Author's Note: Time to speed it up, some events will be changed.

Chapter 3: Playground Ambush

Nero was in the playground, already nine years old and as lively as ever and quite the student in school. The teacher sang his praises and Dante couldn't be prouder. His boy was excelling in anything and everything. He even started sparring with the boy, as his father had done with him and Vergil so many years ago, but he wasn't as stern and militant as his father. Dante kept it serious but instead of going militant, it was more of a sensei type, but managed to intermingle play. Nero enjoyed their spars, even when it got a bit rough. He knew that his father was trying to teach him to kick butt and to defend himself. He understood what his father did for work. He thought it to be the coolest job ever! That's what I want to do when I grow up! Nero thought with a grin. Then me and Dad can show those uglies they can't mess with us! He worshipped his father, and their bond was an unbreakable one. But there was one thing that bothered him; why is he alone?

Dante was a very handsome man. He was strong, loving and he cared. But he refused to date anyone. Nero wasn't sure as to why. At first, he thought his father and Aunt Lady were together, but he figured they were simply good friends. Nero would look at the other kids' families and sigh sadly, but Dante always managed to cheer him up.

"Ready to go Kid?"

"Yes Daddy." Nero said as he climbed down the jungle gym to where his father could get him. He waited for his father to put him down before they both walked towards the car. A demon appeared from the shadows with its fangs bared. Nero gasped, it was a big ugly thing with feathers, scales, a lizard body and a woman's head. Oh ew! Nero thought.

"SSSon Of SSSSSPPPARDA! YOU AND YOUR SSSSSPAWN WILLLL DIE!" She hissed before attacking. Dante just put Nero behind him, rolled his eyes at the demon, aimed his guns after ordering Nero to stay behind him, and to keep his eyes shut tight before he riddled her with bullets, killing her instantly. She left a smoking crater where she stood when she burst into flames.

"Daddy?"

"It's ok Nero." Dante said as he holstered his guns. Nero looked at the crater.

"Daddy, what was that?"

"That's a demon."

"That was one fugly bitch!" Nero swore. Dante blinked then laughed.

"Nero! Such language! Where did you hear that?!" Nero grinned.

"You and Aunt Lady."

"DAMMIT!"

"DADDY!"

"FUCK!"

"DADDY YOU DID IT AGAIN!"

"SON OF A BITCH!"

"You better pay up!" Nero grinned, reminding his father of the swear jar at home. Dante groaned. He and Lady lost a good bit of money to the young devil.

"How much?"

"Well, just in this last week, you're fifty bucks in the hole!"

"That's BULLSHIT!"

"Make it fifty-five!"

"If I keep this up, you'll be stinking rich by college."

"Yep!"

"Hey, wait a minute, deduct five."

"Wait why?"

"You said the B word."

"That's not fucking fair Dad!"

"Make that ten for the F word. And that's business, Son!" Dante said with a smirk. Nero kicked a pebble and muttered 'so not fair'. He grinned then raced to the car with his father hot on his heels laughing. Nero jumped and landed gracefully into the driver's seat and Dante snapped his fingers.

"Ok Kid you win, what's for dinner?"

"How about BBQ?" Nero asked innocently. Dante laughed heartily as he motioned for Nero to scoot over while he took the driver's seat.

"You got it!"

Dante and Nero had a blast at the Smokehouse Grill, they laughed, ate, and challenged each other on who would eat the most ribs. Naturally, Dante won that one! Nero was shocked at how much his father was able to pack away and still stay fit!

"Fast metabolism." Dante answered. Nero blinked. Damn! He thought as they drove home. While the elder drove, the younger curled up to nap. Dante chuckled and stroked his hair. He loved his boy very much and would do or kill anything to make sure he stayed safe. Unfortunately, someone else knew that too!

Dante felt his muscles tense up the closer they arrived at their home. He bared his fangs and his eyes glowed red as he stopped the car, picked up his still sleeping son and took to the air. The demons burst out of hiding and flew after him. Dante held the boy and fired Ivory, downing the demons before heading home. He gently placed Nero into bed, after cleaning him and dressing him in night clothes. He hugged and kissed him before heading downstairs to his office.

A strange blond crashed into his office hours later. While Dante was fighting her, a shadow slithered upstairs and grabbed his boy, who woke up and screamed.

"DADDY!"

"You BITCH!" Dante yelled as he ran upstairs but the shadow disappeared with Nero. Dante snarled and grabbed Trish by the neck.

"WHERE IS MY SON?!"

"He…the shadow….is taking…him…to Mallet…. Island." Dante pulled her close and Trish was afraid. Dante was beyond pissed!

"IF ANYTHING HAPPENS TO HIM…. YOU WILL DIE!" He snarled. Trish's eyes widened as she saw his aura and power. It was stronger than Sparda's….

"I will take you there. We have to hurry."

Nero was put into a beautiful room, even though the sheets and curtains were a bit messed up. There was a tall mirror and a balcony with a terrace. He felt that he wasn't exactly alone in the room. He slowly turned and saw a tall man in black and blue armor, a purple cape that reminded Nero of the kings in his books that he and Daddy read together, a big ass sword and horns. He's a demon! Nero thought with a whimper. He tried to open the doors but when he found them locked, Nero sank down and sobbed. Surprisingly, the man ran a hand through his hair and motioned for the child to follow him. With a sniffle, he did. The strange demon pointed to fruits that Nero recognized. They were pears! The child looked at the tree then blew a bang before shaking it, causing a few pears to fall. The demon caught one with a chuckle, cleaned it and handed it to Nero. The child polished it off but was still hungry. The demon just patiently handed him another pear. After the second one, Nero yawned sleepily. The demon gently picked up the child and tucked him into bed after he cleaned the pear juice off and gave him some water to sip before the child passed out. Once the child was asleep, the demon remained by the window, waiting. He couldn't figure why, but the child stirred feelings and memories the demon almost forgot. The child even reminded him of someone vaguely familiar….