A minute had gone by when Shiro felt someone's hand squeeze his shoulder. Turning around to see Misumi's concerned face.
"Shiro, you look like you've seen a ghost." The older man's voice snapped Shiro out of his dread, shaking his head he turned to the others with a smile.
"It's nothing, just realising how quiet it's going to be now Rin isn't going to be around the monastery anymore. It'll be strange…" there was a wistful look in his eyes as he stared at the corner the limo had disappeared on.
"Let's head inside, I'll call Mephisto and let him know Rin's on his way."
He waved the other priests in before looking to Yukio who was glaring at him in such a way, he knew what was coming. Yukio wasn't fooled at all; the boy didn't miss a beat. After the others had gone inside, they were stood outside alone. Yukio finally spoke, not taking his eyes from his father.
"You're lying." Shiro didn't respond to the accusation. Honestly, there was plenty he was lying about, but it was all for their protection – that and a stupid demonic contract that prevented him from telling his own family of his own dark past and how it all connected.
"You saw something, what was it?" The glare had formed into something more of genuine worry for both his father and brother.
"It's nothing, Yukio." He smiled at the boy, patting on his shoulder. "I was just seeing things. Not really been sleeping well these last few days." Yukio could tell by the dark circles under his eyes.
But still, Yukio frowned at his father's lack of trust in him, he knew he'd seen something and again was keeping Yukio in the dark about something that could be important. But at the same time, his father was tired, since the day Rin awakened there had been nothing but stress and anxiety between them all. It wasn't Rin's fault at all and Yukio only hoped that going to Mephisto was for the best.
"I need to speak to Mephisto before Rin arrives at his place, so please go help the others for now and I'll be back soon." He walked inside pulling out his ring of keys, leaving Yukio standing alone in the yard. He stared towards the end of the road his brother had disappeared.
Maybe he would try to see Rin himself after he was settled in.
Inside the monastery, Shiro used one of the keys on his locked office door and opened it to the hallway of Mephisto's mansion one conveniently right outside his office. He waltzed towards the door nearly walking in unannounced but thought better of it and knocked, waiting quietly for confirmation to enter.
"Come in, Fujimoto." He heard the chirpy voice beckon him from inside the room.
He opened the door to see the Demon King sat at his desk as if he was eagerly awaiting his arrival. Shiro rolled his eyes.
"To what do I owe the visit, this time? Your darling son hasn't even arrived yet and you're already coming to check in?" The demon eyed him curiously before sporting an amused grin.
"As Rin was leaving, I thought I saw a few white hairs on his head…should I be worried?"
"Well, the boy has been through a lot of stress over the last few days it's probably nothing or it's all in your imagination." Shiro frowned at that last part, he was certain of what he saw and he feared the worst.
"Can you just make sure you keep an eye on him? Just until I can come to check on him myself." Shiro sighed in resignation.
"Of course, Shiro. I will be keeping a watchful eye on our young Rin. I have as much invested in his wellbeing as you do, remember?" Yes, Shiro knew that all too well and it didn't ease the growing anxiety in his gut anymore.
"I'll be in touch." With his final parting words, Shiro left the demon to his work. It would not be long before his little brother arrived and he could see for himself the extent of this strange phenomenon.
The limo turned the corner and Rin turned back to the interior, leaving the window open just to feel the cool breeze in his hair. After how sweaty and hot he had been this morning, it felt amazing. He stared at the phone, still gripped in his hand, before shoving it into his backpack on the seat next to him.
The window separating the front of the limo from the back suddenly scrolled down and Rin flinched in surprise. The demon driving didn't take his eyes off the road or glance in the mirror before speaking to Rin.
"Master Rin, we have a brief journey ahead of us. Sir Pheles has left you a few things to keep you occupied until we arrive at the mansion. Do help yourself." With that, he pushed a button on the dashboard, opening a few compartments in the back.
"Uh… thanks." Rin stared at the demon nervously until the window scrolled back up again, leaving Rin alone.
He looked around at the open compartments. It seemed like this Sir Pheles guy was accommodating all possibilities; there were snacks, puzzle books, even various manga to read and a small handheld gaming console.
Grabbing one of the manga volumes and a few snacks, he sat back in the seat comfortably and occupied himself for the next hour before eventually falling asleep for the rest of the car ride.
The sudden stopping of the engine startled him awake, opening his eyes to the front of an enormous mansion. He blearily rubbed his eyes thinking he must've still been dreaming but the mansion was still there.
"Whoa…this place is huge!" he exclaimed.
"We have arrived, Master Rin." The other demon spoke again, this guy was so polite Rin found it difficult to believe he was a demon. Still staring at the mansion in disbelief he was going to be living in this place before he was brought out of his trance by the door opening in front of him.
He grabbed the backpack that was on the seat next to him and exited the vehicle.
"Thanks…"
"The rest of your belongings will be delivered to your room shortly. If you will follow me, I will lead you to the master." Rin swallowed a lump in his throat and nodded meekly, following behind the demon through the large main double doors of the mansion.
The inside of the mansion looked just as extravagant as the outside and Rin felt himself questioning his reluctance to live here. Until he remembered, there was a reason he had been shipped off to a Demon's home to live in the first place. His awe dampened and he skulked behind the servant leading him through the decorated halls. Glancing at the various paintings that littered the walls, he soon found himself distracted from the seemingly endless walk. That was until the servant leading him came to a halt and Rin walked into the back of him.
"Ufft!"
Rin landed on his behind as he hit the floor, the demon in front of him merely turned around to offer Rin a hand to get back up whilst announcing their arrival.
"Um, sorry" Rin tried to apologize but the servant barely registered, proceeding to knock on the door. A cheerful voice called out from the other side of the door for them to enter. Rin swallowed down the lump in his throat as he was about to come face to face with this so-called demon friend of his father's.
The servant opened the door and ushered Rin into the large office where he was greeted by an enthusiastic voice.
"Ah! Mr Okumura, we finally meet. I've heard a lot about you from Shiro."
Rin looked over the man at the large desk in front of the window. He had strange purple hair and wore a peculiar white suit. Rin recognised the same exorcist badge that his father wore on his cassock. So, it was true and the demon was some sort of exorcist?
The demon rose from his desk and moved closer to Rin.
"Uh, hi… You're my father's friend?"
The demon grinned "My name is Mephisto Pheles and I am to be your legal guardian from this day forward. And yes, I am a friend of Father Fujimoto's although I wouldn't say I am a friend of your true father." Rin frowned in response.
"So, tell me, what do you know of Satan?" Mephisto gestured to the seat in front of his desk as he circled back to his own large chair.
"Nothing, really. I only know of the Satan from the bible stories. I wasn't told anything other than he was a demon god and that I shouldn't use my flames in front of people." Rin moved to sit down, he felt like he was under interrogation.
"And you mustn't! Whilst I have taken you in you see, I am of high standing in the exorcist community. Should the higher-ups find out that I have spared Satan's spawn they will have both our heads." Rin's hand tentatively moved to his neck. "But we're not going to let that happen now, are we young Rin?" He shook his head.
"So did you know about me before?"
"My dear boy I was the one who helped seal your demon heart in that very sword." Rin flinched as the voice suddenly made itself known in its anger for the first time since the basement. It was strange as Rin had never felt the emotions of the voice before, not to this extent anyway.
The demon eyed him carefully "Shiro tells me you're hearing voices…are they still a problem?"
It was almost like he could read Rin's mind and hear the voice himself with how well-timed that question was but Rin shrugged his shoulders, in this moment he trusted the voice more than some random demon he'd been sent to live with against his will. "No… it's been quiet."
"I see. Splendid!" Mephisto clapped his hands together and his servant entered the room again "Mr Okumura this is Belial, he is the head of the servants here at the mansion. Should you need anything, please ask him." Rin nodded hesitantly; it was nice to finally have a name for the silent demon.
"Belial if you would show Mr Okumura to his room, I'm sure he's quite tired. I have arrangements to make since I did promise Shiro you would be home-schooled until it was time for you to join True Cross Academy."
"About that…" Rin started "Am I really supposed to train as an Exorcist? I'll have to kill demons?"
Mephisto gave an amused smirk "That is the general idea, yes. Do you have a problem with that?" the demon eyed him carefully.
Rin thought for a moment, he didn't like the idea of being made into a killer of demons. Not when the first beings to accept him and befriend him were those demons in the park. They'd done no harm and only wanted to play.
"What if I don't want to?" Rin asked.
"I'm afraid you don't have a choice." Mephisto's eyes narrowed on Rin suspiciously before raising his hand to his servant to take him away. Rin was ushered out of the room with no more words said.