Chapter 12
After class ended Rin and I met up with Ryuji, Renzou and Koneko. 'Glad to see you are up and alert!' Ryuji smirked, 'you could have tried to wake me harder ya know…' I sighed as everyone else laughed. We all then met up with the rest of the cram school and Yukio. 'Everyone, summer break from here on out is going to be fun! However you Exwires will be participating in the Forest Camp. Taking place in the Academy's forested zone, for the next 3 days you will be in combat training. Leading this camp will be Ms. Kirigakure and myself.' Yukio explained as he gestured over to Shura. 'Hello!' Shura spoke, Yukio continued on his explanation a bit more about tests but I of course lost focus with the heat. We all ended up carrying heavy bags and marching in the heat through the forest. Everyone was groaning and if it wasn't from the heat it was the mosquitoes. 'Oh it's a waterfall!' Rin cheered, he seemed to be the only one with energy. Being part demon myself, it couldn't be just that, it must be Satan's power. When we arrived at the site the boys put up the tents and us girls set up a barrier. 'Hey Riiko, where is Athol?' I questioned, realizing I hadn't seen him. 'He doesn't show up to school much, even cram school it seems.' She laughed though she looked a bit concerned. We then had to make dinner, however with our lack of cooking skills Rin took over, surprising everyone with his talent.
After we all finished eating Yukio started to explain the drill. 'Alright so this drill,' 'It's like a test of courage!' Shura sang as she continued to chug down her beer. 'Shura… no drinking on the job!' Yukio spoke with a sharp tone. 'Hey wait a minute isn't she 18? That makes her a minor!' Ryuji barked, 'what are you talking about? This year she will be twenty si,' Yukio was cut off when Shura threw her beer can at his head. He turned to her with a really pissed look. 'Start working!' He growled to everyone's surprise. 'He got angry nyahahaha,' Shura laughed as Yukio just ignored her and continued. 'Anyway… you will all be going off in different directions into the forest in search of a lantern, which you will then lite. You will have 3 days to complete this task; the people who return with a lantern will be able to go on real combat missions. However there are only 4 lanterns,' Yukio stated to everyone's surprise. 'Moving on I will now brief you on what is in your bags. You will have enough food and water for 3 days; there is a compass, flashlight, a firework as well as one match. If you find yourself in danger then use the match to light the firework and either Ms. Kirigakure or I will come and find you.' Yukio explained, 'there is only one match?' Koneko questioned, 'right so if you use the firework you will not be able to lite the lantern. So think carefully before using it!' Yukio explained, we all then got ready as we faced each other. 'It looks like this drill is to make us compete with each other… however if we are at odds it could spell disaster. We can't help each other for this one,' Ryuji stated. 'No hard feelings then!' Rin added, 'I'm better off without you guys.' Izumo replied, we all then took our positions as Yukio yelled out 'start!'
As I was running through the woods, it didn't take long for the demon moths to attack. 'Summon!' I yelled as I drew the symbol in blood and released my sword. 'Sakura Storm!' I shouted as the sharp petals destroyed the demons. I continued to run when I bumped into something and fell over. 'Owe…' I groaned as I opened my eyes. 'Sorry about that Mira!' Riiko smiled as she helped me up. 'Are you okay, why are you running sideways?' I questioned, 'I uh have no sense of direction…' She giggled, 'there is a compass you know…' I replied, 'yeah… I don't know how to use one!' She replied as I fell over. 'Well I know we said not to help but why don't we work together? I mean only 4 spots is stupid, if we bring one back together maybe we both will pass.' I explained, 'sounds good to me! I don't like this competing thing,' Riiko smiled as we both continued forward. It didn't take long till we found the lantern, but Yukio forgot to mention one thing… It was friggn huge! 'How the hell are we supposed to carry this back?' I questioned as we both attempted to catch our breath. 'What kind of lantern is this anyways?' I asked, 'I think it's a peg lantern… It's a demon that when you lite it, it attacks.' Riiko replied, 'oh great so how the hell are we supposed to get it back, let it chase us?' I cried out. 'Actually I have an idea… see these beads, they are rose beads and I can seal a demon in a barrier.' Riiko smiled as she held out the purple like beads. 'Wow that is awesome!' I grinned back, 'I will lite it then seal it so it can't move. We can have it jump on the cart over there with you as bait, then I will seal it and you and I can try pulling it.' Riiko replied, 'sounds good, if any demons come I will use my sword and defend you while you keep the barrier going.' I replied as we then high fived.
It took a while and a lot of energy but we finally arrived back at the camp. Izumo and Takara were both already there with their lanterns. 'Wow you guys are impressive, so fast…' I stated as Izumo smirked, 'well of course what did you expect?' She replied, 'are Rin and the others not back yet?' I questioned as I turned to Shura. 'Nope, slow pokes…' She replied as she lay back down. 'Are you worried about them?' Riiko asked, 'yeah… with 5 of them it shouldn't be taking this long should it?' I questioned as I then heard rattling in the bushes. 'We made it!' Renzou cried out as him and the others had finally arrived back. 'Welcome back!' I smiled as Ryuji yelled, 'what you guys are already back?' 'I just had my familiars carry it, Takara arrived before me though.' Izumo replied, as I went forward to approach Rin to see how things went as I heard a weird voice, 'whaaaaahoooooo.' I turned around to see none other then Amaimon, King of Earth. 'Go Behemoth!' Amaimon shouted as the demon charged our way. 'Look alive!' Shura shouted as she summoned her sword. I quickly ran in front of Rin, knowing that he was the target. Just then a snake appeared from the ground creating a fire absolute barrier, which repelled Amaimon and his pet.
'I created this barrier, anyone inside will be safe for the time being.' Shura explained, 'wait a minuet, barrier?' Ryuji questioned, 'is this part of our training? That guy looked way too tough…' Renzou added, 'who was that?' Izumo yelled as Shura sighed. 'Training's over, we need to prepare for Amaimon's next attack. We'll protect ourselves with Triple-C Holy Water.' Shura replied as everyone's faces turned to shock. 'Amaimon, as in the King of Earth, one of the Baal?' Izumo cried out, 'yeah he is one of the big guns, so you guys have pretty much no chance against him. Now line up!' Shura yelled as she came towards everyone with a container of Holy Water. She then started to splash everyone with it until she got to Rin and myself. 'Woops that was close, anyways… in the beginning God created heaven and Earth!' Shura chanted as everyone was now soaked, 'There until you dry off the water should decrease any damage you may receive.' She added as Ryuji turned to look at Rin and me with confusion. 'What about Mira and Okumura?' He questioned, 'oh right they are er… allergic to Holy Water.' Shura replied as our eyes widened, 'allergic to Holy Water? I have never heard of that!' Ryuji shot back as Rin and I tried to avoid any other inquiries. 'Where is Yukio?' I questioned, 'he was in the way so I had him get lost!' Shura replied very casually.
Everyone attempted to try and call the other professors, for some reason none of the calls were getting through. 'Why is Amaimon even attacking us?' Ryuji questioned as Shura sat down to have another drink. 'Who knows…?' She replied as Rin and I walked up to her. 'I don't know why but I think he wants me.' Rin spoke as I looked at him with concern, 'I know but take it easy. I made the shield so even Amaimon can't break it, but I think he is planning something.' Shura sighed as she pulled us both down close, 'the next time he comes, take the Koma sword and split! Sakurai, you go with him and make sure he is safe.' Shura stated as Rin's eyes widened, 'my sword?' Rin questioned as Shura pulled out the sword from the seal in her stomach. 'Here take it!' Shura stated as she handed the sword to him. 'Wait you said I had to beat you for it!' Rin yelled, 'I also said I'd give it back when I felt like it. What's the matter? Take it, that's what you wanted isn't it?' Shura replied, 'I thought you wanted to suppress my flames, you told me not to use it!' Rin shouted back, 'pipe down! I did but you went and used it anyway, nyahaha.' Shura laughed as Rin blushed from embarrassment. 'What can you do without your flame? Amaimon's no pushover, think about it alright!' Shura shouted, 'Moriyama?' Renzou's voice questioned as we all turned to see that Shiemi was walking out of the barrier. 'What's she doing?' Rin cried out, 'hey someone stop her!' Shura yelled as she attempted to chase after Shiemi. We all followed in her direction when Amaimon jumped down pulling her close to him.