Red Rain

Disclaimer: I own nothing! Just the annoying le ple plot bunnies that bug me when I\'m sleeping, and then abandon me when I actually have time to write.

Red Rain
by Rhynn Adama


Chapter Five: I have no idea...


After the meeting, Amon took Robin back to his apartment so he could pack an overnight bag. She was using the physical therapy bars when he came out. He stopped to watch her, leaning against the doorframe while he studied her.

She’s so small, and fragile looking, but beneath that she’s so strong. I don’t think even Solomon has a clue just how powerful she could be.

“Robin.”

The girl turned, blushing in embarrassment as she caught the pointed look that was directed toward her.

“I didn’t put all my weight on it, and I’d have stopped if I felt my control slipping.”

His raised eyebrow made her lower her eyes.

Does he have to look at me like that? And why does it always make me feel like I’m 15 again. I’m 18!

“Robin.”

She looked up, and Amon chuckled as she gave a startled squeak, for while she’d been thinking he’d crossed the room and was standing close, leaning down so his face was barely a foot away from hers. Amusement tugged at the corner of his mouth.

“Shall we go?”

To her credit, Robin didn’t back away, instead grinning up at him. “Sure!”

A somewhat bewildered but very amused Amon slung Robin over his shoulder, laughing outright at her small shriek of indignation. He only laughed harder when the Orbo pendant around his neck gave a soft burble as the liquid inside boiled in response to the Craft User’s irritation. He swatted the back of her leg as he stepped out into the hall, and ordered Robin to shut and lock the door behind them.
~*~

“Well, we’re here,” Amon said, swinging her feet to the floor and supporting her as he unlocked the door to what used to be Touko and Robin’s shared apartment.

Neither one seemed inclined to step inside.

“They… remodeled it.”

“I noticed.” Amon stared at the main room. There was no remaining indication of the confrontation that had taken place so long ago. “It’s been three years. Didn’t you keep living here?”

“Of course not. I stayed at the STN-J office for a few days, then there was the attack, and you sent me to Nagira. I’ve been rooming with Doujima ever since.”

“I see.”

Not wanting to stand in the doorway all night, Amon tucked Robin to his side and swung her into the apartment.

“AMON!”

“Hmm?” He turned his back to the room, shutting and locking the door before turning to face Robin. His little witch was sprawled on the sofa where he’d tossed her, glaring at him.

“Oh, I’m sorry. Did I forget to warn you before hand?”

Green eyes narrowed further. “Amon…”

“Hmm?” Was his reply.

Robin smiled sweetly, a deceptively innocent look that had Amon frozen where he stood.

“Robin?”

“The kitchen appears to be through there,” she said, raising her hand and gesturing toward the far side of the room, where an archway separated the kitchen from the main room. “I’m hungry.”

Amon’s dark eyes rolled. Roped into making dinner. Again. “Didn’t I make dinner last night? And the night before?”

“Chicken will be fine.” Damn. The witch was smirking. Grumbling about his own stupidity, Amon made his way to the kitchen, where he grabbed a pot and filled it with water, at the same time turning the gas stove on.

He frowned. “Robin, the stove isn’t working. Do you think you could…”

He trailed off as a tiny fireball wafted past his shoulder toward the stove. Only an instant before the explosion did he hear the soft hiss of leaking gas.
~*~

“AMON!!”

Robin was on her feet, racing toward the archway that was in one instant the image of normalcy, the next a solid wall of flame.

“AMON!”

“Robin, stay there!”

She stopped, panicking as the fire continued, and Amon didn’t emerge. “Amon…”

The Orbo pendant came flying out of the flames followed a moment later by the dark haired man. He rolled to a stop at her feet, sat up, and threw his hands out toward the fire. Robin gasped as she watched the multiple strands of invisible power snake from Amon’s palms and into the flame, where it sucked the heat out of the room. Misty fog drifted along the floor around them as the fire was put out. Amon sagged against her legs a moment later, which in turn threw her off balance. She sat heavily behind him and pulled him to her.

“Amon, what—“

“My powers are completely awakened now, Robin. There’s nothing I can do. I can’t hide from STN-J anymore.” He breathed heavily, both hands now fisted and curled to his chest. “They’ll be here in just a few minutes to get me.”

“But—“

“I’m a witch now, Robin.”

“You’re still Amon. You’ve only used your powers twice, and it was to clean up after me.”

“I’m dangerous.”

“So am I.”

Amon stopped talking after that, and Robin, hoping he would listen to her just this once, pulled him more tightly to her chest.
~*~

“Karasuma,” Michael murmured softly, staring at his screen in pure shock. “I think we have a problem.”

“What is it?” The brown haired woman kicked her feet, sending her chair, with herself in it, rolling across the small space to Michael’s side.

“I’ve been monitoring the area near Amon’s apartment in hopes of locating the new witch.”

“And?”

“I think I found him.”

She waited, but when he didn’t continue she frowned. “Well?”

“I think it’s Amon.”

“What? But that’s impossible! He wears that Orbo pendant all the time! And he’s never shown signs before,” Doujima interrupted, having overheard them.

“SHH!” Hissed the hacker. “You don’t understand. Avaia’s a catalyst. She doesn’t have powers of her own; she enhances the powers of anyone around her. I think she triggered Amon’s birth.”

Karasuma blinked at him, then looked at Doujima. “Did you take that fire extinguisher to be refilled?”

“What? Oh, you mean the one from Amon’s apartment? Yeah, I took it. It was really odd, though, that the guy took it and gave me a new one.”

“Do you have it here?”

Doujima disappeared into the meeting room, where she’d stored the canister. She handed it to Karasuma. “See, it’s brand new.”

But Karasuma’s focus had gone blurry, and the extinguisher slowly rolled from her lap. Michael caught it before it fell and crushed her toes. “Miss Karasuma?”

“It’s never been used.”

“Of course not. I told you it’s brand new.”

“No. This is the same fire extinguisher. It wasn’t used. I thought the room didn’t smell right. And it doesn’t usually leave such a fine mist along the floor.”

“It was fog.” Michael, Karasuma, and Doujima looked up in surprise. They hadn’t noticed Avaia standing in the doorway to the meeting room.

“What?”

“The floor. The mist you’re describing is fog. Or air that was cooled too fast.”

“What does that mean, though? Are we looking for a weather witch or something?”

“No. His powers are the complete opposite of Robin’s. I felt it the instant he arrived when Robin had her accident. Their powers cancel each other out.”

“So you’re saying he’s what? Ice? More powerful than Robin? Dangerous? You do realize that if anyone in Solomon HQ hears about this they’ll hunt him down.”

Michael had barely finished his sentence when an alarm went off on his computer.

“What is it? What’s going on?”

“Well, that confirms it,” Michael said, staring at the computer screen. “There was just another burst of power, and this time it came from Robin’s apartment.”
~*~

“So… Amon’s powers are finally awakened,” Michael murmured. He leaned back in his chair, stretching his arms and arching his back until he heard it pop. He yawned.

“It’s not a bad thing, really. His control is rigid enough that he should be fine, and Robin needs someone who’s strong enough to keep her under control as well.”

Two soft hands settled on Michael’s shoulders, absently working at a knot in his muscles with her thumbs.

“Ah, thanks. That feels great.” He rolled his shoulders and winced as bones creaked.

“You need to get out more.”

“Ioundound to this place. I leave, and my life is forfeit.”

“You still need to get out more.” She emphasized her point by digging into his back with her fingers. “You’re stiff, and far too pale. Your body needs the sun.”

“So you’re a psychic too?”

Avaia laughed softly. “No. I just listen. Come, bring your laptop and join me in the courtyard.”

“But—“

“Chief Kosaka is out, you and I are the only ones here, and you need some sunlight.” She handed him his glasses, picked up his laptop, and headed for the courtyard. Michael had no choice but to follow.

“You aren’t exactly going to let me keep working, are you?”

“No.”

“Thank he.”
.”

Her laughter faded as the door closed behind them.
~*~

“Amon.”

“I hear them.”

Robin paused for a moment, resting her chin on Amon’s head. Neither had moved since the fire, and neither intended to move until it was absolutely necessary.

“Are you scared?”

“Yes.”

“What will they do to you?”

“I don’t know.”

Another pause.

“We could have run.”

“I know.”

The blonde haired woman shifted, tightening her arms around the man resting in her lap. Both witches held perfectly still as someone pounded on the door.

“AMON! ROBIN! OPEN UP! IT’S ME, DOUJIMA!”

Still no one moved.

There was a muffled shuffle out sound outside, before someone fumbled with the lock. It snicked and, as the lock pick caught, unlocked. The door opened a moment later.
~*~

Amon clung to Robin’s arms, holding them around him. As long as she was there wae was okay. But as the door opened, his fear turned to terror. It wasn’t Doujima or the others that scared him, nor the Factory and what it might do to him. No. It was what would happen to Robin should the Factory take him. The minute he was out of the picture Amon knew Zaizen would kill Robin. And that thought alone terrified him.

He could feel his little witch tighten her arms, and her chin resting on his head reminded him she was still there. Her presence calmed him. Doujima’s, on the other hand, put him on edge.

“Doujima.”

“We know, Amon.” She stepped into the apartment, revealing Karasuma and Sakaki behind her. Karasuma shut and locked the door, then motioned for Sakaki to set whatever he was carrying on the floor.

The fire extinguisher.

Amon swallowed hard as he stared at the damning piece of evidence.

“I suppose the Factory will be here in a few minutes.”

“No, actually, they won’t.”

“They… what? You’re taking me in yourself?”

Doujima giggled. “Honestly, Amon, relax a bit.”

“What are you talking about?”

He was completely thrown by their behavior. And Amon didn’t like not being in the loop. Robin, however, seemed to be catching on faster than he was.

“Are you trying to tell us you’re not here to Hunt Amon?”

“Of course we aren’t! We wouldn’t have brought the fire extinguisher, or dinner, if we were Hunting you!” Doujima grinned, and Karasuma held up a grocery bag.

Both witches blinked in bewildered amusement.

“Uh…”

“Do I smell gas?” Sakaki asked, having made his way to the kitchen archway. He stared at the wreckage. “Geesh, Amon. Didn’t they just get done fixing this place?”

“I wouldn’t know. I haven’t been here hreehree years.”

Sakaki frowned, glancing around a bit, before pulling the stove unit away from the wall. He hopped the counter and dropped behind the appliance. “Yeah, that’s what I thought. Karasuma, we got a sliced gas line back here. Looks like they kept the line dry until Amon turned the gas on, and that’s what started the leak.”

“Shut it off, would you, while I call the landlord. Amon, Robin, do either of you know the number?” Karasuma held her cell phone ready.

“Uh, no.”

“Here it is!” Doujima sang out from the kitchen, where she plucked a business card from the refrigerator door. “Miracle it survived.”

Karasuma dialed the number on the card. “Ah, yes, is this the landlord? A friend of mine just moved into apartment 6. Mmhmm. Yes. Robin Sena. Yes. I’m reporting that the gas line to the stove was cut. No, not split. Yes, I’m sure it was cut. The line was dry until the gas was turned on to prevent premature leakage. Yes, I turned the gas off. No, it can wait. Tomorrow? Tomorrow would be perfect. Thank you!”

Two very dazitchitches watched their coworkers bustle around the apartment, putting food together, and locating the silverware and whatnot. Those same dazed witches ate their food without really noticing what they ate, and watched their friends clean the dishes before they, waving, let themselves out.

“What the hell just happened?”

Robin blinked, holding Amon to her, as neither one had moved the entire time their friends had been there they were so stunned.

“I have no idea.”
~*~

And this chapter is in no way shape or form anywhere near what I had planned on posting. o.O I blame the camping trip I went on this weekend, which was absolutely the awesomest thing my friends and I have ever done.

Yay for chapter five being done!