A/N: This story is back in action people. Enjoy!
Slaves to Destiny 5
Ivory slowly came to. Her entire body hurt like she'd been beaten within an inch of her life. Unfortunately; for her that'd happened more than she'd be willing to admit. A soft hiss escaped her lips as she sat up. The room started spinning making her close her eyes to stop the insistent moving. It took her a moment to realize that she wasn't alone but the presence she knew like her own shadow.
"I was wondering when you were going to wake up," she heard the soft sound of her sister's voice.
She smiled even though her eyes were shut. Then her smile shifted to a grimace. "Still that good huh?"
Ivory was having trouble focusing on things after a mind numbing vision like she'd had when she'd touched Dante's sword. Her sister shifted from where she was sitting and something then was placed in her lap. Her hands deftly ran over the object and had to smile a small bit as a small vision tickled her senses. For some reason the pain from the previous vision started to waver and fade a bit. Sometimes after traumatic visions calmer ones tended to make the worst of the mental strain go away.
"You picked a good book," she murmured softly towards her sister.
Opening her eyes she stared at her twin. Ebony's eyes danced playfully knowing that she'd done well with her choice of book.
"So you saw it too?"
"Yes, I can see where they get their looks."
She couldn't shake the smile at the small vision like that. The man that fathered the twin half devils liked this book very much. Her hands ran over the spine and felt the worn cover under her hands. The black leather was worn with time and the silver lettering was starting to loose its shine. The cover was warm as if its previous owner had just held it and ran his fingers over the cover while he was deep in thought. Ivory noticed Ebony's grin.
"I almost wish we could've met him, I'm sure he would have been a good man to have on our side."
Ivory just nodded her head at her sister's words. From what she saw at that moment and in the past Sparda was an honorable devil that would do anything to protect those he cared about, and had they been enslaved to them they would have become like family instead of bound by slavery. Then maybe their destines would have a chance at a better ending. Even though Ebony was skeptical of the twin half devils, Ivory knew that they'd be trust worthy at least in this part of their lives. They would have to trust them now because they were their masters, and there was something about them…
"They'll be good men to have on our side."
Ebony just huffed at her words, knowing that her sister was right, but there would probably be a lot of strife ahead for them. Ivory's mind sunk back to the vision she'd had. It still shook her somewhat. The only part of the vision that really bothered her was that of the small boy. Her heart ached for him, and it was rare after she grew older that she felt that kind of ache for anyone in her visions. Those in her previous visions had what was coming to them in the end by their horrible actions.
"So you want to talk about it?"
"Not right now," she murmured. "I'm still trying to calm myself down."
She had to keep reminding herself that she shouldn't say her sister's name aloud. With their master's only knowing her name allowed for them not to be able to command Ebony to do anything. Though; Ivory had a feeling that even if the Sparda twins knew Ebony's name they wouldn't be like their previous masters and use that name to make them do things. Her fingers absently rubbed her arm as her memories flashed through her head.
"Hey," she heard her sister's insistent voice beckoning to her make her look into her sister's deep eyes. "Don't think of them anymore."
Ebony took Ivory's hand and started rubbing her arm trying to calm her sister down before she panicked and drew the attention of their master's down on their heads. Ivory produced a weak smile. The oldest always managed to stay clam on most things but there were some things like this vision that shook her and wouldn't leave her alone.
"It's hard not to when they left such physical reminders that they owned us on me."
The youngest twin dipped her head knowing that it always got out that she had the strongest power over her sister and the older girl shouldered the weight and pain herself. Ivory never told Ebony half the things that had been done to her while they'd separated them to gauge the power that they had. It had been too close in her mind, to close to loosing everything. Shaking her head she pushed those thoughts away knowing that they wouldn't help in the least.
"Ivory…"
Ivory smiled tiredly at her sister. In moments like this she fought back those memories with more vigor so she could smile for her sister. At times like this they had to be each other's strength because there wasn't anyone else.
"Don't," she murmured softly as she pulled Ebony on the bed beside her. "Don't blame yourself for things that can't be helped. As oldest it's my job to protect you in anyway I can."
Ebony sighed tiredly. She wanted to protest against Ivory having to protect her all the time but she knew her sister had a high protective instinct, and in the end it was pointless to argue the point of the fact with her. The red headed twin rested her head on her sister's shoulder and sighed tiredly.
"I think despite Vergil and Dante's shall we say dislike for having us here I think they'll protect us."
"Yeah because they know we're worth something."
"Not everyone bases their life on what someone else can do for them."
Ebony snorted at her words. "You only assume because that's all you've ever seen."
"I think we'll be happy here for the time being sister," she murmured softly.
The moment was broken when Ivory's stomach started to protest to not being fed. A blush dusted her cheek making her sister laugh even harder at her sister's embarrassment. Ebony rose and held out her hands towards her sister. Ivory slowly rose knowing that it would be some trouble getting up at first. As Ivory stumbled Ebony lent her shoulder to her sister even though her own coordination wasn't the best sometimes. With slow and deliberate steps they moved from the room towards the stairs. After a few moments Ivory's legs stopped protesting and allowed her to walk with less assistance.
"Man that one took a lot out of you."
Ivory just nodded her head in agreement. "Ivory how long has it been since you've eaten last?"
She looked away from her sister with a guilty look. Ebony frowned darkly at her sister knowing that was also the reason her energy was barely there. Ivory pushed away from her sister and headed towards the kitchen only to stumble in front of Vergil. His moves were lightening quick as he caught her wrist to prevent her from taking a tumble to the floor. Ivory was caught staring into his deep icy blue eyes. Before a vision take her Ebony yanked Ivory away from Vergil. The blue clad Sparda twin gave his slave and icy glare.
"Geesh what haven't you touched that safe to do so. It's like this place is a magnet to you."
"It's not my fault that there is so much here that has possibilities to help me see."
Ivory smiled sheepishly at her sister knowing that this place would be their last home and these two half-devils their last masters. She didn't think these two half-devils would starve her on purpose.
"I'll have the strength to stop the pull once I've eaten."
Ebony gave her sister a stern look. "It was out of my control," she protested.
The youngest twin dragged her sister to the kitchen and forced her to sit down on one of the bar stools. Vergil was watching the scene in a barely concealed amused fashion. Ebony opened the fridge only to be greeted by the sight of an old Chinese carton. Something green with eyes crawled out of the carton and growled at her. The body was noodles covered in green and blue mold and the eyes looked like water chestnuts with black mold on them to look like eyes. It opened its mouth to reveal pointy orange things that resembled teeth. A loud squeal escaped her as she slammed the door shut and leaned against it. Her breathing coming out in scared pants. Vergil and Ivory looked at the younger twin in confusion.
"The expired Chinese food is alive. I think you should do something about it."
"I could have told you there wasn't anything in there," Vergil said dryly.
"Then why didn't you tell me Dante had a moldy guard dog in there?"
"And what makes you think that I'll do a damned thing about my brother's mess?"
Ebony got up ready to give her new master a piece of her mind promise to help him get what he wanted be damned. He needed her and she wouldn't allow her sister to suffer. She'd seen the marks across her sister's back low enough to be hidden by a tank top.
"We need to go to the store," Ebony insisted.
"Ebony…" Ivory hissed then winced realizing what she'd said.
Ivory fought the urge to hide under the table knowing that her sister was glaring daggers at her. In truth Ivory had a feeling that even if their master's knew their names it wouldn't make a difference. Even though these two were half devils they still had a code of honor they followed in their own way.
"I guess that cat's out of the bag now," Ebony growled.
"I guess it is," they heard from the door way.
Dante was leaning against the door jam watching them. He looked at Ivory. "So night and day huh?"
She smiled half heartedly and shrugged her shoulders. Ebony huffed and crossed her arms over her chest as if daring Dante or Vergil to do something now that they knew her name. Ivory shook her head at her sister.
"Dante it seems that you need to feed your charge," Vergil pointed out to his twin.
"I'll go order…"
"I don't think so," Ebony growled. "You eat too much pizza and not enough good stuff."
Ivory groaned knowing that Ebony wouldn't back down from this until Dante went to the store and allowed her to raid the place. Unfortunately for Dante's bank account one of their nicer masters taught Ebony how to cook the good stuff. The oldest seer fought the urge to speak and tell Dante and Vergil to do what she said or she'd make their lives a living hell, but Ivory bit her tongue; sometimes though she wanted to tell her sister to shut up for once.
"Since Ivory belongs to you Dante you should go with Ebony to the store," Vergil suggested.
He could see Ebony bristle at his words.
"You're her Master so you go," Dante shot back.
Ebony looked at Vergil.
"Yeah come on Vergil we can continue our talk from the other day."
Vergil gave her a stern look before finally nodding and rising. Ivory smiled at the door once they left half heartedly. Laying her head down on the counter top Ivory let out a heavy sigh.
"You all right Ivory?"
"I'll be fine once I eat something. Visions are draining and that one that sword gave me sent me for a doozy."
"Care to talk about it?"
She shook her head but couldn't help but smile at Dante. Ivory knew that even with Dante's rough edges he was still a man of honor and a small sweet streak. His icy eyes locked with hers and she realized that he was a good hearted man and would take care of them. Then his eyes narrowed as if he realized something from staring into her eyes.
"She doesn't know does she?"
"To an extent she knows but not everything."
Ivory rubbed her arm as she looked away from Dante's intense eyes.
"I maybe a hunter but I won't resort to harming you or your sister."
"I didn't think you would."
Dante raised a brow at her. "Because you can look into someone's soul and promise protection to a battered heart. You would have to be a good person, Dante."
He leaned back in the chair and sunk into deep thought. Ivory closed her eyes and dozed a bit knowing that conversation was far from over and that's not what he really meant to say or even ask. Things would more than likely get harder from here on out. Dante looked over to see that Ivory had fallen back to sleep and was making soft snoring sounds. A chuckle escaped him as he got up and picked up the sleeping seer carefully and carried her back to her room to put her back to bed.
Ebony walked down the street whistling softly to herself. Vergil was beside her and not saying a word. Occasionally he'd look around as if he were paranoid about every movement or sound. Suddenly she stopped forcing the blue Sparda twin to stop as well. He looked at the sign on the window indicating that it was a pet shop. There were puppies in the window; the sign said German Sheppard puppies. The majority of the pups were the normal gold and black of that breed and there was one that was entirely black. Vergil watched her curiously for a moment. Ebony's eyes turned sad and distant as if she were remembering something.
"Ivory found a mixed breed dog once. I swear that mutt had wolf in him and somehow my sister tamed him. The intelligence in his eyes gave him away, that or Ivory can tame any animal. She brought him home with her. He wouldn't let anyone but Ivory and I touch him. Well our Master at the time found him. I knew the man was cruel but what he did was beyond cruelty. It was meant to break Ivory. He caught the pup one day and broke his neck right in front of us. Ivory was heart broken for a long time and her sight faltered for awhile."
Vergil looked at Ebony's eyes through the glass.
"Why are you telling me this?"
Ebony shrugged her shoulders as she watched the puppies play. "What could you possibly have to gain by telling me your sister's bad history?"
"My sister is the most important person in my life. I know I can't see her future clearly, but I know her life will end tragically."
"And?"
Ebony looked him in the eyes and figured out the next part without her having to say a thing. Her life would end tragically and would involve him in some way. She turned from the window and walked down the street. Vergil gave one last look at the lonely black puppy and followed his slave into the nearest grocery store. Ebony looked around curiously. It was a small store which made Vergil a little grateful. Vergil watched a devious smile slowly spread across Ebony's face and he knew Dante's bank account would suffer for it. It would teach his brother to go with her the next time.
"Don't go crazy Ebony."
"But I…"
His looks to anyone but her with that particular look and it would have frozen them with fear, but not Ebony she stood her ground against him.
"Go easy on my brother's funds."
"But what fun is there in that?"
"Ebony…"
She looked at her master with a look that he couldn't describe.
"My sister seems to think you and Dante are trust worthy when it comes to us and I'm not convinced yet. You seek power to get rid of the human blood that was bestowed upon you by your human mother."
"A couple of days ago you were willing to help me find a way to shed my human blood."
Ebony sighed as she turned to inspect some strawberries.
"My sister hates it when I suggest that I can help people in some way to becomes more than what they are."
Vergil's eyes narrowed dangerously.
"There isn't…"
"There is but the option on doing so isn't exactly a good option. You'd have to betray everything that you know and loose yourself to the darkness and at this point in time you're not ready for that."
"You seem so sure?"
Her smile was sad as she faced him. He had a feeling that she knew something that she wasn't telling him about the chance at being a full blood like his father. Ebony picked up a quart of strawberries she liked and moved on to gather more things in the basket. Vergil watched on curiously even though he tried to hide it.
"I am. I know that much is for sure. If you want to become a full blood you'd have to betray everything and everyone to obtain the power. To gain the blood of a full blood you'd have to fall into hell and join the enemy of your father."
Vergil sunk into thought on her words. Ebony watched him for a moment before turning her attention to hot chocolate mixes and teas. Something within told her that even as she told him what he wanted to know it felt wrong to encourage it. Even though Vergil had a seemingly cold disposition he shouldn't want to slip into the darkness of hell. With the few flashes of her sister's future that she'd seen while they sang sometimes, she knew that his and Ivory's destinies were intertwined. Ebony picked up a hot chocolate mix and a chai tea mix. It was rare that the two of them got sweet things and a thing of sugar followed. Maybe she could talk Dante into letting her take over the kitchen for a day and allow her to bake to her hearts content. Then Vergil spoke;
"Betray everything and everyone that I know to gain the abilities of a full blood."
Ebony looked at him over her shoulder with sad eyes for once and nodded her head.
"You know the sad part Vergil is that you've already stated betraying those you care about."
She couldn't help a small smile at his look of confusion. "You're betraying the love that your mother and father had for one another by wanting to change what you are."
His eyes narrowed towards her as if he didn't think she had a right to talk about his parents in that manner.
"You should watch what you say Ebony because maybe next time it'll be your last."
Ebony turned around and faced her master as if daring to carry out his threat. Her eyes were daring but her words contradicted what she wanted to really say.
"It's not my place to speak on your choices in life, but one day you'll realize it's not worth the price you'll pay in the end."
"You seem so sure."
"I'm not but there are very few times that my visions are wrong."
He snorted at her words before walking ahead of her. Vergil didn't see the small smile that Ebony bestowed upon his back as he walked away. She shook her head as she followed him and grabbed a few more things before they went to check out. Once they were done the duo was on their way back to Devil May Cry. Dante was sitting in the kitchen still nursing a beer. Ebony raised a brow at him.
"She passed out again."
Ebony just nodded in understanding. Dumping her bags on the island she started rooting through the bags to find something good to make her sister.
"So I have funds left?" Dante asked.
Vergil just gave his brother a curt nod before turning his gaze to Ebony. She hummed to herself as she started whipping stuff together.
"Who taught you to cook?"
Ebony paused in her stirring and looked up at them. She sighed softly before looking down at her bowl and starting to stir again.
"His name was Lance. He taught Ivory and I different skills. It's just too bad that our masters after that didn't appreciate the skills we were taught."
"So what's Ivory's skill?" Dante asked. "Sewing?"
He snickered at his own joke but the other two in the room weren't laughing. Dante shut up quickly.
"No, Ivory was taught the fine art of handling various forms of swords."
The brothers looked at each other not believing what they were hearing. Ivory being able to use a sword? "Since I was turned into a chef it kinda made me an expert with a knife."
"I'd like to see this," Dante said.
Ebony shook her head as she poured her concoction into a pan. She sprinkled some cheese over what was in the pan.
"Don't underestimate my sister for a moment Dante, that's how she's survived because people underestimate her. It's just that after Lance the next master took her blade away and sold it along with my daggers. Her skills were put on the shelf for a life of a singer and a fortune teller. Just you watch her closely one day and irritated gesture she makes is flexing her hands and more than likely she's itching to fight."
Ebony finally dumped her concoction onto a plate. Both twins raised a brow. It was cheesy eggs. She noticed their confused looks. Taking a small knife she sliced up the strawberries and placed them in a small bowl to the side.
"Trust me in the condition my sister's in eating something heavy will make her sick."
Balancing the bowl, plate, utensils and napkins she headed up towards her sister's room. Ebony placed the items on the small bedside table and was about ready to wake her sister when movement in the corner of the room made her eyes dart to it and fear struck her.
A loud scream erupted from Ivory's room. Both twins were running up the stairs, only to find a sleepy Ivory holding her shaking sister. Ivory was barely moving and Ebony was yelling;
"KILL IT! KILL IT!"
Ivory was still half asleep with her sister plastered to her side. It was as if she wasn't even seeing what was before her.
"What the…" Dante started.
All they got from Ebony was the repetitive mantra of 'kill it' over and over again. Vergil noticed a spider on the wall. It was unusually big which tipped him off. Moving forward he unsheathed his katana and drove it through the center of the scurrying spider. It vanished in a cloud of dust. Vergil looked at Dante and the red clad twin gave his brother a nod knowing what he was thinking this was the work of a devil.
"Looks like the stakes have been upped."
"That wasn't a normal spider?" Ebony asked once she finally stopped screaming.
"It was a devil spy."
Ebony shivered which caused her twin to laugh at her. The Sparda twins gathered right then and there that Ebony had a fear of spiders. Ivory's hand moved up slowly and stroked her sister's curly auburn locks. The older seer's voice was laced with exhaustion but she spoke anyway.
"It's all right," she murmured softly. "They'll protect us."
Ebony looked up at her sister and nodded her head. A tired smile graced Ivory's face. Dante and Vergil watched the girls in silence. The youngest twin helped her sister eat her dinner. Dante looked at his twin and couldn't quiet grasp the rapture these two had with one another but he figured he'd find out. Shaking his head he and Vergil retreated from the room knowing the two would want to be left alone.