I'm really sorry for not writing for so long. I hope there is still someone who will still read my story.

Well, enjoy :)

Chapter 13

Rin's first impression of Hell wasn't exactly as he expected it to be. He thought he will see something horrible, with tortured souls and demons hurting them with glee. What he saw was so different he couldn't believe this place could look like that. How? Well… nice. He was standing on a hill (which didn't surprise him as getting to Heaven was the same as well), made of soft, grey sand. Sure, behind him wasn't anything magnificent – just a desert till the horizon. What captured his whole attention was the city in front of him. Rin looked in awe, still unsure he got to the right place.

As Heaven was purely golden, Hell was red like a ruby. The color wasn't unpleasant to the eye. This red spoke of royalty, wealth and power. Buildings were high and strange, like nothing he's ever seen before. An infinite number of strange towers were mixed with small, round houses or large and magnificent estates. The towers were catching his attention because they were spiral or had some unusual balconies and windows. Looking at the outskirts of the beautiful town, he noticed a poor part of Hell. Houses – or more like shacks – were also red but the color seemed faded, like no one had repainted it for centuries. There were no towers there but small, shaky buildings, looking worse for wear.

"What do you think, Otouto?" Amaimon asked him with a real smile, seeing he was overwhelmed. "Beautiful, isn't it? Father sure knew how to build something tasteful! Let's go explore before we wreak some havoc!" Laughing madly, he run down the hill.

Rin could only nod to that and follow his overexcited brother. He knew he shouldn't enter into the town before getting his backup but he was curious. Did anyone knew how he looked, anyway? And being with Amaimon should be safe. He wanted to see the fountain he noticed before. It seemed to have some dragons or maybe strange demons on it. And those towers looked like fun! More so than the Tokyo tower, for sure!

Without thinking of repercussions, Rin entered the beautiful, red city, laughing at Amaimon's jokes. Demons were rushing on the streets, some looking very much human like Rin, other completely horror-like. Yet, it seemed everyone was excited over something, running here or there, arguing, fighting or destroying things. Rin has never before entered a crowd so lively. He could now clearly understand the animosity between demons and angels. In Heaven, everything was so peaceful. Here, it felt so full of life and energy, angels couldn't probably stand all the rush. He could tell that the atmosphere was getting to him – he wanted to run around too and he felt his body buzzing with excitement.

"C'mon! Let's go see the fountain!" Rin shouted towards Amaimon and not waiting for him, run in the main direction of the city centre.

"Hahaha! Sure! Let's race!" Amaimon replied, happy. He liked it when his Otouto was so carefree. If he was raised in Hell, along with his brothers, they could have so much fun together!

No one took a second glance towards a running teenager. Or so Rin thought. Because one pair of red eyes blinked and followed his movements. Soon, he had a pursuer.

The fountain was large! It really showed a dragon, it's glorious wings spread wide, red water, like liquid fire, flowing from his opened mouth. Around him there were a few demons – one with two heads, other with horns and a fluffy tail – but all beautiful. There was also a wolf with eyes made of blue sapphires – Rin realized it must have been Satan's form on Earth. The water flowing around was crystal clear, mixing with the red one from the dragon. He stood there, his eyes shining. He could spent a whole day watching it and wouldn't get bored.

"Niiiice, isn't it?" Amaimon said, catching up to him. "The wolf is father's form. The dragon is supposed to show strength and power, while the other demons are manifestation of loyalty." He explained.

They chatted a little, eyes not leaving the magnificent sight. Finally they got bored looking at the flowing water. Rin decided to just take a random turn and explore until he would have to go and find his backup. This city was just too beautiful and he was so curious about it. How would it be like to grow up in here?

Soon, the buildings got more closer to each other, it seemed it was the centre of the town. A lot of shops and stalls were open, showing a lot of different, interesting things to buy. He stopped at one to look at a peculiar material – it was green like a fresh grown grass and very soft in touch.

"Look at this! I've forgotten the market was here!" Amaimon exclaimed and got Rin's whole attention. He gasped.

Angels. Angels were standing there, in the middle of a large platform. Their hands and legs were bound together by a heavy looking chain. Wings, no white and fluffy anymore but grey and damaged, were bleeding from many wounds, just as their faces, twisted in pain or anger or both. Rin couldn't believe his eyes.

"Let's go away." Amaimon whispered, realizing his mistake. Rin was half angel, wasn't he? He would pity those creatures and might even want to free them.

"What, no! What are they doing to them? Why are they here? I though angels couldn't enter Hell." Rin glanced at his brother but his eyes move back to the platform. He noticed one beautiful, blond girl, younger than him, with tears steaming down her face as one of the demons grabbed her and started to make offers. Offers to sell her.

"They can't. Those are the angels that lost their powers, because of breaking some Heaven's law. If the angel misbehaved too much, it was sent here, usually too weak to defend themselves. And demons took advantage of that and are selling them here. I'm sorry, I forgot you are not completely as we are. Those idiots usually deserves it. They are cruel and cunning, don't be led by their innocent faces. Let's go."

"No, no… I can't let them sell those angels! They are still capable of feelings! I need to help them!" He made a move to attack, to jump right in without a second thought but Amaimon this once was quicker.

"Can't you see all those guards around!" He hissed. They were starting to gain attention. "They are prepared for anyone trying to steal them away. We are no match for so many of them. Let's go!" Finally, Rin let him drag him away, his eyes still locked on the pretty face of that girl. What was so horrible that she did to deserve that?

Still lost in thoughts and Amaimon dragging him along, they arrived at the fountain again. They thoughts were occupied. He caught them off guard.

Only Rin's quick reflexes saved him from getting badly injured. The knife aimed at his neck got him in the shoulder. Amaimon wasn't as lucky – the blade stuck him square in the chest. With an angry hiss, the demon took the weapon out and attacked.

Rin was already in the air, jumping high and knife at ready. He didn't want to cause a commotion yet, so he couldn't use his katana along with blue flames or his angel magic either.

The man was tall, his eyes blazing red, his hair strangely white. He was handsome, with high cheekbones and small nose. But his expression was nothing but vicious, when he dodged Rin's attack and slashed at him with another knife.

Amaimon got to him then, getting a nice cut on his shoulder. His chest was bleeding horribly now and it was obvious those fast movements pained him a lot. Yet, he kept going, falling into practiced pace with Rin, one defending one attacking, just to change tactic at the last second. They worked well together and the man realized he was at disadvantage but couldn't get away. Rin was furious, energy buzzing under his skin, adrenaline getting to his head, making him see red. This man attacked him, hurt his brother and thought he would get away with it? No fucking way. With a snarl, he jumped again, kicked him hard in the chest and using the momentum managed to get him down.

Breathing hard, Rin pressed his knife at the man's throat, smirking at the small cut and blood that seeped out.

"Why the fuck did you attack us? Who are you?"

"You may kill me as well, I won't tell you anything." The man grinned, his eyes mad. "You won't win. I know who you are. You are not safe here. Soon, everyone here will recognize you and you will die!" Then his expression changed and Rin cringed with disgust. The man licked his lips. "A pity, really. If I knew you looked like this I would have fucked you first before killing you." At that, Rin's patience ran thin and with a snarl he slashed the man's throat. He stood up with disgust, his cloak bloody.

"Sick fucker." He said, kicking the body and moving towards Amaimon. He was kneeling on the pavement, pressing his hands on his chest. The would still bled.

"Are you all right?" Rin asked with concern, kneeling beside him and prying his hands away to see the wound. It was deep.

"Never… better…" He gasped and swayed.

"Oi, oi! Stay with me!" Too late. Amaimon's vision got dark and he fell into Rin's arms like a puppet without strings. "Shit. Now, what?" Rin frantically looked around for help but everyone ignored him. It seemed that fights like this were common and no one bothered to help. Amaimon was heavy but still he managed to lift him. He couldn't just stay there and watch him bleed out. Determined to find anyone with bandages, he turned towards the first house he saw. Rin took only a few slow steps when the breath got kicked out of him. With a groan, he rolled over, letting go of his injured brother.

Two demons attacked him furiously, they movements too quick, it was almost a blur. Rin was tired already but still could try and defend himself.

He jumped to the left, avoiding sharp nails, his sleeve not being so lucky. He didn't notice the second one and soon hissed as teeth sank into his flesh.

It was bad. His arm was useless now, bitten so hard he couldn't move it. Amaimon laid there, in a pool of his blood, getting paler by the second. And then, he felt another attack, from behind.

It seemed the backup arrived. Now he had at least eight demons before him, one of them human-like.

"We are not ordered to kill you. Come with us quietly and we won't harm you." The man spoke, his expression full of arrogance. He was sure he won. With a grimace, Rin knew he was right. He couldn't fight battered like this. "Our Lord wish to see you."

"If you bandage Amaimon's wound, I will go." He finally admitted defeat, feeling his legs getting weak. He swayed a little.

"Deal." The demons moved into action, quickly getting Rin's hands bound. He hissed as his wounded arm was touched. But Amaimon wasn't bleeding anymore and one of them lifted him, deciding to take him to Satan as well.

"How did you know I was here?" Rin questioned but the man just smirked at him, taking away his beloved katana and the knife.

"Doesn't matter. No one enters Hell without our Lord knowing. Move." He said and tugged sharply at the rope bounding his arms together. With a hiss of pain, Rin followed. He was in big trouble and had only himself to blame. He only hoped Amaimon was going to be all right.

They moved through the city and having nothing better to do, Rin admired his surroundings. He couldn't help but compare it to Heaven. Where it was gold, here was ruby red, yet it felt comfortable. The small houses, parks and fountains were similar but the strange towers made all the difference. Their walls were twisted, spiral shape or just plain different from normal. The material they were made of differed, but usually was shiny and smooth. The windows were mostly high and narrow, like in the castle. Rin enjoyed the sights before him, trying to think of the way out as well. But bound, wounded, without a weapon and with Amaimon held by one of them he had to admit – there was no way he could get away. With a sigh, he looked at the castle they moved towards.

It was still far away, but being as big at it was, it loomed over the city and one could believe it was very close. The only way to tell that it was still a long distance away was the forest before them. It wasn't much of the forest, just trees and flowers arranged in elegant way, but too big to be called a park. They entered and soon shadow fell on them.

It happened so fast, even if he wasn't so tired he wouldn't know what hit them. One moment, they were strolling slowly through the trees, still in an miserable situation and the next…

A few jumped down from trees, tick branches and leafs hiding them till the end. Two took quick care of the demon holding Amaimon, killing him instantly and taking the prisoner. Another two jumped on the one holding Rin's bounds while five more circled the leader. With a swift cut his hands were free. He looked up to thank whoever it was but his voice got stuck in his throat in surprise.

"There is no time to chat now, move!" The guy said and Rin did as he was told. He received his knife and sword and jumped into action. The fight was bloody and vicious. The demons fought with anger, being attacked so close to their destination. Rin slashed at the throat of one of them and run towards the leader. He was a great fighter, holding his own against three opponents. But when Rin attacked him, he changed his style instantly.

Rin was an enemy he couldn't underestimate. They started to attack so quickly, blades slashing the air that the others gave up with keeping up.

He was getting tired, his injury painful and throbbing. His legs remembered they were almost ready to give way under him. He decided to risk it and with one quick move got rid of his coat. Just as he felt his left knee finally bending, not supporting his weight anymore, two strong wings took care of that. He raised up and having his enemy dumbfounded for a moment, took advantage of that. He dived, his sword raised high.

A horrible feeling of warm blood seeped at his shirt where Kurikara went through. The face before him twisted in pain but then the man smirked evilly. With a gasp Rin realized that he had a knife, which was deep in his own chest by now. With his last strength, the man twisted it to the side, widening the wound and making Rin's vision go black at the edges. With a cry, he showed away, taking his sword out of his abdomen. The knife was still in his body, when he felt himself falling. The last thing he remembered, were warm arms catching him before he hit the ground. Then everything went dark.

With a groan, he opened his eyes. He didn't remember the last time someone managed to injure him so greatly. He was the Earth King for fuck sake! Yet, he couldn't deny that his opponent was skilled and he had the element of surprise. He looked around the room. The bed was soft and warm, inviting him to go back to sleep, but he needed to know what happened. Did Rin manage to beat the guy and brought him to safety? Or did someone else helped? There was nothing in the room to give him answers. He sat up slowly, his chest still painful. The doors opening saved him from getting up.

"Oh, you are awake. Great. Please don't stand up, you are still too weak." A man who entered surely wasn't a demon. He lacked the power and the aura. He seemed to be a human soul, not good or bad in any way. Neutral.

"Who are you? Where am I?" Amaimon asked, leaning back on the pillows. The man smiled and answered, bringing him a cup of tea.

"My name is Alex. I am helping with the injured and around the house. You are safe here. This is the place hidden from Satan, made by the exorcists that were sent here." He explained their location but Amaimon still wouldn't know how to get there. The other part caught his attention, though.

"What do you mean – exorcists?"

"Well, as you may know, not every one of them were saints. Or there were some cases with suicides – you know no one who took their own lives, for whatever reason, could enter Heaven. Most of them stayed as human souls – like me – but there are some with demonic powers as well. They are hiding here, waiting for war to get here. It seems that with your arrival, their waiting will cease."

War… That reminded Amaimon… "Rin! What happened to Rin? Is he all right?"

"Yes, yes, he's stable. He got a nasty wound in his chest as well, but nothing as deep as yours. And his arm might be tender for a while. He's still sleeping, so you won't see him. You shouldn't move if it isn't necessary. Here, let me change your bandages."

With a sigh, Amaimon let the boy help him, all the while thinking about what he told him. He wasn't aware that there were some exorcists turned demons. Now that was ironic – he had to smirk at this. They fought and died because of those creatures just to be turned into ones instead. He chuckled. So damn funny.

Author's Note:

Now... Do you have any idea who was it that saved Rin? And there is another someone who is going to appear, Alex gave you a clue about him :P I'm sure you know now :P