Goshujinsama's morning

KChan would kill me if she ever were to know how early I would wake in order to watch my home rise to greet the new day. Some days I laugh thinking I was never head of this household, she only lets me believe I am, and she could take it away at any moment.
I keep my sleeping clothes on, as an excuse in case I'm caught.
I needed water, I was hungry, oh, where am I?
And socks, I always forget my socks, and then half way down the main hallway I can hear my own footsteps echoing and I want to slap myself in the forehead. I walked toward my chest of clothing and stopped. There, by my door was the pair of fuzzy slippers I had bought on my last trip. I gave myself a silent laugh and slipped them on. Fists on hips, I felt a little too much glee as I stood in front of the mirror admiring them on my feet.
I was ready, heart just a little excited; it had been a while since I had this little adventure of mine. Work had me here and there, sometimes, like this last instance, it kept me away from home for months. It was the time away that inspired these morning escapades; they reminded me why I missed home, and showed me the people living here as they were when prepping for the new day.
My door slid open just fine, holding it by the door knob and lifting it slightly ensured that the hinge didn't squeak as it always does as I made just enough room for me to squeeze out into the hall. I'll have to remind myself later to get that fixed; it would be easier to just open the door instead of having to pick up that door every time I wanted to sneak out.
Down the hall I went, any sign of the coming dusk was still unseen, so I had the darkness of the night to conceal me. A grin played across my face as I hummed a little sneaking music inside of my head, I felt like a ninja on a mission. And I may have accidentally started humming out loud at some point.
The stairs were the worst part of my morning venture, it was open and even in the darkness I could clearly be seen, so I tried my best to hurry down. Fifth, twelfth, and eighteenth step, those were the ones that creaked and I had to make sure I avoided. At the top of the steps, right before I descended, I looked around, I was out a little earlier than normally, and I believed myself to have maybe been alone at the moment. A smile curled at the corners of my mouth. I grabbed onto the banister and swung a leg over to the other side, and using all of my self control not to scream out in excitement, I slid down the stairway. I had to bite my lower lip to stop myself from cheering as I saw the stairs just zoom by me and the lower level quickly rush up to greet me. At the last moment, instinct and muscle memory born of years of my childhood sliding down that banister kicked in and I leaped off, pushing myself up using my hands, twisting in the air to right myself and stick the landing, hands in the air and back to the stairway. For a moment I pretended there was a crowd cheering me on and then I shook my head and went on my way, the morning had just begun and I didn't want to waste it fantasizing in my head when there were people to watch.
The kitchen is always my first stop, when watching my home rise. The sounds coming from the kitchen sounded like soft murmurs, my sleeping giant waking from its long slumber and fighting away the thoughts of a new morning.
I peeked through the crack the two doors created and watched the goings on that until that point; only my ears were privy to knowing. Sami shouted orders to Leon and Squall as she furiously moved about the kitchen, cutting produce here, throwing them into pans there and then running about, checking things in the ovens and then doing it all over again. Her voice was commanding but never hostile, I was amazed at what went into my breakfast every morning. Leon was rolling out dough, cutting it apart and setting them on trays and then into a box. Ah,I thought. He's placing them into a hot box to rise. I guess I'm going to have rolls for dinner.
Squall seemed as though he were in a different world than the others, slicing chunks of meat off of the slab before him and then tossing them with amazing accuracy over his shoulder into the pan behind him, I was fascinated by how, what's the word I'm looking for, dexterous he was. Cut, toss, cut, toss, and then he looked up at Sami and smiled, as though it was nothing at all.
I had to reposition myself behind the doorway to see what David was up to. He sat upon a few crates of produce, juggling various bottles. Glass containing things like milk, or, oh my, we have apple juice this morning! I'm always served orange juice, and I find the acidity slightly off so early in the morning. I guess I couldn't fault David for doing nothing to assist, what's a bartender to do when every drink he would serve is already bottled and ready to be poured.
I scanned the kitchen once more, seeing them all work in tandem with one another, and as I walked away, once again, the only image in my head was a sleeping giant, my sleeping giant, whispering to himself before the break of dawn.
I always made KChan and Knight my next stop, if only because they came together like clock work in the morning. These two were the order of my home, its mind. Without their constant watch and care, I'd probably forget who I was.
They sat in the dining room, going over the day's plans, KChan would whisper to ensure her voice wouldn't carry in the vast room, and Knight silently scribed everything down, adding points and speaking of other itineraries of the day. I may be the head of the household, but they truly are the masters of this house, though they'd never let me admit it. I sit there in awe of how much respect and power they command. I, myself, would probably hand over everything to them without hesitation if asked, if only because I'd know everything would be in their capable hands. Actually, wait, I do, every time I leave. Another laugh almost escaped my lips as I realized this. I'll never get used to them working under me, even though I've lived this way all of my life, one day, I'll be able to make it up to them, show them they were never my equals, but individuals that I strived to live up to, to not let down for all of their hard work.
I said a silent thank you as I left for the last of my visits before returning to bed.
The maids were always the last for me to visit, since they were at the farthest end of the manor.
Keeping to shadows and once again humming to myself, I came upon the study where the maids always gathered before heading out to their morning rounds. It was still fairly early, and I actually didn't expect much to be seen, since they really had no reason to be out and about yet.
Maid Ichigo sat quietly in a seat, knitting by candle light, alone, and singing under her breath. She was so young, I was almost ready to walk in and tell her that she should still be asleep, and that there was no need for her to be awake at this time. I thought against it, at least not for now. Maybe I'd ask what were her duties and next time and make sure she only had duty after a certain time in the morning. Her song was beautiful though, and I found myself sitting there and forgetting time passing as I listened.
I hoped not long had passed before realizing I should get back up to my room, since day would be upon us soon. I bid young Ichigo a small clap for her performance and reminded myself later on to inquire her about what she was making, and for whom.
As I retraced my steps back to my room, I was startled by a lone figure standing in one of the halls.
Clad in armor, with her back to me, Kai stood stoic, probably only stopping there for a few moments as she made her rounds of the castle. I froze, afraid she had seen me, as I tried to push myself into the wall and hope that the darkness would hide me.
No sound came from her, even though all that metal should have clanged and rang together as she turned and with a side long glance look in my direction. I don't know if it was fear of getting caught or just the imposing figure she created, standing there that made me feel as though I was shaking in my fuzzy slippers, but it all seemed to wash away as she nodded, and in a low whisper just said, Morning, sir.
And then she walked away, silent as a shadow. Kai, the strength of my home, the hands that protect us from danger, that's who she was in my home.
I flew from my spot, across the hallway and up the stairs. Morning had almost arrived, and soon I did not want to be found wandering about before I was expected to wake.
At the top of the stairs, as I dashed toward my room, I heard footsteps. They came from the south corridor, I paused to listen and see who approached.
I crouched down and looked from between the gaps in the railing at the approaching figure. My breath was cut short and I felt my heart leap into my chest. It was Maid Mikan; I had almost forgotten I had not seen her with Ichigo, since I was so enthralled with her song. As she came into the dim light brought on by the new day, I could see that she did not just walk into the room, she seemed to glide, even though I could hear the tap of her every step.
She stood, looking east, watching the sun rise over the far mountains that loomed over the village between here and there. She came close to the window, as if being that much closer to the sunrise would make it arrive sooner. From my spot, I could only see her profile, but I imagined her smile as the sun rose over yonder peaks.
She spoke, to no one in particular, so softly I had to strain my ears just to know she was still uttering anything. I watched as the soft light danced across her, casting long shadows behind her. She was beauty unmatched; the sunlight that graced her face wished it warmed as well as any smile she cast. The sunrise came and went, and it was just a moment until I realized she was already leaving and I was holding my breath. When she turned away from the window, she spun and almost danced away.
I sat there that morning, watching her slowly walk out of view, I thought this started as I'd watch the castle wake, rise from its slumber with everyone inside, but it never truly came alive until she came in, warmed us with her presence. The girl who has stolen my heart, the maid who makes me wish she could be my

Mikan Hime