A Geisha's Love by Koishii_Beloved

Chapter 1

Disclaimer: The characters of InuYasha are not mine, they are property of Rumiko Takahashi, Shogakukan, Yomiuri TV, Sunrise, and Viz. I do not make any money from the writing of this story. I also do not own Memoirs of a Geisha.

A.N: This has kind of been sitting in my 'My Documents' file for two years now. Sad, I know, but I figured I'd just post and play it by ear.

________

My name is Kagome Higurashi. I am sixteen years old and have long black hair, a slim, curved body, and unusual blue eyes for a Japanese. I've been studying to be a geisha since I was ten. I did not have the honor of becoming a geisha until my sixteenth birthday. My new sisters, Jositomo and Hasuma have grown up to be beautiful geisha's over the years and accompany the wealthiest and the most handsome of men. I have done very well and if I am lucky, I will become a geisha and accompany the same kind of men. The women in the Inn that help the geisha's get dressed secretly tell me that I am more beautiful than Hasuma and that she knows it. Many say that my eyes only add to my beauty and is the reason for Hasuma's jealousy and hatred for me. Though their words would flatter me, I would always say no. I honestly believed Hasuma was the most beautiful of the Inn. Hasuma had longer black hair and gorgeous black eyes. Hasuma's body had more curves than I did, making her the most wanted woman of the Inn. Though Hasuma is beautiful, so is Jositomo. Her eyes and body is similar to Hasuma's, but Jositomo does not flaunt her beauty. That is the main difference between the two.

The mother's of the Inn are having all three of us perform tonight for the Great Dog General and the other four Lords of the lands. Usually, they would only have Hasuma and Jositomo go, but for some reason, Miss Kishito wants all three of us to go. That was a big surprise for me. I did not ever think that Miss Kishito would ever want me to go. Whenever I would hint on it, she would say that I was not yet ready. Maybe she thinks I am now because I am now two years older.

"Ouch!" I yell, my hand flying to my head.

"Shh! It's fine, Kagome. Just be still. You're almost done." Hana says, hurriedly, trying to straighten my hair. That's another thing that keeps things from running smoothly in the Inn. When Hana has to straighten out my hair. The ends of my hair is curly, bouncy. Quickly applying the make-up, Hana nods in approval.

"Done!" she announces. I smile and turn to thank Hana. Shaking her head, she leaned down to my ear and whispered, "You'll be the most beautiful there." she said with a smile. Blushing lightly, I shook my head. But, not knowing why she was whispering, I asked. She pointed behind me and I turned. Seeing Jositomo, I nodded in understanding. If Jositomo was to hear what Hana had said, she would go running back to Hasuma to tell her, ending with someone in the Inn hurt. I must say that is the only thing that I did not like about Jositomo. She was so afraid of Hasuma that she was willing to do anything to keep the woman on her good side. I am glad Hana had noticed it. Knowing it was not about anything but talking about spending the most time with the General's son, I turned to the mirror. From what I've heard from the girl's in the Inn, the General's son's name was Sesshoumaru. He had long silver hair and piercing gold eyes. Very handsome, but ruthless in war. Though these are only rumors, I do know that Hasuma is the one that keeps him company when he and his father comes to town. But not only does she keep him company, she is usually the one to do other favors for him. Sexual favors. Sighing, I thanked Kami that I was not the one that had to accompany him.

Turning away from the mirror, I smiled at Hana. "I guess it is time that I have left." Hana smiled back at me, nodding. "Hai."

Following me down the stairs and to the door, she hugged me. Good luck!" she said, waving. I waved back, being very careful in my kimono. As soon as I had gotten in the carriage, I received a very dirty look from Hasuma and Jositomo. Miss Kishito got in the carriage as well, lighting up her cigarette. Turning my head to look at her, I noticed that she was ignoring everything inside purposely. I could only hope, that was long as Miss Kishito was here, that it would keep Hasuma and Jositomo at bay.

_________

Stepping out of the carriage, Miss Kishito quickly pulled us all to the side. Her eyes solid and unmoving, she spoke, "Kagome, you will be attending to Lord Sesshoumaru tonight." I suddenly heard the indignant gasp of Hasuma. This would not turn out good. "Do not mess this up or you will be taking up the cleaning duties." she said to me warningly.

"Hai, Miss Kishito," I said with a small bow. Nodding once, she looked to the other two. "Hasuma, you will watch your temper. And Jositomo, it would be best if you stop following Hasuma." she said before going inside to find her a seat. Looking back up, I noticed that Hasuma had yet to stop glaring at me. Pushing past me to go inside the building, she spoke, "Stay away from Lord Sesshoumaru."

I turned to look at Jositomo, but saw she was already speeding past me to go inside as well. I could only sigh, I prayed that this would go fairly well and that I would not mess up entirely. Taking in a deep breath, I open the shoji doors to the room, a smile plastered on my face. If anyone knew me, they would know it was clearly fake. I take a look around the big and colorful room and immediately find the two sets of amber eyes. I smile at one, but he does not return the smile. I smile at the other, and he smiles back, genuinely.

"Miss Kishito, you have outdone yourself yet again!" he says, laughing heartily. "These girls are beautiful!" he says, not taking his eyes off of me. I have seen General Taisho before, not never ever so close. It was usually from afar, me somewhere I should not be. He was just as handsome as... his son. Turning my head to look at him again, I saw that he was looking at me as well. Though his eyes blank and his form unmoving, it made me feel uncomfortable in his gaze. What Miss Kishito said almost made me lose my balance.

"Yes. This one here is to be Lord Sesshoumaru's company tonight." Inu No Taisho's face seem to fall, unnoticed by everyone else. He quickly put on a smile. "This is a surprise! Usually it is the notorious Lady Hasuma." he said, smiling at the scowling woman. Noticing that Inu no Taisho was looking at her now, Hasuma quickly put on a smile.

"Seems like a change of plans, My Lord." she said, pouring the tea into Lord Kitai's cup. Jositomo nodded in agreement, pouring tea to Lord Qionin. "So it seems, my Lord." Everyone going back to what they were doing before, I nervously came to sit beside Lord Sesshoumaru.

I picked up the kettle for the tea and slowly began to pour it into his cup. Noticing my nervousness, Sesshoumaru spoke. "Do not waste the tea upon This Sesshoumaru." he growled, grabbing my hand and taking the tea from me. I opened my mouth to stop him, but he gave me a look that made me stop and sit still. Watching how elegantly he poured the hot liquid into two cups made me green in envy. I would never be able to do that.

"What are you staring at?" he asked, suddenly, making me jump.

"N-nothing." I stuttered, looking back down at his hands. I did not realize until now that I was staring at his face.

"Hn." he said, setting the half-empty tea kettle down and picking up his cup. Waiting for him to drink first, I picked my cup and took a small sip from it. A small sip turned into a nervous swallow. In no time, I had finished my tea and was reaching for the kettle again. It was then that he grabbed my hand to stop me.

"What are you doing?" he asked, his eyes boring into mine.

"G-getting more tea." I answered, wondering where all my stuttering was coming from.

"You are nervous. Why?" he asked, leaning closer to me. My eyes grew wide then, wishing he would not get so close to me. Not only was it making me even more uncomfortable, I did not wish for Hasuma to see it. I noticed that he had sniffed once before leaning back, probably smelling my new wave of nervousness, no doubt.

"What is your name?" he asked, now reaching for the bowl of noodles in front of him.

"Kagome, My Lord." I answered, my eyes focused on my hands sitting on my lap.

"Why do you not look at me when This Sesshoumaru speaks to you?" he asked. "Look at me." he demanded, his hand now on my chin, gently pulling my head up to him. My eyes met his as he stared into my eyes once more.

"You have very unusual blue eyes." he stated. His next statement made me blush a pretty pink. "They are... unique." he said, removing his hand to go back to eating.

"Thank you, My Lord." I said, feeling my face heat up even more.

"You would not be unpleasant to look at if you did not have all that make-up on your face." he said, before putting the chopsticks up to his mouth. "Next time, do not wear so much." I was glad that he did not find me unpleasant to look at. I would just have to remember to tell Hana not to apply so much next time.

"Eat. The food is quite tasteful to this Sesshoumaru's palette." he said, handing me my chopsticks.

_________

Taking a seat beside Miss Kishito, Lord Taisho watched the two with great amusement.

"It seems as if my son has actually taking a liking to one of your girls." he said, before eating. Miss Kishito nodded, inhaling the cigarette once more.

"So it seems. She just should not get used to it. She may not see him again." she said, glancing at the Dog General.

Inu No Taisho smiled. "Are you sure? If my son decides to take her back with us to the Shiro, then I will pay you handsomely."

Miss Kishito sighed. "If it comes to that, My Lord, then I will not be able to refuse your offer."

________

After a while, I had become brave enough to attempt to start a conversation with Sesshoumaru. Once in a while he would reply, but often times not. I would only get an intense stare in return. Not liking the look that he gave me, I would turn my head or look down at my hands until I can find something else that I think interesting to talk about. And could get him to reply to. It wasn't until I had handed him another cup of tea when I realized he was deep in thought. Suddenly grabbing my hand and surprising me, he sat down the tea and turned to look at me.

"How long have you been a geisha?" he asked. My eyebrows furrow. "Since I was sixteen."

"How old are you now?"

"Sixteen, My Lord." I answered, my hands down on my lap. He did not say anything after that. Looking over at Hasuma, I noticed that she seemed ready to do more than she was brought here to do. But I am not surprised and I was pretty sure the other lords there were not either.

"Have you been touched?" Sesshoumaru suddenly asked.

I quickly swivel my head around to stare at him, my brows furrowed. "Excuse me, My Lord?"

I distinctively heard a low growl erupt from his throat. "Have you, or have you not been touched?" My eyes widen, now understanding what he were asking. I have never done that. I had promised myself a long time ago that I would be better than Hasuma. That I would do that with someone I loved. Having Sesshoumaru ask me such thing was surprising and embarrassing. He growled once more.

"Answer me, onna!" The room suddenly becomes silent and all eyes are on me. Hasuma glances between me and Sesshoumaru as do Jositomo. Sesshoumaru's eyes never leave mine.

Quickly, Kagome! I tell myself before opening my mouth to answer, "I-"

"Is something wrong, My Lord?" I frown and look up at Hasuma. To my surprise, he turned to look at her as well. "Did this Sesshoumaru call for you?" he asked, coldly, surprising us both. Hasuma smiled pleasantly before glancing in my direction, giving me the look. The, wait-until-we-get-home look.

"No, My Lord. You didn't." she answered, bowing low before walking away, returning back to Lord Kitai. I sighed aloud, not meaning to. Apparently, Sesshoumaru hears me.

"You did not answer me before." he pressed the issue again. I look into his citrine eyes before attempting to answer once more. "I-" I swallow. "I have not been touched, My Lord." He takes a sip of his tea, choosing not to reply, once again, leaving me to wonder what he was thinking.

_______　

I suddenly heard a giggle and watch as Hasuma left off with Lord Kitai. I could only watch, my face twisting up in disgust. It seemed as if Hasuma could never do anything without involving doing that. Looking in Jositomo's direction, I notice that she seems torn in two. Not really wanting to do what Hasuma does, but doesn't want to be thought less of by Hasuma. Little did she know, not only was she virtually useless to Hasuma, but everyone else saw what kind of woman Hasuma and Jositomo was, making them both useless in their eyes.

I see Lord Lee whisper into her ear and watch how Jositomo's head nods in agreement. Watching them both pass through the door, going down that long hallway of sin, I turn to look at Sesshoumaru. I really hoped that he did not wish the same from me. Looking up from his food, he glances in my direction.

"Do not worry yourself, this Sesshoumaru does not require that of you." he says, reassuring me. My eyes wander back to his silken, silver locks, noticing how it falls down his shoulders as if it is the great waterfall itself.

"Have you ever performed?" he asked. I nodded. "Hai, My Lord. I have."

"Perform for me." he says, calling the men over with their instruments. I bit my bottom lip then. I had performed before, but not in front of someone so intimidating.

"Why, don't be shy!" General Inu No Taisho said, smiling. "Go ahead! Though the other lords are away, I would like to see your dance!" he said, enthusiastically. Blushing, I nodded before taking an instrument from one of the men.

I watched Sesshoumaru's eyes flicker with something once before the song started. I had practiced this song many times before, but had only danced to twice. When it started, I immediately got lost in it. Getting lost in the song Jia Ren Qu, I began to dance. Now, it was just me and the song. By the time the song and dance ended, the entire room was quiet. I was scared that they did not like it. Looking at Miss Kishito, I saw that the cigarette had left her mouth and her eyes wide. This could not be good. It wasn't until I heard him speak that a smile began to kiss my lips.

"Father. This One wishes to bring her back to the Shiro. Make sure it is done." he said before leaving. I watched him leave the room, sliding the shoji doors open and shut. I quickly turned and went to Miss Kishito, coming to a bow.

"Miss Kishito? Did Kagome do badly?" I asked, my eyes on the floor. Miss Kishito opened her mouth to speak, but Lord Taisho beat her to it.

"No! Oh, no, my dear! You did wonderfully!" he praised, smiling. "Rise! Rise!" he said, before speaking to Miss Kishito. "My, Miss Kishito! I did not know you had such a good dancer living with you! I had a feeling from the start that my son would wish for her to come back with her, but I just... Your price, Miss Kishito!" My eyes widened at this. I did not know that Lord Inu no Taisho had thought of buying me for his son. "You must give me your price for her!" he said, quickly, waving for his guards to come with the money.

"Any price?" Miss Kishito said, looking me over.

"Any at all." Lord Taisho said with a smile.

"Hmm..."

"Rebuild the Geisha house and," she leaned down to his ear to whisper. "Help get rid of Hasuma, she is beginning to be a problem."

Lord Taisho smiled. "It shall be done." he said, smiling at me. Suddenly standing, he placed his large hand on my shoulder. "We had better get going, little one. My son is not known for his patience."

_______　

Sitting in the carriage with Lord Sesshoumaru and Inu no Taisho was quite unnerving. It wasn't really Lord Inu no Taisho that had made me uncomfortable, but Lord Sesshoumaru. Lord Taisho seemed to be happy that I was coming back with them to the Shiro, but Sesshoumaru-sama... he seemed to keep an indifferent air about him. I really hoped that coming back with them wasn't a mistake.

I had slept a while after what had seemed to be more than an hour traveling. I had not noticed that I was lying on Sesshoumaru's shoulder until I was rudely awakened by the carriage hitting a deep spot on the trail. Sitting up quickly, my heart racing, I bowed my head.

"Forgive me, Sesshoumaru-sama." I apologized. "I--"

"You may go back to sleep. It is a long ride." he said, not looking at me, but out the carriages window. I nodded once before hesitantly lying my head back down on his shoulder, closing my eyes. I was quite surprised that he had not threatened to rip my head off or kill me. Unbeknownest to me, Lord Inu no Taisho was smiling.

_______

Sesshoumaru waited until Kagome was asleep before asking his father, "What are you smiling about, father?"

Inu no Taisho grinned. "I'm glad you seem to be taken with the girl, that is all." he then frowned. "I am quite glad that you had not chose Hasuma to go back with you to the Shiro. I had to agree with Miss Kishito that the woman does have a very bad temper and..." he cleared his throat. "getting rather old."

Sesshoumaru looked to his father, making sure the shift did not wake Kagome. "I would never think about bringing that woman to our Shiro, father." he said, glancing down at Kagome.

"And Kagome?" his father asked, smiling knowingly.

"Hn." Sesshoumaru answered, turning his head away. The girl smelled of honey, the scent pleasing to him and his beast, something he would not admit out loud.

_______

Strong arms picking me up woke me. Blinking, I rubbed my eyes.

"Sesshoumaru?" I asked, forgetting the honorific.

"Hn." he replied. I looked around and suddenly realized that we were in the Shiro, him carrying me up the stairs.

"You do not have to carry me, Sesshoumaru-sama. I can--"

"That is not necessary." he said, now walking down the long hall. "You are tired and it is best if you rest." he said, his word law. Stiffly nodding, I sneaked a peak at his eyes. They were blank as always, but every time I saw them, they intrigued me.

"I do not think I am tired anymore, My Lord." I said, softly. He suddenly stopped in front a large wood door.

"Are you going against this Sesshoumaru's word?" he asked, looking down at me. I blinked and quickly shook my head.

"N-no, My Lord. I am not." I said, as he opened the door the room. As Sesshoumaru lay me down on the king sized bed, he turned to close the door. Taking notice of the room, I could only smile. It was quite amazing.

"Who's room is this, My Lord?" I asked, running my hands over the black silk sheets.

"Mine." he says, his voice closer now.

"Then why am I--" I asked, only to be cut off by his nearness. He was standing right in front of me, his armor now gone.

"You will be staying in this room until this One decides to move you."

"Why?" I asked, my hand quickly going to my mouth. He only smirked, leaning down to my face.

"It seems that this Sesshoumaru did make the right choice." he said, staring into my eyes. I wanted to look away, turn away, anything, but I couldn't.

"I believe that in time, you will not be as shy anymore." he said pulling away. After a moment, he walked over to the door near his wardrobe, "This is my own personal onsen. Feel free to bathe after your rest. This Sesshoumaru will be back soon." he promised before leaving.

As soon as the door had closed, I laid back on the bed. Sighing softly, I moved to place my head on the soft pillows. Smiling, I closed my eyes, ready to sleep. "Such a strange day..."