AN (Author's Note): This is my first time writing a story so no cruel reviews please ^^" arigato!

Oh yea. I'm not very good with dialogue so I'm sorry! ^^"

Disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin is not mine. Nor is the story Cinderella or Ella Enchanted or Ever after. (Which is all a version of Cinderella, and if you don't like it then don't read)

-Chapter 10-

Yumi's cold gaze swept over Kaoru and the rest, causing chills to run through the small group of servants.

Then Yumi turned back around and led them all toward a big room with a low ceiling.

The walls were covered with mirrors, except for the far side of the wall, where a tall wardrobe stood.

The floor was of polished wood, and the lanterns hanging above on the ceiling lighted the room. Thought the lanterns were not to low.

An eerie glow slipped over the room as Yumi lighted the candles, and then she headed toward the wardrobe.

She opened it to reveal Yukatas, all were white with pink flowers and a plain yellow sash in the middle.

Then she handed it out to all the gaping servants.

Kaoru touched hers lightly, afraid that it might be dirtied by her rough hands.

The Yukata was smooth against her skin, and she decided that it must be satin. She held the Yuakta against her slim figure, and guessed that it should fit just right.

Misao was next to her, jumping with delight from the Yukata in her hand. Guessing that they were for them to wear. She was right.

Yumi then smiled, relaxing a bit. "Those Yukatas are for yourself, and yourself only. You will be given a clean one every morning next to your beds, and when you find your room later on tonight you will find a nightgown on your assigned beds. You are to put on your Yukatas in the next room and come back to this one to fix whatever needed."

Just as Kaoru touched her tangled, dirty black hair, Yumi noted, "Showers are connected to the dressing rooms, and towels will await in there." She pointed with her thumb to the right. "Now get going." She said, smiling.

Kaoru bowed, and so did everyone else, all saying "Hai!" at the same time.

Kaoru held the Yukata delicately in her hand as she and Misao rushed toward the room to wash up. Others first went to try on their Yukatas, and so the bathroom wasn't very crowded.

Expecting for the bathroom to be the same as back home, Kaoru pushed into the bathroom, only to find it breathtaking.

The floor was made of marble tiles and there were wooden stalls for their own privacy. Kaoru went into a stall next to Misao's and found that they were showers, and that in the stall the floor was lowered so no water could run out.

Kaoru undressed and hung her rags on top of the stall door and turned on the hot water, letting it slip over her body and hair.

She saw that there was shampoo in a little container and washed her hair quickly.

Steam rose up as Kaoru massaged the shampoo into her scalp and hair. It feels so good… she thought. She hadn't taken a shower since the last time Kenshin came. And it's so clean here, unlike home… she thought.

Then she saddened. That's right… this is my home now. I won't be able to see my real home anymore.

A single tear came down her cheek, but was unnoticeable because it blended in with the water the she ran against her face.

Quickly, she turned off the water and went into another room next to it, connecting to the stall, which was the dressing room.

She grabbed her rags and her Yukata into the dressing room.

Kaoru quickly and quietly dried herself off and with another towel, wrapped her soaking hair in it.

Then she dressed herself in the Yukata, feeling the smooth, cold material slip over her clean body.

She had a little trouble at first, because she didn't know how to put it on, but she managed after a few minutes.

Kaoru stepped out and went back to the starting room. Misao hadn't finished dressing yet, so she wasn't in there. Yumi had left, and all that were there was just a few other servants.

They all turned their heads to look at her, then smiled at how pretty she was in her Yuakta. Though they were all jealous, they praised her beauty.

Kaoru blushed at the attention, and led herself to stand in front of the mirror. The towel around her head had been taken off before she left for the other room, and so her black tresses fell upon her shoulders and back.

Her breath got caught in her throat. The Yukata hugged her body just right, and her black hair contrasted it, making it even more beautiful.

She turned around a few times to look at her image, and smiled shyly.

She liked her new image. I wonder what Kenshin would say if he saw me like this. Then she shook her head. Where did that come from??? I should be thinking about Soujiro.

Smiling, she remembered Soujiro's smile and it warmed her heart. Then she thought with a scowl, why did he run off without any explanation?! With a 'hmph', she thought about it for a while, and then decided that there must be a reasonable explanation.

Just then, Misao came in and joined her, twirling around with happiness about her Yukata.

Just as Misao was about to compliment Kaoru, a man that was heavily bandaged came in with the help of Yumi.

He gazed around for a few moments, and Kaoru with the others stood silent.

Then, with a deep husky voice, he told them, "I will be your new master…"

To Be Continued…

Gomen for the short chappie! And this will be a k/k fic! XPP

Now Review!!! XDD