3: Assassin

Train watched the little Princess get taken away. Rukia was forcefully taken alongside her. They were merely pawns to the diabolical man named Aizen. He had never even heard of the man, yet there was a strong fear of him upon the first sighting...

"You Bastard!" Train roared, lifting his arm. The injured limb rose shakily, excruciating pain burning all over. Train gritted his teeth and continued to bring the weapon up, not ready to give up just yet. He pulled the trigger and the recoil nearly broke his arm.

The bullet soared up to the evil man but was blocked by the orange barrier around him. Aizen smirked arrogantly and the rage burning within Train suddenly escaped in a furious outburst that his frail body could no longer contain.

With an earth-shattering roar he fired again and again, unleashing the full extent of his diminishing powers. The muzzle flashes went on and on endlessly and bullets were flying out left right and centre, all of them failing to break through the barrier. Regardless, Train continued to hold the trigger down, screaming bloody murder.

Aizen watched the display with morbid fascination. He was taking enjoyment out of Train's failures.

Train fired the last round and then lowered his weapon, panting heavily. At that point he knew he was not strong enough...Not even close. With a defeat worse than any other, Train vanished, unable to face those he had let down.

He fled the town, running endlessly. Even when he couldn't run no more, he pushed himself beyond what any normal man could do. He ran until he was no longer able to run, then he let himself fall to the ground. He lay there, no longer able to move. He listened to the erratic beating of his heart and the soft whispers of the wind until he drifted off into a dark world where there was no longer any pain...

Train awoke in an unfamiliar home. He was lying in a bed, covered in bandages. He glanced around the room and noticed someone standing by the window, gazing outside at the rising sun. The stranger turned to face Train and a smile crossed his face.

"You are finally awake, Train."

There was something familiar about the man, though it took a moment for his identity to sink in. When it did, Train became lost. He didn't know whether to be happy or enraged. He couldn't decide whether to speak with the man or strangle him and kill him.

The man recognised Train's unease and chuckled softly. "Please Train, I mean you no harm. We are friends after all."

Train coughed violently before glaring up at the man. "We are not friends!"

"Oh please, you cannot deny the bonds we shared. We may have had our problems, but in the end we were always friends...That was why you let me live back then." The man's smile was the final nail in the coffin.

Train was certain of the man's identity now. It was Creed Diskenth...His mortal enemy. Train's glare brought a grin to Creed's face.

"Ah, there he is! The Black Cat is not yet gone!"

"Why am I here?" Train interrupted.

"I found you unconscious in the forest. I had to bring you back to my home where I could treat your injuries." Creed suddenly stiffened. "How have you been? Well I trust?"

Train's glare said it all and suddenly Creed's face paled.

"No...They found you?"

Train was taken aback. "What do you mean?"

"That man...He was looking for that girl, the bio-weapon."

"How do you know about him?" Train sat bolt upright.

"He threatened me! I was going to die! They were going to kill Echidona as well! I had to tell them that you were the one who would lead them to her." Creed flinched, expecting to be attacked. He was right to do so. Train lunged at him, grabbing his throat and choking him.

"You bastard! How could you? You led them straight to Eve and lured that psychopath out of hiding! I swear I'll kill you for this!"

Creed shoved Train back and wheezed. "I never thought they would actually find you and I thought even if they did, the real Train Heartnett would be able to defeat them...Was I wrong?"

Train cursed and sat back down. "They are all dead...But that isn't the problem. The stunt they pulled lured an even greater threat out of hiding and now Eve is being held captive in some other world..."

"I'm sorry..." Creed whispered. "But all is not lost."

Train glanced up at his foe.

"Just then...The Black Cat lashed out. If you can once again bring him to the surface...Then all your opponents shall bow to you!" Creed had the maniacal look in his eyes that had consumed him in the final battle long ago. "I...I shall help you bring that warrior to the surface. I shall revive you Train!"

"And I thought you would change...I was a fool to let you go." Train rose to leave but Creed blocked the doorway.

"You cannot leave! You have not healed-"

"Move!" Train snarled.

Creed merely sighed and smiled. "See...This is good for you. By reuniting with me, that murderous gleam in your eyes has returned. By the time your wounds heal, you shall be the blood-thirsty assassin I always admired!"

Train closed his eyes and cursed. "The only reason I have not knocked you out is because I have a use for you!" Train spoke in a demanding tone. There was no refusing him, his mind was set and he would use force if necessary to get his way.

"Anything for you...Black Cat." Creed smiled wickedly.

Train stared down at the holster by his side and then glanced up with fierce determination. "I need you to train me...In the art of the sword." Train extended a hand.

Creed bowed before taking Trains hand and shaking it firmly. "It would be an honour to pass on my skills to the great assassin. As you wish, I shall teach you all that I know. Soon you shall be unstoppable!"

Train flexed his arm. "Let's start. I have little time to waste."

Creed bowed again. "Follow me."

Train and Creed stood in a plain field. Both held exquisite, shining katanas. Train took up the stance he had been taught over the past few days and tensed his muscles.

Creed waved his sword around in a circle and then pointed it at his opponent. "Come! Show me what you have learned!"

Train roared, charging head on, the blade pointing behind him and facing downward. As he neared he brought the blade up in a diagonal slash. Creed backed away and knocked Train's sword aside before taking a jab at the Black cat's exposed chest. Train back-flipped out of harms way and then lunged forward, thrusting the blade at Creed who gracefully manoeuvred around it and kicked Train in the back.

Train rocked forward but went into a one-handed hand stand, using the free hand to hack at Creed's knees. The former nemesis hopped over the strike and snap kicked Train's stomach, causing him to flop onto his back. Creed then relentlessly stabbed at the ground as Train rolled about.

"Excellent! Your reflexes are astounding! But can you beat me?" Creed doubled his efforts and his wild hacking threw dirt into Train's eyes. He paused momentarily and Creed thought he had the chance to finish this. He jabbed at the blind spot but Train brought his blade up and blocked the strike. The two swords remained crossed and the two battled to overpower the other. They gritted their teeth and grunted and growled. The two put their all into it and eventually Creed was forced to back off, giving Train the chance to get back on his feet, at which point he was panting like a dog.

Creed sheathed his sword and clapped. "Well done. You're improving quickly. In a few more weeks you will be able to surpass me."

Train assumed a fighting stance. "We aren't done here yet!"

Creed smiled. "Yes we are. You are too weak now. Your injuries are taking a large toll on your endurance. You must not push yourself too far. You must wait until you are at your peak and-"

"I'm tired of waiting!" Train roared. "I want to learn how to fight as quickly as possible so that I can save Eve and Rukia!"

Creed scowled. "Once again, the curse of a woman has blinded you to reason. Must this happen all over again?"

Train wiped the dirt from his eyes. "Come on! Finish the training! I've already spent a week doing this, I need to hurry!"

Creed bowed his head and said nothing.

"Hey! Answer me! Creed!" Train slowly approached him but that only made the mentally unstable man snap.

Creed launched a sudden offensive, slashing furiously. Train blocked as best he could but the brute force behind each hit was strong enough to almost knock him over.

"You've been cursed again! I tried so hard to set you free but once again you have fallen from grace! You have been tainted by another woman!"

"What? Are you crazy? Listen to yourself!"

"How dare you! I thought I could help unleash your wrath upon your enemies, but even after all this time you are still a slave to your humanity! You can be so much more! You could achieve what I could not! True immortality! You could be invincible! The ultimate killer!"

"I don't care for your delusional fantasies! I merely want to save my friends! It has nothing to do with becoming a god or taking over the world! It's people with those kinds of aspirations that I have to destroy!" Train fought back, launching his own counter-attack. His rage was fuelling him to fight with renewed vigour.

Creed tried to turn the tide but slowly he recognised it...Train's eyes were changing. They were beginning to glow bright yellow, becoming more feline. The Black cat was truly coming out to the surface.

Creed grinned maliciously and pressed the attack, forcing Train to draw upon his inner assassin more and more until...

'Schluck!'

Creed stared down at his chest where the sword was embedded deep within his flesh. A smile came to his face and he grasped the blade with his bare hands, ignoring the pain as it carved through his palms.

"Train...I did it...I brought the real killer to the surface!" He coughed up blood and then revealed a hideous, bloody grin. "You are almost ready...Now all you need to do is heal your wounds! When that is done, you will be ready to pursue your foes and bring them their bad luck!"

Train smiled grimly. "I guess I should thank you." He yanked the blade out of Creed and watched him collapse to his knees. "I really needed to see you...Seeing your hideous face and listening to your voice...It brought back the hatred that made me stronger!"

Train began to depart when Creed called out to him, crawling after his idol like a fanatical child. "Wait!" He cried. Train paused and glanced over his shoulder. "Take me with you!" Creed begged. "To see you destroy your enemies...To fight alongside you...It would give my life meaning once more..."

Train walked away. "Whatever. Do what you want as long as you don't get in my way!"

Creed clasped his hands together as if praying. "Oh thank you, thank you, thank you! I promise I shall not get in your way as you lay waste to those you despise. I may even make you stronger!"

Train ignored him and continued walking. "How do I get to Karakura?"

Creed thought for a moment. "Let us return to the villa first. You left Hades there. I shall lead you there when we are prepared."

Train waited on the front porch while Creed had a tear-filled farewell with Echidona. The tears were only in her eyes though. Creed's resolve would not waver now that he finally had his long awaited chance to fight alongside the Black Cat.

When they were done Echidona created a portal to the small town of Karakura. The two warriors stepped through, ready to embark on their perilous quest.

They arrived near the river and followed it to a small apartment building. It belonged to Inoue Orihime, the human girl with the amazing ability to heal any wound, no matter how serious.

Train banged on the door to the tiny apartment but there was no answer for quite some time. It was only after several minutes that the door was pushed open but Train got a nasty surprise. Orihime was dressed all in black and wore the saddest face he had ever seen.

"Orihime..."

"Train? Did you hear about...About...I'm sorry!" Orihime fell into Trains arms and wept. He held her for a while until she was able to speak.

"Orihime, what happened? Why are you so upset?"

"So...You really haven't heard?" Orihime asked, stunned.

"No. I've been...Busy lately." Train waited for the explanation.

Orihime took a deep breath and wiped the tears from her eyes. Her cheeks were puffy and red, as were her eyes. She looked like she hadn't gotten any sleep for a few days now. She was truly miserable.

"I really don't know how to say this but...Sven...' she paused for a moment, desperately trying to find the right words. She could not satisfy her wish and her shoulders slumped. She gazed mournfully into Trains eyes and held it steadily as she explained.

"Sven is dead." She said flatly.

Tragic news! Will Train remain strong after hearing of his best friends death or will it weaken him, burying the Black Cat? Could this bring Train to a new level of strength? Find out in the next chapter!

I hope you've been enjoying the story so far. It has been much darker than the predecessor, but it is just as good! Please review. It is your kind words that drive me to write.