Geisha (Shinobi Saga) Read Online Free Page B

Besides, if you perform well then I can tell your lord your training is complete. Surely you want to go home?”
    “I’d love to go home.” Yoshi spoke so softly the okasan almost missed it. “But I won’t get to. If my choice is here or the Shuhan’s estate, I definitely choose the okiya.”
    “He’s been urging me to hurry and send you back. Apparently you are greatly missed.”
    “No doubt,” the shadow wolf said drily. “I am, after all, his favorite victim. Life must be very boring with no one to torment.”
    “By the way, the music mistress has requested extra sessions with you. When you finish your regular classes you are to report to her for additional instruction.”
    Yoshi saw no point in arguing, tilting his head slightly in acquiescence. “I shall head there directly.”
    The music school was at the far end of the hana-machi from the okiya. Even with months of practice his high center of gravity and narrow hips made walking in heels difficult. At times like these shinobi instincts took a back seat, and the shadow wolf passed through the throngs of tourists unaware of the many eyes following his progress.
    “Miss, excuse me. May I take your picture?”
    The voice startled Yoshi out of his thoughts and he was shocked to find himself surrounded by a ring of foreigners. “Nani?”
    “Your picture.” The speaker held up a camera. “You are very beautiful.”
    Remembering the okasan’s warning about cooperation he waited while they snapped frantically. “I must go now. I will be late for my lesson.” He resisted the urge to push through the crowd, and the even stronger urge to kill everyone who’d seen him in his womanly disguise.
    For once Yoshi was glad to see the music mistress, at least here he was free from prying eyes. “The okasan said you wanted to see me?”
    “I know it isn’t traditional for a geisha, but I’m at my wit’s end and it is a traditional instrument, at least.” She held out a long bamboo flute. “You do have exquisite breath control. Shall we give it a try?”
    “Shakuhachi?”
    “In time, perhaps. Let’s start with the yokobue, it’s a bit easier at first.” The music teacher lifted the flute to her lips and played a simple passage. “You blow across the hole, like so.”
    He reluctantly took the flute he was offered, lifting it tentatively and mimicking her actions. Based on his previous musical attempts, the shadow wolf expected, at best, an ugly squeak. Instead a clear, pure tone emerged.
    “Wonderful,” the mistress clapped her hands in glee. “We’ve finally found your instrument. Now we just have to get you ready for next week’s performance.”
    Never had Yoshi been more thankful for his eidetic memory. The fingering sequences were complex and he had enough to concentrate on without worrying he’d forget them. “Once more,” his teacher instructed. “With more emotion this time. It’s a sad song about lost love. You need to make the audience feel your despair.”
    After hours of practice the music mistress finally released him for the night. “Same time tomorrow,” she reminded him. “We still have a lot of work to do if you’re going to be ready.”
    The moon had already risen, and Yoshi studied it longingly. He briefly considered simply fading into the night, never to be seen again. The oath of loyalty he had taken made him reconsider. As much as he longed for his freedom, he would not abandon his shuudan so callously. The point was made moot, in any event, when Zenshiro stepped out from the shadows of the engawa.
    “What are you doing here?” Yoshi’s chilly tones made it clear he did not welcome the company.
    “I am tasked with guarding you, like it or not. The okasan told me where to find you. Certainly you didn’t think I’d let you walk home alone looking like this?”
    “I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself,” the shadow wolf hissed. “You forget who you are dealing with. I am an elite ninja of Kobayashi