It was almost dark and the number of people on the streets slowly increased as a party near the square was beginning to form. It was only one of the well-known fetivals in Kyoto.
Groups of men formed a triad and helped hold a huge, wooden torch while roaming the streets. It was the 22nd of October and the evening was slowly turning cold.
"Natsuki! Kochi! Kochi! Look! I never knew your decision to stay here can result into this! Haha!!"
"Hmpf! Well next time keep quiet and accept my decisions. In a crowd like this I can meet tons of people while both of us are having fun!" as Natsuki finished her arrogant statement her eyes showed a mischievous glint. If you only knew that I didn't even think of meeting guys here. haha!
Unfortunately, due to Mai getting caught up in the hustle and bustle of the Kurama-no-Himatsuri she wasn't able to see through Natsuki.
"Very well, ojoooouuu-ssssaaaammmaaaa!" teased a very gleeful and excited Mai. "If it is what you wish then I will not question your decision on which place/s to go from now on."
"Mai! Stop calling me ojou-sama!" an embarrassed and fuming Natsuki can be heard from thirty yards away and Mai could only laugh on how easy it was to tease her master's daughter.
After a while of helping via throwing water to some unstable heavy torches to decrease the increasing fire it held up, Natsuki and Mai decided to follow the crowd and see where the mass of people would lead them. It was not after thirty minutes when they reached a junction where different products where sold at every corner and a stage built up on the center.
"Natsuki! Mitte! Mitte! It looks like the night isn't over yet!" Natsuki followed the direction her friend was pointing at. It was a huge announcement board, which explained the different events of the day.
"It says here that early this morning thee was a parade too! But on the other side of town! Too bad we weren't able to see it! I told you we shouldn't be there!" the carrot haired woman was so caught up in her own happiness that she failed to see the crunched eyebrow and cute pout her comrade had produced.
"Mou! It wasn't my fault! I didn't know and if it was you we followed we might not even be here but still staying in Osaka!"
"Fine, fine, now let's go!" obviously, Mai was not listening to her friend. I wonder if treating Mai as an equal is beneficial for me afterall. She rarely listens to my complaints about her!
"Natsuki! Whatever you are thinking keep it to yourself!" of course, Mai didn't know what her friend was really thinking but a scrunched up face Natsuki is not suitable for the occasion. Natsuki on the other hand could only grunt.
As the two reached the center the Natsuki eagerly took hold of some seats center-front.
"Natsuki! Don't seat there! Seat here!" shouted a worried Mai which made Natsuki clueless and irritated.
"Why? I came here first and I wanted to sit in front!" Natsuki was so stubborn Mai was about to drag her personally away from the center-front when two people stood beside Natsuki.
"Good evening miss! Would it be not too pompous of me to ask you to vacate your seat now?" said a gentleman wearing a black tux. He looked Japanese but his accent gave him away. Obviously, he was a wealthy foreign businessman.
After hearing the man's words Natsuki could only look at the man straight in the eyes. Asking "why should I?" in the most obnoxious way she can. "I got here first."
"Natsuki.." it was Mai and she sounded worried more than ever.
"Shut up Mai! I won't get into trouble. I just want to know why." Natsuki was irritated. Why won't Mai back her up? Is it because the guy looked rich? Has Mai really forgotten who Natsuki was? Her family was the richest in Osaka! or maybe even in Kansai!
"Ara!" the new voice took everyone's attention. At first Natsuki could only look into the crimson eyes that bore into her luscious greens. It was a short staring contest. "Ara. I believe that there is no need for arguments then."
"I wasn't argu-" the brunette woman kept going with her sentence not minding the irritated Natsuki.
"Sorry, but that seat is reserved for us."
"What?! Who said so?!"
"uhm.. Kuga-sama.. it's written at the back of the seats. Mr. Wang and Ms. Fujino." Mai who wanted to get her friend away from trouble as soon as possible spoke in a very formal manner and asked an apology for her friend.
"I apologize for my master's behalf Mr. Wang, it is my fault that she had sat there. I merely wanted to give her the best view of the event and failed to realize sooner that the seats were already taken." Natsuki could not believe that her friend just did that. Mai had nothing to do with it. She wanted to tell otherwise but a sudden look from Mai after bowing told her to shut her mouth. Fortunately, the gentleman fell for it. When Mai and Natsuki where about to leave and take up other seats in front away from the two Natsuki could feel eyes staring at her but she didn't mind it. Suddenly, the man called out to them again.
"Excuse me. Ms. Kuga?" the two women stopped on their tracks what can the problem be now? Natsuki faced the man with her emotionless façade.
"Yes?"
"I just remembered your last name. I have worked with various rich families in Japan. You see I am a businessman and my company is a shipper of quality china. Do you know a woman named Saeko Kuga?" after hearing such words, Natsuki became more than interested to converse with the man.
"Of course, she is my mother."
"Ah, then I am right. You look like your mother. I believe we are not properly introduced. I am Mr. Wang, a childhood friend of your mother. I studied here in Japan during my collegiate years and that is when we met. Have you seen the old 7 feet gold carved dragon vase?"
"Yes. My mother and father used it as the main ornament in our living room."
"I am glad. I was the one who sold that to your parents."
The two wealthy individuals chatted for quite some time and when they ended. The Chinese gentleman asked Natsuki and Mai to seat beside him and his escort as they watched the kabuki play.
"How long have you been here Mr. Wang?" asked Natsuki out of curiousness during the play's interval.
"Ah! This is my second day." Natsuki was intrigued. She thought that the man had been in Japan for long. "If it is not uncouth, is she your lover?" Natsuki looked at the very intrigued Geisha. Instead of Mr. Wang answering the question however, the woman named Ms. Fujino answered it for him. "No Ms. Kuga, you may not have noticed yet but I am a geisha. I am no one's lover."
"Ah! But aren't geisha's strict when it comes to events like these? I thought the geisha's are only allowed to attend official meetings?" a chuckle was heard from the Mr. Wang. Shizuru was intrigued by this Ms. Kuga however, she knew that right now her priority was her client Mr. Wang.
"No Kuga-san." The use of formal Japanese instead of English increased the serene flow of conversation. "That was a very long time ago. Time has changed Kuga-san. Geisha's may go out from time to time even in like you say 'unofficial' occasions so long as they follow the basic rules of geishas. In this case, I only asked for Ms. Fujino's company, you know, being as old as I am it is lonely to watch such heartwarming plays such as these without anyone to talk too."
"Ah, yes, I understand." As Natsuki said those words the play began once again and they all watched the movie with awe.
When the night came to an end the two groups split and went their own way. One of each member thinking of the night's event, one intrigued, the other captivated.
Japanese Words: (just correct me if I'm wrong)
Kochi! Kochi! = here! here!
Kurama-no-Himatsuri - Fire Festival
Mitte! Mitte! = Look! Look!
AUTHOR'S NOTES:
Well.. that's that.. Next update would be for next weekend. I have to study and work during weekdays after all. Hope you like it! And don't forget to leave reviews! (=