Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin. Watsuki-sama does. I'm only borrowing his characters for a while.
This is a story set during the Bakumatsu. The first chapter goes back in time to offer a better understanding of the following chapters.
Chapter 1 – On a rainy day, the world fell apart
1853, years before the main events
Four American black ships led by Commodore Perry are leaving India. They have sailed very far, having left Newport almost a year ago. Many doubt the chances of success of their mission, but Perry isn't a man who doubts easily. He has seen worse.
In a few weeks, probably by the month of June, the four black ships led by Commodore Perry will reach Japan. And then, things will change. They will sign a commercial accord with Japan. They will force that foreign and mysterious country to opens its borders. They will succeed where everyone else had failed.
In a few weeks, there will be a major twist in Japan's history, a twist having deep consequences that Americans sailing under the commands of Commodore Perry could never even imagine.
But for now, most people don't even know that these ships are coming. They have no idea of what is about to happen. They are living their lives as they had lived them for centuries. Things are about to change, but not now. There are still a few weeks of calm ahead.
Isami Kondo, a 19 year old young man living at the Shieikan dojo in Edo, has no idea that in ten years, he will become the co-founder of the Shinsengumi. Hajime Saito, a 9 year old strong-minded boy, has no idea that he will become a Shinsengumi captain. And Shishio Makoto, a very young boy, certainly has no idea that in twenty-five years from now, he will try to replicate the black ships' incident to overthrow the Meiji government.
At the same time, in Kyoto's deserted streets
Heavy rain was pouring down. It had been raining for days now. It seemed that all that water would never leave the district. In fact, Kyoto looked like a ghost town. A thick mist was enveloping the linking and fragile houses, where the citizens had shut themselves.
But, very unlike them, a man and a little girl were walking in the deserted streets, trying to make their way through the storm. Their shoes were socking wet, their hair were damp and sticking on their foreheads. People who saw them go by, reported that the man must have been crazy. Such conditions could send a healthy grown up directly to its deathbed... It was pure folly to walk around with a little girl.
And it was true that the little girl had great difficulties standing still and keeping up with her father's quick pace. She was crying, but in that rain, no one would ever know it. She was happy that no one would ever know it. She wasn't supposed to cry. She was supposed to be strong. He father had asked for it. Well-behaved girls had to hold their heads high.
Finally, the duo came to their destination: a tall house which should have cut the little girl's breath. It was an unusual sight for people coming from a poor village, like theirs was. She had never gone out of it until now. Not even to Edo, which was only a few miles away. But this sight didn't cheer her up. This wasn't a place where you were supposed to be happy. This was a place where you faked happiness. She had already understood this.
Her father walked toward the main door, but the little girl didn't move. She needed courage to go there and right now, she didn't have any. But she had to, for her father. He had already explained her more than twice what he was waiting for. She had to help him. She had to find that courage, right now.
"Tokio-chan..." her father said as he realised that she wasn't following anymore. "Come here... You'll see, it's going to be all right."
Her father had spoken kindly, but the child hesitated a little while longer. She could feel the trap. But... Father wouldn't trap her, wouldn't he? Father loved her.
"Will I see you again?"
The tall man walked to the child and, not caring about the pools of water, he bent down. He looked her directly in the eyes and he said.
"Yes. I'll come to see you at least once a month. You'll always be my little girl, my only child. Nothing will ever change that."
"And will mother come with you sometimes?"
A shadow darkened the man's eyes. He shook his head and sadly answered.
"No. She won't come. She can't come. She has left this world for good. We can only hope that she is happy where she is now."
Puzzled, the child looked at her father. Death was a hard thing to understand for a seven year old child. A lot of things were hard to understand for a seven year old child.
Seeing her interrogative eyes, her father also realised that those concepts were maybe a little too advanced for now. In a few years, she would understand, and she would accept his choices. He couldn't take care of a child alone. He had loved his wife, but he had never been a family man. This was the best thing to do. In due time, she would acknowledge it and maybe forgive him.
"Tokio-chan, just trust me. Those people are really good. They will help you become a good woman, like your mother was. Alone, I can't do much for you. Do you understand?"
"Yes." she answered politely. Those were strange words all mixed together, but she had understood one thing. She had to trust her father, no matter what. He loved her. This was for her own good. And she would see him again.
On those words, the man got up and walked, again, toward the main door. This time, Tokio followed him.
Eager to make a good impression, as her father had requested, Tokio was letting the middle age lady play with her like a doll. She didn't even protest when the women brought back dry, but worn out, clothes and helped her changed right here, in the hall.
Her father was standing in a dark corner, not paying much attention to the scene going on. He had asked a few questions to the woman, mostly about money, but the lady had only replied that they had to take care of the girl first. They wouldn't pay for a sick girl.
"Sir, wait here, please. I'll introduce your daughter to the others. Then I'll come back and arrange the last details." The woman finally said.
Tokio took a furtive glance at her father, wondering if she would also see him, before he left. As he nodded reassuringly, she followed the woman as soon as she felt her strong hand on her shoulder, showing her the way. But with every step she took, she tried to control her growing distress.
Finally, they came to a room where two old ladies were sitting. The kimonos they wore were made of a rich fabric, very unlike the one the woman, now standing in her back, wore. Tokio guessed that that woman was only a maid. She knew what maids were: that's the kind of job women of her family had done for a few generations. They had once been a rich family of samurais, but they had lost everything; now, they were just a very poor family of samurais with no luck. It was a real lesson of humility.
"Come here child." said one of the two ladies.
Tokio automatically obeyed and as she approached, she took a better look at them. One was tall and angular, while the other one was short and round, but both faces were still blessed with beauty, in spite of the passing years.
And on that day, Tokio learned that you didn't judged people only on appearances, for the tall and angular one had kind and soft eyes, while the short and round one had cold and calculating eyes.
Both women remained silent, judging her. The tallest, Sei, finally declared.
"I think she has potential. She is definitely pretty."
"Not as pretty as her aunt used to be." shortly replied Masako.
"That's true, but she's prettier than most girls are."
After a slight pause, during which she silently conceded the point, Masako went on.
"However, my main concern is the child's docility and her intelligence. Tell me your name."
"Tokio Tanaka."
"Not a bad name. Tokio, tell me, you know why you are here?"
"Yes." Tokio said. She also nodded, to show that she understood very well what was expected from her. Her father had already gone through that many, many times until she could precisely explained it, without failing.
She briefly closed her eyes. She could certainly tell what was about to happen, she could certainly understand it, but maybe she could still not fully accept it. That's why she recalled her father's word once more.
When you don't have money, you try to do your best to find a way of living. Everyone, young or old, has to do their share and you, Tokio, are not suppose to be in rest. You are going to work at the Isobe okiya. Everything is already arranged.
Your mother's sister worked there and she said that it is one of the best establishments, that there is nothing to fear. If you are a good girl, you'll take the position your aunt had when she left to get married: atatori. The okiya will then belong to you at the owners' death. You will have a good future.
Tokio opened her eyes as Masako's voice prevented her from going farther in the long tale of her aunt's life at the Isobe okiya.
"The okiya has always been very successful: one of the best establishments of Gion. But it's not the case anymore. I only have three geishas left, and on some days, I wish that there were none as they all are either foolish or incompetent. That's why I still haven't chosen another atatori..."
She paused to silently curse her protégés, as she probably did ten times a day.
"Time is running out now, I don't have many years left. I have to find someone soon. As your aunt was successful, I thought that maybe the right blood runs in your veins and that you could be the right girl. Your father accepted the deal. I'm going to invest a lot on your education, but I'm ready to make that bet. But, as I said, don't deceive me. Is this clear?"
"Yes, it is clear." Tokio faintly answered, lying this time. But she was too polite to point out that some concepts mentioned were very obscure. They had not been part of her father's tale. But there would always be time later to figure out this speech. And while looking at the kind eyes of Sei, she knew where she would seek for answers.
"Good." replied Masako. She liked what she saw so far. The bet could prove to be worth it, if the girl adapted herself well to this new life. But suddenly, she felt very tired. All of this made her eventual death seem more real than ever.
"Tokio..." gently said Sei, leaning forward. "Could you leave us alone now? The maid will show you the house."
Tokio bowed and turned around, expecting to see the maid. But she had left the room during the discussion. Interrogative and worried eyes silently questioning the two ladies.
"Just wait in the corridor. She knows you'll be there."
Once on the other side of the wall, Tokio could still hear bits of conversation and she understood that it was mostly focused on her. Both women didn't seem to completely agree on her potential and on the way to treat her. She didn't catch anything beyond the general meaning.
And, after all, that was not what really interested her, right now. She was just eager to see her father. And finally, after a very long five minutes, unable to resist the temptation any longer, she took a few steps toward the main hall. It was almost in sight when something, or rather someone, stopped her.
"Well-behaved girls should not sneak around like that," said a venomous voice behind her back.
She turned around, confused, and came face to face with a young woman, her lovely face distorted with both hate and envy: a sight to which she would have to get rapidly used to, in this world.
But right now, Tokio didn't quite know how to react. Hopefully, the young woman only laughed in her face and left.
Still troubled by what had happened, it's with less confidence then Tokio covered the remaining distance. It's shyly that she cast a furtive glance in the hall, just in time to see her father walking through the door and leave.
She tried to run after him, but the strong arms of the maid prevent her to do so. Her father's silhouette soon vanished under the heavy rain.
The four black ships led by Commodore Perry arrived in Japan in June as planned. The apparition of the four naval ships caused great panic among the citizens of Edo and also impressed the designated negotiators.
Perry didn't get the treaty he wanted, but in a few months, when he would return with eight black ships, he would certainly win his point. Everyone afraid of four ships would certainly capitulate seeing eight of them...
Life in Japan had just come to change. Isami Kondo, Hajime Saito and Shishio Makoto heard this strange tale. But they still had no idea of the role they were going to play in the course of Japan's history.
At the second floor of the Isobe okiya, two ladies were talking together while enjoying a cup of tea. They were not great friends, for they were very different, but after years of living together there was a balance in their relation. They were like two sides of the same medal, and that's what helped keep some sanity in the house.
"She's been mentally absent, gazing at unknown things for weeks now... Do you think we made a mistake by choosing her?" asked the gentle Sei to the calculating Masako.
"It's too soon to tell." philosophically answered the old lady.
"Maybe but still... It's been months since she's here, and she didn't smiled once. She always has this sad expression on."
"Many young girls go though that phase. I'm old enough to have witnessed it many times, and see many strong morals comeback. But it's true that I'm afraid for the girl. Too long is too long."
"She's longing for her family. She's been waiting for her father's visit."
"Maybe it's time we tell her, then."
"Tell her what?" innocently wondered Sei, hoping that Masako did not meant what she thought she meant.
"Announce her the news of her father's death..."
"I know that we discussed this before, but I still disagree with you. It will totally destroy what is left of her."
"No. I do believe that it will allow her to move on, once she will overcome her sadness. She won't be waiting anymore. She will be proactive. That's what we want."
"Well, yes... That's what we want..." answered Sei, without much enthusiasm.
And life went on at the Isobe okiya, the little tragedies of the daily life taking the entire place in the mind of its inhabitants. The whole district was like that: too focused on itself to notice that important things that would change the course of history were about to happen. Gion was surreal, untrue, and that's what attracted people there. During the few hours you spent within the district's limits, you could forget who you were, what you were living for and the real meaning of life.
That's how Gion and its inhabitants heard rumours about the Commodore Perry's black ships. But far from fearing the menace like normal citizens would, the fact was soon turned into jokes by the geishas.
The now eight years old Tokio joined the general laughter. If she had only knew that those events were about the shake the country and her life, she would have thought otherwise. But she didn't know. And even if someone had warned her, she wouldn't have given credit to the words. What could be worse than being sold to an okiya by her father, having to face the mockery of the other geishas and learn about her father's death? Nothing.
Her main preoccupation now, was the new girl at the Isobe okiya, Yumi. At six year old, the little girl showed a potential that didn't go unnoticed. She already had the favours of many people in the house. Some said that Tokio wouldn't have the atatori title for long. That was preoccupying. Not the black ships of Commodore Perry.
To be continued...
IMORTANT NOTE
Tokio's family name is in fact Takagi and in RK, Yumi is an Orian. I deliberately chose to twist the reality. You'll understand why later. But trust me, I have good reasons.
GLOSSARYThese are the very few words/concepts you should know if you want to fully understand my story. There will be no more words added after this, so don't fear.
An okiya is a house, ruled by generally one older geisha (two in this case) where a few geishas and aspiring geishas live together.
An atatori is the geisha who will inherit the okiya once the current owner dies. The atatori is either the owner's natural daughter, or her adoptive daugther...
A zashiki is a reception where geishas work during the evening. A geisha can assist to more than one zashiki in an evening.
ABOUT THIS STORYFirst things first. I'm not writing an essay on geishas here. I'm mostly trying to write a story about Tokio and Yumi having geishas' backgrounds. That's why you won't see me give too many details about geishas: I'll only use the details that will have a purpose in my story.
However, I did extensive research on geishas, reading many books in the process, because I want to stay as historically correct as I can in the few things I will say. While reading these books, I discovered that a story about geishas is never easy to write, as very few things are known about them. Also, it is easy to fall in the classic geisha story pattern "she was so lovely and so talented: she was the best geisha of her generation." That's definitely not what I attempt here. Tokio and Yumi won't be lovely.
You might wonder why the world of geishas is so mysterious. In fact there is a good reason for that: geishas were not supposed to talk of what happened behind the scene. So for years, very few things reached the ears of people living outside of the okiyas.
However, the situation did change lately. As there are practically no more geishas left in Japan, some retired geishas thought that there was no more purpose at keeping everything secret, so they started speaking about their world. Most of the information I have come from geishas' biographies.
I would particularly recommend the excellent Geisha, a Life which is Mineko Iwasaki's autobiography. You will find many details about life in Gion in that book. Also, for those who want to see a very different aspect of geishas' life, there is Inoue Yuki's book, taking place in Kanazawa. Not every geisha had the luck to live in Gion...
Some might ask me if I read Arthur Golden's fiction Memoirs of a Geisha, and I have to say that yes, it figures among the list of books I've read. But I didn't particularly enjoyed that book for there was too much Waff in it for my taste. And Golden did fall in the classic geisha story pattern "she was so lovely and so talented: "she was the best geisha of her generation."
Few! It is said! I won't talk as much after the other chapters, but I felt that I had to make things clear before the action started.
SPECIAL THANKS
Special thanks to Firuze Khanume for her precious comments on this chapter and to Jerjonji for her useful corrections. I am not a native English-speaker, so her help means a lot to me. Any grammatical/spelling mistakes left are entirely my fault, because I cannot help making last minute changes.
À la prochaine!
Mary-Ann