A/N: HOLY SHI – I'M SO SO SORRY! It's been a year since I last updated and I know that probably destroyed your patience and I'm sorry… But life had been so unfortunate for me for the past year. . . my grandma passed away and I was completely devastated. She was more of a mother to me than my OWN mom and I clearly depressed. School had been rough too. Too much work and projects that sometimes I question if they even know that they're not THE ONLY TEACHERS WE HAVE. WE HAVE LIKE 12 SUBJECTS AND ALL HAD PROJECTS AND CRAP AND THEY DON'T ACCEPT EXCUSES FOR PASSING LATE OR STUFF LIKE THAT. Makes me frustrated. Money has been a problem too. My mom was betrayed and all the money we invested has been stolen. BY HER OWN PARTNER. The bills have been piling up and my little sister, who's still only 3. . . Well, I don't want to see her suffer, as her older sister. So I had to work. 2 part time jobs. And I still can't get over my grandma… And my parents are fighting more than often now, with all the problems. So yeah…
I'm really sorry guys. I'm sorry I stopped for a year writing… But writing's my nature. So, after desperately trying to have my groove back (by seeking inspiration), I GOT IT BACK. I CAN DRAW, PAINT, WRITE AND READ AGAIN ! Clearly, art is my inspiration. And everything. I'm really sorry guys… I hope you forgive me. And I hope you understand.
Dell ignored the sinking feeling in his stomach. He resisted the urge of even letting out any signs of his anxiety and worry he have right now. Dark circles were under his eyes and the organization is more under stressed than ever. Every day, more traitors and men seemed to be working or helping the witches. He clearly did not understand why because, who would want to help another species? Human kind is in danger, and they're helping another. Dell doesn't know what reasons do they have but he doesn't care. What's a crime is a crime. The academy is not even producing enough graduates. And more and more of his men are being sent to the hospital or straight to the funeral. And now. . . Rogue Witches. Not one, not two, but ten. One is already enough to destroy their city. What could ten do? Destroy their country?
Ruby eyes faltered for a second as he observed the new recruits, all standing in line before him in his office. Each ready and determined for their first mission. Despite their record, they don't have the one thing that is truly needed.
Experience.
And Dell is already hating himself for sending kids for a rogue.
"You ask for us, Captain." Rei stated, taking the role as a leader. Dell had to admit, this kid have guts. But still. It would take years for them to even become Elites, if they want.
"Yes, Kagene." Dell swallowed all emotions, going back to business. He would hate himself later. But the country always come first.
He scanned all seven. "All of you now have been called by your lieutenants to my office for your very first mission. As stated by my word before." He stood, towering the teens with his height as he picked a piece of form from his pile of paperworks before going around his desk to stand before them.
"You all had a week to settle down. But that's all we get to offer. What I want for you now is to throw every feelings and joy that you have, away."
They stiffened, each sharing a fleeting glance with each other before regaining their composure.
"I want no strings attached with anything other than the organization, your team, and most importantly, your mission." Dell paused, his expression turning grim.
"For your first mission, you are to work as a team. From what I gather, the seven of you are excellent as an individual, but undefeated as a team. What I want for you is to work together and protect each other." Dell scanned them, seeing them held their chin higher in pride and determination.
"But I cannot guarantee your safety. Missions before anything. Keep that in mind." Pausing, Dell handed the form to Rei. The boy took it before scanning it.
His eyes widened in shock.
Dell caught himself before he snatched the form back and find them an easier, and more suitable mission. But this is urgent. And they are the only one available at the moment.
"Rogue?" Rei asked, uncertain.
Dell nodded. "Yes. All of you will work as a team to capture a Rogue Witch in Ame Village. The Witch is known as Yuki. She is seen a few times, but be careful. She is said to be a child, but she has left no trace of where she hides. Appearance can be read indifferently. So I warn you."
It was silent for a moment, the new recruits sinking in the information and the level of danger they are to face. Rui wanted to complain, wanted to object. But she knew of their tight situation now. And it was wise already to send all of them, but still risky. What if one of them die…?
Rui glanced at Rei to see his face blank and grim. She doesn't want him to die.
"When are we to leave?" SeeU asked, clenching her fists.
Dell turned his head to her, crossing his arms as he allowed himself to let out a small sigh. All seven could see the toll and fatigue the situation right now is giving him.
"Tomorrow. 7 am, sharp. I want you ready and prepared by then." Dell said, receiving all nods from them. "You are to retrieve your target and escort her to Reyn, where she will be immediately killed, as of all Rogues should. You have no deadline, so you have in no need to rush. Understand?" Dell stared as they all shook their heads.
"Good. You are dismissed."
"I'm scared."
Piko blinked, all six glancing at Miki as they ate dinner. The air around them was grave, and silent. Each still thinking of their very first mission. Piko glanced at Miki's tray and noticed that she had yet to touch her food.
"We all are." Came Oliver's reply as he stuffed food in his mouth, his mouth set into a frown.
Rei sighed, ignoring Oliver's remark. He has always been like that. Blunt and lazy. He could've scored a higher mark, if he had not slacked off for every damn class and training they did. Rei hated that about him, but he wouldn't come second then if Oliver were to take everything seriously.
"Still, a Rogue Witch. I don't think we're enough for something like… that." Momo trailed, glancing at SeeU and Rei. She had been dependent of the two since she deemed them the strongest.
"Rogue or not, it is a mission. We must follow." SeeU replied, although her eyes still shone with worry.
"Even the Elites admitted that they could get tricky." Rui murmured.
"Still…" Piko drawled. "At least it's not Pumpkin." He shrugged.
Instantly, everyone sent him a glare.
"Idiot! Pumpkin is dangerous and ruthless! Have you forgotten ten years ago, that witch destroyed Tora Village!" SeeU snarled, remembering the distress Crypton was in when one of the biggest village was destroyed. Tora had the biggest academy there is in Crypton, but to destroy the whole village was a huge impact to the population and to the Hunters as well.
Piko blinked, used to SeeU's short temper. "That's why we should be glad."
"Idio –"
"Quit it, SeeU. You'll only get more pissed at Piko." Rei frowned, not really in the mood to stand SeeU's anger.
SeeU wrinkled her nose, scoffing but dropping the subject all the same.
"I worry over you." Rui muttered, meant only for Rei who sat beside her.
"Why?" Rei asked, glancing at his shorter partner.
He raised a brow when she didn't answer, continuing to eat in silence. Rei sighed.
Kaito sighed. A week has passed and so far, he had no leads at all.
He has been staying at a local inn for the past week when he got to his destination. The head of the village was kind enough to give him free meals as a thank you for helping their village. He only have to pay for the room, but he didn't mind. Just not paying for the meals already save his budget enough. Besides, the mayor could only be generous enough as the last time the witch had shown herself – which was three days before he got there – the mayor said that she had destroyed a number of their crops and business and had killed a total of twenty men. Kaito was ridden with anger that day that he spent most of the week since he got there roaming and trying to find traces.
So far, none.
The bluenette groaned in irritation, laying down facing the ceiling in the little room he had rented during his stay.
Most villagers were still scared and spooked. And the children weren't even allowed to go out. Now, Kaito was stuck in his room thinking of ideas for a way to find this witch. Witches tend to hide somewhere obvious, yet still hidden. She wouldn't go far as she would probably come back anytime to 'play' with the village. Kaito still find it irritating that these creatures find killing and destroying 'fun'. Kaito only knew Gumi's the only person who loves fighting, he and others only do it for a reason. Kaito sighed, not really able to think.
"My, for an Elite, you sure look pathetic."
Kaito shot up in a flash, his eyes wide. What the hell? He looked around his room, seeing nothing out of the ordinary. But he knew better.
He cursed to himself silently for not noticing.
"Witch." He seethed. Long gone were his soft and goofy features. Blue eyes narrowed into slits and Kaito's face was twisted in a feral snarl, anger radiating in waves.
"Aw, don't be angry." Came its playful voice. But her voice seemed to be coming from everywhere. And she is nowhere to be seen.
Kaito flinched, moving to stand, only for his eyes to widened in shock.
"Can't have you misbehaving now, right?" the witch cooed, followed by a girly giggle that only made the blood in Kaito boil.
"Bitch, show yourself!" he shouted, glancing at every corner of his room.
"Uh, no."
Kaito could practically feel her pouting. He growled.
"You Elites have been a real pain in butt." Kaito paused, raising a brow at the insult. He had heard that from too many witches to even offend him now.
"Always trying to stop us and save people," she snorted. "Yeah, yeah. Annoying alright. You don't even know who is the greater evil!" she mocked.
"What are you talking about?" Kaito asked, his voice low and menacing.
"I'm talking about, how could you, an Elite Hunter, be so pathetic? I mean, you pledged to protect the country, did you not?"
Kaito remained silent. She continued.
"You promised to bring peace and order. You brought hope! I mean, I haven't seen these pests so perky and happy until you came rolling along."
"Do not speak so lowly of us." Kaito snarled, his fists curling until his knuckled turned white. He couldn't move. And he cursed himself for letting his guard down. Letting a witch cast a spell on him, and made him immobile. An amateur mistake, but totally idiotic of him.
"Hm, typical."
Kaito growled, his anger growing, making a laugh echo through his room.
"Really. You are pathetic. You let the people down. 'Elite Hunters here to save the day' MY ASS! You are useless. A pest. You let this befall on this very village."
Kaito growled, but he refused to let anger take over him. It would be his end. "What do you mean?"
"… You sure are slow, Elite." she chuckled, as if talking to a child. "Useless. Why don't you try to SENSE. Oh wait... only witches can do that... Not a pesky human."
Kaito frowned, suddenly getting a sinking feeling. He was starting not to like this.
"She said that we should watch out for you. Saying Elites are dangerous. Heck, here is one, unable to move." she snorted.
"Stop."
"Elite is nothing but a fancy word to add to your original, "Hunter". There is nothing special about you, or anything else."
"Stop!" Kaito growled, fingers curling into a fist. He tensed, when the air suddenly grew serious and foreboding.
"Ask yourself, Hunter… do you do your job well?"
Kaito blinked when her tone changed from insulting and tinged with malice to a serious tone.
"…What?"
She laughed.
Kaito paled, feeling dread creep towards his heart. He felt sweat trickling down his chin, and he was breathing deeply and unevenly. His heart pounding so loud that it matched the laugh of the witch.
"Silly Elite… Why don't you look for yourself?"
Her voice fade away at the same time Kaito screamed, feeling something ominous tore through his being. Something cold. He landed in a thump on the cold floor of his room, shivering and coughing. It hurt. His entire being throb. But he held no injuries. He felt cold, yet burning at the same time.
"HEEEEEEEELLLLLLPPPPP!"
Blue eyes snapped open, and Kaito, with great effort, pushed himself up and grabbing his weapons on the couch next to his bed. He ignored the throbbing of his body and his shaky hands, cursing silently when he dropped his gun. He bent down to grab it when he smelled something.
He went rigid.
"No…" quickly picking up his gun and shuffling towards the window, he opened it.
His eyes went impossibly wider, dread and guilt engulfing his whole self.
The village was on fire.
And everyone was either on the run or rolling and screaming in pain as the fire spread all over their body, quickly burning them alive. They were screaming. Everyone, screaming and crying as they watch their loved ones die before them. Kaito shivered as he saw a child lay with wide, dull eyes with half his body burned to the bone, the burning of skin and flesh giving off a putrid smell. Most of the carts were on fire, the animals on the lose. Some tried to put out the fire with water, only to have it grow larger, and hotter. Everything was in chaos.
He jumped when heat surrounded his back, turning to see his own room in fire too. Cursing and still shaking, he grabbed his bag and money before he jumped through the window, bring his arms up to shield his face from the pieces of broken glass. He landed hard on the ground, spitting when he had dirt in his mouth, running his tounge over his teeth and cringing at the taste. His leg throbbed from the impact, but he was glad he was on the second floor, or else his legs would be useless. And he would be deemed useless.
The witch's words hunt him and he gritted his teeth to stop thinking like that.
'Manipulation, Kaito. That's what they do.' he said to himself as he pushed himself up. He yelped when he felt a piece of glass stuck on his back, his shirt getting damp with blood.
In a distance, he could the witch's maniacal cackle, the sound sending shivers down his spine.
He stood, swallowing down the guilt and self-hatred. He ignored his back. He's an Elite. He'll worry about himself later. He had a job a to do.
"Everyone! This way!"
Three days later...
Everyone scattered over Crypton cringed and stared in shock, worry and anger as they watched the incident in the village of Aoi. Gumi gawked and stared wide eyed on the news she's staying in an inn, her fists clenched. Luka glared as she watched along with other villagers on the television displayed on the bar she was at. Kiyoteru frowned in concern as he heard people gossiping before continuing his way. Sams with Mikuo, stopping and even demanding the people if it was true, knowing that his friend was there. Miku gritted her teeth, hearing the news on the radio on her current train to the next village, after hearing that her target left and went to the next village. Gakupo felt like punching something. More like punching a witch as he watched the news in his room. Meiko gripped the sides of the television, hauling it and throwing it across her room in anger. She was worried, hoping the idiot was alright, she snarled before she went out of her room, a beer in mind. She hated it when they're seperated. She becomes like this.
The new troops couldn't believe what they heard, on their way to their assigned village when they heard the news. They could only hope that Kaito was alright. They didn't dwell on it, focusing on calming their racing hearts when even an Elite is hurt. They just hoped they wouldn't die...
In the woods, Len paused, his hand placed on a tree, staring up in the dark, night sky. He was following a trail the witch left behind. Quite obvious, frankly. Like she doesn't care whether or not she's caught. Like, this witch was actually telling him…where…she is. Len frowned, his eyes narrowing as he scanned through the dark woods. The trail was everywhere. Footprints, died plants, and stolen items left here and there. He scowled.
The witch's drawing him in.
He hoped his friends are alright.
A/N: And that's a wrap. Woah. Okay… Sorry if it's uh, not enough… I know it's not long enough. I'll make up for it on the next chapter. Poor Kaito. :(
Anyways, no more preview! Cuz I have this thing about changing dialogue anyway. So nuh uh. Nothing on the last chapter's preview is even mentioned here anyway. So yeah. Don't worry. The next chapter is already on the process. Should be up in a few days… And Pumpkin shall finally make her appearance. Hehehe.
AGAIN! I'm sorry for the super duper really really very very late update. It's just life…
Bubble Smoosher – Your welcome :) And Len still doesn't say much here… hehe. Sorry.
mirrors02 – THANK YOU FOR CLARIFYING HER GENDER! I'm a huge fan of her. Thank you for the review! I love it. You will see Rinny next chappie. Although an obvious hint, and greatly implied, I will just let you think she did killed Lenka. Hehe. And yes. Expect death. Or not.
OrangeBananaRiLen – Thank you very much ! :)
Guest – I did now… I hope you didn't die. Despite the tardiness.
hatelife – he will meet her next chapter. Sorry.
Iloveit – Thank you! Your curiosity shall be answered next chapter, my friend.
MEEEEE – Thank you! Hahaha! Your welcome. Now you know Rogues are horrible.
Treble and Bass – I'm glad you think it is :) and it is now UPDATED!
Guest – Done ;)
EDIT 4/29/15 - Dammit. Tons of tweaks to do. Next Chapter should be up in Friday or Saturday everyone.