Chapter 4: STN-J
Amon finished the rest of his coffee and most of his paper work. He accessed his computer and went to the files online. He saw he had received some mail in his email and clicked on it.
" Robin," he said
Amon accessed the email and, which Robin wrote two days ago. Amon leaned back and rubbed his eyes as if he were tiered.
" Staying another week," Amon muttered, " There's nothing there."
Amon shut down his computer and sighed, he read his mail that he picked up…there a post card that read: Italy. Amon turned the card over and read the letter from Robin, he sighed slightly.
" I told her she wouldn't find anything," Amon sighed
He got up and walked to his room and looked around his room, he laid out things for the next day, then took his shower.
By quarter of 12 Amon went to sleep, though he laid in bed for sometime before falling to sleep.
Past
The hunters looked at Amon as he entered the office and to Amon's surprise his senior hunter was the same one that appeared at that time telling him, that it was none of his business on why his mother was involved with his recruitment to the STN-J'. Amon gave slight frustrated sigh.
" Well, Rookie it looks like you serve under me," the head hunter said
" Ray chill out," the only woman hunter said, " He's new leaving him alone."
She stood up and put her hand out.
" I'm your partner, I'm Yumi," Yumi said
Amon shook her hand and Yumi looked at everyone.
" Right to left, Heiji, Keishi, Makoto, then that asshole is Ray and then me," she said
Amon nodded and looked at the computer system that was up.
" Heiji, works double jobs, he's our computer geek and our weapon specialist," Yumi said
" When do I start?" Amon asked
" As soon as we get a hunt," Yumi said
" You might want to show the rookie around Yumi, he's going to need to know where everything is," Ray said
" I know where everything is," Amon said, " I was already given the grand tour."
" Good then you know our rules Rookie, after every hunt new hunters leave last. Polish everything that needs to be shined and well clean the windows on Saturday morning," Ray said
" Ray," Yumi said
" Oh, that's right, Rookie your errand boy too. You don't get respect until you earn it," Ray said
Amon narrowed his eyes at Ray and Yumi shook her head. She walked over to the back and knocked on the side.
" Chief, our replacement is here," Yumi said, " Amon, this is Chief Kosaka…he's been here for a few years."
Chief Kosaka stood up and shook Amon's hand.
" He just kind of supervises," Yumi said, " Let's see, come with me we'll get you set up with your gun."
She walked him to the back and Yumi looked at the guns and touched one. She closed her eyes and felt feelings.
" She's doing her psychic feeling," Keishi said
" Psychic feeling?" Amon questioned
" Oh, I guess you don't know much about the STN-J, we all have a certain craft that helps out," Keishi said
" Craft?" Amon said
" You are naïve," Keishi said, " Well, let's see. A craft user is what we are…we're not witches, we just use our craft to a certain degree. If you go over that you could be considered a witch."
Amon looked at Yumi and she opened her eyes.
" I am psychic, but mine is not like all those other's I sense strong feelings, from a person or object," she said, " I'm from a long line of psychics, my niece she's probably about 10 now. She'll develop hers and sooner or later will be recruited."
Amon nodded and Yumi handed Amon a gun and smiled.
" This one I think will fit you, your strong I think you'll be able to use it," she said
" Nice one," Keishi said, " Heiji would be jealous."
" Why?" Amon asked
" Heiji isn't the really the best shooter with a gun, obviously Yumi thinks you'll be able to handle this gun. It's much more powerful," Keishi said
" I see," Amon said looking at it
" Alright, second thing, your apart of a family and there are always things families wear alike," Yumi said, " Our jackets are actually required."
She looked at Amon and smiled at his clean cut look.
" Clothing nice and groomed," she said, " Don't be like out rages with your style."
Later, Yumi and Keishi took Amon to a very famous place that all the hunters go on break.
" Harry's, best place to get anything and it's only a block away," Yumi said
" Hello Ms. Yumi, Mr. Keishi, I see there is a new face," Harry said
" This is Amon, he's our replacement," Yumi said
" Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, do you drink coffee?" Harry said
" No, water will be fine," Amon said
" He's going to learn to love it Harry," Yumi said
Amon leaned back and Yumi smiled sweetly at him.
" Tomorrow we'll take you on your fist real hunt," Yumi said, " I'll train you the way a hunter should be trained."
After an introduction to Harry's Yumi looked at Amon seeing he was not a very talkative person.
" You don't talk much do you?" she asked
Amon didn't answer and she nodded, she looked at Keishi, whom sighed.
" He'll be a tough one," he whispered
Two years later
" Amon, he's coming towards you!" Yumi shouted
Amon waited and saw the witch coming, he jumped out and fired a shot, but it was deflected with the witch's power. Amon was forced back into a pile of garbage. Yumi came running and Ray jumped down from his position and closed his eyes. Things around him began to circle them. Amon watched and breathed deep.
" Get ready Yumi," Ray said
" Right," she said
Ray released it at the witch as a distraction and Yumi fired 6 shots. She ducked as the last piece came.
" He's down," Yumi said
Amon got up and narrowed his eyes. Ray turned around and looked at Amon.
" Never send a rookie to do a skilled witch hunter's job," Ray said
He walked past Amon and pushed him to the side.
" Move it Rookie," Ray said
" I'm not a rookie," he growled
" You are and will always be one," Ray said
Yumi placed her gun into her holster and looked at Amon. She placed her hand on his shoulder.
" Your good Amon, but it's a little more harder to judge what your facing when your blind with other thoughts," she said
" When will I get it….I'm 17 years old?" Amon asked
Yumi looked at Amon and said, " It's a skill that you practice….you become aggressive to it. Don't show feelings and focus that into your target. I learned it 4 years ago and I'm 21."
" I see," Amon said, " No feelings."
" That's right," Yumi said
She hit her ear piece and told Heiji to call the factory. Amon sighed and followed his partner to her car. He looked at the orbo gun and sighed.
" I'll take you to the range alright?" she said
" Yumi," Amon said
" Yeah," Yumi said
" Why don't we kill them…I mean all the other's do?" Amon asked
" We don't kill them because we're more humane…but then we're not if we're hunting them," Yumi said
They pulled up and Keishi removed his helmet. He got off his black motorcycle and Yumi looked at him.
" The damn thing keeps breaking," Keishi said, " I guess it took to much shots from the orbo."
" Keishi did you check the oil it needs to be changed," Heiji said
" Guess I need to do that," Keishi said
" Dummy," Heiji said
" Geek," Keishi said
Amon looked at the two and looked at Yumi.
" They act like siblings," Amon said
" Their brothers actually, Heiji is the youngest," Yumi said
Amon nodded and said sarcastically, " I couldn't tell."
Yumi smiled and patted his shoulder, she then walked upstairs and Amon followed her. He entered the office and as he was about to open the door, the door opened and swung open. It smacked him in the face and he stepped back and tripped over a box.
" I'm so sorry," a soft voice said
Amon looked up and met the girl's gaze, who knocked him over. She wore a school uniform and carried a purse in her right hand, and files in her other. She looked at Amon and then set everything down.
" I'm sorry, I didn't realize someone else was following Ms. Yumi," she said
She put out her hand and Amon reached for it. She helped him stand and Amon sighed.
" Are you ok?" she asked
" I'm fine," he slightly grunted
She nodded and lifted her things again. She gave a bow and walked off and Amon watched her leave.
" Unaware of the world," Amon mumble
" Amon, what are you just standing out there for, we have a briefing," Yumi said
Amon walked in and Ray looked at Amon and then looked at Heiji.
" I was looking at the file on the witch and I came across a very familiar name to the STN-J," Heiji said
Amon looked at the picture of the witch and then a group picture came up.
" It looks like Kawachi had some ties with the infamous Sakaki/Miaka family. They loaned out some money to him and expecting him to pay it off. But what really caught my attention was this member here to your right," Heiji said making a circle over the person
" Who is that?" Yumi asked
" The multi-millionaire, Sakaki, Hayato, grandson of Sakaki, Juro," Heiji said, " Their not a family you want to get into. We've actually been watching these two for a long time. Juro's pulled some tricks and disappeared from our radar for awhile. We've been watching Hayato and well he's redeemed himself with Solomon, because he married the right woman. Miaka, Tara, she's the daughter of the director of Solomon's research department. It wasn't until recently that Juro returned with newly found wealth and power. I have a feeling we're actually about to see a war in this family. With Hayato married to a Solomon agent and making millions, I smell trouble. Their son is the heir to this multi-million company as well. He's shown in the bottom right."
Amon looked at the small child and then looked at Yumi.
" I see, where is this family now?" Yumi asked
" They've resided in Sapporo," Heiji said
" Well, Ray what do you think?" she asked
" I don't want to give off any clues on who we are," Ray said, " I guess what we should do is send our rookie in. After all youth does have it's advantages."
Amon looked at Ray and then at Yumi who smiled.
" Their son is very gifted in studies, so what he really needs is someone on his level," Heiji said, " He's 9 years old in the 8th grade, think you can learn what he knows in three weeks?"
" I can try," Amon said
" You won't sleep until you can pass the entrance exam," Ray said, " And you won't eat until you can pass all the grades, he's managed to pass up just by one test."
" I know," Amon growled
" Then you can take it, Yumi, get your partner books and take away that gun he's dangerous with it."
" Right away," Yumi said
" Dismissed," Ray said
Day in and Day out Amon was tutored in advance math, calculus. History, from Japanese all across the world. Literature from Japanese to English classics. Yumi watched him cram as he past the several exams needed to. Passing the grades that he had missed since he was 11. Amon would now be prepared to tutor a child prodigy after 3 weeks.
" My head hurts I can't do anymore," he said
" Come on Amon," Yumi said, " It's only for a week, your enrolled at the local high school there."
" Can I call in sick?" he asked
" You'll be replaced Rookie if you back out," Ray said
Amon narrowed his eyes and Yumi looked at Ray. Yumi slipped an ear piece in his ear and clipped some pins that were microphones.
" Teach him, question him and wonder," Yumi said
" I got it," Amon said
Yumi sighed and Keishi looked at Yumi.
" Alright Amon, take care of my baby girl, she's old," Keishi said, " If he ask what kind of bike it is. Fill free to tell them."
Amon rolled his eyes and took the helmet and got on the motorcycle. He took off out the back of the van and zoomed down to the high school. He picked up the ad from the bulletin board and took his cell phone out.
" Sakaki residence," a woman's voice said
" Hi, I saw an ad on the bulletin board at my school and saw your looking for a tutor for your son," Amon said
" Yes, that's right," she said
" Is the job available?" Amon asked
" yes, it is," she said
" Alright, is there a time that I can meet the young man?" Amon asked
" Today at 6 he'll be back from school," the woman said, " Can I get your name please."
" My name…uh sure, it's…." Amon stuttered
He looked across the street and shook his head.
" Ryu," Amon said
" Alright, then at 6," she said
" Thanks," he said
He hung up the phone and breathed.
" Very smooth Amon," Yumi said
" That was Tara," Keishi said, " The mom."
" What's the little brat's name?" Amon asked
" Haruto," Yumi said
At 6 operation tutor began and Yumi watched from the camera that was pinned to Amon's lapel.
" Sending you your resume right now Amon, and school id," Heiji said
" Thanks," Amon said
He got a copy and Amon walked up to the large estate. He knocked on the door and he heard three dogs barking and the patters of bare feet.
" Haruto wait!" Amon heard a man's voice shout
The door unlocked and he straighten up and when the door open, he saw Hayato and then young Haruto.
" You must be Ryu," Hayato said
" Yes, I am sir," Amon said dryly
" Come in, you talked to my wife earlier, for a tutor position for my son," Hayato said
" That's correct," Amon answered
Amon looked at the 9 year old as he watched Amon take each step. Amon rolled his eyes and looked at the house.
" What can you teach my son?" he asked
" Well, everything," Amon said, " I'm well versed in all subjects."
" Good," Hayato said
Haruto stood next to his father and it was almost scary how much the kid looked exactly like his father. Amon sighed feeling this was going to be a long week. Amon began his well versed lie and began to start Haruto with the basics of high school literature, history, math, and science.
" This is boring when are we getting to the good stuff," Haruto said
" Like what?" Amon asked
" Sports," Haruto said, " games."
Amon began to feel frustration and Yumi radioed to him to calm down.
" Mechanics, Amon it always works," Keishi said
" He's suppose to be studying not becoming an engineer at the age of ten," Amon muttered
" Amon, just focus," Yumi said, " And what ever you do, don't crack."
Amon looked at Haruto and stood up. He rolled up his sleeves and Haruto looked at him.
" Alright, sports….is that what you really want to know?" Amon asked
" Yeah," Haruto said
" Alright," Amon said, " Fine, we can do this."
Amon began to teach with sports, though it wasn't the best. He didn't grow up with that stuff and didn't care for it. Luckily Heiji was both a geek and a sports buff. When it came to mechanics, Amon parroted Keishi. When it came to the boring stuff he listened to his partner.
When American history came he threw a curve ball about the witch trials. Amon wanted to get information of the wear about of Juro. Lucky for him Haruto was willing to spill the beans.
" 9 year olds are so naive," Amon said
" Don't get cocky Amon," Yumi said as she played back the tape.
" Heiji I need a call to the factory we're going for the kill. Juro's hiding out at Kawachi's," Yumi said
" Be careful," Heiji said
Amon and Yumi took off to a place, not to bad off, where they would take the hunt one step further than it already was. Amon and Yumi looked at Keishi as he took his role, they waited for him to enter, before making their move.
" Alright Amon, I'll take the back you keep watch," Yumi said
" Ok," Amon replied
He pulled his orbo gun ready as Yumi went in the back.
" Alright Amon, Yumi we're set," Keishi said
Suddenly there was an explosion inside the house and windows were blown out.
" Keishi!" Yumi's voice shouted in the ear piece, " Come in!"
Amon kicked the door opened and ran in to help Keishi.
" Keishi come in," Amon said
Smoke covered the house and Amon covered his mouth.
" Yumi it's to filled with smoke," Amon called
" No, we have to find Keishi," Yumi said
" Yumi," Amon said
Suddenly there were three gun shots and Amon ran towards them. He held his gun and his orbo around his neck glowed. He looked around and suddenly he was thrown back. Amon looked around fired a shot, but didn't hear it hit anything else. He heard a thump and Amon walked through the smoke and tripped over something. He fell face first and looked, his eyes grew wider as he saw what he had tripped over.
" Keishi," he said, " Yumi, I found him."
He came to his knees and looked at his fallen comrade.
" Keishi, get up," Amon said, " Stop playing these games."
" Amon," a voice whispered
Amon turned around and crawled getting fresh air and a hand grabbed his. He looked pulling a flashlight out.
" Yumi," he said
" Get out of here," she whispered, " Do it quickly."
" Yumi, I found Keishi," he said, " Let's go."
" Amon, listen to me," she said, " It's a trap."
" A trap," Amon whispered
" Get out now," she raised her voice
Amon stood up and nodded and Yumi rose, blood dripped from her wounds. Amon looked at her and she pulled the orbo from around her neck.
" When she comes, give this pendant to her, tell her I'm here always," Yumi whispered, " Tell her there's nothing to fear."
Amon looked at the pendant and suddenly Yumi fell.
" I was hoping she'd shut up," A familiar voice said
Amon shined the light and saw Ray standing there with a smirk. He tossed the gun on the ground and Ray walked towards Amon.
" Now, just like them, you will die and I will have complete control over everything," Ray said, " I will kill you as I killed your mother. Slowly, so a witch like you will never speak the truth about who betrayed the STN-J."
" You killed her," Amon said
" Yes, Rookie, I killed her. I didn't hunt her, I slaughtered her," Ray said
Amon pulled his gun out and fired a shot and Ray threw something at the gun. Ray kicked Amon in the stomach and grabbed him by his neck. He threw him to the ground and stepped on his stomach.
" You and no other will over power me," Ray said
He slashed Amon across his chest and picked him up, by his neck and looked at him.
" Unlike you Amon, I can live forever," Ray said
A knife formed in his hand and prepared to stab Amon. Amon breathed deep as the knife came lunged his chest.
Suddenly there were three gun shots and Ray turned around and saw someone.
" You killed them, you killed Keishi and Yumi," Heiji's voice broke through
Ray dropped the knife and Amon pushed away. He fell and grabbed his orbo gun. He fired three shots and Ray looked at Amon.
" I will kill you," Ray said
Heiji walked over to Amon and slipped his gun into his holster.
" Are you ok?" Heiji asked
" Fine," Amon said
Amon knelt down next to Yumi and looked at her.
" How will I know it's her?" Amon whispered
He breathed deep and Heiji looked at Amon.
" Partners come and go, but your first partner never really dies, they come as someone else," Heiji said
" I won't fail her, I'm going to be the best. I won't let this happen again," Amon said, " This slaughter has happened twice…this punishment has gone far enough."
A week later Amon sighed and got his arm bandaged up from another hunt.
" Alright there you go," the young girl said, " Now, you can't really move your arm for a little while."
Amon looked at her and she smiled, Amon nodded.
" Do you have a name?" Amon asked
" Touko," she replied, " Shinzaki, Touko."
" Touko," Amon said, " For a girl, that name doesn't suit you."
" Well, what kind of a name is Amon?" she said, " I don't appreciate your crude remark."
Touko lightly tapped his injured arm to prove his point. He winced in pain and watched her walk off. Heiji pushed out his chair and looked at Amon.
" You shouldn't mess with her, she's the manager's daughter," Heiji said
" But her last name," Amon said
" Parents are divorced," Heiji said, " She's 14 and works part time here."
" I see," Amon said
Makoto walked in and sighed.
" How's the arm Amon?" Makoto asked
" Ok, I got the girl to fix it," Amon said
" Should have gone to the hospital, Touko's "medical attention" doesn't past for squat," Makoto said
Amon shrugged and got to work. Amon typed up the accident report, while Makoto typed up the report.
" Whoa!" Heiji exclaimed
" What is it?" Makoto asked
" HQ's sending us two new hunters. They're related too," Heiji said
" Can you get the profiles?" Makoto asked
" Yup," Heiji said
Heiji pulled up to the profiles and Amon looked over and tried to ignored.
" Sada, Kate and Takekawa, Emiko," Heiji said
" Well, it's about time they sent us some girls," Makoto joked
Amon looked at the orbo pendant that Yumi gave him.
" Is she one of them?" he asked
6 months later
Amon looked at the two girls, neither pleased them as they stood there.
" Amon, Ms. Sada will be your partner," Makoto said
" What?" Amon questioned
" She won't bite," Makoto said
Kate was very fair skin tone and she was rather slender, She wore a black pants suit, her hair auburn, long and wave. Her eyes were slightly wide, but her eye color made up for it, with her amber eyes. Emiko, was just the opposite she was purely dark complexion, with a slight light brown hair with blue eyes. She wore a mid-thigh black skirt, with black boots that came just past her knees. Amon looked at Kate and began to introduce her to the system.
With a new partner and a mission to find "her" Amon had a busy life ahead of him, especially with his future love soon to come.
Present
Amon sat up feeling a string of pain crawl up his leg. He leaned forward and grabbed his leg and breathed deep.
" Why is this happening?" he thought
He grabbed his cane and got to his feet, dragging his injured leg behind. He fell and got up, grabbing hold of the back of the couch. He breathed deep feeling it pulsing endless amounts of pain. Amon came to his kitchen and took two pill for his pain, as he waited for the medicine to take effect, he rested on the sofa.