Chapter 2

"Nii-san! Are you alright?" Panicked, Yukio tried to get up but his brother held him down.

"I'm fine, don't move too suddenly, it's trying to find the best way to attack you! It's after you!"

They heard the creature roar and finally Rin moved and helped him up, already holding his katana, with blue flames surrounding him. Yukio glanced at his brother back and gasped. His shirt was completely burned out and his skin… It was healing very fast but the burn was horrible. And where it closed, it felt ugly scar behind. He didn't know demons can have scars. He quickly looked back at the beast before them.

It was crouching down, surrounded by black flames. It's face had two large horns, the skin was black and the body curled strangely. It had thick, black fur, a little darker than it's skin. The demon's feral grin showed it's sharp teeth and long, pointed tongue. The furry tail was moving back and forth. The creatures eyes were burning red looking directly at Yukio. Rin was right, it was after him.

The staring took maybe half a minute and then Rin attacked with a shout, just as the demon snarled and tried to get past him towards Yukio. He got his guns out in a flash and shoot, while running as well. Rin jumped high and his sword pierced the demon, who growled with pain and swatted him with his massive tail. Rin fell with a groan. Yukio kept firing at the beast and it easily turned his attention back to it's original target. The black deadly flames missed him by an inch, as he dodged. The bastard just didn't react to his bullets! He managed to get his head shot but it just healed.

Rin attacked again, taking the demon by surprise and managing to cut off it's claws. The roar was deafening but they kept going. The flames intensified as it's got more angry.

Yukio was aware his bullets didn't work so he changed his tactic, trying to distract it while Rin attacked. It proved to be a better solution, as his brother quick and accurate hits brought a lot more damage. Still, it was far from over.

They were making so much noise that Shima, Konekomaru and Bon heard them as they were passing the entrance to the park, after fruitless attempts to find any demons. They gasped and run towards the fight. When they saw the black burning demon they froze. It was obvious the beast was out of their league. They wouldn't stand a chance.

They watched in awe as two brothers worked together to kill it. Rin was amazing with his sword - they had to admit it to themselves. He cut off the demon's tail and dodged the flames with ease. Their teacher wasn't far behind, shooting with accurate precise, not to damage at it wasn't doing anything, but to get it's attention long enough for Rin to jump in again.

Suddenly, the beast managed to get away from both brothers, too wounded to want to fight more. It tried to escape and the route it choose was were the boys were standing, still in shock. When they realized what was about to happen, it was too late. They heard Rin shouting at them to get out of the way but even though they tried, they were too slow.

Konekomaru found himself flying away from the black flames rushing towards him. He only saw a blue blur and felt the hit and then he was on the ground. He groaned in pain from the fall but realized that he was unharmed. The flames – both blue and black missed him.

Shima and Bon were standing closer together so they were both pinned under Rin's body. The boy jumped on them quickly, managing only to push their smallest friend out of the way. He didn't have a second to spare, so he protected them in the only way he could. With his own body.

Bon stared up at Rin's face as the boy screamed in pain. He felt blue flames hug him but he only felt a nice warmth. They weren't burning him at all. Startled, he realized the blue flames were actually protecting him and Shima from the black ones, fighting them off where Rin's body didn't cover them. Up over them, the world seemed to be burning. He knew Rin was burning along with it, writhing in agony.

Finally, the flames disappeared as Yukio moved to the beast and killed it with a special bomb with holy water. He could get close enough to plant it on the demon's chest and activate it as it was busy roaring. The weapon only worked if it went directly above the creature's heart. With a pained whimper, the beast collapsed.

"Nii-san! Oh God, Nii-san are you alive?" Yukio rushed to them after checking that the demon truly disappeared. He grabbed Rin gently off them and laid him down on his stomach.

"Rin! Wake up! Why aren't you healing? God damn it!" Yukio panicked voice snapped them out of shock. Bon finally looked at the damage and felt nauseous. His back was one big, bleeding wound. Blisters were oozing with yellow liquid. He knew they would have died from a wound like that.

Yukio took some of the medicine he carried around and gently poured it over his brother back. The pain woke him up from his fainted state.

"Ahhh!" He shouted and bit his lip so hard it bled. Finally his back started to heal slowly. Skin grew back and closed the wound. But deep, ugly scars remained. Bon shivered, looking at them. Weren't demons supposed to heal without any problems?

"Is any of you hurt?" Yukio asked, looking at them. They shook their heads, not finding their voice. "I'm glad Nii-san was so fast, even though he suffered greatly. You wouldn't have been able to survive a wound like that. He almost died and if I didn't have any medicine with me, I don't think he would have got out of it."

"Hah… you… underestimate me… brother" Rin gasped, his voice rough. He opened his eyes.

"Nii-san! Are you… uh, no you are not alright, but you will live, right?" So much concern in his voice made Rin feel warm inside. His brother really forgave him and cared about him again. He smiled up at him.

"Of course. I'm just… exhausted…" Then his blue eyes landed on his classmates. First, he checked Konekomaru. He seemed to be a little bruised, holding his side but otherwise unharmed. Shima was completely alright, protected by his blue flames. Finally his eyes settled on Bon. He took more time studying him, looking for the smallest injury. Their eyes met and Bon felt like he was drowning in those blue pools. He looked away when he recognized the emotion in Rin as longing. And pain. Worse than the physical pain he just went through. He felt guilty but his stubborn pride and beliefs wouldn't let him admit it.

Between the four of them they managed to bring Rin back to the hotel room. They laid him gently on his stomach, his face on the pillow. The demon sighed and thanked them. His eyes closed from obvious exhaustion and he fell asleep. Yukio touched his red forehead and frowned.

"He's burning up. I don't have anything more to help him with his fever. We have to wait for Shiemi to come back. She would be able to get some useful plants for him." With this, they all left Rin to rest.

Yukio looked at the worried faces of his students. He knew Rin asked him not to bring the hatred issue up with them but now the situation changed.

"Do you still hate Rin? Even though he saved your lives?" He asked finally, sitting on the sofa in the living room. The boys looked at each other. Konekomaru spoke up first.

"I… um… I mean… I don't hate him, really. I'm just so afraid of him I can't help it! I'm too scared to be around him. I know he saved us but still… if he went on a rampage again… none of us would stand a chance. And those flames! They could easily burn me if I get too close!"

"That's not true!" Bon exclaimed before he could stop himself. His bald friend looked at him, startled. "I mean… When he saved us, he did it with his flames as well. Even though he must have been in agony, he still controlled them. They were only fighting the black flames, but on my skin I only felt warmth…" Bon admitted, looking away in embarrassment.

"I know what you mean. When we are training together and he attack me with his flames, they never hurt me. He is in complete control of them now." Yukio agreed with him and glanced at the pink haired boy. "What about you?"

"I'm still in shock. I don't particularly like an idea of Satan's son saving me. But I am going to thank him. I can't promise you to come back being his friend. I am a little afraid as well. Not to mention I don't like demons in general. But I will behave myself around him, I promise."

Yukio sighed. It was a lost case really so he dismissed them and waited for the girls.

It turned out they had more luck and managed to destroy the small demons that were making so much trouble. Their excited talking stopped immediately when Yukio asked Shiemi if she will help him treat Rin as he got badly injured. She nodded, her eyes wide with fear but she followed him into the bedroom. Izumo and Paku went in as well and all the girls gasped in horror when they saw the state Rin was in.

Shiemi quickly summoned Nii-chan and helped Rin. After his fever was down they left him be. He was snoring gently, his tail slightly twitching.

"What happened? I thought the demons were supposed to be weak here? The ones we fought with were so easily defeated! The only problem was to find them." Izumo asked, her curiosity getting better of her.

"Rin found a very strong demon in the park. He felt him lurking around and we headed his way. He was firing black fire at us. My bullets didn't damage it and it was too good at dodging. When Rin managed to wound it badly it tried to escape. But Konekomaru, Shima and Bon where on it's way. Before they could react, the beast fired it's flames at them. Rin moved so fast I couldn't even see him. He was already injured as he protected me from the flames but now the attack was ten times stronger." Yukio admitted, feeling guilty." He managed to push Konekomaru away and covered Bon and Shima with his own body and flames. He protected them and I managed to kill the demon. Your friends are unharmed, you may go see them if you wish." Yukio didn't even bother to try and ask the girls the same question he did the boys. He figured Izumo hatred still burned bright and what she believed Paku did as well.

When he looked up again, only Shiemi remained in the room.

"Uhm… Yuki-chan… I really feel bad about the way I acted around Rin… I was just so afraid of him but I should have known better! He is a good person, he wouldn't ever hurt us intentionally. But he is so hot headed, I was afraid he would loose control. But if he used his flames to save them then he is in control, right?"

"Yes, he's been training hard. I trust him." The girl nodded

After that mission Rin's life got a little better. His brother treated him like he used to before their father's death. Shima stopped looking at him with disgust but he ignored him. Konekomaru came along with Bon and thanked him for saving them. The bald boy told him then that he's simply afraid so he will stay away but that he doesn't hate him. Bon only looked at him with guilt but didn't say anything, turning around and leaving. Shiemi tried to be his friend again but Rin already closed himself inside his well build walls and refused to let anyone in again. Izumo was the only one who treated him with open hatred still. Paku was as silent as always.

What was brought to their attention by the chairman was the fact that for such a strong demon being in their world meant someone must have sent him there from Gehenna. There was no other way for it to be there.

And soon enough, exorcists had to run all over the place and try to kill off similar monsters. They were popping up at random, destroying everything within their path. Rin was the only one from their class that was allowed to fight those beasts.

It was decided by Vatican that they were at war when too many of them kept showing up.

After just a week of such intense fighting, everyone felt at their limit. Their school was under direct attack for over two days now and they couldn't keep up with the demons showing up. Rin was exhausted. He was protecting his classmates while they tried to help him fight but couldn't do anything but anger those beasts. They all felt ashamed that the one who they hated for so long and treated as shit was almost kneeling down to help them. Bon felt the worst. Rin got so many scars as he took hits directed at him. With others, he quickly decided if the blow would be fatal and let them defend themselves otherwise. But not for Bon. He was doing anything he could not even a single, little blow fell on him. Of course, as he was the one sitting and reciting the holy verses he should be protected but still… he couldn't help but feel guilty again.

Finally, they got some peace as Vatican helped put up a better barrier around the school. Rin fell down on his knees in exhaustion as the last demon disappeared. Bon approached him slowly.

"Rin? Are you alright?" He asked cautiously, kneeling down beside him. Electrifying blue eyes met his.

"Yes." Came a quiet reply. "Are you unhurt?"

"I'm fine. Thank you. You protected me…" Bon blushed and looked away.

"Of course I did. You may hate me but my feelings for you never changed…" Rin whispered. Bon was shocked at such a statement and glanced at him. Rin was biting his lip in anguish, his hair hiding his eyes from view. And then Bon noticed a tear, slowly rolling down his cheek. Only one. And it was brushed away quickly with an obvious self hatred.

"It doesn't matter. You don't have to thank me. Just leave me alone, please." He said, his voice back to it's emotionless self he used nowadays.

Bon realized that he has completely shattered the boy's heart. And why? Just because he held a grudge against his real father? It wasn't something Rin could control! He felt so ashamed of himself.

"Rin… Will you ever forgive me?" He asked, desperate. His eyes overflowed with tears.

"Bon. I've already forgiven you." He said softly and gently brushed the tears away with the tips of his fingers. "But I can never trust you again." He added, pained. Bon eyes went wide. "I can't trust anyone. It just won't work. I wouldn't survive getting so hurt again. I'm sorry. Besides, you seemed like you regretted ever knowing me. So let's just forget about it, alright?"

"How… how can I forget? I hurt you so much, yet I had hoped… I hope you'd give me, us another chance…" Bon whispered, finally admitting he still cared. Still wanted him.

"Hope?" He laughed, bitterly. "I don't know what hope is anymore. I've lost it a long time ago. It only brings more pain." He stood up. "I will go check on everyone."

Bon just stayed there finally letting the tears fall. He knew he deserved it, yet the rejection hurt so much. How did Rin manage not to hate him after making him feel so horrible? After making him loose his hope?

The war continued. A lot of people got badly injured or died. The barriers still couldn't keep all the beasts away. Rin couldn't stand it anymore, along with a fact that Bon didn't seem to give up. He wanted him back and tried to do anything to make him agree. He felt his resolve crumbling.

Exhaustion made him slower. He looked in horror as one of the beast jumped on Bon's chest and tried ripping him apart. He heard a scream that almost stopped his heart. Yet, he still run, still tried to help – that was the moment he realized he still had hope with him. He still could hope and pray for his loved one to survive. He managed to pry off the demon and slice his head off in fury. He looked at the boy lying there, covered in blood. He gently took him in his arms and run towards an infirmary. He dodged a few of a lower demons and managed to get to the corridor.