic flames suddenly bursting to life around him due to his rage. Shura instantly stopped laughing and took a defensive position, gripping her swords handle as she began to draw it from the seal on her chest. "Yukio!" Rin cried, running over to shield Shura should he attack her. Yukio growled, shaking his head, trying to calm down. "It's okay bro, she didn't mean it. Just calm down now, okay?" Rin asked, trying to get through to him. The brown-haired Demon gripped his head, whimpering as he tried to control himself. "I know, you're scared right now because you're starting to lose control again. But I'm right here Yukio, and I promise that I won't let anything bad happen, okay? Just breath, and relax" Rin soothed, slowly walking towards the younger Demon.
Yukio tensed as he drew near, "easy, easy, it's only me, you're gonna be okay" he said softly. Yukio watched the approaching figure warily, tensing as he sensed the Demonic aura. 'Danger!' his instincts screamed. "It's okay" it said, voice soft and soothing. He paused, didn't he know that voice? 'Wait' examining the figure in front of him, the boy slowly recognized him. 'Brother, safe' "R-Rin?" Yukio muttered, vision clearing and anger subsiding. Rin smiled at him, "yeah, it's me. You okay bro?" he asked softly. "I-" he paused, looking over at the wary Shura. "I-I lost control again, didn't I?" he asked softly, fearfully. "Only for a moment, and you didn't hurt anyone. You calmed down on your own, which is more than I can say about myself" the Older teen smiled sympathetically. The brown-haired Demon looked down, "I didn't hurt you again, did I?" he asked. Rin walked forwards and hugged his brother, "not at all. While it may not have been a full-on berserk rage, that fact that you were able to calm down on your own is amazing. I'm so proud of you Yukio" he replied.
Yukio sighed, hugging Rin back, but on the inside, he was worried about this happening again.
To Be Continued