Kept you guys waiting, huh? I had writer's block, and this a short chapter because I needed something out.

Sue me, bitches. XD

Enjoy!

Mission Eight: The Bloody Palace

Ichika sat in his now repaired Devil May Cry office, his feet over the ornate desk.

"So, Rodin, did you find anything?" Ichika asked over the phone.

It had been three days since Ichika had spoken to his mother, Kotomi Orimura.

He had yet to inform his sister, Chifuyu about their meeting, much less confront her about her kidnapping him when he was just a year old.

Though, to be fair, she did take him away from a family of incestuous psychopaths.

On the other hand, they both were sort of incestuous psychopaths.

So the situation evens itself out in a way.

Ichika heard Rodin chuckled on the other end of the line.

"Boy did I ever. Turns out you're related to the demon Baphomet. Not really that surprising considering your family's history."

Ichika blinked in surprise. "Baphomet? You mean the demon the Templars were falsely accused of worshiping?"

"Well, about that, yes and no. The Templars did worship Baphomet, but said worship was extremely superficial seeing as he was just used as an excuse to start mass orgies."

Ichika started to regret ever looking into this. "...I don't like where this is going."

"You see, Ichika, I asked him about the Orimura bloodline during my last trip to Inferno. He laughed his ass off the moment he heard the bloodline was still going."

"Oh, this is encouraging," Ichika said blandly.

"Two thousand years ago before Sparda split the demon world form the human world, Baphomet had a little hobby of playing around with human souls and physiology, his end goal was to, in a way, perfect humanity. Through this, he created many different powerful bloodlines, now all dead or too diluted in the modern era to be of any significance."

"I'll take a shot in the dark and say Baphomet created the Orimura bloodline, right?"

Ichika could hear Rodin struggling to hold his laughter.

"Ichika, the Orimura bloodline was a joke bloodline Baphomet created on a whim."

The young demon hunter's jaw gaped in utter astonishment.

"Oh my Satan."

"The old goat even told me about the specifics of the Orimura bloodline, you want to know?"

Ichika sighed. "Hit me with it, this'll be good."

"So, the females were made to have inhuman competence when it came to combat and had an extreme obsession to direct blood relatives of the opposite sex. The males were completely normal except for the fact had an unnatural ability to attract women and that they had no common sense whatsoever when it came to women. In other words, they as dense as a black hole."

"...Ugh." Ichika ran a hand through his hair. "This makes too much sense. I hate that this makes actually makes sense!"

And cue the uncontrollable laughter on the other side of the phone.

Ichika sighed. "Well, am going to let you go now, thanks for doing me this favor Rodin."

"No problem, kid."

And with that, Ichika hung up the phone.

"...I should have just left this bit of family history dead in the grave." He mumbled to himself.

"Hmmmm, Ikkun?" came the drowsy voice of Tabane who was coming down the stairs.

The genius inventor of the Infinite Stratos was only wearing one of Ichika's white dress shirts and a pair of panties.

Ichika waved over to her. "Down here, Tabane."

Tabane sleepily made her way to Ichika and sat in his lap.

"Why did you leave the bed, Ikkun? I missed you."

"Sorry, had to talk to Rodin about family matters. You still sore?"

"Ugh, yes. Ikkun, you need to learn how to hold back. I may have a body as strong as Chi-chan's, but I'm still only human, you know?"

Ichika smirked. A demonic libido was not something to be trifled with.

"Think of it as my way to make it up to you for the whole 'no sex for a month' thing."

Tabane began snuggling Ichika. "Well, I forgive you, just make sure it doesn't happen again. I like being able to walk without a limp after all."

They sat there for a few minutes enjoying each other's company.

It was something the young demon hunter appreciated greatly. Ever since his life in the Academy began, it's been nothing but chaos. So, a moments respite with someone he loves was very welcomed.

"So," Tabane began. "How are you going to break the news to Chi-chan that you met your mother?"

Ichika paused for a second, he didn't think that far ahead.

Suddenly, a light bulb with devil horns appeared above him and he gave an all too-wide smile. That smile being almost malicious in nature.

"I've got an idea."

Tabane giggled in anticipation, this was going to be dumb. She needed to record this.

[-]

Chifuyu knew something was wrong when she entered her room in the academy, and saw Ichika, who still had a day of downtime left, cooking. Sure, the aroma of whatever he was whipping up smelt heavenly, but still, everyone in the academy knew Ichika hated her guts.

She noticed he wasn't wearing his sling and bandages anymore, his demonic arm uncovered. Her movements stopped when her wine-red eyes saw it uncovered. The memories of their previous conversation threaten to make the tears flow again.

She failed him, that was something she couldn't deny. It was something she wouldn't let herself deny. Even when she tried to help him, she was only a hindrance, nearly getting killed when she fought Xaphan.

So, why was he here?

"Christ, I leave for like four days, and you're already eating microwavable meals again," Ichika scolded, not even turning around to look at her. "The hell am I going to do with you?"

Chifuyu blinked in confusion. Was that it? He was worried about her nutritional health? He hated her, he should still be at their old house, or his shop.

"Stop gawking and sit down already, I know you haven't had breakfast yet," Ichika began setting plates down on the table.

Steamed rice, miso soup, grilled fish, along with a few side dishes. All in all, your typical Japanese breakfast.

She took her seat at the table. "You still had another day off."

"And I go bored, sue me." Ichika rolled his eyes as he handed his sister a steaming mug of coffee.

Chifuyu decided to not press the issue anymore, she'd be dealt more sass if she did. Instead, she took a sip of her coffee.

"So, I met our mother, Kotomi." Ichika said bluntly.

"Pffttt!" Chifuyu did a spit take. "You what!?"

Snap!

Ichika held his phone in his hand. "Annnnnd, sent to Tabane."

Chufuyu's heart began racing. "No! Put down the damn phone! You met that monster!?"

Ichika shrugged. "Sent my twin sister along with a few high ranking Phantom Task operatives to capture and bring me to her."

Oh, good lord, he sent his sister after him. Madoka no doubt went through the same hellish training Chifuyu herself did, she must've, at the very least, given Ichika some sort of trouble.

"And?" Chifuyu stressed.

Ichika gave a cocky grin. "I systematically beat their asses into the ground in under a minute. Didn't even get to have any real fun."

She sighed and held her head, of course he made years of bloody, brutal training look like a joke. Well, at least he was alright.

A memory flashed through her mind, the one of Ichika stabbed with a dozen scythes and casually walking towards her with an irritable expression as if he didn't even notice he was impaled through many vital organs or his limbs.

She sighed, even if Madoka had landed any fatal blows, she doubted Ichika would care enough to even exclaim in some manner of pain. He'd be too busy mocking her.

"And after wrecking my shop, I got some answers out of them," He looked off to the side. "Eeeeh, well, I got them after I threatened to slit my own twin sister's throat with a sword."

Chifuyu blinked. "...You what?" She had the feeling she was going to be asking that a lot today.

"Anyway, they said mom wanted to chat, and the few gulps of bourbon in my system overrode my decision making, and I allowed them to escort me to Paris where I talked with our mother over dinner." He explained. Of course, she set up the meeting in Paris, she'd never shut up about how much she loved the food over there. "She asked me about a few things, mainly about…" He raised his demonic arm. "This, and about what really happened to the Uroboros Corporation and the situation of Vie de Marli."

Chifuyu narrowed her eyes. Yes, the Orimura family did have some pretty close ties to the Uroboros Corporation. She was surprised when the company shut down two years ago. Her best guess was that Phantom Task and Uroboros began butting heads and didn't end well for Uroboros. But things didn't really add up when the island of Vie de Marli was closed off from the rest of the world. And it's been closed off ever since. No one was allowed anywhere near it.

So, Ichika knew the whole story, didn't he? That's why their mother would go to him of all people.

"She informed about the history of our bloodline, and it's many...uh, quirks." Chifuyu tensed at his words. "And about how you kidnapped me from our family." She tensed further, biting her lip.

He hated her even more now, she knew it. How wouldn't he? She, his own sister, ripped him from his family, their family. Even if it was to protect him, even if it was to…

No! No, she threw those desires away years ago!

Ichika leaned on the counter his single red-wine eyes staring at her's

She looked down at the table, her arm holding the coffee shaking.

"You made the right move."

Chifuyu froze. "Ah...w-what?"

"Yeah, you heard me, our family is fucking nuts!" Ichika exclaimed. "You pulling a fast one is probably the best thing you could've done. Hiding it from me, even more, so...then the bitch had to traumatize me by explaining everything!" He shuttered. "But I was finally able to put everything together after that...experience."

He walked behind her, putting his hands on her shoulders.

"You didn't risk your life to get me out of Phantom Task for pure intentions, you wanted me for yourself. And you didn't go to Germany just because you owed them a debt, you went there to keep yourself away from me, to protect me from yourself, before you did anything you would regret." He said finally.

Chifuyu felt as if all the warmth in her body had left her, and all that remained was an unending chill of dread.

Her brother was right on the money. As usual, he was too smart for his own good.

Now, what? Would he be disgusted with her? Having those kinds of feelings for her own brother? She was disgusted with herself more than anything honestly. All she ever wanted to do was protect Ichika. Protect him from the world, their family, and herself. She failed with two of those, was she about to fail the third?

Even as the tears threatened to fall, it didn't matter. As long as he was alive, as long he drew breath, it didn't matter if he hated her or not. For as long as he was alive, that was enough for her to keep going.

She felt his arms wrap around her, holding her in a gentle embrace. "I forgive you."

Chifuyu's eyes widened, she slowly craned her head to look at Ichika, but instead of seeing his usual scowl, she saw him giving her a warm smile.

"But why?" She asked. "I ran away with you because..."

He sighed. "Don't sweat it, we'll work something out later."

"I...if I didn't leaven then..." She ran her fingers across the obsidian scales of Ichika's demonic arm.

"Eh, I'm over it, and besides I'm alive and got crazy superpowers out of it, I consider it a win."

And like that, the dam broke. She stood up, turned around, and hugged Ichika, shoving her face into his chest. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm so, so sorry!" She bawled as she continued to apologize.

Ichika wrapped his arms around his older sister once again. "Geez, I told you already, I forgive you."

Chifuyu didn't even seem to hear his words, she just held onto him as if he was a lifeline. Tears of regret, shame, relief, and joy all fell as she was in her beloved brother's embrace.

Ichika sighed. "What am I going to do with you?"

Chapter End

Omake: Ringtones

Ichika tapped the fingers of his demonic arm against his desk in the classroom and he sat down, bored out of his mind. His sister was giving another lecture to the class, it was stuff he probably knew better than her if it was IS related, and considering where he was, it was IS related.

Too bad everyone in the class couldn't stop giving his arm worried glances. The whole school knew about his demonic side after Xaphon's rather rude entrance. Everyone saw him kick major ass like the Smokin' Sexy Stylish badass Dante trained him to be.

...Now, if only something interesting could actually fucking happen!

Suddenly, the window next to Ichika shattered. And something crashed into his desk.

After a few startled screams of his classmates, he brushed the pieces of glass out of his hair and looked that the object on his desk.

A carrot-shaped rocket capsule. One of Tabane's calling cards.

"The fuck is that crazy rabbit thinking!? She knows I'm in class right now!" Ichika screamed in his head.

"Was is Tabane?" Chifuyu asked.

"Yep." Ichika deadpanned as he opened up the capsule to find...a smartphone. "Huh? I've been meaning to get a new one but..."

He took the phone out and found a note underneath it.

Ikkun! I found out that nasty dragon demon you fought broke your phone! What a jerk. So, I made a new one for you. Praise me you, sexy beast! Also, it has a ringtone I know you'll love.

Calling 3...2...1

On cue, the phone rang with a high energy catchy song.

All of these thoughts runnin' through my head

Arm on fire, veins burnin' red

Frustration is getting bigger...

Bang Bang Bang - Pull my Devil Trigger!

Ichika picked up the call after the verse ended.

[Ikkun, what did you think of the ringtone?] Tabane asked cheerfully.

Ichika let out a long sigh. "Glorious."

Fuck, got to reply to review from last year, Jesus Christ.

Review Responses.

Hizulquoigmnzhah: Nah, Charlotte's a bit yandere too.

DrackNath: Fujin of Shadow is a huge inspiration as to how the Orimura family works.

LordOfTea: Thank you! And Operation Skull Ram is possible! XD

The Mage of the Beginning: Nah, it doesn't make more sense, it's just easier to accept.

DemonHunter52: Incest is Wincest. Now, sing it with me. AND I SAID HHHHHHEEEEEYYYYYEEEEEEYYYYEEEEEE!

Czar Joseph: If you think to incestuous implications of Kotomi's feels towards Ichika isn't right, then you're not going to like this chapter! XD

Czar Joseph(review2): Kept you waiting huh?

Kerlongsj Evert Orlejov: Glad to see you like this chapter, and sorry for taking so damn long for another.

PassiveNox: Heh.

Shadow Joestar: Oh, she knows alright.

Spartan517: Thanks, and yes, I plan to bring Dante back after the Silver Gospel shit is over with.

DoctorHayden: Ah, I do have ideas for an Infinite Stratos SI.

Saberfang Orcalodon: It will be continued, it is their destiny. (Rubs deviant hands together maliciously)

AnimeFan0216: This fic was made before DMC5's announcement, and uses the old DMC Timeline, I had no plans to incorporate anything from DMC5 into this fic, but I'm going to bring in Nico and a few Devil Arms, that's all.

Shashenka: ...Bruh, you do know that people can...you know, force themselves to act civil? It's not like he'd ballistic in the middle of a restaurant...of a crowded city of innocents...while surrounded by, most likely, a shit ton of guns and said innocents in the crossfire.

Kamencolin: Bruh, M/Madoka just got her shit kicked in by, what is basically, to her, a delusional moron that believes in magic and the supernatural, not to mention said moron is related to her and her hated sister.

The Draconic Ancient of Chaos: Thanks!

Guest: Thanks, bruh, that means a lot.

Urizen V: Thanks, I guess. Also, that name...I'ma about to make you Deadweight!

Kasumi Kenshiro: You had to wait a while, but here it is.

El guerrero Goku: Ichika is so much more OP than anyone in his family tree now that he has Sparda's blood in him.

DioBrandoVampire: Her you go, bruh.

Guest: Thanks.

Dark-Lord0: You know it!

Lsliver19: Hehehehe...My gospel spreads.

Guest: Ugh, I ain't touching DmC with any length of pole. Ichika has Sparda's blood in him, he's an artificial demon now.

Enigma95: Ha!

Enigma95(review2): Yep.

Wrath of The Sun Deity: Smokin' Sexy Style!

Thefarr24 and Draconis23: (Megalovania intensifies)

The Real Hell Fire: Hellsing Ultimate Abridged is amazing, nuff said.

Marseldagistani: Eh, I'd say more like a mellow version of Deadpool, but whatever.

ArataTheKing: You bet your said of Demon's Foot it was!

Ninja6345: Dies irae ~Amantes amentes~?

Malgrath: Because everyone knows it's a waste of time because Dante's gonna get out on his own. And if anyone tries to get him out, he'll bitch out it for days.

Devad the Detective Overlord: Thanks.

Czar Joseph: I've beaten the game so many times now.

Kerlongsk Evert Orlejoy: The game is so much fucking fun!

Hawkeyestratos1996: How about now?

Czar Joseph: You know you can PM me, right?

Dragoon725: Thanks for the suggestions and the long review.

The Real Hell Fire; This place in the Old DMC timeline, DMC2 take place after 4 here, and DMC5 never happened.

BlueFireDemon: Her you go.

Malgrath: Trust me, whenever I throw Bloodborne into anything, shit goes down hard.

SurfCasteHD: I'll do what I want.

Oblivious Boatman: Nah, man, I've got my own ideas for his DT, and they will have they Smokin' Sexy Style.

Scoolio: Yep!

Dragoon725(review2): Nero isn't all that weaker, it's just a consequence of game mechanics.

NazgulBelserion: You act as if that wasn't the plan from the start.

AndresFelipe: How about, fuck you, I write because it's a fun hobby, not because it's my job.