Magi and Djinn World Tour! Student of the Dark Arts –

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So, I'm well invested in Raku and Constantine learning from one another through Galactic Eros arc into Sun and moon rhapsody and Tokyo Knights. That is still in the works for a proper set up, so this is a flashback/one shot side story as a story. It will make sense to those that read the previous arcs on Raku becoming John's reluctant pupil. One Shots I did previously cover him getting nervous while coming to London. So, the recap is in the forwards. Enjoy! He is 15 in this and will be nineteen in Tokyo Knights to let you know, but later. Keep up!

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Prelude to Disaster: Chapter One

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Taken from one Shot – we are home with a summer cold. Rolling! Agh...end already, Sept!

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Raku had no idea what had gone on last night. He woke up sweating like a stripped sheet set in the humid jungles, his hair was a mess and he had his very first…

"No…it's not possible!!" Running to where Aiden was sleeping in today ( this is before he goes with John,) Raku shoved at the blonde's shoulder. His panic rising; the boys had been up last night watching a series with a detective in Paris. Something for the mind, but still…

Raku groaned and touched his cheek. "Wake up…"

A tap, became a smack as Aiden riled awake.

~ AH, what a tale! You're much less enthused about these changes, my young lordship. ~ Ignito was sitting in his room, over the side and holing an interesting covered tome in hand. ~ Djinn don't experience what you are about to. ~ Chuckled the aspect as it opened the book and turned to a dusty page. ~ Ah, the occurrence in mortal young adults that begins at different times from 10 to –

"I'm…"

Raku was sorely distracted from their internal monologs as Aiden rolled over and opened his half sleeping eyes at the boy above his head. Raku pulled back, blushing and swearing under his breath in whisper as he finally took on the courage to say something. Anything.

"I….my face, there are….strange boils….you must tell me what is…happening!"

/

Thankfully, Aiden was off from his course this week to return home, as was Raku before he'd ended up in Japan with the kid a few months later. Raku had embraced the part of himself that was neither human nor sorcerer, yet this wasn't that part he was rejecting.

Being a mortal – born demi god wasn't every bit as pleasant as Raku scrubbed his poor face until it lacked the previous's weary structure. "I need a spell. I'll call –

"Nope." Aiden went to the drawer below the sink and pulled out a small white container. "THESE are what I used at age fourteen and I never saw a bump again. It's not just mom's looks – er…just." He handed the younger kid the alcohol pads and explained, "You may not be all human, but that part of you still gets teen acne. You're just a late bloomer. See?" Aiden pulled up on his phone a person applying a special cream and the after images. Raku, felt deceived by his own carelessness. "No, I refuse to believe that…that I am a monster with this…this is an herbal tincture? Will it banish the cursed mark –

"AC – NE." Aiden used air quotes as Raku shook his head and stared at his lacking reflection. "Humans cannot be gods, or…what if this takes away my powers??"

"Are you –

Aiden clicked his tongue like any big brother and swiped up a pad with a twist of the lid off of the container, placing it into Raku's hands. "Observe, lil magus." Aiden flawlessly took a pad to his face and did as the picture while the blonde's skin seemed to highlight what he already saw in real life. "Now, you try. Just one use. You use it once a week and the skin is bound to never get bumps again."

The younger teen shakily reached for another pad as he held them between two sets of fingers. "L- like this?" HE patted the spot down. It…felt cold as he pulled it away with a hiss. "That stings me! What is this poison??-

"Medicine, mild witch hazel. Stride – ex." Aiden told the kid. "I use it on all of my ugly spots and the bridge where most ache shows up. But do not overuse this." He took away the rest of the canister and placed it back into its compartment, shutting the drawer with a close on their earlier than average morning. "By next week, same day, you use it again, and if it gets any less apparent on your face, it's healing up. But!" Aiden held up a finger. "DO NOT use it more than that…cause I don't want to run out and keep reading your face like a male if we don't have to. Kay? Last thing you need is to do what Anna did. Get a rash or worse, blemishes on picture day."

Raku bobbed his head, feeling his cheeks tingle, then start to go down. "Why does this happen to humans?" Raku asked as Aiden was about to leave the bathroom to get some coffee started. He'd learned it was something he now craved if not at times. "Hormones, our bodies are honestly… nothing but a mess since evolution. But, I dunno. You can ask any doctor here. They all have different ideas and things to se you on. Me? Puberty, stress. Hormones. Same as you –

"Did you say…" Raku gulped. "I…was never an adult after my ceremony??"

"Fourteen for us, so…maybe?"

A blank stare seized Aiden's attention as that gap grew even wider now.

In a way, Ignito shut the book on this and knew that this relationship would go very, very poorly from here on out. ~ Not the best choice of words, dear Chosen. ~ Sighed the aspect as he limited his comments to pick up another story. One bound to the first, in …

/

That same day, later Raku was busy preparing to start his pre registration exams for his college of choice in London. He had forgotten to however, turn his phone to silent as it rang, not once.

But many times in a bleeping second.

Raku gripped the thing and saw Dick Grayson's lovable face pop up onto the screen. He looked well rested. Unmarred by the thing that Raku forced himself to hide. ~ Hey, kiddo…you doing alright? I was just checking to make sure you'd adjusted while the team is away on another off world mission. Kori is there too…ah, is Aiden? ~

"He is showering. I am studying, somewhat." The boy glossed over the details a bit, "Why would you call during a… special event as you claim?" Raku used his old dialect as it popped out in a fit of frustrated angst. He bit his lip. "Please, this is not a very good time –

~ It is a better time as any to help you out. You're under our roof until John takes over my role as your guardian. That's how custody works here, no one says against the law anything that could endanger someone being taken care of. ~

"I, your family was strange before ...but…am I….correct at this age?" Raku turned but did not present his cheek to show his little friend to the male cop. "The others…talked of growing up, but I had a ceremony to result to my true age in the past! I was already even older so…why? Tell me why Aiden has told me that …"

Raku moved his cheek into view. Dick didn't even bat a lash. ~ Mine was bigger. ~ Dick smirked. ~ That little guy will go away in no more than a week. You decided to live with us, so that part of you is just, well –

"I am not a mortal, though!" Raku whined. " I am a demi god with the power related to the mighty King Solomon! I am the last son of Lord Azag and student of Lord Thoth, Lord Azag and Lord Dreamweaver of the Dune Capital of the past….I…cannot have a blemish such as –

~ I think we call it a pimple. A white head. ~

Raku's palms began to fill up with light as his magic… "I could lose my powers…why did this happen?" His younger voice trembled.

~ I TOLD YOU. ~ Ignito chimed in. ~ Puberty, young lordship. You were only grown in face as the past foretold but in this world, your mind still has some growing UP to do.~

~ It could be hormones, diet and exposure to dead skin cells but you were nervous about going to this new place with John. I know you can get past your fears –

~Don't distract –

"D- diet?" Raku turned his head like an owl, eyes wide and the fear clouding them over harshly as Grayson blabbering on, thinking he was helping. ~ Well, sure. In the gut if a normal mammal are tiny microscopic parts of life known as bacteria. And when you feed some bacteria one thing, it can do different things to us. If you eat a lot if food that isn't healthy, you can end up like Aiden was until we made him join a sport and get outside more. Took a lot of Kori's strength…~ Sighed the cop.

" I ….eat , flexitarian!" Raku gasped. "I am the pinnacle of health and I exercise with my entire mind and body on a regular basis. I have no need for this. Why am I-

~ A lot of oils for instance can clog pores. Even healthy ones. ~

Dick was in hot water as Aiden slammed the door back, in only his towel. "No, tell me you didn't ask my dad anything! Raku. Don't listen to –

"I…know the answer…but I cannot give up my means! What must I do-

~ Did you eat anything sweet this month? It can –

"Shut up!" Aiden screamed at his dad abd pulled the phone from Raku's grip. "He…he's right."

The next few seconds was a storm brewing. The kitchen started to pop like popcorn as boxes of cereal, even oil bottles and sugar in the pantry combusted into a mass of items that were no longer usable to an average cook. When it came to the freezer, Aiden knew he had to make it all stop.

"RAKU!"

The teen didn't kitten as his eyes started to glow with the magic of a God of creation and destruction. His ears started to become pointed as his fae in self, while Aiden jumped as early as je could and pulled the kid into his arms. He knew it was sloppy, desperate and sort of improper as Raku hiccups and blinked. The boxes of Crocky crunch were lastly spared, yet the rest…would mean a late start to someone's day. "I got over it. It happens! You're growing up! You're not a freak or weird, you're like I told you…you're just, growing into a real person who lives on earth now…you can change everything, be as perfect as you want but, in the end, you still want to be happy. Even fir a little bit." Aiden pulled away as Raku looked ready to burst into tears like the first time Aiden had grew the boy from the witch's curse. "Trust me. Dad just was an athlete all his life, but his frickin' B. O? If I EVER told you the horror stories my mom had to go through…" Aiden chuckled as Raku started to laugh. "He…he's human…but, I…I'm not supposed to be –

"You as Raku, not as a dragon or a warlock or anything. YOU." Aiden declared. "Are as real as me, so you're going to go through…some, maybe kinda…late changes. It won't be forever. You only just got here. See?" Aiden pointed to Raku's cheek as he pulled out his cell and showed the mirror back, of a blemish free demi God. "You are ok. So, chill. I'm here. I'm going to tell you right now, you're fine. Just as you are. Ok?"

Aiden was…his sun, while the moon eclipsed, felt very strange. He cared. But that caring, that yearning to be close…

Raku blushed and headed to the kitchen, his eyes shifting to not see the teen who had lived through his pains with him.

Who didn't like him, like that…

"I…have to get ready, I'll clean up. I'm sorry!"

Aiden sighed as Raku went to the kitchen and did just that, and was silent for some time. All while Ignito had to shake his head and snort to the idea of Aiden ever rejecting a God's love. But, he had.

~ That boy is a fool, yet you still pine for him. Why? ~

"He saved my life. I can never repay him but, I can learn to protect his earth. Our new home." Raku smiled as he crouched low and picked up every shard of glass, with only gloves and no magic. "I have to, it's our contract and I don't care how long for. Even with my new teacher, he'll still always be my first…"

Growing up, as he watched Aiden twist that towel a bit tighter, wouldn't' have to be so bad. Raku went back to his chore, attempting to think of a future that could not happen in another decade if he tried to make it so.

/

At the airport later that week, Raku, his new family and of course the Titans all watched him off while Dick and Aiden had an honest face to face chat.

"You shouldn't do that again. Let me –

"I'm sorry, Aiden. I had no idea he was so conflicted about knowing it." Dick rubbed his neck as the plane was ready to fly off towards London's rainy days. No more California until next time. "Are you sure John won't be too honest? He's sensitive, like a kid honestly. It's why even if he has a crush, I have to keep saying that he has to move on." Aiden pursed his lips, and he already had the gist by now. Ever since the whole jealousy kick that Cecilia Crescendo Daia had shown Aiden the dark side of dual obsessions.

He looked at his father and knew it could never be enough. Raku was always unstable, young and clingy. If he wanted to get away, the fight with Mir should have explained that it wasn't Aiden's fault that he was made in the image of a character that Raku adored secretly. It was…

Not flattering, and John hopefully could get the kid's head out of the middle ages to see that.

" I know how it is, to be worried you'll say the wrong thing a lot. If you to him the truth, it would hurt a lot more to you than lying and pretending everything is fine." Dick swallowed as Aiden turned to the window outside. "It has to be this way. I promised he'd be ok and not be so…"

"You're not going to help him grow from it. He has to make mistakes. All of him now, John can't fix or help on his own. I feel like I've failed us both –

"You are the one he clung to. But, how did you do it? Reject him?" Aiden begged his father for the answered he sought after. "I don't have a kid of my own, so this…is like being in a paradox. Big brother? I know he's not going to change-

"Raku was…confused for a long time, love as being painful or even wanted it so much that he used force because no one told him what that really did. How being hurt made him hurt others to forget that he was still forced before and then to keep his mask on and never take it off." Dick expressed openly to his son. "Raku, despite what you want to think, is a sexual abuse and domestic abuse victim, but he's trying to overcome his demons one day. I know you think it's not all there; that he tried to subjugate multiple spirit world races and became their king through sheer force, but under that…a child was on that throne. Always, and I never noticed it. You saved him to become his true self, so. It will be hard for us all. He's going to change, though. Aiden" Dick smiled to the blonde and waved at Kori, her eyes looking nervous and hearing a good chunk about what was being said.

"Have to head back. He'll text us when he's up by tomorrow, John promised. He said that Raku is a second chance to him too, and they both want to prove that time can't "measure" healing. I think, John can somehow relate to Raku being afraid of his own powers and feeling all alone because of it. He's the perfect teacher, even if you think there is nothing left he can do. Have faith in your family."

"He's-

Aiden bit his tongue. "He's been here a bit, but can he adjust enough to act like it? Like he's sort of, human? I'm not his love interest, by the way. To clear that up. I just want him to find someone else, and know he can trust them like he has me."

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The plane dipped to its landing strip as the boy batted his eyes awake. Even inside the craft, he could sense stormy weather.

In London, Raku was wholly exhausted and fighting a bitter wave of nausea for the first time since going to Tokyo – where Slade had just happened to be boarding, coach. Maybe for a job, or Shoji had asked the man to sit this one for…The boy shook his head. Ignoring the reason was best, Slade didn't seem to budge so it was just him. All, alone until he got to the baggage claim area.

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The gates parted, his bags were easily lugged off and collected as Raku allowed the smooth case to roll along the marble floors to his last destination of the evening.

By the exit, just outside, was a beat up old looking cab and the cabbie…he quinted through that grey fog over the city…His teacher.

Rough appearance, a cigarette between his lips and a dead set of fish eyes on the road ahead. Raku imagined it was raining pretty hard from the looks of the sky. What a time to celebrate, he sighed and took the only light bag he had to put it over his head. He ran through a puddle but stopped as it nearly made him trip. With a tug up, the cabbie had opened the door to catch the boy, mid fall.

Another male brunette was over to his bags in a split minute and took the luggage up before it also was soaked through. "Easy, lad. You made it in time. Rough, flight?"

"John. Don't dawdle, please." The brunette chastised. "It's raining like mad all over the roads. We have to quit yammering now and head back before it gets too dark."

"In a moment, Chas." John nodded and helped Raku to his seat in the back. It was cushy, remodeled as Raku fell in and buckled up right away.

The brunette.

Chas sat in the driver's seat and like Japan, the side of the wheel was not as the United States. "What was his age, did you say? This might look a bit off –

"Just drive, mate." Snorted the blonde as he threw his cog out the window while the rain pelted the magi's arm.

The blonde. John Constantine. Raku cataloged, before he leaned back into the seat with another small sigh.

/

The ride was a longer one than the boy had wanted. His fingers thrummed with anxiety as he tried to forget where and how he was at the moment. "Um, am I staying anyplace I should know about , tonight?"

"You'll be staying with this bloke, then we can swap houses for your training." John answered as Chas backed the boy's question up a bot better. "John is only staying over from the rain. Really. He's not a witch, but the man would be a soggy lab if I let him out during a downpour this wide spread over the queen's lovely London, tonight." Chas teased a bit. "You'll be staying in a guest room inside my apartment. I have the sofa set out unless you'd rather, switch?"

"Ah, either is good." Raku nodded. "So, what is your occupation? Are you familiar with John, sir?"

"That's Chas, lad." John finally piped in. "He's my assistant and an old college roomie. Been thick forever and no, he doesn't use magic. Not unless I command him to watch my arse for free."

"MANY times, might I add." Huffed the brunette. "This mad man hasn't changed a day since college. Raku, was it? Take my advice, lad. If John says to pit yourself against a giant man - eating serpent, tell him to bugger off. He'll get the memo pretty quick."

"You're just afraid of a little toe to toe action with a basilisk; it never ate anyone, or your leg –

"Not the point!" Groaned Chas as John opened a window before Chas shut it. "No smoking in the car, mate. I told you; the cushions don't replace themselves."

"My warranty expired seven decades ago. What do you want, a key to the city?"

Raku didn't do much but watch the two men bicker in a friendly way to one another. He wondered if adult friendships were like that sometimes. Aiden…he wondered if when he got older, Aiden might act the same way.

The car stopped, stalling in the road as Raku felt his fingers go still again. "I'm…I'm sorry!"

"Wait." John told the two as he got out of the side door. "Wait." He said again, Raku knew he'd be in trouble for losing control of his magic….again..

John put a face to the car hood as in the instant it had stopped, it came to life. "Easy fix, and you?" John turned to Raku as his breath got caught in his throat. "We'll have to work on your aim. Nice attempt to get me to lighten up, lad."

Raku blinked. "But, I didn't-

"YOU didn't, but in your mind, bickering is negative. Ignito hates conflict, so of course you'd want it all quieted again."

Raku didn't know how to respond. Did he just…have John stop so he could feel better about them not fighting anymore?"

"Your aim was to stop conflict through action, even involuntary. Chas and I must warn you a bit about London, here. Talking like we do, even to discuss the weather is going to be a very, very common ordeal." He grinned as Raku puzzled over those words. "We'll head out for a walk, see what I mean tomorrow morning. Have to do some grunt work. You'll accompany me there. Chas?"

"I have no complaints on how you'll handle your student, John. Not implying I'll be baby sitting too often is all I ask. Unless in an emergency, then with Raku I'll stay. Tomorrow's victim? Count me out this time."

Cleaning his throat, John sat back down properly as Chas turned down another street, now close to home. "Here, if you want to get along with anyone, being honest the first time will help you plenty along."

"Yet the second time, no one is to be trusted once I take you on as my official pupil in the dark arts. Understood?"

John took over as Chas sighed and went to park the vehicle in a lot nearby. "Remember. John's word goes as saying. I'm going to be here for now if you need anything. Tomorrow, you both on are on your own." Chas unlocked the doors as all three plucked themselves out and the boy's luggage to head inside, out of today's shower.

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Raku finally got something hot to eat, even if it was pretty mediocre- eggs and something of a starch, then he put out his toothbrush and items for bed by the guest room. Being a flexitarian, eggs were ok until they went grocery shopping.

Chas had been honest and kind, as if he'd worked with kids like Raku before. John sat adjacent from the scene on the sofa and watched the news for a time with a scrutinizing glance, before the kid walked in on him from the bathroom's only shower. He was already dressed and still, John wasn't as chatty as the time he'd helped stop Mir and Manifesto from bringing evil in to their world ( galactic eros arc)

"The room is ready for you." Raku told his teacher, while John seemed to be lost in his screen time. "Give me a moment extra, lad. Sit. I have to talk to you about something very important."

Raku did as he was told, hoping the towel in his hair wasn't too damp. He had a good length trimmed back, but it all was long enough to tie up plenty. A set if locks like that was a symbol of his power and hos bloodline, so in a way it was always long enough fir this purpose. Not only that but nothing could cut it, nothing ever had due to his draconian oath long ago.

"I know you're nervous about this promise I made before. Chas is glad to see you in better spirits. He used to have a little girl of his own. It, was a trouble we don't talk about often enough." John turned his head away from the television as Raku tried to hold his gaze, though felt nervous in trying any harder than he had.

"You're a pretty antsy one. I don't nip at all. But, I would advise, for the next couple of weeks not to stray far on your own. This isn't why you were told to hear me out." John clarified as Raku nodded, a bit confused anyway he could be.

"Tomorrow, I want to warn you about my work."

Raku kept his eyes glued as John further explained, "My work is dangerous, lad. I knew someone with your kind of magic could handle in time, a little bit of the grim and gory to make sense of it all. I'm a professional in the occult. A detective of the supernatural and I specialize in one thing above all else. Exorcisms of the worst kind, lad. You'd be helping me to banish those that old be your enemy, but I know they would be a right to pin me the monster, you as the hapless victim. You can't remain on the sidelines forever if you want to learn my way - this craft can help you, Raku." He took a breath. "You can take it all back; the control you never got with Abi or even Lord Dreamwake."

Raku pulled away as John continued. "I decided to read the myth all about your extended family – the book talked about you being a part of, what made you… despise your own magical bloodline. I think, you're similar to someone I recall who was also fearful of what he was in fact capable of. At full capacity."

Raku didn't feel ok, he felt his body conjuring up an internal storm again. "Take a deep breath." John instructed as Raku, somehow, heard a more gentle tone as before. John, was here…

He blinked.

"Let it out. Come on, lad."

Raku held on for so long knowing he was never going to be what he wanted without the control he lacked. He was afraid of what he could do in his worst timing. What…

He let his lip wobbled, as his head collapsed into John's coat chest. The magi put a hand on the kid's head as he let the other to his shoulder while the boy wept. He didn't know! He could…..could this man be his new, Ardius?

Raku cried, the tension dying in his body as the vibration of magic ceased to keep him chained up. "It's alright, Raku. I'm here to help. That's why you came. I won't hurt you or let you lose control. As long as you want help, I'm for that to happen."

Raku went a bit louder as Chas stayed back to make sure everything was fine to a degree. No shelves moving around. Check. No fires starting up magically. Check.

He'd be fine. Like Astra Nergal, both teased and student were willing to try over. To grow up and into the roles that suited them best, while aiding each other along the way.

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