"Books are good for you," Imari said. "You should try reading one sometime."
"I read my share of Bushido wisdom, but you don’t see me buried under a mountain of manuscripts taller than me. Now, get dressed and come on down here.” Kenta waved toward the gate. “The sun’s coming up.”
Imari followed the gesture, looking over the garden trellis toward the sky. A soft pink line stretched across the horizon, although the sun’s rays hadn’t quite peeked over the mountaintops. It was still early, and she didn’t think it would be polite to wake her guest at such an hour.
“Tell you what, Kenta. Go back to the house while I get ready and make sure Kaede gets a nice breakfast. Then, ask Takeshi to escort her here. Tell her to bring her daishō. She’s going to need them.”
***
“I don’t like this, Kaede,” Rin growled. The wolf-spirit paced the length of the wall, whipping around before she reached each corner of the room. Kenta had provided them with a comfortable place to sleep, along with several hearty meals and plenty of blankets and bedding, but Rin hated being kept indoors. Kaede knew her companion had only agreed to remain confined to the room because the city smells made her even more uncomfortable.
Sitting cross-legged on the tatami floor, Kaede leaned back on her arms. "I know, but I already told you, I'm not leaving. This is my chance to start over somewhere new. Besides, you were the one who told me to accept Lady Homura’s invitation and get a decent night’s sleep."
Rin whirled again at the mention of Lady Homura, nearly upsetting the decorative centerpiece on the table with her tail. It was filled with lilies, the same white blossoms that graced Mirai’s mon. “You don’t know this city’s humans well enough to trust to them. They could try to hurt you, like that stupid one yesterday. Or if they find out you are not who you appear to be.”
Kaede let out a loud puff of air. Rin’s protective instincts had saved her life more than once, but they were off the mark this time. “No one’s going to hurt me, and I’m not staying in Mirai forever. If I need to, I can move on. Lady Homura’s been nothing but kind to us.”
But niggling doubts remained, doubts Rin immediately picked up on. “Exactly. A little too kind, in my opinion.” Rin stopped pacing and padded across the room, ears tipped low over her head. “Don’t you find it odd that a daimyo’s daughter would be so eager to take in two strays? A samurai without a mon and a wolf yokai? She looked at me with fascination, the same look I’ve seen all too often on Setsuna’s face.”
Kaede looked away, trying to hide the hurt in her eyes. Deep down, she suspected her friend was onto something. Imari was obviously interested in them, but comparing her to Setsuna was harsh, not to mention paranoid. “That’s not fair, Rin. We don’t even know what she wants yet. Some people are interested in the yokai because they respect them. Like me.”
“You’re different,” Rin said, but having stated her piece, she didn’t seem to want to argue any further. “Just remember not to trust this Lady Homura blindly simply because she has a pleasing face. You’ve already put your faith in the wrong person once before.”
Thanks for the reminder, Kaede thought glumly. It was still difficult for her to admit her aunt had taken such a dark path. They had been close since her childhood and had become even closer when she’d chosen to live her life as the woman she was instead of the boy her parents had thought her to be. The fact that they were both attuned to the yokai had only enhanced their bond, and she had looked to Setsuna as a mentor as well as a parental figure, especially since she had never been close with her own father and mother.
All of that is gone. She was the most important person in my life, and now I don’t have anyone but Rin. My parents don’t even know I’ve left Yukimura. They have no idea what Setsuna is doing.
“I’ll keep my guard up,” she mumbled, not wanting to dwell on the subject. “At least now that I’m here, Setsuna can’t use me to find the yokai anymore. She’ll have a harder time tracking them down and capturing them for her experiments without my help.” She reached up to touch her face just beneath her left eye. The scars there were still tender, although some of it might have been her imagination. A few centimeters higher, and the owl spirit’s attack might have left her blinded.
Rin padded closer and lowered herself to the floor, placing her chin in Kaede’s lap. “It wasn’t your fault.”
Kaede closed her eyes, resting her cheek on top of Rin’s head. “I know. But I can’t help feeling like it was.”
They remained that way for several moments, holding still until the sun’s rays crept in through the window.
“I guess it’s time,” Kaede said, reaching out for the bag slouched against the wall. She had packed as light as possible for her journey, and that included only three outfits, one of which she hadn’t worn since leaving Kousetsu weeks ago. Her fingers traced the delicate stitching on the best dark blue silk, a silhouette of an icy mountain in a light blue circle. Sighing and shaking her head, Kaede folded the kimono and put it at the bottom of her bag. After examining the other two, she chose a faded blue kimono with the least amount of wear before fastening her obi at her waist. Finally, she put on her hakama and secured her daishō in their proper places.
A knock on the door interrupted her, and she turned to Rin. The wolf spirit seemed alert but not afraid as she sniffed the air. Whoever was waiting for them outside wasn’t a threat.
“Yes?”
“It’s Hibana Takeshi. May I enter?”
“Of course. Hold on a moment.”
Kaede pulled the screen aside, allowing the dark-haired samurai she had met yesterday to enter the room. He was dressed in full formal kamishimo, a maroon kimono and a wide-shouldered gray kataginu jacket with white threading over it. He bowed, but not before she caught a glimpse of mistrust in his eyes. “Good morning, Iori Kaede. I’ve come to escort you to the castle. Lady Homura wishes to see you.”
His manner, cold and businesslike, reminded Kaede of the way Imari had spoken of him the day before. From her description, combined with some information she had gleaned from Kenta the evening before, she suspected it wasn’t personal.
“Nice to meet you under better circumstances, Hibana-danna,” she said, giving a bow. “Thank you for letting me stay in your household. I know Lady Homura made the decision, but I appreciate your hospitality." As she suspected, he didn't respond, although the furrow in his brow smoothed out a little at her politeness. "So, where am I supposed to go, exactly?”
From the look on Takeshi’s face, he clearly didn’t approve of his mistress’s decision to summon her. “I’ll show you the way.”
Rin began to rise as well, but Kaede held up a hand. “I’ll be fine on my own. Stay here and guard our things, okay? I know you don’t like it out in the city, and we don’t want to cause a commotion.”
The white wolf’s eyes narrowed in clear disapproval, but she curled up on the floor, resting her head on her front paws in a sulking pose. Kaede reached down to scratch her ears in apology, then turned to follow Takeshi out of the room.
To Kaede’s surprise, her escort started the conversation as they travelled out of the house and through the large archway. Based on the chill of his initial greeting, she hadn’t expected him to be the talkative type. “That duel yesterday was something. A little unconventional, maybe, but impressive.”
“Thank you. That’s a high compliment from a skilled samurai like you.”
Takeshi seemed surprised. He turned to look at her, and his face softened ever so slightly. “What makes you say that? You don’t know anything about me.”
“I know if you’re in the daimyo’s service as his karo at such a young age, you must be steady-handed and skilled with a blade.” She gave Takeshi a sidelong look. “Besides, I saw you and Homura-dono arrive together right before my duel. Both of you were in training gear, by the looks of it. I doubt Lord Homura would let you spar with his daughter unless you were good.”
“You’re observant. Good. If you’re
staying here, you’ll need to be.”
It wasn’t an unfriendly statement, but it made Kaede slightly uncomfortable. Being on the run for the past month had taught her caution, especially about revealing her future plans. “What makes you think I’m staying?”
They stepped out into the samurai district, and from the road, Kaede could see the roof of the castle once more, gold trim glittering in the early morning light. Takeshi turned toward her at last. “You’ve caught Homura-dono’s interest. You’re no prisoner here, but I suspect she will want you to stay a while.”
Kaede waited, but he didn’t offer any further explanation. At last, she gathered the courage to ask, “Do you have any idea what she wants with me?”
A shadow crossed Takeshi’s face, one that revealed he did know something and wasn’t happy about it. “That is for you to discuss with her. I will remind you that any requests she makes of you are strictly voluntary. You aren’t obligated to offer her your help just because she was kind to you on your first day in the city. Don’t take this the wrong way, but she would’ve stepped in for a peasant. You don’t owe her anything.”
Well, I don’t know whether that makes me feel better or worse, she thought with a shiver. It was nice that Imari made a habit of standing up for the innocent, but Kaede suspected the daimyo’s daughter wanted her for something—wanted her help, even—and that didn’t bode well. She thought back to what Rin had said just a few minutes before. The last time someone was interested in my connection with the yokai, it all went wrong. I can’t let something like that happen again because of me.
Soon after, they arrived at the castle itself. It was even more beautiful up close, and Kaede craned her neck in awe as they passed through the stone archway, trying to take in everything at once. As the daughter of a daimyo herself, she had grown up in relatively luxurious surroundings, but Lord Homura’s castle was something else. The red peaks of the roof were trimmed with gold, and the high white walls were lavishly decorated. The courtyard was even more impressive. Plum trees stretched their blossoming arms out over the soft green grass, filling the air with the same sweet scent as the day before, and a small stream trickled over piles of shining rocks.
A little bridge crossed the water, and just beyond stood Imari, waiting for her with a smile. Her dark hair was pulled back in a braid, and she wore a pair of twin blades sheathed at her waist. When Takeshi nodded for her to approach, Kaede took a deep breath and prepared to cross the bridge. Hopefully, whatever Imari wanted wouldn’t get her into yet another mess.
Chapter Four
IMARI WAITED PATIENTLY BENEATH the shade of the ume trees as Kaede crossed the bridge, trying to get a handle on her racing heart. She wanted to step forward and meet her guest halfway, but she restrained herself, adopting a relaxed pose. She needed to calm down if she wanted to get anywhere.
Kaede was clad in a blue kimono, but she carried herself proudly, with the bearing of a noble warrior. Once more, Imari found herself wondering where Kaede had come from. She seemed to be of humble origins, but something about the way she moved and talked was familiar. Kaede had probably spent a fair amount of time among nobility, if she wasn't a disgraced noble herself.
Finally, Kaede came to a stop, dipping in a brief but formal bow. "Good morning, Homura-dono." She rose again, and Imari found herself trapped in the samurai's dark eyes. "How may I be of service?"
Imari shook herself, embarrassed she had stared at Kaede's face so intently. She bowed in return, smiling to offset the moment of awkwardness. "Good morning, Iori-san. I hope your stay at the Hibana household last night was pleasant?"
"Yes, for me." Kaede looked back over her shoulder at Takeshi, who was observing them from the other side of the garden. Imari sighed with fond exasperation, motioning for him to leave. After a moment of hesitation, he bowed and disappeared.
"Don't worry about him. He's a good man and a good friend. He just takes a little while to warm up to people. I hope his brother was friendly, at least?"
"Very friendly, but Hibana Takeshi wasn't rude. I understand why he might be suspicious of me. A samurai without a master is unusual, even in a city like Mirai."
"Yes, and you can't exactly walk into a strange city with a giant white wolf and expect everyone to trust you, either, but it was quite the impressive entrance." Imari gave Kaede another long look. "You certainly caught my attention."
Kaede grinned, her face brightening. "Oh? Well then, I must have been doing something right."
"Not that I recommend fighting someone during your first five minutes in every city you visit, but I must admit, your skill with a katana is impressive. I don't suppose you'd be willing to give me a demonstration? One that doesn't end with a bloody nose, I hope."
Kaede’s eyes widened, but she recovered quickly. "I'm sure you'll try to restrain yourself, my lady, but are you sure the daimyo would approve?" An uncertain crease formed in her brow, and Imari felt a shiver of disappointment at her doubtful expression.
"Don't worry about my father. I've been training as a samurai since I was a child, at his insistence. True safety involves knowing when and how to fight."
"But what about…" Kaede's eyes darted toward Imari’s missing hand, but then she seemed to think better of it. "My apologies, Homura-dono. I'm not going to finish such a rude question. You wouldn't be carrying swords if you couldn't use them."
Imari smiled in what looked to Kaede like relief. "It's nice to have someone come to that conclusion on their own instead of having me spell it out for them. Thank you for that."
"Of course, I know what it's like to have people make assumptions about you based on your appearance."
It was a cryptic statement, but one Imari sensed Kaede didn’t wish to talk about any further. The warrior's expression was polite, but somewhat guarded once more, and Imari’s instincts told her not to press. "Then the two of us have something in common. So, do you want to do some forms with me?"
Kaede still didn’t look entirely convinced, but she dipped her head. "If that's your wish, I would be more than happy to run some partnered forms with you. I assume you’re familiar with Aizu teachings?"
Imari nodded. "Northern style? Good choice. Let's stick to the katana for now. Single sword technique, some traditional kata?” On impulse, she threw in a little dig, just to see if Kaede would react. “I’m sure you can keep up."
Kaede's shoulders straightened, and a look of determination fixed on her face. She gave another short bow and took a few steps back, withdrawing a white cord from her kimono and using it to tie the sleeves out of the way. Despite the samurai’s earlier hesitation, Imari could tell that Kaede was prepared to take this seriously.
As they approached each other, Imari straightened to her full height, making her bow at the same time as her opponent. They faced each other, unsheathing their swords, the steel glinting. Imari narrowed her eyes, focusing intently on Kaede's movements. She had a feeling the samurai would choose a slow pace, but she had other plans. If Kaede wasn't sweating by the time they were finished, she hadn't done her job.
The kata began a breath later. As one, they drew their blades in an arc above their heads, lowering them until the points nearly touched. Kaede moved like water, fluid and graceful, and only years of training prevented Imari from being distracted. Her shoulders loosened, and she let all the tension melt from her body. Kaede might be the current of the ocean, but she was the fire of the sun.
They moved slowly at first, trading smooth slices back and forth. As soon as one blade came down, the other rose. One step forward matched another step back. Sometimes they moved in contrast, parrying each other's pantomimed blows. Other times they were in sync, mimicking each other. As they grew used to each other's reach, the tempo sped up, becoming less like a drill and more like a dance. They twirled toward and away from each other, blades whispering a breath apart but never actually striking.
A smile spread across Imari’s face. She had found a worthy sword-partner and was eager to test the
limits of their new relationship. The sweeps of their blades came closer and closer to flesh as their bodies rolled through the familiar motions, and Imari felt a jolt in her chest. She couldn't remember the last time she had enjoyed practicing her kata so much. Not since she and Takeshi had been engaged, at least. No, not even then. Takeshi always held back. Kaede wants to push me.
Kaede sped up, and Imari shifted seamlessly to match the new rhythm. Her body began relying on instinct instead of deliberate movements, and she relaxed into a state beyond thought. Even when relying on pure muscle memory, Kaede's strikes always matched hers. During the last stance, Kaede swiped down so quickly Imari was certain she heard the air split beneath her blade. But she brought her own sword up, slipping it away with only a sliver of space between them.
At last, it was over. They lowered their katanas and stared at each other, both too awestruck to remember their bows. Imari couldn't even recall how to breathe as she watched a thin line of sweat run down from the corner of Kaede's forehead and past her ear. The back of her neck tingled, and her face burned with heat.
She snapped out of the stare and dipped forward, finally prompting Kaede to do the same. Despite her embarrassment, she couldn't help stealing another glance as Kaede sheathed her katana. The muscles in her arms were almost as entrancing as the way she moved her blade. Imari had hardly noticed when Kaede had used her tasuki to keep the sleeves of her kimono up, but now she could not look away. The white cord lifted her sleeves more than high enough to offer a tantalizing view of her biceps.
"Not bad, Homura-dono.”
Imari blinked, returning her gaze to Kaede’s face. Judging by her expression, she could tell that the samurai was teasing. "If this is your way of trying to get me back for my comment earlier, you'll have to try harder."
She slid her own blade back into its saya and matched Kaede's crooked grin with a smirk. "If that was a sincere attempt at complimenting me, I'm afraid there's no hope for you at all."
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