Title: Hellspawn
Chapter: 23/?
Characters: Yukio, Rin, OC, exo-team, Mephisto (?)
Genre: mystery, angst, drama, romance (place a genre here)
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: Shiro would be proud probably if only Rin didn't feel that way about Yukio.

A/N: So for the past couple months my life was completely frantic with my promotion at work and what-nots and all of it got me on halt with this story for what I humbly apologize; given it's almost at it's peak point so to speak AND almost done with.

Anyway, I finally welcome y'all to OFFICIALLY last Arc of this story (yeah, conclusion NEEDS it's own arc and it starts NOW). Rejoice in Arc.4 Long Forgotten!

'Za oknem księżyc świeci sam, i dobrze mu tak, jest nas dwóch
Znów próbuję cofnąć czas, boję się, że nie zmienię nic...'

~ Video - Papieros

Rin slouched over kitchen table, his elbows barely keeping him upwards given how tired he felt. Not to mention the huge headache he had. Why did he felt so under the weather though you might wonder, when outside a nice autumn sky seemed so delightful? Well, to answer that question shortly – Rin hated when people outwardly lied to him and then continued to call him crazy and wrong when he was most certainly not wrong. Not in this case anywho.

Sighing mentally Rin clutched a damned item in his hand – it's seemingly scorched and mostly worn out metal mocking him in the setting sun. The thing was he wasn't as stupid as others thought him to be – he was pretty smart and certainly not oblivious to things. Well, okay maybe that was a bit far-fetched on his side but you get a gist of it.

And right now he was seriously pissed off at the freak Mephisto made him to be.

And it was all fault of a soggy pocket-watch.

A pocket-watch he was holding in his palm, concentrating his eyes and mind on it. However no matter how hard he'd rack his mind around it he'd always get to only one conclusion – that it wasn't possible for him to be an owner of this watch at this time; that it must've been a paradox of some sorts.

Because how would this particular pocket-watch be in such pitiful state when he just gave it not-so-long time ago to Yukio? Yet this thing he twirled in his had was all but the said sorry-for-being-a-dick gift.

Even more so confusing was the fact that he clearly remembered a girl wearing it proudly in her right breast pocket, unmindful that it was broken and well beyond repair.

Now, the question was: how it was possible for this watch to be in three places at the same time. Or at least two, given that there was a slight, minuscule chance that the mysterious girl dropped it accidentally when she visited him in the Infirmary. But even so, what was she doing visiting him in the first place? They barely spoke two words to each other.

There was so many unanswered questions he desperately needed answers to, right now.

In the end though all that thinking, all the possibilities only made him grit his teeth in irritation and massage his temple scrutinizing all the same the pocket-watch.

Apparently Yukio's watch was untouched. This was first idea that popped into his mind once he was free to leave the infirmary after his little discovery. Partially he felt like he needed to thank Shima for it though, because if not for his pink-haired friend boinking a water bottle on his head he'd never ever need to crouch next to his bed to retrieve it.

Nonetheless he did and that's when he came across this mysterious discovery lying just next to a foot of his bed, it's open case showing off a broken screen with hands forever stuck in time.

Once he was able to strike off Yukio's watch of his list there was only one other possibility left for him to consider. It was that of the mysterious girl somehow losing her watch in the infirmary. Given he hadn't got any other leads or options he pursued the only trail he had.

That's where things got weird – even for his own tastes, with him being Satan's son and what-not.

For a few days he tried to find the owner in school on his own to no avail. It seemed as if she disappeared from the earth, her trail along with her. Damn, he was so determined to find and face her about the watch-thing he even managed to stomach Shima's nagging and constant teasing that he finally fell head over heels in love with a cute girl; but not before giving him a snort saying that he always thought he's had hots for Shiemi. Forgetting Shima's annoyingly stupid smirk that followed him for those days, he figured it was all a goose chase all along as they haven't found anything about her.

That was until Izumo Kamiki casually mentioned something about prefects meeting Koneko and Bon needed to attend when he had an epiphany of some sorts and reacted to that instantly. Albeit being given a foul looks from Izumo he listened to Konekomaru as he answered him politely like always that yes there was a new Head Prefect girl named Kyoko Nakamura few months ago but she apparently resigned once Yukio came back into picture. Rin, of course, not thinking much of it – pestered poor Koneko for few moments more until Izumo lashed out at him for being nosy and slapped him on his head upside-down.

Thanks to Konekomaru though he finally managed to attach a name to mysterious girl.

However with latest events that happened he seriously started to reconsider his entire chase a stinking case of bullcrap. There was something ugly going on around Kyoko and Mephisto only confirmed his suspicions when he acted overly dense even for him.

Yes he confronted head-on fluff-clown with Yukio at his back once they've been called to principal office.

However said confrontation went exactly as it shouldn't – but hell, what he could expect from Mephisto Pheles, Demon King of Time?

Still being called upon preposterous assumptions and imaging things stung. Not to mention Yukio became once again his word of conscience holding him back by his arm before he'd do something foolish and attack their guardian.

Foul and bitter taste haven't left his mouth since then.

"Bastard" Rin muttered, reminiscing the last events that shook his world. "He's hiding something I know it!" he growled under breath, his ire simmering under skin. "He's hiding her... But— why?"

Now that was a question he wanted an answer to, so badly. There was no way for him to obtain it though. Girl literally was wiped from existence. Her school scores, her classmate's memories of her, her files, everything. It was like she was a figment of his imagination truly and nothing else.

But he knew it wasn't true – an evidence of that he held in his hand.

Before he could have a second thought though kitchen doors swung open and Yukio marched into his view, Kuro's paws fluttering next to him. With a one glance over his twin blinked at him.

"What's wrong?" Yukio asked momentarily seeing Rin's somehow paler than usual face. "Are you feeling ill?"

Those questions fell deaf upon Rin's ears though. He blinked off strange trance he found himself in and whipped his head to look at the clock. "It's time already?!" he exclaimed somehow terrified, standing up and slapping his palms onto table at once. "I—I almost forgot."

Yukio at that reaction breathed out, closing his eyes in contemplation. "Of course you would. When it comes to these things you always forget. It's the same as with your homework, nii-san."

Rin grumbled under nose, somehow irritated. He still wasn't over Mephisto's blatant lies. "Is fluff-clown going to be there?" he asked back, huffing and crossing his arms.

Kuro jumped silently onto the counter, his tails swirling behind him. "Master Mephisto is waiting for you outside" he answered for Yukio, his wide eyes watching Rin.

Rin upon hearing that only grouched more, his eyes narrowing dangerously. "That bastard demon" he spat lowly under breath before turning towards Yukio. "Okay, let's go. I don't wanna spend that much time with clown-brain. Sooner it's done the better."

With a look towards his brother Rin stepped ahead, thankful for Yukio's understanding nod as he walked out kitchen temporarily leaving Rin with their furry friend behind.

"Rin! Rin! You'll be back soon, right?" piped suddenly Kuro, his head turning sideways.

Rin exhaled, not really knowing the answer himself. All he knew was that Gramps wanted to see him and Yukio – whatever for, he only hoped nothing bad. His shoulders sagged little bit as he looked towards Kuro.

"Hopefully, yes" he replied honestly.

Twin tails stopped mid-air. "Master Mephisto said you will."

Nodding to that, he chuckled at his familiar. "Well, if he said so—"

Kuro jumped up twice before his tails once again started to dance behind him. "He also said that Yukio won't fall asleep anymore! I am so happy, Rin!"

Blinking at that Rin sweat-dropped a little. "Eh—? What—?" before meaning sunk in and healthy blush appeared on his cheeks. "Kuro!" he stuttered towards his familiar. "Stop listening to everything Mephisto says! He's a—"

Liar.

Just as he wanted to badmouth their guardian he stopped himself short as he watched Kuro's eyes widen with each word. Sighing he wiped hand down his face. He knew that his familiar had this special friendship with Mephisto he'd never understand and always made hairs on his hands stand to an end but now, now he faltered.

"Ne, Kuro—?" he asked instead, his mouth running ahead of him. "You really like him, Mephisto am I right?"

Cat-sith nodded his head, sitting down. "He's my friend just like you and Yukio are! We often run through the city at night. It's so pretty with all the stars and lights shining... You'd really like it."

Rin scratched at his head and then pondered Kuro's words. "Kuro, what do you talk about with Mephisto?" he asked curiously.

Kuro's whiskers made funny dance as he smelled something, turning towards Ukobah that chose this moment to start preparing supper for later. "Well, mostly we talk about you and Yukio!"

Sweatdropping again Rin mentally knocked himself on head. Of course they'd talk about them, what did he expect. Then his breath hitched as Kuro continued, black fur staring back at Rin as Kuro was completely entranced by view of prepared stew.

"Sometimes we talk about Yoko-chan too. She's a bit strange you see, she never listens to Mephisto and always runs away from him..."

Yoko-chan?

Rin opened his mouth once again when suddenly he knew – Yoko-chan, she was that missing Kyoko girl. So it meant that he was right all this time, that Mephisto was hiding her from him! But why— what was the purpose of it? He didn't understand. That didn't make any sense to him.

"Kyoko—" he muttered towards his familiar but before he managed to finish his thought kitchen's doors snapped open and a very irate Yukio Okumura appeared in them.

"Nii-san! We're going to be late!" Yukio chided, his eyes narrowed to slits and a single brow twitching. "If you don't walk out this instant I will drag you out myself!"

Somehow Yukio's threat wasn't suddenly as scary as they always were. Rin blinked few times, nodding before excusing himself to follow after his brother. When they walked down the corridor he was aware of Yukio's curious glances at him but he couldn't help but to ignore them – there was only one thing on his mind and that was the great discovery that Yoko was somehow affiliated with Mephisto.

And if she was connected to Mephisto then she was also indirectly connected to him and Yukio. Given Mephisto's shady ways of tipping him off her trail he was almost sure he wasn't going to like the reason why was that.

With a clench of his jaw, he shot daggers towards their so-called guardian that stood under his umbrella waiting for them; there was no words exchanged however as they soon disappeared in a blink of a pink fluffy cloud.

…

Even though he was there before Rin still couldn't shake off the strange uneasiness that would seep through him every time he found himself glancing into this never-ending whiteness. Yes, they've been called by Grigori once again. His blue eyes took in the cold emptiness of the huge room with only four black specks adoring it and he shuddered.

To be completely honest he had no idea what was it all about. As far as he was concerned they haven't endangered their mission nor any civilians but anyway they've been called over.

A terrible thought of his brother's execution crossed his mind but he shook it off forcefully.

Short march towards Supreme Advisers was unnaturally silent, not him nor Yukio spoke a word – both of them probably lost temporarily in their own thoughts. Even more so Mephisto haven't as much as snorted when they've been at it – and that was worrying.

However Rin was stupefied on spot once his entire exo-team came into view. They've all been there: Bon, Shima, Shiemi, Izumo, Konekomaru and they seemed to be totally engrossed in their own discussion, well that was until Shiemi spotted him and Yukio and waved them over enthusiastically.

The place gave him creeps nonetheless.

Little bit confused about their meet up Rin raised his hand saying 'hi' to everyone. "Hey. Whatcha y'all doing here?" he asked blinking and looking over his friends. Shima stood with crossed arms somehow detached and irate but anyone else seemed to be excited. "Huh?"

Bon took it upon himself to enlighten him. "Apparently we finally finished our training..." he shrugged then before racking hand through his hair.

"What?" he replied gobsmacked. "How—? When—?"

Shiemi piped in, her green eyes even brighter than usual. "Our last mission was success, that's why!" she bobbed her head hardily.

Mephisto clucked his tongue at that amused but haven't uttered a word. Yukio though was just as surprised as he was – did it mean he was in the dark just like him? Bloody Mephisto.

"Wait, wait, waitwaitwait!" Rin muttered with his eyes wide-open. "Does it mean we passed the exorcist test without passing course?"

Izumo was frowning all the time and she shook her head somewhat. "You can say that but—"

"It seems all too sudden, doesn't it?" finished for her Konekomaru, pushing his glasses up. "Besides I think we might still need to pass our cram school's end-term tests anyway."

Izumo agreed with him nodding. "Yes, I thought so too."

"Then why would they drag all of us here?" reasoned Bon. "There's no Shura with us and that only leaves one reason – they are finally going to make up official exorcists."

Gulping, Rin felt cold-sweat dripping down his back. "Well, there's only one person that might now answer to that—" here he stared hard at Mephisto who shrugged off nonchalantly his question. "What? You know why we're here, don't you?" he added with a little bit of iciness to his tone.

Mephisto closed his sharp eyes, holding bridge of his nose. "You kiddos are such killjoys. There's not a single fun bone in your bodies. You can't even take a surprise for what it is."

Rin repeated dumbly. "A surprise?" he muttered and heard a sharp intake of breath from Izumo. Yukio stared just as shocked as the rest of them at Mephisto.

Demon in the end dropped hand from his face, shrugging shoulders and sheepishly saying, "Surprise?"

If it wasn't for the Grigori that sat there silently watching them, Rin would've been be more than sure that'd all hell broke loose at that exact moment. Thankfully it didn't, they were too stupefied to do as much as blink not to mention think through their surprise.

Rin however wasn't going to drop it that quickly. "What the hell?!" he shrieked, his blood pumping through his veins faster. "Why didn't you say anything before?! I was scared shitless that we've done something wrong and they'll send Yukio off to death!" he sputtered now flushed but he didn't care. "You stupid bastard!" he added for good measure, clenching his fists tightly. Briefly he wondered if Mephisto even listened to him, as he noticed their guardian looking from a corner of his eye somewhere behind him.

In the end Mephisto clucked his tongue disappointingly. "Well, that didn't go as I planned. But—" here he smirked, mentioning towards wide black staircase. "Let's not prolong it, so shall we?"

Shaking his head Rin growled under breath at Mephisto but bit his tongue nonetheless. Because once they'd walk back down from there they'd all be an official exorcists after all this time. Pang of pride and giddiness bloomed in his chest anyway, yeah he felt somehow happy that he actually made it. Another step closer to becoming a Paladin.

Shiro would be proud probably if only Rin didn't feel that way about Yukio.

But shaking that thought out from his boggled mind, he stepped first onto black staircase – rest of his exo-team right behind him.

"Do you think we're going to get something extra for it now?" asked suddenly Shima who kept silent for all this time.

"Besides a 'he was a great man and amazing friend' added to your gravestone I think not" answered him Bon seriously.

It wasn't a shock that Shima's face fell stricken. "You've gotta be kidding me man."

Bon however only send him a 'look' with one eyebrow raised and Yukio chuckled under his nose good-naturedly.

"That's the road of exorcists Shima-san" cut in Yukio, walking slowly at the very back of their group. "We chose to risk our lives to save the mankind. There's no recognition in those deeds though."

Shiemi's breath hitched. "That's terrible!"

Yukio glanced at her smiling blankly. "Just because world doesn't know it doesn't mean those close to you don't either" he concluded.

"But— isn't it what you did exactly to Rin-kun, Okumura-sensei?" piped back into conversation Shima, looking at his teacher closely from a corner of his eye. "From what I know you never said you were one."

Shiemi took Shima's side on that one. "Exactly! You say that people close to you would know but— How do you think you'd feel if one day you'd found out you've been kept from something this important for years" here she slowed down to fall in-step with Yukio who kept his face impasse. "Still the thought that only few people would know—it's not fair."

Yukio sighed at that, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Life is not fair, Shiemi-san."

She fell silent at that. "I know" she started slowly. "If not for you I'd be dead a long time ago. But then again if I wasn't scarred I'd never got to know you and Rin and—" nodding in understanding Shiemi smiled slightly. "It's weird that from something so bad something good can blossom."

Upon hearing somehow hollow note in Shiemi's voice Yukio dared to look at her with a bit of confusion in his stare. "Shiemi—"

Shiemi shook her head violently then as if clearing her mind. "It's nothing" she concluded, at whim taking Yukio's hand into hers and squeezing it. "I'm happy that I met you. I'm happy that I met everyone. You'll always be my friends no matter what and I'd gladly sacrifice myself for any of you."

With his brows furrowed Yukio opened his mouth but Shiemi jabbed at him with her fingers. "Don't. We all know it works other way around as well. That's what friendship is all about. So for now shut your mouth and let us bear the same world you do on our shoulders, Yuki-chan. You should finally realise you've never been alone in the first place."

At that younger Okumura sighed with defeat.

At that older Okumura grit his teeth.

Rin haven't really heard what Yukio was talking about with Shiemi but he didn't miss the way they've been walking next to each other oh so comfortably close. Nor did he miss the fact that they've been holding hands and muttering towards each other as if trying to hide themselves from the entire world.

It stung but he knew he'd manage. There was no way for him to try and step in because why should he? If Yukio chose to be with Shiemi then Rin would gladly give them his blessing – even though it would totally grind pieces of his shattered heart into nothing. He lost, he was aware of that – he was aware from the beginning and yet he still pursued it nonetheless.

Now though when the reality was starting to stare him back into face, he realised he wasn't ready just yet. Gulping he stepped on the podium and looked back over Grigori. It was now or never. When Yukio and Shiemi finally took their place behind everyone first of the Sage's spoke aloud – his voice booming around them, reverberating.

Breathing in Rin knew it was the beginning of the new life for all of them.

There was no coming back.

Just future.