James Clavell - Gai-Jin

"I was even in the office of the Leader of all the Ing'erish, within five paces of him. I'm in the center of gai-jin authority! If only I could speak their language better." He was much too cautious to reveal to Ori the true extent of his knowledge, or how he had persuaded Tyrer to smuggle him out--let alone in front of this girl.

As she replenished their cups through the evening, smiling, totally attentive, never interrupting, she listened avidly though appearing not to, wanting to ask a hundred questions but much too well trained to do so. "Just listen, smile and pretend to be dull-witted, only a toy," mama-sans drilled into all of them, "and soon they will tell you all you want to know without prompting.

Listen and smile and watch and flatter and make them happy, only then are they generous. Never forget happy equals gold which is your only purpose and only security."

"In Yedo," Hiraga was saying, "this Taira was really quite brave, tonight a coward.

Fujiko, what is he like in bed?"

Smiling, she hid her surprise that anyone could be so indelicate. "Like any young man, Hiraga-san."

"Of course but what is he like? Is he in proportion--tall man, tall spear?"

"Ah, so sorry," she dropped her eyes, and made her voice humble, "but Ladies of the Willow World are directed never to discuss a client with another whoever he is."

"Our rules apply to gai-jin? Eh?"

Hiraga asked.

Ori chuckled. "You will get nothing out of her, or any of them, I tried. Raiko-san came and scolded me for asking! "Gai-jin or not, the ancient Yoshiwara rule applies," she said.

"We can talk generalizations, but any client particularly--Baka-neh!" She was really quite angry."

The two men laughed but Fujiko saw Hiraga's eyes were not laughing. Pretending not to notice, anxious to appease him and at the same time wondering how she would have to service him tonight, she said, "So sorry, Hiraga-san, but my experience is little, with young or old or in the middle. But most, experienced ladies say size does not guarantee satisfaction for him or for her, but that young men are always the best and most satisfying clients."

She laughed to herself at the well-worn lie.

I would like to tell you the truth for once: that you young men are the worst clients, the most demanding, the least satisfying. You're all hopelessly impatient, you've plenty of vigor, require many entries, you've puddles of essence but little contentment afterwards--and rarely generous. Worst of all, however much a girl tries not to, she can become enamored with one particular young man and that leads to even more misery, disaster and most times suicide. Old is twenty times better.

"Some youths," she said, answering without answering, "are incredibly shy, however well endowed."

"Interesting. Ori, I still can't believe this Taira just meekly turned away."

Ori shrugged. "Meek or not, he should be dead tonight and I would sleep better. What else could he do?"

"Everything. He should have kicked the door down-- an appointment is an appointment and Raiko not having a substitute ready was a further insult."

"The door and fence are too strong, even for us."

"Then he should have gone into the main street and got five or ten or twenty of his people and brought them back and smashed the fence down--he is an important official, the officers and all soldiers obeyed him at the Legation. That would certainly have made Raiko kowtow for a year or more and guaranteed he would have the service he wanted when he wanted--we might have had to run off too.

That is what I would have done if I was an important official like him." Hiraga smiled and Fujiko suppressed a shiver. "It's a matter of face. Yet they understand face very well. They would have defended their stupid Legation to the last man, then the fleet would have laid waste Yedo."

"Isn't that what we want?"

"Yes." Hiraga laughed. "But not when you are weaponless and grovelling like a gardener--I really felt naked!" Again a refill. Hiraga looked at her. Ordinarily, even though the girl of the evening was not particularly attractive, his normal virility and the sak`e would arouse him.

Tonight was different. This was the gai-jin Yoshiwara, she had bedded them so was tainted. Perhaps Ori would like her, he thought, and smiled back at her for face. "Order some food, eh, Fujiko? The best the house can provide."

"At once, Hiraga-san." She hurried away.

"Listen, Ori," Hiraga whispered so no one could overhear. "There's great danger here."

He took out the folded poster.

Ori was shocked. "Two koku? That will tempt anyone. It could be you, not exactly, but a Barrier guard might stop you."

"Raiko said the same."

Ori looked up at him. "Joun was an artist, a good one."

"I'd thought of that, and I've been wondering how they caught him and broke him. He knows many shishi secrets, knows Katsumata's planning to intercept the Shogun."

"Disgusting, allowing himself to be caught alive.

It is obvious we have been infiltrated." Ori handed the picture back. "Two koku would tempt anyone, even the most zealous mama-san."

"I thought of that too."

"Grow a beard, Hiraga, or mustache, that would help."

"Yes, that would help." Hiraga was glad that Ori was back in his head again, his counsel always valuable. "A strange feeling to know that this is out there."

Ori broke the silence. "In a day or two, soon as I can, I am stronger every day, I will go to Kyoto and join Katsumata to warn him about Joun. He should be warned."

"Yes, good idea, very good."

"What about you?"

"I am safe amongst the gai-jin, safer there than anywhere--so long as I'm not betrayed.

Akimoto's at Hodogaya, I have sent for him, then we can decide."

"Good. You will be safer to try for Kyoto at once, before these pictures are sent throughout the Tokaido."

"No. Taira is too good an opportunity to miss. I will cache swords there in case."

"Get a revolver, less obvious." Ori put his right hand inside his yokata, moving it away from his shoulder, and scratched the bandage.

Hiraga was shocked to see the little gold cross on the thin gold chain around his neck. "Why wear that?"

Ori shrugged. "It amuses me."

"Get rid of it, Ori--it ties you to the Tokaido killing, Shorin and her. The cross is an unnecessary danger."

"Many samurai are Christian."

"Yes but she could identify that cross. It is insane to take such a risk. If you want to wear one get another."

After a pause Ori said, "This one amuses me."

Hiraga saw the inflexibility, cursed him inwardly but decided it was his duty to protect the shishi movement, protect sonno-joi and now was the time. "Take-it-off!"

The blood soared into Ori's face.

His half smile did not change but he knew he was called. His choice was simple: refuse and die, or obey.

A mosquito buzzed around his face. He disregarded it, not wanting to make a sudden movement. Slowly his right hand pulled the chain away from his neck, breaking it. The cross and chain vanished into his sleeve pocket. Then he placed both hands on the tatami and bowed low.

"You are right, Hiraga-san, it was an unnecessary danger. Please accept my apologies."

Silently Hiraga bowed back. Only then did he relax and Ori straighten. Both men knew their relationship had changed. Permanently.

They had not become enemies, just were no longer friends, allies always, but never friends again. Ever. As Ori picked up his cup and raised it, toasting him, he was pleased to find his inner rage so controlled that his fingers did not shake. "Thank you."

Hiraga drank with him, leaned over and poured for both of them. "Now Sumomo. Please tell me about her."

"I remember almost nothing." Ori opened his fan and wafted the mosquito away. "The mama-san Noriko told me Sumomo arrived like a spirit with me on a stretcher, told her almost nothing except that a gai-jin doctor had cut me open and sewed me up again. She paid half Shorin's debts and persuaded her to hide me.