Note: I have no idea how so many quotations should be formatted, so please forgive how terrible this looks! Also, I'm sorry for how short this is; it looked so much longer in Word.

Disclaimer: I do not own SDK or any of its lovely characters.

Ch.2

The pink haired man stalks silently down the empty hall, stripes of golden light from the shuttered window falling on his face. Lips forming a sneaky grin, he eyes the elegant paper doors.

"Ahhh! Here it is!"

Throwing open door number three, he pounces into the room. "Whanna take a wonderful swim in the lovely lovely village hot springs with me, ma' darlin'???" Silence. "Where are ya?" The man turns, looking around the empty room.

"Hmm...maybe she's there already..." The craftiness returns to his eyes as he leaves the room, headed for the hot springs.

___

She wakes to the sound of children laughing. "Where-OOoph!" she groans as a small child of about three flies through the air and lands squarely on her stomach.

"Look! Nee-Chan's awake!!!" Looking about, the girl finds herself surrounded by small, curious faces.

"How-?" She is again cut off, this time by a handsome man dressed in peasant clothing who just walked in.

"Ok, everyone out! Now!"

The children shuffle out of the small sunlit hut.

"Even you, little one." The man gently picks up the small child who was comfortably sitting on top of the girl and walks her out to the door.

"But what about you, Nii-sama?"

"What do you mean?"

"You said everyone out, but you're going back inside!"

*Sigh* "I don't count."

"Why not?"

Eyes roll heavenward. "Because I said so, that's why. Now please tell everyone to start their chores. We have a serious amount of work to do today." The child scurries out of sight.

"I'm sorry about that!" Turning around, the farmer faces the girl cowering under the covers. "So, any idea why you decided that directly running into me and then knocking yourself out in the middle of a downpour was a good idea?" The young man sniffs. "I had to carry your mud soaked butt for over a mile!" He smiles, mischievously. "Not that the journey wasn't pleasant every step of the way, but still!" Pausing, he asks, "So who are you, Beautiful?"

A good question. A really good question. "I...don't know."

"Hmm... you must have hit your head harder than I thought. Do you remember anything?"

"I...I remember the rain."

"Nothing else? Not even your name? Not even why you were in the rain?" Looking forlornly at the man, the girl shakes her head.

"What about that scar on your rib cage? Hey, don't look at me like that! I needed to get you out of that drenched kimono. Besides, I have three little sisters who I've taken care of since they were babies. So don't worry, you've got nothing I haven't seen before."

"I have a scar?"

*Sigh* "Yes, you have a scar. A big one. Pretty cool, actually. Guess you don't know anything about that, either."

"No...I'm sorry...Are you sure you don't know who I am? Does anyone know?" Tears fill emerald eyes. "I'm all alone, aren't I? I don't have anywhere to go!"

"Hey, pretty girl, don't cry. How about this? Why don't you stay here, at least until we find someone who knows who you are. Of course, you're gonna have to help out around here. The beginning of the harvest is tomorrow and I would appreciate the extra help."

Liquid green looks into warm gray. *sniff* "Really?"

"Of course." He throws a bundle of clothing to her. "Sorry, these are going to be really big on you. They used to be mine. So get dressed and join me in the fields." Smiling, he turns and walks out into the warm sunlight.

The girl's face is filled with surprise and delight as she stares at his retreating back.

Why am I so overjoyed? When was the last time I felt wanted? When was the last time I had a home?

She sighs aloud, "Who knows?"

Scrambling up, the girl quickly dresses, and runs outside.

2