The Chrysanthemum and the Rose

by DJ Clawson

This is story 9 in the series that started with "A Bit of Advice." You might want to click on my author profile and start with the first one at this point. Otherwise, enjoy!

Check the Flicker account for frequent updates based on things described in the chapters.

www . flickr . com / photos / 25734638 (at) N03 / sets / 72157605063518073 /


Chapter 29 – Kogi's Bargain

Mugen did not immediately return to serious fighting. He gave Georgiana other tasks to do, mostly for balance, but for the most part she sat on a mat, trying to meditate. He would watch her, or join her, and eventually fall off to sleep. He did not explain his methods, but he was quite serious about them, and that was explanation enough.

Geoffrey was on his way to check on Sanjuro, who was sitting up for the first time in days, when he heard another voice as he knelt down to slide the door open. He stayed where he was instead.

"Sa! That looks bad."

Geoffrey heard rustling of sleeves. "It's nothing. It's the cold."

"You'll be the stoic samurai to the end, won't you?" Mugen said.

"I don't have to keep it up much longer." Sanjuro laughed, but it turned into another coughing fit.

"Who are you going to give your swords to? Or do you want to be buried with them?"

"You greedy thug," Sanjuro replied, but it was with amusement. "I thought about giving them to Dani-kun, but he has the daisho from the samurai official killed in the caravan, and to be honest, those are better swords. And Jeffrey-san can't wield a sword."

"He's just afraid."

"You don't give him enough credit. Just because he married your so-called student – "

"Shut up! It isn't like that and you know it."

"You should give him more credit," Sanjuro said. "He's sick in his head. He gets dizzy when startled. I saw him once, after something happened to him. He couldn't even get up."

Mugen did not respond.

"He's almost deaf, too, I think. Something must have happened to him. But why would he tell you that? Anyway, that's probably why. Otherwise it just doesn't make sense." He sighed, attempting to catch his breath. "Do you want the daisho set or just the one?"

"I don't know yet, but none of the swords from Tanaka's gang are good enough to kill Kogi."

Sanjuro paused before speaking. "I don't have anything against Sir Kogi, if we're speaking of the same man I knew from Edo, but that doesn't mean you should just expose your neck for him. Unless something happens or I actually make it to the spring, I'll grant you my swords."

"Thank you, Sanjuro-san."

"Oi, what else can I do that's worthwhile?"

There was movement, so Geoffrey slid back, stood up, and then walked forward. Mugen opened the door from the inside, passed him with the briefest of glances, and left. Geoffrey sat down again and bowed nearly to the ground. "Sanjuro-san, I've brought some medicine for you."

"Come." Sanjuro was sitting up and properly dressed to receive him. "Thank you. You don't have to do servant's work, you know. That's what Kiso is for." He accepted the small jar and swallowed its contents, then set it on a tray. "Is it so different in the West?"

"Yes. In the West, I would have twenty Kisos." He sat down across from him. Sanjuro was sitting on his bed. His two swords – his daisho – were at the head of the mat, just above where his head would lay. "I wanted to see how you were doing."

"Better today. The cold is always a shock on everyone; why should it be any different for me?" While he didn't understand the foreigners and didn't attempt to, he was always extremely cordial. They had spared his life and provided for him. "I told Dani I am still not up to any more training. He was very polite about it, but he was like a lost puppy."

"He has no one else. I understand that Mugen's style is too different. And Mugen is busy with Georgiana."

"Hai, Dani wants to learn to fight like a samurai, and Mugen can only imitate it. Besides, he has his hands full with your wife." He added. "I mean that in the most respectful sense."

"Of course. I am beginning to understand it, but my instincts are otherwise."

"If I was married, I wouldn't let anyone look at my wife, much less sit with her in private and train her to fight! You have great faith in people."

It struck Geoffrey as an odd notion, but perhaps from a certain perspective, he was. He felt like he was being a bit too protective. Georgie chided him constantly for it. "I have to swallow my pride sometimes. Besides, I knew Mugen as a small child, so he never seemed so threatening. And he was there for Georgie when she was small, and needed a friend who understood her. For that I can never repay him." He sighed. "I feel like Danny might need the same thing."

"If going blind is like dying, then I understand him," Sanjuro said with a chuckle. "Nonetheless, he does need a teacher, and I don't know of one here, nor do I know of a school that will take foreigners."

"Let me know if you think of anything, regardless," Geoffrey said. He stared at his hands for a second and braced himself before saying, "May I speak with you in confidence?"

"Of course, Jeffrey."

"Who is Sir Kogi?"

"So you heard that, eh? I thought you were almost deaf. And I suppose you heard me say that, too."

"Only in one ear," he said. "And I apologize. I meant to enter and I heard you talking. I didn't want to intrude."

Sanjuro changed positions, looking away for a moment. "I suppose since I told him one of your secrets, I will tell you one of his – or, something perhaps he has not mentioned to you. Actually I don't know much about how he is involved, but I can answer your question." He looked, for once, uncomfortable at the subject. "I don't know his full name. He must come from a samurai family, but for whatever reason, he doesn't use his family name. Nonetheless when I was in Edo, I knew of Sir Kogi. I may have even met him – there were times when I would see someone and someone would turn to me and say 'That was Sir Kogi!' But by then, he would always be gone."

"Who is he?"

"He is the chief of the shōgun's assassin squad, or he was for many years. There are all kinds of legends about him."

"He's ninja?"

"The shōgun would never admit to hiring a ninja. No, he's just a master of the blade. They say he studied in a school of monks, and in the end of his time there he fought a duel with the sensei and won. He spared him only if the sensei, who was also a priest, would grant him divine skill, and his sensei agreed."

"Why does Mugen want to kill Sir Kogi?"

"I think it's that Sir Kogi wants to kill Mugen. Sir Kogi is supposed to be undefeated, yet Mugen says they fought years ago, and the result must have been a draw for them both to be alive. Mugen is living on borrowed time, or he feels that way. Sir Kogi will come for him and this time, whatever luck was on his side might not be there."

Geoffrey folded his arms. "Do you know why he didn't tell us this?"

"Easy. He doesn't want you involved. Jorgi-san won't stand by and watch her sensei be murdered, will she? I've seen her fight. She'll get involved, and she won't survive. He's protecting her."

"I could shoot him."

"Mugen or Sir Kogi?" Sanjuro chuckled, but this quickly turned into another coughing fit. He kept a heavy cloth wrapped around one sleeve to bury his mouth in as he hacked up blood. Geoffrey helped him get upright by holding up his shoulder. "Thank you. I don't suppose you have a cure in that book of yours, or the doctor would have mentioned it."

"People die of consumption just as often in England, I'm afraid."

"So I figured. Anyway, I wouldn't try to involve yourself in the affairs of Sir Kogi, even from afar, unless you're prepared to be cut down. It's not worth the risk."

"It is noted," Geoffrey said. "Thank you, Sanjuro-san."

"Just think before you tell Jorgi-san. There will be consequences that Mugen has tried to avoid."

Geoffrey nodded, and swallowed uneasily.


"Sensei," Georgie said to Mugen, "I know you said your sensei made you carry sake bottles back and forth on your head, but I'm having my doubts that they need to be sake."

"They do! And don't spill!" he replied. "And get the good stuff."

"If you want more sake, you can just ask."

"No! It's important training!"

Georgie looked at Geoffrey, who rolled his eyes. "You're lucky I need to go to town anyway."

"Obedient student doesn't question master!" Mugen barked, and slammed his fist on the floor for effect, then cried out from the pain.

Georgie didn't bother hiding her laughter. "Yes, Sensei."

"Can you take Alison?" Geoffrey asked. "I think she needs to see something other than the same four walls, or she might break our remaining furniture."

It took some time to get Alison bundled up, mainly because she resisted the entire process, but Georgie eventually succeeded. Alison raised her hands. "You'll be three soon," her mother replied. "You can't be carried all the time."

"Training!"

"Nice try," she said, and took Alison's hand.

The roads were cleared of snow as quickly as possible, and after several sunny days, they were finally dry as well. Alison no longer instantly went running off in every direction – at least not when her mother was escorting her – and waved to the townsfolk who still stopped and stared. The sake brewer was expecting their daily order, and quickly had a jug ready for them. It was in no condition to go on anyone's head, so Georgie bought an empty bottle (seeing as how the last few had been mysteriously smashed) and placed it on her head. "Domo Arigato." (Thank you very much)

She ignored their stares on the way back. The first person who stopped her, she assumed, only wanted to look, but she didn't. It was a woman in a simple but beautiful kimono, who bowed. "So sorry, but you are the okappiki's wife?" It wasn't really a question, but it was polite to say it that way.

"Yes. Excuse me for not bowing."

"I am so sorry to bother you. If you must go, I understand, but I humbly request an audience with you."

This had never happened before, and the woman was obviously somewhat intimidated. It must have taken her some nerve to do this – and even if it was a trick, Georgie had her sword slung over her shoulder. "All right."

They moved to a small teahouse, and the woman requested a private room. Georgie set her sake down and ordered the broth Alison liked, and she settled down enough to drink that.

"Thank you so very much," the woman said. "I am sorry to inconvenience you about a matter that concerns your husband." But of course, she went through Georgie, the other female. "I do not know if he is involved with the magistrate's business, but there is a particular case that has not come to any conclusion with the magistrate, and I feel as though we are out of options."

"Go on."

The lady bowed again. "My husband, Hachiro, is the apprentice to my father, a master potter with his own store. Perhaps you have visited Ichiro's store?"

"The one with the beautiful purple tea sets in the front? I have."

"Hai, that's the one. Hachiro became his apprentice four years ago, when he renounced his samurai status to become a merchant. He signed a seven-year contract with my father to work for him in exchange for lessons, room and board, and some payment for his hours as a clerk in the store based on commission. That was how we met, working in the store together. In the last four years, Hachiro has worked very hard and become quite talented, and he has saved money up from sales to start his own store. However, my father will not let him out of the contract, even when Hachiro offered to compensate him for having to find a new assistant. He does not want us to leave, but we are very eager to do so. We took the matter to the magistrate, but he would not give a ruling, so we are stuck."

"You want to move out of your father's house? I can understand that. Did your father approve of the marriage?"

"He did, before Hachiro started talking about wanting to leave. Now he is very cruel to my husband and my mother is in argument with Father."

Georgie nodded. "You don't think this is about you leaving the house and not the contract? Fathers can be very protective. I know mine is."

"No. We would not be going anywhere, just a different house. In fact, my father would save money by not having to feed and clothe both of us, and he is always very concerned about money, even though the store is successful."

"Have you spoken to your father directly about this?"

"Many times. He still refuses, and says it is none of my business. We are at wit's end. We see no way to get out of the contract without Father's agreement, but he won't budge. I humbly request that if he has not already, the okappiki at least look into it."

"It is a dispute," Georgie said. "And that is partially his territory. I will tell him, but I can't make any promises."

"Thank you! Thank you so much!"

The woman was nearly in tears. Georgie consoled her, finally asked her name (Ayumi) and they parted. Georgie put the empty bottle back on her head, but would have hardly noticed if it fell off, as her mind was elsewhere.


Geoffrey found Mugen in the room they used for fight practice, sawing down another wooden blade from bamboo. "Mugen-san."

"Oi, what do you want now?"

Geoffrey bowed, and sat next to him. "I know about Sir Kogi."

Mugen stopped his sawing, but did not set the bamboo down or look at Geoffrey. "What do you know about it?"

"Everything," he said. "Don't blame Sanjuro. Blame your loud voice."

"So that's what it's come to?" He set the bamboo down. "Why do you come to me with something that's none of your business?"

"I feel a certain obligation to tell Georgiana, seeing as how she's my wife."

Now Mugen was very serious, and did meet his gaze. "If you know everything, as you say, you know it's best not to tell her."

"So you don't deny it?"

"We haven't even discussed what I'm denying!"

"You're going to fight Sir Kogi after we leave, and he's going to kill you."

Mugen only said, "I hope it's after you leave."

"What makes you think you can't beat him?"

"I might. I might get lucky again, or who knows, I might have improved enough to match him, but I have never met a better opponent. What I'm saying is, I'm not sure. And I'm always sure."

"I don't want Georgiana to get involved."

"For once, we agree on something."

"I don't want to lie to her, either."

"You don't have to lie unless someone brings it up."

Geoffrey shook his head. "I wish it was like that. But I came to you first because I thought maybe you would have an idea of how to tell her." He added, "Or you could draw him out and I could just shoot him."

"Jeffrey, you can't be involved in it any more than she can. You think I don't care about you, but I do. It's not that I don't want help. It's that I don't want anyone else to die."

He had never seen Mugen so serious about an opponent. He always laughed off his fights, even when they were dangerous. Geoffrey still remembered the white wolf, and how Mugen hadn't flinched. Or how he'd come back from the wolf hunt covered in animal blood but in good spirits.

"Mugen, I beg of you. What happened between you and Sir Kogi?"

Mugen sighed. "Are you just going to tell Jorgi?"

"I don't know yet."

"Then fine. You know that wound near my shoulder?"


Ten Years Ago

"Sa!" Mugen cursed, and shook his hand. The fish was still too hot, and he burned himself picking it up from the flames. Well, not the first time, and it was better than the little fire dying out again. He didn't want to spend all day rubbing sticks together. He certainly couldn't go back to town, where he had a hefty tab, and the next one would only ask him for more coin that he had on him, and that coin was reserved for a woman, not food. Food he could get on his own. "Oi! Who's there?"

It was not one of the angry townsfolk; he would have heard it earlier. He was surprised how close the samurai had come to him, even though still a good distance away and hidden in shrubbery, but standing tall. He did not slink away, but stepped forward into view. He did not remove his ronin gasa, but he was dressed far to well to be a ronin.

"Answer my question," Mugen said. "I don't have time to chat now. My lunch is getting cold!"

"How irrelevant." The samurai seemed amused. He did not move for either of his swords. "You either don't know who I am or you don't care."

"Pick one," he replied, and prodded the fish he'd spent an hour trying to spear from the river. Still too hot, even for him. When he looked up, the samurai was closer, but standing very still. Even unnaturally still. "What, you're still here?"

"If you are just an arrogant vagrant, I have no business with you," the samurai said. "However, you meet the descriptions of the man I am searching for."

"So you want to execute me." Mugen stood up. "For which crime? Or is this just some kind of revenge killing? Did I fuck your wife or something?"

"The shōgun was going to send a squad," the samurai said, "but I dissuaded him. I wanted to fight you myself."

Mugen stretched. "The shōgun? You definitely have the wrong guy. I don't think my debts are quite so excessive as for the government to take notice." Then it occurred to him – this samurai had a personal audience with the shōgun? And convinced him of something? "Who are you?"

"Captain Kogi."

"Fancy name for a samurai."

"I didn't say it was my real name." He drew his sword slowly, and did not raise it. "And I doubt yours is really Moo Shin, if you're not Chinese. You must have had an original one."

Now he had his attention. "What's this about?" He rubbed his chin. "Ah, I know. Some Chinese monk wants to kill me, but he knows he can't do it himself, so he bribes the shōgun. I wonder how much I'm worth."

"So you are Hyuu's successor. I don't like wasting my time." He stepped back into stance, but it was a calm one. "I will grant you an explanation and a chance to defend yourself, only because I have never fought a San Soo master, nor will I ever have a chance again. The Shaolin want the art exterminated. In this sense, I disagree with them. Knowledge like that shouldn't be lost, or perhaps squandered on a person like you. When the monks came to the shōgun, I intervened on your behalf you might say, so that I could see it for myself. Don't disappoint me."

"Enough of this bullshit. You want to fight me? Well, I can't turn down a good fight." Mugen drew his sword, but also kicked the log he was sitting on, sending it flying towards the samurai. By the time it reached him, he had casually stepped to the side. Mugen had readied himself just in case, but his blade didn't succeed in cutting – it didn't even hit. It missed entirely, and he went tumbling forward. He had to somersault off one hand to land back on his feet, digging into the ground with his geta to slow his movements.

The samurai merely turned back in his direction, giving no indication that he was concerned with the battle. Mugen flew at him again, and again the man was just gone from that spot, and Mugen had to recover by grabbing a tree. "What's this?"

The samurai had not changed his stance, and still kept his sword down, as if swinging was the last thing on his mind. Both times, Mugen noticed, he'd moved left. Well, he could meet him. "Dodge this!" he shouted, and ducked to the left at the very last moment of his charge. Their blades met if only for a moment, enough to cause a noise as he slid away.

"Again," the samurai said, and Mugen laughed, but he did comply. This time the samurai stepped back, and Mugen sliced at only air, then more air, then to the side and more air. He just couldn't connect. He backed away again to catch his breath.

"Abnormal stance. Shifting tactics. But still not good enough." He added, "And you let your anger get the better of you."

Mugen grinned. "No, I'm just having fun!" He charged again, and this time leapt right over Captain Kogi, landing on the other side. The samurai's response was impressive – instead of just staring at him dumbfounded, he managed to swing around and step backwards, but not fast enough to be out of range. Their blades met for the first time in a lock, one against the other, as they pushed at each other. They were equal in strength, unless the samurai was holding back.

"I want to see it," Kogi said.

"Sorry, you're not for me. Too ... old," he grunted, and finally stepped back, because he couldn't hold against the weight anymore and he didn't want to give Kogi a chance to push.

The samurai was not amused. "You know what I mean. Show me the secret of San Soo!"

But he couldn't. He'd only succeeded in the Death Touch once, and under better circumstances. "Heh. You're too eager to die." He swung and missed, but instead cut down a small tree, which came perilously close to landing on Kogi's head, if he hadn't moved. How was he able to concentrate on everything around him? Why did nothing seem to hit him? It was almost like – "Fine. I'll indulge you." He knew he couldn't win this way. He would tire out and then Kogi would cut him down. He set his stance back defensively, briefly closing his eyes as if he was drawing on some deep concentrative energy.

The samurai took the bait. He came forward, and Mugen wasn't there. Not be there. That was the secret. Be elsewhere. When he was where Kogi had stood, seconds before, he sliced, and now Kogi had to block more seriously.

Mugen had come close.

"You're learning my moves just by fighting me," the samurai said. "Extraordinary! But it means I'll have to end this, before you know them all." His sword moved, but Mugen could only sense it, not see it. It was gone like him, then reappeared, and by then it was too late. He had no time to react before the tip broke through his skin and the blade plunged in deep enough to break through the other end – or at least it felt that way.

Mugen dropped his sword. He was now held up by the impalement on the samurai's blade. He put his hands over it to grab it, maybe to pull it out, but it just cut his fingers.

"Do you feel that?" the samurai said. "Do you feel that sensation, like you don't have space to breathe? That's your lung trying to expand, but my sword is there. You can draw all the breaths you like, but it'll still be there."

He could feel it. It felt worse than dying; that was how much he hated being trapped. The blade found its way in without puncturing his lung. Mugen could barely open his eyes, but when he did he could see through his tears that he was very close to the samurai. The hilt of the sword was only a few inches from his hands.

"It's a shame I can't let you live. You have incredible potential. It seems all us true warriors are just pawns in political games, doesn't it?"

Kogi's voice was starting to fade. No, he couldn't lose! He couldn't die now! But as his body naturally began to shut down, he felt a kind of peace in a world normally so disturbed, and he could think. He remembered the chalk outline on the floor. He remembered the pain of flowing ki – all of it, what was left of his, was in his center. He was only partially conscious of the fact that he took his hands off Kogi's sword and pulled them to his chest, as if he could reach in and scoop out all his remaining ki. He could imagine it. He just had to make it real. If he was going to die, he was going to take someone with him ...

There was not much space, between him and the samurai, and Kogi was not wearing any armor. It was surprisingly easy to hit his chest with both palms, slamming so hard as to feel that silence. That silence – that was Kogi's heartbeat, not being there. Yes! Yes, that was his sweet revenge. He plunged everything he had – which was very little now – into it, even enough to toss him back. Kogi flew backwards, taking his blade with him, and finally allowing Mugen to sink to the ground.

His arms were numb, but he clutched his chest anyway. He had no conscious thought to close the wound. It was all instinct now. There was not the same silence. He was aware of the birds, and the sun, and the flowing stream. Would it bring him strength? Would nature serve him?

"Moo Shin." But the voice calling him back was different. It was Kogi's, but all of the energy was gone from it. Mugen opened his eyes just enough to see the Kogi standing up by leaning on his sword scabbard, his other arm clutching his chest. "You ... " He lost his words. " ... Did you spare me?"

"I wasn't trying to," he said. "I wasn't good enough. Master Hyuu, I'm so sorry, I wasn't good enough ..."

Time was passing. He was aware of that. He was aware when Kogi stumbled and picked up Mugen's sword, returning it to his scabbard. "This is a beautiful blade."

Mugen had no energy for a response.

"I have to kill you. The sword is proof. If you live, will you go into hiding?"

He mouthed, 'What?'

"When I recover shortly ... I could finish you off. If you agree to hide, I won't." He pulled back his kimono. His chest was red and swollen. "That was it, wasn't it? Dim Mak?"

"Hai."

"I died – for just a second. I've never come so close. Not even my sensei ..." Kogi straightened himself, but was only partially successful. "What do you want me to do with the sword?"

"Will you deliver it to someone?"

"Within Japan, yes."

"Nagasaki ... Dejima." He coughed. "Brian-san and Nadi-sama. You'll remember?"

"Yes."

"P-Put a note." He spaced out for a second, losing contact with reality. It was so tempting, but he forced himself back. "'For the next wolf.'"

Kogi took the blade and put it carefully in his obi. "I will remember."

"Hai. Good." He chuckled. "What say ... we not meet again?"

"If we meet again, it cannot end so easily." He bowed.

Mugen closed his eyes. He did not think it was so easy. He thought it was impossible as he lay there, listening to his own blood drip from the hole in his back, until he couldn't hear that either.


Geoffrey was silent. How Mugen had lived did not require explanation. It was probably beyond explanation.

"I don't want that for Jorgi."

Geoffrey nodded. "Nor do I." He stood and bowed, leaving Mugen to his meditative sawing. Geoffrey stepped out into the courtyard with a heavy heart, and greeted his wife and child.

...Next Chapter - The Potter's Dilemma