Path Of The Mysterious Lady

"Beep", "Beep"

It was a normal day for Haruka, a seventy years old woman, and a former famous Geisha, but she was not only a Geisha. Haruka was also a famous singer, actress, and chef. She was so famous that she has her own fan club. She has to stop due to her age and illness, however, she always dream of going back and perform like she always did when she was young. She was now sitting on the bed in her room at the hospital reading manga. Even though she old, Haruka still have both grace and beauty.

"Knock, Knock"

"Come in." and the door opened. There was an old lady at the age of 54 and by her side was her grandchild a young man at the age of 25 who is carrying a huge basket of fruit. Akane was her little sister. "How are you onee-sama," said the old lady. "I am fine Akane," answered Haruka. "How are you doing Akane and Makoto-kun," asked Haruka looking at them. "We are fine, onee-sama," said Akane and went to sit by the sofa. The two old ladies start talking about their daily life, but they heard some noise and saw that Makoto-kun was watching the TV.

Akane seeing her grandchild was watching the TV, she was interested. "Makoto what are you watching?" asked Akane. Makoto didn't answer but turn the TV toward Akane and Haruka. It was a geisha performance. Haruka was watching the TV and remembering the experience of geisha. Warm liquid starts to roll down her cheek. Akane who was watching the TV along with Makoto turned to her onee-sama, but she was crying. "Onee-sama! What's wrong?" asked Akane.

BAAAM

The door suddenly opened surprising Akane, Haruka, and Makoto who fall down from the sofa. There was a young lady at the age of twenty-six, she was Hanako. She is a famous Geisha and a student of Haruka and she also has her own fan club. "MASTER!" Hanako rushed in to hugged Haruka, but was hit in the head by a fan. "How many time do I need to tell you! Don't open a door like that!" Haruka was angry at how her student action, but she still smiles. "So what are you doing here?" asked Haruka. Hanako who was rubbing her head from being hit jumped and shout. "Master! It like.." before finishing the sentence Haruka hits Hanako again. "I told you to stop shouting and acted more properly," said Haruka as she smiled sweetly and start leaking out killing intent like what Unohana the captain of the Fourth division did.

Hanako was scared as she remembers the day in her training with Haruka, every time she did something wrong the devil appears. "I was saying that in two days there is going to be an Erikae," said Hanako after calming down, but still scared. "I want you Master to attend as I will be performing that day." and handed the ticket to Haruka and Akane. Makoto who was listening then went and asks "Where is my?". Hanako turned and looked at Makoto and told him that she only had two tickets. Makoto went back to watch the TV and start ignoring Hanako, who try to talk to him.

"Onee-sama" Akane holding the ticket looked at Haruka. "I will go" Haruka decided and was preparing to get out of bed, but suddenly she feels so much pain and fall to the floor. "Onee-sama!" screamed Akane getting the attention of the Hanako and Makoto. Makoto rushed out to find the nurse, while Hanako and Akane help Haruka to her bed.

Time Skip ~ 10 minutes

Haruka was now laying on her bed. Akane, Hanako, and Makoto were by the side looking at her. The doctor came in and asked Akane to speak to her. "Miss Haruka body is weak and she might not have long. We are sorry." said the doctor. Akane took this hard and was stiff. Makoto went and help his grandmother as she was about to faint. Hanako and Akane were crying. The doctor turned and saw the ticket and says "I think it is impossible for her to attend."

"I will go." and everyone turned and saw that Haruka was awake. Akane rushed toward Haruka "No onee-sama, you are not going!" shouted Akane as Haruka was the only one in her family except her kids and grandchildren. "Akane, you heard the doctor that I might not have long. At least let me go back to the place I once belong to." "I told you it is not pretty to cry," said Haruka and wiped the tears off her little sister face. It was settled that Haruka was going to attend Erikae.

Time Skip ~ two days later

Today was an exciting day for her, she wakes up early and went to Erikae along with Akane and Makoto. The area was crowded with people, Haruka walks into the hall and found her seat. Her seat was arranged by the side near the staff room. They went to their seat and wait for the ceremony to start. The ceremony started as many Maiko and Geisha walk to the stage. Haruka who was sitting at the back start remembering when she was Maiko. She practices and tries her best, she finally had become a Geisha. The ceremony went on well, but there was a delayed in the next performance. While they were waiting for Haruka heard noises from the staff room, as people were running in and out. Haruka decided to see what happen. She entered the room with Akane and Makoto following behind, she saw her student Hanako was crying.

"What happened!?" asked Haruka and rushed to her student. The staff was surprised and was about to ask someone to take them out of the room. "Master!" shouted Hanako which caused the whole room into silence. Then a forty years old woman came and ask "Are you Haruka-san?" "Yes" Haruka was confused, but she answered. "OH! It is really you!" said the woman.

Haruka was surprised at the woman reaction, but later she did know that the woman was Miyuki and her one of the organizers of the ceremony and that the delay was that Hanako falls down from the stair and hurt her legs.

Miyuki, one of the organizers was surprised that the performance was delayed. She came to the staff room to find out why was the performance was delayed. She found out that the delayed was caused by Hanako falling from the stairs. Miyuki didn't know what to do and the performance can't be delayed. Suddenly Haruka came in and asked about the delayed in performance. Miyuki went toward Haruka and asked "Haruka-san, can you perform instead of Hanako, because the performance can't be delayed anymore."

Haruka, Akane, Makoto, and everyone was surprised at what Miyuki just asked. After hearing Miyuki request Akane was upset and start scolding Miyuki. "There no way I will let my sister perform, don't you know that she is " Akane was about to finish, "Stop," said Haruka interrupting Akane. "I will go," said Haruka. "But onee-sama you are sick!".

Akane starts protesting about letting Haruka perform. "Onee-same the doctor said that your body is weak." Haruka looked at Akane and smiled "Yes, I know." and walked toward the changing room. Akane knew that no matter what happens her sister won't change her mind, so she stops speaking.

Haruka was changing into the performance kimono. She was sitting and let the Makeup artist help do her job. Hanako came in and stand behind her. Haruka knew that Hanako was behind her and ask "What is it Hanako?" Hanako didn't answer but she cries instead.

Haruka patted Hanako head "What's wrong?". Hanako lifted her head and hugged Haruka. "Silly child stop crying now," said Haruka and wiped tears off her face. "Hanako, would you promise me one thing," asked Haruka. "Yes, of course, Master!" answered Hanako. "Promise me that you will keep on performing, dancing, or singing. Promise me that you will not give up," said Haruka.

Without hesitation, "Yes I promise!" answered Hanako. "Thank you," said Haruka and walks up to the stage as she knew that this is her last performance.