Prophecy

                                    

                                          
Narumi lingers questioningly by the border of the famous red-light district-Shimabara. Voices of camaraderie drifting from every direction. Apprehension settled internally, she never dared to stepped foot beyond this section out of nowhere a firm hand grasped onto her wrist eliciting a gasped of surprise. 
                          
"Oi woman, are ya lost?" a gruff voice spoke beside her just as the man was in the middle of lifting her shawl another meddles in by slapping his limb away. "What the-!"
                          
An annoyed Souji glowers menacingly at the flustered individual, Narumi clutches onto the billowing sleeve in a silent plea to calm him down. Whereas the other, figuring out that Souji was not a person to back down stammered palpable frustration visible on his beet red face.
                          
"D-don't block the path, stupid woman!" he bellowed, finally scurrying off hastily.
                          
"Souji," Narumi tightened her grip when the young man glances down. "Leave him be."
                          
"Let's go," he nodded his head once towards the direction where the person vanished off. 
                          
Lastly, Narumi trudges one zori clad feet gingerly over the entrance once and for all, the couple continued further inside. The Deity's gullible eyes soaking in the evening atmosphere as women donned in luxurious kimono; geisha delicately welcoming their wealthy guests inside, for the time being, prostitutes chatting up a storm with men. 
                          
The chaotic nightlife was a gaudy mixture of sights; sounds and senses. Narumi's virtuous inquisitiveness enabling her to peer out of the shelter of her mantle to regard the encircling establishment. Leading the front, Souji sauntered casually at the same time, ignoring demands from other whores while she gander at the throng of people. 
                          
They came to a stop at a quaint tea house Fuschia-shade curtains on the second level flutter lazily at each corner of the widely open window. Souji closed in on the gap between them, a look of apparent musing on his handsome profile she concluded that he was waiting patiently for her to make a move within the structure. 
                          
"I don't think this a good idea for myself to be here," she gazed at Souji with dreadful eyes. 
                          
"As long as Narumi is not a part of any of the illegal vice, you're good to go," Souji raised a brow. "Well, tonight is mostly about Chizuru since the girl has been religiously taking care of the Headquarter. Shall we?"
                          
"Okita-san," a female's vocal made the pair glance up at the dimlit stairwell. "Welcome."
                          
They were led inside a spacious room where the rest of his comrades are present, among them three were on their drunkard spree to oblivion. Their commander sat at the head while drinks were poured into small cups. Both Souji and Narumi settled down side by side, a geisha carefully adjusted herself on the knees to place a neat tray consisting of a pipe; hard liquor jar and an empty mug. 
                          
"Are you supposed to be smoking?" Narumi pointed out. 
                          
"Hush, let a man enjoy his smoking once in a period," he winked at her. 
                          
"Who is your new friend, Okita-san?" the regal lady smiled serenely. "Why don't you introduce us?"
                          
"Narumi, meet Shiyori and vice versa," he spoke in a nonchalant tone busy prepping the long pipe. 
                          
"A pleasure to meet you," Narumi bowed with both hands folded on her lap. 
                          
"The sentiment is reciprocated," the other bowed as well. 
                          
Just as the pretty geisha was in the midst of splashing warm liquid, Souji waved a hand in an act of dismissing her. Narumi caught the other looking on with a stunt profile possibly, the two of them are acquaintance. Twinkling orbs hinting if mild interest flickers pinned Narumi when the Celestial Spirit realized that the male was obviously hinting towards her.