Disclaimer: I do not own Black Cat nor FSN, their world belongs to Yabuki Kentarou and Kinoko Nasu respectively.
Chapter 4
Sephiria massaged her temples as she waited for her food to arrive. It had been one week since her unexpected run-in with Emiya Shirou. It was also, quite possibly, the most stressed out week of her life yet. Most of it didn't come from her mission, oh no, they came from the constant teasing concerning her relations with the chef. Apparently, teasing Number One had become a new pastime for some of Chronos's Number. The most constant offender being Jenos and David. Occasionally, Emilio and Baldorias would join in, though it's more taunting and scathing remarks than anything else. Thankfully, Belze and Anubis would usually stop them before they got too far out of hand.
Unfortunately, they also use that chance to get in some jibes themselves.
"Are you alright, miss Sephiria?" Shirou asks in concern as he puts down her plate, apparently seeing her actions.
"I'm alright. Thank you for asking, Shirou." She replies, feeling a bit better now that she was in his presence.
Another part of her problems stemmed from her interactions with the chef. She just couldn't figure him out. Sure, she now knew that his current persona wasn't fake, and that he really is a nice guy. Problem is, she can't associate this image with the fighter she saw that night. On the other hand, he knows that she was his opponent that night, yet he hadn't even tried to confront her about it. Also, for some reason, she tends to let down her guards around him more than usual. It was a little bit disturbing, especially for one in her line of work where a dropped guard can mean certain death.
"Are you sure? You really look tired." Shirou spoke up, his eyes radiating his concerns for her wellbeing.
"I'm fine, it's just some stress, that is all." For the briefest of moments, she could have sworn that she felt herself heating up.
"...All right then. If you say so." There was still worry in his voice to indicate otherwise, but it seems that he was willing to let it drop for now.
"Come to see Shirou again, Sephiria?" Train's familiar voice rings out as he enters the stand with his usual group, minus Saya and Eve.
'Great,' Sephiria thought to herself. 'Here come troubles.'
Outside of Chronos, Train was one of the few people who had the gall to tease her.
Rinslet and Saya would be two others. Those two would twist her words to make it seem like she liked Shirou. Sven was too polite and wary of her to do so and Eve doesn't really care.
"I was merely here to eat, Heartnet." Came her terse response.
"Oh really? How many times does that makes it now? Two? Three?" Rinslet asks her, not even trying to hides her intentions.
"...The food here is quite exquisite and not too expensive. Is it so wrong wanting to be pragmatic?" Sephiria replies, continuing to eat despite Rinslet's attempt at teasing. Out of the corner of her eye, she notices Shirou tensing for a moment before relaxing, albeit more guarded than before. Her eyes narrowed, Sephiria ponders on what could have caused him to react like that. It's certainly not Rins's teasing. Whenever Shirou got caught in it, he would just blush and try to stammers his way out. The group usually got a laugh out of his reactions.
"You're staring at him. Again." Train's amusement was clear.
"I was merely observing his work." The reply was short and curt.
"His work? Or his body?" Maybe she did stare too intensely. Her answers were a little snappier than usual.
Deciding not to dignify that question with an answer, Sephiria finished her meal before paying.
"Here's your change. Thank you for visiting out stand." Surprisingly, it was Shirou who handed her the money. Though his smile looked a bit strained. He soon returned to the kitchen to works on the others orders.
As she checked the amount, a habit of hers, she notice a slip of paper among the numbered bills. Curious, she opens it. It reads: "We needs to talk. Meet me at the local park tomorrow, 7:30PM."
Folding the note, she placed it into her pocket before leaving. Never noticing a pair of golden eyes following her, nor its owner grin.
After Sephiria leaves
"Wow, your food is good as usual Shirou." Sven commented as he finishes the last part of his food.
"Thank you. So what are you guys doing today?" Shirou replies as he clears away some of the used discs.
"Well, I'm going to go hunt for this group. Want to help me out, Shirou?" Saya asks the red haired chef.
"Maybe. Who's the target this time?"
"A bunch of smugglers. Their leader's name is uhm, Sasuke something. They're hiding down at the warehouse 23 in the 7th district." Saya fished out a small paper from her obi.
"Sasuke? Wait. Don't tell me you're after the 'Haxxors'? " Sven commented as he recounts the few things he'd heard about that gang.
"Sasuke Ito. Bounty-7 million. Crimes committed: Murder, rape, Trafficking illegal object. Status wanted: Dead or alive." Eve recites the information she has read on the newspaper.
"Sounds like a dangerous guy. All right Shirou, go out there and be a Hero of Justice!" The head chef/manager cries out, while pointing dramatically towards Shirou.
"Eh heh heh ...sure. Looks like I'm in." Shirou sweatdrops at his boss's antics. The man could be really weird sometimes.
After Shirou left for the kitchen, Rinslet decided to voices her question: "Oi Train. What's with that stupid grin on your face? You're been like that ever since that lady left."
"Oh really? Guess I didn't notices." Train replies lightly, the grin never leaving.
"All right, you must have seen something interesting, so talk."
"Well, as she were leaving, I saw her reading a small piece of paper. I'm pretty sure that she found it when she was counting her money."
"Wait, so Shirou was the one who made the first move? Damn it! Looks like I lost the bet with Jenos." Rins pouted.
"Hey, did you saw what was written in there Train?" Saya asks her milk drinking buddy.
"Nope. But we can just follows Shirou. Anyone in?" Train looks around to check if Shirou has heard their little conversation.
"I'm in." Rins and Saya reply at the same time, both grinning mischievously.
"I'm in as well. Someone has to keep you guys out of trouble." Sven volunteered, though his face looks more amused then resigned.
"Princess? You're not coming?" Train asks the little blond girl, whose response was only the shaking of her head, too focused on a book she was reading.
"All right then."
"What were you guys talking about?" Shirou asked as he re-emerges from the kitchen, carrying Train's second serving.
"Oh nothing. And good luck on your hunt tonight."
That night
A lone figure could be seen on the rooftop of a building, staring down at the warehouse below. In his left hand, a sleek black bow could be seen.
"Are you ready?" He asks into the ear piece.
"Yup. Cover for me, okay?" A feminine voice replies.
"Sure, no problem."
Suddenly, an arrow materializes in his remaining hand. Carefully, he angles the bow down below, before firing at the guard stationed on the back door of the warehouse. He then repeated the action three more times, taking down the rest of the guards. He watched as his partner entered from the back.
"Wow. Your accuracy sure is amazing."
"Thank you. How many of them are in there?"
"Around seven. Ito is talking with three of them. Another is guarding the door. Two others are patrolling. I could probably takes out the first five, but the other two are going to be a problem."
"How about I take care of one of them for you?"
"Sure. Take the one nearer to your side. It's easier."
"Hang on a second." He takes a look at the target. He could probably shoot him, but the window would probably alter the path of the arrow so that it wouldn't be fatal. Well, a normal arrow that is.
"I am the bone of my sword," he mutters to himself, another arrow appears. As he took aim, the arrow transforms into an arrow of light. Releasing it, a blue light trailing its path.
It hit the outer wall of the warehouse, just below the window. An explosion soon followed the impact. The archer can heard frantic shout from the other end of the line, before the sounds of gunfire rungs out.
"Are you alright?" he asks as soon as the commotion died down.
"Yeah, I'm fine. That explosion you caused was a nice distraction. How did you that by the way?" His female partner questions him.
"Trade secret." He chuckles into the communication device.
"You're no fun Shirou." The archer could feel his partner pouting on the other hand.
"Just collect the proof we need Saya."