Disclaimer: I do not own Blue Exorcist or its characters; that right belongs to Kazue Kato. Nor do I own Inuyasha or its characters; that right belongs to Rumiko Takahashi.


Rin walked on unsteady legs down the hall; his mind was short-circuiting on what he had just overheard. He was sure he was not supposed to have heard it either. But it was, to say the least, very enlightening about the situation. This was not how he had wanted to learn anything, by eavesdropping by dumb luck. Yet, he had, because Yukio had asked him to deliver something to Mephisto's office for him.

Jerking to a stop, Rin recalled what Yukio had looked like when he had shoved the papers into his hands. The lack of eye contact and partial muttering under his breath. Yeah, Rin realized he should have been suspicious at that point and time of why he was being made to do something that was Yukio's job and without a damn good reason. Sighing, Rin squatted down and threaded his fingers through his hair and pulled. All he wanted to do was scream.

Sighing as he did his best to collect himself, ignoring the looks he was getting from his fellow students, Rin stood up and continued on his way. His mind pulling up the conversation he'd overheard before booking it out of there.

000

"I refuse. Plain and simple, Kagome."

"And I understand Mephisto. I am not her and can never be my past self."

"Thank you. I lost in that battle to you, no her, and knew I would never give my heart again."

"I know. Remember, part of this curse from the contract is that I recall every life I have ever lived. She did love you too, Mephisto."

"That was a stupid stipulation to agree to. But the first incarnation of you was a time-traveling Miko from what is now our past, Kagome. Each incarnation is to have the name you bear now. But your past self agreed with my father, who desires the power that he thinks lies dormant in the jewel you wear. He'd be pissed if he learned the truth, wouldn't he?"

"Yes, Mephisto, he'd be pissed if he learned that the jewel isn't dormant. That after completing it, Kagome, the first, had merged her soul with that of our family line, Midoriko. Thus, becoming the Shikon no Tama itself."

"Hahaha, the absurdity of it isn't lost on me. Father is always after more power for his own family line. But even now, you all are still the same soft-hearted, compassionate people. Kagome the First gave up her freedom to save those friends from going to hell and live in torment by taking the curse upon herself and agreeing that she would give that power to Satan if his children could defeat them. Effectively placing her under his protection from the other deities of darkness, and some of the light."

"Yes. And each time we are reincarnated, our powers for that life are different. I am but the equivalent of a Hedge Witch this time around. It physically exhausts me to manifest the Horiki to fight and protect myself."

"Both of you know about the obligations of the contract; this cannot be put off. Each child of Satan will have to fight for the right to gain Kagome's power for their father."

"Yes, thank you for reminding us of what we already know, Captain Obvious."

"Miko, do not cross me. This was a choice that you had made back then to save us all. The price was set and stipulations set in the contract. Now, decide on how you want to do this competition. I would suggest Archery, as Mephisto is not accomplished at it even with his enhanced senses."

"That sounds amenable to me. I can and will get everything set up so we can get this farce over with. By the way, have you decided upon what you are going to do with Yukio... even if he is not a viable option, he still shares the same blood as Father-dearest."

"Yes, we have it already taken care of. And Yukio lost thoroughly. Iblis helped! She really is a doll when you get to know the girl under her fiery exterior."

"Indeed, it was well done. And while I hold to my opinion of Satan trying to win sympathy by having a child that could be his container on Earth so he could try and win against Kagome, that will be a topic that has to be broached. The boy is in the dark about all this, and he is directly involved."

"Ah... Rin..."

000

A part of him was curious about Kagome's reaction to him? Clenching his jaw and grinding his molars, Rin gave a loud snort as he marched around the corner. His mind registered seconds too late that there was someone else there before pain exploded from his chin as it connected with the top of the person's head. Reaching out to keep from falling, Rin found that they had the same idea, and it sent both of them falling to the floor in a pile of tangled limbs and groans.

"Oh... dear, I am so sorry."

Slowly he moved his head to look down at the crown of wavy, raven-hair of the person who was laying on top of him. Biting back a loud groan as the head was lifted and blue eyes met his own before he was feeling pain below his belt as none other than Kagome tried to untangle herself from him and scramble away. This girl was way too much trouble, and he did need to deal with, eventually.

But right now, all he wanted to do was curl up in a small ball and hold himself as her knee sunk again into his crotch once more. And this time, he didn't bother to smother the groan; he let it out loud to express his pain. Only to hear a horrified squeak from Kagome as she finally disengaged from his person, allowing him the right to curl into a ball as loud laughter came from those who had gathered around them.

TBC!