Title: Shirokuren no Murasaki-Azami
Author: Kyatsuki Ora
Notes: Well … 'cough' Anyway, I said (well, I didn't say it here, but I said it to myself, so I still said it. ;D ) that I will write a fanfic about Aizen that isn't short. And here's my attempt. Although, I have to say, it has gotten too long. Almost. Anyway this is the prologue of this fic.
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach. Tite Kubo does. Also, I would like to recognize the book The Memoirs of a Geisha Arthur Golden. I drew most of my inspiration and description of kimonos from it for this fic.
Shiroukuren no Shippou-/Shiruba Azami
Although its not the first time she left Gion, the sheer delight of going to another place never dimmed with each journey. Shirokuren Katori, Kuren to her frequent associates, always liked to make trips outside of Kyoto. Not to say that her teahouse wasn't a delightful place, but just seeing something new always brings happiness to her. Although Gion is built on extravagance, there's something about it that reminds the inhabitants of humbleness and kindness while the houses she has visited are oozing with elegance. For example, the Baron of Miyagi's mansion on the hill. Covering 3 acres of land, it includes the family compound, a little teahouse, the garden with a pond, and other luxuries which only a person with extreme amount of wealth can possess.
She's here to entertain the Baron's guests at his fiftieth birthday. There was much laughter and rejoicing. When she arrived from Kyoto, the Baron stepped out of the crowd and greeted her with a hearty laugh. "Ho, I see that you're still as young as ever, Kuren-san!"
"So are you, Baron." She responded with a ready laugh of her own. "I have had the pleasure of coming here for five consecutive years, and you seemed to not age a bit!"
The Baron seemed to think that it was the funniest thing he had ever heard for he stood there and laughed for several minutes. "Well, you've flattered me long enough. It won't do if the guests are neglected." Thus, they turned back and walked together toward the waiting throng. "I'm exceedingly sorry to keep you waiting! But I must say a few private words to my distinguished guest before all of you steal her from me!"
The crowd laughed with him while she demurred, "I am hardly distinguished among all the important people of Japan, Baron!"
"Nonsense!" He boomed out, smiling. "You are as every bit as honored as anyone here. She, my friends, is the most famous geisha in all of our fair country, Katori Shirukuren."
Murmurs of recognition and surprise arose from the crowd. "Now, walk around and be pretty, Kuren-san!" The Baron left her with this last remark. Many came to congratulate his longevity and good fortune. Tori helped by telling jokes about the Baron's old age and singing for him. But soon, she wants a breath of fresh air and a look at the grounds. A guide was provided for her, and they left to wander the grounds. The guide was called away, however, for some emergency has arisen. So, she was left by herself, as she originally wanted.
The garden was a luscious place, aesthetically pleasing and subtly hinted at the Baron's power. She wandered through the many paths, letting her mind off the stress that has been accumulating for the past two months. In the golden Heian period, many people now have the time and money to spend elsewhere, and Gion is one of those places. Through the years of hard work plus a splash of good luck, Kuren rose to a popularity that no geisha before or after her will ever experience. As a result, she has twice the amount of engagements as a regular geisha would have, giving her much stress over the past few months. However, as wealth trickled into Gion, it also passed down the farmers and the perfume makers. Everyone benefits from her successful businesses, so she doesn't mind the tiredness.
A refreshing breeze brought her back to the present. The pond was before her eyes, a cooling presence in the summer heat. Despite the scorching sun, she wore a kimono of dark fabric, with birds sewn with lacquered threads and embroidery in silver flying against a background of a mysterious landscape. Her obi is of a dark blue color with green threads crisscrossing it. Bright spiraea flowers adorned her elaborately styled hair.
She giggled in delight as she spotted the white and black cranes that dotted the shore of the pond. They always reminded her of one of her favorite moments while in the geisha school, which was dancing. Back when she was an aspiring apprentice, she was reminded constantly that, for the dance Chi-yo no Tomo, she most learned to dance with the aerial grace and balance of the cranes. For hours, she practiced, dancing near the cranes, to help her grasp the techniques. Kuren became so found of the birds that she chose her new name based on them.
Unconsciously, she hummed the music and began to dance, lost in her memories. So absorbed was she in the dance that she failed to notice that someone's watching her.
oooO.O.Oooo
Trying not to make himself more irritated by the second, Aizen Sosuke found a quiet spot in the garden and sat down in relief. The Baron has been a good friend of his and he didn't want to offend him by not coming. He sighed at the decisions many times before he finally showed up. As expected, it was pure torture. The large amount of people crammed into such a small space was enough to give him a headache. Also, his recent achievements brought him an amount of fame that he never realized. People almost swamped him with questions and pleaded for favors. It took him all his patience and poise to keep smiling and answering all of the questions. How did the Baron stand such a crowd is beyond him, but, if he should get to live this long, there will be only him and his select few to celebrate with him.
Closing his eyes, he sighed in relief. At least he'll get some peace now… Then, as if it belongs in a dream, a soft humming reached his ears. For a while he just leaned against the tree, too comfortable to move. Then, too curious to not know, he went down the path in search for the source. After wandering aimlessly for several moments, Aizen spotted a breath-taking sight. A young woman of 20, wearing a beautiful kimono, twirled and spun around the flying cranes around her. The purple thistle flowers seemed to dance in rhythm with her, swaying gently in the wind. She had such a beautiful smile on her face that Aizen almost did not catch his breath for a second. A beautiful peace settled around them as the lady stopped and gazed at the sky, a wistful and tantalizing smile on her features.
"Amazing…" Unwittingly, Aizen breathed out and caused the lady to notice his presence. Instead of reprimanding him like he fears, she smiled again and said, "Thank you! I hope we get to meet each other again."
- Shirokuren no Murasaki Azami: White Crane of the Purple Thistle
Thanks for reading! I apologize for any mistakes I have. Chapter one should be up in about three days. And also, I am winging the historical time period part. This fic, in no way, reflect the actual Heian period. So take this with a grain of salt if you should cringe.