Prologue (very short one…)

After spending a lot of time concentrating I finally decided to make my own Yukiru fic. Please enjoy!

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"What do you mean?" the rich merchant stood up with the phone still on his ear. "Where is she? Is she alright?"

"Yes sir." A voice was heard in the other line. "She's in her room, sleeping."

"Thank God she's okay." He sat down on his chair again and sighed loudly. "Are you sure she's okay? Did they found the hired assassins?"

"Unfortunately, they got away but left no warning of the next attack. The police believed that they are the same people who tried to kill her months and years ago."

The merchant thought for a while. "For three years, my stepdaughter escaped five assassination attempts. Didn't they notice that it always happens at the same time and same place?"

"Yes sir, they did but it happened so fast that they couldn't catch up." The voice replied. "It seems like you pay a lot of money for those worthless policemen."

"I guess you're right. I'll be going home now, Gure. Thank you for your 5-year-service." The merchant was about to hung up when Gure yelled.

"SIR! Wait! You're going home already?"

"Yes. I would like to see my daughter and I would also like to talk to her about something." He said.

"About what, sir?"

"About that thing you suggested to me." The merchant grinned.

"Ahh, splendid idea, sir. But what if she refuses?"

"She won't. I would like to see her under strict attention rather to see her out there being guarded by hundreds of police who couldn't even protect her."

"I understand sir. I understand." Gure nodded.

"Thank you for the idea, Shigure."

"But sir, I need to tell you one more thing."

"What is it?"

"My cousin still doesn't know about this. What if he refuses?"

The merchant laughed. "Gure, Sohmas are easy to deal with. Just show them large numbers in the check and they accept it."

"But sir, just to warn you, my little cousin is NEVER like me." Gure warned and hung up.

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16-year old Honda Tohru woke up on her bed. After her mother died, she lived under the care of a rich merchant. He treated her as his own child but still, she felt something strange, like she didn't belong there. She felt that she was alone.

The door suddenly opened and her father came in. "How are you? Did they hurt you? Because if they did---"

"No father." She whispered. "They didn't even lay a finger."

"Good. I'm happy because you're safe." He smiled.

"Father." She looked at him worriedly. "How long is this going to end?"

The merchant hugged her like a cherished doll. "I'm sorry. Please buy me more time, angel. Soon, after we have enough money to leave the country and provide you a better home and education, you'll have a better life."

"But, it's already been 3 years and," she muttered. "I'm scared."

"Don't be. I already have a solution for this problem!" the merchant stood up excitingly.

"What is it, father?" the girl asked as she saw her stepfather jumping up and down excitingly.

"I hired a bodyguard!"

"W-what?"

"Yes, Ms Tohru, a bodyguard." Gure came in and bowed low. "Sorry for eavesdropping but I was just plainly overjoyed when your soon-to-be bodyguard just said yes."

"Yes to what?" asked the confused girl.

"Tohru, those police do nothing but fool around. They don't really guard you. They're just after our money." The merchant explained. "So I know a bodyguard is the only solution for this problem. In that way, he'll be close to you and he'll never fail to protect you---"

"He???" she stood up. "Father, we talked about these men. You know that I'm not really used to be with one."

"That's why I'm hiring one for you to understand!"

"Father."

"Please, mistress." Gure begged. "It's the only way for you to be calm after those unsuccessful assassination attempts!"

She thought for a while and imagined. A guy will be always there standing on her doorway and will be always walking around with her. Such a shameful thing to happen but—

"I'll give it a try father." She whispered. "If you do want the best for me."

"Great! Gure. When will this young man arrive?"

"Maybe tomorrow sir. I assure you," the butcher looked at the girl. "my cousin won't fail protecting you."

Huh?

This can't be.

Another Sohma?