Chapter 4: I Start Walking

3 months later

Sakaki woke up in a sweat and sat up gasping. He cupped his hands over his face and breathed in and out. He looked around the room before looking out. He saw it was pitch black outside, and found he could not go back to sleep. He got up and slipped a button down shirt and walked out into the hall, there he saw a light on. He walked out into the living room and saw Amon sitting at the table reading something. Sakaki stood there and Amon looked up to see Sakaki standing there.

" Couldn't sleep?" Amon asked

" No, I had a bad dream," Sakaki said

Amon nodded and pulled out a chair, Sakaki walked over and sat down. Amon poured him some water and handed it to him.

" I heard you stirring, it must have been some dream," Amon said

" It was scary," Sakaki said, " I didn't know where I was…I was lost in the dark and someone attacked me with a massive power. I was thrown into some fiery pits."

Amon looked at Sakaki as he sipped the water, terrified from the dream still. Amon was unsure what to say to Sakaki, about this nightmare he had.

" I don't know what to say Haruto, It was a dream," Amon said

Sakaki nodded and looked at the clock on the wall, which read 2:45. He sighed and then slightly tapped his fingers on the table.

" Why don't you go for a walk?" Amon suggested, " The fresh air can do you some good."

" Could you come with me?" Sakaki asked, " I don't like being alone."

Amon took a deep breath and then nodded. He got up and Sakaki went and got his shoes. Amon changed into some other clothes and met Sakaki at the door. Both slipped on their shoes and headed off. They walked along the lit streets and just took in the cool fresh air.

" Mr. Amon," Sakaki said

" Yeah," Amon said

" Is Ms. Miho worried about the baby?" he asked

Amon nodded and said, " Yes, but she's a mother too be, what mother isn't worried about their child?"

" What about you are you worried?" he asked

" Yes, I'm terrified, though this is going to be our second I'm scared," Amon said

Sakaki looked at Amon and questioned, " What happened to the first child?"

Amon looked at Sakaki and shook his head.

" Nothing, it's the past," Amon said

Sakaki nodded seeing that Amon didn't like talking about his past.

" What about you, does your father always seem up tight?" Amon asked

" He's a Sakaki, we're always uptight…well expect for me," Sakaki said, " I guess I don't want to be because it's not in my nature."

" I see, why did your parents entrust us with you?" Amon asked

Sakaki stopped and lowered his head and then paused. Amon looked at him, as he just stood there.

" Because I'm…" Sakaki stuttered

" There's something your parents didn't tell us and I believe I already know what it is," Amon answered

Sakaki looked at him and Amon pulled out a piece of paper.

" Three months ago, Miho saw this mark on your arm, do you know what it is?" Amon asked

Sakaki looked at the mark and studied it.

" No," Sakaki answered

" It's a coven symbol, it's the sign of protection, there are seven parts to this, it's called the bleeding heart," Amon enlightened

" I see and why do I have it?" Sakaki asked

" You must be a descendant of the original coven," Amon said

Sakaki sighed and said, " I heard someone in my dream tell me, I was too, but I wasn't sure what they were talking about."

Amon looked at Sakaki seeing he was unaware that his dream was away to contact him mentally instead of physically.

" Perhaps it is a sign Haruto," Amon said

A cool breeze blew and Amon looked up at the sky.

" Let's go back," Amon said

" Ok," Sakaki answered

They head back to the apartment and Amon and Sakaki slipped their shoes off. Sakaki drank a cup of water and then went off to bed and Amon looked at the young hunter.

" He has a tough road ahead," Amon whispered

The next morning Sakaki went to his appointment on his own, he was taking to the rehab room and worked on some things. Karasuma's father watched him as he checked his charts. After rehab Sakaki was taken to have a check up, he waited for Karasuma's father and as he did a voice whispered in his ear.

" Haruto, your part of the Coven, you must join us," they called

" Leave me alone," he said, " I'm no one special."

" You are very special," the voice said, " Your memories will return."

Karasuma's father walked in and set the chart down.

" Good morning Haruto, I see Miho didn't come with you today any particular reason?" he asked

" She wasn't feeling well this morning, so I came here alone, on my motorcycle," Sakaki said

" I heard you got one, is it your infamous bike that I heard so much about from Miho?" the doctor asked

" Yeah, it's strange I actually remember having a motorcycle," Sakaki said

Karasuma's father did a check up on him and Sakaki talked to him about what he remembered.

" It seems like your doing ok," he said, " I think it will just come to you."

" You think it will?" Sakaki asked

" Yes, I do. Now how are you doing physically with building up your strength?" Karasuma's father asked

Sakaki paused and said, " I think I'm doing ok, but how long will I be going to rehab. I feel stronger that I was and it's not like I had broken bones."

" I say another three weeks and you should be able to start a normal life Haruto, maybe even the life you had before…able to live on your own," Karasuma's father said

Sakaki nodded and hopped down and Karasuma's father left. Sakaki got dressed and walked out down the hall, as he did he bumped into a young woman. She dropped her file and he dropped his.

" I'm sorry," he said, " I didn't mean to run into you."

" It's alright," she said

Both reached for their file that they dropped and Sakaki looked at her. His slightly gave a gasp and felt a sudden chill run up his spine. She looked up at Sakaki and her eyes widen slightly.

" Have we met?" he asked

" I don't know, but I think we have," she said

Sakaki pondered as he studied the young woman before him. She was beautiful, her long golden brown locks tied back into a pony tail and fair complexion.

" Are you alright?" she asked

" Your so familiar, but I don't know who you are," he stated

" That goes double for me," she said

Sakaki nodded and said, " I'm Haruto, Sakaki."

The girl looked at him and smirked at him.

" I'm Ayano, Chino," she replied

" Ayano, that name it's in the back of my mind, who is she?" Sakaki thought

" I'm sorry for bumping into you, I can sometimes be absented minded," Sakaki said

" Don't worry about it, It was pleasure to meet you," she said with a small bow

Sakaki returned the small bow and headed off towards the front, but then stared behind him. She glanced over her shoulder meeting Sakaki's stare. He turned around and went to the front.

Ayano stopped and looked up.

" Haruto Sakaki," she thought, " It's really him, the bleeding heart."

She turned around and ran down the hall and looked around seeing he was gone. Then she looked outside seeing him leaned against the window. She walked out and smiled a little.

" I knew you'd come back," Sakaki said

" How'd you know?" she asked

" I know a pretty girl when I see one…I'm not that naïve," Sakaki said

" I'm not so sure….for a young man such as yourself, you kind of look out of it," she said with a smile

Ayano folded her hands in front of her and looked at Sakaki. She walked in front of him and he looked at her.

" Is it true…are you really him, the one who will wake the coven?" she asked, " Or am I dreaming?"

" I don't know," Sakaki said

Ayano walked closer to him and looked him eye to eye. She could only see eyes of a boy, but there were parts that were showing a man.

" Haruto, Sakaki," she thought, " This is the one I communicated with in his mind three months ago. He's but a child locked up in an adult's body."

" Is there something the matter?" he asked

" Your eyes, they're more boyish," Ayano said

Sakaki lowered his head and said, " I'm afraid it's not that easiest to explain. I got to go."

He picked up his helmet and walked towards his motorcycle.

" Haruto, wait," she said

He stopped and she caught up with him. She stopped just feet of him before saying something.

" Can we have coffee together right now?" she asked

Sakaki lifted his head and smiled then turned around and nodded.

" Come on," he said

He walked to his motorcycle and he got on then helped her up onto the motorcycle. She wrapped her arms around him and he smiled under his helmet. He went down the main road and pulled up into a coffee shop. He helped her off first then removed his helmet, and got off. Ayano looked at Sakaki and then took a seat near the window.

" Haruto, tell me what happened," she spoke

" What happened?" Sakaki questioned

" To you, your so distant from this reality," she said

Sakaki leaned back into his chair and said, " I lost my memory, I was in an accident that left me helpless for two long years. My body grows, but my mind remains a child's mind."

" You talk as though you are the age you presume to be," Ayano said

" I don't know why, I can feel another part of me just trying to get out," Sakaki whispered, " I don't like it…it's hurting me."

Ayano looked at him as she saw the hurt in his eyes, he truly didn't understand how to handle this phase in his life.

" I want to be free from it," Sakaki said

Ayano nodded and grabbed his hand and he looked at her.

" I want to show you something Haruto," she said

She took something sharp and gently cut his hand. Sakaki pulled back his hand and looked at it, blood dripped from his hand.

" Ow, what do you think your doing?" he questioned

He grabbed a napkin and placed it on the wound and Ayano looked at him.

" Look at your hand Haruto," she said

Sakaki removed the napkin and saw his hand was healed, but in place of the wound was a symbol. She looked at him as he touched his hand, trying to figure out what happened.

" Your healed aren't you?" she questioned

" Yeah, but how?" he replied

" The coven," she said

" Coven?" Sakaki questioned, " I've been hearing that word a lot lately…what is it?"

Ayano took out a pen from her purse and took a napkin and drew the symbol.

" 320 years ago, the coven sank in the dark, but there was something that saved a portion of it. A family that continued to fight the evil which threaten their lives, were bestowed a blessing," Ayano said, " They would protect the good that was left in witches. Through time this family broke apart to form other families, but still carried the gift. For generations there was a prophecy that spoke of the rise of the coven once again. 7 chosen witches would raise it up and cleanse the world from bad witches," Ayano said

" What's this have to do with my hand?" Sakaki asked

Ayano smiled and grabbed his hand and cut her hand and his hand again. This time she grabbed his hand.

" Now we are bonded," she said, " My blood flows with your blood and your blood flows with mine."

Sakaki looked at her and removed his hand, suddenly his arm began to drip blood and Sakaki looked over.

" My arm," he said

He rolled up the rest of his sleeve and uncovered the symbol on his arm.

" What's that?" he asked

" The symbol of the coven," she said, " You are the first one of 7."

" 7 what?" he asked

" Coven members, you are to lead us to the birth place of the coven and together we will raise it," she said

Sakaki looked at her and stood up.

" I don't know what kind of nonsense your talking, but I don't want to be apart of it," he said, " I am not a witch."

" Haruto, your not a witch, you're a coven member," Ayano said

" I'm not that either," he said

Sakaki pushed his chair in and walked towards his motorcycle. She stood up and looked at him.

" Haruto, Sakaki," she said

Sakaki walked to his motorcycle and got on it. He started it and placed his helmet on. He headed towards the apartment and there felt his head throbbing, his vision was becoming blur.

" Haruto, come back," Ayano called to him in his mind

" No, I'm not a witch, I am a normal person making my way through life!" Sakaki shouted

Sakaki sped up, not realizing how fast he was going, his head was throbbing.

" I got to get back home," he said, " I have to."

Suddenly things went black and there was silence. Something he didn't hear very often.

" Hello," Karasuma answered the phone

A voice told her that she needed to be at the hospital. She felt her hand shake as she listened.

" I'll be there," she said

She hung up the phone and grabbed her coat, then headed to the hospital, there she was met by Amon.

" Amon, what's going on?" she asked as he took her into his arms

Karasuma looked at him and breathed deep…there was a look of hurt.

" Amon," she whispered

" Sit down Miho, you shouldn't be standing," Amon said

Karasuma looked at him and said, " No, not until you tell me what's going on"

Amon looked at her and she looked at him, tears fell from her eyes. He pulled her close to him and stroked her head.

" It's like that time," she thought

Flashback

Amon walked to the room Karasuma was in. He knocked on the door and she turned to look at him.

" Hey," she said softly

He walked to her and set the flowers down and Karasuma looked at him.

" Why the long face?" she questioned, " I'm ok and Seirei will be fine too."

Amon sat beside Karasuma and she sat up carefully, Amon embraced her gently.

" Amon," she whispered

" She's not coming back," Amon whispered

" What?" Karasuma whispered in a whimper

" I'm sorry Miho," he said

" Your lying," she whispered, " She's ok."

Amon stroked her back and said, " Seirei, didn't make it…they tried."

" No," Karasuma cried, " My baby girl."

" I'm sorry," Amon whispered

He continued to hold her tight and let her cry in his arms.

" It's all my fault," she whispered

" No, none of this is your fault, it was how things were suppose to be," Amon said, " You will heal and so will I cause we have each other. We'll have another child."

" The child won't be like Seirei," Karasuma said

" No, but the child will be ours," Amon said

End

Amon stroked Karasuma's cheek and kissed her head.

" Tell me Amon, what happened?" Karasuma whispered

" Sakaki, was in a motorcycle accident, a pickup truck hit him," Amon said, " He's been severely injured."

" What do you mean?" Karasuma whispered

" He might not make it," Amon whispered

" He's going to be alright, we didn't lose him the first time we won't lose him this time," she said

Amon grabbed her hands and kissed them then sat down with her. They waited for hours and finally Karasuma's father came out. They looked up and both stood up to hear the news.

" Dad," she whispered

" It's hard to say that he's out of the woods," her father answered their pleading looks, " I see nothing but pain ahead. If he lives there will be nothing, but trouble."

" Can we see him?" Karasuma asked

" Yeah, he's being put into a private room," her father said

Amon and Karasuma walked down the hall to the ICU, but then turned into a room. Karasuma and Amon entered and walked next to Sakaki's bedside.

" Haruto," Karasuma said

She looked at the machines that pumped air into his body and censors attached to his body to keep an eye on him.

" Amon," she whispered

Amon looked at Karasuma and grabbed her hand. Her father left the room and Karasuma sat down.

" Haruto, I'm here," Karasuma said, " So is Amon, we came to stay with you as long as you're here."

Amon sat down next to Karasuma and looked at her as she talked to Sakaki. She talked to Sakaki as though he was her own son. Her motherly voice soothed him and most likely soothed Sakaki's silent thoughts. He looked at the young injured hunter and then looked and saw something on his arm. Amon got up and walked over to the other side.

" What is it?" Karasuma asked

" The symbol," Amon said

He got a closer look and saw the mark was outlined in what seemed like dried up blood.

" This symbol looks like it's been cut," Amon said, " There's dried up blood on it."

Amon and Karasuma fell asleep watching over Sakaki, but they were still aware of their surroundings.

Inside Sakaki's head

Sakaki looked around and walked around a dark room with very little light. He stopped and looked around, then suddenly he was grabbed and thrown against a wall. Sakaki winced in pain, then opened his eyes too see a masked face.

" Who are you?" Sakaki growled

" Your darker side," the masked figure said

" I have no dark side, and if I do I will fight it," Sakaki said

" Try defeating this," the masked figure said

Sakaki struggled to get free and the masked figure pulled a blade and stabbed Sakaki directly in his abdomen. Sakaki let out a cry of pain and the masked figure looked at him as he dug the blade deeper.

" Let him go," a deep voice said

The masked figure turned around and a fist came at him. Sakaki fell to the ground and looked at the blade and pulled it out. He leaned against the wall and winced in pain while his future self took on his murderer. His future self walked over and knelt down and looked at him.

" You know for a witch hunter your pretty sloppy," his future self said

" For the asshole I become your pretty good at it," Sakaki murmured

His future self looked at him and smirked.

" You still have a sense of humor when your near death," he said

His future self lifted him and carried Sakaki down the hall and entered a room, there he set the half dead Sakaki down.

" Stay here, I'll be back," he said

" Where do you think I'm going to go?" Sakaki questioned

" Who knows, I guess it's an old habit of telling myself not to get involved," his future self said

Sakaki closed his eyes and his future self vanished, but returned. He opened his hands and carried a pendant, there he slipped it around Sakaki's neck.

" The last thing you need, is in Sapporo," his future self said

He healed Sakaki placing his hand on his wound, Sakaki gasped opened his eyes.

" Well, welcome back to your mind," he said

" I don't know if that's a good thing our a bad thing," Sakaki answered

" Get up and get moving your almost back in your own mind, don't make me save your sorry ass again," his future self said

" That goes double for me," Sakaki said

Sakaki took down the dark corridors and into a dark room. He looked at the pendant seeing it was in the shape of an eye, with the triangle in the pupil. Sakaki sighed and let it fall hitting against his chest.

" I don't get it what am I suppose to do," Sakaki thought

End

" Where am I?" Sakaki's voice whispered, " Am I dead?"

Karasuma opened her eyes and saw Sakaki open his eyes. She looked at him and then nudged Amon, who rested on her shoulder. He stirred and opened his eyes then sat up.

" He's awake," she whispered

Sakaki looked over and saw only shadows of figures, but heard voices.

" Who's there, is that you Ms. Miho?" he said

" I'm here," she said, " So, is Amon."

" Both of you came?" Sakaki said

" Yes," Karasuma said

Sakaki closed his eyes and whispered, " I'm glad to see you both here."

Sakaki opened his eyes again and turned in their direction. He smiled and Karasuma looked at him, picking up new feelings from Sakaki; they were so innocent, but yet there was another part fighting. She couldn't help, but to wonder if it was the older Sakaki.

" Can we go home?" he whispered

" Home sounds wonderful," Karasuma said

Karasuma looked at Amon and kissed his cheek, she then got up and went to check Sakaki out.

" Mr. Amon, I felt competent enough to go by myself without Ms. Miho, I guess I wasn't," Sakaki said

" Don't worry yourself," Amon said, " You're ok, maybe it's time we showed you where you did live."

" I met a girl," Sakaki said

Amon smirked and said, " It's about time."

Sakaki smiled and Karasuma's father walked in. Amon stood up and looked at his father-in-law.

" Amon," he said, " Could you step out for a minuet."

" Gladly," Amon said

Amon walked out and Karasuma's father looked at Amon, then looked at Sakaki.

" How are you feeling?" he asked

" I'm ok," Sakaki said

" You took a nasty fall off your motorcycle, but don't worry," Karasuma's father said, " You'll be back on your feet."

Sakaki nodded and the doctor looked at him and then stepped back.

" Haruto, tell me what are you seeing now?" Karasuma's father asked

" Shadows," Sakaki replied, " But I see light around them."

" I see," the doctor said

Sakaki turned towards Karasuma's father's direction.

" Why?" he asked swallowing deep

" I'm afraid that your vision has been lost, maybe temporarily, don't worry thought we'll work with you," Karasuma's father said

" Blind!" Karasuma exclaimed

" I over heard him tell Sakaki that," Amon said

" He can't be," Karasuma said

" The accident did this Miho," Amon said

" This is all my fault, I should have told him no, but he said he would be alright," Karasuma said

Amon looked at her and said, " No, Miho this isn't your fault stop this now."

" No, Amon, I could have prevented him from ridding that motorcycle and now he's blind because of a bump on his head. His parents left him in our care and I'm destroying their child."

Amon grabbed her by her shoulder and then embraced her.

" No, your not," he whispered, " We just have another challenge."