AN: Here is the first in the stories that Hitomi was reading to her grandchildren.

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The Lord and the Maiden

Once upon a time, a long time ago. There lived a great and magnificent Lord. This Lord ruled over many lands a and was said to be among one of the most powerful masters in the known world. He also was said to be the richest. For her had at his side a beautiful queen with unrivaled beauty, and a child that was neither his or his queens, but he was said to be loved by the Lord even more than he loved his queen. However it seemed fate was not so kind. His queen soon died of an unknown sickness, and his child was murdered. The lord fell into the deep sorrow and left his land and riches. He then claimed avengence on the people who killed his beloved adopted daughter. However the god that the Lord worshipped grew angrily and banished the lord with immortality. "You may not rejoin your family until you have repaid your debt."

And so the Lord wandered.

There was once a maiden. So beautiful it's said the that the moon itself was no match for her beauty. Though she could have any man she wished and had been blessed with many riches she could not find solace or peace. And so she wondered wishing to cure others of her sorrow.

One night when the thunder beings cast rain and lightning on the earth. The maiden saw in the darkness a man walking. This was once a great Lord. She invited him to her shelter and prepared him a great meal.

The maiden saw that the lord had a sorrow as she had in herself. So she bowed before the lord "Tell me of your sorrow my lord" she said.

The lord was surprised. Yet he did not wish to tell her. So he turned her away. The two ate in silence. After the two watched the rain fall. The maiden turned to the lord once again "Tell me of your sorrow my lord" she said.

The Lord wished to tell her but his bride was too great. He turned her away once again. Lather that night the two sought to sleep till morning. And before she lay down the maiden turned to the lord. But was surprised to see him bowing before her. "Tell me of your sorrow my lady" he said.

The maiden was shocked to the core. However she obeyed him. The maiden told the lord of her riches and her power. She told him of her husband and her love. She told him of her loss and how she wondered after he heart had been broken when her husband had been taken from her.

After her story the black cloud surrounding the maiden had disappeared. And she smiled in thanks to the lord. She then bowed before him on final time "Tell me of your sorrow my lord" she said.

The lord then told her of his riches and his power. He told her of his wife and adopted child. He told her of his wife's disease. He told her of his beloved child's death. He told her of his broken soul and his broken heart. He told her of his curse. The maiden looked on the demon with sorrow filled eyes. She bowed lowly to him. "Let me share your sorrow my Lord. Please to not wonder this world alone."

The Lord then reached out to her and became one with her. That night he passed his immortality to her. That night the lost maiden found her way, and the exiled Lord was granted pardon from his god.

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AN: Hope you liked it.