A/N: Hi everyone.

Here's the next chapter after a really long wait.

Hope you'll find it enjoyable.

I'm sorry for the wait by the way but I have kinda forgotten what I had initially planned to do with this fic and so now I have to make up the plot as I go. Which means that if you would like me to add something in there, or if you'd like to make something happen in this story, feel free to PM me and give me your ideas.

In simple words, I've hit a block on this fic and unless I can get some idea on what I should do next… well, let's just say you guys will be in for a looooonnnng wait once again.

So don't hesitate to give me your suggestions. I might just be able to turn it into the plotline. ;) ;) (Or the next chapter at the very least.)

Oh and before I forget. REVIEW!!!

No go ahead and enjoy.

"And what would I have to pay for that rabbit?" the sweeper asked.

Yuuko turned back to look at him, her eyes soft and filled with sadness as she looked at something behind him.

"Saya." She uttered softly.

"Saya?" Train repeated incredulously. What kind of stupid price was that? Train was just about to voice his thoughts when something soft brushed his arm from behind. Looking behind him he saw his friend's spirit standing there causing him to mentally sigh in relief. So Yuuko was just addressing her spirit, not naming his price.

Wait a second, why was he so worried about what he might have to pay? It's not like Yuuko was actually some sort of time space witch who granted wishes, was she? That was just not possible. But for some reason a small voice at the back of his mind kept telling him otherwise.

"Hello Yuuko-san." Saya smiled softly.

"You know each other?" Train asked as he looked at the two.

"We have met before." Yuuko replied as she turned around and walked back to the sofa. "Several times. Now," she said once she had seated herself. "About your price."

"Yuuko-san," Saya spoke softly before Train could answer the witch. "I'd like to pay a part of the price for his wish."

"What?" Train almost yelped, looking at her in surprise.

"You do know what that might entail?" Yuuko question solemnly.

"I do." The green-eyed spirit nodded.

"But it's my wish Saya," Train looked at his friend's ghost. "You don't have to pay anything."

"I also wish to save Eve-chan Train-kun," she replied with a soft smile. "And I believe the only way for me to get my wish is if you get yours. So I'll pay the price with you."

"But neither of us even know what it is yet." He protested.

"So why don't we ask her, hmm?" she giggled lightly before turning to the space time witch. "Yuuko-san?"

"The price for you, Train, will be Saya," she said soberly, "And for Saya, it will be the journey and then passing on."

"What?!" This time the Black Cat really did yelp. "You mean you're going to take away my memories of her, like that princess?" he asked remembering the story he had been told by those two weirdoes.

"The price of your memories of her," Yuuko repeated. "That price is what I would ask of you," she said locking her crimson eyed gaze with his, "if Saya had not offered to pay a part of it."

"So you won't take my memories?" Train sighed in relief, feeling a bit stupid that he was even considering the possibility of something like that happening.

"No," the woman before him shook her head, not breaking eye contact with him. "Instead of that, I will merely take away you ability to sense her presence."

"My ability to sense her presence?" Train repeated dumbly before it clicked.

"You will no longer be able to see, hear or feel her around you." Yuuko explained, "As for Saya, she will have to accompany you on this journey and once you are finished, she will move on."

"I-I… I will n…"

"I will pay the price."

-0-

"That idiot," Sven sighed as he emptied he drained the last of his tea. He was sitting on a stool next to the counter, observing the three foreigners out of the corner of his eye. His gaze travelled to the wall clock hanging behind the counter. It was 11:45 pm and there was still no sign of Train.

Kyoko had left somewhere around ten thirty, claiming that she would get in trouble if she didn't go back to the dorm soon. Apart from her part time sweeping job, the pyro was also pursuing her studies and was currently in college. She had promised to let them know if she spotted Train on her way.

But the ex-assassin had just vanished into thin air. Sven knew he could take care of himself but he was still worried for his partner. He couldn't help it. It was just that Train never acted his age, except for when he was angry, so it was kind of hard not to worry.

"Don't worry, he'll show up." Annette said gruffly as she collected his empty cup.

"You believe their story?" Sven asked her, training his eyes on the red-eyed man who had talked to him in the park, Kurogane. He was currently throttling a white plushy which was actually not a plushy at all.

"Even if it does seem too far-fetched," the blond sighed, "I can't help but wonder."

Sven himself had decided to reserve his judgment for now. He had seen some strange thing in all his years of sweeping, which included his encounters with the Apostles of Stars, the Zero numbers and Eden. Dimension travel might seem a bit of a long shot but it was a possibility he was forced to consider.

Those foreigners were a strange lot. The red-eyed man was a ninja of some ancient Japanese kingdom. Sven could tell that the guy was loyal to his friends and cared about them deeply. Enough to lay down his own life for them. Or well, one of his arms at least.

That blond. He was part-magician, part-vampire. He acted in very happy-go lucky manner which reminded him, a lot, about Train. There was this strange deadly air about him, like the Black Cat, so Sven knew that he could be serious when he wanted to. And he was dangerous.

And then there was the boy. he was unsure of what it was that the boy used to do before the start of their journey across the dimensions but the look in his brown eyes reminded Sven of someone who had seen a lot of troubled times. And the way he walked, it was like he had some sort of heavy burden on his shoulders.

All three of them, they all reminded him of Train.

The ninja was protective, the blond was deadly and loyal and the boy, he was determined. Those were the qualities that Train possessed as well.

But why exactly was he comparing them and Train?

He watched Annette approach the group. She exchanged a few words with the blond and the boy. The ninja had apparently chosen to let them do the talking. After a while, she nodded and motioned for them to follow her.

Near the stairs that led to the spare guest bed in the bar, she turned to me.

"I'll get the other room set up for you. You can wait here for him if you want."

I nodded to her, silently telling her of my gratitude before resuming my silent wait.

Thunder rolled overhead, hailing the oncoming storm.

"Train, you better get back in one piece." I muttered under my breath as I got up and took up the place that group of foreigners had been occupying previously.

-0-