Okay, first things first. I do not own any characters from the Devil May Cry games, anime series, nor the manga. If I did, well...I really do not know. But anyways. Who I do have property rights over are Shawna and any OC characters that appear only in this story.
With that out of the way, I do hope you guys enjoy this story. XD
It was just the ending of Summer, the beginning of Fall. The usual, dry desert heat warmed the morning air as the sun began its accent into the purple-orange sky. Such a beautiful scene, as one would say. But that was nothing in comparison to the sunsets that took place by the end of the day. The golden rays of light touched the brown and white sands and reached onto the streets of a single small city that laid by the only river that gave life to the desert inhabitants. Any passer-by would think that one was crazy for living in the middle of no where. But some thought otherwise. Despite the intense heat, the town was quiet and relaxing...for the most part.
"Come back, you thief!"
A single figure ran down the street, passed the market. Any person would see nothing but a black-and-gray blur as it ran passed them. Her slim body was adorned with worn clothes that were torn in a few places but they managed to cover her body. Her messy, black hair was quite long and framed her face, mostly hiding her brown eyes from sight. She didn't have much of a bust but she was not considered flat-chested. The person received many disapproving glares, but ignored them. She was more focused on the matter-at-hand: running like her life depended on it while keeping her grip on the bag of food. Behind her was a tall, elderly man with a crazed look on his face.
"Kiss my ass, old man!"
Laughter filled the streets. For some of the merchants on the street, this was the usual. Get out their goods, wait for any buyers to come, and watch the day roll on. However, the one thing that really got most of them up and about was what was currently happening. The young girl that was making the scene would come out of where ever she 'lived' and try to steal some goods. It was quite the scene. A lot of the merchants would stop what they were doing just to watch the action take place. Not many of the people in town knew what to do in situations such as this, but the ones who knew of the girl would look on with pity and amusement. Many applauded her for her bravery and, most of all, her ability to outwit pretty much every unfortunate person she steals from. Only a few times did she get caught by the nearby police, but she always found a way out.
"Don't just stand there, you imbeciles! Do something! Call the police," the elderly man was getting frustrated.
It was the fifth time in a week that the brat stole from him and got away. But he wasn't going to let it happen again. It wasn't her fault. The old man just failed to keep a closer eye on his things.
The girl took a detour to escape the crazy guy and added a few twists and turns before she finally came to a stop. 'Thank god the cops didn't come yet, or we'll be in deep shit.' She glanced back down at the bag in her hands, and opened it up. Inside were several loafs of bread and quite a few fruits. It wasn't much but it should last her and the others for a bit while.
"Hey, Shawna," speaking of which, "Did you get the stuff? We're starving back there."
A young lad, no older than the petite woman herself, came up to her. He had been panting from running as well. Leon was his name, and it fit him well. Young, brash, yet extremely brave. The bravest of the gang they were in. Leon had long, blonde hair that was loosely tied in a strip of cloth, and a pair of eyes that could shine like the sun where ever he went: a deep golden-brown.
"Yeah, I've got it," Shawna laughed and showed Leon the bag. "It's not much but it should last us for a good while."
"Hm," Leon grimaced at the amount, but understood the circumstances. "They've been upping their guard lately, haven't they?"
"Sadly," Shawna slung the bag over her shoulder and started walking away, "But we're lucky we even got this."
Leon nodded in agreement and followed his friend. He and Shawna had been watching each other's backs since the beginning. He had come across Shawna when she lost her home and went into the orphanage. Neither liked it there, so they planned an escape along with several other kids. It had been over eight years since the attack on Limbo City. Ever since, everyone had to take precaution because of the new dangers that lurked in every shadow, particularly at night. Demons, as what the adults had called them. Monsters that fed on human flesh and had the appearance of grotesque monsters.
Shawna and Leon ventured out to the outskirts of Limbo, where just about everything was desolate. Limbo City had used to be a thriving metropolis but after the invasion, everything went downhill from there. Shawna glanced at a few of the crumbling buildings, thinking back. A large majority of the city had been destroyed in the span of two nights. The only buildings left intact were located near the center of the city. Shawna and the gang were among the few groups that dared, or were too poor, to live in the outskirts of town. They were the ones more at risk of being killed.
Nearing their 'home', Shawna and Leon could make out the small figure that was running up to them.
"H-Hey, you guys are back," the voice came from another survivor, Natalie. "Took you long enough."
Shawna chuckled in amusement as Natalie started arguing with Leon, who tried to keep his composer but was failing miserably. Natalie was a sweet and quiet girl, but she did have her moments. She had mid-back length, red hair and emerald eyes. Shawna continued on to the inside of the small warehouse the gang lived in. It had used to be a welding company that moved farther into the city, so there were still a few of the large barrels and pots left behind. Other than the little rats that pestered everyone at night, it was actually quite 'cozy'. Not. Most had to sleep on the ground while others slept on the broken-down benches lining the walls.
"Yo, Shawna. What do ya got there?"
"A few breads and fruits," she answered the lumbering giant who spoke to her, "And don't complain. It's all I got."
Shawna glared at the larger guy's grimace. He was quite tall for a seventeen-year-old and had a head of dirty-blonde hair. No one knew his name, so they decided that 'Big B' would do just nice. At the sound of Shawna's voice in the warehouse, more kids came out of hiding. Shawna split the food up among everyone. There was about ten of people here, so there wasn't much for each person. Mostly guys, Shawna and Natalie were the only females in the lot, but no one minded. Shawna made sure that the guys kept their distance, knowing that the guys would have hormone problems every so often.
"Thanks, Shawna. Finally, I don't have eat rats tonight."
"Stop your blabbering, fool. You better eat that before I do, myself."
"Would you boys stop arguing and eat," Shawna had to cut in to break up the fighting.
'God, they're just dogs in a cage. This is ridiculous.'
"It's not my fault. The old man was crazy," Leon's voice cut in from outside. "Even Shawna had to run like a bat outta Hell, right Shawn?"
"Shut up, Leon! I am not a bat, but you and Natalie better get inside and eat before everyone else does!"
"Ah, crap," both had made a run for it, lunging at the last bits of food.
"Yeesh. Sometimes, I wonder if I'm the mother of this lot," Shawna rubbed her head in aggravation.
"Nif oof rent...yoof the bst."
"Stop talking with your mouth full, Leon," Shawna swallowed a piece of an apple, then glared. "And what did you say?"
"...I said 'No you aren't. You're the best.' Right? Right."
"...Thank you, Now, shut up and eat. I am surrounded by idiots," Shawna muttered the last bit to herself.
Everyone had their fill and went back to where they were previously at, some keeping watch by the windows. Eventually, the day turned into dusk. Shawna watched from her perch as the sun began to disappear beyond the horizon. The glow from the city made the sky turn an eerie green-red. 'I can't believe how long it's been. Though not one for the past, I still believe all that has happened.' Shawna closed her hazel eyes and inhaled deeply. The air still had a hazy scent to it, even though she was far from the city. She could faintly hear a few stray dogs bark off in the distance. Everything was so dreary.
Shawna had suddenly caught the sound of what appeared to be a faint siren. Thinking that it was nothing, she ignored. However, she noticed that the siren was getting louder, which meant that it was getting closer. Shawna snapped her eyes open and stared out in the direction she heard the siren. Sure enough, she was able to make out the red and blue flashes that signified trouble. 'Shit.'
"Guys, get your lazy asses up and get moving," Shawna jumped down from the brick wall she was sitting on, and ran inside.
That got mostly everyone on their feet. Others just ignored her. Leon looked at Shawna. Even though it was getting dark, he could make out the alarmed look on his friend's face and the lights behind her.
"Shit," he cursed, getting up. "Move, you damned people! The cops are here!"
Thanks to Leon's announcement, everyone instantly got up. Through the profanities and mayhem, Shawna and Leon ran to one of the broken windows and looked out. Both cursed inwardly. A dozen or so cop cars were parking in front of the warehouse they were in.
"Leon," Shawna glanced at the boy, grabbing his attention, "Go get the others and head out through the back door. Once you're out, keep moving and don't look back."
Some of the Police were already entering the building, but the kids still had a chance to escape. Leon stared at Shawna in disbelief, his mouth wide open.
"And what about you? You're thinking of staying, are you," he hissed, but when he saw the look Shawna gave him, he instantly shut his mouth. "You...are. Are you?"
"Yes. Now, go," she pushed Leon away, towards the others. "I'll be right behind you guys. I'm just gonna distract them. If they get me, it only be me and not everyone else. Go!"
Leon shook his head, but obeyed. Silently praying that Shawna would not get caught, he gathered everyone and left the warehouse. Once she was sure that everyone was gone, Shawna turned to the policemen and started her plan. 'I hope this will work.' She ran to the stairs and put her hands up to her mouth.
"Hey, you idiots! Over here," she had caught some of their attention, who in turn got the rest of the cops. "Yeah, you pansies! Kiss my ass!"
"There's one of them! Get her!"
Managing to get the cops' attention, Shawna took off in the other direction, away from her gang's route. She lept around the debris and benches, making her way to one of the open windows. Hearing the shouts behind her, kept Shawna going. 'Easy as a piece of pie.' Shawna stopped at the window and looked down. The window was a good ten feet off the ground, but like that would stop her. Looking back at the oncoming officers, Shawna grinned.
"See if ya can catch me, fellas," she mock-saluted the men and jumped out of the window.
"Jesus, she just jumped!"
"Don't stop, you fools. Call for back-up!"
Shawna landed effortlessly on the ground below and took off once again. If she was to get out of here, she couldn't stop even for a moment. The sound of car sirens made her curse when the cars appeared around the corner.
"Dammit."
One of the police cars tried to cut her off, but Shawna had other plans. Literally jumping over the car, Shawna slid over the hood and ran like hell. She could see more cop cars coming at her. 'Dammit. There were more? Shit. I hope the others got the hell outta the area before these guys came.' Dodging some more cars, Shawna saw an alley. Without thinking twice, she made a dash for the opening. Running for minutes would not exhaust her like this, but running from police cars that have an advantage over her was leaving Shawna nearly breathless. Having to stop in another alleyway to catch her breath, Shawna started coughing.
"Dammit (Pant) I (pant) hate these guys. At least (pant) they didn't bring in the choppers...yet."
Shawna straightened up and leaned against the cold cement building behind her. Sweat poured down her face, leaving her skin salty and sickly. She decided to glance to her right and was glad she did. She tried jumping out of the way as a bright light lit up for a second, followed by the hissing sound of a tazer. 'Dammit.' She glared up at the man holding the taser. He was obviously a cop, but a good-looking one at that. He had shaggy, black hair and a pair of hazel-green eyes. 'Wow. He actually has a nice-looking body,' Shawna couldn't help but stare at the guy's slim, toned arms and chest, even if they were covered in navy-blue fabric.
"Thought you could get away form us, did you girly," okay, that ruined the moment.
"Girly, huh? Well," Shawna snarled at the guy, sensing his young arrogance. "Then, let's have some fun."
The guy evidently got the wrong idea in his head, since he started blushing. Shawna took this as a sign and lifted her knee upwards at his groin. She received a grunt in return, and turned around to elbow the officer in the side. Another kick to his calf sent the guy plummeting to the ground in pain. Unfortunately, Shawna failed to see the other officer behind her until it was too late. Her body screamed in agony as the electrical charge shot down her spine and back up. The numb feeling of being shocked caused Shawna's body to spazz and fall into a pair of arms, gasping for air. Her visioned was fading in and out, but she could make the words "Got her" and "Get her in the car" as her hands were cuffed behind her back. As she was dragged to a nearby police car, Shawna glanced to the side and saw Leon's dark figure in an alley with Natalie. Clearly stepping forward to try and help her, Leon only stopped when Shawna shook her head and smirked.
"You better be alright, Shawna," she heard Leon's whisper just barely. "Just hang in there."
Shawna smirked even more, drawing the officers' attention to her. One took a baton and smacked her on the head, knocking her out. 'Don't you fucking dare come after me, Leon. Both you and Natalie, keep the others safe...for me.'