Back again after a long wait. I got a few messages about this story and I figured I'd continue it. Anywho, enjoy. Also, I read through my entire story and realized something. SO MANY SPELLING ERRORS, INCORRECT GRAMMAR PLACEMENT, AND ALL OF THE STUPIDITY. I apologize.

Chapter 4: Nero's first day part 2

Nero's eyes shot back into those of the jock and he kinda narrowed them some. He really didn't have time for this, nor did he even want to tousle with it. The jock sneered, getting ready to grab Nero's jacket when a small voice piped up.

"D-don't!" It was Saoirse, her voice shaking and she looked as disturbed as anyone could be. She couldn't believe she just spoke up like that, immediately covering her mouth with her hands, long sleeves on her sweater only allowing her fingers to show really.

The jock's head snapped to her and he scoffed, "Oh yeah? What're you gunna do about mousy?"

She just shrunk back a little, her eyes glancing between Nero and the jock nervously. Yearningly almost, wanting to help but she knew there wasn't anything she could do really.

"That's what I thought.." The jock concluded, turning back to Nero now who had his gaze focused on the girl. His face read that of thankfulness, concern, and sympathy. Also, slight confusion. Once Nero realized the jock was looking back his way he did the same and meet the gaze of that who wished him harm. Not that it would really do anything, Nero could handle way worse.

The jock now reached for the blue coat again but Nero had slid a little to the side and he grabbed the kid's arm, pushing it up under and shoving him to the side. The jock stumbled and fell against the edge of the lockers. His face twisted to rage and embarrassment.

Nero wasn't actually going to hurt the kid, just make him look bad. That's really all he deserved from what he could figure and hurting him would be extremely out of line (possibly prison-threatening) and not to mention unfair. He had the upper hand almost always.

"How fuckin' dare you, you little pussy." The jock threw at him before pressing away from the wall and coming full force and swinging wildly at Nero.

Nero didn't have much time to react but he was well used to it and found a loophole. He sidestepped, coat tails whipping a little with the sudden movement. The jock almost fell through and into the forming crowd, seeing that this is a fight.. and fights in school are interesting. It's a certain highlight from all the boring things forced into everyone's faces all day.

The young devil was standing in front of Saoirse now and could practically feel her shaking behind him; he then glanced over his shoulder at her and smiled a little. A small burst of reassurance that he had everything under control. Maybe. The jock pivoted from his swinging to grab Nero finally now since he was distracted with the girl. His burly hands nabbed the front of Nero's coat and he slung him against the nearest wall. His back collided with the iron locker door and he let out a huff, barely harmed. The locker however was a little dented when he pulled himself from it.

A few of the teenagers pointed that out and were gawking about it.

"Look, I don't even know you're name.. I just don't want to fight you. Okay? I just want to get on and-" Nero started, but the jock cut him off.

"I don't give a shit what you want.. you're new.. you're a little faggot and I'm here to show you how we do it in Fortuna." He spat back at the white haired one.

Nero sighed, "I'm not going to fight you."

"That'll make this a whole lot easier then."

And then the jock went for Nero, but he grabbed his arms before a punch could be lain. Nero had a tight grip and he noticed this too, the eyes of the young man drifted down to the glove on Nero's right arm and Nero's eyes followed. He got a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach.

They knew immediately what to do next. The jock yanked his other hand free and reached for the glove, seeing it was a weak point in Nero's façade. Nero foresaw this and he reached over to the grab the wrist that was holding into his wrist while the gloved hand was holding a wrist as well. It was a lovely pretzel.

Nero and the jock both locked eyes and narrowed them at each other. Personally, the young devil hunter didn't have a problem with the kid until now. Now, things got personal.

"Whatcha' hiding under there pretty boy?" The jock teased with a sneer.

"…Nothing you'd be interested in knowing about." He shot back then tugging one way while it was going the opposite way. This was a little game of tug of war now, and it was pissing Nero off.

The jock used his full force then to pull and it nearly ripped the glove, and it started slip.. Nero's heart leapt into his chest and he pulled with all his might. Two things happened then. He fell backwards, suddenly released from any struggle any further, much to his dismay. Good thing his glove was still intact. The second thing he noticed. The jock was standing next to a teacher, a tall man with a stern look on his face. Saoirse was nearby and she had a tiny grin on her face, glad justice was served.

"Boys. Boys. Boys. Why start a fight in the middle of the hallway when there's plenty of space outside?" His voice was deep and raspy and he had a few scars on his cheeks.

Nero was still on his ass in front of the lockers watching the new scene unfold, not saying a word. He had been relatively quiet during this whole ordeal and it struck a strange cord in him.

"Mr. Armstrong. Come with me, I need to speak with you privately." And the tall man urged the jock forward to wherever it was he was leading him. Armstrong.. the name suited the kid. He was tough; Nero's fought many a demon in his time and this kid was actually a little bit of a challenge. Props to him.

"Nero, are you alright?" Saoirse came over and knelt down next to him, looking him over.

Nero took a deep sigh, "Oh yeah, I'm fine." He started to stand up, his left hand using the lockers to hold him up for a moment and he realized then that there was a dent right below the other one. The first one much larger than the second but still.. His face twisted to embarrassment and he turned to Saoirse and the others. A few teachers even. "I-I can pay for that.." He said stupidly.

Saoirse was now looking over the dent with wide eyes but she couldn't help but stifle a little giggle. "C'mon.. let's get to class before the-.."

The bell rang then.

The two looked at each other then with faces of 'Oh whoops'. The rest of the students had already begun to scatter before the bell rang however now they were running to their classes.

"Looks like we're late." She said softly.

"Yeah." Nero breathed. "Do we just continue on our way or is there some strange thing we've got to do first?" He questioned, almost teasingly.

Her face turned up into a bigger smile, "We've gotta get a tardy pass from the office." She then began walking in that direction and shot a glance over her shoulder for him to follow. He smirked and followed.

Aside from the fight, today isn't all that bad. I think I can handle this for a little while longer, I'm sure Dante won't be too happy about that.. But hey, don't have to let him know really.

The rest of the day went by quite smoothly to say the least. He wasn't provoked by that guy again, thank Sparda.

Later

Nero stepped in the door of Devil May Cry, shutting the door promptly behind him. He was oddly happy, content even, from today's events. Despite the fight that broke out, he had an alright day.. and he was greeted by a familiar face, one he didn't necessarily want to see but one he was expecting. Dante.

"Hey look, Trish.. he's still all in one piece!" Dante exclaimed, setting his magazine down on the surface of the desk near his boots.

"See, I told you things would go over well. You never listen to me." The blonde smacked Dante's shoulder with the back of her hand then and rolled her eyes. "How was it?" She directed her attention to the young devil hunter now.

"It was alright." He smiled softly and nodded a little for justification.

Dante was flabbergasted for a moment. He opened his mouth and made a face like he was expecting something. "..And?" He paused, "What? No whining.. no bitching and complaining that you hate my guts and never want to go back?" He was honestly shocked to bits.

Nero just shrugged and shook his head, "No." His voice was relaxed and he could just smell the unsatisfaction dripping from Dante's every pore.

"So much for punishment then, Damn.." He paused, "This is like a walk in the park for you isn't it? It was supposed to be a revenge-like deal." He scoffed and folded his arms, giving Trish a look like she needed to interject.

"I think I'm going to go rest for a while, maybe patrol later.." He added with a tiny smile and walked past Dante and Trish to his little corner of the world. Trish's eyes slapped to Dante with a wide effect, he almost shared the same expression.

"Wow.." She let out a breath. "I didn't even expect that. Either his day went extremely well, or the polar opposite and he's just bottling it up." She suggested.

Dante just snorted and rolled his eyes, "I need to get him another way then. Pizza is some serious shit, I know it may seem like throwing him mercilessly into the world like that was irrational but I mean c'mon.. you gotta admit if it was YOUR pizza you'd do the same thing. Besides.." He gestured to an empty box nearby, "Shit's custom, you can't just get custom pizza like that anywhere in Fortuna."

"No, Dante, let him keep going for as long as he wants." An inward smile graced her face, "If I couldn't tell any better, I'd say he actually enjoyed it today.." She gave him a knowing glance. "And who knows.. it may even be good for him."

"No wonder the kid wasn't as resistant as I assumed he'd be." The red clad man huffed again. "..And fine, I'll let him be.. all up until I see that he's plotting against me or something. That'd be all I need, to come back to the shop to see him leading a horde of teenagers to kill me at my desk."

Trish laughed and nudged him again, her legs folded as she sat on the corner of his desk.

Elsewhere

Saoirse was walking home on the wet cobblestone streets of Fortuna, her curls bouncing a little with the steps she took and blowing with the wind when it came. In her arms she was clutching a few books to her chest, eyes locked on the ground. Her eyes caught something moving in the reflection of the puddles, and it wasn't movement of her own. She stopped.. kept her gaze low and watched.. there it was again, but this time.. she saw it for it's entirety. A patched together monster of some sort, hobbling around on stilt-like limbs. Some if it's other limbs were scythes and blades. She looked up to see it leap from the top of a building to another nearby. Her breath hitched in her throat and she found her arms shaking, threatening to drop the books she was holding. Thankfully, whatever it was didn't want her.. they were traveling by rooftop to get to somewhere else. Either way, this greatly disturbed Saoirse.. she was shaken deep and now found herself running home, eyes wide and panting heavily.

A slight cliff-hanger for you guys, but don't worry.. the next update won't take NEARLY as long as this one did.. this is no longer on hiatus so I'm baaaack. Back in black, bitches. Anyway, enjoy and please favorite and review. I'm going to need 3 more reviews or more for me to continue this, just so I know people are still interested. Small favor I ask in exchange for so much. Thanks again.

-Ana