<div class="floatleft">(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-33k0HTMhZvI/VoZtz9mE7eI/AAAAAAAAOaM/A8WSrWw05H0/w500-h753/j.jpg)</div>Spring, the woman had chosen the season of life for an agent of death.  There might be an insult to the name that Amaya could not discern.  Likely there would be insults laced into nearly everything the woman said and did.  Such was the way of the Scorpion and such would be her position in life to graciously accept such barbs to her honor.  The flowery pattern of the kimono promised to be one such barb.  A painted smile folded over her lips though as she bowed low from her position to accept the gift, failing to follow the protocol of refusal.  She had no time for the pleasantries here and no desire to participate in this game with the Soshi.  A rustle of silk was heard as she stood.<br/><br/>Ujina Amaya once had many suitors.  Her peculiar beauty was a sexual one, a carnal one that drew the eye and the lusts of men.  Perhaps the length of her neck had something to do with such enticements, a smooth transition from her proud features down into feminine shoulders.  Such an appealing curve highlighted now while her silk dropped from her body.   Tanned flesh some might grant a commoner came into view.  There were muscles laced along her back, powerful and proud from a warrior’s training.  Yet their movement and image were hidden behind smooth and yearning flesh.  That silk was held just a moment above the curve of her rear and the swelling of her hips.  Seemingly a moment of innocents as she undid additional restraints passed then but the perceptive would notice her eye crossing the audience present.  Then the kimono was allowed to pool at her feet to unveil similarly strong, smooth legs of youthful skin.<br/><br/>“I was born from the tragedy love becomes in pillow books and tales.  Still the lands of Kitsune are known for such stories aren’t they?  My father was a man of little means with no title or lands, simply a sword and the brand of a ronin.  My mother was a geisha.  They had planned to marry, but my father fell defending some road from bandits.”<br/><br/>While she spoke the flowered kimono found its way onto her body.  At this point the woman who would become Haru emerged.  Slowly she turned as she spoke, moving about the room with careful steps of a warrior and woman.  Wisps of silk and movement hid her nudity, while giving a glimpse that more would be appreciated.  Amaya lacked the training of older women but seemed to possess an instinctive knowledge of how to draw out the attention to her own body.<br/><br/>“I was sold shortly after his death as my mother had no money to spare.  She returned to her life as a geisha.  I heard she passed from this world not long after leaving me with no one else to call family.”<br/><br/>Haru made sure to place a slight pout to her tragic tale.<br/><br/>“Oka-sama meet me as she was traveling southward.  A lucky chance but then I am from the lands of Kitsune.  Then when she returned from her arrangements she purchased my contract and took me northward.  Nowi-san and I meet then, both of us buying off our contracts about the same time.  Nowi-san is very smart and very skilled you know.  She told me about the wonders of owning a teahouse.  I had less to contribute than she did, but this her dream after all.  Perhaps when I have learned what I must learn and have seen how best to manage a teahouse she will buy out my share and I will found my own.”<br/><br/>As the story finished so did the dressing.  That pouting smile of tragedy lifted upward in a whimsical, fanciful smile again of a dreamer.  Then the darkness of a warrior passed over her features as if Amaya had returned.  There was a harsh completion to the tie of her obi before she settled back into her place.<br/><br/>“Satisifed?”<br/>