The Samurai's Lady (5 page)

The rooms were small, six and nine tatami respectively but they looked out onto the garden at the back and South side and the two rooms could be made into one by sliding he screen between them open.
The innkeeper‟s wife brought some refreshment of soup, fish and rice with juicy ripe plums for a sweet and left them alone to eat. After the meal Fujito got up and went out to the veranda.
“Come outside and see.” Fujito entreated. “The moon is about to rise.” Katharine left her small bag that Fujito had kept in his sack and joined him on the straw covered platform. The pale yellow ball was just visible behind a deep greenblue mountain.
“Oh!” Katharine exclaimed with delight. “It‟s beautiful!”
He wanted to tell her she was, too, but refrained. Instead he went back inside and returned with his flute. He began to play the lullaby he‟d sung the previous night outside Kanazawa.
Once again, she was struck by the song‟s haunting beauty and his expert skill on the instrument. Then he paused before beginning another.
This was even lovelier than the last and the descant in the middle had a light airy quality, like the whisper of butterfly wings.
They were silent then, the flute resting casually in his lap. Each was alone with their thoughts.
“What are you thinking about,
Koibito
?” Fujito asked softly.
“I was just wondering about Kazu. Do you think he‟ll be all right?” “Probably.”
“You don‟t think he bled to death?”
Fujito shook his head. “He was likely just stunned and revived quite soon after we left. He was doubtless very angry when he woke up.”
The tone of his voice spoke worry and remorse for walking out on his sister. She reached out her hand and laid it lightly on his arm. “I‟m sure she‟ll be all right, FujitoSama.” She said quietly. “She is a very resourceful lady. She doesn‟t take any nonsensefrom anyone. Just like her brother.”
“Thank you Katharine.” Fujito whispered, very moved by her concern. Katharine saw something flicker in his eyes but it was gone before she could define it. “It‟s getting late. The others here will be up early.”
“Why?” She wondered. “This place is so peaceful why would anyone want to disturb the stillness?” She sighed.
Fujito chuckled. “This is a farming village,
koibito
.” He said with a gentle smile. “People get up very early to make a living.”
She tried to sleep but it was difficult. The moon was high in the sky when Fujito heard her tossing and turning on the other side of the partition. Then he heard her cry out in her sleep.
Kneeling, he slid the screen across slowly so as not to startle her.
He shook her shoulder gently to wake her. “Katsuko?
Koibito
wake up.” She jumped.
“Easy.” He said gently. “I didn‟t mean to startle you.”
“I‟m sorry. Did I wake you?” She whispered
He did not answer the question directly, but said instead, “I heard you tossing and turning. Having trouble sleeping again?” He smiled.
“Yes. It happens whenever I sleep in a strange place for the first night.” “You were having a bad dream” He told her “Would you like me to mix up something for you?”
“Just some night air, please. That helps.”
He helped her up and they went outside.
“Would you like to tell me about it?”
“What?”
“What could be so bad it made you cry out in your sleep?”
She looked away, embarrassed. She knew he hated cowardice and her flight from England was the height of it. “I was dreaming of the past. About the time before I—”
“Left England?” He guessed.
She nodded.
He was close enough to take her hand. “What is it, Katsuko? What made you leave like that?”
“They were going to marry me off to some ogre. To pay some sort of debt my hapless brother owed. He was drunken, slovenly creature, not cultured like you. I couldnever bare being with him”
“Thank you,
koibito
. I do believe that‟s the first complement I‟ve received from you.” He smiled.
She turned away and lowered her eyes. She heard him chuckle low in his throat; it did something strange to her senses.
“So you left?” He prompted after a short silence.
“Yes. Except I obviously boarded the wrong ship. I thought I was going to the Netherlands on a Dutch ship. Instead, I ended up here—”
“The captive of an imperious twit. I believe was your phrase.” He could not keep the laughter from his voice or a smile from tugging at the corners of his mouth. At her chagrined look he laughed.
She had thought he‟d forgotten. “Gomen nasai. I am sorry” She whispered contritely.
“Do you still feel that way, Lady Katharine?” He asked softly.
She looked into his soft brown eyes. Her own eyes pooled with tears. She buried her face in her hands. He had made her his equal and that simple question had moved her
deeply.
“Katsuko Chan.” He whispered. “I didn‟t mean to make you cry.” He enfolded her against him.
“I‟m sorry. It is just that I had forgotten I am a Lady.”
“Oh,
koibito
never forget. I‟ll make sure you never do that again, never.” He vowed.
Later, when she had fallen asleep he picked her up gently so as not to wake her and carried her back to her futon.
The Samurai‟s Lady

Chapter Four
Kazu had been unconscious when Kimika had returned. She guessed what had happened and she was glad. She prayed for the safety of her brother and the woman she knew in her heart would become her sister-in-law. Even if the authorities would allow her to leave, she knew her brother would not. She sent for the local sensei that came at once. An important samurai such as her husband, and one given to anger, must be attended to without delay. “Your husband‟s attacker was an expert swordsman.” He told her as he bandaged the wound. “Cut where it would injure but inches away from where it would kill. Thekind of cut an experienced sensei would be able to execute.”
Kimika knew that as a friend of the magistrate he was looking for information. She kept her face passive and remained silent.
The doctor realized he would learn nothing from the victim‟s wife and soon left. Kimika watched from the door, a smile inched its way across her mouth. Kazu insisted the next day that he was well enough to get out of bed. Kimika knew it was useless to argue with him. Mainly she busied herself elsewhere, especially helping her neighbor with her new daughter, and left her husband in the capable hands ofhis most loyal retainer; the one that had most to lose at Kazu‟s displeasure.
He paid a visit to the magistrate.
The office was large and well appointed. Kazu told the secretary his business and was shown into a small room to await the magistrate‟s arrival.
“It seems you have hit upon some bad luck.” The man began. He frankly cared little for the man standing before him but the grapevine had told him there was more to
the attack than met the eye. He aimed to find out what.
“Yes.” Kazu spat out. “Thanks to my brother-inlaw.”
“Oh? And what reason would he have to do you harm?”
“He is harboring a criminal.”
Sakamoto sat bolt upright. “Go on.” He said careful to keep the excitement he was feeling out of his voice. He hated to appear too eager.
“He sent my wife a servant.”
“I see.” Either this would amount to nothing or the man was holding onto valuable information for which he would exact the highest price. What did he want?
“That doesn‟t sound criminal to me.” He added evenly.
“There‟s more, a lot more. But you will pay.”
“What is your price?” Ah, here it comes, Sakamoto thought.
“All drunken disorderly charges dropped and my name wiped from every record.” That didn‟t sound like much.
“And fifty thousand koku of rice.”
So, that was it, Daimyo status.
“But surely you must know that is out of my hands to give.” Sakamoto smiled. “Yes. As I also know that is your stipend.”
“Am I to understand you are—?”
“Asking for your position as magistrate for the rest of the year.”
“Let me have the information first.”
“Very well. The servant was in disguise. She was in fact a barbarian woman; and a Christian”
Possibilities danced before his eyes: Called to Edo as the Shogun‟s personal Bannerman. The accolades of the court ladies the fawning of the Yoshiwara women. He smiled silkily. “You will get the first part of your request immediately. The other will have to wait for the information to be substantiated. What charges would you have melay?”
Kazu smiled. “Attempted murder, harboring a barbarian Christian and crimes against the religious institutions of our Shogun.” The smiled widened. “What do you mean?”
“My brother-inlaw is also a believer in the foreign god.”
“Ah-so.” Sakamoto bowed. “Thank you, Kazu-San. For bringing these things to our attention.”
Kazu returned the salute and left the office. Through the open window, he could see Sakamoto lifting the record books from a high shelf.
He returned to his wife in a jovial mood.
After a meal of vegetables, rice and fresh fish from the market, he called for the
sake
to be brought. Kimika‟s heart sank. She wondered what could have put her husbandin such good humor. She couldn‟t ask his personal servant. To him she was non-existent;but she had to find out. She was sure it boded ill for Isamu and Katsuko.
Later, when she had retired for the night leaving Kazu to his drink she was unable to sleep. The moon was high in the sky when she heard him stumbling along the corridor to his room. But he passed it without entering.
She tensed when she heard the shoji to her own room open. Oh no, she thought. Please, don‟t let him want me tonight. But then an idea occurred to her. As drunk as he was, she might be able to pry the needed information from him. He called loudly for her to come to his quarters.
Afterward when he lay drowsing beside her she rolled over and stroked his cheek gently. He grabbed her hungrily. She backed away a little.
“You are very playful tonight, husband, and very jovial. What has put you in such a good mood?”
“By this time next year you will be sleeping with the senior magistrate of this town.”
It was a moment before she understood what he meant. Then she realized the enormity of his words.
“What did you offer to get such an honor?” It was a bribe it had to be. “I offered them information they couldn‟t refuse.” He smiled. Kimika steadied herself against the wave of bad breath that hit her full in the face.
Fear griped her heart. “Did you inform on Katsuko?”
He did not answer immediately. Impatient, she shook him until the rolls of fat jiggled. “Did you?” She shouted, not caring who heard.
“Yes.” He said silkily. Then he went in for the kill; he knew it would hurt. “And on that no good brother of yours.” He laughed harshly at the shock he saw in her eyes.
“You didn‟t think I knew, did you?”
She was too overwhelmed to speak. He grabbed her wrist so hard she winced in pain. “Did you?” His face was so close she could see the gold flecks in his hard eyes. She shook her head.
“What are they going to do with them?”
“Torture them for information first then it will be the cross for them both.” He laughed deep in his throat. It terrified her. She rolled over and cried herself quietly to sleep.
She woke early the next morning, dressed hurriedly and went for a walk. She needed to think of what to do.
She crossed the narrow street south of the samurai district turning north she gazed at the distant mountains.
She crossed the main street; past the castle and its gate, the sun was just beginning to rise in the eastern sky. All ready the sellers at the morning market outside the Temple were setting out vegetables and homemade items for the buyers. “Good morning Lady!” Called one old woman, holding up a bunch of fresh vegetables.
“I‟m busy now. Perhaps later.”
“You have only the morning, Lady.”
“Thank you.”
She was glad the woman did not pursue it; she had too many things to think about.
Then she remembered a merchant she had met weeks ago. He traveled a lot scouring out unique goods to sell. She was sure she‟d heard him say Toyama was one of his major stops.
She quickened her pace back along the narrow path and crossed the street in front of the market. It took several moments but she found the man setting up rare pottery and household articles near the back of the market.
Yes, he said, indeed he did remember her. And yes, Toyama was to be his next stop.
“I will be leaving in a few days.” He told her. “I will be most honored to do a favor for a lady such as you.”
Kimika explained the situation without giving details and he agreed to deliver a message.
She wrote it quickly and hid it away to be retrieved the next morning to take with her to the market.
But luck was not with her. Kazu wanted to go into town himself and insisted he accompany her. She wondered if he knew something, but no, she had written the letterwhile he was out. Since Katsuko‟s move to the pleasure district, she had no servant of her own and Kazu was not overly anxious to engage another. She decided his motives were innocent and followed after him to the market stalls.
He came with her and busied himself with the daikon seller while she negotiated the price of burdock root. She looked back over her shoulder and was pleased to see him still occupied.
Surreptitiously, so as not to attract attention she moved around to the back of the makeshift stalls to find the travelling merchant.
“Ah-Lady Kotchira.” He smiled pleasantly.
“I have the letter for you to deliver to my brother.” She handed him the sealed envelope. “I‟m afraid I can‟t tell you where he‟s staying but there should be an inn neartown. You could perhaps try there first.”
“I will be happy to do that. I shall need lodging myself and it will be no problem for me to make inquiries.”
“Thank you Hataro-San you will never know how much I appreciate this.” “Don‟t mention it, lady. Just be sure to buy my yard goods when I return, hmmm?”
“I will be most happy to.”
When Kazu joined her, he had a strange look on his face. Had he overheard anything? But she consoled herself, the conversation had a purely innocent explanation;the man was a seller of cloth and she was in the market for a new kimono. That was all.
Katharine woke to the sound of singing. It was far away a flowing melody that was sung by both men and women to the accompaniment of wood blocks and flutes and an unidentifiable stringed instrument.
She lay there blissfully listening to the tune then suddenly came wide-awake. Heart pounding she glanced at the open partition. She saw Fujito‟s shadow against the screen and relaxed again
He appeared in the opening.
“Ohiyo Gozaimasu.” He smiled
“Good morning.” She stretched languidly. “What is that wonderful music?” “It‟s the fishers and pearl divers in the bay.” He told her. “Now don‟t lie there to long, your breakfast will get cold.” He smiled.
He left her to dress.
When she came out she saw that he was not dressed as a samurai but in the simple yet elegant attire of a well to do doctor. The plainness was startling compared to the ornate wide-shouldered jacket she was used to, but it made him seem more human somehow. She could see the muscles of his chest and shoulders through the silk. The undershirt and quilted coat had kept them hidden.
She stood shyly watching him, suddenly unsure of herself.
“Come and join me.” He invited. “Soup‟s getting cold.”
She smiled remembering her first reaction to the breakfast fare; now it seemed as natural as bread and cheese.
“What would you like to do today?” He asked.
She found it hard to imagine just having time to herself. She had been away from him for so long she was just realizing she‟d forgotten how to act in his presence. But it was something else, as well.
His manner was different: softer, gentler. More familiar in a way she couldn‟t put her finger on. But maybe it was that he was far from his domains and this gave him a chance to relax, too.
“We could go down to the bay?” He suggested popping a small piece of fish into his mouth.
“Yes.” She smiled. “Let‟s do that.”
After they‟d eaten, they left the ryokan, telling he hostess where they would be. The water was clear and bright. Sun dappling on the surface made the distant waves sparkle like jewels.
They walked slowly along the golden sand listening to the lapping of the waves and the comerants far out to sea. Further down the beach, they found rocks where they stopped to rest.
“Are you remembering too,
koibito
?” He whispered.
“Yes.”
She knew he was referring to the night in Kyushu just before she‟d left. He put his hand on her shoulder and she looked up. Their eyes met. He looked as if he was about to kiss her.
His mouth covered hers, gently searching. He cradled the back of her neck with his hand. Unconsciously his fingers entwined in the hair close to the nape drawing her closer.
A murmur deep in her throat brought him to his senses. He eased himself away. He smiled shyly at her. Dark emotion smoldered behind his eyes. Where had he learned
to do that anyway? She wondered.
“Katsuko Chan.” His voice was a husky whisper
“Fujito-Sama—?”
“Shhh.” His lips brushed her temple. “Isamu.” He smiled. “My name is Isamu.” He explained when he saw the questioning look in her eyes.
Suddenly they heard someone shouting“Sensei, sensei!”
It was the old man‟s wife. She sounded very distressed.
He stood as she approached.
“Sensei, sumimasen.” She bowed. “My husband wishes you come at once. Someone at the inn needs your help. A traveler badly hurt. My husband would like you tocome.”
Her words tumbled over each other coming between breaths.
“Of course.”
As they walked quickly back to town, she told him the nature of the man‟s injuries. When they reached the inn the woman showed him to the room where the patient lay.
“Wait here.” He told Katharine, directing her to the adjoining room. After examining the man he said to the old doctor, “This wound needs expert attention.” Rising, he called Katharine in.
“But I thought—” The old man began to protest but was stopped by Fujito‟s smile as Katharine entered.
“I never perform an operation I‟m not certain of.” He said smiling at her. “But Sensei. That was different. It was urgent; I acted almost without thinking. If I make a mistake I could—”
“You can do it, Katsuko.” He said softly. He held out the knife.
She saw the confidence he had in her in his eyes and took the instrument. “I‟m right here if anything goes wrong.”
Katharine held the blade over the candle flame and moved it over the man‟s wound.
Her eyes met Fujito‟s across the pallet. He nodded slowly, a small smile of encouragement at the corners of his mouth. She lowered the blade to the wound. The patient stirred but did not cry out, although Katharine could see his face contorted in pain.
“The patient will rest now.” Fujito said quietly. The old sensei excused himself, leaving the two of them alone.
After she‟d put the knife on the table, he accompanied her out.
“Are you all right?” Fujito asked.
“Yes.” She answered on a sigh.
“Are you sure?” A smile lit the corners of his mouth.
“Yes. It was easier than the last time.”
“I think I‟d better watch my step. I could be out of a job soon.”
When she looked up, he was grinning at her.
Within a few days, the traveler was able to sit up and take some food. When he was well enough to talk Fujito asked him how he‟d come to be wounded.
“I was attacked by a bunch of
ronin
on a back road. I wouldn‟t have been there but the route I usually take was washed out.”
Fujito frowned. There had been scant rainfall this year. Before he could comment his patient asked,
“Are you the Sensei here?”
“One of them. Why do you ask?”
“I am looking for Fujito Isamu. I have a message from his sister that she asked me to convey.
“I am Fujito Isamu. What is your message?”