It rained the day we buried dad.

It was gloomy, and Rin stayed in front of his grave for a long time. I wanted to stay with him, but knew better and decided to leave him to be by himself.

However in that short time period where I left him, he came back and told me he was going to be attending True Cross Academy. That the Headmaster had met with him in front of dad's grave.

Yes, it was still raining when Rin declared he would defeat Satan.

With both brothers going to the same school, I felt a little sad I'd be missing out. But the next day I was delivered an acceptance letter to attend True Cross, full scholarship.

I didn't understand why, but assumed it was the Headmaster who took pity on me.

An orphan left behind.

It doesn't matter. I'll go. If anything, just so I wouldn't be all alone.

"Yuko, where were you this morning?" I glanced back to see Rin walking over, carrying a sword on his back in a red casing. I smiled over at him and hopped, spinning my body to face him. "I went for a walk." I told him.

In truth, I met with Aira and asked her to do some digging around for me.

I can understand why I was allowed to attend the prestigious academy. Pity. But these Exwire Classes he mentioned in the letter. . . that isn't pity.

There's some motive there.

Rin walked into the street and squinted his eyes, looking for Mephisto, who said he'd pick us up.

"What's taking that guy in the clown get up so long? I looked for Yukio earlier, but couldn't find him. Do you know where he is?" Rin glanced back at me, still in the road.

Before I could respond, the squelching of tires was heard.

Hm?

We glanced down the road to see a bright pink limo tear down the street, headed straight for Rin.

I let out a small scream of terror as it made no motion to stop for Rin. "Nii-Chan!" I screeched.

Rin screamed as well and jumped back to the sidewalk, narrowly avoiding being struck by the car.

I shot the limo a glare. "You could have killed my brother you jerk!" I kicked the car with force as Rin stood, angry. "Watch where you're going! Are you blind?!" He roared.

The door opened and out came a man dressed oddly. But that wasn't the strangest thing.

I sense demonic aura in him. He's hiding it, but I can still feel it.

"Well, well, the sun has come out! A glorious day befitting a new departure, wouldn't you say?" He glanced over at us.

He's a demon . . . I'm sure of it. Who is this guy?

Rin frowned. "Jeez, what's up with that car? And where are you taking us, anyhow?" He demanded.

Huh? I blinked looking over at him. "Nii-Chan. It's the first day of school." I told him, pointing to the uniform I wore.

.

.

.

"Ehh?!" He screamed.

Wow. He really didn't know.

Mephisto nodded. "That's right! To True Cross Academy of course. You see, in my official capacity I serve as the director of True Cross Academy. As such, starting today you two will become students of our school!" He grinned, a self satisfied look on his face.

He's a strange one, that's for sure. "Sorry for keeping you waiting! I'm really glad. Now we don't have to be apart, Nii-San, Nee-San." Yukio spoke, walking right over to us, wearing his uniform as well.

"Yukio!" Rin exclaimed in surprise. "Thank you for taking care of us, Mr. Faust." Huh?

"Mr. Faust?" Rin and I asked simultaneously.

We looked back at Mephisto. I was eyeing him skeptically. "But I thought your name was Mephisto?" Rin whispered. I nodded, still trying to figure this stranger out.

He leaned in closer to us. "Johann Faust the Fifth. My official name so to speak." He winked, making sure only we'd hear. This only made me more skeptical.

What kind of Headmaster has a fake name? No, what kind of Headmaster is a demon?

He's not human with demon blood, he's a demon. I can tell the difference thanks to my own blood. Yet he's masking it at the same time. Why?

He turned, pointing away. "Now then, let's be off! To True Cross Academy!" He declared with flare.

Rin gave him a bland look and Yukio didn't even seem to mind.

Not wanting to be late on our first day, we filed into the weird colored car and headed for the Academy.

On the way there, Yukio is reading a book, Mephisto is whistling, I'm listening to music on my phone, and Rin is deep in thought.

If the boys were talking, I didn't listen since loud music played through the earbuds. I guess I escaped to music because of the hidden tension between the two.

Something changed the day dad died. In their bond. In our bond. It's extremely passive aggressive, and frankly, it's kind of exhausting.

I don't like it. And whatever it is, it's not something that can be easily fixed.

I was lost in a song when a hand waved in front of my face. I took out the earbuds and looked over at Rin who's grinning widely and pointing out the window.

I followed his finger and my eyes widened.

I knew the school was big, but I didn't think it'd be this big.

"Welcome to True Cross Academy! Every learning facility under the sun can be found right here in Academy Town. Please study to your heart's content."

Ghek.

My eye twitched. Studying. Great.

We pulled up to the front entrance of the school. Kids were walking in and talking amongst themselves. At least it seems kind of like a normal school.

"Now then Okumura-Kun. Please change into your uniform." Mephisto told Rin.

My brother clicked his tongue. "Oh come on. NOW you're telling me?" He complained. But he took out the uniform from his bag and changed.

I began to put away my earbuds when Rin finished up.

"Hey, Yukio. Pretty mind-blowing, huh? A screw up like me getting into True Cross Academy, just like you." Rin spoke, trying to break the tension between the two.

"Oh, sorry. I'm kinda nervous right now." Yukio told him before going back to his book.

Yukio . . .

I reached over, snatching the book and quickly jumping from the car.

"Huh? Nee-San! Give it back!" Yukio quickly scrambled out of the car after me.

I just laughed loudly, dashing into the school. "Don't feel like it~!" I shouted, turning so I was running backwards.

I've always been faster than him. So I can easily outrun him even if I'm running backwards.

I watched, amused, as he chased after me. "Nee-San!" He called out again. I laughed, spinning in a circle before continuing my run. "No books for you!"

~

"It wasn't that surprising Yukio was the representative." I told Rin as we watched our brother getting flocked my girls and boys.

He gave the speech during first year orientation. Rin was very surprised.

Rin sighed loudly, shoulders slumping. "I'm an idiot Yuko. I don't know these things." He pouted.

I frowned a bit, pointing at myself. "Eh? I'm the one who barely passed my tests. I even cheated and I still barely passed!" I shouted in disbelief.

Rin just sweat dropped. "Yuko . . . there are so many things wrong with that."

I nodded my head enthusiastically, eyes very serious. "Right?"

He sighed again, but the corner of his lip quirked up a bit in a smile, making me beam happily.

He looked over at Yukio, watching him in the sea of students. "That little crybaby Yukio who always got bullied . . ." He murmured.

Huh?

I turned my gaze back to him as well.

It is a little strange. I knew he'd be a bit popular because he gave the speech and his looks are pretty good, but this is a bit unexpected.

I guess I never really envisioned Yukio so . . . independent from us.

I knew that the three of us wouldn't be together forever, and that we're our own person, but triplets, at least us, we are extremely close. Ah, were extremely close.

But now Yukio seems so far away. He looks good with others around him. Like he belongs there. Even Rin will look good with others once he makes friends.

But me . . .

"Are you alone?"

Yes.

I don't know what's going on between us, or them, but with the way things are now it's very lonesome.

I don't want us to be like this. But then again, it could be my selfish wish to be codependent.

I knew we wouldn't be together forever, but I didn't expect our emotional separation to come so soon.

~Flashback~

"Rin! Fuyuko! Yukio!" Yukio's eyes went wide at dads shout. I blinked in surprise and Rin laughed.

I grinned and grabbed Yukio's hand as Rin led us the way. "Hurry you two! This way!" Rin called, looking over his shoulder at us. I kept my grin, pulling Yukio along.

We had just pulled a prank on dad. Of course I had the idea and Rin had the plan.

Yukio was nervous but wanted to try it. We decided to do it because he was feeling down about the kids at school.

So Rin and I decided that mischief was the best way to cheer him up.

The scene changed. Yukio is placing something with writing on the tree. Rin and I peered over his shoulders to read; I want to be a doctor when I grow up. "You want to be a doctor when you grow up?" Rin asked, stepping closer.

Yukio jumped in surprise before turning around to face us, all tensed up, blue eyes wide and filled with anxiety.

"Oh, um . . . well see . . ." He stammered, a loss for words. He looks like he wants to cry. "That's great!" Rin exclaimed, surprising our younger brother.

I nodded my head, bringing my fists to my chests as I looked at him with admiration.

"That's awesome! If anyone can do it, you can, Yukio!" Rin cheered, very happy for him. "You're gonna be the best doctor!" I cheered as well, throwing my hands in the air.

Yukio's eyes shimmered as he looked over at us. "You really think so?" He asked timidly.

Rin placed his hands on his shoulders. "Sure you can!" He assured without any hesitation.

"You can do anything!" I added, quickly hugging him in excitement. His face lit up and he smiled widely, nodding once in agreement.

~Flashback End~

Those were great days. When the three of us got along amazingly. But now . . .

School went by relatively quickly. Unfortunately for me, I don't have any classes with Rin or Yukio. It really is troublesome. So boring.

I got along pretty well with my classmates, but it's purely for manners. It's wise to be nice to them, but I don't foresee developing any friendships with them.

When classes ended, I headed on over to the area where Exwire Classes are being held.

It was confusing as hell, but I found the way anyway.

I stood in front of the door, eyeing it a bit. I wonder if Rin is here already.

I am a little late.

I quickly opened the door. The room is a bit smaller compared to the rest of the school, but it's still pretty big, just a bit shabbier. And there's also an interesting group of demons sleeping within, but they're not in sight.

There are only a handful of students inside. I immediately spotted Rin at the middle front table.

"Ah! Nii-Chan!" I grinned, quickly going to his table.

Oh yeah. I glanced over the students and did a two finger salute. "Okumura Fuyuko. Call me Yuko." I beamed before taking a seat next to my brother.

"Hey, hey. How unlucky are we that we're not in the same class?" I pouted in frustration.

Rin, who was tense, seemed to relax a bit as he chuckled at my behavior.

He nodded, his tough facade fading to show his childish nature.

"I know right?! Ah this school is so huge. And expensive. I could barely afford lunch." He frowned, crying comically.

"Right?! Huh?" I turned my attention to the strange dog right beside Rin. "Huh? You're . . ." This is Mephisto.

Before I could confirm it, the door opened and in came our teacher. My eyes went as wide as saucers once I looked at him.

Rin turned to see as well and he seemed as shocked as me when he saw who stood at the podium. "No way." I muttered in utter disbelief.

I'm seeing things, right? "Pleased to meet you. I'm Okumura Yukio, your instructor." Rin quickly stood, eyes popping out of his head as he pointed at our little brother in shock. "Y-Yukio?!" He shouted.

Yukio's glasses glinted as he turned his attention towards us. "I am a new instructor teaching Anti-Demon Pharmaceutics."

A couple of the students greeted him back, but I didn't really pay much attention.

My little brother is a teacher?! My teacher?!

I'm torn between shock and embarrassment. "What the hell Yukio?" Rin asked, not willing to drop this subject. "Is there a problem?" Yukio asked him.

Uh? Yeah! "What do you mean 'is there a problem'? The question is what's your problem?" Rin demanded.

Yukio just closed his eyes and smiled. But it didn't seem quite . . . sincere. "Although I'm actually the same age as you all, I've been studying exorcism since I was seven and finished all of my courses two years ago."

Eh?

He did? I don't remember anything about that. "So just to be practical, I'd appreciate it if you called me 'Sensei' in this class."

So when he was little and did all that studying . . . it wasn't for normal school.

It was for becoming an Exorcist. And he never told me? Us?

My chest stung and I gently gripped the cloth to my heart. Yukio . . .

"Since you were seven . . . you're kidding, right?" Rin muttered.

The dog, Mephistos, hopped onto our table, staring at Yukio. "He is the youngest in history to have earned the rank of Exorcist and a genius in the field of Anti-Demon Pharmaceutics."

Yukio continued to talk, but I didn't process the words he spoke. Instead, I came to a realization that I never knew my brother as well as I thought I did.

He kept this big secret from me.

But then again, I did to. I'm still keeping a big secret from him.

Was our sibling relationship really so fragile? So small? Was it just my naive imagination?

But I don't have the right to even complain. Because I'm the worst of the two. I can tell why Yukio hid it. I'm pretty sure he hid it for Rin.

But I'm hiding my secret for myself.

"Temptaint Ritual?" Rin's voice brought me out of the haze of my mind.

Ah. I suppose it's natural to start off with this for those who can't see them. "Demons will be summoned, and those who have not yet been afflicted will receive their Temptaints." Mephisto explained for him.

"The fact is, normally this classroom isn't used, and it's now a den of goblins-a certain kind of demon."

The girl with short brown hair immediately tensed and looked around wearily. "I-Is this place safe?" She asked worriedly.

"It's perfectly safe. Goblins are low-level type of demon only capable of mere mischief, so they're perfect for ritual use." He opened his briefcase and began to dig through it, looking for something.

Rin stood up again. "H-Hey, Yukio!" Yukio didn't even bother to look up.

"Class is in session. Please sit down." He stated. I internally winced at his coldness.

I don't like this.

It feels like our old life was just a dream I made up. "Yukio, you've got to be straight with me!" Yukio ignored him and continued on with his explanation as he held up a vial of blood.

Rin walked around. I reached out to stop him, but he slipped through my grasp.

Rin grabbed his arm roughly, forcing him to take notice. "Hold up I said! Yukio! Come on, talk to me! Yukio!" Rin demanded.

I stood from my seat. "Guys, maybe we should go out into the hall and talk it out." I said, walking around and moving my hands in a calming gesture.

"About what?" He asked coldly. Yukio . . . "Don't play dumb with me!"

I froze a bit and frowned. That's it! I punched both of them on top of their heads.

"You two have real cruddy ways of communicating! This needs to be settled now! It should have been settled earlier, but noooo. You!" I pointed at Yukio. "You should have told us about this earlier. Letting us find out this way is bound to cause confusion and it's incredibly insensitive. You!" I pointed at Rin. "You need to learn that there is a time and a place before causing a commotion like this!"

I narrowed my eyes on them, making the two advert their gazes.

Finally Yukio sighed. "I see I have no choice. Class; as I need to discuss something with the Okumura's, I must ask you all to wait in the hall."

The delinquent looking one clucked his tongue, muttering something under his breath. The students all filed out, leaving the three of us alone. I crossed my arms over my chest.

"Well? What is it that you wanted to ask me?" I narrowed my eyes. "Yukio." I warned. However it didn't even phase him.

Is this really my little brother? "Drop the clueless act! Tell me what's going on! No one ever told me about any of this! Did you know, Fuyuko."

I jumped, surprised Rin turned his anger to me. "No." The lie came out so naturally, before I could even think.

Lies. "It looks like you better explain then." Mephisto said, sitting atop our desk.

Yukio sighed as if it was too inconvenient for him. "Just as I said before, I became an exorcist two years ago. I started my training at seven. After dad suggested it."

Dad did? At seven? "The old man? So you knew about the old man's work, even back then?"

I couldn't see Yukio's eyes because of the way the light hit his glasses. So I couldn't tell what he was thinking. "Yes." He answered simply.

He knew. "You two were the only ones who didn't know, Nii-San, Nee-San."

I knew. At least about Rin. Not Yukio.

"In any case, it was from you Nii-San, a demon, that I received my Temptaint at birth. For as long as I can remember, I've been able to see demons. I'm surprised you didn't receive it, Nee-San."

I did though. I've been able to see demons for a long time now. Because I am one.

Rin grabbed Yukio's shoulders. "Why Yukio? Why didn't you say anything to me till today? I'm asking you why you didn't tell me!" Rin shouted.

Yukio tried to pull away. "Let go." But Rin didn't listen. He grabbed the front of his shirt tighter, making Yukio stumble, knocking over the vile of blood.

The moment it shattered, I sensed the demons before I actually saw them. My nose wrinkled a bit in disgust, but I did my best not to react.

I'm 'human'. Humans don't smell as well as demons.

The pipes burst as they escaped, causing steam to fill the room. Two goblins rushed at Rin before I could give an order to them to stop.

Luckily, Yukio pulled out a gun and shot them, saving Rin. I blinked in surprise, looking over at my younger brother.

I never knew he could shoot. "Yukio." I spoke softly, definitely still surprised.

"Not only are they numerous, but now we've made them vicious. I'll get rid of them so you two go wait outside." Yukio said, adjusting his glasses. "Huh? I'm not done yet!" Rin shouted.

More goblins rushed out, heading towards us. No, just those two. I inched closer to Rin. The action could be taken as an anxious little sister seeking her older brothers assurance. But the reason I did it was so the two of them wouldn't notice that I'm not being targeted.

Yukio shot any that came near, even pulling out another handgun and firing both simultaneously.

"Whoa." I murmured, astonished with Yukio's movements. I never in a million years did I imagine my little brother would turn out to be like this.

He was my nerdy little brother who needed our protection. But he's doing all of the protection right now.

"Listen Yukio. Just tell me what did you think of me all this time?" Rin demanded, needing to know.

I fidgeted nervously, not liking where this is going. This has to be a dream. A really screwed up dream.

I don't want to listen to this. I don't want to hear this. I don't want this to be real!

"Think of you?" No. Don't. Stop! Yukio! "That should be obvious."

Don't, Yukio! He turned to Rin, eyes cold. "Knowing that you were a demon, I thought of you as a threat. Needless to say, I still do."

A threat. Rin. His own brother? The boy he looked up to so much?

So if he knew about me . . . he would feel the same.

"You're an idiot, Nii-San. Why did you ever insist on becoming an exorcist? For revenge? Or was it your way of trying to atone for father's death?" He asked, continuing to shoot at any demon that came our way.

You're wrong. If anyone is to blame for dad's death, it's me. If I told them, all of them, then Rin would know about himself. And maybe none of this would happen.

If I was strong enough to push Satan out, to keep him from dad's body, he'd still be here. I spent years training my ability to control demons. Yet when it really counted, I couldn't do it.

It's my fault.

Mine. "If you really feel that way . . . then you should just turn yourself in to the Knights of True Cross, or better yet, die." Die? Die? Rin . . . die?

An image of dads broken body came to mind and my blood ran cold. "Wait. You don't really think it was my fault the old man died?" Rin asked him.

"Are you telling me it wasn't? Dad protected you all your life. I saw that myself firsthand. Since dad was the only person in the world who could resist being possessed by Satan, Satan was constantly targeting him!" Yukio shouted at him.

I stood between the two, yet so far away at the same time. This is their battle. I couldnt find the right words to mend the situation. It's as if my voice box just shut down.

"And for fifteen years he deflected him with sheer willpower! Dad was the most powerful exorcist of all! Unless he'd sustained some kind of emotional damage."

Yukio kept on firing. But it seemed more like him taking out some anger on them instead. "There's no way he'd let Satan in like that. I'll bet you said something to dad, didn't you?" He asked.

A memory flashed through my mind. "Don't ever let me see you trying to act like my father again!"

He did say that. But it's not the first time he's fought with dad like that. Then again he's never said that before either. But dad knew, he knew Run didn't mean a word of it. He knew.

I'm willing to bet my life on it. "If dad had any weaknesses, I'd say it was you, Nii-San." He pointed one gun directly at Rin. "It was you who killed dad, Nii-San!"

He didn't!

I jumped between the two, spreading my arms wide to shield Rin. "Stop it! We're siblings! We love each other. If anyone is responsible for dad's death it's-"

Me. Tears gathered in the corner of my eyes.

Why did everything turn out like this? Why? Yukio's cold eyes never faltered as he kept the gun trained on me, the obstacle between him and his target.

Rin gently pushed me to the side. "It's okay Fuyuko. Listen, you're right about me being an idiot. So say whatever you want, I don't care. But . . ." Blue flames spread across his body.

"I'm your brother. Don't you dare point those guns at me! You even kept it pointed when Yuko jumped between us. Right at her. She's your sister. I'm your brother. We're siblings!" He screamed the last part.

I stumbled back, as did Yukio, at the amount of power he released.

A giant demon poked its head through the ceiling, recognizing the power. Yukio quickly regained himself and pointed the gun back at Rin.

Rin kept his hard stare on him. "I did not kill the old man!" Yukio grit his teeth. Obviously affected by the mention of dad.

Rin took his sword from the red bindings and grabbed the sheath with one hand and the hilt with the other. "If shooting me will give you satisfaction . . ."

He unsheathed his sword and I felt his power increase ten fold. "Then let's see you do it!" He pointed the blade back at Yukio, who jumped a bit, startled by the sight he's seeing.

Rin ran at him. "Shoot me!" He roared.

I quickly brought my hands to my mouth and screamed. They're going to kill each other!

Yukio didn't shoot. And Rin had ran past him and cut down the biggest demon that came. My eyes went wide. One swing was all it took.

Rin sheathed his blade, putting out his flames in the process. "Don't insult me. I won't fight my own brother." Rin told him.

Yukio turned his gaze to the ground. A stoic face yes, but it's forced. There's a mass amount of emotions he's keeping hidden. "So what were dad's final moments like?" He finally asked.

Rin looked away. "He was cool." I turned my own gaze to the ground, thinking about dad.

"He died trying to protect me . . . us till the end. See, the reason I decided to become an exorcist, it had nothing to do with revenge or anything complicated like that. It's just that I wanted to become stronger. I can't take anyone else dying because of me!"

Stronger . . . huh? I never really thought it in a noble sense. I wanted to be strong to protect them. But I also wanted to become strong because I didn't want to be left behind.

Rin, you really are something. You're so bright. Just like dad. A definate good in this world. "We're the same." Yukio's voice was so soft, I wasn't sure I heard him correctly.

"I became an Exorcist because of what dad said to me because I wanted to become stronger. We had the same motivation, Nii-San." Yukio smiled. A real smile. One that made my fears melt away.

"From now on, as long as you're training to become an Exorcist, you'll always be haunted by what I said to you a moment ago. You'll always be marked for assassination by the Exorcists. You'd better keep that in mind."

Rin's lips twitched up into a smile. "Yes, Sensei." Relief filled me and I fell to my knees.

"Yuko?!"

"Nee-San?!"

The two of them quickly went to me. "Are you alright?" Yukio asked.

I quickly stood, putting both in a headlock. "You two scared the shit out of me! What if you guys died too?" I cried, releasing them and bringing my fists to my eyes, trying to stop tears from coming out.

They looked at each other in panic. Nothing is more useless then boys when a girl cries. A known fact. "Idiots!" I shouted, striking them atop their heads.

"Ow." Rin grumbled. A grin broke across my face and I wrapped my arms around their necks. "I love you guys."

The two sighed, but smiled nonetheless, returning the hug.

Our problems aren't fixed. There are still a lot of things that are blocking us. There are still secrets kept between us.

Our relationship isn't the same. But it isn't broken.

And for now, that's okay.

Yukio opened the door and let the students back in. They stared at the wreckage of the room, dumbfounded.

Yeah, the place is pretty destroyed. "What happened in here?" The bald student asked.

Yukio stood by the podium, hand on hip, Rin leaned against a desk, and I sat atop another one, swinging my legs back and forth.

I closed my eyes and grinned. "Okumura Family Therapy."