Hakuouki: Beautiful Scars

1: The First Encounter

Kyoto. June, 1864.

The cold water swings back and forth in the large wooden basin as I wash the delicate kimonos carefully, removing any stains from last night. It was in the middle of June, when the sunlight's rays were burning, and the humidity in the atmosphere seemed to rise. Dews of sweat were beginning to stream slowly down my forehead and my back was starting to stick to my clothes. But that didn't matter. I had to finish my work as soon as possible.

"Oi, Ato-kao (scar face)! Hurry up!" Tsubame urges me haughtily, "If my kimono isn't dry for tonight, I'll tell Miura-sama to cut off your meals!"

I sigh, "Yes, Tsubame-sama." Just because you're a known geisha here, it doesn't mean you have the authority to do whatever you want with me. But if she were to tell Miura-sama, the head maid, I'd still be in trouble for being slow. I scrub a little faster. I hear her mumble to herself and walk away.

Twisting the silk, the excess water escaped through my fingers slowly. I stand up and give the fabric a shake, removing the excess water off. I hang it up to dry on the laundry line.

I bring the back of my wrist to my forehead and pat away my sweat, staring up at the clear skies. I let go of a breath, "Well, I'm almost done." I quickly return to my work, washing the next kimono.

My name is Hirikawa Chiyo. If you haven't known, I am a low maid in the red-light district house, Shimabara. In here, I'm also known as Ato-kao or scar face. My skin is marked with dark scars that failed to return to normal, but I'm quite thankful for it. Without these scars, I wouldn't be a maid. My face though was a different story. Not that I care how I look like, but I was burned on my left cheek before I was sold off here. I wasn't sure how to feel about it, but it served to be a good sign. Once the head mistress had saw me, I was no longer a candidate for a geisha. Frankly, I'd rather be sold off a maid here...

It's been 10 years since my father sold me off to work here forever. I haven't spoken or kept in touch with him from then on. I've managed to become used to this lifestyle and made a few friends. Sure, most of the Geisha's were harsh to me but not all of them are like that. There was Mitsu, a servant girl like me, my friend Yukiji who was a Geiko, and Kimigiku, a Orian who treats me well.

I kept my focus on my work until suddenly, a noise from the main building grabbed my attention. The laughter of kids and squeals from the courtesans were heard throughout the house. I quickly ran over, curiosity guiding me.

As I entered, three familiar and lively children chase each other. I finally notice the source of all this chaos. A adorable small puppy with grey fur and a used-to-be-white belly. It makes a loud high pitch bark.

"Catch it Rika!" Ashitaka's vibrant childish voice called. Miura-sama, the head maid walked in to see the house in chaos. Her expression in shock and immediately into terrifying anger.

Rika hollered back, "I'm trying!"

"W-w-wait guys! Wait for m-me!" the stuttering voice of Yuuto echoed.

"Chiyo! Stop them!" Miura-sama shouts at me with a glare.

"Yes, Miura-sama!" I bowed to her and immediately run in front of Rika who bumps into me, "Ah!"

Then Ashitaka who bumps into Rika, "Ow!"

Then Yuuto into Ashitaka, "Ouf!"

The puppy returns and jumps onto Rika's arms.

Automatically, the room switches into dead silence as the head mistress, Ueno-sama walks over to me. I gasp softly and quickly bow. She is a middle age woman, probably in her late 40s, wearing a moss green kimono and sophisticated hair.