A/N

So sorry for the late update! School got chaotic, family problems arose… but you more than likely don't want any excuses, just a chapter, right? XD Still, sorry. I really have no excuse for not typing for at least five minutes a day to produce a chapter in a week or so.

Anywhatsit, I was reading my past chapters and noticed that I use WAY too many apostrophes! I'm sure that more than a few of you have been annoyed by this… I usually read it to refresh my memory on where I left off on my kindle, so I didn't notice it until just now. I'm really sorry for it and shall attempt to cut back on them. Without creating run-on sentences, of course.

Another quick thing to mention; I posted two little short side stories the day after Christmas. Not sure how many of you saw them, but they are one my profile. One is called "I will always protect you" and the other is called "Wounded wings". Both relate directly to this story, and are two different versions of the same thing. One is pairing-ish for those of you readers who like that, and the other is more of brotherly love without any pairing, simply an older brother comforting his rattled little brother.

Well, I've rambled on enough! Here is your chapter. Bon and the rest are finally coming into the story again! Just a short back-story, they were all told that Rin was away, and kind of just took it as truth regardless of what their gut instincts told them. That is, up until now. :]

Konekomaru's POV

It had been several days since Rin had disappeared. That also meant that it was that many days since I had been so afraid of what Rin could do that I had wanted to kill him, my friend.

My pencil tapped against my desk as I zoned out, the thoughts buzzing through my head at a punishing rate that sent my mind spinning. What if he wanted to hurt me? What if he wouldn't accept my apology? I was, after all, extremely sorry for what I had nearly done. And I would have done it too, if not for the others finally seeing the demon and killing it.

Once that had been revealed, I swear Yukio started giving me worst grades in his class. Not that I blamed him, of course. I did want to kill Rin out of my own fear.

"Mr. Miwa!"

The yell of the teacher only inches from my face snapped me out of my thoughts, making me practically squeal in surprise and send my pencil which I had been tapping across the room. I faintly recall that it may have hit somebody, but the detail seemed small and insignificant due to the angry teacher glaring at me from right in front of my face.

"Y-Yes sir!" I stuttered, face going red with embarrassment. How long had I been spacing?! It certainly hadn't felt like long enough that the teacher would notice.

"Mr. Miwa, would you please tell the class what has you so interested that you haven't been paying attention for the past ten minutes?!" he snapped, glaring at me from his annoyed eyes.

My mouth opened and closed for a few moments in shock. Ten minutes…? I could have sworn that it was only a few seconds! But looking down at my notes and then back at the board, I could clearly see that the line of notes I had been taking were already completely wiped clean of the board. My face turned even redder, if that was possible, and then I finally spoke to the expectant teacher.

"U-Uh… I was thinking of one of my friends, sir. He and I didn't really part on good terms and now he is away on a trip…"

The words were mumbled as a fresh wave of guilt washed over me, the memory of how hurt and broken Rin had looked when Bon said those words to him. All because of me…

The teacher almost seemed to soften a bit at this, and stood up with a sigh. "You may think about that after class. But for now, I ask that you pay closer attention to the lesson, Mr. Miwa."

With that he began to teach once more, and I tried my best to pay attention. But my thoughts kept drifting to Rin and how it was my fault that he wanted so badly to get away from us for so long. Bon had said the next day in class that Rin would "spring back" and the he was just being "a little wimp." But I knew Bon better than that; I could tell that he was worried about Rin too. Over the past few days he had become quieter, steering away from the topic of Rin as the days past.

Finally class was out, and I breathed a sigh of relief. It was my last class of the day, as cram school had been canceled due to some appointment Mr. Okumuro had to attend. Come to think of it, he had been acting strange the past few days as well.

Shaking that thought from my head, I walked quickly to get my stuff from my locker. I wanted to get my stuff as quickly as possible because I had decided something; I needed to talk to somebody about this, and Shima and Bon seemed the best bets.

Pulling out my phone, I quickly sent them a text to meet me by the fountain on campus. Then, closing it, I walked away to wait for them, my thoughts still tracked on Rin.

Hey, guys. Meet me at the fountain in the courtyard as soon as you can. It's about Rin. Please come, I really need to talk about this.

-Konekomaru

As the text was sending I stopped just outside the doorway where other students went streaming around me as if I weren't even there. A seed of doubt had been growing in my mind ever since that day, and it had only continued spreading faster and faster as the days without the black-haired half demon continued to go on with no word from him. I had tried to ignore it as best that I could, but the same thought continued to bite at my subconscious.

Something told me that Mephisto wasn't being completely honest with us…

A/N

There you have it, chapter 17! Reviews are always welcome, and even constructive criticism! Remember, I can't get any better unless you guys help me, so not exactly flaming but more of a light searing my work is welcome.

Another thing I should mention, I plan on not taking so long with the next update! I would, however, like you all to tell me who the next chapter should focus on. I find that it is easier to write chapters in the viewpoint of only one character instead of skipping around, so please guide me in giving you the best experience! ^^