Hamarr was roaring with rage as he faced their men. He knew Hunter would like to do this but he wanted Hunter to make level-headed decisions.
He made him observe as he interrogated their best troops.
"Team leaders, front and center," Hamarr beckoned to the head of each team.
They moved forward and kneeled.
"The arrow was launched from the south east part. Who was the closest?" Hamarr looked intently at each of the four captains.
"My team was near that area, Sir. As per our briefing, it wasn't covered because it was the best place to launch an attack. We wanted to avoid suspicion, sir. If the other side had eyes, they would have seen that our position was chosen for its defensive value," reported a stocky and tall man of about 40.
"I am aware of the reason, captain. I merely wanted to ask why nobody detected the attack. Didn't we predict the possibility of an accidental attack from both sides? That is why a sensory specialist was placed on each team," Hamarr asked in a voice seething with controlled anger. He did see that the men followed the instructions to the letter but failure is a failure.
"Nobody did, sir. The one who did it was probably more skilled than us."
"A convenient excuse. Alright, Duren, come up with a suitable punishment. You are all dismissed!" said a visibly irritated Hamarr.
"Me?" Duren pointed at himself.
"Yes, you. It was your lapse, after all. Oh yeah, before I forget, please join them. It might do wonders on their camaraderie if they see their general sharing the pain with them."
Duren walked away grumbling.
"So what now?" he asked Hunter as they walked towards Hunter's office.
"Sadao didn't strike me as a schemer," said Hunter, contemplative.
"Looks are deceiving," Hamarr reminded him.
"The arrow was true. It was not a scheme. Somebody did want to kill him and blame us for it," Hunter said.
"The timing can never be better. It suggests a traitor," Hamarr observed.
"But from which side?" Hunter mused.
"Until we know for sure, let this be between us and the generals. Root out the traitor silently. I need to get in touch with Saki," he added.
"That might not be the best course of action for now. Saki's trust in you is at an all-time low and if Sadao did not stage that one, he might just execute you on the spot," Hamarr pointed out.
"Then if the traitor is on their side, knowing what we know is again tantamount to negligence and if I wanted to show them our sincerity, watching from the sidelines is not the best way to do it," Hunter looked pained.
"When you get out between the rock and the hard place, let me know," Hamarr grinned.
"You are enjoying my predicament, aren't you?" Hunter accused.
He opened the door to his office and slowly sat down on his chair. He gestured for Hamarr to take the seat nearest him.
Hamarr turned serious
"Would you be open to suggestions?" he asked Hunter.
"Why do you even need to ask?" Hunter leaned back in his chair.
"Because you might not like it," Hamarr said blandly.
"Then why suggest it at all? Hunter looked exasperated.
"We know that the hidden tail is within their organization. Why not call it?" Hamarr suggested.
"We only recently detected its presence. Are you sure that would be wise? We need to ascertain that his or her awakening is complete. We might just stir the pot unnecessarily. I will call the tail but not now. We have to solve it in such a way that they would understand. No more trying to deceive Saki," Hunter said resolutely.
Hamarr was looking at him closely and the older guy suddenly smiled.
"What?" Hunter did not like Hamarr's knowing grin. He coughed uncomfortably and tried to hide his blushing.
"Nothing. Shall I call the generals?" Hamarr changed the subject. He knows Hunter did not like being cornered.
There was a respectful but firm tap on the door.
Tam was there. His expression was grave.
He immediately went inside, plopped on a chair and crossed his legs.
"Somebody blew up one of our warehouses," Tam reported in a calm voice that belied his troubled face.
"Who investigated?" Hamarr asked.
"Damos did. Our CCTVs were clean but security got a call before the hit," Tam answered.
"What did the caller say?" Hunter asked in an even voice.
"'Your boss crossed the line. Consider this a warning.' Then he hung up. The explosion came seconds later," Tam relayed.
"Was anyone hurt?"
The question renewed Tam's admiration for Hunter.
"One guard. The bomb was placed hurriedly near the backdoor. The perpetrator timed the changing of the guards and the one that was hurt was the reliever. The outgoing guard was already looked into. Damos is very thorough," Tam assured Hunter.
The latter nodded.
"Tell me when you find out more. For the meantime, double the number of guards in all our businesses. We should not assume that the Homuras are involved but I would not discount the possibility. Keep tabs on them, though," Hunter instructed his two generals.
"Hamarr, call the meeting."
----------------------------------------
Meanwhile, Saki and Sadao were arguing.
"I did not say 'declare war', Uncle," Saki berated her Uncle who, in turn, balefully looked at her.
"No, you did not and you didn't have to. I did what I did to protect the family, Saki. Hunter must know one way or another not to treat us lightly," Sadao fumed.
"On the other hand, I didn't think they were that stupid to even consider harming you, Uncle."
Saki paced in front of her uncle's table much to his consternation.
"It baffled me as well, Saki. the way our conversation went, you wouldn't think that Hunter would resort to that. I sensed nobility in him," Sadao admitted.
"It's the suit, I bet," Saki smirked.
"No, Saki. you can see it in his whole manner. The conversation revealed a lot about Hunter and open disrespect for the Homuras was not one of them," Sadao chose to ignore Saki's juvenile attempt at humor.
"Are you still trying to match us up, Uncle?" Saki teased.
"Water always finds the way of least resistance," Sadao proclaimed sagely but Saki laughed directly on her uncle's face.
The phone rang and Sadao raised a finger to Saki, signalling her to wait as he took the call.
It was brief but Saki can see that Sadao's jaw clenched in anger. When he faced her, his face was stony.
"One of our biggest shipments got sunk. Witnesses saw several persons in black riding away in a speedboat. Nobody died but we lost a lot from that," Sadao brought his fist down on the table.
"Is it the Fox, Uncle?" Saki's mind was reeling. Why would Hunter do this?
"It's too early to tell. It also doesn't make sense. Why attack us indirectly if it was Hunter? He didn't get to answer my last question to him but I had a hunch that he would not answer in the negative. This could not be them," Sadao sighed deeply.
"It's true we have other enemies but the recent incident places them quite close to the heart of this matter," Saki said.
"My mind tells me to act against them but my instinct is asking me to wait," Sadao voiced his indecision much to the surprise of Saki.
"Maybe your mind is clouded by your affection towards him, Uncle. I know Hunter can be charming but so does a starving cat," Saki pressed her lips together when she remembered that Hunter never cared about her at all; only focused on his disgusting goals.
"It might not be my mind that is clouded but I shall look into it carefully. A war with the Wolves is not something to take lightly," Sadao said and Saki understood his other meaning. She looked down to hide her embarrassment at being found out.
"Will you summon the council Uncle?" Saki said with a sinking feeling.
"I shall handle this matter alone. If something is to happen to me, the council and the clan shall not be held liable. Be careful, Saki. This whole fiasco with Hunter was centered around you. Hunter is a practical man; he will not back away from a war but he will avoid it if he can by doing the most straightforward thing," Sadao warned.
"You mean kidnap me? Uncle, he could have kept me secretly when I was drugged to oblivion." Saki laughed nervously. She cursed herself silently for being excited at the thought. She pushed all foolishness aside and looked at Sadao with all seriousness.
"That's what confuses me about this whole thing, too. All the more reason to be careful Saki. Something tells me that there is an unseen variable here that is why Hunter will act drastically to avoid an all out war. If I were him, this is what I would do," Sadao brushed his hair with his hand. He looked so tired.
"Very well, Uncle. I will be careful," she promised.
"I will go to the shrine to meditate, Saki. I want you to come with me. I sense that my position as the clan leader shall be put to question in the near future. I want you to see how I tried my best to be worthy of that," Sadao said solemnly.
Saki felt sympathy towards the old man but she didn't say anything.
The image of a living flame flashed in her mind and the world was soon engulfed by it.
She left Sadao's office shaken and unsure of the future.