Dante was holding Mei as the shore faded. He understood what she was going through. As they just stood there, Dante's mind faded back to when he had to do the same thing.

Flashback

Dante lay in the alley, rain pouring over his body. A sinister laugh emerged from the dark.

"Did you think that I could be so easily defeated, Brother? Your abilities and mine are the same. You will die by my hand. Slowly, painfully, then I will take up the relics that you have collected as well as our fathers sword. The bullets I shot you with are laced with an unique poison that react to demon blood. Very expensive. Not of this world. You will suffer. You will scream. You will die. Then you will burn in hell!" Virgil said coldly. Dante couldn't move. The searing pain was spreading.

"Bas-tard." Dante said.

Virgil laughed."Soon, brother, soon. I am the better one." Virgil said. Suddenly, another voice cut through the darkness.

."I thought I was cold hearted. Killing your own brother with Demonsbane. How heartless." A voice said.

"Who the hell are you?"

"Sir Integra Hellsing. This gentleman beside me is Alucard."

"A bitch? And a little lap dog. How boring." Virgil said. Suddenly, a cold chuckle chilled him.

"Lap dog? No, maggot, I am the warrior of the Hellsing family. I will kill anyone who dares to harm Sir Integra or anyone she considers friend." Alucard said.

Virgil was pissed.

"Die, Scum. I am the more dominant player in this game. I will kill that brother of mine and you." Virgil said charging Alucard. Alucard looked at Integra.

"As you wish" Sir Integra said. Alucard flew into Virgil. Virgil then realized he wasnt facing just anyone. Alucard dodged his attacks easily. While distracted, Integra got to Dante. Demonsbane poisoning was apparent.

"Just breathe. Dont close your eyes." Integra said kneeling beside Dante. Dante was in pain. Integra looked at the shadows.

"Seras, find Walter and bring him here."

"Yes, Sir Integra." Seras Victoria said, rushing to find Walter.

Virgil was angry. Alucard was laughing.

"Stay still, you asshole. I am the son of Sparda! I will kill you then finish my brother off!" Virgil said, pulling his sword. Alucard laughed.

"Alucard, finish it quickly. We have to get this boy to Doc asap." Integra said. She had been told that Demonsbane poisoning was treatable but the sooner the better. A man stepped from behind her.

"Seras said you needed me. Oh dear, Demonsbane poisoning." Walter said. Alucard started laughing. Virgil's face was bloody. Alucard raised his blood covered hand.

"You bastard! Kill you."

"Alucard, kill the cretin already. This boy needs help now." Integra snapped. Alucard grinned. Before Virgil could even blink, Alucard grabbed him by his throat. Virgil couldn't move.

"Sparda was a true warrior. You are not worthy to spit on the ground he walked on much less call him father. Time to die now." Alucard said. Alucard then straightened out his free hand and shoved it through Virgils chest. Virgil screamed as searing hot pain pierced his body. Alucard grinned. His hand tore flesh from bone. Like being stabbed with a thousand daggers, Virgils flesh was shredded. Alucard then wrapped his hand around Virgils beating heart. Virgil felt Alucards cold grip on his heart.

"Go ahead, kill me. I'll just come back." Virgil hissed. Alucard smiled.

"Not if I crush your heart, filth." Alucard said. Virgil's eyes widened as the words sank in. Alucard squeezed as Virgil screamed. He squeezed until he felt and heard a bloody explosion in Virgils chest. Virgils eyes rolled in his head and Alucard tossed him into the gutter, a bloody husk void of life. Quickly, he cleaned his hands off and hurried to Dante. Without a word, he gathered the half demon into his arms and with a quick nod to Walter began to run. The contact point was not far but this boy needed help. He could feel the point of contact UOas Seras, Integra, and Walter were not far behind him. A small ripple was in front of them. Without hesitation, they entered into the portal. Soon they were in the out skirts of Velos. Alucard ran to the gates and passed without documents into the city. The hospital was right there on the right.

"DOC!!" Alucard called. Doc quickly appeared took one look at Dante.

"Sara, get me Demonsbane poisoning antidote, ASAP. Alucard, in here." Doc said. Alucard entered the room and laid Dante on the exam table. Doc moved to Dante's side. Three bullet holes were apparent in his chest.

"Those have got to come out. Can you tell me your name?" Doc asked. Dante licked his lips and spoke.

"Dante Sparda."

"Dante, I am going to inject you with the antidote to the poison. It most likely will knock you out. These bullets will have to be removed then. Demonsbane is deadly to most people but has a painful affect on half demons. This will hurt." Doc said as the nurse handed him the antidote. Doc quickly injected him with it. Dante felt a burning pain then felt conscious slipping. Before he could even blink, he was asleep. Dante woke up with a start. Pain rippled through him. Not a dream. He thought.

A voice broke his thoughts up.

"Welcome back. I must admit I was a bit concerned about you as you slept. You took in a large amount of Demonsbane. Luckily I was able to remove the bullets and stop the flow of poison to you. An inch higher and you would be dead now." Doc said as he stood near Dantes bed. Dante grimaced as a bitter taste was in his mouth. A nurse helped him to drink. Dante spoke.

"Exactly where am I?"

Another voice spoke up.

"You are in Velos, Dante Sparda." the voice said. Dante grinned. That voice he knew.

"Well, long time no see, Sephiroth. Wondered were you disappeared to." Dante said as Sephiroth sat beside him.

"I have others to attend to. Sephiroth, do not over tax him. He is still recovering." Doc said. Sephiroth nodded. Doc left.

Sephiroth looked at Dante.

"How the hell did Virgil shoot you? I've seen you dodge." Sephiroth said. Dante looked at him.

" Somehow, he was able to. How? Some sort of gun. When he came into possession of it? Who knows. He's dead now. The tall man crushed his heart so he can't be reborn. Why are you here? I thought after that mess, you were killed."

" Let's just say I learned something new. The whole thing was a joke on Cloud and myself. A ruse to promote stocks . o we came here." Sephiroth said.

"Dante, you wont be able to go back home. There is a bounty on your head. Alucard, the tall man who killed Virgil, brought your stuff here. Lady has been paid off. The blonde woman said she was going with her. So, I've gotten our boss's approval to ask you if you wanted to join the Demon Brigade or the Slayer Brigade?"

Sephiroth said. Dante's eyes were clouded. He had lost his home but saved his life. Sephiroth could see the war going on inside him.

"I need to think. I mean, this is alot to take in. In one night, my world is flipped around." Dante said. Sephiroth nodded. He got up to leave.

"Dante, you would be accepted here. The Consul, the leader of Velos and the Alliance, has offered those who want to live their life to do so. I have been able to regain myself by living here. I will see you later." Sephiroth said. Dante watched him leave and then fell asleep.

End flashback

Dante felt Mei move. She was still upset.

"I have been through what you are going through. You are a beautiful woman, Strawberry. Your people trust you. You've proven that you are a warrior." Dante said. Mei still wanted to cry. It was nearly mid afternoon, the mist nins and civilians were settling down. Only about 1/4th of the mist people came with them. The others were all for the bloodline purge. Mei smiled. At least some people still believed in her. Dante held her tightly. Mei felt content, warm, happy. She knew now that the path that was before her was her own destiny and that she was going to show her people how to live life.

"Dante, are you going to be there?" Mei asked softly. Dante turned her around to face him. Her green eyes met his blue ones. The answer Mei seen was all she needed to know. Suddenly, everything was better. The past was the past. Now she had a future, her people had a future, and there was at least one man who would be there. Sephiroth looked down from the bridge of the ship. He had just finished speaking with Avan about the march. The Capitan stood at the wheel. He was curious as to how the Damiyo could sell out a village completely. He'd been led on a wild goose chase. Made to believe he had to fight Cloud, that his way was the only way. Of course, a fist from Sessoumaru had set him straight. Now, he was a mentor to Cloud and he was a good friend.

"Milord, the Lady has sent word that you are to go straight to Velos. She wishes the Water nins to be brought safely to Velos." a steward said. Sephiroth nodded.

"Captain, proceed with all haste home. My wife will be pleased to see me. And Lady Rania has ordered so." Sephiroth said. The Captain turned the dial to full speed ahead. Sephiroth looked at the couple on the railing. Careful, Dante, she's not like the other girls. I dare say you have finally found your angel. Sephiroth thought as the land of mists disappeared into the ocean.

Velos

Rania sat at her desk. Sephiroth had sent messages that all was well. They should be there by midmorning. She was grateful that they were safe. Suddenly, a chill went up her spine. Rania was to her feet. She was almost to her door when the shout came.

"All on alert!!! There has been an attack on the north wall!"