Summary: After the defeat of Creed and Eden, Train sets off on his own and leaves Sven and Eve. However, a mysterious illness plagues him… Train's body is failing after the fateful night in the mountains. Set after the events of one shot "In Your Mind".

Warnings: Sequel! It may help to read "In Your Mind" first. Oh, and as typical with my stories: angst, blood/gore, etc.

Dedication: To DolphingirlKurama, first reviewer to "In Your Mind", and Placebo for their version of "Running Up That Hill". "Sleeping with Ghosts" and "Running up that Hill" were the soundtrack songs for those who might want to listen to it while reading.

Disclaimer: I do not own Black Cat or any of the characters. I also don't own the title of the story, a song by Placebo. This story also includes quotes from the song, in italics and bolded. The inspiration came from Placebo's version however. The ending quote is from Placebo's "Sleeping with Ghosts".

Sleeping with Ghosts

By: Lost-Remembrance (Red Tail)

Chapter One:

Train hacked into his hand, waking from his relatively peaceful slumber sharply. The metallic tang of blood made him gag. In the faint moonlight shining through his hotel window, he looked solemnly at his hand. He closed his eyes wearily at the sight, wiping his hands on a nearby piece of white linen.

Hopefully the maids wouldn't have a heart attack at the blood-smeared cloth.

Gingerly, he raised his aching bones to rest against his hot, clammy forehead. A sharp pang of emotion stabbed at his heart, making him long for companionship; someone to wipe a cool wash cloth against his burning skin. A small smile fluttered across his face as he remembered Eve, nursing him back to health after his showdown with Creed.

He opened his eyes, staring at the ceiling. His eyes glazed over, showing his far away thoughts. 'I wonder how Sven and Eve are doing anyhow…' He let out a small sigh, 'Hopefully they remember me.' He turned over on his side, facing away from the window and small chair beside it.

"Hi Train."

Train froze. He shut his eyes slowly.

"When are you going to stop ignoring me?" The soft, womanly voice whispered. His body may be falling apart, but that didn't mean his senses were so dull he knew who and where she was. After all, she had begun haunting him almost since the first dizzy spell and bloody cough.

"Saya." He whispered, clenching his eyes shut, feeling the prickling sting of salty tears behind his eyelids. "What do you want?" He whispered quietly. "I have a busy day ahead of me."

He felt her soft hand fall onto his arm. He still did not turn to look at her. "I know." He heard her take a small breath, as if preparing herself to say something. "You better hurry, Train." The brunet bit his lower lip, chest aching as the urge to cough grew greater. "You don't have much time." Her voice resonated in his head.

Inhaling sharply, his eyes flew open as he grabbed the nearby cloth and cough into it for a good five minutes. Finally, he pulled away panting, face pale and ears buzzing. A thin line of blood trailed down the corner of his mouth and he quickly wiped it away.

He took long calming breaths to slow his racing heart. Wearily, he blinked at his surroundings. Saya was gone again. He closed his eyes, knowing that she wasn't even there to begin with.

"It's getting worse…" He mumbled quietly to himself.

Shaking his head, he ran his fingers through his hair. Slowly, he got up from his messy bed. He grabbed his few possessions and put them into a worn duffle. He tossed the bloody linen into the trash bin. Pulling out a small wad of crumpled bills, he placed them on the nightstand and took his leave.

Another sleepless night would only bring him that much closer to his intended destination, to Sven and Eve.

To Be Continued

"It doesn't hurt me. You wanna feel how it feels."