Chapter 4: Taking Care of Her
1 month later
The rain fell down and Karasuma looked out the window feeling something deep down inside was wrong. She looked at her ring on her left hand and turned it to her pinky then looked at her right hand.
" Razan," she whispered, " How can I ever replace you?"
She walked to her couch and laid there. Her cat jumped onto the armrest and rubbed against Karasuma's head. She petted the cat's head and then picked her up.
" Phantom, why do I feel something is wrong?" she whispered
The cat just meowed as Karasuma talked to her. Karasuma smiled and the cat curled up and laid down. Karasuma gently stroked the cat's soft fur and fell asleep pushing away the worry, but the dream she had was of the past
Dream
" Razan, Karasuma the witch is coming to you," Amon said
" Alright," Razan said, " We'll get her."
Razan loaded his orbo gun and Karasuma grabbed his hand.
" Don't worry," Razan said
He and Karasuma jumped out to see the witch stand before them.
" More hunters," she said
" Stop running," Razan said, " We'll go easy on you."
Karasuma fired a shot and Razan charged at the witch. He came close and shot at her. She fired her power at him and his orbo protected him. Karasuma came at her and the witch grabbed her and looked at Razan.
" Hmm your partner seems to mean a lot to you," the witch said
" Razan please shoot her," Karasuma said
" No, I can't," he said
Karasuma struggled and the witch pulled out a knife and made a cut across Karasuma's face.
" Miho," he said
Karasuma felt the blood drip on her collar of her blouse. She stared at Razan as he narrowed his eyes. His Orbo changed colors and Karasuma breathed deep. He raised the gun and shot one bullet. The witch threw Karasuma at it and shot her in the chest.
" Miho," he cried
He ran towards her and the witch smiled, Razan's orbo pendant continued to change colors and Karasuma watched weakly as it changed to black. The witch was using her powers to attack Razan. His orbo was already eating into him, Karasuma sat up and breathed deep, feeling her body become weak.
" Razan, don't fight," She breathed, " Don't fight her. Let Amon and Kate finish her. Please."
" No, I can finish her," Razan said
He raised his gun and she fired her power once more and the orbo reacted once more. He fired three shots one out of three hit her, she laughed and gained enough power to turn the orbo black. Razan's orbo pendant failed this time to protect him as the power came at him the orbo pendant broke and shattered to the ground.
" No!" Karasuma shouted
The power speared Razan through the chest and Karasuma felt pain strike her. She reached for her gun and shot at the witch, hitting her 6 times as she dropped. Karasuma weakly crawled towards Razan and saw him suffering.
" Razan," she cried, " No, you can't leave me, not two months before our wedding."
" I'm….sorry…Miho," he stuttered
She looked at the large stake in his chest and saw the blood cover his shirt.
" I can save you," she whispered
" No, it's my time," he whispered, " The greatest thing was meeting you."
He reached up to touch her face, but his hand dropped and he closed his eyes.
" No!" she cried, " Come back."
Amon and Kate came running and looked at the scene. Kate covered her mouth in surprise and Amon walked over and looked at Razan and Karasuma crying.
" It couldn't be helped," Amon said
Karasuma looked at Amon and shook her head.
" He's alive Amon, save him," Karasuma cried grabbing a hold of his trench coat
Amon knelt down and grabbed Karasuma in his arms as she cried.
" He's alive," she cried
" Miho," Kate whispered, " I'm so sorry."
Karasuma fell faint and Amon looked at her seeing the orbo bullet.
" I want to die," Karasuma's last words were before she slipped into a deep sleep.
End
Karasuma opened her eyes and gasped breathing deep. She felt tears fall from her face and she looked at her cat.
" Why?" she whispered
She sat up and looked around feeling light headed. She stood and stumbled, then fainted on the floor.
An hour later someone knocked on her door, but she didn't answer.
" Ms. Karasuma," Sakaki called, " I brought you something to cheer you up."
He knocked and then had that bad feeling in his gut. He quickly tried the door first before he kicked the door in. Finally he kicked it open and ran in, then looked around.
" Ms. Karasuma," he called
He walked into her apartment and then walked around her couch and found her on the ground. He knelt down and lifted her into his arms and tried to revive her.
" Come on Ms. Karasuma," he said, " Please."
Sakaki reached for his phone and called an ambulance. He checked her pulse and for shots, but didn't see anything. As soon as paramedics came and took her, he followed behind to the hospital. He sat down in the waiting room and prayed she was ok. He called Amon, knowing it was the right thing to do, but he wanted to see her first. He then remembered that Amon went to Solomon to giving the annual report. Sakaki waited and a doctor came out.
" What's wrong with her?" Sakaki said
The doctor looked at him and said, " She's ill, very ill. I can't explain, but there's something in her system that is making her ill. Something I haven't seen before."
" Can I see her?" he asked
The doctor led Sakaki to Karasuma's room where she had revived from the faint. She looked at him and smiled then frowned.
" Hi, my guardian angel's come back," she whispered
Machines beeped and he walked to her and sat down. She grabbed his hand and gave it a squeeze.
" Amon's on his way, he'll be here later," Sakaki said
" I'm glad you're here with me though Sakaki, cause once again you came in time," Karasuma said
Sakaki bit his lower lip fighting the tears, Karasuma stared at him and reached up and touched his face.
" Sakaki," she said, " Please, don't be sad. I'm alive."
" It's not that," Sakaki said trying to be a man
Karasuma looked at him and shook her head.
" You've always remained the adventurous and disobedient one. Ever since I met you," she said
Flash back
" This is our new hunter Sakaki, Haruto," Zaizen introduced
Sakaki looked at the strange faces that stared at him. He was 15 years old and pulled from his normal life, going into his second year of high school. No, family that wanted to take him in. Had spent the last 4 years being past around from foster parents to relatives until Solomon selected him to be a hunter. His relatives were happy to get rid of him. They helped him pack what he needed and shipped him off to the main island. Karasuma stood up and walked over to him and smiled.
" Sakaki, you're my partner," she said
Sakaki looked down and she smiled lifted his chin up.
" We're all bright new young faces, cheer up your our new brother," Karasuma said
From there on Karasuma has called him by her old partners name for the first two months, but soon called him by his first name. He was trained by her and taught by her, she even was able to teach him basic education along with Amon.
" Don't be stupid Sakaki!" Amon shouted
" I got it!" Sakaki shouted
" He's naïve," Kate said
Sakaki managed to shoot, but miss a witch. He was scolded for the lack of assurance. He was beaten once or twice, for punishment, but learned quickly.
" Your good," Karasuma said, " Sakaki, Haruto."
Sakaki looked at her and smiled. He grew stronger and quicker though he remained at the lowest class of hunters. He grew attached to those who became family.
" Leave them alone you bastard!" Sakaki shouted
His aim became good and he saved Karasuma's life. He soon earned his transportation and his trade mark quick movements by jumping in.
" How do you like it?" Sakaki said, " She's brand new."
" She's beautiful," Karasuma said, " I guess your not going to ride with me any more little hunter."
" I'm getting good at this," Sakaki said
Karasuma smiled and he introduced his diet of sushi to Karasuma.
End
Sakaki looked at her and took her hand and kissed it.
" Sakaki you've been so good to me," Karasuma whispered
" I'll stay with you, until Amon gets here," Sakaki said
It wasn't until early morning that Amon came in. He saw both of them sleep and he walked over to Sakaki, he gently woke him up. Sakaki opened his eyes and moan a little then sat up.
" Amon," Sakaki said startled
" Shh, what happened?" Amon asked
Sakaki lowered his gaze and Amon looked at him.
" What's wrong with her?" he asked again
" She's sick," Sakaki said, " She's very sick, they don't even know what it is."
Amon sat down and looked Karasuma, she was pale and she had a different presence to her.
" Miho," he whispered
Sakaki stood and looked at Karasuma.
" See you later," Sakaki said
He walked to the door and Amon stood up.
" Sakaki," Amon said
Sakaki turned and looked at Amon awaited to be told something about staying away from Karasuma.
" Thank you Sakaki for being there for her, when I couldn't," Amon said
" I only did what I had to for her well being," Sakaki replied
He walked off and Amon turned back to Karasuma.
" What's made you so ill," Amon said
1 week later
Amon brought Karasuma home and he led her up to her apartment. Karasuma opened the door and let them in. Amon sat her down on her couch and looked at her.
" Your still weak right now," Amon said, " Stay off your feet."
He gently stroked her cheek and she leaned her head against his shoulder.
" What's wrong with me," she whispered
" Your just sick, you'll be well soon," Amon said
Sakaki sat on the concrete railing of his balcony. He stared out as he ate some sushi and sighed.
" Why?" he whispered
He let the cool breeze gently rustle his hair as he watched the people down below walk down the busy side walks. He jumped down and went inside shaking off the fall air. He slid the door open and walked inside. He cleaned up a little and fell flat on his couch and closed his eyes.
" When I wake up this is all a dream?" Sakaki thought
The next day Sakaki picked up Robin and went to work. They both climbed up the stairs and entered the office. A new case was laid out, but no one seemed to be interested in it. Sakaki found himself pulled away from reality and more focused on the worry in his mind. Doujima and Robin looked at Sakaki and then turned to the door like two trained dogs, waiting for Amon and Karasuma to walk in.
" Have they found what's wrong?" Doujima asked
" I don't know," Sakaki whispered
" I'm sorry Sakaki," Robin whispered
" Why should you feel sorry, it's not your fault," Sakaki replied
He leaned back in the chair and sighed. He folded his hands into one another and closed his eyes.
" How come this is happening?" Sakaki thought, " Why are we losing those that are close to us."
The door opened and everyone turned and Amon walked in. He looked at them and removed his coat and then sat down.
" What's going on?" Doujima asked
" Doujima," Robin said
Amon turned to his work and did his work and Sakaki opened one eye watching Amon acting as nothing happened. He hadn't spoken to any of them about the incident not once. Sakaki stood up and walked to the back he sat down and looked around. It wasn't the same without her there. Amon walked in the back and looked at Sakaki, with his head in his hands.
" She's ill from the long use of the orbo," Amon said
Sakaki looked up and leaned back.
" What now?" Sakaki said
" We wait," Amon replied
" Does Solomon know?" Sakaki asked
Amon nodded and said, " They're working on an antidote for it. They called this illness orbo poisoning."
Sakaki placed his elbows on his knees and leaned his head into his hands.
" She's dying isn't she?" Sakaki whispered
Amon didn't answer, he only remained there. Sakaki shook his head and stood up and looked at Amon.
" She's brave," Amon said, " She'll make it through this. Just as she did in the past."
Sakaki walked past Amon and then stopped.
" How come we're not effected by it?" Sakaki asked
" I don't know," Amon replied
Sakaki nodded and walked off, he grabbed the file with the next case and stared at it. He walked downstairs and grabbed his helmet and went off down the main street and then turned down a side street. There he pulled up to a little place, he parked his motorcycle and climbed up to the top building. He knocked on the door and waited for an answer. The door opened an older woman answered the door, she looked up at him and smiled.
" Haruto, how nice to see you. Your looking well for 6 years not seeing you," the old woman said
She let him in and Sakaki slipped off his shoes.
" So, are you the same street kid that I took in?" she asked
" Nah, I have a job now," he said
" Oh, that's nice dear, I hope it helped you get back on your feet after 4 years of being tossed about. I wish they never took you away from me," she said
Sakaki sat down and the old woman served them tea and she sat beside him. She grabbed his hand and patted it.
" You were quite a handful, but I still have some of the work you did for me on my apartment, It's got your name carved in one of these pillars," she said
Sakaki smiled at the old woman, glad to see one of his care takers was still alive and she reached into a drawer and pulled out an envelope. She handed it to him and smiled as he opened it seeing some old pictures of him.
" I want recent picture of you Haruto, so I can think of you everyday," she said
" I'll bring one, the only one I have now is with my partner," Sakaki said
" Oh, you're a police officer?" she questioned
" Sort of," Sakaki said careful in saying what he was
He stood up and walked around and looked at pictures.
" So, tell me Haruto, you seem sadden by something," The old woman said, " And don't tell me your not, I know you to well."
Sakaki smiled and shrugged and said, " My partner, is ill from a disease from a certain gun we use. She's dying and they don't have a cure and my superiors are trying now to find a cure after this stuff has hurt her."
" Oh, dear, is she a young woman?" she asked
" She's 19, she'll be 20 two days after my 18th birthday," Sakaki said
" A fall child, they always survive the worst things, just like you Haruto," the old woman said
The old woman walked into the back and pulled out a book and set it down on a table. Sakaki walked over and looked as she pulled out pictures.
" Haruto, you've survived the streets most your life. You found yourself here after you fell from a tree escaping a police officer. I took you in when you were 10 years old. You suffered, burns, broken bones, threats of diseases that I myself couldn't name. You recovered with out any scars to prove that these things happened. Cause you were born in the fall," The old woman said
She looked at him and gently patted his cheek. Sakaki looked at the book and saw some of the children she took care of and caught a glimpse of a name that Karasuma had mentioned. He turned back and looked at the newspaper clipping of the young man.
" Razan Endo," Sakaki said
" Yes, he was 20 when left. He was one of my first actually," she said, " He reminded me of my son and you remind me of him. You three must have had a past life as brothers together."
" Karasuma's old partner," he whispered
" Is that the young woman's name, I've heard that name," she said
" He was engaged with her, two months before they were married he was killed," Sakaki said, " 8 months later I replaced him. I became her partner. I must be like him cause I can understand now how much I truly wish to be with her."
" What are you standing her for Haruto?" the old woman said, " Go tell her."
Sakaki shook his head and sat down at the table. He lowered his head and felt the forced back tears push their way out. The old woman sat next to him and hugged the young hunter.
" You seemed so locked up, but I think this woman has allowed you to see something. Your street smart Haruto, don't let anyone take that side of you. Tell your partner how you feel. Let her hold you in a caring embrace," the old woman said
" I can't lose her," Sakaki whispered
" Go, and tell her, that's after all what you came here to ask about right?" the old woman said
Sakaki nodded and then looked up at the old woman. She wiped away the tears that now stained his face.
" Stop acting so tough and go be there for her," the old woman said
Sakaki nodded and hugged the old woman and then walked off. He grabbed his helmet and slipped his shoes on then took off. He rode off to the sushi restaurant and bought sushi, then took off to Karasuma's apartment. He knocked on her door and Karasuma walked and opened the door.
" Sakaki," she said
" Can I come in?" he asked
Karasuma smiled and said, " Depends."
" Depends on what?" Sakaki said
" If you brought sushi," she joking said
" I couldn't pass up an opportunity," Sakaki said showing her the sushi bag.
She let him in and Sakaki looked around the apartment.
" I'm sorry about your door," Sakaki said, " I should have came back and fixed it," Sakaki said
" You saved my life Sakaki, you don't have to," Karasuma said
Karasuma led him into the living area of the apartment and he laid out the food. Sakaki watched as she seemed to be back to her normal self, but it was an act she put on to hide everything.
" I'm sorry Karasuma," he whispered
" For what?" she asked
Sakaki breathed in deep and grabbed her hand.
" I couldn't save you from this, illness. You don't have to hide it," Sakaki said, " I know what it is."
" Sakaki, Amon's going to find a cure, he already promised me," she said
" I know," Sakaki said
She looked at him and saw something in his eyes and squeezed his hand.
" What is it?" Karasuma asked
" Razan Endo and I aren't really that different. I realize that now, we shared the same foster mother who picked us off the street. We have the same personalities that allows to be who we are," Sakaki said
" Sakaki you've lost your mind," Karasuma said
Sakaki stood up and walked over to her and knelt down beside her. He placed his hand on her cheek and gently stroked it.
" Sakaki your scaring me," she said, " Please, I don't need this."
She stood up and Sakaki grabbed her hand and she turned around.
" I'm in love with you Karasuma, I never got the chance to tell you. I was caught up in my own lie that I couldn't admit it. I was afraid that Amon would not allow you and I to have a friendship. Sure we fight, about stupid stuff, like hitting a parked car. What matters Miho, I can't stop thinking about you and I can't pretend that I am a tough guy who can't cry for the pain inside," Sakaki said
" Sakaki, please stop," she said, "You shouldn't say these things."
" Admit it Karasuma, you have feelings for me," he said, " You and I are destine to be."
Karasuma walked to her couch and felt tears fall from her face. She started to cry and Sakaki walked over to her. He sat down and Karasuma stared out and then Sakaki put his arm around her. She looked at him and saw his face filled with hurt and she wiped away her tears.
" No, mater how old you are Sakaki, you can't hide it," she whispered
She wrapped her arms around him and pulled him close to her. His arms wrapped around her and she kissed his head.
" I know Sakaki, this is hard for you, just let it out," Karasuma whispered
She leaned her head on his and closed her eyes and felt Sakaki take a deep breath and sobbed for her sake. She breathed deep and let the tears fall from her eyes as she held Sakaki.
" Your still a boy Sakaki," she thought, " Just as I am still a girl. We all wear the scars of a tough past, but your are very different."
After, a good cry Karasuma let him lay his head in her lap while she stroked his head. She smiled and looked down at him and sighed, Sakaki looked up at her and met her gaze. She was still with him, even though her mind was far from reality. He grabbed her hand and kissed it then sat up. He stared at her and reached over and kissed her on her lips.
" I've been attracted to you since as long as I could remember, but I never wanted to tell you cause I felt like I was being a little boy who had a crush on a girl," Sakaki said
" You grew up to fast Sakaki, just like Robin, Me and Amon we were forced to be hunters at the earliest age that Solomon would permit us to be," Karasuma said
Karasuma hugged him tight, at that moment she just wanted to hold Sakaki. Embrace him like she would embrace Razan.
" I was your age Sakaki when I got engaged and Razan was probably in his early 20's if not as old as is Amon now," Karasuma said, " I loved him so much, that when you walked into that door the first time, I thought he had come back to me. When the incident with the factory came, I was afraid I was losing focus on who I truly was. I was reborn that year and gathered myself, but when two years past since Razan was killed I pulled away from you Sakaki. I pulled away because you became like him each day, your actions, your personality, your speech pattern. I'm sorry."
Sakaki closed his eyes and continued to let her hold him. He wanted to be with her, take care of her, but he wouldn't be able to because she was Amon's.
" Karasuma, I promise I will take care of you, I won't leave you," Sakaki whispered