Right…well…This fic is nearly finished. I don't know how many chapters are left. Probably three more. And then I'll be starting a brand new series. I already have a plan for a brand new OC who hopefully might take over Arson's crown.

            Anyway…(sigh)

            Dante, Trish, Xyphos and the name Ara does not belong to me. Lucia does not belong to me either. All I have in my possession are my clothes, my hair, my teeth my nails and my PC…and Arson and Rayne. It seems a lot of people hate those two…

            …I love 'em though…isn't that all that matters? Isn't it?

            Also, I still can't seem to think of any funniness, even though I've had one or two ideas. Thanks Shanisasha!

            A big thank you to Vampy for telling me what needs working on. Well I've got a severe case of writer's block, you always tell me what could be improved.

            Chapter 18

            Dante, Trish and Lucia all looked at each other in silence as Xyphos stormed out of the room Arson was in. Dante listened as Xyphos slammed the door shut, causing the windows to shake alarmingly. Dante waited until Xy had clomped upstairs before putting his ear to Arson's door. There was silence.

            'What d'you think they were arguing about?' asked Lucia. For once Trish didn't yell at her.

            'I don't know…it's the first time they've had a fight though…'

            'He's been acting strange though…' said Dante quietly. 'I can sense the resentment against us. But we haven't even done anything wrong.'

            'He told me he doesn't want to fight,' said Trish immediately. Dante sighed.

            'That again.' Trish nodded.

            'It keeps bugging him.'

            'Yeah…' Lucia stayed well out of the discussion. Somehow, she felt as though she didn't belong. It was the truth though wasn't it? Lucia was only here simply because Dante had needed help. It was only right that she did not try and interrupt. This was a family problem it seemed like. She wasn't a part of it.

            'He told me he understood that he had to fight…'

            'The difference between having to fight and wanting to fight is different, Dante.'  Dante couldn't understand what Trish meant. He had always enjoyed the fight and he had never been able to think about what he would do once he stopped fighting, despite the fact that he had been told that Arson was the one who was going to carry on with the Sparda legacy once he…got tired? But what if he never got tired? That was ridiculous, he already was.

            He heard a sudden sound from inside Arson's bedroom. He was crying. It wasn't crying exactly, more kind of like a whimpering of sorts. Whatever it was, he was upset. Dante motioned for Trish and Lucia to stay behind while he went to investigate.

The boy had curled up, shivering.

            'Arson.'

            'Leave me alone.'

            'No.'   

            'Just please…leave me alone.'

            'I can't do that.'

            'Why not?'

            'Because, Arson. I want to know what's wrong with you.' Arson looked up at him and scowled.

            'You heard us fighting.'

            'You haven't been reduced to tears for a long time.' Arson said nothing but slowly looked at the wall.

            'I…just wish sometimes I hadn't been born…It would have made things so much easier.'

            'You're hiding something, aren't you?' Arson looked into Dante's eyes and contemplated lying. But those aquamarine eyes of his seemed to know his intentions and narrowed slightly. Arson gulped and told him everything. About how he had died, met Ara, had felt so safe and warm and loved, and hadn't wanted to come back. Dante's eyes had looked surprised but then they had hardened. Arson had finished pouring out everything in a whisper and lowered his eyes, feeling ashamed of himself. He could tell by the look on Dante's face that he was anything but sympathetic.

            'I see,' was all he said. Arson looked up at him quickly, surprised.

            'You understand?'

            'No.' Arson's face fell as Dante bore down on him, blue eyes flashing with irritation and anger. 'After everything we've done for you you're throwing it all back in our faces. I think it's time you get your priorities right.' Arson flinched as thunder crashed outside. Dante remained motionless, watching him balefully. He turned and then left the room abruptly.

            'Dante, wait!' Dante chuckled darkly.

            'I thought you would have grown up by now. But you're still the same whining brat you were before. All you ever do is whinge and moan. We should never have done what we did for you. I should have left you where I found you. You should have stayed with your mother. She would have beaten some sense into you. In fact, I don't blame her for wanting to kill you.'

            'No!'

Arson woke up, gasping for breath. Tears were streaming down his cheeks. Dante was standing by his side, looking concerned. Arson saw him and flinched, scrambling as far away as he could before he was virtually on the further side of the bed, about to fall off.

            'What happened?' Arson shook his head, terrified. Dante was frowning deeply by this time. 'Arson?' The boy had dissolved into tears.

            'Please…please stay away from me…'

            'I heard you crying and I came to see what's wrong. You're angry with us, aren't you?' Arson didn't answer his question.

            'Why! Why did you say all those things to me!?' Dante blinked and then sat down. Arson flinched and curled up, as though trying to protect himself, a hedgehog rolled up.

            'What things?'

            'About Mom…how you shouldn't have…and how I was still a…a brat…' Arson's breath was catching in his throat. He was hysterical with fear. For a minute, when Dante looked at him, he had turned back to the age of seven. 'You said that I should have died…that you don't blame her.' Dante shook his head, his face serious.

            'You had a nightmare.'

            'No…it was real…' Dante looked at him in exasperation as Arson shivered and quietened down.

            'Get some rest.' He was about to go when Arson suddenly shivered and latched onto his arm. He looked back down at Arson and frowned, only to see that Arson was shaking his head. 'It was a nightmare. You should know me well enough by now that I don't think that. I never have done.' Arson still hadn't relinquished his grip on Dante. The demon slayer sighed and then smiled. 'Come on, you're being silly.'

            'It wasn't real…right?'

            'Right.'

            'You're not angry with me?'

            'No.'

            'Good.' Dante felt Arson relax slightly against him. He got up to go but then felt Arson's grip tighten on him. Trish came in at the point and sighed when he saw Arson's tearstained face.

            'A nightmare?' Dante nodded. Arson whimpered slightly.

            'Where's Xy?' Xyphos came crashing in just then and then glared at him as she saw the tears drying on his face. This irritated her for some reason.

            'You're such a cry baby.' Arson had sat up by this point but he froze as though he had just been stung. He glared at her. Dante and Trish shook their heads wildly at Xy, trying to get her to stop. Xy glared at Arson.

            'As soon as things don't go your way, you start to cry.' Arson said nothing but listened to her. 'Your mother was awful to you. She was insane! I can't blame you…I guess…'

            'Just…just shut up!' Trish looked at Dante, desperately. Dante motioned for Trish to leave.

            'You're defending her? Even after everything she did to you? Your father was an ass too!'

            'Don't talk about my father like that!' Dante was now glaring at Xyphos with irritation. His mind began whirling. They needed more power to beat Acedeca. Arson was too weak now to be of much use. Lucia, Trish, Xyphos and Dante, along with what little strength Arson had left was not enough to defeat the new threat. They needed more. Dante snarled.

            'Both of you, shut up! We need to work together.' But Arson wasn't listening. Xyphos had insulted his family, his parents. She was not going to get away with this. Arson had leapt out of the bed and had tackled her to the ground.

            'Shut up!!! SHUT UP!!! Don't you ever fucking talk about my father like that!' Xy looked at him scornfully.

            'And who the hell are you to stop me?' Arson slapped her. Xy gasped with shock and pain. Dante had got to his feet, looking as stunned as she was at his grandson's uncontrollable rage.

            'Arson!' Arson turned to look at him, his eyes shining red. Dante knew then and there that this dangerous situation had got a hell of a lot worse. Arson growled and turned back to Xy, struggling for self control as the demon raved to be unleashed.

            'I HATE YOU!'

            'Even so, I don't hate you,' said Xy, her voice a whisper. Her eyes were wide, she looked frightened but yet pitying at the same time.

            'Stop lying to me you bitch!'

            'Look, I said some nasty shit to you but that doesn't mean I hate you!' Arson's eyes were confused, they were turning back to brown. 

            'But…you…you called me…you don't hate me?'

            'No, I never hated you.' Arson blinked.

            'I don't understand.' Xy's anger flared up again. Dante thought it better if he just watched what would happen. Hopefully the whole thing would blow over.

            'I broke your trust.' Dante's attention pricked up. Well this was news. Who could he have possibly met who would make him more interested?

        'Arson that was a dream. You have never met an angel over here…well not since Dawn.' Arson's eyes had filled with tears.

        'I just don't get it…I don't understand.' Xy looked at him with irritation.

        'Have you just openly ignored and taken for granted all this attention I've been giving you?' Arson also looked angry.

        'You annoy me! You're always there…just bouncing about like a dog gone out of control!'

        'So now I'm a dog?'

        'No!'

        'You could have told me to leave you alone. You never said anything! I thought you enjoyed that.' Arson shook his head.

        'Sometimes, I like to be by myself. And besides, I didn't want to hurt your feelings.' Arson squirmed uncomfortably, knowing exactly how stupid he sounded. Dante was about to let out a derisive snort but he contained himself. Love…he had no time for it. It made you act stupid, as the two teenagers were showing.

        'Hurt my feelings? Well you didn't seem to care when you hit me just now!' Arson looked at her guiltily but then his eyes turned red and then black again.

        'I'm no better than her then am I? I just…I just GOT OUT OF CONTROL!' Arson crouched down where he had stood, cradling his head. He was now quite far from Xyphos. Both Dante and her looked at each other in shock. Xyphos started to walk towards him.

        'Arson please…' Arson felt a crazed sob escape his throat. Before he knew what he was doing, he was lashuing out at her with his bare fists, just trying to get her away.

        'No! Stay away from me…just STAY AWAY!' Flames began to dance around him. Dante charged forward, holding him from behind, trying to ignore the burning sensation that was playing on his body. Arson snapped and lunged, desperate to escape, to run from them forever.

        'Arson! Calm down! Just calm down!' Arson screamed out as the terrifying mixture of rage and fear triggered off the demon blood. The flames began dancing more. Dante cried out in pain as he was blasted back against the wall. When Dante opened his eyes and cleared his vision, the black and red demon stood before him, wings ragged and spread out. Xy had backed up against the wall but hadn't left the room. Pity shone in her eyes as she looked at the demon as he flexed his wings, roared out again and fled. Xy blinked and then sighed, and walked over to Dante, who was still against the wall.

        'Are you okay, Dante?'

        'Yeah…but I'm not the problem right now. We were going to fight today. We need Arson back here.'

        'Was that why Arson's so depressed?'

        'No. You were. And the fact that he doesn't even want to fight anymore…against even a puppet…'

        The wind blew hard against the demon that stood at the cliff top. Below him, the waves pounded on the pillar of rock that made up the cliff. Arson had been standing here for some time and the weather was steadily growing chillier. Arson sank to his knees and then sat down properly. The thought kept haunting him. He couldn't believe it…he was turning into Ophelia…the very person he had strived not to become. Was it true what they said after all? That certain characteristics passed down into children? Was Ophelia's madness going to be passed down to him? He was terrified of the thought and he wished that he could die.

        That was it. He could end it all now. Arson scrambled on his belly to the edge of the cliff and looked down. The sight of water terrified him but the thought of becoming Ophelia was even worse. It was either that or…jumping.

        'I wouldn't if I were you,' said a soft voice. Arson got to his feet and turned around. Ara stood behind him, brown wings folded behind her back. The look in her eyes was one of immense sadness. 'I know why you want to die…but you'll never be as bad as her. Besides, if you died, then what would become of everyone else? They need you.' It had started to rain.

        'They only need me to fight.' Ara's eyes hardened.

        'Wake up, Arson! They don't need you just for fighting. They need you because you're a part of their family. Some might even consider death themselves if you went!' Arson snorted. The thought was hilarious…but untrue.

        'It is true, Arson.' Arson's eyes widened and he looked at her.

        'Stay out of my head!' The rain continued to pound down against them.

        'No. You're being thoughtless. Dante…he would start to wonder whether he cared enough about you and whether it was him who drove you to death. And what about Trish? Is this the way you're going to repay her for all the kindness she showed you? She was the one who became the mother figure in your life after everything you were put through as a child. She loves you more than anything else. She'd be heartbroken if you left. And Xy…'

        'Hates me.'

        'No…didn't you see? Even though you hurt that girl, she was still concerned for your welfare. You refuse to fight for them, and they don't hate you for it, whatever you may think. They love you.' Arson suddenly felt small. He wrapped his arms about himself, shivering slightly despite the warm feeling that was coming over him again. That feeling of…peace?

        'That day, when I died. I didn't want to go back.'

        'I know.'

        'I wanted to stay with you. Just because I felt so much at peace…and I felt safe. That no one was going to hurt me anymore…'

        'You still fear her don't you?' Thunder crashed and Ara could see the whites of Arson's eyes. They were dull, lifeless.

        'My mother? Yes. I know she can't get me if I stay with you. If I die, I'd be safe.' He took a shaky breath. Ara wrapped her arms around him, pulling him close to her. 'Please…please…take me away from all this…'

        'There's a reason why you're still here Arson. You realized yourself that wherever you go, you'll always be fighting. If you came with me, they'd still hate you because of your impure blood. You have to prove yourself.' Arson was silent. 'You're a good person…we all know that but we have to take precautions.' She tightened her grip on him. Arson's eye were completely dry, they had been so the whole time since he had left.

        'You might meet and stay in a different place…but now is not that time.'

        'I could make it that time.'

        'Destroying yourself would not get you to where I dwell.'

        '…what would happen to me?'

        'You'd be banished to the Underworld.' Arson's brown eyes widened. 'You don't deserve that punishment.'

        'No matter what would happen, Ara…I'd still be sent to Hell…I've done terrible things in my past. You know that.'

        'That wasn't your fault. Suicide is a cardinal sin. So far, the good deeds you have committed far outweigh the bad. And everyone sins, whether intentionally or unconsciously.' Arson looked up at her at that point.

        'Even you?' Ara looked hesitant but then nodded.

        'Yes…even me.' Ara looked up and turned her head. 'Your friends are waiting for you. You should go to them.' The torrent of water had worsened. Ara spread out her wings, flapped them once and then took off. Arson blinked at the golden aura that had surrounded her, as the mist and the cloud enveloped her completely, obscuring her from sight. Arson shuddered and sank to his feet. He hadn't realized that he had been using Ara as a support.

        He realized how cold it had become. It wasn't exactly paining him, just draining him. He felt oddly dizzy, as though he were no longer in control of his own actions. He heard something move behind him, but he did not respond to the movement.

        'Guess who's back to bounce around?'

        'Xy…' Arson tried to stand up again, managed it, tried to take a step forward, but sank to his knees. 'I can't…'

        'Can't what?' Xy bent down so then her face was level with his. Arson saw the concern but waved his hand around, motioning to the rain.

        'I would have tried to go back sooner but then this…' Xyphos smiled.

        'Sitting out here in the middle of it isn't a good idea.' Arson smiled wearily at her joke but didn't answer. Instead, he tried to get up again. Xy slung her arm under his and allowed herself to be used as a support. She frowned as she felt Arson shiver against her. The two walked on in silence, Arson limping slightly.

        'Xy?'

        'Yes?'

        'I'm sorry.'

        'For what?'

        'For everything I did and said to you.' Xy also looked saddened.

        'I had no idea I was annoying you so badly…I feel so bad about it now…'

        'I don't know what came over me…I think it's becoming uncontrollable again.' Xy knew what he was talking about. She was scared for him too, but she felt that now was not a good time to tell him that. Instead, she tried to allay his fears.

        'I think you just got too mad, that's all. I mean, I did diss your dad and everything…' The two continued to struggle on. Xy looked up at the sky and frowned, she felt as though it were punishing her for something. She quickly pushed this thought to the back of her mind. She was being over imaginative.

        It seemed an age until Devil May Cry came up in the distance. As the two came up to the door, it was hurled open and a pair of strong hands hauled them inside, dumping them on the floor none too gently.

        'Thanks.' A grunt from Dante's direction. Xy ignored this and started to squeeze out the water from her hair. Trish and Lucia swooped down upon her.

        'Let it dry naturally!'

        'No get a hair dryer!' Xy stood up and fumed.

        'Will you please leave me alone?' Trish nodded and backed off.

        'All right…' Lucia however was not to be deterred.

        'After that incident you should talk to someone!' In reponse to her suggestion, Xyphos groaned and walked away from them, in an attempt to ignore their nagging.

        'My advice is to get some rest,' said a gruff voice. Xyphos turned around to see the ice blue eyes staring into her own. She smiled weakly.

        'That's the best idea…' her voice lowered. 'Is Arson going to be okay?'          

        'He will be.' Xyphos looked into his face, trying to gauge his mood. But he was impassive, his face looked as though it were carved of stone. She turned and left, casting one last look at Arson, who had just closed his eyes as he lay on the floor.

        Dante hauled up the boy and with an uncharacteristic gentleness placed him on a bed. Arson turned onto his side and curled up as he continued to sleep. Still, maintaining his tenderness, Dante put the quilt over him but then turned to look out of the window, his eyes distant.

        Arson was going to fight…he would see to that. But even with five people…or more like four and a half, as Arson had been so weakened, their power combined was not going to be enough. A sudden idea entered his head. Leaving Arson's bedroom, he opened a letter that he had kept in one of his coat pockets. He read it through, and then picked up the phone, dialing a number in slowly, with a certain reluctance that was unreal to find in such a man.

        He could not believe he was resorting to this.