Snow started to fall as Yukio, Rin and the other exwires made their way to the village to meet up with Shura for the mission Mephisto assigned to them. The mission was to eliminate a demon that's been attacking a village, according to Shura it lives in the woods. Shura was already halfway to the village since they all had to wait for Yukio because he had trouble getting his brother out of bed. The others were pretty annoyed all been standing outside in the cold for an hour and a half waiting but they didn't tell at the half-demon once they all realized how awful he looked. They understood he was just probably tired after what happened a few weeks ago hell they all were. Rin had used a lot of his power and did fall unconscious for a while afterward they really couldn't be that mad well all but Bon who couldn't help himself from muttering something angrily under his breath. Rin lagged behind his hands in his pockets and his eyes darted towards the ground. He and Yukio haven't talked since the battle with the impure king Yukio being mad at him for nearly getting himself executed and well Rin for other reasons he just couldn't explain. It could be he just didn't feel like hearing his brother lecturing him again or maybe it was because of this weird feeling he been having all of a sudden he didn't know and right now didn't really care. Yukio stared down at the map as he led them all to the place Shura had told them to meet her at before glancing over his shoulder at Rin. He was angry with him for several reasons some he couldn't say out loud afraid of what would happen if he did. He wanted to talk to his brother and ask him if he was okay. He has noticed how pale Rin was starting to look, how he rarely cooked anymore, how much he's been sleeping, which is more than usual. He shrugged it off, for now, he can ask him later right now they have to focus on the mission.
"We need to hurry if we want to get to the village before this storm hits".Yukio said his eyes never leaving the map." How much further is it, my feet hurt? ".Izumo complained." Not far".Koneko signed crossing his arms. "Feels like we been walking forever. Didn't you say this demon lives somewhere in these woods? Which I might add we are surrounded by".Shima asked grumpily. "Yes but it lives closer to the village".Yukio responded. "I think he's trying to say is what happens if we bump into this demon?" .Koneko responded. "Then we take it down".Bon said." I mean what if it's a high-class demon or something, I mean why else would they send Shura with us? "." Good point". Shima said. "Even so we will do our best as exorcists to exorcise it".Yukio responded." We aren't exorcists we're exwires". Izumo snickered. "Well if we do run into it I and Nii will be ready. Isn't that right Nii". Shiemi said sounding rubbed his face against her neck as a response. Rin's head shot up as he heard someone approaching, he sniffed the air." We have company".He said quickly reaching for his scabbard when he was suddenly sent flying into a tree. Yukio wasted no time reaching for his guns and shooting at the shadowing figure that was now hovering over his brother while Izumo summoned her Fox shadowy figure hissed and charged at Bon and Shima but Rin shielded the attack with his demon stared at Rin with glowing red eyes and jumped unsheathed his sword and charged at the demon only for his attack to pass right through shadowy demon laughed. "You can't attack something that isn't really there now can yah Satan spawn".Rin cursed under his breath gripping his sword tightly as the world around him seemed to shot a few shots at the shadow but it each shot missed as the bullets went straight through it." You humans really don't listen do you? ". It demon waved his hand in the air sending Yukio, Bon, and Shima flying. Koneko quickly clasped his hands together and started chanting a few bible verses he could think of that might help while Izumo ordered her familiars to protect the three of familiars stood protective in front of the three while the demon slowly made its way toward them. Rin charged at the demon blue flames surrounding him and the sword." Stay away from them".He demon stopped and turned to face Rin throwing his hand up but before He could attack Rin froze and collapsed in from of him." Rin".The three demon smirked and grabbed Rin's hair in his claws. "What happened Satan spawn. Can't fight anymore".Yukio searched the snow for his guns but before Yukio could fire more bullets the demon dropped Rin and disappeared." Where the hell did he go? ".Bon shouted. No one responded. "Come on we need to hurry". Yukio shouted finally finding his all nodded and started to follow him when they noticed Rin was still laying down in the snow. "Come on Okurmura we don't have time for you to take a nap". Bon shouted stomping towards Rin. He stopped short when he noticed the pained expression on the half-demons face. Yukio turned around to see why no one was following him when he saw Rin had made no move to get up, signing he walked up to the others and kneeled next to his brother. "Rin?".Yukio asked. "Rin didn't respond his face scrunched up in pain. "Yuki...is he okay?" .Shemi asked. Yukio wasn't sure he looked to be uninjured for the most part." Rin, if you can hear me tell me what's wrong ". Rin still didn't respond. Yukio gently rolled Rin onto his back earning a groan from Rin and that's when he saw the claw marks. It was deep but not so much to draw blood but to the looks of it looked rather the real problem was why wasn't it starting to heal and when did the demon do grabbed the bandages he stored in his pocket and started to wrap the wound but stopped as Rin bolted up yelping in pain as he did so."Don't move ".Yukio said pulling Rins shirt up." I'm fine I don't need you ". He was interrupted as pain erupted in his chest leaving him breathless." Guys the snow is starting to really come down now ".Shima pointed out pointing to the Yukio helped his brother up."Then let's go ".He wrapped Rins arm over his shoulder and motioned Bon to grab his sword as they continued on." I'll carry him ". Bon offered to pass Rin's sword over to Koneko. Yukio nodded helping Rin onto his back.
The snow was starting to pick up so they all quickly made their way towards the village with Rin still unconscious on Bon's back. Shura was standing outside of a wooden cabin not far from the village staring down at her watch. "Where were yah?...been waiting like fer hours".She yelled once She caught sight of them." Not now Shura".Yukio snapped back. "We ran into that Damn demon on the way here".Bon responded." Can we talk inside I'm freezing ".Shima said shivering. They all headed inside the cabin and Bon laid Rin gently on the couch and soon joined the others in front of the fireplace." What happened to the kid? ".Shura asked grabbing a beer out of the fridge. Yukio pushed his glasses up before responding." He was injured during the fight. By the way do you wanna explain why every attack seemed to pass right through him? ".Shura sat down at the small table behind the couch and popped her drink open, with her legs propped on the table. After hearing the words coming out of Yukios mouth she fell back choking on nothing but air." What? ".She choked seeming both angry and surprised." You didn't know the demon could do that? ".Izumo asked crossing her arms." No the stupid Vatican just told me we had to deal with a demon that has been terrorizing a town they said they didn't tell me jack bout the damn thing".She punched the table and cursed. "Dammit...this must be one of those higher class demons".At the sudden noise Rin let out a painful groan and flipped onto his side his back against the others as he tried to fall back to sleep when he heard someone say his name. " Rin? ".Shiemi asked moving closer to the sleeping half-demon. Yukio crossed his arms and watched as Shiemi tried to wake him up as he continued to stir his face still scrunched up in pain." Brother...are you awake? ".Yukio asked. Rin only groaned in reply. Yukio walked up to the couch and stared down at him. Bon and the others continued to watch with a worried look." What? ".Rin grumbled. His voice sounding a bit weak and strained." Are you okay? ".Shiemi asked." I'm fine".He mumbled as he curled his tail and buried his face in the pillow. He tried to suppress a groan as his chest burned in pain and the weird feeling he felt back when he collapsed back in Kyoto returned. Yukio didn't feel the need to pry knowing his brother would be fine and turned back to face Shura. "How do you suppose we exorcise it if we can't touch it?" .Shima asked. "Well for starters that demon we faced earlier wasn't the real one".Bon responded." So what was it? an illusion or something? ".Izumo asked." Sort of, it was more like his shadow".Koneko responded. "Which means the real one must have been nearby?".Shiemi said." Yes".Yukio said. "Well I don't know bout the rest of yer but I'm tired. We can find it tomorrow".Shura said yawning. "Besides none of us are getting anywhere in that snow". "Wait how did you know it was its shadow?". Shima asked utterly confused during the whole conversation. He however only received "you're an idiot" by Izumo as the others got up. "There are only three rooms". Shura added stretching her arms. "You girls can room with me while the boy's room together and you two can be yer own room". She said pointing to Yukio and Rin before leaving.
Yukio took off his glasses and rubbed at his temples before casting a glance over at Rin. Shiemi was still sitting by his side rubbing his back and gently trying to wake him with no success when suddenly he bolted up his eyes wide. He was breathing fast staring wide-eyed around the room when a pained groan slipped his lips and he fell back down on the couch staring at the ceiling with a feverish look. Shiemi shook her head ridding the shock for a moment before leaning closer. "Rin?". He slowly turned his head to look at her smiling as his eyelids became heavy. Before she could say anything else he was already fast asleep.
Yukio signed before returning his gaze outside. The snow was coming down hard making it difficult to see anything out there. Shiemi continued to sit beside Rin when Izumo finally came out of the room to drag the half-asleep blonde into the room to sleep. Once she was gone Yukio stood up and walked over to his brother already forgetting why he was even mad with him in the first place. Something has been bothering him ever since this morning about Rin now was the time to investigate.