When in Gehenna

Do Like the Gehennans

Rin continued to bond with his new family as time passed.  He loved the freedom that life as a demon gave him.  The blue flames that had dominated his life at Cross Academy as a source of fear were a cause for rejoicing to the citizens of Gehenna.  They loved their King's heir and were always excited to see him utilize his blue flames.

With the acceptance and control of his powers Rin was also slowly coming to understand the demon culture and instincts.  He loved the way demons were always upfront with one another, which left no room for misunderstandings or scarring secrets.  Satan was the one who showed him that it is impossible for demons to lie.  While they were more than capable of twisting the truth or omitting crucial information, you could always trust the basic facts a demon gives you.

Amaimon loved spending time with his little brother and continuing to teach him to fight.  Although the other brothers also made sure to spend plenty of time with Rin, Amaimon was almost a constant in the young boy's life.

Years were quickly passing in Gehenna, as time moved much more swiftly there and a year in Assiah equated to a century in Gehenna.  However, demons aged much more slowly than humans, and Rin didn't look much older than when he first arrived, although his muscles were much more developed and his age and experience showed in his eyes.  Yukio and the cram class no longer crossed his mind, and reminders of his time in Assiah no longer bothered him.  

The first time Mephisto was able to visit, Rin wasted no time in greeting and thanking him.

"Big Brother!  It is so nice to see you again!  Thank you so much for saving me in Assiah, and sending me here.  You are the reason I am alive and happy now," Rin exclaimed as he ran forward and hugged Mephisto, or as he better knew him now, Samael.

"So you are adjusting to life down here?" Mephisto smiled down at the healthy and happy demon before him, so different from the depressed and suppressed child he had once been.

"I love it down here.  All of our brothers have taken time to play with me and teach me about their specialties and kingdoms.  Father says that I have been picking up on things very quickly and that I am ready for my official presentation as his son and heir! He says that he is proud of me and all I have been able to accomplish!" Rin's tone suggested that nobody had ever truly and sincerely said that they were proud of him before.  This made Samael and Amaimon, who had followed closely behind Rin, frown.

"Yes, that is why I am here.  Father requested that I be present for your official presentation, so here I am." Mephisto quickly smothered his displeasure at Rin's upbringing and changed the topic slightly.

At this point, Amaimon joined in the conversation. "Did you bring any candy?  I am almost out of the stuff you gave me last time I saw you."

Samael pulled two packages seemingly out of nowhere and handed one to Amaimon. "Of course!  Here is one for you Amaimon, and one for you Rin." Rin happily took the second package that Samael was offering him.  Inside was a selection of lollipops, caramels, and chocolates from Assiah.  Although Rin loved everything about Gehenna, he had discovered that they were so far unable to produce candy as good as that from Assiah.

As the two younger demons thanked their older brother, Samael smiled fondly down at them before telling them to go get ready for the presentation that evening.  Everything had gone well, and Rin looked back on that evening fondly.  Finally, he had found the place where he truly belonged.

Recently, Satan had begun teaching Rin about his plans for the future between Gehenna and Assiah.  While Samael was spying on the exorcists and trying to save as many demons as possible from them, Lucifer had slowly been gathering together people who saw the good in many demons, and believed that balance was the answer.  They were spreading awareness and pushing for treaties between the leaders of the various Assiah countries and the demon realm.  Eventually, Rin would be expected to represent his father, who was unable to enter Assiah, in the forming and signing of these treaties.

Although Rin doubted that he would ever forgive Yukio or his father for their lies, or the cram school members for their betrayal, Rin was excited to eventually return to Assiah and even explore new areas of it.  He had never been out of Japan in his previous life there, and looked forward to seeing new peoples and cultures.  His lessons in diplomacy and treaties were definitely not his favorite, but he knew that they were important and strove to give them his full attention.  It would only be a matter of time before those lessons would be used.