Inside the Wisteria House in Yoshiwara, the two Hashiras and three slayers were welcomed with green tea and an evening snack.
Finally, in privacy, Tengen could explain what kind of a mission they were supposed to accomplish here.
"When you've infiltrated the Entertainment District, first look for my bride. I'll be digging for information on the demons as well." The Sound Hashira said.
"This is outrageous!" Zenitsu yelled angrily.
"Huh?"
"I'll thank you not to mess with us! How dare you use your subordinates to personally find a bride for yourself! Yua-Senpai there must be a rule for Hashira to not do this?!"
Before Yua could answer, Tengen yelled at Zenitsu back. "Huh?! How did you get that idea?!"
"Nope! I'm going to have my say!"
Tanjiro tried to calm his blond friend down, but Zenitsu was lying on the smack on the Sound Hashira. For a second the Moon Hashira thought to help her fellow comrades, however, it seemed to get kind of funny now, so who was she to interrupt this?
"I'm sure that a screwed-up oddball like you has no luck with the ladies! However, even so, just because you want a wife, that's no reason to use Demon Slayers like us and another Hashira like Yua-Senpai!"
"Are you an idiot?!" Tengen shouted pissed off. "I'm talking about a wife who's infiltrated the Entertainment District and is hard at work gathering intel on the demons! I've stopped receiving regular check-ins, so I'm going, too, all right?!"
Zenitsu just delivered blank-faced if Tengen fantasizes always like this. In answer, the older male threw a bunch of letters at the Thunder Breath User, explaining they were sent to him by Kasugai Crow.
Yua bites amusend into her Dango, while Tanjiro picks a few letters up and notes rightfully how many they are.
"Well, I do have four of them. Wives." Tengen says simply, which makes Zenitsu rise from the ground.
"Four of them… Wives… F-Four?!" The blond stutters in disbelief. "Why, you… Why, you! Why would you have four of them?! Don't mess with me!"
Tengen just punches Zenitsu in the stomach and the blonde is knocked out. The Sound Hashira ask the other boys if they also have a problem with it and they cleverly just shake their heads.
"So Airi and the others are saying in their letters, we shouldn't stand out." Yua points out, after Tanjiro and her read the letters. "As kunoichis, they are masters in infiltration, how should we do it? Neither I nor the boys here are exactly ninja material."
"Well, of course, disguise yourselves. As much as I hate it, in a drab way." Tengen signs. This was so unflashy!
At Tanjiro and Inosuke's question look, the white-haired man explains how kunoichis are female master ninjas. He had a hunch that Yoshiwara was the perfect hunting ground for a demon, however as a simple customer he couldn't investigate further.
So his wives took over and they could narrow it down to four brothels.
The mission of Yua and her boys was to each join a brothel, find Tengen's wives and also information on the demon.
Suma was in Tokito House, Makio was in Ogimoto House, Airi was in Suzuki House and Hinatsuru was in Kyougoku House.
"Your wives must be dead, don't you think?" Inosuke said tactless.
Tanjiro was shocked and Yua just deadpanned, as the boarheaded boy got Tengen's fist in his stomach, getting like Zenitsu knocked out.
Worried Tanjiro looked at his knocked-out friends and Yua just rubbed her forehead.
This whole mission was going to be a headache, wouldn't it?
One of the workers from the Wisteria House opened the slide door, informing Tengen he had organised what he had asked for.
Surely the needed disguises.
"Well, I think, I should take over the disguise part and make out of the boys pretty princesses." Yua drawled, pointing at Tanjiro, Zenitsu and Inosuke.
Tengen nodded in agreement.
"That would be good, thanks Yua."
(*)
The Madam of the Suzuki House stared in awe at the handsome white-haired man and his four charges.
"My!" she gasped, looking each girl up and down. "Each of them is beautiful beyond belief."
"Thank you, Madam, I'm sure each of them would become a fantastic Oiran under your guidance." Tengen laid on thick, with a little bow.
"What are your names, girls?" the Madam asked.
"I'm Sumiko, madam." the lovely girl in the checkered kimono said, bowing demurely. "It would be an honour to work for the Suzuki House."
"My name is Zenko, madam." the pretty girl with the golden hair said, also bowing. "I promise to work hard for you!"
"I'm Tsukihime, Madam, honoured to make your acquaintance and hopefully join your noble house soon." the gorgeous, tall girl chirped, bowing. What a melodious voice!
Expectant Madam Suzuki looked at the final, beautiful girl with shining green eyes.
Gently she just bowed, while Tsukihime explained: "My sister Inoko, is quite shy, Madam, please don't think bad of her for not talking. She is a hardworking girl, I promise."
Madam Suzuki hummend thoughtful and turned to the white-haired gentleman.
"Each of them is a treasure, it's hard to make a decision, but I have a good feeling about Tsukihime-Chan."
Tengen clapped, smiling thankful.
"Hear that, Tsukihime? You will join the house of Suzuki. Bring honour to them."
Tsukihime bowed, promising to be a good courtesan and stepped to Madam Suzuki. Here the Madam noted how the lovely Sumiko stared after Tsukihime with longing, protectiveness and...love?
Oh!
Well, it happened more often than people thought, how courtesans had feelings for each other.
Their bodies may belong to men, but with their hearts, it was another case.
Anyway, it wasn't important. As long as Tsukihime fulfilled her duties, Madam Suzuki wouldn't say anything about it.
She leads Tsukihime into the brothel, while the handsome gentleman and his other charges walk to the next brothel.
Tsukihime alias Yua smiled for a second proud of herself.
Not only had she infiltrated one of the brothels, but the boys did look and act like girls enough to sell the ruse.
It had paid off to use all the make-up, hair extensions and the hour-long lesson in acting like a girl, even if she had been close to killing Zenitsu for his whining and Inosuke for his tactlessness.
Only Tanjiro had embraced his female alter ego and formally blossomed in it.
Not gonna lie Yua found it hot!
Inside a brothel bedroom, Madam Suzuki and another courtesan helped Yua take off her kimono since the Madam wanted to see if her new jewel had any imperfections.
"Mmh? How curious. What a weird birthmark." Madam noted and gently poked the birthmark on Yua's breast.
The Moon Hashira tried to stay calm and not snap at this groping.
Till now only Tanjiro and her family had seen her birthmark. It was a a crescent moon in silver.
"It's pretty." the Courtesan found. "It makes Tsukihime unqiue."
"Well it does, but it looks at first glance like a tattoo. Some clients could find it off-putting." Madame Suzuki signend. "We will cover it up with make-up."
Yua just bowed in agreement.
It wasn't this tragic.
She wondered how the boys were doing.
(*)
"Look at this woman!"
"She is beautiful!"
"I heard her name is Tsukihime."
"She really does look like a moon princess."
"Who cares for her looks? Hear this lovely voice!"
This and similar things were said about House Suzuki's newest jewel. The young Tuskihime was not even a day in Yoshiwara and had already enchanted anyone with her looks and heavenly singing.
"Come inside." Tsukihime sang as she stood before the brothel, alluring waving in customers "Welcome to the best part of your lives. Go ahead and rest wherever you like. We got you, don't worry, Suzuki's got you now!"
The patrons didn't need a second invitation and formally stormed inside.
When she had lured in enough men, Tsukihime joined them in one of the bigger rooms, singing for them an hour straight.
All were fascinated by her unique songs and her graceful dance moves.
This new courtesan was indeed a being from another realm, the real Princess Kaguya.
After the hour Yua waved the patrons away and let out a little sign.
Uurgh, her throat is dry from all the singing!
"Tsukihime-Chan?" the honourable Oiran of Suzuki, Ohasaki, with her two little attendance, called her. "Do you need a glass of water dear? I know I have always a dry throat after singing so long."
"Yes, do you need water, Tsukihime-Chan?" Tabiha, the little girl on the right, asked.
Wamiko, the little girl on the left, raised her hand like in school.
"I can get you one, Tsukihime-Chan!" she chirped.
Yua bowed in greetings.
"Thanks, Ohasaki-Sama and you two also Tabiha-Chan and Wamiko-Chan." Yua answered. "You don't need to trouble yourself, I will go to the kitchen."
Ohasaki smiled, patting the heads of the little girls.
"You are such a hardworking girl and never ask for help." the Oiran mussed. "You remind me of Airi-Chan."
Airi-Chan? That is for sure Airi, Tengen's wife! Yua thought as she listened in to how Tabiha said that Airi had been so nice and Wamiko added she missed her.
"Excuse me, Ohasaki-Sama? What happened to this Airi, if you don't mind my question?" Yua asked with all the innocence she could muster.
The beautiful oiran blinked surprised for a second before she looked thoughtful. Tabiha and Wamiko copy her.
"Well, some say Airi-Chan, pulled out, this means a courtesan runs away without paying her debt. Just Airi-Chan is such a reliable woman, I can't quite imagine it." the oiran told.
"I hope she isn't hurt...or worse." Wamiko sniffled.
"Poor Airi-Chan," Tabiha murmured sadly.
"Now, now, girls." Ohasaki cooed. "I'm sure Airi-Chan is alright wherever she is. She was strong, remember?"
This lifted the spirits of the little girls and their oiran sent them off to get themselves a snack.
Now Yua was alone with the honourable and high rankest courtesan.
"Something is bothering you, I'm right, Ohasaki-Sama?" Yua said quietly.
The older woman nodded.
"I didn't want to say it in front of Tabiha and Wamiko, but on her last day here, Airi seemed nervous. As if she knew something was going to happen to her."
Mmh, this was at least something. It meant Airi had surely found the demon, but the demon had found her out also!
Before Yua could ask more Madame Suzuki called her and reminded the Moon Hashira to get back out and sing customers in.
Damn, for now, she can't do anything and had to listen.
(*)
Nearly three days passed since the demon slayer went undercover in the brothels.
Besides giving Tengen daily status reports, Yua hadn't any contact with Tanjiro, Zenitsu and Inosuke.
Afternoon on day four was time to meet up with everybody.
The Moon Hashira was the first sitting on one of the rooftops between the four brothel. She enjoyed the warm morning sun on her skin, holding her face towards the sky.
Then her aura-sense tingled and Yua turned fast around, hugging her boyfriend.
"Baby, Tanji!" she cooed and peppered his face with loving kisses. "I missed you!"
Tanjiro laughed softly catching her lips in a sweet kiss.
"I missed you too, my heart."
The lovers kissed for a while, just enjoy to be together again when Yua sensed Inosuke coming closer.
So she stopped their kisses.
Inosuke didn't waste any time and shouted at Yua and Tanjiro about the demon who was in his brothel.
"I'm telling you, it was a thing like this!" Inosuke made weird moments with his hands, it reminds the only girl when someone describes a spider. "You know, like this!"
"It sounds creepy as hell." she agreed with crossed arms.
"Right, right?!"
Tanjiro made a calm down gesture with his hands, smiling unsure. "Uzui and Zenitsu should be coming soon to check in, so…"
"You want to wait?" Yua guessed, which pissed Inosuke off. "Konpachiro, why the fuck should we wait?! The demon is in my house, so let's go before he gets away again!"
Since she was a Hashira herself Yua noted when Tengen appeared, other than the boys who were in awe for the silent appearance of the white-haired male.
"Zenitsu won't be coming," Tengen said as a greeting.
From one moment to another Yua's good mood was gone. She could see how Tanjiro and Inosuke felt the same.
Fuck! What happened to their favourite skirt chaser?
"I feel bad about putting you through this." Tengen continued, sitting with the back to them. "I wanted to… rescue my wives so badly, I made some bad decisions. As it stands, Zenitsu is missing. There's been no contact since last night. You two should leave now. You're ranked too low for this. If the demon here turns out to be an Upper Rank, you couldn't handle it. If you vanish from here, they'll assume that you're dead. Yua? I hope you will continue this mission with me, having another Hashira here is surely wiser."
"Of course, Tengen, but please trust in the guys." Yua tried to appeal to him.
"We can still help!" Tanjiro added.
"Don't be ashamed." was Tengen's answer as he stood up. "Whoever survives wins. Don't overlook your chance."
The Sound Hashira shushed away. Yua knew he wanted her to follow him.
Fast she petted Tanjiro and Inosuke on the head and told them not to die, before she shushed away also.
She knew her boys.
They would stay and fight with them, but for now, she and Tengen had to discuss the next steps.
When she reached her fellow Hashira, he simply told her to get ready and meet him at Kyogoku. He was done playing nice and would interrogate the owner of the brothel.
Zenitsu's vanishment was unfortunate but it narrowed down where the demon was.
(*)
The sun was setting down, which meant that Yoshiwara and its inhabitants were getting ready for another night of work.
The owner of the Kyogoku held the bloody kimono of his wife in his lap.
Oh, if Omitsu just had left Warabihime alone, then, then...!
Out of nowhere a light purple katana and a kunai enclosend his throat!
The Moon Hashira stayed still as Tengen got the information from the owner. Apparently, Zenko/Zenitsu just vanished, and Hinatsuru fell ill and left for Kirimise. After the Sound Hashira promised they would make the culprit pay, the owner told them he suspected Warabihime to be the one responsible for all this.
Fast the two Hashira made their way to Warabihimes room on the north side that had no light.
Just their luck, the demon wasn't there.
"Split up?" Yua askend simple.
Tengen nodded. "We cover more ground like this. I will search for Hinatsuru, you try to find our unflashy demon friend."
(*)
Credits to the song Puppeteer from Epic: The Musical!
(*)
Join my Tumblr for updates on stories and news!
https://www.tumblr.com/blog/empressofthesunwriter
Check my DeviantArt to see the art of the story!
https://www.deviantart.com/empressofthesun