White Tiger, Jade Concubine I

After leaving Aoiya to "discover" herself, Misao runs into the most unlikely person and embarks on an adventure that leads to China, where she agrees to pose as a concubine to destroy an evil mafia boss. Can she save her new companion from the dangerousness of his own mind?

I read Midori Natari Himura's kickass Rurouni Kenshin fanfic, White Tiger, Jade Concubine, with Misao and Enishi as the alternative couple last spring. I know, you're thinking...The hell? But believe me you, it's addicting.

Basically, story goes that Misao is unwittingly saved by Enishi while she's on her journey of self-discovery. Enishi was on his way to turn his life around and get the Chinese Triads off him. After saving her, Misao demands to repay her debt. Enishi proposes (mostly to discourage her) that she pose as his concubine and seduce his Chinese Mafia rival whose weakness is attractive women. Of course this includes her learning to be a geisha and various other martial arts to be a stronger weapon for Enishi to use. After her training's done they travel to Shanghai and the seducing of Mafia leaders begins! OH yes, Enishi falls into his own trap too. During this time however, Misao forgot to write back to her friends and family in Kyoto! Bad Misao! Aoshi (who had planned to propose to her on her return) sets out in a desperate search for her, discovering her trail and not liking the looks of it at all. OH yes, I suck at summaries.

So that should explain the crazy picture here.

I had fun using what was then a new style of coloring for me. And hey! don't tease me, this is the most daring pic I've ever drawn, but I wanted it to fit the fanfic.
The buildings behind Enishi are from a photograph from Shanghai in the late 1890's I believe. That's why they look so different from everything else. I had to edit them some since it was a b/w old photo and change the lighting. Le sigh, I can't help it, I hate empty corners in my pics.
I drew Geisha Misao before I did my research on geishas and kimonos. So, if anything's off (like too short kimono, too short sleeves tho some geisha do have shorter sleeves) with it, that's why. ^^ NOW I know how a proper geisha should look. Also the design was inspired by Midori-san's description of Misao's kimono when she makes her hit appearance in Shanghai society. ; Not exactly accurate...but it's my first try at designs.

Pichi-sensei helped me tons on this pic. Also thanks to her I added the golden roses, which were to balance the colors in this picture (the colors blue and orange/yellow in every corner and on Geisha Misao). Yes, it looks shoujo, but that was unintentional, lol.

I actually had this finished since December, a few days before my monitor fried. But I figured it's time to submit it to DA. Funny tho, cuz after submitting my HajimenTokio piece and then the Dead@17 piece, I feel like this isn't as good as it should've been. damn. Oh well, I still have several more WTJC pictures to finish coloring so I'm taking all I've learned these past three months into account and improve upon my style. *sighs* and to think I shall continue to learn more tricks on Photoshop. *couldn't be happier*

Well, I apologise for the long ass description. I know most people write a paragraph and they're done, but not me. I gotta promote other things ya know. And yakking just comes naturally to me, as I've been so kindly imformed. Thanks for being so kind and tactful tho, ya guys. My next pictures won't have long descriptions. This is just the first in a series so I had to cover EVERYTHING here.
I hope you enjoy the pic tho. ^^