I have no excuse for my absence. Please forgive me.

Black Cat © Yabuki Kentaro

Ese (my OC) © Me

Black Wings

Hit Twenty-Five: The Man that Knew Saya

Ese felt her muscles tense; the man walked up to them apprehensively, carrying a bag of groceries.

"You were Saya's friend, right? You're…Train Heartnet…" the man continued.

An array of emotions crossed Train's face, but eventually his muscles tensed and he looked at the man approaching them, his eyes narrowing.

"And, you are?" He asked quietly.

The man's face broke out into a relieved smile. "So, it really is you!" He exclaimed. "My name's Beyard," he continued, "Saya helped me out here, before."

Ese felt her stomach tie itself in knots. She had heard of Saya before, but Train always seemed so sullen and sad whenever she came up in conversation. She couldn't ignore the discomfort she felt, and she swayed back and forth, the uneasy feeling snaking its way through her body.

Train looked surprised at the man who called himself Beyard. "Helped you out?" he asked, his voice shocked.

"That's right!" Beyard continued. Beyard took a moment and looked around.

"But let's not stand around talking," he started, his eyes darting around the road. "Come to my shop, it's not far from here."

Train's eyes slid towards Ese, and she shrugged. She was really at a loss.

"Do…do you want me to come with you?" She asked. She wanted him to say yes; whatever demons he had to face, she didn't want him facing them alone.

Quietly, Train nodded.

The trio took off into the streets, an awkward cloud of silence falling between them. Beyard navigated the town, sure of his destination, but he eventually turned to Train.

"By the way, Train," he started, considering his words carefully, "Saya didn't happen to come with you, did she?"

Train's face darkened. Ese could practically feel his own heart drop, and his stance became protective.

"No," he responded quietly.

Beyard's brow furrowed, disappointed, "well," he started, "that's too bad. But being a sweeper involves traveling the world, so, I guess it can't be helped."

Train stayed quiet. His eyes glanced downward for a moment, before he brought them back up. His breath was shallow, but controlled.

Ese felt for him. She knew that talking about Saya made Train feel guilty, and saddened, and to meet someone who didn't know of her demise? She could practically feel the waves of emotions rolling off of Train's stiff stature and all she wanted to do in that moment was wrap him into her arms and assure him that everything was going to be okay.

Before long, they came to a small shop and Beyard unlocked the door, inviting them in. "I'll go get some drinks," he motioned to the dining room of the shop, stepping towards the back, "please take a seat."

"Oh," Train noted, looking at Ese as Beyard stepped to the back, "It's a small bar."

Ese nodded. "Oh, Train," Ese murmured, "We haven't contacted Sven…what if we take long here?"

Train shrugged, and looked down. "Oh well," was all he said.

Ese sat down and looked around. The bar was a small corner building, with airy windows and a rich pine smell. She noted a small jukebox in the corner.

"Train," she started, speaking slowly, "are you…sure you want me here?" She asked, looking up at him. He sat next to her, and his eyes scanned her face.

"To be honest," he started, "I couldn't imagine not having you here." His eyes darted around, and he shifted uncomfortably. "I mean, you see…well, I try not to remember what happened to Saya. I want to remember her, and our friendship specifically, but knowing that I caused her death still…haunts me. But I want to always remember her, and what she did for me back then, back when I was an eraser." He smiled softly.

Ese snaked her hand into his, intertwining her fingers into his.

"Well," she whispered, "I'll be here for you." She looked up, her eyes seeking his, "no matter what."

He smiled and exhaled, leaning in and planting a chaste kiss on her forehead. "I hoped you'd say that."

After a few more moments, Beyard returned from the back carrying a tray of drinks; he sat it down on the table and then took a seat himself, across from Ese and Train. "I'm sorry, I feel so rude! I didn't even get your name, young lady."

"Oh, u-um," Ese stammered, flustered, "My name is Ese. It's nice to meet you." She said.

"Did you know Saya, also?" Beyard asked, crossing his hands in a friendly gesture.

Ese shook her head no, "I never met her," she murmured quietly.

"So, when did this all take place?" Train interjected, "the time you met her, that is."

"Ah!" Beyard responded, his eyebrows raising slightly, and his eyes sliding up to the left. "Yes, well…It's probably been over two years now…at the time, I was a part of the mafia which controlled the city."

Beyard's eyes grew solemn, but his smile remained.

"Then one day…I made a mistake."

Beyard began his story, speaking about a gaggle of the mafia members who were assaulting him on the street. He described feeling like he was going to die, going to be beaten to death, and felt as though his end was growing near. Just as his vision had begun to fade, he described one of the mafia members falling forward, and he described the silhouette of a woman standing near. Within moments, the woman took out the men who were beating him to the ground, moving swiftly and efficiently, as he watched onward in awe.

"But even then," Beyard said, "I didn't believe her intentions were pure." His smile was sad, as he continued to describe his events in meeting Saya.

"After she asked me if I was alright, I pulled a knife on her, and threatened her…but she still offered to treat my wounds."

Beyard chuckled softly.

"We spoke for hours after that, and I had described the life I lead up to the point of almost being left for dead on the street. She listened to me, not holding any judgement, but when I finished, she was the one who told me that I should leave the mafia and live a better quality of life."

Beyard smiled sadly.

"I was touched…you know? I was scum, a stranger to her, and yet she still wanted me to live better, to be a better person."

Train leaned forward and leaned his head on his hand. Ese had listened intently, but she didn't know what a mafia was or the magnitude of the situation; yet she still could feel the Beyard had felt, even two years later, for Saya leading him in the right direction.

Train grinned, and smiled, his eyes closing; perhaps he too, could remember an instance in which Saya helped him also.

"After that, she treated my wounds and told me a lot of different things," Beyard continued, "It was also at that time that she spoke of you."

Train's smile faded and he looked up at Beyard, intent.

"But I never would've guess…that I'd actually meet you under these circumstances."

Ese suddenly felt a spark of electricity in the air. She was reminded of a time when a hawk was soaring over a field mouse, and how unawares the mouse was of being in any sort of danger. Beyard had shown so many friendly signs, that Ese thought nothing of him; but suddenly, she felt as though she and Train were the field mouse, and Beyard, was the hawk.

His expression darkened, and he looked downright sinister.

"And also," his voice murmured, almost a growl, "by using this sort of method…"

The doors slammed open, and Ese jumped; Train remained perfectly still, his hands on his knees, and he held a steady gaze with Beyard. The sound of feet stampeding into the room filled Ese's ears, and before she knew it, a gang of people had bombarded their way inside the bar and their guns were raised, aiming at them.

Ese bit her cheek; they had been tricked! By using a false sense of security…her wings bristled and her feathers fluffed out. But Train continued to remain calm; how, when there were men pointing guns at his head, was beyond Ese's understanding, but for a human, Train was somewhat of an enigma. Instead, he merely smiled, "Geez," he started, "rushing in like this, unannounced! You guys must really have no manners." He looked up, as Beyard stood out of his chair. "Is this how you treat your guests, Beyard?" He asked, his tone snide.

Beyard cracked a wicked smile, his eyes still sinister looking. "My apologies," he said, in a sarcastic note, "Train, and Miss Ese. Such a shame that an innocent woman had to get dragged into this."

"Is he the one, Beyard?" One of the men holding a gun asked.

Ese and Train heard more footsteps, and both turned to look as a man walked in; his hair was slicked back and he guarded his eyes with his sunglasses. "Well done!" He congratulated, a grin cracking his face, "it seems your story about that girl and the Black Cat being friends was, in fact, true."

Beyard turned to the new man who entered the room and continued smiling. "Heh," he chuckled, I wouldn't dare lie to you."

Train stole a glance at Ese, and their eyes met for a moment.

But they shared a thought, for a moment, and both Ese and Train grinned.

"What a turn of events…" Ese murmured under her breath.

"What a pain, is more like it," Train responded in turn.

I apologize again for such a long due update. I just realized that this story probably isn't relevant anymore, as it's almost been 10 years since I first started writing it (and boy is it a mess of inconsistencies) but I figure, I want to try and have this bad boy written and finished by the 10th anniversary. If you've stuck with me since the beginning, welcome back and if you're new, then it's nice to meet you; drop me a line. Let me know what you think. I always love hearing from you.

-Rie