I’m basing this both on the Manga & The anime- mainly the Manga, but I will include Anubis (VI).

NOTE: The prolouge has been rewritten as of Friday, June 27th, 2008.
The plot has changed a lot since I first started writing and the original prolouge would no longer make sense. The story was supposed to open with Jenos' "death scene" in Chapter Two, but, I've changed almost all of the plot, so, I needed a new opening.

.PREFACE.
-Jenos' Point of View-

He was born the day we lost Nizer. July 14th. The Cerberus Assassination Squad, once feared by all who heard it's name, was reduced to myself. Sure, I was down for a while after loosing Beluga, but loosing Nizer was like kicking me while I was down, it hit me so hard.

That was the first time in years that I'd cried. I had returned to Chronos' Headquarters, told Sephee-nee and Belze what had happened, and I just broke down; just like that. Damn it... That blast had been meant for me. Just like how Beluga had saved us from Creed's collapsing castle, Nizer saved me and Anubis from a bomb planted in the C.A.S helicopter - which many believed to be my personal aircraft - under the cockpit.

Sephiria allowed me to return home, leaving me with the knowledge that I wouldn't be summoned for a mission for quite some time.

I kept my private live - which I'd only recently acquired - and my Chronos life separate... for safety reasons. Going home was always a relief. When on a mission, whether I was with another number or not, I was always casting glances over my shoulder, waiting for someone to try and strike me down. At home, I felt safe, secure... loved.

I'd waited four years for this, all of them worth it. It had taken one year alone to convince her to go on that date I'd promised her- but, she evantually "gave in", as she put it. Needless to say, I made sure she didn't regret it. The other three years were just to let her... acclimate herself with my lifestyle. I wasn't away much, and when I was it was usually only a week or two at a time. She didn't mind at all.

The fourth year I'd been with her I proposed. I was twenty nine, she twenty-five. She'd arched a brow, laughed, siad yes, then wondered why I'd waited so long.

Rinslet Hazard... has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?

And when I came back home after loosing Nizer, I was scared stiff, shaking for more than one reason. She wasn't there. I searched the house, and after half an hour I was screaming her name. Then I returned to the front door, and realized that a note written on Red-Cross stationary was laying on the floor. Without a second thought, I ran out the door and started my car.

Hours later, she asked me what I wanted to name my son. I honestly had no clue.

I looked down at him, and a name hit me. People often say that the first instinct is the correct one- so the first name that hit me should be a good one, right? "Katsurou." It meant 'Victorious Son'.

And I was glad to have named him so. When he was four, Rinslet often brought him along on the safer of her jobs, playing the roll of a single mother and her son. It worked most of the time- Katsu's hair was a deep teal, but the color was so close to hers that people never questioned it. Katsu also enjoyed being able to see so many places, meet so many people...

But, one job didn't go as planned.
Rinslet came home, telling me that Train and Anubis were in town. Sure enough, Anubis was standing behind her. I spoke with VI while Rinslet took Katsurou and went outside. I made sure that she went out the back- I kept my two "lives" separate, and that meant only Belze and Sephiria could know of my son- none of the others.

Anubis said that he wanted me to meet him and Train somewhere- Chronos wanted us to regroup. He told me that we'd also lost Kranz, Baldor and Lin. I agreed with a heavy heart. Whenever Chronos cast out such a warning - last time they did, Creed had been in power - it meant I'd be away for months, if not a year or two.

He left- I'd meet him and Train by midnight. I wanted to say goodbye, first.

But, Rinslet returned home, put Katsu to bed, then began cursing in hushed whispers. She told me that Train had stolen the information that she was supposed to have gotten. "Then, he turned, and shot!" She sneered. "He nearly clipped Katsu! And he wondered why I was furious enough to shoot back!"

I paused, putting a hand on her shoulder. "Train doesn't know of Katsu, right?"

Rinslet shook her head. "No... That's the only good thing. He thinks he was hearing things."

I sighed, then grit my teeth. I'd have a good word with him before the night was over.

-VII- .Passing on Excelion.-XIV-
PART ONE - Chapter 1

..Bringer of Bad News..

The ground was cold. That was why he hated concrete- it made his pads freeze, unlike his human counterparts who had shoes to protect their feet. He tred slowly, shifting his gaze to and fro as the sun began to peak in the sky, and people began to fill the streets: so much for searching for them in peace.

He weaved through public roads, but saw that it was getting him nowhere. He went towards the edge of the cities, seeing alleyways he could pass through. There he met a couple card players of sorts, each one trying to play a visual trick on a gambler. He saw the seven of hearts fall from the table, and blew in the wind until it landed in a puddle. His eyes narrowed. Humans and their littering- sooner or later they’d learn.

There was one alley, two allies, three, and then four. He lost count minutes after he began his ‘journey’. There were so many people, so many scents- it'd be impossible to discriminate two scents out of thousands. Frustrated, he let out a small growl as he walked on. All four paws barely skimmed the ground as he galloped- surprisingly silent for a creature of his size. No one regarded him with a clueless eye- they either knew he was a Chronos Eraser or they saw him as a stray hound. He took no notice of them. He wasn't sent by Saphiria to watch over a few meager citizens, but to fetch two of his fellow numbers- If he was able find them.

The stern words of Chronos Number one rang in his ears- her voice telling him to be ever vigilant, yet to move as swiftly as he could. He had to complete his task- he hadn’t failed Sephiria before, and he didn’t want to now.

His first target was Black Cat- he’d be the easier one to find due to his new, playful nature. Anubis knew he was currently residing with Sven, and would be found somewhere near his comrade’s hideout. He couldn’t help but frown. He had to find Black Cat and VII soon. Their lives depended on it.

He shook away the thoughts once he began to drift away from the city in an attempt to not get lost. The sun was setting.

Turning the corner, his eyes locked on the thin forest path weaving about. He began to slow, not wanting to stir up dust that might affect his vision. There was no reason for him to worry. Train knew to listen to the numbers whenever they showed themselves to him. However, this time, it was more urgent than ever before.

He galloped for a few more moments before thirteen’s scent drifted to his snout. Relief filled him. Train was still alright. He lifted his head, his gait now a swift jog, and howled. He rarely did so. Movement from the home caught his eye. Thirteen showed himself, running onto the deck with cat-like curiosity filling his eyes. “Anubis?”

“Train!” Number six exclaimed as he stopped.

Black Cat leapt down in one swift movement, Hades sheathed at his side. “Didn’t expect to see you for a while yet,” That was true- Chronos Numbers rarely met more than once every five years, twice if they were lucky. Even rarer so did a number search for his counterpart.

“It’s serious,” He hissed. He sat down, his eyes locked on his comrade’s. “Train, you need to help me track down Jenos. There’s no time for me to explain.” Anubis eyed behind Train, watching as Sven and Eve slipped out to listen in. It didn’t matter- the two may be able to help.

“Jenos?” Train asked, tilting his head with confusion. “No offence, but, why do you need him?” he crossed his arms. “I can do just as well as that haughty idiot...”

Anubis shook his head, tension pulling at every fiber in his body. “Thirteen,” he started. “Someone… Something… is killing off us Chronos numbers...” He narrowed his now glowing-red eyes. “…one by one.” Seeing no reaction from Train, he started again. “There are only five of us left… Sephiria, Belze, Jenos, you and I…”

“Then how come I haven’t heard of this?” He tapped Hades as a sign of irritation.

“It’s been over the last ten years, Black Cat. It took us until not to see that the killings were not coincidences.” He thrashed his tail, clearly furious. “It started with Bulga- Jenos and Belze saw him perish and managed to save themselves… Slowly, others were killed… The latest one, Lin, was found dead two months ago. It’s no game, it’s no dream-”

“What does Train have to do with this?” Eve questioned tentatively. “He isn’t in danger… is he?”

Anubis nodded, slowly and grimly. “Train, Jenos and I must remain within ear-shot of one another if we’re to survive. Sephiria’s orders.”

“Didn’t Sephiria resign from the position of number 1?”

“She joined again when she noticed that we were being killed. She did research, and sent me here with her warnings.” His voice was now void of any relief he’d felt earlier. “There is no idea at all as to the identity of the killer- all that Sephiria has learned is that each time the victim had no external injuries.”

“That makes no sense,” Train and Sven argued.

“Medically, it does.” Anubis lifted his left paw. “They all had their hearts stopped, and in some cases…” he placed his paw back on the ground. “Forget it- they were killed, there’s nothing we can do about them.” He narrowed his eyes. As he looked at Train, he saw a sudden determination in the Black Cat’s eyes. “We need to go, Train! We have no idea as to who’s next, and we cannot just leave Jenos without warning!”

Train grinned, turning to Eve. Eve seemed to understand what Train was asking her to do. Anubis watched as she asked Sven for his phone. She received it without question. As she began to dial some number, Anubis saw Train running into the home. He guessed he was grabbing anything he might be able to bring to help. Or maybe he was just hungry.

“Rinslet says Jenos is in Rubek City,” Eve muttered softly. She smiled when Anubis gave her a thankful nod of his head.

Black Cat ran out after a few minutes, his black jacket on his back. Eve’s eyes widened as she felt Train place the red bell collar in her hands. He merely grinned. “Don’t have to keep a bell on a good cat,” he said as he pet her on the head. “I’ll put it on as soon as I get back. I Promise!”

Sven smirked. “You will come back, right, Train?”

“Well I have to in order to put the collar back on!”

“We can’t waste anymore time!” Anubis snarled. His words were now orders. “Train, get your motorcycle and follow me to Rubek!”

He did so. Train gave a final wave to Sven and Eve, whom he guessed were staying behind.

--

Anubis was easily able to keep pace with the vehicle. It’d been ten years since he’d seen number thirteen, and he’d improved his speed and stamina. He kept one eye on the cycle and one eye on the road ahead. The grass was warmer than the concrete he’d felt in the city.

“You didn’t bother to tell me the full extent of the injuries,” Train said suddenly, three hours into the night. He looked over, curious.

Anubis took his time to recall where he’d left off, then sighed. “Their hearts weren’t just stopped, Train…” He said grimly. “..they were torn in two.”

“Y-You’re… kidding me...” Train was caught between fear for his own heart and the fury for his comrades’. “How can you do that, tear someone’s heart in half, without causing an external wound!?”

“Sephiria said that the attacker ran an electrical current through them…” Anubis said, now looking over at Train, his paws maneuvering across the landscape with ease. “..That caused the hearts to begin such an erratic, quick rhythm that they tore themselves apart while the victim was still conscious… Whoever this killer may be, Train, he is sick.”

The man nodded. He remained silent as the stars began to show themselves, each one shining as if there weren’t a single thing wrong with they world they looked down upon. His hands clenched the handlebars tightly in a subconscious movement. He felt the same wave of uncertainty and impending Chaos that was sending each hair on Anubis’ body standing on end. His eyes narrowed- last time he’d felt this way… ‘No, don’t think about it…. You’ll be alright, Black Cat.’

--

The heavens weren’t on their side.

They traveled through the night, only to be greeted with a downpour fifty miles from Rubek. “Damn.” Train veered to the side of the road, stopping in fear of crashing. The rain didn’t stop- it seemed as if it’d last a decade. But, by what should’ve been morning, the downpour had become a drizzle – but still heavy enough to cause hazardous road conditions.

During that time that they’d stopped the first time, Anubis had given Train a communicator that allowed him to speak directly with Sephiria and Anubis – be that they ever were separated. It was disguised as his old bell collar while Anubis’ was a small metal strip hidden within the number “VI” tattooed by his left eye.

Their pace had slowed more than they liked. They constantly needed to pause in fear of crashing or being hit by other careless drivers. By the third day, Train had abandoned the bike to a ditch on the side of the road. He hated the thought of walking the rest of the way.

“Train, you’re still an idiot.”

“How so, Anibus?” Black Cat hissed, glaring over at the wolf, whom he just now noticed was the size of him.

“You aren’t going to walk. You’d pass out after three steps.” He backed up three feet, leaning down. “I’m horse sized. Ride on my back- I can get us to Rubek by noon tomorrow!”

He grinned- that cocky, Black Cat grin Anubis noticed that Train’d acquired after meeting Saya – and leapt on. “We won’t fail yet!”

“You make it sound as if we’re going to.”

“Jenos couldn’t die if he lost a bet with the Grim Reaper,” Train mentioned as Anubis began to run once more. “..TWICE! He’s survived death more times than I can count!”

Anubis couldn’t help but smile slightly. Leave it to Train to make you feel relaxed while you’re possibly running to your death. But, he could hear the truth hidden in his words- Jenos did seem to have an uncanny ability to come out of otherwise precarious situations with minor or little injuries, let alone escaping what would be fatal to others. The road seemed to drift by him in a dream like manner, his mind focusing solely on the mission at hand.

“Damn it, Jenos- You’d better prove Train right!” His pace quickened. “You’d better be alive, or I’ll kill you myself!”

I don't own "Black Cat".

R&R!

-TigerShinobi-