It was a clear evening of early September, when Yukiko was sitting in her garden and reading Aya's letter. The blonde was as always dressed in red kimono and after day's work, already cleaned the white mask off her face. Now, it was a time to relax and think things clearly.

It was three weeks since Tao Ren visited the Asakura mansion and the feast, planned for reunion is comming very soon. So was the plan Aya set for Yukiko. The blonde didn't actually like it, but she respected Aya's decision and understood that this will go on to better for her and for her teacher. Or at least that's what Yukiko hoped for.

In her present letter, Aya said:

Dear Yukiko,

Do not forget that this is for your own good. As I already told you a number of times, geisha's virginity can be sold for highest price, if there is a competition between customers. I'v chosen you the best among them, who could ofer you enough money. Don't forget that here lies the question of your future. Things can happen at royal court and even you may not be able to hold up there if something bad goes around you.

I heard this rummor that Midori, your greatest, opponent was excepted to the royal geisha house as well. If this turns out to be true, be very careful: Midori can be much trouble. You know her ways.

But Midori won't be as much trouble, as it will be if you fail with our plan. I know you're very persistent at reaching your goals, so do not disappoint me. The time you'll give your suggestion is up to you to choose. Make the choice well, Yukiko. Write to me, if you have time, come to visit me. The things are very important that are happening there.

Another thing: do not forget that Keiko-sama is fond of you. I have a feeling that she may even ask you not to come to the feast, which takes place after a week, as geisha. If so, make sure to thank her well and, as always, show all of your beauty in feast: it will be only to better.

I won't write much this time. You know what to do. Take care of yourself, Yukiko.

Your teacher,

Aya

Yukiko sighed and put the scroll down on the floor by a pillow she was sitting on. The blonde was on the terrace of onsen, watching how light slowly abandons the entire garden. Her thoughts flew through the details of plan, overlooking every detail: it seemed well-remembered and in place. Yukiko lifted a small cup of tea and took a sip. A sudden flashback came to her mind:

xxxFLASHBACKxxx

Yukiko and Hao sat in front of each other, separated by a table. They were in Yukiko's room, just sitting and drinking tea. Hao, for gods know which time asked:

"So, why you were talking to him?" Yukiko put the cup down with noise and rammed her gaze into Hao.

"Stop bugging me about that. Why do you care, anyway? I just wanted to talk to him that all. Is that so hard to understand? By the way, I don't recall you being someone to me, who could control my life like this!" Hao sighed in pissed off way and controlled his jealousy.

"Listen, Yukiko. I just want to know you better, that's all"

"So why don't you go and ask Yoh-san about what we were talking about. You'll be surprised if you did"

"I want to hear it from you" Hao continued to be stubborn.

"Fat chance. So, if that's all you wanted from me, you may go. I have customers in half and hour" she stood up and went behind the screen and started to change her kimono. Hao went after her, but stayed behind the wooden moving wall.

"Want to know why I care?" he asked suddenly. Yukiko stopped her dressing for a while, now standing completely naked behind the screen.

"Yes" she said silently.

"Because I'm so jealous just to see you talking to anybody else. I barely control myself not to punching every man I see near you" Hao lowered his head and rammed it into embroidered wall of screen.

"Hao…I…" Yukiko stopped in the middle of sentence, thinking if she should say it or not.

"Just don't say anything. Now you know why I care" Hao turned around and was about to leave, but Yukiko stepped out from behind the screen, covered herself only with red dressing robe and said:

"Hao, wait" she stopped him with only two words. The brunette guy couldn't not listen to her: the blonde already controlled him entirely "I thank you for caring of me. I never experienced this kind of care and attention. This means a lot to me"

"Then ask me" Hao said suddenly, closing to her quickly.

"I can't. And you know I won't" the blonde said coldly. It was a good thing that Hao couldn't see her insides, because the inner Anna was just burning with lust and passion, longing for Hao to kiss her.

"I'll wait. Believe me, I'll wait" Hao promised her, flicking some stands behind her hair.

"I know you will. Maybe this won't be for long. Now go" and she rushed behind the screen, leaving Hao immobile for a while.

xxxENDxOFxFLASHBACKxxx

These memories brought both, good and bad, feelings to Yukiko. She felt so lost among her senses and yet, she knew that Hao would do anything for her. She was sure of it.

"You're so deep into your thoughts that it makes you look even more beautiful" a voice emerged from grey light of the evening. The blonde turned around and saw Hao, standing behind her.

"You're sneaking here again. Hao, this will cost us lots of trouble one day"

"Until it didn't, I'll continue to creep on you like this" Hao smirked and sat down next to her, folding his legs. Yukiko sighed and turned back to the light, which was shining from her house in a distance of garden.

"So, will we just sit like that, in silence, or will you start bugging me about something?" Yukiko asked in harsh and ironic tone. Hao looked to her with smirk and answered:

"I'd prefer silence. You give me so much peace when you're around" Yukiko was about to contradict, but these words shot her into silence and for a half an hour, they sat in silence, admiring the darkening garden. Suddenly, Yukiko asked something:

"Hao, you said you care for me. Would you do me a favor?" the brunette man turned to her and although Yukiko couldn't see his face, she knew it was filled with surprise.

"Sure, anything" the blonde stood up.

"Follow me then" and she quickly walked to the source of light in the distant, followed by Hao. They entered the house and Yukiko opened one of the drawers of her dressing-table and took a red round thing. She closed to Hao and stretched it out to him, her eyes sparkling with different emotions:

"I hope I don't need to explain myself more" she said. Hao looked to the rice scone, wrapped in red silky material and then raised his eyes to Yukiko, not believing it.

"Are you serious?"

"As you see, I am" the blonde sighed "the time has come" she lowered her head, looking to the floor now, memories of Aya's lessons rolling through her mind. The brunette man raised her face to see her eyes and smiled, taking the scone.

"If that's your wish" he said. Yukiko nodded and a sigh of relief flew out her mouth: the first pace of her plan was successful "just tell me one thing: am I the only one?" Hao asked, however. The blonde looked to him with strange look, even stranger emotions rising inside of her. Right now, she wanted nobody else but him.

"There will be" she whispered, forcing the words out of herself. The blonde felt completely lost now: she didn't know why such a simple thing cost her so many emotions and so much…pain. But this pain was different. It was out of fear and out of lust and passion. And maybe, just maybe, of love.

"Who?" Yukiko silenced for a while and answered his question sincerely.

"Tao Ren. He showed much interest in me during these days" sure enough: all those gifts of silver jewels and brand new kimonos, said to be from Tao family, really were from Ren alone. And only Yukiko and he knew this.

Hao sighed and looked to the darkness of night, coming through the opened door.

"Of course, no one else there could be, right?" Yukiko shook her head. Hao silenced for couple of minutes and said:

"Do you remember the first time we talked, back at town's mansion?"

"Yes, I remember. It didn't end well" this memory made Yukiko smile a little. So did Hao.

"Then, I asked what hurt you so badly. You didn't answer of course. But now I know" he touched her cheek gently and smiled to her: this smile was calming and sweet, without a single glimpse of smirk "you long to be free" he whispered "and your life as a geisha is destroying you" Yukiko gasped: again he was doing it, again he was reading her heart and soul like a book.

"Don't say this, please" Yukiko whispered "don't hurt me even more" now the blonde hardly held her tears. She didn't believe that she could cry after all she went through in her life. Two diamond-like tears pearled down her cheeks, touching Hao's palm. He wiped them and hugged Yukiko. The blonde didn't resist: she only hugged him back tightly around neck and stayed like this…for a long time…

After a long waiting, the day of the feast came and Ren Tao visited Keiko to finish and agree last business. Before Tao left, he noticed Yukiko in the garden and approached her.

"Yukiko-san, how wonderful to see you" he said, bowing to her. The blonde bowed back and said:

"My pleasure, Ren-san, my pleasure. I do hope everything is going well?"

"Oh, just fine" Ren looked to her eyes and his look pierced Yukiko through the heart. The blonde, however, looked back to him and decided that this is the right moment.

"After all the gifts you've sent me – yes, I know it was you – I do believe that a small favor won't be a problem to you" she stepped closer and now only inched separated her face from Ren's. The man could sense her scent of fresh flowers and honey: it greatly intoxicated him.

"Anything for you, Yukiko-san" the blonde took out a wrapped rice scone and gave it to Ren, looking into his eyes.

"The hour after the feast will be the last. I'm sure you understand" the blonde smiled gloatingly to him and went past him, leaving Ren in loss and shock.

The man looked to the silk-wrapped scone and smiled: this was a kick below waist to Hao and he knew it. Another thing Ren knew was that he had to win Yukiko, no matter what. So did Hao.

But the thing he didn't know that after the feast, a surprise will be waiting for him…a surprise, which will surprise everyone. But more of that later.

The evening came and Yukiko went to prepare herself for the feast. In hallways, the servants and staff were on hurry, carrying trays with food and drinks, organizing decorations, making last-minute clean-ups. When the blonde entered her room, she found Keiko sitting there by the table and waiting for her. The geisha bowed respectably to the woman.

"I wanted to ask you, Yukiko, how are you going to dress for this evening?" Keiko asked, standing up and closing to the blonde. Yukiko lost at first from this unexpected question, but quickly answered.

"As usual, Keiko. How else should I?" the elder woman smiled motherly and said:

"You're very devoted to your profession, Yukiko, and I respect that. But tonight, I'd like you to dress up like a member of this court" Yukiko looked up to Keiko "and no excuses" the woman said and left the blonde. Yukiko stood immobile for a while and only after five minutes she went to closet and peered through her kimonos. The blonde found what she was looking for and tonight, she's going to surprise them all.

People were already gathering in the ball room. They were obviously rich, since women's kimonos were all sparkling with expensive silk and men's robes were made by best makers. Keiko and Mikihisa were at the ball room as well; greeting and smiling to these people…people, empty and shallow, with no other joy in life than balls like these. Yukiko watched this scene from the above balcony, which was covered in shadows. The blonde knew perfectly that neither Keiko, nor Mikihisa, although she didn't know him that well, didn't want to be there. Yukiko showed no want to go as well. The only whish she had was ringing in her head with a voice of a man…a man, which woke Anna up inside of her: Anna, whose identity wasn't revealed, whose past was hidden and future clear and counted. But this future begins to change from this night on…for not only for her this night is challenging.

One of women, who came in from outside, somehow caught Yukiko's eye and the blonde followed her: it was a very beautiful woman, obviously younger that the blonde, but very fair: long white hair went all down her waist, red eyes were sparkling, but somehow, this fire seemed to be very well controlled. Her skin was very pale, paler than Yukiko's ad this paleness was even more expressed with baby blue kimono she was wearing: it was quite simple, equaling with other women's, but still it made her look wonderful. To Yukiko's eyes, this girl – or woman; the blonde couldn't really decide – contradicted an entire content of people, gathered for tonight. What Yukiko didn't know was that this girl may become her greatest opponent…