Book #1: The Wind and The Rain: Kutzu and Namie

Chapter Five- The Red Shrine

Three hours later Kutzu woke up Namie by pouring a cold bucket of water on her. Namie quickly got up and stood straight. 

Kutzu said, "Get ready quickly!" 

Namie quickly put on her juban, kimono, tabi socks, and her hair piece. Namie ran down the stairs and into the kitchen. Kutzu shoved rice porridge in her mouth and told her to go to the big red building and then look for your name. Namie nodded as she slipped on her zori sandals and ran out the door. It was still storming outside, but today it was freezing cold. Namie turned around and walked back into the genkan.

 "Kutzu!" She yelled through the screen door. 

Kiko ran to the door and opened it. As Namie stood in the genkan Kiko ran down the stairs. Kiko grabbed Namie's left shoulder and put her finger to Namie's lips and then she leaned in so far that her lips were on her finger also. 

"Hush, child! Kutzu doesn't like to be bothered. In fact no geisha likes to be bothered. Whatever you need just ask me."

 Namie nodded and then rubbed her arms signaling that she was cold. Kiko dipped her head and walked back up the stairs. Namie waited there for five minutes then kiko came back outside with a white kimono coat and a sash. Kiko ran down the stairs and up to Namie. Kiko forcefully put on the coat and then tied the sash.

 "Now hurry along!" Kiko slapped Namie's butt and Namie darted off into the freezing rain.

 As she turned the corner she saw a big red shrine looking building with a huge board. Namie walked up to the board and found her name in the top left corner written in beautiful ink.

Namie- Room juuichi (11)

Namie noticed many girls wearing the same kimonos as her walking up the grand steps and into the old shrine looking building. Namie slowly stepped up the stairs and opened the old wooden door. Inside the shrine there was a big golden fountain with a big jade dragon. There were room numbers so Namie went to room eleven. In the room there were many girls about her age with fans and instruments. She walked into the room and turned around so she can take off her shoes. A young rather plump lady with a bamboo stick and a green kimono walked up to her and stricked her back with the bamboo stick.

 "Why are you late?" The lady howled at Namie. 

Namie turned around and looked at the lady with shock and with tears in her eyes.

 "I..don't k-know," Namie said still looking at the lady.

 "I don't know what?" The lady as she asked and then stood there for a while.

 "Ma'am?" Namie asked. 

The lady tossed the bamboo stick on the ground and Turned around. 

"All of you grimy children will address me as Etsu-San!" Etsu-San turned around and pointed her finger at Namie. 

"Sit down," she said.