Chapter Text
Fired from another job…
Rin sighs, kicking a rock down the street as he approaches the park. It’s not like it was his fault the cans got knocked over. Who stacks cans like that anyways. It’s one wrong move and down they go.
It was that… thing, pulling a scarf away from a little girl.
Eying the monastery he shudders. ‘I don’t want to face the old man.’
“Not goin home eh punk?” A voice calls from behind, “So pathetic of my little brother.”
“Beating you up doesn't make you my brother,” Rin shoots back, freezing when he sees the ram-like horns curling down around his face. Breaking into a sprint Rin ducks into an alley.
“Get him.”
Hands close in around him a body presses against his legs holding him down.
Black specks fill the air, little black bugs gathering around the pigeon killer. As a thin rat-like tail flicks a discarded can through a wall. “You’re pathetic, trapped here in Assiah sealed away from your heart. I came to take you home,” holding a blade to Rin’s throat he laughs, “Don’t resist… we can all be a happy family once you're free from this mortal shell.”
Rin’s vision goes blue. The hands holding onto him let go, and screams echo through the alley. A gunshot cracks into the monster and chanting fills the air.
Still blinking bright spots from his vision Rin latches onto Shiro’s hand as he’s pulled from the ground and smoldering blue embers.
“What?”
“Evil dwells within this heart, bring down thy justice upon them,” Shiro recites moving between Rin and the demon.
“Not you,” he howls, “I just got this body you damned exorcist.”
“The lord is my helper, and my shield. Demon perish where you stand.”
The black bugs swarm.
Shiro turns to Rin, “Are you alright?”
“Is he ok?” Rin asks, looking around Shiro at the crumpled form.
“If he doesn’t change his act he’ll be possessed again,” Shiro says simply, stepping over him.
“Possesed!” Rin hisses.
Shiro tenses, “I’ll explain at the monastery. Run.”
————
Out of breath Rin collapses into a pew.
“Do you feel alright?” Kyodo asks as he looks Rin over.
“I’m only a little beat up,” Rin murmurs, watching as Father Fujimoto sets up the altar and some of the others begin to chant.
Setting the final candle in place Shiro turns, “Rin, I am sorry you are finding out like this,” He sits in the pew ahead of Rin turning back to meet his eyes, “Your father was a high ranking demon.”
“Is this some elaborate prank?” Rin asks, voice turning defensive, “I figured the guy that attacked me was a demon but you're saying I'm a demon. Just like everyone else…”
“No, son. You and Yukio are nephilim. Children of high ranking demons, the fallen ones. I wish I had more time… Astaroth will be back and we can’t hold him forever. You’ll go to True Cross academy with Yukio, it will be safe.”
“Why isn't it safe here?” Rin asks as they make their way into the basement.
“High ranking demons will stop at nothing to get you. Your father is Satan… you can use Hellfire.”
“...That’s what those blue flames were?”
Nodding Shiro opens the door to a supply room.
“So now that I'm not human you’re getting rid of me?” Rin says anger bleeding into his voice, “I can't keep a job, I can't focus in school. And now you’re just tossing me out!” He stops walking, “Did you ever want me?”
Grabbing his shoulders Shiro pulls him into a hug, “I could never. This building is likely to get destroyed by demons. And I would rather you be safe.”
“Oh.”
He pulls a key from his pocket, “Rin, I know you are a good person. I trust you with my whole heart.,” He pauses, studying his face, “I am entrusting this to you.” Unlocking a cabinet Rin could have sworn cleaning supplies Shiro pulls out a sword, “This sword holds all of your demonic energy and power. Do not unsheathe it, ever. Once it’s opened you won’t be able to live a normal life. Do you understand me?”
Shaking slightly Rin nods, “Yes.”
Handing the sword to Rin he watches for his son's reaction.
A shiver runs up Rin’s spin as he clutches the sword to his chest. It just feels right.
Gasping Shiro clutches at his chest.
“Dad?”
“Ruun…” He gasps as sharp crackling laughter fills the air, “Get…away…”
“No, what’s wrong, I can't leave…”
“...my son… oh how i have waited for this moment…” Shiro’s features sharpen, fangs grow piercing though lips, ears sharpen and flaming horns adorn his head, “Come to papa, I’ve come all the way from Gehenna just to see my little boys… you don't look happy?”
“Let him go.” Rin says backing away from Shiro’s body, “You’re hurting him!”
Clawed hands slash across Shiro’s chest sending blood splattering to the ground, “I’ll let him go. Once you are home… chose fast kiddo, his body won't last much longer.”
The ground opens up and Rin feels himself sinking into darkness. Some part deep inside longs for the dark.
Now up to his knees, Rin growls, “Give Me My Father!”
“I Am Your Father.” Satan yells back cackling even as he staggers.
“Maybe. But he raised me.” Rin struggles to escape the gate, “Let him go.”
“Oh so angry," Satan mocks, the same way one would tease a cat, “I wonder, how would you react if this seal were to break… no that might defeat my purpose.” Suddenly his grin widens, “Oh I know, a change of plan,” Faster than humanly possible he wrenches the sword from Rin’s grasp, “You’ll want to join me after how you’ll be treated.”
Almost simultaneously he draws the sword and Shiro crumples to the ground. The gate disappears and Rin screams.
Claws gouge into the floor as his back spasms. White hot pain burns across his body searing him from the inside out. His head splits with pain, crying out he falls to the ground. Whimpering in pain as new sensations flood his brain. The heat dies down, settling into a comfortably warm temperature, even as flames lick up around him.
Shuddering, he tries to crawl to Shiro. Collapsing before he can move very far he whines. Clawed hands reaching towards his father.
“Shiro!” One of the priests yells, “I need some help down here!”
He runs into the room and yelps as he comes face to face with blue flames, “Gha, wait, Rin?”
Barely managing to lift his head Rin glances over.
“The sword,” Izumi murmurs, spotting the flaming sword and the sheath. The moment the blade clicks into place Rin’s body relaxes. Hair flattening down, fangs and ears shrinking back, tail twitching as it relaxes from its tight curl around Rin’s waist.
“He’s alive,” Izumi tells Rin as the other priests bring him to an ambulance.
With those words Rin lets go and passes out.
————
Burrowing further under his blankets Rin slowly blinks his eyes open. That had to have been a dream, right. Demons aren’t real. They can't be… Shaking off the nightmare he stands up freezing when something wraps around his leg, “what…”
“Oh good, you’re awake,” Tadashi says entering the room, “If you slept any longer you would have missed breakfast.”
“It wasn’t a dream?” Rin whispers tail curling around his chest.
Face softening Tadashi shakes his head, “It was real, do you feel up to explaining what happened to us?”
“Yeah, yeah,” His stomach grumbles, “After I eat?”
“Of course,” the priest says, following him down stairs.
“Where’s Yukio?”
“He’s waiting with Maruta for Shiro to get out of surgery.”
Rin frowns, “Did he know? About the demons.”
“He did.” Tadashi sighs, “We were going to tell you when you turned sixteen. Yukio’s still half demon even if he doesn't show any signs. He was born being able to see demons and spirits. When he was seven Shiro decided to train him to be an exorcist.”
“Why wasn’t I told?” Rin asks, voice shaking, “Why couldn’t I see them?”
“Because your demon side was sealed away,” Kyodo says, pushing his way into the conversation, “The Vatican wanted you dead. Shiro and Mephisto knew a way to separate your demon heart.”
“Demon heart?” Rin asks around a mouthful of food.
“A soul, essentially.” Kyodo, “The heart of your powers. It’s connected to your sword.”
“Which you should keep with you,” Nagatomo says, setting the sword on the table, “The two most vulnerable spots for any demon are their heart and tail.”
Rin pauses, letting his tail swish against the floor, “The tail is that important?”
“It is.” Nagatomo sighs, “Could you tell us what happened? Why did you draw your sword?”
“I didn’t,” Rin yelps, “What you thought I was handed a sword that if I opened it would ruin my already shitty life and just opened it,” he growls, the sound cuts off the moment he realizes he’s making it, “Shiro was possessed. I yelled at him then satan took over his body. He said something about bringing me home then,” his eyes welled up with tears, “He said he’d let Shiro go if I went with him. Then he hurt him and some kind of portal opened up and was sucking us down… I fought it, then he laughed. Teased me and said something about the seal. Then he got some idea, grabbed the sword, opened it and left.”
“Oh.”
“I was not expecting that,” Izumi says, leaning back in his chair, “He really drew the sword?”
Rin nods, scrubbing away tears, “Said it would make me want to join him…”
Nagatomo frowns, “Rin I wont lie, people are not going to like that you’re nephilim, especially from Satan himself. It’s not the demons I would really worry about, if Satan wants you to come to him, exorcists are a bigger threat.”
“But not you?”
The priests laugh. “If we were going to do anything because you’re Satan's kid we wouldn’t have waited for you to get powers.” Nagatomo shakes his head fondly.
“We wouldn’t have gone through every little prayer and mantra making sure they couldn’t hurt you.” Izumi says.
“You really did that?”
“Of course.”
“The bible says ye shall not be punished for your fathers transgressions,” Izumi says, “You’re your own person. Growing up you were one crazy kid, but you’ve always been so full of love.
“Speaking of verses,” Nagatomo sighs, “We should make sure the wards won't hurt him.”
“Can’t that wait for him to get used to everything?”
“Just the wards,” Nagatomo says, “We can remove holy water and other tools, but he needs to be added to the wards. Then he can rest.”
Rin pushes his hair back, “What do I have to do?”
“Walk through the door.” Nagatomo says opening the back door.
Squinting in the sudden wave of light Rin lets out a quiet chirping sound. Carefully he steps through the doorway.
“Alright now come back.”
“Ugh,” he groans, “That felt weird… i’m really not human anymore…”
“Rest up,” Kyodo sighs, “Yukio should be home soon.”
Shuffling away from the priests Rin sighs, he’s definitely changed. Heading to the bathroom he stops in front of the mirror. Pulling his lips back he carefully inspects his teeth, fangs. A pair of razor sharp canines on the bottom and top rows of teeth. Closing his mouth with a sharp click he brings his hands over to his ears, what had been perfectly normal rounded ears now form a dull point. His nails are clearly thicker and darker, and of course.
The tail.
Reaching back he gingerly pulls his tail in front of his body. Wincing as he snags some tangled furs. It hurts. He notices, not badly, but it feels raw. Like a skinned knee before it scabs. Touch sends a stinging sensation shooting up his spine. Carefully he peels his blood and dirt stained clothes off. Turns the shower on and prepares for what he’s sure will be painful.
As he finishes inspecting his body for any other changes, steam starts to fill the room and he steps in. Letting warm water drip down his tail isn’t as painful as he thought it would be. More uncomfortable than anything. Watching as the water dripping turns from pink to clear he resines himself to washing the tail.
It’s softer than his hair but, shampoo will work for now at least. Moving out of the stream of water he squeezes the soap onto his tail. Making sure to work it in and remove all the bits of dirt and grime.
Purring softly as he works his way down to the tuft of fur at the end of his tail. Stealing some of Yukio’s conditioner he continues grooming his tail until he’s happy with how clean it is.
Now dressed in warm clean clothes he flops down on a couch and watches as the priests scurry around repairing the monastery. Tail flicking idly as he rests.
Soon growing tired of waiting for Yukio to come back he wanders into the kitchen to make a snack.
“Hey, out of the kitchen,” Nagatomo says, shooing Rin away, “No cooking, you’re not back to full health yet.”
“But I'm hungry,” Rin shoots back, deliberately ignoring how his tail flicks hard to the side in annoyance.
“Here’s an apple.”
“I don’t want an apple,” Rin grumbles bitting into the apple anyways.
“You alright there?” Nagatomo asks, noticing Rin’s puzzled expression.
“Feels weird on my fangs…” Rin murmurs taking another bite.
“I’d guess that’s normal for just having gotten them.”
“Yeah…” he grumbles, “Do we have any jerky?”
“I don’t think so,” Nagatomo says rummaging through some cabinets, “Why, you want meat?”
Rin nods.
“I’ll make sure we get some when we go shopping.”
“Thanks,” Rin says, continuing to eat his apple.
“I’m back,” Yukio calls out from the front door.
Rin’s head snaps to look towards Yukio’s voice, then he’s running.
Yukio jumps when he sees Rin, “You drew the sword?”
“Not even a hello?” Rin chirps, “Why does everyone assume I was the one who did this?”
Fixing his glasses Yukio shrugs.
————
It had been nearly a week since Shiro entered a coma. Rin hadn’t been outside for more than a few minutes at a time, each time getting closer to the chapel. Most of the time Yukio or one of the priests would call him back. Clearly worried what could happen to a demon on holy ground.
Rin wasn’t worried, having grown accustomed to the tingling of the wards he pulled open the chapel door. Shaking the pins and needles off he steels himself.
Stepping into the chapel he slowly, he waits for a moment. When it becomes apparent he won’t be smote down by god he starts repairing the altar. Replacing the rotting cloth and burnt down candles with fresh ones. Then dragging the pews back into place.
Sitting in the center of the chapel he clasps his hands together and prays. Silently he pleads for Shiro and his brother who’s started looking at him like he’s nothing more than a bug.
“Well what’s this?” A voice laughs, “A demon prince praying.”
Eyes flying open Rin snaps his head over locking eyes with a clown, “Who the hell are you?”
“I am Mephisto Pheles,” The man dips into a theatrical bow, “I’ll be your exorcist this evening.”
Growlliing Rin starts backing away.
“We have two options, one you let me end it here nice and quick, two you run and we hunt you down… i suppose you could commit suiside if you wanted to take matters into your own hands.”
“Why?” Rin growls fangs beared in fear.
“Well, we can't have the son of Satan, prince of Gehenna running around.:”
“What if I become an exorcist?” Rin barks out.
Mephisto grins, “Oh? And what would you do as an exorcist?”
“Kick satan’s ass for hurting my dad.”
Snorting, the man bursts into hysterical laughter, “You an exorcist. At the very least it’ll be entertaining. Very well Okumura Rin, an exorcist you shall be.”
“Really?”
“But of course, as your guardian while the paladin is… out I fully welcome you to True Cross Academy.”
Blinking from the tonal whiplash Rin cocks his head, then his eyes go wide, “Just who are you?”
“I am one of your big brother’s,” The demon grins, “Now now, don't look at me like that. I don't like our father either. In fact, I'm the head of Japan's branch for exorcists… now come along, let’s get you packed for school.