The Samurai's Lady (4 page)

Ima no ai wa/kurushi karikeri. The words haunted his sleep like a phantom: The haiku grabbed him tight and would not let him go. Images of the calm water on the nightbefore they left for Kanazawa possessed his mind‟s eye. Her face was before him, her eyes looking into his questioning, begging him not to hurt her. He sat up, sweat glistening on his brow and his chest. “I have hurt you.” The words hammered against his brain. He had to find her. Kimika‟s words threw greater fearinto his soul than all the Shogun‟s force could ever do.
Maeda‟s chief retainers were already seated around the long low wooden table when Fujito arrived at the dining hall. He was introduced and received with the deference due an important visitor and offered the place of honor. Across from him, Kazu glared swords at him but Fujito kept his features passive, revealing nothing. After the
sake
had been poured Maeda clapped his hands together twice and the meal was carried in.
Fujito found the meal appealing and delicious, Maeda‟s wife congenial, and a good hostess. All in all the evening pleased him.
After the meal was over Maeda‟s wife and her attendants retired for the evening, and Maeda clapped his hands again, ushering in the geisha for the entertainment to begin.
They were all young and pretty, but one alone caught his attention. As she began to dance he looked for the unmistakable sign, the burn on her arm when she cauterizedMichiko‟s wound and held it too close to the flame. He hid a smile behind his hand andremembered she hadn‟t even noticed the mark. There it was he was certain now. It was Katharine.
He could not take his eyes from her. Nor could he keep from smiling; one look in his eyes would have told anyone he had known of her talent and was admiring it anew.
But how could he make a discreet inquiry without raising suspicions of prior acquaintance with the girl? He would have to try.
“Who is she?” He whispered his eyes still on her as she executed a perfect curtsy then stooped, fluttered herfan and rose to her feet. He smiled; it didn‟t seem that long ago that she could barely kneel in her kimono.
“Ah, yes.” Maeda smiled. “She is Katsuko, the newest member of the Plum Blossom Inn.”
The name made his heart constrict. It was the name he‟d called her on the night shortly before they left. He felt somehow it had suddenly been degraded; it sickened him to think that she would have to—perhaps with Kazu? He asked himself as he caught the corrupt look in his brother-inlaw‟s eyes.
“She will soon be giving her favors as well as her music.” Maeda was saying, Fujito barely heard him until he added, “Tonight, if all goes well.”
Not if I have anything to say about it, Fujito thought. He made a plan in his mind to follow his brother-in-law.
On the pretense of wishing to visit the area, Fujito asked for a map of the Quarter. “Of course,” He said silkily. “Anything for an ally.”
Maeda produced one that showed both the area and the inside of the house where Katharine was staying. His meaning was abundantly clear. Fujito thanked him, folded it and placed it in the sleeve of his coat, his face a mask, unreadable. In his room, he studied the drawing. The baths were located on the edge of the district. The Inn was indeed large with many winding corridors to dissuade anyone fromfinding one of the girls. Katharine‟s room was near the western garden and accessible from the outside.
But how could he gain entry? If he were seen there would need to be a convincing explanation.
Just after sunset Kazu set of along the winding streets of the Merchant Quarter. Fujito prepared to follow him.
“Good luck.” Kimika whispered on the veranda.
“Thanks.” Isamu smiled. “If all goes well, we should be here within the hour.” Kimika nodded.
Fujito set off. He was only a few minutes behind.
The sun was just setting behind the distant hills outside the town. Lanterns advertising the establishment‟s name glowed orange and black. Looking to his right, he saw two yoriki arresting a man who appeared drunk and disorderly. The prisoner shouted in protest.
The entrance to the garden was through a narrow gateway at the back. Thinking it might be locked Fujito had formulated a plan. But when he got there, he found the gate latched but unlocked.
At one end of the row of rooms several lanterns burned dimly behind closed screens. But looking at his diagram, he saw the rooms closest to Katharine‟s were dark; he hoped they remained so.
There was a problem. When he reached the veranda he found the outer doors to her quarter‟s locked. Sighing in frustration he ran his fingers through his hair and looked around wondering which of the doors led to the main hall and prayed he would find the right one. Picking a door at random, he tried to open it. It gave with ease and only a slight swishing sound.
He opened it just enough to let himself squeeze through and sighed with relief when he saw he had entered a long hall with several corridors branching off. At each junction, and at the end of the hall lanterns shone dimly orange. Musky incense filled his
nostrils.
He began to walk slowly down the right corridor hoping the floorboards were not nightingale boards, so named because they squeaked when anyone walked on them to alert residents to intruders.
He stopped outside Katharine‟s door and tested the opening. Like the one from outside it gave easily. He stepped inside and slid into the shadows. The lantern he‟d seen from the garden still glowed dimly in the far corner. In its gentle orange radiance, he could see her and his brother-in-law. The scene sickened him.

So this was the way it was to be? She thought. Some unknown man would silently enter her room expecting her to know what to do. She lit the lantern on the floor beside the bed and, keeping her eyes closed began to disrobe.
Fujito heard the rustle of cotton as she untied it, but even from across the room the tension could be keenly felt. Dressed only in a thin under kimono that barely covered her slim form, she lay on her pallet and covered herself modestly with the thin quilt, waiting for her first encounter, as this must surely be.
He was standing over her now. She saw the sign of Kazu‟s house and her muscles tensed. No! Please, dear God, not him. She closed her eyes. With trembling hand, she pulled at the string holding his kimono, but it knotted.
Unwilling to wait, he pulled her to her feet, drew her roughly into his arms, and covered her mouth with his.
His lips were as hard as leather and as rough. He lowered her not too gently to the futon.
Kazu pulled his kimono up to reveal the edge of his loincloth and pulled back the quilt. He lowered himself to the pallet and knelt over her. Katharine closed her eyes to block out what was happening.
Fujito‟s jaw was clenched so firmly that it ached. His eyes glared fire in the darkness. He moved out of the shadows.
He grabbed his brother-in-law and pulled him off. Turning the man so their eyes met, in one swift move he twisted around and pulled him over his shoulder. His head hit the wooden boards with a thud. He was out cold.
Katharine kept her eyes closed Hearing the noises she cowered against the wooden beam of the paper wall.
Fujito knelt beside the pallet as he had done so many times as he had nursed her back to health. He wanted suddenly to kiss her; but he restrained himself. She saw the man, but did not recognize him and pressed herself against the wooden beam even more, so that a rough section dug into her back. He caught her hand.
“Katharine.” Fujito whispered.
She opened her eyes and stared into his face. She hadn‟t heard her English name for so long she barely recognized it. But even in the dim lantern light she could see the soft brown eyes looking at her so tenderly were unmistakably his. “But how-how did you find me?”
“I will answer all your questions soon,
Koibito
. But right now I have to get you away from here.”
He saw what he thought were bruises and lifted the lantern onto the table to see better. He was shocked at what he saw. Anger darkened his gaze.
“Did he beat you?” His voice was gravel in his throat.
Not trusting her voice Katharine nodded.
Fujito ran his hand through his hair and sighed with frustration.
“Can you walk?”
This she could answer. “Yes.”
He helped her to stand and steadied her with an arm on her back.
It touched a sore spot, but she was careful not to wince.
“Get dressed. And be quick about it.” It was not quite an order.
“Hai Fujito-Sama.” She complied.
Just hearing those words lightened his heart. Fujito walked to the door and slid it open a fraction. He peered out and cast his eyes along the hall. When she had finished
dressing, he motioned for her to join him.
“We‟ll leave the way I entered. Pretend we are going out for a stroll together. All right?”
Katharine nodded
They had just stepped out into the hall when they heard the shuffling gate of someone coming down the center corridor.
Fujito pressed himself against a wooden beam and moved her in front of him. “Say something witty or something.”
But the relief that suddenly came over her made her throw her head back and laugh instead.
The senior courtesan stopped and eyed them severely. She admonished her. “Gomen nasai. I am sorry, Koriko-San.” Katharine said demurely.
The woman passed without speaking again.
“Well, I am disgraced. Perhaps I should perform
Seppuku.
” Fujito whispered as gravely as he could.
“Why?”
“That woman has been able to do something I could not.”
Katharine eyed him questioningly.
“She has managed to tame the lion of England.” He could not keep the smile from his lips.
“I wouldn‟t place a wager if I were you.”
Now it was his turn to laugh.
They found the door to the garden and slipped out side.
“Where are we going?” She whispered as they zigzagged through the mosses, Ginko trees and pine to the back gate. “I have no other clothing.”
Fujito almost laughed aloud, but caught himself just in time. No, she hadn‟t changed; and he was very glad. “Back to Kimika‟s.” He told her. “At least for now.”
“But Kazu?” He could not see her eyes, but the fear thickened her voice. “He‟ll be unconscious for a while He won‟t bother you.” He only wished he knew for how long. But there was no time to worry about that now.
“You didn‟t kill him?” She asked worriedly.
“No.” He spoke sternly more to convince himself; the last thing they needed was a murder charge on top of everything else.
They headed for the gate. She told him it was locked just after sunset. His eyes darted about the garden, but there was nothing to indicate a watcher‟s presence.
“We‟ll have to over the fence.” He told her. He was glad she was wearing a short
yukata.
It would be easier to maneuver in than a silk kimono. He found a foothold, grabbed the top of the fence, hoisted himself up and jumped over.
Katharine admired anew the sleek lines and muscular shoulders of his figure. “I can help you when you reach the top.” He said in a horse whisper, jarring her out of her thoughts.
“I can‟t.”
He remembered her bruises and sore muscles. “It‟s the only way. Do it for me,
koibito
.” He said gently.
“All right.”
“Good girl.”
Gingerly she found the hole he had used and pulled herself up. At first she thought she had not gone high enough, then she felt the strong grip of his hand on hers as he helped her to the top.
Suddenly they heard a rustle in the bushes. They stopped dead in fear. Katharine‟s heart pounded against her ribs.
“Come on down.” Fujito told her. “It is all right.”
In her hurry to escape the fence she scraped her knee against the rough wooden beams and felt blood on her leg. She tried to muffle her cry of pain but was only partly successful.
“What is it?” Fujito asked, more concerned for her than being discovered. “I scraped my leg. I‟m bleeding.”
“I‟ll see to it when we get home.” He assured her. “It isn‟t far.”
When they reached the house, Fujito led her back to her room to examine her wound. It was, as he had suspected, only a surface cut and only needed a bandage. He fetched one from a near-by cabinet and began to wind it around the leg. When he looked up, she looked about to cry.
At his gentle expression and the compassion in his eyes, she dissolved in tears. She closed her eyes and turned away.
“It‟s all right.” He said softly. “Let them out.”
“But you abhor tears. You said so.”
“That was a long time ago, Katsuko.” He whispered. Taking her in his arms, he held her against him. She rested her head against his shoulder.
“Shhh. It is all over now. I‟m here.” He held her while stroking her head and comforting her as a father would a child.
Then he eased her away from him and wiped away the tears with the backs of his Fingers.
Kimika was relieved to see them both all right. He told his sister that they would go to Toyama. He would try to get word to her if plans had to be changed. She left them alone to prepare for their getaway.
They gathered the things they would need for the journey. Suddenly they heard the door slide open.
Fujito turned expecting to see his sister. Instead, his eyes met the drunken stare of his brother-in-law. With sword drawn, he stepped toward them menacingly. Fujito stood in front of Katharine to protect her.
“Go.” Fujito whispered over his shoulder.
As she moved from behind him, Kazu lunged toward her. She was too quick for him and instead his sword went harmlessly into the paper wall. He tried again trying to side-step Fujito who had again blocked his way, but before he could do any damage his brother-in-law drew his short sword and plunged it into his side. Blood gushed from the wound. Fujito pushed Katharine out of the way of the falling man. He could see that the man was not mortally wounded but he‟d been stopped long enough for them to get away.
“Get the things you need and meet me by the Quarter gate.” The enormity of what Kazu had tried to do hit him full force. He could have lost her forever tonight. Katharine nodded, but before she could comply Fujito pulled her toward him and placed a butterfly kiss on her temple.
“Go.” He whispered huskily.
Outside, the cold night air cleared his lungs and his head.
He must think. They had to pass the checkpoint at the edge of town. Once that was done, they would be free. His heart pounded against his ribs. What if she had beendetained? What if Kazu wasn‟t as badly hurt as he thought? That last was too terrible to contemplate. Looking toward the gate that marked the end of the quarter and the beginning of the street leading to the castle he saw her silhouette outlined against the wall. He breathed a sigh of relief and quickened his steps. “What do we do now?” Katharine asked as he reached her. With anyone else, she would have been more afraid; more worried. But she trusted Fujito implicitly. She knew now that she should have trusted him all along.
„We have to leave the city.” Fujito told her.
“Is Kazu—”
“No. It was only a small wound. But it will buy us the time we need.” He smiled. “Come on.”
Katharine realized with a jolt how much she‟d missed that deadly smile. They walked down the road past the castle and the sellers market. They were almost to the city gate when they heard the clanging of a bell and a cry of “FIRE! Thecastle gate is on fire!”
Looking back, they saw the Maeda retainers burst out of the castle into the night. Suddenly another cry was heard. An entertainer was missing from the Geisha Quarter. Katharine‟s stomach tightened with fear.
“Come on. We haven‟t much time.” He hated to ask her to run, but it was their only chance. “If it gets too bad I‟ll carry you.” He promised.
It hadn‟t seemed that far until she‟d run the distance. As they neared the gate, she bent double, unable to go any farther.
True to his word he lifted her into his arms and carried her the rest of the way. She held both sacks of belongings. It was cumbersome but better than leaving her here.
They were far enough away from Kanazawa to see the outlines of the mountains against he moonlit sky.
“We‟ll rest here.” He told her. He set her down gently.
They found a place under an overhang of brush. The ground was soft and not too dry, despite the lack of rainfall that year.
Fujito pulled two blankets and pillows from one of the sacks. He handed one to her and laid the other on the ground.
Katharine tried hard to sleep but it eluded her. The escape from her captives and seeing Kazu bleeding on the floor had taken its emotional toll. Her nerves trembled causing her to shiver.
Leaning on one elbow Fujito touched her shoulder lightly. She jumped. “Easy.” He whispered. “What is it?”
“I‟m cold.”
“It‟s your nerves reacting to the strain.”
His gentle tone caused the tears that until now she had been holding at bay to spill over her lashes and down her cheeks. He held her until her sobs subsided, stroking her hair and kissing the top of her head.
When she stopped crying he held her away from him and kissed her mouth; it felt like a butterfly wing. “You should try to sleep. We have to be on our way in a few hours.” He smiled.
“I know. But I don‟t think I can.”
“I‟ll sing you a lullaby. It always worked before, remember?” He smiled down at her.
She rested her head in the crook of his arm and he began to sing.
The tune was slow and mournful, well suited to his rich baritone and within minutes she was sound asleep.
He laid her gently on her pillow and she barely stirred. He hooked a finger under a lock of hair he pushed it gently back behind her ear.
All the months of trying to convince himself she meant nothing to him vanished in a sudden rush. She was beautiful and he loved her; there was no denying it now. Then he turned over and went to sleep himself.
The sun was just coming up over the eastern horizon when Fujito woke her. They ate a breakfast of raw fish and rice cakes then started off for Toyama. Toyama, Fujito told her was a small town of apothecaries.
“Is it like Kanazawa?”
“No, and much smaller than Kagoshima. But I can make a living there. At least for a while.” He smiled.
The sun was nearing the western horizon when she stopped suddenly. Sitting she leaned her back against the trunk of a tree.
He stooped in front of her and put a hand on her shoulder.
“Tired?” He asked gently.
“Yes!” She shot back. “And dry and aching all over.”
Fujito smiled patiently and pulled out a bamboo flask “Here. I saved some for you.” He lifted the container to her lips.
Why didn‟t you tell me you had this before?” She asked after taking a deep draft. “Because you would have wanted some sooner and there wouldn‟t have been enough for now.” He smiled kindly.
After a few minutes, he helped her to her feet.
“Do we have to go?”
“Yes. I know a song that will speed your steps.” He smiled.
“All right.” Anything to get to a place where she could rest for a long time. Picking up his pack, he swung it over his shoulder. As they walked he began to sing “Bracken bach o din cur…”
The Welsh was a little mispronounced but the song was unmistakable. She was moved to tears that he should have learned it.
“You have to stop getting the shoulders of my kimono wet.” He chided lightly. He held her to him. “What kind of impression will I give if everywhere I went I had tearsoakedshoulders? It wouldn‟t do for a Daimyo of another Island, to go around strangeterritory like that would it?” His voice was full of laughter and a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.
“I don‟t suppose it would.” She laughed through her tears.
He wiped them away with the backs of his fingers joining her in her mirth and they went on their way singing the Welsh song together.
At the gate of the town, he showed his apothecary‟s crest and after a short conversation with the gatekeeper, they were admitted.
There was a Ryokan a quarter of a mile away. Fujito told her a retired Sensei and his wife ran it.
It was a large establishment compared to the other buildings they had passed lining the narrow streets. Katharine was surprised they could walk through them The Sensei‟s wife was a short stout woman. She wore a gray kimono with a plover quilting design. When Fujito explained who they were and what their plans were she smiled, bowed, and showed them inside.