Author's Note:

Sorry I've been a little slow in getting this chapter up. I've been really tired this week during the brief periods of time I've had to actually work on writing, so most of what I wrote sounded like gibberish--or Al Bhed for FFX fans out there. (One of my friends and I used to speak in gibberish occasionally and call it Al Bhed. Then we actually made up our own little language called Jalapanous. Still don't know how that one got started, but all I really remember is that "Sti fre min" translated as "It's fresh and minty.") Anyway, it was as if I'd completely lost my grasp of the English language this week. So, you'll have to excuse me if I missed any big mistakes in my revising of this chapter. Oh, in case anyone is wondering why I randomly threw in some suffixes with names in this chapter when I haven't been using them before, I don't know myself. Somehow I just couldn't see Michael or Robin calling Karasuma by her name alone, but "Miss Karasuma" just sounds weird. Anyway . . . I should be getting the next chapter posted sometime later this weekend. Enjoy!

Chapter 13

Eat at Harry's

"And then what happened?" Sakaki demanded, resting his elbows on the table and cupping his chin in his palms as he leaned toward Dante avidly. In a moment of immaturity, Karasuma was unable to stop herself from rolling her eyes at the rookie's veneration of the demon hunter.

"Well, I heard this voice speaking in my head talking about giving my heart and swearing eternal loyalty, or whatever," Dante continued, seeming to enjoy the attention. "Then, this huge sword came flying out of the wall like a rocket and landed right here." He tapped his chest with a serious expression. "Pinned me to the frickin' floor."

"It went through you?" Sakaki's jaw had dropped nearly to his shoes.

"Yeah. Damn sadistic sword." Dante shrugged. "I had to pull myself off the frickin' thing before I could pry it out of the ground." He rubbed his chest thoughtfully with the memory--the supposed memory, Karasuma reminded herself. Dante's stories were obviously exaggerations of the truth, tales made up to inspire adoration in his new fan following. Most of them were hardly even possible, let alone plausible. "Wasn't exactly the most pleasurable experience I've ever had," Dante added with a grin.

"And what would be the most pleasurable experience you've ever had, Dante?" Doujima asked, leaning even farther over the table than Sakaki. The question drew Sakaki's annoyed attention to her, causing Karasuma to smile at his sudden jealousy. It seemed Sakaki wasn't the only one caught up in Dante hype.

"Hmm . . . I'm sure that would be a hard one to pin point, wouldn't it, Dante?" the leggy, leather-clad woman Dante had introduced as his partner asked with a wicked smile. Karasuma wasn't entirely sure what to think of the woman, but it was obvious to her that--as she had already surmised from their phone converasations--Trish and Dante were more than just business partners.

"I suppose it would, though I'm not sure you would know about it." Dante returned his partner's smile thinly, raising an eyebrow in challenge.

"Really . . ."

"Anyway," Dante continued, "That's why you have to be careful of possessed weapons. Most of them have majorly bad attitudes. Reminds me of when I first met Ifrit."

"Has he been talking like this since you met him?" Trish asked Karasuma suddenly in a conspiratorial whisper, hiding her face from Dante with a cascade of golden hair.

"When Sakaki encourages him," Karasuma replied with a smile. "Which is almost constantly. He seems to think Dante is 'cool enough to be a video game character.'"

Trish hid a chuckle behind her hand. "Well, I'll put our misery to an end for the night." She crossed her legs slowly and leaned back in her chair languidly. Sakaki was gaping at her, and Karasuma thought she might have seen drool at the corner of his mouth. Dante had also been slightly distracted by her movement, and his blue eyes were burning as they watched her stretch her arms back over her head. Sakaki nearly fell off his chair. "So," she said with a sigh, "Are we through strategizing for the night? I'm feeling rather sleepy." She feigned a yawn, meeting Dante's stare with daring in her blue eyes.

Harry paused by their table. "Can I get you anything else?" he inquired softly.

"No, thanks," Dante replied with a grin. "I think we're done here."

"Yeah," Doujima agreed, drawing Sakaki's attention again as she yawned and stretched as well, mimicking Trish's movements subconsciously. "I'm sleepy."

"We have a lot of work to do tomorrow, so we should all probably call it a night," Karasuma agreed.

Looking in the direction of the door with an odd expression, Robin commented to no one in particular. "I wonder why he never showed up. . ." Karasuma glanced at the girl in sympathy. She'd known for quite some time that Robin had it bad for her partner despite the way he spent most of his time ignoring her--not to mention the fact that it would be illegal for anything to happen between them in the first place. She felt pity for Robin because this crush would probably be her first heartbreak, yet she also knew there was little she could do about it. If Robin could fall in love so completely with someone as cold and distant as Amon--no matter how physically attractive he was, his attitude definitely got in the way--then she was more than capable of ignoring any advice Karasuma might give her. It was a lesson she would only learn by making the mistake.

Dante shrugged into his overcoat as he rose to his feet, responding to Robin's question quietly. "I hate to break it to you, babe, but I don't think Rambo likes me too much." Karasuma repressed a smile at the nickname Dante had started using for Amon.

"Oh, he's just jealous," Sakaki said dismissively. "Amon's used to being the bad ass around here. But I'd like to see him get impaled by a sword in the chest and live to tell about it!" Karasuma shot him a disapproving look, but, to her annoyance, Sakaki failed to notice.

"Still, it's weird for Amon to miss a strategy meeting," Doujima mused, blinking sleepily as she leaned against Sakaki to keep herself upright, much to Sakaki's delight..

"Maybe that's not how he thought of it," Karasuma pointed out. "This was an unofficial strategy meeting, after all. And the last couple of days have been rough on him, though he tries to act as if nothing's happened. I swear, he'd better be at home resting right now, because if his stupidity in escaping from the hospital without being released comes back to haunt him, I'm not going to be feeling sorry for him."

Karasuma felt Robin turn her attention to her. "He wasn't released from the hospital?"

"Typical male macho syndrome," Karasuma replied, shaking her head.

Trish elbowed Dante in the ribs. "Sounds like someone I know." Looking up at him, she commented, "I can't count how many times I've had to use a yellow orb to get you back on your feet." Yellow orb? Karasuma wondered. It must be an inside joke.

"Yeah, well, you've kicked me when I was down a few times too," Dante replied with a wry expression, turning and waving over his shoulder as he walked away. "Sleep well everyone. I know I'm going to."

"If you sleep at all . . ." Trish murmured with a grin as she traced a slender fingertip down Dante's spine, her long hair swinging behind her as she followed him to the door. "Nice to meet you all!" she added as they disappeared down the hallway.

Sakaki and Doujima trailed after them, waving as they went, but Karasuma hesitated, glancing down at Robin as the girl continued to sit forlornly at the now empty table. Placing a hand on Robin's shoulder with a sigh, she asked, "Are you all right, Robin?"

"I don't know . . ."

She had been about to tell her not to worry about Amon too much when she heard her phone ring. Answering it promptly, she was surprised to hear Michael on the other end of the line. "Yes, Michael? Is something wrong?"

"I was debating about whether I should even call you or not . . . It's probably nothing, but I guess I'm just worried, that's all."

"About what?"

"Did Amon show up at Harry's?"

Karasuma paused, glancing down at Robin and noting the concern in her eyes. Turning away from Robin's rapt attention, she replied tersely, "No. Why?"

Michael sighed. "I kind of figured as much. It's just that . . . he was acting a bit strangely before he left here." Karasuma waited anxiously through another brief pause. "He didn't look so good either."

Karasuma suddenly felt like she had a rock in her stomach. In all her years at STN-J, she had never even suspected anything about Zaizen's dark side until tonight when she had seen that terrible flash of memory as she touched Michael. She'd known Zaizen was demanding to a fault and that he could be cruel at times, but the thought of what she now knew was true because of the images in Michael's mind made her blood run cold. Guilt washed over her as she realized she hadn't truly considered Zaizen might treat Amon with equal abuse until this moment. Somehow, the idea had seemed ridiculous to her simply because she couldn't imagine Amon in that position, but could she trust her own instincts in the area of what Zaizen would and wouldn't do when she had already been proven wrong? "Michael," she said urgently, fear entering her voice, "You don't think--I mean, the Director wouldn't have . . ." She couldn't even say the words, especially not within Robin's hearing when the girl was already so obviously worried

"Oh, I don't think that part's in question," Michael stated, and by his tone of voice, Karasuma knew exactly which way the answer went. Michael laughed nervously. "Amon's going to kill me . . ."

"How badly was he hurt?" Karasuma demanded, suddenly forgetting Robin's presence, her motherly instincts kicking in full force.

"Not that bad," Michael replied quickly, and Karasuma breathed more easily. "I'm more worried about his mental state. He was acting kind of morose. More so than usual, I mean."

"What do you want me to do, then?" She realized her tone had become a little brusque. Amon's sullen behavior was nothing new, and though she was worried about him, she had known him long enough to understand that an attempt to bring him out of one of his dark moods was not worth the effort. He could be relentlessly stubborn when he set his mind to it--and she had already seen that he had set his mind to this particular mood without restraint.

Karasuma heard the chair squeak as she assumed Michael had leaned back in his chair. He sighed. "Nothing, I guess. I just wanted to know if he ever made it to Harry's. It would have made me feel better if he had. But I'm sure I'm overreacting. Knowing him, he'll be back to normal tomorrow. I'm sorry to worry you, Karasuma-san. I shouldn't have called."

"That's okay, Michael." Karasuma was once again aware of Robin's gaze on her back. "I'm glad you told me, but I'm sure you're right. He'll be fine. Just get some rest. I'll see you in the morning." She turned around reluctantly as she hung up the phone, meeting the alarm in Robin's eyes with as calm an expression as she could muster.

"You were talking about Amon, weren't you?" Robin inquired, her vulnerable green gaze begging for honesty.

Karasuma nodded hesitantly. "Yes, but he'll be fine. You really shouldn't worry about him so much. He's survived much worse before."

Robin bit her lower lip and her gaze dropped to her knees. "Zaizen hurt him, didn't he? I saw the bruise Michael was trying to hide, and the way he was talking about Zaizen implied that he . . . well that he--"

"It's none of our business, Robin," Karasuma interrupted firmly. "Michael said Amon would be fine."

"Then why did he call?"

"Robin . . ." Karasuma didn't have a clue how to answer her. Robin was simply too perceptive for her own good.

Luckily, Robin did not wait for an answer before asking yet another question, looking up at her imploringly. "Karasuma-san, do you know where Amon lives?"

Not a question she wanted to hear. Reluctance crossing her features, Karasuma replied, "Yes . . . but--"

"Please, could you give me a ride there?"

"Robin, I don't think that would be wise. He clearly wants to be alone right now."

"He always wants to be alone," Robin answered with sudden determination, "but I don't think that's such a healthy thing to want."

Karasuma observed her thoughtfully for several long moments, trying to decide if it was Robin's fascination with Amon that was driving her right now or if it was truly just worry. "You may be right, but I don't think you'll be able to change his mind on that point." She paused and sat down slowly in the chair next to the craft user. "Robin, I know you care for him, but I really don't think it's a good idea to attempt getting involved with him."

Robin frowned, and her eyes burned with hurt; Karasuma's statement had clearly offended her. "That's not what I'm attempting," she stated clearly. "He's just been acting so strangely lately. Even though he might not appreciate my concern, I am worried about him." She swallowed before adding quietly, "I can't help feeling partly responsible for whatever happened to him. I am the one who brought Dante into all of this, after all. Amon was against it from the beginning. I deserved the punishment, not him. I owe him an apology."

Karasuma hated the fact that she was beginning to consider Robin's request. Though she had almost convinced herself Amon would be just fine, something about the uneasiness she had heard in Michael's voice kept her from completely banishing her worries. And the look in Robin's eyes was steadily melting her resolve. Sighing softly, she rose to her feet and started heading for the door, hoping she wouldn't regret her decision. "Let's go. If anyone could get away with interrupting his solitude it would be you. Amon acts tough most of the time, but occasionally he gives in to you--which is more than he gives in to anyone else."

They didn't really speak to each other on the way to Amon's apartment building, and Karasuma did her best to keep her mind from straying to thoughts of how Amon was going to kill her for giving in to Robin's appeal. Glancing over at the girl in the seat next to her as she pulled up in front of the building, Karasuma noted the determination in Robin's features and hoped it would be enough. "We're here," she stated. "He lives in number 503, as I recall. I've only been there once, and then so briefly I'm surprised I remember at all." She paused, meeting Robin's gaze with worry. "You're sure you don't want me to come up with you?"

"Yes," Robin nodded bravely, venturing a small smile. "He is my partner after all. I don't need an escort."

"That's not what I meant, and you know it. He's just been so odd lately . . ." Biting her lower lip, she added, "I'll wait down here for you."

"You don't have to do that, Karasuma. We're actually pretty close to my place right now. I can walk home."

"It's cold tonight, and all you have on is that short-sleeved shirt. I'll wait. Knowing Amon, it probably won't be long."

"I don't intend to let him shoo me away. I intend to get to the bottom of his strange behavior. I don't want you to have to wait. I'll be all right."

Conceding reluctantly, Karasuma sighed. "Okay . . . If you're sure." But I'll wait ten minutes anyway, just in case he refuses to see her. I hope she knows what she's doing.

Smiling warmly, Robin said, "Thank you again for the ride."

Karasuma merely nodded in response as Robin slipped out of the car and began walking to the apartment. "Maybe you shouldn't be thanking me, Robin," she murmured to herself before glancing at the clock and sitting back to wait.

-------

To Pyrosa: You know what? I think you read my mind. Combine number one and two of your suggestions and you have a quirky scene I've already written for a later chapter. Either I'm predictable, or we think alike. "It's almost like we have one brain that we share between us." Sorry, couldn't help but throw in a little "Mighty Wind" quote there. Haven't worked chocobos in yet, but you never know. Anyway, as for Robin healing Amon's pain: next chapter coming soon. smiles mysteriously

To Cali1043: Drama's so much fun in stories--not so much in real life--but I'm glad you're enjoying it as much as I am.

To Hexes: I wonder if Capcom would be willing to pay me some cash for promoting their games? Maybe I should throw in some Viewtiful Joe references in the next chapter. Yeah, Dante had far more personality in the first game (rather cheesy personality, but somehow you just can't help but like it) and he used the word "baby" several times I believe. I think I sort of exaggerated it though, and I changed it to "babe" because for some reason "baby" bugs me. Also, I think I might have been influenced by Captain Ron, an early 90's movie with Kurt Russell and Martin Short that I always enjoyed. Random, I know.

To just4ubaby: Sorry that Amon didn't show up at Harry's, but you might like what happens next even better.

To Ann: Thank you! I'm glad I could overcome your hatred of crossovers. More, ahem, "give and take" between Amon and Robin coming up. So to speak . . .

To busoshwe: I totally had to deal with relatives nagging when I was searching for a job. That was the worst part, I'd have to say because there was always so much pressure and so many expectations. I'll keep you in mind for financing in the future. :) As for your questions about Zaizen, we will get to see into his head a bit in a chapter coming up--I actuallygaspwrote a short scene from his point of view. But why am I acting so shocked anyway . . . I usually like writing from bad guys' pt of view. Silly me.

To Amon's Angel of the Darkness: Thank you for the compliments. I'm a bit of a perfectionist about somecoughmostcough things and I try hard to make my chapters consistent. It's good to hear I'm succeeding for the most part. But I think you're being too hard on yourself. And I hope you're feeling better now--we know what fevers can do to people. :) Besides, being sick sucks.

To Beautiful Witch Hunter Robin: Thanks! That sounds like a pretty scary injury you had there. At least I wasn't bleeding when I hurt my head that time.