Musashi - Eiji Yoshikawa [562]
Hyōgo went partway, then stopped. He couldn’t deny it. At times he envied Musashi, as he would have envied any man whom Otsū loved. That her heart belonged to another did not diminish his affection for her. She’d been a delightful companion on the trip down from Edo, and in the subsequent weeks and months he had marveled at the devotion with which she had cared for his grandfather. Though deeper than ever, his love for her was selfless. Sekishūsai had instructed him to deliver her to Musashi safely; Hyōgo intended to do just that. It wasn’t his nature to covet another man’s good fortune nor to think of depriving him of it. He could not think of any act as being apart from the Way of the Samurai; carrying out his grandfather’s wish would in itself have been an expression of his love.
He was lost in reverie when Otsū turned and bowed her thanks to her well-wishers. As she set off, she brushed against some plum blossoms. Unconsciously watching the petals fall, Hyōgo could almost smell the fragrance. He felt he was seeing her for the last time and took comfort in a silent prayer for her future life. He stood and stared as she disappeared from sight.
“Sir.”
Hyōgo turned around and a smile came slowly to his face. “Ushinosuke. Well, well. I hear you went home last night after I told you not to.”
“Yes, sir; my mother …” He was still at an age when mention of separation from his mother brought him to the verge of tears.
“That’s all right. It’s good for a boy to take care of his mother. But how did you get by those rōnin at Tsukigase?”
“Oh, that was easy.”
“Was it, now?”
The boy smiled. “They weren’t there. They heard Otsū was from the castle, so they were afraid of being attacked. I guess they must’ve gone to the other side of the mountain.”
“Ha, ha. We don’t have to worry about them anymore, do we? Have you had breakfast?”
“No,” said Ushinosuke, slightly embarrassed. “I got up early to dig some wild potatoes for Master Kimura. If you like them, I’ll bring you some too.” “Thank you.”
“Do you know where Otsū is?”
“She just left for Edo.”
“Edo? …” Hesitantly he said, “I wonder if she asked you or Master Kimura what I wanted her to.”
“And what was that?”
“I’ve been hoping you’d let me become a samurai’s attendant.”
“You’re still a little too young for that. Maybe when you’re older.”
“But I want to learn swordsmanship. Won’t you teach me, please. I have to learn while my mother’s still alive.”
“Have you been studying under someone?”
“No, but I’ve practiced using my wooden sword on trees and animals.” “That’s a good way to start. When you get a little older, you can come and join me in Nagoya. I’m going there to live soon.”
“That’s way off in Owari, isn’t it? I can’t go so far away, not while my mother’s still alive.”
Hyōgo, not unmoved, said, “Come with me.” Ushinosuke followed along silently. “We’ll go to the dōjō. I’ll see if you have the natural ability to become a swordsman.”
“The dōjō?” Ushinosuke wondered if he was dreaming. Since early childhood, he’d regarded the ancient Yagyū dōjō as symbolizing everything he aspired to in the world. Though Sukekurō had said he could enter, he had not done so yet. But now, to be invited inside by a member of the family!
“Rinse your feet.”
“Yes, sir.” Ushinosuke went to a small pond near the entrance and very carefully washed his feet, taking care to remove the dirt from under his toenails.
Once inside, he felt small and insignificant. The beams and rafters were old and massive, the floor polished to a sheen he could see his reflection in. Even Hyōgo’s voice when he said, “Get a sword,” sounded different.
Ushinosuke selected a black-oak sword from among the weapons hanging on one wall. Hyōgo took one too, and with the point directed toward the floor, walked to the middle of the room.
“Are you ready?” he asked coldly.
“Yes,” said Ushinosuke, raising his weapon to chest level.
Hyōgo opened his stance slightly on the diagonal.