Disclaimer: Black Cat is not mine, only Kentaro Yabuki's. Maybe I could persuade him to... Oh, never mind.

102 Black and Ghost Cats

Chapter 1

An unexpected alliance

"Well, that does it!" Sven angrily threw the sweeper Bulletins in his hand down onto the circular coffee table. "Ten crooks and not one of them worth more than five grand!" he spat, his sea-green hair swiveling with his movements.

"Ah, come on, relax Svenny-baby." Train cheered with his head halfway in the fridge. He emerged a moment later, milk jug in hand. "We'll just go to a bigger city is all!" He said before taking a long swig from the half-full milk bottle as he sat down on the couch opposite of Sven.

"If it were that easy, would I be angry Train?!" Sven snapped back, brooding over his partner's incapability to act responsible.

"Aw, c'mon Sven, its not my fault there are no targets out there!" Train whined before gulping down another mouthful of milk.

"Well, thanks to your clumsiness, we now owe at least three hundred grand! So yeah, it is your fault!"

Train choked as the pearly white liquid spurted from his nostrils. If Sven wasn't so angry, he would have definitely laughed out loud at his stupidity. "How come I have to find this out now when, of all times, the princess is starting school?!" Train hissed across the worn couch of the hotel room.

Since funds had been pretty tight for more than half a year, Sven suggested they stay in one town long enough for Eve to go to school and be with other children. Unfortunately, nothing seemed to be going well for the trio. Shortly after moving into their temporary home, the money Sven had saved for an instance like this disappeared as soon as the bank was robbed shortly after their arrival. With only meager incomes as little as they came, the trio became desperate, dealing with loan sharks and different investors in order to meet their living requirements.

Still, it's better than living with those stiff-ass pigs they call Chronos. Train speculated happily.

"Okay, maybe I went a little overboard with the whole 'bigger city thing', but still, you don't have to pin all the blame on me." Train attempted to soothe Sven's temper, only to receive a reproachful glare.

"Maybe you need to pay a little more attention to things that break and bruise?" Purred a voice from the doorway. Both men turned to see Eve, clutching her schoolbag and a bag of groceries and Rinslet Walker holding Eve's key to the hotel room. Rinslet wiggled the key in front of the men's' faces. "Eve let me in." she explained at their confused faces. "She had so much to carry; I decided to help her out."

Train and Sven exchanged a glance as Rins strided into the room. "So, long time, no see boys!" she giggled, plopping down into one of the hard-back chairs.

"Well, how was school Eve?" Sven asked putting a smile on, despite his anger towards Train remained.

"It was alright, I didn't learn much else that I already knew." Eve shrugged. "Still, I enjoyed it."

"That's good to hear!"

"I guess so. I'm hungry. I'm gonna get a sandwich." Eve replied, walking into the kitchen area. "Oh, and Rins has a job for us!" she called back as the door slowly swung shut.

Both men turned to the lavender haired woman, looking triumphant. "Yes! Are you willing to get some money back into your pockets?" Rins practically squealed, waving at an imaginary bug that flew near her.

"Depends on what you give us." Sven growled, lighting a cigarette. "You know we…"

"I know, I know: you can't get mixed up in a heist. But, it's not a heist, it's perfectly legal." She leaned in closer. "My contact can gain you access to," she paused to fish something out of her handbag. "This guy." She finished as the two men leaned in closer. They saw the profile of a black-and-white photo of a man lavishly dressed in what appeared to be…

"Furs? Is that what…?"

"Yes, Sven. My friend offers you the opportunity of the capture of the biggest catch ever. Jean-Pierre Le Pelt, the furrier."

"From what I last heard, he was off living somewhere in London." Train commented, taking the photo from Rins. "How can this friend of yours manage to get all of us to London of all places? It's not exactly an easy trip to book quickly."

"Simple. He lives there. He can give you free airfare, free room and board, plus," Rins smirked, the light glinting on her teeth like tiny gems. "All you can eat."

Instantly, Train was sold. "C'mon, Sven, Princess! Hurry and eat and we gotta pack!"

"No way! What's the catch Rins?" Sven warily eyed her as she contemplated her next sentence. Train pouted slightly but listened closely.

"Well, its not a very big snag, only a little one, but," Rins paused, taking a deep breath. "The one who can get you the guy is none other than Chronos's newest member, Number XII, Ghost Cat. Not to mention he's the son of the Number I gal at Chronos."She finished carefully, examining Train's face.

Train became silent. His face showed no trace of emotion. However, in his head, his thoughts swirled in obvious confusion. Was this Ghost Cat attempting to have him erased or was there an explicit reason he was offering his help?!

Since Train was unable to speak, Sven took it upon himself to answer for him. "Is Chronos hiring us?"

"Nope. It's his personal initiative. Something about a friend of his."

Train's eyebrows shot up. "You mean he's that powerful in Chronos that he can hire us?!" He asked incredulously.

"Well, duh. Everyone in the Underground knows that. That's why he has been targeted so many times as kidnappings and even assassinations. But, in the end, they were no match for his strength capability.

"So," Rins muttered, sweeping a strand of hair away from her face. "If you don't want to run with the Chronos dogs anymore, I can try and get you a safer job."

Train thought for a moment, and then spoke. "Do the Elders know about this?"

"Actually, no. According to him, they were assassinated during the Eden episode."

"Chronos turned over a new leaf?! Well, I guess there's a first for everything." Sven said as he put out the slowly dying cigarette. "Well, Train, what do you want to do?"

Train groaned. He hated being in the spotlight for decisions. "How much would this guy be worth Sven?"

"At least 1.8 million."

"Well, I don't know about you and the princess, but I'm definitely going. If only for the free food." He sighed longingly, dreaming of the feast soon waiting for him.

Sven rolled his eyes then turned to Eve, silently crunching on her sandwich. "up for going to London for a while, Eve?" He asked, waiting until she finished chewing.

"I guess so. Break is coming up and I don't have school."

"Well then Rins, tell this friend of yours that we will take the job." As he spoke, Eve and Train silently cheered in the background.

Biting her lip to keep from laughing, Rins answered excitedly, "I'm sure he'll be happy to hear it!"

"So, what's his name? Your secret contact I mean."

Rinslet giggled. "Very few know his real name, Train." She said as he made a face at her. "But I do. He saved me once. Jenos had told him about me and…"

"GET ON WITH IT!!!!" Sven rumbled loudly, causing everybody in the room to wince except Eve.

"OW! Okay, okay. His name is Nushimura! Jimmy Nushimura!"

Somewhere in the midst of London, a boy named Jimmy Nushimura sneezed.