Title: Hellspawn
Chapter: 24/?
Characters: Yukio, Rin, Shura, (surprise?), Mephisto, Amaimon, OC
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: "All in all. One thought kept on crossing his mind. What the fuck was going on?"

A/N: MEPHISTOOOOOOOO! *dies* Also thank you for everything! Follows, comments and favs alike! See you in next chapter!

…

Rin scratched lazily at his neck as he slouched behind his desk. Pens, pencils and notebooks were scattered carelessly around him in big piles that called him to complete or at least sort some-of-them out – something that unfortunately was a farthest thing on his mind at that moment in time.

Sighing once but heavily, he blinked away slowly creeping up sleep only to be welcomed by the view of beautiful night-time sky. White stars blinked at him lighting up navy sky; it was a surprisingly nice night with almost no clouds in view. Big silver moon shone so bright, one of it's wayward rays half-falling onto Rin's face.

Rin, he actually kept on telling himself he wasn't that tired, that he'd wait for Yukio until he'd come back home alive and in one piece. His situation hasn't changed much since a week before if he had to be completely honest. Beside all that 'ceremony' bullshit and getting a title of a lower rank exorcist he still was kept behind.

It was almost funny in a way he pondered at some point but it was a very short-lived thought.

His exorcist pin was somewhere on his desk, under papers or maybe between pages of a book – who knew really, he hadn't got any use of it anyway.

Sudden yawn escaped him it's tremors coursing through his entire body. Who he wanted to fool? All his homework and cram school projects took everything out of him, there was no way he'd stay awake until Yukio'd come back from his mission.

Yawning again Rin shook his head slightly, hairclip barely holding up his unruly hair.

"Just for half an hour..." he stated as his eyes were already closing down on it's own. "—half hour..."

Last thing he saw before he drifted off into dreamless sleep was time on their wall clock.

…

On a sound of shuffling near their dorm doors Rin startled himself half-awake. His eyes instantly darted towards the clock to see it was still middle of the night, dark sky behind window seemed only to confirm that for him. Not thinking much he turned off his desk lamp and laid back as he did before, hiding face in a crook of his crossed arms.

For one he was still sleepy enough to say literally 'fuck it' and stay like that for the rest of the night, for second he was morbidly curious as to what Yukio would do once he'd notice him sleeping on his desk.

After few heart-stopping seconds their door slowly squeaked open. There was a second of silence, stillness that filled the room as Yukio probably spotted him sleeping and even just that tiny thought made Rin happy.

No matter the future, Yukio was still Yukio – he still cared for him.

Strange silence stretched into lifetime before Rin finally caught onto heavy yet oh so careful steps of his twin into their room; he closed door just as quietly before the same stillness swallowed them up once again. Somehow Rin's heart beaten harder against his ribcage with each passing second, he wondered what Yukio was thinking, was he looking at him? Was he going to just leave him be?

As much as he wanted to believe into his dreams he knew that none of them would ever happen. They'd always just stay as that – dreams. So what if he wanted Yukio to step closer to him and maybe rack his hand into Rin's black locks? So what if he wanted Yukio to lean down then and maybe kiss his temple saying slowly under breath 'goodnight'? That was never going to happen.

Yet as stupid as he was Rin still hoped. Because there were those moments only they had – that only Rin could catch onto even if Yukio didn't. They were his undoings too as they kept on igniting over and over shattered pieces of his heart, lighting up his dying hope.

Lost in his tormented thoughts Rin almost jumped outta his skin when suddenly something plopped down onto his head.

"Stop faking nii-san" said Yukio then, his voice replacing silence. He didn't sound angry nor tired – Rin would even dare to say he was amused. "I know you're not sleeping. Your breathing is too shallow and besides—" Yukio moved and then there was sound of a body hitting soft mattress. "Your tail gave you away" he concluded his mini ramble. "What got you so nervous all of a sudden? Is it homework?"

Rin mentally groaned, why did Yukio had to be so perceptive? Knowing that his cover was blown he opened one eye to look at his brother who apparently was sitting on a bed looking at him curiously. Rin thanked to whoever had them under their wing for it to be a night and de facto that he turned his lamp off otherwise Yukio'd be welcomed by his very blushing face.

He wasn't used to Yukio looking at him so... closely. It was unnerving but at the same time exciting in it's own way.

Only then Rin realised what was on his head and he reached for said thing only to pull down handful of bright material. Straightening in his seat he blinked at the shirt he was holding in his hand.

"What—?" he started to ask but then huge anime characters caught his eye and he stopped, understanding. His entire face lit up at the gift. "NO WAY!" he snorted, almost unbelieving. He whipped his face towards his brother that kept steady gaze on him. "WHERE DID YOU GET THAT?!"

Yukio shrugged smiling. "I've been on a mission near Akihabara—"

His brother was saying it so nonchalantly as if he was there everyday not once a year, he couldn't believe. "And you figured you'll buy me a gift?" he asked slowly.

At that Yukio stood up taking off his heavy coat and went over to their closet opening it wide. "I've seen you surfing the net for one of these so I figured why not?" he answered honestly hanging his coat and closing wardrobe. Only in his shirt and pants now Yukio continued towards his desk heaving it open.

Seeing his twins confused face Rin smacked himself mentally, he kept on doing that a lot lately. "Ah— When you've been gone I replenished your supplies—" he said blushing but kept his voice neutral. "I know that you have these sweet cravings and well..."

Yukio stiffened upon hearing that but after few tense seconds he pushed his glasses upwards. "Thank you, nii-san" he replied sincerely actually taking one of the chocolate bars out and closing his drawer. "It's raspberry" he added half-confused under breath but Rin heard him anyway.

"Don't get me wrong here but you're the only raspberry maniac in the vicinity" Rin stated rather amused. "It doesn't matter what you're gonna say – it's true" he added nodding with raised eyebrows.

Yukio sweatdropped at that, trying to keep up his facade and failing as his tail twitched behind him.

"Well, like I said thank you."

Rin smiled at that but then again that topic was almost taboo for them – since the day it happened. Still it didn't change the fact that Yukio was going to have a— a demon. It was even weird to think about it but sooner than later that topic would have to be discussed.

Preferably sooner than later.

Thinking now was time as good as ever Rin opened his mouth to ask the dreaded question. "Say Yukio are you okay?" he spoke carefully, not really knowing how his brother was going to react to that.

"Whatever you mean nii-san?" shot back Yukio, munching on his sweet. "I'm fine."

Rin shook his head at that angrily. Well, it seemed his twin wasn't going to be easy on him was he? "You know what I mean, four-eyes."

Yukio's brow jumped into his hairline. "Nope. Nada. Have no idea what are you talking about."

This time he snorted narrowing eyes towards his brother. "Well you know— about that cravings you have."

There was a moment of contemplation before understanding seeped onto Yukio's face and he coughed onto side, hiding his embarrassment. "Oh."

Oh? Was that really everything he had to say to Rin. No, he wanted to make sure that Yukio was all right, healthy and what-not.

"Oh?" Rin pressed on furrowing his brows. "Is that a good oh or a bad oh?"

Sighting Yukio rolled his eyes skywards. "I'm fine. As far as Mephisto says we won't see a difference in Assiah. I am not going to put on a ton of weight or anything of sorts – I am not a female. There are more subtle hints about it when it comes to— me."

With his brows still knitted Rin nodded. "How will you know when it's time—?"

"Mephisto said I will know" deadpanned Yukio finishing his sweet and sighing contently at it's flavour. "So I trust him on that."

That Rin could accept after all Mephisto was the only one who could help them about this matter. "So for now we wait."

"So for now we wait."

Awkward silence fell flat around them after that. Rin was still holding his gift in hand as he wondered how their life was going to change when the time came. Their demon – what was it going to look like? He only hoped that that thing wouldn't try to kill them in their sleep or even worse – betray them and leave for Gehenna. Possibilities were limitless when it came to that, even Mephisto couldn't say if they'd get away alive when it shows up.

"Hey— do you think it's going to look like us?" he asked before he could stop. Yukio looked at him blankly.

"I have as much idea when it comes to that as you. I don't know."

Rin shrugged at that, pouting yet at the same time glaring. "Sorry I asked, I was curious."

Yukio racked hand through his hair. "I know, sorry I didn't mean that."

Shaking that comment off Rin blinked towards his twin. "Nah it's okay, four-eyes. My bad. I shouldn't agitate future mother." Before Rin could bite his tongue he blanched. It was too late already as Yukio's brow was twitching ominously.

"Say nii-san" piped in Yukio, standing up slowly. There was some very dark aura around him in that moment at what Rin sweated. "Have you thought about responsibility this induces. For you too."

Gulping Rin nodded grimly. "Of course I have! You can't possibly think I am gonna leave you with all that crap on your own."

"Well I hope not."

Tinge of uncertainty laced through Yukio's voice and Rin caught on it instantly. Yeah he was scared shitless but he wasn't the only one.

"I'd never, Yukio" Rin confirmed, his stare firm. "It's my mess to clean up. So I will."

Yukio however shook his head sadly at that, his previous deadly aura gone. "It's not about cleaning messes nii-san. It's about living with the consequences of your doings for the rest of your life. Nobody's going to tell you what to do or what choice to make when the time comes—"

Regret was tastelessly bitter on Rin's lips hearing his brother. "Well there's nothing I can do about it now" he cut in, standing up. "All that thinking might lead to nowhere for all we know" he added, throwing shirt on his bed before turning towards Yukio. "There is however one thing I can do right here and now, and that is – take care of you."

"Take care of me?" repeated blankly Yukio. "Hardly, nii-san."

He hadn't nothing of that though as he pointed accusingly finger at his twin. "You need to finally have a proper meal and at least five hours of rest and I will make sure that you will."

Unperturbed Yukio sighed before pinching bridge of his nose. "You know as well as me that my schedule is already tight as it is—"

"Nu-huh" Rin cut him off, eyes narrowing even more at his brother. "I know you keep on skipping suppers that's why I told Ukobach to keep your portions. I'll bring it here and you will eat it" he concluded turning on his heel.

He was already half-way to the door when Yukio spoke.

"I already ate my chocolate bar. Isn't it enough?"

For someone so smart Yukio was acting incredibly stupid.

"Sweets are not proper meals" Rin stated matter-of-factly and stopped near doors, hand on handle. "I don't want you to get sick that's all" he murmured more to himself than to his twin before he pushed them open.

What he didn't notice was his brother's smiling face watching him go.

…

When Rin came back to their dorm barely balancing a cup of tea in one hand and two tuna sandwiches in the other the first thing that he noticed was the fact that Yukio turned on his desk-lamp. Gold shimmer was filling up their dorm now as Yukio kept on looming over something on his desk.

Exhaling and shaking his head Rin closed the door with his elbow before he strode towards his twin. Didn't he just tell him to stop overworking himself? On an impulse he almost smashed teacup on a middle of the thing his brother was staring intently at. Tea dribbled down the cup as Yukio gasped momentarily surprised.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to—" he stated, sweatdropping. Before Yukio answered him though he noticed that his brother was checking out a map. He blinked. "Huh? Why are you checking a map? You have some holiday plans?"

Yukio stared wide eyed at the paper before he exhaled and shook his head. "No, nii-san. I don't plan on leaving you anytime soon. Actually—" he stopped, not looking at Rin but he removed the cup from his view. Barely few seconds later his brows furrowed.

"Hah? What's that?" Rin cut in, looking closer from behind his twins shoulder at map. Only now he noticed four red marks on it.

"That's a good question" answered back Yukio. "Those four dots are the places where Gehenna's Doorways appear constantly. Same spots over and over in a few days timespan" he explained opening his drawer and taking out a tissue. He then pressed soft paper into map to clear some of the spilled tea – it wasn't much thankfully.

"Oh?" shot back Rin, narrowing eyes at his brother. "So you are working after all" he deadpanned.

"No" stated matter-of-factly Yukio. "It's more like – a personal project."

"Uh-huh. Alright" Rin poked side of his twins head with his finger. "Enough of this now. Eat your sandwich and go to sleep" he concluded not seeing importance of Yukio's find. He stretched back but didn't step away, somehow his hands landed on Yukio's tense shoulders and he frowned little. "And you said I am nervous" he murmured, pressing palms into muscles.

After minute of silence and staring Yukio suddenly flicked his own forehead before he snorted. Rin glanced at him from a corner of his eye wondering what got his brother in such a mood. Whatever it was – it must've had something to do with the map.

"Of course it makes sense now" said Yukio finally, exhaling with a sense of finality.

"Hm?" murmured back Rin, his eyebrow rose. "What makes sense?"

His twin leaned over the map a little bit more before his eyes stared at Rin with such wonder they almost sparkled in the gold lamp light. "You're a genius, nii-san."

Now that wasn't what he expected. "Huh? Genius? What did I do now?" he shot back, not really knowing if Yukio was pulling his leg or not.

With a shake of his head and a small smile his brother took a pencil and drew a circle through red four points, continuing to also cross lines through them. Blinking dumbly Rin kept on watching his twin work on the map but still couldn't comprehend what was he supposed to look at.

When Yukio finished, he looked over his work again. "What it looks like?"

Rin shrugged, his hands falling off his twins shoulders. "Uhhh... A circle? Rectangle? I don't know?"

At his response Yukio glared at him. "Really? Two years of studying just flew out a window?"

Popping a vein Rin grouched, his canine showing. "Well then" he crossed his arms "tell me what it looks like to you?"

Giving him a look, his brother pushed glasses up his nose before he glanced towards Rin's desk. Wordlessly then he pushed himself up to reach for one of the books that lied opened and started to look through it. Once Yukio found what he was looking for he pushed the book up, a page staring Rin into face.

"It's a pentagram" answered him finally Yukio sitting back and taking a pencil into his hand. Rin at that moment held the book, checking page over before he closed it and threw unceremoniously back at his desk.

"So?" he asked, trying to understand his twin.

"So it means something's brewing. Something big."

Gulping, Rin felt as chills went down his back at Yukio's words. "But it's been incredibly calm these past two weeks—" he trailed off, thinking. "You think it's calm before a storm, don't you?" he added afterwards, sinking feeling at pit of his stomach.

Yukio nodded. "Yes."

Rin at that frowned looking once again at the map. "There's just one thing off, four-eyes" he mentioned, looking at lines his brother drew. "You have only four points, doesn't pentagram have five?"

Yukio stiffened, his eyes scanning the map. "You're right. It doesn't calculate."

"So basically there's nothing to worry about" concluded Rin, sighing. For a second he was scared there. "Eat your sandwich and go to sleep Yukio. You're tired." With those words almost on-automatic he ruffled his twins hair before pressing lips to the back of his head. "Don't stay up too long, okay?"

Stretching up Rin couldn't help the yawn that shook his body when it got out. Rubbing eyes he turned and stepped towards his bed reaching for the gift and smiled. Taking it and fresh pyjama bottoms he left his twin to himself.

If only he noticed as Yukio touched top of his head tenderly with a blooming blush on his cheeks then maybe his story would pan out a little bit differently.

…

Stomping down academy's corridor with a frown on his face, Rin racked his mind over everything that kept on happening in these past few days. Hallows eve's party was looming over their heads already but chill that kept on sticking to his skin wasn't from excitement over that event. The reason for it was much more ominous.

Yukio's words echoed in his head if he wanted them to or not. Somehow he felt they meant more than he wished them to – like a certain fact not a mere thought.

There was also still the case of the mysterious Kyoko and her disappearance – or lack thereof. Rin knew there was a high possibility of her being somehow connected to everything. Was she a demon in hiding? Even if she was, what was her purpose? Her goal? Did she plan on opening another huge Gehenna's Gate like that crazy old bastard tried years ago?

Grinding his teeth a bit more he couldn't help frown that was on his face. Not even keeping hands in his trousers pockets saved them from trembling.

Situation was bad already with so many unknowns and it could only get worse.

That's why he was going into principals office yet again. He already couldn't count on how many times he found himself going down the same path over and over again in these past couple months. It was almost frightening how much they've had to rely on the likes of Mephisto Pheles.

What if he was playing them all along for the sake of his twisted entertainment?

"~Why'd ye do it?"

Rin stopped. If he was right, then it must've been Shura's voice – as strong as ever.

"~Why - that's a good question but you're asking wrong person, Shu-chan."

This time Rin's ears piqued, he recognized that voice too but couldn't really know from where. On a whim he plastered himself to the wall, poking his face from around a corner and his eyes widened in surprise. Didn't he drop cram school years ago? But then again he was there talking with Shura as if nothing of sorts ever happened.

Shura frowned but her eyes stayed as bored as ever. "~Yer saying that old bastard had something to do with it?"

Her conversant nodded with unchanging smile on his face, eyes closed and puppet perched on his hand. "~When he doesn't?"

"~Of course. Anything for a second of entertainment" answered back Shura, her hands dropping onto hips. "What de ye have from it though?" she asked her eyes drilling into boy's skull. "With yer kind all I can think of is the same as of him."

Boy's longish light brown hair bounced with his nod. "~Similar but different."

Exhaling tiredly Shura shook her head at that response. "~Whatevs" she stated, her red eyes once again seizing the boy before her. "I don't care, ye all had yer fun, I want out. Tell the bastard to finally stop snooping in people's lives—" here she turned swiftly around, her long ponytail bouncing with her. She didn't even wait for a reply as she started to walk away.

Rin's old cram school classmate stood for awhile watching her go until he took into different corridor himself. Rin on the other hand straightened himself up frowning. He had no idea what he just witnessed, all he knew was the fact that Nemu Takara was back, even more so – he acted as if he never left in the first place.

All in all. One thought kept on crossing his mind.

What the fuck was going on?

…

When Rin Okumura reached principals office, knocked and slowly opened doors to parade inside only to find himself alone in the huge room – one could say, he was surprised. There was no sign of Mephisto being anywhere nearby to his relief - even though he needed to talk to him. Well, being given the opportunity of a lifetime he didn't wait to dare to start snooping around, poking his head where he shouldn't, hoping to find anything of interest for him.

At the same time unawares of Rin opening file drawers in his office Mephisto Pheles with Amaimon by his side stepped into dark alley while rain pounded heavily onto pink umbrella. His seemingly impasse facade however cracked into slight sneer as he finally found the person that made so much mess in less than a month.

Said person was curled on her side unconscious, unaware of her own condition – with her school uniform dirty, crumpled and soaked thorough. For any onlooker she just portrayed another runaway that lost her way somewhere along the way – for Mephisto and Amaimon though she looked anything but.

Unmistakably her Assiah body was growing weaker with each day, Gehenna's black hellfire slowly but surely burning it away.

Clacking his tongue in dismay, Mephisto sighed.

"So it has begun" he spoke casually before nodding towards unconscious girl. "Amaimon, if you could."

Green haired demon popped lollipop from his mouth, looking at his brother. "I hope you have those fizz candies I wanted" he replied to that.

Narrowing his eyes at Amaimon, Mephisto felt as a vein popped on his forehead. "Yes, I do. Now, take her back into my pocket dimension. She doesn't have much energy left, time is chipping away at her already."

Amaimon sighed unperturbed before he shrugged nonchalantly. "Why even bother with her then? We could just as well leave her here."

This time Mephisto couldn't stop himself from reacting to his stupid brother and before anyone realised he was already smacking Amaimon on his head. "Think about time paradox you shmuck?! It's bad enough already with everything that's going on. I don't need any unnecessary obstacles in my plans."

Holding his hurting head Amaimon blinked. "To think I could be with Shiemi-chan right now, having fun" he muttered under nose, looking at Mephisto unhappily from a corner of his eyes.

Mephisto only closed his mouth into straight line to that. "You're spending too much time with her. I cannot let you get used to be too comfortable with that human."

Amaimon shrugged the comment off. "She likes nature, don't blame me – I like nature."

"That's what I'm talking about. You need to cut loose your bound."

Answered him glare. "She won't have a power over me. It's a two way road, brother."

Unfortunately Mephisto understood that all too well. He couldn't really blame him, he certainly wouldn't want to become a mere puppet of a human girl – be it his student or not. So he sighed instead, frowning little. "Alright, just take Kyoko away from Assiah. She needs some time to recuperate her strength. Why did she bother to hide from us is above me."

Yes, that was questionable in itself. He didn't really have any contact with her past couple weeks – whatever her reasons were. Thankfully (or not, it depended on the way you looked at it) her state became so unstable he was able to find her – here in one of London's alleys, dying.

Amaimon reached for the girl and heaved her onto his shoulder like a sack of potatoes only to disappear in the next second.

Mephisto though stayed for a few more minutes staring at a place the girl lied. It was a paradox in itself now that he thought about it – because it seemed that even the strongest thing he ever encountered in his life could just as easily crumble.

He saw the whiffs of black fire escaping into air with her each breath.

Yes, he was sure. It has begun. The counter started and there was no way of stopping it now.