Chapter 2: Decision of Fate

Monday

Karasuma packed her bags and her mother looked at her as she zipped up the bag.

" Are you sure you can't stay longer?" her mother asked

" I have to get back to work," Karasuma said, " Regardless if I hate it or not."

Her mother smiled and helped her finish the rest of her packing. They carried out her bag and Karasuma set the two bags in the car. Her mother got into the car and Karasuma got into the front. She drove her to the train station and then helped her get everything. They waited for the train and Karasuma hugged her mother once it arrived.

" I love you Miho," her mother said

" Tell dad and the boys good bye and give my love," Karasuma said

Her mother smiled and said, " Have a safe trip."

Miho nodded and hugged her mother, then got onto the train. She sat down by the window and waved to her mother. The train pulled from the plat form and Karasuma was on her way back to Tokyo. She leaned her head back and closed her eyes as the train set course for Tokyo.

By 10:30 the train came to Tokyo station and stopped letting people get off. She grabbed her things and walked off. There she called Doujima to come pick her up from the station. She walked to the front and ten minuets later Doujima came. Karasuma put her bags in the back seat and she got in.

" How was it?" Doujima asked

" Very nice, relaxing," Karasuma said, " I'm sure everything went well here?"

" Yeah, got three hunts down while you were gone," Doujima replied

" Good," Karasuma said

Doujima dropped Karasuma off and she went upstairs to unpack her bags and then headed over to the STN-J. She got into her car and sat there for a minuet or two.

" It's good to be home, but do I really want to go back to work now?" she thought

She decided and headed over there and once she pulled up she saw Amon's car parked there. She remembered that night when he kissed her and she couldn't help, but to feel uncomfortable.

" Maybe he forgot," Karasuma thought," He wouldn't remember what happened."

Karasuma got out her car, then headed to the elevator. She took it to the top floor and headed to the office. Once she got in she saw Sakaki, Robin and Michael hard at work, she shut the door and they looked up.

" Ms. Karasuma," Sakaki said first

" Hi," she said

" Where have you been, you made us worried?" Sakaki asked

Karasuma sighed and said, " I took a few days off, I figured no harm done."

" We're glad your back," Robin said

Karasuma walked towards the back and knocked on the door frame of the back room. Amon looked up and she walked in as he closed some files.

" I wasn't expecting you until later," Amon said

Karasuma walked over and sat on the desk and looked at him.

" I decided to come early," Karasuma said

Amon cleared his throat and said, " Well, welcome back."

" Thank you," she replied

Karasuma looked at Amon and just stared at him, he stood up and straighten up.

" You know you looked really nice in different black clothes," Karasuma said

Amon looked at her as she stood up and straighten out her white blouse.

" How was your visit with your parents?" he asked

" Refreshing," Karasuma said, " I was offered a choice. To quit the STN-J or stay."

" What are the benefits?" Amon asked

" I get my life back," Karasuma said, " Solomon wants a large amount of money though to release me."

Amon turned to her and said, " What did you chose?"

Karasuma looked at him and shrugged.

" I don't know what I want," she said, " I figured that night once you left I did, but I don't."

Amon walked over to her and stared at her, she looked at him, she reached up and kissed him. Amon didn't pull away, he just pulled her close to him. Karasuma wrapped her arms around him and that minuet seemed to pass so slow, because it felt so right to do so. Amon pulled away slowly and looked at Karasuma as she treasured the 60 second moment. She opened her eyes and looked at Amon, then smiled a little.

" I care about you Miho," he whispered, " Don't you forget that."

Karasuma nodded and placed her hand on his face, he grabbed her hand and held it.

" What ever you chose it's probably for the best," Amon stated

" Yes, of course," she replied

They finished the day filing old files into the back library of witch hunts. Karasuma looked at the set of files labeled "Witch Hunters" and reached for it. She looked through the past hunters and saw Amon's file, she pulled it out, then looked through it. She smiled seeing a very young Amon, his face showed his youth, his eyes showed little bits of emotion though he tried to hide it.

" Oh, Amon," she whispered

She flipped through Amon's file and saw his summoning date and saw it had been in the spring 10 years ago. The date seemed to stick in her mind, but why did that seem important to her? She continued to looked through his file seeing he had a review at Solomon coming up making it his tenth year, a hunter was required to appear before the council to decide if they are qualified for promotion. If they did decide a hunter was qualified for promotion, they would be in training for a year under an agent, if they did not they either returned to current status as a hunter or they were retired, by being hunted. Karasuma hoped for Amon that he would be promoted or return as a hunter. She got up and placed the file back into the box where the other files for the hunters were. Karasuma walked out and turned off the lights, she walked around the office shutting things off.

" I'm leaving," Sakaki said, " See you tomorrow."

" By Sakaki," Karasuma answered

" By Haruto," Doujima said in a teasing manner

" Gee wiz Doujima, do you have to say my name like that," Sakaki said

Doujima smiled and looked up at Karasuma, whom gave her a look.

" What?" Doujima said

" Forgive me if I get the impression that you actually might like Sakaki," Karasuma said

" Him, ha, he's a kid," Doujima said

" Someone's having problems admitting feelings," Karasuma said

Doujima sighed and leaned back in her chair and looked at Karasuma.

" You seem to have forgotten that our little Sakaki has a thing for our vice senior hunter," Doujima said, " Don't ya remember the whole reason was to get away from the whole crushing on you thing?"

" Did you have to remind me, plus I think we've worked things out," Karasuma said with a smile

" Miho!" Doujima exclaimed, " Details please!"

" If you don't mind me asking could you please take the school girl talk outside," Michael said, " It's hurting my ears."

" Sorry Michael," Karasuma said

Doujima grabbed Karasuma by her arm and led her outside the office.

" So, do tell," Doujima said

" What is there to tell?" Karasuma asked

" Well, when was this big decision made?" Doujima asked

Karasuma folded her arms and said, " You act as though we got married."

" Well, in hunter terms that's as close as you get in getting married," Doujima said

" That's not true, hunters in the past have been able to get married," Karasuma said

" Yeah, to non hunters, and they have to be understanding spouses to let their spouse go out hunting," Doujima said

Karasuma sighed and leaned against the door and Doujima looked at Karasuma.

" Alright Miho, spill," Doujima said, " There's something else going on in that head of yours and this nosey person wants to know."

Karasuma looked at her friend and said, " I looked in Amon's file and his ten years as a hunter has past, he's got a review next week to be exact. He's going to be 26 years old soon and they do review after ten years."

" Is Amon really that old, gee wiz and he's not married," Doujima said

" That's not the point," Karasuma said, " Doujima, he gets judged by a panel, get promoted, stay hunter or retire early."

" Hunted," Doujima said, " But Amon hasn't awaken so he can't be hunted, he most certainly qualifies for a position as an agent at Solomon. You don't have to worry, no one will know that he is emotionally involved with another hunter. I won't tell, just relax."

Karasuma nodded and looked at her watch, seeing it nearly was 9.

" I have to get home," Karasuma said, " Prepare for another day."

" Miho, go have a little fun," Doujima said, " Don't rush yourself or push yourself to hard."

Karasuma smiled and then headed off and walked down to her car. She pulled out and drove to the store to get some groceries. She looked around and saw some married couples pushing a baby carriage and others expecting. She gave a depressing sigh feeling she was wasting her life away as being a hunter. She got the things she needed and paid then headed home. She parked then grabbed her groceries and walked up to the 5th floor where she set her things down.

" Now where did I put that key," she thought

" Let me help," a voice said

She turned around and smiled seeing Amon standing there.

" What are you doing here?" she asked

" I had a feeling that I could help," Amon said

" Amon, are you stalking me?" she joked

" Stalking would mean I would actually have to be in love with you," Amon said

Karasuma found her key and opened the door. Amon grabbed her groceries and carried them in for her. She shut the door and led him into the kitchen, then took one bag. She began to unload them and Amon helped her out, he looked at her as she put away everything.

" So, you were just passing by?" Karasuma asked

" Actually I came to tell you I'm leaving for the week next week for my review," Amon said

" That's right you've been with the STN-J for 10 years," Karasuma said

Amon nodded and looked at Karasuma as she folded the paper bags and tossed them between her fridge and cabinet. She looked up at him and he walked over to her, then embraced her. She wrapped her arms around Amon and leaned her head on his chest.

She looked up at him and he looked down at her. He leaned to her and kissed her, she fell into the kiss as he passionately kissed her. He pulled her close to him and kissed her deeper. After few minuets past Karasuma looked at him and pushed his hair back.

" Amon," she whispered

Amon looked at her and kissed her head.

" Can we be together, like this forever," she whispered

" I would like that," Amon whispered

Karasuma smiled and kissed him and then took him by his hand.

" Then, stay with me tonight," she said

He gave her hand a squeeze as if to agree with her. She guided him into her bedroom, there she turned on a lamp by her bedside. Amon walked over to her and kissed her neck.

" I trust you Amon, why else would I let you come close to me," she whispered

She turned around and unbuttoned his shirt and removed it. He kissed her and undid her blouse and slipped it off. They both undressed each other, and Amon took her into his arms then laid her down gently on the bed, lips locked. He leaned over and traced her form with his hand. He looked down at her and she wrapped her arms around him, then pulled him down with a smile.

By early morning both laid under the cool sheets, wrapped in each others arms. Karasuma laid her head on Amon's chest and stroked his arms with her soft touch. Amon ran his hand gently down her bare back as they fell asleep.

Later that morning Karasuma's alarm clock went off, she opened her eyes and looked at it seeing it was 7. She reached over Amon and turned it off and then looked at him. He smiled and she kissed him as he sat up.

" I don't want to go to work," she moaned, " I want to just be wrapped up in your arms all day."

Amon smiled and wrapped his arm around.

" We could," he whispered

Karasuma laughed a little and said, " Amon your so bad."

" What's a day off going to do?" he asked kissing her head

" I don't know," Karasuma whispered

She looked up at him and he leaned over and kissed her. He pulled away and Karasuma looked at him then laid back down. Amon looked at her as she just laid there, he admired her beauty and just her presence.

" What do you want for breakfast?" she whispered

" Only you," he whispered

Karasuma smiled and kissed him, her phone rang and she sighed.

" I'll be right back," she said

She slipped a robe on and walked out to the kitchen and grabbed the phone.

" Karasuma," she answered

" Miho, why are you still home it's 7:30," Doujima's voice came over the line

" I over slept," Karasuma said, " Is there anything the matter?"

" No, we all got worried cause I had to pick up Robin and Sakaki didn't see your car or Amon's," Doujima said

" Oh," Karasuma said

" Where is Amon?" Doujima questioned

" I don't know," Karasuma answered

Doujima chuckled and said, " Oh, Miho you are just full of surprises."

" I'm hanging up the phone," Karasuma said

" Was he any good?" Doujima asked

" Good bye Yurika," Karasuma replied

Karasuma hung up the phone and walked back into the bedroom and saw Amon sitting on the side of the bed. She climbed into bed and wrapped her arms around him.

" You can take a shower," Karasuma said, " Freshen up a little."

" Why don't you take one with me," Amon said

Karasuma smiled and nodded, she kissed his cheek and he looked at her. They both walked into the bathroom and took a shower.

Once finished both sat down to a nice breakfast and ate, by 8:30 the two of them headed out to work. Karasuma thought about last night, that was very enjoyable, she still had to wonder what brought it on. Was Amon worried about the review? She only had to questioned that for a little bit.

They arrived pulling up right next to each other and walked together inside. They came to the office and entered seeing bored faces and wondering minds.

" Your both late," Doujima said with sly smile

" Don't give me that, your always late Yurika," Karasuma said

She walked to the back and got her coffee and Amon removed his coat. He hung it over the back chair and sat down.

" Amon," she said

" Yes," he simply said

" Are you worried, about your review?" Karasuma asked

Amon looked up at her and grabbed her hand, then kissed it.

" No," he replied

He looked at her and she knelt down next to his chair.

" Miho, what's wrong?" he asked

She shook her head and said, " I'm worried Amon. I'm worried for you."

" You don't have to be," Amon replied, " It's a review, I will probably remain as I am, a hunter."

Karasuma nodded and he kissed her head.

" What have you decided?" he asked, " Are you going to leave."

" If I leave you and I can continue seeing each other and one day get married if fate has it that way," Karasuma said, " I don't want to hold you back from love if we can't be together."

" We'll be together regardless," Amon said, " Do you want to leave the STN-J?"

Karasuma nodded and said, " I want us to have a happy life even if it means every once in awhile you have to chase a witch."

Amon kissed her cheek and picked up the phone and dialed Karasuma's parents.

" Talk to them and I'm sure they'll get you out," Amon said

Karasuma nodded and took the phone. He left the room so she could have a moment to herself as she talked to them. Amon walked out into the main office and Doujima looked at him.

" Are you nervous Amon, about your review?" Doujima asked

" Review what review?" Sakaki questioned

" He's made ten years last spring," Doujima proudly said

Amon gave her a look and said, " I'm not nervous."

" Doujima why does he have to go for a review?" Robin asked

" Glad you ask, I know others want to know too," Doujima said, " You see once a hunter has made it to 10 years of serving as a hunter then they appear before a panel. The panel decides if they remain as a hunter, qualify for a agent position or retire early, being hunted. Amon only fits two of those."

Robin looked at Amon, level headed at the moment, but of course Doujima had the right to say it because she was an agent.

" Just how old are you Amon?" Sakaki asked

" 25," Amon replied

" I thought you were older than that?" Sakaki said

" I told you he's becoming old," Doujima said

Karasuma walked out and they looked at her. She smiled and leaned against one of the desk.

" What did they say?" Amon asked

" They'll take care of everything," Karasuma said

Amon nodded and everyone looked at them.

" What's going on?" Sakaki asked

" Business," Amon said, " Michael do we have any hunts?"

" No, sir we're all quiet," Michael said

" Well, there's other work to do around here, so let's get to work," Amon said