Chapter 2

The demons were relentless, and demon child was insufferable. Screaming and complaining about how long it was taking to defeat the devils. So far the devil brat defied ever instruction he was given and Vergil was working on an intense migraine.

They were close to what he knew would be a secure location. An empty room stacked with old burnt books and candles. There was a table with a 2 chairs in the center. The blue devil ushered them inside and closed the door. He leaned against the wall and crossed his arms and after the two were settled he instructed the child to speak.

Inri introduced himself as an Incubus. He made a living by telling local civilians that he had been abandoned and couldn't find his way home. The child would then take them into a secluded area and suck the life force from his victim. Not enough to kill them just render them temporarily unconscious. He had found the woman in an abandoned subway station running from demons. She had seen the child and immediately told him to run while she made a feeble attempt to fend them off. Inri was confused by the unusual human but felt drawn to her. After helping her flee from the devils he sought companionship with the woman. She would occasionally let him feed off her life force and did what she could to shield and defend him from the monster that sought them out. Over the year they had developed a close bond and she saw him as her child and her as his mother. The reason behind the woman's association with the demons was still unclear. Inri could not get any information from her. She was just as lost as he was.

Vergil sighed and ran a hand threw his hair. He was letting his sympathy interfere with his primary focus. Three years ago he wouldn't have even given these two a second glance. What had changed? His eyes met the girls and his mind blanked. Her deep blue eyes were settled on his steadily. They held each others gaze for a moment before she lowered her head and gave a shy smile. His heart throbbed in his chest and he looked away suddenly.

What the hell...was that? he asked himself.

Inri cleared his throat. "Soooo, what now?"

"It seems the item I was searching for is not in this location. We will travel to my home outside of town so I can continue with some research. Although first I will have to visit some...associates of mine. Come." The blue devil lead the way out of the Masonic Temple and to his car.

The child took the passenger seat of the vehicle while the woman climbed in back. Vergil immediately regretted the seating arrangement. Throughout the first 2 hours of their trip Inri kept blathering on about their misadventures before entering the temple. The blue devil had a mind to abandon him on the side of the road but managed to keep his temper in check. He couldn't stop himself from glancing at the woman in the mirror. She was sleeping peacefully. Her features no longer contorted in fear but were serene and gentle. He felt a fluttering feeling in his stomach he wasn't at all comfortable with.

"Hey!" Inri grabbed the steering wheel just as the car started to veer onto the shoulder. Vergil cursed and corrected himself. He glanced at the glaring demon child. "Jeez man. There are better ways to kill us!" The blue devil shook his head trying to regain focus. After a moment he cleared his throat to get the boys attention.

"That woman..your mother..."

"Yeah what about her?" the child yawned and relaxed.

"Clearly she is no mortal. Is she one of your kind?"

Inri giggled. "Nah, I would have ditched her a while ago if that was the case. Our kind can't stand each others company for long. Competition for humans attention can be tough sometimes."

"What is she?"

The child scratched his chin and shrugged. "Dunno. She's way to nice to be a human that's for sure."

The blue devil looked at him questioningly.

"Well it's obvious I'm not human." he pointed to his horns. "But she still hangs with me. Took care of me every time I got hurt. Would always try and make sure I was safe when the demons attacked, even though she can't fight worth shit." the child chuckled.

The devils grunted in response. She was no human, but if she was some breed of demon it was one he could not readily identify. The girl was unusually quiet, hadn't said a word from the moment they met. He didn't even know her name but felt a certain pull towards her that he just couldn't understand. Along with her beautiful features she held some kind of natural allure. He would have to keep a close on her.

They rode into Capulet City when Inri started complaining about needing to get out and stretch. The devil informed the two they would have a few minutes to use the facilities and relax before they would need to move again. The woman got out of the car and looked around dazed, just waking up. She took in her surroundings with awe. Vergil handed the boy a few bills and told them to buy some new attire. Their clothes looked positively filthy and he would not allow them to accompany him in their current state. Inri grabbed his mothers hand and lead her into one of the local shops. The devil pulled out his cell phone and a card and began to punch in the numbers. He knew he was going to regret this.

"Hellooooo? Devil May Cry."

Vergil sighed. "Good evening brother."

There was a long pause. "Vergil!? Ha ha. Well ain't this a surprise. Last person I've ever expected to get a call from. Sup bro?"

"I may require your assistance in a most pressing matter."

"Uh-huh. Like what?"

"I am currently in the city. A few blocks from your establishment actually. We will discuss it there."

"Still hanging on to the dark mysterious bit, eh? You haven't changed.."

"Enough Dante. Can you meet with me or not."

"Yeah, Yeah. Guess I'll see ya in a bit bro...Looove youuu!"

Vergil immediately pressed end and rubbed the bridge of his nose in annoyance. The woman and her son had just walked out of the store and gave him curious looks. The devil looked them over. The boy sported a black cap with "bite me" in red on the material. He had on a black shirt and jean shorts. The devil nodded in approval. When he assessed the woman his mouth went dry. She wore a blue and white, low cut corset that accentuated her breasts. It hung off her shoulders and had long sleeves with blue ribbons criss-crossed down to her arms that tied into bows at the wrists. She had a matching blue skirt that showed off her long shapely legs. Her feet were encased in white combat boots with blue lace. She looked stunning. The fluttering feeling in his stomach was back and it was getting more difficult to ignore.

He didn't realize how long he had been staring until the girl began to shift her weight around and crossed her arms around her stomach. She wouldn't meet his gaze but he cold see her cheeks redden. Her son growled lowly and Vergil turned from them and climbed into the drivers seat. He felt warm all over and adjusted his scarf just as the Incubus and woman entered the vehicle. The devil still couldn't figure out what this feeling was. Perhaps he would inquire his brother about it later.

He parked on the street opposite of his brothers shop and they crossed the busy street hurriedly. Vergil knocked on the door and waited. He heard a rustling and heavy footsteps. The door swung open suddenly and there stood his twin with the biggest shit eating grin he had ever seen plastered on his face.

"Good to see you bro!" the red twin boomed as he opened his arms and proceeded to try to pull Vergil into a hug. Just before he connected, several glowing blue swords materialized and pinned the red devil to the wall by his chest and neck. Dante grunted and glared at his twin.

"The hell man!?" he growled. "So much for a warm welcome!"

"Sorry, reflex." the blue twin said smoothly.

Dante freed himself of the spectral weapons and dusted off his coat. When he went to address his brother again he caught the light scent of flowers. He scanned his brother and saw of a small child and woman peeking from behind his twin. The red devils eyes narrowed.

"Sorry kiddies" he snorted "If you want to make an appointment you gotta call it in first-"

"They are with me." Vergil interrupted.

Dante's eyes bulged not believing his ears. Vergil had always been a loner, even when they were kids. Now not only had he called his shop for his assistance but he picked up two strays as well? Something wasn't right. The red devil cocked his head at the two. He looked the boy up and down uninterested but he couldn't help but grin when he caught sight of the girl. Long legs, full breasts, small waist, and an adorable face. And she was running around with his brother? He just had to hear this.

"Well well, sorry bout that. Come on in kiddies. Take a seat." he gestured to the old worn couch in the middle of the room.

Inri took his mothers hand and lead her into the shop. When the pair settled Dante turned back to his twin and cocked his head inside, a sign for him to follow. Vergil crossed the room and sat on his brothers desk, while Dante scooted a chair facing his brother and folded his arms.

"So big brother...What can Devil May Cry do for you."

Vergil sighed and cleared his throat.

"It's a bit of a long story."

Vergil informed his twin of his recent transgressions. His lack of power, the girl, the child incubus and the hordes of devils that had been seeking them out for a year. Dante listened attentively from his seat finding the story both odd and amusing. When his brother had finished the red devil whistled.

"Okaaay. Cool story bro, but, what exactly do you need my help for. You didn't think I'd play baby-sitter while you run off to find this missing power of yours."

Vergil frowned. He was actually hoping that would be the case. Dante saw his face and laughed.

"I'm a demon hunter, Verge, not a nanny. Plus what's a bunch of pansy-ass demons to "The Great Dark Slayer" anyways?"

Vergil abruptly left his spot on the desk and walked towards the door.

"A simple "no" would have sufficed brother. Inri. Girl. Come on. We are leaving." Dante rushed to his twin and put a hand on his shoulder. This was the first time he had seen his twin without blood being shed. It wasn't the heart warming family reunion he was hoping for but it was a start.

"Ok. Wait a minute. All of that came out wrong. I'm not turning you away bro, I'm just asking what do you expect me to do. If what you say is true then those fuckers are going to be attracted to these guys like flies to shit...and you brought them to one of the most populated areas in the city."

Vergil sighed waiting for him to make his point.

"Look, Verge business is pretty tough right now. I mean, I've got Lady and Trish busting ass all over town, and I'm here stuck answering the phone all damn day waiting for the next monster to show up and disturb the peace." As Dante talked he was beginning to form a plan in his head. The red devil grinned, but he could sense his twins impatience.

"You've made your point perfectly clear Dante. It was not my intention to come here and ask for your assistance but my options are very limited at the moment. If you cannot help me then I do not see the point of this meaningless conversation-"

"Now wait a sec, let me finish. Look you need someone to look after these two, and I've been a little short on helping hand for the last few weeks so how bout this...why don't you join the guild?" Dante broke into another wide grin.

Vergil's eye twitched and he stared at his brother incredulously.

"Inri! Girl! We're leaving. NOW." Vergil began walking out the door, his twin scrambling behind him.

"Come on! Think about it Verge. I think it's a pretty sweet deal. You wouldn't believe how much money we rake in with every job." Vergil simply ignore him and crossed the street to his car. He waited a moment for Inri and his mother to enter the vehicle and then he began to pull out of the parking lot. Before he made it to the street Dante stepped in front of the car with a stern look on his face.

"Just hear me out bro! It's not as bad as it probably seems. Think about all the demon ass you've had to kick in the last few years, and now think about all the money you can make for whupping said demon ass! What's the big deal?"

Vergil revved the engine and jerked the car forward several times as a warning. Dante sighed and side stepped the vehicle just as his twin gunned it forward, past him and down the street. The red devil groaned and ran a hand through his hair as the headlights disappeared. He grinned to himself. After all, Vergil did call him and came to him for help. Sure he was stubborn but this was a pretty big step considering everything that had happened between them in the last few years. He'd be back. He just new it.

3 months later

Vergil had just destroyed half a dozen demons that had broken into his fathers mansion where he, the incubus, and woman were residing. The blue devil was panting slightly. This had been going on for far too long. When the demon boy said that he and his mother were being constantly hounded by demons he was not exaggerating. Vergil wiped the sweat from his forehead and grimaced. He sighed reaching into his coat pocket to take out his cell phone. He began punching in numbers. It rang several times before he heard the voice of his twin, laughing from the other end.

"I knew you'd be back." Dante said cockily. Vergil could practically hear him smiling and wanted nothing more than to smash the cellular device into the ground. He breathed evenly and steadied his voice.

"I was hoping the offer you made was still on the table."

"For you bro, always and forever."