Welcome back, everyone! Thanks to all of you who left your reviews and welcome to those who just joined the story. I'd say this story is going to have at least six or more so chapters until we reach the end (Since I don't want to make is too long and I will be ending it by following the twenty-six episode of the original story). After this chapter and probably a few more, I'll be moving onto a part in the manga that I really want to add. Just thinking about is making me ecstatic! Welp, I hope you're all ready! Let's get this chapter rolling!
Disclaimer: Never owned Blue Exorcist. Never have, never will.
Chapter Nine: Time For Camp!
Beware of the Awaiting Flames
Summer had approached before anyone knew it. The sun was glaring upon True Cross more than usual and buses and cars full of students on break were packing by the second. Around True Cross Academy, students- both normal and exorcists-alike- were heading off to enjoy a long break away from their beloved academy.
Gathered by the side of the school, the class of Okumura Yukiko stood near a large metal buss with the necessities tucked into their backpacks, all of them dressed in their Summer uniforms and two teachers standing before them.
"Class, I'm sure you're all excited about your summer break. But, you might need to put off those thoughts for a while," Said Yukiko, hands folded behind her back politely. "Because starting today, you lucky Exwires will have the privilege of training drills at the academy's campgrounds in the forest. I shall be accompanying you, as well as Kirigakure-sensei." He gestured to the blonde/redhead, who waved his hand.
"Yo~"
"Now, the purpose of this drill is to determine whether or not if you're ready to go on missions," Their teacher explained, giving a kind smile. "So stay sharp and do your best!"
"Right, sensei!"
True Cross Forest was a very pleasant place located a stone's-throw away from the academy. Crowned with leaves that reached high onto the tops of the trees to the moss-covered stones that little the ground, it was an abundant escape from the outside world.
Pointed ears quirked at the sounds of twittering birds and a stream bubbling with trout and bass, Rin spun on her foot lightly, a large grin on her face.
"Oh, wow. . ." She breathed, taking in the beauty of nature and inhaling the air, sighing as her cheeks turned pink from the fresh smell of pine and muddy ground. "This is the coolest! We get stay in the forest and sleep overnight. It's just like camping, but better!" She cheered, throwing her head back.
"You act as if this is your first time outside, Rin-chan." Konekomaru smiled, keeping up with Rin with duffle bags and hiking supplies over their shoulders.
"Say, if anything bad happens, don't worry," Shima shrugged lazily with a smirk, winking at Rin. "I'll be here to protect you, Rin-chan." He chuckled, walking directly into a spider's web the next second. It took only one second before he screamed and ducked to the floor, rolling about. "Get it off me! Get it off me!"
"Uh. . . I think I can protect myself, but thanks anyway, Shima." With an awkward sweat dropping from her chin, Rin ran ahead of everyone, laughing as she spotted a green and blue cicada singing on a tree branch. Being outside and enjoying the great outdoors, the black-haired princess of Hell was delighted to see, hear, and smell everything about the forest. Each one of her heightened senses was at full-use, taking into the entire world and running a spark down her body.
Free. That's what Rin felt at that moment. Not in clutches of studying or the secrets that revolved her family. Nothing was conflicting her heart or daring her mind to ask a million questions with only more returning to her. Outside, the forest as her wonderland, she was free.
And as Rin sighed, her eyes gave a slight glimmer.
'Free. . .'
"Ugh. . ." Groaning, Shima wiped the sweat collecting near his bangs. "It's so hot. . ."
"My pack feels heavier." Konekomaru sighed.
His fellow Exwires gave murmurs of agreement, trudging up a slope with the sun's rays beating down on them, their dress shirts and blouses sticking to their skins and nats flittering near their eyes and lips. It had only been half an hour of traveling to the campgrounds and most of the students felt their legs turning into jelly.
"Now, now, everyone keep up," Yukiko said, walking ahead of the lot with her coat fastened over her. "During the day, the forest is peaceful. But at night, it becomes a nest for lower-level demons. We have to stay together and make it to the campgrounds before sunset." She took a striding step over a log. "So please, don't get far behind and bare with the heat."
"How can sensei stand the heat?" Asked Bon. "It's like she doesn't feel the sun."
"Yukiko's adaptable like that," Shuichiro said from behind him, his arms resting on the back of his head. "And because she learned under her foster father, who was a pretty good exorcist of his time, too." The first-class officer grinned. "Like father, like daughter."
Shima blinked at the older teacher. "Say, where's your pack, Kirigakure-sensei?" He asked. The red-haired jerked his head forward.
"Over there."
"Heh-heh!" Rin dipped her entire head under a spray of a small waterfall, two overnight packs attached to her shoulders. Not that Rin seemed to mind as she enjoyed herself in the water. "This water's so cold and clean! I wanna drink it!" She exclaimed.
"Okumura-chan, please stop that and keep with the group." Said her sister.
"Aw!" Pouting, Rin pulled her head out of the water, shaking her hair like a dog. "You're just no fun, four-eyes!" She called after her sister, pulling her ribbon out of her hair to restyle it.
Bon rolled his eyes. "What a kid."
"I'd say otherwise." Shima smirked. His older friend followed his gaze and felt his face turn red, catching the pale outlines of skin seen through Rin's damp blouse, a faint stripe of black beyond the white barrier. Furious and embarrassed, the temple child backhanded Shima, who held his head and yelped.
"Damnit, don't be jealous, Bon! You can see it too, ya know!"
"Don't lump me with you, Shima!"
"Honestly," Isamu shook his head, leaving the two arguing friends behind and walking next to Rin, pulling something out of his pack. "Okumura, here," He held a satin-soft towel to her, his blue-eyed classmate taking it with surprise. "You need it," Those same eyes stared at him with confusion before the young priest turned away and coughed, blushing. "Y-You're blouse is wet. We can see. . ." He trailed off.
Rin blinked, looking over herself and freezing as she saw the outline of her black bra. Turning pink, she ripped the towel from Isamu and threw it over her shoulders, sinking her chin into the folds.
"Th-Thanks," She bowed her head at the purple-haired student before looking behind her. Dark blue eyes widen at Bon and Shima's red faces before they went slit-like. "Perverts!" She shouted, dashing forward and keeping up with Yukiko and Shiemi.
Isamu looked back at them with a cocked brow, shaking his heads.
"You two are idiots."
The both of them glared at him with daggers in their eyes for the rest of the trek.
"Alright!" Yukiko clapped her hands while her students panted where they kneeled, all of them regaining their breath from the two hour hike to the campgrounds. Upon flat land and a circle of trees, there was enough room for them to set up their tents and a bonfire. "After our small break, I would like everyone to help in preparing for our stay. While I and one group set up the tents, Kirigakure-sensei will take his group and create a barrier circle around the camp." Whipping off her coat, Yukiko took off her glasses with a grin. "Alright, let's get to work, class!"
"She took off the coat and glasses?" Bon asked.
"Uh-oh, someone came to party." Shima said with humor.
In no time, everyone was off to do what they were assigned. Rin was bounding back and forth between jobs, fetching firewood with the guys, helping with the tents, unloading the supplies from the bags. She was nothing but a blur of blue, white, and black, assisting in whatever way she could.
"What's with you today?" Bon asked her as the both of them bought more kindling for the fire. "It's not like this is a vacation. This is all about studying for missions." He said.
"Wrong, this is way better than a vacation!" Giggling, Rin spread the skinny and dusty sticks inside the circle of rocks and wood. "I've never been outside like this since ditching school when I was in middle school."
The Aria-in-training furrowed his brow. "Ditched?"
"Yeah," Rin shrugged, patting her hands to brush off the dirt on her hands. "And before you go lecturing me like Yuki, I didn't need it anyway. The teachers had enough of my tardiness and kids were scared shitless because of me. I had enough of it all, so I just left in the middle of the day and never went back. After a week of ditching, my dad decided to home school me, though he was pretty mad at me for not going." Shrugging, Rin stood up and walked to grab more ignition, Bon following after her.
"Was the monastery the only place you stayed?" He asked.
"Nah," Rin threw her wrist carelessly. "After school, I sometimes went to the nearby park and hang out by the old playground I went to as a kid."
"Why there?"
". . . No one goes there anymore." Bon stood behind her when she stopped in front of a tree, her back to him and her expression hidden from everything except the face of the tree. "It was a place where I could be by myself and no one would come and bother me. People were a big problem back then," She grabbed the branch from above and swung herself over to it, taking a seat and looking down at Bon. "Sometimes I'd get into fights for going a little bit too far with my anger. Parents told their kids to stay away from me, and I'd get in trouble a lot of times, too. So when I found the old park, I just stood around there when I wanted to be away from the monastery and my sister."
"Why your sister?" Bon asked, leaning against the trunk of the tree, intrigued. This was different from when he fought with Rin. Now that the both of them were in some sort of friendship, talking was much easier between them. "Yukiko-sensei is really nice."
"Yeah," Rin sighed, kicking her legs lightly. "Yuki's nice. She's also smart, and pretty, and popular, and everyone likes her the minute they meet her. When I met someone new, it would be a while after I saw them," Her eyes flew half closed, a lost look on her face. "I guess what I'm trying to say is. . . Sometimes, I get jealous of my baby sister. I get jealous because everyone likes her. . . And. . ." She bowed her head as her throat became dry, a sniffle tingling on her tongue. "And. . . How everyone is afraid of me." Her voice flattered, wet droplets escaping her eyes.
"Okumura. . ." Bon whispered, looking up at the girl crying in the tree. What a terrible burden she had to carry on her shoulders for fifteen years. She was in the shadow of her over-achieving and seemingly perfect little sister, with everyone looking down at her and not even bothering to see how amazing the older twin was. How she spoke so passionately and kept to her word to those she cared for could surprise anyone. Bon wondered if anyone had even taken a minute to look into her deep blue eyes and really see the beauty within them.
Bon could see it then. All of Rin, inside and out. How she made his heart pound and how he craved to keep her safe and be at her side. He wasn't against it, even though he knew that there's was something missing. Something about Rin that he didn't know, yet wanted to find out.
Rin leaned back as she shook with tears, the small movement snapping the branch above her. The blue royal screamed as she fell from the tree, only for tan arms to catch her and pull her into a tight embrace. Squeezing her eyes shut, Rin trembled as the blood rushed to her ears, roaring and obscuring all sound. A moment later, feeling safe and held warmly, she opened her eyes and blushed, staring into Bon's dark brown eyes.
They were almost black, as shinny as buttons and much more mesmerizing. She gulped dryly, laughing weakly as her hands rested on his shoulder.
"Wow, th-that's the second time, huh, Bon?" She scratched her head, a few leaves falling off her face. "D-Does that mean you'll catch me every time I fall?"
Instead of a witty remark drenched with a groan, Rin was pulled to the older student's chest, her nose filled with a spicy cologne. "B-Bon?!" She squeaked. She gasped again. She just squeaked in front of Bon. Bon of all people.
"I'll never let you fall, not ever again," She shivered at his growl, gulping when her chin was taken by his hand. "And if you do, it'll be when I beat you in a fight. That means you better not lose to anyone but me, Okumura." He stared back at her, looking fiercely resolved. "And don't flatter yourself either. Who would. . ." He furrowed his brows and looked away, blood prickling his cheeks. "Who'd be afraid of. . . A-A pretty girl?"
"P-Pretty?! What the-" Rin moved her hands to Bon's chest to push him away. She regretted the action, the hard muscle of the young man's pects brushing under her fingers. "The Hell's gotten into ya, Bon? This isn't like you. . . Why are you acting different?" She asked. It wasn't that she didn't like it (more like freaked out) but it just wasn't like Ryuji to act this way.
Huffing, Bon shrugged, his lips in a thin line.
"You. . . You made me change, Oku. . . Rin," He sighed. "Rin," He said, in a faint whisper, looking back at mess of flushed cheeks, glimmer blue eyes, and soft plush lips that were right in front of him. "Rin. . ." His voice was strained, his mind turning blank as his hands melded at slim hips and he dipped his head.
"Bon-" Rin froze, gasping as warm breath blew over her stained cheeks. "Bon. . ." She whispered again, their nose brushing together and her eyes sliding close. Her rival was so gentle, so warm at that moment. Rin wanted to forget everything. The world, everyone around her. The problems she faced. All of it, to this one moment. Rin only wanted to be with Bon right then. And Ryuji only wanted to be with Rin right then.
"Ryuji. . ." Rin whispered, slightly chapped lips barely brushing her own.
"Suguro-kun! Okumura-chan! Are you guys back with more kindling yet?!"
Rin jumped back as she heard her sister, crying out at the position she was in. In fright, she pushed herself out of Bon's arms, standing and stepping back.
'What was. . . What was I going to do just then? And with Bon?' She gripped the sides of her head, shaking it. 'No. . . I can't. . . If he found out who I really was. . . If he found out what I could do. . . He'd never forgive me. He'd hate me for being the daughter of Satan.' She gasped quietly, shaking her head. 'I don't want him to hate me. . . Not Bon.'
"Rin?"
Frighten blue eyes snapped open, staring at confused, amber-brown eyes. Rin shook her head, looking at him apologetically.
"Ryu. . . Bon, I-I'm sorry but. . . No," She shook her head again, gulping and clenching her fists. "I. . . I don't feel the same way. . ." She chocked, the words feeling like an awful bile running up her throat. It made her feel sick, so hurt to see Bon look at her confused.
"What?" Bon stood up, taking a step forward. Rin took one back and Bon held his hand out. His classmate flinched, eyeing his hand as if it were a shot gun. "Rin, why? I thought that. . . Ya know, you felt the same," He sighed, scratching his chin. "I thought you. . . You liked me, too."
"Why would you get that idea?" Rin gulped, looking at the ground. "And when Hell did this happen?"
"Hell, I didn't know when I started to feel for ya. It's like. . . Every time I saw you. . . I liked you more, for whatever ya did or say. . . Rin, I think I'm in love with ya. . ." He confessed.
"No. . ." Rin shook her head, looking away. "Damnit, Bon, you can't be."
"What? You're saying I can't?" Anger sparked in Bon, his teeth gnarled together. "I can't be in love with you?! You think I can't fall in love with you?! You're dead-wrong there, Rin," He stepped closer to her, grabbing her wrist before she could run. "I really am in love with you, Rin. Why don't you believe me?" He asked, almost desperately.
"I-It's not that I don't believe you. Bon," Rin looked away, tears filling her eyes with regret. "If things were different. . . I think I could. . . I could feel the same." She coughed, hunching her shoulders. "But. . . I just can't, Bon."
"Do you. . . Like someone else?" Asked the blonde-and-black-haired man. Rin laughed dryly, smiling bitterly.
"No way. . . I think that if I could, it only be you," She admitted, looking up and smiling weakly at the child of the cursed temple. "But. . . I just can't, Bon. Please," She stepped forward, lightly hitting her forehead to Bon's chest. She breathed in, the spicy smell radiating off him making her legs turn into jelly. "I. . . I just wanna be friends."
No words were said for what seemed like a millennium. The both of them stood close together, in each other's worlds, colliding into a silence. Rin stood, afraid of what Bon would say or do. She gasped when he pulled her close to him, steeling his arms around her protectively.
"Fine. . . We can still be friends," He sighed in a gravely tone. "But. . . I won't give up. Whatever is keeping you from feeling the same, it won't stop me for trying to be with you," He pulled away slightly, looking at her honestly. "I will never lose a fight to you. I will never stop being your friend. And you damn better be sure that I'm in love with you, and I'll never stop loving you, Okumura Rin."
The girl sniffled in his arms, shutting her eyes as tears leaked through. "Bon. . . Damnit, you're an asshole." She cried, touched and distraught from his proclamation. How she wanted to hear those words, from someone who would love her that way. But she knew she couldn't have it. She couldn't have Bon, knowing that he would somehow be hurt if he ever found out the truth.
"I know," Bon chuckled, despite his heartbreak, brushing his lips across Rin's and pulling away when she turned red. "And you look pretty cute when you blush, Rin."
"D-Don't call me by my first name so suddenly. It's weird," Huffing, Rin looked away, her face turning a more faltering shade of pink. "A-Anyway, we're suppose to get more twigs, right?"
"Yeah," Bon pulled away, noticing with a smile that Rin looked disappointed when his arms were gone. "Come on, Okumura," He walked ahead. "Let's get more twigs."
"R-Right!" Rin raced ahead of him, blue-black hair flying behind her. Ryuji stopped for a second, licking his lips and widening his eyes. The faint trace of strawberry-flavored lip balm was marked there. He groaned and shook his head.
Remaining to be friends with Rin was going to be hard.
Nightfall soon rained over the campsite, students exhausted from a day of work. Tents were set, a fire was set ablaze, and a magical barrier was around, protecting them from the wild unknown. As the boys and teachers sat around the fire, Rin looked at the cooking station, groaning as Shiemi accidentally pricked herself with a vegetable knife.
"Ah, just give it here, Shiemi-san," She took the knife before the blonde could hurt herself further. "I'll do it, OK? Just watch me." Grabbing a basket of washed carrots and a wooden cutting board, Rin began to slice the orange vegetable, falling into her element as she added celery, turnips, and other veggies to the mix.
"Wow. . ." Shiemi gasped in wonder, Rin's hands seeming to be everywhere as everything she made went into the boiling pot. "Rin-chan, you're a natural!"
At Shiemi's exclaimed, everyone gathered around the soup pot as Rin stirred the food together, adding a dash of salt to the meal before allowing it to simmer. Bobbing her head a few minutes, everyone around Rin seemed to disappear as she enjoyed doing what she loved. Her eyes were blown out in happiness and the wide smile on her lips never flattered. Bon was amazed, though happy to see that Rin wasn't crying anymore. As long as she was happy for now, he was OK with waiting.
Finally, Rin pulled the top of the pot off and stirred the ready soup with a spoon. A delicious smell flew into the forest.
"Whoa!" Rin jumped at everyone's gasp. The blue-flamed royal looked around at everyone, blushing as they stared back at her. With a lame giggle, she threw her arms to the pot with presentation.
"Soups' on!"
Everyone grabbed a bowl-full of the meal and sat down at the fire. Taking their first bites, everyone gasped at the taste.
"This. . . This is amazing!" Bon exclaimed, astonished by the amazing flavor of the meal.
"Rin-chan, will you marry me and prepare me meals like this when we live together?" Shima asked seriously.
"Ha, I'm gonna be the one to marry her, squirt, so you can forget it!" Laughed Shuichiro.
"Will all of ya just shut up!" Rin shouted, looking like a sunburned tomato. "Quit making fun of me!"
"You need to quit jumping to conclusions," Isamu sighed with annoyance, wiping his mouth with a napkin. "Cleary, they were complimenting you in their own idiotic ways. They like your cooking, Rin-san." He sighed. Rin shut her mouth, looking at the three boys.
"S-Seriously?"
"You would make a great chef someday, Okumura-chan." Said Konekomaru.
"It's really good!" Shiemi giggled. Looking to her own food, Rin stuffed a couple of spoon-fulls into her mouth, grumbling and blushing.
"Please go easy on my poor sister," Yukiko giggled. "Taking compliments and processing them hurts her mental health."
"Shut it, nee-chi!" Rin spat with her mouth as full as a chipmunk's, to which everyone laughed as they ate their meal, sometimes going for seconds.
'I wonder if this is what dad meant,' Rin thought, gulping down her food.
"Listen, Rin; if you don't change your ways, you're gonna find yourself alone someday. Please, try to use your strength to help others instead of hurting them."
'This must be what he meant,' She sat up, tilting her head as everyone enjoyed the meal she made, laughing with one another and emptying the pot by the spoon-full. 'Doing what I know and making people happy in my own way. I could never do anything like this when I was little.' She remembered the day she had enough of school, of all the drama of people running when they saw her and teachers shouting at her when she was late. All those fights she got into over big and little things and all the apologies she had to force out. She left school in the middle of class when she had enough, Yukiko chasing after and begging her to come back. When she lost her little sister, Rin had found the old park and made it her official hiding spot.
That little park was like her sanctuary. As old and rustic as it was, she loved to climb all over the apparatus, slide down the tube slide, swing herself along the monkey bars, and sit down by the old swing set. It was cut off and left out by the rest of the world, just like herself. Rin always thought it was right to be alone. Away from the world that she could hurt and be hurt in return. To where everyone doted about Yukiko while they feared her. To be away from the world would be good for everyone's sake.
'But now that I think about it,' Rin looked up, smiling as everyone's laughter rang in her ears. 'I'm really happy with everyone. . . Is this what it's like to have friends? . . .'
"Oi, Okumura!" Rin looked up, Bon calling her over by the cooler. "We got some drinks here. What do you want?"
Rin blinked, before smiling. She didn't know why but that simple question made her feel so special.
"Hey, it's cool!" She laughed and walked over to the boys. "I can pick one myself! What do you have?"
Smirking, Shuichiro moved himself next to Yukiko, opening a flask he bought with him and taking a swing, never leaving his gaze from Rin as she chatted away with her friends.
"Kirigakure-sensei, I thought I specifically said we aren't allowed to bring alcohol on this trip due to safety issues." Yukiko frowned.
"Bah, you need to unwind, Yukiko," The redhead waved his hand at her, unknotting the tie in his hair and shaking his head, his hair resembling a wild fire. "Hey, Shiro Jr. looking like she's having a good time, hm?" He asked. Yukiko, still annoyed with the other exorcist, batted her eyes to her Rin as she laughed at a joke Shima said, two chopsticks stuck up his nose. Yukiko smiled softly, her dark blue eyes glimmering.
"Yes. I'm really happy for her," She rested her hands on her folded knees, her black coat under her like a cushion. "After all that's happened in the past years, it makes me really happy to see her have friends."
"She didn't have much because of her attitude back them, right?" Asked Shuichiro.
"A little of that, but it's not nee-chan's fault," Yukiko replied. "No one really understood what she went through. She ran away a few times and got in trouble, too. We didn't get to talk much about it either because she left without saying anything." She sat back on her knees, biting her bottom lip. "Not that we didn't speak, of course. Sometimes, I wonder why Rin stayed away from me sometimes."
"Ain't it obvious?" Yukiko looked at her companion, who rolled his eyes. "And here I thought your sister was the one with nothing between her ears," Ignoring the younger twin's glare, he laid on his side with his chin in his hand. "I think your sister didn't want to be around you for a few times 'cause she was jealous of ya."
"Me?" Yukiko pointed to herself, doubting. "No, nee-chan wouldn't be jealous of me. That's impossible-"
"Yukiko, it's true," Shuichiro's magenta-colored turned cold serious, astonishing the young sensei. "Ya think Rin could handle being in the shadow of her baby sis? Shiro use tell me how you were the one who became an A-straight student, got the most friends, and stuck to following the rules. It must've been hard on Rin, ya know?" He sipped a little more liquor down his throat, sighing as the buzz eased its way into his stomach. "I'd hate to be in her shoes. I'm lucky I'm an only child."
Yukiko bit her lip, looking at her sister sadly. "You don't think. . . She hates me for that, does she?"
"What?" Shuichiro shook his head, squinting from either anger or the alcohol. "No way! Rin loves you, Yukiko. You two have to be the closest sisters I know, and that's commin' from me!" He sat up and took Yukiko firmly by the shoulders, the latter squeaking as he pulled her forward. "And before ya do, don't go blamin' yourself, Yukiko. I wasn't saying that. What I mean to say is that you and Rin are happy just as things are," He smiled, not a hint of mischievousness in his perfect rows of teeth. "Just keep doin' what your doin', 'cause it's the right thing. Your sister doesn't hate you and you don't hate your sister, right?" At Yukiko's nod, his smile widened. "And trust me when I say this; if Shiro were here, he'd be so proud if what you two became." He said.
Dark blue eyes filled with tears and Shuichiro gaped, blinking wildly.
"Yukiko-?"
"Thank you, Shuichiro-san," Yukiko said, pressing her finger to the shocked teacher's lips and smiling with tears smudging her glasses. "I never would have thought of that myself. So thank you."
"Heh, quit cryin', Yukiko," Removing her glasses, the redhead smiled as cobalt-blue eyes shined by the glow of the bonfire. "There. You're going to ruin your glasses like that, you know. But, you do look better without them," He leaned closer, lowering his eyes seductively. "I can see your eyes better. And their beautiful. . ."
"Shuichiro-san?" Yukiko blushed, turning the other away. "Don't say things like that."
"Why?" The older exorcist cocked his head with an arched brow. "I'm telling the truth."
Yukiko shook her head. "I know from my father that you're a womanizer."
"Heh, Shiro only said that to protect you. He was protective of you and Rin," Shuichiro huffed but grinned. "OK, so I may have dated some girls back then. But, Yukiko, none of them are like you."
"I bet you tell every girl that." Yukiko scoffed, bright eyes in the corner of her vision.
"Nope," Shuichiro shook his head. "No other girl makes my head turn faster than you, Yukiko." He pulled her forward, running his finger along a plush bottom lip. "No other girl makes me feel this way." He sighed. "Ever since I met ya, I could never get you out of my mind. You were an Exwire when I first met you, and you were nothing but a little girl that followed Shiro like a puppy."
Yukiko opened her mouth to retort, but Shuichiro beat her toward it.
"But then, you grew up into something more. Every time I saw ya, you just turned my world upside down every time," He tilted his head and grinned. "I always liked that about you, Yukiko. I've always liked you." He purred. Lowering her gaze, Yukiko tugged her head away, standing up and giving a look.
"I can't say I feel the same." She huffed. Her admirer grinned, shrugging and taking another drink.
"Say all you want. Your eyes are telling me otherwise." He chuckled. Grumbling, the brunette shook her head and clapped her hands, gaining everyone's attention.
"OK, I'll be explaining the terms of your assignment, so please gather around me." Once all of her students sat and looked at her, Yukiko, placed her hands behind her back.
"Tell it to 'em straight, Yukiko!" Shuichiro advised with a wink, a blush returning on Yukio's face.
"Wait, he's a minor!" Bon glared at the male teacher's way. "How come he's drinking that? He's only eighteen!"
"Eighteen? Who in the world told you that?" Yukiko tilted her head with her arms crossed over her chest. "As of this year, Kirigakure-sensei will be twenty-si-"
The sharp clank of a metal flask hit Yukiko's head, causing her to stumble. Swiping the flask, Shuichiro gave a pointed look, wiping an amber-colored stain off his lips.
"Whoops, missed my bag." He drawled sarcastically.
"Quit fuckin' around and get to work, you little shit!" Yukiko blinked the next second, squeaking as she realized what came out of her mouth. She looked around, the students looking at her in shock while Shuichiro clapped slowly.
"Bravo," He applauded, giving a smirk. "We finally see ya got some balls on ya, Yukiko."
Fuming and wondering what had gotten into her, Yukiko cleared her throat and looked at her students, most of them calmed down from the exclamation.
"Now, as I was saying, the task is to spread all of you out into the forest, find the designated lanterns we planted earlier, light them, and bring them back to the campgrounds." The younger twin switched into teaching mode. "The lanterns are located between a five-hundred meter radius of camp. Whoever can return with a lit lantern within three days will be qualified to go on missions. However, there are only three lanterns out there. Which means only three slots are available for missions."
Everyone gasped and Yukiko allowed the words to sink in before picking up one of the bags near her.
"Now, in the duffle bags we packed for you, you'll find three-days worth of food and water, along with a compass, a flashlight, a demon repelling rod, and one match."
"Sensei." Isamu raised his hand.
"Yes, Kamiki-kun?"
"Is there a reason why we're getting only one match?"
"Excellent question," Yukiko's eyes glinted mischievously for a second. "You see, if you find yourself in danger with the demons residing in this forest, you may use the match to light the demon repelling rod, Once lit, Kirigakure-sensei or myself will go off to find you. However, if you use your match for that, then you won't be able to light the lantern once you find it." She explained.
Everyone held back a look of shock, knowing that they should have expected this. Satisfied, Yukiko stood and clapped her hands.
"Good luck, everyone. I look forward to seeing the results." She concluded.
Everyone grabbed their own duffle bag and went for a five minute plan over for themselves. While Rin looked through the supplies in her bag, she squealed when arms wrapped around her waist and bought her to a solid, well-built chest.
"D-Damnit, Bon! I said I just wanna be friends for now-"
"Huh? When did you ever get cozy with Boy Wonder?" A deep voice pursed in her air, a lock of red hair lying over her shoulder lazily. "Chill, Rin, it's me. Your ol' pal Shuichiro." He laughed. Rin grimaced when she smelt his breath.
"You're drunk."
"And you're sexy as Hell. Heh, get it?" Laughing, the older exorcist rested his chin on the blushing student's shoulder, tracing his nose along the rim of Rin's ear. "Ah, don't worry. I got the hots for your sis, Rin. Don't think of this as a feel-up, think of it more as a, ah. . ." His hands crept near her chest. "A demon physical."
"You got ten seconds to get your hands off my chest or else I tear you limb from limb, starting with the one in your pants."
"Ouch, and I thought Yukiko talked bad when she got mad at me a while ago," Rolling his eyes, Shuichiro placed his hand on Rin's side, in a respectable space. "Like I said, I like your sister more. First girl to say no and all, you know? Well, 'cept you, of course." Shrugging, he gave a serious look. "Listen, I came here to warn you."
"About what, yourself?" Blue eyes rolled to the nighttime sky. "Too late for that, bastard."
"Can it and listen, brat; this is nothing like your Exwire exam, Rin. Here, you can't use your fire power, ya hear?" He felt Rin tense under him, her tail twitching as it hid in her blouse. "There, there, don't shit yourself. I'm on duty as an inspector, so I gotta make sure nothing caused to the wildlife and natural balance of this forest. If you so much as show a spark of Satanic power, then I'm gonna have to alert the Vatican and have Paladins and Knights after your ass. Trust me, they're worse bastards than me, and they're a Hell lot scarier than demons. Got that?"
"Y-Yeah." Rin nodded vigorously. Smiling drunkenly, Shuichiro peeled himself Rin and clapped her on the back.
"'Atta gal! Now, be good and don't screw things up~" He said in a sing-song tone, jogging off to get another flask from his bag. Rin stood where she was, her bag held to her chest.
'Even if he was drunk, he wasn't kidding,' She reached and touched one of her pointed ears before brushing her fingers along her lips, feeling the sleekness of her fangs. 'I gotta be careful in this assignment. No can see my flames and I gotta make sure I don't waste my match.' She walked back to the other students. She kept her eyes on the ground, crying out when she bumped into someone's back.
"Hey- Okumura?" Bon tilted his head as he looked at Rin's faraway look, blue eyes zoned out from the rest of the world. "What's wrong? Heh, you were all excited a second ago," He teased, trying to make her laugh, out at least shout back at him with a retort. When none came, he got worried. "Rin?"
"What?" The ravenette looked up and cocked her head. "Sorry, did ya say something, Bon? Wait. . . Why did you just say my first name?"
The older student looked away as he blushed, remembering the small agreement he and Rin had before.
"Geez, I can't be worried? And why can't I call you by your first name? You know, you can call me Ryuji, right?" He asked. Rin pursed her lips together, turning a little red herself.
"I dunno. . . I'm use to calling ya Bon, actually."
"That's not my name though."
"It should be, since you kind of act spoiled."
"The Hell, Oku-!"
"Hey, let's not get in a lover's quarrel now, guys." Shima stepped between the two, smiling as they were both red from embarrassment, flattery, and anger. "OK, let's all be cool here and focus on the assignment."
"It's still kind of odd that there are only three lanterns, though." Konekomaru said thoughtfully.
"So? Then it must mean it's every man for himself." Isamu shrugged.
"D-Does that mean every woman for herself, too?" Asked Shiemi. No one responded, thought a chorus of slaps to the foreheads should have been answers enough.
"Alright, so only help yourself and do whatever you can. Sounds easy enough," Bon cracked his knuckles. "No hard feelings, guys, but I'm gonna be bringing back a lantern." He boasted.
"Then that makes two of us." Rin grinned, genuinely excited.
"Bet I can bring one back first." Bon smirked. Rin met his eyes with a smirk of her own.
"You are so on."
"OK, enough flirting, you two." The two snapped their heads behind them and bit back insults as Yukiko stepped forward, pointing the barrel of a pistol into the air. "In positions!" Everyone stood at the ready, some ready to sprint while others planned their strategy on their heads. "Go!" The plank was fired into the air and the students took off into the forest, the leaves and stones flying in the wake of their shoes. Yukiko smiled as her students took off, every last one of them ready. She was proud of them, like any teacher would be.
Her instinct went quick as the smell of alcohol hit her nose but she was not quick enough as arms cught her waist and pulled her closer to Shuichiro, his eyes shaded darkly.
"Well, well, well. Look at this," He pursed, tilting his head. "Just you and me, Yukiko." He leaned in and ran his hand to the small of her back. "Alone."
A sharp pain hit his groin and he fell over the next second, an irritated brunette leaning over her. He groaned and grounded his teeth with a grin.
"I love a girl who does hard foreplay."
"Enough, Shuichiro," Glaring, Yukiko stepped over him and walked to the bonfire, crossing her arms. The redhead stood up with discomfort and took a seat at his spot of the fire, opening his second flask and taking a drink. "Why?" He paused at Yukiko's question, removing his lips from the flask with a pop.
"Why, what?"
"Why aren't you reporting to the Vatican when you know Rin's going top use her power in this assignment?"
Shuichiro feigned innocence for a minute before laughing, holding his stomach.
"Y-You've gotten shaper, Yukiko! I expect no less!" Sobering down, the senior-exorcist leaned back on the ground, feeling the dirt beneath his hand. "I don't know if your big sis has told ya this or not but. . . I'm gonna start training her how to use Kurikara."
Yukiko gasped, turning to the drunk man fully. "Are-Are you serious?"
"As a heart attack," Shuichiro nodded, holstering his lip flask. "I know, crazy, right? When Shiro first asked me, I bitched at him and told him to find some other loser to do the job. . . But man, when she told me she wanted to become a Palladian like Shiro, I caved and thought, "Son of a bitch, I'd like to see that happen!"" Chuckling, He lied on the ground and rested his head on her folded arms. "You know, she's just like Shiro told me she be. She gets mad, but she's funny. She can't wait a second for anything, but she's good to have around. She loves people the minute she meets them and people beginning to love in return if they get to know her." The redhead graced a mock salute. "You got a good big sister, Yukiko. Don't lose her."
The near-sighted twin stared at him before looking into the fire, a smile falling to her lips.
"I'll keep that in mind, sensei."
Rin hopped over a log and swung her body around a moss-covered tree, ducking her head as some sort of moth zipped by her. She had seen dozens of the nasty little things for the past ten minutes, all of them flittering at her face and some delivering sharp bites. It looked too advanced to be the ones that flew around old street lamps around town. Rin went back to the basic demons Yukiko taught her about, finally getting their name.
"Blood-sucking moths!" She exclaimed, pulling back and swiping her hand as a swam of them tried to attack her. "Little bastards!" She shouted, reaching for her back and pulled out a basic kendo sword reinforced with light-weight steel on the blade. She shook her head, remembering that Shuichiro confiscated Kurikara for their training. Turning back, she ran past the swarm and jumped over another set of logs, landing near a clearing. She paused, catching her breath.
"Damnit, I need my sword." She muttered. A scream suddenly caught her well-trained ears. The child of Satan knew that high-pitched cry of fright anywhere. Pulling herself up, Rin charged through the thickets and trees until she found an entire colony of moths swarming Shiemi, the blonde gardener curled into a ball.
"Shiemi-san!" Rin dived into the sea of fuzzy wings and buzzing mutations of butterflies, covering the younger girl's body with her own. "Hold on, I'm here! I'll get you out of here!"
"Make them stop," The blonde begged, looking up with tears in her eyes."Please. . . Make them stop, Rin-chan. . ."
Rin could almost see it. That same plea for help holding the same, scared look Yukiko had when bullies picked on her when she was little. A sense of protection snapped in Rin and all at once, she let it out.
"GET THE FUCK OFF US!" She screamed, wild spouts of blue fire tumbling out of her body and incinerating half the swarm. Rin let out a horsed cry as her ear grew painfully big and her fangs enlarged, splitting her gums. Her tail lashed out and the tuff of fur became as sharp as a blade.
'No. . . Stop. . .'
Rin widened her eyes, her body arched as the voice within her wept.
'This isn't me. . . I'm not a monster. . . Make it stop. . . Make it stop. . .'
The royalist growled like an animal, tilting her head and listening to her heart of hearts.
'Stop it. . . Stop it. . .' The voice suddenly shrieked. 'THIS ISN'T ME! I DON'T WANT THIS! I DON'T WANNA BE A MONSTER!'
Rin snapped her back into another arch, rolling her eyes to the back of her head as her body fell forward, her flames licking away into cinders. Her fangs and claws retracted and her tail fell limply at her side, begrudgingly sliding back into her blouse. A dull rining went off in her ears, and Rin could barely feel anything.
". . . mura!"
'Who?'
"Oku. . . ra!"
'Someone's. . . Calling for me?'
"Okumura! . . . Okumura!"
'Who are you? And why would you care?'
"RIN!"
Her body was turned over and someone was patting her face. She couldn't open her eyes, feeling so tired and drained from all of the Hell she released from her body. Calloused hands pushed on her stomach, someone counting under her breath. And in an instant, lips covered her own and breathed air into her, her body warming up like a furnace. With new found strength, Rin pushed away the person and coughed, holding her stomach.
"Rin?" The girl in question opened her eyes, blinking tiredly at Bon as he kneeled next to her, his hands on her shoulders. "You alright? I saw this light and-"
"L-Light?" Rin looked everywhere but him, a nervous lump in her throat. "I don't remember that. Wh-What do you mean, Bon?" She asked, causing the older trainee to raised a pierced eyebrow.
"Hey. . . You didn't hit your head that hard, did you?" He asked. Flushing, Rin smacked his arm and glared.
"No! I just got caught off guard by the moths, alright?" She asked. Bon muttered something under his breath rubbing his arm as Rin mentally sighed.
'At least I was able to get his mind off the light. Hold on. . . Wait a second. . .'
"The Hell you kissed me for?!" Rin covered her mouth and glared, turning pink. "I just got bit at! It wasn't like I was drowning, idiot!"
"You were the one who wasn't breathing!" Bon shot back, looking away and grumbling. "Sorry for making sure you didn't die."
Rin dropped her hand and looked at him, another blush slowly popping on her cheeks. It was. . . Sweet, for the lack of a better word. Bon was so concerned for her. He looked so worried when he found her. It touched her and proved to her further than he really did love her. Her heart roared like a drum in her chest, her hand reaching out and holding his shoulder. Bon turned his head and his cheek was met with a quick, soft kiss.
"Thanks, Bon." She pulled away and smiled brightly, oblivious to the steam drifting from the boy's ears and the inaudible noises coming from his gaping mouth. She walked over to Shiemi and looked over her, the other girl bounding up and suddenly weeping about her familiar's destroyed summoning circle.
"Relax, all you need is to use another one with the special scrolls you were given." Bon huffed, already snapped out of his shock, though his cheek still tingled.
"Right!" The blonde nodded but stopped, looking at the forest treetops. "I saw something though. . . Something like a giant moth. . ."
A howl whistled in the wind and something burst through the trees, a weapon raised.
"Get back!" Rin shouted, bracing her kendo sword and pushing back the attacker. Bon made a leap and grabbed the attacker by the back of their shirt, holding up a bewilder Shima with his flashlight in his mouth and a hamster look on his face.
"Heff' gerls'. Heff', Bon'ff." He greeted with a mouthful, spitting out his flashlight and looking around. "Huh? How come you got to sneak off with Shiemi-chan and Rin-chan? Not cool, Bon. Respect the Bro Code, will ya?"
"It was none of that," Rolling his eyes, Bon shook the pinkette a little. "Anyway, what the Hell are you doing here?"
"Err, well," Shima rolled his eyes nervously, scratching the back of his neck. "This horde of moths swarmed me and bolted before I knew it. Everything became a blur before I knew it and then I found you guys."
"Typical Shima." Bon grunted.
Two phones went off in the forest then. One following playing R&B while the other played Rock 'N Roll. Bon and Shima pulled out their phones and the tallest read his aloud.
"It's Konekomaru. He's found a lantern but. . ." He showed his text message. "He needs help."
"That annoying redhead at the camp," Lemon drops were dropped onto a long tongue, the sweets snuck back into Anima's mouth as she sucked on the sweet and sour candy. "He has Kurikara. What a nuisance." She sighed, perched on a tree as her brother floated by with an odd flying contraption in his hands, bat-like wings flapping.
"Anima, have you paid your respects to the guardian of this forest?"
"Yes, Aniue," His little sister nodded, pocketing her treats. "She seems to be very upset that many of her brethren and subjects died this night. She has agreed to be of assistance when needed."
"Excellent. Then I shall stand by and see what will happen," Mephisto looked at Anima, noticing her eyes glare daggers in direction of the exorcists' campsite. "Anima, remember what I said; you follow my orders. If you refuse, then I will send you back to father, and you do know I would hate to do that," He grasped her chin and made blue eyes meet his own, smirking. "Just do as big brother says and keep the revenge on hold. You may kill that annoyance Shuichiro when I say. For now, focus on Rin-chan."
Anima flew her eyes back to her sites before returning to Metphisto, nodding muetle.
"Yes, Aniue."
"What the. . . How the. . ."
Four astonished exorcist-in-training stared at the large and concrete-made lantern in front of them. It looked extremely heavy and big enough to be a small shrine of worship.
"So. . . This is why you needed help." Rin bopped her head to Konekomaru, who returned the gesture.
"It's a Peg Lantern," Bon observed, walking the perimeter of the lantern as he explained. "It waits in the night for someone to come light it. Once it's lit, it starts moving around, eating living things for fuel," He looked at the two females of the group. "It especially likes girls." He added with a polite cough.
Shiemi clung to Rin while the latter glared at the demon, offended.
"It's a demon that will only stop until it runs out of fuel, or when the sun comes up," The temple child sighed.
"We've must've misunderstood the assignment." Said Konekomaru.
"Yeah," Bon nodded. "In order to pass, we're gonna have to help each other out."
"Whoa, didn't you say it was "every man ("or woman!" Shiemi added) for themselves?" Asked Shima.
"Look, I- I didn't get it when sensei said there were only three slots available!"
"Fair point," Konekomaru agreed. "Okumura-sensei said nothing about three people. Just "three slots."
"Whatever," Bon rolled his eye and looked at the group expectantly. "Does anyone know Kamiki or Takura's phone numbers? They can help us out over here." All four shook their head and the single-streaked-haired teen groaned.
"Actually," Konekomaru's hand shot up. "I already have a formation we can use."
It took a few minutes to get the plan set. With the lantern loaded, it was up to Konekomaru and Shima to keep away the blood-sucking moths they needed to feed the lantern while Shiemi attracted them with light. A seal was placed on the lit lantern to hold it down and Bon was to recite the fatal verses that would keep the blood-suckers at bay. Pulling the cart with her incredible strength was Rin, charging through the forest as quick as she could and making quick progress.
Suddenly, she dug her heels into the ground and stopped, eyes widening. "What the Hell are we gonna do about this?!"
The next seclusion of the forest was across an old bridge, looking to be on its last stand with small talisman and fuda attached to the pillars. Shima all but shrieked at the millions of centipedes crawling in the gab, tiny legs crinkling together, the sound making everyone turn a little green.
"Oh, my god. I think I'm gonna piss myself." Shima shivered, looking more out of it than anyone.
"Maybe you'd feel better if you did," Rin suggested. "Ya never know."
"Rin-chan, please don't say that," Konekomaru sighed. "Once someone pees themselves, it's done for. Game over." He advised.
The three of them backed away as a notepad was shown to them, Bon pointing at as he continued to mutter the fatal verses. (at this point, Rin thought he was just speaking gibberish. But in a way, she found Bon's gibberish adorable.) Words were printed on the paper.
'Listen up.'
The three nodded.
'We need to get to the other side of this enclosure if we want to get back to camp.'
"OK, but how?" Asked Rin. In under a few minutes, Bon drew out a plan that had to be executed carefully, yet could be easily followed. Once he finished explaining (Still speaking in sermon's tongue) Rin didn't stop herself and kiss his cheek.
"Way to go, Suguro!" She cheered, surprising the other three as she turned pink and smiled. "Your epic drawing skills are gonna save our asses!"
Still chanting, Bon drew another picture, his face turning red as he only showed Rin. The girl herself blushed and pushed it away, mustering a pointed look.
"M-Maybe. We'll see, alright?! Don't get your hopes up!"
"Didn't know you guys went at it already." Shima laughed with a trickster's grin. Rin flicked him on the forehead, the staff-wielder whining and nursing the sore spot. Turning sharply, Rin held her arms out to Shiemi, surprising the blonde.
"Come on, Shiemi-chan. I'll carry you and we can get this over with."
After a couple of more minutes, the Peg Lantern was left on one side of the lands while the cart was on the other, Shima and Konekomaru with the cart and Bon with the Peg Lantern. Rin grimaced at the crawling bug lake before sighing and moving Shiemi more comfortably in her arms, carrying her bridal-style.
"Just don't look at it and don't let go," Rin warned the shaking blonde. "It's gonna be chasing after me, too. I'm gonna have to duck and throw you to the cart but I need to use some of your weight, too. Got it, Shiemi-chan?" She asked. The blonde nodded sacredly and Rin sighed, taking a breath before jumping into the lake, shells popping under her. Holding back her gag reflex, Satan's heiress trudged through the centipede nest, shells crunching under her.
"U-Um, Rin-chan?"
"Yeah?"
"What did Suguro-kun ask you?"
Pausing for a second, Rin took a step and continued on her small journey.
"He, well. . . " Rin's cheeks glowed and she bowed her head. "He was wondering if I could make him a bento when we get back to school. . . One that we can share. . ."
"Oh!" Shiemi clasped her hands and sighed dreamily. "That sounds so romantic, Rin-chan!"
"Y-Yeah," Rin smiled a little, agreeing with her friend. It was funny; she was never into romance or falling in love before. Admiring guys from a distance suited her, and making sure slimy perverts didn't go after Yukiko was also a part of her. Romance didn't interested her in the very bit. But with Bon, it was different.
With Bon, it wasn't cliché. It wasn't violins playing in the background or heart-shaped candies. It wasn't butterfly kisses or thinking of no one else but each other. They were themselves, able to act freely and show their feelings to one another. It was simple touches and words that made her feel special, arguments and disagreements the fuel to out-do each other. With Ryuji Suguro, AKA Bon, Rin could feel to be herself and not be seen as an outcast. She and Bon were the same, closer than becoming one whole.
Maybe, there was that slim chance that she and Bon could be together. If she could find some way, she would take it, and never let go.
The next steps to the plan weren't difficult. The Peg Lantern fell for it without folly and everyone made it onto the other side of the land. Something flew by and Rin looked up, catching a piece of fuda that had slipped from the bridge.
The primal beast within Rin roared in distress. Rin turned and barely made a dash to run as long and slippery vines wrapped around her wrists and ankles. She screamed and cried out, dropping her sword.
"OKUMURA!"
Everyone made a jump, unable to prepare themselves as a giant, blood-sucking moth appeared before them, larger than the entire swarm put together. It was most likely the queen of the swarm, and she looked more than happy to make the offspring of Satan her next meal.
To Be continued. . .
Is this the first time I gave you guys a major cliffhanger? Huh, I think it is (for this fic, at least). Anyway, dawwwww! Rin and Bon are at that point in their relationship where it's a maybe in getting together :3 But poor Rin doesn't want to hurt him if he finds out who her father is. And he does not own a shotgun, but he does own a freakin' world of demon spawn! Yikes! Well, I promise you guys that they will be together! Just as long as they can sort this shit out. Heh, I'm getting too into this XD
Oh yeah, quick fun fact (not sure if you guys would agree) Whenever I listen to Carry on, My Wayward Son by Kansas (Also a theme song to the television series, Supernarural, which I am incredibly into!) I always think of the Okumura brothers and Shiro or Bon and his dad. Kind of funny, huh?
Well, I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. Please make sure to review and I do hope you join in the next chapter, which I will update by next Monday or Tuesday (Yes, those are my goal dates for updates on this story for now on). I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter and I'll see you guys next time!
This is me saying, Peace!