You're my one and only
A/N I'm sorry this chapter took so long to post I ended up getting flu which put a halt on my progress. I hope you guys enjoy this one I made it extra long this time .^^
note: When a maiko gets an otome that means she's banned from preforming until the school decides to let her back in usually the older sister would have to come and ask for forgiveness sometimes the okaasan will come in instead of the older sister.
Everyone waited with great anticipation as the okami of the ochaya was about to open her mouth to speak.
"I have received the results from the tally, it was a close race between Tamakichi and Himeyuki."
"Just tell us who won Okaasan" said a grumpy geisha sitting in the back, who was impatient because she just wanted to go back home.
"The top ranking geisha in Kyoto is Tamakichi. You know Koan, you would be on this list if you learn some manners". The okaasan shot back.
"Tamakichi again" murmured the other geisha .
"I'm not done yet the top maiko is Akemi. Himeka like your oneesan you were close."
"You've beaten me again, one of these days I'm going to beat you" Aki joked as the group walked home.
"I'm going to hold you to it " Aya teased.
"What happened to Nika?" Aki asked
"She probably went to see her boyfriend" Aya muttered
"Boyfriend? when did she get one?"
"You didn't notice when Daisuke and her were flirting?"
"I flirt with Adachi all the time and he's not my boyfriend." Aki giggled .
"Really? Is he a special type of friend?"
I have to side with Aya neesan on this one because even I thought he was her boyfriend. Shizuma thought.
"What! I don't do things like that with my danna''.
What's a special friend and what is the stuff they keep talking about? Shizuma pondered.
"Neesan what is a special friend and what kind of things do you do with them? Is it like Miyuki and I, since she's my best friend?"
"Well... it's a bit hard for me to explain, but you'll figure it out when you get older.'' Said a worried Aki.
"Why are you asking me all of these questions all of a sudden, Aya? Do you have a boyfriend?" Aki inquired.
"I don't have a boyfriend"
"It's about Nika, isn't it? She stole Daisuke from you, didn't she?"
"What! I don't like Daisuke, I can't even stand the man; He's an asshole".
"Aya, watch your language not in front of Shizu-chan". Aki said as she covered the girl's ears.
"I'm sorry he just makes me so mad" Aya said slightly raising her hand up and balling it into a fist.
" Why?"
"The man is a horrible person".
"Did Daisuke do something to you?"
"Yes! I mean no".
"Aya if he did something I'll tell his older brother". Aki said with a concerned look on her face.
"No, he didn't do anything. I just don't like him that's all".
"Are you sure he hasn't done anything?"
"Yes, I'm sure can we please talk about something else. So, Shizu-chan how was your time at work?" Aya said trying to change the subject.
"It was great remember you were there neesan". Shizuma replied.
Come on Shizu-chan help me out here.
X-X-X-X
Nika poured herself a cup of sake and gulped it down then poured another which she gave to Daisuke, who was lying in bed next to her.
"Is it true that Pontocho geisha are versatile? All I've seen you do was play shamisen" Daisuke questioned.
"Yes it's true, I've been trained in dance as well a music but I am a musician by trade."
"You should let me see you dance"
"Mother wanted me to become a dancer but I fell in love with music. Beside Aya and Aki are better dancers ."
"You're just as good as them." Daisuke said, as he got up and placed kisses all over Nika's neck.
"Stop it, you've never seen me dance", Nika giggled "you gave my little sister a scare when she saw the mark you left on me last week; the poor thing thought I was bitten by a mosquito".
"Don't worry, I won't leave a mark this time I promise" Daisuke laughed as he continued kissing her neck moving down to the small of her back.
X-X-X-X
Nika returned home as she tried to sneak back into the okiya. Before she could walk up the stairs she heard a voice. It was the last one she ever wanted to hear.
"Nika what are you doing home so late?"
"Okaasan, I had to stay at the tea-house late that's all" Nika replied, nervously hoping that mother would believe her lie.
"Which tea-house?"
"The um... um you know that one with the green curtain out front what do they call it" she responded as she tried to recall the name of the last tea-house she visited.
"They all have green curtains. Nika do you have any idea how late it is?" an irritated mother replied.
"It's 2 am right?" She asks nervously.
"No, it's 5 am in the morning. It was so late I sent Miyuki to bed even though she insisted on waiting for you. Now, you come home drunk with your hair in a mess! Where were you really?"
"I was…I was at a bar"
"So now you were at a bar!" Mother bellowed.
"Yes mother. Oh please, don't yell at me. I get really scared when you yell" Nika pleaded.
Sadako was so angry that she felt like steam was about to come out of her ears. She just couldn't believe the lies that were coming out of Nika's mouth.
Soon, footsteps could be heard coming down the stairs
"What's all that noise? Some of us are trying to sleep" Aya complained.
"Why don't you ask this liar!" Mother yelled while pointing at Nika.
"I told you I was at the bar"
"You're lying to me again".
"No I'm not" Nika said as she was on the verge of tears.
"Don't try to cry your way out of this! Get your drunk ass upstairs, I'll deal with you in the morning"
Feeling angry and embarrassed Nika marched to the changing room.
"That old hag thinks she can talk to me that way, one of these I'll get back at her" . She muttered to herself, while trying to untie her obi she heard a knock at the door.
"Who is it ?"
"It's me... Aya"
Nika slid the door to let Aya step in.
"Would you like me to help you get undress?"
"Why, you wanna see me naked?" Nika huffed.
"I just thought you might need some help since you're drunk"
"I don't need you come save me every time something goes wrong"
"I'm not trying to save you, I just wanted to help you. As I told you before, I'm worried about you". Aya pleaded, her face showing concern for the drunk woman that standing before her.
"I don't need your pity just get out"
"Fine" Aya said, before going back upstairs to her bedroom .
X-X-X-X
Nika sat in her room sulking as she poured sake into a cup then consumed it as quickly as she'd served it. The scene of Aya breaking up with her replayed in her mind vividly. She remembered Aya's words.
Let's break up.
She remembered how she begged her not to end the relationship told her that she would do anything she wanted. Back then, she'd do anything for Aya. She practically worshiped the ground she walked on. She loved her that much. To see Aya looking at her with those eyes brought back painful memories.
How could she hurt me like that , she was the only person I loved , the only person I wanted to be with and she just destroyed everything we had. I'll make that bitch pay, I'll make her hurt just like she hurt me!.
Thanks to her sudden anger, she threw the sake cup across the room causing it to break.
X-X-X-X
"Oi wake up! " mother yelled as she tried to shake Nika.
"Wake up!" No matter how much she shook her she did not wake up
Is she dead?
Mother watched closely to see if Nika's tummy was moving up and down. She let out a sigh of relief.
"Don't worry mother she'll be up by noon". Aya said poking her head into the bed before joining the others for breakfast.
Later that day, Nika staggered down stairs her head felt like it was about to explode from the hangover she was still nursing. Mother was in her work room making special preparations for the new year.
"Nika would you come in here please !" mother yelled .
"Mother can't it wait? I need to get something to eat."
"I'll have Tika prepare your breakfast I need to talk to you right now. Let's get straight to the point. Where were you last night?"
"Oh last night, I told you I had to stay at the tea house late".
"You told me you were drinking at the bar"
"Oh I did? Well that's where I was''.
"I should have listened to Aya" Mother replied, rubbing her temples in frustration.
"Am I going to be punished for this?" Nika asked growing more worried.
I really need to get my own place, I'm a grown woman being treated like a little girl .
"Just tell me where you were?"
"Fine... I was at the inn last night" Nika said reluctantly.
The maid entered the room and placed Nika's breakfast on the table.
"Am I going to be kicked out?"
"Oh no, I'm not gonna throw you out. I understand that we are all human beings and we all have itches...we want to scratch...in your case, several. But if you want to have a little sister, I would suggest that when you get that itch scratched don't make your little sister wait too long, if you want to have one. Understood?"
"Yes Mother"
"Now eat up, you've got a long night ahead of you". Mother said with a big smile on her face.
X-X-X-X
At school, Shizuma and the other girls practiced their dance routine for the upcoming New Year's festival. Makina had trouble keeping up with the rest of the group, she tried with all her might to copy their movements, but it was no use.
The teacher grew more frustrated by the minute.
"Stop!" She bellowed.
"The New Year's festival is in two weeks and this group is still out of shape" She stared sternly at the girls "Makina I wonder how on earth did you become a maiko when you can barely keep up with the rest of the girls! Your older sister Ayumi is talented dancer yet you stain her name with this performance".
"Sensei I'm so sorry I've just been having a hard time keeping up" Makina pleaded.
"No excuses, go home and practice until you become better"
Feeling ashamed by the teacher's words, Makina's eyes began to fill up with tears and she rushed out of the room to escape the humiliating situation.
After practice, Shizuma found Makina crying by a tree.
"Don't worry Makina we all make mistakes it's not like the end of the world". Said Shizuma as she placed a hand on the girl's shoulder.
"I got an otome, mother and older sister will be upset with me.''
"How about you come over to my place and we practice" Shizuma said with a smile on her face.
X-X-X-X
After Shizuma and Makina entered the okiya they first greeted mother, then went off to a spare room to practice. Mother had prepared some snacks for the two of them and placed them on a lacquer table in the room.
"Your mother is kind, I wish my mother was like her".
"Really? Wait until you get to know her" Shizuma laughed .
All she cares about is smoking her pipe and money .
After taking a break, the girls returned to practicing their dance number Shizuma did the dance step by step for Makina to get it. Makina tried her best to copy Shizuma's movements, but it was just too much for her to keep up with.
"I'll never get the steps, maybe the dance teacher is right, I don't deserve to be a maiko. I'm not a good dancer like you and the other girls".
"Nonsense, you deserve to be a maiko just as much as any of us, you just need more practice". Shizuma replied trying give the girl a boost of confidence.
"Himeka you're a very sweet, you didn't have to help but you took time out of your day to help me." Makina said, with tears forming in her big brown eyes, she then came closer to Shizuma and began to press her lips against the silver maiden's.
Shizuma was shocked by the sudden kiss but could not resist the impulse to kiss back . Soon, the two were in a lip lock until they heard the sound of dishes breaking. Mother had sent Miyuki to the room to deliver some green tea for the two but the sapphire ended up dropping the cups to the floor when she caught sight of the two girls kissing.
How dare this girl try to steal Shizuma
Just when Miyuki was getting the courage to tell her how she truly felt, Makina had swooped in and beat her to it. Miyuki tried to clean the mess up, but she was not quick enough to escape mother's raged who ended up seeing the big stain on her tatami mats.
"Don't worry Miyuki we'll help you," said the two girls in unison.
When Makina left, Shizuma hurried to get ready for work.
"May, I get the back of your neck neesan?" Shizuma said as she dipped Aki's makeup brush into the small bowl of white paste. By this time, Shizuma knew how to apply her own make-up and occasionally helped Aki with hers. She even created her own signature look, where she would line her upper and lower lash line black and place a red accent at the end of the upper and lower lash line but unlike the other maiko she would wear it very high and pointy at the end. It was a trademark she was slowly becoming known for.
"Yes please" Aki replied as she lowered her white under robe to reveal a bit of her shoulders and upper back.
Shizuma carefully placed the white makeup on her Oneesan's back making sure to leave a space under her hairline. As Aki was about to put the finishing touches on her makeup, one of the maids called out to her .
"Mother would like to talk to you all".
"Tell her we'll be down once we get dressed" Aki replied
X-X-X-X
As Aki entered mother's work space with Shizuma who closely followed behind she noticed Nika and Aya were already seated inside of the room. Aya seemed just as irritated as Aki to be called down at the last minute but unlike Aya, she hid how she truly felt.
"What is this all about mother ?" Aya inquired. Aki's eyes widened when she caught sight of the person who was in the room with the mother .
"Long time no see"
Aki felt the burning desire to ask Katsu what the hell she was doing here, but instead replied.
"Didn't expect to see you here Katsu" but this time she did not hide her annoyance.
Shizuma was not too pleased to see Katsu either in fact none of them were, secretly they just wished for her to go away .
This old baba again, why is she here ? Shizuma thought with annoyance.
"I heard that a certain maiko is making a big impression" Katsu said, glancing in Shizuma's direction "The Tayuu of our brothel needs some live entertainment and I was wondering if you all will help".
"No way!" Aki said blurted out .
"Please, there is no one else that can take your place ". Katsu pleaded almost begging in a demure tone.
"No" Aki replied.
Katsu then made a sad face as she heard the words slip out from Aki's lips .
"Please do this for me" Katsu continued to beg.
"I don't like you and that place is not appropriate for a young maiko "
"We have young girls that work there and I promise I will keep Shizuma away from the bad stuff" Katsu pleaded. This time lowering herself down to bow .
"No" Aki replied, unmoved by Katsu's tone.
"How about this I'll pay you double"
"The answer is still no"
"Triple"
"We'll do it " Nika replied.
"Nika!" Aki and Aya cried out.
"It's triple the pay, you two must be out of your mind to not want to take this deal ".
"I'll be expecting you guys there tomorrow at 9 pm please be on time" Katsu said.
"I hate you" Aki whispered to Nika
"Well get in line sister, because everyone does now." Nika shot back.
"The nerve Nika making us help that monster" Aki complained at the dinner table while she ate her miso soup.
"I wish we could take Nika's decision back"
"How can Mother be okay with our Shizu-chan going to a place like that?" Aki said while placing her chopsticks back into her bowl.
"Well, you can't protect her from everything Aki, she's gonna find out one way or another". Aya replied nonchalantly.
"Not if I can help it, she won't ".
X-X-X-X
Positioning her hands as if she were playing a shamisen, the silver hair maiko used her fan to inmate the strokes of a plectrum. Everyone in the room seem to be under her spell as they watched her enchanting dance. When she was done, the young maiko closed her fan before placing it in front of her as bowed her head.
The audience clapped and the young girl then got up and sat right beside the host.
"I thought you forgot all about me Konda-niisan and started cheating on me with some other maiko." Shizuma joked as she refilled Konda's cup with sake.
"I would never cheat on you, Hime-chan. I've been so busy with work that I couldn't come to visit."
"I was beginning to think you didn't like me anymore." Shizuma pouted, which made the merchant giggle. Suddenly the door slid open, and Aki entered.
"I'm sorry to keep you all waiting"
"No, it's no trouble at all your younger sister was just scolding me for not coming to the tea-house for a while"
"She is right to scold you. You had us worried Konda-san" Aki teased.
Konda then ordered food for everyone in the room while Shizuma's pass became the topic of the discussion.
"Did you hear about what happened to Michi Castle?" said another merchant named Sojiro.
The sound of her previous home being mentioned sent chills down her spine and the desire to get more info was burning deep inside the maiko.
"Someone murdered the whole family"
"What! I heard Michi castle is hard to penetrate, Hanazono Takayama set up several traps to make sure no intruders could get in." Konda exclaimed clearly surprised.
"If I had to take a guess, the attack could have started from the inside, someone could have betrayed them. Also, I heard that the maid had stayed back to try to defend their honor" Soujiro replied as he toyed with his bread.
"What became of her?" Konda asked.
"She's dead"
Dead!
Shizuma had a shocked look on her face as she heard those words but she made sure to keep her eyes downcast.
"There's a rumor that the Daimyo had a child but no one knows what became of it."
"The whole story is just tragic, we can only hope the child is safe wherever they are."
Unable to listen any further, Shizuma got up and excused herself from the room. When she got to the back of the tea-house, tears came rolling down her cheeks.
Chizuru, you must have been in so much pain. I always held out hope that one day we might see each other again.
Flashes of her past life with Chizuru began replaying in her mind. From the time when Chizuru would comb her hair, to the time when they played together this only caused more tears to trickle down.
"Shizu-chan are you alright?" Aki called out to her, which made her run into Aki's arms releasing more tears that were bursting like water from a dam.
"It's alright darling, I'm here for you" Aki whispered as she stroked the young girl's back.
"She meant a lot to you, didn't she?" The young maiko only nodded her head in response.
"I can make an excuse, if you need to take a break for tonight"
"I'll be fine neesan, I'm a big girl now and Chizuru wouldn't want me to be unhappy" Shizuma said, wiping away the tears from her face.
"Perhaps, we can get a special tablet to place on the shrine to remember her" Aki replied.
The two then proceeded to get back to the room to entertain their guests.
-X-X-X-X
Nika studied the liquid in her cup deciding whether she should drink it or not.
"The only time I've ever seen anyone drink that stuff is when they were pregnant" Tachibana said.
"I think I might be, I have been sick all morning." Nika said before taking a big gulp of the terrible tasting liquid.
"Nika, when I told you to focus on work this is not what I had in mind".
"It's not like I meant for this to happen!" Nika shot back even though she knew what Tachibana had said was true.
"It takes two Nika." replied looking sternly at Nika.
The two women's chat was interrupted by Daisuke returning to the room his mere presence made the atmosphere become tense.
He must be the father. Rumor has it, that this man can get any woman pregnant just by looking at them; Daisuke already has five children. Two from his wife and three from
another geisha in the Gion district. I can see why he's very good looking and poor Nika just couldn't help herself.
"What's the matter you two look as if you've seen a ghost!"
"The only thing that's wrong is that you aren't sitting next to me Daisuke-sama" Nika said, seductively as she patted the cushion next to her.
X-X-X-X
Aki watched her little sister closely as she engaged with clients. It was as if nothing happened. Shizuma was all smiles and charming no-one would ever have known she was bawling her eyes out a few moments ago.
Poor thing she should not have to carry this burden. Sometimes I wonder if she's being too strong for her own good. Aki vowed that she'd do anything to make Shizuma happy and protect her at all costs.
X-X-X-X
Makina looked nervously at Shizuma as she played her fingers struggling to get the word out.
"What is it Makina?" Shizuma said .
"I...I...I'm sorry for my bad behavior" She apologized.
"What bad behavior?" Shizuma asked with a puzzled look on her face.
"You know when I kissed you. I'm not that way... I didn't mean to do it."
"You didn't mean it? Aww that's a shame I actually enjoyed it". Shizuma said while making a sad face.
"Really ... well in that case can we share another kiss?" replied Makina
Shizuma stroked Makina's cheek before placing a kiss against her lips, sensing that Makina wasn't fully satisfied she deepened the kiss this time placing her tongue inside. She realized Makina had liked this when she tried to match her movement. After the romantic kiss the two girls continued to practice their shamisen.
X-X-X-X
At home mother pondered about Miyuki's future she was not sure which geisha to choose to be her mentor and time was running out. Both Aya and Nika wanted to train the younger girl. Miyuki's exam was fast approaching and yet she had no older sister.
But due to Nika's recent display. Aya seemed like the more feasible choice.
X-X-X-X
Later that evening, everyone was getting ready to go to the brothel except Shizuma who sat in the backyard gazing at the pond.
"Shizuma! Shizuma!" Miyuki called out to her.
The young girl sat in her yellow kimono too engrossed in feeding the carp to hear her friend calling out to her.
"There you are, Okaasan and I were looking all over for you."
"I'm sorry to make you and Okaasan worry", she said without turning to face Miyuki
"You really like the koi pond don't you?"
"It helps me relax."
"Will you please comb my hair?"
Miyuki went back into the house and returned with a comb which she used to comb Shizuma extremely long mane starting from the ends to the roots. When they were finished Shizuma returned to her room changed into her red under kimono and began styling her hair and applying her makeup. Luckily for her the others were still getting ready. When everyone was fully dressed, they were greeted by Tachibana who was waiting for them in the living room Katsu had also invited her to perform. When the group reached their destination they were puzzled by the look of the building.
"Is this the right place?" Aki asked.
"I heard that Katsu got a lot of money and fixed up the whole place." Tachibana informed the group.
"I hope you didn't have trouble finding the place" said Katsu, who was smiling like a Cheshire cat as she walked out of the building approaching the group.
"Wow this is such and improvement compared to the abysmal appearance this had years ago." Shizuma exclaimed.
"Ah yes, we have done a lot of work on this place".
"It's like taking an old dusty screen door and replacing it with a new one"
"I get your point." Katsu said, annoyed by Shizuma's analogy
Too bad they didn't replace the old dusty hag as well. -Aki
As the group entered they noticed that not only had the appearance building changed but so have the courtesans that worked there they were much livelier, their clothing were much more elegant and their obi were just as fancy. Everyone just looked so happy a sure contrast from the previous time they women continued to murmur among themselves as the geisha walked up the stairs.
On their way upstairs they noticed how colorful the inside of the building was, they couldn't stop staring in awe .
Where on earth did Katsu get all this money to turn this place around. -Aki
The group stopped until they came to a room, it was quite large and inside sat a woman dressed in a more elaborate kimono than the other women down stairs her hair was adorned with many clips and she wore a large butterfly shaped hairstyle. Like the others, her face was painted with white makeup with red and black accents on her makeup. Next to her sat two little girls that were her attendants who held lacquer boxes.
"This is Ichikawa, she is the Tayuu of this brothel you will be providing her clients with music while they wait for her return"
The woman sat staring at a large black stand that held a huge bowl containing four goldfish she looked at them intently as she daintily sprinkled fish food into the bowl.
"Excuse me, I don't mean to cut the greeting but I have to get ready soon" said the Ichikawa before dusting off her hands and exiting her room.
X-X-X-X
With her back facing the audience Shizuma knelt down and picked up an exquisite bamboo umbrella she quickly turned around opening the umbrella slightly. Aya and
Aki made subtle movements with their opened the umbrella fully to reveal its vibrant red color along the edge and knob that glistened in the candle light.
As soon as she placed it over her head, the two geisha stood up and took hold of the stem with the three of them placing their kimono sleeve to their lips and moving
in a slow circular motion in between movements they would look at one another. As the music picked up the group began to pick up the paste until they each knelt
down with the young maiko placing the umbrella in the middle as she and Aya struck a pose covering their face with their hands. Aki got up and spun around dancing for a moment until she froze while Aya began dancing with Shizuma remaining in the original pose.
The courtesan slowly poured sake from her teakettle into her client's cup as his hands were out stretched waiting to receive his refill still keeping his attention focused on the dance.
As the dance went on, Shizuma picked up the umbrella placing it over her shoulder heading to the front of the stage. Aki and Aya remained at the back with their backs turned kneeling down as they moved their hands from side to side as Shizuma
remained still holding the umbrella above her head. The two got up and slowly dance moving towards Shizuma swaying their hands from side to side. Shizuma remained still with her back turned waiting for her cue.
Then she heard Aya stomp her foot it was subtle yet loud enough for everyone to hear.
Shizuma turned as soon as she heard it to look at the two women approaching her. The silver haired girl then held the umbrella out as the two gather behind her in a
straight line holding their hands out as if they were pulling the girl back with an invisible rope. Shizuma move back with the two swaying her umbrella from side to side to the beat of the music.
They all moved in a circle again until Shizuma rested the open umbrella on the ground . As the two placed their hands on her shoulder and danced for a bit. Shizuma
remembered how much they rehearsed this dance for this very day and she felt angry that this performance was being wasted on someone like Katsu. She would much rather perform this for her other clients. But that night, the young maiko learned that sometimes she would have to perform for people she couldn't stand. The
group then closed the performance with the young maiko kneeling down and closing the umbrella before joining her sister to bend down and bow their heads thanking their spectators for watching their performance which was followed with a series of claps.
As soon as they were finished Katsu entered the room.
" Ichikawa will be on her way soon are you finding everything to your liking?" Katsu asked.
"Why yes the girls put on such a marvelous performance." The man replied as he discreetly gave Katsu money wrapped in paper which she quickly tucked inside her kimono.
Suddenly the door slid open to reveal the Tayuu, her heavy sparking hair clips chimed with her every movement.
"Ah, right on time," he said, as the woman poured him another drink.
Nika and Tachibana began playing another song as the three began dancing again.
The Tayuu stopped the group to let them know that she and the gentleman would be going away for a while.
"Where are they going off to?" Shizuma asked
"Oh, she's just going to give him some candy." Nika replied while winking at Aki.
"I'm hungry can I go get some as well?''
"No!" the women yelled in unison.
"Shizu-chan you are a maiko now and you know that we're not supposed to eat on the job."
"Plus clients don't like to be disturbed while eating their candy. Now come along darling let's go to the next client. I'll make sure to get you something really nice to eat before we go home." Aki replied, trying to cheer up her little sister.
Shizuma reluctantly followed the group as they went down the hall to another room.
Thank God, the courtesan see their clients on the second floor. -Aki
"What's with this whole courtesan and candy thing you all keep telling this child about?" Tachibana inquired .
"I'll explain it to you later ." Aya replied
X-X-X-X
In the next room there were four people two courtesans and two men they were all laughing at a joke one of the men told.
"You two there play a song for us to help us to get in the mood" One of the women said, who had purple eyes and brown hair.
In the mood for what? This place is weird -Shizuma
Shizuma and the others sat to the side as Nika and Tachibana began to play their instruments with Nika singing along to the beat .
"Should we excuse ourselves?" Aki asked
"Why not it looks like they don't want any dancers plus their isn't an extra instruments for us to play. So what is the point in us staying?" Aya replied, before the trio decided to leave the room.
"Let's find Katsu ."
The three searched down stairs but couldn't find her it wasn't until they reluctantly decided to go up to the second floor was when they found Katsu who was talking to one of the maids.
"Go tell him that his time is up, he's already been in there for over an hour!" She complained.
"Okami-san lord Yamamoto doesn't like being disturbed during love making" the maid replied timidly.
"I don't care we need the room" Katsu stomped her way to the screen door and began banging on it.
"Time's up we need the room so finish up in there!" Katsu bellowed.
Before Katsu could finish a very angry man slid open the door causing it to make a loud thud.
"Can't a man have sex in peace! Why must you people keep knocking on the goddamn door!"
"My lord your time has…"
"Enough! what kind of brothel is this, if I wanted to be disturbed I would have stayed at home!" He roared his nostrils flaring.
"I'm sorry to disturb you my lord but…"
"You're damn right you are! Here I'll take an extension. Now stop disturbing me." The man yelled while tossing a fistful of golden coins at Katsu, although she was embarrassed it didn't stop her from swooping down to collect the coins as soon as they hit the ground. For Katsu, money was everything and it made her world go round but she didn't love being it enough to be hit by it .
Aki and Aya wanted to laugh but instead the two women sported devilish smiles on their faces but changed their expressions when they saw Katsu approaching them.
"Don't worry, I know what you are about to say that you have other engagements. Well you all are free to go." Katsu said waving them away.
"Ahem" Aki said while sticking her hand out .
"Is there something wrong with your throat? I'll have Maiyu fetch some tea to clear that right up."
"Aren't you forgetting something?" Aki replied.
"Huh? Oh don't you all get your payments at the end of the year? don't worry, I'll give it to Sadako".
We really should have asked for the money up front .
"Alright let's go find Nika" the three of them said as they went off to search , but when they found her she was intoxicated yet again. Nika came stumbling out of the room with Tachibana who was ashamed of her behavior.
"You won't believe what those folks are doing in there, they're gambling" Nika said her voice almost sounding like a whisper as if she were telling the latest gossip.
"Let's get you home Nika".
"First we need to go back in there?"
"Why?"
"To get my 20 ryo back ."
Aki then put her palm over her face letting out a big sigh.
"I don't know how it happened but she said she had to use the restroom and came back drunk." Tachibana explained.
"If we bail you out, you won't learn anything so kiss that 20 ryo goodbye. We're taking you home." Aki said pulling Nika by the ear who began crying out in pain.
Aya decided to take Nika home while the others went back to work . She first helped Nika get undressed then she assisted her in putting on her sleeping attire .
"Aya why are you being so nice to me?" Nika blurted out.
"Is there a reason I shouldn't be?"
Nika couldn't answer the question in fact she didn't want to she was actually glad that Aya, was being nice to her but deep down she felt like she didn't deserve it.
She did everything in her power to hurt Aya just because she wanted to make her suffer but in the end it just made her feel worse about herself .
Sure, she made Aya become jealous of Daisuke but that didn't make Aya come back to her it only gave her an unwanted pregnancy instead. The only thing she wanted in the world right now was Aya. While tucking Nika into bed Aya noticed her ex's girlfriend's eyes began to fill with tears.
"I'm sorry" Nika said her voice almost inaudible.
"Huh?"
"I'm sorry I got drunk again and that you're stuck at home taking care of me."
Feeling pity Aya began stroking Nika's head.
"What made you turn against me?" Nika asked. Her eyes searching Aya's face for the truth before beginning to stroke Aya's cheek. Aya took Nika's hand and planted small kisses on it.
"Aya I miss you."
X-X-X-X
"Nee-san what do people do when they have sex ?"
"Huh?"
"Well that woman and that man came out with their robes disheveled, does that have something to do with it?"
Wow that kid catches on fast - Tachibana.
"They were eating candy in the bed."
"Who eats candy with their clothes all messed up this makes no sense. There something you're not telling me nee-san and I will get to the bottom of this one day." Shizuma protested as the two walked to their next appointment .
X-X-X-X
"What about Daisuke?"
Nika's eyes widened at the sound of his name.
"I don't love him, I only love you Aya. I was just using him to make you jealous . I will admit I am attracted to him but the person I truly love is you. Daisuke and I just had a sexual relationship."
Is she telling the truth does she really love me ?
"Please tell me why you broke up with me?"
"I did it to protect you, do you know why mother got rid of Meika?"
"I heard it was because she stole money from mother"
"That's not what really happened, the reason mother sold Meika was because she caught her kissing another girl. I remember mother telling her she would send her to cure her impure nature. I didn't want to lose you so I thought breaking up with you was the best thing to do. I didn't know it was going to cause you so much pain" Aya sobbed.
"Why didn't you tell me? I would have been more careful"
"It's all my fault, I'm the reason you drink so much."
"No baby don't blame yourself " Nika grabbed Aya and hugged her tightly not wanting to let her go.
"I'm so sorry Nika, I was hoping I could make enough money so we could get our own place and be happy." Nika took her finger and wiped away Aya's tears
"Aya please don't cry"
"But it's all my fault ".
"No it's not I'll stop drinking so please don't cry."
"But you love sake"
"But I love you more." she said, before placing a kiss on Aya's cheek she then got up and took out the sake jug she was hiding in her room opened the window and emptied the contents . Aya couldn't believe her eyes at one point she wanted to pinch her cheeks to make sure she wasn't dreaming.
Nika took another jug and emptied it.
"That's the last of my stash"
X-X-X-X
Following the beat of the music, Shizuma moved her arms across and clapped. Then, she used her hands to form fox ears above her head , the man next to her did similar movements but instead placed his hand to symbolize a gun for the hunter who shoots the fox.
Two other geisha from the Gion district looked on as the two played for a prize which was a beautiful doll that looked like an empress that the maiko wanted to add to her collection. For the second round the man placed his hands on his tights to form a chief which Shizuma responded by doing the shape of a fox to bewitch the chief. Next, the man did an imitation of a fox and the silver haired maiko did the hunter. After several rounds, the man won the first round. It was Aki's turn.
"Don't worry Himeka your big sis is going to get you that doll."
Tachibana strummed her shamisen again as Aki got ready to face off with the geisha named Hamako from Gion. The geisha started with the hunter who was outranked by Aki's chief. Aki then did the symbol for the fox who was captured by the hunter the Hamako did the chief but was bewitched by Aki's fox. Resulting in Aki winning the game which made the losers be forced to drink.
Too bad Nika isn't here she would have gotten a kick out of this game.
Aki gave her prize to her little sister.
"Still mad at me?"
"This makes up for it." the young maiko giggled.
X-X-X-X
The two women shared an intense kiss, Nika broke the kiss then took one of Aya's soft mounds into her mouth, she suckled on it wolfishly. When Nika was finished Aya brought Nika's mouth to hers kissing her more. Nika then slid her hand down teasing Aya's clit.
This made her moan. She then moved down to the entrance teasing it with her fingers.
Before parting her lover's legs, which was well received by Aya who let out a smile, Nika place her tongue on her clit and made light strokes.
"uhhhh " Aya moaned as she arched her back.
Nika made more quick flicks of her tongue, she loved tasting the sexy brown hair beauty's sweet juices . Aya let out another moaned and rubbed her breasts as she felt Nika's licks.
"I want to be closer to you" Aya whispered. Nika knew what those words meant and positioned her sex right on top of Aya's. They both let out loud orgasms as they felt their pussies press together, Aya was very wet which made Nika more excited.
"Oh Nika uggh"
"Ahh I'm getting so close" Nika moaned as she pressed her sex harder against her lover. It felt so good to her that nothing else mattered. Nika and Aya both felt free to love each other the way they truly wanted to. They had the whole house to themselves.
The two held hands as they were coming close to a climax Nika let out a loud moan before squirting on her lover's sex. They breathed heavily as they tried to catch their breaths.
"Just like old times huh?" Nika whispered.
"I was a bit worried that you might have forgotten how to do that." Aya laughed.
"Of course not how could I? You're my one and only." Nika replied wrapped her arms around Aya. The two looked at each other eyes lost in ecstasy.
The game Shizuma and Aki play with the others is called Kitsune ken or fox fist the game is similar to rock paper scissors and yes guns existed in Japan in this era and they were used by samurai but they weren't as popular as the sword and arrows.
I want to thank Fran my beta for helping me with the edits ^^
