Author's Note: Sorry for the half year hiatus. I've been going through some problems right now and haven't had much inspiration to write, but I'll muddle through.

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Chapter Five: Mission to Question

"A mission?"

"That's right," Suzu nodded cheerfully as he rested his hands behind his head, nodding. "It's just for you." Robin cocked her head in confusion while her two allies beamed at her slyly. "You'd better go meet Suzuki so she can inform you," Kan suggested, returning to her work with a long yawn. "A…Alright," Robin stuttered as she made her way to the large doors, stopping for a few moments. "Um…Where exactly is Suzuki's office?" She blushed from Kan's energetic laughter, moving past the always smiling Suzu to Robin. "I'll take you there. We can have a little girl talk on the way."

The two began their walk down the endless carpeted hall. Robin was silent for the most part, her eyes keeping with her feet as they made their way. Kan watched her out of the corner of her pale eyes, thinking to herself. What is she thinking about so much? She's been like this ever since the other day. "Robin, you seem really…out of it lately. Has something been going through your mind?" Robin, used to being worried about at this point was even more embarrassed. Everyone was thinking about her all the time, when she was the one causing all the trouble. Besides, there were more important things to worry about! What about Chris, who was knocking on death's door rapidly? Even though she didn't want to admit it, Robin was worried about Taki as well. He left in such a hurry…and his room…Why worry about me? She decided to give her sweet friend a half truth. "I'm just thinking about what to do next…and about Chris. It's not anything you guys weren't thinking about."

Before Kan could press harder on her seemingly miserable friend, the two had come upon a large pair of black doors that gave off an ominous presence. Robin stared in awe at the structure of the large doors while Kan giggled at the surprise held in the young girl's blue green eyes. "Hurry up silly! Get in there!" "Oh, but shouldn't I knock or…" She gasped as Kan's forceful push sent her through the doors, causing her to almost lose her glasses. A slam left her alone with a room of curtains. Where is everything? "E…Excuse me, Ms. Sazaki? Are you here?" "Of course," Sazaki's mature voice answered through the red silhouette. Robin instantly began shifting through the maze of fabric, led by Sazaki's voice. "You'll never find me that way Fire. Just think it through."

Immediately, the booted feet halted. At this point, Robin had been through enough games. "Ms. Sazaki…" "If you plan on giving up that easily, then you won't be able to get any farther. Especially if you want to see your friends again," Robin was informed. Why won't anyone tell me anything straight! Her hands fiercely pulled the glasses from her eyes, and for a little while, it felt like actual fire was within them. Reflexively, she squinted, accidentally spreading her flames onto the curtains that seemed to disappear as soon as they were ignited. All that was left was a solitary chair. "M…Ms. Sazaki?" The chair spun around, revealing the dark haired leader. "I'm sorry. It's my security system. We can't take anymore chances can we?" She must be talking about Chris… "R…Right."

Sazaki then reached at her side to grab a case and pulled it into her lap. "This is what I need you to do. Listen carefully. This is a mission you cannot fail. Prove to me I made the right choice by choosing you." Sazaki's eyes darkened while the case was handed to Robin. "What's in this? It isn't very heavy," Robin commented, lifting it up and down in her hands curiously. "I can't tell you that now, but you will find out. All I can tell you is to take this, and move as fast as you can." Fumbling with the case, Robin caught a rolled up map. "This is going a bit fast Ms. Sazaki…" "STOP! No time to talk! You need to hurry Robin! Just follow the map, and everything will work out! BYE!" "W…"

A slamming door caught Robin's attention as she spun around, only to realize she was back in that same dim hallway she'd walked down with Kan. "When did I get out here?" Her eyes met back with the door, looking it over suspiciously. "Ms. Sazaki…I wonder what kind of powers she has." If she's the leader of an organization like this, she must have something extraordinary up her sleeves…

Making a quick stop to her room, Robin hunted through her drawers in hopes of a weapon. "Nothing. Not even a hand gun. How am I supposed to protect myself with just fire?" She went to sulk on her bed only to jump up seconds later as a heavy metal click made itself known beneath her. "What the…" Robin's hand cautiously reached for the carefully placed gun, turning it every which way in her hand. The word Flame was written in crimson red cursive along the side. It sped the beating of Robin's heart, giving her an odd feeling of closeness to it. It took her a few moments to notice the white card lying on her bed. She hurriedly picked it up, reading the dark handwriting.

All you need is this gun to protect yourself. Your flames will ignite its power and as long as you have the will, the flame will be able to protect you. One day, flame will rejoin with its partner, and balance will be restored in the world.

Love,

Eternal

"Eternal…" A smile crossed Robin's pale face, her voice faintly whispering the word again. "Eternal. It is such a beautiful word. An eternal flame, how wonderful it would be to see such a thing." Losing herself in sub conscious, Robin held the note tightly in her hand, the gun in the other. "It seems the mysteries never end. That is why I must do this mission. I will find out as much as I can, even if I have to do it alone." Nodding to herself, Robin put the gun in her coat, along with the card. Picking up the case, the young witch took off into the shadows of daytime.

The worn map was carefully unrolled within Robin's fingers while her feet hurried through an empty alley. She hoped to remain inconspicuous during her travel through the bustling day of the city. Accurately taking each twist and turn the same way they were portrayed on the map, Robin grew closer to her destination. Strangely enough, the path was easy to follow and peculiarly familiar. This is eerie. Ms. Sazaki isn't telling me everything. Should I even trust her? We've barely spoken…

The directions led her through a poorly lighted parking garage. Her silent mumbling echoed across the drabness, enveloping the gruff sound of gravel being dragged against dirty shoes. The ground grew spotted with each drop of liquid falling from beneath two already drenched coats. These drops sparked Robin's attention, and she did a full turn already pointing her new weapon. "You've been following me for quite some time now. What do you want?" The only answer given to the apprehensive witch was a short grunt from beneath the heavy leather of one of the person's jacket. After repeating herself in a harsher tone, only to receive the same answer, Robin knew it was hopeless to speak, and action was the only course to take at this point. She was taking NO chances on this mission. It was too dangerous.

The swaying of the figures sent Robin into quick action, her flames catching the leather on one's coat as she flipped her gun forward, taking a few shots towards the other. While the coats were quickly melting, the two figures stood stone still, a sway here and there. What are these things? In a split second, one had lunged forward with a flip of its hand, and several sharp needle like objects were heading towards Robin's direction. Half turning, she rarely escaped the shots of needles, isolating one of the creatures with a kick, drawing him further down the empty land. After sliding a few feet, it hoped back on its feet without any hesitation. Little did Robin know that behind her, a blade was coming down. She was too late to react and a wound rippled down her back. The blood that found its way onto the burning leather finished the coat off, leaving a bare form before Robin. What is this?

The shape was that of a human, but the form's skin showed right through him. The drips under it grew into a small puddle. "No way…" What could be done now? Robin knew her only craft was the power of flame, which would never survive against these fully functioning water beings. While she was in her astounded thought, the case disappeared from her hand with a swish of cool liquid. "NO!" Flying a spinning kick behind her, Robin was holding her foot through a hole in the form that held the briefcase in what looked like it would be a hand. "STOP!" She reacted naturally, narrowing her eyes only to watch the flame die away. I was entrusted with that case. If I lose it, Ms. Sazaki will never trust me again! She was trapped between the two menacing figures with no idea in her mind. Her gun was fueled by her power, and her powers were absolutely useless. It would seem physical strength was all she had to her advantage. "Alright then. I'm getting that case back!"

Robin charged towards the case carrying being with full speed. She dug her foot into it, splitting it in half for just enough time to grab the wet case. A surging pain yanked her back and forced her against the wall. Her cry of pain rang into the air with a shrill echo. Robin's green eyes widened to see blood running down her hand as a blade of water stuck through it as though it were steel. The blade was attached to the arm of the second form whose other hand had grown and kept her against the concrete. "D…Damn it…" She tensed at the sound of the other arm forming chillingly slow into a sword aimed directly at her forehead. It seemed the other was morphing its entire body into the other in order to extend the blade dangerously close to the center of her chest. Her ear caught the bubbled groaning which seemed to be saying… "Robin…Robin…" They're calling me…? She let out a silent gasp with continual shaking as the blades blurred with their speed. "I…failed…"

"That's pretty pathetic, isn't it?" A questioning voice taunted her in a rather disappointed tone, carried across the room by a bullet. It quickly buried itself into the clear body of the creature that was to send the final blow. That voice brought such immense joy to Robin's ears; such undoubtedly large love into her heart. The feeling was short lived, killed by the pain of the hard ground that she was thrown into. The other form had turned its attention in the bullet's direction just in time to avoid the same puddle fate that its ally had faced.

Robin's hand landed in the middle of a tiny circle of her own blood that had spilled from her gaping wound. "A…A…" Two black boots made a quick slide to stop beside her; the face she wanted to see so much leaned forward to look at her. "Amon. Why are you here?" Robin squeezed through clenched teeth. His eyebrows arched as though the question made no sense. "How could you just go off alone like that? Didn't I warn you to be careful?" Losing the relief, Robin sat up to face a disappointed looking Amon. "I do what I'm told. I can't fail anymore…" Eye contact broke awkwardly. I don't want Amon to know what's going on…I don't want him to see me like this…

The heels of her feet ground into the concrete to balance her stand. "You aren't planning on fighting any further are you?" An empty shell dropped to the floor as Amon reloaded his gun with a smirk. What was with this new bitterness he seemed to be harboring? Days ago, he was taking her in his arms. This is more like the Amon I knew… The relentless Robin found her way back to the case that had been tossed aside in the heat of battle. "I'm not going to try and stop you. You know that, right?" Robin answered his question with a nod while her eyes traced the rest of the short path she would have to walk. "Study your crafts a bit better. That's my suggestion. You hesitated," Amon added in a bitterly smug tone.

"Why are you criticizing me like this! Shouldn't you be happier to see I'm alive?" The parking lot accentuated the new ferocity that flamed in Robin's throat. "Every time I see you, you're either scolding me or just being quiet! I've done everything you've asked, and you're torturing me! How much more of this do you expect me to take Amon! TELL ME!" His gloved hand hushed her urgently. Robin's green eyes darted to his face, seeing him mouth words she could not understand. Something is wrong…The hand slid from its position over her mouth to the collar of her jacket. "You don't understand," he muttered simply.

Amon began a rush of steps that lead him out, his hand jerking Robin's collar to follow. "Ever since the incident that happened with Chris and that idiot, security is at an all time high. They're hearing everything we've said so far." The two dashed between daylight and shadow with a new speed. Robin was barely able to find her footing, let alone her surroundings. "How did you know about Chris?" Robin blurted out between pulls and pushes. "That's not important. Just watch what you do and say. Especially around me considering I'm not supposed to be anywhere near you as of late. It has been forbidden." Forbidden.

Robin tried squeezing out of the tight grip as the information filled her mind. Amon knew this information, but he wasn't allowed near her…What did that mean? Was he involved? "Robin, you can't stop moving! You're in da…" "How do you know Taki?" She cut in, regretting it from the narrowing of his eyes. Suddenly, his free hand snapped her face in his direction, the seriousness lowering his voice. "Never mention him. Don't even look for him. You have to swear that to me. I can't risk you getting further into this than you already are. Especially considering what you have." "W…What I have?" "Don't ask, just swear."

When leaning closer to Amon, Robin was able to see the dampness in Amon's hair and the unusually fair complexion he had. I knew he would be hiding something from me…"I…" Shame dragged Robin's eyes to the concrete. "I swear that I won't," whispered the voice in a discouraged tone. A thank you kiss rewarded her, even though she was halfheartedly sincere. This is wrong. If I'm not in danger, that means he is…She thought correctly, for when Amon's lips receded, blood traced the lining Robin's lips had pressed into seconds before. "A…Amon! What happened?" She cried in horror, noticing his hand fly to his chest in a swift movement.

"Nothing!" Robin attempted to move his hand, only to have her hands pushed into her chest and her body spun around in the opposite direction. Amon's arms wrapped around her tightly as if to keep her arms at bay. "You're here; now please just remember what I've told you. Do not forget…" His lips pressed to the spot on her neck, replacing the fading memory he'd given to her days earlier. The young woman felt her loneliness returning with the kiss, as if it were killing her all on its own. "Goodbye Robin."

Her feet shuffled backwards with the pressure of falling. "AMON!" Glancing behind her slightly revealed shoulder, Robin saw nothing more than her shadow. A drip of his blood had colored her lips, and she knew he wasn't telling her everything. He's done it again… "Robin?" A quiet voice from out of no where questioned in a curious tone. "I know that voice…" Holding the case closer to her beating heart, the fiery witch did a few takes around two large pillars, landing her right in front of an old well. Could it be…? She gathered up the layered coat to help herself down onto the ground. Slowly, she peeked around the side, meeting face to face with the glasses wearing friend she'd missed so much. "Hey, it's been awhile hasn't it?" Laughed the voice with a familiar wink. "MICHAEL!" Robin couldn't help but throw her arms around the techno wizard she hadn't seen in what felt like forever.

The two sat side by side as if today was like any other day in the past. Michael hadn't changed at all, and Robin didn't expect him too. She liked him this way. The only difference he held was his liberation. No collar held fast to his neck, which must have been the cause for his jovial happiness. His headphones were placed around his ears as always, the wires tracing his thin sides. "So Robin, you're finally back. I was worried you'd never show up." Michael adjusted his black rims around his dark eyes, giving his best smile to the forlorn looking beauty. "You have something for me?" He guessed with a look towards the briefcase. "OH! Y…Yes. Ms…My employer said that it was rather important. I haven't even seen the contents myself." "Alright then. Let's see what's inside."

Flipping the buckles and letting them snap, Michael slid his fingers into the opening, pushing it up lightly. Robin's face expressed wide disbelief with the discovery. Her former companion burst into laughter as soon as he saw the sight. "Robin! Is this a joke from your employer? Donuts and ground coffee beans! This is hilarious!" He heartily slapped his knees, tears welting up in his eyes. "Oh Robin! You always bring a good laugh! I missed you a lot!" Michael exclaimed, shutting the case and bouncing to his feet. Robin remained in her seated position, her face still holding the shock. Ms. Sazaki…What was she thinking! I went through all that trouble for n… Michael's hand waved an invisible circle around Robin's face to draw her attention. "Come on! Don't be down. Your employer must have known all along just what we like." The hand stopped, holding out to her. "Michael…" "Come on Robin! I bet you can't wait to see the others! They've been beside themselves!"

A smile drew across the weary face, a hand taking another. "I suppose Amon was going on a mission when I saw him. He was in a bit of a hurry," Robin signed longingly, looking ahead and remembering the way she used to go. "Amon…" Michael pressed his index finger against his glasses as the name echoed the dingy walls. "You didn't know he was gone Michael? You usually do…" Robin was forced to halt when Michael took a turn to stand facing her. "Robin, I…" An abnormally depressed sigh pushed forward from his lips alongside a swallow. "Robin, I don't know how to tell you this…but Amon has been in a coma since he was found beside the well in the factory…At first, the doctors were baffled because smoke hadn't been present in his lungs. All they said was that he was soaking wet…"

The final piece of Robin's heart was torn with each word that came from Michael's unhappy lips. "But I just saw…" "You were probably just daydreaming. He's down at Nukumi Hospital. I could take you there…if you want to see him that is." It seemed the rest of what Michael said was in the wind. Robin didn't want to hear anything more. I swore I saw him. I felt him…He kissed me. He held me. His mark…The rusty clank of the steel door agonizingly awakened her back to reality. "Let's go Robin." "R…Right…"

The slam of the door was heard and a single pair of boots was clacked against the ground. "So…Amon is at Nukumi Hospital," the dark voice spoke to the air, a roaring laugh soon following. "Looks like we can finally finish what we've started." A hand ran through a few strands of dyed blue hair and the smile grew. Taki dug his boot into a puddle left behind from an early rain shower. "Then I can finally give you the thanks I deserve for this existence of mine. I hope you're ready Amon." The lifeless puddle grew into a swirling ripple for a few mere seconds, surrounding Taki's body. Seconds later, it returned to its former state, leaving nothing more than the imprint of a boot. Finish this, we shall…

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Author's Note: Once again, I am really sorry for the half year hiatus. I'm ashamed of myself! Sadly, I don't have any good news. I plan on putting this story on hiatus for a very long time. Why? Well, I have four stories (two here and two on another site) and this one is very hard for me to write. I have decided t put this one, along with one of my Fruits Basket stories on another site on hiatus so I have less to worry about. Maybe I will update it if I have time, but it will not be frequently updated for a long time. I'm really sorry, but my other story on this site (in the Lord of the Flies section) is going faster and is more popular. Please don't hate me! And if you're wondering what the other story is I'm doing(a Furuba one), look up my name on AnimeSpiral. Once again, I'm sorry for all those hoping for quick updates.

I hope you will continue to support the story and me. I'll figure this out eventually.