Disclaimer: Please see Part I for the usual disclaimer blurb.
Authors note: Please favor me with some feedback!! I borrowed some lines from a Dave Matthews song. They seemed appropriate, so those of you who know his music will recognize the reference.
Memory Ronin
Part XV
By Callisto
Otsu compound
Mie-ken prefecture, Japan
"Hey there handsome, where have you been? I've been looking for you all over the place," Parker said with a laugh in her voice. She had spotted Jarod walking up to the house with a distracted look on his face. When he heard her voice, his head came up and his face brightened the same way it had when they were children. His reaction warmed her to the core and she felt as though she were on solid ground with him. She favored him with a brilliant smile and walked up to him. Jarod immediately took her in his arms and kissed her passionately, surprising her in his eagerness. When he ended the kiss, she smiled delightedly and said, "Wow, if that's the way you're going to greet me whenever we're apart for a few hours, I think I should start hiding from you."
"That would be a lousy idea, I hate waking up alone as it is," he replied suddenly serious. "There are some things we need to discuss in private, take a walk with me." Taking her hand in his, he led her towards the garden.
"I have a better idea, there is a place I've been wanting to show you, let's walk over there," she said congenially.
Jarod began to tell her a condensed version of what he had learned from her Sensei. Parker listened intently without interrupting him, it was a story she had always wanted Sensei to tell her. When he was done, Jarod looked at her curiously.
"Has he already told you all of this? Why haven't you said anything about this story?"
"Simply because Sensei never told it to me. He has dropped hints over the years about what he knows but despite all my efforts he would never elaborate. I wasn't holding out on you, Jarod," she replied quietly.
"If that wasn't enough, I went to Mrs. Oishi's looking for you. She told me some things about you that I don't believe anyone back home or at the Centre even imagined," he said wearily.
Looking down at the pathway they were wandering on, Parker said without looking up, "I went over to her place to fill in all the blanks I had left out when we first arrived. I seem incapable of concealing anything from her; nothing feels quite right until we've discussed a problem or situation thoroughly." When she noticed he wasn't going to reply she asked, "What was it Oishi-san told you?"
Taking a deep breath, Jarod said, "She said that you have had only four lovers in your entire life. As we both know, that flies in the face of accepted Centre beliefs. Not that I've put much credence in the Centre's assumptions but I would like you to explain what she meant by that."
"Does it make that much of a difference to you?" she asked incredulously.
"Yes and no. I don't care how many lovers you've had in your life as long as you're with me exclusively. What I do care about is to understand the woman I've been falling in love with," he said sincerely.
Parker turned her head to conceal the flood of relief she knew was showing on her face. After pausing for a few seconds she said, "After I had been here for a few months, Oishi-san gave me what I still consider as the best advice anyone has ever given me. Without going through all the details, she told me to limit myself to 3 lovers in my life. I told each man about the others but kept them separate. I never saw two at the same time. When I realized that my, umm 'father' was keeping close tabs on me, I had only one lover at that time—Naizen. When I started relationships with the other two men who would be my lovers, I used the same strategy I developed with Naizen to confuse any watchers and conceal my true activities."
"She told me about that, what I'm curious about is where Thomas came into the picture and where I come in?" he asked staring intently into her face.
"Jack was my American lover. He became extremely angry when I refused to marry him and hastily decided to marry someone else. I have a rule that all contact is severed if any of my lovers should marry. A rule I broke only with Naizen, Jack was unaware of this and found out just how serious I could be. It had been a year since Jack had gotten married when Tommy came into my life. After a while, I decided that he would be Jack's replacement. I made the mistake of wanting to leave; any time spent with Tommy was precious and made me painfully aware of my prison. If I had done the smart thing and kept my relationship to Tommy secret then he would still be alive today. I suppose I could have visited him in Oregon but my prison guards wouldn't have allowed many visits. I loved him as I've loved all the others. Unfortunately, my clumsiness with the situation got him killed," she said sadly.
"I was partly to blame for that also. If I hadn't sent that 'For Sale' sign to the Centre they wouldn't have been aware that he was leaving," Jarod replied, his voice heavy with guilt.
"Well by that time everyone was aware of my relationship with Tommy. They would have figured it out on their own anyway. My only deviation from Oishi-san's plan was when I ran into an old college boyfriend I had once hoped would become a permanent lover. We had a brief fling. Another relationship the Centre was fully aware of and exploited. I found out later that he was working for Raines when Sydney and I found your lair at the firehouse. Now that was a moment of brainlessness."
There was a pause in the conversation. Both were aware that she had avoided answering the second part of his question. They continued walking in silence for a few minutes when Parker, who was still holding onto Jarod's hand, squeezed it and began pulling him forward.
"Hey, we're almost there. You have to see this, it's something special," she said with a large smile. Jarod followed silently as they started to climb a steep incline. When they reached the top, the view was spectacular. The distant surf was pounding incessantly on the beach and the sea was magnificent as it reflected the waning colors of the setting sun. The beauty of the scene was similar to the one she described in her letter.
"I've wanted to show you this for years. Come, let's sit on the edge here, the show is about to begin." They sat close together and watched as the beauty of the setting sun played to the backdrop of the endless sea. They had been sitting quietly for several minutes when Jarod became aware of her scrutiny. He turned and looked at her.
"I'll always be in love with you. The other's helped me manage and cope with the pain of the loneliness I was forced to endure. You're indispensable to me, a part of me that's untouchable, incorruptible. Losing you would devastate me in a way that's too scary for me to even comprehend. You'll always have my love," she answered plainly looking into his eyes.
Jarod stared back mutely. This was more than he had anticipated, the relief flooding through his mind and body made him want to flop backwards and yell in triumph. Instead he furrowed his brow and asked with the utmost sincerity, "Would you like to know the real reason I came along with you on this trip?" Interest sparked in her face as she slowly nodded. "It's because where ever you are is where I want to be, where I belong." His heart felt like it stopped beating as he asked, "Marry me?"
The shock in her eyes caused him to start smiling. He had been trying to get her to this point for years. Finally he was successful and here she was stunned. He reached over and cupped her face in his hand and leaning over he started kissing her lingeringly. She pulled away slowly as she clutched at his shirt and staring into his seriously intelligent and loving brown eyes, she knew he was being earnest. A beautifully large smile formed on her face as she held him tightly. A small shriek of delight escaped her lips. "Yes," she whispered into his ear.
Once they returned, Parker immediately went to Sensei Otsu to tell him of her engagement. Jarod, who had been keeping in touch with his family via email, set up a video camera on his laptop and was almost immediately in contact with Trent. When he told his brother the news, the excited teenager eagerly got up to gather the rest of the family around the laptop. Everyone expressed their approval, including his parents which surprised Jarod. His father noting his son's astonishment at their reaction replied, "Jarod, after that last conversation you and Maggie had we all knew it would be just a matter of time before she became a permanent fixture in our family. Now I'm glad I knocked the living daylights out of her and dragged her back with us," the Major said with a satisfied smile.
"You are going to wait for us to get there before getting married, right? I wouldn't want to miss this for the world," Emily said from the background.
Laughing, Jarod said, "Well, I think my fiancée will have a lot of shopping to do. That alone should give you guys enough time to get over here."
~Two months later~
The wedding had been picture perfect; Parker and Oishi-san spent most of the pre-wedding time sequestered together to find the perfect dress and arranging all the details. With Sensei's hearty permission, the wedding was conducted at his home. Parker hesitantly asked Sensei Otsu if he would do her the honor of giving her away. Her eyes were glued to the ground out of respect when she asked him. She would have been incapable of looking him in the eye if he refused. It was still difficult to admit to anyone else what she always acknowledged in her heart, that he was more of a father to her than the man who had lied and used her to the point where she was still unsure if he were truly her biological parent.
Sensei Otsu knew her better than anyone. He knew she avoided his eyes more out of insecurity than proper form. Respecting the formality she adopted and with a full heart he responded, "The honor is mine that you would come to me for this important task. I most sincerely accept."
Major Charles when once again in Parker's presence, took both her hands in his and said, "I always knew somewhere under that tough exterior hid the kind and gentle soul my son desired for so long. From here on out you will be as dear to me as any of my other children." With that he leaned over and kissed her cheek gently. Parker smiled bemusedly and fondly squeezed his hands in answer.
The honeymoon in Kyoto was idyllic. The newlyweds spent almost every moment in each other's company, enjoying the freedom of expressing their true emotions that they had been denied for so long. Jarod and Maggie had spent their honeymoon discovering their lust for each other wouldn't be ending any time in the near future. They also spent the time making plans on the best method to exact their revenge against the Centre. Upon their return they found Jarod's family were still in attendance. His family had been invited to stay with Sensei Otsu for the remainder of their visit. The couple returned with the outlines of a plan established for the destruction of the Hamilton facility.
A few days after their return, they gathered their families together and presented their plan. Hideaki was also in attendance and listened with growing alarm to their plans. Sparing a quick glance at Sensei Otsu he noticed the old man's features had hardened in disapproval. Major Charles was at best skeptical, he pointed out what he believed were flaws in the plan. The brainstorming session had begun with everyone putting his or her opinions and views forward.
After a few hours a more solid plan was in place and even Sensei Otsu was looking more confident in his belief of their ultimate success. Maggie walked up to Hideaki, after noticing he was standing off a bit to himself.
"Naizen, thank you for coming to the wedding. I would have missed you if you hadn't and judged myself a poor friend," Maggie said softly.
"I would never have done that to you, Magdalena. I can see from the glow in your eyes and face that he treats you well, congratulations," he replied.
"I do have something to ask you. Do you have one of those Ninja hoods you thugs wear? I think it would be appropriate for me to be wearing one of those things when we attack Hamilton. There isn't any reason for them to know that I'm still alive."
"Yes, as a matter of fact I do have a spare laying around somewhere. I will be accompanying you on this mission of course," he stated blandly.
"Since when? You can't take the risk of getting hurt or killed. You have a son to think about and who needs his father desperately. I can't imagine leaving anyone in Chiyo's tender care," Maggie replied with heavy sarcasm.
"Careful, that's my harpy of a wife you're speaking of with so much disdain. I'm the only one allowed to talk about that wanton witch in such a manner," he said, easily falling into their usual style of banter.
"Seriously, you need to do something about that situation. Every passing year you're with her, I notice another small chunk missing from your hide," Maggie said with a tinge of worry.
"I am no longer your worry. You now have a husband to occupy your time and energy. By the same token, I have no intentions of letting you try to execute this insane plan without competent backup. Your husband is brainy to be sure, but there are times and situations when force and skill must be employed," he replied firmly.
"Yes, I know," she said with a heavy sigh. "And I know you're intelligent enough to realize that I won't protest too much. I could use your help but if anything happens to you, I will never forgive myself."
"Then take care that nothing happens to me. It's a habit I believe that we have both slipped into—taking care of each other." With that Hideaki bowed to his friend and left. Maggie watched him leave with a mixture of emotions. She knew he was hurting but she had made a commitment to Jarod that she had no intentions of breaking. Instead she began to consider obtaining a replacement for her in his life. She had a tentative idea of whom that woman should be but decided to wait until she had a chance to run this idea pass Oishi-san.
Ethan waited until Hideaki had walked away before approaching his sister. The thought crossed his mind for a fleeting moment to grab her from behind and wrap his arms around her playfully but out of long habit he heeded the warnings the voices in his head gave him. So he stood a few paces behind her, sure that she was aware of his presence. She proved him correct by saying quietly, "Thank you Ethan, for your extremely generous wedding present. It was very thoughtful of you."
"It's only right that you should have full and complete access to your own money. Mr. Hideaki did most of the work. I only presented my idea to him and he did the rest." Releasing a deep, pensive sigh he continued, "It feels weird giving up that much money all at once but it's comforting to know my sister is so wealthy. It makes sponging off you effortless," he said with a large smile.
Maggie was looking at her brother as he spoke, her amusement growing with every word. Without answering she returned his smile invitingly and was rewarded with a fond squeeze from him. When she gently disengaged from the embrace, she held on to Ethan's shoulders and looked into his eyes, "Anytime you need anything, you have only to ask."
"There is something I know for certain from the voices—you're just like our mother. You realize that don't you? I know I don't have your memories of her but whenever I'm near you everything feels familiar and comforting."
"I have years of good memories of Momma. Regardless of the things I've learned about her in the past couple years; I will always remember her kindness and gentleness. I know I look like her but I don't have her depth of feeling and generosity of emotion. I love those close to me but I don't have those feelings for strangers or people I barely know."
"That's the result of the tender ministrations of the Centre. I don't ever want to lose you, you're too important to my life now," he said turning to her.
The siblings smiled at each other and shared a longer, reassuring embrace.