A/N: Thank you DebbieKun3, AnimeKpopKawaii, and Hartanna for commenting!
DebbieKun3: Thank you! :D
AnimeKpopKawaii: Lol Sorry! This next Rin chapter is longer.
Hartanna: You're about to find out! :D
Wow... It's been forever since I last updated. Things have been really busy lately...
Rin didn't remember the walls being so damn white.
Everywhere he looked, hospital lights reflected everywhere – blinding, choking, giving him a headache. The teen got word from Mr. Tsubaki that Aidyn's sister was back and okay. Two seconds after hearing the news and attempting to translate it to his friend, Rin offered to take Aidyn to the infirmary where she was kept. The boy seemed really grateful at the motion, his eyes and smile widened, his head nodded wildly with agreement.
So here they were, sitting in a waiting room.
All around the teen was blurry, so many things were all happening at once –
Yukio
Kuro
Aidyn's sister –
Not to mention Mephisto's threat earlier…
'While you're busy fussing over the wellbeing of others, keep in mind your own humanity. It just might be one of the first things to go…'
What the hell did he mean by that? What was he trying to say….? Did the headmaster honestly believe Rin was gonna lose it again? The tone in the weirdo's voice bothered the teen….
Mephisto seemed so sure about it….
The thought pissed him off – here he was, trying the best he could to be a good friend for Aidyn. Protecting him…shielding him… Rin would never hurt anything as weak as this kid. He wanted to do the job Aidyn's no-good sister ignored. That was another thing… Rin really had no desire to see the girl. It wasn't that he didn't want her to be saved… it was just that….
…she HATED him.
Last time he talked to Aidyn's sister, she yelled at him for interfering with the kid's bully. She also didn't believe he was gonna be an exorcist! (All right… Yukio didn't really believe that either – but still!) Well he'd show her! He'd show everyone he could protect the people he cared about!
Finally, a nurse trotted out of the girl's and carefully closed the door behind her.
"She's on edge," the woman said, "…..and needs rest…. Normally I would not allow visitors, but she asked me about her brother six times…. So….. I'll make an exception."
She nodded at Aidyn and the timid boy slowly entered the room. Rin went to follow, but the nurse held her hand out.
"Only the brother."
The teen looked down at his feet, grumbled under his breath, and then sighed.
Eh damn…. It's probably for the best anyway…but –
- But for some reason, he wanted to see how the two siblings would interact. When the nurse walked away, Rin opened the door a crack and peeked through.
He was a little stunned at what he saw.
The teen had never seen the sister like this before. Her hair was a tangled, frizzy bunch of blond curls, dropping to the waist, way different from the usual pin straight locks. She was certainly frazzled looking…. but in kinda a good way….
Did that even make sense?
For the first time, Rin realized the big physical difference between Aidyn and the girl. How were they related? The little guy was so pale… to the point that he looked sick, and he had these sad-looking brownish eyes. While his sister's skin was so dark… kinda like a chocolate bar, and her eyes were yellow….like…..cheese or lemon something?
What's with all these food analogies?..!
The yellow eyes she now laid on her brother were soft and the corners of her mouth were lightly curled in affection. And those curls immediately spread into wide toothy grin. The girl held her arms out to her brother laughing. No meanness at all…
Aidyn ran up and embraced her.
"A – ARISU!"
Arisu. Oh yeah… That was her name.
The girl returned the hug and began to speak. The siblings chatted in French, so Rin didn't understand a word they were saying. He could only listen to their tones. Aidyn sounded worried… there was a little whine in his voice too. Arisu sounded tender and apologetic. She rubbed the top of his head. The teen filled in the blanks of the conversation.
Where were you sister? I was so worried.
I'm sorry, Aidyn. I didn't want to leave you alone.
Arisu tugged the kid's ears playfully and laughed. Aidyn seemed so content, happy, safe, he began sobbing tears of joy. The girl shushed him gently and patted his back. Rin began to think more optimistically.
Maybe I misjudged her…
She does seem to care about her brother a whole lot…
Maybe going missing wasn't her fault after all…
The infected could've taken her by force I guess….
Maybe she is a good sister…
Suddenly, Arisu spotted a bloody scape on her brother's back. Rin's heart dropped to his stomach. Aidyn got that during Kuro's attack… when he knocked the teen out of the way… saving his life. The caring expression the girl once held hardened to accusation.
She looked over her brother's shoulder and spotted Rin. He jumped. It was like her aura completely changed… She said nothing. Her face was emotionless and icy…but it stung, like lemon juice getting caught in a paper cut. (Rin's not very poetic.)
"Aidyn…?" she said in a semi-sweet tone.
"A-ah…?"
More France (FRENCH!). Rin didn't understand.
The kid looked back from Rin to his sister, hesitant. Arisu spoke again, gently, gesturing to the door. Aidyn nodded and walked through the door. The teen backed up quickly and looked at his friend with confusion.
"H-hey?..! Where are you going?"
"G-getting water f-for s-sister."
"Oh, uh, okay…. You want me to get it?"
The boy seemed embarrassed at the offer.
"U-u-u-u-uh n-n-no! No! I-I am o-okay.. I am okay!"
"Um…. Alright, if you're sure…"
When Aidyn was gone, the teen heard Arisu call from inside the room.
"Why don't you come in for a moment meester Okumura?"
Rin did what she said. He knew the girl was going to give him the third-degree about her brother's injury, but it didn't matter. He wasn't afraid of her.
"You were gone for so long. Don't you wanna talk to him? Why'd you make him get you water?"
Arisu stumbled out of the hospital bed. She fell on her knees, crashing to the floor.
"HEY!" Rin rushed forward, and kneeled over her, "What are you – ARG –"
She grabbed his tie.
"Ow long do you intend to drag zis out?" the girl spat.
"W-what….?"
She yanked on the tie.
"DON'T play dumb wiz me!"
With stern eyes, Rin grabbed her wrist.
"What the hell are you going on about?"
Arisu's mouth twisted to a grimace, eyes wild with anger. Was this truly the same affectionate girl he saw a few minutes ago?
"Rin Okumura… Age: fifteen. Blood type: B. Birzday: December 27th. Attended Souzern Cross Grammar School. Received about zirty-two complaints from teachers and parents, all relating to violence towards classmates. Lost a job as a delivery boy, lost a job in a grocery store, lost a job as a lunch assistant, lost a job as a bus boy, 'n many ozers. The reason: aggressive actions towards citizens. Known for picking street fights. Nearly expelled in kindergarten after breaking a child's nose and arm. Nearly expelled in grammar school after beating up two guys in ze bathroom, giving one a broken arm and a light head injury. In kindergarten you also broke zree of you foster-fazer's ribs, sending 'im to ze 'ospital."
There was silence.
Just silence.
How, he did not know…
…but Arisu L'Écarlate had just condensed all of Rin's life failures into a few sentences.
He looked back stupidly.
"H-how – "
"Tell me, miiister Rin Okumura. Does zat sound like ze type of person who would take sooo much care for my little brozer? A violent, aggressive beast? Oh what a shame – I caught onto you."
"How did you –"
"Ow did I get zis information? Do you really zink zat I would leave Aidyn all alone if it weren't to protect 'im?"
All those pleasant, warm thoughts Rin previously had about the girl faded away.
He saw her for what she really was –
A whiny, thick-headed brat.
"You left the school… JUST SO YOU CAN GET DIRT ON ME?...!"
"I zink I got quite a lot of dirt, actually."
"You had my BROTHER and other exorcists put their LIVES in danger so you can get DIRT?...!"
Arisu became infuriated.
"OH SHUT UP! Stop acting like YOU'RE some kind of SAINT! I see zrough you, so quit it – I KNOW WHAT YOU ARE!"
Rin's heart stopped.
He prepared for the biting words.
I know you're Satan's son…
"You are a BASTARD just like any ozer bastard we've ran into. I know better zen to trust a stranger, one zat CLAIMS to be Aidyn's 'friend' – ONLY TO STAB 'IM IN ZE BACK!"
"Wait…wha?"
That wasn't what Rin expected.
"What do you mean?...! I'm not lying! I am Aidyn's friend!"
"HA – 'ow many times 'ave I 'eard zat before!"
"I'm serious – I'm his friend!"
But what this girl said… maybe it did hold some water…some truth. Rin remembered the first time he met Aidyn… in an alleyway with a bunch of thugs beating on him. He remembered walking the guy to the school, and the people spitting curses. He remembered the words Kamiki had said –
'Th…there's something wrong with t-that s-student…. I think he has some kind of condition…'
'S-Something that drives people crazy.'
So…all his life, Aidyn's condition made people want to kill him….
Arisu spoke through gritted teeth.
"If you go near my brozer again, I promise zat I will make your life a living 'ell."
But Rin wasn't listening; he was too busy putting the pieces together.
So there were people out there who tried to gain Aidyn's trust…and then….
They CLAIMED to be his friend and then - !
There was a boiling fury inside of Rin, whoever those people were –THEY – RIN WOULD – Who could do that? Who could do that to a innocent little guy like Aidyn?...! Make him feel like he's wanted and then…AND THEN!
The teen felt it, the flame – cindering, ready to burst from his pores.
Aidyn burst through the doors and ran between the two.
"No – no – noooo! No fight! No!"
The kid's helpless, squeaky voice eased Rin's nerves before he could flare up. The poor guy must've heard all the shouting. He felt horrible, what was going through Aidyn's head at that moment?
'Why is my injured sister on the floor having a screaming match with my so-called friend?'
Arisu faced her brother. The teen couldn't make out what she was saying, but her voice was stern.
"Aidyn …"
The child looked back and forth from Rin to the girl, his legs were shaking. Arisu's voice hardened.
"AID-yn…"
A high, shaky response came out of the little guy.
"N-n-n-no….."
The girl's eyes widened with shocked bewilderment, her mouth nearly dropped. Suddenly Rin understood what they must've been talking about.
She told Aidyn to stay away from Rin.
And he refused.
This must've been the first time the kid had ever said no to his bossy older sister.
Serves her right.
"Aidyn – "
"N-no. R-Rin m-my friend."
"AID – "
Rin clasped her shoulder.
"Hey. You're hurt, okay. You need to get back to bed."
Arisu swatted his hand way.
"Don't touch me!"
Rin got pissed again.
"HEY! What the hell did I ever do to get you to hate me so much?..! Yeah, I screwed up a lot in the past – a HELL of a lot! More then you FREAKIN' know! But I changed, and even if I didn't, I still wouldn't ever hurt Aidyn!"
"Get out," she hissed.
"No. Not until you get back into bed."
Before the girl could respond, a shriek erupted in the distance.
"GGGGGYYYAAAA! NOO! AHH! WHAT ARE YOU?...! NOOO!"
Everyone jolted up at the noise, even Arisu. The voice sounded female, like it belonged to an adult woman. Rin couldn't tell how far away the cry was, but the danger was there, and he sensed it. In a heartbeat, the teen was on his feet and through the doors.
"Riiin!" Aidyn called and ran after him.
Despite her weakened state, Arisu followed as well.
"Wait – Aidyn!"
Rin dashed forward with no sense of direction. The teen had no idea where he was going. The only thing he knew was that a woman was in danger.
"HEY! – Where are you?..!"
"SOME ONE! SOMEONE PLEASE! IT'S HIDEOUS – IT'S HIDEOUS!"
The booming yell came from all directions. It was useless, no matter how far Rin ran, the voice neither faltered nor grew lauder. Where in the world did it come from? The hallways were endless; they became dark and stretchy with each turn.
"SOMEONEHELPME HELP ME HELPMEHELPME"
"THEYWONTSTOPTHEYWONTSTOP"
"IT HURTS"
"IMINPAIN THEY'REHURTINGMETHEY'REHURTINGME ITS UNFORGIVABLE"
"THEYWANTME TO DIE THEYWANTMETODIETHEYWANTMETO TO TO"
"DIE"
"ITS HIDEOUS ITSADEMONITSADEMON ITSHIDEOUSITSHIDEOUS"
"ITS HIDEOUS"
"ITS CRUEL"
"IT'S A DEMON"
"A DEMON"
"A DEMON"
Rin kept running, but winced and covered his ears in pain.
"Sh-shut up…"
The words assaulted his head and blocked out all other logic. Everything became blurry and the walls began to spin.
"you are a demon"
"come to us"
Rin had one single thought before he hit the floor –
.
.
.
.
.
.
A trap?
A/N: ^^; Haha sorry... I know I'm kind of making the plot jump into yet another dilemma, but it's extremely important! :0 We are approaching a massive turning point that I've planned since the beginning!
