To Capture a Deity

[Moonlight]

Garret's steady gaze was painfully obvious from where the stood in his office, accepting the protective casing from his son without a word. Elliot's explanation had intrigued him, about Red Rain. The renowned assassin, the only one that rivaled Nightshade in proficiency and fame. Assassins of the highest caliber. He had clearly been toying with an idea relating to Red Rain as of late, as more and more reports made the papers and news of the blonde assassin's conquests. One after another, literally an unending rain of blood.

The document gently slid onto his desk after a moment, the plastic wrapping crinkling slightly as his hand brushed over it. "You've done well, even if your assignment was already half completed for you," the elder man finally said, his words causing the thief's lithe frame to relax slightly. Every mission created a thick sense of dread in her stomach, that he would no longer have a use for her once she was finished with it. Knowing that she would've had a massive sentence and punishment waiting for her the moment he gave word. It'd be no surprise if the law executed her. "However ..." Garret added softly, glancing up from the document as she removed the cowl around her face and throat. Not missing his son's evaluating stare at Kitty as her ponytail came loose, shoulder length locks falling around her face once more. "You still have yet to truly prove yourself. Until you can prove that you can do whatever it takes, your use will begin to run thin," he said quietly, his eyes almost emotionless.

A sharp contrast to his son's icy gaze. He was inspecting her like a piece of art, a sculpture. And it was driving her up the wall. They had her trapped - Like a cat with a mouse, playing with it. Using it as a source of amusement, rather than setting it free or putting it out of its misery.

Kitty's head dipped, suppressing a sigh. "... I understand, Sir."

"Elliot, please do spar with her before you retire for the evening. Mission or not, practice is vital."

She stiffened at the smile curving the blonde assassin's lips. "Of course, Father. Good evening to you," he said softly, nodding towards the door. The heels of her boots making muffled clicks against the rug-covered wooden floor, before allowing the door to shut behind her. Hoping to gain a few moments of peace. But knowing it would be futile.

Sparring was always an excuse for him to dominate her.

[Sabaku No Akaiame]

The rain hadn't stopped by the time Sabaku was done with his second assignment. Now tired, wary and splattered with blood from his two victims, he slowly walked in the rain. Now he just had to go back to Sinnoh to give a mission report, and hopefully get some time off before the next mission.

"I say we run." Sabaku huffed as he moved under a tree for moment, his Luxray following and shaking some water out of his fur.

Looking at each other for a moment, the two of them sighed, and the assassin smiled. His Luxray purred in content and rubbed his wet fur on his master's leg, only to be petted on the head.

"Alright, ready?" Sabaku grinned as he turned around and faced the rain.

The Luxray nodded slightly.

"GO~"

As the two bounded off under the rain, laughing and smiling, Inazuma could only smile in relief. His master was back to normal. For now.

[Moonlight]

She slammed against the wall again, a faint groan escaping her lips. Her body was begging for mercy, screaming in protest with every hit exchanged or taken. Kitty's head was pounding as she allowed herself to slide down the unforgiving wall, sweat trickling down her face. The catsuit also having done nothing to guard her now aching body against Elliot's much more skilled techniques. His martial skill beyond hers by several ranks. And it was painfully clear, once more.

The young woman forced her eyes open again as she heard Elliot's footsteps, struggling to her feet on trembling legs. Determined not to be outmatched for the umpteenth time. "You do not concede yet, Kitty Cat?"

"Jump off a cliff."

"Heh ... But you'd miss my presence so much," he teased, only to earn a death glare. She lunged, launching into a series of flips - Landing in stance as she lashed out with a roundhouse, only to have her still booted leg caught with his reflexes. Stiffening slightly. "Either way, I win every time."

He suddenly twisted her leg, and shoved her against the wall again as he released it. Her back entirely against it, with no room between them. Elliot's fingers gently traced her jawline, enticing a disgusted shudder from her. Only to have his grip fasten around her jugular, forcing her head back to face him when she turned it away. Kitty's eyes narrowing when he suddenly pressed his lips against hers, the kiss rough and forceful.

The blade of his main-gauche touching her throat as insurance that she did not resist, before he finally pulled back. "Sweet dreams, Kitty Cat," Elliot whispered, sheathing his weapon as he turned. Calling it a night.

[Sabaku No Akaiame]

"It feels good to go back home after so much time." Sabaku laughed as he leaned on the railing. Next to him, Inazuma smiled lightly and nodded. Both of them stayed silent as the water shifted under the boat, the sound of the waves and the seagulls calming them down.

They could now see Sinnoh on the horizon. Only a few more hours left until they got to Canalave City, from which they'd travel back to Team Oblivion's hideout.

The assassin's eyes darkened at the mention and he leaned harder on the railing, staring at the water below. Some Magikarp were swimming around beneath the clear water, and occasionally, a Goldeen or two would jump out of the water.

"You must think I'm pathetic..." he suddenly whispered, staring blankly at the waves left behind by the boat. His Luxray quickly turned up and made a noise that clearly showed his confusion. "You know..." he sighed. "The dark, and stuff." he suddenly buried his head in his arms.

The electric lion looked up at his master and frowned lightly as he breathed in deep, trying to clear his mind. The Pokemon suddenly bounded up on the wooden railing and laid his head down on his master's hair.

"Yeah, I guess you're right..."

The Luxray smiled and got back down just as the teen's head shot back up, a grin on his face.

"It can't be my fault, I mean, I have my reasons! Now! Let's go eat something!"

[Moonlight]

Kitty tugged the sleeves of the jacket further down her wrists as she walked, realizing she'd accidentally shoved them up to relieve the heat in her arms. But in the same motion, showed the bruises too. The last thing she needed was questions. Especially after last night.

She fingered the golden pendant at her neck after a moment, breathing a sigh. Garret's methods of keeping a watch on her were certainly sophisticated. A tracking chip embedded in a piece of jewelry, with a steel chain simply coated in gold. Few would suspect it of being anything more than costly ornamentation. Taking a seat against the brick walls around a building, she began tugging at the chain again. The metal bit at her skin, at the discoloration at the back of her neck. Considering it had been forged as soon as she started stealing at his command, it was very strong for its age. Red lines were visible in her skin when she released the chain, it having given no hints whatsoever of giving.

And if Gair wasn't around ... She'd have a chance at escape if she got the tracking chip off. Garret would have no one to turn in even if she did manage to defect if that actually went through.

[Sabaku No Akaiame]

"Finally." the teen breathed in deep as he walked onto firm ground. "HOME SWEET HOME!"

The Luxray nodded as they both started walking away from the docks, towards the Canalave Pokemon Center. Once inside, the blonde greeted the nurses running around until he got to the PC.

He turned on the computer and quickly accessed his file, not finding it surprising that a Staraptor had somehow gotten into his PC. The boss had put it there for him, to help him travel faster.

"He just wants me to get home quickly so he can get paid quicker and send me out again." the blonde sighed darkly as he clicked on the Staraptor, withdrawing it. A Pokeball fell out of a slot and he picked it up as he signed off and left.

Once outside, he threw the Pokeball up in the air, and the Staraptor inside came out with a shrill cry, flying around a bit before landing.

"So, where are we going this time?" the assassin asked emotionlessly, grabbing his Luxray in his arms and getting up on the big bird Pokemon. Of course, it did not answer, simply give out a shrill cry and flap its wings, rising up in the air. As usual, only the transporting Pokemon would know where it was going, and the blonde never got to know until he actually got there.

"Fine then, let's go." he sighed, gripping his Luxray tighter as the air got colder. "See if I care..."

[Moonlight]

Tugging the sleeves of her jacket down as she skated through the port town, having already been teleported at courtesy of Garret, while he gathered information and planned the next strike. Hopefully this time it would be a solo mission, one that would require several days. Now that it was almost lunch time, though, people were emerging from work places to go grab some chow and relax some. Meaning if she went around sleeveless, there would be plenty of questions about the bruises on her arms. Hand shaped ones.

And the last thing she wanted was to deal with was needless headaches, to accompany her still very much so sore body. Having gotten only three hours of sleep the night before, though, the young woman appeared very lethargic and somewhat paler than usual underneath the afternoon sun. Simply coasting along the cement streets of Olivine, vibrations running up her jean-covered legs. She had a vague idea as to why she was here. There was rumored to be something of great importance in the catacombs of the city, but if it was true or not was up to debate.

Sighing as she slowly rolled to a stop, Kitty plopped down on one of the benches outside a bakery to rest. Briefly hunching over her knees to remove the skates and put her boots back on, she his Ian's and Sagira's pokeballs as she straightened, putting the skates in her pack. Both of them immediately rubbing against her leg in greeting, causing a small smile to cross her lips. Ian shyly crawled into her lap after he joined his human on the bench, ears flattening against his head with a pleading whimper. Considering he'd come from Elliot as a "gift", Ian's behavior wasn't surprising. She just wished he wouldn't be so scared of her. Gently running a hand over their soft pelts, two entirely different purrs were audible from her companions in a matter of moments. Sagira's louder and steady one was all too familiar, but Ian's was a shallow and raspy affair as his tail slowly swished in contentment.

"Want to go get a cinnamon bun, guys?" Kitty asked, smiling at the known reaction. Promptly having both Sagira and Ian playfully mauling her with enthusiasm. "Hehe, all right, all right. You have to get off me first," she said with a laugh, brushing fringe out of her eyes with one hand.

[Sabaku No Akaiame]

"I'm ho-ome~" the assassin called as he entered the gloomy hall. Some Team Oblivion members were walking around, working, and they all threw him some weird stares, used to his awkward behavior.

Inazuma trotted up to his master as they went through a series of twists and turns, making their way towards the boss's room.

In front of a massive set of double doors, the blonde removed a card from his pocket and put it in a slot, waiting for a green light to go off before opening it. Right behind that door was another one, guarded by a member of Team Oblivion holding a gun.

"At ease, you know who I am." the teen laughed as he walked by the guard and knocked on the door, opening it without waiting for a reply.

The inside was dark, unnerving the trainer and his Pokemon as they made their way towards the desk at the end.

Sabaku took a deep breath and closed his eyes, trying to block out all the haunting memories this room brought back, and for the first time, a serious expression overcame his face.

"We're back, Boss."

The chair behind the desk slowly turned around and the blonde came face to face with Team Oblivion's leader, who was cloaked in shadows.

"I suppose the missions went well."

"Yes Sir." the assassin nodded.

"And... were there any complications?"

The teen bit his lip for a moment, trying to think things out, but the shadows closing up on him weren't helping, and in desperation to break the silence, he manage to utter the truth out.

"A-Actually, during my first target's assassination, a couple of other assassins were there and targeted that Team Rocket official as well." he muttered out, looking around frantically to make sure nothing would jump out of the shadows and hurt him. He'd gotten sick and tired of that.

That's when Inazuma made a warning noise to tell him that the truth is not a good option right now, and something glinted in the dark.

Everything went by in a flash, but by the end of the next second, Inazuma was paralysed in fear, something was floating in the air, and Sabaku's arm, outstretched right in front of his Pokemon, was bleeding.

"You know I don't like that Pokemon of yours, make it shut up."

"I-I'm sorry." Sabaku bit his lip as he grabbed the knife embedded in his arm and pulled it out, his Luxray retreating behind his legs, scared. Both the trainer and the Pokemon shaking in terror as something wafted by, making their skin go cold.

[Moonlight]

Sweet smelling cinnamon and fresh-baked bread wafted around Kitty as she made her way into the shop, motioning for Sagira and Ian to stay on the bench. Their eager faces peered in through the window, reminding her much of the Classy Cat's kittenhood days. After Ian slid down the bench's back, though, Sagira was kind enough to pick him up by the scruff of his neck like a kit. Smiling, the onyx tressed thief turned back to the counter as the chef on duty emerged. Batter and spices occasionally darkened his white uniform, but a jovial smile appeared at his mouth at the same time. "What can I do for you, miss?" he asked with a chuckle, dark eyes twinkling with amusement as he saw the pokemon waiting outside for her.

She quickly glanced at the prices hanging over the man's head, before removing six 100-yen coins from her wallet. "Two cinnamon buns, please," the young woman said, setting the slotted coins on the counter with a slight clink.

"Certainly."

Two steaming buns, smelling of fresh cinnamon with warm icing having just been drizzled over it, were handed to her in exchange for the coin. Said buns were still very warm through the paper wrapping around the muffin-like bottom, and very tantalizing. "Thanks. Have a nice day," she said with a nod, turning to walk back out the bakery.

Both of her companions noticeably begging. Chuckling as she sat down between them again, she broke one of the buns in half and gave it to them. "Enjoy, guys," she murmured, smiling as she nibbled at the edge of her own.

[Sabaku No Akaiame]

"Ah yes, I forgot to mention. Yuurei missed you during your absence." the boss chuckled as a Mismagius floated into view, turning around the terrified teen and his small Pokemon.

"W-we haven't, though." the assassin whispered under his breath, closing his eyes as the ghost wafted around them. If it wasn't for the fact that they knew and grew up with the ghost, both of them would have fainted a long time ago. "B-Boss, you know we can't stand ghosts." he added in a breath.

"Silence!" was the thunderous reply that followed, making the assassin snap upright and tense for fear of having angered the boss of Team Oblivion. "And you know extremely well that I don't take kindly to weakness. I cannot believe you're still afraid of ghosts and the dark. What kind of an assassin are you!?" the man yelled.

"I-I'm sorry." tears rushed up to the teen's eyes as he was sorely reminded of his own weakness. But it wasn't his fault, the Boss was the one who actually made him develop those fears, all thanks to his assassin training methods.

"Sorry won't cut it, boy, you need to be more discreet, emotionless, and act like a real assassin if you want to live! Remember what I taught you: No fear, no pain, no mercy, got it?"

"I can't help it!" the assassin suddenly yelled back, the Pokemon cowering between his legs shrinking even more as two tempers clashed. "You were the one who made me live in the dark, and you were the one who hurt me so! How is it my fault that your training methods are so rutheless! It's because of you that I'm so afraid!" he yelled, tears starting to roll down his cheeks. "I HATE YOU!"

With that, he bent down and grabbed his Luxray, making a dash for the door.

"Sabaku no Akaiame."

Just as he touched the handle, he stopped as his full name was pronounced in an alarmingly calm voice.

"You know you can't run."

His grip tightened on the knob.

"Not after all you've done."

More tears poured out.

"You've killed so many innocent people. You think you can live a normal life if you run away from your destiny?"

He gritted his teeth.

"You will come running back to me, boy."

"Shut up." the blonde whispered, opening the door and slamming it shut as he stepped out. "I make my own destiny."