To Kaze, once a child was past infancy, it was a small person. The child was expected to work and learn and contribute to the household, especially if it was a farm household, as most were. Even though a child was a small person, there were many things that a child could not do until they had gained the experience of years. A girl might be married at fourteen, but at the age of the children in the courtyard, they were supposed to be years away from the mysteries of sex. To see how grown men could view such unformed beings as sexual partners was beyond Kaze’s understanding.
Jitotenno, who had moved to the right side of the courtyard, raised her hand, and the musicians stopped playing. The children immediately dropped their toys and sat on the sand, in a clearly rehearsed move.
“Now, esteemed guests, I would like to present to you the most delicate flower of the Little Flower. She is our most favorite entertainer, and has been for years, Little Chrysanthemum, Kiku-chan!” She dramatically slid open a screen and a frail girl stepped out of the room and onto the veranda. She was dressed in the finest silk kimono, a deep red with a pattern of yellow and white chrysanthemums on it. A matching obi was tied, and her hair was dressed as if she were going to a shrine on New Year’s Day.
Kaze’s breath caught in his throat. Her face was a younger image of the Lady’s. The same smooth cheeks, the same small mouth, the same delicate eyebrows that perfectly accented the eyes. Those eyes, however, were not the Lady’s eyes. The Lady’s eyes were always lively and full of joy. This child’s eyes, her daughter’s eyes, were dull and lifeless. Her look was distant and withdrawn, as if by crawling into some secret place inside her, the child could also withdraw from the life she was leading. It was a younger version of the face Kaze carved on the Kannons he used to ease the dead, but without the peaceful grace and tranquility.
Kaze had found the child.
He wished he had brought his sword with him—although he knew that he would have had to surrender his sword at the door of the brothel—just so it would be nearby in case he decided to abandon his plan and cut his way out. Kaze knew that there were probably several thugs someplace in the house, but he didn’t care. No one would stop him from saving this child, now that he knew she was here.
Kiku-chan took a shakuhachi, a bamboo flute, from her obi sash and brought it to her lips. She started to play. It was a slow, plaintive melody that carried across the courtyard with surprising power. The music filled the space and spilled out of the top of the courtyard and into the open sky. Once again, Kaze’s breath caught.
It was the same melody Kaze had faintly heard that night in the theater. Slow, haunting, ineffably sad. Through that music, floating across the roofs until it barely reached the theater on the other side of the block, Kaze had made contact with the daughter of the Lady and had not even realized it. Tears formed in his eyes.
Kiku-chan continued her playing for several minutes; then she put her flute back into her obi sash, gave a deep bow to the men on the veranda, and went back into her room. Jitotenno slid the screen back into place.
That was the signal for the other children to leave the courtyard and line up on the opposite veranda, where they could easily be selected by the guests. Kaze glanced over and saw that, despite the smiles plastered on their faces, the eyes of the children were apprehensive and even fearful.
Jitotenno walked over to the four men and bowed deeply. “I hope you have seen someone who will make your stay in our house a little more pleasant,” she said.
“I’ll take the flute player,” one man said immediately.
Jitotenno bowed again. “Kiku-chan, because of her great beauty and refinement, costs four times the amount of the other girls available.”
“I’ll still take her,” the man said.
“I’ll double it,” Kaze spoke up.
Jitotenno’s eyes widened slightly; then she looked at the first man.
“If you give me credit, I will pay a bit more,” he said.
Kaze took out his money pouch and jingled it. He would normally never do something as crude as this, but he felt in this company the gesture was suitable.
At the promise of so much cash, Jitotenno said to the first pedophile, “I will let you stay with one of the other girls at a discount, and the next time you visit us, I will make sure you spend the night with Kiku-chan. I hope that is satisfactory. After all, Kiku-chan is not a virgin, despite her virginal appearance, so you will not lose any advantage by letting this gentleman spend tonight with her. In fact, you will have your pleasure with both Kiku-chan and another of these adorable children, and at a substantial savings. I hope this will be acceptable?”
The man, not liking the arrangement but seeing the logic of it, grunted his assent to the offer.
“Good. Let me take this esteemed gentleman to Kiku-chan, and then I will return to see what girl or boy you other gentlemen have chosen to take your pleasure with.”
Kaze stood, and Jitotenno led him around the courtyard to Kiku-chan’s door. She slid open the door. In the room, lit by two paper lanterns, a futon was already spread on the tatami mats and a small hibachi with a pot of water and several flasks of sakè stood next to it. Kiku-chan sat on the futon, her hands in her lap, looking very small and vulnerable. She looked up at the opening of the door, her face registering resignation that she had a “guest” for the night, and not really caring who the guest was.
“For your safety, esteemed gentleman, we have guards who will watch the door all night.” This was a warning, so that Kaze wouldn’t try to sneak out without paying when he was done. “You can do whatever you like with the child tonight. Please excuse me for saying this, but if you cripple or kill the child, you will have to pay us for either the loss of her services or blood money. Otherwise, please enjoy her.” She ushered Kaze into the room and slid the door closed behind him.
Kiku-chan watched him closely. She had gone beyond the point of being wary with the guests, and was simply trying to see how rough he might be with her.
Kaze sat down on the tatami, a distance far enough away that he thought she might feel safe.
“Do you want some sakè?” she said.
“No.”
She sat silently, waiting for what would occur next.
“Do you remember me, Kiku-chan?”
“Have I entertained you before?”
“No. From before you were Kiku-chan.” Kaze spoke her real name. “From the time you were a child with your mother.”
She looked surprised at Kaze’s statement, but said, “I am Kiku-chan. That girl you named is dead. Her mother is dead. All her clan is dead. She has no one. Kiku-chan is at least alive, even though she has no one, too.”
“That’s not true, Kiku-chan. You have me. I was sent by your mother to find you.”
“My mother is dead!”
“Yes, I know that. I was with her when she died. Before she died, she told me to find you and rescue you.”
Now the child looked wary. She had been told so many lies in recent years that she knew not to believe this one.
“Yes. It’s true. I will get you out of here.”
“How?”
“I can’t tell you that. But it will be soon. Trust me.”
Kiku-chan’s face clearly showed she didn’t trust anyone.
“Why don’t you try to sleep?” Kaze suggested. “Perhaps something will happen tomorrow.”
With a knowing look, the little girl stood up and started removing her fancy kimono. “Keep your inner kimono on,” Kaze said. Kiku-chan looked puzzled, but did as she was ordered. When she was done removing the elaborate obi, the fancy kimono, and the decorative pins from her hair, Kaze said, “Now sleep. Don’t worry. No one is going to touch or harm you tonight.”
Like an automaton, the young girl got under the futon cover, with her head on the small wooden pillow-block that was placed next to a full-sized, adult pillow block. Kaze could see a tension in her neck and shoulders, and from her breathing he could tell she was not really asleep. He wondered if
she expected him to fondle and molest her in her sleep, and also wondered what manner of man would do such a thing. Eventually, as Kaze stood vigil watching her, Kiku-chan’s breathing became more regular, and the child finally fell into slumber.
Once, during the night, the child woke with a cry, her arms flailing, as if she were trying to beat someone back. Kaze, who had not slept, decided it would be best for him to stay where he was and not to try to touch or comfort her. She sat up and looked around, and upon seeing Kaze, fear briefly flashed across her face, until she remembered who he was. Then she regained her icy composure. Without a word, she lay down and closed her eyes again.
In the morning, the child awoke and sat up, looking at Kaze again with those wide, distrustful eyes. In his years of wandering, Kaze had concentrated his thoughts on his search for the child. He had not given consideration to what would happen when he found her. Partly this was because he was not sure he would find her. He could easily imagine wandering the length and breadth of Japan without finding her, until he became too enfeebled by age or he was killed. Partly it was because it was simply not in his nature to worry about endless possibilities that might not come to pass. He did think about future strategy, but in the context of a warrior planning a campaign, not as a man enumerating the possibilities of the future. Now that he had found the child, Kaze realized that the unfolding possibilities of the future could become a reality, and he would have to cope with the novel burden of protecting and healing a damaged child.
The sound of footsteps came from the veranda, and Kaze moved to the futon and messed up his side, so it would look like he slept there. There was a discreet call from the door, “Sumimasen! Ohayo gozaimasu! Good morning! Can we enter?”
“Come,” Kaze said.
Jitotenno and a maid were at the door. The maid was holding a tray with a hearty breakfast on it; miso soup, rice, and a small grilled fish.
“I hope you had a marvelous night,” Jitotenno said.
“It was very satisfactory,” Kaze replied.
“Excellent,” Jitotenno said. “The maid will serve you breakfast. I will take Kiku-chan now, then return when your breakfast is over.”
Kaze looked at the Lady’s daughter, loath to let her disappear from his sight now that he had finally found her. Jitotenno interpreted this look as one a lover might give to a paramour, and took Kiku-chan by the hand and led her out of the room. Kaze sat down and ate the breakfast, thoughtfully considering what would happen next.
After he was done, Jitotenno returned to the room and announced, “Now, if the esteemed guest would like to settle the bill…”
“Of course,” Kaze said, handing Jitotenno a cloth pouch of coins.
Jitotenno took the money with a bow and left the room. Kaze did not get up to go. In minutes, Jitotenno returned to the room, a dark cloud across her painted face.
“There must be some mistake,” she said. “Most of the coins in this pouch are copper. There are only three gold coins. You said you would pay double for Kiku-chan’s services, and the money in this pouch doesn’t even cover her regular fee.”
“I’m very sorry,” Kaze said. “That is all the money I have.”
“Come in here,” Jitotenno said. Two thugs entered the room. They were muscular and evil looking.
“Beat this dog,” Jitotenno said sharply. “And when you’re done beating him, throw him out into the street. If he ever returns here, kill him.”
She left as the two thugs commenced to kick and hit Kaze. Kaze protected his face, but made no effort to defend himself. The thugs were strong but not very skilled, and Kaze knew he would come out of this with no more than bad bruises, so he simply sat on the mat and endured a beating he knew he could stop, even without his sword.
When the thugs finally tired of punching and kicking him, they yanked Kaze to his feet and dragged him from the room to the front of the house. They continued dragging him right out into the street, administering another round of kicks and punches while shopkeepers and people walking on the street stopped to watch the show. When they were done, the thugs looked at the gathered crowd and announced, “This man didn’t have enough to pay his bill!” They walked back into the Little Flower, one thug pausing to pick up Kaze’s sandals and throw them out the door. They hit Kaze as he picked himself off the dusty street.
Kaze put on his sandals and a large crowd milled about, waiting to see if there was going to be more entertainment. When he was ready to go, Kaze stood and said in a loud voice, “Despite this rude parting, I thank Jitotenno for her hospitality! It was useful to a man in my circumstances, even if she threw me out when my money ran dry!”
Then he pushed his way through the crowd and started walking away. Near the edge of the crowd, he stopped to adjust his sandals. As he did so, he spoke to the large man standing in the doorway of a shop. It was Nobu.
“The child is there. Her name is Kiku-chan.”
Then Kaze continued walking, trying to work out the soreness he felt from the beating.
I should be put in charge!” Honda was never one to mince words. Ieyasu, Okubo, Toyama, Honda, and Yoshida were in council again, to hear a progress report on the search for the man who had tried to assassinate Ieyasu.
“Yoshida-san has tried to find one man for days, with no success. He even searched the entire Ningyo-cho district, using hundreds of men, with no success. That very next morning, five ninja were found dead in Ningyo-cho, proving the assassin must have a large gang there, but Yoshida-san couldn’t discover them. No one man could kill five ninja. It’s time to let someone else try. As long as that man is free, Ieyasu is in danger. Yoshida-san tried. He failed. Now let me do it, Ieyasu-sama.”
Before Ieyasu could make a decision, Niiya appeared in the doorway of the room, bowing on one knee, in proper military fashion. Ieyasu looked surprised.
“This man is Niiya,” Yoshida said. “He is my chief captain. What is it, Niiya?”
“I beg forgiveness for interrupting such an important conference,” Niiya said, “but I have a report that I know you will want to hear immediately. The ronin, Matsuyama Kaze, has been spotted. We know where he’s been hiding!”
“Where?” Yoshida asked, excited.
“In Ningyo-cho, as you suspected, Yoshida-sama,” Niiya said. Yoshida gave Honda a look of triumph.
“The dog was in hiding in a whorehouse that specializes in providing children.”
“A pervert as well as an assassin,” Honda grumped.
“Evidently he ran out of money, so they threw him out this morning,” Niiya continued. “We have already closed down the whorehouse and arrested everyone in it.”
“Good, good! Ieyasu-sama, please excuse me. I would like to go see abut this development, and personally supervise as we question the inhabitants of the whorehouse.”
Ieyasu waved his hand, dismissing Yoshida. He and Niiya left the room. As they walked down the halls of the Shogun’s villa, Niiya said, “I’m sorry for interrupting you, Yoshida-sama.”
“It couldn’t be better timed. Honda was about to take over the investigation. After all our careful planning, it would be a shame if that old dog snatched the victory from us at the last moment. Okubo is remaining strangely silent on this, especially since he has a personal grudge against this Matsuyama, and Toyama is a fool. Only Honda is a threat to make me look bad in this, especially since we’re so close to capturing this Matsuyama. When did he leave the whorehouse?”
“This morning. The fools in the whorehouse made a spectacle of throwing him out. Countless people saw it, and all confirm that the man matched the description of Matsuyama.”
“How did you find out about it?”
“One of our informers told me. A gambler. He used to work for the gambler that told us that Matsuyama was staying at that vegetable merchant’s house. His boss had an accident, so he’s taken over the gang. He wants to get back into good standing so we’ll leave his gambling house alone.”
“What do the people at the whorehouse say
?”
“They claim that Matsuyama was only a guest for one night, and that he didn’t pay his bill, which is why they beat him up and threw him out.”
“Do you believe them?”
“No. Matsuyama has been hiding for days. He needs a place to hide in the city, and that whorehouse would be perfect.”
“Have you started torturing them yet, to see if they change their story?”
“No, Yoshida-sama. I thought I’d wait for you.”
“Good. I’ll make those dogs tell me the truth, or kill them in the process. I must find that Matsuyama, or Honda will end up as the most important daimyo in Ieyasu’s new government!”
I thought I’d save you a walk.”
Nobu started, then spun around to see a komuso walking just behind him, the basketlike headgear just inches from his face. The komuso lifted the basket to reveal his face. It was Kaze.
“You! You’re always sneaking around to surprise me. Why do you do that?” Nobu demanded.
Kaze grinned. “Gomen nasai. I’m sorry. I was born in the year of the Monkey, and liking mischief is a fault of mine. I even enjoy sitting in trees. I can’t help it. I also enjoy seeing you jump. It’s amazing to see a man as big as you who is also light on his feet.” He dropped the basket back into place to mask his face.
Kaze looked at the small figure walking next to Nobu. She had on a bright blue kimono, although her hair was a bit disheveled, because no one had prepared it that morning.
“Hello, Kiku-chan. I said I would get you out of that place.”
Kiku-chan viewed the strange figure with suspicious eyes and gave no greeting.
“I thought we were going to meet at the temple?” Nobu said.
“Yes. As I said, I thought I’d save you some walking.” By meeting Nobu unexpectedly on the route to the temple, Kaze also thought it would make it harder for Nobu to spring an ambush, just in case the lure of the reward on his head was too great.
“As you can see, here she is.”
“Good. Did you have any trouble?”
Kill the Shogun (Samurai Mysteries) Page 17