Chapter 3: Challenging the Heart
Later Karasuma got Robin home with Sakaki following behind. He pulled up to the apartment building and made sure Robin got in.
" Sakaki I'll pick her up for now on until she is better," Karasuma said
" Alright," Sakaki said
" I'll be fine," Robin said
Sakaki smiled and then rode off and Karasuma helped Robin upstairs.
" He's attracted to you," Karasuma said
" Why do you say that?" Robin said
" He's done everything he can to try to get you to notice his feelings," Karasuma said
Robin looked at Karasuma and said, " No, I can't I'm in love with Amon."
" Amon, has changed. Since he met Ms. Kokoro," Karasuma said
Robin shook her head and then sighed.
" No, he hasn't," Robin replied, " He's just struggling."
Karasuma knocked on the door and Touko answered it and helped Robin in.
" I'll be by to pick you up Robin," Karasuma said
" Early," Robin said
" Early," Karasuma said
Robin nodded and walked in and Touko looked at Karasuma.
" Ms. Karasuma," Touko said
Karasuma turned and looked at Touko then Touko walked out and shut the door.
" How is Amon?" she asked
" He's fine," Karasuma said, " He's seeing the new hunter's cousin."
" You seem rather pleasant about this," Touko replied
" It's been two months, perhaps it was nothing we could have worked out. I was always tagging along behind him. Never at his side after all I'm the vice senior hunter," Karasuma said
Touko nodded and said, " After four months and now a year has past and I don't feel that I have totally lost the feelings for him, but for the sake of the STN-J it was our best decision made together."
Karasuma nodded and looked at Touko, she too knew the struggle of keeping a relationship with the senior witch hunter. Both had seen it in his dark eyes that there was apart of him missing. The space neither one could fill, so now he was seeing someone else. Karasuma walked off and got into her car and sat there for a few minuets before starting it up.
Sakaki laid awake as the endless anger struck him. His own uncle was the cause of the destruction of his family. He was shamed to be called a Sakaki. He only now wanted to be called his first name. He didn't want to be introduced as Sakaki, Haruto. His uncle had tore that honor away. His father was the true reason he proudly said his whole name to any. Sakaki tossed and turned as his head hurt, and voice of his past came to him, what he thought he forgot, was there. Sakaki sat up and wiped the sweat from his face then walked to the bath room. He looked in the mirror seeing the burn mark on his chest. He turned and saw scars from where they did surgery to replace the dead skin with living skin cells. Sakaki leaned over the sink and breathed deep.
" What happened to me?" he asked
Sakaki splashed some water on his face and heard the gun shots in his mind. He grabbed the marble counter and winced in pain.
" Why am I hearing these gun shots?" Sakaki said
Sakaki stood up straight and walked out with a towel swung over his shoulder. He looked at his clock seeing it was only 1:30. Sakaki climbed into bed and put his hands behind his head and stared up at the ceiling.
Amon looked through the window of the ICU and looked at Rein.
" Robin," he thought, " Why would you save me?"
He placed his hands in his pocket and walked out of the hospital and then got into his car. He called Michael to find any more information on Karen. Of course Michael pulled up information that Amon would have to read some.
" So, the Sakaki family does have a good side," Amon said
" It would seem that Haruto's mother married his father's brother, but then finding out he was a witch married his father. Karen was the first born and when both their powers woke Haruto's mother wanted to leave the marriage," Michael said
" I see, so why the sudden desire to kill them off?" Amon asked
" I guess their family couldn't live with the idea that Sakaki's father's family were closer in relations," Michael said
" What exactly are you saying?" Amon asked
" They think first that Sakaki's father had dishonored the family name, when he married Yuki Ookami after Kage married her 5 years before. Second, Yuki's family was a middle class family who owed the Sakaki family a lot of money. In payment she married the eldest brother Kage," Michael explained
Amon nodded and said, " I see, so the best way to clean the family name from this mistake, they used the power they had to kill the family unfortunately, they missed a member in the cross fire."
" Right," Michael said, " The question is why didn't they make a second attempt once Sakaki lost his memories."
" 6years have past and it's now that they want to kill him, but what Kage was doing is trying to take control of all the STN's. So, witches don't have to hide. They can freely kill. They need someone from the STN to do so," Amon said
Michael typed up the security systems and blocked codes.
" It was funny to see that Karen got in so easily, but what she did was over ride my firewall. Now it's impossible to do so," Michael said
" Good work Michael. Keep it up and don't let your guard down," Amon said
" Right," Michael said
2 Days later
Robin was getting better, but for the next few days she was to stay in the office. She watched Amon and notice he never mentioned the incident that could have gotten him killed if she wasn't there. She then turned to her computer and found she was away from reality. Sakaki walked in and placed a box of doughnuts and thermos of hot espresso.
" Compliments from Harry," Sakaki said
Robin looked up at him and smiled then opened the warm thermos.
" Tell him thank you," Robin said
" Next time I go, I wish for you to join me and you can thank him then," Sakaki said
Robin looked at him and then got up with his help. She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him. He returned her hug and kissed her head.
" Thank you Sakaki," she said
" Call me by my first name," Sakaki said
" It's going to be hard," Robin said
" You can pull it off," Sakaki said
Robin smiled and then sat down and munched on a doughnut or two. She typed up some reports for Karasuma while Karasuma worked on another case. Amon walked over and Sakaki looked at him as he walked to Robin's desk. He placed a rose on her desk and she looked up at him.
" Thank you," he said
Robin got up and hugged Amon and he looked at her then embraced her.
" You saved my life numerous times," he stated
" I only did it cause I never stopped being your partner," she replied
Sakaki gave a helpless sigh and went back to his work. He couldn't help, but to be jealous of Amon on how Amon could be so away from feelings, then charm a woman with surprises. Sakaki felt he was only the dangerous type who tried to impress women, but that only led him up in emergency rooms, at home, and punishments for the stupidity he did. Amon walked off and Robin lifted the rose to her nose and smelt it, then held it close to her. Sakaki turned back to the work presented to him, he looked over at Robin as smiled.
Later Sakaki started heading down and Robin followed him behind.
" Sakaki," she called
Sakaki stopped and saw her close behind him on her crutches.
" Your getting good with those," he stated
" Practice," she said
" Yeah, I know," Sakaki said, " I am the prince of accidents."
Robin smiled and chuckled and then came eye to eye with him.
" Can I join you for lunch?" she asked
" Sure, I think we better take a taxi though. I haven't mastered crutches on a motorcycle yet," Sakaki said
Robin giggled and said, " I know."
They walked down together and haled a taxi. Sakaki helped her get in then slid in beside her. They were taken to Harry's and Sakaki helped her out, guided her in, then sat her down.
" Why hello Ms. Robin I see your getting around quite well," Harry said
" Only with help," she said
" Help is always the fastest way to heal," Harry said
Sakaki nodded and sat across from her.
" I think we'll take our usual Harry, there's no need in trying something new," Sakaki said
" Of course," Harry said
Harry walked off and Robin looked at Sakaki. She grabbed his hand and Sakaki slight jumped.
" Thank you Sakaki, for helping me around," Robin said
" It's no problem," he said, " You'd do it for me too."
Robin nodded and then released his hand, but then he grasped her hand. She looked up at him and breathed deep.
" Robin," he siad
" Sakaki," she said, " Haruto."
Sakaki smiled to hear his name come from her mouth. He released her hand and she watched his hand pull away.
" Haruto," she thought
Harry brought out their food and they both started right away. Robin wondered what he was thinking about. She wanted to so much tell Sakaki, about his past, but she promised everyone she wouldn't. Sakaki was already suffering enough and he didn't need anymore. She took a bite of her salad, then once more looked at Sakaki.
" Haruto," she said softly
Sakaki looked up and waited for her to say something
" What were your parents like?" Robin asked
" I don't remember, I have pieces of my memory, but I don't know. I know my father was murdered by my uncle, my mother was from a middle class family, but that's all I know," Sakaki said
Robin found her heart aching hearing the memories Sakaki had none of his parents. Both were murdered and he knew very little. She grabbed his hand and Sakaki looked up at her.
" Then we have something in common," she said, " We both lost our parents or we don't remember them."
Sakaki nodded and then finished his lunch up. Afterwards they headed back and found Amon was gone and Karasuma was back.
" Where have you been?" Karasuma said
Sakaki was surprised feeling a motherly tone in Karasuma's voice. It was full of worry and fear, like a mother didn't know where her children were.
" We went out," Robin said, " Sakaki treated me to lunch to cheer me up."
Karasuma looked at Robin and Sakaki and nodded
" I see," she said
" It's not like that," Robin said shaking her head
" Right," Karasuma said
Robin shook her head and then sat down.
" Alright remain here you two," Karasuma said, " It's Amon's orders."
Sakaki looked at Robin, she seemed worried, about something. The rose that Amon gave to her now sat in a vase. He knew that it was Amon she was concerned about, but he didn't say a thing.
Amon drove past a medium house and looked around. He parked and took out his phone.
" Ok I'm here," Amon said
" The Ookami family, are very small family, it seems that the family they got involved with about two years after the death of Yuki, hasn't asked for payment for their services yet," Michael said
" So, Their not only in debt with the other family, but this one as well?" Amon asked
" Well, it's a little more easier, the wife's sister married into this family a couple years ago," Michael said
Amon saw the door open and he watched as an older man walked out followed by woman in her early late forties.
" Their young," Amon said
" Well, Haruto's mother was only 18 when he was born," Michael said, " His aunt is in her 30's, but the men are in their 60's."
" Marry older men, it makes sense," Amon said, " Though Yuki didn't seem to be following in the foot steps of her families tradition."
Amon looked at his watch and then watched as the first car pulled out.
" So, what now," Amon said
Suddenly, there was a tap on Amon's window. Amon looked and saw a young girl standing there. He rolled down his window and told Michael to hold.
" Mister, your not safe sitting out here," she said, " My mother has asked me to escort you in."
Amon nodded and turned to his phone.
" Michael," Amon said
" Go ahead, their clean," Michael said, " Their Sakaki's grandparents."
" Alright, I'll contact you as soon as I'm finish speaking with them," Amon said
" Alright," Michael said
Amon got out and the young girl took his hand and lead him inside.
Karasuma pulled up to a small business outside the city and watched as cars pulled up. Just as she suspected, Karen walked towards the restaurant.
" Alright, I'm going in," Karasuma said
She stuck her gun in her purse and walked in.
" Don't get distracted, they're all thugs," Michael said
" Be careful Karasuma," Robin said
Karasuma walked towards the restaurant and walked in. As she did, she went to the bar and listened to the conversation. To the group before her, looked like a bunch of college buddies drinking to the good old days.
" Their so young," Karasuma said
" Their ages range from age 19-35, they call themselves the new generation," Michael said, " How am I to get a clean shot at Karen."
" You can't right now, you'll have to wait until she leaves," Michael said
" Great," Karasuma said
Karasuma watched Karen's every move as she walked around the table. A young man wrapped his arm around Karen's waist as she stood up.
" I'm guessing that's her fiancée?" Karasuma thought
" So, Karen have you gotten your brother yet?" one asked
" He's hooked," Karen said
They all looked at her and she looked at them.
" I'm only his half sister, but he believes that I am his full blooded sister," Karen said, " He's an idiot. He'll be dead by the end of this month."
" Why the end of this month, you've got access now to the STN-J?" another said
Karen looked at the man across from her and she smiled at him.
" Because, you got to get rid of the protectors," Karen said
" Now, didn't I tell you young Karen that, not all the hunters are easy to slay. In fact I bet you haven't laid a hand on Amon," the same said
" Oh, but my father has, if it wasn't for that craft user he would be dead, She's the next target. You strike low before you strike high am I right," Karen said
They all cheer and Karen smiled at the group.
" Michael did you get that?" Karasuma said
" Yeah I did, but we have a new problem," Michael said
" What's that?" Karasuma said
" Half of those people are witches," Michael said
Karasuma looked at them and then turned away.
" Well, I can start shooting and hope for the best," Karasuma said
" Don't do it Ms. Karasuma, it's dangerous, your in pit of snakes," Michael said
Karasuma reached into her purse.
" Then the only way out is to shoot," she said
She loaded the gun and pulled it out. She stood up and closed her eyes then opened them.
" Karen," Karasuma said
Karen looked up and then 20 members looked over.
" Well, look who it is," Karen said, " Accidents do occur you know witch hunter. You must be Karasuma, vice senior hunter, under Amon."
" Shut up," Karasuma said
A man from a corner of the bar watched and then lowered his head. Karasuma fired a shot that whizzed past Karen's head hitting another in the shoulder.
" Missed," Karen said
" I won't miss the next time," Karasuma said
" Get her," Karen said
Everyone rose and went after Karasuma. She shot several of them and reloaded, but was captured in the process. Karasuma struggled and Karen lifted her head.
" You're a feisty one," Karen said, " Of course they're the most fun to kill."
" Strangle her," one said
" Of course," Karen said
She reached into her pocket and pulled out a rose petal. Karasuma narrowed her eyes and struggled to get free.
" Hold her down," Karen growled
" I'm trying to boss," the men said
Karasuma kicked back and nailed one of the men that held her. She then used the heal of her hand and thrust it upward at the man. She broke his nose and grabbed her gun, she looked at Karen and aimed it at her.
" I know a disappointed little hunter," Karen said
" Once he knows who you truly are then he'll be willing to sacrifice those feelings," Karasuma said
Karen laughed and she snapped as 6 large men walked next to her.
" We'll see," she said
The 6 men came at her Karasuma fired a few shots, but they came to fast. Suddenly she was pulled away from their grasped and pull out the back way.
" After them," Karen said
Karasuma followed the man, who took her hand and held it tight.
" Who are you?" she said
" Someone from the STN," he said
" What!" she exclaimed
The man lead her to the back and got into his car and she got in on the other side. The man unmasked himself and brushed strands of lose hair from his face.
" Who are you?" she asked
" Your new ally," he said, " I'm from the STN in Europe."
" Your joking?" Karasuma said
The man looked at her and shook his head.
" I wish I was," he said, " I've been hunting the witch down all the way from America to China to Japan, after she destroyed our base in Europe."
" Those are the places she went too," Karasuma said
" She's had help to get into them, I believe her father," the man said, " He's been hunted already, but she's doing good on her own. A apparently I came in time to help the Japan branch."
Karasuma sighed and the man looked at her seeing burns on her wrist.
" It looks like other witches have the same craft of heat. I don't know how to explain this power, but I think it's a genetic craft. It dates back over 20 years. The witch will steal heat from the victim and burn them with that heat that they got," he said
" Do you have a name?" Karasuma asked
" Atra," he said, " It's Latin for dark."
" Dark huh?" she said
" I only work in the dark," Atra said
Karasuma looked at the young dark hair blue eyed man, his features were much like Amon's only more of a pleasant feeling surrounded him. She gave a smile and Atra looked at her.
" And what do I call you miss?" he asked
" Miho," she said
" It's a beautiful name," Atra said
He turned down an alley way where he stopped and pulled into a garage. He got out and walked over to her side and opened the door, there he helped her out. She looked at him eye to eye and then he turned away.
" Come up I'll take care of those burns," he said
As they walked up Karasuma pulled out her phone and called Amon.
" Amon, it's Karasuma," she said
" Where are you?" he asked
" I don't know exactly, I'm with an STN member from Europe," Karasuma said
" Stay there, I'll be over," he said
" Alright," he said
Atra looked at her as she hung up and he pulled out a bowl and bandages with medicine.
" Amon, huh?" he said
" Yes, our Senior witch hunter," Karasuma said
" I know Amon," Atra said, " He was sent to our branch for a year."
" When?" she asked
" A year ago, he and this young craft user," Atra said
Karasuma raised her head and said, " I see, so that's where they were."
Atra cleaned the burns, then place medicine on them. Karasuma winced and Atra looked at her.
" I'm sorry," he said
" It's ok, it burns," Karasuma said
Atra knelt down and gently blew on her wrist. Karasuma looked at him as he did so then watched him wrap her wrist up.
" There," he said
" Your good," she said
" I have a lot of practice," he replied
He removed his jacket and Karasuma saw the burns on his hand. He undid his sleeve button and rolled it up. There a burn connected to the other one on his hand.
" Oh, my," she said
" Third degree, they never heal right," he said
30 minuets later Amon knocked on the door and Atra opened it. He let Amon in and shook his hand like they were old friends.
" What information do you have?" He asked
" They're making plans for an attack," Atra said, " I believe on the STN."
Amon looked at Karasuma and looked at her wrapped wrist. He grabbed her arm and looked at it.
" They did this to you?" he asked
" Amon, I'm fine you don't have to protect me anymore," Karasuma said
Amon looked at Karasuma seeing she was independent now since the decision to break up.
" Atra, I have a favor to ask," Amon said
Atra looked at him and waited to see what his old friend asked of him.
" I need you to stake out this place," Amon said handing him an address, " I believe the family will be meeting here."
" Then you can count on me," Atra said
Amon looked at Karasuma as she walked to the door.
" Thank you," Karasuma said with a bow then walked down
Amon followed her and she walked to his car.
" My car is at the restaurant," Karasuma said
" I'll have it picked up, they'll be waiting there," Amon said
" Amon, stop protecting me," Karasuma said, " I'm capable of handling myself."
" You've done a fine job of doing so," he said lifting her wrist
" Drop me off at home if your going to act like this, I hate it when you treat me like I'm fragile," Karasuma said
Amon looked at her and started his car then took off, he ignored her request and headed to the office. There they walked up to the office and Sakaki and Robin looked up to see them walk in together.
" Oh, I see, what kind of hunt this was," Sakaki said
" What did you find?" Amon asked
" Nothing," Robin said
She got up slowly and Sakaki helped her with her crutches. She walked past Karasuma and Amon and headed to the elevator. Amon watched her from the corner of her eyes.
" Ms. Kokoro called, she said Rein woke up and is on the way to a fine recovery," Michael said, " And she said she wants to have dinner at your place."
" A late night supper Amon," Karasuma said
" Business," Amon said
" You can't be serious, she's a doctor," Karasuma said
Amon looked at Karasuma and Karasuma threw the same look at him.
" Uh if you two are having one of those moments with each other I don't want to be apart of it," Michael said
Sakaki got up and snuck out the office, but before doing so Karasuma grabbed him by his collar.
" Your staying in site," Karasuma said
" Oh come on Ms. Karasuma, I just want to go down stairs," Sakaki said, " To make sure Robin's ok. She's not able to do much with out help."
Karasuma sighed and let him go then he took the elevator down to the basement. Sakaki walked out the elevator and saw Robin sitting on the well. He walked over to her and jumped on the edge beside her.
" This is where is all happened a year ago, when Amon saved me," she whispered, " He sent me away because he was concerned for me. Because he wanted me to live. In the end I became foolish to ever think that he would truly harbor feelings for me the way I had for him."
" He's different Robin," Sakaki said, " He's learning to cope with some changes, others I'm sure he hides."
" No, your wrong," Robin whispered, " The way he embraced me, wiped away my tears. I can hear his voice telling me that I shouldn't be afraid that what I have become was a power that no one could defeat. That I was an Angel of fire protecting the wishes of others."
Sakaki looked away and then lowered his head.
" I don't know what you see in Amon, other than the ability to continue to work for his approval," Sakaki said
" Haruto," Robin said
" But I'll tell you now Robin," Sakaki said, " That no one should be hurt by love. Not even an Angel of Fire."
He turned around and Robin stared at him. Robin grabbed her crutches and jumped down on her good leg.
" I would gladly die for Amon," Robin said, " I'm his only partner."
She started off and then Sakaki walked in front of her and she stumbled. He caught her and lifted her into his arms. He kissed her and her eyes widen as he did so. Tears fell from her eyes and Sakaki looked at her. He sat her down and wiped them away.
" I don't care how much you think you may love Amon, but I'll fight for what I have to do to win your heart Robin Sena," Sakaki said
Robin breathed deep and looked at Sakaki as he had just confessed his feelings to her. She felt tears fall from her face and Sakaki wiped them away, she then wrapped her arms around him as he knelt down to where he had set her down. She began to cry endless tears into his arms. Sakaki gently embraced her as he let her cry.
" How can I be such an idiot?" she cried
" Love is like that," Sakaki said
She looked up at him and Sakaki smiled a little, the first smile he smiled since the week began. She wrapped her arms around him and buried her face into his chest. He stroked her falling hair and kissed her head.
" Robin, please I know you need me as much as I need you," Sakaki whispered
" I do," Robin said
" Then open your heart," he said
" I can't," Robin whispered, " I closed it so that only one man could open it."
" Let me be that one man," Sakaki said
Robin laid her head on his chest and listened to his heart beat. She stared at the well and then looked up. Sakaki stared down at her and she closed her eyes.
" Sakaki, you've been so good to me, but how can I ever get over Amon," she thought
Sakaki lifted her chin as to say "like this" with that he closed the gap between their lips, with surprise Robin kissed him back.
" I can move on, maybe this was my destiny to be Sakaki's Angel of Fire," Robin thought
She wrapped her arms around Sakaki and Sakaki lifted her into his own. He pulled away and caressed her lips with his thumb. She smiled and leaned her head on his chest and slightly snuggled into his hold. The pain she felt in her leg was gone and the fear of losing someone was released.