10
Amon pulled his car away from the hotel doors and turned in the direction of Raven's Flat. Integra had started talking as soon as Walter and Seras had left the car. Once she got started complaining about things, she could go on forever. Amon knew that from the three-page email he received the last time she met with the Round Table. But it was nice to have some idle conversation for a change. He got distracted for a moment as he rejoined the traffic and when he refocused, she had moved on from the long flight to her own companions.
"And now Walter won't let me keep anything sharp in my office anymore," Integra was saying. "I would swear he sneaks in and moves my letter-opener while I'm not there."
"Why did you do it?" Amon asked.
Integra sighed. "I know I had a good reason at the time. But ask me today and I honestly cannot tell you."
"You don't remember?"
"That's what I just said. Must you repeat everything people say to you? That's a bad habit, you know."
Amon ignored the complaint. "Did you just go crazy?" he asked.
"That's a possibility," she said, striking him with a harsh glare.
"But you won't do it again?"
"Of course not."
"Why don't you stop him then?"
"He never takes it before my eyes. He's afraid I'll scold him."
"He's right."
"That's not the point."
11
Michael lifted his arms above his head and stretched his back. As he relaxed he leaned closer to the big window in front of him. His forehead almost touched the glass before he caught himself. At that awkward angle he saw Amon's car coming down the street. It turned into the underground garage as usual. Amon had told the others to keep the office running as normally as possible. They didn't know who might be watching so they had to avoid raising suspicion. When powerful magical forces were in play, they couldn't be too careful. The debacle with the jewel shards had taught them that much. Of course, all of that meant that Michael should be working at his computer and not staring out the window like an idiot.
Michael went back to his seat. The others were sitting around too, poring over case reports. Nagira was lounging on the couch with the scroll in one hand and a map of Honshu in the other. Robin stirred in her seat, as if she sensed her partner's approach. A few minutes later the elevator doors opened.
"And you think that's the meaning of life?" Amon was saying.
"Of course it is," Integra replied as they crossed the office. "What else could it be?"
"Is it wise to tell people that? Maybe you should keep it to yourself," Amon said.
"But that would be selfish," Integra said with a tiny grin.
Michael watched them climb the stairs to the Chief's office. He tried not to look at Integra's silvery blonde hair. It made him think of that night when Inuyasha had suddenly appeared in the office. He hadn't been that scared since the STN had raided his apartment. In the last few days he had gotten the feeling that Amon was acting strange. Why had he allowed Sir Integra to get involved in this? Michael was dying to find out what the secret was. But this time, Amon was telling him to stay out of it. His job was to keep everything running smoothly as a smoke screen for the special recovery mission. Even when Robin and Nagira got up and followed Amon into the Chief's office, Michael stayed where he was. Of course, he had to tap the security camera up there. He wanted to know what they were talking about.
12
Robin didn't want to sit down. The others pulled up chairs around the desk, but she stayed on her feet. It gave her the creeps just being in this room. It had been Zaizen's office when she first came here and to her, it still reeked of evil. Amon must have sensed it too though he gave no sign. Only the presence of friends made it bearable.
"Mr. Nagira, I presume," Integra said.
"You know my name," Nagira replied with a grin. "Has my little brother been complaining about me?"
"Not particularly," Integra said. "In fact, he doesn't mention you very much at all." She threw a glance at Amon.
"Can you blame me?" Amon asked.
"Did you really just say that out loud?" Nagira asked, one eyebrow raised.
Integra smiled a little and then got back on track. "I thought you were going to prove me wrong, Amon. Where is this proof of yours?"
"Nagira, the scroll," Amon said, suddenly more serious.
Nagira spread the scroll out on the desk.
"What's all this?" Integra asked scanning the document.
"Clues," Amon answered. "Clues that will lead us to our inheritance."
"Our inheritance? You must be worse off than I thought you were." Integra watched him with high interest.
"I've been saying that for years," Nagira joked.
Robin could tell that Integra wanted to hear more about the scroll. And Amon wasn't about to give up.
"When the Great Dog Demon died in the 14th century, he left behind two magical swords made from his own fangs. Tetsusaiga, the sword of destruction, and Tenseiga, the sword of healing. This scroll will lead us to the swords' current location."
"So, you want to get your hands on demon weapons? Is that it?" Integra questioned him.
Nagira smiled wickedly. "See, I'm not the only one who thinks that," he said. He and Integra exchanged glances, but then Amon fixed them both with a withering stare.
"It doesn't matter what I want," he said. "We have to keep the swords out of the wrong hands."
"So it's a treasure hunt then?" Integra said.
"I'm up for it," Nagira responded.
They glanced at each other again but looked away quickly.
"And who will be going on this quest?" Integra asked, turning back to Amon.
"Robin and I will go," Amon replied. "You two should keep your distance."
"Now hold on a minute…" Nagira broke in.
"You can't be involved in this," Amon said.
"I'm already involved," Nagira shot back. "That's my scroll and I go wherever it goes."
Amon was about to argue but Integra cut him off.
"He has a point," she said. "Wasn't he the one who brought this to your attention? He has a right to see it through to the end. And I do as well. You wouldn't have decided to search for the swords if it weren't for your burning desire to prove me wrong."
"Like it or not, we're going with you," Nagira said, suddenly calm again. "We can't let you have all the fun. Besides, I'm sure Robin would love to have some more company."
Robin didn't know what to say. She felt Amon's cool gaze before he even turned to look at her. Why did Nagira have to get her involved in his arguments?
"I think he's right." The words spilled from her mouth almost against her will. She could sense Amon's temper rising behind his slightly narrowed eyes.
"Looks like you're outvoted, Amon," Nagira said teasingly.
Amon's eyes flashed from person to person in the small room. He wasn't used to sharing power. Robin could tell he was trying to decide what his next move should be. Finally, he fixed Nagira with a commanding gaze and opened his mouth again.
"Alright," he said. "Let's find Kaede's village."
Story notes:
"Why did you do it?" - Integra and Amon are discussing Integra's suicide attempt at the end of episode 9 of Hellsing in which she stabbed herself in the neck with her letter opener.
"The debacle with the jewel shards... that night when Inuyasha had suddenly appeared in the office..." - See Hunting Dogs, posted in the WHR section. The first story in the HD series. It links the IY with WHR and the other modern dog tales.
Tetsusaiga and Tenseiga - Just a reminder, when used properly, the Tetsusaiga is capable of killing 100 demons in one sweep and the Tenseiga is capable of saving 100 lives in one sweep. Both techniques have been proven in the Inuyasha anime series.