I stared at the book in front of me, trying to pay attention the the lesson the old lady is teaching us.

Like usual, I'm at the same desk as Rin and Shiemi, this time on Shiemi's side in case we have a pop quiz and I need to cheat.

She's talking about the bible and verses, that much I know, but it doesn't mean I can memorize this stuff.

I'd rather go to the dorm.

We're still doing training camp, so it's sure to be interesting. Hopefully there won't be another appearance of that ghoul.

I haven't sensed him around lately, but I think he'll be back.

But when? "Now then, would someone recite the passage I assigned for homework. Kamiki-San? Kamiki-San, is something the matter?"

Huh? That's strange. Izumo wasn't paying attention.

Realizing she was called on, she stood in a fluster. "I-I'm sorry. U-um . . ." She wasn't sure what she was supposed to recite since she hadn't been listening.

"It's Te Deum, dear, from where we last left off." She told her.

Izumo nodded and and straightened up. "Day by day we bless Thee. And we praise Thy name . . . Praise thy name forever, and world . . ." Hm?

She usually knows everything, but she's having a hard time. What's up with her?

Her self-confidence and arrogance usually leads her to success in class.

But she seems off today. "What's wrong dear?" The teacher asked. Everyone seemed to notice her off behavior.

Seriously, what's her deal right now? "Um. I don't remember." She admitted.

Oh? Little miss perfect doesn't remember? Has hell frozen over?

"Oh my, Kamiki-San, I must say this isn't like you!" The teacher seemed to be the most surprised in the room. "Alright, Suguro-San, will you take over?"

Ryuji stood. "Yes ma'am. Day by day we bless Thee. And we praise Thy name forever: and world without end."

My eye twitched as Ryuji began to recite the whole passage perfectly without any trouble whatsoever.

"That's Ryuji for you." I muttered.

Rin and Shiemi nodded, staring at him in awe.

After he finished, the teacher began to gush and praise him unconditionally and our table applauded him.

Class ended soon after and we turned towards him. "Amazing. That was incredible!" Shiemi praised. "Easy now, don't fall for me."

It seems Shiemi's presence on the boys is different then mine or Izumo's. Her compliments seem to make them happy.

"Hey, so you really are smart!" Rin said.

Ryuji's good atmosphere fell and he turned to glare at my brother. "What do you mean, really?" He demanded angrily. "It's not that Bon's smart, he's just very good at memorizing things."

Oh! I see, that makes much more sense. "In other words Konekomaru, I'm smart, right?" Ryuji asked his friend carefully.

I laughed. "Ryuji, don't be so upset. I think you're amazing!" I told him happily.

He seemed pleased the compliment. "But anyone can just memorize something."

Ah. We all glanced over at Izumo, who sat at her desk, resting her cheek in her hand.

Well her crappy attitude hasn't been affected. "What? Did you say something? Huh?" Ryuji questioned her.

Uh-oh. Here we go. "This coming from someone who can't even memorize four lines." He smirked, firing back at her.

Izumo stood, angry. "I-It's not that I can't memorize it! I just chose not to! Aria's are completely defenseless while they're reciting, so they have to be protected by their party. They're nothing but a burden!" She responded cruelly, a smug look on her face.

But it kind of seems like . . . she's trying to mean.

I don't know how to put it. Even her insults have faltered by whatever is on her mind.

"What the hell?!" Ryuji stood as well. "Are you seriously trashing an aspiring Aria to his face?" He demanded, walking over towards her.

She walked over to meet him halfway, which is directly in front of our desk. "I'm so scared!" She mocked, placing a hand on her hip. "Go on, hit me if you want!"

The two stood in front of our desk.

Shiemi watched worriedly, Rin tried to ignore it, reading the textbook in front of him, and I watched curiously.

"I never could stand you in the first place! Don't make fun of other people's dreams!" He slammed his hand on our desk, right next to Rin, who jumped.

"Oh, you mean your goal of 'defeating Satan'? Heh. What a joke. What else can I do but laugh?" She smirked.

Things sure are heating up. I don't even think I can stop them if I tried. "Yeah? Then how about you? What's your purpose in becoming an Exorcist, huh? Spill it!" He demanded.

I glanced at Izumo, who seemed to be thinking. "Purpose?" Her eyes then flashed, holding some emotions.

Fear. Sadness. And Despair. And something else.

But as quickly as I saw it, she forced it back. "I've never told anyone else what my purpose is. Since I'm not an attention seeker like you!"

This set Ryuji off. "Why you!" He snatched her by the front of her shirt.

"Ah, Ryuji!" I stood at the same time Rin did. Izumo went to slap, but missed and hit Rin's shoulder.

"Nii-Chan, are you okay?" I asked him, walking over to his side.

"Ouch. If you're gonna brawl, do it somewhere else!" Rin shouted at them, annoyed by their behavior.

"Alright, settle down!" Yukio's voce called. Huh? Yukio?

We turned to see the youngest Okumura walk in. And he does not look happy. Uh-oh.

"That's enough already."

~

My eye twitched as the weight on my lap, my legs, increased some more. "Wh-what the hell's ip with pickling rock? It's getting heavier by the second for crying out loud." Rin stated.

We're all back at the dorms and the sun has gone down.

Because of their little fight earlier, we're all being punished, holding these weird stone demons in our laps.

They're freaking heavy.

I'm tempted to command mine to lighten up, but we're all kinda crowded together.

I'm right next to Ryuji and Shiemi, Rin on Ryuji's other side and next to Izumo.

Since we're all so close, our legs are almost touching. Not that we'd feel it because these damn demons are making me lose all feeling!

"It's another low level demon. The longer you hold it, the heavier-ah. The heavier it gets!" Maru told him, voice strained. "You didn't even know what a Bariyon is? You really are pathetic." Ryuji told Rin.

My temple throbbed in annoyance. "Ah, shove it Ryuji. This is your fault to begin with!" I hissed, agitated by the strain on my legs.

"Huh? How so?" He asked me. This just made me more annoyed then I already am. "Don't gimme that! It's all because of your fight that we-"

"It's called collective responsibility. The objective of this boot camp is not only to 'bolster your academic skills', but also for you to 'cultivate friendship'."

I don't want to hear this from someone who doesn't have any friends.

"I'd rather die than get chummy with these jerks." Izumo stated. Ugh. She's got real issues, this girl.

Ugh, what a cruddy day. "I'm afraid you're going to have to learn to get along! An Exorcist cannot fight alone!" Yukio scolded, surprising us.

"To maximize each others skills, compensate for shortcomings, and fight in parties of two or more are basic procedure. In actual combat, such bickering could plunge you into life or death situations. Seriously reflect on that."

He checked his watch. "Alright, I'll be gone for about three hours on a minor assignment. However, due to the incident with the ghoul yesterday I'm taking extra precautions and locking all of the dorms' entrances, and applying a powerful demon-warding charm."

Huh? "Locked? But then how are we supposed to get out of here?" Ryuji asked the question on our minds.

"There's no need to leave. I'll be back in three hours. Until then, I want you all to get along and cool off." Yukio smiled at us and then left.

"Yukio, you're a demon!" I shouted in agitation.

His personality isn't that pleasant either.

"Three hours? He is as evil as a demon." Shima agreed, paling a bit. "I can't take it anymore. Are you two and that instructor really related?" Ryuji asked us.

I sweat dropped as Rin hung his head. I wonder that. "H-He's really a good guy! I'm sure he is." Rin said, trying to remember that Yukio is good.

It's kind of hard to in this situation though.

"Anyway, look at this mess we're in, thanks to someone!"

"Huh? You're the one who grabbed me by the collar!"

"It was you who picked that fight with me in the first place!"

Ugh. These people. "Hey, stop fighting with me in the middle!" Rin shouted in anger.

Of course they ignored him. "Jeez, you really are one twisted witch." Don't these two ever get tired of fighting? It's exhausting me.

Izumo just looked amused. "I'm already aware of that, thanks! So what?"

I have a headache now. All they've been doing is bickering back and forth. "You're gonna drive everyone away with a personality like that."

Ryuji's words seemed to have passed Izumo's walls, her eyes flashed, but before I could analyze it, the lights went out.

Huh? Ah! Chance! I rolled the demon off my lap and stood, my legs aching. Everyone else did the same. "Ouch! I dropped the Bariyon on my foot!" Rin shouted.

I shivered a bit. I sense a demon inside the dorms. It's the same presence as before. The ghoul demon.

Tch. I should have been paying attention. "Wh-what the . . ? Did he turn off the lights too?" Ryuji asked as he looked around the empty dark room.

"No way!" Maru exclaimed, grabbing his bald head. "Is it a blackout?" Izumo asked.

I glanced out the windows and shook my head. "No, I can see lights on outside the window." Shima said, seeing the same thing.

I stood up, eyeing the door. "What is it Yuko?" Rin asked.

I pursed my lips, eyes narrowing on the door. It's coming.

What the hell Yukio? I thought you took extra preventative measures? "What is it Okumura?" Ryuji asked, standing up.

I glanced at them a bit. "There . . . there's a demon in the dorms. The ghoul." I said, as calm as I could.

Shiemi and the others jumped at my claim.  "Huh?! A Ghoul?! Are you sure?" Maru asked.

I nodded, gaze going back to the door. "I can sense it. It's the same one from yesterday."

Rin stared at me a bit before the door. It's getting closer. Shima stood. "Yuko-Chan, you're paranoid. It can't be."

He got up, going to the door. "Ah! Shima, no!" I shouted, rushing over.

He opened the door, and there stood the demon.

I rushed over, slamming the door shut, grabbing Shima's wrist, and dragged him back over as the demon broke through the door.

Shima quickly ran more behind Rin as the demon stepped through the broken door.

Everyone gasped in surprise and fear. "The ghoul from yesterday!" Kamiki shouted.

"I thought there was a demon warding charm in effect?" Maru said, fear lacing his voice.

What the hell is going on? Ah. The other head that seemed sewn shut burst open like a flower, some weird liquid splattering onto us in the process.

This is . . . Miasma.

Aira and I encountered a demon who spread miasma through a fog, I've never seen it liquified.

I lightly touched the drop on my cheek.

Ah! It got on everyone. This isn't good. I have a high tolerance to this stuff, but the others . . .

This is bad. The demon, on the other side of the room, began to walk towards us."Neee-Chan!"

Huh? Shiemi? Neee-Chan jumped out of her kimono and landed in her hands. "Can you bring out some Una-una?" Una-una?

The little green man jumped up and a forest of branches sprouted out, stabbing the demon, filling the room, and creating a wall between us and the demon.

Damn. "A-Amazing." We murmured, not expecting that at all. "Thank you Neee-Chan!" Shiemi rubbed her cheek against his affectionately.

Rin walked over, touching the wooden branches. "You saved us Shiemi. Thanks to you-huh?"

There's a sound coming from within. Like breaking. "It's coming this way!" Shima exclaimed.

"Damnit. For supposedly being dead, you're pretty lively!" Rin shouted, moving back a bit.

"Ghouls are way more active in the dark." Ryuji informed us.

Suddenly Shiemi started coughing and fell to her knees. "Shiemi?" I crouched down next to her, placing my hand on her back. "What is it?" Rin asked her.

"I'm feeling . . . dizzy." Dizzy? Ah! The miasma.

Soon everyone began coughing. Everyone other than me and Rin that is. "What's wrong with you guys?" Rin asked worriedly.

"It's because we got sprayed with that Ghoul's bodily fluids. It's miasma. Doesn't it bother you at all?" Izumo asked him, coughing some more.

This isn't good. "Nii-Chan, call Yukio!" I said, grabbing my sword out of its case and slipping it under my shirt, tucking it in securely.

Rin quickly pulled out his cell and dialled our brother. "Once Moriyama-San loses all strength, this barricade will vanish. And if that happens it's all over." Ryuji said, looking over at her.

This isn't looking good. "I can't get through to Yukio's cell phone wither. Alright then."

Rin headed over towards the barricade. "What're you doing?" Ryuji asked.

The corners of Rin's lip twitched up. "I'm gonna head outside and draw that thing away from here. If I get it to follow me, you guys find a way to escape. Yuko, make sure that they're okay."

Rin . . .

I nodded my head firmly. Rin is strong. He can take care of a demon. He has a higher chance of survival away from us, since he can't use his power in front of them.

"Alright, be safe, Nii-Chan."

Ryuji looked between us. "Are you crazy?!" He asked.

Rin began to climb through the crooked branches. "It's okay. I'm pretty strong you know!" Those were his last words as he left us.

I stood up, on high alert. Ryuji and his friends called after Rin, but it fell on deaf ears. "It's alright. Nii-Chan can handle himself against a demon." I tried reassuring them.

I heard Rin calling it and the retreating footsteps.

It's quiet, but I noticed something. "L-let's get out of here!" Shima spoke frantically.

"Wait!" I moved my arm out, blocking him. "What is it?" He asked.

I closed my eyes, searching out for aura's. "That demon . . . it split itself in half. There's still one in there." I told them, gritting my teeth.

"Are you sure?" Maru asked. I nodded, hearing the heavy breathing of it.

Then the sound of tearing again. "Positive."

Rin only got one to follow him. "N-no way!"

Rin . . . Yukio . . . wherever you two went, I hope you're safe.

"We can't just sit here and do nothing. I'm going to take it out with a recital."

Recital? Ah! The Aria thing! "But Bon, you don't even know that thing's Fatal Verse, do you?" Maru asked, obviously very afraid of the situation we're in.

"No, I don't, but for Ghoul-type demons they're mainly in the Gospel of John. I've already got it all memorized, so if I recite the whole thing, I should hit it at some point."

That's true . . . I guess. I still don't get the verses thing.

"All of it? But there's more than 20 chapters!" Shima shouted in surprise. "There's 21 in all. I've got Chapters 1 through 10 memorized. Let me help." Maru . . . Ryuji nodded.

"Hold on a second! If you start reciting, they'll focus their attack on you!" Izumo warned them hurriedly.

"There's no time to worry about that!" Ryuji pointed at Shiemi, who is still on the ground, holding Neee-Chan. "That girl's busting her butt all by herself. How can a guy just stand here doing nothing?"

Shima smirked, moving his shirt a bit and pulling out a golden short staff of sorts.

No, it's dismantled. "That's our Bon. You're a real man!" He put it together.

Ah, it's the staff monks use.

"Now, I don't have a single verse memorized, but . . ." He tightened the pieces together. "Great, you snuck that thing in!" Ryuji eyes the weird monk staff in relief.

"If push comes to shove, I'll back you up." Oh? Did not expect that from Shima in all honesty.

"B-but that's reckless!" Izumo shouted, trying to get some sense into them.

Well, it is dangerous, but Rin left their safety in my care. And I'll make sure no one gets hurt.

Not like last time. "What's this? You were fired up a minute ago, but you're backing down now that it counts? If you're not gonna fight, get back! Konekomaru, you start on chapter 1. I'll start with chapter 11. Don't get dragged into my part!"

The two sat down, holding beads in their hands as they assumed a position I can only assume monks use. The two then began to recite verses.

Okay, they're not going to be able to fight.

Shima doesn't look like much of a fighter, nobody does. But that's alright. I have plenty of experience fighting.

And I'm stronger and faster than the average human. I should be able to stop it from harming them.

But why is this demon here? This demon had to have been summoned. But by who?

After a bit, Maru stopped reciting meaning Ryuji was going to finish it up.

But the longer it was, the closer the demon sounded. Part of the demons body popped through one opening but is having trouble exiting the thick brush.

Shima is jabbing it with his staff, trying to push it back with it.

"It's no good. It won't be long before the barricades broken!" Shima warned, trying his best to fend off the demon. "Bon's reciting the last chapter now." Maru said.

Then we might make it in- a thud sounded. "Shiemi!" I shouted as I saw her, passed out on the floor. The thick brush that was summoned disappeared, leaving only Shima between us and the demon.

Shit! Shima tried fighting it, but the demon grabbed his staff and threw him back.

I immediately lunged forward, jumping up and driving my knee into it's face. The demon let out a shout and I turned fast, kicking it back some more. "Okumura-San!" Maru shouted.

I got into a fighting stance as the demon stood once again. I don't want to kill it. But . . . I won't let it hurt them. I lunged forward and drove my fist straight into its stomach. I then grabbed the hilt of my sword from under by shirt and unsheathed it, slicing the demon with the blade.

I went to strike again. It held its hand out, making my blade stab straight through its hand. I was about to slash it off when it moved back, flinging my sword back and away.

Not wanting to let it have an advantage, I brought my leg up, striking it in the gut again.

The demon bent over a bit, but lashed it's arm, striking me and sending me flying. "Wha!" I shouted as I flew across the room and straight into a wall.

I coughed up at the impact. "Okumura-San!" Tch. I stood up, anger boiling inside me.

Before I could run at it, Izumo's voice brought my attention her way. She's moving her hand, chanting something, her two familiars in front of her.

"One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight nine, ten. Utter these words and shiver. And should it sway and quiver, then even the dead shall come back to life. The Tamayura Exorcism!" She shouted, sending her familiars its way.

They moved quickly around the demon, like encasing it in light. I thought she did it, but the demon managed to smack her familiars away.

The demon reached for Ryuji.

"You!" I shouted, running at it and slamming my body into it. I brought my fist up, beginning to wail on it. We tumbled on the floor, each of us exchanging blows.

I won't lose. I won't lose. I won't lose!

Every time I was hit, every time I was thrown, I kept getting back up and wailing on him.

The image of that night flashed through my mind. The demons hurting the guys. The destruction of my home. Dad.

My anger flared and I shouted, continuing to punch it in the face in a wild frenzy.

He struck me and I flew off him. We stood and went at it again.

This is hard. Demons don't typically fight me unless we're sparring. But this isn't practice.

This is real.

This is a real situation where he's after the others.  My friends. And that just added to me fury.

All I could see was the fight within the church. I don't want that. I don't want that! I don't want anyone else to get hurt! I don't want anyone else to die!

You can't die!

I brought my knee up, slamming into him. While he was still bent over I moved my leg up in an axe kick before bringing it down on him.

While he was crouched I moved my leg around his neck. The ability to snap it in my decision.

Yes. If I have to, I'll just kill them all.

"Fuyuko"

Dad . . .

I pursed my lips and got off, bringing us down and putting it in a headlock. I tightened my hold on it as it struggled.

"Maru?! How much longer!" I asked, straining myself to keep him down. "Bon's on the last verse! Just a little more Okumura-San!" I grunted, struggling to keep it down.

The lights turned on, and the demon thrashed around harder. Shit!

Despite my struggles, it stood and threw me at Ryuji. No! "Could not contain the books that should be written!" Ryuji finished before my body slammed into his.

The screams of the demon sounded before it went quiet. "Is it over?" I asked, looking up.

I had been thrown at Ryuji, so I lay across his torso and we're sprawled on the ground.

I knew it was over. Its presence is gone. There are no more demons here other than Rin and Ukobach.

Ryuji sat up, making me slide onto his lap. "Hey!" He slammed his fist onto my head. "OW! What was that for?!" I asked incredulously.

He shot me a look. "Look at you! You're covered in bruises! Why did throw yourself at it?" He demanded angrily.

"Huh? What do you mean why? Because I was the only one who could fight it hand to hand. Besides, I'm not covered in bruises! There's like two, three max." I stated.

His temple throbbed and he put his fists on either side of my head and began to scrub vigorously. "Ow! Ow, ow, ow, ow!" I cried comically as he continued to hurt my head. "You reckless little!" He growled.

It hurts! "Hey! Was there another one that stayed behind here?" Ryuji stopped as they all looked at Rin, dumbfounded.

A couple bruises are on him but otherwise he's okay. "It's okay Nii-Chan, I watched after them." I beamed happily. He returned the smile. "Good job Yuko."

"Y-You . . . what about the other one?" Ryuji asked, flabbergasted. "Huh? Oh, I got it. Did you get that other one too? Awesome!"

Ryuji stood and rushed at Rin, catching his throat with his arm and slamming him down. "Onii-Chan?!" I stood watching the two in bewilderment.

Ryuji looks pissed. "What's wrong with you?! Do you want to get killed?!" Rin looked up at him, moving his hand frantically. "H-Hold up! You're the one trying to kill me now!" He dodged Ryuji's foot as he went to stomp on him.

"Ry-Ryuji . . ." I tried, but he turned his furry to me. "You too! What is with you Okumura's!" I squealed and took off in a sprint.

He's going to kill me! Rin and I screamed as we tried to avoid Ryuji's rampage. "I like the bond of friendship, but I don't want to be hit! Ryuji, stop! Waa! Nii-Chan!"

I thrust a window open. Rin quickly dove out and I followed after.

"OKUMURA'S!"