Chapter 11: True Cross Academy
I'm at the stage where I sort of just want to end the story, since I only really have a vague idea of how the story will conclude, no details or character interactions, and it's a bit too later to create a proper chapter-by-chapter plan.
But I will keep going, since so many of you want to see this story have a proper conclusion. So, I will struggle through my writer's block for this story to give you all something. But just to warn you all, unless I strike a moment of inspiration, don't expect much from the upcoming chapters.
Shiro's hand once again itched for a cigarette.
He wanted anything but to be here, especially with his son, but it was unfortunately the safest place for Rin at the moment.
"My, even your home has become compromised." Mephisto spoke in his usual infuriating tone. "What an unfortunate turn of events."
"The demon couldn't breach my wards herself, but she apparently has a hypnotic song that lured Rin out." Shiro explained. "I'm hoping that this song can't be heard at a distance. So, Rin needs to be somewhere where the edge of the wards are far from where he will be. And, unfortunately, this is the best place for Rin at the moment."
"Well, I'd be more than happy to take in my little brother in his time of need." Mephisto clapped his hands.
Shiro scowled.
He was lucky that he'd left Rin outside the office with Yukio.
"I don't want you playing any of your tricks with Rin." He warned the demon. "So, none of your manipulative plans and no leading him to the truth of his heritage."
"I'm hurt, Shiro." Mephisto grinned. "That you think I would do such a thing."
"I mean it." Shiro said, not believing Mephisto for a second. "Rin's only seven, has gone through one traumatic experience and is experiencing another because of this Beldam. He doesn't need any of your trickery on top of it."
"I humbly promise not to involve my dear little brother, Rin, in any of my dastardly schemes that could lead to his awakening." Mephisto said, hand over his heart in an off-handed manner. "And I'll even promise not to place his life at risk on top of it. Only until this Mami has been dealt with, of course, I only have so much generosity."
Shiro wasn't at all satisfied, knowing that Mephisto hadn't made any sort of binding promise, and so could break his word if he wished.
And Shiro wouldn't put it past Mephisto to start manipulating things just for his own amusement.
"Though, I can't guarantee that little Rin's seal won't break." Mephisto added.
"What?" Shiro subconsciously went for his weapon but he held back.
"As you've said, little Rin is under a lot of stress, is threatened by his Mami." Mephisto grinned while giving a what-can-you-do gesture. "His powers will try to manifest, to protect him, eating through his seal faster than they would normally. If the Beldam that threatens him is not dealt with soon, little Rin could awaken to stop her himself."
"I won't let that happen." Shiro promised.
"We'll see, won't we." Mephisto said. "Until then, little Rin can stay in the old dorm, just in case there are any unfortunate demonic mishaps. Yukio can be moved into the old dorm as well to keep an eye on him."
"Fine." Shiro sighed, turning to leave.
Catching something in the corner of his eye, Mephisto turned to look at his office window, where a black cat was gazing in.
Mephisto raised an eyebrow, recognising it as the cat that followed Coraline around, and also wondering how it managed to reach his window in the first place.
Coraline's cat blinked slowly as it realised Mephisto was watching it before standing up and jumping off the side of the ledge like it was no big deal.
…
Shiro sighed as he closed the office door behind him, looking to his side where Yukio was slumped against the wall, Rin in his lap and Kuro lying next to them.
The brothers gripped each other with equal tightness, as if the other would disappear if they let go.
They hadn't let go of each other since Yukio had burst into the monastery after being told of Rin almost being taken again, practically snatching his brother from Shiro's arms.
With all the chaos that happened, and considering that it was now only early morning, one would expect Rin to have fallen asleep in Yukio's arms. But despite Rin's stillness, his red rimmed eyes were still open, even though the boy was clearly exhausted.
"Your headmaster has agreed to let Rin stay at True Cross until…it's safe." Shiro said, not wanting to mention Mami's name in case it affected his younger son. "Yukio, you'll be staying with your brother to keep watch over him."
Yukio nodded.
"I've managed to arrange a couple of weeks off from classes for a family emergency, as long as I keep up with all my work." He said, standing up while Rin still clung to him.
Shiro nodded, glad that his son had thought ahead.
Rin clearly needed either Shiro or Yukio there to feel safe, and wouldn't accept anyone else, at least at the moment. Hopefully, by the time that Yukio had to return to his classes, Rin would be able to be separate from them. Or better yet, Mami would no longer be a problem by then.
Shiro led his sons towards their temporary home, Kuro following close behind.
The father and eldest twin couldn't help but notice that Rin just let himself be carried, rather than insist that he could walk there himself like he usually did.
When the family arrived at the old dorm, they were surprised to find Coraline there, adding protective symbols to the walls.
"Hi." Coraline waved. "Mephisto mentioned that you'd be staying here, so I decided to add some of the protections that work best against Beldams."
Shiro sighed.
Of course Mephisto had already planned out Rin's stay before Shiro had entered the office.
The second that Mami was dealt with, Shiro was taking Rin as far away from True Cross as possible.
"The clown tried telling me that his protections will be enough, but like I'm going to trust his manipulative ass." Coraline added.
Shiro nodded in agreement.
He was glad that his teammate was aware of Mephisto's nature.
Sensing that his father wanted to discuss the case, Yukio decided that Rin needed to be out of earshot.
"Hey, how about we go exploring, huh?" Yukio smiled at his brother. "A place like this will have some interesting secrets."
Rin nodded and allowed his brother to carry him further into the dorms, leaving Shiro alone with Coraline and Kuro.
"So, True Cross seems to be the safest place away from the Beldam." Coraline said, finishing off her work. "Are the other children going to be joining Rin here? Because I only saw one dorm room cleaned up for living."
"True Cross would be the safest place for all of them." Shiro agreed.
"What's the issue then?" Coraline groaned.
"Partially, it's the parents. A few worry about their children being moved again." Shiro answered.
"And what else?" Coraline asked, knowing that she wouldn't like the answer.
"Unfortunately, the wards around True Cross could be too strong." Shiro frowned. "If all the children are moved here, there's the worry that the Beldam would give up on trying to retrieve her remaining children and run off with those she'd already kidnapped, and to find new victims instead. Making her harder to find."
Coraline frowned heavily, not liking that the children were being risked to keep Mami in range.
"I wouldn't be so sure. Beldams are strongly attached to the children they target. In their twisted minds, for the ones that feed off of love at least, they really do love the children they take." Coraline informed. "But" She sighed in defeat. "They aren't suicidal either. There is a chance that Mami could leave for now to accumulate power from new victims, before returning to try and reclaim her previous victims at a later date."
Shiro nodded.
He didn't like that they were practically using the other children as bait by not moving them to the safest possible location, but it had to be done if they wanted to track down Mami.
Movement out of the corner of his eye caused Shiro to turn, finding Coraline's cat suddenly sitting on the counter, licking its paw.
"Ah, there you are." Coraline raised an eyebrow while putting her hands on her hips. "Been searching for secrets, have you?"
The cat meowed in response.
"It's a bit strange that your cat accompanies you on your cases." Shiro commented as Kuro went over to investigate his fellow feline.
"Well, he isn't really my cat." Coraline admitted. "He isn't anyone's cat, he doesn't even have a name. He just decided to follow me around after my first encounter with a Beldam. He seemed really eager to join in this case, for reasons I think I can guess."
Shiro hummed and analysed the cat, which was reluctantly letting Kuro sniff it.
"Why don't you scan the dorm for dangers and hiding spots." Coraline told the cat that wasn't really hers.
Seemingly understanding Coraline perfectly, the cat stood up, stretched and then jumped down from the counter, stalking off deeper into the dorm.
Shiro watched the cat walk off in suspicion, wondering if it was some sort of demon that had attached itself to Coraline. It was likely a benign demon, since it hadn't done anything, but Shiro didn't want to take any risks.
"Kuro, why don't you accompany him." Shiro told his familiar.
Kuro meowed to show he understood before running after the cat.
Coraline raised her eyebrow again but didn't comment, apparently not fazed by Shiro not trusting the cat that followed her around.
The two exorcists were then distracted by alerts on their phones going off, causing them to both go stiff.
"She's struck again, already." Shiro said, looking at the message that was sent.
"Let's get back then." Coraline said, pulling on her coat.
"Yukio! Rin!" Shiro called for his sons.
The two boys quickly appeared.
"We've been called to work." Shiro informed. "I'll try to see you both again soon."
"Okay." Yukio said in understanding.
Instead of responding, tears began to well in Rin's eyes.
"Hey, it's alright." Shiro put a hand on Rin's head as his son began to cry proper.
Rin shook his head, hands shooting out to try and grab at Shiro's coat.
"Sorry, Rin." Shiro apologised, moving out of the way but allowing Rin to grab his hand. "I know that you don't want me to go, but I have to."
"No." Rin startled everyone with his first word since the attack. "N-no." The boy stuttered as he sobbed.
Shiro's heart broke but he reluctantly pried his hand from Rin's, causing his son to sob harder.
"Don't worry." Yukio tried to comfort his brother. "Dad will be back."
Rin only continued to cry, turning and burying his face on Yukio's chest as Shiro and Coraline left.
Coraline decided to keep a few feet away from Shiro as they walked, feeling the despair and anger coming off him.
"I am going to murder that demon." Shiro vowed.
Coraline just nodded.
Shiro took a deep breath to try and calm himself down.
"Is the cat not accompanying you." He said, noticing Coraline had left without the cat.
Coraline shrugged.
"He goes where he wants." She said. "And he'll find his way back to me when he wants."
To Coraline, it seemed as if the cat had an interest in Rin and was investigating, similar to what happened when the Other Mother had targeted her. For some reason, the Beldam known as Mami had a special interest in Rin, either enough to keep Rin alive while all the other children were eventually fed on or because Rin managed to somehow stay alive while the other children eventually fell to Mami's hunger.
And that made Coraline worry.
If it was the latter option, how much stronger would Mami become if she managed to reclaim Rin?