Hey everyone! OMG I am so sorry for being late like this! I really feel like a jerk for keeping so many waiting on me. But anyway, here I am and back with a new chapter and everything. When we last saw Dante and the others, they were set up to take place in an insidious game held by a demon, and must take part in all of this or Kokoro dies. It's gonna get pretty hectic for me because of college and such so I don't know when I'll actually update next time. But rest assured, I have not given up on this story at all.

Alright, here we go!

*DISCLAIMER* I own nothing.

Chapter 12: School, Requests, and Reunions

TOKYO

CLOSE TO NICHISORA HIGH SCHOOL

7:10 A.M.

"5…

4…

3…

2…

1…

START!-!"

Suddenly the entire world shifted so suddenly and all the buildings that were removed from the ground suddenly shifted even higher off the ground and were twisted around! The buildings along with the very ground of the city in the distance of them began to shift forward at them like a tidal wave coming towards them in a dangerous pace!

"Shit! We gotta run, now!" Dante exclaimed.

And run they did, as they ran the opposite direction of the tidal wave of buildings that was approaching them. All three ran as fast as they could, but it wasn't as simply as the ground under them began to violently shake and break apart behind them, with the bottom leaving a cloudy abyss! Even so the building tidal wave was dead on their tracks.

"Uh, guys! I think we need to really start thinking of a way out of Limbo! Like now!" Kokoro said frantically.

"No shit!" Dante yelled back, obviously this is part of that bastard demon's game and now we're smack dab in the middle of it!"

"We'll have to rely on other sources of escape!" Kasumi suggested as she ran ahead of the two and proceeded to leap off the ground on to the floating debris and jumped from one to the other swiftly.

"Gotcha! Hang on princess!" Dante smirked as he quickly grabbed Kokoro and held her bridal style and also leaped off the disintegrating ground on to the floating benches above. Soon they entered the other side of the city itself and as the leaped back onto more stable ground, Dante put Kokoro down and continued running forward!

"Moa! Can this get any worse?-!" Kokoro exclaimed between breaths.

"Oh, I thought you'd never ask!"

Suddenly they felt a horrid rumbling as the very buildings vibrated with intensity all around them. It was just as they feared as the buildings were now beginning to close in on them slowly but surely! The items within the building were crashing out of the windows and slamming to the ground as a way to slow them down!

"You just had to say somethin'!" Dante exclaimed irritably.

"Wait! Dante look!" Kasumi pointed towards the sudden appearance of a smaller building coming up in front of them with no way to jump of it in time before the buildings on the sides of them slammed together along with them in the middle.

"Oh, no you don't!" Dante proclaimed as he grabbed his handguns and aimed them at the building while they were still running towards it! He rapidly shot at the building, but wasn't planning to shoot the building in general, but instead aimed for the presumable lobby window that was wide enough for all three to go through! After a few shots, he was successful in breaking through the window and it shattered in on itself!

The buildings were only a few steps close as the three ran with relentless speed, only to finally jump through the broken window, just in time for the buildings to clamp shut on themselves with a loud slam!

"Well…" Kokoro panted tiredly, "That was…fun…"

"Naw that was just a practice run." Dante joked.

"Please don't joke of such things…" Kasumi sighed.

The three got back up and brushed themselves off and only looked forward to the only see a bright light at the end of a long hallway. That bright light turned out to be the way out once more to the other side of the building.

"Looks like that's our way out." Kokoro figured.

"No…That's too easy." Dante said cautiously.

Even so the three ran down the hallway and it appeared that it was a simple straight shot to get out of the building. Unfortunately, that was not the case as suddenly more of those earlier demons had suddenly appeared before them and were armed to the teeth with long blades and devilish grins! And if that wasn't bad, they also felt a familiar rumble once more as the walls of the building were closing as well!

"We won't make it!" Kasumi exclaimed gravely.

"Oh, yeah we will!" Dante said as he ran ahead and grabbed his sword from his back. He proceeded to hack away and slice through the demons with ease and hastily while also charging his way through them! Each demon fell at the blade of the black haired demon killer and their blood painting the incoming walls of the hallway. Finally they were dealt with once and for all and Dante put rebellion on his back once more while still running!

"Come on!" Dante yelled as he looked behind himself and extended his hand. Kasumi nodded and quickly grabbed Kokoro by the waist and ran faster to Dante until her hand had been grabbed by Dante's and with his strength, he threw Kasumi ahead of him as she crashed through the window and onto the ground on the other side! Dante had also jumped through that same window just in time for the walls in the hall to also slam shut!

"W-We made it…" Kokoro panted as she felt the konoichi's arm release from her waist.

"Well…at least we made it to the place we were supposed to go." Dante figured.

And right he was, as the three stood up to find themselves in the front of a tall standing gate that held within it a towering building that seemed to cover an acker or two with a very regal and sophisticated taste to how it was built and the rows of trees that stood on the sides of it. They could also see black shadows of the humans walking to the school.

"Nichisora High…" Kasumi said, "Said to be one of the most expensive and difficult schools to get into."

"And now you're just in time for the bell!"

The three looked around for the loud ominous voice as Kasumi drew her kunai knives and Dante grabbed his guns.

"Looks like I didn't make it as hard for you as I thought I did. Oh well, you learn from your mistakes."

"Enough of these words! Stop playing the role of the puppeteer and come out of hiding!" Kasumi demanded.

"In due time, perhaps. However, for now this game is just getting started! Congrats on keeping Ms. Schoolgirl there alive. And as such, here is your reward."

They began to fear as to what awaited them as a reward exactly, as this demon was obviously one of deception. They all suddenly felt a rumbling occur around them, and saw that buildinbgs were beginning to subside back to the ground, the wave of buildings that was coming after them had flattened back to the ground as normal buildings again, and the sky returned back to their normal speed of slow and steady. The people who were just dark shadows, returned to being normal human beings once more, and Dante noticed that his sword had also vanished from his back and receded into his back again. All the darkness and horrid feeling had disappeared instantly as it appeared they were back in the human realm.

"W-We're back!" Kokoro gasped.

"Yeah, but…why?" Dante wondered as he put his guns away. He looked around, in search of that blond demon, "And where'd that guy's voice go?"

"It seems his reward was our freedom from Limbo." Kasumi confirmed as she placed her blades in her bag. "But he will return. In the meantime, I don't think it's safe for us to continue going to Nichisora. I think its best we go back to the mansion."

"Better then stayin' somewhere where people could get involved." Dante agreed with a stretch of his arms, "We should turn back."

"What?-! No! We can't go back home!" Kokoro objected while still clutching her chest, "I don't want that ass hat demon going after my mother!"

"Would you rather the demons kill millions at your school?" Kasumi said sternly.

Kokoro was about to argue, but could only hold her mouth agape with no words escaping from her train of thought. She quickly silenced herself and had no choice but to take Kasumi's words into consideration. "No…but still…"

"It's the only place we have right now." Kasumi reasoned, "We need a place to regroup if only one of us is trapped in Limbo." Kasumi looked to Dante to ask; "Dante, tell me; is there any way for someone to jump into Limbo of their own free will?"

"Yeah, like I'd know that." Dante said sarcastically, "Why the hell would I want to break into Limbo when all I care about is breakin' out?"

"I'll take that as a no…" Kasumi sighed. She had to think of a way to somehow end this game, with as little possible fatalities as possible. This was a demon they were dealing with, and who knows what they can do outside Limbo. She's seen the effects of Limbo before and frankly, she wanted no soul to be a part of all this destruction. Plus there's a chance that Dante and her, and even Kokoro could be put on the wanted list by the law. They could leave town and go off somewhere far from the area so that no one would get caught in the cross fire. In fact she was sure that would be the only way to get through.

"Uh…guys…I don't think we have no other choice but to go to Nichisora…" Kokoro frightfully announced.

"What makes you say…that?" Dante's words faded as he and Kasumi joined Kokoro in staring at the ground as a message appeared before them, written in a red fluid that obviously looked and smelled of blood. The blood finally shifted into a full sentence before them as it said;

"You should also know that if the brunette school girl leaves the designated areas or even Japan for that matter during the games, the seal on her chest will immediately detonate and then KA-BOOM! Better be careful~"

Kokoro looked in absolute horror of the terrible situation she has befallen into. She was so shaken up and squeamish that she felt like she would throw up. She's seen bad situations before during the last DOA tournament, but this…this was to another tier. "N-No…! " Kokoro tremblingly said. She covered her mouth as she felt her tears glide down her cheek. "No…! I-I don't want to…!"

Dante could see the fear Kokoro was expressing. He honestly couldn't blame her. He wasn't exactly party crazy about seeing and fighting demons for the rest of his life either, but that's because he's been doing it for years. However he could only imagine the anxiety and panic Kokoro was going through compared to him.

Dante sighed deeply as he quickly grabbed Kokoro by the shoulders, to her surprise, and looked her straight in her glassy tear-filled eyes.

"D-Dan-chan…?" Kokoro struggled to say.

Dante was never much for comfort talk, nor was he much of a social man either, but he knew that Kokoro was dealing with something heavy for her species to handle, and did his best to make sure she wasn't in danger. "Don't worry, Kokoro." Dante said sternly, "No matter what happens, no matter what comes are way, no matter what that blond fuck nut does with this game…We're not gonna let anything happen to you." Dante assured Kokoro. "We'll protect you till that demon gets a good taste of my boomsticks here." Dante nodding to his guns on his waist, "So don't sweat it. Everything's gonna be fine."

Kokoro stared into Dante's determined gaze and could see the full conviction that was burning in them. She was amazed at how sure Dante was in coming out of all this alive. Even though she had doubts, he was still confident that they would live through it all despite the odds. Kokoro couldn't be a letdown to such a passion, and knew she had to be brave for her mother, Dante, Kasumi, and herself.

She dried the tears from her cheeks and eyes and now held the same confidence as Dante and nodded, "Yes. Arigato, Dan-chan."

Dante could now see she was burning with determination and felt a little more at ease knowing she was ready and raring to go. "Alright then." Dante smirked, "That's what I'm talkin' about." He removed his hands from her shoulders and walked over to grab his bag along with Kokoro's bag as well. "Then let's get over to that school."

Kasumi tossed Kokoro and Dante's bags to them, only for her to catch it and hold it firmly with a smile across her face and Dante to simply one-hand catch it. "Okay then." Kokoro said, "I'm ready to—!" Before anymore words could be said, they all heard a loud ringing of a bell out of nowhere, which made Kasumi and Kokoro jump, but Dante almost reached for his guns at the sound.

"What is that?" Kasumi asked.

"Uwaa!-!" Kokoro squealed frantically as she took a look at her wrist watch. "That's the first bell!-! We have to hurry into the building before the second bell rings!"

"Shit! Forgot about that!" Dante said.

"Well then let's hurry!" Kasumi suggested, "We don't want any mistakes while taking part of his game!"

And with that, the three ran into the gates of Nichisora High post haste and not a moment to lose. Even so, Kokoro could still feel a burning in her chest that was throbbing harshly with each step she took. Though able to ignore it effortlessly, it stayed as a reminder of not leaving Japan during these games, nor having the choice to participate or not. But even if she did, she'd never leave her friends to fight her battles. That was just the type of girl she was.

"Game on then…" Kokoro mumbled to herself.

TOKYO

UNKNOWN LOCATION

7:10 A.M.

The fresh scent of a delicate fragrant tickled her nose and allured her to slowly open her eyes to the sight of reality once more. She slowly arose and wiped the sand out of her eyes to the new day presented to her. Upon her discovery, she ended up finding herself in a small room with a single light shining on the ceiling. The room itself had a desk, a book shelf, and the room seemed quite bright in all around feel. But to her surprise, this wasn't at all her bedroom. She looked around to try and figure out what happened to her for her to end up here.

"What…what happened…?" She mumbled in her own language.

"I see you're up."

The woman quickly looked towards the door with her guard up. From inside, the outside of her room was a dark hallway with another door across from her that was closed. She could only assume there were more doors on the sides of her room. The voice itself was a male voice who spoke the same language she did with understandable pronunciation.

"Who is there?" The woman demanded.

"Relax, Ms. Douglas." The male voice said calmly, "I won't hurt you…I'd never hurt you."

Helena even so, still had a bad feeling to this situation. She was in a room she had no idea was, and a mysterious voice was speaking to her from outsider her door. Anyone would be worried at that point.

"I do not believe you." Helena said, brushing a lock of her platinum hair behind her ear, "How do I know that you are not dangerous?"

"Heh, you know me better than that to attack you in such a way." The male said.

"I…know you?" Helena questioned.

"You should…after all…it's only been three years." Suddenly a figure appeared from the side of her room and entered into the light of the bright room. He wore a black sweater, black dress pants, and black shoes. Upon seeing his face, Helena automatically looked into his eyes…those sky blue orbs staring into her blue orbs were too familiar of a sight to behold. His hair was brushed back and properly groomed along with his complexion being slightly pale. "…It's good to see you again."

Helena could not believe who was standing before her. She couldn't even speak a single word right away, nor could she move at all. Her hands went right to her mouth in surprise as she finally said his name; "Ve…Vergil…?"

Vergil walked to Helena's bed and sat on the side of it. And as soon as he sat, the two quickly wrapped their arms around each other in a tight embrace. Neither couldn't bear to let go even for a few seconds. It was too hard to dethatch from such a close person. Helena was overcome with emotions as she could feel the tears well up into her eyes, but she did her best to hold them back with each sniffle she made.

"I-It…it has been a long time…" Helena said gratefully in French, "…Your French has improved…"

"Study it every day." Vergil confessed in French, "Just to one day find you again."

Helena released Vergil as did he to take a good look at him; she was none the less, amazed at his growth all these years that have past. For her, it was as if she watched him grow right before her eyes.

"You have grown quite well." Helena admired in English, "I must say, it seemed only yesterday that you were this tall." Helena lifted her arm to the appropriate height, which would be to Helena's chest if she stood. "But now, you seem to have done well for yourself. And may I say, the years have been kind." Helena winked at Vergil.

"Oh, well thank you." Vergil smiled, "I must say, you look well yourself. Though I didn't show it when Ryu first carried you here, I was shocked to—"

"Wait. The ninja carried me here?" Helena interrupted.

"Yes." Vergil nodded, "Mila also joined him to make sure you were okay."

"Really? But what—?" Helena was about to ask her longtime companion, but suddenly as if begging to seep its way back into her subconscious, she quickly regained memory of what had happened the night before. It seemed she had indeed lost to Christie, but it also seemed that the ninja had saved her just in time before Christie could do whatever filth she planned to do. Even so, she could never forget the way that harlot touched her and how she pretty much had her own way with the platinum French woman, and she couldn't do a damn thing about it. She clutched her shoulders, feeling as if she was just tainted by a terrible demon and she didn't feel any sort of confidence anymore; nothing but vulnerability.

"Are you alright?" Vergil asked, placing a hand on Helena's shoulder.

"Y-Yes…" Helena nodded. "It was…Christie who I fought."

"I see. I've heard of that name more than once before." The white haired male nodded as he grasped his katana tightly. "It's because of her that this has happened to you. I'm sorry that you had to go through all that."

"It is no concern." Helena waved. "I am alright for the time being. Just allow me to rest a little more, and then we can talk more."

Vergil was hesitant in leaving her so unprotected like this. She was, after all, one of the few friends Vergil actually ever had, but she is also someone important to him as well as she helped him in a tight spot before. He, in a way, owed his life to her. The reason is still shrouded in mystery, but it is obvious that whatever she did to help him was very substantial.

"Very well." Vergil nodded as he finally rose from the side of the bed. "I'll wait until you're ready."

"Thank you, Vergil." Helena smiled appreciatively.

Vergil only nodded and walked to the doorway, but before he actually left, he looked over his shoulder to get one last look at the beautiful blond woman and said almost happily; "It really is good to have you back by my side."

"Yes. You as well..." Helena smiled as well. Vergil then turned forward and walked out of Helena's room, while closing the door as he stepped out. When the door finally closed all the way and the knob turned back to its original position, she then dropped her fake smile, and only held a concerned tenderness in her blue eyes towards the white haired man. "Vergil…I wonder how much of your humanity is still within you?"

She laid back onto her bed and slowly closed her eyes, drifting once again back to sleep.

TOKYO

Nichisora High School

7:15 A.M.

The final bell had sung as the students all went to their proper seats. The class itself was nothing special per say, however there was obvious money being spent into the class due to the desk being made of hickory wood and put in rows that lead upward like a college classroom, and the great view of the rest of Tokyo out of two large windows to the left of them, while the entrance was to the right.

Each of the students were chatting amongst themselves, wondering what today had in store for them. However, they had no idea how much danger would befall them soon at the hands of the demon running the whole Limbo game show, and poor Kokoro was just one of the contestants. Even so, she could only sit there, at her desk, and let things run their course.

"Koko-chan!"

Kokoro's attention was taken by her best friend calling for her. This attractive girl had long brown pig tails and green emerald eyes. She too wore the same uniform as Kokoro only hers had black long socks, and her buttons on her shirt revealed more cleavage.

"O-Oh, Haruhi-chan, Ohayo." Kokoro replied in Japanese.

"Koko-chan, are you okay?" Haruhi asked with concern. "I was worried something had happened to you since you were in the center of the city during that explosion! That was insane, wasn't it!-?"

"Explos—O-Oh, yeah! That explosion!" Kokoro lied with a meek smile and clutching her chest, "Yeah, I'm glad I was already on the train when that happened."

"Yeah, lucky you." Haruhi sighed of relief. "But I recently heard some bigger news around here." She whispered as she grinned excitedly to share the news with her raven haired friend. "Apparently, we've got two new students here! And one of them's foreign AND a boy! I hope he's cute!"

"I don't think he's your type…" Kokoro waved lazily.

"What makes you say that?"

"Well…"

Kokoro was interrupted as the door slid open and entered in a senior male whose hair was going bald but his body was a bit weighted. He donned the khaki suit and glasses, and a mustache to top it all off. "Okay then you guys." The old man said with a smile, "Home room will now begin."

Everyone complied as each individual student took their respectable seats in their rows and looked forward attentively towards their teacher's teaching podium.

"Now that we've become situated, let's get right to it then." The elderly teacher announced, "Though short notice, I am pleased to announce that we indeed have two new students attending the Nichisora High, class 3-A." Instantly the class began to buzz with whispers and gossip being proven correct. They all came to a halt at the sound of the teacher's light clapping. "Now, now. I haven't even introduced them yet. So then, please treat these students well as I bring one in at a time. You may enter."

The door slid open as the students got a fist gander at the first new student to enter their class. They were almost amazed and astounded at the appearance of such a beautiful and graceful girl. Her long copper hair was lush and flowing even as it was held in a long pony tail. And her hazel eyes burned with sheer grace and beauty beyond words. Her figure was more than noticeable even in the school uniform, but all the uniform really did was make note of her female assets.

She stopped at the side of the teacher's podium, wearing a graceful and warm smile as she bowed and introduced herself. "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance. My name is Haruko Matsunaga. It's a pleasure to meet you all."

"Yes! It's a girl!" Called out one of the boys. Accompanying him were more boys who were excited and talked amongst themselves in amazement at how beautiful she was.

"Wow, and she's way cute!"

"What a babe!"

"Oh yeah, I gotta get me some of that."

Kokoro sighed at how easily her class's male side can get so interested in a girl so quickly. Though she couldn't be too surprised as she did admit that Kasumi was a rare find in terms of girls now days. Plus, she was also a ninja who could probably storm through sporting events and become a legend. But for now, she was just Haruko Matsunaga.

"Okay, settle down!" The teacher said with a sigh as he looked towards Kasumi once more. "Now then, Ms. Matsunaga please take a seat on the second row to the left."

"Yes." Kasumi nodded, as she walked over to her seat, with male eyes following her with lusting and amorous intentions in mind if one of them were ever alone with her and given the chance they wanted. She finally took a seat in her desk, and looked towards the door along with Kokoro, which was on the far right on the third row, in hopes that a certain male would be okay like this.

"Now then, I will introduce the second transfer student." The teacher said after calming the boys down. "You may enter."

"Yeah, yeah…"

Since the door was already opened, the second transfer student walked in. This student was male, but he was obviously from a different country due to the way he looked and the crew cut black hair with the sides shaved and Mohawk forming from the top of his head, tapering off at the nape of his neck. His very presence held something of a dark side to him from the light blue cold eyes or the sheer way he walked of a tough upbringing. His arms carried a muscular tempting but still limber enough to be wrapped around. His very face wasn't beyond gorgeous but carried a handsome rebellious look that good girls just swoon over.

He too stood by the podium and said with a smirk on his face. "Well nice to meet all of ya." He said in Japanese but in a more Yankee pronunciation. "The name's Jack Redgrave. Good to be here."

Instantly the girls talked amongst themselves as they giggled and blushed at this American man's bad boy style and alluring uniqueness.

"Wow! He's too cool!"

"Those mysteries eyes and that air about him! He's a total hottie!"

"I so need to hang out with him more."

Kasumi was honestly surprised at the attention he was receiving from the female students simply by the way he looked and seemed to present from his untucked shirt from under his school sweater to the bands on his wrist. She herself didn't think much of his looks and just looked at him as someone to help her find ALPHA, but seeing him now; he really wasn't that bad looking.

Kokoro on the other hand was a bit irritated at all these female students fawning over him. It wasn't the fact that they were attracted to him that annoyed her, but the fact that Dante was, in her own way, hers first.

"Alright, alright settle down." The teacher said as he turned to Dante, "So then, Mr. Redgrave, please take a seat in the last row to the right."

"Whatever." Dante shrugged. He strolled on to his own desk, all while winking and smirking at the girls he passed by, who were giggling or blushing the second his eyes went to them.

Kasumi sighed to herself as she thought; "Jeez, what a show off…" She quickly eyed Kokoro to see if she felt the same feelings towards this, only to find she was eying Dante in both desperation and intently, as if to get his attention.

"Notice me, Dan-chan! NOTICE ME!" Kokoro yelled mentally.

Dante had finally taken a seat and instinctively propped his feet onto his desk, while sitting back. He looked at the entire class from the back seat and saw that some of the males gave him a mixture of anger and fear, while a few girls were staring at him in a swooning fashion. Kokoro stared at him intently, to which he immediately looked away to Kasumi. He kept his eyes on her with a pensive manner, not letting his sight waver. He knew that she had more to give then she was letting on, and he was definitely going to find out what.

"There's more to you than meets the eye…" Dante thought with a small smirk on his lips, "Too bad for you, I got a few secrets of my own…"

"Okay the, let's get class started." The teacher instructed.

And with that, a school day began.

JAPAN

MUGEN TENSHIN VILLAGE

7:20 A.M.

The sun shined a great deal over the hidden Mugen Tenshin village, allowing crops to grow properly, and the workers in the crop fields to work up the good sweat that they need. Back in the literal village, children were running around playing tag, while the adults were shopping for food along with supplies or chatting amongst themselves while laughing and speaking of outside the village.

However one certain konoichi wasn't enjoying the time of the sun, as she had no intention of even leaving her darkened straw floored room at all that day. She decided to strip herself of her ninja clothes and was down to a corset and her panties. Ayane layed there, looking up at the roof in deep thought at the words spoken by her own half sister; they punctured her deeply, even though she was the one who was suppose to be instilling this pain into Kasumi.

That scene constantly played over and over in her head, making her grab her forehead in pain.

"Damn you…!" Ayane hissed, "Damn you, Kasumi…!"

However in the mist of remembering such a sad memory, there was one thing that stuck out; Dante. Kasumi had said that she was saved by him. If that's true, it's only right that she at least thank him somehow. From what she remembers from New York, she did hear a voice before she fully fell unconscious. She also saw a bit of the actual man. His black hair, the bit of the coat she saw on him. The sword he had…that sword…why was it so familiar to her?

Either way, Ayane sat up and decided to not linger within the dark room any longer. She stood up and grabbed one of her purple silk robes and finally opened the door, letting the light slightly blind her. After walking into the sun's gaze, she got more use to it and could see the villagers doing their own work or kids playing together.

Ayane of course smiled at the peace that resided within the village for a temporary time, but this wasn't what she came out for. She strolled through the sand in her sandals, to the oldest and decretive shrine that was the shrine of the leader of the Mugen Tenshin ninja, and her own brother. She left her shoes at the door, and bowed respectfully before opening the door and walking in.

Inside she saw the wooden interior with different scrolls lying around and a katana set sitting in the small opening where a long scroll of a scripture hung. In the middle of the room kneeled a small group of people dressed in white robes who seemed to be working with great effort.

"Ah, Ayane." Called a young man's voice from across the room. She looked to see it was her brother, Hayate, sitting on his knees, sipping tea while reading a small novel.

"Hayate-sama." Ayane said as she walked to him. "Who are these people?"

"Ah, they are the finest tailors." Hayate answered as his purple haired sister took a seat next to him. "I've instructed them to repair something as a sort of thank you to someone."

"A thank you?" Ayane questioned.

"Yes. I don't think that you would know who I am referring to, but I owe him my gratitude for not only saving me, but saving you as well." Hayate took a small sip of his tea and continued, "And not only that, but he also took place in a battle that raged in Tokyo last night…but I'm sure you already saw the damage."

Ayane's eyes widened in astonishment for a few seconds! How her own older brother found out she was there is a shock on its own. But even so, she lowered her head in shame at her disobedience. "P-Please forgive me, Hayate-sama…I just…"

"Now, now. It's quite alright." Hayate smiled with an assuring wave. "All I care about is making sure you are okay…Just as I care for Kasumi's safety in all this as well."

"Hayate-sama! You know of Kasumi as well?-!" Ayane said in even more astonishment at her brother's knowledge.

"But of course." Hayate nodded, "Zack informed me. And I could only guess that Helena convinced Dante to join her and therefore Kasumi as well. Most likely it has all to do with these demons appearing."

"You know his name?" Ayane noted.

"I have my sources." Hayate smiled.

"Well…do you think this Dante guy has anything to do with all these demons?" Ayane asked her copper haired older brother.

"I'm not sure…" Hayate confessed, "However, I do know that He has some relation to a legend known as "Sparda". But that's impossible as Sparda disappeared millenniums ago. Plus, the story of Sparda was nothing but a myth."

"Maybe…it wasn't a myth at all." Ayane questioned. "What if Sparda really did exist, and that guy's like, his son or something?"

Hayate put that to thought. What if that black haired fellow was indeed the son of Sparda? Would that mean he's the only one who could really kill these demons? If so, he could be of great use to the Mugen Tenshin clan. However, Hayate could tell that convincing him to join a group of ninjas wasn't going to be an easy task to accomplish. Even so, he had no other options at the moment. The fate of his village and the lively hood of many civilians were all counting on this.

"His son…the son of Sparda…" Hayate uttered.

"Hayate-sama."

Hayate was pulled from his train of thought at the announcement of one of the tailors.

"Is it complete as I described it?" Hayate asked.

"Yes." The white robed tailor nodded. "We've recreated it in the description that you requested."

Hayate stood up with Ayane quickly following after him. The two looked at the floor to see something lying on a long white cloth; it was a black hooded leather coat with red interior, and a bit of red on the lower cufflinks. There was also a union jack on the left arm.

"It's perfect." Hayate nodded.

"How were they able to craft an entire coat in only one night?" Ayane questioned.

"Even I don't question the mastery of these tailors." Hayate smiled, "But their work always comes out in perfection."

"You are too kind, my lord." Another tailor in white said. "As a bonus, we've also enchanted it with a special herb, allowing it to take harsh treatment, but still stay intact."

"Good." Hayate nodded as he kneeled to take the coat. He then stood up, and examined the coat in its entire wrinkled leather splendor. "I shall deliver it to him post haste."

"No!" Ayane blurted out, but caught herself from spilling too much of her thoughts. "I-I mean, Hayate-sama, allow me to do this favor."

"Are you sure, Ayane?" Hayate asked, "This seems like a bit of a burden for you to do."

"It's no burden at all." Ayane assured him sternly, "Any mission you assign is an honor to fulfill." She placed her hand on her chest with confidence. "I will deliver the coat to Dante."

Hayate looked at Ayane for a few seconds, then to the coat in deep thought. Hayate did have other preparations to focus on, and delivering a coat could get in the way of all that. He needed to get everything situated now. He looked back at Ayane and nodded, "Okay then. I trust you to deliver this as quickly as possible. Please, hurry, Ayane."

"Yes, Hayate-sama." Ayane bowed.