Updates, updates, updates! This is one I've been anticipating just because this story really appeals to me...lol Maybe it's because I get to make Vergil the hero for once if you can call his role heroic. Plus, I do like the pairing as it is set up. :D

This chapter is all Nero, but he actually has no name so he won't be referred to as Nero yet. Not sure when he will, but then again I'm still working out the minute details in my head. :) Since we are seeing Vergil more through Nero's eyes though he does come off a lot colder in this chapter than he did the first, which felt appropriate since we're no longer in Vergil's head. :D

Also we get to see into his motives and even some of his past. I'm trying to come up with something unique for him because I don't want this to be like every other hurt/comfort story like this. Hopefully I'll succeed...lol

SideNote: This will appear on all my updates from now till July 19th to insure everyone gets the message.

- I will be attending Comic-Con 2009 this year. My very first convention and trip to California. :D So it's my goal to have three updates (KM, Devotion and a new oneshot) on Sunday July 12th and two more (BIO and Obsession) by Sunday July 19th since I leave for San Diego on the 21st. You guys know how much I love updates before I go on vacation...lol Being a goal, and with my heavy workload at my job before I leave I cannot guarantee that both BIO and Obsession will be updated, but I'm going to try for both. If not then hopefully, at least one of them. Keep your fingers crossed my head doesn't explode.

I will also be blogging on the events of Comic-Con and including pics when I can. I will post the link on my bio page to the blog the weekend (7/19/09) before if anyone is interested in seeing DevilWriterN and I getting our geek on. :D

That is all except enjoy this and the other updates I can manage. :)

Devotion

Chapter 2

"Are you lost... little boy?"

Zzzttt!

"No!"

The devil boy jolted awake at hearing the sound of his own yell tear from his throat and involuntarily shivered against his memories. Eyes pressed tightly together he breathed the cool air into his lungs that managed to bring down his body's temperature. He then put a hand to his face to wipe the fevered sweat he felt on his forehead but instead felt... something else.

Looking down at his hands he found them both tightly wrapped in bandages. They were so white that they seemed to glow from the moonlight flooding in from somewhere and he was momentarily confused. Then he remembered the fit of rage and shivered once more.

It happened again he thought bitterly as he pulled the bandages away to reveal mostly healed over demon and human hands. It occurred to him that he alone could not have done this...

His head snapped upward and he scanned the room that was not the barn he had called home recently. The boy's eyes narrowed as his heart beat heavily when he noted he was inside a furnished room in a large bed.

History made him alert and he felt panic rising from within as he spied something he'd not seen in months now. A closed door. For a moment he thought somehow he had woken from a dream to find he still lived in his nightmare yet there was something different this time.

The scent of familiarity was on the air, but not that of the man he once was forced to live with but of the two devils... The boy quickly moved from the large bed and apprehensively touched the doorknob almost certain he would find it locked. Yet it came open easily to his touch which momentarily floored him. He could not sit back and wonder about it though as he stepped out into the hallway only to hear a swishing sound. As he looked down the boy realized it was his clothing.

He had long since ripped the outfit the peddler had given to him out of spite and lived with what was left of it in the mean time. Now though he was in cotton pajama's that smelled fresh which only confused him further. The peddler said he did the boy a kindness by dressing him but all the boy wanted to do was rip his throat out for coming near him.

When he was free he would do just that.

They are devil hunters. Didn't you know boy? They hunt and kill your kind for sport. Creatures... like your parents...

The man had told him that and it burned deep into his soul.

I'll give you your freedom and your revenge in return for one last favor.

Freedom he'd never known and revenge he never knew he needed. How could he refuse after six years of solitary torture at the hands of that man? What was two lives of the devils who killed his family and stolen any semblance of a safe life from him when compared to freedom?

To secure it though he had a job to do and he was not leaving until he accomplished it. To his great annoyance though the job in question wasn't as easy as he originally thought it was going to be. The man had never told him the two he was seeking out were like him or that unlike him they could easily defend themselves.

He had accomplished one task unknowingly by being brought inside the home, but this was not going to be so easy. Against the two he stood no chance as he knew nothing of fighting and if truth be told his captivity had made him thin and weak in comparison to them.

The day the boy had come he was so sure he would kill the elder, go after the younger and find his freedom at long last. Yet the elder was strong and even when the younger devil had tried to check on him the younger twin had defended himself well against the boy's frightful attempts.

So he had been waiting... Watching them for a sign of weakness. Originally he was supposed to be sold, which he had, but he was not supposed to be discarded before he even entered the home. Sensing his chance was slipping from his grasp he had moved rashly in for the kill only to be left in the dirt and wondering how things had gone so wrong.

The boy now walked down the hall, peaking around every corner and walked slowly down the stairs. As he came to the bottom the young devil noted a light peaking in through one of the doors and he heard voices.

"Go to bed already. Your yawning is irritating me."

"No way am I going to sleep with super psycho snoozing away up there."

The boy stepped closer, a single eye peaking through the opening to see the two devils sitting at a dining table. The moronic one was sitting on the table itself with his feet on the chair while the stiff one sat reading from a book.

"You were the one who suggested we bring him inside," the rigid one said with a teasing tone.

"Well, I wasn't about to bathe him in a tub out back now was I?"

He felt his body temperature rise and his ears burn. They had bathed him?! The boy noted the smell of soap around him and ran a hand gingerly through his hair which was still somewhat damp. It caused his blood boil as he glared at the two.

"It would not have surprised me if you had."

The moronic one clicked his tongue impatiently and went silent for a while looking off into the fireplace.

"Poor kid, wonder what had him so spooked."

Poor kid? I don't need the sympathy of murderers he thought coldly as he grit his teeth together. It was worse because he never intended to be here long enough for them to see him in the midst of one of his fits.

It was that man's fault of course. The nameless, faceless man who stole him away to a locked room when he was only a boy looking for his family. It was all in punishment he had been told for crimes done to the man and his family by half breeds. Half breeds like him.

I just find your kind beautiful... from the tears you shed to the blood you drip. Less demon, more human.

Scream for me...

Electricity, lightning and thunder. The worst storms of his life coincided with a vast majority of his torture.

You would be surprised the sounds a human can make when hooked up to electrodes. My mother screamed for mercy... and they shoved a knife through her vocal chord. How long before you scream boy?

He learned not to scream because it drove the man insane at hearing it but he also seemed to get a sick pleasure from it. If he screamed then the knife would come out. He could not die by blade and the man knew this. It allowed him to reenact his family's deaths over and over using the devil child as the lone actor.

"It was weird... he has really strange scars all over," the younger twin devil continued with a nervous voice. "He's like us, so he shouldn't have them right?"

"It means...," the elder began before pausing for a moment. "that he received them when he was young. Before he came into his ability to heal. Even you have scars from childhood."

"What, you mean the ones on my knees?" The younger asked as he lifted a pant leg to look.

"That would be the ones. From when you were stupid enough to jump off the roof thinking you could fly," the elder replied with an amused smirk.

"You were the one who said I could," his twin snapped.

"And you believed me, making you stupid."

"What are we going to do with him Vergil?" The younger cut in impatiently at his brother's words. "You know he's not going to be all sunshine and daisies when he wakes up."

"I had not thought that far. After all, you are calling the shots here are you not Dante?" The elder mused back at him.

"Ohhh no, you're not pawning this off on me. We checked on him mutually, brought him in mu--"

"You brought him in."

"You were thinking it too, don't deny it."

The one called Vergil sighed before standing. The boy shrank back from the door a bit at the sheer height of the devil as he walked across the room to place the book back into its cupboard.

"I say we let him go. After what happened last night there is no real way to talk with him and to do so would only provoke him further."

"So we're going to just let him stay in the barn?" The one called Dante asked skeptically. "Seriously man, the kid is messed in the head. I think we should send him packing."

What?

This was no good. How could he get close enough to kill them if he were sent away?

"Just say you'll consider it?" Dante asked with a bit of a yawn. The elder one looked thoughtful but said nothing. The devil boy didn't wait to hear his answer as he turned toward the front door and without even worrying about being heard walked out of the door.

He did not look back as he went straight to the barn thankful that the thunderstorm had passed.

What he needed was to think of something quick. He knew only two things... If he were tossed out now he would never have a chance to take his revenge, and if he moved too rashly he would never be able to defeat them when compared to their strength.

When he entered the barn the young devil felt himself shiver at the sight that met his eyes. It shouldn't have bothered him of course because he should've been use to the sight of the destruction he could cause once under the effects of a fit, yet seeing it out in the free world opened up angry wounds that had not yet healed both physically and mentally.

Kill them and you will be free...

If only that were a simple task. He needed a plan and he needed to come up with one soon before he found himself at a disadvantage.

--

A day went by and to his relief the storm from that night gave way to clear nights and sunny days, which meant the devil boy was of sound mind to come up with some sort of a plan.

The number one priority would be finding a way to remain close to the devils. After that, building up his strength and abilities until he could outmatch the two in a fight. One would obviously compliment the other since remaining close to them would give him the benefit of their abilities and secrets.

Despite knowing he had to approach them, since they seemed determined not to cross his path again, he found he could not bring himself to do it just yet. This was his only hand to play and if it did not work then what would he do? He could be killed by them, or be on the run from the man who after all this time managed to have some invisible hold on him. Paranoia getting the better of him the one time he tried to leave the property only to sense someone following close to him. He never knew who it was, but it had frightened him enough to come back to the shelter of the barn.

So now he sat up in the loft glaring at a spider that was crawling its way up the wall. Truth be told he was bored out of his mind being cooped up for over a month in this place. Not like he hadn't been while held captive in the dark room, but now he was out and had more freedom. Yet he was still confining himself almost out of habit.

It was while he was brooding on these thoughts that he heard a very gentle noise coming from below. He knelt forward to look down seeing nothing at all. Then as his eyes traveled up to the barn door he noticed the latch was twitching.

Next thing it slowly unlatched and pushed open. His eyes narrowed as not the figure of the devils entered, but that of a human child.

The young devil watched silently as the human boy left the door open behind him and started looking around.

"Vergil?"

His eyes narrowed even more at the name the boy was calling out. Did the human brat not realize he was trespassing on the land of two half devils?

"I saw ya come in here, no sense in hiding!" He chimed again as he continued to search around. Then his eyes lifted and the human boy saw him. "Who are you?"

The young devil didn't reply, only stared on at the carrot red hair and light blue eyes peering curiously up at him.

"You another brother?" The human boy asked then added when he looked at him confused. "The white hair. You Dante and Vergil's brother?"

"No," the young devil growled defensively.

"I'm Peter."

Good for you.

Peter just continued to watch him as if he were to do something more then just glower at him. When he didn't the human boy began climbing the loft ladder.

"What are you doing?" The young devil growled peevishly before backing up when Peter did not falter in climbing up.

"What's your name?" Peter asked again once he'd made it up and dusted his overalls off.

"None of your business." He growled in reply. The truth was... he didn't know. He couldn't remember ever having one and the man had never called him anything but you, boy and monster.

Monsters don't need names to differentiate them because they are all the same. The man had told him the one time he thought to ask. He had stupidly asked the man, who to him had no name either, if that meant the man too was a monster and had been punished severely for it.

"You living with Dante and Vergil?" Peter continued completely unphased by the cold in his voice. In fact the human boy, who was probably about ten, only seemed more curious. "Dude, look at that arm! That's wicked!"

The kid moved towards him and it made young devil move back further. Children did not bother him, but he still did not like being touched.

"Do you mind?" He asked as he pulled his arm behind his back.

"Oh, sorry. Just never saw nothing like that before. Is that really your arm?"

He nodded.

"Cool... So what are you doing--"

"Do you ever stop asking questions?" He asked in the face of this unphased child. Peter only shrugged.

"You must be friends with Dante right? He's an old jerk... but Vergil is sooo cool!" He exclaimed as he once again bypassed the young devils evasive attempts to end the conversation. "Did I ever tell you he saved me?"

"I just met you, so how--"

"Oh! I gotta tell you!"

The human boy sat back in the hay to get comfortable and the young devil suddenly understood why some species ate their young.

"I was out looking for rocks--" Peter began before the devil boy interrupted him.

"Rocks?"

"I collect them. There is this awesome cave that has some awesome stuff in it, but Vergil says I can't go there anymore because--"

"Peter."

Peter flinched only slightly at the warning tone in the elder's voice. The devil boy looked up and his eyes narrowed as he spied Vergil standing below them staring up at the two from the open doorway. Then without warning he was suddenly at the edge of the loft so quickly he was no more than a blur.

The young devil backed up at Vergil's approach but was momentarily stunned. How had he done that? He knew these devils were strong but he wasn't aware they had such abilities. It only made him feel his task was more daunting the more he found out about their abilities in comparison to his own.

"You are so cool..." Peter chimed appreciatively.

"Peter, go home." Vergil replied with a impassive glance at him.

"Don't wanna."

"I do not want to." Vergil corrected. "Did anyone teach you proper English?"

"You could." Peter suggested hopefully.

"I haven't the time or the patience. Bless the man who does." Vergil replied in a bored tone. His eyes wavered from Peter to where the devil boy sat.

"But you'll let him come and stay here." Peter continued bitterly as he pointed at the young devil. Vergil remained quiet at this and it made the devil boy wonder if he was thinking on his earlier talk with his twin on whether or not they would allow him to remain. "He doesn't have a name. Did you know?"

"He... talked to you?" Vergil asked suddenly interested.

"Yup. He said he wasn't family but how come he has white hair like yours and Dante's?"

"Look! It's fan boy. How are ya squirt?" Dante suddenly called from below causing Peter to turn but the devil boy noted Vergil never even flinched.

"Go away Dante." Peter mumbled as a frown came over his face and his arms crossed impudently. Dante grinned as he walked to the wall and began taking down a shovel. He noticed Dante was walking around barefoot in a pair of long shorts covered in a bit of dirt.

"You coming Verge?" Dante asked.

"In a moment," he replied.

"OK then. See ya squi--"

"Stop calling me squirt!" Peter yelled with a slight flush in his cheeks, obviously embarrassed at being made fun of in front of Vergil whom he kept giving glances to. Dante shrugged and padded barefoot back out the barn doors into the bright sunshine beyond.

"Peter. You know your grandmother has forbid you to come here." Vergil continued and this time seemed to ignore the devil boy completely as he gave his attention to Peter.

"But what she doesn't know..." Peter began but changed tactics when Vergil seemed like he might argue. "Oh, c'mon! It's so boring at home! If I have to watch another soap opera I think I might die. Like, really fall over dead."

Vergil sighed when the kid gave him a pleading look.

"Let me help! Put me to work, c'mon. I'll do anything if you let me hang out for a bit."

The devil boy just eyed them both curiously. Peter was human, of that he had no doubts. Shouldn't he have been frightened by the two hunters? Yet he did not look afraid or even cautious towards them at all. Aside from his annoyance towards Dante he seemed rather... attached to Vergil.

"You may join us, but you must promise me to not come in here alone again."

At first this didn't register with the young devil until he saw the elder's eyes briefly glance at him. Was he implying that he and not the devil hunter was the one the boy should be afraid of?! Before he could stop it the words flew from his mouth.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Both turned towards him and he suddenly recoiled from the attention he was drawing to himself. Vergil said nothing only continued to stare at him as Peter glanced between the two nervously.

"Peter, could you please go down and see if Dante needs anything?" Vergil asked turning to look at the boy.

"But--"

"Go help Dante please. I will be down in a moment."

Peter stood, nodded slowly before making his way down the ladder watching them the entire time as if something might happen between them. Once he had cleared the doorway Vergil's eyes returned to the devil boy's.

"How are you feeling today?"

"You kicked the kid out to ask me how I'm feeling?" He asked in turn.

"Let's be frank here. Do not deny that you pose a very real threat, yes?"

"I wouldn't hurt that kid," the devil boy said defensively.

"I don't know you well enough to judge one way or the other. I have asked nothing of you since your arrival but I must ask you leave the child be. He has a natural curiosity that tends to put him in bad situations. I'm not alluding to your character, but of what we witnessed the other night. I assume you know to what I'm referring?"

The boy felt his face grow hot at remembering it guiltily.

"You come here to throw me out, is that it?" He asked testing the elder.

"I'm aware you overheard us the other night. It was hard not to only sense your presence but the resounding slam you left when you returned out here. The truth is I do not care whether you stay or go because I washed my hands of you the day you came. Just know that any poor lapses in judgment will result in consequences should you step out of turn."

"Meaning what? You'll kill me?" The devil boy laughed a bit mockingly.

"Yes." Vergil replied in a tone that was too unattached and serious to be laughed at. "Now, if you will excuse me."

Vergil turned and once again was down on the ground floor in a blur of color. The young devil stood somewhat stunned but not surprised. He just kept reminding himself that the man before him was a stone cold killer. It was only natural. When he turned back at the door opening though for some odd reason the devil boy fidgeted when the cool blue eyes looked up at him. Then without a word the elder walked out and closed the door taking the sunlight with him.

--

The young devil watched them through the second floor window with Peter trailing behind as they worked out in the backyard. Peter following after Vergil like some puppy and Dante occasionally ruffling the boys head to his great displeasure.

The three worked and he stood watching. He would not admit out loud that he was puzzled by this picture. The man had described them as cold killers and yet he was watching as the boy willingly trailed after the elder's every word. It troubled him but not enough to deter his motives.

After a while he looked on as Dante brought the hose out for no reason apparently then to use it on Peter who he crept up slowly behind before blasting him with it. He could hear the shocked yell of surprise before a yowl of fury came from the small boy as he tried to get at his attacker. Vergil seemed to ignore them as the two ran circles around him with Peter chasing after Dante who was always one step ahead of him.

"Will you two please--" Vergil began in a voice that was loud enough to carry to the barn. The elder twin stopped mid sentence though as Dante quickly sprayed him with the hose. The three went still before Dante took off running, dropping the hose as his older brother chased after him.

"Get him Vergil!" Peter cheered as Dante slipped in the mud created by the fallen hose in the dirt. Vergil grabbed up the hose and aimed it at his brother who rolled around trying to block the pressure of the water from hitting his face.

"I-I-I give in! Stahhh, Verggggg," Dante mumbled as water went into his mouth.

The devil boy startled at hearing a sudden and unfamiliar sound coming from somewhere close by. He turned to look around but saw nothing. It was then he realized. It was laughter and even more strange it had come from his mouth. Well... it was only because he enjoyed seeing the younger twin being humiliated. That must've been it.

Dante grabbed hold of Peter and lifted him up to use as a shield. Even so the elder still managed to get more water on his twin than the boy. Again he felt the urge to expend air in a laugh, but he swallowed it and hardened his face. Despite this the sight of the three stirred something up that made his chest ache.

Mother... Father...

Of course he didn't know who they were or whatever really became of them. The only thing he had ever been told was that the two devils down below had something to do with their demise. That hardened his resolve even in the face of the enjoyment of those below. If it wasn't for them that could've been him being lifted onto strong shoulders by his father as his mother looked on with the kind of smile that warmed up any situation. Had he brothers or sisters before the man kidnapped him? He couldn't remember anything except the man...

The young devil found his claws digging into the wooden window frame. Their deaths would not be quick and painless. They deserved to feel the betrayal and hurt he himself had felt all this time. He would take away all they loved until there was nothing left for them to hope for. Just as they had done to him.

Making up his mind he left the loft and walked out into the open backyard towards the three figures now heading back to work after their break. Vergil was the first to sense him judging by the way his eyes suddenly came to his. Dante seemed on guard and gently nudged Peter behind the two as he came to stand side by side with his brother, crossing his arms stubbornly and giving him a narrowed eyed stare.

"What do you want?" Dante demanded coolly. The devil boy ignored him completely and continued to stare only at Vergil.

"We need to talk."

"You have a mouth don't you? So talk." Vergil said continuing to eye him. There was still the threat of violence in his voice masked by a cordial uncaring if he should try anything. That though was not his intention... For the moment anyway.

"Look. I don't like being in someone's debt, least of all two pompous devils like you..."

"Why you little--" Dante began before Vergil put a hand out to prevent him taking that step forward. Not too happy about it Dante stood down glaring at the kid regardless.

"I don't expect anything of you. I did what I did simply because it was right."

"Cut the bullshit and listen. I'll pay the money back, all of it," he pressed on ignoring both twins' comments.

"Is that so? How exactly are you going to repay over seventy thousand?" Vergil asked with a mock smile.

"Put me to work. I'll pay it off by helping out around here in exchange for being able to stay in the barn when I'm not working," he offered. Dante burst out laughing.

"Help? Now he wants to help?"

"Stop being a prick," the devil boy snapped pointing a demonic finger at the younger twin.

"This prick was cut up by you, or have you forgotten?"

"Enough..." Vergil said when the two threatened to continue bickering. "Why should I believe you suddenly are so compliant?"

"I'm not. You aren't asking me and if you did I would turn you down. But even a hard ass like me doesn't want to have to owe anything. You may think me a monster, but I have my pride and I won't live it down until I've paid my debt," he replied.

Vergil looked thoughtful and stared at him so intensely he felt his face warm a little and his eyes harden as if Vergil could see the lie festering in his soul. Peter's face appeared around Vergil's hip as he too looked him over yet not quite achieving the same look as his idol.

"No." Vergil said pointedly.

"What do you mean no?" The devil boy asked with bite in his tone. "You bought me and brought me into your home! Suddenly I'm not good enough for your time?"

Shit, this isn't good! If he didn't get access to the brothers then how could he even consider getting his task done?

"I bought you to spite Dukane, but mostly out of pity. Do not think me a fool though. I have things in this world I need to protect and I would not put them in harms way on the request of a head strong boy. The truth is until you see the error of your ways, truly realize your own strength and potential threat to others you are only going to end up lashing out like you have been. I won't tolerate that. We do not need you to feel obligated to us."

For some reason the elder's voice was angry even if it was masked well behind the cold features of his face.

"I'm offering myself to you!"

"And what exactly is it you are offering?" Vergil suddenly snapped. "What is it you are good at? Can you cook, clean, or repair anything?"

The devil boy looked away. No, he didn't know how to do any of those things.

"Therefore you are pure useless and I have no time for such people. I gave you your chance and you attacked my brother and almost tried to kill me. I don't need that kind of responsibility and perhaps I have let it go on for far too long. I told you before... leave the premises and this time you'd do well to listen."

Vergil rounded the devil boy without a word, dropping his shovel to the ground and heading towards the house behind him. Dante and Peter remained still looking slightly stunned at the elder's words. The devil boy wondered if this was due to Peter never seeing this side of his idol before, or Dante thinking back to his request the night before that Vergil should kick him out.

"C'mon Pete." Dante said as he put an arm around the boys shoulder and went to follow after his twin. With a hint of guilt on his face the younger twin paused in front of him to address the devil boy directly. "You'd better leave boy. What Vergil says he means," he continued past the devil boy who still stood wondering what he would do to somehow remedy this. But he was too angry...

Vergil had brought him there in the first place! The two devils had taken him in during his fit... So why suddenly was Vergil acting so cold towards him? He didn't understand he was desperate not to blow this and so he did the only thing he could think of.

He chased after them, running ahead and around Vergil to drop to his knees.

"Let me pay it off!" He yelled as he dropped down onto all fours. "I don't know a lot, but I can learn!"

"Are you trying to provoke me?" Vergil's voice asked dangerously. Even if the boy could not see it from his position he heard the tone clear as day as a warning the elder's patience was wearing thin.

"I have no where else to go!" The young devil finally yelled hoping to play on the elder's sympathies. If pity originally made Vergil purchase him then maybe he could use that to his advantage. "My parents were killed when I was a young boy and since I have lived with a sadistic man who I finally escaped from to only be sold at that auction. I know nothing of my kind or that anyone else like me existed. Until I saw you in the market place."

He said it all in fast succession as he saw Vergil moving to leave him behind. Vergil though said nothing to this. But oddly enough he felt the sting of tears come to his eyes because even though he was saying this to deceive, it was the truth. It was also the first time he'd ever told anyone about his past and somehow it made his eyes burn. Or maybe it was the thought of failure meaning he would have to go back to that life. The mere idea of that door closing him up in the dark room forever made him break out in sobs.

"Please...," he begged desperately as he curled his fingers into the dusty earth below him. Everything was quiet and still until he heard footsteps approaching. Not that of either devil, but of the small boy who came to stand right in front of him before crouching down.

Little fingers pushed on his shoulders as he sat up to look at the small child whose face was pained yet smiling.

"My parents died when I was little too. That's why I live with my Gran now." Peter said as his eyes watered a bit. Then he moved quickly forward and hugged the devil boy whose own face registered his surprise as small arms encircled his neck. "It's OK now. Everything will be better now that you found family."

Unsure what to do in the face of such innocent kindness he only remained kneeling with his arms limp at his side. Slowly he closed his eyes as another tear rolled down before opening them. Dante stood looking shocked at the two and Vergil looked apprehensive.

"You'll let him stay, won't you Vergil?" Peter finally asked as he sat back to gaze up at his idol with a hopeful face. Vergil face darkened for a moment as if he'd just tasted something not to his liking, looked over at his twin who shrugged indecisively, then back down to Peter with a deeply annoyed sigh. An indication of resignation.

"This is why we should put up a fence around the place Dante." Vergil said as he slid a hand over his face.

"Wouldn't help with you bringing them in Verge." Dante chimed as he patted his twins shoulder. Vergil glared at him and he backed away slowly.

"Come on." Peter said as he grabbed the devil boy's human hand to pull him into a standing position. "We have to go find you a room inside."

"But he didn't say I--," the devil boy began before Vergil stopped them both from moving forward.

"I guess one more member to this dysfunctional family couldn't hurt. But be warned that I will not go easy on you. You wanted work and you shall get it come hell or high water. Do you understand?" Vergil asked.

"Yes," he replied on command. For the moment he was saved from having to revert back to his old life. Peter's hand remained clasped to his and the boy smiled widely as he looked down at him. The kid had been a Godsend.

"Well then. The only other task left is to find a name for you." Vergil said after a pause to watch the two.

"A name?" The devil boy asked confused.

"We can't very well call you boy can we? Everyone needs a name that identifies himself from others. While that arm alone insures you stand out our names should define us rather than the size of the weapon we carry." Vergil replied.

"Call him Harry!" Peter called out. "That was my dad's name," he added sheepishly when the devil boy looked doubtful that was the name he wanted.

"How about Gilver?" Dante asked thoughtfully.

"Yuck!" Peter howled.

"What kind of atrocious name is that?" Vergil asked distastefully. Dante shrugged. "What about you? Is there any name you'd like us to call you?"

The devil boy shook his head when the elder asked him.

"I don't know of many, and those I do I don't ever want to be called."

Boy, you and monster were in the past.

"We could call him Kidd, with two d's" Dante offered.

"Don't be stupid Dante." Vergil said annoyed.

"Fine! All of us have come up with something except you, tight ass. What would you want to call him since he's your pet project?" Dante bellowed.

"Me?" The elder asked before pausing to think. He stared at the devil boy for a long moment and again he felt his face flush at being examined so closely. There was something to those cold blue eyes that managed to both put him at ease and shake him up in a single glance. It never happened with Dante which made it all the more bothersome.

"I think we should call him..."