The Peach Demon

by Demonwolf

An Au for 'Like a Bat out of Hell.' Rin is determined that her brother have a good life after the death of their parents. But between cruel aunts, a giant peach, and her own destructive instincts, she may not be able to do it alone.

30. Something to Give Us Wings

Ch. 30

At the time, how the people of New York would view me after my attack on Spiker and Sponge was the least of my worries. My only concern was my little brother.
~

The rough pavement scraped against Rin's bare feet as the half-demon raced through the mostly empty streets of New York. The screams and cries of the crowd had mostly faded to a background hum, but Rin knew it wouldn't be long before the police would mobilize and hunt her down. Well, Rin considered, that really wasn't cause for concern. Between her own head start and the competence of the New York police force, the half-demon was willing to bet she could run halfway to Canada before the officers were ready to begin their search.

Not that she would be running to Canada. After all, both her demon and adopted kin knew she and James would be in New York so leaving the city wasn't really an option. Rin growled as she ran in a zig-zag pattern through the streets, turning left and right at random intervals.

Damnit, it's like being a mouse trapped in a maze. A very large maze, to be sure, but still a maze she couldn't get free from. Rin glanced up at the countless windows above her as she sped past them. Surely someone had remained at home rather than joining the crowd around the peach and thus, someone was sure to spot her. Every instinct in the half-demon's body was telling her to escape into the sky where no human could follow, but with her wings still damaged, such an option was lost to her.

"I think we've lost them."

Rin skidded to a halt at the sound of James's soft voice. Her heart was pounding in he chest, but her breath was steady as James slid from her back. The little boy stumbled a bit and Rin caught him easily. James leaned into his sister's arms and Rin could feel him trembling.

"Are you alright, James-chan?"

"Yes."

Rin bit her lip at how utterly defeated James sounded. "No. No, you're not. But you will be. We will be."

"Are you okay?" James asked softly, looking up to meet his sister's eyes.

"I... don't worry about me, James-chan. I'm fine. I just..." Rin averted her eyes. "I'm just sorry you had to see that. I never wanted-" Rin felt her breath catch in her throat as James threw his arms around her neck.

"Thanks for saving me."

"Always, James-chan." Rin hugged her brother tightly, pushing back the tears that threatened to bead in her eyes. "Always."

"What... what do we do now?"

"We need to get somewhere safe. I just... I just don't know where."

A look of thoughtfulness crossed James's face as he pulled free from Rin's arms and stood straighter. Reaching into his pocket, the little boy pulled out his travel book and stared at its cover. A small smile stole over James's face as he held it up for Rin to see.

"The Empire State Building."

"You want to go back there?"

"We are there. Look."

Turning around, Rin was surprised to see the base of the famed building in front of her. Looking up, the half-demon could see the rectangular skyscraper standing tall and proud above her and James.

"Well, what do you know? We're back where we started."

"I think... I think we were meant to come back. I don't know why but it just feels right. Doesn't it?" James looked up at Rin.

"Hai, that it does. Just like taking those green things felt right."

James nodded as he replaced his travel book in his pocket. "That man, the one who told everyone to listen to us, that was him, wasn't it? The man who gave us the green things."

"I'm certain it was."

"Maybe he's telling us this is where we need to go."

"Well, he hasn't led us wrong yet. And you feel right about this?"

"Yes."

"Then let's go."

Together, the siblings approached the Empire State Building's front doors. Although the building's metallic body gleamed in the lights of the city, Rin could see that the lobby was dark. Tilting her ears forward, Rin was surprised to hear not even a trace of a footstep coming from inside.

"Odd. I would have thought a place this famous would have had a security guard or two."

"Maybe they're all helping with the peach. And..." James's voice trailed off.

"Hai, you're probably right. Well, that just makes it easier for us. C'mon."

The doors that led to the lobby were adorned with heavy bronze handles. Wrapped around said handles was a sturdy silver chain and padlock. Rolling her eyes, Rin grasped the chain and yanked; the metal crumbled under the half-demon's strength as easily as glass shattering from a hefty blow.

"Don't worry, I'll pay for this if I have to." Rin told James, dropping the now-useless chain to the ground.

"I know. But we should be careful about not breaking anything else."

"Fair enough." Rin pushed the doors open, ushering James inside. The dim room, barely visible thanks to the lights outside, stretched out before them. Two hallways branched off on either side while a wooden desk was set against the wall closet to the front door. The entire floor was covered in a thick maroon carpet and the lamps that dangled from the ceiling held not even a sliver of light. Silence pressed heavily down on Rin and James as they peered into the gloom.

"I wish Glowworm was here to help us see." James sighed heavily. "I wish everyone was here."

"Hai, me too. But it's probably for the best we not have any light. The less we can do to arouse suspicion, the better."

James swallowed nervously, but nodded in agreement. He tugged lightly on his sister's hand as he gestured to the left,

"What's that door?"

"I think it's a washroom." Rin peered forward at the dull oak door. To her surprise, the door swung open to reveal a dimly lit interior. Peering inside, the half-demon saw a small candle had been left burning on the marble counter that held a row of taps and basins.

Like it was waiting for us.

Sniffing the air, Rin didn't detect anything amiss, but she was certain she smelled the familiar scent of cool morning mist.

"Right, this one's for women, so that one over there," Rin glanced behind them where a similar door was stationed, "must be for men. Mind giving me a second, James? I'd like a drink of water."

"Okay. I'm going to get one too."

"Right. We should be alone, but be careful."

"I will."

All the same, Rin waited until James was safely behind the opposite door before pushing her way inside the women's washroom. The tiled floor had been scrubbed clean and held a lingering scent of soap that, thankfully, didn't burn the half-demon's nose. The taps were burnished bronze and the white basins shone in the soft light. Rin leaned against the marble counter, gripping the cold surface tightly before raising her head to view her reflection in the gleaming mirror.

Monster.

Rin bit her lip, remembering the screams and blood from the various nightmares that had plagued her. Even under Spiker and Sponge's roof, it had been easy to shake away the nightly visions and go about her day. But now? Now she actually looked like the monstrous demon so many had accused her of being. While her eyes had lost their red hue, Rin's face and hair were splattered with blood, the reddish streaks standing out on her skin like war paint. Her claws and fangs were also stained red and the hot salty taste lingered on the half-demon's tongue.

It tastes... good.

Rin's stomach lurched at the thought and she frantically twisted at the taps. To her relief, fresh cool water gushed from the faucet and the half-demon stuck her face into the stream, gulping down the clear liquid as fast as she could. Still, it took at least five good mouthfuls of cold water before the taste of Spiker's blood was washed away from her mouth.

Pulling her face back, Rin stuck her clawed hands under the water and rubbed them together as fast as she could. The water in the basin turned red as Sponge's blood and a few bits of flesh and muscle were washed from Rin's hands and down the drain. Cleaning her claws and hands took a bit longer than rinsing her mouth, but eventually, all traces of gore were washed from her hands.

"Good thing my shirt's red," Rin muttered. All the same, she splashed a good deal of water down the front of the red fabric as she washed her face and arms. Water alone would do little to mask the scent of blood that clung to her, but it was enough to clean away the sticky residue that lingered on her own skin and clothing. Wetting her hands again, Rin ran them through her short brown hair, shuddering as she felt the matted strands.

"What I wouldn't give for a bath. Ah, well, soon enough, I'm sure."

Turning off the water, Rin crouched down and shook herself dry. Drops of water splattered on the mirror and marble as well as mixing with the grime Rin's bare feet had tracked onto the tiled floor. The half-demon observed the mess for a moment, wondering if she should try cleaning it up.

"Huh, like I should bother."

No sooner had she said this than Rin noticed a small hand towel dangling from a hook set against the wall. Strange, had that been there before?

"Oh, fine." Rin rolled her eyes, but snatched up the towel and did her best to scrub away the streaks of water on the mirror and the filthy smudges on the floor. The end result, while not as pristine as it was before Rin had used the sink, at least looked a lot better than it had a minute ago. At the very least, Rin was sure it would suffice for whoever worked in the Empire State Building the next day.

"Hope they have fresh towel for tomorrow," Rin muttered, looking down at the now filthy fabric. Thankfully, the half-demon saw a small indent set into the wall by the door that was marked "Laundry" and she dropped the used rag into it as she exited the washroom.

James already waiting for her, standing close to the wall. He too had made an effort to wash his face and at the very least looked a bit more alert than he had.

"No one's passed by, but I saw a watch someone left behind in the washroom."

"Oh? What time is it?"

"Nearly 10 o'clock."

"That feels right. You must be dead on your feet, James-chan."

"A little," James admitted. "But I'll be okay. Besides, I think we need to get to the top."

"Hmmm. Well, we won't be able to get to where we were, but I'm sure we can get to the roof where people can look out over the city."

"Yes. That's where we need to go. I..." James met his sister's eyes, his expression serious. "I just feel that it's the right thing to do."

"Well, if that's what feels right, James, then that's what we need to do. Let's go."

"There's the elevator." James pointed ahead where a small set of doors were set into the wall.

"Hai, but the operator's not here. And anyway, on the off chance someone does come looking for us, the elevator would be a dead giveaway to our location. Looks like we're climbing; let's find the stairs."

"I think they're over here." James gestured at one of the hallways. "Whoa," he gasped as he beheld the flight of curving stairs leading upwards into the darkness.

"Good, I don't hear anything." Rin tilted her ears forward. "Looks like we're in the clear. Now let's get going!"

"Okay." James took a few steps forward before Rin neatly scooped him onto her back. "Rin!"

"You're exhausted and it's a long climb. Besides, I can get us to the top a lot faster."

"But you're tired too!"

"Oh, I have more than enough strength for this! Hang on!"

Rin darted forward up the stairs, her feet barely making a sound on the wooden steps as she ascended as quickly as she could. The dim gloom of the lobby fell away until both Rin and James were lost in pitch darkness and Rin felt James cling more tightly to her as they continued their journey upward.

"Alright, James?"

"I'm okay." James's voice sounded hollow in the shadows. "I just don't like the dark."

"We'll be out of it soon, I promise. But nothing's going to hurt you while I'm here."

"I know." James leaned his head against Rin's shoulders. The half-demon could feel her little brother starting to go limp on her back and reached behind her to hold him close in case he did fall asleep. Putting on a extra burst of speed, the half-demon was rewarded by a tiny shaft of light coming into view.

"We're here!"

"We are?" James raised his head.

"Hai. Look, here's the door."

Clearing the last few stairs, Rin came to a halt in front of the door. Although she couldn't see a chain, the door handled refused to turn under the half-demon's hand.

"Of course this door would be locked."

"Will we have to look for a key?" James slid down from Rin's back.

"Nah, I got this. Better stand back, though."

James stood to the side as Rin jiggled the door handle once more to test the lock's strength. Nodding, Rin took a step back and then rammed her shoulder against the door as hard as she could. The door flew open as the wooden frame splintered and cracked under the half-demon's blow. A gush of city-scented air met the siblings as they stepped onto the cement platform of the Empire State Building's observation deck.

"I think you'll have to pay for that too," James noted, looking back at the door, which was now hanging loosely by its hinges.

"Oh well, it's not like I can't afford it. And besides, a human could've done that. If the city really wants me to cover the cost, I'll buy them a door that's harder to break through."

James smiled at Rin before turning his attention to their surroundings. The square floor was surrounded by a thick wall of made of heavy cement bricks. Large brass telescopes were set along the wall at various intervals, their bases anchored to the floor. Below them, the city of New York still glittered, but no seeking lights brushed over the building and Rin couldn't hear the triumphant shouts of potential searchers.

"I think we're safe up here, James-chan. At the very least, no one's spotted us yet."

"That's good." James shielded his eyes as he peered up at the sky. "Do you hear any seagulls?"

Rin tilted her ears upwards. "Seagulls, hai. Our family? Not yet."

"Oh."

"But that can change in a moment. Come and sit down, James-chan. I know how tired you must be."

Rin led James over to the middle of the deck and away from the railing. Both siblings sat side by side on the cement floor with their backs against the base of the tall pillar that the peach had landed on not so long ago. James stifled a yawn as he drew his knees to chest, resting his arms and head atop them.

"Rin?"

"Hmmm?"

"Thanks for climbing the Empire State Building with me."

Rin blinked in surprise and then chuckled softly and wrapping her arm around James. "Anytime, James-chan. I... I'm sorry it wasn't how you wanted it to be. How none of this was how you wanted it to be."

"It's okay." James gave Rin a wry smile as he leaned against her. "I know Mum and Dad would've been happy."

"Yeah? You think so?"

"Yes."

"That's good." Rin glanced up at the sky, her ears trained for any sign of her kin. "They probably didn't have much to be happy about until recently."

James suppressed a small sob, rubbing at his eyes. "I don't think Mum and Dad would have ever wanted us to live with Spiker and Sponge."

"No, I don't think so either."

"Do you think..." James bit his lip as he lowered his head. "Do you think they're dead?"

"I..." Rin sighed. "I don't know. What I did to them, James... I was acting on pure instinct, but I hurt them badly. If they live- and they might not- Spiker and Sponge are never going to be the same again."

"Will you..." James's voice trembled. "Will you be the same? After what happened?"

"Will I... of course I will. I... oh James." Rin hugged her brother to her, squeezing her eyes shut as helpless tears threatened to spill from them. "What happened back there? That was my demon half taking control. It's the desire to kill that's present in all those with yokai blood, but I never wanted you to see me that way. It's..." Rin shuddered as she took a deep breath. "It's not who I want to be."

"Does it feel bad? When your demon half takes over?"

"No," Rin admitted. "It actually feels really good. When my eyes go red and I feel that power rising within me, all I want to do claw and bite and tear people up. Friend or foe or... or family. I just want to kill and that's what scares me, James-chan. The idea that I could loose all control and just..." Rin shook her head. "I would never be able to forgive myself if I lost control and hurt you."

"You won't."

"I wish I could be sure of that."

"I am."

"You are?"

"Yes. James sat up straighter to place a hand on Rin's shoulder. "When the police officer grabbed me and I called your name, you looked over at me right away and your eyes weren't red anymore. And even when you scratched the policeman, you didn't keep hurting him and you didn't try to hurt anyone else in crowd. You could have, but you didn't."

"Hai, I guess that's true." Rin sighed again. "I still wish you hadn't seen me so vicious though. I know that must have been scary."

"I was scared, but only because I thought the police Chief would hurt you or try and put handcuffs on you or something like that. And that they'd take me away and never let me see you again." James sighed. "I'm sorry; I wish I was braver."

"James-chan." Rin met her brother's eyes. "You are far braver than you give yourself credit for. I know how frightened you were to see Spiker and Sponge again, but you didn't let that stop you when they tried calling you a liar or saying that I had kidnapped you. Instead, you told everyone what Spiker and Sponge were really like and you didn't let your fear of them stop you. That's real bravery, James-chan, and it came from within you."

James was silent as he thought this over. "I was scared of them, just like I was scared of the Rhino. But Rin?"

"Hai?"

"I think you scared Spiker and Sponge more than the Rhino ever scared me."

Despite herself, Rin couldn't help but laugh a bit at James's words. "I'm sure I did. In fact, I probably scared the whole city more than the Rhino could scare you. Ah, well, I doubt they would have had a high opinion of me anyway."

James stared at his sister for a moment. "Rin, did Mum and Dad ever tell you about the willow tree?"

"What willow tree?"

"It was something they saw right after they got married. Mum said it was on their honeymoon."

"I remember them going away. Takashi oji-san and his family were there for the wedding and they stayed to watch me while Okaa-san and Henry keifu-san were gone. But what's this about a willow tree?"

"Mum and Dad were having a picnic lunch in a park and there was this really pretty willow tree by a lake. Some older kids came by and started pulling the tree's branches so that when they let go, the branches would snap back really fast. Mum said the kids were laughing really hard and how they kept saying the branches were too thin and light to hurt them."

"Clearly they'd never been hit by a willow branch."

"That's what Dad said. He knew that one of them was going to get hurt if they didn't stop, but they wouldn't. Anyway, one of the boys pulled back a long branch really far, but he couldn't hold on. It hit the oldest boy right in the face and Mum and Dad said it sounded like a whip, it was so loud."

"Really?"

"Yes. The older boy was on the ground screaming and Dad ran over to check on him. He said the boy had a huge red mark on his face and it was swelling really badly. He ended up being alright in the end, but the boys wanted to have their parents cut the tree down."

"Did they?"

"I don't think so. Mum said she and Dad called the town and told them what happened, but she didn't think the tree was going to get cut down anyway. The boys were just mad because they got hurt when doing something they shouldn't have."

"Sounds about right."

"That's like what happened today. You're like the willow tree, Rin. If people don't pull on your branches, you don't hurt them. But when you snap, they get mad at you."

Rin grinned at her brother. "That's quite a way of looking at it, James."

"Like Mum and Dad said."

"Try looking at it another way. Hai, I remember." Rin sighed. "I don't know if the rest of the city will see it your way, though."

"At least they saw they we were right about Spiker and Sponge."

"That is true. I don't think anyone was expecting them to do what they did."

James curled back in on himself, his arms and head once more resting on his knees. "Do you think they would have tried to kill us if we never got away?"

"It's possible, I suppose. Especially if they got angry enough."

"They were always angry," James said softly. "And they really hated us."

"I know." Rin pulled James closer, resting her cheek on the top of his head. "I'm sure things would've come to a head at some point if we hadn't gotten away."

"Would you... would you have really killed them while they were sleeping?"

"Oh, I thought about it, James. In fact, I almost went through with it. But... it wouldn't have been right."

"Because you're not cruel like they are."

"I hope I'm not."

"I know you're not."

The siblings fell silent as they stared out at the various rooftops below them. James stifled another yawn as he closed his eyes, his head still comfortably nestled against his sister's shoulder.

"Hard to believe it's only been three days, isn't it?" the half-demon asked.

"Three days?" James asked, his voice heavy with sleepiness.

"Since we left Spiker and Sponge's house. Remember? We were sitting like this up in the attic when they were showing the peach because they wouldn't let you play with the kids outside."

"Oh, right." James rubbed at his eyes. "That's when they made us clean up outside and we ended up inside the peach and met our family." The little boy sighed as his eyes fell shut. "It feels like we've been away longer."

"I know.

"We'll find our family tonight, right? Like we did before?"

"I'm sure we will."

James fell silent and Rin could tell by her little brother's soft breaths and slowed heart that he'd lost the battle with sleep. Ah, well, she was feeling a bit tired too. Leaning back against the cold metal of the pole, Rin allowed herself to fall into a light doze as she waited for a sign that she and James would be as lucky as they had been the night they had left Spiker and Sponge for good.
************************************************************************************************************************************

"Rin!"

Rin started awake at the sound of James's voice. Shaking her head to banish sleep, the half-demon was met with her brother's delighted smile.

"James-chan, what-"

"Your wings!"

"My... oh!"

Rin glanced down at her arms. While she had slept, her wings had unfurled themselves from their folded position and now they hung black and sleek, without a tear or tatter. Climbing to her feet, Rin stretched her wings out to feel the strength in the leathery membranes and the bristle of the bony spikes.

"Hah, good as new! I knew it wouldn't take long for them to heal!"

"You're really okay!" James cried delightedly. Laughing, the little boy jumped up in his sister's arms. Rin caught James easily, holding him tightly as her fresh-healed wings encircled them both.

"Oh, I'm more than okay, James-chan! What do you say? Should we go for a flight?"

Before James could respond, a familiar spotlight light up the top of the Empire State Building, catching the siblings in its bright beam. Sirens and shouts accompanied the glare along with the pounding of footsteps headed straight for the famous structure.

"They found us!" James was peering over the cement wall. Rin joined him, folding her wings back to their previous potion before she poked her own head over the wall. Sure enough, police cars and firetrucks were speeding up the streets leading to the Empire State Building as a good number of policemen and fireman raced ahead on foot. Some of them paused just long enough to point upwards before they continued into the building and Rin knew that none of the them would balk at the idea of climbing the stairs if it meant catching her.

Not that they stood a chance of doing that now, but-

THRRRMMMM!

Rin gasped as a familiar feeling raced over her skin. Over the blare of the sirens and the yells of another gathering crowd, Rin's sharp ears picked up the the echo of a screech only a bat demon could make.

The sound only a Kurosaki bat demon could make. And along with them, she could hear-

"James-chan, our family's here."

"Where?" James peered down frantically at the crowd below. "I can't see anyone; we're too high up."

"No, not here. I think they're going to land close to where the peach is. And they're not alone."

"What do you mean?"

"My cousins are here. I'd know that screech anywhere. That's Kenta; he and Souske must be bringing our kin to the city!" Rin grinned down at her brother. "Oh-ho, I think a lot of people are going to feel very foolish very soon."

"THIS IS THE NEW YORK CITY POLICE! YOU ARE COMPLETELY SURROUNDED! SURRENDER NOW AND YOU WILL NOT BE HARMED!"

Rin growled at the sound of the of the officer's voice ringing through a megaphone. "Clearly this idiot never heard of the element of surprise. At this, James looked up at Rin, a thoughtful expression on his face.

"WE HAVE OFFICERS HEADING UP TO DETAIN YOU! THERE IS NOWHERE FOR YOU TO RUN! WE URGE YOU TO GO DOWN PEACEFULLY!"

"Rin?"

"Hmm? What is it, James?"

A slightly mischievous smile stole over James's face. "Didn't you say you wanted to jump off the Empire State Building when a lot of people were watching?"

Rin paused, then returned her brother's smile. "Hai, James-chan, I did." The half-demon crouched down. "Shall we?"

"Yes!" James practically jumped onto Rin's back and held tightly to her shoulders. Rin kept her wings folded as she climbed onto the top of the cement wall and glared down at the crowd below. Below, Rin could hear the pounding footsteps and panting breaths of the city officials on the stairs, but they still had some distance to go before they reached the roof. Good, she wouldn't have to worry about any interference. Opening her mouth, Rin let loose with a loud shriek.

"EEEEEEEE!"

The policeman below fell silent, giving Rin time to listen for an answer. Sure enough, a second screech- this one even closer- answered her back. This time, a few people below heard the high-pitched sound; Rin's furry ears picked up on some of the concerned voices.

"What was that?"

"A war cry?"

"But it came from behind us!"

"Probably just an echo!"

"Chief, do something!"

"HEY!" Rin yelled down, waving at the crowd. "YOU WANT US TO COME DOWN? FINE! WE'LL COME DOWN!"

While Rin knew it was unlikely the people below heard her, she knew they got the message. A collective gasp rang up through the rapidly gathering crowd as Rin stood up on top of the wall, James hanging onto her back.

"Ready, James?"

"Ready!"

And with that, Rin Kurosaki jumped off the top of the Empire State Building.
~

Hey, New York is supposed to be the city where dreams come true, right? Well, MY dream of scaring the living hell out of a good number of New Yorkers sure came true that night!