Chapter Two: Changes

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"Aww, Creed c'mon! One last bottle… this one's already empty!" Train pleaded as Creed paid for the fruits.

The female vendor giggled at the two charming young men as they quarreled childishly about whether or not they should buy another bottle of milk. They'd been going at it for a few minutes now and they'd somehow gotten the attention of a few passersby.

The man in black begged too cutely for the man with silver hair to possibly ignore... His golden eyes sparkled as he pouted and meowed like a poor kitty.

Resist. Must resist.

But as the silver-haired man looked at his companion, he found the cuteness too much to bear. He cursed at the fact that he still had that weakness for Train and wished that he hadn't brought the guy with him.

Creed slapped a hand on his forehead and bought three bottles from another stand just beside the one they were buying fruits from.

"Thanks!"

Creed rolled his eyes and chuckled as he watched his friend chug down the milk.

There were times when he wished that they had been this close before.

He wished that they had met at normal circumstances and were just normal people, living ordinary lives just like the ones they were living right now… He wished that he had met Train at a grocery store instead, and not at Chronos where they had to kill, or otherwise, be killed.

He wished he hadn't killed all those people… and Saya.

Saya who'd been the one girl that managed to save Train from the darkness…

Saya who'd made Train smile, laugh and care for other people…

Saya who Train loved the most…

There were a lot of things that Creed wished for. But he couldn't turn back time and make all those wishes come true… so he had to settle for what was happening now. And although what he was wishing for would've made his life a lot happier, would've made Train's life a lot happier, he couldn't deny the fact that the past four years have been the best of his life… Because in those four unforgettable years, he lived as a free man, he found the love of his life, and gained real friends…

"Now THAT hit the spot!" Train finished and wiped his mouth clean with his sleeve.

"Well then, let's go."

They had started to walk when they heard suddenly heard a familiar voice.

"TRAIN!"

The two men quickly turned around to see who it was that was screaming his lungs out from the other side of the road.

A man in a white suit and a girl with golden hair were running towards them.

"Train, it- really-is-you!" The man in white was panting when he held onto Train's shoulder for support. He huffed and tried to talk between breaths.

Train stared for a while. But when he finally registered what was happening in his head, he laughed and gave the man in white a smack at the back of the head.

"Sven, what the hell are you doing here?" The Black Cat smiled and helped his friend stand up properly.

"I could ask you the same question…" Sven straightened himself up. "It's been years, man! How've you been doing/'

"Fine. I've been doing some sweeper business. You?"

"Basically the same… Oh, and…" Sven gestured to the girl behind him.

"Eve... She's studying now."

Train looked at the teenager that was blushing furiously behind Sven. Wow. She's grown up.

"I see the princess's grown a few inches!" He reached over to her and ruffled her hair.

Eve was annoyed by the way he treated her like a kid… But her heart went up the roof when she saw him up close. He's changed.

Well, considering that Train had to live on bread crusts and milk most of the time and that he would get a work out whenever he would chase come wanted guy all around town, you would expect him to get at least a little bit- what's the word?- hunkier than he used to be… but Eve didn't expect that.

He was lean, but not thin, muscular but not bulky… Argh. And his face… Why did God suddenly decide to make him better-looking? He was already cute before!

What word did the girls in school use about guys that looked like this?... Hot?

Eve went redder.

What was that feeling she had in her chest right now? Why was her heart banging against her rib cage? And why the hell did her face feel like it was burning?

She raised her head a little and looked at him awkwardly… Why was she getting all shy? Sure they hadn't met for a few years, but they were close… she didn't need to be so awkward with him.

Train was still Train and yet she felt like he was a different person. He hadn't changed at all in the way he moved, the way he talked or the way he acted…Was it all in her imagination?

"Princess?"

Train bent down. His face was only a few inches from hers… and Eve couldn't help but think he was going to kiss her.

"Ahh!" She smacked him in the face so hard that he stumbled over.

"What the hell was that for?" He said, rubbing his nose.

"For being such an idiot!"

The Black Cat stood up and narrowed his eyes.

What's wrong with her? He thought. He stared at her for a while and then looked at Sven who just shrugged.

Train's eyebrow twitched when a realization hit him. Is this what they call puberty?

Creed watched the odd group of people before him. Then, glanced at Train who seemed to be in deep thought. I bet he's thinking its puberty. He sweat-dropped and shook his head in disbelief. Yes, that was definitely what he was thinking. But when did Train Heartnet become so simple-minded? Still, Creed felt amused. The weird bunch entertained him and made him enjoy the fact that he wasn't enemies with them anymore.

"Er… So would you two like to join us for lunch?" He said as he beamed at them. Eve and Sven took a few steps back.

Whoah… major character change…

"Oh yeah. That was rude of me… sorry Creed." Train bowed apologetically at his friend.

"Guys, you remember Creed Diskenth? Apostle of the Stars? The lunatic who chased me around and tried to kill us?"

Creed rubbed his temples. What a fine way to introduce me to your friends, Train.

The two nodded, but kept their distance. "Yes, of course. How could we forget?" Sven laughed nervously.

"Aww… You guys don't have to be afraid of him. He's harmless!"

Creed rubbed his temples again. He wasn't going to attack them or anything… but Creed wouldn't describe himself as harmless. He was still quite adept with the sword, though probably a bit rusty because he didn't practice anymore. But seriously, HARMLESS! He wasn't the dog crap that Train stepped on earlier!

"Anyway… lunch?" He said through gritted teeth. Yet, he was still smiling. And a rather creepy smile at that.

"We'd be honored, Mr. Diskenth."

"Oh please… Creed is fine."

"Creed! Yes, of course! We'd be honored Mr. Creed!"

"Ookay… Creed, meet Sven Volfied and Eve… I just remembered… you guys haven't had a proper introduction yet, have you? When we would bump into each other, it was always the fighting first, then the screaming and then we'd all be so absorbed in the action that you never had a chance to know their names, did you Creed?" Train beamed. Creed slapped a hand on his forehead again and groaned.

"Oh yes. I was to busy laughing maniacally and ordering my minions that I forgot to go and ask these good people their names! Thank you for reminding me, Train." Creed adored the Black Cat, but there was a limit to the amount of patience that he had.

"Anytime, buddy!" Train patted his irritated companion's back.

God, kill me now… No wait! I take that back!

Eve grinned. She hadn't seen this side of Creed before. He was always in 'crazed maniac' mode whenever she saw him. Now, he acted like a normal human being that reacted like he was supposed to. It suited him, but she wasn't quite used to seeing his relaxed features and his smiling face. Usually, his eyes would look like they were going to pop out of his head.

She walked up to him and extended her hand… to everyone's surprise. "Pleased to meet you, sir."

The silver-haired man stared at the girl in shock. Then he gave her a small smile and held her hand. "The pleasure's all mine."

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Author-person: Yay! I finished the second chapter! throws confetti in the air

Creed's been nice so far… I'll keep him like that… haha…

And Eve… she's starting to develop a crush… but she still doesn't know what she really feels for the Black Cat… oooh…

… The third chapter… hmm… still thinking some things over before I post it.

So until then, read and review please!