The Serene Peony Of Winter [R. Sukuna]

CHAPTER - 1

A chilling gust of wind howled past, like the cry of a ghost, freezing in the winter night, it was quiet, too quiet. Utterly pin-drop-silent― the moon peaked through your windows as you sat on the tatami mat facing your desk, a single candle illuminated the room, though a small section at least you could see nonetheless.

In front of you sat the Oka-san of the Okiya House, you had lived your life  here and  will even die here. Oka-san raised you, and is the person who currently owns your life. She made you the Geisha you are today, sure life was hard but well at least  better than rotting in a ditch.

"Y/n, do you know why I personally  came to your room late at night?", staring at your face, she blew her pipe

"I came because"― a sigh escaped, as she tapped her fingers, "You will be entertaining a guest, a guest who you would not even be able to get a peek off" She paused carefully wording her next sentence and leaned in speaking words only for you and her to hear

"The King of Curses, Ryomen Sukuna", the calm demeanor changed as she put her pipe away, eyes shaking, cold sweat dripping down her brows as she dug her nails into the tatami mat

Air froze, the moon hid, silence filled the room, you stared at her― lips parted― shook to your core.

"Ryomen Sukuna!?", your eyes widened in horror wondering if this was even real, you frantically grabbed your teapot and directly drank the tea from it― it burned your throat, something you would never do as a Geisha, but it did not matter right now.

"Hush!", she hissed as she covered your mouth with her palm, "Yes him"

"Have you finally lost your mind Oka-san!? Are You crazy!? You know it's forbidden, we take bribes from the sorcerers  to keep an eye out for curses! and entertain sorcerers exclusively", removing her palm from your mouth, you look at her in the eyes, angry, panicked, a mixture of emotions

"Oh, shut up, you are overreacting", biting her lip, she puffed her pipe

"You think I would not think twice without planning?", she snorted

"You saw the two bodies today that were taken out of the Okiya?", taking a sharp breath, she slammed her hands on the table― eyes staring into yours fiercely 

"He did it, he killed them, you think I can say no to him? I might be old, but the old lady still values her neck. I am no fool", puffing her pipe she caressed her neck

"You―", biting your lip, as you tried to refute her words, "What about me? What if I die?", clenching your jaw, you slammed your hand on the table

"He is, Ryomen Sukuna― The King of Curses, Worshipped as a God, you think I will even live past 2 seconds?"

"We are just a small Okiya in this isolated prefecture getting by Y/n, for him to even find us is one in a million chance― think about it", her eyes gleamed with excitement

"If you do manage to garner his attention, in the couple hours you spend with him, our lives will change― the local sorcerers do give us money but can it compare to a drop of what, he will give", her eyes looked neurotic, as a chuckle escaped from her mouth- a cackle

Your head hung low, as the words sunk in, after all, she was correct. It was true, the glamorous outlook of the Okiya is just hollow, the amount of money needed to raise future ladies, supply the servants, and every drop of gold that glistens, all have a price.

"Y/n, price― is something one needs to pay, even laughter has a price you know? After all, you yourself  have seen, the value of gold, if your skills manage to amuse him, he stays for even 5 minutes, It will be an achievement"

The faint scent of herbs lingered in the air, as silence drowned in the room, candlelight flickering, a choice must be made, what path will you choose dear y/n?

"I-", you pause as you raise your head

"I will meet him, I will, make him stay, so what if he is the King of Curses? I will use all I have got", a whisper escaped your lips as your eyes bore into hers, clenching your fist nails digging deep into your palms- crimson staining your hands― trying to steel yourself  for what was about to come.

"You really are, a true Geisha"

"But- what if someone finds out?", your throat felt dry as you asked the question

"You will meet him only at night, mornings will be rare, don't worry", taking another puff she looks at you calmly

"I will take care of it if needed, I will stitch the lips of the servants with a needle if needed to keep their mouths shut", she smiled warmly- how can she say such words and smile so beautifully is beyond you

"Now prepare yourself, here, based on what I felt from him, I made a note of him, read it", digging deep into her bosom, she took out a small scroll, slid it on the table towards you, and walked out

"A man of dominance, a man of cruelty, a man beyond human that is what he is, give him an experience beyond humanity"

x-x-x-x-x-x

The moon stood in the sky, somehow all visible, as if waiting in expectation, agape, to witness this. It gossiped with the wind, the stars, and your eyes.

You sat, dressed up, wearing your black Kuromontsuki, only worn for special occasions. Adorned with silken embroidery white and gold colored threads, blending, mixing into a crane as clouds surround and flow with the flowers. Your hair is in a Geiko Shimada, adorned with flowers, rouge on your cheeks, and lips blood red.

With your eyes gazing at the tatami mat, quietly, contemplating if this will be the last time you ever see yourself breathing

Tut, tut, tut

The doors open, to the lavish private room, silks, and wine kept. Scrolls of paintings adorned the room.

"I, Y/n greet, Ryomen Sukuna-sama"

gaze not daring to look up you keep it low

"I hope your journey was not too tiring, if I may be allowed so, shall I pour you a cup of tea?"

Raising your head up, eyes meeting his

"So this is, The Serene Peony of Winter? Y/n?"

A deep chuckle escaped his lips, eyes chilling you to the bone, looked deep into yours, without even undressing you felt stripped naked, exposed- so vulnerable, you wanted to run to hide and pretend its a bad dream but―

The scent of winter, and the silky fabric around you, felt too real to think of as a dream.