Witch Hunter Robin Fan Fiction ❯ Bewitched ❯ Running ( Chapter 2 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Bewitched

By: Youkai Yume

[A/N]

Yume: Yays! I was really surprised at how many people took interest in this fic! (cries in happiness)

CF: {Does happy dance} Reviews make the world go round!

Yume: Don't they? Lol. Here's the next chapter to "Bewtiched," and don't worry, all questions will be answered. And also, a few of you seem to have the indication that I've given up on my Sess/Kag fics….

CF: NOT TRUE! Yume just decided to broaden her horizons and try a WHR one!

Yume: Right, I'm still updating my other stories too, so don't have a fit. ^^ Oh, one more thing. In case you need a little visualization. There will be some snid-bits and scenes in this story that refer to the theme song of WHR, "Shell," by Bana, which this whole fic is based around.

[Disclaimer]: If I owned WHR, then this story would be what REALLY happened in the series, not that crappy excuse of an ending! (nods)

~*~

Chapter 2: Running

He could hear nothing else but the rapid beating of his heart, and the fall of his footsteps. He could feel nothing else but the air rushing past him, playing with raven locks. He could see nothing else but the darkness of the hallways, the dim lighting of the walls.

He could think of nothing else but her. The one he was chasing at this very moment, grasping onto anything he could of her as she seemed to slip farther and farther away from him; A flash of golden hair, flutter of her white clothing. Anything.

Amon turned a corner, and his dark eyes narrowed when he saw the exit door wide open; the wind blowing wayward leaves outside. Without a second thought, he ran out of the building, his senses seemingly more alert than they had ever been as he scanned the alleyway for any sign of her.

'Where are you, Robin?' His mind echoed the question as his feet led him down the alleyway. Above, the dim lights flickered, and the more he ran, the more he felt the shadows creep upon him. He wasn't sure where he was running, or how long he was planning to run…all that he hoped-prayed, that wherever he was headed, it was to Robin.

He wasn't sure when he had heard it, the sound whispering ever so softly that at first, Amon swore it was a trick of the wind.

"Amon…"

His footsteps ceased to echo through the alley as Amon stopped right in his tracks at the sound of his ushered name. His heart was pounding so hard in his chest he was sure it would burst as he realized that the voice was coming from behind him.

Black hair whipped around the hunter's face as he turned abruptly around, his slate blue eyes widening as he caught sight of a figure enshrouded in the darkness. His voice came out in barely a whisper as the word passed his lips like a summer breeze.

"Robin…"

There she was. It was strange seeing her without her trademark hairstyle, and even stranger to see her in white. Robin hadn't cut a single strand of her honey-gold tresses since he had last seen her, and even in white, there was a simple beauty that he had always known (but never admitted) her to possess. The young girl had certainly filled out here and there, but overall…

Amon would've smiled had he not forgotten how…Robin was just as he had remembered her. It had to be her.

Though coveted in shadows, he could recognize those molten green eyes anywhere. And they were staring right into his…Just like she had always did before-like she could read his soul. How those eyes have haunted him, even in the confinements of his dreams.

They did not move, did not speak for several moments. Only stared at each other for what seemed to Amon, like an eternity. He didn't know what to say, didn't know what to do.

After months of searching, his feelings were still a jumbled mix inside of him. He could not differ one from the other. Was it relief that he felt? Or perhaps nervousness? Fear? No. It was none…and yet all of these feelings at the same time. But what he truly felt when he saw her emerald eyes staring back at him through the darkness, the most difficult to decipher of all…it was coursing through him like fire.

"Why are you following me?" Robin finally spoke; her voice was so soft and gentle that it almost reached him like a caressing whisper. Amon had never realized how melodic the sound of her voice was before now.

Still, the question resounded over and over in his head. Why was he following her? The simple question had floored him so easily…a question that he should be able to answer with ease…had he known the answer himself.

The wind blew gently, playing with silken gold and raven locks and pulling on their clothes. Amon remained silent, watching as Robin stared intently back at him, patient, and yet at the same time saddened. For whatever reason he did not know.

The hunter remained calm and cool, his dark eyes holding the same cold blue that hid all of the emotions that seemingly raged within him at the moment. Emotions that he couldn't afford to have.

"Why are you running?" He countered back at her in an emotionless tone, evading her earlier question.

Amon saw through shadowed eyes, Robin's own pools of green close and her head bow ever so slightly in shame. There it was again, the unmistakable aura that Robin seemed to radiate, so heavily coveted in regret and sorrow. It was so heavy and thick in the air that the hunter felt something stir within himself.

"I'm running for you," She answered, her words soft spoken and unwavering as she opened her eyes so that deep emerald met with dark slate in the night. Amon did not turn away, and his tense shoulders seemed to ease and his eyes began to flicker with confusion.

'Running for me?' The words ran over and over again in his head. Could she have said it wrong? She said she was running for him…not from him. Amon continued to stare at her as she stood in the darkness, her emerald irises seemed as if they were trying to send him some kind of message…a message that he was desperately trying to decipher.

What was she trying to tell him?

His feet felt heavy, but slowly, Amon took a cautious step towards the witch. His frown deepened when he saw her shrink further into the shadows with his one step.

"Robin," He called out to her, his voice harsh and course like it always was, and for the moment, he mentally cursed his habit when he saw her visibly wince ever so slightly.

"You still have not answered my question," Robin said quietly. "Why are you following me?"

Amon still found himself unable to answer the simple question, though he knew she would not rest until she had attained an answer.

"Because I am your watchdog," was his course reply before he could stop the words from passing his lips. Lies. Amon almost regretted saying them as soon as he saw the crestfallen look on her young face. It was not what he meant to say, nor how he truly felt about the matter…but what else could he say? Besides, it was partly true…he had sworn it afterall.

"Is that all?" Robin simply replied, her voice no longer calm and serene, but shaky and sorrowful. When Amon did not answer she closed her eyes tightly shut, refusing to let herself shed tears in front of a man that had so often thought her weak for having such emotions.

Amon didn't understand it…how his heart seemed to clench when he saw her take several steps farther into the shadows…as if she was trying to hide from him. Her head was bowed once more, and her haunting orbs hidden by golden bangs.

"I see. Is it because you feel obligated to me?" She asked, turning around so that her back faced him. The hunter remained silent, and Robin took that as a sign of confirmation. "Or is it simply because…because all witches must be hunted?"

Amon felt the tightening hand on his chest clench harder at her words. He had said that, and she had never forgotten. But he couldn't take it back, he had meant it at the moment…but did he mean it now?

He wasn't so sure, but as he saw her figure began to fade farther and farther away from sight, he wanted to say something, do something, anything that would convince her to stay for just a few more lingering moments.

And though he did not know what more he could do if he was able to accomplish such a thing, Amon felt that he could not simply let her slip away so easily, not now when she was so near his reach.

"Robin!" He called out to her, his tone a rising as he found himself running towards her. His footfalls resounded throughout the alleyway as he neared the witch clad in white, and as he neared her, he saw her reach into the pocket of her sweater and pull out a gleaming object and brought it to her face.

'So close…' Amon was only mere feet away from her, all he had to do was reach out his hand and…

"Robin!"

Before his gloved hand touched her shoulder, she turned around, her glasses firmly in place and her green eyes flickering with what seemed to be the most tortured expression he had ever seen before a spark of fire lit up her irises.

Amon pulled back instantly as a burst of fire lit up the very air before him, spreading around him and creating a raging wall of flames. The hunter squinted his eyes from the licking flames, a sense of emptiness fell over him when he caught one last glimpse of the fire witch on the other side of the flames before she disappeared altogether into the shadows of night.

He stood absolutely still, staring into the dying embers as the fire began to dissipate…as if it was never there in the first place. 'Just like her…' He thought through clenched teeth. Indeed, just like the wind, Robin had once again, faded into nothingness.

The hunter walked forward, past where the wall of fire previously was and his dark eyes scanned almost warily through the empty…and now very lonely alley.

The wind blew furiously, whipping at his black hair and clothes. Seemingly portraying the whirlwind of emotions that coursed throughout his entire being-a physical manifestation of his thoughts. Amon let cold slate eyes turn upwards to the pale moon, which hung low and hidden behind gray clouds.

His eyes widened as he saw something flutter from the heavens…a piece of paper to be exact, and he caught it in his hands as it descended to him.

A message…indeed from the heavens, but not from god. No, it was from a wandering Robin. Just like the one she had left him on the tableside along with her pendant all those months ago. The message was clear and simple. And yet at the same time, it struck Amon with an unparalleled sense of anger, confusion, and surprisingly, emptiness.

"Forget Me."

Fingers curled tightly around it, causing the paper to crumple in Amon's hands as it clenched into shaking fists. 'If only it were that simple.'

~*~

Even if I ran forever…

I fear I could never escape you

Golden strands danced in the wind, emerald eyes watched with a pained look as she gazed down at the hunter still standing in the dark alley. A sad came over her face as she watched the hunter longingly from her perch on the building.

Even if I hid from you…

You'd always find me again

'Amon…' The name resounded in her head like a bittersweet kiss. The hunter had asked her why she was running. To be honest, she could not possibly reveal all of her reasons. All of which were too complicated, too deeply rooted near her heart that she could not possibly reveal them.

"I'm running for you…"

And that was the simple truth. That night…when they had escaped from the collapse and were in the hotel. Robin came to a revelation, as she bandaged his wounds. She was the cause of all this. It was her doing that he suffered…that he was like this. She was a burden.

You wouldn't have believed me anyway

If I told you the truth

The factory would surely be after her…Amon would just be pulled into the whole ordeal…and already he had done so much for her. She could not let him give up everything for her. Robin could never ask that of him. For everything that she had caused, she could not be forgiven.

This was her way of repaying her debt to him. Strange, how it was he who was supposed to protect her… 'And yet, I am running to protect him.'

That I couldn't live a day

Without thinking of you…

Robin held her breath, when she had let the letter flutter gracefully down upon the dark hunter. Like the very shadows she hid from his view, watching with serene eyes as he took the piece of paper in his hands. After several moments, in which she was sure he got the message that was from her, she saw Amon crumple the note in his trembling hands.

The fire witch felt a tear slip down her cheek as Amon let out a frustrated growl and in a wild moment of freed anger, his fist had connected with the brick alley wall. She couldn't face him…not then, and certainly not now. With silent footsteps, Robin walked away from the scene, not once looking back, for fearing that if she did, she would not be able to leave.

But I am lost in your shadow

Bathed in your contempt

'Amon, you once told me, that all witches must be hunted.' She thought with a melancholy ache. 'You said you were my watchdog…' Robin made her way down the stairs that led into the abandoned building below. 'You said that you'd kill me in an instant should my powers lose control…' The glass windows of the building were dirty. Robin walked slowly over to them, her eyes downcast to the streets below as she recognized a black figure moving swiftly through the streets.

I'll never be good enough…

'Why do you search for me? Why can't you just forget?' Her mind screamed. 'It would be so much easier for the both of us…'

Indeed. She had tried everything in her power to do just that in these last six months. Drifting from town to town, taking on small jobs now and then. Waitressing, babysitting…singing…small gigs like that to keep her going. And never staying in one place for too long, for fear that they…or rather he would find her.

Am I still the hunted?

And are you still the hunter?

Amon had always kept his word…she knew it from the moment she saw his gun aimed at her. But..

Even so…Would you still believe me?

Her delicate hands came to touch the glass, calling out his name silently as he turned a corner, his head turning from side to side as if still looking for her. How badly she wanted to just reach out and touch him…to be in a place where perhaps she was not a witch, and he not her hunter.

Perhaps it would've been different then.

That I still believe in you?

"Amon…" She whispered, tears falling freely from her emerald irises. "I'm here…" Robin sank to the ground, her fingers still pressed against the glass. "Right here…"

End Chapter

[A/N]

Yume: Wow, so much conflict….

CF: And there's more torture for them, isn't there Yume?

Yume: ^_^ Yup! Stick around for the next chapter of "Bewitched!"

CF: PLEASE READ AND REVIEW! No flames please.

Yume: And a big warm THANKS to all who reviewed. It really means a lot, and I can't tell you how much it encouraged me. ^_^

Ja Ne! ^_~