There was a step of determination in my person that night. I lifted my feet with uncommon care as I navigated the cobbled streets to reach my last party, the Iwamura Company engagement at the Ichiriki.

At previous banquets, I had let my concentration go. Mameha would have been ashamed at my unusual reticent conversation.

I said little and hoped that my customers would say much. I was reserving all my energy for the upcoming event where I would lay eyes on Nobu and read his intentions.

Mameha had suggested long ago that Nobu was interested only in a physical relationship. He had bid aggressively for my mizuage, but not enough to win the contest between the Baron and Dr. Crab.

What then could hold him to me? What attracted him enough to present himself as my Danna?

It was a well known fact that Nobu did not care for Geisha.

"Superficial butterflies. Empty headed idiots." he had said to me in disgust one time, after an ambitious Geisha had tried to hold court with him, knowing of his successful business ventures. I believe the woman was in the market for a wealthy Danna and she would not be deterred by Nobu's scars.

The woman had barely escaped with her pride intact.

That description, although accurate was not exactly conducive to engaging in a close relationship with a Geisha.

I was a Geisha. Why me?

When I reached the entrance way, I took a moment to unfold my fan. I held it in front of my face. It would give me time in a crowded room to seek out Nobu before anyone called attention to me.

A maid directed me to the party and slid open the door. Making a quick bow, I found myself lost in the crowd of people, searching for Nobu.

Several prominent Geisha were there, but they were too busy entertaining their customers. A man bumped into me, spilling some beer on my sock. He apologized refaced while I immediately put him at ease.

My ruse to hide behind my fan was foiled. Nobu saw me. He was sitting at the table. A beer was set before him.

I bowed to the man before making my way towards Nobu.

I bowed, making sure that the comb would glint as I bent my head.

"Good evening Nobu-san"

"You are late. I have been sitting here waiting for you."

"Forgive me, Nobu-san. I had previous engagements and it took long in getting here."

"Hmm..." he said gruffly. "Sit."

I shuffled over beside him.

"It is a large banquet, Nobu-san. You must be pleased at the turn out your company has gathered."

"This is nothing. It means nothing. Just fools getting drunk off sake and pretty faces."

"Is that not what banquets are for? To bask in the glow of beautiful women and drink?" I asked carefully. Pulling my sleeves out of the way, I pushed his beer towards him and he took it.

Drinking from it, he looked at the room and then back at me.

"Yes. But not for me. The prettiest face was missing."

I blushed quickly and looked the way.

"You are wearing the comb I gave you" Nobu commented. I touched it self consciously.

"It is a beautiful gift" I said.

"The head it sits on brings out it's beauty" Nobu-san said. Flicking his eyes upward to meet mine, "I would give you finer better things."

"I do not require them" I replied graciously, signaling the maid for a fresh glass of beer.

"No" Nobu said slowly, "You do not. But it will be my duty to give them to you."

"In a long manner of speaking?" I asked. He nodded.

"I presented myself to your Okiya in order to become your Danna."

I was silent.

The room rang in laughter and conversation around us but somehow we were in our own world.

"I arranged a financial settlement that I hope will be to your liking" Nobu said, picking up his glass and taking another sip.

"I am most grateful" I told him at last.

It seemed there would be no easy transition in this role. I hardly knew what to say to him, but say something I must.

I must have remained silent too long because Nobu took a look at my face and growled out gruffly, "Are you pleased with the arrangement, Sayuri?"

Silence loomed over my head and my tongue was stupidly still. I cast my mind for something to say.

"Peach pitts" I said.

"What?"

"You had once told me that you would make do with anything, like peach pits and find them useful. You said you would throw them at someone, actually" I smiled, "Someone that you disliked."

"That's an odd thing to say" Nobu remarked.

"Yes. It is."I watched him drink his beer and I gathered my courage to begin again.

"I was thinking that it would be pleasing to know someone that was resourceful enough to throw peach pitts. Especially at someone they did not like."

Nobu was still looking at me in puzzlement and mild annoyance.

"Are you saying that I displease you? Perhaps you would like to throw peach pitts at me?"

I laughed. Nobu smiled grimly.

"No. That is not what I am saying. I think that I would like to be in a company of a man that would throw peach pitts. Such resourcefulness is refreshing. Invigorating."

"It is" Nobu agreed, giving me a long stare that made my back tingle with cold.