"I thought I saw..." I said aloud, "There's no way he would come here!"

I looked at my older sister, Akana. She looked just as bewildered as I did. She shrugged and went back to milking the goats.

There was no way the mighty Baron Gackt-sama would come to our little farm. I sighed. As much as I daydreamed of him sweeping me off my feet, I knew it was completely improbable. He was a powerful baron. I, however, was a lowly farmer's daughter; the lowest of the low on the social ladder. There was no way he would ever even know of my existence.

I reached down to the goat's udders when I heard my father yell. Something strange was going on. He had left earlier, for some strange reason... He almost never left us girls alone to milk the herd. Now that he was back, he wanted us to come inside? ...Something fishy was going on today, that was for sure. I sighed and headed with my sister to the house.

I slid the door open and let out a gasp. The mighty Gackt-sama was indeed here. He was standing by my father next to the table. He... He was... He was in my house. HE WAS IN MY HOUSE! I stood gaping for a moment, oblivious to the fact my father kept telling me to sit down with my sisters.

I immediately looked to the floor, snapping my mouth shut. To say anything would bring dishonor to the family for sure. After all, "women were to be seen, not heard." I quickly slid down to join my sisters at the table, praying to my mighty ancestors that Gackt-sama didn't notice my gawking.

I glanced up with one eye to see a slight smirk slide across Gackt-sama's face. Internally, I screamed at that point, feeling the hotness rise to my cheeks. Panic started to spread throughout my body, unable to keep the blush from creeping across my face; unable to hide my face, because moving would draw even more unwanted attention to it.

"Did I happen to come at a bad time? It appears your middle child may be coming down with a fever..." Gackt-sama said plainly.

I swallowed hard and my eyes snapped shut. I was almost sure then what color had appeared had left my face. My eyes snapped up at Gackt-sama and he was looking me straight in the eye. He was still smirking. A little bit of rage formed in the back of my head, wanting slightly to smack that smirk off his face. It was then I realized my mother was asking me if I was feeling ok.

"Yes, mother!" I replied, slowly trailing off, "It was just a little hot in the barn..."

Gackt-sama chuckled, "Anyway, Mr. Yamumoto, shall we get down to the business of this then?"

My father nodded and began, "Well my daughters, you know well of how the sickness ravaged our livestock last winter. Well, Gackt-sama was kind enough to pay for the medicine for our herd. As you can imagine, it has left us quite in debt to him."

Gackt-sama interjected, "It was the least I could do, Yamumoto. You may not know this, but I happen to be rather strict with the quality of my milk. I, by far, deem yours to be the highest standard in the area."

My father straightened himself slightly and cleared his throat, "Well, thank you Gackt-sama!"

Gackt-sama continued, "So, as I'm sure you ladies are all wondering, that is why I am here today. We are going to settle this debt."

I blinked several times, the realization of his words sinking in. What kind of, possibly horrible, things would we have to do to appease this mans... desires?.. Personally, I would do just about anything to satisfy that man's desires-NO! I quickly mentally scolded myself. I could not let myself slip into those... delicious... fantasies of Gackt-sama right now. That would NOT be good.

My father cleared his throat again and said, "Well, my daughters, on the trip here we managed to come to an agreement to settle this whole debt issue. As reluctant as I am to lose one of my lovely girls..."

My heart sank at that statement... Did he mean?..

"One of you lovely ladies will be coming back with me to my estate," Gackt-sama explained.

I sighed. Exactly what I thought. One of us was going to be sold as a slave. Would we at least be given the option to choose who goes, or was he going to do that for us?

My father nodded, "We debated for a time as to whether to let you ladies or Gackt-sama choose who will be going and..."

"I will let you ladies decide who will be coming with me," Gackt-sama interjected.

Internally, I thanked my ancestors. At least we would be able to have SOME say in this horrific matter.

"The three of us will leave you ladies for a few moments to decide the matter." My father said, helping my mother up from the table. The three slid the door to the bedroom open and left my sisters and I to ruminate on what was happening.

"Well this is absolutely fantastic!" My sister Akana said.

"I agree, we basically have to sacrifice one of us!" My younger sister, Arima, scowled.

"Well, obviously, I can't go. I'm supposed to be married next month!" Akana said.

"Oh, by the spirits! Don't start that again!" Arima snarled.

"Really, Arima? You're still up in arms? It's not my fault I happen to be marrying your flavor of the week!" Akana snapped back at her.

"I met him first and you know it!" Arima shouted.

"Like that matters. You're too young to be married anyway." Akana said. "Which is why it would be perfectly reasonable for you to go with him."

I sighed. This was going to take a while... I wondered how long they would give us to decide this. From personal experience with my sisters, I knew neither one would back down any time soon.

"I'd rather lose a limb than give up Kaito! Besides, your ego fits with the position Gackt-sama is looking for perfectly!" Arima sneered.

My eyes grew wide. I suddenly wondered if they could hear us... I hope they couldn't. What a horrific representation of us girls that would be. My mind snapped to the only thing I knew would, hopefully, stop this argument.

"If you two are going to argue like this..." I sighed, "I'll go."

My sisters' heads snapped towards me. I could see the tears already welling in Arima's eyes.

"What? But Okaasan (mother) will make me milk the goats if you go, and you know how much the goats hate me!" She pouted.

"I guess they'll have to learn to adapt, just like you." I reasoned.

"Well that actually makes perfect sense. We all know how much you swoon over the mere thought of a glance from 'the mighty Gackt-sama.' I'm sure even he knows after that little spectacle you made earlier." Akana smirked.

I rolled my eyes. Akana lived for the rebuttals, and when she was up in arms, her tongue cut like a knife.

"I do not 'swoon' anymore than you two to do when you see Kaito."

Both my sisters looked away, knowing I was right. It was quiet for a few seconds. Just when I thought we all had cooled down...

"At least we know our status." Akana mumbled with a glare.

I bit my lower lip in frustration, tensing up my one leg until it twitched. I glared at Akana, noticing that Arima was quickly away. Not surprising, seeing as so many times had I slapped Akana across the face for her harsh words. As much as I wanted to reply, or wring her neck, I decided for the more diplomatic approach.

I rose from the table, took a few breaths to calm myself, and slid the door open.

"We've decided..." I said, looking at their expressions. My beloved Okaasan was in tearing up. My father, had a very sullen expression. I could tell he was thinking of nothing but dishonor. Gackt-sama looked strangely amused. I made an effort this time to avoid staring at him for too long.

"Well then, which one of you lovely young blossoms shall be joining me?" Gackt-sama asked calmly. I strongly wondered to myself what he was so amused by.

"I- I am..." I mumbled.

"Oh, ((Name)), are you absolutely sure?" Okaasan said, placing a hand on my shoulder.

"Yes. It is my duty to honor the family, it is the least I can do." I bowed my head.

"Well, it is settled... If you have anything of sentimental value I suggest grabbing it now. Otherwise, we're going to head back to my estate." Gackt spoke as he headed for the front door.

I gulped. The only thing of "sentimental" value that I had was a small stuffed panda from my grandmother. I wondered how childish it would look for me to bring that with me... But, in a brand new house, I would probably need something comforting and homely... I had the thought of shoving it between my breasts... That'll do... Surely he wouldn't... Oh blessed spirits! Not those thoughts again!

I nodded before heading out of the house to the secret spot to find my beloved Panda-san... I wasn't very creative when it came to naming as a child, give me a break!

I pulled aside some of the straw on the outside the low roof of the barn, and quickly grabbed Panda-san and shoved him down the front of my shirt. I turned to head back to the house, and I noticed Gackt-sama standing by the door. I hoped he hadn't noticed what I had just done. Thankfully, he said nothing as I headed in to say goodbye to my family.

Akana walked up to me, the anger still slightly written in her eyes. She gave me a simple hug, and headed out to finish milking. Next was my father. His brow furrowed with mixed feelings as he wrapped his arms around me, his hand gently patting my back.

"((Name)), you will be missed." He mumbled.

"Yes, yes you will. Aishite iru yo ([formal] I love you)." My mother said, coming to hug me as well. I could see the emotion in her eyes. She was trying to stay strong, honorable. Even though I knew as soon as Gackt-sama and I left, she would be an emotional wreck for days.

Arima was making no effort to hide her tears, as she game to grab my waist. "You're really gonna make me milk goats? I promise to behave, just don't leave!"

I turned my head a little away from her. I couldn't stay mad at her, worse yet, I couldn't cry. I had to be strong.

I leaned down to look her in the eye, patting her gently on the head, "It'll be fine. But..." I paused for dramatic effect as she looked up at me, "If I hear you're slacking off..." I trailed off to let her imagination take over.

"I promise I won't! I know you have to leave, but... but..." She said, her voice breaking apart.

My mother gently took Arima's shoulders and guided her to the other room. As Okaasan slid the door shut, I heard Arima start to sob.

I nodded one last time to my father and headed out of the door. I reached up on the carriage to pull myself up, and felt Gackt-sama gently shove me back down. He quickly climbed inside and offered me his hand. I looked up at him, a little bewildered, grabbed his hand as he hoisted me up. I freaked out by how quickly he had lifted me and instinctively wrapped my arms around Gackt-sama for support.

Gackt-sama looked down at me, smirking, "Eager, aren't we? Well, you'll have to wait until we get back to my estate… Unless you like rough rides."

I looked up at Gackt-sama, and quickly sprang across the seats to the opposite side. I lowered my head, feeling the blood rushing to my face again. This was going to be a long trip.