,Note: Soo..I haven't been around lately. Well, that's a lie- I have been doing a lot of reading of both comments and stories, but I have not had the time to sit down and write due to an unfortunate abundance of extremely important tests and essays!
Kay Nastalia: Glad you think so! I adore Nobu, so I'm actually honored to hear that I'm able to capture his essence.
HI-ee-09: Thank you! Glad you enjoyed =D
SSLE: I'm sorry I didn't update sooner! On the plus side, think of this as a really early present, muahaha.
Vingamania: Thanks so much for your comment! I'm glad I could make him seen as more than he is for you, and no, you certainly don't sound like an idiot at all. In fact I am quite flattered! Hmm…anything you can do…I suppose you could make me some cookies? ^_^
Oh, and Happy (really belated) Holidays to everyone! Think of this as a late gift from me..hehe.
Oh and, not to preach, but I've been doing a lot trying to get the word out about the Haitian crisis that has recently occurred. So if everyone could do some praying and maybe some donating...perhaps we can restore hope in Haiti. Peace out everyone, and hope you enjoy this (rather short) little chapter.
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As a child, I used to love to play by the water with my older sisters. I am not a creative man, but back then I found large bodies of water to be enchanting, almost frighteningly so. They are untamable and wild, moving at their will to wherever they want. And yet I was attracted to them; I could not be torn away from even the simplest stream.
I'm not sure how any of this nonsense pertains to my Sayuri. Perhaps I am just dwelling on old memories; I am prone to such events when I am all alone. I am not even alone, and I am replaying stories in my head!
Maybe it is the fact that she is much like the water; though demure and kind, she has a mind of her own.
No, no, this is such an absurd thought I cannot help but laugh at myself for my ignorance.
Seated here in the teahouse, I cannot shake the feeling of being quite alone. The Chairman is here, Mameha and Sayuri are here. There are others whose names I do not know, names I do know, names I wish I did not know. I am watching Sayuri quietly; she cannot help but distract herself with my dear friend's appearance. I know that is the reason. It is always the reason.
I sneer into my cup of tea. "Is there something that displeases you, Nobu?" Mameha questions, and finally Sayuri turns to me, her head slightly cocked to the side. Her mesmerizing eyes show a hint of concern, and I respond angrily. I despise pity.
"This tea is rather poor tonight! Really, Mameha, you know my tastes." I snap. Tonight I am impatient and have no tolerance for her words; my patience will only decrease should that other dirty geisha show her face here. Most likely she shall, with my Sayuri here...
No, not "my". She can never be mine. Damn my infernal thoughts, damn this torture! Why have I been so angry lately?
"It must be the weather, Nobu." Sayuri responds. Did I just speak aloud? My eyes carefully look at her, afraid to meet her gaze. I have the strange feeling she knows my true thoughts.
I cough. "Yes, of course." I grumble, sneering into my tea. Ridiculous. My thoughts tonight are absolutely ridiculous, as are my actions. Sayuri seems to be expecting me to say something else. When I do not, she smooths the bottom of her kimono and makes a joke in her soft voice. Everyone laughs, and I force myself to snort. I am no longer listening. I have no reason to- I know that after the laughter dies down and Sayuri has looked at me for approval, she will return her attention to the Chairman.
I know I am ugly. I know I am old and uninteresting. But I am not an idiot. I must confront Sayuri or the Chairman.
As much as it pains me to admit it..my heart cannot bear the agony.
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"She pays you much attention you know." I mutter, staring at the paper in front of me with a curious look on my face. Well, as curious a look as I may muster- I am certainly no actor, that is for sure.
My friend tips his head back and forth, neither confirming or denying; rather he seems to be contemplating. "Perhaps you do not pay her enough attention!" he finally responds, a slight smirk on his face. It is his attempt at a joke, but all it does is make me even more upset.
I grimace. "She knows me well enough by now, she should know how to act around me, or is she just as stupid and ignorant as the rest of those damn women!? I told you, I hate them all, and she certainly is becoming a clone!" I shout, standing up so abruptly that my chair falls behind me. "She treats me like the dirt she treads on! Do you not see that?"
His face changes; he is suspicious, I know. I feel myself tremble and excuse myself from the room.
How dare a mere geisha bring me to such behavior? I must not see her again…cannot. My mask I have so carefully constructed will be broken by Sayuri, and I shall never be able to face the world again.
I splash my face with water, hoping it will calm me down. But I realize that I hate the water, even if my younger self reveled in it.
And yet, I cannot hate her.
My Sayuri..