Hey, here's the next chapter.
Disclaimer: Yar, I don't own nothing but story. If I did Echidna wouldn't be touching Creed, she'd be dead and Train would have him.
Hope everyone enjoys,
Chapter 1 ~ Friends In High Places.
Hot sunlight washed over Train's face making him grumble and roll over. It had been five days since the episode with the roses and Train still didn't have a job.
Turns out Train didn't have many qualities he could write down as a resume. Good at killing, able with firearms, capable of driving a knife through the enemy's ribcage. Sure all these made a great assassin but not a cashier or pizza boy.
Last night he'd been out on the town, getting rejected by a restaurant, and he'd gotten back incredibly late. He'd been so tired that he had forgotten to close his curtains and collapsed into bed.
Train was lying, tangled in white sheets, already sweating from the morning heat and still dressed in yesterday's clothes. He hadn't slept long and felt like shit, with a headache threatening to beat his head in. Yay.
He'd been having nightmares again, just like he did when he was a child. Screenshots of shaking hands painted red, his parents vacant faces, the smell of blood and the warm, wet feeling of his bloody clothes against his skin.
Squinting, Train stared at his sheets, playing with the wrinkles gathering near his fingers, the white sheets were comforting when Train woke to the colour of blood.
The sun was burning through Train's shirt, heating him up and making him uncomfortable. He could feel sweat rolling down his back, sticking to his shirt and the sun was sun burning red patterns into the back of his eyelids no matter how he lay.
That's the problem with sunlight he thought lazily, it's too bright but deliciously warm and cancerous. He rolled onto his back and starred at the ceiling. Outstretching his hands Train flexed his fingers, watching the sunlight swim across his knuckles.
Train's apartment was split into three rooms, a kitchen with a lounge room, a bedroom and a bathroom. The front door opened onto the lounge room which was also the kitchen. The main dinning table looked out onto the intersection out side and behind it was a black couch and modern television, terrible programs though.
All the windows in Train's apartment were large, something Train wasn't fond of. It was too easy for people to look in, which is why he opted for the top floor and closed the curtains during the day.
His bedroom which came off the lounge room from the left, had a double bed, more large windows and some simple storage. Train's bathroom was attached to his bedroom. It was small but basic enough and Train didn't need more than a shower and a toilet, he'd never been one for baths, too extravagant.
The décor of the apartment was simple but modern, something Train appreciated, though not something he could afford if he didn't make some money soon.
Rolling into his back Train stared at the white ceiling; feeling more awake and hungry then he'd been in weeks. Turning his head he could read the time on his bed side table, 8:36am, and felt mildly depressed because it was morning.
He wasn't used to lying around inside, doing nothing. He had always been on missions or always finding ways to avoid his partner, Creed, to be alone. Now he was suffocating from it and he hated it. All he wanted was to get up and do something, go somewhere, leave his stifling flat.
Train heard his stomach rumble and decided to roll out of bed and make breakfast, it would be his first time eating breakfast in awhile.
Rubbing at his eyes he bumbled into the bathroom, slipping Hades into its holster and stubbing his toe on the door frame. After popping out a few colourful words about his toe he had a quick look in the mirror, splashing his face with water. His hair was chestnut brown, short and uncontrollably fluffy. Train patted it down only to watch it spring back up moments later. His eyes were like liquid gold, many of the others at Chronos would have said they suited his old job, that they were unnatural and frightening.
He unbuttoned his dark shirt and fingered the numeral tattoo inked on his collarbone, XIII, thirteen, his brand. He'd been given it at a younger age than most, it proved his rank within the corporation. At the age of twenty-three he was one of the strongest hired guns Chronos had, yet somehow he'd been framed, set up to look like he'd killed one of three Saichorou who control Chronos.
Train closed the curtains in his bedroom when he passed back through, heading into his living room. Gracefully he padded over to the front door, opening it, checking the hallway and picking up a rose from his doorstep. There had been a rose at his door everyday since the first. Train had tried catching them in the act but no such luck.
He felt so much weaker than when the organization ran his life, like a cat left for the cold. He'd learnt so much from them but nothing that prepared him to live outside the corporations grasp, nothing about normal human communication or making money without Chronos' jobs.
Before they'd given him everything, just like a trick animal all he had to do was keep his act up and everything was provided. Now, however, he had no information, no blue prints and no target. His life was in disarray, he was being swept down a stream of chaos, drowning.
Mercilessly, Train pushed some cereal under the milk with his spoon, mimicking their screams in his head.
First he thought, spooning the 'dead' cereal into his mouth, he had to get money which meant a job. Once he had some cash he could focus on some Chronos contacts that might help him investigate what happened, maybe even his old partner.
All he had to do was prove he was framed and he could get his old life back, no matter how empty it had been it better than confusion that engulfed him now.
Train had almost finished his cereal when he heard a large crash in the apartment next door. Swiftly, with Hades in hand, Train was at the wall listening, straining his hearing for an intruder.
The voice heard was too muffled to be recognizable but Train could make out the sounds of something being dragged around the room. Another loud crash and Train caught himself jumping, steadying his hands he grabbed for the door knob.
They were too loud to be a Chronos agent, unless they were using reverse psychology against him, which Train doubted. It could be a hired pawn but Chronos liked to take care of their own traitors in case the 'infection' spread.
Breathing silently, Train opened his door and crept low and quietly to the neighbouring flat. With his back against the wall, next to the door, he grabbed the little knocker and punched it against the door a few times.
Someone called back before another loud crash, the sound of something dropping. Train coiled his body and waited.
A young woman opened the door, and peeking around the door frame, grinned at Train. Train stiffened, looking her over for weapons.
The young woman stepped out into the hallway, leaving the door open behind her. She looked over Train in return while smiling. Her hair was the same brown as Train's, cut short and straight. She held a frying pan in her hand and wore a white summer yukata, patterned with sakura flowers.
Tilting her head slightly and clearing her throat she slammed a hand on Train's shoulder, which made him jump.
"Hey, what are you waiting for? Come on in!" She cheered, smiling.
Train felt himself lag as he stared at the woman. She was lucky, he'd almost smashed her face in with his gun.
Winking, the girl tapped him on the head with the frypan. "Wakey, wakey, sleepyhead. Are you coming in or not?"
"Eh?" Train mumbled, trying to get his head around what exactly he'd missed.
In response she cocked her hip to the side and laughed at him.
"You saw my note, didn't you?"
"What note?" Train had a look around and felt himself forgetting why he'd come over in the first place.
The woman sighed. "The note I left on your door this morning, silly."
Train turned and, sure enough, there was his 'note', stuck to his door with Christmas tape covered in pine trees and holly.
He could read it from where he stood; the handwriting was big almost like a child's, on teddy bear stationary.
Dear Ms/Mr Neighbour,
Nice to meet you! My name is Saya Minatsuki, your new neighbour!
Treat me well!
My bust size is… uhh… maybe I shouldn't tell you that yet, I don't even know your gender yet. Haha!
Anyway, since where going to be close best friends I thought I'd invite you in for breakfast.
So don't be lazy and stay in all day!
I'm still unpacking so I'll try and find that pesky cooking stuff while I wait. I have some food but could you pretty, pretty, pretty please (with a cherry on top) bring some milk! I'm SO thirsty.
Please and Thankyou!
Saya(Your new favourite neighbour!) 3
"Sooo, are you coming?" Saya chirped, waving around the frying pan. "I've found nearly everything, but the forks… I wonder where I put those." She sung the last part, heading back inside while waving for Train to follow.
Train didn't know what to do. He'd been expecting a fight not a tea party. He still had Hades in hand waiting but if all had to go against was a girl with a frying pan perhaps he wouldn't need it.
With Hades back in its holster Train followed Saya into her apartment.
It looked worst than Train remembered, worn carpet and water stained walls, ratty furniture, boxes everywhere, and stuff thrown haphazardly. Train had heard the saying 'like a bomb hit' and boy did this place fit well.
Saya tripped and let out an embarrassed chuckle. "Sorry, I got a bit carried away while looking for the plates." Train nodded, watching her kick a path to the kitchen.
"So where's the milk?"
"Didn't bring any." Train stated calmly, stranded among all of the girl's junk.
"Ehh! Why not?"
"I hadn't read your note until now…"
"Oh yeah…Well, do you have any in your apartment?" Saya asked, setting the table for two.
Train turned and stared at his new neighbour. He found her weird, nothing like the usual citizens around this area. Train wasn't sure how he was meant to act around her and for the first time Train noticed, as she bent to place the cutlery, the weight at the back of her kimono, something that could be created with a heavy weapon holster. He felt foolish for having dropped his guard earlier and had his gun drawn and pointed before she could straighten.
"Hey!" Saya shouted, pointing at Train and his gun. "You can't point a gun at me in my own home."
"Who sent you." Train's voice was ice cold, his face vacant. How easily he could slip back into the murder's mask.
Crossing her arms, Saya stood straight, giving off her own dangerous aura.
"Look mister, I don't know what your problem is, but we're taking this outside before you reck my stuff."
"Who are you with, did Chronos send you?"
Recognition flashed across Saya's face and she unfolded her arms.
"Chronos?" Saya acknowledged, leaning forward, pursing her lips with her hands pressed at her hips. "What makes you think I'm with Chronos Corporations?"
"Why else would you be here, armed."
"You're the one who came into my house armed. I pretended not to notice, but you were going to knock me out when I opened my door!" Saya triumphantly exclaimed, pointing at Train in accusation.
"Of course, you're working for Chronos."
Laughing, Saya flaunted her best innocent pose. "Do you really think a cute girl like me would work for them?"
"I've seen ten year old boy's work for them, I wouldn't be surprised."
"Jeez, tough crowd..." Saya pouted, running her hand through her hair, thinking. "I don't wanna have a gun fight in my new house, since I've already paid the bond, although it couldn't look any worse…"
Train's face was unreadable and he didn't waver with his aim.
"Look," Saya grumbled, removing her gun and placing it on the floor. "If you're so paranoid, you must be in some trouble with them, right?"
Train didn't answer, simply kicking some of Saya's unpacked belongings over her gun, covering it up.
"Well, this is the part where meeting me is a good thing." Saya chirped, grinning at Train. She struck a gunner pose, using her hands as the gun. "I may not look like it but I'm pretty strong and I'm part of super secret group that deals with baddies. You my friend are in the presence of someone great, someone who can help you fight those bastards. So, you better not shoot me."
"What group?" Train questioned coldly, keeping his business face on.
"Well if I told you that, than it wouldn't be super secret, now would it?"
"Then how can I trust you're not with Chronos?"
"Because our group hates Chronos, we're always causing them trouble and shutting down they're black-markets. We're like justice, secret justice. You don't wanna shoot secret justice do you?"
Train tighten his grip on Hades. "Probably, yeah"
"Has anyone told you you're not very nice?"
"A few."
"Good."
Crossing her arms Saya watched Train. Train was concentrating on all the small organizations that ran against Chronos. There were many but not many that ever achieved anything. There were a few big ones but she didn't seem the type to run with those crowds. Train remembered Sephiria Arks telling him about the groups that had been annoying her.
She'd been his superior for most of his life, Number One, leader of the Chronos numbers. Often she told Train the stories about the raids on revolting groups but there was one group, smaller then the rest, but impossible to corner. They caused significant damage even though there numbers were insignificant. They were strong and innovative and Sephiria hated them yet respected them at the same time. They called themselves Sweepers, cleaning the streets of criminals and corrupt business.
"Could it be…?" Train begun, lowering his gun from head height to chest height "You're a Sweeper?"
"Wow, you're good." Saya admitted. "So, that must mean your either part of Chronos or part of the Sweeper circuit. So which is it?"
"Neither now."
"So you've been kicked out Chronos and you're on the run. Poor thing…"
"You're good too." Train grunted lowering Hades a little more.
"So, since we're both the enemies of Chronos, we should be friends right?" Expressed Saya while stretching out her hand for a shake.
"The enemy of my enemy is my friend, right?"
"Yeah!" Saya cheered "Now you're getting it! So we're friends now, right?"
Train felt a flutter in his stomach. He'd never had friends before. All through his life he'd been alone, fighting to become strong enough to survive.
"Maybe, yeah." Train whispered, looking at the ground to hide his blush, he ignored her hand.
"Great! So you don't think I'm with Chronos anymore?"
Train rolled his eyes "No."
"That was pretty silly of you!"
"Yeah, you're right…" Train mumbled, lowering his gun "Chronos would never send such an idiot like you after me."
"Hey! That's not nice! You shouldn't call a lady an idiot!" Saya yelled, threatening Train with one of the forks off the table.
"Yeah, well a 'lady' shouldn't wield guns and forks…"
"That's true!" Saya laughed, picking up her gun and holstering it. "So, now that you've finished trying to threaten me, can we have breakfast?"
"You still want to have breakfast?"
"Yeah, I'm so hungry I could eat a whole horse, aren't you?"
Train shook his head but his stomach let out a big rumble and Train found himself blushing.
Saya's face broke out into a big grin as she wiggled her eyebrows at Train.
"Well then uhh…" she scrunched up her face at Train. "Oops, I've haven't asked your name yet."
He let Train slip out before he could stop himself, very unchronos like of him. Great he thought sarcastically, she was the first since his escape from Chronos who knew his real name and she had a gun.
"Well then Train, let's go over there and get it!" she shouted, punching a fist into the air. Saya grabbed Train and hauled him out before he could complain.
"Get what?" Train grumbled, pulling on the determined girl's grip.
"Get the milk of course, plus I'm dieing to see what your place looks like!"
"Why?"
"Because my place smells like someone's just died in it and it'd be nicer to have breakfast in your kitchen, you know just 'til I get new carpet."
"Right…" Train mumbled, opening his door and leading the bouncing woman in.
Saya smiled as she had a look around in Train's. She was thoroughly impressed, it was much nicer then her apartment. It gave her some fantastic idea with what she could do with hers. Train made his way to the fridge for the milk.
"Wow Train, I didn't think you'd be a rose person!"
"I'm not."
"Ehh! Then where did they come from? Do you have a secret admirer Train?" Saya laughed, playing with Train's overflowing vase of red roses. There were so many now they no longer fit into the vase, a collection of over forty. He'd been leaving them on the table, scattered around the vase, they were quite a sight, a table spilling over with perfect roses.
"Let's go, I've got the milk." Train said, holding up two glass bottles.
Saya pouted. "Don't change the subject! Could it be Train, that you have a lover but can't be together because Chronos is after you."
Train raised an eyebrow in response.
"Yeah you're right. I couldn't see you with a lover. You seem more like the virgin type." Saya stuck her tougue out at Train, trying to insult him.
"So?" Train responded, trying to herd her towards the door.
"Eh! You're really a virgin! Oops, sorry hope I didn't hit a sore spot then…" Saya mumbled a little shocked. She'd already evaded Train's grasp and was sitting herself down at his table.
"It doesn't matter, let's go."
Opening the door for Saya he really hoped she would leave quietly but he doubted it, he was starting to understand her already, a track record for him.
"Couldn't we stay here? I'll bring the food over and cook something here. Your flat really is much cooler than mine, pretty please?"
"No, now let's go."
Saya smiled happily at Train, Train felt suspicious instantly. "Umm, I forgot to tell you but we can't use my flat, the power isn't on yet."
Trickles of emotion Train thought he'd lost came back and he suddenly felt very annoyed.
"That's why you invited me to breakfast, so you could use my kitchen." He guessed, feeling miffed and certain he wasn't going to be sharing his milk.
"Well, yeah… but it worked out well, huh?" the brown haired girl piped happily, grinning up at Train, giving him the peace sign with her fingers.
For some reason, or perhaps no reason at all Train began to laugh. It had been years since he'd last laughed and once he started he couldn't stop. Years of laughter poured out of him for several minutes, and the anger and annoyance he'd stored up fled. Saya joined along and once it was all over Train was grinning at her, an expression he'd thought he'd forgotten. This gunner girl made him want to laugh and for everything that had already happened between them, he decided it was punishment time.
"Sure you can make breakfast here." Train said, smiling innocently.
"Sweet!"
"Here." Train said holding out a bottle of milk.
Saya thanked him and reached to grab it but Train was fast and pulled it out of her reach.
"On second thought…" Train pondered, tapping one of the bottles on his chin. "I think I'll drink both. Think of it as my collateral milk for tricking me."
"What! Train you meanie! I liked it better when you didn't talk much!"
"Too bad."
0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0
"Number Ten, what's your information on Train Heartnet."
"I've been following some trails but they've all been dead ends. Thirteen hasn't been using any contacts or bank accounts so we're using sightings, which are unclear."
The slim man smiled at his superior. She was hard to please but sensible, she knew the Black Cat couldn't be caught so easily.
"Well then, what about his old partner, Creed Diskenth. He disappeared the same day as Black Cat. It's assumed he assisted Thirteen in the murder of supreme leader Shin."
"Nothing that tells us about his position but some of my contacts found out that Diskenth has been stealing money from Chronos and diverting into an unknown account."
Sephiria flipped her long, golden hair, reminding herself to stay calm in the presence of others.
"I knew he was a rat. Chronos is better without him."
"Ahh,.. really?" Number Ten mused smiling. "But don't you think it would be unfortunate should they regroup, Train's strength and Creed's intelligence?"
"Not really. There is little two souls could do against all of Chronos." Sephiria patience was wearing thin. "If you have no more information Ten, please leave."
Ten beamed again, there was no better poker face then a friendly smile.
"Very well, but, just a friendly question, do you think Train really assassinated Saichorou Shin?"
Sephiria turned to glare at Xiao Li. Her eyes were hard but he could see the underlying confusion. She was a clueless as the rest, simply following the rat race of possibilities.
"Professionally, of course, evidence points this out. Train left DNA trances everywhere."
"Emotionally, as one of Train teachers?" Ten asked, pushing his luck for what he hoped was important information.
"Of course not!" One snapped back. "I taught him myself, Train would never make such obvious mistakes but he ran and that alone is suspicious enough."
Xiao laughed. "If someone was trying to frame me, I'd run too."
"Enough!" Sephiria gritted though her teeth. "You're dismissed until you can find more on Diskenth's bank account."
It was a command and Xiao knew he'd outstayed his welcome, staying any longer would get him punished.
"Yes."
_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
Done! R&R Please 3
Next time we see how Train handles having no money and a reunion.
Falling into colours.