A/N: Last one! Just another huge thank you for the follows, favorites, and reviews- hope you like the final chapter!
Rin, Yukio, and Shura fought together- one acting as a distraction as the other two attacked. They switched up who was doing each job mid fight so that Iblis couldn't adapt to any single fighting style. Iblis managed to deliver a few hard blows of his own, but he was quickly being overpowered by the other three. Rin ducked as Iblis swiped his sword over where Rin's head had been a second before. Rin responded with a swipe of his own sword, catching Iblis in the ribs while he was defending himself from Shura. Yukio stood a foot or two back, shooting where he had the chance and occasionally punching or kicking the demon to draw its attention. The other Exwires stood back, unable to find an opportunity to join the fight. All they could do was look on in a mixture of horror and fascination as their friend and teachers engaged the demon. Each had their own scattered thoughts running through their minds at the sight of Rin utilizing the blue flames of Satan,and none of them were particularly good. With the three of them working together the battle was coming to a close as Yukio fired off a few round in Iblis' back. Shura swung her sword towards his face, forcing him to deflect it with his own sword, and while his front was unprotected Rin thrust his sword forward with all his strength and embedded it in Iblis' chest. Iblis arched his back and screamed as blue flames lept from Rin's sword and consumed the demon's body. Rin retracted his sword as Iblis' body turned to ash and drifted to the ground. Shakily, Rin sheathed his sword, the blood loss beginning to take a toll on him as the adrenaline wore off. His vision grew dark around the edges and his hearing began to fade out.
"-in" He heard before feeling a hand on his shoulder. "Rin!" the voice said again. Rin blinked heavily to clear his vision and looked up to see his brother stand next to him, looking worried. "Are you alright?" Yukio asked, "I called your name three times, you didn't answer."
Rin nodded, "I'm fine." He mumbled, "Just a bit- a bit dizzy." He took a step forward, pulling away from Yukio. As he did so he stumbled and pitched forward. Yukio reached out to grab him but Bon was quicker. He caught Rin and slowly lowered him down, all the while looking at his face. Bon looked at the younger boy, wondering how he could be the son of Satan- someone he was supposed to hate. Yukio knelt down next to them and looked Rin over. His face was pale due to the blood loss. He had several long cuts across his body as well as the gunshot wound, and though his advanced healing should help close the cuts and restore some of his missing blood it was happening slower than usual. Yukio figured it was due to the gunshot wound.
He shook Rin lightly, "Rin, can you hear me?" Yukio asked.
Rin pried his eyes open and nodded, "I'm alright." He replied.
"Sure you are." Yukio scoffed. He turned to Shiemi, "Do you think you have anything that could help him?" Shiemi nodded and rushed over but before she could have Nee conjure anything Rin pushed her away.
"Don't bother." He said darkly, pushing himself up into a sitting position, "The Vatican is just going to kill me anyway- might as well save them the trouble."
"What are you talking about?" Shiemi asked softly.
Bon had a bit of a stronger reaction, "What the hell do you mean the Vatican is going to kill you?" He snapped while Yukio shook his head.
"We'll argue your case." Yukio assured, while ignoring Bon. "Now lie back down and let Shiemi help you."
"There's no point of arguing, it won't go anywhere." Rin said, "The only reason I'm alive now is because Shura decided not to kill me a few weeks ago. She told me that if anyone else ever saw me use my flames that she would have no choice but to turn me in."
Yukio sighed, "We'll figure something out, Rin. I'll speak on your behalf. I'm sure Shura and Mephisto will too."
Shura scoffed, "Yeah, sure."
"What do you mean by that?" Yukio asked.
Shura laughed at him, "Are you kidding me? If we admit that we knew he was the son of Satan then they'll throw us in cells right next to his."
"Told you." Rin muttered.
Yukio rolled his eyes and pushed Rin back down so he was laying flat and Shiemi could begin treating him. "We'll come up with a plan while you get better, then we'll figure out what to do."
"Yeah it might be too late to do that." Shura called over her shoulder. Yukio and Rin looked up to see Angel strolling towards them, accompanied by a handful of other exorcists.
"Where the hell were these guys when Iblis was attacking?" Bon scoffed while the others murmured in agreement.
Yukio helped Rin to his feet as Angel drew closer, "It'll be fine." He whispered supportively.
Shura stood between Angel and Rin for a moment in an effort to protect him before Angel pushed her aside and walked forward.
"Step back." Rin whispered to Yukio. His brother hesitated for a moment before complying.
"Don't do anything stupid." He whispered back, "Don't give them an excuse." Rin nodded but made no audible reply.
Angel drew his sword and pressed the tip to Rin's throat, "So what do we have here?" He asked, tilting the sword from one side to the other to make Rin's head turn with it. Rin heard someone behind him try to step forward to come to his aid but they were stopped by the others. "You're the son of Satan." Angel said disapprovingly. "I've got to say, I assumed you'd be a bit more impressive."
Rin scoffed, "And I assumed that the Paladin would be less of a dick, I guess we were both wrong." Rin could hear the facepalm in Yukio's sigh but he didn't care. If he was going to die he didn't want to do it complacently.
Angel motioned for two of his men to come forward. "Hold him." He commanded. Before the exorcists could step forward Yukio put himself in between Rin and Angel.
"Hold on a minute," He said, "doesn't he at least deserve a trial?"
Angel scoffed, "The orders were that if anything was found to have anything to do with Satan than it was to be terminated, immediately." He turned to glance at Shura, "I see they weren't followed as closely as they should have been." He motioned again for his men to step forward and they did so, pushing Yukio out of the way to grab Rin. Yukio looked as his he was going to fight them for a moment but he let his hand drop back down to his side with a light sigh.
Then Bon stepped forward. "Now wait just a second," He snapped, "he just saved all our lives and your response is to kill him for it!"
"He is the son of Satan." Angel replied, "Surely you saw the blue flames?"
"So what?" Izumo said, "Plenty of people have kids with demons, you don't go around killing them all."
Angel scoffed, "Those people aren't the son of Satan, and they certainly don't have his power."
"At least let him have a trial." Yukio pleaded.
Angel looked at the others and sighed, "Ah well, it doesn't hurt." He said. He nodded towards his men and they each took one of Rin's arms, much to his protests. "It'll be the same result either way." He said, "If you've got any last goodbyes you'd better say them now." Rin wrenched his arms away from the men, suppressing a groan of pain as he did so. He glanced back at his classmates, unable to find words to say as the lump in his throat grew.
He looked at the ground, not able to bring himself to look them in the eyes, "I'm sorry." He murmured. Shiemi launched herself forward and into his arms, crying. She was sobbing so hard that Rin couldn't make out what she was saying. He pushed her away gently and nodded. "It'll be alright." He assured. She wiped the tears from her eyes and managed a small smile as she stepped back. Rin picked up his sword from the ground and handed it to Bon. "This belonged to your temple." He said quietly, "It belongs there."
Bon nodded, trying to find something to say. "Thank you." He managed, "For saving our lives."
"Yeah," Rin replied quietly, "you're welcome." He glanced back at Angel, his eyes wide out of fear that is he blinked the tears would fall. "I'm ready."
"What, no goodbye for your brother?" Angel asked, almost mockingly.
Rin shrugged, "I figured he was going to some with me, seeing it is a trial and all."
Angel nodded, "Sure, why not." He motioned far Yukio to follow as his men retook their positions on Rin's arms. Once again Rin heard someone, or multiple someones this time, step forward but they stopped. He could hear Shiemi crying softly but he couldn't bring himself to look back. He didn't want to see the conflict in their eyes as they mourned the loss of their friend and felt anger for his betrayal. The pain grew greater as he felt tears slip down his cheeks and he stumbled, blackness and tears obscuring his vision. His guards barely broke stride as the switched from escorting him to dragging him, his feet trailing along the ground behind him.
Shura paused for a moment, looking between the Exwires and the departing group. She sighed, mentally retracting her previous statement about refusing to speak for Rin as she followed the group. "I'll be damned if I let the kid die now." She thought angrily.
The Exwires stood in the grass as they watched their friend and teachers be led away. A few minutes after they were out of sight Bon broke the silence. "We should go back to the dorms." He said quietly. No one answered, but they followed him as he began to walk back. They remained silent even after they arrived at the dorms, though they all sat together in the common area. A few times one person or another opened their mouths as if they wanted to say something but each time they shut it again, unable to find the words. Eventually Shiemi managed to say what she was thinking.
"Do you really think they'll kill him?" She asked softly.
Konekomaru sighed, "I'm not sure. They might."
Shiemi's face screwed up and she began to cry again. At her tears Shima elbowed Konekomaru in the ribs, "What did you say that for?" he snapped, "Now look at her."
Konekomaru glanced down sheepishly, "I just thought she should know." He mumbled, more to himself than anyone else.
Shima leaned over and put an arm around Shiemi's shoulders. "I'm sure he'll be fine." He assured.
Shiemi looked up at him, eyes wide and filled with tears but now bright with hope, "You really think so?" She asked.
Shima glanced at Konekomaru who shook his head slightly. "Yeah." Shima said, turning back to Shiemi, "Yeah, he'll be alright. Mr. Okumura could talk anyone out of anything."
Shiemi chuckled and wiped the tears from her face, "Yeah I guess he could."
"Why didn't he tell us?" Bon asked, still looking at the ground but entering the conversation.
"Because he was scared." Shiemi replied.
"But we're his friends!" Bon exploded. "We told him we were his friends and he agreed and then he goes and pulls something like this? I just don't understand why he would keep something like this from us! He betrayed us!"
Izumo stared at him like he was an idiot. "You really don't get it?" She asked. "He didn't tell us because he knew we'd react like this at the best. At the worst we turn him in or try to kill him ourselves. I mean, honestly. If you were in his position would you have told us?"
The group sat in stunned silence for a minute as they thought over Izumo's words. "I wouldn't say anything." Konekomaru said eventually.
Shima shook his head, "Neither would I." Shiemi nodded, agreeing with Shima.
Izumo turned to look at Bon and raised her eyebrows expectantly. Bon slowly lifted his eyes to meet hers. "I wouldn't tell us either." He said at last quietly.
Izumo nodded, "Do you all get it now?" She asked. "He's barely different than the rest of us. And the part that is different is like hundreds of other kids who are also half demon. He just happens to have a bit more power."
"He's still the son of Satan." Bon said, "Are we just going to forget about that? I mean, what about 'the sins of the father' and all that"
"It's not his fault his father was Satan." Izumo replied, "And it's not like he was raised by him or anything. I mean he was raised by the Paladin of the True Cross Order. He's not going to turn sides, he's got a brother and family here."
"He was raised by the Paladin?" Shima asked, eyes wide.
Izumo nodded, "Shiro Fujimoto took them in and raised them."
"How do you even know all this?" Bon asked.
"I do my research." Izumo replied with a shrug.
Bon leaned forward placed his head in his hands. "He could die." Bon stated, "He could die and he's going to think we hate him."
Izumo sighed, "We don't have any control over that now. All we can do is hope that the Vatican comes to the same conclusion we did. And if- no when he comes back, we make sure he knows that he's still our friend."
The others nodded in agreement, and Konekomaru said to Bon, "Wait so you don't hate him?"
Bon shook his head, "I'm angry with him, and I don't understand some things- but I don't hate him."
Shiemi began to smile. "What is it?" Shima asked.
Shiemi laughed quietly, "It's just, well I always kinda figured he was at least part demon."
Bon looked at her strangely, "What are you talking about?" He asked.
Shiemi shrugged, "Well the first time I met him he broke my gate. It had an anti-demon spell placed on it and when he broke it...well. Anyway when I called him a demon he got really upset. I guess he'd just figured out what he was." Her story earned a few chuckles from the group and they lapsed into another bout of silence.
"So what do we do now?" Konekomaru asked finally.
Bon shrugged, "Wait." So they did, for another three hours. They took turns taking watch in case the others came back or word came about them.
It was Bon's turn when they came stumbling back in. He rocketed to his feet, sending the chair toppling backwards with a loud crash that woke up the rest of the group. They were all on their feet in an instant, crowding around Rin who was being supported by Yukio and Shura. He looked to be asleep with one arm draped around each of their shoulders but as the Exwires started peppering Yukio with questions he managed to open his eyes. "Rin, are you alright?" Shiemi asked anxiously, leaning down so that she was eye level with him.
He nodded, "'M fine." He mumbled, though the words were slurring together. He started to slide down as his knees gave out and Yukio hoisted him higher with a grunt. "They patched him up while he was there." Yukio said in explanation, "They gave him something for the pain." Shiemi chuckled, though she still looked concerned.
"Come on." Shura groaned, "Let's get him lying down, he's heavier than he looks!" Yukio nodded in responce and together they managed to drag Rin to his room, his feet now dragging uselessly along the ground. After they got him in bed Rin blinked blearily and opened his mouth to ask something but Yukio shushed him.
"Just get some sleep." Yukio said, "You got pretty banged up."
Ignoring Yukio's previous order, Rin asked, "Are you guys alright?" The Exwires looked at each other, not believing that Rin was actually asking about them. They hadn't even been in the fight! Nevertheless they all nodded.
"We're fine." Shiemi assured.
Rin locked eyes with Yukio, "You too?" He asked, "And Shura?"
Yukio nodded, "We're all good. Don't worry."
Rin breathed a sigh of relief and closed his eyes. Within seconds he was asleep, the exhaustion of the day and the drugs quickly pulling him under.
"What happened at the Vatican?" Bon asked.
Yukio shook his head and said quietly, "Not here. I want him to get some rest." He led them back to the common room where they retook their seats- Bon having to stand his back up before he could sit down.
"He was put on trial." Yukio said, replying to the earlier question. "They were going to execute him but Mephisto managed to talk them out of it."
"How?" Bon asked.
"He made them a bet." Yukio said with a sigh, "That Rin would defeat Satan and save Assiah."
"Why am I getting that there's something more to this?" Bon asked.
"Because there is." Shura replied, "Go on, kid." She said, addressing Yukio, "Tell them the catch."
Yukio sighed again and ran a hand through his hair, "He has six months to pass the exorcism exam."
"What?" Bon exclaimed, "That's impossible, he can't do that!"
Yukio nodded, "I know. We're just going to have to find a way. That's why things are going to be a bit different now. He'll still be going to class with you like normal, for the most part. Occasionally he'll be pulled out to work on other things. He'll have more classes outside your normal ones so eventually he'll stop attending with you because he'll have already learned the material."
"What happens if he doesn't pass?" Shiemi asked worriedly.
"Then they execute him." Yukio said, "And there'll be no stopping them this time."
Bon sighed, "Oh my God."
"Yeah." Yukio replied, "I know it's a lot to take in. If you have any questions about the, well, demon aspects of things feel free to ask them."
Bon paused for a moment then asked, "Do you have Satan's powers too?"
Yukio shook his head, "No, only Rin inherited the flames."
"Why can't he control his flames?" Konekomaru asked.
"He's still learning." Yukio replied.
Shura scoffed, "Barely- he can't even light two candles."
Yukio nodded, "Yes, he's been training with Shura."
"How can we help?" Shiemi asked suddenly.
"Help?" Yukio asked.
Shiemi nodded, "Yes, how can we help Rin? He's not going to be able to do this all on his own. Especially in just six months."
Yukio felt a small smile spread across his face, he had been worried that they would turn their backs on Rin and he knew Rin had been worried about the same thing. "I'm not sure." He replied truthfully, "I guess we'll figure it out when we get there."
"I can fix the sword." Bon offered. "It's from my temple. I can get it fixed and bring it back. That should help Rin control some of his power, right?"
Yukio nodded, "Yes that would be perfect, thank you Suguro."
"Anytime." Bon replied, "When do you want me to head out?"
"As soon as you can." Yukio said.
"I can leave in a few hours." Bon said.
"Great." Yukio replied, "Shima, Miwa- why don't you accompany him. If I remember correctly that was your temple as well?"
"Yes sir." Konekomaru said.
""And you'll leave in the morning?" Yukio asked. After they both nodded he said, "Then you should go get some rest. You can pack in the morning."
Bon nodded, "Yes, sir." The three of them headed off, passing Rin's room on their way. They paused for a moment, looking at the sleeping boy.
"Do you think it'll be like normal when he wakes up?" Konekomaru asked.
Shima scoffed, "Well considering we'll be gone when he wakes up I'm fairly certain he'll be slightly freaked out."
Konekomaru rolled his eyes, "I mean when we're all back together again."
Bon shrugged, "Who knows? But we've got his back, no matter what."
A/N: Well that's it. Sorry if the end seemed a bit rushed, I wanted it to end on a happy note. Again, just another huge thank you to everyone for favoring, following and especially for reviewing! Reviews make my day! I hope you enjoyed the story!