Vanilla Smoke (Blue Exorcist)

Chapter 39

        The billowing blue flames that followed in Rin's trail ignited the forest, destroying all that it came in contact with. The smoke left the air opaque and hazy, but the tension made it nearly unbearable. It was difficult to breathe, but that might've just been the pain Shuku was currently feeling from all over, even where she wasn't injured. Her broken leg hurt like hell, her eye still had that irritable sting, like she had got some type of cleaner in her eye. Her entire body ached from the use of her incantation. Her calfs hurt from the speed she'd been running at, which she over did, and probably had torn the muscles.  

 Shuku had one arm slung around Yukio's neck for support as she limped along with the others. Her other hand gripping her left eye still. Was she in pain? Yes. Was she going to let it stop her from finishing what she started? Aw hell no! They had made it to the road and had no easy way of leaving unless they were to walk all the way back to the Academy or use one of the teleportation keys. And from the way everyone was panting, the only option was the use of a key. 

      "What the heck's going on over there?" Shima asked to no one in particular. 

      "Oh god. The blue flames." Konekomaru said just above a whisper. Of all of the students, he was the most afraid. 

       "Oh no." Yukio's face was etched with worry for his older twin.

       The burst of flames seemed to burn down even the sky as they shot up into the air with tremendous, horrifying force only a true demon could possess.

       "Rin." Shiemi looked worried as well. In fact, the only one that didn't look either worried of terrified was Shuku, who held a glare on her face that seemed like it would cause all hell to freeze over.

       "Shuku, w-why are you the only one that isn't freaking out in this situation?" Konekomaru managed to say out loud, and everyone fell silent.

        "Simple." Shuku's voice was loud and clear compared to everyone else's, "Even though Rin has lost control, he's not the threat I'm worried about. I have my own issues." Shuku responded, her voice not once wavering.

       "So, you knew then did ya?" Shura asked, a sly grin on her face as she walked over to Shuku who was now standing upright without Yukio's help. 

       "Yes. I've known since the beginning, but I still find Rin more of an idiot than a threat to my well-being." Shuku admitted, but still held her ground.

       Shura hooded her eyes then met Shuku's from under the shade of her pulled up hood that was still fully intact after the battle.

      "So, you're really her then, huh? Missing for about a year and a half just to turn up from right under our noses?" Shura said lowly, and everyone's gazes turned to a usually stoic Shuku as she watched with a cold face.

     "Know I have no intentions of staying here and letting myself be captured. I'm still strong enough to escape no matter who you send." Shuku narrowed her eyes and Shura smiled.

    "I know. But you're still coming with us, little princess." Shura cooed, then raised a hand to Shuku before she slapped it away with a blinding speed. Shura blinked then Shuku clutched her left eye again. Before anyone could question what was going on, Rin showed up. 

     He had completely lost control. There was no sign of Rin left, only a crazed, uncontrolled and growling demon. Rin's blue flames still burned around him. Shuku still stood still and unfazed.

     "Rin!" Shiemi shouted, then ran towards him. She still cared for Rin even after what she had just witnessed from him. 

      Rin managed to get up and met the blonde's gaze, she stopped, startled from the look in his eyes. Sorry, Rin is currently not available, please leave a message after the beep. Still only snarling demon, can he take a message for you? Shura and Yukio were faster and blocked Shiemi's path from getting any closer to Rin when she attempted to get to him, as he snarled and bared his teeth, which had sharpened themselves. This had left Shuku standing by herself in a shadowed area.