Chapter 2: Tender Love and Encouragement to Love
Amon sat at the table and looked at Hikari as she ate, what was in front of her. She cleaned her plate and then looked at Amon.
" I saw uncle Nagira today," Hikari said
" And what did you do?" he said as he picked at his food
Hikari smiled and surprised he asked her something.
" Ms. Doujima and Uncle Nagira took me around town," She said, " I saw all the sites I want to go to. Will you take me?"
" We'll see, if I have time, my work keeps me busy," Amon said
" Uncle Amon, is Ms. Doujima seeing Uncle Nagira?" Hikari asked
" Yes, they are kind of," Amon said
" Uncle, are you seeing anyone?" she asked
Amon slightly choked and then cleared his throat.
" Why are you asking?" he replied
" No, reason, I just think Ms. Karasuma likes you," Hikari said, " She's really nice."
Amon picked up his plate and took into the kitchen.
" Karasuma and I have a work relationship," Amon said, " You will do well to remember that before you speak."
" I just said what I thought," Hikari said
She got up and set her plate on the counter.
" No, scrape that off the plate then set it in the sink," Amon said
" Do you actually do your dishes all the time or do you have someone come in to do them for you?" Hikari asked
Amon looked at her and washed the soap off the plate, then dried it off.
" I wash my dishes, I don't shop," he said
" Who does?" she asked
" Touko," he replied
" Will I meet Ms. Touko?" Hikari asked
" If we get home in time," he said
" Is she pretty?" Hikari said
Amon stopped the water and said, " Stop asking questions."
Amon sighed and finished washing the dishes and Hikari dried them. By 7 Hikari sat down on the couch and Amon handed her a book. She looked at him and he sat down next to her.
" I can't enroll you into school so, I will teach you what I can," he said
" I'm glad Uncle," Hikari said
Amon tuned to the first page and he began to read to her and Hikari got close to him. He looked at her and saw her reading with him as he read out loud to her.
" What grade were you in when your mother died?" he asked
" I was homed schooled, I don't know what grades are," he said, " Mom and Dad had a private tutor."
" What did you study?" he asked
" Science, history, poetry, literature, grammar," Hikari said, " but can you continue to read to me."
Amon looked at her and continued and she fell asleep in his arms. He looked at her and then lifted her into his arms and laid her down on the couch. He tucked her in and went off and finished what he needed before tomorrow and took a shower. Once he finished he walked out and went off to sleep.
A few days past and Amon was getting use in having Hikari around and he started to fix the spare room for her. Amon moved a bed into the room and fixed it up so it was possible to live in the room. Amon looked at Robin and Karasuma who stood there looking at the finished room. Karasuma looked at the room and placed a few stuffed animals on the bed and added some books to her shelves. Robin looked at the room and smiled then looked at Karasuma who looked at the pleasant look on Amon's face.
" You actually like her around don't you Amon?" Karasuma said
He turned and looked at Karasuma and walked off.
" Admit it Amon," Karasuma said
" She's still a naïve child and still doesn't understand why I can't be there all the time," Amon said
Robin and Karasuma walked next to him. Amon sat down and Karasuma poured him a glass of water and sat it on the table.
" Drink something," Karasuma said
" When will she be here?" Robin asked
Amon looked at the clock and said, " I told Nagira to bring her home for 6."
" Home, a word that doesn't come out of your mouth very often," Karasuma said
Karasuma was right, he was suddenly getting use to the fact that Hikari was always visiting Nagira, that he gave a curfew for Hikari to be back by.
" It's nearly 6 what did you plan for dinner?" Karasuma asked
" I didn't have plans," Amon replied
Karasuma looked at Robin and Robin smiled.
" Don't worry Amon, Karasuma and I can fix something," Robin said
Amon looked at them as they got to work. He was amazed that they would do that for him. He was warn out and tiered after setting up a bedroom set and Karasuma and Raven saw that.
" Looks like Hikari will be the one reading a bed time story to him," Karasuma whispered to Robin
Robin smiled and stirred the broth for the soup. The clock in the living room chimed 6 and there was a knock on the door. Amon got up and walked to the door and opened the door.
" As promised here's Hikari," Nagira said
Hikari hugged Nagira and then hugged Amon and ran inside.
" Ms. Karasuma, Robin, why are you two here?" Hikari said
" Oh, we were helping Amon out," Robin said
Hikari walked into the kitchen and Karasuma was serving up bowls.
" Oh, that looks really good," Hikari said
" I hope you like it," Karasuma said
Karasuma placed two bowls on a tray and carried them out. Hikari followed her and sat down.
" Why don't you and Robin stay, I'm sure uncle Amon wouldn't mind," Hikari said
" Oh, we have some work to do before tomorrow, but tell me tomorrow how the soup is, cause Amon will be taking you to work," Karasuma said
" Please," Hikari said
Robin smiled and Karasuma got to Hikari's level.
" Maybe I'll come over tomorrow or take you out to lunch, how about that?" Karasuma said
" Really Ms. Karasuma? Can uncle Amon come with us?" Hikari said
" Its up to him," Karasuma said
She patted Hikari's head and looked at Robin.
" I'll bring you home Robin," Karasuma said
" Oh alright," Robin said
The two walked to the door and Karasuma placed a hand on Amon's shoulder.
" We made you soup and I'm taking Robin home," Karasuma said
" Thank you Karasuma, Robin," he said
" Amon, don't worry she'll like it, it was made by her uncle," Karasuma said
Robin and Karasuma left and Amon walked into the room and saw Hikari waiting for him to sit down. He sat down and she smiled then they started to eat.
" Ms. Karasuma's going to take me to lunch, and I asked her if you could come….she said it was up to you," Hikari said
" Lunch?" Amon questioned
" Yeah," Hikari said
Amon nodded and got up and got some water. He poured Hikari a glass and brought it to her; she smiled and Amon looked at the pleased child.
" So, what did you do with Nagira today?" Amon asked
" We went to the park and met Ms. Doujima there. They really are in love, I love to see people happy with each other," Hikari said
Once dinner was finished, Hikari took a bath, then Amon helped her with some more school work. This time she got closer and leaned against him, he put his arm around her and read to her. She once more fell asleep and Amon looked at her. He lifted her up and picked her up and carried her into her new bed room. He pushed the covers down and tucked her under them, he looked at her and leaned over and kissed her head, then walked off. Amon took a shower and washed the sweat and daily scum off him, after he went to sleep setting his alarm clock for 6.
The next morning Amon got Hikari up and got her ready for the day. He ate breakfast and did his usual routine, then they took off to pick up Robin. Robin smiled at Amon and then looked in the review mirror at Hikari who slept the whole way there.
" Amon, do you really have to start her day early?" Robin asked
" Nagira is working with several clients and can't get off so she had to come to work with me," Amon replied
He pulled up into the garage and parked and saw Karasuma's car was already there and Doujima's car as well. He got out and got Hikari out, he carried her upstairs and Robin grabbed the sack Hikari had with her. They got upstairs and Amon laid Hikari down on the couch and Karasuma laid a blanket over her.
" Amon, I want to speak with you," Chief Kosaka called
Amon nodded and walked up to the office and stood in front of Chief Kosaka's desk.
" Amon, you can't keep bring your niece here, we don't have the protection to keep her safe," Chief Kosaka said
" I know sir, but this is not a permanent thing," Amon said, " Just until my brother has a less crowded schedule."
" Very well, I don't want my hunters distracted," Chief Kosaka said
" I assure you they won't," Amon said
Amon walked out and downstairs and Robin looked up.
" What did he want Amon?" Robin asked
" Just assurance," Amon said, " Michael give me our next hunt."
" Doujima just left she's going for the hunt on her own," Michael said
Amon looked over at Robin and said, " She needs back up so let's move."
Amon and Robin left and Karasuma sat down, then sighed.
" Ms. Karasuma, is there anything the matter?" Sakaki asked
" No, not at all, I was just thinking," Karasuma said
Michael and Sakaki looked at her and said, " About what?'
" Last night I told Hikari I would take her to lunch and she asked me if Amon could come along," Karasuma said
" What's wrong with that?" Sakaki asked
" Yeah, she's getting close to Amon," Michael said
" I think she's plotting something," Karasuma said
" She's 10 years old she's not ready to plot things for love," Sakaki said
Karasuma sighed and Sakaki and Michael looked at her.
" Unless you want something to happen?" Sakaki inquired
Karasuma looked at him and said, " What would make you think that? I don't Amon and I are co-workers."
" But you two go way back don't you Ms. Karasuma?" Michael asked
" What are you two up too?" Karasuma said
" Nothing," they said
By 12 Amon and Robin returned in time for Hikari to grabbed Amon's hand.
" Come on we're going to lunch with Ms. Karasuma remember," Hikari said
" Hikari, I have to work," Amon said
" Come on your just becoming a workaholic, you need time off," Hikari said
Karasuma looked at Michael and Sakaki as they waved sheepishly at her. She shook her head and walked behind Amon and Hikari.
" We can take my car," Karasuma said
Amon nodded and he got into the passenger's side and Hikari got in the back. Karasuma drove down to Harry's and Amon nodded and looked at Hikari in the review mirror. They got out and walked inside and Harry greeted them.
" It's good to see you again Ms. Hikari," Harry said
" It's good to see you too," Hikari said
Amon sat across from Hikari and next to Karasuma just by accident and Karasuma smiled a shy smile. Hikari smiled and looked at the menu and she looked around.
" Uncle Amon, I want to go wash my hands where are the bathrooms?" she asked
" In the back," he said
She got up and walked to the back. Harry looked over and he smiled. She walked over to him and asked him something then went back to her seat. Harry walked out and Amon ordered for himself and Hikari and Karasuma ordered.
" It'll be right out," he said
Hikari smiled and looked at Amon and Karasuma.
" Ms. Karasuma, your soup was amazing, I ate three bowls," Hikari said
" Really, I'm glad you liked it, I guess I'll have to make some more some other time," Karasuma said
" You can come over anytime and join us at supper time," Hikari siad
" Hikari," Amon said sternly
" Well, she can uncle Amon, don't you like Ms. Karasuma's cooking?" Hikari asked
" It was very nice," Amon said
Hikari smiled and Karasuma slightly blushed a little at Amon's reply. Harry brought out their food and winked at Hikari and she smiled a sly smile.
" How was the hunt this morning?" Karasuma asked
" Out of control, we were lead to a dead end," Amon said, " Never let Doujima do things on her own."
Karasuma smiled and said, " That's how things were when you two were gone. How else were we suppose to hunt."
" Next time send her with Sakaki," Amon said
" Oh Amon, you have to get over the fact that some people are not made to be hunters," Karasuma said
" They just need training," Amon said, " That's why they have partners."
" But Doujima doesn't have one," Karasuma said
Hikari looked at Amon and Karasuma as she ate, she was finding things out that she had never heard and seeing Amon actually talk to some in decent tone. Harry came and took their finished plates and then went off.
" Uncle can we get dessert," Hikari asked
" We don't have time," Amon said
" Sure we do," Karasuma, " Amon you need to relax."
Hikari smiled and looked at the desserts and picked out one and Amon looked over at what she was picking.
" I don't want to bring home leftovers," Amon said
" Then we can split it," Hikari said, " Mom and I use to split things all the time, Daddy was like you Uncle Amon, he didn't like leftovers."
Karasuma looked at Amon as he made sure Hikari wasn't picking something that she couldn't eat everything.
" Why don't we all split something, that way Hikari can have as much as she can eat and we can finish it off," Karasuma said
" I like that idea, come on Uncle Amon," Hikari said
" Alright fine, I don't want to hear complaints," Amon said
" Agree," Hikari said
Karasuma smiled and Harry came over and they ordered the dessert.
" Well, you made a good choice," Harry said
Hikari smiled and looked at Amon and Karasuma.
" Ms. Karasuma, what do you do for fun?" Hikari asked
" I really haven't had time for fun," Karasuma said
Amon sat there in silence as Hikari was finding things out about Karasuma, he suddenly became suspicious of her intentions. Harry brought out the dessert and handed each a spoon and Hikari smiled.
" Dig in," Hikari cheered
Karasuma reached for some and Amon as well, reaching for the same thing. Amon pulled back and let her take some, then he took some. Hikari ate what she could leaving enough for two.
" I full," Hikari said, " You two finish it off."
Amon looked at her and then shook his head. Harry brought out the bill and Amon took it.
" Amon, give it here, I'm paying, it was my treat," Karasuma said
" You may have asked, but I'm holding the bill," he said
Hikari looked at Amon as he looked at the bill and Karasuma reached over and snatched it from him. Amon looked up and Karasuma handed Harry the money.
" Problem solved, you can treat next time," Karasuma said
They got up and walked off and Hikari walked ahead of them leaving them behind.
" I have a feeling, my niece is up to something," Amon said
" I agree," Karasuma said
They drove back to the STN-J and walked up to the office where inquiring minds wanted to know. Amon went to the back and Hikari stayed by Robin and talked to her.
" So, Ms. Karasuma how was lunch?" Sakaki asked
" You are a nosey little boy," Karasuma said
" I guess it went well," Michael said
Karasuma sat down and Robin looked at Sakaki and Michael.
" I agree with Karasuma, you two should mind your own business," Robin said
" Come on Robin admit it, you want to know too," Sakaki said pushing his chair over to Robin.
" I do not, it's not my business," Robin said pushing him away
" I suspect you do, cause you of all people haven't done any work," Sakaki said pushing back
" Sakaki," Robin said pushing him away
Karasuma shook her head and Hikari looked at Karasuma and giggled.
" Ms. Karasuma could you please come over for dinner," Hikari said
Robin got up and walked to the back to get some water and to try to avoid from laughing. Sakaki watched Robin as she tried to avoid small laughter, and vanished into the back. Michael stopped typing and Sakaki stretched.
" So, who paid for lunch?" Michael asked
" It wasn't a date," Karasuma said
" Ah, but you would like it to be one," Sakaki said
" Sakaki," she said, " I'm going in the back, once you two clowns get to work I'll return."
Karasuma walked off and Hikari looked at them.
" So who really paid?" Sakaki asked
" Ms. Karasuma did, but my uncle was going to pay for it, then she snatched out of his hands and paid. She said he can pay next time," Hikari said
" Next time Ms. Karasuma," Sakaki yelled
" I'm not listening," Karasuma shouted
Amon sat down and looked over the paper work and Robin walked off seeing Karasuma walking in.
" Looking over more paper work?" Karasuma said
" When do I not?" Amon said, " I have a job position as Senior hunter, it just comes with the territory."
" You can give it to your vice senior hunter," Karasuma said, " You don't have to lift this on your own."
Karasuma sat down and looked at him and he looked at her.
" It's my job," Amon said
" But it doesn't have to always be your job," Karasuma said
Amon turned back to his work and flipped through the files.
" Amon, why don't you spend time with Hikari and I can handle this, just show me," Karasuma said, " She came here to stay with you and not your work."
Amon put the files down and stood up then looked back hearing Hikari's little laugh.
" She needs a father figure," Karasuma said, " You would be the best candidate for the job."
" I wish I could agree," Amon said, " But I wasn't made for the job. I was made to be alone and let my work keep me company."
" No, you've already given Hikari a great idea of what a father really is, from what Michael told me from Hikari's background her father was much like you," Karasuma said, " You're her family so become a little more like it."
Karasuma stood up and met his gaze and she then turned away and walked off. Amon looked at Karasuma as she walked off then sighed.
" I don't know how to be a father figure," Amon thought