Black Cat Fan Fiction ❯ A Different Fate ❯ Greetings and Farewells ( Chapter 5 )

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

Disclaimer: I don’t own Black Cat. I plan to one day own a black cat and name it Train. …Shut up, I have issues.


Staring at the stranger in confusion, Saya cocked her head to the side, “Witch hunt? Are you playing some kind of game?” She looked to the side at Sven who looked equally as lost then added, “Who are you?”


A soft chuckle escaped the man’s lips, “A very close friend of Train’s.”


“Oh, you’re Train-kun’s friend?” Saya’s mood brightened slightly at the mention of her friend, “I haven’t seen him in a looooong time. Do you know where he’s been?”


Neither sweeper was sure why the stranger’s malicious smile turned into an irate glare. While Saya just looked more mystified by the look, Sven became slightly uneasy and went on guard, holding the Attaché Case closer to him. He was sure Saya saw the hilt of a sword attached to the pale man’s belt, but he wasn’t sure why she wasn’t taking much care of that fact.


Is she stupid, or just so naïve that she ignores the danger? The fact that she was so friendly with Sven after he plowed her down confirmed his notion. She trusted people entirely too much. A major mistake on her part. Especially when it came to people like this. Strangers that hold weapons should not be trusted. I feel like a father that needs to scold his child. Sven mentally slapped himself. He really was starting to sound like an old man.


A thought seemed to occur to Saya, “Oh! I get it! Train-kun must be back and he must have gotten my note and asked you to meet here. That’s great! He must be on his way right now. Hope he gets here soon,” Saya smiled enthusiastically then placed out a hand for the unknown swordsman to take. “Since we have a common friend, I think we should be friends too. My name is Saya Minatuski, what’s yours?”


It seemed impossible for the stranger’s eyes to burn hotter or his face to contort further with madness, but it managed, causing Sven’s guard to increase tenfold.


“This’ll be over before Train is released,” he seemed to mutter more so to himself, “I have to make sure of that.”


“Released? What do you mean released?” The young sweeper’s voice was filled with an impossible level on confusion. She just didn’t understand what was going on. This man clearly knew Train and clearly had a reason to be here, but if it wasn’t for the show, then what reason could it possible be?


And what he is talking about ‘released’? Did Train get arrested for something? Saya knew her friend wasn’t the most sociable person, but she couldn’t really picture him getting arrested either.


His growl came from somewhere deep within his throat, “Thanks to you, he’s been locked away for ten days,” There was a pinch of sadness and regret in his tone as he stared Saya down, “Because of you and your spell! Because of your seduction! Because of your interference, Train’s been locked away from the world!”


“What’re you--”


Before Saya could complete her sentence, she found herself dodging hastily back and to the side where Sven stood, barely avoiding a sharp blade thrust at her. Since the older sweeper was on high alert, he was able to get out of the girl’s way just in time, jumping to the other side of a tin trash can. Sven raised his case, pointing it at the man threateningly.


The stranger seemed unaffected by Sven’s stance, sounding quite calm and settled as he spoke, “My qualm is not with you, one-eye,” he reset his eyes upon Sven’s tense face, “But if you insist on interfering, I won’t hesitate to dispose of you as well.”


“What was that for?!” At this point Saya had her gun out and ready.


“I thought I was quite clear, woman,” crimson eyes refocused onto teal ones, “I’ve come to release Train from your spell.”


“I thought you just said he was locked away,” she added, confusion setting in once more.


The swordsman grumbled in his throat quietly, “You really are a stupid bimbo, aren’t you? There’s no way Train would ever like you without the help of your witchcraft.”


All this talk about spells and witchcraft made Sven feel as if he were in a fairy tale. All we need is for a handsome prince to jump out of no where and whisk someone away. He figured that would be this Train guy they’re talking about. “Who are you?” He demanded angrily, stance still strong.


“There’s no point in telling you, since you will soon be dead,” once those words escaped from his mouth, he raised his sword high in the air and made another quick slash between the two, cutting the trash can between them in half as they both dodged in opposite directions.


Sven hurriedly pressed a button placed on top of his case, opening it to reveal a gun’s barrel. He shot rapid shots in the pale man’s direction, only to have them negated as he jumped high in the air, did a frontal flip and landed right in front of Sven.


The male sweeper was shocked as he stared into cold, crimson eyes. He barely saw the jump or the flip. It was too damn fast. Seemingly realizing Sven’s terrified awe, the stranger smiled viciously and raised his sword once more.


Sven awoke from his stupor a little too late as he saw the fine blade come slicing down at him. Mere microseconds before it made contact, he heard a single gunshot followed by an anguished cry. Twisting his head frantically to the side he noted Saya standing there, gun aimed at the crazed man with a protective look in her eyes.


“I thought you’re qualm was with me. Leave the old man out of this.”


“Why do people keep calling me old?! I’m not even thirty yet!” (1) Sven pouted sadly at the offense. He was sick and tired of people calling him old.


Another malicious smile crept its way onto the pale face as he licked the blood from his wounded hand. Sven saw it wasn’t as wounded and the cry made it sound. He apparently realized Saya’s intentions just in time to pull back enough to avoid any major damage.


A cold laugh left the man’s throat as he lifted his blade to his face, “Then let’s get this party started.” That said, he raced forward towards Saya.


She shot once again, only to have the bullet deflected and come right back at her. Leaping to the side, she let out a gasp as the blade’s pointed tip nearly slit her throat, but instead left a sharp cut.


The girl’s delicate hand flew to her wound as blood seeped through her fingers, drying slowly in the cold night air. The insane man’s laughter only grew stronger as he gazed at Saya’s bright blood.


“That alone beats any fireworks you will ever see, don‘t you agree?” He said spitefully as he stepped towards her.


The female sweeper aimed her gun once more at the man, determined to not let him win. Taking a slight step back, Saya realized she was trapped in a corner. The man’s smile only broaden as the fact dawned on him as well.


“Tell me something, witch,” the stranger said coldly, “How could someone like you get so close to Train? You aren‘t even worthy of licking the dirt off his shoes.”


Saya merely gave him another puzzled look. “No answer? Very well then, meet your maker.” The man raised his sword high above his head again, confident this would be the end. He sliced down, nailing Saya’s shoulder deeply. She fell to her knees in a heap, clutching her bloody shoulder.


Her eyes gazed back into his as she wobbled slightly, then was knocked down as his sword once more sliced at her abdomen. She yelled in pain as the hand holding her gun bolted to her side.


Even through all the deep gashes, Saya’s determination never wavered. Letting go of her side, she raised her gun at her would be killer’s face once more. He laughed even harder as he watched her.


“So, you gonna fight back now witch? What’s the point? You know you won’t last long. Why not just accept your fate?” His smiled once again, “It’ll be less painful if you do.”


She fired a shot at him, bullet cutting through the air as she grimaced slightly from her wounds. It was another useless round as she watched it being sliced in half before her eyes.


“You really are pathetic. Just what I‘d except from a low-life witch.”


I wasn’t aiming at you on purpose. How am I supposed to get a reflect shot in at this rate? I’ve already lost a lot of blood and the battle’s barely started.


Sven couldn’t stand by and watch any longer. He wouldn’t allow an innocent young girl to be killed right before his eyes. Especially for reasons no one but this madman seems to understand.


He pushed yet another button on his case and revealed a different hole. A metal plate slide out, releasing four small knives. Wasting no time, Sven grabbed the knives and threw them at the death match unfolding before his eyes.


Right as the man’s sword was falling down on Saya’s head, the knives flew towards them. Hearing a whisk through the air, the stranger turned abruptly and cut each knife down. They clanked to the ground as furious eyes gazed at Sven.


“I thought I told you not to interfere…” The swordsman took and angry step closer to Sven, “But it seems you don’t listen very well geezer. How would you like to die first? You just seem so eager.”


Sven cursed silently too himself. Well at least his attention was drawn from her. Aiming the case once more in the direction of the man, he fired another round, even though he knew it’d be pointless. This time the swordsman didn’t even bother to block as he noticed the bullets weren’t aimed for him. Yet again.


“This just proves how useless you all are. You can‘t even aim a gun.” He said amusedly.


“I wasn’t aiming at you!” Countered Sven. The psycho looked puzzled for a moment, only to have his confused thoughts interrupted as he heard a whistling sound. Steam started to surround him as he coughed. Guess he didn’t see the pipe behind him.


Sven thanked whatever god was watching over him and moved towards Saya.


“Saya? Saya, can you hear me? Are you all right?” He asked urgently. From where he stood she looked pretty hurt. He wasn’t about to let her die.


“I’m fine,” her voice didn’t sound too fine as it shook slightly.


Sven put his arm around her waist and heaved her onto his shoulder, “We need to get out of here, now!”


Suddenly the steam circling the killer swirled away. He stepped out of the mist and glared at the two.


“Clever… very clever indeed,” he said as his sword hung threateningly at his side, “But not clever enough. Did you really think some steam would distract me enough so you could make your little get away?” He laughed at the thought, “When I want something done, it gets done. Understand?”


Sven growled to himself. What do we do now?


“Sven, can to try and distract him again? I have a move that I wanna use. It might not work, but it’s worth a shot, right?”


Taken aback, Sven looked down at the girl leaning on his shoulder. For a moment he thought about refusing her offer and telling her to run for it, but he knew that’d be pointless. This guy was determined and he definitely wouldn’t let her escape that easily. Not only that, it’s not like Sven could handle him himself. Though the male sweeper wasn’t injured yet, he knew that blissfulness wouldn’t be lasting.


“All right. I’ll distract him as long as I can. Don’t make it too long though. I know you’re hurt, but I really don’t wanna dance with this guy for long.” Saya gave him an understanding nod and stood - albeit shakily - on her own.


She really is a strong girl. Those cuts aren’t anything a band aid could fix up.


Before the stranger could advance at Saya, Sven stepped forward and clicked a button that released more smoke.


“You already tried this trick, old man!” he laughed creepily, “It’s useless. Why try it again?”


Honestly, Sven wasn’t sure why. It was really an instinct to think that smoke equaled distraction, so he just acted.


At full alert, he was shocked when he received a painful blow into his stomach. He spat out blood as the sword flipped around and cut through his back. The smoke was working against him this time. Sven couldn’t see were his attacker was, by clearly his attacker could see him.


He fell heavily, face first, to the floor, coughing up more blood as he heard feet shuffling in front of him. He tried looking up, but his vision was blinded when the dull end of the sword smacked him on top of the head.


Sven was dizzy now, barely able to make coherent thoughts. His skull was definitely cracked. More of his blood escaped his mouth and splattered to the floor. The laughter returned as he realized the man was actually enjoying the sight of his blood.


Sven was starting to shake as he received a forceful kick to the head, then the side, then the mother load of all kicks made contact with his stomach, sending him flying to the darkest part of the alley.


The injured man started praying the darkness covered his bruised and bloody body, hoping he wouldn’t be seen. His prayer went unanswered as he felt a sharp slice on each of his cheeks, then his forehead, then his chin. He couldn’t see anything but a dark blur as he felt the sword’s tip pointed at his neck. He didn’t even have the strength to lift his head, the sword did that for him.


But before Sven’s life could flash before his eyes, before the sword found itself lodged deep within Sven’s neck, he faintly heard a bang. And this bang was not that of the fireworks. This bang was the sound of a gunshot.


About damn time, girl. Sven thought tiredly before passing out where he slumped, relieved the blade had left his throat.


A disgruntled grunt echoed softly throughout the alley as the madman fell to one knee. He turned his head angrily at the cause of the sound to see Saya standing there with her gun aimed at anywhere but him. Following its trajectory, he realized what she did. She shot her gun at the wall nearby at such an angle it allowed the bullet to bounce off and shoot him right behind the knee.


“So, you’re still able to move, are you? Is that thanks to your witchcraft? ” The man sounded entertained as he turned on Saya, “Are you going to try and kill me now?”


His amused tone was answered with a simple question, “What makes you think I want to kill you?”


He looked shocked for a second before scowling again. Forgetting about the collapsed man behind him, he made his was towards his original target. Saya looked at Sven sadly, Sorry, Sven-san. I’ll be sure to get you help as soon as I stop him.


She looked back at the intent man and shot again. How is he up so quickly after getting shot in the knee? He took another determined step forward. His intent to kill must be strong. This time she aimed for his other knee. However, it was deflected. He understood her tricks now and wasn’t going to be falling for them again.


Oh no… She thought worriedly. What do I do now?


She shot again in vain. Shot after shot was deflected with ease. There was no way to get a shot in on him. He could predict her every move now. It seemed like getting a hit on him angered him even more. Saya’s arm started to sway as more blood dripped coldly onto the dark ground. Her sight started to dull at the realization that she’d already lost too much blood.


Within that few seconds of blurry vision, the blade hit her other shoulder harshly, giving her another deep gash. She growled in pain as the hilt of the blade bashed her in the skull. She fell to the ground painfully on her injured shoulder and side.


When did he get so close? Is he that fast or am I just that out of it? It didn’t really matter. What mattered was stopping him here and now. She couldn’t let him go. She couldn’t die. She couldn’t give up. He… he can’t win. I can’t let him escape…


She felt a sharp kick to her stomach and a slice at each of her legs, cutting her thighs and allowing more precious blood to leave her already bloodless body. Another slice was taken at each of her hands and arms, causing her gun to clatter to the ground.


No… My… my gun… I can’t reach it… She thought painfully. She reached desperately for her gun. She had to at least save Sven. With no results she groaned in pain. There was no way to stop him now.


She looked up and saw the coldness in his crimson eyes. The coldness, the hatred, the pain, the happiness, and, what surprised Saya, the jealousy, all tied up within them.


“Why… Why are you doing this?” She asked quietly. It just didn’t make sense. Why did he want her dead? Why didn’t he at least let Sven go? What was going on in that sliver head of his?


Though he seemed completely satisfied with her misery, he still managed a sad, hurt look. Then, he added silently, “Because you have him.”


Him? Is he talking about Train again? What does he mean by ‘I have him’? Saya was still confused. She gazed up at him and asked bluntly, “What do you mean?”


Her question went unanswered as his face backed up and drew his sword down. All she could see now was a sharp blade rushing towards her. As more blood pooled beneath her body she closed her eyes. Her last wish was for someone to be there with her in her final moments of life.


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Train made an extremely catlike stretch and folded his arms beneath his head. Today was supposed to be the tenth day. He was beginning to wonder if they were going to come for him. Maybe they decided I needed another ten more. I sure hope not, I might drown myself in the toilet if I have to stay here any longer.


As if hearing his suicidal thought, the door opened loudly letting in a blinding amount of light. Oh yeah, that’s what light feels like, Train thought as he covered his face enough to block the offending light, but not enough to block the one who opened the door.


“Your ten days are up, Heartnet. You may go free,” Sephiria said emotionlessly as she stood at the doorway.


“I’m free? I thought Chronos was against that,” Train replied sarcastically as he stood from the uncomfortable bed.


Number one just glared at him before adding, “As I’m sure you’re aware, you are now under strict watch. Not only that, Hades will be in my care for the time being. You will only be allowed access when we see fit.”


“Gotcha, chief,” Train saluted with two fingers.


Sephiria glared a little harder with a hint of annoyance as she moved aside to allow the Black Cat an exit. He brushed passed her without a care and made his way towards the exit.


As he stepped out into the cold night air, he could distinctly hear fireworks in the distance. Hm, fireworks, huh? That’s not a bad way to celebrate my release. Wonder if Saya’s busy…


(1) Remember, this take place back when Saya was killed, which would have been two years ago from the current time of the manga, so Sven would have be 28 then.