silver
I don't see what the big deal is. While everyone is rushing around the estate, acting like hyenas on crack, I merely sit back in the common room and watch the commotion with an expressionless face. How many hours has it been? Two, maybe three since mother told everyone the big news. And they were all still getting ready. I will never understand the female species.
So a feudal lord and his crew of scary samurais are coming over, who cares.
I bite into my plum and wipe away the juice.
They aren't arriving for another couple hours, probably won't make it until night fall. The leaf kingdom is a pretty far place, and they're all coming on horseback. Well, that gives me time to make up an excuse to hide and wallow in my self-pity - or think up another plan to escape. This time, I know for sure I'll make it past those red gates. Everyone will be so distracted with their drinks and entertainment they won't notice me at all. I'll leave this sad, sad world behind and kiss the sweet feet of freedom.
So close, and yet so utterly far away.
I take another bite and almost choke on it. Ami slipped on the floor and fell right into the koi pond. Tears swell up in my eyes and I wipe them away with the sleeve of my kimono. She gets back up and runs up stairs crying her eyes out, screaming for the maids to help her change into something dry and to redo her ruined makeup.
The women here are so fickle and conceited; it makes me hate being a girl sometimes. The majority of the people here are just plain stupid, but I suppose that is because they were raised to be this way. I suppose it isn't really their fault for being so vain and completely incompetent. Yet again, some of these girls actually chose this life. Now that's real stupidity. I still can't believe my mom puts up with these people.
In fact, I wonder where she is right now. I hope she isn't looking for me. I'm really not in the mood for her constant showering me with attention and gifts in hopes that I will loosen up my strings and just accept my fate as it is. Sorry to be the baron of bad news mommy dearest, but that isn't happening any time soon. I will never accept this life.
"Momo, what color obi are you wearing?"
"Green!"
"What? But I wanted the green one!"
"Too bad, wear the blue one!"
My eyes narrow in irritation. If it's not sex they're talking about, it's themselves. The girls here always try to outdo the other; they want to be better than everyone else. It's a cut throat world out here. One minute, you're each other's best friend, the next; sworn enemies. That's why I keep my distance. That's why I keep to myself. I'm a loner.
Not that I have any problems with it.
I hear my teeth tear into the plump, juicy plum; it tastes so good. It's been a while since I've eaten something. My latest mission took me a while longer to complete and I was short on supply. When I got back home, I passed out for three days. All from an empty stomach.
Opening the sleeve to my beautifully decorated red and gold kimono, I pull out a cutely wrapped candy bag. Yummy, dessert. I am such a sucker for sweets. I believe it's my number one weakness. I'm pretty sure that if an enemy found out about this, all he would have to do is hand me a dango stick and I'm an open target. But I can't help it. Unlike the harsh and cruel women I constantly deal with, sugary goods don't yell or beat me. They don't tell me I'm a worthless child. They don't slip razors into my food or burn my belongings when I'm not looking.
Candy is my family when my mother isn't there.
My old family…I've completely forgotten about them. Last thing I heard before they were mysteriously wiped out from the face of this planet was that…they were sorry, for everything. And that was it. The Haruno's were no more.
Except me. I went head to head with my mom and had demanded that she let me keep my original family name. I knew it broke her heart because she really did want me to be part of her family. And in a way I am, but there were just pieces of the past I couldn't let go. And so, while my older sister, who was adopted just like me, took the family name; I kept my old one.
Speaking of my older sister, I think I hear her coming now.
The thunderous booming of her steps was a dead giveaway. Maybe if she didn't eat so much and lose some weight, she'd have as many clients as me. Not that I'm gloating or anything.
"Where are my Zōris?"
I smirk and look away. Honestly, I had no idea where they were. But the fact that someone would hide them from her just made my day.
"Don't just stand there you stupid girl, go look for them!"
Great, she's coming this way; I really don't want to talk to her. It always leads to an argument, and then I end up kicking her in the face. Mother doesn't like it when we fight. She says it's not ladylike and it hurts to see her daughters beat the crap out of each other. Please, I'm the one doing the beating.
"Well hello there Sakura-chan."
I take one giant bite out of my plum and turn my jade eyes to her. I just want to slap that annoying smirk right off her face.
Instead of responding, I only nod. My mouth is quite full at the moment.
"And why exactly aren't you getting ready like everyone else?"
I shrug. I don't think she likes it when I don't answer her. I can see that her face is getting puffy and red; she hates my insolence, and for that I purposely push her buttons every day just to piss her off. It's kind of like new hobby of mine, making her mad.
"Do you think you're better than me? Miss high and mighty? You're still just a kid, an ugly one at that. Sneaking out all those nights, and returning days later. If you're so desperate to run away, don't bother coming back! We don't need you here!"
Finally, I swallow and open my mouth, "Karin, if I had ran away, what makes you think I'd want to come back? Knowing you'll still be around gives me a good reason to stay far away."
"Why you little-!"
I instantly kick up my foot and stretch my leg out so that it's resting on her chest, keeping her raging form away from me. I see the spit and saliva flying out of her mouth as she shouts obscenities at me. I can't hear anything except the sound of my own laughter. She looks like a wild hog; I'd hate to see what she looks like in bed, having sex with all those men.
"Karin, I found your Zōris!" A maid with dark purple hair ran up to us, but stopped midway. Shock etched onto her pretty little face.
My annoying, red headed sister backs down, but sneers at me.
"Don't think that just because you're mother's baby girl you have any power over me! I'm the head oiran here and that's never going to change!"
Oh trust me, it won't change. I have absolutely no intentions on taking that position from her. The less people I have to deal with the better.
Watching her retreating form, I'm so tempted to just take my kunai, safely hidden under my kimono, and just chuck it at her head. I'd hit her dead center, I'm that good. I pride myself in my skills as a kunoichi. I'm one of the strongest shinobis out there and the most feared. Even if I have to keep my face and identity hidden, I am still widely known throughout the land as a masked vigilant. Mom made sure of that. Every chance she gets, she'll send me out to do some dirty work whenever possible and let the world know that the Iron Blossom has made her mark.
I don't understand why she can't just let me give up being a whore - excuse me-courtesan all together and just let me become a full fledged kunoichi. I can live in the shadows, I do that every day here. At least I won't have to sleep with those annoying rich bastards or deal with these crazy banshees.
"T-there you are L-lady Sakura."
I looked over my shoulder and smile.
"Hinata."
My ever faithful handmaiden whom I personally saved a few months back. Long story short, the prestigious Hyuga clan has been under fire by the ever wicked emperor and I took it as my own personal duty to protect the heiress. So until everything is safe and clear, she's staying with me.
"Y-you should get ready s-soon."
"For what?"
"T-the c-ceremony of c-course! The f-feudal lord is c-coming and your m-mother wants e-everyone to look nice…"
"Oh come on! They aren't going to arrive until later this evening! Why is everyone getting ready now?"
"Because, young lady," Suddenly, everyone got down on the floor and bowed respectfully to their head mistress. The white haired woman, who looked exactly the same way she did all those years ago, walked past the kneeling maids and courtesans and signaled for them to carry on with what they were doing. She stood right in front of me. Her arms crossed, which could only mean one thing; she was pissed or annoyed. I'm going with the latter, "There will be other lords arriving later on tonight. News of this particular feudal lord got out, and now everyone in the entire kingdom is making it a priority to meet him. You wouldn't want to look like you just rolled out of bed in front of them now do you?"
I really don't like it when she gets like this. She's so powerful, even when she isn't in combat, her words are like daggers. If you aren't careful, they'll cut you. And those eyes, ugh, those creepy eyes! When I was still new to this place, I used to have nightmares about them. They're so unnatural looking, makes me wonder how men find them alluring.
She's got me right where she wants me. She knows how much I hate looking like a fool in front of everyone, and the only way to get me to do anything is to bark orders at me right in the public eye. Seeing as how there was no way out of this, I stand up on shaky legs and look up at her.
Mother is quite short, but she still stands over me by a good foot.
"Well?"
I drop my head, "I'll go change…" and I start heading back to my room.
The corners of her glossed lips curl, "Good. And wear that silver kimono I bought for you, it'll make your hair and eyes stand out."
Damn, she's always doing this to me. I don't think she realizes how envious the other girls are. She's putting my life on the line and not even realizing it. Every time I try to blend in, she's dolling me up and making me the center of attention. When I hide in my corner, no one sees me, and that's how I like it. It's only when she puts me in these ridiculous, but very beautiful, kimonos that I'm forced from my hiding spot.
"Yes, mom-"
"And wear the crimson obi! Make sure you tell Ino to put the gold senbons in your hair."
Hinata bows one last time before following me. She's deathly afraid of my mom, only because I told her she sleeps with the devil. I love my mom, but sometimes she can be a bit too much. It's mean, but it's also funny to see Hinata's reaction. She'll believe anything that comes out of my mouth.
On our way up, I see some of the other girls taking out their most precious kimonos and jeweled combs. Each girl has about three to four maids working on them, some to put on the kimono, others for hair and makeup. Personally, I think it's silly and a waste of time. A single girl really doesn't need that many people to do all those things. But being a courtesan, one must always look your best. Karin has five girls, ridiculous.
At least my handmaidens are actually people I can get along with. I rescued them from the street and have them a second chance at life. However, I sure as hell would never allow them to enter this business, they're good girls, and I would rather die before I let them sell their bodies to the night.
I peek over my shoulders at Hinata and notice she looks quite nervous.
"What's wrong with you?"
"N-nothing, S-Sakura-chan…"
"Don't lie to me, just say it."
"Well," We walked down the hallway until we stop in front of my sliding shōji, "I-I'm worried about my f-family."
I nod, sympathizing with her a little; sometimes I worry about my mother when I'm away on missions. Despite how badly I treat her, she's still family.
"Don't worry; they're Hyuga's. They're strong and very powerful. Anything the emperor throws at them, they'll throw back with much vigor."
She smiles and I smile back, I really do hate it when I see her look so sad. Besides sweets, I'm a sucker for cute girls like her.
Before I can even lay a hand on my door, it's swung open with much force. A flustered looking Ino stands in the middle of the doorway, her hair is in disarray and her face is maroon colored. Her eyes are brighter than usual and focused on me. Tenten is in the back, waving happily at us before turning back around to lay out my kimono.
"Where the hell have you been?"
I jab my thumb behind me, "Downstairs…"
"Well you shouldn't, Earth to Sakura! There are tons of feudal lords coming and they could arrive at any time! We can't have you serving tea and entertaining them looking like a wreck!"
I roll my eyes, "You over exaggerate."
"Just shut up and come here!"
Before I could even get another word in, she grabs the color of my kimono and pulls me inside. A giggling Hinata follows after and slides the door shut. I'm thrown onto the floor and immediately stripped of my cloths. Ino rolls her eyes this time and puts her hands on her hips while I grin. Sometimes, I like to wear nothing underneath my kimonos; I'm just free spirited like that. Plus, it's not like I'm going to be needing undergarments while I'm working.
"You're lucky you have me you know that? Who else is going to be an eye on you besides your mother?"
"So should I just call you 'daddy' then?"
She smiles mockingly, "Put these on before I spank you, you bad child." She threw my undergarments at me.
I casually slip them on and stand up, knowing that the multitude of robes layers are coming next. One by one Ino and Tenten put them on for me while I try not to fall over. Finally after what seemed like forever, my obi is tied perfectly in the front and I move towards the mirror. I take one sweep over and smile. I will probably never admit it, but sometimes I actually like dressing up in these elaborate gowns. Being girly isn't such a bad thing.
"Makeup and hair! Move it!" Ino pushes me down in front of my prized makeup box.
I'm not a fan of the white makeup and prefer to look as natural as possible. As Ino starts applying the eyeliner and blush, I laugh inwardly. She's right, if I didn't have you I'd probably be lost in a sea of lipstick and eyeshadow.
Hinata starts doing my hair. All my combs, senbons, and pins are on floor next to her. It's such a burden to have long hair, it's too much to take care of and it gets in the way. One time, I cut my hair really short so that it reached my shoulders and the next thing I knew - I got a serious scolding from my mother. At least it's not as bad as my sister's. What the hell was she thinking? It's uneven, long on one side and really short on the other; but I'm the only one who gets punished.
"So," Tenten grins rather mischievously and plops down next to me, "Who is this 'oh so famous' feudal lord coming into town?"
"I don't know, never heard of him. In fact, no one even mentioned his name. No one tells me anything anymore!"
"I heard your mother talking about him earlier with her brother," Ino carefully applies cream to my face while making sure not to get any on my susohiki, "His name's Uchiwa…Uchiha…something like that. I didn't get a first name though."
Hm…where have I heard that before?
"Anyways, what my main question is; why is he coming here?"
We all turn to Tenten.
"What do you mean?"
"Why would some high profile lord come to a red light district to see some courtesans when he could go to, oh I don't know, a hanamachi and see those pretty geishas?"
I smirk, "Maybe he's just lonely and needs more than a dance to comfort him at night."
"Quite possibly, don't all men do? But whatever the reason, all I know from what little information I got is that he wants to talk to your mother personally about something important."
"My mother doesn't do personal meetings anymore." I glare at Ino, but she merely scoffs at me.
"Not like that, I mean like actual business talk. She sounded rather serious."
"I-I hope s-she's not in some sort of trouble." Hinata pulls my hair back and I wince
"Knowing her, she probably lost a bet and owes a huge debt."
Tenten laughs, "Your grandmother passed down some bad habits to her kids."
"And grandkids! Every time I pass by Karin's room, I always see bottles of sake on the floor!"
I pout and cross my arms, "Leave my grandmother alone, she may be a bit eccentric, but that doesn't mean she's bad."
My grandmother, the great Tsunade, is hardly ever in my life. But I love her with all my heart. She's always traveling around the country with her perverted husband, the legendary Jiraiya. I love him too, but I rarely get to see them. Sometimes it'll be months, maybe a whole year before I get to see them again. And when I do, I make the best of our short time together. Can't say the same for my sister, but I think she feels the same way.
"Back to what we were talking about earlier," Tenten hands a jade comb to Hinata, "You think your sister's going to try and seduce this lord?"
"Most likely; if it has money and a penis, she's on it. Not that I care, I always let her do the talking anyways."
Ino grins, "And yet, you're the most requested girl in this enter district."
"I wish I wasn't! I can't handle that many people. My body is not a machine you know! I do need rest from time to time."
"Oh please, you sleep with like…three out of all the hundreds of clients a month. You're waiting list is only going to get longer. And I'm pretty sure they're all growing impatient."
"So what?" I grit my teeth when Hinata tries to straighten out a tight knot, "It's my body, I can choose who I take to bed and who I don't."
"W-why doesn't Y-Yohi-aijin just let you stay a k-kunoichi?"
"She says she doesn't want me to live the life of a killer," Rolling my eyes, I examine my nails, "Like this is any better."
Suddenly, my door slides open and a maid I don't like sticks her head in.
"The gates are opening, Lord Orochimaru is here." She disappeared after this.
There was a moment of silence before we all made a disgusted face and cried out 'EW's in unison.
Why of all the people who had to come first…it had to be the creep who took my virginity. As grotesque as it may sound, it is unfortunately true. Like my grandmother and grandfather, he too was a great and powerful sannin. In fact, they all used to be a team back when shinobis weren't outlawed. They had broken up for unknown reasons, but I suspect betrayal and treachery; my grandparents haven't spoken to him since.
But it would be a while before I knew this. I was sixteen when my mother had informed me it was time for my mizuage. I was frightened beyond words and even more so when I found out he bought it. Let's just say it wasn't that bad. Honestly, the man really knows how to use his tongue. But it was one of the most awkward moments I had to deal with. I'd rather face an army of soldiers than be put in that position again. He actually had the galls to try and buy me so that I may become his personal concubine. To hell with that! Thank goodness my mom declined his offer.
"W-what are you going to do?" Hinata's hands were trembling, and she was subconsciously pulling my hair. I grab her hand lightly and rub my thumb against her skin.
"I'm going to be brave. I'm going to keep my chin up and not cower in fear."
Though in reality I was completely frightened by the man. He was extremely deadly and a force to be reckoned with. He hurt my loved ones, my mother and my grandparents, and for that I will never forgive him. My hate for him runs deeper than that for the emperor.
"This feudal lord must be really something if that snake freak has to show up." Ino said.
"I heard the Shogun is coming too, you know, Nagato Pein." Tenten added.
My eyes grow sad, because I know what it means when there is military involved.
"S-Sakura-chan…what is it?"
"I can't believe those selfish bastards are bringing war into a neutral zone. They promised us peace and yet they still give us death. It's just not fair. I promised to protect you guys and I can't even do that."
"Hey now," Ino had finished my makeup a long time ago, but I didn't notice, "You are doing a great job. Without you, we'd all have been dead a long time ago. Even if a storm's coming our way, we're all going to make it out. Together and alive. We trust you, that's why we're here. Now stop your mopping or your makeup will run."
I grin even though I still have this foreboding feeling inside me, I'm just glad to have my girls at my side.
"I guess I'll be leaving now. I'll bring back something for you girls to eat."
"Only if Karin doesn't hog it all first."
We all snicker at the image before I leave.
Descending down the stairs and heading towards the large guest and ballroom, I can't help but wonder; which side is this feudal lord on?
Okay, second chapter complete! I don't know how I did…but I hope you all liked it!
