It didn't take [Y/n] long to get used to the high school and cram school life. She opened up a little bit to Rin and Yukio while living in the dorm with them in those couple of days.

It may not have been what they wanted, but her starting casual conversations at dinner was a step up. They were mostly curious about what was behind her eye patch. Anyway, [Y/n] would even hang out with them in their room often or silently sit there while Rin or Yukio wants to rant about each other. Like siblings do.

It was currently the weekend, and the exorcists-in-training had nothing to do. "H-How could this happen..." Rin cried while reading a manga. [Y/n] was on the wooden floor reading manga as well in her pajamas with her black tail wrapped around the next one she'd read. Yukio took the book from Rin.

"Hey! Give that back, damn it!" Rin yelled.

"Don't soak my manga with your weird fluids. What about your studies? Have you even looked at the materials I gave you two yesterday?" Yukio said, and [Y/n] nodded while rolling on her back.

"Oh, I gave them a look! I gave them a look, all right! What's with this 'for kids' crap?" Rin yelled and slammed his hand on the stack of books, "You better stop treating me like a moron or something."

"I'm not treating you like a moron. Though, I do think you are one." Yukio said, and Rin glared.

"You little four-eyed tool." Rin growled.

"I thought it might be easier for you to start with something like this." Yukio said and pushed up his glasses. [Y/n] just silently watched the scene from her place on the floor, viewing the world from an upside-down viewpoint.

"Do you think I'm the type who can sit at a desk all day and freakin' study?" Rin asked.

"Not by a long shot...But you want to become an exorcist, don't you?" Yukio asked.

"Well...yeah." Rin said.

"Then you need to take advantage of these days off. At least hit the books and prep for class." Yukio said while walking over to his closet. He took his exorcist uniform from the hanger.

"Hey, are you going out?" Rin said, making [Y/n] sit up out of curiosity. "A request came in. I'm also going supply shopping. I don't think I'll be that long." Yukio said.

[Y/n] softly spoke. "An exorcism?" She asked.

"Yes," Yukio answered.

"The let me go with you!" Rin cheered. "Me too." [Y/n] said.

"What?"

"We'll learn a lot more watching up close than I ever will from a book," Rin said while wagging his tail.

"But, you both are still just pages. Trainees aren't allowed into the field." Yukio said.

"Oh, don't give me that! We already field-tested, remember? Who needs anyone's stinkin' permission?" Rin protested.

"You have a point...All right, as long as you two are only observing." Yukio said, And Rin smiled.

"That's what I like to hear," Rin said while [Y/n] rushed out of the room to go change. She changed into her uniform top with shorts and topped it off with her mother's white cloak. After grabbing her sword, [Y/n] rushed back to the brothers' room.

"Ready." She said in a monotone.

"Just remember, you both have to do what I say, no matter what. Don't act on your own, ever." Yukio said.

"I hear you, Yuko. Loud and clear!" Rin said while [Y/n] nodded.

Yukio showed them a key. "This is the 'Supply Shop Key.' It's one of the keys that only qualified exorcists are given." Yukio explained.

"You've got a whole boatload, huh?" Rin said, and Yukio closed the room door then unlocked it with the key.

A long bridge was revealed after opening the door. "Jeez, it's high!" Rin yelled, noticing how high the bridge was from the water below.

As they walked, Rin and [Y/n] looked around in amazement. "You know, that key's kinda like a warp zone, huh?" Rin asked.

"This school is a crucial base for the Knights of the True Cross. To protect against demons of the intermediate rank and above, the director set up charms, barriers, and labyrinths." Yukio explained.

"Yeah? So, he's not just some whacked-out clown, huh?" Rin questioned, referring to Mephisto.

"As long as you have keys, you can go anywhere in the school without running into any of those traps. You should take care of any key you receive. They are valuable in this world." Yukio said.

Soon, the group finally reached the supply shop. "Okay, I'm going to get my shopping out of the way, so you two wait outside." Yukio said.

"I want to go in, too." Rin protested.

"Only exorcists and above can enter the store. I won't take long. [Y/n], watch Rin." Yukio said and walked upstairs while [Y/n] nodded.

Rin glared in Yukio's direction. "Jeez! That Yukio's totally treating me like a kid." Rin ranted. "Well, you do act like one." [Y/n] said, and Rin glared at her.

"Who asked you?!" Rin yelled while [Y/n] blankly looked at him. "One day, I'm gonna make him say, 'I'm counting on you, Rin!'" Rin muttered and notice stairs leading to a gate. Rin walked upstairs.

'Great, I failed already.' [Y/n] thought and went chasing after Rin.

"Wait-" Rin already broke the barrier on the gate, and it fell. "Hey, I didn't do anything. It totally fell on its own..." Rin said.

"Idiot..." [Y/n] muttered, and Rin glared at her.

"Y-You're a demon! Th-The demon-warding gate..." The blonde girl in the garden yelled, "S-Stay out! You demon!"

"Demon, demon yourself...Listen, I'm not a demon! Don't jump to conclusions!" Rin said and marched in the garden with [Y/n] following behind him.

"Oh! Don't come near me!" The blonde yelled and tried to crawl away. "I said, don't come near me!" She yelled again and fell.

"Hey, is something wrong with your legs?" Rin said. [Y/n] noticed that it seemed like roots were growing in her legs.

Since the two exorcists-in-training felt a bit sorry for the girl, they helped her with gardening work that she needed to be done. "It's fertilizer. I made it by diluting cow manure with water." The girl poured the mixture in the hole, making [Y/n] cover her nose from the horrible smell. "I need a really deep hole, so thank goodness that I had you!" The girl continued to talk to Rin with a smile.

"You gotta be kidding me! First, you call me a demon, then you start bossing me around..." Rin yelled.

"I'm sorry. You really gave me a shock...Can we make up? I didn't realize what a good person you were." The girl held out her hand to Rin.

Rin blushed. "Well...I guess I don't mind making up." Rin said and took her hand.

'I think I'm a third-wheel now. Someone...please kill me.' [Y/n] said while looking off into space.

"I'm Shiemi Moriyama. What's your name?" Shiemi asked. "R-Rin Okumura." Rin muttered then realized he was holding the hand she used to mix the cow manure earlier.

Shiemi held her hand out for [Y/n]. "I'm [Y/n] Fujiwara." [Y/n] said and shook Shiemi's other hand.

"This garden...It was my grandma's garden, you see. My grandma taught me so many things about this garden. I love this garden...and I loved my grandma." Shiemi said, "But, my grandma dies in an accident last winter...I'll bet she went off to the Garden of Amahara ahead of me. I really hope she did..."

"Garden of Amahara?" Rin questioned.

"It's a place God created to gather all of the plants in the world. It's said to be a beautiful field of color." [Y/n] spoke softly, and Shiemi's face lit up. She grabbed both of [Y/n]'s hands.

"W-Will you be my friend? I've never met anyone my age, who knows about the Garden of Amahara." Shiemi said with excitement.

[Y/n]'s eyes widened a bit, and she slowly nodded. "S-Sure." [Y/n] muttered.

"I know it's a fairy tale, but if there really is a Garden of Amahara. If I can really see all the plants in the world there...Then I really want to go." Shiemi said.

"Rin. [Y/n]. Hey, what are you two doing here?" Yukio yelled while standing on the steps leading to the house.

"I failed." [Y/n] muttered.

"I can't let you both out of my sight." Yukio growled and walked over to the group. "Hey, Yukio." Rin greeted, casually while waving.

"Yuki." Shiemi called.

"Yuki? You know each other?" Rin asked. "Yes. Shiemi's mother runs the supply shop I frequent." Yukio explained, " Hello, Shiemi."

"H-Hello." Shiemi greeted.

"That's my twin brother, Rin. He's elder." Yukio said, and both [Y/n]'s and Shiemi's eyes widen.

"Huh? You seem like the older brother, Yuki." Shiemi said.

'I've been fooled.' [Y/n] thought.

"Actually, I am, for all intents and purposes. Rin's my older brother in name only." Yukio explained.

"In name, my ass!" Rin yelled.

"Shiemi. Have Yukio take a look." Shiemi's mother said. "Mom! I haven't been infected by a demon!" Shiemi protested.

"It's just a precaution. If I examine and find nothing, then you're none the worse off. Will you let me take a look?" Yukio asked, and Shiemi slowly nodded. Yukio lifted up Shiemi's kimono skirt to see roots growing out of her legs.

"It's a Root." Yukio said.

"A Root?" Rin repeated.

"A temptaint. It's the work of a demon." Yukio said.

"B-But that can't be..." Shiemi muttered.

"Then Shiemi's been.."

"No, she hasn't been possessed. This demon isn't powerful enough to possess a human. It must be either a Dark Elf, Greenman, or Ent... A low-level demon that usually possesses grass and trees has reached from the earth, through Shiemi's legs to her soul. The demon is somewhere in this garden." Yuki explained while Rin and [Y/n] looked around for anything suspicious.

"Shiemi...Normally, a demon finds it's way into people's souls through conversation. You must have spoken to one. Can you remember ever doing that?" Yukio asked.

"I-I never spoke to any demon..." Shiemi muttered while looking down. 'She's lying.' [Y/n] thought while staring at Shiemi.

"Shiemi! You've got to leave this curse garden! I know your grandmother cherished it, but it's not worth sacrificing your health!" Shiemi's mother yelled.

"Don't call it a cursed garden! It was Grandma's greatest treasure! I hate you, Mom!" Shiemi yelled, and suddenly her eyes grew dull. Shiemi fainted on the grass.

~~~~

"Garden of Amahara?" Five-year-old [Y/n] questioned as she tilted her head while she and her mother were tending to the garden behind the temple.

"Yes, it's a beautiful garden created by God. It has all of the plants in the world." Eno said with a smile. [Y/n]'s eyes sparkled.

"Can we go together, Mama?" [Y/n] cheered.

Eno kissed her daughter's forehead. "Maybe, one day. Only if you promise to be good." Eno said, and [Y/n] nodded, vigorously.

Eno's smile grew, and she placed her hand on top of [Y/n]'s head. "Then, we all will go together." Eno said.

[Y/n] opened her eyes and sighed. She's been sitting near the gate of the garden, waiting for Shiemi to wake up.

"Hey." Rin said and sat down next to [Y/n].

[Y/n] simply nodded at him. For the first time, Rin could see a glimpse of sadness in [Y/n]'s eye. "Hey, what's wrong?" Rin asked.

"Shiemi...told her mother that she hated her. It reminded me of how poorly I treated my mother. She...should be more grateful." [Y/n] said while staring at the dirt and grass.

Rin gave [Y/n] a reassuring pat on the head and a big toothy grin. [Y/n]'s eyes widened and suddenly felt a weird fuzzy feeling in her chest.

"I have a plan." He said, and [Y/n] nodded, showing that she understood. They stood up to find Shiemi. They found her in the back of the garden watering plants.

"You're still tending to this garden at this hour?" Rin asked, "Listen, your mom is really worried about you."

"I don't care...Mom's the one who's being awful. I want to protect this garden... I've decided to protect Grandma's garden, and that's it." Shiemi said, and [Y/n] gritted her teeth.

[Y/n] picked up a potted plant and threw it in on the ground, making the pot shatter. Rin did the same. "Hey! What are you doing?" Shiemi asked, and [Y/n] broke another.

"Stop it! I said, stop it! Please! Just stop!" Shiemi yelled and latched onto [Y/n]'s cloak.

"Snap out of it already! Just what is it that's gotten such a hold over you?" Rin asked.

"If I...If only I'd...come home sooner that day...If I hadn't left the garden, and helped her with the arbor, Grandma wouldn't have died. Grandma was killed because of me. That's why...I've got to protect her garden." Shiemi said, and [Y/n]'s eye widened a bit.

'She's just like...me.' [Y/n] thought. Then, she clicked her tongue and dropped to her knees. [Y/n] grabbed Shiemi by the shoulder.

"Then, you shouldn't make your mother worry! Would your grandmother tell you not to go and follow your dream?!" [Y/n] yelled. This was the first time in a while that Rin's ever seen [Y/n] so angry. Shiemi began to tear up.

"No...she wouldn't..." Shiemi began to cry, and she hugged onto [Y/n]. "I'm such an idiot. I can't even move my legs at all anymore!" Shiemi said.

"Leave it to me! I'll just chop that damn root into two!" Rin yelled.

"Sorry to interrupt just when you're getting to the good part..." Yukio appeared out of nowhere.

"Whoa! Yukio? What did you get here?" Rin asked, and Shiemi stopped crying.

"We're dealing with a lightweight. I can exorcise it in no time. Shiemi, you'll be able to move your legs right away. After all, it's really up to your strength of will." Yukio explained.

"Yuki." Shiemi said.

"I won't allow this...Do you mean to break your promise?" A voice spoke. "It's reared its head." Yukio said. "I won't allow this!" The demon yelled and the roots in Shiemi legs go bigger.

"Shiemi!" [Y/n] called and was thrown aside by the demon. "[Y/n]!" Rin called and rushed to catch her. Rin held [Y/n] close, and they rolled in the dirt.

"Are...you okay?" Rin asked. [Y/n] got that feeling again.

"Yes, thank you." [Y/n] said in her usual monotone, and got off of Rin. "Dammit! What's the big idea, bursting into bloom so late at night?" Rin asked.

"And it's using Shiemi as a shield." [Y/n] said.

"Yes...Rin, [Y/n]. Would you two mind helping me out a little? I need your help." Yukio said, and Rin smiled.

"H-Hey, say that one more time, will you?" Rin asked. "I said, I need your help!"' Yukio yelled.

"What am I going to do with you, little brother?" Rin said, and [Y/n] sighed while watching Rin pull out his sword. She hasn't opened her sword since the incident with her mother.

[Y/n]...was scared. She was scared of herself and of her flames. She didn't want anyone to die because of her.

[Y/n] looked up from her sword at Shiemi who was held hostage by the demon. 'But I have to save my first ever friend!' [Y/n] thought and gripped her sword's handle. Her blue and purple flames came out of the sword and out of her body. The flames burnt [Y/n]'s eye patch off revealing her left eye.

"[Y/n]..." The brothers watched in awe. "You both are demons!" The demon yelled. "Hey, don't go lumping us with you, stinky barley juice!" Rin said and charged at the demon with [Y/n] following behind.

Each time the duo tried to attack, the demon would use Shiemi as a shield. "You're playing dirty, dammit!" Rin yelled.

"There's no question of fair or dirty when it comes to demons. I dare you to try and strike me with those swords. That is, if you can live with the red gashes you'll be inflicting on our lovely bodies." The demon said.

"Stay back, you two. At this point, we'll have to shoot them both." Yukio ordered while pointing a gun at the demon holding Shiemi.

"Whoa! Hold up, Yukio!" Rin yelled, and the demon laughed. "Hmph. You're just bluffing. There's no way you'd sacrifice the girl. You can't fool me." The demon said.

Yukio smirked. "Are you sure about that?" Yukio asked and cocked his gun, "You may be right...And then again, you may be wrong. Now, then, which will it be?"

"Damn you! You cursed exorcist! There's no way you'd shoot!" The demon yelled, and Yukio shot Shiemi in the chest. The plant demon let Shiemi go.

"It let her go!" [Y/n] announced, and her and Rin attacked the demon, making the demon burn in a red blaze. 'Red flames...?' Yukio thought. Rin and [Y/n] put away their swords and tails away.

"Yukio! You son of a..." Rin went charging at Yukio.

"Yuki..." Shiemi muttered, making Rin stop in his tracks. "Thank goodness. The root on your legs has vanished. Try standing. Everything is fine now." Yukio said and set Shiemi down.

"Oh." Shiemi could finally stand.

"Shiemi..." Shiemi's mother came outside.

"Mom..."

[Y/n] slapped Shiemi in back of her head. "[Y/n]!"

"Go on. Apologize." [Y/n] said, "If you don't do it now, you'll regret it for the rest of your life." She smiled a little at Shiemi.

Shiemi nodded and walked over to her mother. And, they made up. It reminded [Y/n] of how she and her mother used to be, and she really missed that feeling.

"Hey, I can get used to this kind of thing. But what did you shot them with?" Rin asked.

Yukio unloaded the gun. "Vitamin capsules. Sure, getting hit with one does hurt a little, but..." Yukio explained.

"Jeez, so that's your big pay off, huh?" Rin asked.

"You're just angry that Yukio looked cooler than you." [Y/n] muttered, and Rin glared at her. "Hey! Shut up!" Rin yelled.

'But...I can get used to things this way...' [Y/n] thought and smiled a little.

~

Rin stared in shock at the front of the room while [Y/n] stared blankly with a fresh new eye patch covering her left eye. Shiemi was standing there in front of the whole class. "This is your new classmate, Shiemi Moriyama." Yukio introduced.

"I-It's a pleasure to meet you all." Shiemi said and bowed. She went to sit with Rin and [Y/n]. "Wh-What's going on?" Rin asked.

"Well, since I don't know about the world, and I'm so weak, I thought I'd train at this cram school. So, I asked Yuki...I mean, Mr. Okumura to get me in." Shiemi said while she trembling.

"You're shaking..." [Y/n] muttered.

"Are you okay? I can't believe you made it here." Rin said.

"It's thanks to you two. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!" Shiemi said and smiled. Rin blushed.

"Well, hey...I really didn't..."' Rin muttered. "And also...I wanted to see Yuki as a teacher!" Shiemi said with hearts in her eyes.

"Oh, that was the real draw." Rin said and pouted. "Cooler than you..." [Y/n] whispered to Rin, and he glared. "Will you stop that already?!" Rin growled.