Here's chapter 21. Also to answer a few of your questions: I may bring Uo back but you just need to wait and see. Same for Kyo. Be patient people. I'm going as fast as I can. Well on with the fic!
"So this must be the place then huh?" Tohru said looking at the huge house where Hana lived. It was Victorian style and had its own hint of mystery to it. Tohru doubled checked the directions Hana gave her over the phone to make sure it was the right place.
The house was blocked off by a big iron gate so Tohru had to ring the doorbell which was near the gate. She pushed the button which made a buzzing noise waiting for someone to answer.
"Who is it?" a strange person said in the speaker of the doorbell.
"Ano, is this where Saki Hanajima-san lives?" Tohru asked into the speaker.
"Oh you must be the girl Hana-san was mentioning. Give me a moment to open up the gate," the person said clicking off the speaker to open the gates.
It took a few moments for the gate to open and Tohru made her way to the front door. The person who was on the speaker opened the door and bowed formally to Tohru.
"You must be Tohru-san. I'm Megumi, Hana's assistant as you may call me. Come on in, she's been expecting you," Megumi said mysteriously leading Tohru inside.
Tohru got a little nervous and scared of Megumi. He looked like a boy version of Hana but had a mysterious personality.
"Ah Tohru-chan, did you find my house okay?" Hana said coming downstairs.
"Ano I had a little trouble but I found it okay," Tohru said with a sweatdrop.
"Would you like some tea? Megumi, go make some tea for Tohru-chan here," Hana commanded. Megumi bowed and went to the kitchen.
Tohru looked at her surroundings. There were many foreign paintings and statues which must've been quite a fortune. Tohru also noticed a little collection of crystal glass ice sculptures of little animals of the zodiac.
"This collection is very unique Hana-chan," Tohru said but noticed something a little off about it. "I should've known. You don't have the cat in this collection now do you?"
Hana was surprised at this. She didn't think Tohru would be referring to the old legend of the cat. So instead she exclaimed, "Well I guess I should get the cat so my collection would be complete now. But I hear it's really hard to find."
Tohru just nodded and looked around some more. She saw many paintings, scrolls, vases, and so on. Heck it looked like a museum instead of a house.
"You have so many valuable items Hana-chan. Don't you get worried that someone might rob you?" Tohru asked with a worried expression.
"Not at all, that's why I have iron gates and alarms you know," Hana said with a wink. "Now lets got to my dressing room for I want you try on some things for me. We need to get you prepared before your debut you know." With this, Hana ushered Tohru up the stairs and to her dressing headquarters.
"Uwah, wow! You're dressing room is really exquisite!" Tohru exclaimed astounded of how large and luxurious the room was.
"Hmm really? I didn't seem to notice," Hana said plucking a few kimonos and placing them in Tohru's hands. "Try these on. There's a changing area behind that screen. Don't worry no one can see you."
"I couldn't Hana-san! I'm not worthy enough to wear your expensive kimonos! I just be asking for it," Tohru said.
"Oh Tohru don't be silly. I'm not going to give these to you, well maybe a few but I just want you to try them on. I need to see which ones are suitable for you to wear. Not only does a geisha need to have good manners and be very poised but also they need to look stylish if you know what I mean," Hana said. "Now go changed."
Tohru took some of the kimonos and went behind the changing screen to see which one was the best. She first tried one that was blue as a shimmering lake, with white cranes near the bottom. The lining and obi was woven in golden threads. Tohru came out to model it.
Hana clapped her hands and exclaimed, "It suites you rather nicely Tohru-chan. It brings out your hour glass figure. What do you think Megumi?" she asked just as Megumi came in with the tea and some snacks. Megumi just nodded his head in approval.
"Well I guess we'll put that in the 'yes' pile. Next!" Hana said.
This went on with the next few kimonos. Each one had it's on unique sense of style. The second one was a pale green with a sakura tree woven to one side with leaves falling giving it that real illusion. The third was a bloody red with a golden dragon wrapped around it looking like it's squeezing its prey. And so forth. Each one seemed more spectacular than the last making Tohru feel like a princess. Megumi and Hana just sat there nodding their head in agreement or a thumbs down if it didn't look right.
After trying on at least 15 or so kimonos, Hana chose at least 7 of the best ones for Tohru to wear on special occasions.
"Ano Hana-chan, how are you able to afford all these valuable kimonos?" Tohru asked as they put the "no" pile back into her closet.
Hana chuckled and said, "Geisha may make money by entertaining but couldn't be supported without their danna."
"What is this danna that you speak of?" Tohru asked handing some of the kimono to Hana to put on the top shelf.
"A danna is like a husband for geisha. But geisha never really get married. They unite as one if you want to say that. A danna helps pay for a geisha's expenses and buys beautiful gifts on occasions. You see my danna helps me pay for my house and buys me all these kimonos. He's quite wealthy. Of course only the wealthiest men of Gion can afford geisha's as their mistress. Do you understand?" Hana said putting the last of the kimono away.
Tohru nodded even though she still didn't get the concept of a danna but she didn't want to keep asking questions like a nosy child. "Yes I understand," she said in a polite manner.
"Don't worry about a danna until you're about 18. That's the best age to gain a danna but you still have about 6 years or so no need to worry about such things. Now let's try on some makeup shall we? We must find the perfect shades for you."
Tohru just sweatdrop and followed Hana to her makeup mirror. For the rest of the day Tohru tried on different shades of makeup, wore different kinds of jewelry, and even tried a new hairstyle. Hana also explained what geisha do and their customs. She told different and funny stories when she first became a geisha which made Tohru relax a bit. All her tension just seemed to fade away.
When it was time to depart, Tohru bid her goodbyes and was on her way home. Hana then stopped her and said, "You'll probably be coming to my house at least 3 to 5 times a week. This was only a fun day. Tomorrow is when the real work begins. Be prepared. Also bring your shamisen for I'll give you some extra tips and lessons alright?"
"Hai! Arigato for everything Hana-chan. You've really helped me a lot," Tohru said and left for home.
When Tohru arrived home, it was around 6 or so. It seemed as though nobody was home at the moment so Tohru relaxed a bit. She headed upstairs but then saw Rin sitting at the top of the stairs as if she had been waiting for Tohru's return.
"So, I hear that Hana is going to be your big sister. How pathetic," Rin said with a cackle. Tohru just stood there not saying a word.
"What's the matter?" Rin said standing up and getting closer to Tohru to stroke her hair.
"Are you frightened of me? You should be. No matter what, Kagura and I will crush you and that big sister of yours to the dust. Give up while you can to save yourself from the embarrassment. You're just being in the way!" Rin said and pulled Tohru's hair who let out a screech.
"You don't even deserve to be a geisha! Mayu is probably doing this only because she feels sorry for you! Take my advice and give up! Ever since your plan to escape was unsuccessful, you're ruining my chance and even Kagura's. If you care for her deeply give up now or die!" Rin yelled and shoved Tohru who fell down the stairs and lay unconscious.
Tohru woke up hearing voices. Her eyes fluttered open and saw that she was in her room with Mayu, Kana, Rin, and even Hatori.
"Finally, you're awake. Well it seems as though you fell down the stairs. Luckily Rin saw what happened and called me right away. Luckily for you, you didn't suffer any minor injuries. Just a few bruises and a cut on your head but you'll be okay," Hatori said putting his stethoscope away.
"Oh Mayu-okasan! I didn't what happened! Tohru came home looking drunk and couldn't keep her balance and must've fallen down from the stairs!" Rin said being overly dramatic.
"Oh shut up Rin with your constant lies. I may have not seen what happen but this was no accident. If I do find out that it was you behind all of Tohru's injuries, I'll be making you pay for her hospital bills!" Mayu said becoming in rage.
Tohru was surprise. This was the first time that Mayu stuck up for Tohru. But Tohru didn't say anything for she had a splitting headache. She then noticed the thin wrapped bandage around her head.
"You've been taking one too many falls Tohru-chan. Here are some pills. Take these with some herbal tea and your headache should be gone by the next morning. Call if there's anything else you need. I must be going now," Hatori said.
"Oh here let me walk you out!" Mayu said.
"Um I think I left the kettle on the stove. I'll be right back," Kana said heading downstairs also leaving Tohru and Rin all alone.
"I said it twice and I'll say it again once more, give up!" Rin said slamming Tohru's door heading to her own room.
Tohru sighed and stared at the ceiling.
Oh mom, dad, or even Uo. Please help me along my long journey into becoming a geisha. I won't give up no matter what Rin says. I won't give up that easily! Tohru thought to herself. She kept repeating her goal until she fell into a deep sleep.
kimchee: This will probably be your last fall Tohru so no need to worry. I think you've suffered enough.
Tohru: I sure hope so. I think I may have lost a few brain cells.
kimchee: Oh go practice your shamisen or better yet go think about Kyo.
Tohru: Maybe I will! (flees to go daydream)
kimchee: Well hope you enjoyed the chapter. Like I said before be patient and maybe I'll bring back some of the characters. Just need to wait to see what happens. I can tell this will be my longest (and only for the time being) story ever so just keep R&R! Until next time!