Chapter Thirty-Five - Home

Four months later and John was there. He shivered lightly in the cool evening breeze. Winter was fast approaching, and although it wouldn't get too cold in this small town John could still feel it. The small church was dark, almost seeming deserted. There was a new vicar, he knew that much, but he hadn't met the person. It was just past midnight, so he knew no one would be in the area. His jeans and hands were coated in dirt where he'd been digging, a small patch of the almost overgrown grave now brown from his efforts.

"Are you finished?" Ichijou's voice asked from behind, startling the blonde from his thoughts. John looked over his shoulder softly before returning his gaze to the worn stone, unsure what he could possibly say. He hadn't known Lady Farringdon. Had she deserved her death? Had she been cruel? Had his ancestors been right in their actions? Or had they blindly followed orders and destroyed a happy and peaceful life? Had Farringdon truly been a cruel monster? Or was he a tortured soul driven mad with grief?

"Almost." John murmured as he pressed his hands together and closed his eyes, saying the final resting rites quietly. He crossed the grave and looked down, wondering if he should have the stone altered to reflect that it now contained a new occupant. Ultimately he decided against it. It was better to leave things as undisturbed as possible. It was the same for Jemima. He had buried her vial close by, at the roots of a tall tree. He didn't need to mark her grave. He didn't intend to return again.

"What do you intend to do about James?" Ichijou asked as they slowly headed back down the worn and broken path, which never had been fixed. He paused and looked back at the small church. His first parish. Where he'd had his first kiss. Where he'd been married. Where his child had been christened. Ichijou waited patiently as John took one final look.

"It's best he stay where he is." John replied in a resigned tone as he finally turned away.

"But you're his father…" Ichijou objected quietly, listening as John scoffed at his side. They walked the peaceful streets quietly, slowly heading along the country lane back towards the town. It had always been John's favourite route, and he could almost picture Jemima walking beside him after school. Barely anything had changed.

"I'm a vampire…What sort of life would a human child have with me? With us?" John retorted, feeling Ichijou's hand tug his jacket sleeve. John looked across at his lover, who seemed troubled by John's reaction. He was also hesitant as he halted their progress.

"I think we have a lot to offer…I think he'd be happiest with you." Ichijou insisted, though John somewhat doubted it. He knew James hadn't been adopted yet. He'd stopped by the orphanage and checked in on his way through. He hadn't gone to see him directly, but he'd heard the boy was doing well enough.

"What do you want me to do? Raise him at the academy?" John retorted, though by Ichijou's flush he knew that's exactly what the blonde had been suggesting. "You're not serious…" The exorcist objected, but his companion was entirely serious and wasted no time in jumping in to defend his suggestion.

"Why not? The others will help keep him safe, and there are humans on the grounds. Cross would love to have another child around to fuss over!" Ichijou insisted, his hand taking John's gently. "You miss him…I can feel it." He added, and John couldn't deny it. He'd always ignored it before, the small part of him that wondered about James and what had happened to him. He had a father's instincts, but he'd buried those feelings a long time ago. "At least see him before you decide for sure." Ichijou insisted, pleased as John nodded his agreement.

It was almost dawn by the time they reached the orphanage, having travelled by car from the town. John had chosen an orphanage outside his own home town, a largely unknown place that he'd only been to in passing. He'd wanted to make sure he couldn't be traced to the place. Despite the early hour the old father was awake, and opened the door when John knocked.

"Father Brown, it's good to see you again." He greeted, letting the exorcist in without question, though he drew back as he saw Ichijou. Despite suppressing his presence the priest could feel it. Ichijou stepped inside and remained behind John, trying to look gentle and unassuming.

"I'd like to see my son." John said as he followed the old man into the large mansion. He was led up the stairs as the old man assured him the child had been well cared for, and was growing up as he should. He was shown into one of the small rooms, where a small bed stood. Of course…he'll be big enough for a bed by now. John thought as he approached the small lump that lay beneath the plain covers. He leaned down to sit on the edge of the bed.

"He's beautiful." Ichijou murmured as he stood beside John. The boy was a toddler now, his cheeks still a little plump. He had dark curls of brunette hair faming his pale face, and long delicate eyelashes. He was lying on his back, his face turned towards the door. John nodded his agreement and reached down slowly, hesitant to lay a hand on the small human. He finally touched the soft hair of his head, feeling a rush of adoration that rivalled the one he'd felt for Farringdon. He drew back as the toddler's big blue eyes opened to stare at him in the semidarkness.

"…Daddy…" The boy murmured tiredly, in the most adorable voice John had ever heard. He…knows me? John wondered, quite certain that James had been too young to remember his face, especially with the trauma he'd suffered. "Daddy!" James cried in realisation as he sat up gleefully, but he drew back as a somehow familiar cool prickle ran up his soft skin. His blue eyes widened in terror as he stared at John as if for the first time.

"Yes…Sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you." John said with forced brightness as he withdrew his hand and got to his feet. Being so vulnerable it made sense that children would be able to feel the presence of such monsters. I should never have allowed him to see me. John thought as he stepped away from the bed. Ichijou's heart ached for the teen as he turned to follow him.

"Wait…Daddy…Wait!" The small voice cried. Ichijou paused as he heard small steps pounding across the carpeted floor, and John paused in the doorway as small arms latched onto one of his legs. John looked down in surprise at the small child that barely reached his knee. He was sniffling as he gripped the dark material of John's jeans and buried his face, holding on tightly.

"You know I'm…I'm not like you anymore." John murmured as he looked down at the boy, who was hugging his leg tightly. The blonde rested a hand on his small head and leaned down. Feeling John draw nearer James looked up, his blue eyes glittering as tears rolled down his round cheeks. "Are you scared of me?" The blonde asked curiously, watching the boy as he wiped his tears. As if to answer his question James grabbed the open collar of John's jacket.

John sighed and closed his eyes a few moments. When he opened them they glowed with a crimson hue. The small boy's hand shook as he continued to hold John's jacket, refusing to let go despite being afraid. John could smell his fear, and tilted his head. Why is he holding me so tightly when he's afraid of me? The boy's eyes filled up again as he whimpered. John opened his mouth, allowing the boy to see his sharp fangs. The toddler was hesitant as he raised a curious finger and touched one of the sharp teeth.

"John…" Ichijou murmured hesitantly, unsure it was wise to reveal himself so openly. The old father was only just outside the room. John nodded his agreement as he drew back and returned to normal. Hearing his voice James looked over his shoulder at Ichijou as if for the first time, huddling a little closer to John in response. "It's alright, I won't hurt you." The blonde assured with a warm smile, watching the toddler relax a little.

"It wouldn't be fair to bring him with us…He's so scared." John said kindly as he got to his feet. The toddler seemed to grasp what he was saying as he insistently latched onto John's leg once more. Ichijou chuckled lightly as he approached John and laid a hand on his shoulder.

"What does he want?" Ichijou asked softly. "James, do you want to live with Daddy?" The blonde asked as he leaned down to James' level. The brunette nodded as he coiled around John's leg. John shot Ichijou a disapproving look as he crouched down once more and held James by his small shoulders.

"I'm not the same Daddy as before." He insisted seriously, surprised as James started to sing in a small voice. John's expression softened a little as he joined in, singing the words to Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, the song he'd often sung to James as a baby, and the couple of times he'd visited the orphanage over the years. James wrapped his small arms around John's neck insistently, leaving John little choice but to lift him into his arms.

"Daddy, go home?" James asked in a small voice. John looked at Ichijou worriedly, but the blonde seemed perfectly at ease. John held James a little closer, breathing in a scent that almost reminded him of his mother. He wondered what Jemima would want him to do. Should our son be raised by monsters? He wondered, though he knew from experience that some humans could also be monstrous.

"Is that really what you want?" John asked, feeling James nod against his larger shoulder. He sighed lightly as he got to his feet and turned to Ichijou, who gave him an assuring smile.

"A human kid? Are you crazy?" Aido demanded as the small brunette staggered his way along the landing and looked up at him. The redhead looked apprehensive as he looked down at the cherub. The taller redhead at his side crouched down, using one long finger to prod the toddler's nose. Aido sighed as he realised his older cousin had been sucked in already. "This is a house full of vampires! That's like taking a lamb and leaving it in a wolves' den!" He objected, stepping back a little as those big blue eyes shifted to him once more.

"I think you're scared." Ichijou teased lightly, watching Aido's cheeks flush pink as he insistently looked away. He was about to respond when the toddler tottered towards the gap in the banisters. He grabbed the back of the boy's shirt and tugged him back, almost flinching when the toddler smiled and grabbed his leg.

"See! What did I tell you?" Aido objected as he motioned to the banisters, which were wide enough for the toddler to step through if he wanted to. Ichijou waved it aside as he stepped forward and lifted James so that he was eye level with Aido.

"Admit it. He's so cute it scares you!" Ichijou teased, watching Aido huff and turn his face away. He turned back as James' small hand touched his cheek, his own cheeks flushing as he saw that smile. Ichijou smiled brightly as Aido accepted the small child in his arms, though his expression remained disinterested besides the way his sapphire eyes darted between the wall and the child. "He certainly likes you…" The blonde added as he watched James quite happily toy with Aido's messy locks. Aido tried not to seem too pleased at the news, though Ichijou noticed the slight glint in his soft eyes.

"Tall! Tall!" James cried as Kain straightened up, his eyes shifting to the small child questioningly. The toddler seemed amazed as the redhead towered over his cousin's shoulder. James reached up towards Kain, who lifted him onto his shoulders.

"Gah! Hey! Make sure you hold onto him!" Aido objected worriedly as he watched the small brunette coo with excitement. He waved his small arms, occasionally holding Kain's red locks. Kain nodded his agreement, keeping his large hands on James' small feet. "Where's John anyway?" Aido asked as he looked across at Ichijou.

"He has a meeting with Mai and the rest of his group." Ichijou replied simply as they three friends headed to Ichijou's room.

"You're moving the whole company?" Monk-san asked in surprise, though perhaps it shouldn't have surprised him so much. Naru nodded his response. They had taken over the Moon Dorm's common area. Lin and Naru sat in large arm chairs while Monk-san, Masako and Ayako shared one sofa, and Mai and John sat on the other. Naru had called them all together again to close the case and make future arrangements.

"For now we don't have much choice. It'll be a while before John and Mai are ready to face large crowds of people, so central Tokyo isn't the best choice. There's also Mai's schooling to consider. Her friends all live in Tokyo, so they'll wonder where she is or they might see her in passing. It's easier for her to continue schooling here." Naru explained, leaving out the fact that he hadn't tested himself in a large crowd either. He knew his tolerance for humans was higher than Mai's, but he had yet to test it. His expression softened a little as he looked at the humans within their group. "We're quite a way from Tokyo, and I don't expect you all to remain here." He added, knowing it was unreasonable to expect them to travel for hours to work on a case.

"So this is it?" Monk-san wondered as he looked at his friends. No one spoke for a while as they took it all in. They'd never imagined that this case would result in such a drastic change.

"Well, we knew it wouldn't last forever. How many cases do we work together, really?" Ayako said in her usual business tone, though Mai could tell the priestess was a little sad underneath it all. "Having said that, if you do get any difficult cases that you need me for then give me a call. I'll check my schedule at the hospital and see if I can fit you in." She added, watching Masako nod her agreement from behind her kimono sleeve.

"I often need to travel for work anyway, so it makes no difference to me." She agreed.

"Well, it's only a few hours away, so if I'm available I'll come too." Monk-san decided, the group brightening a little as they realised their team wasn't going to be broken up after all. They wouldn't see each other as much, and maybe they wouldn't all be able to work on every case, but so long as they kept in touch they may get back together at some point. "How about you, Lin?" The monk asked as he looked across to where Lin was typing on his laptop.

"I am still Kazuya's guardian, and as such I shall remain here." He replied simply, though the news didn't surprise anyone.

"Lin will maintain his position as lecturer for the Night Class. His lessons have proven to be of great interest to the students." Naru added, and this didn't surprise anyone either. Lin had always seemed very smart, and often had the information they needed. He also had a lot of knowledge about the spiritual world, which would likely be of interest to the Night Class students.

"What about you, John?" The monk asked, though he was quite sure he knew the answer.

"I can no longer officially perform my duties as a priest, so I've opted to remain here with Ichijou, and my son. I'll still be able to help on cases and perform rites, so long as I'm careful." He replied, having learned a lot about other vampires in his situation. Ichijou had made a point of showing him different books and even put him in contact with a man who still practiced Christianity despite being a vampire. It had helped him a lot.

"The case is now concluded, so those of you returning to Tokyo are free to go." Naru announced, the group murmuring their agreement before splitting up to get ready.