The clock chimed seven. Shura and the rest of the household would eat dinner soon. As was custom, Haru was to find her own meal. She dawned a low cut gown and put her hair up. By no means did Haru believe she was pretty. She had a decidable feminine shape: wide hips, a perfectly curved bottom, and modest bust. However, while some days she could be described at voluptuous, most days she would be described as pump.
With the skill of a master thief, Haru left the mansion unnoticed. The clubs and gambling dens usually didn't allow women unless it was a special night. However, Greenwood Corner was an exception. At least the club made an exception for Haru. A few years ago, the owner took pity on her and allowed her to play a few games. Game after game she won and game after game, more men challenged her. Soon, customers came just to see the female who played like a pro. It was just good business to allow her to continue to play.
After several rounds on poker, in her favor, she bowed out. At a small table in the corner on the room, she sat with a glass of wine in her hand.
"Drinking?" A masculine voiced mused with an Irish accent. "That's new."
"What do you want, Jin?" Haru groaned. "Whenever you appear, it means trouble for me."
"Maybe I want you tonight." A demon with thick, shoulder-length, red hair and blue eyes sat across from you. His elfin ears wiggled. "Alone in the woods…"
"You know that will never happen." She rolled her eyes. "That Bastard won't rest until he gets what he wants."
"The Shinobi of Spirit World would protect you if you left with me." He smirked.
"This is my battle." Haru sighed. "I'll deal with That Bastard."
"And then you'll continue playing cards in the hells." Jin replied. "Forever single with a lover on the side."
A stroke of playfulness hit Haru and she smirked. Suggestively, she leaned forward.
"I have a sexual appetite that rivals Youko Kurama." Her voice seemed to be a form of seduction all its own. They were friends since childhood, but even Jin had trouble deciding if she was serious. "I doubt I could find a lover to fulfill my desires."
"Is that why you don't have one now?" Jin teased.
"A lady never reveals her secrets." She smiled.
"You've never been a lady. A countess, yes, but never a lady."
"All in the past." Haru quickly turned serious, but a playful smile tugged at her lips. "I have my smut to occupy me." She stood up and head for the door. But before she left, she bend down, her arms draped over his chest, and whispered, "Maybe later I'll see if you've an able candidate for the position of my lover."
With a wink, she her hand glided across his chest, lightly, teasing him.
Jin sat in his chair still taking in the moment after she left through the door. It took every bit of his strength to stop the arousal growing inside him. Worse of all, he knew she had no idea what she just did to him. She assumed it an innocent game between friends.
"Bloody hell." He whispered. "She'll be the death of me and she'll never know why."
Every Morning, Haru took a constitutional stroll. Lord Yomi's estate covered a great deal of land. An hour walk exploring the multiple paths in the woods relaxed her. Then it was off to study for Shura's first official day as her student.
"Good morning." Haru greeted as he walked in.
Shura smiled brightly and took a seat across from the chalkboard.
"Do you think we'll be able to go outside today?" He asked excitedly.
"It does appear to be a gorgeous day," Haru glanced out the window, "but we have serious work to do first. Did you have time to have your father sign the form agreeing to my policies?"
"Hmm-Mmm." Shura pulled the folder out of his bag and gave it to her.
"Good." She tucked the document away. "Now, I have never tutored someone your age before… Do you know the alphabet?"
"Of course!" He sounded genuinely offended.
"Ok, ok." Haru put her hands up defensively. "Perhaps…"
She went to her bag and pulled out a packet. Paging through, she looked thoughtfully at the questions. Once she was satisfied, she put the packet on his desk.
"I want you to complete this packet." She explained. "It's not graded. I just want to see what you know. Answer the questions you know and leave it blank if your not sure."
"So this will gauge what I currently know?" Shura tilted his head.
"Well, you don't want to waste time on something you already know, right?" Haru smiled. "And I don't want to teach you something that might be over your head. This is the best way to find where to start."
While Shura answered the questions, Haru held a book in her hand. But she attention was not on the book. On most days, Haru found nothing more enjoyable than a book. Today was an exception. Her eyes wandered from the pages to the window as That Bastard's words echoed in her head. Something, anything, that will ruin him, financially and socially.
Lord Yomi was no social butterfly, but he was still respected in the polite world. Lately, he had been attending more parties, which many mothers took as him looking for a wife and pushed their daughters at him. A scandal would spoil any chance of a suitable match. However, he was financially secure. He was a solid rock in a chaotic world, never showing a weakness in health or power. It was this strength that attracted and kept both investors and tenants.
Haru felt her nails start to dig into her palm. She hated everything about this, but she was in no position to fight. As long as That Bastard had the power, she had to play his game.
Just before Haru's frustration reached its peak, Shura closed the packet and placed it on the desk facing her.
"Done!" He announced proudly.
"I'm surprised you finished so fast." She smiled and looked at Shura. Then she glanced through the pages. "It seems a quick review on numbers and etiquette in the in the polite world will be it for today."
By the time dinner came, Shura only needed a few reminders from Haru to keep up a gentlemanly appearance. Thinking her job was done for the day, she dressed for a quiet evening of cards at Greenwood Corner. Just before she entered the parlor, Shura came running toward her.
"Haru, Haru, Haru!" He repeated eagerly.
"I haven't left yet." She laughed. "What is it?"
"Could you quiz me on counting by fives again?" He asked. "I think I have it down now."
"Shura…" Haru sighed. "You've been practicing for hours. Take a break. I'm sure you'll be wonderful at reciting them in the morning."
"But I want to show Dad what we did today." Shura urged. "And it needs to be perfect."
Haru thought for a moment. The gambling hell would still be there if she took a detour. The drunks would only be a few more drinks worse for wear. So long as they weren't thoroughly foxed, she could coax a few games from the demons without being groped in the process. Perhaps if Lord Yomi knew of the progress Shura had made in one day under her tutorage, he wouldn't bother her. Anything to keep the arrogant ass out of her hair would be a blessing.
"All right." She gave in. "However, you must practice while we walk to the dinner table. I have to leave quickly to make an appointment."
"Yes, of course." Shura smiled brightly.
Lord Yomi rubbed his temples. It had been a long and trying week. More than once he had to make the dull journey to the courts to make a ruling on a trivial matter. For the Lord and his companions a diversion seemed obvious. The Bow River flooded every spring costing his tenants thousands of dollars in repairs. A diversion upriver would be an investment that would pay for itself after just one flood. Resistant came from the Lords who lived upriver and did not wish to give up any land on which to build the diversion.
When the carriage finally stopped jostling in front of the estate, Yomi only desire a warm supper and a bed. The footman quickly attended to the lord, taking his coat and leading him to the dining hall.
"Five, ten, fiveteen, twenty, twenty-five, thirty, thirty-five, fourthity, fourthity-five, fifty." He heard Shura's voice shakily recite.
"Oh, Shura." A female voice cut in. "Fifteen and forty. From fifty on you have no trouble, but those two in the beginning… Let's start over."
"Five, ten, fifteen, twenty, twenty-five, thirty, thirty-five, forthity, forty-five, fifty." Shura tried once more.
The lord turned to the footman inquisitively, "I see you hired a new maid in my weeklong absence and Shura's tutor has already started lessons. You've been busy here too."
"Actually, my lord…" The tall demon looked at his shoes. "That is the tutor Shura hired."
Outwardly, the lord's composure didn't change. Inside, he was boiling. His dinner would have to wait.