by Walt Mussell
“All this time?”
Nobuhiro’s father’s eyes fluttered and he brought his hand up to his chest. “Yes, Nobuhiro, all this time, but I regret it has taken us this long to once again be father and son.”
Nobuhiro’s hands shook. “Father, you survived death tonight. It is a sign you should live. Do you still plan to take your own life?”
His father stared at him. “It is not necessary anymore. The heaviness I feel in my chest tells me the doctor’s efforts were to no avail. I have seen similar situations on the battlefield. I have a few more minutes. Maybe an hour at best. And I have repaid the greatest debt in life.”
Nobuhiro scratched his head. “The suicide of your supervisor?”
His father shook his head. “The death of Goami’s elder daughter and son-in-law. I requested long ago to your master that he look after you. I repaid his kindness by training someone who killed his children. Until tonight, for this failure, there was no absolution.”
“Why were you going to commit suicide? What request did you make?”
His father wet his lips. “I asked the regent to rescind the official ban on Christianity.”
Nobuhiro said nothing. He glanced down but did not close his eyes. His father had risked his life, given his life, for Sen.
His father placed his hand on Nobuhiro’s shoulder. “I have always been with you, but I go forth to the next life. May the goddess Amaterasu allow me to watch your life with great joy.”
Nobuhiro squeezed his father’s hand. “No, let us call the doctor back. Maybe there is something else that can be done.”
His father wheezed loudly. Uji shuffled closer on the other side, while Toshihiro dragged himself next to Nobuhiro. His father continued. “One day, in the future, we will have time as father and son, the time that our miscommunication denied us these last seven years.”
Nobuhiro bowed and touched his forehead to the floor, then looked up. “Yes, Father.”
His father looked at all of his sons and displayed a smile of satisfaction.
“An old tree withers.
Its branches thrive
In the dawn of a new spring.”
And with those words, their father died.
Chapter Thirty-One
Sen wiped her eyes, losing count of her tears over the last two days. She had tried to hold them inside, but the beauty of the elaborate funeral brought them forth again. She brushed her hand down her chest, but the tightness remained. Many guests had paid their respects to the brothers. Nobuhiro had mentioned there would be a private ceremony later where the brothers would reunite their father with their mother.
Sen approached the front and bowed low. Duty demanded she hold it out of respect, but gratitude held her there. Nobuhiro’s father had looked after her as well. She rose and looked Nobuhiro in the eye, hoping to send support for him at this difficult time. She ached to talk to him. She would have to wait.
She would see him again tomorrow.
She woke early the next morning. The events of the last three days still seemed like a dream. Nobuhiro saving her life. His father dying to save her and Nobuhiro. Nobuhiro saying goodbye and finding out that his father did love him.
During that time, she had had a chance to talk with her parents, to finally admit what she had done.
She also admitted that she loved Nobuhiro. Christian or not Christian, he was the angel in her life. Her mother was right. Nobuhiro was the perfect man for her.
She had work to do today. Yet she had a little time before she would have to report. Before work, she would go to the cross.
###
Nobuhiro walked toward the west part of the castle grounds and the location of the cross on the wall. He stared at the tile for a minute. What to do? What to say? His family accepted his actions. It made his decision easier.
He was not a Christian. He would not be one. Too much to understand. However, something dragged him here to offer thanks.
Nobuhiro clapped twice and bowed slightly to the tile as he let his thoughts flow. God of Sen, I am in your debt. He straightened and clapped one more time.
“Nobuhiro? What are you doing here?”
Nobuhiro turned and his breath stuck in his throat. Sen approached with widening steps.
###
Sen pursed her lips and smiled, laughing inside as she approached. “I saw your clapping and bow. It’s not necessary.”
He laughed. “It’s necessary for me. I will never understand your faith, but if you will have me, I will do my best to support you as your husband.”
Ujihiro walked up; his normal serious gaze was almost relaxed, as much as it could be for him anyway. “I thought I might find both of you here. Especially you, Sen, as you seem to come here.”
She glanced down, her face warming. Another person who noticed. She looked back up at the kind and gentle samurai. There was nothing she could hide from any member of Nobuhiro’s family. “Yes, I do.”
“It is just as we planned. It would bring Lord Akamatsu joy if he knew.”
“What do you mean? What does he have to do with that cross?”
Ujihiro grinned widely. “Do you remember the night Toshi and I met you outside of Himeji? Lord Akamatsu handed me a package that night and asked Toshi and me to ‘put it where it would do the most good.’ The package contained this tile.”
Sen looked at the cross and then back at Ujihiro. “He carried this here? Why? It must have been heavy. I never knew.”
Ujihiro shook his head. “Actually, it doesn’t weigh that much.”
“Why did he do it?”
Ujihiro took on the wizened expression of a teacher. “He was fulfilling a debt to Kuroda, the former castle lord. Do you remember him?”
Sen nodded. “Yes, the castle was much smaller when I left ten years ago. Two years later, Lord Kuroda remodeled it. Lord Akamatsu and Lord Kuroda were close, so drawings and paintings of the castle made it to Haibara. I looked at them every day. It reminded me of home.”
Ujihiro nodded. “Indeed. Home. Family. Very strong bonds. You have an excellent understanding of duty.”
“I remember that time well.” Nobuhiro turned to Sen. “Father served Lord Kuroda then and assisted with the renovation. When it was completed, Lord Kuroda presented the castle to the regent as a gift. The regent lived here for five years before moving to Kyoto and turning the castle over to Lord Kinoshita.”
Sen leaned forward. “Forgive me, please. I understand what happened here, but I don’t understand how it relates to the cross.”
Ujihiro stroked his chin. “When the regent took over Kyushu last year, Kuroda was with him. He was so moved by the faith of the Christians there that he became one. He even installed a cross in his family crest.”
Sen’s mouth dropped open. “But Lord Kuroda renounced Christianity after the regent’s edict. He even gained lands in Kyushu for his decision. Lord Akamatsu lost all of his holdings.”
“Lord Akamatsu is an idealist. Lord Kuroda is a realist. He was concerned over what actions the regent might take toward the faith. It pained him to do so, but he renounced his faith. He believed he could best counteract problems from a position of strength.”
Sen stared back at the tile. “What does that have to do with the cross?”
Ujihiro swept his outstretched hand over the grounds. “Remember, this castle was Lord Kuroda’s home. He wanted a piece of himself to always be here. He had the tile fired and asked Lord Akamatsu to carry it to Himeji on his journey. The package was marked with the seal of the regent and guaranteed your safe passage, at least as far as Himeji. Toshi and I affixed it to the wall after you went to bed that evening.”
Sen scratched the back of her neck. Everything had been planned? “Are you saying the regent approves of Christianity?”
Ujihiro clasped his hands in front of his belt. “Approve or disapprove is irrelevant. The regent will believe whatever is necessary to maintain power. However, he owes debts to Kuroda. Allowing the tile to be displayed at thi
s castle was one way of repaying them.”
Debts. Everything in this society was about debts and obligations. Obligations transcended feelings, transcended politics, transcended everything. She held her breath. She had one more question but had already pushed too far. Could she ask it? What would Nobuhiro say? “Do you approve of Christianity? Are you a Christian, hiding like Lord Kuroda?”
Uji glanced at Nobuhiro. She had overstepped. She knew it. She wished she could see Nobuhiro’s face but she refused to look. She bowed. “Forgive me, please. I’ve forgotten my place.”
Ujihiro waved his hand, palm outward. “It is not a problem. No, I’m not a Christian, but I also owe debts to those who are. Some of those, like the one to Lord Akamatsu, are blood debts. Repayment of those supersedes even my life.”
Sen nodded, understanding. She owed this family a debt, too. She owed her parents a debt. She owed Nobuhiro three times over.
Uji turned to Nobuhiro. “Nobuhiro. Sen. Please visit me at the main armory in thirty minutes. I could use your assistance.”
Nobuhiro glanced at Uji with eyes wide open. “The armory? Is there something wrong?”
Ujihiro’s face went stern. “I have been promoted to father’s position within the castle. Omi’s comments to Sen about this being the beginning of the conspiracy and a connection to the regent concern me. I wish to discuss it again.”
Sen’s pulse raced at the thought of that night. It was over here, but other Christians still faced danger, likely in many cities if Omi was to be believed. Her chest tightened. She would keep them in her prayers.
Nobuhiro ran his hand over his head. “Any plans?”
Ujihiro nodded. “I need people I can trust in other locations. I have already arranged for a few transfers. Nishioji will go to Osaka. Toshi, once he is healed in a few months, will move to Kyoto. I am still debating where to send Matsubara. I may have him join one of them. That seems the best way to start.”
“Why there?” Nobuhiro asked.
“When we searched Omi, we found a black eyepatch sewn with red thread. It made no sense, so we split it open. Inside was a note referencing those two places. I don’t know what we’ll find, but something is amiss.”
Ujihiro turned to go but quickly doubled back to the couple. “I almost forgot. Sen, welcome to the family. You are a lot like our mother and a perfect match for Nobuhiro. It will be good to have a relative who is an esteemed swordsmith. We may need it in the days and months ahead.”
Sen’s jaw dropped and she bowed quickly. “Th . . . thank you.”
Ujihiro walked away as Sen turned to Nobuhiro and stared. “Welcome to the family?”
Nobuhiro turned red. “I asked his permission this morning. I will try to be a good husband. Will you be my wife? We’ll have to wait a year until the mourning period for my father is over. Also, Uji did request we hold the ceremony on a daian, saying that we should still respect local tradition.”
Sen thought it over. A daian occurred every six days on the Buddhist calendar. It would be easy to schedule.
She yearned to hug Nobuhiro, but now would be inappropriate. Instead, she reached out and brushed the tips of his fingers. “That will be fine. However, I won’t wait any longer than the first or second one after a year to become your wife. A year will be good. It will give us more time to know each other.”
And somewhere in the distance, a little white dog wagged its tail and barked.
Epilogue
Kyoto, Japan—Three days later
Eijiro sipped his tea as he tapped his fingers on his legs, wiping light beads of sweat on the silk fabric. Silk. A special fabric reserved for those with means and the will to deliver change.
He would deliver change.
His underling bowed before him on all fours, his head parallel and inches from the ground. His fingers quivered. A decent show of respect.
Scared, Yamashiro. You should be. But today is not your day. If the time comes, you will know.
He placed the tea on a table next to his chair. “Yamashiro. Report.”
Yamashiro raised his head and bit his lower lip, swallowing hard as he sat back on his calves. “Kaiken is dead, my lord.”
Eijiro’s chest twisted and he flattened his lips. The news was not unexpected but not welcome either. “How did it happen?”
“She broke her neck, falling into the well at Himeji Castle. She fought Tokoda Shigehiro and one of his sons. The elder Tokoda is dead. His son still lives. Another one of Tokoda’s sons broke his leg. An epic battle, it would seem.
He took another sip of tea. “She died honorably and loyally. It pleases the soul. Any more word on the Christians in Himeji? Is my disloyal runaway wife Iri hiding with them?”
“It would not seem so, my lord. Few of the Christians in the group are the right age. Those who are do not bear any resemblance to your descriptions.”
Eijiro rose, his face red. “My descriptions were of a young girl, barely of the age to even produce a child. Do you not understand? The last time I saw her was years ago. We are speaking of an adult woman.”
Yamashiro cringed but then straightened and held his ground. “Yes, my lord. I understand. Yet Himeji would seem the wrong place.”
“Then our work there is done. With the death of our entire group in that area, we need concern ourselves no more. Kaiken died fighting. She would not have breathed a word of our existence. The Tokodas will believe a madwoman died. We need to shift our assets. There are other places. Other groups. Other possibilities. This woman, my wife, must be found.”
Yamashiro looked away. “Was there anything else in the divorce document from the empress? Anything that gave you a hint of where your wife might be?”
“None. It’s not right. The empress’s rules on divorce are specific. I’m supposed to be given notice. A place to meet. Knowledge of her location. Why am I being treated differently from anyone else?”
“The only divorce temple is in Kamakura, I thought. Has it been checked?”
Eijiro grabbed a mochi from the tray on the table next to him. “The document from the empress states she is not there, but our associates went there anyway. Nothing.”
“One temple cannot serve an entire country. Maybe the empress designated others.”
“My wife would not trust them.”
Yamashiro looked up and tilted his head. “Do you have an appeal? You have friends. Can they plead on your behalf?”
“I cannot risk it. Besides, if a ruling has been made, I must abide. When the time comes, I will have the power. The imperial family will bow down to me soon enough. Then I will rule.”
“So we continue to pursue Christians then?”
“Yes, she has always leaned on these foul wretches since the day she escaped me. The search alone will bring me joy. Christians caused my mentor’s downfall. I will see that they pay for their insolence.”
“Very good, my lord. What of the messenger we hired? He knows of us.”
Eijiro looked up and studied the ceiling. “Ah, yes. Carpenter. He was a good idea. With her dwindling numbers, I knew Kaiken had scant time remaining. Pay him his money. Thank him for his service and tell him we have another job for him. When he sits down to discuss the job, kill him.”
Yamashiro laughed. “It will be done, but what if he has other contacts?”
“I hired this one for his reputation. He will not be missed.”
Yamashiro nodded and turned to leave. He paused at the door, knelt, and bowed. “You are the way.”
Eijiro grunted. “Don’t forget to retrieve the money after you’re done with our guest.”
Yamashiro closed the door behind him. His footsteps brought chirps from the nightingale floor. A good man, Yamashiro.
Eijiro walked to the window and stared out from the top of the hill. Sweat dripped down his face and soaked into the edge of his kimono. He rubbed his cheek against the cloth and shook his head as his gaze fell over Kyoto and wandered into the distance. Crowds milled about in the streets, unaware th
at life would change for the better. He would bring that change to fruition.
A movement of one drew his attention, but he tossed it aside. Even from this distance, he would know her in the crowd. A shuffling of black robes stood out among the people. Talk of temples stayed with him.
Iri, my wife and my love. You cannot hide from me forever. I will find you. On our togetherness rides the fate of a nation.
Author’s Historical Note
I thank you for reading my book, The Samurai’s Heart. As the epilogue shows, it is the first in a series. If you enjoyed the secondary characters here, such as Toshi, Uji, Matsubara, and Nishioji, they do come back again, with Nishioji’s story the focus of the next book and then Toshi having the final chapter.
I have endeavored to make my stories as historically accurate as possible. Please e-mail me with any mistakes you find. Some items are noted below for explanation.
Himeji Castle–The history of Himeji Castle offered the greatest challenge. The current castle, a white, six-story structure meant to represent a heron in flight, is a UNESCO Cultural Heritage site and one of the best-known structures in Japan. Himeji Castle, as it stands today, is the result of a remodel dating to 1601–1609. This story takes place in 1587–1588. At that time, Himeji Castle was only three stories tall. It also may not have been white. Many castles in that area of Japan used black lacquer, as it withstood the humidity better. White castles would be found in less humid areas like Tokyo (where Tokugawa Ieyasu resided from 1590). And, as Ieyasu sought to eradicate Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s influence after Hideyoshi’s death in 1598, remodeling the castle as a white one instead of a black one would have sent a message that Tokyo was in charge. As I could find no reference to definitively support that the castle was black at the time of my novel, I left it white.