Chapter 1
A young girl stood at the bow of a large boat, her hair waving in the winds of the sea. Her long brown locks streamed behind her, as they neared the shore, it's sandy beach full of people, waiting for her mistress. Her dark brown eyes scanned the foreign shore, looking over the faces of the people. She saw no one she knew, but she still looked her heart hoping there would be someone. She was a street urchin, not a girl that was bred into this class, she was placed. She didn't care where she was put, as long as it wasn't a bedwarmer. The dress she wore was the outfit of a maid, in the staff of which she was put. The long black skirt was not made for this weather, the white cuffs, collar, and apron, were not meant to be in the sand. A sigh escaped her lips as another member of staff came behind her."Welcome to the Caribbean, Tohru Honda."said the butler, placing his hands on her shoulders. He was a kind old man, he always helped her, but he was becoming slower and slower to her rescue, he had come because of her, to care for her, and help her. It wasn't her fault, she had begged him to stay, but he had said that he would follow her wherever she went, so she had ceased her begging.
They got off the boat, stepping onto the hot shore, carrying the belongings of the duke and duchess. Tohru helped haul a trunk from the ship, her back giving into the heavy weight. As she was about to drop the chest into the clear water, strong arms grabbed her from the back, pulling her back onto the dock. Tohru fell into the arms, the trunk settling next to her. A blush spread across her cheeks as she looked back to thank the person on which she had fallen on. Her eyes widened as she stared into his eyes, the stormy grey that was accented by sea blue. "Th...thank...you."Tohru stammered, as the stranger helped her to her feet. He held up his hand, rough and delicate, silencing her apology."No need to thank me, miss, just making sure a newcomer didn't fall prey to the fishes." said the stranger, running his hand through his silvery grey hair. Tohru nodded dumbly, watching him intently. He wore dark brown trousers, that stopped at his knees, his white shirt was baggy on his frame, his brown boots came to the end of his trousers, and a sword hung at his side.
"Tohru come!"yelled the duchess, seeing her with the rogue. Tohru nodded to her mistress, as she began to walk back to her side, though before she left the deck, she looked back. But he was gone. Tohru's heart sank a little, as she followed her back to the dock, as they other men grabbed the trunk, and bringing back to the carriage. Soon she was loaded in the carriage, helping the childrens governess keep the children quiet. She soon forgot the rogue, but the startling eyes never left her mind, even after his face did. They approached the house, it's large white front looming over them. The plantation was larger than the other that they had lived at, but this one was on a island, now controled by Britain, where the hot sun bore down heavily on the people.
The butler sat next to Tohru as they ate their dinner, each person at the table was quiet and subdued. "Mister Smith, why is there three to a room?"asked a maid, sitting across from him. The old butler smiled, dabbing his head with a hankerchief."Until everyone is situated and all they will be sharing."said Mister Smith. Tohru stepped out of the room, into the night, breathing in the air. She was tired, scared and lonely, her back hurt and she could barely think, let alone sleep. Why was she having these difficulties, why was she hurting like this? Tohru looked around the yard, adjusting her eyes to the night. The stars dotted the sky with sparkling diamonds, filling her heart with an aching feeling, that lingered long after she went back into the house.