Gonna keep the author's note at the top this time. :)

Whoa... so, as of August 23, this year, this story will have been on Fanfiction for two years... TWO YEARS. Jeez, it doesn't seem like it's been that long!

Well, I certainly took my damn sweet time, didn't I? Haha, sorry it took so long, guys!

You guys have been there with me through a lot... not just Rin's emotions, but mine as well, lol. Again, sorry about that, and again, thank you so much.

It's been quite an experience writing this fanfiction, and it was mostly you guys who kept it going. I probably would have given it up after I posted the first chapter, but after you guys showed your interest, I realized that maybe I could write something worthwhile. :)

So thank you all for being there, and I'm glad that I made something you all could enjoy!

And I hoped I wrapped everything up at least semi-well!

See you on the next story, everyone!

(Unless there's an epilogue to this story, then this whole emotional note will be very awkward, hehe!)

"You should have called me the moment you heard about this!"

"Yukio, at that point, it wasn't up to me! Even if the thought had crossed my mind, it would have been Rin's choice to tell you then, not mine! You're not his official guardian!"

"I'm his brother!"

"Well, he's told you now, so get over it!"

I listened to Shura and Yukio arguing in the hallway, my eyes downcast. A white sheet was across my legs. My hands trembled violently in my lap. An IV drip was in my arm, and machine monitored my vitals, filling the room with the sound of quiet, steady beeping.

It had been over six hours since my last drink. I was showing withdrawal symptoms, and they had me in this room. I'd be here until the initial, dangerous symptoms wore off... then I'd be put into rehabilitation treatment.

After visiting with Rouga, I'd called my brother. He'd answered, sounding panicked. He'd gotten back to the dorm to find me missing, and Kuro seemed to be anxious. Before he'd had the chance to get angry with me, I'd told him what happened. After that, Shura had taken over, and finished the call.

After that was kind of muddled. Talking to a doctor, setting me up in a room, taking away my belongings, including my phone, checkup, assessing my mental state... all that fun stuff.

"Yukio, do not get mad at him, he doesn't-"

The door opened and I heard Yukio's boots on the floor. I looked up carefully, and when I saw his horrified, angered expression, I looked away again. "Y-Yukio, I-"

Before I could finish, I felt a pair of arms wrap around my shoulders, and I blinked. "Y-"

"Why did you..." It seemed he could get the words out quite right.

I sighed. "It's... I've got problems, Yukio... I think you know that..." I glanced at my wrists. The scars there were faint, pale, pale white lines that barely showed against my skin. You could only see them if you were looking. "Or at least... now you do."

Yukio drew away and just stood there for a moment, before he slowly sat down in the chair next to the bed. "So... you..."

"I'm sure the doctors filled you in." I said.

Yukio looked down. "Yes..." He murmured. "Um... Shura told me it started at the asylum, and with what Suguro-kun said about you, is that true?" He said.

I nodded. "Yeah." I answered.

Yukio nodded. "Did the exorcist doctors check and see if it was a demon related illness? Something that could have-"

"No, it wasn't. And I'm not just saying that, they did check. That demon didn't... give me any... any sickness or anything, she just made me go crazy on you guys... no, it's ah-" I chuckled mirthlessly and tapped the side of my head. "It's all me, Yukio, I'm the one who's just fucked up in the head. It's always been that way. This has happened before, just... not this bad." I sighed. "I'm stopping you before you ask; let's save that for another time." I said.

Beep.

Nothing but the sound of beeping and the faint humming of machinery.

"Does Mephisto know about this?" I asked, trying to change the subject, for Yukio's sake.

Yukio coughed a little and looked up. "Yes. Shura informed him after she talked to me." He sounded furious, and I could only guess why.

"Do I want to know what he said?" I asked.

Yukio shook his head. "Nothing out of the ordinary, for him. It was obvious he knew, even if he said it was a surprise..." He said. "If he knew, then he should have taken responsibility as your guardian! If he knew you were in danger-"

I shook my head. "He wouldn't have let me die, I know that much..." I said. I frowned. "Or... maybe he would... either way..." I shrugged. "He did know, I know that, but... maybe he also knew that something would change." I suggested. I rolled my eyes. "Or maybe he was just entertained."

I saw Yukio clench his fists. "If he did know, and he was just watching you-"

"Yukio. It's okay." I said, reaching out and flicking his shoulder. "We both know he's just a sick bastard, we shouldn't let him get to us." I said, forcing myself to smile. I couldn't be myself right now, for Yukio's sake. He didn't need to see the extent of my sickness, even if he knew how bad it was.

Yukio looked at me and took a deep breath. "So what now?" He asked quietly.

I leaned my head against the hard bed frame. "Well... I think we both know that I won't be working as an exorcist for a while... I left Kurikara under my mattress, just so you know... you might wanna put that somewhere safe for the time being." I added. I'd put it there after deciding to kill myself, knowing that someone would find it eventually.

Yukio nodded. "O-okay... do you think you know how long it'll take?" He asked.

I scoffed. "For my fucked up brain to get better? Never. I'm joking, Yukio, joking..." I quickly added, seeing him frown. I reached up and rubbed the back of my neck awkwardly. "I really don't know, Yukio, I'm sorry." I sighed. "But hey, after... what? Two years of being an exorcist? Two years of knowing about demons? You'd think I'd deserve a break." I joked. It wasn't really a break, but whatever.

Yukio closed his eyes. "Well... I think we'll be okay without you for a while... but..." He bit his lip before continuing. "I think everyone will miss you." He said.

I felt something warm up behind my chest, and a tiny, genuine smile tugged at the corners of my lips. "They'd better fuckin' miss me, or there'll be hell to pay." I breathed, closing my own eyes. "I'm tired, Yukio, I've got to get some sleep." I said.

I heard Yukio stand up. "O-okay. Get some rest, Nii-san." I heard him start to walk away, and I opened my eyes.

"Yukio," I started. He stopped and looked back at me. I could see his eyes beginning to get red. I smiled again. "Tell the others I said thank you. Take care of them for me." I whispered.

Yukio watched me for a moment, then shook his head. "Tell them yourself, Nii-san. We'll visit when we can." I could hear the tears in his voice, but I knew that he wouldn't let them fall.

I huffed. "How dare you." I teased. I waved him off. "Fine. See you later then." I said.

Yukio turned and went to the door. When his hand was on the handle, he froze. "Nii-san... do your best, okay?" He said.

I exhaled slowly. "I will, Yukio."

The door closed after that, and I looked outside at the dark sky. I allowed a smile to reach my face.

"I will."