Hello Simply Hopeless here with a new story for you. I did a research paper on geishas and fell in love with the subject so here is my story. Each chapter will be three to four pages because I decided to do something like and try out a short chapter fic. I will try to give enough information I can for each so you won't feel cheated. In addition at the end I left a little bonus piece so you can understand the workings of a geisha. I hope you enjoy and will be waiting for your reviews so that I may continue this story.

Words to know:

Hangyoku: Tokyo apprentice geisha. Literally means "Half Jewel" indicating that they are paid half the wages of a full geisha.

Obi: The wide sash worn around the waist, on top of the kimono, tied at the back.

Okobo: The high wooden clogs worn by maiko/Hangyoku.

Onesan: Older Sister

Tabi: Split toed socks.

Women Behind the Mask

Chapter One: December 2005

Her wooden okobo made loud clicking noises against the pavement of the sidewalk in Tokyo as she quickly shuffled to her next gig. Her small frame nimbly dodged the bustling crowd of downtown Tokyo with a worried look on her pretty face. Slim fingers wrapped tightly around her small, clothed purse that held her dancing fans, a comb and a small mirror. A bit of red like a fat drop of blood clung to her bottom lip marking her as a hangyoku as she moved. Her face, which was covered in the ghostly white makeup of her trade, was bathed in the soft afterglow of neon lights as she passed through a big glowing sign.

Big brown eyes combed the sea of people looking for the hotel she was to go to. She didn't even notice the pedestrians around her, or the tourists reaching for their cameras as she tried to move as quickly as she could. Which wasn't very quickly as she glared at her kimono robes that sheathed her in their colorful silk cocoon. The tail of her obi fluttering frantically in the chilly air as she ran as fast as she could without tripping, the air snaking out of her mouth in white, billowy puffs. The hangyoku was suppose to make it to her second gig that onesan had arranged for her this week and already she was late.

"Kami please do not do this to me," she huffed under her breath, her cheeks flushed under her makeup. Fingertips held tightly to the heavy shawl around her shoulder like a vice. A soft frown spread to her face at the fact that it would look to strange for an apprentice geisha like her to walk around in a winter coat. 'Though if I could,' she thought longingly. Her eyes so happen to look over to a bunch of schoolgirls snuggled up in warm winter coats. Their fingers covered by gloves, and their head and neck warmed by the soft yarn of their hats and scarves.

She had no such luxuries though it did look like she stepped out of a wall hanging of the feudal era. Her sleeves so long they nearly brushed the ground below her if she did not hold them just right. She looked like a butterfly flittering towards its next flower, her kimono a bold electric blue with a silver dragon wrapping enticingly around her waist in a maelstrom of sakura pedals. Her long black hair was swept up in the traditional fashion of a geisha's apprentice making it appear as if it had wings with a tight bun on the top of her head. Her hair was adorned with a tortoise shell comb, some flowers and a stick with shiny dangling things that fluttered noiselessly in the air.

She must take flight now or she'd be late and then she'd never hear the end of it. Nearly falling over, hands on her knees as she came to the Shikon Hotel where the guests she was suppose to entertain was staying. She wondered to herself why not the traditional tea houses that all the other clients frequented. But it was not her place to ask such things as she entered into the domain of such a rich hotel.

Before she had time to admire the wonderful scenery she heard someone bark at her to come to the side. Both weary and wary brown eyes turned to look at one of the senior geisha's before she walked towards her with graceful steps. A geisha must walk as if she is floating with little baby steps, not to small that the guest must pause to wait for her to catch up.

"It is nice to see you as always Kik-"

"You're late," the older woman hissed out. Her painted eyebrows that where placed on with such care came down in a deep frown of displeasure. "I can not see why Faith would have you as her onesan. It like trying to teach a frog to be a swan and though they may be comfortable in the water it is not the same," she sneered.

She lifted her chin pointedly showing her authority over the simple apprentice. She seemed like a beautiful china doll with the white makeup. Though the apprentice thought without the makeup she had beautiful tail but she hailed her tongue on saying that. Too afraid of the snickering the geisha might do of her naivety.

Both her bottom and top lips painted red showing the older woman's status as a senior geisha. Her small brown eyes flashed with excitement at the sign of challenge making he a dangerous beauty. The hangyoku colored slightly under her face at the scrutiny of the geisha and took to looking at the white tabi that she barely could see on her feet due to her long kimono. She knew the older woman took pleasure in seeing this from the bare skin visible around the apprentice's hairline.

"Come on give, her a break Kikyou," a voice floated towards them and both turned to look at another senior geisha. Her ice blue eyes always seemed to want to twinkle in mirth as well her midnight blue hair felt the need to spill out the confines of her bun. "Kagome is here, isn't she? Albeit late."

"Forgive me please," Kagome bowed deeply from the waist before she was led away. As she straightened up she took off her shawl and folded into a tight little bundle before stashing it into the wide sash of her obi.

"Go in the room Kikyou and entertain the guest. We will be there shortly," Faith ordered with a no nonsense look.

Kikyou gave one withering look before flouncing away.

"Why is she so mean to me Faith? I swear she's out to-" began Kagome before she saw Faith silence her.

"Really Kagome this is not a good start," Faith clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth.

"I know onesan. I know," she was close to whimpering.

"Do not do that or you will smear your makeup. Now come, you are geisha, we will not cry in public," she said sternly then her face softened. "What would you have done if I hadn't found you off that street that snowy day?"

'Yes... what would I have done?'

Her eyes seem to unfocused, not taking in her new surroundings as she remembered that cold night. The night that would change her life forever and make her the hangyoku she is today. The flesh are of her arms already riddling with goose bumps under her sleeve as she remember how harsh and loud the cold wind blew against her bare skin.

To be continued...

Bonus: F.Y.I. on Geishas

Simply: I will have this at the end of each story. It will let you know a bit about Geishas so you won't be left in the dark.

Faith: Yes. Yes. The F.Y.I of the day is this. An onesan in the geisha world is not necessarily the older sister. A geisha apprentice like Kagome finds herself an older sister to act as her guardian and help teach her the ropes. Like introducing her new little sister to her clientele that she entertains or the proper way to act. For her services of taking care of their sister they get a portion of their little sister's wages.

Also there is a special ceremony that an apprentice and geisha must go through to unify them in their new roles. Onesans are very important and help mold their charges so their job should be taken seriously. Also a geisha can have more then one little sister.

Kagome: Oh I hope I get this all down starts taking notes

Simply: This has been our brief F.Y.I. for the day.