Chapter 1: When He Was a Boy

Amon looked out the window of his apartment and sipped his hot coffee. He leaned back in the chair and then heard some pots and pans fall. Amon got up grabbing the cane given to him.

" I'm alright," Karasuma's voice came from the kitchen

He sighed and sat down and then Karasuma walked out carrying a plate.

" Had a little trouble?" Amon questioned

" You have a disaster waiting to happen," Karasuma said

Amon gave a smile as she sat the plate down in front of him.

" A smile, something I never thought I'd see," Karasuma said

" Don't read into it," Amon stated

Karasuma nodded and then handed him everything.

" Don't worry about a thing Amon, get better alright," she said, " It goes to show that you needed the time off."

Amon looked at the meal Karasuma prepared and tasted it and found her cooking was much like his own mother's. He leaned back and Karasuma looked at him, she walked back into the kitchen and came back with his medicine.

" I don't need that," Amon said, " My leg isn't in pain."

" Your stubbornness is what's going to kill you," Karasuma said, " Please, for once in your life take it."

Amon sighed and took the medicine and looked at Karasuma.

" Why are you taking care of me?" Amon asked

" Because, you don't know how to take care of yourself," Karasuma whispered, " plus I know how that kind of surgery is a pain to deal with on your own."

" Don't you have a life of your own?" Amon stated

" Don't you know your still my boss and I take care of my boss," she said, " Now drink up."

Amon downed the medicine and sipped the water that was beside him.

" Now, I'll get back onto my life," Karasuma said, " No, Alcohol, no other medicines and no stress."

" I know," Amon said

Karasuma smiled and knelt down next to Amon's side and kissed his head.

" Your 26 years old and still need a woman's care," Karasuma said

" Go home Miho," Amon said, " And tell that husband of yours not to be late tomorrow."

" Your getting impatient for your age," Karasuma said, " Sakaki will be on time. I'll make sure."

Karasuma lifted her jacket from the back of Amon's sofa and walked out. Amon finished then just relaxed. He leaned back and closed his eyes staring into the blackness of his mind to his past.

Past

" Amon, wake up," a soft voice said

Two hands gently shook him awake, but as stubborn as he was he refused.

" Come on Amon," the soft voice said

" I don't want too," Amon moaned

" He's tiered just leave him here," a man's voice said

" I prefer that he comes home, you know him," the soft voice said

Once again the pair of hands shook him gently.

" Sweet heart," the soft voice said

" I got it, why don't you stay here tonight, that way you don't have to make the trip tonight," the man's voice said

Amon opened his eyes and saw the shadows of his parents talking. He didn't want to leave just yet.

" I don't know," his mother said

" It'll be fine Seiko, Amon's tiered he needs his rest," his father's voice said

His mother sighed and nodded. She looked at Amon and walked over to him. She kissed his cheek and smiled.

" Sleep tight," she whispered

By the next morning Amon opened his eyes and saw the frost on the apartment window. He sat up forgetting he wasn't at home and slightly a little scared. He got up and ran out the door and heard laughter in the kitchen. Amon walked in rubbing the sleep from his eyes, and looked up to see his mom talking to his father.

" Ah, there he is," his father said

Amon walked over to the table and climbed up into the chair.

" What do you want for breakfast little man?" his father asked

Amon shrugged and his father shook his head.

" How about some good old fashion eggs and toast?" his father questioned

Amon looked at his mother and she nodded and Amon gave a nod. His father fixed up some eggs and whistled for the dogs, that his father kept. The two hounds came running in to clean up the pots, but their first priority was to greet the awaken Amon. Jumping and barking and Amon jumped down and petted the two dogs.

" Alright you hounds come here and clean," his father said

They ran off and Amon sat back down as his father sat a plate down. Amon ate the freshly cooked eggs and finished them off with toast.

" Amon, it's Saturday don't forget we're going to visit Grandma, so we can't stay long," his mother said

" I know," Amon said, " We have a tight schedule."

" Why don't you leave him here while you visit your mother?" his father said

" Roku, we can't mess up a schedule," his mother said

" Sure you can, the boy deserves some fun, plus he's got his brother to play with," his father said

Amon got up and left the table and changed into nice clothes. He sighed and walked out carrying the bag with his school uniform in it. His mom cleaned up and grabbed her things, then looked at Amon's father.

" So, when does she come back into town?" she asked

" Tomorrow, she doesn't know about us Seiko why are you worried?" his father asked

" I have the right to be, have you told her about Amon?" his mother said

" No, I haven't Seiko, I don't have the time to tell her everything. You got to understand that," he said

" Roku, he's your son….he needs a father figure that will be in his life. After all its been four years. How long are we going to be able to keep hiding?" Amon's mother asked

Amon sighed and leaned against the wall, and then took a deep breath.

" I'm ready to go mom," Amon said calling

" Alright, then let's go," she said

Amon walked out and his mother grabbed his hand. Amon looked at his father and waved.

" Come back and see me alright Amon," his father said

" Alright," Amon said

" Good bye Roku," his mother said

" Bye Seiko," his father replied, " Bye Amon."

They walked out the door and Amon looked behind him, that was the last time he really spent time with his father.

" Alright, Amon let's start the day right," his mother said

" Do we have to go see grandma?" Amon asked

Seiko looked at her 4 year old son and smiled. She picked him up and pushed his shaggy black hair from his face.

" Do you want to go see her today?" she asked

" We see her all the time," Amon said

" Well, you know grandma," his mother said

Amon smiled and she smiled and kissed Amon's head.

" You are to much," she said, " How about we go have some fun today."

" Yeah," Amon said

Their day began with riding around Tokyo and enjoying the day. Amon watched the large buildings past them as they drove by. He always seemed to be amazed by the structure and many designs of each building.

" Look sweety there's my work, all the way at the top," his mom said

" Can I go with you to work one day?" Amon asked

" One day, right now you have school, maybe when your off I'll take you," she said

" I can't wait," he said

They had enjoyed the day and yet there was so much still to do. Amon and his mother went everywhere in town. He helped her buys groceries and they went and had a picnic in the park. Amon looked at his mother as she tossed bread into the pond for ducks. She smiled and handed him some and he tossed it in. She reached out and fed one and Amon copied her, but found each time more ducks came towards him. His mother picked up Amon and tossed the bread, so they would leave him alone. She shook her head and Amon watched them swim off. They walked along the park and Amon ran ahead and she smiled. She looked around and for that brief second was enough time to lose sight of Amon. She turned and suddenly didn't see him.

" Amon," she called

She ran down the way and called him, but there was no answer.

" Amon, where are you?" she called, " Answer me!"

" Over here mom," Amon's voice called

She breathed easier and ran over to see her son kneeling down by some bushes. He was looking at something that had caught his attention. She walked over and looked over seeing 6 little kittens curled up right next to each other.

" Amon, don't do that again," she said

" I didn't mean to, I heard them calling," Amon stated

" It's alright," she said

" Can we keep one," Amon said lifting one of the six.

It pawed at Amon's collar and meowed loudly. He held it in a childish manner and his mother smiled.

" Amon, we can't have a cat we have a dog," she said, " Dogs and cats don't always get along."

" If I keep it in my room, Shimi, won't get to it," Amon said

" Oh, Amon," she said, " don't give me that look young man we can't."

The cat licked Amon's chin and a small chuckle escaped the young naive Amon's lips. His mother sighed and couldn't resist in spoiling her only son.

" Alright," she said

He smiled and looked at the tri colored cat that seemed to be friendly. Amon cradled the cat in his arms and his mother shook her head.

When they got home their dog, a Chinese pug named Shimi, barked at the new arrival. Amon held the cat away from the dog and walked to his room. His mother set her bag down and Amon's back pack. She fed the dog and watched her son show the cat around the house.

" Amon, do you want to make cookies again?" she asked

" No," Amon called back

" Alright, don't let Shimi into you room," she called

" Alright," Amon said

Amon allowed the cat to explore away from Shimi and he watched the cat. It curled up on a shelf away from Amon. Amon just watched the cat and fell asleep curled up on the floor.

By the evening Amon woke up and saw the cat curled up to him. He smiled and pet it gently then got up. He walked out and heard talking in the kitchen, someone was here. He walked in and saw his uncle and smiled.

" Uncle," he called

" There he is," his uncle said

He picked up Amon and Amon looked at him with a smile.

" What's Shimi all upset about?" his uncle asked

" Shimi's jealous of our new arrival," Amon's mother said, " We got a cat because a certain little boy wouldn't let us go home until we took one home."

" A cat, oh I see. Is it a lucky kitty Amon?" his uncle asked

" Sure is," he said, " It's in my room."

" Well, I guess to have an owner like you it is lucky," his uncle said

Seiko looked at her brother and then her son. She stirred the soup and then poured it into a bowl.

" Amon, set this in the dinning room," she said

Amon nodded and took the hot bowl and walked carefully, as the dog followed.

" He's four now isn't he? Fatherless too?" Amon's uncle said

" I told you the situation Shinji, Roku is a business man. He can't see Amon everyday of his life," Seiko said

" Married, with a kid Seiko. Amon's got a father who really shouldn't be his father. Seiko are you sure you can handle him? Not to mention he doesn't know what half his family is," Shinji said

" Amon will know what we are…it's not anytime soon that my craft will manifest like yours and mom's. I'm only 21 and yours awakened only recently and your 29...so if I'm correct I won't have to worry," she said

" Will Amon understand that Solomon is watching his mother?" Shinji asked

" Mom," Amon called, " Shimi spilt the soup."

" I got it, just finish up here…we'll talk when Amon's asleep," Shinji said

Shinji took a cloth and went to clean up the spilt soup. Amon had already started and Shimi was lapping up what she could. His uncle cleaned up the rest and cleaned the table up.

Later, Amon fell asleep in his mom's lap as she talked to his uncle.

" Do you know if the STN-J will make him our worst enemy?" his uncle asked

" He's 4 years old, right now there's nothing to worry about," his mother said

2 years later

" Amon!" his mom called

She ran out the house wiping her hands on her apron.

" Amon Kawachi!" she called

" Ms. Kawachi," a neighbor called

Seiko turned around and saw the elder woman from across the street.

" Mrs. Maruya, have you seen Amon?" she asked

" Yes, I have dear…he's over here watching my husband fix the car," she said

" Thank goodness," she said, " I'm sorry."

" No, it's quite alright, he's a good kid," Mrs. Maruya said

Seiko walked over with Mrs. Maruya and walked in the backyard. Amon was standing on a stool watching Mr. Maruya fix the engine.

" Now, we're going to test it. Do you want to start it up?" he asked

" I can?" Amon questioned

Amon jumped down and Mr. Maruya helped Amon up. Seiko looked at her son as he started the truck with the help of Mr. Maruya.

" Look mom I'm driving," he called

" I see that," she said, " Don't drive to far."

Mrs. Maruya looked at Seiko, and smiled.

" So, how old is he now?" she asked

" 6 years old, he's growing up so fast," she said, " It just seemed like yesterday that he was born."

" Oh, I know how that is, one day your holding them in your arms and the next their going off to college and running the family business," Mrs. Maruya said

Seiko nodded and Amon got down from the truck and ran to Seiko. He hugged her and she picked him up.

" Your getting to big for this little man," she said

" Are we going to see dad?" he asked

" Maybe later, he's not home from work yet," Seiko answered, " We have dinner to prepare and Uncle Shinji and Aunt Hisa are coming to dinner to celebrate your birthday."

" My birthday was last month," Amon said

" Well, they feel like celebrating it twice," Seiko said

They headed across the street and saw a car pulled up. A young woman got out, she wore a very nice suit.

" Ms. Kawachi," the woman said

" Yes," she answered

The other car door opened and the young woman's son walked out.

"Nagira ," Amon said

" Hey Amon," Nagira said

" Didn't I tell you to stay in the car?" his mother said

" Yes, but I wanted to see my brother," Nagira said

His mother narrowed her eyes and said, " He's not your brother Nagira."

She looked at Seiko and handed her papers.

" I want you to sign these papers as my husband's lawyer. These papers state that my husband's affair never took place and that this little bastard is not of his blood," the woman said

" All do respect, but Amon is Roku's son and that can't be changed," Seiko said

" That bastard is not his son, you are just some woman he picked up off the street because he felt sorry for you. You young college women think that older men will take care of you," Roku's wife said

" Am I, or maybe your afraid he was going to leave you because of me," Seiko said, " Amon sweety why don't you go inside."

" Come on Amon I'll take you inside," Nagira said

" Ok," Amon said

Amon followed his half brother inside and Seiko looked at Roku's wife.

" You're a witch, a woman unfit for society," Roku's wife said

" In your opinion, Roku loves me and he loves Amon too," Seiko growled

" Sign the papers witch, Roku has already. He doesn't want that kid and he doesn't want you," Roku's wife said

" Then he'll have to tell me himself," she said shoving the papers in Roku's wife's arms

" Nagira get out here now we're leaving," his mother called

" Bye Amon, come visit us ok," Nagira said

Seiko watched Roku's wife pull out and take off. She felt pain and tears fall from her face. Amon walked over to her and tugged on her pocket of her jeans.

" It's ok, that lady doesn't understand," Amon said

Seiko wiped her tears away and lifted Amon into her arms.

" Come on little man we're going to get dinner started," Seiko said

Present time

Amon opened his eyes and looked at the clock, he found it was only 10, but had drifted away. He stood up and used cane to get to his room, he balanced himself on the wall.

" Damn this leg," Amon cursed

He opened the door to his bedroom and turned down the bed, then went and started the shower. Amon looked at the steam rising from the hot water and circle him, he undressed and stepped into the shower. He balanced against the shower wall and let the water wash down his body. Amon looked at his arm seeing the cuts, from the accident. He sighed and washed up and then turned off the shower and let the tub fill so he could soak his leg. He removed the bandage around it and let his leg touch the hot water. He relaxed and soaked it for 20 minuets before getting out. He rewrapped his leg and dressed, then walked into his room. He sat down and lifted his leg up then his other, there, he slid under the covers and turned off his lights.

" Damn accident," Amon muttered