Chapter 22:

Rin laid on his bed in a sleepless. The time was four o'clock and he had to be at school in two and a half hours. His half lidded blue eyes stared blankly at the clock, its handles slowly making their way around the numbered edges. With a sigh Rin slowly turned on his back and watched the ceiling.

It's been like this for awhile now. It's been three days since the festival. Three days since Bon's outburst and three days since his run in with Mephistopheles and Byleth. Rin scowled as he remembered the times he tried to contact Mephisto. The damn clown wanted to speak with him but was way too busy to be bothered. A small jingle alerted the teen that his familiar had climbed up the bed. Noticing Rin's distress the Kuro jumped on its owner's chest and laid down. The cat sidhe tilted its head in question.

'What's wrong Rin?' Kuro asked. Rin sighed his eyes never leaving the ceiling.

"I'm just trying to look for answers Kuro. Mephisto said he would help me but the stupid clown can't even bother to open the damn door." Rin ranted. Kuro looked at their owner in worry, the cat could hear the tiredness in his voice and the shakiness of it. The two tailed cat lowered its ears in concern. Ever since three nights ago Rin avoided talking to the others. In fact Kuro doesn't even think the sword wielder has been coming to classes.

It broke the smaller ones heart when they saw Rin sobbing on the floor that night. Kuro could see that the others situation was tearing the exorcist apart. The chest the cat was laying on shifted as the bigger of the two let out a giant sigh. Rin's hand reached up to the necklace that was given to him by Mephisto. Turns out it was a shielding sigil. Because of it Rin's nightmares weren't as bad as they used to be. He held it up to the morning light the old scuffed metal casting a shadow over the you exorcists face.

"I should get ready for school." Rin spoke. Kuro by now knew that was code for trying to talk to Mephisto and then stay tucked away in the library engrossed in research. Kuro didn't like the new behavior but was unsure on if the familiar should say something. Being forced to jump off the others chest Kuro looked at Rin before speaking.

'I'm sure if you keep trying you'll be able to speak with him eventually Rin.' Kuro spoke. Rin looked down at the cat nodded his head, he reached down and let the others head.

"Thanks. Your probably right. I just hate having to go there every day. He's the one who told me to come in the first place." Rin said frustratingly.

'Don't worry too much, it will only stress you out more. How about instead you think about the trip with Yukio on Wednesday.' Kuro said happily, trying to ease the others mind. Rin smiled softly at the little cat sidhe.

"Your right. Thanks Kuro." Rin agreed with a relaxed sigh. Kuro nodded as they followed the teen out the room. Rin stretched and yawned before grabbing his stuff. But before he walked out the door Kuro yelled after him quickly.

'Rin! Breakfast!' The cat reminded the other. Ever since Rin told Kuro about his situation Kuro has been at the others heels constantly trying to care for the other. Rin sheepishly rubbed that back of his neck before reaching the kitchen and preparing an adequate breakfast.

Bon sat in his chair listening to the ticking of the clock as the teacher continued the lecture. It's been three days and Bon hasn't talked to Rin since it's been bothering him like crazy. But with finals the aria hasn't been able to find time to look for the exuberant teen. Bon let out and small sigh as he wrote notes down.

When the lecture was over, Bon could barely focus on the book work. He suddenly felt a small nudge on his side. The exorcist turned his head to find Shiemi. Nervously the girl looked around before leaning over a bit to whisper.

"Have you talked to Rin yet?" She asked nervously. The corner of Bon's lips dropped into a frown.

"No. I haven't been able to yet." Bon whispered back. Shiemi frowned worriedly before speaking.

"Me and Koneko were planning on stopping by his house after school today. Do you want to come with?" Shiemi asked. Bon nodded his immediately. Shiemi smiled and went back to her work and so did Bon.

Rin was now standing in front of Mephistopheles's mansion. With determination Rin slammed his fist into the wooden door.

"Mephisto! Get out of there and explain you stupid clown!" Rin yelled. After a few moments of silence he lived his fist up again. Before it could collide with the door again it opened to reveal the purple haired demon.

"Oh my, such crude attitude Rin Okumura." Mephisto teased as he looked at the enraged, tired exorcist.

"Cut the crap. You told me to come and talk to you then disappeared for three days you crazy clown!" Rin snarled as he walked into the mansion. Mephisto led Rin to the elevator and the two demons stood side by side as the doors closed.

"I apologize Okumura. I'll have you know that I was visited by a….. friend of mine and it wasn't safe to talk with you." Mephisto explained. Rin looked at the clown suspiciously.

"Hey, what are you…?"

"I know about the deal you made with Byleth." Mephisto said as the elevator stopped and the doors opened. Mephisto walked out and into a room that seemed a lot like an office. Rin followed and sat in the chair that the clown gestured to. The purple haired demon sat at his desk in an expensive looking leather chair.

"I figured that much. I also did research on the necklace you gave me. But what I don't understand is why." Rin yelled. Mephisto frowned and rested his head on his hand. He pointed his cane at Rin and began to speak.

"You don't need to know why. For now I want you to focus on your situation. The charm I gave you can only do so much. You have been doing your research have you? The symptoms of the deal will grow and the Sigil will weaken." Mephisto explained. Rin frowned and looked down at the necklace.

He had heard about the symptoms. Hallucinations, nightmares even worst than before, he even read about people going insane and ending their life before their due date. Rin's hand wrapped tightly around the sigil as he swallowed the lump in his throat. Mephisto sighed and stood up from his seat.

"Yes, it appears that we have both been fooled. Byleth and the others will do that won't they." Mephisto spoke mostly to himself as he stared out towards the window. Breaking from his reverie he turned back towards the younger demon.

"Well, we cant change the inevitable but we can control the course it leads us to." Mephisto said. clapping his hands together, Mephisto made his way over to his bookshelf and pulled out an all too familiar book. Rin looked at the book in disbelief.

"That's!-"

"Correct. It is called the book of the damned. It is a personal favorite of mine, just holding it takes me backs to the good old days." Mephisto explained as he walked over and held it out to Rin.

"This book clings itself towards humans or demons who are damned to go to hell soon." Mephisto explained as Rin reached out to grab it. Rin looked down at the book in confusion.

"But why?" Rin asked.

"The book has the ability to travel through the gates of hell by latching onto the soul of the damned. It does this because the book has been desperately trying to reunite with its author. An old friend of mine." Mephisto explained. Rin looked at the headmaster, still confused.

"I still don't get.."

"The author has been studying demons his entire life, he will know how to get you out of hell. Look for him and show him the book. I have written something in there that will ensure his assistance." Mephisto explained further. Rin stared down at the book as he listened before looking up at the demon.

"Who should I look for?"

"The book will know and lead you. The book needs you in order for it to stay in hell. Do not abandon it. In fact when the time comes this book better be locked into your cold dead hands." Mephisto emphasized causing Rin to wince.

"And that means you can't let your exorcists friends find out about this." Mephisto said. Rin looked down and frowned. Mephisto is right. He can't let anyone know. They will only try to get involved and then get hurt.

Mephistopheles watched Rin grip the book tightly before standing up and looking at mephisto with determined eyes. Mephisto smiled at the exorcist in front of him.

"It seems you understand then. If you have any other questions you know where to find me. Oh and Byleth will be popping in once and awhile she won't be interfering but simply observing its best you pay her no mind." Mephisto offered this last bit of advice before Rin left the office, elevator door closing behind him.

Bon, Shiemi and Koneko walked down the road making their way to Rin dorm. Each step gave the cram school students a sense of nervousness and anticipation. Bins grip on his gym bag tightened as he got closer and closer to the others home.

"Do you think he will be home?" Shiemi asked timidly as they walked.

"He better be. If I find out he was ditching class for no reason than I'm gonna be so angry at him!" Bon yelled loudly at the thought of the exorcist skipping school. Koneko smiled at his friend, he looked away only to stop in his tracks.

"Okumura?" Miwa said, causing the other two to stop and turn there heads. The sword wielding exorcist was walking towards them before stopping.

"Konekomuru? What are you guys doing here?" Rin asked with slight tilt of his head. Shiemi stood forward daintily before speaking.

"We wanted to check on you Rin. It's just you've been gone for the past three days and wanted to see if you were okay." Shiemi explained. Rin looked surprised but shook it off and smiled at Shiemi sheepishly.

"Aw, sorry I worried you but Im Fine no need to worry see." Rin said placing a giant smile on his face. Bon looked at him in awe. This smile was different, it wasn't tainted by sorrow or seemed distant but it look genuine. Even so, Bon still had an uneasy feeling. Rin can't just be okay in just three days it didn't make sense. Instead of questioning it Bon just trusted in the fact that Rin was fine. Shiemi smiled happily her worries now at ease.

"Oh that's good! Will you be at school tomorrow?" Shiemi asked. Rin shook his head at the short blonde haired girl

"Actually me and Yukio are going to go back to the monastery tomorrow and Thursday. I be back Friday though." Rin explained before looking over at Konekomaru.

"So did you guys need anything else?" Rin asked, He was anxious to start researching the thing mephisto wanted him to. The thought made him fidget a little in his place. Miwa smiled at his friend, oblivious to his anxious fidgeting.

"Well actually, Shima invited me to basketball game but I couldn't go. He asked me to invite you, since he has an extra ticket." Miwa said. Rin smiled happily.

"Yeah that sounds great." Rin agreed happily.

"Um, Rin? Is it alright that maybe you can come over to the store and help me with the garden? If that's alright, I mean izumo is helping too so I don't want you to feel pressured." Shiemi quickly asked nervously. Rin smiled patiently at the short girl before responding.

"Sounds great. I would love to come over and help, it's been awhile hasn't it." Rin said, laughing light heartedly. Shiemi nodded her head shyly, smiling. Rin then looked up to see Bon and his smiled faltered. Bon studied Rin's expression his piercing gaze analyzing his movements.

Bon wants to trust Rin, to believe that he is alright. Bon wants to let go and believe and Rin has it covered.

But.

That was until he saw a certain book in the blue exorcists hands.

A/N:

*rocking on feet* soooo…..-

Bon: do t even think about it *walks away*

…..*alone*