Chapter One: Konabe (Flower Tea)
For the first time, Syaoran joined the other males of the Li Clan at a teahouse in town. He found the place interesting with a style of art and decoration he hadn't seen before, or even studied during the extensive and expensive education his family had given him. The speech his mother had given him earlier was still going round in his head, going over and over the reason to way he was actually here.
"It's time for you to start to understand the responsibility that will come to you as Clan Leader. Tonight you will go with the Elders and learn about the duties that will be placed on you in the future."
"This is what I'm going to have to sit though every week?" he sighed to himself. They had only just got their meal but he had stopped listening to their conversation long ago. At least now he could concentrate on eating to pass the time, even though he knew that they never normally returned home until late. "Do they really just sit here talking for all that time?" Pondering on that thought for a second, he did not notice that the Elders were waiting for him to answer. He hadn't even realised they were talking to him. A purposeful cough drew his attention back to the table. His father's eyes shone with a tint of anger but soon softened.
"Syaoran, you really should pay attention. It may seem boring now but it is important that you learn soon. The responsibilities of Clan leader are great and the more preparation you have, the easier it will be when the power is passed on to you." Syaoran nodded and reluctantly started to listen as they continued.
It took at least an hour until the Elders were also growing tired from business. This brought a sigh of relief from Syaoran, although he didn't realise that it still wasn't time to leave. One of the Elders raised his arm to draw the attention of a woman that had been serving them. "Finally they're asking for the bill" He didn't know how wrong he was. If only he could hear that the Elder was in fact asking the plump, stern looking woman for haizen.
"Yes, I would be grateful for the usual geisha's for my guests. I would also like someone for a new member. He is only fifteen so if we could have one his age." The woman was hesitant in replying. "Sir, you know that they are not properly geisha's until sixteen. It would not be proper for them to mingle with customers." The Elder didn't react to this at all as he knew she would let him have what he wanted. It only took a few seconds of silence before she continued to say, "Well, actually, there is one, named Konabe. She's not fully fledged but she has finished all her studies. Started early you see. Plus, she was trained by Kima, and has just turned fifteen. She'll be perfect." "Very good. Hopefully they can join us before the entertainment starts." "All but the young one sir. She'll be performing along with the others. I could arrange another for you, but she is the best, and up to the standards that you're used to." The woman hoped that he would not make her chose another. After all, none of the others were ready for a meeting like this, and she was worried about how they would act around such important clients. "Fine. We'll wait. The others will be over soon though I hope." Nodding the woman hurried off to find the required girls.
For the first time, Syaoran joined the other males of the Li Clan at a teahouse in town. He found the place interesting with a style of art and decoration he hadn't seen before, or even studied during the extensive and expensive education his family had given him. The speech his mother had given him earlier was still going round in his head, going over and over the reason to way he was actually here.
"It's time for you to start to understand the responsibility that will come to you as Clan Leader. Tonight you will go with the Elders and learn about the duties that will be placed on you in the future."
"This is what I'm going to have to sit though every week?" he sighed to himself. They had only just got their meal but he had stopped listening to their conversation long ago. At least now he could concentrate on eating to pass the time, even though he knew that they never normally returned home until late. "Do they really just sit here talking for all that time?" Pondering on that thought for a second, he did not notice that the Elders were waiting for him to answer. He hadn't even realised they were talking to him. A purposeful cough drew his attention back to the table. His father's eyes shone with a tint of anger but soon softened.
"Syaoran, you really should pay attention. It may seem boring now but it is important that you learn soon. The responsibilities of Clan leader are great and the more preparation you have, the easier it will be when the power is passed on to you." Syaoran nodded and reluctantly started to listen as they continued.
It took at least an hour until the Elders were also growing tired from business. This brought a sigh of relief from Syaoran, although he didn't realise that it still wasn't time to leave. One of the Elders raised his arm to draw the attention of a woman that had been serving them. "Finally they're asking for the bill" He didn't know how wrong he was. If only he could hear that the Elder was in fact asking the plump, stern looking woman for haizen.
"Yes, I would be grateful for the usual geisha's for my guests. I would also like someone for a new member. He is only fifteen so if we could have one his age." The woman was hesitant in replying. "Sir, you know that they are not properly geisha's until sixteen. It would not be proper for them to mingle with customers." The Elder didn't react to this at all as he knew she would let him have what he wanted. It only took a few seconds of silence before she continued to say, "Well, actually, there is one, named Konabe. She's not fully fledged but she has finished all her studies. Started early you see. Plus, she was trained by Kima, and has just turned fifteen. She'll be perfect." "Very good. Hopefully they can join us before the entertainment starts." "All but the young one sir. She'll be performing along with the others. I could arrange another for you, but she is the best, and up to the standards that you're used to." The woman hoped that he would not make her chose another. After all, none of the others were ready for a meeting like this, and she was worried about how they would act around such important clients. "Fine. We'll wait. The others will be over soon though I hope." Nodding the woman hurried off to find the required girls.