An Angel's Tears

Chapter Three: Story Time

"You got a name, babe?"

"."

You sat nervously on the red couch as Dante wrapped a bandage over your wound. While he'd been cleaning it, he'd pulled out a small chunk of brick that had embedded itself inside your calf and tossed it aside. Then he'd taken a strange green vial and poured some of the liquid onto a washcloth and pressed it over the injury, gently cleaning away the blood. It had felt strange at first (a warm tingling sensation) but after several moments had passed, most of the pain vanished and all that you were left with was a dull throb, which Dante said should wear off in a few days.

While he was attending to your leg, you took the time to look over what appeared to be his office. When you'd first entered the place and Dante sat you on the couch, you couldn't help noticing the metal trashcan and empty bottles on the floor beside it. Off to your right sat a jukebox, along with a refrigerator and an old-looking bookcase that had various bottle stacked on the shelves. You weren't a hundred percent sure what they all were, but you were willing to bet that some of them were liquor bottles. Guns and swords were displayed up on the wall behind Dante's desk and chair and some of them were like nothing that you'd ever seen before. There were also a set of stairs on the other side of the room, but you weren't sure where they led to.

"There. All done."

Once he finished up, you quickly pulled your leg away and sat up straight with a tiny blush on your cheeks. The reason that you were so embarrassed was because while Dante had been tending to your injury, your skirt had slid up a little too high for your comfort and you were sure that your red-claded savior had taken a few inappropriate peeks. Another thing was that you'd never been this close to a guy who was as attractive as Dante. Sure, he was several years your senior, but that didn't make him any less appealing.

Stop that! You scolded yourself.

You felt the couch shift and you glanced over at Dante, who had his arms crossed behind his head and was watching you with a lazy expression. He quirked a brow and you hastily looked the other way. Yep, there was no denying that he was the most attractive man that you'd ever met. Well, okay, there were a few other guys that were nice looking, but they all fell incredibly short to him.

"So, I think it's about time for that story of yours."

Slowly, you looked back at him and pursed your lips. Would he believe you if you told him what you'd been through? What sane person would? Things like winged wolves, creepy ghost-like girls, and men with glowing eyes all sounded like things that you'd read about in some fictional book or watch on television. That kind of stuff wasn't supposed to happen in real life, but somehow it did and your whole life was torn apart. Your parents were dead, you were away from everything that you knew, and now people were trying to kill you. And all for what? What was so special about you?

Why? Why did all this happen? And these dreams…it's like I'm not allowed to have a single moment of peace.

"Hey, you alright?" Dante asked, feeling a tad uncomfortable when he saw you tremble — and not the kind of tremble that he liked. He hated to see a woman cry, especially if they were the kind of woman who'd shoot him in a heartbeat when he puts his foot in his mouth (which he was famous for). However, you didn't have any weapons and you didn't seem like the type of woman to do that, so he shouldn't have any problems if he unintentionally said the wrong thing. Yet, then again, his luck with women wasn't the best… damn.

You looked down at the floor and nodded. "Yes, I'm okay."

"Yeah? Then what's up with the tears?"

"Huh?" You touched your cheek and realized that you'd shed a few tears. "Oh, I guess I did. Gomen nasai."

"Gomen-what?"

"Oh, sorry, I keep forgetting that some people don't speak Japanese. Gomen nasai is a way of apologizing to someone," you explained, feeling embarrassed again.

"You're from Japan, huh?" Dante asked and crossed one leg over the other. "That's pretty far from here."

"Yes, it is."

"So, what'd ya do? Run away from home?"

"Something like that." You shuddered when you remembered the wolves and your father.

"Oh, care to elaborate?"

"Not particularly."

"Heh, you're being pretty evasive."

"Not really."

"Then why haven't you answered any of my questions?"

"Because," you looked straight into his eyes and sighed. "I know that you won't believe me if I told you. You'll probably think that I'm a lunatic if I told you what I've been through."

"Darlin', I doubt that. I've seen a lot of strange things in my life, so whatever you've experienced can't be any stranger."

He grinned at you, and you waited a few moments before you started telling him everything (minus the voices and strange dreams; you didn't want him to think that you were completely nuts). You're not sure how much time had passed once you finished your story, but Dante just patiently sat there and listened to every word you had to say. He only interrupted your tale a couple of times when he wanted you to elaborate on something, particularly about Aurora, and once he was satisfied, he'd have you continue from where you'd left off.

"So, you have no clue who those guys were?" he asked after you got to the part about the men that he'd fought in the alleyway.

"No, I've never seen them before today."

"And you don't know why they're after you?"

"I never hung around to find out why. When they came into the Love Planet, I rushed out of there as fast as I could." You blushed. "Oh, I'm sorry about bumping into you."

It took a second or two for Dante to realize what you meant, but when it clicked, a devilish smirk spread across his face. "Hey, I'm not gonna complain when a beautiful girl like you ends up in my arms."

"Oh, well, thank you… I think. So, you don't think I'm crazy?"

"Nope."

You smiled. "You don't know how much that relieves me. I was sure that nobody would believe me if I told them what happened."

"Well, I do and, again, I don't think you're a lunatic."

"So, what happens now?" You weren't sure where you went from here. None of this was any of Dante's concern, so would he want you to leave?

I can't expect him to let me stay here. I mean, he's already helped me enough.

Dante got up off the couch and went to lean against his desk, crossing his arms and watching you with a blank expression. You stared back at him, becoming entranced by his blue eyes, and before you knew it, the two of you had engaged in a small 'staring contest.' Of course, he won in the end since you snapped out of your daze when you realized what you'd been doing. Afterwards, you blinked and pointedly turned your head to stare at anything else besides the smirking and smug man, while said man just shook his head with a chuckle.

"Normally I wouldn't do this unless I got paid, but I've decided to help you out."

"Really?" you asked and he nodded in response. "Why?"

"Dunno. As I said, I normally wouldn't take a case unless I got paid for it. However, your situation has piqued my interest."

"But… I have to repay you somehow. I have a little money. It's not much, but at least it's something."

"Nah, keep it." He cupped his chin in the palm of his hand. "Still, if you're adamant about it, there are other ways that you could 'compensate' me."

Your eyes almost bulged out of their sockets when you saw that lecherous grin of his. He was like a male version of Nero, if not worse! No, he couldn't possibly mean… that, could he? I don't know. Maybe he's just… wait, is he staring at my chest? That hentai! He is! He is worse than Nero!

You crossed your arms over your chest and gave him the darkest glare that you could muster; a rare, but not impossible feat for you. In return, he just held his hands up, grinning in mock surrender and said, "take it easy, babe. I'm just playing with you. Huh… you're really cute when your flustered, did you know that?"

"So, what did you mean then? How can I repay you?" you asked, ignoring his last comment.

"Your case is going to take a lot longer than you think. So until it's solved, I'm gonna let you live here with me."

"Why do think it's going to take so long?"

"Trust me babe, even when you meet with that Aurora woman, your troubles won't be over. Most likely, things will only get worse."

"Lovely," you sighed. "Okay, if I stay here, what would I have to do for you in return?"

"You'll be my secretary. I've been needing one for some time now and a cute thing like you is perfect for the job." He winked at you and you frowned.

"Just what is it that you do?"

In answer to your question, he explained to you about his occupation as a Devil Hunter. He told you that it was Enzo, the Italian who Candy had been threatening at the Love Planet, who hooked him up with most of his jobs. When he mentioned Lady and Trish, he didn't give you all the facts about them because he didn't want to have to tell you about his heritage. It wasn't that he was ashamed of being a half-devil, but he thought that it would be a bad idea to tell you that he wasn't fully human. After all that you'd been through, he doubted that you'd trust him if he told you and you'd probably leave immediately afterwards. And his instincts were telling him that if you did, the results for you wouldn't be pretty.

He might have just met you, but he wasn't going to let you go off on your own and get yourself killed. Perhaps it was his conscience that made him want to help you, but he believed that it was mostly because he could relate to you. Like you, he knew how it felt to lose your entire family to darker forces and then have your life placed in constant jeopardy. Unlike him, however, you probably didn't know how to defend yourself against otherworldly creatures.

Why are they after her anyway? Dante wondered. He knew demons could be persistent, but it was rare for them to chase someone across the world, like they've done with you, unless they needed that specific person for something. Also, the only types of demons or devils who targeted these people were high-class ones; lower-class never bothered pursuing someone unless they were following orders from a superior. So, judging from the strength and skill of those two men in the alleyway, the ringleader behind the attacks on you and your family had to be pretty powerful. Still, he didn't know exactly why they wanted you. From what he could tell, you were just a normal human. However, there was something about you that was slightly off, but he couldn't put his finger on it. Oh well. He'd figure it out later.

"You know, if you'd told me that a week ago, I'd probably—"

"Have thought I was a nutcase?" Dante interrupted with a playful grin and you laughed in response.

"Probably." You brushed your hair behind your ear and asked, "so what do I have to do as your secretary?"

"Are you taking up my offer?"

"Yes. I mean, I'm probably a lot safer with you than I would be on my own, right?"

"That's right, sweetheart."

"Do you have to keep saying things like that?" you asked and you could feels your cheeks burn brighter.

"Why? Don't tell me that guys haven't said that kinda stuff to you before. Someone as pretty as you?"

You didn't answer him and Dante didn't push you for a response. Instead, he got up from his desk and headed for the refrigerator to pull out some cold pizza for the two of you. As for drinks, he got one of the bottled waters that Candy had stocked in his fridge several weeks ago, claiming that he needed some other form of beverage besides alcohol, while he got himself a beer. He was going to heat your food up, but you protested and said that you were too hungry to care if the pizza was cold or hot. Whether you were telling the truth or not, he didn't know. He figured that you were just saying that because you didn't want to be an inconvenience.

After the two of you finished eating, and got to know each other better, Dante showed you where the bathroom was and told you that you could go ahead and take a shower. Since you didn't have any other clothes besides the ones you had on, he went up to his bedroom to get one of his shirts that you could borrow for the night. Also, he took a few extra minutes to fix the bed up for you to sleep in. Since the second bedroom had turned into a storage room after Trish left, his room was the only one that had bed you could sleep in. So tonight he'd crash out on the couch and you'd sleep in here. He didn't mind since he'd slept on it many times in the past after he'd come in from a long mission and was too tired to walk up the stairs.

Once the bed had been made and he got one of his black shirts, he headed downstairs and left the shirt outside the bathroom door. When he returned to his desk, he leaned back in the chair behind it and crossed his arms. He wasn't sure how this whole thing with you would work out, but he had to admit that it might be good to have some company around and you seemed like a nice person. Unlike Lady and Trish, you had a shyer and less aggressive demeanor and he really didn't think that he'd have to worry about having you shoot him or electrocute him.

Several minutes later, you walked into the room and Dante's imagination ran wild when he saw you standing there in his shirt. The bottom of it stopped an inch or two above your knees, but that didn't stop his imagination from running wild and realizing that something was wrong with this scenario. Here he had an attractive woman wearing his shirt and who would soon be sleeping in his bed, but he'd be out on the couch all night. Also, lets not forget that you'd been in his shower only minutes ago. Really, this whole thing was criminal in his book.

Things are definitely going to be interesting from here on out. He grinned at you and said, "Come on, darlin'. I'll show you where you're sleeping."

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In a large and dimly lit chamber, a young man sat quietly on his dark throne with his eyes closed. He didn't move or make a sound, but he was aware of all the eyes that were watching him. At his side lay a large and wicked black sword that had ended the lives of many in the past. His foes all feared him when they saw that sword in his hands because they knew how deadly he was with it. Very few had ever engaged in combat with him and lived to tell about it. If they did manage to survive somehow, it was normally because of sheer luck. When he fought, he rarely let anyone live.

Just below from where he sat, a pale girl was humming and removing the heads from her dolls. She tossed the bodies aside and lined the heads around her in a circle before she hugged her worn teddy bear. Her blue eyes sought out the young man and she smiled against her bear when they landed on him. He was so beautiful to her. In her mind, he was her dark prince who had saved her from spending eternity wandering the world as a lost soul. After her tragic ordeal, she'd had nowhere else to go before he showed up.

She remembered that it had been raining and she'd been shivering beside a dumpster, covered in blood and the perfect target for lower-level demons. There'd been five or seven of them and they'd all surrounded her like predators would with their prey. She'd thought that it was finally the end for her, but then he'd appeared in a whirl of black and steel, with his sword slicing through the demons like they were pieces of paper. It'd had only taken him a couple of minutes to dispose of them and then he'd been standing over her, the blade of his sword resting on his shoulder and wet black bangs falling into his ruby-colored eyes. It was at that moment, when their eyes met, that she knew that she'd do anything and everything he'd ask no matter what it was.

So when he'd told her to follow him, she'd done as he'd ask and gladly followed him. That's when he brought her here, to this old and ancient ruin that was hidden away from prying eyes and where she learned what her destiny was. She'd discovered that it would be dark and painful, but that didn't matter to her. Perhaps if someone else had been in her shoes they would have fought to change their fate, but not her. She didn't care what happened to her because of him. So long as she was by his side, that was all that mattered to her.

Meanwhile, across the room, a blonde guy with hazel eyes leaned against the wall and watched the black-haired male with narrowed eyes. He hated and envied the younger man, but the brunette was his superior and he knew what horrible punishment awaited for him if he dared to defy the man. So, he'd do as he was told and remain an obedient dog.

"Brooding again, Lyle?" a voice cooed and he glared at the white-haired female standing at his side.

"Cassandra," he growled.

Cassandra turned her head and gave him a sultry look, her full red lips in a slight pout that made his blood boil. White hair fell to her knees and ice-blue eyes gleamed with wicked delight. She was a gorgeous temptress that almost no man could refuse and she knew that. Leather black pants clung to her like a second skin, while a white tube top displayed her stomach and a large amount of her cleavage. She dressed like this so that it was easier for her to wrap men around her finger and make them do whatever she wanted them to do.

"You still haven't gotten over that jealousy? Tsk, how pathetic."

"Keep your mouth shut, woman."

The temptress grinned and trained her eyes on the dark male sitting on his throne. Her eyes looked him up and down and she shivered in delight. He might have been younger than her, but she'd kill to share his bed. Oh, she knew that he'd never been with a woman before, but with the right 'training' from her… he'd be a stupendous lover. If he'd just listen to her and submit, she'd show him pleasure that he'd never even dreamed of.

"Forget it, Cassy. He's too focused on that girl and could care less about you," Lyle sneered, not missing her lust-filled eyes. "And I can't blame him. She's quite the vixen."

"Please. What could he possibly see in her? And don't call me Cassy."

Lyle withdrew a photo from his pocket and he whistled. It was of the -haired girl, , sitting on a park bench and laughing with her friends. Her eyes were shining brightly with warmth and innocence and he grinned. Cassandra, despite all her beauty and charm, does not appeal to him like this girl does. There was a purity about her that he'd love to tarnish.

"Forget it, Lyle. If you so much as touch her, he'll give you a slow and agonizing death." She grinned. "Of course, I wouldn't mind seeing that."

"Why you—"

The chamber doors opened and all eyes turned towards the robed figure that had just entered. She was dressed in those dark robes of her, with the cowl covering the top half of her face, and they could all feel the dark power radiating from her. The woman slowly made her way towards the black-haired male and he opened his eyes when he sensed that she'd reached him. He peered down at her and silently awaited her commands.

"It is time. Go to the abandoned church and deal with him. If he resists, then you are to kill him, but bring back what I need."

"As you command." He nodded his head in acknowledgement. "What of—"

"Do not concern yourself with her. The girl will be brought here soon enough." The elder woman turned and looked at man and woman leaning against the wall. "Lyle, you are to go and investigate Zeke and his group. See what his group is up to, but do not reveal yourself. Cassandra, you are to do the same with Kane."

They nodded and left the room and the woman looked down at the girl and gave her a look that commanded her to leave. The child instantly stood up and scurried after her comrades, but not without glancing back at her 'dark prince.' When the doors closed behind her, the young man leaned his head against his hand and closed his eyes. He wasn't worried about being reprimanded for his behavior. Where the others would be punished by their leader, she made exceptions with him and he knew it was because she needed him. If she wanted , then she would need him. In fact, she would need both him and if she wanted to accomplish her ultimate goal.

The woman had made it perfectly clear how important the two of them were to her. She had spent years setting and manipulating events to suit her needs and he hated her for it. It was because of her and those other bastards that his life had been destroyed and he lost everything that he loved. He'd been innocent at one time in his life, but he lost that innocence after meeting this woman. She'd chosen him, raised him, and trained him into a deadly weapon that she never hesitated to turn lose upon those that stood in her way or defied her. He hated her.

Even now, he could still see his beautiful and loving mother smiling back at him. She'd been so kind and sweet that, when he was younger, he couldn't understand how anyone could harm someone like her. Yet harmed and killed she'd been; by the woman standing in front of him. She'd said it was necessary and that if he so desperately needed a mother, then she would be the closest that he'd ever have. That made him hate her even more. However, the worst part was that he'd willingly went with her. He'd had no choice, of course, and she'd made that perfectly clear. Still, before he'd went with her, he'd made a deal with her: if he obeyed her every command, then she'd give him what he desired most. And strangely, she agreed to his terms with a cryptic smile.

"When you return from your mission, I shall be gone."

Her voice interrupted his thoughts and he opened one eye to look at her. "Oh?"

"There is someone that I must meet and deal with. The Hunter's involvement has forced me to adjust my plans." She turned and headed for the doors that the others had exited through. "I shall be gone for several days."

And with that, he was alone again and he slumped down in his throne. His mind replayed the image of the Devil Hunter scooping up into his arms and he clenched his hand into a fist. He knew that it was jealousy and he tried to suppress the rage that accompanied it. There was no reason to let his emotions get the better of him. In time, he'd meet the Hunter and then he would teach the older man a lesson. All he had to do was wait.

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Twilight Elf

Edited by Moth - July 17, 2008