By auraluna7

Chapter 2: Funeral

The rain made everything seem blurry, she was crying and she hated it, how could fate be so disgraceful and cruel? After all her efforts, after all the doctors...she was here burying her sister. It was not enough that her parents had recently died too, now she broke her promise to them; she let Marina die...

She let the water soak her; she was not leaving until the priest blessed the grave no matter if she was the only one left. Where were all their parents' friends? Once the money ran out everyone had bailed on them...and now Marina...sweet tender Marina she was just s girl...

Haruka sobbed harder, she didn't mind if anyone saw her. After a few moments she felt a hand on her shoulder, she turn to find her brother Hayaki, he was two years younger than her (he was 16) he looked a lot like their father, his eyes green like hers but his hair black as the night, just like Marina's. Marina with her long black hair and her sweet deep sea eyes...

"We better leave Haruka it's pouring and it's getting late"

Haruka nodded, but she couldn't move from where she was standing, instead she bring her younger brother to a hug. "We're going to make it through this one..."

"I know, I trust you Haruka"

-o-o-

Michiru got to the lawyer's office just in time; she was wearing a simple black dress and a hat with a small veil. Things hadn't been easy for her, suddenly she found herself alone in the world. Her parents had died after their carriage fell off a cliff the night of her sixteen birthday, Michiru was devastated, she was a little more than a child and now she had no one.

With her was Yazuko, her godfather, in spite of the low opinion she had on him he had proved himself useful. He was the one in charge of her parents' funeral and she couldn't thank him enough.

Today her parents will was going to be read:

"...declare my daughter Michiru Kaioh as sole heiress of the Kaioh fortune and I name Mr. Yazuko Hanamagua as executor of this will, and tutor of my daughter until she turns twenty one years old or gets married..."

Michiru opened her eyes surprised. Has she understood right? Yazuko was her tutor? And executor...what did that meant? She touched the string of pearls on her neck with apprehension, it was one thing that she was thankful for the help received during her parents' funeral, but being under the supervision of Yazuko made her feel like a small fish who's guardian was a shark.

-o-o-

Michiru looked at her lady-in-waiting with horror; then she slammed her hat on the table."So are you telling me it means he controls all MY money?"

"Until you turn 21 or get married whatever happens first"

"This is outrageous! I hate that man Mizu!" Michiru threw her lace gloves on the vanity and looked at her flustered image on the mirror.

"Then you'll have to find a suitor fast, Mr. Koh is more than willing to marry you..."

"Ha! I'll marry to free myself from Yazuko only to get tied to Seiya's stupidity! No, I need to find someone better... I need to find myself a husband." The season had just started but she was mourning her parents, it was going to take her at least another year to find a suitor. Michiru sighed; she would have to come with a plan soon.

-o-o-

"Are you sure about this sis?"

Haruka looked at her brother, he was always so pessimist. This was a good plan, well a nice one...ok a plan. That was better than nothing. She had a bright idea, now all she needed was money to make it come true; money which of course she lacked off. She looked at her image on the glass of the big clock on the library. She found the same tomboy she had been for the past 10 years. Everyone had mistaken her with a man since. She didn't mind, it was actually better; people took her seriously, no one respected girls specially girls who liked other girls...

His brother knew the whole truth, he didn't care. Marina...well she never knew, maybe it had been better that way.

The clock marked five o' clock in the afternoon, she must hurry, there were a lot of things to do before she left for the city. "Are you sure you can handle the house Haya?"

"I'm not a dork, you have thought me well Haruka, but you should rethink this. What if someone finds out you're a girl?"

"How could anyone find out? I look like a guy don't I? Besides all I need is one investor, I'll be more than done if I manage to find someone that invests...half a million..."

"Half a million? That's a lot of money..."

"But it's worth it; I can assure you we'll triplicate that amount in less than a year..."

"I'm not the one you should convince Ruka, I already got faith in you, remember? I'll be here waiting for the good news..."

"They'll arrive soon I promise" Hayaki smiled at her.

"Who knows maybe in the city you can find a girlfriend"

"Shut up Haya... don't tease me you're young enough to get grounded..."

"But seriously. You think the city is the best place? Remember what happened the last time you were there Haruka"

"That was a long time ago, and I don't want to talk about it"

"There are still mean girls in the city, Ruka!"

"Stop teasing me! Now go before I decide to kick your ass!"

"Come back soon Ruka, I'll miss you"

"I'll miss you too"

-o-o-

Michiru came home devastated from taking flowers to her parents' grave, it had been two months already but for her it felt that just yesterday she was happy and secure. Now each day vanished in front of her with no intention or porpoise... it was dreadful...she missed them so much.

She slowly removed her hat and gloves and walked down the hall to climb up the stairs, she was emotionally drained...

"I'm glad to see you're back from your afternoon stroll, Michiru" Yazuko called to her from the bottom of the staircase.

"What are you doing here?" Michiru was annoyed, as the days went by her new tutor got more and more comfortable at her expense, he now entered the Kaioh's manor as the master of the house.

"We need to talk" The small girl sighed but walk downstairs, after all she was supposed to obey this horrible man.

She sat down in a beautiful silk embroidered chaise lounge. She smoothed the fabric of her long gray taffeta dress with sky blue petticoats. "What can I do for you today Yazuko?"

"You're going out tonight"

"I'm in mourn"

"Not anymore, because of your age you're not expected to mourn for so long, everyone expects you to move on with your life. Tonight it's the Gohantake's ball you know very well it's the most important social event of the season and you will be attending..."

"I don't want to" Michiru looked at the man in front of her, despite the fancy clothing and clean looks she couldn't help but to feel a shiver down her spine at his sight, he was not worth her trust.

"I'm not asking you, you're going because that's what you're supposed to do; don't you realize many of 'your' business depend on social relations? Business isn't going so well… so you're going to go upstairs and wear one of those ridiculously expensive dresses, I'll come pick you up at 7:30..."

"I said no!" Michiru forgot for a moment her good and very polished manners, who the hell this man thought he was? She was mourning her parents..."And what do you mean by business isn't going so well? If you're mishandling my money I swear...

Yazuko stood up as fast as she, he looked calmed but there was fire on his eyes. "Shut up and calm down. Listen, you will do as I said, otherwise I will stop paying for your luxuries and expenses, no more dresses and no more servants..."

"Funny you say such thing...It's MY money!" Yazuko was now really pissed, he grabbed Michiru by the arm and pulled her closer to him, he was hurting her.

"You will do as I say because whether you wish or not, you're mine now; and believe me, you want to be on my good side, now go get dressed!" He pushed her away, Michiru looked at him rubbing her arm with her eyes full of tears, she was upset but she knew he was right...

"Fine I'll go to that stupid ball and find a suitor...tonight!"

(I hate that Yazuko already don't you? Well you know how this works...review if you wish more!)