Notes: Hey thanks for the support people, we really appreciate it! We're at the midway point of the story, there might be a couple more slow parts, we can't help it since there are a couple really difficult bits we have to work in to make the ending make any sense! As for the action, hopefully it will move along quickly. Writing a good fight isn't easy. Balancing the fun details with just giving the needed actions is difficult. After all what's more fun to read; Dante slashed and killed the bad guy -or- With red coat flying behind him Dante leapt down upon the demon horde slashing, with his sword leaving ghostly images of electricity in its path.

Disclaimer: As stated before, we don't own DMC, this is fan fic written because we feel like it, and enjoy throwing objects at Dante's head.

Definition of a Critic: Someone who thinks they have a right to tell others how to do something they can't do themselves.

Yes, and Chibi Dante (CD) will most definitely be making more appearances, why? Because we feel like it! MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Chibi cast flipping off those who don't like them NYAH! We're here to stay! HAZZAR!

As another note, we have a new Beta! I'll be reloading older chaps where she's beta'ed them. Corrected errors added little snippets, most of which are funny as hell! Say hello to Swifthawk.


Chapter 5

(Running out of lyric ideas, if anyone has a suggestion, you can find yourself featured in the chapter bar!)


Dante followed the trail of demons. At first as he fought his way through the ruins he headed for the central tower. Tallest and most obvious place really. Demons had no imagination, it was either the highest edifice imaginable or the deepest dungeon, and since he hadn't found any stairs going down that left the tower as most likely for Ba'al to be at.

But oddly as he fought he found that the direction where demons went from usual fast, tough, and so very annoying; to suddenly becoming very easy. Let alone the fact that the bodies didn't disintegrate. Which made no real sense to him really. As far as he knew demons where creatures of spirit. Their 'bodies' they wore on this plain when interacting with human where simply husks. Things made up of elements. Such as sand with a bulk of the ones he was currently fighting. He ran into some that used water, those tended to be annoying really.

So what was different about those that were turned 'mortal'. As he sliced down another enemy entering into a small courtyard area he looked at it and thought a long moment since nothing else was currently attacking at the moment. Dark reddish blood, near solid like something dead a long time oozed out around the thing. Kneeling down he noticed it was disintegrating, but more like a very fast rot, still taking too bloody long in his opinion. It was like she knocked those spirits into their form more solidly, making that form something.. Closer to human.

As far as he knew that was something only possible for the higher more powerful demons to accomplish. Like his father. After all the husks that the lower demons used would have been useless in propagation with a human, all entertainment but nothing would have come of it without a proper form. A half-breed like himself would be impossible. Of course his father was considered odd in that he would even have considered something like that. Dante wasn't one to complain since he existed due to his father's whims.

Standing he looked around and found his fingers tightening around the grips of his guns. All around him where a dozen of the statue things like those that had been at the front gate. All faced in and all with eyes closed. No exit but the entrance he came in he backed up slowly. Two had been hard, a dozen? Suicide. He was crazy sure, but he wasn't stupid. Something made him pause and stare. The statues where not moving, for the moment. He frowned and turned to the entrance, looked over his shoulder, nothing, with a sigh he cupped his hands around his mouth "BA'AL!" he shouted, just incase she could hear and give him a hint of which way to go since currently he was out of ideas.

"Dante?" incredulous he turned and found Ba'al hiding behind the head of one of the statues. She was staring at him with an expression likely to match his own.

"Only proves this ain't no video game" he muttered and shook his head, figured that Ba'al would be more than able to get herself out of whichever dungeon or tower they locked her into.

"Look out!" she backed away and he turned to see another of the dog headed things right next to him.

With a growing look of annoyance he put Ivory in the things face "Didn't I kill you already?" and he pulled the trigger. Looking behind he saw more flooding through the opening like a pack of rabid dogs.

"Over here! They can't climb!" Ba'al shouted and he ran towards her dashing up the wall and catching her hand just as he reached the edge of as far as he could go with such a short run behind the move. She leaned back to use her weight to keep him from falling and he grabbed the ledge with his other hand pulling himself up into the opening with her. Below the Anubis hit the wall and began screaming at losing their target. Dante chuckled and made a rude taunt at the creatures before firing off a few rounds watching them fall over. He didn't do too many, not close to the wall that was, because the bodies didn't disintegrate fast meant that the things could use themselves as a type of ladder to get at him and Ba'al, and being caught in a very small opening was not his idea of the best thing in the world.

"I hate those things" Ba'al muttered. And then jumped back as suddenly the ground shook. Dante felt like joining her as suddenly several of the statues moved from the wall. At first he thought they were fairly screwed, after all tiny hole was easy for one to stuff in a paw and crunch them both.

But they attacked the dog creatures instead.

"Huh" he said watching as Ba'al joined him "Looks like cats and dogs don't get along"

Ba'al gave him a wounded look for something THAT corny coming out of his mouth.

"Hey, common I've been walking, leather isn't comfortable when its wet. Can't expect me to come up with better after what I've been through"

He paused having finally gotten a good look at Ba'al. She wasn't looking that healthy, her skin was paler than he remembered and now her dyed hair was sporting wide chunks of pure white locks. Like someone came up with a reverse hair dye "My god Ba'al, is that you?" whatever else he was meaning to say got lost before he could remember it, "What happened?"

She shrugged looking down "I really don't remember a whole lot, there was a tower room, I think, and a man who kept talking. I got out of there but, why are you here?"

He gave her a look that clearly stated he thought that was the dumbest question in existence "Oh, besides saving your ass from the legions of hell, I came for a party where they dress everyone in black and blue and serve human kabob."

She snorted "Oh terribly sorry then, I forgot to bring the BBQ sauce"

He smirked at her "Oh don't worry about that, what runs in your veins is good enough for these non picky eaters." he hopped down to the area below since it seemed somewhat clear for the moment "Now come on, I think it's time to get out of here."

"No, actually I think it's time for you to get back up here," Ba'al said dryly pointing behind him.

He turned to see at least four dozen more of the dog like creatures and sighed exasperated "Oh give me a break" he muttered "Look guys I don't have a bone to throw you, but if you want I can take you to a place that serves huge bags of kibbles 'n bits."

There was hardly a pause before the creatures swarmed him, in the tight space Dante was going to have to move fast or he would become the new Devil Hunter Brand dog food.

Red and white and lots of iron, he thought randomly and smirked, he'd have to throw that one at Ba'al she'd likely get a kick out of the imagery. As it was he gave up and get himself back into the hole with Ba'al.

"Fancy meeting you here again" he said as he looked over the edge "Great. Just fucking peachy. Damned mutts." he watched the demons milling about trying to locate their prey again and then gaged the distance to the door, "Looks like we might have to make a dash for the door" he said.

Ba'al gave an exasperated sigh "I'm tired of running, I want a break"

He groaned with growing annoyance as he covered his face. "Look, when we get out of here you can take all the breaks you want, but right now I have a job to do and sitting here waiting isn't one of them. It is to keep an eye on you so let's go."

She crossed her arms beginning to look stubborn and he really didn't like that. Couldn't this girl be grateful for anything? "NO!" she sat back against the back wall glaring at him belligerently "I've been doing nothing but run for several days! I need a break! I haven't eaten, drank, or slept! I must say, lovely job you've done of protecting me, I've died TWICE." Ba'al herself was wondering what happened, one moment they were fairly friendly, and she was kinda happy to see him, and now suddenly they were yelling again.

But in a way, she felt he deserved it.

Dante twitched and felt his entire mentality shift. That last was a complete blow to his ego, yes in a way she was right, she did deserve a small rest, but no one was going to get away with hurting him with words.

He was better at shooting back. He looked over at her his face very cold and fury burning behind his pale eyes "Been doing nothing but run then? Poor baby, I'm honestly shocked, because it seemed to me that the only thing you are good at is doing nothing." Ba'als eyes began to grow wide at the attack. He wasn't finished leaning closer to make sure she couldn't get room to hit and just throw him down to the dogs he flashed her a smile that was all teeth "Turning things mortal and erecting mediocre barriers, I really haven't seen much to be impressed by and you, you are so concerned with pointing your finger at everyone else you never look in the mirror babe." He crossed his arms before him "You would have to have been the only one left they could have gone after, because once they saw how obnoxious you are they would have gone after someone more worthwhile!"

She blinked furiously, his words obviously got to her but she wasn't ready to just give in without a fight "Oh? If I'm so obnoxious why did you even bother coming back then? I Don't Need You" she enunciated the last clearly and with every ounce of anger coloring her voice.

"Oh you proved that alright, don't need me, you where the one laying dead in an alleyway when I found you!" he sat back on his heels and snorted darkly "No wonder you where living in the slums, it's the only place fitting enough for trash." he knew he was sneering now and Ba'al began to blink faster, but her jaw tightened and jutted forward slightly. In a blur he moved hand shooting forward and when he came back he held his coin twisting the double head piece between his fingers "For your information I came back for my coin. Mother certainly wouldn't have been pleased to be associated with people too stupid to see common sense."

He stood and turned looking down at the demons below, frankly he was about ready to just leave her to her own devices. There was no way that old man could pay him enough to keep this job now. He looked at the creatures below and considered his options. He really didn't have much left but to make use of his demonic form, he was going to leave this shit house.

Ba'al sat where she'd been cornered her head turned from Dante, she wasn't going to cry. Not in front of this jerk. She rather wished those cat statues would come back, they were at least useful.

About then she felt something shift. Not outside, but in herself. Putting out a hand Dante turned just in time to see the wall begin to glow slightly where she touched it.

And the ground began to shake once more "OH common! You've got to be kidding me! This stuff is FURNITURE!" he braced himself against the wall for the inevitable.

The second row of sideways facing carvings removed themselves from the walls and dropped themselves into the room below. Hardly bigger than the Anubis creatures the lion body male headed statues attacked and drove them off. Soon leaving nothing in the room worth worrying over.

Ba'al walked past him and then without giving him so much as a look she spoke, her words still crisp and angry "Well don't we have to leave then?"

Dante was floored, it wasn't often something could completely throw him for a loop. It seemed Ba'al wasn't completely useless though her attitude certainly was. He watched her as she clung to the side walls and practically ran on all fours to the exit. He blinked, her movements where very much like a human form of the cat statues, which was rather unnerving actually. She finally turned to face him at the exit after she looked around "Aren't you coming? You are s'pose to be my 'protector' right? At least that's what you keep insisting. I'm sure your precious mother coin wouldn't want to be near here any longer than she has to be, or near me." He almost didn't hear the last part. But silently he hopped down and went after her.

He snorted not about to let her have the last word "Well no arguments there, after all with your habit of attacking everyone, including innocents, who would want to be around you?"

"No one of course" she said not looking at him, her voice colored with real hurt and bitterness.

He was far from done. No one can say Dante doesn't pay back double for an injury, "Just keep it up ba'al, all that bitterness and rage, just keep throwing it out at everyone around you. Great way to make friends." he rubbed his chin as if analyzing the situation and remembering that conversation in his office "I mean you don't even like your own mother, waist your talents at a second rate job (that is of course saying you even HAVE talent to start with), live in a diseased rat palace, attack people with car keys, let alone your lack of common sense that would have made General Custard seem like the most level headed fellow in history."

She wasn't facing him, it seemed with every word he spoke she shrunk. It really struck home just how tiny and young she seemed. Which of course made him instantly regret everything he just said. Oh yea, big tough devil hunter, taking his frustrations out on a slip of a girl hardly half his size.

Bully.

"I.. Don't hate her" she said softly, it stopped him from saying anything at all "She.. Left me." every word seemed to be drug out of her with force. He could see her tiny shoulders shaking with a strain and knew if he could see her face she was staring at the ground with a blank eyed look that didn't see anything around her, "She said she would come back, she told me to wait right there, that she would be back. Then she left with that man in the long coat. She left with him. She never came back. I waited." she sounded younger, and Dante began to feel more uncomfortably like a large bully.

"She said wait, and I waited. I waited there this whole time, even though I could have gone somewhere better. I could have gotten a real job I didn't hate, I could have done lots of things, but I waited for her even though she won't come back. She left me there, to rot in that stink hole!"

He said nothing, for the moment there was nothing he could say really. In a way he knew that to have gotten her to talk about this he had to have done just what he did. She was too stubborn and proud. He still knew though that in the back of his mind, he pushed her too hard, and it wasn't to get this confession. He hadn't cared in the slightest about confessions and why she was the way she was. After a moment more of silence he finally spoke, his voice much softer and kinder than it was just a few minutes ago "Of course you waited, what else could you have done? But did you stop to consider, maybe she would have come back if she could have?"

"I use to think that, on nights when I've had to fight off advances of people I'm not interested in, who only see me as something child like to stick their sick fantasies onto, on nights when I was cold and hungry because I couldn't make enough to pay my bills." she looked at her hands and he noticed the whiter lines along her wrists, pale scars he never paid much attention to in the past "Then I realized it was no use thinking that, because even if she could have come back. Why would she? Why would she even want to come back to something so undersized, ugly and stupid as me? Unwanted, she didn't want me then when she left me, she wouldn't want me now." the bitterness was back, but in an almost dead quality, of someone who so completely and utterly hated herself.

The same kinds of tones he'd heard once or twice on people who were nearly ready to just end their own lives, but he had a feeling that Ba'al wasn't just ready.

She tried it.

Suddenly he felt himself get angry, but this time it was different. Suddenly he grabbed her wrists turning her and forcing her to face him "Are you completely blind or just so utterly ignorant that you can't see you are just using this as a crutch! Because it's complete and utter bullshit!"

"You are one of the most cleaver and beautiful girls I've ever met! You go through life taking care of yourself, but you've given up mentally! Convinced yourself that you are so worthless you won't let yourself do anything better. I look in your eyes and all I can see if someone so scared to face any truth but her own self delusion that you've caged yourself in. You are even using your own Mother as an excuse for the way you are." every word rang with a truth that couldn't be refuted.

So she didn't even try eyes overly bright with tears she refused to shed she just screamed at him fighting to get him to let go though he refused to "Oh? And what about you? This whole thing is just a band-aid to your ego isn't it? It sure must have hurt when they took your job right our from under your nose didn't it?" You wouldn't even be here if it wasn't for that fact!" he'd pretty much said so earlier, at the moment she couldn't' take everything he said. Not all at once, so she went back at him. Trying to drive him away from her and from that topic.

He knew this now and he wasn't going to be so easy to drive away this time "Hell yea, that is what I originally came here for, because it was my job, but I can at least admit it! You're so ducking screwed up you can't even face your own flaws!"

She managed to get one hand free of his grip and hit him in the chest, "I hate you" she said, softly her head down and lip trembling. She got her other hand free because he released her knowing she wasn't going to run now "I hate you!" she screamed and banged both her fists against him. She wanted things as they where, easier to understand, with a job she hated and no one forcing her to face things she didn't want to face. She hit him a few more times and then leaned her forehead against him shoulders shaking as she started to sob. He wrapped his arms around her tony form and leaned over her so that he could rest his cheek against her color chunked hair.

He knew what she was going through, more than anyone he knew. His arms tightened slightly as he felt a bit of moisture drip from his eye and fall into Ba'als hair. He raised one hand to gently pull her head closer as she continued to sob against him. Leaning on something stronger than herself for once.

She began to slow in her tears but before she could completely stop there was a shaking followed by a thunderous boom. Both separated and Dante pulled his guns Ba'al was up and clinging to a crumbled wall like some rather odd bug, she crawled up so that she could see over and then blinked. She glanced at Dante then back over the wall.

She was making him nervous "um," she sniffed and wiped at her red rimmed eyes "Was the way you got in over there" she was pointing in the direction he came from.

Dante really didn't like the sound of that "Yes. That's the way I came in, it's our way out."

"It just got blown to smithereens"

His eyes went wide and he jumped managing to get himself enough of a foothold to do another jump and get up to her vantage to see what she said was completely true. His expression quickly changed from shock to annoyance as his eyes narrowed "Well you wouldn't happen to know of another exit you just can't seem to remember very clearly do you?"

She shook her head at him "I haven't been able to get very far from the tower, every inch of this place is crawling with demons" she told him, which really didn't make the prospects of getting out in one piece any better. From their vantage he could see just how much of a maze the place really was, everything leading in towards the central set of tall towering buildings arranged like some ancient stone hedge.

"Just wonderful" he muttered his dark mood back in full "Demonic powers, enhanced swords, specially made hand guns, and all we really need in this place is a map, a compass, and a bag of kibbles." he checked his guns Ebony and Ivory before holster them back in their places then turned to look at Ba'al, "Well shall we find an exit?"

"Please" she really did look tired, and more so after her crying episode. He decided maybe it wouldn't be so bad to find a safe place and take a few minutes to rest awhile.

No sooner had he thought that turning to go around a corner he found himself hit by something rather solid and flung back with enough force to knock the wind out of him when he hit the nearest wall.

"What is this? I was told to pick up a little stray girl and now I find she'd managed to get herself a protector, oh this should be fun!" caped and cowled a creature came into view. Like the grim reaper crossed with a rabid jackal and blown up to 20 feet and given a rather large and intimidating weapon as well.

"Great this teaches me about being nice, only get's my ass kicked" he muttered looking up at the creature "Jackal, figures well isn't it a nice change of pace from the dog faced turds" he muttered sarcastically.

The jackal snorted disdainfully and with that long nose he could snort well, "Pitiful creatures they are, but they are useful enough as herd animals and fodder." Suddenly the creature struck the ground with it's weapon and it began to splinter.

Before either Ba'al or Dante could move they were both cast down into darkness.

Ba'al blinked realizing she was still, unfortunately, alive. Laying on rubble and finding herself face to snout with the jackal creature.

"You, I must take back alive" it said to her "But him, well I think I can take a few moments to play with a mere human." it turned back to Dante eyes glowing under the cowl and a sneer on its muzzle.


DA DA DUM! BWAHAHAHAHA! We will leave you hanging! Evil us! WOOHOO!


Chibi Dante theater

part 2


(Taken from earlier scene where Dante was thinking of Devil Hunter Brand Kibbles, red and white and full of iron.)

"Iron? I'll give them iron!" CD pulls his sword on the pack of puppy hordes of hell before him to wave over his head. "KE-YAAAA!" and suddenly he fell over as the sword was full size to his pint size form.

PHH all fall over laughing.

end for now!