Chapter 3: Crashing The Party
-Devil May Cry, Before the enrollment Ceremony-
Pink feet, pruny with moisture stepped into a steaming bathroom. The floor tiles were cracked and the grouting was worn and crusted with filth the color of dark rust. The only clean thing in the room was the girl stepping out of the shower stall. Carefully she stepped around the areas of broken floor and porcelain so as not to cut herself on the jagged corners of debris. The mirror was just as cracked as the floor, Ryuko wadded her hands in the fluffy towel Dante had provided and wiped the condensed moisture from the glass. She looked at herself closely as the glass started to fog up again. Same black hair, same red highlight, same blue eyes. She looked the same but felt different. As if the monstrous reaper beast had stolen something precious. She wondered how Dante had been able to so easily defeat the monster when she hadn't even been able to scratch the damn thing (it didn't help her brooding attitude that Dante was just as intolerable as the monster had been).
"He called us 'humans'. Why do I get the feeling that that meant something?" She questioned herself. Dante obviously wasn't a normal human being at all. After all he had beaten two monsters quite easily. But it was the way he structured his words that made Ryuko suspicious, it made it sound like he was something completely different altogether instead of being a gifted human. It bothered the raven-haired teen, but she decided that whatever Dante was, it wasn't worth missing out on enrolling at Honnouji. She had her own problems to deal with, and musing over someone else's history wasn't going to get her closer to solving them.
She clothed herself in the crisp khakis and white dress shirt that Dante had loaned her. It felt strange to be dressed so formally when she was so used to her baggy jacket and ill-fitting blouse. Ryuko stared at her reflection in the mirror and cracked her knuckles in front of it as a show of determination, who it was meant to impress Ryuko didn't really know. Turning on her heel, she faced the ancient bathroom door and took a deep breath before exiting the still steaming room. On a stool directly outside of the bathroom were her familiar guitar case and the folded-up red blazer that Dante had given her earlier, freshly ironed.
She walked through the still unfamiliar halls of the shop and came upon Dante in a familiar position; feet up on his desk and chair leaning too far back. The usual porn mag was present over his face, and Ryuko briefly noted that his snores should have been audible halfway across town. Deciding not to wake him up (she didn't exactly like dealing with his flippant, devil-may-care attitude), she turned and headed towards the door. Upon grasping the handle, a crack of thunder was heard and the wood directly next to the door handle exploded in a cloud of dust and splinters, startling Ryuko. She quickly whipped around and laid eyes on Dante. He was still in the same lazy position, but held a smoking gun in his left hand.
"What the fuck was that for!?" she screamed out, willing to bet her life that he wasn't really sleeping. "You could've went straight through my hand!" Her rage-filled shouting turned into impatient growling, waiting for a response. Dante finally decided to answer, taking the magazine off of his face and stretching as if he'd just had a decent nap.
"But I didn't." There was no way to hide the sarcastic, shit-eating tone, so he just let his words come out as intended. "I'm not letting you out till you understand, you're too weak to survive out there."
Ryuko, pride wounded once again, did nothing but scoff. She knew she couldn't force him to let her go, as long as he had a gun, but laying down and letting him have his way without a fight was another thing entirely. Trying to regain her composure, she spoke in a normal, non-imposing tone.
"Look… Dante. I appreciate that you saved me, and that you're trying to look out for me, but I really gottago enroll. I've got something I need to do."
Dante stood up from his chair, and let out a sigh. "Kid, I understand, I really do, but you're not using your head here."
Ryuko, thinking that Dante was calling her stupid, lashed out at him. "What do you mean 'not using my head'? I'm not some kid you gotta look after, jackass!"
Dante pinched the bridge of his nose and moved his head in seeming disapproval. Teens were just as bad as demons when it came to stubbornness. "Don't you understand? You're marked now."
Ryuko stared for quite a bit. "What do you mean 'marked'? Do I have some sort of supernatural hit put out for me?" She honestly thought that sounded a bit badass, being wanted in the supernatural world and junk. But then again, if she had to face monsters like that reaper every time she set foot outside, that'd definitely sour the deal.
"Bingo. For the most part, demons leave humans alone. Most of the time demons won't go after anyone except for the shitheads who try and summon them, or make deals with them, or do some especially bad shit. You however…" Dante paused and jumped to his feet. He rubbed the roughness of his chin in thought. "You're special. I don't think you're the type to try and summon demons so that you can get revenge or power or anything; you're probably too dumb to know how anyways… there's gotta be something about you that's calling these demons to you."
Ryuko was intrigued, but also ticked off that he called her stupid again. "So Mr. Demon Expert, why do you think they're interested in me? I know that I'm hot shit but…" Her attitude mirrored Dante's momentarily.
He was honestly a little impressed, so he let out a light chuckle. "You're not that hot. Not on the level which demons would be interested in you anyways… It's something extra about you. I don't really know."
Ryuko blushed. "W-well, whatever. Now we gotta figure out what we're going to do about me getting to Honnouji." She finished pointedly, as if to communicate her desires on a more animal level so that Dante could understand. She tried to disregard the fact that it sounded like he was coming onto her just now when he spoke.
Dante was delighted that she finally seemed to understand that she couldn't go out there alone, without some type of aid. He may have been a douche in general, but he wasn't about to let someone up and die on his watch, especially after he gave that badass speech on treasuring life!
The boy brushed his silver hair to one side and grabbed a dirty, stained shirt from the floor. "Looks like I'm coming with you."
-Honnouji Academy, Enrollment Ceremony- Present
"What the fuck is a Gamagoori?" said Ryuko.
"Beats me, it sounds like the name of a cheesy Dark Souls boss." Dante answered glibly.
The shadow hanging over the trio didn't move an inch.
Dante tsked in annoyance as he noticed that literally everyone was staring at them. "I'm flattered that you guys think I'm so sexy, but didn't your parents ever teach you that staring is rude?" He half shrugged and took a step back before bumping into something tall. "And you, get the fuck out of my sunli—" Dante turned to confront whoever was behind him and had to appreciate the fact that the boy was several feet taller than him. "You're a big guy… no homo of course."
"How dare you." The boy dubbed Gamagoori by Mako whispered in shock. "How dare you interrupt this sacred ceremony. HOW DARE YOU!"
Mako began cowering, shedding her previously energetic shell for a wimpy, rapidly shrinking version of herself. "We're sorry, don't hurt us please…"
Ryuko had brandished her sword already and was looking warily around for any threats. "Calm down! We don't need your crying right now!"
Dante felt no need to bring out his weapons, at least not yet. "Whoa there missy, you don't want to get into a fight before you even start your first day now, do ya?" Dante didn't consider anyone there, even the freakishly tall Gamagoori, a threat worthy of pulling out his sword or guns. After all, they weren't demons.
Gamagoori looked upon the two intruders and their crying companion and instantly drew conclusions. "Mankanshoku! Do you mean to tell me that you brought these hooligans into our hallowed monument to Satsuki-sama's greatness? This will mean severe punishment!"
"Hey dude, like, chill out." Dante rolled his neck and shoulders, moving his jacket just far enough to reveal the pistols hanging at his side. "I'll turn you into paint and pasta sauce if you try anything."
Ryuko thought that last part was pretty lame. "What he said, but cooler!" She shouted out, thinking that was any better of a statement.
Gamagoori was enraged that these three (well two plus Mako) would dare defy the glory of Satsuki-sama at such a grand juncture. Veins showing up in his forehead due to the endless well of frustration he was feeling, he thought about punishing the trio right then and there. Just then, a blinding light shown from atop Honnouji Academy's tower. Gamagoori instantly recognized the presence.
"ATTEN-HUT! I PRESENT TO YOU, OUR GLORIOUS LEADER, LADY SATSUKI KIRYUIN! HAIL!"
The thousands of faceless students turned to the shining figure standing at the head of the tower. All at once they took a uniform step forward and raised their right hands in crisp Roman salutes. "ALL HAIL!" Ten thousand people sounded off in unison. The sound was thunder.
"What the fuck is this place?" Whispered Dante. "It's like one of those Nazi rallies except the leader is pretty cute…"
Ryuko hissed at her silver haired companion. "Shut it you perv! This is hardly the time to be checking a girl out— And how can you see her from here?" Ryuko was by no means blind or anything like that, but damnit if that light wasn't bright. Where the hell is it coming from anyway?
"Gamagoori! Why have you allowed these intruders to enter our sacred halls!"
"I'd like to enter her sacred halls if you know what I mean—" Dante said quietly.
"Shut up!" Ryuko elbowed Dante in the ribs.
"I guarantee that you would've put up a better fight with that Hell Pride if you hit it with all the strength you just hit me with." Dante said meekly. Ryuko packed quite a punch if she caught someone off guard.
"I will dispose of them at once, m'lady!" Gamagoori personified "whipped" in more ways than one. Moving to capture and throw out the rebels, Satsuki suddenly revoked her question.
"Wait! Gamagoori, rescind that order. You two, come and see me after the ceremony is over. We will have a proper discussion in my office." Diplomacy was a strong suit of Satsuki's.
Ryuko however, was less inclined to wait. "Fuck that! I need answers right now, and since you seem like you're the head bitch around here, get down here now so we can talk!"
Dante laughed and ran a hand through his hair. "You're a fucking idiot girl."
-Honnouji Academy, Tower-
Was that Vergil's elusive twin brother?
Satsuki honestly didn't know, but the resemblance was strong. The same characteristically silver hair, ownership of an obviously high quality sword, proclivity for long coats; all classic Vergil. That brash girl was also of interest, but she seemed to be the weaker of the two. She'd have to send one of her best to test the man, but Fukuroda could probably handle the girl.
"Why do you decline my offer to speak in a more formal setting? Are you so quick to fight against a whole school of my soldiers?" Asked Satsuki.
Ryuko was as defiant as the moment she had made her declaration. "I don't give a damn who I have to fight if I can get some answers, bitch! I've been searching for my father's killer for months now, every clue I've found leads to this shithole!"
Dante had no arguments. This place was indeed, a shithole. Demon infested, the government was a dictatorship, and worst of all, the pizza place didn't open until noon on most days! But even he could see that what Ryuko was doing was asking for trouble. He didn't want to kick anybodies ass in this sea of humans, be they brainwashed or not.
"Satsuki-sama! Please let me punish these insolent trespassers!" Shouted Gamagoori. "I must atone for allowing them in the first place!"
Satsuki wasn't overly concerned about Gamagoori's request. She knew he had absolute loyalty to her, and she didn't doubt his combat prowess. This would-be brother of Vergil, however, was not a particularly good match-up for him. She would summon the only other sword wielder besides herself in her inner circle to test this man.
"Sanageyama, appear!" Her command was harsh and piercing, the courtyard went silent. Seconds after she gave the order, the Elite Four swordsman flashed onto the the flat platform of the tower, kneeling before Satsuki.
"You called, my lady?" he said, retaining his position that suggested loyalty and servitude.
"Sanageyama. I promised that I would provide opportunities for you to be able to use your full strength when you came to my side. You will fight the boy in red, I suspect that he is Vergil's brother; be cautious. Get Fukuroda to fight the girl next to him." Nodding in response, the green-haired elite leapt down to the site of the action.
Soroi pulled up a chair for Satsuki to sit on while watching the fight about to ensue and brought her a cup of tea.
"Fukuroda!" The green Deva called out. From the section of the crowd populated by Two-Stars, a short boy leaped into action. He his chest was bare and body was only covered by a coat that rode long on the midget.
"Boxing club president, Takaharu Fukuroda reporting for duty!"
The short club president stood next to Sanageyama, awaiting his orders.
"You take the girl, I'll take the guy. Don't lose, or Satsuki-sama will have both our heads."
-Honnouji Academy, Enrollment Ceremony, Dante vs. Sanageyama-
"You there! What's your name?" Sanageyama pointed his shinai at the silver haired boy.
"I only tell that to cute girls and people who aren't trash. What're you going to do with a wooden sword?" Dante asked haughtily while picking at his nails.
Sanageyama swung his kendo sword experimentally. "You're going to be eating those words soon. I'll have you know that I'm the most talented swordsman at this Academy after Satsuki-sama."
Dante's carefree expression didn't change, but he began to reach for the greatsword on his back. "Standards here must suck then. The way I see it, the hardbody standing up there on that tower is too much of a coward to come here vis a vis and she has to send her trash bodyguard down here, just for little old me. Don't be comparing yourself to that coward up there, boyo."
This single slew of words shocked everyone in attendance, even Ryuko. Trash talk was an ancient art she knew all about, but she didn't expect Dante to hop in on her vocal dissing. Dante motioned to her, and began whispering his reasons for doing so.
"Pssst, hey, pssst!" Ryuko turned towards him, out of annoyance or curiosity no one knew. "She doesn't seem like the type to be easily moved by insults. I figured if we took out her lackeys, she'd have no choice but to confront us herself to save face. I've got a date with this green-haired douche, you go and take the midget with boxing gloves. Whatever you do, DON'T get fucked up, got it?"
Ryuko didn't like that he was giving her orders, but she understood the plan clearly enough. "Alright, fineeeee. Just don't complain about me getting you into anything when we're done, got it pretty boy?"
Dante flashed a smile of assurance (much to her chagrin) and turned back to face his appointed nemesis. Drawing his sword, he mused over how much he should hold back, and what catchphrase he should utter before the fight started.
"Time for a little rebellion."
There was a sound like a sigh and Dante turned into a blur of red and iron, shooting toward Sanageyama like a hawk. The half-devil came to a neat stop directly in front of the kendo master, swinging Rebellion overhead with both hands in a terrifyingly blurry arc of steel.
Sanageyama instantly knew that he would not be able to block the blow. The sword was at least twice the size of his own wooden kendo shinai, and forged of an obviously high quality metal. He estimated it to weigh over 60 pounds. If Sanageyama tried to block that, his arms would break like wooden boards.
So he did the next best thing. The green haired Athletics director took a huge step backwards while leaning on his retracted leg. From his low angle he took a shot at Dante. The wooden shinai swung parallel to Dante's gigantic greatsword, poised to break the half-devil's fingers. Against all logic, the demon hunter let go of his greatsword and grabbed the shinai mid-swing.
Dante embedded Rebellion into the ground and planted his remaining hand on the pommel. Grip still tight on Uzu's bamboo sword, he vaulted over his own sword and used the resulting momentum to pull Rebellion back out of the ground and begin a heavy swing at the green haired boy opposite of Dante. Sanageyama had a choice now, either lose his sword or head.
It was an easy choice. Sanageyama released his sword and dove to the side, narrowly dodging Dante's sword strike.
The demon hunter tossed the wooden sword back to Sanageyama, shaking his head all the while.
"Bad choice of a weapon fam. It's too light first of all, and wood is weaker than metal last time I heard." Dante shouldered Rebellion, ready to fight again.
This obviously didn't sit well with Uzu, but he couldn't help but be excited by the prospect of fighting someone strong. He didn't hold back a lot in that exchange, so this supposed twin of Vergil's was definitely a worthy adversary.
"All right tough guy, round two won't be as easy as the first." Sanageyama said after catching his wooden sword. He was definitely at a disadvantage here. But using his three star Goku Uniform against some noob on the first day of school would reflect badly on the Devas. More importantly, it would reflect badly on Satsuki, and he couldn't have that.
The two swordsmen circled around each other. Dante's smirk never let up, and Sanageyama's concentration stayed steady.
"You sure you want to fight this out? I promise that it won't end well for you." Dante tapped his foot on the ground in a steady rhythm. He knew that the kendo kid wouldn't step down, lest he look like a bitch in front of his hot dominatrix boss, but this was a pointless fight and Dante didn't really want to hurt a human. "I don't want to have to give that pretty girl a corpse…"
A crowd had gathered, cheering on the elite and his boxing club subordinate (Ryuko's fight was apparently much less exhilarating to watch, though). If there was anything special about the ocean of generic faces and nameless individuals, it was that they were loyal to a fault. Pigs in human clothing, indeed.
Dante made a big wave toward the tower where Satsuki was looking on impassively. "Hey girl! After this joke of a fight, wanna get together? I know Ryuko refused, but I think us two could work out; you know?"
Satsuki made no response. If anything, her gaze grew ever colder, as if to convey that Dante's attempts at flirting were childish and futile. Dante thought it was actually quite refreshing that a girl was playing hard to get with him. The hottest babes always gave the coldest stares.
"He's definitely as annoying as that blue coat pretty-boy, that's for sure." Sanageyama stated under his breath. "I'd love nothing more than to put this clown in his place, especially with the way he's talking to Lady Satsuki, but my job is just to scout his skills time around." Readying his stance, he observed Dante's posture. The Demon Hunter leaned on his sword, looking as if he was bored. Uzu couldn't read him nor his attacks, and that struck him as odd. But this was no time to doubt his own ability.
"You finally giving up over there?" Dante spoke out, interrupting Uzu's train of thought. "Maybe if I don't hurt you too bad, you can introduce me to Miss Frosty up there?"
"Not on your life, Mr. Albino! Satsuki-sama would never even look at trash like you!" Shifting his feet, he charged at Dante, brandishing his sword at him. Yelling out his signature three strike combination attack, he swung at the paranormal detective.
"MEN!" The first slash missed wide to the right as Dante sidestepped. "DOU!" The second was a horizontal slash, ducked entirely. "KOTE!" The third was no exception, as Dante did the matrix to avoid a thrusting attack.
"I could see why you have such an angry expression, Lady Kiryuin, if this guy thrusts like he just tried to do with me… wait, that didn't come out right." Dante continued his flirtatious advances, albeit failing more than Mako in classes that required any type of attention span. Speaking of Mako, she was still cowering over in the ring (wtf?) that Ryuko and Fukuroda were fighting in.
"As you can see, my sword is longer too, oh great and powerful mistress!" Dante laid it on thick.
Satsuki was sure this man was a complete and utter fool devoid of any sense of decency, but his chronic tomfoolery was indicative of one thing, arrogance. Which implied power. He didn't seem to be asserting himself much at all. Sanageyama hadn't used his full power either, but there weren't any people outside of the Devas and herself at Honnouji that could actually make him resort to using his Goku Uniform anyway. This Dante should be monitored, there was no doubt about that.
Sanageyama gave an angry yell from being humiliated and rushed Dante head on.
The two swordsmen clashed angrily. Sanageyama wasn't holding back anymore. Screw what Satsuki had said earlier; this asshole's disrespect would not be tolerated.
Still, the fight was awfully one sided. Sanageyama could not parry or block any of Dante's swings because of the sheer force behind them, the green haired swordsman had to make do with dodging every single attack Dante launched at him. Winning wasn't as much of a concern as saving face at this point.
"Where's that confidence you were showing earlier? You said you were the one of the best fighters in this shithole of a school." Dante made it a point to start wielding his enormous great sword one handed, using the other to cover a yawn. He noticed in the corner of his eye that the short boy fighting Ryuko had just delivered a brutal flurry of punches. This fight had to end, and soon. If not, Ryuko was in for even greater pain than she was currently experiencing.
"That's enough, Sanageyama, Fukuroda!" Satsuki's voice rang out from her position on high. Dante had more than proved his power, so this test had no reason to continue. "Return to your posts at once." Her authoritative tone was easily heard across the entire venue. Sanageyama grunted his displeasure and withdrew his weapon, taking himself out of the battle.
"You're damn lucky, asshole. I would've beaten you to a pulp had we gone any longer" Uzu stated brashly to the silver haired Demon Hunter. Both he and Fukuroda returned to their respective sections as per Satsuki's orders, but with completely different results. Fukuroda looked positively ecstatic, face glowing with pride and victory.
Dante looked around. The students of Honnouji Academy were still staring at him, but unlike before, they seemed ready to attack at a moments notice from their leader. He walked over to Ryuko, who was trying to push off the ground despite her injuries.
"Didn't I tell you not to get fucked up? Now look at you." Ryuko had several bruises and a cut underneath her right eye. Dante leaned down and brushed the dripping blood away from Ryuko's cheek. Picking her up by the collar of her jacket he said, "This is what I've been saying about you being too weak."
Ryuko's voice was cracking. "Shut up… You don't know shit about me, about how much this meant to me!" She shed the red blazer and broke out into a tottering run towards the Academy gates.
Dante was left standing rather stupidly with the ruined jacket hanging limply in his hand. He may have been a total tool half the time, but he was emotionally mature enough to know when a girl wanted to be left alone, or at least not be followed by a guy. Emphasis on "guy."
Walking up to Mako, who was no longer cowering but was in a frozen state, he had a specific request. He wasn't sure if she was "stable" enough to follow it all the way through, but he had to try something.
"Hey, nutcase." He waved his hand in front of her face to garner her attention. "You there?"
Mako blinked rapidly for a moment before something clicked in her mind. "Oh yeah! That was an awesome fight! You looked so cool fighting Sanageyama-sama, I wish I could fight that well, then I wouldn't be a No-Star and I could get paid a lot more and maybe—"
Dante snapped his fingers to interrupt the girl's ramblings. "I have a deal I want to make with you. I'll keep these goons from following you, as long as you follow Ryuko. Make sure she doesn't do anything stupid, dig?"
Mako clasped her hands together and sighed, "It's so romantic how you're concerned about your girlfriend. Of course I'll do it! You can count on me!" The ditzy girl ran off.
Shaking his head, Dante complained to no one in particular. "God, humans are so fucking weird!"
From the top of the tower came a shuttling noise as a long stairwell extended to the ground. The loud clicks of high heels on stone reverberated throughout the arena, Satsuki Kiryuin descended to the level of her subjects.
Dante decided that there wasn't enough attention on him at the moment, these moments of prelude to dramatic conversations required dramatic action. He reached to his belt and un-holstered Ebony and fired into the air several times. Instantly every eye was on him. The clicking of heels stopped.
Several seconds of bitter silence followed in the echo of the roar of the firearm.
"So… How about that date?"
- Matoi Family Manor, Outskirts - Several hours later
Mako had done as Dante had told her. She was scatterbrained, but she would do anything for the sake of love (don't ask). Ryuko was too worn to move very fast, and Mako, being the energetic speed-demon she was, didn't find it difficult to keep up with her. She didn't know where she was going, but gosh darnit her boyfriend asked her to look after her, and that's what she'd do (at least in her own little world, that's what he had asked).
Ryuko had taken just over two hours to get to her former home. When she arrived, she dug her scissor blade into the ground and began mumbling about something. Mako had trailed her up until this point, being almost as precise as a professional stalker (she wasn't much different at the time from one anyway). Then, she just vanished. Mako's brain could not compute.
Now she stood here, around 3 hours after everything had gone down at school (1 hour since she had arrived at the manor behind Ryuko) , and was completely stumped as to where Ryuko was.
"RYUUUUUUUKO-CHANNNNNN!" She started calling out Ryuko's name, retaining her ditzy aura. "RYUUUUUUUUKOO-CHA" just then she heard an explosion. Mako, curious, followed the trail towards the stacks of smoke billowing along the horizon.
"MAKO!?" Ryuko was genuinely surprised to see the brown haired teen. "How did you know I was here?" She didn't know why or how Mako tracked her down, but she had one huge issue on her mind.
Leaping at the covered up Ryuko, Mako explain. "Your boyfriend asked me to follow you here out of his love for you and I just COULDN'T resist Ryuko-Chan! By the way, why are you wearing that brown coat? No no no, that's NOT sexy, Ryuko Chan!"
"HE IS NOT MY BOYFRIEND!" Ryuko yelled out. "And… Don't worry about why I'm dressed like this."
"If you say so" Mako responded. "Hey hey, since you're a transfer student, do you have anywhere to stay?"
"No. I wasn't really planning on staying here too long I guess, just long enough to beat some answers out of that Satsuki chick. Why'd ya ask?"
"Wellll…" the eccentric girl trailed off. "I was wondering, did you want to stay over at my place? We could be best buddies, and I could introduce you to my family, and you could introduce your boyfriend and-"
"He's NOT my boyfriend! Damn it Mako!" Ryuko was irritated by Mako's persistent use of the word boyfriend. She had never had one of those in her life, and it was kind of embarrassing that she actually saw Dante as boyfriend material (being saved from a bloodthirsty demon does affect one's views of a person after all). Shaking her head clear of the thought, she realized that there was only one thing to do if she wanted Mako off her back.
"... And I guess I'll live with you temporarily…"
"YAYYYYYY! RYUKO-CHAN'S COMING OVER!"
And like that, they were off, Ryuko trailing Mako as they made their way to her humble abode. All the while, Ryuko silently pondered if she had made the right decision, or if she should've taken her chances with Satsuki's goons again instead. 'Mako's definitely a handful, but I guess she's better than getting a hook to the chin.' Rubbing her chin in reminiscence of the pain, Ryuko trudged on.
- Honnouji Academy, Arena - Interrupted Enrollment Ceremony
Despite herself Satsuki smirked. Such shameless flirting was unfamiliar since most boys found her too intimidating to approach.
"Must I deign such a question with an answer?" She asked in her haughtiest tone.
Dante scratched his nose. "You're one stone cold bitch, you know that?" He sounded amused. "Whatever then, if I'm not getting a date… I'm gonna go home."
Instantly a wall of burly students blocked Dante's path. Front and center stood the memorably huge figure of Gamagoori that Dante was already familiar with.
No one dared speak besides Satsuki. "You think to leave so easily? There will be consequences for your actions against Honnouji Academy today."
The lone by cracked his neck to the side. In the silence following Satsuki's threat, the popping of bone was deafening. The same relaxed expression had lingered on Dante's face, but his eyes had changed into something so weary and tired and sad. "You'd have to be God himself to stop me little girl." His tone, like his eyes, had become so, so tired. It was as if he had been threatened with death thousands of times in the past yet had come out unscathed each and every instance.
Gamagoori took a step forward. "There are over 10,000 students at Honnouji Academy, do you really think that you could take them all? And that is implying that you could even beat a single one of us Devas!"
"Gamagoori, that's enough." Satsuki said calmly while approaching the intruder. Her face betrayed no fear or hesitance. "He is not to be accosted."
The tall Disciplinary Committee Head looked ready to argue, but wisely shut his mouth before he could say anything rash.
"That being said! Mr. Dante, I would like a word with you in a more civil setting. Your companion, Ryuko I believe you called her, was against negotiations; I hope you will be more wise." Satsuki turned on her heel and walked back to the stairway extending from the top of the tower.
Gamagoori grumbled his displeasure and stepped to the side to allow Dante to have clear passage out of the Academy. "I'll be contacting you later with the details for your meeting with Lady Satsuki. Know that you are supremely lucky that she was merciful today."
Dante brushed off the taunts and walked away, no longer smiling. He had a bad feeling about this.
- Honnouji Academy, Conference room-
"... She couldn't even keep up! These Goku Uniforms are something else, I'll tell you!" Fukudora said while shadow boxing an imaginary opponent. "How was your fight Sanageyama-senpai? I bet you were just taking it easy on that guy right? He didn't even seem all that strong; one of those all bark and no bite types."
The kendo master didn't reply. Sanageyama had been calm and collected during the fight due to adrenaline and battle-lust, but he felt absolutely terrible at the moment; as if he had just come out safely from a life or death situation. No. Sanageyama could not lie and say that fighting Dante was easy. If anything the silver haired swordsman was toying with him.
"Yeah, it was a cinch. He only got away since Lady Satsuki only asked me to test him." Sanageyama boasted while leaning back in his chair. The grandstanding served a purpose. Fukuroda didn't know him as well as the other Devas, so he couldn't see through Sanageyama's posturing. It would at least preserve the Elite Four's reputation as unbeatable to the lower Starred students.
Several minutes of meaningless conversation and banter later, the doors of the meeting room opened and in walked Satsuki Kiryuin and her butler, Soroi. Instantly everyone in the room straightened and rose to attention, giving their precious leader a Roman salute.
"At ease." Satsuki was calm and collected and statuesque as always. "We have several motions to discuss today. Firstly, we must honor Fukuroda for his successes today. Stand."
The short Two-Star stood with pride. "Yes Lady Satsuki!"
"You've served Honnouji Academy well today. You are deserving of your Two-Star Goku Uniform. I, Satsuki Kiryuin, thank you for your service personally!"
The boxer fell to his knees in respect. "Thank you Lady Satsuki! For giving me the opportunity to serve you."
The School President motioned the Two-Star to rise. "Soroi, take Fukuroda and give him his reward. My Elites and I have matters to discuss.
Soroi pulled a chair for Satsuki at the head of the table and escorted Fukuroda away.
There was a moment of pause, no one knowing how to start. Satsuki however quickly brushed aside the awkwardness and got down to business. It had been several months since the last time they had all gathered in person. The air was thick, tension high, stakes even higher.
"Inumuta, do you have information on the intruders?" Satsuki kept her fingers folder in front of her face, impossible to read.
"Yes I do Lady Satsuki. Which would you like first?"
Nonon interrupted, "The guy first, he was pretty hot…"
A quick glare from Satsuki silenced the conductor. "Continue Inumuta. I expect no further interruptions."
"I'll start with the male, since Nonon is so thirsty for information." He pushed his glasses higher up his nose and fiddled with his handheld computer until a screen on the far wall started displaying video footage of the fight between Dante and Sanageyama. "His name is Dante Sparda. Nineteen years old, height: 185 centimeters, weight: 76 kilograms, all together he seems quite ordinary. He lives in this city, owning a business called Devil May Cry. It's actually been registered through legal channels for several years."
Satsuki seemed interested. "Sparda you said?"
"Yes Lady Satsuki."
Nonon raised her hand and blurted out, "Isn't that Vergil-kun's last name as well? That's way too uncommon of a last name for it to be simple coincidence! Dante-kun has to be the twin we're looking for!"
"SILENCE JAKUZURE! YOU WILL SPEAK ONLY WHEN GIVEN PERMISSION BY LADY SATSUKI!" Gamagoori yelled in his typical drill-sergeant tone.
"Cease your infighting." Satsuki spoke calmly, yet her subordinates straightened up instantly, almost as if intimidated by her easygoing tone. "You are correct, Nonon. Vergil and Dante share the same surname. It seems that this Dante is at least associated with him somehow; they even have a resemblance in terms of looks, however…" The bushy browed ruler paused for dramatic effect.
"However, we can not say with certainty that they are brothers. The data we've collected is minimal, and only fools draw conclusions from such a small sample size." Satsuki was analytic and level-headed in the best and worst of situations.
"We still have time to make our move, so we will use that time to prepare, and perhaps seduce Dante to our cause if he proves to be worthy. I have many trials in store for those degenerates. I will admit them into the school. Until further notice, I want you four to keep an eye on their every activity. We will convene again at a later date. Dismissed."
"YES, LADY SATSUKI!" The four Devas bowed to show their loyalty, and dispersed.
Sitting in her chair and drinking a cup of Soroi's tea, Satsuki pondered all that had been set in motion. 'I've allowed Vergil to make quite a few changes around school, but he hasn't done too much damage to my plans. If Dante really is of comparable strength with his brother… I must convince him to ally with me. It's the only way to win.'
"And I must win."
-Devil May Cry, 8:00 PM-
"Wonder if Ryuko is okay?" Dante sat on the bare floor of his home wondering when the doorbell rang.
"Fucking yes! Pizza's here!" Oh that delicious cheesy, meaty goodness. Unparalleled perfection. The pinnacle of humanity.
It wasn't pizza.
Hopes and dreams shattered, Dante had an ugly expression on his face. "Who the fuck are you again?" It was that one really big guy from the enrollment ceremony. 'Something to do with toads', Dante thought.
"My name is Ira Gamagoori, we met earlier today during the Enrollment Ceremony." The head of the Discipline Committee hated the carefree demon-hunter, but Satsuki had told him to be as diplomatic as possible… "I'm here to inform you that Lady Satsuki expects to see you tomorrow morning at 7:25 AM."
Dante reeled as if he had been struck and clutched his chest to warn of an imminent heart attack. "Hnnng! You're killing me man! I haven't been up that earlier since… I don't remember."
Gamagoori was nonplussed. "I have to insist Mr. Sparda . Please try and be on time… and maybe dress nicer." He looked off put by the cheese and tomato sauce stains on Dante's cheap white shirt.
"What's in it for me anyways?" Dante leaned against his doorframe and scratched his chin. "I usually have clients pay me for my time…"
"I have been authorized to nullify your lease on this particular building. If you come and accept Lady Satsuki's offer, you'll—"
Dante interrupted the taller boy, "You had me at 'nullify' and 'lease'. I'll definitely be there. Hell, I'll even wear something nice!"
And so, a date was set.
AN: Don't expect daily updates or anything like that; life is hard. This chapter was really long, hope you guys enjoy!
