The Trembling Eyes

Chapter Three

Allen stood with his left arm in a sling, and his various wounds covered in thick gauze. Rin stood beside him staring at Shiro's phone. Allen could only guess at Rin's thoughts, but he had a feeling that Rin's were very similar to his own. The knowledge that the only person you had ever known as a father being killed either by you or because of you, was heartbreaking and suffocating.

Rin shook his head before hitting the speed dial button for the only number saved in Shiro's phone. That same second a man with purple hair and a pink clown outfit holding an open phone stepped out. Rin was surrounded by men with guns and bibles.

"A pleasure to meet you, Okumura Rin-kun. My name is Mephisto Pheles. I'm a friend of Father Fujimoto's." The clown spoke uselessly wiping rain from suit. "You have my sympathies for what you've been through." Allen had a feeling that the next few minutes were going to decide Rin's fate.

"Are you people exorcists?" asked Rin.

"We are known as the true cross order."

"The old man said you'd offer me protection."

"I am afraid that as an honorary knight... I have certain responsibilities. I cannot confuse personal with public interest. You have two options. 'Allow yourself to be killed by us', or 'kill us and flee'. You can also choose the option of suicide." Mephisto tipped his head down. "Now then... which would you prefer?"

Allen prepared himself for a fight, but Rin spoke before he could activate his innocence.

"Let me join you," Everyone's eyes including Allen's went wide with surprise. "I don't care what you people say, I'm no son of Satan. I have no relation to that beast. My only father is the old man."

Mephisto grew serious. "And what would you do if you could become an exorcist?"

Rin stood taller. "Kick Satan's butt!"

Mephisto started laughing hysterically. "You can't be serious!"

"Oh, I am!"

Mephisto wiped tears from his eyes. "Satan's son, an exorcist, I like it!"

"Wha- sir Pheles!" an exorcist exclaimed.

Rin was shocked. "Huh?! Really?"

"However," Mephisto warned. "The path you've chosen is a long and treacherous one. Do you still profess to take it?"

Rin's eyes gained a determined glint. "I'm not a human or a demon anymore... in which case... I'll have to be an exorcist!"

"Very well then, I'll take care of everything, you boys can run along now, don't worry about it."

"Yes sir." The exorcists left just as quickly as they had arrived.

"I suppose you want to be an exorcist as well, Allen Walker-kun?"

Rin spun around. "Wha- Allen?"

"Yes, if you'll have me."

"It's fine with me, just try to hide the arm, okay?"

"Shut up you darned eggplant."

"E-eggplant?" Mephisto's eyes shot out from his head and Rin doubled over in laughter.

Allen's stomach growled. "Dang it now I'm hungry." Allen grabbed Rin by the arm and dragged him away from Mephisto. "Let's go eat sukiyaki."

Rin wiped the tears of laughter from his eyes. "I know just the place!"

...

The next day Rin and Allen stood on the curb in front of the monastery waiting for Mephisto. Before long Rin had lost his patience and was standing in the road stretching his neck out trying to find the demon. As he turned his head to face Allen a pink limousine raced down the street, just barely stopping in front of a startled Rin.