what is this...oh my god...is this an update? Yeah I'm not even going to go into apologizing with how long this took to update, just read the damn thing and I'll post the next chapter when I can ahah

~Laurissa


Chapter 8

"I tried to warn you," Mephisto reminded Lucifer, who was still trembling from Rin's presence. "Rin's demon form was created out of the previous Rin's anguish; making him angry will only make the demon more powerful and the human weaker. You really don't listen, do you?"

Lucifer didn't move his body, but he averted his eyes to Mephisto's. "You should've said that first, Faust." He turned back to Rin cautiously. Rin stared down at him, looking like nothing but a harbinger of destruction. "How did you get back here so quickly anyway?"

"The moment I heard that you were the one coming here, I started running," Rin replied, his voice ice. "What you were about to do was out of line and most likely not in your given orders."

"Not in my orders? In case you've forgotten, that brother of yours is a human and an exorcist at that! Their entire purpose is to exterminate us-to kill you! They should already be hunting you considering all of the humans you've killed since you've been in Assiah!"

I swallowed, taking in every word that Lucifer said. When I first saw this Rin, he told me that he had already killed people, but I had completely forgot about it after a few minutes of talking to him. Technically-no, according to my position, I should be hunting Rin considering what he's done and if the Vatican were to find out that I haven't killed him or that I never will or plan to hunt him down, I'd probably be next on their list. I really just wanted to shake my head at the mess we've all got ourselves into, but this really wasn't a good time to be thinking this over.

"Can't we just hunt you down?" Konekomaru replied, keeping his voice steady.

The demon on the floor raised his eyebrows. "And why would you do that? I haven't troubled you humans in centuries."

Konekomaru stared at him for a moment before speaking again. "I don't think the fact that you haven't bothered us is enough for us to decide to spare you. After all, you were about to kill Yukio. We're exorcist's; this is our job."

"Did you hear that Rin?!" Lucifer shouted. His frustration turning into anger. "You're protecting these killers! I knew you would turn your back on us, I knew it!"

Although I couldn't see the full view of Rin's face, he appeared terrifying enough from the side angle. His red-blue eyes had a killer intent. "You, as well as everyone else in Gehenna know that I'm half human so unlike you idiots, I actually have a conscience, which means that sometimes I can't let some things slide by." Lucifer was about to make an angry retort as Rin continued. "If I kill, or if I allowed you to kill anyone from my past, my conscience would most likely throw me into a spasm where his emotions would most surely surpass mine. Not only that, but I'd just have to blink and they'd all be dead, I'm not really worried about them attempting to kill me. It's not like there's any benefit in killing them either; they're all going to die in the next few decades anyways and I'll still be alive, so I might as well just leave them now."

Lucifer opened his mouth to protest but closed it after a moment. "Whatever, I'll leave you and your precious humans for now," he spat. His eyes narrowed more and with a slight wave, he disappeared.

"H-how did he do that?" Konekomaru asked. From the expression on his face he seemed to be stressing more over how Lucifer managed to disappear instead of relaxing like the others. Even older-brother Okumura seemed less tense in comparison to just a few moments earlier. Although his anger was burned out, his shift to pacing and sharp jolts here and now were enough to tell the others that he was extremely irritated.

The change in atmosphere around Rin put everyone more on edge then they already were, which they should be, any type of demon is just a bomb waiting to go off. Rin was muttering quietly to himself, but only Mephisto-who appeared to have made a full recovery-could hear. He snickered but only Rin was the only one to pick up on what he said.

"I am not a traitor!" Rin shouted, making several of the others jump.

Yukio was surprised to find that he didn't jump. He smiled, realizing that he wasn't scared of the person in front of him. In fact, this stranger strongly resembled Rin in his actions and behaviours just as well as his physical appearance-take away this guys anger and hate and you have the same old Rin, maybe a little different, but the feel was the same. Rin had only been back for a few days but Yukio was already starting to slip into old habits with him. It brought a faint smile to the younger brothers face.

Faust continued a moment after Rin's last comment. "Really, though, why didn't you just force me to go; although the demons cautioned you against it, I'm sure they would never be mad at you over that."

"That's not-" Rin started to say, but himself off, biting his lip.

Yukio was able to finish his sentence his head, 'It's not humane.'

Rin shook his head and turned around sharply. "Shima!" He barked. The pink-haired boy looked up, terrified.

"Yes?" He asked nervously, his smile twitching at the corner of his lips.

Rin nodded his head towards the door. "C'mon, you're coming with me."

Shima's face turned to stone, and the others began to protest before Yukio made them stop. Shima looked at him and Yukio gave him a small smile. Shima nodded, but still looked nervous. Rin walked by his old friend, grabbing the back of his collar and started to pull Shima along with him. The two began to disapear down the corridor. "Don't worry, I promise to return him in one piece!" Rin shouted mockingly before the two disappeared.

"What's wrong with you, Yukio?" Izumo asked. "Why would you think it's safe to let Shima go with Rin?!"

Izumo was shocked to see that Yukio shrug. "I'm not really sure, but I know that Rin would never hurt Shima. It's the same as when he stopped Lucifer from hurting me."

Izumo looked extremely doubtful, but didn't argue about it any further. "I don't know, but you better be right about this."

A smile tugged Yukio's lips up. "I know I am."

Shima blinked and next thing he knew, he was standing in what must have been Rin's apartment. He was surprised at how neat and orderly the space was, he didn't mean to stereotype, but he assumed that the home of a demon would be, well, a little more demon-like, if that makes sense?

Rin walked by Shima and made his way across the apartment to sit on the couch. Shima hesitated before following him into the living room, but didn't sit down next to him.

The demon looked at Shima, his expression difficult to read. "Sit down," Rin said, but it was more of a command then a simple request.

Shima forced a smile, but even he could feel his lip twitching. "Any reason in particular?"

The pink-haired boy was surprised when Rin threw him a PS3 controller and began to set up the gaming system. "I got this new game, but I've got no clue on how to beat it and knowing you, you've already finished it at least three times," Rin muttered. Shima could also swear he heard Rin whisper, "-and it's not fun playing alone." but he didn't dare ask about that.

This new Rin seemed to keep finding ways to surprise Shima. He stood there for several minutes, trying to find any hidden messages between the demons words, but couldn't so he decided to take his chances and sat down on the couch. He looked up to the screen, recognizing the opening of the game and Shima could feel himself relaxing, adapting quickly to his particular situation. Rin put the game in multiplayer-mode, and the two began to play.

The two were silent, nothing could be heard but the overdramatic sounds on the screen, and the clicking of their buttons. Shima chose to speak when the next level of the game was loading. "Why did you ask me to come?" Shima asked quietly. From the corner of his eye, he noticed Rin tense up beside him. "Why not Yukio? He'd have gone with you without a second thought and he is your brother after all."

Rin held up two fingers. "Two reasons: one, Yukio thinks that video games are waste of time and two, Yukio always finds a way to irritate me."

Shima didn't react for a moment, but as more time passed, he could feel himself relaxing more and more. The game resumed and they continued to play in silence. It took several minutes for Shima to build up the courage again to speak. This time, he changed it to a more uncomfortable topic. "So you saw everything?" There was no need to specify 'what' Shima was talking about.

Rin actually hesitated, he even waited a moment before responding. "The worst of it," and then he added. "-at least I hope it was."

Shima winced and nodded.

He was about to drop the uncomfortable topic when Rin added, "But if you put yourself through that again, I will personally end your life."

Shima swallowed, but his surprise faded into a confused state. Shima shook his head, but he was still just as rattled as before. "I may not be the brightest of people, but how can you be so-so evil one moment and then act so human a second later."

Rin sighed, he hated having to explain things twice. "Yes, I'm a demon now-there's no denying that-but even though I wasn't in control of this body in the past, I was still there, so a majority of my life was raised around you guys. Ever since the beginning, I was taught and instructed human morals and customs, I'll never be the 'innocent' boy I was before, but that doesn't mean I don't know how to distinguish what's right and what's wrong."

Shima nodded, actually understanding this completely. Shima also realized something else. "You left out another reason why you didn't what your brother to come: Yukio wants to replace you with the human Rin."

Rin paused for a moment before he made an irritated sound and blurted everything out. "That idiot doesn't seem to realize that I've been there the entire time. I hate that I care for Yukio, but he clearly hates me. I know that he's willing to do anything to get the previous me back, and that scares me because-" Rin cut himself short by biting his lip, stopping himself before he had the opportunity to continue.

Shima just sat there, taking in everything that Rin was saying.

Rin laughed coldly but his face seemed to fall. "You probably think I'm pathetic compared to the other demons."

Shima didnt hesitate this time. When he spoke, his voice was sincere and steady. "Not at all. Like you said, you were brought up as a human. Rin-the one I knew-always told me that that his Old Man was great, and I'm sure that even if it were you that the Father was raising, you would have turned out as the same guy I knew three years ago." Shima was unsure whether to continue, but decided to go on. "The reason you're acting like an evil demon is because of what you had to endure over the past three years. Sure you're a demon at heart, no offense, but since you were created, you were taught that certain things were wrong, and no amount of time can make you forget those lessons. From the way you described it earlier, the reason you took over Rin's body is because of the emotional distress Rin was going through at, so you acted in a way that would make those negative feelings be pushed aside. Now, you're finally moving on from the pain you went through, and the real you is coming out. You didn't became angry and homicidal because of what you are, it's because of what you went through. Anyone of us would probably be same if we were in your position."

Shima stopped talking, deciding that he had rambled enough. He looked over at Rin, hesitant, but also curious to see his expression.

Rin looked at Shima, completely stunned. He didn't understand how such a pink-haired idiot could understand him so completely. For once in his life, Rin Okumura was speechless.

Shima took notice of this and felt proud of himself. 'Making a demon stop talking, there's got to be an award for this somewhere,' Shima thought to himself smugly.

"It's almost like you're human now," Shima laughed jokingly.

Rin's expression turned serious, but there was a mocking attitude in his eyes. "Hold up there Pinky, I wouldn't go that far. I don't think I've made myself clear; I like being a demon, I enjoy using my flames and more then that, I lovedevouring humans souls."

Shima didn't reply, his eyes wide.

Rin laughed, although there was a bitterness about it. "Don't worry though, something is, how should I say? Happening, and it seems to be making me lose my appetite for souls." Rin paused the game and leaned back into the couch, his arms crossed behind his head. "Well, I'm hoping this'll pass, but I suppose it's not too big a deal if it doesn't."

Rin scowled, he didn't like the way he was feeling.

Shima couldn't help but smile, even though he didn't completely understand what was going on. He made the right choice in coming here, Yukio may be extremely ignorant at times, but you usually can trust his judgements.

An hour had passed since Shima had left the apartment-he wasn't very happy about having to walk back the academy, but I'm not what you would call a taxi service.

I noticed that Shima had become relaxed and even I can't deny the pleasant feeling in me. A part of me also felt relieved, as much as my demon self tries to deny it, this human body still longed for it's old friends who still somehow cared for him. My demon-self, however, knew better then that. Lucifer was not returing to Gehenna with good news, and as much as I hated to admit it, Faust was right. According to the other demons, I am a traitor.

What was I thinking? Protecting that human, even if I still do have some sibling affections for Yukio, I really should have known better. I didn't stay away from my past because I was a demon, I stayed away from them because they brought up memories and feelings that I didn't want. Feelings make a person vulnerable which might as well be another word for weak and I can't be weak. The only reason why Rin was able to get kidnapped in the first place was because he was-

I cut myself off. I refused to go back to the past, I moved on from everything that had happened a long time ago. I'm not the same person anyway-literally. I know that it will come to a fight eventually, after all, as an enemy I was too powerful to keep in Assiah, they'd have no ways of controlling me, and they'd probably come to the result that I'd stop them from their dirty work in Earth too. Which I would if I really did became an enemy.

I smiled bitterly. From the looks of it, I probably will become the enemy. "A defender of the human race," I mocked. I thrummed my fingers on the table but my bitter smile became playful. The title was extremely cheesy but it wasn't a lie. "That doesn't sound too bad."


Let me know what you though of this chapter in the reviews! I'll try and update when I can :)