The next story that takes place after this is Doppelganger

Of Things to Come

The sign glowed its luminescent reddish light in the darkness like a beacon for salvation. It was the first thing Vincent saw before Dante came to her and it has forever been a welcoming sight for sore eyes. It wasn't long before she saw that sign again as Dante pulled up in front of the shop after a whiles drive from the hidden laboratory.

"Shop sweet shop."

Vincent chuckled as she looked over at Dante from the passenger seat, "Don't you mean home sweet home?"

Dante looked over at her with a half smirk as he replied, "Same thing."

By the time the drive was over, Nero had regained enough strength to not only move on his own, but carry Kyrie in his arms. Vincent however wasn't in such great shape as Dante was quick to come to her side of the car and help her out.

"Man, where the hell do you guys get your stamina?" she asked in an exhausted chuckle, putting her arm in Dante's as he slowly lead the group to the front doors.

"I blame it on the pizza."

She and Nero chuckled further as the lad chimed in, "Only reason I have any strength is because you gave it a starter boost Vincent. That's one nifty ability of yours."

"Great for you, sucks for me. It nearly zaps everything I have."

Inside the shop, Vincent started to make her way over to the couch on the right side of the room past the desk in the middle and right next to the fridge and jukebox. Plopping herself down she let out a huge exasperated breath, "Ah, yeah. This may be an old leather couch, but it's comfy as hell."

Nero then came over and gently laid Kyrie at the other end.

"Now that's what I call one hell of a sleeping beauty. Just what did the doc knock her out with anyway?" Dante quipped in question as he grabbed his big chair from the desk and brought it over, placing it just in front of Vincent and then sat himself down after putting Rebellion back on the wall hooks.

"Could have been anything or a mix of things if she's been knocked out for this long. The drive was at most thirty minutes, but still…she should have woken by now. She looks completely unharmed so she'll probably be alright."

Nero sat down upon the small space empty that was just at Kyrie's abdomen as he gently stroked a few bangs away from her eyes. She was safe no doubt, but…still…he couldn't completely protect her. It was like a nail digging in his skin.

"You did what you could Nero," Vincent commented out loud since it was obvious he was bothered and she could tell what it was that dug at him mainly due to the fact that she too used to feel the same way.

Nero looked over at her without response and then at the floor as he let out a deepened sigh.

"You can't save everyone, even if it is just one person—"

"—she's not just one person," he interrupted her lightly.

"I know. That's why…it hurts."

The silver haired lad looked over at her again. The expressions that got tossed between the two was a strange exchange of mutual understanding.

"Kid…if it makes you feel any better kid, those energy suckers got the better of me too. It if weren't for Vincent crashing the party at the last second…well let's just say I probably would have been an overcooked shish kabob."

The admittance of falling prey to the demons caught Nero's attention. In the short time that he barely even knew the man and just from the few times they fought together, the lad couldn't help but to get the odd perception that Dante wasn't the kind to succumb to anything. But now this same man was willingly admitting that they got the better of him too. Dante was right…it did help him feel better to know he wasn't the only one that needed help…that he wasn't the only one that ended up helpless.

"The enemy was as new to you as it was to me. So if there's anyone to thank here…it's Vincent."

The two then looked over at Vincent simultaneously, causing her to blush as she darted her eyes to the side, readjusting her position as she crossed her arms and sunk deeper into the couch.

"We all have our weaknesses, sometimes good sometimes bad depending how you look at it…" tossing her gaze at Nero lightly "…yours is Kryie and mine is…" then looking lightly at Dante as their gazes caught each other. The devil hunter's stare made her pause in mid sentence. She was about to say her father was her weakest point, but then she realized it was also Dante.

A smile gently tugged at the corner of the devil hunter's mouth.

"Have you two known each other long?" Nero asked innocently.

Looking back at Nero again, "Uh…I think only but a matter of a few months?" She answered in question, looking at Dante for verification.

"Something like that," he answered, looking back over at the kid. "We met under…" tossing his gaze for a moment at Vincent "…interesting circumstances…" and then back at Nero again.

"Circumstances?" Nero questioned as his eyes darted back and forth from Vincent and Dante for answers. As much as Dante wanted to answer the question, he felt it was Vincent's story to tell. Vincent smiled lightly, recognizing the respect Dante was giving her.

"You want the short end version or the long end?" Vincent asked Nero.

"Uh…tell me whatever you feel like telling…" he answered politely "…not like I'm in a rush to go anywhere."

Minutes went by as Vincent broken down her story into simple explanation that basically was summarized by the simple fact that she had a family, half of it was slaughtered by demons, she didn't want her or those around her to be victims anymore so she sought to gain demonic powers of her own through a year of being a guinea pig for a demon scientist, etc…

…etc.

"And that's basically it. I'm…I'm so sorry you guys got involved. I didn't mean for anyone to get hurt."

It was a bit silent before Nero retorted, "Nothing to apologize for. Besides even if you never went down that road, Arkainius might have come after us eventually anyway."

"Heh, heh, you know what? I think you're right. He probably would have. I don't regret my decisions though. If it weren't for those decisions I probably never would have met you guys."

The silver haired hunters then smirked, nodding their heads lightly in agreement.

"It's definitely been one hell of a party since you two came along, so no argument here," Dante added in meaningful sarcasm.

"What about you Dante? Vincent's side of things is pretty much self explanatory, but I don't know a thing about yours let alone the sword you gave me. You…what…said that it once belonged to your brother?"

Silence

A momentary pause as Dante kept quiet to himself. He opened his mouth to say something, but then he closed it and shook his head a few times. He had no problem listening…more or less…but talking about his past just wasn't one of his suited past times especially if it was in the company of more than one person.

After seeing the subtle hint of discomfort on Dante's face that he rarely ever displayed, Vincent decided to chime in, "Maybe next time you come over when we're all rested up and lively Dante can—"

"—we're the Sons of Sparda…my brother and I," Dante suddenly interrupted, having Vincent and Nero's full blown attention even though Vincent has heard him tell the story before. It didn't matter. She could hear it a thousand times and still not be tired of it as long as she got to hear his voice.

"I'm sure your little holy order told you the basic gist of Sparda being around for 2,000 years until he fell in love with a human and had twin sons while protecting the human realm and so on and so forth?"

Nero nodded lightly as he replied, "Yeah. I know at least that much."

"Well…it wasn't long after his powers got trapped in the demon realm that he was killed. Soon after that the demons decided to hunt down myself, my brother Vergil, and our mother Eva…"

…an hour went by now as Dante explained the short end gist of his side of things, completely opening up Nero's eyes to realizing just how much he had in common with both Vincent and Dante, each of them losing all or most of their family to demon attacks and ultimately becoming the outcasts of society.

"That sword I gave you…Yamato…is the last remaining remnants of my brother, passed down from pops to him and now…I pass it onto you."

Nero looked over at the devil hunter, feeling a very odd yet familiar connection between the two of them. It was like something was on the tip of his tongue…memories faded away that he had yet to recover to connect the final pieces to the puzzle.

"Why?" He asked fervently.

Dante took in a deep breath, slowly letting it out before he answered, "Because you're half demon…like me. You carry…Sparda's blood."

A chill shot up the lad's spine as he sat frozen in place. To hear Dante explain these things to him, even if he ultimately didn't know who his birth parents were, it still felt like everything was starting to make more sense to him now, like something clicking just right in his heart and mind.

"The power you hold is great, that arm of yours being the proof of that. At times you feel helpless when trying to protect that girl. Well…the feeling is mutual…since neither my brother…nor I…could protect our mother. So it goes without saying that all of us here, including that girl, has felt helpless at one point…or another."

Tears lightly welled up in Vincent's eyes. She could feel the sadness seep from Dante's heart. It was extremely rare that he ever…ever opened up like this, but because he did…she knew it was important especially for Nero. Whoever Nero truly was still remains a mystery, but if there was anyone that could help guide him…it was Dante. He started guiding Nero the second he gave Yamato to him and he will continue to guide him.

"Nngh…N-Nero…" a wispy voice spoke out as Nero suddenly felt a hand gently grasp upon his own. It was Kyrie as she finally had awoken.

"Kyrie…" he spoke her name softly as he leaned over and held her in his arms.

"I'm so glad you're alright…" she stated as they held each other briefly "…but…where are we?" She then looked over, a bit startled when she saw Dante suddenly with those icy blue piercing eyes. "Y-You—"

"—it's alright. Dante and Vincent got us out of the lab. We're at his shop now."

"I see…thank you…to the both of you."

"No problem," Dante and Vincent stated simultaneously.

"Are we far from Fortuna?" she asked further.

Nero looked over at Dante and Vincent for an answer since he wasn't too sure himself.

"It's…pretty far from here, but if you need to rest up you're free to stay."

"Actually…" Kyrie paused in interruption as she looked up at Nero "…we should probably be heading back. I'm sure Leo is quite worried. We could call and have him pick us up."

"That sounds like a good idea," Nero agreed.

"Who's Leo?" Vincent asked.

"He's a very close friend of Credo. They were like brothers, so he inadvertently became part of the family, and now more so than ever since Credo's passing."

"I'm sorry—"

"—it's okay. He reminds me a lot of my brother so even though Credo is gone, it's like he's alive in Leo."

Another moment of silence floated in the air as yet again Kyrie gave another example of the brutality of the world they lived in because of the demons, but it was okay because as long as they were around to make a difference, that's all that mattered.

"Do you have a phone I could used?" Kyrie asked Dante.

"Over on the desk. Help yourself."

"Thank you," she replied in manner as Nero helped her stand and then went over to the desk with her as she sat upon the edge while using the phone. It wasn't until Nero went over to the desk that he noticed a single picture frame sitting idly by itself on the corner. He picked it up to see a portrait of a woman in long blonde hair that caressed a beautiful red shawl that draped over a black dress. She was beautiful with eyes that looked back with a kindhearted gentleness. It was strange to look at the portrait as he held it gently in his devil bringer. However, upon staring at the portrait Nero could have sworn he saw a split second image of a woman in his mind…a woman he had never remembered seeing before. It was like a long hidden memory suddenly triggered open a fragment of the past.

"Nero," Kyrie interrupted him in thought.

"Huh?"

"Leo should be here within the hour."

"Oh…right."

"Is something wrong?"

He paused before answering as he looked back at the portrait, "No…nothing."

"Who's that? She's lovely," Kyrie commented as he too looked at the portrait.

"She's—"

"—AHCHOO!" Vincent suddenly sneezed. "Man…I need to dust this place again. You seriously need a maid Dante."

"Tch, that costs more than a month's worth of pizza, babe."

"Not like it would kill you to keep it tidied up a bit."

"Well that's why you're here right?"

"Oh very funny. Speaking of pizza let's order one. I'm starved."

"You read my mind."

"You guys want some pizza? I can order a large," Vincent asked Kyrie and Nero.

"That sounds like a good idea," they agreed.

Another hour passed by as the group enjoyed a pizza and exchanged stories on demon hunts that were rather humorous in nature. Dante jested about a demon that one time monologued more than Agnus did, while Vincent told a prose of a male demon that took female form and ended their dispute rather awkwardly. The stories gave good laughs, something they needed to help lighten these pressing times.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

"That must be Leo," Nero stated as he got up to get the door and sure enough Leo was standing on the other side in full blown Holy Order getup. His hair was a lighter brown in comparison to Credo, and slicked back just like Credo's did, only it was nicely trimmed in the back and he was cleanly shaven upon the face. If it weren't for the eyes being of an emerald green, he could easily be mistaken for Credo.

"Nero…glad to see you're still alive and kicking."

"That goes without saying," Nero agreed in light sarcasm as Kyrie came to the door beside Nero.

"Ah, Kyrie. I'm glad you're alright."

She smiled warmly and answered, "I'm always alright with Nero around.

"Agreed. Well…shall we head back? It's nearly nightfall."

The two love birds looked at each other and then back at Leo as Nero answered, "Yeah."

"Heading out so soon? I was just about to pop out the beer…not that you're old enough to drink it," Dante jested at Nero as the lad replied back just as sarcastically, "Careful…the alcohol might add more white hairs to that head of yours old man."

"Hey, the color's natural."

"And sexy," Vincent added as she came up beside Dante and wrapped his arm in hers, catching his attention just for a moment as Dante smirked down at her.

"Well, despite the circumstances, this was…fun. I'll definitely have to come back into town again now that I know where you're at."

"Just don't forget the password," Dante quipped.

"You mean strawberry sundae?"

Dante opened his mouth to say something back, but nothing came out as he looked back down at Vincent, "You told him the password?"

Removing her arm from Dante and lifting it up simultaneously with the other in a shrug, "What? Not like he's gonna need to hire you. He can fight demons just fine on his own."

"Wait, that really is the password to the shop?" Nero wondered when he realized they were being serious and for the first time in a long time, Nero laughed. Kyrie smiled. It had been so long since he saw him give a full hearted laugh.

"Well, now I've heard everything."

The group chuckled again as a silence hit the air. It was time to part ways again.

"Well…we'll see you around kid. Take care of that arm of yours."

Nero's devil bringer glowed lightly in response as the lad looked down at his arm, taking in the mixed colors and textures. It was truly one of a kind.

"Probably the most unique…devil arm you'll ever own."

Nero cocked an eyebrow at Dante as Vincent chuckled, "Seriously Dante? That was horrible."

"What? It was a perfect opportunity."

Shaking his head, Nero then placed his devil bringer hand upon Dante's shoulder as the two took on a more serious expression, "Thank you."

Dante went silent again before he replied, "Any time."

Nero smiled, knowing that was Dante's way of saying he could come to the devil hunter any time he needed true guidance. It was then the lad looked over at Vincent and stated, "Take care of the old man for me."

She chuckled again in response, "Easy as taking a pizza slice from a baby."

"Hey, don't steal my one liners."

"Too late."

The group bid their final goodbyes as Leo finally drove the two love birds back to Fortuna, leaving Dante alone with Vincent once again. It wasn't until Nero and Kyrie had left that the two truly felt the quiet emptiness of the shop, dank and dusty like usual and always in the calm of a storm. It was strange indeed interacting with Nero again, seeding a deeper connection that was slowly blooming upon each meeting it seemed, but the two could only wonder where it would go from here. What laid in wake for the last remaining son of Sparda, and who was Nero truly? How did he carry the same bloodline as Dante? Most of all, what roll did he have to play? Only time could tell.

Vincent looked up at Dante with her familiar grayish blue eyes.

Dante looked down at her with his icy blue gaze.

The devil hunter spent years having no problem of putting on a suave, strong and silent exterior to those around him and his enemies. It was only on obscure rare moments that he ever displayed even a hint of true emotion in regards to a circumstance of any kind. It was because of this that it made it ever more apparent to Vincent that talking about his past didn't take much to rip open old wounds, touching upon spots that will forever be sore. She could see it in his eyes and she could see it on his face. Lifting a hand, she gently caressed the side of his face, feeling the small prickling yet smooth textured sensation of his beard upon her skin.

"It's okay," she said in a near wispy tone, assuring, but understanding.

He still stayed silent, letting her gentleness wrap his heart with a warmth he rarely ever felt, especially from a woman. He hadn't felt this kind of warmth since his mother was still alive. It was a strange sensation. Then suddenly, without hesitation Dante literally swept her off her feet and into his arms. She gasped nervously as she quickly wrapped her arms around his shoulders, her head resting upon them as her hands grasped upon the fabric of his jacket. Being held in the arms of a 6 foot 1 inch man puts you at a much higher height in the air compared to if you were just standing, so it made her ever so slightly nervous, but at the same time she found it ever so comforting like his strength and protection just radiated off his body.

"Dante," she quietly whispered his name.

He could feel her bodily trembles that were both of nervousness and anxiousness. Over the span of the few months they knew each other, this was the first time she was going to sleep by his side. At first it was just simple kisses here and there, caring hugs and gentle touches upon the face or shoulder when either one would walk by each other or in simple interaction, but now they both felt like it was being pulled into something much more. Words did not need to be said, explanations did not need to be given. There was simply pure impulse and raw emotion. With heavy slow strides of his boots, Dante took his time going up the stairs. A billion things were going through Vincent's head, wondering what Dante's expectations were, but she never felt a pressure from him for anything and that in and of itself built her trust him in. The devil hunter was surprisingly a patient man despite how fast and strong he was in combat let alone the casual yet intimidating disposition he displays before his enemies. So tonight, nothing needed to be rushed, expected, or laid out on the table.

"This is going to seem like out of the blue, but I was waiting for Nero and Kyrie to leave to ask you this question."

Bringing her head up from his shoulder Vincent looked up at Dante, wondering what he could possibly be asking.

"How much do you know about your family…or the things…Arkainius was doing to you to give you demonic powers?"

The question indeed took her by surprise as she couldn't help but wonder what Dante was getting at.

"I don't…understand. Did Arkainius say something to you?"

"Well…he said…"

"…she will never know what she truly is and that…will be her undoing."

The words were a bit haunting, but surprisingly confirmed something Vincent had been thinking about for quite some time. The question sat on her mind for a moment as Dante made it to the upstairs bedroom, bending over as he sat Vincent upon the edge of the bedding, sitting next to her as she finally answered him.

"It's kind of funny you ask that because…for a while now I've been wondering about that myself. I don't know what you mean about my family, but Arkainius said that he captured several demons to manipulate and combine into my essence to create or at least manifest the powers I now have. Thing is though...the unique abilities I have don't feel like a combination. They feel like they come from only one source. What I feel…is so alive inside me. It could be that whatever Arkainius was telling me was just some giant lie to cover up something much deeper behind the scenes. If they originally had plans to set me up to…" the thought choking her at the thought of Dante dieing "…to kill you…then I don't think the powers I have were planned to be from so many random demons. It would have to be from a source that is powerful enough to go up against you. Does that…" looking over at him "…does that make sense?"

"Yeah, it does."

"Something's not quite right and I have no idea what it is. Something feels…unresolved and I don't think it has anything to do with you or Nero…or even Sparda himself. I don't know how else to explain it."

"I see. Well…all good things come to those who wait…right?" He rhetorically stated as he got up from the bed and began to undress himself. There was pretty much nothing further to discuss about it at this time since neither Dante nor Vincent knew what Arkainius meant by his haunting words, but it didn't matter. All that mattered was the now. Getting up from the bed Vincent went into the walk in closet that was partially filled with her own clothing that she had left from the various visits to the shop before. She was over so often that Dante figured he might as well make a little room for her. The closet itself was dusky, only illuminated by a light bulb that hung from a circuit cord that connected to the ceiling above it. It was old fashioned kind of like a closest you would find in a mobster film. Various shirts and pants hung surprisingly neat and tidy from hangers including an old leather jacket that Dante used to wear when he was in his teens, the arm of the coat sleeve still missing and torn off near the elbow. It was strange to look at.

Finally finished with getting down into a just an oversized pajama top that belonged to Dante, she came out from the closest to find he was waiting for her in bed. He laid under the sheets and blanket, completely shirtless to reveal his riveting textured six pack and muscles. His skin had a beautiful glow under the moonlight along with his silvery white hair that shined in from the bedroom window that looked out over the city, the city itself twinkling with lights that were on from all the night owls. As beautiful as the scene was that was laid out before her, nothing could distract or stop Vincent from blushing ferociously as she wrapped herself with her arms and tossed her gaze to the side.

"God…I uh…heh," she stammered and chuckled nervously.

"Vincent…" he stated her name, immediately catching her attention "…it's okay. I don't bite…unless you want me to."

She then laughed in a nervous audible gesture, the one liner helping her to relax a bit as she finally nerved herself into getting in bed. She first sat upon the edge of the mattress, the springs creaking lightly as she continued to gaze at him. Then, lifting her feet up she slid them under the sheets and blanket that was almost cold to the touch, but slowly adhered to the natural warmth of her body as Dante's natural scent got wafted into her nostrils. He was leaning on his left forearm with his right arm resting along his hip, as he ever so patiently waited for her to do whatever she felt was natural. Then upon inching closer, Vincent nuzzled into Dante's chest as he put an arm around her. And then…slowly lifting up her head…

…she kissed him.

He let out a pleasured murmur as their lips pressed against each other, hers ever so soft and almost sweet tasting, his ever so inviting. Opening their mouths, their tongues mingled delightfully as she too murmured between hot breaths. Allowing each other a moment to breathe they gazed into each other's soul.

She smiled.

He smiled back.

Then with gentle movement, Vincent got up on her side as she then slowly flipped Dante on his back so that she could straddle his waist with her thighs, sitting atop of him, a shiver going up his spine as he placed his hands upon her thighs. Her skin was so smooth, his hands so strong and warm. At first Vincent didn't do anything, taking in the sensation she was feeling and the heart beating in her chest. Then with tender hands she began to feel around Dante's chest as he let out a small exhale. Moving her hands down further she began to feel the chiseled structure of Dante's abdomen, feeling the bumps and finely toned curves. His skin was surprisingly smooth, almost like hers. The moonlight reflected nicely off him and nearly caused his eyes to glow in the darkness of the room. It sent a shudder beneath her as she swallowed anxiously.

"I've never done this before," she stated softly.

"Neither have I," Dante admitted openly. His luck never was that good with the ladies. That's why he didn't care to rush anything. He truly wanted to take his time just as much as Vincent. They wanted to eat up every moment and savor it like it was going to be their last moments together. It was a strange feeling between the two.

"Dante…"

"…yeah?"

"I-I…" she stammered, but then she smiled and lowered her head a little for a moment before she tucked part of her hair behind her ear as she leaned in and kissed Dante deeply. Upon parting lips again she then scooted a bit back as she then laid on top of him, her ear planted against his chest as she heard his heart beat. Dante began to stroke his fingers through her hair with one hand while the other cupped over the tip of her shoulder. He hadn't felt a peace like this since he could even remember as they silently laid there, their warmth mingling…

…in the pale moonlight.