"Oh, that's so wise of you, Anjin-san, very wise. Now I must go and pack, please excuse me." Mariko left happily. They had not talked much, just enough in Latin for each to know that though the magic night had never come to pass and was, like the other night, never to be discussed, both would live in their imaginations forever.
"Thou."
"Thou."
"I was so proud when I heard she stood at the gate for such a long time. Thy face is immense now, Anjin-san."
"For a moment I almost forgot what thou hadst told me. Involuntarily I was within a hair's distance of kissing her in public."
"Oh ko, Anjin-san, that would have been terrible!"
"Oh ko, thou art right! If it had not been for thee I would be faceless - a worm wriggling in the dust."
"Instead, thou art vast and famous and thy prowess undoubted. Didst thou enjoy one of those curious devices?"
"Ah, fair Lady, in my land we have an ancient custom: A man does not discuss the intimate habits of one lady with another."
"We have the same custom. But I asked if it was enjoyed, not used. Yes, we very much have the same custom. I am glad that the evening was to thy liking." Her smile was warming. "To be Japanese in Japan is wise, neh?"
"I cannot thank thee enough for teaching me, for guiding me, for opening my eyes," he said. "For-" He was going to say, for loving me. Instead he added, "for being."
"I have done nothing. Thou art thyself."
"I thank thee, for everything - and thy gift."
"I am glad thy pleasure was great."
"I am sad thy pleasure was nil. I am so glad that thou art also ordered to the Spa. But why to Osaka?"
"Oh, I am not ordered to Osaka. Lord Toranaga allows me to go. We have property and family business matters that must be seen to. Also, my son is there now. Then too, I can carry private messages to Kiritsubo-san and the Lady Sazuko."
"Isn't that dangerous? Remember thy words - war is coming and Ishido is the enemy. Did not Lord Toranaga say the same?"
"Yes. But there is no war yet, Anjin-san. And samurai do not war on their women, unless women war on them."
"But thou? What about the bridge at Osaka, across the moat? Did thou not go with me to dupe Ishido? He would have killed me. And remember thy sword at the fight on the ship."
"Ah, that was only to protect the life of my liege Lord, and my own life, when it was threatened. That was my duty, Anjin-san, nothing more. There is no danger for me. I have been lady-in-waiting to Lady Yodoko, the Taiko's widow, even the Lady Ochiba, mother of the Heir. I'm honored to be their friend. I'm quite safe. That's why Toranaga-sama allows me to go. But for thee in Osaka there is no safety, because of Lord Toranaga's escape, and of what was done to Lord Ishido. So thou must never land there. Nagasaki will be safe for thee."
"Then he has agreed that I may go?"
"No. Not yet. But when he does it will be safe. He has power in Nagasaki."
He wanted to ask, 'Greater than the Jesuits'? Instead he said only, "I pray Lord Toranaga orders thee by ship to Osaka." He saw her tremble slightly. "What troubles thee?"
"Nothing, except . . . except that the sea does not please me."
"Will he order it thus?"
"I don't know. But . . ." She changed back into the mischievous teaser, and into Portuguese. "But for your health we should bring Kiku-san along with us, neh? Tonight, are you going again into her Vermilion Chamber?"
He laughed with her. "That'd be fine, though-" Then he stopped, as with sudden clarity he remembered Omi's look. "You know, Mariko-san, when I was at the gate I'm sure I saw Omi-san looking at her in a very special way, as a lover would look. A jealous lover. I didn't know they were lovers."
"I understand he's one of her customers, a favored customer, yes. But why should that concern you?"
"Because it was a very private look. Very special."
"He has no special claim on her, Anjin-san. She's a courtesan of the First Rank. She's free to accept or reject whom she pleases."
"If we were in Europe, and I pillowed his girl - you understand, Mariko-san?"
"I think I understand, Anjin-san, but why should that concern you? You're not in Europe, Anjin-san, he has no formal claim on her. If she wants to accept you and him, or even reject you or reject him, what has that to do with anything?"
"I'd say he was her lover, in our sense of the word. That's got everything to do with it, neh?"
"But what has that to do with her profession, or pillowing?"
Eventually he had thanked her again and left it at that. But his head and his heart told him to beware. It's not as simple as you think, Mariko-san, even here. Omi believes Kiku-san's more than special, even if she doesn't feel the same. Wish I'd known he was her lover. I'd rather have Omi a friend than an enemy. Could Mariko be right again? That pillowing has nothing to do with loving for them?
