I have literally written this over and over because I wasn't happy with my original idea. Don't get me wrong, it was fantastic, but I don't think its the kind of story I personally write. I wasn't happy with it because I struggle with keeping to my outline. I blame my ADD and OCD about plotholes.Anyway, without further introduction, I give you a story.

The sounds of gunshots could be heard from inside the small church in the middle of town. All the townspeople stood outside huddled together as the gunshots stopped and the sound of pews being thrown and glass breaking filled the void. All of a sudden it stopped and a body was thrown from the beautiful stained glass window above the main doors.

It landed with a thud infront of the crowed. It was a woman and she was mangled to the point where no one could recognize her and covered in nothing but dead flesh. The people who were dressed for Sunday services, sheilded their eyes and the eyes of their children away from the gruesom sight. They found themselves in shock that one of their own citizens was warped in this way and all because of another.

Out of the doors came a man dressed head to toe in red with a sword on his back. He had his hands in his pockets as though he had brushed the whole ordeal off, but when the people saw him they were just too shocked to care about the damage done inside the building.

"I can't thank you enough, Son." A priest came forward tip toeing around the body of the woman. "Our Lord has sent you to rid us of this witch."

"I'm afraid that isn't the case. Someone said they would pay me to rid the town of this demon and I happily obliged." It wasn't that he didn't need to money, because he did. It was the fact that he had become really bored as of late. Bored and somewhat depressed from the lack of jobs.

"So she was a demon then?" The bald headed priest asked the platinum haired hunter.

"Yep." The devil hunter took a long look at the people around him. "You better get that cleaned up. Its going to scar those kids for life." Not that he really cared about the kids, he just didn't like the smell the damn thing gave off.

"We can't thank you enough Mr?"

"Dante." The devil hunter said as he walked off with little more than a wave.

He walked down the street headed towards the town's city hall passing the little shops that lined the sidewalks. Halloween decorations lined each shop with their own style and the smell of pumpkin spice lined the cool air as he strode by the bakery. He didn't care for pumpkin spice, it seemed like it was everywhere these days. For two o'clock on a Sunday afternoon, the town was next to dead. Most of the shops were closed and besides the apparent lack of people it would be assumed everyone was having a nap.

Dante made it to the steps of city hall and climbed them slowly wanting a nap himself, but duty called. A man sat on a bench just outside of the doors in his sunday attire that consisted of a purple tie and a white shirt. His blazer was sitting on the bench next to him and he had a fedora sitting on top of it. If Dante didn't know any better, this guy could pass for Frank Sinatra.

"I see you have killed the demon."

"It's kinda what I do." Dante retorted at the obvious.

"I'll pay you double for this next one. If you can do it." The man stood up. "There is a house on the outskirts of town where a woman lives. She's an odd one. Helps out the people from time to time with ailments and things like that."

"She doesn't sound like a demon."

"I'm getting to that." The man said pulling a cigarette out of his shirt pocket and a lighter from his trousers. "Anyway, she is a problem. The demon you killed today was a woman who had lived in this town for decades then one day she went to see this witch and over the last few weeks demons and possesions have been skyrocketing as you have probably noticed."

"You think this woman is the cause of all this and now you want to run her out of town?" Dante scoffed at the notion. "Sounds like you guys are all Assholes." He rubbed the back of his head. He needed the money and at the very least he could check it out. "I'll look into it, but if she is innocent she stays where she is."

"Fair enough." The man said as he walked over to the bench and retrieved his blazer and stuck his fedora atop his head. "The house is about a mile outside of town off the main road. You can't miss it. Large Antebellum house." He strode by Dante with a hand in his pocket and stopped for a moment. "Try not to let her get into your head. See you tomorrow night."

"Not going to happen. There is too much of me in there for someone else." The halfbreed wasn't kidding. He just stood there at the top of the steps in self reflection. "Four years and counting." He clenched his fist and then made his way down the steps.

Four years since Temen-Ni-Gru. Four years since his brother had become lost. Four years of depression and sorrow. Lady had stopped hanging around about two years ago to do her own thing. Granted they were still good friends, but she wanted more than what he could offer her as far as a partnership. He was fine with that on the outside. On the inside though, it was a different story altogether.

He walked his way back through the small town until he made it to where he had parked his motorcycle last night. Climbing on he started the engine and zoomed off in the direction he figured the woman was. Dante didn't think the woman was actually a witch and possibly just one of those herbalists that some people prefer over a doctor. She was probably some old woman too and maybe thats why they associate her with the title of witch. Either way, he felt like he was wasting time with this job. Sure the pay was decent, but it just felt as though it was just a bunch of supersticious people in a small town were paranoid.

As soon as Dante left the town the road lead into a very forested area and this time of year the colors ran from brown all the way to yellow. Various shades of color like Burgundy and burnt orange. Sometimes even a golden silver for a certain species of tree. He had to admit it was worth the drive even though the falling leaves would constantly assult his face at fifty miles per hour.

There was a road on the right about a mile away from the beginning of town and he figured this was the place as there was a stone wall leading up to it along with black rought iron gate. There was something very familiar with it when he turned into the driveway. The way the lanterns atop the pillars were covered with vines and atop the gate sat two ravens that had started to rust. Beyond the gate he could see the large house about a hundreds yards off. He turned off the engine of his bike before dismounting it and walking up to the gate.

Dante felt like he had been here before creating a sense of Deja Vu like he had never felt before. It was eerie and unnerving almost like he were about to step into something he shouldn't. His inner demon was telling him to flee and to not touch the gate, but when did he ever listen to that side of himself? He raised his hand to the gate and when he went to touch it he felt this sudden fear that he had felt before a long time ago. He couldn't remember where from, but it was trying to pull him away. Like there was something about the gate that made him scared shitless. He hesitated before putting his hand on it.

Nothing happened.

The only thing Dante felt was the cool iron against his fingertips so what was there to be worried about? It was just a gate. He let out a sigh as the anxiety he had felt from the ordeal left him. He needed to get control of himself.

"Here goes nothing." He pushed the gate open wide enough to push his bike through and left it on the inside of the gate before shutting it. "It doesn't seem so bad."

The number of the trees around the yard was crazy. The oak trees had to have been at least five hundred years old as their trunks were as wide as an elephant. The branches dropped to the ground, even growing into it and coming up a few feet away. He had to give whoever worked on the lawn credit as it was perfect. There was not a leaf on it.

The house itself was something to behold and looking on it gave him another wave of Deja Vu. He knew he had not been here before so why did it feel like it? The house was a blue grey color with white trim and the porch was lined with baskets of plants. On the far side he could see a white swing hanging from the ceiling.

He climbed the steps to the porch and went up to the front door before knocking on it. After waiting a moment or two, he knocked again. No answer. Knocking a third time he decided that the woman was either deaf of she wasn't home.

"Plan B." He said looking to where the porch wrapped around to the back of the house. "Time to play detective."

Dante may have not been so silent when walking around as the wood under his feet creaked with his weight. He knew if anyone was home they would've come out the door already, but no one came so he figured he was in the clear. It wasn't until he rounded the corner when he heard singing. He saw a woman dressed in a grey longsleeved shirt and torn blue jeans holding up a pumpkin she had just pulled off the vine. On the side of her little pumpkin patch sat four more and all over the place were patches of vegetables and further back was a grove of fruit trees.

Who was this woman?

She had her back to him with gloves on her hands and he could see the reddish blond color of her hair clearly. She sang or rather hummed a song he was familiar with as it was a catchy tune on a good day. He watched her as she moved to put the pumpkin down next to the others, bending over enough for him to see her curves. He may be in the worst four year mood ever, but he was still a male.

"You know, if you are going to stare, you may as well come over here." She said standing up strait and turning to face him. Her blue eyes meeting his with a slight glint of amusment. "I'm not going to bite. You should know that by now." She put a hand on her hip. She was about his age, maybe a little younger. Totally unexpected for him as he was expecting a much older woman.

"Well I can appreciate a good view every now and then." Dante crossed his arms and gave her a smirk. "And it was a very good view."

"I'm flattered. Really. Considering I knew you would make your way here eventually." She said smirking back at him and taking off her gloves. "How long has it been?"

"I knew this place was familiar. I thought it was a dream or some sort of deja vu." The hunter swung himself over the railing of the porch and landing on the ground. "Twelve years maybe? I can't seem to remember."

"Not surprising since my mother is at fault." She walked up to him. "Do you remember me?"

"Yeah, I think so. Your name is Roe." She lighted up at the name he gave her and he found himself remembering running after her in the woods as a kid. He was probably nine or ten years old and they had made a fort by the creek in the back of the property. "Rowena." He whispered.

"Dante." She gave him a smile then threw herself at him. "I'm so glad you are here." She hugged him tight and then let go. "I suppose you are here about the demons then?" Dante stood there for a moment dazed at what just happened then shook his head.

"Yeah, you were next on the list of potential demons."

"I'm sure that was Nolan's idea. He has been trying to run me off ever since well, since my mother died three years ago." She said putting a finger to her lips.

"He thinks you are the person behind this so he wanted me to take care of you." He paused. "Not in a good way. More like in a bad way."

"I get it." She waved it off as though it were nothing. "If anything I've been doing my best to stay out of the way. I don't go to town much, only to get meat or some simple items from the store, but other than that I keep to myself."

"Anyway, I think it would be best if I have at least some proof you aren't an evil witch." Dante put a hand on her shoulder. "Just to clear your name."

"I am a witch, but not an evil one." Her face fell into a grimmace. "I don't know what gave him that idea."

"I killed a demon that was wearing a human's skin today. Apparently the skin belonged to an old woman that lived here for decades and she would come to you for some kind of pultice or something. He said the last time she went was three weeks ago and she had been acting different since then." Dante said in a serious tone to make her understand. "Roe, you have to be honest."

"It would've been after that last visit. Demons can't enter the gates or cross the property line." That explained the anxiety about the gate. She had wards placed across the property to repel the uglies and his demon half reacted to it. "Was it Mrs. Martin?"

"I think so." Dante answered and her hand went up to her mouth in shock. "I'm sorry."

"She only came to me for help with her arthritis. I made an oinment for her to use and she would stay for a while to see how I was doing. Nothing more than that." She started to fiddle with a pendant that hung around her neck as sadness crept up into her eyes. Dante was still in a vague state as this all seemed so surreal to him. He barely remembered her and here she was acting as though they had known eachother a long time. It confused him and he didn't like it.

"I'll see what I can do." He rubbed the back of his head with a frown on his face. "Its complicated and tricky, but what isn't."

"I can tell you this is the first demon that has popped up here in a very long time." Roe said. "Maybe you should stick around for a few days to see if it is a random thing or if it is something else."

"Sounds like a plan. Nolan seems to think this is a big event and not a one off."

"Could be. I'm safe here where I am. At least from Demons." The young woman said walking to the steps of her porch.

"Thats good. You better stay put anyway, just in case things do get hairy." Dante followed her up the steps.

"I'm not going anywhere." She said with an attitude and turned around to meet his gaze. "And I'm not defenseless."

"I didn't say you were. I don't mean with demons either. Humans can be just as bad, if not worse than demons." He knew from experience. Dante let out a sigh and then gave her a small smile. "I'll see you later, Roe." He walked past her and she followed him with her gaze.

If anything he wasn't the same as when they were kids. He had sorrow surrounding him like a dark cloud and she knew what had happened. The first person he had lost was his Father, then his Mother and brother. Then her Mother tried to take the pain away from him, only she ended up taking more than that away. Shortly after that he had run away never to return until now. He knew more than he let on.

Later that night Dante sat in a hole in the wall bar on the edge of the small town with a glass of whiskey in his hand. Memories he wished would never repeat again went through his head like bullets. Every single one hurting so much that he wanted to yell and going as quickly as they came. Was this how it was going to be the rest of his life? All doom and gloom when he was alone? He hoped not.

"Why the long face stranger?" He heard the sound of the stool next to him move so a woman could sit next to him.

"Does it look like I'm a horse to you?" Dante asked as he took another sip.

"I don't know, do you ride like one?" She asked and he almost spit out the whiskey all over the bar.

Dante turned to look at the woman next to him and found a very attractive individual. Long black hair and dark eyes with a very revealing dress. She smelled like cigarettes and sex. Not even expensive perfume could cover up the smell.

"You are a very handsome young man. Buy me a drink." The young man froze when she put her hand on his thigh and squeezed it while winking at him.

"I don't think so lady. I like younger women." He removed her hand and pulled out one of his pistols and aimed it at her.

"Oh dear. You wouldn't shoot an unarmed woman now would you?" She held her hands up after uttering the cliche lines with a drab voice. "I was just looking for a good time!" She began to change shape as the bartender ran for cover along with the other patrons in the bar.

"You came to the right person then. I'm full of good times!" Dante felt himself coming alive for the second time that day and shot at the succubus who now looked like some kind of spider demon. It managed to dodge bullets as if it were an artform. "Huh, I hate spiders."

"Die!"

It was time for Rebellion to get some action as the demon made to leap at him with its pointy legs ready to impale him. He was able to dodge her in time to bring the broadsword down on her two front legs. Spinning around he swung at her face where she was able to catch the blade in her mandibles and she gave out chuckle.

"If you think thats funny, you should see me when I'm drunk." Dante made to pull the sword from her, but he was pulled upwards as she reared up on her back legs. "Whoa Baby, you are going way too fast."

He pulled out Ebony and shot her in the belly to make her let him go. It worked and she dropped him along with Rebellion. The screech she gave out was enough to make anyones ears bleed, even a deaf mans. She could probably wake the dead as well. He put Ebony away and slung Rebellion onto his shoulder.

"You could've gotten lucky with another guy, but you just had to pick me. I would be disappointed too, I'm way too inexperienced for you." Did he just admit it out loud? Oh well, there is a first for everything. "I guess if you want it bad enough..." Dante said with a smirk before charging forward in a stinger attack but the succubus spider demon thing moved out of the way quickly.

Not that he couldn't change speed mid attack. He lauched himself into the air and came down hard on the spider bitch with Rebellion peircing the hard shell of her body. Another screech that could wake a deaf dead man went through the bar causing everyone else to yell in protest. However, when he twisted the sword counterclockwise the spider went limp and everyone sighed.

"Well, that went from zero to a hundred in less than two seconds." Dante said pulling his sword from the body of the demon and placed it on his back. "It was a shame though, I was having fun." The body started turning into a goopy mess on the floor and when the hunter looked around the bar he saw everything was in a mess.

Broken chairs and tables were scattered about while the other people in the bar were huddled together in the corner in fear. This was possibly the first time they had ever seen a demon in their lives and to be honest it was a hard thing for the human brain to handle. Sometimes he wished he wasn't a halfbreed because to be a normal person sounded a lot less dramatic. It didn't matter anyway, he is what he is. He couldn't change that.

I know, not a lot of action and a lot of exposition with dialogue. I get it. It does get better and I hope that readers let it be what it is. I am not great at writing action. I can do it, but its hard.

Sorry if I'm brutally honest here, but some of you guys are picky. I can respect that as long as you respect my need to be creative. It's a two way street.