Chapter One: Meetings

Sasuke Uchiha looked with extreme distaste at the group of drunk men sullying his view of the Leaf Village's Shrine. It was the only place in the entire village that wasn't full of drunk men and giggling prostitutes, looking for another prey to reap money out of. More than once had he been approached by these women, with blushing faces and misleading smiles, and been told about the services that they offer. And more than once had he told them off and rejected them. Most of them would then turn away with pouts gracing their features, but there were bold ones who then informed him that they would lower the price rate for him.

Of course, the answer was still no. If the prostitute insisted on him, he himself would then turn and leave. He had no time for such blasphemous activities. He had always believed that those things were supposed to be done by two people whose hearts have melted as one. But all those drunk bastards were just looking for entertainment, and something to drown those lustful urges from within them. Sasuke wasn't pleased with people who behave in such an improper manner, and as a member of the honourable Uchiha family, he wasn't about to go and ruin his reputation by mingling with such improper people. So he left his Sake bottle by the bench and stood up to leave.

The shops and teahouses all over the village were brimming with excitement. Bright lights and music from string instruments and drums drifted in and out of the air. Sasuke scoffed and turned away. The fact that a lot of people have so much time for those ridiculous affairs proved just how low the world has sunk. Sasuke sneered at the thought of his fellow men giving into the bait of those horrible women with the overly thick makeup and the suggestive kimonos. Ever since he learned of all these horrible activities, he always did his best to stay on top of the world and made a vow to himself to never associate with people like prostitutes and their clients.

Sasuke reached a place a bit darker than the lively areas of town. There were mostly houses, but they were all locked with the windows brought down. The residents were most probably asleep or dancing the night away at the local teahouses, which pretty much explain why only the residencial part of the village was quiet. It was also dark. It was quite dangerous for someone to walk around here alone, but that thought should be reserved for women or for some other men. Because nobody in the Hidden Leaf Village, or in the Land of Fire for that matter, would dare show a pinch of ill behaviour towards a member of the Uchiha.

Sasuke continued on his way, enjoying the cool, evening air and the serene stillness of the atmosphere and the soft sounds of the waves from the nearby river. Things were going along quite pleasantly until he heard voiced a few meters away from him. Sasuke squinted in the darkness and saw a group of people crowding around something…or someone. When he finally got near enough, he saw that they were crowding around a young girl.

"I already said that we'd pay you, okay?" One man said, a hint of impatience in his voice.

"And I've already said that I am not for sale," The girl replied, her voice gentle and high like windchimes, but they came across strongly. There wasn't a hint of fear or hesitation in it.

"Not for sale?" One man scoffed, "You have to be joking. One look at you and your clothes and one would immediately know that you are a prostitute,"

"I am different, okay?" The girl insisted with anger lacing her voice. "I am a Geisha! Not a prostitute! Get it through that thick head of yours before I drive it straight into a ditch!"

"Why, what an ill-mannered lady!" The same man from before sneered as he stared at the girl in front of him who stood stiffly and strongly, as if taking root of the whole situation.

Sasuke peered in closer. He could only see as much as the outline of the girl's face, but he could see what she was wearing under the bright moonlight. She was wearing a bright pink kimono with swirls of brown stitches and white and pink specks that seemed to emulate a cherry blossom tree in full bloom. Tied behind her back was a dark red obi with yellow petal prints. Her hair was done up elaborately in a classy bun with two lotus hair ornaments. Sasuke narrowed his eyes. The girl was telling the truth. She was a Geisha. No prostitute would have the money or luxury to buy such an expensive kimono. If she wasn't a Geisha or someone of high standing, even one of those lotus hair ornaments would cost too much.

The men kept on pressuring the girl, "Don't tell us you're not for sale when you're wearing a prostitute's getup!"

The girl slapped the man's hand away when he attempted to place it on her shoulder, "Listen you lowlife! Prostitutes tie their obi in front! And, as you can see, my obi is currently tied behind my back! Or are you blind?"

"For a girl who sells herself to men…you sure do talk with a lot of spunk!" The man looked angry now. The girl knew this but didn't seem to have any plan to back off. Instead, she stood her ground and gave him the coldest stare she could muster.

Sasuke was impressed. The men looked like they were made of money. They were definitely nobles, and he was sure that the girl knew it too. He found it astonishing that she would decline an offer of money despite her job. Her courage impressed him, too, so while normally, he would leave someone in trouble alone, this time, he decided to help her. Sasuke strode out of the shadows and stepped into the light. The men all turned to him. The girl glowered, "Now what do you want?"

To her surprise, all of the men who were threatening her earlier bowed down until their foreheads touched the dirt. They all fell like hapless kittens to this new stranger's feet. She had the urge to bow down, too, but stood her ground and showed no signs of respect, assuming that he was the boss of those horrible men.

Sasuke looked at the men, then turned to her, "Darling, have they been troubling you?"

The girl's eyes widened and her mouth fell open slightly. Sasuke noticed this and resisted the urge to smirk. Now that he got a closer look at her, he realized why those men were bent on buying her. She was slim and petite with just the right height. Her hair was pink and shone like silk under the gentle moonlight. Her eyes were a vibrant green and now they stared at him with confusion. He expected her to give him a witty comeback, but she just stood there, her pretty face clouded with confusion.

"Darling, are you alright?" Sasuke asked, putting on his best worried face and spoke in the gentlest voice he could muster. "Have they done anything to you? Are you hurt in any way?"

"N-No, Uchiha-sama!" One of the men said, his voice trembling, "We haven't done anything to her! Me and my fellow men here mistook her for a…a…a prostitute! Forgive us, we didn't do anything wrong."

"And if I didn't arrive on time?" Sasuke questioned, his voice cold once more. "What could you have done to her if I didn't arrive?"

The men couldn't speak and they avoided his eyes by staring straight to the ground. Before Sasuke could do anything, the girl spoke, "No, Darling…I'm fine."

Sasuke turned to her, surprise in his eyes. He didn't expect the girl to catch up on the plan immediately. Her face held no signs of lies. Her voice sounded genuine as if she were really his lover. He came closer to her and put a hand around her shoulder. "That's good. I was worried for a moment when you didn't show up in front of the shrine. I thought something happened," he turned to the men who were trembling slightly, "and it seems that I was right,"

"Uchiha-sama!" One of the men said, "Forgive us. We did not know that she was your lady! We assumed that she was a Geisha but—"

"A Geisha?" Sasuke feigned anger, "You dare associate my wife with such an immoral job?"

He felt the girl flinch beside him. He turned slightly so that his face was directly in front of her ear, and whispered, "This is all a part of the act. Don't worry, I don't mean it."

Sasuke turned back to the men who were still on the ground. And to seal the act, he turned to his 'wife' once more, "Darling, what kind of punishment would you like me to present to these men? Just say what you feel is appropriate and I will have it done."

The men trembled beneath their feet, but the girl's reply was simple, "Just let them go. The more we pay attention to them, the more we sink to their level,"

He turned to the men and glared, "Leave and make sure you don't do this again to her or to anyone else. Understood?"

"Y-Yes!" They all stood up shakily and gave short bows, "Thank you, Uchiha-sama," then much to the girl's surprise, they also turned to her and gave her a much deeper bow, "Thank you Lady Uchiha," then they all scurried away like sewer rats eager to escape a cat on the prowl.

Sasuke removed his hand from her shoulder. "Well that was hilarious,"

The girl turned to him and laughed, "Yeah they really bought that ridiculous act!" Her green eyes sparkled mischievously, "Thanks, by the way."

"You don't need to say thank you. I would have done it to anyone who was in trouble," Sasuke told her.

"Still, your help was appreciated," The girl said, smiling. She held out a slender hand, "My name is Sakura. Haruno Sakura."

"I'm Uchiha Sasuke," he replied, taking her hand and shaking it.

"No wonder those bastards treated you like a god," Sakura laughed, then she tilted her head curiously, "If I may ask, why did you bother to pretend to be my lover when you could have just told them to back off…seeing that you're really a respected man here…"

"Not to offend you," Sasuke replied, "But I did that because I don't want anyone to know that an Uchiha is associated with a Geisha. No offense,"

"None taken," Sakura nodded, "In fact, I hate my job too,"

"Then why don't you quit?"

Sakura shrugged, "I'd have no money then. This is my only source of income….if it isn't for this job, I would be out in the streets as a street rat,"

"I see," Sasuke muttered. He looked around before his gaze fell on her again, "If I may ask…what's the real difference between a prostitute and a Geisha?"

"Geisha are artists," Sakura replied breezily, "We're specially trained to entertain people with dance, music, and all other forms of art. Prostitutes, on the other hand, sell their bodies to men. As you can see, there's a huge gap between us."

"But I've heard that some Geisha are being paid to sleep with men…"

Sakura scoffed, "Yes, some Geisha are like that. There are instances wherein some men aren't contented with plain entertainment. Sometimes they want something beyond that….and they usually pay a Geisha they fancy to sleep with them. But of course, we are supposed to say no. Geisha aren't trained for those immoral acts…we're trained for art. Only the most immoral Geisha allow themselves to be bought."

Sasuke narrowed his eyes, "And you?"

"Of course not," Sakura scoffed indignantly, "I may be cynical and rude but I am not immoral."

Sasuke nodded, then looked elsewhere. The moon was certainly bright and perfectly round and it seemed much brighter than before. The night was unusually silent. Even the crickets weren't making noises. The soft rustling of the chilly autumn air and the gentle waves from a nearby river were the only sounds in the area. Sasuke looked at the young lady in front of him again. She was staring down at her wooden sandals, cheeks puffed with eyes narrowed. He found her expression amusing, so he asked, "What are you doing?"

"Waiting for you to say something," she shrugged.

"What else is there to say?"

"Well…" Sakura began, "You saved me, didn't you? I ought to know what you want in exchange. I'll give you something to repay my debt…but I'm afraid the best I can give you would be to sing a song to you without charge…"

"Sounds wonderful," Sasuke stopped a looked around. "But should you be getting back by now? You could get assaulted again,"

"Actually, I was going back home," Sakura replied. "I was on my way back to our okiya, but then those men assaulted me."

Okiya. The term was familiar to him. Apparently, it was a huge house where Geisha live and do their training. It was a like a huge apartment where only Geisha stay. He turned to Sakura and gave her an offer, "I'll walk you back to your okiya, then. I haven't much to do anyway,"

Sakura seemed surprised, but she smiled warmly anyway, "Thanks,"

Sakura sat on the floor with her hands on her left cheek. It was red and was throbbing painfully. In front of her stood a young woman who was about three years older than her. She was the leader of the okiya and was therefore in charge of all the Geisha that lived there. Hanaoki, the head Geisha, was cruel and strict to everybody, most especially to Sakura. She was never fond of the young pink-haired girl especially after she found out that Sakura shared a close friendship with a young man named Sai. Hanaoki happened to be in love with Sai, and saw Sakura as an obstacle between them.

She was now pacing around the room, holding a cigar on one hand. She held it to her lips and blew out a thick puff of smoke, "So…Cherry Blossom Girl…kindly explain what you were doing outside the okiya with a man?"

"His name was Sasuke Uchiha," Sakura informed her, "And he offered to walk me home,"

"Liar!" Hanaoki sneered and slapped the pink haired girl again. Sakura stumbled back but never said anything. She held her hand against her cheek and stayed silent. The fact that she knew that she could flatten Hanaoki's perfect little face so easily tempted Sakura to completely rearrange her face…but then that would surely get her kicked out of the okiya.

Sakura was saved when another Geisha peeped in and said, "Lady Hanaoki…Sakura-san has a visitor,"

"Oh, she has?" Hanaoki's eyes narrowed as she turned to face Sakura, "If it's that man who walked you here, you'll know what I will do to you afterwards,"

"It's not a man," The Geisha at the door answered, "Its Yamanaka-sama's daughter,"

Sakura brightened up. It's Ino!

Hanaoki's expression smoothened after this. "Lady Yamanaka? Then that's fine. Let her in and prepare some tea."

The Geisha was about to leave when Sakura stopped her and said, "Oh…make sure it's chamomile tea with lots of honey. Ino doesn't fair well with sugar,"

"Sure," The Geisha smiled and left.

Hanaoki smoothed her hair and adjusted the rose hair ornament on her bun. Sakura sat there, waiting for her permission to leave and see Ino. Finally, Hanaoki looked at her and said, "Alright, go downstairs and see and your friend. And stay out of my sight for tonight,"

Sakura bowed and left. She shut the door before letting out a frustrated sigh. She stuck her tongue out and made a face. Hanaoki was a bastard. Sakura had no idea how the hell she survived inside the okiya for seven years with that beast watching her every move like a hawk. Fortunately, the few friends she had made her life in the okiya much more tolerable than it should have been. Sakura smoothed her hair and adjusted the lotus ornaments on her hair. She fixed her slightly rumpled kimono and obi, for it had flattened slightly when she felt to the ground after Hanaoki slapped her.

Stopping in front of a long mirror down the hallway, she checked her appearance, and after a few more tweaks, she made her way down the carpeted staircase and saw a blond girl sipping tea while sitting on a posh sofa.

Ino Yamanaka could not have been more beautiful. Her hair was long and blond and was tied up on a flowing ponytail down her back. It was adorned with three wolfsbane flower ornaments. Wolfsbane were poisonous, but they were very pretty flowers. They were very much like Ino. Beautiful but with hidden deadliness. She was wearing a bright purple kimono and a corn-yellow obi. On her kimono were prints of different houses and trees, which Sakura later recognized as a small version of the entire Hidden Leaf Village. Ino's crystal blue eyes sparkled when she saw Sakura.

"Sakura! Hi!" She patted the space beside her, signalling for Sakura to sit there.

Sakura sat down and offered Ino a smile. If there was one thing she enjoyed the most, it would be Ino's occasional visits. It was the only time she felt far from what she was…like what her life would have been if she had a choice other than to be a Geisha. Ino leaned forward and picked something from the table. It was a beautiful flower arrangement with assorted flowers. There were bright red roses and small cosmos flowers and large blooming camellas. "This is for you," Ino told her, smiling brightly.

Sakura looked at it, eyes suddenly a bit watery, "Thanks, Ino…"

"…What's wrong?" Ino asked, noticing her moist eyes…and suddenly seeing the bright red mark on her cheek. "Did someone…hit you?"

"No," Sakura laughed with tears flowing down her face, so it was pretty difficult to see if she was crying or laughing, "I fell down and hit my cheek against a stone. It was painful,"

"Didn't those years of Geisha training change you from the klutz you used to be?" Ino asked teasingly.

Sakura laughed, "I guess not,"

Silence engulfed them. Ino sipped on her tea while Sakura fiddled with the ends of her dress. Ino was the first one to break the silence, "So," she began, putting her empty teacup back to the table, "Anything interesting happened tonight?"

I small smile made its way to Sakura's face, "Well…"

Ino peered closer with a sly grin, "Well..?"

"I met a boy," Sakura said, blushing slightly.

Ino looked confused, "A boy? But you entertain a lot of men everyday…how can it possibly be—"

"Interesting? Oh you wouldn't know," Sakura grinned, "But if only you saw how he saved me when a bunch of bastards tried to harass me and called me darling and walked me back to the okiya—"

"Wait, wait, back up!" Ino grabbed her shoulders, "You were assaulted and he saved you and he walked you back to the okiya?"

Sakura nodded.

Ino squealed, "My god! Was he…handsome…?"

Sakura leaned closer, "I know you won't believe me but….believe me! He's even more good-looking than Sai!"

"You're kidding!" Ino's blue eyes were wide.

"I'm not!" Sakura laughed.

"What was his name?" Ino inquired.

"Uchiha Sasuke," Sakura replied.

"Uchiha?" This time, Ino's eyes were nearly bulging out from their sockets, "An Uchiha…walked you home?"

"Yes!" Sakura squealed.

Ino squealed too, but suddenly, her face grew serious and her voice lowered into a whisper, "Sakura…did he know that you were a Geisha?"

"Yes," Sakura replied, her excitement fading. All of a sudden, reality hit her like a pile of bricks. What was she doing getting all giddy and happy? He was a man! A dignified man! And what was she? A Geisha. She was bound to the okiya in both body and mind, and there were a lot of rules. Having a lover was the greatest offense. Her job was to entertain men and flirt and make them feel loved. Certainly no one would want her or be interested in her companionship if she had a lover. It took only a few seconds before she realized that clearly, their instances were so different and this made it impossible for them to become closer.

"Not to ruin the moment," Ino began, "But…won't you get into trouble for this?"

Sakura laughed, "Ino it's no big deal! It's just natural for me to get excited after meeting a handsome boy. It's not like it'll turn into something more. Relax!" She smiled like it was no big deal but she felt as if a sharp blade was lodged in her throat.

I'm not doing anything wrong,Sakura thought. This is just a little infatuation…what could happen?

Sad to say, a lotcould happen. But this is only the beginning.

My first fanfic.

This story was inspired from the book entitled "Memoirs of a Geisha" that was written by a guy named Arthur whats-his-name…(sorry, forgot his last name), and of course, NARUTO AND ITS CHARACTERS BELONG TO MASASHI KISHIMOTO. I simply wrote this thing out of pure boredom…

And HANAOKI is a character I made myself just to, you know, add something original to the story…

THAT'S ALL, THANKS FOR READING AND PLEASE REVIEW! ^_^