Disclaimer: I don't own Samurai Champloo or any of its characters.


Chapter 7

He kissed me, even though it was only on the forehead. But a kiss is a kiss, reasoned Fuu, and decided she would savour that moment for the rest of her life. After all, the transition from what Fuu labelled as Jin's 'Hm and Aa Conversations', to the overt demonstrations of affection of the present time, was considerable progress. It warranted a celebration.

But celebration was out of the question. For example, a celebratory jig to honour the event would be extremely unladylike. And Fuu didn't have any girl friends in Kofu she could confide in. She could probably tell her aunt Ayako, but it was quite likely that Ayako would disapprove. So, for the time being, Fuu had to seal in her euphoria and try to maintain an outwardly-calm exterior.

However, this was proving to be difficult for two reasons. For one, the man responsible for her unsettled state of mind, was still present at her side. Secondly, they were in the presence of a third person, who was proving to be a source of irritation for Fuu.

The third person was, in fact, Akemi, the lady Jin and Fuu had planned to interview in relation to the Furin Kazan Inn and its link with cases of 'kitsunetsuki'. It had therefore been quite fortuitous that they had run into her just as they were about to enter the Sekisuiji Onsen Inn. Fuu had made the necessary introductions, and had been resourceful enough to arrange a little 'chat' in the Japanese garden outside the inn.

Akemi was scrutinizing Jin with the air of someone who considered herself a connoisseur of men. "Ah, a veritable Yoshitsune," she said, gazing at Jin with unabashed admiration. "Kimiko-san, this must be the young man you were day-dreaming about yesterday."

Fuu ignored the remark, although she could not quite mask her embarrassment. She said, "Akemi-san, I have been wondering about some of the things you said yesterday. Could you tell us a little more about the Furin Kazan Inn?"

For a very brief instant, a guarded and fearful look came into Akemi's eyes. But her overall reaction to Fuu's query was a lot more composed in comparison with her previous attitude. "Ah, the Furin Kazan Inn is quite the hub of activity here in Kofu. The three ladies that run that establishment throw some very entertaining parties."

"Have you ever attended any of these parties?" enquired Jin.

"No, but I have some friends in Kofu who told me about them. One of them had attended a party in which some poem-card games were played, followed by moon viewing from the terrace of the inn."

Fuu asked, "You said yesterday that there had been some 'kitsunetsuki' cases in Kofu, and that the Furin Kazan Inn had something to do with them. Could you please explain what you meant?"

Akemi said, "Did I say that? Dear me, I must have had too much sake."

"Yes, you mentioned it after that gentleman, Yamamoto-san, had taken ill."

Akemi looked around furtively, and then said, in a hushed whisper, "He died yesterday, you know."

Jin and Fuu looked at each other in surprise. "Really? How do you know?" asked Fuu.

"The inn's proprietor informed us around lunch time."

Fuu tried to broach the subject of 'kitsunetsuki' again. "Akemi-san, why did you think Yamamoto-san had 'kitsunetsuki'?"

Akemi looked a little fearful, but at the same time Fuu sensed an eagerness to please, undoubtedly due to the presence of Jin. "Well, his symptoms looked very similar to a business acquaintance of my husband. This man, Arai Nobuhiro, used to be a samurai, but had recently taken up the trades. He died a few weeks ago."

Fuu and Jin looked at each other again, silently acknowledging the fact that they had noticed 'Arai' as one of the names on the list Manzou had provided.

"Why did you think Nobuhiro-san died of kitsunetsuki?" Jin asked.

"His symptoms were very marked – towards the end he was seeing things that weren't there, and had convulsions and fits similar to those of Yamamoto-san. He kept saying that he had been cursed, and that the ladies at the Furin Kazan Inn had cast a spell on him."

"Why did he say that?" Fuu enquired.

"Well, he had some enemies among the Kofu chonin. Although he was no longer a samurai, he acted like one and looked down upon his business colleagues. Someone who was offended enough may have got a 'kitsunetsuki' arranged for him."

"And how exactly are these arranged?" asked Jin.

"There is a 'go-between' – a merchant who sells lacquerware. His name is Takatoshi. I believe it is very costly, but if you are willing to pay the price, you can get your enemy possessed by yako kitsune – the malevolent kind of fox spirit."

Akemi had started to look worried and fearful again. She added, "I have told you all I know, so please don't ask me any more questions about this."

Jin and Fuu politely took their leave. As they walked into the inn, Fuu remarked, "I really don't believe in such things, but what she said sounded really evil and sinister. Do you think there is any truth in it?"

Jin said, "I believe organized crime of this sort, in which you can hire someone to kill your enemy is possible – the yakuza could be involved in such cases. But the 'kitsunetsuki' angle – that is very unusual. I don't think that the deaths that have occurred are due to supernatural causes; I think the 'kitsunetsuki' rumour is spread to cover up what really happens."

"I suppose we could go and interview this 'go-between' she mentioned," remarked Fuu.

Jin halted in his tracks. "Fuu-chan," he said somewhat sternly, "I don't think that it is advisable for you to have any dealings with such characters. It is a little too dangerous."

The stubborn streak in Fuu made her want to protest, but she was presently quite pleased with Jin, so she said, "Oh, all right! I'll just keep helping you with the boring – I mean the safe stuff, such as looking up registers at temples and shrines."

He smiled at her and said, "It isn't all boring – the kabuki performance should be quite interesting to watch."

"Yes, if Oji-san and Oba-san agree," Fuu said as an uncertain look came over her face.

"I am sure we will be able to convince them," said Jin.

---xxx---

"So our onna-bugeisha now wishes to become a goyokiki," said Hideo.

There was just a little soupcon of sarcasm in the tones of her uncle's voice that worried Fuu. Her uncle was rarely angry with her, but had on occasion given her what she considered a "serious talk". Fuu's instincts told her that today was going to be another such occasion.

For instance, he had given her a 'serious talk' when she had expressed a wish to train in the martial arts. He had impressed upon her that training in the martial arts was 'not a joke', and required considerable dedication and discipline. He had also pointed out the practical implications of her decision. She would not be welcomed into the martial arts world, which was dominated by men, and it would also diminish her prospects in the 'marriage market'. For prospective suitors and their families were more likely to be interested in females accomplished in arts such as the tea ceremony and incense discrimination, rather than the arts of the jo, naginata, or the short sword.

Fuu had known that Hideo was deliberately provoking her into a debate, as he had done on many previous occasions. In this instance, it had been for the sake of testing her sincerity and motivation, and Fuu had been prepared.

Unlike the time when Hideo had quoted from Kaibara Ekken's Onna Daigaku (Greater Learning For Women), the following passage: "The five worst maladies that afflict the female mind are indocility, discontent, slander, jealousy, and silliness. Without any doubt, these maladies infest seven or eight out of every ten women, and it is from these that arises the inferiority of women to men." With a straight face, devoid of any expression, her eccentric uncle had asked, "What do you think of that Fuu-chan?"

Fuu had been furious, but her fury had worked in her favour. In the heated debate that followed, she had shown the character-traits her uncle had been looking for, namely, spirit and intelligence. Since then, Fuu had become quite used to situations in which her uncle baited her; she had, in fact, enjoyed the serious debates and discussions that followed.

However, the tone of her uncle's voice today had something which suggested that the debates to follow would be unpleasant. The fact that Jin was seated next to her made it a little easier, for she knew that the burden of the debate would not fall entirely on her. Nevertheless, she was apprehensive.

"Oji-san, I will only be involved in activities that are quite safe," she said. "There is nothing to worry about. In any case, Jin will be looking after me."

With a stern look in the direction of Jin, Hideo said, "I have no doubt that he will do his best to look after you. But what would be the consequences of someone from the police recognizing you as Kasumi Fuu?"

Jin said, "Hideo-san, with due respect, I don't think the police are likely to be too concerned about it. I suspect that the metsuke have been keeping a watch on the three of us, so they probably know about Fuu-chan's identity. They haven't acted on that knowledge because she is not a practising Christian, nor is she involved with them. And whatever the two of us do in relation to this investigation is not likely to upset the bakufu." He spoke softly, to avoid being overheard by the teahouse waitress who was hovering near the table at which Hideo, Ayako, Jin, and Fuu sat.

Ayako said, "There is also the issue of Fuu's miai. I am not sure if it is appropriate for her to be seen spending so much time in the company of a male friend, when her miai is to take place at the end of the month."

At this remark, Fuu looked very upset. Having spent the day in Jin's company had made the prospect of the miai even more unbearable. Jin, on the other hand, looked at Ayako as if his 'honour' had been questioned.

Hideo said to his wife, "I am sure we can trust Fuu-chan and Jin-san to behave in an appropriate manner." He turned towards Jin and said, "For the time being, I will allow this. But you must give your word that you will keep Fuu-chan safe."

Jin said, "I will protect her with my life, if required."

The conversation turned to more mundane things as dinner was served. Fuu knew that there was another 'talk' in store for her after Jin left. But on the whole, she decided, it had been one of the best days of her life.


Author's notes:

(1) I have used 'onna bugeisha' and 'goyokiki' before, but just in case readers do not remember the former roughly translates as 'woman warrior', and the latter means 'private detective'.

(2) I have made Jin take an optimistic view in relation to the bakufu. Otherwise, it would be difficult to proceed with the story!