AN: Even though I have only received a couple of comments, I'd just like to say a quick thanks for the encouragement Thank you once again. All copyrights the respective owner still.

Chapter 2: The Morning Surprise

As Himeno entered the dining room, it still never cist to amaze her, even after living here for quite some time now.

The room was beautifully decorated with fabulous sparkling crystal chandeliers, pale violet coloured walls, which had watercolour paintings of fantastic scenery, and luxurious furniture that was made of dark Oak. On the huge dining table, which was in placed the middle of the room, had fantastic cutlery, shiny silver knives, forks, spoons, were placed out with neatly folded white napkins, and sparkling white plates and dishes were placed out as well.

"Oh...your awake on time for once," said a voice. "Come and sit down".

Himeno glanced over the far end of the table. It was her stepmother, Natsue.

Natsue was staring back at Himeno, she had very dark black hair, which was casually tied in a bun with curly tendrils hanging down, she was wearing a gorgeous turquoise gown with a white pearl necklace and earrings to match. She had a sincere look on her pale skinned face, as Himeno slowly walked towards to table, while sipping her morning coffee. Himeno sat down opposite Natsue and sighed to herself quietly.

"Ah! Himeno!" said a familiar voice. It was Himeno's father, Kaoru.

He was looking up from reading the newspaper, wearing an old mustard colour jumper, his hair shaggy looking as if he hadn't brushed it for a week (or a month) and he also had a big pair of round lenses of glasses on, which he looked over at Himeno as he waved to his daughter from across the table.

Himeno gave a faint smile, as the dining room door opened up again.

It was Mawata. She was wearing a red jumper with purple pants, her light green hair was curled slightly and bounced as she casually walked past Himeno, with out looking at her or saying a word, and sat down a seat but one besides her with the look of sadness in her face.

Himeno glanced away from Mawata as some one else opened the door. It was Mayune.

She walked in the room, grumbling and muttering to herself which sounded like "stupid Tanaka". She was wearing a blue and white coat, with a matching skirt, and white knee boots. Her pink wavy hair was all out, as it dangled all the way down her back.

Mayune quickly dragged out a chair that was next to Himeno, and sat down quickly with her arms folded and gave a tut, as she quickly looked at Himeno and then away. Himeno ignored her; this wasn't the worse insult she had received from Mayune.

After Natsue and Kaoru were making kissing noises to each other and several minutes of silence between the entire family, Mikage came back out with several other servants to serve breakfast.

Trays of golden toast were placed in the middle surrounded by pots of jam, marmalade, and honey, crispy bacon and fried sausages were placed on each plate, with boiled eggs. Fresh baguettes were brought out, along with a plate stacked high of pancakes, which made Himeno's mouth water. After several plates of food were brought out, along with pots tea, that was served in fine China cups.

Feeling really hungry, Himeno stacked her plate with bacon, toast and pancakes and began to eat rapidly then everyone else. As they began to all eat peacefully, the dining room door opened again, with the creek of the large Oak door.

It was Hayate.

Himeno nearly choked on her French toast, this was so unexpected. Hayate is one of the seven Leafe knights that protects and prêts with Himeno, he is also Himeno's father's helper, but he doesn't come to them while they are having meals or any other time.

He stood in the doorway, wearing black pants, a white shirt with a button open at the top and a light blue demin jacket. His long dark navy hair, feel gracefully over his shoulders and into his deep blue eyes. He looked very handsome; there was no question about it as he glanced at the family.

"Ah! Good morning Hayate" began Kaoru, as he put down his newspaper "Would you like some breakfast?".

"No, I'm good thank you" said Hayate, as he quickly looked at Himeno, who looked away and began eating her breakfast quietly looking around the table.

Natsue was nibbling her food, Mawata was sipping her drink and Mayune, was staring at Hayate with a look of mistrust on her face. As Himeno continued eating her breakfast, she could feel Hayate's eyes on her still.

'What does he want...' she thought to herself and she began cutting up slices of bacon.

"Is something the matter Hayate…" said Kaoru sipping his coffee.

"What...oh no, sir, no" said Hayate looking away from Himeno "Its just...the craft materials your ordered sir came this morning...were shall I put them?"

"They have!" said Kaoru excitingly clapping his hands together, as Hayate gave a faint nod back "Excellent! Wonderful, now I can start my new project I've been thinking about all week, Natsue, my darling what are you upto today, would you like to help me?" he said turning to face his wife.

"Oh I'm sorry darling" said Natsue with a disappointed tone "I have to attend several meetings today"

"Oh...that's fine. Hey what about you girls?" he said happily facing the teenage three girls. "It'll be fun…" he added exaggeratedly.

"Eh...no thank you! I have a shopping trip which I do not want to miss out on, and then a hair appointment" said Mayune in an ungrateful tone. "Which I will be leaving for now..." she added, getting up and thanking her mother for the breakfast.

Himeno glanced disappointingly at Mawata for the horrible tone she had given her father. Mayune threw her long pink hair out of her face and strutted towards the dining room door, giving Hayate a cold stare, but he did not look at her.

"Oh...what about you two" said Kaoru.

"I'm busy..." said Mawata dully, as she got up too and walked away quietly out the dining room.

"Himeno would you like to help?" said Kaoru. He has a look of anticipation and encouragement in his eyes. Himeno signed to her self and shrugged "why not" she said.

"Excellent" said Kaoru happily. Himeno was glad to see her father acting like this; he enjoyed crafting so much that he encouraged everyone around him to join in.

"So...where shall I put them?" said Hayate tilting his head towards the door, were there was two heavy looking brown boxes.

"Oh, just follow me" said Kaoru as he put aside his plate and got up. He quickly pecked Natsue on the cheek and wished her to have a good day and walked towards the door before turning around. "Are you coming Himeno?" looking at his daughter over his large spectacles.

Himeno had just finished eating the rest of her breakfast, and gave a quick nod and smile to her father as she wiped her mouth with a napkin. She got up and followed her father out of the room, as Hayate followed behind them as he picked up the two boxes.

"This is going to be so much fun!" said Kaoru, as they all three of them were walking through a long scarlet red coloured hall way, with gold paintings, and gold patterns on the windows, The sun was still shining and the hall looked very bright.

All three of them continue walking silently until they reached a small room at the end of the hall way.