Chapter 2 ~ Pasha

Kyoshi sat at her in the dancers' dressing room of the Pasha belly dancer club. Brushing her hair Kyoshi looked at her reflection in her dressing table mirror. Her slightly tanned skin was paler than usual. Although it should have concerned her it didn't faze her that much. She knew the cause, she knew the reason why. She can change it if she wants but she can't she doesn't have the option. Her once bright face was now turning cold and emotionless, the world being to take its toll on the seventeen year old.

Like all desert beauties her bright colours were begging to turn brown, the once strong flower beginning to wilt. Once that was gone what did she have left? Out of everything to lose beauty can't be one of them. Like so many others so much rests on their beauty alone.

Placing her brush on the table Kyoshi looked to the make-up laid out neatly in front of her. Make-up was only a temporary solution. If she doesn't fix her ways soon she'll have to think of a new way to make her money… If only it was that simple.

"Oi girl, get out here! You're up!" a male voice shouts. The dancer girl's head snaps up. Girl. That's all she is. The beautiful girl good to look at, useless for anything else. No one bothers to learn the name of a simple dancer girl. No one bothers to treat the dancer girl as a human. Except that Traveller, he bothered.

Grabbing her veil Kyoshi delicately attached it in place before flicking her hair back into place. That Traveller, who was he?

Carrying a tray of empty drinks Kyoshi weaved her way through the crowded Pasha dance hall her skin still glistening with sweat from her dance. All around her the tables were filled with customers whose eyes were glued to the girl dancing on stage. Returning the empty glasses to the bar the dark purple haired girl started off on her next sweep.

She hadn't gone far before she felt a hand land on her ass. Kyoshi had to fight to keep the anger off her face. No matter how much they were told there was always one person who thought the rule of no touching didn't apply to them. Spinning round Kyoshi spotted the usual type of man holding onto her ass, a suggestive smirk on his face. Before she even had time to do anything someone hit the hand away.

"No touching the girls remember?" a familiar voice points out. Kyoshi lets her shoulders drop as the hand is removed. Turning round her eyes landed on a familiar green eyed boy.

"If it isn't my knight in shining armour," she joked.

"You know I'm only here to help," Makoto smiles. The older boy motions for her to sit down causing her to shake her head. He knows the rules yet he always insists.

"You know I'm not allowed to talk to the customers for long," she sighs. At this Makoto just flicks a gold piece into the air. Catching it he holds it out before flicking it to Kyoshi. He lilac eyes follow the coin as it flies through the air, clattering against her tray. Kyoshi stared at the gold piece for a moment before looking to him eyebrow raised. This better not be for what she thought it was.

"Then I'll just by your services, you're bosses don't have a problem with it if I pay. That should be ten minutes yes?" he asked. Kyoshi let out a sigh. So the gold piece was for exactly what she thought. She'd talked to him about this yet he refused to listen.

Shaking her head she placed the empty tray on the table before sitting in the chair beside Makoto. The two had been best friends for as long as they could remember. In fact neither could remember a time when the other wasn't in their life. Unfortunately due to recent circumstances their free time had been extremely limited meaning the pair barely had any time to see one another let alone talk. Recently Makoto had taken it upon himself to pay to talk to her during her working hours. Of course the younger girl had talk him out of it but the merchant was having none of it. He insisted that if he had to pay to speak to his semi-fiancé for ten minutes then he would do it.

The title of semi-fiancé was something of a joke to the two but an official joke none the less. Not that long ago their parents had decided to make an arrangement that if neither of them were in some kind of a relationship by the time they were twenty they were to be engaged. They would then have another two years in case they did find true love before they would be wed. Neither Makoto nor Kyoshi felt any romantic feelings towards one another. However they both new that marrying their best friend wasn't the worst situation in the world. They weren't too thrilled about the situation but if it meant safe guarding one another they would happily comply.

Taking the coin off the tray Kyoshi slipped it down her bra before looking back to Makoto.

"So are the others not with you tonight?" she hummed. Makoto shook his head before sliding forward some water and bread.

"Drink and eat these," he commanded. His actions earned him a role of the eyes from Pasha's dancer girl. Makoto was more of a big brother than anything else and she did not need another one of them. None the less she took a sip of the water before biting into the bread as Makoto store her down. Once he was satisfied that she was eating he set about on answering her question.

"No, it's just me tonight. Rei's working another shift at the palace and Nagisa… Well I couldn't really find Nagisa," Makoto sighed. His statement caused Kyoshi to choke on her water slightly. Again? They needed to get a bell for that boy. Whilst they're at it they may as well get him a leash. Placing the empty glass on the tray she smoothed out her veil.

"How did you lose him again?" she asked. Makoto just shrugged.

"Because I don't think it's possible for him to stay in one place for more than two hours," Makoto laughed sheepishly. Kyoshi nodded in agreement. Well he had a point there.

Quickly Kyoshi spared a glance at the clock. At the sight she felt her heart fall. Their ten minutes were nearly up. However there was time for one quick question.

"Did a blue and yellow-scarf wearing traveller looking for water with a camel reach you today?" Kyoshi asked. Makoto thought for a minute before slowly nodding.

"Yes… Why are you asking Kyoshi?" Makoto looked at her with narrow eyes. Kyoshi just waved off his concern. It was nothing to worry about, just her curiosity getting in the way again.

"Oh no reason. That's my ten minutes, I'll try and talk to you on the way past if you stay," Kyoshi smiled. Standing up she neatly tucked in the chair before grabbing her tray. She couldn't risk going over the ten minute limit, she'd learnt from her last mistake.

Walking round the table to access the rest of the tables when she felt something hit her free arm. Looking down she was greeted by the sight of Makoto holding onto her right arm keeping her in place. As soon as her eyes had gone to his face she felt her blood run cold. The happy expression had vanished from his face leaving it emotionless and stone cold. Not this again…

"Kyoshi when are you next going to vi-" he started. Kyoshi didn't give him the time to finish. Chucking a glare his way she opened her mouth to speak.

"Not now Makoto," she hissed. Her statement enraged the boy. Growling he tightened his grip on her wrist. It wasn't enough to hurt her but it was just enough to let her know he wasn't joking around anymore. Like she needed to be told that. They'd had this conversation hundreds of times. She'd had this conversation thousands of times with her brother. She knew what to expect, she knew how to play this game.

"Then when Kyoshi? You can't keep running from this. You can't keep doing this, if they knew-" he growled. Kyoshi felt her heart clench as her walls went flying up again. As soon as Makoto saw her face and posture stiffen he knew the battle was lost. Why did she keep doing this? Why did she keep shutting him and her brother out? Why does she insist on putting herself through this?

"I said not now Makoto," she hissed. The street merchant couldn't help but flinch slightly at her bite, her voice dripping with venom. Sighing he turned away from her harsh glare as his posture slump.

"I'll stay to the end of the night and I'll walk you home," he whispered.

"Don't bother." she spat. Slowly Makoto loosened his grip from around her arm so it was barely holding onto her arm. Kyoshi began to walk as soon as his grip had let up. Looking to the table Makoto felt her arm slip through his grasp. Making no move to stop her, his hand ended up falling limply so it was hanging over the back of the chair. Taking a deep breath he swung himself round so he was sitting properly in the chair. Directing all his attention to the stage he watched as the girls danced their heart out on the stage. He felt as though all his energy had been drained from him. This whole situation was a mess. What was this town coming to?

As promised when midnight fell and Pasha had closed Makoto, as promised, waited to walk her home. Despite this he was greeted got a rather frosty greeting from the still annoyed girl. It wasn't like he'd expected anything else. Try as he might he couldn't get her to warm back up to him. By the time they reached her house she was still as frosty as when they had left Pasha. The dancer girl gave him a quick goodbye before she stormed inside the house. Makoto stood staring at the door for a moment. It would most likely take a while but she would forgive him, she always did. With that in mind he turned and left for his house.