Author's Note:
I am so, so, sorry that it has taken me so long to get back to this story! I had my baby on June 30th, and I was super busy for the next two months. Then I went back to work and it was super stressful trying to get back into the swing of things, and I got a new boss...so yeah. Anyway, here is a new chapter and I really hope that it doesn't disappoint. Thank you to all my followers who have stuck with me, and to all my new followers. I love you all!

Disclaimer: I do not own Devil May Cry.

~*Chapter: 12*~

Nero slowly came back to wakefulness biting back a grown as he did so. Christ waking up feeling like shit was getting really old, really fast.
Cracking open one blue eye Nero looked around and found Dante once again on his knees beside him with a bloody rag in hand and the bowl of water beside him.
This time though something was different, instead of greeting him like before the elder slayer kept his head down, causing his platinum bangs to obscure his ice blue eyes.

'Hey who died?' Nero questioned shifting his position slightly. Instead of answering though Dante ducked his head down lower and stilled his movements.

'You okay old man?'

"AM I OKAY? YOU'RE THE ONE THAT'S ALL SHOT UP AND YOU'RE ASKING ME IF I'M OKAY!?' Dante raged as he stood so suddenly that it caused Nero to jump.

'Jesus, calm the hell down Dante what's your problem?'

"I...I shot you, me not Lady ME!" the half devil ranted as he paced back and forth, his fists clenched so tight his nails had pierced his palms.

'Okay...so?' Nero replied with an exasperated sigh.

"SO!? You're my chosen, my one and I FUCKING SHOT YOU!"

'AND? Obviously I needed to be, I know you wouldn't have done it if it wasn't absolutely necessary. It's not a big deal, I'm not rejecting you or anything so knock off the drama fit already, before I know the shit out of you.' Nero watched as Dante stopped his pacing but still hadn't turned to look at him and still hadn't relaxed his fists. Nero growled and was about to make good on his threat when the half devil finally found his voice again.

"Look at your arm kid."

'What about it? It glows, it's blue, really fucking annoying and...and it's smaller...' the last part barely came out as a whisper as Nero gazed in awe and slight fear at his demonic appendage.

'What happened to it?'

Dante sighed and dragged a hand down the back of his neck not missing the slight note of panic that fluttered on the edge of Nero's voice.

"I don't know. You lost it again and after I...after I got you to calm down, Lady noticed it. We don't know what caused it or why."

Dante finally turned as the partial devil remained strangely silent.

'It's getting stronger...the wolf. It's getting stronger, I...I couldn't even fight back this time.' Nero all but whispered as his voice grew tight.

"Hey it'll be okay we will figure this out..."

'NO it is not okay! Stop pretending that everything is okay! I'm losing my fucking mind, I can feel it! The wolf is driving me crazy, I'm losing myself to it, and I can't stop it!' Nero screamed as he bared his teeth and his eyes flashed dangerously with something just below the surface.

"Don't you think I know that! Don't you think I'm fucking trying to fix this, that I don't know we are running out of time!"

'Then do something besides looking through these shitty old books! I'm scared Dante okay, there I said it, I'm FUCKING scared to death!' Nero ranted back as hot tears began pouring down his fur covered face. Dante was at his side in an instant, both arms thrown around the shaking wolf in an instant.

"I am not losing you, you fucking hear me. This is my fault and I am going to fix it on way or another got it!"

Shakily, Nero nodded his head as he pulled himself together and out of Dante's strong arms desperate to keep some form of dignity.

"I need to go to edge of town for awhile I'll be back okay, try not to kill Lady when she gets here okay," Dante stated as he ruffled Nero's ears with a chuckle.

'Pfft...no promises Old Man,' Nero replied half-heartedly.

With one last smile over his shoulder Dante grabbed Rebellion, Ebony and Ivory off his desk and headed out the door making sure to lock it behind him.
Throwing his leg over his motorcycle Dante felt his mask crack and his fear and anger threaten to overwhelm him. His eyes bled red, and his teeth sharpened into fangs, the skin on his back pulled and stretched painfully as his Trigger began to respond to his emotions. Taking several deep breaths the half devil grit his teeth and forced his devil side into submission, only opening his once again blue eyes once he had. Letting out one more deep breath he started his bike and took off down the street in what most would have considered to be suicidal speeds. Time was of the essence though, he was down to the wire, and he only had one last Ace up his sleeve, and that Ace was Damiano. Dante urged the already screaming motorcycle on faster as he thought back to what had just happened back at the shop. There was no doubt about what he had seen shining in the kids eyes as he broke down. It was as clear and tangible as the edge of Rebellions blade, and just as deadly...

Madness.

~*To Be Continued*~

Author's Note:
Well we are getting close to the end of this story. Just who is Damiano and will he be able to help Dante, or will he spell disaster for the pair?