What a Screwy Geisha's Tale by Ninja Rikku

A Maiko

Kagome read through the book on her desk. Philosophy and Law. How boring for her, how wonderful for her clients.

In just a yearafter falling into Sengoku, the Shikon had been found, broken, reformed and finally after many tears and lost lives, it had disappeared. No bright lights, no flashy ghosts appearing and congratulating her and her friends. It had just blinked out of existance.

So did the memories of her friends. The upside however was that Sango's village had been returned to the realm of the living. Not a single person noticed any lapse in time, or a change in the seasons. Not even Sango, the woman she considered her sister, knew what had happened.

This also meant that Sango and Miroku never met, therefore never had children or got married. The curse never effected his family and His forefathers never died. But all three were thoroughly whipped by their wives and slaves to Miroku's daughter Rei. Ironic really.

And her Shippo was no longer an orphan. His father was still alive as was his brother Youko. His mother was still dead, but he was no longer alone. Not that he ever knew he was.

The other childe in their party, Rin was still lacking her birth parents, but instead of Kouga having killed her the first time, the village was caught in a battle between ninja's and pirates. It was funny in a 'not really' kind of way. Well the battle had of course killed nearly all of the villae inhabitants and neither side had won. Rin did though, having been found by a team of Shinobi scouting the area. It was a nin who used an Inu as a partner who found her. Inuzuka was Rin's new last name and she was a very happy girl.

Inuyasha and Kikyo lived happily in the village of Edo, scouting the area and spending their days watching the sun rise and set. She really was happy for the.

It saddened her how ever that she was the only one who would ever remember this journey. Perhaps she would write it off as a story.

She had come home and sealed the well, tears running down her face the whole time. Strangely enough, The memories of Kagome's friends and her school records were not erased. She was still failing in every class, her friends were all but wishing her a happy afterlife and even Hojo had givin up on her. So what did her mother do?

Sent her to the Kyubbi Teahouse to live with her aunt, the owner, and be trained as a Geisha. It wasn't all bad really. Her aunt hadn't asked her to use her body or do anything unsavory or impure. And she was be trained by the kindest Geisha in the entire place.

Hatake Kimiko. There were no other words to describe her wiith except 'Elegant' 'Poised' 'Gracful'.

Kagome was brught out of her musing by a knock on the door before it opened.

"Just a moment. Kagome closed her book and put it back on the shelf. Her room wasn't grand or outlandish. It was plaina nd simple, with enough room for her futon, wardrobe and a trunk with some personal belonings.

"Come in!" Kimiko walked into the room, she wore a simple Kimono due to not actually havign any work right now or being outside. It was a darker mauve color and tied by a gold obi.

"Kagome," she spoke softly, "We have a slight problem. Hanabi is sick and unable to attend tonights appointment."

Kagome's eye widened. "Is she okay? What's wrng? Has a docor come?" Her questions were broke off by her geisha sister's laugh.

"Calm down," She spoke motioning her to move over to the vainity. "You're to be filling her place tongiht." Kagome would have whipped her head around to as if Kimiko was crazy, But the older woman had taught her not to. Plus she had a hold of her hair.

"Kagome, This is going to be your test on wheather or not you'll be a true geisha. I want you to wear The Kimono." The Kimono was a gift Kagome had received fromKimiko on her birthday two weeks before. Kagome hadn't even tried it on for fear she would tear it or ruin it.

"We're going to get your hair done and if all goes well, you'll never have to wear it up again." Kimiko patted Kagome's shoulder and walked back to the door. "Get dressed for the outside. I'll come get you in a few moments."

Kagome sat in the rickshaw, trying not to wring her hands. it was night time nowand they were on their way to where they were supposed to go.

"Kimiko, Who exactly is in this meeting?" Kagome asked, trying not to fiddle with her sleeves.

"It's a Taisho corp. Business meeting. Mr. Taisho had hired all the best for his partners, He does this quite often actually." Kimiko eyed Kagome. You'll be attending to Mister Taisho. He's a bit cold really, so if he doesn't seem interested or if he says something rude, don't worry over it."

Their driver stopped in front of a building that many giesha used for their clients and a doorman helped the two of them out. The night was slightly balmy and warm, a bad sign for Kagome. She was used to balmy nights ending in either blood or tears.

Damn weather.

Kimiko walked in and down the hall to the room their clients laughed behind. Kagome could hear the slightly drunken laughter of the businessmen, high pitched giggles of other geisha's and music.

"Nervous?" Kagome could only nod. "Well, Mr. Taisho is rather easy to spot, He has a certain trait about him that's impossible to ignore."

Kimiko opened the door to the room and Kagome knew then why Mr. Taisho was impossible to ignore, and why he was so cold to every womn near him.

He was Sesshomaru.