Short chapter guys! But hey at least I updated soon right? :D Should I start the lemon countdown now? Probably within the next 5 chapters there will be a LEMON so warning (or teasing haha!) Enjoy this short chapter! Love yall!
Chapter 20: Bidding Potential
Cheeks as red as the dye of her lips. Yet her eyes were now devoid of any tears. Dehydration had apparently set in after Rin's break down the night before, as evidenced by her swelling finger tips and figure. However, the appearance of Kohaku had left her so shaken with anxiety and heartache that she couldn't bring herself to worry about the rather shallow things that a Geisha should.
Until last night, had she ever thought them to be so shallow?
She sat upon the mat of her room, staring blankly into her lap at the three grey gemstones that sat snug in their own perfect little hexagonal velvet boxes. Circular in shape and all taking up the space of both of her palms, they held upon their surfaces golden wires that weaved in and out of each other, decorating each individual jewel with hoops and loops, all in lovely origami symmetry. In the center of the wiring dips were perfectly round beads of purple and black quartz dangling, while the golden metal geisha wings gave a nice accent; stretching out from the back of the stone on either side.
These were the Mizuage Incitements.
Tomorrow, she was to give them out to her potential bidders and then the next day… They were to place their bids. After the audition, bid upon.
Good thing she wasn't long for this atrocious world. Once more, she would travel the coast and live peacefully with Kohaku. She smiled sadly before her lips curved down once more. Despite her now extreme distaste for becoming a true Geisha, and her extreme adoration for her lost love, Rin had to admit that she would miss the few people she had grown to trust over the years here. And for a split second Sesshoumaru crossed her mind.
Perhaps yes, she would even miss him too. Even though they both were openly tolerating each other just to reach their individual goals, she found the last few months to be a bit lonely without the tense excitement that he brought to her entertainment sessions.
Just before the dog demons had retreated to their negotiation period, she had felt herself wanting to grow closer to Sesshoumaru; wanting to figure out what truly went on in his head since he spoke so little. And since the deplorable demon was leashed to his father's expectations, Rin's fear of him began to wane ever so gradually, until there was none left.
She sighed openly as she covered the jewels with the lids of their sanctuaries, just in time for her Onee-san to enter her room.
"Ohayou, Onee-chan," Izayoi greeted with a small smile. It was evident to Rin that she had come bearing grave news.
"Ohayo Gozaimasu, Onee-san," Rin replied expectedly, beginning to close off her emotions, "I suppose you, Kikyou-sama, and the mothers have all decided...?"
Izayoi nodded lightly before shuffling into the room and kneeling on the zabuton facing Rin.
"It would seem...," she began, "...That the house mothers and Kikyou-sama find it suitable to have doctor Miroku-sama, theater director, Bankotsu-sama, and the president of the merchant society, Sato-sama fair bidding privileges for your mizuage."
Rin's heart tensed up at the thought of those men, "Sato-sama? But I have never met that man before, Onee-san..."
"I know... Which I found to be a bit strange, myself, even though he is the wealthiest lady's man in the district," Izayoi agreed, "Which is why, despite it not being my place to do so, I spoke up."
"What do you mean?" Rin's eyes lifted to her house-sister's.
"I convinced them to change the third prospect to... Sesshoumaru-sama," she answered, hesitantly.
"Wh-what?" Rin nearly dropped the fragile boxes. Even though she would be gone with Kohaku by the actual mizuage ceremony, the sheer thought of having to give one of these incitements to the ruthless demon General who hates humans had the ability make her sick with agitation... and light up with embarrassment.
"Don't pretend that it is such a strange occurrence, Rin," Izayoi warned, "Though it is not entirely acceptable yet, both myself and Kagome-san's auctions had been won by dog demons."
"Eh?" Rin's eyes grew wide with surprise, "Both you and Kagome-san?!"
Izayoi chuckled, "Yes, me by Inu-Taishou-sama and Kagome-san by Inuyasha-sama."
"B-b-but this is totally different, Onee-san!" Rin managed to find her logic through the startling bit of information, "Sesshoumaru-sama hates humans. The only reason I was made to serve him is because he is prideful and insensitive! Do you not worry for my safety if he... If he...," she couldn't bring herself to say it.
Izayoi's eyes traveled sadly up to Rin's face as she structured her own reasoning, "Sesshoumaru-sama is indeed very prideful. Most likely more prideful than insensitive. Regardless if he desires your mizuage or not, to not offer him a bidding token would undoubtedly displease him. Don't you agree?"
"I don't know...," Rin replied, turning her head away, suddenly remembering the inflamed kiss that they had shared once before, "I'm not so sure it would hurt his pride so much. This is simply human ritual after all. How could he find it even worth his time to analyze such silly things?"
"Silly? You would be shocked, Rin-chan," her mentor explained, "How we humans and dog demons communicate and show emotion are completely different. How you interpret Sesshoumaru-sama's character could be askew from how it truly is. If you ask me, I think that he has already come such a long way."
Rin widened her eyes just a bit before reconnecting them with Izayoi, "Are you saying that there's even a slight chance that Sesshoumaru-sama would bid on me...?"
Izayoi smiled, "Knowing the situation he's in and the kind of niceties that he has provided you, I would say maybe a bit more than slight. And even if he bids just to please his father, you should know that the sum of money that he could provide outdoes the other bidders by ten-fold."
"Are you serious?" Rin's breath hitched at the thought of so much money.
"Yes... I am very serious. Now, let's get you dressed and ready. You have to deliver all three of these incitements by early this evening."
Sorry for the short chapter but it was a good time to change scenes!
Will get you the next one very very soon! Can you tell the epic moment of epic moments is coming up? ;p
See ya laterrrr! Review please! :D
