Withered Petals
By: Aisaki Sumi
a/n: to those of you who haven't had a chance to visit my Fic-Journal and request a drabble yet, today's the last day to request, and you can just leave it in your review if you're interested in requesting a special S+S X-mas drabble written just for you! And to those who have already requested something, I'll read over the comments you left on my Fic-Journal or the review you left, and try to write the drabble you wanted, but I can't guarantee you'll get it because there's a number of other people who are requesting it and if the idea has already been requested by someone else, then I'm sorry I can't write anything for you, unless you come up with something else and request another one. The total drabbles I will write is TEN, no more than that, so if you request late, then I really can't help you with it even though I'd like to take your request. Enough said and on with the story.
A few people had request for a clear up of the characters' ages and all. I think I have mentioned Sakura's age in the first chapter, but it was probably unclear and I apologize for the confusion.
Character's current ages:
Sakura, Tomoyo: 8, but Sakura is turning 9 very soon, and I will mention that in the next chapter if not, the chapter after that.
Syaoran: 10
Nanako-san: 16
Auntie and Mother: around 30 something
A special thanks to those who reviewed the last chapter! I love you all! And a big hug to those of you who added this story to your favorite list! I LOVE YOU GUYS! (and I'd like those of you to request a drabble too, it is my way of showing my appreciation X3)
Chapter 4 Determinations
I returned late to the okiya that night and encountered a very worried Auntie at the entrance. Her usual warm smile was absent from her motherly face, and her eyes had the same serious glint I saw on the day of my arrival when she warned me of all the possible outcomes of my inability to please mother. She placed her hands on my shoulders; her grasp was strong and firm, indicating her level of seriousness. I blinked a few times, shocked and perplexed. Nanako-san told me to return before dinner and I did, it was at least an hour away from dinner time for the upper family of the okiya.
But something about Auntie's unreadable and rare expression told me that I had done something wrong. I stayed silent and gazed into her eyes and prepared myself for whatever she had to say. The air was thick and intense, and I wasn't sure if I knew how to breathe properly anymore. The suspense and tension stirred the uneasiness in me, causing my heart to pound faster than before. The deafening silence between us, created such an unfamiliar awkwardness and I was unsure of what to do, but to wait patiently, or at least attempt to do so anyway.
Finally after Auntie had took a long hard look at me, she let out a heavy sigh that she seemed to have been holding the entire time and I couldn't help but relax a little as well. "Sakura-chan, I think I have told you about leaving the okiya without mother's permission haven't I?" She asked me, her eyes observant and sharp, as if she was trying to detect any change of expression or emotion in my eyes. No wonder they say your eyes are the windows to your soul. I nodded, now biting my bottom lip, I chewed at the corners of my mouth every time I was nerves. The temporary distraction seemed to have provided me the some cure.
"Then why were you out so late?" I continued to stare at her. She paused for a moment after she had posed her question to let it seep through my dumbfounded brain. My feet squirmed uneasily as I tried to get my mind to cooperate. I wanted to tell her the truth that Nanako-san ordered me to go buy the peaches she wanted, but I was afraid she would ask how I managed to meet Nanako-san when I was usually doing chores on the ground level. I could tell her that Mother told me to scrub the floors of the second level of the okiya, but that might trigger another around of questioning concerning other things that had the potential to get me into more troubles.
My mind recalled on the memory of entering Tomoyo's room without Mother's permission and spilling the water on the fine, well-polished floor. I shuddered slightly as I thought of the consequences of that. If Mother ever finds out that I was a clumsy girl, she would throw me out of the okiya for sure! "I… " I began, my voice quivering, unsure, filing with uncertainty and fear. Auntie nodded, her eyes giving the flicker of go on. I licked my dry lips, letting my tongue to moisten the roughened surface. Parting my lips to speak, but nothing came out -- my voice had just betrayed me.
Auntie sighed again, loosening her grip on my shoulder. I could feel the pressure being released, but my heart felt not much lighter than before, it was just as heavy as ever, filled with fear and dread. "I know you are a quiet girl and do not like to speak much to the rest of us, but you know the rules here. I understand how you feel and the lonely thoughts you keep to yourself. But others don't, especially mother, and you have to answer the questions posed to you clearly and truthfully. Wakkada yo?" Auntie looked at me meaningfully, her voice sincere and soft.
I nodded and she patted me on the back. It was then her eyes fell upon the bag I was holding on the side. Reaching out her hand, she touched the bag, gave it a little squeeze and took it out of my grasp. "What is this? Where did you get it?" Questioned Auntie without looking up at me, her eyes focused on the bag and the things in it. Her hand traveled to the opening of the bag and pulled it apart, revealing the reddish orange peaches within. "Who gave you the money to buy these?" Auntie now averted her attention from the peaches and directed it to me, expecting some sort of reply.
"Na… na… ko… - san… " I stammered out the syllables of that beautiful name, yet I couldn't help but disdain it as her cruel haunts replayed in my mind. I saw Auntie's eyes widening just slightly, but returned to their original size as she composed herself again, as if nothing had just happened. She straightened her back and smoothed out the wrinkled fabric of her kimono resulted from the bend. A soft sigh escaped her natural red lips once again and she shook her head, cocking it to the side and muttering to no one in particular.
"Ugh…Nanako-san again…" The murmur was so soft and faint -- almost immediately vanished into the cold air of the autumn night, leaving no traces of any type of evidence behind. There was a small frown on her aged face, created by the confrontation of her thin crescent eyebrows, stretching out some of her wrinkled skin on her forehead yet only to fold them into thin but deep lines in the center, making her appear older than she actually was. I could tell that she was displeased by the mentioning of Nanako-san's name, and my mind pondered on the matter, as to the reason why she disliked the head geisha of our okiya. It was true that Nanako-san appeared to be conceived and cruel, but it was hard for me to believe that a nice lady like Auntie would dislike someone or anyone in fact.
"So you have met her already." It was more of a statement than question. Auntie returned the bag to me and clapped her hands together, her palms rubbing each other as she shivered slightly. "Oh goodness, it is quite chilly out here." She commented as her hands rubbed the smooth fabric of her sleeves which I took to warm herself up. A chilly brisky breeze swirled by, causing my a few loose strands of my auburn hair sway at its direction, caressing my warm skin with its cold, soul-calming hand.
"Saa, let's get you inside then. You wouldn't want to catch a cold here. At the okiya you must never get sick or you'll owe medical bills and trust me, it takes a while to pay them back, even if you become a successful geisha." I didn't understand what she meant by that back then, which soon will be taught to me as I stay in the okiya longer. Everyone at the Okiya must pay for everything they eat, everything they use and of course, all of their own medical bills and clothing. Young girls like me who were brought here to receive her geisha training must pay the okiya back all the geisha lessons' fees, and many other payments. Usually a geisha must work four to five years to finish the last bits of the money they owed the okiya, however a popular and successful geisha who is able to capture the heart of the most powerful man would earn herself a consistent source of income.
"Mother wants to see you, but I told her you were doing the kitchen some errands since I didn't know where you were. If mother questions you of where you went, just tell her the truth that you went to buy Nanako-san some peaches since they were her favorite. Keep in mind that you must respond to each of Mother's questions accordingly. Don't show any signs of hesitation or mother will assume that you're lying." Auntie informed me cautiously as she took me by my hand and led me to Mother's room like the day of my arrival. She provided me a sense of security and I felt safe and secured around her. Her faint lavender scent and gentle face reminded me of my own mother. At this time, I didn't know that she would be the motherly figure in my life even in my geisha years, and that her only daughter Tomoyo would soon become a sister to me, the closest friend I'd ever have.
While I was being enchanted by her pleasant scent and warmth, Auntie suddenly stopped at the end of the dark corridor and let go of my hand, snapping me back to the present. I felt the warmth drifting away, my eyes saddened just slightly as I watched her darkened figure kneeling down and sliding the door open. The shadows cast upon her aged yet still elegant face moments ago were now driven away by light which was illuminating her skin slightly orangey, bringing back her natural glow. She gestured me to enter and kneel down and bow deeply to Mother as my way of showing her my respect.
I did what I was told to and slowly leveled my vision until it lined up with mothers. Her peculiar raven orbs meeting mine in a gaze which caused my inner defense system to be on high alert. My heartbeats started to speed up as the dreadful feelings of what was about to happen to me rushed into the chambers of my small heart. I had always dreaded direct confrontations with mother. There was just something about her that made me feel being watched and uncomfortable, and that I was being examined closely under some sort of magnifying glass. Her piercing gaze burned holes through the mask that I was wearing, leaving me exposed.
"It took you quite while to return from your errands. You know my policy here, I don't keep useless girls around to feed them and let them sit around and relax. I need people who are capable of doing work and accomplishing them in a speed that I wanted. And you, obviously did not understand that." Mother's stern and criticizing tone caused me to gulp, but I found it hard to swallow as if my throat was blocked by some sort of lump. My breath was heavy, and uneven, I tried to relax myself but couldn't. Every part of my muscle contracted, preparing for some sort of impossible escape.
A disgustful fear suddenly rose from my guts, turning my stomach upside down. I felt an urgency of throwing up, but I managed to restrain myself from doing so to displease mother. The way she was speaking to me made me shiver with worry and fear. She obviously sounded displeased. But it was my first time out of the okiya, and the uncalled meeting with the mysterious boy with the kendo sword caused me to lose my direction just momentarily. I wondered in the dark, on the empty streets of that fancy avenue, but I eventually found my way out and returned to my original trail. However, this did consume up a lot of my time and resulted my tardiness. It was then a horrifying thought struck my mind, could it have outraged mother and caused her to want to kick me out of the okiya and abandon me on the streets to starve to death?
Horror flashed in my green eyes before I could even realize what I had done. All of Auntie's warnings were tossed to the back of my head as I let the overwhelming, sickening fear take control of my body and mind. I didn't want to leave the okiya, I didn't want to leave Auntie and Tomoyo, I didn't want to be alone again and abandoned. A part of me still longed for my own family, but a part me had already accepted the fact that I had been abandoned by them yet only to be adopted by another. Life at the okiya might have been hard, but I found it to be quite heartwarming at times, especially when I was around Auntie and Tomoyo, and I felt I had a purpose in life. They opened up their arms and accepted me; they took me into extreme care and I wasn't about to let all this slip from my grasp without putting up a fight.
Mother instantly saw my dramatic change of expression and rose en eye brow, causing the sagging skin around her eyes to stretch out a bit. "Why do you look so horrified? I am merely pointing out the things you must do at this okiya. I am displeased by your actions, no doubt in that, but I'll be gentle this time and take your age and experience into consideration. The next time you're late doing errands again, you will get yourself a beating." Mother declared, grunting as she cleared her throat again, but her voice was just as raspy and pitchy as ever, it sounded broken and hoarse, which was the contrary of Auntie's voice.
She smoothed out her silky kimono and straightened out her long sleeve. Pulling it back a little bit so it wouldn't get in her way, one of her hand picked up the tea cup lying on the abandoned table just beside her. She blew at the mouth of the cup before taking a sip of the warm liquid in it. The misty steam swirled out of her cup and vanishing into the surrounding air as it was too timid and was devoured by the predatory air encircling it. I watched her taking another sip soundlessly, in her graceful manner and admired her secretly. Just for the moment, I let my admiration occupy my mind and let the fears subdue.
Returning the cup to its previous location, mother averted her attention from the steamy liquid inside of her cup and back to me. "I went over to sign you up for your geisha lessons with Tomoyo today, and it will start tomorrow." I was astonished by the piece of information offered before me and literally gasped out loud. I didn't think I would be starting my geisha lessons this soon as I had been told by others that girls usually start their geisha lessons a few months or even years after they had arrived at the okiya. I had only been to the okiya for a few weeks, and yet, I was offered this chance of a life time. I thought Mother was going to throw me out of the okiya, but instead, she was actually informing me on my new schedule. Astounded, I simply stood there, gaping at her with disbelieves written all over my face.
"Don't look at me like that. You must learn how to compose yourself and let none of your true emotions show. A geisha must master this skill to be successful. I merely told you something so insignificant and yet here you are, so shocked and amazed. If the head of the Kyoto Electric Company comes and compliment you, are you going to look at him like the way you are to me right now?" Mother interrogated, her face was stoic, yet I could see the signs of displeasure mirrored in her glinting raven orbs. I immediately shook my head as responsive as possible.
"Good, I hope you'll demonstrate this kind of understanding when you start your geisha classes with Tomoyo. I will give you a chance to prove yourself to me, and if I hear unpleasant things from your geisha teacher, I will withdraw my investment in you and you'll be out of the okiya in a split of a second. And let's just hope that won't be what I will end up doing." Each of her words vibrated through the dense air in the room and eventually reaching to my ears, echoing each syllables through my head. I nodded again to show my comprehension of her instructions and Mother gave me a little nod in return before she turned away to face Auntie who was a few inches away from me.
"Auntie, about Tomoyo's condition… " She trailed off as she suddenly realized that I was still in the room. Waving a hand at me as her dismissal sign and I did as I was told to, however my movements showed great reluctance. I wanted to stay to hear what she was going to say about Tomoyo, but I knew eavesdropping was forbidden in the okiya, especially when it involved the upper family. I obediently left the room, sliding the paper screened door closed behind me slowly as my attempt to be graceful like Auntie, Mother, Tomoyo and Nanako-san, whom I had a like and hate relationship with. I admired her for her elegancy yet I detested her attitude and haunts.
I rambled down the darkened corridor, embraced by shadows and threatening darkness of the night, which eventually led me out of the entrance of the main house. I was welcomed by a gentle yet chilly night breeze as I stepped out of the main house carefully. I yanked my head backward until it touched my shoulder, my eyes widened in amazement at the beauty of the night sky. The vast expanse of navy blueness stretched across the sky from the horizons, like a velvet cape, wrapping the entire world into it, as if the world was a delicate, fast asleep baby. The stars strewn across the endless silky indigo like diamond chips, sparkling brightly.
I expanded my arms as if I was ready to embrace the world, the unknown possibilities before me. My lips curled into an excited grin as I waited for the arrival of tomorrow. I was going to become a geisha…
……
Just when I felt I was drifting to the verge of sleep and falling into a deep slumber, I was being awakened by Auntie. She gave my shoulder a light shook, but received only a reluctant groan in response. I felt I was being pulled away my journey toward my dreamland. Furrowing my eyebrows at the unwelcoming hands, I slowly opened my eyes to see who it was, and there, my eyes crossed with Auntie's worried ones. "Sakura, you have to get ready for your geisha lessons." She whispered, her warm breath beating against my cooler skin. Her face was only inches away from mine and I could smell her unique scent.
I rubbed my eyes and nodded as I slowly pulled my upper body out of the faint warmth provided by the thin blanket. Auntie turned around to pick up something she brought along with her and passed the package wrapped in paper to me. I looked at her curiously as I took the paper package. As I carefully unwrapped it, the paper rustled in my hands, making loud noises that disturbed the tranquility of the maid's room. I heard Shizuko-san grunting loudly as she turned over to her side, shifting and wiggling under her cover until she found a more comfortable spot.
I pulled the last part of the brown paper away and a beautiful blue kimono with white flowery designs on it came into view. My jaws dropped slightly as I gaped at Auntie, letting my astonishment shown. Auntie simply smiled at me and whispered softly. "It's for you. The design represents our okiya and you'll be wearing this when you go to your geisha lessons. Remember, once you're wearing this, you're representing the rest of us, so make us proud and not ashamed!"
Auntie's hand traveled up my face, her thumb tracing the shape of it. "You're a beautiful girl Sakura. Go impress the geisha who will be teaching you with your beauty and cleverness." Auntie had an encouraging light shimmering in her hazel eyes. I felt tears swelling up in my eyelids, my lips trembled as a droplet slid down my cheeks, but this time, it was the tear of joy. I was overwhelmed by her gentleness and heartwarming encouragement. At that moment, I felt I had just gained the strength and confidence that I didn't knew I could ever possess.
She patted the top of my head lovingly and stood up, giving me the time and space to get dressed, but before she left my futon's side, she also informed me on another thing that interested me immensely. "Tomoyo got up a few moments ago and I'm going to go back and help her get dressed. It is still a bit dark outside, but the geisha classes are in another district and it will take you a while to get there. Tomoyo will be done in a few minutes, so wait in the courtyard when you're done alright?" I nodded in reply and she flashed me another warm smile before leaving the room.
I stared down at the kimono in my hands and traced the patterns on it with my index finger. The kimono wasn't silky or anything, it was just plain cotton, but it was the most elegant thing ever given to me. I hugged it tightly and inhaled in the dusty scent of the paper. It was the beginning of my long arduous journey of becoming a geisha, and I felt that I was as ready as ever.
……
After I finished dressing, the rest of the maids were up as well. Shizuko-san splashed water over her face and wiped away the water droplets clutched onto her skin in a hurry before rushing off to the kitchen to prepare everyone's breakfast. She was always the last one to get up, and the last one to get to kitchen, but miraculously, Mother knew nothing of her tardy habits. I straightened out my kimono like the way Mother and Auntie and Tomoyo did and composed myself, attempting to form the same graceful composure they had.
The Sun was slowly rising, showing it radiant face. Infinite rays of sunlight elongated across the blue sky, tinged the unfolded sheets of white cotton-like clouds slightly reddish and orangey. I waited patiently in the courtyard, turning my head around to see to make sure I couldn't miss Tomoyo's arrival. Time passed by like the sand in an hourglass, the sun was already up and everyone was busy starting their morning chores, I still didn't see Tomoyo around. I was becoming slightly restless as I tapped my finger against the back of my other hand. Auntie said we had to wake up earlier than usual to make it to the geisha classes on time, but it was already quite late, and soon, the upper family will be heading down to the large dining room for breakfast.
Just as trains of restless thoughts trailed off my mind, I heard someone calling me from the afar. Turning to face that direction, I saw Auntie and Tomoyo rushing out of the door on my left. Tomoyo looked absolutely beautiful in her cotton kimono, which had the same designs as mine, but somehow, she made it look far more elegant and beautiful than it actually was. Her hair was tied into a small not, leaving only a few streaks hanging loosely down her back and shoulders. Auntie had her arms around Tomoyo, supporting her as she made her way down the stairs shakily.
"Gomen ne, we ran into a little problem." Auntie apologized as she dusted the fabric of Tomoyo's kimono. "Sakura, make sure you're with her all the times, and don't let go of her hand when you're going to the geisha class. I'm counting on you to take care of her." Auntie passed Tomoyo's right hand to me and held both of our hands tightly together as she looked at me long and meaningfully. I nodded hastily to show her that I was a responsible person and that I would take care of Tomoyo the way she did and maybe even better.
Auntie smiled at my reaction and patted my back gently. "I know I can trust you, just don't let go of her hand." She repeated it again, reinforcing her point to make sure I understood everything. "I'm not going to take you two to the geisha classes, so it's up to you to find the way there on time. The geisha school is pretty far away from our okiya, but it is not hard to find. Just walk straight down these avenues and you'll find it. You'll probably see girls around your age on the way, if you ever get lost, just ask around and people will direct you to the right place since it is relatively well-known. But I highly doubt you'll need to ask for directions since everything's pretty straightforward." Auntie instructed, her hands moving through the air drawing an invisible map for me.
"Hai, wakkada." I assured her again as I held Tomoyo's hand tightly in mine. Auntie smiled at me and passed two rice balls to me and gestured me to keep them safe in my kimono's sleeves. The sudden warmth around my left arm startled me a bit, but I quickly adapted to it. Auntie gave me a little push on the back and I guided Tomoyo out of the grand entrance of the okiya carefully. I looked over my shoulder before leaving the okiya entirely and saw Auntie waving at us, biding her goodbye. "Be careful!" I heard her yelling out the words. Nodding, I waved back at her and left the okiya with Tomoyo by my side.
Her hand was warm and soft. It was as if I was holding a piece of silk that had the potential to slip through my fingers if I didn't hold it tightly enough. "Gomen ne Sakura-chan, for making you wait. I had some trouble getting into this kimono and kaasan had to help me and all. I really wanted to try getting dressed myself, but guess I can't, because I can't see." Her voice was as soft and delicate as ever, but I could hear the underlying disappointment and irritation in her velvety tone. "I'm so useless…" The last three words were faint and quiet, but they sounded deafeningly loud to my ears to a certain extent that I didn't want to hear it anymore.
I tightened my grasp, "You're not Tomoyo-chan, don't say that about yourself. You're far from being useless. You have a beautiful enchanting voice, and you're a great person to be around with." I said with great certainty, and she simply smiled at my compliments. I could see the sadness shimmering in her hollow amethyst orbs, the hidden sadness and helplessness that she bottled up inside of herself. There were a few rare moments as this one that she allowed me to see her inner bitterness and pain, even in our geisha years. She wasn't a person who would complain about her unfair life, she didn't hold a grudge against God for depriving her of her sight; she strongly believed it was her inability to accommodate to her blindness, whereas I would simply blame it on fate and destiny.
The rest of our journey to the geisha school was spent in silence, the only sounds detectable by our ears were the rhythmical clings made by our uniform footsteps. We passed through the crowded, busy area of the Gion district where working people rushed to buy their breakfast so they could get to their work on time. But we soon left the crowds of people and started to head down a strangely familiar road that I wandered down the day before. It was the fancy yet quiet neighborhood again, where all the palace-like houses were surrounding by a pleasant and peaceful tranquility. I could hear the birds on nearby trees chirping cheerfully. My heart started to pound faster as we neared the mansion that I stopped by yesterday, where I saw that mysterious handsome young boy named Syaoran, whom reminded me so much of a samurai. The way his chestnut hair swayed haphazardly with the wind, and the way he moved his sword under that large cherry blossom tree – fascinated me greatly.
An unexplainable excitement aroused in me and I was starting to hear my own pulse beating through my body. I tightened my grip without realizing that I had done so and this caused Tomoyo to look at my way with her unfocused eyes. "What is it Sakura-chan?" She asked concernedly, cocking her head to the side to face me even though she couldn't see my face. I shook my head and kept my eyes straight ahead. I was both excited and scared to see that boy again. But a strange desire took control of my mind, toyed with my threadbare sanity, and compelling me follow the eccentric mental map imprinted in my mind that would eventually lead me to him – to that pair of intensive amber eyes.
Continuing on, I felt my control on my own body fading away, as if the invisible threads that tied my mind and body together had just snapped. Letting my heart and desire guiding the way, I once again, found myself walking down that oddly familiar path that appeared to be destined for me to follow, as if it was created solely for me. The familiar fancy metallic fences started to come into my view and I could see the faint image of a metallic westernized gate. I began to slow down my pace as I carefully approached it. The image became larger and larger as I enclosed our distance, and there, I came to face in face with the gates which locked away my deepest fantasy. My eyes traveled along the meandering stone patch trail, and then the little traditional hyperbolic wooden bridge, eventually stopping by the cherry blossom tree.
There was him, practicing his kendo swings. I stopped on my track, my body paralyzed temporarily as I stared at him, memorizing every fine detail of his handsome features, and his kimono. Sweat clutched to his chestnut bangs, soaking the strands, giving them the dampened look. The silky bangs slid pass his ears as he stepped back, swinging the sword to cut through his imaginary opponent. The amount of determination and passions reflected in his amber orbs seemed so daring and provoking in a way, given the impression of extreme superiority. He appeared to be so untouchable, unreachable. He was so close by, yet so far away. We were only separated by steeled bars, yet I knew, we were from two different worlds, and separated not only by metallic gates, but also by fate.
He swiveled around to cut through the falling cherry blossom petal and paused there for a moment. A gentle breeze swirled by, cooling his slightly reddened face, and at the same time drying the sweat clutched on his handsome face. His breathe was heavy, shortened from the practices. A culled smirk formed on his lips as the corner of his mouth curved upward. It was the smirk of confidence, of brilliance. His chest rising and falling rapidly, as he panted breathlessly, reaching out a hand to brush aside the wet bangs, he repositioned the sword in front of him again into attacking position, and repeated the routine of swinging and cutting.
I was immensely fascinated by him, the way he swung the sword with such ease and control, as if it was a part of him. I had seen boys practicing the art of kendo at my village before, but I had not seen any of them with such control, speed and precision before. This boy was truly a master of kendo, a true samurai. His eyes revealed his ambitions, his love for kendo, and such amount of passion made me speechless. I was lost in my own thoughts and excitement until Tomoyo tugged the sleeve of my kimono. "Ne Sakura-chan, how come we stopped here? Are we there already?"
Her voice shook me out of my fantasy and returned me to the world of reality, I turned around and saw her concerned eyes and pale creamy skin, I suddenly remembered what I was doing. "Gomen ne, I got distracted." I apologized and averted my attention away from her just slightly so I could still see that boy. I felt reluctant to have to withdraw my gaze from him.
"What were you looking at?" Tomoyo inquired curiously and looked passed me and subconsciously at the way of that boy. I returned my attention to him again and allowed my eyes to soften as I observed and admired the professionalism in his movements. It must've had taken him a long time to obtain such breathtakingly brilliant skills. I couldn't help but to smile at him serenely.
"A Samurai." I responded, it was a bare whisper, yet loud enough for Tomoyo to hear. It was then I wondered if the wind could carry the words to him, but I ended up dismissing it as an overly childish thought. "Souka na…" Tomoyo muttered, my ears picked up her soft voice and I knew, without having to turn around to look at her that she was smiling with me. I could hear the admiration and contentment in her tone.
We stood there, watching him from the afar. The morning sunlight bathed our backs, letting its motherly warmth seep through the cotton fabric of our kimono. The way the sun illuminated his face made him appear glowing, like a radiant star, so bright and brilliant, his resplendency could rival the brightest star in the universe. His chestnut hair emitted a pleasant glimmer, as a result of reflecting the light off the silky locks. And his eyes, so fierce and passionate, glowed under the glamorous morning sunlight, such intensive, burning amber eyes literally took my breath away. They were brighter and more gorgeous than the first time we had met.
The beautiful, harmonic tranquility was disturbed by the approaching footsteps and chattering, steadily growing louder as the group of people neared us. I quickly averted myself from the gates and grabbed onto Tomoyo's elbow, pushing her forward, diverting us away from the approaching crowd. I didn't want us to get into any troubles by blocking the way. We were now meters away from the fancy-looking gates and I hushed both of us while keeping a close eye on the tiny advancing group of people. They appeared to be growing taller and larger as they came closer. There were three beautiful women among the men dressed in classy, expensive-looking kimonos. The women had silky raven hair smoothed into a beautiful geisha hairstyle, and by judging the way they had their make up applied, I knew with great certainties that they were geishas.
Their faces were covered in a rich white powdery substance, and their lips were dyed scarlet red. The upper part of their lips was left unpainted, only the bottom part was, but just slightly. The shape of their painted lips reminded me of a cherry. I gawked at their fairness and watched them ramble down the road gracefully. They took small steps because of their kimono, and left the end part fluttering just slightly. The men were all middle-aged, some appeared to be in their fifties. Yet the geishas were fairly young, one of them seemed to be the same age as Nanako-san.
"Kyoko-san, this way." I heard the chubby man on the right say, he was standing beside the beautiful geisha in light pink kimono. The geisha smiled gorgeously and lowered her head just slightly to show her politeness and respect. All the men's eyes were on her, and I could see their admiration sparkling in their eyes, there were interest, desire in a mixture. But the geisha wasn't affected by it. The two other geishas beside her were elegant as well, but they lacked a certain element Kyoko-san had, and this caused them to be rather dull to look at when they were next to Kyoko-san.
"Oh my, who is that little boy with the kendo sword?" Kyoko-san gasped softly, maintaining her elegancy while letting her astonishment shown. Three of her right hand's fingers were holding back her long sleeve as her other hand snapped the closed she was holding open, covering her small scarlet red mouth while her eyes settled on Syaoran. "Such skill at this young age. He'll grow up to be a brilliant, fine young man." She complimented and smiled at the chubby man next to her.
I saw a faint blush appearing on the older man's cheeks, but it disappeared as soon as it came out. He shifted in his kimono uneasily and replied proudly. "That's my grandson, I insisted on teaching him the art of kendo when he was only 3 years old. But of course his mother was against the idea at first and scolded at me for making her only son practice kendo at that age. However when I hired a teacher for him, he showed such rapid improvement and that shocked my daughter as well." He nodded to no one in particularly as he went on, explaining to the rest of the group of people. "And I told Yelan that the boy's got samurai blood running down his veins! See, the old man here's still as wise as ever!"
His last comment caused the rest to burst into laughter, even Kyoko-san laughed. Yet her laugh wasn't like others', hers sounded more like music -- a beautiful melody of some sort, and I was immediately drawn to her. This was the kind of geisha I wanted to become. A lovely, elegant geisha like Kyoko-san, charming numerous powerful men with her beautiful smile.
"I wonder what Syaoran-kun will say when he sees such beautiful geisha like Kyoko-san!" The younger man at the back exclaimed, looking teasingly at the chubbier man whom I assumed must be Syaoran's grandfather. Though he was a bit young to be a grandfather from my point of view, but I later on learned that men in Kyoto marry at a much younger age than the men in my village.
Kyoko-san giggled softly at the comment and became more amused as she saw the glare Syaoran's grandfather had tossed to the said man. "Saa. (Who knows)"
I felt extremely envious as I watched them entering the gates, trailing off and letting the metallic gates slammed close again. My desire of becoming a geisha became stronger that moment. If I could become a geisha like Kyoko-san, I would be able to enter those fancy mansions as well, accompanied by groups of men who would admire me like they hadn't seen anything so exotic and beautiful before. But most importantly, I wanted Syaoran to be able to look at me and admire me like he would do with Kyoko-san.
If I could become a geisha, the barrier that separated me and him would be broken down, become insignificant. If I could become a geisha, I would be able to entertain men of powerful status like Syaoran. If I could become a geisha, I would be able to be elegant and beautiful. The snow of winter that occupied my mind for all those weeks after I had arrived at the okiya seemed to have molten away, revealing the beautiful spring. I could see more clearly now, and the future laid ahead of me, but most importantly, I knew exactly what my destiny was. My old life as a farmer's daughter had already faded, and this was my new life – the life of a geisha.
The image of Kyoko-san flashed in my mind again as my eyes fell upon the empty spot in front of me which was occupied by the crowd of chattering people. I set a goal in silently for myself that I would one day become a successful geisha like Kyoko-san, but little did I know at the time that Kyoto-san was actually one of the most celebrated geishas in Japan. She was the top geisha in Kyoto and had been entertaining the most powerful men in Japan, ranging from the Japanese emperor at the time, and to the owners of the largest Japanese companies.
Another thing I didn't know of was that she would later on become the mentor of Tomoyo and I and that she was actually the one to lead me into the world of geisha and the complex society of the riches.
I let the thoughts trailing off my mind, and smiled with such confidence for the first time ever.
a/n: wow that took forever to type up, I personally dislike this chapter a lot and some important elements are missing but I just don't know which ones. My inspiration is somehow fading away, and as a result of that, I might slow down the updates on this one until my muses return to haunt me again. You have probably noticed the lack of detailed descriptions in this chapter, partially because I got really lazy today and uninspired. The words are not flowing right. I might re-write this chapter someday when I get a chance to. But for now, let's just leave it as that and hopefully you guys will look over the horrible writing. Drop me a review and let me know what you think of this story so far!
By the way, the movie, Memoirs of a Geisha came out yesterday. I'll probably watch it around the Christmas break when I don't have as much homework and tests, and of course, when my best friend isn't working. Stupid Sears, they're making her work six days a week next week! Gahh! Such evilness!
Reviews appreciated. Flames ignored. Constructive criticisms considered.