Okay guys, chapter 1. Please read and review and let me know if you have any questions! Hope you enjoy! -Mia21

Standard disclaimer applies.


Soon, when the carriage finished covering the last miles of the journey, she would at last meet him, her mysterious new patron, Enishi Yukishiro.

And his wife of course, but Kaoru kept forgetting about her.

Enishi's letter still lay in Kaoru's lap, limp from much handling. A month ago, as she had gone about the sad business of mourning the death of her father, the letter from Enishi had arrived, inviting Kaoru to come and stay with him, as he was now her patron.

The coach rounded a curve – and there it stood, Fountains Abbey.

The magnificence of the building whooshed at Kaoru, like a blast of icy wind. The abbey stood in the center of spreading gardens and ponds and fountains, it had stood in that spot for centuries. It was ridiculously vast and grim and terrifying, and so different from Kaoru's father's dojo. She loved it already.

As the carriage turned into the long, gravel driveway, Kaoru couldn't stop staring. And then as they came to a stop in the courtyard, she began to self-consciously fix her appearance, tucking back in stray strands of hair and pinching her cheeks to add a bit of color. The Yukishiros must be pleased with her appearance, or at least not appalled.

Kaoru reminded herself not to shrink as she climbed the stone steps to the massive iron-shod doors. Then she tugged at the rope which she assumed was for the iron bell. The door was answered by a young footman.

"Miss Kaoru Kamiya, come to see the Yukishiros." She said in a tight little voice.

"Yes, you're expected miss." He said, opening the door wider and gesturing for her to follow.

In the lofty hall, whose arched and vaulted ceiling disappeared into shadows, the footman paused.

"Ryuu, the butler, will take you to the Master." Just then a man appeared out of a nearby hallway who was tall with dark hair and eyes. He led her through a long gallery with adjoining anterooms and salons. It was a kaleidoscope of dazzling opulence, rich tapestries and ornate paintings. Kaoru realized only she was out of place here.

By the time Ryuu threw back double doors and announced her presence, Kaoru's mouth was dry. Enishi rose from the chair behind his desk and they stood looking at each other. Kaoru realized he was very good-looking. His hair was pale with an almost bluish cast. His features were finely chiseled, with laugh lines around the eyes. Tall and powerfully built, his haori jacket fit his figure perfectly and he carried himself with the natural grace of a swordsman.

He took her hands in his and looked down into her face without speaking. Time to launch into the words she had prepared.

"I am pleased to meet you at last, Sir. You are most kind to let me come and live with you."

He held her hand to his lips and kissed it, still watching her face.

"At last you come to me, little Kaoru. And what a beauty you are."

She blushed and stammered then. "Thank you. Is – is Madame Yukishiro at home?"

He sighed then. "I am, alas, a widower."

"I didn't know. I'm so sorry. My father should have told me." Kaoru said.

"He probably did not know. I am afraid I did not communicate with Koshijiro much these last years."

As he spoke, an elderly woman with graying hair and an unfortunate nose shuffled into the room bearing a tray with refreshments on it.

"Ah, Akane, allow me to present my ward, Kaoru Kamiya. Kaoru, Akane is the housekeeper here and worth her weight in gold."

The lady beamed first at Enishi, then at Kaoru.

"You're very welcome, I'm sure. Now, miss, sit down and have something, then I will show you to your room."

As Kaoru munched on a few of the mounded sweets, Enishi told her about the house, how the main part of it had once been a real abbey and how he had purchased it when it became emptied.

"I love it, it's amazing."

"Excellent. I hope you will be quite happy here."