:･ﾟ✧:･.☽˚｡･ﾟ✧:･.::･ﾟ✧:･.☽˚｡･ﾟ✧:･.::･ﾟ✧:･.☽˚｡･ﾟ

"Where are you going again?" Chouka called out as she saw Kanae's delicate frame swiftly pass the threshold of the dining room. Kanae turned, her flowy black strands turning with her, and peaked her head back through the door frame.

"I have to go help someone for a but!" Kanae called out quickly, then turning back to the door. "Okay!" her mother responded, voice echo-like from across the house, "Just don't get into trouble!"

"I won't!" Kanae squeaks as she adjusts her sandals, running out the door in a hurry.

She sighed as she slid the door shut. 

Just another day in her village. The trees were growing again, a lush green spreading across the branches with ease. The pathway was filled with people and dark shops, which glowed with life in the evening. The sky was slightly cloudy, but the bright blue waves still radiated the places in a bright glow.

She softly put one foot in front of the other, slowly and delicately, until excitement overtook her, and she soon sped of to the Kumeno house.

Excitement really has it's ways of blinding a person, glee overtaking someone until they crash right into another person-

"Dammit" he started, the big body turning back with a deep, venomous voice. He looked at her, taking in her beautiful features and delicate, yet tall frame.

"Hello, " he says, all venom from his voice drained. "God, I'm sorry! Are you okay?" Kanae askes, slightly backing up at the sight of him. He had greasy black hair, a bland, blue outfit and cold, leering eyes, the color of glowing emeralds.

"Yes, um..  I'm okay, by the way." he added, giving a small smile to the girl in front of him. Kanae smiled back, before closing her eyes and nodding awkwardly.

 "Well, I best get going!" Kanae said, keeping her delicate smile in place as she started to turn away. She slowly pushed her right foot in front of her left foot, but she was quickly caught off balance by an arm.

 "I'm Kitsune Takahashi," he said, his smile brighter, "Are you in a relationship?" he asked, looking at her with the same green eyes. Uncomforting feelings twisted at Kanae's stomach, and she past him with a slight unease in her step.

"Well then, good-bye!" He called out to her. She didn't have to look back to know he was smiling. But it was still very unsettling. He was ... Strange.

He watched her go, her kimono swishing in the daylight as she hurries off. He smiles, knowing that he should have her, and that no one else should

"Master Takahashi, let's please get going." 

He turned to see his blue-eyed servant bowing respectfully. He clicked his tongue in annoyance as he approached her, flinty eyes pinned onto her.

"Aoi, don't tell me what to do. I'm fully aware," he hissed as he bumped into her on purpose. She drew a breath, stepping back as she watched him continued walking. She went after him, swallowing fear away as she strode up behind him

He turned, stopping as he stood a few inches from her. Aoi tightened her grip on her white coat as she looked up into his emerald eyes. He opened his mouth, and she prepared for the worst, but it didn't come.

"Tell my father that I have found a possible bride," he said, a hint of happiness flickering in his face.

:･ﾟ✧:･.☽˚｡･ﾟ✧:･.::･ﾟ✧:･.☽˚｡･ﾟ✧:･.::･ﾟ✧:･.☽˚｡･ﾟ

Approaching the steps of the house, Kanae gaped in shock. Their house was big. Complete with statues of beautiful people and fountains, it outdid anything she could even think of doing with her house. Awe sparkled in her eyes as she lightly placed her feet on the steps, starting to climb up with confidence.

She finished her walk up the steps, feeling nervousness twist at her guts as she knocked loudly on the door. She stood back, and soon, a shuffle of noise played into her ears, and the door creaked open.

A man peaked through the door, eyeing her. he had short, black hair, purple eyes, and a poker face. He was clearly a servant, with the black pants and default white shirt. He shuffled back anxiously, trying to keep his gaze on her.

"Yes?" he burped, his voice rough and hazy. Kanae beamed at him, hair flopping back as she tilted her head. 

"Hello! I'm here to help Sanemi and his siblings unpack!" she said, her smile tinted with sadness at the thought of her mistake. Maybe, just maybe, one day she could make up for it, and make the 7 of them smile in a way she couldn't dream of.

She opened her eyes as the man pulled the door completely open, and grunted as he walked away. She looked at him walk away, a sort of nervousness clenching her gut as she felt the empty ways cave in on her.

She shook her head as she looked down, slowly stripping her sandals off and placing them against the wall. She carefully walked into the place, almost like a palace. She opened a door, which lead to what seemed to be a gigantic living room, filled with working people.

There were marble pillars decorating the large shiny hall. There seemed to be a million rooms in the house, with maids scattered around the place, dusting what seemed to be expensive jewels, statues, pillars, and precious metals. There were elegant, detailed paintings that littered the hemp pattern walls. 

She stepped in, looking around in awe. Her house was lovely, but this one took the cake. A small maid walked up to her, smiling while her red eyes danced across her. "Hello miss, are you lost?" she asked, her small voice giving away her young age.

"Sort of," Kanae said, smiling nervously, "do you know where the Shinazugawa siblings are staying?" she asked. The little girl grinned, pointing to the end of the hall, where seven lonely rooms seemed to gloom.

"Thank you!" She smiled, starting to walk down the hall with a feeling of empowerment growing at her core. Deciding which room would be difficult, but she ended up choosing the one nearest to the wall.

She softly knocked, and a chorus of ruffled stomps and steps followed up to the opening of the door, revealing a girl no older than ten. She had black hair arranged into a neat bun and deep blue eyes, sparkling like the ocean against the sun.

"Oh, you're the one who Nemi said would help us." she said dryly, throwing the door wide open and running back in. Kanae looked down at her, the chaotic little girl going back to cuddling her bed as she tried to go to sleep.

"Also," she yawned lazily, staring to put herself back up, "Nemi is cheating on you with Masa," she said loudly enough for the other rooms to hear it. A few seconds of silence passed as a perplexed Kanae tried to figure out what she meant- 

"Sumi! I swear if you say that to one more person!" what sounded like Sanemi started to yell, anger boiling his words as he grunted with rage.

"Sorry Nemi!" Sumi said blankly, rolling her eyes at her sentence.

"You better be!" He yelled back. 

Sumi giggled in response. 

"Should I help you unpack?" Kanae asked, not wanting to be caught in the middle of family conflict. Sumi's smile flattened down, and she turned to her, the blue orbs bursting with bordem.

"Sure!" Sumi responds, pointing over to a bag stuffed with things that poked out from the box

She opens it, and finds mainly toys and other little trinkets. Kanae wondered where to put it if all the furniture was non-existant.

"Masa-Kun's mommy said that some furniture will be moved in, in 2 seconds to be exact" Sumi, said, almost like reading her mind.

On que, They heard a knock. "Come in" Sumi yelled.

Just like that, the mover brought it in, then left.

"Well then," Kanae said, ahppy the room was less bare and seemingly of Sumi's liking  "Lets get started, shall we?" Kanae smiled happily.

They swept, cleaned, and organized. After they were done, It was beautiful.

"Thanks Kanae-chan! " Sumi said.

"Of course!" Kanae replied softly. 

"Can you be my sister? Mine don't love me" Sumi asked quietly.

Kanae turned, to see a blushing Sumi (NOT THAT KIND OF BLUSH, )

"Of course!" Kanae giggled, walking up and hugging Sumi.

Sanemi had to smile too, watching them together from the doorway.

He had thought Sumi would've been shy and nervous, just shunning Kanae out, but he was wrong.

Then again, Kanae had a certian rare charm to her.

Maybe he would actually forgive her, he thought as he walked away.

:･ﾟ✧:･.☽˚｡･ﾟ✧:･.::･ﾟ✧:･.☽˚｡･ﾟ✧:･.::･ﾟ✧:･.☽˚｡･ﾟ

Kanae giggled, walking home.

Tommorow, she would help the youngest set up the room. 

Deep down, she tried push thoughts of Sanemi away, but It wasn't really working. She sighed.

No one would hear her thoughts anyway, why bother?

Sanemi was responsible and cute, also quick to forgive

She felt a flush on her face and a wave of fresh butterflies. 'Enough! No more wondering about people you don't know' she thought to herself. 

She tried to focus on the path she was walking on. She loved the feeling of the cool night breeze in her hair, and the dark sky contrasted against the lights of the city. She spotted a hill, high above. She was never allowed to go do major outside activities, since she was the oldest heir of the Kocho's. She wondered what It would be like to ho up there for once.

She stopped her thoughts, realizing she walked right past her house.

As she went up to her house, she felt a strong erge to not go in. She brushed it off, trying to think only of a nice bath and sleep.

As she stepped in, eyes on her sandels, she heard the loud room go silent. She looked up to see her parents, Takahashi, An angry looking Shinobu, and two other figures, whom she could not identify.

She opened her mouth "What's going on"

"Well, "Takahashi started, not noticing Shinobu, who looked ready to pull out his eyes, mouth 'Run'

"I was looking for a new bride, and me, my parents, and yours agree that this is perfect." He said smiling.

Kanae couldn't belive it, she was thinking, maybe even crushing on Sanemi, while this man, who seemed powerful and mighty, was crushing on her.

SOmething in his smile scared her, like something was behind the kind attitude and overdoes of affection and smiles.

Kanae then knew she made the biggest mistake by not running out. 

:･ﾟ✧:･.☽˚｡･ﾟ✧:･.::･ﾟ✧:･.☽˚｡･ﾟ✧:･.::･ﾟ✧:･.☽˚｡･ﾟ

Most I've ever written. 1183 Words. Hope you like the cliffhanger  >:)

Love <3 ,

--FLower-Pillar--

:･ﾟ✧:･.☽˚｡･ﾟ✧:･.::･ﾟ✧:･.☽˚｡･ﾟ✧:･.::･ﾟ✧:･.☽˚｡･ﾟ