Walk me through the Valley
Disclaimer: Characters and premise are the property of Kazue Kato. I'm just borrowing them for a little non-profit fun.
Chapter Twelve: Year's End
Mephisto looked up from the written reports Bon and Rin had submitted, tilted his head to one side curiously and asked Rin, "You're recommending that the True Cross train all four of them as Exorcists?"
Rin nodded. "Aiko's figured out a lot of the Page stuff on her own. She doesn't freak and she has a good feel for people or demon's intentions. She'd be a great Exorcist. Godain and Mana are scared 'cause they don't know anything. Even if they drop out like Paku did, they'll be better off if they've been through the Page training. And Shiratori likes hurting demons, the Grigori'll probably love him."
"And what of your four?" Mephisto asked Bon, his voice giving nothing away.
"Yamada Taro pretends that he can't see demons and Mori Nao is a shut-in, she's figured out some functional wards to keep demons out of her room and she never leaves if she can help it. The reason she's failing Biology is because there's a demon that hangs out by the preserved fetus, she won't go to class, not even for tests. Neither of them would make it as Exorcists. Ito Sora and Maki Yoshi are like Rin's Godain and Kimura, they're scared but it's because they don't know enough," Bon reported.
"Well, I don't see any problem providing Yamada with what he wants," Mephisto produced a vial of eye-drops with a conjurer's flourish. "Mori as well, perhaps she'll be less fearful if she stops seeing demons. I will take your recommendations for Ito, Maki, Kimura, Godain and Sato into account when the entrance board discusses them. In truth Ito Sora, Maki Yoshi, Sato Aiko and Mori Nao were given scholarships at the True Cross Academy for the sole purpose of evaluating their suitability as Exorcists."
"Um, Godain might like not seeing demons anymore," Rin said sounding a bit uncertain. "Can we offer him the eye-drops? And why didn't the other four get scholarships?"
"Because they didn't have mashos when they applied for entrance," Mephisto replied simply. "Now, with regards to Shiratori, he is completely unsuitable, more importantly I don't like him. So, how does one phrase 'I don't like him' to the Grigori? Hmmm…He has a problem with respecting authority does he not? He skips classes, is disrespectful of his teachers and elders. He is mentally unstable, after all the boy spent a year in a mental institute," Mephisto grinned. "Although to be honest, nothing you say about Shiratori will matter at all; he has been possessed by a Hell King."
Rin and Bon looked confused.
"As you know, possession of a human requires a gap in the true soul's defenses. Satan is only limited by his host's physical ability to withstand his presence," Mephisto explained. "Given that only one in a billion humans can withstand his presence for more than ten minutes without being reduced to ash it is a fairly severe limitation. But the eight Hell Kings; while not so powerful as to simply burn out their hosts; do have their own limitations. For Satan the gap is simply a chink in the soul's armor to be exploited at his leisure but for the rest of us it is a key hole which only provides entry if you hold the matching key."
"Astaroth needs a certain, rather unpleasant sort of human provide him with access to Assiah, he's found one in Shiratori and it is only a matter of time before he tries to make use of that entry point once again."
"That's why you wouldn't expel him," Bon said. "It's not just your promise, if you cut him loose Astaroth would have access to this plane."
"And he's no good as an exorcist, 'cause you couldn't shield him in the field," Rin realized.
Mephisto just smiled.
"So is our assignment completed to your satisfaction?" Bon asked stiffly.
Mephisto leaned forward and steepled his hands. "Are you asking about your grade, by chance?" he teased.
Bon glared.
"You have been awarded with a score of 100% for identifying and dealing with the demon which attacked Kimura-san," Mephisto declared. "Averaged with your performance in the matter of the Statue, with bonus points for backing up the other Exwire teams, your grade for the Spring Term practical experience segment of your training is now 95%."
"That's good right?" Rin asked Bon hopefully.
"Yeah, that's good enough," Bon sighed. "Still hate losing to Koneko. We've been trading between first and second rank in every class we've ever taken since pre-school. But it's a decent grade." He slapped Rin on the back, "Come on, we're going to be late for the term's last spar with Angel."
"We're done for the day," Angel announced. Rin glanced at Bon and gave the other boy a proud grin. The Paladin was mussed and breathing hard after holding them off for two hours. At the beginning of the term that would not have been the case. Best of all there was a splatter of neon green die on the hem of his long gleaming white coat.
Angel started walking toward the pile of gear he'd left at the door before beginning their spar.
Rin shifted from foot to foot uncertainly.
"Well, go on and ask," Bon prodded.
Rin started after Angel. "Um… about next week? You know it's Spring Break right?"
"Is it?" Angel replied disinterestedly.
"Yoshikuni, the girl that repaired Kurikara for me, she invited us all to come visit," Rin said nervously.
"Hmph," Angel spent a few long moments settling Caliburn in place. Then he picked up a canvas wrapped bundle and turned back to Rin. "As it happens I have a mission next week which will take me out of the country. I wouldn't have had time for your lessons anyway," he declared as he shoved the bundle into Rin's arms.
Rin stared at it in confusion for a moment then started picking at the knots holding the canvas closed. It unrolled to reveal a matched wakizashi and katana set as well as a leather harness that would hold both swords plus Kurikara. The katana was the same size and weight as Rin's demon sword, the harness would hold it and Kurikara crossed over his back. The wakizashi was shorter and lighter and worn at his waist, to be drawn quickly.
The Daisho set and harness were utilitarian but very well-made. Rin stared at them in amazement. "Angel… Thanks," he managed to stammer after a moment.
"It's annoying that I'm teaching you to be a swordsman when you are incapable of drawing your sword and routinely resort to fighting with your claws like a dumb beast," Angel declared haughtily. He turned to leave. "I will expect you at the normal time next term. If your form degrades in my absence you will regret it."
"Good luck with your mission," Rin replied.
Saturday morning Rin knocked on Mephisto's office door. "You wanted to see me?" he asked warily.
"Ah good! I caught you before you left for Spring Break!" Mephisto exclaimed.
"Yeah," Rin said looking anything but happy. "You're not gonna say I can't go? Amaimon's coming, if he can go why can't I?"
"Borrowing trouble is such a ridiculous habit," Mephisto tsked. "I simply wished to take a moment to discuss your future. The new school year approaches! Are you ready to restart your academic career with a fresh slate?"
Rin grimaced. "Do I have to?" he whined. "I really like working for Itamae-san. And I'm rotten at school. I'm just gonna fail, so why bother?"
Mephisto leaned forward and pressed his fingertips to his chin. He waited for a moment. Rin fidgeted.
"I must admit Itamae isn't looking forward to giving you up," Mephisto said as the silence became awkward. "He claims you have a true talent. In fact he's offered to recommend you to several prestigious culinary institutes…"
For a brief moment Rin looked ecstatic. A huge grin spread across his face.
"Of course that would interfere with your goal of becoming an Exorcist. Then, naturally, the Grigori would reinstate the order to have you executed."
The light died out of Rin's eyes but determination rekindled it. "I wouldn't leave my friends anyway," he declared. "Bon and me, we're gonna kick Satan's ass. That's the plan. I'd love to be a real chef, but this is more important."
"Quite well said," Mephisto agreed after another long pause. "However, I do have a slight compromise to offer: The True Cross Academy is not normally a trade school, but given your special circumstances I am willing to be flexible."
Rin looked cautiously interested.
"I propose you continue your apprenticeship with Itamae while completing a reduced curriculum," Mephisto explained. "A solid grounding in mathematics. A bit of history and literature to make you well-rounded and to ensure that both your written and oral reports as an Exorcist are tolerable. Itamae will see that you have a bit of the sciences. And you will continue with Cram School as normal, naturally."
Rin's expression brightened notably.
"Perhaps three hours of class a day, three hours with Itamae and five hours of cram school on average," Mephisto suggested. "Do you think you can handle such a schedule?"
"Oh yeah!" Rin exclaimed eagerly.
"Well then, it's all settled," Mephisto said. "Off you go, enjoy your vacation."
"Thanks!" Rin replied.
Once Rin had left Mephisto smiled ruefully and shook his head. "I'm going to have to work harder at teaching him negotiation," he said to himself.
Rin joined the other Exwires, Paku and Amaimon at the train station. "No problems?" Bon asked.
"Nope," Rin replied with a relieved grin. "Just getting my schedule for next year. I get to keep working with Itamae and I don't have to take a full load of classes."
"Well it seems like you're happy," Bon said with a faint air of disapproval as they boarded the train.
The seven students scattered to find seats or handholds on the relatively full passenger car. Amaimon followed Shiemi then stood over her and glared at everyone else around them while stuffing jellybeans in his mouth. Gradually as the stops and passengers came and went the Exwires shifted around to take over the back of the train. The three girls took the seats along the back of the car while the boys stood nearby, grasping the handholds for balance.
When they reached the end of the line they transferred to a bus. Rather than taking a seat for himself, Amaimon chose to perch on the back of the bench near Shiemi. Before long they left paved roads behind as well as trains. As the road grew bumpier Rin watched the way Amaimon swayed with the motion, minutely shifting his weight to maintain his perch without ever grabbing anything or even spreading his arms for balance. Amaimon noticed the younger demon watching and gave him a challenging look.
Rin hopped up on the back of his own seat and tried to imitate Amaimon. After a few near tumbles, leading to Izumo and Paku to move seats where they weren't in danger of being fallen on, Rin got the hang of it. He still had to keep his hands slightly spread though, and Amaimon smirked in satisfaction at his superiority. 'It was only right, I am the older brother,' Amaimon thought to himself.
Izumo stood up and for a moment Rin thought she was going to take her original seat but she stopped in the middle of the aisle. Izumo took one foot off the floor and tucked it behind her other knee then clasped her hands behind her back. After five minutes without so much as waver Izumo gave the two demons a smug look. "You may have inhuman reflexes, but I've trained as a dancer since I started walking," she informed them.
Shiemi smiled and shook her head at all three of them.
"Wow, this is really out of the way," Paku remarked. "How'd you meet someone who lives so far from Kyoto?"
"It's not far from our temple," Bon explained. "Until we gave up on rebuilding the temple and merged with the True Cross we lived out here."
"Are you going to visit your family before we go back?" Rin asked. "The rest of us could spend a day sightseeing in Kyoto if you don't want us along."
Bon shook his head. "I'm not ready to go home yet. Not until I'm a full Exorcist."
Rin looked guilty, immediately assuming it was his fault Bon hadn't had a chance to take the Exorcist Exam yet.
"You heard Mephisto," Konekomaru said. "First year Exwires never pass."
"Don't blame yourself because Bon's a stubborn idiot," Shima added. "No one made him practically run off to Tokyo. His parents may not have been thrilled about Bon wanting to be an Exorcist, but everyone else in the clan spoils him. They would have convinced his parents to give him his way before classes started. Bon handing his parents the letter about his scholarship and walking out was just him being a drama queen. He didn't even get halfway to the train station before Koneko's guardian and my parents sent us after him and we were enrolled at the True Cross Academy before the train arrived in Tokyo."
Bon gave his two friends a dirty look. "If you two want to check in, I'm not stopping you," he said.
Shima shook his head, "Naw, I don't feel like being subjected to the grilling without you there to distract people."
It was late by the time they reached Yoshikuni's forge. She greeted them and got them settled for the night with little more than the promise that they'd catch up in the morning. "Just make yourselves at home," she told them as they stumbled tiredly toward their beds.