Chapter 4

Kita stirred in her bed and stared up at the silk curtains surrounding her bed. She had been tired after her long train ride, and then the bumpy carriage ride, and then she had to trek herself up a flight of stone steps that seemed to go on forever. To top it all off, she was living next door to a young woman who had more bounce in her than an overinflated dodge ball. She had found out the Grim Reaper's name was Zima, and he had taken off the shady glasses as Miss Li introduced him, to reveal sparkling deep red eyes. Once they had all been ushered back into the manor by Miss Li, they had all sat down to a light meal. Kita was surprised that Miss Li treated her 'hired hand' like a member of the family. He sat and ate with them, but did not say much. The bouncy Meilin seemed to bubble over with pride that she was the one who got to sit next to Kita. Kita had groaned in her mind about the unfavorable seating arrangement. She had hoped to sit next to Miss Li, hoping that some of her regal air would rub off onto herself. Sometime after the meal, Zima had carried her luggage up to the room she would be sleeping in, because when she retired there after sharing a few brief words with Miss Li, her luggage had been neatly laid on the bed so all she had to do was open the suitcases and put her things away.

"I guess having a big strong "hired hand" could come in handy for some reasons. It's nice to see he is not entirely useless, but why someone as regal as Miss Li would hire someone as shady as him, I will never know." Kita said aloud to herself.

"Kita, Kita, it's time for breakfast!"

Kita groaned and rolled over in the bed and let bouncing Meilin continue to bang her fists on the door.

"If you don't get up for breakfast now, I'm gonna kick your door down, then you'll be in trouble!" Meilin continued to abuse the door with her fists.

"Just break it down you bubbly little shrimp, I dare you," Kita hollered back at Meilin.

Kita screamed and jumped out of her bed as the door went flying through her room, Meilin after it, her leg extended in the air. The bouncy young woman stood calmly on top of the fallen door, staring at Kita, her hands on her hips.

"What is the matter with you, you freak?" Kita screamed.

Meilin narrowed her eyes at Kita. "For one, you dared me to, and I am not one to turn down an underestimated dare. For two, stop thinking my aunt is going to give you any sort of special treatment, she is not going to adorn you in silks and satin, and she is not going to treat you like a daughter. Furthermore, you are here to live, and perhaps grow up and make your own living, you are here because your mother knew your relatives would not want you. Do not go thinking for any moment that my aunt may leave you with any sort of inheritance nearing the extravagance of this manor. You are not a Li, and never will be." Meilin turned on her heal, giving the door a swift kick, sending it sliding under Kita's bed. "Oh," she turned around quickly. "Breakfast is being served now, not later, not when you feel like coming down to eat, now. So I suggest you make an appearance, since one would be respectful. Otherwise, your face might look like that door."

Kita glared at Meilin as she left. All bounciness had left her as she flew through the broken door. She had turned into some sort of intense person, who apparently had good kicking skills, Kita noted to herself, dragging the door out from under her bed.

Kita didn't bother changing out of her bedclothes as she shuffled down the stairs to the dining hall. She was surprised to see Miss Li dressed in another elegant kimono, her hair neatly done, her face lightly powdered. Meilin was even dressed for the day, Kita noted. Zima was still nowhere to be seen, she smiled to herself.

"Miss Kinomoto, perhaps you may have done things differently in your home, but I kindly ask that you present yourself for the morning meal dressed for the day. I feel it shows little self pride to allow others to see yourself in such disarray." Funaho said softly over her cup of tea.

Kita took her seat and apologized, promising that it would not happen again. She looked around the table, feigning confusion and politely asked where Zima was.

Funaho smiled over her cup, "Zima wakes up much earlier than I expect anyone else in my home to. He ate early this morning, and has gone to fetch the town witch for a meeting I have with her this afternoon." Miss Li set her glass down on a small porcelain dish. "I would like you to speak with her as well Miss Kinomoto. It is a tradition in my home to see the fortune teller every week." There was silence between the three as they ate their meals. Funaho never touched anything aside from her tea. "Oh, Miss Kinomoto," Funaho said softly over her glass as Kita was about to excuse herself from the table. "I do not greatly appreciate my aged home to suffer much abuse. I would like for you and Meilin to fix your broken door, as I believe the blame should be shared by the both of you equally. Besides, it seems to me the teamwork would do the both of you some good."