Legend of the condor lovers.

A/N : Writing this fic is hard because I don't know whether I have the best character selection and whether I should modify it to suit my taste. Anyway, I hope you enjoy it.

Chapter 2: Happy Times and Another Meeting

The woman who became Natsuki's godmother was Yuriko Sanada, a well-known martial artist who was popular a few years ago as the poison toad mistress as she was well known for using poisonous arts. But after the death of her only daughter by one of her own students made her fall into despair and made her half-mad. She had travelled all over the world to find her now dead child before stumbling upon a poisoned Natsuki.

The next few days were total bliss and happiness for Natsuki for she now had a new mother that really cared and loved by Yuriko. It had been so long since she had a home cooked meal that she always looked forward to mealtime as the meals were cooked by Yuriko. They would go out on walks to find some food to eat. Yuriko insisted that they find food that was not other people's belongings. Before, Natsuki would simply steal what she wanted to eat and had been caught and beaten up on many occasions. Yuriko bought a few seeds and together they planted it behind their hut.

Yuriko taught some of her martial arts to Natsuki. A move called the angry toad was done by concentrating one's qi in the palm and releasing it in one go. Yuriko showed it to Natsuki and caused a tree to fall down. Natsuki was so impressed that she tried so hard to master it but she could only do so little.

"It takes time to master it Natsuki. Have patience."

"Yes Mother."

Once in a while Yuriko would become crazy, calling Natsuki by her real daughter's name-Yuri. Natsuki learned to pretend to be Yuri just to calm Yuriko down and play along with her whims. Natsuki longed that Yuriko would stay by her side so much that she would anything for her, even if she had to be someone else.

One day when they were practising their arts, Yuriko became half-mad again.

"Where are you Yuri? Why do you always leave me?"

Realizing her mother had become half-mad, Natsuki rushed to her side to calm her down.

"I'm here Mother."

"Who are you? You're not my Yuri. My beautiful Yuri…where are you?"

Yuriko ran away from Natsuki towards the road. Startled and worried about her godmother, Natsuki chased after her. But because Yuriko was such a fast runner, Natsuki could not catch up and soon she lost sight of her.

'Please don't leave me…"

Natsuki sat beside the road with hopes that Yuriko would return even though it began to rain. As the wind howled and the rain pounded her body, Natsuki huddled herself in hopes of warming herself.

"Why does everyone leave me?" She whispered to herself.

XXXOXXX

The rain had subsided and the sun came out. Beside the roadside, a figure lay unconscious with damp clothes. Sometime during rainstorm, Natsuki had fallen asleep.

A man and a woman who were passing by noticed the figure and rushed towards it.

The man with light brown hair and air of superiority gasped when he saw the face of the girl in front of him.

"Mai…this is…"

The woman named Mai looked at her husband in alarm before looking at the girl and gasped as well.

"Tate…how could this be?"

"I don't know. Anyway, this girl is unconscious. Let's take her to a healer or something"

His wife hesitated before giving in to her husband's wish. They took the girl to a nearby and requested for a healer which was immediately called by the innkeeper. The healer inspected the girl and gave his report the innkeeper who reported to Tate.

"The girl is fine except just a bit exhausted."

"I see. I wonder why she lying beside the roadside. She surprised me, I thought I saw a corpse."

"Actually it would have been better if the girl died sir, the poor lass."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, this girl is an orphan, her mother died recently and she's been nothing but trouble, stealing here and there. People like that are better off dead."

"Nonsense. No one deserves to die even if they are a thief. Everyone can change even a girl like her.

"If you say so."

Tate went to see the girl who was now awake and was busy chomping down the food given to her.

"How are you? I found you unconscious by the road and took you here."

"I'm fine. A bit hungry but a good meal would cure that."

"That's good to hear. May I ask for your name?"

"My name is Kuga Natsuki."

A look of surprise was visible on the man's face but he pretended to act otherwise.

"I hear your mother had passed recently. What about your father? Where is he?"

"I don't have one. Mother said he died when I was a baby."

"I see. Do you know your parent's name?"

"I know mother's name-Saeko. I never asked mother my father's name."

Hearing the name, Tate turned to his wife.

"Mai, this is Saeko's daughter. I just know it is so. Can't you see the resemblance?

"Yes. I noticed.

"Natsuki, my name is Tate Yuuichi and this is my wife Mai. We were your mother's friends.

"Really?"

"Yes" said Mai. "I was your mother's sworn sister."

'Mother's sworn sister?'

"We would like to take you home with us." Said Tate with a glint of happiness in his eyes. "Since your mother is no longer here, you are now our responsibility. Would you like to come with us?"

Natsuki could not believe her good luck.

"You're really gonna let me stay with you? Your not gonna leave me?"

Mai put her arms around the girl and hugged her.

"We will take good care of you. We won't leave you."

Natsuki was speechless. Tears streamed down her cheeks.

"Well what do you say?'

'Please take good care of me."

To be continued