Black Cat Fan Fiction ❯ A Different Fate ❯ Bad Cat ( Chapter 3 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Disclaimer: I don't know own Black Cat for if I owned Train, I would be a very happy girl.

He sat on his lumpy gray couch within the confines of his room, flipping aimlessly through the channels on his scratchy TV stopping only at the mention or appearance of a train or black cat.


Creed had gone over a week without seeing his beloved partner and he was beginning to get twitchy. No missions, no word, no sightings… nothing.


Where, oh where has my cat gone? Thought the sliver haired man dramatically as he sank further into the couch, dropping the remote to the floor as he settled on watching a cat show. The black one instantly became his favorite as he rooted for it‘s victory.


He sighed for the millionth time. He was bored. Bored and lonely. He was always lonely without Train. That’s how he was before he met the Black Cat and that’s how he was now.


Why haven’t they been given a mission? Even catching a purse snatcher with Train was enough. Just something, anything, that would allow him to see his precious again.


Stupid Chronos with all their stupid people. Of course that excluded Train and himself. They didn’t belong in such a baby group anyway.


Maybe Train’s getting solo missions and doesn’t need me. Creed whimpered at that thought. The day they were no longer partners was the day Creed would go completely over the edge.


He began to contemplate over Number XIII, reminiscing about the moments they shared together. All the missions they’ve been through, all the times they faced death together, the times they’ve seen death together, their conversations.


Well, most the their conversations had consisted of Creed’s ramblings on how perfect

Train was, but they have had meaningful talks before where Train actually contributed. Creed enjoyed those the most.


A small frown formed on the swordsman’s face at an unrelated thought. Train seemed to be changing. Though his personality, sense of humor and laid back attitude was essentially the same, the way he handled missions was slightly different.


Like the Merriam mission. Though Train killed the target flawlessly as usual, he seemed a little troubled after the man had fallen down dead.


Train didn’t show emotions towards the death of some worthless human. He would normally kill them, then go home and sleep. Even showing an ounce of sympathy was odd for the Black Cat.


It was disconcerting. If Train lost his killer instinct, who knows what would happen to him?


Creed shuddered at that thought, but decided it would never happen. There was no need to worry about Train. He could take care of himself just fine.


Still… another quick search around town couldn’t hurt, right?


Deciding it couldn’t, Creed grabbed his cream colored jacket, carefully sliding his arms through and straightened it. He left his apartment with a new resolve.


I’ll find you, Train. If it’s the last thing I do.


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Train lay there on the hard, steel bed and thin matress tossing and turning over the thoughts that swam through his troubled mind. The conversation that just took place had been more than aggravating.


“You are our pet. Chronos is your master.”


Train’s throat was beginning to hurt from all the growls he uttered. Just a pet, huh?
On a recent solo mission, Train was ordered to kill another random soul. This one was considered far less dangerous than that smuggler, hence it being a solo mission.


What’s so wrong about letting that loser live? He was just that. A loser. And after that threat of mine, he won’t be causing anymore problems for anyone.


The golden eyed man smirked at the memory of the man’s chubby face as he told him to get out of town. He was shaking uncontrollably as his eyes glanced around at his fallen comrades, all of which were still alive.


There was no doubt he wet his pants. Train laughed out loud at that. How many does that make now? Ahh, I lost count. Oh well.


Once the laughter quieted, his thoughts drifted back to the conversation he had with the Chronos Elders, his supposed masters.


He Turned on his side so he was facing the cold, dreary wall. The lack of seeing anything fun allowed Train's thoughts to analyze his actions more thoroughly. That was the reason he was locked in this godforsaken room in the first place, right?


He sighed heavily. Was he wrong? Should he have killed that man as well as his comrades? Even now they seemed harmless. They posed no threat to Chronos or its order. They were just a waste of time and bullets.


Not only his actions, or lack thereof, infuriated the Elders, but Train’s sass-talk effected their demeanor as well. They weren’t used to someone speaking to them as if they were nothing special.


Injured their precious pride, did I? Suppose they don’t like free-thinking…Or free living for that matter.


What was so wrong about wanting to live freely? Why couldn’t he live his life the way he wanted? It was his life after all. He belonged to no one.


Saya was free and she lived a happy life and Train had finally figured out why. She had freedom.


Freedom…


Funny how a seven letter word could have such an impact on a person. Like a paper clip next to a magnet, Train was drawn to it. Deciding not to think too much more into the matter, the Black Cat rested his head into the pillow and allowed sleep to take him over.


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Creed arrived at the Chronos Headquarters seeing as Train wasn’t at his apartment or anywhere around it and questioned any and every living soul he came across.


After receiving the same answer from the fiftieth person, the unbalanced man lost a little more of he's sanity weights.


“What do you mean it’s confidential? I’m his partner How can you keep the whereabouts of him from me?!” Creed was close to strangling the pathetic man. He was worthless anyway, so who would miss him?


“Sorry, but I cannot tell you,” replied the random Chronos crony.


He watched the man walk away, focusing all his energy into not slicing the man in half. He needed to find Train first. Keep your priorities in check, Creed. Train comes first. Breathing hard, he noted that he would have to memorize the low-life’s face and kill him later.


Clearly something was wrong. Why would Train’s whereabouts being kept private? Especially from Creed.


The assassin had checked everywhere. Every hall, room, alcove, window, corner. He even climbed up to the roof and searched there. He knew how much his cat loved high places.


There’s just one hall left. Creed thought tiredly, but there was no way Train would be down there. This hall had only one room in it: The Disciplinary Room. Why would Train be there?


In Creed’s desperation to find the Black Cat, he walked resolutely down the hall to the single room on the left side.


He peeked through the small window into the narrow, but long room. A toilet was placed at the very end and a small, steel bed with a thin mattress on top to the left.


On further inspection of the bed, he noticed it was occupied. Creed’s heart froze and his face drained its color as he eyed the sleeping figure. Though he was facing the wall,
Creed knew that dark, spiky hair and slim form anywhere. It was definitely his Train.


Needing to get to Train, Creed gasped the doorknob hard and turned it violently. Finding that useless, since it was lock, he resorted to relying on his beloved sword to free the sleeping cat.


“Creed Diskenth, what do you think you’re doing?”


Creed turned his head wildly to reveal who had interrupted him. Sephiria Arks stood there with an incriminating look in her steel blue eyes as she studied Creed. She held a tray of food Creed which assumed was for Train.


There isn’t even any milk there. What are they doing to him?


The swordsman turned to face the swordswoman completely. He pointed angrily towards the room where Train was locked up, “Why the fuck is Train locked up in there?!”


He doesn’t even have a proper bed. I hope that doesn’t hurt his back.


“That does not concern you,” Sephiria replied in a calm tone.


Creed gripped his sword tighter, which was aimed at the door, in attempt to control his angry enough not to decapitate the woman. He was getting sick of hearing Train’s business was not his business. Train was all his business.


“Why does a matter involving my partner not concern me? I want to know what happened!” screamed the assassin.


Sephiria, sensing the madman’s rising homicidal rage, came to the conclusion that it was best to tell him of the Black Cat’s situation. Who knows what he’d do in this current state of mind.


That’s a question that needs no answer. It’s obvious what he’d do.


“Train was recently sent on a solo mission to dispose of an enemy of Chronos,” Sephiria started. Even saying that to Creed was a risk. She wasn’t sure how he’d react to the fact that Train went on a mission without him.


“On that mission,” Sephiria continued, noticing the man’s disposition didn’t go through a dramatic change. “Heartnet deliberately disobeyed orders and spared the target. After this disobedience, the Elders ordered he appear before them and allowed him a chance to explain his actions and offer another chance to complete the mission. Not only did he refuse their offer, but he mocked them.”


First, Creed had to get over the fact that Train had been on a mission without him. Then, he dwelled on the fact that Train failed a mission.


No, not failed. He allowed that person to live. But why?


He scowled at Sephiria, “So you locked him up? Train doesn’t deserve to be locked up. He hates being confined to one place.” He swung Kotetsu so its tip pointed directly in Sephiria’s face, “Release him and I won’t kill you.”


Sephiria was able to keep herself calm as she answered Creed’s barely controlled anger,


“He is to be locked up for ten days to think over the wrongs he has committed.”


Creed scowled even harder at the idea of his beloved committing a wrong.


“It’s already been eight days, Creed. He will be released in two more,” Sephiria answered flat toned.


“I know basic math, Number I,” Creed said through clenched teeth. “How long he has left means nothing because you will release him now.”


“It’s not your decision to make, Diskenth.”


The two stared at each other. Sephiria’s in-control-of-my-emotions attitude was draining Creed’s already drained patients and Creed‘s release-my-partner-now-or-else words were disturbing Sephiria.


After several minutes of staring, the silver haired man finally let out a sigh, “Do you know the cause of Train’s decision?”


The blonde woman narrowed her eyes and sighed as well. It was clear Creed wouldn’t leave without knowing the Black Cat’s situation in full detail.


“Seems you don’t know everything about XIII after all.” The swordsman let out an angry growl.


Sephiria shook her head, “We’ve recently discovered that he has made contact with a young sweeper girl. They appear to be good friends.”


What does she mean by ‘good’? Creed asked in his mind worriedly. How good is ‘good’?


“Not only have they become close, but Train seems to be drifting towards her lifestyle,” Sephiria finished, remembering the dark haired assassin’s comments on freedom.


Creed’s favored sword dropped slightly as his arm went weak. Sweeper girl? Good friend? Drifting? Drifting towards a sweeper girl who is a ‘good’ friend? This was too much to handle.


Calm down. Maybe you misunderstood. You know Train wouldn’t abandon you. Especially for some random whore. “What exactly do you mean by drifting?”


The desperate man’s questions were really tingling at Sephiria’s last nerves. How was this man able to infuriate even her?


“Drifting means exactly how it sounds. Heartnet made several comments about ‘living free.’ Though this is merely a hypothesis, but I imagine he generated these ideas from her.


Unless I’m wrong, she’s really getting to him.”


So it was true. Creed didn’t misinterpret.


He stared Number I straight in her blue eyes, “And what have you done about this woman?”


Sephiria cocked an eyebrow, “What do you propose we do?” Creed’s glare at her strengthened. “We’ve already taken action against Train’s free thinking, we can’t punish the girl too. She doesn’t fall in our jurisdiction.”


She paused momentarily to analyze Creed’s stance, just to make sure he wasn’t about to make a move. Seeing no signs of change, she continued. “Even if we did it would only cause more trouble. Heartnet would not be pleased and the Black Cat is not a desired enemy.”


Well that was an understatement. Who in their right mind would want Train as an enemy?


“Besides that, the girl isn’t causing Chronos any problems. Train is at fault here.”


There was a deafening pause. One that caused Sephiria to reach for her sword as well. Creed was eyeing the ground and his stance was unpredictable now.


“Who is she?”


It seemed more like a demand than a question.


“Don’t you think you’ve heard enough? He will be released soon and you will be back to completing missions together.” Hopefully…Sephiria added in her mind. She couldn’t deny Train’s freedom vibe and couldn’t predict his next move.


However, she hoped that would be enough for Creed. The man’s eyes stayed glued to the ground making Sephiria wrap her fingers around Christ’s hilt.


“Who-is-she?” Creed repeated, emphasizing each word.


The young Chronos leader could feel the heat Creed’s anger was emitting. She knew if Creed didn’t receive an answer, everyone within Chronos headquarters would be dead. Or at least injured badly. With the exception of Train who would undoubtedly be set free.


After that, however, Sephiria knew not the Black Cat’s fate. Still, she dared to ask, “What do you intend to do if I tell you?”


Creed’s silence was unnerving and Sephiria felt her calm conduct dwindling. If I don’t tell him, it’s certain that countless people will die tonight. If I do tell him… I can’t exactly promise the sweeper girl’s survival. Still, that’s one life versus hundreds.


Sephiria looked at the insane man’s sliver top for a second before thinking hard again. But if Creed killed the girl, he’d become Train’s enemy. Creed must be aware of that. Not only would that upset Creed, but Chronos would have two members fighting each other. Two members that are supposed to be partners nonetheless.


Chronos can’t afford that…


“WHO IS SHE?!” Creed screamed so loud, Sephiria was surprised Train didn’t wake up.
He lifted his head and pointed his Kotetsu straight at her neck.


She couldn’t fight Creed in her master’s building. Member's lives would be at stake and the Elder’s wouldn’t be too please about the disturbance. Weighing her choices, Sephiria finally came to a conclusion.


“Saya Minatuski.”


Hearing the name, Creed finally lowered his sword and bowed politely. “Thank you, Ms. Arks.”


Creed glanced once more through the small window that allowed viewing access to Train’s room at the slumbering cat. To his utter happiness, the Black Cat was now facing his way, allowing Creed to gaze upon his pretty face for a moment.


He gracefully passed by the leader of Chronos and made his way towards the exit.


Sephiria watched him go as her stomach twisted into a tight knot. She was unable to determine if the results of her words would be positive or negative. They escaped her lips out of fear.


Fear of fighting Creed right here and now. Fear of costing Chronos members their lives over something that didn’t involve them. Fear of upsetting her masters…


She did not fear Creed. She knew she could handle him, even that she could kill him, but she couldn't start a battle here. Especially with a fellow member. The collateral damage would be immense.


Remembering the tray of food in her hand and her purpose for being here, she unlocked Train’s cell, after making sure Creed really was gone, and stepped inside.


She noted that Train was just waking up and sighed in relief. He didn’t hear the conversation that had just transpired and she knew she couldn’t tell him.


She placed the food next to Train on the bed and quickly left the room, never making eye contact with him.


She shut the door quietly and stood outside, peering through the window at Train eating his meal. She couldn’t stop the pang of regret that coursed through her.


He’ll just have to remain blissfully unaware and we’ll see what Creed’s next course of action is.


She was already sure of them. The only thing she didn’t know was if this fate was better than the other.