OMG guys! I'm still alive!!!  Just a little author's note before this chapter starts.

Thank you all so much for showing interest in my story. Over 15K reads in 7 parts!!! That's crazy! Thank you guys so much for reading and supporting this story. I'm so glad you all like it. Thank you all for putting up with my rare updates. I understand how annoying that can be, but I am a very busy person so I write when I can. This one is kinda short, just because I wanted to give you guys something. I'll start working on a longer one ASAP! I hope you continue liking, reading, and supporting until the very end. I love you all! Without further ado, enjoy the update!

~K
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Yukio PoV

Rin quickly unsheathed Kurikara and all three of us burst into flames. Suguro stood in awe and shielded his eyes from the bright blue light. He quickly turned his eyes from Rin, to me, to Aoko, then back to Rin. Aoko had a slightly frightened look on her face and she froze where she stood.

"Do you believe me now?" Rin yelled over the loud roaring of the flames. I couldn't take my eyes off of Aoko. By this point she had broken into tears. I didn't know what had happened, but clearly it was hurting her.

"Rin stop!" I screamed at him, "She's crying! Put it away!" He glanced over at Aoko and saw the tears streaming down face. He swiftly sheathed the sword and stood, mouth ajar, staring at the crying girl. As he clearly wasn't about to do anything, I sprung into action.

"Aoko!" I rushed over to her, "What happ-" she ran away before I could finish my sentence.

"I- I didn't mean to-" Rin began.

"You have to pay more attention to other people, Rin!" I scolded, "Now she's run off. I think it'd be best if I go after her this time. Wait here." I turned towards the door and started after her.

"Uh... Yukio," he stopped me.

"What now, Rin?" I sighed.

"Suguro already ran after her," he informed me. I looked back and noticed that he was right. Suguro had already left while I was busy chastising Rin. I walked back to the table and sat down. Maybe this was for the best. Maybe she needs to talk to him. She needs someone she can trust other than me and Rin. And if Suguro ran after her, I think he might just be that someone she can trust.

Suguro PoV

I didn't know what the he** was going on. Honestly, their explanation didn't seem the slightest bit reasonable. Until he unsheathed Kurikara. I didn't know what I believed. All I knew was that she ran off crying and I wanted to help her. Seeing her face as she ran off, I didn't see any other option. She clearly needed help, and the Okumuras were busy arguing. No decent human being would let someone run off crying and just carry on with their business like it was no big deal. So I followed her, neglecting all reasoning in my head saying she was an unstable demon and it probably wasn't safe.

I tried to follow the sound of footsteps, but they were so quiet I could scarcely hear them. It was as if she was used to running and hiding, like she new how to not be seen when she didn't want to be. Still, with a combination of the sounds I could make out and pure luck and guesswork, I managed to stay on her trail.

Then they stopped. I couldn't hear a single footstep, not that they were doing me much good before. I ran around in circles for probably 10 minutes before I found her, crying in a corner.

"H- Hey," I stuttered quietly as not to scare her off again. She was silent.

I took a few steps towards her and she didn't seem to mind my presence, so I took a seat next to her with a sigh. She remained silent, with her knees pulled to her chest and her head resting in her arms. The hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop, or the staggered, whimpering breaths of a girl crying next to you.

"It's ok, you know," I finally broke the silence. The tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife, "I've known the Okumura's for a while now. Known their lineage for a bit too. It's really not that uncommon, and they're good guys. I trust them and if they say you're ok, then I believe them."

"It's not ok! I told them I was ok with them telling you tonight but that was a lie!" She began to sob, "I honestly hoped you wouldn't believe them and we'd all go our separate ways, and now who knows what'll happen to me! I can't get thrown out! I finally found a home again!"

I took a moment to recollect my thoughts. I honestly didn't expect that. I've never been very good at comforting people. I get a little too passionate about it and I tend to yell. But I could tell that that was not going to solve the problem and it's honestly make it worse. So I took a deep breath, looked at her, and smiled, "You don't have to worry about it. I promise your secret is safe with me."

She finally lifted her head from her hands and looked at me, "R- Really? You promise?"

"I promise," I chuckled, "I won't tell a soul! Nobody will even know I know anything." I could tell she wanted to trust people, but found it somewhat difficult. I tried my hardest to let her believe in me.

She smiled as tears streamed down her face, "Thank you!" She continued to cry but it wasn't sad or worried, it was relieved. She smiled and laughed through the tears as I gently rubbed her back to comfort her.

Not long after, the Okumuras came bolting down the hall.

"There you guys are! We've been looking everywhere for you!" Yukio managed between sharp intakes of breath.

"Hey!" Rin yelled suddenly, "what exactly is going on here!?"

"Nothing!" I yelled back, standing up, "I was just trying to help since you two were too busy arguing!"

"Oh really?" He snapped, "Because it looks like you're trying to put the moves on Aoko!"

"What!?" I defended, "That's not what this is at all!"

"That's my sister you idiot!" He screamed, "What the he** do you thin-"

Aoko giggled, cutting him off, "I believe you."

Rin and I stopped arguing and looked at her.

"I believe you'll keep your promise!" She smiled, "because you really seem to care!"