New Story.
I know, I know, I need to finish He Smiles For Her. I really need to stop procrastinating. But my OTP called to me; I couldn't help it.
So this story is going to be really interesting; and if you have no knowledge of the Geisha life, then that's okay. I'm going to do my best to make it easy to understand. If you have any questions, dont hesitate to ask :3.
Now, I'm going to put a little dictionary for all the terms in each chapter at the beginning of the chapter. Use it as a reference.
And, of course, review please. I love hearing from you guys.
Geisha: Literally "Art Person." A woman who entertains men with dances, music, and beauty.
Shimabara: The "Courtesans' District" of the Kyoto Hanamachi; the brothels.
Okiya: A Geisha house.
Hanamachi: A geisha district. This story takes place in the Kyoto Hanamachi.
Imouto-san: Literally "Little Sister." An elder Geisha would take on a young Maiko, helping to train her. The Maiko was referred to as Imouto-san by the elder.
Okaa-san: Literally "Honorable Mother." In this case, the Okaa-san is the head of an Okiya.
Onee-sanL Literally "Honorable Older Sister." The Elder Geisha to a Maiko.
Maiko: Apprentice Geisha.
I remember the day he arrived; as if it were only yesterday.
He was brought into my room, a small and shivering mass of skin and bones. His body language was that of a cornered animal, weak and scared.
And yet… I saw in his eyes a fire. A hunger for life that could not be quenched by any man. A refusal to be caged. I suppose I should have known right away how it would turn out for him.
Perhaps I did.
An aged woman looked at the boy before her, exhaling a long breath of smoke from her lips. Her face was worn, wrinkles showing even under the thick layer of makeup that covered her face. Her nails were long, and they clicked against the wood of her pipe; the only sound in the otherwise silent room.
"Usually you bring me young girls, Mouto," she spoke, her voice raspy and harsh. "I do hope you haven't gone so blind as to see that this is a boy that you've set before me."
A tall, lanky man that stood behind the boy bowed respectfully, "This is Marth Lowell; sole heir Cornelius Lowell, of the Altea. His family was killed by the Yakuza."
Ah, yes; the Yakuza. Perhaps the best way to explain the Yakuza would be to call them the mob. Though that alone can't even begin to explain the details of who they are. It's simply safe enough to say that they aren't people to be crossed; if you value your life.
"Ah yes, so I heard." The woman seemed unconcerned, going back to counting the gold coins before her. "You still haven't explained why you brought him here."
"He is still in great danger, we're looking for a home where he can live out of the spotlight," Mouto placed a reassuring hand on the boy's shoulder. The boy, in turn, looked up at the tall man.
"I have no need for a servant boy, Mouto."
"Then make him a Geisha."
There was a silence as the woman looked up, her brows stretched high to show her surprise. "Geisha? My Geisha are beautiful women; not the sons of dead Lords."
"But look!" Mouto grabbed Marth's face, turning it as if he were showing a slave for sale, "He's just as fair as any of your girls."
"He's no more than skin and bones; besides, he will grow. I won't spend my good money on him." And with that she waved her hand in a gesture for them both to leave. "If you think he is so beautiful, sell him to the Shimabara, I'm sure he'd make a good whore."
"I will not sell the son of Lord Cornelius to a brothel!"
"And I will not waste my good money on some orphan. Now leave, you're beginning to annoy me."
Mouto sighed, his shoulders slumping in a defeated manner. "… If you take him in, all the money his father left behind will be donated to your Okiya. It's enough to feed all of your girls and yourself, put him through school, and to buy as many lavish kimonos as you please. Please; you're the only one I trust him with."
The woman didn't even seem fazed by the monetary offer. She brought her pipe back up to her lips and took a long breath. At last she exhaled and spoke, "You must not know very many creditable people. Very well, I'll take him. But if he proves to be more trouble than he's worth-"
"He won't, I swear it."
The woman clicked her tongue in annoyance. "A male geisha; I'll become the laughingstock of the hanamachi. Take him to Saiyuu; tell her she has a new Imouto-san."
Mouto bowed once more and grabbed Marth' wrist, dragging him out and closing the rice screen behind him. As the boy was dragged down the hallway, he spoke up for the first time, "Who was that woman?" His voice was soft, full of the innocence of youth.
"That was your Okaa-san. From now on, you will do everything she says."
Marth shook his head, "That's not my Okaa-san-"
"Yes, Marth, it is. She is your Okaa-san, and you belong to her. You will grow up to be a Geisha, just like Saiyuu."
For a moment the child was quiet. "Saiyuu?"
"She is your Onee-san. She will help you learn to be a Geisha."
"But Mouto-san, I don't want to be a Geisha."
"That's too bad Marth; no more complaining."
"…."
Mouto stopped before another screen door, sliding it open and bowing, "Saiyuu."
The voice of a young woman replied, "Ah, Mouto; back so soon? I thought you had plans to travel to Tokyo."
"I did, however, something came up."
"Oh?"
Mouto ushered Marth into the room, "This is Marth, your Okaa-san has just taken him in. She has named him your Imouto-san."
Before Marth stood a beautiful young woman with ebony black hair. She wore a lavish kimono that was ruby red, and engraved with all manner of colorful birds and leaves. Her eyes were a deep chocolate in color, and her skin was perfectly smooth, without a blemish upon it. "Imouto…. Surely you jest, Mouto."
Mouto shook his head, "I will not bore you with the details, Saiyuu; I'll leave that to your Okaa-san."
Saiyuu was silent, her eyes examining Marth, "… I see… I will take care of him, Mouto."
"Thank you." It was as if a heavy weight was lifted off of the man's shoulders. "Now, I must go. Perhaps I can still make it out of Kyoto by nightfall."
Saiyuu nodded, "Travel safely, Mouto-san."
Mouto nodded, turning and exiting. The room filled with an eerie silence as the screen was shut. Marth looked up to see Saiyuu staring down at him. "Male Geisha… I've never heard of such a ridiculous thing. Surely Okaa-san cant think that anyone will pay to become the danna of a male Geisha…" Her tone was more astounded than disapproving. "Alright, you are Marth, yes?" The boy nodded, and she continued, "I am Saiyuu; but you may call me Onee-san. One day, you will accompany me to the teahouses in the hanamachi, and I will teach you to turn the head of a man with only one movement. But that won't be until you become a Maiko. First Okaa-san will send you to school. Do you understand?" The boy nodded, and Saiyuu sighed, "Do you speak?"
"…Yes." His voice was timid and soft.
"Then start doing it. There are no shy Geisha." She turned, returning to her table and beginning to powder her face with a white dust.
Marth didn't move from his spot. "…Onee-san?"
"What?"
"What's a Geisha?"
"…" Saiyuu sighed, bringing her delicate fingers to her forehead. "This will be a long night…"
