Disclaimer: I don't own Blue Exorcist or its characters. This follows a slightly altered timeline where Shura is still training Rin and holding on to his sword, but the Exwires haven't found out that Lucifer is Rin's father.

Rin leaned further down into his hand, nearly asleep, while his brother droned on at the front of the room. Suddenly Shiemi nudged him, snapping him out of his trance. "Thanks." Rin muttered as he glanced at her, receiving a knowing look in return. Shiemi as well as the others had picked up on how tired he had been looking lately but Rin refrained from telling them about his training excursions, exacting anger from Bon and worry from Shiemi. Just as Rin was about to begin nodding off again the bell rang to signal the end of the school day. "Thank God." Rin thought.

"Alright guys," Yukio said, "We'll meet back at the dorms for some training exercises tonight, so go eat some food and head on down." After waiting to hear the various responses from the class, Yukio dismissed them, only pausing to hold back Rin. Shiemi paused at the door to wait for him but Rin waved her away. "Just brother stuff." He said dismissively, "I'll see you later."

Shiemi waited for another moment before nodding once, "Okay, Rin." She said softly before leaving to join the others.

Yin turned back to his brother, "What?" He snapped.

Yukio held up his hands in a placating gesture, "I just wanted to see how your training was going." He said innocently.

Rin scoffed, "It's going fine." He mumbled.

"Really?" Yukio asked, raising his eyebrows, "Because Shura told me that you hadn't even gotten past the candles."

"Yeah well what the hell do you know!" Rin snapped, "It's not like I even need to know that crap."

Yukio sighed, "You need to learn control, Rin." He replied. "Brute force will only get you so far, the rest is skill."

Rin scoffed again, "Yeah, whatever."

"No," Yukio snapped, growing angry, "not whatever! This is your life, Rin! If you do not learn how to control your powers you'll be executed, and I won't be able to help you then."

Rin scoffed and pushed past Yukio on his was out the door, "Yeah," He muttered bitterly, "that's you, always helping me."

Yukio sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose between his fingers as he shook his head. "Goddamn it, Rin." He thought, "When are you going to learn that this is for your own good?"

"Stupid Yukio." Rin thought angrily as he stalked down the halls, fuming. "Stupid Shura." His dark thoughts continued on, eventually looping back so that he was cursing himself and his poor skills with his flames. He glanced out the window, and seeing that it was getting late, walked faster as he tried to make it back to the dorms before it became too dark to see. By the time he reached the dorms the rest of his class was waiting outside.

"What took you so long?" Bon snapped, "It's nearly dark."

Rin sighed, feeling dejected, "Nothing." He replied with a shake of his head. He dug around his pocket before finding the key and let them in.

"Are you alright?" Shiemi asked once they were inside, "What did Yukie want to talk about?"

"Nothing." Rin mumbled again, "Just school stuff." He glanced back out the window to check if Yukio was coming, but his eyes fell on something else. A flicker of light shown in the distance, and it appeared as if it was coming closer. Rin narrowed his eyes as he tried to make out what it was.

"What is it?" Shiemi asked, following his line of sight.

Rin tore his eyes away to face her, "I don't know." He replied. He glanced back, but the light was gone.

Shiemi looked at him worriedly, but seemed to shrug it off, "Come on," she said, "let's go join the others." Rin followed her to the back of the room where the remainder of the Exwires were sitting with their backs against the wall, waiting for their teacher. Shiemi fell into the conversation easy enough, but Rin continued to stay quiet, his eyes occasionally being drawn back to the window where he could swear he could still see the little flicker of light growing steadily closer, but every time he looked away it was gone by the time he turned back. Had he been looking at the rest of his class he would have noticed the way Shiemi kept shooting worried glances in his direction, or the way Bon was picking up on it and beginning to do the same. By now Rin had lost sight of the light, and had turned his attention to the group, though he paid little attention to what was happening and only offered vague comments. After another few moments Yukio wondered in, Shura in tow, ready to start the newest training exercise. However before they even had a chance to begin, a loud crash drew Rin out of his own head as the wall exploded inward.

Rin was on his feet in and instant, already reaching to his back for his sword when he realized Shura still had it. "Dammit." He cursed mentally as he took in the damage around him. Shima had his K'rik out and ready to be used, while Yukio held a gun in each hand and Shura was poised to attack with her sword. Both Bon and Konekomaru had their hands out in front of them to begin chanting, and Shiemi and Izumo had conjured their demons. Rin felt rather useless, being unable to fight without exposing himself, and feeling rather desolate without his sword. Slowly a figure entered through the newly made hole, twirling a sword. Flames lept over the blade, creating an eerie glow. The man wore a black trench coat and boots that matched his long dark hair. As he stepped further into the room the lights illuminated his face and Rin could see the way his grin was punctuated by sharp fang-like teeth and that his eyes were slits like a cats. Rin felt a shudder run through him at the sight of the taller man, something about the way he looked at him set him on edge.

"Who are you and what are you doing here?" Yukio asked.

The man placed one hand over his head, feigning hurt, "I'm wounded," He replied haughtily, "I assumed you'd remember me."

Shura raised her sword, "Answer the question, demon."

The man chuckled and bowed deeply, "My name is Iblis," he drawled, "The King of Fire."

Rin heard Shiemi gasp softly behind him. "Leave." Yukio commanded strongly, raising his gun so that it was aimed at the demon's head.

Iblis pretended to consider it for a second before shaking his head, "I don't think so." He replied, a wicked grin on his face. Quick as lightning he launched himself forward. Yukio fired off two shots but neither hit the mark. Suddenly Shiemi screamed, and Rin whipped around to see Iblis holding her tight against him, his sword at her throat.

"Shiemi!" Rin yelled, throwing himself forward at the demon. Iblis sidestepped Rin's motion, sending him toppling into Shima while Iblis laughed.

"Too slow." He chuckled. The wicked grin fell back over his face as he hoisted Shiemi up so that she was laying over his shoulder. "Let's play a game." He said, "I feel like tag." With that he launched himself back through the hole in the wall, Shiemi screaming all the while.

Yukio and Shura ran after him, Yukio pausing only long enough to yell, "Stay here!" to the Exwires before rushing out to follow Shura.

The students looked at each other, a silent understanding passing through them, before following the teachers through the hole and into battle.

A/N: Sorry this chapter was a little boring but I needed to set the scene. The next chapter should be up tomorrow and it will have much more action. Thanks so much for reading and please follow/favorite/review!