Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail or its characters; that right belongs to Hiro Mashima.

Author's Note: Not much to note. I am having fun with this chapter to drive the storyline.

Year 832, Month October, 31st

The late fall air nipped at Lucy's face and fingertips. Anyone could tell it would snow soon. Her eyes dropped to the bucket of dirty water in her arms. She'd been tasked with many menial chores outside of caring for Rukia. And Lucy knew it was because of petty jealousy.

She sought refuge in Lord Byakuya's room seven times since Lord Koga's birthday party. That man was a petty child as far as Lucy was concerned. He'd been pissed that she'd left his banquet. While the maids, or female staff in general, had been upset by his favoritism deepening. The noble ladies in attendance were displeased with his open flirting with a lowly enslaved person like herself. It was all unnecessary drama that Lucy was used to in one manner or another.

There was no in-between. And when it became clear Lucy was hiding in Lord Byakuya's room, the bullying became worse. Yet it was nothing compared to the stuff Sarah put her through. That was a broad spectrum that covered physical, mental and emotional abuse. So now Lucy stayed quiet and did everything 'asked' of her.

"Hime?"

The soft voice in her head had Lucy feeling a bit of tension in her shoulders seep out. The voices of the stars were coming in clearer each month. And tonight, Lucy would sneak out and perform the ritual her mother had taught her as a child. A full moon would hang in the sky shedding its bright blue light so the power could gather and transfer more quickly as the stars danced and twinkled like small gems in the blackness.

"At the thought of being able to commune, Lucy smiled gently. Each step she took felt lighter as she sent a wave of gratitude to the Star's Spirits. Lucy had come to learn that her mother was what was called an Oracle, and she was one herself. A person who translated the words of the Gods to the people via a message from the stars.

And after the ritual, Lucy would have to dye her hair with ash and ink again. Otherwise, she'd have a whole different problem. One she didn't and wouldn't explain. And Lucy was sure the old man would be beyond angry. Her past was hers, and Lucy wanted to leave it in the past.

"There you are!"

A cold chill swept down Lucy's spine. It was just her luck. Lord Koga would intercept her when she was unable to escape. Forcing a smile, Lucy turned to look at the Kuchiki Heir. Her hands tightened on the bucket she held—every survival instinct she had demanded that she throw the dirty water in his face and run away.

"You are Rukia's personal maid. Why are you taking out filthy dishwater?" Lord Koga asked, his lips pulled down into a frown.

Lucy knew she had two choices. Neither did she want to choose. The first complained to Lord Koga that the female staff was bullying her. But that would make him act out and reprimand them for being petty bitches. While making Lord Koga think she was interested in him. A colossal fuck no!

The second option was to play it off as she had free time and wanted to help the other servants. At the same time, this was technically the lesser of two evils. It'd still incite the arrogant standing before her. Because he'd demand she didn't choose to come and serve him in her free time. Though Lucy already had a master in his younger sister.

Lucy opened her mouth to speak, choosing the second option since she'd not be bringing more shit onto herself with the other staff, when someone said from behind her.

"I made her do it as punishment. She had displeased me in her care of Rukia."

"Grandfather!?"

"You heard me, Koga. Now leave her alone. You have duties to attend to, and I suggest you take care of them. You are the Heir of this Clan."

Lucy watched as Lord Koga's face shifted to annoyance as he left. Silently Lucy screamed her happiness in her head. While she turned slowly to face Lord Genrei, giving a quick (albeit clumsy due to the bucket in her hands) bow.

"Rise and finish what you are doing," Lord Genrei said, dismissing her.

"Lucy straightened herself and gave a quick nod of acceptance to the head of the Clan and walked past him.

"And if the staff continue to interfere over this ridiculous matter, come find me. I do not tolerate discord in my house, as you know, Lucy."

Lucy didn't look back, but she smiled. Her chest felt as if a weight was lifted.

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Byakuya sighed as he placed his cleaned ink brush on the drying rack. His mind would not stay calm or focused. It kept going to the young lady who served his younger sister. She was not what he had expected. Each time she had hidden in his room, she remained quiet and calm. As if focused on something or another.

In fact, Byakuya was pretty sure she was meditating. Though he'd caught the girl watching him on the rare few occasions, there'd been curiosity in her eyes. It did not take much to realize she was exceptionally intelligent. He had a lengthy conversation with Rukia after their Elder Brother's birthday. He found out that all Rukia's current achievements and changes were from the girl.

Byakuya was well aware of Lucy's origins. And that her father had been a strong and honorable warrior. That he was head of his people. People he had untied himself led into battles that he won. He was sure where the girl got her intelligence from. He'd seen her mother from a distance a few times, and that woman reminded him of the conniving harem women belonging to the Emperor.

In a fluid motion, Byakuya stood enjoying how the bright light cast by the full moon illuminated his gardens, as seen through his window. Nights like this had been his and his late wife, Hisana's favorite. They sat on the veranda under a blanket, talking away till the sun rose. Or they were taking a walk (on Hisana's good days) in the zen garden he created for her. Feeling suddenly restless, Byakuya decided to take a walk through the said garden.

The distance was short and familiar. With the path clear to see, Byakuya quickly arrived. He noticed the low fog crawling lazily across the ground. It brought a smile to his lips. Hisana loved to play in the low fog. She was kicking it or running her hands through it while laughing.

Giving a quick shake of his head, Byakuya resumed his walk. After a few more steps, he stopped. The sweet-sounding chime of precious metal echoed in the chill October night air. It was a sound so out of place in the Zen Garden.

Frowning, Byakuya followed. Soon he came to a halt. The sight before him had him mesmerized. A strange pale-skinned woman with hair the color of sunlight danced unfettered. She wore a strange, almost translucent, gown and veil. But the way the blue-silver light of the full moon cast a halo around her. While the belt on her exposed, slender waist shimmered, reflecting the moon's light off gold and silver keys. Yet the chiming they made was in time to the twisting and turning of the woman's dance. It was harmonious, as if they were one and had done this countless times.

Any words he could have spoken froze in his mouth as Byakuya tried to recall if a person such as this woman had been seen in the Kuchiki mansion before. Yet he knew if he'd seen this seductress during the day, or any time, he'd remember her. Though he couldn't help but feel something about her was familiar to him. For she was human.

Time seemed to stand still as he silently watched. Her movements are both in sync and out of sync with everything around her. When the rustling of leaves from the small cluster of Ginkgo trees filled the air, the woman froze. Byakuya saw her tense and looked around. Yet when her gaze landed on him, she fled without hesitation.

His body was moving to give chase when the rustling from the Ginkgo Trees grew louder. Halting, Byakuya turned and moved towards them. His show interrupted, the girl probably gone and hiding. Feeling his mood sour, Byakuya figured he'd take it out on whoever decided the Ginkgo Trees were an excellent hiding place.

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A smile curled their lips. He'd gotten to witness a rare sight. It had been enthralling for him. It only reinforced the idea of possessing the girl. She was beautiful, from the pale honey hair down to the bountiful curves of her scantily clad body.

When the third person had appeared, he'd felt anger swell in his chest. This man had no right to see the land walking goddess dance. She was his. So he decided to make noise as he left. It hadn't been too hard to sneak into the renowned Kuchiki manor. Patience wasn't his thing. But to acquire her, he'd be patient since she should have never been given to the Kuchiki in the first place.

TBC!