Okay, before you blow up at me for this, allow me to explain: This is completely AU; and I didn't base this on anything or have much knowledge in the world of tea houses. I did as much research as my mind could handle before I just had to WRITE! And let it all out. Haha. Anyway, this is featuring Shino Aburame and Temari. I know this isn't exactly the most popular, OR sensible couple OR accurate at ALL, but please just bare with me. I assure you this one will be impressive. Oh, and of course I will be continuing with Cure, but this idea was stuck in my mind and had to come out.
Thank you for supporting me, enjoy Underneath.
Won't you tell me, what is beauty?
Past the shoji, or paper doors, and through two foyers, down a long hall beyond two large vases full of wild yellow flowers, there was a door. Behind this door, a young woman smoked and drained her troubles away with each puff. Her kimono was barely covering her; the folds of red floral silk wrapped over her forearms and were loosely fastened around her waist with a golden obi. Blonde tendrils wisped over one shoulder, covering her left collarbone. Her hair was unkempt and a medium length. There were snarls and split ends at the tips, but it framed her face gently. As she let out a sigh of opium steeped breath, and her heavy lids opened wider. Her eye lashes were long and dainty, the most lady like feature of her face, and they covered her jade green eyes. They sparked and her pupils dilated when a sliver of light filled a line on the floor. The door opened, and a young man stood carrying her meal.
"It's morning, already?" She groaned and put down her pipe, setting it lightly on the tatami mats.
The man didn't speak. He only pushed the tray towards her and adjusted his glasses. He was much younger than the geisha that sat before him, and politely adored her from afar. Speaking now would ruin the slim moment he had the chance to view her before she belonged to someone else; his customers.
"Temari," He turned around to face the door, and placed on hand on the paper that was woven between the bamboo frame, "make yourself decent."
"Thank you, Aburame-dono." She dipped her head low and bowed as he exited her room, all the light leaving with him.
She devoured her food, not noticing the time and care the young man had put into the presentation. He had spent much of the morning preparing that meal she gorged herself in. As soon as the last bite of sweet rice and katsu was minced and swallowed, she dove into her closet and pulled out a clean yukata. She threw off her kimono, and straightened the new one around her. Tying the obi with expert precision, she altered the collar to go up right past her neck bones, and settle low on her back. Her skin, although clear and healthy, reeked of opium and carnal pleasures. She drenched herself in the finest perfume and soaked her natural complexion in layers of creamy white make-up and disguised every corner of her beauty beneath a mask; both physical and emotional.
When she was suitable for public display, like a porcelain doll, she gracefully strolled away from her chambers and into the tea house lobby, where men had already began to arrive.
It was this day, I realized I loved her.
Three years ago.
"It has been five years now that you have started working here in the ochaya, Shino. And you have made the Aburame family very proud by your leadership skills. It would honor us if you would take on your responsibilities as my eldest son and take full management of the tea house."
"Yes, father."
At the tender age of fifteen, the men of the Aburame clan were to end their jobs as assistants, and begin managing the geisha and courtesans of the tea house.
"Do you understand your duties, Shino? You are going to make sure that every one of these," As Shibi waved across the line of young faces in the distance, the girls grinned eagerly. "I'm sure they will miss my smiling face!"
"I will work my hardest, father."
"That's my boy. Oh, how foolish of me. You are a man now, Shino. Now, go on and take the day off. Today is a day of celebration! The Aburame clan's heir has taken his place in our history."
Shino bowed and stood up from the low table, his footsteps creaking and resounding through the quiet parlor. The eldest girl, a blonde near the end, Temari, caught his glimpse as he looked behind his shoulder for the last time as a servant. With each step towards the open courtyard, his smile widened. He stared for a long while at the gentle bonsai while leaning on a wooden post on the porch.
The doors in the parlor entrance opened at last and customers filled the room, shy laughter and expensive china clanked. Shibi's laughter could be heard the loudest; as he made the best of his last day. When things calmed to a relaxed party loudness, Shino heard footsteps behind him.
"Congratulations, Aburame-dono." A perfect-pitched female voice echoed from the doorway. The distance closed between them, and she stood beside Shino on the edge of the porch. "You will make a fine manager."
"Thank you, Miss…" He blushed and nervously shuffled his glasses farther up the arch of his nose, "I'm sorry, I don't believe we've met yet."
"No, it is I who should be sorry," She turned her slim figure towards him and arched her back in a polite bow. "You may call me Temari." And with that, her back rose and a straightened again, her charmed looks muted in the shade of the overhang.
Shino met her bow, his cheeks still warm and glowing, "Temari, you will be the best geisha in this ochaya, I'm sure of it."
"Please, don't flatter me, Aburame-dono." She waved a fan furiously across her hidden smile. "But as long as you are around, I know I won't fail."
He was silent, closing his eyes and breathing in the scent of her perfume. Lilac, lily, some dizzy flower that sent him higher than the clouds; and her fan only sent the fragrance guided closer to his senses. She was like a blossom before him, blooming in the sunset of his childhood. He resolved to keep this image of her with him, even in sunrises where their meeting would be only for business.
Thank you everyone, I love you and I hope you have the heart to not attack me in your reviews! –bows-