Warnings- Graphic blood, and violence. Darker chapter but not everything is as it seems.

DISCLAIMER- I do not own Blue Exorcist

Chapter 10

Yukio was struck numb at the sight of his brother writhing under the grip of the King of Light. Yukio felt certain that if it were possible, his brother would be screaming. His terrified expression made Yukio's chest ache. His red tinted pupils were blown wide from agony, his eyelashes wet with tears, the sad sight hit Yukio like a punch to the gut.

It was incredible how quickly things could change. Lucifer was an unstoppable force, capable of great and devastating power. One moment, Rin was lying on his side, pinned under the Demon King of Light, then something seemed to shift. The charged power in the air was dissipating, and something else was rising in its place.

Rin's mouth snapped closed, his fangs growing in an instant and severing the tube that had assisted in his breathing. He thrashed under Lucifer's hold, his head jerking. Then with a sharp twist of his body, his shark-like teeth were piercing Lucifer's arm. Blue fire exploded off of him in a violent wave, throwing the weakened Lucifer back. The oxygen tank that had been connected to the tube exploded in the heat of the fire, throwing shards everywhere.

Yukio was unsurprised to find himself no longer being held down, taking advantage of the chaos to stand. The yank of thread in his leg didn't stop him from rushing forward. Illuminati soldiers assisted in Lucifer's escape as the room began to heat up, Rin's flames entirely out of control.

"Rin! Calm down!" Yukio had to get to him and get the tube out. "I'm right here, Rin! Stop!"

Rin was flailing on the floor, and his face was turning red from lack of air. His hands clawed at his throat as he kicked out. It was incredibly unsettling as Yukio watched him because Rin was entirely silent. His mouth was splattered with blood,Lucifer's blood, and bits of the tube were caught between his teeth. Fresh blood welled up as Rin's claws raked at the skin along his trachea.

"Rin, stop! You're hurting yourself!"

Eying Rin with trepidation, Yukio edged closer to him, hands out palms up and attempted to appear non threatening as he sidled closer and closer to his brother. He would only get one chance at this. Rin was running out of air and fast. The tubing wasn't providing enough oxygen since Rin had bitten through it in his blind panic. Yukio slid his foot closer, eying the distance between himself and his brother struggling wildly on the ground.

Rin was writhing, his claws gouging at his throat and jaw as he tried to reach for the tubing. Blood was getting everywhere, and the floor was quickly beginning to look like a murder scene out of a horror movie. Yukio took deep breaths, steadying himself and focusing on the goal. It would be a fatal mistake to let himself be distracted, and right now Rin was a dangerous individual, whether knowingly or not.

As Rin rolled and writhed, Yukio saw his chance and launched himself onto Rin's back. His legs moved immediately to wrap around Rin's arms, locking his brother's dangerous claws down against the ground as he immediately shoved his flashlight into his brother's mouth, praying he wouldn't have enough strength to bite through the metal. Blood running down his brother's chin and neck made everything even more slippery and it was difficult to see the extent of his self-inflicted wounds. Rin tossed his head wildly from side to side, and it took everything Yukio had not to lose his grip on the flashlight as Rin thrashed under him. Yukio regretfully adjusted his foot to step down on Rin's whipping tail, pinning it.

Gritting his teeth, he jammed the flashlight to the side of Rin's jaw, forcing Rin to keep his mouth open as Rin bit down on it, embedding his sharp teeth in the metal. Rin's hands scrabbled against the floor as Yukio darted his fingers in andGod please don't let Rin bite through the flashlightas his fingers tried and failed to grab the slippery torn piece of tubing. It had slipped further back from the cuff deflating, and Yukio knew for sure it was even harder to reach than it should have been. Trying again, Yukio groaned with exertion as Rin bucked under him, and tried to flail his head around. Yukio drew his hand out, unwilling to take the chance that he might lose his grip on the flashlight and lose a handin his brother's mouth.

Using his thighs to clamp down on Rin's neck, and keeping him from being able to swing his head around quite as much, Yukio tried again. Feeling terror lance through him as he reached his hand in, his fingers brushed at the tubing once. Twice. On the third swipe, he was able to push it enough to the side to catch hold of it. Covered as it was with saliva and blood, it almost slipped out of his fingers again. "Come on, Rin! Just….fucking hold still!"Yukio snarled down at his brother with frustration. Rin's face was purple, his eyes squeezed shut and wet with tears.God damn it!

"I'm trying to help you, damn it!"

Finally!He managed to get his thumb on it, and with it clamped between his thumb and two fingers, he was able to drag it free. Trying to move it slowly, Yukio pulled it out of Rin's throat. Rin bucked under him again, flailing and thrashing wildly as it tore free. As he dragged it out, Yukio almost threw up. It was covered in blood and mucous. Throwing it to the ground, relief shot through him. There.

Now Rin could breathe.

Rin took a deep wet breath beneath him, and roared. Thrashing under him with far greater speed than he had anticipated, Rin dislodged him, and Yukio's brief sensation of triumph at saving his brother quickly evaporated as searing pain lashed up his side. Hitting the ground with a scream, Yukio rolled on the floor as Rin clambered to his feet and wavering briefly shaking his head and splattering blood every which way before darting off through a rent in the metal wall that looked as if it had beenmelteddown to a strange puddle on the floor.

Panting on the floor in the sudden silence, Yukio was now alone. Lying on the hot concrete. The blood seemed to be coming out in pulses, burning hot against his skin. He was so tired… exhaustion swept through him and he found it impossible to keep his eyes open. Surely, Rin would snap out of it, and come back in just a few moments. Yukio shivered, suddenly feeling a little cold. Just a short rest. He would rest for just a moment and then get up to find the others.

Ryuuji had never imagined he would be comfortable swinging a sword around. Much less a sword containing the Demon Heart of his boyfriend, but also the flames he had inherited from his father, Satan. That alone pretty much went against everything Ryuuji had ever known. And yet, the warmth of the flames was comforting and alive, playing with his hair and running little tongues of flame over his shoulders and arms. They wrapped around him, twisting like a constrictor snake around his broad chest.

The zombie was continuing to lunge for him but he didn't stop moving. He chanted Holy prayers to it, hoping to send it peacefully to the afterlife. It wasn't fair for such a creature to be forced to survive like this. Rin's flames ruffled his hair and he huffed around the prayer. Even the part of Rin made of fire liked to tease him. He batted a hand at the fire, trying to keep it off his face and head and it danced away, twirling playfully.

"Not now. We can mess around later." He told the sword, very aware that it was asword. He was chastising asword.

He continued his prayers, doing his best to stay focused even through thehighly distractingflames as he chanted against the Chimera, but as he did, the sword in his hand began to pulse and throb. Sparks flew in all directions like a sparkler, hissing in the air. Ryuuji startled, almost dropping the sword as the flames became agitated. The Chimera zombie let out a cry, retreating as the sparks dusted its body. The flames that had once teased and stroked his skin gently now began to heat, slapping at the air with the crack of a whip. Ryuuji could still handle it but…what was happening?

The throbbing inside the sword sounded like a heartbeat, but far too quick. He pulled the sword closer to his body, trying to see around the blinding light.Was the sword damaged?But no… it was pristine. That only left him with one other option.Rin…

"Hey, calm down." The fire bucked and began to bellow. Ryuuji wanted to drop the blade and run. He didn't want to fear the fire but it was… it was hot. "It's ok! Where's Rin? Is he hurt?"

The realization thatRinmust be in very grave danger to provoke this kind of reaction from his Demon Heart had his own heart pounding.

"Get us out of here and I'll help Rin!" He shouted over the blaze. The sword… screamed with Rin's voice, a brilliant blue wyvern shaped flame shot out of the sword, and incinerated the Chimera zombie and the wall behind it. The wall melted almost instantaneously but the flames still didn't actuallyhurtRyuuji. It felt like holding a hot cup of tea. You could tell by holding the outside that the inside was much too hot. Just on the edge of beingtoo hot.

Rin's sword roared, whips of fire lashing about as Ryuuji stepped around the ashes of the zombie. He murmured words of comfort, hoping it would help ease the Demon Heart. Outside of the cell he had been in was utter chaos. Illuminati followers were rushing around, one man froze upon seeing the flaming sword but didn't try to approach. He blinked, confused. One of the cell blocks further down the line was rippling with heat waves, smoke poured out of the open door and the walls were literally melting as he watched.

"Bon!" He jumped and whipped around, relieved to see Konekomaru and Shiemi, with Kuro at their feet. Rin's flame leapt at them aggressively, but slid over their skin once in contact with them.

"What's happening? Why are they hot?" Shiemi called, frowning as the walls around them caught fire but they did not.

Ryuuji swallowed roughly. "Rin must be hurt or very upset."

Konekomaru's face was pale in the blue light, his hands trembled but he nodded slowly. "Let's go find Rin."

"That may not be too hard." Ryuuji turned back to the cell that was melting like candle wax. His feet carried him with renewed purpose as Rin's flame rushed forward, leading the way just as Rin liked to do.

He was almost there when a flaming form shot out of the room. He almost didn't recognize Rin. He looked nothing like when they had fallen. His shirt had been somewhat removed, the front of him was completely covered in various fluids. The bright red blood was the easiest to decipher from the rest. His claws and fangs, filthy with the stuff. Rin stopped in a crouch before the trio and coughed wetly around bared teeth. A blood vessel in one of his eyes had burst, clouding his right eye in red.

"Rin! What happened?" Shiemi called out.

"Rin. Hey, calm down!" Ryuuji was desperate to find the reason for Rin's state. Rin snarled at him, and the next second Ryuuji was laying on his back, the sword gone from his hand.

"Bon!" Konekomaru was at his side, shaking his shoulder. Shiemi on his other side.

"What happened?" He lifted his head, meeting Konekomaru's terrified eyes.

"Rin jumped on you… I thought he hurt you." The smaller boy's voice had a tremble in it, as he reached out to touch the front of Ryuuji's shirt.

Ryuuji looked down at his once clean shirt to see bloody hand prints, little red scratches against his bare chest. "He didn't mean it." Ryuuji insisted, shaking away their concern.

"Where is Yuki?" Shiemi looked back the way Rin came. "He must be in there… I saw him holding onto Rin when we were falling."

Ryuuji got to his feet, his head aching from colliding with the floor, and rushed for the opening. Then promptly froze. His breath left him in a whoosh and he whipped around to keep the other two from seeing the horrors in the room.

"Suguro, what is it?" Shiemi asked in a small voice.

"It's bad." He warned them. Whatever had happened in the room… it looked more like a horror movie. "Shiemi, stay here. Let me…" What was he supposed to say?Let me look and see if Yukio is actually dead in there?"Just… stay here. You too, Koneko."

They exchanged fearful glances and Konekomaru met Ryuuji's eyes. He nodded before Konekomaru reached out and grasped onto Shiemi's arm. "We will wait here."

When he was sure they would actually stay away, he stepped inside the swelteringly hot room. The competing scents of ozone and forest fire almost covered the stench of blood. Red splatters were even on the far walls, smeared and dried a dark brown as everything melted and baked in the heat. An array of medical equipment was scattered around the floor, much of it melted or charred.

Yukio laid on his back, his clothes smoldering and head tilted towards the hole that Ryuuji stepped through. His skin was pasty, part of one of his pant legs had been torn away, revealing an inflamed cut. It had been sewn shut but the stitches were torn, making the wound even more ragged in appearance.

As Ryuuji knelt next to him, he could see the three gouges that had bested the only experienced Exorcist in their group. Ryuuji gently prodded the injuries, realizing they were a deeper version of the injuries on his chest.Rinhad done this. Under the sharpness of claws like razor blades, Rin had scratched through Yukio with an almost surgical precision. Ryuuji lifted his hand, setting it against Yukio's neck.There.A pulse. Weaker than what was considered normal but still there.

Ryuuji couldn't help the words that rolled off his tongue as he rushed to apply pressure to stop the bleeding. "Gate Gate Paragate Parasamgate Bodhi Svaha…"

He stripped off his tie and sweater, using them to fashion a makeshift bandage as well as he could. When it was on as well as he could manage, he gently maneuvered Yukio up into his arms, hissing at the heat of Yukio's weapons belt. His arms and back screamed, still sore from carrying Rin earlier that same day, plus the bazooka weighing him down. Yukio was much bigger and heavier than Rin.

Yukio's eyes opened and groggily took him in. Even with Yukio wounded, the scrutiny of those intelligent eyes made Ryuuji flush and look away.

"Put me down." The voice was shaky and muddled. Not very threatening, he probably meant it a bit more aggressively than it came out.

"Sorry, but I don't think you should be walking." Ryuuji shook his head and began the trek out of the room. He refused to look down and meet the pair of eyes staring daggers at him. Yukio huffed and just from that sound alone, Ryuuji could hear the exhaustion. "Rest for a bit."

Stepping carefully through the wreckage, Ryuuji tried to make sense of everything that he had seen in the room. Where did the equipment come from? Yukio hadn't been carrying bags. He certainly didn't have… all those tools. Ryuuji would have seen that when he was going over the kits he had distributed between the Exwires for Rin's medical care.

Ryuuji had to pause and turn in place to peer at a pile of melted slag, trying to decide if it was cool enough to walk on. A bit ago it had been hot through his shoes, and now he worried it might still be too hot. He would have to check later to see if his shoes were going to survive this trip.

Stepping through the rubble, Ryuuji moved gingerly through the opening back to where Shiemi and Konekomaru waited.

"Yuki!" Shiemi's shriek was almost deafening. Konekomaru's hand was over his mouth, his eyes wide as he took in the state Yukio was in. Ryuuji shook his head at his questioning gaze and Konekomaru's mouth pressed in a thin line with worry.

"He's alive." Ryuuji told her even as Yukio squirmed in his grasp. "Sit still. You can't expect yourself to be able to jump up and fight."

"I'm fine." He grumbled. Forcing himself out of Ryuuji's arms with a well-aimed elbow at Ryuuji's chest, causing him to muffle a cry of pain as Yukio aggravated his injuries, and Yukio had the grace to glance back at him with dazed surprise. For a moment he staggered as he faced forward again, and Ryuuji made an aborted motion to try to steady him. Yukio shot him an especially dark look at him for daring to try. The boy's turquoise-blue eyes filled with a certain testiness that Ryuuji had grown accustomed to seeing when Yukio was particularly vexed by something in the advanced classes he shared with him.

Looking down at his leg, Yukio grimaced. "This will be fine. I can work with this."

Ryuuji didn't believe his words, he probably should have taken him a little more seriously than that. Because Yukio continued on his wounded leg, walking through the maze-like building as they hurriedly rushed to find where Rin had darted off to. Yukio's mouth set in an ever-present snarl as he stalked down the passages.

The guttural almost gurgling growls were easy to follow as they entered a vast chamber with a semi-circle of walkways, wrapped around a tall tower-like structure. Perched like a panther along the railing, Rin was watching something below them, one hand clutching his sword and the other helping him balance. His tail lashed and from his nose down to his belt line was black brown with dried blood. His blue flames had created his horns but they were longer. His head turned to watch their approach, his eyes glowing and predatory, but no longer held the ferocity from earlier. He recognized them… perhaps.

Suddenly, from below, a blood curdling scream echoed in the chamber. Rin snarled, and Ryuuji once again noticed howwrongthe sound was, then Rin proceeded to throw himself off the side and into the darkness.

"Dammit!" Yukio's voice was full of fury. "Where are the reinforcements?! We have to get down there."

Yukio's face was pale and Ryuuji wasn't stupid enough to point out the tremble in his bad leg or the way Ryuuji's sweater around Yukio's torso was becoming spotted. This mission was going worse with every moment.

Shiemi turned worried green eyes to Yukio. "Maybe you should stay here, Yuki."

"No." His voice was frigid. "We need to follow Rin down there." Turning to the cat sith, Yukio licked his lips before speaking again. "Kuro, we need your help to get down there in order to help Rin. Would you carry us?"

The small cat dashed forward, meowing. Mid-leap he grew larger. Ryuuji had a flashback to the Impure King, and groaned. He refused to ride in the back this time.

Rin landed on the hard ground with a raspy grunt. Blood splattered the ground as he staggered forward to keep moving. Izumo watched him approach with wide eyes. Because he was… here. She hadn't been entirely certain, save for the blue flames covering him. He was almost unrecognizable, covered in…blood.Even his hands had blood all over them. There was blood on his chin, and all over his neck.

Izumo tensed up as he came closer, and Shima walking with her raised the khakkara in his hands. A quick glance at Shima's face told her he was just as unnerved by the sight of Rin looking like he did. Because Rin looked… off. His eyes were blazing, and he had his flame horns, just like his fight in the woods. Izumo felt… scared. Becausewhat was he doing here?Rin was going to get himselfkilledin here. Unless they trapped him here too, which seemed like perhaps they tried. Perhaps that blood was from… other people. But Izumo shied away from the thought.

Rin was kind. He was goofy. He didn't… hurt people. Rin didn't belong here. He didn't need to look like this, or see what would soon happen to her.

"You should leave." Izumo frowned at him, glancing back at the white coats who held her restraints. Rin inched closer, reaching his hand out with wide eyes. His breathing sounded rough, and she suddenly felt angry.How dare he risk his life just for… me?!She glared at him coldly. "You are wasting your time. I can't leave with you."

Rin growled, squinting at Shima and offering him the bloody hand, tipped with long claws. He was not understanding…

Shima shook his head. "No Rin. And if you think you're taking Izumo… I won't let you." His tail lashed with irritation, and he insistently got even closer.

"No, Rin! Leave now! I won't go with you. This is my problem… You have enough problems as it is!" Izumohadto protect her mom, her little sister. There was no way she could turn her back on them, not when she was the only one who could do this.

His back straightened, lips curled in a snarl and he suddenly sprang forward with a steely glint in his eye. Izumo flinched back as Shima rushed in front of her, cutting off the half-demon. The crack of their weapons colliding made Izumo's stomach turn.

The men who guarded her herded her away from the clashing weapons. Rin's other hand took swings at Shima's face. Shima's expression was stony, as Rin's rib cage spasmed with suppressed coughs, and blood dribbled down his chin to splatter against the ground. Izumo was shoved toward the slightly raised dias where her mother was bound.

The world around Izumo seemed to quiet as it sank in.Shewas about to take on the Nine Tailed Fox. As she was forced to her knees, her hands began to tremble. The sharp sting of the device to her neck made her hiss. After attaching the cables of the instruments to her helmet she had been given, a voice spoke out on the loudspeaker. The sound caused Izumo to twitch to life, opening up her fans and began the Spirit Invocation Dance.

As she turned, she almost faltered… and even as much as it pained her, she turned away. Behind her, Rin's strength was waning. Just the glimpse was enough to see. Up on the dias, strapped down and blind from the helmet on her head, her mother began to scream. White fluffy tails swishing out from under her gown.

She is here… the Nine Tails.Izumo took a shaking breath, her eyes narrowing. Shehadto beat the demon. It was her last plan. If it failed… she dropped to one knee before the dias.Obey me, Nine Tails. I must win.

She could feel the moment the fox demon sank inside of her. It wasviolentand powerful in a way that made her breathless. Her fans dropped from her hands and she landed hard on the floor. The unrestrained thrashing of the demon under her very skin sent pain rocketing through her.

No!She grappled with the demon, unable to even try to control her.

Gediōn was jeering, laughing at her expense. "For some reason, your compatibility level has fallen! You've almost lost the God Inari's favor!" His low chuckle almost drowned out by the sound of metal on metal clashing. "Like this you'd die immediately. Nine tails won't settle… but I won't let that happen. Mask of the Chosen… Activate!"

Then… she couldn't hear a thing over her own screams. Her vision went white then black under the agony. She was falling apart, surely she would die, she could feel her cells screaming out in pain as they were torn asunder within her. Surely now, she would die. That would probably be the biggest blessing instead ofthis.Her screams became breathless, unable to continue producing sound under the strain.

A roar of fury echoed in the chamber.Rin.He wasstill here…his roars were frantic, wet sounds, the shriek of claws on glass hurt her ears.

"SHIMA!" Gediōn shrieked. "Put that monster down!"

A rod of electric pain surged through her, she could feel her body changing, tails forcing themselves to grow from the base of her spine, ears and claws soon followed. With her senses sharpening, she felt the control of her body wavering. Izumo shook her head, grinding her teeth and hoping to temporarily dislodge the demon tangling itself with her body. It was too much. Like trying to hold back the sun from rising, or the tide from surging forth; her strength failed her and she collapsed, her body landing with a thud.

"Give in! Give in to Nine Tails."

Izumo studied the concrete floor, her strength was gone, and she found she couldn't think of anything but that she failed her little sister. Her friends. She turned her eyes towards the glass that surrounded her, searching for the one stubborn half-demon who had come all this way. Just forher.

He was slamming into the glass with one hand, and attempting to keep Shima at bay with the sword in his other. He looked absolutely wrecked but she couldn't help but think his flames and the fight in him was beautiful. If only she was that strong.

He stopped, noticing her eyes on him. That moment cost him everything. Shima was behind him in the next second, stabbing through his back and out his chest with the black flames. Izumo watched the light fade from his gaze even as Shima wrenched the weapon free. It was so horrific Izumo wanted to scream but she couldn't. She wanted to cry, watching him fall. Her new sense of hearing, sharpened by the demon under her skin, could hear his heart stutter and skip and impossibly… she heard it stop. Itstopped. The wet gasp that left his mouth before he crumpled backwards. His blue flames wreathing his body disappeared as his sword made a sharp clatter, smacking against the glass with a hollowtang.

Her eyes welled up,I'm so tired.She could remember what Shima told her. "I hate them all. Bon and Konekomaru. And my family. They're all just a pain in the ass. I wish I could just throw them all away."Rin's head smacked the ground with a heavy thunk, and her eyes shifted back to Shima who stood over him with something else swimming in his gaze.

Maybe he was telling the truth. Why am I still fighting? Why do I still hang on? I am just like Shima. I hate them all. Being around them all irritates me…She watched as Shima crouched down next to Rin's limp form, concern now growing in his expression as he looked over Rin's bloodless face, trying not to let the other cameras in the room see his expression. Izumo blinked at that.He lied. He didn't hate them.This wasn't hate, showing concern for the enemy. His fingers pressed in against Rin's neck just under his jaw, searching for a pulse even as his fingers brushed over the half-healed gouges in his skin. Deep down, some part of him cared.

The tears began to fall because…I loved them. I really loved them.Shima was backing away from Rin's very still form, his face pale and his eyes conflicted. Resigned.It's too late now. I'm so stupid.

She could feel the Nine Tails constricting her mind relentlessly. Her body lost all control as sharp fangs descended from her mouth, forcing it open lest they pierce her lips with their unexpected sharpness.

"Now die!" Gediōn shouted.

"Help me!" She cried out. Then something exploded against the ground with the blast of a cannon. Several computers blew up, the restraints holding her mother opening. The glass around her shattered, dusting everything in shards as the ground rumbled.

A giant black cat was soaring towards the ground as Izumo turned her head just the barest fraction to see.She could see them all. All of them were here. It wasn't just Rin.She shakily sat up, watching as they landed. Cries of her name and Rin's rang out in the almost silence following the explosion.

"You can't be here! You will mess everything up!" Gedion shouted, putting himself between the others and where Izumo was. Unknowingly placing himself closer to the lifeless half-demon.

Yukio, swaying heavily and his face twisted into a furious snarl, dropped to the ground from Kuro's back. Knocking away the many hands reaching out to assist him before storming unsteadily towards the man who had been tormenting Izumo for so long. She never saw him raise his fist, but suddenly Gedion was flying across the room with an almost abnormal speed before crashing into the floor.

Gediōn groaned as he sat up, peering over at Shima standing off to the side. "I need reinforcements here now!"

Shima cocked his head, his eyes drawn to Yukio who was now falling to his knees at Rin's side. Staring hard at the sloppy bandaging that now sat around his waist, his lips parted in realization. The three long cuts on full display. His hand went to his headset. "You hear him? What do I do? Roger that. I'm exhausted… good luck, guys."

With one last backward glance, Shima ran off.

Ryuuji had never felt fear like this. Even with the Impure King, Rin had beenright there, the entire time. Rin had helped to keep his fear at bay and when Rin succeeded in drawing his sword, Ryuuji knew everything would be alright. But here… They were going to be beaten. No way would they be able to escape…this… Rin was down, Yukio was teetering on the edge, Izumo had been possessed and Shima had bailed. This fight would have to be won or lost without them. It was all up to Shiemi, Konekomaru and maybe Takara, and himself. His head pounded with an oncoming stress headache, and his lungs burned from probable smoke inhalation on top of that.

"Right… Shiemi, go help Rin and Yukio. Konekomaru, let's go help Izumo." It hurt him to not immediately go check on Rin but he wouldnotsend anyone apart from himself into close proximity with Izumo. He took a moment to watch Shiemi rush off, kneeling in the glass with her hands trying to rouse Yukio, whose face lacked all color.

"Come on, Neko." Ryuuji squeezed the bazooka. Izumo turned her tear stained cheeks to Ryuuji as he approached.

"No! Leave me. Save my mother!" She threw her hand out toward the raised dais with her claw tipped hand, her breathing escaping in exhausted huffs.

Ryuuji narrowed his eyes, looking at the limp figure and back to Izumo. A loud bang made him startle, the insane man who Yukio had punched was up. His hand firmly pressing a button. Thenmoreof those zombies were pouring into the room. Their bodies smacked the ground with sickening splats and cracks.

"Neko, stay with Izumo!" Ryuujireallydidn't want to but he had no other options, as he ran forward. Leaping up and running as quickly as he could to Izumo's mother, he narrowly dodged the hands that groped for him. His arms lifting the poor woman without much time to be careful, she groaned in his arms weakly as he aggravated her injuries. Ragged nails dragged along his arm and he grunted, ignoring the pain to jump over to where Konekomaru had made a shield around himself and Izumo. Ryuuji could see Shiemi attempting to drag Rin backwards. Yukio's lips looked almost completely white, his eyes wild as he shakily pointed aloaded gunaround Ryuuji and at the horde of zombies.

Ryuuji slid to a stop, hoisting Izumo's mother up into one arm and, without asking, bent down to wrap an arm around Izumo's waist.

"I said to leave me!" Izumo cried out, her tails whacking at him. His bazooka took most of the hits for him.

"Shut up!" He hissed, "Go Konekomaru!" Now wasnotthe time for patience.

Yukio met him halfway, the gunshots whizzing past Ryuuji with frighteningly close accuracy.Pay back for carrying you, stubborn bastard?

Yukio's gaze dropped to Izumo, "She is possessed by the Nine Tails… needs an exorcism immediately."

Izumo squirmed under Ryuuji's arm. "Put me down! Leave! It's too late for me!"

"Shut up. Just drop the attitude!" Ryuuji growled. His arms ached, and he lowered her down at Yukio's feet. If anyone would know how to fix this… it would be him.

"Suguro! Bring her here. I'll help her." Shiemi called where she stood with Rin at her feet. Ryuuji rushed forward, eager to get a look at Rin for himself. He gently laid down Izumo's mother, wincing around the bang of gunshots. Damn zombies.

Ryuuji dropped to his knees next to Rin, reaching out for him when Izumo began to scream. He whipped around, watching as Izumo's face became more fox-like. With long canine teeth and predatory eyes, she looked similar to how Rin did when he lost himself to his demon side. But far more fox-like in the cast of her features. Her vibrant tails flailed, knocking into anything in their range.

"How do we expel her?!" Ryuuji called, standing to place himself between the demon and Rin and Shiemi.

Yukio shook his head, shooting into the skull of a zombie that got too close. "This is an ancient and powerful high-level demon. No known exorcism." His movements were slower, focusing more on speaking. He turned, looking at Izumo's mother. "The Kamiki Family specializes in it. If she were conscious…" He faltered, eyes wide with surprise and Ryuuji turned.

Being gently steadied, Izumo's mother was on her feet, standing between Shiemi and Kuro. Ryuuji stumbled to the side, trying to keep out of their way as Shiemi assisted the woman.

"I… can see…" her voice was hoarse with disuse. Her visible eye was full of pain as she looked at her daughter. "Izumo…" Her voice faded out before something else hardened in her gaze. "Be still within my daughter's vessel. It is I, Tamamo, who requests this of you."

Izumo lunged, a snarl stretched in a painful looking grimace on her face and she swiped at her mother with long and wicked looking claws. Ryuuji watched the battle unfolding with fresh horror before deciding it best to get Rin as far from the battle taking place as possible.

Yukio's voice rang out loud in the chamber, "Listen up, we have to take out the surrounding zombies. Don't let any of them get near those two!"

Ryuuji was impressed, and could fully understand how, in that moment, Yukio became the youngest Exorcist as he took control and rallied the Exwires. Ryuuji pulled Rin into a cradle hold and rushed to the outermost point of the room. He was sostill.He could hear the others behind him. They were shouting words of encouragement to Izumo. He would join them in just a moment, as soon as he ensured Rin was safe. He settled Rin down behind a tall pillar, draping his tail around so he wouldn't lay on it. Rin hated that…

Why was he so still?

Ryuuji studied Rin's face, the way he seemed so peaceful. Rin was an active sleeper, rolling and mumbling with eyes partially open. This wasn't normal for Rin. Ryuuji's hand settled over Rin's throat, searching for the thrum of life. It was here somewhere. His hand shifted, pressing on the other side… nothing. He lifted Rin's wrist, checking his own pounding pulse point before settling his fingers down. He waited, feeling his own pulse in his fingers becoming faster. His breath caught in his throat. Tears burned in his eyes. Rin didn't have a pulse.

Konekomaru was slowly getting used to the utter chaos that would break out when his Cram Class was involved in anything. He wasn't sure if it was a normal occurrence with all exorcists or just his ragtag group. Whatever it was, when all Hell broke loose it was hard to keep track of everyone.

The battle against the zombies, keeping them off Tamamo Kamiki and Izumo, had forced him to focus on keeping them at bay. The zombies were relentless, going down to only get back up again within a moment or two. He didn't get the chance to scan over his friends, he could hardly tell where one zombie stopped and another began. He could hear the bang of Okumura-sensei's guns, the crackle of plants growing at exceptional rates, and zombie cries. Most surprising was Takara… fighting off the demons with an aggression that surprised him.

It was only after Izumo had fallen and the Nine Tailed Demon switched hosts to the fatally wounded mother that Konekomaru took the time to search out the faces around him. Okumura-sensei chose that moment to crumple, face colorless and slack before he even hit the ground. His ripped up clothes and blood covered figure gave him the look of one of the many zombies shuffling ever closer. Shiemi was on him in a second, hastily undoing what had once been a pristine sweater. His scratches were bleeding… if they ever had stopped bleeding, Konekomaru wasn't sure.

After he was certain their brave teacher was in good hands, he continued to look for their missing classmates. His heart began to pound because he couldn't find Bon. He couldn't see him among the zombies.Rin is gone too.

Gedion was suddenly before them, shouting that he was superior and would force a demon to possess him. He roared with laughter as his body morphed. Tentacles shot outward, taking swings at the students as Konekomaru shouted out to the others. "A Necrophager has possessed him."

The fight against the resulting creature had Konekomaru in awe. Izumo summoned Mike and Uke, to her joy, and she began to beat the demon back.

"I want to defeat him… can you help me?" Izumo asking for help floored him but he eagerly agreed. His mind focused on the weak points of the monster as Izumo broke into a long winded prayer. The poor girl was trembling even as her familiars grew into spiritual human-like figures and she continued on.

Izumo fought valiantly, her familiars over running the Necrophager and forcing him to shrink back into Gedion. She wavered and exhaustion knocked her to the floor even as she cried out that she wanted to talk to him.

Konekomaru wasn't sure why his brain was counting… hereallydidn't want to think of the ramifications of the facts but… it was now down to Shiemi, Takara and himself to get the others out and… take down the zombies that had slowly surrounded them.

He couldn't afford to make a mistake here. The dozens of zombies were approaching. None of them would stay down. Shards of glass sliced his hands as he wobbled to his feet from where the demon had knocked him aside. Then he saw it… Rin's sword glowing faintly on the floor. No one else had noticed it. He rushed for it, taking the heavy blade up in his hand. He had never held it before. He thought it would be warmer… containing the heart of a fire demon. But the blade was cold in his hand and the light was dim. The fire was so still, appearing to have frozen in place. He ran for the closest zombie, cutting into the necrotic flesh. It was harder than he expected and he could feel the tug of the blade getting caught onthings.He could barely wield Rin's sword.

They couldn't do this! Not just the three of them. Not when all their heavy hitters were… Konekomaru winced away from a zombie who was lunging at him with mouth hanging open. He tripped over Yukio, and landed hard on his bottom, dropping Rin's sword. The zombie was still coming for him, hands reached out to grasp at him.

Shiemi screamed, two zombies snatched at her as she ran. Nee was defending her to the best of his ability.

He had to do something. Now. Konekomaru's hand bumped heavy metal and he startled. He wasn't a knight or a dragoon but what other choice did he have here?

He lifted Yukio's gun, his eyes wide because this was heavy too. He had never shot a gun of this caliber before, let alone any gun at all! He held his breath, as he pulled the trigger. The bang seemed louder than when Okumura-sensei or Bon did it. The zombie that had been almost on top of him was toppling back with the force of the hit and he shakily took a breath. He grasped Okumura-sensei's arm, trying not to irritate the weeping wounds as he attempted to move him away from the zombie. He didn't want him to become a meal.

He peered around for a moment. They needed a plan and a way to protect their fallen friends. His back screamed as he lugged his teacher back, setting him down next to Izumo.

"Shiemi!" He hefted up one of Yukio's guns and Rin's sword and dashed across the way. The small blonde girl turned, her eyes wide and blood leaking down the side of her face. He couldn't imagine he looked much better at this point. He growled, slashing at the zombies shuffling after her. They fell back with a groan. He handed her the gun and she squeaked in shock. "Go protect Izumo and Sensei."

He took a deep breath, knowing he was grasping at straws here. "Takara!" He didn't see the boy acknowledge him but he continued anyway. "We need you to fight. It is going to be just us fighting… just us." Konekomaru wasso scared.

Takara tilted his head, his puppet turning to consult with him. Then Konekomaru was flinching back as Takara burst into movement. The mysterious boy's puppet grew claws, thin but long dagger points and from his pocket, he withdrew a small purple dragon. A sudden gust of wind blew the scent, almost stench, of perfumes, dust, and with it a feeling that had Konekomaru trembling. It was fear at its most raw and painful. It was claustrophobic and stole his breath. He could hear the wails of the zombies as the fear sank into everything.

A cold and… light stealing breeze lapped at his clothes and disturbed the fire on Rin's blade, the metal growing colder. Then it swept across the room, easy to watch as it merged with the shadows and dissipated. The purple dragon roared, coming to life and growing larger till it was the size of a horse. The purple scales glistened and serpentine green eyes gazed at the chaos. The beast's jaw falling open to hiss at the nearest zombies. Then he was on them, shredding them like they were made of clay.

Konekomaru's jaw dropped at the display, he had not been expecting that kind of assistance. He jumped as the bang of a gun went off and turned to Shiemi, as the girl stubbornly shot into the surrounding zombies. Newly encouraged, Konekomaru charged, careful to keep out of the way of thefreaking dragon.He began a scripture for strength, swinging Rin's sword with an untrained hand. Their numbers dropped quickly, voices crying out.

The dragon disappeared with a familiar popping sound, dissolving into a pink mist, as the last zombie was completely destroyed… incinerated and shredded into dust.

The entrance opened and Konekomaru raised the sword in a threatening manner.Please no more… No more fighting.

"Wassup guys?!" It was… Kinzo Shima. The reinforcements had arrived. The Kyoto division was here. Konekomaru's breath left him in a shaky weak laugh because… maybe they could actually make it out of here. All he wanted was to lay down right then and sleep. "Man, where's all the stuff to fight?! Came all this way for nothing?"

Shiemi sank down to her knees with a sob, the gun clenched tightly in her shaking hands and it seemed to change the tone of the room immediately. Because there were bodies, blood, ash and glass shattered down to almost a sand scattered around the entire room. The room stank of decomposing zombies and there was a lingering sense of fear.

Juzo Shima rushed past his brother with wide eyes. "What happened here?" He knelt next to Shiemi, eyes wide as he began looking over Izumo, Yukio and Tamamo. His gaze turned grim and he turned to the others. "One dead. Two injured."

Konekomaru let his arm drop, the sword in his hand was heavy and it leached the warmth from his hand. The reinforcements rushed forward, and began to check over the wounds of his friends. Finally, with time to search, he began to slowly drag himself through the carnage. He had to find Bon. He wouldn't be able to rest till he found him.

Bon was the closest thing to family that he had left. Shima had abandoned him. If Bon was gone too, what would be left for him?

Then he saw him in the furthest reaches of the room, out of the line of sight where they had all fought together. Bon was on his knees, his back to Konekomaru and all he could feel was relief. He was still here. He hadn't been taken or… his eyes dropped down to the limp tail that laid on the floor next to Bon's leg. Bon was rocking slowly. Was he injured? Had he managed to rouse Rin?

Konekomaru began to run, his eyes watering with a fresh rush of fear. As he approached, Bon stayed turned away from him.

"Bon!" He called as he arrived at his friend's side. Bon was cradling Rin in his arms, his face buried in the half-demon's messy hair. He seemed to be mumbling a prayer but his voice wavered and was too low for Konekomaru to hear. "Bon…"

Konekomaru lifted his hand, settling it against Bon's shoulder as his heart began to thunder in his chest. Bon sucked in a breath and lifted his head. His eyes were red and his face was covered in tears. His anguished eyes seemed to beg Konekomaru for a release from the pain he was in.

"Bon… c-can I see Rin?" Konekomaru had to know. Because the way Bon was acting was like Rin wasdead.

Bon growled, eyes turning hard as he shook his head like a defiant child. "Bon, c'mon. I can try to help."

Bon's head fell back against Rin's with a sob. "It's too late." His voice was a hardly audible croak.

Konekomaru looked down at the sword in his hand, his fingers were practically purple with the cold of the blade. Without his permission, tears began to run down his own cheeks. He needed to go get help. He needed to fix this for Bon.

He set Rin's sword down, hands shaking before he stood to fetch help. Someone had brought stretchers in, and they were careful carrying Izumo and Yukio out. Yukio's coat and shirt had been removed, his pant leg completely ripped away, in their place were thick white bandages. A white body bag was atop another stretcher, the Exorcist cross decorated the top in a beautifully tragic way. Shiemi was holding Izumo's hand, who seemed to be vaguely aware of her surroundings, as they wheeled her out.

Konekomaru worked to suppress the tears as he looked for a familiar face. Someone that knew Bon personally and could help with what was to come. He could see Juzo and Yaozo Shima standing off to the side, speaking with Uwabami Hojo.Maybe they brought the Master along too?Bon's father would hopefully be able to handlethis.

He dodged those that were beginning the investigation, mindful that no one had made it over to where Bon hid just yet. That was good.

"Shima-sama!" Konekomaru was quickly losing his composure, he needed to get help. The men turned to him as he scurried the rest of the way to them.

"Neko! You're hurt too?!" Juzo intercepted him, grabbing hold of his face. Konekomaru hissed, shying away from the hands as pain flared in his head unexpectedly. He hadn't even realized he had been wounded as well.

"Please…" his eyes welled with fresh tears. "Is the Master here?"

His question seemed to catch them off guard, as they exchanged startled glances.

Uwabami cleared his throat, "No. He stayed behind."

Konekomaru stifled a helpless sob with his hand, "Bon needs help."

"Where is he?" Yaozo Shima's voice held only professionalism even as his eyes widened with fear.

Konekomaru couldn't answer around the tightening of his throat so he turned, leading them along. The room was slowly emptying so it was easier to navigate. He ran straight back to Bon's side, watching as the other three began to understand the situation. Yaozo whispered to Juzo, passing him his cellphone. Juzo backed away, quickly dialing a number. Uwabami stood a couple feet back, his gaze on the floor.

Yaozo carefully knelt in front of Bon, compassion in his eyes. "Bon… we need to get you out of here."

Bon let out a ragged cry, shaking all over. Konekomaru couldn't hold in his own sobs any longer. Yaozo shut his eyes, with a shaky sigh. He reached one hand out, and tenderly ran his fingers through Bon's hair.

Juzo approached, his face grim. "Dad. The Master is waiting for us to return. He will take over from there."

Uwabami stepped behind Bon, frowning down at the limp half-demon almost completely covered by the larger boy. "Bon, it is time to go."

Their young master took a deep breath, his hands trembled violently as he sat back. "I'm not leaving him."

"You won't be. He will be right next to you the whole time." Yaozo gave a meaningful glance at Juzo who reached out to pull Rin from Bon's arms. Bon crumpled to the floor, sobbing into his arms.

Konekomaru sucked in a confused breath as Rin was adjusted in Juzo's arms. Rin looked terrible, but… also better? Underneath all the blood and obvious damage, his ribs were sealed back under a layer of reddened skin, like the skin under a scab. His skin was tinted blue but it had been that way with his flame fever before. He was leaking fluid fromhis nose but… he lookedfine.Was this death? It wasn't like Tamamo Kamiki or the endless ghouls or zombies they have fought. Juzo set his hand on Rin's throat, waiting a moment before shaking his head.

"Wait." Uwabami spoke up suddenly, kneeling next to Juzo as Yaozo continued to offer comfort to Bon. They looked to Uwabami, watching as he pulled the half-demon from Juzo's hold, his eyes intently searching his face. "What happened to him?"

Konekomaru shook his head. "We don't know. Okumura-sensei was with him. Then Kamiki."

Uwabami hummed, reaching down to pick up Rin's tail. "What kind of demon leaves their tail out in the open like this?" His voice was almost scolding as he trailed one hand down the silken fur. "Some high level demons, after extreme amounts of strain, can go into a stasis or hibernation of sorts. Their heart rates drop significantly. No detectable pulse. Their temperature plummets. So they can use all their energy on whatever has their body in this mode of panic."

Bon sat up, anxiously watching the other man. Konekomaru furrowed his brow, he hadn't heard of this. Uwabami looked up, meeting their gaze.

"Let's see if I am right." He pinched the tip of Rin's tailhard.The reaction was instantaneous, the half-demon took a deep breath and blew a plume of brilliant blue flames right into Uwabami's face. His tail lashed like a whip, sliding out of Uwabami's grasp. Then he was still again, as if he had never moved in the first place. Uwabami waved his hand to dissipate the flame, smirking down at Rin.

"Rin!" Bon cried out, leaning to lift Rin back against his chest. Konekomaru sat back heavily. Rin needed to quit scaring them like this.

"Good job, Uwabami." Yaozo sounded absolutely relieved.

Juzo laughed, "Yeah… lucky we brought you along."

Uwabami shook his head. "He has saved us all before. And…" he turned calculating eyes to Bon. "It seems our Young Master has forgotten to tell us about his relationship."

Bon blushed, but continued to keep Rin close. "You said we needed to go?"

Avoiding the topic, Bon?Konekomaru rolled his eyes.

Notes:

Fun chapter to write. The evil part of me liked writing it lol. Chapter 130 of the manga gave me inspiration of finally figuring out how I will continue this story past the point I was stuck at!