A/N:

Hails: SIKE. Not hiatus. Fuck it, I'm gonna keep writing and I'll go back to edit (maybe) when the next four months screw me over with truths.

I disregard any claims to the characters, setting, or plot of Blue Exorcist/青の祓魔師, which are a property of the mangaka Kazue Kato. I'm just borrowing them for a little non-profit fun.

"A true teacher would never tell you what to do. But he would give you the knowledge with which you could decide what would be best for you to do."

― Christopher Pike, Sati

Lilith hissed, leaning against the tree as she thrust a flat palm against Izumo's midriff. The maiden was all kinds of nervous with Lilith's demeanor―how it had leapt from warm yet firm to harsh with stressed undertones.

"Dammit," She cursed. Her silvery hair fell around her head, shielding her face from view. "it's getting worse."

"What's... getting worse?" Izumo inquired, setting aside her discomfort and fear to support the kindly woman.

"A creature has been freed from its seal, I suspect Lucifer may be behind this," She explained, graciously leaning some weight into Izumo's form. "I'll have to explain to you all more in-depth once the others return but I fear the Blightseed's strength grows with every passing moment."

"The Blightseed?" Izumo continued her questioning.

"A creature forged by the Kings of Rot, Earth, and Insects," Lilith said quietly. "Created as a last resort to fight their older brothers. I used to doubt it would have done much except for dent them but I underestimated its power years ago."

"You used to fight demons?"

"Demon, singular, just the one," Lilith corrected. She pushed herself to her feet, away from the girl's serving grasp, despite Izumo's silent protests. "Samael ran off in the middle of the fight because he'd rather protect his host body, avoid the allergies the must gave him. I was left with two others to try and beat it down, only I survived."

"But you're said to be the only one who could match Samael's power," Izumo pointed out, following the witch as she hurried down the planks of wood leading from the nest, Uke and Mike close on her heels. "You're telling me that this is such a high-level demon that taking it out would be difficult for most high-level exorcists to handle?"

"Not difficult, near impossible," Lilith rectified. "And I'm not that powerful. Lucifer is a far better match to Samael's power than I could ever be. Not to reduce the fact that a fight between us would destroy a good chunk of the world."

"You're kidding!" Izumo nearly exclaimed.

"Listen, carefully," Lilith continued. "I said it was near impossible, not completely. It can be defeated but now is not the time for that."

"What do you me-"

"Stop asking for a few minutes, prepare yourself for a fight."

Izumo blanched at the order. She almost asked why but found Lilith's glare would stop her in her tracks.

"We have intruders."

Konekomaru gazed around the vast, white universe that seemed to stretch for miles upon endless miles. Out of the corner of his eye, two figures appeared. An adorable, petite woman with blonde hair tied into a curly ponytail wore a colorful kimono that vaguely reminded him of blooming flowers, just her presence gave him the sensation of cool Spring zephyrs. A man that looked like an exorcist in the Myōō Dha, one Konekomaru had seen around (Chika Minami, he thinks.) He donned the usual garb of the Miwa clan.

Their gentle smiles beckoned Konekomaru to come toward them. He knew who they were, had seen pictures of them.

'Mom and dad,'

∞§•§•§∞

The first thing Shima was aware of was aware of as he snapped back into reality (or, reality as it could get when you were in the Spirit World) was raucous, mocking laughter and wisps of words barely getting through. His gaze flickered to a young man who was cackling madly, leaning on a brass Khakkhara for support as he clutched his stomach. He looked like he had worked with the Myōō Dharani his whole life. His dark, messy haired was partly tied back into a loose ponytail, both his demeanor and appearance had unnerving similarities to Kinzō and Jūzō.

"I can't breeeeeathe," The young man wheezed, slapping his thigh. "That was fantastic! Ho- holy shit! You are crazy!"

Renzō tilted his head, processing the situation.

"Oh, man! You should have seen yourself!" The man continued. "You scream. Like a little girl! You summoned a Wisdom King to burn a giant-ass centipede! Whoooooo! And somehow I doubt Yamantaka will be very happy with you."

"Who..." Renzō trailed off. He cleared his throat. "I'm sorry, who are you?"

The young man seemed faintly injured at the inquiry. "What? You don't recognize me?! I'm heartbroken, Ren..." He whined pathetically.

'So he knows my nickname?' Renzō thought. Somehow he was both impressed and unimpressed at the same time. OH! Maybe that's what that feeling Mr. Okumura used to describe how awed he was with Renzō's stupidity was. 'Weird. Only Jū and Kin call me-'

"Big brother Takezō, at your service!"

Renzō's jaw dropped as he stared at his vibrantly excited older brother. Somewhere in the recesses of his mind, he hissed a slew of curses.

"You... YOU'RE TAKE?!"

"The one and only," Takezō grinned, bowing before Renzō. "Now, normally you wouldn't strike me as the type. But what brings you out to this... fine, humble place?" He was selective with his words, almost as if the Spirit World wasn't as tasteful as most made it out to be. "You don't really mind not knowing things."

"Uh... well, maybe not," Renzō said. "But why would you serve Myōō Dha. Not that it's important, just out of curiosity. Why would you obligate yourself to Buddhist exorcism and serving the high priest? I mean, Bon's grandfather was kind of a hardass from what I hear. You don't owe them anything."

"Ah, there's no doubt, he totally was a hardass," Takezō reminisced. "If dad didn't punish me for disobeying orders at least once a month then it was Master Suguro trying to do it. Usually, his son, Tatsuma I think was his name, had to come to the rescue. But I'm gonna let you in on a little secret about why I stuck around."

Takezō was at Renzō's side with an arm slung over his shoulder in a second. He smiled, getting a little too close for comfort. "I was a bit of a degenerate and a rebel growing up. I tried to make my life fun. However, I loved my family and therefore, wanting to serve them wasn't really a chore or an obligation. Not when it was something I wanted to do."

"That doesn't make any sense!"

"Sure it does, don't you love your family?"

"Well, of course, I do. But I don't want to put up with all the weight of your supposed good deeds," Renzō said snidely, jabbing a finger at Takezō's chest. "Why do I have to live up to your legacy? I didn't even know who you were until just now!"

Takezō didn't seem offended in the slightest. "Aw man, is dad gettin' on your ass about Yamantaka too?" He didn't give Renzō a chance to respond. "You know, taking care of your family shouldn't be a chore. If it feels like it, take a step back and analyze what's wrong with the situation, what don't you like about it? Where is your strongest connection?"

Renzō didn't answer. He didn't really even have to think about the answer. He knew he cared about Ryūji and Konekomaru (and of course, Izumo) to some extent but he had no true loyalty, no faithfulness, he didn't obligate himself to anyone or anything. He supported himself and strived for fun, enjoyment. Maybe he was like a demon in some sense of the word, with his love of entertainment and the desire to follow wherever it went. But he found mischevious human was far more applicable.

"Ahhhh man, you're making this too complicated!" Renzō exclaimed. "Why not just chalk up to the fact that you're like everyone else in my family and leave it at that?"

Takezō sniggered, holding a hand over his mouth. "Pardo- what?! What part of 'degenerate' and 'rebel' did you get blindly true from? I analyze my connections, Renzō, and it's okay if you're questioning everyone's ideals. That's how change happens."

"Yeah, whatever," Renzō was done with this conversation. It was kind of a waste of time, anyway. He shouldn't have let Lilith coerce him into this. As he walked away, however, Takezō saw fit to bribe him.

"Alright, I get it, you don't like what you're hearing," Take said knowingly. "But what if I told you I can provide you with the secret of the key to a woman's heart?"

Renzō paused, freezing for only a moment, then turning his head to stare at Takezō with wide eyes.

∞§•§•§∞

Ryūji Suguro was done. All that metaphor (one that was a little on the nose, honestly,) and being forced to climb a mountain led him to this one crucial moment of his life. He wasn't so sure he should be happy about it because to be completely real, grandpa was a bit of stiff-necked anti-Paganist. Actually, Ryūji didn't even think Pagan rituals were practiced in Roman Catholicism, at least not that he heard of. Even if putting anything past the True Cross Order is a surefire way to be roped into some of the worst situations imaginable. He had seen it with his own two eyes.

"Your hair is a mess, you're not even wearing the proper attire of a future Myōō Dharani priest!"

'No shit, Sherlock.'

Suguro was gonna have to take a few moments to avoid decking his grandfather over the head. No matter how tempting the deed was.

"And allying yourself with the Son of Satan?! I would have expected better of Tatsuma's son!"

'I guess that's why you're not alive anymore.'

"Where are your manners? You don't even have the decency to apologize."

Alright, that's it.

"Maybe, because, you haven't earned my respect yet?" Ryūji said aloud. The old man looked like he was going to explode and at this point, Ryūji didn't care. Actually, he was beginning to mourn the loss of his dyed streak, then maybe he could piss off his grandpops even more.

"How dare you? You had the audacity, the nerve to speak back to me like that! I ought to have your head, I'll throw you to the wolves!"

"Yeeeeaaaah, listen, grandpa," Ryūji responded, shifting from one foot to the other and folding his arms a bit disapprovingly. Not that it would matter what his subtle actions implied, his authority was practically nothing in comparison to Fuku Suguro. "I'm not here to get yelled at. I've decided where I stand and I'm sorry that doesn't align with your beliefs. But I didn't climb a mountain while a monkey was throwing rocks at me and nearly get my arm bitten off by a wolf just to get yelled at. Karura has been eaten alive by a human man and that's all you can seem to do?"

Fuku spluttered for all a few seconds before righting his posture. "Fine then. What is it you want to know?"

"Well, first off how the hell do you exorcise a demon without killing it when the human has forced it to take possession?" Ryūji asked. He was almost a little exasperated by the thought and while his father may have lied about somethings, he suspected that this wasn't one of them. Not according to the information he wrangled out of Shima, anyway. "And after that, why would Karura of all Agni want to make a pact with our bloodline?"

"You have no patience do you, boy?" Fuku nearly snapped. He left no leeway for Ryūji to remark and continued on. "I couldn't tell you why Karura liked our blood so much. You'd have to ask him. As for retrieving him from the pits of possession, I can only think of one ritual that could remove him. But you'd need at least five Myōō Dharani priests from one of the three major clans and a spell that's older than even my great-great-grandfather."

Ryūji almost counted how many grandfathers that might be throughout the years. Almost.

"It's not an easy ritual, are you sure you want to learn this?"

"If it'll save Karura, then yes. I will humble myself enough to ask you to teach me how it's done."

Fuku scoffed. Children these days, he swore the world was going to hell.

∞§•§•§∞

The snow fell in gentle, frigid flakes, sticking to dry strands of hair and long lashes. Snow crunched underfoot as the narrow path, blanketed in white powder, led mother and son deeper into the trees. Between the branches and the trunks, out of the corner of his eyes, Rin could catch glimpses of critter-like demons scampering about; watching him and Yuri. His demonic instincts told him that they meant only to observe from a distance—they were harmless. But whatever senses he picked up from exorcism, the months of swordsmanship practice with Shura, had screaming warning bells going off in his head.

Yuri twirled all of a sudden, kicking up snow as she went—it seemed to float and glitter like albino fireflies. She and Rin were face to face, watching one another, each with a pair of stunning blue eyes.

"First things first," She said with her bell-like voice. It chimed in Rin's ears, soft and sweet. Part of him wondered what her singing lullabies would have been like in his childhood. Quietly, Yuri withdrew what seemed to a wallet from the pocket of her jeans and flashed her identity. "My full name is Yuri Jasmine Egin, I am a Senior First-Class exorcist. My foster dad was caucasian if that makes you stop questioning why I have a second name."

Rin almost did question why she did but her quick lips seemed to have defeated the purpose of asking. Fortunately. And he had other questions anyway.

"You.. you were an exorcist?!" He exclaimed.

"True Cross Order born and bred from the pits of hell known as Section 13," Yuri explained, pocketing the wallet. "Excuse my language. Of course, I was meant to be a clone host for Egyn. But according to any reports, I had too much personality. I was too much of a hassle to kill so they dropped me off at an orphanage in Japan so Mephisto could watch me. But not... watch me, you know?"

Oooooh, yes. Rin knew all too well what Yuri meant when she said that. Mephisto wasn't exactly the most responsible of legal guardians.

"My father was Austrian, my mother was Japanese, and a witch to boot. She taught me everything I know."

There was a slight pause as if Yuri was trying to find the proper words.

"I soon as possible got into exorcism, got my first license as a Tamer when I was fourteen," Yuri went on. She seemed a little sad if her eyes falling thought to speak for her voicebox. Around the duo, more creatures appeared, sniffing and approaching woefully. Rin tensed a bit. "Don't mind them, love. They're just curious." From the foliage, a nimble and fleet-footed animal hopped onto her shoulder. It almost looked like a mix between a white rabbit, a silken kitten, and a squirrel. It nuzzled Yuri's cheek then hopped away.

"O-okay..." Rin trailed off. Wary but now more relaxed.

"After I became a Tamer, I began climbing the ranks, earning every single meister by the time I was twenty," Yuri waited for a response. Rin seemed impressed, no, scratch that. He was impressed.

'Holy cow! She's got to be even more prodigal than Yukio!' Sweetie, the word you're looking for is "prodigy." Not that prodigal isn't far from describing your brother.

Yuri smiled kindly as Rin's mouth fell open, giggling at the display of awe. She regained her composure almost too quickly. "However, as time went on, the Order began taking more and more interest me. Stress got me, I retired for about a year to this little cottage in the mountains and suddenly I was asked to come back in to look at something in their laboratories. I hadn't seen Section 13 since I was a little girl. Six, seven, maybe eight-years-old. I still barely remember my time spent in there."

She was silent all of a sudden. Her face had a faraway look on it, she was completely unresponsive, almost as if she was having an episode spawned from wounding. Rin debated for all of a second, then approached with all the uncertainty of the surrounding demons. He took her by the shoulders, shaking her gently. She snapped back into the Spirit World, inhaling sharply. She noted Rin's worried expression and found comfort in his warmth.

"Sorry," She murmured. She sounded almost a little ashamed.

"It's okay," Rin assured her. He swallowed nervously, his tongue felt large and tied in his mouth. "What... what happened after that?"

The expression on Yuri's face darkened. Her fists curled in on themselves, she gritted her teeth. It didn't take a brain scientist to deduce that she was both in agony and feeling wrathful. "As soon... as soon as I entered the room of the subject they were studying, it exploded. In blue flames." Rin's breath hitched as he watched what he thought was a gentle and kind woman become bitter with trauma. "I remember, I had been thrown against a wall so hard I could barely see and my ears were ringing like the world's largest bell had gone off in my head. I could make out pieces and phrases of words as a white-haired individual towered over me."

Yuri would never forget what those words that voice uttered sounded like. Oh, how they haunted her, even in the afterlife.

"Finally... free..." There was a hoarse gasp for air. "And it feels so good! I think it's time for a bit of a test-drive."

"The worst feeling in the world overcame me. I was hurt, violated beyond my wildest dreams and left for dead on the ground." Yuri was distant, fading. Rin could feel her energy gradually vanishing. He suspected he wouldn't have much more time with her. "A month after the incident, they managed to capture Satan but not before he caught wind that I was pregnant with two children—and he wanted me.

"First thing the Grigori wanted was for you both to be killed and they sent Shirō to go retrieve the only demon-slaying blade capable of it. But anyone who was a demon wasn't having it and eventually, Mephisto lied, promised to have you and Yukio killed, then whisked me away to a nursing facility. Satan found me about two months later, began talking me up. I refused any of what he wanted to try on me. There was Demon King exchange between him, Mephisto, and Lucifer. They convinced Satan to stave himself until both of your body's were capable of holding a possession."

"Then what?"

"Satan dispersed into a massive wave of flame energy, took down so much of the world with him-"

'The Blue Night,' Rin realized.

"-I told Lucifer and Mephisto that they could choke if they thought they were going to do anything like that with my kids. Lucifer tried to convince me otherwise, Mephisto took my side. The two had a falling out, Lucifer split off to his subdivision of the Order, which was the Illuminati, and started his own research. I later tried to run away from Mephisto but I'm guessing he sent Shirō after me and he gave me sanctuary until I made it through every single trimester of the pregnancy."

There was a slight pause.

"When you guys were ready, it was one hell of a home birth. I got to nurse you both for all of three days before I..." Yuri trailed off but Rin already knew what she was going to say.

"You died," He said sadly. He appeared guilty, crestfallen, he only avoided his mother's gaze. "I'm sorry we caused you so much pain."

"What are you apologizing for?" Yuri chastised mirthfully. "It wasn't your fault, it was Satan's. Speaking of which, when you face him in battle one day, give him hell from Yuri, won't you?"

"I sure as hell will," Rin confirmed.

Time was up.

"Oh, wait! I have one more thing to tell you!"

∞§•§•§∞

"Grandma!" Shiemi squealed jubilantly, rushing for the petite old woman. She slid on her knees and embraced her, feeling her granny's trembling warmth. "I missed you so much, grandma."

"I missed you too, dear," The woman whispered shakily. "How have you been?"

"You'll never believe it!" Shiemi blurted out, scrambling so she could see her beloved grandmother's face better. "I got out of the garden again! I started going to school and I've been training to be an exorcist! Or... at least I was. I kind of stopped but that didn't prevent me from making lots of friends! Rin is Yuki's brother and he's so cute even though he has a bit of a temper and Izumo is really pretty and strong. I have to tell you all about them!"

"My, Shiemi, you've grown up since the last time I saw you," Granny smiled, leaning on her cane a bit more. "You're even growing your hair out."

Shiemi hummed, combing her fingers through her silky blonde locks. "Yeah, I like the thought of it being long. Nori says I look all grown up with it like this."

"Certainly, however, Sheimi, I must speak to you about something,"

"Yes, grandma?" For some reason, the young Tamer felt something overcome her. Trepidation, morbid curiosity perhaps. She couldn't name it.

"It's about what role you were meant to play in the coming future and about Shemihaza,"

An immediate, saddened frown befell her. "What about it grandma?"

"You know there's no law saying you have to go through with it," The wisened woman smiled again, placing a hand on Shiemi's shoulder. "You know there are so many people who want you to follow your dreams. You've already accomplished one of them; you found the Garden of Amahara and you found me. I'd say that's quite the mighty thing to do."

"But grandma! What do I do? What mom told me... it's life changing!" Shiemi was caught at an impasse—did she protest or did she comply? "And- and do I honestly just sit by and watch mom go on to fulfill, with no one to take over the shop? I don't want to have to fight against her trials concerning my friends, I don't want... I don't want to be at odds with her."

"Who on Earth says you'd be at odds with her, Shiemi?" Granny inquired with incredulous undertones in her voice. "May I reiterate? There are so many people, including your mother, who want you to follow your dreams. Besides, this decided future of yours isn't written in stone. What say you break the cycle, be the woman who changes how the Order works?"

"I..." Shiemi hesitated. What on Earth was she supposed to say?

∞§•§•§∞

Yukio felt his perception go fuzzy, tip back and forth like a seesaw. Nothing about the Spirit World felt right, not the atmosphere or the particles floating around in it, or the space underneath his bare feet. It was all so... dizzying.

"Well, it's about time you got here." Yukio whipped around at that crack, eyes widening as the man he called 'father' for so long appeared. He was laughing, grinning like he always seemed to do. He really shouldn't be, there was nothing humorous about this in any way. At least, not to Yukio.

"I finally get here," Yukio muttered, sighing, shaking his head. He had to actively resist the urge to smile a bit. It was a habitual reaction he had accumulated to avoid showing his true emotions. "And you're laughing. You're mocking me."

Fujimoto made a face, slightly amused; slightly confused with a raised eyebrow and a knowing twinkle in his eye.

"Eh, well, I wouldn't have thought of it as laughing, per se-"

"Doesn't matter to me," Yukio snapped, interrupting his father. Fujimoto flinched slightly, taken aback by how feisty and opposed to even a bit of authority he was. Shirō had, on some short, shallow level, expected mistrust and bitterness to be flung in his direction but not for it be so harsh-sounding or sharp. Not that he could blame Yukio in any way. "I'm here for one thing and one thing only. If you won't tell me, I'll just leave. I'll find my information elsewhere."

The threat didn't even have to be vague for Shirō to understand it. Lucifer was always capable of promising Yukio things that Shirō was hesitant to share.

"Yukio..."

"Don't chastise me," Yukio growled, pointing an accusatory finger at the man before him. Shirō was silent for all of a moment, letting a sigh leave his lips. Somehow the small timeframe was enough for Yukio to be, not too surprisingly, fed up. He turned with a scoff and began walking away.

"Yukio, get your butt back here, I haven't decided on anything yet!" Shirō scolded. He rushed forward, seized Yukio by his upper arm and dragged him back to the "center" of the area. "Have you literally lost every bit of patience to the point that you won't give me a moment?"

"Yes, as a matter of fact." Never let it be said that Yukio wasn't absolutely ready act like a brat at this stage in his life. Screw maturity, screw dignity. He was through.

A ring of silence permeated the air as Yukio kept a dark, affronted glare trained on Father Fujimoto. A deep, guttural noise rumbled in the back of Yukio's throat, the beginnings of a roar perhaps. "Well, are you going to say something?"

More silence, just the meeting of eyes in mute combat. Fujimoto resisted the urge to chide Yukio because really, he wasn't going to listen to a well-meaning verbal lashing.

"You really want the truth?" Fujimoto had to speak quickly to prevent his son from talking over him. "I wanted to wait until you and Rin were on the same level but I guess it's not going to happen."

"I could care less about what you wanted. Just tell me the truth!" Yukio demanded. His voice got quiet and low, threatening like a cornered, carnivorous animal sick of the bruises and lacerations littering his body. "Did I inherit the flames?"

Shirō seemed unaffected by Yukio's harsh voice, almost amused if anything. His eyes were misty and sad; watery, like he was remembering something from years in the past that he would never get back. Nostalgia was an ardent force.

"You know when I was alive, I used to tell you both that Rin was a screamer?"

Yukio had heard this before, was so used to these words. Shirō had recited them countless times and it was usually followed by Rin protesting the humiliation of it all—Yukio's brother was particularly good at disrupting this story. Besides, it was either that or listening to the Holy Father claim he'd found them inside a larger than life watermelon, which he cut open with a butcher knife. ("Chef's knife, old man! You're supposed to use a chef's knife!" Rin would holler.)

"Don't make that face," Shirō criticized, wagging a finger. It was true, Yukio was scowling again. "I'm telling you something important." He paused, making sure Yukio wasn't about to walk away again. "Rin was a screamer, definitely. But he only started wailing after you stopped."

Maybe Yukio was slightly intrigued, slightly curious, so he'd stick around, make a slight gesture for Shirō to continue. The wise man smiled, finally assuming he had his youngest on a hook. (His youngest, his dearly beloved youngest son. No one else's. His.)

"Oh, let me recall, you guys were barely a few days old, Yuri had just died around then, and I was so, so close to killing you both. Looking back on it, the reason I changed my mind was... well, it's funny. Rin smiled at me, isn't that silly? But I remember bringing you guys home, to the Southern Cross Boys' Monastery for the first time. Rin was a little fussy and I suspected it was because he wasn't used to being without your mom for more than a few minutes. You, on the other hand, had barely stopped crying the second you had been born. And as time went on, despite me nursing you to the best of my abilities, you were never quiet."

Shirō hesitated. Yukio silently prompted him, he almost took a step forward.

"After a while, one of Mephisto's nursemaids pointed out it was because you were in pain." Yukio opened his mouth. "Yes, Mephisto appointed nursemaids to help me get used to being a dad because I didn't know what I was doing. Sue me." Yukio closed his mouth. Shirō breathed out, drained and miffed all at once. Thank God his back stopped aching, that spirits couldn't get pains like that.

"The nursemaid was right. Your screaming was because you were in pain. Picking you up made it worse, cradling you made it worse, nothing seemed to soothe you. Doctors couldn't find anything wrong with you, claimed you were healthy. My colleagues said that something couldn't be right because infants don't just cry like that and all the time to boot. All this while I was still trying to find a way to seal yours and Rin's powers."

Yukio's mouth parted slightly. "My... powers?"

"Well, that answers your first question. Yes, you inherited Satan's flames."

Yukio marveled at the thought. He stared at his own hands, wondering if it were possible.

"Hmm, he doesn't lie to you, brat. You have my abilities, they stir deep within your core."

Yukio nearly barked at Satan to shut up.

"At some point," Shirō continued. "You began to cry so hard that you wouldn't sleep, wouldn't eat, sometimes you even stopped breathing. I had to resuscitate you on more than one occasion. If I thought I was panicking before then, however, it was nothing compared to watching you fall apart. You began to bleed blue fire. It was then that I realized... the power that you inherited was tearing your body apart."

Shirō watched as Yukio's eyes widened to the size of saucers. Another shock to befall the young man.

"I couldn't stand by and do nothing, not when you were in so much pain. Finally, Mephisto suggested I seal both your powers in the Koma Sword. With a bit of help from him, I managed it. And for once since I had brought you home, you had stopped crying. Instead, you would look around with large eyes and just... stare. At everything. At first, I thought I should be worried but you became a perfectly healthy baby if not with minor strength and stamina issues. I thought maybe there was nothing to worry about."

"Okay, so yes I inherited the powers. But what about mom, how did... that happen."

"She was involved with the Asylum, born from the deepest bowels of it. She had been attacked and raped by Satan, resulting in you and your brother's conception."

Yukio swallowed. Normally such topics didn't make him so squeamish but some part of him suddenly understood Rin's terror at the thought of knowing. He almost thought to provoke more answer but the hurt expression on Fujimoto's face made him cease.

"Rin is receiving answers from Yuri, she's far more open about her trauma than I am. If you want to know the details so badly, you better get them from Rin."

With a nod from Yukio, Shirō shook his head, inhaled an alleviating breath, and went on. "By training you, I had hoped to increase your physical strength so when you got your own blue flames, it wouldn't destroy you. All the years of tough battle and field medication and Dragoon training wasn't just to protect your brother but to protect you. While I can sense a lot of what I did to you impacted your mind in negative ways, if I had a choice to go back and make the same decision all over again, I would not change a damn thing. I promised you that you'd understand one day, I can only hope you do now."

"I... see..." Yukio couldn't seem to find the words to portray the understanding he now had. Only more questions bounced around the confines of his mind, begging to be answered. 'What was our mom like? Why did you save us? How do I control my power to better protect those I care about? How do I look after Rin with this new obstacle presenting itself?'

"By the looks of things, however, it seems your powers didn't return to you upon the initial time Rin drew the Kurikara," Shirō said. He began chewing on an unlit cigarette and Yukio internally questioned where the hell he got it from. "They were supposed to. All I can conclude from just looking at you is that while those flames aren't with you now, they'll be returning to you soon."

"You mean... an Awakening? For myself?"

"Yes, and I fear it is far closer than I originally thought."

"How close? How should I prepare? And what of Rin-"

"Slow down, kiddo," Shirō muttered, holding up a hand. "Don't get so spastic with me. I couldn't tell you how close your Awakening is. Hours, days, weeks, months away, pinpointing the precise time is nearly impossible. Just know it is near and soon you will begin to feel the restless side effects just as Rin did before his Awakening. Just be cautious because I can't guide you anymore and certainly not through this."

"I... I understand." Yukio nodded.

"Before you go, Yukio." Shirō gestured to his son to approach as if to speak a terrible secret unto him. "I have one more thing to tell you."

∞§•§•§∞

Konekomaru had never known more love than now. All he was feeling was basic comfort, affection, and yet it felt like a piece of him had been put back into place. His parents smiled down at him, appearing kinder and far more gentle than they had in any photograph.

"My dearest Koneko," His mother whispered sweetly. "Look at how big you've grown."

"You keep getting taller and you're going to surpass Bon one day."

Koneko chuckled slightly at that. His chances of growing taller than Suguro were lower than they'd ever been, no matter how much milk he could drink. But he supposed they were only trying to bring a sense of solace to him. He appreciated the sentiment more than he assumed they'd ever know.

"What can I do to get stronger?" He asked immediately. Perhaps he was a bit hasty; he did, however, spend half an hour in a tree talking to a tiger so maybe his smoke was merited. "If there is anything I can do, anything at all to obtain power within my limitation, then I must know. Protecting Bon and helping Shima, those are my priorities. Even if Shima has... questionable motives."

"You are so willing and strong already," His father smiled, squeezing Konekomaru's shoulder. "You only need to consider your options. You are a leader, a strategizer, use your brilliance and your enemies' ignorance against them. I'm sorry we can't be there to guide you in person, however, we can bestow upon you both a blessing and some wisdom."

'Please do,' Konekomaru nodded, allowing his parents to grasp both his shoulders and lay gentle hands upon his head. They spoke good words to him, filling him with assurance and confidence. He would be given the strength to fight.

"Koneko, listen to us before you leave," His mother murmured, pressing a kiss against the top of his head. "Satan is the true evil among all religions in all worlds. He is powerful and wants to make those around him miserable as he is. He has harmed and killed many of your ancestors, including us. Your exorcisms, while still in the works, can be perfected to save the world. To defeat him, you must defeat those below him first. Even if you're just a supporting hand, do you understand?"

"Yes, ma'am."

∞§•§•§∞

"No way! You lie!" Shima claimed, pointing a rude finger at Takezō.

"Nu-uh, I promise, I'm tellin' ya the truth!" Takezō was practically grinning from ear to ear. "Serenade her. Women love music. Singing badly is better than not singing at all. Rapping is good too. Women will like it if you just try."

"Bad singing is more likely to drive her away than attract her!" Shima pointed out.

"Ah, ah. You've seen Kinzō, though. He's not exactly the greatest vocalist ever but girls go nuts over him, right?"

'Well... not exactly. He's more popular than me, though.' A pained smile crossed his features and yet he found the idea appealing to him. "Alright, alright. I'll take your words to heart. Anything else you want me to know? Anything else I can use to serenade women?"

"Yes, of course!" Takezō shouted, pounding a fist against a flat palm as though an idea had just struck him. "Women love sensitive men. Trust is your foundation, by this, I swear it's the truth." Take crossed his heart with his pointer finger.

"I'm calling bullshit," Renzō cracked.

"Oh, shoo, hurry back to the real world," Takezō said, pushing Renzō by his shoulders back in a direction that he supposed would return him to the cave. "Put some pants on, take no shit from Yamantaka, adopt a cat or something. And don't die!"

Renzō rolled his eyes. His tone of voice was sarcastic to some degree. "Yes, sir."

∞§•§•§∞

"Then bring your hands forward and make a yanking motion. Call Karura by his name, he's bound to respond."

Ryūji committed this chant memory. It was bound to save his family's patron Phoenix's life. Hopefully.

∞§•§•§∞

"Grandma?" Shiemi queried, tilting her head cutely. "What's wrong?"

"You are afraid," Granny whispered. "That is a dangerous thing to be. While fear is okay in and of itself, letting fear restrain you is truly unsafe." Granny waved her cane around a bit, shaming the young girl. A feat she had never performed before. But to Shiemi, it didn't seem to have much effect. "You are stronger than you think. Do what you want, despite your fear."

Shiemi nodded, albeit reluctantly. She more than anything wanted to return back to Futsumaya, bow before her mother with a sincere apology on her lips, then turn around and take the Exorcist Authorization Exam. She couldn't stand being on the sidelines anymore, not when Rin and Yuki were in danger. She was capable of doing something, so she had no reason to stand aside.

Maybe it was the encouragement of her grandmother making her stand upright, making determination and courage surge through her. Yes, the path of exorcism was a dangerous one but when she was next to her friends, she could stand on top of the world like Samuel on the wall unable to be hit by arrows or stones. Maybe with more perseverance and strength than even he.

"Alright, I'm going to go, Grandma," Shiemi said, turning slightly. She didn't know where to go but there was an invisible leash tugging her in a certain direction. Leaving the Spirit World shouldn't be as hard as entering, right?

"Look after those stupid boys, won't you, Shiemi?" Granny asked. Her granddaughter didn't seem to mind the wisecrack in the twins' direction. "They really like you, you know. You mean a lot to the both of them."

Shiemi didn't get a chance to return the sentiment. Suddenly the world was dark with only the cave writings on the wall and floor and the slightly idle Will-O'-The-Wisp floating in front of her face to act as light sources. Just past the floating ball of flame were Suguro, Shima, and Miwa. They must have returned before she did but they were eerily silent as if the words spoken unto them had rendered them unable to speak back.

She understood that feeling well.

"Rin and Yuki aren't back yet?" She wondered.

A few shakes of the head or meandering shrugs didn't confirm or deny it.

"Oh, well... maybe they made it out before us?"

"Who knows," Suguro answered.

The air was restless. Somehow no one wanted to stick around any longer and the wisp sensed that. It hummed lightly, guiding them away from the many split paths to the opening that would take them back to Lilith and Izumo.

∞§•§•§∞

"I... whoa, what? Say that again!"

"Satan is holding fast to your brother's eye, his left eye to be precise." Yuri had wanted to try and break it to her son gently, however, it seemed that with Satan being the King Bitchaloid of Demons, a sense of urgency was required. "An exorcism will be required to get him out. Unless you'd rather just rip out his eye."

"Uh, no." The face Rin made resembled a physical representation of the phrase: 'Not on your life and not on my twin's life. Fuck that.'

"I didn't think so," Yuri sighed. Truth be told, she wasn't as cold as most other exorcists, even if that instinctual side of her immediately jumped to just removing the problem. There was a far more compassionate alternative to every cruel solution to a problem. This, she believed wholeheartedly.

"But hang on... a possession? Yukio is possessed?"

"Not entirely. Satan is kind of just... there. Doing what he does best, being annoying." Yuri found herself considering her options of insult. "You know. The drill." Rin didn't seem to understand her in the slightest. "Satan is simply using Yukio as an eye scope; he could care less for your brother. It's you, he wants. Particularly your body."

"Oh, heeeeell no," Rin nearly snarled. "Not on my watch. Not happening."

"You want to resist him?" Yuri inquired. It was much less of a question and more of a statement. "Then you must refrain from letting your emotions compromise how you act. Fear is the gateway to anger, fear is the gateway to injustice, and fear is the gateway to possession. Satan can only stay in Assiah so long without something or someone to cling to. He will attempt to jump into you in order to keep his place. He has gained little traction or ground over the years since your birth and he is clinging to that with white knuckles. You're gonna have to yank it out from underneath him."

"How do I do that? My flames don't burn him just as his flames don't burn me!" Rin protested. He doubted there was some kind of plant that would force Satan out and Rin was in no way an Aria, so chanting was also out of the question. To add to it, there was no demon stronger than Satan, excluding Taming as an option (Shima lending Yamantaka to him? Unlikely.) Which left a standard exorcism by Dragoon or Knight means but once more, Rin was not ripping his twin's eye out.

Yuri shrugged, trying for a suggestive yet unsure smile. Her eyebrows creased to form an expression of uncertainty. "Cover it up?"

"So... not even you know?" Rin deadpanned.

"I made a suggestion," Yuri whined.

"Not a very good one."

"It's better than any other option I can think of! Besides, Yukio may just have to force Satan out by himself. He may be alone in this endeavor."

"But surely I can help him!"

"Maybe as support, as a voice of reason. You can help him fight back but only if he'll accept your help. You can't save someone who doesn't want to be saved."

Rin nodded. "Is that all?"

"Just one more hug?"

Rin didn't hesitate this time. Yuri was tender in his arms, a sense of pleasure he couldn't get elsewhere. A part of him wondered what it would have been like to be raised by her. What would she have taught him? Would he love himself? Would Yukio love himself? Who knows. But he'd mourn being without her, even as Yuri reluctantly pushed him backward.

∞§•§•§∞

"Do you understand now?" Fujimoto inquired. A flash of anxiety showed clearly on Yukio's face. "It is quite dangerous for the Kōmaken to break. If you were to go without a proper Awakening first, then the sword might destroy you and leave Rin broken beyond repair. At some point, I fear it inevitable it will break. However, you can prevent it from creating a serious issue by first undergoing your own training."

Yukio supposed something this world-shattering was possible. He had never been directly told what would happen if the Kurikara were to break, only that Rin's demon heart had been sealed in it (and apparently so was Yukio's to boot? What other secrets could possibly lie beneath the surface?) If it so much as cracked it could seriously harm or even kill those within the vicinity of the mass release of energy, including his brother.

"I... I understand."

There was a beat of silence. Fujimoto searched his son's face for any other response than just this basic complacency. The sudden emotionless demeanor Yukio sported was nervewracking, it made the air feel uneasy and distorted, like the transformation of the air whenever Mephisto appeared.

The reverend stepped forward a bit, Yukio shifted his head just imperceptibly in response, and much to his surprise was met with the firm, loving embrace of his father's arms. He considered pushing away for a second but the hug reminded him of something he hadn't held onto for years. It was like coming home to a warm bed and a lit fire in the chimney after a tremendous, never-ending gale that could blow over even the sturdiest shafts of trees. Yukio breathed out shakily, returning the gesture and gripping onto whatever part of his father he could as tight as he could. He was sure his knuckles were reeling because of it.

"I love you so much, Yukio," Fujimoto whispered lovingly. "You mean the world to me. Please, never forget that I care about you. You are not defective, you are not an eyesore. No one is perfect and everyone is a little broken, everyone makes mistakes. But to me, you are astounding, incredible, even if you've made some questionable choices. Remember that while I am not here physically, I am here in spirit and only want to see you happy. You are stronger than you will ever believe. Most people would heel to Satan in seconds while you held on for months. I am so proud of you. Keep fighting, fire on, promise me that much."

"I promise,"

"Good, now go."

"Wait-"

Yukio felt the light shove of Father Fujimoto's hands and before he could comprehend, he was being forced out of the Spirit World. He could barely protest but no one would hear his hushed voice over the deafening threats that roamed the land.

'I still have more questions you haven't answered. I want to know more about mom, I want to know what she was like. I want to know more about you, I want to know more about myself and Rin. I want to visit the place where these events took place. I want you to stay near me a little bit longer. I wish you were alive, I wish you here with me now, I wish I didn't feel so alone.' All of Yukio's thoughts were racing around his skull at lightspeed, never giving him the chance for rest, never hesitating to have him feel the sensation of loneliness.

All his other senses were being overstimulated, something odd yet familiar buzzed beneath his skin. Anxiety; terror; trembling fear. He inhaled sharply, feeling his twin's back against his own, his fingers instinctively intertwining with Rin's. The darkness engulfed him the way a flood or tsunami would overwhelm a small town. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he registered Rin pulling off to come around to Yukio's front, take hold of his hand again, and gaze up at him questioningly.

"Did you see dad?"

Yukio nodded solemnly. "Yes." It was horribly silent for a moment and Rin wished something would fill that ghostly quietness. "And what about you? Did you see mom?"

"Yeah," Rin's voice sounded dejected, defeated as he spoke. Yukio noted the drained expression on his twin's face. It seemed they both had quite the experience.

"Can... can you tell me about her?"

Rin smiled something small. He jabbed his thumb in the direction of the cavern corridor, ambling down a stretch of it a bit unsteadily. The chilly air bit his bare skin, whatever clothes he had donned moments earlier had suddenly vanished from his exterior.

"Sure, if you'll walk next to me."

Yukio soon enough found himself accompanying his twin, except with a more Westpoint stride in comparison to Rin. Words were shared like secrets whispered between confidants in their most vulnerable moments, hidden away in the heart of the deepest, darkest of forests—perhaps forests that didn't even dot Assiah's landscape. It was comforting in a way that hadn't been for either of them in a long time. Just a few moments they held dear to them, allowing them to bask in family's presence. It brought peace to every molecule in the air.

Rin and Yukio cautiously approached the roaring falls, eyes just adjusting to the white water that seemed to glow at the mouth of the cave. They looked to each other for a mix of reassurance and confidence, then took the plunge into the falls. The cascading weight bore down on their shoulders as they swam out into the pond, arms treading water with grace and strength. Their lungs began to burn as they approached the edge of the pond. Their heads popped past the surface of the water loudly, disrupting the stillness. They gulped in countless gallons of air as though they were hungry animals, leaning against the muddied, bloodied grass for merely a moment's rest.

The first thing they noticed wasn't the inky blackness of night or the glittering stars that hung above them. It wasn't the faint stench of ash despite its prominence assaulting their noses. It wasn't the sudden lack of tranquility, it wasn't the tension strung so tight one would have trouble slicing through it was a sharp knife.

It was the shiny boots of a militia of Illuminati officers.

A/N:

Hails: Sorry for the long wait, guys. All of February has been absolutely crazy. First illness came and strapped me to my bed, then school came and kicked my ass again (this year isn't even that hard, what the flip?) On top of that, my Tumblr inbox is really full and I need to cut the number of messages in there in half. Screw me.

Oh well, at least the Manga hiatus will give me time to recover. *tips hat to Kazue Kato* A true goddess, take your time, missus.

Remember to review and support your local authors, Y'all! No chapter preview this time around, unfortunately.

Stay savvy, my friends.
~Hails