Chapter Eleven:

Train looked up into Creed's worried face. His eyes fluttered and he could feel lethargy start to crawl into his limbs. Everything was turning hazy, as if every orfice of his body was clogged with cotton balls. The world seemed to grow lighter.

A shadow appeared over Creed's shoulder. Train took his eyes off of Creed long enough to stare at the shadow and try to make it out. He barely felt surprised when he saw Saya smiling sadly down at him, leaning over Creed's shoulder to look at him.

He tried to say her name, but nothing came out.

"Train," Saya smiled as she whispered down to him, "Always a trouble maker! Silly, it's not your time yet." She reached down, he felt a chill flow through him and felt more coherent. His wound didn't hurt quite as bad.

"It won't be easy," She whispered and he could barely see or hear her any more. "But you're Train Heartnet. I'm sure you'll be fine." Her fading form and smile were the last things he saw before darkness stole him.

…

Creed was tense, though he hid it quite well. His leg was bouncing in nervous energy and his fingers twitched on occasion. Still, he kept his place in a nearby chair. His eyes never left Train's slumbering form.

When Train had lost consciousness, Creed went into overdrive. Adrenaline rushed through him when he thought he had lost Train, the only one who he ever felt such an attachment to. Even once he learned the Cat had slipped into unconsciousness, the worry did not ease.

When Train's ragtag gang of Sweepers came running in to the grand hall, they took in the state of the room, and then the remaining occupants. Seeing their comrade in a pool of blood sent them running towards him and Creed.

The older man, Sven, stared at Creed for a while before he nodded. It was as if the two had a silent agreement, a truce was formed.

From them, he learned that Echidna had fled. They told him her story, and of her deceit. He felt disgust, rage creeping into him once more. Women. That woman was just like his mother. They wanted to use him, each for their own benefit or self. He had half a mind to kill the witch, but when his hand clenched, he felt soft hair between his fingers.

Train was resting on his lap, and slowly the anger seeped out of him and he slouched. "We need to get him medical assistance." Creed said, not taking his eyes off of his beloved.

"We need to get off this island first. Eve's got Leon, Charden and Kyoko have already left, and anyone else has already died."

There had been many casualties.

Creed felt anguish, yet at the same time relief. There would be no need to disband the Apostles. Charden and Kyoko had already fled. Leon was in the care of that nanomachine girl, and the Doctor and Shiki were dead. Echidna was still alive, but she posed no threat to his pursuit of happiness.

All he needed was a doctor to fix up Train and then he could start the difficult path of wooing the affections and gaining the love of a certain Black Cat. He hoped with his persistence, and maybe the persuasion of some of Train's… friends, he would be able to worm his way into Train's heart.

A smile crossed his face and he brushed Train's hair off his face. For some reason, he didn't seem so pale anymore. The blood was ebbing, and his skin seemed to be getting more color. His breathing even sounded easier.

"It looks like the doctor had one last gift to give Train." Rinslet murmured, causing him to look up at the thief. At his stare, she elaborated, "I hacked his computer," a flush crossed her cheeks and she remained closed to Sven and Jenos, who was standing guard at her side. "The nanomachines inside of Train are working to repair his body. They'll probably burn out after this run though. Once they patch up the wound and any damage caused by it, they'll probably be flushed by his immune system."

"So he'll be normal again?" Sven probed.

Rinslet raised an eyebrow and looked down at Train with such a smirk that made Creed tighten his hold on Train. He wasn't willing to let anyone have his Train. "Well, as normal as he was before."

A moan broke his jealous thoughts, causing him to loosen his hold on the lithe ex-assassin. He looked down and, once fluttering eyelids opened, felt his breath catch upon seeing his golden eyes. Of all the things Creed had seen in the world, both good and bad, nothing compared to the brilliance of Train Heartnet.

"Train!" Sven happily cried, dropping his attaché case and falling to his knees beside his partner. "You're all right! Thank goodness! We came as fast as we could!"

Train let out a brief chuckle and a small smile, raising an eyebrow as he jested the older man, "You were a little late. Getting slow there in your old age?" Sven bristled at the barb, grumbling and bringing forth a laugh from everyone except Creed.

Train looked up with knowing eyes from where he was resting on Creed's lap. The blonde was still looking at the Sweepers with barely hidden dislike. Train reached up with one hand and lightly cuffed the former Apostle leader on the side of his head. This startled Creed from his musings.

"Train?" He inquired, looking down at the expectant Black Cat. "What is it?"

Train snorted and then gave the blonde such a smile his heart near stopped. Such playfulness made him wish to capture the moment forever. To think he had been obsessing over the killer in Train when there was a beauty such as this! Train raised an eyebrow. "We really need to sort out your jealousy and obsessions."

Creed had the decency to look bashful at this proclamation. None other in the group, despite the tone in which Train's statement was delivered, dared to laugh at Creed's embarrassment.

Train propped himself up, looking at the hole in his shirt and blanching at all the blood crusted and pooling on the floor from his once grievous wound. "Well, it's still tender but I'm all for heading off this place." He turned his attention to Creed, "No more craziness if you want to tag along with me and the gang." Sven looked rather uncomfortable at that statement, but hid it well. "Saya saved me… so that I could get a second chance."

The group didn't ask what the second chance was for. There were too many to choose from. Love, life, profession, childhood… the list was endless.

Rinslet broke the mood, "Well, you are a Black Cat. It's only fair you have nine lives!"

"That gives me nine lifetimes." Creed mused. Train looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "I won't back down from the challenge." Their eyes locked. While the others were confused, wondering about the statement, the silent communication between the two continued.

"Well then," Train said, leaping to his feet and stretching like a cat. Some joints cracked. He let out a slow yawn as he rolled his shoulders. Smirking at Creed, he couldn't help but feel the slightest bit of excitement and anticipation himself. Possibilities flooded his mind. "Good luck."

FIN

Author's note:

Ach mein Gott! It's done! Happy holidays mein lieblings! Hopefully this mass flood of updates will keep those minds entertained! Remember to review/PM me if anyone has any Black Cat story (or other fandom I'm known to haunt) that they would love to share; I love finding new stories to read and captivate my imagination!

Thank you to all the reviewers and everyone who has stuck around for this long whirlwind of a ride. I doubt this story would have every gotten as far as it did without the faithful reviewers who prodded me into remembering plotlines, this story, and others.

Love,

Red Tail