(A/N: a guest username asked me where I'm from. Well I'm from Conneticut. Still live there.)

Chapter 9

(Rachael's pov)

Days have passed and Dante was acting...strange. he got more serious about his duties for the hive and hasn't been talking to me for some time. He just stares at me whenever I talk to him. Has the hive mind really has been affecting him. To add more confusion, when Jim made a joke and Dante gave this really serious and intimidating glare that according to Jim it reminded him of his superiors from the military that made Jim stay shut. The only time he isn't serious is when he's with Shadow. I suspect a bond going on with the two cause Dante cannot stop smiling when he's with her. I have a theory. Dante's mind is slowly becoming a warrior's or I pray that it isn't true, a mind of a praetorian's cause he isn't acting like his usual self. Those Weyland industries assholes really fucked his mind up big time.

"Rachael? What's happening to Dante?" Jim asked me as the chestburster climbs on his shoulder.

"I think the hive mind is starting to affect him. He isn't his usual self that I know." I sighed.

"I see...Ow!" Jim yelped.

"Still taking care of Claw?" I giggled.

The reason why he called him claws cause of the nasty scratch marks he gave Jim. For a second I thought he was going to make an Inspector Gadget joke but I guess he didn't.

"Yeah...the little bugger is quite a hyper one and I don't want him to get to hurt cause of his hyper behavior." He sighed.

"I know the feeling."

Then a loud painful roar was from heard from distance along with a nasty stabbing sound. Jim quickly went back in the hive as I went to check it out with my spear for safety measures and I see Dante...next to a dead Yaujta and was drenched in the Yaujta's blood. A good closer look on the dead Yaujta indicated that he was stabbed in the rib, neck and mouth. Ouch...that's overkill...

"W-what happened?" I stammered a bit.

"The bad bloods sent a scout to see if he can exploit any weak points of our defenses. Thankfully...he never had the chance. I have to report this to the queen." He said as he licked a bit of the Yaujta blood off him, picked up the dead body and walked to the hive.

What has gotten into him...?

(Dante's pov)

I showed the dead Yaujta to the queen and told her about the bad blood scouting the hive for weaknesses...and let me tell you...she was not happy. Not. One. Bit. Let's just say she looks she's ready to kill someone.

"What!? Those cowards..." She growled.

"Thankfully he hasn't begun his scouting so we are in the clear...for now."

"This is worst than I feared. Those cowards are looking for a way to eliminate us. Dante...I am relieved that you acted quickly to protect the hive. You have my thanks. I'll have Bloodfang doubling our defenses in case they try to make a move again. how is your friends progress on preparing the defenses?"

"Close to completion, your highness."

"Good. Dismissed."

I nod and walked out of the hive. As I walked out of the hive, Shadow looks at me with worry and I sighed.

"Are you okay, Dante? I heard about your fight with the bad blood." She said with worry.

"I'm fine. Killed him by surprise. Never saw it coming. That training you gave me really paid off. If it weren't for your training, I wouldn't be able to kill the bad blood." I smiled.

There was an unusual silence going on as Shadow got closer to me.

"Dante...do me a favor...don't die."

I was shocked to hear her say that.

"I'll try. What's gotten into you all of a sudden?"

"It's that...I care for you and...I don't want to lose you." She said as she embraced me in a hug.

I slowly hug her back and sighed happily.

"I could say the same for you. Don't worry. I don't plan on dying."

"You better not."

(Jim's pov)

I see Shadow hugging Dante and I just couldn't help but smile. If only...

"Ow!" I yelped.

Claw started shrieking like a crying child wanting attention as he clawed my leg.

"He's hungry. You remembered to bring some meat for him?"

"Yeah. It's in my bag." I pointed at my bag.

Nightblade takes some meat out of the bag and gave it to Claw. This little bugger eats like a piranha.

"Do they always eat like that?" I looked at Nightblade shocked.

"When their hungry, yes."

"How long does it take for a chestburster to grow?"

"Not sure. This is my first time taking care of one. Why? Getting tired of taking care of it?"

"No! I'm just eager to see him grow up and so I don't get claw marks on me." I chuckled.

"Well that may take a long time for that to happen." She giggled.

Well...shit...guess I'm stuck with the little bugger.