Before Sunrise
By Starian Princess

To entertain men was her life; it had never been a problem. After a night of outrageously wild flirting and carefully planned maneuvering, she could always easily discard a man as if they had never met to begin with. But when a mysterious ninja enters their tea house amidst the frightening storm outside, she can't help but be drawn to him in a way she can't understand.

Chapter 1

Intricate designs danced in their eyes, their heads following every movement she made; from the way she held her fan to the way she playfully batted her lashes in their direction. It was an art, her art- her element and thus, her expertise. She smiled in amusement as one man got up and tried to woo her. Well, she'd have none of that. It was her game; therefore her rules. No one got the better of her, no one. No man had ever succeeded and no man would ever be able to succeed; that was the way she played.

"Yuya, the men in the red room have requested for you." She discreetly nodded towards the mistress; bowing automatically to the audience she had been entertaining. They were bedazzled to say the least, their cheeks flushing at her beauty and their eyes still following her even as she left the room. They were nothing; a mere warm-up for the big shots she would be performing for tonight. They meant nothing, not that anyone ever did. She had no attachments, no feelings for any man. This was her world- her passion, her pleasure. Nothing else could compare to this. It was her life; the life of a geisha- to make men swoon, to make men beg for her. And she would refuse. That was how it always went.

Her emerald eyes gleamed. The mistress had informed her that these men would pay extra if they found her to their liking; they might even come back every night after. This meant more money for their tea house and she was more than determined to do her very best. She would make them fall, make them want her, make them come back again and again for more. And she would pay them no heed. It wasn't her job to dedicate herself to one; it was her job to dedicate herself to all. She wasn't a prostitute, she was an entertainer. But men failed to realize that and it made her blood boil. She would teach them, she would make them follow her like little lost puppies; make them want to take her in their arms, make them feel like they could take her away from all this. But she would never actually allow anyone that pleasure- that satisfaction.

"Our best geisha has arrived, gentlemen. This is Yuya." She bowed graciously to them after the mistress had left. This was her cue, the signal for her to start her show. She lifted her eyes to gaze shyly at them; the oldest trick in the book- to make them think that she was timid and later surprise them with her boldness. Men liked that, she'd learned.

When the one sitting in the center smirked, the desire already flaming in his eyes, she took this as a sign to move. She then informed them that she would begin with a dance, which none had objected to. Already she was weaving her magic, tangling them in her web of illusions.

Another geisha had been asked to accompany her and within seconds was playing an enchanting tune with a grass flute. She felt the beat and rhythm pulse through her, the waves of sound coursing through her entire being. And with that she took flight.

Gathering the trail of her kimono, she whipped her sash and raised her leg in swift, poised movements. This was how she got their attention to focus on her, only her and no one else. She walked in graceful steps towards the center of the room, catching a glimpse of how every eye was on her. She liked the feeling; she had drawn them in and they didn't realize it yet but there was no escape.

She used her fan next, twirling it around her finger, throwing it up then catching it. The movements allowed her kimono to shift ever slightly, pulling the neck downwards and effectively displaying a peek of her ample chest. No one could have suspected, but they were all very much in awe as it was.

After another few series of tricks her dance ended and she bowed again, this time catching one of the younger men's eyes and purposely winking at him. He got the message. It had seemed that he was the one enjoying her performance the most- as he had been gaping all the while-, and this was his humble reward.

"That was exquisite, Miss Yuya. I've never seen someone so enchanting." The man beside him- probably his older brother (for she had noted the similarities in their faces) gestured to the empty seat beside him. He obviously wanted to speak with her more, and she decided that she would humor him.

"Thank you." It was always practical to acknowledge any comments that were given to her. She gracefully planted herself to his right, discreetly inching a bit closer to his younger brother, who could not stop staring. She found it both amusing and annoying, but she did this to keep her fair distance from the man she had now dubbed "a leech".

"Kenta, don't drool. It's not a very pleasant way to be treating our lovely new friend." She would have blushed at the compliment had she not noticed the manner in which he addressed her. The way he raked his eyes over her made it seem like he thought her a piece of meat. She bit back a scowl; it was just like a man to act as if she were nothing more than an object. The younger brother, Kenta as stated, was the one to blush for he had caught on to his brother's bold insinuation. It dawned her then, that they had probably visited some other tea houses before getting there and had evidently tried the same tactic to, no doubt, reel in an unsuspecting geisha- probably those who were still novices and thus, still didn't know when they were being played right into bed. It was disgusting.

The night flew on as she inwardly forced herself to put up with Kaji, the older brother's mad flirting. Kenta had tried time and time again to have some conversation with her but Kaji, who had drank almost three bottles of sake already, wouldn't let her attention stray for too long. He was most aggressive and his drunken state led him to be even more lecherous than she perceived. It was already at the point where he was sneaking a hand to graze her thigh and she was doing everything to fight off the urge to slap him. How she wished she could leave already.

"Gentlemen, it is getting a tad late, don't you think? Yuya should be going to bed soon as she has an appointment tomorrow morning. Why don't you come back tomorrow night to see her?" She threw a thankful glance her mistress' way. The woman always knew the right time to intervene.

"Really?" She turned to Kaji, who was leaning on her as he drawled. "What is it that you have to do tomorrow?"

She answered crisply but doubted that Kaji would still have the senses to note her tone, "I have to go to the doctor for a check-up. You see, I slipped this morning on my way to the bathroom and I think I injured my leg."

"I'm so sorry to hear that, Miss Yuya." She appreciatively smiled at Kenta who by then had caught on as well, and was pulling his brother off her.

"If you want, I'll walk you both out." The young man blushed at her sweet tone and nodded as they all got up to leave the room.

"Where did everyone else go?" Kaji was leaning on his brother's shoulder and was asking all sorts of questions.

"They left already, big brother. We'll be meeting back here again tomorrow." Kenta nodded to her then to the mistress, silently thanking them for the night and disappeared down the street.

"That one seems to like you." The elderly woman turned to her and grinned, as she smiled back innocently.

"I think I'm rather fond of him too. I understand this means we'll be seeing more of them now, won't we?"

"Yes, we will. And once again, Yuya, you have successfully gotten us new clients. Those two are the sons of a general in the war. Their coming here frequently will bring us very much praise."

"I'm glad to hear that." She turned to stare up at the sky. It looked darker than usual. Perhaps a storm was coming. She stopped at the thought. A storm? Surely, they couldn't be getting one so suddenly and it had been bright and sunny this morning. No, a storm was too much of a misfortune on such a lucky day.

And as she and the mistress walked in, they were oblivious to the howling sounds resonating through the mountains. Her prediction of a storm bode more true than imagined in fact. But on the contrary, it would not bring misfortune. No, this storm would bring an adventure.

He cursed under his breath, his normally cheery blue eyes squinting in the darkness. When would he get there? The town was supposed to have been less than half a day's walk from his compound, or so his subordinates had told him. Another branch snagged at his side and he frowned. It was already well passed dinnertime. Would there be a nice dango stand still open when he got there? Surely not. He hadn't planned on spending a night in that town but with the way things had progressed, it certainly seemed like he would be forced to lodge at a local brothel. That thought brought a small smile on. A brothel meant women. And women were the one thing that rivaled his intense love for sake.

After a few more minutes of trudging in the dark, he found himself on a dirt road and he could finally see lights glimmering in the distance. He had finally found the town. But before he could ever so much as rejoice at the thought, a loud booming sound echoed around him. Oh great. Luck evidently wasn't on his side tonight.

"Get the laundry from the yard, Yuya. We can still probably save a few of them." The tea house was in something less of an uproar.

"Yes, ma'am." She ran through the rooms, the paper-thin walls clapping behind her. Even in her frenzied state, she never forgot her manners and this meant not leaving the doors open. She was beginning to regret this though, as she hurriedly pulled the numerous fabrics off the clothesline. Since she had left the doors closed, there was very little light and the rain wasn't helping very much either.

"I should never have thought up the possibility of the storm in the first place. It's bad luck!" She cursed and gritted her teeth as she ran back and forth, placing the salvaged cloths on the railing. She then surveyed the rest of the blankets and tablecloths. They were all soaked and way passed redemption; this meant that she would have to do them all over again tomorrow.

"Don't come in through here anymore, you're far too wet and you'll get the floors wet too. Pass through the entrance and dry yourself off, alright?"

She nodded in answer to the mistress and ran as fast as she could to the other side of the house, the rain seeping through her kimono as the storm grew stronger. She sighed. It was cold and she felt like a drenched cat. She really had nothing against the rain but this kimono was a new one, she had gotten it just the other day from one of her admirers. She smiled at the thought. When you were a pretty well-known geisha in the district, you were bound to be presented with a gift every other day from one of your clients. She, in particular, liked receiving kimonos.

Too submerged in her own thoughts though, she failed to notice a dark figure looming right outside the tea house.

She let out a small scream- more out of surprise rather than fright- when she bumped into a broad chest, accidentally letting all the cloths fly out of her arms as well. Everything fell to the ground with a thud but she was fortunate enough to have landed on one of the thicker blankets, effectively cushioning her fall.

The rain, if possible, grew stronger again and what little pain she felt was forgotten when a strong wind blew through the street. It was getting colder by the second! She quickly scrambled up and drew everything into her arms, caring little if some were ruined due to the mud. She turned to the person she had knocked into and without a second thought, pulled the unsuspecting victim in as well.

When they were finally through the front door, she let out a relieved sigh. She ran a hand through her ruined hair and let her ribbon fall to the side.

After she finally caught her breath, she then apologized automatically without looking to her companion, "I'm so sorry for that but you really shouldn't have been standing out there like that either. Don't worry; I can lend you some garments. For the moment though, you better dry off with one of the towels."

She finally opened her eyes, turned to her side… and gasped.

She couldn't believe what she was seeing. He was by far the most handsome man she had ever laid eyes on. Dark raven hair, twinkling sky-blue eyes, and a charming smile; he was smiling for heaven's sake! Although he looked completely drenched, his golden attire hugged his form just right displaying perfectly toned muscles and no excess fat whatsoever. He was… beautiful; more beautiful than anyone else. Was he even actually a man?

"Yuya? Are you alright?" She broke out of her trance and turned in attention to her mistress, peering at her worriedly.

"I-I'm fine, ma'am. But he- this man is…"

"I'm fine too. No harm done." His voice was like rich velvet; not too deep and certainly not too high. It was perfect, just like everything else. She flushed. She'd never had thoughts like that for anyone before. This was confusing. Maybe she had had a little too much to drink earlier after all.

"Well, that's good to hear. Sir, here, you should dry yourself with this." She watched as the mistress gave him a fresh towel, and was all the more mesmerized when he smiled in gratitude. She couldn't help the blush that grew on her cheeks, when he then turned to stare at her and flashed the same accommodating smile. Yes, that's what it was. Accommodating. It was peaceful… something you could fall in lo- wait! Now, that was going too far!

She shook her head and reached for the towel next to her and dried herself off as well. For a moment there, she had completely forgotten who she was. That couldn't happen ever again. She was a geisha- one of the best in the district, Shiina Yuya. No man had ever conquered her and no man ever would.

"It's good to know that you're alright, sir. I do apologize again for knocking you over." Her voice was even, just like it should be. She could almost convince herself that she had never sputtered or stared earlier.

"It's no problem at all. I certainly wouldn't mind being knocked over again, as long as it's a pretty girl like you who I've bumped into." She laughed pleasantly. This man was a charmer like many others she'd met. How typical.

"Thank you for the compliment. I feel I must introduce myself." She turned to him again and let her eyes meet his. By doing this, she had always been able to draw a man in, no matter who he was. "My name is Yuya. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"And I'm Yukimura. The pleasure's all mine, Yuya." He didn't even stop-dead. She was most definitely surprised; this man would be a bit difficult but in time, she mused, she would win him over.

Unknown to her though, the most similar of thoughts were traveling through his head as well.

-TBC-