OOC: I had written this last year randomly due to insomnia again, and yeah. ^^ Thought I'd post it up here for everyone to see. Seize The Day by Avenged Sevenfold, but I loved this version of the piano solo by someone, so I used the piano instead lol. Anyway... the original song is at the bottom of the fic.
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Seize The Day
MazdaKitsune
The large office of Devil May Cry was silent, the light of the sun coming in and casting golden beams on the floor. The jukebox stood silent in the corner, the overhead fan turning gently to create a slight breeze that barely ruffled the silver hair of the man sitting at the counter of a mini bar. His azure eyes were downcast, staring at nothing as he tried getting his thoughts in order. Just ten minutes ago, Dante had bade his brother Vergil goodbye after his twin had dropped by to keep him company. They both knew... and could feel it... Dante's wife's time was up.
Jade was dying, and he couldn't do anything about it.
Finally moving, Dante made his way up the stairs to their room, pushing open the door quietly in case Jade was asleep. "Jade?"
An old woman lay in the bed, wrinkled face turned towards the window. Wispy white hair lay combed and neatly placed on her shoulders, but as 87 year old Jade Castero Sparda turned, her faded emerald eyes still held a sparkle of life, a spark of vivacity of the young girl he had first met in a bar. "Dante..." God, even her strong voice had faded, becoming the raspy whisper of one who was close to death.
She reminded him of an old worn-out record, and though it broke his heart to see her so, Dante put on a cheery smile and a brave face as he approached her, crawling into bed so he could gently cradle her. "Hey, babe. How are you feeling?"
"Never been better," Jade teased as she reached out with a trembling hand to run it through the ivory tresses that she loved so much, and he closed his eyes in pain. Her lean and slender body had withered down to mere skin and bones, and though she had aged greatly, he didn't look a day over 35. "Are you worried, Dante?" she asked gently, locking gazes with him. "Don't be. I'm not afraid of Death as long as you're by my side."
Dante's chest tightened painfully and his eyes began to sting, yet his demonic side didn't allow him to cry. "I'm not worried about you facing Death. I'm just... I don't want to see you die," he admitted.
Jade shifted closer to him. "Do you remember, a long time ago, I asked you a question while we were still engaged? I asked you, 'What would you do when I'm gone?'"
"And I said..." Dante's voice cracked. "And I said that I'd look after our children, and our children's children... oh, God.... Jade." He hugged her tightly, though not too tightly so he wouldn't crush her. "I'm so selfish. I should have let you fall in love with a human, not a half-devil like me."
"You big idiot!" Jade exclaimed, then laughed and coughed. When her coughing fit was over, she continued, "I wouldn't have let you, you know. I would have just kept coming on after you until you caved in. Because I loved you from the start, Dante. I fell in love with you and married you, knowing the consequences of having a shorter life-span as a human."
"You're an angel, you know that?" Dante said, fighting against the terrible pressure on his chest as he stroked her hair, breathing her scent in deeply. "When you arrive at whatever place spirits go to, you tell the boss you're to become the most beautiful angel anyone has ever laid eyes on. I want to see my strawberry blossom fly with beautiful wings and wearing an elegant gown, okay? You make sure that happens... or when I come there, there'll be Hell to pay."
Jade chuckled and closed her eyes. "You can't tell God or the Gods what to do, Dante. You're not all-powerful like they are."
Dante smiled. "Yeah, I'm not. But it's just a thought."
There was another chuckle, then all was silent, save the sound of their breathing. After a while, Jade whispered, "I'm so cold. So cold and so tired."
Dante's arms tightened around her, nestling her into his shoulder as he scanned the area, reaching out to Vergil at the same time. Apart from coming to comfort him, Vergil had also been there to act as a lookout for Death so he could alert Dante. Both twins had met Death on various occasions; their mother's death, the demons they killed, human casualties killed by demons, sometimes even bumping into him while in Hell. Death usually took on the most comforting form for a dying person, sometimes bringing in a helper to do the comforting, whether it be the dying person, or the people that were in extreme grief. But Dante was determined to fight Death again, as he had done many times. And this time, it was for his dying wife.
"I have not felt Death's presence yet, but he is on his way."
Vergil's reply only brought temporary reassurance as Dante attempted to soothe himself and Jade. "Still cold, baby? Just close your eyes and get some sleep, okay? I'll be here, waiting for you to wake up. I promise. You'll need your energy, so rest."
There was a muffled agreement from Jade, and she relaxed against him. "Sing me a song please, Dante."
A song... Dante had never been much of a singer, but sometimes he and Jade would duet or wing with a makeshift band made out of her, him, Vergil, Nero and Lady. He wasn't in a singing mood, but how could be ignore Jade's plea? So, he searched his mind for a song.
"Seize the day, or die regretting the time you lost... It's empty and cold without you here, too many people to ache over..."
Seize The Day, by Avenged Sevenfold. It was hardly a lullaby, but Dante felt that it fit the situation beautifully, pouring out his feelings at the same time.
"I found you here, so please just stay for a while, I can move on with you around... I hand you my mortal life but will it be forever...?"
It's true that Dante loved his wife with all his heart. Even after she had been bedridden, he fed her, clothed her and held her close each day, not once leaving her side. He took care of her in every way that he could, Vergil taking over the run of the business and the training of his twin son and daughter.
He wasn't really ready to lose Jade yet.
"I'll do anything for a smile, holding you till our time is done... We both know the day will come, but I don't wanna lose you..."
Not just yet.
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Dante's eyes snapped open. He had fallen asleep without realizing it, and looking down, he was relieved to find Jade still breathing, her heart beating slowly against his chest. She looked so beautiful just lying there next to him, even in her old age with her wrinkled face and all... But he'd always see her for the beautiful woman she had been. To him, her body was old, but her spirit would always remain young.
The door to their room opened quietly and Dante looked up, his face turning pale. "Oh God.. please, no... not now..."
"I'm sorry, " was all Vergil said as he stepped aside to reveal a hooded figure shrouded in black and a young girl around 15 or 16. Her large dove-like eyes rested sympathetically on the couple before she said softly, "It's time. Please let us take Miss Castero."
"Like Hell you will," Dante growled as he disentangled himself from Jade and walked out of the room to face them. "You're not touching my Jade, no matter what. You hear me? You'll have to get through me first."
"Son of Sparda, I know the many losses you've been through, but please let us carry out or job." The girl said quietly. "It's our duty to collect her soul. Jade Castero's time has come. To allow her to live any longer is to make her suffer."
"Then take my human life instead," Dante pleaded. "Use my human side to prolong her years. Please.... I don't want her to leave me right now. I'd do anything for her."
Vergil could only watch in amazement. His younger brother was willing to sacrifice his own human side just to keep the person he loved alive? Love could really change a person. It was just so... strange to him, yet he couldn't help but wonder at the faint twisting of his heart that caused a strange ache in his chest and a burning in his eyes. He wanted to say something, anything to chide or comfort his brother, but stayed silent. Even if he wanted to speak, he felt that nothing could get through the lump that had suddenly grown in his throat.
But Vergil didn't have to say anything because the girl did it for him. "And then what, Dante Sparda?" she asked. "What then? Become a full demon when you give up your humanity and let your wife live on in pain, grieving that her husband has become one of those nightmares she used to kill for a living? What of your children, having their mother sick and aged, having to live with their realization that they might have to kill their demonic father one day? I ask you to consider, Mr Sparda. For your sake and Jade's."
"My father-" Dante began, but his protest was cut off.
"The Legendary Dark Knight Sparda did become a savior to humanity, though he was a devil. But it was centuries before a spark of conscience grew in him. Tell me, Dante... Would you even survive that long? And if you do, can you live with the realization of killing the very humans you fought so hard to protect before?"
Dante shook his head, his eyes stinging with tears yet again. "No.... Jade wouldn't want that..."
"Damn right I wouldn't, Dante..." came the old raspy voice from inside the room. Tired emerald eyes surveyed them all. "What were you thinking? Giving up your human side like that... I'd have Vergil do a Judgement Cut on me before you could do it."
Vergil forced a smirk as Dante hurried to her side. "Jade... Babe... Forgive me, I..."
"It's okay, Dante," Jade said gently. "But you should let Death do his job. let me have the rest I've always longed for after years and years or working so hard for it. Isn't that right, Cerridwen?"
The question was directed at the young girl standing next to Dante. She looked taken aback for a while, then a smile appeared on her lips. "I'm surprised you know me, Jade Castero. Yes, I've been called that before, among other names. I've been known as Persephone, Hecate, Demeter, Kali, Nephtys... "
"Because I did my research, many years before, when I was still young and well." Jade chuckled. "So you're here to comfort me?"
"I'm here to comfort, but not you." Cerri nodded at Dante. "I'm here to comfort him. Death knows you've accepted him, but Dante won't let you go without a fight. I'm here mainly to persuade and comfort him so he can let go."
Dante's grip on her hand tightened and Jade turned to look at him. "Let me go, Dante... Please. don't let me suffer in this body anymore."
"I can't, Jade.. I can't." Dante admitted helplessly. "I'm not ready to lose you yet."
"Dante Sparda, you've given me all the happiness a woman could ask for in her life," Jade said softly. "You've loved me, cherished me, and gave to me all the wonderful things life had to offer. You made a promise that you would stand by my side until the day comes, and look after the rest of our descendants after that. I.. I hope you'll keep your promise... and now I beg of you... let me sleep. This is my last request."
Tears gathered in Dante's eyes, blurring his vision as he began to tremble. "Are you really that tired, baby?"
Jade smiled that special smile that she reserved only for him. "Yes, cowboy. Very."
"Then... Then go to sleep. I'll be right here as always, beside you... Waiting for you to wake up..." Dante's voice trailed off as a sob worked it's way from his throat.
"Thank you.." Jade lifted a hand to stroke his cheek before running it through his hair again, this time for the last time. Death made his way to the bed, ready to claim her soul. "Good night, Dante..."
Something wet hit his face, and Vergil touched his cheek, surprised to find tears running down his face in hot rivers. So this is what sadness is like... he mused quietly. It's a really painful feeling... Yet relieving in the strangest way.
Cerri touched his arm gently. "Devils never cry, Vergil. Tears are a gift only humans have."
Vergil let his gaze linger over her before looking over at his brother. Odd how her small touch could bring him so much comfort. "But even out there..." He nodded at Dante. "Even a devil may cry."
Dante leaned down and kissed Jade tenderly before he stroked her hair. "Good night, sweet blossom..." he said softly. "Sweet dreams..." Death curled his fingers around hers as she gave Dante her last, faint smile. Slowly, her emerald eyes closed forever, never once leaving the ice-blue that she loved, and she let out her last breath as a soft sigh, her body going limp.
It was over. Just like that it was over. "Good night, my dear Jade.. Have a good rest... alright?" Dante kissed her again and curled up over Jade's body, clutching her close to him. "Wake up soon, babe... and then... and then you can tell me about the dream you had... hopefully it'll be one of those ridiculous dreams you sometimes have... and we'll have a good laugh about it later..."
His voice broke, and finally... finally... the tears fell.
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The funeral in the old graveyard was a small and solemn one. Jade looked to be at peace, and it brought Dante some comfort as he dropped one last tender kiss onto her forehead and stepped back as her coffin was closed. He had buried Ebony with her, alongside her beloved Umbra and Levis, because she had loved using that particular gun before. Hizoku, she had left in Vergil's care, and her whip Sentis had been taken by their daughter a long time ago.
Dante was strangely detached throughout her burial, watching calmly as the earth covered his wife's coffin. He barely registered Trish coming over to hug him, Nero following slightly after to offer his condolences. He just stood there in a daze, letting Vergil handle everything.
"Dad?"
The soft female voice brought him out of his thoughts and Dante turned, staring into the face of a woman that was remarkably similar to Jade. God, it was as if Jade has just stepped out of her grave and was facing him. the way her long hair framed her face, the slightly tanned skin, the familiar curve of her lips. All that was missing was the emerald green eyes that he loved gazing into. Instead, he found himself gazing longingly into the ice-blue eyes identical to his.
Dante sttempted a smile and reached out, tucking a stray strand of black hair behind the woman's ear. "Hey, Danielle. How's my baby girl doing?"
His daughter smiled as her twin brother came up with Vergil, both wearing suits. She herself wore a black dress as a sign of mourning. Only Dante defiantly wore his red coat, but everyone knew that it was a last sign of his love for Jade, so they let him be. "Not so much of a baby now, dad."
Dante nodded and turned to his son. "Jaden?"
Jaden gave a fidgety shrug, sweeping his silver hair back in an imitation of his idolized uncle, but half of his bangs flopped back into his yes. His emerald green eyes, Dante thought with a pang. His son, named after Jade, had inherited her eyes, while his daughter that had been named after him had gotten her eyes. "I'm alright, I guess. I mean... I can't believe mom's gone.. But I'll live with it."
Dante chuckled, tears appearing in his eyes. "Yeah, your mother was a great woman, you know? A great woman..."
"Oh, daddy..." Danielle flung her arms around him and hugged him tightly. "You still have us, you know.. You still have us."
"Yeah, dad." Jaden put his hand on his father's shoulder. "We're still family, and we have each other, along with Uncle Vergil."
Dante lifted his arms and hugged his children close. "Yeah. I still have all of you..." He felt Vergil's touch on his back, lifted his head and met his twin's gaze, and for the first time in years, turned and wept in his brother's arms.
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Jade lowered her face. "It's just that... You're going to live much, much longer than me... And you're not going to get old... Not like me, I'm going to be an old woman in the years to come... I'm just worried about you, I guess. What are you going to do after I'm gone?"
Dante frowned, then smiled, lifting her head up so their eyes would meet. "I will stand by you until that day, and then after that I will watch over our children and our children's children..."
