Hey guys, Alito Here! And a super late Happy New Year to all of you! I hope we have a better one then last year since...ugh, SO much bad shit went down.

But enough about that! I've got some GREAT news for those who have followed my other stories;

It's with great pleasure that I've decided to continue on with my DmC story of Sparda's past. It took me a while to think about whether I should bother finishing it, but after really reading through it again, I feel I owe it to myself and the people who were reading it to at the very least complete it once and for all; mostly for clarity's sake. I'll try and see if I can get the next chapter for it done soon.

For those curious, just look onto my story page and look for the one titled;

"DmC: Devil May Cry: The Diary of Sparda"

So an update on what's going on with the series as I always do;

Devil May Cry is...quiet. I mean REALLY quiet. Like the forums are practically dead, waiting for SOMETHING! Come on Capcom, give us some Devil May Cry already! I've already accepted that DmC isn't coming back so at the very least, don't leave your fans hanging.

As for Dead or Alive 5, we got EVEN MORE skins and levels. Jeez, that seems to be all we're getting from this game, huh? Well I don't mind. Anime titties is life so what I gotta complain for? ;)

Anywho let's get right into the story, shall we?

DISCLAIMER I OWN NOTHING. DmC: Devil May Cry and Dead or Alive 5 belong to their respected owners.

Chapter 34
Spread apart

SHOPPING DISTRICT

LIMBO CITY

7:20 am, Monday

The city of Limbo;

A festering wound on the map of the world if you ask any of the residents who've lived there for all their miserable lives. Everything felt dull, and desaturated to the eyes with constant clouds covering the skies like smog in the air. The city itself was as beautiful as can be. It was a shame you couldn't tell with how congested it was. People strolled about on the sidewalks like lifeless dummies, while cars tunneled through with practically no regard for civilians. The death and suicide rate in Limbo City practically beat records compared to other dangerous cities.

To top it all off, one of the most biggest eyesores of the miserable city was a towering building in the shape of wings. A monstrosity as big as the man who owned its' ego. The farther away they were from the building the better. Dante never did like being close to it since it always made him feel like he was being watched from up above.

Instead of dealing with that giant inferiority complex of a building, both he and Kasumi continued their stroll down the main center of Limbo; a narrow path down the street that lead through a beautifully crafted checkpoint, and was the place of most shopping stores and outside eaterys. Dante tried to get a connection to Vergil's phone after getting his number while they were in Hell, but he couldn't get a decent signal in Limbo city to do it.

It also wasn't too big a shock that the two were getting strange looks. One was a well-known terrorist who could have to deal with the police at some point,while the other was a young woman in a full-body ninja suit with a sword on her hip and a body that most could only dream of having sex with. They stood out like sore thumbs.

"Hey look, it's Dante!" One called out. "The terrorist! Yo, Dante! Keep it up, dude!"

"Keep kickin' ass, Dante!"

"We love you, Dante!~"

"Menace!"

"Get out of this town murderer!-!"

"I hope the Devil skull-fucks you in the bowls of Hell, you—"

The priest who spoke the loudest had his mouth shut the moment he saw the black-dressed konoichi standing right in front of him with a kunai pointed at his wrinkled, old gullet.

"Shut. Your. Mouth." Kasumi said threateningly with dark-cast eyes.

"G-Good Lord...!" The priest gasped in horror.

"Hey! That's enough, leave 'em alone." Dante called as he continued walking along.

It almost pained Kasumi to have to let the old bastard get off so easily, however she also knew that causing a scene such as this would only gander more attention. Plus she was no killer, and nothing good would come out of taking this, otherwise, innocent man's life. She sighed deeply as she removed her kunai from his neck and sheathed it. Without another word, she turned from the old man, and ran back to Dante's side.

"Y-You heathens! Demons! May the Lord smite you both!-! May Satan cast your souls down into the bowls of Hell, and rape the very sin out of the both of you!-!"

The priest threats began to fade in the distance. He seemed to have been the only one yelling now as they continued to hear him sprouting nonsense from down the street. Kasumi was furious for letting such foul words be said to them, however Dante didn't seem to flinch in the slightest. In fact, he looked as if what was said to him was a whole other language. Usually Dante seemed like the type to go off on anyone for the smallest excuse. Why was it different now?

"How can you just walk along after what he said to you?" Kasumi asked with genuine curiosity.

"Who, Barney back there? He says that to everyone who passes by him." Dante said, "We all just ignore him and move on."

"Still..."

"That aside, what happened to tall, black, and broodin' back there?"

Kasumi figured he was referring to Ryu. With the way they had teleported into the depressingly somber city, she had almost forgotten about his valiant, and last ditch effort to save the both of them.

"I'm sure he's fine...I think...I hope...He's survived through worse...right?" Kasumi said with uncertainty.

"Whaddya askin' me for? I don't know the guy." Dante said with arms stretched and resting on the back of his head. "Limbo's a bitch, but if anyone could survive in there, it'd probably be him. All we can do is hope he made it outta that mess in one piece. "

"Yeah...hope..." Kasumi muttered.

Dante could see the solemness to her mood. He wished he could give her a little more encouragement, but there really was no telling whether or not Ryu survived Limbo's collapse. If he's as strong as Dante assumed he was, then Ryu had to have found a way out. If not...well, Dante didn't want to think about that too much. Limbo City was putting him in a sour mood as is. He needed something to liven things up a bit for her.

Just as he tried thinking of something, that's when it caught the corner of his eye—that which every girl the black-haired Nephilim has ever "dated" always desires when they're feeling down.

"Hey, in the meantime, why don't we get you outta that suit, huh?" Dante suggested with a smirk.

Kasumi was a bit apprehensive towards Dante's comment due to its obvious double meaning, however she realized what he meant once he pointed at a near-by clothing store for women. Kasumi was not one to really enjoy shopping and buying cute things like most girls her age would. She was always raised to be a strong konoichi, and therefore never got the luxury to enjoy shopping or getting her nails done. But that was when she was still considered a part of the Mugen Tenshin clan. Now she was free to do the things she wanted to do without the need to hide it from the rest of the clan.

"I...guess I could give it a try..." Kasumi said.

The clothing store was a brightly lit establishment. Possibly the brightest Dante has ever seen in Limbo city. With so much paleness and dull ambiance around the damned city, it was nice to have a change in scenery every once in a while. He just wondered how long it'll last.

Just from sitting on the comfy, uncontaminated chairs and taking in that fresh perfume scent that lingered—not to mention the mountains and mountains of clothes that filled every corner of the store, Dante could see a place like this going bad quick. It was asking to be robbed, vandalized, hell, even set on fire, just for being so different from the rest of the putrid city. Such a shame of what the owner would have to go through in the near future. She wasn't exactly a bad looker either. Her blond long hair and freckled cheeks gave him the impression of a country babe who came to enjoy the city life. A bad move on her part for even thinking of stepping foot here.

Dante figured maybe he was being a little too pessimistic. It probably had to do with him sitting around and waiting for Kasumi to finally pick the right clothes so they could go.

He, himself didn't really need to change, seeing as he was just wearing his signature leather coat, a tank-top, and the new pair of gloves, jeans, and boots Vergil had gave him. He never believed in being overly dressed if there was no need to be. And now, he was beginning to feel like the boyfriend who sits around, waiting for the girlfriend to try on multiple clothes and shoes, and then open the curtains to ask—

"Um...is this okay?"

Right on the money, Dante heard Kasumi calling him from the back of the store. The curtains were opened and Dante looked over to see what she chose. To his surprise (but not really) he couldn't keep his eyes off that perfect body of hers desperately trying to fit in the clothes she picked out for herself.

She wore a white, floral dress that showed much of her cleavage and was rather on the short side, over a black, leather jacket with the sleeves stopping right past her elbows. On her feet was a pair of black boots that matched the jacket, and around her neck was a small necklace. She kept all her smaller weapons in a carrying pouch, while her sword was in hand.

"H-Hey, I asked if this was okay?" Kasumi asked again with scarlet cheeks.

"Oh, it's more then okay.~" Dante said flirtatiously. "Guess I'll be gettin' a free show everytime you do those high kicks of yours."

"I'll be wearing spats underneath...!" Kasumi said bashfully as she held up a black pair of them. "I-I only chose these clothes since...well...Y'know what, maybe I should change!"

"Naw, don't. I think you look good as is." Dante persisted; not just because it did look good on her, but also because he didn't feel like sitting around any longer. "So can you just pay for all that so we can get outta here?"

"Eh? where will we go after this?"

"Well...I figured...I'd go find my home." Dante said. "My real home."

"Do you believe it's here?" Kasumi asked.

"I know it is...I just don't know where." Dante's tone grew more solemn as he let himself lay across the couch in contemplation. "Vergil told me that we use to live in a house called 'Paradise.' I don't remember a thing about what happened, but I do know that my old home is here...I just gotta find it."

Kasumi quickly remembered in one of Ryu's letters that Dante didn't know anything about his parents. For all she knew, he's been living most of his life lost in the world with no idea where he came from. She realized his life must have been hell for him—both physically and mentally. He may be a jerk, a pervert, and a creep at times, but the konoichi couldn't help but feel a bit sympathetic for the poor guy.

She silently approached Dante and stood over him. She could see the exhaustion in his baggy eyes; he truly has been waiting years for such a moment as this. Who was she to deny him of it any longer.

"Then allow me to help you." Kasumi pleaded. "If you believe your home is somewhere in Limbo city, then I will be by your side in finding it. You're already going so far to help me defeat ALPHA. It's the least I can do."

Dante could see the conviction in her eyes. Once again, he had to get use to having someone help him without worry of an ulterior motive, or betrayal. Genuine trust was foreign to him, but these days, he's slowly begun to start developing it again.

"Thanks...by the way...light blue with the small bow, huh? Predictable."

"Eh?"

It took a moment for Kasumi to catch up. However when she did, her face grew a hue of red that Dante was all too familiar with. It was the same as when they were in the village and she let him test her.

Kasumi's only instinct was to let out a cute yelp before backing away from him, and clutching her skirt down.

"Y-You saw them the whole time and didn't say anything?-!"

"Aw, you thought I was decent. Poor you~"

"M-Mou! Kono Hentai...!" Kasumi said in Japanese.

"And I love every minute of it." Dante replied in Japanese as well.

Kasumi was taken a back that Dante knew Japanese. This was probably the first time she actually took notice of it. He was even proficient in it as well. Still, she put on the spats and gave Dante the stink eye.

"So anyway, just pay for the stuff so we can get outta here." Dante said.

Pay? I thought you had money."

"Didn't you?"

"No, I thought since you suggested we come in...here..."

A long silence filled the store for a moment as the two just stared at each other with blank expressions, until only one word could come to both their minds;

"Ah damn/fuck..."

"Um, excuse me, you too~" Both looked towards the counter lady as she stood there in as patiently as she could. No doubt she was trying her best to hold back the anger that was boiling up inside her. "The melodrama you two shared was very heartwarming, but I'm wondering just how you'll be able to pay for those clothes?~"

Kasumi began to mentally panic. She's never gotten into trouble like this due to her always keeping a low profile and following the rules. As far as she knew, she was practically shoplifting. Her first thought was to apologize and quickly head back into the changing curtains to remove the clothes before she got into even more trouble. Dante on the other hand had his own ideas; none of which were nsfw...

"Ah that ain't no sweat, honey. I got her!"

A sudden loud, country-accented male voice suddenly blared into the store with all eyes going directly towards her. To both Kasumi and Dante's surprise, it turned out to be a rather large man who wore a leather biker's vest over a T-shirt, a pair of ripped jeans, boots, and an American bandana with shades.

"Ah! Armstrong-san!" Kasumi called happily.

"Armstrong? Wait! You mean that's...Holy shit!"

Dante's eyes went wide as he shot right off of the couch and looked in awe at a legend right before his very eyes. To be in the presence of such a famous and badass celebrity such as the Bass Armstrong was like seeing a god descend upon the Earth. This was also the first time Dante has ever met someone famous in person, which explained why he was so starstruck at the moment.

The towering man walked right in as if he were a normal customer, catching the cashier off guard and leaving her standing in amazement at his height matching his celebrity status. Plus, he was just her type. Growing up in the country, she was always more attracted to more muscular men. Just the thought of those thick, bulging muscles wrapping around her slender body was enough to leave her breathless and her knees buckled.

"O-Of course! W-Wow you're really Bass..Big...Bass...I-I mean—C-C-Can I h-help you as well, sir—I-I mean, Mr. Armstrong?-!" The cashier said, trying her best not to swoon.

"Naw, that'll be alright ma'am." Bass said, giving her his credit card, "I just came here 'ta help out a friend a' my daughters."

"And help me ya did, daddy."

Another loud, country-accented voiced entered the store. This one more familiar then her fathers.

"Tina-san! You're here!" Kasumi said with a bright smile as she ran over to embrace the hot blond as tight as she could. "I'm so relieved you're okay!"

"Ah, shucks. You know it'll take more then some demon-ruled rodeo to keep this cowgirl down."

"How'd you all even get here so fast?" Dante wondered.

"I brought us here."

Everyone looked towards the approaching hooded girl with the long case on her back.

"Kat-chan." Kasumi said with a bright smile.

"Well, it wasn't all that cool..." She said with a big smile, but desperately trying to hide it. "I just needed to find a rift that could still connect the base in Japan to the one in Limbo city. We had three of them set up; one that leads to a playground in Tokyo, another that travels to an alley in New York, and the last is located in the base of The Order."

"Huh, not bad for a kid." Dante said.

"I'll take that as a compliment..."

"Boy, was that some weird mumbo jumbo you was talkin' about. But it don't matter to me one bit." He wrapped his arms around his darling daughter for a bear hug. "As long as my baby girl's safe n' sound because a' you, then I'll believe anythin' ya want, kitten!"

"D-Daddy...! I ain't no kid anymore!" Tina groaned in embarrassment as she got out of the hug.

"I-It's Kat, sir..."

"ANYWAY, what happened to Vergil and the others?" Dante brought up.

"Well since me and Kat used th' one fer Japan n' you used th' one fer here, then they gotta be in th' Big Apple by now." Tina figured.

"Then that will be our next destination..." Kasumi said at first, but quickly eyed Dante. "...after we find something first."

MIDDLE OF NEW YORK

NEW YORK CITY

7:25 am, Monday

Helena woke up in the groggiest of moods. Her whole body ached and her head was pounding something fierce. She began to quickly regain her senses to the smell of raw sewage that was tainting her nose, Followed by the sounds of buses cruising by right beside her and the ambient noise of people talking over one another in a crowd; city level by the sound of it. She was confused at first as to where she was, but immediately heard the one thing she needed to here;

"HEEEY, I'M WALKIN' 'ERE!-!"

The answer was on the tip of her tongue; "Ugh...New York...New York?-!"

Helena immediately sat up, ignoring her pounding headache, and opened her eyes to the bright lights of towering buildings surrounding her with huge advertisements plastered all over. Cars drove on by without a care in the world, while people walked on through with no regard for this beautiful, yet scared woman, laying on a bench. She looked up at the bright blue sky above a saw a single airplane fly by with its distance sound lining through the air.

Helena was still a bit dizzy as to how she had ended up outside when she originally was...

...And just like that it all came back to her like a whirlwind. She remembered that Limbo had taken over The Order's hideout and everyone was forced to escape. But then something else was slowly seeping into her memories—an odd feeling that made her feel...dread. She couldn't explain it, but it felt as though she could reach out and take it. What was it? She could barely make out what the memory was, but...it felt red...hot...evil...

"Helena-san!"

Without warning, Helena was immediately embraced by a pair of small arms and large breast pressing hard against her own equally large breast; making it difficult for her to breath.

"U-Um, ms. Kokoro...!" Helena struggled to say. "I-It is...very hard to breathe this way...!"

"O-Oh! G-Gomenasai!" Kokoro quickly said as she removed herself. "I-I was just happy you're alright..."

"Yes, thank you..." Helena smiled, before looking around at the Big Apple in all its glory. "What has happened? Why are we in New York?"

"It's was the portal."

The half-sisters turned to find both Vergil and Mila approaching them with a small white box in Vergil's hands, and some coffee in Mila's. Vergil also seemed to have worn a black hoodie underneath his coat in order to hide his face from people.

"We thought we'd bring something to eat on while Helena was out." Mila said.

"Thank goodness you're okay." Vergil said to Helena with an air of relief. "We were worried."

"I can see that by the anxious look on your faces." Helena said as she sat up on the bench. "I apologize for worrying you all."

"No need to. We're just glad you woke up at all." Mila smiled.

"Were you able to contact Dante and Kasumi?" Helena asked.

"No. They're in Limbo City. Signals aren't as strong there." Vergil said gravely. "Damn city. Once you're in, it's like you can't get out."

Both Vergil and Mila sat with them; Mila on Kokoro's side, while Vergil on Helena's. He wanted to stay close to her in such a time of need in case she may have remembered things she shouldn't have while out cold. The wall placed on her memories of Hell was strong, but not strong enough to hold forever, so long as she doesn't trigger any cracks. The nasty fall they all took in transporting to New York from Limbo could've raddled something to seep through. He had almost made a grave mistake in even thinking of leaving her behind. Of course sacrifices have to be made in this game of war and not everyone would make it to the end, but at the very least, he wanted to make sure the people he cherished most were at the end with him.

While Kokoro and Mila were busy talking about the large wonders of New York and where Mila herself lived, Helena and Vergil were silent in their company with one another. Vergil was only quiet due to just people watching while eating a doughnut.

Helena, on the other hand, was quiet for a whole other reason. She had just discovered the relation between him and his brother, Dante. Putting such an obvious puzzle together, that could only mean that he too was a Nephilim. Helena only knew bits and pieces about their history, but she knew it had something to do with their father perishing. She wanted to talk with him more about it, but instead wanted another question that's been brewing in the back of her mind for a while now.

"Vergil...may I ask you a question?"

"Yes?"

"Tell me...what happened to me during my time in Hell?"

Vergil stopped chewing as his eyes went wide while darting towards Helena. the trouble look in her eyes told him exactly what she was thinking. The only problem was the wall holding her Hellish memories behind it. He feared if he mentioned it, Helena will unconsciously try to remember everything. Her poor mind wouldn't be able to handle the thought of her mangled, beaten, raped, and ripped apart body smeared across burning coal, and her disgruntled, bug-eyed face left in a shrieking expression with collapsed vocal cords. Just thinking about it, put a bitter chill down his spine.

Vergil took a deep sigh before answering question.

"You were asleep." Vergil lied. "Barely conscious when I found you."

"Asleep?"

"Yes." Vergil nodded. "You were...cocooned in a nest of silk. I would only assume that they were trying to harvest you. I'm not sure...I'm just glad I made it there in time."

"And these scars?" Helena questioned.

"Most likely the result of being cocooned. Your body wasn't use to it, so it reacted with open wounds." Vergil felt sick to his stomach for sugar-coding the torture she truly went through, but it was the only way to convince her not to try and pry too deep into it.

"I see..." Helena said with a sigh of relief. "For a moment, I feared my time there was more...terrifying."

"We're all lucky it wasn't..." Vergil lied again.

"Yes...but was saving me the right choice of action?"

Vergil was confused by what she meant by that. Suddenly, she leaned in close to him and whispered to him so that the the girls wouldn't hear them.

"I know what you have done, Vergil...I know it all."

Vergil went dead silent; almost frozen in those small moments. His face went pale as if he had come down with a fatal illness. He breathed through a small slit of his lips as he tried desperately not to show a single shroud of anxiety. Unfortunately he was failing miserably. Helena could easily see the shame all over his face. She was angry at the fact that Vergil would try to hide his mistake rather then own up to them.

"H-Helena, let me explain..." Vergil pleaded. "The circumstances were dire, and I—"

"No..." Helena interrupted harshly. "We will discuss this in full detail later."

She began to see the color return to him, but he could no longer have the nerve to even look the French woman in her eyes anymore. The guilt was too heavy for him to lift his head. He had feared that this information would get out some how. He was more concerned that Dante would be the first to figure it all out, but to his surprise, it came from an unlikely alley. Still, he just had to know how she figured it out. The curiosity was burning his skull, but the shame of what he did was enough to quell the flame.

Before he finally had enough emotional strength to raise his head and question her, she stood up from the bench; catching all of their attention.

"We do not have much time to sit idly by, I am afraid..." Helena announced. "We should find a place to rest for now. And then, first thing in the morning, we will need to return to DOATEC as soon as possible."

"DOATEC?" Mila questioned. "You mean the DOATEC building? Here?-!"

"Precisely." Helena nodded, "I feel a need to distract myself from...circumstances."

The two girls quickly noticed the spite that was thrown on at the end of her sentence. Though they were confused as to why, Vergil was once again put into a cloud of shame for his actions. He didn't even bother to say a thing, considering it was all his fault that the four most powerful demons were free and Hell would seep onto the human plain at some point. It just made the initiative of fixing this mistake all the more concerning.

"Well if you need a place to sleep, we could always go to a hotel." Mila said.

"No. I need to return to my work immediately." Helena refused.

"Um...okay, but I've actually been meaning to ask..." Kokoro mentioned. "While you've been away for so long, whose been watching DOATEC in your absence?"

"Fear not. I asked Bayman to handle the paperwork and business schedules. As for my more private things, I took precautionary measures and called upon my most trusted servant." Helena assured them.

"Servant?" Mila and Kokoro wondered.

"No..." the girls all looked towards Vergil as he seemed to have a look of shock to his face. "Helena...you didn't..."

A wicked smile had formed on her lips as she stared down at the Blue Nephilim.

"As a matter of fact, I did~"

DOATEC BUILDING

NEW YORK CITY

7:35 am, Monday

On such a bright morning such as today, it wouldn't be too difficult to expect a large number of people going about their daily routine of shuffling papers, and making their way through halls to deliver important documents to other faculty members. Especially on a Monday of all days.

However, for a brief moment, everything went still. The usual people in business attire who would be rushing across the large, and swanky lobby, all stopped in their tracks upon the door opening wide open for the rays of the bright sun to come shinning right through.

There standing in the glorious sunlight as if she were a goddess straight from the heavens was the blond executive of DOATEC herself. Her dress gracefully billowed to the breeze, while her expression was both stern and fierce; the type of piercing blue eyes that would make even the most carnivorous of animals quiver to the ground. She radiated with her natural beauty, despite the cuts to her body and scrapes to her cheek. Rather then hide them, she wore them proudly among her own employees, who were stumped as to how she received them.

it took a single voice from one of them to get things moving again.

"M-Ms. Helena! You're back!"

Within seconds, the entire lobby exploded into a roar of murmurs and people gathering around the French woman; happy to see her return and some asking what had happened. The crowd was so thick, that it practically alienated Helena away from Vergil and the others, who could only stand there in amazement at how much her workers cared for her as they did. Vergil could barely get a hello from the Japanese members of The Order.

"Ms. Douglas, thank god you're okay!"

"What happened to you?-!"

"Where did you get the scars?-!"

Multiple questions were being thrown at her from all angles, and her anxiety was beginning to boil over. To answer all questions, she simply raised her hands, and slowly, the questioning all began to die down until it was completely silent.

"My dear employees..." She started, "Please allow me to be the first to apologize for my long, over-due absence. I was on a very important business trip that needed my attention. However I was caught in a horrendous car crash and had to rest in a hospital for an extended period of time. Rest assured; my injuries were only minor scars, and my return to DOATEC will be permanent...and also..." She put on the warmest smile that she could no longer keep hidden. "...It truly is a pleasure to work with you all once again."

The sincerity from her voice was genuine enough to melt even the coldest of hearts who felt it was unprofessional to be so suddenly absent with barely a word to anyone, and then have someone else hold her seat until she returned. But all that mattered was that she was back, and DOATEC could have its chance to rise up in a more positive manner. This was evident by the way the crowd of employees cheered for her gracious return.

"W-Wow..." Kokoro said while lost for words. "I-I...don't know what to say..."

"She's like a freakin' celebrity here...!" Mila said.

"But of course." Vergil noted. "She is one of the most influential bosses over DOATEC. Ever since it's last boss, Donovan, proceeded in questionable business practices and illegal cloning experiments, he was probably the lowest DOATEC had ever gone in terms of media and public popularity. However that didn't stop DOATEC from being a famous company with their foot in all the doors from weapon's development, to satellite ownership. Hell, there was even plans for DOATEC's own search app called ."

"Damn..." Mila uttered. "Remind me to print out a resume..."

Back in the crowd, Helena rose a hand that immediately silenced the chattering crowd around her.

"Now then, can anyone tell me where my stand-in is. I would like to inform her that—"

Helena was interrupted by the sound of the elevator on the far side of the lobby ringing for its arrival. The moment those doors flung open, something had practically leaped out of it and came running right towards the crowd with loud, clomping foot steps. Helena was a bit taken back by the sounds quickly approaching, and even more worried when she saw the crowd of people break away to make a path for whatever was running her way. The moment she could get a good look at what it was, the figure had jumped onto Helena.

"LADY HELENAAAAA~!-!"

With those words, Helena felt small arms suddenly wrap around her waist and squeeze as tight as they possibly could. The French woman could barely breath, let alone push the small body off of her just to get a word out.

"M-Marie, please...!" Helena struggled to say. "At the very least...a-allow me to see you first...!"

"O-Oh, I apologize!"

The little arms released themselves from Helena (to her relief) and the small body took a few steps back to see her master.

Helena also got a good look at this young one as well; a young girl who looked no older then thirteen years of age. Her hair was done in dual pigtails with black ribbons holding them up. Her outfit was that of a black n white lolita corset-styled dress with black long sleeves that formed into finger less gloves, and matching black lolita boots that made her much taller then her age perceived.

Her big blue eyes couldn't hold a single tear, as she looked upon her master with sorrow at the many scars that lined her legs and arms.

"M-My lady...! What horrible wrong has been done to you?-!" Marie cried. "H-How could I, your humble servant, let this happen?-! I-I should have accompanied you the day you decided to travel on your boat! I feel so ashamed...!"

"Now, Marie..." Helena said, "You do not need to concern yourself for me. I am here now, and that is all that matters."

"B-But Lady Helena..."

Marie's words were put to rest at the simple touch of her shoulder from the beautiful, blond, French woman, followed by a warm smile that made the young girl blush a beat red.

"I am sorry that I worried you so. But I promise you that everything will be okay." Helena assured her. "Now dry your tears, my dear. DOATEC has no need for them."

The teary-eyed young girl looked up at her idol, and nodded as she wiped them away. "Yes...Lady Helena."

"Good...You know, it is actually convenient that I called you look over my office." Helena said. "Because I've brought someone you would love to see again."

"R-Really?" Marie wondered.

"But of course." The French woman turned to introduce the girls to Marie. "Kokoro, Mila; I would like to introduce you to my servant and trusted friend—Marie Rose."

Marie bowed courteously in the presence of the two women with a bright smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you both."

"Uh, yeah, likewise." Mila nodded.

"An honor it is to meet such a trusted assistant of Helena-san's." Kokoro said with a bow.

Marie could definitely see a bit of Helena in Kokoro. Not just in physical looks, but personality, manners, and a certain air about them that makes it almost impossible to even breath the same air as them. She expected nothing less from her mistress's sibling. Marie considered it a shame that Kokoro had no prior knowledge of her lineage to Helena, but she knew Helena would tell her one day.

"And I'm sure you—hm?"

By the time Helena looked for him, Vergil was nowhere to be seen. Mila and Kokoro shared in the confusion.

"Where did he...?"

"That's okay!"

Everyone turned their attention back to the young blond as she had a rather strange expression—one mixed with the attentiveness, and, odd enough, salivating like a hunger-stricken dog. She even began sniffing the air as if she were searching for someone's sent.

Yes...yes, I can smell it...!" Marie said, "The cologne is the same as before...! Distance of only a few feet away...mixed with a rich fabric wool that can only be purchased from a specific German coat industry. There's no denying it...!"

Marie ran right past Mila and Kokoro and turned the corner. There she saw him; his beautiful, snow-white hair so brilliantly combed back, his dazzling blue eyes shimmering like surface of the ocean, and that hardened, body hidden underneath black clothing that was as lustful as a child and a birthday present. Her cheeks grew scarlet and her eyes became hearts for the Nephilim as she ran right for him with arms wide.

"MASTER VERGIL~!-!" She called happily.

"Fuck..." Vergil muttered.

Knowing full well that he could no longer avoid her nor did he want to waste time trying, he accepted his fate and was rammed by the seemingly young girl with arms wrapped around his waist like an octopus.

"Kyaaa! Master Vergil! It really IS you, Master Vergil~!" Marie squealed happily as her grip grew tighter.

"Please let go...!" Vergil winced.

Mila and Kokoro stood there as lost as can be at the whole situation. The fact that Marie, a complete stranger whom they just met, was able to hug such a stuck-up as Vergil was astounding enough. Kokoro had known Vergil since they and Dante were kids, and he never enjoyed the concept of hugs. Helena, on the other hand, couldn't hold back a sly grin as if she had planned this chance meeting from the start. Her only regret was that she didn't.

"Um...so, I see you two have met..." Mila commented.

"Unfortunately, she's done more then just meet me..." Vergil said begrudgingly.

"We could tell by the way she...sniffed you out...?" Kokoro said with uncertainty.

"Well, of course!" Marie declared. "How could such a beautiful, beautiful young woman, such as myself, not know her own handsome, and loving husband?"

And there it was. The ball-dropper no one saw coming. A collective silence filled the air. All eyes were on Vergil, who could practically feel the cold judgement in each and every one of their eyes. It was bad enough to have her stuck on him, enjoying herself at the price of his pride, but now she said something so outlandish that he was stuck to his own embarrassment.

"I-I assure you; we're NOT married...!" Vergil quickly made clear as he finally pulled Marie off of him.

However she only glomped herself back onto him; this time with her legs wrapped around his waist, and her arms around his neck. Because of her strong grip, Marie was practically choking the life out of the white-haired Nephilim.

"That's SOO mean, Master Vergil!" Marie pouted. "After all; you promised me that one day we would be together again!"

"I made no such promise!" Vergil immediately replied.

"Heh heh~ You don't have to be so shy, beloved." Marie said as her cheeks went red and her body grew warm. Her body began to move ever so slightly while practically rubbing against him. "You and I have been brought together by fate from the very universe above, to be together once again. So many years have passed since our first encounter, and now I feel that this will be the moment in which our love will spark once more~"

"That's all well and good, but will you just get off of me?-!" Vergil exclaimed as he tried to latch her off while trying to resist the urge to unsheathe Yamato.

"Alright, that is quite enough, Marie." Helena ordered. "I would very much like a status report on what has happened since my absence."

"O-Of course, Lady Helena." Marie answered as she quickly released herself from Vergil, but could not turn her swooning eyes from him even for a second. For him, it was better then the groping. She quickly regained her composure and briefed Helena on the status of DOATEC. "I have been able to handle your piles of paperwork; separating your business spreadsheets, sign-off documents, and opera recital music sheets into perfect columns within your file cabinets. Any incoming calls on business meetings with partner companies were postponed and moved to next week for in case you would return soon. I've also taken the liberty of heightening our security with an in-house made security system designed to keep out unwanted intruders."

"Splendid." Helena nodded.

"Will that be all of my services, Lady Helena?" Marie asked.

"Hmm...I suppose one last cup of your delectable coffee would not hurt."

"Of course, My lady." Marie bowed. "If all of you would please follow me."

Marie lead the way back into the DOATEC building with everyone else following behind. Vergil made sure to keep himself in the far back, so as to avoid being noticed by the young girl. While back there, he was accompanied by Mila, who had the burning question that was on everyone's mind.

"So, uh, how'd she get to be your blushing bride to be?"

Vergil sighed. "First and foremost; she is not my bride, and I made no such promise to marry her. It was her family that brought us together back when I worked with Helena three years ago."

"Aaah, so it was an arranged marriage." Kokoro said to join in on the quiet explanation. "I didn't think such things still existed. It took my mother years to finally have that silly tradition thrown away in our family."

"Yes, well Marie's parents are very...old fashioned." Vergil explained. "They served the Doglas family for many years now, and have kept strong in their tradition to marry off their daughters to the most handsome, wealthy, and intelligent bachelors they could find."

"And unfortunately you checked off on all the criteria." Mila figured.

"To my dismay. Now it seems by meeting me again, wedding bells are on her mind. However, I don't believe in marriage at such a young age as eighteen."

"E-Eighteen?" Kokoro gasped. "She's eighteen?"

"YES! I am eighteen!" Marie proclaimed as she turned on the heel to face the two girls who were far too close to her beloved Vergil. "Understand this, you two; I know Vergil may be, what you girls would call, daddy material, but understand this!" She pointed towards them with a bright, confident smile. "I will be the one to claim his heart!"

"Pfft, hey, you can have it if you want..." Mila noted.

"Yeeeah, it's all yours..." Kokoro added.

"I'm not an 'it'!" Vergil said.

"Humph. Anyway, we should hurry upstairs. I left Honoka with taking care of the office, and that has me quite on edge." Marie said.

Helena lifted a brow. "Honoka?"

Telling this seemingly harmless young woman to keep a low profile around DOATEC was essentially like trying to contain a hurricane into a a plastic bottle. Her personality was far too bright to be hidden from others. In fact, she's been the talk of the building as of late due to her openly sweet personality, and her beautiful appearance. There wasn't a man in DOATEC's main office who didn't know of the pink-haired secretary of the temporary new management under Marie Rose.

She possessed shoulder-length, pink hair—tied into a side ponytail with a small skull-faced ball holding it up, and reddish eyes. The school uniform she wore gave the implication that she was below the legal age which dissapointed most of the men in the office, however they still couldn't keep their eyes off of her voluptuous figure, and impressively large bust that seemed to bounce with every step she took.

But there was another curiosity to her; that gloved hand of hers that she seemed very self-conscious of. No one really bothers her about it, but it always did make people around her wonder why she always wore it.

As such, she always preferred to stay within the confines of the office where she could keep a low profile.

She enjoyed simply preparing coffee and sweets for Marie while continuing to be amazed at just how suave and sophisticated Helena's office was. It's everything one would have expected of the owner of a multi-billion dollar company such as DOATEC. There was even a sky-lit view outside her window that over-looked downtown New York and beyond the rest of the city.

She would often get lost in the view. Who could blame her? So much wealth surrounding her wasn't her usual scene. The smell of rich upholstery from the small couch near the door, mixed with the rich mahogany floors, and the beautiful mural-painted ceiling could make even the most poorest person hypnotized.

Suddenly, she was brought out of her fantasy, as she heard footsteps approaching towards the double doors. It sounded like more then one. Could it be the guest that Marie went to meet downstairs?

"O-Oh no...!" She whispered to herself in Japanese. "I didn't finish cleaning off the desk!"

She rushed over to the desk and picked up the pile of papers laying there. As she ran to try and put them in the filing cabinet near the door, she accidentally tripped over her own feet and fell flat on her bottom with the papers flying out of her hand and slowly fluttering all about.

The doors had finally opened and in appeared Helena and Marie, followed by their guest. They both expected to be greeted to a spotless office worthy of the DOATEC name. Instead, what they found was a lone young woman, sitting at the front of the door with her panties exposed and paper all around her.

"Ow ow ow...!" She groaned painfully. She looked up at the two ladies and quickly grew red in the face as she closed her legs in embarrassment. "H-Helena-san! M-Marie-chan! I-I'm sorry...! D-Did you both see it"?-! I-I meant to wear more mature ones but all I had were the ones with strawberries on them!"

"Honoka..." Marie called.

"O-Of course I wished I had washed my clothes today instead of waiting till tomorrow, but I also didn't want to risk losing my other pairs at the wash due to it being so crowded!"

"Honoka...!" Marie called again.

"B-But who'd want a pair of a young high school girl's panties anyway? It's not like they're all that special! Some are pink with frills, some are blue with cute patterns on it, and I even have some that can open right at the—"

"HONOKA!-!"

The rambling pink-haired girl was startled and became silent in an instant.

"I do apologize, Lady Helena..." Marie sighed. "You'll have to forgive her; she's only nervous due to being in such an environment."

"Clearly." Helena said with a small chuckle.

The French blond approached Honoka with a hand to offer her. "Here. Let me help you onto your feet."

Honoka said nothing. Instead she was too focused on the the fabled Lady Helena that Marie would never stop praising. For a moment, even Honoka was beginning to see why her smaller friend loved her so much. Right down to her soothing, yet mature voice, Helena Douglas practically shined with a radiance of unparalleled beauty beyond anything she had ever seen. Sure, the young woman had watched her on television, but there was a big difference between seeing beautiful people on TV vs. real life. Even looking past the very notable scars on her body, Helena was still a practical goddess in Honoka's eyes.

"Um...are you alright?" Helena asked again.

Honoka quickly snapped out of it and sheepishly accepted Helena's hand. "H-Hai...! I-I mean, yes!"

Helena had lifted the young girl up with a large fraction of her strength. It appeared she was heavier then the French woman thought. However one quick glance her massive chest answered that.

"W-Well then, who might you be?" Helena asked.

"O-Oh of course!" Honoka said with a polite bow. "My name is Honoka! It's nice to meet you Helena-san—I-I mean Ms. Helena...! O-Or do you prefer Master? or -Sama?"

"Just Helena is fine." Helena said calmly. "So you must be Marie's assistant."

"Secretary, actually." Marie answered proudly as she strolled over to her friend's side. "She's been here helping me keep this place in check. She may not look it, but Honoka is really great with numbers."

"O-Oh no. I'm not all that great..." Honoka said timidly with fidgeting hands.

"I concur. Financial budget and management seems to be in very capable hands with you two." Helena smiled. "It seems I made the right choice in asking you to look after DOATEC, Marie. You as well, Honoka."

"Y-You are too kind, Lady Helena...!" Marie said bashfully as she bowed. She had to force Honoka into a bow as well.

"Now then, allow me to introduce our guest." Helena said as she made way for the three visitors to present themselves.

"Nice to meet you, Honoka. I'm Mila." Mila said with a smile and a hand.

"It's nice to meet you too, Mila-san." Honoka said while shaking her hand. She immediately noticed how naturally tight Mila's grip was. "Wow! What a handshake. Are you some type of fighter?"

"Heh, you could tell, huh?" Mila bragged. "I'm an MMA fighter."

"MMA?"

"Mixed Martial Arts. Like boxing meets wrestling, only more physical...and a bit more bloody."

"W-Wow! You must be really tough!" Honoka said with wonderment in her eyes. "One time, I tried to do that. Unfortunately it ended with the hospital wing coming to the stage."

"Oh man, what did you break?"

"Oh no, not for me. I meant for the guy I fought."

"Guy?-!" Mila exclaimed. "B-But most MMA have guy vs guy and girl vs girl! What match did you take part in?-!"

"Good question..." Honoka wondered.

"W-Well, I should just introduce myself then." Kokoro interrupted. "Hajimemashite, Honoka-san. My name is Kokoro. It is very nice to meet you." She said in Japanese.

"Ah, it's nice to meet you too, Kokoro-san." Honoka also said in Japanese with a bow.

She took one good look at the black haired woman to see if what Marie said was true. To Honoka's surprise, Kokoro really did resemble Helena a bit, but only in small facial details. Honoka had to be careful not to reveal their relation, otherwise it would be bad, or at least that's what Marie said to her.

"Um...is something on my face?" Kokoro asked.

Honoka gave Kokoro space after realizing how closely she was starring at her. "Ah! I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to stare..."

To change the subject quickly, she eyed the only gentleman who had accompanied them. He seemed to have the same kind of air to him as Helena—high class, sophisticated, and devilishly handsome with his perfect snow-white hair. Honoka had never seen hair like that in person. She's only ever seen it on anime characters, and Kpop singers. It looked very distinguished on him.

"It's nice to meet you, Ms. Honoka." Vergil said with his warmest smile. "My name is Vergil."

"Vergil...you're Vergil?-!" Honoka said with surprisingly.

"Yes he is!" Marie said with a big smile as she wrapped herself around his arm (to his dismay). "My betrothed has returned to take my hand in holy matrimony!"

"More like un-holy matrimony..." Mila mumbled to Kokoro, who tried to hold in her tittering.

"Hey! I heard that!" Marie exclaimed.

"Well it's nice to meet you, Master Vergil." Honoka said with a bow.

"Oh, there's no need for the 'Master'." Vergil assured her. "Just 'Vergil' is fine."

"Okay then, Vergil." Honoka smiled.

Vergil offered his hand to her, in which she shook it with that gloved hand of hers. The moment their hands touched, Vergil felt an odd sensation overcome him; one of both dread and a strange wisp of exhaustion. He quickly removed his hand from hers before he ended up losing himself to it.

"U-Um are you okay?" Honoka asked in confusion.

She wasn't aware of what she had just done. Which meant to the Blue Nephilim that this girl had an untapped ability that she didn't seem to be aware of yet. Whatever it was, Vergil had to keep a particular eye on her from now on.

"Oh, i-it's nothing..." Vergil answered with a defensive smile.

"Hey! What did you do to my husband, Honoka?-!" Marie demanded as she tightened her hug around him.

"I-I did nothing! Honest!" Honoka said nervously. "I-It's just I usually get so nervous around such good-looking people!"

"But yet you seemed just fine talking to us..." Mila muttered with Kokoro nodding in agreement.

"Well, now that introductions have been established, let us get back on track, shall we?" Helena announced as she returned to her desk, and slowly took a seat back into her comfortable chair, or at least the closet to comfortable she's been in a while. "Do to the events that have taken place, it is at this point that I must..." She took a deep sigh before she spoke. "...I must...cancel the Dead or Alive tournament."

"Wait...what?-!" Mila blurted out in shock. "But why?"

"Why? Why wouldn't she?" Kokoro said, "With so many demons, and Limbo, and crazy stuff happening all around us, there's a good chance we could put many lives at risk."

"And after truly giving it some thought, I cannot sit by and let innocent people be killed do to my own selfish desire for entertainment."

"Still..." Mila said with great disappointment. It seemed as though that promised bout with Tina was never going to come to fruition after all.

"Hmmm...actually, I don't think you should cancel." Vergil said.

All the girls immediately looked to him for an explanation.

"Helena, do you have a Forensic's lab in this building?" Vergil asked.

"But of course; on the floor below this one. Why do you ask?"

"Good." He removed himself from Marie and walked over to Helena's desk. He then turned to face the rest of the girls in the room. "I'll need blood samples from all five of you. That way, I can run them through a through examination."

"Examination for what?" Kokoro asked.

"For evidence." Vergil said. It appeared it didn't register with some of them as to what he meant, so he he came right out and said it;

"It's a hunch, but...I think I know why some of the Dead or Alive competitors are being pulled into Limbo."