And with that, everyone got up to leave. As Amon exited the room he noticed Kate following behind him as usual. They walked to the elevator in silence, them being the first two to reach it meaning they would be going down alone as the others lagged slightly behind. They got in, Amon hit the button for the bottom floor, and they waited. The silence between the two of them was sickening, Amon could actually feel his stomach twisting although on the outside you would never tell. He didn't know why he felt like that but the ride down felt like it was taking a lifetime or two. He just wanted out of that small space...he looked over at her out of the corner of his eye and saw that she was staring blankly ahead. That was unnerving. Now, Amon wasn't afraid of her nor did he want to hunt her...there was nothing holding him back from hunting her, no personal feelings or attatchment. He would just rather avoid such a sticky situation, he didn't enjoy hunting strangers or colleagues the latter being something he had yet to experience...and hopefully never would.
Contrary to what others may believe, he actually thought about what he might have to do. He didn't try to think of a way to avoid it, wasn't scared of it, wouldn't miss her if he had to kill her...but simply put, her "disappearance" wouldn't go unnoticed and he knew he'd have to live with it. It just felt different than hunting someone he had no prior connection with.
Finally, the elevator hit the bottom floor and the doors opened. He briskly walked out ahead of her thankful for fresh air and space. He quickly realized that he would then have to ride in the car with her which was an even smaller space. Crap. He got in and shut his door, Kate doing the same moments later. They buckled up, he started the car, and then pulled out seeing Karasuma and the others getting into their cars as well.
Silence yet again, no words had been exchanged yet. He quickly let his mind wander and of course, it went to Kate. What if she knew? What if she knew he had followed her a few times? What if she could sense that something was up? What if he was just being paranoid? He shook away the questions thinking there was no way she could know. He had been careful...no, she hadn't caught on.
Thankfully, just then Michael chose to send them the directions to wherever Takahashi was located. Kate, finally speaking, quietly gave Amon the directions, as they weren't far away now. He soundlessly nodded his head in understanding and headed towards an abandoned warehouse...of course, he thought, it had to be abandoned. He supposed it was for the better, no one would be around to get hurt.
Arriving at the warehouse, Amon and Kate both got out soon joined by the others. They split up into their usual teams, Amon with Kate and Karasuma with Sakaki. How he ended up with Kate in the first place was a mystery to him, he would, for once, like to have someone that didn't make him feel so damn tense all the time. He, again, shook such thoughts from his mind and forced himself to think of the hunt.
Takahashi's craft was of ice but fortunately enough for the hunters, he wasn't too good with it. He had just awakened and had no idea what he was doing, he acted on pure instinct. They quickly found him, in the corner of a room, looking more pathetic by the second...he was falling apart. He threw everything he had at them, accomplishing nothing as the orbo and Kate's much stronger and more precise craft of wind protected them with ease. He stopped and just stood there, exhausted, confused, and terrified. It was over. He didn't have too much of a fight in him, he was just so messed up. Amon and the others swiftly took him down with a few shots of orbo and had Michael contact the Factory.
They awaited the arrival of the Factory and as they waited Amon once again resumed watching Kate. He looked at her out of the corner of his eye and saw some kind of emotion there...he wasn't sure of what it was but it didn't look good. She looked the same as she had for the past month or so but there was a spark. He furrowed his eyebrows together a bit, trying to read her but failed. He then heard the Factory van pull up and decided to turn to go. Realizing Kate wasn't with him nor had she noticed him leaving, he called after her.
"We're leaving." he said coldly. Turning to face him, she walked after him not saying anything. The ride back was as uneventful as the ride up was.
As soon as Amon had entered the office Zaizen called for him. He followed the older man back into his office and waited to hear what he had to say, knowing it was going to be about Kate.
"Notice anything...peculiar?" he asked, leaning back in his chair.
"No, sir."
"Are you sure? You're watching her close enough?"
"Yes sir."
"I think you need to watch her a bit closer, we needn't take any chances. Understand?"
Wordlessly, he nodded his head to which Zaizen waved his hand signaling that he was to leave. Amon turned to leave, determined to find out anything about his partner that he could.
