Disclaimer: I do not own Devil May Cry.

Author's Note: I've always liked writing as a kid. Well I liked reading first. Haha nerd over heer but I dun keer. Might as well write about things I like, even if I'm not even sure of my writing skills. So to make up for my writing, I'll also be drawing for this story as well. Writing and drawing? I must have no life- OR I simply love what I want to do and I will dedicate a decent amount of time to see things finished. I'm also a full time student in my 2nd year of college, AS WELL AS a full time GAMER~ okay enough gayness. Lol Hope you like what I imagined up.

P.S: oops, did I forget to mention this will be a Dante/Nero story? I did? Well, it's going to happen eventually. So if you don't like the stuff, back off from this. You've been warned, I guess. Lol

Prologue

He was getting sick of it. The way people of Fortuna stared at him like he'd attack them at any second. Nero knew that the moment his Devil Bringer was revealed, the islanders would cast him out, and it didn't matter to them that he had drove the demons and corrupt knights out of their 'holy' church. He was a demon. It was all they would ever see in him.

Kyrie was the only ray of hope he had on Fortuna, but it pained him to know that the others viewed her as tainted for being with him. She was so sweet, so pure.

Nero watched her back as she prepared their dinner and he thought about how she had accepted him on the day he saved Fortuna. How she had held his demonic arm in her fragile hands.

His ears pick up the sound of her voice humming softly to herself; part of him felt relieved that he didn't lose her. The aroma of spices wafted throughout the kitchen; yet another part of him hated that he brought this difficult life upon her.

He couldn't save Credo and now he was bringing the scorn of Fortuna to Kyrie. Nero knew that the longer he stayed around her, the more difficult a life she would have. He couldn't give her a normal life. He wasn't normal. Or even human.

"Nero?"

Her voice broke Nero out of his thoughts and he straightened himself up in his seat. "Yeah? Sorry I was just thinking."

"About what? And can you set up the table?"

He got up to grab the plates in a cabinet above the sink. "Nothing really." He set the plates down and sat back in his chair.

"Are you sure?" She turned around, iron skillet in hand, and proceeded to serve them their meal.

He didn't really pay attention to the food. He had lost his appetite and all he was focused on was Kyrie. She sat down in front of him and his hand immediately moved to hers.

His heart swelled with warmth knowing that she didn't flinch away from him and he smiled gently at her. He saw the hint of pink coloring her cheeks and felt his heart race a bit faster. As he held her hand in his, Nero was silently telling himself that he was only making things harder – that he had to forget about his feelings for her and place her well-being before his selfish desires. He knew he couldn't give Kyrie the life she deserved and he had already ruined what little she had. Credo's death had been his fault, he was the one who failed to bring her brother back safely, failed to save him in time; and he was also to blame for getting Kyrie kidnapped. The Order had used Kyrie as a means to get to him and he didn't want anything like that to happen ever again. Kyrie's life woud take precedence over all else. And it would have to be a life without Nero.

He released her hand – albeit reluctantly – mumbled a quick apology, and thanked her for the meal. Parting from Kyrie would be the hardest thing he'd ever have to do. More so than facing off hordes of possessed Knights of the Order. The smile that Kyrie gave him nearly broke his resolve.

Nearly.

With that one simple and innocent act, Nero felt his world come crashing down at the thought of never seeing it again. He wished he'd never have to leave her side, but doing so would only endanger her, and it was a selfish wish.

That very night, Nero prepared to leave Fortuna, the small little island where he had spent practically his whole life in, where happy memories were made in his youth. The lights were off; the moonlight filtering through his room's window was all he needed to see in the darkness. Kyrie didn't need to be alerted if she happened to wake up and decide to check on him in the middle of the night.

He packed only the bare necessities; his clothes, toiletries, and most importantly- his weapons. After his favorite revolver, Blue Rose, was tucked securely into its holster and his custom-made sword, Red Queen, strapped tightly onto his back, Nero looked down at his demonic arm. His thoughts turned angry and dark as he stared at it. He hated it. When it warped his arm into this thing… into the Devil Bringer, it was then that he knew he wasn't human.

For days Nero had been in denial, going so far as to cover it up within a sling, but it didn't change the fact about what he truly was, and when the day came that his cursed arm was revealed, Nero wasn't shocked about Fortuna's change in demeanor towards him. It was only natural that they would distrust him after the whole savior incident, regardless of him taking down the real threat. To the people of Fortuna, he was a demon.

Double checking to see if he had all that he needed, Nero glanced around the room for anything he might have missed. Almost unconsciously, his eyes stopped on the picture frame atop his bedside table. It was a group photo; him, Kyrie, and Credo smiling into the camera. Nero went over to it and picked up the frame.

Those were happier days.

As he contemplated on whether or not to bring it along, his thumb traced over Kyrie's gentle smile.

No, leave it.

It would only hurt him to see it all the time and would just make him want to return to Fortuna. He had to leave behind everything of sentimental value. So he forced himself to put it back down, grabbed his backpack, and left the room before he could get another chance to change his mind.

Quietly, he sneaked past Kyrie's bedroom, sparing only a moment to look back at her door. A sinking feeling filled his heart; he couldn't make himself say goodbye to her. Not even in his thoughts.

A/N: I posted my deviantart on my profile if you're interested in getting a general idea of how I might draw our beloved characters. I've already drawn a handful of the two but I won't publish them yet on deviantart. Want to do those at the same time as this story for lulz sake. I alsooo have the whole story somewhat planned out. So no one has to worry about me ditching this story. Whatever works, yes? I'm also going to keep updating even if my story sucks. Cuz I grew the balls to publish something. OH OH! Constructive criticism will help me improve! Feel free to also point out any grammatical errors that I missed. Or tell me if something doesn't make sense. I worry about the way I word things. l:C

I beta'd thiis maself.