HBC: I'm ALIVE! I hope everyone had a wonderful time during the holidays! I'm sorry that I didn't update. I was distracted. I have a tumblr now! I'm moving on up! If you feel the need to, look me up! In other words, follow me please I'm desperate to meet new followers! Message me for my URL!

Anyway, as always happy reading and please read and review!

Chapter Seven: Blackbird

Black bird singing in the dead of night

Take these broken wings and learn to fly

All your life you were only waiting for this moment to arrive

Lea fought through the sea of memories. Picking out the ones that were important, nit-picking at the ones that were sensitive, and avoiding the ones that were not needed to be said ever. Dante and Nero listened intently, and quietly; Dante only speaking up when he wanted her to go into more detail, and Nero looked so lost throughout the whole thing.

When Lea finished, she took a deep breath and refused to look either of them in the eye. Nero was the first to speak. "Did-did that really happen?"

She nodded refusing to speak.

Dante's heart hurt. He was getting far too old to deal with this kind of teen angst crap. Hell, he couldn't even deal with Verge when he was like that. The old man stood up and ruffled the girl's hair. She looked at him cross.

He paid her no mind as he headed towards the door.

"Old man, where are you going?" Nero stood up from his chair, panicked. He didn't want to be left alone with Lea. His senses were telling him about the demon that was inside her, trying to force its way out. His brain was alarmed at the thought of having a sister. She had all the memories that he didn't. She knew almost everything about him.

Dread filled his heart. He took another look at her small figure resting on the bed in the guest room. Her breathing stuttering and seemed forced. He wanted to stay with her, but he couldn't. Nero could ask her more, he could learn all about his life before he came to Fortuna, before Kyrie. His heart skipped a beat. He had to find her.

Nero took another look at the teenager lying on the bed. Her eyes were closed but he could still tell that she was awake. Nero swept out of the room. His loyalty lied with Kyrie, and he would do anything to find her. She was the only constant in his life. They built each other back up from the aftermath of Sanctus and her brother. He owed nothing to Lea.

"It seems you have a rescuer." Virgil quirked his lips as he turned his head from the window to watch the girl. He watched her expression flicker from introspective to hopeful. "You didn't tell me that you were such good friends with my brother."

Surprise, then worry, then back to hopeful. It was amusing to watch this human girl's range of emotions.

"Nonetheless, this doesn't put a damper on my plans." He stalked from the window to the door. "I will have my sword back from that useless half-demon boyfriend of yours."

Virgil didn't wince as he felt the stabbing pain in his heart. He was supposed to be the pompous, evil, sophisticated twin. It did him no good to have feelings. He placed his hand on the ancient doorknob and turned it

"Mister Virgil," Kyrie's voice was small but gentle. He paused at the open doorway. "Is your heart really in this plan of yours?"

Virgil took a breath. He wanted to answer her, to cement his place as an evil demon in her heart. He couldn't. She was practically family, if her sent was anything to go by. She smelled so much of Nero, reminded him so much of Aria.

"Hey Virgil! Why don't you come out and play?" Dante saved him replying. He schooled features back.

He shut the door with a smirk. "Come and find me, Brother!" He called. The halls sent his reply echoing throughout the building, just as it did with Dante's.

Fortuna castle was lacking the distinctly evil aura, it was nice. There were still some demons around, but they were weak and easily dealt with. Some of the easiest that Nero has had the pleasure of dealing with in a long time.

He quickly advanced through the castle.

"Is that all you got Verge?" Dante's voice was mocking. There was a clash of swords.

"It seems to me that age has slowed you, Dante." That voice resounded within Nero's head. It reminded him of something. He couldn't place it, but it was there. He stayed hidden in the shadows of the large doorway, watching them fight.

It was beautiful and terrible at the same time. They were fast and amazingly precise. They met blow for blow, swords singing and dancing under their masters.

Dante let out a loud laugh and separated from his opponent. The man backed away to the other side of the room. "It's good to see you again." They looked like they were enjoying the fight. Neither of them had broken a sweat.

Nero's eyes widened. He looked so much like Dante. They were the same, yet different.

A sharp his echoed behind Nero, as the hair on the back of his neck stood up.

"My child…"

Aria curled her fingers around Nero's tiny fist. She cooed at him from his place in his crib.

"He's growing fast." She heard Virgil shuffling in the doorway. She turned and smiled at him. These past few months have been slowly growing into domestic bliss. She couldn't believe that all this was hers to have to cherish.

"He'll be looking like you before long." Virgil joined her besides the crib. He reached down and picked him up. The baby smiled and made a delighted sound.

"I suppose so." He poked the baby's nose. His tiny arm's reached up and grabbed hold of his father's finger. The baby tugged it towards his mouth. Virgil gently pulled it back, not out of baby Nero's grasp, but just enough to make a small game of tug-o-war with him. Nero would be teething soon.

"Have you spoken to your father lately?" The question was innocent enough, but it made Aria's beautiful face scowl.

"I told him the good news, and he asked when the abortion would be." She placed her hands unconsciously on her stomach.

"I'm sorry." He shifted his hold on the babe. His features softened as he turned to look towards his new bride.

"It's fine. I knew he wouldn't understand." She hugged him from behind. "It doesn't matter. I have this." Aria nuzzled her face into his back. "It'll be all of ever need."

Virgil couldn't hide his smile as he turned around to face her. "Agreed," He bent down and kissed her. They broke apart only when Nero grabbed a piece of Aria's long hair and tugged it into his mouth. The newlyweds laughed, all was good.

Virgil twisted back as he avoided Dante. The thing before him hissed, and charged towards the boy. The boy was holding an injured arm. Virgil had only time to look at it, before that thing had charged at him. Dante held it up but ended up being pushed back.

"What is that thing?" He locked eyes with it, those beautiful hazel eyes that once promised him a lifetime of happiness.

"Her name was Aria." Dante looked as Virgil's eyes flashed with anger. He felt his anger rise, along with his inner demon.

"Child…" It hissed and ran towards Nero.

Virgil blocked her path. "Hello Aria dear, it's good to see you again." The thing screamed and pounced.

Lea paused to breathe. Her wounds were better. She was always a fast healer. Lea gasped as her inner demon jolted and fought. She leaned against the bridge railing. "You lied to me."

"It was all to protect you." Her grandfather watched her, a fond smile on his face. A helicopter circling above head, providing a quick escape, if he had any need.

"How does lying to me, protect me?" She placed a hand against her bandaged side. "Aria was never the enemy!"

His smile darkened. "All good things must come to an end child."

"This was never a good thing." She tried to straighten, but couldn't.

"You're missing the whole point here, child."

"There was never any point to begin with! You played with me! With Dante! With Nero! And who knows how many others!" She coughed and gasped. "I will end you."

The old man had the audacity to laugh. "You? A halfing, who can't even access her demonic blood? I suppose you want your eye back too."

Lea spluttered. Gramps laughed, his hand signaling for the helicopter to come down. "I'll see you soon."

The rope ladder came down, and he pulled himself up on it. The helicopter rose up and disappeared.

"Possessing a demon's eye is a dangerous thing." Lea turned around and stiffened. She flinched as the pain coursed through her body.

"Can I help you?" She snarled at the two women that approached her.

They smiled. "I don't suppose that you can tell us were one Dante son of Sparta is?" The blonde one said.

"I have an inkling. Why?"

"He owes me some money. I came to collect." The black haired one looked amused at the situation.

"Then don't let me stop you."

They shared a look and then laughed. They passed her. Lea tried not to breathe a sigh of relief.

The blonde one paused. "Are you coming?"

"What?"

She grinned and rushed forwards to grab Lea's arm. "Come on. We girls have to stick together."

"Excuse me!" Lea tugged at her stern grip. "Let me go!"

"Don't be so stubborn. It looks like you need all the help you can get."

"Who are you?"

Lea and the blonde locked eyes for a moment before the blonde one said ever so softly, "a friend."

HBC: It's been so long! I hope you enjoyed!