A year had passed since the zodiac animals curse was lifted from the Souma family. Now that they were free from the curse, Akito has no more power to exert over them. The result - Yuki, Kyou, and all the gang refused to stay in the same house with Akito anymore and moved out of the main house. However, being the kind-hearted people they were, Yuki, Kyou and the others did not punish Akito for the evil deeds he had done. However, they avoid having anything to do with Akito if they can help it. Akito, powerless but still filled with vengeance and hatred, had no choice but to live alone in the main house. Now, Kyou and Tohru are officially a couple, Yuki and Hatsuharu chose to remain single and all of them live together with Shigure in his house peacefully. Possibly, Hatori would be the only one still acquainted with Akito, for his doctor ethics forbade him to leave Akito to die of his illness just because of his personal grudges, and Akito would come and find him for treatment regularly.

It was a fateful and chilly winter morning. As usual, Hatori Souma opens his door and begins sweeping out the snow away from his doorsteps as he does everyday. However, today he saw something out of the corner of his eye. Curiously, he walked towards the bundle on the road in front of his house. He bent down and started to examine the 'thing'. To his surprise, he found that the 'thing' was actually a girl, wrapped in a thin coarse cloak and clad only in a thin yukata.

The girl's face was deathly pale, and her lips were colourless. However, there were still some signs of life, as she was still breathing and Hatori could see mist coming out of her slightly opened mouth. His doctor instincts immediately commanded him to bring this girl into his house and try to restore life to her. He gently carried the girl into his house and placed her on his bed. He removed the wet robe and shawl and proceeded to cover her with his doctor coat, the best garment he could find to warm the girl. Then, he went to light the fire, so that the girl could get some warmth.

As the fire crackled and spit out little sparks of flame, Hatori got himself a chair and sat down beside the girl. He took a close look at her face. The girl was about 15-16 years of age and has brownish-black hair at shoulder length. Unsatisfied, Hatori took a glance at the rest of the girl's figure, which was hidden under the blankets. To his horror, he saw that the girl's body was covered with several minor cuts and bruises. He wondered if the girl had fallen down from the top of the hill, as he had not seen this girl before, despite all the years he had lived in this place.

Hatori replaced the blanket and went to get his doctor apparatus. He listened to the heartbeat of the girl, which was quite normal and measured her temperature, which came close to 38 degrees Celsius. He felt the forehead of the girl, and found that it was burning hot. He quickly took a piece of wet towel and placed it on top of the girl's head. Suddenly, Hatori heard a soft growling, which came from his own stomach. Only then, he realized that he had forgotten his breakfast in the midst of the surprise of finding a mysterious girl in front of his house.

Getting up, Hatori went to his kitchen, made himself a cup of coffee, and got a bowl of cereals to satisfy his hunger. While eating his breakfast, he mooned over the girl: Who was she, where did she came from and what to do with her. Evidently, he would consider her as his patient, and he felt it his duty to treat this girl to perfect health before doing anything else. Hatori felt relieved after he had made up his mind. As it was not one of his workdays, he stayed at home, relaxing and watching television, and did a check on the girl who was still unconscious occasionally. He lived alone, and rarely socialized with people other than his cousins.

Now, a mysterious girl had just shown up on his doorstep, and he quite fancied the idea of having somebody to live with him, even if it was only for a short period of time. Hatori went to examine the girl again. She was breathing normally, but her face was still pale, and her lips were white. He stared at her for a long time, trying to pinpoint the feeling that was overwhelming him at that instant. He felt grief and sorrow rushing over him and enveloping his heart, although the girl was motionless. Besides, he had an impression that he knew this girl, even if this was surely the first time he met her. The sensation of déjà vu came over him, and he suddenly felt very protective towards the girl, as if he himself was born just to protect this girl.

Two days had passed, and the girl remained unconscious. Hatori had no choice but to go to work that day. He woke up early in the morning, had his breakfast and prepared to get off to work. However, before he left, he did another check on the girl, found that she was still unconscious but in a stable condition, locked the door securely and drove to his clinic that was a few miles away. Arriving at his clinic, his nurse greeted him and he replied with a curt nod, as the cool doctor he always is. He started to work with an air of coolness around him. However, he was a professional doctor, and beneath his cool demeanour, he is actually a kind and compassionate person. Hatori was the town doctor, and all the townspeople liked and respected him, and always came to find him whenever they were not feeling well.

That day, he closed the clinic earlier because he wanted to get the appropriate medicine for his special patient at home. He took some medicine to reduce fever and some flu remedies in case they were needed. After that, he got into his car and drove back to his home. When he walked into his house, he saw that the girl was already awake and was trying to sit up on the bed. Hatori quickly put down all his things and hurried to the girl.

"Now, don't try to move around yet, young lady. You are still quite weak," and he settled her down back on the bed.

The girl obeyed his instructions without any hesitation. Now that she had opened her eyes, Hatori noticed that her eyes were a dark hazel, which matched her hair. He could see that the girl was still trying to get accustomed to her new surroundings. She looked around her until she set her eyes on Hatori's face. She opened her mouth but no sound came out.

Not giving up, she tried again and her question came out in a whisper, "Where am I?"

Hatori smiled as he had already anticipated this question and the questions that would follow. However, he does not want the girl to over-exert herself by asking too much questions, and told her everything he knew with a warm smile. "You are in my house now. I found you outside my house a few days ago with just a thin robe and shawl. Other than that, I believe I don't know anything else. Now, would you kindly enlighten me to as who you are?"

The girl's eyes widened slightly; she did not expected to be treated in this friendly manner by a stranger. However, she smiled weakly as she answered, "Um…I'm Yukina-Rei Jia or Yukina for short."

Hatori then said with a kind look in his eyes, "Ah, Yukina-chan. Can you tell me where you came from, as I have no recollection of seeing you before?"

To his astonishment, Yukina's eyes suddenly welled up with tears. Hatori became quite disconcerted and quickly took out his handkerchief to wipe away the tears on her face. "Please don't cry, Yukina-chan. It will damage your body more. Now, calm down and tell me what happened,"

Yukina quickly got a grip of herself and said in a tearful voice, "Actually, I am running away from my master who lives some ten miles away. He treated me very badly and even abused me whenever he likes it," Speaking until now, she pulled up the sleeves of Hatori's coat which she was wearing, and Hatori could see the cuts and bruises he had observed before this. "This was made by him. When he was in a bad mood, he will tie me up and beat me. He even locks me up in a dark cellar and whips me whenever he likes it." At this point, Yukina was already sobbing as she recollected the horrifying memories she had lived through.

Hatori was stunned. To think that somebody could do this to a young innocent girl like Yukina - that person must be a monster. However, he was still puzzled about Yukina's background. "So, who are your parents? Moreover, why do you have a master? What's his name?"

He was surprised at himself for asking so many questions in a row, but Yukina answered, "I never knew my parents. I have no recollection of my life until a year ago because I had lost my memories. The only thing I know is my name and that I'm about sixteen years old. Therefore, the only memories I have would be the one year I had led with my master. He told me that he had picked me up somewhere. He will not let me know his name, for his own secrecy."

Hatori could feel himself boiling inside. The 'master' was not a fool. He knew how to prevent himself from being caught if Yukina ever got the chance to escape from him, which she did.

Hatori then looked at the sobbing girl in front of him, and his heart ached with sympathy. On impulse, he leaned forward on his chair and hugged Yukina, with her face buried inside his clothes. Yukina's eyes grew wide, for she had never experienced this kind of warm feeling that Hatori had brought to her before.

"Yukina-chan, I know it's hard for you, but try to forget all these unhappy memories. You should begin a new life here with me, and I promise to protect you, and make you happy always."

Yukina was surprised, and she asked, "Why are you treating me so nicely, when you have never known me before?"

Hatori grinned and replied, "Well, have you heard of a saying before? When somebody saves another person's life, he is automatically responsible for that person. So, I'm taking responsibility for you, Yukina." Then, Hatori took some medicine that he had brought back from his clinic and gave Yukina a few spoonfuls of it. "Swallow it down, now, and get well," Hatori told her with a big warm smile.

Yukina stared up at him with her large brown eyes. She had never been treated so kindly before by anyone else in her whole life, not that she remembered much of it. In the past year, she had just been abused and tormented by her master and never knew the meaning of happiness. Now, she had just been rescued by this stranger who said that he would take care of her.

However, her thoughts were interrupted, as Hatori continued, "Here, let me introduce myself. I'm Hatori Souma, and I work as a doctor in a clinic nearby. Oh right, do you mind if I sleep together with you? I think we both will be able to fit inside this king-sized bed."

Yukina was a little startled, for she did not expect this question, "Huh?" Hatori tilted his head and looked down on her with kindly eyes, "Don't worry, I had promised not to hurt you in any way, right?"

Yukina regained her composure and smiled, "Umm…I did not mean it that way, I'm just not used to being treated in this friendly way." Hatori chuckled and said, "Well, you just have to get used to it then." He then took up the covers of the bed and crept into the bed. Suddenly, he leaned over and put his palm on Yukina's forehead. "Good, your fever is reducing. Make sure you get a good night's sleep now, eh?" And Hatori pulled up the blankets and went straight to sleep.

However, Yukina just laid on the bed, with her thoughts roaming around aimlessly. She was quite baffled, as she had never dreamed of getting such good treatment from other people. In the one year she had lived with her master, all she had experienced everyday was unkind words, beating, tying her up without food, and forcing her to do his every bidding. It had been such a hard decision to make when she finally chose to escape from this living hell. And suddenly, it was a change of environment, and the biggest change of all is that the person who rescued her – Hatori. Compared to her former master, he was like a god.

Her thoughts flitted back to a few hours ago, when she first opened her eyes. The first human she saw was none other than Hatori, who was so kind and gentle to her. The first time she stared into his olive green eyes, she was mesmerized by the soft light that was found inside them. It was filled with such warmth that made Yukina felt that she is loved, something she had never imagined that she could feel before. And when he hugged her just now, she was filled with such happiness and pleasure, somehow like a puppy's feeling when it is praised or petted by its master. She had felt this way because she does not know what actually the feeling of love between men and women is.

She then turned her head to look at Hatori, who was sleeping soundly. She marvelled at the sight she saw. Hatori was sleeping, facing her with such a peaceful expression on his face that he seemed to have no worries in the whole wide world. His face was smooth, and even while he was sleeping, his lips will curve up a bit as if he was smiling slightly. Her eyes were shining with adoration towards Hatori, "Hatori-sama…" Yukina suddenly became aware that in her heart, she has regarded Hatori as the person who now owned her.

She then turned back to stare at the ceiling, until she felt drowsy and drowsier, and she sank into a deep sleep. In her dream, she saw her master again, who was chasing after her and holding a steel chain in his hands.

Yukina heard him say in a cold heartless voice, "There's no need to run, Yukina. No matter where you go, I will always be able to find you in the end." After hearing this, her fears increased and she ran faster and faster. Suddenly, her legs were caught against something on the ground and she tripped over. She could hear her master getting closer and closer and the air is filled with his mirthless laughter that chilled her to her very bones. She tried her utmost best to get up and escape but her legs betrayed her. Unable to do anything, she screamed as loudly as she could, "HELP! ANYONE! Please help me! Don't let him get to me!"

Immediately, the lights flickered on and Hatori's voice could be heard distinctly. "Yukina! What happened?" After his eyes were accustomed to the light, he could see Yukina writhing, thrashing and tossing around on the bed as if she was struggling to get away from something. He leaped onto the bed and pressed Yukina down to prevent her from accidentally hurting herself. Yukina felt the weight of his body and opened her eyes. Hatori saw that her eyes were wild with fear and terror. He could also feel her body trembling incessantly. However, when she realized that it was Hatori, she slowly began to calm down a little, though she could not stop her body from shaking.

She heard Hatori's voice again, speaking to her quickly and urgently, "Yukina, calm down before you hurt yourself, can you hear me?" She tried to respond, but her throat was dry, so she just nodded weakly. Hatori was relieved and went to fetch a glass of water for her. After drinking the water, Yukina felt much better and turned to look at Hatori, who was watching her with his eyebrows furrowed and the smile which was usually on his face had disappeared. Her heart gave a leap, for she thought she had angered him by waking him up in the middle of the night.

She opened her mouth to apologise, "Sorry, Hatori-sama…" but her words was cut short by him. "Don't talk now, Yukina-chan. Take some time to cool off." Yukina obeyed him, but her eyes filled with tears as she assumed that he was annoyed with her.

Hatori noticed Yukina's expression and thought that her nightmare still affected her. He felt that it was better to let her calm down first, so he did not say anything, but continued gazing at her in the same way as just now. Poor Yukina misunderstood Hatori's frown and thought that it was intended for her. She could not bear the thought of offending the person she loved like a faithful puppy love its master. She tried to control herself but failed, and she burst into heart-wrenching sobs.

Hatori could not stand to see Yukina like this, and his heart ached with sympathy and pain. He clasped Yukina into his arms and held her close to his chest, and let her pour out all her grief and sorrow. Yukina was very surprised, and suddenly stopped crying. In her young innocent mind, she thought that Hatori was angry with her; but in reality, Hatori's fury was directed to Yukina's master, who to him must be the Satan itself to be able to affect a young girl so deeply and intensely.

Yukina was puzzled, as she still believed that Hatori was displeased with her, and stared up at him with wide-open eyes. Hatori was murmuring to her in a soft and gentle tone, "Its okay, Yukina. I'm here to protect you, and he won't be able to get to you when you are with me."

Both of them were in sitting positions on the bed, and Hatori was still holding Yukina in his arms. Yukina mustered her courage and finally dared to ask him, "Hatori-sama…Aren't you angry at me?"

Hatori heard the question and was baffled. "I'm angry at you? Why?" Yukina hesitated a little, but replied, "Well, I disturbed you in your sleep, so I thought you might be annoyed…" and fixed her timid gaze on him once more, trying to discern his expression at that time.

It took some time for Hatori to catch on Yukina's words, but once he understood, he knew her reaction was due to the experience she had with her 'master'. He suddenly became conscious that Yukina had been addressing him as 'Hatori-sama' since she woke up from her nightmare. Hatori was somewhat relieved as he observed that Yukina was all right. He smiled wryly as he thought about Yukina's referring to him as her master.

He then looked at the girl who was still in his arms, and said, "Yukina-chan, I have many things to say to you, but first, let us sit in a more comfortable position, do you agree?" Dumbfounded, Yukina could only nod, and all the while, her thoughts raced about wildly: Is Hatori-sama going to punish me? Is he going to kick me out of the house? At this point, she gave a small shiver when she thought of leaving the place that seemed like heaven.

On the other hand, Hatori was busy settling both of them down properly on the bed. His strong arms carried Yukina up effortlessly, and he leaned against the wall, while placing Yukina on his lap, so that they formed something like an 'L' shape on the bed. Then, he placed one arm around Yukina's shoulders and the other was used to balance them both, if necessary. Yukina's expression was one of wonder and surprise as she stared at Hatori. He interpreted the look correctly and gave her a big smile.

Hatori then pulled Yukina closer and started to speak in a firm but gentle voice, "Firstly, I'm not your master, so drop the 'sama' when you are calling me. Just plain Hatori is enough."

Yukina's mind was still in a blur, and she could not understand Hatori's words. "Huh?" Hatori sighed and cupped Yukina's face between his hands, "I said, I don't own you, and you are free to go whenever you please. However, as a doctor, I'm quite obliged to take care of you until you are healthy again. When that happens, you can choose to either go somewhere else or stay here, though I prefer the latter. Understand me clearly now?"

It took Yukina some time to digest all that he told her, and when she finished, she looked at Hatori with shining eyes. "You mean I can really stay here, and you are not going to punish me, Hatori-sama, I mean Hatori." She added hurriedly.

Hatori could not explain it, but he was very happy when he saw Yukina so delighted. "Did you forget what I have said to you before? Once I have saved you, you will become my responsibility. However, I won't force you to stay with me if it's against your wish."

He was surprised when Yukina suddenly flung herself into his arms, crying out, "Thank you so much, Hatori. I won't leave unless you tell me to, I promise." Hatori raised his eyebrows in surprise and hugged Yukina back tightly, "Is that so? Then it would be the best for both of us, ne?"

Yukina buried her face into Hatori's chest and nodded happily. "Well, Yukina-chan, let's go to sleep now," and he laid Yukina gently down on the bed and both of them resumed their sleep, with Yukina lying in Hatori's arms with a smile on her face.