Title: Fear of Water
Summary: Black cats are not afraid of water, they're afraid of the idea of drowning.
A/N: It's my first time writing for this anime and the first pairing that came into mind as TrainSaya.I really love the TrainSaya pairing. That's why I cried a lot when Saya died!! ( It was too early!! Hope you enjoy this everybody, R&R please.
Spoilers: Nothing major I could think of. If you're familiar with this pairing then all you'll find here are common facts.
Disclaimer: Look if I owned this I wouldn't actually be here writing this, this would actually happen in the series! But sadly I don't own so you don't sue okay?
She sighed for the umpteenth time this evening.
Bounty hunting has been really dry these days. Not a single person was worth the catch, every single one of those bimbos is boring not to mention too cheap for her taste. Choosing from any one of them isn't her style. She knew just by looking at them that they won't pose as a challenge.
Minatsuki, Saya is currently sitting on her favorite rooftop with her bright emerald eyes lazily scanning the view before her. The moonlight shining on her white yukata made it look even paler and the floral design of her yukata glowed bright red.
She sighed heavily once again as she closed her hands. Train is currently out of town for a mission and, he didn't even bother telling her when he would come back. Nights like these are definitely boring without him around. She has grown very fond of the nights that only consisted of him, her, and a bottle of milk. She giggled at the time when he picked a fight with her just because of one milk bottle.
It pleased her so much to know that he was still human. She wasn't sure if he was aware of the fact that she knows that he works for Chronos. Telling him about it would probably make him feel uneasy plus; she could already tell that he doesn't like talking about it.
"It's better this way…" She murmured to herself. Because Train is being himself…
Finally fed up with boredom she stood up and decided to walk around town instead. She stood up, dusted off her yukata and did a little stretching. Feeling satisfied, she started jumping from one roof to another wondering where she should stop.
If adventure can't find her then she'll have to find it herself.
To her surprise the streets are filled with people tonight despite how late it already is. People were still fussing around with their business, doing some last minute groceries and checking out what's for sale. Saya decided to do some window shopping as well. She easily blended with the people of the crowd and was slowly starting to enjoy herself.
She came across a candy shop whose back was directly facing the river. Engrossed by the view she quickly decided to buy some sweets and eat it by the riverbank. The bell signaled her entry into to the shop.
"Good Evening and welcome to my candy shop." An old man in his 40's greeted from behind the counter. A little girl suddenly popped out of the counter as well, "Good evening!!" The little girl chirped merrily.
Saya returned the smile, "Good evening to you too." She started looking around the shop and took some sticks candy, some gum and a box of chocolates.
"Please help yourself in choosing the sweets you want."
"That's right grandpa's candies are the best in the world!!" Saya giggled as she approached the counter and pat the little girl's head, "I'm sure it is! Can you tell me your name?"
"Maple!"
"Maple huh? That's a sweet name. I'm Saya." Suddenly the silence of the store was disrupted by the sound of loud firecrackers outside. Maple quickly turned to her grandfather, "Grandpa, Can I go up to the roof top and watch the firecrackers please oh please oh please???" She asked as she tugged on her grandfather's shirt.
He looked down at his granddaughter, "Alright, just make sure not to disturb the people upstairs and please be—"
"Thank you, thank you, thank you!!" Maple chirped and quickly ran off towards the stairs leading towards the rooftop.
Saya grinned at the child's eagerness, "She's so energetic isn't she?" She commented as she handed over the payment for the sweets she took. The old man sighed as he placed the sweets in a paper bag, "Maple's very energetic that I can't always keep watch of her but, she's been a big help in the candy shop." He handed Saya the paper bag and smiled.
"Is this building your home as well?"
"We own the building. The room at the back is where Maple and I sleep. The two floors upstairs are for rent. To be honest I don't like Maple going up to the rooftop. I don't trust the men living up there. They come home drunk and argue a lot. I just pray that they'll quiet down."
Saya winced, "Is it just you and Maple?"
"Yes… Her parents died in an accident years ago and I made a promise to never leave her out of my sight. She's a very strong girl and she tries to do everything on her own. I'm very afraid of losing her… She's all I have left…"
All I have left… For some strange reason the phrase echoed and lingered in her mind. Saya thanked the old man as she took her paper bag and left.
I don't have anything left… I'm free… That's why I became a sweeper… The fireworks were still on when she stepped outside and, she decided to stop for a while and watch.
"Saya-nee-chaaannn!!!" Maple shouted and quickly caught Saya's attention. The little girl was waving down at her happily. Saya waved back, "Be careful you might fall down!"
"Don't worry I---"
Saya's eyes widened in shock the moment the girl disappeared without a sight. Chills ran down her spine as she dropped the paper bag and started running back to the building.
Train slumped back at his seat and stared out the window. He was currently in the car with Sven and Eve. He agreed to do the mission with them just to make sure there would be no strings attached or that Sven and Eve's lives weren't at stake. It so happened to be a very long and boring mission and regretted joining them.
"I told you we didn't need you for the mission." Sven said with evident smugness in his tone. He swerved the driving wheel towards the next sharp cure.
Train simply replied, "If I was a minute late you guys fell for the enemies trap."
Sven grunted at his point and cursed under his breath. Eve meanwhile was busy admiring the fireworks that was going on. Train sighed, I should've stayed. Sven hit the breaks just in time to watch people running down the street. Train sensed that he was going to stop the car and urged him to drive. Sven just sighed and followed suit. He would have to keep his patience in check for just a little while longer.
Maple whimpered as the man tied a cloth around her mouth. The man hissed in annoyance, "Will you just shut up?!" Maple tried to stop crying as he tied her up. "All I need to do is take you for ransom and that old man would pay for sure! Now let's go downstairs..." He grinned wickedly. He took a cigarette out of his pocket and watched Maple cry in fear.
"Damn it kid!! why don't you---"
B-A-N-G
"What the hell?!" The man whimpered in pain on the cold cement floor.
Maple blinked at the sound of gun fire and watched the man kneel in pain. His leg was shot and it was bleeding badly. The girl was so relieved to see a figure in a familiar white yukata with red flowers imprinted on it. Saya quickly ran to Maple's aid, dropped her gun and untied her.
The man seethed in pain, as he glared at Saya Why you…
"Are you alright?" Saya asked as she took of the cloth tied around Maple's mouth. Maple only nodded and started crying in Saya's arms. She quickly hugged Maple and tried to calm her down. "That's alright, I'm here now…"
T-H-U-D
Saya felt heavy pain coming from behind her. How careless can I be? The man was now standing behind her, using the base of the gun to hit her heavily at the back. The pain shot throughout her body as she tried her best not to fall on the floor. She felt her eyes going blurry, "Maple go and run… now."
"But Saya-nee-chan…"
"Just go…" Saya muttered trying to stay conscious.
Maple quickly did as she was told scampered towards the stairs. Saya smiled inwardly in relief; At least she's safe now… The man snorted in annoyance as the kid ran away. He was in no condition to chase her now plus the plan backfired no thanks to a certain female. All he has to do now is take his revenge.
He forced Saya to face her and grabbed her by the collar of her yukata, "You think you're so strong just because you have a gun don't you?" Saya gripped the man's arm with all the strength she had left. "You have very skinny hands woman!"
My eyes... I... can't... focus... As much as Saya wanted to try escaping from his grip she felt very powerless as she felt darkness looming on her.
The man was choking her so hard that she could hardly breathe. He lifted her and set his eyes on the view behind him. He walked forward and stepped on the ledge, "Maybe a little dip in the cool river would help you relax?"
It took a few minutes before Saya heard her slippers plop down silently on the water below her.
"What is with this crowd?!" Sven complained as tried to maneuver the car around the crowded street.
"Just keep driving." Train muttered in annoyance. Sven couldn't take it anymore and popped his head out of the window, "What's the matter with you people?!"
"Look up the there!"
"Someone call the police!! We've got to stop him!!"
"They're already coming!"
Sven curiously looked at the building the crowd was pointing at. It was rather blurry but he could see a man standing at the edge of the buildings ledge. He paid no attention to it the moment he heard that the police were coming.
Relieved that the people were starting to clear the way, he took the opportunity and started to pick up the pace. Eve was glad that they started moving again. Train meanwhile listened to a little girl crying loudly among the crowd by the sidewalks.
"Grandpa the police are taking too long!!"
"But we can't do anything Maple..."
"But if we don't go Saya-neechan… Saya-neechan will… "
The name instantly shot through Train's mind. Without warning he opened the door, stepped out and ran out of the car.
In shock Sven had to hit the breaks real hard to control the impact, "Train?!" He was very frustrated at what he just did, not to mention the fact that Train didn't look back when he was calling for him.
Train tried his best to push the crowd aside until he could finally see the crying little girl. He quickly faced the old man that was with her, "Tell me about the girl she's talking about." He asked sternly as he pointed at the little girl.
The old man who was rather surprised didn't know how to answer him, "Who are you young man?" Train was about to ask him the same question again when Maple spoke up.
"Onii-chan, do you know Saya-neechan? Please Onii-chan you've got save her!!"
"Tell me what she looked like." He asked. His thoughts were nagging him to make sure and hope it wasn't the weird girl he knows.
Sven and Eve caught up with Train and tapped him from behind, "Train what in hell's name are you trying to do?!" Sven asked gripping his shoulders tightly.
Eve blinked, "The smell of blood..." She turned towards the building and looked back at Train who glanced back at her momentarily. He released Sven's gripped and kneeled in front of Maple urging her to give an answer. "Tell me what she looks like."
"She's the pretty lady in a white yukata that has pretty red flowers."
Train couldn't describe the feeling that was swelling inside him. His cat like eyes emitted a different glow as he tightly clenched his fist. Eve stared at him and knew that there was a sudden change in his aura. They could only watch as a figure dressed purely in black disappeared in a blink of an eye.
Sven faced the old man, "What's happening here?"
"A man tried to take my granddaughter hostage on the roof top when the young lady came in and rescued her."
"But he hit Saya-neechan at the back really hard and he might throw her to the river!"
Sven was about to run towards the building when Eve tugged on his sleeves, "Leave him..."
"We can't just leave him we need to back him up!!"
"He doesn't need it." Eve replied as she looked up to him, Sven looked down at her in surprise.
Eve looked back at the building. "Black cats are not afraid of water...they're afraid of the idea of drowning..."
Sven could only sigh as he tried to analyze what she just said.
His heart pounded heavily as he started running towards the roof top. He can't believe that she'd actually get caught in a predicament like this. He couldn't explain the nagging feeling tugging at his heart. He just wished that this feeling would stop. He gripped his gun tightly as he saw the light coming from the roof top.
"Say your prayers..." The man snickered as he threw her off the rooftop. And with a quick movement of his arms he released a half-conscious Saya in midair.Train instantly shot his other leg from behind causing the man to lay on the floor unconscious.
But the next thing he saw shattered his thoughts into a million pieces.
He instantly ignored the rational part of his brain and jumped off the roof top. She was falling faster than he is as he stretched his hands just to reach out to her.
"Saya!"
Saya blinked at the recognition of the voice and gave a small smile, "Train..."
With her remaining strength she tried to reach out her hand to his.
Everything went pitch black and the last thing she remembered was a hand reaching out to her, a pair of strong arms wrapped around her tiny waist, the sound of a strong splash and cold freezing water embracing her skin.
Train coughed badly as he tried to catch his breath. His black trench coat was dripping heavily with water when he emerged. He was currently lifting Saya bridal style until he could find he place to let her lie down. He stopped when he heard her coughing and looked down at her.
His eyes softened in relief as the petite figure in his arms regained consciousness. It was only a matter of seconds when anger started crawling in his veins.
"Idiot!! What were you thinking back there?!" Train scolded as he glared at her emerald orbs.
Her shock instantly turned into rage and disappointment as her emerald orbs widened, "Idiot?! It was an accident!! I can't just leave the kid back there!!" This was definitely not what she expected after being rescued by Train Heartnet.
"You could've drowned back there!! What made you think that you could take him on in the first place?!" Train couldn't help it. Fear ran through his veins when the image of Saya falling came back to mind. It's not that he's belittling her abilities as a sweeper. He wanted to point out that she was still female even if she held a gun. He didn't care if she'd point a gun at him right now as long as she gets the message. His cold topaz eyes searched her bright emerald orbs for answers.
Saya bit her lip and avoided her gaze, "I know that..."
Train raised a brow but his voice toned down, "Then why did you?!"
"Because the little girl was all the old man had left..." This brought silence between them as Saya urged him to put her down. He assisted her to stand up seeing that she was still feeling dizzy. Her dripping yukata felt heavy and transparent against her skin. The feel of the grass prickling her foot tickled her and made her calm down a little.
"She's all he has left and losing her would mean losing the world for him..." I don't have anything left... She hugged herself as she tried to stop herself from crying and looking at him in the eye. Her eyes stayed focused on the grass below her feet. Train stared at her for a moment and with a flick movement he took of his trench coat and wrapped it around her. Before Saya could even react he carried her bridal style and started taking small steps.
"But you're all I have as well you idiot!" He muttered under his breath.
Saya looked at Train in bewilderment. There it was a sudden outburst of honesty and all it took was an accident. The usual barrier that stayed in his eyes has now disappeared. Train knew she was staring at him, all he had to do was keep his eyes focus on the road.
"You could've drowned..." He paused trying so hard not to look down at her, "You could've died…" Train felt a huge lump in his throat when he stopped from there. To say he was scared would be an understatement. He won't forgive himself he just let her drown away from his life forever. He wasn't suppose to stop there, heck he has so much more to say but he just can't seem to get them out of his mind… more importantly his heart…
Feeling rather uneasy of the atmosphere he created he started to clear his throat, "Anyway what kind of person is crazy enough to go for a dive wearing a yukata?"
Saya who was intently watching the emotions scrambling in Train's face, smiled warmly at his attempt to cover his emotions. She chuckled and it later on turned into gales of laughter echoing in the air.
Train knew he was blushing but embarrassment caused him to snap, "What's so funny?"
Saya just shook her head and smiled, "I got your point, next time I'll go take a dive in a bathing suit okay?" This made Train blush some more and Saya laughed at his reaction. Feeling tired she took the chance to stretch her arms and wrap it around Train's neck. He didn't react but instead he looked up at the clear blue sky.
She buried her face in his chest as she closed her eyes, "Thank you Train…"
Train took a deep breath and started to speak, "Saya… I…" But to his dismay she was already peacefully sleeping in his arms.
He stopped for a while and watched the sleeping figure in his arms.
Tonight's not the time… I can't tell you just yet…
Train started to walk once again as his topaz eyes scanned the sky.
But one day I'll tell you…
Under the nights where we share each other's company
And a bottle of milk…
I'm not afraid of water
I'll swim across the boundless seas just to see you…
But I'm afraid of water…
If it means that I have to watch you drown…
Because losing you is the thing I fear the most…
So uh what do you think? ... Ummm... R&R??? XD