''INVINCIBLE UNDER THE SUN''

PART 0

PROLOGUE

We met at the cherry tree behind the park. It was quite a bit away from home, but it meant that most kids didn't come here, so we could have the place for ourselves. Those few weeks, in the shade, we spent more time together than ever.

Back then, Irina didn't want to play with me and was perpetually sad. So I pried and pried, until she finally spilled the news.

She was to move away. Halfway across the world, to a foreign country, one in which she didn't speak the language. Her father, a priest, had done something bad. She didn't know what exactly, but she knew exactly who to blame for this sudden change in her life.

And in mine, too. Turns out, Irina had a crush on me. And I did on her, too. We were just kids though, so we remained together, there under that tree, holding hands.

Her small, slender fingers grasping my own, a perpetual warmth to my child's heart. Even though she was a real tomboy - upbeat, happy and always ready to rumble, she wasn't like that in those last few weeks together. She'd sometimes cry, when she thought I wasn't looking.

I promised her I'd not let her leave, I promised I'd go with her. Those promises, back then, I was ready to commit. I was ready to do everything for her. I even asked her to run away with me, but of course, we didn't get far.

It was the lunch break on a Friday, when we sneaked out. My conviction filled eyes turned wide like dinner plates when I was grabbed by a police officer, a few train stations later. A pair of children running around the city, out of breath and holding hands in a middle of a school day was a sight for sore eyes. And for curious eyes, a reason to question us.

Like that, our plan failed spectacularly. My parents were more angry about my foolishness, rather than at me. For Irina's side, I had no idea. I never met her parents. The next time I saw her, it was a Sunday evening, behind that same cherry tree. I sat there, quietly looking at the other kids. At the complete lack of problems they had and was envious. I wanted to kick the ball too, but I had made a promise to Irina. This was now my burden to bear, I was convicted, even then, as a kid.

The other kids came and went, getting bored of kicking ball, yet I remained. The sun was setting, the wind ruffling my messy hair.

''...Issei.''

I heard, that cheerful voice from behind me.

Irina was smiling, that childish glow returned to her eyes. I remained silent, at this weird change in her demeanor.

''It's all right. I'm gonna become a exorcist!'' she shouted, throwing her small fist in the air.

''A what?'' I asked her, unsure.

At that, she explained that she would become a person who would defeat demons and devils, wicked beasts from the tales and books.

''So it's alright.''

''What is?''

''I can go to London. I'll become a hero,'' she said, smiling from ear to ear, her tomboyish attitude taken over. ''You don't have to stop my parents.''

''Huh? But I promised that I'll find a way-!''

She cut me off, placing her slender finger at my lips. I blushed scarlet.

''It's fine. I want to go, myself.''

She stated, smiling at me. This wasn't a fake smile, but a bright, true smile. Even the spring in her step had returned, as she stepped back away from me, giggling.

And I remained quiet, not saying the words that I so desperately wanted her to hear.

''I brought a ball. Want to kick it around?''

She said, bringing her hand through her short hair and spinning around.

She was wearing her usual jean shorts and the off-pink colored t-shirt with an shoujo anime character on it. She kicked the ball at me, so I bounced it off my chest, letting it land it between us.

''Everyone else already left,'' I said, looking away.

''I want to play with you, though,'' she said, giving me a cheeky smile.

''...What can we even play on our own?''

''There,'' she said, pointing her finger at the swing set. On one of the chairs, sat an empty can of a soft drink. ''Let's see who can hit the can without hitting anything else.''

''That's easy,'' - I said, smiling at her, ready to prove my kicking abilities. ''What will I get, for winning, of course?''

''Ah, that's a secret, hehe~!'' She shielded her face with her palm. ''But I'm pretty sure I'll win. Remember last time we played?''

''That,'' I shouted. ''Was just a bad day for me! Trust me.''

''Suuuure...''

She laughed, and nodded, for me to kick first.

A loud voice shouted from the direction of the clashing swords. Eyes trailing after them, he watched the two people in black clothes fight the erratically moving person. Too fast, too strong, too wild. Inhuman. Bloodied, cut, bruised, but screaming and swinging against them with the ferocity of a berserker, a sword in each hand. A fury of swinging and deflecting went on, as he remained there, letting the rain wash over his cold, frozen statue.

''Oy, Shinji, kid's still alive!'' The girl in the black screamed midst swing. ''Issei, get up! Get up!''

Only then did he remember. Her voice brought back some pieces of his scattered brain. Juuzou Rio, the girl screaming was his teammate. The other person fighting was Sasaki Shinji , the oldest of them tree. They were given orders to check a ''pressing'' matter of the Church, about missing people in the country side, that related to a ''monster'' taking them alive. This ''urgent matter'' was reported repeatedly by an old Christian woman, living alone near a forest. And this forest, was near a small fishing village. They had been sent to investigate, so they could kindly (legally) tell the woman to screw off. Something about training Shinji's ability to lead a small team.

They did agree, and after that, Issei's mind was in shambles. A blank picture, and only a ringing headache. He understood that his head had been hit. He tried to get up, but stumbled back to the ground, barely holding down the reflex to vomit. As he remained in that half-kneeling, half-standing position, he checked on his equipment. Pistol and two magazines were missing, so obviously, he had tried to fight back, before being knocked out. His knees dig into the the wet grass. The only thing around them were the sparse trees.

He bit down, his teeth creaking, before standing up. Shaking knees, he looked at the monster. Rio was quickly jumping around, dodging and trying to get in hits when she could, while Shinji was taking the brunt of the attack, full on locked in a duel with the monster, sparks flying as they clashed. He reached into his coat, throwing a grenade between them.

The monster cut it apart, as it exploded into a flash of water and vapor. The monster jumped back, screaming in pain, his skin sizzling. Issei stumbled over to them, as they locked eyes. Nodding to each other, they got into formation.

''Mid-lower class, we think,'' Shinji said, already knowing what Issei wanted to hear, as he threw away his dark coat. Too heavy with the rainwater.

''...Where's my gun?''

''Destroyed,'' Rio spoke, glancing sideways at him. Her eyes were sharp, almost shining in the dusky light. A katana in her arm, she cracked her shoulder. Her statue shone in the rain, clad in the exorcist body suit, with only a tank top and gym shorts above them. Her dark hair stuck to her face, as she kept staring at the monster. Only a few seconds passed, before he had recovered, running straight at them once again. There was no time to speak.

Issei chucked another grenade of holy water before he fell back, as Shinji took the front, Rio - the flank. Issei stood back, pulling out a knife, cursing out his inability to fight.

He stood, staring down the monster. If you excluded the inhuman scars, then you could almost mistake him for a human. His muscle bulging, Issei assumed from using his power. Once again, Shinji and the monster clashed in a standstill of swinging swords. Rio, almost literally, flew past the beast, her katana cleaving through the monster's side, crimson flying in an arc, as she slid across the moist grass.

''DODGE!''

Issei roared, as the monster threw one of his swords at her. Rio jumped face first forwards, as the sword barreled down the range, above her, catching her in the side. Blood splattered, turning his, ice cold. Without thinking, he flung the knife in his hand at the monster, soaring through the rain, it hit the monster in the shoulder, staying there. The monster remained unhindered, as it kept pushing back Shinji.

Issei scoffed, his eyes narrow slits, as he dashed towards Rio. Ragged breathing, he slid over his knees, grabbing her side. She screamed in pain, as their eyes met. Saliva splattered, as Issei mounted her, keeping the older girl in one place, as he looked at the wound. It was deep, had cracked a rib, but not reached any organs. She was bleeding, as Issei began to think, at a million thoughts per second. He ripped his sleeve, with shaking hands trying to tear it to one single strip. She protested, flailing her arms at him, as he tore off her tank top, scrunching it up and pressing it against her wound. Her now only body-suit covered chest moved up and down sporadically. She flailed harder, as he kept it there, before getting off her, and trying to tie his make shift bandage around her thin midsection.

A gurgle of a scream came, as his blood froze, again.

The monster was coming at him. A sword sticking out of his side, Shinji a considerate distance away, clutching his broken arm. He understood, that Shinji had tried to take him down, but could only trade blows - coming out as the one who no longer could stand.

''H-hold it!''

He shouted at Rio, stuttering, as he stood up, facing the coming monster. His mind shorted, trying to think. The monster had become slower, not running at him. The wounds given to him were hurting the monster. He scoffed, his eyes going wide. The monster wasn't at his full power. Not even close. If it was like this, then maybe.

He slowly moved to the side, trying to get away from Rio. The monster began to run, uneven steps, as he dashed to the side, grabbing inside his coat with both hands. He blinked, and a sword was coming at his stomach, the monster already in range. As the monster was halfway in his baseball bat-like swing of his sword, Issei's arms pulled out, his fingers interlaced with pins.

The sword struck his stomach, and both of them were enveloped by an explosion of water and fumes. Issei flew backwards through the air, hitting the ground with a thud. The monster's sword went flying in some other direction. After rolling a few times, he hit a tree with his back and vomited his lunch, shaking. His ribs were broken, he could barely breathe, but he wasn't sliced apart. Under his now cut black exorcist coat, a half broken, bent scale mail armor covered his chest. The armor, that had saved his life. He would have laughed, but he was too scared. The monster was screaming in pain, flailing around, the sword out of his hands. His skin burning, the holy water boiling him alive. How many grenades had he used just then? And still, it wasn't enough.

The hard beating of his heart hurt his head. It was overpowering, loud. He couldn't even hear anything else anymore.

He barely got up, stumbling, as he ran right at the monster, his holy cross in hand. The monster, flailing around like mad, hit him in the face, as he failed to dodge. Falling downwards, he grabbed onto his leg, punching the monster in the crotch.

He, together with the monster's leg, hit the ground, as he kneed Issei in the stomach. He screamed in pain, howling. He started to flail his fists, feeling the pressure of his scale mail bend around his stomach. The monster bit down at him, but instead of his face, Issei raised his left arm to block. Saliva splattered, his blood splattered, as the monster gnawed on his arm. Something crunched inside. He felt the bones grind, his eyes upturned into his skull, as he simply screamed in agony.

He couldn't even think, as his right arm, together with his golden cross, just kept punching something, anything, until eventually, it reached straight into the monster's wound. The monster's jaws lightened slightly, but did not release. Issei flailed his body under the monster, to no avail.

''OFF!,'' he screamed. ''HELP ME!''

Seconds passed, and nothing happened. He kept screaming in pain, holding the monster at bay. He gave up hope, his strength fading.

Fine, he thought, a very fitting end. This is what I get for being this arrogant.

Then, a river of blood splattered all over Issei, as the weight of the monster fell on top of him, as he didn't stop screaming. The head of the monster was separated from his body, but the head was still attached to his arm by the sharp teeth inside it's mouth. Rio stood above him, holding her katana, dirty with blood, in one hand, her other hand clutching her side. She raised her head at the sky, screaming.

''I AM...INVINCIBLE UNDER THE SUN!''

However, there was no sun to be found there. Only overcast, dark clouds.

After a few seconds, her wandering mind came back, and she helped push the monster's body off of him, together with Issei's flailing, and then got on top of him, calmed him down the same way that he had done to her, and tore the bodiless head away from his bleeding arm. Tears flowing from his eyes, he tried to find holy water, to disinfect the wound.

''Calm down, calm down, it's fine, it's fine, you're fine!'' Rio shouted, searching through his coat. He was such a mess, flailing around, panicking.

He almost blacked out from the pain, when the holy water hit his arms. Shinji dropped to his knees next to him, one arm bent into a wrong direction, the other holding a phone, he was quickly speaking.

''Ambulance?''

''Yes!''

Issei didn't respond to that, he just kept flailing around, in pain. He wanted for it to stop. He wanted for the pain to disappear. He wanted to disappear.

''What, what do we do now?'' - Rio shouted at Shinji, who shook his head.

''He's the most medic out of us three!'' - Shinji responded. ''Try to calm him down and pray for the ambulance to arrive quickly.''

Issei wanted to shout at them to stop the bleeding, to get his armor off him, but he couldn't. His throat was too busy screaming in pain. His eyes, as wide as they could go, looked at the falling raindrops. It was starting to die down, the rain, that was.

Where was he?

Ah, right. That memory.

I kicked the ball. It was white with red spots, as it flew through the autumn wind, curved. It missed the empty can by a foot, soaring past it, and hitting a fence behind it. It clanged loudly, and Irina chuckled, as I blushed a bit more.

''Just warming up!'' - I said, crossing my hands across my chest.

''You completely flubbed it!'' Irina shouted, coming back with the ball. She kicked it up in the air, bouncing it off her knee a few times, showing off her agility, before kicking at the can, but she missed, too.

I laughed at her, trying to hit it again.

And we played like that, for what seemed like forever. That simple goal, that was hard to execute, kept us laughing. The park lights had come on, and the sun had already set, when the con of coffee went flying through the air, hitting the ground with a clang.

It was I, who hit it. Fist pumping the air, I let out a loud scream of victory, standing proud, my chest extended outwards. But it deflated, after a small chuckle. It took us so long to hit it, that it was obvious that my success was just a fluke. Irina dropped into the grass, looking at the night sky. I stood there, glancing at her.

''...When are you leaving?''

''Real soon.''

I remained quiet.

''...Are you sad?''

''Yeah,'' I responded, honestly. This was the end of the line, and I knew that, even back then. There was no need to hide it.

She flushed red at that answer, asking me to sit down on the grass. I did, next to her, crossing my legs. She sat up, too.

''I'm sad to leave this place, too,'' - she spoke, smiling bitterly. ''But I'm also happy for the future.''

The wind rustled our hair, blowing gently. The silence between us was only complemented by the low rumble of cars in the distance. Irina sat, her slender legs crossed.

''...You know, Irina. I like you.''

I wonder which one of us was more red. Because of her leaving, speaking so honestly was easy. Our eyes met, before quickly moving away in embarrassment.

''I know.''

''I promised that you won't have to leave, but well...that kind of failed...I failed.''

She gave those words a small chuckle, ''It's fine, honestly.''

The truth was that I didn't want her to leave. I didn't want for our ''secret'' relationship to end. I loved the aspect of it. Everyday felt like a mission. We were scheming, hiding, creating plans. It wasn't a game for us. The days passed with just us two, trying to complete the goal of ''Irina not leaving for forever''. That forever, being whatever how long, since we were kids.

''Right, I didn't give you the prize for winning,'' she said, not looking at me.

''Ho, 'bout time!''

''Close your eyes.''

''You're not gonna do anything weird, right?''

''No,'' she said, so I closed my eyes. For a few seconds, all I could hear and feel was the gentle wind. Then, I felt her slender fingers envelop my head. I didn't say a word, and neither did she.

After a few seconds, she kissed me on the lips. It was just a small peck, filled with nothing but childhood innocence, and she quickly jumped back, her clothing rustling, her fingers softly sliding over my bright red cheeks.

When I opened my eyes, she was standing with her back to me, her arms behind her back, fingers interlocked.

''Say, if you want to help me...become an exorcist, too.''

And thus, I agreed.

''Sure,'' I said, smirking. ''I'll become the best exorcist this world has ever seen!''

When she turned around, I saw the brightest smile in the whole world. The sun was no match for her. Her violet eyes sparkled, wind ruffling her hair.

''It's a promise!'' she shouted, throwing her hand in the air, playfully. After a few seconds, she lowered it, and scrunched up her face. ''It's about time I leave. Don't want for my parents to come running again.''

I sighed with great force, to show her how I felt about her leaving.

She laughed, calling me a dummie, and waved goodbye.

''Bye!''

She twirled around like a turntable, raising her finger at me, ''Not ''bye!'', but ''see you!'', since we'll be meeting here tomorrow!''

Grinning, I responded with a proper ''see you!''

And she made a cute mhmph sound as she nodded, ''See you!''

With a violent shake, he inhaled sharply. His eyes wide, he was disoriented, he didn't know where he was. Only pain responded, as he looked around. He coughed in pain, trying to grab his stomach, but the cast blocked him from doing so.

Hospital. He realized, after a few seconds of his mind drawing a blank. Slowly, he looked around. Rio was sleeping in the next bed across from him, quietly breathing. Her modest chest moved up and down, slowly, calmly. Very differently, than in that fight. Outside the window, only darkness, mixed with lights from buildings afar. A red sky, from the light pollution. A gown on his body, his holy cross around his neck, and pain, too much pain. Too much pain, for his small body to bear.

He closed his eyes, hoping for better days.

The doctor sat down in a chair, next to the bed. The room smelled of disinfectant. Issei looked at him a blank expression. Two men from the church stood at the doors, while the four bed room was empty, with only him in it. Rio was gone.

''So, how are you feeling today?''

''Fine.''

The doctor nodded, taking a pen in his hand. He glanced at Issei, then at his clipboard, and then he softy sighed.

''You were in quite a big accident, we could call it, and there a few things that we need to talk about. You hurt your head. You remember that?''

He nodded. His head was still ringing.

''Alright. Before we start, please state your full name, date of birth and your exorcist's ID number.''

Issei glanced at the church men standing at the doors. They didn't say a word. Issei swallowed his saliva.

''Issei Hyoudou. 24th of December, 1998. Exorcist in Training, Osaka branch, ID number 13-009720.''

He nodded, curtly, ''In the timeline, you don't remember a lot of what happened that night.''

Issei nodded, ''I only remember what happened after I woke up from when my head was hit.''

''That's understandable. Is there anything you don't seem to recall?''

''No. Only that small part feels like it never happened.''

''Alright. Here, take this,'' The doctor gave him a few paper sheets. ''Please, read them, and confirm that this is how it happened.''

Issei looked down, his dull eyes tracing over the computer printed lines. He skipped the beginning, until the part where he woke up. Everything was there, to the very last detail. How he screamed and cried in pain, how he was flung around, how he was beat down, how his arm was crunched.

''It's word for word.''

The doctor nodded, taking back those papers. Issei looked at ''the doctor'', once again. He was wearing a white coat, but didn't have a badge with a name. He asked specifically about exorcist related things. He wasn't a regular person, so probably a higher up from the church.

''What's the big deal, anyways?''

''Issei-kun. We take these kinds of accidents very seriously. A group of young exorcists-in-training had no reason to be in such a situation. It was the fault of the Osaka branch church, that you had this happen to you and your exorcist classmates. As I understand, this was your first experience in a non-simulated battle?''

He nodded.

''All things considered, you did well. The most important part is that you didn't freeze, or run. You did not lose your bearings. You acted to the best of your abilities. The courage to act is more important than theory.''

There was a silence for a while. Issei coughed, and then, awkwardly, thanked the man.

''...Alright. We will sort out this negligence of the church, I promise that. It pains me to see exorcists hurt, not to mention those who've yet to grow and become ones. Be careful. That arm will heal and be functional, but it will leave scars.''

Issei nodded, ''Thank you, doctor.''

''God bless you.''

With another court nod, the man and his entourage left. Silence filled the room. Suffocating it even, but the doors opened once more after a few minutes. A nurse came in, with a small smile on her face.

''Good morning, Issei-kun,'' she nodded.

He nodded, his eyes narrowing, ''When can I get out?''

She froze up for a second, ''Well, the doctor orders are for you to remain in bed for a few more days. Broken ribs are dangerous, you know...''

He nodded.

''Already want to run around?'' she asked, smirking a bit.

''No, actually,'' he sighed. ''I want to rest.''

''I understand,'' the nurse changed the saline bag hanging near his bed. ''We see it all the time, around here. Exorcists getting hurt, over and over again. Must be a difficult situation to be in, huh...''

The woman looked at him, looking at bruised face, his wrapped, bandaged and placed in a cast arm, and their eyes met for a few seconds, before Issei's darted away.

''Well, if you need anything, please do call for us.''

Lingering for a few seconds more in the silence, she left the room, and Issei slid back into his bed, from his sitting position. His unusable arm wrapped around the one in the cast, as he hugged himself, turning to the side. It hurt, but he grit his teeth.

After all, he was still afraid. In shock. His small body trembled. The scene of battle didn't escape his mind.

A few days passed. No one visited.

And thus, as he stood outside the hospital, rainfall had come, once again. The cars passed, their lights blaring past him. The halos from lights seemed even more exaggerated than before. Rubbing the bridge of his nose, he sighed. Had his vision grown even weaker?

A long shiver ran across his spine, so he grabbed into the cast. His left arm rested at his side, in a sling, numb. The doctor had stated that it was normal. He had promised that the arm would work like normal.

A hand on his shoulder, grabbing into it strongly. He jumped in place, startled out of his thoughts.

''Yo,'' Rio stood there, a transparent umbrella rested against her shoulder, covering her from the rain. Her cat-like, black eyes narrowed a bit, as she stared at Issei's crooked statue.

He glanced downwards, at her legs. The black school uniform skirt reached to almost her ankles. Black boots on her feet, that was where the school uniform ended. Above, a wool sweater, a few sizes too big, dark blue. The neckband of it was wide and free, as it hanged on her shoulders, showing her collar bones. They were beautiful, in a way Issei had never seen. As if made by the skillful arms of a sculptor. Under the sweater, she was wearing a black shirt, and around her neck - a golden cross.

Her face was perfectly symmetrical. A serious face, framed by shoulder length black hair with a straight fringe at the front, that hid her ears.

''Were you lonely?'' Her relaxed voice was soft and gentle, quiet even, seemingly one that would belong to a small, fragile girl, not the tall, slender girl that she was.

Issei nodded, looking at the passing cars. A few seconds later, he felt her arms around him, a warm embrace. Issei blushed a bit, as Rio patted his head. His hair was wet, and so was her hand. He had stood in the rain, getting drenched, but she didn't mind.

''There, there...'' she whispered. ''I just got back from the Tokyo branch. Shinji's still there. Such a pain.''

''Everything alright?'' Issei asked, as Rio let him go.

She blinked and nodded, scrunching up her face, before turning to walk, as Issei followed.

''As I understood it, the main branch gave our branch an ass-whooping for their ''negligence'' in this case.''

Issei let out a small laugh. They didn't talk much at all after that, on the way back to the monastery. Issei seemed to be spacing out, while Rio sat next to him, looking over his shoulder, at the passing scenery. It was bleak.

The monastery was in the outskirts of Osaka. Even if it was popular for the nightlife and tourists, the monastery, and the small city that it was built in, was quiet and peaceful. For the most part.

From the outsiders perspective, the large group of Christians was a great thing. Not only did they do charity work, clean up, and help the people overall, but their presence brought in business for everyone there. Shops and restaurants that before had been left to slowly die away, were reinvigorated and bloomed to new highs.

After getting off the bus, they stepped inside one of the restaurants, taking their rather regular spots, ordering the regular bowl of oden each. It was near winter, after all. Issei ate, quickly. The bowl's contents disappeared, along with the fresh, warm aroma. While waiting for a bowl of rice noodles, Issei looked around. A subdued feeling lingered in the oldschool building. They had arrived in a particular time, between lunchtime and the after work rush. When a couple left, they remained the only customers there.

Rio held her chopsticks in one hand, her narrow eyes looking to the side.

''What now?''

Issei leaned back, his eyes as narrow as hers. Unfocused, as if not seeing clearly, ''I'm screwed right now. My plans have been messed up.''

''...Which ones?''

She asked, taking a piece of meat from her bowl, and chomping it down, unlady like.

''Graduating next year. I'm sure I can pass the written test if I continue studying, but the psychical, that...I'm pathetic.''

Rio glanced at him, so Issei looked away.

''That fight...I was so afraid,'' Issei raised his hand, trying to stop it from shaking, but it didn't listen. ''I can't get the image of his strength out of my mind. The feeling of his teeth sinking into me, the reek of his breath. And worst of all, the lack of power I have.''

''...you did fine, for what you have and are.''

Issei chuckled, with a straight face, ''You know the worst part? I don't know if I would have the courage to attack, had my head not been knocked. When I got up, I didn't even realize where I was, or who I was. I was so disorientated, that I didn't think and attacked.''

He grasped his damaged arm, ''Had I thought for just a moment, I'm not sure if I could actually commit myself to attack.''

''That's fine,'' Rio spoke, emotionless. ''The fact that you could move and attack when everything went to shit means that all the training you've been through actually works. You either freeze up, or you start moving mechanically, like a machine.''

Issei didn't answer, hiding his face behind his arm. A single brown eye shone through the bruised fingers, unfocused at a single place. A while later, the waitress brought 2 bowls of noodles.

''Eat up,'' Rio spoke, pushing one of the bowls towards him with her chopsticks.

With slow movements, Issei raised the noodles, cutting them apart with his chopsticks, put them in his mouth, chewed them and swallowed, mechanically. He repeated the action until the bowl was empty. He put his chopsticks pararel to the bowl, and glanced at Rio.

''...How can I become strong?''

''Huh?'' She widened her eyes, mid bite.

''I mean it. What can I do, to become strong? What is a way that would work for me, talentless, small kid?''

''...I wonder. I recommend picking up a sword.''

Issei sighed, as Rio continued to eat, ''Of course you would. You use it. Your parents used it. I already have a gun.''

''Who says you can't have both?'' Rio narrowed her glance at Issei, raising one of slender fingers, pointing it at him. ''Because as you said, if you don't have a Sacred Gear, don't have some kind of natural talent, and you don't have the blessing of a God, then you can't do anything about it. You can only train till you puke blood. So then, pick up a sword.''

''...I can't afford it. I have to replace my armor, as well.''

''About that. I take back everything bad I ever said about it.''

Issei sighed softly. Had it not been for his chain mail armor, he clearly understood that he would have been skewered, his enthralls scattered and his life forfeit. Even now, sitting in a restaurant, he felt naked without it.

''But I'm serious, Issei,'' Rio spoke his name, as if to assure him. ''I can teach you. Full fledged exorcists are given both a gun and a sword. Any exorcist worth his salt has mastered both.''

Issei chuckled, his eyebrows upturned.

''...What are you afraid of?''

''Failure, Rio,'' Issei met her eyes. ''I can barely keep up with others without the added stress of training with a sword. I'm doing my best, but I'll shatter soon.''

Rio sighed, putting her chopsticks on top of the empty bowl of food.

''...I'm just a fucking kid in over his head.''

Issei's face scrunched up, as he brought his hand through his messy hair. His eyes tightly shut, he laughed for a second. His head hurt, bringing back memories.

That story, about Irina...

The next day, when they were supposed to meet, Irina never came. He waited till over midnight, only going home when the cold became unbearable. Irina's house was already empty when he went there the next day after.

She just disappeared, without a word said. Without a letter, a note.

''I started this whole thing because I wanted to chase after a girl, you know. I wanted this. I was sure I could handle it. But the more I push, the more I understand that I am nothing. Just a fucking nobody with delusions of grandeur...''

Rio stood up and punched Issei in the mouth. He recoiled, almost falling over, but caught onto the table.

''...You're just a kid, right. Barely 13 years old. We fought a demon, and we won. You held him off, as I cut off his head with my sword. I swung hard and without seeing. I decided to trust my own ability to not take your head off along with the demon's own. And I succeeded. I'm a kid too. I'm barely 14, but you don't hear me whining. I was afraid too. Your screams of pain were horrifying. The worst thing I've heard in my life...''

Issei stood there, tasting blood in his mouth.

''C'mon, look me in the eye,'' Rio's eyes softened.

Issei's eyes darted around the restaurant, before meeting hers. She wasn't angry. A glance that was more understanding, than anything else.

''I don't want to hear you scream like that ever again. We'll have to train harder. The demon we killed wouldn't even be a threat to a normal exorcist. I'll give you a spare sword. We'll grow up, become strong. So c'mon. Stop whining.''

Issei laughed a bit, partly because of how out of character Rio was being. He was truly thankful. He swallowed a chunk of blood. They hadn't talked about their pasts too much, but certain things slipped past when spending that much time together. They had been a ''group of three'' for more than a year. In no way, shape or form was Rio this positive and upbeat of a person. But she was putting up a front for Issei, because he needed it.

He was the dead-last, talentless child, who barely had gotten in. Rio was strong, but reprimanded and held back for violating various rules, for violent outbursts, disobeying orders...and then there was Shinji, the one who had talent and was on a fast track to becoming an exorcist, but had been put with them two, as their leader, as the person, whose assignment was to pull up them two alongside himself.

''Invincible under the sun, huh...'' - Issei spoke, sighing softly.

Rio blushed slightly, ''You heard that? That's embarrassing.''

However, he knew that it was enough, that it was time to stop moping around. And that Rio obviously didn't want to speak about her scream, after the battle, so he left it there, and didn't pry any further.

''Thanks. When I get like that, please punch me again.''

''Sure,'' Rio spoke, letting out a boyish laugh. ''With pleasure, you emo brat.''

''Shall we go?''

She nodded, exiting the restaurant with Issei in tow.

He could feel his face getting hot, knowing that it would get swollen.

''...I want to train.''

He said, looking at his damaged hand. With a sharp exhale, he flexed it, forming a fist. The burning pain scolded his nerves, but he didn't let out a sound.

The pain proved that he survived a real attack, from a real devil. His eyes narrowed, he looked to the side.

He saw himself, in the reflection of a large window. Eyes that didn't hide contempt. His hair messy and all over the place. Black pants, their ends stuffed into his brown boots. The dark gray undershirt that was too long could be seen underneath his black hoodie, half-way zipped up. His injured hand hanged under the hoodie, while the empty sleeve weaved in the wind. His golden cross hanged above it all, like a pair of dogtags. His face was still black and blue, his nose slightly swollen. It hurt to breathe. His whole body felt weak from the days of sleeping around and hospital food.

This was not how a 13 year old should look like.

''...May God save us all.''

He thought, turning his vision back to the street. Rio was glancing at him, from further away. She looked at him with her usual stare, her head slightly downcast, her eyes staring through her eyebrows. She was using her umbrella as a cane, leaning on it lightly.

Both of them knew, that they did not look like believers of God, harbors of Good will. And they both accepted it, since he was the fuck up dead last, and she was the delinquent.

Writer's notes.

Well, we meet again. I'm at a particular place in life at the moment, so. It feels like my life has been on a downwards slope ever since I finished Broken Wings. But anyways.

Issei as an exorcist. The idea is very simple, but I don't think there are that many that focus on it. I'll try to, but as those who have read my old stories know, I go off the rails, add characters and completely deform the original story. We start at Issei, age 13, reminiscing about Irina, as he lays unconscious on a field, as his two ''teammates'' battle a low level devil. There are many, many things to be revealed. They shall be, but as the plot moves forward. I have taken liberties on Exorcist training from Ao no Exorcist, I guess.

Meet Juuzou Rio and Sasaki Shinji.

Anyways, hope you enjoyed, please leave a review, if you did.