Amon stood outside the Suzuki Hotel watching Nagira's retreating form. "That bastard," he murmured, "who does he think he's fooling? 'visiting a friend' my ass. And I'm willing to bet he wasn't alone either…" His cool slate eyes traveled nonchalantly up the side of the building to what he knew was the top-security penthouse suite. Suddenly his Orbo cross started glowing.

"What the hell…?" He looked down at it in surprise. "That's odd…Michael said there weren't any witches in Tokyo right now…" Then it hit him. "SHIT! ROBIN!" And with that, he was sprinting around the building, overcoat flapping in the wind.

~*~

"Argh…"

Michael had dove out of the way just in time to avoid a direct hit from a white-hot blast of fire, but it had still scorched his shoulder. His hand clapped itself over the already blistering burn.

"Kill…!" Robin's voice was cold as she pointed a blazing finger at the hacker. "Kill whomever finds you…" The flames licked their way across her hands, reflecting like fireworks in the azure ocean of her eyes.

"Did Amon tell you that?!" Michael asked, in a frenzy to find something that might subdue her, if only for a little while. "Because I'm not going to let anyone know about you! I'll keep it a secret, as long as I can stay with you!"

"Amon…" Robin brought her hand to her chest, where the flames that laced her fingers licked the white silk of her robes. "Yes…Amon told me…" A malicious grin spread across her normally placid face. "He told me to kill…KILL!" The blaze roared once again. "Time to die, vermin." The inferno blast found Michael in a corner, unable to escape.

Michael suddenly wished he had grabbed an Orbo cross on his way out.

"Robin!" Amon burst in through the elevator doors, Orbo Gun already in hand and pointed at Michael. In seconds he had fired a bullet…

…and Robin watched as it pierced straight through Michael's heart.

This was what finally brought Robin back to the real world. The fire disappeared, and the blond girl dropped heavily to her knees. "Michael…"

"Meddling bastard. I knew Nagira didn't come alone." Amon shoved his gun back into its holster. "But Michael shouldn't even be out of the STN-J building. Solomon is going to have a fit. Oh well, not much they can do about it now…" Walking over to Michael, he grabbed the hacker by the singed hair and regarded his face carefully. Then, more quietly, he added, "I just wish you had stayed out of this, my friend…"

"MICHAEL!"

"What the-" Amon spun around only to find Robin had shoved herself into his arms. "Robin…?"

"I did it again, didn't I?!" she asked hysterically. "I attacked Michael! I tried - no, I DID kill him!" Tears rolled down onto his sleeve, creating wet, dark splotches on the already murky material.

"Calm down, Robin. I would have had to kill him anyway; he discovered you. And you know I can't allow that to happen." He pointedly moved in front of Michael to shield him from Robin's view.

"But - but - but -" The words came out between sobs. "But how could you kill one of your own comrades??"

Amon was silent for a time. Then, after a few moments, he said, "Sometimes there are things worth more than companionship. And it's not like friends have meant much to me anyway…" he trailed off, letting his chin rest on top of her head.

"One more…" -she hiccupped- "…qu-question."

"What is it?"

"Why did you use the…the Orbo Gun on M-Michael?" Her breath still came erratically, so she had a bit of a stutter. "He's not…not a w-witch…If anything, y-you should've used it o-on me…"

"No…never on you…If I shot you now, all my efforts would be in vain." Amon pushed her back so he could hold her at arm's length. "You look like you didn't get a wink of sleep. Go back into the room and rest. I'm off to the STN-J building to explain this…accident."

Robin nodded jerkily and wiped her eyes. "B-but what about Michael?" she whispered.

"I'll take care of it. Now go!" The dark hunter gave her a light push toward the door.

Robin took a few hesitant steps toward the door, then turned around to face Amon once more. "Amon…I lied. I have another question." Her eyes pointedly avoided the smoking corner of the hallway where Michael lay.

Sighing in exasperation, he answered, "Yes, Robin?"

"Do you think I'm a murderer?"

Hard gray eyes bored into the green ones. Robin fidgeted under his stare. After a time, Amon spoke. "No, Robin. I don't think you're a murderer."

All but grinning from ear to ear, she murmured, "Thank you…" Then she turned and walked into the room. Once inside, she stood with her back to the door, listening as Amon's quiet footsteps faded and finally disappeared down the hall. Turning slowly, she cautiously peered through the peephole, eyes seeking her fallen friend.

He was nowhere to be found.

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Yeah, I got grounded big time for my B in American Government…It's such a gay class! I'm very proud of my B! XP Well, now you know why I haven't updated in such a long time…So be proud of me that I did! Oh, and I got a lot of votes to send Michael to boot camp…so look out for a blooper chapter at the end of the fic! CYA! R&R!!!