A/N: For disclaimer see the Prologue.
Comrades! On this glorious time of day I categorically welcome you to the next, second chapter of Feathers on the Red Wing! I like you all guys and your reviews, but I'm not a gay, not even metrosexual. Anyway, you've come here to rock? You've come here to roll?! NO?! Then fuck off and just read the damn story, you non-metal heathens.
Unknown time, unknown place
There on a green meadow was lying a man on his back. He was wearing open red leather coat on his naked torso with big jewel gleaming on his chest. On the ground close to him was impaled great sword with intimidating cross guard, decorated with silvery demonic-looking skull with red eyes and metallic bones. After few moments under soft rays of sun his eyes fluttered for couple of seconds and opened, showing this world calm gaze of sky-blue eyes. At that time he quickly looked everywhere he could without moving. Seeing nothing suspicious he decided to stand up. Almost on the reflex he took his sword Rebellion and slung it on his back. After that he studied his surroundings more closely. At this moment his jaw dropped.
He knew that place.
"I'm… home." – His voice was filled with nostalgia and barley louder than a whisper.
Yes, that was definitely his family's home, just as he remembers in his childhood. Two-storey classic house with white wooden fence; small garden with comfortable gazebo; neighboring village seen in a distance, and modest training ground between forest and house. Here he was sparring with his brother, here his father taught him how to wield Rebellion, and here he was practicing with mother's guns. Oh boy, mom got so pissed this one time. Maybe that is the reason why Vergil doesn't like to use guns?
Nah, bro is just boring like that.
Just as he decided to go somewhere here he saw a figure coming from around a corner of his house's fence. His gut feeling was silent and if half-devil trusted something without questioning, than his instincts definitely were such a thing. No, seeing this person deep inside he felt himself relax and flutter. That never happened before, but then again he never saw anyone quite like that.
"If this is a Paradise, then I don't want to wake up." – Yeah, wherever he wound up, he definitely liked it here.
Because person who walked up to him was a young woman. That woman was stunningly beautiful and in strange revealing clothes. She was whole foot shorter than him and with one of the biggest racks that he ever saw. Her long dark brown hair was mostly covered by a thick white veil, though her face was completely opened. Widely opened big brown eyes locked at him with warm gaze and small wistful smile spread on her pink lips. The long ends of her white veil were sailing behind her in non-existing wind. Aside from her veil she was wearing long white tight-fitting gloves that covered almost all of her arms, similar white boots, short white skirt that barely covered her nether regions and white bindings over her chest, which barely hide anything from view.
While she was walking to him her hips and breasts were swaying almost hypnotically. But there was a reason why Dante barely paid attention to this wonderful picture, which usually could make him drown in his own saliva. The reason was that this girl was carrying certain something in her arms. At the sight of it Dante's stomach loudly growled.
It was a metallic round tray with big glass filled with double portion of the most perfect looking strawberry sundae that he ever saw. And a little silver spoon poking from the side of delicious treat, just the way he like it. She took the tray in her left arm and beckoned him with her right index finger. Dante crossed the last few steps that separated them.
As soon as he came to her she took spoon with a strawberry slice and ice cream in it. While holding the spoon before him she started to talk to him. Surprisingly to him she was speaking Japanese.
"Now please open your mouth wide, Ashikabi-sama." – As soon as he heeded her request she brought spoon close to his mouth. Though he has no idea what the hell she called him, it sounded with some kind of respect and adoration, so he let it slide. And when he almost got his first spoonful she spoke again. – "Please wake up, Ashikabi-sama."
And in instant everything around him disappeared.
Hiyamakay hospital, 15:21
"NOOOOO! My precious!" – Loud male scream tore through peaceful hospital, jolting patients, doctors and visitors alike. Its source was one of the hospital wards on the third floor. There on simple bed woke up one of the male patients. There was one IV in his right arm and he was clothed in simple white gown, just like any other of patients.
"Ugh… damn, my head is killing me. And I feel like my stomach is dancing tango with my guts." – While saying that he cradled his head in his left hand. After that he looked around. Small room with beige colored walls, window with white open curtains, nightstand at one side of his bed, pole with IV bag on his left and TV on the wall before him.
"Getting shot didn't hurt as much as this." – Was his idle thought while he took out IV out of his arm and took his amulet from nightstand. As soon as he placed it back on his neck he calmed down somewhat. And at the next moment door to his room opened showing somewhat familiar person.
"Dream Girl? Well now, that's not the worst sight I woke up to." – That was definitely the same girl that he saw in his dream, though this time she was wearing less exotic clothes. Pink belly top with violet sleeves and golden star on her chest; capri jeans on her legs and short pony-tail on the left side of her head summarize differences between her two appearances. When she first noticed him awake her expression turned to the same one she held when he saw her in his dream. But as soon as he spoke she looked somewhat confused.
"Nani? Nii-chan, are you foreigner? Do you speak Japanese?" – While he addressed her in English, she spoke clearly in Japanese. Good thing that devils are very talented in languages and he already visited Japan once before.
"Why don't you decide that for yourself, Dream Girl." – That was his answer in clear Japanese. After hearing that Dream Girl gave him wide grin.
"Wow, you already found me a nickname, Nii-chan. But my name is Uzume, nice to meet you." – Uzume stretched to him her right hand for a handshake. He carefully took it and answered her.
"You can call me Dante, Dream Girl." – Ignoring her indignant cry of 'Hey!' he shook her hand and then lightly kissed back of her palm, not missing that her cheeks blushed for a moment. At that he inwardly smirked.
"I'm still got it. Now to find my clothes and hightail out of here before doctor brings a bill. Good thing that my queasiness is gone. Man, I love my devilish immune system." – While thinking about that he looked around the room once more. He didn't find anything new except for his boots lying on the floor. – "Do you know where my clothes are, Dream Girl?"
"Oh, sure, I took them to the dry-cleaning at the morning. Here they are." – At that she showed him a big plastic bag that was in her left hand. Before he could check the shape in which was his favorite coat they were interrupted by the sound coming from a TV-set in the room.
"It's nice to finally meet you, Dante-san Ashikabi of Sekirei No.10. I am Minaka Hiroto, the Game Master of Sekirei Plan, a legendary story of love and fate in which… What are you doing, Dante-san?" – While Minaka was ranting Dante once again started to look around his room. After Game Master paused and asked that, Dante started talking under his nose, but everyone in the room heard him (even if they weren't physically there).
"Now where is that damn remote?.. That TV-show looks boring and host is annoying dumbass. Maybe if I change channel there would be something fun." – At that Minaka sweat-dropped and Uzume almost face-faulted. After such dismissal of Director she couldn't help, but release a small giggle. But just a small one – even if Minaka is crazy, he is still pretty dangerous for her.
"Ah, No.10 our little troublemaker. It was such a long time since we checked on you. Are you in good health?" – As soon as Minaka turned his attention to Sekirei she lost her good mood and became a little fearful, her expression showed strained calmness. Dante immediately took notice of that without showing any change in his own expression and actions. And his dislike for that 'Game Master' rose sky-high almost momentarily.
"No.10? Did he really call her by a number? And that her reaction… She fears him, but why am I so protective of her? And did he call me Ashikabi? That is the same thing that I heard in my dream. Damn it, looks like I really need some answers from Dream Girl…"
While Dante was thinking about current situation, conversation between Minaka and Uzume continued.
"Yes, Director, I'm in perfect health." – Her answer was completely devoid of emotions and her expression stony, though her fists were clenched and trembled slightly. Dante noticed that too and became even more irritated at Minaka.
"That's good to hear, No.10. Now, as I was saying before, Dante-san, you're now a participant in Sekirei Plan. You've received a great honor to get partnered with a Sekirei and take a part in the coming of New Age of Gods! For that you need to…"
Minaka's monologue was cut out by a bullet piercing right into the middle of TV-screen. Uzume got startled by that shot and looked at its source – Dante. He was standing close to his bed still in his white patient garb, his face clearly angry, he was almost snarling. In his right hand was still smoking silvery pistol with golden inscription in italics 'Ebony and Ivory'.
"You're annoying and talk more than me. I hate people who talk more than me!" – After such declaration Uzume has dropped her jaw and was left speechless. Few moments later she tried to speak with Dante but was interrupted by TV sounding again, despite the damage.
"My, my, so violent, Dante-san. But even like this I could still explain rules to you…" – Once again he was interrupted by a loud noise. Except this time it was a multitude of gunshots from two guns in Dante's arms. Somewhere he got a second, similar black gun in his left hand. He was shooting for few seconds until there was almost nothing left of TV-set.
"Try to explain it like this." – After that he lowered his guns. Uzume was looking between Dante and destroyed TV turning her head few.
"You've got balls of stee… How the hell are you dressed so quickly?!" – After that surprised outburst Uzume once again was staring at Dante with dropped jaw. The reason for that was the fact that he was completely dressed in his yesterday clothes in a couple of seconds that she wasn't looking at him. Before answering her he donned serious expression on his face, raised his hands up and took a step closer to her.
"Magic." – That was his answer in his best 'mysterious' voice with weird movements of his palms before his face. Uzume deadpanned at that. Then he dropped his hands and continued in more normal tone of voice. – "You know, Dream Girl, I would enjoy to speak with you more, but I think we overstayed our welcome and better go before I receive the bill. But first, quick question – are you afraid of heights?"
"Eh, no." – Once again Uzume was surprised at actions and words of her Ashikabi.
"Good." – He nodded with a small smile and then nimbly took her on his hands in bridal carry. At that action of Dante Uzume quickly grabbed front of his coat and blushed. – "Now hold on, we are going to use the quick way out."
"Eh?" – His last sentence left her a little dumbfounded. While Uzume was gathering her wits, Dante got close to the window and kicked window out. There was only one thing that Uzume got to say about it – "Eh?!"
"He doesn't plan to…" – That were worried thoughts of Uzume – before Dante jumped on the windowsill.
"He does!" – Uzume inwardly screamed. But before she had time to bring out her silk veil or do something else to change situation, Dante jumped.
He jumped from the third floor.
Uzume was scared. Not for her, she would hardly get bruised from such a fall. But she was scared for her crazy Ashikabi. She doubted that he could jump from third floor unscathed with her in his arms, especially so soon after recovering.
But before she could do anything about their current situation, Uzume found out that Dante already landed and jumped over hospital fence. With each passing moment she got more and more questions about her Ashikabi and no answers to these questions.
"Don't worry, Uzume. While you're with me you have nothing to fear." – At these words of his Uzume flushed and felt her heart beat quicker. With a smile she cuddled closer to his chest. At these words of his she felt herself so protected. It was such a nice feeling, even though it should be the other way around. But at the current moment she didn't care about it at all.
"You've called me by my name for the first time." – She was happy. For now Uzume got the only answer that she truly needed. Would Dante be good Ashikabi? Hell, yes.
"I guess I did, didn't I?" – Deciding that he has gone far enough from the hospital he slowed down and continued to go by back-alleys. For a few more minutes he was walking silently. – "So where should we go, Uzume?"
At that question of Dante Uzume looked around from her comfortable position in his arms.
"On the next crossroad turn left then go ahead until I tell you to turn right. We would come to the boarding house where I'm renting a room. There we can discuss everything, alright?"
"That will do, Dream Girl."
After that short conversation they were silent for the rest of the road, except for directions given by Uzume. It was almost half an hour before they came to their destination, without anything interesting happening at the way to the Inn.
It was rather simple two-storey house in classic Japanese style with wooden fence, holding an opening before entrance to the house itself. Also Dante took notice of advertisement.
"Izumo Inn is looking for occupants? Maybe I'll crash at this joint for now. Hey, Dream Girl, we arrived, you can get down any time you want." – After they came close, Dante stopped before entrance in the fence. At that Uzume looked at him and made the most cute expression that she could provide, dreaded by all men around the globe, 'Puppy-Dog Eyes'™.
"But it's so comfortable here in your strong arms, Dante-kun! Besides you still owe me eleven more princess' carries for dragging your sexy butt to the hospital." – At the end of her second sentence her expression turned playful and teasing. Oh, she was so on.
"You really think that my butt is sexy?" – At that he calmly turned his head above his shoulder to look at his back. Then he turned his head back to look at the playful smile of Uzume with his own smirk. – "Well, it really is. Did you cope a feel while I was out of it, Dream Girl? For you that option is open anytime."
At that Uzume blushed furiously and jumped from his arms in a second, while stuttering something completely incomprehensible under her breath.
"Dante – one, Dream Girl – zero." – Such were the thoughts of Dante while Uzume calmed down and fought down her blush. After few seconds her cheeks were still flushed but at the moment she looked at least somewhat composed and calm, but still far from being really composed.
"Before we come in you should know that landlady at this place is scary and you shouldn't mess with her or you would be in trouble."
"So is she some kind of old crazy witch? Don't worry your pretty little head, Dream Girl; I know how to deal with these types."
"That's what I worry about…" – That was barely audible response of Uzume to Dante's answer. After that she turned around to enter the house, missing sudden gleam in Dante's eyes.
"Oh!.." – Uzume suddenly felt as if light jolt of electricity raced through her body and reflexively let out low and short but very sensual moan. The reason for that is that Dante lightly squeezed one of her ass-cheeks with his hand. As soon as Uzume understood what she done she closed her mouth with both of her hands, opened her eyes wide and gained atomic red blush on her face. After that she quickly turned to look at Dante once again, just to see him flexing his fingers in squeeze-like motion with contemplating look on his face.
"Well, you also got a sexy butt, Dream Girl. And that voice of yours just now sounded really sexy as well." – If Uzume could've blushed more than she would have done so.
"J-just g-go in already!" – After she quickly stuttered that out she rushed inside the house, with smirking Dante following her.
"Two – zero, Dream Girl, if you want to one-up me than you would need to up your game first." – Such were mirthful thoughts of devil hunter coming inside the house. As he dropped his boots and followed after Uzume he looked around. This Inn looked clean, modest and homey. All in all, pretty nice place.
"Miya, I'm back!" – As soon as Uzume calmed down enough to not to stutter, she announced her presence to the landlady of this place.
"Ara, Uzume you came home? You wouldn't mind telling me why you didn't warn me of your absence?" – As soon as Dante entered inside hallways he saw the source of this voice. It was a beautiful woman around the same height as Uzume with long lavender hair coming down to her waist. Her figure was though less busty than Uzume's was still quite a nice shape. She was dressed in her usual attire giving her a look of miko with purple hakama and white haori. When she noticed Dante, she gave him a small smile and continued talking. – "Ara, Uzume-chan, you should've warned me about your guest coming over. Hello, my name is Asama Miya, the owner of Izumo Inn, nice meeting you."
"Hello to you too, beautiful, you can call me Dante." – The devil hunter introduced himself with a charming smile and elegant bow. At that Uzume gave him annoyed glare and Miya giggled while covering her mouth with a sleeve on her left hand.
"Ara, ara, beautiful? Dante-san, are you trying to seduce this poor old widow?" – She didn't yet know who she was trying to tease.
"What are you talking about, Milady? All that I see before me is young and beautiful lady, who could use some good company. And I'm happy to oblige." – After that Uzume were tearing between being angry at Dante for flirting with landlady in front of her and silently cheering for him to see who will come out on top in this teasing contest.
"Oh my, you're such a flatterer. No wonder that Uzume forgot everything at being in your company. But I digress, would you like to stay here for dinner?" – At this moment Dante's stomach betrayed him, releasing a loud growl. That caused landlady to release another giggle and continue her speech. – "I'll take that as yes. Uzume can show you around the Inn, while I'm preparing dinner."
"She's good, but it's still far from over. You're on!" – At that he came closer to Uzume and looked at her annoyed expression. – "Ah, crud, she looks pissed. Maybe I'm really got a rotten luck with women."
After that Uzume told him to follow her. She showed him where is the kitchen, bath, living room and quarters at the first floor. She said that on the first floor lives Miya and one other tenant, who is currently away at work.
Before Uzume showed him a second floor he extended his senses to confirm his hunch. And he was right. While he for some time already knew that Uzume wasn't human, she didn't felt like a demon at all, except for wisps of his own energy. But what really got his attention were two other similar signatures in the house. One on the second floor, which while weaker than the one Uzume gave off, was much more controlled. And the other one was coming from kitchen. Miya. Her energy was stronger and more controlled than either Uzume or this unknown person.
"And here is the second floor. I live in room No.203 and there're only empty rooms aside from that."
"Hm, empty rooms, you say." – Dante said contemplatively while looking at the empty wall. At that moment he felt slight nervousness, but after looking around he determined that the source of the feeling was Uzume, and that was her own feeling.
"One more thing for which I need an answer from Dream Girl. They keep piling up." – Such were the thoughts of Dante as he moved to Uzume's room. They both stopped before a door.
"Now, that is everything in Izumo's Inn. There is about an hour before dinner. Will you let me take a look at your coat? I'm pretty good at sewing, so maybe I could repair it and even make a new sleeve later. In the meantime I could give you some clothes of one of my acquaintance. He is kind of a bum so he often forgetting clothes that he asked me to fix. You're a little bigger than him but I think there should be some that would fit in a meantime." – While Uzume was saying that, she entered her room and started to look through one of the closets there. Her room looked like a seamstress hideout, because there were a few closets and a table with sewing tools and many differently colored pieces of cloth strewn around.
"Alright Dream Girl. But make sure that my coat stays stylish. It's my favorite one." – After that he took off his leather coat and gave it to Uzume. In exchange she gave him simple black t-shirt while sizing him up appreciatively. – "Not my usual style, but that will do. And are you sure you want to hide that body from everyone's view? I think that would be such a waste."
At that moment he could almost swear that he heard something like 'Yes it would!' in unknown female voice. But he decided to dismiss it.
"Miya would be so mad at you for not wearing a shirt." – Even though Uzume said that, she was still checking Dante out with content smile.
"Don't worry. I'm pretty sure that she will enjoy the show." – Dante answered her while lightly flexing his muscles. After that he throws t-shirt at the table, where it landed in single left empty spot.
"Nii-chan, you got balls of steel, size of tennis balls at least."
"Why, thank you, Dream Girl. Maybe later you will get a chance to test that theory. But for now we need to talk about few things." – At that Uzume blushed once again, but not so strong as before, being slightly used already to his antics.
"Yes, we definitely need, I want an explanation about a few stunts that you pulled at hospital..." – Uzume looked as if she wanted to say more, but was interrupted by the growling of her stomach. She sheepishly chuckled at that. – "But let's do that after dinner. Miya is a great cook and I can't think straight at empty stomach."
"Alright, Dream Girl. Let's go down and wait for dinner."
After that they watched news for the last half an hour before dinner. It was classic Japanese cuisine served for three persons. Dante thought to ask about person hiding behind the wall on second floor but after some consideration decided against it. They should have a reason to hide someone like that, so he would ask later, when some things would become clearer.
After dinner ended (with some irritated eyebrow twitches from Miya) Dante, Uzume and Miya once again gathered at the table for serious talk. Miya started their talk.
"Dante-san, I guess that for some time you will stay here at Izumo Inn. Before that we need to discuss a few rules about living here. Is that understood?" – While saying that Miya donned stern expression.
"Shoot." – Dante's answer was just a carefree shrug with dismissive wave of his hand. Miya's eyebrow twitched once again.
"First, payment is 50000 yen a month, meals included. My late husband never turned away anyone in trouble, so if you can't pay at the moment you can stay for some time if you help around the house."
"Seems fair enough, I don't mind." – Dante nodded at that. These conditions were good, especially emergency case, because his financial records never were very good.
"Second, no violence. I wouldn't tolerate fighting inside this house. If you can solve some trouble only by fists take it outside and as far away from this place as you can."
"This is a little trickier, but I wouldn't back away from a challenge." – At that female occupants of the table sweat-dropped, while Dante was donning the most serious look yet on his face. Seriously, he can't remember a single place where he was staying that wasn't trashed by demons. Except orphanage, but that was quite some time ago.
"Right… Third, no illicit activities are allowed in Izumo Inn, which includes walking around the house without a shirt. Is that understood?" – At her last sentence Miya smiled demurely while her body was surrounded by aura of dread, and close to her appeared projection of big demonic-looking mask. Uzume looked at that nervously while slowly backing away. Dante, on the other hand, was rubbing his chin with one hand while looking at that contemplatively. After a few seconds of that he spoke.
"I'll give you six out of ten for the effort. Your aura of bloodlust is nicely contrasted with serene facial expression and that demonic mask adds stylish touch." – After that he thoughtfully nodded a few times, while crossing his arms. At the same time female occupants of the table were completely stunned. Miya's expression remained the same except for the fact that she opened her eyes wide and turned off her intimidation aura. And Uzume was looking at him with awed expression and slightly hanging jaw.
"Bawling balls… Bawling balls made of titanium." – That was her barely audible, yet clearly heard by everyone whisper. The sound of Uzume's voice seemed to snap Miya out of her slight stupor at a total ineffectiveness of her favorite toy… I mean her best tool for disciplining unruly occupants, that's it!
"And the last rule. Dinner starts at six, if you are staying out late you should inform me or else you wouldn't get to eat." – After such a failure Miya decided to feighn ignorance. She will just have to look for other ways to discipline him.
"Maybe I'll get a chance to make him work out some sweat to accentuate that godly body… No, bad thoughts, stay away!" – After she told him the rules her thoughts took some strange turn, so she dismissed them as quickly as she could.
"Everything looks fine to me. Now, as I was the one who got dragged into this mess, I'll start questioning. You and Dream Girl, what are you?" – While saying that, Dante sharply looked Miya in the eyes. Uzume looked at him with surprised expression, while Miya didn't change the look on her face, still sporting demure smile with half-lidded eyes.
"Whatever you're talking about Dante-san? I'm just a simple poor old widowed landlady."
"I call bullshit. There is no way you're just a simple landlady. I've met human sorcerers before and even real saint once, their energy feels completely different than you three." – At that Uzume looked once again really surprised and Miya looked sharply at Dante.
"Three? Whatever you're talking abo…" – Miya continued to talk, but was interrupted by Dante.
"Second floor behind fake wall. There is another one of you. If I'm not mistaken you're called Sekirei, is that right?" – At that carefree answer of Dante Miya took on a contemplating look for few seconds.
"Her name is Matsu and she will join our conversation when it will be time for you to answer our questions." – At that Uzume gave surprised look to Miya. She didn't expect for Miya to relinquish that piece of info. – "As for what we are, that story started in 1999, 21 years ago…"
"Wait, wait, wait… It is… 2020 now?" – At that both Miya and Uzume simultaneously nodded. – "So, I'm in a future, In Japan. Now I get it why Tokyo looks so different."
"I see, continue with your story than." – At that Miya nodded and took off from the moment she finished before.
"East of Japan there was a small piece of land, Kamikura Island. There two students made a startling find. They found a spaceship." – At that Miya took small pause, which was used by Dante.
"Seriously? A spaceship?" - At that both Miya and Uzume simultaneously nodded again.
"Yes, a spaceship. Aboard that vessel they found alien technology that allowed them to found a company that now is known as biggest player at international arena, MBI – Mid Bio Informatics. But that wasn't everything that they found there that day. On this ship, lying in sleep were 108 living beings. Beings that were later named Sekirei." – At that Miya stopped, waiting for Dante's reaction. Uzume also waited, but she did so with trepidation.
"So, basically, you're aliens. Alright, go on." – At his carefree answer Miya looked surprised and Uzume almost face-faulted. After a few seconds Miya once again regained her composure and continued with her story.
"Among Sekirei there was one adult, eight embryos and 99 fetuses. By using the technology on the ship MBI grown the Sekirei, while adjusting them to live in human society. Their strength was placed under limiter and their reactions changed, so that they would bond easier with humans."
"And now what is this about a bond?" – Dante already had some guesses, but he decided to first listen to what Miya would say.
"When Sekirei are released, they look for a special person, one called an Ashikabi. Ashikabis are special humans who could bond with a Sekirei. And there are many ways to describe a bond. Some call it a red string of faith, a destiny, but for Sekirei a bond is one true love. Once bond is formed, nothing short of death will break it, Sekirei and Ashikabi would feel each other and Sekirei would love their Ashikabi unconditionally." – At that Dante became serious. Now it clicked. Feeling of over-protectiveness, how his instincts trusted Dream Girl almost unconditionally, wisps of his demonic power in her aura.
"Then how do you form this bond and how you find an Ashikabi for yourself to bond with?" – While he asked that question he noticed that Uzume slightly flushed and looked away a little. And Miya smiled a little.
"When Sekirei gets close to her destined Ashikabi, her body gives her a reaction. Heartbeat increases, body temperature is rising and their power becomes unstable. And once Sekirei kisses her Ashikabi they would be bind forever." – At that Dante looked at Uzume with raised eyebrow.
"So while I was out of it, you kissed me, Dream Girl."
"Y-yes." – She said that shyly, still blushing and looking away a little. She was nervous about whether he accepts her like that or not.
"Why you didn't wait for me to wake up, Dream Girl? I'm a much better kisser while awake." – And just like that, Dante's witty answer lifted Uzume's spirit and made her feel a bit happier.
"You… really is okay with that and can accept me just like this?" – Her voice was silent and filled with hope, her expression pleading. Before answering that question Dante gave her reassuring smile.
"Uzume, you're nice and beautiful girl, where could you find a dumbass that wouldn't like to be with you. I'm certainly not." – After hearing that she just jumped at him with flying hug, her eyes tearing up a little. He accepted her, and right now that is all that matter. Looking at that Miya couldn't help but give her own happy smile, glad that Uzume has found her happiness.
"Thank you, thank you…" – That were muffled into Dante's chest whispers that Uzume repeated over and over again. Dante tenderly returned her hug and rubbed her back with one of his hands while whispering in Uzume's ear.
"Easy now, Dream Girl, everything is going to be alright." – They spend like this a couple of minutes, until Uzume calmed down and just continued to calmly sit there, hugging Dante with content expression on her face. Miya decided to just let things go like that for a moment.
"Ufufufu… That's just like in soap opera, Dan-tan." – At sound of that voice Dante looked behind himself. There stood Sekirei that he felt on the second floor. Like the previous two Sekireis that he met this one was a beautiful young woman of average height with sizable bust. Her hair was bright auburn in color, rather long and was styled with two side plaits. Also she had round glasses and was wearing white dress with diamond-shaped cleavage cutout and detached sleeves.
"Ara, ara, Matsu-san has decided to come out of her secret den of solitude and perversions. What would be the reason for that, Ma-tsu-san?" – The first to react was Landlady. While she was saying her name for a second time redhead jumped behind Dante's back in fright because Miya decided to use her favorite trick against her, summoning spectral demonic-looking mask with aura of terror. This time it only worked on Matsu as she was trembling behind Dante's back. Uzume was still in bliss, while being hugged by her Ashikabi. Also because she felt safe in his arms, she didn't react at all at Miya's intimidation trick.
"Five out of ten, you should try harder next time, Miya." – Yeah, Dante was still a Dante. So, while he was shaking his head, he was hit over it with a ladle. That stopped him shaking his head and he nursed the place where he was hit with one of his hands. – "Ouch. Now for that strike I can give you a seven. Perfect timing, pretty fast, delivered with deadly precision and without any hesitation."
Miya didn't pout. Proper ladies don't pout! They show slight displeasure with their facial expression, so that's what she done!
"Next thing would be my rock. If that wouldn't faze him, than I would need to find something new. Something so cruel and devious that he would never even thinks to dare to mess with proper ladies." – Yes, Miya is not a kind of person who easily backs down from a challenge.
"But Miya-tan, Dan-tan already knew about me even before I came down. Besides I wanted to personally meet Ashikabi of Uzume-tan, because he seems like such a fine specimen, ufufufu…" – While saying that, Matsu was running her hands around muscles on Dante's back. In all of this commotion she missed her increased heartbeat, which was easily picked by Dante's hearing. But he decided not to comment on this.
"Matsu-san, illicit actions at Izumo Inn are prohibited…" – But before she could try and intimidate Matsu into obedience (though she already jumped to the left of Dante so she wouldn't irk Miya further and leave Dante between them) Miya was once again interrupted by a sole male sitting at the table now.
"Miya, don't get your panties into a twist. I'm sure your underwear is sexy enough already…" – But suddenly Dante got interrupted by rock hitting him in the face. Behind this attack was enough strength to drop him to a floor. Before Miya could do anything else, he rose up again, uneven rock the size of his head with splotches of dried blood in his hands. His face didn't have even a single tiny scuffle.
"That warrants you a nine out of ten. This rock still holds aura of suffering of its previous victims together with their blood. I know a couple of places where this thing would fetch quite a price." – While he was contemplating that Miya quickly snatched her rock from Dante's hands.
"Ara, ara, what are you talking about, Dante-san? My hand just slipped. Besides, I don't want to sell my rock; it holds many dear memories of mine." – While saying that, Miya was possessively cradling her rock.
"Ufufu, this is just like a soap opera! But Miya-tan, you told Dan-tan about Sekirei and Ashikabi, but forgot to tell him about Sekirei Plan. Dan-tan needs to know about that before continuing." – While Matsu was having fun, she still reminded everyone about urgent matters. At hearing that Dante raised one eyebrow and prepared to listen further.
"You're right, Matsu-san. The Sekirei Plan is Minaka's project, for which he turned whole city into battleground. According to that plan all of Sekirei should find for themselves an Ashikabi and then fight until only one Sekirei remains, which together with their Ashikabi will ascend to the heaven above and hold the fate of humanity in their hands." – After saying that everyone fell silent. At hearing that Dante was in no mood for jokes.
"So you're saying that this white prick found whole space full of your species and spend last twenty years to turn you into gladiators for his fun together with some crazy prize at the end for a winner?" – It was rare for Dante to be truly pissed at someone, but now was one of such moments.
"In a nutshell… yes." – That was the answer of Miya. Uzume looked worriedly as Dante tightly clenched his fists. Matsu showed stoic and impassive expression, though her eyes showed sadness at current situation.
"You know, I don't kill humans, but right now I seriously consider changing my beliefs." – At that Miya solemnly nodded and answered.
"If this plan could be stopped just like that, then I would've already killed Minaka myself. No, there're too much safeties placed around this Plan. Nothing short of complete annihilation of the capital could stop it and even then chances are small." – Though Miya appeared completely calm while saying that, her voice was filled with sadness and pain. Matsu and Uzume looked downcast. Dante had a concentrated and calculating look on his face, something that could be rarely seen on him.
"Now you know everything essential about situation you're in. There are some other details that could be filled later, but for now that should be enough. Now what really interest me are you, Dante-san. You know who we are, who our enemy is, what troubles follow us, but we know nothing about you." – Miya's expression didn't change, but her voice was giving out her own curiosity. At that Uzume suddenly perked up and decided to get out her questions to Dante.
"Yeah, you still didn't tell how you pulled these stunts in a hospital! Like where did you get your guns and where did you put them away after that."
"Guns? Oh my, such a dangerous friend you have, Uzume-san." – Miya raised one of her eyebrows in surprise.
"Yeah, Minaka wanted to speak him through TV and then bam! He shoots right in the center of TV-set with a pistol. But connection was still on, so he got second pistol out and bam! Bam! Bam! He shoots until nothing left of the TV." – Uzume animatedly and with big smile described what she saw earlier. After she finished recollection of TV accident, her face turned thoughtful. – "But what really puzzles me is how you got out of there. You jumped from the third floor with me on your hands without any effort. Even for most Sekirei such a feat would be more troublesome."
At that all of the females turned curious gaze at Dante. He sighed and looked at the faces of his listeners. They all looked very curious about that.
"Well, better get it over with at once. I'm a cambion." – At that all of the women's expressions turned confused. After few seconds Matsu gained a look of understanding than turned to Dante with surprised face that held hints of wonder and fear.
"But Dante-san, that's impossible!" – At that exclamation of Matsu Miya and Uzume looked at her with surprise. – "It was scientifically proved that devils don't exist, therefore it's impossible for cambions to exist as well."
At that explanation of Matsu Miya looked surprised, but Uzume was completely flabbergasted.
"What the hell are you talking about, Matsu? What devils have to do with Dante even if he is cambion?" – Such was an angry rant of Uzume, but what really surprised her is that she was stopped by Dante's hand on her shoulder.
"Dream Girl, devils have to do everything with this, because I'm a half-devil or in other words, cambion. Besides, Matsu, you're an alien, I'm a half-devil, what's your point?" – At that Matsu turned her head down in guilt.
"Sorry, Dante-san, I was just really surprised at that. Even if I'm an alien, idea of demons existing seems pretty wild to me. Forgive me." – At that she bowed before him.
"And I don't care if you're a devil or a half-devil, that's doesn't matter! You're my Ashikabi, forever and ever." – After Matsu asked for forgiveness, Uzume furiously spoke to him, hugging him once again and finished her speech tenderly so that no one except for her and Dante heard that.
"Don't sweat it, Matsu. And… thanks for that Uzume." – In answer to girls' reactions Dante spoke calmly, whispering second part to Uzume, at which she smiled contentedly.
"This was rude from you Matsu, but since Dante-san forgave you… You wouldn't get punished for that." – Though Miya didn't unleash her intimidating trick, her smile was all too familiar to Matsu, so she still was slightly trembling while looking at her. – "Also, Dante-san, that was really unexpected. Maybe next you will tell us about your guns? If you plan to stay in Izumo Inn with weapons I wouldn't mind but only if you show all of them to me and if you wouldn't use them here except for emergencies."
"I can understand that. Alright, first are the guys that Dream Girl saw. Let me introduce you – Ebony and Ivory." – At start of his speech he stepped a few steps back from the table and pulled out his two pistols. First a black gun in left hand and then a silvery-white gun in right hand. He placed them on the floor and pulled out of nowhere a sawed-off shotgun.
"I call this guy Coyote. He got both mean bark and bite." – He placed shotgun on the floor close to Ebony and Ivory. Next one caused Uzume's jaw to drop, Matsu to take another calculating look at Dante and Miya to raise an eyebrow in surprise.
"That would be Spiral, my heavy-duty rifle. Some demons got quite a tough hide, so additional firepower could be handy." – After that Dante placed anti-tank rifle on the floor. If hiding pistols and shotgun on a person could be achieved with some skill, this was beyond these skills. Next weapon got similar reaction out of occupants.
"Meet Kalina Ann. Actually it's not mine, just borrowed it for some time, but it would be too troublesome to give it back because of some reasons." – So next to anti-tank rifle Dante placed clearly modified rocket launcher. But next weapon got clear looks of confusion from Miya and Uzume, while Matsu gained fascinated look on her face.
"What is THAT?" – Uzume couldn't help herself but ask this question at the sight of the thing that looked like oversized blade-gauntlet made of silvery metal and adorned with few glowing red crystals.
"This is Artemis. It is a demonic laser-gun. Pretty nifty thing, if I do say so myself." – After that he placed it together with his more usual firearms. Looking at this thing Matsu was almost salivating.
"Dan-tan, if that is really a hand held laser weapon, could you later let Matsu-tan take a look at Artemis-tan? Pretty please?" – Matsu clasped her hands before her chest, while giving Dante her best 'Puppy-Dog Eyes'™ look. At that Dante sweat-dropped, while looking at her.
"I'll think about it, Matsu. That's all for my firearms…" – Dante made a slight pause, looking at all of his shooting fun-things against demons. Well there were still couple of good collectibles back at home, but these will do.
"Good, Dante-san, now…" – Before Landlady could've finished what she was going to say, Dante interrupted her by continuing his own speech. That earned him an irritated eye-twitch from Miya.
"…Now we can go to my Devil Arms! And first would be my personal weapon, gifted to me by my father, Rebellion." – At these words he showed big straight sword in his hands. It was grim-looking claymore, its guard designed with bones, ribcage and screaming demonic skull; length of the blade together with handle was almost the same as Dante's own height. While Matsu looked a little intimidated by sword appearance, Uzume curious about Dante's heirloom, Miya skillfully hid her own fascination. As an exceptional swordswoman herself she from one look deduced incredible quality of the blade and felt it. That sword was marvelous in her eyes. Miya came out of her stupor when Dante placed Rebellion on the floor and took out his next weapon.
"This is Cerberus, tripartite nunchaku, icy cool to the core. It is quite useful in some cases with its lengthening chains." – Dante was holding in his hand metallic ring, to which were connected three chains made from dark metal with blue crystal-like foot long rod at the end of each chain. After he put Cerberus on the floor he took out another Devil Arm in form of two unusual swords. This time it earned only mildly curious glances. Both of them are of the same shape, one colored light-blue and other – bright orange. But their shape was pretty unusual – two serrated scimitars with decorative faces on their pommels.
"These two are Agni and Rudra, the Firestorm brothers. As you can guess these are swords with power of fire and wind. But because they're annoying dumbasses I usually call them Numbskull One and Numbskull Two." – And as soon as Dante said that, gathered females were startled by two indignant shouts, yelling the same thing.
"Master!" –It took women a few moments to understand where the voices were coming. Apparently faces on pommels were not as decorative as they thought.
"Did these swords just talk? Neat!" – Being at first surprised, Uzume was the first one to speak out her mind.
"And they can go on for hours at that, which is the reason why they're so annoying. So…" – After that Dante forcefully hit pommels of each sword against one another. – "No. Talking."
After glaring for a few seconds at his swords' pommels Dante nodded and placed them on the floor. Few moments later he took out his last Devil Arm.
"A guitar… with electric strings?" – The one who sounded her surprise was no other then a Landlady. Indeed, what Dante took out this time, was a purple guitar with strings made seemingly from flowing electricity.
"Yeah, let me introduce you to the last one, Nevan. Demonic guitar with which I could strike my enemies with lightning, slice and dice them with hidden scythe blade, destroy my surroundings with powerful sound bursts, summon flocks of bloodthirsty vampire bats and finally!" – At that he raised one of his fingers to show significance of what he is going to say. – "She is an electric guitar, which is always perfectly tuned and can be used to play at rock-concert without plugging her into anything."
"For some reason I feel jealous." – Uzume murmured under her breath so that no one would hear her.
"That's loud." – Was Matsu's surprised murmur.
"Dante-san." – When Dante looked at Miya, he saw that she was smiling demurely, while at the same time producing the thickest and foulest aura for today, the demonic mask which appeared behind her also looked much bigger, angrier and had blood dripping from eyes and mouth. Matsu and Uzume hugged each other and were shaking violently, unable to do anything else due to overwhelming terror. – "If you ever play on Nevan at large volume while you're inside or within a radius of three blocks of Izumo Inn, I will kick you out at once. Is that understood?"
"Come on, Miya, don't be such a stick in the mud. Maybe you will change your mind if I play some crazy tune? Now, which one will do, there're so much of them…" – At that point Miya decided to stop holding back and leaped at Dante, bringing out her trusty ladle. Her strike was strong enough to make Dante momentarily fall on the ground, while her ladle broke. Seeing that, Miya donned stone-faced expression and exited the room. – "Jeez, if she doesn't like rock music that much she could've just told me."
Any further remarks of Dante were stopped in their tracks when Miya returned to the room, bringing with her a sword. She didn't sport an aura of dread, her smile was peaceful and eyes lidded. The only sign of her true feelings was a throbbing vein on the forehead.
"It's time for your punishment, Dan-te-san." – While slowly speaking his name, Landlady unsheathed her katana. At that look Dante recalled all of his Devil Arms and firearms. And as Miya made her first swing, he skillfully dodged her. While dodging several more strikes he spoke to Matsu and Uzume.
"Looks like Landlady needs to went some steam and I need to get some fresh air. I will come back after a couple of hours!" – At that he ran out of room and house, while laughing. Miya followed him, while furiously swinging her sword.
"Get back here and receive your punishment!" – Her cries of outrage came from outside and were getting further away.
"Ufufufu, it's like a soap opera!" – After Landlady left, Matsu's mood increased rapidly.
"Yeah, I'm sure that with him around there wouldn't be a dull hour." – Uzume also looked happy, but then her expression turned grim and she muttered something under her breath. – "I hope Miya will destroy that damn guitar."
A/N: That's it, it was quite a long chapter! Next one – Vergil's coming to the land of the living, what is he going to do with such clusterfuck as Sekirei Plan? Read and find out!
Also don't forget to leave me nice and long reviews, I love them!