Karyukai is a japanese contemporary word for the "Willow and Flower" world.


Karyukai Prologue


As I run breathless through this forest that never ends , I start to remember all of the things I had to over come to get to where I am and now I am running from it. Every since Ms. Miniru passed into the next world, all training Maiko’s trying to become Geisha have different training not the training of the traditional Geisha Ms. Miniru has taught us for the past five years. The new courtesan who was assigned to us from the supposedly Gion Kobu district; the Gion Kobu is the Mon (crest) that some training Maiko’s chose from the beginning of their training. Ms. Sudumi, our new replacement courtesan to my belief is an Oiran or maybe a Tayuu.

Could Ms. Miniru be competing for our costumers as Geisha? It could not be I don’t want to believe that we are competing with Tayuu and Oiran. We both stand for different costumes when performing for costumers. The Tayuu and Oiran are the highest class in courtesans, or to put it bluntly, the highest rank in the hierarchy of prostitution in pleasure quarters. While Maiko and Geiko study the basic studies of Art, Dance, singing etc. But it all doesn’t matter now, Ms. Miniru is gone, the woman who made me who I am, I couldn’t stay with Ms. Sudumi, that was an option I could not fulfill.


Thanks for reading my Prologue. ^.^

Cool!

Thanks so much for the feedback, for that I will update. ^.~

Karyukai: Chapter One: Bijin Escape

A Rustling of a few bushes and the snap of a twig; as she rustled through the bushes. Her Furisode, constantly following her every movement, and her long cascading hair flowing down to her waist always moving as she ran through the dense forest. She was accused for the unthinkable, for killing a Lord of Kuriyo. It wasn’t all her fault she was only defending herself and pride as a woman. “Stupid of me, why did I refuse?” she scolded herself. “Right now I could be in company of my one-sans and having a nice time practicing my Gei.” She thought, as she had stopped to rest. She pulled her long sleeves of her Furisode and sighed, it seemed she had been running forever.

“My good Geisha name is now ruined, five years of hard work ruined.” She replied to herself sadly. She heard the voices of men, and quickly got up to start her run again. She ran out into an open dirt road and began to walk at a fast pace. She hadn’t had anything to eat for three days, and no clean water to drink since she left, her sight becoming blurry and her feet began to hurt even though she wore Zori on her feet. She walked the road as if she was drunk, with her hands out in front of her, as if she was finding her way through a dark room. After a few minutes of walking she fell unconscious to the ground, her fate make-up she was wearing picking up the dirt. Her crimson red lipstick still plastered to her lips, with a little of her hair fallen faintly on her face.

She was unconscious but she could still dream, remembering the night before that began her run from being captured and tortured, there was no easy punishment for murder of a Lord even if she was almost the highest most respectable Geisha among the lands of Kuriyo. “I have a special job for you Minazuki, a Kabuki show for the Lord of Kuriyo himself and all of his family.” Ms. Sudumi proclaimed to the young girl, she was about twenty-one and already finished with her Maiko training. Now a full fledged Geisha, able to do as she pleases, but was still bound to Kabuki and her loyal costumers who asked for her to perform for them; “Yes Okasan Sudumi.” She smiled cheerfully, sitting among her Onesans drinking a light Ocha (Japanese green tea) quite profoundly and refined at the same time.



This is the update. ^.^

THIS IS SOOO GOOOOOOD!!! Update when you have time!

I write fast, plus I have nothing to do; so I will update to get to the much exciting parts.


Karyukai: Chapter One: Bijin Escape Continued..

Minazuki was indeed called a Bijin (Beautiful woman) or sometimes as she walked the streets of Kuriyo she was called a Gyo Geisha or Jewel Geisha among younger and older men, even to women and little girls who dreamed of becoming Geisha. Minazuki took a small bow to her Onesans; all of them smiled and nodded their heads to her leaving. It would take a while for her to get ready for the Kabuki she would be performing in. “Will it just be me, Okasan Sudumi or will someone be accompanying me?” she asked. Ms. Sudumi smiled, “Of course some Maiko’s will be along with you, but you will be the only Geisha there.” Minazuki smiled a weak smile, thinking about being the only Geisha was nerve rattling. All her older sisters were Geisha, maybe they wanted to go?

Minazuki asked about several of the other Geisha if they wanted to accompany her but they either had something to do, or wanted to relax for the evening. Minazuki walked upstairs and slid the Shoji; she entered her room and slid it back. Walking over to her vanity she sat before her mirror, looking at her reflection. “Why won’t anyone accompany me tonight?” she asked herself. She shook the thought and began to get ready; she walked to a medium sized chest and opened it, revealing kimonos of all colors and designs. But only one was to be chosen for this special occasion the Ju ni Hitoe (12 unlined Kimono) kimono, given to her from Okasan Miniru when she finished her Maiko training and became a Geisha.

The designs were remarkable and the color just enough, even with her Japanese family crest upon the back of the Kimono, the Gion Kubo. She slipped off her Kofurisode (its’ a normal day worn Kimono) and put on her Ju ni hitoe, it wasn’t a least bit hot underneath, since there were just sleeves sown to sleeves to make an appearance of a 12 lined kimono. She slipped on a pair of Geta (wooden sandals) and sat back in front of her vanity mirror again. Upon the vanity there were make-ups of all kind, made from nature only. “Now where is that Bontan Bake?” she whispered to herself shuffling past all the items on the vanity. She found the brush, and shuffled more till she found the Kyo Beni (A traditional green cake lipstick, but when applied with a wet brush it turns a vivid crimson on lips.) she dipped the brush into a small tea glass beside her filled with water, she carefully moved the brush around in the Kyo Beni until she saw a bit turn red. She plastered it onto her lips, covering them in the thick crimson lipstick. She picked up another brush and started to apply the Oshiroi (White paste make-up) to her face and neck, careful not to miss any spots of her face to leave bare. Minazuki didn’t like putting on so much make-up, that’s’ why she began to work hard, so once she became a senior member she would be able to wear faint make-up and let her bare skin be shown. After about half an hour her make-up was finished but her hair was just beginning, since she was little she used to watch Okasan Miniru do her hair, she wore it in a Shimada type hair style, only for Geisha.

It was now Minazuki’s turn to try it, she stared into the mirror and began to mold her hair into place, once it was right she let got one of her hands and took a Suji Tate (A comb) and placed it in the back to hold her hair. She was now finished, she double checked on her Kimono to see if the Obi was straight, she checked her hair and her make-up before grabbing her Fue (Japanese Flute) before leaving. As she walked down the pebble padded roads, men stopped and stared at her with drooling lustful eyes. But they quickly drew back, it was sinful to attack a Geisha of her standards, even the Maiko who accompanied her were beautiful and were looked at the same way. But Minazuki had practiced how to walk with her eyes closed, it was a trick, that night Minazuki carried a parasol with designs of blue and gold, fit for royalty. The shadow over her covered her eyes, but her crimson stained lips shown from underneath. “Minazuki-san are we close to Lord Kuriyo’s shrine yet?” one of the younger Maiko asked, as she balanced her fan and parasol she was holding. “Be patient we are almost there.” Minazuki whispered to her.




My update. ^.^ Enjoy!!

I really enjoyed it! I cant beleive other people are'nt replying! This is great!

Am glad your replying though, at least someone likes it. I had to write something about Rouroni Kenshin it was my favourite anime, and still is. Except they could have done the manga a bit better. But heres' another update it gets a bit exciting!
^.^

Karyukai: Chapter One: Bijin Escape


They continued to walk, making a left at a tea shop. Beautiful lights of red, orange and yellow made shadows on the ground, the lights strung from light to light going all over the place. “Wow, Minazuki-san we are here, where we will perform a Noh for Lord Kuriyo himself!” one Maiko squealed. “Wait a Noh we are performing a Noh, I thought we were doing Kabuki tonight?!” Minazuki yelled but it was heard to only the ones’ around them. “No, Ms. Sudumi arranged for us to perform a Noh.” Minazuki heard from one of the Maiko. Minazuki began to think as she walked up to the shrine, “Why would Ms. Sudumi tell me a lie?” she asked herself.

They walked into the shrine where it was beautifully decorated with such Japanese Traditional objects and Kanji plastered good luck charms hung from the ceiling and some on walls. “Here you are ladies, Lord Kuriyo is waiting for you there along with some of his trusted friends and business associates.” A guard told them as he practically pushed them into the room closing the Shoji doors. Minazuki along with the Maiko who came along with her put down their parasols and put away their fans, by tucking them away on there Obi; Minazuki lead them, the long sleeves of her kimono were at her sides, while the Maiko had there sleeves covering their mouths, as to be coy with the guest. “Ah how beautiful, you must be Ms. Himura, the young Geisha we’ve heard all about.” Lord Kuriyo spoke to Minazuki. Minazuki bowed in respect, “A compliment coming from someone so well respected should not be given to a simple Junior Geisha as myself, Lord Kuriyo.”

“Nonsense, now be so kind and play something on your Fue for me and my guest.” Kuriyo replied to her. Minazuki smiled, “Of course.” She walked over to a cushion and sat down; she took her Fue from the back of her Obi and began to play. An angelic tune coming from the Fue, a Kouta from heaven filled the room. “Now why don’t you Maiko dance for us!” one of Kuriyo’s guests yelled. One of the Maiko began to dance as the other two tended to Kuriyo’s guest. “More sake sir.” One maiko replied to another guest. Pretty soon most of Lord Kuriyo’s guest wore drunk and acting a bit rudely. Minazuki knew that it was almost time for them to leave. Kuriyo got up and walked over to Minazuki and put a hand on her Fue, giving her a signal to stop. His grin sent shivers down her spine and his touch felt like poison to her skin. “Yes Lord Kuriyo? Do you have a request?” Minazuki asked him. He sat next to her abruptly and put a hand on her shoulder, his fingers dangling a few inches from her breast. “Why don’t you stay over tonight, with me in my room.” He whispered against her ear, his breath hot and wreaked the smell of cold sake. “Am sorry Sir but I only perform, am not a Tayuu Geisha.” She replied to him calmly, she got up and signaled for the others’ to get up. It was time for them to leave.

“Wait I am Lord Kuriyo and I told you a direct order, now am going to have my way with you Ms. Himura whether you approve of it or not.” Kuriyo grabbed her wrist and turned her to face him; he then pulled her closer as he took his hand and began to slide the Obi loose that was holding her Kimono closed. “Let go of me!” she yelled and pushed him off, the maikos who came along were also being harassed by Kuriyo’s guest. A Nihontou hung above her high on a few strings; Kuriyo made his way over to her and slapped her repeatedly across the face. “This is what you deserve for disobeying me!” he yelled at her, the comb holding up her hair slid from its’ place, her long black hair flowing over her, she grabbed the comb and stabbed his foot.

“AHH Wench, now you will die!” he cried out in pain, Minazuki stood up her kimono sliding off her shoulders, and her long hair covering her face she grabbed the sword swiftly from its’ place and hid it behind her back. “You are no Lord, your nothing but a broken dog!” Minazuki yelled, Kuriyo looked up at her his eyes filled with angry and hate, he snatched the comb from his foot and slid it across the room.



Clinche' Hope you liked this update, I will update more after this because I am bored. ^.^ But I love to write.

I have to say this is something I will have to keep reading. You have so much detail and knowledge of what your writing. It reminds me very much of how Oscar Wilde wrote "The Picture Of Dorian Gray." Just splended.

I can tell that you like writing! That's good cause there's more reading for me ^__^

Thank-you so much Soko for the compliment, and here is another update for you and the the others who enjoyed it so far. Oh, I have so much knowledge of this is because I used to live in Japan, and my aunt's great grandmother was a Senior Geisha, so my aunt informs me of all the things Geisha went through to a point where they were treated as yujo (prostitutes). I didn't want to put too much information on it then it would drag the plot of the story. So if anyone wants to know more, PM me; I'll be glad to tell you the true story of Geisha and Maiko.


Karyukai: Chapter One: Bijin Escape Continued..


“Your beauty is only skin deep, for now I will kill the beast inside of you, and hang your hair on my wall!” he laughed holding his sides, Minazuki began to shake, “Please do not!” she pleaded. “Now you beg for my forgiveness, it is too late for that now your life is mine.” He sneered. “But as planned I will have my way with you, no use in your beauty going to waste.” He smirked as he began to untie his Haori and walk toward her. Minazuki shook her head, the maiko did nothing but watch, as they lower their heads and were forced to get up and leave with Kuriyo’s guest. Kuriyo put a hand on Minazuki’s neck, strangling her, little sweat droplets began to appear on her forehead. She lifted a hand in her defense to stop him, by squeezing his wrist to try and loosen his grip on her neck. She began to cough, and her sight began to leave her; Lord Kuriyo laughed in her struggle, he moved closer in an attempt to kiss her. Her eyes watched and then, at the wrongness of the time she smiled. “Why do you laugh when your about to die!” he yelled at her, spit hitting her face. “Ms. Minazuki!” one maiko yelled over to her, as she was dragged by her hair towards a room in the back. Minazuki looked at her friend being forced to leave with a guest of Kuriyo’s. She then turned to look into the eyes of the man who had this whole evening planned. She let go of his wrist and put her hands behind her, “Now you will not resist, smart girl.” he spoke to her in whisper.

“Spare them, please they are young!” she yelled her eyes holding back tears. Lord Kuriyo placed a hand to her face and whipped away one of her falling tears. “Maybe after we are finished.” He smiled. Minazuki’s eyes changed for that moment, a flick of her hate escaped her as she looked at him. “T-Those eyes, they remind me of-“he murmured, but that was all he could finish. She had plunged the blade that was hanging on the wall, into his stomach. Lord Kuriyo gritted his teeth, as blood leaked from his mouth. “Your eyes are of a mercenary.” He murmured as he fell to the ground clinching his wound, as he tried to stop the blood from escaping his body. The fall of his body made Kuriyo’s guest stop what they were doing. “Ahh!” one of the maiko’s screamed seeing Lord Kuriyo on the ground; dead. “You bitch, lets get her boys!” one of the men yelled, they quickly took the katanas that were at there sides and tried to attack her but she moved swiftly, and dodged every attack thrown her way. As she moved she attacked them as well, going only for vital signs. She put the blade back in it's sheath, at the click of the blade being reattached to its sheath, the men all fell to the ground, a bloody mess.

“Minazuki why!” a maiko yelled to her, but it seemed Minazuki was not there anymore, she did not care anymore; she took her parasol and her Fue and walked out of the room sliding the Shoji doors behind her, she ran out of Lord Kuriyo’s shrine. A few minutes later, armies of men ran from the shrine in search of Minazuki. Minazuki left, confused and her name ruined because of a families demon she had harbored inside of her. A demon mercenary that only herself and her brother processed inside their bodies, that lustful demon who wanted to see nothing but the wars of battle and the floods of blood.


Here is the update. Didn't know Minazuki had it in her, which gives me an idea for the next chapter so please give me feedback! ^.^

:angelstar7:

Here is another update. ^.^


Karyukai: Chapter One: Bijin Escape Continued...

Minazuki woke up, and found herself in a small room. Her kimono had been removed from her body and she was wearing a Chinese styled, tight fitting Furisode, with a pair of Hakama underneath them. The Furisode she was wearing was a light blue with gold thread outlines after looking at it a few times she knew automatically that it was hers. She had packed this Furisode and some other kimonos once she had began her run away from Kuriyo. She rubbed her eyes and noticed a man next to her with a scar on his left cheek, and reddish hair. He was wearing a kind of red Haori with a pair of white Hakama. He had a sword at his side also; he reached slowly to a pail next to him, and dipped a white rag into it. He then removed it and moved it over to her forehead, at that time she swiftly grabbed his blade and backed into a wall, sitting in a small corner holding the blade in front of her keeping distance from him.

Her long hair was tied back, except a few strands of hair that escaped the ribbon and lied on her face. Giving her a fierce look, as she looked at him, the room was dark, but she could tell it was still day since the Shoji doors had a bit of light on them. “W-Who are you and what do you want with me.” She murmured weakly. “I don’t want anything from you, I found you unconscious on a near-by road; so I took you to my friend Ms. Kamiya’s dojo for medical attention.” He spoke at a whisper. “Your lying, I know I was running from some men and your one of them!” she yelled as she swung at him with his blade. “Stop it Minazuki.” He replied, she stopped immediately and peered at him, not able to see his eyes, she wondered how he knew her. “Wait how do you know my name?” she managed to say.

He got up and opened the Shoji doors to shine some light on things; she crawled over to the man who was now standing outside. She looked up from his feet to his head; she gasped and dropped his sword from her hands as tears began to fall from her eyes to the hard wooden floor. “Big brother?!” she cried as she got up from the floor. He began to scratch his head repeatedly, and he smirked a few times before replying: “Yes its’ me.” Minazuki ran over to him and like a cat onto their master she clawed onto his Haori and hugged him tightly. “Kenshin big brother Kenshin, I have never stopped thinking of you brother.” Were her words but he couldn’t tell since her face was crushed so deeply inside his Haori it sounded like gibberish. Kaoru stepped out from her room to catch the scene, seeing Kenshin embracing some strange women he just found today made her jealous and thinking the crudest thoughts inside her head. “Who’s the girl?” Sanosuke asked, as he came in from his room eating on a pear and practically laughing at Kaoru’s expression on her face.

Minazuki began to laugh, “Kenshin I missed you so!” she yelled and hugged him even tighter, Kenshin began to blank out because she was hugging him so hard, he tilted back and fell down some stairs. Minazuki had let go of him by then, so he fell alone. Kenshin rubbed his head again, and began to laugh himself. Minazuki looked around noticing that they were not alone. Minazuki brushed off her Furisode and bowed in respect. “My name is Minazuki Himura, Geisha of Kuriyo it is an honor to meet all of you.” Kaoru’s expression left her, “So you are Kenshin’s sister. Well nice to meet you, my name is Kaoru Kamiya, I teach Kenjutsu here in my dojo.” She replied as she also bowed to her. Minazuki walked up to the little boy who was standing behind her, and kneeled to him to see his face clearly. “So who are you?” she asked with a slight smile.

The boy blushed having the woman’s face so close to his, and being so nice to him in all. “My name is Yahiko Myojin, I guess its’ nice to meet you too.” He mumbled. His eyes looking down at the ground as he kicked a few times at the floor, Minazuki smiled and took her hand and lifted up his chin, so now he was looking straight into her eyes, which were a lighter blue then Kenshin’s and much deeper and a bit more sincere. “When someone talks to you, be respectful and look at them back. Okay?” she replied sweetly, Yahiko kicked at the ground some more, before answering: “Okay Minazuki.” Minazuki smiled and rubbed his head, playing with his hair a bit. “Aren’t you just cute?” she played with him. Yahiko got easily annoyed and pulled away from her and fixed his hair back. “You’re messing up my hair.” He replied to her. Minazuki backed away, “I won’t do it again.” She smiled. She then walked down the stairs and helped Kenshin up. “You’re a Geisha now.” He spoke to her, “Yeah I am, five years of training. Am not a Senior Geisha am a junior, but its’ a start.” She laughed.




Here is my update. Thank you all for reading. ^.^

Sorry about my most recant reply I had to do somthing and the first thing that came to mind was that little dude. ^^;

my god Talim. this is really good. Plus I can't believe you put all this up in one day! honestly it takes me like 2 hours to get out one chapter. I agree with you, the anime of Rurouni Kenshin was better than the manga at times......I don't know manhole.
this is really well~written and I look forward to your next update! cause this KICKS ASS lol i had to say that...makes me feel cool :crazybunny10:

Thanks so much, I write fast when somethings on my mind. ^.^; I will update it in just a bit.

Update.

Karyukai: Chapter One: Bijin Escape Continued...

Kenshin smirked but he knew when something was wrong with her, even if it has been some years since he saw her, he knew when his sister was hiding something from him. “Is anything wrong Minazuki?” he asked. Minazuki turned with her same smile, “No, there’s nothing wrong with me; so don’t worry.” Minazuki caught the sign of ‘Aku’ Japanese sign for evil, on the back of one of Ms. Kamiya’s boarders. She quickly went after him, curious of the sign. “Minazuki where are you going?” Kenshin asked her. Minazuki raised her hand and walked off, “I’ll be back later, and I just want to be alone for a while.” She yelled back.

The guy she was chasing had disappeared, so she walked about the dojo looking around the place. She soon found herself at the stoop of some never ending steps; she began to walk up them, panting after every fifteen minutes. She stopped hearing the sounds of falling trees, and the sound of a blade. She jumped off the steps and wandered into the woods, passing tall trees, and different flowers. Finally she found the cause of all the noise; it was one of Kamiya’s boarders. He was training; he wasn’t that bad looking either. “Nice body...” she murmured practically drooling over him.

He continued to train, seeing how fast he could move in clearing the woods that surrounded him. He swung his blade, and cut down two more trees, the trees collapsing near Minazuki. She quickly moved out of the way but she gave away her location when she stepped on the smallest twig. His ears heard the twig and he swung his blade at the tree she was hiding behind but no one was there. Minazuki had managed to jump onto the falling tree, as it fell she ran across it and managed to escape undetected. She found herself in a meadow, where the grass was to her knees and the sakura were in full bloom.

A low wind blew sending her hair blowing along with it, for some reason she began to cry as she slowly walked to a sakura tree and climbed into it. It gave her a full view of a small hot springs that was near by, she could also see the Dojo’s roof. But the rest was nothing but a sun setting sky. Minazuki took out her Fue and began to play it, to match the mood, as she played she cried. Not because she was no longer Geisha but because she had unlocked something inside of her that may destroy the kindness inside her heart. Kenshin knew how to hold it inside of him, but he also lost control when he got angry enough.

Sanosuke wandered around the forest after he was done training, after hours of training like that he usually just collapsed in a field or meadow somewhere until morning. Or he would travel to a friend’s place for the night. Then there was always the Akabeko his favorite place to eat, where he would charge everything to Kaoru’s tab she had there. As he continued his walk he heard the sound of a Fue, he walked toward the sound but stopped walking once he noticed it was that Minazuki person who was playing it. He hid behind a tree, “Why is she crying?” he thought to himself as he watched her play. A strong wind began to blow and picked up some cherry blossoms along with her hair that blew along with the wind. She stopped playing her Fue and moved her hair from her face, she sensed someone was there watching her, maybe it was some of Lord Kuriyo’s men?

Hey! I'm back! Finally! GREAT UPDATE TALIM!!! That's my nickname for you. Hope you dont mind. ^___^

very nice update Talim. I still can't believe that you wrote all this in one day.

Thanks so much for the feedback, I will finish this chapter today, but update it a little later.