I am feeling good for posting this, to be honest I DON'T really like how the 3rd pillar went, so I make it up with the fourth... I feel more satisfaction with this one. I guess the bad part is needed to get to the good part too.

4th Pillar: Rin and Camio

He was moving in auto-pilot as he robotically opened and closed doors with Mephisto's infinite key, showing them vast amount of facility True Cross owned. He suspected the higher up wanted to impress their new allies, and perhaps showing off when they were at it. If that was the case, they failed miserably as neither Reverend Cecil nor Rin seemed overly impressed. Father Cecil did give formal compliment, more to the people who works hard for Assiah's protection and not the impressive facility. Rin didn't say a thing, which surprised Yukio that nothing in their HQ made him interested. His brother was a chatterbox, and now he was as silent as a rock. If not for his constant stare at his brother-in fear Rin was going to disappear when he wasn't looking- he would forget he was giving a tour for two not one.

Yukio observed his brother from the corner of his eyes, his brother's attention was elsewhere so he wasn't going to get caught staring. Rin looked human, just like how he looked for the last fifteen years, not even his canines were longer than normal. How could that be? After that night, according to Father Rin should have gone through a physical change. He too, even for a short moment saw his brother's appearance turned demonic that night but not a trace was left now.

Speaking of demonic, Kurikara, the sword that sealed his power was nowhere in sight. Rin did have a sword with him that strapped on his waist, but it was no katana but a tsurugi, judging from the shape of the sheath. Also, no matter how hard he tried to sense demonic presence, he sensed none from his brother. In fact...

He looked at Raguel Cecil in confusion which returned with a smile by the reverend. This person felt so... pure? If looking at demons was like staring at endless abyss, standing near this person alone was like staring at a small sun, threatening to burn his cornea.

Nothing made sense...

"And that's conclude our tour for today..." Yukio said as he closed the door that was leading to the training facility. "And here is your keys." Yukio said as he handed the two exorcist their ring of keys. It didn't escape Yukio's eyes that Mephistopheles was being generous with giving them a lot of keys. Allies or not they were outsiders, why did Mephisto give them this much access?

Raguel Cecil returned his smile, "Thank you very much, it's an enlightening experience."

His brother was still staring at nowhere, and strangely instead of looking bored –which would be totally Rin like- he looked solemn.

Yukio made sure his eyes were on Reverend Cecil and not on his brother as he said, "You're welcome Reverend Cecil... don't hesitate to contact me if you need my help in the future." So he could dig information about his brother too.

"That's very generous of you, Okumura-kun..."

"Ah it's nothing, it's the least I could do." Yukio assured the older exorcist. He cleared his throat, "By the way... the reason Lord Pheles assigned me to be your guide because perhaps I saw the demon you're looking for in this country yesterday... so I can confirm it with you."

"..."

"..."

Identical confused stare told him they had no idea what he was talking about.

It was Rin who found his voice first, "What do you mean? We're not here to catch any demon." Then he turned to Raguel, "Does the Archbishop said anything about any hunt?"

"No, he didn't." Raguel assured his partner then turned to Yukio who looked like a deer caught in headlight. "Which demon you spoke of Okumura-kun?" He wondered.

Yukio was flustered, "Erm... I saw someone I mistook for my brother for a sec, and from my description... Lord Pheles said there is a possibility the man I spoke with is a fallen type demon..."

Raguel blinked owlishly at that, "Is that so... hm... how does this man looked like?"

The younger exorcist repeated what he reported to his father and Mephisto the day before, if he expected a reaction this was not it. Raguel was snorting and his brother was rubbing his temple as if he had a headache.

"Interesting..." Raguel Cecil looked very amused, "However I assure you that we're not looking for this man you saw yesterday, and you don't have to worry about him either..." He cupped his chin, "However..."

Yukio paled, "So I did mistake an innocent human as a demon..."

Rin shook his head, sighing loudly. "I am sure Nathan is not offended you thought he was a demon..." Had Yukio looked at Cecil he would see the reverend was raising an eyebrow at Rin.

"Nathan?" Yukio echoed the name dubiously.

"Nathan Caxton..." Rin muttered the name smoothly, "He is assigned as back-up so throughout of our stay here you will see him on accasion too." Then he added, "The man you saw with him would be John... he is Nathan's aide."

Raguel Cecil was narrowing his eyes at Rin, and he shrugged. "Well, I guess next time you meet Caxton we will introduce you to him properly."

Yukio felt he was missing something here, and he didn't like how Rin and Raguel Cecil were eyeing each other. They didn't feel like... partners, in fact it felt like throughout the short time he were with them, they were trying to be civil with each other. Right, civil was the best term to describe how they treated each other, Yukio decided inwardly.

"Ja, once again thank you for your time today... Okumura-kun." Reveren Cecil said as he gave the younger exorcist a curt bow. "See you later, I am looking forward for our next weeting."

"Heh?" Yukio blinked owlishly, snapped out of his deep thought. "Me too, Reverend Cecil."

Click

It was then Yukio realized the two exorcist had opened the door to who knows where and his brother was nowhere in sight.

"He ran away?!" Yukio screeched in anger.

True Cross Old Church...

The church was deserted, an old building in dar corner of True Cross city. It was a place assigned as Raguel's living quarter throughout their stay in Japan. He sat down on one of the long benches as Raguel was busy with warding the place. Had he been a normal demon he would have to flee from the building, but because of his unique circumstances he didn't have too.

Rin's eyes narrowed as Raguel, after finishing the warding to perfection, stretched his pure white wings. His exorcist uniform was replaced with white suits, making him the likeness of human's image of an angel.

Why an angel was in company of a demon? Simply because certain sadist couldn't trust his human exorcist to survive his company. Well, more like he didn't trust them to not trying to kill Rin. Raguel in the other hand was obedient to Uriel to the point of fanatism, and he had better chance of survival against a demon at his level.

"It's vexing to see a demon like you can waltz in as you please to a holy place like this." Raguel muttered in cynical tone. Then he eyed the open bibble in Rin's lap, "And reading holy scripture to boot, are you mocking us?"

It was something predated since genesis, racism towards other races. So in spite of their mutual goal, at best Rin and Raguel had a civil relationship. Then again most hostility was from Raguel's side and not Rin's, because to the angel he was an adversary to Uriel. By all right he of all demons had a lot of old grudge against Uriel.

As for Uriel... unlike his friends, Rin felt sorry for Uriel sometimes. Now, if only this angel got it on his head that he was not going out on his way to spite them...

"I am a halfling... half of me is human." Rin murmured, "It has been that way since my birth..." Actually it wasn't like he was completely unaffected, it was just not as bad as pure demon felt.

Raguel scoffed, "And you can reincarnate like human do..." He continued, "What an abdomination."

Long ago those words would make him extremely upset, but now he couldn't be bothered especially if the insult was from an angel. In Raguel's perspective it was a statement rather than an insult. "Unfortunately God chose me to born this way... are you done yet? You didn't make me stay to talk about myself."

Raguel crossed his arms, "About your brother."

In instance the angel found his throat on the sharp end of Rin's sword, not the one on his waist but one that seemed to grow out of his left wrist. "Didn't I make myself clear before?" Rin asked coldly, "If you dare to touch even a hair of my brother or my family I will cut your precious wings off myself! And don't even think Uriel can save you from me..." He hissed as the blue on his eyes faded to gold and his canine became longer and sharper.

Raguel didn't flinch, he had the valor worthy of his status as the aide of Uriel. "I assure you... Okumura Yukio is safe from me, did we not cover this in our covenant?" Sure they did, but when it came to his family he couldn't be too careful.

Rin withdrew his blade, his human appereance had changed to his demon form. He felt slight prick of pain from the ward Raguel set, because now his demon side was stronger. In this form his hair was longer in paler shade, with slight curl in the end. His eyes color gradient from gold to blue under the light, pale skin, tall and leaner body.

According to his friends in the first place his human form looked like younger version of how he looked like in ancient time, even though it was hard to see the resemblance because of his hair and paler complexion. Yukio saw the resemblance he did not ironically.

He crossed his arms petulantly, "Then, what of my brother you want to speak about, Raguel?"

The angel folded his wing, crossing his arms. "Why did you lie about Nathan Caxton?" Then he corrected himself, "Or more like... you tell him half-truth..." Nathan Caxton was the name Camio used often as human cover, it was no wonder he used it again.

Rin snorted, "Because... it's very likely in the future this form of mine would be seen, I need a cover story to explain my presence... I am still not used to my current body, hiding under illusion magic all the time is taxing." He explained loftily, "And also... if possible... I don't want them to see me like this..." He said the last line in whisper.

He didn't want them to see Camio... not yet...

Raguel shrugged, "Do as you wish as long as it's not going to compromise our mission." He cleared his throat, "And what about Mephisto?"

"Aren't you the one who should be worried?" He queried, "Mephisto must have noticed you have too much 'light' for a human." He described how Raguel's disguise felt, not as bad as high level angel but he was not fooling any demon.

"Do you think he will get on our way?"

Of course for Raguel the most important thing was whether the second son of Satan would be on the way of their mission. "Hm... who knows." He shrugged, as far as he knew no one could tell what was on the mind of that whacko. "But at the moment I don't think he will do anything yet. Mephisto will try to find out more though..." He tapped his chin.

The demon of time and space was infamous for his morbid curiosity.

"Well... for the time being we have to stay alert..." They concluded. "It's only the beginning after all..."

Hospital

The boy was shaking with barely contained anger and for the last half an hour since he came to visit, his son didn't say a word. Fujimoto saw Yukio tried to form a word a few times but then he lost it as if something lodged his throat. His clergies were always worried more for Rin than Yukio, because to them Yukio was a responsible young man who could take care of himself. Fujimoto didn't correct them but while he worried to death for Rin, he was more worried for Yukio.

In Rin's case, he was worried for his tendency to attract trouble but Rin being Rin would always find a way through. He got in trouble, but Rin had the strength to get up again and again without fail. Yukio in the other hand was frailer not in body but mind. He tended to bottle up his emotion, keeping his temper in check and then blew up. It get to the point Yukio looked bi-polar, or perhaps he was.

In line of their work, that was dangerous but it was not something he could help Yukio with. His son had to grow out of it himself.

"Yukio... I don't know what happened but can you stop looking like a boiling kettle and explain what's on your mind?" He asked curiously as he put the letter from Grigori away. It was formal letter of his dismissal, full of flowery words of their fake sympathy that he had to retire for real-as if for the last fifteen years they didn't try their best to dismiss him for various reason- and also about his retirement fund.

Yukio took a deep breath, opened his mouth, closed, opened and closed again. Then with an expression that suggest he was steeling his resolve at last Yukio managed to form a coherent sentence. "I... met Rin."

"Rin?!" Fujimoto straightened, "Where? Where is he?"

"Over here." A voice from the door answered.

And there he was, the center of their concern in all his glory, standing near the door frame as if there was nothing wrong in the world while obviously something was. Your son didn't just pop out of nowhere after blowing up Gehenna gate, a whole and looked unconcerned he had been missing for almost two months.

His taste in fashion also took a sharp turn, normally Fujimoto didn't care but Rin never dressed in all black like he was going to a funeral. Then he stepped closer and the father noticed more of changes in Rin, his hair was slightly longer and he looked much older for some reason in spite of his youthful look.

Then his eyes focused on peculiar objects that hanging on Rin's chain belt. Four talismans, one was the size of an egg and another three were the size of a coin, but he was not close enough to see the carving. The last was a silver cross, with rutilated quartz on its center and oval sun like carving. He recognized the peculiar cross, just like their True Cross exorcist badge It was identification for exorcist of Hand of God, the Church of England's peace keeping division.

How could that be? Rin was... an exorcist and part of that Hand of God no less?

Rin was oblivious of mental breakdown he and Yukio were having. The boy had his exorcist jacket hung on one shoulder while his right hand was carrying a stack of box lunch wrapped in furoshiki. "I hope I come just in time for lunch... I have Yukio's favorites and your too old man. I have salmon, tuna and octopus sashimi for Yukio..." He trailed off as he started to drag nearest table to Shiro's bedside then unloaded the stack of box, revealing a wide variety of mouth watering cuisine. "And oden bento for old man, the radish is picked this morning!" He beamed, "And last but not the least, for dessert... sakura mochi." He opened the last two lacquer boxes. "In Kanto style and Kansai style..."

It was spring but hanami season was already over! And who could finish that many?!

"Just so you know hanami season is over a week ago, Nii-san." Yukio said coldly. "So... is this bento your peace offering?"

Fujimoto gaped at his youngest son who had the nerve to throw subtlety out of the window and go for the kill. "Yukio..." Fujimoto warned his younger son. "Calm down."

"I am calm." No he was not.

He could see that inside Yukio was boiling, he was on the verge of exploding.

Rin in the other hand looked resigned, sighing and throwing his hands to the air. "Fine, you can hit me black and blue if you want later but don't blow up on me before I finish this okay?"

They blinked owlishly, "Finish what?"

Rin raised his forefinger to his lips as if telling them to be quiet, his lips moved and they could only hear murmured whisper. A seal appeared beneath his feet, twelve edges pentagram seal. Then suddenly they could feel the change in atmosphere, it was so quiet as if everything around them stopped.

"No one will bother us this way..." Rin said as he took a seat across Yukio on another side of Fujimoto's bed. "This barrier will keep people away, and no one could hear our conversation in body and in spirit..."

Fujimoto narrowed his eyes at the transparent barrier that only could be seen from slight distortion in space it made. It was not demonic in any sense, he couldn't put a finger of its nature.

Rin must had noticed their confusion, "I am a halfling after all... so I can use human magic, it's not demonic in nature so don't worry that it will alert exorcist..." Rin assured them.

They didn't ask, if he was a halfling why he looked so human?

Without a word Fujimoto grabbed Rin's hand and pulled him to his embrace. "First thing first... welcome back Rin..." He said as he felt his older son tensed against him, caught off guard by the affectioned gesture. Rin also didn't move a muscle, probably in fear he would harm Fujimoto.

Yukio sighed, "Welcome back Nii-san."

"I am back..." Rin murmured in return.

After a few moment the ex-paladin released his dazed sone, looking at the barrier curiously, "Since when you could do this?"

"Since that day..."

He rubbed his chin, "Is there any connection with the ring you're so protective of?"

Rin nodded, "Yes."

He was too cooperative, so unlike Rin to answer so obediently like this. "Is that ring... the famous ring of Solomon?"

There was slight hesitation before once again Rin answered with, "Yes."

Yukio's eyes widened in shock, "That ring is Solomon's? How did you get it?"

"An antique shop owner thought it was fake so he gave it to me because I am the first customer that show an interest in it." Rin answered honestly, closing his eyes he continued without being prompted. "Solomon's ring is the symbol of wisdom, a gift from God... "

Fujimoto inhaled sharply, "Then... where is it now?" He didn't see it anywhere in Rin's possesion.

"Somewhere safe." Rin answered vaguely and firmly.

He got what Rin wanted to implied, they were not privy to that information. Most likely the Hand of God secured the ring. "What the demon from that night... meant with you becoming Solomon's pawn?"

Rin snorted, "That demon know nothing... just in possesion of the ring won't turn me to Solomon's pillar. Beside... Solomon is already... dead..."

Fujimoto strained his ears, why Rin sounded so sad for the king who had died for three thousand years? However he couldn't bring himself to ask about it. This time it was Yukio who put forward a question. "Enough about Solomon and the ring that's not even here..." Yukio hissed, "What are you doing with the Hand of God?"

"Work."

Yukio snapped, "Don't kid me! Reverend Cecil obviously doesn't like you! He know who you are!"

Rin smiled sadly and that caught Yukio off guard. "I don't really care whether or not Raguel like me, he doesn't have to like me to work with me..."

"Exorcist can't work alone!" Yukio recited the lecture he repeated again and again in his class. "I don't know how exorcist of Hand of God works but anonymity from your colleague will get you killed! Why are you even there?!"

"Yukio! Calm down!" Fujimoto chided his youngest son. "Give Rin a chance to answer..." Then he turned to his other son. "So, can you explain why you work for them? And since when?"

Rin didn't answer immediately like he had before, "Hm... how should I answer this..." He wondered out loud. "My reason is my own but... if you want to know... " He trailed off.

"There is something I want..."

They couldn't explain it but there was an unknown pressure in his voice that made them spechless.

"And I start to work in Hand of God since around two weeks ago." He answered in cheery voice and all tenseness in the room melted in instance.

Yukio's left eye twitched as he fixed his glasses, "I see... is this something..." It was obvious Rin had no intention to disclose what he wanted. "Important enough that you have do all this... working for them? Who barely could tolerate you?"

Rin nodded, "Yes... it's important to me..."

The ex-paladin frowned, his fist clenched on his side. "Rin... Do you go as far as making a contract with the Hand of God?" He asked, dreading the answer.

"Nii-san... you..." Yukio stammered, "You can't..."

"Why do you think so... father?" Rin asked back instead of answering.

The older exorcist took his glasses off, then wiped it clean. "Because you're very careful in your choice of word..." He muttered, "Your answers so far are either vague or just yes... and no... it's obvious." He swallowed heavily, "In the first place... when Yukio said your fellow exorcist seems to know who you are I don't think they will let you join their rank without some sort of contract to control you."

Rin smiled at that, "As expected of strongest Paladin in history... "

"Nii-san!" Yukio gritted his teeth, "How could you be so reckless! Or could it be... they... force..."

Rin cut him off, "I didn't recklessly entering a contract, I am no one's slave, and they didn't force me into it..." He denied their accusation. "It's mutual... and serve the purpose to keep us both in line."

Another vague explanation, as it could mean anything. "That didn't explain much." And didn't mean to be. Fujimoto sighed loudly. "Rin... "

"Is this... because we're hiding things from you all this time?" Yukio asked in trembling voice. "So now you..."

Rin looked offended for the first time since the conversation began. "Yukio... I am not that petty! Your secrets is your choice, mine isn't..." He took a deep breath, "I can't explain... I can't tell you, but it's something you should not pry on... there are things that better of stays as secret for eterity..."

Fujimoto swallowed, "So no matter what you will not tell us?"

Rin shook his head, "It's not possible..." Then he stood up, looking at his watch. "My time is up... I have to go." Yukio stood up, ready to intercept Rin but the older twin threw him a card. "It has my current number... just give me a call if you want to talk again." Then he turned around and started to walk away.

"Nii-san!"

Rin stopped abruptly then he said, "Oh, and one more thing... Dad, especially you Yukio..." He craned his neck so they could see the profile of his face. "Stay away from Raguel..."

"Heh?"

Rin elaborated, "I mean... don't talk, don't listen to him and so on... unless your work require you to do so... no, in fact avoid working with him if you can pass the job to someone else."

"..."

"..."

Understandably they were spechless of how Rin so calmly drew such a line for them in regards to his colleague. It as if Raguel was extremely dangerous to them in Rin's opinion.

"What kind of unreasonable demand is that?!" Yukio hissed. "He was pretty nice to me this morning! How could I ignore him like you told me to?!"

Rin growled, "It's not unreasonable! Just listen to your brother!"

"Now you pull your big brother card?!" Yukio drawled indignantly, "Big brother or not, you have no right to tell me to stay away from someone!" He crossed his arms, "I don't know why you're worried but I am fully human, he is no danger to me!"

Judging from Rin's expression, his older son believed there were tons of reason why Raguel Cecil could be a danger to them especially to Yukio. "Rin... is the reason something you can't tell?"

"Yes, I can't say anything unfortunately..." He growled, "But let me make something clear... Yukio..." Then Rin stepped forward and the distance between him and Yukio was just one step away. Rin raised his hand, ghosting over Yukio's left cheek.

The younger twin froze, as if something pinned him. For the first time in his life, Yukio was scared of his older twin. "It's not the matter who protect who... However... IF Raguel bring harm to you in any way, I will not forgive him..."

Fujimoto stared in shock at his sons, wondering what made Rin so afraid that he went this far. It as if he believed the harm Raguel could bring to Yukio was worse than death.

"What are you going to do if..." Yukio wondered out loud before he could stop himself.

Rin's hand fell back to his side and he stepped away from his twin. His eyes narrowed dangerously as he answered. "Something worse than death..." Then he began to walk away. "So for his sake too, you better listen... "

"Nii-san!"

Rin was just a step away from the door before he turned around, wearing sad expression that reminded Yukio of how helpless he was at that fateful night. He was tired, scared and on the verge to be dragged to hell, the weakest Yukio had ever seen of him.

"I am sorry it has to be this way... but..." A single tear escaped his eye, "I have no choice." And he disappeared along with the barrier he created, leaving his twin and father to their own thought.

Mephisto's office

An angel, a freaking angel was infiltrating his school together with his youngest brother. Not even in his wildest imagination it ever crossed his mind as a possibility. The angel even didn't bother to change his name and Mephisto knew who he was. Raguel was the direct subordinate of Uriel, the angel of repentance and cruelty.

That fact alone was enough to make Mephisto stayed clear from the said angel. To a demon like him Uriel was angel of vengeance not repentance.

The problem was... why this angel was partnered with Okumura Rin? What they wanted from this academy? Mephisto won't bother asking Vatican or Grigori, because when an angel as important as Uriel was involved it was unlikely he would get any answer. He was not even sure the upper echelon even knew what they agreed to when signing the alliance.

An angel like Uriel was extremely skilled in manipulating human memories after all.

Mephisto for the first time in his life was losing control of his game, and perhaps the game was no longer his to play and he was just one of the pieces and not the player. However...

No rule said he couldn't take the game controller back, with that in mind the trickster demon began to plot.

Old Dorm 'under renovation by Camio'

"CAMIO!" John yelled at the top of his lungs at his master who was in the middle of pressing ornate wallpaper on the wall of True Cross old dorm, "I DON'T care you want to finish putting the wallpaper in this room tonight, or whatever you want to get done in your head! Just sleep in one of the rooms I have cleaned! Or we can go back to our manor if you want! Just STOP working to distract yourself when you're upset! You're tiring yourself out!"

Rin stopped working and stared at his aide. "I will rest.."

"Good!"

"So, can you find me fresh warm milk?" He requestd "Oh, and some cherry jam... I want to eat it with cookies I baked."

John groaned, when did he bake cookies?! "Your habit of wanting to do random things at a whim never change in the last eight hundred years!"

Rin tilted his head to the side innocently, "So, the jam and milk?"

And as usual, in eight hundred years together John sighed loudly and said. "Fine, I will find your damn milk and jam..."

Few hours later...

"Hm..." Rin was in bliss, the cookies with cherry jam was perfect to go with earl grey milk tea! "It's the best combi..." The scenery tonight was not bad either, he was glad he had prepared a table set on the rooftop, and lighted a candle with fragrance to improve the mood.

John who sat across his master smiled fondly, 'When he is like this, he looks like a child... maybe reincarnated is not a bad thing for Camio.'

"You know... John, being called a child when you're over three thousands years old is annoying." Rin said with a huff.

"Did I say it out loud?" The brunette queried.

Rin snorted, "With silly grin to boot..." He put down his cup and stretched his arms. "Is it midnight yet?"

"Yes..."

"Finally!" He breathed a sigh of relief, snapping his finger. The smoke of the candle thicken, producing cloud like surface in the air. "I don't know why we have to wait just because it cost less energy."

John shrugged, "Perhaps because human world is on the rage for energy saving?"

"You're not funny..." He deadpanned.

"AAAH!"

Rin winced, the whole day without the high pitched scream and he forgot how painful it was. "Sitri, can't you stop abusing my ears for one day?"

On the cloud was a picture of a young man around Rin's age, he had short light blue hair with two long strands framing his face. He had androgynous look, large eyes with thick eyelashes and fair skin. His name was Sitri, the twelve pillar of Solomon and fellow Interim ruler of the fallen.

Sitri pouted, "You didn't share your cookies with me! You know I miss it!"

Rin sighed, "I still have another batch I am planning to send tonight for you."

He beamed at that, "Really? You're the best!"

Sometimes he wondered if Sitri was indeed the oldest among them, he was over four thousands and behaved like a kid in sugar rush when it came to sweets. If he was not a demon, Rin would be worried Sitri would die of diabetes.

"At any rate..." Rin cleared his throat. "Have you find anything about Illuminati yet?"

Sitri pulled out a stack of report and began to read, "Nothing new that important enough yet... aside from list of their resource from all over the world." He flipped through the report. "He has spies in True Cross too but we have not find who, estimated to be around three in Vatican and two in Japan branch."

He rested his chin on top of his laced fingers, his expression thoughful. "Your subordinates didn't find anything new yet... hm... they hide their track well then."

Sitri smorted, "Be patient... gathering information takes time even with my connection."

He chuckled softly, "Just don't work Gil to death for second time."

"Nah~" Sitri rolled his eyes, "By the way... how things goes in your end?"

Rin sighed exasperatedly at that, "As well and bad as expected... Raguel is tolerable at best, Mephisto is scheming in the background... and Yukio..." He trailed off, "I could only hope he didn't poke his nose to anything dangerous..."

The twelve pillar of Solomon frowned at that, placing his forefinger against his cheek. "I see... all of us here are worried that heaven will set their eyes on him too..."

"He is the son of Satan." As much as he hated to admit that, "He has a giant target painted on his back and he think I have it."

The irony didn't lost on Sitri, "Well... that's very adorable of him wanting to protect you." And he giggled much to Rin's chagrin. "But he is your brother too..." Thank you for the reminder that he also contributed to why Yukio was a target, it was like Israel all over again. "Does Raguel show any interest in him?"

Rin shrugged, "Nothing out of normal but I warned him..."

Sitri sweat-dropped. "I can imagine how it went..." This was the demon who could send an army fleeing with a glare after all. "And Mephisto who is in charge of academy?"

"Who knows what on his mind." He answered honestly, "But I have a feeling he will try to meddle... but he is not an enemy for now." He crossed his arms. "And Uriel?"

He smirked, "Holding up very well in Etemenanki... he regained his rank after all, and as long as certain megalomaniac stayed asleep for good we have nothing to worry." Then he added, "For the time being."

Speaking of megalomaniac... "Which reminds me... that Lucifer is still..."

Sitri nodded, "Yes... that impersonator is still very ill, considering his status it's a wonder he can find a vessel and live in Assiah in the first place."

Rin sweat-dropped. "Erm... not that I like him, but you do know he didn't name himself after Your Majesty, right?"

"Satan has a very bad taste..."

Rin could see where this was going, a non-stop rant about Satan's sacrilege with sullying their emperor's name. "Meeting adjourned." He ended their meeting, waving the smoke so the communication was dispersed. He had no wish to listen to Sitri's rant the whole night.

Now first thing first...

"John." Rin called.

His aide rose from his seat. "What do you need?"

"Check the background of Yukio's current students... all of them." He ordered, "Their ancestry up to ten generations, specilization, even their hobbies and shoe size if you can..." Then he added, "Oh, and also what kind of demon give them their mashou..." That couldn't be overlooked.

John raised an eyebrow, "Sure, but why didn't you ask Sitri? And why the students? They're pages, not even an exwire yet."

He cupped his chin, "I don't want to dump everything on Sitri, and as for why... they just entered the rank, a perfect and easy cover to infiltrate this school."

"I understand..." John curtseyed. "It will be done."

The next day...

Mephisto was not surprised that Okumura Yukio asked if he may have the key to access the old church the Hand of God used as their living quarter. Even going as far as requesting whether it was possible for him to leave his current room and roomed with his brother instead. He even went at length about the benefit of having someone to keep an eye on his brother and exorcist from Hand of God, and allies or not they were outsiders that shouldn't be left roaming without supervision.

The trickster raised his hand to stop his subordinate from wasting his precious breath. "Okumura-sensei, first of all... your brother didn't even live with Raguel Cecil so there is no point in giving you the key."

Yukio blanched, "Then, where did you put him?! You can't leave my brother homeless!"

"How rude." Mephisto was ticked, "He survived six week on his own, why are you so worried about him as if he can't find himself a place to stay? Beside... your brother now is staying in that abandoned old dorm, I even give him a free reign to renovate the building as he please as long as it stays intact when he return it to me."

Yukio blinked owlishly at that, "What do you mean... renovate? And returning the building?"

"He rented the whole building for duration of his stay in academy." Mephisto explained with a sigh. "I don't even know where did he get the money, and maybe I should be worried our exorcist is not paid as well as Hand of God's does."

Yukio's left eye twitched, "How they're going to work together if they can't even stand living in the same building?"

"It's a mysterry..." Mephisto shrugged. 'In the first place the idea of an angel and a demon working together is an impossibility, I will be surprised if no death threat have been thrown yet.' He thought amusedly.

The young exorcist clenched his fist, "I am still going to ask for the key to the church." He insisted, "I need to talk with Cecil-san, I don't like how they treat each other."

Actually, they are playing very nice with each other considering what they are, Mephisto thought.

"No exorcist can fight alone." Yukio recited the old saying among exorcist of True Cross. "I believe it applies to Hand of God's too, blessed by angel of heaven or not..."

Mephisto wordlessly pushed a key towards the young teacher, "If you say so..."

"Thank you Lord Pheles..."

Old Church

Yukio didn't waste his time to use the key, and entered the abandoned church. For an abandoned building it was very clean, Yukio was impressed Cecil-san managed to clean it up so quickly. Or maybe Lord Pheles had it cleaned before the reverend moved to this place. Then he realized it was odd that from the door he opened led straight to the altar, why did Lord Pheles connect the key to the door of prep room for priest and altar boy instead of the entrance?!

Ting...

Someone was playing the piano, "Ooh... what a beautiful melody." He murmured as he stepped inside the church. His eyes widened when he saw who was playing, it was the man he saw two days ago. "Caxton-san."

The play stopped and Caxton-san's eyes widened in alarm, "Ah, you're..."

Yukio bowed deeply, "I am sorry for coming in uninvited! The key Lord Pheles gave to me lead to this door instead of the entrance door!" Yukio didn't dare to look up, waiting to be reprimanded for his rudeness. But he heard soft chuckles instead coming from the pianist.

"Ha ha ha... you don't have to bow, I was just a little surprised..." He assured Yukio, "By the way how did you know my name?" He asked curiously. "I believe we haven't been introduced properly, so... you already know my name but I am Nathan Caxton. Nice to meet you."

"Ah... I am Okumura Yukio, nice to meet you too." Yukio straightened, "Cecil-san and my brother Okumura Rin, told me..."

His lips parted a little, "Ah... I see, so you're Rin's brother." He stood up from his seat then gestured to the chair beside his. "Please don't stand there, take a seat..."

Yukio gulped, "Hai!" Yukio saluted as he walked forward and sat down as ordered. If the other man was curious why Yukio acted so nervous, he didn't ask. Yukio wondered if this how normal people felt in close proximity of celebrity. Caxton-san was not one bur he head this strong presence that made Yukio felt unnerved.

"So... did you come to see Raguel?" Caxton-san asked"Or Rin?"

Yukio nodded, "I want to see Raguel-san... Nii-san doesn't live here..." A flicker of displeasure flashed on his fair face, and Yukio was sure he was not imagining it. "Uhm, Caxton-san?"

"Yes?"

"Uhm... Caxton-san..." He trailed off, "Do you know about my brother?" He asked vaguely.

Caxton-san blinked owlishly at that, "Oh... about his ancestry?" Yukio nodded, "Before you ask every personnel involved in this mission know..."

Yukio swallowed at that. "I see..."

"Most of information is classified." Caxton-san informed him before he could ask, "Not even Lord Pheles has clearence to access it."

The younger exorcuist rubbed his palm together, "Nii-san implied that much..." He murmured, "By the way Caxton-san..."

"Hm?"

"Is it alright for treating comrades like that? Nii-san can't even live in the same quarter as his partner... I don't know how it goes in your order but... I believe teamwork and mutual trust are essential for exorcist, no matter which organization they belong to." Yukio drawled softly.

Caxton-san blinked owlishly at him. "Is that why you came all the way here to see Raguel?" The older man laughed softly. "To make sure he is not being mean to your brother?"

Yukio blushed a deep red, "This is serious, Caxton-san!"

"I know..." the long haired man assured Yukio. "It's just that... you can't expect Raguel to be nicer to Rin than he already has, beside... I believe they're proffesional enough to set their difference aside for the sake of their mission." He tilted his head to the side, "I can't tell you what it is, but the mission is important enough for all of us to work together to the best of our ability regardless of our personal feelings."

What kind of misson was that? "But still! Cecil-san should..."

"Rin wouldn't ask that much from Cecil..." Caxton-san cut him off, "You see... long time ago, but it must feel just recently for Raguel... he almost lost someone very important to him because of demon..."

"But it have nothing to do with Nii-san!"

Actually it does.

Caxton-san shrugged, "Does it matter for the survivors of Blue Night that your brother happen to be Satan's son? That he was born at the wrong time?"

Yukio clamped his mouth shut.

"Love is as strong as death, jealousy is as cruel as grave..." Caxton recited suddenly.

The younger exorcist frowned. "Is that from bibble?"

"Song of Songs..." He confirmed with a smile. "When emotion as strong as love is involved no one have firm control of themselves, especially at the risk of losing someone we hold dear..." Then he added, "And considering that..." His expression became wary, "I can't believe you seek Raguel out, while I am sure Rin wouldn't want you to be anwhere near him..." Yukio flushed red, "If I didn't know better I would think you're trying to get him killed."

Yukio adjusted his glasses, "I can take care of myself!"

"So does Rin, and you still go out your way to confront Raguel." He reminded the younger twin.

Yukio quieted down at that, his fist clenched. "So in the end we're both idiots..." He laughed softly, "I just can't help it... I was a cry baby who kept hiding behind him, he always could do things I can't... I am no match for him, I can't win..." This was someone he knew just recently but Yukio couldn't stop himself from pouring his emotion out. He just felt so comfortable around this person.

"... Is that so?"

"That's why I vowed that I I will get stronger than him... so I can protect him..." Yukio finished with a smile. "But... it seems he won't let me to protect him."

Caxton-san laughed softly, "Big brothers have their pride... "

"Yes, his stubborness is really troublesome..." Yukio agreed.

"Uhm, I said pride not stubborness..."

"Same thing when it comes to my brother..."

Caxton-san chuckled at that and Yukio realized what he just said and mumbled an apology. "Ha ha ha... it's fine, in fact it's very refreshing." He cupped his chin, "My comrades in Hand of God are all very stiff individual, and all of them are man of cloth to boot... while I am not."

Then Yukio tensed, recalling how Reverend Cecil spoke of this person in cold voice. "Ne... Caxton-san, perhaps it's very forward of me to ask you when we just met but... Reverend Cecil don't really... like you..."

"Well... if he doesn't like Rin he has no reason to be fond of me either..." He answered in light hearted tone.

Yukio stiffened at the implication, "Oh..."

Caxton-san smiled knowingly at him, "Okumura-kun... you can ask whether I am not human, you know... I won't feel offended if you ask."

"I didn't mean to!" Yukio squeaked, "Eh?" He was not offended?!

"Like Rin... I am a halfling, half human- half demon..." He answered with a smile, "Aside from I am a first generation, I am sure mixed ancestry is pretty common among exorcist..."

Yukio nodded stiffly, "I see... I am just curious... Of course I have no prejudice against halfling! Or harmless demon who didn't go out their way to harm human!" A halfling like his brother, he was a halfling too technically but he had no demonic power. "But you look so..." Was all halfling like this?

He hummed under his breath softly, then he opened his eyes, revealing inhuman amber shade. Yukio gasped as he stared, rich pool of gold with faint cat like slit. Then he noticed the sharp edge of Caxton's ears. "It's a simple trick to hide them..." Feeling Yukio's gaze on his head, he laughed. "I don't have horns and tail... because I descend from a fallen."

A fallen halfling?!

He nodded, and Yukio realized he had said his thought out loud. "A fallen one... their most distinctive trait compared to normal demon is the lack of horn and tails... it's harder to spot a fallen type demon because they're also good at hiding their demonic presence." He paused, "Then again... normally fallen type won't venture to Assiah for too long."

Yukio cupped his chin, "I see... but why most exorcist like us aren't taught about them? Is it because they can't stay in Assiah because they're too strong to find suitable host?" Then he added nervously, "If you don't mind me asking! It's purely academic curiosity."

He shook his head, "Okumura-kun is a teacher, right? I don't mind to share... it's not exactly a classified information..." He cleared his throat. "As for host... while the fallen has capability to possess human, they didn't need a host to anchor them to Assiah like other high class demon..." He paused, "However... a number of exceptional individual need a host, not out of nescessity to exist but because if they don't they will alert anyone with any shred of sixth sense. They will appear like a light beacon in this world..."

"I see..." Yukio murmured, so they had completely different problem than Satan. "Thank you for your explanation Caxton-san, talking with you is an enlightening experience..."

"You're welcome..." He returned with a smile, "It's about time for the cram school, ne?"

Yukio nodded, "Hai..." He took a deep breath, "Next time... I will talk properly with my brother, I promise..."

"I am glad to hear that..." Caxton-san muttered softly then much to Yukio's surprise, a gentle hand patted his head. "Everything will be alright... after all you're brothers, and nothing in the world can change that."

Yukio nodded, cheeks red in embarassement. "I would like to ask Caxton-san to help my brother too..."

"Eh?"

"I mean... in Hand of God, perhaps... you're the only one who understand his position..."

Caxton-san's eyes softened, "You're very kind... and of course, I am already his ally..." Then the older exorcist rummaged his pocket, pulling something resemble a pocket watch with cross shaped hole on the lid. "Here... a present."

Yukio accepted the gift with dumbfounded face, "But..."

"It's a summoning talisman." Caxton-san explained. "When you're in need for help you can put a drop of blood on the slit... and I will be there in instance."

Yukio's eyes widened the size of dinner plate. "Wha... this is... a tallisman to... summon Caxton-san?!" He stammered in shock.

"Oh right... because I am a first generation halfling, my demonic blood is strong enough to facilitate me to be summoned." Caxton-san explained as if Yukio was asking why he could be summoned. "Please accept it, I usually won't give that talisman just to anyone... you're the second person who receive it." He said as he closed Yukio's finger around the talisman. "Don't worry, I am not going to ask for your soul for payment or anything!"

Yukio was still doing an impressive impression of a gold fish, "But... but..."

Caxton-san looked very amused by Yukio's expression. "Don't worry about it too much, just keep it as a safety charm... beside I doubt you will run to anything dangerous enough to warrant summoning me... take it as a token of friendship."

Yukio was still having a breakdown that he was handed an instrument to command his newest friend as his familiar. He didn't have many friends, but surely a token of friendship was not the summoning right usually! However in the face of Caxton-san's insistance, Yukio kept the talisman with a mental promise to never ever use it unless things go south like his students were in mortal danger. He was not sure to be called by first name was enough as pay back for Cax- Nathan-san.

He could feel the aura of annoyance that was shooting bullets on his back, so he didn't need to turn around to see his aide was glaring at him. "I believe this is what we call digging your own grave, Camio..."

The demon prince, 'Camio' laughed softly. "It can't be helped... it's the least I could do to help Yukio as Camio."

"You don't have to do it this way..."

"I do." He took a deep breath, "You see between me and Rin there is still a wall."

John frowned, "You're not having identity crisis again, do you?"

Camio laughed softly, "It's not that... it's just as either Rin or Camio... mentally there is a wall that separate us." He murmured, "It's not like I have multiple personality disorder but more like we see each other as different person in spite we said otherwise..." He murmured sadly. "Now that we separate our appereance the wall feels thicker to me, because as Rin I am still scared to acknowledge that once upon a time I was Camio and the current me is also Camio...as if fathered by Satan is not bad enough, I am also a three thousands years old halfling..."

John looked worried, rightfully so. "... Are you alright?"

He shook his head, "I don't know... you see, as Rin the most important to me is my family... Yukio and Dad... this world where I was raised too." He placed his hand above his heart. "But for Camio... it's Solomon... my comrades... my country... my people."

While now was peaceful, sooner or later it would change and Camio... Rin... would have to choose sides. That was why he struggled so much as he can't choose.

"Camio..."

He took a deep breath. "Even if I dig my own grave with this action... I want to break the wall I put upon myself... at the very least I want to believe regardless of where my loyalties lies, regardless of who I am... my wish to protect my brother, my family will never change..." He smiled at his aide and friend, "It's the door I need to blur the boundary between Rin and Camio... and then perhaps one day..."

Once he and Solomon made a covenant, he became one of Solomon's pillar because Solomon promised him that he wouldn't be denied by neither demon, nor human, not even God. Then he realized even if his comrades didn't deny him and he had a place to belong, all this time he forgot the one who deny him first was himself.

"I can accept myself... and no longer deny who I am..."

Definitely you won't just accept three millennia worth of memories so easily. Rin didn't have too many problem with personality, but more with setting his priority straight. As for his personality, even though he is calmer he didn't go through a lot of personality change, in the first place have a lot of side in his personality, he is brash but sometimes he could be much calmer than Yukio when facing his problem head on.
Remember how Yukio said that in Rin's position he would have gone crazy with fear and worry for his demonic power but Rin accepted them as part of himself and move on for good. So, actually in Camio's character this side is emphasized more. Rin didn't have that much of personality change, more like his calmer side surfaced more which in account he has power so he didn't rely on power he can't control as much like in canon. So, he has less thing to worry about which is why he is calmer... he also has a lot to hide while canon Rin had none. It's more like circumstances make him show calmer side more, not that he change too much.

And also... I need more opinion ^^ so send me more review okay, I have to say a good bye to this story for a while as I want to focus on other story. Who knows when an inspiration strike me again.