Robin yawned as she looked at the clock on the wall. It was 3 o' clock in the morning. She buried her face in her arms and slumped against her desk.
"Robin." Michael said. "This is not the time to be sleeping."
"Gomen." the girl apologized and sat up straight. Amon was briefing the team on the newest case. He looked at Robin for a moment then turned away. Robin frowned.
The meeting continued. All the others knew the gravity of the case. The witch they were hunting was very aggressive. Already, three women had been killed. It was important that they get to the witch before he struck again, the police were going to be involved soon and they had to act fast.
Mitsuki Yoshino, age 25
Motoko Kaneshiro, age 27
Yuko Hayashibara, age 29
"These were the victims. In all cases, they seem to have been suffocated. All three were on their honeymoon." Michael said as he tapped on his keyboard.
Robin looked up from her station. "New brides?"
Karasuma frowned. "All the crimes happened in the same classy resort. There were attempts to cover up the crimes because the resort's management didn't want the bad publicity."
This was going to be difficult, Amon guessed, uncooperative witnesses, if any, and cover-ups. It was best that they went in unoticed.
Robin shifted uncomfortably in her dress. It was sleeveless, backless and shorter than her everyday attire, pretty, but Robin felt that it was just not her .This was Zaizen's plan too, and no one could question it. She and Amon would pose as a married couple to lure the witch out.
Again the blond girl tugged at the hem of her dress. It stopped just above the knees, far too short for Robin's taste.
"Will you stop fidgeting?" Amon said as he glanced at her. "You will look conspicuous if you keep doing that."
Robin looked at Amon quizzically. What was his problem? So she put her hands on her lap obediently and looked outside. They were arriving at the resort now, and it was almost noon, the hot midday sun burning down on Amon's car.
"It's nice here." Robin commented as they drove through the main gate. Arches of climbing roses soared over the gate, English-style gardens stretched on either side of the paved driveway, there was even a large fountain replete with Greek goddesses and urns.
"It is." even Amon agreed.
"Wow!" Sakaki enthused over the speaker connected to both Amon and Robin, it also had a camera, so everyone could see the place also. "You guys are so lucky!"
"Let me see!" Robin and Amon heard Dojima say.
A porter opened the door for Robin while Amon handed his keys to the valet. They walked together towards the main villa.
"Robin."
"Yes?"
"Newlyweds don't usually walk this far from each other." Amon remarked coolly, trying to keep his composure. He did not like the idea of posing as a married couple with Robin, but what's worse was he was actually going to have to remind his partner that they should act as such. But if he did this Robin might start to have strange ideas.
Robin stopped walking and blinked. Case in point, Amon thought as he surveyed her slightly bewildered expression.
"If we are going to do this, we had better do this right and get it over with, am I understood?" the young man said gruffly.
Robin nodded. "Okay." she said. How does he expect me to know these things? I grew up in a convent. Robin thought crossly to herself but said nothing. Amon was so impossible.
Amon sighed and held out his arm to her. The girl looked at him for a moment then linked her arm with his. To Robin's and Amon's dismay, they fit perfectly.
After lunch, they were escorted to their room by a butler. It was on the third floor of the villa, with perfect views of the sea on one side and the mountains on the other was afforded by the large windows with white lacy curtains so thin they could almost float in the breeze. It was the most perfect honeymoon spot in the world.
"Robin, did you forget your glasses?" Amon asked.
Robin sat down on a large stuffed chair and looked at Amon, wondering what the serious young man was thinking. He always looked like he was contemplating something deep, dark and mysterious. He was also always so alert and never wanted to be unprepared.
"No." Robin said "I didn't forget them."
"Amon." Michael's voice came over the speaker. "We have a new lead. The husband of one of the victims, Hayashibara Yuko is there right now. You can check him out. I'm sending you his data. Also, Mitsuki Yoshino's husband was also located. Karasuma and Sakaki are interviewing him right now."
"Thanks." Amon said
Hayashibara, Kenji age 30, stockbroker...
Amon read the data, there was nothing remarkable about the man, except that his new bride just died mysteriously. Yuko died by suffocation, there were witnesses, accounts said that as soon as she started losing her breath, they had a doctor called, unfortunately, even he could do nothing as she just expired before their eyes. All the other cases were similar. It was most likely a witch's doing.
"Amon." Robin said gently. She had been studying the case from her laptop as well for the past three hours. All that was left to do now was to interview Mr. Hayashibara or wait for the witch to strike. Whichever came first.
He looked up at her from the data.
"How will we..." Robin hesitated "...sleep tonight?"
Dinner was a quiet affair on the veranda, so the guests could enjoy the evening sea breeze. Dimly lit candles perched on high candlelabras, set on the immaculate linen tablecloth. The food was sumptuous and the wine was superb. But all Amon could see was Robin. Right in front of him. She definitely did not look her age in that dress.
Robin blushed as she noticed Amon looking at her in a way he never looked at her before. It was an odd...strangely exhilarating feeling that made her feel powerful and vulnerable at the same time. Definitely not good.
"Robin." Amon nearly growled at her from across the table. He had come down to the dinner area before her so she could dress up on her own. Now when this beautiful, infuriating fire goddess came down, walked towards him and sat down across him, he nearly had a nosebleed then and there.
"Wear something more conservative next time." Amon half-scolded. He was well aware that Robin had turned the heads of at least half of the room.
Robin nodded, and suddenly a strong breeze snuffed out all the candles. A few seconds later they all flared up at least two feet high. The astonished guests were too shocked to react, later on they chuckled good-naturedly at the "modern technology" of the facility. The staff could only nod nervously.
"Robin." Amon was getting rather annoyed. Now she uses her powers.
"I'm sorry." Robin apologized. "It just flared up like that." She frowned a little. "It wasn't like I meant to."
Amon made a dismissive gesture. "Just don't do that again." he muttered. "Now eat." he ordered
"Oh, shoot." This was great. Just great. Leave Robin alone for a few moments, and now this. Amon had left Robin alone for approximately 10 minutes, looking for Mr. Hayashibara. When he returned, the blond craft-user was reduced to a slightly woozy, tipsy drunk person. Taking into consideration that she probably never had an ounce of alcohol in her life before this.
He scowled at the bartender as he scooped up Robin in his arms. At least she wasn't vomiting or anything. The damn bartender even winked at him. "Enjoy your night, sir." he said. If Amon had been so inclined, the man would probably be missing two teeth by now.
Amon froze as Robin stirred against his chest. "Amon.."