******************************************************************************
Act II
Fingers of the Rosy Dawn
******************************************************************************
Chapter Five: Dance of the Lady Atsutane. Lady Atsutane?!
******************************************************************************
Mission: Don your disguises
******************************************************************************
"I do not believe this...this is not happening...I am not here...I am somewhere very far away..."
"Stop it Atsutane or you'll ruin your makeup and you won't be able to go!" Hinageshi admonished.
"Oh yeah, it'd be a real crime if that happened! Real pity if I wasn't able to dress up in..."
"HOLD STILL!" Chiharu bellowed, firmly placing a beautiful wig onto his head and pining it into place.
"Hey Chiharu , why don't you dig those pins in a little harder? I hear its real charming for a Geisha to be bleeding from the scalp. "Beautiful rivers of crimson flowing from the head". Wasn't that part of a haiku or something?"
"Why, he's almost as sarcastic as I am." Ayame remarked thoughtfully as she helped Sayako with her kimono.
"Don't be so arrogant, Atsutane. Remember, you're not a Geisha, you're a Maiko." Chiharu said.
"I'm not either one! I'm a man! Why am I doing this?!" Atsutane screamed.
"You think this is any more fun for us?" Rimiko shouted, nearing hysterics herself.
"This...isn't..pleasant..." Sayako ground out as she stared at the floor, hard.
"Why us three? Why?" Atsutane bellowed.
"Because you three are the only ones of Maiko age whom I can trust." Lord Godha said as he entered the room calmly.
"My Lord," the women said respectfully and bowed. Atsutane bowed hastily, his wig tilting to the front and covering his eyes as he sat up.
"I see you are all coming along nicely. What beautiful Geishas you all would have made."
"Thank you." said Rimiko and Sayako with forced politeness.
"Yeah thanks." Atsutane mumbled.
"Your hunch was right, Hinageshi." Lord Godha continued. " The group of bandits who attacked the Geisha house were under the orders of Lord Iekazu. It appears that the eastern clan has finally made its move. Well, it was to be expected. The horses shall be arriving shortly. Hopefully you will all be ready soon."
"Horses?" Rimiko asked.
"Yes, and very fine ones, too." Taro commented as he entered the room. He looked about and spotted Atsutane, who Chiharu was now putting lipstick on, and grinned.
"Laugh it up Taro! Laugh it up!" Atsutane growled.
"You idiot! You ruined your lipstick!" Chiharu yelled. Bikki and Shoko joined her in attempt to fix the error.
"Was your journey successful, Taro?" Lord Godha asked.
"Very successful! We've managed to bribe some of the bandits to take part in this little play."
"Could you please explain to us what's happening?" Rimiko dead panned.
"Why certainly, my beauty." Taro said as Rimiko stuck her tongue out at him. "The group of bandits working for Lord Iekazu were supposed to attack yet another Geisha house. Instead, they are going to capture and bring back you, your sister, and the very beautiful Akane."
"I'm assuming that's me?" Atsutane muttered.
"Precisely. We are going to say that you three were traveling to this estate as a matter of safety when the bandits ambushed you."
"And we're sure these bandits are just gonna play along with us?" Atsutane grumbled.
"They work for whoever pays the higher price, and as of right now, that is us. But the woods surrounding the Iekazu estate are filled with many roving spies. We must act out the kidnaping precisely, or else you will executed as soon as you are brought to Lord Iekazu."
"And where will all of you be?" Rimiko asked.
"All the other ninja shall be closing in on the borders of the estate. At midnight you three are to sneak the Geishas out of there. It is imperative that we get those women to safety. We won't be able to attack the estate until they are safe. Understood?"
"Yes." the trio said blandly.
"So once the women are out we go straight back in to attack?" Atsutane asked eagerly.
"Yes. In the attack we have three main targets. First and foremost is Lord Iekazu. The second is his main advisor Ugaki Nagen, and the third is the advisor in training named Morimoto Kenichi. Lord Iekazu is extraordinarily slow witted. From the reports we have gotten it seems that his advisors are the truly shrewd ones and pull all the strings. They are most likely the ones who planned the Geisha kidnaping."
"All right. Got it. Can we go?" Rimiko asked.
"All of you up and lets take one final look at you." Hinagehsi ordered.
The trio stood up, all with very sour expressions. Both Sayako's and Rimiko's kinmono were light peach with a yellow obi detailed with intricate blue flowers. Atsutane's kimono was a light pink with purple obi. The trio were actually quite beautiful, and Atusutane's round face adapted to the makeup well. It was impossible to tell that he was truly a male.
"Yeah, were lovely. Can we go?" Atsutane grumbled.
"Yes, but remember what I told you. For the time being you three are Maikos, and therefore, you must think and act like Maikos." Hinageshi said sternly.
"And how are we supposed to do that?" Rimiko asked bluntly.
Hinageshi heaved a sigh. "Not talking, for one. Your voices will surely give you away. Simply don't look anyone in the eye and absolutely no displays of strength. Walk slowly and ladylike. Be delicate." Hinageshi ordered. "Now let me see how you three move."
Unfamiliar with constrictive clothing, the three stumbled around as Hinageshi ground her teeth. After a few minuets of practice they were able to walk slowly and in somewhat of a straight line.
"That will have to do." Taro said. "We should head out now."
The group went outside and were surprised to find that many of the clan had congregated to see them off. The men either laughed or whistled appreciatively as they spotted the three "Maiko". A group of horses stood in the center of this group, and were indeed very fine creatures. Taro eagerly jumped into the saddle of one and motioned to Atsutane. Atsutane looked murderous as Taro helped him up and forced him to ride side-saddled. Sayako and Rimiko also rode behind two male ninja of the clan, looking just as displeased.
As the horses slowly went into a trot a sarcastic voice called, "Your beauty is astounding, Atsutane!"
Taro recognized the voice as belonging to Masaki, but grinned when he heard Atstuane grumble something that sounded like, "Better looking than your mother."
A girl burst from the crowd and ran alongside Rimiko's horse. "Wait!" she cried. "Rimiko, I have something for you!"
Rimiko gazed down and found Juriette beside her horse, holding something up in her hand. She reached down and took it from her. It was a beautiful and delicate bracelet.
"Its mine! You can borrow it for now! Just make sure you don't lose it!" the girl warned.
Rimiko smiled at the token of friendship. "Thank you!" she cried as the horse sped up and the group galloped away.
For hours the group rode in silence, the three "Maiko" still brooding. They plunged into the woods where Sayako had met Yasha. Sayako smiled, having the odd feeling that Yasha was still there, looking after her.
They rode for many miles, and just as the sun began to set Taro ordered that the group ride in tighter formation. They approached an open area of forest where an entourage of men were waiting for them.
"Remember, make it look convincing. Spies could be anywhere." Taro whispered to the trio.
"Oh no. Help. Danger. Help." Atsutane said stoically.
"Stop!" Taro ordered, halting their horses. He puffed out his chest and looked at the bandits angrily. "Who be you men?" he asked, using his best theatrics.
"We are bandits! Forfeit your women or forfeit your lives!" the bandit leader said with equal gusto.
"Oh no. Help. We are doomed." Atsutane grumbled.
"Forfeit our women or forfeit our lives? Well..." Taro said thoughtfully. "Hurry up and take them."
"WHAT?! YOU STUPID BASTARD!" Atsutane screamed, punching Taro in the stomach.
Taro bent over and hissed, "What are you doing?!"
"Being convincing." Atsutane said with a wink. "YOU BASTARD! HOW COULD YOU BETRAY US?! ARE YOUR LIVES ANY MORE IMPORTANT THAN OUR OWN?!" Atsutane screamed in a high and squeaky voice.
Rimiko and Sayako exchanged a glance and grinned.
"FIGHT THEM YOU COWARDS! FIGHT THEM!" Rimiko screamed.
"DO SOMETHING! DO SOMETHING!" Sayako whined.
The bandit men looked as though they were trying to contain their laughter. They rode up and easily picked up both Rimiko and Sayako off their horses and put them onto their own. A screaming and flailing Atsutane was thrown by Taro to the leader.
"Lets go!" the bandit leader ordered, holding on to Atsutane as he tried to regain his balance and make sure his wig was on straight at the same time.
******************************************************************************
"We ambushed them my Lord. They were traveling to Lord Godha's estate for protection. The men they were riding with were cowards and handed them over without a fight." the bandit leader said proudly as Sayako, Rimiko, and Atsutane knelt on the floor, refusing to look up.
"Ah, excellent." Lord Iekazu grumbled. The trio had only caught a glimpse of him but were able to see that he was a hideous man who even shorter than Princess Kiku.
"I was always one to think that Lord Godha's men were cowards, eh Nagen?"
A tall man standing by Lord Iekazu nodded. "Yes, my Lord. You were always one to say how weak they were."
Rimiko met Sayako's eyes, and for a brief moment they were able to communicate.
So that's the main advisor Rimiko was able to tell her twin by merely glancing at the tall and wicked man.
But where is the advisor in training? Sayako's eyes questioned.
I don't know, but we should be careful Rimiko's eyes warned.
"Well, I suppose we should put these lovely little treasures with the rest of them. Take them away." Lord Iekazu ordered.
Rimiko, Sayako, and "Akane" were taken away by Iekazu's men. From the fleeting glances Sayako was able to steal from her surroundings she was able to see how incredibly wealthy the Iekazu clan had become. Priceless artwork seemed to litter the entire estate. The display of wealth was disgusting.
The trio was thrown into a large and dark room. The door slid shut and locked behind them. They stood and stretched eagerly.
"Well that was fun." Atsutane muttered, reverting back to his masculine voice.
"This is NOT how I envisioned my first mission." Rimiko said.
"I didn't even think about that. This is our first mission, isn't it?" Sayako said.
The three slowly felt their way around the room and suddenly discovered they were not alone.
"Don't move!" a high and trembling voice called out. "I have a weapon!"
"Wait!" Rimiko cried. "We're here to help!"
Candle light flickered in the darkness. A young girl was illuminated. A large piece of wood was held high in her hand.
"Who are you?" the girl demanded.
"We are ninja from Lord Godha's clan! We're here to help!" Sayako said.
The girl studied them warily, then turned and lit more lanterns. As the room was slowly filled with light the trio discovered several women huddled behind the girl.
"Are you really here to save us?" one of the women pleaded.
"Will you take us away from those awful men?" another sobbed.
"Yes." Sayako said. "Have any of you been hurt?"
Only two of the women seemed to have been bruised, but otherwise they were fine. Sayako looked around the room and did a count.
"I count eight." she called. "Where is Amana?"
A petite figure stepped forward from a darkened corner of the room. She was very short and waif-like, seeming as though she could be picked up on a gust of wind. Her grace and beauty were extraordinary. She blinked owlishly at them.
"I am here." Amana whispered.
"Good. That makes nine." Rimiko commented, now inspecting the room's only window. "Help me see if we can get this window open, Atsutane."
But Atsutane was not looking at Rimiko. He gazed longingly at Amana and then rushed to her side.
"Oh, you poor thing! You have been through so very much. Do not worry. I, Atsutane, will be the one to rescue you from these wretched conditions." he said, grasping her hand and kissing it.
"My!" Amana squeaked. "You certainly are strong...umm...Atsutane?"
Atsutane suddenly remembered what he was wearing. "Oh, yes, I had to wear this disguise in order to infiltrate the compound! Soon, my dear Amana, you will be able to see what I truly look like."
"So you three had yourselves captured on purpose so you could get us out of here? When do we leave?" the girl who had threatened them earlier now questioned. Sayako made a note of her insightfulness.
"We leave at midnight." Rimiko said. "So listen up everyone, we are three trained ninjas sent from Lord Godha and we promise we will get you out of this. They must not think very highly of the Geisha to place you in such a room." Rimiko said, indication the window where they could easily escape from. "And we shall make them regret their mistake! As soon as we have you all safely out of her we are going to bring down this accursed estate!"
The women seemed highly uplifted by Rimiko's speech. They all removed themselves from the floor and from the corners and stood without fear.
"Oh! You three have not done to great a job on your disguises." one of the women said, noting several mistakes in the trio's appearances.
"Let us fix that for you!" another one of the women suggested.
The women gathered around and began to fix them up, much to their dismay. The young girl came over to Sayako, still carrying the piece of wood in her hand.
"What is that?" Sayako asked.
"There is a table in the corner over there. I snapped one of its legs off. My name is Tomoyo, by the way." the girl said.
"I'm Sayako. You're very crafty." Sayako complimented.
The young girl blushed with pride. Sayako suddenly felt pity for her. Tomoyo was supposedly not a very good Maiko.
"I wish it were midnight." Rimiko muttered. A fluttering in her stomach confirmed that Sayako wished the same.