AN: Greetings and welcome to Chapter Two of MATO. The story is starting to pick up pace now and soon enough things will begin coming to light regarding Raiu's heritage. I hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: Only the OC's belong to me.


Raiu turned her head at the sound of approaching footsteps. The slide of fabric giving away her teachers presence, followed by the delicate scent of lotus flowers. The woman, Kumoko, was best described as a courtesan. An entertainer and dancer at one of the many Okiya located in Kyoto's red light district, the woman was a valued servant of the Akuma Clan. While she sold her time, and sometimes her body to her customers, Kumoko's real worth came in the form of information. It was funny the things you could get a client to say in the aftermath of passion and too much sake.

For the lesser courtesan's of the okiya, information was the trade by which they lived. Raiu had no doubt that Kumoko could easily sell herself to a Daimyo or higher class patron, but her loyalty to the Oni Clan had her turning down any offers. That and Raiu suspected the money she made from teaching her trade kept her well fed and content where she was.

"Have you been waiting long, Raiu-San?", Kumoko's voice was best described as sweet and flirtatious, with an airy lit that promised soft sighs and sweet nothings. Raiu liked Kumoko's voice. It didn't ring with false truths and deceit and the woman always treated Raiu as an equal, something that Raiu cherished more then she let on.

"On a beautiful evening such as this, with the sight of the gardens and it's heavenly perfume swamping my senses, I fear I lost track of time. So, In truth Kumoko-Sensei, I cannot tell you if I have waited at all." Raiu's voice was still child-like, uneven, but the words themselves were delivered with amusement and teasing. She could feel the corners of her lips turning up at the edges in a smile. Raiu studied the tall slender figure seating itself beside of her.

Kumoko's hair was a chocolate brown, pinned on top of her head in the ornate style of the okiya, glittering gold hair pins intermixed with flowers and kabuki combs adorned the sleek buns on her head. Watery blue eyes gazed back from a heart shaped face, pale with white make-up to hide her true skin color. Her red lips were composed in a pleasant smile, her kohl lined eyes crinkled at the edges. The orange Kimono she wore was decorated with koi, and the yellow Obi was styled into a large bow at the back. With practiced ease, Kumoko sat with the presence of an empress, commanding attention with little more then a show of her delicate wrists folded in her lap.

Raiu felt rather then heard the small chuckle from her teacher as her gaze returned to the garden before them. Her eyes glancing down briefly as she pushed her right sleeve back from her hand to pour the tea into two ceramic cups. The liquid was still hot inside the iron kettle, and the smell of jasmine wafted to her nose.

"I see you've been working on being eloquent. It will serve you well in blending in. How are your lessons on the Shamisen?" Kumoko questioned as she cupped the bottom of the cup in one palm, using her other hand to bring the cup to her lips and drink.

"Truthfully, I have not been able to practice much. The instrument itself doesn't seem to like me and I keep breaking the strings!" Raiu groaned, bringing a hand up to rest the tips of her fingers against her forehead in frustration.

"It's because you pluck the strings too hard, like you are shooting arrows from a bow. You must let your fingers dance over the strings, Raiu-San. Like how a cherry blossom flutters in the wind."

Kumoko teased gently. Raiu had swift fingers, but the girl was trained as an assassin, not a courtesan. while the girl was passably proficient at the Shamisen, and could produce some music for entertaining- her hands were trained for brutality, her body toned and sharpened for killing. Raiu could dance with the beauty and grace of the water, she could talk and spout poetry like a bird sings.

But she could not work her fingers with the ease and gentleness of a geisha. She could not get her fingers to dance over the strings with grace and poise. Kumoko suspected this was because the girl had been trained to kill with her hands since she could crawl, but she hopes with time and practice she could soften the hands of a killer into something that could produce beauty as well as pain.

"It's entirely possible the next time a string snaps I will loose an eye!" Dropping her hand, Raiu looked deviously over at the older woman. "But if that happens, I can just go be a pirate, so it might not be such a bad thing."

A shocked laugh erupted from her teacher as she took in the mischievous glint in Raiu's eyes. Her own lips twisting into a half-smirk before quickly schooling her expression into a stern, scolding one. Her tone came out as teasing more then reprimanding.

"I would hope not, otherwise I've wasted my time with teaching you." Kumoko teased, sitting the cup down beside of her before exhaling slowly. A lingering smile gave the woman an air of peacefulness, leeching the unconscious stress from her body as she began to relax. Raiu turned her head to the side to stick out her tongue at her teacher before hiding the movement behind her own tea cup. Her eyes still glittered with amusement, she found a kindred joy in the older woman, maybe even friendship.

"Just think of the adventures I'd go on. Why, I'd even venture that you'd hear rumors of my fearsome prowess as I conquered the seven seas!" Kumoko choked back a snort of amusement. Kumoko had no doubt in her mind that Raiu would make a fearsome pirate if she put her mind to it, but the woman had a sort of motherly protectiveness over the girl.

"I think you're still a little too young for adventures Raiu-San. Sailing is tricky business on a good day, and all the young Masters would be simply heartbroken to see such a fair princess sail away from home." Raiu winced slightly, remembering exactly how much of a 'fair princess' most of the boys thought her. They teased her too much, pointing out her red hair and strange looks when compared to the rest of the clan.

"Oh what a loss it would be indeed, to break the hearts of so many...inspiring suitors." Raiu replied dryly, earning another laugh from Kumoko. Raiu herself wanted no such attentions from boys and found them unclothe and barbaric. While that would probably change with age and as she grew, currently Raiu was far more interested in learning how to kill someone with a teacup. Now that's a skill that could come in handy.

Raiu covered a snort of amusement at the thought as she glanced over at Kumoko. She returned the girls amused grin with one of her own before picking up her tea and taking another drink.

"I think it's time we began, otherwise we will be out here all night without learning a thing." She chided Raiu, who was all for forgoing the lesson and just talking to the woman, simply for someone to talk to. Resigning herself with a childish sigh, she turned to face her teacher who cleared her throat.


"Now then, when you have a client, or in your case- an important guest, you want to make them feel welcomed. While our jobs are different in what we do Raiu-San, the principle and concept are the same. You make the client feel welcomed, and like they have the world at their feet. Can you tell me why?"

Raiu tilted her head back slightly, her eyes tracing the lazy movement of clouds across the orange sky. She was thinking on the answer, seeming at ease and aloof as her hands slid into her kimono sleeves, arms crossed slightly.

"Hmm...The reason we do this is to lure them into a false sense of security and to make the client feel valued. This in turn causes them to let down their guard and divulge information that they probably wouldn't otherwise. It also acts to boost their egos if you treat them like they are the only one in the world, by increasing their perceived self worth and importance...I think?"

While her answer wasn't a question, it did come out sounding like one. Her eyes absently trailed the path of a black dragonfly as it darted over the small ponds surface. Her brow was furrowed in thought as she absentmindedly bit her lower lip.

"Further it serves to distract the client and give them the illusion that you care about their person and well being, which can create...uhm.." Here Raiu paused, exhaling slowly as she searched for the correct words.

"Which can create a bond of trust between client and courtesan, encouraging the client to come back and potentially become a valued patron of said courtesan." Raiu finished with a nod of her head, satisfied with her answer. Kumoko clapped her hands together in praise.

"Very good. Now, what are some things you can do to entertain the client, and get them to spill their secrets?"

Kumoko brought the cup up to her lips, taking a sip of her drink, as Raiu moved to pour them both more tea. Absently, Raiu watched Kumoko's movements, admiring how elegant and gracefully the woman seemed to move. Like a living, breathing sculpture, no movement was done without a reason. Each one, no matter how small was done to draw attention to a part of her body, as a distraction. From her pale, slender hands, to her curving, red painted lips. The woman oozed refined elegance and there was no doubt that she had been trained to catch the eye of many high officials.

Settling back on her knees, Raiu picked up her cup once more, her violet eyes staring into the green liquid as she absently swirled the drink in her hand. Raiu took a moment to think over her answer, reviewing things she had watched and been taught.

"Flattery works, but too much flattery is off putting. Appearing interested in the conversation has its merits, as does showing physical affection in small doses. Distracting them with drink always loosens the tongue..."

"All are good answers, but think of more unconventional means." Kumoko responded, watching the koi in the pond. The woman subtly leaned closer to Raiu, a slight shift of her hip, the tilt of her head, all signs showing she was listening. Raiu did not miss any of the movements, she was trained to be hyper aware of everything around her, to pay attention to minute details.

"Body language, subtle gestures to show you are paying attention. The flashing of skin, or closing of space. The press of a body...subconscious movements to show interest in the client." Raius lashes lowered slightly as she turned her face a half inch in Kumokos direction. Her kimono sleeve slipping up as she sat her tea cup down before her.

"Very good. The slightest movement can ensnare a clients attention when done with purpose. Flesh can be very distracting if you know how to use it. You promise them everything but give them nothing and it leaves them craving more. Never let them have what they crave, Raiu-San. Your Mizua-" The sounds of many feet slapping against the wooden floor boards cut Kumoko off.

"Raiu-Dono! Raiu-Dono! Hime-Sama has collapsed!" The panicked voice of a servant girl had Raiu sliding to her feet in a moment. The heavy thudding sound of socked feet slapping against wood had the young girl's heart racing in dread. A sharp inhale of breath caught in her throat as she moved to meet the distraught girl. Easily a few years her senior, Raiu's hands clasped around the girls elbows to ease her to sit down. The young woman was pale and shaking like a leaf. Fear etched into the lines of her painted face.

"Calm yourself. What happened? Kumoko-Sensei I apologize but it seems our lesson will have to be cut short...I can get someone to escort you back to your Okiya if you would like?" Raiu tilted her head in her teachers direction, her body tensed to sprint towards Hime-Sama's room already. As the servant girls grip on Raiu's wrists tightened, her eyes snapped back to the girls face.

"Hime-Sama was taking her lessons as usual when she collapsed. Midori-Sama is in a panic, they think Hime-Sama is going through the transition, but shes too young! Shes burning with fever and they can't get her to wake!" At this point the serving girl was babbling almost incoherently, gasping for breath, whether from running from across the compound or in the throws of a panic attack herself, Raiu wasn't sure. Cool hands gently pried the girls bruising grip from her wrists as Kumoko send Raiu a knowing look.

"Go, I'll take care of her and then I'll show myself out. We will pick up this lesson next week." Raiu quietly whispered out a 'Thank you' before she was picking up the hem of her kimonos and sprinting towards Liliths room. No doubt she would get blamed for this.


Raiu pushed through the throng of servants and medical officals as she made her way deeper into the room. Okasan's shrill shouting and hissed barks could be heard over the wave of whispers spreading throughout the gathered crowd. Raiu's violet eyes latched onto the frail-looking form laid on the raised platform bed. Covers had already been tucked up to the child's chin, the sleeping kimono already clinging to her frame with sweat as the doctors tried in vain to push the crowd out of the large bedroom.

Murmuring her excuses, Raiu grabbed Okasan's wrists, turning the frantic woman to face her. Raiu could say a lot about the woman in terms of her wicked and hateful heart, but Midori-Sama did love her children.

"Okasan. I will take care of Hime-Sama. But for now, you need to vacate the room." Raising her voice slightly, Raiu half turned her body to the gaggle of on-lookers.

"That goes for the rest of you as well. Right now Hime-Sama needs to rest and the Doctors need to be able to help, they can't do that if you are all in the way."

Raiu knew she had probably overstepped her authority if the way Midori-Sama tensed was any indication, but a firm shake of the woman's head seemed to help her regain some semblance of control. She fixed Raiu with a red-eyed stare before clapping her hands together and ushering people back to work. Raiu could only be thankful that no one from the outer compound had been witness to the incident, and that those gathered were mainly inner compound workers. Still, rumors would have to be nipped in the bud, quickly. Midori-Sama seemed to realize this and started pushing people to gather in the sitting room to minimize the damage.

"It is the transition, I'm afraid." One of the medical staff spoke as she approached the bed. This made Raiu tense as fear began to claw it's way up her throat.

"I can give her a tincture to ease some of the pain...but this is something she will have to pull through on her own." The man was covered head to toe in a white robe, a habit on his head and white cloth over his face to hide the majority of his features. Red eyes peered over the rim of the cloth, but his hunched back was a good indication of his age.

"Do so, I will...keep watch for her in case..." The ending of that sentence didn't need to be spoken. Shuffling off to her room on the side, Raiu gave the doctors some privacy as she went to change once more into a set of training clothes and grab her o-wakizashi. While there was a slim chance the blade wouldn't be needed, Raiu would not let her sister suffer the fate of most half-breeds.

Sliding the shouji door closed behind her, Raiu side-stepped the servants setting up the incense braziers around the room, before resting the sword at the side of the raised platform. She accepted the wooden bowl of icy water, and the cloth draped over the side and sitting it on the bedside table. Wringing the wet cloth out, she draped the folded fabric over the burning head of the clan heir.

Looking at her flushed face, she bit her lip before moving out of the way of another servant as she took over making Lilith as comfortable as she could. Raiu picked a place out of the servants way and sat down, taking up what would prove to be a night-long vigil. She did not pray, as not even the Kami would help their kind get through the transition. Raiu was not a religious person to begin with, but she did not want the gods interfering with her life any more then they already did. A pained scream had Raiu's hand tightening around the scabbard as her eyes snapped to her sisters contorting form.

It had begun. With a frightened cry, the servants quickly cleared the room, drawing the bamboo drapes and curtains and leaving the bedroom encased in darkness save for the flickering light of the candles.


Okiya- is the lodging house in which a maiko or geisha lives during the length of her nenki (contract or career as a geisha).

Courtesan- Primarily a prostitute, especially one with wealthy or upper-class clients. In some cases they are companions of men much like a Geisha.

Kumoko- Spider Child, a high class Courtesan that serves in an Okiya in the red light district of Kyoto. She is an informant of the Akuma Clan, and one of Raiu's teachers.

Kami- God/Gods

Daimyo- (in feudal Japan) one of the great lords who were vassals of the shogun.

O-wakizashi- meaning "side inserted [sword]" is one of the traditionally made Japanese swords (nihonto) worn by the samurai class in feudal Japan. The wakizashi has a blade between 30 and 60 cm (12 and 24 in), with wakizashi close to the length of a katana being called ō-wakizashi and wakizashi closer to tantō length being called ko-wakizashi.

Midori- Green, Head of the Akuma Clain and mother to the Heir Lilith.