"Ah Kagome-chan, there you are."

Kagome's head looked up in surprise, hands up to her elbows in suds, at her friend's sudden entrance. The area was quiet, but she didn't even hear the creak of wooden floorboards. In the split second of silence, Kagome quickly took in Sango's position in the doorway and immediately let go of the sponge in her hand. It floated to the top amongst the bubbles in the sink as she went for a towel. "Is something the matter Sango-chan?"

With the weight of two hours ago on her head, Sango resisted the urge to sink to the floor. The book bag slung over a shoulder pressed against her back and the gravity of her situation made the textbooks seem a lot heavier than they really were.

Sango stood taller, took a deep breath, and walked into the kitchen area. Without explanation, she set the bag on an unused part of the counter and held one of her friend's sopping wet hands, not caring that some of the runoff was leaking to her sleeves. "Kagome-chan - I beg you. I need your attention for a few hours or so and then I won't ask anything of you the rest of the day."

There was subtle urgency in that voice, a squeeze to prune-like hands to accent it. The mild urgency and seriousness when approaching her, even a best friend, was evidence that something big was surrounding her friend. The fact that Sango-chan's bag was still with her, trekked with the girl to the top floor instead of putting it in their room a floor below, gave Kagome a clue to the problem. The woman smiled and patted her other wet hand over the pile in reassurance. "You know if you need help with anything Sango-chan, all you have to do is ask me. I'll be happy to give whatever time you need. The dishes can wait and what I've done can dry for now."

Sango smiled and went for her bag, waiting for her friend in the doorway and wiping her hands dry on blue jeans. "Thanks so much Kagome-chan - I owe you for taking you away from your work."

"It's no big deal Sango-chan, really. I was just bored anyway."

Sango resisted a snort and leaned against the arch. In minutes, Kagome emptied the sink and made sure all soap was gone in case someone wanted to use it. She stuck the sponge back in its resting place, along with the soap bottle and towel, and turned to the exit. "I'm all yours Sango-chan. What is it that we'll be working on?"

Sango practically cringed. "I have a test in two days on the entire muscle structure." Hands covered her face, crunching bangs upward as Sango groaned. "Ugh, I'll never get all those names down! How in the world can people even pronounce them? Why'd it have to be Latin?"

Kagome gave a sympathetic smile and patted a shoulder. "Don't worry Sango-chan, I know you'll do okay. You've gotten good grades in the other parts and you'll do fine in this too. And you already know some English from Kikyou-sama and high school, so it won't be as bad as you're making it out to be."(1)

Sango sighed as the pair headed for the stairs. "I sure hope you're right Kagome-chan because I can't fail this test." A finger rested against Sango's jaw in sudden thought. "Wait; scratch that...I can't fail any of my tests."

Kagome chuckled as she let Sango push shouji open and enter the room first. She let the girl start getting things pulled out for use as she headed for the closet and pulled out their hoarded zabuton to sit on. A small, rectangular table holding the cushions went with it to keep all the books on and make them easier to get to.

Kagome eyed her friend as distracted brown eyes skimmed notes to find the right pages to go over. She waited until the materials were handed for her to start in on, sitting on her calves. Sango-chan tried to do everything on her own, much like she did, and in that aspect the pair was alike. Kagome was independent - or was it just prideful? - when it came to asking for favors and taking up other people's time when she should be able to do something on her own with little or no instruction. Sango-chan only asked for study help on big tests like these, but that was still a few times a month. It made her feel good as a friend to do something so important for another.

"Alright, I've got three pages of notes to cover, along with the chapter and a study guide some of my classmates and I came up with."

Kagome's eyes widened a little as she looked at everything, staring at the notebook resting in her lap. A smile tipped her lips as she picked it up and held it close to read. "You were in a hurry when you took notes, weren't you?" She quipped, brown looking over the top to her friend.

Sango gave a sheepish grin, looking away at reference to her bad handwriting. "I know it's not calligraphy, but you're right - I was in a hurry. I had to do it all in kana because some the kanji took too long and the teacher doesn't pause much in his lectures."(2)

"Well I can make it all out; I was just teasing you Sango-chan."

Half an hour later, Kagome found out why her friend was so worried about this test. There were at least eighteen different kinds of muscles on the front of the human face alone - which was amazing enough to her - not counting all the nerves that had to go with it, or the ones that ran along the neck to the shoulders. She wouldn't exchange places with her friend in a few days for even a billion Yen. They started off with the head as an easy remembrance, intending on trekking down the body, but that was easier said than done.

They managed to get done with the front half, almost finished working with the back, when the shouji door slid open. Two pairs of brown eyes looked to it in surprise, not hearing anything outside the study bubble they had going on. "Here you are. I went to find you and you weren't in the kitchen."

Kagome smiled a little in apology and turned to the doorway. "I'm sorry about that Kikyou-sama...was there something you needed?"

Kikyou did a quick scan of the room and all the materials littering it. The place screamed study session, but that would have to change. "It's time to start dinner." Kikyou informed. "I was going to let you know I would help tonight, so I came looking for you."

Kagome blinked back shock, words of gratitude for the slack in work dying on her lips. That didn't sound right; was her hostess sick? It could be fever, except there was no delirium in the brown eyes meeting hers. Cooking was most often left up to her, Rin-chan, Ayame-chan, and sometimes Sango-chan. It wasn't necessary for Kikyou-sama to do any of the cooking because she was not only part owner of the place housing them all, she was also older.(3)

"W - well thank you very much Kikyou-sama. I would be glad to work with you tonight." Kagome turned to her friend with apology in her eyes. "I'm sorry, but I must cut this short Sango-chan. It's too bad we didn't get through everything like you needed."

Sango waved her friend away, feeling somewhat better at being able to get through at least half of her information. "You helped a lot Kagome-chan and I'm grateful for that. You go and get started - I'll be able to finish up."

Kagome nodded and handed the books over before standing. "I'll come get you when it's time to eat." She announced, quickly putting her cushion back before following her partner upstairs.

It was sort of odd to be making dinner with Kikyou-sama, though the woman wasn't a bad cook. On the contrary, the woman's attention to taste and food placement was better than hers and Kagome considered herself no slouch. Kagome just couldn't fathom Kikyou-sama making any kind of large meal, considering it required one to get their hands dirty. That kind of thing wasn't done for someone like her hostess; that was her job. As much as she didn't want to be classified as a servant, she was one in terms of helping out and also as role of maiko.

Everything turned out well in the end and the pair moved around each other in silent communication. Each was aware of the presence of the other and moved aside in case something needed to be retrieved from a cupboard or drawer. Kagome went to set the chabudai and let her partner arrange the food, since Kikyou-sama took initiative.

It didn't take long to get each placing set the way they should be and Kagome stood in the dining area, watching her cooking partner across the way dishing food from cooking pans into dishes.

The woman wasn't incompetent or frail in any way; she actually went with them to work out when the group went and practiced Aikido every so often. Kikyou-sama was known for her intermediate skill with a shinai and other wood type swords, but that paled in comparison to her eye with a bow. There weren't many options to practice that weapon at the health club they regularly attended, but when the weather was warm enough, some classes were offered. It made sense when Kagome thought about it in connection with daily life. The woman had an eye for exquisite things and detail and that transferred to her being able to hit a bull's eye quite well.

"Is there a problem Kagome?"

Kagome jumped and hurried across the way to help bring things over. "Ah no! Sorry, I didn't mean to stare."

Kikyou stared at the woman, searching the flustered gaze for why it was there in the first place. "Are you sure nothing is wrong?"

Kagome tried to fight a blush at being caught with her thoughts, busying herself with grabbing a plate. Before she could pick it up, a hand rested on her arm, halting her by its sheer presence alone. Brown eyes looked away, almost ashamed to say what was on her mind. She didn't want to be rude, but the woman was inquiring. "Well...I just think - I mean it's interesting that...you wanted to help tonight."

Kikyou's head tilted a little. "And why is that?"

"Ah, well...because you're...you're so...I'm just..."

Kikyou gave Kagome's arm a brief pat to stop her rambling and save her from trying to explain. "One's status does not mean they are immune from making a simple meal Kagome." Kikyou's lips twitched a little in compassion. "I may be geisha, but I do like to help every now and then."(4)

Kagome sheepishly smiled, thankful not to have to say anything further. The last thing she wanted to do was insinuate Kikyou-sama was stuck up and too good to be cooking simply because she was a refined entertainer. Kikyou-sama was right though, even those with the highest paying jobs still had to eat.

She wasn't putting the woman down in trying to make Kikyou-sama think she was above every other who slept under the hotel's roof. They were on different levels of age and social status, but everyone was courteous to the other and respected each as a person and whatever ideas they had to share. And it wasn't like Kikyou-sama didn't like getting her hands dirty - the four flowerpots by the front entryway always blossomed the longest of the season. The woman either possessed a green thumb, or kept very good track of her mini garden.

Kikyou-sama passed by her with a pot and Kagome stepped out of the way to keep the woman from spilling it. She took in the hakama and kimono top, the low ponytail held back with a simple ribbon, as if to tame the waist-long mass, and practically perfect way of kneeling and setting the dish quietly on the table. Kikyou-sama wasn't wearing correct dress for someone of her nature, but while alone with everyone else, the woman opted for something of comfort than looks. Still, as 'dressed down' as the geisha tried to be, Kikyou-sama still pulled off grace and beauty with ease. Perhaps once all the necessary knowledge and skills had been taught and trained, she would be much the same as Kikyou-sama.

It was an interesting thought that made Kagome pay attention to how she and the elder woman set the table. A geisha was supposed to be the epitome of poise, delicacy, etc - basically the flawless woman. They were not to show, do, or say anything considered lewd or improper. Kagome didn't know how well she would pull of this image due to her small clumsy streak and somewhat short temper. She loved being able to say what was necessary to someone for advice - whether they wanted to hear it or not - and do things that required her to get more than just her hands scuffed. She had no problem getting sweaty in workouts at the gym; she didn't mind watching sports with Sango-chan; she liked going all out when they went dancing sometimes; and she definitely liked being able to show emotion on her face.

It seemed at times Kikyou-sama was the ideal model for a porcelain doll. Long, raven hair that was cut in perfect straight lines at the edges around her waist and bangs. Pale, unblemished skin that looked like it never saw acne let alone a tan or freckle. Deep brown eyes that seemed both compassionate, but aloof. The woman was very beautiful, not just by Kagome's standards, but also by all the men who paid to have her for even plutonic entertainment. If any of them considered any kind of physical activity - which they would get if they paid enough - Kagome bet a lot shot that idea down. Kikyou-sama seemed to be made to sit and look at, to be admired for all of her qualities, not to have sex with.

"Kagome, I believe you were going to go tell Sango when dinner was ready?"

Kagome jumped to attention, hoping she wasn't caught staring, as she didn't want to reveal her thoughts this time, and looked to the table. "Ah, yes! If you would please get some tea ready, I will go fetch her."

Kikyou-sama stood and Kagome paused, knowing her ear was still needed. "Will you please go find Kaede and bring her too?"

Kagome nodded and slid into slippers to ward off chilly wood flooring, jogging to the stairs. Since she didn't know where the elderly woman was at, Kagome headed for her shared room with Sango-chan, knowing the woman would still be there.

She slid the door open to try and keep from scaring her friend, sticking her head in. "Sango-chan, time to eat."

Immediately, the books closed. Multiple hours of hard to spell katakana were forgotten in an instant as Sango stood and stretched. "Good. I'm so hungry I was nibbling on my ponytail."

Kagome grinned and stepped back as her friend made for the door, leaving everything open and littered about. Kagome ignored the mess, knowing when Sang-chan was done, she would resume studying. "Kikyou-sama wanted me to find Kaede-obaasan, so I'll let you head up without me."

"If Kaede-obaasan is anywhere, she's probably in the lobby looking over the books."

Kagome took the advice and let her friend pass the somewhat narrow archway for the next floor first, skipping down the remaining flights to the ground floor. She paused around the corner, ear trying to hear without searching the entire area, for the woman's voice. The elderly woman rarely went beyond the walls of the hotel, maybe going out once or twice a month for a walk or to meet with clients, so it was a given she'd be here.

"Kaede-obaasan?" Kagome called, stepping onto the hallway. It was a little colder down here than upstairs, mostly because the front doors were put on the same tracks as all the inside doors, which let in a lot more air. Kagome's arms hugged herself for warmth as she paused past the second 'meeting room', peering around the corner at a silver-gray head of long hair bent over a western-style desk. Kagome felt a little bad to have to disturb her employer while she was working so hard, but Kikyou-sama would be more upset if she let her elder sister go without supper. "Kaede-obaasan." Kagome quietly called.

The woman's head jerked up, eye wide in surprise. "Ah, Kagome...you startled me."

Kagome smiled in apology, giving a small bow as she stopped before the desk. "I apologize Kaede-obaasan...I didn't mean to. I know you're hard of hearing and tried to make some noise."

Kaede smiled and closed the logbook, hands folding over it. "What did you need child?"

Considering she was twenty-six and no child, it was still endearing to Kagome to hear it. Like hearing it from her own grandmother. "Dinner is ready." The elder nodded and swiveled in the relatively high chair, hopping down. In an instant, Kagome was right there to lend an arm, as the woman had issues walking in cold weather - bad joints and all that - but saw a cane resting only centimeters away. Kagome handed it over instead, stepping back and taking it slow for the woman as they left the porch-like area and headed for the back.

"So what did you make tonight Kagome? Whatever it is, I bet it's good."

Kagome smiled, practically baby stepping behind the short woman and trying not to run into her. "You flatter me Kaede-obaasan. It's not just my cooking alone tonight; Kikyou-sama helped."

"She did? Then this should be a treat tonight."

It took quite a while for Kaede-obaasan to get up all the four floors to the living section and Kagome nearly tripped on the woman a few times in the process. There was nothing to do to help, since Kaede-obaasan used one hand for her cane and the other for the railing. By the time they got there, everyone who was around was already seated with all dishes set up and letting off steam.

"Excuse me for being late." Kaede said, lowering herself into the chair. "These old bones don't like cold weather anymore."

Having gotten up the second her oneesan(5) entered, Kikyou finished helping Kaede onto her zabuton with a small smile. "You say that every year Kaede, but you're still as active as you were when you started saying it."

Kaede smiled and eyed her sister. "Which is not saying much, ne?"

Kikyou's lips tilted a little more before she took her zabuton again. "Itadakimasu."

The same phrase echoed from four sets of lips before each grabbed their chopsticks off the holders and something to dig in to. Little small talk was made, since everyone was too busy eating, also since no one ever made much talk at the table. The table was made for eating; if one wanted to converse with another, there was a sitting room on the other side of the wall for that purpose.

There was a distinct feeling and setting that occurred whenever the group sat together to eat, even incomplete as they were with two members out at whatever part-time job they had this week. As much as the unspoken rule that a person eat at the eating table instead of talk was 'enforced', no one really needed to speak.(6) A sense of companionship and silent understanding of the person sitting on either right or left could be found by just sitting there. Each woman, no matter the age, didn't know everything about their fellow soaplady(7), but observing actions and posture, unguarded facial expressions and politeness when reaching - or not - for food around someone's place gave more distinction to character than words.

It was a given that those who didn't cook helped with the dishes to pull their share of the work, but Kaede was an exception as not only oldest of everyone, but also owner of the building and what went on inside it. Kagome, despite having cooked, liked being able to do what she could to help out her second home, so started piling her dishes with Kikyou-sama's and taking them to the sink. She bypassed Sango-chan, who stepped to one side to let her in, before taking role of getting out Tupperware for whatever leftovers to be put away.

Sango grabbed the sponge and idly watched hot water fill the sink, testing the temperature with her fingers every few seconds to keep it hot enough to clean, but not first-degree burn level. She filled it one third full, since Rin kept bringing dishes from the table and raising the level. Sango leaned against the counter until both Rin and Ayame-san carried everything she could immediately wash. Instinctively, Sango knew Kagome-chan would switch the dishes and leave them on the counter instead of dumping them in the sink to wash so started scrubbing. Not that there wasn't enough room, but Sango knew her good friend enough to know that.

This was easier than having to cook, Sango figured. She wasn't that inventive or creative when it came to making delicious things - she was content to be the guinea pig to Kagome-chan when the woman got an idea in her head to try - but hard work was fun...at least Sango considered it so. As far back as Sango could remember, even elementary school, hard work was part of her life and she was so used to it she figured she would go crazy without something to do most of the time. Being given a task to do was more of a challenge than a burden, especially the cleaning or moving of anything, and Sango considered it good exercise. Both Kagome-chan and Kikyou-sama deemed it that way because Sango was born under the tiger(8) year, which helped define her personality and being so active.

Kagome finished before her friend and grabbed a towel to start drying. A number of dishes were dripping on the drying rack and quickly taking up space for others so she stepped forward to take care of that. There was little talk, but a pleasant atmosphere as the women worked. Ayame-chan got both Kaede-obaasan and Kikyou-sama more tea and took a quick minute to wipe the table off, since Rin-chan finished the line of progression and put the dried dishes away.

Within half an hour, everything had been cleared, washed, dried, and put back for tomorrow's use. The trio gave each other a look once the counter and sink were wiped down, wordlessly proclaiming themselves finished, and headed back for the occupied room.

As much as she didn't want to, Sango paused in the doorway with a regrettable look and frowned.

The cleaning partners looked up the second they finished sitting. "Sango-chan?" Kagome asked, brow furrowing.

With a small sigh, Sango looked to the hallway to the stairs. "As much as I'd like to join you all...I do have a test in a few days."

Kikyou went for her cup. "Your studies are more important Sango. We understand the need for your absence."

That didn't help the fact that for even a few minutes Sango wanted to spend time with her friends and fellow workers, but with a nod, Sango stepped back and turned down the hall. She paused and backtracked, sticking her head just past to say something else. "Kagome-chan, don't bother to stay up on my behalf. When you're tired, just come tell me and I'll put my books away."

Kagome smiled at her friend's thoughtfulness. "Arigatou Sango-chan, but I should be okay for a while."

With a nod, Sango headed down the hall for real and back to more pages of katakana.

"Poor Sango-san." Rin commented seconds after the woman left. "I feel sorry for her not being able to spend time with us."

Kikyou didn't give the girl a glance. "Sango's studies to become a doctor far outweigh the need for companionship. She has our friendship already and knows that, but college is not as understanding."

Kaede nodded. "Especially with such a demanding field as Sango is in. It's admirable the load she is taking on and we should respect the work she is doing."

Kagome thought back to all the words she helped as tutor earlier and cringed a little. "That may be, but I wouldn't want to be poor Sango-chan in a few days when that test comes around." She smiled and went for her teacup. "Her brain will be overloaded - I hope she'll be okay when she goes to class on that day."

Ayame gave a knowing nod, one of the other in the group going to college as well. "Sango-san is quite inspirational. My lessons are hard enough as it is, I couldn't imagine wanting to do something even more complex."

"Nee, Kikyou-sama...maybe if you play, Sango-san will hear and be a little more calm for her studies." Rin suddenly piped up.

The idea sounded good to more than just the youngest of the group and Kagome nearly beamed. "Yes Kikyou-sama, please play tonight. If not for Sango-chan, for the sake of us."

Kikyou eyed those at the table before setting the cup down. "Rin, since you suggested it, will you fetch my flute? It's in the storage closet, first drawer on the top right."

"Hai!" Careful of the table and not to fall over, Rin practically jumped up and left the room. Footsteps padded down in a jog for the stairs, soon gone. The girl was back almost as soon as she left, practically skidding to a stop on the hallway boards before walking in a little calmer and stopping at Kikyou-sama's side. "Here you are Kikyou-sama."

A plain, dark, oak box was presented over. Kikyou twisted at the waist to carefully take it and quietly set it on the table. A thumb tripped a flimsy, metal flap up to unlock the containments. Inside lie a long, rather drab looking piece of bamboo that was as simple as the shelter it rested in. A mere four holes cut close to the end with an odd-looking mouthpiece proclaimed the thing a standard Japanese flute.

Kikyou grasped it with a hand and hefted the tube into the air and fingered the holes to reacquaint herself with the method of creating notes. It'd been a month - perhaps more? - since she played, but everything was still fresh and well-known in her mind. Just knowing shakuhachi was not a skill to master; one only needed to learn the notes and how to create air and sound. Making notes to fit into music was the player's discretion and could be anything they wanted, fast or slow.

Being in a tranquil mood, Kikyou started slow, taking time since there was no need to rush anything. Her fingers practically crawled to each hole but held firm in their position to strengthen the sound. She played low, slowly climbing up the scale in almost jerky ascension of notes, skipping from one to another in a second when the feeling called for it.

Kagome resisted the urge to rest her elbows on the chabudai to prop her head up. She didn't want to have the woman stop to scold her for that, but she wanted to be comfortable - as this music tended to knock her out - when listening. Her mind blanked as she stared at the player, eyes drifting closed after a few dozen lazy notes, feeling herself relax in the muscles.

The random composition droned on so much, Kikyou lost herself in the beauty of forming each tone and the love for being able to sway emotions and people with her knowledge of how to play. Time canceled out as her eyes drifted shut long ago and she simply resided behind the backs of her eyelids in darkness. It was like being asleep, but still awake to sense everything. It was the form of meditation Kikyou liked best; touching an unnamed depth in her mind while still retaining control of the outside world.

By the time Kikyou finished and almost forcefully pulled her mouth away, brown eyes fluttering open, she almost snorted at seeing the room half asleep. Sure it was nearly nine, but no one went to bed till almost eleven. It amused Kikyou to know, in a way, her playing spoke of how peaceful she was and relaxed everyone in turn. She calmly and quietly put the flute back, closing the snap, letting it rest in front as the others slowly came to reality. A chuckle wanted to be released, but Kikyou hid it and merely looked on with the barest of crinkles to her eyes.

Kagome swayed a few times before finally righting herself by widening her stance on the cushion. "Ah...lovely music Kikyou-sama." A yawn escaped before Kagome could fight it. She blushed and sheepishly smiled. "Ah, gomen. Your playing tends to do that to people I think."

Rin nodded, looking sleepy but serene. "I think it does, but that's because it's so beautiful."

Kikyou nodded her thanks for the compliment, giving the youngest girl her attention. "I am finished playing now."

Rin hopped up with no other invite, gently taking the case and heading for the doorway. She paused with a thought and turned to the others. "I think I'll head for bed after this." Her head tipped in a bow, not able to go lower without fear of dropping the case.

"Oyasumi nasai Rin-chan."

"Oyasumi nasai Kagome-san."

Silence descended after the girl's exit, but Kagome's mind churned. She didn't know what time it was before Kikyou started playing, but it felt pretty late. What she wouldn't give to have a clock on the wall, but the only one they owned was in the kitchen and mostly used to keep time when cooking something. Stifling another yawn, Kagome stretched and grabbed her cup before standing. "I think I'll follow Rin-chan's example and go to sleep as well. Did you want me to take your cups for you Kikyou-sama...Kaede-obaasan?"

"I think I'll have another glass and stay for a while." Kaede answered, giving a smile.

"I will as well." Kikyou echoed.

"I'll get you some. It sounds good as well." Ayame offered, jumping up and beating Kagome to the kitchen.

"Then...oyasumi nasai." Kagome finished, giving a small bow and turning for the kitchen.

"Oyasumi nasai."

Less than five minutes later, Kagome slowly pulled the door open and blinked in surprise at finding her friend asleep over her texts. A smile appeared as Kagome walked into the room and kneeled in front of her friend. "Sango-chan, oi Sango-chan...wake up Sango-chan."

Brown eyes fluttered open before Sango slowly sat up and yawned. "Eh? Kagome-chan? What's wrong? What time is it?"

"I don't know, but why are you asleep here? Why didn't you pull out your futon?"

Sango smiled and started closing notebooks and putting papers together. "Who told Kikyou-sama to play?"

Kagome giggled in understanding and made to help her friend. "Rin-chan figured it would help relax you, since you will most likely be nervous come test time."

Sango gave a dry grin as she set everything next to her backpack and other stack of textbooks. "The girl has the right idea, but that was not something I needed tonight. I barely remember trying to memorize the calf muscles before hearing Kikyou-sama play and was gone soon after."

Kagome gave a few clicks with her tongue in amusement as she pulled out futon and blankets. "I agree. I practically fell asleep on the chabudai myself." Kagome handed over Sango-chan's futon, letting her friend set it up as she went to do her own. "But at least Kikyou-sama played this late - I'm almost ready to fall asleep now."

Sango went for the closet holding her pajamas, already untying strings and undoing buttons of her clothes. "Me too. But at least I got a lot of studying in. Now all I have to do is the same thing tomorrow."

Kagome gave her friend a sympathetic smile at the minute grumbling tone. "Poor Sango-chan. Cheer up, ne?" In no time the pair was changed with beds set up and ready for use. Kagome let her friend get settled before flicking off the lone light bulb in the room, plunging the space into gray darkness as she tiptoed to her bed. "Oyasumi nasai Sango-chan."

"Oyasumi nasai Kagome-chan."

I am a BEGINNER Japanese learner, so if these are not 100 correct, please let me know if you care to do so. I only have a web page and a dictionary to learn from. This spot dedicated to new vocabulary only.

Translations: Maiko-Apprentice geisha - Chabudai-low dining (tea) table - Aikido-Way of harmony with the universe, also a defensive form of martial arts - Shinai-Bamboo fencing stick

Geisha-Japanese singing and dancing girl, also plutonic entertainer in general - Hakama-Man's formal divided skirt (They also make them for women now) - Oneesan-Honorable older sister

Arigatou-Thank you - Nee-Say/hey, general means of getting someone's attention - Hai-Yes/okay/alright/etc, general acknowledgement or agreement

Shakuhachi-Bamboo flute (also defined as oral sex/fellatio) - Gomen-Your pardon/declining (something)/dismissal/permission - Oyasumi nasai-Polite way of saying good night - Oi-Hey

Having done much research, this story will be highly Japanese orientated and probably confusing at points. Numbers at the end of sentences will describe the whole sentence, while numbers next to a word will describe only that. If any of these are wrong, please correct me.

1:"And you already know some English from Kikyou-sama and high school, so it won't be as bad as you're making it out to be.": I don't know much about the school system, but I know the English language is taught. Most of it has to deal with learning the alphabet and some grammar points, but speaking isn't used quite so much. As far as Kikyou teaching it, that will get explained later with other characters.

2:"I had to do it all in kana because some the kanji took too long and the teacher doesn't pause much in his lectures.": Japanese use the old Chinese kanji system and one character can take up to twenty strokes. There are also around two thousand kanji compared to around one hundred Japanese katakana and one hundred hiragana.

3:It wasn't necessary for Kikyou-sama to do any of the cooking because she was not only part owner of the place housing them all, she was also older.: Since the hotel is run and owned by Kikyou and Kaede, everyone living under their roof helps with cooking and/or cleaning to help to pull their weight. Electricity, rent, etc. are taken out by garnishing the wages and giving the remainder.

4:"I may be geisha, but I do like to help every now and then.": Geisha are strictly entertainers. They do everything to keep their skin soft and clear and spend most of their time practicing dance, song, instruments, conversation, etc. Housework is not included in this.

5:Oneesan: In this story, Kaede is 42, Kikyou is 34. Kaede is the older sister by birth, but Kikyou is also an older sister in a different way which will be explained (and said) in future chapters.

6:As much as the unspoken rule that a person eat at the eating table instead of talk was 'enforced', no one really needed to speak.: Japanese (and also Chinese) people eat at the table and don't talk. If they do, they don't make a lot of conversation out of it and let food go cold.

7:Soaplady: A type of modern prostitution in Japan that takes place in 'love hotels' that people go to for privacy (since many live with their parents). Many of these are vivid and gaudy with coloring, but I choose an old fashioned look for this hotel, which will be explained in later chapters. (http:www2.hu-berlin.de/sexology/IES/japan.html#8, go to section B and Soaplands for more information)

8:Tiger: Sango is born under the sign of the tiger. http: is great for details. I tried to match everyone under some Chinese astrology sign and hope I did good enough of a job.