Chapter 134

Being a courtesan

Jaken was running around the town like crazy. Actually he was going crazy – with fear. Every passing hour felt like the rope tightening around his neck. Not only he lost his human companions, including Sesshomaru-sama’s wife and ward, but also it was highly probable, that they had been kidnapped. Again. Jaken scowled. He had the suspicion, that it happened because of Mai’s supernatural ability  of getting into the trouble. Maybe her ancestors had been cursed? Cursed or not, it was him, who was responsible for their safety. Once Sesshomaru-sama found out… Jaken dreaded even to think of that!

The imp kept searching the town methodically. He went back to the inn, but the humans naturally weren’t there. He suspected, that they had been sold as slaves to one of the town’s inhabitants. Therefore he was checking every household and every shop, looking for his lost companions. He even cancelled all Mai’s orders and got the money back, so that he would be able to buy them back just in case they had been already purchased by someone. 

“A woman, short, brown hair past shoulders, green kimono? Little girl in orange kimono?” he kept asking in the shop selling sandals, but there was no information either. Jaken hung his head and was about to walk away, when he saw a familiar silhouette.

“I said faster!” Some demon yelled and whipped the poor child, who was carrying a lot of heavy packs. Jaken narrowed his eyes. There was no doubt! He recognized the boy!

“Kohaku.” He said quietly, glad, that he found one of them. He hurried to the man, who appeared to be his owner.

“Jaken-sama!” the boy exclaimed, but the imp shushed him, knowing, how such matters were dealt with in this town.

“I’ll buy this boy! How much do you want?” Jaken asked the youkai. The demon furrowed his brows.

“He’s not for sale. I bought him only two hours ago.” He muttered and was about to walk away, but the imp blocked his way.

“I was asking: how much?” Jaken repeated.

The man wasn’t a stupid one and greed didn’t let such an opportunity slide.

“Thirty golden coins.” He named the price three times higher than when he purchased the boy on the slave auction.

Without saying a word, Jaken emptied the pouch and handed the man the exact amount of gold. The youkai passed the control device to the imp and walked away, carrying the heavy packs all by himself.

“It’s good to see you Jaken-sama! You saved me.” Kohaku thanked him. Jaken nodded.

“You’re welcome. Where are Mai and Rin-chan?” he asked, while getting rid off the collar on 

Kohaku’s neck. Once the boy was free from the metal ring, he shook his head.

“I don’t know. We were separated.” He replied.

Jaken sighed heavily. His misery wasn’t over, for he still had to find the females.

Mai and Rin were ushered into the large chamber filled with human women. It was horribly noisy here – the laugher and chatting were making this place seem as lively as a beehive. When she entered, the girl instantly found herself in the center of attention. The courtesans were scanning her upside down, loudly commenting her good and bad points. Mai was nervously glancing sideways, not sure, what she should do.

“Hey, new one!”she heard someone calling from the far end of the chamber. Not waiting for anything else, Mai rushed forward, wanting to escape the curious stares as quick as possible. She faced a woman around her thirties, who also scanned her up and down. “Gods, have you been bathing in mud? Your clothes are dirty and torn!”

Mai winced, while being scolded by the courtesan. The woman grabbed her cheeks and squeezed them, forcing the corners of her mouth twist up.

“Smile, girl, smile!” she exclaimed. “No one wants to see a courtesan pouting or crying. Smile is gold! The more you smile, the more customers pay. The more they pay, the better life you’ll have!”

Mai glared at her, not willing to explain, that she wasn’t planning on making a career in whoring business, but was just temporarily stuck in this place. The middle-aged courtesan grabbed her hand and began leading the two girl somewhere.

“Oh, I forgot to introduce myself!” she said, flashing a bright smile. “I’m Tsukiko and I’ll teach you about this and that.”

Mai sighed heavily, seeing, that the woman was winking to her. She definitely didn’t know about “this and that”.

“I’m Mai and this is Rin.” She introduced herself and the kid. Tsukiko clapped her hands, opening the door leading to the spacious bathing-chamber.

“Nice to meet you two! I’m sure, that you’ll be the best courtesans in this town!” she exclaimed confidently.

Mai muttered something under her nose in response, not sharing her enthusiasm.

Then, Tsukiko insisted on having Mai and even Rin undergoing some beautifying procedures, that included the hot bath in rose petals, manicure, massage and even the much-desired depilation. 

Actually, it was like going to spa. If not the tiny fact, that she was in a brothel, the girl would enjoy it very much. After the three hours of undergoing the beautifying procedures, Mai and Rin got dressed in plain pink kimonos. The girl thought, that this wasn’t the worst way to be kidnapped. It was a pity, that not always she had such a comfortable prison. Now her skin was nearly glowing, smooth and soft, not to mention, that she smelled very nicely now. She felt like a new person.

“Much better now?” Tsukiko made sure, when she was leading the girls back to the chamber, where all the courtesans were gathering. “Now you’ll see, how a courtesan should prepare herself before a meeting with a customer.”

Mai nodded, now much less defiant. Well, the free spa and a beautician course while waiting to be saved wasn’t really what you call torture.

“Everyone, say hi to Mai!” Tsukiko called to the courtesans, as soon as she appeared in the doorframe. The other women greeted the new girl, some less enthusiastic than the others.  

Compared to the casual atmosphere before, now everyone was hectic, busy applying make-up and helping each other get dressed. Tsukiko immediately joined in, explaining everything to Mai and Rin in the process. As the girl saw, the way of applying make-up differed according to the age of the girl and taste of a client. Some girls had to paint their faces like geishas and the other had only a light make-up applied.

Once Mai more or less mastered the way of painting the faces, what went very fast, as she had some experience before, Tsukiko began teaching her way of putting up the attire. The kimonos the courtesans wore were quite sluttish in Mai’s opinion, as they exposed the shoulders and the cleavage. But, maybe she got used to this era just a little bit too much. After all the clothes in the 21th century were exposing much more flesh.

Suddenly, the sliding door opened with a loud “bam” and the demoness Akako stormed in. She scanned the room and pointed a group of girls, who were already prepared.

“You five, go to the second hall!” she commanded, before looking at the other girl.

“Eiko, Harumune-san is waiting for you in the third room. Hurry up!” she was frantically giving orders. “Where’s Mariko?”

“I’m on my period!” the girl named Mariko shouted back. The demoness frowned, biting her lower lip.

“Yumi, you’ll replace her.” She decided quickly. “Shika, Ai, Riko, get ready. Your regular customers announced, that they’ll visit this evening.”

With that Akako stormed off the chamber and chaos ensued. Now the preparation were made at a crazy pace, the women helping each other. Once dressed, the women were running out of the room to meet customers.

“Business is booming.” Mai made a remark, looking at the commotion and helping one of the girls get dressed. Tsukiko laughed.

“This is the most famous house of pleasure in this town.” She explained. “And of course the prices are highest too.”

Rin furrowed her brows, while passing the courtesan an obi.

“What exactly are we supposed to do here?” the child asked. Tsukiko was already opening her mouth to speak, but Mai was faster.

“To work as waitresses. You know, pouring the drinks and such.” She said, gaining a disapproving look form the middle-aged courtesan. Well, it was half-true, if one omitted the second part.

“Okay.” Rin nodded, the serious expression on her face.

Then the door flew open again, as Akako rushed inside.

“Five girls. Experienced.” She breathed out. “And three virgins. Be quick!”

After saying that much, she ran off again. Tsukiko shook her head, seeing another large group of women depart, leaving the chamber nearly empty, with only seven girls inside: Tsukiko, Mai, Rin, the one called Mariko, who was on her period, and three others.

“My, my, the night hasn’t even started and everyone is working already. It’s going to be a busy night.” Tsukiko said, finishing the make-up of one of the remaining courtesans. Mai sighed and sat on the cushions, wondering, when Sesshomaru would come here at last. After all, following the scent was a piece of cake for him.

“Two girls!” Mai nearly jumped from surprise as the door opened again and Akako yelled another order, looking at the nearly-empty chapter. She slid her gaze over Mai and Rin, the courtesan-in-training and the child. She also ignored Tsukiko and looked at the remaining four girls.

“Suzu, Bunko, get ready. The customers are waiting.” She commanded.

Suzu nodded and began readjusting her clothes, while Bunko was hesitating.

“I have my period.” She muttered.

The demoness Akako rolled her eyes.

“You too? Well, that can’t be helped.” She replied.

One of the girls offered her help by lifting her hand.

“I can go instead of her!” she volunteered. Akako looked at her and narrowed her eyes.

“Are you crazy?!” the demoness shrieked. “Look at yourself! You’re all swollen and sweating! Do you have no common sense?! March to bed and get better! I won’t allow you to die, because you want to work while being sick!”

Mai flinched, hearing the demoness shrieking. Well, at least she was kind enough to send the sick girl to bed… her own bed that is. 

Akako scanned the room.

“Mariko, Bunko, go and take care of the customers, while they will be waiting. Entertain them somehow.” She said, stalking closer to the group, where Mai was. “Hmm… What now? We’ve run out of the girls.”

Tsukiko smiled and flipped her hair.

“I’m still beautiful and in a good shape.” She offered her help, but Akako snorted.

“The customer ordered two young virgins. You can fake being a virgin, but you can’t fake being old.” The demoness muttered, obviously in a foul mood.

“I’m not old!” Tsukiko protested. The owner of the brothel arched her eyebrow.

“Tsukiko, you are forty years old. Anyway this old pervert popped your cherry twenty-five years ago. He might still remember that.”

The courtesan frowned, as her age was apparently her complex. Akako sighed and looked at Mai, scanning her up and down.

“Tsukiko,” she addressed the middle-aged courtesan. “Give the new-one a crash-course. She’ll have to take her first customer earlier than planned.”

Hearing the demoness’s words, Mai paled. The girl shook her head.

“No way!” She exclaimed, clenching her fists and glaring at the owner of the brothel. “I won’t do it!”

“Mai.” Tsukiko tried to calm her down, but Mai was set on fighting for her virtue.

“I won’t! You won’t make me!” she hissed out into Akako’s face.

The youkai woman frowned, displeased by the violent reaction. Then, using her demonic speed, she grabbed Rin’s hand and whisked the child away from Mai. She flexed her red claws, gazing the little girl’s neck.

“Usually I hate to resort to such means, but you leave me no choice, fiery girl. You will work tonight or your little sister dies.” Akako threatened. The demoness brutally grabbed struggling Rin by her hair and cut the skin on her neck a little to emphasize her words. Then, she looked at Mai. “So, how would it be?”

Mai let out a furious hiss, pissed, that she was being threatened into doing something like that again. However, she had no choice – Rin’s life depended on this.

“All right.” She said finally.

Akako smiled.

“I’m glad, that we finally agree. Hurry up!” She told Mai and left, taking Rin with her.

Mai cursed loudly.

“There, there… it isn’t that bad.” Tsukiko tried to make the girl feel better, while ushering her to sit on a pillow. “You’re a virgin, right. It’ll hurt at first, but then it will be quite bearable.”

Mai glared at the courtesan, as the woman began applying make-up an Mai’s face. In the same time Suzu, who was ready, helped and did the girl’s hair up, decorating it with a couple of golden hairpins.

“Remember, be nice to the customer and praise him a lot.” Tsukiko offered her advice.

“Even if he does poorly in bed.” Suzu added. The older woman nodded.

“That’s right. You have to tell him things like: ‘oh, you’re so amazing’ and ‘that was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever experienced’. Men like to be praised. It boosts their egos. Wives usually keep scolding them, so they want to feel like gods for once. That is our job – to make them happy.”

“And don’t forget to scream.” Suzu advised Mai, who was getting more and more panicked and embarrassed by those friendly advices. 

“Even if you don’t like it, pretend, that it’s fantastic.” Tsukiko said, yanking Mai up and dressing her in the courtesan’s attire. Mai tried to pull the fabric up to hide her breasts more, but the older woman stopped her from doing that. Instead she pulled the kimono off her shoulders and tightened the broad obi, so that her breast wandered up, now horribly exposed in the most erotic way.

“Done.” Tsukiko announced, leading Mai to the mirror. 

Once she saw her own reflection, the girl gasped both from terror and amazement. Tsukiko and Suzu managed to make her much more prettier than usual. Of course the visit in the brothel’s spa also had some effect. She looked kind of… sexy. But, it was what worried her the most. Her shoulders were bare and the cleavage enormous, exposing a lot of flesh. Her breasts looked as though they were about to set themselves free. The tightly tied obi made them stand out even more.

“I’m so jealous!” Suzu sighed. “You have such pretty breasts! And the shape is nice too. Mine are far too small.”

Mai’s face flushed from the embarrassing compliment. Then, Tsukiko ushered the both girls out of the chamber and closed the door behind them. Mai gulped, as Suzu led her to their destination. Her hands began shaking and her breathing hitched. Damn, she didn’t want it to end like this! Everything would be better than having some stranger do her. Crap, right now she would even rape Sesshomaru if it helped her avoid the miserable fate.

“Relax.” Suzu tried to encourage her with a smile. 

The courtesan opened the door to the chamber and stepped in. Mai took a deep breath, slowly counted to ten and followed her to meet her doom.

Author Note:

Hello, my dear readers? How was your weekend? I hope it was fine despite the lack of the updates. Anyway, I just got back from my trip and I'm ready to catch up with providing new chapters for you! Please review!
Meinz!