"What?" Sakura looked at Gaara in shock. Temari and Kankurō stood beside him, their heads bowed. "Y-You're lying! You can't be serious!"
"Unfortunately...I am." Gaara sighed and bowed. "I'm sorry, but I have to return to Suna immediately. If I don't, who knows what'll happen."
Sakura let out a breath and shook her head lightly. "Who would be stupid enough to make a threat against Suna?"
"We don't know," Temari said. "And that's why we have to return."
Kankurō raised his head to look at her. "You may be our mission, but we can't just stand idly by while our home could be in danger."
"Do you at least have a replacement?" Sakura asked. "If the Grigori find out that you've all left, I could get in major trouble! Not to mention, what would they do to Lady Tsunade?"
"I have already sent word to Lady Tsunade," Gaara told her. "As well as alerted the Vatican of the situation."
"And?" Sakura pressed.
"Until your new guards arrive, you cannot be out of Shura or Yukio's sight," Gaara answered. "One or the other."
"That's gonna be difficult yet easy at the same time," Sakura said with a sigh. "They're both on a mission right now."
"We're all aware," Gaara said.
"The Grigori said, that in the case of both of them being busy, you must remain with your classmates so that they can keep an eye on you," Kankurō said.
"They're trusting Exwires with Satan's child?" Sakura said in disbelief.
"We couldn't believe it either," Temari said with a sigh. "But apparently there's something happening that have got the old guys up top worried. Worried enough to be lax with your security detail. To a point."
"So we take advantage of the situation," Sakura said simply. The other three nodded.
"We are to escort you to class and then leave immediately," Gaara said.
Sakura sighed, and dropped her arms. "I'm gonna miss you guys."
"We'll miss you too," Temari said. She gave Sakura a tight hug.
Kankurō held up a small, featureless puppet. "Here, use this to practice, okay, doc?" He wrapped an arm around her for a hug.
Sakura nodded. "I will." She turned to Gaara who smiled. She returned the sentiment and hugged him. Gaara wrapped his arms around her back. "Be safe," She whispered, kissing his cheek.
"We will be." He pulled away and his face returned to a serious look. "Now let's get you to class."
"Bon, have you been able to get a hold of Ossama or Okami?" Shima asked.
"No, and I don't plan to," Suguro muttered. And his friends' disappointed looks he huffed. "You guys know that I came here against their will. I swore that I would never return to that place."
"But Bon, this has got me worried," Shima said. "I haven't been able to get a hold of my family. The whole situation is just giving me a bad feeling."
"Same here," Konekomaru said. "This problem might run deeper than we thought."
"Fine, I'll think about it? There, you happy?" Suguro grumbled. Konekomaru sighed but nodded. The door opened and they saw Sakura enter the room. She closed the door behind her, a frown on her face.
"What's wrong?" Shiemi asked. "Where are Mr. Sabaku and the others?"
"Oh...nothing," Sakura said, smiling sadly. "Gaara and his siblings just had to return home. Something was happening at the village, so they had to leave."
"Are the Vatican really going to let you walk around with security?" Izumo asked in shock.
"Until the new guards arrive, kinda," Sakura answered. She sat down and sighed, facing them. "I have to be with either Yukio or Shura at all times. But since they're both on a mission right now, the Grigori have allowed me to be without detail on the condition that I'm with the class."
"They're being rather lenient," Suguro said in shock.
Sakura barked out a laugh. "That was our reaction too."
"So, do you know who or when your new guards will arrive?" Shiemi asked.
"Not a clue," Sakura said with a sigh. "I can only hope that the Grigori at least allowed Leaf shinobi to be my guards this time. Man, this is such a pain."
"Hello and good morning, Exwires!" The teens looked over, not hearing the teacher enter the room. They were shocked to find Mephisto standing at the head of the classroom.
"Mr. President?" Mephisto smiled and leaned back against the desk.
"I'd like to take this moment to formally congratulate you all on passing the exam and becoming Exwires, don't think I've done that yet. Due to this promotion you kids get an added bonus!" Mephisto announced cheerily. He took off his hat and reached into it. "You all get to go on an official mission to..." He pulled out a banner with 'Kyoto Road Trip' written on it. "The beautiful city of Kyoto!"
"To...Kyoto?" Izumo repeated.
"I've…heard of that city before," Sakura hummed. The answer dawned on her and she turned to look at Suguro and his friends. Suguro was frozen, a look of shock and horror on his face.
"Bon? You okay?" Konekomaru asked.
"Did he just say…Kyoto?" Suguro whispered.
"Uh-oh," Shima muttered. "Bon's stress meter is at twenty percent. This isn't gonna be good."
"I am not returning to Kyoto!" Suguro shouted, standing up. "No way, no how!"
"Why the hostility?" Mephisto asked. "I thought Kyoto was your turf."
"It doesn't matter if it is or isn't!" Suguro shouted. "There's no way in hell I'm going back there!"
"Unfortunately, you don't really get a say in the matter," Mephisto said with a small smirk. "It's already been decided. So, swallow your hate and start packing your bags. We're gonna be there for a while." With that Mephisto disappeared in a cloud of smoke.
"Now Bon, calm down," Shima said quickly, placing a hand on his shoulders.
"Sh-Shut the hell up!" Suguro shouted, his fists shaking. Shima jumped back.
"You okay there, Suguro?" Sakura asked, tilting her head.
He growled and glared at her. "Fucking peachy."
"That glare says otherwise," Sakura said, giving him one of her own. Suguro flinched back at the intensity of the glare and huffed.
"Whatever, guess I have no choice. I'm gonna go pack." Suguro pushed past his friends and walked out of the class, the door slamming loudly behind him.
"What's his problem?" Izumo huffed.
"Who knows," Sakura muttered.
"Oh boy, this is gonna be a fun trip," Shima muttered sarcastically.
"God it's too early for this shit!" Shura groaned as they waited at the train station.
"Really? It feels a little late to me," Sakura said.
Shura groaned. "You're a superhuman, you know that?"
"Technically I'm not even completely human," Sakura said with a smirk. Shura rolled her eyes and huffed. Sakura turned to her brother who was completely engrossed in a travel guide. "You enjoying your book, Rin?"
"Hell yeah!" Rin's tail wagged in excitement. "I missed my junior high field trip, so this is my first time going to Kyoto."
"You know what would have been ironic?" Sakura asked, laughing slightly.
"Wha?" Rin turned to look at her, his eyebrow raised.
"If you had gone on that trip and met Suguro and the others before going to cram school." Sakura smirked and poked his forehead.
"Yeah, I guess that would have been," Rin agreed.
"Come on you two, we've reserved the third and fourth cars." Sakura froze as she looked at the train.
"Do we…really gotta take this thing?" She asked nervously.
"Yeah, we do, now get on!" Shura pushed Sakura's back, shoving her through the door. Sakura stumbled through the door, immediately noticing all eyes on her. She frowned and crossed her arms.
"Alright, looks like everyone's already here," Shura said. "Great, less work for me."
"So, where should we sit?" Rin asked.
"Just sit up front you two," Shura ordered. "I've gotta go check on the third car. They're vaccinating all the exwires over there."
"Vaccinating, what for?" Sakura asked, sitting down. Rin sat down as well, leaving the chair between them empty.
"There's a possibility that fungi possessing demons infested our destination," Shura answered. "You two don't have to worry about it because you are demons. So just sit here and behave."
"You don't have to tell us twice!" Rin said with a smile. He smiled and went back to his book. Sakura groaned and curled up in her seat.
"This is gonna be a train ride straight from hell."
"Wow, Satan must hate you then!" Kuro laughed.
"He must," Sakura agreed.
"Shiemi! Good morning!" Rin greeted, seeing the blonde. Shiemi froze, a slight look of fear running across her face.
"G-Good morning." She turned around and headed straight for the other car.
"The hell was that?" Rin muttered.
"Idiot, she doesn't know how to react to us," Sakura said.
"So then, is she one of them?" Rin asked. Sakura hummed and raised an eyebrow. "You said that if they treat me differently then they weren't really my friends. Is she one of the liars then?"
"I don't think she is," Sakura answered. "Most likely she just doesn't know how to approach us or how to react to the situation. She's more, in shock, than anything else. She's genuine, but she's also confused."
"You can tell all that?" Kuro asked.
"You gotta learn how to read people when you're a shinobi," Sakura said. "Now, them on the other hand." Sakura narrowed her eyes at the sight of the Kyoto trio. "They weren't your real friends."
"Oh! Good mornin' guys!" Rin greeted them just as enthusiastically as he did Shiemi. "Man, am I glad to see that you're all okay! Are you feeling better Konekomaru?"
"Uh...yeah." Konekomaru flinched and hid behind Suguro.
"Man I can't wait to see all the cool stuff in Kyoto!" Rin told them. "Especially Kyoto Tower!" Suguro's face darkened and he glared at Rin before passing him, sitting in the row behind them. Rin's ears twitched as he heard them whispering.
"I guess you're right," Rin muttered, sinking back down into his seat.
Sakura smiled and reach over to ruffle his hair. "Don't you know it's my job as you older sister to be right?"
"Is that seat taken?" Izumo asked, looking at the seat between them. Kuro looked up at her and smiled. He jumped into Rin's lap, freeing up the space.
"Not anymore," Rin answered.
"Good." With that she slid past Rin and sat down. "What is it?" She sank back as Rin looked at her weirdly. He looked at his sister.
"Now she's genuine," Sakura said. Rin smiled, his tail wagging happily.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Izumo hissed, glaring at her.
"Nothing bad, promise." Sakura smiled and sat back in her chair.
"Alright, is everyone here? We're going to be departing soon!" The three of them faced forward, looking at Shura. Sakura stiffened when she felt her body lurch forward as the train started. "My name is Shura Kirigakure! I'm the one that was forced to lead this mission. Now, Mr. Sato from the intelligence department will brief us!" The man stood up slowly, not really expecting it.
"Isn't it your job to brief us?" Sakura asked with a smirk.
"It is, but I don't feel like doing it," Shura answered. "Now, Mr. Sato?"
"Alright. At approximately 13:20 on the 22nd of this month an unknown person attacked the deep keep and stole the demonic item known as the Left Eye of the Impure King," Sato announced. "All we know so far is that the warden of said keep, one Saburota Todo, assisted the assailant. As of now we have no lead on who is accomplice is or what they're intentions were."
"'S right," Shura said. "And while this happened there was a similar attack on the keep at the Kyoto office. The attack may have failed, but there's no doubt what they were after, the Right Eye of the Impure King!"
"Um, Ms. Kirigakure?" Izumo called raising a hand. "What exactly are these eyes? We haven't really learned about them yet."
"I'm not surprised," Shura said. "The Impure King isn't a relatively well known demon. I'm sure youre History of Demonolgy teacher, Mr. Adachi can explain."
"You really don't want to explain anything, do you?" Sakura said with a smirk.
"Not one little bit!" Shura admitted. There wasn't an ounce of regret or guilt on her face as she shoved the task off on the teacher.
Mr. Adachi stood up and cleared his throat. "The Impure King was a high ranking demon that lived during the late Edo period, around the year 1858. He spread disease and fever, accumulating in a total death toll of over 40,000. The monk Fukaku was the one that expelled the demon. Upon the demon's defeat Fukaku removed the left and right eyes to prove that the exorcism was successful. However, unknown to him at the time, both eyes release a deadly toxic gas. They are extremely dangerous."
"Why'd he remove the eyes?" Rin asked quietly. "To brag about it?"
"Probably claimed them as a trophy," Sakura answered. "It's popular thing among shinobi. After defeating Sasori, I took his heart as proof." At the horrified looks Izumo and Rin gave her she chuckled. "Don't worry, It wasn't an actual heart. It was wooden."
"Okay, we still have no idea what the enemy's master plan is, but we do know this. There is a high probability that they will attack the Kyoto field office again to try to claim the Right Eye. We can't let this happen!" Shura said. "Our mission is simple: care for wounded exorcists, and support their defense. Exwires will assist where needed. Everyone work together! And please make this easier on me." She grumbled to herself
"Oh god." Sakura groaned and curled in on herself. "Rin, why'd you let me take the window seat?"
"You get motion sickness?" Izumo asked, looking at her in disbelief.
"Not really," Sakura answered. "Giant metal contraptions that carry you at a preset, not to mention uncontrollable, speed, don't exist in the five nations."
"Her body isn't used to the speed or pressure," Rin said simply.
"Kuro...come here," Sakura groaned, holding her hand.
"Are you gonna puke?" Kuro asked, his whiskers twitching.
Sakura pouted. "No. I just wanna hold something." Kuro gently climbed over Izumo's lap and into Sakura's arms. Sakura whined and curled up, cuddling the demon cat.
"Never thought I'd see a demon get carsick," Izumo muttered. "And you're a healer too."
"Yeah, I know," Sakura moaned. "The irony is not lost on me either."
"Hey, why'd you sit next to us anyway?" Rin asked. "Aren't you scared?"
"Scared? Of you two? As if!" Izumo huffed, crossing her arms. "This may come as a shock to you, but there are a lot of people in the world with demon blood in their veins, one way or another. And most of them are exorcists."
"Really?" Rin asked in excitement. "That's so cool."
"It's pretty common knowledge actually," Izumo said.
"So then...why…?" Izumo huffed and rolled her eyes.
"It's because you don't have just any old demon blood," she answered. "You have Satan's blood running through your veins. Okumura, people are scared of you because the Vatican hasn't decided whether or not you're good or bad. That's all. As for Haruno, the fear stems from something else entirely."
"What, that I'll follow through with my threats?" Sakura muttered sarcastically.
"No, it's because the Vatican can't touch you." Izumo narrowed her eyes and turned towards Sakura. "If any exorcist were to harm you, your leader would most likely declare war. The Vatican doesn't know what shinobi are capable of, nor are they eager to find out. The Order cannot cause you any harm, in any way, shape, or form. But you, you can do whatever you want with no punishment."
"I don't have as much power as everyone thinks." Sakura groaned and buried her face in Kuro's back.
"Anyway, that's all this is about," Izumo said with a sigh. "Your problems, at least with the elders, stem from the Vatican not knowing what to do with you. As for the others, well…let's put it this way. I'd rather not flip out like an idiot over every little thing!"
Rin smiled softly at her. "...Funny brows..."
"What did you call me?" Izumo shouted.
"You're being nice to us, aren't you! I knew you weren't that bad!" Rin said happily.
"What makes you say that?" Izumo asked, putting a hand on her eyebrows. "And that better not be my nickname!"
Sakura laughed lightly. "My best friend calls me billboard brow. And I call her pig."
"I don't care! I have a name and I'd rather you use it!" Izumo said. "Izumo Kamiki, got it?"
"Thanks Izumo!" Izumo's eyes snapped open and she looked at him, her face slowly turning red.
"Wh-Who gave you permission to use my first name?" Izumo shouted.
"Shaddup!" Shura growled. "I can't sleep with all that racket!"
"Sorry Shura," Rin called. He turned back to Izumo and smiled.
"What's with that look you're giving me now?" Izumo huffed, rolling her eyes.
Rin propped his head up on the arm rest. "Nothing, I just knew you were a good person under that tough exterior." Izumo's eyes widened and she looked at him in shock. "And Sakura was right, you are a genuine friend."
"Wh-What?" Izumo turned around, looking at Sakura.
The pinkette smiled sleepily. "I told him that once his tail showed, everyone's reaction would determine whether or not they were really his friends. Those that abandoned him, like Suguro and the others, weren't. Those that stick by him even with the truth, like you, are genuine."
"I-It's nothing," Izumo said, her cheeks bright pink. "I just hate cowards that go on and on about defeating Satan, making friends, things like that, and then chicken out when it matters the most. That's a horrible person!"
"Alright that's it!" Suguro shouted, jumping out. He hit the back of Sakura's chair as he glared at the purple-haired girl. "I'm done listening to the shit!"
"Oh really?" Izumo smirked. She straightened her body and held her chin out, giving off an air as if she were superior. "You wanna make something of it then?"
"How about I do," Sakura growled, glaring up at him. Suguro flinched at the deadly look on her face. "Here I am sick to my stomach and then you go and jostle my seat you asshole."
"Well that's not my fault, now is it?" Suguro shouted. "Some demon child you are! Who gets motion sick like this?"
Any further argument was got off by an angry scream, causing all of them to freeze.
"As punishment for keeping me awake, I here by sentence you to Bariyon punishment!" Shura shouted angrily. She had moved the Exwires to the empty third car. The class sat in the aisle, large rocks in their lap.
"Um...what exactly is a Bariyon?" Sakura asked.
"They're demons who possess stones," Suguro said with a sigh. "The longer you hold them, the heavier they get."
"Really? I can't feel any difference," Sakura said. "Hey, you think I could get some of these as weights?"
"We'll see," Shura growled. "Now, these should help cool your heads until we get to Kyoto! And if I have to come back in here, there will be hell to pay! Let me sleep!" She stormed out of the car, slamming the door behind her.
"You know...I've got an odd sense of Deja vu here," Shima said.
"She sure came prepared though," Rin muttered.
"She must have seen this coming," Sakura said.
"You know, the last time we were here was because of Bon and Izumo too," Shima said with a small smile. "You guys haven't made any progress at all."
"Oh shut it," Izumo growled.
Konekomaru whined and tried to curl in on himself. "Why'd she have to leave us all alone with them? If one of them acts up our lives will be in danger!"
"Gee, why don't you tell us how you really feel," Sakura muttered. She blinked when she heard a low grumbling noise.
"Uh-oh." Konekomaru yelped as the Bariyon flew out of his lap. It slammed onto Shiemi's back, pinning her to the ground.
"Shit! One of them was an old one!" Shima shouted. "We gotta get that thing off her now or it'll just get heavier and end up crushing her!"
"Shima, you get that side, I'll get the other!" Suguro shouted. He pushed the demon off his lap and ran over to her. The other Exwires did the same. The two grabbed the stone and grunted, trying to lift it.
"I-It's no use!" Shima gasped.
"Should I get Miss Kirigakure?" Konekomaru asked.
"Are you nuts? She said not to disturb her!" Suguro shouted.
"Okay, I think the way to destroy it, is to break it," Shima said. He got out his staff and started to hit the possessed boulder. "It's too hard!"
"Oh you've got to be kidding." Sakura huffed and stood up, walking over to Shiemi. "So, just break it, right?" She picked it up easily. "Okay, yeah, I can feel this one getting heavier a lot faster than the others." Despite that Sakura easily crushed it in her hands. "Still, easy as cake."
"Th-Thank you." Shiemi groaned as she tried sitting up. She hissed, rubbing her back.
"Hold on." Sakura knelt next to her and rubbed her back. Shiemi hummed in content as she felt the soothing chakra go through her body. "That feel better?"
"Yeah." Shiemi thank her and sat up, smiling at her.
"That was a great job sis!" Rin cheered.
"It was nothing, a pipsqueak like that is easy." Sakura dusted her hands off and sat down in one of the chairs. "And now with that out of the way, I'm going to curl up and die." She groaned and curled up, rubbing her head. "God...I hate your travel systems, what's so wrong with running or a carriage or something?"
"She is unbelievable," Suguro muttered.
"Not really," Rin said. "Things are different in her village. Even if she has been here for a few months, the only other times she's used public transportation was for the training camp."
"Just how far back are they in times?" Shima asked.
"Uh, they have phones and TVs and stuff, but I don't think they have cars or anything like that," Rin answered.
"Wow, that's pretty low tech," Shima muttered. "Poor thing."
"Shut the fuck up." Sakura grumbled towards him and curled up. She glanced up, giving him a deadly look.
"Shit! She's scarier than Miss Kirigakure!" The boy shivered and stepped back.
Suguro stepped over to her and held out a small bag. Sakura looked up at it and saw several small red pills inside. "Here, these help with nausea." Sakura held out her hand, blinking in shock as he dropped the bag in her hand. She opened the bag curiously and took one out, looking it over.
"So, what do we do now?" Suguro asked, turning away from the demon girl.
The speaker crackled and a female voice started speaking. "Attention: now approaching Tokyo. Debarking passengers, please gather all personal belongings before leaving. The next stop will be in Kyoto."
"I guess we wait," Rin answered.