Chapter Twelve

~ooOoo~

They took it pretty well. Shima was the first to break the silence with a joke. Mainly about how Rin should wait until second period to drop that kind of information, because that's when he would actually be awake. Once the heavy atmosphere was broken the rest were quick to follow the pinket's example and relax.

Except Bon, of course.

The burly teen gazed at the raven like he had grown two heads but bit his tongue when Shima threw him a rather vicious look.

Rin knew he was able to laugh along with Shima's jokes because Yukio had placed a reassuring hand on the small of his back as the group made their way through the hallways towards their lockers. The warmth of the brunet's gesture kept the raven from doing anything that might have made the situation worse. The older teen's thumb moved in small circular motions that eased the tension that had seized the azure eyed teen's muscles after he had uttered the words that had thrown him into a self-depreciating panic.

They also helped the younger teen to refrain from smacking myself in the head as contemplated the events that took place earlier. The FIRST thing he does after seeing his friends for the first time after they had found out he was the clan leader is be a little too brutally honest. The azure eyed teen had given them a reason to reject him for not only being a liar, to be fair they had been lying to him in the beginning too, but now they might see him as a heartless monster.

After being assured that the young clan leader had relaxed the brunet removed his hand. The raven sent him a small smile as they went their separate ways for first period.

At lunch Yukio gives Rin the perfect opportunity to explain himself.

They all sat at their usual spot, on the fountain edge with the nearby trees providing some shade. The raven had just finished complementing and praising the bento Shiemi had proudly shown him, genuinely proud of the progress and promising the next time they had a chance he would teach the blond a new recipe, when Yukio asked him rather casually.

"How did the man you mentioned before betray you?"

Rin blinked, set down his chopsticks and replied slowly, wanting to make sure that this time he chose his words carefully, "The guy was an informant of mine. I used him to just keep track of things going down in the less savory parts of town."

"So, he sets up this meeting insisting I come personally, he knew he was in contact with the actual clan leader. I should have known something was wrong when he said I had to come but, I was too tempted by whatever info he said he had on Mephisto."

"Anyway, seems like he was forced by some of the clown's men to set the whole thing up. It was just an elaborate plot to find out my identity."

The azure eyed teen ran a hand through his hair, causing it to become even more mussed, before continuing, "It actually worked perfectly. I feel like an idiot for falling for it. If I was older Detective Angel, this cop with a grudge against my family, would have brought me in for questing and Mephisto would already know who I am."

"Later, Ginta and I found the traitorous scum…and I broke his neck." The raven's voice trailed off into a mumble and he picked his chopsticks back up and resumed eating, wanting something to do with his hands.

"Wow. Not, what we expected to hear when you said you had done something to ease your stress. I mean, I think you gotta find a new way to relax buddy." Shima spoke from his position on the fountain with a thoughtful gaze, still eating his lunch.

The pinket continued his golden eyes nonplused as he stuffed more food in his mouth, "But, damn this morning I was like 'what?!', but like on the inside cause I'm not Bon and I can control my emotions. Then I realised that you are pretty fucking badass despite your looks. Still, I was serious, we need to find you a new de-stressor, bro."

Rin blinked shocked but touched by the older teen's words. Shiemi was nodding along to Shima's words and sent the younger teen a warm smile while Konekomaru sat eating silently with a thoughtful look. The raven was just happy he wasn't freaking out or acting afraid of him.

"You can just kill someone that easily?" Bon's voice was blatantly disgusted. The burly teen looked at his childhood friends, his expression twisted with his distaste and rage.

"How can you joke about something like this, Shima! This isn't a fucking joke, this guy," He thrusted a hand out to gesture at Rin, his frustration evident, "Is a fucking demon! How do we know we aren't next?!"

"Suguro, that's enough." Yukio's voice was deadly cold and although his expression didn't change, his emerald green eyes and tone conveyed his annoyance and irritation with the burly teen's attitude.

Rin laid his hand gently on the brunet's arm. He waited a moment considering Bon's words. He knew that no matter what happened he would never be able to kill any of them. Unfortunately, the raven had come to realise that if he cared for someone he cared probably a little too much and the thought of hurting them made him nauseous. But, he had no qualms about killing people he didn't know or who had pissed him off, so it would be hard to convince Bon that they could trust him if he said he would never kill or harm them.

Once Yukio had relaxed the young clan leader removed his hand from his arm, reluctantly, before deciding to speak up. Though he first had to tap Bon's hand lightly to stop him from continuing to rudely point in his face.

"You could say my regard for human life is pretty low, it's a matter of how I was raised."

The azure eyed teen paused thoughtfully before continuing, "Unlike you I wasn't raised on lollipops and rainbows. I was taught the harsh reality of living life in a clan from a very early age. I was told that an individual's life was meaningless, especially my own. The clan's safety and security always came first and any life that threatened its peace and existence was to be terminated."

Rin shrugged hopelessly, "I mean, what can I say? I wasn't taught to value my own life let alone other peoples' lives. My mom often tried to tell me otherwise, that life was a precious gift that was to be treasured and not wasted but, after she died I only one education. My teachers were not interested in telling me that I was a special snowflake that was going to take over the clan one day and was the hope and future of the family."

Here he threw a pointed look at the striped hair teen.

"Instead they taught me that everyone is expendable, especially me, being the direct descendant to the 'throne' (so to speak) didn't mean shit. If I was a bad leader and put the clan in danger they would have no problem cutting my throat while I slept and crowning the next person in line."

Rin began to pack up his lunch, the conversation curbing any appetite he had left. "To be honest I've never thought of dying as something significant. I mean I'm not afraid of it, the only thing that would bother me is if the person who killed me wasn't, like, worthy. The thought of some slimy shit fuck killing me when I'm pretty fucking badass just pisses me off. Don't get me wrong I know that when people you love die it hurts but when you think about the world and their place in it…time only stops for you, the rest of the world moves on and if it's any consolation the people I've killed don't usually have anyone who'd miss them."

"I also never thought that life held any deep meaning or purpose, we're all just trying to get through another day and sometimes for me…it's do or die."

The azure eyed teen stood as the school bell rang.

"Time for class!" Shima chirped cheerfully as he jumped from the fountain ledge as well. Rin smiled at him, grateful that the older teen was always ready to break the tension.

oOo

After school they went their separate ways. Yukio regretfully watched as the younger teen went to the car waiting for him. The brunet of course understood where the raven was coming from. After being adopted and being trained to become the Suguro clan assassin he received an education that closely resembled the young clan leader's. An assassin that valued his own life over the clan's objectives, wants, and needs was unnecessary and unwanted. It has been drilled into the young genius' mind from an early age that the lives of the people he served; like Suguro-sama, Bon, and the others would always be worth more than his own, the disposal gunman.

Yukio had understood what he was being told but then he also realised that he was better than most of the people he served. He had dreams and ambitions that he would put before the clan. The obligation he felt towards Suguro-sama for adopting him and giving him an environment to grow was the only thing that had kept him from leaving the clan the moment he had turned sixteen and loyally serving he old man.

The brunet had learned to value his life despite all that he had been told. He could see however that it wasn't the same for Rin and he wanted to kill the people that told him that his life didn't matter and gave the sweet young teen such a jaded view on life.

Yukio was pulled from his thoughts as the rest of the teens began to pile into their living room. Shima had done a good job of alleviating any awkwardness at school but at home Bon had no problem (foolishly) speaking his mind. The pinket's glare no longer cowed the burly teen into silence.

"So, we're expected to just work with this murder?" The striped hair teen glared at the brunet, and Yukio gave him a flat stare in response. Unfazed by the other's outburst.

"I've killed people on your father's orders. Am I a murder? Or I guess we should just call Suguro-sama a murder then, if that's how you see it." His green eyes were clear and Yukio wouldn't let the burly teen avoid his gaze. The teen flushed, infuriated by the brunet's words but was unable to answer.

"Bon, we've talked about this already! Dude we're Yakuza, mafiosos, gangsters! People get killed in this business and we're kinda involved in doing it." Shima groused from his position on the couch, his limbs sprawled haphazardly and sporting an unimpressed look.

Konekomaru, who had been thoughtfully silent the entire day, decided to finally contribute his own thoughts to the discussion.

"Yeah, Bon. We already looked Rin up, unknowingly at the time, we know what he's capable of and although it was a surprise to hear it put so bluntly this morning it's no reason for our opinion to just change. These past few weeks we've spent with him has shown me that Rin is a really good guy, Bon. I think you know this too."

Bon growled, "You guys are just gonna accept that! That's all the reasoning you need?"

"I don't think there's anything to do but accept that part of Richan. I mean we're all going to be 'murders' one day. It may not be for a few years but eventually a time is going to come where it's either us or them…and I know I would choose us. I would choose to live rather than die." Shiemi's voice was quiet but strong.

Yukio gazed at the blond, surprised but proud at how much she had grown and matured. Actually, the brunet was rather proud of how much progress the majority of the group he had been tasked to watch over had accomplished. He hadn't expected anything of this magnitude from them when Suguro-sama had first given him the mission.

Yukio sighed forlornly after glancing at Bon's face and seeing his clenched jaw and stubborn expression.

Then there was this foolish child, completely incapable of growing up.

The brunet decided that now would be the best time to speak up, "That's right Shiemi. None of you can expect to be a part of this clan without eventually getting your hands dirty. That's a reality you all now face and a choice you must make on your own. Rin has already made his and none of us have any right to judge him for it, Bon."

"I'm sure Rin will be pleased to know how sensible most of you are being. Bon this is your chance to smarten up. Please listen to your friends, consider what Rin said earlier today at lunch and stop living in whatever fantasy world you think exists where you can be part of a yakuza clan and not kill people."

The brunet removed his glasses to rub the bridge of his nose with another deep sigh, "Now go get ready. When I was speaking with Rin earlier and tonight we will proceeding with the recon mission. Please change into something appropriate for the woods. The rest of you get some rest after you've finished your homework. Bon and I will be back late."

Yukio placed his glasses back on and left to go prepare for the mission.

oOo

Rin sat comfortably in his room. His homework was finished and he had already looked over the maps Shura and Izumo had brought of Mephisto's grounds. After high lighting some strategical points for them to scout he changed into a set of black shirt and pants with a pair of sturdy combat boots. When he had spoken to Yukio the older boy had said he and Bon would arrive within the hour. Checking his watch the raven figured he had about 10 more minutes before they would arrive.

The young clan leader was however pleasantly surprised when a maid came to inform him that his guests had arrived and waiting in their receiving room. Thanking her, Rin left his room to find Shura waiting for him.

"You sure you don't want us to come with you?" She asked, pushing off the wall to walk alongside him.

"No, we're good. Besides I don't need you teasing Bon until he blows his gasket. I gave him a reason to act like a jerk already I don't need your particular brand of chaos added to the mix." He smiled at the red head, shaking his head at her fake innocent look.

"And I definitely won't fall for that look."

She laughed, slapping him on the back, "Fine, I'll talk to you later then."

Rin rolled his eyes at her retreating figure and walked into the room where Yukio and Bon waited, sliding the screen shut behind him.

Once he entered the brunet stood up.

"I need to speak to you for a moment."

The azure eyed teen was a bit startled by his urgency and shot the burly teen a questioning look. Bon however was no help at all, looking just as confused as he felt.

"Sure…there should be an empty room…"

Rin wasn't able to finish his sentence as Yukio led him into one of the empty rooms and shutting the door behind him.

"Don't tell me your rethinking taking Bon on the trip because of this morning. I mean I'm pretty sure he can contain his hatred for me for one night…"

The raven would have continued but the older teen shut him up pretty efficiently by shoving him into the nearest wall. Rin opened his mouth to ask the brunet what the fuck he thought he was doing when Yukio grabbed his face with both hands and smashed their lips together.

It was violent and the azure eyed teen loved every minute of it. The nip of his teeth and the feeling of his tongue invading his mouth had the raven moaning lightly in surprise and delight.

Deciding to enjoy the experience despite not knowing what brought it on the clan leader threw himself into the embrace, wanting to give the older boy a bit of a challenge. Although he enjoyed it when the brunet got all dominating he wasn't the type to lay down without a bit of a challenge.

Rin wrapped his arms around the others neck and made sure to nip at the other's lips. Yukio released a small growl and his hands moved from in the raven's hair to his legs to hike him up, forcing the younger boy to wrap them around his waist. He may or may not have let out an unmanly squeak when this happened that transformed into a moan when the brunet moved his lips to his neck. Which they both discovered was rather sensitive.

Rin squirmed, biting his lip so he wouldn't release all the sounds Yukio was drawing from him with his very talented tongue, lips, and teeth. He also discovered that the brunet liked to bite and that he didn't mind very much.

However, when Yukio started to grind their hips together the raven knew he (surprisingly) had to be the responsible one.

"Woah now, easy there tiger. I don't kno ~ah! Please don't do that!~ what brought this on but, we have a mission to do and although he's an idiot Bon may begin to wonder what's taking us so long!"

The brunet stilled his movements, while continuing to hold him against the wall with his face buried in the raven's neck. Rin looked down at the top of his head confused. His posture looked defeated and worn. Unsure about what the other was feeling the azure eyed teen wrapped his arms around his head.

"Wanna tell me what's wrong?" He kept his voice gentle as he rifled his fingers through Yukio's hair, marveling at the texture.

The genius looked up and Rin was floored by the look in his emerald green eyes. It was despair and he was honestly scared to know what could have caused it to appear in the older teen's expression.

"You don't think it matters…"

"What matters, Yukio?" Rin asked genuinely confused on where this conversation was going.

"You don't think your life matters. You listened to what they told you and I just…I just couldn't…I don't want you to think that way."

"Is this is about what I said earlier at lunch? Oh, gosh I was worried for second…"

"Rin…your life isn't just meant to be as a member of a clan. You have dreams, dislikes, hobbies and I would not only be fucking devastated if you died but all those who love you like Shura and Izuma and even the other from Kyoto would not only miss you but would fucking mourn you. I want you to know your life matter! I don't want to hear you say you don't see death as a big deal because that kind of talk leads to risky fucking situations where you put your life on the fucking line because you don't think it worth something."

"I'm telling you now so you better remember. Your life matters! To me. To your family. To your friends. And I'm not going to stop telling you and showing you in all the ways I can until you fucking believe and say that your life and very existence matters."

Rin was floored. Nobody had spoken to him like this ever. After each of his lessons his mother used to just hold him and tell him how much she loved him and how he should treasure his life no matter what. Despite how much they cared for him Shura, Izuma, and even Shiro had never done anything like it. The raven was shocked to feel tears slide down his cheeks falling onto the brunet's face.

The conviction and love in Yukio's voice left him flustered and vulnerable and the younger teen buried his face into the top of the other's head. Letting his scent and presence calm him. After a moment his raised his head. The brunet finally let him down, wiping a few stray tears away with a small smile and a gentle kiss on his forehead.

Rin's eyes closed at the tenderness of the gesture.

"Thank you, Yukio. I didn't know I needed that until now."

"I'll always do my best to give you what you need, Rin"

Taking a deep breath the raven ran a hand through his hair, "I probably need a couple more moments to compose myself. We're in luck because I left the maps we need in my room and you need to go keep Bon company while I get them."

The brunet nodded in agreement but before they left the room he gently grasped Rin's face in his hands to brush their lips lightly against one another. Then he left the younger teen in the room alone, flustered with his pale skin pink up to his ears.

I'm sorry...this is beyond late...My only excuse is that it's my first year at uni and the work load has been heavy.

I hope you enjoyed this and I'll actually try to be consistent in the new year.

Happy Holidays!