Not my favorite chapter but if anything It helps the story progress. Hope you enjoy! =)
"Thank you, Dante. For listening to my sob story and all," I said as he escorted me to the door, "Not being able to see you because of all this has been bothering me,"
"Yeah yeah, whatever. Just don't go causing any trouble. I already got enough to deal with, knowing that Vergil's planning on raising that tower. Not to mention I'm going to be an Uncle," He scratched his head; A mannerism that had always been his.
"Not for a while," I grinned widely and to my surprise, he held out his arms for a hug. It was slightly unlike him. He wasn't exactly cold and unfeeling like Vergil, but Dante had never been the hugging or emotional type. He disguised his feelings behind a rebellious and sarcastic facade. If he wasn't being a smartass, he was probably acting the delinquent, daredevil role. The devil may care attitude fit him flawlessly. My grin became a flat out smile and I didn't hesitate to accept his embrace.
Shadowing back to the mansion normally wouldn't be a problem, but what I forgot was that some demons have this ability too. To travel within shadows or to become a shadow themselves, was an ability I'd only encountered once other than myself. This was the second.
The devil showed it's ugly body as it just peeled itself off the wall of a building. The black shape of it's shadow quickly slithering away from the brick to become more tangible.
It's a Lord. I realized immediately. This devil wasn't exactly your every day garden variety. This snake/dragon looking beast was on a completely different level from the demons I was accustomed to killing. I'd never fought a Lord. A higher leveled demon. Vergil had, and I'd watched him, but that was Vergil. He made it look easy.
And in the moment, I was lacking a weapon besides the throwing knives strapped to my thigh and a short blade I'd hidden on my back. I could use my abilities but that wasn't exactly a guarantee. Even after these years of training, using my powers in combat was still difficult.
Should a pregnant woman fight? I asked myself sarcastically. I took one last glance at the grotesque devil then bolted, refusing to shadow away. Who knew if he could catch me that way?
Wind. Wind. Wind. Wind. Wind. Wind... I chanted almost in a panic, mentally. If I could just call the wind I would fine. An air shield was all I needed and I would be able to escape.
No luck.
Dammit, light and sharp. Light and sharp. Light and sharp. Thin and strong. Thin and strong. The more I thought those concepts, the better and faster the shield formed. The sound of the serpent like creature dragging it's long body behind them was clear to my ears. They were not very far behind me and when I turned my head to look, my suspicions were confirmed. The thing was dead on my heels. I pushed myself harder, forcing my legs to run even faster. Faster than the inhuman speed I was already traveling at.
Of all times I have to be attacked while prego!
"The daughter of Lord Mundussssss. Such a delectable ssspecimen. You really are gorgeousssss my dear," Like the idiot that I was I turned my gaze again to see that the serpent had changed forms. It appeared more human, minus the two horns protruding out of its head of seaweed green hair that fell in long strands down to the middle of his back I was sure. Green gold eyes peered at me hungrily. The slitted pupil narrowing even more than it already was. Massive black wings like that of a dragon sprouted from his back and he was lifted into the air.
Would transforming hurt the baby? I panicked. There was no way I could escape him unless I took to the air like he.
Unless...
"I don't know who you are but I'm afraid you'll have to reschedule your appointment. I have openings for NEVER!" I shouted, finally finishing conjuring up the air shield that I'd desperately been in need of. Just in time too, for he dove down in that instant but was repelled by the shield.
"A barrier?" That damn hiss that escaped his lips made me want to cringe, "If you think that barrier will save you, you are wrong,"
I didn't retort, I just continued to run.
It was then that I thought I felt a presence that was oddly familiar. I wanted to say it was Vergil, but the presence dissapeared as quickly as it had appeared.
Strange...
"Hey didn't your mother ever tell you not to hit a girl?" I stopped running and halted when Dante's voice echoed from behind. If I had ever been happy to see him before, it was nothing compared to now, "Why don't you go pick on someone your own size, pal." With his unsurpassed gunslinging, he'd pulled ebony on the slithering fiend.
"Pal?" I sighed. If only his wit was as quick as his hands and guns. Normally that saying would have been reversed but in his case, it was true. He was a complete smartass and sarcastic, but I'd always viewed it as funny. Still, there were times when I had to wonder.
All in an instant, Dante had disposed of the Lord before I could even focus. I was exhausted from the running, and the shield had taken more energy than I'd anticipated. If only I could train, but no, I had to be pregnant.
"You alright?" I hadn't realized it until that moment that I had passed out and collapsed against the side of a building an. When I finally snapped out of it I was staring into frosty, chrystalline, blue eyes. Just for a fraction of a second I thought I was looking into Vergil's cool gaze, but quickly recognized him to be Dante.
"Just now... I thought I sensed Vergil up on the roof," I rubbed my eyes, trying to clear them. My surroundings were blurry and Dante's profile was the only thing that was clear to me.
The bone chilling prescence had caught my attention earlier but it had vanished all in an instant. However this time, it had been twice as menacing and all the more noticeable to me. If he'd been there the whole time, then why did he leave me in such a situation? Why hadn't he slayed the devil when he knew I was in trouble?
"You did?" Dante's eyes widened and turned his sight to the roofs above and scanned them, "Do you know where?" He asked impatiently, staring me awfully expectantly in the eyes.
I merely shook my head lazily. I couldn't really feel his aura much anymore. It had faded quickly once more. No doubt he'd realized he'd let go out of his control. He knew how quickly I picked up on it. That meant he was trying to disguise his prescence. What was his goal? Why didn't he just show himself?
Dante relaxed, having realized he wouldn't be able to find Vergil without my help. He's not about to put that on me. I thought. Whether he wanted to fight Vergil or not, he knew he couldn't ask me to help him.
"Hey," He murmured.
I looked up and was met with warm lips crushing against my own. His tongue remained contained within his own mouth but he didn't let me off so easily. His strong hand lightly brushed my cheek and ear. I found myself unable to resist. Better put, unable to do anything. I couldn't respond nor could I push him away. When he drew back though I thought I was seeing double. I'd all of a sudden become so lightheaded.
"I'm not going to hand you over so easily, whether you're carrying his kid or not. I'll fight not only to stop his crazy little plan, but to also take you back as well,"
...
After I discovered the land of my legs once again, I saw Dante off, trying to push aside his words. However such a feat was impossible. After someone tells you something like that, it's not so easy to merely cast it aside. Of course I already knew my answer. I loved Dante.
But I loved Vergil more. ... romantically speaking. I wasn't quite sure how to say it. I loved them equally, but romantically, I loved Vergil.
However, as of the moment I came to realize once again... why hadn't he saved me?
Why had he stood nearby clearly aware of my situation, yet done nothing? It really pissed me off!
As if the bastard had telepathy and heard my thoughts, he decided to appear. Literally. All in the blink of an eye he'd appeared before me, standing as regally as ever with that cold, merciless gaze.
"You were with him?" Though his exterior was composed and blank, I was almost overwhelmed by his aura. I could see it oh-so-clearly. I didn't think an aura as foul as his could become much worse. On a day to day basis his aura was naturally charcoal gray and deep, dark purple. Full of darkness and hate. Now it was seething with onyx flames and dark variations of red, purple, and blue. They all twisted and tangled themselves around his body, eneveloping him his demonic shadow. I could clearly see the inner devil's black silhoute looming over his magnificent body, just daring to be released.
"What's it to you?"
I was begginning to think I wanted to die. That had to be the reason why I was replying so rebelliously. That had to be the reason why I was no doubt provoking him with my nonchalant response, "You were there, why didn't you help me instead of your brother? Did you think I couldn't sense you?" Watching the level of anger in his aura spike somehow satisfied me in a way. Did I enjoy angering him?
Of course I did! He'd left me for Dante to save and was now demanding an explanation for My actions, and not His! The damn-
"I see your sensory ability is much more sensitive than I thought," Was that all he had to say for himself?
"Is that all? You're quite angry, I can tell,"
"What would I be angry about?" He took a step forward and instinctively, sensing danger, I took a step back.
I had to be insane to say what I said next, "Well, judging from the level of jealousy that is in your aura, I'd say it was my visiting Dante that upsets you," I was as good as dead if I continued further. If there was one thing Vergil didn't like, it was people telling him what he was feeling. Though I did it plenty, it was because it was me, and he gained some form of amusement from my readings, but right now he was not exactly in his best mood. Right now I was as good as Arkahm talking to him. I'd lost favoritism.
"And what happened when you visited Dante?" He was severely angry. I didn't have to see his aura. His mannerisms. How he was staying calm and even had a faint but frightening smile tugging at his perfect lips was how I knew.
"We talked about the baby. I think the Godfather has a right to know. Afterall, this is his nephew. I don't care if the circumstances are far from normal, I was raised human and I will have this child the human way and follow through with the human traditions that follow. Whether there is a family feud or not, your brother is this child's uncle and now its Godfather. Is it so wrong that I went to inform Dante of this?" Regardless of how angry he was, I was almost just as angry.
"So informing him of such news consitutes a kiss?" Oh...
Well that explained a lot. No wonder he was angry. No wonder he was jealous.
"If you saw that, then I'm sure you were able to distinguish who was the victim," I almost laughed. Though he probably didn't think so, I definately thought it was funny.
"Either way you should have informed me of what you were doing. Trailing you is not on my list of things to do,"
"Oh, you worry about me," I didn't bother to disguise my smile, "Or is it because of little Vergy Jr.?"
He didn't answer and instantly I realized I was right.
"Oh," I breathed. He still didn't say anything, "Well..."
"Come on, let's get back," He stopped me and turned gracefully, his long blue coat trailed behind him in the three seperate tails.
"Okay," I murmured, following him, watching the silhouette of the angry demon slowly diminish and the last vesitge of his foul black aura faded and calmed to his natural charcoal and purple.
I caught him glancing over the shoulder at me and a sigh escaped him only detectable through the relaxation of the shoulders.
"I hope you're prepared for punishment when we get back,"
"Pervert," I said under my breath.
"What was that?" There was a smile in his voice.
"I said I look forward to it,"
"There will be extensive leg work,"
"Kinky," I whispered to myself.
"You brought it on yourself," I heard him mumble something about a pervert to himself and I couldn't help but smile.
You love me. So much it hurts. Maybe I was being a fool but if I was a fool, I was a happy fool.