(Edited) Alright, first of all I would like to say that Rurouni Kenshin doesn't belong to me. Second of all, I'd like to reveal that this is based off of Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden. If you haven't read it yet, I suggest you do—it's a wonderful tale. Yes, there are strong similarities between the two. YES I know that Kaoru's geisha name is remarkably similar to the character in Memoirs. However, after the first few chapters, the fic begins to deviate from the novel. You'll also probably find some sections that seem similar to parts in the novel. I did use the book as my beginning reference so I probably did quote a few lines (which I felt they did a better job in explaining) and slightly changed them up. I did however try to add extra bits and pieces of information that I researched that weren't given in the novel. So there's my warning.
Tokyo Geisha
The first time my eyes had lain upon him, I was but 14—still an apprentice, or more accurately, still a novice. It had just turned evening and my older sister, the great geisha Yuki Sakuyaro, had taken me to my first debut: a small party for Aku Tanaka. As one of Kyoto's finest sword makers, he was holding a celebration in honour of the completion of one of his greatest masterpieces: a sakaboto. I had heard rumors that at that very party, he would bestow the sword to a dear friend who had saved his life during the wars.
As we entered, I heard several greeting of hello to my sister. I had expected this, just as I expected for my presence to be ignored until introduced and even still after that. However, the feel of eyes burning into the crown of my head startled me, and it took all of my will (which is said to be much too strong) to keep my eyes upon my lap or the ground. We went around the table; Yuki teased each guest before mentioning, "oh Yaru-san!", "If you please Ido-sama", "You flatter me Suno-san", or other such headings; then she would proclaim, "Allow me to introduce my new little sister." Each time, my reaction was the same; I would repeat, "My name is Sayuki, I beg your indulgence." Either, the men would nod, or they would seem to not hear. The name seemed foreign on my lips; in fact, it had only been bestowed upon me that morning. There had been so many different choices: Yukira, Yukimoro, Mayuki, ect…, all of which I would have preferred, but the fortuneteller was adamant that Sayuki was the most suiting and would bring the okiya the most fortune.
Now, you may be wondering why just that day I had taken a new name. I hadn't always responded to the name Sayuki; in fact, my former name didn't even posses the base yuki. However, as Sakuyaro's apprentice, it was only fitting that I honor her by taking her name into my own. I used to be called Kaoru—Kamiya Kaoru. At the time, had I known that not until many years later would I hear that name again, I might have saved the name plaque that once held my name in my father's dojo. I was simply Sayuki now—the geisha to be. Any girl who trained to be a geisha took on a new name as a geisha under the binding ceremony. In this ceremony, the soon-to-be apprentice and the older geisha who is undertaking the task to train her are registered. From then on, the two honour each other with the titles "older sister" or "little sister". It may seem strange, but in truth, for most geisha, those who ran your life in the okiya and the geisha who took you in as an apprentice were probably the closest thing to a family one could ever have. For this reason, the head of an okiya was often called mother or granny.
I also suppose you are wondering how I came to be a geisha. You see, my father was enlisted in the army during the revolution. Of course, one cannot easily defy the government, not when one has a small child to feed cloth. I was but 8 years of age at the time. When the news that my father had passed away arrived, I didn't know what to do. I prayed -everyday- before the small tablets that severed as miniature epitaphs for my ancestors, praying that my father had found peace. It was a few weeks after I had received the news when I heard a knocking at the gate. It turned out to be some officials. With nothing in my hands but a spare kimono or two, my bokken, and the tablets, I was led away from the home I had always known. That was the first time I had been allowed to venture out of our town; consequently, it also proved to be the last time I would see my family's dojo for quite some time.
I was told that I could return to the dojo when I turned 18, but in the mean time, I needed a place to stay. Of course, no one would adopt a strong-willed young girl such as me, especially not during the midst of war. I found myself in Kyoto and led to a small okiya run by a strict old woman in which only one other geisha resided. It was a hard change for me. My father had always allowed me to do as I willed: to practice the art of swords with him, to play, and dare I say it—to act as a tomboy. This sort of behavior was not tolerated at the okiya; it was unbefitting for a lady. I soon learned that I would have to either control myself, pretend as best as I can to be docile, or risk a harsh punishment. The beating I received on my few slip ups were always a strong reminder to never allow my façade to drop no matter to who it was that I was speaking to. There was another little girl there, perhaps a year or so older--Kaede. Perhaps if circumstances were different— if the both of us had not been thrust so cruelly into the world, had not grown in the same okiya to fight vainly for the endearment of Granny's affection, had that single geisha in our okiya, Yumi, been kind hearted enough to allow us the time—we might have been friends.
In any case, I shall detail to you the reasons of the fall out between Kaede and myself on another time. For now, let us return to the subject of HIM. As I was saying, Yuki and I made our way around the table, starting at the host's side and revolving around until we reached the last person on Aku's other side. It seemed strange to me that Yuki did not exclaim a greeting towards this last person; instead, she softly offered another cup of sake. This sudden change in my sister was so curious that once again, I had to force myself to not raise my head. I compensated by allowing my eyes to wander somewhat, taking in the color of his kimono—pink (he would later claim it to be magenta). My gaze made its way up until it reached his chin. I dared not go any further, for it is terribly rude for one to stare directly into eyes of a man. There was a moment of silence between the three of us until once again, I felt that piercing gaze at me. I knew instantly that it was this man's paralyzing glance that had demurred Yuki so. At his observation, Yuki quietly murmured, "This is Sayuki, Himura-san—my new little sister." Per usual, I bowed so low that my forehead brushed the ground. "I be—"
I was cut off before I could finish with a gruff voice: "beg my indulgence." It was curt, almost mocking. Some of the men around us who had heard let out a roar of laughter; the other geisha in the room giggle slightly, some enjoying the small ridicule, others were more sympathetic. I was so startled that my head had shot up involuntarily. As soon as I had glanced up, my eyes met the most extraordinary pair of eyes I had ever seen. Amber, a violet tint seemed to be fighting with this dominate color, forcing its way back into his eyes. I watched for several moments, fascinated as his eyes blazed, the violet still engaging it battle. It wasn't until Yuki gave me a sharp nudge that I realized my folly. It felt as if all the blood in my body had rushed to my face. I thought my ears might steam. Immediately I dropped my gaze, bowing over and over again and pleading his forgiveness for my impertinence. Upon the fifth bow, I was determined to receive either a reprimand or forgiveness, and so I stay bowed. It wasn't until I heard a soft laughter that I rose somewhat, face flushing more red than it had been the moment before.
The sound was perhaps the most beautiful thing I had heard since the news of my father's death. To find that I might still make someone happy or at least amuse them gave me a new purpose. To this day, his laughter still causes my heart to skip. From that time foreword, I pledged to work as hard as I might to be one of the best geisha in Kyoto and perhaps climb as close as I might to that amber-eyed man who brought this light into my world. It wasn't until later that day as we left the teahouse did Yuki revealed to me the reason for the change in persona around this Himura-san. Just as he had that weakening affect upon me, he seemed to see through every one of Yuki's defenses, guises, charms into her very center of her soul where his gaze would, as she put it "melt the very heart that she thought long dead." She was enchanted. I was crushed. To hear that my teacher fancied the man was perhaps the most painful thing I had felt since I realized I was completely alone in the world. For you see, Yuki had been the one to take me under her wing when no one else would, to show me kindness in a world of beautiful and treacherous women. This perhaps, was when I learned that while there is plenty good in the world- good things, beautiful things- such things can often times be the most painful of them all.
Thus, I was condemned to watch, to tease, and to entertain. Yet, strangely, I no longer felt as alone and cold as I once had. Even when it was announced that Himura had proposed himself as Yuki's danna, I was content to have his presence there; indeed, I was satisfied even if it was Yuki who he always called upon- claimed. For no one would ever call upon a mere apprentice… I would stand by for years, always by his side or the side of one near to him. It remained unknown to me for many years, until he had left to wander (he had left for Tokyo--it was only then that Yuki told me), that the very man I had longed for had often been found (unbeknownst to me) stealing glimpses or even staring at the apprentice of the beautiful geisha he had been danna to.
At the time, I wasn't sure whether I should have been angry or relieved. This bit of information had been enough to cause a rift between Yuki and myself. I was 18 at the time. Naïve, a geisha but of 2 years. It was weeks before I could forgive Yuki, forgive myself. Her withholding of that information was perhaps the kindest thing she could have done for me. For I had seen the pain Yuki had undergone at his leaving, though I could never really say if it were as great or more great than my own, for she was closer to him than I. I had seen the longing, the hurt. I recognized then that it was merciful of her to spare me—I was foolish. A geisha can never fall in love. And despite knowing this, I longed to be a geisha of Tokyo, if only to be with him for a few moments more.
Danna- Contrary to what many people believe, geisha don't sleep with just anybody, a geisha who does can ruin her reputation and even her okiya. They are paid to entertain, their very title meaning "artisans". They sleep with few people, those who they do have to become their danna. These people have to pay for this special privilege, and the geisha only has one danna at a time. The danna will pay for the time spent with the geisha, just like everyone else must at a party, plus he buys her expensive gifts (kimono, scrolls, jewelry, ect…) He also pays for her housing, food, medical expenses, schooling, dance lessons/performances, and anything that involves her training. Basically, he pays for her to be his mistress, although she still entertains at teahouses and other parties. He simply gets an "extra privilege."
Well, there you have it. I might also point out that you shouldn't quote me on anything I claimed about the geisha. Everything I wrote about them was picked up from Memoirs of a Geisha or some other source Although, I tried to make sure everything was accurate, if it's not, please be sure to tell me.
Falkeness