Disclaimer: Please see Part I for the usual statements.
Author's note: Please enjoy and let me know how you like it.
Memory Ronin
Part XIII
By Callisto
Tami restaurant
Tokyo, Japan
"My involvement with Tanaka is simple. Parker didn't want her father to know what she was up to while she was visiting home, so an old friend of mine came up with the idea of using a relative of his as a sort of prop, window dressing to be exact. When the watchers reported back they would tell her father that Parker was enjoying an intimate vacation with the son of a known yakusa boss," Naizen stated matter-of-factly at the dinner table the next evening.
Noticing his bland and closed expression, Parker finished the explanation. "Daddy was keeping close tabs on me because I was showing an unnatural resistance to his ideas of what my future should be. I didn't want him to know who I was really seeing because Naizen had too much to lose and it was none of Daddy's business anyway."
"It was Senzo's idea to have his gangster cousin escort Parker around the city for an hour then take the train to a heavily wooded retreat on the outskirts of Kyoto City. Once they reached the retreat they went their separate ways, Parker came to me and Tanaka had one of his floozies waiting to entertain him," Naizen said in an almost bored voice. "The most time Tanaka and Parker spent in each other's company was to and from the airport and wasting time in Tokyo for the benefit of the watchers."
"It sounds elaborate. Did you do this every time you visited?" Jarod asked Parker pointedly.
"No. I only needed to do it two more times before Daddy stopped sending people around to monitor my movements. The other times I met a different business associate of Senzo's here in the city and made a show of going to his apartment then immediately leaving through a rarely used exit; no one was ever the wiser."
"Clever. I like it but weren't you concerned about the reputation that would give you? You took a chance that your father wouldn't object to your activities," Jarod blurted out musingly. He instantly reconsidered his observation the minute it left his lips. He recalled the short conversation he had with the thoroughly corrupt man he had kidnapped in exchange for his own father's freedom.
"Please, you're the one who's always reminding me how twisted and corrupt my father was. By the time I had started on my master's degree, I was fully aware that he didn't give a damn about what I did or how I entertained myself, as long as the Centre was never brought into the middle of it," Parker retorted, sadly cynical.
An easy silence settled around their table as the three sat engrossed in their own thoughts. The waitress interrupted the silent reveries by arriving with their food orders.
Two hours later the three had returned to Hideaki's limo and were speeding their way towards the Mie-ken prefecture. Jarod watched silently pleased and more than a little bemused over the slow change in Parker's demeanor. He could tell by her relaxed, undemanding air that she indeed considered this country her true home.
"Oishi-san is extremely eager to see you again. She practically ordered me to bring you to her immediately. Sensei Otsu is not so demonstrative but he too made it clear that failure in fulfilling this duty would not be tolerated," Hideaki said firmly.
"I understand their eagerness but they weren't expecting me to bring someone else along. If you don't mind waiting for us, maybe we can find a hotel in Kyoto City that isn't booked up," Parker said with equal firmness.
"Oishi-san anticipated this and has a room already prepared for you," Hideaki said slyly.
"Very funny. I would prefer the hotel. As it is I doubt we're going to escape Oishi-san's civilities for at least a couple hours." Parker looked at Jarod with a smile and said, "She's going to flip the second she realizes who you are."
"Why?" Jarod asked inquisitively.
"After I arrived here when I was a kid, she was very curious about my background and friends and since you were the only friend I had before I came here, your name would come up often."
Parker's reunion with Oishi-san was initially very formal. Neither woman betrayed much emotion and bowed politely to each other. It was once they entered the older woman's home that they displayed the deep affection they felt for each other.
"It has been a very long time since I have either seen or heard from you. Please tell me what have you been up to?" Oishi-san asked blandly.
Parker released a heavy sigh and started at her friend mutely. A few long seconds later a slow smile began to form on Parker's lips, bowing slightly again she stated in a disinterested voice, "There have been many changes in my life however, I do not wish to bore you with mere trivialities."
Oishi-san narrowed her eyes in a manner that was very similar to Parker's and said in a stony voice, "It has been over a year since you have bothered to pick up a phone and call. Somehow I find it difficult to believe nothing of any import has occurred in that time."
A large, amused smile graced Parker's face, lighting up her features and for the first time in almost 3 decades, Jarod saw the thirteen year old Miss Parker who had once been his friend and the one person he truly felt he belonged with.
Parker without warning enveloped the older woman in a bear hug, laughing delightedly. Mrs. Oishi returned the embrace strongly; she had missed her young friend dearly. Just as abruptly, Parker pulled half way out of the embrace and lightly grasping her friend's shoulders she said excitedly, "I've brought someone with me I want you to meet. Parker partially turned around. "Oishi-san, I would like to introduce you to Jarod Walters," she said proudly, using the pseudonym his family had decided upon.
Mrs. Oishi was honored to meet the handsome young man but the name, while ringing a distant bell didn't fully register. Seeing the polite confusion on her friend's face, Parker said eagerly, "Oishi-san, this is Jarod, my Jarod"
Finally Mrs. Oishi's eyes widened and a look of total amazement and curiosity settled on her face. She bowed deeply and said happily, "It is indeed an honor to finally make your acquaintance. Flower has often mentioned you and after a while you were beginning to take on Promethean proportions."
Jarod laughed good-naturedly and returned her bow politely. His mind was distracted by Parker's description of him as being her's. He was suddenly struck by a feeling of encouraged relief in accompanying her on this trip. He had wanted to broach the subject of forming a deeper commitment to their developing relationship. Hearing the tone of her voice coupled with the expression on Mrs. Oishi's face gave him the hope that perhaps he wouldn't have to wait so long to bring his ultimate designs on Parker's marital status to fruition.
They spent the next few hours with Mrs. Oishi. Parker was primarily occupied in relating a heavily censored and abbreviated version of the recent life changing events in her life. Jarod and Hideaki wandered outside after the first 30 minutes and chatted with surprising camaraderie while enjoying the fine weather. When they returned to the home, Jarod peeked though the living room door and saw the two women still engaged in a lively conversation. Closing the sliding door as quietly as possible, Jarod returned to the courtyard where Hideaki was standing impatiently.
"They are still talking non-stop. I don't think this is going to end for some time. Why don't you go ahead and return home, we'll probably stay here for the night. I'm sure you would like to get home," Jarod said solicitously. Overnight Parker had given him a brief summary of Hideaki's situation.
"Yes, my son will be disappointed if I do not review his homework and see him to bed," Hideaki said quietly.
"How old is your son?" Jarod asked.
"He is 10 years old and quite a handful. He is what keeps me going, part of what makes this life bearable," Hideaki replied.
Jarod instantly understood Hideaki's meaning and remained quiet for a few seconds. "You go ahead, I'll tell Parker you were pressed for time. I've never seen her this chatty before," he said amusedly.
Hideaki remained silent for a beat, then he turned and bowing formally he said, "It has been an honor meeting you. Please take prodigious care of her, she is the best person I know," Hideaki said solemnly. Noticing that Jarod had again displayed his own perfect manners by properly returning the bow, Hideaki quickly turned and left.
Jarod remained in the courtyard alone for some time after Hideaki left. His mind was occupied by Hideaki's predicament and lack of resentment. Obviously there was more to Hideaki and Parker's relationship than he had originally given either credit for.
Otsu compound—Present day
Mie-ken prefecture, Japan
The next evening brought the introduction of Parker's venerated Sensei. Perhaps it was purely subconscious but she spoke of her Sensei the way most people referred to a strict and beloved parent.
Sensei Otsu was equally surprised at Jarod's appearance as Mrs. Oishi but his outward demeanor was more tightly controlled. He bowed slightly to Jarod who returned the gesture. Sensei paused for a few seconds to take Jarod's measure; when he was satisfied he turned to his student.
"Parker-san, it has been too long since you have been in contact. I take it many changes have occurred during this silent interval?"
"Yes, Sensei. There have been many changes, perhaps we should wait a bit before getting into all that," Parker said quietly.
From her solemn attitude, Sensei Otsu knew the explanation would be long and complicated. He sympathized with his student, he knew the changes life would hand her would be devastating but at least fate had also given her someone to share them with.
"I see, perhaps some tea would be in order, join me," Sensei said smoothly.
It took the better part of two hours for Parker to fill her Sensei in on the events, which had changed her life. The retelling seemed to have leached away most of her previous joy and she concluded her account at the point when she returned from Africa with Lyle and Raines. Jarod noticing her growing depression watched her sympathetically and quickly looking at Sensei Otsu he found the older man watching him with interest.
Jarod suppressed the urge to wrap his arms around her. Instead he continued where Parker had left off and explained how the Centre now thought she was dead at his hands. The Sensei listened and nodding solemnly he said, "Parker-san's old room has been made to accommodate her but is large enough for both of you. Please consider this your home as well. Parker-san you should rest for a while, the stress the last several months have put you though is beginning to take its toll. You will stay here until you have fully recuperated." With that, the Sensei stood seamlessly, despite his age and left the room discreetly.
Jarod taking advantage of the opportunity cautiously placed his arm around her shoulders and held her tightly when she turned into him.
"I couldn't have imagined it would be so embarrassing telling him about my family's weaknesses. I know he cares about me, it's the retelling of their depravity that twists the knife in my gut," she said into the broad expanse of Jarod's shoulder where she had buried her face.
They sat in this position for some time before Jarod gently brought Parker to her feet and accompanied her to her room.
The following morning, Jarod woke up alone. He looked around momentarily confused and disorientated, when he spotted a note lying on the pillow next to him. Picking up the paper he learned that Parker was spending the early morning with Sensei Otsu and breakfast could be found in the kitchen down the hall and on the right.
Jarod was finishing his tea when Sensei Otsu walked into the room. Jarod bowed slightly and thanked the Sensei in unaccented Japanese for his hospitality. This caused the Sensei to smile slightly as he poured himself a cup of tea.
"When Parker-san first came to us, her Japanese was excellent but her accent was pure American. I see that her young friend doesn't have any difficulties with the accent at all."
"I was taught the language, like Parker, by someone whose native tongue was English but I had the benefit of improving my accent with a native Japanese speaker a few years after she was sent to boarding school," Jarod replied.
Sensei Otsu digested this bit of information silently. Nodding to himself distractedly he said, "I would like to speak with you about some disturbing rumors I had learned about you some time ago."
Jarod wrinkled his brow in curiosity and acquiesced immediately wondering what this tightly contained man had heard.