When in Gehenna

Chapter 32: Face Your Ghosts

"Rin, I am so sorry.  For a little while, it looked like Yukio was going to stay out of the conflict.  However, I have recently heard that Yukio has been seen with Angel.  I guess Yukio was incapable of changing." Kamiki bowed her head in sorrow.

"It is okay, Kamiki.  I always knew there was a strong chance that Yukio would side with the exorcists.  You know that Yukio always blamed me for our foster father's death, and that he never trusted me after my demon side was released.  However, he also claimed to regret his actions and that he wanted to make things up with me.  What you probably didn't know is that Yukio has known about my demon side since we were small children and has been training in preparation to stop me if I ever found out the truth of my heritage.  After I left, Yukio realized that he wanted me back, but he wanted me back the way I was before, which was never going to happen.  Once Yukio makes a choice and dedicates himself to a cause or course of action, he doesn't change his mind.  For Yukio to turn his back on what he has believed for so long would destroy him."  Rin's face was grim but determined. Those who knew him could see his sorrow, but knew that he would not let any remaining familial bond with Yukio stand in the way of what he knew to be right.

Amaimon placed a hand on Rin's shoulder and gave it a light squeeze.  He then summoned an aid to find a place for Kamiki to sleep and to provide her with the supplies that were given to all of their soldiers.  

After a few minutes of silence, Rin seemed to pull himself up and turned to his brother and best friend. 

"Well Amaimon, it looks like things are going to get interesting.  We always knew that Yukio would probably side against us in a conflict, and I am ready to take him on and leave the past behind me once and for all.  He has already aimed his gun at me twice, but I think this time he might actually have the strength and resolve to pull the trigger." There was a trace of contempt in Rin's voice.  He thought his brother was weak to not be able to fully commit to his beliefs.  After all, his brother had easily lied to him and chastised him and learned to destroy his kind, but he found himself unable to kill him.  However, Rin knew better than to leave an enemy alive to attack you later.  He had killed every demon that tried to kill him without remorse, knowing that it would be seen as weakness and an invitation for more attacks if he let them live.  His human twin would be no different.

Rin and Yukio did not cross paths for three more weeks.  At the beginning of the fourth week, the army of Gehenna received a tip that a group of the remaining Vatican leaders would be meeting in Japan to better coordinate their efforts and plan a large attack on the Gehenna armies.  A strike team including Rin, Amaimon, and Kamiki, was selected for the mission.  Over the past three weeks, Kamiki had more than proven herself loyal to the cause.  She had fought viciously alongside her two summons, helping to turn the tide in more than one battle.  

As the group neared the meeting place in the woods, Rin listened intently, trying to pick out those in attendance.  He could easily detect Angel, and a few moments later he heard Yukio respond to the paladin.  He was able to hear at least thirty people in the clearing.  He passed the information on to the rest of the team before they made their move.

Rin dropped into the clearing and swiftly took down the exorcist nearest him before moving on to his next target.  As he took a swipe at his new enemy, a shot rang out and he ducked his head as a bullet passed through where his head had been a moment earlier and sank into the tree behind him.  He finished taking out his opponent and then turned toward the person who shot at him, coming face to face with Yukio.  Yukio's aim was shaky, but his gun was still trained on his brother.  There was anguish in his eyes, but also determination.  Rin merely raised an eyebrow at his brother, as if to communicate his surprise at Yukio finally growing a backbone.  This strengthened Yukio's resolve and his arm began to steady.

Although there were battles raging all around them, Yukio and Rin were only focusing on each other.  Rin trusted his friends and allies to protect him from their other enemies and Yukio was in shock at seeing his brother again after finally taking a side in this conflict.

"So, you finally shot at me.  I am surprised." Rin's voice was soft, but carried to Yukio with perfect clarity.

"W-what do you mean?" There was a slight stutter to Yukio's voice, which caused Rin to smirk slightly.

"I mean that you have had two opportunities before now to kill me, and didn't.  Now, when I am finally capable of fighting back, you are actually ready and willing to take my life.   I honestly didn't think you had it in you, since you couldn't kill me even when you thought I was responsible for Shiro's death."

"Don't you dare speak his name!" There was a burning fury in Yukio's voice and eyes. "He gave everything for you, and you spat on his sacrifice!"

"All he did was lie to me and try to make me into something I could never be.  Shiro trapped me and then punished me for not being able to control a nature I didn't even realize I had.  And then, to make matters worse, he trained you to kill me." Rin was defiantly laughing at his twin.

"Die!" Yukio shot at Rin again, but the bullet was dodged, again landing in a tree.  At this point, Yukio began rapidly firing at Rin, who continued to dodge and deflect the bullets with his sword.  As Yukio grew more and more angry, his shooting became more erratic.  There were even a few bullets that grazed his fellow exorcists.

At this point, Angel stepped in and grabbed Yukio's arm. "We must  leave.  The demons were able to catch us unaware today, but we will be ready for them next time.  If you die now you die in vain." As he spoke Angel began tugging Yukio out of the clearing.  Seeing the two about to escape, Rin drew a dagger from its sheath and threw it at the paladin.  The blade managed to lodge itself in Angel's right shoulder just as the two exorcists disappeared from sight.

"Blast! We will get them next time." Amaimon approached Rin, having finished off his last opponent.  Around the clearing battles were winding down.  Of the 32 exorcists in the clearing, 27 were now dead and one was alive but captured.  Only four had managed to escape.  The strike team had consisted of eight people, one of whom had died while the others had varying degrees of injuries but would all live.  This would be counted as another success, although Rin was frustrated that Angel had managed to escape again.  He promised himself that next time they met only one of them would be able to walk away.  The same would be true with Yukio as long as he continued to side with the exorcists.