Yuki no Furu Naka ni

Ch 1

It was a rainy day when this happened. Although I didn't mind it was a special day for me.

My name is Katana. I'm 18 years old and a girl from Australia. I am working in Japan training to be a Geisha. I am one of the few people outside of the people of Japan aloud to enter this world and god did it take a lot of work! Any way I've been in the business for 4 year's and I'm a maiko. Today was the day when I got an imoto san or an apprentice. Today was her omisendashi. I was dressed in my best as we did the rounds and for the ceremony of san's san's kudos. The party after is where it all happened.

I was serving some tea to a one of my friend's from Australia who I had invited, when a huge bang went of. The back wall blew out as we all ducked in cover. There were screams as people panicked and ran as a huge guest ensnared us I huddled down with Minaka (my imoto san) and my friends. Something fell and I blacked out.

"What the hell?!" Shouted someone

I opened my eyes. I definatly wasn't here a moment ago I thought looking at the tall cloaked figure in front of me.

He shoved me with his foot.

"Excuse me I would prefer if you didn't do that." I told the man trying to work out were I had seen him before.

"What are you doing on the ground white face?" he asked with a grin. "How about you come home with me.? I can make you nice and comfy." He said a grin spreading across he's face as his tong flicked out.

Ah now I new who he was.

"NO." I said getting up and as I dusted myself of walked away. As soon as I was out of his sight I bolted as fast as I could in my kimono and okubo (which wasn't easy.)

This can't be right! Why did I just see orochimaru???? My consciousness screamed at me. I herd footsteps and drew the sword concealed by the dangling bit's of my obi as the snake walked around the corner.

"Stay back." I growled. "I will have nothing to do with you!"

He grinned again "You think you can old me of with a knife?" He said in a voice that seemed to question my sanity.

"I have this sword thankyou, to protect my house that is part of my job. I won't go down without a fight. So go away before I have to use it." He looked at me trying to way up the chances. Then lunged.

I blocked and parried and managed to slice his leg. He did some hand signs and I new I was screwed now as I tripped and fell. A man came out and saved my hide. Hand's flashed and orochimaru fled shouting profanities.

The man turned around and I caught a glance of white hair as I blacked out again.