Where do unicorns go?

By Belldandy-sama

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Chapter four: Beware! Excessive dimensional travelling maybe be hazardous to your health!

                Trish watched as he tucked the seventh bottle of holy water into the bag and reached to the shelf to take down something else. "Are you sure we need all this stuff?"

"Trish," he answered without even turning around; "These demons are attacking unicorns, they're probably first class, and you know it takes ages for even both of us together to defeat one of them. If there's a group of them it'll take more than a swipe with the Sparda to send them on their way."

She simply sighed at this, knowing he was probably right. "I still don't think that dimensional travelling is a good idea though."

"Didn't he say it was the fastest way?"

"Well yeah…"

"We should be there in a matter of seconds if we use that. It'll be the quickest and easiest way."

"I still don't think it's a good idea."

"You should be used to it."

"I would personally try to avoid it as much as possible."

"Why?"

"I just… don't like it."

"I'm surprised to hear this coming from you, shifting repeatedly from the underworld to the earthen plane before I came along and saved your soul." There was a hint of sarcasm in his voice as he spoke.

She raised her eyebrows, "Since when did I need you to save my soul, Dante?"

"Ever since you saved my life."

"…" She had no comment to say about this, so she cleared her throat uncomfortably and carried on, "So… Sleipnir said he'll be back here in an hour, right?"

"Yup," he finished putting items into his bag and clipped it shut, "You were shit scared of him, huh?"

"Well… he was a little intimidating…"

"Yeah, well I can't argue with you there."

"He's very unusual."

"I dunno about that," Dante took the Sparda from the wall and threw it to her. She caught it awkwardly and began strapping it to her back. "What I mean…" he continued, "Is that, compared to most other demons I've seen, he's probably the most normal looking."

"But he's not a de-"

"Yeah, yeah, I know. He's no demon. But what I'm saying is that we've seen a lot of paranormal beasts, but they've never looked like anything in particular, right?"

She shuffled uncomfortably, "I guess you're right…"

"Okay, I'll give it to you that he's got eight legs and is probably the biggest pony on this side of America, but if he wasn't either of them he'd look just like a normal horse to me."

"A normal horse that can talk?"

"He doesn't really… if you think about it. He speaking, but not talking."

"Using his mind you mean?"

"Well, you heard it."

"Yeah…" She shuffled again and fixed her gaze on the numerous magical objects Dante had on his shelves. Daggers, ritual swords, scented candles in their gothic style holders, geodes with their beautiful crystals sparkling in the flickering candlelight and numerous artefacts that she couldn't make out.

It was strange, the way he always had candles in his room, refusing stubbornly to enable the connection to the modern electric light. She could never figure this out at first, but she instantly found out why when she stepped into his room. The scented aroma relaxed her completely and nearly lulled her to sleep on the spot.

"Another new adventure on the way eh, Trish?" He made his way over to her, prowling gently like a cat after its prey, eyeing her seductively. Gripping her by the hips, he pulled her closer so they touched. He leant over her and buried his fingers in her long golden hair; it felt like silk to his touch.

She shivered at first, but after a moments thought pushed him gently away, disgusted that he should hit on her after what he done, or rather not done, to her in the alley-street. "Get away…"

Dante just laughed gently to himself and shook his head in amusement. "You don't like it?"

"After what you did to me in the alley, I don't think I like you at all."

He laughed loudly. It was a rich, powerful sound similar to that which she'd heard amongst men of 'quality'.  Though, at the same time it had a black tone to it, a hint of grim humour.

She just watched him, her eyes narrowing. Why did he always find her reactions so amusing?

"It's not funny!"

"Oh Trish…" he laughed again; "You don't mean that."

"Yes I do."

"Oh no you don't…" he shook his head, "You never do. You say it all the time, that you don't like me. But you know you do really."

She simply growled as a reply.

"You love me really, eh?"

"I don't love you!"

Lie.

"Trish babe, I can read you like an open book. I can tell just by the way you move, what you're thinking."

"Prove it!" She snapped, "What am I thinking now if you're so clever?"

"You're thinking that if you keep on acting like this towards me then I might think that I don't know you as well as I think I do." He diverted his eyes and rubbed the back of neck, "Jesus, that's a lot of thinking…"

"…"

"Besides, what have I done to make you mad? What was it I done in the alley to make you not like me this time?"

"You know full well what you done!"

"I do?" he smirked; "Amuse me."

She gripped him by the arms and shook him slightly, "You led me on! You led me on and left me disappointed like you do every- single- time!"

Once again he started laughing, his rich silvery laugh. She scowled at it, trying desperately not to burst into tears at his insensitivity.

"Shut up!"

But he was laughing to hard to acknowledge her words.

"I'll leave Dante…" She threatened, "I'll go back to Hell and never come back. Never!"

His laugh faltered and he eyed her, though still with a smile on his face. "Will you really?" He asked tauntingly, "I don't think that's possible, you know. They won't accept you in Hell anymore. They'll tear you apart. And I can't be there to save you again."

"They'll accept me."

"I doubt it."

"Why are you doing this to me?"

"I'm being honest," he shrugged innocently.

"It's hurting my feelings!"

"Yeah, the truth hurts, huh? Devil's don't lie, Trish."

"You're no devil! You're just a… a half breed!"

"So are you."

"You make me sick."

"Well, you said it first."

"Dante, you're acting like a child."

"Oh, I'm the immature one am I?" That dangerous smirk again, "Look at you. I'm trying to be honest and you just stand there, arms folded not accepting a word of it."

"Dante, all I'm asking is that you just listen!" She said this with a firmness that even he froze to.

"I'm listening."

She sighed with relief and started, "Okay… all I'm asking is… why?"

"Why what?"

"What do you keep leading me on? Why are you always going so far then leaving me in the dust."

"Because…" He hesitated, dare he tell her why? Could he tell her the real reason for his torment? Exactly why he was teasing her so badly? Making her so mad?

No.

"You look like my mother."

She just stared at him, bewildered.

"I… wouldn't be able to… I mean…" His voice rang off.

"Dante, you're kidding. Please tell me you're kidding."

He shook his head sadly, he hated to lie to her, but what else could he do?

"I can't believe… you're still affected by all that."

"It's hard to let go of the past Trish."

"But you should learn to see past all that…"

"I can't!" He said so loudly that she jumped in fear; "Put yourself in my position! How would you feel if a woman who was going to be very important to you in your life looked so much like your mother it was inevitable to look into her eyes and not see your parent gazing back at you? I'm not saying I didn't love my mother, because I did, dearly. It's just that… I didn't like her…. in that way…"

"Dante I don't see how-"

"How what?!" He snarled angrily; "How it still affects me? Well it does! Deeply!"

"Why can't you see past that?"

"I can't…" he lied through gritted teeth; "It's… impossible."

"Dante, you've proved to me so far that nothing's impossible for you."

He didn't mirror her gaze, "There's a first time for everything."

"But I'm sure I can help you…"

"Amuse me further."

She hesitated, then spoke again; "But I don't want to be the source of your amusement Dante…" She crossed her hands across her chest, "I want to be the source of your pleasure."

"Amusement is pleasure enough for me."

"For crying out loud Armitage!" She snapped angrily, "Have you no interest in women at all?!"

"Oh I do, believe me I do," he smirked and walked out of the room, leaving her practically fuming with frustration. 'So you want to play hard to get do you Armitage?' Her eyes narrowed; 'Well, two can play that game.'

And it was a game she was very content on playing.

So she flicked her long golden hair back stubbornly and marched out of the room in a huff. If he wanted to mess around with her, then fine, she'd let him. But she'd do exactly the same back to him.

"Dante, where did Sleipnir say he'd meet us?"

"Outside the office, at exactly half past nine."

"And what's the time now?"

"I don't know, you have the watch. Look at the clock."

She rolled her eyes, he was still a little angry with her, she figured. Well, it wasn't like she didn't feel the same way. Anger… disappointment… her love just torn to shreds…

"We have fifteen minutes," she remarked, her quick glance at the clock confirming that.

"Hmmm…" he replied, slumping himself down on the desk and resting his chin in his hands.

"I'm gonna wait for him outside…"

Dante had no reply for this, he just grunted rudely and she took it as a yes. Taking her coat again and slipping it over her shoulders, she made her way outside, rubbing her hands together in an attempt to keep them warm.

She looked up; the stars were so bright tonight… unusually bright… It wasn't like them, with all the light pollution of New York City… it was rare to see the stars out so bright, if at all.

It certainly wasn't usual.

The sparkling stars gleamed back at her, she couldn't tear her eyes away from them. They brought so many thoughts with them, tugging at her heart strings like a dog to a leash. Sleipnir certainly must be somebody so powerful if his presence made the New York stars sparkle like that. It was as if the city wasn't there, as if it was nothing but trees and grass again. A beautiful wilderness.

Dante… Dante was in that wilderness, in her heart. His name was written in the stars, he song songs in her heart. She hated it, the fact he pushed her away one minute and brought her close the next. Hated it, but couldn't resist him, wouldn't resist him. It was impossible; she never felt anything so strong.

I had a dream that our love was blinding,

I dreamed that our romance would light up the sky.

I had a dream that we flew on silver wings,

We were in love, so in love, you and I.

Follow your dreams, my angel of darkness,

You don't always need to have me so near,

But wherever you go, always remember me,

If you need ever me, remember, I'll be waiting here…

So whenever you hear the wind tear at the forest,

Whenever you see the unicorns run,

I'll always be here, waiting beside you,

We're together again, two hearts joined as one.

You are my lover, under the sun…

"Devils never dream…" She jumped as she heard the voice as turned slowly to see Sleipnir towering over her again.

"I know…" she answered with a whisper.

"And you do?"

"…Sometimes…"

"You are one of the lucky ones, I see…" The stallion snorted; "Most devils cannot dream at all."

"Why?" She asked timidly.

"Why?" He repeated her question with an element of surprise; "You ask me that? Well… devils are dreams, nightmares, in physical form. They are born from human thoughts and fantasies, that is all. They are merely dreamed into existence, nothing more…"

"So if everybody stopped dreaming?"

"They would die away…" he eyed her, "And so would you."

"Oh…"

He snorted again and shook his magnificent head, "You took that easily…"

"Melting away seems to be the best thing right now…"

"Why is that?"

She gazed at the light in the office doorway and sadly back up at the stars again.

Sleipnir just looked up with her, "What you see…" he started, "Is not a miracle… nor is it a coincidence… it is merely a plea..."

"A plea for what?"

"For help…" he explained, "The unicorns are in deathly danger…. whenever this happens the stars sparkle over saviour cities… alas, most people do not know what it is, and they do not respond to it. Therefore… the unicorns die. It is usually a miserable and painful death. Full of sorrow… hatred… pain… anger…"

"Please stop it."

"…" He was suddenly surprised by her words.

"Sleipnir…" she said, turning to him. "I want to help the unicorns…. with all my heart."

"You do know it will be a long and tiresome journey?"

"I understand," she bowed slightly to confirm it; "I am… prepared."

Sleipnir chuckled, "I hope you are… for your sake… But remember…"

She looked at him.

"If you ever find yourself in a place you never thought you'd be… then just look at the stars. Look at them and remember. The stars tell you everything; you just have to ask them."

She nodded, "I understand."

"Trish?" The door opened and Dante stood at the entrance; "Oh. Hi Sleipnir."

Trish and the stallion simply looked at him.

"Didn't know you were here…"

"We were talking," Sleipnir answered simply.

"Oh. Sorry." He shuffled uncomfortably, "Shall we go then?"

"You have everything we need?"

He patted the bag he had slung around his shoulder. "Yup."

"You are armed?"

They both nodded as a response.

"Is there… any other way that we can do this?" Trish asked quickly.

Sleipnir looked surprised, "I am afraid not, unless you wish to fly on my back for hours on end."

"Why Trish? Is there something you're not telling us?"

"Well um…"

Dante couldn't help but smile at her insecurity.

"No. I'm fine."

"You lie," Sleipnir accused with a snort.

"Come on Trish…" Dante urged. "Don't keep us in the dark."

"Well…" she looked down at the floor; "You see… I get DTS."

"Oh," remarked the stallion.

"Eh?" Dante just looked confused.

Trish simply shuffled uneasily, "I'm afraid so... You see, I've been a sufferer ever since I was first erm… created."

The stallion nodded, "I see…"

"What in hell is DTS?"

"Dimensional Travel Sickness," Trish explained.

"Eh?"

"It means that she may feel ill after travelling through dimensional gates," Sleipnir explained. "Like some humans suffer from travel sickness, demons or angels may, from time to time, suffer from DTS."

Dante just blinked, "That is… probably one of the weirdest things I ever heard in my life…"

"Well, demons get ill too you know…" she said quietly. Then she turned to Sleipnir, "Ermm… how are we supposed to… get on?"

The stallion looked vaguely amused, then suddenly dropped onto his knees, lying in a way any normal horse would if they had a reason to. "Now you may." He certainly seemed a lot less intimidating now he was lying down.

Trish placed one hand on his shoulder and it used to help her on. Even though he was lying down, he was still huge.

She gripped his great locks of silver in her fingers and waited while Dante slipped on behind her.

"Are you two alright?"

They both nodded.

"It will be a rough journey… especially for you Trish."

She simply shivered and he rose back onto his eight legs again. It was so different to be on his back, the ground seemed so far away from eight feet up. Even though his fur was silky, it didn't affect her grip. Dante snaked his arms around her waist and she scowled; it seems even though she had Sparda strapped to her back, it didn't put him off one bit.

Sleipnir twisted around so he was facing a long run down the elongated street that led up to their office.

"Hold on tight," he warned; "And please refrain from vomiting in my mane, thank you."

Trish heard Dante's quiet laugh as Sleipnir said this.

"Don't worry, I'll just divert it in Dante's direction."

Sleipnir just snorted.

She shut her eyes as tight as she possibly could as he began at a gentle canter. It was as terrifying being on the beasts back as it was for meeting him for the first time.

Well… it beat arguing with Dante.

He broke into a furious gallop and charged headlong down the street. She didn't open her eyes even when she heard the buzzing of the porthole opening in front of her, or felt its warmth on her skin.

Sleipnir leaped off the ground to go through the shimmering gate of blue light that crackled and sparked in front of him like a cloud of angry lighting.

Then she felt nothing.

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End of chapter four

A want to say thank you to all my reviewers. I want to say an even bigger thank you to Ara-chan, who is the beta this fic. I can't type when I'm, tired… you should see some of the mistakes she found.

Okay leave a review now.

And stay tuned for chapter five.

Belle-sama