Blah blah blah…I own…blah blah blah…I do not own…blah blah blah…I'm sure you know it by now! Obviously by my last chapter some people were under the impression that I did not like the reviews I have received so far. Fact is, I love them and they're really helpful. It's that I got a couple of E mails telling me to give up. Never fear. Depression's over and I'm still gonna write. ^_^
Chapter 7
Arson looked quickly towards Dawn as he padded quietly down the streets, his feet making no sound as he moved skilfully. Dawn was right behind him, silently marvelling at the way in which he moved. She suddenly tripped over a loose stone on the sidewalk. Arson caught her quickly as she fell. He smiled at her through the darkness and then, realizing that he was holding her a little too tightly, pushed her away from him.
'Maybe I should make a torch…' he said lamely. Dawn nodded.
'That would be a good idea I'd think.' Arson smiled sheepishly and cast about, as though looking for something. Dawn looked at him curiously. Arson saw the look she was giving him and smiled in pure embarrassment.
'I'm looking for something wooden.'
'Why?' Arson looked at her in surprise.
'I uh…need something to set fire to, so then I can make a-' Dawn rolled her eyes.
'I know what you are. I know everything about you. You're Dante's grandson. You're part demon. But that's not why I came to ask for your help. I know the secret you hide. Even from Rayne.' Arson gaped at her and then frowned.
'I don't know what you're talking about.'
'Yes you do.' Dawn's voice was calm. Her eyes hovered over Arson's face and then took in his profile. Though Arson was only seventeen, he had this strange reckless light in his eyes, which were of a dark deep brown. They were fixed on her face, angry and slightly confused. Dawn smiled suddenly. 'You look so much like him, you know.'
'Huh?'
'Your grandfather.' Arson ran a hand through his dark brown hair, bewildered. 'But, fortunately…you don't act like him.' Arson averted his eyes from her and turned around again.
'Come on. Follow me. I don't have anything to set alight.' Dawn smiled secretly to herself and gently hooked her arm around his own, clinging onto it. Arson turned rigid and scowled at her but said nothing.
'I'm annoying you aren't I?' Arson didn't reply. Dawn continued to tease him and taunt him, almost playfully. 'Come on! Say something! Yell or something.' She giggled impishly and tightened her grip slightly. Arson sighed and lowered his eyes, flushing up slightly.
'I don't yell at girls,' he said quietly. Dawn laughed at this and smiled at him. Arson struggled to keep his voice calm. 'Let go off me. Now.' He pulled his arm free by jerking it violently out of her reach and then sauntered down the street, his dark clothes blending in with his surroundings. Dawn couldn't help but admire him.
Though he was still only seventeen, he walked in such a way that seemed strangely powerful. He seemed to radiate importance. He didn't look as if he could put up much of a fight though. His hair constantly flopped down into his eyes, which were of a chocolate brown. He had a very slight build as well. Dawn sighed. It looked as though Arson would be more at home in a school then fighting in the underworld. However, she was still hopeful. She knew better than to judge people on the way they looked. Arson had the look of innocence around his boyish face, which led her to think that the boy had not seen much fighting or violence. This was going to maker her job harder than she had thought.
He suddenly turned a corner and walked into the velvet folds of darkness. Dawn stumbled in after him, crashing into him when he suddenly stopped.
'Hey! Careful!'
'Sorry! I don't know this place as well as you do.' Arson groped about in his pocket for the house keys, cursed and then held Dawn's hand.
'I suggest you close your eyes for a minute or so.' Dawn obeyed, feeling unsure of herself. She felt the ground suddenly leave her feet and then reappear. She opened her eyes to find herself in an old, decaying building. Arson was standing in front of her, amongst a few wisps of white smoke. His serious eyes turned onto her face. 'Now tell me everything you know. Where's Trish? And where's my grandfather?' Dawn sat down on a chair and took a deep breath.
'Trish has been taken by the one who we do not speak of.' Arson frowned.
'Well that's helpful.' Dawn was about to make a reply but then she stopped.
'I believe you should open the door. Your friend is outside. I believe that he should hear this.'
'Rayne?' Dawn nodded silently, her dark hair falling about her shoulders. Arson's frown deepened, but he went to see whether what she said was true.
Rayne looked at Arson in surprise as the door suddenly swung inwards. Rayne grinned.
'So did you fuck her yet?' Arson looked at him in disgust.
'No.' he said sourly. His eyes narrowed. 'What the hell are you doing here anyway?' Rayne shrugged and grinned, his fangs showing again.
'I want to hear what this girl has to say.' Dawn suddenly appeared by Arson's side. She smiled at Rayne gently.
'Do come in.' Arson gaped at her.
'But-' Rayne barged him out of the way and smiled at Dawn. He saw his reflection in a nearby mirror and stopped smiling as he saw the fangs. He sighed. Dawn's face fell and her eyes turned serious.
'Arson. You know as well as I do that you're half demon. As for your other half…well…let's just say that that's the reason why I was sent to give you guidance.' Rayne took in her clothes, and the pure white colour. They seemed to shine with a strange holy light, which made him feel uneasy.
'You're an Angel?' Dawn nodded.
'Yes.'
'But if Arson's half human and half demon, then why would you want to go and help him?' Arson flushed and lowered his eyes as Rayne continued. 'I mean, it's not as if Arson's holy or some…' Rayne's voice petered out. His piercing eyes switched onto Arson's face. 'Oh…I see…' Arson nodded in silence, embarrassed.
'I'm an Angel and Demon hybrid.' Rayne shrugged, much to Arson's surprise.
'I figured as much.' Arson looked up at him sharply.
'What?'
'Well you aren't like other demons. They just kill for the hell of it and they don't give a damn. You hate violence.' Dawn looked crestfallen.
'I suppose my quest has ended then.' Arson looked at her.
'What d'you mean?' Dawn sighed.
'Dante and Trish have been taken to the underworld. They were captured by a woman called Orissa and they have been taken to…'
'Mundas.' Dawn and Arson looked at Rayne in bewilderment. Rayne shrugged again. 'What? You think I don't read? This guy is a fucking legend. I'm surprised, Arson.' Arson frowned.
'I was actually studying what I was supposed to be learning.' Dawn silenced the two with a glare.
'Arson, I have to take you to the underworld. You're the only one left who might be able to stop him. He gains more power each and every time he unlocks the seal. You have to kill him this time. It's the only way to stop him from becoming any more powerful.' Arson's face blanched.
'But…'
'Please! You have to do this! And what of Trish and Dante? They're counting on you Arson! And I am too! He sent me to look for someone with the blood of Sparda running through their veins. And the only one I found was you. You're the only one left.' Arson's face had turned pale. He looked numbly at Rayne.
'I have mid-terms,' he wailed. Dawn erupted with anger.
'What's more important! Mid-terms or saving the world?!' Rayne grinned. Dawn turned on him. 'And you're coming too!' Rayne frowned.
'But I've got girls to date!' Arson chuckled.
'And eat.' Rayne glowered at him. Dawn did the same.
'You should know better than to ridicule Rayne. He's not completely a vampire as it is. He can still see his reflection, he does not drink blood and his skin is not a pale white.' Arson looked ashamed. His eyes lowered again.
'This is Arson's fight!' piped up Rayne.
'But you're still coming with us,' replied Dawn. Arson looked at her inquisitively.
'Us?'
'You think I'm going to let you set foot into the underworld to get slaughtered? Of course not.' Arson and Rayne looked at each other and sighed simultaneously. Rayne rolled his eyes.
'It looks like I've got a lot of phone calls to make…'