I'm super sorry that I didn't update in 3 days! Been preoccupied by other things and I couldn't stop watching my new favorite show. Well here's chapter 38. So if you don't know what the mizuage is then I really suggest read the actual Memoirs of a Geisha book. It's long but very interesting. On with the fic!
"But Hana-san! Isn't that a little too soon?" Megumi sputtered.
"No it's a perfect time to do it!" Hana said clapping her hands.
"A mizu what?" Tohru asked very confused.
"A mizuage Tohru-chan," Hana said.
"What's that?" Tohru asked making Megumi and Hana go in shock. It was obvious they thought she would know such things but apparently not.
"Well have you heard the story of the car and the garage?" Hana asked.
"Oh yes I have actually," Tohru said.
"Well that's basically it, except people bid on your mizuage. A mizuage can bring a lot of money by doing so and it just may possibly free you from your debt with Mayu-san," Hana said.
"So basically she's auctioning her vi-?" Megumi asked.
"Megumi don't say such things out loud!" Hana said cutting him off.
Tohru just sweat drop as they continued their walk. That is until Tohru had an idea.
"I know, let's go to the open air baths again. I bet we can get some of the stress doing so," Tohru exclaimed.
"But what about your cuts?" Megumi asked.
"Oh Hatori-san told me that washing them as well will help from getting infected," Tohru said lifting up her sleeve to look at her bandaged arm.
"Yeah sorry for making you go through torture Tohru-chan. It was the only thing I could think of at that moment," Hana said. "But the baths sound great."
"It's alright but I'm curious who else you're asking to make bids since it is an auction," Tohru asked.
"Well it's good to get as many bidders as possible for the more there is, the higher the price may be. But it will be mainly the Sohmas for they're quite wealthy. They've taken a liking to you," Hana said.
"Well hopefully no idiots will be taking part of the bid and hopefully no one will disturb us like last time," Megumi said scoffing a bit.
As usual, the baths were quiet and lonesome but it didn't seem to be too much of a problem.
"Well we have the baths to ourselves again which is rather nice," Hana said. Tohru and Megumi nodded and went their separates ways to change.
For once, Megumi was the first one to the baths and couldn't help but stare at Tohru in just a towel but slapped himself for thinking such dirty things. But after all, Tohru had come a long way and was getting to her woman state but it was only just the beginning.
"Is something the matter Megumi-chan?" Tohru asked for he was dazing out.
"Um no, it's nothing," Megumi said looking away to cover his blush.
"Another peaceful night," Hana said stretching her arms out.
"I wouldn't speak too soon," Megumi said pointing to something that seemed to be zooming right towards them!
"TOHRU-CHAAAAAAN!!!!!!" a blonde boy squealed opening his arms for a hug but missed when Megumi pushed himself and Tohru out of the way.
"Owwie, why did you do that for?" the boy cried out rubbing his head when he hit the concrete.
"You're not allowed to run around the bath area little boy. Can't you read the signs?" Megumi scolded pointing to a 'no running' sign in the distance.
"Who are you calling little? I'm probably the same age as you!" Momiji pouted which shocked Megumi.
"Momiji-san! What are you doing here?" Tohru asked.
"Yay you remember my name Tohru-chan! But I told you to use -chan or -kun. You're my friend so no need to be so formal!" Momiji said snuggling against Tohru who patted his head.
"Ano gomen Momiji-chan," Tohru said and thinking at the same time that this boy is rather affectionate.
"Stop molesting people you barely know Momiji," a voice said coming from behind the steam.
"I wasn't doing anything wrong Yuki! I know you're just jealous because you just want Tohru for yourself! I'm right aren't I?" Momiji exclaimed.
Tohru couldn't help but look up and see Yuki in the same bath as her! What was he doing here was the main question to ask.
"Ah Yuki-san, I didn't know you would be here," Hana said trying to calm down the ruckus going about.
"Well I'm not the only one here. Haru, Kisa, Hiro, Momo, even Kyo is here. Thankfully my idiotic brother isn't here," Yuki said scoffing.
"You're telling me," Megumi said agreeing with Yuki's last statement.
"I wouldn't say untrue things my dear brother!" Ayame said out of nowhere.
"Who invited you in the first place?" Megumi said on the verge of rage.
"Well Shigure, Akito, and Hatori are here as well so I'm the only one to get this party started!" Ayame said happily. By looking at this, it would be another repeat like last time.
"And I thought it was just going to be the three of us but I should just keep quiet for I'm jinxing myself which such nonsense," Hana said rubbing her temples.
"Ano, not wanting to be rude but why are you all here?" Tohru asked. Heck the outdoor baths were so huge and it felt so full with most of the Sohmas filling up the capacity.
"Well I thought we could use another family reunion party so of course everyone agreed that we should go to the outdoor baths again! But this time I just had to invite my dear little brother and all the other small fries with me!" Ayame said in delight.
"Technically you dragged us all here," Hatori said smoking a cigarette to calm his nerves down. Ayame was sure a big headache to cause everyone stress.
"Well I just want to have some fun," Ayame said. "But I actually booked this place so no one else could be here but I guess you beat us to it Hana-chan."
"I don't mind sharing but I just wanted to relax," Hana muttered.
"Well since we're still waiting for the President, Kazuma, and the Minister, let's get this party started! Drinks all around!" Ayame said waving bottles of champagne and sake in everyone's faces.
"I brought wine glasses!" Shigure bubbled juggling with the glasses which landed on his head causing blood to gush out.
"Oh dear," Hana said but had an idea. "Um since there are some underage drinkers here why don't the kids go to the other bath on the other side? And besides I have some things I would like to discuss with the adults and only the adults. So Tohru-chan, you and Megumi take everyone to the bath on the other side."
It was more like a command that asking for a favor so Tohru nodded and obeyed Hana. She got up and started walking to the other hot springs which was on the other side of the building. Of course one by one, all the 'kids' got up and follow her just only in towels.
"So you've been here before Tohru-chan?" Momiji asked clinging to her arm. "I've never been in a hot springs before so this is my first time! It's already fun and it hasn't even started yet!""Baths are about being relaxed not being bubbly and outrageous you baka," Kyo scoffed.
"This is stupid, why did I have to come along! I have paintings that need finishing," Hiro complained. "I've already had a bath so why would I need another one? And hot springs aren't that special. They're stupid if you ask me. It's just a way to get all perverted and look at other people!"
"Ano, I've never been at a hot springs before," Kisa said quietly looking at Hiro with her puppy dog face. "So are they really that bad?"
Hiro was speechless but finally said, "I guess not."
"Good because I want to enjoy the hot springs with your Hiro-chan," Kisa said happily which made him blush a little. That is until she said, "I also want to enjoy it with Onee-chan and get to know her more. And hopefully she'll teach me to become a better geisha!"
Grr stupid girl! I try spending some alone time with Kisa and she has to ruin it all with her presence! Hiro yelled in his head but calmed himself down for he couldn't lose it in front of the girl he liked.
"Well this should be fun, with all of us kids here," Haru said solemnly. Everyone settled in the bath sitting in a circle. Starting with Tohru, Momiji – who insisted sitting next to her following with Yuki, Haru, Kyo, Hiro, Kisa, Momo, and Megumi who was on Tohru's left.
"Yes, it is fun to be around with friends," Momo said barely above a whisper for she barely spoke and if she did, you would hardly hear her.
"I should be practicing! But no, Shishou thought I should come along since he thinks I'm tensed," Kyo said to no one.
"Well I think you're more than tensed. You also forgot stupid, so maybe the bath will rub some of your stupidity away," Yuki said giving Kyo the death glare.
"Hey I wasn't asking for your opinion rat boy," Kyo snapped.
"Let's not fight when we have a whole night of relaxing to do. I bet we won't get another chance like this well not for a while I mean," Haru said looking up at the night sky.
"He's right you know," Momiji said. "We should just enjoy each other's company and not make a ruckus."
"Like you're one to t-" Kyo started to say but stopped himself.
Tohru just sat there watching everyone and smiled at them. There were a lot of Sohmas and they all had a unique personality and such. It was like an honor to be even near them for each of them is famous or the son/daughter of someone famous.
"I wonder why Hana-chan wanted all of us to be here," Tohru said to herself rubbing a soapy towel on her chest. She didn't realize that all the guys were staring her. She was the queen of letting her guard down 95 of the time after all. Except Hiro who only had eyes for Kisa of course.
"So Honda-san, that's a lovely pendant you're wearing. Where did you get it from?" Yuki asked trying to break the ice.
"I never knew you were into jewelry. Why didn't you tell us you were gay? Then we can be lovers once again," Haru said but received a dunk by Kyo.
"Keep your nasty thoughts to yourself you baka," Kyo said angrily.
"Actually Megumi-chan gave to be as a present on my debut," Tohru said happily. "I never took it off which was three years ago. It's that special to me."
"Well it seems to be rather expensive if you ask me, so how could you afford a golden necklace with your standards?" Kyo asked rather rudely.
"Just because you're a Sohma who happens to be rich, there are people in this world who are willing to work for something they know they can achieve. I believe that custom so I'm willing to work to buy expensive things. Sure it may take awhile but it feels rewarding once you achieve that goal. You don't have to worry about such things which you might think it's silly," Megumi said with his eyes glowing with anger of how rude people can be.
"Sheesh, you don't have to get all worked up. I was just asking," Kyo said.
"Asking rather rudely is more like it," Yuki said. "But Megumi is right. You should be lucky Kyo and appreciate everything around you but that just might be impossible for you're a stubborn fool who doesn't appreciate anything."
"I appreciate things just fine. I don't have to show so just butt out of things," Kyo shot back.
"Ah I'm sorry that my necklace got you guys in a fight! But I would rather to have you guys be more civil with one another," Tohru said.
"Yeah, if you two keep fighting, you'll hurt my future danna's feeling," Momiji said sternly.
"Danna? You're still a kid! Like 5 since being older is way out of your league. How can you decide to be her danna?" Kyo yelled.
"I'm not a child anymore! I'm only a year younger than you, you know. I'm 17 so how can that mean I'm 5?" Momiji pouted.
"Uwah! Momiji you're a year older than me? I never knew. I didn't think it was possible!" Tohru exclaimed. Even Megumi was shocked that a little boy like Momiji could be the same age as him. But the rest of the crew didn't seem to care for they're rather use this kind of thing.
"Well I've grown up a whole lot!" Momiji said proudly. I'm almost as tall as Kyo too!"
"You may be grown up but you still have that bubbly personality which I can't stand. If only I could just beat you to a pulp so you would just shut the hell up then everything will be better, but I would get it from you dad," Kyo said angrily.
"I bet you like me on the inside Kyo which is why you wouldn't do a horrible thing to hurt me!" Momiji said proudly. You could see anger marks on Kyo's forehead but he didn't say anything for he had to learn self-control.
"Well if only I was able to see how much of a kid you used to be, but I only just met you at the viewing," Tohru said.
"It doesn't matter as long as I met you, my life is complete. But I have to propose myself as your danna then we can have a lot of kids and take over the world!" Momiji said with fire in his eyes which sort of scared Tohru.
"Momiji you just can't walk around and propose yourself as someone's danna. There are a few requirements you need to do before doing such thing. And I think you're not the kind of candidate to be Honda-san's danna," Yuki said.
"Well why didn't you just tell me that you wanted to be Tohru's danna Yuki? All you had to do was ask. I don't mind!" Momiji said which made Yuki flustered.
This is going to be an interesting night that's for sure Tohru thought to herself.
Meanwhile at the adult side of the springs, things were rather serious at the moment. The President, the Minister, and Kazuma finally arrived to hear about Hana's news.
"I suppose you all know about Tohru' upcoming you-know-what," Hana said seriously. "So I just want to ask is who is interested.
There was a moment of silence before a word was spoken.
Well as you can tell this is like a repeat of Hot Springs Chaos but I just had to bring the entire gang along. I wasn't planning on doing it until later but this seemed to be the bes time. So sorry again for not updating. Hopefull I'll get a chapter or two by tomorrow. I also want to start on the other stories I have brainstormed up in my mind before I lose the thought of it. Well R&R if you wish. I can't believe we're up to 192 reviews! Who will be the 200th reviewer? Well until next time!