Devil May Cry- Touch of Fate Ch.3

Ch.3 A New Beginning

From the fluctuations of her body loosing blood and trying to merge with the demon blood in her, it had left her sleeping for at least 24 hrs or more. When her body had finally woke her up, her eyes were still bandaged over, but she could tell it was day since the sense of brightness had shone through the bandages. However, from the pain in her eyes she could tell they still needed to stay closed until fully healed. As for the rest of the pain in her body, it was all gone. She sat up in bed and felt she needed a stretch because she had lain for so long. The exhaustion still lingered, finding it difficult to want to stand and the minute she inched herself off the bed was the second she fell to her knees. The thud was rather hard and rather loud.

"Kh! Damn it. Guess he was right about needing to go back," she spouted in irritation to herself.

"Trying to escape so soon?" a voice replied playfully.

She had almost forgotten of who was taking care of her. Vincent tried to stand up, but struggled as her right side was clenched over the edge of the bed.

"You won't get anywhere like that."

Dante went over and gently lifted her to where she could sit upright on the edge of the bed as he pulled a chair nearby and sat in front of her. A brief silence fell upon the air.

"So, you think you'll be able to see now? Most of your other wounds have already healed, rather quickly in fact."

She was taken by his tone at the end of his sentence. It almost sounded with suspicion. Could she blame him? She did display a nice set of inhuman powers before she was even taken to his place after escaping the lab. Either that or he mistook her to be completely demon in origin, but despite his suspicion, he respected her enough not to ask questions that dug too deeply. He figured she would tell him with time.

"Once the pain resides in my eyes, I know then I'll be able to take off the bandages," she politely informed.

"Heh, that'd be nice. Then I could see what your eyes look like."

She blushed slightly for she had never gotten this much attention from a man before. Arkainius was one thing, but to be in the home of a son of Sparda? What a treat this was. She sighed however as she openly admitted, "I don't even know what you look like."

He blew back a few bangs from his eyes as he playfully responded, Well…always good to save the best for la—"

His words were cut short as he noticed her raising her hands up ever so slightly.

"—I don't need eyes to see you," she interrupted in an almost wispy gently type voice. She ever so slowly reached her hands out to the direction of his voice and then suddenly her hands were grasped by his as she stopped reaching.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to—"

"—here."

She then felt his hands guide her own to the touch of his face. Once placed he let go as she began to gently maneuver her touch around the contours of his skin. She felt his cheeks and then his lips, soft and curved. Then she gently moved her hands to his forehead, feeling the stroke of some of his hair, silky and smooth.

"Wow," she said in but a whisper.


Although sight had escaped her momentarily, she could tell that he was a good looking man from what she had felt of his face. It was warm to the touch, and smooth as well, accept for the manly stubble that sat upon his jaw line and just under his nose.

"Dante," she gently spoke his name. He then tenderly grabbed onto her hands again and slowly lowered them as her hands rested in his.

"You're pretty gentle for a demon."

She gasped audibly from his remark. Was it so obvious?

"I'm not…completely of demon origin," she stated softly in a sigh.

"Well that makes two of us. I have to admit though, you haven't attempted to shoot me in the head, neither have you stabbed me in the chest, so that's a definite plus in my book. Maybe when you get better I'll take you on a date."

"W-What?!" she responded surprised.

"What? Never been asked out on a date before?" he asked in banter.

"Well, yeah but…I…don't you need to know more about me?"

He chuckled as he replied, "Well of course, but you can tell me all that when you're done healing. You haven't made a fuss of any kind so I'll go easy on yah."

At this point his tone had lowered into an almost sensual type of voice. It appealed to her strongly, but just before she could respond, the phone in his office downstairs began to ring as she placed her hands back in her lap, Dante standing up to go to the phone.

"Sorry to interrupt, but business beckons."

"It's okay. Not like I'm going anywhere," she replied sadly.

"Just rest some. I'll be back."

His heavy striding footsteps could be heard leaving the room as silence fell upon it once again. She sat there, still remembering the warmth of his skin, the sound of his voice, the linger of a musky scent. She wanted to see him more than anything now that she had had an idea of what he looked like. The anticipation dug at her, even if her eyes weren't fully healed yet. She had to see him. Inching off the bed once again, luckily not as heavily taken by exhaustion compared to her last attempt, she managed to balance herself she managed as she groped onto the side of the wall, using it to guide her way to the door. It was open as she slowly and carefully felt her steps to the first step of the stairs. Creeping down the stairs she almost tripped here and there, Dante's voice becoming a bit louder the closer she got to the bottom.

"Password……slow down, can't help yah if I can't understand yah……uh huh……sorry don't work for free……a basket of fruit? Fruit don't pay the bills. How about you treat me to pizza instead……hello? Hello? Tch, customers."

He tossed the phone to its regular place of sitting.

"Since when do you pay a man a basket of fruit to go kill some demon? What am I going to do with it, kill them to death with vitamins?"

He picked up his magazine of the month, placing his legs crossed and up on his desk, but just as he began reading he looked over the top of his magazine and noticed Vincent standing at the end of the stairs, panting slightly as she clung to the edge of the wall. He put his magazine down, and began to come towards her, figuring she would need help.

"Not very patient are you? I was just about to check on you."

He stopped mid way to her as she inched out from the wall and began to unwrap the bandages around her head. Slowly they came off and when they did she began to open her eyes for the first time to him. At first her vision was blurry and the light that hit them stung the nerves in her head with a bit of pain, but after a short time it resided from squinting and her vision became clear. He could tell she wasn't exaggerating about her eyes. They were quite red from the strain of using her powers and they were watery, watery with the color of blood, but out of all the redness in her eyes, he could pick out their color. They were like the color of his own only in a darker shade of a grayish blue. The two half demons stared at each other silently as Vincent took in his image. He was so appealing she blushed a deep red. He was quite tall, taller then she imagined him as. His hair was a silvery white, but was the softest feature from the rest of him. He was quite muscular as well and broad in the shoulders and the manly stubble she felt earlier on his face only accentuated his facial features. She whispered to herself, but you could tell her lips read oh my god.

Dante smiled as he stated, "Heh, well thank you."

"Uh…I mean…sorry, I don't mean to stare," she quickly replied.

Vincent darted her sight away as he placed one hand on his hip and merely smirked.

"Well you have good reason to, no doubt?" he joked in a jester.

Vincent took notice as he Dante took steps towards her, her body beginning to lightly quiver as she became sensually nervous by his approach. He then stood only but a few inches from her as he lifted a hand to her face. Not expecting the movement she turned her head sharply, afraid of what he might do, but then she felt the gentle tug of his hand on her cheek, turning her eyes into his as she felt lost in them.

"So that's what your eyes look like. I've seen that color before."

She could barley restrain her sudden passion as she was taken by his gaze. She lifted her hands to meet his cheeks, cupping his face in her palms as if to keep his gaze from escaping hers. A kiss was all she desired now, but was too afraid to make the first move; afraid of pushing him away knowing it was way to early to be so daring with someone she had only known for a day.

"Heh, so melodramatic."

Quickly drawn in, he passionately kissed her as he held her close, but gentle so as not to injure her more. She embraced him around the neck while his arms wrapped around her much smaller torso. From the heat of the moment she wrapped even closer to him, never wanting to let go, never wanting to forget his warm embrace, but eventually they needed a breath of air as they parted lips and looked into each other's gazes once more.

"You do this often with women you just met?"

"Only if they plan to buy me some pizza," he jested again, causing her to chuckle lightly.

"I think I could arrange that," she replied playfully, but suddenly becoming dizzy as Dante was quick to keep her from tipping over, wrapping her up in his arms.

She clung to his shirt, nuzzling her head within his warm chest as she breathed in his musk. It brought about a soothing sensation as he gently laid her down upon the couch. Leaving briefly, Dante returned with his coat and covered her to keep her warm.

"Get some rest. I have some unfinished business to take care of."


--2 Days Later--

Vincent was finally able to see without any pain to her head. Her eyes returned to their normal state and her wounds and scars had all healed away. After contacting her father on the phone to let him know she was okay, she sat down on the couch and asked Dante to join her. She wanted to tell him everything that he wanted to know.

"For everything you've done for me, I see it only fitting that I tell you who I am."

"Heh, well that goes without saying," he replied sarcastically as he plopped himself down on the couch next to her.

"I've lived in this city for quite some time and I'm quite aware of the demons that lurk about and some small history behind it all. And yes, I know you are a son of Sparda."

He made no reply as he listened to her intently.

"With demons running amuck, you have a choice to either do something or just become the helpless victim of circumstance. My mother was a victim…my brother was a victim…but I for one refuse to lay low anymore. About a year or so ago I found hints and rumors of a scientist by the name of Arkainius that found a way to control demonic power and mix it with the blood of humans, stabilizing it. Of course his experimentation in society was rejected for the very fact that he had used humans as testing subjects. Police went out to find him, but they were unsuccessful. However, what they didn't know was that he's not human, he's a demon. That didn't stop me and since I would be his only willing subject, I figured he'd keep me alive."

She continued explaining her back story of becoming a guinea pig, experimented on, and ultimately gaining demonic power as her short end story unfolded. When she finished, an awkward silence fell upon the hair as Dante let out a breath.

"So how does it feel to have given up your humanity?"

She was taken back by his tone as his stare sent a chill up her spine. His question was quite serious as she wasn't sure at first how to reply, but she turned her gaze back at the floor as she took in a deep breath.  

"I didn't give it up. I merely altered it. Human does not define who I am. It is merely a physical attribute. I'm guessing by the way you responded, that's not how you look at it. I know you don't know me or what my intentions are, but those who give up their humanity to ultimately gain power and nothing more are the ones who fail. I'm not one of those people. I gained power to help others, not to hurt them. We live in a world where death is eminent everyday around every corner, nook and cranny. Can you really blame me for what I do? Can you blame me for having a desire to protect those close to me let alone myself?"

Dante let out a small sigh as he replied, "Assuming your intentions are what you say they are, no, I guess I can't blame you, but becoming something you're naturally not might have consequences you aren't expecting…or prepared to handle. Most demons can tell right away who amongst them is human and who is not. They'll hunt you down for the rest of your life because you stick out like a sore thumb. You'll have to alienate your remaining family and friends because otherwise you'll be ultimately putting them in danger. Not that it matters at this point, but did you even stop to consider that?"

Dante's advice hung in the air like a dampening mood. She completely agreed with him, but it didn't really sink in until now since for so long she was only focused on changing who she was.

"I appreciate your concern Dante, but, I don't really have any friends and the only family I have is my dad. You're right though, I can't put him in danger. I can visit him every once in a while, but I'll never be able to stay with him."

Vincent sighed heavily though, realizing that this was pretty much at an end now. She wasn't sure what to say let alone did she want to say goodbye. With the time she had spent with Dante, she was quickly falling for the man, but she could never expect him to let her stay at the shop. It wasn't his responsibility. Dante however, was appeased for now. He felt the girl was being genuine, but he was also enamored by her honesty and sincerity. She didn't feel like a threat and he didn't believe she was either. However, he couldn't ignore the sudden change of expression on her face.

"Why the long face?"

"You've done so much for me in the short time I have been here, but isn't this the part where we say goodbye?"

Dante sat back and leaned into the couch as he folded his arms and thought for a moment.

"Well let's look at the facts here. You live in the city…I live in the city…you don't plan on moving…I don't plan on moving. So if this is goodbye then that's really up to you. I don't plan on leaving. I've claimed this place as my home, so you're welcome to it any time."

Vincent gasped, surprised by his offer.

"Uh…really?!"

The devil hunter smirked and looked over at her, "Is it really that surprising?"

She blushed slightly from catching his gaze again as she replied, "No I just…I…well…just didn't want to…invade you're space. I've already overstayed my welcome. It'd only be proper for me to leave and come back another time."

Dante playfully looked up at the slowly spinning ceiling fan as he added, "If you had overstayed your welcome, trust me you would have been long gone."

She then smiled, feeling glad that she hadn't tread on anything sensitive with Dante.

"Well, I do have some things to take care of with my dad. I want to make sure he's okay. But, I can come back?"

He smirked and closed his eyes.

"You haven't shot me…you haven't stabbed me…yeah you can come back. As long as you buy me some damn pizza I'll be satisfied."

She cocked an eyebrow. She didn't understand this man's fascination with pizza.

"Pizza as my renting bill huh? Sound's fine to me. Since I have these powers, I could probably make my own money taking out demons like you do."

A gentle silence fell between the two half hearted beings as Vincent smiled and reflected upon his words. She realized that she had finally found someone whom she could trust, but also…someone to be by her side if they wanted to. She turned towards Dante and held out her hand, smiling with an almost cocky type of attitude.

"Deal. I pay the monthly pizza bills, assuming I get some of course, and you can be my…personal demon hunting partner."

"Sounds like a plan."

Vincent got up and stretched a bit as she made one last final reply, "Damn its late. I should head home, but I'll be back when I can. Any last requests before I go?"

Dante let out a small chuckle as he bantered at her, "Yeah, how about a date?"