Chapter 3: The Hunter of the Past
Three days after the hunt and the accident, in which Karasuma had been hurt, Sakaki returned to work with a new attitude. He walked into the office and saw the same bored faces that he saw everyday at work.
" The usual bored faces," Sakaki said
Doujima and Robin looked at him and then shook their heads as they returned to work. Sakaki walked to the back, but then saw Karasuma in there. He hesitated to walk in, but he walked in slowly. He set his helmet down under a table and then went to the fridge to find the sushi was gone.
" I took the fresh sushi home before Amon could clean it out," Karasuma said
Sakaki looked at Karasuma seeing she hadn't once looked up from the files.
" How did you know it's me and not Amon?" he asked
" The way you walk, I can tell you both have different ways of walking, that I have picked up. Since you two are the only ones that really come back here, so I have distinguished your walks," Karasuma said
She turned around and she had a soft smile that could not be mistaken for anyone else's. He returned the smile and then walked over slightly hesitant to walk towards her.
" Don't worry Sakaki, Amon's not here at all," Karasuma said
" How are you feeling?" he asked
" I'm fine they're only second degree burns," Karasuma said, " I'll be fine."
Sakaki sighed and then smiled, she looked at him and looked at her work. Sakaki turned away and then pulled up a seat.
" So, how long have you two been together?" Sakaki asked
" Four months and 2 weeks," Karasuma said
Sakaki looked at her and said, " I guess that's something to celebrate, can I take you to lunch Ms. Karasuma?"
Karasuma looked at him and felt her soft smile fade away once he called her once again 'Ms. Karasuma.'
" Sure," she said
Sakaki nodded and then walked off. He sat down and got to work, he ignored the stares that were given off Doujima and Robin.
" Just ask if you want to know?" Sakaki said as he finished a report
" What happened after the hunt?" Robin asked
Sakaki looked at Robin and said, " I left for three days after I got my ass kicked by Amon."
Robin looked at Sakaki and touched his face.
" Sakaki you can't keep running," she said, " Amon's just protective that's all."
" Robin, don't worry about it," Sakaki said, " I'm fine, I just needed time away from here."
Sakaki turned away and looked at his computer screen. He sighed a little as he finished up reports. Amon came up and walked to his desk and hung his coat on his chair.
" Glad to see you back Sakaki, you've missed three cases," Amon said
" I know I was getting caught up on the last three sir," Sakaki replied
Sakaki sighed and Doujima looked at Sakaki.
" I guess we know, Sakaki lost his courage," Doujima whispered
" I think he's afraid of trying to be his usual self," Robin said
Later Sakaki left and waited outside, he didn't want to make a scene waiting for Karasuma in the office. He looked at his watch and then heard the door open and saw Karasuma and Amon walk out together. Amon had his arm around her waist and Karasuma was smiling. Sakaki started up his motorcycle and tied the spare helmet to the back of his motorcycle. He took off and Karasuma sighed and Amon opened the door for her. Amon slid in and pulled out and took off.
" Where do you want to go?" Amon asked
" There's a great sushi place just down town," Karasuma said
Amon nodded and drove down the street and went down town. Karasuma knew she would see Sakaki there. They pulled up and Karasuma saw Sakaki's motorcycle parked there. She nodded and Amon got out and opened her door for her, then helped her out. They walked in together and Sakaki was getting his order.
" Hi Ms. Karasuma, Amon," Sakaki said, " I see I've giving you ideas for well balanced meal."
Sakaki smiled and then paid and took his order.
" See you two at the office," Sakaki said
He placed his helmet on and took off. Karasuma sighed and Amon looked at her, he gently lifted her chin and kissed her.
" Are sure you want to eat here?" Amon asked
Karasuma looked at him and nodded.
" I'm fine let's eat here," she said
Sakaki climbed up the stairs and Doujima and Robin looked at him. He set his helmet down and pulled out his lunch.
" I trust lunch didn't go well," Michael said
" I'm a little tiered of trying," Sakaki said
He sat down and ate what he bought and Doujima looked at him.
" Jealous," she whispered
" I am not," Sakaki replied, " frustrated."
" If you ask me just go ahead and make plans somewhere else with her, Amon and Karasuma don't go out that much, they spend time together. Amon usually cooks for her maybe or sometimes she does too," Doujima said, " It's a very deep relationship."
" Romantic," Robin said
Sakaki rolled his eyes and finished up, then tossed the box away. Sakaki looked out the window and felt there was no hope. He was attracted to Karasuma, but perhaps that was just after years of being her partner. Sakaki didn't want to try anymore he needed to move away from those feelings.
When evening came Sakaki looked at his watch and waited for the clock to strike 6, so he could leave early and get his usual groceries that he gets at the end of the week. Karasuma walked out and looked at Amon, she walked over to him and knelt down beside him. He turned and looked at her and grabbed her hand.
" I'm not feeling well, can we cancel for tonight," Karasuma whispered
" Sure," Amon said, " I'll stop by later to see how your doing."
Karasuma smiled and kissed his cheek, she walked back to the back room, there she looked at a note she had written then folded it. She grabbed her jacket and slipped her shoes on then left for the night. Sakaki looked as she left and sighed, then Amon walked to see her off. Sakaki looked over his shoulder.
" Hey Michael, don't you have control of the security cameras?" Sakaki asked
" Yeah, but no I won't let you spy on them," Michael replied
" What good would that do?" Doujima asked
Sakaki shrugged and turned back to his work.
" It's only going to hurt you," Robin stated
Once it turned 6 Sakaki was off, he grabbed his coat and then his helmet. He went down and past Amon up.
" See you later," Sakaki said
He walked down to the garage and got on his motorcycle, then took off to the local grocery store. He bought his usual things and headed to his apartment. He got in and slipped his shoes off then put his groceries away. Sakaki went off and took a shower and wash away the daily residue off the day. He got out and dressed in his usual causal attire and warmed up leftovers. As he did her turned the radio on and poured a glass of water and got his dinner. He sat down on his couch and ate his dinner.
" It's good to be alone," Sakaki whispered
After dinner and Sakaki pulled out a book he was reading and read until his eyes became heavy with sleep. Feeling relaxed and pulled away from the world.
By 9 someone knocked on the door and Sakaki opened his eyes. He moaned a little then rolled onto the floor. He got up and stumbled to the door then opened it. He looked around, but didn't see anyone, until someone tugged on his shirt. He looked down and saw one of the neighbor's kids standing there. He knelt down and looked at the kid.
" Hey Keiji, what's a matter, your mom's not home?" he asked
" She's working late and I got scared and the baby-sitter never came. Mommy said I could always come to a neighbor's place if I got scared and since mommy trust you I came here," the little boy said
Sakaki smiled and rustled the boys hair.
" Are you hungry?" he asked
" Yes, I don't know how to work microwaves," Keiji said
Sakaki nodded and let the boy in and he shut the door behind him. He called to the boys mother's apartment and left a message. He walked over to his kitchen and looked at Keiji.
" Do you want a sandwich?" Sakaki asked
" Yes, sir, but I like just the meat," Keiji replied
Sakaki nodded and made the boy a sandwich and walked over. He handed the boy a sandwich and sat down.
" Where does your mom work Keiji?" Sakaki asked
" At the hospital, she got called in for a medical emergency, I don't know how to reach her so I came here cause I was scared of the monsters in our apartment," Keiji said
" Well, you know what, I hunt monsters," Sakaki said
" You do? Have you got any captured?" Keiji asked
Sakaki nodded and said, " Yeah we keep them locked up away from kids so they don't hurt them. If you want me to go take a look I'll do that."
" Really, you can, Mommy will be happy and safe from monsters too," Keiji said
Sakaki gave a smile and a chuckle at the child's reaction to his story. Sakaki told the Keiji some stories about his "monster hunts" trying to easy the child's fears. Keiji laughed as Sakaki explained that not all monster are bad, they're just misunderstood. Keiji nodded and Sakaki showed Keiji the unloaded orbo gun.
" We put them to sleep and lock them up so they can't scare you," Sakaki said
" Can I be a monster hunter like you Mr. Sakaki ?" Keiji asked
" Sure, when your older and ready to face your fears," Sakaki said
Someone knocked on the door and Sakaki looked at Keiji. He got up and walked to the door and opened it half way.
" Karasuma," he said
Karasuma looked at him and smiled.
" Can I come in?" he asked
" Yeah sure, if you want," Sakaki said
He invited her in and Keiji popped his head up to see who it was.
" Hey Mr. Sakaki is that your girlfriend?" he asked
" No, she's another hunter like me," Sakaki replied
" You told him about us?" Karasuma said
" No, just made up a story, he thinks there's monsters in his apartment. I told him I was a monster hunter," Sakaki replied, " Don't worry."
Karasuma smiled and walked over and Sakaki looked Karasuma.
" Hi, my name's Keiji," Keiji said
" Nice to meet you Keiji, my name's Miho," Karasuma said
" You have a pretty name," Keiji said
Karasuma smiled and Sakaki offered her a drink. She shook her head and sat down next too Keiji and he asked her questions. She looked at Sakaki who smiled at the site and she told him a few.
Later, Keiji curled up between Sakaki and Karasuma as they talked.
" He's so cute, how old is he?" Karasuma asked
" 5 or 6, he's my neighbor's down the hall she works at the hospital and got called . A baby-sitter never came so he came here," Sakaki replied
" You do this often Sakaki, play a part time baby-sitter?" Karasuma asked
" Yeah, this kid just seems to keep coming back," Sakaki said, " I think I've become a big brother too him, he's an only child and his mom is divorced."
Karasuma looked at Keiji and smiled, then looked at Sakaki.
" I'm sorry Sakaki, about today, I didn't want him to think something about lunch. I canceled dinner plans because I wanted to talk to you about this," Karasuma said
Sakaki looked at Karasuma and shrugged.
" Look, it's nothing, we were going for a friendly lunch," Sakaki said, " You don't have to worry about it. I understand that you and Amon are in a strong relationship."
Karasuma looked at Sakaki and grabbed his hand. He looked up at Karasuma and saw that soft smile, he likes so much, but he turned away.
" I can't be anyone anymore, I've pushed away the courage that made me different from everyone else and I want to be someone different," Sakaki said
Sakaki breathed deep and Karasuma lowered her gaze. Sakaki looked at his watch and Karasuma stood up.
" Maybe I should go, I mean your busy," Karasuma said
She walked to the door and Sakaki walked her out the door.
" Ms. Karasuma," he said
She turned and looked at him and stared at him in the eyes.
" Your afraid," she whispered, " Your closing yourself up."
Sakaki shook his head and said, " It's time I did maybe."
Karasuma shook her head and reached up and kissed Sakaki. Sakaki pulled away and turned away.
" You should go," Sakaki whispered
" Good night Sakaki," she whispered
Sakaki shut the door and leaned against the door. Karasuma looked at the shut door.
" I'm sorry Sakaki," she whispered
Sakaki walked over to the couch and looked at Keiji, then sat down at his table. He laid his head on the table and hit it a couple of times.
" You stupid, stupid idiot," Sakaki said, " How could you?"
Later, Keiji's mom came and picked him up and she paid Sakaki just because he came to the rescue again. Sakaki sighed walk to his couch and flopped. Sakaki sighed and closed his eyes and fell asleep.
" Why me?" he thought
The next morning Sakaki got up late hearing his phone in his ear. He opened his eyes and looked up. He saw someone standing there and turned away.
" 5 minuets," Sakaki said
" Come on Sakaki time to get up, your late for work," Karasuma's voice said
His phone's voice mail picked up and he sat up. He looked and sighed seeing no one there. He picked up his phone and listened to his voice mail.
" Sakaki can you give me a ride, Amon didn't pick me up," Robin's message said
Sakaki got up and grabbed his keys and his helmet then took off. He rode over to Robin's and she walked down. Robin got on and they headed to the STN-J. When they arrived, he pulled up into the garage and saw Karasuma getting out. He saw something wrong, she wasn't herself. He took off his helmet and helped Robin down then got off. Sakaki followed behind Robin and went into the office. He walked to the back and saw Karasuma looking over some files. She hid what ever was wrong well, but he knew something was up.
" Hello, Sakaki," she said
" Hi, Ms. Karasuma," he said in pleasant tone
He reached into the fridge and saw a box of sushi. He smiled and took it out then walked out without another word. He opened the box and a letter fell out and he lifted it up. He unfolded the paper and looked at the writing.
Sakaki, I'm sorry I have been a fool for ignoring such a fine co-worker as yourself. I felt thrilled when I saw you standing there as though you were waiting and you knew I was going to be at the restaurant. I was stupid to not realize this a long time ago, but your just as grown up as any. You only wish to make those around you happy and safe. You are a man Sakaki one that needs to understand that I am not the woman for you. What happened in the forest was just a piece of me not ready to commit fully to Amon, but now it was you who made me realize that Amon and I should be together. Thank you Sakaki.
Love, Karasuma
Sakaki balled up the letter and threw it away and ate with rage. He no longer could with stand the urge to fight back what he believed. He stood up and walked to the back. Karasuma looked up at him, Sakaki walked over to her and took her by the hand and pulled her to him. There was no hesitation in this movement and he kissed her. Though she struggled Sakaki continued to kiss her. She pushed him away and slapped him across his face. Sakaki looked at her and she shook her head and tears fell from her face.
" I'm sorry Sakaki, but I can't pull apart from Amon," she whispered, " He's become apart of me which I could never break lose from."
" Why him Karasuma? Is there apart of you that wishes to be second best?" Sakaki whispered, " Your still young Karasuma, your not at an age where you must suddenly decide who you want to be with for the rest of your life."
" We're all aging Sakaki," Karasuma replied, " I found him here all along waiting for me."
Sakaki nodded and she placed her hand on his face.
" I'm protecting you from hurt that would happen later on in life Haruto, Sakaki," Karasuma whispered
She hugged him and kissed his cheek then walked off. She walked downstairs and to her car. Sakaki watched as she walked out and then heard the door shut.
" This is what I had to do," Sakaki said, " All along I was afraid of what I believed, what I would become if I did.
Sakaki walked out and Robin and Doujima stood there.
" Go after her Sakaki," Robin said holding his helmet
" It's what you want, she's afraid," Doujima said holding his coat
" I can't, cause I don't love her anymore, she finished what I had started a days ago," Sakaki said
Doujima shook her head and said, " Are you giving up because of one person. One feeling."
" It's not my destiny," Sakaki replied
" Screw destiny," Doujima said, " You love her and you know deep down that your only doing this because your afraid."
Sakaki grabbed his helmet and jacket and walked off.
" Destiny has chosen this for me I can't ignore it," Sakaki said
" Bullshit," Doujima said
Sakaki walked off downstairs and bumped into Amon.
" Where do you think your going?" Amon asked
" I can't compete, you won," Sakaki said
He pushed past Amon and Amon walked upstairs and all was working.
" Where's Karasuma?" Amon said
" She took off, had to find someone that she lost," Doujima said
Amon looked at her and said, " Doujima where did she go?"
" I don't know she took off, I think she's searching for the person she was a long time ago," Doujima said, " After all it's been 2 years."
Karasuma stopped and bought some flowers that symbolized eternal life. She then drove to a grave yard and walked down the path. She stopped half way down and set some flowers down.
" It's been 2 years," Karasuma said, " On this day."
Karasuma closed her eyes and knelt down on the ground with her hands together as she prayed.
Sakaki soared down the main streets weaving through traffic when he saw Karasuma's car parked. He pulled over and parked then walked into the grave yard. He saw Karasuma kneeling on the ground praying. The sunlight that shined through the trees spilled over Karasuma's kneeling figure. He stared at her in awe as he walked closer and then knelt down by her side. She opened her eyes and looked at Sakaki.
" Haruto," she whispered
He looked at her and she lowered her head.
" Who is this?" Sakaki asked
She looked at the headstone and said, " My fiancé."
" You were engaged?" Sakaki said
" Yes, I lost him two years ago in a hunt that went wrong," Karasuma whispered, " The orbo around his neck broke and the witch stabbed him in his heart with her power."
" I'm sorry," he said
" 8 months later a new hunter replaced him, but I couldn't ignore what happened he was partner and my only life line," Karasuma said
Sakaki looked at her and saw tears fall from her face he became weak. Sakaki gently put an arm around her and pulled her close. Sakaki sighed feeling a stab in his heart.
" 8 months after the hunter was killed I came to replace him. I became her partner. How can I have forgotten how she called me by his name for the first 2 months. She said that I looked like him," Sakaki thought
" This why I can not pull away from Amon, cause Amon was with me through my grieving. A year later after your arrival we lost Kate and I remained by Amon's side, until he got Robin as his partner," Karasuma said
A car pulled up and Amon stepped out and he walked down the pathway of graves. He saw Karasuma and Sakaki kneeling by the grave, he cleared his throat and Karasuma looked up.
" Amon," she whispered
He walked to her and gently placed rose in her hair.
" Even the one who grieves must be prayed for," Amon said
Karasuma stood up and Amon gently wrapped his arms around her. Karasuma looked at Sakaki who stood up and then looked at Amon and Karasuma.
" I paid my respects," Sakaki said
He walked off and walked down the path, he felt bad that he couldn't help sooth Karasuma's pain, the one thing a guardian angel couldn't do. He placed his helmet on and got on his motorcycle. He looked in the distances and saw Amon and Karasuma embrace each other as they paid respect for Karasuma's fiancé.
" I had no idea, I never knew who I had replaced," Sakaki said, " I'm sorry."
Later, when Amon and Karasuma returned they saw Sakaki there. He was trying find something and Doujima and Robin watched as Sakaki became frustrated.
" What is he trying to do?" Karasuma asked
" Trying to find information on someone," Doujima replied
Amon grabbed Karasuma by her hand pulled her towards the back. Karasuma looked at him and smiled. She placed her hand on his face and he kissed her hand.
" Are you alright?" he asked
" I'm fine, I just miss him," Karasuma whispered
When the clock struck 8 Doujima walked downstairs and went off. Amon and Robin walked off and Karasuma remained a little to clean up. She saw Sakaki looking around and Michael typing. She lowered her head and looked at the ring she wore on her right finger. She turned it and walked out and Sakaki looked up. She walked over and sat down on the desk top.
" He was a man like you Sakaki," she whispered, " A man who lived up to his word and honor. That's why I loved him and care for him."
Sakaki stood up and Karasuma looked at him. He started to walk off, but she grabbed his arm and Sakaki looked at her.
" Your just like him Sakaki," Karasuma said, " Your different in your own way, but your so much like him."
" I'm not him and will never be him," Sakaki said
He walked off and grabbed his helmet. Karasuma sighed and walked off after him. He walked to his motorcycle and put his helmet on.
" I can't keep fighting," Sakaki said, " So, stay with Amon, I don't want to be in your way."
Sakaki took off and Karasuma sighed, she got into her car and took off and headed to her apartment. There she relived a memory by placing a video tape of them.
Tape
" Razan, Miho turn around," Doujima said
" Yurika," Karasuma said burying her face in Razan's chest
Razan wrapped his arms around Miho and kissed her head.
" So, let see it Ms. I'm engaged," Doujima said
Karasuma raised her left hand and flashed the ring on her hand. Kate and Amon walked over and Kate looked at the ring.
" That's two karts she's wearing, I'm so jealous," Kate said
Karasuma looked at Razan and kissed his lips.
" You have to have a partner like mine," Karasuma said
" I'll borrow your partner Miho if you ever get bored and you can have my mysterious man in black," Kate said
Karasuma grabbed Razan's hand and they got up together, and Razan wrapped his arms around her waist.
" Isn't she so dangerous?" Razan said
End
Karasuma sighed and wiped her tears away and got up. She walked into her room when she heard someone knocking on the door. She walked over and opened the door and saw Amon standing there.
" Amon," she whispered
She opened the door and let him in and he looked at her then wiped away the still falling tears. She wrapped her arms around him and started to cry in his arms.
" It's two years and I still cry over his death," she cried
" It's alright, I'm here to take care of you," Amon said
Karasuma wrapped her arms around him. Amon reached into his pocket and looked at her. He grabbed her left hand and kissed it.
" I don't want to replace Razan, but I want to be with you Miho," Amon said
Karasuma looked at him and bit her lower lip and Amon opened the little ring box . He lifted her chin and she reached up and kissed him.
" Will you let me fully into your life, if I allow you to enter mine?" Amon asked
She nodded and Amon slipped a 1.5 kart diamond. She looked at him and he grabbed her hands.