This chapter got away from me very quickly. Thank you to LadySelenay for assisting so much and helping me improve my writing!
Ravenscode- My Escape inspired the beginning of this chapter
Chapter 8
Rin's cheeks ached from simply grinning. He trotted through the crowd, tugging Ryuuji along by the hand clasped in his. The couple had eaten a nice dinner, Rin attempted to ignore the gnawing pain in his side as the cancer continued to spread. Rin was breathless, his cheeks showing his overexertion but he was in good spirits. He attempted to ignore the ones keeping him in their line of sight. Teachers, Cram School students and even the Preceptor were varying distances away. Rock music thrummed through the speakers.
"Ryuuji. I want to dance!" Rin told his handsome boyfriend.He looks so good all dressed up.
Ryuuji blushed, but allowed Rin to drag him off to the side of the dance floor. (They didn't want Rin getting jostled too much if he was bumped by someone.) The music changed to a slower song, Rin snapped his head to glare at the DJ, and his mouth fell open.Of course it was Kinzo Shima.The blonde tipped an invisible hat to Rin, a playful grin on his lips.
They had planned everything out…
"Hey, look at me." Ryuuji's voice was a low rumble, setting his head against Rin's. "You know we're all just trying to keep you safe, babe."
Rin pulled Ryuuji close, and his eyes drank in the sights around him. Konekomaru was dancing with his own partner. Yukio and Shura were swaying together, trying to appear as if they weren't purposely sticking close to Rin. The couple looked relaxed for the moment, Shura's arms around Yukio's neck. Yukio's eyes met Rin's and a soft pained smile lifted Yukio's lips. The fairy lights twinkled above their heads, the wind was helping to keep Rin cool. The music was… perfect. Rin closed his eyes, setting his head against Ryuuji's chest as they slowly danced. He could feel the Aria's steady heartbeat, soothing the worry from his mind. Something landed on Rin's head, and he opened his eyes to find Shiemi placing a flower crown on Ryuuji's head. The Aria was hunched over so the blonde could reach his head. The crown of Jasmine and Freesia sat crooked on his head and Rin reached up to adjust it. The pair turned to watch Shiemi scurry over to Yukio. Yukio's eyes went wide but allowed the girl to place one on his head, his cheeks a bright red. Rin laughed, and turned back to continue dancing with Ryuuji.
He couldn't think of anything more perfect. His body wasn't in any kind of pain at the moment, his mind was at peace, his arms held Ryuuji close.
Rin looked up at his boyfriend, his heart swelling with something foreign. Ryuuji was looking right back at him, his eyes glistened and Rin was startled to find his own eyes burning. Tears blurred his vision, and he pulled Ryuuji tight against him. The two held each other, and Rin leaned up, settling his lips against Ryuuji's. The kiss was still slow and gentle, but Rin's heart pounded in response. Ryuuji's calloused hand stroked the side of his face.
If tonight was my last night… I can't think of a better ending…
Yukio's breathing was shaky, rattling his terrified lungs. He clung to Shura, he needed the comfort… he couldn't handle this. Rin was dancing in circles with Ryuuji. The couple beamed, eyes twinkling, cheeks wet, lips desperately searching out the other. Rin looked so handsome tonight. Yukio had let Rin pick out whatever he wanted. The dark midnight blue suit and sapphire tie made his hair and eyes pop, the lights above made him glow even more so. The crown of flowers shed petals onto his shoulders. Ironically, he looked like an angel. Tonight would be his last night… If Yukio went through with what laid within their dorm. A fatal dose of demonic tranquilizer… Yukio's eyes were stinging, he was thankful that no one was looking at him.
"Shhhh. It's ok. You can cry." Shura's voice startled him. His tears had landed on her shoulder.
"I'm fine." He croaked. He looked back to Rin, watching as Ryuuji spun Rin carefully. Rin's squeal of laughter had Yukio choking on a sob. He shoved his knuckles into his mouth and bit down.
She pulled away, her eyes full of sorrow. "Youcan cry."
He wanted to… he wanted to so bad. He wanted to fall to his knees and spill his secrets. He wanted to tell her all about the voice in his head, and his plans to put Rin down like a dog. He wanted to beg her to make the pain stop. But then Shura stiffened, her body going tense. Her hand shot up to her earpiece, switching the dial.
"Kirikagure." She listened to whatever was on the other line, her face growing troubled. "Ok. I'll be there."
"What is it?" he managed to pull himself back from the breakdown he almost had.
"They need me elsewhere. I'll let you know if we need help." Shura looked over to Ryuuji and Rin, dancing in their own little world.
"Right." He nodded, taking a calming breath. He turned, watching Rin.
Rin was practically asleep with how relaxed he felt. He had his arms settled around Ryuuji's shoulders. The Aria's arms were looped around Rin's back. He pressed kisses to Rin's head, humming along to the soft music. Rin was in immediate danger of falling asleep. Ryuuji seemed to sense it and gently picked up Rin by his thighs. Rin didn't argue, allowing himself to go limp in his arms. The half-demon's head settled against Ryuuji's neck, his eyes slid shut…
"Rin! Suguro!"
His head snapped up, his flames spat to life, making a cocoon of fire with himself and Ryuuji inside. Yukio was running over, his hand to his headset.
"What's going on?" Ryuuji asked, walking away from the dance floor.
"Kamiki is missing and needs to be found immediately. Shima and Takara are missing as well. They may be together. All Cram Students are to begin searching." He told the couple. Rin squirmed to get out of Ryuuji's arms. Ryuuji could tell from the worry in Yukio's eyes that this wasn't a small problem.
"We'll find them!" Rin promised.
Yukio stared at Rin, his brow creased in concern. Finally he sighed, "Suguro, don't let him out of your sights… keep him safe."
Ryuuji nodded, feeling the anxiety of such a great task settle on his shoulders.
"Go." Yukio waved them off and Rin latched onto his hand, tugging him away.
They raced through the crowds, swiveling their heads in search of the missing classmates. Ryuuji didn't like this at all. The air felt electrically charged with something. Ahead of him, Rin sniffed, his nose in the air.
"Do you smell that?" The boy asked.
Ryuuji tried to smell whatever Rin was picking up but he couldn't find anything out of the usual. "What do you smell?'
"Sulfur and something like a thunderstorm. Like lightning." Rin answered. The half-demon began to growl like a large cat, then with an excessively hard yank, Rin was dragging Ryuuji along. Their flower crowns fell, landing on the ground side by side. Ryuuji clung to Rin's hand, his eyes wide with panic. Rin was runningfast, the half-demon was spitting flames.
"Rin!" Ryuuji shouted. "Slow down!"
"Something is coming." Rin snarled. His teeth lengthened, flashing in the now eerie light above them. The music had changed back to the faster, louder stuff now that Rin was away… but Ryuuji wished they weren't running at a breakneck pace towards something that had Rin on edge. This was a terrible idea. He flashed back to the time they were runningtowardsthe deadly Impure King. Why did this feel so similar?
A loud boom sent a shock wave through their bodies, rattling their bones and Rin ran faster up the stairs to the causeway. Rin was panting heavily, his exhale escaped with a wheeze. Ryuuji wanted to stop him but the half-demon looked exceptionally agitated, being driven onward by something as yet unknown except for his sense of imminent danger.
He hadn't looked this way against the Impure King. What would set him off like this? Above them, high up on the observation deck a plume of… black fire lapped at the sky before disappearing. Who black fire?
"Izumo!" Rin screamed. Ryuuji's heart thundered in his chest. They tore past the small clutter of their fellow students and a panic stricken Yukio, making their way up to the observation deck.
"Rin!" Yukio cried out, before pursuing his brother.
As they began to ascend, a loud whir of helicopter propellers sounded from above. A searchlight illuminated the night, and Ryuuji could see it come to a stop on the deck. They reached the top, and Ryuuji felt his stomach plummet. Every nerve in his body screamed to turn and run. He ignored it, squeezing Rin's hand tighter.
"Shima!" Rin's voice was hoarse and raw but still carried. And there was Renzo Shima. He was shrouded in black flames, standing with people in odd uniforms. They stood together behind tall, large shields. "Izumo?!"
The girl was limp in Shima's arms… and Ryuuji felt his heart lurch in his chest. Please don't be dead. What was happening? What was Shimadoingthere with those people?
Ryuuji could hear Rin shouting to Shima as he continued forward. Renzo's eyes narrowed, a smirk lifted his lips. Ryuuji found his feet sliding to a stop, and he yanked Rin back. Rin cried out, eyes wide.
"Rin!" Yukio screamed. He must sense it too… everyone's hair was lifting, static seemed to be charging the air. Ryuuji dragged Rin back to his chest, twisting and shielded him as the world around them lit up. A tremendous blistering heat swept over them, at first Ryuuji thought Rin had flared up. But as fast as it was there, it was gone.
A dark shadow was before them, shielding them. Mephisto's shadow created a protective cone. The air was still charged, the smell of sulfur and ozone Rin had smelled was strong enough here that Ryuuji could smell it as well. Rin was trembling violently in Ryuuji's arms, then he realized he had grabbed Rin around the ribcage.
The metastatic tumor. Ryuuji flinched as he felt the way the ribcage feltdifferentthere, and drew his arm away, latching into Rin more gingerly below the affected area. Yukio was suddenly in front of them, his glasses in his hand to avoid the glare. Yukio grasped Rin's face, trying to have his brother look at him.
Rin took a heaving breath, his skin was a frightening shade of white in the light and darkness around them. He growled suddenly, batting away Yukio's hands. His teeth gnashed and he stood on shaking legs. His tail lashed like a whip and they turned to listen to the newcomer.
The demon was tall and thin, a golden mask similar to an owl's visage covered his face. His slit pupiled eyes were the color of a clear sky. Rin eyed the new demon's tail, similar to his own, remembering what Mephisto said.A demon's tail is their biggest weakness.
"I am the Commander-in-Chief of the Illuminati. I am Lucifer, the King of Light." The voice that spoke was soft and rich. Ryuuji shivered,thiswas the top demon after Satan himself.
Mephisto bowed extravagantly, "My big brother! It seems while we were apart you…" he giggled. "Anyway, the mask suits you!"
Lucifer tipped his head. "Samael… I seeyouare still healthy." Lucifer coughed.
Was he shaking?Ryuuji could feel Rin swaying next to him, his hand slick with sweat. Rin growled softly and Yukio shushed him. Lucifer still heard the sound, his eyes locking onto the three boys crouching directly behind Mephisto.
"Thanks to you, I'm having a blast. But what brings you to this little backwater?" Mephisto was approaching Lucifer now. His steps were cadenced as if holding back from initiating a dance.
"Well…" Lucifer spread his arms out to beckon to those behind him. "As a first step, we in the Illuminati… have come to issue aDeclaration of Waragainst the Knights of the True Cross."
Rin's muscles were tensing, his shoulders hunched. Ryuuji's heart was beating uncomfortably fast and his breath seized in his throat.War?Yukio shuffled closer to Rin, his eyes narrowing with growing hostility. Lucifer side stepped Mephisto, his head tilted to the side like a bird.
"In less than one year from this day… we will revive our father, Satan!" Lucifer's words felt like a stab to the chest. "We will rejoin Assiah and Gehenna as one and return to the nothingness that preceded darkness and light. Then all will be free of suffering…" his gaze had turned to Rin, appearing to be looking for something. "To exist in equality and harmony. The world will know true peace."
Lucifer pulled his eyes away to meet Mephisto's. "The Illuminati will not forgive any who oppose our will. However… the door is always open to those who would listen." Lucifer took a step closer. "Samael. As your older brother, I ask you one last time… will you join me in--"
"Never." Mephisto's tone and body stance surprised Ryuuji. He could tell Mephisto meant it, and could see that what he said was true. Mephisto's voice was passionate as he spoke once again. "Living atop a pile of corpses, longing for the sky while crawling through a world of suffering. And the chaos of different beings existing side by side.That'smy idea of peace."
Lucifer eyes narrowed, his stance was still relaxed but his tail was flicking. "But why must we live in sin and agony? Not all in this world are as strong as you. Many are weak." He side-stepped, eyes flicking over Rin's body with the brutal exactness of a scalpel. "I see you still enjoy flaunting your body's durability."
Now his eyes were sharper as he turned on Mephisto. "Are you even trying to keep him alive?" A light cough punctuated his words, "or are your scientists that ill equipped? I'm not disturbed by a lot of things, but your obvious lack of care is appalling."
Mephisto seemed tobristle, Ryuuji saw his hands twitch, and the muscles of his jaw tensed. Ryuuji blinked, and looked back at the strange pale demon standing there.
Mephisto chuckled, the sound cold. "I have been sparing no expense for him, on the contrary. This cancer has metastasized into something no researcher has seen before."
Lucifer hummed thoughtfully, his eyes flashing with something like sympathy at Rin. "Then perhaps you would let me take him? I'm sure my researchers can ease his pain."
Ryuuji and Yukio moved simultaneously, pulling Rin behind them. Their expressions were thunderous at the very idea of such a thing.Let this guy takeRin? Impossible. If Mephisto was vehement aboutnotjoining Lucifer, and Mephisto was protecting Rin… Allowing this monster to take him would be unfathomable.
Mephisto growled, "I think not, big brother." His smile turned sharper, and his display of fangs was predatory. "I simply cannot allow you to sink your claws in him at this time."
Lucifer tilted his head, and his eyes narrowed venomously. "I won't have to, at this rate. He'll be dead long before I have the care to strike him down. I will, however, be taking the girl. She is necessary to our plans."
Mephisto's eyes narrowed as he glanced over Lucifer's shoulder at Renzou standing there flanked by eldest brother's henchmen. Lucifer turned away, but only made it a couple steps before he suddenly lurched forward, coughing. Shouts of alarm rang out from the others standing with him, and a woman standing nearby caught him as his knees threatened to give out. Bringing his arm across her shoulder with practised ease. She supported him without a hint of hesitation. The pair retreated back to the helicopter, Shima following obediently still carrying Izumo in his arms with hardly a hint of discomfort.
"Wait!" Rin's shout startled both sides, and Lucifer hesitated for a moment before continuing to step forward. Ryuuji and Yukio glanced back at him. "What are you going to do with Izumo and Shima?" Getting no response, Rin snarled. "Hey! Mephisto! Are you just going to stand there and watch?"
Mephisto sighed. "What can I do against the King of Light? He may be weakened, but he is Gehenna's greatest power, aside from Satan himself." Mephisto tipped his head to look down at Rin. "But you should be able to sense that, right?"
Ryuuji should have seen it coming… he should have been able to prevent what happened next, but he was too slow. They all were too slow. Rin roared, his tensed muscles threw him forward with the grace of a cat.
"Rin!" Ryuuji rushed after the half-demon, his hands reached out.
"I'll stop him!" Rin spat, drawing his sword. The blue fire roared to life, bathing everything in the ghostly light. Shima broke away from the main group, k'rik raised, facing Rin head on. The two clashed in the middle, weapons locked.
"I'm warning you." Shima's eyes had a hint of the familiar amusement. "You can't win this unless you are willing to kill. Because… the Illuminati are…" his brows furrowed as his eyes locked onto Rin's face. The half-demon's facial muscles had gone limp, his mouth hung open. His slit pupiled eyes dilated and all emotion slid off. Shima stepped back, "Okumura?"
Rin's flames went wild for a moment, climbing high into the night sky, then they were gone and Rin dropped backwards. His sword dropped from his hand and his head hit the ground with a loud crack. Everyone, including the Illuminati, were frozen in place as he began to seize violently. Yukio was the first to move, rushing forward and yanking Ryuuji along by his sleeve. Ryuuji's hands fumbled in his jacket pocket for the anti-seizure medication, but he knew it was already too late.
Lucifer looked up at Mephisto with a hard expression. "Are you certain you wouldn't like me to intervene?"
Mephisto appeared pained for a moment, watching Rin thrash on the floor. "No."
Lucifer glanced back at the frantic teenagers. "My offer stands… now come along. Time to go."
Yukio had stripped off his jacket, attempting to cushion Rin's head with it. Yukio also sheathed Rin's sword. Ryuuji's hands clutched the medication, standing before Rin, unsure of what to do. Rin's back arched, saliva ran down his chin. Ryuuji raised his eyes from the frighteningly blank grey face and saw Shima walking away.
A furious heat consumed Ryuuji, "Shima!" But Renzou didn't stop, he just kept walking away… Rin made a painful gurgling noise. Ryuuji's eyes burned. "RENZO!"
Shima paused, his shoulders tightened. He glanced back, trying to appear indifferent. Then, he stepped aboard the helicopter and the doors slammed shut. Ryuuji watched the helicopter fly off, and listened to Yukio whispering words of comfort to Rin.
Mephisto stepped over to stand at Ryuuji's side. "Well… thatwasa Declaration of War, so there must be more to come."
Ryuuji didn't have a moment to contemplate the words, as blinding flashes lit up the night sky. He could hear dozens of ear-splitting booms, and muffled screams from those around him. He dropped to his knees in an attempt to help Yukio protect Rin. Shockwaves made their clothes and hair fly about, and the ground shook. Great plumes of smoke rose up, blotting out the stars and making the air wheeze out of his lungs. His ears rang but he could still hear. Yukio had thrown himself over Rin, who had finally stopped thrashing.
Then it was silent apart from the crackle of fire and the panting breaths of those around him. Rin was coming out of his seizure, his eyes were full of terror. Ryuuji couldn't imagine how scared he must be, with the violent events. Ryuuji helped Yukio lift off of Rin, his own body quaking. The silence rang out, everyone standing in a loose half circle around Rin.
Rin's trembling hand came up to wipe his mouth off. "Wha 'appe'?"
"True Cross is at war." Mephisto's voice was grim. He stood next to the railing, beckoning out towards his city. "The King of Light destroyed the main barrier earlier. The exploding seraphim destroyed the smaller ones. Behold..." he glared down at the city.
Rin forced himself to his feet, allowing Yukio and Ryuuji to each take one of his arms. He was so tired and in so much pain, but this… this was so much more important than his own life. Because there Mephisto stood, outlined by the red/orange fires consuming the city. Black forms flew through the air, a cacophony of noise growing louder as they approached.
"Oh fuck…" Ryuuji gasped. Rin's eyes weren't completely clear yet but he could see enough to know. The city was under attack.
"Low-level… no mid-level demons are gathering." Yukio announced. Smoke blew over them, causing him to cough roughly.
"From the looks of things, I would guess the other branches around the world are in a similar state of confusion. I must see to the Japan branch." Mephisto peered over the student's heads. "Intermediate Exorcist First Class, Yukio Okumura."
Yukio shifted nervously, lifting Rin a little. "Yes?"
"Take charge of the Exwires and immediately go to rescue Izumo Kamiki." Mephisto's tone clearly said to not argue.
"But sir! Just me and some Exwires? And Rin can't go!" Yukio cried out.
"The Exorcist Hospitals will be overrun very soon with the wounded. They will have no room for your brother. You are his doctor. Oversee his care." Yukio's stomach was plummeting at Mephisto's words. "And as for your other worry, I'll send back up when it becomes available. Until then, I will send Nemu Takara with you. He is an exorcist I brought in from the outside to supervise you Cram School students. He has Senior First Class ability so don't worry. And he knows where to go."
"But what about Shima?" Rin shrugged off Ryuuji and Yukio.
"Ah… it's my fault for not investigating him more thoroughly." Mephisto continued to stare out at the city. "I have no excuse. But for now, we must accept that he was aratfor the Illu--"
"Shut up!" Rin was suddenly in his face, grabbing his coat. "Don't say that, clown. We still can't be sure. We will find Izumo and Shima and bring them both back!"
Yukio hurried over to Rin, taking his shoulders. "Alright Rin. How about a short nap?"
Rin turned, looking disgusted. "I don't need a nap! We need to save them! Now!"
"Rin, you need to rest." While they argued, Mephisto trotted away, his eyes growing more contemplative with each step.
"I don't need to rest." Rin turned away but stumbled as the Earth pitched underneath his feet, the horizon rolling around as his balance shifted under him nauseatingly. Ryuuji stepped forward before he could get too far and swept him into his arms. Rin growled, his hands came up to grasp onto Ryuuji's arms. His expression turned quite sour when he realized he couldn't escape Ryuuji's grasp.
"Rin, you won't be saving anyone if you don't let yourself heal first!" Yukio scolded. Exasperation making his voice less gentle than he meant it. Rin ignored him, his movements growing less coordinated and precise the longer he struggled.
"You don't have to always be strong. Just rest, Rin."
Rin looked down at Konekomaru in surprise, blinking slowly before relaxing in Ryuuji's arms and reluctantly laying his head against his boyfriend's chest. He heaved out a deep breath as a wave of exhaustion swept over him and his eyes slowly dropped closed.
Yukio sighed, watching Rin drift off with something unreadable in his eyes. "We will meet up early in the morning to catch our ride."
Yukio carefully took Rin into his arms. Hands easing into position before lifting him away, his other hand reaching up to brush the half-demon's hair out of his face. "I will take care of Rin tonight and see how he is in the morning. The rest of you, go pack a light bag of necessities and sleep."
Yukio's arms were straining as he set his brother down into his bed. Rin looked to be bouncing back rather well but Yukio was still haunted by the long minutes when he expected to lose Rin. His eyes glanced to his closet where he knew a black metal box held a single fatal dose of tranquilizers within. He could do it.
He found himself somehow opening the box. The needle was small and sharp… Rin wouldn't feel a thing. Would he? Yukio didn't want to cause him any pain…
Yukio stuffed the box away, his hands trembled and he removed the other box. Thesafebox. The one full of things to help Rin. He set it by Rin's bed and with mechanical movements, he stripped Rin down. Cleaning him, then putting him in fresh clothes. After some consideration, Yukio decided to give Rin some fluids through the chest port. Then went through checking his vitals.
Yukio laid down in his own bed a couple hours later, his mind whirling with all the revelations of the day. But one thing stuck out. Lucifer had seemed so sure that he could help Rin.
No. First rule… demons lie