The Midnight Butterfly

by Shannon

Part one

            Uproarious laughter rebounded through the rooms and halls of the teahouse Mayonaka Butterfly. Well dressed gentlemen sat at low tables being entertained by the regions’ most beautiful Hokan Geisha.

            Kyo walked the halls of his teahouse listening to the sounds of his Geisha and their jobs-well-done. He allowed Geisha from other okiya to entertain in his teahouse, but he and everyone in the area knew his Geisha were the draw to this place. His Geisha had the highest o-hana and more than enough gentlemen were willing to pay the steep price for a night of jollity amongst them.

            Shinya was his top Geisha; Kyo had spared no expense in his training and it had definitely paid off, as his mizuage had set a record and new standard in that part of Gion. Miyavi, Aoi and Reita were still in training but proving themselves as the most promising new comers.

            Kyo smiled and thought of the future as he padded through his halls.

            In one of the private rooms Shinya sat next to Miyavi helping him entertain two regulars and a new comer they had brought with them

            Shinya smiled and gracefully lifted the sake bottle to fill his patrons’ cup; tilting his head and body he pursed his lips and stared suggestively at his clients.

            “Thank you honored Geisha,” the red haired man called out drunkenly, and the room burst into a volley of giggles filling the area with a heady sent of too much alcohol.

            “Die, maybe you should slow down, it’s not that far into the night yet and you’re nearing a stupor,” Toshiya said smoothing the arms of his suit coat after pushing Die back to a sitting position.

            “Way to ruin the mood Toshiya, jeez,” Hakuei scolded.

            “No you just need to relax Totchi, you’re kinda a tight ass!”

            “Wah, Totchi, kawaii nick-name ne?” Miyavi said smiling intently at Toshiya.

            Toshiya blushed and bit his lip.

            “Song and dance time ladies,” Die chorused drunkenly. Hakuei laughed and drained his small cup wrapping his arm around Die’s shoulders.

            Shinya rose serenely as Miyavi crawled to the corner of the room readying his samisen. Miyavi began plucking out strands of a traditional tune, as Shinya flowed into the music like the sakura petals melting to a gust of wind. Shinya’s small hands framed his face then slid into his obi producing a demure fan. The fan fell open with a snap in time with the music Miyavi plucked. Shinya hid behind the fan and turned his face to a slightly seductive pout; lowering his fan he twisted his body in a slow circle and fluttered his lashes granting a small smile to the clients that watched in awed silence. Miyavi ended the song in a crescendo of plucked strings and Shinya bowed with his knees before returning to his position at the table.

            “You have a mastery of your talent honorable Geisha,” Toshiya admitted bowing to Shinya.

            Hakuei and Die burst into loud applause, which fell to heady laughter.

            “Shinya is the most respected Hokan in this hanamachi, it’s your first time out here, so we spared no expense Totchi,” Die said falling into Toshiya again.

            Toshiya glared at his companion pushing him upright again.

            Miyavi giggled behind his hand and moved closer to Toshiya, “This is your first time in the Mayonaka? Why did someone as cute as you never grace us with your presence till now?”

            Toshiya blushed and stammered as he looked into the beautiful eyes that stared pleadingly up into his.

            “Aww, did he scare you Toshiya?” Hakuei asked laughing.

            Die got up from between them and moving to where Shinya stood not long ago fell into his own rendition of the traditional dance. Shinya covered his mouth as he laughed at the scene before him. Hakuei sidled over to Shinya.

            “He’s no where near as good as you are! I’ll bet you’re great at a lot of things,” Hakuei said, ‘accidentally’ bumping into Shinya.

            Shinya smiled at him. “Well the height of my talents you’ll most likely never see, I believe the district you’re in need of is quite a ways from here shall I order you a footman?”

            Die burst out laughing and fell to the floor between Miyavi and Shinya; even Toshiya covered his mouth with embarrassed laughter. “Baka ne Hakuei? He so just slaughtered you, your face is shamed for five generations at least,” Die slapped the floor laughing.

            “I was just kidding,” Hakuei said as his cheeks colored. “I don’t bat for that team.”

            “Yeah, ok,” Die chided.

            Shinya smiled and surveyed the room, “I must apologize gentlemen as your time nears its end.”

            Die sighed. “You two lovelies wont give us just a bit more time? Just look at the fresh meat we brought you, he’s gorgeous ne?”

            “Regretfully we have many other fresh faces to attend this evening, thank you most graciously for your time and desire for company, we’ll leave the night to you.” Shinya said standing and pulling open the papered door.

            Miyavi bumped Toshiya as he stood. “Oh sumimasen,” he said, his eyes staring into Toshiya’s.

            “Do itashimashite,” Toshiya said standing and bowing as the two Hokan made their way from the room.

            “So glad to get away from that redheaded loud-mouth, and his hentai friend.” Shinya said wrapping his arm around Miyavi’s waist.

            “The new one Totchi, he’s not bad, very respectable.”

            “You better drop that tone quick boy, love is the last thing you need in this business.” Shinya said squeezing Miyavi.

            “Oh I know that, relax Shin-sama, I was just talking. I thought you liked Die and Hakuei?”

            “I try to avoid them if I can, most of the time they’re not bad, tonight was an exception.” Shinya sighed.

            “Oh well, ready for the next bunch?” Miyavi said smiling broadly.

            “Who is it?” Shinya asked not really excited to find out.

            Miyavi pulled his schedule sheet from his obi. “It’s Yoshiki! Most loyal and well paying patron, he who loves Kyo like a son.”

            He who bought my mizuage Shinya thought. “I’m glad it’s someone we can be ourselves around,” Shinya said.

            Miyavi wondered at his friends’ mood tonight but shrugged it off as he knocked at the door, “Imomushi Hokan,” he called.

            Reita had been flashing Aoi coy stares all night. As they made their way down the hall to the next patrons Reita pulled Aoi’s wrist.

            “What Rei-chan?”

            “I just wanted to tell you that I do like the purple streaks, they are a nice compliment to you,” as Reita said this he took a few steps closer to Aoi.

            “Reita, I-“ Reita stopped his sentence with a firm press of lips to lips. Aoi moaned gently and grabbed his shoulders. Reita left Aoi breathless and continued down the hall. Aoi blinked and watched the sway of hips that looked so enticing walking away from him. “Matte!” Aoi called.

            Reita smiled, pleased with himself then fixed Aoi with a bewildered gaze. “Nani?” He asked.

            “What was that?” Aoi asked.

            “What are you talking about? Oh Aoi, you’re wasting time we have to get to the next set, hayaku!”

            Aoi blinked again and allowed himself to be led down the hall. Reita stopped just outside a door and Aoi grabbed his hand before he could knock and kissed him hard.

            Reita melted to the kiss then pushed Aoi away. “What are you doing?” He asked. “You’ll ruin our make-up.” He smiled wickedly and knocked on the door. “Imomushi Hokan.”

            The door opened revealing a group of three already rowdy men; the red-head that opened the door bowed them in and fell back to his position around the small table.

            “Konban wa, I am Reita and this is Aoi, here for the requested o-hana.” Reita moved to sit next to the red-head and his well dressed friend.

            “I’m Die,” the red haired man said sake wafting strongly from his breath.

            Reita smiled and brushed against Die, “sumimasen,” he whispered.

            Aoi was suddenly jealous of the way Reita was acting, but then remembered it was all a part of the performance. He smiled and made his way to sit between the other two men.

            “You’re lovely this evening, Aoi,” Hakuei said. “Long time no see, I like the purple it’s very fitting.”

            “Oh Hakuei!” Aoi said putting his hand to his chest. “I almost didn’t recognize you, how long has it been?”

            “Too long,” Hakuei said fixing Aoi with a stare that made him a bit uncomfortable. “We brought our new business partner with us, this is Toshiya.”

            “Toshiya-san,” Aoi said bowing.

            Toshiya smiled and bowed.

            “You’re bishonen! You could make a fortune as a Hokan!” Reita said brushing his hand against Toshiya’s.

            Toshiya jumped at the sudden touch.

            “Oh, sumimasen,” Reita said looking concerned.

            “Why so nervous?” Aoi asked in Toshiya’s ear.

            “Ano,” he said pulling away. “Gomen, it’s my first time here, I’m not really used to this type of attention.”

            “No? Demo you’re so pretty, you should have lots of girls after you,” Reita said.

            “He’s got no problems with girls, unless you see all of them chasing him as a problem,” Die said laughing. “He’s never been attended by Hokan.”

            “Oh,” Aoi and Reita said together smiling at each other.

            Hakuei bumped against Aoi, Aoi flashed his gaze to him.

            “Gomen,” Hakuei held Aoi’s eyes.

            Aoi broke the gaze pulling his sleeves back to pour tea.

            “Tea so early?” Die whined.

            “Don’t you think it should be ‘sake so early’?” Reita asked with a giggle.

            “Never too early for sake, right Haku?”

            Toshiya scoffed at his friend.

            “Hey Toshiya, why don’t you relax? Put your head in Aoi’s lap, he’ll weave your hair and tell you pretty stories with that honey mouth of his,” Die said eyeing Aoi.

            Toshiya blushed and looked at his knees.

            “It’s ok Toshiya, we don’t bite,” Reita said trying to be reassuring.

            Aoi could feel Hakuei’s hungry eyes; it felt like he was going to devour his soul. Hakuei reached out a tentative hand and brushed Aoi’s wrist.

            “Onegai shimasu,” Aoi said moving away.

            “Stop that Hakuei or they’ll leave and have us kicked out!” Die yelled.

            “Sumimasen, I just haven’t seen you in so long. Die did you know I grew up with Aoi? We were neighbors, then his parents sold him.”

            “How dare you suggest that,” Aoi said, blushing. “I was born here and meant for this life, don’t presume to know more than is proper Hakuei.”

             Hakuei blushed and looked at his knees moving away from Aoi.

            Aoi rose and moved to the door, “I regret this deeply honored patrons, I will not be able to stay for the remainder of the o-hana.” Aoi pushed the door open and slammed it shut behind him.

            “Sumimasen Shinya-sama,” a kitchen girl had made her way to the room that held Shinya, Miyavi and Yoshiki, who were all in bright conversation.

            “What is it?” Shinya asked.

            “There’s an Imomushi Hokan hiding in one of the storerooms for the kitchen and he won’t let us in to get what we need, again I’m very sorry to interrupt you,” she bowed with her head touching the floor.

            The three exchanged concerned looks and Yoshiki nodded that Shinya should go. Shinya rose and made his way to the door then followed the girl back to the kitchen, trying hard not to be seen on his way. How embarrassing, he thought as he walked.

            Once inside the kitchen Shinya turned to the girl. “Who’s the one hiding?”

            “It’s Aoi, he looked like he was crying but for his sake I’ll say he wasn’t.”

            “Is Kyo gracing this place with his presence?” Shinya asked.

            “I believe I saw him enter yes.”

            “Please go find him, and be discreet!” Shinya said waving her away.

            “Aoi?” Shinya called into the storeroom. Trying the handle to no avail he rapped his fingers on the door. “Aoi, please… I know you’re in there, come out itoshii, or at least let me in.” Shinya waited and listened; nothing seemed to be moving and he got a little worried. “Aoi-kun, you’re scaring me please say something.” At that Shinya heard rustling in the room, and then Aoi’s strained voice called through the door.

            “Shinya-sama, I’m so sorry I’ve embarrassed the okiya.”

            “Tell me what happened?” Shinya asked.

            Kyo entered the kitchen; seeing Shinya he walked over and looked on questioningly.

            “Aoi, Kyo’s here now would you like to talk to him? To tell him what happened?” To Kyo Shinya whispered, “He said something about embarrassing the okiya, the kitchen girl saw him crying, I don’t know what’s wrong.”

            “Aoi,” Kyo called to the young man. “Aoi come out please, we’ll get you cleaned and sent home so we can talk, I’m sure you’ve done nothing wrong, just come out please, for me?”

            Aoi sobbed and opened the door to the storeroom.

            “Anata, nan desu ka?” Kyo asked.

            Aoi bit his lip and bowed to Kyo, “I walked out on an o-hana.”

            “Naze?” Kyo asked holding Aoi’s shoulders.

            Aoi crumpled to his knees and neared tears.

            “Shinya, get back to your appointment; I’ll handle it from here. Arigato Shinya.” Kyo lifted the sobbing Aoi to his feet and wrapping the taller man’s arm around his shoulders led him further into the kitchen to the back door. “Aoi, before I can take you home I need to know who you were entertaining and why you left, please tell me so you can get some rest.”

            “It was one of the private rooms, three men, two regulars and their new friend, I left Reita alone in there, Hakuei and Die, Toshiya, past, Hakuei knows my past, was talking about it, I had to leave to save face, oh god, I’m so sorry Kyo-sama,” Aoi prattled on.

            “It’s ok Aoi, I’ll get someone to take you home now.”

            “I’ll do it Kyo,” Yoshiki said walking up to them.

            “Yoshiki I couldn’t ask that of you,” Kyo said with a low bow.

            “Well it’s better for the face of Imomushi if he goes out with me, the okiya’s not far I’ll get him there safe and wait for you to get there.” Yoshiki said.

            “No, you can take him, fine, but then you should leave him in the care of okiya staff, you shouldn’t waste time for me to get there.” Kyo offered.

            “Ok if that’s how you want it,” Yoshiki smiled. Stepping to Aoi he wrapped a protective arm around the boy, Aoi snuggled his face into Yoshiki’s warmth in an effort to hide the ruined make-up, as Yoshiki led him out the back door and into the night.

            Kyo knocked three times at the door to the private room. Reita slid the door open, the smile on his face dropped as he stepped back into the room and bowed as Kyo entered. Kyo looked at the individuals in the room; he had seen the two before but not the third. Die, Hakuei and this must be the fresh face Toshiya, Kyo thought as he accepted the bows they gave him and kneeled at the front of the room. Reita kneeled just behind Kyo at his side and bowed his head.

            “To what do we owe the pleasure of your company?” Die asked, suddenly all too sober.

            “I came to formerly apologize on behalf of my Hokan, who has regrettably taken to a sudden illness, I beg you not be displeased with my house,” Kyo bowed and looked at them all in turn.

            Die laughed out loud. “Do itashimashite, honored okiya head, there were no issues with his quick departure, considering we have this beauty to fill the rest of the time with.” Die pointed to Reita.

            “I had hoped,” Kyo added, “That you would allow my presence in your room for the last amount of time in your o-hana?”

            “We couldn’t hope to be important enough to take up your time,” Toshiya said bowing.

            “No trouble really, I enjoy watching my Hokan performing.” Kyo smiled.

            “Actually, we were just ready to make our way into the night and to other pleasures,” Hakuei said.

            “Though none of those will near the quality found here okiya head,” Toshiya added quickly to Hakuei’s statement.

            Kyo rose and stood by the door, Reita by his side as the three men bowed their way out of the room. As soon as they were gone from sight Reita hugged Kyo’s back.

            “Arigato Kyo-sama, they were really rowdy and hard to work around this evening, they kept making sexual advances, I think that’s part of the reason Aoi left, is he ok by the way?” Reita babbled.

            “He’s fine, he went home, we managed to cover up what little issue there was. I still need to go talk to him though. How many more performances have you tonight?”

            “They were our last actually, I’m on call now,” Reita said.

            Kyo smiled, “Could you do me a favor?”

            “What do you need?” Reita asked.

            “I need you to go home and comfort Aoi; he was really in bad shape when I sent him home. I’ll take you off tonight’s list if you’ll do that for me.”

            “Of course Kyo, I’ll do anything you need me to.”

            “Tell him I’ll be home later to talk to him and that he’s not in any trouble ok Rei-chan?” Kyo asked.

            “Anything you need.” Reita smiled and kissed Kyo’s cheek as he headed down the hall.

            “Oh Reita,” Kyo called.

            “Yeah?”

            “Remember the rules.”

            “I promise Kyo-sama,” Reita said turning the corner of the hall.

Owari,

            Mostly just an introduction to characters, (Kaoru: “What about me?” *death glares and quickly tapping foot*) A lemon in the next part and Kao on the way *dodges Kaoru’s eye daggers*    verility@hotmail.com < tell us what you think ne?

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