Sorry for the short chapter! But it just fell right for the next chapter's set up! Please enjoy! And thank you to the owners of all of the honest and long reviews telling me how excited and happy with my writing that you all are. It seriously makes my day!
Enjoy Chapter 24: Discussion
Rin stared longingly, soullessly, at the paneled ceiling as echoes of female voices bounced back and forth from behind the room's standard privacy sheet. The voices of Kikyo-sama, Kaede-sama, Urasue-sama, and Izayoi-sama took hurried turns expressing their opinions of how to address the situation.
"Clearly we have a problem!" Urasue, one of the housemothers, interjected, "She was supposed to be the gem of the industry! Our house would have experienced exponential growth! But now…,"
Rin winced, but not from the conversation that was taking place to her left. A wave of pain had shot from her bandaged ankle up towards her calf and it had caught her off guard. Since last night, even walking was a chore for the young Maiko.
Last night…, Rin thought.
Sesshoumaru had saved her from demon magic. From Kohaku. A puppet trick made up by the same demon that had tried to lay a hand on her during her first entertainment session with Sesshoumaru and his friends. Naraku. Her expression softened.
Sesshoumaru-sama had saved her then too.
Tears lined her eyes as her numbed emotions began to thaw. Her previous goal of becoming one of the best, clean Geishas in the industry – back before the true reality had hit her like a ton of bricks – was at stake. At this rate, she'd be lucky to not be kicked out of Kodachi.
"We need to forget the audition, as well as the debut production, ever existed," Kikyo stated calmly, "While another house may grab the attention for awhile, your true sights should be set on the men who are still eager to bid for your daughter tonight."
Quiet. Only stunned silence, Rin estimated, before Kaede-sama spoke up.
"I think to forget the entire thing. If we can't get the most of her, then why not postpone?" She scoffed before stating, "Or sell her off the property now to the highest bidder? Perhaps that would be better than risking her running off and blemishing our reputation again."
"House mother…," Izayoi said reservedly.
"That would be quite a waste of talent," Kikyo followed Izayoi's tone, "What she has done is deplorable, but don't forget that she came back. Injured, angry, and ashamed, perhpas… but the result is still the same."
"Maybe if we wait until the next debut…," Urasue pondered out loud, looking for reassurance.
"Now you are free to do what you want," eyes closed, Kikyo offered, "But remember that you risk injuring the product's reputation if you delay sale."
"Yes," Izayoi affirmed, "If you were to wait now, the gossip would undoubtedly envelop whether Rin was, indeed, still a virgin or not."
Silence. Rin scowled.
"I suppose that is true...," Kaede accepted, sighing, "So then what would the excuse be for her missing the audition, then?"
"You already have a valid one," Urasue rolled her eyes, "She broke her ankle while… rushing along the stone pathways of the inner courtyard."
"But then shouldn't we delay the mizuage for the same reason?" Kaede eyed her counterpart, irritated.
"No," Izayoi stated, bluntly, "The man who takes her won't be interested in her ankle, and Rin shouldn't be expected to use it during the ceremony, anyway…," she paused, "… Intercourse is highly recommended to be straight forward during this occasion, afterall."
Rin's eyes widened. She was utterly disgusted. But she bit it back, and stowed such feelings away deep within her soul and heart. This was her life now. Forever. It was time to accept it.
"And there is no doing away with Rin once she pays off her debt," Kikyo proclaimed indignantly, garnering surprised and challenging glances from the housemothers.
Izayoi looked at her quizzically before Kikyo answered the room's stares,
"While I would have taken the opportunity to bring her to my own house once you all decided to rid yourselves of her, the honorable Sesshoumaru-sama had stated, upon their arrival to my door, that unless she remains beneath the roof of Kodachi, he will do all he can to shut down both of our Okiyas."
The young Maiko's head shot towards the privacy curtain, heart skipping a beat.
Sesshoumaru did that? For her?
She'd like to think, anyway, but more than anything, the threat was most likely formed to further his own goals.
"You have to be lying," Kaede hissed, "The son of Izayoi's danna…, who isn't even bidding on her, dares to-"
"Kaede-sama…," Izayoi interrupted, getting better at sharing her opinions to her barely superiors, "I know that discipline is a very important, and steadfast thing… But why would your discipline consist of something that is mutually detrimental to your own house?"
"Mm?" The old woman inquired begrudgingly.
"Keep Rin as a Geisha… and continue making money off of her talents. Find another way to teach her a lesson."
Silence ensued once more. For much much longer this time.
"Aye, well…," Finally, Kaede conceded, "Urasue and I shall give more thought to the matter. But for now, prepare the telegrams to send for bidding."
"As you wish," Kikyo smiled, bowing lightly.
And then, the privacy curtain moved to reveal both of Rin's housemothers. They immediately looked to her. Eyeing her up and down as if to evaluate her true worth to the house, before shuffling out of the room.
Rin finally exhaled. She hadn't realized just how anxious she had been throughout the entire conversation. And now she was anxious for another reason. Tonight, she would give herself to one of three men… And after that, her reputation within the house of Kodachi, and even to Sesshoumaru-sama, could never be the same.
That night, Inutaisho happened upon an idle Sesshoumaru, who was watching disinterestedly as a messenger hopped back onto his one-horse chariot with letter in hand. Within seconds the human male shouted, "Yah!" commanding the horse to head back towards the inner city.
"Oh?" Inutaisho sneered, "Did you change your mind?"
"Hmph," Sesshoumaru scoffed, whipping around and pushing past his father,
"You mistake me for a far lesser sort. I am merely doing as you wish until you decide to give me what is rightfully mine, father."
The moon slowly grew higher as the four messengers filed in from four vastly different areas, professions, and interests to the ever-awaiting house of Kodachi.
After reading the final telegram, Izayoi's eyes widened. Slowly, she rotated her body, along with Kikyo, to face the others; who were waiting expectantly. The two mentors were now looking to Rin, Kaede, Urasue, Kagome, and Cesaria. Rin, expectedly, was in her own corner. No one had opted to stand near her, and, unfortunately, she was going to have to get used to it. Ostracizing was a part of the shame of discipline. No one wants to stand near a traitor.
Izayoi finally spoke, "Incredible. Simply. Rin's mizuage…," she paused, comparing the telegrams just to be sure with Kikyo looking over her shoulder, "Her… mizuage will be going for ¥25,000,000 yen…"
Time stopped. The color in Rin's face ebbed, and her nervous fingers stopped fidgeting for just a moment. Not from disgust or anxiety… but from pure shock.
25,000,000 yen…
Five million yen more than Izayoi-sama's mizuage had been sold to Inutaisho for.
A record-breaking sale.
Everyone else seemed to share the same stunned face. And even more so as Izayoi uttered the next, crucial bit of information.
"And, it has been sold to… the Honorable Bankotsu-sama."
Okay guys, don't get mad, and don't get to excited. But the next round is coming soon. I will be writing the next chapter very very soon. I love you all! Thanks for so many kind words. I owe you all for the confidence I have in my writing now, truly! Please continue to review! My love language is "words of affirmation" ;) But if you don't like it, please don't hesitate in your desire to criticize. I will welcome constructive criticism with open arms.
