This 2nd chapter is Lady's POV. I wanted to express Lady's feelings, her emotions and drives. I couldnt finish this story for a long time, but after DMC3,inspiration struck and saw the great potential of LadyxDante pairing and how it actually works so well in this theme. The 3rd chapter is a new chapter. I just squeezed all of the old chapter 3 with the current chapter 2.

He who love touches walks not in darkness. - Plato

CHAPTER TWO:

THE VELVET BOX

!-!

He moved forward, just ever so slightly, and his hand reached out to mine, carefully placing his long fingers upon them, nearly encompassing the whole of my hand. They nearly jumped at his touch. Oh dear me, how could I feel this way after all the time I've spent under his home and office? All these questions flooded me: Fighting alongside of him and finally, admiring him in everything he did? Have I fallen in love with this man? Or is it merely a great respect between us? Was there more to us than just hot sex and synchronized fighting? Taking care of his things and being part of his life? Was there time enough for me to take that glass of water and splash it upon my face for some kind of sense to knock back into me?

I listened attentively, making sure every expression on my face was as relaxed as can be. Then as he was about to say something, he sat back, yet, his hand never left mine. His features unreadable. There he goes again, making that nearly arrogant self satisfying smug look he was so adapt at. Charmingly so and deadly effective for the most part and try as I might to keep from nearly being enslaved to this kind of devastating treatment, remaining under control was easier said than done.

We stared at each other, longer than necessary, his eyes bore into mine, gravely trying to make me flinch. Perhaps I managed a smile, the corner of my full lips turned slightly, but his eyes, those gorgeous ice blue eyes that mesmerize me seem to keep me still. How much longer my brain screamed and my heart begged not to keep from beating faster. Did I even have time to carefully discover the beautiful lines and planes of his face? Ah, how delicious those lips of his looked, wondering if they would feel rough and soft at the same time upon mine? It has been awhile since he's kissed me.

Since then, I've only managed to kiss my mirror. Not saying I am a narcissist but well, hell, I like to kiss my mirror and see the shape of my lips on there. Did I fail to tell you, my dear conscience that I put his picture there too? So here I am at the present: returning back to our assessment of one another. Though in my moment of distraction and not of course without him absent, he had this air about him and those high cheekbones, a straight fine masculine nose, nearly aquiline, yet perfect in it's placement of his face. Not the mention the perfect length of his white brows, allowed me to notice the knot that formed between his eyes, just coming to a middle and the hair.

That incredible hair. How I long to languidly strum my fingers through those bright strands, feeling the texture and feel. I never stopped to take the opportunity in doing so when we were in a blissful, heated kiss. Why has it been so long since he had kissed me? Was it my breath? I shifted my eyes away and subconsciously raised my hand over my mouth. Nope. I always brush my teeth and they were always pearly white. Is it my perfume? Damn, get a hold of yourself, girl, you're no silly twit, you never were. Just because you think you're in love doesn't give you the right to act like all those countless girls who flock their way to the white haired demon hunter for an autograph. I stared at him, blinked and bit my lip a little too hard.

"Had a good look at me?" he finally said, breaking the spell.

My voice broke in a surprised gasp, and my eyes finally wavered away from his, at least for the first time within that span of ten whole minutes. I believe those long drawn out minutes would be forever engraved into my primal memories. Clearing my throat, I whispered rashly,

"Dante, I was just enjoying how you looked this evening."

"So you said, at least several times tonight."

A chuckle came out from deep within his breast, and I could imagine the feel of them reverberating in my ear when we had last slept together and me with my head upon his chest. Was it so long ago? Yes, it was ages, practically eons ago according to my sexual drives. Though often of late, I've been able to channel it through demon slashing and killing. Getting my kicks off of that, well, I am a demon hunter after all. Being a human was not as simple as Dante had tried to make me out as.

Perhaps if his mother was still alive, would she in her sweet presence, be able to tolerate me? Or would she warn her precious Dante of my influence? I have seen her beautiful photo on top of his desk countless times and he has told me how wonderful and caring she was. That him and his brother were always at odds and it was she, Eva who had always managed to keep things tidy between them and really, I could see that in her eyes. She was kind and compassionate and a woman that Sparda must have admired.

Dante gave me one of those inquisitive looks just now. He could always tell when I'm pondering a little too hard and there was a glint of roguish play in his frost blue eyes. Those eyes though, as frozen ice as the winter sleet atop any mountain's peak through harsh January and the relentless month of February, yet able to melt and turn you into hot lava in one glance.

Whoa, where the heck did that come from. I'm poetic as well? Damnit, Dante, just get this over with and kiss me! That's what my mind is raging right now, but I kept myself in check.

It was needless to say, one of the most remarkable abilities this demon hunter possessed. His brother, Vergil, well, let's just say, he could have furthered his talents more on that end but that twin was an obsessed individual. Haunted and totally under control unlike his twin,

Wetting my lips, there was a slight catch to my voice,
"Dante, don't tease me so. Just get on with it. I mean you've obviously brought me here to ask me something of consequence."

He breathed in, closed his eyes for a moment, then parted his lips,

"Lady."

I lifted my fine brow at him, "Yes?" Patience was not my strong point nor was it his. This could be attributed to the fact that we catered to kicking demon butt without quarter within our veins and the annoying interruption from waiters was ever so common in dire and uncomfortable moments like these.

"Sir, madam, would you care for dessert? We have a fine selection to wet your palate further."

Indeed! The violet irises of my eyes simply felt as if they dilated from the sheer thought of sweets melting in my mouth. I am a girl after all and having the delightful amenities of this favorable restaurant sent me swooning, if not from the wine drunk or the presence of Dante himself in his finest suit, then from most notably the delectable senses of taste. My partner chuckled from my intake of breath and the widening of my eyes, clearly amused at the thought of delightful cakes with cherries and strawberries, frothed with cream and pastries of all different varieties and flavors.

"Oh yes, please!" replying just a bit too eager. Nearly blushing as I sputtered out those simple words, my eyes flying towards Dante's amused expression. He commented that he'd like just coffee. When the waiter returned with a bevy of enchanting selections, I nearly salivated and thought that this was indeed heaven, since I know for a fact I'd never be able to get past St. Peter and the pearly gates. Just knowing I can indulge in gluttony for one of my sinful wages of crime against my body, is enough for me to have this ironic piece of heaven.

After a round of two slices of Belgian chocolate cake, apple pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a side of strawberries and whipped cream, an orange meringue pie, coconut and pineapple, and last but not least, my glass of water to wash them all down.

Drinking the last of my water, the feelings of my previous excess of food intake hadn't shamed me. I couldn't possibly let this all go to waste now can I? Besides, whoever heard of taking home a doggy bag from an expensive restaurant? On second thought, perhaps that lemon cream pie could be a great compliment next to my breakfast with coffee tomorrow morning. I nearly let out a burp but made damn sure I didn't make that horrid noise, carefully dabbing at the corners of my lips. Wondering if it would be odd of me to run to the girlie's room to check if there were any stray crumbs on my face.

Instead, I glanced down at my gown, realizing that a strawberry had fallen on my lap. With swift ease of a practiced eater, that strawberry popped right into my mouth and realized my tummy could not withstand another bite. There was a regular term that would apply to me. It was having big eyes and a big stomach. Of course looking at me, if one would note, my body could grace the cover of a magazine. But which magazine was a different matter. Lately, it seemed as if only Goth and motor-cross journals appear to be the only ones that would allow me on the front covers, what with my blue shorts and white blouse buttoned up, they'd ask me to unbutton a few buttons to show off my shapely very C size cups that I could probably make good money. Naw, that wasn't me.

But….now that the thought brought a light bulb of an idea, why didn't I do just that? It would certainly help money matters around here. Just because I'm helping around with demon slaying, fighting alongside Dante, doesn't mean I can't grab a side job modeling for the cover of some cheesy magazine. Of course tonight I did not look anything near trashy. Finally with some elegance, I looked as sophisticated as Jacklyn, that first lady who was married to John F. Kennedy. Yes, I do read my world history. Even better because I'm brunette, I'd look like Snow White without the faint heart. Now if I could just concentrate on his lips instead of thinking all kinds of stuff. Maybe it's because I'm actually so tense that all this active eating made me so voracious with all this craving.

Dante leaned over, his expression changed from amusement at my gluttony to a graver look, taking on a more intent sparkle, which came from his beautiful frost blue eyes, ah, how much more can I describe them without falling into a redundancy? I am in love. I do admit it. The feeling of fluttering butterflies in my stomach and my senses reeling just now, it's no wonder so many people want it so bad.

It's like being on the clouds and that nothing in the world can stop you, nothing, except disappointment. But that's not something that's going to happen tonight, so instead I watched as his adams apple made a slight movement of swallow. Wow, he had a strong neck too. I never got to look at him closely as before with so much detail since all the other times in the past were in the dark or when we'd get drunk after a very rigorous mission. Passion does that to you, and the intoxication of manipulative spirits.

If only I were more ladylike just like those other women I've seen, wearing clothes that were so elegant, straight buttoned up, sort of like mine, but with tasteful sweaters and blouses that feel like silk and satin. Oh and the skirts just past their knees and hair done up just right, carefully pinned back, but me, I'm only a human tom-boy with urges and the power to kill anything that could possibly piss me off. Thank goodness I'm a bit less aggressive now. Especially after killing off my hated father and who do I thank?

The Sparda twins.

They could have finished him off, but they left the last for me. Were they so gentlemanly deep down that they didn't realize it? My father was on his demented way to killing off all humans and ruling the world agenda that all I could think of was to stop him before he could do more damage. Watching Dante, I subconsciously bit my lower lip, and glad that my-no-smear-lipstick didn't stain my teeth embarrassingly. He took aside all the empty plates, reaching out to capture my fingers, softly kneading them as if he wanted to memorize the texture and feel.

My eyes fluttered, and with the corners of them glanced about to see if any waiters are going to interrupt us this time. I didn't see any and concentrated on his face, the steel determination of those eyes, then his lips, chiseled and soft, making me want to kiss them.

"Lady? Are you alright? You seem to have a lot on your mind."

Snapping my eyes back towards his cool, light blue eyes, I nodded rather eagerly, and replied in haste, "Dante, yes, yes, go on! Tell me!"

After carefully examining my features, he cleared his throat, looked around and whispered,

"Lady, I've come to realize how much you mean to me. Our differences, you being human, so delicate, fragile, and like my mother, can easily be victimized by demons."

For some reason, the world spiraled in hyper drive, making it appear befuddled and they went into a great explosion, the kind that happens when you find yourself going off the bridge, one hundred feet high, without parachutes or propellers to help you ride the wind. Twisting you into the great oblivion of misty and mysterious treacherous clouds below, just like that movie, "Crouching tiger, hidden dragon" except you don't feel that you are doing anything to create a personal wish that will come true.

"Yes, I know, Dante. How can I forget when you tell me the story of your mother and what happened. I can assure you, it's not going to happen to me, Dante. I won't let it happen, okay?"

I wanted to pull away. My fingers tensed, curled under his, but he held on, making sure I did not withdraw while keeping seriousness about the situation. The chuckle that came out of his throat startled me out of my little drama world and my lips pursed.

"Lady, babe, I want to ask you something. Something very important."

After that last statement I don't know if I want to hear anymore but kept my ears peeled. I think I feel the lumps of food in my stomach try and fight with the acids in there. The food is probably winning.

"For goodness sake, Dante just spit it out will you?"

Okay, so my patience is running a little thin and the demon hunter is deliberately yanking my chain, or rather making me die a little slower here.

"I want to show you something."

"What?"

He takes out a small little velvet box, something that came out of a jewelry store and I felt my heart skip several beats, the pulse there making jumps and leaps. Is this it? Has he finally made the jump to propose and ask me to be his wife? A permanent partner into both the spiritual world and the material? Something that every human girl's fantasy coming true? Now I can honestly say that Cinderella has nothing on me. I've got the devil hunter and he's got silver hair and a couple of guns that make him look like a sexy lethal panther of the male species.

"Oh Dante!"

I could never be speechless, well, except for tonight, seeing him in this suit. I was an excited little girl about to get her first taste of life's pleasures. This was definitely one of them. My fingers shook as I wanted to reach out and grab hold of the pretty looking box. He handed it to me and with practiced ease, made myself calm and reflectively serene.

"I wonder what it is." I answered with a girlish giggle.

Opening it with a squeal, it was not what I expected. There, in the box was a bunch of colored pins. My brows knitted together in confusion and wondered if he meant for me to use them to start my domestication skills and sew his clothes that get constantly ripped up by demons and the active life we lead. The guy across me was grinning like a loon. He didn't look like a loon earlier but now, after counting how many colored pins there were I think maybe goon would suit him better.

"What is this?" my jaw dropped, then closed up, keeping my calm. What did I expect? Was I too premature to think up all the things that were going through my mind?

"I decided that we needed a huge map and the colored pins are representative of each area of land we covered and where and what kind of demons roam underground and above. We can use blue for the oceanic demons that come from beneath the seas, they're usually not a problem but I hate going on those water missions. It's hard to not use Ivory and Ebony. But hey, I thought this was a wonderful idea and wanted to share the good news to you over a fine dinner."

My lips were trembling, and then I bit it. What a jerk! I tried not to throw those colored pins and make him look like a bulls eyes. No, pins wouldn't do well for him. Arrows would be much better. Ah, yes, I'm an excellent archer too! They would have to be magical arrows because nothing fazes this demon hunter. Heck, those bullets that went to his forehead him not so long before barely did anything. His heart is made of steel. Just like his eyes. I sighed.

"Also, I have a proposal to make."

Is this it? No, must not get my hopes up too high but I found myself sputtering, "What? You have another velvet box? Because you have something important to tell me right? I mean, is this it? The importance of pinning the areas of where all the demonic energies and their status, codes, features, etcetera etcetera are?"

He laughed then looked around. "Let's get out of here, shall we?"

When we left the heat of the restaurant, I walked a little ahead of him. He ended up paying for everything and as the perfect gentlemen rushed to open the door for me.

"Well, look at you." I glibly smiled at him and he stopped smiling, lifted his hand to my chin and I could see his adams apple swallow, "You're so beautiful."

I turned away, the blush creeping dangerously all around my body, I felt totally flushed and it was no wonder since I longed for his kisses. The velvet box was kept inside my black purse and I hoped there was more of what he had to offer. Was I so selfish to want so much more?