A/N: hey, guys, sorry for delay, but I'm having exams on my nose and I really have some work to do ;(((( really sorry...jeez, will this nightmare ever end?!!!!!

The blonde's eyes followed the mysterious woman, until she was gone from sight. Yukiko sighed, and closed her eyes, trying to push herself to go down from the balcony. She so didn't want to go, so didn't want to mingle with all those shallow people, so didn't want to be in this court, this place, this time…but what choice did she have? No choice. She couldn't just run away – her life would be even more disastrous than now. She couldn't leave geisha house, couldn't leave Aya, couldn't leave Keiko…this was so killing.

"Hey, Yukiko-san, can you hear me?" a lazy, yet cute voice ran in her ear. The blonde opened her eyes and turned to face Yoh, standing by her side and smiling cutely to her.

"Yes" she said.

"You seem so deep into yourself. Don't want to go?" he showed to the people downstairs. Yukiko shock her head.

"No, I don't" she said harshly "I don't like these gatherings"

"Me neither" Yoh sighed and leaned onto handrails "I'd give anything to get out of here" Yukiko raised an eyebrow, not believing in his words.

"Why? Don't you belong here?"

"No. Or at least I don't feel like it" Yoh sighed with heavy breath, but his face stayed smiling and not a bit annoyed.

"Well, at least there's something we agree about" Yukiko finally said and kicked off the handrail to go "but neither of us have a choice, so why bother to try and change something" Yoh shrugged to her.

"I think it's worth at least trying to change something. Change is good" Yukiko smiled slightly: for a first time her smile bloomed into gentle one, the understanding one.

"Well then, let's do some changes at least in outside" she said and walked down the stairs. At the floor, she emerged from the shadows and walked right to the centre of the crowd. But she never got into it: everybody, who was standing in the room, fell few steps backwards and their gazes locked onto Yukiko. No surprise, since she was wearing Aya's favorite kimono, made of golden color silk and embroidered with flower and sakura ornaments. It all suited well to her golden locks and black ebony eyes. Truly amazing sight.

On the other side of the room, Hao was chatting with some women, who desperately tried to make him like them. But Hao, however, stayed immune to their charm, since his mind was already poisoned by Yukiko…the man couldn't stop comparing her with these ladies, who already began to make him sick with their annoying laughing and pointless attempts of flirting…this was nothing like Yukiko at all: the blonde was cold and distant…even cruel, but Hao liked her for that. He even knew she had the reason for being so cold, but she couldn't reveal it to him…maybe not now, but

someday…

Suddenly, something caught the brunette man's eye and he looked to that direction…only to loose his breath: there she was, with her pale, but goldish skin, golden locks and…oh my god…the golden robes, which suited her perfectly. They made her look like queen. Hao excused shortly with ladies he was talking to and quickly walked to the golden goddess of his dreams. He approached her and stopped with a gently touch on shoulder. He leaned to her ear and whispered.

"You left me out of words tonight" Yukiko turned to face him…the person he talked to in the balcony and yet the person she…she…wanted to be with.

"That was the plan" Yukiko answered, her voice and eyes smirking, but yet, it was somehow mixed with a drop of flirting and enjoying…that he actually liked it.

"Then it is a good plan" Hao said, smiling. He took Yukiko's hand and kissed it softly, expressing his emotions "I can't describe how wonderful you look"

"You don't have to" the blonde said and smiled to him with this understanding smile: yes, she understood how good she looked at this place…but still, her heart longed to look good in some other place…other time…other occasion.

The couple was closely watched by two dark eyes, filled with anger. Midori hid half of her face with dark green fan, which matched the color of her kimono and watched her opponent, Yukiko, every since the blonde walked into the hall. The woman felt jealous of her…of her beauty, her skills, her status. Everything, what had a deal with Yukiko seemed wrong and intolerable to Midori and she knew what she came here for: to show to this half Japanese brat where her place…to show her that geisha world is not for foreign freaks.

Finally, the Tao's showed up at the party, making everyone turn their attention from the sweet couple to them. The four people looked, well, rich and powerful, not to mention well-mannered…at least on the outside. One of two women, with mid-length green hair and black and green hanfu left the group and joined some women, who were talking and giggling among themselves. She seemed to adapt well and easily. Others, one woman with long black hair and two men, of whom one was Ren, went deeper into the room and joined guests. The older man of Taos went to Mikihisa and they started to talk, while the woman met with Keiko and those two as well started a chat. Ren, however, would've probably gone to some darker and more private corner, but he met up with Yoh and this brunette guy, with his cute grin, managed to make Ren talk and communicate as well.

"Here are the celebrities" Said Hao, with obvious ironic smirk in his voice.

"Your brother seems to have the ability to like them" Yukiko said, looking to Yoh and Ren talking.

"My brother has the ability to like everyone" Hao laughed "that's one of the reasons I respect him" Yukiko raised her eyebrow, but held her comments to herself. Hao looked to her again and once again her beauty struck him hard…harder than before, since now he realized and maybe someone else will have the chance to taste her later tonight…and that someone was his rival…Tao Ren.

The feast was swinging in, since dances and music started and everything seemed to end up well fro Yukiko: she had to only speak to some more important people from court, but mostly she spent her time with Hao. Their relationship at this feast seemed to grow to better…who knows why, maybe just because this was the perfect occasion to hold from shouting one on other and just talk lightly with no pretending. But pretend Yukiko did: she could barely hold off Hao's longing looks each time he looked to her. But this little peace was about to end.

Keiko asked for a word and climbed on the small stage, where performances would take place. As the public went into silence, the mistress of house said:

"Thank you all for gathering here tonight. I hope you all are enjoying the feast" the crowed clapped and cheered with affirmative answer "as you might know, this feast has been held for reunion of Asakura and Tao families, so I thank them from coming" Keiko bowed to En Tao and his sister. They bowed back "yet there's another surprise I'd like to announce this evening. Barely few people know about it, but I do bet the for someone this will be the greatest challenge ever" Keiko allowed herself to smirk slightly, while the crowd whispered among themselves, quickly exchanging wonders of what it could be.

"So, I'll start then" Keiko said, immediately silencing the public "I'd like to introduce you to Jeanne Osoku" Keiko stretched out hand and showed to the white-haired girl, who Yukiko saw before.

"Do you know her?" the blonde asked to Hao silently. The brunette guy frowned and shook his head. No, he didn't know this girl, but something just struck him, some bad feeling about his mother showing such attention to this white woman. The feeling that this can't go to better crept into Hao's mind and didn't leave. Yukiko noticed his expression changed from relaxed to worried and tensed.

"Is there something wrong?" she asked. Although her voice didn't express much care, she felt the worry floating from Hao's inside and she wanted to know the reason.

"I have a bad feeling about this" the brunette man said "this can't be good" he gently and shortly touched Yukiko's hand, as if taking strength from her, and walked away, closing to the stage. Keiko, meanwhile, continued to talk.

"Also, I'd like to call forth my beloved son, Hao" she said and looked to the brunette guy in long black yukata. Hao stepped on stage, from all he got trying to look relaxed and easy-going. He bowed to his mother and to Jeanne, who shyly bowed back, keeping her eyes down.

"I'm very pleased with attention, mother, but please, be clearer to me and to the public" Hao smirked lightly. This brought Yukiko to smile as well, seeing how Hao makes everything look easy and simple. Keiko, however, smirked to him and nodded.

"Yes, my son, I shall. It is time came to you to change your habits of life" she started and the feeling of something being wrong rolled through Hao's body "Hao, my son, Mikihisa and I had chosen you a wonderful wife" she took Jeanne and Hao's hands and put them together "I hope you'll be pleased"

A sudden silence of public hit the room. This silence was from completely not knowing what to do, but somebody saved the day and saluted the fiancées. The crowed followed and everybody clapped and cheered. Yukiko watched the scene with no expression, but frost coming out of her. She turned around and left, not looking back. Hao noticed this and rushed after her as fast as he could get through the crowed congratulating him.

Yukiko went out of the room, out of the house and through the garden. Heavy clouds were hanging on the sky and on her heart and thoughts. What was she thinking? He was royal, almost a prince, as they would call it, bound to responsibilities and agreements. How could she even think that she could be something more to him that another geisha he brought….or will buy…no matter. He really didn't care as he said. Although these thoughts were contradictory to what Yukiko read in Hao's face as he greeted the news, she pushed it all way and at that time promised herself to never think of it in other way. The rain suddenly started to pour down, making Yukiko completely wet immediately. The blonde ran to the bridge, which formed a round terrace with roof and stopped there. Her hair was dripping wet, her kimono was soaked, but she didn't care. She didn't plan to return anyhow. She didn't want to see him or her…she just wanted to be alone.

"Yukiko?" a clam deep voice called her. The blonde turned around, her face expressionless, her insides with no emotion: she just looked to Hao as if he was far away from her.

"What" that wasn't even a question, only a word to show that he was noticed.

"Are you alright?" he asked. Hao himself was dripping wet, but he didn't care of that either. He just wanted to explain it to her, to say sorry, to comfort her, to be with her…to tell her that he cares, that he…loves her.

"Why wouldn't I be?" Yukiko said coldly, feeling how anger's growing inside. He has a wife. This phrase kept ringing in her head, not giving her to think clearly.

"It's quite obvious why" Hao said, closing to her. He stretched out his hand, wanting to flick some strands of Yukiko's golden hair behind her ear, but she pushed his hand away.

"Don't touch me" she said. Hao sighed with heavy breath. He felt disappointed that everything he built between her and him suddenly was broken into pieces…she seemed so distant now, so cold, so…icy.

"Yukiko, please, let me explain…"

"Explain what?" the blonde shot a dreadful look to him "that you have a fiancée? That you have responsibilities to your family? That you can't be with me so often? Spare me the lesson, Asakura" she said it without expressions in her face. She felt dead right now. Somebody just killed her.

"I didn't know this is going to happen, Yukiko" Hao said out loud, wanting her to at least try to understand him "not this quick. I though that I may find someone I really like and my parents would let me to live with this person. It just so happened to be you, only…a little too late" Hao said the last words with obvious sorrow in his voice. Yukiko head it, but didn't react to it: she was emotionless right now, like a beach after vicious storm.

"And you expect me to believe it? What am I suppose to do anyway? I mean nothing to you whatsoever" Yukiko said with sad and ironically smirking smile.

"You know this isn't true" Hao stepped even closer to her: now, in the slight light of distant lanterns he could see her stony, yet hurt face "you know I care for you and I don't want you to go away from me"

"If you pay enough tonight" said Yukiko harshly "I won't go away for single and only one night. That was the agreement. But you have responsibilities and I can't contradict Keiko's decisions" Yukiko pierced Hao with heavy gaze "maybe I did mistake here" and she walked away, leaving Hao to stand alone in the darkness…to swim around in his soul's darkness, as only light left him…Yukiko…

The blonde quickly slid the door open and shot them close. Her panting sound flew through the room for a while, but it silenced almost immediately. Yukiko went to change and lit up the single candle. Now, all she had to do is to wait until the end of the feast. Then, it will clear. A soft knock on the door made the blonde to wake up from her stagnation. She opened the door and met the visitor with expressionless face: it was a servant, whom she ordered to bring the news. Yukiko let her in and shot the door. As they sat by the table, Yukiko's emotionless eyes rammed into servant and she demanded:

"Read the results to me" the servant bowed and opened a small sheet of paper.

"Sold for one hundred million en" she said and looked into Yukiko for a while, but couldn't hold back geisha's gaze for long. She lowered her eyes and continued reading…the most interesting news:

"The customer – Asakura Hao" Yukiko closed her eyes for a while, feeling relief and fear together. The servant folded the paper and looked up "he'll be expecting you after two hours" Yukiko nodded and gestured for servant to leave. When Yukiko left alone, a heavy sigh left her lips with a single name: Hao. For the first and for the last time she's going to be his woman…for one single night. Huge price he paid for her, probably Ren didn't expect it to happen. But who cares now? Yukiko had to concentrate and collect her courage.

On her way after two hours, a hand stopped her and Tao Ren emerged from the shadows. The feast wasn't completely over yet, so Ren decided to take an advantage.

"It's him, isn't it?" he asked in silent, but deep voice. Yukiko nodded, her face absolutely not showing anything.

"Yes. I assume your price wasn't enough. What a shame" the blonde smirked "I'd say maybe next time, but I'd be lying, so if you excuse me" she freed her arm and rushed off, leaving Ren to flame with anger…in defeat.

Yukiko took a deep breath as she was standing in front of the door and knocked. The door slid open and the blonde walked in. The room was dark, only single candle illuminating it. Somebody closed the door, making Yukiko to turn around: Hao was standing there, leaned against the wall. His eyes were closed, face – clam. Yukiko went up to him and said:

"I guess you got what you wanted, Asakura" the sound of his last name made Hao to open his eyes and looked to her…icy her.

"Refer to me as Hao" he said, no demanding in his tone, just a simple asking "and I didn't want this to be like that"

"Maybe you didn't, but it did happen" Yukiko sighed, turning her look away "why don't we put an end to this?"

"But you don't want it, do you?" he asked straight. Yukiko looked to his eyes for a while. What was she trying to pull? She wanted him. Very much. But not like before – something changed: the fact that he wasn't free anymore changed it all. Yukiko sighed and choose to tell the truth: at least he was sincere with her, when he said he cares…wasn't he?

"You know, if said I don't, I'd be lying" the blonde said. Hao nodded slightly, a small smile slowly creeping onto his lips.

"If you do then, I'll…"

"Just don't say anything" Yukiko silenced him "we have only one problem left"

"And that would be?" Yukiko turned around and walked to the square table, on which the candle was burning.

"Light isn't going well along with…love" she said and pressed the fire – the room drowned into darkness.

Yukiko felt how somebody's arms slid around her waist and slowly untied the dressing-gown. Then those hands caressed her body, making her moan from pleasure…literally taking her to the stars. The blonde whirled around and her lips met with Hao's as her hand slowly slid under his robes. Hao lifted her from the ground and intuitively carried her to the bed. They fell on it, drowning into the passion and lust. By the time morning came, Hao explored every inch of Yukiko's body, putting everything into his memory, because who knows when he'll get more of her bittersweet taste.

The sun's rays fell on the floor and were about to reach the bed on which the brunette man was sleeping. Yukiko's lips formed a smile as she closed to door…but on the floor, there was a stain of a teardrop left…

A/N: special note for Cole Adams: did you get the idea about rice scone now:DDD