The Ring of Earth - Chris Bradford [62]
Jack was almost convinced Momochi was telling the truth. And so too, it appeared, was Shonin. That left Miyuki. But she’d been with him throughout the mission. No, that wasn’t entirely true, Jack realized. Miyuki had gone on her own to see the priest at the temple – at least, that’s what she said she was doing.
‘Perhaps it was someone else,’ suggested Jack, glancing over his shoulder at Miyuki.
‘Nonsense!’ snapped Momochi. ‘A ninja would know better than to endanger a mission like that. This samurai Gemnan was obviously trying to get you to talk. And I suspect you did!’
‘That’s not true. I was willing to give my life to protect this village,’ declared Jack.
‘I believe you, Jack-kun,’ said Soke.
‘You would!’ Momochi shot back irately. ‘But your judgement of character has been called into question once before –’
‘Enough!’ interrupted Shonin, seeing the old wound open up in the Grandmaster. ‘I’ve heard both of you and listened to Jack’s recount. What we need is an informed judgement. Where’s Zenjubo?’
Miyuki bowed and spoke. ‘He returned to the castle. His plan was to rescue Jack – or ensure he didn’t talk.’
Jack understood the cold-blooded implication of that statement. If he hadn’t managed to escape, he’d have been the victim of a ninja assassination.
‘Shonin,’ called a ninja in the doorway. ‘Zenjubo’s just coming into the square.’
A moment later, Zenjubo walked in, dirty and travel-worn. He barely looked at Jack as he passed by. Bowing before the council, he made his report.
Shonin listened without comment, then asked, ‘Has the village been compromised in any way?’
Zenjubo shook his head. ‘The boy said nothing.’
36
ONE OF THE CLAN
‘I owe you an apology,’ said Miyuki.
Jack was startled by the admission. She stood before him, her head bowed in respect. Miyuki had found him by the village pond, where Jack had gone after the council meeting to recover and gather his thoughts. The question of who’d betrayed him still remained unanswered. Although it was more than likely a ploy by Gemnan, Jack as a samurai was yet to be convinced of a ninja’s loyalty and honour to him. Shinobi may follow ninniku, but they weren’t bound by the code of bushido like the samurai were.
When he’d seen Miyuki approach, Jack had tensed for yet another confrontation. But her remorseful attitude took him completely off-guard.
‘Apologize?’ said Jack.
She looked up at him, her dark eyes, once so full of hatred, seeming to have thawed.
‘I was wrong,’ she confessed. ‘My bitterness at my family’s fate would only let me see you as samurai.’
Jack listened, speechless. Was this the same girl who had thrown him into a manure heap? Knocked him out cold? Put a knife to his throat, twice?
Miyuki continued. ‘Soke once told me that a single tree doesn’t make a forest. But I thought all samurai trees grew from the same seed. You proved me wrong. The spirit of ninniku is within you.’
She placed a hand over her chest. ‘Jack, you have a pure heart. You didn’t betray us to the daimyo. In my eyes, that makes you a true ninja.’ She bowed low, this time holding it.
‘Can you find it in your heart to forgive me?’ she asked in a tremulous voice.
Jack knew the Japanese valued apology highly. A sincere and respectful one was considered to wipe away all transgressions. He also realized it took Miyuki great courage to admit she was wrong, considering all the hostility that had passed between them. He wasn’t one to hold grudges. Besides, hadn’t he also been guilty of misjudging the ninja? Unless Miyuki was attempting a very cunning deception, it seemed doubtful that she’d betrayed him. And it would do him no favours to throw her apology back in her face. He decided to take the risk and trust her sincerity.
‘Of course,’ said Jack. ‘On condition that you’ll accept my apology for breaking your water pot.’
‘Yes,’ she replied,