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~ The Beginning ~

It was late in the evening almost bedtime when Naomi's Father Hiro called out to her, so she went into his bedroom since he was no longer able to walk. Naomi responded to him, "What is it, Dad?"

He smiled up at her, and said, "I have something for you Daughter." He had wanted to give her a gift as once she left to find a potential husband odds were he'd never see her again.

Naomi walked over to the bed and sat down in the chair that was next to her Father's head. She looks at him, and replied, "You don't need to give me anything Father you have already given me so much."

He smiles at her, and says, "I know Daughter but this is an engagement present for you." He only hoped that he could find a woman to care for him until he passed on.

He holds out a box and gives it to her. Naomi smiles, and takes the box from his hands she opens the box to see a necklace inside. She looks at him with tears in her eyes, and says, "Thank you, Father, its beautiful."

Naomi's Father looks at her his eyes full of concern, and he says, "You're welcome Daughter just promise me something, Naomi."

She looks at him puzzled but replies, "Yes Father anything." She was wondering what he wanted it wasn't often he asked anything of her.

Her Father's face takes on a serious expression, and he says, "Don't ever take this off, and don't let your brother know that you can fight. Please no matter what happens don't let him find out about your special gift."

Naomi quickly replies, "Yes Father but why?" She couldn't understand as she hardly remembered her Brother he had left when she was so young.

Her Father answers her question by saying, "Your Brother is a very cruel man if he found out about your skills and your gift he'd sell you to the highest bidder. You must also promise me to act as a proper woman once he arrives tomorrow morning I know you hate this but he will hurt you if you don't."

Naomi smiles, and says, "Yes Father you don't have to worry about me I'm more worried about you in your condition he could easily kill you."

Hiro smiles at her, and says, "I'm old, and you're young please take care, Naomi. Now off to bed, you have a busy day ahead of you."

Naomi gives him a hug knowing it would be the last time she will be able to and heads off to bed. When Naomi wakes up the next morning she takes a shower and gets dressed in a kimono then she heads downstairs, and makes breakfast for the two of them. After Naomi serves her Father she sits down, and eats once she's done Naomi retrieves the dirty dishes from her Father's room, and then the kitchen table. Naomi puts the dishes in the sink and washes them then she puts them away when there is a knock at the door. Naomi walks to the door and opens it she sees a tall man with an angry scowl. She bows, and says, "How may I help you, sir?"

The man quickly responds, "My Father sent for me now move out-of-the-way woman." Naomi moves out-of-the-way, and says, "I'm so sorry Hiroshi-Sama I didn't recognize you."

He looks at her shocked, and says, "Naomi is that you?" He is stunned his little sister has grown into a beautiful woman. This would make his job of marrying her off much easier.

She smiles, and replies, "Yes Hiroshi-Sama Father's in his room is there anything else you need from me?" She was trying very hard to do as she was trained to.

He looks at Naomi, and responds, "You need to bring in some tea for us while we discuss your upcoming marriage."

She replies, "Right away Hiroshi-Sama." She wished she could have a say in the matter but in the village woman were treated like property rather than like people.

Naomi bows, and heads to the kitchen while her Brother goes into their Father's bedroom. Once the tea is made Naomi places the kettle and everything else she needs on a tray she heads to her Fathers bedroom and knocks on the door. Naomi waits for permission to enter which she soon receives. Naomi slowly opens the door, and says, "Sorry to interrupt but your tea is ready Hiroshi-Sama."

Her brother looks at her, and replies, "Fine you may serve the tea, Naomi." He is annoyed by the disruption but he had asked her for tea.

She looks over at her Father, and says, "Would you like some tea too Hiro-Sama?" Hiro quickly replies, "Yes Naomi that would be nice." She looks to her brother, and asks, "Hiroshi-Sama how do you like your tea, sir?"

He quickly replies, "Just put in one sugar, and hurry it up, woman." She was annoying him with all these questions why hadn't she asked how he liked his tea when he asked her to make some.

Naomi adds sugar to Hiroshi's tea and hands him the cup then she makes their Father's tea, and hand him the cup. Once she's done she asks, "Is there anything else I can do for you Hiroshi-Sama?"

Her brother looks at Naomi angry, and says, "No just leave us, woman."

Naomi bows, and quickly leaves she goes about her duties cleaning the house once it gets close to lunch time she makes lunch grabs another tray and takes it to her Father's bedroom. Naomi stops and knocks on the door. She is soon given permission to enter the room once inside she says, "Sorry to interrupt but I have lunch for you two."

Her brother looks at Naomi cross, and says, "It's about time woman I was starting to wonder if you would ever show up." She is a little surprised by her older brother's hostile behavior and wondered why he was the way he was. Naomi serves lunch to both before saying, "If you'd like Hiroshi-Sama I could bring your meal at a time that would please you as this is the time Father has requested I bring his lunch."

Hiroshi waves her off in favor of eating his meal allowing her to leave the room to perform her duties.