Witch Hunter Robin Fan Fiction ❯ Silk Gloves ❯ Just Glad You're Here ( Chapter 14 )

Woo hoo. Chapter. Smut. Read.

~^~

Waking was a strange sort of sensation. She could at first feel everything as if she were awake, but her body did not quite respond when she moved to stretch. Then her sense of smell awoke. She inhaled; the scent of cheap soap flooded her nose. As she exhaled, she suddenly felt the arms around her waist which had earlier kept her from moving too much. Curiously, she did not start or jolt as she would have expected had she been more awake. But her half-asleep mind knew that it was Sakaki, and her only reaction was to try to move closer; pressing herself to his comfortable warmth and burying her face at the junction between his neck and shoulder.

As she breathed out again, she felt him move, dropping his chin to the top of her head and flexing his fingers.

“Miho…” he muttered, voice crackling with lack of use. She smiled against his skin, not replying. Sakaki squirmed, “mreh, you're tickling-” he shifted again, “me.”

This time she could not help but giggle. “I had no idea you were ticklish,” she said, voice muffled.

“Only early in the morning,” he said. There was a pause, “and only for you.”

“Really?” The word was out of her mouth before she could think to stop it. She didn't want to think about the women that Sakaki had previously been with. Not because she was jealous, per se, but it just didn't seem like something worth pondering.

“Yes,” he said, “'course, you're the exception to a lot of rules.”

She chuckled shortly, “so are you.”

They both quieted again. Karasuma suspected that Sakaki had dropped off again until his hand moved on her side, fingers exploring her skin through the thin pajama top. She closed her eyes, trying to keep her breathing even. It was hard; her entire body was tingling from the simple touch.

“Not fair,” he said into her ear, and moved his hand again, this time actually making contact with her skin. She gasped in surprise, and felt him smile. “There. Even.”

His hand stopped moving, though it remained against her skin. She didn't even think to complain, relaxing back into his embrace. “This is the first time in a while I just haven't had to get up,” she commented sleepily.

“Me too.” He sighed, “Though, Nagira said we should pick up the bus tickets.”

She buried her face in his shoulder again, saying, “I'm tempted to say that the bus tickets can wait.”

Sakaki chuckled at her words, “Well, I'm sure they can, after all, it's only…” he moved, turning over to glance at the clock, “eight o'clock.”

“That early?” Karasuma asked. “We must still be used to waking up for work.”

He sobered, quietly saying, “We did go to bed early last night.”

“Yes,” she replied, also quiet, “we did.”

There was a moment of silence for their fallen comrade. Karasuma tightened her arms around Sakaki's neck, thankful that she had someone to share the burdens of being a fugitive with. He sighed, breath sweeping across her ear, then stilled. They lay for a while longer, dozing. Finally, he moved, and Karasuma disengaged her arms only slightly unwillingly. Kissing her hand, he smiled at her. “Sorry, but I gotta go to the bathroom.”

She smiled back, slightly amused. “Don't apologize.”

Placing another kiss on the inside of her wrist, he slid out of the bed and disappeared. She rolled over into his place, closing her eyes and savoring the residual warmth from his body.

“Now you stole my spot,” Sakaki's voice said from above her a moment later, “that's just not fair.”

“All's fair in love and war,” she said, trying not to laugh.

“Oh really?” he asked, and then took hold of the covers and flipped them off of her. She gasped, taken completely by surprise with the cool room air.

“All right,” she said, arms moving to wrap around her suddenly cold body, “not quite everything.” He smiled, and she sat up, arms still wrapped around herself. “I guess I could get up,” she said, noticing that he had changed. Pushing herself away from the bed, she walked to the bathroom with her backpack in tow.

Sakaki watched her go, grinning to himself. It was easy to forget the world at large when he was the only one in the room with her. He could just pretend that, somehow, they were on vacation; no one was out for their lives, they had never taken another life… they were just two people of the same age and intelligence… in love. Good grief, he thought, this is one hell of a life I'm living, and he wandered to the bathroom door.

She came out, changed into Nagira's gift and brushing her hair back into its normal style with her fingers. Sakaki smiled. “C'mere,” he said, waving his hand at her, “if we're going out, we should probably change as much as we can.”

She blinked, glanced in the mirror and shook her head, shuffling over to him. “I should have thought of that,” she murmured as he took a comb from his own bag and turned on the facet.

He smiled and wet the comb, manipulating her hair so that it hung straight down from a middle part. Stepping back and admiring his handiwork, he nodded. It was different, but he rather liked it.

“Do I pass?” she asked dryly.

He laughed outright, amused by the bout of sarcasm. “More than,” he said, and pressed the comb into her hands, “your turn.”

Shaking her head in slight amusement, she did her best to comb his hair into the same basic style as hers, but it somehow always managed to go back to it's usual disorder. After five minutes of fighting with it, she shook her head and handed the comb back. “I've got an idea, turn around.” Sakaki did so, and taking a rubber band from the top of one of the glasses, Karasuma gathered as much of his hair as she could and bound it back. When he turned around again, she sighed. It was all back, but he just looked strange.

Glancing in the mirror, Sakaki chuckled shortly. “Man, glad I never decided to grow my hair out.” She smiled, silently agreeing. He turned back to her, “but I definitely look different. Let's go.”

~^~

From the moment they stepped from the hotel doors, Karasuma knew something was wrong. At first, though, it didn't feel strong enough to be anything more than being so out in the open. Hands just barely brushing, they walked down the block to the bus station. The building was visible from their place on the sidewalk, and people surged around them. It must have been a weekend, Karasuma thought, there were quite a few younger looking people around them. But then, they could have been university students. She and Sakaki reached the street, stopping as cars sped in front of them, suddenly part of a large group that waited to cross.

As they waited, Karasuma glanced around, a cold chill spilling itself down her back. Someone was here, someone with great power, and control that was just as great. Even if the energy from them hadn't been malicious, she would have recognized a SOLOMON agent's power; very few of the witches they had awakened had that amount of power, especially outside of Tokyo, or she would have heard about it before now.

The energy moved nearer, and the hairs on the back of her neck rose. She edged closer to Sakaki, whispering, “Haruto…”

He moved his hand to her lower back, and she realized that he was as tense as she. “I know.”

She glanced up at him, surprised. “But how?”

“Related, sometimes I know them,” he said cryptically, shifting closer. She nodded, telekinetics was a mind craft, much like telekinesis; it wasn't inconceivable that they would occasionally overlap- especially in the presence of such a strong force. Sweeping her gaze across the crowd, her eyes fell on a tall European man in a black suit to Sakaki's right. White crosses were stitched into his cuffs, and he wore a heavy silver cross proudly on his chest. Karasuma suddenly knew with certainty that this was where the power was radiating from. “There,” she whispered, nodding slightly, “in the church clothes.”

Sakaki involuntarily glanced to his right, immediately seeing the man that she had nodded to. Taking a breath, he drew Karasuma closer, murmuring, “Don't look too hard; pretend you think he's a priest.”

She swallowed and nodded, forcing her looks to be quick and curious, not long enough to be recognized by. Sakaki's hands drew her to face him, smoothing her dress as they slowly made their way down either side of her body. Pressing herself closer, she felt his hands start again at her upper back, this time applying more pressure. She closed her eyes, falling into the part of a teenager out with her newest boyfriend- nothing to worry about but him. As his fingers made circles down her natural waist, she buried her hands in his hair and felt him lean in to her touch. Without her sight, it felt like they were the only two people there, like they were already back in their room, relieved at having cheated death yet again.

But when she opened her eyes again, it was to the SOLOMON agent looking straight at them - hard.

Without a second thought she grabbed Sakaki's chin and brought him around to face her. Glancing at the agent one last time, she forced herself to wink and then crushed her lips to Sakaki's, closing her eyes and praying that her plan would work. If it didn't, they would soon be dead - at this rate, she doubted that SOLOMON would bother hunting either of them discreetly. If it doesn't, she thought, I can think of worse things I could be doing as I die.

With that thought in mind, she slid her arms down his shoulders, trying to press herself closer, and he responded in kind, tightening his grip on her back. They broke for air, but reconnected immediately as a breeze swept between their parted lips.

~^~

God, it was a disgusting spectacle - two teenagers, embroiled in trying to suck each other's souls out. He shook his head, they were probably already living in sin; sin greater than lacking modesty. For a moment, he had thought that they may have been his targets, but anyone with half a mind could tell that the kiss was not stage play, and the briefing has said that they were not romantically involved. He had also been told that the two would probably split up, anyway.

The walk light blinked on, and people began to flow across the street. He allowed himself to be swept up in the mass, sparing a last glare for the couple - still locked in that wicked embrace. Halfway across the street, he glanced back to see if the two had realized that the light had turned.

They were gone. He looked closer to him, but they were not there. Two figures moving away drew his gaze - the man and woman, hand in hand and running with the practiced grace of hunters through the oncoming crowd. He narrowed his eyes, cursing his stupidity. How had intel missed that their targets were involved? Growling, he pressed his radio, saying, “Targets at Aiko and Sadori; they are together, repeat, they are together,” and then dropping his hand under his jacket. Hand on his gun; he gave chase, whispering to himself, “They shall not be forgiven…”

~^~

“I've found them.”

“Huh? That was fast.” The dark haired woman made a motion as the other woman, a younger version of herself, stood up.

“They're by the bus station.” There was a pause, and the younger witch frowned. “She didn't say anything about them being together.”

“Sure she did, she said they'd likely stick with each oth…oh.” Kino trailed off as Mira's words sunk in, “Oh. Well, that's…a change.”

Suddenly, Mira turned, staring through the alley wall as if she could see to the street. “Did you get the wind to follow them?”

“Of course,” Kino scoffed, “we've only been doing this for a year now - why?”

“They're running then, fast and scared.”

The older girl frowned, knowing that Mira would be right. “Better call them then, we can get them out of here.”

She nodded, and sat, unvoiced chants moving her lips as she closed her eyes. For a moment, Kino watched the younger girl, and then leaned against the wall to wait. It wouldn't be long.

~^~

She felt the people moving around her, and slowly, the craft force moved away as well. Sakaki's hand trailed from her waist to take her hand, and squeezed once. A last ferocious kiss and they broke at the same moment, turning and sprinting away like gazelles. For a moment, it seemed as if they would get away, but then there was a shout from behind, and the craft force flared anew. They sprinted down the street, ignoring the doors to their hotel, looking for some means of protection. Karasuma knew with certainty that Sakaki's craft was the only weapon they really had - neither of them had their guns with them, nor any other weapons. There was only one choice: hide.

Moving a little ahead of her partner, Karasuma dove into an alley opening, dragging Sakaki with her. He was caught off guard, but followed quickly as soon as he regained his footing.

Breathing shallowly, they made their way around trash cans and crates to get further back in the alley. Finally, they pressed behind a large stack of boxes.

“If I collapse the crates on him, it'll buy us some time.” Sakaki said, carefully peeking out to see the alley.

Karasuma nodded, not trusting her voice. She was not used to being the hunted, the one running away. Now, more than ever, she regretted the people she had hunted while with the STN-J. “At least we kept our money with us,” she said quietly, “we can still catch a bus or ship out of here.” She met his eyes, refusing to acknowledge their slim chances of survival. He nodded gravely and opened his mouth to say something.

“You know,” a voice interrupted from behind another wall of boxes, “Planes are faster,” the two ex-hunters gasped in surprise, spinning to look for the source of the comment. “Not to mention they go farther.” A young woman suddenly appeared, holding out her hands. “Don't worry,” she said as the two eyed her suspiciously, “We follow the Eve, we're here to help.”

“Eve?” Sakaki said, not lowering his defenses.

“Kino, she told us not to say anything about that,” another voice said from behind the boxes.

“Oh, yeah. Drat.” The woman sighed, and then looked at them again, “You know a woman named Kenshio?”

They nodded warily.

“She told us to find and protect you; now, do you want to get out of here or not? We've got a car waiting.”

Sakaki glanced at Karasuma. She was gazing at the woman in front of them in curiosity. The Eve… “Alright,” she said, nodding to Sakaki, “let's go.”

Kino grinned wolfishly, “C'mon Mira,” she said over her shoulder, “We need to get these two out of here before the good king shows up.”

“Hold on…” the other voice said, and then grunted, “Alright.” Another woman appeared, smaller than Kino, and stretched. “We've got a little more time; I managed to call him somewhere else.” She grinned, “The idiot didn't even realize he was being manipulated.”

Sakaki and Karasuma glanced at each other, still nervous. Kino saw the look and smiled. “Well, no harm in getting started early,” she said, “let's be off.” Waving for the couple to follow her, she turned to the back of the alley and opened a door, holding it open for them. Karasuma looked at the woman for a moment, wondering whether they should really trust her. But then there was a shout, and Mira was behind them, telling them to hurry. Deciding that they didn't have much of a choice but to trust the two, she followed Kino into the darkness of the building, Sakaki following and Mira closing the door behind them.

~^~

“You kept your money with you, right?” Kino asked as they hurried away from the alleyway. They were out of the building and had already walked about five blocks from it.

“Yes,” Karasuma said, “where are we going?”

“You've got tickets and fake passports for four o'clock this afternoon. We were sent to find you and get you out of Japan.” Kino's face soured, “apparently you two are currently on the top of the good king's list.”

“That's not a surprise,” Sakaki said with only a hint of sarcasm, “but how did you find us?”

“She called us and told us you were in the area. Mira's craft can find people if they touch something that her magic is attached to. My craft is wind. She put her magic into the wind and I sent it around until we found you.”

Sakaki and Karasuma both blinked. “That's incredible,” Karasuma said, “I don't think I've ever heard of witch's power being used like that.”

Kino shrugged, walking a little closer to the building, “it isn't all that uncommon. You must have been out of the loop if you haven't seen two crafts working together before now.”

“You could say that,” Sakaki muttered. Karasuma silently agreed. If the two women that had rescued them didn't know she and Sakaki's previous occupation, she wasn't about to enlighten them. Undoubtedly, it would throw a wrench into their camaraderie.

Suddenly, Mira gasped. “Down!” she yelled, and instinctively, Karasuma and Sakaki both dove, dodging bullets from the other side of the street.

Screams erupted on the walk, civilians running way from the shots as a mob. Her hunter instincts taking over, Karasuma's eyes darted around, searching for their assailants. There, two men and one woman, calm faces in the sea of chaos. They were dressed in business suits, the high class tailored kind often worn by the Yakuza. SOLOMON was using the other organization as a cover - she briefly wondered what the mob would think of it.

But there was no time to ponder it further, she was already pushing herself from the ground and sprinting after the two women, Sakaki close behind. The agents gave chase. As they caught up, Karasuma said as quietly as she could while still running, “we've got to split up. The odds are better.”

The two women looked at her strangely, but Sakaki nodded. They both knew from experience that forcing a hunting group to split up, no matter what the number ratios after the split, still tipped the odds to the prey's favor. Only, they had never been the prey before. Kino, seeing Sakaki's agreement, grimaced.

“All right,” she said, and, touching Sakaki's shoulder, said, “You, come with me.” The she nodded to Karasuma, “Go with Mira. We can find each other later.”

There was a split second in which Karasuma felt herself quail at the thought of going without Sakaki. Finding his gaze, she knew that he felt the same hesitance. But simultaneously, they both nodded and turned away, splitting off with Mira and Kino. As she ran, Karasuma grimaced. They were only as strong together as they were apart. Now was a time to prove that, if only to themselves.

She was sure that they would do it.

~^~

Sakaki had no choice but to place his trust in Kino as they turned and headed towards downtown. It had been a very long time since he had last been to Hiroshima, and he had never had time to explore the city. Kino, though, had either been studying or lived here, because she smoothly led them from alley to alley, weaving between buildings and parks, always seeming to know a shortcut that the two agents following them did not. But it wasn't giving them too much of a lead, and Sakaki knew that Kino's tricks would eventually run out.

“We have to face them,” he gasped between strides, “they won't drop the chase.”

Kino glanced at him, shot out a hand and turned them down another street, saying, “Are you sure? These guys are the best. I've never seen anything like it.”

Sakaki grimaced, “I was trained same as them. I may not be better, but I know how they think.”

“You…” Kino stared at him for a moment in wide-eyed and disbelieving fear before shaking her head. “So that's why they're after you two so badly. Her too?”

Sakaki nodded, knowing that the woman meant Karasuma. For a moment, Kino frowned, and then she nodded in return, as if assuring him of her trust. He glanced ahead of them, and saw an opening in the street to an alley. “Ready?” he asked the woman running next to him.

She glanced behind them to the agents only a block behind, and then nodded. “Yeah.”

As one, they veered sharply into the alley and ran half a block down - then turned. “Wind, right?” Sakaki asked.

“Yeah. She didn't say anything about your powers,” Kino replied.

“Send a blast at them as soon as they turn in,” Sakaki said quickly, eyes narrowed in concentration, “get as much debris as you can.”

Frowning deeply, Kino nodded. Sakaki felt a breeze stirring, and then the two agents turned the corner.

The street abruptly became a wind tunnel, paper and dust whipping at the agents, gravel turning into small projectiles. Sakaki allowed himself a moment to be impressed, and then concentrated, reaching with his craft and yanking the guns out of their pursuer's hands. He had planned to bring the guns towards him, but the wind was strong, and keeping hold of two small objects simultaneously was hard work. Instead, he propelled the guns skyward, and watched as they landed on top of the building beside them.

“Kino!” he shouted above the gale, and the wind slowed, leaving the woman panting and with her hands clenched. The agents both stood, unarmed, at the mouth of the alley, hands held in defensive positions. As the storm subsided, they lowered their arms, gazing at Sakaki and Kino with anger.

“Ignore her for now,” one said, the voice a low woman's, “he is the target.”

Her partner, a stocky European-looking man, nodded but said nothing. At first, Sakaki was afraid that they would have other weapons, but then he realized that the man's lips were moving. Chills ran across the back of his neck, and he threw himself to the side. A rumble split the air, the cement where he had just been standing ripping open and heaving violently. Rolling, Sakaki saw the female agent start towards him and stopped himself. She moved fast, with an animal's grace, flowing like water to him and wrenching his arm behind his back before he could rise. He could feel her nails on his bare arm and her breath on his neck as she leaned down.

“And here I thought you were trained like me. The STN-J must have made you soft,” she said into his ear.

“Hardly,” he muttered against the cement and curled his back, rising enough to get his other arm underneath him and free himself from her grip. Stumbling away from the agent, he glanced around, but Kino was nowhere to be seen. Where had she gotten to? Getting help? He hadn't thought that the woman would abandon him, but perhaps he could have been wrong? There was no time to ponder it though as he heard the SOLOMON man mutter another spell.

This time, he wasn't quite quick enough, and while he managed to avoid the worst of the earth blast, the spell took his legs out from underneath him and his back hit the street. He cursed to himself and began to rock forward, but the woman was already on top of him, this time with a knife in her hand. She swung at his neck. He caught her arm and pushed back. She snarled a name, and Sakaki saw the man advance on them. He didn't have another hand, and suddenly, he realized that he was sorely out done. As soon as the man reached them, he would probably do something to make Sakaki let go of the woman's arm and it would all be over.

He couldn't help but think that it was unfair.

As the second SOLOMON agent reached them, though, there was a crash and something landed behind him. Then a single shot cracked, and the man fell back. Twisting his neck, Sakaki saw Kino, a gun in either hand. She was shaking, but standing proud. Without flinching, she squeezed the trigger twice more, and the man collapsed to the ground. Sakaki tightened his grip again on his attacker's arm, and used her distraction at her partner to swing his legs beneath her and kick, flipping her over his head.

She landed on her feet, steadying herself with her hands. “This isn't over,” she growled, and turned, straight into Kino's outstretched gun.

“Yes,” Kino said, almost sadly, “it is.” And she pulled the trigger once more. The shot echoed, Sakaki moving just quick enough to watch the SOLOMON woman fall to the ground beside him, he face frozen in surprise. Kino swallowed, whispering, “I'm sorry,” and then turned away.

Sakaki smelled blood, but he wasn't sure whether it was his or theirs.

“I went to get the guns,” Kino said as he pulled himself off the ground, her voice dead, “I figured you could hold your own for long enough.”

Glancing at the two now-dead agents as he stood, Sakaki grimaced. “Barely. Thanks.”

“Don't thank me,” Kino said softly, face pale. “I don't want it.”

Knowing that there was nothing he could say to make killing easier, Sakaki nodded and stuck his hands in his pockets, leaning against a wall.

There was a slight pause as Kino stared at the bodies of the two agents, breathing raggedly. Sakaki wasn't sure whether she was going to break down or shoot the bodies again; her face reflected anger and sorrow at the same time. A tear ran down her face, and he turned his head to try to give her privacy. But a moment later, he felt her hand on his arm, dragging him away.

“Come on,” she said, leading them away from the alley, “we've got to get to the airport, and we've only got three hours.”

“What about Mira and Miho?”

Kino grimaced, “We made a plan for if we got split like this; they'll meet us at the airport.”

Sakaki refused to listen to the voice that whispered `if they make it' in his mind.

~^~

Karasuma didn't see which way Sakaki and Kino went. She wasn't sure she wanted to know, either. If she and Mira were caught, they would be questioned about the whereabouts of their partners. Well, Mira would. Karasuma knew for a fact that she wouldn't live long enough to be questioned.

She glanced back. The agent that was tailing them was at the same distance as she had been at last look. Karasuma wasn't sure, but it seemed like the woman following them was doing just that: following. As if she were biding her time for her next move. Karasuma frowned to herself. Was there a fourth agent trailing them, waiting in ambush? She couldn't feel anyone off-hand, but then, she was moving fast and what sense she had for other witch's power was probably skewed.

Mira turned down another street, her small frame obviously suffering from the exertion. Still, Karasuma knew that they had to keep running; the odds were not good for a confrontation.

She looked back again, and nearly tripped. The agent had disappeared. Confused, she began to slow down, when Mira suddenly shrieked.

With a gasp, she looked forward. The SOLOMON agent had somehow appeared in front of them, smirking and drawing her gun. Mira shouted again and threw herself at the woman before she could get the weapon fully out. They tussled, but it was obvious from the start that the SOLOMON woman had the upper hand. Without a second thought, Karasuma ran to help.

Mira's hands were wrapped around the agent's wrists, trying to prevent movement and beginning to fail. With a grimace, Karasuma drove her foot between the agent's shoulder blades, causing both of the women to pitch forward. Somehow they kept their feet, but Mira had gotten the distraction she needed. Her hands on the gun, she yanked as hard as she could, falling back on to the cement with the weapon cradled in her arms.

“Mira!” Karasuma yelled, but could not speak any further. The agent, disarmed, turned and tackled Karasuma. As they hit the street, Karasuma realized that this prevented Mira from using the gun - if they were fighting close, Mira ran the risk of hitting a comrade with any bullet she fired.

It was up to her then.

The last time she had really done any hand to hand combat was with Kenshio. The SOLOMON agent she fought now was better than the accomplice by a far cry. Any punch that she threw the woman dodged, seemingly effortlessly. And while she managed to avoid any debilitating injury, the agent continually landed small hits on her arms and back. Karasuma couldn't see how the woman was doing it. She wasn't that slow, surely?

She lashed out again with her fist, only to follow through empty air. The agent appeared beside her arm, grinning. With a laugh, the woman used the momentum gained from Karasuma's failed punch and sent her to the ground. She rose quickly, narrowing her eyes. There was something wrong with this, she had been sure that her punch was straight. The agent was unnaturally fast, like she simply phased through the air rather than moving in it.

Her eyes widened. That was it. The agent had a craft that allowed her to phase from one place to another without physically moving herself.

But what to do about it? The knowledge of the agent's craft wouldn't aide in her defeat. Karasuma looked up to see the agent moving towards her, still smirking. She felt the subconscious shift of power in the air as the SOLOMON agent started her attack. Suddenly, Karasuma knew with absolute certainty what to do. If she could bring crafts under control by feeling the magic and calming it - she could also push it out of control.

She stood up straight, forcing herself out of a defensive position. Either not noticing Karasuma's change in demeanor, or not caring, the SOLOMON agent came at her, and Karasuma made no move to defend herself.

They both hit the ground hard. One hand gripping the agent's coat, Karasuma shoved her other to the woman's face, making contact and struggling to keep it. She closed her eyes. Fell into the familiar place where magic and crafts were ripples and storms in an ocean of power. She felt the agent's power, calm and controlled as a reflecting pool.

And pushed.

A scream echoed in the alley and Karasuma felt herself fall forward. She opened her eyes to find herself elbow deep in the agent's shoulder. The woman was half-phased in places, screaming in pain. With a start, Karasuma shoved herself off, wanting to retch. A safe distance away, she watched in horror as the agent writhed on the ground, parts of her fading in and out of focus. It was as if she could not keep her cells to stay together, and Karasuma felt a pang of guilt, knowing that she had been the one to do this.

A touch on her shoulder revealed Mira beside her, holding out the gun that she had taken from the agent. Karasuma took it, grimacing, put the safety on and gave it back.

“I can't carry it,” she said shortly, “don't have anywhere to put it.”

Mira nodded and stuck the gun in the waist band of her pants, covering the butt with her shirt. Even hidden, the gun did not suit her. “Kino said that if we got separated, we should meet again at the airport,” she said, wincing as the agent groaned.

Karasuma glanced at the woman still curled on the ground, and then looked back at Mira and nodded. “All right. Let's go.”

~^~

“How will they get there if we took the car?”

Kino glanced at the man beside her, then back to the road. “We both had money. She'll hail a cab or take the bus. Your flight takes off from here, stops over in Fukuoka and then goes to Beijing.”

Sakaki had to force himself not to ask whether that would be dangerous. Wouldn't they check cabs? What if they were caught in Fukuoka? What if Karasuma had survived, but lost Mira? How would she know to go to the Hiroshima airport, when their original plan was the Fukuoka airport? Yet again, he refused to contemplate the possibility that she hadn't escaped at all.

He frowned and concentrated on the road rushing past his window.

~^~

“The transit system here is pretty good, you have enough for a ticket, right?”

Karasuma nodded, ironically remembering the thousands on yen tucked in the flat purse on her waist. “It's a little hard to get to,” she said, laying one hand on her hip.

Mira caught her meaning and nodded. “I see. Well.” A bus pulled up and stopped. Sighing, Mira waved Karasuma to follow her on, paying for both of their tickets from her pocket. As they sat down, she craned her neck to see something outside. “One o'clock. Your flight leaves at four ten.”

“How long does it take to get to the airport?” Karasuma asked.

“About two hours from this side of town.” Mira sat back. “It'll be close, but that's probably a good thing.” They were quiet for a little while, and then Mira turned to her. “Does Kenshio know about you two?”

Karasuma blinked.

The younger girl ducked her head, “I know it's a bit blunt of me, but she didn't mention anything about you being … a couple, and it would have helped me find you.”

“Oh.” Karasuma paused, trying to organize her thoughts enough to give an answer. “I think she suspected,” she finally said, “but we were very careful about being discreet.” She stopped, frowning out the window. When said like that, it sounded like something out of a bad soap opera.

Mira did not reply for a moment. “Do you think…she's dead?” she finally asked quietly.

Glancing at Mira, Karasuma tried not to show her surprise. Mira had seemed so collected while with Kino, gently reminding the older woman of things they had been told, coolly telling them that she had distracted the priest. What had happened to that woman? “Who?” she asked, and winced. The question had been thoughtless - she knew that Mira was referring to the agent, but it the question could have been for Kino.

Mira looked at her hands, and smiled sadly. “I don't know. I guess it could go either way, couldn't it?”

The ex-hunter nodded.

“Yes,” Mira said as she looked up, eyes glistening, “it could.”

Karasuma wasn't sure whether the girl meant which “she” they were talking about; or whether their respective partners were alive.

~^~

“The room in Beijing is under the name on your passport,” Kino said. She paused as a plane flew over head, drowning out all noise for a moment. “Your flight leaves in an hour. You have to go straight from checkout to the gate and get on as soon as possible. No one will try anything on a plane these days - not even servants of the good king.”

Sakaki sat up a little straighter. Maybe, if he timed it right, he could see her, talk to her for a moment, to make sure she was still there.

Kino seemed to read his thoughts. “Don't look for her. Don't talk to her if you do see her. Your seats are separate - don't change them unless you are by chance seated together.”

He sighed, knowing that Kino was right. SOLOMON now expected them together. Just laying eyes on her would be enough, he decided, just so that he could see that she had escaped SOLOMON. “What about Kenshio? Will she contact us?”

Kino nodded. “She'll call sometime tomorrow. I don't know her plans, but I bet she's going to bring you two over to see her.”

“Where is she?” Sakaki asked, mystified.

“Don't know,” the woman said, shrugging. “She's always kept us as much in the dark as possible - for our own protection as well as theirs.”

So Kino and Mira had been doing this for awhile? He was realizing how little he knew of the coven's reach, and it amazed him. “Did she awaken you?”

Kino chuckled. “No. Mira and I awoke each other by accident a year and a half ago.” She smiled fondly, and something in her demeanor staunchly prevented Sakaki from asking how they had managed that.

“And you learned control on your own?” He asked, curiosity still not sated.

“Well, didn't you leave your people to learn mostly on their own?” Kino asked, her question without venom. “It really isn't all that uncommon, and we did have some help from other people who had done the same thing.” She smirked, “They say we can't fit in to society; but no one's considered we might have made our own.”

Sakaki smiled sardonically, and began to stare out the window again. They had reached the airport parking lot, and people were everywhere, going to and from the terminal, carrying luggage, balloons and flowers, some even with leashed dogs. Blending in here wouldn't be hard, he thought to himself, not for the short amount of time it would take to get to the plane. Kino pulled up to the ten minute parking and put the parking brake on. With a sigh, she gazed at Sakaki for a moment, and he could tell that the last few hours had been more taxing on her than even she probably realized.

“In the trunk are two bags - take the blue one, the other is her's. The ticket is under the name on the passport in the front-most pocket - the flight info is stuck in the passport. Kenshio put you in first class, so you can check in quickly.” She looked down, face haggard, “Good luck.”

He was silent for a moment, and then nodded, opening the door and grabbing the blue backpack from the back of the car. He began to walk in, but at the last moment turned back to the car and leaned into the window. “Thank you,” he said, “and good luck to you too.”

She gave him a small smile, and he turned back to the bustle of the terminal. When he glanced back again, Kino's car was gone.

~^~

He hadn't been on a plane in a long time, but it was a procedure that he suspected one never forgot. As he walked up to the first class ticket counter, he brought out his passport and flight information, handing it to the woman behind the counter with what he hoped was a bright smile.

It must have only been lukewarm, because she gave him a long gaze before snapping her head to the computer screen and typing his information in. Sakaki realized how strange it must have looked, a bedraggled teen in ripped and dirty clothes getting a first class ticket? He smirked to himself, almost chuckling.

“Are you checking in any baggage today?” the woman asked. He shook his head. “And you carry on has always been in your sight or hand?” he nodded. She ripped his ticket from the printer and handed it to him. “Security to your right, gate is number 27. Have a nice flight Mr. Mashida.”

Collecting his things, Sakaki nodded, shuffling to the security station and dutifully putting his bag on the belt. He hoped that Kino hadn't put anything questionable in there, but realized that the woman was smarter than that as the bag, and he, went through security without a hitch. The guards probably know more about the contents of my bag then I do, he thought cynically as he walked to his gate. He checked a clock, and then his ticket. Twenty minutes to take off. A speaker announced first class boarding at gate 27.

Kino had said to board as soon as he could, but he couldn't help but glance around, searching for some sign of Karasuma. None. His chest tightened painfully, worry making his fists clench. She wasn't here yet. She wasn't here. What had happened? Had she and Mira had gotten sidetracked, separated? He completely refused to believe her dead. Taking a last desperate look around, he boarded the plane numbly, not hearing the steward's “have a good flight”. She was coming. She had twenty - no, fifteen now - minutes.

He sat in his seat, suddenly feeling the effects of his brush with SOLOMON. He was sure his back was one large bruise. He glanced at his hands, cut up and grimy from the street. If he had been lucky enough to escape greater injury, did that mean she may have been lucky as well? Or did it mean that he had paid for his luck with her life?

His hands clenched at the thought. Something moved at the front of the cabin, and he snapped his head up. People filing in. He watched; hopes falling inch by inch as none of the people coming in were her and the line of people trickled, then stopped. He leaned over to the man next to him, surreptitiously stealing a glance at the watch on his wrist. Ten minutes. The cabin door would be closed in less than five. There were still a few empty seats in economy, he told himself, but knew that most of them were open for the people boarding in Fukuoka.

He looked down, trying to steady his breath. If…she didn't end up boarding the plane, he would have no choice but to go on to Beijing without her, and hope that Kenshio would have news - good, or bad. No matter what, he wasn't going to give up on her until he knew for sure. He'd thought her dead once - when they had awakened the earth witch - and that had proved untrue. No. Not until he heard for sure. SOLOMON being as it was, though, that might be forever.

He didn't think he minded.

There was a clatter in front of him, and a hand landed hard on his shoulder, making him wince. But he knew, even before looking up. It was her. His eyes sought out hers automatically, and his breath caught. She was here. She was on the plane. And she was alive. He had to fight the urge to grab her shoulders and kiss her for all she was worth. But it was so wonderful simply to see her that he could barely even manage to breathe.

She seemed to be having the same reaction, because it was a long moment before she blinked and said, “Excuse me.”

Suddenly remembering that they weren't supposed to know each other, he shook himself and nodded. “It's no problem… Miss.”

She swallowed and nodded, straightening. “Thank you,” she said softly, and then proceeded down the aisle.

Sakaki sat back, closing his eyes as a voice over the intercom announced the closure of the cabin door.

~^~

The flight wasn't as bad as it could have been, all things considered, Karasuma thought as they touched down in Beijing. She would have thought that it would be torture, being away from Sakaki when she could be so close. But seeing him was such a relief that she didn't feel the distance as much as she could have, and she had dozed off soon after they had left Fukuoka. She had known that he was alive from the moment she and Mira had stepped off the bus, when Kino had appeared and given her the bag that was now stowed in the storage bin above her head. But it had been a close call in getting on the plane, and though she knew he was alive the whole time, she still hadn't seen proof. She smiled to herself, drawing random patterns with her finger against the armrest. She had seen the proof now.

Still, they just had to get to the hotel. She wasn't too worried about that, it was just a matter of making sure that they were within sight of each other. Kino had told her that SOLOMON wouldn't catch up with them for at least a day, and by then, Kenshio probably would have contacted them. She frowned. With two agents dead, and one incapacitated, it might take them longer than that, but she doubted it.

She pushed thoughts of death and escape from it out of her mind as the plane taxied to the gate and the cabin doors opened. People stood up, wrestling for a space to stand up and reclaim their bags, but Karasuma stayed seated. Why bother hurrying? She wouldn't be able to touch him until they were safe in the hotel room. Well, in the room, safe seemed to be a very relative word these days.

The line dwindled, and she got up, shouldering her bag and walking from the plane. It was about eight o'clock, and she could see the sun setting through the large windows that overlooked the runways. As she glanced around, her eyes settled on Sakaki, standing by the water fountains at the restroom. He glanced over his shoulder at her and smiled, then turned back and began to walk. With a smile of her own, she followed, dropping back enough so that it wasn't obvious.

Thankfully, there was a shuttle to the hotel - they didn't have to worry about different taxis. During the forty-five minute ride, she had to work not to stare at him. As they got off, she fell back, pretending to be distracted by something in the street. He did not stop, quickly walking to the check-in desk. She waited, not sure how they both knew what the other was doing, but glad that they did. Mira and Kino's instructions had matched perfectly- even though they had been apart when they gave them. She smiled, remembering Mira's eyes when Kino had appeared. Well, it wasn't really that surprising, given their relationship, she decided. Sakaki moved away from the desk, and Karasuma turned into the doors, walking into the well-furnished lobby. She did not even bother with the desk, stealing a look at Sakaki, who flashed the number 415 with his fingers.

She nodded, and turned to the stairs as he stepped into the elevator. Soon, she was knocking softly on the door, and catching her breath as he opened it and let her in to the darkened room.

There was a pause as he shut the door and then turned to look at her. For a moment, they just stared. It was Sakaki who spoke first. “You had me worried.”

She looked down. “Sorry. Buses take awhile.”

“I'm just glad you're here,” he said.

“Me too,” she replied, smiling up at him. He smiled back for a moment, and then suddenly moved forward, arms encircling her waist and pulling her flush against him. She linked her arms around his neck and buried her face in his shoulder, glad for the contact. They stayed, frozen for a moment, hanging on for dear life. Sakaki wasn't sure, but he thought one of them was shaking. Maybe him. Minutes later, Karasuma loosened her arms, leaning back to look Sakaki in the face.

“You aren't hurt, are you?” he asked.

She shook her head. “You?”

“A little achy, but I slept on the plane,” he smirked, “it was uncomfortable as hell, but it helped.”
She chuckled, “Yes, me too.”

There was a lull. Gently, Karasuma disengaged herself from his arms, taking her backpack and setting it on the table as Sakaki sat on the bed. She thought of turning a lamp on, but discarded the idea. She didn't feel like bright light after the day she had had. When she turned back to him, he was staring at his hands, and she could tell something bothered him. “What's wrong?” she asked, walking to stand in front of him.

He shook his head. “It just bothers me that less than half a year ago, those people hunting us might as well have been us.”

Karasuma nodded. “I know. We've been hunting our own shadows for all these years.”

“Did you kill her?” he asked after a moment of contemplation.

Karasuma sighed. “I don't know.”

Sakaki nodded, and slid his hands up to grasp hers, holding them loosely in between them. “I got their guns away and distracted them until Kino could get the guns for herself. She killed them both.”

“I don't know what I did,” Karasuma admitted, weaving her fingers in with his, “It was like what we did with Kenshio, except…the opposite.”

“You took away their control?” Sakaki asked, eyes widening.

“Something like that,” she said quietly, closing her eyes. “It felt awful. Worse than using a gun,” she looked down, “but it was effective, and we got away.”

He sensed that thanking her for escaping, even if it used such a tactic; would be met with a reaction similar to Kino's. Instead of speaking, he reached up a hand to cradle her face, feeling her sigh into his fingers. Slowly, she opened her eyes and leaned down, kissing him softly. He closed his eyes, and her lips remained, responding and moving with his. Sliding his hands down to support her waist, he deepened the kiss, feeling her hands move to slide through his hair.

Suddenly, he turned the tables, neatly pushing her off balance and letting her fall onto the bed beside him. She gasped in surprise against his lips, but tightened her arms around his neck as he leaned over her and caught her lips again, loathe to break the contact. When he finally did, she opened her eyes slowly at first, and then they flew open in surprise as she gasped again, and he suddenly realized their precarious position. They had only kissed twice while in a hotel room. Once just before going to sleep, and once just before they left said room. This was different. Neither of them was ready for bed any time soon, and they certainly weren't planning on leaving. Their position on the bed was far from innocent. But he didn't move.

One hand frozen on her waist, he tried to clear his throat, and failed. She swallowed, and then leaned up and, almost timidly, pressed her lips to his again.

“Are you-,” he started to ask, forgetting his previous policy of not looking a gift horse in the mouth.

“Haruto,” she said, bringing one hand back from around his neck to place a finger on his lips, “don't be ridiculous.”

She smiled, and, after a moment, he returned the smile. Closing his eyes, he found her lips again, hand suddenly thawing on her waist. He let it roam for a while, still too engrossed in the sweetness of her mouth to care for much else. After a moment, his hand slid across her breasts, pausing and rubbing one through the fabric of the dress. He felt her sharp intake of breath against his lips, and smirked, finding her already hard nipple underneath the cloth and tweaking it gently. She gasped again, letting the breath out somewhat shakily. Leaning back, he disengaged her arms, laying them above her head with a soft kiss, which he deepened as he brought both hands up, stroking and tweaking her breasts. She arched into his hands, and he could hear her struggle not to cry out. She succeeded, until his mouth left hers and traveled down her neck, pressing his lips to her skin as he went. As he reached her shoulder, she drew in a quick breath, this time uttering a small sigh.

“Haruto…” He paused, glancing up to see her giving him a smoldering look. “This isn't fair,” she said, and rocked herself up, catching her hands on the hem of his shirt and tugging it over his head. She hissed as she caught sight of his sides and back, bruises and scrapes mottling the skin, and reached out one hand to caress his shoulder.

“Don't worry about it,” he said, using his free hand to cover hers, “they really don't hurt too badly.”

She chuckled, “You're probably just used to bruises. You've been accident prone since I met you.”

He laughed, leaning down and pressing his forehead to hers. They smiled at each other for a moment, and then Karasuma lightly trailed her hands down his bare back, fingers teasing him as they danced across his stomach and chest. He closed his eyes, still leaning his head on hers as she gently teased his own nipples, pinching them lightly and smoothing them, sliding her hands down his abdomen. His muscles jumped in response to her touch, tightening almost painfully.

“Miho,” he whispered, and she paused long enough for him to get his bearings back. Carefully, he put one hand under her back, urging her to sit up. She slipped off her shoes as they both moved further onto the bed, pausing when they reached the middle to gaze at each other. He reached out and pulled her against him, feeling her breath tickle his chest. Leaning down, he kissed her ear and said, “all of this, and I still haven't told you I love you today, have I?”

She smiled, he could feel the tug of her lips against his skin, “No,” she said, absently curling her fingers against his chest, “I don't mind…,” she raised herself up a few inches to look him in the face. “But it's nice to hear.” She kissed him. “I love you too.”

With another smile, he returned the kiss, lingering at her lips as he reached a hand back, finding the zipper to her dress and drawing it slowly downward. She shrugged from the straps, and the dress fell forward. The outfit had had a built-in bra, and her breasts were suddenly bared in the dim light. He couldn't help but stare for a moment, and she let him, unembarrassed.

“Haruto,” she said after a moment, nodding to the dress' hem, “could you?”

He shook himself, “Sure,” he replied, and tugged the dress towards him as she shifted, pulling it off of her. She smiled as he tossed the clothing to one side.

“That thing is pretty, but it's also uncomfortable,” she said, smiling.

He grinned, “So… you're saying you'd rather be naked?”

She blinked, and then a sly smile made it way across her features, and she reached out to hook an arm around his neck. “I think,” she said slowly, “I could be convinced.”

Sakaki chuckled and leaned her back, running his hands across her chest again. She shivered, and he leaned down, delicately taking the tip of her breast in his teeth. One hand tugging and flicking her other nipple, he gently ran his teeth against the bud in his mouth, letting it go after a moment. He ran his tongue around the top of her breast, and then switched sides, replacing his hand for his mouth, and using his other hand to make sure that both breasts received their due.

Karasuma allowed him to touch her for awhile, gasping and shivering as he went, but it appeared that she was not going to let him do all of the work. As he prepared to switch a second time, she unexpectedly grabbed him by the shoulders, urging him to bring his face to hers. He was about to ask her what she wanted, when she smirked and hooked a leg over him, flipping them over so that he landed on his back and she straddled his stomach.

“There,” she said, “how does it feel to be on the receiving end of that?”

He let out his breath in a whoosh, trying not to grin too much. “Do you see me complaining?”

“No,” she said simply, leaning down to brace her palms on his chest and kiss him lightly, “but then, neither was I.”

“So I noticed,” he said dryly, remembering the slight faux pas that had lead then to this only minutes earlier.

One side of her mouth quirked up, and her hands curled, “which brings me to why I've got you like this.”

He grinned, “and here I just thought…”

She cut him off neatly with a cool glance. He had to stifle a chuckle - he hadn't seen a look like that out of her for months, to see it in this situation was truly ironic.

Sliding one leg off of his abdomen, she glanced pointedly at his pants, still on, and mildly disfigured from the erection he had been nursing for the last fifteen minutes. “This still isn't fair,” she said, and deftly unbuttoned the khakis that Nagira had given him, helping him shrug them off. He didn't even notice that she'd grabbed the boxers as well until she leaned over him and let the clothes drop to the floor, her breast brushing his tip.

“You-,” he started, but trailed off as she ran one finger along his length. Libido heightened as it was, he had to repress a groan as she grasped him and began to move, slowly and firmly. He broke out in a sweat when she sped up slightly, hips jerking to meet her strokes. Then she slowed again, and he let out a breath, relieved that she had not tested his control too badly. But her hand was still there, fingers barely brushing him.

With a lunge, he pinned her beneath him, sliding a hand down her smooth stomach and working his fingers under the elastic of her underwear as his other hand worried her breasts again. She gasped as his fingers pushed aside wet folds of skin to stroke her. Drawing his other hand down, he worked the waist of her panties down enough so that he could reach better. Using one hand to tease her sex, he carefully slid a finger of his other hand into her. Her breath spiked, a soft keen escaping her as he moved another finger to join the first, setting up a rhythm. Karasuma's hips moved to match his hands, her breaths becoming more ragged and less controlled, until she suddenly moaned. “Haruto,” she said, voice heated.

It was a command, he knew, and with a last stroke, he halted his ministrations, leaning up to meet her gaze. Their eyes locked, frozen for a moment in the sheer enormity of their own lives. She reached up, running the back of her hand over his sweat-shined face, and, with equal gentleness, he placed a hand in her hair, his thumb smoothing the skin by her eye. Then he leaned down, pressing their lips together softly. She smiled as he pulled away, hand leaving his face to take off her underwear and push it over the side of the bed. Then she leaned back again, linking her arms around his neck. He paused, and then followed, carefully situating himself on top of her. With a last kiss, quick and hard, he pushed into her, only barely hearing the breathy squeak that she uttered. After fully burying himself in her, he stopped, reveling in the way she lay quietly gasping beneath him, hands curled in fists against his shoulders. He couldn't think of anything more beautiful.

Then he moved again, drawing himself out and slowly pushing in again, repeating. For a minute, he continued to go slowly, enjoying the friction of their bodies together. He sped up slightly, and her hips rocked to meet him, one arm unlinking from his neck to grab the sheet next to her, hand spasmodically gripping the cloth. Her breath shortened, muscles rippling with increasing frequency. With a moan, she urged him faster, and he complied, thrusting a little deeper with each pass. She felt a pull deep in her, growing stronger with each moment. It grew and solidified, blanketing her in a deep warmth that stemmed from him. She tensed, back arching involuntarily, and uttering a small moan from the back of her throat each time he pushed into her again.

And then the tension suddenly broke, catching her in throes of ecstasy. Her hand held tightly on to the sheet, gripping hard enough to turn her knuckles white as her legs clamped on to him, all of her muscles tensing and relaxing in rapid succession. She could only register one thing as she rode the sudden wave; Sakaki's breath in her ear, shortening just as hers had moments before she had lost control of it all together. Just as her body began to still, his tensed, and she sighed as he shuddered, whispering her name against the skin of her neck, panting from exertion.

As their heart beats slowed, he lifted his head and crushed his lips to hers, trapping her in a slow, sweet kiss before slowly pulling himself away from her. She did not miss his presence inside her as much as she had thought she might, perfectly content to curl up in his embrace and close her eyes. Feeling Sakaki shift the covers from under her to cover them, she moved, and then settled again. The last thing she felt was his lips brushing her cheek, and his arms pulling her closer.

~^~

Woo hoo. Smut. It took me at least six hours to write the last three pages. >.< But it was worth it.

Cheers.

Oh, and reviews would be nice, I've never done smut.