Yes, indeed it has been a while since I last updated but I can't be a typing machine all the time you kno. This chpt isn't that great in my personal opinion. Why? NO DILANDAU OR SLAYERS! Haha, its justa filler I guess. I was kinda dreading workin on this chpt cuz its so un fun. But I finally got around to doing it sooooooo, I present to thee the long awaited Chapitre dix-huit. Have fun with it......and here s a secret to get me to update more often......REVIEW! I love reviews, they're just so fun....Chpt 18....right


Chapter 18:

Kira skidded to a stop when she reached the soil and rock shoreline of a medium sized stream. Satori had heard her footfalls and panting and looked up, locking angry and concerned gray blue with aggravated and pensive mercury amber. Kira felt the hairs on the back of her neck rise as she regarded the ferocity swimming in Satori's gaze. She had never seen her friend sport such an expression and it gave her an unsettling feeling.

Kira took a minute to regain her breath before she stepped to the very edge of the shore, "Satori?"

Satori narrowed her eyes and looked back to downstream as the current quickly swept her sock away.

"Yes…?" Satori sat back down on the rock.

Kira sighed and took a seat on a stump nestled on the shoreline, "I was looking for you. I was kind of worried."

"Worried that I had run off…?"

Kira looked down feeling semi guilty for her lack of trust, "Yes actually…"

Satori smirked, "Sorry for making you paranoid, but you don't have to worry. If you had used your head it would have been obvious that I wouldn't just up and leave. Not after getting settled back in and all. You should know that just because I don't show it all the time doesn't mean I don't care. I do, and I am glad to be back and see you all." She looked downstream again.

Kira looked up and studied Satori's face, anger occupying her own, "I see you too have been changed by this whole ordeal. We all have you know. Do you remember that day? I have questions! I want them answered. Question one, what happened after Raharu had chased you when you ran out of the house?" Kira's hate shone clearly on her features

Satori merely smiled, "I'm sure you have lots of them. Yes, I remember that day; I remember it like it was yesterday… You want to know?"

Kira's eyes were cold, "Yes, I do. Why the hell do you think I asked?"

Satori closed her eyes for a moment and looked up with mild anger and sadness, "After I had ran out of the door and left you, Mai, Sora, and mother in the living room. Raharu chased after me down the street. I couldn't stand her presence, I blamed her for everything…"

Flashback

Raharu spotted Satori walking down the street. She quickly caught up to her and stopped her.

"Sa!"

"If I WANTED to talk to you, do you think I would have left my own house?! But since you're here how about you answer a question."

Raharu was kind of scared. Satori's eyes were pulsing with rage and hate, and worst of all, confusion. Never had she seen someone's eyes so deadly looking. She shivered.

"What is it…?"

"HOW COULD YOU!"

Satori didn't escape from Raharu's grasp on her shoulders and run away like Raharu had expected her to. Instead she stood there staring deep into her eyes waiting for her answer.

Raharu sighed and crouched in front of Satori. She averted her eyes and stared at the ground with a distant look, "You see Sa… I was doing what was right by me, I don't expect you to get that, but you know, I am starting to acknowledge my faults …You know how stubborn I am, but just cuz I fucked up bad doesn't mean I still don't think about you and stuff. Sure I almost got your bro killed, sure I would have sold my soul to have gotten what I wanted, but, you know, one of the main reasons I took the case was because throughout my investigation on the Pirate King, I kind of became obsessed with him, and dare I say kind of…..fell in love with him. He was a challenge, something nearly untouchable, he commanded fear and respect and power. Power I wanted. But my obsession grew once I found out who he was and all. Oh FUCK IT, you know what, I'm not going to go into some bullshit lecture, so let me spit it out! I'm in love with your bro okay?! There, I said it. You see this?"

She held up her right wrist to Satori revealing a heavy-duty handcuff with one chain link attached to it.

"This is from the first time that I had ever seen your brother. From the first time I had almost brought him in successfully. Well to make a long story short I had managed to get him into cuffs. I was thrilled, I had basically caught him and I had him in the station even. Course me being me didn't tell anyone who he was cuz I wanted to hand him into the chief all by myself so I could get the fame and fortune. But any who I remember exactly how he looked, red hair spiked up, nose pierced, and those tattoos. Not to mention those deadly and wild gold neon green like eyes. Well as fate would have it there was a terrorist attack on the station and three bombs went off blowing the hell out of the place, and I had gotten knocked out. Next thing I knew I was laying outside in some alley. First thing I thought about was the criminal attached to my wrist so I bolted up and there he was crouching beside me. The bastard had saved my miserable life and had carried me out of the building. The act puzzled me so we just kinda stared at each other. I knew I owed him one so I managed to stutter out my thanks. He was just about to say something but three cops flooded into the alley and opened fire thinking that he was gonna kill me or something. Well he pulled back so he could dodge the gun fire but since he was cuffed to me he couldn't go far. He got shot in the shoulder and one bullet grazed his side. Then that one fateful bullet managed to hit the chain and snap it. On reflex I of course drew my gun and he froze in place knowing I had the upper hand. But…like I said I owed him one, so, I whispered for him to disarm me and take a stun grenade. He was a bit confused but he understood what I was doing for him. He nodded his appreciation, disarmed me and threw a stun grenade down the alley, effectively veiling it in smoke and tear gas. I just stood there and watched as he escaped. He managed to get away that day. I swore that'd be the only time it would happen but…As I said, I have this weird crush on him so….I just wanted you to hear that, I don't know why I guess to show I'm not such a bitch after all.

So after that little episode in your house, I owe it to your family to protect you and your bro. I realized that this is my destiny. It is my destiny to chase after him, and he'll always be escaping me. But you know, I think if anyone is going to find him, you are. Deep down I think he's testing you. I'm sure our paths will meet again Sa, I HOPE they do at least. I'll do my best to protect your brother, and maybe I'll catch him one day and I'll tell him how I feel before he runs off again. My orders right now are to go track him down while the trail is hot… But I came here for another reason too. You and your mother are in grave danger. Certain people are going to be pretty mad that Atomsk has left, and they're going to want some revenge and or whatever other business they might have had with him. So you're being placed under the witness protection plan. There's only one way to get to Atomsk. And that is through his loved ones. You're in danger here and so is everyone you know. So for your lives' safety, we're sending you away. Sorry about all of this Sa, I hope one day you can forgive me. Maybe when we meet again. You'll understand all of this. You're smart and insightful, I know you will." With that Raharu rose to her feet and stared at Satori waiting for her reaction.

Satori clenched her fists and closed her eyes, "I understand things as they are now Raharu. I understand most of it anyways… So you're telling me I have to go away and leave everyone I care about behind? It doesn't seem fair to me! What about them! I want to be there for them!"

Raharu sighed, "Sa, you must know that they'll torture you for information, info you don't have I might add. So how do you think they'll try to get it out of you? They know you'd probably do anything for your closest friends, maybe give info if their lives were put on the line? You don't want that do you?"

Satori looked at Raharu teary eyed, "But they'll know where we live now and they'll come after them anyways!"

"No! We'll make it seem like you never existed, and I'll personally put a block on your folders. I'll be monitoring you this whole time and make sure nothing happens to you or your friends. But I can only do so much with that. Then it's up to you and anyone else who might be involved. Well I guess it's goodbye for now. You know, I love you like a little sister. Here, my scarf, take it." Raharu took off her white scarf and wrapped it around Satori's neck, "There, perfect."

Satori wiped some tears away and stepped forward into a hug with Raharu, " The next time I meet you, I'll tell you if I forgive you totally. But, how will you protect Ato'?"

Raharu smiled, "Whatever trail or evidence or clue I find, I'll cover it up. Any witness I come across I'll make them forget anything they saw. I'll make sure this case stays mine and I'll keep it under the illusion that I'm one step away from finding him. Don't worry, I'll cover his tracks well, and yours too."

Satori closed her eyes, " I'll come looking for him. After I finish high school, I don't care if I have to live as a vagrant. I will come searching…"

"I believe you. I'll be waiting; we'll have a fight too. So you can get back at me for all I've done. Bass to bass got it?"

Satori backed away, "I got it!"

Raharu smiled evilly, "Good. Now I gotta get back to the station and sort out all sorts of shit I don't want to do, and normally wouldn't do. But since you're involved. I'll do it. See you around Sa. I'm going to change into a person that isn't owned or run by anyone, and I think I'll need a new name to go with my new change. Haruko. How's that? Well bye, don't die or anything." Raharu whistled and her yellow Vespa, like a noble steed, appeared by her side in mere seconds. She hopped on and smiled at Satori proudly, "You know, most times the crazy ones are geniuses. You are crazy Sa. It's not good bye, it's see you soon."

Satori smirked evilly, "I'll get stronger. So I don't have to run anymore, I'll stop running when I'm strong enough to stand and fight! Some day I'll meet this Haruko and run her into the pavement, until then see you soon." Satori winked and pointed her finger at Raharu like it was a gun and fired. Raharu cackled and sped off, still cackling as she did so.

Satori watched her go off as the sun began to rise. It was kind of sad to see her go like that even though she hated her. It was weird; she loved and hated her at the same time.

Satori looked up to the heavens only to find a very odd sight for this time of day, she gasped, "A shooting star! Make a wish…"

Young Satori put her hands behind her head and smiled sadly.

End Flashback

Kira sat there wide-eyed as she took in everything Satori had just told her, the sound of the running stream in the background. Most of her amazement came from how well Satori could recall all that happened and what was said.

Satori managed a smile and looked away, "I hoped that answered some of your questions. But… I loved Japan. I met so many wonderful people. But nothing could replace you guys; I missed you all so much; sorry you think I abandoned you. I wish you all would just believe in me. I've been hurt through all of this too. I know the pain."

Kira felt kind of stupid to think Satori suffered no emotional damage. Kira sighed and stood up. She was about to say something when she finally noticed Satori's roughed up appearance. Her hair looked like hell, blood oozed out of her larger wounds while little cuts admitted a small amount. Dust and dirt was smudged on her face, arms, and clothes. She looked like she had taken a fall off of a cliff, "What the hell happened to you!"

Satori sighed as she glanced over her rather dogged looking self mildly amused, "What? This? Got into a fight with a crayfish, it kicked my ass…"

Kira scoffed, "So how did that happen?"

Satori chuckled and began telling her about what happened with the blue and brown-eyed man.

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