After everyone had said their goodbyes and retreated back to their homes, Logan and Yukio had accompanied the Okumura brothers back to their dorm. Logan had explained everything about mutants and the school to them both. Yukio interjected frequently, explaining things much more succinctly than he.
Yukio had seemed reluctant to even consider Mephisto's idea, but Rin hadn't said nearly a single word during the whole conversation. Afterwards, Yukio and Logan found a room in the huge, empty dorm and settled down for the night.
Logan was sprawled across one of the beds, too many thoughts buzzing around in his head to go to sleep. He had come here to get Yukio and get out. Glancing across the room, he saw the shadowy form of Yukio lying under the sheets. He had accomplished his mission, yet he felt more uncertain than before.
"You can't sleep either, huh?" her voice was loud in night-time quiet of the dorm.
He grunted, "No, not really."
After a moment, Yukio's voice came again, softer this time, "You're really going back, aren't you?"
"Yeah," he said, finally verbalizing the decision he had already made, "I mean, after that jibe about the Professor still being alive, I have to check it out."
"And what about Rin?"
Logan sighed, "I don't know, Yukio. That kid is all kinds of messed up."
Yukio rolled over, her sheets rustling as she fixed her eyes on Logan, "That's why he needs you."
"I'm all kinds of messed up, too," he laughed humorlessly.
"Exactly."
Logan frowned, "What's that supposed to mean? You're pretty messed up, too, you know -how come you never told me about demons and shit?"
"I was scared. It was part of a past I was trying to escape. "
"I understand that."
There was another moment of silence, then Logan spoke, "I want to help him. Maybe that's the professor rubbing off on me, and being around all those kids. Whatever happens, he doesn't deserve to die."
"You're actually a big softie, aren't you Logan?"
"Shut up and go to sleep," he muttered, rolling over as she laughed. Maybe he was going soft, but he wasn't going to let anyone kill that kid. He had seen too many friends die.
Yukio couldn't sleep. Mephisto's words and Logan's explanation were bouncing around in his skull. He was beginning his skull would crack if he thought about it any harder.
If Rin went to America, it would be almost impossible for Yukio to protect him.
But what if that was the only way to protect him?
"Yukio, you awake?"
"Yeah," he answered, feeling a sense of dread growing in his belly. Rin had been acting strange all day, but he had barely talked that whole time. The suspense was killing Yukio, because he knew a discussion was coming sooner or later.
"I could have killed you today."
"But you didn't."
"But I could have! I think...I think I want to go with Logan."
Yukio sat up so fast he nearly hit his head on the roof, "What?"
His alarmed shout woke Kuro up, who meowed loudly and jumped off Rin's bed, glaring at Yukio. Rin hardly noticed.
"No one here can really help me, Yukio. I mean...this Professor is supposed to be a psychic. What if he can help me learn to control my powers? And he could teach me to resist being controlled like that."
"He's not an exorcist, he doesn't even know about demons, Rin. How would he be able to help you?"
"Logan said there are other people with powers there."
"But they're not like you, Rin!"
"Neither are you!" Rin shouted, causing Yukio's mouth to snap shut. The silence was tense, rife with unsaid words.
"You said yourself, you can't accept my flames. Most of the exorcists are afraid of me. And the Grigori wants me dead. Everyone else here is...they're normal. They're human. You don't know what it feels like to be so alone."
But if you leave, I will be all alone. Yukio thought, but he didn't say anything.
"I don't mean...I don't want to hurt you. Or anyone else," Rin added, obviously trying to ease the tension.
Yukio reached up to adjust his glasses out of habit, only to meet with empty air. With a sigh, he let his hand drop, "If you're sure."
"I think so."
"Fine, then," Yukio laid back on his pillow. He could tell Rin was still sitting up, looking at him. He waited for Rin to speak again, but he merely called Kuro back to bed and drew the covers up.
Yukio closed his eyes, but he knew sleep wouldn't come. Especially not now.
"What? You're leaving?" Shiemi's green eyes were wide and shining with tears. Rin scratched the back of his head, averting his eyes.
"Yeah, it looks that way," he said quietly.
"When are you coming back?" Konekomaru asked, and Rin shrugged.
"Whenever this blows over."
"You're running away?" Bon asked, crossing his arms.
"The Grigori want to kill him - I would run away too," Izumo said, fiddling with a pencil.
They had gathered in the cram school. The sunlight was slanting in the windows, gleaming off the golden dust motes dancing in the air. By the time the sun set, Rin would be on a plane out of the country.
"I'm not running away. Logan said there are people there who can help me - teach me to control my powers. And to...to not be controlled."
"Sounds good to me. Plus going abroad is pretty cool. I've never been out of Japan," Shima said with a careless smile. Bon smacked him on the back of the head.
"Don't encourage him!"
"What's your problem?" Izumo glared at Bon, "It's none of your business anyway."
"He's leaving cram school! How are you going to become an exorcist and defeat Satan if you're vacationing in America?" Bon leaned down in Rin's face, who gulped nervously.
"He's not going alone."
Everyone turned their heads to see Shura standing in the doorway, which was still under repair. She had a duffle slung over her back and another bag on her shoulder.
Rin narrowed his eyes, "You...what are you doing here?"
"I'm going to America, of course, you nitwit. Don't worry Bon, I'll make sure he keeps up with his lessons!" she crossed the room and put Rin in a one-arm headlock, ruffling his hair with her other hand.
"You're really leaving?" Shiemi asked again, still frozen in place.
"I don't think you have to worry about Rin, Bon. He may be pretty dumb, but he's got a lot of resolve," Konekomaru said, smiling.
Bon backed up and shrugged, "I guess you're right. As long as you come back."
"Hey! What kind of send off is that? I'm not dumb! Just because I fall asleep easily..."
"I see you're feeling more yourself," Yukio said, stepping in the room after Shura, "Rin, it's almost time to go."
Rin nodded, shoving Shura away. He faced his classmates, still a little nervous. Then, with sudden resolve, he raised his eyes and met Bon's.
"I will come back. And I will defeat Satan."
Bon nodded, "Alright, just don't get too buddy-buddy with the kids over there. Remember who your rea friends are!"
Rin smiled, looking at everyone, who smiled and nodded back.
"Send us postcards!" Konekomaru said.
"Don't slack off, you idiot. Just make sure you come back in one piece," Izumo huffed.
"Meet some beautiful babes - and send me pictures!" Shima pleaded, before Bon hit him again.
At last, there was only Shiemi to say goodbye to. She stepped forward, then blushed and held up a blue sweet pea flower.
"This flower means goodbye," she stuttered, then looked up into Rin's eyes, "But not forever, okay?"
Rin grinned softly, and took the flower, "Definitely not. I'll be back before you know it - and stronger than ever!"
"Ugh, just kiss already!" Shura moaned from the doorway, causing Rin and Shiemi to both blush deep red.
"A-anyways, goodbye!" Rin muttered, quickly turning away and hurrying out the door.
"Bye," Shiemi said softly as he disappeared around the corner. Shura saluted everyone and followed, then Yukio turned to leave as well.
"You're not leaving too, Yuki-chan?" Shiemi cried.
"No. I'm just going to see my brother off."
His coat swished behind him as he vanished out the door, and for some reason he seemed even sadder than Rin.
"Logan, Yukio, this is Shura Kiragakure. She'll be traveling to America with Rin."
"Nice to meet ya. Can we get going now?" Logan growled, walking towards the plane.
"Sorry - he gets nervous when he flies," Yukio shook hands with Shura, earning a glare from Logan.
"You're the badass sword fighter I've been hearing about," Shura commented, then turned to Okumura.
"Hear that, Four-eyes? You've got a girls' name," she whispered, causing Yukio to grin his teeth.
Shura laughed and followed Yukio and Logan to the plane, while Rin lingered behind with his brother.
"So...I guess this is goodbye."
"Yes, it is. You had better hurry or they'll leave without you."
"Do you really think this will work? Even if the Order can't find me, you'll probably get in a lot of trouble."
"We're not stupid, Rin. We've got a plan."
"Just looking out for my little bro!"
Rin was smiling widely, tail swishing side to side, wearing some ridiculous t-shirt with an American pop band blasted across the front. Yukio bowed his head.
But how am I supposed to look after you?
"Hey. Don't worry. I'll be fine, and when I come back I'll be even stronger than you! Just watch!"
Even Yukio had to grin at that, "You still won't be an exorcist."
Rin pointed his finger angrily, "That again!? Why do you always bring that up!?"
"Just get going already."
"Alright, fine! I'm going, I'm going! See ya!" He started running towards the plane lugging his suitcase behind him, waving over his shoulder with a stupid smile on his face.
At least Rin seemed to have found some peace about this situation. Yukio stood watching until the plane took off, then watched it until it was a mere speck in the vast blue sky.
For him, all his peace of mind had just left.
Rin was leaning against the window, basically drooling, "Whoa! This is awesome! I've never been on a plane before!"
Logan was sitting on the aisle seat, gripping the armrests, "Yeah. Great, kid."
Shura sat across from Logan, legs crossed, studying him curiously, "So you're a mutant."
"Yeah. What are you, a stripper?"
"Logan," Yukio admonished. Logan rolled his eyes and turned back to Rin. The kid's tail was whipping around like crazy. He batted it out of his face and sighed. This was going to be a long trip.
But when Rin finally sat down in his seat, he could see the excitement and determination in the kid's eyes. Well, maybe this plane ride was worth it after all.
The End! Thank you everyone for staying along for the ride! I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. This is my very first fanfiction, and the positive comments have been so supportive and uplifting! Just to let you know, there will be a sequel! I hope to start writing it soon, but I may have to work out a few plot points first. Also, I probably won't be writing during the first week of August due to GISHWHES. Once again, thank you so much for reading, hope to see you again soon in the sequel!