A young girl sat on the bus. She looked out the window quietly. The scenery was okay. The city wasn’t her thing. She was more of a nature person. Roaming Kami’s green carpet barefoot on a hot summer’s day…
    Then, the bus stopped. The girl came back to earth. Here she was! Gizuna strip. She was in awl as she stepped off the bus. The sun glistened on her small lovely body.
    The girl was small, typical for a twelve-year-old shape. Her skin was fair and pale. Her eyes were a soft green. Her shiny flowing red hair came down to her hips. She was dressed in traditional gold and white robes. Overall, she looked like collector’s doll.
    The girl walked through the busy streets. She had never seen so many people before. Humans were interesting creatures to her. This was her first time in the living realm. This would be an experience.
The girl stood near the street. She held out her slender arm. A taxi pulled up. The girl opened the door and got in.
    “Where to, little lady?” the driver asked before he began driving. The girl handed him a sheet of paper. The middle-aged driver read it quietly. “Fuji lane, eh?” he asked at last. The young girl nodded. “No prob!” the driver said. Then he started driving.
    “Know anybody in Fuji lane?” the driver asked. The girl shook her head. “So you know anything about Fuji lane?” he asked. Again, she shook her head. “Well,” the driver said. “It’s a nice neighborhood! The people are great there and there are kids your are there too.” The girl kept quiet.
    The driver went on and on telling praises about Fuji lane. The girl just listened quietly. “You don’t talk much, don’t?” the driver asked at last. The girl shook her head.
The cab arrived at Fuji lane. “Here you are!” the driver exclaimed. The girl stepped and looked around. The driver was right. Fuji lane was nice!
    The cab drove off once the girl paid for the ride. Now, she was all-alone again. The girl began walking the through. The houses were lovely and identical. She admired them as she walked.
    The girl pulled out her paper. She read it quietly. Here’s what it said:
 
                118 Fuji Lane
                Big house up ahead
                Big red doors
 
    The girl nodded and walked on.
    After a few minutes, she found the house. It was a big house. The doors were a bright red. She walked up to them. The girl rang the bell. She waited patiently.
    Then, the door opened. A woman was on the other side. She was like a queen. Her cinnamon hair was pinned up. She had on a jade kimono. Her jewelry caught light. The woman had eyes like a cat. Boy! She was lovely!
    “What do you want?” the woman asked. The girl stepped closer. The woman saw her tag. The girl had a long red tag sewn to her robes. The writing was in big black Japanese characters. The lady leaned in close and read the tag. It said:
                Handmaiden to:
                Megumi Yamura
 
    The woman looked at the girl. The youth looked up with pleading eyes. “Well,” the lady said. “Come in.” The girl complied. The woman shut down behind her.
 
Maid
 
    The ladies walked through the mansion. The inside was lavish. Gold and marble were everything. The girl admired the paintings. “Like it?” the woman asked. The girl nodded. “Good,” the lady said. “Do you speak Japanese?” The girl didn’t answer. “What is your name?” “Addah.” the girl said. “Ad-dah.” the woman said. “I’m Megumi.” Addah turned and eyed her.  This woman was her new mistress. How could she not have known?
    Addah wandered to her new room. It looked like a normal little girl’s room. All pink and girly. So clean too. Addah began to like it all ready. Then…
    The girl fell into shock. On a princess-style chair sat a porcelain doll. It looked like geisha with its plum kimono and gold hairpins. But the doll’s face was all dirty.
    “Aw, look at you!” Addah exclaimed. “You’re a mess!” She walked closer to the doll. “Here, let me help you.” the girl said. She pulled out her white handkerchief and got to work.
    Addah lightly dusted off the doll’s face with her hankie. The doll looked good as new when she finished. Addah smiled proudly. “There,” she said. “You’re all better now!” “Addah!” Megumi called from downstairs. The girl looked up. “Hai sama?” she asked. “When you change clothes, come and see me.” the mistress replied. “Okay sama.” Addah said.
    The handmaiden made to Megumi’s room. Addah was dressed in pink and white short pjs. Her hair draped around her like a cape.
    Megumi sat oh her king size bed. She was dressed in red lacy short pjs. She had a camera in her right hand. Addah looked confused.
    “Hai sama?” she asked. “Come here,” Megumi said. “I want to get a picture with you.” “Oh.” Addah said. Then she complied.
    Megumi lied back and held the camera high over head. Addah lied beside her. “Smile.” the mistress said. The handmaiden smiled. Megumi pushed the button and took the picture.
    The mistress looked at the picture. She was grinning. “You like it?” Megumi asked. Addah looked. “Uh-hm.” she said. “I knew you would.” Megumi said. Addah just smiled. “I like it here all ready.” she thought
The Mistress

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