Iocum Fati - Part 3

The evening had quickly fallen and the sky had already become dark in the late afternoon, as if it wanted to steal the time, drowning it in the approaching long night. In the town centre people were still walking under the street lamps and in front of the lighted windows of the shops, but in the suburbs the streets had emptied by the sunset. The surroundings of the twin's dormitory were, as always, deserts, because for students of the True Cross, the only ones who sometimes passed in the proximity of the building, it was vacation time. Rin was laying on his stomach on his bed, idly flipping through one of his mangas without being able to concentrate either on cartoons or on the images, his mind being lost somewhere else, curbed with the anxiety of the waiting.

After recovering from his bewilderment, he had finally decided to leave the park and had spent the rest of the day walking around, trying not to think about the way in which he and Yukio had parted and the feeling of danger that had burdened on him since when his brother had run off on his mission, leaving him on the frozen bench. Luckily, as he was considering the idea of going home, had bumped into Shiemi and the girl, sensing his bad mood, had invited him to spend the day with her, hoping that her company could somehow help her friend to rise a little his spirits. The half-demon had gladly accepted the offer, grateful that she hadn't asked for explanations and hopeful that he would have been able to get distracted at least for a while. The two had stayed in the blonde's garden, shovelling the snow and trying to build the puppets that could vaguely resemble animals albeit with poor results, and then they had returned to drink some herbal tea to chase away the cold from their bodies. Rin had a lot of fun and felt a gentle warmth invading him whenever Shiemi had laughed at his vain attempts to give the snowdrifts the shapes he wanted or at the confused faces he did when she tried to explain him the various properties of medicinal herbs. She was always so serene, crystalline, pure, even if perhaps she was often too naive and fearful. But he did like her exactly because the girl's soul possessed that innocent candour that he had been denied since his birth. Maybe that was the reason why she had attracted him since their first meeting, because of the warm reassuring light that her beautiful red cheeks and her shy smile emanated. He had believed to love her, and perhaps for a period he really had, but, with the passing of time, he had realized that what he felt towards her was nothing but the strong and special affection that two best friends shared. Shiemi, on her behalf, had never demanded for anything. She was happy to be near him, to be somehow useful to him or just to be a comfort as had happened that day. Although their friendship had entered temporarily in crisis when the truth about Rin's nature had come out into the open, she had tried to make amends for not having trusted him, listening instead to her fears, and for rejecting him instead of giving him her support in the time of need. Rin hadn't blamed her for her reaction because he himself had found extremely difficult to accept the fact of being Satan's son and he had forgiven her willingly, eager to be able to enjoy her affection once again.

The boy bade farewell only when it started to get really dark. Before letting him go, Shiemi had wrapped him in a tight hug, whispering that everything would be alright and that things would take a favourable turn again soon. He had been surprised by those words and had looked at her, confused. She, in response, had smiled at him and had told him to bring her greetings to Yukio before closing the door. The look that accompanied her last words had pushed Rin to wonder if the girl had by chance guessed that his discontent was related in some way to his twin, but he had rejected the idea almost immediately. He must have misunderstood an expression that completely lack of allusions. After all it was impossible that Shiemi knew about his brother's mission and especially she couldn't know what had happened between them at the park. He was just being paranoid, or perhaps he was just wishing that someone could tell him what to do without forcing him to explain the whole thing.

The half-demon sighed tiredly, closing the comic and glancing at Kuro who was sleeping contently, curled up at the foot of the bed. He hadn't said anything about the kiss even to him. He had only confessed of being worried about his brother because of the strange way in which he reacted when he had received that call from Mephisto. The familiar spirit had tried to reassure him reminding him that Yukio was an exorcist of a certain level and that he didn't take unnecessary risks. Moreover, if the mission was as dangerous as it seemed to be, he certainly wasn't alone. So he had no reason to worry that much about his brother. Rin nodded but, even if he had to admit that Kuro was right, he wasn't able to calm his concern. He felt that something would go wrong even if he couldn't explain why.

He rolled over in bed for a while, trying to make a decision, and eventually stood snorting, careful not to wake his familiar. Staying there tormenting himself would have only worsened his mood. He had no choice, he had to know what kind of mission had been assigned to his brothere and there was only one person who could give him that information. He grabbed his jacket and left the building, heading towards his school.

He walked quick-paced the distance that separated the dormitory from the True Cross, too impatient to pay attention to his surroundings, his mind busy with the research for a way to force Mephisto to speak immediately and clearly. The snow wetted from the yellow light of the street lamps shone like white gold crystals while small flakes had started to fall slowly. Normally he would have stopped to admire the scenery, savouring the feeling of quiet beauty that it gave, but at that moment his thoughts that occupied his head barely allowed him to record the path he was covering.

Once he had reached at his destination, he looked up at the windows of the top floor, where the principal's office was. A thin blade of light filtered from behind the heavy curtains that covered the glass, very faint but still visible even at that distance. Apparently he had been lucky, the demon was still in the building. After all even Mephisto had the tasks to perform, or at least he had to pretend in order to maintain the image he had built. If he worked seriously or not, Rin had his doubts, but he didn't care at all. The important thing was that that lunatic was within reach to satisfy his doubts and answer all his questions.

He entered the building and hurried upstairs, heading towards the office, and, when he was at the door, he flung it open without bothering to knock, saying in a tone of accusation: "You have to explain what the heck is going on and where the fuck you sent my brother!".

Mephisto looked up from the manga he was reading and turned towards the newcomer, not at all surprised by his entrance, almost as if he was waiting for him. "What did I say? He has come in the end! I'm never wrong" he commented amused, resting an elbow on the polished surface of his massive desk, looking at Amaimon who was perched on the arm of his chair, his eyes fixed in turn on their half-brother. "Even if it took him a little more than I had expected."

"Now you'll have to explain the whole thing, Aniue" the demon with green hair said, putting in the ever-present lollipop in his mouth. "What a bore."

"This is yet to be seen, Otouto…" the headmaster replied softly while a not very reassuring smile spread across his face. "Since when do I give explanation?"

His brother looked at him vaguely intrigued and started to reply, but Rin anticipated him. "Hey, you two! Don't ignore me!" the half-demon exploded, annoyed. "Mephisto! I asked you a question! I want an answer!"

"To tell the truth, actually you broke in my office in a very unkind way, screaming at me as little elegantly as possible to tell you where Yukio ~" Mephisto mockingly corrected him, pretending to be almost offended. "I thought you had been taught good manners."

The boy gave him a murderous look, more irritated than ever. That idiot had not only ignored his request, but he was also making fun of him. He had to thank that he wanted too much to know what was happening or he would have not restrained himself by kicking his smirking face. "What kind of mission you have given to my brother?" he repeated with a little less heat, articulating each syllable.

"Aniue, I think that if you don't answer him, our little brother will go up in flames again" Amaimon blankly observed. "Don't blame me if he ruins the office. I warned you"

"Good point, Amaimon. Well, I think it's time to take a visit to the roof! ~" the principal claimed cheerfullly finally getting up. "Wait here, Otouto, and try not to eat all the sweets as you usually do. And don't touch my things". He walked towards the door taking Rin by the arm and dragging him out against his will. "See you later!"

The demon pushed the boy upstairs until they reached the roof that covered part of the school roof, holding him tight to prevent him to escape, and, once there, he let him go without warning, almost causing him to fall on the thin layer of sleet that covered the floor. The half-demon cursed heavily between his teeth, but the headmaster ignored him, going to lean against the balustrade.

"The snow is such a good show in this world, isn't it? It will never cease to amaze me. At Gehenna you never see this kind of landscapes" he said opening his arms theatrically and letting the light flakes that were still falling rested on his white gloves. "Even if it's a little bit too cold at the moment for my taste."

"If you're done with the crap we can speak about Yukio's mission" Rin retorted harshly. Like hell he would let the other piffle to stun him with his nonsense. This time he would get the information he wanted. Or at least, that was what he hoped. "And no tricks, OK? I won't tolerate it."

"How touchy! Are you in a bad mood or something?" the demon teased with a grin. "Anyway, I'm sorry for you, but I won't tell you anything about what is happening. Firstly, because it's an important mission and I cannot risk to mess everything up because you act in one of your attacks of hysteria and mania of save the world. Second, your brother made me swear that I wouldn't say anything, and since I'm a demon of honour, I will do as I was asked. You know, he wants to explain the matter in person, if and when he comes back…"

"What do you mean "if and when he comes back"?! Aren't you saying that he is going to get killed, I hope!" Rin attacked him again, his patience running short. Perhaps he could always smash that annoying face of his and then force him to talk. It would certainly help him to unload a little bit the stress and the anxiety that were slowly making him drown. "And why my brother would want to keep me from knowing what is going and on make me even more worried? It is so…stupid!"

"Pardon, I slipped! I didn't mean to imply anything with that "if"! I'm so used to turn everything into a tragedy to annoy the people that now I do it almost without realizing it! ~" his speaker said, ironic. "I don't know why your brother has asked me such a thing, even if I admit that I'd be curious to understand the reason. But the fact is that he expressed that wish. Probably he is trying to protect you this way. Usually I never listen to our Yukio, and the others in general, but this time I think I'll do it considering your reactions. Very interesting…You look a little stressed, don't you?". Finally he turned to look at the half-demon with a cheerful smile, nonchalantly ignoring his obvious frustration. "You should relax! Being in that state of tension is not good for your flames. And Yukio would not be happy if you lost control one more time!"

"I can take care of my flames, mind your own business, you clown! And for my stress, if I were you I would not laugh so much because I might decide to unload it on your face" the boy growled threatening. But then he let out a sigh and went to lean on the railing in turn, deciding not to collect the provocation, even though the impulse to kick the other was getting really strong. "That's all we need! Since we made peace after the death of Shiro, Yukio had started behaving rather oddly at times and I don't know how to interpret his actions. Today has gone too far. Firstly the thing at the park and now this sudden urge to keep me in the dark, damn him!" he muttered speaking more to himself. The angered tone had returned to veil his voice but there was also a hue of embarrassment due to the memories of that morning. "I have the right to know where my brother is, and especially if he is in danger! I'm tired of this thing that he wants to protect me, I can take care of myself! I do not need a baby-sitter!"

"That may be true, but you often prove otherwise" Mephisto commented. He hadn't missed the emotions that had crossed the boy's face. That was interesting. "You should agree with me when I say that certain episodes have shown that you have some tendency to be…irresponsible, correct me if I'm wrong. So your brother has a point, even if he often exaggerates with his protectiveness. But on the other hand you two are twins, it is normal that you both sin of excess". The smile on his face turned into a smirk. "As for the Yukio's behaviour, I now don't know what have happened between you two, but I bet there's a reason behind his action."

"And what the fuck could make him do things that a brother should absolutely never do, for no reason at all?" Rin blurted out without thinking. He immediately regretted what he had just said because in the eyes of the headmaster appeared a flash of understanding that he didn't like at all. He hoped that he had only imagined, after all that day his paranoia seemed to have suddenly started to work overtime. However something told him that the other had understood far too well what he was referring to with his sentence.

"You can't use human terms of comparison for the two of you. Whether you like it or not, you are demons, and not just common ones. You are the sons of Satan! This complicates things a lot. Or rather, in a sense, it makes them easier. No matter how much you try to adapt, human costumes aren't suitable to your nature and never will. Trust me, I speak from experience. After centuries in this world I still cannot understand certain habits in use among its inhabitants. They are absurd" the reply vaguely amused was. "And then, come on, it's obvious! Who does not have a special and unique relationship with his own brother? ".

At the remark Rin's eyes widened and stared at him dumbfounded, not knowing how to interpret that comment which, from whatever side he looked it, sounded to him always really wrong. Was Mephisto making fun of him or did he really think what he had just said?! For a moment he felt the urge to ask him, but he restrained himself and decided that in some cases it was much better to stay with the doubt.

The demon watched his reactions with a satisfied expression, enjoying the confusion that he had caused, then broke away from the railing, showing his intention to return to his office. "Now you'd better go, I have some unfinished business to take care of. And I don't want to leave Amiamon alone for too long! My Otouto unfortunately is very susceptible to boredom and I wouldn't want him to decide to destroy my school with an earthquake just because he has nothing to play with. It would be quite irritating. So it's better if I go back and check on him" he said walking toward the stairs. "You should have understood that you won't get any information from me! And since I am the only one who knows about this matter, I suggest that you just keep calm and wait for your brother to come back. It's the best thing. Don't worry about coming back to my office, now we'll go home and you should do the same". He opened the door and slipped inside, turning one last time towards the boy. "And please, Rin, try not to use human parameters with what has nothing to do with them. You would regret it!". And without giving him time to reply he disappeared inside the building.

The half-demon stood still for a moment, staring at the spot where the headmaster had disappeared, feeling halfway between irritation and confusion. He didn't have completely grasped the exact meaning of Mephisto's last sentence. Was it possible that the madman had guessed everything without needing to ask anything about what was happening between him and Yukio? Had he understood the whole thing better and above all before him? Because actually he still couldn't explain his twin's actions. Or rather, he had a hypothesis that was tormenting him, but he preferred not to think about it. It was absurdly simple, but it couldn't be true. He sighed. After all he had wanted someone to tell him what to do and, although in his own way, the demon had just done it. So he would try not to look at it using "human parameters". Too bad that those were the only ones he had been taught. He clenched his fists. In the end the demon's chatter had succeeded in confusing him despite all his efforts not to be duped. There was no doubt, Mephisto was a devil, in all senses. He didn't managed to get any clue about the Yukio's mission. He considered for a moment to go back into the office and insist, but he eventually gave up, in part because the principal had warned him that he would leave, in part because he was afraid to take risk and find out what Mephisto meant by having a "special and unique relationship with his own brother" . He had already got too many news for that day.

He spent few more minutes watching the snow falling more and more infrequent on the landscape painted in white and then decided to move back to the dormitory. Now all he could do was waiting. He would go to sleep and the next day he would try to find something to pass the time. He could spend some more hours with Shiemi and maybe go shopping with Shima or wander around with Bon. Perhaps he could ask his companions to meet in the morning to organize in detail the party they were holding on Christmas Eve. They didn't have too much time left. That last thought saddened him a little. He didn't know if Yukio would come back in time and he had hoped so much that his brother could be present at the event. He sighed again. He would have put up with the fact that they had to do without him, even if not without bitterness. The important thing was that his twin came home safe as he had promised.

The church tower struck midnight just while he was leaving the True Cross, greeting with his deep sound the day that was Christmas Eve. Rin looked up at it, feeling his foreboding becoming in some way more urgent. There was something wrong, he could feel it. He shook his head firmly, accelerating his pace, eager to stand among the reassuring walls of his dorm together with Kuro. It must have to be only the power of suggestion. Besides he was tired, he had waken up early that morning. That was all. It was a stupid paranoia. Yet that shadow that stretched over him made no move to fade, no matter how hard he tried to seclude it in the back of his mind.