SailorStar9: After getting the prologue out, this is Chapter 1 of this fic. (Sighs) Guys and girls, is it too hard for you to leave a review, instead of just putting this fic up on your favorited list and story alerts?

Disclaimers: I own nothing, except for the plot bunny. And just in case you guys ask, yes, this is a Grey/Ren pairing.

Chapter 1: Cobalt Blade

"Almost there." Yamato declared, both he and Tommy the cat making their way towards Mie's café. "The first one through the front door wins, and it's going to be me. Accelerating now!" he sped up. "And Yamato catches huge air!" he leapt off the protruding rock, only to crash onto the café sign outside.

"Yamato, what are you doing out there?" Mie asked.

"You know how I am, mom." Yamato whined. "Tommy challenged me to another race, so I had to. What can I do?" and slid to the ground.

"And the cat wins again." Ren sighed, Tommy jumping into the mobile café. "Should I go get the first aid kit?"

Wait, is it that thing again? Yamato was snapped out of his musing, the image of Cobalt Blade emerging in his mind. It's back. I keep seeing it, but it's not really there. I don't know what it is exactly, but I feel as if it's calling me. What could it be?

It's trying to reach him. Mie realized. I knew this would happen, but he's not ready. "Yamato," she called. "I forgot to ask you for one ingredient. I need you to go back to town to get me some sugar."

"Sure, I can practice racing." Yamato beamed.

"Mie," Ren voiced, once Yamato was out of earshot. "You do know Cobalt Blade will appear before him sooner or later, right?"

"Yes," the older woman sighed. "But…"

"That's what we've been training for." Ren reminded.

"Hey there, Mie." Yamato called, returning. "I got the sugar."

"Oh, Yamato!" Mie sang later that night.

"Is that…" Yamato beamed, his adoptive mother presenting a birthday cake to him. "For me? Chocolate cake and cat treats! My favorite! You're the best, mom."

"You two, go on ahead." Ren waved. "I'll go check on the seal detectors."

"What was that?" Yamato wondered outloud when the candles were blown out by the sudden gust of wind, Grey having entered the café.

"Oh my, who are you?" Mie gasped.

"I'm here for Cobalt Blade." The blond declared. "Hand it over."

"Excuse you," Yamato was confused. "Just what's Cobalt Blade?"

"Don't play dumb." Grey warned. "I know you've got it. I want it now!"

"I knew I smelt a rat." Ren hissed, one of her trench knives rested against Grey's neck. "Grey Michael Vincent… I thought you'd learn the last time you crossed me."

"Shadowcat," Grey spared a look as the female Assassin. "So, this is where you've been hiding. This does not concern you. I'm after the boy." He turned to Yamato. "It took me a year to track you down. It's been a long hard journey. Well, what's the matter? Cat caught your tongue?"

"That…" Yamato hissed. "Was… my… cake! I wish… I had one… if I did, I'll challenge you!"

"What is that?" Grey inquired, light streaming from the cracked wall.

"I don't know." Yamato admitted.

"Cobalt Blade." Ren grinned, removing her weapon from Grey's neck. "The power's finally found him."

The Badaman shot out of its hiding spot and was caught by Yamato.

"Cobalt Blade?" Yamato echoed. "I've seen it in my dreams and now it's mine."

"It's yours, Yamato." Ren concurred. "It's your Badaman. It's your destiny. Cobalt Blade is yours. Now, to put those dodging exercises to the test."

"Then, it's settled." Grey grinned. "One-on-one, direct-hit battle."

"Just be lucky I respect you, Vincent." Ren relented.

"So, is that why I'm the only one who knows how you look under your Assassin mask?" Grey smirked.

"You won't want to play that game with me, Vincent." Ren teased. "You know I'll win."

Grey winced, "Damn, you're right."

"Yamato, I'm so proud of you." Mie beamed, Yamato having won his first battle. "This is your destiny."

"From now on, we're a team, you and I." Yamato told his Badaman. "I'll always keep you loaded and ready to rip, Cobalt Blade."

SailorStar9: Now that's done, read and review.