Anrui Lethenanashi (2-13/?)

[Anrui]

<b><center>Anrui Lethenanashi</center></b>
<center>Chapter Two</center>

Disclaimer: Dun own it, dun make muula. Darn.

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?Well, my dear, you heard the man. I get to clean you up.? Isabelle reached over and grabbed Ann?s arm. ?As for your name, you can tell us over supper. Then, you can make something up for the doctor so that no one can place you. I?m sure you will find us trustworthy enough to tell. You don?t need to worry about us telling anyone. If Andrew told anyone, he would be found and that would truly be a disaster. Well, take off your clothing and let me wash your cuts and hair. I won?t ogle you. We?re both women.? Ann blushed but complied.

?What would you do if I told you my name right now?? Ann asked Isabelle.

?Listen, I suppose.? Isabelle smiled.

Ann laughed and replied. ?My name is Anrui Lethenanashi, Ann for short. That?s not really my real name, but it?ll do. I?ve never told anyone my real name. Well, not since my parents died that is. I don?t really feel like it, someone might place me. Can?t have that happening, now can we?? Ann laughed as she wrapped a towel around herself.

?Well now. I hope you feel that you can tell us someday.? Isabelle murmured thoughtfully. ?I?m sure that your name is as beautiful as you are.?

?Since I do not consider myself beautiful, I would have to say that my name is far more beautiful than I am. I truly love my name. It?s the one thing I have left that no one can ever take away from me.? Ann smiled sadly.

?Well, come here. I can?t quite bathe you with that towel on.? Isabelle laughed.

?I still don?t see why you have to bathe me. I am a big girl now, I think that I can bathe myself.? Ann laughed back, but took off her towel. Much to her surprise Isabelle didn?t even glance at her. She just set to work gathering bandages and things to treat Ann?s cuts with.

Once Ann was in the bathtub, Isabelle walked over and quickly tched her. ?Ann! You may not put that leg of yours in the water! It will only make it worse!? She looked as though she might explode.

Ann quickly removed her leg from the water, sending spray everywhere. ?Sorry, Isabelle! I didn?t even notice. I guess I just didn?t even feel the pain anymore.? Ann shrugged.

?How could you not feel that kind of pain!? I wouldn?t be able to focus on anything else.? Isabelle looked entirely empathetic.

? I guess I?m just used to it.? Ann shrugged. ?This sort of thing has happened many times before. I have taught my mind to focus on other things in this type of situation.? She smiled sadly once more.

?I don?t know what to say to you, Miss Ann.? Isabelle looked choked. ?I never want to have such pain as you have now.?

All through their conversation, Isabelle had been cleaning Ann?s wounds. She now came to the four deep ones on her back. She gently ran a thin finger down each of them. ?I truly feel sorry for you, but I am sure that is not what you want me to feel. I just can?t help it. This must be so painful for you, not just the exterior wounds, but the interior as well.? A lone tear fell down her cheek.

?Yes, it does hurt. But I have learned to put up wit it, everyone hurts at some point, do they not?? Ann smiled sadly once again.

?Is that the only way you know to smile? With remorse? If it is, you need Master Andrew and I even more than I thought you would.? She patted Ann?s shoulder as she finished bandaging the wounds. ?I hope we are not threatened any time soon. I want you to meet Master Yuy as much as Master Andrew does. He is such a kind person.? She smiled again.

?Yes, it is the only way I know to smile because it is the only way I have ever smiled. Not since my parents died; back then I used to smile all the time, I was merry and hyper. I used to be very, very hyper. I could go on forever and ever after eating just one chocolate. Hmm? Chocolate. I haven?t had chocolate in a while; I used to love chocolate. My favorite kind was dark chocolate. I would eat it and eat it and eat it! I could eat it for days on end while my parents were on business trips! My nanny Elizabeth let me, too. She didn?t know just what to do with me at times. If I didn?t get my way I used to jump up and down and drive them all bonkers until they gave me what I wanted. That was just my way of gaining attention, you see. I had five elder brothers and one younger brother who got all the attention. Mother was so much of a tomboy. It?s funny how I remember all of this, seeing as I was three when they all died.? Ann?s happy state at remembering the chocolate didn?t disperse after she mentioned the deaths of her family. She remained buoyant and happy.

?Well, we?ll have to order some chocolate for you.? Isabelle had finished dressing Ann?s leg as the young girl was happily reminiscing.

?Oh, would you, Isabelle? That would be wonderful!? Isabelle marveled at the change in Ann?s voice. She seemed somehow refined now, as to acting like a regular old tomboy when she had first arrived. She liked to think that she had something to do with that.

?What?s your favorite brand? I can get anything for you.? Isabelle smiled.

?Umm? I like the stuff in the green box, I can?t remember the name.? Ann smile and Isabelle laughed.

?I?ll see what I can do.? She held out a towel for Ann. ?I decided to let you wash your hair after the doctor leaves as it is quarter to six o?clock right now. I will help you dry off and get into your new clothing. I grabbed something of Andrew?s mother because she used to be exactly your size and this used to be her house so there were plenty of her old things lying around in her closet.? Isabelle smiled gently. ?I hope you like it. I found a pair of jeans and a white blouse that laces up in the front, very much like your ruined one. We will have clothing ordered for you as soon as possible.? She helped Ann to dry off just as she had said she would.

?Thank you for your kindness to a nobody like me.? Ann laughed.

?No problem, Miss Ann. If it weren?t for you, Master Andrew would still be alone. He had been acting rather depressed over the last few weeks so we let him go and visit the town. Under cover, of course, but we did let him go. That, as Charles says, just depressed him more. He saw all those normal people and probably got upset. That?s my theory. But, now that you are here, he won?t be alone anymore, and I personally think that it will add a little spice to our lives, no?? Isabelle mocked a teenager with the last couple lines Ann just laughed.

?I still feel like I have to thank you, Isabelle. But, I also need to make a request.? Ann pretended to look serious, and, for the most part, succeeded.

?Yes, Miss Ann?? Isabelle looked mildly surprised.

Ann burst out laughing. ?Please stop calling me Miss Ann. Its just Ann. Nothing more!!!? They both laughed after Ann finished.

?Yes, I think I can do that.? Isabelle suddenly looked quizzically at Ann. ?Has anyone ever called you Annie?? Ann suddenly looked at the ground.

?One person, but he?s dead now. I do not want anyone to call me that ever again. Others have tried, but have wound up with cuts and bruises and a couple black eyes.? Ann looked severe. ?That name no longer exists for me. I will never allow anyone to come that close to me ever again. Never, ever.? Tears welled up once more in the mysterious girl?s eyes.

?Ann, what does your name mean? I know it must mean something, or else you would not have chosen it.? Isabelle tried to smile cheerfully. She made a mental note to tell Master Andrew to never call their new guest Annie.

?Oh, that? I don?t mind telling you that.? She smiled her one and only smile. ?Anrui mean ?silent tears? and Lethenanashi means ?death without a name.? I chose that name because I thought it suited me. I always have silent tears because if I cry out loud people will think I am weak. It also symbolizes that my heart is always crying. Just crying. Lethenanashi was chosen because I will die someday without a name. I know my real name, but until someone else does it is not really my name thus I am nameless. There, that?s my reasoning. Oh! Lethenanashi also means something else! It means that there is no name for how I will die. No one is able to name how to kill me so Lethenanashi is perfect!? Ann finished dressing just as the clock chimed six. ?Well, should we go and eat??

?I think that would be appropriate.? Isabelle laughed.

After the two girls descended the stairs they met up with Andrew, who had been waiting for them.

?Well, you truly look wonderful, miss.? He bowed politely and Ann realized that he did not yet know her name.

?Oh, my! You must find me extraordinarily rude! My name is Anrui Lethenanashi.? She put out her hand but Andrew looked gently up at her.

?Why such a sad name?? He asked gently.

?You know what it means?? Ann asked in shock.

?Yes, I do. I am Japanese, thus I can speak the language. My mother taught me.? Concern was written all over his face. But it vanished as he smiled another one of his untainted smiles at her. ?May I call you Ann??

?I was just going to suggest that very thing.? Ann smiled, once again, sadly up at him for he was about three inches taller than she.

?Well, Ann, we should head into the dining room for supper.? He held out his arm and she took it, feeling under dressed for an occasion in which the man offered his arm.

When Ann entered the dining room, trays were already situated at the table and men in suits were bringing more in.

?Are you expecting company?? Ann laughed. ?Or can you really eat all of this by yourself??

?No, I can?t. But, I didn?t know what you liked so I had them make a little of everything. Don?t worry, whatever we don?t eat is sent into town so that the people living on the streets get a good hot meal.? He tapped her arm and pretended as though he were telling her a very personal secret. ?Sometimes, when most of the food is eaten, we prepare a special meal just for them. We always make it better than anything we would ever normally eat. And I do mean we. I help when we decide to make an extra meal. I love to cook and I am a very good chef if I do say so myself.? He said pointedly.

Ann laughed. ?Maybe I can help sometime, with the cooking I mean. Last time I tried so cook something I blew up a burner and we wound up with instant noodles all over the place. I?m better with mixing chemicals.? She laughed harder.

?Well, then stay out of my kitchen, my dear.? A man in a very nice black suit said cheerily. ?I am Louis, the head chef. I just decided to clarify what the young Master said about himself. He is a very good chef if I say so. And my opinion counts for quite a bit.? They all laughed. ?Master Yuy and Mistress Lournevier will be here in ten days so I must not let you blow anything up until then.? They laughed again. ?Well, I do hope that you enjoy the meal. I think you will, though.? He winked.

?I?m sure I will.? Ann laughed. Andrew took hold of her arm and led her to her seat at the enormous cedar table.

?First course please.? Andrew laughed as eight trays were uncovered and Ann?s eyes almost popped out.

?I don?t quite think that I can eat all of that.? She stammered. ?Although, it does look very tasty. I think that I may like living here.? She laughed, as she tasted one of the two salads that had been placed before her. ?I?m not a vegetarian, you know.?

?Well then, how about steak? Or is that too raw for your likings?? Andrew snapped and another platter was placed before her. Ann sampled it and smiled.

?See, now that?s more to my liking!? Ann giggled. ?I love meat, mainly ham and bacon. ?Cuz they?re cheapest and I couldn?t really afford anything more before this.?

?Well, do you like any nationality of food, my dear?? Louis asked.

?Asian. Mainly Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. Those are all very, very good and much to my liking. I know how to cook wonderful Japanese dishes, but nothing else.?

Andrew laughed. ?Well then, you?ll have to prepare diner sometime so we can see how wonderful these dishes really are.?

?All right, but I have to warn you that I?ll made your kitchen into a natural disaster area.? She laughed. ?That?s just how I cook. I like to experiment and to do so you need a little bit of everything out.?

?I?ll have Louis help you find the things you need so that you don?t completely destroy my kitchen.? Andrew laughed harder than Ann was because of a funny little thing that had just occurred to him. ?If you took out a little bit of all the foods we have in this house, you would need four kitchens just to look at all of it to decide what it is that you want to use!? He laughed even harder when Ann almost choked on a piece of her steak because of laughing so hard.

?I think that we need to finish trying out this food now, before it gets cold.? Ann choked out.

?I agree.? Andrew added, calming down a bit.

After Ann had tried out all, and I mean all, of the foods that had been prepared, the cooks had a pretty good idea of what she liked. They decided to review this list to Ann and Andrew.

?Well, you don?t like salads and you love pretty much all meats, you love Asian food and would never eat liver, all in all you?re not very picky so we should have no trouble coming up with a meal every day that will suit you. Of course, there are three meals a day. Each at precisely eight o?clock, twelve o?clock and six o?clock respectively. Isabelle will review the schedule for you I she hasn?t done so already.? Louis said politely as Isabelle walked through.

?Of course I have not had the time! She doesn?t know anything of our household schedule and I must say that she is doing fine! Her manners are very good, too.? Isabelle said indignantly. ?Now, Louie, go and do the dishes!? She shooed him away and grabbed Ann before she could wander off. ?You need to take a shower and then get ready for bed. It is almost ten o?clock! Master Yuy said that Master Andrew has to be in bed every night at ten o?clock so I will treat you no differently. Come along!?

Andrew laughed. ?She gets rather uptight about bedtimes. She likes to keep things on a tight schedule.?

?I noticed.? Ann murmured as Isabelle dragged her off to take a shower. She was halfway to the bathroom when a thought occurred to her. ?Wasn?t the doctor supposed to arrive at eight??

?He did. You and Master Andrew seem to be having a good time so I dismissed him and he will be back tomorrow at eleven.? Isabelle pulled a nightgown out of one of the hardwood dressers. It was absolutely beautiful. It was white and looked as though it was silk and it too laced up in the front.

?Andrew?s mother must have had close to the same taste in clothing as me. All of the things you have shown me lace up in the front. I love clothing that do that.?

?Yes, she does love strange things like that. As do you, I suppose. Well, your shower is ready and I think you can dress yourself this time. Goodnight, Ann.? Isabelle smiled and left the room so that Ann could take her shower in peace.?

As Ann entered the shower she realized that none of these people knew very much about her. They were complete strangers to her also. Sure, she knew some background information about them, like she knew who Andrew?s family members were, but nothing else. As she thought about it, no one really knew very much about her. The only people who really knew her only thought about the fact that she was so-called immortal. They didn?t care about her. But, for someone who hardly knew her, Andrew seemed to care so deeply for her. He was so kind and she had yet to do anything in return for his kindness. She would, she vowed to herself. She would do something for him. Something that he would never forget. So even if she died, he would remember her. ?Andrew, I will do something for you. Something very unforgettable. Very, very unforgettable.? She closed her eyes and let the water rinse away her conditioner. Once it was gone, she stepped out and got her towel. After she was convinced that she was dry enough she put on the beautiful nightgown that seemed almost too beautiful to wear. Too beautiful, at least, to be on someone like her. Ann knew, deep down, that if her parents were still alive she would have been pampered like this her entire life. She sighed, she had yet to call into the bank and claim the money that rightfully belonged to her. She knew that once she did the media would be all over it, she would have to get a blood sample that proved it was hers, and even Andrew would believe that she was immortal. She felt yet another tear threaten to fall down her cheek. Once she had the nightgown on, she looked at herself in the mirror. She looked like a porcelain doll, a rich porcelain doll. A doll as rich as it was meant to be. She really was that rich. Anrui Lethenanashi was just as rich as the son of the leader of the colonies. She looked harder at her reflection. Long, black hair fell perfectly on either side of her and her beautiful blue eyes shone. But, they were not happy eyes, not the eyes of a girl who had been pampered all her life. No, these were the eyes of a girl who had been neglected and tread upon all her life. A girl who had not been able to retain her innocence. She was fifteen and already had lived a harder life than most starving forty-year-olds. She suddenly heard footsteps in the hall.

?I think I have figured out why your smile always looks so sad, no matter how much you laugh. It?s your eyes. They are so sullen and confused. They look as though they no longer have a reason to shine. I can?t allow that. I want your eyes to shine. You deserve to be happy just as much as the next girl. You are truly very beautiful, but you obviously don?t see yourself that way. You should never deny who you really are. I know that Anrui Lethenanashi is not your real name, and, if I wanted to I could find out who you really are. But, I trust you, and I trust that if you ever decide to tell me it will only be when you are ready. I can tell that you are not who think you are. I know you believe yourself to be inferior because of something that has happened to you in the past, but you are a truly wonderful person. I can see it in the back of your eyes, hidden from the light of the world. That seems to be a talent of mine. I can always see the good in things. I have never once came across a creature that had no good in it whatsoever.? Andrew?s reflection appeared beside her own in the mirror. He lightly brushed away the tear that had appeared in the corner of her eye.

?I truly do want you to be happy, Ann. I want you to be as happy as you were meant to be, and don?t go telling me that you don?t deserve to be happy at all in your life. Everyone deserves happiness some just don?t deserve much. You are not one of those people though, Ann.? He smiled lightly. ?Did you know that Isabelle warned me to never call you Annie? Would you mind at all telling me why?? He wrapped his arms lightly around her waist from behind so that only his head was visible over her shoulder. He leaned his head on the aforementioned shoulder.

?Not at all, Andrew.? Ann smiled her sad smile. ?Once, two years ago, I met a young man. His name was Christopher. He never told me his last name, and I never told him mine. He was a wonderful person, he taught me how to cook certain Japanese dishes. Needless to say, I fell in love with him. Even though I was only thirteen, he was as well. We both decided that we would be together as long as we both were alive. We kept that promise. Christopher died in an air raid in Brussels, where we lived at the time. He always called me Annie. He thought Anrui was too sad and Ann was too plain. He said that Annie was just perfect for me. We only were able to spent three months together. I vowed after he died to never fall in love again, but when I realized that would only ruin my own life, I changed it. I will never allow anyone but the man I marry to call me Annie. Never.? Andrew once again brushed away a tear that threatened to fall.

?I should not have brought it up.? Andrew apologized quickly. ?It has obviously upset you.?

?No, I needed to remember. I had practically shut it out of my mind. Some things deserve to be remembered and cried over. Some things deserve that recognition. This is one of those things.? Andrew turned her around and hugged her close to him.

?I am sorry though. It seems I have made you cry.? Andrew rubbed her back lightly as Ann cried lightly into his shoulder.

?No, I have made myself cry. I have just realized how utterly stupid that vow was. It doesn?t help me to remember him; it helps me to push him out of my mind. I should take back my vow, but that would be very difficult. But, I have come to a decision. Christopher would not want me to be sad over his death, he would want me to smile and go on with my life. Though, his death is not what makes my eyes so sad. That I shall be reluctant to tell you. If I ever do. You must forgive me, this all probably sounds very conceited. I really am sorry if I have offended you in any way.? Ann wrapped her arms around Andrew?s back and laid her head back down on his shoulder.

?You have had to grow up too quickly, Ann. Let me help you return your innocence?? He asked her lightly.

?Yes, you may help. I want you to, in fact. I must also do something for you, but I have yet to find something about you that is flawed, so I cannot help you with that.? She smiled sadly, still so sad.

?No, I have as many design errors as you. Well, almost.? They both smiled. ?All you have to do is stay here as long as you possibly can. That will be enough for me.?

?Yes, but that will help me as well, so I will still be indebted to you. I don?t like owing anyone anything.?

?I figured as much. I guess you just don?t want any reason to feel remorseful when you have to leave. I understand perfectly.?

?No, Andrew, that is not it!? Ann punched him playfully, forgetting her own strength and laughing when he winced. ?I just want to repay you! I will find someway to do so! So there! It will be something that you will never forget for as long as you live.? She leaned back into his embrace.

?All right. I wait for your gift, Ann.? He rested his cheek on top of her head.

?Until then, I have decided to break my rule. Even though I doubt that I will marry you, you may call me Annie.? She smiled, her eyes, somehow brighter, making her smile seem not so sad anymore. They just stood like that until the moment that Ann fell asleep, still in the arms of her new best friend. A friend that would never desert her. For better or for worse.

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No comment on the overly obvious and awful foreshadowing, please...><;;