So Scream, It's Alright, I Got You
Dante did track the miscreants back to their lair as easily as Vergil had predicted. Despite Nero and Lady's vehement protests, Dante and Trish insisted on waiting until the following day to attack in order to give Lady time to recuperate. On a rampage, she had a craving for some serious damage.
It took Dante threatening to tie her to the bed to make her see sweet reason. He had to use the same threat on Nero with descriptions of more drastic methods of confinement until the young man swore on Kyrie's life to stay put. As for Trish, she wanted time for Dante to assimilate the suspicions she'd confirmed. Knowing he was deeply disturbed, she ached to see him suffering while he hid his pain from Nero and Lady.
After warding the entire house, Trish waited until they were ready for bed. Coming out of the shower, wrapped in a soft robe, Trish found Dante slumped against the headboard with an arm covering his eyes. With his long legs stretched out and one bent at the knee, Dante felt beat. He had stripped down to his dark red leather pants and thick silk black shirt. Zipped half way down his chest, the loosened shirt pooled around his lean hips.
He looked so sexy Trish wanted to jump him. Restraining herself took a lot of willpower but she felt the waves of weariness and turbulent, conflicting emotions emanating from his motionless form. She glided to lay next to him, close enough to feel his heat, breathe his scent and most especially, ravish him with her eyes.
Dante curled one side of his delectable lips. "I can feel you mentally molesting me, pervert," he teased.
"I thought only men were called perverts," Trish smiled.
"Now you're being sexist," Dante observed, grinning fully.
"Do you mind?" she asked quietly.
"No. I'm just damn tired. First I had to deal with those hotheads, then we had to protect the house. All after a fun filled day fighting an army of morons," he muttered.
"But that's not all, is it?" Trish asked gently, "Do you want to talk?" Dante's arm fell away.
Staring at the ceiling through the shiny, straight fringe of hair spiking over his forehead, he answered dully, "No. I'll deal with it tomorrow after I see what's what." After a long moment of silence, Dante spoke, slightly sad, "Do you think it'd be OK if I held you for a little while?"
He nuzzled the hand she raised to cup his cheek, "It'd be more than OK."
"Thanks," he murmured roughly and turned her into him until he could feel every inch of her length.
Burying his face into her luxurious, fragrant hair, Dante clutched her to him choking, "Don't let go Trish." She locked her arms around him.
"I won't, Dante," she assured him.
Trish lay wide awake in the darkness, keeping a firm embrace on Dante once he fell into a deep sleep, and thought back on the day.
...
Disguising herself, she had infiltrated a group of mercenaries roaming the city looking for "fresh meat." Hiding her revulsion and need to kill, she took care to uncover all the information Dante had asked her to find. Once she had what she'd come for, she'd swiftly disappeared and sought him out.
Trish, too, had felt Lady's distress and Dante had been easy to find. Forcing herself to remain focused on her assignment instead of answering her need for help had been extremely difficult, but she'd known the men were going to her rescue.
Sensing the all-seeing demon, she'd stayed hidden in the tree-line until Dante destroyed the thing. When she'd heard Dante's call, "Come on out. She's asleep now," Trish hadn't exactly understood until she reached the heart wrenching scene.
Viewing the carnage of a devastating war a fair distance away, she'd put her hand on Dante's shoulder as she looked into Lady's wan face from under his coat. The only other part of Lady Trish could see was the hand Nero held in his warmed devil's one.
"They hurt her, Trish. I wasn't fast enough," Dante'd told her brokenly. Through their intimate shared bond Dante had let her "see" what had happened. Trish'd struggled to hide her furiously rising thirst for bloody revenge. How dare those vile creatures defile her friend with their odious, cowardly, revolting desires and intentions?
Yes, in their predominately male line of business, she and Lady had discussed the possibility of something of this sort happening but had never seriously considered it would, or could, happen. Then Trish'd had to struggle against rising foreign tears when she'd thought of how she and Lady had laughed it off as they came up with the most dreadful things they would they'd do to anyone trying to touch them without permission.
Tightening her grip on Dante, she'd studied her strong friend laying in his arms. Trish's worry, incense and sorrow had intermingled at Lady frail and young appearance. Nero had said nothing.
If she could have, Trish would've gone back to the crew she'd left and wiped them out - with relish. (My, that was a appealing thought and an obtainable one. Perhaps she could sneak away from under Dante's radar to hunt certain filthy bottom feeders on her own.)
Picking up their shared feelings of remorse and guilt, Trish had decided the two men felt they'd failed Lady.
"It'll be fine, baby. Lady's tough as nails. She'll bounce back in no time, you'll see." Suppressing her own feral fury, she'd confidently reassured them soothingly. This had seemed to help a little as they all waited for Lady to wake up.
When she did, Lady'd looked immensely embarrassed, furious and shaken.
Linking her arm through Nero's, Trish had led him away so Lady could vent in private. Nero hadn't hesitated - he knew the score. Dante and Lady had both separately confided in her later about what happened next.
...
"Hey there lazy bones. Here I thought you were gonna sleep all day. And on a job, too. I thought you had a solid rep." Dante quipped with a lightly teasing grin. Sitting up, Lady pushed him away.
"Where're my guns?" came her flat, enraged question.
"Right here. Nero made sure they stayed nice and secure for you," he responded.
When she silently went about methodically checking and reloading them, Dante sighed, "Look, Lady, if you want to hit me, go ahead. Get out that pent up anger. I don't mind."
Shaking her head violently, she spat, "It's not you Dante. I don't want to hurt you." Then she looked down at the guns clenched in her shaky fists and whispered miserably, "Aren't you going to say I told you so?"
"No," Dante was emphatic, "It was a good plan. And it worked. Unfortunately, it got fucked up a bit. I'm the one you should be mad at. I let you down. I should've gotten here sooner." Startled, she studied his flinty expression and the tic working near his clenched teeth.
Becoming aware of her surroundings, she saw the massive amount of dead bodies littering the streets a ways ahead. Her memory began to clear. A vivid flush washed the paleness away as her eyes sparked and flashed. Those same eyes, glittering brightly with unshed tears, met his.
"No Dante," Lady leaned toward him, "You've never let me down, ever. So don't even go there. You never lied to me. You told me the dangers involved. You forced this bracelet on me, which at first I arrogantly hated, but am now so glad you did, I could kiss you. If you hadn't come when you had, I... I don't even want to think what would have happened. This is all my fault. I forced you into this." She finished with her head down, feeling dirty and ashamed.
He grabbed her roughly to him and whispered urgently in her ear, "Don't you say that Lady. You're one of the best I've seen. I love to watch you kick ass like there's no tomorrow. You didn't do anything wrong - the scum who dared lay hands on you did. And believe you me, I made damn certain to give him plenty of time to think over his sins before he went to Hell. The bastard won't be doing anything to anyone else ever again." Lady suddenly remembered Dante's fury and implacable wrath.
Ruthless, he had savagely punished the man who had violated her with a gruesomely slow, painful death before going after the rest of the lot. She remembered being with him when he did. It had sort of been like vicariously doing it herself - making her feel a whole lot better.
She remembered Nero's care too. Turning, she gave him a hard kiss on the cheek and circled her arms in a fast hold around his neck.
"Man, you were pretty pissed, huh?" She felt him shrug.
"A bit," Dante drawled wryly.
"What did I ever do to deserve such great guys as you and Nero to take care of business for me when I was out for the count?" she asked hoarsely. He smiled and rubbed her back.
"It's OK y'know," he said.
Drawing away, she asked, "What's OK?" Dante looked around so she could see they were alone.
"It's OK if you wanna let go. I'll catch ya. You don't have to pretend with me, but afterward, you're gonna owe me a strawberry sundae," he offered with a wink (though it cost him).
Rasping a laugh, she held him by the shoulders, "Don't be ridiculous. I'm fine." He kept steady serious eyes steady on hers.
"Don't look like that. I... I'm..." and without warning, she was cursing and screaming and sobbing. Letting her pound on his chest, Dante stayed stoic. When Lady started gagging, he held her while she vomited. As tears flowed, he calmly pulled out a flask with clean water to rinse out her mouth.
Once Lady calmed somewhat, she admitted, "I can still feel that slimy bastard's hands on me. I smelled him for a long time, but Nero helped when he wrapped his coat around me and I could smell him instead. And you helped too, a lot, so, at least that's gone."
Covering her face with her hands, Lady choked on an ironic laugh, "Oh God, Dante. Can you believe this? After all the blood and guts I've waded through, why would something like this, I mean compared to all the other stuff I've been through, cause me to fall apart like this?"
Leaning back, Dante laced his hands together behind his head in contemplation. He gazed at the sky which was reflected in his eyes.
"You know Lady, I've given it some thought. I've been in some nasty situations myself, and for me, personally, I think it all comes down to control. You're one of the toughest people I know. I think you would've rather been killed outright than have some pissant poisoned dart take you down and leave you at the mercy some sadistic fuckhead. Am I right?" Sliding his eyes sideways, he sawher head hanging down, but she was listening.
"Like Nero said, using drugs in a fight is point blank wrong. No honor in that at all. You think they took your honor by treating you like a thing to be used, when actually, they couldn't, because your control and your honor is inside you. You didn't do anything wrong and ya sure as hell weren't asking for it. They're the lowlifes, not you, Lady. Never you."
Mimicking his pose, Lady stretched out as she mulled over what Dante said. "OK. You got yourself a strawberry sundae. It might take a little while, but I will be fine," she determined, "What do you think Nero would like..." She trailed off as a thought so grotesque crossed her mind, she had to quickly sit upright to keep from throwing up again.
"Oh, My. God. If it was bad for me, I wonder what Nero, and Kyrie for that matter... Even if they weren't groped..." Lady took a breath to quit babbling before continuing, "I mean. How did they deal after being 'absorbed' into the 'Savior'?" She gazed at him in horror.
Glancing at her under bangs and lashes, Dante never moved. "Lady, there are just some things I don't want to think about."
A long moment held, then she nodded wearily in agreement, "Yeah."
...
Meanwhile, strolling through the park, Trish was answering Nero's questions about demon hierarchy and culture as coherently as she could.
After wrapping his head around some very strange concepts, (at least, for him) Nero asked her, "Where does Dante fit in to all of this? I mean he isn't exactly setting up residence in Devonville, but the demons all seem to know him on sight and are generally scared brainless."
Wanting to lighten her unexpressed weighty, ferocious need to avenge Lady, Trish answered in a teasingly grand manner, "Within the demonic realm, Dante is a fearsome, powerful and masterful Demon Lord of noble lineage. All hold him in dread, awe and envy, but find him a complete enigma. None can understand his strength, or how he has collected, and retained, a potent, loyal, enclave of supplicants who seek to serve him while he does nothing to encourage their attention."
Appreciating her regal bearing and speech, (Nero didn't think Trish had to pretend all that much to pull off the act.) Nero sifted through her words, trying to make sense of them.
"Enclave of supplicants?" he asked.
"Well, that's what it's called in the Demon World. 'Enclave' is obviously a 'group' and 'supplicants' is an encompassing phrase to describe the ones under the Master's control, or domain, who perform a variety of services," she replied, "And, in their eyes, the more powerful the supplicant is, the more powerful the Master is. In other words, the Master's status rises in comparison to the number, and/or the desirability, of the ones he or she rules."
Nero thought he saw the picture. "So because Dante has, as the demons see it, you and Lady, even if she's human, who stay with him because you both want to instead of having to, he is seen as a very powerful 'Master'?" he asked, checking to see if he had it right.
"I thank you for the compliment," Trish replied sincerely, leaving Nero in the dark again.
Going on, Trish elaborated, "Lady's a very special type of human, and not just because she's 'pure' and a warrior. I doubt she would mind me revealing she possesses great gifts she inherited from her mother. I haven't pried, yet I feel, as I do with you, I don't believe she feels worthy of them. Likewise, I know from living among humans for so long, she'd (and you'd) be extremely upset if she (you) thought she was seen as a supplicant of Dante's."
Nero laughed, "I can see that. But how come only the two of you rise Dante's status to a high standing Master?"
Trish dug the tip of her stiletto heeled boot into the ground before answering. "There's another, including, now, a very powerful male, under Dante's protection," she said, raising her bewitching eyes to his.
It took a moment to sink in. "What?! I'm now seen as one of Dante's servants? You gotta be kidding me!" he exclaimed - affronted by the very thought.
Having anticipated his reaction, Trish explained, "See? You validate what I previously said about Lady. I only tell you this so you won't be confused, or offended, if you're called so."
Nero fumed.
"Dante, I can promise you, doesn't see you in this light. I'm telling you how demons think," Trish pointed out.
"Yeah, but still." Nero crossed his arms in disgusted indignation.
Trish told him, "You should know, taking another warrior of such strength and potential as yourself is almost unheard of in the Demon World. This is regarded as highly dangerous."
"Dangerous, huh?" Nero liked the sound of that. "Why?"
"Because to train another warrior, especially one who's already proven himself in battle, doesn't usually, if ever, end too well. Once the younger's matured, he or she can challenge the Master to a duel to the death in order to take his or her place, or may be released from the Master's service to become a possible ally." She commented dryly, "Knowing demons as well as you do, I'm sure you can imagine what most often occurs."
Power over others. Taking pleasure from others' pain, humiliation and absolute obedience. These were demonic desires, Nero thought, remembering Dante's lecture. Seeing others as possessions rather than independent individuals was the demonic way. Nero figured it was all pretty basic.
"Yeah, I see what you're saying. So I guess I'm supposed to be proud of being a big feather in Dante's hat?" he asked sarcastically.
Trish nodded seriously, assuring him, "Nero, you can trust Dante. Didn't he let you use Yamato so you could save Kyrie yourself? He could've freed you both himself, but understood and respected your need to save her yourself. Did he not go even further by entrusting Yamato to you? Doesn't this show his trust in you? The only power Dante wants is the ability to defeat demons who break the rules, and humans who wish to be like demons. He also wants to be able to protect himself and those he cares for, nothing more."
Nero felt Trish's earnestness and saw she was speaking the truth. Kind of happy she reminded him Dante's actions spoke louder than words, he decided what the hell. If the demons wanted to see him as a new, powerful demon belonging to Dante, that was their problem, not his. Besides, he figured learning how his enemy thought would help him understand how to defeat them easier.
"Did saving Kyrie raise my own status?" Nero asked curiously as he took in these new concepts. At her nod, he continued, "But then, didn't Dante taking me under his wing lower my status?"
He didn't know what to think when Trish shook her head, "No. Definitely not. If anything, it raised yours more because of Dante's reputation. By accepting you as worthy of his attention, you're seen as being valuable because Dante believes in, what is that human term? Oh, yes. Dante believes in quality over quantity, showing he'll accept only the very finest in his company. This demonstrates to all the demons, he's so confident in his own abilities, he feels he can defeat anyone, or thing, he chooses to go after."
"Wow," Nero rubbed his forehead painfully, "I think I'm getting a headache."
Fondly ruffling his hair, she asked in a somber, almost pleading tone, "Nero, I would make a request of you." He gave her his undivided attention because whatever was on her mind was heavy. Even though Trish remained poised, she was as nervous as Nero had ever seen her, and he began to grow anxious as she drew the moment out.
He had to prompt her, "What is it Trish?"
"I'm sorry I can't give you all the details yet since I promised to discuss them with Dante first, but when we find Kyrie..." Nero stiffened. "Nero. I know you do not fully understand but you must remember everything we've taught you about the ritual you have to go through to get Kyrie back. But... But most importantly, I NEED you to know this will be very hard on Dante."
Nero studied her, perplexed. Trish'd been an invaluable, bottomless well of help and information - all for him. Going out of her way, Trish looked after him and he could tell this didn't come naturally to her.
He had discovered Trish had studied and worked hard at becoming human which was often at odds with her demon makeup - especially when she decided to stay with Dante.
He noticed she didn't get after him in terms of cleaning up expect when it came to eating and sleeping, then she was vigilant. At first, he was confused by this strange mix until he noted Dante liked to be clean (though he was sloppy about throwing stuff around) but was lacking in the eating and sleeping department. Nero had been baffled by Trish's ability to keep Dante's hazard waste area clean, and he still goggled at what he called her magical skills toward housecleaning.
However, he found out one of the things Trish loved, and had studied, was gourmet cooking. Gradually she had "educated" Dante's palette, and Nero thought it hilarious when she would deliberately make him something totally mouth watering when he didn't feel like eating and Dante'd complain about where his dinner was. Trish would coolly point to the phone while Dante grouched about having take-out when Nero got special treatment. (Nero was convinced Trish did this on purpose to cheer him up.)
For Nero, simply getting out of or into bed was dismal. Nothing escaping her attention, Trish made him a sleeping potion - insisting he needed his sleep if he was to stay sane, healthy and strong. Not into taking drugs of any kind, Nero had balked, but hadn't wanted to hurt Trish's feelings, so he'd taken it. Surprised the potion worked like the charm it was, he was now able get in solid rest.
If he was feeling down, (which was often) she always tried to distract or comfort him. Trish may be uncertain when it came to comforting, but she gave it her best shot and she was a fast study. When it came to providing distractions, Trish was already a dynamite expert. Nero was fascinated by her extensive knowledge on many subjects, including magic, which was way too cool to describe.
When she admitted during the years she traveled the Human World by herself, in her avid, driven curiosity, she had explored and was successful in several exceedingly profitable careers (none of which included demon slaying), he'd been astounded.
For example, Trish gave Nero lessons on making a bundle in the stock market. With her demonic mentality and total recall (that Nero shared) she'd quickly mastered its various ups and downs and showed him how to make a killing. While Nero had found the subject intensely interesting, Dante's eyes had glazed over when he'd come across, and heard, them talking. (He still got a charge out of Dante's expression.)
Her care and affection toward him went a long way in keeping him steady. Previously witnessing Nero's abject need for Kyrie, Trish seemed to completely get what he was going through. Trish was mainly the one who kept him from being crushed by the depression weighing on him though Dante (for sure) and Lady helped too.
When he'd first see her fighting demons as Gloria, she'd been awesome. While they'd cruised the demons thriving in Fortuna now, he'd gone from being awed to being blown away when he'd seen Trish in her true form in action. Nero couldn't believe her powers. In fact, he'd almost been waylaid during a battle she'd been participating in before shaking off his stupor - Trish was an exquisite, not to messed with in any way, at any time, weapon all by herself.
If Nero loved Lady, he adored Trish.
He knew she loved Dante the way he loved Kyrie and if she thought Dante was going to be hurt by something, she'd do anything to help him. Nero could relate. And right now, Trish was asking him for a favor when he owed her and Dante - big time.
Nero told her, "I'll try really, really hard, Trish. I promise. If you think it's better for Dante to give me the heads up, then that's OK. I feel like I can trust you but you gotta know you're killing me with this deep, dark secret." Trish laughed lightly and gave him a grateful smile before she lead them back to Dante and Lady.
Engrossed in their own thoughts, neither spoke as they walked.
...
Upon their return, Lady had looked herself, which was a tremendous relief. With her arsenal loaded for bear, she approached Nero and they stood awkwardly in front of each other.
"Oh, for goodness sake," Lady exclaimed and broke the ice by grabbing the startled youth into a abrupt hug while brushing his cheek with a feathery kiss. Nero fought to control the flush spreading up from his neck.
Thankfully, Lady was matter of fact, and friendly, when she spoke, "You were a big help Nero. I want you know that. I owe you, so here." She handed him a business card along with a IOU for one free service.
"Now wait just a minute," Dante strode up to grab the note from Nero's hand. Reading it, he narrowed his eyes at Lady.
"He gets a freebie out of you and I get a measly sundae?!"
Lady shrugged, unfazed. "That's what you asked for, wasn't it?"
"Yeah, but never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I could get you to work for free," Dante retorted in disgust.
"You know what they say assuming things. Besides, it was the only thing I could think of, since I don't know Nero well enough to know what he likes," Lady responded cheerfully. Nero caught on this was a big deal.
Making an aside whisper to Trish, he asked, "How much does Lady usually charge anyway?" At the answer, Nero's eye widened at the high amount, (he knew Lady was good, but geez, talk about calling in a specialist).
"Holy crap!" Nero yelped, "Thanks a lot, Lady. But really, it's too much. I couldn't possibly..."
Lady stopped him curtly, "You can and you will. Everyone needs a little help now and then. You give me call if you need some. Or, for that matter, if you need a little R and R. Like if you want some uninterrupted, quality time with your lady. I don't mind babysitting for a night or two." She finished with a wink, making his flush deepen.
That definitely sounded too good to pass up. Grinning, Nero nimbly snatched the promissory note from Dante and pocketed it.
"This is the best present anyone's ever given me. Thanks Lady." His heart swelled at her answering smile and he had swallow a lump forming in his throat.
Nero felt like he actually, finally, belonged.
The way they all acted as if getting Kyrie back was a foregone conclusion gave him desperately needed confidence and hope. He was able to stay on track because every single one of them had taken the time to be there for him.
Not only did they have his back, they trusted him to have theirs. Nero swore to himself he'd never, ever forget that.