Chapter 22~

Panic, fear, agony.

"Nir!"

The echo of his voice above the nurses silenced the entire room. All heads turning in his direction while heavy paws thudded against the tile and slipped past all the demons and humans in his way. The one person he was looking for curled up on the floor, and tears rolling down his face as fingers yanked at his hair.

Loneliness, helplessness, agony.

"NIR!"

In an instant he was beside the younger, body morphing back into his human form, and fingers reaching out to grasp the teen's hand. The moment their skin touched causing Nir to twitch under him violently and curl up into a tighter ball.

"S...stop." The single word was strangled and pained. A desperate tone to his voice, before his fingers dug into his hair once more and his eyes screwed shut. "N-No...m...more."

"No more what? Nir, what's wrong?" Yasuo demanded, worry lacing his questions as he watched the human sob below him and shake. The same helplessness he experienced in the moment Nir died at the hands of Satan's flames rising up in his belly. Just before footsteps sounded behind him and a hand suddenly grabbed him by the shoulder to pull him away from the boy. "Hey-!"

"Shut up. Get back and don't move a single muscle." Drew growled out, Carribean blue eyes practically glowing in fury, and causing the panther shifter to stiffen in his spot on the floor. "If you can't follow those instructions you'll be dragged out, willing or not, and I will not guarantee your health."

Despite the urge the panther shifter had to growl at the man and deny his order he gave a pained nod and carefully stood up. His fingers letting go of Nir's, and causing the boy to curl up into a tighter ball, while the demonic Doctor knelt down beside the teen and started to check him over. The doctors and nurses around them watching and patiently waiting for further instructions till Drew glided his blue glowing hands over the boys forehead and suddenly stiffened. His form slowly tightening, and his shoulders hunching inward, before he placed his fingers over Nir's eyes and put him to sleep. The teen slumping further onto the floor, and his sobbing and whimpers cutting off, before the doctor turned to the nurses around him and stood.

"Please put Mr. Valorez back in bed and monitor him till he wakes up." He started, as two nurses moved around him to move the teen per the man's request. "The moment he wakes up inform me."

"Yes sir." Came the responding response as they scattered and started their tasks. Caribbean blue eyes moving to the panther shifter and narrowing, before heading toward the door.

"You're going to follow me, shut your mouth, and listen to what I say." Drew spoke, causing Yasuo to stiffen in slight anger while he reluctantly followed the man anyway.

The pair of them moving down several hallways, and the doctor speaking to several nurses along the way, till they reached what the panther shifter assumed was his office and moved inside. A demon already sitting behind the desk inside, looking up from the paperwork he was busy with, as he smiled at Drew and suddenly frowned when he saw the demon behind him. His one visible eye narrowing all the while Drew walked to his side, pushed the chair he was in back a little, moving to settle in the male's lap, before he turned to his mate and gave him a kiss on the cheek. The doctor whispering a few words to him, while Yasuo closed the door behind him via the doctor's hand motioned command and sat in a chair in front of the desk. His shoulders stiff and yellow eyes watching them, till the demon with one eye moved back to his paperwork as Drew remained in his lap.

"You're killing him." Were the first words out of the doctor's mouth as he turned to look at him and the shifter stiffened.

"Wha-"

"I told you to shut up." The doctor snapped, eyes narrowing and his mate resting his chin on the doctor's shoulder while Yasuo glared at the man and slowly and forcefully relaxed. "You have no right to try and argue your case at this point after you've denied your mate and left them to suffer. At this point you shouldn't even be in this office or this branch, but I don't let my patients suffer. So you're going to remain silent and listen. Understood?"

In an instant Yasuo stiffened as he replayed the words that came out of the man's mouth and his fingers dug into his thighs. Denied? He never denied the teen, there was no way he could've. Nir was human, no part of him was demon. Sure he had seen the boy act like his mate had once or twice, but Nir was completely human so there was nothing he could deny. All the nonsense he spouted about choosing between the human and demon side of him had to be a lie, because after watching and taking care of the boy he knew he was human and with Yasuo in his life he'd just make everything worse. Life with a demon wasn't rays of sunshine and sprinkles and he knew Nir wouldn't be able to handle it, so he had made sure the boy wouldn't need him. Sick or not, Nir didn't need him in his life. Yet when he nodded toward the doctor the last thing he expected was Drew to pick up the stapler on the desk and throw it at him.

The man's mate grabbing him just as the object left his hand, and slammed into the shifters shoulder, before Drew was up on his feet and ignoring his mate's hands on him holding him back. The doctor's eyes glowing in rage, while Yasuo rubbed at his sore shoulder and stiffened when he saw the other demons gaze.

"Drew-" the demon beside him tried to warn, before his mate blew up.

"Then you should be well aware your mate was reincarnated into a human and shares a body with your mate, you blind hobgoblin!" Came the man's yell as he pushed his mate's hands off him and pointed to the shifter. "Which means he's just as much a demon as he is human and by denying and avoiding him you've clearly told him you don't want him! Which, in case you've forgotten, you retarded leaper, is practically a death sentence for demonic mates!"

A heavy lump started to form in the shifters throat, as the doctor's words started to settle on his shoulders and really start to make the weight on them known. Sharing a body? That wasn't possible.

"That boy is on his way to his death bed right now and if you can't get your head out of your ass and make a decision for the both of you then I will, and you won't like it one bit, understand?!" Drew finished, his words coming out in a growl, while his hands laid across the surface of the desk and over all the paperwork covering it. The smaller man about ready to tear him limb from limb, if his mate didn't have a firm grip around his waist, as Yasuo clenched his fists into his pants and gave a small nod.

The shifters shoulders slumped forward and his eyes downcasted to the floor, while Drew studied him before slowly relaxing. Some of the tension leaving the room, but a heavy cloud of anger and disappointment still left from the outburst, before Drew slowly settled down back into his seat with his mate and glared at him. Minutes passing by, the clock on the wall making itself known tick breaching the silence, till the doctor let out a heavy breath and closed his eyes.

"You can speak now."

Silence followed as both demons watched him.

"You...you said they're sharing a body. How is that possible? Wouldn't one of them already be dead?" The first words that came out of his mouth were heavy with dread and regret, yet Drew didn't seem to be the least bit affected by it as he listened.

"If you hadn't shown up when you did, yes, one of them would be dead." In an instant yellow eyes moved up from the floor to look at the doctor. "Reincarnations are tricky, and can become quite a mess if they're not monitored, but the one thing that usually drives the reincarnated is the desire to find their mate. If you hadn't gone to see Nir when you had his human half wouldn't exist right now. His body would've woken up around this time and your past mate would be in control of his body, searching for you. However, you showed up before your last mate had the chance to do so. So they tried to coexist with you at their side, where your mate basked in your presence and Nir recovered under your care, but the moment you rejected them your mate became devastated and has resumed a steady fight for control, and if this continues I can guarantee you that neither of them will make it."

"What do you mean neither of them will make it?" Yasuo demanded as Drew looked at his desk. "You just said that if I didn't go to see Nir in the first place my mate would be in control. How can they both die at this point?"

"Because through the act of coexisting your mate has unknowingly been merging their existences together." At this point all the shifter could do was stare at the other in confusion, while Drew sighed. "In simpler terms, in a subconscious effort to get closer to you, your mate started to merge with the current existing Nir, his human half, and has been trying to become one with him. By doing this the current Nir would start to gain some of the demonic characteristics we possess, without the outward appearance we have, and maybe a bit of power, but beyond that he'd be a normal human with your mate's memories. However, when you rejected them, your mate restarted the struggle in trying to take over the current Nir's body. The only flaw in your mates plan is that the two of them are merged to the point that trying to destroy one will destroy the other in the process. Which is the reason I said you have to either get your head out of your ass and accept them, or let them die, because at this point there's no going back for either of them. They're stuck together."

"But Nir said the kid of Satan could separate them at the cost of one of their lives." Yasuo rebutted, causing the doctor to give him a sad look.

"He could, but whoever lives would be severely damaged." Drew spoke. "Putting two merged entities through that kind of process would be the same as cutting off part of one's brain. No matter what or how much you cut off, the surrounding area will be damaged and will die, and if you keep cutting to try and get rid of the dead sections, all you'll be doing is slowly cutting away at them till nothing's left. In a simpler explanation, if you let Rin do that one would die and the other would either become brain dead or would slowly die."

"So there is no other way to save him." A shake of the head left the doctor as he watched him.

"You either have to go back to that room and accept both of them back, or leave this branch and never come back." Drew responded, weaving his fingers together so he could place his elbows on his desk and rest his chin on the back of his hands. "But you don't seem to want to do the former."

"Because Nir shouldn't have to go through life with a demon by his side. I'll only make life harder for him and that boy doesn't need to go through anything else at this point."

"So you'd rather let him die then let him live his life to the fullest?" The question had the shifter wincing, but he still nodded. "Then you need to talk to Nir about this."

"But-"

"This is his life, and even if your mate and him are merged to the point they can't separate, it's his body and he has the right to do with it as he pleases. So he as a say in this, whether you like it or not, and you will talk to him or I will make the remainder of your life a living nightmare. You understand me?"

A nod left the shifter, despite the dread he felt in doing so, as Drew relaxed a little and moved to fixing all the papers he moved out of place.

"Then you're free to leave, however you are to go right to Nir's room, no detours, and you are to talk to him about what we just discussed. And until the both of you reach a decision you are to remain there until otherwise ordered."

"Yes."

"Then get out of my office."

A heavy nod left the shifter as he carefully stood up on shaky legs and left the doctor's office. The door closing behind him with a click, before he dug his fingers into his hair and slowly slouched down to the floor.

"Fuck."

"Welcome to your new home, Owen." Rin happily spoke the moment Neko opened the door for them.

The little boy grasping his hand tightly suddenly brightening at the sight of the living room, and dashing inside, while Nekoyoma chuckled and wrapped an arm around Rin's waist when his mate came to stand beside him.

"Don't run in the house, Owen. You'll get hurt if you're not careful."

"It's so big and pretty!" Came the excited laugh, making Rin smile as the little boy suddenly shifted into a bundle of black fluff and started to really explore.

Owen's little feline form disappearing under the coffee table and causing Neko to chuckle beside him once more, while the door was closed behind them and Rin leaned against his mate. The Glacier Bullet's arms wrapping around his stomach, caressing the now growing bulge, burying his nose into the bared neck and the half demon closed his eyes with a soft sigh.

"I love you, Rin." Came the soft whisper, making the teen shiver against him as his warm breath brushed against his skin, and smiled. "I don't think I could be any happier than I am right now."

"Just wait till the little one is born." The groan he received caused him to chuckle and his mate to hold him tighter.

"I have a feeling when the baby is born both of them will have me wrapped around their little fingers."

And Rin wouldn't doubt that statement for a second, not after he saw how attached Nekoyoma and Owen were to each other. Just imagining their little one born and running around with Owen in a few years brought a smile to his face. An image of both of them getting their father into all sorts of trouble and getting their way causing him to laugh, while his mate huffed behind him.

"I don't regret this though." Nekoyoma suddenly spoke, moving one of his hands to grasp the half demon's and bring it to his lips to place a soft kiss against the skin. "You're the best mate I could ever wish for and no other demon on Assiah's soil could replace you. Not to mention you're going to be the mother of two beautiful younglings. I couldn't ask for more."

At the others words, Rin bit back the tears welling up in his eyes and tightly grasped his mate's hand back as he leaned against him. Neko's warmth seeping into him and Owen's excited puttering paw and mews causing a smile to break out on his face as he glanced down at his slightly swollen belly. Nothing but happiness overwhelming him as he pushed aside his earlier concerns and leaned up to kiss his mate. Nekoyoma returning it with just as much love while the tears welled up in his eyes fell free and the older pulled him into his arms, a single thought coming to the half demon's mind.

At this point, the Vatican could go screw themselves because there was no way he was ever leaving this man's side. He was happy here and even if he couldn't take the exorcist exam or go with the Paladin like the Vatican ordered he didn't care. He had a family to call his own now and he'd protect it with everything he had.

The click of the office door signaled his mother and father's departure as Kito stared at the piece of wood and felt his chest tighten. The room silent and still, till his mother's brother and his Panther shifted. The teen's curious orange eyes turning to the disturbance just as the huge panther suddenly sat in the demon's lap and pressed up against him. His barely distinguishable spots suddenly glowing a soft blue, while Nori seemed to cuddle into the huge creature and bury his face into its fur. The sight completely taking the youngling by surprise, just as the large feline started licking at the demon's neck and face, paws pressing down on the other's shoulders, and keeping the demon in place.

"D-don't eat him." Kito spoke before he realized it, as the panther's blue eyes opened and stared at him while Nori sighed and unburied his face to turn green eyes toward him.

"Your mother and father have really told you nothing, huh?" The man spoke beside him, still cuddled into the panther's fur, while Kito just blinked at him. "I'll take that as a yes then. Honestly, I expected more from Griffin. I can see that stupid prince playing dumb, but my own brother should at least have the brains to tell you about me."

At the other demon's words all Kito do was continue to blink at him in confusion, till Nori wrapped his arms around the black panther still sitting in his lap and smiled at the young demon.

"Akito won't eat me, because he's my mate and I'm his." The witch spoke, stupefying the youngling watching them, while the huge feline licked his face and buried his muzzle into his neck to lick at his skin there.

"You're mated to a panther?" The question had the older male demon across from him frowning slightly, and the panther snorting, before Nori took a deep breath and smiled at him.

"No, I'm mated to a panther shifter." Came the correction, realization flashing across the younger's face, while the huge feline seemed to roll his eyes at the youngling. "Akito is a demon that can turn into a panther like all animal shifting demons can."

"Then why is he glowing?" The somewhat sad look that fell over the older's face had Kito regretting his question, yet the other answered it anyway.

"Because your mother isn't the only one who has suffered because of the exorcists years ago. They damaged my body, too." Slowly the male placed a hand over the center of his chest and Akito rubbed his head against it in reassurance. "They damaged my magic core, and in case you didn't know a witch is nothing without it. We literally can't live without it intact and the only reason I'm alive is because of Akito."

"Because you're mates?"

"Yes, because we're mates, but Akito is also a special species of panther shifter." Nori replied, the male running his fingers over the felines face and running down his back. A deep rumbling purr rolling off the huge creature as Kito watched them in curiosity and wonderment. Not only because they were acting as if the panther was in his human form, but because the love between them was clear as day and looked so pure. "His ancestors were strong powerful panther shifters that lived alongside witches and wizards as their partners and familiars. They were among the few species of demons that could control magic, but over the years their powers became weaker with each witch or wizard that died at the hands of exorcists. Yet Akito is one of the few in their line that retained the ability to control magic, and it's thanks to that I'm even here today. If he didn't have that ability when we first met all my magic would've leaked out of my damaged magical core and I would've died, but because he did he was able to seal up the damage and keep me alive."

"Wow." A chuckle left the witch at the awed tone that left the younger as he smiled at him and Kito quickly looked away in embarrassment. "But why is he glowing?"

"Because my magical core is still damaged." Was the simple explanation, causing the younger to look back at the other. "Akito sealed it so my magic wouldn't leak out, by doing so he's been forced to stay in his animal form, but that didn't heal the damage. That's a job only I can do and it's a slow process. Not to mention I can't replenish my own magic with a damaged core, so Akito does it for me."

At that the witch gestured to the panther sitting in his lap and his glowing spots.

"He can transfer his magic to me and help me recover the magic I've used. However, he won't have to do this for much longer. In a few years my core will be repaired and I'll be able to finally support my magic."

Silence filled the room as Kito watched the pair and the loving look on the witch's face. His whole explanation causing the teen's chest to tighten, while the male beside him chuckled at his mate licking his neck and curling up against him. The pair so happy and at peace in each other's presence the teen couldn't believe that they were okay with the way everything turned out for them. Nori almost died without Akito and because he was able to save his mate and keep him alive he was stuck in his panther form. A form that had to be hell for the two of them because there was no way that they could do things other mated pairs did on a daily basis. From hugs, to kisses, to being carried, to even being remotely intimate the two of them had been robbed heavily thanks to exorcists and it was unbelievable that the two of them were okay with it all. They had to be experiencing some kind of backlash.

"Your eyebrows will get stuck like that." Nori suddenly spoke. Snapping the teen from his thoughts and finding the witch poking his furrowed brows. "What's on your mind, little one?"

"How do you guys show your love like other mates?" Kito suddenly blurted out, before his face turned red and Nori blinked at him. A few moments passing before he started laughing and Akito huffed. "S-sorry."

"No, no, it's okay. You're bound to be curious since you're reaching that age." Nori quickly amended as he smiled at him. "To be honest it's not that hard for the two of us as it may seem on the outside. You forget I'm a witch and Akito has magic of his own."

"So you can change him back?" A shake of the head left the witch.

"No, we tried that once and we almost damaged my magic core even further. Akito can't maintain the seal if he's not like this."

"Then how?" A smile spread across Nori's face as he stroked behind his mate's ears.

"Well, we can talk telepathically since we're mates and we have magic, so conversation between the two of us is never lost, and we can locate each other easily because of it. Akito has his own way of showing affection like this too, but others on the outside don't realize he's doing it. His licks and nips are like kisses and bites and he's practically hugging me right now." A huff left the panther from his position as he currently sat in the witch's lap. His paws draping slightly over the male's shoulders and the feline's face laying under the witch's chin while Nori played with his fur. "We can cuddle like anyone else too and sleep beside each other as well, which is our upside compared to everyone else. We never need a blanket because he's so warm with all this fur, and we can have sex like everyone else."

"W-wait, you mean… you…" Kito stuttered as Nori looked at him and smirked slightly.

"Yep, we have sex with him like this." The witch spoke calmly, as if nothing was wrong with his statement, while Akito narrowed his eyes at the younger. "Others think it's disgusting because Akito is anatomically identical to panthers here in Assiah, and there's the whole beastiallity issue here, but to be honest I don't see a problem with it. Whether he's in his animal or human form he's still my mate and I love him regardless, no matter what others may think or say, because under all this fur is the man who saved me from death's door and would give up anything to see me alive and happy."

The silence that followed was deafening and painful, but any response the teen could've given didn't seem efficient enough in this situation. I mean, it seemed kind of wrong that his uncle was having sex with a panther, mate or not, and it didn't seem right by any means. Not only did it seem like a difficult situation, but there was no way his uncle got away without any injuries. Akito's animal form was huge for a panther and those claws looked sharp, not to mention the fangs on him didn't look friendly either.

On the other side he could understand the mate aspect of it a little. I mean there was a demon under all that black fur, and he had to have at least shifted once to speak to his uncle when they first met. So it wasn't like Nori hadn't seen his mates human form, not to mention they talked to one another on a daily basis like everyone else, so it wasn't like his uncle didn't know anything about his mate. There had to be plenty of trust between the pair for Nori to be comfortable with a fricken panther in his lap, not to mention their intimate behavior, and his uncle didn't seem to have any scars on him. Their behavior around one another was incredible on its own, since they acted normal enough given the circumstances, but the fact that after everything that happened they were still together was another thing entirely. Any other demon probably would've left their mate or hated them if they were in his uncle's shoes, but Nori wasn't phased and he was happy despite it all.

"You're eyebrows are gonna get stuck again." Nori chuckled, making the teen jolt, while Akito continued to glare at him. Something that didn't last long as Nori took notice and smacked the back of his mate's head. "No scaring him, Akito. He's been through enough so it's natural he's confused."

A heavy huff left the panther and his uncle rolled his eyes.

"No one ever takes that aspect of our life easily, fur ball. You'd be skeptical if you were a demon on the outside, too. It's not common for mates to animal shifters to have sex with their mates in animal form." Silence. "That's your own opinion. Kito is just reaching the age where he can find his mate anyway. Not to mention Assiah is safer than it was back then."

A deep, displeased, growl followed while Nori stroked the top of his mate's head and smiled at him.

"Don't get grumpy on me now, Akito. Neither of us could help what happened. I have you and that's all that matters. Everyone can go screw themselves if they don't like it."

"U-Uncle Nori." Kito quietly spoke, halting the pair's one sided conversation, as the older turned to him in question and the younger looked towards his lap.

"What is it, Kito?"

"How long have you two been together?"

"Almost a hundred years." Nori spoke, shocking the younger, while Akito proceeded to sit up so he could completely drape himself over his mate and hug him. The huge creature still not stretched out as far as his body would let him as his uncle warmly smiled at his other half and brushed his fingers against his glowing spots. "He saved me ninety five years ago and we've never been apart since."

Ninety five years? They had been together that long with Akito the way he was? No wonder his uncle didn't care about what others thought. The two of them had been together so long that everyone else didn't matter. All the hurtful words and comments never reached them, and with them being whom they were no one could touch them. Even with Akito holding his uncle's magical core together Nori was powerful and Akito wasn't too far behind him. The two of them oozed strong magic that seemed to make the air vibrate around them and he didn't doubt for a second that the Vatican would rather turn tail and run then try and touch the pair.

"But enough about us. What about you, Kito?" Nori suddenly asked, snapping the other back to reality and getting a confused look. "You're about the age to start looking for your mate. Are you going to be ready when you meet?"

In an instant an unpleasant shiver ran down his spine, as the memory of the demon that tried to rape him flooded his thoughts, before he suddenly shook his head and dug his fingers into his shirt. A sad look appearing on his uncle's face as his eyes turned from a soft blue to a brilliant gradation of every color his eyes could betray. Fingers reaching out and ruffling his hair, before those eyes turned a brilliant pink and he smiled.

"Well don't worry, little one. Your mate will be ready for you and they'll treasure you above everything else."

"How do you know?"

"Call it an inherited gift, youngling." Came his uncle's response, as he tapped under his left eye and smiled, despite the skeptical look the youngling gave him. "Your grandmother wasn't wrong about your mother's mate, or mine, and neither am I. Just have faith and trust in your mate when you meet them. They'll be able to support you no matter what."

A small nod left the youngling, before he glanced away from the demon beside him and toward his lap. An unpleasant feeling swirling in his belly, a bit of dread rising to the surface, while his uncle stretched beside him and Akito vacated the man's lap.

"Anyways, now that your mother is gone, let's have some fun. I've been in that stupid rainforest for so long and I'd love to enjoy myself for a bit."

"Sure, uncle."

A dreaded silence filled the air as doctors and nurses passed by a certain demon cautiously. His yellow eyes glaring at a particular patient's door and his shoulders hunched forward with his hands in his pockets. The black fluffy ears on his head and the tail behind him twitching in irritation before he suddenly sighed and removed a hand from his pocket to grab onto the door handle. His feline appendages disappearing the moment he grabbed the doorknob, his entire body tensing up, forcing himself to turn the object in his hand and walk into the room.

A pleasant silence greeting him the moment he stepped into the room and closed the door behind him. The peace in the air a stark contrast to the heavy air around the demon while he glanced toward the figure on the bed, and felt his shoulders slump when he found its occupant asleep. A peaceful look on the teen's face, his blonde hair splayed across the pillow, as he lay curled up on his side in the blankets. The fingers on his left hand tangled in the blankets and his eyebrows furrowed a little as the male pushed away from the door and hesitantly walked over to the bed. His footsteps seeming to echo in the quiet room till he stopped beside the younger and sat in the chair that was pulled up beside the bed. Reaching his hand outward, massaging a finger against the crease in the teen's forehead, before he could stop himself as the younger stirred slightly and grumbled. His furrowed brows slowly softening and his forehead brushing against the demon's finger, before he settled back down and slept on. The act causing the older to run a hand over his face and move the other hand away from the teen and drop the appendage in his lap. The demon's face flushed slightly as he gazed down at the teen.

He was screwed. Utterly and royally screwed. How could he even think of leaving this kid to die when he looked like this? All curled up in the sheets and practically a spitting image of his past mate. Of Nir when they lived in Gehenna, working as royal guards, during the few rare times they got the chance to sleep beside one another. Even after so long he could still recall the memories one by one. Each of them displaying a sleeping Nir beside him, his hair splayed across the pillow, and his eyes closed as his chest softly rose and fell. Fingers tangled into whatever shirt the demon was wearing that time, and curled up against him while he gazed down at the younger. His scent practically filling his nostrils and-

"Yasuo…?" The soft call of his name had him jolting out of the memory to find sea blue eyes tiredly looking up at him. The boy's right hand rubbing at his eye while his left hand untangled from the sheets and slowly reached out for him. "I-is that you?"

Without thinking the panther shifter reached out and took the teen's hand in his own. The touch of their skin seeming to snap the younger out of whatever sleep induced trance he was in as he suddenly jolted away from him and yanked his hand back. Those sea blue eyes widening to the size of saucers while he seemed to curl into himself with the action. A few moments passing, before the younger winced and placed a hand on the side of his head. A look of pain crossing his features while nails dug into his scalp and he squeezed one of his eyes closed.

"Nir-"

"Wh-why are you here?" Came the weak, predictable, demand.

"The doctor told me to come here." He easily replied, causing the other to look away from him and toward his lap.

"Then you can leave."

"I can't." In an instant those sea blue eyes met his and a slightly angry expression bore into him.

"Why not? You didn't have a problem leaving me alone before." Nir easily snapped, the pain in his eyes only increasing till he gripped at his head with both hands. "Shut up, please."

A slight look of confusion fell over the panther shifter's face till he remembered his talk with Drew and frowned. His old mate was fighting for control again.

"Nir, stop it." His sudden demand had the teen looking up at him in anger and irritation, till a look of surprise came across his face and he touched the side of his head in confusion.

So it was true. His dead mate was a part of the boy. Otherwise there was no way that demand would've worked. Besides the demons ranked above them Nir only ever listened to him and always got his way with their comrades and subordinates. Of course when the teen continued to prod his head in confusion the demon couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle. One noise that had the human turning and frowning at him.

"What did you just do?"

"I got him to stop hurting you." Yasuo replied, causing the younger to fall silent and stare at him. "The pain went away, right?"

At his response the teen stared at him like a deer in headlights, before the expression softened and the younger met his gaze.

"So you believe me now." Nir softly spoke, a slightly hurt edge to his tone. "Did you finally chose then?"

A heavy silence fell over them as the demon stared at the younger. Nir watching him in worry till the older shook his head.

"It's not my choice anymore. It's yours." In an instant a look of confusion fell over the teen.

"My choice?" When a nod left the older the younger's eyebrows furrowed. "What do you mean?"

A heavy sigh left the shifter, before he ran a hand through his hair and let his ears and tail manifest. Both appendages startling the boy in front of him while yellow eyes met ocean blue.

"One choice leads to your death, or something worse than death, while the second option keeps you safe. However I'll need to explain about our past relationship for you to understand what exactly is going on. That way you can make a proper decision, because I've been told I shouldn't have the responsibility to hold your life in my hands."

"Yasuo, I'm really confused and you're scaring me a little." Nir hesitantly spoke, causing the other to give him a small smile when the teen eyed his cat ears.

"Don't worry, Nir. I won't hurt you and nothing will happen till after you make a decision." A very small nod left the younger before Yasuo took a deep breath and focused on his wary mate. "Alright, then. I guess it all started in Gehenna…"

A tirade of giggles floated through the air as Nekoyoma and Owen rolled around on the living room floor in a mock battle. The older male obviously letting the little black fluff standing on his chest win while Rin happily watched them from the kitchen and made dinner. Bits of the floor caked over in ice, but still able to be easily cleaned up later, while Owen's little spots glowed occasionally and displayed a little bit of strength that seemed impossible for a cub his size. Nonetheless the pair had been rolling around on the floor for the past two hours and despite the numerous cuts and scrapes Neko was going to have later Rin couldn't find it in him to stop their little game. Not with Owen's happy giggles and that smile that adorned his mate's face. It was more fun to watch his huge mate pretend wrestle with their new son.

"Uh-oh!" Nekoyoma spoke sarcastically, suddenly flipping over and sending Owen softly tumbling to the ground. The little cub letting out a small yip in surprise, before his new father started tickling him. "You let your guard down."

"Neko!" Came Owen's giggled response, little black paws carefully pawing at the demon's hands. His claws thankfully sheathed. "You win! No more!"

"Alright, Alright." His mate chuckled, before he lifted the little youngling into his arms and stood up. "But it's about time we both get cleaned up. I think Rin's almost done with dinner."

"Alright, Neko." Came the disappointed huff, before the little panther shifted into their little boy and his mate set him down.

The padding of feet telling Rin that Owen ran off to the bathroom to wash his hands while Neko tried to creep up behind him. Unfortunately, for the Glacier Bullet the son of Satan already knew he was coming and smacked him on the head with his spatula, before shoving a bowl of salad at him.

"Nice try. Now help set the table." Rin spoke, causing the older to huff, before the bowl was taken from him and his mate's other hand wrapped around his waist. "Neko-"

A soft kiss was placed on his lips the moment he turned to the older, before the younger's face flushed and a toothy grin was directed towards him. Another kiss being placed where the first one lay as the male reached past him to grab the vegetables and head to the table.

"I love you, Rin." Were the soft words whispered to him following the older's departure, as the teen's face sprang to life like wildfire. A deep red blush taking over his face while he quickly finished their dinner and Owen came running in. The boy thankfully not covered in water, like the first time they tried to show him how to wash his hands, as he took a seat at the table and Neko gave him an adoring smile. "Good job, little one. You look nice and clean."

A beaming smile fell over the little one's face while Rin carried the last two remaining dishes to the table and help his mate set up the table with their dishware. Their drinks being handed out as they settled down and went to dig in. A sudden ring of their doorbell breaking their chance to start their meal as Owen pouted and Neko frowned in confusion. His mate getting up to see who it was while Rin gave the little demon across from him an apologetic smile.

"What do you mean she's gone?!" Nekoyoma suddenly spoke; startling their son, while Rin quickly got to his feet and told Owen to stay in his seat. "Why the hell would she just suddenly leave like that?!"

"Neko, what's going on?" Rin asked as he moved into the living room and in sight of the front door. His mate holding the door open, and threatening to snap it in half with his grip on it, while Drew stood outside in the hallway. A somber look on his face. "Drew?"

At the pronunciation of the doctor's name both males' looked to him and the brunette gave him a small smile.

"Good evening, Rin. I'm sorry to be here so late, but something happened and it can't wait till morning."

"What happened?" Rin questioned, moving to stand by his mate.

"Scarlett left the American Branch." Drew spoke; causing the younger's eyes to widen.

"Left? As in defected? Or abandoned?"

"Yes, no, and no. If I know that woman she'd never cut ties with this Branch. She's spent years building it from the ground up, so abandoning it would take a miracle."

"But you just said-"

"Why did she leave?" Nekoyoma interrupted, a troubled look on his face that caused the teen to fall silent and the doctor to look toward the ground.

"From what she told me before she left Angel returned in a final effort to take Rin back to the Vatican and she refused. She ignored official documents signed by the Grigori and handed them back to the Paladin." Drew explained, causing his mate to curse.

"Of all the stupid- She knows what that means, right? She just waged war with the Vatican. We're all sitting ducks!" Neko snapped just as Drew pulled a folded stack of documents out of his lab coat and handed them to the Glacier Bullet.

"She knows and that's why she gave me this." He spoke while the white-haired demon took the papers from the other and broke the wax seal to read them, a look of shock falling over his mate's face. "Besides, the both of us know she'd never put anyone in this branch in danger."

A moment of silence fell over the room as Rin looked toward his mate nervously. Nekoyoma's ice blue eyes staring at the papers in his hands in a shocked stupor just as Owen peaked around the corner and glanced at them in curiosity. The little demon walking over to them and grabbing a hold of Rin's shirt before he glanced up at his adopted father in worry.

"Neko?"

"Neko." Rin spoke just after their son, placing a hand on his arm, before those ice blue eyes met his sapphire ones and the papers in his hands crinkled a little. "What is it?"

"She stepped down and made me the Head of the American Branch."

Scarlett: *gives a small wave to the camera* hey everyone, back with the next chapter. As always it's late and as always real life is a bitch, but that's gotten to be a pretty old excuse. So *shrugs* guess we should all be used to this by now

Akira: *reading a book* no kidding. You do this every time you post a chapter. I think your readers are either just used to this by now or don't bother reading your stuff anymore

Scarlett: *pouts* I could give an excuse, but there really isn't a point now is there

Akira: *flips the page in his book* nope

Scarlett: *sighs, waving a hand* anyway, here's your chapter. And you guys know what you need to do. *waves* till next time *camera shuts off*

Answered Reviews:

Panda Master X: *reads review, chuckling* Glad to see you like Owen as a new addition to the fic. I was a little hesitant on introducing him in, but I'm glad he was a good choice. And yep, war time is on it's way.

RainStorm2122: *reads review, smiling* Yep, Owen likes Rin now and the two of them are going to be a happy family with Neko and the offspring that will come in the future. *reads, chuckling* Yep, Mephy has swpt Griffin away from a special get away and Nori gets to deal with Kito. *holds back a laugh* oh course it might end up being Kito that has to deal with Nori. We'll see. *reads, sighing* I agree with you there. Yasuo needs to get his ass in gear and do something and Scarlett does need some rest, but knowing her luck she aint getting any. *reads the rest, laughing* you wanna talk about hating Angel? OMG, I hate the wanna be, eye bleach, angel so much it's not funny. *rubs a hand over her face* one of these days I'm just gunna murder him in a fic and not care about the backlash *tosses the paper in her hand behind her* but either way, I hope you like the new chapter *bows*

spnwinchester125: *reads review, beaming* aw, thanks hun. I'm glad you like the story so much and I deeply apologize that I don't update it much. *reads, blushing* oh, well, I-I don't think it's that great of a fic, but thank you for calling it the best fic ever. *clears throat and reads review* Anyway, onto your questions. For one I don't know when Rin is going to have the baby. If I remember correctly, due to how time flows in the fic, RIn should be a month or two into his pregnancy. *rubs the back of her head* however with how long it takes me to update this thing the whole fic is blurry so I'll have to read the entire thing for the dozenth time and make sure. So don't hold me to the number. I know it's on the low side though. *reads* I haven't decided on a name for the baby, but I did decide on a gender on what I'd like the baby to be. *read, chuckling* Oh I hope Nir and Yasuo work things out. That or I'll have Nir beat the crap out of him to put Yasuo's head on straight. Stupid feline has a thick skull. *reads* No, I probably won't give Yukio and Yori a kid during the bulk of this story. This fic is supposed to revolve mostly around Rin having a child so if I do give them a kid it would be in an epilogue. *reads, biting her lip* Oh jeeze, you read my mind. I wanted so badly to put Shima in the mix of couples, but at this point I have to many to juggle and giving Shima some loving would probably make it too difficult to make it to the end of this fic. But if you want Shima to have a demonic love of his own feel free to check out my profile page. I take requests and if you want to make a male demonic OC to pair Shima (or have me make one) then feel free to pm me and request one. Just read my Fic Request requirements please *reads the rest, smiling* And I'll do my best to try and update more often, but as always I can't promise much. It takes me forever to get these chapters done because they end up so long.

Guest (July 18th, 2016): *sighs, glancing at the review and putting on the table, looking right at the camera* For one I'd like to thank you for the time you took to write everything down and explain the rules and my wrong doings with this fic. *rubs a hand over her face* And while I will take the time to go through this fic and censor it of any R rated scenes, at the moment my life is very hectic and any progress I took on my fics to edit out their R rated scenes have halted. I plan to start it back up when I'm able, but at the moment I can not, so I hope you can be a little leaniant with me on that matter. I won't take advantage of it mind you, as I don't post often and such, but I will get to it. Comment/note only chapters will be changed to a note and a cute scene or Omake, so no problem there. I can take a of time ti type up some kind of content. Scarlett will remain regardless of what anyone may say. She's kind of an icon amongst my fics so ripping her from any of my fics is kind of impossible, so I apologize on that aspect. And while reader driven stories may not be allowed, I personally still find the idea a bit in the grey zone but will still try to obey the rule to a point. It may not be just to the rules of FF, however at this point I'm quite tired of reviews like these and as much as FF as been a haven to me in my teenage years the last thing I want is to completely abandon it. FF gave me a place to express myself in a time I really couldn't and it has a place in my heart, so I will obey rules to a point and do my best to get you guys off my back. However you do have to realize not many of you guys were around back then so as helpful as you guys are I do get a bit irritated being attacked every chapter I post. I'll do my best to fix things, but give me a bit of breathing room please. I can only do so much as one person with hundreds of thousands of words I spent years writing. I appreciate your worries however, so thank you for you work. *bows*

Guest (February 24th, 2017): *reads review, smiling* I get what you're saying and I appologize if it makes the story a little less enjoyable. This was made to be a reader driven fic, and even if I introduced a character or two to see what would happen, it seems we all like the extra characters so they seemed to naturally take over a little. However, it won't stay like that. I hope to bring Rin and Nekoyoma back to the forefront in the future. I'm just carefully laying groundwork at the moment. So please be patient.

For more information and Updates about my fanfictions, coming straight from me, visit my author page and look under the Progression and Important Information section. I have updates about my current Ao no Exorcist fanfictions and a new ones that are going to be posted in the future.

Rin, Yukio, Shima, Bon, Miwa, Izumo, Shura, Mephisto, Shiemi, and Angel does not belong to me. They belongs to Kazue Kato.

Nekoyoma, Drew, Kira, Scarlett, Kamiti, Trey, Yasuo, Nir and Yori however, belongs to me. No stealing unless you ask for permission to use them!