Due to the overwhelming response (Wow, I'm surprised that you guys even have interest in this story still. I thought everyone forgot about this) Ah well, since I'm in the mood, I will give all of you the next chapter! I think I'll try to keep this story under twenty chapters, since I'll be using both the anime and manga to help me out here. Please keep in mind once more, episodes that aren't really going to be relavint to Fem!Rin will not be used, but mentioned. Saying that, this chapter will be featuring episodes eight and nine, therefore skipping episode seven.
Please enjoy, and let's get this chapter rolling!
Disclaimer: Never owned Blue Exorcist. Never have, never will.
Chapter Five: Exwire Exam
Testing the Flames
The moon was slowly sinking to the next part of the world while the sun crept silently to start the day. The sources of light provided Rin the perfect eye-sight that allowed her to brush her teeth. Granted, she felt as tired as a long day, and her wrist was slowly turning to get every last sharp tooth clean. She gave a gurgle, indication she was not fully awake. But she did jump when she was awaken by a clatter.
"Good morning," Down the steps came a young male that was a little taller than her, pale with thick eyebrows. His eyes were a sort of red/brown mix and his hair was layered and dyed in two types of purple. "Did I scare you?"
Rin spat out the foamy cleaning product, and shook her head with a glare. "Scared? No way. Just . . . Caught me off guard, is all. Yeah, that's it." Nodding to herself, she picked up her fallen toothbrush and took a plastic cup to fill with water from the sink. "Sleep well, Isamu?"
"You could say . . ." Rin blinked as his voice trailed off, but she didn't question him. After all, what had happened a while back with him, his friend Paku, the twins, and Shiemi, it was no wonder he seemed a little off. Isamu, though rather cold to Rin and Shiemi at first meeting, had revealed to be deeply afraid when he thought he would lose Paku to a Ghoul they had encountered. However, the twins and Shiemi were able to help them and lead them back to the abandon dorm without any suspicions thrown at them. Paku was being tended to by Yukiko, thus explaining why Isamu was with Rin that early morning. "Oh yeah, here."
Now in Rin's hands was one of her old T-shirts, a large one she used when cooking. She looked at Isamu, confusion driven further when he looked away and grew red.
"Y-You better not tell anyone I was crying yesterday, got it?" He growled. Rin had given him the shirt (and a well needed pep talk) right along the course of the Ghoul battle. The poor guy was shirtless at the time, and Rin didn't want to be facing with the embarrassment of it all. It looked like Isamu still had it, too. "I swear, if you do-"
"Never said I would tell anyone, did I?" Interrupted Rin, sniffing the shirt and sighing. "Wow, you washed it, too? Man, you are so much more different than I thought," She smiled right at him. "You're actually a pretty cool guy!"
Isamu's face went red again, and he turned away.
"I-I only washed it! Besides, it was filthy!"
"Y-You're serious?" Rin gave a pout. "Well, I was making some miso with it the last time, but-"
"Good morning," Chiming this was Yukiko, walking down the steps and dressed in her school attire. "You can see Paku now, if you'd like." She directed at Isamu, the latter's eyes widening.
"P-Paku?"
"In a few days, you're fever should die down, and you'll be walking freely, Paku-san," Yukiko gave Paku, the young girl with gentle eyes and doe-brown hair, one last vaccine and readjusted the hot water bottle near her neck. "Just make sure to have plenty of rest. You are excused from classes until you can move properly." She said with a smile.
"Thank you, Okumura-sensei," Said Paku, smiling weakly, and tucked with a few blankets.
Rin smiled, and threw a wink. "Take care, OK? You had this guy," She jabbed her finger in Isamu's direction. "Worried sick!" From behind, Isamu glared and sputtered.
"You little-"
"I will, Rin-chan!" Assured Paku, before smiling t Isamu. "I'll be careful next time, Isamu-kun, I promise!" Her best friend could only sputter for a few more second, before sighing, and smiling lamely.
"Geez, you little . . ." A chuckle ended his sentence, and Rin and Yuki left the room quietly to give them some private time. Isamu moved over and sat at the corner of the bed, looking at what had become of his old friend. She looked so frail, he was afraid he would break her with just one touch.
He always did care for Paku, even though she was very odd. When they had first met, despite all the warnings he gave her that she would be shunned by everyone at school for hanging out with "that weird kid who'd cried when he saw a demon" she said she didn't care, and from there, their friendship had blossomed. All the times they spent, Isamu made it his vow to protect Paku, from whatever danger came their way. But now, Isamu was hoping Paku would forgive him for all that had happened with the Ghoul.
"Are you Ok, Isamu-kun?" Paku peeked her head from the covers. "You seem pale. Have you eaten?"
Isamu gave a light chuckled. 'Even if she's the one bedridden, she has time to worry about me.'
"I'm fine. It's just . . ." There were tears suddenly flooding his eyes, and he wiped them away as quickly as he could, trying to push them away with another laugh. "Aw man, why am I crying? You're OK, and nothing too serious happened, s-so why should I-I be . . .?"
"Isamu-kun," The young Tamer looked at her friend, his heart melting at the sight at Paku's sweet smile. "It's OK for you to act this way. I like you, for you. My very best friend is acting as he should be."
Isamu shook his head, sniffling before nodding.
"Man, if I could only change-"
"I just said you're fine the way you are," Paku chide lightly, before taking her purple-haired friend's hand. "So don't change, OK?"
Isamu stared at their locked hands, so much warmth from the younger's hand reddening his cold skin. Sighing, he nodded and smiled at her, before squeezing her hand with his own.
The two Okumura twins walked in sync in the early morning, both dressed in their uniforms and enjoying the light wind. Rin smiled lightly at the growing Summer snowflakes and the clouds that passed by daily. Finally, when it seemed that all noise had stopped, Rin spoke.
"So, just what was that yesterday, Yuki?" She asked, kicking a pebble that came along the way. "Some kind of demon, right?" At this, her sister nodded.
"Yes. I've contacted the higher-ups and we've been investigation since yesterday. It was a higher level Naberius." She stated, Rin's eyebrows rising in surprise.
"Sis, didn't you say that the school was protected from charms and barriers?" She asked, putting her fingers to her chin. "Just how did that demon get in the school, then?"
"That's right!" The youngest sister beamed. "Impressive! You remembered all that?"
"Don't make fun of me, or I swear I'll never let you live it down," Threatened Rin, though Yukiko looked far off already.
"There is a chance when a demon gets to slip in, though," Pushing her glasses more firmly in place, Yukiko looked on ahead. "We have to brace ourselves, and become more vigilant." Rin nodded at the statement, and the two were near the doors of the school.
"See ya," The two separated, and Rin walked all the way to the top of the school, sneaking herself onto the school roof. Balancing herself as well as she could, she sat at the edge and kicked her feet lightly, looking at the sky. Her mind wandering, she remembered what that Ghoul had told her from yesterday's events.
"I only do as my master bids . . ." The monster wheezed, holding down Satan's youngest of offspring.
'His master?' Rin brought her knees to her chest and rested her chin on her kneecaps. 'Just who is that? I mean, it could have been Satan, but he could have gotten rid of me the first chance he got. And he did say he needed me to become a princess, or whatever.'
"They won't do harm. But, if you are to be out here too long, then those others stronger than the demon you just faced are sure to come after you."
She stood up, raking her fingers through her hair as Fujimoto's words repeated themselves over and over. Shaking her head, she took when step to lift herself when her foot gave away to the edge and her whole body was sent forward, a scream escaping her as she began to fall. Something grabbed her hand and pulled her through an open window, bring her in and holding her close. On reflex, Rin clasped her hands on thick material and shivered.
"Sh-Shit," She shook and buried her face into wooly material. "I thought I'd be dead." She shuddered at the cologne she breathed in, and lifted her head and smiled. "Thanks-" She made a sound and jumped away from Bon, face turning flush. "Th-Th-The Hell?! You caught me?"
"Hmph, you're welcome," Bon said sarcastically, then waving his hand. "Oh, no need to thank me. By all means, stop it."
"Idiot!" Rin bristled, turning away and crossing her arms. After a second, she turned and bowed her head. "Thank you for saving my life." She said quietly, pouting before she scurried over and took her seat. Burying her face in her arms, she ignored the stares everyone sent her way, even Bon's.
'Heh . . .' Bon stared at her one last moment before turning back to his work. 'Cute . . . Wait, what?!' He mentally slapped himself and began blushing himself, scolding himself for thinking that his personal pain in the ass like that.
Class had begun to resume once more, though almost everyone could feel the tension from within.
"Most of ze demonz 'ave a so called le "fatal verse"," Explaining this was there Prayer Studies teacher, speaking in sharp French with gaudy clothing. "Wordz or quotez zat will make zem die le instantly. Aria specializez in le memorization and le recital of zose fatal verses." She looked up from her planning book. "Zen, letz 'ear you recitez what I gave youze for 'omework," She looked around the room, before her eyes landed on Isamu.
"Monsieur Kamiki," Isamu was drawing circles on his desk, his eyes half-lidded. "Monsieur Kamiki! Iz sere something wrong with youze?" Isamu blinked and quickly stood from his seat, flipping the pages of his text book nervously.
"R-Right! It's, well . . ."
"Ze "Te Deum". Continuez where we were ze last time, please!"
"R-Right," Nodding quickly and taking a deep breath, Isamu recited. "~Every day, we thank Thee. And we praise . . .~" He stopped suddenly, and he was suddenly mumbling something under his breath. "We . . . We p-praise . . ." He shook his head and averted his eyes to the ground. "I apologize. I seem to have forgotten, sensei." He sighed, quickly sitting down.
Rin and Shiemi looked at him with concern. In every class they were in, Isamu could answer almost everything. Why was he chocking up all of a sudden?
"Oh, zat is unusual for you, Monsieur Kamiki!" Said her teacher, eyes now landing on Bon. "Zen, Monsieur Sugoro, would you pleaze 'elp him?"
Yes, sensei," Bon stood up, and closed his eyes, breathing in quietly. The room was drawn to a silence, and Bon spoke with a passionate voice. "~Every day, we thank Thee. And we praise Thy name forever, yea, forever and ever~" Everyone was swept by his words, how fluently he spoke. Rin was sure her heart was beating right at her throat. "~'O Lord, deign to keep us from sin this day. Have mercy on us. 'O Lord, have mercy on us. Let Thy mercy, O' Lord, be upon us, for we hoped in Thee. 'O Lord, in Thee I have hoped;~" Bon opened his eyes with a cool look, silent and almost wise-looking. "~Let me never be put to shame~"
A rouse of clapping was made, Shieme and Rin standing up and clapping and cheering. Rin even jumped on the desk and stomped her feet.
"Yahoo! Encore! Encore!" They cheered, Rin even blowing a whistle with her pinkies. The bell had rung then, and all students were excused for break, most of them staying behind to relax.
"That was just amazing!" Shiemi said excitedly to Bon from her seat. "I've never heard a verse said that well, before."
"Damn!" Rin gave a firm nod with a grin. "I swear, I thought I was seeing some actually exorcising goin on! You're smarter than you look, Bon!" She laughed.
"You sayin' I ain't smart?" Growled Bon. Nonetheless, his pride had been stroked quite nicely from Rin's somewhat compliment and demand for an encore.
"Bon's smart, and memorizing is really helpful to him as well." Said Konekomaru.
"Konekumaru, by that, you mean I am smart, right?" Growled Bon with a not-so friendly grin, his childhood friend nodding with a small and frighten yelp.
"But really," Rin gave an impressed smile. "You spoke as if you said those lines for your whole life. It's amazing that a guy like you can talk like that?"
"What do you mean by that?" Asked Bon. Rin walked over to his desk and gave a sort of smirk.
"I mean, you spoke it like a whole exorcise was going on. Heh," Anyone could see the small amount of pink on her cheeks. "I swear, it felt like I was being spirited away. Pretty weird, if you ask me. Since was does anything coming out of your mouth make me do a three-sixty?" She gave a light laugh and spun on her feet, that movement causing her to suddenly trip. Rin shut her eyes and braced herself, however, and hand had grabbed her own and she was spun once more.
Herself and whatever grabbed her landed on the ground, those around them ready to help. Rin leaned up and gave a small whine, her funny bone shaking from the impact. She looked down and went cherry-red as she saw Bon's under her with his hands on her hips.
"Why does this keep happening?" She groaned, her hands pressing on the middle of Bon's chest and feeling his heartbeat from her palms. It was beating quickly, and Rin's inner-senses could see the blood coursing through his veins. Why was his pulse going wild?
"Geez, don't go falling for me, Okumura," Groaned Bon, feeling the sore spot on his head. His eyes peered above him, and his throat felt constricted as he had a closer look of Rin than he ever did. Her black hair hued with a deep color of clue in the light, the striking color of her blue eyes contrasting from her simple yet unnaturally beautiful skin. Did Rin always look like this?
"Did you just try to make a joke?" Groaning and shaking her head, Rin got off him and held a hand out. "You gotta work on that, Bon."
"Tch, told you to call me Suguro."
"Yeah, and I choose not to listen to you." Replied Rin, though smiling when Bon took her hand and she helped him up.
"Would you keep it down?" Asked Isamu with a glare, a sudden tick mark on Bon's head.
"And why should we?" He growled, suddenly smirking. "What happened to you back there anyway, Kamiki? Those four lines are the basics you they teach you in school. Why were scared?"
"I was not scared!" The young Tamer stood and held a fire in his eyes. "I simply decided that I did not want to participate! Besides," The young man turned his nose upright, the corner of his lip revealing a hidden smirk. "Aria need to be protected by their team with lines like those anyway. They're complete burdens unless someone isn't there to save their ass."
"The Hell you said about Aria?!" Bon was cornering him faster than that sentence was said. "I'm aiming to be one, so don't you go shooting shit where it doesn't belong!"
"Oh, I'm so scared!" Rolling his eyes, Isamu looked right up at Bon, the others gathering around them. "If you wanna hit me, go ahead! I dare you to!" He shouted, both he and Bon met in a equal anger.
"I've never liked you from the start," Growled Bon, his hands tightening into fists. "Never make fun of those who have dreams!" he shouted. Rin felt a flicker of her memory coming back to her, remembering that Isamu was one of the students who was laughing the hardest when Bon shouted his dream. Isamu only seem to laugh again.
"Really, that again?" He flipped his shoulder-length hair back, dark eyes glaring at the boy with fauxcut. "You really are just a little kid, hm?"
"Oh yeah? Then why are you here?!" Barked Bon, finally having enough. "Why the Hell do you want to become an exorcist?!"
Something made the look in Isamu's eyes deflate, dimming with a shadow of some sort, before his cocky mask was slipped on once more.
"I haven't been bragging about my reason. Not like some attention-seeking children in this room."
"That's it!" Bon grabbed the younger by the front of his sweater-vest, ready to sock him. Isamu jumped away and threw a punch, but Bon jumped back at the hit landed on Rin, sending her to the floor.
"Rin-chan!" Exclaimed Shiemi, running over to look over the dazed girl. Rin held up her hand to get herself some face, and she suddenly stood up. Walking over to the two boys, she looked up and suddenly hurled her fists at the both of them, the two landing on the ground with their noses aching.
"If you're gonna fight, do it somewhere else, ASSHOLES!" She screeched, glaring at the two.
"That's enough!"
Everyone froze and looked over to a smiling (though very irritated-looking) Yukiko, disappointment also evident in her large, blue eyes. "Please, settle down." By the tone in her voice, everyone knew that things were not going to go well.
"Holy crrrraap!" Rin winced as the unbelievable weight on her lap gained a few more pounds. She huffed and looked around to her fellow classmates, seeing that none of them were having it any easier than she was. "It feels like these things are getting heavier by each second!" She groaned, the rock-faced demon on her lap only seeming to gain more weight, causing her to twist her lips and take deep breaths.
"Th-These are only low-level demons, as well!" Chocked, Konekomaru, shutting his eyes tightly. "Th-The more you hold it, the h-heavier i-it gets!" He wheezed, hands tightening around the demon's base.
"You don't even know what a Bariyon is?" Muttered Bon, sitting next to Rin. "You really are a lazy girl-"
"Don't put that shit with me!" Shouted the female, half-demon, though a little out of breath. "If you weren't picking a fight, then we wouldn't be doing-"
"It's called collective responsibility," Interrupted Yukiko, walking into the room and giving a slight smile. "The objective of this over-night camp is not only to boost your academic skills and knowledge. It is also to build your friendships."
"I'd sooner flunk than get along with these low-lifes," Muttered Isamu, Bon shooting daggers at his direction.
"Dying is much worse than flunking, Kamiki-san!" Everyone jumped at Yukiko's sudden shout, the younger twin looking at them with hurt and slight disgust. "Exorcist can never fight alone! Each and every one of you should know that! Working together, having trust in each other, knowing that someone will have your back in a life-or-death situation makes things seem much more sufficient. In truth, one can never fight alone without the help of their comrades. If one falls, then the whole lot falls. If one succeeds, then we praise those who do, and the whole party has one the cause. Please, I hope that all of you remember this."
"Yuki . . ." Whispered Rin quietly, knowing full well that her sister was serious.
"In any case," Yukiko looked at her wristwatch and fixed her glasses. "I will be away for three hours on a minor assignment. Due to the Naberius attack yesterday, I shall places charms and barriers around the dorm, and place it on lock down."
"Lock down? Then how do we leave?" Asked Bon, everyone jumping when Yukiko gave a too-friendly smile.
"You won't be leaving. I will be gone for only three hours, like I said. And until then, I want all of you to cool off, and get along. Become friends with those you are not familiar with," Yukiko walked over to the door and waved as she closed it behind her. "Have fun!"
"Th-That woman must be a demon." Said Shima with a long winded sigh. Rin would have laughed at the irony of the statement, had she wasn't in pain herself.
"That woman," Bon gave Rin a look. "Are you sure that you two are related?"
"As sure as both our eyes are matching blue," Wheezed Rin, head lowered. "Honestly, my baby sister is the sweetest, though she does have her "I'm-gonna-be-a-real-bitch-to-you" moments." She muttered.
"Hmph," Bon looked at Isamu coldly. "You know, we wouldn't be in this situation if it weren't for someone being a jackass."
"Oh, are you referring to yourself, temple runt?" Sneered the young shrine priest, the temple child only balling his fists.
"Keep at it with that, and everyone will just ignore a cocky bastard like you!"
"QUIT BREATHING DOWN MY NECK, DICKWADS!" Shouted Rin, having enough of the twos' bickering. As if her screech short-circuit the lights, the entire room went pict-black and everyone gasped.
"Hey, what the-"
"My face! Owch!"
"Quit moving!"
"I'm tryin' to find the light switch!"
"Ow! Shit, you're Bariyon landed on my foot! Ow, ow!"
"Hold on," Shima stood up and looked outside the nearby window, catching the lights of the other dorms. "The lights are still on, just not in this building." He informed. Rin, nursing her foot from the Bariyon, looked up as well and tilted her head.
"So, it's only this building?"
"Dunno," Shima stood up, looking interested. "I'll go check it out. You guys just hang tight."
"Please, be careful, Shima-san!" Begged Konekomaru, his friend only throwing a wink from over his shoulder.
"Relax. This only makes it more fun," He walked over and pulled the door open. "Like those tests-of-courage you take in middle-school . . ." He suddenly looked at the door's passageway, and immediately shut it, a goofy look on his face. "Wow, I must really need some sleep, guys! Like, really-"
The door suddenly crashed right above him, and with a gasp of fright, he ran back to the others and hid behind Rin and Bon, they and the other witness a mutated beast crawl into the room, looking made of the skin of dug-up corpses with two disturbed and hideous heads, wheezing and gasping for the air of its fatal breaths.
"It's the Naberius! Fr-From yesterday!" Exclaimed Isamu, everyone gathering around to stick close.
"I thought the dorm had charms to ward demons off?" Squeaked Konekomaru, huddling with Shima. The closed head of ten demon suddenly twitched, and a black and sticky fluid exploded from it and splattered onto the group.
"N-Nee-chan!" Cried Shiemi, her Familiar, green, floral, and small, jumping onto her hand. "Please bring a Una-Una, please!" She asked, her little demon chirping before thick roots spouted from its abdomen and spread through the entire length of the room. The demon was pushed away from the students, and all was a little silent, save for the few escaped breaths some had made. The whole room looked like it was guarded by a wall of over-grown roots.
"Wow, you saved us, Shiemi!" Praised Rin, walking over to the wall and stroking one of the wooden barriers. "Great job-" Something bubbled and Rin snapped her head to the source of the sound, gasping as the demon was split in half, and the fallen half growled and wheezed, claws tearing at the strong wood.
"Shit!" Rin bounced back and glared. "For a corpse, it acts lively!" She exclaimed angrily. Shiemi suddenly began to cough harshly, Rin only managing to stare in horror as all her classmates began gasping for life, faces red and suddenly looking weak. "Wh-What's happening? Are you all sick?"
"It's the body fluids from the Naberius," Coughed Isamu, looking at Rin with tired disbelief. "You're not affected?"
"W-Well," To shake off the question, Rin instead reached into her pocket, pulled out her cell phone, and dialed her sister's cell number. "Pick up, Yuki! C'mon, c'mon, pick up!" She begged.
"If the barrier breaks, and we're left like this," Bon coughed and covered his nose. "We're done for, damnit!"
"Nothing?" Cursing, the daughter of Satan pushed her phone back in her pocket and shook her head. "Why the Hell do you disappear like this, Yuki?" Gripping the blue-black strands of her hair, Rin suddenly gave a smirk. "Fine, it's gonna play out like this, huh?" She asked herself, suddenly walking over and hoisting herself to one of the tree roots.
"Where are you going?" Asked Bon. Rin gave something of a smile.
"I'll head out and distract big and ugly here. When the coast is clear, you guys better high-tail it." She said, something grabbing her ankle before she could move.
"The Hell are you thinking, Okumura?" Growled Bon, looking at her as if she grew four legs. "There's no way I'll let you do that! That thing will kill you, even if you got that sword of yours!"
"Worried about me?" Rin gave a sharp laugh and turned over, smiling at Bon. "I'm stronger than I look, so no worries. Keep everyone safe, 'kay?" She asked, jokingly pecking the sputtering teen on the cheek before leaping over the barricade.
"Okumura!"
"Rin-chan!"
"Please, Rin-san, don't do it!"
Smiling at their exclaims, Rin only swung her body to the other side and shot a smirk at the demon.
"Hey, it's me you want, right!" She called, the demon's attention drawn to her and its single, red eye widening and focusing on her. "I'm right here, shithead! So come and get me!" She yelled running as the demon came after her in hot pursuit. The wood was cluttered and destroyed in its wake as the demon chased after Rin, protrude lips slurping with saliva as it raced after her. Rin took a jump through a window and lost the demon there, leading herself to the next floor.
She looked around and nodded at the room that was for the main works of the dorm. Opening the door, she looked around and gave a grin when she saw the mainframe for the light system.
"Let's see, Yuki read to me that Naberius are really strong when it's dark. So, all I gotta do is turn on the lights, and I can beat it! Simple!" She said, looking over the complicated switches. The wall next to her suddenly crashed and a slimy appendage grabbed her by the arms, whipping her into the air before sending her to the ground with terrible pressure. Held in a vise-grip, Rin growled and reached for her sword.
"BACK OFF!" She shouted, blue flames firing off from her entire being and sending the putrid demon back. Glaring at it, Rin stood up and sheathed her sword, her blue flames gracing her skin with sparks that brought out the blue in her hair and eyes.
"Excellent," Her head looked off to the man who said the voice, surprised to see it was a man dressed in the True Cross Academy's male teacher uniform. Her lad long brown hair, one dark green eye visible, for the other was under an eye patch. "These are the flames I needed to see. They remind me too much of your father's, Okumura Rin, daughter of Satan!" He roared.
Rin's elfin ears could hear a scream, her lighter blue eyes widening with fright.
'Everyone . . . NO!' Shaking her head, knowing that they would be alright, she glanced back at the man.
"How did you find out? Why would a teacher . . ." Her sapphire fires only increased more when the teacher smirked at her. "You did all of this, then!? Even from yesterday!" She accused, the teacher only chuckling darkly.
"Yes, even then. I only want to see what sort of "power" the daughter of Satan has. Now lets see it!" He yelled, his Naberius charging forward and slashing its claws forward. Rin suddenly sprang forward and bought Kurikara above her head.
"You're gonna pay!" She screamed, bringing the sword down and destroying the demon in a fury of flames. The demon gave its last cry of death before crumbling to the ground, succumbing into the royal-blue flames that were of Hell's princess. Breathing heavily, Rin looked around and cursed under her heavy breath when it appeared that the teacher was gone.
"Man . . . Wait, the guys!" She called, her senses now on full-worry mode when she remembered that her friends could be hurt, judging by that scream from earlier. Sheathing Kurukara, she ran as fast as she could to the room, her flames of Hell extinguished and herself looking like she got out of a scrap. Her shoes schreeched against hardwood floor as she noticed two things;
One: The lights were back on.
Two: Exorcists, her sister, that guy from before (her blood boiled at the sight of him), and Mephisto were in the damaged room, te unknown exorcists treating to her badly injured friends.
"Wh-What is . . ." Her eyes were as large as dinner plates, and Mephisto turned to her with a grin.
"Ah, good to see you are here, Rin-chan," He cooed, walking over and fixing Rin's bangs. "I thought we were one head short."
"Nee-chan, are you alright?" Yukiko walked over and looked over her sister, sighing gratefully when she saw that she only hada few bruises that would heal with time. Rin could only stare back at them, before falling to her knees.
"Nee-chan!" Cried Yukiko, at her sister's side.
"Jackasses," Rin muttered, shaking her head, before screaming to the ceiling. "JUST WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON HERE!?"
"So . . . It was all a part of our Exwire authorization exam?"
The whole group was now in the school's infirmary, Shiemi occupying the cot while everyone else sat on brought chairs. Everything was explained to the students, on how the demon they had dealt with the day before was a part of their tests. And they were all now given the chance to take it easy in the late morning, even excused from their morning classes. Rin was informed about how the group had worked together with the demon they handled with, and for that, she smiled at the resting Shiemi.
"You worked the hardest out of all of us, Shiemi!" She praised, smiling at the sleepy-looking girl. "If weren't for that barrier, man, oh man." Rin was grinning from ear to ear.
"Yeah, Okumura has a point," Bon bowed his head to the blonde. "Thanks for all you have done. We owe you our lives."
"P-Please, no!" Stuttering, Shiemi hid under the covers. "It's thanks to all of you! I-I wanted to protect you all, so all of you were the ones who helped me." She said, though great warmth was in her, for doing something right.
"By the way, Rin-chan?" Shima turned to Rin. "How'd you deal with that other demon?"
"O-Oh!" Rin scratched the back of her neck and tugged on the red sleeve of her sword's hilt. "I just . . . shoved and stabbed . . . here and there . . . and, that's what happened . . ." She mumbled, Bon throwing her skeptical look.
""Here and there?" That's crazy shit, Okumura," He whistled, though looking a little impressed that she took on a beast like that on her own.
"You're very amazing, Rin-san!" Gushed Konekomaru. "I wish I could have been brave enough to do something like that!"
"Hey, you helped plenty!" Shima clapped the younger boy on the back. "You recited the first ten verses of the Gospel of John when that demon came right at us! No one could have the strength to do that!"
"B-Bon could have done it, anyway! I just wanted to help," Flushing, the glasses-wearing boy looked over to Rin. "Rin-san here is the most amazing, though. Taking on a Naberius all by herself, and with a sword at that!" He smiled right at her with full-admiration. "You have the potential of becoming a Knight, Rin-san!"
"She's an enigma, I'll admit that." Muttered Bon, though smiling himself. Rin laughed and gave a happy and content look.
"Hey, you know what they say, I'm just a plain mistake." She said with the last word in English, trying to make herself look charismatic.
" . . . Did you just say mistake?"
"Yeah, you know, "something that no one else knows, a huge surprise?" Wait, or is it . . . Misery? No, um . . . Mislead . . ."
"Idiot, you mean mystery!"
"Oh . . . It can be said like that, too? Wow, thanks for that, Bon!"
As their conversations twittered on like birds, Isamu stared at Rin with his hard eyes, taking in every movement her hands would make.
'Defeating a demon on her own. With a sword, no less. Not to mention, but she was also immune to the body fluid of the Naberius,' He cocked his head and leaned back in his seat. 'Just who are you, Okumura Rin?'
" . . . What about you, Isamu-san?"
The Tamer blinked, and looked back at the expectant eyes on him.
"What?"
"What kind of girls are you into?" Asked Rin, an enormous grin on her face. "C'mon! I already said what my kind of guy was! Now it's your turn to tell us what kind of girl you're into!"
"She made up this lame game," Sighed Bon, rolling her eyes. "Really, you're into sexy and dangerous men? Okumura, look into the Yakuza if you want one of those."
"Why don't I just date you then, Bon?"
"Wh-What!?"
Rin only laughed till her sides hurt, the look on Bon's face the most hysterical thing she saw. Shaking his head, Isamu only smiled the slightest. The rest of the day was lead to that with their awkward yet fun conversation as a new circle of friends.
The sunset was set in a golden-orange as it made its way to rest for the night, striking shadows across True Cross Academy's monument. Within the empty halls, Yukiko walked to the top of a few steps and paused when she spotted someone she needed to talk to.
"Noihaus-sensei," The brown-haired man stopped, and looked up the stairs. "May I have a word with you?" Asked the youngest of the Okumura twins, walking down the steps.
"What is it?" Each step she took, the teacher could see that Yukiko was trying to look as composed as anyone could at a time like this.
"You do realize that the actions you took in yesterday's Exwire Authorization Exams overstepped the limits we prepared for the students," Making it to the last step, Yukiko looked at him with a settle anger, molten-sapphire eyes reminding him of his most terrible night. "May I ask what in the world were you thinking then? Because of what you had done, and if it were not by the collaboration of the students, they would have all been dead. Not to mention," Yukiko's eyes danced with sparks of vengefulness. "You almost exposed the true heritage of Okumura Rin to the other students. You, and only a selection of instructors here, are informed about what my sister truly is. What have you to gain from this? Were you not sworn to secrecy, as ordered by Sir Pheles?"
"It was under the orders of that same Sir Pheles to do so," Said Igor, Yukiko gasping and taking a frighten step away from him, her head shaking, not believing him. "I am to confront her with deadly force."
"What?" Breathed Yukiko, blue eyes dilating.
"I dare say if you were chosen to serve as the brakes on her "power", then I am her accelerator, so to speak," The words sunk into Yukiko, even if it made her fingers twitch. "It's all to gauge Okumura Rin's capabilities . . . In a more accurate matter." He said, finding words to ease it on her.
"What do you mean by that?" Asked Yukiko, breath caught in her chest like a fish in a net.
"I mean nothing by that," Igor said with a shrug, a little bit too carelessly. "We will be gauging her until we are sure we can use her as the Order's "weapon"," Yukiko was sure her heart almost pounded against her breast bones when those words were said. "We are actually trying to help you as well, Okumura-sensei," He walked her way and stopped, reaching and lightly squeezing her shoulder with bony fingers. "You are such a young and aspiring exorcist. Someone of your talents shouldn't be too focused on babysitting her older sister. It's quite sad, when you think about it."
Yukiko pulled away from him and shook violently, grinding her teeth.
"You bared witness to my sister's "power" in yesterday's events, did you not?" Standing with firm posture, Yukiko glowered at him. "Do not underestimate my sisters control over her powers and emotions. I can assure you that."
"Goodness," Igor chides lightly and turned on his foot, walking away. "It's not like I will kill her, really."
Yukiko had an unsettling feeling in her heart that told her he was lying.
The darkness settled over True Cross like a large blanket, stars speckling like the white spots of a new born fawn's back, and the crickets and cicadas chirping in rhythm. The door to the twins room in the abandon dorm was opened slowly, and Igor walked into the room, glaring at the sleeping and tucked-in form of Rin. With a silent growl, he pulled out the drafting compass attached to his hip and struck it down on the lump on the bed, blinking when not a shriek of pain came. Pulling back the blankets, he blanched as he saw only bundles of pillows were there.
A gun clicked as it was cocked with bullets, and Igor stood up straight.
"I though you said you weren't going kill her."
Igor smirked and turn, meeting Yukiko's haunting blue eyes.
"You truly are a woman of your generation, Okumura-sensei."
Rin tossed one way in her sleep, snuggling and sighing as she smelt something that made her nerves quiver in content. She rubbed her cheek into something, but the scratchy surface of it made her wake with confused eyes. 'What in the . . .' She looked up and met Bon's equally confused face, taking a second before screaming and thrashing.
"PERVERT! DAMNIT, I ALWAYS KNEW YOU'D BE A GIANT PERV-"
"Shut the Hell up, Okumura!" He slapped his hand across her mouth and waited until she looked at him with quizzed blue eyes. "Look, your sister asked me, Shima, Moriyama, and Konekomaru to take you to another room in the dorm. You slept like a rock the entire time." He then placed her on the ground and crossed his arms. "'Sides, don't go callin' me the perv! You're the one who nuzzled me, damnit!" The both of them had an equal deep shade of red on their faces, though neither could tell if it was from embarrassment or the closeness they had.
A crashing noise caught Rin's ears, and without a second thought, she ran to the door, yanked it open, ignored Shima and Konekomaru, and bolted up the stairs.
"YUKI!"
"Damnit, wait for us, Okumura!"
Racing up to the top of the door, Yukiko aimed her gun at Igor as the darkening skies were upon them, the wind blowing lightly. Shaking off the cold, Yukiko cocked her gun and narrowed her eyes at the teacher.
"Noihaus-sensei," The winds made her hair flair around her shoulders. "Why do you need to kill my sister?" She asked, dashing when Igor sent multiple copies of summoned and sewn hands her way, firing off rounds to fend off the hands. One had dodged her bullets and grabbed her around the ankle, dragging her down like an old toy. Pulling out the key of one of the white grenades she carried and threw it, sprays of holy water disintegrating the hand.
Panting, Yukiko touched the lenses of her glasses, muttering when the glass broke beneath her fingertips. She looked up at the teacher, her eyes almost drawing to the circle of incantation that was drawn on the solid floor.
"Too slow," Hummed the teacher, suddenly stabbing his arm designed with small circles and drawing blood. "Behold, it is here. Where there lies a corpse, even vultures will not gather around." The blood pooled and seeped into the drawing, smoke arising and Igor smirking as Yukiko staggered to her feet.
"This is the highest-ranking Naberius among all my pawns!" He yelled with triumph. A huge set of rubber lips blew rancid breath at Yukiko, the disgusting creature growling and forming from wet and warm fluids. Yukiko aimed her firearm upright, but the Naberius threw one of its many limbs at her and knocked her off her feet, sending her to the other side of the roof. Whimpering, Yukiko's eyes shifted from the demon to the circle.
'If I can somehow erase the summoning circle-' She screamed in pain as she was grabbed by her waist and threw this way and that, thrown and plummeted into the hard surface of the ceiling. Tasting blood in her mouth, Okumura-sensei looked up and coughed as her spine shook with brutal pain. Slumping down, she could only shut her eyes as the demon was ready to strike her down once more.
The blade of a blue-flamed Kurikara pierced it's skin, the creature howling in pain and Igor glaring at the flames that erupted.
"YOU BASTARD!" Up in the air came Rin, looking ready to claw out Igor's face with her demotic features in a frenzy. "YOU REALLY ARE THE ENEMY!"
"You little demon spawn!" Yelled Igor, throwing a grenade of holy water at her. Chocking at the mist, Rin skidded to a stop on all fours, her skin tingling unpleasantly.
"So holy water does affect you, even with human skin," Laughed Igor, smirking at the ravenous-looking girl.
"You damn . . . Holy water . . . FUCK!" She screeched, racing forward in blister anger, all thoughts on hurting him for hurting her sister. She was suddenly in the clutches of the teacher's hands and she screamed in pain as her neck was twisted, almost ready to snap like a baby bird's. She chocked and whimpered, gasping when air was given to her again, and she was dropped to the floor as the demon died away.
"What the-" Igor looked back, and glared at Yukiko, her hand smeared with chalk from the summoning circle. "You bitch-!" Blue spats of fire almost touched his skin, himself gulping as Rin held her sword close to his neck.
"Try to attack my sister again, and I'll slice off your head so fast that executers will find it inhumane." She threaten, the grip on her sword fisting and causing her knuckles to turn white.
"Noihaus-sensei, please stop summoning demons! You'll die from the blood loss!" Cried Yukiko, standing up properly.
"Just who the Hell are you?" Growled Rin, anger near it's tipping point when the teacher looked her dead in the eye.
"I . . . Am a survivor of the "Blue Night"." Rin and Yukiko's lips twitched, horribly remembering that, that was the night that Satan had murdered several exorcist and created a blood massacre. "On that very night, I was possessed by Satan . . . Losing my eye, and my family . . .!" With a growl in his voice, he looked at the Okumura twins with hatred, and pure vengefulness. "I shall never forgive him! Never . . . NOT EVEN HIS DAUGHTER!"
He threw his hand back, and struck Rin directly in the stomach, smirking as he saw blood gather in the palm of his summoned hand. He smirked, expecting a look of anger, or a cry of pain. However, it was none of those.
Electric-blue eyes tinted with crimson-red looked at him sadly, hinted with kindness. Blood oozed from her mouth and nose, gathering around the front of her pajama shirt, and she was breathing with difficulty.
" . . . Do you feel better now?" She rasped, giggling a little at his bewilder look.
"Rin!" Cried Yukiko, fearing her sister would pass on the spot. Rin, giving a weak sort of smile, dropped to her knees, putting away her sword and looking at the ground as her flames disappeared.
"If you want, you can do that again. Maybe beating me up a little will take away the pain you have on my dick of father. I'm use to this sort of treatment, anyway," Her shoulders vibrated the slightest. "But . . . There's just one thing I want you to promise me . . ." Eyes blooming with love and immortal promise, Rin cried out with tears running down her cheeks. "LEAVE THOSE I CARE ABOUT OUT OF THIS! IF IT'S ME YOU WANT, THEN GO AHEAD! HURT ME ALL YOU WANT!" She cried, finally giving into the fear she had if she found her sister dead this night. She would be nothing without her babysister. A world without Yukiko would just not be worth living in.
" . . . Don't think for a second that this is over!" Spat Igor, clutching his bleeding arm. Walking past her, her brushed against her and spoke in a icy voice. "There are others out there, exorcists and demons alike, will come after you. Be ready." With that, he left the roof.
With the pressure lifted off her, Rin's knees fell beneath her, and Yukiko caught her sister before anything could happen.
"Nee-chan!" She cried, the doors to the roof opening once more.
"Okumura!"
"Rin-chan!"
The group gathered around her as Yukiko eased her to the ground.
"L-Let me see her injury," Shiemi had summoned Nee, ready for what was to happen. "I'll treat it right away."
"N-Nah, Shiemi!" Rin shook her head, showing a little bit of the gash was left on her side. "It's only a flesh-wound, see? Nothing a little sleep won't heal!"
"For cryin' out loud, Okumura, just let her heal it!" Barked Bon. "Do you think we want you fainting when they tell us if we pass or not tomo- Today." He corrected himself, noticing the first rays of sunlight were beginning the early morning. Sitting up, Rin tilted her head, her friends also smiling as the golden lights shinned over the grasses, making the morning dew glow.
"Oh, it's really pretty!" Sighed Shiemi, as if this were the first sunrise she had seen in her life.
"You can say that again." Nodded Shima.
"It's almost as if this is the sign of a new day." Said Konekomaru happily. Rin felt a slight breeze ruffle her hair. And somewhere within her, she knew that the boy had to be right.
"Eins~! Zwei~! Drei~! Congrats to all of you, for earning the rank of Exwire!"
The small class of cram students jumped and cheered, glad to hear that they had all passed their exams. Rin was jumping and hugging her sister, the youngest almost crying tears of joy for her sister's pass. She even high-fived with Shima, Konekomaru, and Bon, all of the too excited to even care.
"Now then," Mephisto gave a grin with an exhausted blush on his cheeks. "We shall celebrate your promotion, yes?" He asked.
"Oh man!" Rin cried and tackled her elder brother in a hug, looking at him with tears of happiness. "I was completely wrong about you! Mephisto, you are the greatest!" She yelled happily, her tail almost wagging yet knowing it had to remain hidden. The purple demon hugged her back and laughed, petting her head.
"I know I am, Rin-chan! That is why I'm treating all of you to monja!" He cheered, licking his lips. Cheering died down with complaints and Rin ripped herself away from the older demon.
"Aw, c'mon! Can we have barbeque instead!?"
The batter was poured onto the steamy and large pan, Rin sighing as she and her friends were gathering in the small monja stand outside the school. All of them were seated under the shack, Rin pouting the whole time as she stirred the deep-fried food a little.
"It's not barbeque, but it's something." She muttered, loose bangs pinned up by the her pin Bon gave her.
"Hey, why don't we have a dance or something after?" Asked Shima with a grin. "Gotta work off this fatty food right?"
"Dancing? How juvenile." Sighed Isamu, adding chicken to his pan.
"It's OK if you can't dance, Isamu-san," Said Shima lightly, dodging the punch thrown at him.
"I-I can dance! I come from a long line of Miko priestesses and amazing priests!" He argued, glaring and turning red.
"Tch, I get the reason why, but I still don't wanna dance," Bon crossed his arms. "We'll look like idiots."
"I bet I can beat all of you at dancing!" Shouted Rin suddenly.
"Like Hell you can beat me at dancin', Okumura!"
"Now, Bon-"
"Bring it! I'll dance circles around you!"
"Oh, is that the only way you can dance?"
"Shut it, Isamu-san!"
"Let's start the competition then, yeah?"
"Why does it have to be a competition?"
Outside the shack with the talking friends, Yukiko and Mephisto were relaxing, the eldest brother of Satan's children dressed light purple yukata with star designs on it.
"I apologize for the incident with Noihaus-sensei," Said Mephisto, lightly fanning himself with a light blue paper fan. "I never dreamed that his personal feeling would get the better of him," He smiled slyly, looking at his younger sister with a sinister glint. "I'll make sure that never happens again, Okumura-sensei." He purred.
Yukiko stared at him, eyes that held such a kind softness now cracked with skeptics and protectiveness. Finally, she nodded, her brown hair tied in a high-ponytail.
"I hope you will as well, Sir Pheles."
A silence passed between them, before Shima raced over with a smile.
"Okumura-sensei," He bowed like a gentleman and offered his hand. "We've all agreed that we wanted to dance while the monja is cooking. Will you give me the honor of being my dance partner?" He asked, throwing a charming grin. Soft eyes returning, Yukiko nodded and blushed as she attempted a curtsey, following Shima back to the shack as their little dance competition with the team began.
Laughing at how everyone was trying to show off their best moves, Mephisto reached into the folds of his yukata and pulled out his cell phone, dialing a number and pressing the phone to his ear. After the first ring, someone picked up.
"Hi, it's me." Said Mephisto with a smile.
"Yes?" Answered a soft and sleep-drunk voice, Mephisto's smirk only widening.
"Oh, did I awake you from your nap? I apologize," Chuckling, he looked to the ground. "We seem to have a small situation. Though Noihaus did as he was told, he allowed his emotions to get to him, the mission ending in a failure. That is why I wish for you to arrive at True Cross as soon as you can."
"You and I both know that the barriers held around that school prevent me from entering. Did you forget that?"
"I did not," Smiling, Mephisto said. "I shall have Noihaus escort you. And I will have a plate of sweets imported from Sweden ready for you. You may eat ton your heart's content as we discuss more. Is that understood?" He said, murmuring with a low octave.
"Understood."
"Splendid!" Nodding, Mephisto smiled. "Then I shall see you then. Until then~" Blowing a kiss through the receiver, he shut the phone and pocketed it, walking over to the shack.
"Now, children! I shall show you real dancing! Rin-chan, be my partner!"
"Like Hell I will! Don't go shouting things off like that!"
"Too afraid to dance, Okumura?"
"No way! Mephisto, let's dance!"
"Perfecto!"
The winds blew quietly on the wretched land, said winds brushing along the torn fabric of Anima's coat. Eyeing her cellphone, she tucked the item in her pocket and crawled over to her hobgoblin, pulling him to her lap and scratching him behind the ears. Behemoth purred on her lap, trying to lick her fingers lingering with sugar.
"Hm . . . I just have to wonder . . ." Her claws dug into the skin of the animal she sat upon, blue eyes boredly taking in the blood that now stained her fingerless gloves and the skin of her fingers. "What is so interesting about this baby sister of mine? Aniue and father seem to have all their attention drawn to her . . ."
The mutant ox under her groaned and tried to move away from her, but one of the eight royals of Hell picked up her pet and jumped up, slamming her clawed hands into it. The ox snarled and jerked in pain, eyes flickering with last lights of life before it fell to the ground, no longer moving. Shaking her head, Anima sat on the ox once more and cuddled Behemoth.
"Well, I hope she'll be exciting. I can always use something new to play with. This toy's broken."
To Be Continued…
Yeah, I'm getting back to this story. My creativity was brought back to me, and I just hope it will stick to me till I finish this fic. Please leave a review to help me out as well, since all of your words help me move on as well! I promise I will be up with the next chapter soon enough! Please make sure to read and review and I hope the lot of you had awesome holidays!
This is me saying, Peace!