Ahh, Hatsumomo..such a fascinating character, even if she was a total bitch. Sometime soon I think I might do a short story on her, simply because she was so interesting. I think I may have to maker her a re-occurring character somewhere in this story?

So I'm updating today because I will not be home until Sunday (on vacation) and when I get back I'll be spending most of my time working on an essay. So I hope you all enjoy this chapter and can wait until my next update! (I'm thinking Tuesday-ish?) =D

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I drop my hand from her face immediately. This is not the place, not the time. Especially with a prostitute watching us. She may have been thrown out of the okiya, as Mameha told me, but she will always have some powerful friends. Even that little rat Korin will open her jaws and speak. The risk of doing anything here is too dire.

"We will speak after the match. In private, do you understand me?" Sayuri's face contorts with confusion until she sees who I am watching so keenly. She sucks in her cheek and seems to be thinking quickly, then picks up the tea pot.

"Of course, Nobu-san. May I interest you in more sake?" There is a particularly strange glimmer in her eye when she says this. I shake my head and snort at the possibilities of what must be going through her mind.

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It is at the stream that we are about to depart. The day has turned bleak; clouds hover in the sky, and a part of me is anxious. The world around us- beyond Gion and Kyoto, beyond Japan itself- has changed too much. I hear politicians and men like Mr. Schessler speak, and it sends a shiver down my spine and brings a grimace to my face.

We are walking in utter silence. No doubt she is recalling her life with Hatsumomo in the okiya and the strangeness of seeing here again at all. I cannot blame her. I, however, am anxious as to what I should do. A teen boy surely is more knowledgeable than I am!

I would ask her about the handkerchief, about the Chairman. But I know that (being a geisha) she will respond with a silly joke or find an answer that is not really answering. I twist my fingers about in my palm before digging into my pocket. I finally bring out a small wooden box; it's rather ugly looking, to be honest. Sayuri doesn't seem to notice what I am doing until she finds I have stopped walking by the bridge overlooking the waterway.

I open the box clumsily (refusing her help, of course- I am not an infant!) and place in her hand a pearl. "It's a family heirloom, so you had better be careful with it." I warn. "It was my great-great-grandmother's, it used to be a part of a very fine jewelry piece." I don't tell her my drowned sister had it in her pocket when she fell into the river; that is none of her business at this time.

Sayuri gazes at it silently, touching it gently with the pad of her index finger. "What an engaging little pearl it is, Nobu-san!" she exclaims as she wraps it in the cloth again.

"Don't be silly, it's a jewel. I have told you I do not give gifts for no reason at all." What a lie that is! I spoil her as a grandfather spoils his granddaughter.

"Then what is the meaning behind this pearl, Nobu-san?" her eyes seem to know the answer already, before I have spoken or even opened my mouth.

I avert my eyes for a moment, then look back at her kindly. "Because, Sayuri." I speak slowly, deliberately. "As you well know, I want to be your danna."

She releases a breath she must have been holding and smiles.

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Of course, I would have to find a way to oust the General.

Now, I have never been a devious man. Many think that businessmen must play dirty and break rules to gain headway in the world, but this is certainly not true. Any idiot may do that; the Chairman has constantly told investors that I am one of the few men where my word is truly gold. I am not sure if this is true, but I must pride myself in my ability to skirt around the edges while staying within the lines, so to speak.

But working with a man like the General takes something more. He is a military man, first and foremost. Despite his ignorance he knows the workings of a cunning individual and may successfully beat them at their own game.

I have a job that I enjoy, a business partner that is my greatest friend. I have a roof over my head and I may feed myself. I am lucky to have suffered no dire illnesses due to my afflictions, as the doctors promised I would.

It is only now that I am so close to the one thing I desire.

But I am afraid I may lose myself in the process.

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"Have you heard about General Tottori?"

"Little Sayuri's danna? What of him?"

"Gambling in Tokyo, apparently. Throwing away the very money that is supposed to be used on her!"

"Hmph. What an insolent man! What was Mrs. Nitta thinking, eh? Even I could have made a better danna!"

"A drinker? The General? No! I can't believe it!"

"No, you must! I heard it from the source herself! Kikuya would never tell a lie!"

"One of my most dear customers is in the military, he tells me there is no chance General Tottori will be in his standing for much longer."

"Quite right, he has always been lazy and insolent.."

Rumors have successfully been spread! I must admit it pays to get old geisha good and drunk every now and then, no matter how much I dislike them. I am desperately hoping to soon speak with Mrs. Nitta on the matter. The whispers have no doubt reached her old ears by now, and I am sure she is greatly regretting her decision! I am sure due to the political circumstances it was a good move (in her mind, surely not mine) to employ a military man as a danna to the daughter of the okiya. Unfortunate she made such a mistake, really. Normally Mrs. Nitta is much more careful in her decisions- particularly when it involves money.

After all, who would allow such a beloved young geisha to have such a hated danna? I must congratulate Mameha on her help the next time I see her. Although old Kikuya had her role as well…

I feel absolutely pathetic, sitting here staring at the phone. I could easily pick up and call; I suppose I could go to the okiya in person. This second course of action would certainly allow me to see Sayuri. We would probably not speak, but just to see her in her true element would be enough for me.

When I finally pick up the phone, my hand is trembling so badly I am sure it will slip and fall on the floor.

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"Who is here, eh? Nobu Toshikazu is here, you say?" I've slipped off my shoes and I am standing in my socks, hugging myself. A geisha house is the last place I would have ever thought I would willingly visit (aside from the Miyagawa-cho district), and yet here I stand. All for Sayuri!

Mrs. Nitta welcomes me into her cramped little office space and watches me through the haze of smoke from her pipe. "Well, Nobu-san, it appears that our General has just about abandoned poor Sayuri!"

"Unfortunate, Mrs. Nitta. Your Sayuri certainly deserves a more competent danna."

"Indeed, Nobu-san." She looks over her grimy glasses at me, beady eyes staring at me so hard I believe she is trying to intimidate. "I suppose that would explain why you are here, then?"

I nod. "I would be honored, Mrs. Nitta, to become Sayuri's danna."

She stares at the paper in front of her; full of mathematical equations on prices and such, no doubt. "You have asked once before, have you not?" she chuckles. "An eager young man, you seem to be!"

"I would not consider myself young, Mrs. Nitta." I respond seriously.

"A quick thinker, too." She is writing something now. "It would certainly be an honor for us all, Nobu-san, considering the circumstances we all are in."

"Of course, Mrs. Nitta. I would do whatever possible for your Sayuri."

"No doubt you would." She finally looks up and lets out another puff from her pipe. "You have been good to our Sayuri, Nobu-san, and a very loyal patron. But she is also very popular, as you very well know."

I internally cringe, thinking it would have been best to bring along an accountant.

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As I exit Mrs. Nitta's little room, I feel as confident and nervous as I did years ago, the first time I spoke to the Chairman of working with his company.

About to exit the okiya, I glance up and see her standing in a doorway. No, rather peering, as if she had been hiding. She raises a slender finger to her lips and glances behind her. She slips out quietly and stands before me. No garish makeup, no absurd hairstyle.

"Nobu-san has spoken to Mother, I expect?" she sounds a bit breathless. "Auntie told me it was you at the door and Nobu-san would make his offer..but now I speak too freely."

"Catch your breath, why don't you?" I sigh. "And if you really must know at this instant, I did. And that is all you need to know."

Part of me, as silly as it is, was hoping for a response- happiness? A smile? But instead her face is as expressionless as the Noh masks she imitates. I sigh.

"You geisha really are infuriating sometimes."

"You businessmen are so repetitive!" she responds coyly. Her eyes flicker about again. "Come in here." And here Sayuri does something quite unbelievable- she grabs my hand as she pulls me into the room.

I am much too shocked to say anything as she stands staring at me. What am I to say to her? Sayuri had closed the sliding door behind us. "You really are insolent as well too." When I finally find my voice I speak in as hushed a voice as I can manage. "Really, what do you think you are doing? If Mrs. Nitta should find out I am still here-"

"Oh, she won't, Nobu-san, I can assure you!" She still has her hand resting in mine. I pull it away quickly and she dips her head to the floor.

I am not quite sure what to do; there have been few instances where it has been only Sayuri and myself. I could probably count the times on my hand! And yet here we stand. No Mameha or Pumpkin or Hatsumomo.

No Chairman.

"The future, Sayuri, has never looked brighter." I breathe. "I am to be your danna in a month's time."

She looks away momentarily. "I am pleased." She states softly, then touches my shoulder. "Nobu-san, please.." she stops and swallows. "Mameha once told me that between us there is an en. A karmic bond. I know you are shaking your head at this and find it ridiculous, but.."

For the first time in a very, very long time, I laugh. "Sayuri, stop for me. I understand your ramblings, you know. Just because I do not believe in consulting an almanac before I go out for lunch does not mean I do not understand your words." Her touch on my sleeve is warm. "I should go, Mrs. Nitta will be suspicious."

I pause, staring at her for a long time. Neither of us speaks. "You know, the way the sunlight hits your face is particularly charming."

"You truly are a poet, Nobu-san! I knew you had another calling besides businessman." She giggles like a young girl.

"Don't be foolish, there is nothing romantic about it." I touch her neck gently. "It is just honesty, Sayuri." She leans in slightly to the touch and wraps her slender fingers over my own.

"They say lizards are unattractive creatures, don't they? I find them quite charming, don't you, Nobu-san?" she murmurs.