The Jade Lioness

by Christina Courtenay

  ‘Do you think you were followed?’ Hasuko asked, concern shadowing her eyes.

  Temperance shook her head. Her heart was lodged somewhere near her throat and beating painfully. She had been lulled into a false sense of security by their arrival at Hasuko’s house and had momentarily forgotten the very real danger they were in. The knocking reminded her in no uncertain terms. ‘Not that we were aware of.’ She stood up quickly and grabbed a drying cloth from a nearby stool. ‘I’d better go back upstairs though, just in case.’

  ‘Wait, I’ll find out who it is. Perhaps I can stall them, if indeed they have come for you. Seiko will show you where to hide if necessary.’

  Hasuko made her way towards the front of the house while Temperance dressed hurriedly in a clean sleeping robe which Seiko handed to her. She and the little maid stood still near the door and tried to hear what was happening, but although there were raised voices, Hasuko didn’t call out a warning of any kind. Temperance could feel herself trembling and swallowed hard. Had they come this far only to fail? It didn’t bear thinking of.

  It seemed like they waited for ages, but in fact it was probably only a short while before Hasuko returned, an expression of relief on her face. ‘Don’t worry, it was only a drunk customer who claimed to have left something behind. I told him we always make sure that doesn’t happen, so he must have lost the item elsewhere, but it took a while to persuade him.’

  Temperance and Seiko let out their breaths in unison and smiled shakily at each other. ‘Right, well I’d better go and fetch Kazuo then,’ Temperance said. ‘Thank you very much for the bath, domo arigato gozaimasu.’ She bowed deeply to Hasuko and the maid.

  ‘Do itashi mashite, you are most welcome.’ Hasuko bowed back. ‘If you leave your clothing here with Seiko, she will wash it for you.’

  ‘Oh, but I could do that myself.’ Temperance already felt beholden enough to the kind ladies and didn’t want to make more work for them.

  ‘No, I think it best if you stay hidden for now, Temi-san.’ Hasuko glanced at the long, bright hair and strange eyes with a worried expression and Temperance understood her silent message. It was no doubt difficult enough to hide a wanted man, but to keep someone as different-looking as herself secret would prove impossible if anyone else were to see her.

  ‘Of course. Thank you again.’

  To her surprise, Temperance fell asleep again after her bath and didn’t wake up until the sun was high in the sky. She lay for a moment, staring at the ceiling, before noticing that she was alone. There was no sign of Kazuo or any of his possessions and she sat up abruptly, looking round.

  Had he left for good?

  She couldn’t help a small bubble of panic from rising within her. What if he didn’t come back? What if he’d never had any intention of bringing her further than Edo?

  ‘Don’t be such a ninny,’ she admonished herself out loud. Kazuo would never do something like that without telling her. He was an honourable man, as he had proved several times already. Too honourable on occasion, although she knew she ought to be grateful that he hadn’t taken advantage of her in any way. He must have set off early to try and gather the information he needed, that was all.

  A knock on the sliding door interrupted her thoughts. Seiko-san opened it enough to slide in a tray of food, then bowed and made to leave as quickly as she had come, obviously still uncomfortable with having a foreigner in the house.

  ‘Wait, please.’ Temperance seized her chance for reassurance. ‘Did Kazuo-san say how long he would be gone?’

  ‘No, but I wouldn’t expect him to come back before nightfall,’ the maid replied. ‘It would be too dangerous.’

  ‘Oh, of course. Thank you.’ Temperance felt silly for not having thought of that herself. Naturally he’d have to be cautious and it would be a lot easier to be spotted in daylight. Kazuo would never jeopardise Hasuko-san by coming and going openly.

  She pulled the door to and ate her food slowly. It was, after all, likely to be her only occupation for quite some time so she might as well make the most of it.

  Temperance was ready to scream with boredom by the time Kazuo finally returned. It had been dark for several hours. In fact, it was probably nearly midnight and she had seriously begun to believe her own fears that he may never come back.

  ‘At last!’ She threw her arms around him in pure relief and he laughed, an expression of surprise on his face as he briefly hugged her back before letting go.

  ‘Was I away that long?’ He gave her a quizzical look and she half turned away, embarrassed now by her impulsive behaviour.

  ‘It seemed like forever to me. I’ve had nothing to do all day and there’s only so much sleeping a person can do.’

  ‘Forgive me, I should have asked Hasuko-san to give you something to occupy your time with. I will do so tomorrow.’ Kazuo sank down onto the futon and Temperance followed suit, albeit at a slight distance from him.

  ‘You’re going out again?’

  ‘Of course.’ His eyes became troubled. ‘I have yet to find anything out that is useful. I didn’t have any success today whatsoever. In fact, I had a major setback.’

  ‘How so?’

  ‘Yamada-sama, one of the three men who signed my father’s arrest warrant, is dead. Admittedly, he was the one who was least likely to have been the instigator, since he was a mild-mannered man who hardly ever bothered with the intrigues going on around the Shogun, but still … I should have liked to at least speak to him.’

  ‘How did he die?’

  ‘An illness of some sort, apparently. I don’t think it was foul play, although I suppose it can’t be ruled out altogether.’

  ‘And didn’t he have any relatives?’

  ‘Only a daughter and I doubt I would be allowed to talk to her. She’s married to one of Tanaka’s cousins.’

  ‘Tanaka’s?’ The mere name made Temperance’s stomach muscles clench with apprehension and her eyes flew to Kazuo’s. ‘So the man was related to him by marriage? Doesn’t that seem suspicious to you?’

  ‘Naturally, which is why I wanted to speak to him. As I said, neither my father nor I believed him capable of malice so he must have been coerced. Whether it was by Tanaka, through being related, or by the third man, who is very powerful, cannot now be confirmed.’

  ‘But surely it doesn’t matter? If he wasn’t the instigator then he’s not the man you’re looking for anyway.’

  ‘No, but he could have led me to him. Now I’ll have to try other means.’

  Temperance thought for a moment. ‘Who is the third man?’

  ‘His name will mean nothing to you and I think it’s safer if I don’t tell you. What you don’t know, you can’t reveal.’ Kazuo looked serious, which made her stomach flutter again.

  ‘We’re really in that much danger?’

  ‘Yes, I’m afraid so. Neither of us should be here and you are now a fugitive on top of everything else. So am I, really, as I was ostensibly Tanaka’s servant. But never mind, we’ll manage somehow.’ He took her hand briefly and gave it a reassuring squeeze, then sighed and drew his fingers through his hair. That action made it come loose from the topknot and tumble down his back and shoulders like a dark waterfall. ‘I’m sorry, I really should have taken you straight back to Nagasaki. I shouldn’t have been so impatient. My mission could have waited.’

  ‘No, don’t say that. What about your father’s health? You said time was of the essence.’

  ‘True, but who knows? It might already be too late.’

  ‘You mustn’t think that. From your description he sounds like a stubborn old man, a fighter, he’ll not give up easily. Either way, I owe you for rescuing me from Tanaka. Really, I don’t mind waiting. I just don’t want you to get hurt.’

  He smiled wanly. ‘There was always a risk of that. Even if I do find the right man, I have to actually be able to prove him guilty, otherwise I’ve achieved nothing. Killing him will not right the wrong done to my father and simply knowing who it was won’t
help either so a verbal confession from someone is no good. I need hard proof.’ He shook his head. ‘It won’t be easy and may even be impossible.’

  She put a hand on his arm. ‘Don’t give up yet. I’m sure you’ll find a way.’

  He sighed. ‘Perhaps.’ He was silent for a while then made a visible effort to talk of other things. ‘Have you seen Hasuko today? I spoke to her this morning and she promised to talk to you if she had the time.’

  ‘No, I haven’t seen anyone except Seiko very briefly at meal times. I … uhm, I’m not sure Hasuko-san wants to talk to me. It did rather startle her when she found out that I’m not Japanese.’

  ‘Oh, I doubt that would trouble her for long. No, she’s probably been busy on my behalf. She’s very good at gathering information, which is one of the reasons my father found her so useful. Although naturally he liked her for herself as well.’

  Temperance frowned. ‘This business of concubines, I don’t quite understand it …’ She trailed off, wondering if this was a subject she ought to avoid, having come so close to being one herself. Her curiosity was, as always, nagging at her, however, and she genuinely wanted to know.

  ‘Well, a nobleman has to marry a woman who can bring him wealth and powerful connections to other noble families and allies. But that’s simply duty and after presenting her husband with heirs, a wife can introduce a suitable concubine to him in order to lessen her burden.’

  ‘Lessen her burden? But if she loves him, then how can she bear it if he sleeps with another woman?’

  ‘Love? That is something that rarely happens. Only in poetry or stories. No, you marry for gain and if you like each other, so much the better. If not …’ Kazuo shrugged.

  ‘Well, look at what happened with Tanaka’s wife,’ Temperance protested. ‘He’s divorced her for loving someone else.’

  ‘Ah, but you were asking about concubines. Wives don’t have the same rights. They must remain faithful to their husband, no matter what.’

  ‘How unfair,’ Temperance said without thinking, then realised that it was no different from the double standards practised in her own country. If an English girl should happen to become pregnant while unmarried for example, she’d be the one who was ostracised by society, not the man who did the deed. This was equally as unjust, but it was the way of the world.

  Kazuo frowned. ‘I suppose so. I’ve never thought about it. It’s just how it is.’ He shook his head, looking slightly bemused. ‘Do the men in your country not do the same then?’

  Temperance thought back to snatches of conversation overheard many years before, when her mother and aunt were gossiping in the kitchen, and had to acknowledge that Kazuo was right. She sighed and looked out of the window. ‘Yes, but they’re not supposed to. If a man was unfaithful he would try to keep it a secret, not have the second woman living openly in his house.’

  ‘That seems more deceitful to me.’ Kazuo crossed his arms over his chest. ‘Lying is a most dishonourable trait.’

  ‘Well, I … Yes, yes it is. Even so, it all seems wrong to me.’ Temperance threw up her hands. She didn’t know what to think any longer. She only knew that if she married, she would hate it if her husband strayed.

  Kazuo regarded her for a moment then tactfully changed the subject. ‘I think we need some relaxation. How would you like to go moon gazing tomorrow night?’

  ‘I beg your pardon?’ Temperance thought for a moment she had misunderstood him.

  ‘It will be the fifteenth day of the eighth month of our calendar, the perfect time to observe the autumn moon in all its glory. Lots of people gather to do this every year. It’s very popular. They have parties and write poetry about the beauty of the moon.’

  ‘You’re joking?’ Temperance tried to stifle a giggle. She could see that he was serious, but it seemed a ridiculous pastime to her. ‘And it’s not the eighth month, it’s the tenth – I’m fairly sure it’s October now.’ She pronounced the word in English and he looked puzzled.

  ‘Ocku-toh-beruh? What’s that? No, it is definitely the eighth month here. And I’m not joking. Just come and try it, you might enjoy yourself.’

  ‘Very well, but I’m not writing any poetry. I’m useless at that.’

  He smiled. ‘I’ll do it for you.’

  Chapter Eighteen

  Escaping from Hasuko’s house via the back door the following evening, Kazuo saw Temperance stop for a moment to breathe in the unfamiliar odours of Yoshiwara at night. There were mouth-watering cooking smells assailing them from all directions, as the proprietors of the various establishments made sure they had sumptuous dishes available to serve their customers. Clouds of scent enveloped them whenever any ladies of the night passed them on the street. Fumes of sake emanated from the jolly customers weaving their way to one tea house or another, their way lit by coloured lanterns, and in addition there was a tang of brine in the air, borne on the breeze from the ocean. Kazuo smiled to himself as he saw Temperance battle her curiosity and trying her best not to look around too much, but suddenly she stopped and frowned.

  ‘It smells so clean,’ she exclaimed. ‘How can that be?’

  ‘What do you mean?’ Kazuo was puzzled by her question and smiled openly. She was a delight, this woman, constantly surprising him with her opinions or actions.

  ‘Well, where I come from everyone throws their, uhm, rubbish out into the street. Quite frankly, it stinks, but here?’ She sniffed again. ‘Nothing.’

  ‘That’s because there are sewer ducts on either side of the streets and in the back alleys. Anything thrown out will be carried away and waste is usually collected and taken away.’

  ‘How sensible! Is there anything here in Japan that is not done in an orderly fashion?’

  Kazuo wasn’t sure, but he almost thought he detected a note of exasperation in her voice and he didn’t understand why that should be so. ‘Well, no, I don’t suppose there is,’ he replied cautiously. ‘Why do you ask?’

  ‘No reason.’ She wouldn’t elaborate and Kazuo let the subject drop. There were some things about her that he would never understand, he realised. They were just too different.

  They were allowed through the gate, the password once more working like magic, and began to walk towards the outskirts of the city. Although it was dark, it wasn’t very late yet and there were still people everywhere. At street crossings, in the vicinity of bridges and along the larger streets, people congregated to eat, drink, talk and watch street performers like acrobats or owners of rare animals.

  ‘All this noise is making my head spin,’ Temperance confessed. ‘It’s quite a contrast to our quiet little room, isn’t it?’

  ‘To be sure, the noise and bustle takes some getting used to, but soon you won’t notice.’ Kazuo had spent the last two days out and about and was no longer bothered by the crowds.

  They walked until they came to the Sumida river and continued on, past the Sensoji Temple, which was illuminated by lanterns. Temperance wanted to explore this intriguing-looking building, but Kazuo took her hand and tugged her along impatiently. ‘Not today,’ he said firmly and wondered if there would ever come a time when he could walk around with her openly, without having to worry about being seen. It seemed unlikely.

  Soon they reached the outskirts of the city and there, in a nearby field, was a throng of people. They were standing in groups, chatting in hushed voices, or sitting on blankets on the ground, writing implements at the ready.

  Kazuo came to a halt on the edge of the field in the shadow of a large tree. ‘Let’s stay here. If anyone looks our way, I don’t think they can see the colour of your eyes in the shadows. Look, isn’t it beautiful?’

  Temperance gazed up at the moon, huge and round, with a benignly smiling face clearly visible, and sighed with pleasure. ‘Yes, it is.’ She smiled. ‘I suddenly feel very small and insignificant.’

  ‘I know what you mean.’

  It was a perfect evening for moon-viewing, with not a cloud in the sky nor any wind. The still
ness all around them, as well as the hushed voices nearby, combined to make them feel as if they were in the presence of something exalted.

  ‘It’s quite awe-inspiring,’ Temperance whispered. ‘But what’s so special about tonight?’

  ‘It is the full moon and this time of year it’s larger than usual, thereby increasing its impact on the viewer. Now let me think, I’ll see if I can come up with a haiku.’

  ‘Haiku?’

  ‘A short poem consisting of three lines – the first one with five syllables, the second one with seven, then a final one of five again,’ Kazuo explained. ‘There are other rules that apply as well, but that is a simple explanation and as we’re neither of us experts, I don’t think it matters.’

  He closed his eyes, took a deep breath and concentrated. Instead of the moon, he saw only Temi’s lovely face in his mind’s eye and he frowned. This wouldn’t do. He was supposed to compose something about the moon. He concentrated even harder without success, then finally, the solution came to him – he would combine the two. He opened his eyes and smiled at her. ‘How about this?

  The moon shining bright

  Your skin soft, warm and fragrant

  ’Neath my questing hand.’

  Temperance nodded, but looked slightly embarrassed at the image conjured up by his words. He knew he shouldn’t have so much as hinted that he wanted to touch her perfect skin, but he couldn’t take the words back now.

  An impish grin suddenly lit her features as if she had been struck with inspiration. ‘I know. What about …?

  Moonshine on your hair

  Brightness on darkness reflects

  Light on a deep pond.’

  Kazuo grinned back. ‘Not bad. I thought you said you didn’t do poetry?’

  Temperance blushed and looked away. ‘I don’t usually. That one just came to me. Your kind of poetry is different to ours. Easier somehow.’

  ‘Perhaps the way we just did it, but if done properly it’s anything but easy, believe me. Come, let’s sit down and just enjoy the moonlight for a while before we go back.’ Kazuo unfolded a large cloth he’d brought and spread it at the base of the tree. They sat down with their backs to the harsh trunk and gazed upwards, spellbound by the magical light. Kazuo couldn’t resist a small measure of contact with her, so he took her hand in his and suddenly everything felt right. It was enough to just sit under the tree and enjoy the here and now.