Chapter 03: Broken
Stepping into the exquisitely large lobby of the oiran, the Stranger lifted his head and breathed in his surroundings. The wooden panels and bamboo floor were smooth with a polished sheen that enveloped him with an air of traditional sophistication. As his eyes took in the paper doors and the limited decorations, the bedtime stories that his father used to share with him began to filter into his consciousness. Tales of long hallways so pristine and lovely that the old man felt he was residing in an ancient temple from the Edo period. Each room would be barren barring the tatami floors and futon or low-floored-desk for which the room was designated for. Flipping through the memories like a contact list, the Stranger searched his mind for any information that could be useful to him in the mission at hand. Images started to present themselves before him, but before he could analyze the findings, a lovely young woman approached him, startling his momentary contemplations.
"Good evening, sir," she said melodically as she stopped about a foot before him. With her hands elegantly held together in front of her, forming a V with her arms, she bowed deeply and held her pose.
"Good evening," the Stranger replied, his voice unwavering and dark.
Upon hearing his uttered greeting, she straightened her back and glanced briefly to his eyes before dropping her head. "How may I assist you tonight?" Her voice was perfect, every sound pronounced with such clarity he felt he was speaking to a machine. "Are you, per chance interested in something a bit more unique to fit this weather?"
Clearing his throat like a nervous lamb, the Stranger shook his head but hastily realized that it would be disregarded as her gaze was not fixed upon him. "No, that won't be necessary." He tried to make his voice sound pleasant, but was not sure if in the end the effort was lost on the young woman. "I am actually here to meet with Fuwa-sama."
The shock of his statement forced her to look boldly into his eyes once more. Noticing the vibrancy of the color that stared back at her, she gasped with shock. Composing herself with a deep breath, she stood straighter and acknowledged him, swallowing all signs of emotion. "Fuwa-sama, you say?"
The Stranger nodded. "Indeed. I have arrived on business. Our appointment is one of great import."
Bowing lightly, she spoke. "I shall inform him of your presence immediately. If you do not mind waiting, kind sir, I shall only be but a few moments."
"I do not mind at all, thank you so much miss." He answered. When she departed, returning the way she had arrived, the Stranger took advantage of spare time. Every part of the plan scrolled across his awareness sharply. Every detail popped out carefully until finally the apex of it all blazed with vivacity. Turning towards the door, he dropped his façade for the briefest second to mentally prepare, for one last second of gumption to ensure his victory. Feeling his pulse pounding profoundly against his flesh, he closed his eyes and breathed softly.
Five years I have waited. He thought elatedly. For five fucking years I have waited for this one moment. I promise you, Father, I will not fail you. For her sake, I will succeed.
"Good evening," a gruff, masculine voice uttered from behind him. Turning on his heel smoothly he was greeted by an older gentleman, one who must have been in his early forties at most. Salt and pepper framed his face while a slightly oversized mustache hung above his mouth. His eyes were a deep brown and full of strength that the Stranger could only admire. The man looked over his shoulder to the familiar young lady from before. "Leave us," he demanded, all sense of courtesy vanished. Yet, when he returned to the guest of the oiran, that courtesy returned like a flipped switch. "Fuwa-sama has been eagerly expectant of your visit."
The Stranger nodded.
His gleaming jade stare bore into the brown marbles that met him with equal dare. Together their brows knitted delicately as their gazes narrowed. A thoughtful understanding was exchanged between the two individuals in a mere few seconds. A simple nod sealed the unspoken accord.
"Please, sir. If you would follow me," Sawara said breaking first with a small bow of his head, "I shall take you to see the lord of this manor."
The Stranger was led down a very long hallway to the back of the building, where stairs hidden behind a paper door took them to the second floor. From there, the Stranger was led down a couple of more corridors before being halted with a raised palm. In front of them was a wall of paper doors. Sawara walked to the center and slid the two doors in the middle apart. He stepped aside to allow the Stranger passage into the breathtakingly modest space.
Liang ran her tender gaze along Kyoko's finished form, searching for any signs of imperfection. When she was wholly satisfied, the lady allowed her eyes to meet the young girl's. Noticing Kyoko's perfect posture and delicate downcast complexion, she smiled faintly. "Look at me, dear," Liang said.
Lightly, with the barest lift of her chin, ochre eyes fell upon the older housemaid's. Maintaining her expression of naïve innocence and propriety, Kyoko appeared to be a walking dream of beauty and sophistication. Yet… deep within the confines of flesh and bone, she was a storm brewing. After being discovered by Fuwa-sama, her body was invaded with rude examinations by the oiran physician. Recalling the rough handling of her most intimate parts, Kyoko shivered. Tears burned her orbs furiously, yet she refused to falter in the midst of such humiliation. A scolding on the importance of duty and loyalty followed suit, which only added to the shame and mortification that had begun to plague her. Nonetheless, her fear for Fuwa Sho far overwhelmed any other emotion or thought she felt. All who knew of Fuwa-sama intimately were aware of the fire that fueled his fury. Sho and the lord have been disconnected for as long as the teen could remember. This would not bode well for the heir. The last thing she saw was the blood tainting the hot waters of the bath… Kyoko shivered again.
"Kyoko." Liang muttered with mild irritation.
Startled, she snapped her head up, breaking all forms of etiquette. Eyes widening at her mistake, she quickly dropped her chin and bowed in apology.
"After what transpired earlier today, I can understand the ghosts behind your distraction. But you must NOT forget who you are. What you are here to accomplish. The expectations of excellence."
Kyoko's lips tightened. Was it fear? Or perhaps a silent anger of her own? Even she did not know.
"If it will help appease your distress, Fuwa-san will recover quickly. I promise, dear, that he was not as terribly beaten as you might believe."
A small smoke of relief swirled into her chest, calming her immediate concern. A rapid image of their intimacy flooded her eyes and her heart tightened. This is for the best, Kyoko thought. I cannot risk hurting him, or his prospects again. Please, forgive me…Sho.
"Thank you, Liang-san." Kyoko replied kindly, bowing respectfully with grace.
"I must find her!" Sho roared, flinging the warm covers off his body. Twisting to his side in an effort to sweep his feet to the bamboo floors, he cringed at the pain that pierced his upper, left torso. Recalling the abuse that broke his ribs, he fumed. Gritting his teeth, he closed his eyes and breathed through the agony.
"Fuwa-san, please!" The young cleaning boy pleaded with the heir as he tried to gently push him back down to the bed. "You are severely injured and in no shape to—"
"I have to know that she's okay!" Sho yelled, placing his palm against the smaller, thinner boy's chest, he shoved forcefully, sending him backwards where he landed on his rump. "My father has an anger not to be trifled with! If he can do this to me, I can only imagine what he'd do with a piece of property that he no longer finds suitable." Growling, he sat up fully and curled his toes against the cool, hard floor. A picture wheel of Kyoko's face flooded his consciousness. The lovely blush to her pale cheeks. The tender way her fingers had touched his skin. The shock when his father's men stormed the bath. The terror… as they were torn apart. "I must know…" he whispered as emotion began to overwhelm him.
Sighing the young boy nodded in understanding. "I can tell you what I know about Kyoko-san, but I am not permitted to tell you more." When Sho's eyes met his, the boy swallowed a lump of fear. "Technically, sir, I shouldn't be telling you this much."
Falling to his knees as he slid off the bed's edge, Sho grasped the boy's wrists and pleaded desperately. "I swear, I will not say a word! But I have to know what has happened to her!"
Noticing the soft glean of moisture glazing Sho's eyes, the boy could not resist. In the three years he has worked here, nothing has ever stirred the heir the way that his affections for Kyoko did. Who was he to restrain the fate of true love?
"Please… I'm begging you…" Sho's voice grew hoarse.
"They…" the boy began, timidly. "They had the physician examine her for… imperfections. He was quite thorough from what I overheard in the kitchens."
Shutting his eyes, Sho tried his damndest to bite back the rage that began to consume him. That old bastard, he's worse than most of the customers who visit. Kyoko has always held his deepest attention, no doubt he relished the opportunity. Taking a slow, deep breath, Sho knitted his brows. I swear, I will kill him.
"Afterwards, they, um…" Recognizing the distress that would come in the aftermath, the boy fell silent, unable to say the words that needed to be voiced.
Raising his eyes, Sho pleaded again. "Please, I need to know. Regardless… regardless of how much I may not want to hear it."
"Yes, sir." The boy mumbled. "They are prepping her for her mizuage." Dropping his head, the boy clenched his jaw at the thought of it.
No… Sho thought. They can't do this to her…
"The patron is a foreign man of stature who's agreed to pay an inconceivable price. Fuwa-sama has been abuzz with anticipation for this transaction. The rumor is that afterwards, the gaijin will take Kyoko-san with him." A wash of shame overwhelmed the boy. Wrestling his wrists free, he slid back and bowed deeply in a full dogeza before the Fuwa heir. "I am so very sorry, sir. If there was anything that I could do to stop this from happening, I would do it earnestly."
When he didn't receive a response, he braved a look up. The sight stole the air from his lungs. In the flickering candlelight, Fuwa Sho's bruised and battered face with a blackened eye, and numerous cuts and scrapes from forehead to chin, made him look utterly volatile. Thin lips were taut with disbelief and despair. Thick brows furrowed in contemplation of a notion that would more than likely bring the oiran to its knees.
Gulping once more, the boy sat back slowly. "Fuwa…-san…?"
"I won't allow it," Sho said very softly.
"Pardon me, sir?"
"I said…" Meeting the boy's gaze, Sho pushed into a stance, wincing when the pain assaulted him. "I won't fucking allow it!" Sho yelled. Turning deftly on his bare feet, he ran to the paper doors in pursuit of the woman he loved so dearly.
I apologise that it's taken me so long to update this story. I was struggling with a lack of inspiration. But I am hoping to diligently continue the story onwards with regular updates. Please, support me if you can. Thank you very much. XOXO.
Also, please note that I have a new computer and software, so the spelling of English words from this point forward will be in British English spelling (ex. recognize=recognise, program=programme, honor=honour, etc.).
