A/N: This is my second story on and is based off of the novel Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden. It starts out slow, just to show a little bit of history behind the Aeris, but I promise it will get better. This is an Aeris/Vincent/Sephiroth fic and I have tried to keep them in-character as much as possible, if you spot any OOC-ness, please let me know.
1
"I'm so sorry, Aeris."
She was gone. She was really gone.
"It was so sudden; no one could have done anything to stop it."
How was she going to go on?
"She's in a better place now."
Why did they always say that?
"I give my deepest condolences to you and your aunt."
"Thank you, doctor." Her voice sounded cracked and harsh. She was surprised she could even speak. "You've done so much for us." She handed him a small package wrapped in cloth. "Please take this as a token of our gratitude."
The doctor shook his head. "No, I cannot take this from you. My services are a favor to your family, I ask for nothing in return." The old physician patted Aeris' hand. "Once again, I'm sorry for the loss of your mother, I know she was all you had."
Aeris followed the family doctor to the door, helping him with his shoes and walking him to the rickety white gate that lined their dry yard. She nodded as he gave a few more condolences, mumbling her thanks but not hearing what was being said. At this point, it didn't seem to matter: her mother was gone. She had not yet allowed herself to shed any tears; too afraid that once she started, she would not be able to stop, that she would drown in her own stream of sorrow.
"Come inside, Aeris. You'll burn alive out there." A brittle voice called to her from the door.
"Yes, Auntie." Aeris shuffled into the cool house, shutting the heavy wooden door behind her. Almost mechanically, she started to clear off the small cups of untouched tea set out on the kitchen table, absently pouring the now cold liquid out the window. With her mother gone, it seemed as if the other half of the house had been torn away: nothing had meaning in her life anymore.
"Don't pout so, Aeris. If you need to cry, then so be it. Grieve in your own time if you must, but for goodness sake please don't hold it in." Auntie watched her from the living room, a small washcloth in her hands: she was going in to prepare the body for burial.
Aeris only nodded, wanting nothing more than to crawl in the cellar and let go of all her grief, but she had to be strong: there was much more planning to do. She would cry for her mother once she had her proper burial, she would cry once her duties to her mother were completely finished.
The doctor was not sure what the cause of her mother's sudden illness was, although the recent drought had much to do with her continuing weakness. A few days ago she had been unable to get out of bed, her body seemingly paralyzed; some said a stroke, others said old age. Progressively her health had started to deteriorate, leaving her completely dependent on Aeris and Auntie. And now…now she was gone.
Now it was just her and Auntie left, her and her bitter old Aunt. The only two that would be living in the small shabby house by the ocean trying to survive the drought and forget about the pain of losing another loved one. All they had was each other. Somehow, this thought saddened her more than the death of her beloved mother.
It was a hot Saturday afternoon: the day they buried her mother. They had placed her under a large tree that her father had planted when he was a young man, a constant place of solace for her mother. After he had passed away seven years ago, her mother frequented the backyard, standing under the tree branches for hours, looking out into the ocean wistfully. One thought that consoled Aeris was the fact that her mother would finally be complete now that she had found father: they were together again. Many of the villagers had come by to pay their last respects, giving small gifts and generous consolatory words, but none of these seemed to reach the ears of Aeris. She still bowed and thanked them for coming, but she felt no real gratuity to these people, in honesty, she felt nothing at all.
"I'm sorry to hear the passing of your mother, dear child." A gentle whiff of perfume passed by her as someone laid a light hand on her shoulder.
Aeris looked up, expecting another villager, but was surprised to see an ornately dressed woman, her graying hair worn up into a tight bun. She wore a black kimono with a silver crest on the left breast, tied closed with a striking red sash. Her feet were clad in starch white button-socks, slipped into a pair of red zouri sandals. Wrinkles had started to etch into her slightly yellowed skin, beady eyes sunk deep into her face, and her thin lips were pressed into a pucker as if she had just eaten a lemon.
"Thank you, obasan." Aeris bowed deeply, showing her appreciation to the older stranger. "I am honored that you have come to my mother's funeral. I have not been properly introduced to you before. If I may ask, were you a close friend of my mother's?"
A corner of the woman's shrunken mouth curled up into what Aeris thought was a smile. "No dear, but I hear she was the most wonderful woman. I have come here at the bidding of your aunt."
"Auntie invited you?" A puzzled look danced in Aeris' eyes, yet she did not want to be rude and impose on her aunt's business.
"Yes, we have some affairs to catch up on; although I'm sorry it had to be on such an unfortunate day." The woman took a step back and dipped her head. "I am Eiko Nakamura of Wutai."
"I am Aeris Gainsborough of Mideel and I am deeply honored to meet you Eiko-sama." Aeris again bowed deeply. "Please allow me to show you into our humble home so that you and Auntie may finish you matters in private."
She led the older woman into the dim dwelling, seating her at the table in the kitchen. Auntie shuffled in a few minutes later as Aeris was making tea, a small bundle in her hands.
"Ah, Eiko-sama, how good to finally meet you." The two women stood and bowed to each other. "Please, sit, have some tea. I know it is of poor quality, but I hope that you will keep our hospitality in mind."
Aeris sat the tray on the table and set out two cups, slowly pouring hot green tea into each one. The room was silent as Aeris emptied out the small cracked pot, the other two women simply sat and watched. She served them their drinks and left the kitchen, not wanting to impose on their conference. Still, she could not keep her curiosity from tickling the back of her mind and she sat motionless, trying to hear clips of their conversation. At first, they seemed to be having a cursory discussion about the weather, but soon took on a more formal and business-like tone. At one point it seemed as if they were arguing, both of them talking in hushed but angry tones. From what Aeris could hear, it seemed as if they were discussing an unfair barter that was being made between them, her aunt's voice sounding very irritated. But soon, even that died down and they went back to the perfunctory chat of two old ladies exchanging news. Finally, she could hear the shuffle of clothes as the two women stood, the small clinks of the cups being placed back on the table.
Auntie came out first, the small cloth package still in her hands and gave Aeris a quick glance before disappearing into her room. Next came out the older woman, a serious look on her puckered face. She walked up to Aeris, laying a bony hand on her shoulders, something in her eyes told her that it was not good news.
"My dear, you'll be coming with me."
"I'm sorry?" Aeris didn't know what to think, what was the meaning of all this? "Coming with you where?"
"To Wutai. We should leave now if we are to make it back by nightfall." Mrs. Nakamura tucked her hands into the sleeves of her kimono. "Come, we mustn't waste time."
Aeris was speechless. Why was she going to Wutai? What was happening? She turned as her aunt came back into the room. "Auntie, Eiko-sama says I am to go to Wutai, is this true?"
Auntie nodded, giving the package still in her hands to Mrs. Nakamura, whom in exchange gave her a small bag. "Yes, I have given you a better life."
Aeris eyed the small bag suspiciously. "You…sold me?" The jingling in the sack confirmed her fears.
"It's for your own good." Auntie couldn't even look her in the face. "Eiko-sama will be able to provide for you in a way that I never can. Trust me, Aeris, you will be much happier in Wutai."
"You sold me! You sold your own niece while my mother's grave is still fresh!" Hot tears started to form at the corner of her eyes. "If you didn't want me around, you could have just asked, I would have left. Auntie…"
"Please, Aeris…" Her aunt patted the blue sack in her hands. "We'll never survive…the two of us…"
"Then forget me, Auntie. And forget the Gainsborough name. You've wronged my mother and my father. I hope that money brings you much joy." She turned to the other woman, eyes lowered to the ground. "I am ready."
Mrs. Nakamura thanked Auntie for inviting her into the house and gave her a slight bow. She took Aeris by the arm and walked her out of the room, shushing her as they went. That was the last time Aeris ever saw Mideel.