Hey guys! Just thought I'd drop another chapter on you to make up for my recent absence. It ends on a very fluffy note since future chapters won't be as cheerful. Dun, dun DUNNNNNNNN! :o Enjoy and review if you so choose. Happy reading.

You hear his footsteps head down the hall towards the office. Almost the instant the door closed, an amused laugh sounded from the far corner of the room. Jerking your head to the side, you catch sight of Nevan, leaning against the far wall with a slender hand plastered over her mouth.

Oh, great. Just great.

"So. He's won you. Didn't I tell you-"

"Go away, Nevan," you grouch, shifting with annoyance.

The succubus' eyes widened in surprise, then amusement. Slowly, deliberately, she starts to walk towards you, that naughty little smile still consuming her features. Taking the empty seat across from you, she eyes you with interest. "You're bold. Aren't you. Or, perhaps just a bit simple. I've watched your interactions with Master Dante and Vergil. And even myself, really. You don't have much experience with demons. Do you."

Yeah, yeah, yeah. This wasn't the first time in recent weeks that you'd been called 'simple' by one of these creatures. Rolling your eyes slightly, you rub your temples in a gesture of frustrated fatigue. Finally, you offer her a pointed glare and shake your head.

Nevan nods, unsurprised. "It shows."

"What do you mean?"

The demoness rested her elbows on the table and plopped her chin in her hands. "Well, for instance, take the way you speak to us; 'No, Vergil.' The word 'no' isn't usually in a slave's vocabulary. 'Shut-up, Dante.' Well, yes. I can sympathize with you on that one. Believe me. 'Go away, Nevan.' See, that statement there would guarantee your being flayed alive if we were in any other situation."

You widen your eyes, "Why?"

She reached out and poked the tip of your nose before smiling fondly, "Disrespect, my dear, sweet girl. It isn't usually tolerated by the weak. Frankly, I'm a bit taken aback at how much Vergil lets you get away with."

"I'm not disrespectful to him."

"No?" Nevan tilts her head in mock puzzlement. "So he didn't just discipline you for such a thing?"

Flushing, you squirm in your seat again. "You-you saw that, eh?"

Nodding, the succubus laughed with delight. "It was ever so entertaining. I've never seen the blue twin act in such a way. Really though, the way he consistently lets you get away with speaking back to him had me baffled at first. But now, his aim is rather apparent."

"Meaning?"

Nevan facepalmed and shook her head slightly. "Always with the endless questions. Gracious me, you are fearless. But still, I don't actively dislike you, so I'll humor you." Leaning closer, her voice dropped to a conspirator's whisper. "Vergil seeks to control the power that sleeps within you, obviously. Power still calls to him. But," she holds up a finger, "that isn't the only thing."

Your expression is blank as you try to follow the conversation. It seemed as though Nevan was being deliberately cryptic. "I don't get you."

An exasperated huff, "Bloody hell, child. If you weren't the property of another, I'd tear your dense head right off." She glowered at you momentarily, and her eyes flashed an angry scarlet.

Shivering, you eye her warily. Perhaps it would be in your best interest to be a bit more cautious around these creatures.

Nevan's eyes finally dimmed and the demure smile crept across her mouth once again, "Forgive me, dear girl. I've such a temper at times. Moving along," she waved an elegant green hand, "Vergil wants that power but he also wants you. Isn't it adorable?" She clapped her hands with childish delight. "He believes you're a worthy female. Just as Sparda chose Eva. So strange. I always thought Master Dante would be the one to take a human mate, rather than-"

You hold a hand up, effectively silencing her, and snort derisive laughter. "That's crazy. You're crazy. How do you know he doesn't just want a fuck-buddy?" Honestly, you'd also prefer it that way. Getting emotionally involved with a half-demon wasn't on your top ten.

"'Fuck-buddy'," she repeated, blinking. "That's a delightful phrase! I must remember it. Hee!" The redhead allowed herself a moment of amusement before straightening her hair and continuing on. "Anyhow, stupid girl, does Vergil really seem the type to sleep around on a whim?"

Frankly, you'd never met a male who went out of his way to avoid sexual contact as much as Vergil did.

At your silence, Nevan nodded knowingly. "Didn't think so. So!" Another hand clap. "Process of elimination and all. And, nevermind the fact that he simply reeks with desire whenever you're about."

"He doesn't smell at all. Again, you're crazy." You shake your head and cross your arms.

The succubus glanced up towards the heavens and held her arms out to the side, "Oi. Give me strength. Look, sweety, I'm a sex-demon. It's kind of my specialty to sense these things. Vergil wants you. Trust me."

Shrugging, you glance at the floor. "So why are you even telling me all this? Why are you even here right now?"

She waved a hand in dismissal. "Curiosity. Amusement. Pity. Take your pick."

At these words, resentment began to boil in your stomach. You didn't appreciate being anyone's spectator sport. "If you're just going to tease me, please go away. I've had a really crappy couple of months and I don't need your sneaky bullshit on top of it."

A shadow passed across the demoness' face. "Or, perhaps I want to sample the fruit that has our cold prince so enchanted."

Chills zig-zag across your skin at these words and you stand rather suddenly. Nevan's face had melted into a decidedly predatory expression and the sight of it made your knees feel a bit rubbery. "Yeah, no. I'm flattered and all. Really, I am. But it would never work out between the two of us." You begin to back away, palms up. "No offense to you, of course, because you are really, really attractive. I-I'm just not into girls."

She smiled, amused, and stood as well. "I could change my form into that of a male, if you so wish it. I can even look like Vergil, if you wanted. And, I believe you do want him. It certainly seemed that way a little while ago. How about it, tiny human? Shall we play?" Nevan began to slowly walk toward you, eyes narrowed.

That did it.

Snatching the closest chair, you hurl it at the succubus and watch as it shatters on impact. Nevan didn't falter in the least, but her eyes did widen in surprise. "If you lay one finger on me, I'll kill you!" You shriek, baring your teeth. You'd absolutely had it with being threatened, taunted, bullied and attacked. Grabbing another chair, your brandish it threateningly at Nevan and stand your ground.

"Well, well. It seems she does have hidden fire. I do love it when they struggle." The succubus breathed, licking her lips slightly. Moving swiftly, Nevan pounced and tore the chair from your grip in one fluid motion. In the next instant, you were flung backwards into the wall hard enough to stun. The back of your head struck a low hanging shelf and a bright display of stars exploded in front of you, obstructing your vision. Seconds after, strong hands clamped onto your throat and a soft voice seductively whispers into your left ear. "Yes. Fight me. You'll succumb soon enough. They always do."

"Let GO!" You scream, outraged. "Get OFF of-"

The demoness tightens her grip around your neck, silencing your outburst. Kicking and writhing fruitlessly in her grasp, you watch, helpless, as her mouth moves closer and descends upon yours. With her kiss came a terrible sort of draining sensation, followed by a lethargy and heaviness in your limbs. Dimly aware of impending doom, your fighting begins to dwindle, then cease completely. Black starts to engulf your vision and your eyes begin to roll back into your head.

Seemingly from very far away you hear the sound of a door being flung open. Directly after, swift, heavy footsteps headed your way. Panting heavily, excitement dancing in her eyes, Nevan doesn't notice and deepens her deadly embrace. It was difficult to breathe now, and a strange euphoria overwhelms you. You wonder if this was what dying was like when Nevan is suddenly torn away.

Immediately, your knees give way and you slump to the ground, gasping for air. You try to scramble to your feet, but your legs don't cooperate. Blinking, you squint and try to make sense of what was happening. The succubus was on the ground in front of Vergil, hissing and snarling. The blue twin stood between her and you, glaring down at the demoness with cold outrage.

Issuing a sudden, wild shriek, Nevan lunges at the elder brother. Her teeth had sharpened along with her nails, and it seemed she was intent upon doling out some serious damage. From your place on the floor, you watch as a phantom sword materializes out of thin air and rushes towards her. Then another. And another. And another. Soon, she was impaled against the far wall by more than a dozen opaque, blue swords. Snarling, Nevan glared at the approaching blue demon, helpless to do anything to defend herself.

Appearing bored, Vergil slowly approaches the demoness. "Did you misunderstand?" He queries in a soft, chilling tone.

"I did not." She spat, hissing and twisting.

"Then you knowingly took that which was mine?" He tilted his head curiously.

"I did."

"I should kill you where you stand, succubus, but, unfortunately, it is not within my rights to do so."

She smiled sweetly, simpering at him. "I know. Infuriating, isn't it, son of Spard-"

Vergil backhanded her. Nevan's head snapped violently to the side just before the ghostly swords vanished. No longer impaled, she slowly slumped to the floor much as you had just moments earlier. Gradually, you're able to gather your wits about you and are somewhat gratified to see an expression of fear wash over the demoness' face.

The blue demon crouched down in front of her and pinned her with his gaze. "Your audacity will be the death of you, demon whore. I won't warn you a third time. Leave us. Now."

Nevan cringed back, then nodded hesitantly and gracefully rose to her feet. "As you wish it, Vergil." Sparing you one last glance, the succubus turned in a graceful circle and exploded into a cloud of bats. The creatures moved through the air as a single entity, before heading up the staircase and out of sight. Numbly, you watch their ascent without so much of a hint of amazement. Nothing really surprised you any longer.

The blue devil turned towards you and tilted his head, something akin to concern coloring his features. "Are you hurt?"

You shake your head without even looking yourself over. Honestly, you had no idea if you were injured or not. "No."

A frown, "You're certain?"

"Yeah. I'm super. Why do you ask?"

"Because your head is bleeding," he replied.

Surprised, you reach up to feel the back of your skull, where it was throbbing a bit. When you take your fingers away and peer at them, they come back smeared with crimson. Fuck. You glance back up at him, dismayed. Vergil held a hand down towards you and, after a slight hesitation, you take it. Helping you to your feet, he nudges you towards the kitchen without further comment. After searching around in a few drawers, he manages to locate a clean dishtowel. Dabbing at the wound, he cleans away the blood and begins to inspect the gash as gently as he can. You manage not to flinch throughout this, but with the realization of the injury came pain as well. Finally, he utters a soft, satisfied grunt and backs away.

"It isn't deep. There is no need for stitches. You might want to hold some ice on it to keep the swelling down, however." He busies himself with preparing an ice-pack. Still, you don't respond. Brow creasing, Vergil turns back towards you and observes for a few moments. "Did she frighten you? If so, don't trouble yourself with it. She won't bother you again."

"I'm fine."

No, though. You weren't. In fact, you were a pretty far cry from fine. Vergil obviously knew this, judging by the dubious stare he was directing your way. "Here." He hands you another dishtowel that was neatly folded over several ice cubes.

You accept it with a curt, "Thanks," and press it against your head. It was blessedly cool, and it helped immensely with the throbbing. Still, you offer no other conversation.

"You're upset." He said, after another uncomfortable silence.

"No. I'm great. Why wouldn't I be?" You shake your head and offer him a wan smile.

Without another word, he turns and strides away, leaving you sitting alone in the kitchen. Puzzled, but accustomed to his abrupt manner, you shrug a shoulder and rest your forehead on the kitchen table. It was cool and pleasant against your hot skin and you close your eyes, grateful for a moment of calm and quiet. Minutes pass and you hear his footsteps heading back towards the kitchen. He pauses in the doorway, most likely observing your dejected posture, before coming closer. Eyes still closed, you hear a somewhat metallic thud as he places a heavy-ish something on the table. Shortly after, you hear another soft thump as he sets what sounds like a glass pitcher next to the first object. Slowly, you raise your head to see your laptop and Joe Fishington, complete with aquarium, sitting in front of you.

Eyes wide, you stare up at him. "You brought my computer. And my fish! I thought you forgot them."

Vergil didn't respond for a moment, merely watched you carefully. "No. I didn't."

A small ball of warmth begins to grow in your belly again and this time a genuine smile stretches across your mouth. "Thank you."

"Does this make you feel better?" He swept an arm across the table, gesturing to your favorite possessions.

You nod gratefully. "Yes." A pause, and a nervous swallow. "Ah, why?"

At this, the blue devil seemed to tense slightly and he flattened his mouth. There was yet another long, heavy silence before he replied, "Because. I like you, human. And I don't want you to be unhappy."

Astonished, you can only watch him for a moment. Before you could answer, however, Vergil cleared his throat, turned and quickly walked away. Leaving you alone, once again.