Young Samurai _ The Way Of The Dragon - Chris Bradford [132]
Choking back the tears, Jack took the little tree from him.
That evening, as the sun dropped below the horizon, Sensei Yamada, Yori, Akiko and Jack solemnly planted the sakura sapling.
As he tenderly filled in the hole, Jack said a prayer.
‘With this tree, we plant not only a memory of our friend, but a hope for our future.’
62
THE WAY OF THE WARRIOR
Jack double-checked his pack.
The rutter was safely stashed at the bottom, protected within its oilskin. Next to it was his Daruma Doll, its single eye staring out at him in the flickering light of the oil lamp. Also in the bag were a gourd of water, two straw containers of cooked rice, a spare kimono and a string of coins. All these had generously been given to him by Akiko’s mother, Hiroko, in addition to the blue kimono he now wore. Neither of the kimono had markings or kamon. Hiroko had chosen them specifically so that no one could identify him as a member of any family who may have fought against daimyo Kamakura.
The packing complete, Jack smiled to himself as he slipped Yori’s good-luck gift of a paper origami crane into the wooden inro case secured to his obi. The little bird rested on top of Akiko’s black pearl, guarding it as if the precious gem were an egg.
He was about to shoulder his bag when he remembered Sensei Yamada’s offering. Picking up the omamori, he tied the Buddhist amulet to the strap of his pack. Contained within its tiny red silk bag was a small rectangular piece of wood upon which Sensei Yamada had inscribed a prayer. His Zen master had told him the omamori would grant him protection. He’d warned Jack never to open it, otherwise the amulet would lose its power. But by hanging the omamori on his bag, Sensei Yamada prayed the amulet would convince locals Jack was a Buddhist, and that as a result they would be more willing to help him on his journey.
Sliding open the shoji to his room, Jack stepped out into the garden.
It was dark, the sun still below the horizon. The air had that fresh cool taste as if the world had yet to breathe. Jack slipped on his sandals and walked across the wooden bridge in the direction of a small gate set in the garden wall. As he put his hand upon the latch, Jack was reminded of the very first time he’d run away from Hiroko’s house. He’d got himself into serious trouble – though he had learnt a very useful Japanese word as a result. Abunai. Danger. Jack knew that by stepping through the gate this time he was guaranteed to encounter abunai.
‘You’re leaving without saying goodbye?’ said a softly spoken voice.
Akiko stood behind him, her hands clasped in front of her obi, her hair neatly combed and in a single plait down her back. She gazed at Jack with sorrowful, almost accusative eyes.
It hurt him for her to look at him that way.
But he’d said his farewells to everyone the night before at dinner. Akiko had been strangely quiet, though Jack had put that down to her slow recovery. Hiroko had offered to let him stay in her house indefinitely. Sensei Yamada had suggested Jack join Yori and him when they departed for the Tendai Temple in Iga Ueno. But he’d made up his mind.
‘It’s time I went home,’ said Jack, his heart breaking at having to say goodbye to Akiko.
‘But your home can be here,’ she said, a tremor entering her voice.
‘I can’t stay. If I do, I’ll only endanger you and your mother further. Rumours are spreading fast that you’re sheltering a gaijin. It won’t be long before daimyo Kamakura sends a patrol looking for me.’
‘But I can protect you –’
‘No, let me protect you,’ insisted Jack. ‘It’s time I took responsibility for my actions. My determination to safeguard the rutter at all costs put you, Yamato, Emi, Masamoto and daimyo Takatomi in great danger. I will not do such a thing again. Masamoto-sama said I’ve come of age. I must face these challenges on my own.’
Akiko looked deep into his eyes and saw the path he’d chosen to take. She bowed in acceptance of his decision. When her head rose again, the tearful expression