p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" "This is him?" I turned back to look at Miroku, currently sitting at the table, arms folded and dirty dishes still stacked on top of each other in front of him. He nodded, and glanced at Kappei, the 'boy' who he had fetched to watch me while I went into town today, and then back to me. My head moved back to the child who couldn't be more than thirteen in front of me. He had such a grown way about him, just how he stood in the middle of the living room with such an authoritative stance made me want to roll my eyes and pinch his cheeks at the same time. His dark eyes were so hard already, probably witness to the countless atrocities that life could dish out. He was so young too, it made me want to cry and laugh at the same time. This wasn't the first worn out kid I had met before, but it didn't make its effects any less disheartening when I came face to face with the product of a cruel world. "You're just a baby," I said looking into his eyes and shaking my head with realization. I couldn't help the words that came tumbling it out. I know Rei would have said the exact same thing too, and that made my heart swell. What would she say if she were here now? Probably laugh at me for having a kid tour guide, then pull this kid into the tightest hug. She had a way about her that needed to protect things. Things like me at one point, and probably this kid too. Maybe I should hug him too, or maybe.../span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""First off lady, I ain't no kid. Second of all, I'm taller than you. Ahh heck, let's just get this over with. The faster I get paid the faster I can get back home and practice." /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"My eyes widened, nearly popping out of my head. The geisha training in me gasped in scandalized shock at how the art of conversation had been executed so badly in so many ways. So much for first impressions… /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""They didn't teach you about manners where you come from, did they?" I raised my brows at this punk and crossed my arms, ready to let this kid have it, and by it, I meant the geisha house training in conversational skills. Then I heard a cackle from behind me, "You must have missed that lesson too, missy", I could feel my brow drop in annoyance, who invited that old fart into this conversation? Apparently, this kid thought that was funny though, and gave a brief huff in humor. Which made my squint turn more into a scowl, now directed at him. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Go on Kappei, take this lady to the village and get her what she needs." Miroku stood and grabbed his dishes from the table, still talking while wobbling his way toward the kitchen, "and make sure she doesn't go anywhere, she's special so she needs extra help." /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Special? I heard a faint "oh" come from the kid, and turned to see the look of contained pity on his face. What the hell? Special? Then it dawned on me, he's saying I'm… my face lit up in red. I can't believe this old man had the audacity to say that I'm… ME. I balled my hands into fists, and looked up, biting my tongue. Just get to the village, that's all you can do now. Just get to the village and take off running. I looked back at the kid who was now avoiding eye contact with me and rolled my eyes for what felt like the hundredth time today heading for the door. This kid can think what he wants to. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Let's go, I don't have all day either" I called behind me, hearing Kappei's light footsteps trail after me. It felt so good to be physically walking out of that bar like the world was at my fingertips and all I had to do was reach out. And it was, it was all around me on this beaten path. Looking up and seeing the sky made gave me such a burst of energy that felt like I could sing right now, but then I looked behind me and saw this brat still there. Which made all those good feelings flush down the drain that was my conscious. "So just how far away is this village?" I asked, trying to make his stiff shoulders somewhat loose. People say I have a way about me, where I can make anyone feel comfortable. 'A homey feeling' that's what Rei called it, 'like something you've known all your life, but just met for the first time'. It's why I did so good as a maiko, it was normal for girls to take years to finish their apprenticeship. I finished mine a just one year after I began. Being the daughter of the best Geisha in the house, I had started my training ever since I was born. Perfecting my social skills until it became second nature, I had ingrained them into myself, just to try and be like her. Also being the favorite of some very important men that came in had its perks. From them I started to get more requests, first being requested by their associates, and so on and so on. All we did was talked, I've never been one to be shy about things, so even when it wasn't polite I gave my opinion. It probably made no difference to them, they were cold-hearted old farts who didn't care about anything but themselves. Though I knew it was entertaining for them to hear what I had to say, not only by the way they smiled and engaged me further but because it was new to them. They were so used to women sitting back and letting the men talk, never voicing their concerns or beliefs because it wasn't the 'ladylike' thing to do. The only difference between me and them is I know how to play the conversation song. I could see which cords to string that would cause a reaction, never too offensive of course, and which ones to harmonize with in order to fade back into the status quo. Balancing the tensions in a room is second nature to me, keeping them low, though in a constant wave of up and down, just to keep things interesting. The thrill of it all is that you never really know what the person you're talking to is gonna say, but you can lead them in a direction you want them to go. All the while letting them think their the ones coming up with the ideas themselves. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""It's not too far, just a ways up from here…" He didn't really look at me when he spoke, and I know it is because he thinks there's something wrong with me. Though I'm sure Miroku didn't know just how much of an advantage this could give me. I could play this kid like a fiddle, pull the innocent card and get the directions I needed, and he wouldn't mind giving me the specifics because he probably didn't think I would know what to do with them, being 'slow' and all. Then go on a 'potty break' and tear ass, never seeing this kid or that old man ever again. I could, but as I turned to look at the boys face, I knew I wouldn't. Being a better person meant putting others before yourself, and I knew this kid would get the short end of the deal should I just run away. I don't know what kind of punishment that old man would give him, and if what he said about that ninja group was true… I couldn't put him through that. He's just a kid… He caught me staring and turned his eyes away quick. I smiled to myself and looked down at the beaten dirt path in front of me. I'm not going to get away today, that thought alone made that throb in my throat come back. Though this was enough to just get a taste of it and to know the way for when I do make my escape. I gave a big sigh through my nose, just for the drama of it. "Do you need to rest lady?", he asked in such a kind way, now that he thought I was slow he was actually being a polite gentleman. I smiled at him, "Ah, there are those manners! So good to hear!" I clapped my hands in front of me too, for the effect. He rolled his eyes, "I don't think you're as special as Miroku-san was making you out to be". /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"I laughed, "Awe that's not true, I am special!" /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"He turned his head over toward where I was standing next to him, and proceeded to give me a long and slow once over. Then snorted while pursing his lips, and set his attention on the road again, "nope, he was right. There's something crazy about you, that's for sure." /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"I glared up at the side of his head, "you know you should show your elders more respect. It's not mannerly to be rude to people who know more than you." /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Elders? What are you? 16?" He snorted again, though this time it was pointed in my direction. The disrespectful action causing my eye to twitch, remember Airi, this is a kid. A tall kid with a big ass attitude for no reason. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Actually I'm twenty, and trust me when I say you're gonna regret not listening to them when you had the chance too." /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Kappei stopped and turned his whole body to face toward me, his jaw opened and teeth hanging out, "you're twenty?!". I stopped and gave him a look, taken aback. Why the hell is he so surprised? I look like what a normal twenty years old looks like. With my body being filled out and my face isn't what you would call 'child-like'. As soon as I turned 13 the baby fat in my cheeks decided to drop away from my face and left me with a gaunt than normal. I remember what Mito use to say about my aging looks, "You're going to be sharp, just like your mother". She had meant it as a compliment, but she didn't know just how much more it meant to me to be even the slightest bit like my mother back then. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Yeah…" I finally said, returning his confused look with an even more perplexed expression. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"He shook his head in disbelief, "You look so young compared to all the girls in Kujira Shima… You look like you haven't even lived yet!" /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""What the hell does that mean?" I shouted back, now defensive. I do look like I have lived, lived a hell of a life at that. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Come on look at my shoes! You can't even tell me you ever seen cool shoes like these before! This is proof that I've lived a full and exciting life!" I picked up my leg to show him the cool Chinese inspired shoe that I had seen one day while passing through a desert town with Rei. They were adorned with lovely designs of gold paisley reaching all the way from the side and connecting on the front where a lovely black cloud was on the tip of my toe. When I first laid eyes on them I knew they were something special, and I remember word for word what that greasy vendor had said about them. "These right here are shoes that were made for a real women" his brown smile and the way he was so delicately holding them sold me even more, "made to be worn in a palace". "Made for a princess?" I asked, smiling that goofy, obviously flirty, smile hoping to distract him long enough so Rei could sneak some jade ring she saw as well on to her finger and be on her way. His smiled changed, it went from swazy salesman to something a little naughtier very quickly, "Of course, a princess such as yourself would be the only fitting thing for shoes such as these." I put my hand in front of my smile and blushed on demand, another trick from geisha training. I reached out to touch the soft silk that they were made out of. They looked so regal, something that when you slipped your feet in and you were instantly elevated in style and status. These shoe's had been made for someone important, I could tell with the craftsmanship and the detail. "Come, come try them on" he beckoned me to the other side of the counter, where a couple more boxes sat that was full of other junk he was trying to make a buck on. I sat on the one in front of him and took off my pack, sneakily loosening my yukata just the slightest bit to make sure that when he looked down he got an eyeful. He handed me the shoes from behind, and to finally hold them in my hands was an experience like no other. They were beautiful, elegant, royal, everything I wanted and more. "They're so soft…" I said, making sure to play my part still and stroking the side of the shoe with a little more seduction than I had too. He let out a sigh," Yes, they certainly look it" and I could feel his eyes damn near fondling my chest. I just smile though, I had him right where I wanted him, and he didn't even know it. I slipped the shoes on my feet and gasped when they fit perfectly. They looked as though they were made for me, and I couldn't help the big smile that took over my face. "They're perfect…" I whispered out, more to myself than to him. Though when I glanced behind I could see he was much too preoccupied with my chest to really pay any real attention to what I was saying anyway. I slipped the other one on and stood slowly, keeping his attention where I wanted it, and letting my kimono slip just a little farther down my shoulders. "I just have to show my friend how perfect these are! She's going to love them!" I said, already knowing he didn't really give a damn what I was talking about, he just wanted to keep looking at what I was willing to show. He slowly nodded his head, "Yes, yes of course…" I almost laughed, he couldn't have made it more obvious when he didn't even look me in the eyes while he was nodding his head. I grabbed my pack and turned back to him, make sure to bounce just the slightest bit, "I'll be right back!", he simper grew, and now a gross red blush was starting spread over his face like he was drunk. I turned around walked out and never came back like I promised I would. I met Rei on the other side of the market strip, "you know one day you're gonna meet a man who doesn't like you pretty Airi-chan" she smiled at me, shaking her head when she looked down to see what was on my feet. "Everyone likes boobs Rei-chan, that's a fact" I shrugged at her. We both laughed together and continued our way out. We didn't make this a habit of course, and it wasn't our only way of getting what we needed. Sometimes we worked in the fields with the other seasonal workers, sometimes we lived off the kindness of strangers, and other times we just took what we wanted. We weren't the type to stay for too long anyway, so it didn't matter which mode of fulfillment we took. We would just go to a new town and have a begin our fresh start all over again like the things in the past didn't affect us. Plus Rei always justified our stealing by saying nothing belonged to anybody in the first place, and that everything was mother nature's to begin with. Honestly, I had never guilty about doing those things when I was in the moment, though now thinking back my heart hurt just a little bit while looking down at this shoe that still looked as beautiful as the day I had stolen them. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""You just look like some spoiled rich girl to me," Kappei said pulling me out of my reminiscing and shrugging his shoulders at my shoes in a nonchalant way. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"I raised my brows, "Spoiled rich girl, huh? Well, then I won't tell you the story of how I got them…" I said, putting my foot down and crossing my arms, huffing a little as I walked away. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""How interesting can the story be? What your boyfriend bought them for ya or something?" he asked, following after me while still looking at them. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Nope" I said, shaking my head./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Your dad?" /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""I don't have one so nope again" /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Then how did you get them?" he asked, genuinely interested to hear now. I smirked a little to myself, but couldn't help that pinch that pulled on something inside me when I said my means of attaining them, "I stole them" I threw over my shoulder. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""What?! You stole them and got away with it?! In Kujira Shima they cut off your hand for doing something like that! How did you do it?!" I turned around to look at him, and instead of seeing an uncomfortable, too stiff to even walk right boy who I had came down this road with, now there was a kid who was not afraid to express himself and show an emotion other than aggravation. I smirked to myself again, he didn't even know I had him right where I wanted him too. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"strong id="docs-internal-guid-c3d1d5cd-7fff-8507-0364-a8a8854fbf8e" style="font-weight: normal;" /strong/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" This place was… busy to say the least. Everywhere you turned there were people and a lot of them at that. So many people were bustling left to right, up and down the narrow streets that were muddy from the over passage that seemed constant. Everyone acting as if they had to be somewhere and were a rush to get there. Yet it was ironic how a place so full of energy and excitement had an insistent aura of gloom. From the moment we walked up to the first shops in this village I could tell this wasn't a friendly place either. Almost like my dream village where I had tried to stop at last night, they weren't kind to strangers. Though at least they grace you with a glare of contempt and address you in the rudest way possible. I learned that when I accidentally bumped into some lady while walking down the crowded main street, "don't pay attention to them" Kappei had said casually, "everyone's like that here". Imagine growing up in this dump I thought to myself, taking a look down the streets that smelled like sewer and burning trash. I looked down at my precious shoes and debated taking them off right then and there, but was distracted from the thought when I felt my hand getting pulled in the opposite direction. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""You gotta be quick here lady, nobody's gonna wait around for ya to get yourself together" Kappei said, now holding onto my hand and leading down another street that looked like it was connected to some type of market place./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" "Look kid, I've been to a lot of villages before, I know how to walk in them" I let go of his hand and glanced around me, looking to see if there was any type of store around where I could buy myself some new clothes. Not that I needed them, I just wanted to feel good, and buying clothes made me feel like I was getting a present from myself to myself. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""The Marketplace is down this way though" he said, turning back to see me searching the shops near me, trying to find something worth my while. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Yeah, I'm not looking for a Marketplace though kid" I said, now walking a completely opposite street toward a store where I saw some fine fabrics in the windows. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Uhh… just tell me what you're looking for. I'll help you find a store" he said, all of a sudden standing in front of me./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" I glared up at him, "I found the store I want" I said, moving around him and making my way down the street again. That was until I felt him grab my hand again, "Look lady I don't think you'll wanna go down that street… " He looked off into the distance, not meeting my eye. What the hell is so wrong with this street? /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Why not?" I asked I could see a faint blush form on the tops of his cheeks, so cute on his innocent face. His eyes went in so many directions at once, "um… it's the lady district… " he said, he let go of my hand and moved it so he was now scratching the back of his head, "you know... working ladies". /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Oh… So what?" I turned around and headed to that shop, now set on going. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""But the only ladies who shop in these stores are…" he didn't have time to finish before I cut him off, "Look kid you don't have to come with me, wait for me at the end of the street and I'll meet you over there when I'm done, okay?" I asked, smiling sweetly at him. I'm sure places like this made him uncomfortable, and this gave me the perfect time to get away and get some information about this place and find out which way was the quickest way out of here. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"He looked to me and then away again, "Yeah but Miroku said to keep an eye on ya…" he looked so unsure./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" "I'll meet up with you again, I promise." I grabbed his hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. Trying to convey to him that this was a promise I actually intended to keep. He rubbed his face and groaned in annoyance, "okay but be quick! And don't get into any trouble…" and with that, he headed down the street and left me to my own devices. I sighed in relief at this little bit of freedom I was given and headed toward the store again. This didn't look like any red light district I've ever been too, I thought to myself while looking around at the obvious grime that enveloped this whole place. First of all, there weren't any men around, it was looked empty. Only about two or three people were even walking down the street, and they all seemed to be in that hurried fashion that everyone walked in around here, except maybe even more rushed. The building that held the fabrics in the window itself actually was one of the more cleaner places around here. It had a decent display in the window and was somewhat appealing to the eye, not harboring that somber outlook that the rest of the village held. Instead, it seemed more separated, as if this were an unattainable place for regular people who lived here. I walk in and was surprised to see the selection of clothing options and fabrics was actually pretty expansive. It seemed as though they had a little bit of everything, and it screamed expensive. I smiled, I was in the right place indeed. There were two other women in the store as well, and they seemed to be accompanied by some rather rough looking men. I met their eyes as I walked over to where the Obi sashes were displayed, looking for a color that I didn't already have. I could tell that group was looking at me, as I walked around the table I looked up and met one of the women's eyes. They were a harsh brown, her made-up eyes demanding and calculating. I smiled, if she wanted to size me up might as well let her know I'm not a threat. I got a smirk back in return, and she turned back to her entourage. I guess that was the end of that, so I turned back to the obi's in front of me, thinking about what color coordination I wanted to display with this new outfit I was going to buy. After some time I felt that same woman make her way to where I had moved too, which was the yukata wall. "You're kanzashi is beautiful, I must say" she finally said, breaking the ice between us. I turned to her and smiled a small polite smile, "thank you". /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Something was off about this woman, this conversation seemed as though it was more than just friendly chatter, so I kept my guard up and my response polite and short. I knew doing my hair with this piece would cause looks, it made me look official and that's why I wore it. It's traditional for Maiko's to have worn this hairpiece as a symbol of pride and status. It let the world know that we were good enough to be accepted into training. Though this was also a piece for protection, with the end being sharpened to a point, and deadly should it ever be pierced into someone. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Are you wearing it for the fall season, or are you a maiko?" she asked, giving me that calculating look again. I gave her a once over, her layered silk kimono and her geta sandals were proof she had money and lots of it. Although her lack of mannerisms showed she didn't come from it. The blunt, almost crass way about her would never be allowed in any formal setting where a man was involved. Women were to be meek, seen not heard, and from her stance and rude way about her it was clear she hadn't been taught this./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Very intuitive of you, yes I was a maiko." I smiled, another polite smile, not too big, keeping my composure about me. Her face dropped a fraction, something you wouldn't see if you weren't looking for it. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""You must not know where you are then" my smile dropped, and met her cold amber hues. The tension between us increased dramatically as if she had unleashed her hold on her contempt that had for me and was now letting me feel it full force. My heart picked up its tempo on its own accord, though I kept my face still, not letting her see any of my discomforts. She smiled again, though this time it was full of malice, not hatred but something so close to it that they could be considered siblings./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Don't worry, I'm not out to get you. I actually don't care who comes and goes on this street, though I don't really think you know where you are." she chuckled to herself, "and as a woman of your stature, I'm sure your house would be very dishonored to see you on this side of town. Because you are not a harlot. No, you are something far more important than that." /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""I'm no longer apart of a house anymore," I said, lowering my face somewhat. I could tell where this was leading, and it had been a mistake to come here. Kappei was right, I should have just gone to the marketplace. God damn it, why do I always give in to my indulgences. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Her smile seemed to widen at my reply, "how interesting, you've already been dishonored, so why bother to keep up appearances?"./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"I bit my tongue, I don't have to explain what I did. Her truth cut deep, and I wanted to say something hurt her just as bad, "I'm not here to whore myself out", was all that came out through clenched teeth, my eyes digging into hers, which were now filled with mirth because of the reaction she was getting out of me. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""No, of course, you aren't." she put her hand on my shoulder and led me to where the more formal kimonos were laid out, "how rude of me, I forgot to introduce myself, my name is Naoko. Right now all the houses that you see down this street are full of courtesan's." she motioned her hand so it was pointing left, "there is no house for your kind. So get out while you can, before they drag you down too." She gave a pointed looked to the men on the other side of the room who was still standing over the other girl who had accompanied Naoko. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""I told you before, I'm not out to get you." she said, now acting as if she were showing me the kimono she had pulled from the display, "you just don't know what you're up against". /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"I looked up at her with wide eyes, not really believing what I just heard come out of her mouth. My mind was suffering from whiplash from how fast this conversation seemed to turn. Just a few minutes earlier I had seen this woman as a threat, a woman who had singled me out as her enemy, cornered me as her prey and attacked using the vicious words as a snake strikes its prey, one bite after another. Though she was the exact opposite, she gave me a warning and told me where to avoid in order to stop me from being influenced into becoming a prostitute. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Thank you…" whispered to her, wanted to reach out and give her a huge hug, though I knew that would cause suspicion from her group, "My name is Airi. You have my complete and utter thanks". /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"She briefly threw a sharp glance at me, "like I said I don't care who comes and goes on this street, you can take my advice or you can walk to a house and ask for a position today, It doesn't really matter to me. Though at least I can say that I told you so". With that, she walked back to her band, and they proceeded out the door together. I stood there, rooted in the same spot where she left me, looking after them amazed. You truly can't judge a book by its cover, can you? /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"strong style="font-weight: normal;" /strong/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" Never in my life would I have ever thought that coming back to this hell hole of a bar to be a blessing. Though after the strange encounter in the dress shop and rude people of Kujira Shima I was exhausted and just wanted some sort of peace of mind. Plus it didn't help that once you got Kappei out of his shell, there was no shutting him up after. He could go on and on talking about all his childhood dramas with his friends, why his sister is annoying, and how much he wants to be a swordsmith. At first, it was endearing, hearing his tales and giving feedback when asked for it. Although after a couple of nonstop minutes my ears were starting to ring. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""And then Hirohito-senpai told us that there's a ninja gang who stays really close to us and that they all can do this cool thing where-" Kappei didn't get to finish his sentence, instead all we could hear is a loud 'caw' from up above us. We both stopped and looked up, shielding our eyes from the sun and searching the blue sky for the source. Kappei looked back down at me, full of spirit, "that things gotta be huge! Did you hear how loud it was?"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"I kept searching for it, "Oh it's big alright. I've seen it."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Now he was searching even harder in the tree growth up above us, "Whoa! What kind of bird is it? Is it an eagle? Messenger hawk?" /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"I shook my head, "Nope… it's a big ol' blackbird, and it woke me up this morning." I was hoping I could see it soon, so I could explain to it why I was still here. Then I thought back to what I had just said and realized my life is out of control. Never did I think I would get to a point in my life where my best friend was a bird. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Oh, that's lame… I see crows all the time" Kappei dropped his head and walked back to the path, I hadn't even noticed we had ventured off it. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"I dropped mine and turned to glare at his retreating form, "Mr. Crow is not lame…" I whispered to myself, feeling the need to defend my new friend to no one. Then from the corner of my, I saw a black flash fly down and land on the branch beside me. It cawed in my face as soon as it perched, "look I get. I know I told you I'd be gone by now, but things happen, okay."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" I waited for a response, but all I got was that blank stare from earlier. I glared down at him, "I'm gonna get out of this mess, just you watch and see.", and after a few more minutes of nothing, I caved in, "Okay , you're right, maybe not anytime soon. Eventually, I will though!". /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"At that, I gave it a final 'hmph' and walked over to where Kappei was waiting on me. "Who were you talking to?" he asked, giving me the 'you're crazy' look again. I shrugged, "just my friend.", and continued down the path towards Miroku's place. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Hey lady... I just thought about it… and I don't know your name" I jolted to a stop, practically freezing in place. Normally when people were asked this question, they would give the one given to them at birth and that would be that. Though for me this question was one of existences as a whole. When I had left the geisha, I had decided to take a new name, not because I didn't like my old one. In fact, I had always had a special connection with my first name because it was one of the few things that my mother had given me. In spite of this past attachment to it, I wasn't that person anymore and wanted no ties to the past that I was running away from. That's what I wanted when I left Rei yesterday morning, to take on a new name, start a new life, and become a new me. I just wanted to start it somewhere else, somewhere where I choose to be. Yet things in that village didn't go as planned, and I was basically kicked out for being a stranger. So what do I do now? /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Lady…?" /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"My mind was already made up as soon as I had stepped into that cursed bar last night, "Izanami" I turned back and smiled at Kappei, "my name is Izanami". Who I was on the road is not who I am now, nor will I ever be again. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Never heard that one before" he looked up as if he were breaking down each and every syllable in his brain. Then after a minute or two, his bright eyes met mine again, "It suits you". /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"strong style="font-weight: normal;"br /br /strong/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Hehe, bet y'all weren't expecting that. Izanami (Airi) is now fully accepted her role for becoming a better person and we LOVE her GROWTH! Also, don't judge a book by its cover. Naoko isn't a mean girl who wanted to bully Izanami, she's just a sarcastic bitch wanting to help out the new girl in town! (we love women helping women). Also, Izanami (Airi) isn't as innocent as she likes to play… she uses to be a BAD GIRL! (And we love that.) Not only that, but baby Kappei isn't just some punk kid who wants some money, he's just a little baby who only knows to act tough is to act rude. But he's actually a sweet boi who just wants to talk! And Izanami has a new friend! A bird :) /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"br /br /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""First off lady, I ain't no kid. Second of all, I'm taller than you. Ahh heck, let's just get this over with. The faster I get paid the faster I can get back home and practice." /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"My eyes widened, nearly popping out of my head. The geisha training in me gasped in scandalized shock at how the art of conversation had been executed so badly in so many ways. So much for first impressions… /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""They didn't teach you about manners where you come from, did they?" I raised my brows at this punk and crossed my arms, ready to let this kid have it, and by it, I meant the geisha house training in conversational skills. Then I heard a cackle from behind me, "You must have missed that lesson too, missy", I could feel my brow drop in annoyance, who invited that old fart into this conversation? Apparently, this kid thought that was funny though, and gave a brief huff in humor. Which made my squint turn more into a scowl, now directed at him. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Go on Kappei, take this lady to the village and get her what she needs." Miroku stood and grabbed his dishes from the table, still talking while wobbling his way toward the kitchen, "and make sure she doesn't go anywhere, she's special so she needs extra help." /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Special? I heard a faint "oh" come from the kid, and turned to see the look of contained pity on his face. What the hell? Special? Then it dawned on me, he's saying I'm… my face lit up in red. I can't believe this old man had the audacity to say that I'm… ME. I balled my hands into fists, and looked up, biting my tongue. Just get to the village, that's all you can do now. Just get to the village and take off running. I looked back at the kid who was now avoiding eye contact with me and rolled my eyes for what felt like the hundredth time today heading for the door. This kid can think what he wants to. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Let's go, I don't have all day either" I called behind me, hearing Kappei's light footsteps trail after me. It felt so good to be physically walking out of that bar like the world was at my fingertips and all I had to do was reach out. And it was, it was all around me on this beaten path. Looking up and seeing the sky made gave me such a burst of energy that felt like I could sing right now, but then I looked behind me and saw this brat still there. Which made all those good feelings flush down the drain that was my conscious. "So just how far away is this village?" I asked, trying to make his stiff shoulders somewhat loose. People say I have a way about me, where I can make anyone feel comfortable. 'A homey feeling' that's what Rei called it, 'like something you've known all your life, but just met for the first time'. It's why I did so good as a maiko, it was normal for girls to take years to finish their apprenticeship. I finished mine a just one year after I began. Being the daughter of the best Geisha in the house, I had started my training ever since I was born. Perfecting my social skills until it became second nature, I had ingrained them into myself, just to try and be like her. Also being the favorite of some very important men that came in had its perks. From them I started to get more requests, first being requested by their associates, and so on and so on. All we did was talked, I've never been one to be shy about things, so even when it wasn't polite I gave my opinion. It probably made no difference to them, they were cold-hearted old farts who didn't care about anything but themselves. Though I knew it was entertaining for them to hear what I had to say, not only by the way they smiled and engaged me further but because it was new to them. They were so used to women sitting back and letting the men talk, never voicing their concerns or beliefs because it wasn't the 'ladylike' thing to do. The only difference between me and them is I know how to play the conversation song. I could see which cords to string that would cause a reaction, never too offensive of course, and which ones to harmonize with in order to fade back into the status quo. Balancing the tensions in a room is second nature to me, keeping them low, though in a constant wave of up and down, just to keep things interesting. The thrill of it all is that you never really know what the person you're talking to is gonna say, but you can lead them in a direction you want them to go. All the while letting them think their the ones coming up with the ideas themselves. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""It's not too far, just a ways up from here…" He didn't really look at me when he spoke, and I know it is because he thinks there's something wrong with me. Though I'm sure Miroku didn't know just how much of an advantage this could give me. I could play this kid like a fiddle, pull the innocent card and get the directions I needed, and he wouldn't mind giving me the specifics because he probably didn't think I would know what to do with them, being 'slow' and all. Then go on a 'potty break' and tear ass, never seeing this kid or that old man ever again. I could, but as I turned to look at the boys face, I knew I wouldn't. Being a better person meant putting others before yourself, and I knew this kid would get the short end of the deal should I just run away. I don't know what kind of punishment that old man would give him, and if what he said about that ninja group was true… I couldn't put him through that. He's just a kid… He caught me staring and turned his eyes away quick. I smiled to myself and looked down at the beaten dirt path in front of me. I'm not going to get away today, that thought alone made that throb in my throat come back. Though this was enough to just get a taste of it and to know the way for when I do make my escape. I gave a big sigh through my nose, just for the drama of it. "Do you need to rest lady?", he asked in such a kind way, now that he thought I was slow he was actually being a polite gentleman. I smiled at him, "Ah, there are those manners! So good to hear!" I clapped my hands in front of me too, for the effect. He rolled his eyes, "I don't think you're as special as Miroku-san was making you out to be". /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"I laughed, "Awe that's not true, I am special!" /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"He turned his head over toward where I was standing next to him, and proceeded to give me a long and slow once over. Then snorted while pursing his lips, and set his attention on the road again, "nope, he was right. There's something crazy about you, that's for sure." /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"I glared up at the side of his head, "you know you should show your elders more respect. It's not mannerly to be rude to people who know more than you." /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Elders? What are you? 16?" He snorted again, though this time it was pointed in my direction. The disrespectful action causing my eye to twitch, remember Airi, this is a kid. A tall kid with a big ass attitude for no reason. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Actually I'm twenty, and trust me when I say you're gonna regret not listening to them when you had the chance too." /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Kappei stopped and turned his whole body to face toward me, his jaw opened and teeth hanging out, "you're twenty?!". I stopped and gave him a look, taken aback. Why the hell is he so surprised? I look like what a normal twenty years old looks like. With my body being filled out and my face isn't what you would call 'child-like'. As soon as I turned 13 the baby fat in my cheeks decided to drop away from my face and left me with a gaunt than normal. I remember what Mito use to say about my aging looks, "You're going to be sharp, just like your mother". She had meant it as a compliment, but she didn't know just how much more it meant to me to be even the slightest bit like my mother back then. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Yeah…" I finally said, returning his confused look with an even more perplexed expression. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"He shook his head in disbelief, "You look so young compared to all the girls in Kujira Shima… You look like you haven't even lived yet!" /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""What the hell does that mean?" I shouted back, now defensive. I do look like I have lived, lived a hell of a life at that. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Come on look at my shoes! You can't even tell me you ever seen cool shoes like these before! This is proof that I've lived a full and exciting life!" I picked up my leg to show him the cool Chinese inspired shoe that I had seen one day while passing through a desert town with Rei. They were adorned with lovely designs of gold paisley reaching all the way from the side and connecting on the front where a lovely black cloud was on the tip of my toe. When I first laid eyes on them I knew they were something special, and I remember word for word what that greasy vendor had said about them. "These right here are shoes that were made for a real women" his brown smile and the way he was so delicately holding them sold me even more, "made to be worn in a palace". "Made for a princess?" I asked, smiling that goofy, obviously flirty, smile hoping to distract him long enough so Rei could sneak some jade ring she saw as well on to her finger and be on her way. His smiled changed, it went from swazy salesman to something a little naughtier very quickly, "Of course, a princess such as yourself would be the only fitting thing for shoes such as these." I put my hand in front of my smile and blushed on demand, another trick from geisha training. I reached out to touch the soft silk that they were made out of. They looked so regal, something that when you slipped your feet in and you were instantly elevated in style and status. These shoe's had been made for someone important, I could tell with the craftsmanship and the detail. "Come, come try them on" he beckoned me to the other side of the counter, where a couple more boxes sat that was full of other junk he was trying to make a buck on. I sat on the one in front of him and took off my pack, sneakily loosening my yukata just the slightest bit to make sure that when he looked down he got an eyeful. He handed me the shoes from behind, and to finally hold them in my hands was an experience like no other. They were beautiful, elegant, royal, everything I wanted and more. "They're so soft…" I said, making sure to play my part still and stroking the side of the shoe with a little more seduction than I had too. He let out a sigh," Yes, they certainly look it" and I could feel his eyes damn near fondling my chest. I just smile though, I had him right where I wanted him, and he didn't even know it. I slipped the shoes on my feet and gasped when they fit perfectly. They looked as though they were made for me, and I couldn't help the big smile that took over my face. "They're perfect…" I whispered out, more to myself than to him. Though when I glanced behind I could see he was much too preoccupied with my chest to really pay any real attention to what I was saying anyway. I slipped the other one on and stood slowly, keeping his attention where I wanted it, and letting my kimono slip just a little farther down my shoulders. "I just have to show my friend how perfect these are! She's going to love them!" I said, already knowing he didn't really give a damn what I was talking about, he just wanted to keep looking at what I was willing to show. He slowly nodded his head, "Yes, yes of course…" I almost laughed, he couldn't have made it more obvious when he didn't even look me in the eyes while he was nodding his head. I grabbed my pack and turned back to him, make sure to bounce just the slightest bit, "I'll be right back!", he simper grew, and now a gross red blush was starting spread over his face like he was drunk. I turned around walked out and never came back like I promised I would. I met Rei on the other side of the market strip, "you know one day you're gonna meet a man who doesn't like you pretty Airi-chan" she smiled at me, shaking her head when she looked down to see what was on my feet. "Everyone likes boobs Rei-chan, that's a fact" I shrugged at her. We both laughed together and continued our way out. We didn't make this a habit of course, and it wasn't our only way of getting what we needed. Sometimes we worked in the fields with the other seasonal workers, sometimes we lived off the kindness of strangers, and other times we just took what we wanted. We weren't the type to stay for too long anyway, so it didn't matter which mode of fulfillment we took. We would just go to a new town and have a begin our fresh start all over again like the things in the past didn't affect us. Plus Rei always justified our stealing by saying nothing belonged to anybody in the first place, and that everything was mother nature's to begin with. Honestly, I had never guilty about doing those things when I was in the moment, though now thinking back my heart hurt just a little bit while looking down at this shoe that still looked as beautiful as the day I had stolen them. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""You just look like some spoiled rich girl to me," Kappei said pulling me out of my reminiscing and shrugging his shoulders at my shoes in a nonchalant way. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"I raised my brows, "Spoiled rich girl, huh? Well, then I won't tell you the story of how I got them…" I said, putting my foot down and crossing my arms, huffing a little as I walked away. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""How interesting can the story be? What your boyfriend bought them for ya or something?" he asked, following after me while still looking at them. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Nope" I said, shaking my head./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Your dad?" /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""I don't have one so nope again" /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Then how did you get them?" he asked, genuinely interested to hear now. I smirked a little to myself, but couldn't help that pinch that pulled on something inside me when I said my means of attaining them, "I stole them" I threw over my shoulder. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""What?! You stole them and got away with it?! In Kujira Shima they cut off your hand for doing something like that! How did you do it?!" I turned around to look at him, and instead of seeing an uncomfortable, too stiff to even walk right boy who I had came down this road with, now there was a kid who was not afraid to express himself and show an emotion other than aggravation. I smirked to myself again, he didn't even know I had him right where I wanted him too. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"strong id="docs-internal-guid-c3d1d5cd-7fff-8507-0364-a8a8854fbf8e" style="font-weight: normal;" /strong/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" This place was… busy to say the least. Everywhere you turned there were people and a lot of them at that. So many people were bustling left to right, up and down the narrow streets that were muddy from the over passage that seemed constant. Everyone acting as if they had to be somewhere and were a rush to get there. Yet it was ironic how a place so full of energy and excitement had an insistent aura of gloom. From the moment we walked up to the first shops in this village I could tell this wasn't a friendly place either. Almost like my dream village where I had tried to stop at last night, they weren't kind to strangers. Though at least they grace you with a glare of contempt and address you in the rudest way possible. I learned that when I accidentally bumped into some lady while walking down the crowded main street, "don't pay attention to them" Kappei had said casually, "everyone's like that here". Imagine growing up in this dump I thought to myself, taking a look down the streets that smelled like sewer and burning trash. I looked down at my precious shoes and debated taking them off right then and there, but was distracted from the thought when I felt my hand getting pulled in the opposite direction. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""You gotta be quick here lady, nobody's gonna wait around for ya to get yourself together" Kappei said, now holding onto my hand and leading down another street that looked like it was connected to some type of market place./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" "Look kid, I've been to a lot of villages before, I know how to walk in them" I let go of his hand and glanced around me, looking to see if there was any type of store around where I could buy myself some new clothes. Not that I needed them, I just wanted to feel good, and buying clothes made me feel like I was getting a present from myself to myself. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""The Marketplace is down this way though" he said, turning back to see me searching the shops near me, trying to find something worth my while. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Yeah, I'm not looking for a Marketplace though kid" I said, now walking a completely opposite street toward a store where I saw some fine fabrics in the windows. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Uhh… just tell me what you're looking for. I'll help you find a store" he said, all of a sudden standing in front of me./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" I glared up at him, "I found the store I want" I said, moving around him and making my way down the street again. That was until I felt him grab my hand again, "Look lady I don't think you'll wanna go down that street… " He looked off into the distance, not meeting my eye. What the hell is so wrong with this street? /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Why not?" I asked I could see a faint blush form on the tops of his cheeks, so cute on his innocent face. His eyes went in so many directions at once, "um… it's the lady district… " he said, he let go of my hand and moved it so he was now scratching the back of his head, "you know... working ladies". /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Oh… So what?" I turned around and headed to that shop, now set on going. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""But the only ladies who shop in these stores are…" he didn't have time to finish before I cut him off, "Look kid you don't have to come with me, wait for me at the end of the street and I'll meet you over there when I'm done, okay?" I asked, smiling sweetly at him. I'm sure places like this made him uncomfortable, and this gave me the perfect time to get away and get some information about this place and find out which way was the quickest way out of here. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"He looked to me and then away again, "Yeah but Miroku said to keep an eye on ya…" he looked so unsure./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" "I'll meet up with you again, I promise." I grabbed his hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. Trying to convey to him that this was a promise I actually intended to keep. He rubbed his face and groaned in annoyance, "okay but be quick! And don't get into any trouble…" and with that, he headed down the street and left me to my own devices. I sighed in relief at this little bit of freedom I was given and headed toward the store again. This didn't look like any red light district I've ever been too, I thought to myself while looking around at the obvious grime that enveloped this whole place. First of all, there weren't any men around, it was looked empty. Only about two or three people were even walking down the street, and they all seemed to be in that hurried fashion that everyone walked in around here, except maybe even more rushed. The building that held the fabrics in the window itself actually was one of the more cleaner places around here. It had a decent display in the window and was somewhat appealing to the eye, not harboring that somber outlook that the rest of the village held. Instead, it seemed more separated, as if this were an unattainable place for regular people who lived here. I walk in and was surprised to see the selection of clothing options and fabrics was actually pretty expansive. It seemed as though they had a little bit of everything, and it screamed expensive. I smiled, I was in the right place indeed. There were two other women in the store as well, and they seemed to be accompanied by some rather rough looking men. I met their eyes as I walked over to where the Obi sashes were displayed, looking for a color that I didn't already have. I could tell that group was looking at me, as I walked around the table I looked up and met one of the women's eyes. They were a harsh brown, her made-up eyes demanding and calculating. I smiled, if she wanted to size me up might as well let her know I'm not a threat. I got a smirk back in return, and she turned back to her entourage. I guess that was the end of that, so I turned back to the obi's in front of me, thinking about what color coordination I wanted to display with this new outfit I was going to buy. After some time I felt that same woman make her way to where I had moved too, which was the yukata wall. "You're kanzashi is beautiful, I must say" she finally said, breaking the ice between us. I turned to her and smiled a small polite smile, "thank you". /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Something was off about this woman, this conversation seemed as though it was more than just friendly chatter, so I kept my guard up and my response polite and short. I knew doing my hair with this piece would cause looks, it made me look official and that's why I wore it. It's traditional for Maiko's to have worn this hairpiece as a symbol of pride and status. It let the world know that we were good enough to be accepted into training. Though this was also a piece for protection, with the end being sharpened to a point, and deadly should it ever be pierced into someone. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Are you wearing it for the fall season, or are you a maiko?" she asked, giving me that calculating look again. I gave her a once over, her layered silk kimono and her geta sandals were proof she had money and lots of it. Although her lack of mannerisms showed she didn't come from it. The blunt, almost crass way about her would never be allowed in any formal setting where a man was involved. Women were to be meek, seen not heard, and from her stance and rude way about her it was clear she hadn't been taught this./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Very intuitive of you, yes I was a maiko." I smiled, another polite smile, not too big, keeping my composure about me. Her face dropped a fraction, something you wouldn't see if you weren't looking for it. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""You must not know where you are then" my smile dropped, and met her cold amber hues. The tension between us increased dramatically as if she had unleashed her hold on her contempt that had for me and was now letting me feel it full force. My heart picked up its tempo on its own accord, though I kept my face still, not letting her see any of my discomforts. She smiled again, though this time it was full of malice, not hatred but something so close to it that they could be considered siblings./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Don't worry, I'm not out to get you. I actually don't care who comes and goes on this street, though I don't really think you know where you are." she chuckled to herself, "and as a woman of your stature, I'm sure your house would be very dishonored to see you on this side of town. Because you are not a harlot. No, you are something far more important than that." /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""I'm no longer apart of a house anymore," I said, lowering my face somewhat. I could tell where this was leading, and it had been a mistake to come here. Kappei was right, I should have just gone to the marketplace. God damn it, why do I always give in to my indulgences. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Her smile seemed to widen at my reply, "how interesting, you've already been dishonored, so why bother to keep up appearances?"./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"I bit my tongue, I don't have to explain what I did. Her truth cut deep, and I wanted to say something hurt her just as bad, "I'm not here to whore myself out", was all that came out through clenched teeth, my eyes digging into hers, which were now filled with mirth because of the reaction she was getting out of me. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""No, of course, you aren't." she put her hand on my shoulder and led me to where the more formal kimonos were laid out, "how rude of me, I forgot to introduce myself, my name is Naoko. Right now all the houses that you see down this street are full of courtesan's." she motioned her hand so it was pointing left, "there is no house for your kind. So get out while you can, before they drag you down too." She gave a pointed looked to the men on the other side of the room who was still standing over the other girl who had accompanied Naoko. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""I told you before, I'm not out to get you." she said, now acting as if she were showing me the kimono she had pulled from the display, "you just don't know what you're up against". /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"I looked up at her with wide eyes, not really believing what I just heard come out of her mouth. My mind was suffering from whiplash from how fast this conversation seemed to turn. Just a few minutes earlier I had seen this woman as a threat, a woman who had singled me out as her enemy, cornered me as her prey and attacked using the vicious words as a snake strikes its prey, one bite after another. Though she was the exact opposite, she gave me a warning and told me where to avoid in order to stop me from being influenced into becoming a prostitute. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Thank you…" whispered to her, wanted to reach out and give her a huge hug, though I knew that would cause suspicion from her group, "My name is Airi. You have my complete and utter thanks". /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"She briefly threw a sharp glance at me, "like I said I don't care who comes and goes on this street, you can take my advice or you can walk to a house and ask for a position today, It doesn't really matter to me. Though at least I can say that I told you so". With that, she walked back to her band, and they proceeded out the door together. I stood there, rooted in the same spot where she left me, looking after them amazed. You truly can't judge a book by its cover, can you? /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"strong style="font-weight: normal;" /strong/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" Never in my life would I have ever thought that coming back to this hell hole of a bar to be a blessing. Though after the strange encounter in the dress shop and rude people of Kujira Shima I was exhausted and just wanted some sort of peace of mind. Plus it didn't help that once you got Kappei out of his shell, there was no shutting him up after. He could go on and on talking about all his childhood dramas with his friends, why his sister is annoying, and how much he wants to be a swordsmith. At first, it was endearing, hearing his tales and giving feedback when asked for it. Although after a couple of nonstop minutes my ears were starting to ring. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""And then Hirohito-senpai told us that there's a ninja gang who stays really close to us and that they all can do this cool thing where-" Kappei didn't get to finish his sentence, instead all we could hear is a loud 'caw' from up above us. We both stopped and looked up, shielding our eyes from the sun and searching the blue sky for the source. Kappei looked back down at me, full of spirit, "that things gotta be huge! Did you hear how loud it was?"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"I kept searching for it, "Oh it's big alright. I've seen it."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Now he was searching even harder in the tree growth up above us, "Whoa! What kind of bird is it? Is it an eagle? Messenger hawk?" /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"I shook my head, "Nope… it's a big ol' blackbird, and it woke me up this morning." I was hoping I could see it soon, so I could explain to it why I was still here. Then I thought back to what I had just said and realized my life is out of control. Never did I think I would get to a point in my life where my best friend was a bird. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Oh, that's lame… I see crows all the time" Kappei dropped his head and walked back to the path, I hadn't even noticed we had ventured off it. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"I dropped mine and turned to glare at his retreating form, "Mr. Crow is not lame…" I whispered to myself, feeling the need to defend my new friend to no one. Then from the corner of my, I saw a black flash fly down and land on the branch beside me. It cawed in my face as soon as it perched, "look I get. I know I told you I'd be gone by now, but things happen, okay."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" I waited for a response, but all I got was that blank stare from earlier. I glared down at him, "I'm gonna get out of this mess, just you watch and see.", and after a few more minutes of nothing, I caved in, "Okay , you're right, maybe not anytime soon. Eventually, I will though!". /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"At that, I gave it a final 'hmph' and walked over to where Kappei was waiting on me. "Who were you talking to?" he asked, giving me the 'you're crazy' look again. I shrugged, "just my friend.", and continued down the path towards Miroku's place. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Hey lady... I just thought about it… and I don't know your name" I jolted to a stop, practically freezing in place. Normally when people were asked this question, they would give the one given to them at birth and that would be that. Though for me this question was one of existences as a whole. When I had left the geisha, I had decided to take a new name, not because I didn't like my old one. In fact, I had always had a special connection with my first name because it was one of the few things that my mother had given me. In spite of this past attachment to it, I wasn't that person anymore and wanted no ties to the past that I was running away from. That's what I wanted when I left Rei yesterday morning, to take on a new name, start a new life, and become a new me. I just wanted to start it somewhere else, somewhere where I choose to be. Yet things in that village didn't go as planned, and I was basically kicked out for being a stranger. So what do I do now? /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Lady…?" /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"My mind was already made up as soon as I had stepped into that cursed bar last night, "Izanami" I turned back and smiled at Kappei, "my name is Izanami". Who I was on the road is not who I am now, nor will I ever be again. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Never heard that one before" he looked up as if he were breaking down each and every syllable in his brain. Then after a minute or two, his bright eyes met mine again, "It suits you". /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"strong style="font-weight: normal;"br /br /strong/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Hehe, bet y'all weren't expecting that. Izanami (Airi) is now fully accepted her role for becoming a better person and we LOVE her GROWTH! Also, don't judge a book by its cover. Naoko isn't a mean girl who wanted to bully Izanami, she's just a sarcastic bitch wanting to help out the new girl in town! (we love women helping women). Also, Izanami (Airi) isn't as innocent as she likes to play… she uses to be a BAD GIRL! (And we love that.) Not only that, but baby Kappei isn't just some punk kid who wants some money, he's just a little baby who only knows to act tough is to act rude. But he's actually a sweet boi who just wants to talk! And Izanami has a new friend! A bird :) /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"br /br /p