SailorStar9: After getting the prologue out, this is Chapter 1 of this fic. (Sighs) Guys and girls, is it too hard for you to leave a review, instead of just putting this fic up on your favorited list and story alerts?

Pairings: Tao Ren/Fem!OC, later Yoh/Anna

Disclaimers: I own absolutely nothing, except this plot and pairing.

Chapter 1: Six Months Later

As agreed by both families, Hui Ling was sent to live with the Tao Family for the later half of the year.

"I apologize, Hui Ling." Tao Ran addressed her future daughter-in-law as she sipped the freshly brewed Bai Mudan tea the younger girl had prepared. "For putting you in such an unfavorable situation."

"It's alright, Ran-sama." Hui Ling assured. "It's Fate, after all."

"Fate?" Tao Ran was intrigued.

"I've said too much." Hui Ling backtracked. "Then, excuse me, Ran-sama. I have to return to the kitchens to oversee the preparations of the evening meal."

Later that week...

"Yang-sama!" one of the Tao maidservants burst into Hui Ling's apothecary hall. "It's Ren-sama!"

In Ren's room...

"Young Mistress." Bason floated above the unconscious Ren's head worriedly, before moving aside to let the healer tend to her new patient.

Setting to work quickly, Hui Ling unbuttoned Ren's training shirt to reveal the numerous bruises that marred his torso due to the intense training Tao En put hm under. Turning to her medical chest, she took out three jars of healing balm, a bag of cotton balls and a bottle of antiseptic.

"Young Master..." Bason muttered, hovering over Ren as Hui Ling started disinfecting the cuts and dark bruises.

Ren's tense body instantly relaxed when the first layer of soothing healing balm was applied onto his wounds.

"Is that you, Hui?" Ren winced, pushing himself up from his bed, his amber eyes taking in the sight of the back of his fiancée who was washing up by the wash bowl. "This is..." he looked down at his exposed body to find his wounds slathered in the healer's balms.

"It's best you don't move for now." the raven-haired healer advised. "I only did what is expected of me as a healer." she dried her hands using the towel and packed up her medical chest.

"Do you really hate being betrothed to me?" Ren sat up.

"Not really." Hui Ling answered and exited the younger Tao's room.

SailorStar9: Any OOC-ness is regretted. *Sighs* Don't you just hate plot bunnies sometimes? Read and review.