Rinslet's room
"Numbers IV and VIII?" Rinslet repeated while Lia sighed, "Why did it have to be those two?"
"Yes." Jenos answered to Rinslet. "I think they must be here already."
He turned to Lia as he added chidingly, though he looked sympathetic, "They are good at what they do."
"They also have some major attitude problems." Lia returned, and Rinslet frowned.
For Lia to complain about someone's attitude… And for Jenos to be here to warn her about these people…
"What kind of people are they?" Rinslet asked carefully.
"Battle maniacs." Came the double response from the Hazard siblings, their voices grave.
"They are extremists." Lia spoke up as she looked right at Rinslet with those piercing silvery-grey eyes.
"In order to get their enemies, they won't care even if they burn down the entire city."
Rinslet blinked, stunned at Lia's blunt statement.
Jenos added as he too, looked at Rinslet seriously, "If you don't want to get caught up in this, then you shouldn't head out at this point in time."
Outside Train and Sven's hotel
Train grit his teeth as he tried to maintain his focus.
Of course negotiations to try to prevent a fight to save Kyoko had failed – this was Baldor and Kranz they were talking about. These two at least clearly hadn't changed in the two and a half years since Train had left Chronos.
But… Train wasn't at his full game today – not even close, really.
Yet, his entire body was already hurting like hell from the fight, and they'd barely started. And already Kranz's knife had come too close on his neck, almost hitting Train's nerves, before he'd received another cut across his shoulder after that. He was losing too much blood. Not to mention his body ached from where he'd gone crashing into the restaurant tables, courtesy of Baldor. And his left hand…
It throbbed again, and Train withheld a wince. Even after tying Hades's string around his hand in an effort to keep it steady, his hand was trembling slightly in pain. And his rapid-fire technique had already caused his finger to start bleeding. This body… This weak child's body just couldn't handle all the pressure he was placing on it.
But, he'd made a promise to protect Kyoko. As long as she kept her word, he would keep his…
Train looked up, startled, as the air all around Kyoko shifted, becoming warm and swirling just slightly even as the girl stood near him.
Train's face turned more serious as he watched Kyoko with knitted brows, even as his blood dripped past his fingers where he was putting pressure on his wounds. Was she going to break her promise…?
Train's eyes widened slightly as flames appeared around Kyoko's hands while the teenaged girl stared at Kranz darkly.
The girl suddenly charged forwards, yelling as she drew her flaming hand back to get ready to throw it at Kranz's head.
"Eh?!" Eve gasped, taken aback by Kyoko's actions after all Eve's warnings not to betray Train and Sven's trust that she would keep her word.
Train also watched tensely, wondering if he'd been wrong about the girl – if she couldn't be given a second chance at a peaceful life…
And just as abruptly as Kyoko began her attack, she suddenly screeched to a stop, just feet away from Kranz as her flames suddenly went out. Train watched, startled as Kyoko just stood, unmoving, before her opponent.
Kranz, too, it seemed was confused, and the Number asked scathingly, "… What do you plan on doing, stopping your attack like that? I thought you wanted to kill me…?"
There was another beat of silence before Kyoko lifted her head and answered proudly and brightly, "I won't do it! Even though I'm really angry… But I will keep my promise!"
Kranz's lip curled and he asked, "Oh?"
Suddenly, his Orichalcum knife was right in front of Kyoko's face, and Kranz demanded coldly, "You said… you will keep your promise? I don't know what you're talking about, but will it be okay if I kill you then?"
"… Mr. Black…" Kyoko replied determinedly, "will protect me!"
"Well said!"
Kranz looked up sharply as the shout came from above, and he sensed Train aiming Hades right above his head.
The blind Number quickly darted back in time to avoid the dual shots that landed right where he had been, while Kyoko called happily, "I knew it!"
Train landed back, before he darted after Kranz once more, a proud smirk on his lips.
'You kept your promise.' Train thought to himself proudly. 'So now it's my turn to keep mine.'
"Tra-!" Sven began, probably worried about Train's strained fingers, but Train ignored the call as he fired another quick succession of four shot at Kranz.
The Number sliced through each of the bullets before they could harm him, before he jerked in shock as he cut through the last bullet only for ice to break out everywhere, freezing his vibrating knife.
"This… This is…!" Kranz began, shocked, and Train answered, "Freeze bullet."
Kranz looked up, his lips pursed tightly as Train said smugly, "That knife you're so proud of has been frozen just like that, Kranz!"
Kranz's lips curled unhappily. The missing vibration from his knife meant his abilities were cut in half, as his blindness became a hindrance once more.
Both Sven and Baldor were watching from their side of the fight as well, Sven perking up while Baldor's jaw clenched furiously.
"Heartnet…!" He spat.
But before he could try and exact revenge for his partner, another voice called out brightly.
"Okay, okay! This battle's coming to an end!"
They all looked over in surprise; and Baldor's lip curled.
"Oi, what are you doing here?" He asked darkly, his eyes fixed scathingly on the approaching figure. "I didn't tell you to come, Jenos!"
Jenos just smirked as he strode up from his convertible, just as Rinslet and Lia also hopped out.
"Rins…!" Eve called surprised to see the familiar thief-for-hire, while Sven murmured tensely as he eyed Jenos, "That man… is a Number."
Rinslet, meanwhile had caught sight of Train and she gasped as she took in his wounded state, "Train!"
Train, however, didn't look at her as he kept his eyes warily on the Hazard siblings.
Lia had glanced briefly at him, and though she had probably also noted his injuries she didn't show any outward reaction. Jenos was also observing Train quietly, even as Rinslet hurried over to the brunette.
"Hey, why are you covered in blood?!" Rinslet demanded as she ran. "Are you all right?"
"Huh?" Train asked, before her words sank in and he shrugged. "Oh, yeah, I'm okay; however, the situation can't be considered very good…"
"So, you really did turn into a kid, Black Cat." Jenos commented as he walked up to Train. His tone was friendly but the air around him was chilly, and his eyes behind his shades were slightly cold as they stared back into Train's own gold ones.
Train met Jenos's stare defiantly as he answered, "You have a problem with that… Jenos?"
"So, you know me then." Jenos noted casually.
"Baldor did just say your name." Train replied cheekily though his tone was just a shade too cool to quite be considered casual.
Jenos smirked slightly, wryly conceding Train's point, before they were interrupted by the loud sound of metal chains hitting the ground.
Jenos looked back at Baldor himself as the Number snared impatiently, gripping his weapon, "Hurry up and get out of the way, Jenos! It's not time for you to show up. These people are originally ours to deal with-!"
"I apologize." Jenos interrupted. "Unfortunately, the situation isn't under your control. I'm different from you two – I came here under orders."
Kranz looked up at that, and Jenos's face turned cold as ice as he relayed a message to his fellow Numbers.
"The Vice Commander wants me to send word to you: 'Baldor and Kranz, please return to headquarters immediately.'"
Baldor's eyes widened before he hissed, "What is the meaning of this?"
"It means," Lia cut in as she stepped up beside her brother, "to stop your unauthorized actions and to return immediately, Baldor. Even you should be able to understand that."
Baldor glared at her but Lia looked back just as coldly, and Jenos interjected smoothly, "Leave this place to me to clean up."
His gaze became dark as he added, "If you have any problems with that… I'll take Black Cat's place in dealing with you. And I'm sure Lia would make sure Kranz doesn't disobey orders either."
Baldor's eyes narrowed while Lia nodded and Kranz's jaw clenched.
"Oh…?" Baldor snarled as his grip on his metal ball tightened. "That suits me… Actually… I feel the same way about you two's attitudes as I do about Train's naiveté…"
Jenos's eyes narrowed as Baldor threw his metal ball shouting, "It makes me want to puke!"
Jenos's brows furrowed and his hand tightened just slightly as Baldor's metal ball went flying right between him and Lia, smashing into a parked car that had been right behind them. Lia hadn't even flinched, though her eyes also narrowed warningly as she stared Baldor down.
"… However…" Baldor continued more calmly. "Fighting amongst the Numbers is forbidden. Even I know that rule!"
He glared at them as he continued, "So as much as your playboy ways piss me off, Jenos, and Julia's pathetic reason for staying on as a Number disgusts me…!"
He didn't finish his sentence, nor did he have to.
Train and his friends watched warily as Jenos's entire demeanour changed, becoming dangerous as he glared right back at Baldor. There was no hint of the frivolous man who'd arrived; only the Number remained. Lia, however, continued to look at Baldor coolly, unruffled by his words. She'd heard them before, and knew there was no point in arguing; besides, as Baldor had said, they all knew the rules. And breaking those rules was equivalent to treason against Chronos – something neither Baldor nor Kranz would ever do.
"… Want to end the fight, Baldor?" Kranz asked calmly, sure enough choosing to leave quietly.
"… Yeah, let's stop for now then." Baldor agreed, grudging but yielding to Chronos's will. As Jenos and Lia had known he would.
The pair left like that, Baldor adding over his shoulder in a low snarl, "Heartnet… next time, I will definitely find a chance to eliminate you."
As soon as they were gone, a different form of tension fell upon the group. Train was watching Lia, who was watching Jenos, while Rinslet, Eve, and Sven watched their friend and the enigma that was Lia Hazard silently.
Jenos, meanwhile, was looking up at the ruined motel, nearby restaurant, and various other destroyed or damaged properties around them, and he muttered irritably, "They really went overboard with their little party. This place isn't even under Chronos's jurisdiction. Dealing with the police will take a complete report… Really."
He turned to his sister and he asked brightly and hopefully, "But at least I'll have you there with me, right, Lia?"
Lia looked at him flatly, before she suddenly lowered her head and grabbed her side as she said monotonously, "Ow. Oh no, I think I've reopened my stitches."
"You didn't even try to make that sound convincing!" Jenos accused, and Lia deadpanned, "Are you calling me a liar, brother? Oh dear, I think you've broken my trust in you and hurt my feelings."
"! Now that's just cruel, Lia." Jenos whined, while the others sweat-dropped at his dramatic reaction to Lia's utterly lackluster, almost robotic words.
'He really is an idiot brother like she said.' Train thought as he watched them. 'Still…' his gaze softened as he gazed at Lia, 'at least she still appears to be somewhat normal with him.'
It was at that point that Kyoko piped up, gushing at Train now that it seemed they weren't in trouble any more, "Mr. Black! I kept my promise!"
"Except, you came too close there." Train muttered, sweat-dropping again a little at just how carefree this girl was.
That caught Jenos and Lia's attentions, and they glanced over at Kyoko.
"… Promise?" Jenos wondered, and a voice interjected, "Let me explain."
The two siblings turned to see Sven as the Sweeper said with a huff, "It seems like this Number is easier to reason with."
Jenos looked at the man curiously while Lia tilted her head just slightly as they wondered what Sven meant.
Later
"I see…" Jenos murmured as Sven finished his explanation – the one Baldor and Kranz had ignored in favour of a fight.
They were seated at a nearby restaurant – or, rather, Sven, Rinslet, and Jenos were. Lia stood nearby, leaning against the pillar as she listened thoughtfully from her place behind Jenos, while Train and Kyoko were in the courtyard messing around and pulling Eve into their antics.
"I will have to speak with my superior." Jenos informed Sven. "Only she will be make the final decision."
"By superior, do you mean No. I?" Sven asked, remembering the beautiful and sweet-looking woman whose outward appearance had belied a much stronger and manipulative character. He didn't think he'd forget the trick she'd pulled to get Train to Creed's castle any time soon.
Jenos nodded.
"I was expecting a lot when I came down to fetch Baldor and Kranz, and pick up Lia." Jenos commented. "But I must say, I never anticipated to find what I have."
"You mean about Kyoko?" Sven asked, and Jenos answered vaguely, "Yes, her too."
His eyes moved to rest on Train pointedly, and Sven nodded in understanding. Lia just looked away, before she turned and walked away, no longer interested in the conversation now that she'd heard about Kyoko's situation.
Sven watched her go as she headed off back to Rinslet's hotel, before he looked back at Jenos as the younger man cleared his throat.
"I will call Sephi tonight, and then let you know what her decision is after that." He said, and Sven nodded.
Jenos paused, before he added as he clasped his hands while leaning his arms on his knees. "I suppose I should also thank you."
Sven looked surprised, so Jenos clarified, "For saving my sister."
Sven raised a brow while Jenos continued, "Rins has already told me how Black Cat dove in to rescue her, and how you all brought her here for treatment. I am grateful for this, and owe you enough that I will promise to try work things in Kyoko Kirisaki's favour."
"… You don't have to thank me." Sven answered firmly. "If anything, I think it's Train and Rinslet you should thank. He did the rescuing, and Rinslet paid for everything."
"I've already thanked Rins." Jenos answered as he sent the purple-haired young woman a grin.
Rins didn't return it, too busy waiting curiously as Jenos turned back to Sven as he added, "And I was hoping you would pass my thanks on."
"You could just tell him yourself." Sven pointed out, though it was more of a test; he thought he knew why Jenos didn't wish to speak to Train.
Jenos's grin turned into a smirk as he read Sven's intentions, and the Number confirmed as he stood up, "I don't think I could thank that guy in person. So, I'll ask you for this favour just this one time."
He then waved over his shoulder as he walked off to clean up Baldor and Kranz's mess and call Sephiria about Kyoko.
Train watched the man go over Kyoko's shoulder, just as he had watched Lia leave.
And just like Lia, Jenos didn't once look back even though he felt those piercing gold eyes on his back the entire way.