Chapter 24

Shura watched Yukio as he prepared for the next fight. She debated telling him that she had the exwires spring Rin from jail, but decided against it. It would be a better joke if she could watch his reaction when he wasn't in a life-or-death situation. Besides, the kid was too stressed as it was, between his brother and his own nature.

"Yukio! I'm apologizing in advance, so sorry!" Shura said happily, walking towards her teammate.

"Huh? It's too late for apologies I gave up on you a long time ago." Yukio replied in his characteristic no-nonsense monotone.

"Yukio... Whatever. At least be honest with yourself."

"What do you mean?" Yukio had hoped that she was not referring to his experiments. There was no reason for her to believe that he had continued after her warning before the trip. Perhaps she was just referring to his general personality?

"Captain Kirigakure! The director wants you!" another exorcist called. Almost too convenient.

"Sure, sure. Lead the way!" Shura walked off to join the exorcist families in the area, who were powering up their natural flame abilities. Flame is strong against rot, so they had the best chance if they made some strong fire elemental attacks against the Impure King. With this new power boost, the exorcists began attacking the spores and rot that were slowly spreading towards the city.

Yukio used his guns and holy water grenades to help drive the rot back. A spray of holy water could cover plenty of area. The rot wasn't strong enough to hold up against even a holy water mist. For that, he counted himself fortunate.

The routine movements such seemed to happen, as if he were on autopilot. Not really focusing, not really paying attention to what was going on, Yukio recognized this feeling as his normal dissociative state, the place in his mind he went to when he was scared, stressed, or needed a break. Nothing that was happening really seemed real. Be true to himself, be honest with himself, what did that even mean?

A red light flashed in the bushes to his right. Yukio turned and followed it. Maybe it was a stronger demon? If so, he felt he should take care of it before it started causing problems.

He was half right. It was Todo. Todo combined with some sort of flame demon.

"Hello. I know you're there. No use hiding. Come out Yukio Okumura." Todo called, looking straight into Yukio's eyes.

Yukio figured that there was no use in hiding at this point, so he might as well try to get some information. "Are you really Saburota Todo? Why do you look like that?"

"The demon I used to rely on was getting old, so I upgraded for a better one with more power! Forget about what I am. I want to try out this flame, and I've been wanting to talk with you. I suppose we should start with some small talk. Here's a good topic, how's your brother?"

Yukio remained silent. There was no way that Todo could have heard about what his brother has been doing recently, therefore there was no way for Todo to suspect anything about what he was doing either. The man was just trying to mess with him because he knows that Rin is a son of Satan and that the ordeal must be stressful. Nothing more than that. Todo was just trying to mess with his head, that's all.

"No answer? I said "How's your brother?""

We all ran towards a giant blob of demon gunk. As we ran closer, the air became thicker and the smell of rot became stronger. I'm glad I have a strong stomach, because with my demonic senses, the stench was almost overwhelming. The spores growing out of it aren't for the weak of heart either. This fortress demon doesn't just sound like a terrifying myth, it is terrifying in real life. I don't want to get close to that thing, but if I can't kill it, then the Vatican will kill me. I don't want to use my flames because I don't want to hurt anyone, but I don't think I can beat it any other way.

In short, I can't breathe, I'm scared, and I'm too anxious to pull a freaking sword out of a freaking scabbard because I don't want to burn my friends because I have no confidence in my ability to beat this demon with my flames. Yep. There's a reason I didn't want to stay in school. I'm just not very smart.

And I'm doing it anyways.

"Let's go look for my dad. Mamushi said that he was heading towards the Impure King." Bon stated with his natural air of confidence. Man, I wish I could be like that.

After about ten minutes of bushwhacking, Izumo called out, "Hey, is that your dad?"

"Father!"

"I'll call Miss Kirigakure." Konekomaru offered, pulling out his phone.

Suddenly, a fire-bird type demon burst out from Mr. Suguro. It started talking to Bon, much to his father's displeasure.

"I am Karura, servant of Myo-o-dharani head priests. I was your father's familiar, but the secret was revealed and that agreement has been broken. Now I am bound to him by a personal agreement." Karura turned to Mr. Suguro. "I healed your wounds, but you must not move. I am the immortal bird. I am always reborn. Besides, the agreement for the Aeon Wave Flame still stands. I will not allow you to die."

"Rin, did you read my letter?" Bon's dad asked.

"I read it too." Bon answered, "Everone here understands the situation. Now tell me everything."

"All right. I will tell you how to defeat the Impure King. According to the legend known only to the Myodha's head priests, the Impure King will grow until he is the size of a castle. Then a giant spore sac will form in the it matures and ruptures, spores carrying a deadly poison will spread in gaseous form. 150 years ago, it killed 40,000 people. The casualties in Kyoto will be much worse. The Impure King's only weak spot is its "heart" which is inside the sac. 150 years ago, there was no choice but to split the heart into two pieces, the right and left eyes. You can't hit the heart without breaking the sac.

"I made a deal with Karura to use the Aeon Wave Flame. It converts one's lifespan into flames, one great flame to release at the end of my life. I planned on using it to completely destroy the Impure King, but I used it only fifteen years later to hold him in place. There isn't much the remaining flame, I will stop the gas from spreading when the sac ruptures. I want you to use the Koma sword to destroy the heart of the Impure King."

A wave a guilt went through me. I could hardly hold back the tears. Mr. Suguro was counting on me, and I can't even pull out my sword. I'm letting down him and the entirety of Kyoto and everyone in danger because I'm too scared to be able to draw my sword. I'm too weak. Finally, someone is relying on me to do what's right, believing in me, trusting me, and I can only let him down.

"I'm sorry, but..."

"I know, you could die, but-"

"I meant I can't draw the sword." Might as well try to lighten the situation. Mr. Suguro doesn't know how depressing a person I am, so I'll try to act lighthearted about it. "I've been trying to do it, but I can't seem to pull it out." I gave the sword a few playful tugs to prove that it couldn't come loose.

"What?" Bon exclaimed. Oops... I guess I forgot to tell all of them about this... "Why not?"

"I don't know. It's some sort of mental hang-up."

"Are you serious?"

"Even I get worried sometimes. I'm no use right now. Sorry pops!"

"I see, that is a problem, but I can at least put up a barrier." Just when I thought the guilt couldn't get any worse. He's still so determined! How can he do that, keep fighting when he knows that he's going to die and that his side is going to lose. He knows that I'm letting him down and he's still trying! Why can't I just pull out the fucking sword and be useful the one time it matters!

"You must not, Tatsuma. You have lost too much blood." Karura began to speak again, "If you attempt a barrier spell now, you will surely die. You are Tatsuma's son, correct?" Bon nodded, "That is perfect. I can transer the Aeon Wave Flame to one of the high priest's blood."

"No! You can't! He's still a child!" Bon's dad arugued, "These fetters end with me! I swore upon my life! Anything but that!"

"You've carried that burden alone until now. I won't let you! I'll bear it too, and I won't let you say otherwise!"

"Tatsuma, your son is wiser than you."

"That's why I didn't want to involve him."

"I will now transfer the Aeon Wave Flame. If you are indeed the child of Tatsuma Suguro, prove your blood." Bon bit his finger to draw some blood, "You do indeed bear the blood of Tatsuma Suguro. Ryuji Suguro, you now possess the Aeon Wave Flame."

The bird's flames turned red as the new contract was made. Karura roosted itself upon Bon's head with the acceptance of the contract.

"Ryuji," Bon's dad said, "I will teach you the strongest barrier spell known only to the head priest. Come here. Some of the signs will be new to you. Watch closely how they combine. I can only do this once. Watch, listen, and memorize."

Bon stared with an intensity I've never seen before as Mr. Suguro began chanting and forming hand signs. I am almost envious of the relationship that those two share, but I blew my chance, if it ever existed to begin with. I'm happy that Bon and his dad were able to make up. I guess, for those two as well us two, it was all one giant miscommunication and too much pride preventing further clarification. Too many secrets to hide, too many hearts at stake.

When they finished, Bon's dad fainted.

"Moriyama and Kamiki, would you stay here and look after him? Shima and Konekomaru, tell everyone in Myodha what we just learned. I'm going to put up the barrier. It'll spread around the Touch Earth sign, so I have to get close to the sac." Bon instructed. He sure is leader material.

"Bon, I've always kept quiet because of your parents, but I've got to say something." Shima stated, "You're gonna die, you know that?"

"I'll protect him." What did I just commit to? Oh crap, um, damage control! "It's okay, right? I can't draw my sword, but I can use a little flame! Anyway, I'm strong!" I can use enough flame to light a candle or a tree branch. Please buy it.

Konekomaru took off, and Shima followed him. I guess that means I'm in the clear. I am going to protect Bon until I die. Even if it was spur of the moment, I am going to do this and I will not fail. I will protect my friend because I said I would and I wouldn't be able to live if he died first. I will make them all able to trust me again. I will prove myself.

"Let's go." Bon said.

"You got it." I replied.

"Dad, I always liked the sutras, so you better not die on me." Bon said as we once again started running towards the Impure King.