A Very Stormy Christmas Eve
by Meeko Melodie
Meeko: I'm hyper right now and you people know what caused that? It's you people! Nine reviews! Wow! This is definitely a record for me in one chapter. I'm so glad you guys like it. Well, here's the update. Enjoy! And do I have to repeat myself again? Witch Hunter Robindoes not belong to me. Done.
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Thanks for the following dudes and dudettes:
Katreda: I didn't think it was THE MOST interesting because it's going to get better in this chapter and the next.
Cat/Wolf Witch Kyobi: Thank you and no, I haven't finish the series yet, I'm only at I think Episode 12. Yup, and I'm planning to get those wonderful Japanese DVD s at boxing day.
AmonKnight: Here's the update!
Amon's Angel of the Darkness: Yay, it's you! Thanks for the comment and that reminds me, I didn't write about how Robin got her arm fixed. Uh oh, she's gonna bleed to death!! Ah!
Dusty: Thank you!
Koharu-Soma: Hmm, thanks for pointing out the spelling errors, I'll go correct it during the Christmas holidays. That only proofs that I can't type like Michael, who can listen to music and type lightning fast at the same time. Oh well!
BattleAngelKurumi: Eww... you slice your fingers, that hurts! Are you okay now? I hope so. Once, I got this huge pin stuck right into my palm and it kept bleeding that I'm scared I'm gonna bleed to death. Anyways, thanks for your comment and hope you're feeling better.
In True Meanings: Hey hey, it's you again. Thank you so much for reviewing this.
Angel452: Read to find out what happen!
Chapter One: Blows and Gift
Under the rather gloomy, grayish sky, an ebony-haired man with a stoic expression wearing a dark trench coat swishing behind him like the wings of a bat was walking briskly on the snow covered sidewalk. Marching beside him was a young girl wearing a red trench coat and her wheat-colored locks were put up into two strange looking pigtails tied up by scarlet leather strings. Both looked unapproachable by their solemn looks.
It was still early and the street was quite deserted. Only a few occasional cars rushed by, sending splashes of slushy ice towards the already wet path.
Amon stared distastefully at the joyful decorations in front of store entrances they passed. Splashes of pine greens and cherry crimsons, glinting silver and sparkling gold tinsels hanging limply in the wind. Tiny colored light bulbs blinked innocently, like little faries trying to escape from the green ties that were attached to their back. He simply hated the holidays, especially around Christmas; it wasn't like he was born that way. He used to love it, like others would. But it just brought back those painful, yet precious memories of his mother when they would bake cookies and decorate the tree together.
Those good times would never come back, he knew it. And he treasured those memories, buried it deep in his heart and once again, continued his isolation from human race on Christmas day; it was almost like a tradition.
Besides, Amon turned his cold glance back to his silent partner, who was careful not to look at him in the eye, Robin had done some really stupid thing this morning just mere hours ago. Sure, Amon was thankful that she saved the both of them, but again, if it wasn't for her, it wouldn't have happened in the first place.
Amon had been patient with her. Well, at least as much patience as Amon would have allowed, which was much more considered it was Robin we were talking about here.
He had to admit, Robin was different. Maybe that was why he was somehow attracted by her grace and purity. Oh, shut it, in Amon's head, a harsh voice snapped. The stupid holiday decorations and this Robin girl was going to ruin him these days.
In less than no time, they found themselves in front of Raven's Flat. The dark building held its mystic beauty even more now that crispy snow was covering at different angles. They entered without a word. Somehow, this irritated Amon.
The quietness.
The awkwardness.
Usually, this didn't bother Amon much; he didn't like conversations anyway but today, there was definitely something missing. But what was it? Damn holidays!
At least they don't have decorations up at the office, Amon mused with relief as they reached the right floor. Robin quickly walked out without saying anything. Amon followed closely by.
Robin's quietness was starting to scare him. Why? He needed answers, explanation to her idiotic thinking and doing this morning. He needed it here and now.
With a swift move, Amon tightly held Robin's wrist to stop her; her emerald orbs were demanding; for a horrifying second, Amon thought Robin would set fire on him, right there and then.
Unusual.
"Explain," he growled, they were now in the office, where Michael, Doujima, Karasuma and Sakaki had the perfect view and the little bored crowd were watching the pair with interest.
"Excuse me?" Robin's calmness was running low as well; her voice sounded edgy.
"This morning," Amon said slowly, narrowing his icy slate eyes, "What were you thinking?"
"What do you mean?" See? Robin was basically the only one who had the guts to challenge him. Well, bring it on!
"What you did this morning was not funny, nor brave," he replied in a cold, venomous tone.
"Well, if you've let me carry on for just a little longer and stop treating me like a child..." Robin said in her quiet, yet fierceattitude but was interrupted rudely by Amon's harsh ones.
"Treating you like a child has nothing to do with this," Amon objected loudly.
"Oh? So, what you're saying is that you have been treating me like a kid and will continue to do that?" Robin asked, suddenlyaloof like the quiet sea before a dead cracking storm. It might be Amon's imagination but he thought he saw tears welling up from her eye brims.
Please don't cry, oh God, I... Amon couldn't even think; his train of thoughts were stopped by Robin's sudden sob and tears sliding over her pale cheeks. She ran back into the elevator before Amon could remember what the hack was going on.
The door closed with a creepy squeak. Amon was motionless, but decided to return to his desk as if nothing had happened. He could feel everybody's glares burning holes on his back. If looks could kill this moment, Amon would probably be dead ten times and over. What's wrong with them? He sighed quietly and spoke, "all right, what is it? Just spit it out."
"How can you treat Robin like that? She's your partner!" Michael was uncharacteristically manacing.
What? I should only yell at people when they're not my partners? Amon wanted to argue back but decided against it. It would be four against one if he started the whole thing. Amon was good, but not that good.
"What do you want me to do, then?" Amon asked icily, but the others considered his admit of defeat. Doujima grinned; Amon grimaced at the devilish sight.
"What are you thinking, Doujima?" Amon warned, his dark eyes narrowing in a threatening manner. Doujima blinked innocently, then approached him holding what looked like a Christmas greeting card.
"Here," she stuffed it in his hand and said, "looks like you need it more than I do." She grinned slyly. Amon stared at the disgustingly bright colors, then back at Doujima.
"And what exactly am I suppose to do with this?" Amon waved the card like it was a piece of garbage.
"Are you that dense?" Sakaki joined in, rolling his eyes. Amon raised his eyebrow; why is it that everyone are acting against him today? Sakaki sighed in an over-exaggeratedfashion and explained to Amon like this was two plus two equals to four, "write her a card, apologize and get her a present while you're at it," he looked out the steamy window and saw nothing but whiteness beyond the piece of fragile glass, "it is Christmas after all." Amon ignored his fellow hunter's suggestion but sat at his desk thoughtfully, laying the card on his table.
"Maybe I should apologize," Amon thought dully, staring at the cartoon angel's smiling face on the cover of the card. He was still deep in thought when Kosaka announced that they could have half a day off and could leave at one in the afternoon.
Of course, Amon totally missed it.
No matter, he had more important things in mind. Like how in the seven hells am I suppose to write a card when I haven't even receive one in over ten years? Even worst, he didn't even know how he should 'appropriately' begin his card so that Robin would not get any wrong ideas.
But I want her to know my feelings ... right? He wasn't even sure.
Now getting back on task, Amonflipped the card and a blinding whitenessstung his eyes. Picking up a random ball pen, he started to twirl around the poor utensil between his fingers, thinking about how he should start.
To Robin? Amon was literally talking to himself, no ... too distant. Dear Robin? Ah... better. He wrote it down quickly at the upper corner.
The usual? He thought, yes, the usual. And wrote down Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Typical and safe.
Below that, he added:
I'm sorry for blowing up at you earlier today.
Signing off with his name, he nodded in satisfaction and was about to go to the washroom before following on his latest case when he realized that no one was in the office.
Nope, not even Michael. Oh well. Amon half shrugged and left for the restroom, leaving behind the card, which he had stuffed in a plain envelop. After Amon disappeared behind the door, hushed voices started to erupt. Doujima, who wore an evil smirk across her face, tiptoed to Amon's desk, took out the original card and stuffed an identical one in, except the insides of this one might be a bit different.
Okay, a lot different. The four of them, as quietly as they could manage, sneaked out of the building through the staircase, all snickering with maniacal delight.
Upon returning his desk, Amon picked up the card, put it inside one of the deep pockets on his dark trench coat and walked out the front door. He would have to get Robin a present too. But what?
God-damn-it! Why was it so hard to please a girl? Hell, why would Amon, the best hunter in the STN-J, even bother trying to please a girl, and a fifteen year old at that. He shook his head, as if that could wash away the overwhelming emotions that come with it.
He stepped out into the cold; bits of snow wereprickling his slate eyes, like it was challenging its coldness against Amon's iciness of his gaze. He wandered on the crowded street, puffs of smoke emitting from his mouth every time he breathed out. Around him were excited shoppers doing their last minute Christmas shopping. A slight, but bitter zephyr flew by, ruffling his raven hair as he held his coat collar higher around his neck.
He should really purchase a scarf one of these days.
He rushed past a lot of stores and display windows but nothing caught his attention. He frowned, what does Robin like? He was thinking hard now; you could probably hear the gears in this head working and going fast.
Clothes? ... No, that girl wears nothing but that black Victorian dress; handbag? ... She never has one anyway. CD players? ... Hell no, she doesn't even listen to music as far as he knows. TV? Camera? A rocking chair? A blue bunny? Now Amon was going bored andthinking in random as he walked past more stores.
Half-way passing a jewelry display, Amon froze. He stopped in front of the brightly lit window; diamonds and crystals were shining such dazzle it almost made Amon dizzy but his cool glance fell on to a thin, delicate-looking bracelet on the top stage.
It looked so lonely, so different from the rest of the glamorous competitors who tried to catch people's eyes with their blinding glimmer. The silvery charm winked at him; its snake-like design made it full of life but it was the tiny speckles of emerald dust randomly coated the gleaming surface mostcaptivated Amon in buying it.
Surprisingly, it didn't cost as much as Amon had thought and the clerk wrapped it quite nicely too, with little miniature pine cones, mint leaves, with a layer of clear plastic, then some strawberry coated chocolates, another layer of plastic, two sticks of cinnamon and some ribbons to finish the job. Amon actually had to yell at him before the clerk stopped putting in more useless stuff in those layers of plastic in between. (Meeko: Anyone watched Love Actually? That part was sort of like that. It's funny. Anyways, back to the story, shall we?)
Tucking the gift securely under his arm, he began the long walk all the way back to his waiting vehicle. All this time, he wondered what Robin's reaction would be later on the night when he arrived at her apartment with a Christmas gift.
Meeko: Okay, that's it for today. More Amon and Robin fluff coming up next so don't miss the fun. Once again: REVIEW PLEASE! Thank you again for the people who reviewed my first chapter.