Here's chapter five! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own it and never will.

!-!-!next scene

Queen nodded enthusiastically. "Yes," she agreed, "And my clothes are getting filthy! I can't wait to change them!"

"Get your head out of the sand," the younger sister growled, her form already dematerializing, "Remember our reason for monitoring them!"

But Queen wasn't listening as her body disintegrated and flew away as smoke.

Myth gave the three below her a final, yearning glance before she disappeared as well.

Chapter Five: "Day Two"

Vergil silently paced around Dante's room, deep in thought, moonlight flowing through the window to shed some light in the otherwise darkened room.

The alarm clock had announced half an hour ago that it was three in the morning. However, Vergil didn't have the time to sleep. There was too much to plan; too much to think about.

He'd tried to escape earlier unsuccessfully, Dante having caught him on the stairs. He'd brooded about it for an hour or too before trying again. Except this time Lady caught him and had tossed him back upstairs none too kindly. Then he began thinking of the window, but knocking off the bars would cause too much of a ruckus at three in the morning. And he didn't want to face Dante's doppelgangers again…

So here he was, half an hour later, with no better lead and not much farther he'd been how many hours before. It was getting aggravating.

But he did have much to think about. Like why was Dante going through such a façade to keep him here? They'd been archenemies for almost as long as he could remember and it wasn't like he'd done anything that would deserve Dante's pity or compassion. Hey, a day ago Vergil had stabbed him in the chest with his own sword! Did Dante want to risk that again?

Maybe he wanted just a powerful partner who could help him with his business. The demons were getting more rowdy the last time he was in a place of power. Perhaps Dante had realized that things were getting out of control and he needed help.

But his twin never wanted help, even when they were kids. He preferred to do thing by himself and by his way. Vergil remembered vividly what his excuse was:

If it's not done my way, it's not done right.

He was always a bit of a control freak. He always wanted to know what was going on, always wanted to be the leader and make the decisions. He, also, always messed up: being a leader required patience, strategy and fairness and Dante was, well...

Hardly any of that.

Vergil paused in mid step, frowning slightly, puzzled. Why was he thinking back to Dante? He'd spent only around eleven hours with him and his twin had already captured most of his thoughts. Not that anything would stop him from getting out of this hellhole, but he'd begun to think less of killing his brother to escape.

It was strange. He wanted to escape from one hellhole only to return to another.

Chuckling, Vergil stripped off his shirt before sitting on his twin's bed. "I'm too tired tonight," he muttered to himself, "My thoughts are jumbled and too difficult to comprehend at this hour. I'll sort them out in the morning when I'm rested." He lay down, not bothering to brush away the silver locks that obstructed his sight and stared at the ceiling, thinking of nothing in particular. Then he rolled over a few minutes later and fell into a light sleep, haunted by the confusing thoughts he left unsolved in his subconscious.

!-!-!

Vergil woke to the annoying ringing of a phone, rolling over with a groan. Then, slowly opening his eyes, he blinked, adjusting his eyes to the brightness that shined through the window.

Then he noticed Lady. She was leaning against the door wearing a long, grey T-shirt and dark, ruffled pants that he knew were Dante's. "Good, you're awake," she commented dryly, "I guess you and Dante do have something in common after all."

"And what would that be," he inquired, fastening Yamato around his waist before following her downstairs. He didn't bother with a shirt; it was the morning after all and Dante probably wouldn't be wearing one either.

"You both sleep in" was her reply. Actually, she thought, amused, eyeing the older brother's build. They have more in common than just that. Vergil had a flat hard stomach like Dante's and the rest of his build practically the same too. These two really were identical twins and with Vergil's hair down like that, it was hard to tell the difference.

A hoot from the kitchen drew their attention to Dante, who was sitting back on his chair, his legs propped up on the kitchen table. He, too, was shirtless and, grinning widely at his twin, shouted, "Go Vergil!"

The older twin said nothing and gave Dante a hard piercing glare. It was a battle of wits for a minute before the younger twin rolled off his seat, laughing. Vergil mentally rolled his eyes as he sat in the nearest chair.

Dante stood a second later and answered the phone. "Sorry, not open for business yet," he explained into it before tossing it back down. He returned to the kitchen and Lady gave him a questioning glance.

"Why are you not open for business? You look quite capable to me."

"Simple," he replied, grabbing a donut from the box on the table and taking a bite. "Did you see a sign above the doorway outside? Well, in case you didn't, I'll tell you. I don't have a name for this joint." He then gestured to Vergil who was sitting silently watching them. "Oh, and him."

Oh thanks, the older twin thought sarcastically.

"Have you got any ideas, yet?" Lady inquired, grabbing a donut. "I mean you must've had a plan if you started this… place." She gestured to the tattered shop, not sure exactly what to call it.

Dante shook his head. "Nope. Not a clue. But—" He leaned forward "—I was hoping that you two could help me think one up while you're here."

!-!-!

"He's beginning to trust them. Things are progressing nicely."

Remember, you're goal is to free me! We don't want them dead, yet.

Arkain shifted so that he was leaning against the arms of the throne, his right leg draped across the other. He smirked as he shut his eyes, leaning back slightly. "Yes, brother, of course. I know the plan as well as anyone, but I cannot but help to think that we're moving too fast. Couldn't we toy with them for awhile? I want to play with the sons of the treacherous Sparda!"

Patience, the voice replied, you will have your time. Free me and I will give you all the time in the world to do whatever you'd like to them. You've my word…

The demon thought about the proposition for a moment, his interest peaking. There is no such thing as sibling love in a demon's family; there's only hate, malice, jealously, and a rivalry to become the best. Most families had at least fifteen offspring, but the newborns kill those that were too weak, getting their food and moving up in the ranks. The same proved true for Arkain and his siblings. The demon had no devotion to his trapped brother, but with an upgraded motivation like that, he didn't mind that much. "Deal. I'll take you up on that offer, later."

Queen entered the room through a door that disappeared a second later. She looked frustrated and she stormed over to where her brother sat. "This is taking too long! Why can't we just barge in there and take them already!"

Arkain chuckled at Queen's unrest and obvious boredom. "Patience, Queen, although I see that the concept is already wearing you thin."

She growled.

"The waiting is too much for her. Her mask is wearing thin." An immature, male voice echoed throughout the room, seemingly coming from all directions.

"Indeed, brother, she is anxious. There's too much pressure upon her shoulders." Another voice, this one cold and feminine, whispered through the room, as though telling a dangerous secret. "But her mask is strong. Pride won't make an appearance just yet."

Queen glanced about warily. "Who's there?"

The voices chuckled. "What? You mean you don't remember us, Queen? And here I though we were good, close friends…" Two, hovering humanoids—one male, the other female—emerged from the shadows behind the golden throne. The male had deathly pale skin—too pale to be human's—and blanched white hair that was jelled up into spikes, from which sprouted two curly black horns. Reptilian eyes, a dull yellow shade, danced with malevolent mirth and a wild spark. Dark bags hung under them, as though he hadn't slept in days. Thin, pale lips curled into an evil smirk, revealing reddish black fangs and six black feathered wings flapped lazily, shedding decaying feathers, before he touched down, then curling tightly around his naked, skeletal form.

The female had an hourglass body with pale skin and a waist to slim to be mortal. Mirthful and mischievous flames danced behind cold golden eyes. Matted, white hair hung around her naked form to her knees and two black stumps rose an inch from her hairline. Clear, insect-like wings hummed softly before she, too, landed. "Queen," she crooned mockingly, "So good to see you again!"

"Eeris and Iiris, the twin slayers who personally serve the Prince of Darkness," Queen spat, disgusted. Then she turned to her brother who was still sitting casually on the throne. "You enlisted for their help!"

"Calm yourself, my dear," Eeris—the male—calmed, striding closer to Arkain, "My Lord sent us as proof of his good intentions." He turned to the brother, his mood suddenly darkening and he snapped, "He wants them dead."

Not yet. We have plans for them; plans that are slowly coming into motion. The brothers are falling directly into our hand.

"Ah," Iiris murmured, moving to Arkain's right and observing the swirling colours in the orb on the altar. "The true heir to the Niephiaz'Daellos dynasty. My Lord and Prince sends his regards and looks forward to when he can meet you face to face in hell."

I look forward to ripping his heart out as well, the voice retorted dryly. But we've not the time to talk of this. Although your sudden appearance is surprising and unexpected, we have place to fit you in with our plans.

"As you can see," Arkain said, falsely rueful, "Zeel has been imprisoned in this vile, mortal object and can't escape."

The twin demons nodded, familiar with the story. "By the sacrilegious crime the traitorous Sparda committed."

The older brother nodded, smirking. "And for good reason he wants release. However— " he flicked the orb and a fragile 'ting' sounded throughout the room "—this human forged substance, glass, is immune to both heat and electricity and won't break. We have reason to believe that Sparda cast our poor brother in and sealed him there with blood, since the demonic elements are that much stronger than mortal's."

"So you need Sparda's blood to unseal the curse," Iiris commented, head tipped to the side in thought.

Precisely.

"So where do we fit in?"

"Quite simple really," Arkain replied, sitting back in the chair, his hands falling behind his auburn head. "You'll help my sisters prepare the grounds. We want this surprise party to run very, very, smoothly." He gestured and Queen spoke up.

"Come with me, I'll tell you what to do." She waved her hand and the wooden door appeared. She nodded towards it. "This way, you two. And hurry, there's a lot to be done before the day is over."

The two slayers bowed to Arkain, as was necessary, before following her through the door and disappearing from sight.

Their timing couldn't have been more perfect, Zeel gloated, his muffled, echoing voice cold. Things will run much more smoothly now!

"You plan to send them as carriers for the invitation?"

Of course, the voice replied, their appearance does not bode well for us. The Dark Prince, Mundus, must be second guessing his decision. Why else would he send them? I'm positive that the brothers can handle the two and rid us of their presence once and for all.

"I'm glad you don't see them as a liability." Arkain praised, "I was beginning to doubt our control over the situation."

Don't bother. We have them eating out of the palm of our hands!

!-!-!

Vergil was kept awake by the hopeful and excited shivers that shook his frame.

The day had been uneventful, besides the lunchtime food fight between his twin and Lady and the mildly boring session in which they brainstormed names for Dante's nameless shop. He'd taken little part in both these activities and had retreated upstairs to his quarters for most of the day. He came down once and awhile, if he needed a snack or if the two dragged him down to watch TV. Every time, he trudged back up the stairs, slow enough to test but fast enough to go unnoticed. The results had been heart-lifting:

In some places, there was no creak in the floor.

So he waited patiently for the rest of the day and awaited night fall, when he could, hopefully, escape his brother's grasp. He sat still on the bed, meditating, as the time flew by, hardly noticing.

The clock beeped, signifying that it was four in the morning. That should be enough time.

Vergil opened his eyes, wide awake, and slid silently off the bed, quickly gathering his things. Strapping Yamato firmly around his waist and donning his blue trench coat, he slicked his hair back before moving towards the door. He opened it carefully, making sure that no one was guarding the stairs, before he slowly weaved his way through the hall, treading on the places he'd noted before.

He made it to the stairs without making a sound and he silently praised himself. Leaning forward, he looked at the room, seeing that Lady was out and Dante was on the couch, his body in an odd position but otherwise asleep.

Trusting his luck, Vergil tried the stairs, moving carefully to avoid causing a creak. He made it to the floor successfully and mentally cheered. Then, to make sure his escape was flawless, he approached Dante slowly.

A strange noise reached his ears, a sound he'd never heard before. The closer he got, the shaper Dante's frame became and he halted as he stared at the image presented before him.

Dante was shaking, his body ridged and tensed. A thin trail of blood from his mouth showed proof that he'd bit his lip, and hard. Tears that flowed from rapidly moving eyes slid down his cheeks as he tossed his head from side to side. Muffled whimpers escaped his clenched jaw that was constantly grinding its teeth. Vergil gaped at his brother, caught totally off guard.

Dante was having a nightmare.

Frozen in place, unable to move, Vergil watched in unmasked shock and horror as his twins flesh shifted back and forth, showing deep, white scars one time then his regular, unblemished skin the next.

"D-Dante…" he murmured softly, still shocked. He hadn't though his brother, normally the cocky and confident idiot during the day, could ever have a nightmare. But then again, he mused, I really don't know him that well. And what had happened to his skin?

He didn't know how long he'd stood there, frozen in place, but when his twin's moans and whimpers began to fade, he sprung into action, bounding up the stairs without making too much noise. Then, finding a secure place to hide, he observed Dante's reaction.

Not a moment too soon, his twin gave a final shudder before bolting up, his blue eyes wide. Even from his distance, Vergil could see that maelstrom of emotions—fear, uncertainty, hopelessness and others he couldn't name or describe—that stormed wildly behind them. He looked around swiftly before taking a deep, shuddering breath in attempts to calm himself.

But the tears continued trickling down his cheeks, as if refusing to be locked up. Vergil could see him hold his breath and his form quake violently as he held in the sobs. When one escaped him, he curled tightly into a protective position, his arms around his knees and buried his head beneath his arms. Muffled moans and sobs were the only sound that could be heard from Dante as he cried helplessly.

Vergil stood, feeling sick and he slouched back to his room. He felt guilty, spying on his twin in his vulnerable state. He entered his room without looking back at the still door-less door.

Somehow, he couldn't bring himself to leave.

Muahahahhahahahahaaaaa! I just loooovvee the last part!

I'm now working on chapter six, and it'll be up a.s.a.p.

Review if you like it and please no flames.

Thanks!