Title: Hellspawn
Chapter: 19/?
Characters: Rin, Yukio, Kuro, Mephisto(?)
Genre: ACTION
Disclaimer: I own nothing, it's purely fan made for fun... or tears.
Warnings: No beta'd, etc. cursing, anime!ver, brocon, RinYukio, prolly ooc?
Summary:
As he spoke last of his questions, he spared a look at his twin who apparently took this moment to check how much ammo he's got left. When Yukio lifted his head back up, he blinked and then something crossed his expression.
Then he promptly aimed his gun straight at Rin.
A/N: Sorry for the wait, here have it (7k+) of bad fan fiction. Love you guys! 3
"...and I think you're crazy too, I know you're gone,
That's probably the reason that we get along."
- Mad Hatter, Melanie Martinez.
…
With a long sigh Rin found himself brooding around in his dormitory. However saying he was brooding was understatement, he was practically boiling with silent rage that could explode at any moment now. Why, one could ask, well, let's just say that he was once again left behind while almost everyone from his training group was on a mission.
A real mission.
Exorcist mission.
It was third time already (in just two weeks!) and he couldn't understand why. Why the hell he was being left behind. He hasn't done anything wrong since that terrible ghoul chase and even that was long enough ago for most people to forget about it.
Not to mention Yukio was out there, risking his life... alone. Feeling of cold uncertainty and worry was making him sick to his stomach, because in the end he didn't know if his twin was going to walk back through their doors again.
Just as that ominous thought crossed his mind, his fist on an impulse connected with said dark doors. Wood crunched under pressure but did not give in, standing still and tall. Somehow the bothering thing reminded him of fluff-clown and that certainly wasn't a person he wanted to think about right now, so he backed off only to fall down onto his bed.
To truth be told, as much as Rin tried to ignore some certain things, he just couldn't. Only for so long he could turn a blind eye on those (frequent) exorcist missions Yukio was being send off to – from which his brother would often come back tired, with dark bags under his eyes.
He wanted to help too, he wanted to become an exorcist.
But... Something or someone was standing in the way.
Worst thing was, that missions where becoming longer and tougher it seemed.
Grumbling angrily under his breath, he turned his blue eyes towards window. Evening already was starry, no clouds visible outside. Well, at least they had a good weather for a mission didn't they? Knowing he couldn't do anything, really, he pressed his face to a pillow and concentrated. As seconds passed, colour of his irises changed – a visible specks of red surrounded his pupil. He felt himself brushing against that invisible border that was hidden deep inside of him, but did not stop.
Nowadays, he wanted to keep control over the other side for as long as he could – without letting any flames out.
Actually, he was training like this for some time now, Yukio somehow never caught on that though; but maybe a reason why he didn't was because he barely had any time for himself. Between school, cram school and being exorcist his twin practically functioned on three hours of sleep and two meals a day. It was clear as a day that his brother was wearing himself thin – and that bothered Rin greatly but he couldn't do anything to put a stop to this.
Anyway, without Yukio around he had most of days for himself and their little exo-team. On one of those days he figured he might've just as well try to get the best of his hellish powers and so his lone training session's came to be.
The more he let himself in, the more world changed around him.
It was almost like in a twisted fairytale – like stepping through a crooked mirror.
Their dormitory was still swallowed in evening's glow but beside him and silently sleeping on windowpane Kuro, there was a lot more to see now. Like those single coal tars that flew around their room, who knows where to or why. Or this fateful red ribbon that drifted on and about – letting him know that Yukio was alright.
Still.
Well, at least it was good for something, he guessed turning eyes towards pinky finger where his end of their bond was located. If there was anything it was good for then it was it – because yes, he found that book Yukio sputtered about months back and re-read it.
"...For as long as both parties are alive thread will stay unchanged, with little matter to the distance between them. In an event of dying one of participants however, bond will simply cease to exist..."
"...cease to exist."
Would Yukio want it? No. He didn't, he said so himself. But after... supermoon, nothing changed. His brother still treated him the same way he did before, never gave a one tiniest hint that maybe they could have something more. And while it kept on killing him softly on the inside knowing that they will never be, he was contented to make Yukio happy – whatever it meant.
Not that he didn't like to tease his twin, nor get a bit too close to him on occasion.
At this point in his life he knew he was way out off his rocker. Did he mind though? Not one bit.
Before he realised, his eyes grew heavier and shortly after steady breaths escaped from his lips.
Hours passed silently and soon night swallowed whole room 602 in darkness. Rin, who slept on his stomach, lips opened and droll flowing freely from them – never heard as his brother opened doors and slowly made his way towards bed.
Nor did he noticed Yukio massaging temples tiredly before changing into pyjamas and lying down. Within minute younger Okumura was asleep, exhaustion doing it's job.
Neither of them could know though that it was just a beginning of a very interesting night.
…
It must've been around 3 a.m when Kuro jolted his furry head upwards, his ears twitching every now and then before jumping onto his paws. With one, well-aimed leap he found his master's head and screamed into his ear.
"RIN!"
Owner of said cat-sith jerked awake, sitting in one smooth move and consequently throwing his shaggy friend off him. Irritated at such rather rapid and unpleasant awaking, Rin sneered with his eyes squinted.
"What. the. heck. Kuro?" he all but drawled through his teeth watching his familiar intently as Kuro looked at him with big, afraid eyes.
"Someone is downstairs" answered him plainly Kuro whose tails flailed behind, brows furrowed. He looked well agitated, almost panicked. Now that - albeit just a bit, but cleared Rin's still fogged mind.
More like, turned a switch on in him – a frantic one though. It was no surprise that before Rin noticed, he found himself standing in a middle of their room, listening to every single sound. Nevertheless all he could hear was a steady breathing of his sleeping brother.
Oh.
Yukio was back.
For a few seconds he forgot the reason of his awakening, glancing at his twins back. Yukio was fast asleep, his breaths deep and calm. View in itself was so soothing that Rin could barely suppress his own need to just lie back down and fall back into Morpheus arms.
"Rin!" shouted Kuro reminding him that he was still there, wide eyes blinking up at him. "Let's wake Yukio up! He will help us—"
"No" he cut his familiar off sharply.
Yes, he was tired himself. Although just by looking at his brother he knew Yukio was probably totally exhausted. His brother needed his sleep no matter what. Besides, if it was just a burglar or anyone else he'd more than manage. Once he'd let his flames out the man would be in for a surprise. With his mind set on taking care of this little problem on his own, Rin stretched before turning to his small friend.
"We will take care of it ourselves, alright Kuro?" he concluded, smiling. "It's probably nothing anyway. Maybe Ukobach is messing in the kitchen again."
As convincing as it sounded, he wasn't so sure – Kuro wouldn't wake him up if it was Ukobach and well, his black-furred familiar shook head at that.
Thanks Kuro.
"No, it's not Ukobach, Rin! It's someone else..." Kuro argued back, watching him intently. "Are you sure we should go alone?"
Being half-asleep was one thing, being chastened by his cat was another thing altogether – but it struck a cord in Rin. What? Even Kuro thought that he was incapable of handling whatever would come his way on his own?
WHAT.
No way in Assiah...
"Yes, I am Kuro" he remarked through clenched teeth. He was more than sure they would be alright, after all he had his other side in case they needed it. With one last glance at Yukio's sleeping form (~just checking if he didn't wake him up by any chance) and low sigh, he stepped towards doors and soon after closed them silently behind him.
With Kuro by his side, he finally turned around and saw never-ending dark corridors of their 'home'.
"Let's do this!" he drawled, gulping but going forward. It wasn't as if he was afraid of the dark but thought of walking through endless corridors didn't sit right with him. Not when he knew that there was something lurking in those shadows.
Kuro walked beside him, his ears twitching back and forth but otherwise he kept silent. Tiny paws seemed to clank on a floorboards too loudly.
"Ne, Kuro?" Rin finally opened his mouth out of curiosity as he watched his cat-sith doing ear-dance for awhile now. Also the silence was unnerving him just a bit too much, as if cold chills running down his back weren't enough. "You can hear him down there?"
Kuro nodded his head, eyes shining in the dark. "Yes. She's moving around fast, looking for something."
"She?" How did Kuro knew it was a 'she'?
"What do you mean?" Kuro asked back, his tails slowing down in their whirling. "She's humming that terrible lullaby—"
"Lullaby?" Upon hearing that Rin stopped dead, his mind going override. Well, there went his idea that he might've to fight a simple burglar – there was no freaking way for a robber to sing a lullaby. Unless it would be a rather bad one. But then again, he couldn't hear a sound—? "I don't hear anything, certainly not humming."
Kuro stopped a few feet away, before he turned towards him. "I can hear it because she's singing it on the other side, Rin. Now c'mon, let's go before she changes her mind on checking west wing."
Nodding, Rin agreed. Somehow though Kuro's explanation didn't sit right with him. If he as an exorcist couldn't hear her, then would he be able to see her? Well, he should have thought about it before. Now he was far too away to turn back and wake Yukio up.
Whatever was going to happen, he continued on his way with Kuro running ahead.
…
"What is going on?"
Rin murmured awed, walking past frostbitten windows, trying to look through them but failing to do so. He never stopped on his journey though, pressing on and feeling sudden drop in temperature around him. It's gotten quite chilly, as he could easily see his every single breath coming in short puffs. Somehow he was glad that he at least still had his school uniform on, as he was so angry after cram lessons he didn't even bother on changing into his pjs.
Kuro then suddenly stopped, his head turning between two corridors – tails in union with it.
So he figured, they were on a dead end.
"So where do we find her?" he asked his familiar, also looking into cross-corridors. Kuro however seemingly had a bad time in locating her, as he only shook his head – scared.
"I l—lost her, Rin. It's so cold, my paws are hurting. Or maybe she's just—"
Seeing his companion shudder, he felt bad for Kuro. He has done more than enough already, they were close to their target, weren't they? Smiling, he stepped to cat-sith – his every step crunching under his weight – and then kneeled next to him, patting him on the head.
"It's alright Kuro, you've done your best as it is. Just— we're close to her, aren't we?" he asked to make sure.
Kuro shuddered but nodded. "Yes, very close. She's somewhere here, I can hear her so loud— ah!"
"What? What's happening Kuro?" Rin prodded as his furry friend shook.
"It's so cold, Rin!"
"Ah..." he understood. He couldn't let Kuro hurt himself anymore. "I'll go alone then, you go back and tell Yukio that— CRASH"
Sudden crash from the kitchen startled both Rin and Kuro who automatically jumped to their feet, facing the corridor sound came from. Adrenaline pumped through their veins as another crash came. Rin only then realised how sweaty his hands were – and that he left his Kurikara in a room.
"Rin— I'm not l—leaving you with her alone" said Kuro burying his claws into frosted floorboards.
Rin appreciated his familiar's concern but someone had to wake Yukio up. If he and Kuro both failed then Yukio would be defenceless sleeping as he was. No, he couldn't let that thing get her hands on his brother no matter what.
"I understand Kuro but— I need you to wake Yukio" he stated clearly, sharp edge to his voice. Damnit, he was scared for his twin. "If that thing finds him sleeping, he won't stand a chance."
Kuro shook, his fur spiking into all directions. "I can help you, I'll transform!"
Transform? Ha—ah? Before Rin realised what his familiar meant, cat-sith started to grow bigger. Much bigger.
"No, no! Kuro, no! You'll destroy everything! You're too big!" he wailed towards his cat, damn she-thing forgotten for a moment. "You can't transform in such small space. I'm sorry, but the only way you can help me is to wake Yukio!"
Yes, of course he had a point and his familiar got a clue, as Kuro's fur turned back to normal and he slimmed down.
"Rin—" murmured back at him Kuro, his eyes swimming. "Please be careful, I'll get Yukio as fast as I can!" he added, and before Rin could reply – sprinted back into dark corridors, disappearing.
As tiny clank of paws hitting the floor slowly subsided, gravity of entire situation finally dawned on Rin. Utterly alone, sweating but ready to kick some ass. Somehow knowing that his position was already compromised, he didn't wait to jump straight into the fray. Practically knocking through kitchen doors, he found the said 'she' Kuro kept on talking about.
She was a ghost – or something like that, he figured. No visible feet and that skeletal bluish vision, as she flew around was a dead give away. Panting, Rin stared at the thing that got into their dormitory uninvited. The strangest thing was, she didn't acknowledge him – flying around as if nothing was happening.
After tense seconds of waiting for something, anything, Rin clenched his teeth.
"What are you doing here?" he asked calmly, or he hoped he did.
The thing stopped, her back to Rin but stayed silent.
"What are you looking for? Maybe I— I can help you?" he continued with his questions. If there was one thing he learned from being a half-breed was that not every single one demon was entirely corrupted. Sometimes they would just get lost... She however kept on hovering, stunningly still.
"Do you understand m—!"
Faster than blink of an eye, she turned around screeching horribly at him and all Rin could do was clutch his ears. Problem was – it didn't help in stopping terrible sound that would pierce through him. Screech reverberated in his head, making his vision swim.
Good grief, she was terrifying when she screamed, not only that but she was also moving on onto him. No, he couldn't get her too close to him. But what could he do? He couldn't remember anything on how to fight ghosts... What would at least make her stop screaming!
Fuck. Shit.
Tears involuntarily flew from his eyes as the pain in his head (or maybe pressure?) kept on sky-rocketing. After just mere seconds he started to feel wobbly and before he realised he lost his footing – only by luck landing on a kitchen counter – accidentally splaying cutlery that was there around him.
Shriek stopped then and in those few precious seconds Rin tried to blink away strange swimming vision he had. Taking a deep breath as to finally being able to see again his enemy, he reached for the first thing that might work on demons and such.
What elements were they? Silver, salt, aries... Salt? He was in a goddamn kitchen after-all.
With quick move, he reached into cupboard and took out whole container of salt. Strange silence followed as he stared at ghost and she right back at him. There was something amiss, but he couldn't say what as the apparition moved around but didn't get too close. That didn't mean he couldn't spray her with salt – which he did and that resulted in ghost porting away sideways.
Then something else happened. Spirit froze still and then continued to promptly turn away from him – flying somewhere, as if it was commanded to. Rin's heart jumped into his throat, literally when he noticed direction she took was that of their room, as if!
Sweating, he clenched his teeth together before getting hang of himself. He needed to go, right now!
And he did, he sprinted as fast as he could, salt left behind in the kitchen.
…
His legs took him to their dormitory in a record time and he didn't waste anymore of it, kicking himself inside with his brother's name on his lips.
"YUKIO!"
As he shouted towards sleeping twin, he briefly wondered where was Kuro and why he didn't wake Yukio up?! His brother slept soundly as the strange apparition hovered above him, looking as if she was sucking in air or maybe it was his soul...
Before he jumped at the creature, two things happened at once.
Yukio's eyes shot open and two shots pierced the spirit, making it visibly falter into nothingness. With all the blood rushing in his head, Rin barely registered the fact that his brother wasn't asleep at all, just waiting for opportunity.
Swell of pride filled him, when he watched as Yukio threw away his sheet and cut the ghost with his pistol – what made it disappear for the moment.
"You're awake" were the first words that escaped from his lips, watching his brother.
Yukio had visible bags under his eyes, but otherwise he was more than aware of his surroundings.
"Of course I am, thanks to all the racket you made downstairs." Yukio answered shortly, looking at him up and down, then his eyebrow shot up in silent question. "What's with all the salt?"
Oh.
"Ah, she was in the kitchen so I used it to fight her off of me" he stated proudly, smiling and showing thumbs up. "Great idea, worked like a charm."
His brother didn't seem as proud to hear that though, as he shook his head massaging his temples. "What?" Yukio asked, looking at him half-amused. "Nii-san, really? Salt? Salt doesn't work against Banshee..."
"What?" he repeated after his brother dumbfounded. "What do you mean it doesn't work? It did work pretty well, I'd say."
"No, it doesn't" grunted back Yukio, sighing. "It was the cutlery."
"Hah?" Was he wrong the entire time? Oh, damnit. "Whatever" he grumbled back. "So how do we fight it?"
At that question his brother turned around, watching every single wall before stepping towards his desk and taking something off of it. With few steps back, he pressed cold metal into his hand. Rin on the other side, looked at what he was given and...
"A spoon?" he asked, not really knowing what to think about it. Yukio was probably too tired to think. "A freaking spoon?!" he repeated, screeching at his twin. "What I am supposed to do with it? Eat a dessert?!"
At that comment his twin chuckled, his expression amused. Even his tail whirled in circles behind him like never before. Yeah, Yukio was dead tired, alright.
"Well, it is a good idea but for now you need something to defend yourself."
"Like, seriously? Spoon—?"
"It's the only thing we have, so take it or leave it" grumbled back Yukio, looking once again around. "Besides, how long do we live in here nii-san? Did you never realise that we have aries engraved into our cutlery?" he sighed, looking straight at Rin, irritated. When he did not give a sign of understanding, he continued not amused anymore. "Really? I can't believe you're this dense."
Rin burst out, his face going red. How was he supposed to know, it wasn't a common knowledge! "How I was supposed to know that I am eating my food with lethal spoons?! It wasn't included in the brochure when I was moving in!"
Yukio seemingly agitated by his words, closed his eyes and just as he done so, their enemy showed up shrieking at both of them. Power of her shout knocked Rin straight into their wall but his brother managed to shoot her.
As their guest disappeared, Yukio turned to Rin with concern marring his face but otherwise didn't move.
"You're alright?"
As Rin stood up, holding his head and his deadly spoon, he nodded. "Yeah, I'm good. What the hell is she anyway? And where is Kuro? I send him off to wake you up."
Yeah, good questions that needed answers.
"Kuro is fine, I've send him off outside. As for what we're fighting you should know. I've taught it last year – it's a Banshee."
"Banshee?" he repeated after his twin, but nope. Nothing did ring a bell there. "How do I fight it— how does she attack and moreover why was she in our kitchen?"
As he spoke last of his questions, he spared a look at his twin who apparently took this moment to check how much ammo he's got left. When Yukio lifted his head back up, he blinked and then something crossed his expression.
Then he promptly aimed his gun straight at Rin.
"Y—Yukio?" Rin breathed his twins name as the metal of his pistol shone in darkened room. Their eyes stared into each others in deaf silence. "What?"
Then his brother's eyes narrowed just notch more and he barely had a second to crouch as Yukio pressed the trigger. Loud bang reverberated in their room. His twin just almost shot him dead! What was that supposed to mean! With tears in his eyes, he snarled at Yukio not amused.
"Are you mad?! Are you trying to kill me?!" he gurgled, pointing his spoon at Yukio.
Yukio at that only shrugged his tense shoulders little before narrowing his eyes and looking warily around. "We need to watch our backs, she likes surprise attacks. Also, she was behind you."
Hearing that however didn't make Rin feel any less wobbly inside. "Watch our backs, my ass" he murmured but stood up and walked to Yukio before he pressed himself back-to-back with him. This startled his twin, as he felt the sudden – tiny – jolt of Yukio's muscles.
As they stood back-to-back, watching intently every corner of small room, they had no idea from which side spirit could attack them next.
"Ne, Yukio?"
"Hmm?"
"Did you call— AAAH!"
Burst of noise swallowed his voice, as Banshee appeared in the air – her hanging falling-off mouth opened wide and screaming. Pain was piercing through every fibre of his being, Yukio's probably too...
Goddamnit, shut the fuck up already!
Somewhere amid that terrible noise was a clang of something hitting a floor and Rin realised that his twin dropped gun – now clutching his head in agony same as he did. Grinding his teeth through the pain, Rin did the first thing he thought off and launched himself at Banshee, a trace of red in his eyes. Even though his vision was almost white he swooped blindly his hand the same way he would his sword and cut ugly ghost in two, and as he did so he heard a wail of pain coming from her. Well, maybe his brother was right. Again.
Rin was panting when Banshee disappeared – with his vision slowly coming back, he kneeled onto the floor. How he hated the jelly feeling in his legs. Even worse was that her attacks seemed to get stronger each time she would so. That probably wasn't good but he might've been wrong. With racing heartbeat, he crawled over to Yukio.
"Hey, okay?"
"I'm fine. Those surprise attacks, I forgot she might as well appear above or under us" Yukio said with a wince, massaging his forehead. "I can still hear her screech."
This time Rin chuckled, before helping them both onto their legs. "Yeah, know the feeling."
"What were you asking me before—?"
Ah!
"Oh, yeah, I wanted to ask if you called fluff-clown about our situation."
Yukio nodded, his eyes little bit foggy. "That was the first thing I did when Kuro told me what's going on."
So that meant they were playing for time, still they could try to kill it. No matter what second option did sound much better than the first one.
"How do we kill it?" he asked simply, as both he and his brother turned their backs at each other. He spun his spoon in hand, glancing around cautiously. Even though he couldn't see his twins face, he knew Yukio was in a jiff, probably looking for every single information about their enemy he could remember.
"It's tricky. Do you remember what a Banshee is?"
"Actually, no. Care to share?"
There was loud sigh and then his brother opened his mouth. "Usually Banshee are harmless—"
"Harmless?!" he cut in, head turning back to see his twins profile. "You call this harmless?!"
Yukio tsked, before continuing. "I said usually, nii-san. No wonder you have problems with school material. You seem to have a very selective memory... But getting back on the topic—"
Before his brother could explain further, apparition attacked again – her shriek even louder than before – or so Rin thought. Only thanks to their team-work and wits they managed to hit her. Both felt weariness of their bodies, as their guest's attacks became more frequent and stronger.
After forth time, Rin was gritting his teeth in irritation because no matter what they never expected her to show up from this or that side. It was clear intention to make then spin around, as if she was a snake circling her victim.
He had clearly more than enough of foul play.
When another jump attack came he let himself brush against that thin border within himself and he could swear he saw her coming from exact that side and he actually managed to surprise her.
Afterwards Yukio stared at him, wide-eyed.
"How did you know?" he breathed his question, tiredly yet with clear curiosity.
All he could do was look at his brother and smile sheepishly. "I learned" he answered, looking around. And yes, there it was – a faint red splotch of colour amidst blues.
"How?"
Keeping his eyes glued to red, he mentioned with his head towards her. "I practised."
At that he saw as his twin frowned. "You didn't tell me."
"You didn't tell me a lot of things either" he countered back, was that a hint of jealousy in Yukio's voice?
"Touché."
"Yeah, and now she's... There!"
And as Banshee appeared, she screeched horribly when Rin's spoon cut her through again and again. Yes, they finally had the upper hand over their unwelcome guest. That didn't mean they could call it a victory just yet. No matter how many times she would get cut through, she kept on coming back and attacking.
It was a good tactic. Not for them though.
"She's trying to wear us out!" said Yukio, missing appeared Banshee by a hair. Rin jumped at her but she ported away to shout at them from different side. That made them drop to their knees curling.
Now wasn't the time to feel pain. They were really in a bad position with this one. Not to mention the more Rin concentrated on their target the faster she ported and soon enough he lost the trace of her. Well, at least his plan was good at the beginning.
His head swam, the pain was excruciating. World was becoming a white noise in the distance, was that good? No, it wasn't... Slowly, his eyelids kept closing on their own. What was happening to him? Just second ago he saw Yukio and now... nothing.
With blood-curling scream, Rin burst out. It was his last resort weapon and he used it – he let his hellfire out and slowly everything came back. His bed, his desk, his walls, his brother uncurling from his position and of course – Banshee.
Still bit disoriented, he stood up – his eyes catching those empty holes of the ghost. And then she disappeared but not really. He was aware of her being around them, of her porting away at seconds time. Now though he could also hear her, as she sung or rather hummed the song.
("I can hear it because she's singing it on the other side, Rin...")
A lullaby.
Throwing those thoughts away for a moment he helped Yukio up.
"Hey, don't go sleeping on me now. It's not over yet."
His twin stood wobbly on his legs, he was dead tired and probably a breath from losing conciousness. They waited long enough as it is, where the hell was fluff-clown?! They were on the losing end in here.
Feeling threatened by his blue flames banshee once again started to port at second time, was she trying to make him dizzy? Well, keeping his eyes on her was a pure madness, he would probably get a seizure if kept on trying to do so. So instead he tried to listen more carefully from which side she sung. Sudden pressure on his back reminded him that Yukio was still with him. Beat, but willing to fight even if he needed to lean on his back a bit too much.
"Can you see her?"
Such simple question but it might've save their lives. "No. Yes— She's spinning like mad. But keep quiet so I might hear her clearer."
"Hear her?"
He nodded at his brother. "Yes, now that I'm using my hellfire, I hear her. She's— humming."
"Alright" was his twin's answer as he fell dead silent.
Seconds ticked away and Rin listened. It was the only thing he could do against her now. What was surprising, was that she stopped with her spinning, now just appearing on different sides until he started to lose her completely off his radar. Did it mean she gave up?
He knew he shouldn't but he let his guard down a bit. After all he couldn't see her anymore, nor hear her. Maybe it was Mephisto's work? Yeah, probably was. Took him a long freaking time! Weariness was seeping through every pore of his body already anyway, he felt like lying down and falling asleep at any moment. Using his hellfire like this, as a last resort took huge bite of his energy reserves. He was in a bad need to stop his hellfire, or he was going to faint from exhaustion soon.
But as he thought this there was a splash of bright red on their dark walls and he knew she attacked.
It all happened in a second.
Instinctively he spun around, encircling Yukio as she was clearly aiming for the weaker one of them and he believed that time stopped as he stood face to face with apparition. It all took a mere second but he saw something else in there, not that ugly distorted face but a beautiful woman and she was looking at him with such intensity he almost lost himself in her silver eyes.
And her singing, it felt so lonely, desperate.
He didn't mind her ice-cold grip around him, choking him.
The more he watched her, the more breathless he was.
A tiny kiss on his lips.
Like a blessing.
Then he felt a sudden pang of agony as it filled his head, making him close his eyes and blink few times. The woman was gone but pain stayed behind and then there was very aghast Yukio looking at him with wide eyes, shaking him. Shaking him? Why would he—?
"You stupid idiot! Why would you do that?! Never, ever let Banshee get close to you because—!"
Yukio was screeching at him, positively vivid. What was that all about? But before Rin could open his mouth he heard her humming to him. World around him wasn't blue no more, dark walls staring back at him, no trace of red on them anymore. Huge headache was incoming with fast strides towards him too.
What happened?
A sudden trashing made him realise they were still fighting off the Banshee.
"Y—Yukio, enough!" he grouched, getting himself outta his brother's clutches. Same brother that looked at him terrified, his hair ruffled. "What? Why do you look at me as if you saw a ghost?"
Yukio at that shook his head, teeth clenched together. "Do you know what happened? Do you have any idea?!"
Of course he didn't. "I— fainted?"
At hearing that his twins face fell, his under eyes bags darkened. "No, you— you—" he started but then stuttered before pulling himself together. He was shaken to the core, even blind could tell. "You've been marked by her."
Marked? "Wait, what? You can't tell me that she's going to follow me until death?" That certainly wasn't a good thing. But seeing his brother's look he's been receiving he wasn't going to like the answer any more.
"How can you be so dense" snarked Yukio, silently boiling in rage. Eh? "Everything I taught you— do you remember anything at all?! Do you know what it means?!"
Oh-kay, cold chills went down Rin's back. He didn't like how his twin was freaking out so much over this tiny thing. "Well I am still alive, breathing so it can't be that bad" he tried to reason but with no avail. As if, he only made his situation worse.
Yukio took that exact moment to jolt from his place and bury hands in hair. "You're going to die."
"WHAT?!"
His twin didn't stop his pacing. "Next time she gets close to you again, you will die" here he stopped for a moment, sparing a look at him. His eyes wide, calculating. "You can hear her calling now, don't you? Even without hellfire—"
"You mean singing? Yes, I do."
Loud bang shoot though room, as Yukio's fist collided with their desk. There was cold-sweat rolling down his face. "Okay then. We need to get you out, right now and pray that Pheles-san is coming..."
"Eh?" Rin blinked with confusion at his brother. Wasn't he overreacting? "Why so dramatic? I am fine—"
"You're NOT!" Yukio shouted back at him, and Rin curled a little bit into himself. Then without asking his brother took a hold of Rin's wrist, dragging him out of their messed up room.
Rin hated how he was feeling right now, being dragged away – moreover – the strange vibes that started to come through their bond. Like a flickers of light, tiniest amounts of something were flowing into him. If he didn't know better, Rin would say that Yukio somehow knew how to cut off the flow of the emotions that would flow between them but right now, in this situation...
Yukio was loosing control over it.
Was that true? Was his twin really this terrified of a simple Banshee to loose a grip on his emotions? Well, yes or no – Rin still didn't like to be dragged like this so he did what everyone in his place would do – he tried to break free.
"Don't" warned Yukio when Rin shook their hands. "I'm getting you out of here, fighting with her is out of question in your state."
"Excuse me?!" Rin gloated, his eyes burrowing holes into his twins head. "But I still can go on my own ya know! You don't have to drag me like this!"
His brother tsked under breath but slowed down a bit. "No. I know you long enough. You would probably try another one of your tricks. Not that they work on me."
"Yeah, right" he bit back, smirking inwardly because he knew there was a thing Yukio was trying to run away from. Mainly their proximity, ever since Rin shown him his true intentions – his brother would simply ignore them, like right now. Knowing of this, Rin sped up a bit and when they fell into step took a hold of Yukio's hand.
"What are you doing, nii-san?" came question at which Rin squeezed their fingers together.
"Does it look like I am trying to run away from you?" he asked, suddenly feeling embarrassed and looked towards iced windows.
Yukio was silent for a moment, probably looking at him pondering before he exhaled and actually gave him a squeeze of reassurance back.
"You're not dying today" was all that his twin said as they made their way through dark corridors.
Rin had no idea what came over him to do what he did, but he was so freaking glad. The thought of holding Yukio's hand was like a blessing that fell upon him. To know that he was still there for him worrying (too much) and loving (in his own way) despite everything.
But there was also something else. As he thought more, he subconsciously remembered the lullaby and started to hum it under his nose. It's melody was beautiful in it's own way – sad, longing, desperate with a hint of dying hope. Somehow it suited him too well.
The woman also wasn't bad, she had the looks. Pretty girly face with that small nose, plum lips and long flowing hair he wanted to touch. Would her locks feel like silk on his fingers, like Yukio's did?
Yukio...
Yu—
"What—?" asked Yukio, feeling Rin's hand slipping away from his. Not only that but Rin started to hum some creepy eerily tune.
What he found though made his blood boil in a second, as it seemed that Rin was staring straight at Banshee that hovered just behind their window. Without a second thought, Yukio's hand knocked into his brother's head making him clutch it in pain. Just as that was taken care off, he stared down their opponent, shooting twice.
Window broke with loud clang, as Yukio once again took Rin's hand into his - nudging him to go on.
Rin on the other side, let himself be walked – before he realised that Yukio probably hit him on the head. Again. "Will you stop knocking me on the head, please" he growled through his clenched teeth, he felt his bruises forming already.
"It was for your own good. Now, let's move on. She's going to appear again."
As if Rin didn't know that already. She kept on coming back like some freaking boomerang. They took stairs down and turned into another corner when Kuro made his way towards them.
"Rin! Yukio! You're alright!" mewled Kuro, tears shining in eyes. "I'm glad."
At that Rin couldn't help it and patted his familiar on the head. "I told you I'll be okay."
Kuro however blinked and then jumped onto Rin's shoulder, licking his face. "Liar."
At that sudden show of affection Rin let go of Yukio's hand, dragging Kuro off himself with a smile.
"'Ello boys. Having a good time I see" drawled newcomer, appearing in a puff of pink cloud around him. With a mocking smile on his face and slanted eyes, Mephisto took a long look at Okumura boys. "Ne, you shouldv'e waited for me."
Yukio let out a long breath, his shoulders slumping. "You're here, Pheles-san. Finally."
Well, there was probably a reason why he did not appear sooner though.
"You certainly took your time, ass-clown!" Rin barked on the side, letting Kuro down. "Thanks to that I was marked by a damned femme-fatale of Banshees'!"
Upon hearing that Mephisto licked his lips, staring intently at older Okumura with great pleasure. "That I can see. It's kind of beautiful though."
"Hah?" gasped Rin, blinking dumbly few times.
"I mean, you don't see it like I do, Okumura-kun" drawled Mephisto, turning his umbrella around. Oh, he was enjoying himself all too much with those two boys. "For you it's just words, on the thin air, invisible. I although see the mark and it's beautiful. She must've been sweet, little thing."
"Care to elaborate in here, Pheles-san?" cut in Yukio, clearly interested in the mark. His persona well winded up, pyjamas torn in some places. Not that he'd mind it given the situation. "How do you see it then?"
"Ah, scholar within you craves the knowledge as always. So be it, I'll tell you" agreed Mephisto, smiling his cheshire-smile at boys. He clanged his umbrella into floor, leaning on it. "You see, we as demons see everything this world is but also everything it is not. Do you know that there is coal tar sitting on your head right now Okumura-sensei?" he asked amused and got the exact response from said person who tried to pat his head. Mephisto pouted. "You scared him off. But, you asked how do I see Rin-kun's mark. Hmm... Let's see—" he pondered for a second.
Just as their night-guest took that exact moment to show herself up, merely behind windows.
Rin opened his mouth, pointing finger at Banshee but before he knew Mephisto was already turned around making one, simple move and lighting whirlwind appeared sucking her inside it, leaving not even slightest trace of her presence. In a span of seconds temperature turned back to it's previous, frost dissipated and everything seemed back to normal.
"How?" escaped from Yukio, as he started wide-eyed into the same place Rin was. It was a matter of time before they would look at each other thinking pretty much the same thing but not saying anything.
Mephisto of course, haven't even tried to lessen boys amazement nor questioning in their eyes. He loved the mischief he could provide in their lives, not that they wouldn't do the same back. But that was one of the reasons why he loved mingling between people.
"Well then—" Mephisto started, once again leaning on his umbrella. He glanced straight back at both boys. Even in looming darkness he could see that they both needed a good, warm shower and night's rest. Banshee took a lot out of them. But more so, he was pleasantly surprised with younger's stamina given his state.
"Let's see... Every single living thing on this plane own certain light that shines bright, yes – both of you do own that too, but it's a bit different because of yours origins." Here he cocked his head a bit to the side eyeing closely postures of both boys. One was listening to him cautiously while other was literally trying to keep up with flow of every word. "Hence your flames. Now, every single time a Banshee or whatever likes to mark it's target leaves a mark, it looks like a snake crawling around it's prey, trying to choke down the light. That's how demons will see you now, Rin-kun."
"Wait, did you kill it?" Rin asked, blinking.
"I send her off to where she belong" was the short answer.
"Oh. Wait. What about the mark then?" drilled more Rin, cold-sweat dropping down his face. "Will it disappear?"
"Given time, yes" replied back Mephisto, smiling. "But do you really want it off? It's one of the most beautiful marks human can get, even though it's named as Death's Kiss."
"Death's kiss?" repeated Yukio, as if he heard it before. After while he realised something, closing his eyes and massaging his temples. "Oh no."
"Hah? What is it, Yukio? Yo, fluff-clown!"
Mephisto chuckled seeing younger's reaction. "Oh yes. But boys, please. Everything was taken care off now, so get back into your beds. You shouldn't wear yourself off too much, not when you should think more about your little demon. It's not healthy for either of you."
Those words echoed soundlessly.
Before their meaning finally sunk in.
"What little demon you're talking about?" Rin was first to ask, glancing between his patron and brother. "Is there one more lurking here?!"
Yukio fell unnaturally pale.
"There's no way."
Mephisto laughed nonchalantly, before fidgeting innocence. "Oh, you didn't realise? I'm sorry to breaking it to you like this. I keep on forgetting that the both of you are only half-demons. Well, congratulations boys! You're going to be daddies!"
Rin bared his teeth. "Quit with your sick jokes already, okay! We get it, that you get kicks of making us do..." he reddened, he couldn't finish that sentence. "But this is too far, even for you."
Mephisto was completely unfazed but very entertained. "Of course, you don't believe me. Well, you would if you seen what I see" he declared, smirking. "And you know what I see? I see your united flames taking a shape just behind Okumura-sensei ribcage. I might be wrong though, only seen this once before in my entire existence."
Blinking slowly, Rin actually backed down on this argument. Yes, he remembered that Yukio's flames and his merged but— this. That was madness, Yukio was a male and he was more than aware of that.
Mephisto must've read his mind because he opened his loud mouth once again. "Don't be so surprised. I realise that both of you are males, but do you know how real demons come to exist? No? Well, I'll give you a hint – it doesn't happen in Assiah."
Gulping, Rin understood that this wasn't just a sick joke. Plus Yukio's weariness, maybe... Maybe he wasn't overworking himself that much but most of his energy was being sucked into Gehenna instead? Oh good grief, no.
"Yukio?" he turned to his younger twin, to find him touching his chest.
"Impossible" murmured Yukio back, curling his hand into fist. "That's bogus."
He was denying it, but – what if Mephisto was telling the truth. Just then said Mephiso clucked his tongue.
"Oh do not worry, Okumura-sensei you won't be showing much. After-all, it's all happening in Gehenna."
"No."
"There are though some hints on this plane too" continued Mephisto, clearly enjoying himself. "Those headaches of yours and sugar-addiction that you try very hard to conceal... You're also showing more often that hidden side of yours, intentionally or not. So I'd say get used to it for the time being" he finished with a wink.
Yukio was still pale as snow, hardly moving a muscle and that worried Rin. Rin who didn't know what to do or think at the moment himself. This news felt like a punch to the gut, completely changing everything. Somehow their... lust gave a birth to a demon.
Not even a human.
A demon.
Demon.
Before he could think more, he saw Yukio's swaying form from the corner of his eye and rushed to catch him in time.
"Yukio!"
It was pointless to call him though, as Yukio promptly fainted.
From too much information, or from exhaustion he didn't know.
"Oi, fluff-clown could you—!" he started, turning towards said clown but found just thin air. "Thanks bunch! Ass-clown!"
Kuro however took the worst moment to pipe in his four cents by asking, "Is Yukio alright! Is he going to wake up? Rin! Make sure he will, kiss him like master Mephisto said!"
Upon hearing that Rin sweat-dropped exhausted of tonight's events. Their life was getting more and more complicated with every single day. Their dormitory was so far away too... If only he could disappear like a Mephisto when he wished to then everything would be easier.