Young Samurai_ The Way of the Sword - Chris Bradford [40]
Jack was completely thrown, both by Akiko’s harshness and his sword’s unexpected appearance.
The previous night when he’d heard footsteps approaching, he’d run back to the Hall of Lions empty-handed, afraid it was Kazuki and his gang. On returning to the training hall at first light, his sword was nowhere to be seen. He assumed Kazuki had taken it and had been worrying ever since, for to confront him about it would mean revealing he knew about the Scorpion Gang.
Miraculously, though, Akiko had it. He stared at her in curious amazement.
‘Thank you, Akiko. I’ve been looking for it everywhere,’ he eventually said, bowing to receive his sword.
‘Jack, this sword is your soul,’ she continued gravely, ignoring Jack’s outstretched hands. ‘It’s unforgivable to lose such a possession. The shame is even greater considering this was a gift from Masamoto-sama and his first sword. Why didn’t you tell anyone you’d lost it?’
‘I only lost it last night. I was hoping I’d be able to find it. Akiko, please don’t tell Masamoto-sama,’ pleaded Jack, mortified at his mistake.
Akiko stared impassively at him and Jack couldn’t tell whether she was disappointed or pitying him for his carelessness. Then the hardness in her expression softened and she handed over the weapon. ‘I won’t. But what was it doing at the back of the Butokuden?’
This was not how Jack had envisaged the conversation going. He had wanted to find out where Akiko had been and whether she knew about Kazuki’s plans. He hadn’t expected to have to account for his own actions.
‘I spotted intruders in the courtyard again. I thought they could be ninja breaking into the school,’ confided Jack, hoping that if he was straight with her, she would be with him. ‘But it wasn’t.’
‘Who was it?’
‘It was Kazuki, Nobu, someone else and, you won’t believe this, Moriko from the Yagyu Ryū.’
‘Moriko? In our school?’ she replied, alarmed at the idea. ‘Have you told Masamoto-sama?’
‘Not yet. He’s still not returned, but we must tell him. Not just about Moriko, but about Kazuki’s Scorpion Gang.’
Akiko listened intently while Jack described what he had overheard about daimyo Kamakura and the Scorpion Gang.
After some thought, Akiko replied, ‘Jack, there are always rumours of war. Of daimyo threatening daimyo. We’re in a time of peace now and there’s no reason why this won’t continue. You’ve met daimyo Kamakura. He’s hot-headed and power hungry. Masamoto-sama often complains about how he’s always stirring up trouble. But it never comes to anything. He never has the support.’
‘That’s what Sensei Yamada said. But what if he is getting the support?’ insisted Jack. ‘What if –?’
‘Jack! There you are!’
Jack looked up as Yamato burst into the room with Saburo.
‘You two look like you’ve been busy,’ he said, picking up a piece of paper with one of Jack’s attempts at kanji. ‘It’ll be dinner soon and we all need to get a bath. What’s keeping you?’
‘Jack saw Kazuki in the Butokuden last night,’ explained Akiko in hushed tones, indicating for Saburo to close the shoji behind him. ‘He and some others were getting a tattoo from that Moriko girl from the Yagyu School.’
‘Moriko?’ said Yamato, alarmed. ‘What was she doing here?’
‘Supposedly, Kazuki’s formed an anti-gaijin gang.’
‘But tattoos? They’re the mark of a prisoner!’ exclaimed Saburo.
‘They used to be,’ corrected Akiko. ‘But now merchants, and even some samurai, are getting them as marks of bravery or declarations of love.’
Saburo laughed and gave Jack a reassuring grin. ‘Jack, whatever it is you’re worried about, you certainly don’t need to be afraid of a gang of convicts and lovers.’
‘It’s no laughing matter, Saburo,’ retorted Jack. ‘Kazuki’s serious. He has it in for me.’
Yamato nodded thoughtfully. ‘It sounds like Kazuki thinks he’s a warlord or something. I know what we should do – me and Saburo will become your official bodyguards.’
‘And we’ll arrange to see Masamoto-sama as soon as he returns,’ added Akiko.
‘Anyway, Jack, you should be less concerned about Kazuki and more worried about how much you smell!’ Yamato teased, throwing