Shiro woke up at the monastery.
The night before, he had run out of leads trying to locate Rin, Yukio or Mephisto and decided a good night's sleep was the best plan.
He found himself at the front door of his former home, but unfortunately, a chain locked the double doors. Shiro knew there was a secret way into the building. It was through the old crypt in the adjoining cemetery, sealed with a magic aria he, himself, had cast.
Making his way through the ancient monuments, Shiro saw something strange. The cemetery permitted no new burials for over 50 years, but a new tombstone stood in his path. As he read the inscription, he fell to his knees in shock. It read: Here lies Father Fujimoto, Hero.
"No! I wasn't a hero!" Shiro fought back a wave of emotion. "I was a fucking moron!"
In the darkness, the sound of approaching footsteps drew his attention. Shiro reached into his robes for his gun and quietly clicked off the safety.
"Stand down, soldier." An older man chuckled, his form barely visible behind a row of tombstones. "I not going to hurt you. But you do seem down on your luck. Can I help you with anything?"
"I dunno." Shiro crossed his arms. "Are you the ghost of Christmas Future? I could use a reset, complete with hot babes and a big juicy turkey."
The man laughed at his dank joke.
"No, no, I'm not." He said good-naturedly. "But I do make a mean cup of tea."
The man pulled back his cowl, and Shiro jumped to his feet with relief.
"Tatsuma! " Shiro hugged him tightly. "I've never been more fucking glad to see you, old friend!"
"I'm glad to be here, lots of bad things have happened in the future." He sighed as they regarded the tombstone. "I'm sorry you saw this."
"Yeah, apparently, I'm a stiff." Shiro kicked a clump of dirt next to his grave. "It had to be Satan; nobody else could get the drop on me."
"He came after Rin through you." The monk retold the story. "You saved him but lost your life."
"I must have lost my temper," Shiro growled. "That was his only way in. Mephisto was right."
"He was?"
"Yeah, but we can never tell him that," Shiro replied. "He's already a raving narcissist."
"I see."
"But let's leave that for a later conversation. I've got more important things on my mind."
"Such as?"
"When did you get so fucking ancient?" Shiro clapped him on the shoulder jokingly. "Now we're both a couple of old farts!"
"Having sons makes you age fast," Tatsuma admitted.
"Did our kids turn out that bad?"
"No, Shiro," Tatsuma confirmed. "Our boys are good, strong and brave. I've learned to have faith in them. My entire life now is devoted to protecting their future. And that's why you're here, too."
"Yukio inherited a terrible burden, and Satan is trying to possess him somehow. I think he's using my one son to kill the other." Shiro's voice broke with concern. "Mephisto is trying to turn Yukio to the dark side, and Rin is the collateral damage. I don't know why he's doing this. He's our son, and I thought...."
"You thought that Mephisto would care for them?" The monk answered sadly. "He's a demon; you know they can't be trusted."
"Yeah, but he hated Satan." Shiro shook his head. "I didn't figure him for aiding and abetting. There's no reason for Mephisto to want Satan to return; Lucifer has been a huge pain in his ass."
"Listen, Shiro. There's nothing to worry about. You're here now, and we can fix this."
Tatsuma gestured toward the monastery.
"Let's get inside and get warm. The power is still working, and I have dinner waiting for you."
"How did you get in? I left a complex aria guarding the place."
"You left me instructions." Tatsuma opened a faded letter. "Two days before you died."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
As he sat up, Shiro groaned in pain as his spine clicked in three different places. His old man's disguise wasn't overly agile first thing in the morning. His stomach growled with hungry longing as the smell of breakfast lured him to consciousness.
He wandered into the Kitchen, and Tatsuma greeted him with a full, cooked meal. As Shiro pulled up a chair, the monk sat beside him and poured hot tea. On the wall, a flat-screen TV displayed the morning news.
"Mornin'," Shiro yawned. "I slept like the dead, no pun intended."
"It's good to see you in better spirits." Tatsuma joked. "A living spirit."
They sat at the table, and Shiro dished rice, fish and omelet into bowls.
I have a question." The monk asked thoughtfully. "What are the odds that this old abandoned temple still has its utilities connected?"
"I'd say the chances are excellent," Shiro affirmed. "Given that the Takara Corporation funds it."
"Who's that?"
"Mephisto's investment group," Shiro sipped his tea. "Unlike other demonic beings, he's carefully managed his money for the last few hundred years. He's fucking loaded, and he has stocks in every profitable company. It makes sense; he can predict the future, making him a master at insider trading. The cops could never prove a thing."
"So, are you saying he left the lights on for us?"
"He knew I was coming and wanted me to watch TV."
Both men turned their attention to the screen just in time to see last night's newsreel.
"Whoa, I know her," Tatsuma remarked as an exorcist flashed onto the monitor. "She's the one that's training Rin. I met her a few months ago when she and boys vanquished the Impure King."
"The Impure King!?" Shiro practically shouted in shock. "How did that prick get loose!?"
"Meh, it's a long story and not worth telling right now." Tatsuma waved him off. "But I must admit, she is the most beautiful woman I've ever seen, with the foulest mouth I've ever heard!"
The men watched Shura with interest. With the speed and agility of a superhero, she fought every type of monster imaginable and didn't even realize people were filming her. But of course, they were; nobody had ever seen a demon before, let alone a demon-slayer of Shura's calibre.
"I bet she'll be a big celebrity." Tatsuma mused. "No exorcist has ever been seen in action before. She sure doesn't look like some old monk or stuffy clergyman."
"Yeah." Shiro added, "Look at her out there; she made us look real good."
"Her skills are amazing."
Shiro shook his head. "She was my apprentice, but hell--" He motioned to the screen. "Shura's surpassed anything I'd ever taught her. She should be an arc knight, not just a first-class inspector. I wish I'd gotten to know her better, but was in a bad place. Plus, it was complicated."
"Complicated, how?" The monk sipped his tea.
"She had a crush on me, it was fucking humiliating!!"
"Huh? Why would that be an issue?"
"She was seven!!!" Shiro frowned. "I rescued her from a big nasty demon, and that was it."
Tatsuma laughed heartily, picturing the scenario.
"Well, she's hardly a kid now!"
"She's twenty-nine." Shiro sighed. "And I'm still way too old."
The monk reached over and pulled the vial from Shiro's breast pocket. The Paladin's body returned instantly back to a man in his mid-30s.
"You forgot that I gave you that." Tatsuma winked. "You thought I wouldn't remember? You're pretending to be an old man but aren't a geezer. At least, not yet."
"Listen, I can't even think about dating right now; Shura's with Mephisto." He stated with concern. "She's going down the same road I did, and he's trying to steal her soul. Plus, I gotta help Yukio; if he goes over the edge, at the very least, he could die. Worst-case scenario, Satan comes back, and we get another blue night."
"Now for breaking news." A reporter interrupted the newscasts. "Given the strange events of last night, the Prime Minister has called on the Knights of the True Cross to protect the city. Today, the Director of the Japanese branch, Johann Faust the 5th, will address the situation at a press conference at 1 pm sharp." A picture of Mephisto's face graced the screen, and Shiro gritted his teeth.
"This is serious," Tatsuma answered. "To have Mephisto out in the open like that."
"He's making himself a target," Shiro answered. "For whom is the question."
"Do you think he's trying to lure Yukio?"
"Fuck, I dunno. What I do know I need to get into that press conference."
Tatsuma handed him an ID card.
"What's this?"
"You left this with your letter." He replied, "It's your new identity."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shura opened her eyes warily; she felt like she'd been hit by a truck.
Yesterday, she died, but luckily Mephisto revived her.
She frowned, remembering more.
Then Mephisto tried to steal her soul, but Shiro rescued her. But she slept with Mephisto anyway, or....was it Shiro? Fuck.
The sex felt amazing. The demon had been gentle with her at first, but the following five times they fucked, it was like he had multiple personalities. Each version of Mephisto had some very kinky and pervy moves. Each time she came harder and harder, until she passed out from exhaustion.
What the hell was Mephisto anyway? How did he know so much about love-making?
Shura should have used her safeword, but she just went with it.
After all, the world was ending in three days, right?
But, Christ, it was supposed to be a one-night stand. He had made love to her. It was like they bonded on a deeper level, it infinitely complicated everything.
"Stop overthinking shit," Mephisto grumbled. "I know you are."
"Oh, and you don't overthink shit?" She grunted. "That's what you do for a living."
"That's why it's best not to start. It'll consume you."
"Thanks, I'll keep that in mind."
"It's completely natural to feel bashful after doing everything we did."
Shura's face reddened the same colour as her hair.
"Thanks a lot Mephisto...!" She griped. "Not helping!"
She peered over her shoulder and found the demon spooned up naked behind her. Attempting to move, Mephisto tightened his arms around her waist.
"It's too early..." He whined. "Go back to sleep."
"I thought demon kings had all kinds of energy." She mumbled into her pillow. "But not you."
"You are a rotten wench." He groaned with faked ire. "I've never had to work so hard for absolutely nothing."
"Shut up, you big baby." She mumbled. "So, you didn't get a contract. I'm still helping ya save the world. Ain't that good enough?"
Shura tried to squeeze out of bed to find her clothes, but the demon possessively tossed his leg over her, yanking her back against him.
"Aww C-mon, Mephisto." She snarked. "Let me up."
"No..." Mephisto pouted. "Stay in bed with me a bit longer."
"What the fuck for?"
"Trust me," He stuck out his bottom lip. "Today is gonna suck."
He rolled her over to face him, kissing her sleepily.
"Whaddya mean?" She whispered with concern. "Does something happen to ya?"
"Something always happens." He sighed. "But the severity is difficult to predict."
The door to the room creaked open, and a voice called out tentatively from just beyond.
"Master, it's getting late," Belial spoke hushedly. "Remember, your mission is critical."
"Ugh." Mephisto slapped his hand over his face. "I feel like hell; I need more time."
The demon snapped his fingers, and with widened eyes, Shura watched the clock on the wall roll back two hours.
"Fair enough, Sir," Belial answered. "That should do it. I will get your suit pressed."
"Thank you, Belial."
The servant closed the door quietly, and Mephisto shut his eyes.
"Wait, did you just rewind the morning?"
"Mmmm." He smiled. "Yes, I did. I am not rushing my breakfast."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shura opened the door to Mephisto's room-sized shower and stepped inside. The walls were smooth, polished sandstone with carved bench seats. The morning sunlight streamed into the upper corners through glass skylights. Turning on a crystal tap, Shura watched the ceiling open into a gentle swath of hot, steaming rain—each droplet refracting within the sun's rays, creating a prism-like rainbow. Shura held up her hands, marvelling at how beautiful it was. This place had to have been designed by a brilliant architect, which meant Mephisto was insanely wealthy.
"Admiring the room, are we?" Mephisto entered and pressed a button on the wall; soon, more jets sprang into action, hitting Shura from all sides. She looked at him and started laughing.
"What is this? A waterpark?"
"It's great for aches and pains." He slid open a sliding stone panel, revealing an array of expensive soap and shampoo. "I'm sure you have quite a few of those after last night. I know, I do."
"Speaking of last night." She lathered his back with thick purple soap, "What was that fantasy I experienced? Was it him?"
"Who?" Mephisto ran shampoo through her hair. "What do you remember?"
"Shiro, it was so freaking real..." She pointed a finger at his chest. "Then you tried to steal my soul, you bald-assed bastard!"
"Darling," He touched her face gently. "I know you miss him. But Shiro is long dead. What you experienced was nothing more than a fever dream. My blood made you hallucinate, that's all."
"What about my soul?"
The demon grinned mischievously.
"I'm always trying to steal that, m'lady."
At that exact moment, the door to the shower slammed open.
And there Amaimon stood wrapped in a towel; Mephisto's younger brother winced in disgust.
"Shiiiiiiit." Shura hid her naked body behind Mephisto. "What's he doing here!?"
"Brother!" The demon teen ranted. "That is SO disgusting! You have a human in the shower!"
"Did you just call me disgusting!?" Shura snarled. "You little punk!"
"Fuck ya, I did." Amaimon shielded his eyes. "Brother, you are the lowest of the low, sleeping with a human is like sleeping an earthworm."
"How dare you!!!" Mephisto hissed. "You used my toothbrush! I assure you, that's far, far worse!"
"Well, whatever, I want the shower." He pouted. "How long will you be?"
"I have a naked woman in here, read the room!!!" Mephisto ordered. "Get out!!!"
"Fine. I'll leave." He pouted. "I'll use the guest shower."
Before he exited he paused looking over his shoulder.
"Do you need me to still do that thing?"
"Yes, and "that thing" is very important." Mephisto huffed. "Make sure you rehearse it; do not read from the paper!"
"Yeah, whatever." Amaimon left, slamming the door. "I'll do it, but remember, you promised me candy. Lots of it."
"As you wish..." Mephisto grumbled. "You horrid little monster!!"