Battleship Chains
By TimeAndLife21
Chapter Three
I remember when my first birthday came around. I was born on a chilly December 3rd, and my mother took me to our room and She pulled out some clothes. She dressed me first. I would usually wear a simple dress. It was non restrictive and I didn't mind it. But this kind of clothing? I was instantly transported to Edo Period japan. I was wearing a warm and simple green furisode with what looked like pink bubbles were stitched onto it. Kanna assisted me by putting on warm tabi socks, and placed me on the edge of the bed. Making sure I didn't lose my balance, she turned around and began to undress.
I didn't look away, but my new mother was beautiful. Her pale skin stood out in the dim light of the room, and I can see the red and blue veins stand out like a painting. What surprised me was the rather intricate and colorful back tattoo that she had.
I couldn't look away. It was a wolf in a bowing position, baring its teeth at an unknown enemy, surrounded by red water, and green and white lotus flowers were surrounding it. I didn't know what the symbolism means, but I spoke out.
"Wow." I said as I admired the beautiful tattoo.
Kanna looked back at me curiously, before smiling as she put on a kimono that was blue, gold and red. It trailed further down than my own ankle length furisode. I was disappointed that her beautiful tattoo was covered up, but it was nice to see that she was an interesting person.
She tied her back length black hair up into a simple tight bun and put in a rather sharpened hair ornament through the base of it. She made sure to grab two large scarves to cover my shoulders and herself. As it was a bit cold outside.
She then turned back to the closet and knelt down. Cursing my shortness and tried to see what she was doing. I could hear something creaking and pop out, and she stood up and turned around. She held a blue lacquer box the size of a pizza box. It had a wolf's head engraved on the top and she placed the box next to me.
I'm starting to see a really ironic connection here living with my mother. I was obsessed with animals of the Canine, Vulpine, and Lupine varieties. I really shouldn't be too surprised, I did write quite a bit of fanfiction in my past life revolving around the symbolisms of animals. This? I'm not sure if it was to comfort me or to scare me. It was probably both.
"Wa's dat?" I babbled.
I can't wait to speak properly again.
"Himiko-chan. This is our family's weapons. This will be the first time you will be coming outside with me to go to the Village." She turned her head towards me with gentleness, her red eyes glimmering.
When I learned how to walk and train myself to go to the bathroom without too much help, she would leave me here for a short period of time. I would normally sleep until she came home with groceries and a downcast look on her face. It did worry me a bit when she would come home looking like and emotionless drone, save for the rage that was prevalent in her eyes. I don't think my mother was one to be fucked with.
"We'pon?" I tilted my head a bit.
"Yes." She poke as she opened the box up, and I had to blink a couple of times as I looked into the box.
Have you ever had that feeling when you are on a rollercoaster and you are at the top before you start to fall down the path and your stomach drops? That is what I'm feeling right now.
In the box was a set of Kunai, daggers, three scrolls the size of Kanna's wrists, and a short sword. I was basically stock still. I was wondering if this was still a dream. That I was in a coma and just imagining this new life was just a figment of my imagination. I'm holding onto that notion.
I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. I had to calm down. Maybe This world isn't what I think it was. Yes. Maybe I was reborn into an ancient world or maybe a very far post apocalyptic future. Either sounds like a better idea that the one I have in mind.
Kanna grabbed two kunai and hid one on her thigh and the other up on her forearm wearing a protective pouch keeping her skin safe from getting cut. She placed the short sword, A wakizashi, and tied it to her side. One of the scrolls she placed in a special pocket that was on the inside of her kimono. After patting herself down, she closed the box and put it back under the floorboards in the closet. I couldn't see what she was doing to make sure that it was covered right, but I could feel something pulsing before she stood up.
"Himiko-chan. Let us leave." She spoke as she gently picked me up and placed me on the floor and left the room.
I belatedly followed her and went to the front door, she put on the geta for her feet and she motioned me to come to her. I hesitantly walked over to her and sat next to her. She lifted my tiny feet and placed on toddler sized geta as well.
"Stay close with me, Himiko-chan, and don't speak." She pinned me with a bit of a cold stare with a hint of worry.
This change of attitude surprised me a little. The gentle kind woman who has been raising me this far had done a 180. I wasn't going to argue with her. She stood up and opened her arms to my level. I walked into them with a bit of hesitation, but she had a smile on her face which calmed me a bit. She perched me onto her hip and we took our leave.
I was actually going to go outside. It'll be cold, but I'll be outside. She opened the door and the cold air blasted my face. I closed one eye and laid my head on her shoulder to stay a bit warm. We stepped outside and I saw snow.
It was everywhere. The trees were covered as was the ground. I didn't see that we have neighbors or anything, but I looked up to the grey sky and saw that we had a rather old looking electrical pole that had wire connected to our house. At least I knew that we had electricity.
Kanna reached the end of the path to our house and turned to the left. She followed a path, while I took in my surroundings. There wasn't much around us. Just tall trees and sparse vegetation, through the snow. Our nearest neighbor was a mile down the road. The chill felt a little nice on my skin as I laid my head on her shoulder. Taking in the sights as she held me as she walked down the small road.
My mother pointed out things to me in a whisper, as if speaking out loud would garner unwanted attention. There were trees, a snow bunny hopped across out path, a rare kind a flower popped up through the snow. She would whisper them into my ears until she would become completely silent as we started to pass more and more houses.
We had lived on the outskirts of a rural area. The houses themselves don't look like they are in great shape, but they served their purposes. I still had no clue where we are, as we started to get deeper into this town like area, more and more people started to dot the streets. Some even moved out of the way of my mother, having wide eyes and moving quickly before giving her a wide berth and a rather damning glare at her and me. Remember that strange pulsing feeling that I have felt when I was in the womb? I didn't think much of it because I could feel it in my body as second nature to me and I knew that my Mother had it too. Just a helluva lot more than me. Going into an area filled with people? I could pinpoint that there was more people who had the same pulsing as well.
Now, I had a theory that people themselves have an aura, but this was to ridiculous levels of weirdness.
My mother held her head up high, I noticed. Moving my eyes up to her face she had perfected the resting bitch face. She reminded me of the actress Vivien Leigh. The woman who played Scarlett O'Hara in 'Gone With the Wind'. Hey, I liked my black and white movies, I have a heavy appreciation for them. So my mother was not a pushover. That is badass.
It wasn't until we came to what I call 'City Center' on this particular town. The places looked a bit more modern with a rural twist, and it was an interesting place to be. There was some tall circular-like apartment buildings and the like, but I don't see any skyscrapers or any of the futuristic stuff that was once back in my old life. I could hear street vendors and other things going on. There were no cars anywhere around this place though. Which felt strange. I could hear the whispers (Which was pretty freaking awesome, because I had a Hearing impairment in my previous life. Now my hearing is pretty sharp and I love it), but the whispers were harsh and grating. I couldn't help but wince at the words.
"It's her again."
"I thought she was dead."
"Who's the brat that's with her?"
"Maybe she killed the parents and kept the brat?"
"Creepy Bitch."
"Shut up! What if she hears you? She would cut you down to size!"
"I ain't afraid of no Taira. To hell with 'em."
"Shut the fuck up! You anger her, she will suck your blood dry and use it as a weapon."
There were a bit of people that apparently did not like my mother. I was so focused on the cold white, grey, and black outer landscape and the people around us, that when it darkened and warmed up, I jerked a bit. We had entered a place that I couldn't describe what it was.
"Welcome to the Fair Lotus, may I...Oh, it's you." I heard an annoyed voice call out.
I lifted my head and turned forward as a young tan skinned girl with a sneering grimace making her way towards us. I looked around and saw that were were in an entryway. The dark brown wood of the walls had rather...provocative paintings nailed on there and I looked back to the girl.
She was wearing a rather skimpy looking kimono, definitely not suitable for the cold. Her eyes were dark green and her hair was...was blue? Did she die her hair blue? Well to each their own. She had a scar going down where her collar bone is and it went down diagonally to the right and it kept going and hid behind the kimono. What happened to this girl?
"Hello, Juushi." My mother said blankly at the young woman. "Is the Madam in today?" She asked.
"Madam Fujioka is indeed here, but she is entertaining some...clientele at the moment. Is this your kid?" She muttered as she got closer.
Was I dreaming or was her teeth sharpened? As she got closer, she smiled fakely and those teeth she had were indeed sharpened. I blinked before furrowing my brows. That...was a bit frightening to say the least.
"Eh? Why is your kid frowning at me?" Juushi raised a hand and poked my cheek.
Now, I was a very touchy feely kind of person back in my past life, but this was a stranger who just decided to touch me without my permission and I always ask for permission if someone wanted a hug or not, after she poked my cheek I moved my mouth and chomped down on the offending appendage that decided to poke me.
Granted, teething is horrible and my baby teeth are still coming in, but I still have some gums.
Juushi squealed before ripping her finger out of my mouth and I let out a high pitched growl. It was the only other form of communication if I couldn't use my words correctly. I was very displeased that she touched me. My mother let out a rather dark chuckle and I turned my head to see her grin maliciously, and I have never seen my mother grin like this before, and I had just noticed that she had sharpened canines. Her eyes flashed with humor and a bit of pride.
"Juushi, Please don't touch my child. Unless you are thinking of losing a finger." She spoke sweetly, but there was a threat in her words.
"Well, I see that motherhood hasn't softened you that much, figures that your kid would also be a bit touchy." Juushi huffed as she wiped her finger on her kimono. "Come on, I'll take you to a room that is not occupied."
My mother was still holding me as we walked through the hallways. I could hear some boisterous laughter coming from a couple of rooms, some rooms i could hear some kind of music, and some others...well, I'm not gonna go into details. I could clearly hear now that those sounds were sounds of raw pleasure. I'm no innocent. I was quite a kinky girl from my past life as well. So I've seen it all. I have a feeling that I'm most likely in a Brothel.
"Ne, Kanna, when will you be returning to work?" Juushi asked as she looked back at us with a smirk on her face.
"I can't have my child with me at work, Juushi. Don't get started on that." Kanna spoke with a gentle tone, but it held a bit of threat with it.
Juushi just waved her hand a bit waving off her threat.
"Don't get testy with me, ever since you got pregnant, our clientele numbers fell a bit. Madam Fujioka wasn't too happy, because we had to hire three new girls because of your maternity leave." Juushi stated bitterly.
"I don't see why you are upset about it." Kanna raised her eyebrow.
"I'm not." Juushi lied as she stopped and turned around with hands on her hips. "Ishida, Emiko, and Naiami were not happy to pick up your slack and train three new girls. Some of the Shinobi and Kunoichi were asking for you. Now that you have a kid, your price will go down."
Those words should mean something to me. Why do they sound familiar? C'mon Himiko, you are smart. Think, Think, Think! I got distracted by the drama that started to unfold in front of me.
Juushi had a resentful look on her face as she was speaking to Kanna. I had laid my head on my mother's shoulder as they were talking. I had just realized that my mother's profession was being either a Geisha or an Oiran. Both not too different from each other. The fact that Kanna decided to keep me was interesting. Most woman with a profession of Prostitution would usually have an abortion performed or just outright killed the child after birthing them. I think I paled a bit knowing that I had narrowly escaped a second death.
We entered a rather lush and comfortable room. There was pillows everywhere and a bed at the far end of the room, and two sofas placed side by side off to the right of the room. The largest area of the room had a stage and had instruments off to the side as well as some props like fans, knives, and a few other that don't really stick out to me.
"What did you think I should have done?" Kanna raised an eyebrow.
"Honestly, you should have killed her when you had the chance, This village is no place for a kid like her." Juushi said off-handedly.
I turned my head to look at her and I'm pretty sure my glare was just as scary as my mothers.
"Just because I was on maternity leave, Juushi, doesn't mean that you have the rank to talk back to me like that." My mother placed me down onto a fluffy pillow and walked over to the sharp-toothed girl.
I turned my head to see my mother standing over the younger one with her arms at her side. Loose, but I could see that her fingers were twitching, like they were itching to grab the girl by the throat and to throttle her. I have never seen her upset or angry. Kind? Yes. Gentle? Yes. Protective? Oh yeah, but this was a development that I wouldn't have seen coming.
"You know I'm right." The girl's voice shook faintly.
"You have no right to speak to a superior about private matters. Know your place Juushi." Kanna spoke with a cool tone in her voice that settled the matter with a finality.
Juushi locked eyes with Kanna for a moment before she backed down, clearly recognizing that my mother was the Alpha Bitch in the room. I couldn't help but like this side of her, my mother was no pushover, and I'm glad to see that she was a strong woman.
"And here I thought I would be welcomed back." Kanna spoke with sarcasm tinting her voice as she turned around and came over to my side and kneeled by me.
"Now...fetch some refreshment for myself and my daughter, Juushi. If you can find some food from the kitchen bring that too." Mother spoke as she placed and arm around me and pulled me close to her side.
When she did that she started to comb my hair with her hand. It was rather relaxing.
"I'm not your slave, regardless that you are Madam's favorite." She spat ready for a fight.
My mother was calm and moved her head only a fraction and her eyes had become hooded and lazy as she started at Juushi. She was acting like a noblewoman who was thinking of an execution for a peasant who had mouthed off to her.
"I still kept my rank regardless. Do as you are told." She spoke with a chilling tone that booked absolutely no argument.
Juushi snarled before she left the room, slamming the door as she left. Now, I liked drama, but I despise drama being initiated by females. I have worked in healthcare run by woman, and let me tell you it sucked because not only was it competitive, but the woman were catty and petty as hell and would stab you in the back for a klondike bar if they were given the chance. Yeah. I was a gossiper in my previous life, but I did it to get information and blackmail⦠don't judge me.
"Ne, Himiko-chan. I'm sorry to have brought you here, but I can only stay away from work for so long. Okaa-san needs to make money to keep the house and take care of you." Kanna spoke gently as she ran her hand through my hair.
"Wo'k?" I looked up at her.
I could tell that this kind of profession was not exactly ideal for a woman like her, but if it paid the bills and kept us from being homeless, I'll take it. I had worked three solid jobs in my past life to save up money to go become a paramedic. 5 years of schooling and lots of blood, sweat, and tears poured into that profession. It also helped that I was part of a small group that we poured all our resources into the same pool to take care of each other. It worked quite well for us.
"Yes, dear heart." Kanna sighed, a bit resigned to her position.
It seemed like this type of a job brings no joy to her. I could understand that. I have worked menial jobs that I basically told myself to shut up and do it because it knew the ends justify the means. What about here? Was she forced to work as a worker in a Brothel type place? Was it out of free will? Suddenly I felt compelled to hug her and I wish I could tell her that it was okay. Maybe she could get a different job now that I'm around?
I was taken out of my thoughts as the door opened again, but it was slow and deliberate. I turned my head and I saw an older woman wearing a very, very expensive type of kimono that was usually reserved for nobles. She looked to be in her 60s, but I could tell that she had an elegant beauty and grace about her. Despite the few wrinkles I could see on her, that pulsing feeling that she seemed to have was like a calming wave, but there was something more calculating underneath.
The kimono had different layers, but in a free hand, she held what looked like a pipe that one would use to smoke tobacco. Her graying black hair was straight and long. Her grey eyes held a definitive sharpness and she was most likely quick as a whip. Her lips were painted red. I thought she looked very pretty.
"Kanna-chan. I see you have decided to return to us." The woman gracefully stopped in front of use before kneeling down with a sharp grin on.
"Forgive me for taking Maternity Leave, Madam Fujioka." My mother spoke softly, but it held a steel edge to it. I wisely stayed still and kept my usually babbling mouth shut.
"No, No, I completely understand my dear. To be honest, I expected you to quit, I'm fairly sure that you wouldn't want your little child around the likes of here." Her grey eyes pinned me to where I sat.
That sounded like a threat. I didn't like her. So I sneered my best sneer as a toddler could and I channeled my inner nephew when he gave no fucks. I turned my head a little and looked down at her. You'd be surprised at some people when they have reactions of being looked down at by a toddler of all things.
"That sounds like a suggestion, Madam." My mother tilted her head to the side.
"It is." Fujioka spoke as she sneered at the door, no doubt that someone was listening in. "But, unfortunately, it would drop our clientele much farther if you did leave. Some of the other girls do just fine around here, and the new ones have some smidgeon of talent."
"Then why bring it up then, Madam?" My mother raised a curious eyebrow.
"I took you in as a favor to your Father that I would take care of you. Especially since you are the last of your clan. " Fujioka huffed and took a drag from her pipe. "Well...not so last now."
Letting out the smoke, I scrunched up my face at the smell.
"I remember. That was before..." She paused. "
Are you changing your mind, Madam?" My mother asked coldly.
"I am not. However, you need to find childcare for your little one here." Fujioka looked at me with a unsettling stare, before smiling tightly. "I could suggest someone, if you are willing to stay of course."
My mother looked down at me and I looked up at her. Her face was blank, but her eyes were saying a lot of different things. She was protective, worried, and I could see the hint of rage in there. I took a breath calming down my own internal emotions and smiled up at her. I can handle myself. Maybe she could have some sort of babysitter help out. I think she picked up on my calm emotions, because she sighed before turning her head towards the Madam.
"Who would you suggest?" My mother asked politely, clearly not liking being in a position like this.
"She is an old friend of mine. Her name is Umineko Chisato, she had just recently retired from her position in the T&I department. She has been getting quite bored with herself as of late." Fujioka smirked at the way my mother tensed up. "Oh don't worry Kanna-chan. Chisato had 4 children of her own. Granted, only one survived to adulthood, but she is a dear friend of mine. I'm sure she wouldn't mind watching your child. It depends on what sort of price Chisato wants from you."
My mother reached over and held me close to her, her firm handling on me reinforced the thought that she didn't like this idea, but if she needed the money to bring home⦠well I couldn't really stop her now could I? She took a deep breath and let it out slowly, before she spoke.
"When do you want me to start?"
I didn't think my life would turn on its axis when my mother agreed.
TAL21: And another chapter to get this rolling along. It's always the first couple of chapters that have a hard time with traction. But It's gaining a bit of speed. What do you think of this so far? Himiko is starting to recognize a few things, but they won't make that much sense to her for a bit. Also, 'The Last of Your Clan' trope? Yeah, I played that, but trust me when I say that Himiko won't give any fucks about it. What do you think of Madam Fujioka? I was going to make her out to be an evil stepmother kind of deal, but then I changed her up quite a bit. and Juushi is a Bitch. I will say this out loud. Good thing that Kanna is steadfast and hard about her morals and the like. And Yes, it was common for a lot of prostitutes to abort their child to keep doing sex work, and sometimes even outright killing them, due to the fact that money is important. Himiko dodged a bullet there. XD So what do you guys think of this so far? I have this rated M for a reason and yes, I will be touching on a lot of subjects like sex, murder, torture, and the like. I'll probably put this story up on AO3 as well. But we will see. :) Please leave awesome reviews and opinions! I'd like to hear from you guys about your view on this so far. See you in the next chapter!
Question Time!: Which Village is your favorite? Personally, I like Suna and Kumo. Mostly because the cultural differences is pretty freaking awesome. I enjoy reading about them when I have the chance. :D
KEEP ON READNG AND WRITING!
