Chapter 4
Lord Abe was pacing back and forth waiting for Haruka to return. He heard the gate close and looked at the direction of where she should walk. Haruka walked and saw her father and he ran up to her.
"How did it go Haruka? Did you win his favor?"
She glared at her father. "What kind of jerk is he otou-sama?!"
Abe frowned at her reaction. "What did he do to you? He didn't do anything bad to you did he?"
"He took some prostitute's side and called me dirty!" she said while crying.
"What? What do you mean Haruka? Tell me what happened this instant." Haruka told him what had happened and Abe got enraged. "You said it was a prostitute with two scars on her face?" She nodded. "Don't worry I'll take care of everything. Go rest now." Haruka greeted him good night and went to her room. "I'll make sure Haruka becomes queen of this country at all costs."
-x-
Gintoki finished all the paperwork for the day and walked out into the courtyard.
"You did your work for once Gintoki."
"Oi Zura I'm free for the rest of the night, right?"
"You are. Why do you ask? Do you have to go somewhere?"
"Uh, you could say that. Anyways see ya." Gintoki went to his room to change and picked up her haori. He headed towards the town's brothel to meet a certain blonde haired woman. He entered the brothel and was immediately greeted by a woman.
"Welcome!" Hinowa greeted with a smile. This man looks like the man Seita described that night. Guess it wouldn't hurt to ask. "Are you Gin-san by any chance?"
"Huh? You know about me? Did Tsukuyo tell you about me?"
"No Tsukuyo hasn't told me anything but Seita has. Thank you for looking after our Seita." Hinowa bowed her head.
"It was no big deal."
"Do you mind if we talk a little bit Gin-san?"
"I don't mind. Lead the way." Hinowa guided Gintoki to her room. He sat down across from her.
"Kaa-chan are you in?"
"Excuse me Gin-san." She spoke louder at the door, "I'm here Seita come on in."
Seita slid the door open and entered the room. He saw Gintoki and excitedly ran up to him. "Gin-san! You're here!"
"Hey kid, yeah I'm here."
"Why are you here? Do you have some business here?"
"Now, now Seita. That's too many questions all at once. Can you do me a favor and bring in some dango and tea for our guest?"
"Kaa-chan I just got to see Gin-san though! I can't believe I have to go bring some refreshments as soon as I enter," Seita mumbled as he left the room.
Hinowa noticed the haori in his hand. "Ah that's Tsukuyo's haori. How do you have it Gin-san? Or should I say Your highness?"
"Wha-? You knew who I was this entire time?"
"Of course I did. I knew who you were once I took a good look at your face."
"I'd prefer it if you just kept calling me Gin-san."
"No problem. So can you answer my question?"
"Ah this haori. She gave it to me."
"She gave it to you?!" Seita entered and served dango and tea to Hinowa and Gintoki and sat down next to him. "Thank you Seita. Please eat up Gin-san, it's on the house. It's my way of saying thank you."
Gintoki picked up a dango stick and popped a dango into his mouth. "Thank you for what?"
"Seems like she's been able to relax a little bit that night at the festival thanks to you."
"I'm assuming she works too hard."
Hinowa sighed. "That girl is always working to protect us."
"Protect?"
"Yeah. She may be a courtesan but it's only a title. She hasn't ever been in any of the rooms nor been with any man. I worry so much since she always does so much for us. She's only a woman yet she keeps all of us safe from harm."
"That explains the kunais she had. Did she learn from anyone? She has deadly accuracy and to top things off she's one strong woman."
Hinowa giggled and put her hand in front of her mouth. "I didn't know you two were this close already." Her smile faded. "She learned from this man. Long time ago I was being stalked by a guest. He was so persistent even though I rejected him. One night while I was out he sneaked up on me. I tried running away from him so he slashed my achilles tendons to make sure I couldn't. Tsukuyo found me and used her small body to protect me. The stalker was about to strike Tsukuyo but a man happened to see what was going on and got the man with his kunais. Tsukuyo asked the man to teach her how to fight. After he finished teaching Tsukuyo everything, the man left to continue his search for his sister. I'm grateful that he took Tsukuyo in as his pupil but he never taught her to rely on others. He's always taught her how she has to fight on her own."
"I see...Then can I ask why she has two scars on her face?"
Hinowa sweetly smiled. "Isn't it better to ask the person herself? Speaking of which." Hinowa turned to Seita. "Seita where's Tsukuyo right now?"
"I saw Tsukuyo-nee go into her room. I think she went to sharpen her kunais."
"I see. Gin-san you wanted to see Tsukuyo, right? Seita can you guide Gin-san to her room?"
"No problem kaa-chan!" Seita stood up. "Come on Gin-san follow me."
"Right." Gintoki stood up and followed Seita.
"Please enjoy your time Gin-san," Hinowa said.
"Thanks." Seita and Gintoki exited her room.
"Hehe. Gin-san might just be the one for Tsukuyo."
-x-
Seita stopped in front of the door and looked up to Gintoki. "We're here Gin-san. This is Tsukuyo-nee's room!"
"Thanks kid."
"Well I'll be on my way now. Please enjoy your time together!" Seita ran off.
"He could've at least announced me." Should I announce myself? Gintoki cleared his throat and right as he was going to announce himself the door slid open.
"Hah? It's ya. What brings ya here?"
Whoa just as I was thinking of her. "Hey, I'm here to return your haori." He handed the haori to her. She took the haori and put it inside her room and came back out.
"Thanks fer returnin' it. If ya'll excuse me, I needa go work now." Tsukuyo walked and Gintoki nonchalantly followed her with his arms behind his head. "Gintoki, if it's entertainment ya need, ya can find it with anyone here."
"I already found someone."
What is with this guy? "Then ya could run along ta that person."
"I am. Matter of fact she's speaking with me right now."
"Hah? Sorry ta burst yer bubble but I'm not much of an entertainment."
"You don't have to tell me. Sheesh you look so dull," he said while turning his head away from her like a little kid.
"Hoh? That's neat comin' from someone who has a burnt field on his head," she retorted.
"Oi! You're talking about my hair aren't you?!" She snickered to herself and he pretended not to notice. Her snickering brought a small smile to his face. He walked up next to her and put on a deadpan expression. "Ah well I'll be following you whether you like it or not."
She looked at him with a serious expression. "The things I do aren't entertainin'. Go back."
"Sheesh you are a stubborn woman." Then an idea popped up in his head. Knowing how nice she is, he was going to try to guilt trip her. "You know I could've returned the haori in its original state. I didn't have to clean it up. I didn't have to return it to you at all actually. If there was only some waaaaaaay I could be repaid back."
This idiot! "Thank ya fer returnin' my haori in such a nice state. Are ya satisfied?"
He started rubbing his chin, pretending to look like he was thinking. "Nope," he said with a grin. Hehe it's so fun teasing her. This irked Tsukuyo and a vein popped on her face. "I will consider this debt repaid if you let me tag along with you tonight."
Tsukuyo found fire and lit up her kiseru. She inhaled and blew the smoke into his face while he coughed and fanned the smoke out of his face. "Ya better get used ta tha smoke, if ya think ya can keep up," she said with a smirk.
Gintoki smirked back. "It's so on."
-x-
For the next couple of months Gintoki would come see Tsukuyo at the brothel whenever he had free time. Hinowa noticed Tsukuyo changing little by little thanks to Gintoki but she still wasn't relaxing about work. She decided to use Gintoki to help her relax.
"Tsukuyo it's me."
Tsukuyo opened the door and saw Hinowa. "Ah Hinowa come on in." Hinowa walked into her room and Tsukuyo followed after her. The both of them sat down.
"Tsukuyo you've changed a bit these past couple of months. Is it thanks to Gin-san?"
Tsukuyo slightly blushed. "Wha-What do ya mean Hinowa?! What does that idiot have ta do with me?!"
Hinowa giggled. I'll drop it for now. "I've come here to request something."
"How can I be of help?"
"You see. A very important guest will be coming today and all the other girls are booked. I need you to entertain this guest tonight."
"How important is he n' who'll look after tha brothel tonight?"
"Don't worry about the brothel and he's this nation's leader."
"What?!"
Hinowa smiled. "No way you can say no Tsukuyo. He is the king so you must do it at all costs."
"But Hinowa, I don't have any experience."
"You'll do fine. Just relax. Now let's get you ready."
-x-
"Ara Gin-san you came just on time."
"Huh? What? I did? Is there something going on today?"
"Today I have something planned out for you so you just enjoy. Everything's on the house today."
"Seriously?! I can eat and drink whatever I want for free?"
"Yep. Yep."
"There's gotta be a catch to this. What is the condition?"
"There's no condition just enjoy your time."
"Woo-hoo! If you ever need help with anything in the brothel, don't hesitate to let me know." The two of them conversed a little until she stopped in front of a door.
"This is your room Gin-san. Enjoy your stay!"
Gintoki was left alone in front of the door. His heart started pounding like crazy. I wonder what kind of girl is waiting for me. He carefully slid the door open and saw a woman sitting on her knees with her head bowing down.
"W-Welcome. My name is Tsukuyo, I am called tha Shinigami tayuu." She slowly lifted her head. "Please enjoy yer st-." Her violet eyes looked into his crimson ones.
"What are you doing here?! Please give me a friendlier woman! One who doesn't aim to kill!"
A vein popped on her face. "Oi what's tha meanin' of this? I was told by Hinowa I had ta serve tha king tonight."
She's totally using me! She's using me to help this woman relax!
"So I guess this is tha part where we do that." Tsukuyo started loosening her obi and started pushing the collar of her kimono to the side.
"W-Wait! What are you doing?!"
"Hah? Isn't this what she means by entertainin'?"
"I'm not some corrupted politician!"
"I've never been in these rooms before so I don't know."
Gintoki remembered that Tsukuyo had never done these kinds of things. "There are other ways to entertain a guest!"
Tsukuyo fixed her kimono. "Like what?"
Gintoki gently sighed. He walked over to a small table with snacks and alcohol and sat down. He patted the empty spot next to her, beckoning her to sit down next to him. She walked over and sat down next to him. He passed the cup over to her. "Here, I'll serve you."
"Wait." She gave the cup back to him. "I'll serve ya first."
"Whatever makes the tayuu happy."
She poured the alcohol into his cup. "So are ya really tha king?"
"I may or may not be," he teased.
"Why does tha king come here so often? Does he have nothin' ta do that much?"
"Oi! I'm a very busy man you know. It's just that there's someone that keeps drawing me to this place so I make time to come here."
"Must be an interestin' person."
"You can say that." He passed the cup to her. "My turn to serve you." She accepted the cup and he started pouring. "So why do you have two scars on your face?"
She briefly touched the scar on her cheek. "I got these scars in exchange of gettin' tha honor ta protect tha women of this place. Men wouldn't want a woman who is scarred. I can protect tha women with all I have thanks to 'em. Sometimes I wonder if I would've lived a different life without 'em." She then sipped on her drink. Gintoki picked up the vibe that she was insecure about her looks. Silly woman doesn't realize she's the most beautiful woman to exist. After she finished drinking she put her cup in front of his face.
"Yes, yes." He poured more into her cup. "Don't forget to pour me for me too afterwards."
Tsukuyo started hiccuping loudly. "More."
"Oi it's your turn to pour me a drink you know!"
"More. I said bring me more!" She smashed the bottle onto his head.
Hinowa was spying on them from the outside. "Oh my looks like their fun time is about to begin now. I should give them some privacy now." She giggled and walked away from their room.
"T-Tayuu? W-When did the tayuu and I get so close? Did we start drinking? Ahahaha..."
"'Course we did! This was all set up fer ya!"
"W-Well I think I should get going now. I'll see you another day."
"Ya think ya can just barge inta my house n' just leave like that?! Who do ya think ya are?!"
"I'm so sorry tayuu! I'll stay here. I'll accompany you until the morning. I will kill all the morning crows in the entire universe and accompany you to morning."
"Ya better! Now that we've had some drinks, it's time fer more entertainment." She started undoing her kimono.
"Don't take it off!" IS THIS WOMAN TRYING TO TEST MY PATIENCE?!
"Hah?! Do ya not have any interest in me?!"
"No, no! It's not that! It's that we might end up doing something you might regret."
"So ya do wanna see! Perv~ Gintoki is a perv~"
He messed up his hair. "This woman is so troublesome!"
Tsukuyo hiccuped and gulped down more alcohol. "Yosh! The night has only begun. Time ta play!"
-x-
Tsukuyo opened her eyes and blinked a couple of times. She slowly sat up. "Where am I?" She remembered that she was in the room drinking with Gintoki and the rest was a blur. "Right, that's what happened." She went into the inner room and changed back to her usual kimono. She walked towards the door, getting ready to work again.
"Going back to work already?"
"Yeah."
"You never change do you?"
She remained silent.
"I wanted to say it before everything happened but didn't get a chance to. Nothing would've changed. You decided to walk down this path so stand tall and walk proudly. You have a beautiful face and a beautiful soul."
She looked at Gintoki and had a small smile, "Thank ya. I'm glad I met ya." He waved at her as she left the room. As soon as she left he slowly sat up and saw the disarrayed room around him.
"It was fun," he said with a smile.
-x-
"Hello honored guest. My name is Yumi. I am honored to be serving you tonight."
"Come closer Yumi." The man patted the spot next to him. The courtesan gracefully walked next to him and started pouring him drinks. "Tell me. Is there a woman with two scars in this place?"
"I don't give out information for free you know."
"I'll pay you any amount you ask for. Now tell me is there a woman with two scars in this place."
"There is. She is known as the Shinigami tayuu."
The man tossed to her parchment paper neatly folded. "This is something to be slipped into her drink. Don't do it yet until I have instructed you to do so."
"My lord even if you ask of me of this, I will certainly not do it. It doesn't matter how much you pay me. The Shinigami tayuu is an important woman to us."
The man roughly grabbed her by her cheeks and forced her to stare into his eyes. "You will do as I say."
"L-Let go of me I will not!" She was getting ready to scream for help but he covered her mouth in time.
"You will stay quiet or I will kill you right here." She remained quiet and he finally let go of her. "You will carry out this plan or your sickly younger sister will be killed."
Yumi was surprised to know this man knew about her sister. She hadn't told any of the other courtesans either. "I-I don't know what you're talking about! I don't have a sister!"
The man snickered. "Really? So you don't mind if I kill the woman called Mayu right now?"
"!"
"I know that you sell your body to provide medical aid for your sister. You will do as I say. I will come again some other time with instructions. It just isn't time yet." The man got up and tossed money to her. "Don't you dare think about running away either. I will hunt you down and slaughter you and your sister."
Yumi bowed her head down to the floor. She hid her troubled expression from the unknown man. "Thank you for the patronage," she said as he left.
"Look forward to working with you, Yumi-san. Until then." He closed the door after him.
Yumi finally lifted her head and tears started flowing. "W-What should I do?!" she softly whispered as she clenched onto the parchment paper.