(Recap)
"Now remember, just sing and play that is it. Only speak when spoken too, don't make eye contact, and no touching" Lily reminded coco the four principles of their geisha house.
"Why can't I look at him?" Coco asked. lily smiled mischievously down at her, putting a finger to her lips, as she tells her it's a secret.
"He will see her now," A voice said from the room.
*Present/Coco Pov*
Madam acknowledged the voice and pushed Me towards the room. I froze for a second, before calming myself down. I could not perform, when my nerves were scattered, could I? No.
Crouching to kneel in front of the door, I slowly slid the door open. I bowed my head to the floor for the occupants in the room, being one or two, I didn't dare look up to find out. The training Lily-Sama and Madam gave me for the years I can remember shall be put to the test today.
Walking to a cushion that had been set up beside my erhu, I sat down gracefully. Acting as if I had no worries in my life as I tried to think of a song to play.
"You gonna play yet?" A deep voice said, likely the Raikage. Smiling calmly, I keep my calm gaze to the hardwood floor.
'I'll start when I think of what to sing' I thought to myself as an idea struck me. ' I know just the song'
The bow, in my fragile pale fingers, glided above the strings of the erhu. Softly carrying a sweet rhythm of the song to anyone listening. The last of my shyness melted away, which would grow in me before every performance, as I continued to play.
I breathe in deeply, letting out the softest voice in the geisha house, as I remember the song I used to hear when I was small.
"And they called it puppy love~ Oh, I guess they'll never know~ How a young heart really feels~ And why I love him so~"
My long brown hair had been tied up into a flower bun, keeping my annoying bangs out of my eye's, as the pin's dangled glass butterflies and flower around my head.
"And they called it puppy love~Just because we're in our teens~Tell them all it isn't fair~To take away my only dream~"
I could feel it, the gaze of a powerful animal praying gaze. But, I knew the geishas never owned pets, unless they begged madam. So why did I feel it? It was only after much thought, I realize that it had to be a person or the people in the room.
'But who can possess an animal's gaze?' I thought, playing with more passion to conceal my real emotions. A geisha must make the customer happy, show pious, and never let her mask fall.
"I cry each night my tears for you~My tears are all in vain~I'll hope and I'll pray that maybe someday~You'll be back in my arms once again~" She closed her eyes, taking in the song and making a tear fall down her pale cheeks.
A small smile pulled on my lips at the crunch of teeth grinding. My senses were more adept than normal people my age. I hated feeling because I was a female that I must be weak, so I left the strong and smart part of myself hidden deep in me; making even lily unable tell that the clumsy and blunt Coco was only half of what I could be.
"Someone, help me, help me, help me please~Is the answer up above~How can I, how can I tell them~This is not a puppy love~"
The music wrapped a safety blanket around everything, causing a peaceful aura in the room. I let my soft gaze look out the balcony to my right, showing the door to outside was open, as a huge sakura tree rained its blossoms down in the room and around the main court yard.
"Someone, help me, help me, help me please~Is the answer up above~How can I, how can I tell them~This is not a puppy love~This is not a puppy love~This is not a puppy love~not a puppy love~not a puppy love..."
The room had descended into dead silence, I finished my song, as I kept in mind to avoid the Raikage's gaze. Heave footsteps thundered, coming closer and closer to me. My breathing became heavy as my hands started to shake. But, I refused to cower, as my pride refused to fear any man.
"How can a small girl have a set of pipes like yours?" The deep voice asked. I ignored his presence casually, looking to the Sakura tree outside again, as a grunt from above proved it was much to the kage's displeasure.
"A sakura tree has such soft blossoms, yet. It is considered to be used to make strong wood?" I asked.
The RaiKage didn't respond and I giggled, smiling blissfully to myself, as I held my erhu closer. "Maybe because it takes enjoyment from others attention?" I said simply and a grunt from above told me he was amused.
"What's this geisha's name?" He asked, sitting down beside me with a thump. His body like a mountain towering over me as I noticed that he cast a shadow over me. Looking at my hands, I fiddled with the bow and strings of my erhu.
" Nun-ya," I said, hiding a smirk.
The Raikage shuffled closer. "Nun-ya what?" He asked, placing his hands either side of me on the floor. My senses were clouded by musky cologne of valley and alcohol on his robe. I tried to remain coy.
"Nun-ya business" I sung, pushing a strand of fringe behind my ear. My gaze still not meeting his and a deep chuckle rumbled out from the left of me.
"Why don't you meet my gaze, Nervous?" He whispered. I breathe in deeply and looked towards the bare chest, barely touching my left shoulder.
" You're too close" I tried to say as I let my gaze travel away. He was too close for comfort and I felt intimidated by him. However, remembering Lily's words and my own beliefs, I sucked in my fear and remained calm.
"I need room to play the erhu" I simply stated and The Raikage let out a hum. Before I could say anymore my hand, holding my bow, was grasped gently. Large, dark, tanned hands carefully placed my erhu and bow beside us on the floor. My gaze flickered from the instrument to his rough hand, intertwined with my gentler one, uneasily.
"I much rather play you" He said slyly and I froze. What did he just say? he did not dare! But, sadly he did. Probably thinking I surprised out of happiness, he grinned. But, I was going to disappoint him, as I ripped my hands from his and pulled myself up; he followed. My red and flustered appearance worsened as he corners me against a wall.
"I must leave," I said, trying to take my leave of the room and escape. But he seemed to not be buying it.
"Oh no!" He yelled and grabbed my arm, stopping me in my tracks. I still wouldn't look at him. I bit my lip and tried to pull my arm free, but he was too strong. "Your not going anywhere" he growled.
"What is wrong, you scared?" He asked smirking and I dipped my head down, trying to contain my anger...
"I can sing, play my erhu, or dance for you. But I can not" I said and looked up at him, finally meeting his golden gaze against my nervous brown one, like a tiger glaring with a bunny.
"Let you have me..."
"Why the hell not?" The Raikage snapped, pulling me closer to him by the waist. His gaze burned into mine and I looked away in fear, knowing my limits well and he was out of my league in strength. He grasped my jaw tightly, making me meet his gaze.
"I want you to look at me, only me" He hissed. His breath fanning my face, strong build suddenly becoming more defined. I tried to push him away, but his other hand on my back kept me from getting away.
"I'm the Raikage, I get what I want" He whispered dangerously and my self-control snapped. I smacked him in the face and glared right back, the shock causing him to let go of my jaw.
"I'm no ones, lest of all your's" I spat and he smirked darkly, looking me up and down. I realized he liked it and held me tighter, his chest touching mine. "I like em tough" He growls.
I freeze and gulped my replay, knowing that if I angered him he could easily take down the inn with one punch.
"I won't hurt you" He purrs, tracing my cheek with his knuckles. I shivered and gripped my kimono sleeves. His older features becoming more outlined the closer he got, I bite my lip harder, as he leant towards me. His golden orbs sucking me in some how.
'what do I do?' I thought in panic, praying for a miracle to stop him, as the madam would disapprove of me doing anything rash. Tho, I have already slapped him...
(Knock!Knock!Knock!)
A knock on the door caused the Raikage to pause, inch away from my lips. He growled in anger and gave me a look that basically said to stay put.
"What is it?" He yelled, not moving from his spot in front of me, who was breathing hard and red as an apple.
"It is the madam, we have finished making your desserts," madams voice said from the door and I sighed in relief.
The Raikage gave the door a glare, blaming it for interrupting the moment.But, I didn't care, I was saved!
"come in" he grumbled, moving away from me, who quickly grabbed my instrument.
Madam prepared the Raikage's sweat's to eat on a table, while the Raikage watched me leave in a blushing mess and smirked.
Ugh, I hate him...
(Back in Lily's room)
"Coco-Chan whats wrong?" Lily asked. I stormed into the room with a red face and teared up, telling them what the Raikage did. Minty, who was drinking some tea, had dropped it in a hurry to comfort me.
"He's just a big meanie Coco-Chan, don't even bother with him!" Minty said and Lily agreed, pulling us three into a big hug.
"Tomorrow, I will make us all lemon sweet buns! how about that Coco-Chan?" Lily asked.
I smiled, agreeing happily, faking my every move, as I held in my fury towards that awful man. If he wanted me, he was going to get one hell of a fight.
'I would rather die than be yours' I thought in disgust and tucked myself into bed, hoping that tomorrow will be better.
* The Raikage Pov*
"Lord Raikage?"
Madam noticed my change in attitude. I had been furious when she delayed my food before. But now I feel, Calm?
"The geisha you had to performed for me, I want her "
I noticed the woman suppressed her disgust perfectly, sending a forced apologetic smile to me. I, The Raikage, was not easily fooled. The geisha from earlier had been hiding a serpent's tongue under her calm mask. If there was one thing I love, it was a strong willed woman.
"I'm sorry I can not meet your demands again, Raikage-Sama," she said, bowing deeply and I frowned, hating the fact that the supposedly notorious inn, of the fire nation, was not getting me what I want. I wanted that woman, geisha, who ever she was, no matter what they say!
"There better be a good reason!" I roared.
"A geisha can be bought. But, I'm afraid that our little Coco-Chan is not old enough to be bought in that way yet Raikage-sama" The old woman said and I froze. She could not be meaning what I think she was, could she?
"H-How old is she?" I asked, paling a bit and The old woman frowned.
"She is thirteen Raikage-Sama" She snapped, causing me to flinch from her cold aura. Madam had to make sure I understood which lines not to cross, which was understandable. But, she seemed to soften her hard gaze a bit.
"If you promise not to touch her, I'll let her give you private performances," she said. "But, be warned if you lay a finger-"
(Bang!)
"I would never touch a child!" I hissed, hating the woman for even assuming I would do such a thing, as I cut her off by smashing my fist into the hardwood floor; feeling no pain as it cracked through the wood.
'but you almost did' My thoughts haunted me. I clenched my fists. I always had to like something I could never get, didn't I...
I ushered the woman out, finishing up my meal before I paid the madam, as I retired for the night. still wondering how I could apologize to Coco, I finished telling my brother, who I had let come with me, about it. It was either let him come or having to deal with his whining, it was an easy decision.
"Bro, why not get something like a dog named Yoyo!" My brother, Killer Bee, rapped to my annoyance, but he had something there...
"That's it, Bee for once you're a genius!" I yelled to my brother's annoyance.
(Next Day/Third Pov)
"I hope the Raikage has enjoyed his stay at our inn," Madam said, bowing deeply, as Minty followed her madam's actions. However, Coco stood still and refused to bow to the infuriating man.
The Raikage gaze left the guard he had been speaking to, facing the three lady's, who stood by the front entrance of the Inn. He met Coco's angry brown orbs. The carriage was almost finished being packed, the Raikage and his guards were about to return to the village hidden in the clouds, which was a few days ride from The Yūwaku Inn.
"I apologize for any offence that I had done towards you, Lady Coco," He said. Everyone did a double take to his words as a guard with sunglasses dropped to the floor in shock; much to the Raikage's dislike.
"Bee get up!" He roared and the guard, Bee shot up with a thumbs up. The Raikage sighed in disdain, before calling for another ninja with blond hair, who held a box in his hands. He gave the package to the Raikage carefully, causing everyone to wonder what was inside it.
"What is that?" Coco asked, looking at it unimpressed and the Raikage grinned. His gaze saying he knew something she didn't. Nonetheless, Coco knew that she had to pretend to be the sweet Coco and like it for madam.
"A token of apology" He stated simply. Coco removed the boxes lid, seeing a ball of brown fur, as it jumped into her arms. A pair of big brown eyes gazed into Coco's, barking echoed, as everyone in the hall went silent and froze from the chiming of bells.
"Hehehe, Hahaha!" Coco giggled, having a lick attack from the puppy in her grasp.
Everyone stared as Coco broke down in giggles, soon followed by snorts. A very un-lady like sight, if done by another woman. But, for the lucky few to see coco like this and with a puppy, it was the most adorable thing in the world to witness.
"Raikage-sama, hehe, you're forgiven," She said, between giggles. But, had crossed her fingers behind her back, as The Raikage snapped out of his daze, sighing in relief. He walked up to the giggling beauty, who was snuggling her face into the puppy's brown fur. The puppy reminded him of her at first glance, even more so now. His gaze softened, taking her sleeve to place a soft kiss on it.
"I shall never forget your laugh" He promised, seriously staring into her shy gaze. Her blushing face made him smirk as she choked on a giggle. He let go of her sleeve as she tucked a brown hair behind her ear, gently holding the puppy in her left arm.
"I will see you again," He said and takes his leave of the inn, getting into the awaiting carriage, as Coco followed them outside unconsciously. She watched the carriage depart from her view and sighed, realizing that in some way she would miss the beast called the Raikage.
"Till then..." She whispered. Her steel gaze watching the sun set over the mountains far away.
The puppy licked her cheek in concern as she smirked down at it. At least she wouldn't be alone anymore and be loved, no matter how she acted, by the fluff-ball.
"I will Name you Zi, my little Zi..."
To Be Continued...
A/N - Decided to edit this after reading it over ha ha… five times… (sweat drop)