Watching Cassandra's retreating back Vergil ran a hand through his hair. Striding quickly to the nearest wall Vergil indulged himself by letting his forehead smack off the wall with a satisfying thud. Just once. Several deep breaths later Vergil managed to convince himself not to punch a hole in his wall. I need to stop this. Such petty displays of pathetic human emotions are beneath me.
"She knows nothing," he muttered, bracing his hands against the wall beside his head. His voice lacked conviction even to his own ears. How can she know more about my life than I do?
After a moment, Vergil resolutely straightened. "It matters little," he told himself, "I will complete the task I was given and then I will return to the Demon World. There is no other choice."
Shoulders squared and expression once again unreadable Vergil retrieved a tattered volume from the desk in his room. He didn't need it of course. Vergil had long ago memorized the ritual and words necessary to activate the wards. The book he would give to Cassandra to study.
Vergil left his room closing the door to his bedroom quietly. Keen demonic senses detected Cassandra moving about in room as well as the occasional hissed cursed. No doubt she was cursing him as much as her injury. I allowed her to step out of her place. I must not do so again.
Making his way down the hall Vergil asked himself, Why does she care? Why is she so different? Focusing on his feelings, though he'd long ago thought them dead, Vergil searched for any trace of foolish lust that may be influencing his thoughts and actions but found none. Cassandra is quite beautiful and yet I feel no desire to take her to my bed. I want to . . . protect her. What?! That's the height of insanity! She is my chattel and nothing more. I'd do well to remember that.
Continuing down the stairs Vergil waited impatiently by the door for Cassandra to appear.
Upstairs Cassandra was taking her time just to annoy Vergil. She had no great desire to die yet she couldn't seem to help herself. Why the fuck do I care anyway? I'm his slave. The redhead growled softly at the nagging voice in the back of her mind that reminded her that Vergil had so far been a rather benevolent master. Which is what got me into this mess, she groused internally.
Cursing her shoulder and white-haired-half devils Cassandra tugged off her ruined shirt and tossed it into a corner. "He'd better buy me a new one," she muttered, digging through her bag for another. Pulling out a black tank top, Cassandra carefully pulled it over her head. Her wound was healing quickly but it still stung.
Turning around, Cassandra caught sight of her image in the mirror. Her braid had come loose during her flight and now stuck up in all directions. Knowing a delay would irritate Vergil, Cassandra sat on the small bench before the mirror and unwound her braid. Picking up a brush Cassandra ran it through her hair grimacing each time it caught a knot. When she was done, she pulled her thick mane up in a pony tail.
"There," she said to herself, "Now we'll go see what his royal highness wants."
Cassandra made her way down the stairs and was pleased to find Vergil standing before the door looking rather annoyed. Poor boy is used to everyone kissing his ass.
Hearing steps on the stairs Vergil looked up to find Cassandra walking down the stairs as if she had all the time in the world. Blue eyes narrowed as Vergil focused his gaze on her face. She knows that I'm annoyed. More than that she did it on purpose, the wench. Vergil did not miss the fact that his slave had taken the time to tidy her hair before coming down.
"Hurry up," he snapped. Vergil looked carefully for any signs that Cassandra was annoyed at his command.
Cassandra smiled sweetly and sped up just a bit. "Of course, Master," she called in a saccharine voice. He will notget to me.
When Cassandra had reached his side, Vergil thrust the book at her. "I will show you how to activate and deactivate the wards that I use on my dwellings. In your free time however I want you to study the spells and rituals in this book."
Taking the book with genuine interest Cassandra managed a completely insincere sounding, "As you wish." Still she paid careful attention as Vergil taught her the proper words while delighting at the consternation she saw in his cool blue eyes.
Vergil felt his left eye twitch as his slave continued to listen to him with an exaggerated level of rapt awe. This is how she should behave, he thought, This is the behavior I should demand from her. I hate it.
Nearly grinding his teeth in irritation Vergil snatch the tome he had given her from her hands. "Stop that, damn you!"
"Stop what, Master?" Cassandra inquired sweetly.
"That!" Vergil growled, "You are many things, my dear, but sweetly submissive is not one of them. You are doing this to irritate me, aren't you?"
"Why would I do such a thing?" Cassandra asked with feigned confusion.
Grasping Cassandra by the shoulders Vergil gave her a shake. "That I do not know," he ground out, "But you will cease this instant."
Biting her lip against the pain that flared through her shoulder at Vergil's rough handling Cassandra allowed the saccharine vapidity to fade abruptly from her pretty features.
"I thought this was what you wanted?" she snapped trying to pull out of his grip, "I'm supposed to obey like a good little lap dog. So what's your problem?!" Vergil's grip tightened on her
shoulder and an involuntary cry of pain wrenched itself from her throat, "Stop it, you asshole!" she yelled, "You're hurting me."
Growling an unintelligible curse Vergil released her regret flashing in his eyes at the dark red stain that was detectable even against the black material of her shirt.
"Great," Cassandra snarled, "Now you owe me two shirts, jackass."
Anger glinted in icy blue eyes. "Watch how you speak to me, woman. I could kill you for that."
"Then do it," Cassandra yelled, "I'm tired of this, Vergil. If you want to kill me then go ahead. I'm not strong enough to stop you. Just make up your fucking mind. One minute you want blind obedience and then next you're ordering me to stop it. Pick one!"
"You were mocking me!" Vergil yelled back, "Any submissiveness you were showing was completely insincere. It's insulting."
"Would you have liked it any better if I had meant it?" Cassandra pressed, "Not that such a thing is likely," she added.
Vergil opened his mouth to reply and abruptly closed it. "No," he admitted finally.
"Then what do you want?"
"I DON'T KNOW!" Vergil roared, then more softly, "I don't know," Pain flared behind his eyes and the half-devil grabbed the sides of his head.
Seeing that Vergil was in pain, Cassandra's angry features softened. Carefully approaching Vergil as she might a wounded animal, Cassandra grasped Vergil wrists and carefully pulled his hands from his head.
"Ssshh," she murmured in response to the wild look in his eyes, "Relax, Vergil. Stop fighting it and the pain will cease."
Willing to try anything to ease the terrible pain in his skull Vergil closed his eyes and took several deep breaths pleased to find that the pain did abate somewhat.
Open pale blue eyes Vergil rasped, "Why are you doing this? You should hate me"
"Sorry to disappoint," Cassandra replied gently, "But I don't. You're a good man, Vergil, no matter how hard you fight it. You're a man with guts and honor. You're so much more than you pretend to be."
"Dante would like you." Vergil didn't know where the words came from but knew them to be true.
"How do you know?" Cassandra asked tilting her head curiously.
"I just do." Childish laughter haunted his mind and the pain again pressed down behind his eyes.
"Damn this pain," Vergil spat hoarsely. "I need to remember . . . but . . ." Vergil fought to grasp the elusive memory unaware of the blood than trickled from his nose.
"Vergil!" Cassandra squeaked in alarm, "You have to stop before you kill yourself!"
"NO!" Vergil yelled, "I can almost remember . . . so close!" Forcing himself to endure the pain Vergil chased after the laughing children traipsing through his battered mind. He nearly had them when the world went dark and Vergil fell to the floor unconscious.
Author's Note: There you go guys. I know its short but it was necessary to stop here. Plus there was the additional fun of a cliffhanger. Ducks rotten fruit thrown by angry readers Let me know what you think.
SUFFERINGLOSTSOUL: Yeah dearest Vergie is going to go through a lot of changes. He has to in order to reach the point he's at at the beginning of Second Chances. Glad you liked it and thanks for reviewing.
Devil Rebel: Of course, I'll keep it up. LOL Or at least try to. Thanks for reviewing
Silentdeath Bringer: Yeah Vergie definitely needs a hug. He's having a hard time. Rine is only going to make things worse. Thanks for reviewing!
Dmc Fan: Vergil may actually have to admit that he needs someone. Which of course will be quite painful. Hope you enjoyed this chapter and thanks for reviewing.
MacAnimeGirl:I will get to your story.I'm so sorry but after my uncle died I started a new job and the last few weeks are a blur. I'm off tomorrow and Friday however so I will do my very best to read it if you still want me to. Dial up definitely can suck. I was glad to get rid of it. I'm glad you're still with me and thanks soo much for being patient.