Chapter 5

She was miserable. The outfit her brother had given her to wear was coarse and uncomfortable, the shoes were confining and she had never in her existence experienced such an unnatural shade of pink. He had told her that in order for her to experience the feelings that she sought, she should join his LoveMe Section. Yes, her brother was notorious for his scheming ways, but he had always been effective. She would comply, but did it have to be like this? And just exactly what did he mean by "Put your heart into it" without using your power? She supposed that he meant to do your best. She sighed in frustration as chipped away the dried chewing gum from the halls of the music section. How disgusting! These human musicians are swine! The thoughts caused her to scrub more vigorously.

She looked out down the hall to find gleaming patches of white tile amongst the rest of the well used floor and winced. It looked horrible. This is an eyesore. She groaned inwardly. Well, he said I should do my best. And with that she began to scour the rest and decided to give it a polish. When she had finished, the hall looked worthy of an ancient palace that now resided beneath layers of sand and stone on the other side of the world. She smiled. "Perfection!"

"Ah! That looks very nice Kyoko-chan; however, it probably would have been a good idea to put up the caution signs and perhaps not go overboard with the floor wax." Nakazawa-san pointed out as they observed multiple people sliding across the floors. "I'm afraid I can only give you the minimum amount of points for this job. I'm sorry. Now... I need you to put up the signs and leave them there until this hallway is safe again."

She bowed to him. "Forgive me Nakazawa-san of my error. I will do as you suggest immediately." She told him as she fell partially back into her old subservient ways. She winced inwardly at her realization. She sighed and glowered inwardly. The only thing I left off in that statement to him was Master. She felt a tiny pinprick in her chest that told her it was sadness and something else that her brother would later explain as guilt.

"This is unacceptable!" He roared as he paced before the cushions she was resting on in his office. "How could Ruriko-chan do this to you? Farasha... I am so sorry this happened." Lory knelt before her and placed another cushion beneath her damaged ankle to elevate it and give her comfort.

She giggled. "Not to worry little brother. The child apologized sincerely and I have forgiven her. She was very remorseful for her actions and in the end it did turn out to be enjoyable." She smiled softly. "Although, I will remember in the future that I have not yet become accustomed to being a servant no longer." She added casually.

He patted her on the shoulder as Ruto served her a cup of chamomile tea. She looked up at him in thought. "Hmm... Tell me Ruto. How is it that my brother's best friend and confidant becomes his faithful servant?" She asked out of curiosity.

He looked at her and smiled and shook his head. "Not a servant oh Beautiful One. This is only a role that I am playing for now. Just as we did as children."

"Ah, I see. So for now, he is the prince." She commented with a smirk and a wink.

"So... What did you think of your first experience with acting?" Lory asked her with a mischievous smile.

Her eyes became large and she practically glowed with joy. "I absolutely enjoyed it! It was such a challenge." She then went into detail of her day.

"Where in all of the Kingdoms did you learn to do a Tea Ceremony?" He asked with awe.

"Oh... The elder master Fuwa found my appearance and manners unacceptable for his tastes. They are a prudish lot aren't they? He had me covertly observe his wife so that I wouldn't be so offensive to him." She told him casually.

Lory glowered. "What else did this former master force upon you Farasha?"

She giggled at his mood. "Not to worry sweet little brother, my chastity is still intact after all of these years. I was nothing more that a pretty little tool to grant him his desires. Unlike his son... He was very respectful."

"I have heard you mention his son many times now. Who exactly is this boy, whose life now hangs by a thread?" He asked out of the desire to know who her final master was.

"I suppose they call him Fuwa Sho now? The little whelp didn't appreciate all that his father had sacrificed for him, stole my coin and began his wishes with no desire to inquire of what would become of him." She laughed.

He looked at her in shock. "So, you're telling me that the musician Fuwa Sho... gained his fame by your hand without caring what the consequences were?"

She smiled and nodded. "Every time I tried to tell him, I was dismissed."

"He doesn't know..." He started.

"That he is sterile? That his life has been shortened by 50 years and that the love that he would have received from friends and family has been drained away by his greed and selfishness? No... He never cared to know." She smiled.

"Well, it's no wonder that the coin released you. It seems as though he had demanded a great deal." Lory commented as he puffed on his now lit cigar.

She nodded. "Indeed he made more wishes that any of my other masters over the years." She said casually and took another sip of tea.

"That is very unfortunate indeed. One can only hope that he learns from his mistakes and applies that knowledge in his next life." Lory commented with a little sadness tinging his tone.

"Mmm." She hummed not agreeing nor, disagreeing. She just didn't care, he had been a monster to her and now meant nothing either way other than an irritation, like a scurrying little cockroach.

"Oh! I will be inducting a new member into the LoveMe Section. I trust you will assist her in any way you can, within reason and do your best to get along with her." Lory announced.

Kyoko laughed. "And who is this new individual you have decided to torture with that hideous pink monstrosity Huba Syd?"

He laughed heartily. "Sister, you wound me. I am not torturing you. I am giving you the opportunity to learn and experience basic emotions that every creature should be able to express... Her name is Kotonami Kanae. Unlike us... Sweet sister..." He leaned forward and kissed her temple. "She doesn't know the value of family."

She nodded. "Then brother... I will do my best to be cordial to her."

In the shadows stood a mischievous little imp, contemplating her next actions. "Who is this new woman Grandfather keeps speaking to in that strange language he uses with Ruto? And why does she dress crazy like him?" She giggled. A dark look fell over her. "She better not be after Ren-sama." She growled in a small quiet voice as a little blue flame erupted in her tiny palm and turned into a little spider that she set free.

Out of the corner of Kyoko's eye she spied the little blue spider coming toward her and Lory. She smirked, snapped her fingers and a tiny bolt of lightening struck it, turning it to dust. Kyoko laughed. "Brother... Up to your old childish tricks again?"

He gasped. "Sister, I would never. You wound me." He smiled. "That would be the doings of my granddaughter, Maria."

Kyoko smiled and snapped her fingers once again. This time it resulted in a tiny gasp and a 7 year old floating from her hiding place, coiled in rope, with fake tears streaming down her cheeks.

Kyoko giggled. "Silly child, do you not know that tears will not alter your circumstance? Not everyone will come to your aid. You must find a way out yourself." Kyoko instructed. She glanced at Lory. "I once knew a little boy that was just as you. You are every bit of the imp he once was. Spiders? Really... not very original." She waved her hand and the ropes evaporated, setting the girl free.

Lory cleared his throat, he knew exactly which little boy she was referring to. "Ahem... Maria, this is Kyoko. She's from the LoveMe Section. You should apologize to her for the spider."

Kyoko shook her head. "That isn't necessary Huba Syd. She meant no harm."

Maria looked up at her in awe. This perfectly dark princess had magic like her, Grandfather, Father and Ruto. She was really special. Maria bowed before her. "I am very sorry Onee-sama. I misunderstood the situation. I will not do it again. Please forgive me."

Kyoko giggled and clapped then pulled Maria into her arms and hugged her tightly. "Huba Syd! She's perfectly adorable! Of course I forgive you Maria." She told the girl with a smile.