Disclaimer: Do I have to do this every time? Oh well, just to be safe- I do not own Devil May Cry.

Author's Note: My first review! EVAR! Thank you SirenaLoreley for your kind words! It made me happy to see that a couple of readers became interested. c': This chapter is going to have the first drawing for the story. Woo woo? So my updates will also be based on when and if a chapter has a drawing. I'm not going to do it for every chapter. Hell no- let me be lazy! Happy reading~

** Denotes I have a link for the scene on my profile

Chapter 1: Arrival

Capulet city was not what Nero would consider a very welcoming place; with its old ratty looking buildings, trash and vagabonds littering the tiny streets and alleyways, and the all-around murkiness that not only clogged the skyline, but seemed to also pollute the very air he breathed. It was why Nero decided that he did not like the cluttered, shut-in atmosphere of the city; it made him feel sick and claustrophobic despite its larger size compared to the clean, open air of Fortuna. The dreary city would never be Nero's first choice to go to, but he knew a certain half demon resided in Capulet, and he knew of no one else to turn to outside of Fortuna.

Nero traversed through the narrow streets. He knew what he was looking for but he didn't know where to look. Capulet city was a maze and he was quickly becoming directionally disoriented. It didn't help matters when the homeless kept stopping him in his tracks to beg him for money. He brushed them all aside, not because he didn't care, but because he had used up all his money just to get to the damned city.

He was growing impatient and annoyed with every passing second. So he went into the nearest building. The strong smell of coffee assaulted his nose and he instantly knew he had entered a café. There were even waitresses going from table to table on roller-skates, who looked as if they were dancing to the lively tune that was being played from a radio. He would never understand the strangeness of city folk, but at least it was better than the cold inhospitality of the city outside.

He shook his head and took a seat at a counter. Not a minute later a waitress came by, a cheerful smile on her delicate features. "Hey, Dante! Back alr-?" She stopped mid-sentence when she realized she was wrong and stared at Nero in confusion. "Oh. I'm sorry. I thought you were someone else." She said, quickly correcting herself.

"You know Dante?" Nero asked the young waitress. Inside he felt relieved that he finally found someone who knew who he was looking for and give him the chance to at least find a familiar face. The foreign city had him more on edge than he initially thought.

"Yeah, he comes by here often. You also just missed him." She added by pointing out the door.

Nero was up and out of his seat in the next moment. "Where did he go?" He looked out the windows to see if he can catch the tell-tale sign of red and the shock of white hair that was so much like his own.

"He runs an office nearby called Devil May Cry. Big neon sign. You can't miss it!" She leaned over the counter-top to gesture him the direction. "Just keep heading straight up from here and you'll find it."

Nero was already out the door before he could hear her ask if he was related to Dante.

Finally. Nero had actually been worried if he would have to keep searching for god knows how long and camp out in the streets if he didn't find Dante in time. He followed the waitress' general direction and jogged straight ahead while he also kept an eye out for the older man. When he came to a junction, there across the street he saw a giant neon sign that blinked Devil May Cry in red.

"What a stupid name." He said to no one in particular, before crossing the short distance to the front door.

Nero knocked on the door, idly looking around as he waited patiently for a response. When no one answered, he knocked again – harder this time. Still no reply.

He must not be back. So Nero decided to go inside, the door creaking slightly as he pushed it open. It was dim inside the office he had stepped in; the lights were out, and from what Nero could judge by all the trash and dust collected on the floor, it looked as if the place was never occupied. Nero trudged carefully through the mess and scanned the cracked walls and worn-out furniture.

There's pizza boxes everywhere. What the-

Then his keen senses were picking up another presence – his Devil Bringer flashing blue – and all thoughts about the filthy office were set aside as he tried to discern what and where it was. But he realized it was too late to tell if it was friend or foe and he was forced to draw his gun, aiming it in the general direction he guessed the presence would appear.

Ice blue eyes met Nero's and a familiar smirk graced rugged features.

"Old man." Nero said in slight surprise as his stance faltered a little. He knew he was in Dante's office, but he definitely didn't expect a greeting like this.

**"Surprised to see you too, kid." Dante quirked an eyebrow at Nero from behind the barrels of Blue Rose aimed at his face. He had Rebellion out and held it against Nero's neck, its steel blade grazing the sensitive skin there. "I felt a demonic aura, but I didn't think I'd find you wandering around in my place."

Nero scoffed at the older man. "Yeah, lovely home you got here by the way."

The two hunters didn't lower their weapons; they were in a dead-lock, ready for a fight, and reveled in the presence of a worthy opponent. The excitement of battle shined in both of their eyes, and each was eager and willing to go against one another to test their mettle. So they stood in silence, grinning at each other in a challenge, until finally, they simultaneously broke apart.

"Don't get me wrong," Dante started, clapping a hand onto Nero's shoulder. "It's nice to see you again, but what brought you here all the way from your cozy little island?"

"Just felt like I needed to see more of the world." Nero answered nonchalantly and shrugged his shoulders for emphasis. Nero wasn't lying, but he knew that he wasn't telling Dante the whole truth. He knew he could trust Dante, but he also knew that the hunter didn't really need to know his reasoning for leaving Fortuna behind. It was too personal. He didn't want to look weak in front of Dante.

Fortunately for Nero, Dante didn't question him anymore about it and easily accepted his answer. He walked over to his desk, turning on the lights as he went, before he sat himself down on his chair. "So now you're wondering if I can help you out in the big bad world, eh?"

"Shut it, old man." Nero quickly retorted, crossing his arms in seriousness. "But yeah, if you have any unwanted jobs, then I could take them off your hands."

"Hmm… tempting…" Dante mockingly stroked the stubble on his chin as if he was thinking deeply. "And what would I get for helping you?"

"Less work." Nero stated bluntly.

Dante chuckled at his attitude. "And you got a place to stay?"

Nero looked around the dingy office – at the dusty floor and neglected furniture. "I'll find my own place after I make enough money."

"Are you saying you'll be crashing here in my office?"

"Not because I want to."

"Alright." Dante leaned back in his chair, propping his feet up on the desk. "Make yourself at home." And with that, he gestured using his thumb. "You can use the room upstairs."

"Thanks." He was really grateful for what Dante's doing for him. He nodded at the older man before he made his way up the stairs. With every step, he felt the weight lift off his shoulders from the thought of finally getting some rest. Ironically, he never realized how heavy his bag and Red Queen had gotten on his back. But once he was in the room, he slipped his backpack off his shoulder and dumped it by the door. He unstrapped Red Queen off next and laid her against the wall by his bag. Then he strode over to the bed and placed Blue Rose on a drawer table nearby. He finally flopped face-first onto the bed in exhaustion.

The bed was surprisingly soft, he noted to himself. As he laid there on the cushioned mattress, Nero absent-mindedly registered the scent of the pillow beneath his head. It was a dark, heady scent – of blood and gunpowder – and strangely, there was a subtle sweet smell underneath it all. It was very faint; and as Nero was sniffing the pillow with his eyes closed, he realized belatedly that he was in Dante's bed. Nero flipped onto his back hastily, feeling awkward now that he knew he was given Dante's room. The whole area was permeated with the older man's scent and Nero mentally tried to block it out.

I need to find my own place. Soon. Part of him was starting to feel guilty for intruding. Especially, when there was no space for him to stay without inconveniencing Dante. For a demon hunter, that old man is too nice…

The orange-red glow of sunset seeped in through the grimy windows and Nero found himself reminded of the warmth of Fortuna; a vivid memory of Kyrie singing just for him played inside his mind. He cursed himself and covered his eyes against the vibrant colors that managed to break through the dust-covered glass. He couldn't go back. He shouldn't think about her. He needed to forget.

A knock sounded at the door.

"Kid, I'm ordering pizza," came Dante's voice, which was a much needed – and welcomed – distraction. "You want anything?"

Nero got up and opened the door for Dante since it seemed rude to answer him through the door.

"Anything's fine, really." He said to the older man before he sat back down on the bed. Nero didn't realize Dante was watching him closely until he looked back up to see Dante's eyes trained steadily on him.

"You settling in okay?" Dante asked, a hint of concern in his voice, or maybe that was just Nero being paranoid that the older man sensed something was off.

Out of sheer habit, Nero rubbed at his nose in embarrassment. "Oh… yeah- and thanks... for letting me use your room."

"I barely use it. Gotta stay by the phone." Dante nodded his head toward the desk on the lower floor. Then he was back to watching again and it had Nero squirming under all the scrutiny. If the older man hadn't figured it out by now, then Nero's nervous energy was a definitive indicator that things were amiss.

"Uh… yeah?" Nero asked, uncomfortable from all the staring.

Dante looked like he was going to say something, but then he shrugged his shoulders. "You look tired, kid. Was just wondering if you're all right."

So he could tell… Well as if it wasn't obvious enough with the way Nero fidgeted.

"I'm fine. Just tired from the long trip." Nero scratched the back of his head. "Even got lost trying to find you in this city."

A small chuckle came from Dante. "Well, I'll call you when the pizza arrives." As he left, Dante closed the door behind him and relief flooded Nero's systems when he heard the sound of Dante's footsteps retreating down the stairs.

Hesitantly, he laid back down on the soft mattress. Despite after being told that the older man didn't really use the room, Dante's scent was the strongest here. Nero felt around the plush comforter with his hands. Dante's a horrible liar.

A/N: Thanks again for reading! Hope you'll stay for the ride. Am I saying that right? Haha who cares.

But wow, I guess adding a direct link to the picture is a no-go. Just head to my profile for the link. Sorry. :c Happy Valentine's Day everyone!