Disclaimer- I don't own Witch Hunter Robin.
Chapter 6-Fighting For Love.
Doujima watched as servants prepared the Queen for the upcoming possibility of an attack. She had changed out of the long, bulky black gown she had been wearing earlier into a shimmering white, off the shoulder, dress. For the first time since her coronation she was having her servants put in her loose hair, a simple diamond tiara. Throughout the whole dressing process Yurika never saw her queen's expression waver as much as it did in the seconds after her proclamation.
Flashback
"Let them come" She said grimly. Only Yurika was close enough to see her mouth waver and a solitary tear run down her cheek.
End Flashback
Doujima looked at her friend and could tell easily that the queen was blocking her emotions. Years of friendship with the young fire-witch had honed her senses. As the servants backed up and, bowing respectfully, left the room leaving Yurika and Robin alone. "Robin…." Said Doujima uncertainly, still uncomfortable with calling her royal friend by her given name.
Robin looked down at her best friend, her facial position making it so the glasses she was wearing slipped down her nose. She adjusted them, inadvertently drawing attention to the fact that they were the only abnormality that might be considered a weapon. "Yes Yuri?" she said in a soft voice, indicating that her heart wasn't truly in the fight. Noticing this Doujima dropped the pretence. "Robin what do you think you're doing?" Robin looked over at her friend and then into the mirror beside her. "I don't know what you're talking about." She said dismissively. "Oh but you do Robin. I'm talking about fighting with the one you've fallen in love with." Robin sighed and said "The man I love is Amon. I prepare to fight with the general." "They are one in the same." "Yuri….they aren't. The man I love wouldn't attack and kill in cold blood like the General makes a habit of doing." Yurika cringed but then came back with a "Well isn't what you're doing the exact same thing? You're playing up to the role life gave you, I know you, you wouldn't act like this normally!" Yuri said sharply.
Robin seized up. She pivoted around, and Doujima knew in that instant that she had crossed some invisible line. Her friend had always been nice to her no matter how far she pushed it but judging from the queens expression Yuri had gone to far. Cold hard fury was etched into every line and a similarly cold fire burned behind her eyes. "Yurika Doujima you go to far and forget to whom you speak." Robin spat, in a voice that burned like acid. The next words were spat with such burning force they scalded the air. "Get out of my sight." Mutely Doujima bowed and backed out of the room. Once she was gone, for the second time in 24 hours the young queen fell to the ground crying, this time at having taken her anger out on the one she trusted most. Her glasses slipped off her face and tinkled into the carpet in front of her. She smiled in fond yet bitter memory of how she had gotten the little trinket she had come to treasure.
Flashback
Robin was fiddling around with her powers in the middle of the clearing waiting for Amon to arrive. She heard a bush crack behind her and, whirling around shot her powers. When she saw Amon hit the deck she quickly extinguished her flames. "Sorry." She murmured embarrassed. "You shouldn't be Robin. Look at the burn marks…you would've missed me. She looked up and saw that indeed there were burn marks all around the clearing except where Amon was standing. Robin ducked her head in further embarrassment. Amon looked at her with his head cocked and said "Does you're eyesight get worse when you use your powers?" Robin nodded. "I've been working on them but I don't have the resources to get a pair…there are no witch optometrists."
The next time they saw each other Amon had handed her the little half moon glasses she now wore.
End Flashback
She picked up the glasses and, flinging open the door raced down the hall. "Yuri Wait!"
Amon walked around in circles after ordering his army to halt. They were about a mile out of the city now and close enough to launch a missile and take down the wall if they so chose. But the words kept echoing in his consciousness "Will you still try for peace now that I am the queen?" Her last words to him. He growled under his breath as he reached his final decision. "SAKAKI!" He bellowed at the top of his lungs. The lieutenant in question ran forward and stood in front of the general. "Sir?" he said saluting. "You remember the strategy we talked about last night?" the Lieutenant nodded reluctantly. "Go. Do it before I change my mind." The lieutenant raced away to fulfill his general's wishes.
The guard that was sitting on top of the wall was watching the natural's army with some minor interest. They hadn't done anything offensive or defensive; in fact they appeared to be standing still. He turned his head around and looked down at the city. People who hadn't manifested were being assisted to shelters so that only people who could defend the city were above ground. The guard turned back to watching, when he heard the sound of a flag begin to snap in the slight breeze. His eyes widened and he abandoned his post and raced through the streets, to the palace to inform the queen.
"Yuri…Yuri wait!" Robin called despairingly after Doujima. She glanced around the hallway but Doujima had vanished. She chose the quickest way to Yuri's room and caught up with her in no time. "Yurika!" she called, not betraying inner emotions. Doujima froze in mid-step, turned around and got down on one knee respectfully but coldly towards her queen. Instead of standing regally like a queen should Robin raced towards Doujima and wrapped her arms around her best friend's shoulder's sobbing. Even though she was still slightly mad at her queen for talking to her like she had earlier it was obvious Robin was going through a very difficult emotional time right now. "Yuri, Yuri I'm sorry. Forgive me for acting like that. You were right and that's why I got mad. I'm being who I think I should be, not who I am. But…Yuri what am I supposed to do? How can I love him after the atrocities he's committed? How can I hate him…when he's the one I love?" Yuri held Robin knowing that she didn't need an answer, just someone to be there.
Amon, at the front of the amassed natural's army, flags fluttering in the background, waiting for the response from the queen, for his action. Out of curiosity he gently released his power, allowing him to read the minds of all residing in the city. Being with Robin had helped him accept his power. He listened to one voice in particular. Robin's melodic mind's voice seeped into his consciousness. 'Why does everyone expect me to fight him? Even though I'm the only one who knows I can't…I can't go through this…. I'm supposed to hate him but how can I hate the only one I'll ever love?"
As Robin finally began to stifle her sobs and Yuri gave her a Kleenex to wipe her face with a guard came racing down the hallway. He stopped right in front of Robin and dropped to his knees. "Your Majesty." He gasped. He had obviously run a long way. "You are a sentry on the wall are you not?" "Yes your majesty." Robin called for a glass of water for the guard but he waved it away when it arrived. After regaining his breath he looked at his queen. "The enemy has made a move my Lady Eve. They…." His voice trailed off almost as though he was uncertain how his tidings would be taken. Robin encouraged him with a nod and he continued, quieter. "They have raised a white flag to fly underneath their pennants. On it is written 'Please allow the General in to see the Queen.' I came here because I didn't know what else to do." With that the exhausted guard collapsed. Robin just stood there, mouth wide open, in total shock.
Outside the walls of the fortified city Amon picked up Robin's thoughts. 'What on earth do you have up you're sleeve Amon?'
A/N -thanks to those who have stayed with and reviewed this story up to this point.