Chapter 1 - Another day in Hell

Thunder rolls overhead as I sit in a shattered buildings remains, smelling the downpour that is due any second. I roll my shoulders as lightning flashes and the rain begins. Groaning to myself I lift my aching arms and run my fingers through my long aurborn hair.

"Doesn't look like it's gonna let up any time soon, eh pup?" My companion asks coming up to my side and hanging his arm around my shoulders. I look up with green eyes at his ice blue orbs, mock biting the air to 'threaten' him.

"Do you have to call me that dude, you know I don't like it" I growl lowly in my throat, showing my annoyance and glance at the sky.

The rain is now bouncing to around my waist in height, and at 5 feet fuck all that's not much to everyone else, but to me it means wet clingy clothes and God's know I hate that. Especially in Jeans and Sketchers, neither good in water and I don't have a coat. Heh Nero's gonna lose his then.

" Oh shh haha, I've always called ya that Mel" he scratches my head just behind the black velvet headband I have on to keep my hair out of my eyes while fighting...which may coincidentally also have wolf ears made from metal attached to them, and rubs his nose on mine, removing his arm and walking off a bit.

Nero and I had been close ever since we'd known each other, he was like a brother to me while Kyrie, his girlfriend didn't like me. Even more so when she saw how quickly Nero and I became close as it appeared to be a threat to her, God's only knew why.

"I swear she's dead standing!!" Ugh Griffon, count to three and leave the bird be girl, that also mean V!!

I blink pretending I hadn't heard the damn crow demon. "Where's V?" I ask looking the bird in the eye and baring my teeth, he flaps a bit knowing I'd heard him and flies to a lamp post on the other side of the street, good bird now stay and shut up...wait when did the rain stop?

"I'm here little one" V said putting a hand lightly on my waist from my right. I turn to him and see his gentle smile and eyes a few shades darker than mine glitter with mischeif. I like him, he made time for me like Nero and I like to listen to his poetry when we rest, plus him being sexy as hell helps and his voice makes me melt in all the right ways.

Oh god he is so damn hot and ... no girl behave don't think of V or things are not gonna end well.

"you were lost in that pretty head o' yours, huh kiddo?" "DANTE!!" I run at the veteran devil hunter and wrap my arms around his kneck and nuzzle into his chest. I'd known him my entire living memory and he helped me hone my hunting skills, while Vergil had taught me more demonology than anyone else ever could. After all, I'd met him while looking for information on the demon tower Temen-Ni-Gru.

"Ease up there, you'll break the old guy!" I giggle and let go of Dante, turning to the source of the voice.

Nico looks back at me from her truck, a cigarette in that loud mouth of hers, grinning like a mad woman, which I'm sure she actually is.

"Can it Nico!!" I laugh and jump to hug her through the window, I'm small but agile and hold myself in place while we embrace with ease.

I drop and turn to the rest of the group. A lot doesn't add up, but then I hadn't been paying attention, like how had Nico gotten here without me hearing her GTA style driving, how had I not sensed V as I usually did and when did the rain stop. Though looking at the clouds that was a short lived thing and I head into the truck so I don't get wet.

Morrison was in the passenger seat and spun to see me when I came in with Nero latching his hands on my hips and scooting me to the side so he could use the bathroom.

"S'up Morrison?" All he can mutter before shutting the door. I roll my eyes and perch on the counter at the back of the truck, Morrison means money and I needed that if I wanted out of Fortuna and I do, mainly for independence as Kyrie tries to control me as much as she can while at home with her and Nero. Mostly so she knows exactly where we are and what we were doing.

"Hey! Get off the counter pup" Nico screeches from the drivers seat as she starts to speed down the road, muttering something about not needing more marks in her counter than what her 'art' caused.

I giggle inwardly and click my tongue at V in mock annoyance as I slide off the counter and stand beside the bathroom door, holding it shut as Nero tries to leave the room.

I put a finger to my lips and hold, knowing he can't open the door with me there and wait for him to snap.

3

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1

"DANTE! you son of a BITCH Let me OUT!" He bellows, pounding the door.

"Nero! You kiss Kyrie with that mouth" I laugh as I wink at Dante and the others then jump back quickly as he rushes the door, which is now open, and falls into Dante's lap.

"Get off Nero!" Dante grumbles as I look at him with puppy eyes and a smile that screams trouble, neither quite reaching the other. I grin and rub my face with the back of my hand, pretending I had nothing to do with the door not oppening, spying V chuckling to himself in the armchair in front of Dante.

Nero glares at me while he gets up and turns to Morrison. "So what ya got for us old timer? If it's far I'll have to let Kyrie know I'll be gone for a while." Nero asks sitting on the opposite end of the sofa that Dante is on. I glide onto the arm of the armchair next to V and we smile at one another quickly at the adorableness of Nero and kyrie.

"I got a gig, cash on delivery this time and any damages come off the final cash in so try and be as clean and non destructive as possible here guys" he says looking at Dante with the last part, earning nothing more than a huff.

I look at the darkening sky and growl at the horde of demons I notice heading our way.

"Looks like another day in hell boys! Time to move out."