#warabihime

The Entertainment District in Yoshiwara was filled with beauty. Women with beautiful faces and lovely voices populated the closed off part of the city. Men emptied their savings just to spend a night with some of them.

And the Kyogoku House dominated the industry over rivals, such as the Tokito House and Ogimoto House. People whispered that one oiran raised the house's value with her earnings alone.

She had the face of an angel, and the heart of a demon. Her beauty could make a shy man faint, and many clients dreamed of seeing her just once. Her loyal clients bragged about being able to afford to spend time with her enough to be called a regular.

But despite having the face of an angel, Warabihime was a cruel woman. If anything were to irritate her, she would tilt her head and glare from below. Harsh words and glares were a common occurance from Warabihime. If something got on her nerves enough, she could resort to violence.

Many have killed themselves to get away from Warabihime's cruelty.

She resided in the darkest room of the house, a place where the sunlight never hit.

"Your tender little hands, your hugs so tight. My love for you grows with each and every night. Your laughter fills the air, my heart sings a song. Your beauty's a blessing, it won't take long."

But there was one person who was always, without fail, safe from her wrath.

"Your sweet little voice, your laugh and your smile. My love will keep you safe for a while. Your sweet little face, your giggle so divine. My heart swells when I see your charming design."

A little boy, not older than maybe five, with rubies for eyes and a compassionate heart. Very few know where he came from, and even less people know his name. He's often seen by Warabihime's side. The people outside of the Kyogoku House aren't even aware of him being a boy.

"Mama?"

"Hm?"

"Why do you always sing that same song?" Tanjirou asked.

Warabihime chuckled and stopped running the decorated comb through the boy's hair. She pulled him into a hug, and being the affectionate boy that he is, Tanjirou quickly returned it.

"It's my way of telling you how much I love you." She answered. "And how could I not? You have such beautiful eyes, and you're absolutely adorable."

Warabihime brushed her finger down Tanjirou's small nose and booped it, which caused the boy to let out a bright giggle.

"I love you too, mama!"

"Good." Warabihime smiled and hugged Tanjirou tightly.

After a moment of comfortable silence, Warabihime loosened her hold. "Now, turn back around, I'm almost finished."

Tanjirou grinned that adorable grin of his and sat back down infront of her, staying perfectly still as Warabihime combed through his deep red hair.

Warabihime continued to hum the same song on repeat as she styled Tanjirou's hair. At first she tried pigtails, cute, but not quite right. Then she tied his bangs away from his face with one big ribbon. Almost, but something was missing.

Warabihime hummed in thought when she took a couple of hairpins and placed them in Tanjirou's hair.

Oh dear lord, he looked absolutely adorable.

Tanjirou blinked up at Warabihime when he felt her stop touching his hair. "Are you done, mama?"

"Yup, all done, sweetie." Warabihime smiled and gently pinched Tanjirou's cheek.

The boy let out a squawk and then a giggle, before hugging Warabihime as a thank you.

Warabihime petted Tanjirou's hair and almost squished her cheek against the boy's forehead with how tightly she was hugging him. She made the right choise back then.

"Tanjirou, give me your hand." Warabihime pulled away from the boy, reaching for a small bottle sitting with the rest of her cosmetics.

"Why?" Tanjirou asked even though he was already lifting his right hand to Warabihime.

"Look at my nails, see how they have a different color than my skin?" Warabihime took Tanjirou's hand, curling her fair and delicate fingers around his small hand, allowing the boy to see her painted nails. "I'm doing the same for you, so we can match."

Tanjirou's face brightened. "I'm gonna match nails with mama?"

"Yup, and you'll adorable with your nails painted!" Warabihime smiled and took the small brush and began carefully applying the dye onto his nails.

Tanjirou watched with curiosity as with each brushstroke a deep magenta color began to stain his nails.

"Mama, what is that made of?" He asked.

"From flowers, sweetie." Warabihime answered and moved onto Tanjirou's left hand. "Keep your right hand still until the dye dries."

"How?" Tanjirou asked a follow-up question.

"The petals of flowers are grounded and dried, before they get soaked in water." Warabihime answered.

Tanjirou stared down at his right hand and his painted nails.

Warabihime glanced at Tanjirou's face, her gentle smile deepening a little. She was glad she hadn't killed the boy all those years ago. Back then keeping him alive was a fleeting thought, almost a laughable one. But now, the thought of something happening to Tanjirou made Warabihime's stomack twist and her irritation to rise dangerously high.

"There, all done." Warabihime smiled at Tanjirou, letting go of the boy's hand.

Tanjirou stare at his hand, his red eyes wide with fascination and an adorable expression of curiosity on his face.

"Do you like it?" She asked with a chuckle.

Tanjirou raised his gaze up from his nails to Warabihime and nodded with a bright smile. "Uh-uh! It looks pretty!"

"That's good." Warabihime pressed a kiss onto the boy's forehead and hugged him again. Then, her expression changed to something more serious. "Tanjirou."

"Yes mama?" Tanjirou hugged her back and looked up at her.

"Promise me, if something that makes you uncomfortable or unhappy happens, you'll always tell me." Warabihime said.

"I promise, mama!" Tanjirou smiled and then looked confused. "I can't tell if it makes me happy?"

Warabihime chuckled and shook her head. "No no, of course you can tell me even if nothing bad happened. I just want you to tell me anything that upsetted you so I can make sure it doesn't happen again."

Tanjirou stared at Warabihime for a moment before his adorable smile returned, and he nodded. "Okay! I'll tell you if I get sad."