A tall, slender girl dressed in an ivory kimono embroidered with tiny gold sakuras walked along the long corridor as the falling sakura petals danced to the gentle spring breeze.  The corridor was littered with sakura petals of pink and white, contrasting with the dark colour of the mahogany floor boards.  Similarly, her waist-length black hair contrasted with the paleness of her kimono.  The girl's actions were quiet and graceful.  Each step forward was done skilfully and stealthily as her kimono brushed the fallen petals aside.  However, this supposedly picturesque scene was not the perfect painting.  On the porcelain-like face of the girl was a deep, long scar that crossed from her upper left eye brow to her lower left chin, like a crack in the finest china.  It was surprising that she did not lose her left eyesight when she received the injury.  Her glassy black ocular gems were like the blackest and coldest winter night.  Her expression stoic and cold as the artic ice.  As she passed the corridors, servants bowed to her respectfully, and then watched her disappearing silhouette as she continued to walk in silence.

She stopped in front of her grandfather's study, knelt down and knocked the door before sliding it open and entered.  She slid the door close and bowed to her grandfather and their honoured guest.  The study, like any other parts of the large estate was furnished in traditional Japanese fashion, with the floors covered in tatami, and a low table was located in the centre of the room where guests and host could sit by.  Other than these basic furnishings, there were ceiling high bookshelves and low cabinets lining the walls of the study, with pots of decorative flower arrangements to soften the atmosphere.

"Ojiisan (1), you have called for me."  Her soft voice rang out respectfully, yet coldly.

An old man in his early seventies smiled at his granddaughter lovingly and motioned her to move to the table where he and his guest were seated.  The girl complied and took her seat next to her grandfather.

"Miei, I'm sure you already know Rukawa-san."  The old man, Akino Kaii, the founder and current head of Kaku Dou (2) said to his granddaughter.

Miei nodded at his grandfather and then bowed respectfully at Rukawa Sho, the current head of the Rukawa Clan, the Kawa Shu (3) and the president of Kawa-Ha Corporation.  "Hajimemashite, Akino Miei desu.  Douzo yoroshiku."

"Aa, kochirakoso (4)."  Sho smiled at her, albeit his surprise when he saw her scar.  But he kept his feeling of surprise well hidden.

Although this was the first time Miei had met Sho, she had known his name all her life.  In his late forties, Sho was a man that had a strong presence characteristically.  Even though he emitted the ambience of a natural born leader, his smile was kind and warm.  But the blue-black patches and bandages on his face spoilt his appearance slightly, making him look rather abject.

"Miei-chan, it's a pleasure to meet you finally.  I've heard a lot about you from Kaii ji-san."

Miei remained expressionless to Sho's friendly words.  Instead, she turned to her grandfather who'd handed her a file.  She opened the file and saw the picture of a raven-haired young man about her age.  She glanced at the picture then at the simple profile of the young man:

Name:             Rukawa Kaede