Apparition (Blue Exorcist)

Chapter 8: Verity

It took awhile for her to fully comprehend the weight of his words at that moment. All the while, Rin was staring at her blankly, waiting for her reaction.

Nathalie actually couldn't believe her ears. What felt like an eternity of horrible realization actually only lasted for five seconds.

"What are you saying?" Her voice came out as a whisper, clearly showing her agitation.

It must've been cruel to make him repeat what he just said but she needed to hear it again. She needed to clarify his words and let it sink in.

"He's dead, Nathalie. He died six months ago."

Six months? That was too short! How come she never knew that the great Paladin Shiro Fujimoto was dead??

The strain on Rin's face was clear. Nathalie could see it- could see him remembering what happened. Remembering the pain.

Even she couldn't quite fathom it.

Nathalie reached out and grasped his hand in hers.

"Rin, I'm so sorry." She said sincerely. She knew...she also knew what it felt like to lose a parent.

"Yeah." Rin smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "I wouldn't worry. The old man was always such a hard ass" he joked. "I bet he's rolling in his grave laughing at me right now."

Suddenly, Rin looked at her straight in the eye.

"Do you know what an exorcist is?" He asked quietly.

What?

"Nat, do you know what an exorcist is?" Rin repeated. Nathalie's eyes widened to saucers.

No.

He couldn't possibly...

"Rin! Don't tell me you plan to be an exorcist?!?" Nathalie cried, aghast. Off all the things he had to- Why an exorcist???

Rin smiled confidently as if he took her words as praise.

"Yep. And I'm going to defeat Satan himself." He proclaimed. Nathalie slammed her hand on the table.

"Are you crazy!? He's the king of all demons how do you expect to- don't tell me that's why you've entered true cross?!!"

"Hey, what're you so mad about? What do you know about demons and exorcists hah?"

"Because I am one!" She whispered fervently. Nathalie was leaning across the table, their faces only inches apart. Despite the odd looks they were getting from the other customers and staff, the girl ignored them all and glared at her dillusional best friend.

"I'm an exorcist Rin!"

"Wait! Wha-"

"And I know," she cut him off. "How dangerous it is. Demons are no joke, Rin. Why do you suddenly want to become one?"

"It wasn't sudden." Rin muttered darkly. "I know it ain't a joke. Quit treating me as if I don't know anything Nat!"

"But-"

Rin slammed his fist on the table."The old man was killed by Satan."

Nathalie froze. At the same time, their ice-creams were melting. Nathalie sat back down in her chair in shock.

Five years. All it took was five years for so much to happen. A vat-load of changes that seemed almost impossible to imagine. Satan- the Satan killed Father Fujimoto? Why- what happened?

This was too fast. It was all too fast. This was not what she had expected in a friendly reunion. Heck, evrything's turned morbid.

"And I'm gonna beat the shit out of that bastard." Rin continued, smirking at Nathalie. But then he realized she was crying and started to panic.

"O-Oi!! Why are you crying?! The heck is wrong with you??"

"I dunno~!!!" Nathalie sobbed into her hands. "You told me all this with such a straight face I just-" she wailed into her palms again.

"Oi!" Rin quickly glanced around and hoped no one would notice her crying. To his horror, a lot of people were actually staring at their table, probably thinking that he had broken her heart or something.

"Psst! Stop crying Blondie! Seriously you bipolar woman!"

Nathalie uncovered her face and looked at him, tears still streaking down her face.

"You're horrible! You tell me your dad died. How can I not cry?" She wailed.

"Jeez you're so troublesome. I told you I'm handling it remember? I'm gonna beat Satan."

"But he's the devil!" She hicupped, grabbing a bunch of tissues and dabbing at her nose.

"So?"

"It's impossible!"

"And?"

"You're crazy!"

"Pfft! Nah- I'm normal." Rin chuckled.

Nathalie blew hard on a tissue then tossed it aside. Looking at Rin's irritating smile made her wonder if she underestimated him a bit. Sure his goal of the defeating the great devil was long out of the question. Yet looking at him now, his determintion and confidence- made her think that maybe, just maybe he'd succeed. Pfft...he'd need a secret trump card for that.

"If you plan to fight a demon, then you'd need to be a demon yourself." Nathalie sighed, while finally spooning her once discarded ice-cream. She knew the truth and weight of her words. The horrors it entailed. What she didn't expect was the effect it had on Rin.

Rin choked and spat out his own ice cream, choclate liquid dripping down his chin.

"Pfah! Cough cough- geh! Gag*"

"RIN! What's wrong?!"

"Nah just- choked hehe." Rin laughed, scratching the back of his head. He ignored Nathalie skeptical look. "By the way, what do you mean you're an exorcist?"

It was Nathalie's turn to choke.

"I-well.." She laughed nervously. "Well...I'm not an exorcist-"

"AHA! So you were lyi-"

"But-" Nathalie cut in. "I'm still a student in training. I'm an exwire so I guess I've had a little bit of training."

"Heh." Rin snickered. "So I guess we're pretty much in the same boat."

Nathalie grinned at Rin mischievously.

"Wanna bet?"

"Heh, bring it!"

"Let's see who's better? Me or you. The person to take the title of Paladin first wins."

"Oh you're so on!" Rin snickered, his eyes lighting up. Nathalie grinned back. Although she knew that she was being a bit unfair, she couldn't help but get riled up at the thought of having to compete with Rin. Even if she was leagues ahead of him.