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The following is a fan-based

FICTION

F/SN, F/Z, F/KPI and other products related to the Fate Series are all owned by TYPE-MOON, Kinoko Nasu and Takashi Takeuchi.

All Parts of the JJBA are all owned by Hirohiko Araki.

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Chapter 13: Crazy Train, Part 1

With the key now under their possession, it was time to get to their destination. Instead of going for a straight line to get to destination, Bruno had decided to plan out a trip through multiple stops.

First to Florence via an Express train, then to Ferrara via car, and finally to Venice via boat. It was an expensive trip, but there was enough money to get it through with the appropriate means without getting attention aimed at them. With those following them proving to be a few steps ahead when it comes to simpler plans, Bruno argued that it was best to go through the hurdle of making it a bit longer than initially planned to shrug off anyone still chasing them and… the car ride to get to Naples' train station sure proved to be fairly awkward due to a circumstance that Sakura could only dislike due to her own preferences on the matter itself.

Sakura doesn't like people bickering. Even if it is for good reasons.

It's a bit of a dislike that she built in the last few years through the way both her father and mother were keen to engage in some heated conversation from time to time. It wasn't something that reached unpleasant levels, but it was a constant element that could be created whenever the two were talking. The loudness, the displeasure for one another due to some issues within their relationship and… the bitterness that was left behind towards themselves when it came to the aftermath of those circumstances. So, in a way, she was upset when he learned that Caren and her uncle. Abbacchio had good reasons to put her through that lecture, something that the silver-haired girl still didn't appreciate considering the success of that mission.

"It's not about winning, Caren. It's about the fact you put yourself through an unnecessary risk without letting us know what you were going to do!"

The irritation was justified, by all means that wasn't something she was opposed to, Sakura knew that Caren was someone that tended to headbutt into trouble her own silent way. If her friend saw something she had to do and she knew that it was going to get her scolded beforehand, she would just do it quietly and without notifying anyone. And while that hadn't backfired just yet, Leone was correct in thinking that it was a wrong habit to foster. Sakura herself had told this much to Caren but… it was a stage for their own bickering most of the time. It was that stubbornness that tended to really put them at odds before this matter and… there wasn't much to do or say about it without further incensing the girl.

"I had it under control-"

"And how did you know that?" Leone rebuked fiercely, almost matching if not exceeding Caren's own temper. "We had limited sight on the Stand User, we knew a fraction of his abilities- what were the chances he could heal within the mirror world? What if you died because you had to prove a point?!"

To prove a point. To whom? Herself. Sakura couldn't help but nod at that, closing her eyes as she knew that, as the two kept on yelling at each other, that Leone had hit a particularly sore spot on both Caren… and Sakura. In fact, this very adventure, this dangerous trip across the peninsula was a bit more than just for family's sake and… it was embarrassing to even think about the real reason. It made her feel so childish and stupid but-

"The skies are clearing up," Giorno hummed, reminding the plum-haired girl that the young man, his 'cousin' was sitting near her in the van they were using to get to their destination. "Could be a good sign."

Sakura hummed, barely paying attention to that remark and ending up gaining a curious look from the blond as he decided to cheek more on her.

"How are you holding?" Giorno's concern finally pierced through his calm voice, surprising Sakura just briefly.

Was she that open to others with her own doubts and uneasiness? Maybe. She felt small again, a frail little girl that could barely hold back a sob when one showed her affection. It was a painful reminder of a past she had thought forgotten and… it wasn't important here.

"I'm holding well."

Curt, 'too curt' she chided herself. She should have been less stiff with that response and, as expected, that didn't satisfy the blond.

"I can tell this much, but I was more concerned about the fact you haven't contacted your father just yet."

A fair assumption. She had held back from calling Jotaro and telling him she was fine. That she was doing well and… that there was someone trying to kidnap her. The girl just knew the man would stop whatever he was doing to get to Italy, to track down the guy behind this whole mess and personally take care of this trouble.

…

But something stopped Sakura from actually valuing this option as a feasible one. Something that held her back from contacting her father, from telling him that this situation had escalated well beyond her expectations and… that part of her was dreading that this was more complicated than she wanted it to be. Is it wrong for a daughter to be ashamed of her poor judgment and face that stoic face from her father telling her 'I told you' with a mere glance?

She glared at her feet. "He knows I can handle it. I don't need to report to him everyday."

"But… wouldn't it make you happy if he knows you are alright?"

The question hit her quite weird. It wasn't the first time someone raised that fair point, Sakura wasn't someone that would be so stubbornly prideful to admit defeat in these instances regardless of this matter, but there was something about this matter that she knew she couldn't afford to just bow down to. And that was a sense of responsibility towards promises she made here. She was the one that joined this group for goodness' sake, that she took on this burden to help others, to stop a horrible plot and to ultimately be there for family. Giorno was family regardless of the circumstances that brought him up.

It felt a duty to her, something that matched with her own past's dismay. How many kids were being abused by drugs and other criminal deeds? How many were dealing with a childhood akin to hers? Back then, she was just a little girl that couldn't control her destiny… but that changed. And it all started when she discovered her Stand and used it against Angra Mainyu. The power she used against it, the rush of energy, the vigor of being a good person- it all hit her at once and left a mark that can't be ignored. A badge of honor, a burden of power that comes when one bears morals born from hardship and pain. She knew that… she had to do it. Because it was her first step into being her own person rather than someone that hid in the shadows. It was her prerogative as a well-meaning individual trying to make the world better by proving herself she could do her part without asking for help. Having others to support her was one thing, but she had to pull her own weight if she wanted to make her point clear. Sakura had to be the person she considered herself to be even before these frightening circumstances.

"It would. But it would make him worry," She finally answered, glancing at Giorno. "Are you afraid too?"

The counter-question had the blond tense up just for a while. Despite his best efforts, even Giorno had that 'shiver' that could be depicted as someone that was holding well, but still having his own doubts in his resolution. Small hints of skepticism about his own success.

"At times."

"But it's for the right thing. We are… doing good things for those that need help."

"Yes. We are," The young man confirmed with a small smile, one that was dense with genuine acceptance. "But that doesn't mean we can't talk about our doubts with others. And you should since… you have someone to talk to."

The reminder stung Sakura in a burning matter. Giorno didn't have the same kind of moral support she had. Not one that he could depend on within a finger-snap decision. He was 'alone' in a way, with no one behind him that would provide him with the support that Sakura could rely on right now. There was some silence at that, but Sakura's mind didn't cease to think about it. What if, instead of her seeking solace in talking with her father… someone else did. After all, she didn't have a sense of urgency about it, but she felt justified to do something quite unusual for her cousin.

"How about you talk to him?"

Giorno blinked. "Who?"

"My dad. You are family with him too."

Reluctance flared at that offer. It wasn't like that was something expected from that conversation, but Sakura tended to be particularly 'unique' when it came to resolutions to tough dilemmas of this kind. And she could tell that would solve a good part of her worry without having to actually be fully honest to her father.

"…Would it even be alright? My father was-"

"More Jonathan than Dio. You are not his enemy," The plum-haired girl argued with a calm smile. "Plus, he could give you some tips on using your Stand since it's similar to his."

That seemed to give him an interesting point to value. After all, he might have been natural with ｢Gold Experience｣ and his ability in close quarters, but the notion of 'training' that ability to be more refined? That was too good to say no to and… he decided he would do so only after they arrived in Florence. Considering the length that conversation was going to have, Sakura had no issue to force him to talk with Jotaro earlier. Plus, at this hour, it had to be soon to be dinner, so perhaps it was best to not disturb home this soon.

Just as they finished that conversation, the girl noticed a pouting Caren looking away from Abbacchio, arms crossed close to her chest to further emphasize her irritation. A sight that became reason for giggles from Trish and Narancia as they hadn't expected the girl to be able to pull off such an expression. Something that was eventually tamed off from Leone's annoyed glaring as he still kept quite protective of the girl despite their current debacle. Something that got Caren to smile for a split second.

Soon the van started to pull over as they arrived at their destination. The train was soon to leave, so they went through the documents verification process swiftly, bringing on their bags with haste to the right train and boarding it. Soon they were moving, with the fast vehicle making its way to the Italian city renowned for its unique brand of Renaissance and the home of many great artists and poets. Still, despite their best efforts to keep anonymous through the boarding, a shadow loomed over their approach.

A bird-like construct saw them from its distant perch, notifying its creator of what the group was planning to do next.

"They are going to Florence."

Atrum smiled briefly as he heard the first good news of a very troubled week. Here he was trying to put his best efforts in trying to capture the heiress to the Matou Clan and he was being stopped by this gang of thugs and scumbags that knew little of the girl's potential. A disgraceful delay that he couldn't accept anymore, and something that he had already planned to deal with as soon as he got to Florence with his private plane. The expenses were getting particularly high, and the fact this was further going to add to the growing suspicions of the Clock Tower meant he had to be careful with his next moves. He had to strike quick and be certain of winning this one without any mistakes at hand. Passione, this group of normal fools that were starting to leave him with headaches, shall face his wrath once he was through with this plan.

He just needed Sakura, and then all the pieces of his ambitious goal would be realized. Closing his eyes, he almost wondered if this was just going to be more complicated than how it has been to get hold of the other brat he had currently under his custody. To be fair, this other child had been well-sheltered away from known avenues, and it has been only thanks to a friendly 'admirer' as the info dealer had called himself that he found out about her. To think that such a gift was just around the corner, waiting for him to come in to take her and prepare her impressive magecraft for something the three founding families had so long tried to accomplish but failed because of it. Tilting his chair backward, Atrum stared at the lady that had provided him that information and decided to look more into how his 'guests' were right now.

"By the way, how are they? Any surprises have occurred while I was out?"

The woman's gaze lowered at that, a sign of embarrassment and expectation for a form of punishment.

"No. They are restrained as ordered but… I think the child is doing… things."

Preposterous. Despite the innate ability this girl had, there was no way that the girl had the means to use her gift under the heavy restraints he personally applied to her. Yet, the way his minion voiced it meant that something had happened to make them worried. Which was quite a red flag considering recent circumstances. At this point, he couldn't just ignore these minor issues. Not when those could easily disrupt their plans.

"What about?"

Unease poured into the girl's expression. "She is… talking to someone. We can't pick up her words since she is whispering but… it feels like she believes someone is listening to her and…"

"Has someone infiltrated the facility where she is being held?"

"N-Not that we know, no. We inspected the cameras' footage, but found no hints of anyone getting inside."

…This didn't mean anything. It could be that their current troublemaker was actually more ingenious than he would have expected. Could it be someone from the Clock Tower? Considering how active the Wizard Marshal had been in recent times about any affairs tied to the Holy Grail affair, it wouldn't be a surprise that he sent someone to face them. But what really worried Atrum was to determine who this spy was and how he was meant to either bribe him out or kill them.

"What about the mother? Has she shown any sign of interacting with someone?"

"No, she is behaving as usual with… her usual head shakes. But that has been a behavior they picked up from the very beginning of their captivity, their necks tend to grow sore due to their restraints."

The blond nodded in agreement. "I see…"

For the time being, the Sakatsuki situation seemed to be mildly stable if not compromised just partially.

"Well, I believe this dedication beseech some affection. Don't you think so? How about you come closer?"

The woman smiled, almost dropping any form of formality and unease as she felt 'rewarded' by a strong and beautiful man such as himself.

Ah, how easy it is to capture maidens' hearts…

AN

Sakatsuki, that's a name that is quite unique within the Nasuverse…