AN: French translations on the lastpage
Chapter 4: Masquerade Chaos
Doujima and Robin waited for Sakaki, both were dressed in evening gowns with gold mask. Sakaki walked down and looked at them and they looked at him.
" Ladies," he said
" Your really going to go through with it," Doujima said
" Yes, Miho needs our help," Sakaki said
" Of course," Doujima said
Sakaki lead the girls to the car that would take them to the masquerade. Sakaki placed his earpiece in and then looked at Doujima and Robin.
" Your so paranoid," she said
"Never know when something might come out of nowhere," he said
The car pulled up and they got out. Doujima placed her mask on and Robin did the same, but wrapped an arm on each side of Sakaki. He walked in and then let them go on their way. He looked around and saw a young woman in a red dress, with a gold mask, standing by a pillar Sakaki had to peruse her. He came up the stairs and straighten up his tux.
" Karasuma," he said
" Sakaki," she whispered, " What are you doing here?"
" Coming to you rescue," Sakaki said, " Doujima and Robin are here too."
Karasuma looked around and then looked at Sakaki. She touched his cheek and then hugged him.
" Can we talk somewhere private?" she asked
" Yes, come this way," he said
He grabbed her hand and led her upstairs to the top of the opera house. She looked at Sakaki and hugged him tight.
" Sakaki, I was so scared," Karasuma said
" Shh, you don't have to be anymore," Sakaki said, " He will not get you. This so called ' phantom' is no more than a witch."
Karasuma removed Sakaki's mask and said, " You came from Japan all the way to Paris, France for me."
" Yes, you're my partner Karasuma, I can't abandon you," he said
He removed her mask and lifted her chin.
" He's not a mad man Sakaki. He's just misunderstood," Karasuma said
Sakaki stroked Karasuma's cheek and said, " He kidnapped you Karasuma, he took you by force. I can't forgive a man like that."
Karasuma reached up and kissed Sakaki's cheek.
" Can we just leave Paris," Karasuma said
" Yes, we'll leave tomorrow," he said, " All of us will leave."
She wrapped her arms around him and he wrapped his around her. Karasuma felt weak, but she wasn't, she was strong. Sakaki leaned his head on Karasuma's, he could feel her body trembling in his hold. He held her tighter and kissed her head.
" Don't be afraid," he whispered
Doujima and Robin searched the area for their witch. Both STNs joined in the search and knew he would search.
" Doujima, I have Karasuma," Sakaki said, " She's safe."
" Alright, I got you," she said
Doujima waited still for maybe an assault by their phantom, she walked down the stairs and blended with the crowd. A strange figured walked in he was dressed in black, his mask only covered half of his face. She watched him as he advance towards the stairs.
" Robin," Doujima said
" I see him," Robin said
" Is that really him?" Robin asked
" I don't know," Doujima answered
" Sakaki, we found our witch," Robin said
" Alright," Sakaki said
Robin walked into the shadows and waited for the perfect time to strike. Doujima readied herself along with the STN-F members. The mysterious young man climbed the stairs, his black cape flowing behind him, his suave face stared at those who stared at him. He wore clothing that seemed to be the style of the late 1800's.
" Tonight," he said stopping
The music stopped playing and people looked at the man.
" Tonight, you fools dance and be marry, but I shall be watching you from every nook of this opera house. I see no good in those who come here," the man said
He turned and looked in the rafters seeing men steadied and he smiled. He continued and looked at the top of the stairs.
" So, we meet again, my twin," he said
Doujima and Robin turned to the man standing in front of the other. He wore the same style, his hair not longer than that of the other man's. It was pulled back and tied with a gold ribbon. His mask was white and covered his whole face.
" Who's he?" Robin asked
" I don't know, he's not like the other," Doujima said
" Have you come to kill me too my friend?" he asked
" No, I've come back to take what is mine and not yours, friend," the other stated
" Are they working together?" Robin asked
" No," Doujima said, " But we have to prevent one of them from going where Miho and Sakaki are."
" Right," Robin said
Robin looked at her target and suddenly flames burst out between the two. They jump back and did something neither Robin or Doujima expected. The with drew from one another's glares and pulled two gold blades that had tied to their waist.
" Don't shoot!" Doujima ordered
" Who is that?" Robin questioned
" I don't know," Doujima replied
They circled one another holding the blade out as though to scare one another. It was almost as it was planned, but so unorganized as each swordsman stepped.
" Shall we dance?" one said
" No, release the woman from your hold and you can have anything," the other said
" Anything? I don't believe in bribes," the first said
They both attacked each other and Doujima and Robin watched. The continued their endless teasing until one made the other strike.
" Doujima, what do we do?" Robin asked
" Wait," Doujima said
Karasuma looked at Sakaki as he held her in his arms.
" Sakaki," she whispered, " You were afraid….afraid to lose me."
" Yes," Sakaki whispered, " I don't want to lose the woman who helped me through these past years."
" Sakaki, come in," Doujima said
" I'm here," Sakaki said
" Get Miho out of there while you have the chance," Doujima said, " Take the south side away from the ball."
" Alright I got you," Sakaki said
He looked at Karasuma and kissed her head and then grabbed her hand.
" It's time for us to leave," he said
Sakaki did as Doujima had instructed him to do. He took her down a set of stairs and out the south side of the opera house. A gun shot was fired and suddenly everything fell into slow motion. Karasuma breathed deep, her heart fell deep into her chest. Staring at the shooter, she turned and pulled Sakaki into her hold.
" Haruto!" she cried
She fell to her knees and holding Sakaki.
" No," she whispered
" I warned you to stay at my estate, that it was for your own well being," the shooter said
Karasuma embraced Sakaki, and Sakaki stared at her and touched her face.
" Sakaki, don't leave me," she whispered
" I won't," he stuttered
The shooter grabbed Karasuma by her arm.
" Let me go!" she shouted
" Shut up," he growled
" Let her go!" Sakaki shouted
He held the gun shot wound and reached for his orbo gun.
" Witch hunter you will call your hunters off or I will kill her," the shooter said
" Sakaki shoot him," she whispered
" Shut up you wench!" the shooter said
" Par le clair de lune les stands de fantôme"
Sakaki looked at the man as he stood in the moonlight holding Karasuma captive. His wound bled, he could feel his body failing his stance.
" Vous vous mourrez hybride," Sakaki stated
" We'll see," the man said, " Sleep well hunter in your grave."
He fired another shot and hit Sakaki in his lower abdomen.
" Sakaki!" Karasuma cried
" Je me lèverai des morts et donnerai un coup de pied votre âne français désolé," Sakaki muttered before he fell to his knees
" Sakaki," Karasuma said
" Don't mind him," the shooter said
He dragged Karasuma and she struggled to get free.
" Let me go!" she screamed, " Let me go!"
The shooter threw her to the ground and Karasuma looked at him. He smiled and Karasuma stared at him.
" You killed my partner!" she cried
" Then I guess you will not need him any longer, nor will you need your precious boss."
" Amon," she whispered
" Yes, Amon," the shooter said
" Do you have a heart?" Karasuma questioned, " Do you kill to hurt ?"
She hit the ground with her fist and felt tears fall from her face.
" I have a heart, they were the family I never had, the men that wanted to protect me," Karasuma whispered, " and you took them from me."
Doujima ran out the side and saw Sakaki lying there.
" Haruto!" Doujima cried out
She came to her knees and lifted Sakaki into her arms. Sakaki moaned and opened his eyes.
" Haruto, hang on," she said
" Doujima? I can't see you there's a light," Sakaki whispered
" Robin, I need you to call an Ambulance now, Sakaki's been shot," Doujima said
" I'm calling," Robin said
" Don't worry about me," Sakaki whispered, " get Miho."
" Miho? You do love her Sakaki," Doujima said
Sakaki smiled and whispered, " Since I first met her."
Sakaki's body became heavy and Doujima looked at him.
" Haruto, you idiot," she said, " Stop these games."
Tears fell from her eyes and she tried to hide the tears.
" Dead," she whispered, " No, he's just playing."
The waltz continued as the two dueled and then they stopped, they came to a stalemate. There was silence and the only sounds that were spoken, was the air that escaped their lips.
" I believe I have won," the first said
The masked that covered the man's face fully, began to split. The plastered mask broke and fell. Robin stared for a second and felt her heart skip a beat as she looked at who the man was. He rose and looked at his opponent and smirked and pulled his gun and fired a shot knocking his blade out of his hands.
" Very clever Amon," the man said
With movement of his hands Amon felt a hold on his neck.
" Remember who I am," the man said, " I indulge my body in the night lights."
" You are a monster," Amon choked
" Let him go!" Robin shouted
" Why should I let this murderer go, because some girl says so?" the man said
Robin used her flames and started to burn the man's cape.
" Robin!" Amon said sternly
" No, Amon," Robin replied
" Robin!" Amon shouted
Amon lifted his hand and pushed Robin. He used force and pushed himself from the man's hold. Amon got to his feet and looked at the STN-F members. Robin looked at Amon and saw that he had most likely awaken within the past few months or days even.
" Forgive me," the man said, " But I don't believe you are as strong as you think you are. You are one man short and now will suffer Amon."
Someone pushed out of the shadows and Amon looked seeing he held Karasuma captive.
" Miho," Amon thought
" Amon," Karasuma said, " They shot Sakaki."
" What!" Amon exclaimed
" He's dead Amon," Karasuma whispered
The second person entered and walked over to the other who was facing Amon.
" Twins," Robin said
" Allow us to introduce ourselves," the one that held Karasuma said, " I am Eric De Van and my brother Leon Gaston De Van."
Amon looked at them and one removed his mask to reveal a soft featured face.
" My brother Amon you should know very well, in fact you should know him as the innocent," Eric said, " And his fiancée Christine."
" Shut up!" Amon shouted
" This is what your precious Amon did to my brother, the demon, the curse of guilt placed upon him," Eric said
Eric pushed Karasuma to her knees and grabbed her by her hair and made her look at Amon.
" He didn't do it!" Karasuma shouted
Amon looked at Karasuma seeing she was beat up even for a good captive.
" How will you repent murderer?" Eric questioned
" I won't, I didn't kill anyone," Amon said
" The fire claimed a life, perhaps if we help you chose," Eric said
Eric pulled a blade out and pulled Karasuma up to her feet. She winced in pain from the jolt, he placed it to Karasuma's throat and looked at Amon.
" Live or Die," Eric said
" Leave her alone!" Amon shouted
His eyes seemed to showed anger in them. He forced Leon back with his hand and pulled his gun and fired a shot at Eric's blade. The blade fell, but lightly cut Karasuma on her neck.
" Karasuma," Amon said
She nodded and kicked Eric and ran to Amon. He wrapped his arms around her and looked at Eric. He fired three shots and hit him and Karasuma closed her eyes tightly as though afraid. Amon watched Eric fall to the ground and he narrowed his eyes.
" You're naïve to think I would never take chance to save my comrade," Amon said
Leon looked at Amon and narrowed his eyes.
" Release Miho, she's not yours any longer," Leon said
" Any longer? she was never yours to take and never mine to keep. She is a human being," Amon said
Robin walked down the stairs and walked beside Amon and Karasuma.
" You can't claim a person as your property, they are living beings," Robin said
" Stay out of this," Leon said, " I wish for Miho to stay here with me. She has my beloved's soul. Just release her."
Karasuma looked at Leon and looked at Amon. She pulled away from Amon's hold and looked at him. She placed her hand on his face and reached up and kissed him. She looked at Leon and then everyone in the room.
" I can share my life with two and maybe even three," Karasuma said to them, " I maybe one person, but I have a gentle side that attracts them."
Karasuma looked at Leon and lowered her head.
" Paris is not my home Leon, nor will it ever be," Karasuma said, " I'm Japanese and will always be. I love Japan and that's where I will live all of my days."
Amon looked at Karasuma and she walked to Amon and nodded.
" Lets go find Sakaki," Karasuma said
She walked towards the door stepping over Eric's body and walked towards the door.
" Forgive me," Leon whispered, " But I won't let her go. I won't let anyone else have her."
He raised a gun and fired three shots at Karasuma.
" Miho!" Amon shouted
Vous vous mourrez hybride----You will die you bastard
Je me lèverai des morts et donnerai un coup de pied votre âne français désolé---I'll rise from the dead and kick your sorry French ass.