It looks as if I'm getting wrapped up in this story now... since... you know... I've updated three times in the last four days?!

This is a pretty long chapter too... Though the fun part should be next chapter!

Enjoy more interesting back stories!

*Warning* Mature themes involving drugs. (I do not support the usage of opiates!)

Chapter 6: First Day


Cesaria relentlessly bit on her nails as she, Kagome, and even the godmothers all awaited the return of Rin from her first day of Geisha training. The lot of them were nervous. Whether it was shifting their weight from foot to foot, playing with loose strands of hair, or allowing miniscule sweat droplets to form upon a concentrated brow, they all stood in anticipation of Rin's competency results.

Each Maiko, on their first day of Geisha training, was given a competency test in the four fields of the Geisha Standard. The four test fields would include Etiquette, Dancing, Physical Appearance, and Control. Etiquette involved the proper hand and body motions used during times of serving meals, snacks, sake', or tea. It also involved usable and unusable speech when among clients. Dancing encompassed the realm of controlled movements that were properly tuned into the notes of a shamisen. Physical appearance was more of an evaluation, given that such is not easily altered. A Maiko would be judged by her face, her frame, and her ability to appeal to the male population. Control was the fourth, and the most important field in the Geisha Standard; so important that, without it, the other three could never be honed suitably. This insinuated that without Control, a Maiko could never become a true Geisha. The skill to being a living work of art rested in that of beautiful, fluid, and slow movements from the slightest swivel of the head to the precise placement of the toes. Each body part had to be in perfect sync with the rest and was required to move as if it were influenced by a light summer's breeze.

The women stood in fear because of Rin's apparent inability to control her body. Her very reason for getting punished was because of her lack of control among valued clients, and if she scored poor enough in that field, she could be rejected and turned away from school.

The time neared. She would arrive back at Kodachi at any time now.

"Where is Izayoi-sama?" Kagome asked with hush, "You would think that since she plans on taking Rin under her wing that she-"

"Quiet, child. Izayoi-san is busy checking in clients for the evening. Her need to be here is of no necessity," Urasue-obaa-sama spoke up; obviously annoyed by the Geisha's breaking of everyone's focus.

"Hai, sumanai, Urasue-obaa-sama (Yes, forgive me, housemother)," Kagome whispered just as a shadow appeared behind the thin papered back door of Kodachi. It vaguely detailed a full head of hair, with a little ponytail tuft coming off left-side. No doubt, it was Rin.

Everyone took in and held their breath as Rin slowly slid open the door.

The girl was staring at the ground in mild contemplation upon entrance and hadn't even noticed her welcoming committee until a few seconds after relieving her feet of the raised wooden sandals.

"Oh…," she replied to their presence; docile, "…I didn't know you all would be-"

"How did it go?!" Cesaria was the first to bolt up to Rin, lightly grabbing her shoulders with the need to know of her friend's outcome.

"Well…," Rin looked to the side before alleviating the anticipation with a small smile, "I passed."

Everyone's face lit up with relief as Cesaria embraced Rin, congratulating her along with the others. Of course, the heartfelt hug was returned with reciprocated excitement.

"So humble, this girl is…," A deep feminine voice came from the outside; to which everyone paused to look towards the door.

Sliding it open slowly and very Geisha-like, a tall woman with long dark hair tied back, revealed her presence to the room.

"Ah!" Rin shouted, "Kikyo-sensei-sama! You followed me home?"

"I did," Kikyo replied before looking up at the others; focusing with contempt on Kagome at first, before resting her dark pupils upon Kaede.

"I hear many great things about ye school, Kikyo," Kaede greeted her eldest granddaughter, "I can only hope that my servicing it with ready Maiko is helping with ye endeavors."

"Grandmother, it's been awhile. How have you been?" Kikyo inquired in a very willowy manner.

"Oh, ye needn't waste ye hollow words, child… Ye bitterness is as strong as ever," Kaede promptly retorted.

Kagome, meanwhile, had crossed her arms and looked onward at Kikyo with burning eyes.

"Hmph," the poised woman in the doorway chuckled, "While there is good reason for such bitterness, I actually have come here to congratulate the Kodachi house on their new Maiko."

Kaede nor Urasue looked amused.

"Ye are telling me that ye made such a journey just to welcome a new Maiko? I find it hard to believe ye visit all of the Geisha houses to do such tiresome work," the grandmother accused.

"You are correct. I do not visit all of the Geisha houses. In fact, this is the first time I have ever visited one on behalf of a new student," Kikyo explained further, "I didn't do it because it happens to be Kodachi. I did it because Kodachi happens to own one of the most talented Maiko that I have ever seen."

Everyone gasped audibly. Rin, however, formed a slight blush.

"Y-you mean Rin? This girl?!" Urasue raised her voice in disbelief.

Kagome, Cesaria, and Kaede all looked at Rin with widened eyes as Kikyo replied.

"Yes. She received the highest score in history for all four fields by the board. Even with the lot of incoming students that made their appearances this morning, Rin clearly stood out. Her talent is beyond compare…," Kikyo paused to eye Kaede with malice, "I would go so far to presume that Rin far outreaches even Izayoi-san's potential."

Rin covered her mouth with embarrassment as she continued to get strange looks from the Geisha in the room.

"And because I would hate to see such talent to go to waste, I thought I would encourage your house to do right by this young girl and have her train under me exclusively," Kikyo unleashed her intentions.

Kaede's brow twitched with annoyance, "Izayoi-san is Rin's mentor. She will not be mentored under another house."

"Hmph, Izayoi-san is mentoring again? I guess that is the second best outcome that I could have hoped for," Kikyo smiled, "I figured you would decline since you have always regarded my contribution to Geisha allure so feebly. However, I am sure that passing time and stolen clients have shifted that regard a bit."

Now, Kikyo spoke to them all, "In any matter, I must return to Matsuzuma. After all, the youngest son of Inu Taishou is first on our client list this evening…," she sneered in Kagome's direction as the words left her mouth, "…I would hate to make him wait."

Kagome's heart visibly dropped by way of her expression as Kikyo turned to leave, "Rin, the teachers at my school look forward to working with you. Maybe I will have the pleasure of instructing you myself one day."

Rin, though coddled by Kikyo's uplifting words, could only scowl at the school owner's display. Kodachi was her home and it held everyone that she considered family. For a stranger from a competing house to threaten her home, even if it was on her behalf, didn't sit well with her.

Turning to her silent, on looking group, Rin said, "I don't really understand what Kikyo-sensei has against Kodachi, but rest assured Kaede-obaa-sama, I would never want to be trained under any other house except this one."

Kaede nodded solemnly, turning to exit, "Good. Perhaps I was wrong about ye potential, Rin. What happened last night with the dog demons… I shall consider it wiped clean."

Rin bowed low, "Thank you, Kaede-obaa-sama."

The housemothers trudged across the hall towards the stairwell that led to the offices while Cesaria and Kagome merely stood in silence.

"So…," Cesaria finally hinted towards her curiosity in Rin's direction, "How did you do it? How were you able to impress Lady Kikyo of all people without even a day of training?!"

"I-I don't know," Rin admitted, "I mean, since arriving here I've been studying Geisha training in my spare time like many of the other servants do. But that's it really…"

"You must truly be talented, then," Kagome offered a small, congratulatory smile.

"Kagome-sama," Rin muttered gratefully.

"Hey, Onee-san," Cesaria spoke directly to Kagome, catching her attention as the three of them began walking down the hallway towards the customer entrance, "What was that about, anyway? I thought your sister left the Geisha industry for good after Kaede-obaa-sama named Izayoi-san heir the house?"

Kagome looked down, "That's what she had said upon her leave but… Apparently not."

"Oh…," Rin said, now enlightened, "So she's the one you guys would always talk about!"

Kagome merely nodded.

"If that's the case, and if she truly is a competitor to our house, then why does Kaede-obaa-sama send new Maiko to her school?" Rin inquired.

"I suppose…," Cesaria began, trying to think of a logical answer, only for Kagome to take the reins.

"My grandmother still loves her and still wishes for her success even though she has done nothing but disgrace our house," Kagome answered bitterly, "I can understand my sister a little, because I, too, was passed over as heir to Kodachi… But Izayoi-san, even though she isn't blood related to us, truly deserved the nomination."

"Oh…. Hey wait a minute!" Cesaria suddenly remembered Kikyo's words, "Did she not say that the younger son of Inu Taishou was-"

Suddenly a shrill call came from down the hallway.

"Rin! I need Rin to the front right away! You, there! Go inform the housemothers!"

It was Izayoi-san rounding the corner with several servants, coming from the customer entrance.

"Huh? Rin's here, what's going on?" Kagome called back, the three of them now rushing to meet the Geisha.

"Rin! You must get changed! Right this instant!" Izayoi hurried to her.

"Huh?! Why? What's going on?" Rin stuttered as her hand was forcefully grabbed by her new mentor, who now aimed to drag her down the hallway and out of sight from her dumbstruck friends.

"Lord Sesshoumaru and his comrades have shown up unexpectedly, requesting entertainment. We have no choice but to free a room for them because of their patronage…" Izayoi informed, short of breath, "You passed your test, did you not?"

"Wh-What?!" Rin's heart suddenly threatened to burst through her chest, "Y-yes, b-but I'm not… I don't even have kimonos or… or make-up yet… I couldn't possibly start right now! Someone else will have to-"

Izayoi slammed her room's door shut after they had entered and stared at Rin. She, too, was a bit shaken.

"Rin… Sesshoumaru-sama specifically requested you…," she lamented. Rin's hands began to shake as her mentor continued her issuance of bad news, "…And he specified that he and his friends wanted no other Geisha nor Maiko in the room except for you."

"What?" Rin whispered, mainly to herself. She could feel her vision blurring as her face grew hot. The onslaught of a panic attack.

"I will dress you. You will borrow my things," Izayoi-san claimed, hurrying to her dresser, "But first…"

She removed a tiny glass jar that held fine greenish-brown flakes. Taking a pinch of the substance, Izayoi motioned for Rin to stand before her.

"Open your mouth," her mentor said.

"What… is that?" Rin heaved; her mind in a daze as it threatened to make her relive the horrors of her past. It must be demons and men alone that cause her to lose such necessary control. The trauma of her past apparently still had very real effects…

"Concentrated opium…," Izayoi confessed, causing Rin's form to tense up.

"I can't take that…," Rin backed away slowly, but Izayoi reached out to stop her.

"I know how you feel… But you must. It is our only option given your state and your experience. It will relax you and nothing more. I am giving you but a quarter of a dose."

Rin hesitantly nodded as she opened her mouth and allowed Izayoi to drop the flakes upon her tongue. Swallowing viciously from the bitterness of the drug, the girl did everything to not sink to her knees as she tried to take in all that was expected of her; all that rested upon her shoulders.

She knew how everything worked and proceeded in an entertainment session, but now that she was on the verge of engaging in one, all knowledge fled her.

Helpless, she stood, allowing Izayoi-onee-san access to her body as she dreaded each passing minute that only led her closer to her fears.

But the longer she stood, the easier living became…. The easier thinking became…. She felt a veil of tranquility fall on all sides of her. Her body and mind grew to calm as the opium began to seep into her bloodstream.

"I-Izayoi-onee-san… How will I be able to…," Rin tried to ask.

"Don't worry, Rin. You may feel like you can't initially, but your body is still capable. All the opium is doing is keeping your body calm."

They began to walk down the hallway once more. Rin was now properly dressed in three layers of borrowed navy blue silk. The outer layer was particularly exquisite and finely formed thanks to the talented hands of Izayoi. Her obi was tied ever so intricately; shining of silvers and golds upon a dark red base of flowered embroidery. Her hair hadn't the time to be waxed and formed, but had been tied and knotted with extravagant jewelry and jade combs that accentuated the doll-like make-up that charmed her ever-so-recently formed jawline.

Finally, they had arrived outside of room number seven.

"They are already in here," Izayoi whispered. Though there was no need, for drunken voices boomed from within.

"Is Sesshoumaru-sama… drunk as well?" Rin asked, nervously.

Izayoi didn't answer, she simply encouraged, "You will be okay. Remember everything that you have seen and observed… And may Kami be with you, Onee-chan."

Rin nodded before majestically falling to her knees in a bow.

Calmly she raised her voice, "Please, honorable guests, excuse my interruption."


EEEEEEE! R&R PLEASE :)

Also, I got a question from one of my reviewers and so I want to clear some stuff up!
The question was about Bakusaiga and why is Sesshoumaru bending to his father's will since Bakusaiga,
in the anime, is proof that Sesshoumaru has surpassed his father.

My answer is that because I am kind of making up my own world with our favorite characters, there are inconsistencies
on purpose. I will say that it is implied that Sesshoumaru could kill his father if he chose to (when Naraku suggested it),
But he doesn't wish death upon his him(this lines up with the third Inuyasha Movie when his father asks if Sesshoumaru
was going to kill him for his swords *and, ultimately, Sesshoumaru does not*).

But truly, Bakusaiga is just there. That sword would not have came into existence if it weren't for Inuyasha chopping off Sesshoumaru's arm,
and Sesshoumaru's arm wouldn't have been chopped off if it weren't for the struggle over claiming Tetsuaiga, and Tetsuaiga wouldn't have
been fought over if Inu Taishou wasn't dead. Because Inu Taishou is alive and because Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru live on okay terms
(not good terms by any stretch), I've included Bakusaiga just as his standard sword since everything else is fucked up too (haha).
Note that he does not have Tenseiga because his father is still alive.

So, unlike my last story, when I was hell-bent on making everything make sense by way of Rumiko's structured world,
in this story I am simply lining up the characters' personalities and very little else. This is actually more difficult and challenging
for me to do and that's why I am doing it. :P.

Hope that answers some things!