Miko no Chikyuu, Gejo no Nihon

AN: Hey! Sorry I haven't updated since Christmas! I never realized it was THAT long ago. But I really have been busy this whole time in fact I'm surprised I have time now. So enjoy this chapter please and don't forget to REVIEW! Thanx a lot everyone! Bye-bye! ^_-

Usagi- 10 years

Hotaru- 8 years

*~~~~~~~~*

Usagi had her waist-length hair flowing all around her, dirty with mud and other elements, which wasn't the most pleasant thing to see or even more smell. But no matter how many stares she got from those around her she didn't care, there was no need to care. Usagi hadn't had an actual place to sleep in over a year and at the beginning it was very hard, especially for finding food, but she eventually got used to everything and survived in the end.

She was walking down the street looking for food to eat, in other words food that was easy to steal, when she spotted the perfect victim. It was a young boy, looking to be around the age of 15 and he seemed new to the town since Usagi had lived there for about five months and never seen his face before. He was carrying what seemed to be freshly baked loafs of bread.

Usagi had her target and now it was time to strike. She past him but did a roundabout and purposefully bumped into his back, knocking him to the ground since he tripped over his own feet. The bread fell on the ground and scattered around. Usagi bent down to "help" him pick them all up, which he greatly appreciated. While he wasn't looking or had his head turned away she would stuff one into her dress and he never noticed this!

'What an easy pick!' Usagi thought as she got up after all the rest of the loafs were put back into the basket the man was carrying. The man then started walking away and Usagi ran off with her prize.

"I'm so good!" She said to herself running around a corner before bumping into an older gentleman. Usagi fell to the ground while the man just slightly faltered since he was a rather large man, who looked to be around thirty. The problem was that as Usagi fell all the bread fell out of her dress, and the man bent down to help pick them up.

Usagi was getting nervous. 'What if he thinks I stole them?' This thought raced through her head as she frantically picked up all the bread she could. When she got a good look at the man handing her a loaf she saw that he had very expensive clothing on, which looked to be made of silk. He also had a servant with him carrying his cane, money and jewelry, undoubtedly bringing it to the jeweler to get money for it.

"Here." He said offering her the bread in his hand. Usagi just stared at him and never accepted the bread she ran off with what she had, afraid he might turn her in or something of that sort. As she ran out of site the man just stared in the direction she was going, looking slightly amused before walking back into the town.

*~~~~~~~~~*

Usagi finally reached the covert of the woods and got to catch her breathe. She had lost another loaf of bread in her running and now was left with only one. She knew this would hardly last the day and she would have to go back soon, unless she wanted to go to sleep hungry, which she particularly hated.

The sun was still high in the sky, a few hours later, and the bread stolen was already gone. Usagi decided it was time go and steal more food, especially during a famine you have to be particularly aggressive. So in hope that the man would be long gone, Usagi decided to go back and search for another solution to her problem.

Then finally after taking a drink from the local pond, which everyone in town used, Usagi headed out for the town hoping against all hope.

*~~~~~~~~*

Usagi had several targets but none worked out since most everyone in town already knew her tricks and she already starting to get hungry. The starving people around her only made it worse and it was times like these when she just wanted to end all her misery, and be reunited with Kiray.

Then when Usagi was passing by the tea-house, where most geishas went for their "paycheck" Usagi saw Him. The man that she had crashed into earlier was leaving the geisha house with two geisha around his arms laughing about something. Usagi stopped dead in her tracks as he began walking towards her. She could hardly breath!

At first Usagi thought that he didn't recognize her but when he stopped right in front of her did she realize he didn't want to scare her away.

"What's with this disgusting little runt." The geisha on his right cruelly said.

"Lets go Uwakimono-san. This poor girl isn't worth your time. Especially when you have us." The other geisha said moving his face to stare at her ghostly white face.

"Ladies please. Have more compassion for the less fortunate. I've been meaning to speak with her anyway." He then released his grip on the two geisha who weren't really pleased to be brushed to the side by a little ten-year old. The middle-aged man turned his head and called out his servant, who readily came forward.

"Please take this young girl's hand, but don't hurt her any." The servant obeyed his master's orders and took Usagi's hand and his skin was quiet course and firm.

"My dears I greatly thank you for your company today but please excuse me for I must take my leave." He then lightly bowed his head to them both who completely lowered their backs to him, very elegantly in fact.

The young women left his company and reentered the tea-house, less then pleased. He didn't seem to care for their feelings though cause when he turned back towards Usagi he had a grin on his face, which left Usagi feeling uncomfortable.

"Well lets' get back to our room." He said as he walked off in front with his servant in tow.

*~~~~~~~~*

Usagi was seated on a silk cushion, sitting warm by the fire when a young woman came in with a small teacup and a glass teapot, which had the scent of green tea in it. Usagi had to admit it smelled good especially to her hungry stomach.

The young servant left the teapot and an extra cup on the table when she exited the room. Usagi was contemplating weather or not she should drink the warm tea. She hadn't had green tea since she lived with her parents and her mom would give her small sips of her tea.

A few minutes later the Uwakimono walked in and sat down at the other end of the small table. Silence filled the room for a few minutes as he took small sips of his tea when he finally decided to start up a dialogue in the uncomfortable atmosphere around them.

"Why do you not drink you're tea? It's quiet good." He said taking another sip from his own cup.

"I'm not hungry." Usagi lied, which was soon brought out into the open when her stomach growled.

"It's not polite to lie to you're elders you know." He took another sip.

"It's not polite to take a young girl off the streets without my permission." The man looked at her with a slightly surprised face.

"Is there a problem?"

"I just want to know why you brought me here." Usagi began to give him a slight attitude. He took another sip.

"If you really must know it's because you remind me of my deceased daughter." Usagi looked up into his face quiet shocked, he didn't pay her look any heed as he took another sip.

"Excuse me?"

"You see my daughter died of a fever a few years back, she was about your age then. When I saw all the bread you had hidden beneath you dress it reminded me of how she always used to hide things from me." He took another sip of tea. "Then I asked those two geisha you meet earlier about you, and the more they told me the more you reminded me of her." He poured himself another cup.

"But why'd you bring me here?" She asked looking down in her tea.

"Honestly I never got to be a real father to her since I was hardly ever there with all my business transactions. When I saw you I felt like it was another chance for me. Little girl I would be greatly honored if you would help me make up for the mistake I once made." He looked at her and she just stared at him blankly unable to believe his words.

"You want me to be your daughter?!"

"In a way yes."

"But don't you have a wife other children?" Usagi frantically asked.

"My wife died giving birth to her and she was my first and only child. I haven't been remarried." He looked down at his tea. That's when the silence crept back up on them, and lasted even longer than before.

"My name is Tsukino, Usagi." The man looked at her and was more than pleased.

"My name is Uwakimono, Atsui."

"I still don't quiet know what you wish of me though Uwakimono-sama." Usagi said finally taking a sip of her now cold tea.

"Please no formalities just call me Atsui, Usagi." Usagi was taken aback by this, no formalities between those that just met, he acted as if they had always known each other!

"You know Usagi I think you need to be cleaned up a little." Usagi looked at herself and saw how grungy she looked.

"Maid please come here." An old maid then walked in. "Please clean this girl up. Also go and buy her new clothes, please." She bowed her head and Usagi got up and walked towards the woman who escorted her out.

'Maybe I can just play with this guy. He seems nice but I don't trust him, as long as he gives me food and shelter I'll stay but when I get tired of him I'll just leave.' Usagi rationalized in her head as she was being bathed.

*~~~~~~~~*

"Uwakimono-san she is done." The maid told him as he stood up waiting for her. A few moments later Usagi walked in looking very different. She had a light blue kimono on, made of silk, but with no fancy designs on it. Her hair was clean and shiny but instead of having it hanging down freely it was up in two buns with two pigtails hanging down. On her feet she had finely polished wooden shoes. Usagi had to admit it was the most expansive clothing she had ever had on and it made her feel important.

"I must say Usagi you look lovely!" He then walked up to her and gave her a tiny hug, which Usagi didn't respond to.

"I can see we'll need to work on our relationship together." He then stood up straight. "Thank you Ma'am I very much appreciate this." She bowed to him and walked out of the room.

"Now Usagi I hope you don't mind but we will be leaving for China soon." He sat down at table. "You see I work for our government and I handle disputes between our two countries. I'm hardly ever in one place very long but I'll bring you everywhere with me. You don't mind do you?" He asked averting one of his eyes toward her.

"Not at all." She said trying to walk toward the table in her shoes. 'I guess I will be a vagabond, in one way or other.'

"We'll be leaving tomorrow and be escorted to Chine with a few soldiers. Don't feel threatened by them they're their for our protection. If anyone asks who you are just say you are my daughter, and it's not exactly a lie anyway."

"Thank you very much." Usagi bowed to him, the first she had done to an elder in awhile.

*~~~~~~~~~*

They were now leaving for their trek to China. Usagi was back in the kimono and very well rested, which she hadn't been for years.

"Usagi it's time we go." He shouted up to her as she got up to meet him in the entrance. She had a smile on her face and ran down the stair, almost falling several times.

"Hello Atsui." She happily said when three soldiers walked into the inn. That's when Usagi got nervous because she recognized one particular soldier. It was the young soldier that had accused her of treason when she was still living with Kiray.

'Oh no! It's him! What if he recognizes me? I'll be arrested undoubtedly!' Usagi lowered her head so he couldn't look at face but she could feel his eyes on her.

"Well lets go." He said escorting her out as the three soldiers followed them. Two got in the front of the carriage the other got inside with them and just Usagi's luck that it was Trowa.

'Dammit! I'm totally dead! He better not recognize me!' When Usagi sat down she was so nervous she felt as though it had to have been at least 100 degrees in the carriage. She never lifted her head up the whole ride. She didn't want to take the risk of being recognized.

"What's your name young man?" Atsui asked as the carriage took off.

"Barton. Trowa Barton." He said as he lowered his gaze to Usagi, and Atsui followed his gaze.

"This is my daughter Usagi. Say hello to the nice young man."

"Hello." She quietly said never raising her gaze.

"Come now Usagi show him you're pretty face, stop hiding!" He then took hold of her chin and lifted her face up where she met his gaze directly!

TBC……….

AN: I know this chapter is slightly uneventful but don't worry the next chapter is going to be much more eventful. It's unusual for me to leave it like this but there is more to this story, too much to fit in one chapter. Thus I decided leave you hanging and find out later. Aren't I so kind. Also Atsui Uwakimono can be translated to Kind cheater, you'll see why I gave him this name later. Review if you want more! And find out everything that happens next!

PS: To those who celebrate Easter have a great one. ^_-