Rashomon Gate Page 37

  He came back to reality reluctantly.

  At first he was dimly aware of a sharp hissing sound somewhere on the palace wall, then of a violent rustling in the branches above his head. Thinking of the storm, Akitada glanced up. From the darkness of the leaves and branches of the tree an even denser darkness separated and hurtled towards him. Too late he tried to twist aside. A sharp pain seared through his head and shoulder as a crushing weight pushed him forward. He struck the ground, felt gravel bite sharply into his face, and then his chest was crushed and the night turned black.

  Twenty-Three

  Fresh Shoots

  Akitada regained consciousness in his own room. Dimly aware of discomfort, he opened his eyes on the familiar rafters of his ceiling, shadowy in lamplight. He easily deduced that it was nighttime and that he was stretched out on his own bedding, a fact further proven by the familiar feel of the hard headrest supporting his head.

  Someone was talking softly.

  He turned his head and immediately felt a sharp stab of pain run from his head to his shoulder. To his astonishment his small room seemed full of people. They sat around the oil lamp, their backs toward him, except for Seimei, who faced in his direction. It was he who was doing most of the talking while rummaging in his medicine case, holding up from time to time a jar or package to show to one of the others. Belatedly Akitada put names to the broad-shouldered backs: Genba, Hitomaro and Tora. Genba was the one who carried on the conversation with Seimei. The other two watched but said nothing.

  Akitada croaked, cleared his throat, and tried again. "What are you doing?"

  Immediately four anxious faces turned his way. Seimei and Tora got up to sit beside him.

  "How are you feeling, sir?" Seimei asked, peering sympathetically down at him.

  Akitada frowned and checked how he felt. His legs and arms seemed to behave normally. The skin on his face felt sore and tight, and his neck and shoulder still pained him at the slightest move. However, that discomfort was minor compared to the fact that his whole torso appeared to be paralyzed. He could not move his spine, and breathing was restricted and painful.

  "I cannot move. What happened?" he asked, as a hazy memory joined panic. "Something fell on me, I think."

  Tora answered. "You were attacked on the way home. By paid assassins, two of them, with knives."

  "I have been stabbed?"

  Seimei said, "No, no. Nothing like that. Hitomaro here got to you just in time. You only suffered a few cracked ribs when one of the brutes jumped on you out of the tree."

  Akitada thought about his ribs and touched them gingerly. He felt absolutely nothing. "An overly optimistic diagnosis, old friend," he said grimly, panic tightening like a vise about his heart. "I'm afraid I am paralyzed."

  To Akitada's hurt surprise, Seimei turned to grin at Genba who grinned back, then rose and joined them. He poked an exploratory forefinger into various places on Akitada's upper body. There was still no sensation. Akitada closed his eyes to hide his terror.

  "I had to wrap your rib cage very tightly to keep the bones in place," boomed Genba's voice into his ears. "They should heal just fine, provided you avoid too much movement."

  The relief was overwhelming. Akitada said weakly, "Oh!" and opened his eyes again. He thought. There had been something else he needed to ask. "But how did I get here? And what is this about Hitomaro?" He craned his neck, risking another jolt of pain, to look for the burly swordsman.

  Tora told him, "It was a lucky thing Hitomaro did not trust that snake Okura and went back to follow you. Come over here, Hito, and tell him what you did."

  Hitomaro crept up reluctantly. "I'm sorry I disobeyed you, sir," he muttered, his eyes lowered, "but glad I could be of service."

  "What happened?"

  "I caught up with you on Omiya Avenue, between the corner and the first palace gate where the paulownia trees hang over the walls of the palace. They were lying in wait for you, one in the tree above you, the other on the wall. When the first one dropped down on you, the other jumped from the wall with a knife. Only by then I was there and made short work of them."

  Tora cried, "Beautiful work, brother! Couldn't have done better myself."

  "Heavens," said Akitada weakly. "You saved my life. Who were they?"

  Hitomaro hung his head even lower. "I'm afraid I had to kill them, sir. There was so little time. But I'm sure Okura was behind this. It occurred to me that if a man promises such rewards, he doesn't expect to be called to account." He gave Akitada an earnest look and added, "If the dead thugs cause any problems for you, sir, I am prepared to turn myself in."

  Akitada could guess what such a promise would mean to him. "Nonsense!" he said. "I won't allow it. It seems I owe you an apology. I am sorry for the way I treated you. What happened to the bodies?"

  "I had to leave them there and carry you back."

  "If they are known criminals, chances are we won't hear any more about it. However, I am deeply indebted to you, my friend, especially since you tried to warn me. Facing two armed assassins single handedly was a very brave thing to do."

  Hitomaro grinned. "Not at all, sir. They were not trained fighters, and I had my sword."

  Akitada said, "You seem to have a remarkable understanding of human nature, Hitomaro. You were quite right to warn me, and I was careless. It was highly unlikely that Okura would let me live, let alone pay off so handsomely. I owe you my life and must find a way to repay you. We have very little money, but perhaps there is some other service I can do for you. Feel free to ask for anything that may be of use to you."

  Hitomaro shook his head, but he exchanged a glance with Genba.

  "Come," said Akitada, "I see there is something. What is it?"

  Hitomaro said shyly, "You owe me nothing, sir. I was in your service at the time. But if it would make you feel better, Genba and I have been very happy here. We would be grateful if you allowed us to serve you in the future."

  Fleetingly Akitada thought of the family finances. Well, he must find a way somehow. "Of course. But I cannot pay either of you what you deserve."

  Genba cried, "We want no pay. You see, sir, you're not getting a bargain. We have both committed crimes."

  Akitada winced and closed his eyes. "Not murder?" he asked weakly.

  "Murder," they said in unison.

  "But they had no choice," cried Tora.

  "Really, sir," remarked Seimei, "if you heard their stories, you might understand. Remember, though a man wear rags, his heart may be brocade. And even Master Confucius had his troubles."

  Akitada grimaced. "I see it's a conspiracy. Very well. Tell me about it."

  Genba said, "Thank you, sir," bowing deeply. "My complete name is Ishida Genba. I am a wrestling master by profession, just as my father before me. Our school was in Nagato province, and one day the governor watched one of our exhibition bouts and promptly sent his oldest son to me for instruction. The boy was a weakling and resented me bitterly. We quarreled and he tried every way to blacken my name. One day he threatened to tell his father a particularly nasty lie about me. During the subsequent lesson we engaged in a practice bout. There was an accident and he broke his neck." Genba heaved a deep sigh and shook his head.

  Akitada looked at him with sympathy. "Accidents will happen in your profession," he said. "If you give me your word that you did not intend to kill the boy, I am satisfied."

  Genba looked at him bleakly. "Of course I did not intend to kill him. That would have been dishonorable and made me unfit to teach the sport. He insisted on trying out a dangerous move because he was angry. I had my arm around his neck when he suddenly flipped backwards. His neck snapped. But that is not the death I meant. I was arrested and killed two men in jail."

  "What?"

  "The night before my trial the governor sent two guards to my cell to strangle me. I killed them both and escaped."

  Akitada was silent with shock for a moment. He did not doubt for a moment that the governor had meant to take revenge
for his son's death. Genba would certainly have been cleared of the charge of murder. He said, "I am sorry for your misfortune. You have already paid a heavy price for what was apparently due to a spoiled boy's carelessness. I am inclined to give you the chance to prove your innocence by your future actions, but what if someone recognizes you?"

  "Nagato is far from here, sir, and since I left, the governor has died. Besides I'm greatly changed in appearance."

  "Very well then."

  Tora and Seimei burst into relieved laughter and slapped Genba on the back. The wrestler bowed deeply and thanked Akitada with tears in his eyes.

  Akitada looked at Hitomaro.

  "I cannot claim either accident or self-defense, sir," the burly man said bluntly. "I meant to kill the man and went after him knowing that he was no match for my sword."

  Akitada raised his brows. "A drunken brawl?"

  "No. I was cold sober. And I would do it again." He met Akitada's astonishment with fierce determination.

  "You are brutally honest," Akitada said. "Surely there were some extenuating facts. Were you very young?"

  When Hitomaro shook his head, Tora urged, "Tell him the reason."

  Hitomaro heaved a deep breath. "I have no intention of ever using it again," he said, "but my family name was Takahashi. My people are from Izumo province."

  Akitada was startled. He had heard of the Takahashis. They were an old, respected military family who had come down in the world.

  "Ten years ago my father, my grandparents, and all my brothers and sisters died in a smallpox epidemic. That left only my mother and myself. I took a wife to carry on the family name." Hitomaro lowered his head and stared down at his clenched fists. "My wife Michiko was very young," he murmured. "She was also very beautiful, and I . . ."He bit his lips. "The son of a neighbor, a powerful family with many manors and hundreds of retainers, saw Michiko and made advances. She told me about it, and I went to warn him off. He was a haughty sort of man and there were words. No, I did not lay a hand on him then. That came later."

  Again he paused to stare at his hands. His face worked as if he had to force the rest of the story out by sheer willpower. "I had to leave home for a few days on business. When I came back, my mother greeted me with the news that my wife had hanged herself. She had been only seventeen and expected our first child. Michiko left me a letter explaining that our neighbor had raped her, and she could not live with the shame she had brought to our family."

  The room had become very still. Hitomaro's eyes left his hands and wandered to the ceiling.

  "That's when I went and killed him," he said calmly. "My mother and I had to flee after that. She died the following winter in the mountains from cold and lack of comfort." Looking at Akitada, he said bitterly, "I have nothing left to live for. A man in my position, whose only skill is in his sword, is always prone to being used for other men's violent purposes. It is for that reason that I wish to serve you rather than selling my fighting skills to the highest bidder."

  Overcome with emotion, Akitada could not speak right away. A look of disappointment settled in Hitomaro's face, and he said, "Well, never mind! I know I'm too much of a liability."

  Akitada said quickly, "On the contrary. I am honored by your confidence. Forgive me for not speaking right away. Your story has touched me profoundly. I, too, have a wife now."

  Hitomaro smiled and nodded his understanding.

  "I do not blame you for your actions," said Akitada, "but there is the problem of your rank. It puts you above the status of a hired man. If it pleases you, I should be honored if you were to remain with us as our guest."

  "No." Hitomaro got up. "I have neither rank nor family name. I shall serve you like Genba and Tora, or not at all."

  Akitada met the fierce eyes and nodded. "As you wish."

  Another round of backslapping ensued. Tora cried, "See, brothers! I told you my master is a fair man!"

  "Thank you, Tora," said Akitada. "But now I wish to sleep. I shall see you all in the morning."

  Tora and the two new retainers left quickly, but Seimei made no move to follow, busying himself instead with his medicine box.

  "Leave it till morning," Akitada called out impatiently.

  "But I cannot leave you alone, sir. You might need something."

  "I need nothing but sleep. Go!"

  Seimei looked mutinous, but seeing his master's expression, he obeyed.

  As soon as his steps had receded outside, Akitada began the complicated business of getting up. It took several minutes and he was drenched in perspiration when he finally stood on his feet. Another minute was required to pick up a cotton gown to cover his bandaged nakedness and then he pushed the screen door open to the veranda.

  The storm was long past, but it had left the garden rain-drenched. Above, the night skies had cleared. Stars blinked and a nearly full moon turned the garden into a glistening image of silver-inlaid black lacquer. Akitada walked softly on bare feet through the moisture-laden, rose-scented night to Tamako's room.

  Akitada did not leave his house for a week due to setbacks in the healing of his broken ribs. Genba expressed surprise that he had to repeat the wrapping process several times. Akitada, gritting his teeth against the pain, muttered, "I'm afraid I'm a very restless sleeper."

  During his convalescence, a number of events took place. Bishop Sesshin made a brief visit to inquire into Akitada's state of health and to take young Lord Minamoto back to the family mansion. Sesshin told Akitada that he had appointed two legal scholars to fill the positions of Hirata and Akitada, and that Fujiwara had been given Oe's rank as eminent Chinese scholar. Sato had received special permission to accept private students, and his wife had already performed at two noble houses and was becoming quite popular.

  Next Kobe stopped by to report that Kurata's trial was over and he had been condemned to hard labor on the island of Tsukushi. "Draining swamps," said Kobe with great satisfaction. "I doubt he'll survive the year."

  "What about Okura?" asked Akitada.

  Another grimace. "The bastard keeps petitioning the court. No telling when we'll get a trial."

  The third event was the most private and most important. Tamako became officially Akitada's wife and the junior Lady Sugawara. This brought with it a surprise for Akitada. When he went to his mother to inform her of the event and to request the preparation of the special rice cakes, customarily presented to the newlywed couple on the morning of their third night together, she caused him a moment of acute embarrassment by pointing to an elegant footed lacquer tray which was covered with a square of precious embroidered silk.

  "They have been ready since last night," she said, smiling a little at his discomfiture. "I had it on good authority that your injuries did not stop you from doing your duty. It was most gratifying news."

  Lady Sugawara's approval of the marriage was not entirely unexpected. Akitada had discovered that Tamako seemed to have a special touch when it came to handling his mother. In fact, every day he spent with his new wife brought a new wonder to him, who had never been close to anyone before. Tamako was an indispensable companion in his convalescence, and he fell imperceptibly into the habit of sharing even his innermost feelings and thoughts with her.

  But this blissful time, of course, could not last forever. Akitada had to return to his work at the ministry. The rainy season had started with the storm of the night of his attack. It was on a particularly drizzly morning in a series of wet days, that Akitada told Seimei to lay out his official robe and hat. He and Tamako had spent the previous evening looking out at the lush wet growth in the garden as he told her of his intention to face the minister the following day. He had been frank about their precarious financial condition, his past difficulties with his superiors and slim chances for promotion, and of his own impatience with the dull paperwork. As always she had been supportive and reassuring. This morning he was in a much better frame of mind and approached the inevitable with resolution.

  Ironically, a ser
ies of unforeseen events almost immediately began to change his plans.

  First Kobe arrived, his official robe rain-spattered and his face full of barely contained excitement.

  "You'll never guess what happened!" he cried, sitting down on a cushion and accepting a cup of tea from Seimei. He took a big mouthful, immediately gagged, and spit it back into the cup. "Are you trying to poison me?" he roared. "What is that nasty bitter stuff?"

  "Tea," said Akitada.

  "Phew! Don't you have wine?"

  Seimei muttered something about tea being good for the belly in such wet weather, but went to fetch some wine.

  "Well, what happened?" asked Akitada.

  "Okura hanged himself. The guard found him this morning."

  "I thought he had hopes of support from his powerful friends."

  "Hah! He had visitors yesterday. They didn't give their names, but you could tell their rank by their cap colors. One third rank and two fourths. He knew them all right. I don't know what was said— they made me stay outside— but their faces were the grimmest I've ever seen. Okura was limp as a rag after they left. By the way, do you wish to press charges against Ishikawa?"

  "Good heavens! Are you still holding him?"

  Kobe grinned and emptied his cup of wine. "Of course. Jail has improved his manners greatly."

  Akitada smiled also. "Good. Let him go now. He has been punished enough by losing any chance for a degree. Fortunately he is bright. He can get a living as a provincial teacher. They need good ones."

  Kobe nodded. "As long as I don't have to see the insolent puppy again. Well, I'll be on my way then. "They both rose. Kobe bowed, saying, "I suppose you will return to your former duties soon and trust they will be less exciting than your recent activities."