Disclaimer: I don't own any of the original Shadow Hearts characters including those in the sequel. However the ones that I add well obviously I own. So suing would be a real waste of time.
Note: I have played both games but it was shortly after the second one came out so it's been a while. So if anything that happens in this story doesn't fall into the story line please forgive me and consider this an Alternate Universe piece. This story takes place three years after the end of Shadow Hearts the Covenant.
Yet Another Note: The character ages are most likely wrong but oh well, correct me and I'll think about fixing it.
Reviewer's Responses
IaurMeril: I'm glad you like it. Please keep reading!
Fragile ReunionChapter 2 Surprise, Surprise
Nika screamed as she fell over the edge of the roof but managed to grab a hold of the railing on the train. She held on desperately trying to find a footing to pull her self up on. Suddenly her foot connected with the train connecter and she used it to push herself on to the deck.
She sat shivering for a moment and then realized Yuri was still above fighting. She stood and opened the door, her box was lying on its side just inside the door and she quickly took the sword out of it and turned back to the ladder. She took a deep breath to steady herself and then begin climbing. She reached the top and peeked over the edge.
Yuri and the two men were still fighting and by the looks of it, none were coming out on top. She dragged herself onto the roof and slowly stood up, she still wasn't completely steady but she knew she had to help Yuri. She inched forward and almost lost her footing when the train lurched to one side.
She clamped her mouth shut so she wouldn't cry out in alarm and continued moving forward. She was just about to make herself know when she realized she had no real fighting experience. No abilities that could help Yuri at all.
"Damn." She muttered to herself. Suddenly she caught sight of s low hanging tree limb and she got an idea, she just hoped it would work. She waited until it got closer to her and then she screamed, "Yuri duck!" she lay flat on the train roof and closed her eyes hoping her plan would work.
When the branch was past her she looked up and almost became giddy. Yuri had ducked just in time but the other two men hadn't been as lucky. She watched them ranting from the ground as the train disappeared in the distance. She crawled over to the ladder and opened the door to the compartment.
She stepped inside and collapsed into a chair gasping for air. She didn't even look up as Yuri entered the compartment and sat in a chair across from her. "Good work kid." He said finally.
"Yeah thanks." Nika said with a smile. She placed her sword in her lap and gazed at it.
"So that's what was in the box." Yuri said suddenly.
"Yeah." Nika said with a nod as she swept her hand across the flat side of her sword.
"You any good with it?" Yuri asked.
"Nah, I've never handled a weapon before. Where I come from women aren't allowed to handle dangerous things." Nika said.
"I know someone who might help you learn, as thanks for your quick thinking up there." Yuri added.
Nika shook her head, "I can't, I have to find someone." She said sadly.
"Well who are you looking for maybe I can help you." Yuri said.
"I'm looking for my aunt." Nika said gazing out the window.
"Well when we get to Shanghai my friends and I will help you find her." He said firmly.
Nika nodded and smiled at him, "Thank you." She said she turned back to the window and fell asleep.
Three hours later Nika felt a slight touch on her shoulder and she snapped her eyes open and almost screamed but she realized it was only Yuri and she calmed down. "Hey kid we're here." Yuri said noticing how jumpy she had been.
"Right." Nika said as she stood and picked up her box. She turned to look for her sword but couldn't find it.
"I put it in your box." Yuri said as he watched her look around in worry.
"Oh thanks." Nika said with a sigh. Yuri nodded and walked off the train. Nika took one last look around and followed him.
"YURI!" a voice yelled from somewhere in the crowd. Yuri's eyes swept over the sea of faces until he found one he recognized.
"Anastasia?" he muttered to himself as he waved to her. Anastasia pushed through the crowd to the platform and caught sight of Nika. She stopped short. Nika smiled uneasily at her and climbed off the platform followed by Yuri.
"Who's that?" Anastasia demanded staring pointedly at Nika. Yuri looked back at Nika with a smirk.
"This is my new girlfriend." He said with a grin.
"I am not!" Nika said heatedly. Yuri started laughing and then turned back to Anastasia,
"Her names Nika. She helped me with a few morons while we were on the train." He said still laughing. Anastasia narrowed her eyes at Nika for half a second and then turned back to Yuri.
"So where is everybody?" Yuri asked looking around.
"They're at the palace in Russia." Anastasia answered.
"And why is that?" Yuri asked confused.
"Because my birthday is coming up and my parents wanted them there for the party, which is also why I was sent to collect you." Anastasia said.
" So is Rog here with the airship?" Yuri asked.
"Yes." Anastasia answered firmly.
"Well let's go." Yuri said as he walked off towards the train station entrance. Nika just stood there unsure of what to do, was she supposed to come with them or was she on her own now?
Yuri stopped a few yards away and turned back, "Hey kid you coming?" he yelled. Nika's eyes brightening and she nodded. She picked up her box and ran to catch up with him.
Sometime later the airship dropped Anastasia, Yuri and Nika off near the Winter Palace. Nika looked around in amazement, "This place is beautiful." She whispered. Anastasia's eyes brightened; maybe this girl wasn't so bad if she could see the beauty of Russia as much as she herself could.
"This is where I live. I'm the princess you know." Anastasia said.
"Wow, I've never met a princess before." Nika said awe filling her voice.
"How old are you?" Anastasia asked eyeing the girl.
"I'm eighteen." Nika said.
"Well I'm fourteen." Anastasia said as she led the group into the palace. As soon as they entered it was like a swarm of bees, servants were rushing around helping Anastasia and filling her in on everything that had happened. Finally they were led to the main hall where Anastasia's parents were waiting.
"Anastasia, your home!" the Queen said happily. After they had said their hellos Nika was introduced.
"And who have you brought home, daughter?" Anastasia's father asked.
"This is Nika. She was on the train with Yuri." She answered.
"Well after a long train ride you are probably dying for a bath and clean clothes right?" the queen said with a knowing smile.
"Yes, I would thank you, your highness." Nika said with a thankful smile.
"Well then follow me." Nika hugged her box even closer and followed the Queen up a flight of stairs to an unused guest room.
"You may bathe and use any of the clothes in the closet. In fact you can have them if you like." The queen added Nika stood shocked looking around the room.
"This place is beautiful." She whispered.
The queen laughed, "Yes it is, well enjoy your bath." Then she closed the door. Nika carefully placed hr box on the giant bed and turned to the huge closet on the right. She opened it and gasped, her creativity began working in over drive as she gazed at all the beautiful dresses.
She looked through the clothing as she imagined all the cool clothes she could create with it, but she stopped she didn't know what was acceptable in the palace. She moaned and picked a black long sleeved dress the clung to her body and then fluttered out at the waist. The dress would touch the floor just the tiniest bit and she smiled. It was perfect.
She placed in on the bed and went into the bathroom to take a quick bathe. About an hour later she was out and a lady's maid that the queen had sent was brushing her long deep red hair out. Her hair was brushed and the girl offered to pull it up into some stylish thing that Nika could never dream of pronouncing but Nika preferred it to be left down.
She slipped on the black dress and smiled she looked good if she didn't say so herself. She placed a pair of shoes on and turned to her box. She opened it up and slid the sword out. She dug through the letters from her aunt to her father until she found her mother's necklace. She turned to the mirror and put it on. Her hair was about waist length and she was extremely proud of it.
Suddenly she heard a sharp knock on the door. "Hey Nika you awake?" Yuri yelled through the door.
"Yeah come on in." Nika said turning back to her box and placing her sword inside on top of the papers.
Yuri stepped in and stopped short. "Wow."
Nika turned around, "What?" she asked.
"You look great, sure you're not interested in being my girlfriend?" he asked with a teasing grin.
"Yes I'm sure." She said with a smirk.
"Well come on I have people to introduce you too." Yuri said holding the door open for her. Nika smiled and left the room nervous and anxious all at the same time. She had never felt so glamorous before and it was making her slightly light-headed.
Yuri closed the door and walked down the stairs and into the throne room. Nika walked behind him and took a deep breath when they walked into the room. "Yuri, welcome hom…" Kurando had begun to say until he caught sight of what everyone else had already noticed.
"Guys this is Nika." Yuri said pulling her around until she was in front of him.
"Hi." Nika said shyly. She slowly looked up and looked around the people in the room and stopped when her eyes landed on Karin.
"Aunt Karin?" she gasped.