The Ring of Earth - Chris Bradford [79]
‘Remember, we’re not just rescuing friends and saving lives,’ Tenzen continued, spurring their motivation. ‘We’re rescuing the clan, saving Shonin and Soke’s knowledge. But we’ll be fighting back on our terms – stealth, not strength, will win the day.’
47
AN UNLUCKY NUMBER
‘We’ve got no chance like this,’ said Shiro, forcing them to take a look at themselves.
Apart from Akiko, they were a ragged bunch in their tattered, bloodstained work clothes with only a handful of weapons between them. It was apparent to all they were ill-equipped for any sort of mission.
‘You’re right,’ conceded Tenzen. ‘We’ll have to return to the village for equipment and supplies.’
He looked down into the valley, where the samurai were still pillaging the houses and checking for survivors. ‘It’ll be dangerous, though. Any volunteers?’
Jack was about to put up his hand, the chance of retrieving the rutter foremost in his mind, when Miyuki interrupted.
‘All we need is a little faith,’ she said, striding over to the temple. The others followed, bemused.
Inside, she knelt as if to pray before the Buddha, then, reaching forward, she pressed both hands against the wooden base. There was a soft click and a secret compartment opened. Miyuki pulled out the drawer to reveal a number of black shinobi shozoku.
‘How come only you knew about this?’ asked Kajiya, amazed.
‘I came to pay my respects to my parents one evening, when I found Soke checking their condition,’ Miyuki explained, distributing the outfits to all but Akiko. ‘Sorry, none left for you.’
‘No matter, I’ve come prepared,’ replied Akiko, smiling politely.
‘We’ll still need weapons,’ pointed out Shiro.
Miyuki rolled her eyes. ‘Don’t you ever stop moaning? I sometimes wonder if you really are a ninja.’
Ignoring his protests, she led them over to the far corner of the graveyard.
‘But … this is your family’s marker,’ said Tenzen.
Miyuki nodded. ‘Read the inscription.’
Tenzen grinned and began digging in the earth with his knife.
‘What does it say?’ whispered Jack to Akiko.
‘Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.’
Now Jack smiled too and knelt down to help Tenzen.
The two of them dug down until a large lacquered box was revealed. Tenzen and Jack pulled off the lid. Inside was a carefully considered collection of weapons and equipment. Two ninjatō, four pairs of shuko claws and ashiko foot hooks, a bag of tetsu-bishi spikes, a varied selection of shuriken, two kaginawa climbing ropes, a blowpipe complete with poisoned darts, a sickle and chain and some explosives.
Reaching down, Miyuki picked up the blowpipe. ‘Even from the grave, my parents will have their revenge.’
The rest of the equipment was handed out and the ninja prepared themselves for the mission. As Jack was getting ready, the cut on his arm opened up again.
‘Let me bind that for you,’ said Akiko, who was packing her armour into a sack for the journey.
He sat down on the temple steps, letting her clean and bandage the wound with strips torn from their discarded work clothes. Jack had missed her kindness and compassion. What a fool he’d been to leave her that day in Toba. But what choice did he have, with the Shogun banishing foreigners and his sister alone in England? If only circumstances had been different, he’d have followed his heart.
‘That should do it,’ she said, smiling sweetly at him.
‘Thank you,’ replied Jack, though he wanted to say so much more. By the look in her eyes, she did too, but they both knew this wasn’t the time or place.
‘I’d better get changed,’ he mumbled.
At that moment Miyuki passed by. She gave Jack a cold, hard stare, before turning it on Akiko.
‘Tenzen, do you really think we should be taking this samurai along with us? Nine is an unlucky number. She’ll bring misfortune upon the mission.’
‘Miyuki,’ said Tenzen, gently leading her away, ‘this samurai could be Hanzo’s sister. If that’s the case, she deserves the chance to help save him. And if we’re going to succeed, we’ll need