“Hunter or The Hunted”
Chapter 12


Days pasted turning into weeks as the group found themselves drawing closer to the mission date. Christine had returned from the states with the good news that Sebastian was in on the mission and Weiss and Dragonfly found them selves becoming more involved with one another as friends and as lovers.

It was first thing on a Saturday morning and Christine was out in the dojo working out trying to relieve some of the stress that had been building up on her over the last few days. Christine was using her real swords as she worked out. The morning sun had not even risen yet to welcome the day as the only light that shone in the dojo was the moon light and the two candles Christine had lit in the far corners of the dojo.

Christine had company as Ken stood in the shadows of the doorway; Christine was so into her workout and her thoughts she did not even care he was standing there watching her. Christine finally lowered herself to her knees laying her swords in front of her each hilt face the opposite of the other. Christine slowly bows over her swords her hands almost touching her knees.

With one quick thrust she flipped herself forward over her swords landing on her feet no sooner then she touched the floor she flipped herself back over her swords again she extended her arms grabbing the swords that laid beneath her, nothing of her body touched the floor. Christine landed on her feet again as she quickly went into her workout again, flipping and turning, lunging and blocking as if she was in a real fight defending her life.

When she had finished the sun was finally kissing the morning sky. Christine could hear the birds singing and it sounded like someone was moving around in the kitchen in their house. She went to each candle and blew them out, she walks from the dojo crossing over the bridge as she saw Ken standing on the back patio with the teapot and two teacups sitting on the patio table. Ken smiled at her as he offered her a chair at the table. Christine smiles walking the rest of the way to the house Ken pulls out a chair for her as she took a seat at the table Ken sits across from her pouring her and himself a cup of tea.

Christine takes a sip of her tea as she hears Ken ask, “Where did you learn how to fight like that Christine? Your technique is quite remarkable.”

Christine looks at Ken as she says, “I was taught by many people and when they told me they could teach me no more I combined all my training and made my own technique.”

“Who taught you the two-sword method?” Ken asks.

“My late boyfriend Tristan he was a master at it for his young age he taught the two-sword method to me. After his passing Brad finished training me.” Christine told him.

“Brad from Schwartz knows how to fight with a sword?” Ken questioned. “I do not think I have ever seen him with a sword in his hand.”

“Brad is an avid sword fighter, but he would rather fight with his hands.” Christine tells Ken.

“And you… how would you rather fight Christine?” Yohji asks walking out on the patio with them teacup in hand.

Christine turns smiling as she says, “Good morning Yohji.” Christine watches Yohji as he walks over to the table poring himself a cup of tea and taking a seat with them, “In all reality I would rather not fight at all Yohji.”

Yohji nods as he says, “I can understand that fully.” Yohji takes a sip of his tea. “I myself am a lover not a fighter.”

Ken laughs as he says, “Yeah well you gave that life up when you gave your heart to Stac.”

“Just because I gave my heart to Stac does not mean that statement does not still work. I am just the lover of one instead of many.” Yohji says smiling at them.

Christine starts to chuckle as she says to Ken, “He does have a point there.”

“Maybe at the top of his head and that’s about all.” Ken says chuckling with Christine.

“Hey now!” Yohji exclaims, “Be nice it is too early for that. I cannot come back as quick.”

Christine chuckles as she says, “Aww Yohji you know we love ya.”

“Not as much as I love you.” Aya says standing behind Christine as he places his hands on her shoulder. Christine lifts her hand setting it on Aya’s she leans her head back looking up at him as he moves down kissing her.

“Morning babe.” Aya says taking her hand walking around her to sit next to her.

“Good morning, did you want some tea?” Christine asks him.

“Yeah that would be nice.” Aya says. Christine stands to go inside to get him a teacup as Stacey walks out with one for her and for Aya.

She handed Christine the cup as Stacey said, “I started more tea as well I thought we might need it soon with us all out here.” Christine nods filling Aya’s cup and handing it to him as she takes her seat with them. Stacey fills her cup and sits on Yohji’s laps.

“So what are we all talking about out here?” Stacey asks.

“Different things,” Ken says.

“So no talk of the mission, huh?” Stacey says.

Everyone looks at each other around the table as Christine says, “It is two weeks away… Sebastian will be here next weekend. I think there will be so much talk of it that week no one wants to talk about it now.”

“Too much talk of it will cause bad luck.” Aya says.

Christine smiles at Aya as she says, “Please tell me you do not believe that Ran.”

Aya smiles raising his brow as he says, “It sounds good anyway.”

Christine and the others chuckle, “Well I know for a fact this mission will go off without a hitch.” Yohji says.

“Same here this mission is going to be so cut and dry.” Ken says.

“As long as everyone remembers what they are doing. We will have no problems... Chris?!” Stacey says.

Everyone looks at Christine wonder what Stacey was getting at as Christine says, “I know what I have to do and I will do it and no one will stop me.” Christine says in a hateful cold tone.

“Chris you know as well as I do that he is not going to be at the compound.” Stacey says.

“No he won’t he will be at the reserve and he will be the first I take down.” Christine says in the same cold tone.

The others watch Christine and Stacey talk back and forth as Aya asks, “May I asks what you two are talking about?”

Christine became quiet as Stacey sighs she says, “Tristan’s killer…”

“I thought he was dead all ready.” Ken says, “At least that is what Susie told me.”

“One of them is…” Stacey says looking at Christine. “The other is still at large and he is the main leader of Sacred Hearts. He is Matthew Andrews and very well known in America and known as someone you do not mess with or death is soon to follow you. He is a master of the two-sword technique and no one has ever been able to even draw blood on him he is so good… Well no one but Chris so far.”

Ken looks at Christine, “So that is why you have been training yourself so hard the last few days.” Ken says with a worried tone.

Aya looks at Ken and then at Christine as he asks in an upset tone, “When have you been doing this?”

Christine still sits silent as Ken says, “Every morning and in the evening, pretty much Aya… since she got back from the states.”

Aya looks at Christine with a worried look as he asks, “Chris is this true?”

Christine looks at Aya; she says in an ice-cold tone and her eyes change to their ice blue, “I have to defeat him… I HAVE TO KILL HIM, for what he did to Tristan he must die.”

Christine gets up from her chair grabbing her swords and making her way toward the dojo Aya jumps up from his seat as he grabs Christine’s arm and stops her turning her to look at him as he says, “We are a team Chris we can defeat him together. Please tell me you will not go after him alone?”

“I will do it myself… I will kill this man and bring peace to Tristan’s soul finally.” Christine pauses for a few minutes as she continues saying. “Rosary…”

Aya looks at Christine confused as he says, “What did you say?”

“Rosary… It means to Root out… To Eradicate, Eliminate, and Obliterate. This is what I will do to this man… I will cast his evil being to the pits of hell where he belongs he does not deserve to live for what he did to his own brother.”

Aya dropped his hand from Christine’s arm shocked by what she said, as were all the others, all but Stacey.

Christine walked away from Aya going to the dojo as she walks away her words trail behind her as she says, “Rosary… Rosary is what we will be called.”

Aya stepped toward Christine to go after her as Stacey says, “Leave her be Aya… Now is not the time to be messing with her. You will only make it worse.”

Aya turns looking at Stacey and then looking back at Christine as she disappeared over the bridge and into the dojo.

Aya turns walking back to the table looking at Stacey as he says, “I want to know what happen to Tristan, and I want to know everything.”

Aya takes his seat again as Stacey says, “I can only tell you what I have been told Aya that is it.” Aya nods in agreement to her as Stacey tells them the story of how Tristan met his end.

“Well as you all know Chris, Tristan, and Brad have known one another since they were young and of course Matt being Tristan’s older brother he has known Chris and Brad just as long. It all started when Brad got the idea of starting up Schwartz, Brad talked Tristan into help him get it started and it went over big. Meanwhile Tristan’s brother was in an organization of his own.”

“Sacred Hearts…” Ken says.

Stacey nods as she continues, “Matt wanted Tristan his only brother in on it to help. Tristan told Matt no, he and Brad had Schwartz and he was happy being there with his friend. While Schwartz was getting bigger as Schuldich and Fararello joined in, they started become very well known in the crime syndicate. Not only by name, but also for the power they held over the others. As time went on Sacred Hearts was not only getting a bad name by us, but by the crime syndicates as well. Everyone wanted Matt shut down and as soon as possible.”

“So I guess Schwartz thought that they needed to do this because Matt and Tristan were brothers?” Yohji asks.

“Yes and No…” Stacey said looking at Yohji, “They wanted in yes, but another group started it all with Sacred Hearts. They just ask Schwartz to join them in bringing them down.”

“So was Sacred Hearts getting that strong that quick?” Aya asks.

“Another yes and no Aya… Everyone knew what Sacred Hearts was doing and knew it was wrong. So they just wanted them out of the way once and for all.” Stacey told him.

“So what happen when Schwartz and this other group went after Sacred Hearts?” Ken asks.

“They killed everyone involved but Matt and one other guy.” Stacey says.

“Tristan’s two killers…” Aya said.

Stacey nods as she hangs her head; she looks back up at them as she says, “It happened at Brad’s house… Matt and this other guy, I think his name was Adam, went to Brad’s house looking for Schwartz after they had already killed the other group. When they had arrived at Brad’s house, they only found Tristan and Brad and the fight was on. Chris was in the house with Nagi he was still just a boy then, hell Chris was only 15.”

“Was Christine part of ESAT then?” Yohji asks. Stacey nods, “So did she know about Tristan and Brad being in Schwartz?”

“Chris knew from the very beginning about Schwartz the guys wanted her to join them and she would not.” Stacey replies.

“Then why did she join ESAT if she knew she would have to hunt her friends?” Ken asks.

“That one I am not really sure of Ken she was 13 when she joined ESAT.” Stacey tells him. “Brad told me one day it was because we all have our own calling in life. God gave us all a certain path to follow and Chris’s path was with ESAT not with Schwartz.” Stacey said.

“Brad talking about our chosen paths and God that seems a little out there to me.” Ken says.

“Brad is a good guy Ken and he has a good heart and I am glad he and the others finally found the right path to walk. They were just young back then and went a stray for awhile.” Stacey says.

“Either way what happen when Chris seen what was going on at Brad’s?” Aya asks.

“She went to help them… However, by the time Chris got outside to them, Brad was already gone or so she thought and so did Matt and the other guy. Chris was in such a panic she did not check Brad to see if he was still alive, she said all she could think of was helping Tristan she said it was two on one and Tristan was hurt bad. She grabbed Tristan’s wakazashi that Matt knocked from Tristan’s hand while they were fighting. Chris went after the one guy leaving Matt and Tristan to fight. Chris injured the guy pretty bad she said, so she went to help Tristan knowing he could not beat his brother. Matt got a good hit on Chris knocking her back, but Chris said she went right back at Matt and was able to run Tristan’s wakazashi into Matt’s side. Matt turned on her knocking her to the ground and when he did Tristan went after Matt, but Matt was to quick and so was the other guy Matt drove his katana into Tristan’s heart as the other guy got Tristan in the back stabbing Tristan through the lung. Tristan fell to his death at Chris’s side.”

“So I guess the katana and wakazashi that Christine carries at her side is Tristan’s?” Ken asks.

“Not the katana that is now Brad’s, but the wakazashi Christine carries is Tristan’s.” Stacey says, “Chris promised Tristan before he died she would take Matt’s head for what he had done to him.”

“Now I understand that move Christine has been working on the last few days.” Ken replies.

Stacey smiles as she says, “The one where she kneels in front of her swords?” Ken nods as Stacey says, “With her reverse blade katana and wakazashi in her hand on the second flip back that attack cannot be stopped she will cleave Matt’s head and she has it to such an art that she can even be off by a few seconds of the other persons attack and still deliver the crucial blow. Matt will die and there will be no stopping her and I suggest when the time comes you stay away and out of the fight. Fararello has taught her how to shut down all feelings within her so she feels no pain. When she is like this, she cannot distinguish friend from foe and you could get yourself hurt or even killed trying to help her.”

“They have made a demon out of her!!” Aya exclaims.

“Yes they have Aya and that is the way Chris wanted it. When she is angered it is best to stay away from her.” Stacey tells him.

“Like the night Yohji and I went after Schwartz here in the dojo?” Ken says.

“That was only the tip of the iceberg Ken it goes much deeper then that.” Stacey says.

“Her eyes were a freaking looking blue that night.” Yohji says.

“Chris’s eyes turn to such an ice blue when she is in this trance that you cannot tell the whites of her eyes from the color.” Stacey says.

“And have you seen her like this before?” Aya asks Stacey.

Stacey lifts her pajama shirt baring her stomach as a long scar shown across it as she says, “Once… we all have and Susie and I both wear a scar from her because of it.”

“What about Jen?” Ken asks.

“Jen was the one she was trying to save when it happened. She is the only one without a scar from that night.” Stacey tells them.

“So tell me does Brad know that Matt is also in on the killing of Tristan?” Aya asks.

“Yes he does and he told Chris he would let her have Matt.” Stacey says.

“That's crazy Stacey and you know it… Do you really believe Chris is going to be able to stop or even kill Matt?” Aya questioned in an angered tone.

Stacey in full confidence looks at Aya as she says, “Yes I do…”

Aya very angered at this time gets to his feet as he says, “I will not let her do this. I will not let her charge in there, and get herself killed by this man. I WONT LET HER DO IT!!”

Aya turns storming across the bridge straight to the dojo as Stacey jumps up going after him she yells out, “Aya she has her swords in there with her. If you go in there right now with her being like this you will get yourself killed!” Yohji and Ken quickly get to their feet going after Stacey and Aya.

Aya gets to the dojo entryway as he stops watching Christine pushing herself to the point of no return in her workout. Aya walks in taking a katana from the wall as he steps on the mat walking toward her. Stacey, Yohji, and Ken burst in the dojo just as Aya steps up to Christine.

Yohji sees Christine spin around toward Aya as Ken screams out, “AYA LOOK OUT!!”

Aya squats down kicking one leg out to his side as he rolls to Christine’s left coming up beside her. Just as Christine spins again bringing both blades in a cross swipe at Aya’s chest as Aya jumps back the tip of her katana catches his shirt cutting into it.

Aya keeps eye contact with her and watches her every move as he says, “Listen to me Chris, you cannot do this alone.”

Christine attacks Aya again this time she cuts into Aya’s shirtsleeve as she hears Aya say, “I will not let you go after Matt alone.”

Christine steps back from Aya as she raises her wakazashi above her head and lowers her katana down to her side. Stacey knows this attack and knows Aya is about to be seriously injured as she runs grabbing the other katana and wakazashi from the wall Stacey herself joins the fight.

Stacey makes it to Aya just in time to shove him out of the way, as Christine unleashed a series of blows from both her katana and wakazashi, as Christine lunged at Stacey, it took everything Stacey had to block her and keep her from cutting her. Christine flipped over Stacey as she saw Aya get to his feet. Aya saw Christine cross her swords in the flip as she came from the flip she pulled the sword together as Aya raised his katana pulling it between Christine’s blades as the three blades came crashing together Christine’s ready to cleave Aya’s head.

Aya stood there with his eyes locked with Christine’s, as Aya says in a calm tone, “I love you Chris and I do not want to lose you to this man and I know you love me and do not want to do this so please stop.”

Christine stood looking into Aya’s eyes as she dropped her arms and her swords to her side she turns walking from the dojo as Yohji and Ken step out of her way so she may past.

“Stay out of my way Ran if you interfere in the fight with me a Matt. I will not hastate to bring you down with him.” Christine tells Aya walking from the dojo.

Aya finally drops his arm to his side as the katana hits the floor beside him. Aya falls to his knees as he says, “What have they done to you?”

Stacey goes to Aya’s side as she places her hand on Aya’s back she says, “She is a demon when she is in that trance Aya and very dangerous to us, to you and to herself. Do not get in her way again or she will kill you it does not matter if she loves you or not.”

Aya gets to his feet picking up the katana he goes hanging it back on the wall. He walks from the dojo not saying a word to any of them. Stacey walks behind Aya stopping at Yohji and Ken’s side as they watch Aya walk down the path to the house.

“I have never seen someone fight with such rage against a friend or someone they loved.” Ken says.

Stacey looks at Ken as she says, “Do not judge Chris by what you just saw Ken. Chris is a gentle person and has a heart of gold, but when she is like this, she is a very different person.” Stacey, Yohji, and Ken head back to the house.

When they reach the patio taking their seats Aya comes out of the back door with a worried look on his face as he exclaims, “Chris is gone she is no where in the house and her car is gone!”

“Is that a good thing Stacey?” Yohji asks her in a shocked tone.

Just then, Jen and Omi walk out the back door as Jen says, “Calm down Aya she only went to the church.”

Aya turns quickly looking at Jen as he asks her, “And you know this how?”

“She told me and Omi as she walked out of her room.” Jen says.

Stacey looks at Aya as she says, “When she comes back later Aya. Get her out of this house and away from everything for the rest of the day. No talk about anything that has to do with Sacred Hearts or even Tristan for that fact.”

“Great that’s why CC looked the way she did. Who brought Tristan and Sacred Hearts together that was a real stupid move on their part.” Jen exclaims.

Yohji, Ken, and Aya look at Stacey as Jen shakes her head saying, “Stacey you know better then that. Why did you do that?”

“Because we girls know why Chris wants Sacred Hearts brought to an end so badly. Aya and the others needed to know as well. You know as well as I do Jen when Chris goes into that trance she is dangerous and if they was to try to help her you know what could happen to them.” Stacey replies.

“But still Stac it could have been done without CC hearing it.” Jen says.

“Maybe Jen, but if we all can talk to her about it….”

“HAHAHAHA… your funny Stac… talk to CC about this… It enrages her every time it is brought up you know that.” Jen said interrupting Stacey.

“I will talk to her about it if I have to tie her to a chair to do it.” Aya says.

Jen laughs again as she says, “You better chain her and have a gun with you, because if she gets free, she will rip your head off.”

“I do not care I know I can get her to listen to me if I can just talk to her about it.” Aya says.

Jen pats Aya on the back as she says, “Good Luck Aya you will need it and God be with you. Because he will be about the only person that can and could stop CC when she gets like that.” Susie walks out just then as Aya’s eyes light up with an idea.

“That’s it…”Aya says, “I can talk to her in the church.” Aya runs from the patio as Stacey goes to stop him.

Yohji grabs Stacey’s arm, shaking his head as he says, “Let him go you are not going to stop him once he has his mind set to something.”

“But Yohji…” Stacey says.

“Aya has a point Stac, CC might keep her cool at the church and talk about this. You know how she is with the God thing and all.” Jen says.

“Maybe… but I still feel like there might be trouble.” Stacey says.

“And Aya can deal with it. He started it he can finish it with her.” Ken says as he slides his arm around Susie’s hips. Stacey nods her head with an uneasy look in her eyes.

“By the way…” Stacey tells the ones that just joined them, they all look at Stacey as she says, “We have a name for our group.”

“What is it?” Susie asks Stacey.

“Rosary…”



Hunter or The Hunted Chapter 13