Renzo hadn't had a chance to actually sleep since waking up in the dead of night to Homare of all people, calling him. They had heard of who Yukio Okumura was going to rescue and quickly decided Renzo should follow after him in an attempt to subdue and help capture the hydra. Renzo hadn't expected to hear the pathetic cry of who was supposed to be the most dangerous halfling in existence.

Seeing Rin, standing wraith-like in the cold had been difficult. The half-demon was doing horribly and Renzo would have to report it to Lucifer. Renzo had even considered taking him straight to Lucifer when he had him in his arms. But no… he couldn't do that to them. Renzo had stuck around, watching in the background as Rin lost it. He needed to wait till Rin was stable before leaving, he was sure of that much. If he left and something more went wrong, he would have hell to pay.

He watched as Light led Bon away then soon after Renzo had to bite back a groan when Mephisto stepped out of Rin's room and made for his hiding place.

"And where are you off to?" There was no reason for him to ask and they both knew that.

Renzo held back the obvious disrespect and smiled. "I just go wherever they send me."

Mephisto considered him with serpentine eyes. "That's a long way to go on your own power."

"I'll manage." Renzo bit out.

"I suppose you could. But you would be too late." Mephisto purred. "Or… you can return to True Cross with me and hitch a ride with the reinforcements. Once you are there… you can decide what to do yourself."

Renzo didn't really want to seek out help, especially from Mephisto to take care of business for Lucifer but Mephisto was right. He would be too late and Lucifer would not be happy.

"Fine."

There was snow everywhere. It fell from the sky in sheets and covered the ground in a thick blanket. The trees and the Torii Arch loomed over his head, casting shadows and giving only a small amount of protection from the blowing snow.

He could see the footprints of his brother and Yukio, gradually being filled in as the snow continued. But he would be able to track them easily. He took a deep steadying breath before taking off, jogging up the stairs, but maneuvering in such a way through the snow that his tracks were swept away as he went. He would have to branch off at some point to keep himself hidden.

The snow was too loud to walk in and was a hiderence for a normal person. For someone trying desperately to stay hidden and quiet… it was even worse. Thankfully, the falling snow muffled most sound around him anyway, making his efforts to stay hidden even easier. He could barely see the roof of the shrine when he decided to branch off from the stairs. The snow was even deeper there and he grit his teeth with annoyance. The sight that met him as he peered between the trees had his stomach souring.

The demon was looming over Kinzo, who laid in the snow, pinned with an invisible power. Shura was crawling up his body, nuzzling into his throat.

"No, no, no!" Kinzo was pleading and the sound made Renzo's teeth clench.

What was going on here?! Where was Yukio?

Shura's hands ventured to Kinzo's belt and Renzo had to force himself to stay where he was. Shura tugged at Kinzo's clothes before suddenly freezing. Her jaw clenched and with a new fire in her eyes, she turned to the Hydra.

"I won't do this to him!" Shura grasped her sword and settled it against the back of her neck.

"Whoa hey! Don't do that!" Kinzo squirmed under the power that held him still.

"Stop!" Yukio shouted as he rushed from the trees. Judging by his ruffled appearance, Renzo realized he must have been knocked away. "Hachiro! Stop. Don't do this to them! How about a contract with me instead?"

The demon, Hachiro, turned and studied the young teenager. "And why would I be interested in you when I have a male right here."

"A contract to our mutual benefit." Yukio's eyes glistened in the dying light.

Hachiro released his hold on Kinzo and the blond lunged, snatching the sword from Shura's hands.

"If you force this, your beloved will commit suicide. Is that what you want?" Yukio's tone was smooth, and steady.

"And the conditions?" Hachiro hissed. Renzo could see the demon was interested, and Renzo was as well. Yukio Okumura was cunning and intelligent. A contract with him instead? A new stroke of genius for sure, and part of Renzo was excited by the turn of events, even as a new feeling of horror rose up. One didn't enter into contracts with demons on a whim..

"Shift the contract for the demon sword to me along with the regenerative ability in her blood." Renzo almost hummed aloud as the pieces started to fall into place. "And don't worry about a child because I will give you one."

Renzo narrowed his eyes, ah so that's what it's all about. He looked over to Kinzo, realizing what Yukio was saving his brother from.

"What are you talking about?" Hachiro stepped towards Yukio, his full attention drawn away from the others. Renzo crept closer to them, trying to stay as silent as possible.

"This would be easier if you could have a child with Tatsuko yourself but this human form is a mere shadow of your true form as a Hydra. Thus, I will conceive a child with her. Wouldn't using compulsion on your beloved feel empty? I'm close to her, so I can persuade her. But take her power and give it to me." Yukio's words had an amusing effect on Kinzo and Shura's faces. They looked absolutely dumbstruck horrified and Renzo grinned in the darkness, his hand tightened on his weapon.

"I crave strength and powerful physical regeneration. No matter the cost." Yukio spoke with thinly disguised longing. Renzo wasn't sure if anyone else picked up on it.

"What is this nonsense? If we dissolve her contract then the Tatsuko born to her will grow old!" Man, this dude has a problem with old people or what?

"If you don't want that, then why not just kill the aging Tatsuko?" Yukio replied with a shrug.

"We cannot do that! Kill Tatsuko?!" Hachiro seemed truly offended.

"Then how about dissolving the demon sword contract but keeping the one that limits her life?" Yukio's mannerisms reminded Renzo of Mephisto and he paused. That was a weird thought.

"Impossible! Then Tatsuko will die!" Hachiro was becoming flustered.

"That leaves only one choice, after this Tatsuko ages and has a child, I will kill her. And do the same to future generations. I can found an organization to carry on after I die. I have the money for it." Liar, Renzo found himself grinning a little. "Give me what I want and I'll cooperate."

"That's crazy! You're fifteen! Way too young to even be thinking that!" Kinzo shouted. Shura tugged on his shoulder, hissing in his ear.

"Don't patronize me!" Yukio spat, turning his fierce gaze on the blond.

"I think I like you." Hachiro hand shot out, becoming a serpent that wrapped tightly around Shura. He snatched the tattoo right off her chest. "We should have never let you leave, Tatsuko!" He hissed down at her before he whipped around. Turning on Yukio he spoke again. "Now you… Kneel before us."

Yukio dropped to his knees, his chest was exposed and Renzo found himself blushing as he snuck around behind the demon. Yukio hissed as the demon traced the mark into his skin. Teal eyes raised, looking past Hachiro and something in his eyes changed as he spotted Renzo. No one else had seen him yet as Renzo crept ever closer.

Hachiro withdrew his claws, with a sneer. "No one since Tatsuko has excited me more!"

"Thank you, Lord Hachirotaro… now all will go well." Yukio smiled, his eyes flickered from the demon to Renzo. Renzo understood exactly what Yukio was saying. He nodded, allowing Yamantaka's power to boil under his skin.

"Now!" Yukio's shout made the others jump and Renzo rushed forward. Black flames leapt forth and stabbed through the demon's chest, the k'rik embedded in his back.

Hachiro roared, looking back at Renzo. "How?!"

"Renzo! What the hell?" Kinzo yelled.

Renzo beamed at them, far too pleased with his surprise entrance. "You guys need help?"

Hachiro hissed, his body was rippling and Renzo was yanked back by Kinzo. Yukio stood, rushing to stand with the others, his hand tugging Shura along.

"You're free now!" Yukio squeezed her hand, and he had an almost gentle look as he looked back at her.

"You idiot! You shouldn't be here!" Kinzo was scolding Renzo.

Renzo growled at him, "I ran ahead of the reinforcements! But now is not the time!"

Hachiro thrashed, shaking the black flames away. He panted, his many eyes turning to the huddled group as he grew larger. Snake-like tails shot out, snatching Shura away.

"Unforgivable! You defy the laws of heaven!" Hachiro's new limbs thrashed, crashing into everything in their paths. "Now we will kill you all!" They wrapped around and around, completely surrounding the exorcists. The many heads of his true form was terrifying. Renzo swallowed hard. He was their only chance of getting out of this, unless Yukio had something else up his sleeves. "All of you will perish!"

"Where's Shura?" Kinzo shouted over the din of trees falling and the serpent's cry. The writhing mass was too big to see much.

"We have to fight! Go for the eyes! Blind him!" Yukio's hands were already pulling out his guns.

Renzo grinned, lifting his kakkara. "That, I can do!"

Renzo flung his kakkara into one of Hachiro's eyes, and Yukio shot into the eyes that seeked to hypnotize them. Then without warning, the blizzard around them stopped.

"He's headed towards the lake!" Kinzo called, rushing after the demon, his own kakkara raised.

"Let's go!" Yukio took off, and Renzo groaned before following after.

Yamantaka burst from him and he winced as he felt the drain from his familiar. He could feel Yamantaka's eagerness to fight. The sweeping black force lunging at the Hydra, the effects were instantaneous. The demon roared with pain, limbs and coils thrashing about. Trees were knocked free from the ground and the vibrations made it difficult to stay standing.

"She's mine! We will be together for eternity!" His scream held the edge of desperation.

"Don't hurt them!" Shura was begging. Smaller tendrils shot out, reaching, chasing them as they ran.

"We deserve revenge! So before your very eyes, we shall kill them!" Hachiro roared. His serpentine tendrils yanked at Shura's body, and Kinzo was thrown back into the trees. The blond's head struck hard against a tree trunk and he lay still in the cold snow. Tendrils latched onto Yukio's arm and torso, and tightly squeezed. He screamed, eyes wide as his bones were snapped and the freshly healed cuts on his torso split open with little effort by the massive hydra.

Renzo could see the break clearly from where he was, and his eyes narrowed with rage. The scream that cut through the air sent a wave of protectiveness through Renzo. He had to get to him, Yukio was in danger! Renzo was stuck right here, and Yukio was in danger.

Renzo was lucky the appendages couldn't reach him through the black flames. Yukio's screams triggered a new wave of vindictiveness in him, and he pushed even more of his energy into Yamantaka's flames. Hachiro was frantic as his being was devoured by the black flames, his body writhing and thrashing as he sought to escape. However, Yamantaka was ravenous and Renzo had to use every ounce of his focus to keep the flames from touching the vulnerable humans.

"No!" Shura's sword seemingly appeared out of nowhere, cutting through the demon and her hair that the demon held on to. She landed lightly before Yukio's prone figure, the young exorcist trembling. "I no longer need you! I'm going to live!" She panted in the cold blistering wind. Her expression was hard and defiant as she glared up at the hydra. "I'm done living like I'm already dead! This is the end!"

Renzo grimaced and forced more power into his bond with Yamantaka. His vision was distorted and blotchy but it had to happen. He had to stay here in the now and make sure the job was done. Hachiro turned his gaze to Yamantaka and lunged, getting a mouthful of black flame. Yamantaka laughed as his arms rose up and clasped around the proud hydra, then Hachiro withered with a scream that was lost in the winds, growing smaller and smaller.

Renzo frowned down at the tiny snake at his feet. No one was looking at him, staring transfixed at the godly vision Yamantaka made from above. Renzo knelt and snatched the tiny thing up, shoving it into his pocket without a care.

Mission accomplished. His legs folded under him and he found himself face first in the snow.

The pain was a shock to his system. The constricting snake tendrils had done major damage, Yukio could feel it. His arm was throbbing and he couldn't get a breath in. He could feel the familiar heat of blood on his side… the half-healed wounds were open again. He felt reluctant to move, aware of what would happen if he did.

"Yukio." Shura was at his side, uncertain hands hovering over him. He looked up at her and gave a smile. He was… so relieved. He could see Renzo kneeling next to Kinzo, shaking his brother. Kinzo's blond hair was a little red. "Thank you. I feel… great. It's a huge relief to not have that hanging over my head anymore." She took his shoulder, and tried to maneuver his shirt open to inspect the damage. "Let's see how bad this is."

Yukio swallowed down a cry as the rough fabric was pulled from the wet wound. He settled for gritting his teeth, and tried not to lose his meal.

"Oh shit… what the hell, Yukio? Where did these come from?" Shura's voice had a frantic edge to it, her hands going to press at the wounds. The pressure was too much on his battered ribs and he screamed through his clenched teeth. His ribs were definitely broken. "Sorry… you're a mess."

Renzo rushed over with Kinzo thrown over his shoulder. "Damn, teach!" His stomach clenched at the crimson running down Yukio's body to soak into the snow.

Shura snapped her head over to him. "Do you know where these came from?"

Renzo winced, shuffling his feet. "Rin lost control a couple weeks ago." He settled Kinzo against the stone steps of the Shrine and glanced back at Yukio. He needed to bail… but Yukio needed help. He didn't want to leave but he was hyper aware of the snake squirming in his pocket. He didn't want to get bitten…

Yukio growled as Shura looked down at the wounds with horror. "W-wasn't… his fault…" It looked like Yukio was barely hanging on to consciousness.

Shura narrowed her eyes at him and pinched one of his fingers roughly. Yukio twitched, looking up at her with discontent. "You need to stay awake. And what kind of stuff were you spouting, huh? Didn't know you had that in you." Shura forced a laugh, her words were obviously an attempt to keep him aware, but when she hauled him up, Yukio's vision blurred. Yukio cried out, his hands grappling at her. She managed to carry him to the steps of the Shrine, setting him next to Kinzo. The blond would have a nasty concussion most likely. Yukio looked up at the sound of footsteps rushing through the snow. The reinforcements had arrived. He rolled his eyes. They always show up at the last moment. He could feel the rivers of blood escaping around Shura's hands, attempting to keep it at bay.

Yukio could see the shadowed figure Renzo made as he retreated, trotting off somewhere. The pink haired boy seemed to sense his eyes and glanced back. His lips curled and he shot a wink at Yukio. That boy was far too full of himself. Yukio found himself smirking just a little in return. His vision went black and he allowed himself to crumple.

"You will be patient. Restrain your violent urges." Samael's voice continued to drone on.

Amaimon huffed, plodding along after his brother. His fangs clicked against the pink lollipop in his mouth. He didn't want to be here, but big brother insisted. He hadn't seen Rin since the day of his chemotherapy. Amaimon was tempted to go against Samael's words and tease the young demon… he wanted to play with baby brother. Surely, he could get a rise out of the halfling.

Samael led him into the dimly lit room, sending one last warning glance back. Amaimon could smell him before he saw him. The scent of infection, decay and fire hung in the air heavily. The half-demon was laying in the hospital bed, an IV line running up into his elbow. His skin was glowing a ghostly blue sheen, giving him an angelic appearance. His lips were parted as he gasped in failing attempts to breathe.

"He really is dying." Amaimon couldn't hold his tongue.

Samael approached the bed with silent footsteps. "Mmm. He doesn't have long now." Samael glanced out the nearby window. "Every day that sets is one day closer."

"Why allow the humans to try these poisons?" Amaimon beckoned to the bag decorated with radiation warnings.

"Humans are fragile. They must believe they did everything they could. They refuse to give up. Even if it is all in vain. Part of the reason I like watching them..." Samael reached a hand out, gripping the limp hand.

Samael's scent softened to something soothing, and gave Amaimon the boost he needed to overcome his own trepidation in order to step closer. Perching himself on the edge of the halfling's bed, he leaned in to peer at the sickly prince.

Rin's brow crinkled before he slowly blinked his eyes open. Amaimon could see how he struggled to focus on him for a moment. A hiss left Rin's lips, fangs peeked out and Amaimon mimicked the snarl. Blue eyes contracted sharply, appearing brighter in the shadows around his eyes. Amaimon's tail, safely tucked away, squirmed in excitement.

"Umaimon." The guttural growl would have triggered the flight response in anything but the demons.

Samael chuckled as Amaimon narrowed his eyes. Sharp tipped claws lashed out at Amaimon with surprising strength, the tip of his tail lit up with fire. Sensing the challenge, Amaimon lunged forward only to be held back by Samael. Amaimon's feet perched on the edge of the bed, uncomfortably close to the halfling.

"Behave yourself," Samael looked down at the growling boy, "both of you."

Amaimon couldn't hold back one last growl. "My name is Amaimon." Samael cuffed the side of Amaimon's head with a soft scoff.

The sound of the heart monitor speeding up was grating on Amaimon's ears and he had to hold back from ripping it to shreds. Why was such a thing necessary? Amaimon could hear the halfling's racing heart just fine.

Rin suddenly sucked in a breath, eyes going wide and body going rigid. The fiery, familiar scent of his anger became sour with fear. The scent put Amaimon on edge, his own body tensing. He quickly turned his head, searching for a threat.

Samael leaned closer to Rin, attempting to hold his attention. Rin looked up at Samael, seeking solace from whatever plagued him. Samael's voice was low as he asked, "What do you feel?"

Rin broke eye contact, startling slightly when he noticed Amaimon still hovering so close. Perhaps he had forgotten the Demon King was there… "I feel something… it wants to get me."

Samael hummed. "Impossible. Nothing here wants to get you." Samael shot a warning look to Amaimon.

Rin squirmed, forcing himself to sit up. The air around him was heating, the scent of fire growing. Samael seemed unaffected but Amaimon could feel the feral flames seeking him out. Rin saw him as an enemy.

Amaimon shifted, leaning away as Rin's eyes distorted in red and blue. His hair ruffled with the waves of fire.

"Rin. There's nothing here to hurt you." Samael sounded so calm. His demeanor… his ability to keep control over himself always made Amaimon envious. Amaimon has been unable to control his emotions for a very long time. A common symptom with demons who are not whole.

Rin's flames threw shadows upon the walls, eerily reminiscent of Gehenna itself. "Lucifer."

Samael made a sound of realization. "Ah. The radiation makes him feel brother's lingering presence."

Samael reached out, caressing Rin's hair, fingers splitting the flames without care. Rin's pupils shrank in a wreath of flames and long fangs snapped at the hand tangled in his hair. Samael's hand clenched in the long hair, keeping Rin from being able to reach him. Long claws pressed against the young prince's skull.

"Now now. You don't want to bite me." Samael's voice was unwavering. Amaimon was impressed as he would have snapped right back at Rin. Samael peered down into Rin's eyes, holding the boy down with the hand to his head.

Rin's distress was growing, contagious to Amaimon who shook his head in an attempt to clear it. As his heart rate rose and his breathing became ragged, Samael sighed.

"If we continue on this path, he will die of a heart attack."

"Please. Make it stop. I don't want this." Rin was crying. His body trembled and he hunched over, hiding his face.

Amaimon had never seen him cry. Never seen him scared. Samael sat down by Rin, tugging him to his side. A flicker of something rose up in the Earth King. His eyes turned to the bag dripping into the halfling.

The foriegn emotion gripped him tight and his body seemed to move by itself as his claws shot out and slashed through the bag. The liquid gushed out and Amaimon yanked the tube from Rin.

Rin yelped, and Samael gave a loud exasperated sigh. "Amaimon…"

"He shouldn't have to suffer, brother!" Amaimon's teeth gnashed, his serpentine tail making his shirt ripple.

"What do you suggest then?" Samael had a slight growl to his voice, possessively holding Rin against his side. The boy's cheeks were sunken and wet. Unfitting of what should be a noble prince.

"Hand him over to Father! Gehenna will heal him!" Amaimon hissed.

Rin's eyes widened, clutching Samael's clothes. Amaimon felt sick with those eyes on him.

"You've adopted him! Fix him." Amaimon was tired of this storyline. Samael had the power to change it.

"Mmmm, I can't do that. Things aren't that simple." Samael continued to stroke Rin's hair, the prince beginning to doze off in the demon's arms. Amaimon had the urge to snatch him away. "Though I do agree. This particular suffering is unnecessary. There is no point to it. We will say it did not work. The humans will be devastated but…" Samael narrowed his eyes and grinned with sharp fangs exposed. "This path is the best I see for this universe."

"I think you could use a distraction." Light was leaned against the wall, hair covering his eyes and a slight upward turn of his lips as he spoke.

Ryuuji's head jerked from where he was staring at his prayer beads. He hadn't expected anyone to bother him. He had asked to be left alone but apparently Light hadn't been told. Not that he would listen in the first place.

"How 'bout we do some training?" Light motioned behind him vaguely.

Right… training. Ryuuji blinked, forcing his mind off Rin. "Uhhh… ok."

He staggered to his feet, his legs tingling from staying folded under him for so long.

Light turned and started down the hall, causing Ryuuji to stumble after him. "So, you're pretty smart from what I've been told. Top of many of your classes, you keep yourself physically fit… though I know you've been slacking. You'll need to fix that." Ryuuji nearly scoffed, well aware of the eating habits of the older man. "You handled your firearms with exceptional skill."

They exited the Inn and Ryuuji winced at the bitter cold. The snow crunched under their feet, and the wind made Light grapple for his hat.

"What are we doing out here?" Ryuuji didn't like being alone with Light.

Light didn't answer, and continued further until they came to the edge of the forest. The trees helped ease the wind and the shadows were deeper the further in you went.

Light turned, a beaming grin on his lips, he held a summoning circle card tightly in his hand, fresh blood leaking over it. "You're going to learn self defense and shortened sutra…" A dark shape loomed among the shadows, silver eyes blinking owlishly. Ryuuji's breath caught and his stomach plummeted. "And what better way to learn than having a practical lesson? Better learn fast, Ryuuji. Demons won't pull their punches just because of your ignorance."

Ryuuji's hands went to his belt, grasping at air. Light laughed as the demon drifted closer.

"Lesson number one. Never leave your room without your weapons."

Ryuuji pulled his prayer beads up, standing his ground. Light tsked at him.

"If your enemy outmatches you, fall back and come up with a plan. Which will definitely be the case with Satan. You won't win against Satan. When he appears, you don't charge in."

Light stepped to the side, letting the demon pass him. It moved with the sound of something sliding along the floor. Trails of smoke drifted up into the branches above as the creature blended in with the shadows around it. This observation triggered something in Ryuuji's mind. It was an Enenra. A creature made of shadow and smoke.

He actually knew this one. With a boost in his confidence, he began a sutra. "Mahāpabhā mahātejā…"

As he chanted, Light beamed from behind the towering demon. He was nodding along to Ryuuji's words. As Ryuuji opened his mouth to say the rest, Light raised his hand. The demon bellowed, claws of shadow reaching through a patch of sunlight.

"Faster Ryuuji. Speed is vital here."

Ryuuji flinched at the flailing claws. He stepped back, suddenly aware of how slick the ground was. He wouldn't be able to run.

"Focus on the sutra. Imagine the words and what you want the words to do. Force the demon to do what you want. Once you understand the basics of demons, you can get many to do as you command."

Ryuuji attempted to focus on the words in his mind but as the beast rushed forward. He shouted as fangs gnashed in his face. Ice cold claws caught his jacket but before he could be yanked off his feet, the demon was gone in a puff of smoke.

Light was watching him as he collected himself. He hadn't lost the look of amusement since they left the Inn. "I didn't expect you to get it this time. Now that your adrenaline is going, how about we play a game?" From his pocket, he drew a pack of cards.

Ryuuji shuffled his feet, unsure of this training. He wasn't sure what he was going to reply with but was saved by Light's phone ringing.

Light huffed, rolled his eyes and answered with a grunt. Light's mouth dropped open and he returned his attention to Ryuuji. The teenager was instantly wary.

"Right. I'll head over." He lowered the phone staring at his apprentice. "Looks like the game will have to wait. Mephisto wants me to head to the hospital. Yukio is in surgery and something happened with Rin."