My twelfth chapter... and only ten reviews... *sigh* Does anyone but trainsgirl113 actually read this?
Next, I want to do a Fullmetal Alchemist story!
Alphonse: ...Should I be scared?
Edward: ACK! SHE'S GONNA DO HORRIBLE THINGS TO US! STAY AWAY FROM MY BROTHER, YOU SADISTIC WRITER LADY!
Train: RUN AWAY, ELRIC BROTHERS! RUN AWAY! SAVE YOURSELVES!
The New Adventures of Black Cat
The Hitch-Hiker's Guide to... Explosives
"Train," Sven started as soon as his former partner came into view, "what took you so-"
"Pink yukata!" Kara interjected, pointing to Train's companion with wide eyes.
Train was holding the short-haired woman oddly by the wrist—not quite the hand. Something in his golden eyes seemed to be shimmering with joy, but everything else expressed his distress. "We've got a bit of a problem."
"What's wrong?" Sven asked. "Where's James?"
"That's the problem. He was working for Riley."
Sven, Rinslet, and Eve exchanged glances. A look of horror swept over Kara's face as she realised something. "Was?" she echoed quietly. Train didn't respond. "Did you-"
"Of course not! They've got a sniper. We have to get moving."
"Okay, where to?"
Train froze. He looked around with a frown. "I don't know."
"Well, are we going to Chronos?"
"The thing is..." Train trailed off.
"Go on," Kara urged suspiciously.
"The problem being that..."
"What's the problem, Train?"
"I don't know where it is."
No one responded. They just stared up at him curiously, seeming unable to understand his words.
"How could you not know?" Sven blurted out.
"You were one of their top men for years!" Kara added.
Train stretched an awkward grin and scratched his head. "They move every year to avoid being discovered. There's no way of finding them now!"
"So, why'd you bother making this stupid deal with Riley?" Kara flared.
"To save you," Train shrugged carelessly. Kara pulled back and shut up.
"I guess getting that bomb off you is the only way," Rinslet thought aloud. "I know of a guy, but I can't be sure where he is at the moment. He'll either be at his house out in the country or in his hideout in the city."
"Where should we check first?" Train asked.
"They're in opposite directions. I don't think we should risk such a huge time factor. We should split up." Train didn't want to split up. Splitting up was what caused all this trouble in the first place. Although, Rinslet was right. Riley could have been anywhere at that time.
"So, how are we going to do this, then?"
Train, Saya, and Kara were scuffing down the side of the road with their thumbs out to any passing cars. No one even slowed down.
"Someone remind me why Sven gets the car?" Train grumbled.
"They're going out into the middle of nowhere," Saya chuckled. "It's harder to walk up there, and there's no chance of anyone passing by. Plus, it's further away."
"Someone remind me who this is," said Kara, pointing to Saya.
"Saya Minatsuki."
"Isn't that Train's old friend who was killed by Creed?" Rinslet asked. "How is that possible? Why is she here?"
"I don't know," Sven mumbled over his cigarette, "but I couldn't bring myself to ask."
"Did you see that little spark in his eye?"
Sven chuckled. "Yeah. I don't think I've ever seen that before."
"What is that?" Eve inquired, leaning in from the back seat and pointing ahead. Sven and Rinslet leaned forwards and squinted. The tiny dot in the distance grew larger as they approached. As it did, the eyes of the trio grew large, and their jaws dropped.
"Oh-"
"Crap!" Kara screamed as a car narrowly missed her. She ran out onto the road and shook her fist in rage. "Moron!"
Brr! Brr! Kara answered her phone. "Hello?"
"Act natural." Kara could recognise that voice anywhere. It was Riley.
"Hey, Ma!" she piped. Train and Saya didn't think anything of it.
"It would seem that we've already attracted the attention of Chronos," said Riley. "We no longer need the bomb."
"Oh, I'm on a walk with some friends."
"Who is with you?"
"So what if it's a guy?"
"Black Cat?"
"Yes, Ma."
"Anyone else?"
"I love those cupcakes with pink icing, but don't go through any trouble for me."
"Pink... The yukata," Riley guessed. It was good they knew each other so well. Kara knew exactly how to word it so he would understand. "You're saying that it's okay for now, and you don't need help?"
"I'm fine, Ma," Kara giggled.
"Good. Here's what I want you to do." Kara's expression changed dramatically. Train took notice of the horror in her eyes.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
Kara shot her eyes up to him. "I-I can't do that."
"I need you to do this, Kara. You can't back out now."
"I'm not backing out."
"Damn it, Kara! Do as I say!"
"I'm working right now, Ma! I can't come home!" Kara hung up abruptly and just stood there for a moment. Train and Saya silently shared their confusion.
"Let's go," she said sharply.
"Hey, beautiful!" greeted the man standing in front of the car. Rinslet buried her face in her hands and groaned. "I should've known you guys would have something to do with all this? Huh? Where's Black Cat?"
Sven climbed out of the car and leaned on the roof. "We split up," he explained. "What should you have known we're involved with?"
"The Taoists," Jenos shrugged. "Don't tell me your ignorant to what's been happening lately."
"You know about the Taoists?"
"Of course! First sign and Sephi had me trying to find them."
"It's funny that we're talking about this right now."
Jenos didn't know why. "How's that?" he asked.
"We were confronted by the leaders of the Taoists," Sven went on. "His name's Riley. He gave Train a bomb and told him to plant it in Chronos headquarters."
"So?" Rinslet and Eve slumped their shoulders and Jenos' reaction. He wasn't normal.
"So, Train also has a bomb strapped to his chest that will go off if he doesn't do it."
"Oh."
"Exactly."
"Then, what are you guys doing?"
"We're trying to find some guy Rinslet knows that might be able to help."
Jenos thought for a moment. "Let me get this straight," he said. "You're looking for someone to disarm the bomb. Said bomb is with Train. Train is not here." He left a long pause. "I see a lapse in this logic."
"We're not idiots!" Sven snapped. "Train's looking for him, too. If he finds him, great, but if we find him, we'll have to drive him to meet Train. Yes, it's a nuisance, but it's the best we could do."
"Great! I'll come with you!"
"I don't remember anyone inviting you," Rinslet snarled.
Before anyone had time to react, Jenos was in the back seat next to Eve.
"How'd you manage to let something like a bomb being strapped to Train get under your radar?" he mocked.
Sven started up the car again.
"There was a spy," said Eve quietly, burying herself in her book. "Train discovered him, and he was killed by his own comrades."
The only sound for a while was the spluttering of the small car.
"Strange coincidence that we'd run into each other like this, isn't it, Rins?" Jenos cooed with a toothy grin.
"You start up with that 'destiny' crap, and, so help me, I will throw you out the window!"
It had been at least an hour of walking before Train, Saya, and Kara finally made it into the city and collapsed on a park bench.
"It's pretty late," Train commented.
"Yep," Saya agreed.
"Should we find a place for the night?"
"We need to find that Lachlan guy first. Besides, we have no money."
"Oh, yeah."
"I have money," said Kara. She didn't seem tired at all. If anything, she seemed a little jumpy.
Train and Saya perked up with very similar looks on their faces. They looked like they could be twins.
They found the nearest inn and got a room. Train got a weird look from the innkeeper after asking for one room for him and the two young ladies by his side. He knew why, but he didn't feel the need to explain himself.
"You're having a very carefree attitude towards all this," noted Kara as they entered the room. "Why aren't you worried about the fact that you could blow at any minute?"
"I dunno," Train mumbled. "I'll deal with it in the morning."
"Lachlan," Rinslet called, banging her fist on the door. "It's Rinslet. Open up." There was no reply. "Open the door, you jerk!"
Sven reached past her and turned the handle. It was unlocked. The small shack was cloaked in darkness and a horrible stench that no one could quite put their finger on.
An older, bespectacled man with a blonde ponytail opened a door on the far side of the room. Candlelight glowed at his back, and he greeted the group with a smile. "And to what do I owe the pleasure of your company tonight, Rinslet?"
"It's always good to see you," Rinslet beamed, her attitude instantly transforming.
"It worries me when you need my help, Rinslet, and you've brought such young company!" Lachlan bent down to Eve's eye level. Sven gently pulled her back to him and held her protectively.
"We need you to come with us right now," Rinslet insisted. "I'm sorry, but it's important."
Lachlan stared up at her in fascination, amazed that she even felt the need to clarify. "I figured it would be. You hate coming all the way out here. You know that I'm always happy to help you."
Train fiddled with the keypad on his chest. He knew he shouldn't be mucking around with it, but he had developed a thought. He didn't like it, but it was there. He sat up on the couch and peeked at Saya and Kara sleeping back-to-back in the bed.
What was he thinking? Why did he have to be so curious? He had no idea what would happen if he tried this. He could blow them all up by accident! On the other hand, if he didn't try, and his suspicions were correct, he could never forgive himself. He tapped the keys on the explosives. 7-2-5-2. The latch clicked open. He was right. Damn it! Why did he have to be right?
It took me all day to write that. I wanna go take a nap now.
An awful lot of scene changes in this chapter.
Lachlan was supposed to be some really crazy type scientist-y guy, but for some reason he turned out like this old softy! As I was writing, I just got an image of Hoenheim in my head, so that's what I reckon he looks like.
Ed: Get your fiction straight!
Change of plans. I'll end this in another chapter or two. There's a low chance of it reaching chapter 15. I'm kinda getting bored with it, but I'm looking forward to a dynamic ending.
L: How much chance?
Me: I'd say... seven percent.
Train: So, I'll be free.
Me: That's one way of putting it.
Saya: Oh, no! She's gonna kill off Train!
Me: I COULD NEVER DO SUCH A THING!
Kara: You killed your own brother!
James: Yeah, and I'm still mad at you!
Me: Ah! They're all ganging up on me! Save me, Edward!
Ed: STOP DRAGGING ME INTO BLACK CAT FANFIC!