by Gaynor Baker
“Ohaiyo gozaimasu.” Yukiko said.
“Ohaiyo gozaimasu.” Katharine answered then inexplicably burst into tears and ran out of the room.
Fujito got up from his place. “I think I know what"s wrong.” He told them. “Sumimasen, excuse me”
He found her on the floor of her room head on her arm, which was resting on the lowest shelf on one wall.
“Katsu-ko, are you all right?” He asked softly.
She shook her head, not wanting to face him.
He crossed the room and was beside her in a trice.
“I made a complete fool of myself, crying like that. What ever will they think of me?” She sobbed into his shoulder.
“Hey come on,” He smiled tenderly. “So you had a little too much to drink last night.” He blotted a tear with his knuckle. “It"s not he end of the world.” She smiled tremulously. Then began to cry again.
“Ohh, there now.” He took her in his arms. “Shhh. It"s all right.” He stroked her hair, entwining his fingers in the tresses. “You can hit me if you want.” Easing her away,
he offered his cheek.
“Why?” She sniffed.
“Because I forgot you"re not Japanese and I didn"t water down the sake like I used to at home.”
She raised her hand but before it connected with his face he took it and held it to his lips. “I"m sorry. Will you forgive me?”
“Yes.” She was moved that he had forgotten.
Yukiko peeped her headaround the door. “Is everything all right?” Fujito looked at Katharine and smiled.
“Yes.” She answered. “Everything"s fine.”
“Good.” She smiled. “There"s some tea made, Kastsu-ko.”
“Domo arigato o gozaimasu.”
The woman left them alone again.
“We"ll go for a walk afterward, all right?” Fujito asked.
“Yes.” She smiled
When she returned to the table Fujito helped her to sit.
“Allow me to apologize for the strong wine last night.” The magistrate said. “Oh, it"s all right, really.” Katharine told him, accepting the cup from Yukiko. “Arigato o gozaimasu.”
“Do itashimasite.” Yukiko smiled.
When she had finished her tea and eaten a little she dressed and joined Fujito in the garden. He was sitting on the bench where he"d found her.
“Do you have a headache? I could fix you something?”
“The air is helping. Let"s take that walk first.”
“All right.” He smiled. Rising, he took her hand and they began to walk down the small incline that led to the tree filled hill and the bay beyond.
They found the dirt path through the trees. When they stopped to watch a bird he turned his head and kissed her. Unexpectedly she burst into tears.
“Katsuko, what is it?” He asked.
“It"s nothing. Just the wine, I imagine. Please don"t let me do that again. I get much too emotional when I drink.” She sniffed, wiping away her tears with her kimono sleeve.
“Yes I can see that.” He turned to her with a smile and brushed away the last remaining tear on her cheek with his thumb. “Tell me?” He whispered. “Could it be it"s getting harder to convince yourself you want to go home to England?” She looked away for a moment, telling him he was right. When she returned her gaze to his face, she almost cried again at the tender look she saw in his eyes. Holding her face in his hands, he lowered his mouth to hers.
He was slowly banishing all thought as his lips moved deliberately over hers. She was powerless against the force behind her eyes, closing them, as if they had a will of their own.
The heady scent of his cologne mingled with the fragrance of the leaves and moss.
Leaving her mouth, he trailed a line of kisses down her cheek, her neck and just above the collarbone.
“Oh, Isamu!” She breathed.
He returned to her lips for one last kiss before easing himself away. As he looked into her slowly opening eyes he saw a love reflected there that he knew she might never voice.
The bay was beautiful this time of the morning. Sunlight danced with yellow shoes on top of the tiny waves.
Hand in hand, they walked on the beach near the water"s edge. The air cleared her head and she no longer felt it pounding. The bay was deserted except for a few boats not far away. They found a boulder and sat down.
“What a pity there isn"t any music.” She said sadly.
Drawing her close, he kissed the top of her head. “Why don"t you sing me that Welsh lullaby? You know the one you sang at the celebration for Michiko"s recovery?”
He suggested with a smile.
She put her head on his shoulder and began to sing very softly so that only the two of them could hear.
“That was beautiful.” Fujito whispered, moved again by her voice and thankful to the Lord for allowing him to hear it again. “And so are you.” He smiled down at her and
kissed her cheek. “Come.” He stood and gave her his hand. They continued to walk along
the shore until they found the path leading back up the hill.
When they returned Yukiko was just preparing a snack.
“It was supposed to be for the children.” She smiled. “But I seem to have made too much. Please share it with us?”
“Domo.” Fujito answered for them both.
Katharine"s appetite had returned something he was glad to see.
Later that afternoon Yukiko came into the living room. “Well, Father is resting with Aritomo. He is upset. I must travel on tomorrow and the children must return to Itowith the servants.”
Katharine would be sorry to see them go.
After dinner, the magistrate took Fujito out on the veranda.
“Your daughter tells me the children must return home tomorrow.” Fujito said. “Yes, I am afraid life will become sad again.” He answered with a smile. „Although not quite so much as memories of recent events will fill its walls.” “Domo.” Fujito bowed.
“This brings me to the reason for bringing you outside. I understand that you and Katsuko will be traveling on to Ito soon as well, now your wounds have healed.” “That"s right.”
“Well, my daughter has suggested that you and she travel with the servants. It will save you the walk or fare for hiring someone.”
“That is a good idea.” Fujito said. “Domo. And thank your daughter also.” The next morning they were ready to leave after a final meal together, they bid their farewells to the magistrate. Leaving his daughter and her children to say their goodbyes
in private, they went outside to where the palanquin was waiting.
When she joined them, Yukiko had a note, which she folded and handed to Fujito. “Give this to my husband.” She told him. “It explains everything and he will see that you are made to feel comfortable.”
“All right.” He smiled.
Standing beside him Katharine felt her heart jump as once again she realized how deadly that smile could be to her rationale.
She was glad to have the chance to look after Aritomo all the way to Ito. She had grown to love the newborn. What bothered her were the thoughts that she would like to have a child of her own, with Fujito.
It is impossible. She told herself silently. You will be home in a few months and your mother will find you a nice young Gentleman to settle down and raise a family with.
Yet, somehow the prospect did not make her as happy as it once did. They were almost at the outskirts of Ito when Fujito spotted the horse and rider black against the lightening eastern sky. Katharine was asleep beside him her head restingon his lap; the children were asleep on the other side of the caravan. He tried to lean out
to get a closer look but did not go too far for fear of waking her.
He told himself that he was being too cautious after Hakone. But he would keep watch, just in case.
As they entered the town, the rider appeared again. Glad that Katharine was occupied with the baby he was able to get a good look.
The man wore the colors of the Shogun; Fujito"s heart sank. They would not be able to stay here long but would have to move on to Shimoda where they could get the ferry to Shikoku.
Yukiko"s husband was a friendly man, around Fujito"s age and they took to each other on sight. By the end of the first evening they were using each other"s given names.
Katharine was putting the baby to bed and Fujito had gone out to the veranda. “It looks like rain.” Hiru said.
“Yes.” Fujito concurred.
“Yukiko told me that her father asked me to make sure you got this.” He handed him a folded sheet of parchment.
The note said that the magistrate had found out that they were on the run from the Shogun"s men and that Hiru was to give them any assistance they might need. “Thank you.” Fujito said. He didn"t know how the man had found out, but he was glad that he was on his side and not the other.
“I"d like to know why.” Hiru admitted. “But I"ll understand if you can"t tell me. I"ll pray to God every night for your safety, regardless.”
“You"re a Christian?”
“Yes. Both Yukiko and I are.” Reaching into his kimono, he produced a wooden carving of a fish. “We each carry one of these. Not even her father knows.” “Won"t he listen?”
“I don"t know. We"ve tried to tell him and share the love of Jesus with him but there never seems to be time. With the prescribed attendance, we hardly ever see him. It was with much trouble and prayer that I arranged for Aritomo to be born here. Yukiko is not strong and I wanted her to have the benefits ofour waters.” “I"m sure you will have opportunity soon.” Fujito told him. “Katsu-ko and I will pray for you, too.”
“Domo.”
He explained to him why the Shogun"s men were after him.
“She"s English?” Hiru said, surprised.
“Yes. Although it is hard to tell now.” Fujito smiled, watching her through the open doorway as she put the kettle to boil over the hearth. “I have a hard time remembering.”
“So, how did you come to be passing through Ito?”
“I sent her away to my sister in Kanazawa. For reasons I won"t go into I had to get her away. We came through the mountains.”
“That must have been difficult.”
“It was. Katsuko isn"t used to trekking through mountains, or snow. She almost died of exposure outside of Kamikochi and when she went looking for me on the day the snow closed the roads. While we were on the way to Nikko she was almost pushed over acliff by some avalanching snow.”
“Where are you going now?” Hiru asked
Now we"re going back to Hirado so that she can return home with the next ship.” “But you don"t want that, do you, Isamu?”
Fujito shook his head and smiled.
“I can see you love her very much.” Hiru observed. “Does she feel the same way about you?”
“She never lets on.” Fujito admitted. “But her eyes tell me differently.” He smiled.
“I think she will, soon.” Hiru said knowingly. “But however did you communicate?”
“I speak English. The factor at Hirado taught me a long time ago.” He did not explain further and Hiru did not inquire.
After spending a week in Ito with nothing to indicate the rider was looking for them, Fujito saw him again. He was the same one he"d seen on hill outside Kagoshima.
When he came home, he told Hiru they would have to leave. Fujito decided it was best to leave during the night and planned for the following evening The day dawned clear; a light breeze blew from the West. By afternoon rain was falling in a fine mist.
“Can"t we wait until the rain clears?” Katharine asked when Fujito told her they would be leaving. “Or maybe we could stay here. It"s nice and quiet; no one would have to know we"re here.”
He understood how she was feeling and hated to dash her hopes.
“We have to, koibito.” He said gently. We"ve been followed here. I saw the metsuke the day we arrived. It"s the same one that I saw on the hill outside of the villa one day. I didn"t tell you because I was hoping I was wrong. But now we have to moveon.”
“Couldn"t we travel in daylight then?”
“The cover of night is the best protection.”
She knew he was right, even though she hated to admit it.
“It isn"t far. We"ll be home soon, I promise.” He told her with a smile, he kissed the tip of her nose.
She said a tearful good-bye to the children, especially the baby.
Fujito stood in the doorway watching her. Again, he saw the vision of them together with their own children. Sadness tugged at his heart, if he could only convince her to stay, and marry him.
Their host would not take no for an answer when he offered the use of one of his horses. “I have a friend in Shimoda who will keep the horse for me. He also carries the sign of the fish.” He smiled. “And if you ever need a message delivered I can guarantee
your secrecy.” He handed him a letter with the name of the man written on it. “Domo.” Fujito bowed.
Hiru saw them to the outskirts of the town and wished them both well. Fujito put heel to horse and they set off through the driving rain on the last leg of their journey.
Hiru"s friend was pleased to have them for as long as they were able to stay and would be happy to keep the horse until Hiru returned for him.
“I am Tadanori.” He told them. “Welcome.”
“Domo.” He introduced himself and Katharine and then Tadanori showed them to a small two-roomed addition at the back of the house.
“I hope you will be happy here for as long as you stay.” He said then left them to settle in. “Hey, samurai.” Katharine said with a wicked grin.
“Yes?” He grinned.
“Didn"t you tell me once you were a fair horseman?”
He remembered the conversation. “Yes, I think I mentioned something to the effect.”
“Well, it certainly didn"t appear to me that you were a slouch in the saddle. And it also doesn"t answer the question why you were able to reach Atami so quickly.” “No. It doesn"t does it?” Fujito had been unpacking a few things. Now he set the pack down and walked over to where she stood at the open shoji looking out at the bay.
She turned at his approach.
“Love can do a lot of things, koibito.” He said. “Even turn fair riders into great horsemen.” His voice was low and husky but there was a sparkle in his eyes and a small smile tugged at his mouth.
He drew her into hisarms. “And I love you, more than I thought I could love anyone.”
“But you might be wasting your life.”
He smiled down into her eyes. “Koibito loving you, no matter how long or short, will never be a wasting my time.” He kissed her to prove his words. They rested at Shimoda for three days; the longest Fujito wanted to chance staying in one place, then he asked Tadanori where they could find a boat to ferry them to Shikoku.
“I can take you myself.” He told him. I own a boat that"s sitting idle right now.” “Good. Domo.” Fujito said.
“When do you need to go?”
“I"d like to leave tomorrow morning on the early tide.”
“All right.”
The scene reminded Katharine of the trip to Kanazawa, except that Fujito hadn"t looked at her the way he was doing now.
Tadanori"s boat was a little bigger than the Asama Maru, Ryochi"s vessel that had brought them to Kanazawa. Unlike the night they"d ridden from Ito, the sky was clear.
The sun was just peeking out over the horizon.
Fujito smiled at her knowingly. “But this time we"re together.” He whispered. He kissed her fleetingly.
They pushed away from the shore and to Katharine it seemed like they were leaving their troubles behind; it was like starting a new life. She wondered briefly how long Fujito would be a part of it. A small voice whispered, forever. But she shook her head to clear it.
“Are you all right?” Fujito asked.
“Yes, fine.” She smiled up at him.
“Good.�
�� He smiled. “I have a tonic here if you need it." He added, remembering her last bout of seasickness.
“I think you are my tonic, FujitoSama.” She grinned, carefree in spirit; she had thrown caution to the wind.
He laughed. Then he said, “And you are mine, Lady Katharine.” He was smiling but his tone was serious. His eyes held a smoldering fire that caused her heart to double its beat.
They rested at Ise for a night. As they were shown their rooms in the ryokan Tadanori whispered to Fujito, “Will you tell Katsuko about the shrine?” He nudged him in the ribs.
“No.” Fuito smiled. “I don"t dare. She"ll have my head.”
Katharine heard them whispering and while they were putting their things away, she said, “Isamu?”
“Yes?”
„What shrine were you and Tadanori San talking about?”
Fujito looked a little sheepish. “It"s a shrine to—” He tried to think of the right word. “Love.”
“Love?”
“Yes.” He paused and cleared his throat. She continued to look at him, waiting for an answer.
How would he put it less bluntly than what the shrine actually stood for? He covered his smile with his hand and answered,
“Yes, er, love between a man and a woman.”
“I see.” She tried to remain nonchalant, but it was something to see the great Daimyo of Kagoshima embarrassed. “So it"s a monument to passion, sexual appetite, ifyou will?” A slow smile crept across her lips.
“Yes.” He sighed. He smiled sheepishly.
“And have you been there?” She asked, grinning now.
“No.”
“And why not? Or are daimyo above everyone else and don"t need—” Just then, there was a knock on the doorframe. It was Tadanori asking them if they were ready to eat.
“Yes. We"ll be right there.” Fujito called.
He caught her sleeve as she walked passed him. Turning her to face him, he held her by her shoulders.
“Don"t play games with me, my Lady. You could find yourself in serious trouble.” He said the words lightly but there was a low and husky edge to his tone. Something in his eyes told Katharine she"d almost gone too far, but it had nothing to do with questioning his Daimyo status.
The realization that she had to tell him she loved him hit her with a sudden force. The Samurai"s Lady