Title: Hellspawn
Chapter: 245/?
Characters: Yukio, Rin, Shima, Shiemi, (others),
Genre: mystery, angst, drama, romance (some fluff?)
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, unrequired love, sloooow buuurn.
Summary: It was kind of double-edged sword though, partly because Shiemi did come over dressed as a cat-maid with a bit too deep bust cut but also because he knew that Yukio would've been even more elated to be there in a Konekomaru's place.
A/N: So THIS CHAPTER WAS NOT SUPPOSED TO EXIST, IT WROTE ITSELF. But it became a stepping stone to the end, somehow (lol Komaeda much?). Also if you are still with me in this mess, HUGE thank you. *writer's out*
When Rin woke in the morning he have had no idea what to expect from the hallow's eve party. Simple fact that something like this was even considered in True Cross Academy was new and surprising in itself, given that it was the first time he ever even heard about it as being an actual thing.
On the other hand knowing Mephisto he shouldn't have been that dumbfounded. His so-called half-brother lived for the thrill of the unknown after-all. More surprise the merrier his life.
If only that applied to Rin and Yukio as well – or anybody else for that matter. He have had very mixed feelings towards it to be honest. He's also had to think about another upcoming supermoon, just in a couple weeks time.
One thing he did found strange though; about himself. Remembering the last one – oh so sinful supermoon - he realised he wasn't as sex-driven nor obsessed over Yukio anymore – it was completely different this time; he felt different. Tad bit colder on the inside. Isolated. One could say he was beyond the point of breaking yet somehow in some strange twisted way of things as they were he still felt blessed given the strange or maybe not so strange ways his twin acted towards him.
Feeling like no other, one he never experienced before – funky, giddy emptiness - made Rin not be bothered at all with the next supermoon; he appeared almost indifferent towards it, towards Yukio. As if everything that he felt towards his twin just flew outta window – leaving hollow happiness behind.
It was all a lie however. So what if he knew it?
Pointless situation he was stuck in gave him something to think about; was it possible to erase ones emotions? No, of course not; that's probably why he was so crestfallen when Yukio kept going on another missions or when he noticed Shiemi's worried glances towards his brother. But—
Oh, right.
He let go; or at least he believed he did – for all of their good. But of course, it never was that easy.
Yet he really wanted to believe that time would heal all wounds; no matter how deep they were.
Frowning he pulled over himself a dark, long trench coat – it's bottom brushing over floor with each tiniest movement. He was getting ready for the damned halloween ball and given how jumbled his mind was lately he didn't really have time to consider what he would come over dressed as. Thankfully, smart as Rin was he found a perfect solution for his dilemma.
He already had pointed ears and fangs straight from a vampire novels so he could just as well go along with that. All he really needed for it to work was a tophat and long dark coat – something he managed to squeeze out from Mephisto; not without the latter pointing out that he might want to have them back untouched otherwise his poor twin would have another thing to repay for.
Not as if that concerned Rin much. He barely listened to a word that feel outta fluff-clown's mouth.
Sharply, almost angrily he pushed sides of a trenchcoat's collar upwards making it stand up, partly covering his chin. Motion didn't go unnoticed by his brother that stood behind him also getting ready for the ball. Unlike Rin however Yukio was fully dressed in exorcist garb, slowly making his own coat fall down onto shoulders.
"What's wrong?" fell a question from Yukio, who was watching Rin's stiff back for awhile now. "Nii-san?"
Rin clenched close his eyes before sighing deeply and replying. "Huh?" he said back, turning around and pushing his eyebrow higher onto forehead. He hoped that Yukio wouldn't catch on how forced that action was. Thankfully if he did, he didn't say anything. "Whatcha saying, four-eyes?"
For a second strange shadow crossed his twins face but it disappeared just as quickly. "Ah, nothing. Thought you may be not feeling up for the hallows eve ball after all."
Frowning tiniest bit Rin felt bad for lying so openly to Yukio but it have had to be done. So he wiped the frown with a half-hearted smirk of his own leaning down towards bed. Tophat he picked up was simple just as trenchcoat he borrowed but given his terrible mood it would go perfectly with his 'vampire' persona.
With smirk plastered on face he racked hand trough his wayward hair to mat it back and then dropped tophat on head. Their eyes met then and Rin would've believed Yukio's breath caught in his chest.
But— he wasn't going to believe anymore, so instead he grinned; his canines showing – shining in dimmed light.
"Not gonna happen, everyone's probably waiting for us already. Well, I am more than ready, if you are too my Mr. Bodyguard then after you" he even gave his brother a courtesy of a little bow with it as words flew out his mouth.
They spilled oh so carelessly from Rin's lips but he didn't care anymore. If he did, he'd be blushing madly by now but nothing was happening, he hadn't felt the familiar exited rush as when he believed and hoped. Now it was barren, hollow feeling of pleasure from making his twin a little uncomfortable. Yukio's wide eyes and parted lips were entertaining enough especially that he was blushing – half-mortified but still.
Finally after what felt like an eternity his twin blinked those teal eyes, twice.
"Please forsake this kind of comments when we're in academy, people might get the wrong idea."
Pshht, as if.
"Tonight I am a vampire so I will do as I please, scaredy-cat."
With a shake of his head Yukio gripped bridge of his nose. "You're not a vampire—"
"Of course not. I am a demon, aren't I?" Rin snided before he could stop himself. Somehow it sounded harsher than he intended it to and his brother immediately started to open his mouth back. "J—Just get on with it, alright? Let's go, Yukio" he cut him off in time not daring to look in his direction.
Air between them became awkward as hell then even though Rin started to glance everywhere around their room but his twin, silence was slowly driving him mad. And Yukio - Yukio of course, for whatever reason did not look as if he was in any rush, staring straight back at him – his face almost blank if not for a tiniest furrow between brows. In the end thankfully his twin let the topic die, just glancing over him once. As Rin was ignoring vicariously his brother's strange behaviour he wasn't been able to notice as Yukio turned back towards their shared wardrobe and pulled something from within.
"It will go along with tophat very well, try it on."
Blinking in surprise Rin finally dared to glance at his twin and found that he was holding up some black-grey scarf and a pair of leather gloves. Wordlessly he took both - scarf and gloves - from Yukio and looked at them as if they offended him in some way.
Empty happiness wasn't so void now, it felt paradoxical. It was hard to stop staring confused at the bloody things for whatever reason.
Then suddenly there was a warmth surrounding him, a very well known presence and scent he used – no scratch that – he still loved and Yukio's hands over his own. Before Rin could properly think through the situation scarf mentioned before was being taken away by his twin who told him boldly then to look up – and he complied instantly, mechanically.
Yukio's eyes didn't bore anything as he concentrated upon fixing said scarf on him. It were mere seconds and they were gone way too fast along with Yukio's warm hands brushing against Rin's chin as he worked upon tying it. When it's been done with and his twin stepped back a well-known chill surrounded Rin once again.
"Perfect, I knew it would suit you."
Gulping Rin blinked himself out from his stupor. "Ha—h?" he murmured, still getting grip on himself. He slipped in there, he almost let himself believe again. "Of course it would suit me!" he barked back, somehow feeling offended at the backhanded comment. "You dare to not believe in my inner beauty!? There was a reason I choose up being a vampire, y'know! It's all because no one would be able to resist such a fine specimen of a male like me!"
A sudden laugh broke from Yukio then and Rin felt his eyebrow twitching. Before he could help himself he slapped his twin with gloves he still held in his hand.
Shaking head slightly his brother stepped back holding hands in the air. "Truce, nii-san" he said, looking so openly honest. "Alright, let's go then Mr. Scarface" he added for good measure, humour evident in his voice as he turned and headed towards doors.
"H—hey, oi!" Rin frowned as his brother opened doors looking expectantly at him. He walked over and jabbed an elbow into him. "I am not Scarface, four-eyes. I am too handsome for that."
With a nod and a very unimpressed face Yukio let Rin go through first. "Of course, nii-san. Where's your fan-club then?"
"O—OI!"
Academy's corridors where drowning in dimmed yellow-orange hue thanks to candlesticks that where placed along the walls. They burned with real fire and that was a first thing Rin noticed upon stepping into academy.
Safety seemed flew outta the window for tonight he figured but shrugged it off as nothing too important. At least it looked nice, almost adding mystery to their every day's plain corridors. Of course there were also corny as fuck skeletons and thick spider webs hanging from everywhere and nowhere but it all somehow added to the occasion as stupid as it was.
Turning around another corner he was going towards great hall where the main party was taking a place, half-wondering what he'd find there; what he could expect more from Mephisto. If there was one thing he knew for sure it was a fact that rest of their team was probably there already, warming up seats.
His steps were smooth and they almost echoed in his ears. Besides him there was nobody there in that particular corridor. Yes, Yukio left him to his own devices once they were in; saying that he wasn't there to party but to keep everything in check – how predictable of him. But Rin should've known it from the beginning, ever since his twin put on that heavy exorcist coat of his on.
Well, Rin wasn't going to complain now. Place was giving him jibbies though with how dark it was even with tiniest light of burning flames. Somehow his mind kept on drifting on and about Mephisto's pocket dimension – the situation he was in right now was eerily similar to the one back then. How he felt that god-damned red string pull him towards his brother—
Exhaling he pushed those thoughts to the back of his mind, pulling onto leather gloves he was wearing. Surprisingly they fit him – almost too well, they were comfortable and light enough for him to feel as if they were his second skin.
Minutes before, once both he and Yukio stepped onto corridor the question of how and where did his twin get those gloves sans scarf almost bubbled out from him but unfortunately before he could ask that Yukio was already turning away from him, walking down opposite direction.
And that empty feeling was back again, staring and laughing at him maliciously.
Well, so far nothing he didn't expect happened. Before the day ended though there was still a lot of time. Maybe, just maybe Mephisto would still surprise him.
…
"Hey, watch your step!"
Rin frowned upon hitting someone on his way into main hall. The place was huge and dark – it was just a matter of time before he'd step into someone. Besides the fact it was his fault only as he was cranking up his neck around like a madman looking for a familiar spots of pink and yellow and purple but to no avail.
Place was packed with people and he had the unfortunate luck to walk straight into person he really didn't want to see, for obvious reasons.
"Well, ye should watch where you're going too!" Rin barked back towards stranger with a very similar outfit to his own, with a one major difference – it screamed 'cheap'. "What are you anyway, man? Another rented vampire?" he sneered under nose, half-glaring at the boy he was talking to.
Said boy finally turned around (as he was walking backwards before) and shot a glare towards Rin before something akin to recognition seeped onto his face.
"You! You again!" the boy snarled, daringly shooting his chin up and by doing so glaring at shorter than him Rin. "I will fucking kill you, Okumura. It's all your fault!"
A bit lost in the situation Rin let his ire show on face. With a sneer of his own he stood tall even when the stranger strode and loomed over him, one hand took a hefty bit of his coat in while other has been curled into fist. What was that guy's problem anyway, he had no idea.
"The fuck man?!" he growled back at the guy, his own hand shooting towards the fist and holding it tight. "What's your problem?!"
"You're the problem, just you!" was the response and few seconds of scuffle followed before Rin was finally able to break free from the other male.
Breathing slowly he was surprised upon realisation that whoever he was, the guy was extremely strong for a human. Of course sometime along their struggle both their tophats fell unceremoniously to a floor and only when Rin finally caught his breath back, he knew.
Tall and lean figure, a bit stronger than a mere human; pinpointed irises and those piercings, oh those bloody piercings – he would recognize them everywhere. Bland hair that was messed up from their struggle was longer than before - now somehow adding to the evil glare he kept on shooting at Rin.
That guy was no-other but Reiji Shiratori – his arch-nemesis. A person that indirectly killed his father, a person that indirectly started all this mess he was currently in. Scolding hot anger and hatred burst out within him like a bubble and he felt as his teeth clanked together at that realisation.
Oh how he wanted to hit him.
Oh how he wanted to ki—
"You should just die already" spoke Reiji glaring and snarling. "Because of you I've become this—this fucking thing. Nobody understands, nobody knows how it is, nobody knows how it feels—" as he kept on talking, Rin could've believed he noticed how Reiji's eye bore same red specks of a demon inside him – that almost shone in the dim lighting. "That thing inside me, it keeps on talking, it keeps on wanting—I fucking hate you, it's all your doing. I wish you died when you were supposed to."
Gulping, Rin blinked away everything. Small crowd that was around them kept on slowly dispersing in fear upon hearing such heated and hateful things. Few people held their distance whispering between themselves glancing in their direction from time to time.
There was only he and Shiratori now, a huge barren space around them.
"Wait a second" Rin finally spoke. "Weren't you exorcised? Shouldn't it be gone by now?"
Reiji at that laughed hysterically, his piercings caught rays of lightning and shone ominously. "Do you really believe in that crap? Are you really that stupid?" he mocked, his face hardening. "It's never gone, no matter how many times they'll do it, it's always back. Mostly I get upper hand over it, sometimes though— I don't."
Rin frowned hearing that, it didn't mean anything good quite the contrary – if Reiji was telling the truth than Yukio was in more danger than he originally thought.
"But guess what Okumura?" suddenly spoke Reiji, watching him closely as with time a wicked smile crossed his face. "Now, seeing you again I guess I am not the worst of them. You are. There is still a hope for me after all" he finished turning around and looking for his fallen tophat which he then gathered and placed back on his head. "I at least don't have to hide my real identity every single day like you do."
"What the hell?!" Rin shrieked back, not noticing that his every single non-human attachment was open in the view for everybody to see. "What's that supposed to mean?!"
With inner struggle apparent in Reiji's face he only stated. "Those ears, teeth, eyes, that tail – that's all real. You can't hide forever Okumura, with time everyone will know that you're a demon. Demon that is good only for one thing – destroying everything that's on it's path."
Even Rin didn't want to, he subconsciously knew that Reiji was somehow right – that there was some truth in his words and it only added pain to the settling dust that was once his heart. He didn't want it to be true, he needed him to shut up – to say no more.
With a terrible feeling in his gut Rin growled and subconsciously burst into movement – jumping towards Reiji with his fists raised. They connected with jaw and eyes and nose but there was only laugh bubbling out from his opponent. Half-lying on the floor with bloody and beaten Reiji underneath him, Rin gripped at front of other's outfit with his own fist up in the air. The boy was looking up at him with such pity now, smiling in his own silent victory.
Clenching teeth almost to the point of breaking Rin held his fist higher and—
"Rin, no! Stop!"
—he felt as someone was dragging his hand back. Turning around with a snarl evident on face his eyes were met with those of Shima's and Konekomaru's. Taller boy was holding his hand in iron grip which was nothing for Rin but for the sake of everybody he let Shima drag him off Shiratori with a scowl.
"Oh man, so much mess" gushed Shima looking with something akin to reprimand at Rin. "We barely could get to you. What the hell happened here?" he asked looking worriedly between fallen guy and his friend. "Okumura?"
Laughter from Reiji was all they heard. "Why don't you tell them?" he said slowly, probably through a lot of pain with how rough his voice did sound. "They are your friends aren't they?"
Reiji said friends with such malevolence it made Rin twitch, he couldn't look them in face.
Shima frowned then at unexpected silence from his best friend. "Whatever man, I don't care" he said offhandedly. "Rin, I think we should go – they probably send someone to check up what's going on. Let's go before they kick our asses out" he stated, gripping Rin's arm and slowly dragging him out from the crowd.
Koneko walked beside them in silence with a strong grip on Rin's tophat completely lost in thought but so was Rin. He couldn't get Reiji's shattered laughter outta his mind - it followed him like a promise, a very bad promise indeed.
…
"So— will you finally say what the hell happened back there?"
Shima's question hung in the air around their table. Of course he expected an answer to it but Rin didn't— couldn't answer it. Bitter taste of hatred that suddenly took a hold of him was still apparent between his lips; he was afraid that whatever he'd say he'd only dig his grave deeper than it already was.
He tche'd instead, looking at the floor and messed even more his hair. Tophat stood proudly on the table, staring back at him.
"It was nothing, really" he answered finally, sighing.
Shima narrowed brown eyes at him even more, thinking. "Well, don't get me wrong here Okumura but if I and Koneko didn't appear when we did you'd probably smash that guys head in" there was a slight warning in his tone with a silver lining of worry latched in it.
"Yeah I know" Rin said dejectedly and then finally looked back at his friends. Or rather lack of them. "Sorry for everything, I have no idea what came over me back there" and he was honest, he had no idea what happened. Trigger just went off.
It didn't change the fact that he knew why.
"Alright" gave up Shima knowing that Rin could be just as stubborn as his twin was. "Everything good now though, ey?"
Rin smiled but his smile wasn't as bright as they always were. "Yeah. I'm good" he said instead, looking around their table.
People were dancing everywhere to the rhythm of a song he didn't know and they looked like they were enjoying themselves. It was nice to know that at least others were happy—ier than he himself was. Upon glancing the other way he caught a glimpse of Shiemi bouncing around to the music with blushing Koneko beside her. That view made his heart swell with real delight and a true smile slipped onto his face unnoticed for the first time that evening.
It was kind of double-edged sword though, partly because Shiemi did come over dressed as a cat-maid with a bit too deep bust cut but also because he knew that Yukio would've been even more elated to be there in a Konekomaru's place.
Thinking back at Konekomaru, their quietest friend – he came dressed as— what it was again? Shima said the name of the character but it fell outta his mind almost instantly. Anyways, beside black fitting suit and a bright red rose in his breast pocket he had a lot of paint on his face – red swirls on his pale cheeks. Another thing was – long black wig sleeked back – made him almost look like somebody completely different if not for his tell-tale glasses.
There was no Kamiki nor Suguro with them however unfortunately. Apparently Izumo needed to stay behind at the shrine, something something about taking care of spirits. Bon on the other hand figured he's above such stupid events and he'd rather stay back at home and study some rather than come over; at least so claimed Konekomaru.
Bump on his arm told Rin that Shima was trying to get his attention.
"Uh?"
Rolling eyes Shima leaned towards him, as if he wanted to share a secret with him. "Shiemi-chan looks amazing doesn't she?" he said, his eyes shining. "Actually she asked me to help her with outfit. Do you know what her measurements are?"
Rin blinked startled at sudden question and blushed, up to his roots. "What the hell Shima! She's our friend!"
Shima chuckled under nose, proudly. "Hey, hey now" he straightened back hands in the air. "I needed to know otherwise it wouldn't fit her properly."
Growling under breath Rin glared at his friend. "Like hell it wouldn't. Yer a bastard in a sheep's clothing."
Laughing loudly Shima sweat-dropped little. "Ah you wound me, Rin-kun" then he sobered instantly once again leaning down. "So do you want to know?"
With a twitching brow and a tiniest snarl Rin could only push Shima away from him. "NO."
Upon that answer pink haired male exhaled tiredly. "You're no fun at all today. What about we hit the floor and sweep some fair maidens from their feet?"
Now that was— interesting idea.
"Well?" pushed on Shima, jabbing his elbow into Rin's side. "C'mon, long face. Let's get this party started—"
Breathing out Rin shook his head slightly and reached for tophat. He couldn't mope around his friends, he didn't want them to worry too much. Standing languidly he plopped hat on his messy hair and smirked.
"Let's get to it then, Shima."
With a shout of victory his friend jumped to his feet, arm curling around Rin's neck. "It's a bet then. Whoever dances with less than five girls buys everybody's drinks tonight!"
"H—haah?! There was no talk about a bet?!"
Shima at that laughed under breath, cocking an eyebrow at him. "Scared you're gonna lose?"
Puffing up a bit Rin wasn't going to let his friend win. Gritting his teeth together he narrowed eyes at other male. "Oh, it's on, Renzo."
Around an hour later, the bet was off and Rin could barely stop himself from bawling like a kid and bursting into tantrum at the same time. With heavy heart he couldn't believe that with another shot of something he didn't dare to name went his entire last few months allowance.
Shima, that bugger won by pure luck – that what it was, truly.
It certainly wasn't Rin's half-glare that scared most of his dance candidates away nor the reason for it; as he felt someone was watching him. Strange burn on the back of his neck couldn't let him relax one bit, making him little paranoid.
Even now when they've been sitting all together by table – Shima tad bit tipsy, Koneko dozing on and off by the side and Shiemi talking excitedly about something – Rin still could feel that piercing burn, glancing around from time to time in an attempt to find the culprit of his discomfort.
"Haa—haah" Shima laughed loudly at something Shiemi said, he had his arm around Rin – dragging him somehow towards him a little bit more. "Shiemi-chan really?! Did you really let Nii-chan pee on Amaimon?!"
Rin chuckled at the imagery of such situation.
"Yes, I did! It was so funny because Amaimon made such incredulous face!"
"Oh I believe" barked back Shima reaching towards bottle and holding it up. "Want another one?"
Shiemi nodded her head vigorously at what Rin sweatdropped.
"Maybe it's enough for you guys?" he tried to reason looking at his friends. From the two of them somehow Shiemi looked soberer than Shima. When pink-haired friend toppled over a glass with the bottle he knew they've had enough. "Alright there" moving into action he took said bottle from Shima's hands.
"Wha—Rin—Give it back!"
He shook his head, frowning. "No. I will drink rest of it. You should go and catch some fresh air." Shima pouted back at him not pleased. "I will not give it back, forget it."
Sulking Shima blew raspberry at him, his eyes rolling around the place. Rin upon seeing that knew his friend was done for the night – just as sleeping soundly Koneko was.
"Okay I changed my mind. Get some shut eye, you probably wouldn't be able to stand on your own two feet by now."
Of course there was some reply which he barely could decipher and Shima's attempt at standing – failed attempt he migh've add.
Shiemi furrowed her brows at them in worry. "Are you okay, Shima-san?" she asked once pink male plunked down on his place like a sack of potatoes. "Rin, what should we do?"
Now that was a good question. He had no idea how to answer that so he shrugged. "He's drunk Shiemi, he's going to need some time before he'll be able to stand on his feet. How are you feeling? You've drunk a lot too—"
Shiemi waved her hand nonchalantly at him. "Dizzy, little bit. Maybe I will go catch a breather. But—what about you Rin?"
Blinking he didn't expect that. Well, he was still uncomfortable enough not to drink too much; barely two shots and that was it. "I'm pretty sober myself" he replied chuckling. Now that he thought about it – there was something funny in seeing his friends getting smashed. If only Kamiki and Suguro were with them.
There was a nod from his blonde friend that involuntary made her ample bust bounce with it. If not for the fact that Shima was a closet pervert Rin would've kicked his ass to the moon and back long time ago. Instead of looking down there, he concentrated onto flushed cheeks and dreamy smile that adored Shiemi's cheek.
"So—Rin, d—do you want to dance?"
Rin's ears burned up. "E—eh?"
"I—I mean, you don't have to—"
Shiemi was already shaking her head at her lap, chuckling under nose. Rin on the other hand had no idea what was going on in his head at that time. Of course he wanted to dance with her but at the same time he didn't know if he should.
"Rin" she sighed, tucking stray hair behind her ear. "I—I don't know. I'm sorry—" her hands were wriggling on her lap. "Forget I said anything."
Two heartbeats became three and soon enough Rin heard only rush of hot blood in his head. Whatever was happening, whatever Shiemi wanted to tell him – he was reacting to it and badly. He noticed as her face fell some before a very well known familiar jumped from hers head to lap. Small green demon took Shiemi's fingers into it's arms and twirled around.
Sweating slightly Rin stared at his friend as she smiled and chuckled at her familiar, happy. Maybe there wasn't anything behind her words, no double meaning and he just reacted like a complete douche right there. Breathing in he opened his mouth in apology—and he stilled.
Instantly his eyes darted around half-dim hall, keen on finding his stalker.
Gasping, he wasn't ready to lock eyes with short dirty blond male that stood between dancing teens, his puppet taunting him. Before he knew he was pushing himself up, not once losing said boy from his sight. He needed to know why he was watching him, why did he spoke with Shura, why he left their cram school—
"Rin? Where are you going?" asked Shiemi glancing at him with concern.
He smiled back at her brushing away her worries. "Ah—toilet. I'll be right back. Drinks must be going right through me" he lied at once already walking away.
Shiemi blinked her green eyes twice before frown latched onto her face. Nii-chan was pulling at her fingers, pointing towards the crowds.
"He's lying again" she stated before she also stood up. "Let's get some fresh air, Nii-chan."
…
Grinding teeth in aggravation Rin stomped down a dark corridor in a hurry. He felt that playing same old cat and mouse game was getting old pretty fast. Moreover for last couple months his life seemed to become more and more twisted, more unknowns and secrets kept floating towards the surface and they all were there for him to take but all he ever managed to do is brush against them.
Turning around another corner he have had a hunch that his so-called ex classmate hid in the toilets so he walked in unceremoniously inside and was met with—nothing. Vision was pretty dim in the room but it was enough to see around. Beside himself only two skeletons and a spider web that was painted over mirrors, he was completely alone. Striding further inside he pushed open stalls to once again find nothing.
Sighing he retreated from last stall when lights flickered and chill ran down his spine. Ready for confrontation he stepped back slowly, daringly staring at smaller male. Dirty blond hair was messy and face blank like a paper. He didn't even try to put on a costume, coming over in his school uniform.
"You" started Rin cautiously, there was something odd about his old classmate. "Takara—"
Lights flickered again cutting short Rin instantly. When they stopped smaller male was smiling eerily towards him, his puppet hand finally moving. Actually when Rin thought about it Takara seemed to look exactly as he did two years ago, there was not one change in him – he was still the shortest of them all probably not growing an inch.
"Rin-chan I am disappointed in you."
Takara's sweet voice filled the toilets and another chill went down Rin's spine. He didn't expect this nor being scolded for something?
"Are you— alright?" Rin asked hesitantly, confused. There was definitely something way off his classmate. "Why were you watching me? It was you didn't it?"
Blond's smile grew wider. "Of course I did Rin-chan that's why I am disappointed in what I see" suddenly happy tone of his broke off, it transformed into something darker and lower. "When brother mentioned that you are his winning card I imagined you'd actually be strong enough for that. Instead I found a little confused half-breed with huge brother complex."
Disdain with which Takara said this was enough to make Rin's blood boil.
"What are you even talking about?!" Rin growled under breath, keeping eyes on the male before him. "What is wrong with you?"
Lights flickered again and in those few seconds Rin found himself completely alone. There was nobody beside him there – as if his old classmate disappeared. Gulping he stepped ahead but before he managed to take another one hairs on the back of his neck told him that he's not as alone in there as he thought he was.
Eyes widening a bit he realised that Takara was behind him.
A breath away.
"Boo."
Sweet whisper fell on Rin's right ear but he couldn't move, he felt petrified. Then lights flickered again and Takara was once before him, smiling.
"There is nothing that you can possibly do against father" mentioned casually blond through his puppet. "I start to believe he's going to send you as a farewell gift to him. You'd never lay a finger—"
Finally gulping away lump that lodged in Rin's throat, he clenched his fists together cutting fake Takara off.
"You're not Takara" he stated solemnly. "What have you done to him?"
Fake Takara cocked his head to the side. "Not only confused but simply stupid as well I see" he answered back.
"S—stupid?!"
Bright flame rays reflected on the mirrors when Takara slowly, almost teasingly opened his eyes. Everything that Rin didn't expect became everything that was. Takara was a demon, just like Mephisto and Amaimon, his eyes told him everything he needed to know – those gold cat-like sharp irises seemed to pierce right through him.
"You're a demon" added Rin finally, frowning. "All this time..?"
Takara grinned then, showing his sharp canines. "You have no idea how difficult it was to act like a teenager especially when it comes to people like you. You're so offensively dumb that I am repulsed to be your eldest brother."
Rin growled under breath, that guy kept on insulting him. "Why the fuck you care about it so much then? If you're repulsed by being my brother then why did you bring me here Takara?"
Blond narrowed dangerously his eyes then and Rin gulped. "Don't call me by that name when you know it's not real. You can call me Lucifer, an fallen angel if you have to."
Lucifer? An fallen angel?
"The fuck you're talking about."
Puppet once again have been propelled up but this time there was a very sinister intent behind blond's eyes and smile.
"Listen carefully as I am going to tell you a story. I am the Demon King of Light, the eldest son of our father and also eldest stepbrother of yours. I've been send to this realm by our father to keep an eye open on our other dear brother" Takara, or rather Lucifer said almost bored. "I've been granted a power of light and hope to which many people look up to, by that I was able to come here to Assiah many times in the past. I actually remember when you've been born, I was there and so was our brother."
Rin listened, frowning. He didn't like where it was going.
"Yuri was such an—interesting thing. She was the first and only human ever that was able to withstand father's flames. It however didn't save her from dying giving childbirth—maybe if your flames didn't awakened then she'd be alive now."
That sinister smile became even uglier as he continued his story. Rin was gulping by now, terrible guilt pooling in a pit of his stomach.
"It was so beautiful, you burning bright with so much hidden power inside, your brother barely breathing as a weakling human. We all thought that your twin would die back then, he was so weak, so—empty. Of course that brother of ours couldn't let him just slip by, me on the other hand I was curious what would happen if your lives were bound together—"
Here Lucifer chuckled under nose, cocking his head to the side.
"I've had no idea that tying red string of fate around your fingers would have such huge meaning in the future. I am actually glad that I did, your twin grew so much into his shoes I am proud. Tethering your souls together was my greatest accomplishment. Thanks to it not only your twin became father's vessel but he got so powerful on his own."
Something clicked in Rin's mind then, puzzles melding together and he gasped.
"Y—you bound me and Yukio together—"
Cheerily Lucifer nodded. "Yes but I kept on wondering—what if Yukio was first, what if he was the one with the power? What if your red string was—" he paused suddenly, his eyes widening and lights flickered around them angrily.
Pain. Suffocating pain was registered mere seconds later by Rin and he realised that he was being choked by a skeleton. Skeleton that became a puppet by Lucifer's hand. He tried to kick at bones holding him up and digging into his throat but he couldn't land a hit. His throat burned as it was being crushed, of course he tried to pry off plastic bone away but it seemed as if it was filled with lead and he couldn't move it an inch.
"—severed" continued nonchalantly Lucifer from his place. "You know, sad thing is—I can still see that real power within you if I want it to or not. Even now when you struggle to breath and your body is slowly giving out, I can see it."
Rin gargled as pressure in his head kept on skyrocketing. Involuntarily tears were streaming down his cheeks as he tried to pry off the skeleton to no avail. There were many things going through his mind then, one of them was that this so-called brother was too strong. That his own strength was nothing in compartment to Lucifer's.
Said blond read his mind by answering. "So weak" he spit out looking at his puppets. "There is power within you but you are so weak. You will die and so will everyone else, your twin following shortly after."
Dizziness and static in Rin's ears grew more with each second and he couldn't stop it. Maybe he shouldn't stop it in the first place? What if Lucifer was right, what if Yukio was better carrying the torch as a prodigy than he was. Lucifer clearly wasn't happy with lack of fight in Rin and so he threw him angrily at the wall which cracked under sheer strength of it.
Rin slid down to the floor coughing like a mad. Spit and blood flew outta his mouth with each shudder; his healing already kicking in adding to the prickling feeling. However even when he was on the floor Lucifer didn't seem to mind for his puppet to come over and hit him relentlessly. Completely took unawares Rin grumbled in pain. Unfortunate for him attacks didn't stop there and he was assaulted mercilessly.
"Get up" flashed Lucifer glaring. "Get up and fight" he added, watching Rin be mauled by his puppet. "Fight or you will die."
Another kick to his face made Rin spit on the wall beside him. Blood leaked from between his bruised lips, nose and corner of his brow – it hurt but he liked the stings of it. Before he managed to raise up his head though Lucifer's shoes came into his view and soon after a loud shatter of a mirror filled the small toilets as Rin's body smashed into it. Bits and pieces of broken glass fell down, raining onto him cutting – most of it was lodged into his back, digging deeper into his bleeding flesh.
Lucifer wasn't pleased. "You won't fight back?" he mock asked titling head. "Back in the main hall you looked more than ready to finish Shiratori once and for all" adding this sweetly he looked towards puppet on his hand. "Maybe we should take care of him? Brother probably wouldn't mind if we borrowed Rin-chan for awhile, wouldn't he?" nodding he smiled happily. "Hmm, maybe we would be able fix his problem? Now that's a good idea."
With last wide smile Lucifer's face fell blank his eyes closed and lights started to flicker around. Rin felt that similar shiver down his back as he opened his eye to take in what was going on. His body was limp and very numb by now, he could barely keep on breathing – even that hurt him all over, tingling of his healing only adding to the numbness.
Gritting his teeth Rin knew he couldn't let himself be taken wherever Lucifer wanted to take him.
Blue flames burst out lightening dim room.
Lucifer laughed.
"Ah so that's how you use your flames. Interesting enough but still—it's good for nothing."
With a nod from a puppet on Lucifer's hand a reflecting blue flames came to life. Like a tiny strands of web they grabbed onto Rin and pulled him back. Sinking feeling was everything that he felt then, a nice cooling liquid slowly engulfing him deeper. He was sinking into a mirror, held by his own flames. Panicking he started to struggle out, trying to wedge his weight onto pieces of unbroken sinks and whatever he could grab onto.
"NO."
Lucifer's blank face cocked to the side, watching him. "How do you plan on getting out? You're too weak to do so."
Struggling some more Rin shook lightly his head. "I—I am not w—weak."
"Oh but you are" cooed blond, patting his puppet on it's head. "For as long as you want to stay human you always will be. There's no in-between. Your existence came to become a full pledged demon after all. As long as your human side exists you won't get any stronger—"
Spitting and grumbling Rin glared at Lucifer. "Bul—lshit. Fo—r as long as I—"
"For as long as you what?" Blond demon's face stayed expressionless but there was menace vibrating with each word. "Hope?" he added humourlessly. "Then what, you think you can win? Oh please don't embarrass yourself even more Okumura. I am hope. I am fate. Guess what then, I took it from you already – there's no hope left."
Slowly sinking further in, Rin crushed his fingers into broken facets and pushed himself upwards. Most part of his back was already on the other side, pooling liquid splashing around him chilling. He hasn't got much time on his hands so to speak – once his balance would slip he'd be done for.
"Th—ere's always h—ope" he answered back, concentrating little strength he had on his arms, back and hands. For now he was on stale-mate. He wasn't going to budge any more.
At that Lucifer's eyes opened little. "Is there?"
Rin gulped terrible taste of blood and spit through his abused throat. "Yes. Not ev—everything has to be about you. There are other people that are wo—worth hoping for."
As if to crush that little dream of Rin's Lucifer only closed back his eyes and the pull on Rin's arms became harsher, stronger. Gritting his teeth together he felt as his grip was slipping out, how he was not strong enough.
"There's a war going on and you're in a middle of it. Aware of it or not, you will fall first on the battlefield if you won't fight back. I will not let that happen. So come with me, Rin Okumura. I will help you unleash the power that's within you. You'd be able to save everybody you care about."
As much as Lucifer's words did sound convincing and even persuasive enough for a part of Rin to give in, the other stalled. If he understood the situation correctly, there was some shit going on – bigger than any of them imagined; for second if he wanted to use his true power he'd have to completely lose his human side and become one of them and that wasn't going to happen anytime soon.
It was bad enough living as a half-demon but living as a demon? Being a demon? Nono...nonono.
"Ne—never" he gurgled out, letting himself sink deeper inside his own demon side.
Blue flames grew bigger but colder. With concentrated huff he pushed again against broken sinks and felt as Lucifer's grip on him became little looser. Thinking of it as of his chance he shrugged more, pushing and groaning as he did so. Unbeknown to him there were changes to his flames, one that his closest friends saw way back on one of their mission. At first a single black string of fire entwined his blue flames but with time another and another one appeared, mixing his clear fire into much murkier tone.
Lucifer gave up then, his puppets falling like those broken dolls all around them.
Rin crashed away from the mirror instantly, finally able to catch a breath. He stared dumbfounded at blond at sudden change in pace of their fight. Something was wrong.
"Hmm—I guess I might've been wrong" said Lucifer, his puppet bobbing on hand. There was a long pause before any of them spoke again. "Maybe Mephisto was actually right for once" Lucifer murmured to himself. "I guess my help wasn't needed after all, hmph."
Blinking Rin growled, stepping ahead angrily and then stopped dead in his tracks when he caught a glimpse of his reflection. In nanosecond his boiling blood froze in veins, heart stopped beating and breath caught in chest. It was disgusting, terrifying... maybe it was because of the dim lights?
Lucifer apparently noticed his alarmed look and sighed. "There's going to be welcome party soon enough."
Lucifer's words confused Rin even more but he didn't want to think about them much. The thing was – he was a monster, a demon. His flames weren't as bright as they used to be, there was so much darkness in between them that it scared Rin. It wasn't the worst of the situation though, it was his eyes, his own skin.
When he kept on watching his own reflection he saw something alien, one eye totally black with only his blue-red iris visible from between it. On his face patches of dark, black bruises almost but not really, looked as if they've been peeling off. Mechanically he reached towards his eye, those black patches and then he chocked.
It wasn't just his face, his hands too.
Anger welled up in him but all he managed was to slip few tears down his cheeks.
"Well, see you soon again, Rin-chan" piped Lucifer in, happily.
Rin shot a glare towards him and shouted back, spit flaying around. "FUCK YOU!"
At the same moment lights flickered again, blond was gone. Lucifer left Rin on his own, to shudder with silent rage but cry at the same time. Because apparently Rin never has done anything right in his life and this was no exception. Right now he was shrieking inwardly at himself, calming down – without looking at the mirror, afraid of what he might see.
Blue flames dissipated.
Yet Rin couldn't stop staring at his hands, at each black spot that adored his skin. With passing seconds they were changing, disappearing but the mental image stayed. That eye, those spots – that black fire, pure hellfire.
He was becoming a demon already. There was no way of stopping it probably now that's why Lucifer's words echoed in his mind, mocking him. Brokenly Rin raised his head and looked himself in the mirror, broken pieces multiplying him in hundreds. There was no trace of his transformation but he could still see himself with those terrifying eyes, could still feel that pumping in his veins.
Sudden thumping on toilets doors pulled Rin from his thoughts. Giving them once over he realised that they were blocked by one of the skeletons in a way that nobody would've been able to open them up. Not thinking much of it, he ignored constant noise and looked at his gloveless hands. It was a good thing he left them behind, same with tophat and scarf he really wouldn't want them to get destroyed to shreds.
Nor did he want any of his blood on them.
Background noise finally subsided when doors were smashed open. A very angry and worried at the same time blonde marched inside, her familiar shrinking back into Nii-chan. Shiemi stopped in her tracks however when Rin haven't even acknowledged her when she burst out the doors, not to mention a warzone she found herself in.
Silence that hang between them was asphyxiating.
Lights only flickered lively.