We should be careful then." Allen said, wondering why his eye wasn't activating in the presence of such evil.

Rin gulped and cut the nun down, his sword activating his flames and making the Sister jump back. He just sighed and said. "Help me out. We can't leave her like this."

Allen went over helped and said a small prayer. Sister Irene recovered and helped them dig a grave. "I know we have work to do in the abbey but…I can't just leave her body to the crows."

"No." Allen said contemplatively. "You're doing the right thing."

"It would be wrong." Rin said.

As Sister Irene got the shovel to start filling it in, she turned and the hole was filled, Allen was buried. "ALLEN!" She shouted as Rin furiously dug up his fellow exorcist. He had felt the surge of evil as his body reacted and transformed further, white streaks in his ebony hair.

Allen dug himself out. "Sorry about that! I accidentally fell in!"

Sister Irene was stunned. "But…I-I didn't fill it up…" She stopped when she saw Rin's transformation. "Your…beautiful…Rin…"

"Wh-what? I ah…" Rin blushed.

Sister Irene sucked in a breath. "And that's…not something a nun should be saying." She bowed. "Forgive me. Allen, Your appearance also took me by surprise. What…is that arm?"

Allen deactivated it. "It's nothing. Don't worry about it."

"But I— very well brother. I understand. Shall we go into the abbey?" Sister Irene recovered and refocused. She shouldn't be distracted and she, as a nun, definitely shouldn't be flirting with brothers from the Vatican. But she couldn't help it; they were so interesting.

"Please call me Allen." Allen said.

"Yeah and call me Rin, not brother." Rin cringed.

"You…are not a priest, are you two? You are…something else." She touched Allen's arm. "You can tell me, and I will pray for your safety."

Allen sighed. "We're—"

"Exorcists of course!" Rin grinned. "I'm a demon tho, but I want to defeat the evil demons! And this guy here has a special weapon called innocence, but he sure as hell isn't innocent you'll see if you play cards with—"

Allen smacked him angrily. She didn't need to know all that. "All you need to know is that you are safe with us."

"So you are exorcists, so the Vatican must believe this is the work of a demon?" Sister Irene crossed herself.

"Well….it's not the kind of demon you think…" Allen attempted.

"That's not true." Rin said, serious for the first time. "This evil is sentient and demonic, not like those toys you and your friends fight."

Allen bristled.

Sister Irene tried to keep the peace. "It is evil, and I have faith that you two will help me defeat it. Now. We must go and face it." She entered the abbey without another word.

"Y-you should be more careful!" Allen cried running to catch up.

"Yeah. Stay back!" Rin got in front of her.

Sister Irene pushed past them to the Abbess. "It's alright. It's the abbess, she can help us. Mother Superior please open the gate! We believe a demon has infiltrated the abbey!"

The abbess, heavily veiled, spoke for the first time in a choked, harsh voice. "You have not taken your vows."

"What?" Sister Irene was confused. "I um…yes that's true, but I am a Sister in the Lord just as you are Mother Superior!"

Sister Irene eyed Rin and Allen. "and you have not been thinking…unclean thoughts?"

"I assure you she has not!" Allen countered.

"Why are you policing her thoughts, huh?!" Rin growled.

Sister Irene groaned. "… that does not matter; because as you said, I have taken no vows."

Allen tried again. "If you would please open the gate?"

After a long pause, the Abbess croaked, "Very well. But just know that I shall close it behind you."

"Allen, Rin, maybe you should stay behind. It IS a convent after all." Sister Irene said, eager to get on with it without further interruption.

"You don't want us to come with you?" Allen asked, concerned.

"I can help ya know!" Rin held up his sword.

Sister Irene considered, wanting their protection, but weary of their arguing. She looked over to the Abbess for help. "But mother sa— she's gone!"

The gate suddenly opened.

Sister Irene jumped behind Allen and Rin, startled. The two got in front of her.

Allen offered a hand. "It's going to be alright. We'll protect you."

"Yeah that demon doesn't stand a chance!" Rin cried.

Sister Irene followed him inside. "I wasn't thinking anything impure by the way. Just that you two are…beautiful. But that's just how artists think! I'm-im a nun, I shouldn't…"

"You're an artist as well?" Allen said.

Rin shot out. "There's nothing wrong with thinking that and being a nun!"

"Nuns aren't supposed to…like…boys." Sister Irene explained, heading into the convent, speeding up.

As they watched, they could feel…something…stalking them from the shadows.