Bad Romance
The tall, slender woman smirked down at the little pink haired girl. It was hilarious really; the girl was caught – yet again – after her failed attempt to runaway. This was what, her fifth time? The child really needed to learn when to give up and accept the inevitable. However, she had to give the girl some credit, she had spunk, spirit, and sass. The perfection combination to make her the oiran of the century. Now if only that information got through her thick head, they wouldn't be in this little predicament.
Yohi, the white haired mistress of the Yoshiwara red light district, stuck her red smoking stick back into her mouth and huffed. She liked the child, she really did, but sometimes she grew tired of this stubborn streak and just wanted to break her. Two hundred thousand yen, that was how much she cost, and she gladly paid up front for her. If anything, she really just wanted to protect the tiny thing, she saw the way those filthy men gazed longingly at the poor dear.
But when she came to realize how much attention this green eyed wonder was attracting, there was no doubt in her mind that she would become a legend. Immediately after being bought from her pathetic excuse for a mother, she was graciously adopted and had taken her under her wing. Yohi knew beauty and power when she saw it; she had a real knack for talent. And with this precious bundle in her arms, she could easily morph her into a star, more famous than even herself. If only said bundle realized it.
"Nikubi Sakura-"
"Haruno."
Her voice was soft and rugged, but perfectly clear. Yohi cocked an eyebrow.
"My name is Haruno Sakura, not Nikubi."
"You are my daughter now and you are living in my house. You will bear my name."
Sakura hissed and glared at the woman through her bangs. Her viridian eyes darkening with anger. She growled, hating her situation, hating the woman, and hating herself. Even at ten years old, she knew where she was and what was happening. The fact that her very own flesh and blood put her here made it all the worse. Her family was poor, they lived off of rations, and struggled to survive. However, she'd rather be there, suffering with her mother and father, than be here right now. But no, the two people she had grown to love and care for sold her to a whore house!
"Don't look so sad my dearest, it's not so bad once you get used to it."
"Get used to the fact that I'm a whore now?"
Yohi's smirk only got wider, "You aren't a whore my love; you're beautiful. Women would kill to be in your position; living in a life of luxury, tutored by me, the legendary white lotus, in the art of seduction and beauty."
There was no point in being subtle and delicate with this girl. She was smart for a child growing up in poverty, she will survive.
"I don't want this life." Her voice was barely above a whisper.
"You would rather live in that scum of a neighborhood and starve than be here with me?"
"At least my parents loved me!"
Yohi knelt down, face to face with the angelic little girl and cupped her chin. From this angel, Sakura could clearly see into those mysterious white gold eyes. She could smell the woman's aroma of freesia and plum. Her facial features and makeup were flawless, plump red lips, thin eyebrows darkened with burnt charcoal, a hint of pink blush, and white paint that covered her face and neck. She certainly was gorgeous. It both terrified and excited her that soon she would be like this too.
"What makes you think I don't love you?"
She snapped out of her thoughts and almost fainted. The look Yohi was sending her was intense and feral. Suddenly, she became very aware of the fact that she was a child and bound, leaning back against the marble boulder. A slight tremble rolled down her spine. The mistress must have sensed this because she let go and stood back up, taking another drag of her smoking stick.
"A pity you always end up adding another scar to your collection. Your skin is impeccable, I would hate to see it ruined. Although, I'm pretty sure some men fancy a bit of a mark on you."
Hot tears began to stream down her face. Yohi wouldn't wipe them away, she wanted the little girl to cry. She wanted Sakura to shed all of her past away and embrace the fortune that had been brought upon her. They were both silent, as one sat on the floor and weepy her heart out, while the other paced back and forth in her Zen garden. The long train behind her purple and silver kimono whipping behind her.
"W-why me?"
She stopped walking, "Why not?"
"I'm only a little girl; I'm not pretty like all others."
"Oh, but don't you see? You are pretty. Even prettier than the other than them."
"How? I'm short, I have a wide forehead, and I'm pale as a ghost!" She screamed, desperate for freedom.
"Wear okobos to make you taller, I think your forehead makes you cuter, and if you're so pale then get a tan. Other than that, you're perfect. "
"But…why?"
The corners of her lips curled, "You're not pure and you aren't innocent. Hell, you aren't even feminine or dainty like the others," She took another drag, "And that's what makes you so appealing. You're dirty, dangerous, and fierce. Inside you is an animal waiting to come out and kill. You know what it's like living on the streets; you know what it's like to fight to survive. If you weren't training to be an oiran, I'd suspect you'd become a…"
Sakura was hanging on a loose thread; she was so engrossed in her words. Everything came out so smoothly in that sultry voice, it was like drinking in honey. When she halted on her explanation and turned her back, she whimpered.
"A what? Tell me!"
"Is that any way to speak to your mother?"
It was going to kill her to say this, but there was no point in fighting it any longer. Sooner or later, she was going to have to say it.
"Please, mother…tell me."
She slowly turn around, a victorious grin on her face, "That's more like it," As she finished the last of her cigarette, she tapped the stick on her hand and the burning butt fell onto the ground, "Well, if you must know. I suspect that if you weren't going to be an oiran, you'd become a marvelous and powerful…kunoichi."
Sakura gasped. That word was forbidden, in fact, kunoichis were forbidden all together. Not too long ago, a powerful man swept into the country and with his army, nearly exterminated all shinobis. Male and female shinobis were not allowed anymore. To this day, under his rule, he had banished the practice and executed anyone suspected of being one. But unbeknownst to him, a small rebellion groups had formed underground to assassinate the evil ruler and bring the tradition of shinobis back from the grave.
"Why would you…"
"You're exactly what this country needs, Sakura, you just don't know it yet," She touched her cheek with the back of her hand, "You'll see. I'll turn you into the most desired oiran ever, and then, I'll train you to become the most powerful kunoichi to have ever been born."
Yeah, based off a little of Sakuran. But with my own twist. I loved the movie. Anna Tsuchiya is smoking hot!
Yes, there is a difference between an oiran and a geisha. If you don't know what an oiran is, look it up.
