Chapter 8: Remember When…

1 week later

" Miho Karasuma, your stubbornness has cost you a loss," a councilman said

" Where's Amon?" she asked

" That is not your concern now," another councilman said, " You were to be brought back to HQ and now you have placed yourself into a situation which can not be ignored."

" I was being hunted, my parents paid thousands to you so I didn't I wouldn't have to be a hunter," Karasuma said

" Shut up!" the councilman shouted

" I am not a witch, that needs to be put away and neither is my husband," Karasuma said

" I said shut up," the head council said

" I won't until you release me," Karasuma said, " I have paid your debt with many years and I want my life back."

" Restrain her," the head council said

One guard slapped her down and she fell to the ground. Karasuma looked up and breathed deep. The councilmen just stared at her and Karasuma let her hair fall over her shoulder.

" Miho, Karasuma, you have been released," the councilman said, " But for one year of your release you will be under surveillance."

" What about my husband?" Karasuma said

" I told you he is not your problem to worry about," the head councilman said, " Please escort Ms. Karasuma to collect her things."

The guard took Karasuma by her arm and Karasuma looked at him. She slightly narrowed her eyes and she collected her things then was sent on her way. She took off to Kyoto to her parents' place. Karasuma placed her hand on her stomach and sighed.

" He'll come back," Karasuma said

" We'll meet in Kyoto,"

" When though?" she whispered

She arrived at quarter past 10 pm and Karasuma walked off the train then looked and saw her father and mother standing there.

" Miho," her mother said

" Mom," she said

She hugged her mother and began to cry and her mother hugged her.

" Mom, they took him from me," Karasuma whispered

" Who?" she asked

" My husband," Karasuma whispered

" He'll be back," her mother said

They got her home and Karasuma went and took shower. She felt tears fall from her face as she washed away residue of Solomon's hold on her. She had finally become free from them and now she was miserable. Karasuma wrapped her towel around her and wiped he moisture off the mirror then just stared at herself. Her hair fell over her shoulders and she looked at it. A glimpse of her past flashed before her eyes and she began to cry.

" Amon," she whispered, " I know you wanted us to survive, but why did it end this way?"

She dressed and braided her hair then walked down the hall. She walked downstairs and saw her mother knitting and her father reading the paper, like the old days. Karasuma walked over and sat down next to her mother and her mother looked over at her.

" Miho, all will be ok in time," her mother said

" I know mom," she whispered

Her mother leaned over and kissed her head. Her mother looked at Karasuma and saw sadness in her eyes.

" What's the matter?" her mother said

" Amon and I wanted our child to have a perfect life, but how can this baby have a perfect life without a father?" Karasuma questioned

" Miho, your baby will have a perfect life because, it will have a father," her mother said

Karasuma nodded and her mother looked at the clock.

" Get some rest Miho, you and that baby had a long day," her mother said

Karasuma nodded and kissed her mother then father before she went upstairs. Karasuma walked into her room and watched the trees blow. She then turned down her bed and laid down.

" Good night Amon, where ever you are," she whispered

1 month later

" Oh, Miho your looking great," Doujima said

" Thank you," Karasuma said

" Your showing," Doujima said, " Your lucky."

" Why?" Karasuma asked

" Your having a baby, I want a baby," Doujima said

Karasuma smirked and said, " Some day Yurika."

Karasuma looked out as the wind below and Doujima looked at her.

" It's been hard hasn't it?" Doujima asked

Karasuma nodded and pushed back her hair from her face. She took a sip of her tea and sat the glass down.

" I wonder everyday when he will come back," Karasuma said, " They took him away because of me."

" No, don't blame yourself….it's not good for the baby," Doujima said, " We need a happy baby not a sad one."

Karasuma smiled and Doujima smiled back.

" Your going to be so happy Miho, your going to have a beautiful baby and we're going to be there for you," Doujima said

Karasuma nodded and wiped her tears away. Doujima was right, the baby would be beautiful because it was her own and Amon's. They were the ones who thought of this baby and made it happen. She looked out and wiped her tears away.

Later Karasuma went shopping for new clothes for the baby and herself. She needed to start over like she had told Amon. Karasuma walked by the train station and sighed then headed home. She walked upstairs and tried on her new clothes, she picked out the ones that she truly liked. Her mother knocked and Karasuma opened the door.

" Are you alright?" her mother asked

" I'm trying on new clothes," Karasuma replied

" Let me see," her mother said

Karasuma showed her what she was wearing and her mother smiled.

" You always wanted to be the professional type," her mother said

Her mother looked at Karasuma and smiled.

" Your first set of maternity clothing," her mother said, " I think you look motherly in them."

Karasuma smiled and hugged her mother in a childish hug.

" I wish you were there when we got married," Karasuma said, " Amon and I got married so fast because we didn't want to take the risk of parting."

" It's understandable," her mother said, " But when he comes back we'll have a normal wedding for the two of you."

" Mom," Karasuma said, " He may never come back."

" He will sweet heart," her mother said, " You just have to have faith."

Karasuma nodded and put her hair up into a bun and looked in the mirror. She placed on hand on her stomach and smiled.

" Your right," she whispered, " We will be together again."

By early evening Karasuma and her mother made dinner for the family. Karasuma's brothers, though very supportive, still became brotherly with jokes. Karasuma would hit them with something just to hit them up.

" Mom she hit me," one brother said

" Cause you made fun of my stomach," Karasuma said

" Gee, your very touchy," the other said

Karasuma wacked him with her napkin and her brother wrinkled his eye brows at her.

" Don't make fun, I'm very sensitive," Karasuma said

" Most women are," their father said

" Dad," Karasuma said

" I'm kidding princess," her father said, " We're glad to have you with us."

" And your baby too," her mother said, " So eat up, remember your eating for two now Miho."

" Mom," Karasuma said

" Your much to skinny anyway," her mother said

Karasuma smiled and ate and she looked at her family. She was grateful, they were the ones who sacrificed a lot for her. She wouldn't be having this baby if it wasn't for them. She and Amon would never have gotten married if she didn't quit and the baby may have never existed.

By 11 Karasuma sat in her window and looked at the stars. She closed her eyes and smiled.

Flash back

Karasuma wrapped her arms around Amon and kissed his cheek.

" See that star," Amon said

" Just next to the north star?" she asked

" Yes," Amon said

" Ok," she said

" It's our star now, every time you want to make a wish make one and maybe it will come true," Amon whispered

She looked at him and smiled and closed her eyes and made a wish then looked at him.

" Alright I made a wish," she said

" What did you wish for?" he asked

" Can't tell you, it might not come true," Karasuma whispered

End

" I wish you were here with me," she whispered, " I wish you were holding me now."

Tears fell from her face and she placed her hand against the window.

" Come back to me Amon, I need you, our baby needs you," she cried

She fell asleep leaned against the window and all she could think about was Amon being with her once again. Her tears draped her face as she slept, but soon vanished away. She had to be strong for the baby and for her family, it made her realize that.

2 months later

" Are you sure you'll be alright, it's a long trip to Tokyo," her mother said

" I'll be fine," Karasuma said, " And it's not to far."

Karasuma grabbed her purse and walked to her train, she got on and sat down by a window. She waved to her parents and then closed her eyes as the train took off.

" It will be good to see everyone again," Karasuma said

She arrived right on time and glad to see everyone standing there. She was now 4 month pregnant and showing very much. She walked off the train and smiled at everyone, Doujima hugged Karasuma and smiled.

" Four months right?" she asked

" Yes, only three months too go," Karasuma said

" You must be tiered carrying that baby," Sakaki said

" Not as tiered as I get from chasing witches down," Karasuma said

Sakaki smirked and said, " How are u liking that?"

" It's nice, of course I wouldn't chase a witch any way being pregnant," Karasuma said

The group went out to lunch and talked about the four months of not seeing Karasuma. Sakaki was growing up and so was Michael and Robin. Doujima seemed to stay the same, but the three younger ones had grown up.

" When are you due?" Robin asked

" In June, I can't wait," Karasuma asked

" Boy or Girl?" Doujima asked

" I don't know, I'm waiting until the baby is born," Karasuma said

Doujima smiled and said, " I guess that means we're going to throw you a baby shower."

" You don't have too," Karasuma said

Sakaki looked at Karasuma and saw she was happy, but in that happiness he saw sadness. Amon hadn't return and probably wouldn't if Solomon had him.

As the day went on the boys were bored since the girls could only talk about the idea of a baby.

" Girls and babies," Sakaki said

" Yeah," Michael said

Karasuma looked at her friends and then looked at her watch. It was nearly 5 and the light was giving way to the darkness.

" I didn't realize how late it was," Karasuma said

" It is late," Doujima said, " I have to cook dinner, my parents are coming down."

" What!" Sakaki exclaimed

" I didn't tell you?" Doujima questioned

" No," Sakaki answered

" Oh, silly me, they're coming down to meet you Sakaki," Doujima said

" We've been dating and she still calls me by my last name," Sakaki mumbled

Karasuma smiled and looked at them.

" Are we seeing a wedding in the future for you two?" Karasuma said

" Don't encourage her," Sakaki said

" What a little cold feet?" Karasuma said, " Afraid to commit?

" Nah, just not ready to tie the not, I'm still a teen," Sakaki said, " I still got energy to run around."

Doujima grabbed his hand as they stood up and Karasuma hugged everyone. She still wanted to see Nagira to tell him thank you for everything. She took a cab and headed over there and walked up to his office. She entered and Hana leaned over and stood up.

" My you have certainly grown" Hana said

" I know," Karasuma said

" When are you due?" she asked

" In June," Karasuma said, " Suppose to be June 15."
" That's wonderful," Hana said, " Mr. Nagira is in the back. I'll tell him you're here."

Hana walked off and peeped into his office space.

" Mr. Nagira, Miho Karasuma is here," Hana said

" Well, send her in," Nagira said

Hana nodded and walked back.

" He'll see you, would you like some tea?" she asked

" No, thank you my train leaves at 7 so I have to make it quick," Karasuma said

She walked to the back and walked in. Nagira stood up and smiled at her.

" Your looking well Miho," he said

She walked over and hugged and kiss Nagira on the cheek.

" How are you holding up?" he asked

" I'm doing ok," Karasuma said, " Everything seems to be ok."

" Well, that's good," Nagira said

" Nagira, thank you," she said, " For everything you and Hana did for us. I'm glad Amon has a brother like you."

" I think sometimes, though he doesn't want to admit it, but he's glad he has me too," Nagira said

Karasuma looked at her watch and saw it was nearly 6:30.

" I have to go, but thank you, stay in touch would you," Karasuma said

" I will don't worry, you take good care of yourself and that baby too," Nagira said

She hugged Nagira and then headed off.

" She's a great girl, sure you don't want to tell her you're here?" Nagira asked

" No," his voice said

Karasuma checked in and looked around. She sighed as she looked around. She then realized her train didn't come for another hour. Karasuma sat down on a bench and looked at the trains come in and go out.

" It's been almost 12 years since I came here and just sat here," she whispered

" Are you lost again," a familiar voice said

" No, actually my train isn't coming for another hour

Karasuma turned around and smiled.

" Remember when, you came here an hour earlier just to talk to me and bring me rice balls," Amon said

" I remember," she said

She stood up and walked towards him and then wrapped her arms around him. He embraced her too and kissed her head.

" I missed you," he whispered

" I missed you too," she whispered

He looked at her and kissed her cheek and wiped away her tears. She smiled and Amon looked at her, seeing how she had grown. He placed his hand on her stomach and smiled feeling the child kick at that moment.

" Miho, I'm sorry I made you wait," Amon said, " But I won't make you wait any longer."

" You didn't make me wait, you made me think how lucky I am to have a husband that wants to stay with me," Karasuma said

They got on the train an hour later and Karasuma brought Amon home with her. He met her parents finally and they congratulated them on their marriage and baby. They also planned to have a wedding after the baby was born, so the whole family could see them tie the knot.

Three months later Karasuma gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, which they named Hitomi. She was perfect just like Amon had said she would be.

" She's daddy's little girl," Karasuma said

" And an angel," Amon whispered, " Just like you."

THE END