"Lin?" A young woman called into a garden.

"Over here."

The woman walked over and looked behind a small shrubbery.

"What are you doing out her my lady?"

The young woman looked up. "I was planting flowers."

"This garden is big enough already." The woman laughed.

"I suppose…but there's nothing that can have to much beauty."

"Very true my lady."

"Please Etsu…we are alone. Not in front of my uncle and their type."

Etsu smiled sheepishly. "Sorry Lin."

Lin smiled and washed her hands in the small river by her side.

"Here." Etsu held out a small cloth for her childhood friend.

The young woman took it gratefully and dried her hands.

Etsu took it back when she was done and stowed it in her pocket.

The brown haired girl looked up and took in her friends appearance.

Long wavy midnight black hair…steel grey eyes…pearl like skin…Lin was always a beautiful girl.

Always kind…always giving…always smiling. Lin was everything Etsu wanted to be.

Lin looked up at her. Her pink lips formed a wider smile. "What is it?"

Etsu blushed. "Uh…nothing. But your father wants you to come home now."

"Alright. Let's go then shall we?"

"Yes my lady." Etsu gave a small bow.

Lin giggled. "Stop that."

"Sorry." Etsu returned the smile.

The other nodded and walked by her friend, who followed right after her.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

"Did you need me for something father?" Lin and Etsu walked into the main room of the Fon home.

A man who appeared to be in his late twenties looked up from the book he was reading. "Lin." He smiled kindly.

Lin may have been his daughter…but she was his favorite person. Her mother had run off a few years after she was born.

She left claiming that she felt guilty for being with him and couldn't handle it.

He accepted it and raised Lin on his own.

"What did you have Etsu come get me for?"

"Mm…tomorrow I am having the Shihoin family over for a small visit. I figured you didn't want to be caught up in it."

"You want me to stay in the garden?"

"If you choose to do so. But don't be surprised if they send their daughter out."

"Thank you for the warning father."

The man nodded.

"Lord Taro?" Etsu called.

"Yes Etsu?"

"What's she like?"

"Hmm? Oh the Shihoin girl?"

Etsu nodded sitting beside Lin.

"Not sure…but I know she's nothing like her stuffy parents." Taro scratched the side of his head curiously.

Lin giggled and said her goodnights. Her father nodded with a smile and wished her good dreams.

Etsu followed her out. Taro went back to his book.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

Next day:

"Do you think she's nice?" Etsu asked as she combed Lin's hair.

"Not sure. I hope she is, I could do with a few more friends like you." Lin answered.

Etsu blushed and continued combing. "No need to say such kind things to me."

Lin simply smiled.

A knock came to the door.

"Girls?"

"Come in father."

Taro slid the door open.

"They're here." He said simply.

Lin nodded and stood. "Let's go to the garden." She looked to Etsu.

The other girl nodded and placed the comb back on the jewelry box she had gotten it from.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

Lin sat in the garden with Etsu.

The black haired girl didn't want to move. She was very comfy.

"The sun is perfect today isn't it?" She asked Etsu, who nodded her agreement happily.

Etsu looked around when a small movement caught her eye.

"I'll be right back."

Lin nodded and held out her hand…a small butterfly landed on her fingers.

Etsu walked back to where she had seen the motion.

"Hey."

The girl jumped at the sudden voice.

Etsu looked to her left, a violet haired girl was watching her.

"You're the Shihoin girl right?" She didn't have to show respect for anyone but the Fon family.

"Yoruichi." The ebony skinned woman answered.

"Etsu." The servant nodded.

"Who's that?" Yoruichi pointed to Lin.

Etsu looked. "That's lady Fon."

"First name I meant."

"Lin ma'am."

Yoruichi nodded and whispered the name.

"Can I speak with her…or does her father not allow that."

"Lord Taro is very kind…you can go talk to her. But you cannot touch her, in any way."

Yoruichi nodded her understanding and walked past Etsu.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

"Excuse me."

Lin looked up to the new stranger. "Yes?"

"Do you mind if I join you?"

"I'm not your master…do as you like." Lin smiled kindly and went back to the clutter of butterflies that had flown to her garden.

The other sat down.

Lin glanced at the young woman. "What's you name?"

"Yoruichi. Your name?"

"Lin. It's nice to meet you."

Yoruichi smiled. "Same."

Lin giggled and turned back to the fluttering insects. (I don't know if they are or not…but they are to me)

The other decided right then and there she liked Lin's small fits of laughter.

"So…who did all this? The servants?" Yoruichi looked around the large beautiful garden.

"No. I did."

Yoruichi looked at her oddly. "You did?"

"Yes. It was nothing but grass out here. I wanted a beautiful, amazing, wonderful place to escape to every now and then. So I planted trees, flowers, and shrubs."

"And you got all this?"

"Mm hmm…I take care of all of this with Etsu. It also grows fruits and such."

"Does it? What kind of fruits?"

"Follow me." Lin stood and walked off.

Yoruichi marveled at the fact that Lin could wear such simple clothes, and made them look so…expensive.

"Come on." Lin looked back at her.

The violet haired woman stood and followed.