Now I shake off weariness
and go meet what I can't guess

The heart has its secret currents
Deep and without guide
To find out where they will lead
I take the plunge, eyes wide

People move from home to street
No one blinks as day yields to day, life is fleet

I'd like to know where you're from
And where you're going to, Water Traveler

Now I stretch out my wings again
And take back what I lost then
~Currents, KOKIA


Luce ed Ombra
Chapter 4

Currents
[By Ultema and Guo]


A soft grunt came from Dante as he neared the airport. Had it not occurred to him that there might be some objection with his bringing weapons on a plane? Of course not.

"I dunno if this is gonna work, babe." That was probably the first full sentence he had said to her since leaving the apartment. Of course they didn't exactly speak much prior either, but that wasn't the point. Security guards stood at the doors, and his eyes wandered inside to see them checking bags. It seemed as though they were looking for something, or just being extra cautious -- both of which didn't prove too promising for him. His steps halted as his hand took a place on his hip, the other raised with a sort of 'what now' look given to the other. He could have tried to think of a solution himself... but usually things just came to him, or somehow everything managed to end up broken around him.

"Don't worry about it -- let me see your things."

Demanding as that had sounded, Isabella pulled the hunter towards a shadowed area between buildings, one hand extended as though awaiting something quite expectantly. Interestingly enough, there was a quiver in the air around them, and everything seemed to have gone utterly wavy, like underwater. People passed them by without a second glance, and she didn't seem to be in much of a hurry herself. In fact, this was probably the calmest she had been since they met.

It was the oddest feeling, Dante was almost staggering, but was able to catch himself each time in order to at least look semi normal. Watching the other people walk by casually out of the corner of his eye, he could only think he might have been drugged.. but that didn't make any sense. Instead he turned to the one in front of him, asking for his things. Giving his weaponry to someone else was against his religion, let alone to his prey. But for some reason, all that was normal to him was pushed aside. Feeling at ease with someone, for him, meant quite a bit, and with her? It was so odd. Hesitating for a moment, he handed over his sword (those guns weren't moving ... not without a bit more persuasion, anyways), wondering what she could possibly have in mind. And, now, becoming accustomed to the wavy atmosphere, was actually able to keep his eyes on her for considerable length of time.

Taking the hilt of the weapon in hand, but soon after having to grasp it with both, in order to actually hold it up, a nod in response, before Isabella hefted the weapon upwards, the point of the blade directed towards her stomach. Another waver in her general direction, more towards the core of her body. A shiver in the fabric of reality, before the very texture of the silken clothing she wore seemed to tear apart from itself. Sounds were dimmed, static and almost impossible to bear, but still bodies passed without a notation to their existence. Before long, it appeared that her entire ribcage had split itself apart, extended to the sides and opened up to reveal an enormous -- mouth. Inside were a pair of mandibles that grasped the blade fully as it was pushed, tip down towards her stomach, before pulling it into the darkness that was near impossible to see into. The shimmer became smaller, until vanishing completely, leaving her body completely normal looking again.

Of course, green eyes were trained on where the guns would be, and as though this was supposed to be completely in the norm, she went on.

" And what do you plan to do with those?"

Though before responding to anything, with the sounds and waves passing through this body softening, the look on Dante's face was able to change from a near painful to a completely disgusted; disbelief. With an eyebrow raised, his eyes traveled along Isabella's stomach, shoulders, and finally rested on her face.

"Am ... I ... getting that back?" He asked with real concern for his sword's well being.

" You will get that back when you need it -- and if you think you can hide them, then fine." Isabella responded, taking her eyes away from them and shifting them down towards her watch.

Soon Dante's hands found their way to his guns once again. They weren't coming out, at least, not to be eaten by ... that thing.

"Ah.. I'm sure I'll get someone to keep them in their luggage for me." Dante croaked, the slight grin on his face taken over by uneasiness. But once he made sure to let his inaction let her know she wasn't getting another metal snack today, his mind just then began to be, troubled, by her actions. "Alright babe, now there's something you haven't told me, and uh ... ah, how'd that... taste?"

Those full lips of hers upturned into a full fledged smile at his actions, hands resting on her hips before Isabella took a step backwards, out of the ring of wavering reality, and her own form became distorted as she passed through the siphon between worlds. She rested and waited for him to follow suit, taking the time to ignore the other half of his sentence. She had the feeling he'd see more of that soon enough.

Dante kept Ebony and Ivory pushed back, resting on his behind. He nodded in the direction of the airport as he began towards the doors, walking rather obviously. This probably wasn't going to work, so he thought, at least not walking through the metal detectors. He motioned her to come closer to him, and brought his lips against her ear. It may have seemed like a pass at her, and after all, this was Dante, but he actually had a good reason to whisper. Pointing out a pudgy man leaving the bag checking, by puckering his lips in their general area,

"That guy's going on our flight, and just got through customs ... you feel like putting on some of that charm you've got there?"

"Don't look so uptight, hunter... I need you ... and so long as I'm around, you can't be touched." Isabella whispered. It was also in her veins to act the same way. As soon as he had finished his hissy little whisper, she had turned to face him, one hand filtering his hair through her fingers as she grasped the back of his head gently, resting her cheek against his and replying, before kissing him gently on the side of his face and then parting from him, towards the other and motioning him along behind. This was going to be somewhat against her will, seeing as this guy wasn't stellar in appearance ... but one has to make do with what they have.

Using her as a distraction, which was quite easy to say the least, Dante slid over behind the man. He wasn't exactly blending in either, all in a crimson red and pants that just say "grab me!" As opposed to acting like some sort of Solid Snake, he tried to act as casual as possible, stopping to check the time and tie his shoe near the preoccupied corpulent one near him, he carefully slid open the piece of luggage near the man's feet and slipped both guns in as quickly as possible, hidden beneath his coat.

Soon lifting himself up and giving a quick look to the flight screen, Dante calmly walked over to a concession stand. Oh yeah, he knew he was slick, and showed with a smirk and small flick of his hair, pelvis pressed out slightly in a little victory pose. He awaited the return of his companion, an extra drink in hand.

Isabella, on the other hand, took a little longer than first anticipated. When finally emerging through the throng of bodies, the smiling facade on her lips was instantly replaced with a flat-lined, un-amused, and to say the very least, unhappy expression. She was speed walking, too, in stiletto heels nonetheless.

Alighting beside the other, her elbows draped over a nearby rail, she tossed a cursory glance towards her companion, a few strands of hair tampering with her own view. She obviously wasn't happy with what was, or had, gone on.

" ... That was embarrassing. "

Dante revealed a bemused grin as he essentially hopped over next to grimacing woman friend of his.

"Well, I didn't say you had to do any more than ask him the time...." Chuckling slightly as he offered the drink, his face quickly turned into a puppy-dog-esque "forgive-me" look, lowering himself down below in order to look up at her, of course he didn't say he was sorry.

"I never said I asked anything more, but it was embarrassing nonetheless!" Isabella retorted, tone crisp and snappy for the moment as she flickered her wrist upwards, to take a look at the 24-karat gold plated wristwatch she wore.

"Our flight leaves soon, yes?" All he could think was this could be a long flight if she was going to eat him if he made another smart ass comment, and unfortunately, it was probably in the literal sense; his expression was quickly becoming a nervous smile as he slowly lifted back up.

A brow rose slightly, before Isabella leaned over to grasp his hand, and when her long fingers were sufficiently wrapped around his hand, she had begun to tug him in the general direction of the plane itself. Perhaps forgetting about getting those weapons for now, they'd just have a little adventuring to do in the cargo hold later. This was going to be a stealth mission!

Dante cocked a brow towards his own hand as it was clenched, though he continued along, head lowered down at first as he was pulled forwards. He was just regaining his balance when he noticed her own position to be slightly changed -- he wondered if they were about to sneak into the baggage compartment themselves. Nearly bumping into an innocent bystander, he swayed to the side. It seemed like almost everyone around was looking at them ... and a few of the other foreigners around there ... of course, they weren't 'foreign' technically.

"Are you going to set the metal detector off -- with that ... y'know ... shit inside of you?" He pushed forward, he tightened his fist in a glove as if he were ready to lay the nearest security guard out for looking at him funny again, or if they tried to stop them.. All he could wonder was why didn't they take the bus.

"Just trust me, hunter. Just come on." Look at them funny? Isabella hardly noticed. Still too busy weaving through the bodies with the poor man in tow. They were indeed heading for the baggage place, strangely enough. But apparently that didn't faze her. For now they'd have to wait in a small line through detectors, but as luck might have it, the lines were moving dreadfully slow.

"Lucky we got here early ... This could have been bad for us any other way." She muttered more to herself than to anyone else, even her current companion. Though by now as they were drawing nearer to the security guards looking at them ever so curiously, she had wrapped her arms around his, as though he were an escort of some sort. Perhaps this act would be better to get them through.

Dante's eyes switched back and forth between the security guards and the female clutching to his arm ... no objections either way, and something would have to be done about both. Surprisingly, the clinging tendencies he wouldn't have guessed existed in her were beginning to grow on him -- even if it was only sporadically thrown in along with a cold shoulder and evil glare. Keeping his cool about the security guards, he merely tilted his head back put on a smirk and casually waited for 'their' turn at the metal detector.

One step put through, him keeping her close to his body and not giving the guards a chance to separate them and make them go through one at a time, they looked quite displeased with the little act these two were putting on.

*Beep*

Nope, that didn't work ... a small nervous chuckle emerged, but Dante's arrogant smirk remained -- he had to be the cool one. He took a small set of keys out of his coat pocket as he pointed himself in the direction of heading back through to toss the keys aside, and try again. His eyes met back with the other, wondering what she would do. This didn't look too good.

It was one leg right after the other, putting into her walk, a particular stride that could be attributed to the finest of movie stars, and ... well ... runway models. Isabella grasped the thin strap of the purse at her side, sending a sidelong glance towards her companion. A simple stroll through the detector. And -- she made it through. Now, however that was possible with a hulking sword somewhere in her gut was probably the biggest question, but by now she was offering a sweet, puckered smile towards the security guard, and then let her vision drift back towards her escort, a single brow risen upwards as though expecting his performance to be top notch.

An audible "Huh" came from Dante's general direction as he watched his partner venture through again -- so it was him. Confused as ever he tossed he mindlessly tossed his keys in the box and walked through again.

*Beep* again. Lovely. Here came the portable metal sweeping device. Dante hoped he remembered to leave behind all his knives and other such objects. The detector beeping at each belt buckle (he could only wear the finest, of course) he was about to undo each, but with no other places on him going off, the guards, being either incredibly nice, or incredibly apathetic allowed him to go. Retrieving his keys he met up again with the female who he hoped still housed his sword. Eyeing her and letting her lead again, his head pointed downward, eyes looking up to her, and eyebrows asymmetrically scrunched.

"Good ... job... babe." That was good enough for him.

"Thank you, hunter. But for now, back to business, shall we?" With this, Isabella had again added her weight to the poor Hunter's leverage, grasping his arm and dragging him through the crowds, sharply making their way towards a normal entrance this time. Apparently, she had a different plan racing through her brain, and she offered a rest, pulling herself to a stand.

"I'm sure we can't sneak in with the baggage, so to get your weapons we should try to find a way to the cargo hold through the main part of the plane. Any ideas?"

Planes, they weren't his forte, couldn't he just break it?

"I might be able to convince a baggage boy to let me get what I need before we take off ... I'd sneak down during the flight, but I think all of us breathing types want the cabin pressure stable. Hm.. " Contemplating for a moment or two, a finger rose to his chin scratching idly.

"Either way --"

[ Flight 10390 to Portugal will begin boarding shortly, please check in at the front stand at gate 13. ]

"-- we should prrrrobably get on board now." Dante motioned towards the gate with his head and smiled -- yes, smiled, to one of the few females that had ever impressed him, both by staying cool, and acting quickly; what was wrong with him?

"Okay, well... let's board. If you can get the kid to let you have what you want, then do so. If not ... I may have to pull a few strings..." Remaining in line, Isabella took a glance towards her companion, then pressed herself close to him, slipping a cell phone into his hand, and offering a solid nod towards the poor guy, and a smile all of her own. This was exciting for once. Something she had never tried before ... and well, with a dangerous person to boot. How often in this life did she ever get this lucky? It wasn't often.

Her clinging let up shortly thereafter though; hands resting on the purse at her side again as they slowly progressed forward.

A quick nod given in response as Dante's gaze remained forward, simply waiting until they were through the line. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the plane had recently opened to the connection tube, no passengers being let on as of yet, but he'd get on. A wink was given to the one beside him, and his mouth moved close to her ear,

"Hold back until I call you over... I'll get on ... we might yet be able to grab the bag as it's going on". The men had recently begun loading the bags from outside, and he was going to hop down there from inside while the hatch was still open. He made his way over to the stewardess in front of the gate entrance.

It was a good 5 minutes before he even glanced towards his friend, all the rest of the time was an obvious flirt, hips being flashed hair flicked. It must have been the day for proving sexuality was the largest weakness in mankind. Though the stewardess' mouth lay open after he nodded in Isabella's direction, asking her to come over, and it seemed as though the other woman was about to slap the red clad man ... he was allowed to pass in. Must have been quite the story. Now it was time for them to grab the guns; they didn't have too much time anymore.

After the signal was given, the dark-haired young woman sifted through the crowd most effortlessly. Slender, balanced shoulders missed the jostles of hurrying passerby one by one until a long, slender leg fitted in a perfectly fit stiletto heels clicked against the floor below in the general direction of her partner. Off to the side, where the fuming stewardess stood, Isabella shifted a typical female's death glare; the kind that a defensive woman shoots to anyone who looks at the man they are with in any way that isn't some sort of fleeting, accidental glance. The sweep of the long, black leather coat that nipped both calves fluttered noiselessly as she ran a hand through her hair, and finally sided up with the other. Those green eyes of hers weren't finished shifting about though, in fact they were flittering from face to face that passed like a nervous rabbit.

" ... So ..."

"So ... We get my guns ... " Looking to his sides in case someone accidentally heard them (and if so, they'd soon be spending the rest of their short lives in the baggage compartment), Dante noticed there was easy access to the hatches which led below -- being spotted once down there seemed to be the only concern. Taking a bit of precaution to open the hatch quietly, he beckoned his partner over to view the situation below.

"Two men, one outside loading to the man inside... we'll have to keep that one outside happy while we ...-ahem- 'distract' the other ... I see the bag ... and I think I can take out the one in there ... do you think you could disguise yourself or cloud the one's vision ... or maybe take over taking the bags from him? ... I'll let you decide." The man was all too serious when it came to his guns -- there was no relaxing for him until they were retrieved. As the loading boy below was just passing by with a special 'fragile' box -- surprisingly taking good care of it, although he appeared to be readying to throw the thing, he passed out of sight of the one outside, and Dante seized the opportunity, giving but a quick smirk and head nod, motioning her to drop down with him, he fell down with amazing accuracy, landing on the man's head below, and shattering whatever was inside of that package.

"Disguise myself? Who does he think I am? Decoy Octopus?" Isabella protested with a wrinkle of her nose as she followed her partner, landing quite stealthily in those stilettos without so much as a wobble on her own two feet, and making her way over towards the loading area, and continued the now busted-boy's job, carefully watching Dante over her shoulder. With a huff, now and again tossing a quick glance back at their escape route, and her senses sharp in case there was threat of discovery looming about any of these corners. Of course, in these conditions people had the poorest of vision, and it helped to be both fully human and fully demon at the same time, in that respect.

" Let's hurry, eh? I don't want to end up getting caught here..."

With Ebony and Ivory pulled from that small suitcase, everything seemed to be going well... almost too well. The man knocked out would surely be awakening soon, in fact, he was just starting to grunt as Dante was finishing a quick hug and kiss to the barrel of one of them. His arm rose up and hand shook violently, motioning his partner over ... they'd have to hide if they weren't going to be spotted -- in fact, they were almost done loading the plane and passengers would load on shortly afterwards. But where could they hide just long enough to pass a quick glance? He reached over to her hand in order to pull her aside, wherever they'd go in a small place like this.

Taking a quick glance over her shoulder before moving, Isabella's steps careful on the slick floor below as she managed a loping run towards her partner, only to have her hand grasped and nearly yanked her arm from the socket, she managed to duck down and peer between a few metal bars towards the object of their sudden fright. Tossing a quick glance towards her partner, she had already begun an army crawl away from the man in question, hand still grasping the other's as though to move him along until a better situation presented itself ... which was growing short in terms of time, considering the other seemed to have been curious about his state of being-on-the-groundness, and was starting to busily check the areas for anything peculiar while still resting on the ground.

"There better be something around here, and we better find it quick. I don't know how long we're going to hold out flopping around on the floor like this..."

"I'd ask you to hide us with some of your... abilities ... but somehow I think I'd end up where my sword is ..." Dante grinned as he kept his ass moving, crawling along the ground trying to avoid the man just for a bit longer. Running out of room, running out of time, they ran to a dead end in the luggage, the man previously knocked out still looking around, getting closer. A hand rose up grabbing at anything above that he could get a hold of, until an open, empty box was latched onto, and brought down quickly on top of the both of them. An extremely tight squeeze, it was hard enough just to fit there let alone stay still. As the search neared them, Dante could feel ... well, his heart beat.

"Hm ... just a box..." Was muttered by the loader. A few moments later he turned around and was out of the plane.

"Watch it~!" Isabella hissed, "Get your knee out --" A tight fit, indeed, two full grown adults crammed into a box in some twisted Karma Sutra reject position, and Isabella was already getting annoyed with the mess. With a few shifts and movements here and there, one side of the box gave way under the push of her elbow and tore. With a thunk, she fell prone against the cold metal floor and skittered back a bit, to give her partner room. Propping herself up on her elbows, the woman moved her head from left to right idly, as though making sure her neck still worked properly.

"Let's get out of here ... find our seats. BUT if we do this just as gracefully as this last 'mission', I don't think we're going to make it... and WHAT is the deal with the box? "

A grunt offered as a response, and again her hand was taken. She wasn't some blind frail chic here, she could handle herself -- of course Dante didn't care, she was throwing tantrums left and right ... all that mattered was getting their seats. A quick twirl of his guns landed them into their holsters, then, hidden by his jacket, he seemed to pose for a second, hips outward. In truth he was just checking if they could move about easily, and quickly slip into their seats in time for the pre-flight drink ... something he could use right about now.







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Author's Notes Blah, so hard to find lyrics for some things. Ah well, still working on more, more more. The story is still in process of being written, too, buuut, hehe we're a good number of chapters ahead of this. As always, your input is what helps ^_^.