Chapter 3: Review and a New Path
One week later
It was a cold rainy day and Amon slipped his coat on, while Karasuma waited for him in her car. He walked out and slipped his bag into the back seat, then got into the passengers side.
" Hey," she said
She leaned over and he kissed her, then removed his gloves.
" Are you ready?" she asked
" As ready as I'll ever been," he replied
She took off and drove him to the train station, there she and Amon walked to the plat form where he waited to catch his train to the Japan branch of Solomon. He held her hand as they walked around, but were unaware that they were being watched from the distance. The rain started to come down and Karasuma became worried that it would become dangerous to travel by train.
" Don't worry," he whispered, " Everything will be alright."
She nodded as he pulled her close and shielded her from the cold rain that blew under the roof of the train station. Amon leaned his head on hers as she continued to take in his smell.
" Call me as soon as you get there," Karasuma said
" I will, don't worry," he said
Karasuma looked at Amon as he looked down at her, she reached up and kissed him on his lips. Amon's train pulled in and he and Karasuma walked towards it. He hugged and kissed her and she placed something in his pocket.
" I'll be here waiting for you," she said
" I'll come back," Amon said
He got onto the train and sat down next to a window and Karasuma waved to him. She blew him a kiss and Amon smiled. As the train was no longer in sight Karasuma headed back to her car and then headed into work. She had one more week before she left for good. She got upstairs to the office and Karasuma entered in, everyone looked at her with wide eyes.
" Was it a sweet good-bye," Doujima teased
" Yes, he's on his way to the review," Karasuma said, " All I can do is hope he will be alright."
Sakaki looked at Karasuma as she headed to the back and Doujima looked over at him.
" Quit staring it's rude," she said
" Hey, I'm just concern," Sakaki replied sharply
Doujima smirked and got up and walked to the back. She saw Karasuma working at the computer pulling out her data from the system.
" So, after this week you won't be here," Doujima stated
" Yeah, I'm going to have my life back," Karasuma said
" Have you told everyone yet?" she asked
" No, not yet," Karasuma replied, " I'll tell them when it's closer."
Doujima nodded and Karasuma sighed and rubbed her eyes.
" He's gone," she whispered, " I was spoiled with him here everyday, but now that he's gone…I feel so empty."
" It happens," she said
Karasuma looked at a pin on her collar and smiled and Doujima looked at it.
" Where did you get that pin?" she asked
" I've had it since I was 8, a boy gave it to me to remember him by," Karasuma said, " I gave him my handkerchief with my name embroidered. I told him one day we would meet again."
" That's sweet," Doujima said
Karasuma smiled and looked at the paperwork she had to do before she left the STN-J. Doujima smiled and walked back to the front to fill in curious minds.
Amon looked at the scenery as it changed and leaned back. He closed his eyes and sighed.
" One week," he thought, " why so long."
He placed his hand into his pocket and felt something in it. He pulled it out to find a folded piece of paper, he unfolded and read it. Karasuma had written him a good luck letter and placed her love and support in it as well. He smiled and stuck it back into his pocket.
" You've always been there for me," he thought
As the hours changed he got closer to his destination. He wasn't nervous, but anxious to find out what he got. He closed his eyes and leaned his head against the window. He pulled his coat tighter around him feeling a draft come over him. He opened his eyes minuets after feeling the train stop. He looked up and saw they had arrived and just as he expected, two escorts were there waiting to bring him to Solomon. He grabbed his bag and walked down the isle and walked off the train. They approached him and he showed them his papers. They walked him to a black car and he got in and they drove off to Solomon. There he was printed and given an id for the week that he was going to be there. He was then brought to a hotel not to far from the building and went to his room. He sat his stuff down and called Karasuma just as he promised.
" Karasuma," she answered
" Miho, I just arrived," Amon said
" That's good how was the trip up?" she asked
" Not to bad, but I found my mind traveling back a lot," Amon said
Karasuma chuckled a little and said, " There you go again thinking, your should relax. They can smell fear Amon."
" I'm not afraid, just a little anxious," Amon replied
They talked for two hours and then Amon went off and showered. He let the water run down his body. He washed up and then wrapped a towel around his waist, and walked into the room. He pulled some clean clothes out and dressed then called for room service.
By 12:30 am Amon had reviewed a little about himself that even he had forgotten. Amon soon fell asleep, but it wasn't easy to, feeling no one beside him. He turned on his side and just stared until he fell asleep.
By 6:30 the next morning Amon was awaken by the set alarm clock. He got up and started the day with an early breakfast. He made a call to Karasuma then he got dressed. Amon wore a black buttoned down, sleeve shirt, with black slacks and shoes. He stared at himself in the mirror as he pulled back his hair. As the 7 o'clock mark came he headed down and waited for his ride. A black car came and picked him up and then drove him to Solomon. He presented his id and was taken to an empty room where one table and chair sat. A large TV screen came down and turned on.
" Good morning Amon," three people greeted him on the screen
" Good morning," he replied
" Today is your first ten year review," one member said
" Yes, I know," Amon said
The three council members looked at him and then flipped through their paperwork.
" You have shown great strength, that we can not ignore," another member said, " But you have showed errors that we can not afford to ignore."
The head council man stood up and introduced himself as the chief of the council then a woman stood up and introduced herself followed by the third.
" We are the ones that will decide your fate in the next three days," the chief council said
Amon nodded and they began to review from the first five years of his entrance to the organization. Criticized and praised brought Amon to a neutral position. His hunter position was balanced, but he did lean towards a promotion. The council dismissed him by 6 o'clock that evening, but he was still being watched. He was escorted and dropped off at the hotel. There he went up and took a shower to wash off the bad criticism and refreshed his body. Amon sat on his bed and watched the hour change into another. His thoughts were focused on the next day. He was allowed not communication to the others, until the review was over and decided.
Karasuma laid on her couch reading her book and feeling herself drifting to sleep. She drifted to sleep and her book fell from where it was perched. Her dreams that came had persuaded her that she was doing the right thing.
Dream
" By the power in vested in me I pronounce you husband and wife," the priest said
Karasuma looked at Amon, the one person she wanted to spend her life with. Her long vale was lifted up, by the handsome and mysterious Amon. Both kissed each other as their guest cheered. The dream did not end there it flashed forward to the future of their marriage. Karasuma held a baby and Amon stood next to her, the child as beautiful as the day. A soft smile curved into Amon's lips as he lifted the bundle of joy.
" She's beautiful Miho, just like you," Amon whispered
Karasuma smiled and placed her hand on Amon's shoulder.
" She's beautiful because she's ours Amon," Karasuma whispered
Amon nodded and leaned over and kissed her head, then the baby's head as she slept in Amon's arms.
End
Karasuma was awaken by the sound of her phone and she stood up. She walked to her phone and picked it up.
" Karasuma," she answered
" Miho, has he called yet?" Doujima asked
" He called last night, but not tonight, maybe he was tiered," she said
" Ah, perhaps," Doujima said, " Maybe he'll call tomorrow."
Karasuma nodded and talked with Doujima, telling her about the dream she had and how she felt it might be a sign or a reason why it was good she quit.
" Miho, I want you to be careful just in case Solomon pulls something," Doujima said, " If they do it will be hard for me to try to get you out of it."
" Don't worry Doujima, I'll be fine," Karasuma said, " Everything will be fine."
She soon hung up with Doujima and Karasuma leaned against the counter. She closed her eyes and hoped Amon was ok. Karasuma looked out the window to see the wind was picking up and the rain would follow. She walked to her bed room and laid down on her bed and fell asleep.
The next morning Karasuma went to work with concern on her face, she had been driving and noticed that she had been followed all the way there. She got into the garage quickly and made her way up to the office. She was out of breath when she ran into Sakaki.
" Whoa! Ms. Karasuma what's wrong?" he asked
" Oh, Sakaki someone was following me," Karasuma said
" Following you?" he asked
" A black car," she said
Sakaki narrowed his eyes and said, " Solomon."
" I think so," Karasuma replied
He walked her into the office and Doujima looked at Karasuma.
" Miho, your as pale as a ghost," Doujima said
" Someone's being sneaky," Sakaki said
He pulled out his orbo gun and Doujima looked at him.
" Come on Sakaki, your being paranoid," Doujima said
" No, it's true," Karasuma said
Robin looked out the window and saw a black car sitting out there.
" It feels like that time," Robin thought, " Is Solomon planning another attack?"
Karasuma sat down and Michael got her some water. Sakaki walked downstairs in time to see the car drive off, he narrowed his eyes.
" It's kind of odd to have a black car just sit there, I wonder what they're up too?" Sakaki thought
He walked up and everyone looked at him.
" They're gone," Sakaki said, " I find it strange though. None of us have been tailed."
" Maybe they know about you and Amon and want to make sure you are getting your work done," Robin said
" No, I just feel like something is going to happen," Karasuma whispered
Doujima looked at Karasuma and sighed.
" We'll keep an eye on you," Doujima said
" Yeah," Sakaki said
Karasuma nodded and grabbed her friends hands. She felt alright knowing they were there for her.
" Thank you," Karasuma said
Amon's second day of review began, with him describing many failed attempts. The council found it very odd that a hunter would debate his failures. Amon did show that he did make them up with other large hunts. The council took a break to discuss the first half with one another. Amon was given the time to review his next half of hid review. The next half would raise question about the incident with the STN-J 6 months ago. He was also to discuss each hunter that worked under him, starting with Robin being the recent to Karasuma being the longest one there. The council came back and the screen turned on.
" Amon you may be seated," the head council said
Amon sat down and the chief council looked at Amon as he waited.
" 6 months ago, there was an attack on the STN-J, through that time you were not there to make sure your team was alright. I feel that this is a failure on your part for being a superior hunter. Any attack on any organization needs a leader to help direct them in the right place," the chief council said
" I understand," Amon said, " But I was given orders to not be there by Zaizen."
" Yes, we are fully aware of that Amon, but even Zaizen couldn't hold you back if you knew that your team was in danger," the second council said
Amon felt his hand ball up into a fist, he felt they were blaming him for conspiring against the STN-J. They turned to the hunters and pictures of his team came up.
" Robin Sena, Haruto Sakaki, Miho Karasuma, and Yurika Doujima are all hunters under you," the chief council said
" Yes," Amon said
" Do they look up to you obey you," the second said
" I believe they do, I have not heard any ill speaking of me," Amon said
" Grade them each," the chief council said, " I want to know errors from each and their accomplishments."
Amon looked at the paper placed before him and the council told him to write what he knew from the day that they started to this day. Amon began to write what he knew about Robin, Sakaki, Karasuma and Doujima. He knew nothing that really would be bad about any of them. Though some time out of line when it came to hunts. Amon wrote what he could and then handed it to the agent that was in the room. Amon waited patiently as the council read out what he wrote. Amon watched as each council on each side of the chief council wrote down.
The review that day ended at about 9 o'clock and Amon went back to his hotel. He sighed and laid down feeling exhausted.
" A hunt takes less energy than this," Amon thought
He closed his eyes and fell asleep for about two hours before waking up again. He decided to order something to eat before finally resting for the night.
Karasuma rested in her room, until she heard some one knocking on the door. She grabbed her gun and walked towards the door.
" Who is it?" she asked
There was no answer only now the sounds of scratching and she saw the door knob turning. She grabbed it and leaned her weight against the door.
" Who are you?" she said
Suddenly, a cloud of smoke came in and she covered her mouth from it. She pushed away from the door coughing and trying to stay alert. She ran to her kitchen and opened a window. The door suddenly opened and four men came in and she looked at them in fear.
" Search round," one ordered
Karasuma climbed out onto the fire escape and started to climb down it very carefully. She look down and slipped a little, but caught herself, as she got close to the bottom she was spotted.
" I found her," one man said
" Get her then," another said
One climbed down the fire escape and Karasuma jumped down and ran. At the same moment Sakaki came zooming past and slammed on his breaks.
" Ms. Karasuma," he said
" Sakaki," she said
" What's wrong?" he asked
" There she is," two men called
" Get on," he said
She got onto the back of his motorcycle and he took off turning around heading to the STN-J.
" Sakaki, they broke into my apartment," Karasuma said
" Don't worry we'll get you to a safe place," Sakaki said
He pulled into the STN-J and saw Doujima pulling out.
" Miho," Doujima said rolling down her window
" We got problems," Sakaki said, " Black coats."
" Solomon?" Doujima questioned
" Yup they broke in," Sakaki said, " Can she stay with you?"
Doujima nodded and Karasuma climbed off and Sakaki loaded his gun.
" I'll take care of the black coats," Sakaki said
Karasuma climbed into the car and Doujima looked at her.
" Doujima, do you know anything?" Karasuma asked
" No," Doujima replied, " Why would Solomon be after you?"
Karasuma shook her head and said, " I don't know."
Karasuma leaned back and Doujima pulled out, she picked up the phone and called someone. Karasuma closed her eyes as Doujima waited for someone to answer. She drove down the main road towards Karasuma's apartment
" Get down, I'll go in," Doujima said
Doujima got out and saw Sakaki's motorcycle there. She walked up to the apartment and looked at the four men standing there. She then saw Sakaki lying on the ground and she narrowed her eyes.
" What is the meaning of this?" she growled
The four men narrowed their eyes at Doujima.
" We have our orders," one man said
" Give me your orders," she snapped
One of them pulled out some papers and Doujima looked at him as she took it. She opened the paper and read orders to herself, she narrowed her eyes.
" Who gave you these orders?" she asked
" Direct from HQ," the man answered
She looked at Sakaki and knelt down seeing he had taken a beaten for the men.
" Did you have to be so violent?" she said
Doujima sighed and gently shook Sakaki, as he came too, he opened his eyes.
" Doujima," he moaned
" Come on Sakaki, let's go," she said
He turned and looked at the men and narrowed his eyes.
" They're, still here, bastards trying to hurt people," Sakaki said
" You want a fresh one hunter?" one growled
" That's enough," she growled, " Back off agents. Your order are to return to HQ posthaste, until I get clear orders."
Sakaki stood up with the help of Doujima and the men looked at her.
" Sorry, we can't do that," one said
" Then I'll call to have you back," she said picking up her phone
" Fine," they growled
They started to leave and Doujima grabbed some things for Karasuma. She walked down stairs with Sakaki as he watched the men leaving. Doujima looked at Sakaki as he sighed.
" Why are they hunting Karasuma?" he asked
" I don't know Sakaki, it just doesn't make sense, I should have been the first to get orders," Doujima said
Sakaki sighed and got on his motorcycle and looked at Doujima.
" Ms. Karasuma doesn't deserve this, she deserves the peace that she wanted," Sakaki said
He took off and Doujima got into the car and looked at Karasuma.
" Stay down until we leave the apartment," Doujima remarked
" What do they want?" Karasuma asked
" Solomon's hunting you because your leaving the STN-J, they're afraid you might be like Kate and sell out the organization," Doujima answered, " I got them off your back for right now, but I need to call my father to find out why he would think you of all people. He should know that you wouldn't sell out anyone."
" I appreciate this," Karasuma siad
" Don't worry Miho, I got your back, I'll get in touch with Amon as an agent, he's not suppose to contact any STN-J member during the three days of review," Doujima stated
She drove to her apartment and quickly made haste to her apartment grabbing everything she needed. They entered her apartment and got Karasuma settled in and Doujima made a phone call to her father. Once she was done she called Amon .
" Amon," Amon answered
" Amon, Miho's being hunted," Doujima said
" What? Why?" he asked
She heard deep breathing and then took a breath.
" Because Miho is leaving the STN-J and they think she'll rat them out," Doujima said
" Tomorrow is my last day," Amon said
" Amon, she's over here right now, so you don't have to worry. Do what you have to and come back for her," Doujima said
" Do me a favor and contact someone for me, and get her there safely if anything happens," Amon said
Doujima wrote down the number and hung up with Amon.
" Don't worry Miho your ok here, but incase something happens we have another place for you," Doujima said
Karasuma nodded and Doujima sighed walked into her room to find out if any orders were sent by email to her. She found nothing, meaning it was a secret mission to avoid any debate from her.
" I can't believe they would do that," Doujima said
