Chapter Text
“Doing this will use up a tremendous amount of my power.” Mephisto explained. “My body will immediately disintegrate. Not only that, but messing with the natural order like this will have severe consequences. You must bear them alone.”
“Are these ‘consequences’ worse than things are now?” Rin asked.
Mephisto was silent for a moment, thinking.
“No.”
“That’s good enough for me.”
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Rin woke up suddenly. His heart is thundering loudly in his ears, drowning out any other noises. He struggles to remain silent as he attempts to control his breathing and slow his heart beat. As the roaring of noise in his ears faded and Rin slowly relaxed, he was able to start observing his surroundings. After how he had awakened, there was no use in pretending to be asleep. He opened his eyes, but otherwise stayed still. Moonlight filtered gently through the thin curtains covering the window. Soft, slow, and familiar breathing filled the room. Yukio. His brother. It had been so long since Rin saw him sleeping so peacefully. He turned his head slightly to look at him. His eyes were still blurry from sleep, but still… Yukio looked young. Like a child.
Rin finally sat up, wiping the dust from his eyes. He climbed out of bed, stumbling slightly. Right, this was before he had his tail. He stumbled to the bathroom and flicked on the light. He winced slightly at the sudden brightness. Rin stared at himself in the mirror in shock. He’d gone farther than they’d intended. Staring back at him was his twelve year old face.
“Damn that clown.” Rin grumbled quietly. “I thought we’d agreed on fifteen, damnit. I look like a toddler.”
Rin sighed. Well, there was no going back now.
Rin turned off the light and staggered back to his room. Yukio was still sleeping soundly. Rin took a minute to study his brother’s face. Now that his eyes were no longer blurry, he was able to get a better look. Yukio looked more like a toddler than Rin did in the mirror. Maybe it was his expression? He looked so innocent. After everything that happened, it was a foreign look on both of their faces. A look, that if Rin decided to stay, he would have to learn to fake.
Rin sat down on his bed, facing Yukio’s sleeping form. Yeah, there was no way he’d be able to hide how much he knows from Yukio, let alone…
He’d have to leave. Before anyone woke up. Rin was a terrible liar, and a worse actor. There’s no way he’d be able to make it a single day without acting suspicious. His chest clenched at the thought. He hated the thought. He desperately wished he could see his dad again. The last time Rin saw him… tears started filling his eyes. Damnit, he didn’t have time for this.
Rin stood up. What could he take with him? If he took any personal items, clothes, hell even putting on shoes before he left, they’d know he’d ran away. And that could complicate things, if they knew he’d gone willingly. Well… maybe slipping on shoes really quick wouldn’t hurt… it’s not like he wanted to run around the city barefoot.
Rin shook his head. No, it’s best to stick to the plan. He had to make this look like he didn’t leave willingly.
Rin took one last look at his brother’s sleeping face. Then he forced himself to look away. He purposely walked out of the room. Yukio didn’t stir.
The chapel was dark and silent at night. Rin opened up the secret passage, wincing at the noise. He hoped no one was woken up. He panted heavily from the exertion. Rin may have been strong for a human, but compared to the strength he had after his heart was unsealed, he felt weak. Hell, even his senses felt dulled. Rin never realized how much he had been missing being so cut off from his demon heart. He walked down the stairs and approached the red chest of drawers. Right, he needed a key. That fact had slipped his mind. He needed something to pick the lock, or he could force it open, but that would make a lot of noise. Thinking quickly, Rin left the small room. He quietly hurried back to his and Yukio’s bedroom. Thankfully, his brother was still soundly asleep. Rin retrieved a metal hair comb from their shared dresser. He spared one last wistful glance at his brother before rushing out.
Rin broke off a few of the metal teeth from the comb. He stuck them into the lock of the dresser and wiggled them around. After a few seconds, Rin thumped his head against the wood. He had no idea how to pick a lock. He’d seen it in movies, so he’d thought he could imitate it. Apparently it was a bit harder than it looked. Go figure. Rin resisted the urge to groan. All these years and he was still a complete idiot. Oh well, at least he was good at improvising.
Rin dropped the pieces of the comb. With all of his strength, Rin reared back and punched the damn thing. All these anti-demon wards, but the thing was still just wood. It shattered easily. It was loud, but Rin would be out before anyone could come looking. He pulled away the shattered pieces of wood and retrieved the Kurikara sword. The moment it touched his fingers, Rin could feel the barest hint of his heart returning to him. He unconsciously gave a small sigh of relief.
With all the noise that Rin made getting the sword out, there was no point in attempting to stay quiet anymore. He sprinted up the stairs and burst out the church’s front door with wild abandon. Rin sprinted out onto the street as quickly as possible, putting as much distance between himself and the church as fast as possible. He needed to get out before anyone saw him. Tears burned his eyes as he ran. He thinks he stepped on a shard of glass at one point, but that didn’t slow him down. He could probably go faster if he drew the sword, but the blue flames would only make it easier for others to find him. Rin’s lungs burned as he ran.
Buildings and roads eventually turned to trees and dirt. The city slowly disappeared behind him as Rin fled. Only once the sun started to rise did he finally slow down. He was far enough away from Mephiso’s domain by now. He stopped and collapsed to the ground, breathing heavily. His bare feet ached, and were covered in cuts. They’ll probably get infected. Rin groaned, and rolled over to sit instead of kneel. He leaned back on his hands and gazed at the fading stars. After some time, he finally managed to catch his breath.
He picked up his sword off the ground. Mud streaked across the sheath. The seal was still intact, but Rin could tell it was deteriorating fast. Faster than it should be. Maybe it was because of the whole time travel thing? Whatever, it didn’t matter. Rin smoothly drew the sword, breaking the seal. Blue flames flared up around him. Rin let them dance around him. The warmth of the flames settled comfortably in his chest. Rin smiled as he felt a piece of his heart settle in place. He sheathed the sword, the blue flames going out.
Rin sat there, breathing in the cool forest air. The sun steadily rose over the horizon. If they hadn’t woken up when he made all that noise getting the sword, Yukio and the priests would be waking up soon. They’d find him missing, and the sword too. Rin wonders how they’d react. Would they panic? Or stay level headed? Rin sighed. He wished there was some kind of water around. After that run, his throat ached from thirst. Rin stood. Oh well, he’ll find something eventually.
Rin sat there in that forest for a long time. He was restless sitting still for so long, but unfortunately it was his best option at the time. He did eventually find a river to drink from. The water tasted dirty, literally, Rin swallowed a mouthful of dirt at one point, but it wasn’t like he could go strolling into a city at the moment. Once he had his drink, he sat back and waited. And waited. After a few hours, Rin finally heard footsteps.
“Finally.” Rin said. “It took you long enough.”
“Oh?” The person stopped in their tracks. “You were expecting me.”
“Samael pulled his usual bullshit, blame him.” Rin dismissed.
“Ah, I see.” The man said, grinning. “I assume that means there’s no need for introductions, my prince.”
“Just call me Rin.” He grumbled. Rin stood, cracking his joints. “Whatever, Astaroth. Let’s just get going already.”
“Go where?” Astaroth asked, grinning.
“Don’t act dumb, dumbass.” Rin snapped, already tired of his half brother. “Take me to our father.”
Astaroth’s grin widened slightly. He bowed, a hand across his chest. “Of course, my prince.”
“I just said to call me Rin.” He grumbled, but followed Astaroth anyway.