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Chapter Text

Song untraveled road - thousand foot crutch

Shiro Fujimoto glared down at his now deceased lover, she looked peaceful laying on her side where the source of his ire and hatred hid. Azure flames encased a small newborn in her protective hold, it wiggled for a moment growling. Perhaps sensing his presence.

a demon. "His name...is Rin." She had told him weakly, it was all she could get out before...before.

The paladin stood straight flicking his cigarette away, he readied his shotgun. Satan took Yuri away, he wouldn't let his spawn be free.

He aimed his weapon as the demon wiggled free it's blue flames warping around it, crawling over its dead mother its closed eyes opened just enough for it's eerie blue and red eyes to be visible. A tiny blue heart pulsed near its chest.

It hissed a long slender white tail rising above it, Shiro knew what had to be done. Yet, his arm trembled, why couldn't he pull the trigger?

"What is the problem, mein freund?"

Shiro startled then inwardly groaned, he turned around to find sameal, king of time. Better known as,

"Mephisto...why the hell are you here?"

The demon king, was smirking as he twirled his pink umbrella around he lifted the tip of his shotgun up enough to aim at the demon who sniffed at the cold air, tail still raised.

"This demon took your dear one, yes? A child of Satan, a clear threat to assiah. So why I wonder?" He wondered as he took a few steps toward the newborn who snarled at his approach, the elder demon smiled down at the spawn sharp teeth showing before turned back to the paladin with wondering eyes.

"Do you hesitate?"

Shiro frowned, the demon annoyed him but he was right. Yuri's heated voice about understanding Satan invaded his thoughts, his eyes began to burn.

Fresh pain about his lost loved one, about Yukio losing his mother to this demon filled him. He gripped the gun tighter, it shook in his hold.

The newborn unable to comprehend it's danger curled up over its mother's hip and gave a few whines, mephisto hummed at the sight before tapping the end of the gun barrel with his umbrella.

"We could turn the demon over if you'd like? I'm sure this demon would be a useful resource for the order"

Shiro tensed looking mephisto in the eye, the elder kept his smile.

The order could learn alot about Satan's flames maybe...he lowered his weapon again. It was an idea at least, and since he for some reason couldn't bring himself to shoot the damn thing.

"Fine, take the little bastard. I never want to see it again." He ground out pulling his gun over his back before with an annoyed tick began grabbing a cigarette from his chest pocket, mephisto stayed quiet for a moment a glint the paladin didn't like in his green eyes.

" Hmm perhaps a wager, mein freund?"

Shiro did his best to convey his distrust at the idea, glaring at the king of entropy who smiled unfazed.

"I don't have a choice do I." He took a puff from his bad habit and watched as mephisto said nothing choosing instead to turn around and lower himself to the infant, Shiro watched as the elder demon gently picked the spawn up. It became distressed tail whipping around for a moment before with a wave of mephisto's hand it fell asleep in the crook on his arm.

"I shall turn the demon to the order, however-" he paused for theatrics and Shiro felt his annoyance rising, " what?"

" In exactly ten years time, I shall give you the choice to see the spawn once more."

The paladin raised a eyebrow, pulling his cigarette out between his fingers.

" What? Why the hell would I? The hell are you up to sameal?"

He expected the demon to smile again, but he became blank for a moment eyes traveling down to the demon infant.

" I do wonder, Shiro Fujimoto. The human conscience is a curious thing, you can of course refuse."

The paladin felt an annoyance bubbling up but chose to ignore the demons machinations for now, mephisto gave him no more of his attention disappearing in a puff of smoke with the demon.

Shiro let out a slow breath looking at Yuri's still form, he would bury her here. She would have been mad at him, no doubt.

"It's for the good of assiah," he told himself. But even as he said it aloud it felt hollow.

.................

Telling Yukio that His mother had passed away was the hardest thing he'd ever done, he wished the boy had reacted differently.

He had looked startled at first before he quietly went to his room, it took several days for him to come out. The priests that helped raise the young boy all trying to coax him out.

He had entered Shiro's study late one night after staying away, asking for answers. Why did Yuri die? He had asked with pain, why did his mother get taken from him?

The six year old demanded answers he couldn't provide, the boy had received a mashou at a young age due to an attack on the monastery. But he was just starting to learn of the demon world.

Shiro could see the fire in his young sons eyes, he took a deep breath and shut his eyes in thought. There was no easy way. He just had to be honest.

" Yukio, your mother was a very strong women. One of the best exorcists I knew." He began, his sons lip wobbled, rubbing at his eyes with his forearm.

"Then why, dad?" He asked again, sniffling. Shiro stood from his desk and walked to his grieving son, wishing he could bring her back.

He wished he could go back and stop her, but that wasn't possible now.

He chose to fall to one knee infront of his teary eyed boy, he placed a hand on his small shoulder.

" I'm so sorry, Yukio..."

"Was it ... A demon?" He asked timidly, Shiro's grip tightened gently, " it was."

He nodded perhaps at the honesty, perhaps at his inner thoughts he looked up at his father and cried.

Yukio had always been skittish, a shy gentle child. But at this time, looking up with an anger his father didn't know he had in his turquoise eyes.

"Dad, I want to be like you and mom."

Shiro felt himself smile sadly at this much to young child, his back straightened and he looked more sure.

" Dad, I wanna be an exorcist."

.............

Over time Shiro began to numb to the pain of Satan taking Yuri from him, he and the other priests began working with his son to teach him the basics.

He was a quick learner, far too smart for one so young.

He had chosen to keep Satan's spawn to himself, the memory of the little beast flooded his mind from time to time. But he chose to ignore it.

No need to think about it, the bastard of Satan was Mephisto's problem.

..........

On Yukio's tenth birthday, Shiro brought the young prodigy exorcist to his mother's gravestone deep in the forest she loved to explore.

Yukio was quiet as the two looked down at the small stone, Shiro smiled sadly placing a hand on his sons shoulder.

Looking around the snowy forest the paladin felt a familiar tug at his thoughts, he shook his head as soon as he remembered the damn things white tail waving around that eerie flame at the tip.

For some reason he'd been having a harder time recently ignoring the memory, and the nightmares. They started a month or so ago, he had drifted to sleep at his desk.

He remembered a soundless void, like he was floating in water. And a cold that seeped into his bones not unlike the winter wind, he couldn't see anything no matter where he looked.

Like he was blind.

A scream desperate and feral broke the silence, he flinched as it invaded his mind. It was like a wild animal trapped in a cage.

"Father?" Shiro jumped looking toward a confused and concerned Yukio who seems to have been calling him for a bit.

"Father, are you okay? Your minds been wandering alot lately." He mentioned with a hint of worry watching with sharp eyes, his father chuckled lightly. The boy was young but far to observant.

"Sorry kid, let's get out of this forest I think I've had enough of memory lane today."

His son frowned at the dodge but nodded following after the paladin.

........

" Why hello, Paladin Fujimoto!" Mephisto pheles began from behind his desk, the paladin glared daggers at the demon shutting the doors behind him.

" Okay what's going on, sameal?" He hissed at the manipulator, said demon hummed in question eyeing his human friend with a smirk.

" Why whatever do you mean? You look a tad paranoid, paladin. Perhaps, you should get better sleep?"

Shiro slammed the desk pointing an accusing finger at mephisto," so you do know, bastard. Tell me what the hell is happening to me."

Mephisto snapped his fingers and a pink armchair appeared behind his friend, the exorcist kept his angry gaze with the nonchalant demon before pouting collapsing in the oversized furniture. He glared miserably at the smiling demon, a cup of tea was offered by his Butler but he wasn't in the mood.

" Now tell me, what has you so distraught?"

The paladin shut his eyes, the image of blue flames sparked behind his lids before fading away just as quickly.

" The nightmares. The memories? I don't know, I just cant get this thing out of my head. Like it's cursed me." Then he paused in alarm, " it- I'm not cursed, right?"

Mephisto laughed out loud taking a sip of a floating teacup, "I quite doubt the spawn of Satan has such an influence outside his space."

Shiro frowned, " so it's alive then?"

Mephistos eyes looked into Shiros then and sent a wave of uncomfortable nausea through the elder priest. Then he threw both hands up and shrug with a smile that split his face.

" Perhaps, perhaps not. You have three years to decide if you truly wish to know."

Shiro groaned letting himself slide deeper into the armchair with a tick of annoyance, he hated this bastard at and his times.

............

One month, one more month and he could get this stupid wager off his tired mind. The nightmares seemed to be getting fewer, and he was thankful. Yet he couldn't shake the horrible feeling in the pit of his stomach, and feeling he recognized as anxiety. He shook it off, Yukio had been catching his agitation more these days.

Darn kid made him proud, he smiled but it quickly fell.

One more month.

Chapter Text

The paladin met mephisto at the entrance of his office office, he was humming as he watched his human friend approached.

"Fujimoto Shiro, what a surprise! I must say," he began but was silenced by a sharp, accusing look from the exorcist who was very done with his bullshit.

He hadn't slept well in a while, his memories didn't bug him much these days and the nightmares had ended long ago. Yet sleep was a chore. He had no commitment to this demon. Half-demon?

Mephisto smiled innocently revealing his fangs a bit watching the paladin pinch the bridge of his nose.

"Let's just...get this over with, sameal."

The demon nodded slowly before turning to his door and using a white key on it, Shiro was lead to a small cozy room. An old leather couch against the left most wall, the exorcist couldn't keep his eyes off it for a moment before his gaze led to the opposite side a few feet away was a glass wall. He could see a white wash room on the other side, tiles and walls pristine against the bright lights above.

Shiro had to squint as he approached the wall cautiously, "well, Mephisto? Where is he?"

He could feel the demon watching him, said demon made a small hum before sitting on the old couch. He tapped his umbrella getting Shiro's attention then nodded towards the spot beside him.

"Come old friend, sit. He will be here shortly. His shots are due."

"Shots?"

A cold uncomfortable feeling climbed up his back, turning to glare at the silent demon. Yet, The elder demon didn't smile choosing instead to keep his eyes forward, and it unnerved the paladin.

He turned back to the room.

Beyond the white walls there was a table at the center, shackles and small runes across it's silver surface.

His anxiety became a heavy thrum in his ears, what was wrong with him?

His thoughts were interrupted as a white clad exorcist entered from the metal door close to the glass wall. approaching the table unaware of his audience behind the glass, shiro watched as the man pulled out a roll of fabric and laid it out over the metal table.

It was full of vials, one was pulled from it bind and a syringe fed into its lid.

Then they rolled him in. The human's eyes widened on the half-demon as he was wheeled in bound tightly to a chair, a white head of hair covered in bandages leaned forward limp, lifeless.

Was he even alive?

There were words exchanged between the exorcists as the half-demon was pushed into the room. He became all too visible under the bright lights, his limbs were bound with tight runed bindings another large strap across his thighs and chest. He was terribly emaciated from what shiro could see, bloody bandages covered most of his thin form. His face covered the most, tubes feeding through the area his mouth should be leading to a canister on the back of the chair that trapped him.

there was no sign the half-demon was even alive, the guard who wheeled him in stepped out from behind the chair and leaned against the table as the white clad exorcist lowered himself next to the unmoving patient.

the demon didn't struggle, perhaps Couldn't struggle as a hairless tail was wrenched from beside his leg and pinned to the arm of the wheelchair a jolt traveling up the half-demon, the first syringe was lifted for the bare mottled skin.

A tiny barely visible flame fluctuated weakly at the tip.

There it was, proof of who it was. This skeleton. This emaciated, suffering form.

It was the demon. The half-demon.

this was Yuri's Son.

The first syringe was skillfully inserted into the tender scarred flesh of his still tail, and for the first time the half-demon reacted. His body tensed and struggled in its binds back arching painfully off the chair, his head weakly shaking from side to side in a desperate attempt to escape.

Even in this unconscious state they were finding ways to break him, the son of Satan down. Shiro pushed against the glass between him and Yuri's child.

He did this. Doomed him to this existence. To this torture.

"What are they...doing to him?" Shiro licked his dry lips and shut his eyes to the horrors wishing more then anything for them to stop.

"They have shall we say...disarmed him. Those vials each contain products of his contributions to the order." Mephisto explained excitedly yet there was no mirth in his normally jovial tone, Shiro frowned but kept his back to the elder demon.

"What does that mean?" Shiro didn't want to know. Yet as his quiet voice asked the question, he felt mephisto's eyes on him again.

It always felt unnerving.

"Why Shiro, you don't seem happy? Is this not a fitting punishment for the offspring of assiashs greatest nemesis?"

Shiro spun on the elder demon who didn't flinch in the face of the humans anger, he lost the smile on his face for a moment as his green eyes shifted past the paladin.

"The son of Satan has been used for the research and betterment of mankinds understanding of Satan's kin." Mephisto stood and within a step stood shoulder to shoulder with the paladin, Shiro kept his back to the window but continued to glare from the corner of his eye at the demon.

"What kind of research?" He was almost afraid to know.

"His blood, his bones, his organs. They made sure to leave no stone unturned in their reaserch," Mephisto narrowed his eyes ahead, " the son of Satan was broken down to the fragments you see left before you."

Shiro shut his eyes tight, he could feel the stress present in his face. His fists clenched at his side's, the long forgotten screams from his nightmares becoming far to real.

He turned to look again, the boy wasn't struggling anymore. He could do nothing as the last of the syringes injected into another spot of his furless tail, the limb wriggled in the man's grasp but could never escape.

"Enough, Sameal." He could barely get above a whisper as the tail fell limp as it was released, the half-demons body heaved with quick sharp breaths his bandaged chest quaking with effort.

"Hmm?" He could hear the bastards smirk, the human dropped his tense shoulders pushing again at the glass.

"No one deserves this." Why was his voice refusing to work properly, he shut burning eyes before turning a defeated gaze to the elder demon. This wasn't what Yuri wanted, this wasn't what He wanted.

"You win." He stated in defeat, the demon tapped his umbrella on the tilled floor.

Shiro blinked as the exorcists in the room froze, another had him and the demon materialize on the other side of the glass.

Mephisto walked up to the frozen exorcists and bent down to the still form, a gloved hand placed on the quaking forms chest.

"Ah my youngest brother, how cruel assiah can be at times." He murmured as his hand glided down to the tail of the boy, shiro could only watch as mephisto began unbinding the half-demon. First releasing the bandages around his small dangling head, the tubes were pulled from his throat and a whispy desperate weeze escaped the emaciated form.

The small child was lifted with a gentleness and care that made shiro blink at the elder demon, he pulled the boy up into his arms and cradled him.

"Come, let's see what can be done for now." He spoke breaking a tense silence, as if a spell was lifted shiro drew closer to look at the cradled boy. The half-demon didn't respond to his approach, half lidded eyes glazed with pain and fever looked ahead unseeing.

Mephisto smirked knowingly at the paladin before turning on his heel with a twirl and heading for the metal door, with ease he fished out a pink key and set it in the lock.

Shiro clenched and unclenched his hands, glancing at the table for one more moment before the door opened and warmth flooded in.

They took a step into a manor hallway, red carpeting with dark walls alit with candles. He didn't pay it any mind as his attention stayed on sameal and the young half-demon in his arms, even as the door creaked shut behind him the paladin kept his alert gaze on the boy.

Shiro let the demon lead him past several doors before a door at the end opened, Belial was waiting holding the door with one hand and offering the entrance with the other head bowed.

" Welcome home, my lord." He greeted, the demon king placed his arm full in Belial's arms. butler took him without question, waiting for a command.

" Do what you can will you, Belial."

Belial took the boy to an oversized bed in the room and as the paladin tried to follow he hit a solid wall of air, he pushed at the space in annoyance turning it on mephisto who had materialize two pink armchairs.

"Come sit, my friend. Let Belial do his work in peace." Shiro grunted holding his painful nose. ignoring Mephisto's invitation, he tried again to push at the wall.

Belial retreated for a moment gathering several items before approaching the bedside once more, with a set of scissors he began to remove the dirty bandages from the still form revealing horrible festering wounds, the skin mottled with yellow and dark flesh.

Shiro inhaled sharply feeling his face form a grimace, Belial seemed to survey the damage with a precise eye, taking his hand and placing his palm over his patients concave abdomen.

"Please excuse me, young prince."

Shiro could only watch as the butlers hand passed through thin skin with little resistance, the boys body seized up a breathless scream on his gaunt face as the butler turned surgeon moved his hand around almost uncaring.

The paladin grit his teeth before he had to tear his eyes away, A familiar feeling bubbles up in his chest as he turned his back to the surgery.

Yuri's upset face flashed in his mind, she would be so mad at him. No...perhaps disappointed.

He opened his eyes to find mephisto watching with an ominous smirk.

He chose to look up at the dark ceiling, tired mind whirling around the days events.

.........

He jumped as something tapped the back of his head, straightening up his old body creaked and he stretched his back with a loud crack. He must have dozed off.

Another tap on the head and he glared up swinging at the umbrella in the demon kings grasp as it hovered over his head.

"Stop it, I'm awake" he ground out pushing himself off the floor the demon stayed silent choosing to watch him again, shiro swallowed the elder demon was acting much weirder then normal.

And that was saying something.

The demon king walked past him and made his way to the half-demons bedside, shiro stood quickly following him.

Shiro felt his discomfort return. The boy looked dead, fresh bandages hiding a thin, abused body. Mephisto removed a glove from his hand and placed it on the side of the small gaunt face, there was no reaction. Glazed eyes staying lifeless as they stared up.

"Belial has done what he can for him physically, but now we must make a decision. "

shiro didn't like the look pheles was giving him, he HATED that look

" The order will believe the boy is dead, "

Shiro let his gaze drift down to the prone form, breathing barely visible.

" Maybe it would be better..." His voice escaped him, ' it was for the good of assiah'.

Sameal hummed at the thought, " and you would have every right to do the deed,"

Shiro's eyes narrowed and again the two were matching gazes. The elder demon shrugged at him stepping away from the bed he took something from Belial who waited silently by the door, it was a silver tray.

Shiro grimaced unsure as the demon returned, several syringes across it. Lethal injection? Would it be so simple? He observed the elder demon lift a small clear bottle, and filled a syringe.

Something within him cringed, the paladin didn't have time to figure out the feeling as mephisto flicked the needle and went to place it against the boys forearm.

Shiro grabbed his arm quickly, and to his surprise. The king of time let himself be stopped, the paladin had no doubt the demon could have continued unchallenged by the old paladin.

Yet he instead chose to watch the human for a moment, turning he placed the needle in shiro hand carefully.

"Very well, paladin." He took a step back and with a blank face observed, shiro could only stare down at the syringe fingers tightening around it.

Was this the answer? He looked to the boy drowning in the large bed, covered in bandages and wounds no living thing should ever have been inflicted with.

After all this suffering, perhaps it was the right thing to do. Put the boy out of his misery, he frowned taking a thin arm. It was so cold, like he was already dead.

He found himself holding the boys hand, taking a deep breath he pulled his arm taught and prepared the needle like mephisto attempted before.

It stopped just above the skin and froze with a tremble, blinking down at the hand in his grasp. It was but a moment, the tiniest pressure. The boys hand held his thumb, much like a weak newborn would. Memories of yukio as a newborn flashed in his mind.

"He-if we do this..." Shiro held the boys hand with his gently, his voice unsure. Mephisto hummed curiously, the paladin had to swallow. His mouth suddenly dry, " where will he go?"

He turned to glance at the demon, who looked thoughtful.

"I think you know, " he stated simply.

Shiro's grip tightened and he put the needle back on the tray, he watched the half-demons face. It remained unmoving, mouth slightly agape showing where sharp fangs should have been.

He put both hands around that small bony hand and made a decision, he couldn't send this boy to gehenna. To Satan.

"Sameal." The older demon came closer and hummed, the paladin put the half-demons hand down gently and stood.

He was more sure about this then he's been about anything. He met the king of time's gaze, and kept it as he spoke.

" I'll take him."

"The son of Satan? You the Paladin with take in your most hated enemies bastard?"

Shiro narrowed his eyes at the challenge, mephisto unfazed smirked then looked down at the boy.

" Well then, my youngest brother will require some doctors. Belial!" The butler was at his side without a word, " we will have visitors soon, do keep the young one comfortable for us will you?"

"Where's his heart?" Shiro asked worriedly, other then the weak flame at his tail tip the azure fire hasn't been to visible.

Mephisto paused in his instructions to Belial and leaned over the weak child, he poked at the bandages bound over his chest.

The half-demon gasped loudly as if he'd come up for air from a long dive, and azure flames sprouted across his white hair. The demon heart manifested from the demon kings touch and shiro inhaled sharply at the sight, there were cracks across it and dark magma like flames bled from them like blood it pooled onto the bandages below.

Mephisto gave a small wave of his hand and the heart quickly vanished flames dissipating with it, shiro exhaled not realizing he had held his breath.

"That we shall deal with in time, for now he needs rest." The elder demon snapped and a heavy wool blanket appeared over the half-demon, Belial came over after a time with a machine on wheels and began placing wires across the small body making sure to tuck the blanket around his small patient as the butler finished he placed a mask over the half-demons gaunt face.

"Paladin Fujimoto," shiro blinked realizing he was being addressed, he turned to mephisto who had wandered to the door.

"You should rest, come I will guide you to a spared bed."

Shiro opened his mouth to argue when instead a yawn escaped, god what time was it. He glanced at his new Son, unsure. Not quite willing to leave him alone now.

He wished Yuri were here to guide his steps, but she was not. Shiro had damned her nephilim son to this suffering. That was a decision he made, in his grief and pain. He wanted the boy to suffer.

But when faced with it, this cruelty. The reality of his choice was sharp like a knife. What the hell made them any different from-

He startled as mephisto pushed him towards the door, the paladin grumbled at him but allowed the king of time to guide his tired body.

Sameal smiled as he heard the door shut,

"Good rest, my young brother."

Chapter Text

Shiro leaned against the wall trying his best not to glare at the current doctor examining Rin, mephisto sipping tea beside him in his chair didn't help either.

This was the third demonologist doctor that has been brought in to help Rin, but he was like the others.

Scared. Each one was wary of the still form, acting as if he would suddenly spring up and attack them. Like the ailing nephilim was simply waiting for a chance to attack, like he was pretending.

Shiro felt the burn of shame at being no different more then a few days ago, he may be convinced Rin was harmless but doing so with other exorcists would not be so simple.

There were many out there who had a deep hatred for Satan, a twinge of protectiveness bubbled up in his chest.

"Doctor Sarua, thank you. That is quite enough," the elder demon yawned as he stood tossing his empty cup aside vanishing in a cloud of pink smoke, like the others the paladin watched mephisto pull out a perfume bottle and promptly spray it into the doctors face.

He choked for a moment, only to blink in confusion seconds later looking between the tired paladin and the smirking demon king.

"Sir Pheles? Paladin Fujimoto? W-what were we talking about?"

Without missing a beat mephisto guided the doctor out the door.

The paladin stared after them for a time, sighing in tired annoyance as his phone buzzed to life in his pocket again. It was no doubt his son again, Yukio knew something was up.

Shiro rarely avoided the boy on purpose like this so he was probably worried sick, he brought his phone out and flipped it open to see a new message.

He sighed again, he was such a coward. He hasn't figured out how to tell him about Rin yet, he clicked on his messages and played the most recent.

" hi dad." Yukio sounded tired, shiro blinked in alarm at the phone.

Crap! he called the boy by accident!

"Dad?" Shiro fought the powerful urge to cancel the call and brought the phone to his ear, " h-hey kid, sorry I haven't been picking up...I...alot is happening right now, and your father..."

He swallowed words getting caught in his throat, what does he tell him.

You have a half-brother and hes marked by Satan and had to be given to the order? That his father hid he even had a brother to begin with?

"Dad?" Yukio sounded worried now, shiro approached the bed.

Looking down at the nephilim, the ten year old had a far away look that never left. He pulled the blanket he had over him up to the face mask feeding him oxygen.

"Yukio, I made a mistake. One I have no hope of beginning to ask forgiveness for."

"Forgiveness from who dad? What's happened?" Yukio asked in alarm, shiro looked down at Rin's pale gaunt face and shut his eyes.

" From your mother." The paladin began, " from you, Yukio. I..."

He grit his teeth, why was this so damn hard!?

"Why Hello! Yukio Fujimoto, so glad to finally speak with you!" Shiro lost his phone as mephisto took it, when had he returned?

"My dear paladin, he is on a special assignment you see and has been here with me."

Shiro's annoyance returned ready to steal the phone back, but the elder demon simply smiled raising a finger up to the exorcists face without looking at him.

" Why of course you can see him, I will send someone to retrieve you tomorrow morning!"

The paladin tried his best to convey death towards the elder demon.

The hell was he doing?!

Then the bastard hung up, tossing the phone on the bed. He turned towards shiro and he was smiling, " well Shiro, I look forward to your son's visit."

Then he left, walking away like he hadn't just thrown the paladin off a cliff to dangle.

He dropped his shoulders in defeat and sat on the bed beside Rin's deathly still form.

" Well kiddo...looks like you'll be meeting your brother sooner then I would have liked," he pet the side of his Adopted Son's head and held it for a time, hopping to convey warmth and care through his touch.

The nephilim remained still, " it's going to be okay, Rin"

Hell, he wasn't sure if he was trying to reassure his Son or himself. looking back towards the door then down at the boy, he was still so cold to the touch.

He moved Rin enough that the older could lay beside him, using the wool blanket he carefully pulled the nephilim into a hug.

Maybe the first real hug he'd ever received.

He tucked the boy against his chest protectively careful not to disturb the wires connected to him, he pet the back of the boys head as gentle as he could.

" I've got you now." He whispered sliding tired eyes closed, Yukio would meet Rin. There was no stopping it, pushing his annoyance towards mephisto aside he focused on the child in his arms.

Tomorrow was going to be a chaotic mess.

He just hopes Yukio will forgive him. And learn to accept Rin, the small nephilim needed all the love he could get.

...................,........

Shiro felt like he was floating, he couldn't tell if his eyes were even open or closed. The paladin tried to move, finding no real way to orientate himself with the darkness around him.

It became cold fast, he tried to shake free from the feeling of cold hands pulling him forward. He planted his feet without really thinking about it, pulling away from the force.

A tiny speck of azure flame appeared ahead of him, illuminating a familiar metal table. He startled as his feet began to sink into something, cold quickly climbing up his legs.

He gasped at the feeling struggling to grab something, anything.

But there was nothing that would save him, he fell beneath losing sight of the speck of light. A force of emotions flooded him, he tried to take a breath but quickly found himself unable.

The cold was seeping into his core, he was losing where he was.

He was swallowed by the cold void.

"Shiro"

It was quiet, but he knew he heard it. A voice he recognized, a voice he yearned for.

Her voice.

'Yuri' he tried to speak but choked, bubbles escaping his mouth, he grabbed at his mouth in panic trying again to look around but found his energy diminishing. Like the very energy of life was being sucked from him.

'Yuri...' he felt the pain of her loss wash over him, an emotion he was familiar with.

He felt someone tug at his arms, they were like led.

"Shiro, wake up"

He was suddenly face to face with Yuri, her eyes full of pain.

..............

He gasped as he woke up, arms tightening around Rin protectively. He quickly tried to shake the image of his wife from his mind.

He lifted his head and looked around the nephilims room, finding nothing he let his head fall into the pillow and leaned his nose into the child's snowy hair.

It hurt how cold the boy was even under all these blankets, he took a deep breath. All he could smell was blood and sickness, frowning he pushed himself from the bed and headed towards where Belial normally retrieved his tools.

Finding a bowl he filled it with warm water and stole a hand towel from the nearby washroom, he shook his head at the fluffy pink fabric.

As the elder came closer to the boy, Shiro pulled him to the center of the bed. He grimaced at the concave bruises around his glazed over eyes, a tiny fog appearing in the mask around his mouth and nose at least let him know the boy drew breath.

He dipped the towel in the warm water and pressed the wet fabric to his sons emaciated face, the paladin frowned as no reaction came.

He chose to sit in the chair mephisto had set out for him and simply observed the nephilim, he set the towel over the boys brow and leaned back into the soft chair.

'everything in this damn house is soft' he grumbled inwardly, eyes falling shut slowly.

...............

"-ther"

Shiro groaned, he was very, VERY sore. His joints crying out as he pushed himself up in the chair he'd fallen asleep in.

"Father? Are you okay?" The paladin sighed looking towards Yukio who stood beside the chair, "ya, kiddo. Just had a long ni-"

He paused, brain catching up with the fact. Yukio, was very much present in the room looking unsure. He felt a twitch in his eye as a very innocent looking mephisto Pheles leaned out from behind him.

" Shiro, I must say. You look tired,"

He wants to strangle the demon king, every inch of his skin itched to at least swing at the smug bastard.

Said demon smirked knowingly before taking a few steps towards the opposite side of Rin's bed, Yukio glanced at the elder demon warily.

"Dad, what's going on? What's this assignment your on? Not even, Shura, knew where you were" the young exorcist began, shiro winced.

Yukio he'd have told sooner rather then later, the same couldn't be said for Shura. He trusted her, but this was a delicate situation.

In his father's silence, Yukio's eyes were drawn the to bed and it's patient.

Shiro shaking free of his thoughts looked at his Son and followed his gaze.

"Who is this?" He asked gently, unsure. shiro turned to unbury the nephilims small hand from the blanket. He took it gently, feeling Yukio watching him.

"This is...Rin." he started, looking up to his son over his glasses.

"This...is your half-brother. Rin."

Chapter Text

Yukio was sat alone with his thoughts, he found himself reading the same line in his text book over and over.

His father hasn't been home for more then a week now, it wasn't like him at all. He would have told Yukio if he was on a mission, and asking Shura only proved to agitate him more.

It wasn't to late he could call again, glancing at his phone a small reach away.

"Yukio, you hungry? Breakfast is ready" He startled turning towards the door to his room, one of the priests who helped raise him had poked his head in, "nagatomo, no. Thank you for asking."

Said priest nodded as he passed by the entrance towards the stairs waving as he went, Yukio smiled but it felt forced.

The young exorcist sighed tiredly, he flipped his phone open. He would try again, he clicked the familiar number and listened to it ring several times.

He felt his shoulders drop as it went to voicemail again, " good morning, father. I hope everything is okay?" The teen paused looking out his window.

" Could-could you give me a call, a text? Just let me know your okay? Please?"

He ended the call and held the phone for a moment, hoping for his father to call.

He frowned, as he was dropping his arm to place the phone down.

It rang. He flipped it open, it was him.

"Hi, dad" he felt relief flood him, tension In his shoulders releasing.

There was a long pause and for a moment he had to check that he hadn't hit the wrong button, "dad?"

When his father finally answered, he sounded tired. Tired and old.

"h-hey kid, sorry I haven't been picking up...I...a lot is happening right now, and your father..."

His father's voice wasn't the powerful exorcist he'd come to look up too, he sounded so unlike himself it made Yukio uncomfortable.

What could shake his father, the Paladin? What could affect him so much?

"Dad?" From his father's side of the call he could hear a beeping, like a heart monitor.

Was he at the hospital?

"Yukio, I made a mistake." The young exorcist felt a stab of fear, " One I have no hope of beginning to ask forgiveness for."

"Forgiveness from who dad? What's happened?" Yukio pressed, sitting slowly on his bed. What the hell was happening?

" From your mother." His son inhaled sharply, the Paladin rarely spoke of his mother. " from you, Yukio. I..."

"Why Hello! Yukio Fujimoto, so glad to finally speak with you!" A familiar jovial voice caused the boy to startle , that was...

"S-sir Pheles? Is my da- is paladin Fujimoto okay?"

"My dear paladin, he is on a special assignment you see and has been here with me." The headmaster sounded normal at least.

"Where is here?" Yukio was done avoiding the question, " can I see him?"

"Why of course you can see him, I will send someone to retrieve you tomorrow morning!"

He opened his mouth to respond, but the call ended abruptly from the other end.

Yukio released a long breath feeling unsure about what just happened, his father was on some sort of assignment? And he was with Sir Pheles?

He dropped his arm gripping his phone, what was happening?

He didn't eat or talk much for the rest of the day, his brain trying desperately to pick apart the conversation from that morning.

Some of the priests asked if he was okay and he made sure to smile the best he could, if his father was truly on an special mission he shouldn't tell anyone.

Laying down for sleep that night was fruitless, his mind swirling with worried thoughts.

He would see his father tomorrow.

He would get answers tomorrow.

...............

"Welcome, young Yukio. It is a pleasure to meet you again!" The headmaster met the young exorcist at the door to a large fancy looking building, the demon's smile was unnerving, calculating green eyes bore into him.

Yukio gave him a quick bow trying not to show his discomfort, "g-good morning Sir Pheles, may I see my father?"

The headmaster turned on his heel heading into the mansion, Yukio stared after him a moment before realizing he was supposed to follow.

"Thank you for having someone come get me."

Sir Pheles made a hum as he made his way down the hallway, Yukio was led to a white door at the end of the hallway.

The headmaster turned to look at him, he put a finger to lips and pushed the door open.

Yukio nodded slowly and took a step past sir Pheles into a dimly lit room, several candles strewn about to keep the area visible.

He could hear the faint beeps of a heart monitor, he found his father sleeping in a large armchair beside a bed. wires and tubes leading from several machines around the bed into the center, Yukio could make out a bit of white hair and an oxygen mask the rest of them were tucked into a large navy blanket.

The young exorcist got closer to his father, he looked unhappy. Stress evident on his wrinkled face, Yukio frowned. He wanted answers.

"Father " he called, giving the elders arm a nudge.

The paladin grumbled in his sleep trying to get more comfortable in the chair," Father? Are you okay?" He tried again.

His father opened his eyes and blinked up towards his son, tiredness clear in them.

"ya, kiddo. Just had a long ni-" his mouth snapped shut and his eyes became clear, sitting up quickly.

"Shiro, I must say. You look tired," Yukio tensed forgetting about the headmaster, the paladin looked unimpressed as he looked past his Son.

Yukio turned enough to watch the demon approach the bed from the other side, the young exorcist felt unsure quickly glancing back to his father.

"Dad, what's going on? What's this assignment your on? Not even, Shura, knew where you were" Yukio stopped when his father visibly winced, he kept his eyes shut long enough for his attention to wonder to the stranger in the bed.

"Who is this?" He asked unsure, he could see the patients eyes surrounded by deep bruising they were barely open and seemed empty.

He turned to watch his father unbury a small frail looking hand from the blanket and hold it. His fathers eyes held a pain he hadn't seen before, the paladin took a long slow breath.

"This is...Rin." the words rushed out of him, Yukio blinked at him. His...what?

His father looked over his glasses at him, he met his gaze.

"This is your half-brother. Rin."

Chapter Text

Yukio couldn't move, couldn't breath. What does his father mean, half-brother? He glanced quickly at the boy in the bed, when would his mother...no. his mother wouldn't have cheated on the paladin. Right?

He felt his eyes begin to burn, he didn't remember much of his mom. And his father made it clear it was a painful subject, so he tried not to ask.

"Yukio." The boy startled from his inner conflict, his father suddenly standing in front of him a hand on each of the youngers shoulders.

"Yukio, have a seat. We have much to talk about"

He allowed his father to guide him to the chair the paladin was asleep in minutes ago, Yukio looked up searching his father's uncertain look for answers.

The paladin avoided his gaze, instead turning towards mephisto. The headmaster pouted then shrugged, twirling his umbrella as he began towards the door.

"Let Belial, know if you need anything!" He called behind him as the demon left, the door closing somewhat in his wake.

The paladin watch the door suspiciously before turning back to his son, the boy was staring at Rin now. His turquoise eyes searching the bed for answers, Shiro sat on the side of the bed gently removing the towel from his forehead.

He set it aside and set the back of his fingers against Rins pale skin, it was still Stony and cold.

"Father, h-how? When-" Yukio's voice trembled, Shiro took a long breath.

"It was...when your mother passed away, ten years ago. The demon that took your mother..." The paladin felt his voice tremble and stopped chancing a glance towards his son, Yukio looked appalled his eyes wide as he processed the words.

Shiro felt how tired he was then, how were you supposed to tell your son his mother was....

" Is that how she..." His boys voice was small, shaken. Shiro grimaced, "yes."

He wouldn't dare try and lie, the boy deserved the truth.

"Th-then if that's true, then-" Shiro looked up as Yukio stood quickly, The boys eyes. He knew that look. It was a look he's seen on many people's faces, on his own face even.

It was anger. It was hatred. It was pain.

The paladin stood and his Son directed his confused fury towards him, the boys face twisting and his teeth grit.

"Why didn't you tell me?! " Then he glared down at the the nephilim, then a look of frustration crossed his features,"why even tell me now"

Shiro looked down at Rin, "Yukio. Your mother was a very powerful tamer," he felt the young exorcist look at him but he kept his gaze on the sickly nephilim.

"She had a gift for it you could say, and a big part of that is because of her strong believed that demons and humans weren't so different."

Shiro held the fragile boys hand in his, the memories of Yuri causing the elder to shut his eyes. He could still see her, angry and agitated as he questioned her.

"Was she possessed?" Yukio asked wetly, the boy sounded like he was recollecting himself.

"I'm not sure exactly, she hid it from me for a while." Shiro didn't blame her, he swallowed the guilt that bubbled up.

"She would often visit the forest, where she lays now. She spoke fondly of her adventures as a child there."

He could still see her smile as she spoke excitedly, "was that where it happened?"

The Paladin nodded slowly, " yes, she said that this demon attacked her."

They fell into a silence for a moment, Yukio no doubt processing the information.

"Dad..."

"Yes, Yukio."

"Is this boy...a demon?"

Shiro chose this moment to pull the blanket away from Rins small form, bandages and wires strewn about his emaciated form.

Yukio inhaled sharply as his father moved away from the revealed form, he could only watch as the elder leaned over the boy and pulled a long thin tail from it's spot under a fold of fabric.

He couldn't tear his eyes away from the blue flame at the tip.

"T-thats... " Fear gripped the young exorcist, blue flames were the sign of Gehenna.

The sign of Satan.

Ten years ago was-

"The blue night." He whispered, memories of hiding huddled with the priests in the church as the sky burned blue made the young exorcist look to his father.

"W-what is he?"

Shiro held the thin sensitive limb in between his fingers, he felt along a particularly large scar and messaged it with his thumb.

" He's the Son of Satan."

Yukio frowned watching his father's face, he looked so pained as he placed the boys limb back under the blankets.

"But he is also your mother's Son. My step-son." Shiro's voice was quiet as he ended his sentence, as if he were still unsure.

"When he was born, I made a decision that damned him. The pain and torment he's been through-"

"But what if he's dangerous! Isn't it better too-too" Yukio looked away wet eyes shutting tightly, Shiro felt his own gaze drop to the bed.

'it was for the good of Assiah'

Yukio was already categorizing Rin as a demon. As a threat. Just as his father had years ago, what right did he to tell the boy otherwise.

" I'm planning on taking him in, bring him back home." Shiro sounded wary as he spoke, "I'm not entirely sure what the plan is yet. But I want to help her Son, I owe your mother to try at least, "

Yukio looked back towards his father, then down at Rin with pain," I...I don't know-"

Shiro smiled sadly to his Son, understanding.

"I know kiddo, what I'm asking is a lot. I just..." He shook his head unsure of what else could be said, he began reaching towards Yukio when the teen visibly flinched away.

"Fathers shall not be put to death because of their children, nor shall children be put to death because of their fathers,"

The young exorcist inhaled sharply, his eyes looking up to meet the Paladins. His son glared for a moment and Shiro watched as the boy turned away, back and shoulders tense, "who else knows?"

"Just us for now, I plan to tell the other priests at the church." The elder didn't sound confident, Yukio's head dropped and a tremble went through his shoulders.

"Yukio-"

Shiro's mouth fell shut as his son whipped his head to the side, "look...he- Rin has no one, has had no one. In his corner. Ever."

"I need time." Yukio stated sharply shoulders huddling now, "I need time to think,"

Shiro nodded in understanding, "I understand, did you want my key home?"

The boy didn't say anything more, he made his way to the door and met the butler, Belial waiting in the hallway.

............

Yukio sat in the darkness of the guest room, his mind was spinning. Satan possessed his mother. Killed his mother.

Anger and disgust bubbled up in his chest, his fists tightening. Did demons have to take everything from them?

Then there was the boy. His supposed half-brother. He was marked by Satan. He was a danger to Assiah by just existing! Why would his father, why would the Paladin...

'Fathers shall not be put to death because of their children, nor shall children be put to death because of their fathers,'

Flashes of dead eyes and bloody bandages flashed across his photographic memory, he had to physically shake them away.

Was it pity?

'A big part of that is because of her strong belief that demons and humans weren't so different.'

He shut his eyes trying to remember what he could of his mother, her kind face and warm smile.

He felt the sadness wash over him, the loss.

Looking up he narrowed his eyes on the clock on the nearby wall, barely making it out in the dark.

It's been several hours since he left his father alone, standing up slowly he took a deep breath and headed for the door.

Peaking his head out into the hallway the young exorcist looked around finding it dimly lit along the walls by candles, he left the guest room and began retracing the steps he made earlier to get to the room at the end of the hallway.

He paused at the door, it was somewhat open like it was earlier. He hesitantly pushed it open, sticking his head in slowly.

Why was he sneaking? He wasn't doing anything wrong.

He shook his head and looking around the room, there were far less candles around now and the room was empty save for the demon patient.

He leaned back out, closing his eyes for a moment. His father must be in bed, he turned away from the door and froze.

Something suddenly pulled at him, like an invisible hand trying to pull him back towards the door. The exorcist turned back startled, the door was open all the way now.

All he could see was darkness, he suddenly realized his breath was showing. Quick short puffs of air escaping his lips, Yukio tried to look away to the hallway but his head stayed stubbornly still.

He felt his mind begin to fog up, his thoughts becoming muddled as the doorway grew in size before disappearing into the darkness.

He tried to take a step back but his legs didn't respond, he tried to speak, his voice made no sound.

A spark of azure flickered to life in the darkness, he felt his his eyes trying to shut. A coldness was seeping into him from everywhere, he had to move.

"Yukio." The voice was distant, familiar.

The teenagers eyes struggled open, his mother was placing her hand on his head. She smiled sadly leaning forward to give his head a small kiss, it felt warm.

She turned to look towards the tiny flicker of azure, Yukio tried to focus on it blinking his increasingly blurry vision.

She murmured something to him, but he couldn't hear her.

His eyes slid shut.

........................

Yukio gasped as he awoke, like he had held his breath far to long.

He was laying on the ground, in the hallway. He felt sore, like he was holding the same position for a long time.

The young exorcist suddenly realizing the candles were all out, he pulled out his phone and flipped it open sqinting at the bright light.

His eyes widened, an hour had gone by. The teen flipped on the flashlight and pushed himself up to stand, swallowing unsure.

What just happened? He tried to remember, his mother's sad smile flashed into his mind.

That wasn't a memory. He swallowed his mouth dry, Yukio turned back to the door and slipped inside. He made his way to the demon boy, a small candle sat nearby illuminating his gaunt face.

He looked dead. The young exorcist turned towards the machine that the patient was hooked up to, it would be simple to turn off the machine.

Maybe it would even be peaceful.

'Rin has no one, has had no one. In his corner. Ever.'

His father's tone was so scared. Scared for this demon child. Yukio's hand twitched then lowered, looking toward the dead eyed boy. He looked hollow, like a soulless host.

What happened to make him this way?

"Why, good evening. Fujimoto, Yukio!"

Yukio spun around startled, the headmaster, mephisto pheles stood so close his emerald eyes glowing in the darkened room. He leaned forward forcing Yukio to lean away.

"Come for a quiet visit with our young kin?" Sir pheles asked suddenly turning his head towards the boy, Yukio kept his wary eyes on the headmaster before slowly glancing towards the boy in the bed.

" You see when this young nephilim was born, it was wild and unstable. Shiro made the difficult choice to give the demon to the order, so that they may better understand their enemy."

So he was taken by the exorcist order? This was their work?

He let his eyes wander to the boys face again, it remained unchanged.

"Perhaps give it time, young exorcist. Take it from me, time has a way of how you say?" Mephisto smiled to himself, " changing perceptions."

Yukio frowned looking up to find the demon headmaster, he startled as the demon put a hand on his should and pointed his umbrella towards the door.

"Go on, rest. You have classes in the morning!"

Yukio looked from the headmaster to the door, the demon was smiling a bit of his sharp fangs glinting in the dim light.

Yukio kept wary eyes on the headmaster as he made his way past the flamboyant demon the teen could feel his eyes on him every step of the way towards the door.

Sameal observed the young exorcist leave before turning his attention to the sickly nephilim, he pulled the blanket away placing his hand on his bandaged kin's chest.

The heart monitor barely made noise, the machine feeding him air forcing the weak half-demons chest up and down under his gloved Palm.

He could barely sense anything from the nephilim, his flames were barely manifesting his heart critically injured.

He hummed in thought, if the boy was to survive.

there was only one option.

"Aller Anfang ist schwer. Mine Bruder."

The demon smiled widely.

Tomorrow would be another interesting day.

Chapter Text

Ping!

The paladin groaned as he turned over, he tried to open his eyes, he couldn't see much. His room was still dark, all he could make out were the shadowed silhouettes of nearby furniture.

Ping!

He began reaching blindly for his lamp on the nightstand, he could see his phone. It must be a mission.

He found no lamp, pausing a moment as his mind caught up with his dark surroundings. He wasnt at home, right.

The paladin grumbled as his phone went off again, it seems the mission was urgent.

He stumbled along one side blindly until he found where his uniform had been thrown over a chair, he flipped the phone open and found several message requests.

For a goblin outbreak. It was nearby, mind you. But really? Why the urgency? They were nocturnal anyways, and he could see the morning sun peeking through the blinds of the room.

He sighed in annoyance, pulling an arm into his overcoat snapping the phone shut. He wanted to check in with Rin, maybe have coffee before checking the call again.

It was odd for goblins to be considered urgent, they could be territorial yes. But most were just mischievous, the corner of his mouth lifted.

Yuri always said they were just playful.

The paladin opened the door, and found Yukio on the other side with his hand raised to knock. The teen looked tired, lowering his hand slowly.

"Good morning, father." He greeted politely, before both the paladin and his son's phones both made a sound.

Yukio frowned pulling his phone out and checking it, Shiro doing the same. That's a sound he hadn't heard in a while, it meant there was a local call to all nearby exorcists.

It usually meant an outbreak of some sort, it wasn't the goblins this time. It was coltars, it was odd for them to become a problem as well.

"Father? What do you think?" Yukio revealed his own phone, Shiro grumbled shoving his phone into his pocket.

"Let me go check in with Rin, before we go find out."

"R-right" Yukio sounded off, Shiro looked at him and the boy wouldn't meet his gaze.

"Would you ...like to wait here?" The paladin asked hesitantly, for a moment he didn't think his son was going to respond.

"No. It's okay, let's go see...Rin"

Yukio met his gaze and smiled uneasily, the elders eyes widened before he was smiling taking the teen into his hold. The boy startled as his father hugged him, the paladin holding him with trembling arms.

"Thank you, Yukio...thank you."

The teen felt his eyes burn somewhat, returning his father's hug easily.

He couldn't stop his father, and he didn't know what to feel towards this half-demon. He felt distrustful of the situation, of this supposed half-brother.

Yet He couldn't kill Rin, couldn't bring himself to do so. He couldn't judge this child for Satan's crimes, so all he could do was keep an eye on this situation.

His father held him at an arms length a hand on each shoulder, the paladin still had a wet smile but it fell somewhat.

"Well let's not keep the little guy waiting,"

................

"What's happening?!" Shiro felt the fear in his voice, Belial was at Rins bedside pulling wires and tubes around.

He attempted to approach only for Mephisto to body him, the demon leveled his gaze on the human, his umbrella tip planted in the floor.

"Good morning, Shiro. Pleasant rest?" The demon king greeted nonchalant, planting his umbrella in the floor.

The exorcist narrowed his eyes for a moment, before looking past the white clad headmaster towards the young Son of Satan.

Belial had unhooked all the wires and tubes from the child, cradling the thin bandaged form in his arms as he came up behind the king of time.

Where was Rin being taken? Shiro was afraid to ask, had the order figured out the boy was alive? Was mephisto taking him back?

"where are you taking, Rin?"

Mephisto Pheles ignored the question instead turning to Belial, he took the nephilim into his arms gently tucking him into his arm.

He placed a gloved hand over the child's face and brushed his glazed eyes shut, they didn't raise as he drew away.

"We have come to an impass my dear Paladin," he started, Shiro frowned swallowing the lump forming in his throat, "does the order know?"

Sameal gave a small laugh, dismissing the fear with a wave of his hand. Shiro felt himself glare at the demon, "then what?"

Using the same hand the king of time placed a finger against the boys chest, a tiny fragmented organ blossomed to life.

The paladin felt nausea as the blue heart held still, it wasn't like the first time it had been pulled out forcefully. It wasn't like when he was just born, flames didn't dance around it.

It wasnt pulsing with flames, it wasn't oozing either. The azure skin had patches of grey, light blue scars criss-crossed across its surface like shattering glass. Mephisto gave it the smallest nudge, and it beat weakly with the effort a few times before stuttering still again.

"He's...dying" the paladin whispered, He was too late, Rin wasnt making it.

Sameal looked down at the youngest child of Satan, he took a step past the paladin who had become pale.

"Where will you....take him?" The paladin's voice was distant, turning to look at mephisto as he shut the only door to the room.

"As you are aware, a demon's heart is integral to its health," he began gently shifting the nephilim in his arms, without using a key he tapped a clawed finger against the doorknob and a loud click reverberated from it.

"When a heart is damaged often a demon in its weakened state retreats back to Gehenna to recover, however-"

The demon smiled down towards his kin, the half-demon barely making the effort to breath. Shiro joined the demon, looking at the small curled nephilim.

"The child was born in Assiah, his body, his vessel." The demon continued, he pushed the door open and the space revealed an oil like shine across a strange fluctuating surface.

"His heart however, belongs to Gehenna. If there is a chance to repair it, it will be here."

Shiro felt himself swallow looking at the oily space beyond the door, "won't something try to get at him?"

"You hurt me, my friend. I have opened a small pocket within my domain, here he should remain undisturbed. For a time at least,"

A time. Right.

The paladin felt a wave of deja-vu hit him, this was not unlike the first time he met the nephilim.

He wouldn't be able to protect Rin, not where he was going.

" Now, It's up to the child." Mephisto stated.

The paladin shut his eyes fighting the fear bubbling in his chest, it was up to Rin's willpower now.

Would he have any? After years of having it beat down and abused would the boy even have any left, he could feel Mephisto's eyes on him and looked up.

Avoiding the demons gaze the human looked at the nephilims still form, curled in the demon kings arm he was so small, so fragile. His eyes fell, this may be it. He may never see the half-demon again, his fists tightened.

'he may not survive' his mind supplied helpfully, the paladin grit his teeth, his fists tightening at his sides.

What choice did he have?

The paladin's shoulders fell, "so what happens now?"

"I have opened a tiny rip into Gehenna," mephisto began slowly getting closer to the murky surface of the door, he held the boy out and held him in the air easily.

Shiro could do nothing as the door seemed to come to life, the surface bubbling and suddenly breaking free several murky tendrils creeped out and took hold of the limp form.

"Will he be safe? What if....What if Satan finds him?"

"I suppose it would be possible, but I am confident he will be well hidden. I have spent much of my time avoiding father's gaze, even in his own realm."

Shiro said nothing more, words tightening in his throat as the helpless half-demon was pulled into the demons realm. Mephisto closed the door once the surface calmed again, and just like that.

Yuri's Son was gone. Out of his protective reach. Beyond the paladins grasp.

Chapter Text

An alarm blared in the background as the one in bed groaned in annoyance, he sat up blinking bleary at the alarm clock floating on a cloud of pink smoke.

Mephisto pulled his enormous blankets off of himself and kicked his feet out slippers of bright pink bunnies appeared in a cloud of similar coloured smoke.

The elder demon yawned loudly a knock echoing around his room from the door, Belial his current demon attendant peeked within the dark curl on his head shaped as his master's own curl.

All of Satan's children had some similar curl amongst them, even his bastard child no doubt.

Mephisto hummed, remembering the half-demon. Would he live? Would he die?

"Master Sameal, would coffee please you or tea?"

"Hmm, some coffee today! I have a very busy day ahead of me, you see!" He stood with a long stretch one arm reaching high above his head.

" As you wish, I will bring it to your office when ready. Sorry for disturbing your chambers."

And with that Belial was gone, the elder demon smirked at himself in a floating hand mirror as he brushed his hair down somewhat.

" Ah such a day ahead of me, so many choices to observe!" He pulled a box of pocky from the pocket of his white suit, as if poofed into existence.

"So much excitement is bad for my health," he smiled dramatically as he took a sharp bite of the first of many chocolate pocky sticks.

He took his ring of keys out and chose the one he required, unlocking his room door he pulled it open and found his office at true cross vacant. A steaming coffee already on the desk along with a pot on the cart beside it.

He took a moment to walk to his window and look down on the exorcists below meandering about and his precious students getting ready for morning classes.

Or the would be had it not been the weekend, he wished he could wander the city but work called!

He took a seat in his large comfy swivel seat and took a gentle sip of his coffee, amazing as always from Belial.

" Now then, let us see how things are going."

With a wave of his hand a small cloud appeared in front of him and he leaned back as the clouds surface rippled before opening at a seam in the center. It ripped around before forming a cloud mirror, an image of a floating boy curled tightly in a green swirl of chaos appeared.

Mephisto took notes of him holding desperately to him tail, his youngest brother was trying to protect his weak point even in his muddled state.

Instinct was a powerful thing, he took another sip as he waved aside the image and he got a closer look at The halfing.

"Your heart continues to weaken mine brother, I wonder if perhaps we were to late." He hummed watching Rin's grip on his tail weaken enough for it to unfurl, the heartbeat thrumming weakly in the dimension he created stuttered and ceased for a moment.

Mephisto paused his drinking a brow raising, he pressed a finger into the mirror and the half- demons body jolted like a puppet on strings as his wounded heart sprouted to life.

It brought with it an alluring azure with it, illuminating the void around him and transforming it into a warm blue wash like paint swirling into a black.

"Hmm, we will have to see." He was about to dismiss the mirror for another when a movement caught his attention, a demon other then Rin had entered his pocket dimension.

A couple will-o-whisps had entered, perhaps attracted by the dying breathes of Rins humanity.

How poetic. The elder demon thought as he observed a few spirit demons of different classes began to enter, how were they getting in?

He squinted at the mirror and tapped it again, as he pulled away a blue lick of flame followed it out. He startled for a moment, something he hadn't felt in a long time. The azure flames quickly dissipated back into the mirror, his brother was unknowingly inviting demons in.

He watched fascinated as demons of all sorts although small enough of a group not to concern the king of entropy, they were poking and prodding at the boys thin body. Seeming unsure they knew what they sensed, what they could see.

That this half-demon was Satan's child, the god of gehenna. And now one who has inherited for the first time the azure flames, it intrigued the elder demon.

What could it all mean?

What was HE playing at, bestowing the flames to another.

With a flick of his wrist the image changed, who knew? He had better things to do then guess the schemes of omnipotence incarnate.

His favourite human to observe came up on the mirror, shiro fujimoto.

......................................

Shiro pulled Yukio aside as the rest of the exorcists walked along the alley towards another strange demon outbreak of hobgoblins this time, something weird was going on.

"Dad? You okay?" Yukio stopped without much fight, it was early and he didn't mind a rest. They had been responding to demon hording all night.

Shiro looked ...his dad looked rough, he had dark circles under his eyes and his glasses made it look worse.

"Yeah, just thought we'd give it a rest. I'm running on empty, not as young as you I guess I'm getting old. Haha" his laugh sounded hollow even to his own ears, he sat on some crates in the alley and pulled Yukio to sit as well.

" I'm worried about...Rin, I hate not being able to or...maybe not understanding how to help him."

Yukio hummed sitting down beside his dad and pulling out a water bottle from his bag, offering his dad one.

"Thanks, Yukio." he murmured as he took it and drank some grimacing somewhat, "wish I had time for a coffee"

" I don't even like coffee and I would contemplate it." The younger laughed, shiro joined him and the bother died off similarly.

" I know your worried dad, but sir mephisto knows what he's doing. Right?"

Yukio sounded as unsure as shiro did and he knew the bastard most if not all his life.

"Who knows what that guy is thinking....but he seems to care. At least somewhat, though he probably would never admit it."

Shiro rubbed his temple at the idea of that conversation, he held the water bottle to his lips. And the entire alley trembled as a few meters away the buildings exploded away from where the exorcists were headed.

"Dad!" Shiro didn't have time to check his son's situation, he could see the buildings quiver and begin to collapse on the left side. Bricks and wood came crashing down as snarls and a pair of humanoid demons flew through the alley above and past them towards the other end where the others of their group had gone.

The elder threw his weight back grabbing his son as he turned away from the crumbing surroundings, he knew who they were.

He had to warn that others!

" Dad! That was astoroth! I've seen him in books, he clearly had the curved horns!" Yukio always the study, his voice roared over the crashing environment around them as the demons above crashed into the buildings on each side.

" We have to warn the others! Demon kings! These are both demon kings!"

"What!? Has that happened before?"

He couldn't answer as the bricks crashed before them, shiro didn't wait for a question. The adrenaline drove him as he threw Yukio up the pile and crashed his way into the closest door he could find.

He entered a bar, the smell of alcohol and the rattling of glass and chairs easy to discern.

He ran in the direction of the rumbling pulling his phone out he hissed as he tried to clumsily find his son's number, luckily Yukio called first.

" Dad! I think it's astoroth and amaimon! It makes sense all the demons we've been dealing with? These two are causing the outbreaks!"

His son was so intelligent it filled shiro with pride, " got it, call the other group! Fill them in!"

" What are you going to do?"

Shiro smiled pulling his shotgun from his back,
" I'm going to shoot them, of course"

..................................

Mephisto hummed as he sat back watching the chaos unfold in the older district of town, a particular area full of low level demons a lot of the time. A great place to train exwires in the field, this however.

Was different.

For Amaimon AND astoroth to have infiltrated the city even if it was close to the border as it was.

The elder demon felt a tick of annoyance crop up, did they not respect his territory?

He sat forward sipping his tea gingerly and humming in response, it was spiced with ginger after all. Quite sharp on his tongue, he loved the sensations humans had.

He was much more interested to see what the paladin planned to do. He needs not-

A flirt of ember caught his attention once more, he observed Shiro for a long moment as he ran through the old building being decimated.

Another flicker of red ember danced across his mirror cloud and he let a sharp smile take over his face, what a time to be alive.

He took a deep intake of his tea and it's wonderful scent, lifting to his his lips once more he took another sip.

Not unlike what it probably felt to drink liquid flames.

He chuckled, watching in anticipation for the next act to truly begin.

.......................

The paladin dove away as the floor above crashed down with a wild sound of snarling in their demonic language, the two separated and squared off.

Tails lashing both demon heard the click of a gun and found the elder exorcist who'd been tailing them, he held a shotgun at the ready and looked between them.

" Hello boys, mind if I ask you both to go back to your rooms? Hmm?"

Shiro felt a fog of miasma hit him, he shut both eyes and covered his mouth and nose. Couldn't let it into his body, astoroth roared angrily landing before him large dark hooves smashing into the wood.

"EXORCIST!"

"Wep, that's me!" Shiro shot the cracking floorboard with several shells clack down before a large creak echoed, astoroth swung for him just as the floor below them gave out. He heard the cursing demon above him now, the king of rot snarled where he held himself along the floor supports of the house.

Shiro held his breath as astoroth loomed over him, he tried to fire his trusty weapon but it jammed at the worse time.

Before he could even begin to recite Astoroths fatal verse a spark of bright crimson flames illuminated between them, the demon king cried out covering his eyes.

"Brother, we aren't finished" amaimon let himself be known as a large stone hand entered above them and took astoroth by the tail, the demon of decay was wrenched up as he lost his grip and was dragged up and out of view.

Shiro blinked away tiny white orbs at the corners of his vision, but as he blinked and blinked the flicker of red light blinded him like a star in his vision.

And then it was dark.

The last thing he remembered was the roars and crashing above him as his consciousness slipped.

After a long while he tried to open his eyes, it stayed dark. He could feel his body ache, something felt wrong.

The drip of a water echoed around him, it was cascading then like rain around him.

Something was very wrong, he focused on his eyes and realized he had them closed painfully tight. He tried to open them to no avail.

"Shiro...." A flicker of warmth coaxed him, it was alluring. He gradually relaxed and opened his eyes, it was dark around him but if he tried to focus on any area he could 'feel' walls around him.

Looking down at him feet he felt his heart plummet, the echoing rain, was not rain.

It was blood. He was standing above a layer of dark crimson barely discernable from the rest of the darkness.

He looks ahead then. And a tiny barely flicker pulsed in the distance, illuminating some sort of pedestal.

He tried to take a step towards it, his feet felt full of lead. After several struggled attempts he finally unstuck his feet from the blood floor and took his first step forward.

His body filled with a burning pain from his back into his core, each step was accompanied by breathless pain.

And wails of desperation. Of toddler. A child. A boy.

He began to hear saws, unintelligible speaking.

"Demon!" He jolted, " bad demon, bad!"

He couldn't understand the voice echoing around him, the unbearable pain radiating through his body like a web.

He had to stop. He took several breaths trying to lick his dry lips, he could make it out now, not a pedestal.

A metal medical table. Someone restrained to it.

Someone familiar, he grit his teeth and marched forward. It became easier, the cries died off as he grew closer.

No. 'No!' he tried to reach him, and he did. He wished he didn't.

Rin was restrained naked to the blood stained table, the terrible emaciation, an arm....had been removed.

The tiny speck of crimson flame was actually many tiny will-o-whisps. Small demon who often beckoned people to their deaths.

There was a larger flame, above him trying to illuminated him. Perhaps warm him...the paladin was not sure.

"Shiro..." The wails of pain had all but ebbed away now, he took several steps and felt little pain. He approached the table and was now beside the one armed half-demon, it was his right arm.

His tail was coiled in a puddle of his own bloody urine, shiro felt deathly ill at the sight of the scarred halfing. He'd felt so much pain...so much hate.

Was it right to force him to live as this broken being?

"Shiro." The elders head shot up to match the green eyes of Yuri, his breath caught in his throat. He couldn't make a sound as his long gone lover bent over Rin and hushed into his ear, the boy slowly stilled and his demon heart bloomed and her hands hovered beneath it.

The warm flames around her climbed into the heart and she held it to her chest lovingly.

"Oh, my poor little flame." She murmured into the heart, " you've had to endure so much"

' I'm sorry' shiro tried, no sound escaping. The women took a deep breath into the heart and a spark of azure bloomed and sparked.

'I am so sorry, Yuri...' he tried again but nothing came out, she gave him a cross look shutting his next attempt up.

The table was suddenly gone, and she was standing before him the same way Yuri looked before death.

She held Rins demon heart close, smiling sadly.

" He can't take much more, shiro. Be sweet to him...for me." She practically begged with her eyes watering, even in death she was pained by this.

He tried to reassure her, but knew it meant little after his choices led Rin to his torment.

" Be gentle with him" she begged again as the mother offered the boys demon heart.

It dripped in blue and red flames dancing around it. Shiro didn't hesitate, couldn't hesitate on this. Not this.

She smiled as the heart hovered above his palm and it swirled like tendrils towards his chest.

'yu-

.............................

Shiro woke with his hands clasping Yuri's wedding band, he kept it on a chain around his neck.

All he could register, was he was sore, he was in a hospital room and Yuri's band was hot.

Like holding a hot coal in his palm.

Chapter Text

Shiro took deep breaths, he was still stuck in the bottom of the house and the last time he saw or heard the demon kings must have been hours ago.

He still held Yuri's band in his palm protectively, it thrumed with every breath he took. Like a heartbeat.

A demons heartbeat. Was that. Dream? A fatigue hazed hallucination, maybe he hit his head?

But he clearly felt something in The ring, and he could remember the dream in detail, vivid detail.

He could still hear Rin's desperate screams, how it became weak over time. How he broke. His grip tightened around the ring, he needed to get out of this hole, but he was so tired his body wasn't cooperating.

"Oh mr.Paladin! What are you doing in this hole?"

Shiro felt his brow twitch and he sighed, of course he's here.

" I could use a hand you ass, get me out of here and we have to stop astoroth before he starts a pandemic or amaimon starts a damn earthquake!" He yelled up at the smug headmaster of true cross.

Mephisto hummed walking around the edge of the destroyed area, " no need to worry I've had a word with my unruly brethren, they have agreed to go their separate ways for the evening at least."

He spoke uninterested, however his eyes gleam with interest as he tapped the floor and Shiro flew up and out of the hole with a yelp.

He curled his body ready to crash only to land in clouds, upside down he glared up at the demon king. Before he could say anything, mephisto smacked shiros closed grasp around the ring.

" Ow, hey! Cut it out!" The annoyed human pulled away refusing to give mephisto the ring,
" you can't have it! She told me to keep it safe!"

" Did she now? And what is it that your keeping safe?" Mephisto smirked tapping the paladin on the head, Shiro swung with his free hand,
" stop, it's her ring! Okay? it's Yuri's wedding ring"

" Hmm, I see. May I see? I promise not to snatch it" he said the last sentence like a child and the paladins eye twitched again.

" Fine, just be careful" he gently took the rings chain up and off his neck and handed it to the demon king hesitantly.

" Hmm, I see. So you had his heart sealed. I wondered if perhaps he had died when his flames went out. He moved a bit and the demons seemed I bothered.

" Demons?"

" Of course, Shiro. It is Gehenna, hard to avoid them."

" Is he okay? Have they hurt him?" Shiro felt his nervous knot return, mephisto handed the ring back and he returned it to his neck.

" Perhaps we should check on the son of Satan? Hmm?"

Shiro looked at mephisto sharply, eyes glowing with silent anger. " Don't call him that,"

Mephisto shrugged walking to the closest door, as they got to the remnant of a doorframe shiro's phone rang. He froze looking towards the alleyway and found the cracked screen of his phone where it rang.

He quickly picked it up, " Yukio! Hey, I'm okay. I'm good" he quickly started, hearing a sigh on the other end.

" Thank God, okay. Where are you? I'll come to you, I found the others but by the time we got back everything had stopped."

" Slow down, Yukio." The elder smiled fondly, " mephisto found me after we got split up, were about to leave one of the destroyed houses."

" Are you...going to check on, Rin?" His question was quiet, like a hesitant whisper. It's clear it will take some time for Yukio to get comfortable with the idea of his adopted brother, the paladin appreciated his effort.

" Ya, something weird happened so I'm going to just make sure he's okay." Shiro headed through the door mephisto impatiently headed through, the room was warm and he welcomed it after running around all night.

" Okay, I'm going to head back to my dorm for some sleep, if there's nothing else we have to do?" He asked like he was dreading the answer, Shiro couldn't blame him.

" No go ahead, I'll keep you posted about Rin."

" ...thanks dad, have a good sleep"

" You too, kid. Get some much earned sleep."

As he hung up a chill traveled through him as cool air flooded through the room from the door he had just come through, Sameal had closed and opened the door revealing the strange fluctuating space beyond its doorframe.

It seemed to emit a low whine as it remained open, it's surface bubbling every now and then.

He grimaced.

The demon king stood aside offering a hand towards the phantasm door, he wanted to glare but the door fluctuated and the band around his neck was heating up again.

"What should I do?" He asked instead, mephisto nodded towards the door, " simply call to him, the door shall do the rest.

Call to him? Shiro frowned and reached out, " Come to me, Rin. It's okay, dad's here now"

He whispered the end, and the band trembled against his collarbone. The door began to gurgle making the old human hesitate before a hand came out slowly, it's as if the door itself was tring to pull him out. It's all he needed to reach out again grabbing the cold boys lifeless hand and gently began to tug, he was somewhat stuck snug in the realm of the demon king of time.

It took slow, steady pulling but his head and scarred back eventually exposed themselves.

He pulled the half-demon down to the floor as gently as he could, the boys body seized up for a moment before dark oozy liquid came up and out his nose and mouth with several rough coughs.

"That's it, breath Rin. Dad is here." Shiro held him protectively as Rin continued to hack, shiro pinched some mostly black ooze from the half-demons hair. It felt sticky like blood, Rin suddenly inhaled sharply and shivered violently in the paladins hold.

"Oh kid, your probably freezing! Sorry" as Shiro began to take his worn out uniform still ripped from his long shift, before he got an arm out of his sleeve mephisto appeared and scooped Rin up in a large pink towel.

" Now then, let's get him into a bed. Probably the first he will truly feel." the demon king smiled with sharp teeth as he walked towards the only bed in the room, shiro held back a curse and simply uttered a "be gentle!"

"He will take a week to expel all of the phantasmic plasma from his body. A natural side effect of my realm, he will remain here so that Belial can stay on top of his health."

Shiro nodded slowly as the elder demon lowered Rin to the bedding that opened to accept The thin hybrid.

The half-demon gasped loudly making shiro startle forward, sameal held an arm out to halt him.

" Good morning, mein lieber Bruder" Mephisto spoke quiet and gentle, much softer then the paladin thought was a possible of the chaotic demon. Rin was actually holding his head up just enough to sniff at his brother's hand.

Rins cloudy eyes travelled lazily in shiro's
direction, then more ooze dribbled out his nose.

" Shh, little one" mephisto held Rin down easily by the chest, shiro walked around to the other side of the bed to get closer.

" It's okay, Rin. Safe, your safe." He whispered to his adopted son, did he even understand them?

How do you communicate with someone who could not see you nor could understand your words.

After a long moment of listening to the half-demons strained breathing, the paladin chose to remove his boots and jacket. Ignoring a sound of annoyance from the demon king, he got into bed lifting the thin boy over his chest and cocooning him in the large towel and the the blanket.

The hybrid visibly tensed as Shiro wrapped an arm around his adopted son, shushing his already drying hair. He could feel the half-demon tremble violently before falling limp in his hold head resting on his shoulder.

" Safe, your safe. " He repeated like a lullaby to the boy as he stayed very still, he didn't understand yet.

But he would.

He could feel the band around his neck thrum, the paladin hummed taking the necklace off and carefully placing it around Rin's neck.

The boy made a soft noise before coughing again, his right arm was curling shakily against his chest. It quickly grasped the ring holding his demon heart, the band he proposed to Yuri with.

"Your going to be okay." Shiro whispered a few more times before his fatigue finally caught up and he fell into a sleep holding his Son protectively.

He would never let the boy go.

.............................

" Is that little brother?" Mephisto gave an affirmative noise as he observed the human Paladin whisper to the son of Satan, it was so fascinating to watch how the human conscience worked.

" Shush, it isn't time for you to meet him just yet, if you were to try now you would kill him no doubt."

" Is he that weak?" The little green hamster popped it's head out of mephistos hat rim,
" perhaps it would be better." The earth king, Amaimon stated simply, watching the bed curiously.

" Now, now. Brother, give him a fighting chance, perhaps he will surprise you one day."

Amaimon remained quiet for a long moment as the two watched on, he hopped from the rim of his elder brothers hat to his shoulder and looked at mephisto from his spot.

His head turned curiosity clearly peaked, " do you think we could play one day?"

" Perhaps, but you must wait until the time is right, or else you will be disappointed."

Sameal smirked as he felt his younger brother turn back to the bed.

Sometimes, it was far to easy.

Chapter Text

Shiro woke up and immediately wished he hadn't, his body Screamed with aches and pains.

He was about to move when he remembered where he was, the paladin looked down to his sons fuzz of white hair and somewhat peaceful face. His features twitched every now and then looking pained and painting every other breath.

He brushed his bangs away from a sweaty head and found two tiny horn nubs growing from the crest of his hairline above each eye.

He snorted at the prospect this poor kid may grow large horns, he hoped for Rins sake they stayed tame. Judging by his wild hair and frizzled tail fur he doubted it would, brushing hair behind the boys right ear it was then he noticed.

His ears had shrunk, they were much longer before he was sure.

"Ah, glad to see you finally awake. Paladin."

Shiro jolted hugging his son to him that was not the headmaster, mephisto was never that serious.

He looked to his left just as he was dragged from the sheets, He shouted as Rin was ripped from his grip and forced to the ground.

"Rin! Stop it, you bastards!"

He was forced to kneel and his back was struck hard, it knocked the wind out of him and he fell just as hard to the floor.

" Now, now. Let's be civil. Let him speak for his actions. Let him up."

The paladin grit his teeth, straining to push himself and look up.

No. He felt the blood drain from his face, a member of the Grigory. No doubt an envoy.

They were caught.

He swallowed the lump in his throat and looked around, where the hell was Sameal!?

" Fujimoto Shiro, why is this creature here? Where is-"

" Hmm? Did you call?" Everyone turned to mephisto pheles as he wandered in uncaring of the current group of high ranking Exorcist in the room and the two Grigory envoys among them.

" Lord of time, and entropy. Sameal."

" Ah, what manners. I take it your unhappy with my youngest brothers current situation?" The demon smirked twirling his umbrella about as he approached exorcists moved away.

He stopped above Rin, who looked ragged again as he gulp in breath. The exorcists that were pinning him had been swatted away by a pink umbrella, mephisto tapped the half-demon on the side and he shivered and stilled into a fitful sleep state.

" We knew you'd be involved, demon. but the paladin of our order? What is this blasphemy, Fujimoto."

Shiro groaned and stood holding his sore no doubt bruised ribs, angel was here. He was probably who tipped them off, damn guy had persistent hatred for him.

" Shut up." Shiro growled with venom, wishing nothing more then to shoot the blonde who stood a safe distance away. Smart on his part.

"Paladin Fujimoto, explain yourself."

Shiro licked his lips, his world became narrow. What does he say? What does he do? Does he fight? Does he run? No, not without Rin.

He looked to the few exorcists who were avoiding mephistos gaze as they wanted to grab the unconscious half- demon.

They had a briefcase with them, a familiar one.

" What's going to happen to him?" He asked weakly, the Grigory members looked at one another then Mephisto.

" Its death is long overdo, it shall be put down like the beast it is."

" He's not and IT" Shiro hissed, the Grigory stepped back as the father stood giving his adrenaline a try.

" He's a kid, a kid who knows nothing but pain and misery. You took his mind. You took his body. You took his very soul and crushed it. It goes against everything you love to preach about." Shiro drug it out into the open a few exorcists looked nervous now, the paladin was about to continue his tirade but one of the Grigory lifted his hand a tall one with a bronze mask.

He looked from Shiro to mephisto who continued to intimidate the exorcists nearby by simply existing, " leave us."

" W-what? You must not be serious what if that bastard spawn atta-"

" He can't even get off the ground you ass"

" ENOUGH, ANGEL." the blondes next retort snapped shut and he looked at the tall Grigory alarmed, " now, leave us."

" As you wish, Lord Grigory."

The room slowly vacated until only the two Grigory, Shiro, Rin and mephisto were left.

" Shiro, the demon has given us all we could gather. He has been exceptionally beneficial to our cause, we won't soon forget that."

" Bullshit, no one knows the shit you did to him. It's unethical. It's fucking inhumane."

The Grigory gave pause to his words with a startled mouth as that's all he could see really,
" let me take him, you'll never see him again. Let me give him a chance at life."

" Out of the question! The danger alone, could be catastrophic!" The shorter Grigory with a silver mask interjected, Shiro drug his feet in.

" I don't care! Look at him!" And they did, both looked at the boy crumpled half-dead on the carpeted floor at mephistos feet.

You could barely call what he was doing breathing, more dark viscous liquid dribbled from his nose and mouth as he gurgled weakly with each pained breath.

" Fathers shall not be put to death because of their children, nor shall children be put to death because of their fathers," Shiro challenged the grigory's shadowed gaze, the taller of the two looked back over his shoulder before looking forward again.

"Deuteronomy 24:16" a silence loomed over them for a long pause.

The Grigory seemed to think on his words for a moment before they lifted a hand with three fingers up. Shiro gulped at the prospect as the man began speaking.

" We will leave him in your care under three conditions." The tall one stated, he then looked toward the demon king.

" First, Sameal you shall equip a tail band to him as a precaution." Shiro winced for Rin, but stayed silent.

" Second, he shall be checked by an official every 3 months to see that he is not deemed a threat to assiah or her people." He rolled his eyes at the second rule, knowing full well angel is going to volunteer.

" And third, in violation of our code. Fujimoto Shiro you are hereby relinquished of your title as paladin for your Secrecy and continued harbor of satanic individuals."

Shiro blinked quickly for a moment, then opened and closed his mouth several times unable to speak.

'that was it?' he was glad he had the sense not to say it out loud, " wait...I'm fired?"

Mephisto chuckled interrupting the serious air of the room, " now then I shall see to his band and oath, as I am sure you were going to ask me in secret councilmen." The short robed figure grumbled but agreed to mephistos words, " it's a fail-safe, should he ever turn on his. Handler." The tall Grigory sniffed at Ex-paladin Shiro, what a title.

" We will leave the arrangements to you, Headmaster. See to it, your bastard brother stays a good, quiet demon."

The two high council members left the room after their Exorcist squad, Shiros legs wobbled suddenly giving out. He fell back against the disturbed bed, grabbing at his hair.

Well it could have been much, much worse.

" Now, Shiro we knew this was a possibility, if anything consider it a blessing this is all they asked of him. " Mephisto spoke sounding bored, Shiro sighed. He was right ...it wasn't perfect, he lost his position. That he can live with, and Rin was alive. He's grateful.

Hacking cut into their conversation, " shit, Rin. Come here"

Shiro pushed himself up the bed and to his aching feet, he wandered to his adopted son and knelt beside his seizing body.

His mouth agape as ooze continued to escape like drool, " come here, kid."

He whispered gentle reassurances as he scooped the boy back up easily, he barely weighed anything. A stack of tigs would weigh more.

He turned to find Mephisto watching with a smirk, ignoring the smug demon he sat back against the bed and settled Rin down holding him protectively.

Rin was trembling violently now, grasping his ring with his curled right arm. His tail remained limp at his side, Shiro took it in one hand and felt along the white fur attempting to grow.

Like Bristol's, he hummed letting his thumb find a rhythm along the frail appendage.

" Sorry, Rin. It's going to be okay now." He whispered into Rin's hair, he began to rock back and forth hoping the half-demon was able to feel comfort.

" Now that, that's out of the way. Perhaps we should address the boys future," Mephisto sat in a pink armchair that definitely wasn't there before, he leaned forward elbows on his knees and hands clasped under his chin.

" What do you mean?"

Mephisto sat back and crossed a leg over the other, pointing to the air beside him a tea pot poofed into existence and began pouring dark liquid into an equally now real mug.

If hovered letting itself fill before floating to Shiro, it smelled like...

" Coffee?" He took it readily and although very hot tasted amazing, he didn't realize how dry his mouth was.

" The boy needs a doctor, but most aren't thrilled about the idea of helping a him live."

Shiro grumbled into his coffee, " it seems we may be going about this the wrong way. " He continued to speak, Rin was laying him head on his should now. He could tell pretty easy as it never stopped shaking somewhat, maybe it was a sign he was awake?

Shiro looked down at the boy laying curled in his lap, he was foaming at one corner of his mouth but his breathing had calmed back into steady wheezes.

A tap on the head brought him back to the conversation as a floating umbrella hovered above him.

" Sorry, what were you saying?" He yawned, the king of time made a face at him earning him one of few victories between the two.

" I am sending you home, the boy will stay for a week so make a place for him by then, "

" Okay, and the other thing? The doctor?"

" I will think on a solution, until then. Go home, you stink." Sameal continued to make a face, the ex-paladin chuckled but complied lifting the boy up and setting him on his side under the disheveled sheets.

" Rest easy Rin, we will get through this." He whispered giving the boys curled back a pat before standing for the door.

" One thing, before I go."

" Hmm?"

" I'm having strange....dreams involving...Yuri. is that normal?"

Mephisto rolled his eyes, and a small book appeared before the old human.

" I'm not expert but perhaps start to journal your...'occurrences'" he made an emphasis with his finger.

Shiro took it and flipped it around it was...pink. and had heart designs all over it.

" I'm not taking this."

" Your loss." Mephisto froze the book as it flew towards him, " Hmm, rude. Mister not paladin."

" Okay that's a low blow."

" Go, I will look after the young one."

And he did, he put his church key into the lock of the door and went home.

A heavy weight lifted from his shoulders as he stepped through the door frame and was immediately greeted by a priest, maruta. The chubby man was speaking to Yukio, who upon his father entry paused his talk and greeted him.

" Welcome home father, I hope you got some rest? Mephisto told me you were sleeping when I visited."

" Visited? When did you visit?"

Yukio and maruta looked at one another, " dad you have been sleeping for two days."

Shiro blinked at them and then shut the door behind him.

That's explained alot.

" Did something happen? You look like you've seen a ghost." Maruta asked as the father approached, and without thinking spoke freely.

" The Grigory showed up, they knew about Rin. I am...no longer Paladin."

Yukio made a startled face and looked with his eyes only towards the large priest.

" I messed up, angel must have tailed me somehow and found us at mephistos place. Rin's okay, but he has some conditions to uphold. It's...rough "

" D-da-"

" Shiro." Yukios mouth snapped shut as maruta spoke curious, it was to late.

The elder looked towards who addressed him and his eyes widened, he realized.

" Who is Rin?"

Chapter Text

Shiro sighed sitting at the desk in his dimly lit study, he had a pen in one hand and looked down at a small notebook.

What the hell was he doing?

The ex-paladin rubbed at the bridge of his nose, he wanted to write down what he could remember but every time he sat to do so a haze came over him.

Like he wasn't allowed to share what happened. Was it Yuri's doing? His tired eyes roamed to the family picture he had sitting on a bookshelf nearby.

He sat back and thought on the short time it took to lose control of his life, he was demoted to senior Exorcist, he gained a son, proceeded to accidently reveal his newly adopted son to all those he lived with...which ended in a long, LONG conversation with the other priests.

He didn't have it in him to lie about Rin's identity to them, they were trustworthy he felt. And if the half-demon was going to live here he couldn't hide it, everyone seemed to take it well for the most part they simply seemed unsure.

The eldest of them simply walked out for some air, none of them have yet to bring it back up and it's been a few days now.

He had to stop himself from going to Rin, he trusted mephisto won't hurt him. But a tail ring AND an oath is going to be brutal for his young son, he'd have to teach him what it was to be shackled and he wasn't looking forward to it.

He may not understand his bonds now, but he would soon enough. He wanted to help the half-demon learn.

to expand the boys tiny world.

Shiro smiled fondly at the thought of the hybrid, looking down at the blank pages he brought his pen up.

What would he teach Rin? What could he show him that someone out there cared? What could he help his son experience beyond pain.

It made his smile soften, he wanted Rin to know he cared for him so much already.

His pen tapped the paper making a few dots, what was the perfect way to put it into words?

He began to write, to speak to Rin in the future.

'Maybe one day Yukio can read this to you. Hopefully one day you will understand the words I am writing now. Understand you are loved. You are loved so, so much. That you were born to a mother who cared so much for you. And a foolish father who didn't. No, couldn't see the amazing boy your no doubt going to grow up to be. Your loved, Rin. And your birth is not an error, or a curse.

It was fate.'

He felt a spark of pride at the thought of Rin growing up with them, he hoped this would be for Rin what Shiro never truly had, a reassurance to exist. To live knowing he was never a mistake.

Then a feeling of sadness crawled down his back,a thought struck him. he wouldn't be here forever, His body still aches after several days.

Who knows how old his son would be when he passes, Shiro had to put it into words. To forever be with Rin, in his darkest times.

'Dear Rin,'

He paused to think, shutting his eyes Shiro took a deep breath.

And began to write again.

'I know you haven't known me long...but I want you to know I'm sorry. I know that doesn't take away what I did to you when you had only just come into the world.

I made a decision out of anger and hate, and your body and mind paid for it. I'm so sorry, I resent what I did to you, Rin.

Your mother is gone, but I'm here now and I won't let go so you hang on too. '

Shiro sat back feeling the itch of self hatred bubble up, but quickly shook it off.

Looking at the clock, half past ten. Yukio was home for the weekend perhaps they should sit and talk now.

He shut the journal bound in soft leather and placed it in the drawer of his desk, he would mention it to Yukio when the time came.

But for now, it would wait for the day Rin received it.

And Shiro Fujimoto would be dead.

......................

The last thing Agathe Moore expected to see when she returned to her hidden abode was a demon, although she often studied specimens she never brought live demons here. To risky.

" Lord Sameal. May I help you?" She asked hesitantly, she was well informed of the few demon kings still allied with the order.

She'd be a fool not to be careful, this dem-

" Aah! Such manners, what refreshing company. I only talk to grumpy old exorcists and my precious students."

" I-I see, what may I help you with today Lord pheles?" She tried again.

The demon placed the skull of a hell hound she had the chance to study down on the table where her tools lay, he smiled thinly before approaching and looking about the cavern she lived in.

" I hear your one of the best demonologists we have in the country. I must ask, how do you feel about Satan and his kin?"

She reeled back, he smiled eyebrows raising his brows and tapping his umbrella, when he continued to watch her, the demon scientist she realized he was serious.

" I supposed he is simply an existence who must be, as assiah and human are governed by God's will, so the doctrine says. Gehenna-"

He sighed and she froze, " is...that not what you hoped to hear?"

" I want to know how you, Agathe the demon study. See Satan and his kin, depending on your answer I may have a very important request for you."

" How I feel about the demon lord and the demon kings? Like yourself lord pheles?" She asked careful not to trap herself, he looked relaxed as he spoke.

" Yes, " and then he waited again looking expectant, she supposed she didn't care much for Satan himself. Too chaotic and cruel a being to want any interest, but his children were...

" I'd say his children such as yourself are more interesting for me then Satan himself." She concluded.

" How would you like a job?" He asked suddenly, twirling his umbrella with a smirk. She was not enjoy this as much as he was, obviously.

" What kind of job? I'm not exactly looking for work!" She stated exasperated, he held her gaze again.

" How would you like an up close and personal look with a child of Satan's bloodline?" He asked her simply, she blinked a feeling of excited bubbling up.

" What do you mean, sir Sameal? Is one of the kings captured? Is it astoroth? Or perhaps Beelzebub?"

He showed his palm and she paused, " it is no king, it is a bastard child born to a human ten years ago."

She gasped, " is this true! What kind of demon is it? Is it being held by the order?"

" He was, Young Rin has recently been released into Fujimoto Shiro's custody. He is in desperate need of a personal doctor."

" Ah....doctor? Me? Sir pheles, I'm not exactly that kind of doctor."

" I'm aware, doctor moore. My youngest brother is very ill, but because of his bloodline he is shunned by most. He is dying."

She paused in thought, this demon, half-human hybrid could be a great study. There's probably no other being like him in the entire existence of assiah.

" Would you meet him? It may help convince you of his plight, and I'll make sure you have accommodations to your liking. "

" Have a key made for my place here and I'll go have a look, no promises. Again, I am busy."

" Glad to hear, come. He is resting at my home currently," mephisto stuck the key into the door he came from and opened it to a dark room, must be night where she's going.

She stepped into the room with her stethoscope around her neck, mephisto shut the door gently behind himself.

" He's in the bed."

She nodded and headed for the only bed in the room, large and overbearing compared to the small boy laying curled under the covers.

She could hear his struggle to breathe, wheezing heavily with every exhale his tongue hung out of a sharp maw of teeth.

" You weren't kidding, he looks like he's already dead. I don't know if I can be of help."

" All I ask is you try, " mephisto shrugged tapping the light on, she waited as he adjusted how dim it was and approached the bed himself.

" What was his name?" She asked as she pulled the blankets aside and sucked in sharply, he was bandaged across every inch of his thin emaciated body, he had a scraggly white tail with a small curl at the end.

" Rin, he is son to Yuri egin and Satan."

" I see, he's in bad shape, what's his story?"

Mephisto shut his eyes seeming in thought,
" are you sure you want to know? You may not be able to refuse after you learn his tale."

Agathe for the first time felt a pang of anxiety at the thought of losing time to this side venture.

" You can continue your studies doctor, however I ask you help to the best of your abilities with my young sibling.

She brushed along his trembling side and he let out a stressed wheeze, this kid has been through alot.

" Tell me his story. I want to know."