I can see you… Save me please! I know you can, mister! Don't let them take me! I don't wanna be a slave! Mister… Please…! Mister… Mister…

A young girl lying in bed reaches up her hand to wipe the sweat off her brow. 'What a dream…' She rolled out of bed to begin her early morning chores. 'Ha. I beat the sun rise again…with out a wakeup call.' She bent her head down and shook it while she made her way to the garden to get a head start on her weeding. Maybe she'd get lucky and score some relaxation time. Smiling to herself she thought 'No. They aren't that nice. They'll think of something for me to do.'

Ripping up the weeds she thought of her mother. The only thing she could remember about her mother was that she always smelled like dirt from working in their small veggie garden in the back yard. Her thoughts flowed to her father, and her smile evaporated instantly, turning into a glower. She started tearing at the weeds. Damn him! He put me here! All for his gambling… and alcohol… Damn him!

"well, well, looks like we have an early riser. Workin' harder than she does in the day too. Maybe she needs somethin'…"

'Shit! The shift master!' Startled, she immediately turned and bowed low. "Sorry, Sir…" she said softly, maintaining her position.

"If you're gonna work, work, damnit! Don't stop to apologize, or I'll have to git everyone else up t'work wit ya!" He shoved her down in the dirt.

"Yessir!" she replied as she started ripping at the weeds again.

"Good girl… Maybe I'll git ya some down time… if you can keep it up…" he laughed and started to swaggered off.

"Now that's no way to treat a lady." She glanced up out of the corner of her eye, not daring to stop. No point in risking punishment if he's only going to make things worse for himself. Her gaze slid up his body, searching for his face. Stopping in her tracks, only one word fell from her mouth, "You…"

Hearing her own voice she jumped and went back to work. Fortunately, it went unnoticed by the shift master. "Who'r you to tell me how to treat… a… slave. Good mornin' sir. What can I do for ya?" His tone went from angry to respectful in the slow manner that is the way of the south.

"Well, you can treat this lady properly. After all, she does do all the dirty work." He gave the man a cold smile.

"Of course, Sir. Kaoru, you get an hour's free time this afternoon. Keep up the work." The earlier threat still lingering in his voice and false smile.

"T-thank you, sir." Her hands had never stopped working.

"Well, Since you have an hour, would the lovely lady like to spend it with me?" His smile warmed.

"I-it would be and honor, sir, but, may I ask what you have in mind?" No way I'm agreeing to spend an hour with a guy I only know by face... Who know's what he's got in mind...

"Only dinner and perhaps talk of adoption into our special clan."

"What would this entail?"

"Fancy words for a slave... Master, Might I request that the hour be given now?"

"Of course, sir..." The master stomped away to hide his glare. Kaoru felt sorry for the slaves, they would be worked harder today because of her.

"Tell me, how did you come to the life of a slave?"

"Tell me your name and what your offer entails. Perhaps I might tell you."

"Well, my name is Soujiro, and our clan simply requires you willingness to go to the Battosai's manor and be our spy."

"I do not know this Battosai, you will have to tell me more about him before I accept your offer. As for me, I used to be a noble's daughter before he lost himself to money and alcohol..." she walked with a straight back, hands clasped behind her. Her face drained of all emotion in her effort to contain her rage.

"It's sad how often that happens... And as for Battosai, he is a murdering meddler. We need to know who he's working for in order to continue with our plans."

"And what might your plans be?"

"Peace and equality. The current Government is insufficient, we seek to destroy it and replace it with our own."

"Hmm... Perhaps... but, what's in it for me?" she raised a brow and observed the man, no, he's more like a boy beside her.

"Your freedom from slavery."

"Deal." They shook hands."When do I leave?"

"Tonight." He smiled.

"I'll be ready. If you'll excuse me, I have to get back to tending the garden, the hour is up." She turned and jogged back to her previous spot. Finally, freedom. Although, I may be paying too high a price...