Rin woke up warm and comfortable, snuggly wrapped up against a broad chest. His face was tucked against Ryuuji's throat where he could hear his pulse and smell the intoxicating scent the young man had. Rin stretched his legs, nudging Kuro over till the familiar rolled over onto his back with a chirp. Ryuuji was sleeping heavily, his heartbeat slow and even. He still looked exhausted. Rin frowned, scratching his fingers over the rough hair on Ryuuji's cheeks.
He didn't look younger as he slept. He looked older and ragged. Rin felt a pang in his chest when he realizedhewas the one at fault for that. Rin did that. It was Rin's fault for Yukio too, Rin thought as his ears worked to find Yukio. His nose was too full of Ryuuji's scent to hunt for Yukio. It seemed they were alone. Yukio wasn't sleeping still?
Rin squirmed to better reach Ryuuji's nose before giving him a soft peck on the nose. He hadn't had the chance to do anything like thisever.For just a little bit he wasn't made of glass.
The thought made Rin smile and he nipped and kissed playfully at Ryuuji's face, ears, and throat. Ryuuji groaned and batted at him gently, eyes the color of rich chocolate opened to stare at him.
"What're you doin?" Ryuuji grumbled.
Rin answered with another nip, tugging at Ryuuji's ear. Ryuuji jolted and rolled, pinning Rin down. Ryuuji buried one hand in Rin's hair, and in response, Rin tilted his head back.
"Are you trying to start something?" Ryuuji growled, eyes trailing up Rin's throat.
Rin felt a thrill and he grinned, hooking his legs around Ryuuji's waist. "Maybe."
Ryuuji hummed his other hand gripping Rin's thigh. "Your brother could come in at any time."
Rin pouted. "No fun."
Ryuuji squeezed the soft skin under his hand and smiled. "When we can get some time alone…"
Rin rolled his eyes. That was ano."Fine… then I can dothis!"Rin lunged, digging fingers into Ryuuji's ribs.
Ryuuji's laughter filled Rin with warmth. Ryuuji would be ok. He had to be ok.

Yukio herded Rin into a quiet corner of the Inn and the pair dove into the Exorcist Exam. Rin was pleased to find he could hold his own pencil again. He could comprehend Yukio's words without struggle and at least knew some of the answers. His younger brother read out each question and gave small nudges in the right direction. At the end, Rin was confident he at least got some of it right. Either way, he was happy to have had the chance to even do the test.
"Yukio." Rin began as they shuffled the papers together.
Yukio looked up, inquisitive eyes lit with curiosity at Rin's tone.
"Are you ok?" Rin asked softly. He just had a feeling he needed to check on his little brother. Yukio stiffened, confirming Rin's suspicions.
"I'm fine, Rin." His tone was defensive.
Rin nodded but took a chance and reached over the table, grasping Yukio's hand. "Thank you, Yukio. For this and… everything else."
Yukio wouldn't look at him and that frustrated Rin. He wanted toseehis brother.
"You know you will be ok, right? And you'll take care of Ryuuji for me?" Rin asked in as gentle a voice he could manage. "I want you to promise something to me."
Yukio nodded, staring down at their clasped hands.
"Don't…Don'teventhinkabout joining me and the Old Man too soon, please…" Rin didn't want to push his brother but he needed to say this.
Yukio's shining teal eyes lifted to stare into his, he looked faintly angry but it quickly disappeared. "I promise."
Rin stood, taking the thick packet of papers. "Thank you."

Rin was beaming as he left the test with Yaozo Shima, the older man giving him a fatherly pat on the head. It was lunchtime and Rin intended to eat as much as he could. He trotted through the halls, his nose leading him to where Ryuuji was. He twitched as another person rushed by him. They had been doing that a lot. It almost reminded him of when the Inn was full of those infected with the Impure King's Miasma.
Rin eyeballed the next few people with suspicion but decided to let it go for the moment. He stepped into the meal hall, closing his eyes to take a moment to soak in the smells and warmth of the room. A gentle arm wrapped around him and he leaned towards the broad body. Ryuuji's scent was a soothing balm for him.
Ryuuji's lips pressed into his hair and he hummed contentedly. "You're coming with me."
Rin nuzzled up under Ryuuji's chin, practically purring. He blinked his eyes at his boyfriend before smiling up at him. "Ok… did you shave?"
Ryuuji grinned and ruffled Rin's hair affectionately. "I did."
Ryuuji tugged him down the hall and into what Rin vaguely recognized as the meeting room. The room was empty apart from Rin's closest friends sitting around the table. Kuro was lounging with his own bowl in front of him.
A steaming pot of… Rin sucked in a breath,sukiyakiwas in the middle of the table. A small plate of rice balls were stacked precariously near the pot.
"Yo Okumura! We were waiting on you. Hurry! I'm going to starve." Shima groaned.
Yukio nudged the pink haired boy and lifted a bowl up for Rin. "Would you like some?"
Rin grinned, his eyes were burning. "Yes!"
Ryuuji guided him to sit next to Yukio. Rin's hand trembled as he took a hesitant bite of his meal. It was perfect, warming him up and he hadn't had anything spicy in so long. The rice balls were just like the Old Man's and made Rin's heart clench.
"Yukio made them."Kuro told him softly, giving the bespectacled Exorcist a fond look.
That knowledge was Rin's undoing. Tears blurred his vision and he sniffled. He threw his arm around Yukio, squeezing him as tight as he safely could. "Thank you, brother."
"You're welcome. And happy birthday." Yukio whispered to him.
Rin gasped and grinned. He would be sixteen tomorrow! "Happy birthday, Yukio!"
Rin raised his eyes to each of them, watching him with varying degrees of worry. "Thank you all."
"You're welcome, Rin. We all love you." Shiemi cried out, reaching over the table to grasp Rin's hand.
Rin buried his face into Yukio's jacket, his brother slowly wrapping him up in his arms. Konekomaru leaned forward, laying his hand over Rin and Shiemi's and squeezed. Rin watched in awe as more hands reached out to him and Yukio's arms were holding him.
Rin turned his face just enough to meet Ryuuji's eyes. The Aria had been so quiet. His eyes were glistening and he appeared to be holding his breath as he joined the others. Rin wiggled his tail and swept it around to curl around the Aria.
"I love all of you too." Rin said overwhelmed with the feelings of love.
Ryuuji's fingers curled into the tufted tail, his hands shaking minutely.
The rest of the meal passed in peace, the group eating their way through the pot. They had retired to the floor, a blanket spread out and a set of cards had been brought out.
Renzo had music going, and the pink haired boy was showing off random dances as he tried to keep spirits high. Kuro seemed to catch on to it and played with Rin's tail and Izumo's hair. The purple haired girl shook it out to entice the cat.
The conversation topics had changed to the upcoming wedding when Rin felt an unpleasant tingling in his tail, fingers and toes. His vision was going blotchy, before flickering out completely.
He tugged on Yukio and Ryuuji, his sightless eyes seeking them out, he pitched forward in exhaustion. His hands squeezed at skin and clothes.
"Time is up." He crumpled forward. He was happy his last image had been his family around him. He couldn't ask for anything better.

The spell was broken like a dropped mirror, shattering the dreamlike state of the past day. Rin was crying out as his body rapidly deteriorated back to how it had been. It was even worse watching the transformation like a time lapse video.
Yukio's feet pounded down the hall ahead while Ryuuji cradled Rin to his chest. The others dispersed to inform the adults of Rin's condition. Rin took a shuddering breath, his glassy eyes half lidded as he adjusted back into his skin.
"Sucks…" he slurred against Ryuuji's shoulder.
It was such a drastic change. So different. Sowrong.Ryuuji hated the pain that Rin was suffering through and he was helpless.
Yukio forced the door to their room open and Ryuuji laid Rin down, anxious to ease his pain. Yukio returned from the other side with a handful of pills. Together they worked to get the pills into Rin, the half-demon's fever was climbing already.
The bag of fluids was slid back into place, the oxygen tank wheeled over and prepped for use… endless bottles of medicines and a bag of syringes.
Rin's lips were dry and cracked when Ryuuji gave him a gentle peck, his breath was almost steaming from the heat of his body. It hurt to look at him. The last 24 hours had been like a cruel dream of "look at what could have been"...

It is a shame that Rin didn't get a longer respite." Lewin commented as he lounged on the couch five days later. From what Ryuuji knew, the man hadn't left that spot since he returned from wherever he went. He hadn't even told Ryuuji he was gone, just reappeared and mentioned Azazel before going to bed. Now, Lewin kept a commentary as Ryuuji shuffled through paper after paper.
Ryuuji nodded, his face the definition of miserable as he photocopied the papers (the poor clones… wasting away withoutanyoneto care). He then set to arranging them inside files in a flash drive, his mind drifting to his room. Rin had been sleeping about 20 hours a day since the spell broke, waking for short periods then was out again. His kidneys were barely hanging on and he was weaker than ever. Yukio should be with him right now, but it was difficult to know. The younger twin was emotionally frail and needed breaks often now.
"So anyway… we need to get this to the Vatican. They won't be happy, especially about the stuff with Fujimoto and Rin. But first I gotta grab Draguesc… I got his schedule and I plan to snag him soon. You won't come, will you?" Lewin asked, though he already knew the answer.
Ryuuji shook his head. "I can't."
"Can't blame you. While I'm gone, you need to stick with Rin." Lewin sat up a little to grope at the pocket of his pants. He then handed Ryuuji a simple pocket knife. "It's nothing special but it's easier to keep on you than a gun. Remember what we talked about. When I return, we will get justice for him and all the ones who ended up like him."
Ryuuji did not want to remember. He didn't want to consider having to fight Rin's body. He couldn't imagine it.
"And, kid." Lewin lowered his voice and leaned forward, his right eye shining through his curtain of hair. "Something is brewing out there. People have been keeping it real… hushed up around you kids but I think you need to know. Be ready. Something is happening."
Ryuuji felt a chill crawl down his spine and he shuddered. He had noticed things but he had hoped it was just normal missions.
"While I am gone… that will be the perfect time for things to go to shit. Protect Rin. If Satan takes over Rin, kill him."
Ryuuji's voice trembled unhappily as he whispered, "I will."

Yukio hadn't meant to eavesdrop but it was done. He couldn't believe what he had heard. What was Lewin Light talking about? What information did he have on dad and Rin? The ones who ended up like Rin? There were others that suffered like Rin?
If Satan takes over Rin? That's not… no way. Rin can't be possessed by Satan. Yukio shook his head but the thoughts lingered. The information dump he had heard was… insane. How could all this be kept from him? So this is what Ryuuji had been doing with Lewin? Keeping it all from Yukio, for what? What reason?
"Maybe because you are unstable."A voice whispered in his head.
"Shut up. I am not. I deserve to know."Yukio argued.
The voice chuckled and quieted, obviously enjoying the show. Yukio took a shaking breath and walked further away.
It doesn't matter now anyway.Tonight was New Years Eve and Lucifer had promised adistraction.Yukio hadn't looked at Renzo the whole day, ashamed of his fear.
This was desperation. He had to do this because Rin's time was running out. He would be betraying everything to get Rin to his last chance. And… he glanced back towards the door Ryuuji was behind. Apparently there was more going on here too.
In another life he may have been more interested to learn more about what Ryuuji knew but for now he could use it. He needed a way to slip Rin away without Ryuuji knowing.
As he walked he could hear the ruckus caused by the vast majority of the Shima family being in the building. The wedding preparations were in full swing, everyone lending a hand in some way except for Yukio and Ryuuji. Both of them had been given a pass because of the responsibility of Rin and Ryuuji's apprenticeship.
Apprenticeship… it's not even that. It's Lewin using him.Yukio was thankful they had placed Rin in a quieter section of the Inn, closer to the Suguro parent's room so he wasn't disturbed.
Yukio entered the room to find it already occupied. Renzo was perched on the edge of Rin's bed, stroking Rin's hair as he played a game on his phone.
It was odd to see. It was a level of caring that was almost out of character for Renzo but then Yukio remembered…
"You are hiding from your family?" Yukio whispered, standing in the center of the room.
The spy twitched as he was startled but he quickly covered it up and just nodded. The room was quiet, it would have been peaceful if Rin wasn't gasping to breathe in his bed.
"They won't come down here. Even to find me. I could spend all day here. No one is allowed down here except for us." Renzo sighed, setting his phone down to stretch. The pink haired boy looked down at Rin, his brow crinkled. "God… he's burning up. You are making the right choice."
Yukio nodded but didn't want to talk more about it. Too many people were around and he wasn't confident someone wouldn't hear. He shouldn't have heard what he did but it was too late now…
"Yukio. You and Rin will get out of this. Somehow. Someone has something to help him." Renzo was trying to comfort him.
Yukio looked down at his watch. "We need to get Rin up and cleaned up."

The wedding was a beautiful affair. The room was grandly decorated, and warm compared to the freezing weather outside. Rin was mostly awake, slumped heavily against Yukio. Ryuuji was on the other side holding his hot hand.
Rin's eyes were sightless but he was soaking in the setting using his other senses. It was amazing. The whole place was magical in a way Rin hadn't experienced before. The scents of flowers, demons and nervous humans created a picture that Rin desperately clung to.
He was thankful to have gotten to be here for it. He fought to keep himself awake, blinking rapidly. He wanted to hang on to this. It made things feel ok.
He shivered, slipping a little against Yukio. He sat up as stiff as he could manage, and groaned when he couldn't hold himself up for long. All he could do was let others help him and stare into the darkness.

Yukio frowned down at where Rin slouched against him. His brother was refusing to eat. He hadn't eaten much since the spell failed and today he was refusing it all. Yukio glanced down at his watch again, anxious to get Rin to the Illuminati.
Rin wheezed pitifully when Yukio tried to spoon some broth into his mouth. He buried his fevered head against Yukio and Yukio sighed softly, finally giving up. He scanned the crowd for Ryuuji.
Yukio looked down at Rin.Should I make a break for it now? Everyone is distracted with the wedding… slip away now.His thoughts were stalled when Ryuuji rushed back in, his eyes wide.
He practically ran to Yukio and he slid to a stop next to him. "You gotta come see this."
Yukio frowned and stood, Ryuuji lifted Rin, one arm tucked under the half-demon bottom, his tail over Ryuuji's arm. Ryuuji's other hand grasped Yukio, tugging him gently down the way he had come. Yukio was baffled at the urgency. Ryuuji was usually much more careful with Rin and rarely touched Yukio.
The front hall was crowded where a single TV was broadcasting loudly for everyone to hear.
"Yamanote to Ikebukuro Collision with large creature?"A cyclops… Yukio's fingers were prickling with his nerves. Was this the distraction?
The exorcists were gearing up and Rin was becoming more aware with the noise. He raised his head only for it to fall back where it hung over Ryuuji's shoulder.
Yukio risked searching for Renzo only to find him already looking at him. Renzo shook his head subtly. The spy removed a key from his pocket and ran down the hall, disappearing from view too quickly. Yukio's phone was going off and he mechanically answered.
"Yukio! We need reinforcements, we are shorthanded. Can you join us?" Shura was on the other end, frantic.
Yukio could hear more phones ringing in the room, and shouts from Shura's end. Ryuuji's phone began to go off once more, forcing the Aria to release Yukio's hand, which he had been clinging to.
"I can't leave Rin, Shura." Yukio couldn't do that. Not when time was running out.
"He won't be ok for a couple hours? Yukio, it's really bad out here." Shura asked.
"No Shura. He's at the end. He hasdaysleft… if that. I can't leave him." Yukio choked. "I'll send the other Exwires."
Shura sighed. "Ok. I'll try to come by to see him soon."
Yukio turned back to the others, heart in his throat as he hung up. "Exwires!"
The Cram class except for Renzo and Takara (where was he now?) perked up, the girls coming closer and Konekomaru appearing from where he had been talking to Rin. Ryuuji was speaking quietly to Lewin, Yukio was able to hear snippets of the conversation revolving around a flash drive.
"I can't! I can't leave Rin." Ryuuji growled.
Yukio sighed, feeling his stress grow. But he knew what needed to be done. "Exwires are to go lend a hand in the fight. All of you get ready to leave."
Nagatomo was striding towards them and Yukio raised his hand in greeting.
"I'll take them, Yukio." The man said, doing up the buttons on his coat.
Ryuuji was standing slack jawed, staring at the phone and back at Yukio. "All of us?" He croaked, the arm holding Rin tightened, and in response Rin snuggled weakly closer.
Yukio didn't want to do this but he needed Ryuuji out of the way. "Yes, all of you."
Ryuuji was staring at him with horrified betrayal. "No!"
"I need you to, Ryuuji." Yukio could hear Lewin's voice say over the line right as he said, "Yes. You are powerful and every exorcist is needed." Yukio hated the feeling in his chest. Something in his throat was clogging up.
Ryuuji's eyes were wet, the other Exwires didn't look much better. Nagatomo was frowning, looking torn.
Yukio held his arms out towards Rin. "Ryuuji…" Yukio swallowed down the shards of glass in his throat and he said, "trust me. I'll take good care of him."
Ryuuji studied him before nodding. "Fine, only if I can have your key." Ryuuji's voice cracked and he hung up the phone. With both hands free, he wrapped Rin up in his arms. One of his hands cupped the back of Rin's head, stroking his hair and Ryuuji kissed Rin on the cheek. "I'll be back."
Yukio really didn't want to give Ryuuji a way to get back to the Inn quickly but he couldn't see a way around it. Yukio handed his key ring over to Shiemi at his side before wrapping his arms around Rin's super heated prominent ribs.
Rin roused, a choked cry escaping him as he raised his head and stared around vacantly. "Whas happen?" He slurred.
Yukio gently hushed him, while silently hating himself. "Everything will be ok." Yukio said, directing the lie to Ryuuji, who's hands hung in the air as if to take Rin back.
Kamiki reached out and grasped one of Ryuuji's hands. The Aria finally dropped them and nodded. .
"Ryuuji." Yukio hesitantly called out as they turned to leave. Ryuuji stiffened and looked back. "Take my gun."
Ryuuji swallowed and nodded slowly. His eyes were pained. "Thank you. Let's go. Faster we go, the faster we get back."
Ryuuji walked towards the doors but had to stop. Just one last look. Then he rushed away.

Yukio paced about his room, waiting forthedistraction. He was all packed with the necessities, Rin's sword which had been gathering dust was leaning next to the bag.
Rin squirmed and thrashed through his ever rising fever. His lungs were aching and his belly and back were in agony. The blackness and the cloying scents of stress and fear… blood down the hall…not Ryuuji's? No… but Ryuuji… where… where?! He couldn't… who? He wanted to raise his hands and rip at his hair. As if to save… what? What was he doing? Why did it hurt? Where was Ryuuji? Who was Ryuuji? Rin didn't know.
Ryuuji was trembling in the freezing weather, frustrated and distracted. He needed to get to the Vatican. He needed to return to Rin. Instead, Lewin had been arrested and Ryuuji had to fight the hordes of demons in Tokyo. His pocket was weighed down by the near weightless flash drive, entrusted to him for a safe delivery.
His gun…Yukio'sgun was cold and the snow billowed as the wind sliced through their skin to their bones. Screams of demons and exorcists created a horrible symphony that curled through the night.
Rin was in Kyoto with just Yukio to care for him. Would he be ok? What if Rin had a seizure? Could Yukio handle him alone? Did Rin understand where Ryuuji went? Did he think Ryuuji had abandoned him? Rin coulddiewithout Ryuuji there next to him…
Ryuuji's thoughts distracted him, or maybe that's just Ryuuji blaming himself, from a demon the size of a medium sized dog charging straight for him from the side, grotesque stick like arms reaching to shred him. It's maw hung open with thousands of needle sharp teeth. He didn't have time to turn the gun but it didn't matter. Because a small figure leapt between them, trying to raise a shield.
Ryuuji's eyes went wide as Konekomaru was slammed to the ground. Ryuuji dropped his gun and grabbed the flailing demon off Konekomaru and threw it as far as he could where Uke dashed after it. Shiemi was screaming, then a dense forest of vines erupted around them. Konekomaru was lying on his back, blood, so much blood was pouring from the front of his jacket. His eyes were open and he seemed shocked, his glasses had flown off and were shattered on the grown, splattered with crimson.
Ryuuji dropped to his knees, removing his own jacket in preparation for applying pressure. He felt a spark of anger when he realized what they were all wearing. None of them were prepared for a fight of this caliber. The exorcist uniform at least offered more protection than what they were wearing! The girls' were wearing skirts and dresses!
Ryuuji shook his head as he tore the front of Konekomaru's shirt away to reveal the injuries below. He was startled to see his arms were already weeping trails of blood, apparently the demon had scratched and bit Ryuuji. Konekomaru was bleeding heavily from an array of frenzied bites and scratches centered around his collarbone and shoulder, narrowly missing his throat.
Ryuuji's hands shook violently as he tried to not look at the exposed collarbone, but carefully laid his jacket over the wounds. He pressed over them, startling a cry from Konekomaru.
Izumo balled up her scarf to set it under his head and Konekomaru smiled gratefully.
"I can't even really feel it."Yet.He tried to encourage them. It was the first time any of the Cram Students that wasn't Rin had been injured to such a caliber. There was too much blood
Ryuuji's other hand scrambled for the ring of keys, realizing Yukio had given him the whole thing. Including the key that gave direct access to the hospital…
He thrust out the key to Izumo right as Shiemi toppled over from the strain of keeping up the massive barrier. As the barrier fell, demons started to make their way towards them. Ryuuji vividly remembered the moment with the Impure King. Rin lighting up the night sky in a beautiful array of blue fire.
Ryuuji scooped some of his blood up and made a summoning circle while Izumo's familiars fought.
"Karura!" Ryuuji cried.
The Phoenix appeared in a burst of flame and scrutinized the situation. "You called, master Ryuuji?"
Ryuuji could already feel the drain on himself but he had to protect them. "Help us!"
The flaming demon spread grand wings and swept away to plow into the closest demon. Ryuuji looked down when he felt it was safe and lifted Konekomaru.
"Izumo! Get a door open with that key!" Ryuuji called out. Shiemi was laying against the ground, panting heavily. Izumo hoisted Shiemi up and began to run, other exorcists had become clued in on a problem with the Exwires and were making their way to them. Ryuuji started shouting out mantra, desperate to keep them safe.
A door to a small church was open to the inside of the hospital and Ryuuji wanted to cry with relief as he ran through it.
He was sliding to a stop when he looked down and realized Konekomaru had gone silent.

Yukio had long since given up on pacing and was staring at the door, his phone was pinging with update after update on various exorcist activities. He didn't look at that though, he sat and waited for Renzo to message, call, or doanything.
It was ticking past three in the morning and all Yukio had done was sit out the fight. It was driving him mad.
Finally, the door creaked open and Renzo stepped inside. His face was more grim than usual as he assessed the room. Renzo was holding Yukio's gun, a bloodied jacket and a scarf over his arm.
"Rin is asleep?" He asked softly.
Yukio nodded, trying to be patient as he waited to hear what he so desperately needed to hear. "Well?"
"Bon, Koneko and the others are out of the way. They're alive but got pretty roughed up. Koneko was in bad shape..." Renzo set down the gun that Yukio had loaned to Ryuuji earlier that night. (The wedding felt like a dream compared to this chaos.) "I swung by the hospital where they're at. Lucky I did. Bon would have lost Light's damn flash drive."
Renzo nudged the jacket, frowning down at the bloody garment. "Now we just wait for the big distraction. I'll get a phone call when it's time.."
Yukio hissed angrily. "How is this not the distraction? Shura, Light, Nagatomo, all the Exwires are gone! No one else will notice if we make a break for it!"
Renzo raised his hands in surrender. "I didn't plan this. I just do what they say. But Yukio… you look wiped out. Get some sleep. I'll sit with Rin for a bit."
Yukio wanted to argue, after all he hadn't been doing anything, but he hadn't slept the last few nights and it was taking its toll.
"You'll need your strength to carry Rin." Renzo said, taking a seat next to Rin's bed, so reminiscent of the morning.
Yukio laid down, fully dressed and ready to get up at a moment's notice. He was surprised how easily sleep came but within seconds he was drifting off to the sound of Rin breathing.

Mephisto was on TV… Ryuuji stared at the screen, exhausted. His arms itched from the stitches and he had to stop himself from scratching at the gauze. The hospital band was a good distraction for that. An IV of antibiotics and a holy water saline trailed into his arm. It was quiet in the room, empty of staff but full of the resting Exwires.
Konekomaru would be ok. He would have extensive scarring on his shoulder and collarbone but nothing had been broken. Izumo had sprained her ankle in the mad dash through the fight and had a simple wrap around it to stabilize. Shiemi had exhausted herself but was in the best condition.
Ryuuji was waiting for the antibiotics bag to empty then he would be rushing back to Kyoto. Yukio hadn't called him… no news was good news, right?
Ryuuji shifted in the bed, eager to escape. He missed Rin. He felt like he was at the top of a rollercoaster, and all he could hear was the softclick click… heading towards the moment he would be tossed over the edge.
His attention was yanked back to the TV when Shiemi and Izumo gasped. A spray of blood and Mephisto was falling backwards…
"What the hell?!" Ryuuji boomed, accidentally rousing Konekomaru.
Shura ran from behind the scenes, kneeling next to Mephisto who sat up a little. Other exorcists were rushing around, searching forthe shooter.Mephisto had been shot!
Ryuuji held his breath and leaned closer to the TV. Mephisto's blood was dark in contrast to his paling skin as it trailed down his face. Why wasn't he healing?
Mephisto crumpled backwards, it looked like he was having difficulty breathing. Shura's eyes were wide with fear, her hands scrambled for her phone.
Ryuuji felt his heart give a painful jolt as he rememberedwhoMephisto was. He was the demon who oversawdeath.
His thoughts hadn't even fully processed before he was leaping out of the bed. The IV was yanked from his arm and his stitches stretched but he couldn't care less.
Rin had been teetering on the edge and Ryuuji knew this was it. This would be the thing to push him over. The others were calling out to him as he scrambled for the keyring on the bedside table and dashed out of the room.
He had to find a door that locked and get to Rin. Everything inside of him was screaming for him tobethere.
He wasso stupidfor even leaving in the first place! He could hear Shiemi close on his heels, the small girl the only other one fit enough to keep up with him.
He shoved past a nurse, not letting them even try to grab him and he slid the correct key into the staff room door. It was truly lucky that Mephisto had made the key a direct way to the Inn after Rin became a full time resident.
Ryuuji and Shiemi burst into the brightly lit hallway. Their bare footsteps thundered over the hardwood floor, Ryuuji's heart galloped along at an ever increasing beat similar to… Ryuuji slid to a stop… a helicopter.
Ryuuji changed course, exiting the Inn through the front entrance. There in the blizzard-like conditions was a single helicopter with the Illuminati insignia on the side, lit up and ready to go.
Renzo was hanging out of it, helpingYukioload Rin on. Rin was a frightening shade of purple, his eyes were rolled up and bloodshot, his clothes were steaming, blood that appeared to be boiling was coming from his eyes, ears, and nose.
"YUKIO" Ryuuji shouted over the noise of the helicopter.
The younger twin looked back for just a moment, appearing surprised before he cleared his expression. He shook his head at Ryuuji but Ryuuji was already running towards them. It wasn't far… he just had to hurry!
The snow was being blown around, slamming into him again and again… his feet were bare and he had no traction.
He slipped, landing hard on his knees and catching himself with his wounded arms. He struggled to gain his footing, disgusted with himself. His bandages were becoming stained with crimson.
Ryuuji tried once more, the doors were sliding shut… he catapulted himself forward and reached through desperately. His hand closed around something at the same moment a foot kicked out at him, sending him toppling to the ground. The helicopter shot into the air and he screamed at the top of his lungs. "I TRUSTED YOU."
They were already disappearing in the overcast sky…Ryuuji looked down at what he had managed to grab and choked on a sob.
Rin's sword.