< - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Another World
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Butterfly,
Unfolding
By Sailor Jes
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This fanfic is set in feudal
Japan. One disclaimer: while I tried my very hardest to be accurate, I know
there are some things in it that will be historically inaccurate. Just remember
this is fiction, not history! Enjoy.
- - -
A falling flower, thought I,
Fluttering back to the branch --
Was a butterfly.
-Moritake
- - -
The sound of children's high
laughter filled the garden. Over a dozen youths in bright kimonos ran through
the neat, green grass, chasing butterflies and plucking flowers from their
beds.
"I caught one!" cried one child, with wild golden hair. She gazed in
her net with amazement at the butterfly frantically flapping its wings.
"Let me see, Usagi!" called another child with long brown hair,
running over to her friend.
Together the two girls giggled and attempted to grab the butterfly's iridescent
wings.
"You shouldn't do that," said a boy coming over to the two happy
girls. "Their beauty may look eternal but it is frail. It can't last
forever."
The blonde girl named Usagi, placed her hands on her hips and glared at the
boy. Though older and taller (he was fifteen, she ten), Usagi knew that those
were just minor details. She possessed all of the real superiority in this
relationship.
"Don't tell *me* what I should do, Mamoru! Just remember who my father is
and then remember who yours is!" she said scorchingly. "You must
respect me!"
Glaring at Usagi, Mamoru clenched his fists. It was true after all. He was her
inferior, even if he were a boy and older. Swallowing back his pride and bitter
words, he bowed. "Forgive me, Usagi."
"Well," Usagi said arrogantly. "Maybe I won't tell my father how
you insulted his first-born daughter if you leave us alone!"
Mamoru said nothing. Hardening his eyes and pushing back his shoulders, he
nodded, turned, and strode away.
"Wow...I wish my father was as respected as yours," Makoto whispered
to her friend.
Usagi tossed her hair over her shoulder. "Well, he's a great warrior.
Probably the greatest in the country. So, not everyone can be him, you know."
Wide-eyed, Makoto nodded in agreement before turning her attentions back to the
butterfly. Usagi stuck her hand in the net, too, cornered the fragile creature
and managed to catch hold of one wing.
"I got it!" she cried. Lifting her prize from the net, she held it up
to the sun. Its wings glittered purple and blue and pink and green and every
other color imaginable. "I wish I could be this butterfly. So
beautiful..."
Eventually, she returned it back to the net, but it wasn't flying as well. The
butterfly soon sunk to the bottom, its wings opening and closing laboriously.
"What's wrong with it?" Makoto asked.
"I-I don't know." Usagi poked the insect with her finger but nothing
happened.
"It's dying," said a older voice.
Looking up, both saw one of the older girls standing before them.
"Ami," cried Makoto. "Why?"
"You touched the wings," said the learned twelve-year-old.
"Although they are magnificent, the butterfly’s wings are so delicate that
if you hold them long enough, eventually the butterfly will die."
Usagi stared at Ami with horror. Dead? But why? Was this what that horrid
creature Mamoru had been talking about? Gazing down into the net, Usagi saw the
butterfly painfully open its wings. Then it went still. The wings flapped no
more.
Chapter One
"Usagiiiii!"
called a voice from down the hall.
Usagi looked up from brushing her long blonde hair and groaned in frustration.
"What!" she exclaimed.
A servant burst into the room. "Usagi, your father requests your
presence."
"My father? At this very moment?"
"Yes, as soon as possible."
"Thank you," Usagi said with irritation in her voice as she waved the
woman away. The servant bowed low and scurried out of the room.
Sighing, Usagi didn't know why her father wished to see her. Even though she
was his first child, he barely took interest in her. His attentions focused
more on her younger brother, Shingo, who would someday become heir to all of
his wealth. Figuring it was something important, Usagi reached for the hair
clips her father had given her for her twelfth birthday, two years ago.
Quickly, she knotted her hair at the top of her head and stuck the clips in the
bun. She strode down the hall and into her father's room. Usagi got down on her
knees and bowed low, showing ultimate respect for this stranger that lived down
the hall.
"Enough, daughter," commanded her father, Usagi's cue to raise her
body from the low bow. "Usagi, I have sent for you because there is
important news."
Usagi only nodded. She noticed there was another man standing besides her
father. Usagi didn't recognize him at all, but he seemed worthy of her father's
company from the looks of his fine clothing.
"This man standing on my right you will someday call 'Father.'"
Wide-eyed, Usagi looked at the man again.
Her father continued. "It has been arranged that you are to marry Yamato's
first son, Ishimaru."
Married? Had she heard correctly? Marriage? As this age? To Yamato Ishimaru!
Thankfully, Usagi was already on her knees, that way she couldn't have
collapsed to the floor.
"You are probably thinking that you are too young to marry. So am I.
Yamato and I have made arrangements for you to be wed to Ishimaru when you are
sixteen. That is a suitable age. In these next two years, Yamato desires that
you learn how to become a dutiful wife to his son. What do you have to say to
this most generous blessing?"
Swallowing the lump in her throat, Usagi cracked a smile. "I...am very
fortunate...that I will have two great fathers instead of one."
This pleased both men and they smiled at each other. "We will
celebrate!" cried her father. "Bring the sake!"
A servant entered the room with a jug of wine and two glasses.
"Go now, daughter. Continue your day," her father said, waving her
off, while pouring himself and the other man a glass of wine.
Usagi bowed once more and then quickly got up and exited the room. Once out in
the hallway, she leaned against the wall for support. Her knees trembled.
Blindly, she sauntered back to her room.
"I know I should be happy," she cried to Makoto. "I am marrying
the first-born son of one of the wealthiest, most dignified families in Japan,
but..."
"But, what?" asked Makoto as she ran a comb through her friend's long
hair.
"But...it is too soon!" Usagi exclaimed. "So, now while you are
sitting happily in the garden, living your life, I will be indoors learning how
to embroider my wedding dress! It's too horrible!"
Placing her face in her hands, she began sobbing.
"Oh, Usagi, you feel too much. Just think, there are a thousand girls who
would trade places for your situation. Yamato Ishimaru is wealthy and honored.
Some say he is handsome. And he is the first born! He will give you many
children."
"And I hope none of them are girls! I would not wish this heartache on
anybody!" she exclaimed.
Despite Usagi's angst, it *would* be a monumentous pairing, one the matchmaker
would brag about for years to come. Just imagine! The son of one of Japan's
oldest, richest, most respected families with the daughter of a legendary
war-hero. It was truly a match the gods were smiling down upon.
And so, two years before the fact, wedding preparations began in the Tsukino
household. Usagi chose the fabric for her wedding kimono, the best chefs in the
land were sent for, and auditions for the entertainment were already underway.
The next year passed by like a whirlwind for the members of the house. Usagi
trudged through it blindly, like a leaf tossed about by a summer gale.
One day, only three months before the wedding, Usagi awoke to an eerie
stillness in her house. This was unusual lately, especially with the wedding so
close. Wrapping her thin nightclothes around herself, she slipped out into the
hallway. There was nobody. She heard the wind rustling the leaves in the trees
and the sound of bells signaling morning prayer for the Shinto priests. Then, a
servant rounded the corner.
"Where is everybody?" asked Usagi.
The servant bowed. "I do not know, mistress."
"Well, what is going on?"
"I do not know-"
"You lie! Tell me, what is happening."
The servant bowed. "There is trouble. That is all I have been told,
mistress!"
Quickly, the servant rushed by her. Usagi rolled her eyes at her belligerence.
*I will just tell Father to be rid of her,* Usagi thought. Continuing her trek
through the house, she finally reached the kitchen. Nobody, not even the cook,
was there.
"No breakfast," she grumbled. "How am I supposed to start my day
with an angry, growling stomach?"
Suddenly, she heard loud voices emitting from her father's room. She snuck
outside and listened.
"What do you mean nothing?" he shouted.
"That is all that I have been told, Master Tsukino," said a meek
voice, that Usagi recognized as one of the lower samurai to the lord.
"And what is to become of my possessions, my house, my family? Never mind!
You are worthless! Leave me!"
Usagi scurried away before she was noticed. From the way things sounded, this
situation seemed terrible. She had to know what was going on.
Running to her mother's room, Usagi felt her heart pounding on her ribs.
"Mother," she said, flinging herself into the lavish room and bowing
on her knees. "Mother, what is happening...?"
Usagi looked up to see her mother crying softly on the floor. "Come here,
daughter of mine."
Usagi crept slowly to her mother and sat across from her. "Mother, what is
wrong? Something is happening. What is it?"
Her mother sniffled. "Sometimes, Usagi, people posses a great power. Some
say one of the greatest. To alter the lives of others. It is not my place to
say whether this is right or not. We have always been blessed to live in luxury
without any cares in the world..."
Usagi swallowed the lump of fear in her throat. "Mother...I don't
understand..."
"As of last night, our lives were forever changed. Usagi, Master Hamano,
your father's superior who provided for us and protected us so that your father
and his samurais might protect others was...was...murdered!"
Usagi's mother burst into tears again. Sitting there in shock, Usagi whispered
slowly "Murdered? But, why? How?"
Regaining her composure, the teary-eyed woman continued "This is what we
were told early this morning: he owed another land-owner much money and signed
a contract with him promising to repay him in full by a week ago. When he did
not have the money, this other land-owner vowed to have his money or his life.
They dueled and...and...Master Hamano lost."
Again, Usagi's mother broke down. "Mother, Mother!" Usagi yelled,
shaking the woman's shoulder's roughly. "What does this mean?"
"They are seizing everything, Usagi! Our land, our possessions,
everything! We are poor! We have nothing left!" sobbed her mother.
Usagi had expected this. An overwhelming panic pulsed into her body and she
began crying, as well.
"What are we to do, Mother?" she sobbed, her voice choked and pained.
Her breathing was coming in ragged gasps. Her mother couldn't even speak. The
woman wailed loudly and then was silent. She had passed out.
Nothing...was all Usagi could think as she curled up into a ball by her
mother's side. She closed her eyes. Nothing.
Somehow, she had stopped crying. And somehow, she had collected enough strength
to return to her room. How long she had been slumped against the wall was
beyond her. Usagi guessed, by gazing at the purple streaks in the evening sky,
that it had been several hours. She hadn't changed from her sleeping clothes,
her hair was hanging limp and oily down her unwashed face. Her spirit felt numb
and weak. Walking to the chest that contained her belongings, she caressed the
jeweled hair clips that her father had given her a long time ago. They were
worthless now. Just metal and colored stones. They were useless trinkets that
reminded her of what she had always taken for granted. Of what had been ripped
away from her.
Just then, a knock sounded on her door and it opened, revealing her mother and
father. Her mother was as pale as the cherry blossoms that hung from the trees.
"Usagi," her father began sternly. He was masking his fear under that
harshness, Usagi noticed. His scared eyes revealed all. They were glassy and tired
and defeated...something she had never before seen from her father.
"Usagi, collect your things."
"Why, Father?" she asked.
"Do not ask why!" he shouted, causing Usagi to jump and her eyes to
tear. "You are going to Ishimaru. He will still marry you but you must go
to him as soon as possible. We are loading your dowry onto a wagon that will
leave for Edo in the morning. Once you arrive, you two will be married. And he
will provide for you when...when I cannot."
He looked away so his oldest child could not see that he was about to cry.
"Come, Ikuko," he said to his wife. She complied silently and then
they were gone.
Usagi had shed all of her tears in the past few hours so there were no more to
fall from her eyes. She would be married in a few days. And not even sixteen
yet. Tragedy brings more tragedy, Usagi figured. This was to be her life.
Losing everything and then losing some more. Usagi stared at the wooden chest,
deciding to leave it and its contents behind.
Early the next morning, when fine wisps of color were hanging in the May sky,
Usagi set out to Edo. There was no pomp and circumstance. Just her father, her
mother, and her brother. All fought to hold back their tears.
"I'll write," Usagi promised.
They nodded their heads and then she was gone. Sitting in the lushly ornate
wagon, Usagi realized that it was a complete lie. The red silk kimono
embroidered with flowers and trees, her wedding garb, was a lie. The orchids in
her hair were lies. The gold rings, the earrings, the necklace, and bracelet
she wore were all lies. Lies scrapped together to make it seem like the life
she was journeying to wouldn't seem like a lie. She sat, gazing blankly at the
countryside unfolding around her. The farmers in the fields picking rice. Their
stooped figures, pathetic and lowly. Usagi knew that was what her family would
be reduced to. Depression consumed her.
Time passed and suddenly Usagi heard the horses whinny. The wagon stopped
abruptly. Loud, angry voices filled the air. "Get down from there! Be quiet!"
Usagi peeked out of the window and saw a band of disgusting men surrounding the
wagon. She ducked and hid under the seat. "Get everything! Kill
everyone!" Tears clouded Usagi's vision. They were going to steal
everything! Rob her of the dismal future she clung to! They should just kill
her now. But she remained quiet, listening while the bandits took everything
and then drew their swords. Cries of agony told her that they had just killed
the driver.
"Is there anyone else?" yelled a man.
Usagi sucked her breath in. The door to the carriage was open and she heard the
breathing of a bandit. It seemed like hours before somebody said. "No,
sir, I don't believe so! There are no other passengers."
"Good! Take these things to the cart! I'll be there as soon as this thing
goes up in flames."
She heard footsteps trampling in the opposite direction. Seconds as long as
hours passed. Soon, Usagi smelt the familiar smell of...smoke! The wagon was
burning! She felt the sudden heat and began choking on the black smoke pouring
in. Coughing, Usagi grabbed the silk purse next to her that contained a small
sum of yen, a round, decorated mirror, and the clips from her father. She
peered beyond the window and saw the man walking back to his cart. Flinging
open the door, she bolted out of the wagon and ran down the dark, dusty road.
She took one last glance at the wagon, its black smoke slinking up into the
vast, starry sky.
For half of the money in her purse, Usagi was able to convince a poor farmer to
let her sit in the back of his vegetable cart as he rode to Edo. The rest of
that night and the next day she sat as if dead, not weeping, not eating, not
sleeping, just thinking. She had nothing. She couldn't return to her family. It
would kill them to know their only daughter, their last hope for a legacy of
any kind, was penniless, robbed of all her earthly fortunes! There was no way
that Ishimaru would take her for his wife, poor and disgraced. She was going to
Edo. A poor, disgraced beggar in the largest, meanest city in her world. She
might be able to hold out until winter but when the snows came she would surely
perish. It was all the same to Usagi. Live, die. Wasn't she living death now?
At least if she died she would be something more than a dirty beggar.
A beggar.
Usagi.
Never in her wildest dreams could she have imagined that the she, daughter of
Tsukino Kenji, Japan's greatest warrior, could be sitting here, dusty and poor,
on the back of a vegetable cart on its way to Edo, alone.
Edo, he thought. The most magnificent, exciting city in the world. Never in his
wildest dreams did he think he would be on his way to Edo And to complete his
training with the Emperor's finest samurai masters!
"You will be a great warrior, Mamoru. I have predicted this since the first
day your father sent you to me. You will have much wealth, and happiness, and
respect," his sensei had said. "As my most promising pupil, I want to
give you a gift for good luck."
The old samurai hobbled over to a wooden chest opened it and took out something
long wrapped in a black cloth. Placing it one the floor, he unraveled the
material, revealing a polished sword. It was ornately decorated and
magnificent. Holding in his breath, Mamoru gazed up at his sensei.
"Take it," the old man said. "It is yours."
Mamoru wanted to protest. He didn't deserve this treasure. But, gazing up at
his aged teacher, Mamoru saw pride and hope in his eyes. His sensei *wanted*
him to have it. So, Mamoru bowed his head to the ground in thanks.
"You are our destiny, Mamoru," his sensei had told him before he
left. "Protect not only our country, but yourself and those you love as
well."
Mamoru bowed once again. Lifting the sword up, he marveled at it before
slipping it into the holder.
On the back of his black horse, Mamoru gently touched the sword on his hip. He
knew his sensei would always be with him as he continued his training with some
of the finest warriors in the country. Smiling, Mamoru made his horse gallop
faster, he couldn't wait to get to Edo.
It was pitch black when the farmer roughly shook Usagi's shoulder, waking her
from her light slumber. She smiled slightly at the old man before hopping off
the back of the wagon. It rolled away silently just as it had come. Noticing
her surroundings, Usagi saw that she was at the bottom of the hill, a path
forking off to both sides. She supposed since the wagon had taken the right
road that she needed to take the left.
It was a warm spring evening and the crickets were chirping loudly. Despite
everything that had happened, Usagi felt no fear as she walked up the steep,
narrow road. Peace filled her veins. The crickets and the wind told her heart
to be still. Usagi never realized just how huge the world was until she reached
the top of the hill overlooking the most enormous conglomeration of houses,
buildings, boats, and lights she had ever seen. So this was Edo. The very sight
of it made Usagi catch her breath. Even in the nighttime, it was a kaleidoscope
of color and life. Usagi smiled with excitement and trembled with awe. Her new
life. Maybe it wouldn't be as bad as she imagined.
The slope of the hill carried her down into the streets, empty save for one or
two passers-by. Being amongst the massive buildings and smelling the stench of
distant sea-water, trash, and fish, Usagi's confidence began diminishing. By
the looks of things, she guessed she was not in the nicest part of town. A
dirty, old woman stared at her rumpled but still expensive-looking attire with
puzzlement and then lust. The cry of a baby wafted through the air. A crazy old
man came out to her, babbling nonsense. And, suddenly, Usagi felt awe no
longer. She was scared, terrified even. She began running as fast as she could
through the dirty streets.
Usagi didn't stop until she noticed that her surroundings had changed
drastically. Cherry-blossomed tipped trees lined the streets and the air was
pleasant and sweet-smelling. Usagi slowed her sprint to a tired walk. The lack
of sleep had finally caught up with her. Her body felt like it was hauling a
ton of bricks behind it. She thought she would surely pass out in the street if
she didn't find a place to rest. And then, as if the gods had finally taken
pity on her, Usagi saw the gates to a shrine up ahead.
"Thank you," she whispered to the heavens before running towards the
gate and up the stairs that led to a shrine. She walked slowly to the altar,
rung the bell that called upon the gods, and sank to her knees in prayer. Usagi
felt her heavy eyelids droop and then there was only darkness.
When at last Usagi's eyelids fluttered open, she found herself in a small,
modest room. Her red kimono was gone. In its place was a white and soft blue
robe, traditional garb for a Shinto shrine. Usagi sat up on the mat on the
floor and looked out of the window. It was late afternoon. How long had she
been sleeping? Suddenly, the door slid open and a girl with long black hair,
worn loose, walked in with a tray.
"You're awake," she said. "That's good. My grandfather and I
thought you were going to sleep the day away."
Usagi smiled as the girl placed the tray down next to her. "Thank
you," Usagi said hoarsely.
"We found you passed out on the steps early this morning," the girl
said. "Your things are being cleaned."
Again, Usagi smiled as she picked up the steaming cup of tea and sipped slowly.
"You must have had a difficult time. Your clothes are filthy and you've
been sleeping for quite a while now."
The dam of her memory broke when the girl mentioned Usagi's "difficult
time." The cup of tea was suspended in mid-sip and Usagi looked down into
its murky depths.
"Oh, I'm sorry," the girl said. "I didn't mean...I'm Hino Rei,
granddaughter to the keeper of the shrine."
"Tsukino Usagi."
"Tsukino...As in the great war hero?"
Usagi was about to nod in affirmation, but something stopped her. That's what
she *used* to be. "No," she muttered. "Somebody else."
"Oh...well, you have beautiful things," Rei said. "You must be
very lucky to have them."
Usagi nodded but looked away so that Rei wouldn't have to see her eyes becoming
glassy and wet. Her chest ached with a clenched sob.
"Usagi?" Rei asked, when she saw this strange, tragically beautiful
girl's eyes fill with tears. Some thing terrible must have happened to her. And
then Rei's suspicions were proved. Usagi broke down into horrible tears. She
covered her face so that this girl wouldn't have to see her shame. But Rei felt
pity.
"Oh, Usagi," Rei said. "Please don't cry...please."
Rei gazed quietly at the frail woman while she cried. She felt uncomfortable,
not knowing if she should comfort Usagi or leave her alone. Sniffling, Usagi
attempted to regain herself.
"I'm sorry, I don't...I'm sorry," Usagi whispered.
"What happened to you, Usagi? Let me help," she said.
"My troubles, I'm afraid, cannot be cared for so easily," Usagi
answered.
"Let me be the judge of that. Please, tell me your story."
Usagi hesitated. She wasn't sure if she should tell this absolute stranger how
she had witnessed her life slip from her fingers like dry sand. But she gazed
up at those warm, violet eyes and suddenly the words came tumbling out of her
mouth.
"Well, I had always lived an extremely luxurious lifestyle..." Usagi
began. She told Rei of her betrothal, and the loss of her fortunes. Usagi's
eyes welled up with hot tears but she kept on. Then, she recounted her leaving
her house and the burglary and burning of her wagon, and her escape to Edo. Her
story had gone on for over ten minutes. By now, she couldn't hold out and her
voice shook with tears.
"...And then I came here. But my life might as well end now. I have
nothing. No family, no husband, no money, no identity, nothing. I'm
nothing."
"No, Usagi..." Rei replied after hearing this girl's tragic tale.
"You're not nothing just because you *have* nothing. Everybody has a path
that leads to their destiny. Maybe these are your first steps down that
path."
Usagi sniffled and wiped her eyes. "What if it isn't? What if the gods
were just jealous of my happiness and had to steal it away from me?"
Rei simply stared at her. "Or maybe you weren't truly happy and the gods
have now taken off your blindfold."
"What? Of-of course I was happy...I had a wealthy family and a promising
future...I was happy..." she insisted. "Anyways, I don't know where
to begin. I can't even prepare a meal. How can I support myself?"
Rei looked down. "I would offer you shelter here but unfortunately, we
only have three rooms and they are being occupied by visiting priests at the
moment."
Usagi nodded. She hadn't been asking for a handout anyways.
"But, I have a friend who might be able to help you," continued Rei,
I don't even know if I should be telling you this..."
"Please, I'll accept anything," Usagi pleaded.
Rei bit her lip. "I really shouldn't be advocating this..."
"Please."
"My friend...she works..."
"Yes?"
"She's a shirabyooshi."
"A shirabyooshi..." The words trailed out of Usagi's lips. She stared
at Rei and Rei stared at her. A shirabyooshi...there had been a woman from her
village...word had it that she had become pregnant with no husband. Banished
from her family, the woman, Usagi heard, had fled to Kyoto, had become a
shirabyooshi. In her village, Usagi remembered that they never referred to her
by her name; that woman was cursed as "The Whore." Usagi had asked
Ami why this was.
"A shirabyooshi, Usagi, is the kind of woman who starts off respectable,
like us. But then, she falls into ruin and is forced to sell herself for money.
It's disgraceful."
She recalled being shocked and amazed and disgusted at the same time. Whenever
someone brought up "The Whore," Usagi snickered, along with everyone
else...
"It's all that I can think of," Rei continued. She hoped she hadn't
offended this girl of silk and orchids. After all, an aristocrat didn't sell
herself to anybody. "They give you food, and shelter, and money. It's all
I can think of..."
"A shirabyooshi..." Usagi repeated. She twisted her hands and
clenched her jaw. But, what else was there? Usagi thought of the woman from her
village; somehow she didn't seem as disgusting anymore. Considering her
options, she knew they consisted of the gutter, a shirabyooshi, or death. The
first and the last were no good.
"When can I meet this friend?"
"Tonight, if you wish."
Nodding, Usagi replied: "I appreciate your help."
Rei stood and smiled. "I'll bring you something to eat."
Usagi nodded and smiled back. Once Rei walked out of the room, her face
crumpled and she began crying again.
When Rei and Usagi finally made it safely out of the temple, night had already
blanketed the city. There was no moon in the sky. Usagi, still in the robes
from that day, trailed behind Rei. The two walked in silence. Usagi noticed
that the houses eventually became larger and cleaner. Soon, Rei turned into a
tree-lined path and walked up a set of stairs. They led onto a magnificent
garden with trees and bushes and even a little pond with a bridge over it.
Usagi found it comforting. Rei tread on the grass to the door of a large house.
She knocked and they waited.
Soon, a tall woman cracked open the door and peered through it.
"Rei," she said, opening it wider.
"Good evening, Ms. Akiko," Rei replied. "I need to speak with
Minako please."
The woman nodded and allowed Rei and Usagi to pass. Usagi glanced around.
Surprised, she noticed it looked nothing like she pictured. It was very clean
and simple. The halls weren't lined with dozens of trashy girls with painted
faces. Nevertheless, she was still terrified.
Usagi and Rei sat in a small room that the woman had led them to. Then, the
door opened and a stunning woman entered. She had blonde hair reaching to her
waist and light blue eyes. A green kimono was wrapped around her frame. Upon
seeing Rei, she smiled and hugged her friend.
"Minako," Rei said. "This is Tsukino Usagi."
Usagi formed her lips into a tight smile and bowed politely. Minako did the
same.
"Nice to meet you," Minako said.
"You as well," replied Usagi.
"Minako," Rei began. "I need a favor. Rather, my friend Usagi
needs a favor."
Minako smiled again at Usagi. "Yes, Rei?"
"Usagi, um, needs a job...if you know what I mean."
Minako's face became serious. "Alright," she said. "Do you have
experience with this, Usagi?"
"No," Usagi croaked.
Exhaling, Minako replied: "Alright...can you sing? Or dance? Can you
flirt?"
"I can dance...a little," Usagi muttered.
"A little," Minako repeated. She sighed. "Rei...I don't
know."
Furrowing her brow, Rei gave Minako a pleading look. Rei took the blonde's arm
in hers and pulled her over to the corner. Usagi saw them arguing in hushed
whispers. Crossing her arms over her chest, Minako appeared uneasy. Finally,
she nodded and the two made their way back to Usagi.
Minako looked at Usagi again. "Usagi, I'll talk to the mistress of the
house and see what she can do for you. Normally, we can only accept younger
girls, who have been trained. But...Rei is my friend, she explained the
circumstances to me. Don't worry. Everything will work out."
Usagi down and nodded. Minako said: "Usagi, look up. This is work that may
not bring you much respect. When you are in this house, however, you do not
hang your head. You endure. And, you learn to become happy. Can you do this? If
not, you will never make it as a shirabyooshi."
Usagi gazed at Minako and somehow saw herself reflected in her eyes. This girl,
not even a woman, sold herself to others. She, too, must have come from a high
class family. It was revolting. But, Usagi saw in her beauty and pride that she
hadn't seen in ladies with seven times the wealth and respect.
"Yes," Usagi replied. "I will. Please, I can do this."
Minako smiled. "Usagi, I think you can, too. You have a fighter's spirit,
I can tell. Come with me. I'll introduce you to Master Hirogawa. He runs this
place. He will explain to you the ins and outs."
Usagi smiled slightly and nodded. She looked at Rei who was grinning.
"Thank you, Minako. I've got to go now. My grandfather doesn't know I came
here. If he found out, he would be displeased. Usagi, please come visit
often," Rei said.
"I will," Usagi replied. And then Rei was gone. Minako took her by
the hand, leading her into the inner workings of the brothel she would now call
home.
Usagi soon found that her new line of work was nothing like she had pictured.
Usually, men would come in, simply seeking a song and a good conversation. Only
on special occasions would they request...something else. Usually, it was the
frequent customers, who already had their favorite girls, who requested this
"something else." Even better, since Usagi had practically no
experience, she never had to get her hands really dirty.
Minako told Usagi that the best way to learn was to observe. So, almost every
night, Usagi would peek into the large commons room where a show would be
taking place. She saw how one girl would laugh lightly at some man's insipid
remark or how another would sip her tea seductively. It was all very calculated
and fake. And, every time, the men fell for it and reached deeper into their
pouches for some more money. In Usagi's eyes, it was as if the men were selling
themselves and not the other way around.
And so this is how Usagi learned the ways of her trade. Eventually, she became
very good at it. She had a natural charm that drew people to her. Sometimes,
she found herself enjoying what she did. Hearing the men's stories of battles
and distant lands that they had seen was fascinating. And knowing that she was
surviving on her own, happily even, was liberating. Her heart had never felt
more free.
There were times, though, that her heart didn't seem so light. But these were
moments that she hated thinking of. Usually, when they occurred, she would
squeeze her eyes shut and think hard of pleasant things: silk kimonos,
butterflies, rainbows, anything. And when it was over, she would remain awake
in the darkness of her room while her client snored with satisfaction. Those
moments were few, fortunately, since she was still inexperienced.
Before she knew it, a year had past and Usagi was seventeen.
Mamoru and his friend, Motoki, walked through the crowded streets of Edo. The
late summer sun beat down on their military uniforms harshly.
"It's unbearably hot," Mamoru commented.
"I know," replied Motoko. "Hey, there's somewhere close where we
can get out of this heat."
Motoki turned to Mamoru and winked.
"Yeah, where?" Mamoru asked.
Motoki replied, "It's this really great place with some of the most
beautiful girls you'll ever see. The price is reasonable, too. You won't be
disappointed, Mamoru. I promise."
At first, Mamoru was puzzled but then he realized what Motoki was talking
about. "You mean in the "pleasure" quarters?" he asked.
"Yes, Mamoru, what else?" exclaimed Motoki.
"I've never been to it, you know," Mamoru said.
"What! Captain Chiba Mamoru, rising warrior of the Imperial Army, has
*never* been with a girl before!" Motoki chided.
"I didn't say I've never been with a girl before. I just don't need to
*pay* them!"
Chuckling, Motoki said, "Was that an insult? I guess I deserved it. But,
really, Mamoru you've never been with a girl until you've been with these ones.
They're amazing."
Mamoru nodded and laughed. Motoki sure was a live one. It was great having a
friend with some character. In fact, ever since he had arrived in Edo his life
had been smooth sailing. He had risen to the rank of Captain in a year,
something unheard of in the Imperial Army. Women swooned at his feet. Friends
flocked to him. He commanded the respect of those above and below him. Yes,
life was great.
"Here it is," Motoki said, ushering his friend through the arch and
into a lush garden.
There he spied about three women in colorful kimonos. They were laughing and
talking quietly. Mamoru noticed that indeed they were beautiful.
"Captain Furuhata," said one, when she saw them. "It's been a
long time since you've joined us!"
She sashayed over to them and bowed. Looking up, she peered at Mamoru. "I
see you brought a friend."
"Yes," Motoki replied. "This is Chiba Mamoru. He's also a
captain in the Army."
"Really!" said the woman with the long yellow hair. "How
interesting. You must tell me about it."
Mamoru nodded as she glided to a bench in the garden. Motoki and he followed.
Glancing over his shoulder, Mamoru noticed one of the girls was staring over at
him. He stared back. Her blonde hair was pulled tightly up in a perfect bun.
And orchid was set in her left ear. When she saw that Mamoru had caught her
staring, she looked away and talked with the other woman she was with. Mamoru
noticed that she looked very familiar.
The woman he was with now, Minako, chatted with Motoki like he was an old
friend. *Well,* thought Mamoru. *Listening to them talk isn't very exciting. I
don't need to pay money for this.* As if she were reading his mind, Minako
suddenly called across the garden: "Usagi! Come here!"
Usagi. The name resounded in Mamoru's ears like an echo in a deep ravine. The
blonde woman turned around when she heard Minako call her. God, she looked so
familiar. Swallowing, Mamoru thought *No, it couldn't be...* The small-framed
woman trodding towards them smiled. Mamoru's jaw opened. No... He noticed her
features were too small and elvish to belong to a woman. This Usagi couldn't
have been more than eighteen.
"Usagi," Minako said, once the girl was in hearing distance.
"This is..."
Mamoru blanked out the words Minako was saying. He saw the smile on Usagi's
lips fade. Recognition welled in her eyes like puddles after a rainstorm.
"No...It can't be," Usagi whispered. "Mamoru?"
- - -
So what do
you think? E-mail me with questions, comments, and compliments.
Sailor Moon is owned by Naoko Takeuchi, Kodansha, Bandai, etc. This fanfic
belongs to me. E-mail me if you wish to use it anywhere.