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Aeterna Nox	By : asuramori Category: +. to F > Black Cat Views: 1853 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Black Cat in any way, shape, or form. I am also not getting paid to write this.

Chapter List
- 13
- 14
- 15
Disclaimer: … We’ve all been over this already. Refer to previous chapters.

Warning: … Character death and yaoi. That’s about it this time around.

Chapter Thirteen: Wearing Thin

By: Asura Mori

Train’s thoughts were in turmoil as he walked down the hall. On one hand, these intruders were the enemy and needed to be eliminated. On the other hand, they could hold the answers he was searching for. And according to Doctor’s not so subtle hints, he knew these people.

The man in the hat, Sven, flitted through his head again. Was it him…? Would he be the one who could explain these weird hallucinations he was having? The voices he was hearing?

Well, no time like the present in which to find out.

The brunette grinned and reached down, pulling Hades out of its holster. He stroked its side lovingly and then flicked the chamber open to check that it was loaded. Satisfied that it was, he slammed it closed with a shake of his wrist. Either the intruders would have the answers he sought…

Or they would die for trespassing in his domain.

0-0-0-0-0-0

They were surrounded. Sven eyed the Apostle of the Stars henchmen, looking for any signs of weakness, but so far as he could see there were no openings. Eve stood at his side, blonde hair glimmering with suppressed nanomechanic power. They were largely outnumbered, they both knew this, but they couldn’t leave just yet.

After all, they hadn’t found Train yet and they weren’t leaving without him.

“… Stand down.”

Sven turned, his heart suddenly hammering inside his chest. He knew that voice, knew it so well that hearing it now made him want to cry with joy. The sweeper opened his mouth and started to form a name, but the sound died away before so much as a syllable could be said.

Train stood at the top of the stairs leading into the room, his face as cold as ice. This alone would not have stopped Sven from speaking; no, it was what the former sweeper was wearing that made him pause. The dark trench coat that signified the Black Cat, assassin of Chronos, adorned the brunette’s lanky frame.

Seeing that coat, of all things, was what made him unable to speak. Only twice before had he seen Train in that coat: back when the brunette was still an assassin for Chronos (1) and when Train had gone to face off against Creed to save Rinslet (2). But this time it was different. Looking at his friend, Sven could tell this wasn’t the same man he’d met back then.

That Black Cat had been more human. The man standing in front of him held none of those features, had no sympathy. There was only cool indifference in those golden eyes. Sven had to force himself to swallow, knowing his every move was being watched. So this was what the true Black Cat had been like…

How utterly terrifying.

Train walked down the stairs slowly, every step he took measured. Golden orbs never left Sven, not even flickering to Eve who had taken in a deep breath of air as she too noticed how different Train was. His attention was solely focused on the ex-investigator.

Only when he reached the bottom of the stairs did he look around. He stared at Eve for a millisecond, before turning his amber gaze to one of the men surrounding the two Sweepers.

“You’re dismissed. I can handle things from here.” The brunette stated with cold finality, daring the other man to challenge him. The man was obviously an idiot though, because he looked at Train as if he was nuts.

“Sir, with all due respect, I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to be alone with these two. They’re extremely danger----“

His words were cut off by the sound of a gun being shot. The other soldiers looked around with confusion, wondering what had happened. Sven blinked in surprise and turned to look at Eve, who also looked confused. Everyone in the room took an audible step back when the man who’d back talked Train fell to the floor dead, a bullet hole marring his forehead.

Sven looked at Train in horror. He hadn’t even seen the brunette draw his gun, let alone move. Was this what the true Black Cat was capable of? No wonder Creed had wanted the assassin Train on his side…

Utterly terrifying.

“Anyone else want to defy my orders?” Train asked, his voice as soft as silk. Not another word was said as the men all filed out in quick order, leaving the brunette alone with Sven and Eve.

Train was smirking the entire time, though there was also a hint of disappointment in his posture, as if he’d been hoping that someone else would step forward and defy him once more. Sven could only stare at the man he’d called friend, wondering if the Train he knew was hidden underneath all of that blood lust. Gods, he could only hope so.

“You.” Sven tensed as the single word was spoken and amber orbs sought him out. He couldn’t help but be drawn to those eyes, so similar to that of the Train he knew, yet so different. The eyes were still the same: shape, color, etc. But the feelings, or lack thereof, in that gaze that was leveled at him was what made the green-haired man flinch back.

He couldn’t even begin to form a sentence, let alone answer Train’s statement. The brunette’s smirk changed to a scowl and he slowly advanced on the green-haired Sweeper, pausing only inches away from the other man. “You. Do I know you?” He growled, golden eyes narrowed in a death glare.

Sven blinked as if suddenly brought back to reality. “Do you know us?” Sven restated stupidly, trying to figure all of this out, “Is that what you’re really asking me?” He wanted to add “idiot” to the end of that question, but wondered if he’d be pushing his luck too far in doing so. Apparently it was a wise decision on his choice, because Train looked slightly angry at being asked his own question back.

“Yes, that’s what I asked you. Now answer the damn question before I lose the rest of my patience with you.” The brunette snarled, his hand slightly twitching as it rested near the butt of his six-shot pistol. Sven noted that action and decided that being blunt was a lot better than being dead.

“All right then. The answer is yes. You do know us… or you did.” Sven was trying very hard to sound convincing, knowing his answer, and whether or not Train believed him, could very well determine whether he and Eve would be walking out of here alive.

Train’s eyes narrowed even more. “Explain.” He said simply, his hand tapping rhythmically near his pistol, Hades. Sven gave the gun a glance and swallowed, remembering just how fast the brunette could be with that gun, the evidence of that swiftness still lying so near on the floor. He gave the poor bastard a pitying glance before returning his one eye to Train, the other hidden behind the eye patch. If necessary, he would use the power of his other eye. But would it be enough against this Train?

He wasn’t so sure…

“All right… it’s like this…”

0-0-0-0-0-0

Creed paced relentlessly, which the Doctor watched with some amusement. It was a small wonder that there wasn’t a hole in the floor from all the walking back and forth the silvette was doing.

“He should have been back by now.” Creed growled, hands clasped behind his back. “It shouldn’t be taking this long. Something is wrong.”

“You worry too much, Creed.” Doctor answered him, not in the least bit ruffled by Creed’s dire tone. “He’s probably toying with them, making them believe they have some sort of chance. Remember, he was called the Black Cat… for many reasons, not just for his unlucky number.”

The leader of the Apostle of the Stars slowly stopped his pacing and closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. Lilac orbs opened again and fixated on the Doctor, who inclined his head towards his master with a small nod. Creed looked away until his gaze was pointed at a wall, its empty surface a small comfort. He gave an imperceptible nod and leaned his head back, a smile forming on his lips.

“You’re right.” He finally muttered. “No one can take my Train away… even if they could, I will always have Letheium to fix that little matter. Those fools downstairs have no idea of the true monster they are facing.”

He gave the Doctor a small, cold smile. Doctor shifted uneasily in his seat, knowing exactly what that look meant. If something were to happen to Train and Letheium didn't do its work a second time, then he would be the one Creed was going to take it out on...

Painfully so.

0-0-0-0-0-0

“So… basically what you’re telling me is that Creed kidnapped me and then did something to tamper with my memories, forcing me to revert to my original personality of the Black Cat?” Train asked, clarifying all the he’d heard from Sven in the last few minutes. Sven nodded slowly, nervousness permeating from his very being.

Train noticed this with some satisfaction. The other man was afraid. Good.

“And you expect me to believe that?” He continued, pulling Hades from its holster and running an expert hand over its surface. Golden eyes focused solely on the man in front of him, smiling at his every nervous move.

Sven watched Train with equal scrutiny. He knew that the brunette was taking joy in his fear. There was no other explanation for that smirk, which was slowly destroying whatever hope the Sweeper had had left. This man wasn't his best friend...

And it was becoming more and more obvious with every passing second.

“Nothing I say is going to make you believe me. But let me ask you this. Is there something about all of this that doesn't make sense to you? A blank you can't explain?” Sven asked, holding his hands out in a pleading way.

He watched Train's golden eyes darken and a small flicker of fear flit through the assassin's eyes. Yes, there was something. That much was clear. Now if only he could figure out what it was... maybe, just maybe, he could get his friend back.

Train forced himself to look away from Sven, no longer smirking. His eyes showed how troubled he really was by the Sweeper's words and even his posture wasn't as relaxed anymore. Honestly, there were some things he was confused about. Like Creed's first words when he woke up again... after what had seemed like a very long sleep...

“How I missed you, dear heart...”

“It's not as if I went anywhere, Creed...”

His head exploded in pain. He leaned down, cupping his ringing head and let out a low gasp. Sven was at his side in an instant, but Train shoved him away, not wanting his help.

A woman with dark, short hair appeared before his eyes, dressed in a kimono. He stared at her, wide-eyed, a name on the tip of his tongue, but he couldn't remember. She was important, he knew that, but he just couldn't... Her eyes gazed at him with pity and she opened her mouth as if to speak, but nothing came forth. Her eyes, if possible, grew even sadder and she shook her head. He reached out for her with a trembling hand, but drew it back just as quickly as another assault of pain washed through him.

Sven watched all of this, worry etched into his face. He wanted to reach out and comfort his friend, but Train wouldn't allow it... at least, this Train wouldn't. What was the brunette seeing that had affected him in such a way? And why was he in so much pain...?

What had Creed done?

To be continued...

Asura: Well... can't say I'm exactly happy with this chapter, but neither am I disappointed with it... I guess? I don't know... -sighs- It's been a while since I've written a chapter, so I can't decide whether or not I'm okay with it. But I guess it's ultimately up to you guys. :D

Anyway, sorry about the nearly non-existent updates. I started working this summer so it really sucks. Oh well, whatever gets the bills paid, right? :( Sorry guys. I'll try and keep updating as much as possible. So, read and review please. Love ya!
1. – Refers to the anime version, in which Sven meets Train while the brunette’s still with Chronos.
2. – Refers more so to the manga, since I can’t remember if the whole tower scene happens in the anime. ^_^
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Aeterna Nox