Shadow Games

Disclaimer: “Devil May Cry” belongs to Capcom, not us. We have no money, so don’t sue us. ^.^ Zithantharis “Zi” is an original character—please be considerate and do not borrow him without permission. This fic was written as a one-on-one RolePlay, so the POV switches just about every paragraph.

This is a continuation shortly after the first game.

Thanks for reading and please enjoy!


Shadow Games
Chapter Seven:

Dante belched mightily as he leaned back in his desk chair, earning him an especially pointed glare from his female associate on her way to the kitchen. He grinned after her. "It's not like there's anyone here," he muttered, to which she did not seem convinced. Chuckling, he spun once in his chair and rested his feet up on the desk. It was a good night. He'd slept like a corpse the night before, and awoke feeling splendidly refreshed. And without any customers, he had no excuse to leave the shop, leaving him to enjoy his booze in peace. Ah, the sweet life of the self-employed. "Hey, Zi? Wha'cha up to?"

Zi slipped out of the kitchen, side-stepping Trish with a quiet nod. Despite his equally pleasant night, as the day wore on he found himself feeling…anxious. He approached the desk, tail twitching, and watched Dante with a slightly distracted expression. “I am not doing anything,” he replied. His fingers scratched idly at the wooden desk.

Dante lifted an eyebrow and reached down, poking Zi in the stomach. He’d been drinking for a while now, and the buzz was finally kicking in. Damn demon livers. “Oh yeah? You’re looking kinda bored. You should try chasing your tail or something.” Far too entertained by the image he chuckled, and took another sip of his drink.

Zi snorted lightly and took a step out of Dante’s reach. “Actually….” I wonder if he’ll…. His eyes darted to the kitchen, wondering of the woman was listening and hoping she wouldn’t interrupt. “I want to go out,” he said, red gaze fixed on the man. “I…want to hunt.”

In an instant all of Dante’s humor fled. He was very still for a moment, the can still raised to his lips, his eyes unfocused. I knew it was going to come up eventually. He’s a demon--he’s no different than I am. Slowly he lowered the beer to his lap. “Hunt…what, exactly?” he asked evenly.

Well, humans would be preferable, but…. The look on the man’s face made his thoughts perfectly clear. Zi glanced away, tail still moving anxiously. “You know what I’d want to hunt,” he replied quietly. “But….”

Dante snorted. “Try again.” Come on, Zi, you know that’s the last thing I can let you do.

He frowned, fingers curling around the desk. Dante…there isn’t much else I could hunt; I’m…still healing. But if he didn’t go after a human, that left only demons, and he knew he couldn’t face even a middle level one in his current state. His ears flattened back against his head. “A demon then,” he murmured, still staring at the floor. I…shouldn’t even be asking. I should just go and do it--it’s not like…I owe him anything….

Something in Dante’s gut twisted; something that reminded him too well of his instinct that was never wrong. Zi…come on, don’t do this. He let his eyes slip shut. “Don’t,” he said with quite firmness. “Just don’t, Zi. If you can find some low level demon to hunt that’ll be a help to me, too, but if you come back with so much as a human hair on you….” I’d have to kill you. You know that, don’t you? Nothing you can do can make me forget what I am.

“Fine,” he muttered, feeling strangely chilled. Dante was a demon, too--why didn’t he understand? It was his nature to hunt and kill. It didn’t particularly matter what it was he hunted, but in his current state…going out at night…. He pushed away from the desk suddenly to head for the stairs. “I’m going to change,” he stated.

Dante’s fingers curled, and with a shake of his head he downed the rest of his beer. “Zi--hey, wait.” He waved for the demon to come back, though his eyes were still downcast. He didn’t want Zi to wander off if he was upset with him--not that he didn’t trust him, it just left a bad taste at the back of his throat.

Zi paused, but he made no move to return to the desk. “I need to hunt,” he said before the other could speak. “I have stayed here quietly. I need to go out.” Just…understand. Understand me.

“I know.” Damn it all. Dante opened his eyes once more, though he couldn’t look to the other. He…just couldn’t. “I do know what it’s like. But if you ever take a human life, I will kill you.” And he meant it. Because no matter what had happened between them, no matter…how he might have cared for him…Zi was still a demon, and it was still his job to hunt them.

Zi turned to face the man squarely. “I have lived for seventy-three years,” he stated quietly. “I have killed at least that many humans in that time.” His eyes glowed faintly in the dim room. “Are you going to kill me now, Hunter?”

Dante’s gaze snapped to him. Fuck. And today was going so well…. He pushed deliberately out of his chair and set the now empty can aside so he, too, could face his companion in earnest. Despite his uncertainty, though, his face was stoic. “Is that what you want, Zithantharis?”

Zi blinked slowly. “I did not survive Mundus’s torture to die here,” he answered softly. His tail pressed against his legs, for once still, ears flattened against his head. You don’t understand but…how can I explain it? I don’t care about hunting humans--not really. After Beatrice…. His eyes darted away, unable to look at the other anymore.

Dante took a measured step forward. “And I didn’t survive Mundus to let another human die at the hands of a devil. Zi.” His hands fell on Zi’s shoulders, hoping…he wasn’t making a mistake. “Do what you have to do. But I’m telling you, don’t force my hand, because I don’t hesitate, and you know that. Please.”

“I’m not going to kill a human,” he said, a bit harsher than he intended, shoulders hunching. Don’t…do that. Don’t just touch me like that when…. Zi decided that he didn’t have to change after all, and he turned to head for the door. “I won’t, but not because you threatened me.” His fingers curled. “I’ll do it for her.” Because…if she could accept one of my kind…then I will honor her.

Dante stopped, abruptly speechless. For…her? Feeling like a fool he glanced away, not knowing what to think or say. “Zi….” Damnit. He’s just…another demon, but I…. His fingers curled into fists. Fuck. Just go already, so I can find a stiffer drink….

Zi slipped out into the ally, leaning briefly against the wall. He could hear the humans…could smell them…but he pushed it away; he had made a promise, after all. And already the night air was charging him, making his blood heat. Changing into his demon form, Zi took to the roofs to begin his hunt.

Trish finally emerged from the kitchen, arms folded around her stomach as she leaned against the frame of the doorway. She could feel the surge of power beyond the walls and waited for it to depart before turning her eyes on her partner. “What was that all about, Dante?”

Dante was silent for a long moment, his head turned away, his posture stiff. When he did move it was sudden; he lashed out, kicking the chair away from his desk in a surge of frustration. “Fuck!” It smacked against the wall with a satisfying clatter of metal against wood. He was almost disappointed when it didn’t break. Only then did he even seem to notice Trish watching him, and he ran a hand self-consciously through his hair. “Sorry. It’s nothing, Trish.”

"Bull," she stated plainly. Trish knew there had to be something more going on between her partner and their housemate. Maybe it was her woman's intuition, or her instinct as a demon--or maybe even the way Zi acted so contrary to most of his kind--but she was sure. "You don't get that mad very often, so why not just tell me?"

Dante scowled briefly, but he couldn't hold his own against Trish--not with that face of hers. With a snort he turned to sit down only to realize it was the chair he'd kicked. He settled instead with leaning against the desk. "You heard, didn't you? I don't want to have to kill him, that's all. It…would be such a waste."

Trish rolled her eyes and came to stand in front of the man. "And why the sudden concern? You knew what he was before he even walked in here, and you knew he'd want to go back once he was healed." Not that he is--not completely. I know at least that much.

Dante crossed his arms fitfully. "Of course I knew. I've been waiting for it." Dreading it might have been the better word. "But...." I like him. I don't want to have to kill him--I know what it's like, to want to hunt. "...he knew my mother," he explained at last, quietly. "And he's...not so bad, for a demon, y'know? I kinda like having him around...." God help me if I'm blushing.

Heh, he's blushing. "And you like him," she stated--there was no reason to beat around the bush. I wonder how far that "like" goes.... Smiling to herself, Trish stepped a bit closer. "It's obvious he likes you."

Dante pursed his lips and did his best not to look as embarrassed as he felt. "Yeah, I guess so. I like him." He couldn't look at her as she approached; this wasn't exactly how he'd intended to tell her. Not that he could think of anything more appropriate at the moment. "But he's a demon. It's...nothing." What a lie. His shoulders crept a little higher.

Trish rolled her eyes again. "The more you talk, the more I'm sure you two are keeping something from me." When the man flinched, her grin widened. "If anything, that cat's actions are clear enough, or maybe I'm the only one who notices he spends most of his time in his human form. Or that he follows you around like a puppy. Or that he sleeps on your clothes when you're not around." Well, I'm not exactly positive about that last one, but it wouldn't surprise me at all.

He…does? Trapped, Dante found there was nothing he could do but admit it. "We...slept together...." he muttered, like a disobedient child. Please don't flip out, I can't believe it either. "We've been...sleeping together. For a while." And damnit, what am I supposed to do if he decides he wants to be a killer again? What could I do?

Trish ran a hand through her hair. Shoulda known. Damn cat. Leaning against the desk as well, she watched her partner closely. "Well, I figured you were bi, and since you're half demon it's really not that surprising...." I wonder...if he loves him. Wouldn't that be a kicker. She cocked her head to the side. "So? Would you really kill him?"

Not surprising. What's that supposed to mean? I was pretty fucking surprised.... Dante shifted irritably. "I dunno," he muttered. "Maybe. What else could I do? It's not like...I could let him run around killing people for his own amusement." He uncrossed his arms to better brace himself against the desk. "I know Demons want to hunt--I feel it, too. But I can't let him kill people, and he knows that."

"Of course he does," she replied easily, leaning close to bump his shoulder. "That's why he said he'd go hunt a demon even when he's really not in the best condition to do so."

“Yeah….” Dante bumped her back playfully, feeling better…until he realized what Trish was saying. If he’s going after other demons…but is he up for that? He tried not to let the sudden worry show in his face. “He’ll be fine. He’s Zi. And when he comes back….” He smiled sheepishly. “I guess I should apologize or something, huh?”

Trish shrugged. “Something tells me you won’t need to. He’s a good kid.” She turned and pecked a kiss to Dante’s cheek. “Just don’t let him wear you out too much, okay? Our rent’s gonna be due in a week.”

Dante ducked away slightly in embarrassment, but he was still grinning. “Wear me out? You’ve got to be kidding.” He stepped away from the desk, and with a bit of a blush moved to retrieve his chair. Despite his disappointment earlier, he wasn’t pleased to find that part of it had been broken in his outburst--the back was askew. A little muscle put it to rights. Thank God. I love this chair.

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When Zi returned, Trish had already gone to bed. He pushed open the door and sauntered in, still in his beast form, and proudly carrying a Blade head in his mouth. His tail was wagging happily as he dropped his leftovers beside the desk and set about licking one of his paws. I did it. I got him. Growling with the remainder of the thrill of his hunt, he set to cleaning his face.

Dante, having changed into a pair of loose fitting sweat pants and a tank top, poked his head out of the kitchen at the first sound of Zi’s return. It’s about time. He…he looks okay. “Zi?” He glanced down at the demon head lying on his floor and couldn’t help but laugh. “That yours?”

Zi set his paw daintily on the floor, nose in the air. “Of course.” His tail gave away his dignified appearance as it swished madly back and forth. He was feeling inordinately proud of himself for the feat, though in the days before Mundus he’d been able to destroy dozens of the beasts with barely any effort.

“Not bad, for a first hunt,” Dante conceded, and though his tone was even, there was a genuine gleam of approval in his eyes. He moved to a cabinet in the corner. “Mind if I mount it? I don’t have a Blade for my wall yet.”

Zi’s body rippled with something like excitement. He followed Dante and began to wind around his legs playfully, a deep, pleased purr rumbling from his chest. He’s not upset anymore--that’s good, because I’m in a good mood. I want to play. He paused only a moment to sniff curiously at the dagger before resuming his circling.

“I guess that’s a no,” Dante chuckled, taking out one of his old daggers. He always kept his old weapons, for occasions like this. Once he’d retrieved the Blade head he picked a spot on the wall next to an old, tusked demon, stabbing the trophy and pinning it to the wall. “There. How does it look?” He reached down to run his fingers along Zi’s back, very much pleased. If we can stay like this…everything’ll be all right.

“Good.” Grinning to himself, still purring, Zi paused behind Dante and abruptly push between the man’s legs so he was practically sitting on him. He turned to nibble at Dante’s thigh. I want to play. Everything went so well--I feel so much better.

Dante smiled down at him. I guess that means we’ve made up. Good. Though he had a feeling he should probably still say something, he didn’t want to bring it up if it wasn’t necessary. So he only reached down to scratch behind Zi’s ears, working his fingers into the shadowy flesh. “You look like you’re in a good mood,” he remarked.

Zi leaned easily into the strong fingers. “It was my first hunt in over a year,” he replied. “I feel…refreshed.” He slipped suddenly away from Dante, padding into the center of the room. He batted a cushion off his chair and flopped onto it. Halfway down he changed to his human form. Eyes nearly closed, he stretched out across the floor, arching his back and flexing his toes.

Dante watched him--he could tell, because he almost felt that same energy, that same…liveliness that came with a fresh hunt. He crossed the room to flop in Zi’s chair. We had our first kiss in this chair. Aww, how sentimental. Chuckling to himself he tapped his bare foot against the floor. “Hey. You gonna stay down there all night?”

Blinking, Zi smiled lazily at the man. He rolled onto his back with another stretch, groaning softly as his back arched. His fingers groped the air, and he didn’t reply other than to purr even louder. Maybe we should stay down here--then he wouldn’t ruin another mattress. He watched Dante expectantly.

Dante met him stare for stare. He looks good when he’s like that. “I’m not gonna flop around on the floor,” he informed the demon pointedly. He patted his knee. “Come up here, so I can congratulate you on your kill.”

His eyes narrowed. We’ll see. Still grinning, he turned onto his stomach and began to crawl towards the chair. Just before reaching it, he changed back to his demon form, though was as small as a house cat, and leapt into Dante’s lap. Purring happily, he clawlessly pawed at the insides of the man’s thighs.

Dante rolled his eyes and slumped in the chair, so that his chin was rested in his hand. “Tease,” he snorted, giving the cat a scratch behind the ears. “If you’re gonna be so coy, I might just end up playing alone.” He reached his hand down between his thighs as if intending to do just that.

Zi’s ears perked at that, and he paused. I…like that. He sat back on Dante’s knee and turned his wide, bright eyes on the man’s face with a faint challenge. “Go ahead then,” he replied softly. I will watch.

Dante blinked; he hadn’t expected that. But he wasn’t about to back down, not when Zi was watching him like that. Nothing he hasn’t seen before anyway. “All right.” With a grin he closed his eyes, settling himself in the chair. He imagined…Zi, from the night before, moving in and around him, his warm flesh and long tongue…it was more than enough to make him hard, and he murmured quietly as he reached down the front of his sweatpants. Knowing that Zi was watching him so intently only made it that much sweeter.

Zi immediately leaned forward to bite at Dante’s wrist. “I want to see,” he said pointedly. He shifted over the other’s thigh, pressing his paws into the man’s hip. “I want to see.”

“All right, all right….” Dante smirked as he edged the elastic of his pants down, freeing himself of the material so Zi would have an uninterrupted view. He moved his hand faster, in long strokes. “I’m…thinking about you, you know,” he told Zi pointedly. His voice trailed off into a low moan. “Moving with you…inside you….”

His eyes narrowed as he crouched along his thigh. “You’re moving too fast,” he whispered. When the evidence of Dante’s excitement became more…clear…Zi leaned close to pass his tongue fleetingly over the tip of his erection. “It tastes better when you go slower.”

Dante hissed through his teeth; he was determined to keep his eyes closed, as he was certain if he saw Zi in his form now the mood would be ruined. All the same he forced himself to slow, taking no little effort. “If you…say so.” He moaned quietly as his head tilted back. “God, I wanna fuck you….”

Zi finally hopped off of Dante’s lap, changing back so he could rest his elbows on the man’s knees. “Keep going,” he instructed, his tail nearly shaking with excitement. I…I want him. But I want him like I took him. His eyes gleamed. But not yet. “Look at me,” he suddenly demanded. “I want to see you finish this time.”

Still moaning softly Dante let his eyes flutter open at last, meeting Zi’s vibrant gaze. There was something electric in those irises that captivated him; he shivered, lips parting around hurried breath. A few more firm movements and he curled in on himself a little, hips shifting as he came. Not once did he break the eye contact between them, even as his head lolled to the side, his voice deep.

All too pleased, Zi tore his eyes away so he could lean over the other. Slowly, tenderly, he started to lick Dante clean, ribs pressed between his knees. “See? It’s already better.” Chucking around his purr, Zi continued to gently coax the other with lips and tongue. I want him. I want him to….

“Mmm….” Dante smiled lazily as he leaned back in his chair, scraping his palm against his thigh to clean it. Though he was breathing deeply from the exertion he was already growing tight and hot once more with every touch of his partner. Thank God for demonic stamina, he thought with an ironic chuckle. He tugged lightly at Zi’s hair. “Come up here,” he urged. “So I can touch you.”

This time Zi crawled obediently into Dante’s lap, straddling him easily as he pawed at his stomach. Without thinking he leaned in for a harsh, tainted kiss. “Take me,” he hissed, tail batting back and forth between Dante’s knees. I really want him. Zi rubbed their chests together and bit at his ear.

Though Dante had intended that from the start, there was something exciting about hearing the other say it for himself. “Turn around,” he hissed, and when Zi didn’t move fast enough he took him by the hips, lifting him up and turning him about on his own. Paybacks, you little brat. With a low, feral growl he tugged Zi back against his hips--making sure his tail was out of the way. He chuckled at the feeling of the extra limb pressed up against his stomach. “Is this how you want it?” he growled, dragging his hands down Zi’s chest and over his thighs. He couldn’t help the small, shifting movements of his hips against him. “Do you want me inside you--like this?” Though it raised a bit of apprehension in him he flexed his fingers, willing them into long, dark claws. If…this is how it is for two demons….

Zi shifted anxiously, wishing suddenly that he didn’t have Dante’s leather pants on. His eyes widened on the sight of his claws. He laid his own hands over Dante’s, letting his own flesh darken. “I want you,” he whispered, tilting his head back. “I want you in me.”

“Good.” I’m going to do this. Dante took a deep breath and began to spill them both forward. “You’d better take it all, then.” He paused long enough to tug the tank top over his head, and as he urged Zi to the floor began to relieve them both of their remaining clothing. All the while he could feel his blood heating, his skin tingling in excitement.


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