So this... is pretty much a prequal to my Halloween fic for this game... so yeah... yes.. this will be eventual shounen-ai/yaoi.... for now it's teen... warnings for blood, Dante being Dante, Nero and Dante's mouths... and just... chaos in general...

DISCLAIMER!!!!! THEY BELONG TO CAPCOM!!!!! I only own the fucked up plot....

The Hard Way

Mission 1: Retrieval

"Nero!" Kyrie gasped, the brunette stepping back from the blood covered man. His blue gaze snapped to the side, locking onto her as he stared in shock. Panic gripped him firmly as he took a step towards her, the woman skittering back like the rest of the towns people. Finally, he stopped and looked down at himself.

Blood covered his body, most of it demon's. But the scent that caught his attention was that of a human's blood. His blood ran cold as he slowly turned to look behind him. For a moment, he was glad he hadn't eaten anything previously, other wise he likely would have been revisiting it.

The mangled remains of the woman and child lay in a pool of blood, the demon's carcass mingling with theirs. An arm was barely attached, the ligament straining as the rest of the ground up torso clung to a nearby tree where it had been thrown during the battle. The legs and pelvis were torn, shattered to near unrecognizable lumps of tissue and bone. The infant she had likely been carrying in her arms was tossed a little further away, the entire head forced in, the skull having been shattered by the force behind the throw.

Shaking his head, he slowly backed up, stumbling only to land on his ass, still scrambling back. "oh god... no... God! NO!!!" he cried, finally coming to a stop as his back met the wall of a nearby building. Hands coming up to grip his hair, he squeezed his eyes closed, drawing his knees up to his chest.

-0-0-0-0-0-

Flipping the newspaper open, pale eyes scanned the front page. A smirk played across the man's lips, slowly growing as he read the head line. "HALF-DEVIL SNAPS AND MURDERS MOTHER AND CHILD"

Sighing, the paper was folded half way again and tossed to the desk once more. The sound of a chair scrapping against wooden floors and then boots. In seconds, he was out the door.

-0-0-0-0-0-

Nero could feel their hateful gazes on him. He knew why they were glaring at him. He knew what was to come. And he knew he wouldn't be walking away from this one. From the corner of his eye, he chanced a glance at Kyrie. The woman was glaring back at him as well, her cheeks streaked with still falling tears. He closed his eyes, hanging his head once more.

"Nero..."

He looked up, gaze falling on the head of the Order. He found himself shrinking back, suddenly feeling too small to even speak.

"Y-yes?" he managed to get out, the words trying to catch in his throat and strangle him. He silently wished they had. The other man's glare hardened, gaze following down the line of his hawk like nose. Nero flinched under just the gaze.

"You've been charged with the murder of a woman and her infant child as well as causing destruction to public property and disturbing the peace...what have you to say for yourself?"

Nero fidgeted before standing as was protocol. "I claim the death of the woman and her child an accident... I didn't see them while I was trying to take down the demon attacking the city. It was unfortunate and I am willing to try and pay my debts in anyway seen fit. As for public destruction, it is a given and I was told it wouldn't count against me as long as it was demon related." Surprisingly enough, his voice was steady and even, yet strong. The soft ripple of murmuring reached his ears and he flinched as he hear Kyrie's voice mingle with the rest, the same disapproving tone.

"That exception has been revoked in light of recen-"

"Wow... You really know how to bull shit, dontchya?" A new voice sounded over the rest. Nero blinked, lifting his gaze and turning to look back at the large double doors. Mentally he groaned and yet, at the same time, he was relieved to see the other man.

"Excuse me, sir... but this is a private hearing..." the Order head stated, straightening up a little more. Pale blue eyes smirked back at the man as he continued towards Nero.

"Looks like the entire cities here... what's one more gonna do?" He purred, reaching Nero and clapping him on the back, red coat still swirling around his ankles. "Long time no see, Kid... you know... when I told you that you're next move was your call... I was kinda hoping you'd know enough to keep outta trouble..."

Nero just looked at him, almost grimacing as he fought back his own shock. After all... what was the man doing there!?! In fact... he voiced this. "What the hell are you doing here, old man!?" he hissed, voice quiet. The other shrugged and clapped him on the back once more.

"Savin' your ass..." he replied, continuing forward. Nero squawked and reached out to snag him, missing.

"Wait! Dante! No!" he squeaked, loosing his balance and nearly falling over the railing in front of him. Dante kept walking, right up to the man addressing the court.

"So... The kid finally gave you the opportunity to get rid of him, eh?"

"State your business and leave..." The man growled, leaning away as Dante invaded his personal space, a talent of the man's.

"Let me think on that...... hmmmmm..... nope! Anything else?" He asked, seating himself on a nearby stand, completely ignoring the 'holy' item that had been placed there. A gasp followed, his smirk widened.

"You dare defy the word of-"

"Look... I couldn't give two shits who you are and what the hell you do 'round here... See, I'm here for one thing and one thing only..." Dante started, interrupting what Nero was sure would have been a lecture. Instead, the half-devil just sat there, one leg crossed over the other in an almost taunting way, a hand in the air and one finger held up. "And it just so happens to be half tripping over himself to try and make up for what was obviously a tragic accident."

The other scoffed, a haughty air forming around him. "He could have stopped himself from slaughtering that woman and her child... and he certainly could have avoided half the damage he's caused..." He paused and frowned. "And what makes you think we should believe you anyway? Last time you were hear our entire city was turned upside down..."

The white haired devil just tilted his head back and outright laughed. "I gotta hand it to ya! You Fourtunians get more close minded every time I come here! Your ability to completely fear the different will never cease to amaze me. But at the same time it disgusts me..." his voice darkened, gaze following suit. "Because of it you have every intention of killing him... and yet he saved your asses when he didn't have to..." He shifted his gaze, blue orbs landing directly on Kyrie. "You were the last I expected to ostracize him... but then again, you're just as fickle and prejudice as the rest... aren't you?" He growled.

"I recommend you cease this and leave... or I'll be forced to have you arrested..."

There was a click and Ebony was pulled on the man, the barrel of the gun pressed to his temple. "Now is not the time to be making hallow threats..." Dante purred, waiting for a second before pulling the gun from against the man's head. He slid off his perch and made his way over, grabbing Nero. "Come on, kid.. Let's go." he stated, ushering him into the isle between the pews of people.

"W-wha!? H-hey! Wait! What!?!"

"Stop! You can't take him!"

Dante stopped and fired off a round, the bullet slicing through the man's hair. "I won't miss the next time..." All around them, Nero could see the other order members beginning to arm themselves, getting up. Dante seemed unperturbed. "So here's what I'm gonna do... I'm gonna take the kid and his things, and we'll leave... you won't ever see him and it's the least you could do in return for him saving all your worthless lives..." Silence as the entire court turned to watch the other man of power. He hesitated, studying the barrel of the gun aimed at him. It took a moment but, soon, he nodded. Dante smirked and un-cocked the gun, holstering it once more. "Let's go, kid...."

-0-0-0-0-0-

"What are you doing here!?" Nero demanded once more once they were outside. The elder glanced at him and smirked.

"Aww, come on... what kinda greeting is that? Surely you've got a proper insult?"

"No! What are you doing here!?! And why did you just save my ass!?!" the younger squawked, flailing his arms slightly. Dante sighed and turned to face him.

"Because it's assholes like that that make it possible for demons to thrive... they fill the world with hate and bigotry... And I heard about what happened thanks to the news paper..." he added, turning ahead once more and continuing to walk. Nero blinked before shaking his head and taking off after the man.

"So you came to get me? And wait... IT'S IN THE PAPER!?!"

"Yes... to both accounts... No names or pictures or nothin'... Just knew it was you 'cause you're the only half-devil in Fortuna... so to speak.."

Nero remained silent, slowly trudging after the other man. Dante... of all people had come to get him... to get him away from this... place. He glanced back at the building where people were now pouring out of. He stopped in his tracks.

Kyrie was slowly moving down the steps, one of her closer friends at her side. She momentarily locked gazes with Nero, her eyes saying everything... hate... disgust... betrayal... false love. A heavy hand resting on his shoulder broke the trance, making him look back towards a pair of similar blue eyes, the gaze cast past him. Nero followed Dante's gaze only to find Kyrie's gaze locked with Dante's, a silent warning being passed between the two. Seconds later, Dante's hand squeezed his shoulder for a split second before being removed. "Come on, kid... day light's burning.."

-0-0-0-0-0-

"That was my home..." Nero sighed as he waited along side the road. Dante grunted from where he was fiddling with something on his bike. The bike had started to act up, as per usual by Dante's reaction, just minutes before and they had pulled off to the side in order for the half-devil to give it some, as he called it, "tough devil lovin'". So far, Nero was skeptical.

"You'll get over it. That place wasn't much of a home as it was your own personal self esteem crusher..." The elder stated, stepping back and sighing, wiping his hands on his pants. Nero sighed and shook his head.

"You should just give up on it, old man... the thing's nearly de-"

BAM! Nero gawked as Dante's foot collided with the bike. Seconds later, there was a roar as the engine started, the elder smirking and taking a bow. "Works every time... Now... let's go!" he stated, getting on and kicking up the kickstand. "Get yer ass on here! We got places to be!"

Nero sighed and slipped on behind him, arms tightening around his waist. "You really are an odd one..." he muttered, shaking his head. Dante smirked and peeled off onto the highway, earning a yelp and a smack from the teen.