Death of a Maiko

[Okay…Posted this under notes on Facebook the other day, but it’s invisible there. This is from when I asked for pictures to attempt to write from…Ages ago. Kira left a link to a picture that I ended up using. So this is what I got…]

Aiko stood overlooking the estate of Gohachiro. This would be her last night as a maiko. She would enter Tegome where Gohachiro awaited her, she would submit herself to him as the mizuage required her to do, and in the morning she would return to Raku, her onee-san to undergo the rite of erikae. Aiko would be a geisha.

“Don’t do it.” The voice behind Aiko spooked her. “You don’t have to go through this.” Benjiro spoke again, a pleading tone to his voice. “We can be together.”

“Benjiro-san,” Aiko began, “I do love you, but this I my solemn duty. Raku has trained me for years, she has been like a mother to me in the absence of my own. I can not dishonor her.”

“And do mothers make a habit of selling their daughters?” Benjiro snapped.

“Raku did not sell me,” Aiko returned. “Gohachiro-sama is my patron. He is paying my way from maiko to geisha. As such, certain things are his.” Aiko dropped her eyes, tears threatening to spill down her white painted cheeks. “Take heart that when this is done Gohachiro-sama will no longer be a part of my life.”

“Aiko, my beloved,” Benjiro spoke softly, “let us, before you go to him.

Aiko shook her head, a sad smile upon her red painted lips. “If it could be…” the words trailed off. “I can not take the chance of him knowing. Gohachiro-sama has paid handsomely for his privileges. I must honor my commitment. We will be together, when I am geisha.