Encounters With Elegance by GG

People from Yoshiwara: Young Pair of Lovers

People from Yoshiwara: Young Pair of Lovers

            The teahouse was full of voices and laughter as geishas, samurai, young lords courtesans and merchants entertained each other. Kagome had not meant to go out tonight, but Sango insisted on her joining her so she could possibly find a new patron since Hojo had decided that if her could not have Kagome as his and only his, he would not have her at all. She was glad she had gone out though, for at the moment she was enjoying a particularly pleasant conversation with a dog demon Lord by the name of Sesshoumaru.

            He was a bit rough around the edges—he had called just about every other person in the room a fool for some reason or another—but he was handsome, and smart. She found out that he read, a lot.

            “Do you prefer historical writings or fictional my lord?” Kagome asked as she poured tea into his cup.

            “I prefer poetry.” He said looking around the room in distaste.

            “Really? I know few males who have the patience for it, most of which are poets them selves.” She took along sip of her tea, looking over the rim of her cup at him. She blinked slowly, holding his gaze for a moment. If she was lucky, then she was looking at a future patron.

Sesshoumaru scrutinized her carefully for a moment. He knew she was a courtesan, and it didn’t bother him in the least.  Except for the fact that up until just now he had never considered paying a woman for such things. This woman how ever, was enticing to say the least.

“I write on occasion.” He finally replied.

“May I hear a haiku my lord?” She asked quietly,  trying to hold her curiosity at bay.

“The koi swim with grace

While the moon shines down brightly

On glistening scales” He recited it carefully, letting each line roll off his lips, like marbles on velvet.

They stared at each other for a long moment, both contemplating their next move in the game they seemed to be playing. The rumble of voices seemed to go down, and the people seemingly disappeared. Finally, Sesshoumaru made his move. Cautiously, he reached across the table and took her wrist, and brought it over to him while continuing to hold her gaze. Then he pressed his nose to the base of her palm and inhaled deeply.

Butterflies exploded in her stomach.

“Your scent…” he began. “Is that of a summer breeze through an orange tree.”

Kagome was thankful of the moderate amount of make-up she wore that night, or else the burning blush she felt in her face would be quite obvious.

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Word count: 450

Disclaimer: the writing is mine, but the characters Kagome and Sesshoumaru are not mine nor are the prints im basing this off of.

R&R please,

p.s. each chapter is named for the print it’s based off of.