Chapter 17
The three of us continued on till we got closer to the Impure King, 'it's quickly turning into a normal looking building.' Rin stated, 'what kind of demon turns itself into a house?' I questioned, 'we better get going, if we don't get there soon we will be in trouble.' Ryuji informed us as we then heard a sound coming from the bushes. Kuro burst forward as I ran to greet him, 'hi sweetie!' I said as I pulled him into my chest, 'we don't have the time for this Mira; Rin there is a huge demon here. We have to get out of this place,' the demon cat explained as only Rin and I could understand him. 'I know we are going to take it out by climbing to the top!' Rin explained as the cat's eyes widened, 'are you crazy, well I already know the answer to that so hop on. I am going with you,' Kuro responded as he grew in size. 'You are awesome Kuro,' Rin grinned as he hopped on. 'Eh ride?' Ryuji freaked out as I laughed and took hold of his hand. 'It's okay, I won't let anything happen to you.' I smiled as Ryuji blushed and tightened his grip on my hand as we both climbed on the demon cat.
'Yahoo!' Rin cheered as Kuro raced up to the building/demon, 'I'm going to die!' Ryuji cried out as his grip around my waist tightened. I just laughed as the two boys expressed there feelings quite differently. 'We will have to find a good place to land, or the demon will attack us!' Ryuji stated as a big explosion went off making Rin drool, 'uh Rin what's going on?' I questioned, usually I could read him easy but now I was just confused. 'It looks like a giant meat bun… I haven't had dinner.' Rin stated as I almost fell of the giant cat, 'are you kidding me we're in grave danger and you're thinking about food? I'm actually scared to death!' Ryuji stated, 'he's got a point Rin.' I added as Rin looked back at us like we were crazy. 'You can't even use your sword, so you're just a weird strong guy carrying a stick. Aren't you scared at all?' Ryuji questioned as I attempted to hide my laughing at his comment. As we found a spot to land Ryuji faced Rin, 'you're not thinking of giving up are you?' Ryuji asked, like he was scared to hear the result. 'This time? No way… are you scared?' Rin questioned with a smirk, I decided to back off and let the boys have their little spat. 'Everyone's working hard and doing their best so we have to as well. Princess Suguro needs to focus and set up the barrier.' Rin smiled as I spat out laughing, 'who's a princess?' Ryuji yelled in shock that Rin would even call him that. 'Because you're scared and sniveling, such a crude princess I don't want to be your knight.' Rin replied, 'bastard!' Ryuji shouted back as I was desperately trying to contain my laughter. I really loved being around these two, personal feelings aside… they make any situation more enjoyable.
'Damn, no matter what you say I will prove it to you!' Ryuji yelled, 'I'll leave it to you then. We will win Suguro!' Rin stated as he turned back to face us, 'I will protect Ryuji, you do your best but don't do anything reckless.' I stated as Rin gave me a soft smile, 'I wouldn't leave you, don't worry I will be okay. Just protect the princess!' Rin stated as I nodded, 'enough with that princess crap!' Ryuji barked back in embarrassment. 'Let's go my beloved horse,' Rin called out as him and Kuro charged forward. 'I'm not a horse you idiot!' Kuro shot back. Ryuji started the spell as I let my hair loose and summoned my sword. We all looked in amazement, as Ryuji's barrier was a success. 'Ryuji that's incredible, I always knew you were awesome.' I smiled as Ryuji blushed and mumbled out a thanks. 'Amazing, Suguro you are so cool!' Rin stated as Ryuji attempted to keep standing, I wrapped my arm around his waist in attempt to help him stand. Seconds later a wave of demon energy headed towards Rin, 'Okumura look out!' Ryuji shouted as Rin used his sword sheath at the last second to fend off the attack. 'Oi this is getting pretty bad.' Rin stated as he backed off a bit, 'it looks like it will blow up any second now!' I responded as Rin turned to me in shock, 'it feels like the crap is moving faster as well.' Rin added as he and Kuro attempted to avoid the bubbly demon's attacks.
'Ryuji do not break the earth seal if you do the barrier will go down.' Karura stated as Ryuji looked ticked, 'you don't need to remind me, I won't break the seal even if I die.' 'Alright princess don't get your royal panties in a bunch!' Rin stated as Ryuji shot back at him, 'enough with this princess crap!' 'Just focus for now, you can die later.' Rin responded, 'I won't let that happen you can bet on it!' I stated as I continued to support Ryuji. 'Rin look out!' I cried out as more of the bubbly death made its way to Rin. We all watched as the Impure King lit up and exploded, the result turning it into a giant bubbly, bug looking monster. Just then a toxic smelling gas was fired in our direction, 'the heart of the Impure King…' Ryuji stated as he collapsed to the ground coughing. 'Ryuji are you okay? Please talk to me!' I cried out as I pulled him into a tight hug, the poison was affecting him. Being human he was unable to resist the spores. 'Suguro are you okay? Mira what's going on?' Rin asked as he ran towards us. Ryuji and I looked back to see the Impure King was surrounding us, he was going to attack Ryuji to destroy the barrier. 'Mira, Suguro!' Rin called out as he ran towards us. 'Karura protect us!' Ryuji ordered as the flames surrounded us both, Ryuji pulled me tight to his chest. 'Stay close to me, I couldn't live with myself if anything happened to you…' Ryuji blushed as my heart raced faster; I wrapped my arms around his neck and placed a kiss on his forehead. 'Same here…' I replied as I placed another kiss on his lips making his face turn as red as the flames that surrounded us.
'I managed to force the Impure King back but you have to be careful, this power you are using will consume your strength twice as fast!' The demon bird explained as Ryuji collapsed down once again. 'Ryuji hang in there,' I cried out as he continued to pant, Rin was running in our direction as he called out to Ryuji. 'I'm not sure this barrier will hold another fifteen minutes.' Ryuji stated as we turned to him in shock, 'fifteen minutes why? Rin questioned, 'because my body is reaching it's limit, I might not even last that long…' Ryuji stated. 'I hope Konekomaru and Shima are okay…' he sighed as I ran my fingers through his hair. 'They will be fine…' I tried to smile but Ryuji saw right through me, 'Rin if anything happens to me get Mira out of here!' Ryuji turned to Rin with a serious look. 'You have to be kidding, I would rather die then leave you!' I cried as I held him tighter, 'don't think of it that way, think of it as I want the girl I love to live no matter what happens to me…' Ryuji smiled as tears streamed down my face. 'Promise me Okumura!' Ryuji ordered as Rin nodded. The bubbly death was surrounding us even closer now as Kuro tried to bite it with no luck. 'Kuro stop there is no point!' Rin yelled trying to protect his familiar. 'Shit I still can't pull it out!' Rin cried out as he tried once again to pull the sword from its sheath. I felt Ryuji's arms tighten around me, 'it's over, get Mira out of here…' Ryuji stated as I cried out, 'no I am not leaving you no matter what you want, you idiot!' I continued to cry, 'while my barrier still lasts, both of you get out of here!' Ryuji demanded as Rin turned back to face us with shock. 'Hurry up and go every second is precious, protect Mira and my family… go!' Ryuji continued to demand as Rin's expression changed. 'Oh right the Kyoto tower; I want to climb it so show me tomorrow. You are from here right? I heard there was even a public bath there even though it's a tower.' Rin went on as we stared at him in disbelieve at how clueless he was. 'I wonder if the others will come if I invite them. That's why I need Kyoto to be safe, I need everyone to be safe.' Rin smiled as I couldn't help but smile back, that idiot… he always knew just what to say.
Both Ryuji and I burst out into laughter, even in this state he still had hope and that hope will become everyone's strength. 'Fine then I will support your fake confidence we're friends after all…' Ryuji stated as he smirked, 'no matter what we won't give up, you can do it Rin I always have believed in you!' I stated as Rin smiled back at us, 'I'll trust you!' Ryuji cried out sending all his remaining strength to hold up the barrier. 'Me too I will use all I have as well,' I added as I focused my energy and while embracing Ryuji transferred all my remaining strength to him. Rin was able to get over his mental hang up and pulled out the sword with our support as he went charging towards the Impure King. 'Rin!' I cried out as Ryuji placed his hand on my head. 'He will be okay,' Ryuji smiled as Shura appeared. 'Rin go I will protect these two; you are the only one strong enough to defeat it. Prove Shiro was right to let you live!' Shura spoke as Rin took off ahead. More of the demon's attacks were heading our way, I jumped in front of Ryuji taking the hit which knocked me down to the ground as Ryuji caught me letting go of the barrier as we both collapsed. 'Ryuji hang in there…' I cried as I clutched the wound on my chest, which was spurting blood. I watched as Ryuji's eyes started to close, I held him tighter as I closed my eyes and prayed. I believed in Rin, if anyone could defeat this monster it was him. The sky shone blue, the same blue as Rin's flame. As the strong wind blew through us, I held on tighter to Ryuji as Shura tried to protect us from blue flames heading in our direction. I knew this warmth… Rin, he did it! I opened my eyes to see Rin standing in front of me a huge grin on his face. I helped Ryuji up as we both turned to face our reckless friend. 'Mira, Suguro, Shura… I did it! I controlled my flames!' Rin cheered as we saw in the distance the others running toward us.