Rei-Kuhori—First thing's first—my stories are never that straightforward AND this one has a possibility of a sequel. Thanks for your review!
The afternoon was warm, but a cool breeze blew through the base. Hijikata spoke with Susumu about what the watcher had found out about Umeko. "So, Susumu, what did you find?" asked the vice commander as his pipe dangled from his lip. He kept his eyes away from the young man and out upon the courtyard. Susumu sat crouched in the corner behind him.
"Nothing unusual, Vice Commander. I have only found information that confirms Commander Kondo's knowledge of events."
"I see" said Hijikata, not quite convinced. "So, we know she's a widow. Her husband, a minor lord in the countryside was killed by Cho-shu. She escaped before they burned the castle, but why does she have her husband's swords?"
"Sir?" questioned Susumu as he stayed in his crouched position.
"She has a katana and a wakazashi set up in her room. If her husband were attacked, wouldn't he have been using his swords?"
"Are you saying sir that she killed her husband?" asked Susumu.
"Perhaps not with her own hands, but she may have aided those who did."
"Is it at all possible Vice Commander that they are her own swords?"
Hijikata sighed as he exhaled a small puff of smoke "Hm, anything is possible, however she was a lord's wife. It is unlikely that she had any time in her schedule for training in the art of Kendo with all the flower arranging, musical instruction, poetry writing, and calligraphy she must have learned."
"Do we know for a fact, sir that she has learned these arts?" said Susumu implying Umeko was an imposter.
"I was just thinking the same thing" replied the Vice Commander. His eyes squinted, focusing on a single flower blooming in the dirt in the yard. "This woman" 'if she is the Commander's niece at all' "may not be quite the lady we believe she is. Investigate this."
Suzumu understood completely. "Yes sir." 'How am I going to find out if she is really the commander's niece or not?' "I will do my best."
"You always do, Suzumu. I know you always do."
Late in the middle of that night the base was asleep. Umeko lay on her futon breathing softly while she dreamt. She woke to the sound of someone treading softly across the floor on which she slept. She opened her eyes and found they were sneaking up behind her. She pretended to sleep as the intruder crept closer.
Umeko tensed all her muscles in anticipation. When she felt the time was right she released all the energy she had pent up in her tense muscles and sprang upward towards her swords. She grabbed it, unsheathed it and brought it up just as the black clad intruder brought theirs downward. The sound of their swords rang in the night.
Hijikata woke up immediately and grabbed his sword. He rushed out into the night listening for the sound of the clashing swords again. 'They're quiet, I'll give them that. However, I have tuned these ears to hear the unsheathing of a sword none-the-less the crash of the metal blades.'
Umeko rolled sideways and let the ninja intruder fall under the power of their own weight. 'This guy is no expert, that's for sure!' Umeko thought as she observed the ninja's distinctly un-ninja like grace.
The black clad figure rose to their feet and hacked at her missing each time. 'Is he joking?' she thought. 'Perhaps he's trying to lull me into a feeling of overconfidence.' The black figure then performed a slippery move that belied his true expertise. Umeko used her tiny stature to her advantage and rolled through his legs back towards the sword stand where she attempted to pick up her short sword.
The ninja was right on top of her when she turned, their katana clashing again. She dropped the short sword. He leaned in too close for her comfort and did not suspect she would use her delicate hand on his wrist. She jabbed his wrist and pinched with all her might, bringing him to his knees by pinching a nerve.
The intruder noiselessly wriggled on the floor of Umeko's room, but had the sense enough to pick up the short sword she had dropped. He hit her leg with it, still sheathed, and she crashed to the ground. He leaned over her, but she was faster.
Umeko used a move that her husband taught her. She deflected the attacker's sword with a powerful blow of her own, and then an immediate second blow more powerful than the first. During the split second of distraction that the second blow caused she reversed the blade and cut back in the other direction, slicing his flesh.
The clang of the swords caught Hijikata's ears. He rushed towards the source of the sound. The swords clanged again. "That's Umeko's room!" he said out loud. Hijikata thought 'I knew it! She's an intruder! She's Cho-shu!' He slammed the screen open in time to watch Umeko give a death blow to a faceless ninja who leaned over her.
The blood from his neck splashed down on the pure white yukata she wore. She backed away like a crab and stood up. She stood panting and froze when she realized who was at the door. They heard others calling out. She quickly sheathed her swords and replaced them on the rack. Hijikata walked up behind her and surveyed the pool of blood.
Umeko heard the voice of her uncle. 'He can't know I have this kind of skill! It would break his heart to know I could kill!' Panicked, Umeko grabbed Hijikata's sword out of his hand, stabbed the ninja, shoved the sword back in his hand and dove into his chest covering her face with her hands.
Hijikata was too stunned to respond. 'What the….?'
Her uncle was first on the scene. "Vice Commander! Umeko!" Commander Kondo opened his arms and Umeko, tears streaming down her face, fell into his warm embrace.
The tears were genuine, but her words were not "Uncle, Mr. Hijikata saved me! He was so heroic and fast! This awful man was after me! And I…I…I…Oh uncle!" She buried her face back into the folds of his clothing and wept.
"Good work Toshi! Excuse me, I must get Umeko away from here" said the Commander and walked Umeko out of the room.
Souji stepped forward through the door after the others had left and said to Hijikata "Well now, that was exciting."
"Mrnn" was his old friend's reply. He thought 'She's talented. Very skilled.'
"I see…" Souji had noticed that Umeko was covered in blood, where as Hijikata was only sprinkled and smudged. 'When he attacks there is normally a lot more blood on him' thought Souji. He said "So Mr. Hijikata, what really happened?"
Commander Kondo sat with his shaken niece in a room on the other side of the base. It was well lit and guarded by 5 of the unit captains. They stepped aside when Vice Commander Hijikata arrived with the first unit captain Mr. Okita.
Hijikata pushed aside all formalities and got straight to the point. He walked up to the seated pair and demanded "Umeko, who was your attacker?" He did not mention that she was the one who killed him. 'No…I won't bring that up right now. I don't need Kondo getting defensive. Umeko's hidden skills will have to wait.'
Umeko's eyes were red and she had been given a clean white yukata. She had a small cup of tea in her slight hands. "I—I—I don't know their identity."
"Toshi!" scolded Commander Kondo "She's been through a lot tonight, we should wait until she is ready to talk about this." Kondo turned to Umeko and put a warm hand on her shoulder. "It was rough on my little niece."
Hijikata growled and was about to spit a reply when Umeko said "Please Vice Commander, have some tea. Let me pour it for you." Umeko poured the tea with the grace and elegance of a well educated lady. Hijikata picked up the cup and narrowed his hard eyes at her as he sipped from the cup. As he drank Umeko told Kondo "Uncle, please don't scold Mr. Hijikata. He is only doing his duty. He is anxious to secure the base and root out anyone involved in this awful event."
'Why is she defending me when I am about to hang her?' Hijikata asked himself.
"I think, uncle," Umeko continued "you should commend the Vice Commander for his bravery and quick action. If it weren't for him I would surely be in the other world by now."
"Hmmmmm. Oh Umeko" said Kondo with a sigh. "Toshi, I will be sure to give you praise during my next meeting with the Lord Matsudaira."
Hijikata immediately intuited that Umeko was trying to win Hijikata's favor for some reason. 'Susumo was unable to find anything unusual about her. Her story, though a tragic one, checks out. What does she want? Why is she here of all places? Where did she learn to use a sword like that?'
"Gentlemen, if there isn't anything else I can do for you, I would like to get back to resting" said Umeko.
"Yes, of course, Umeko" said Kondo. "You can sleep here tonight, and we'll leave the guards here for you all night."
"Thank you uncle. I will sleep better knowing you are all keeping me safe."
The next day passed uneventfully for Umeko and she had some time to think. 'Most likely that ninja wanted me dead because of my husband. Unfinished business and such. I will tell my uncle my suspicions.'
After confidentially sharing this information with her uncle and confirming his suspicions, Umeko found a seat where she knew there would be passers by. 'I miss court life. I would love to be surrounded by people again.'
"Ahem…uh, Lady Umeko, is it?" came a shaky voice from behind her.
"Oh, yes, I am" she said as she turned and looked over her shoulder at the slender dark haired man carrying a pile of books.
"Uh, well, its…its umm…a lovely day isn't it?" he said clearly nervous.
"Yes, it is. A lovely warm breeze" she smiled and then hid behind her newly repaired fan.
"Uh…yes…" the young man swallowed and then they both turned at the sound of trouble in the form of a loud red haired page approaching.
"DaaammmmIIIIIIT! YOU GET BACK HERE YOU STUPID PIIIIIG!" screamed Tetsu as he ran blindly around a corner and skidded into his older brother.
The books went flying and Tatsu and his brother wrestled to the ground. Tatsu won and twisted his little brother to the ground forcing Tetsu's head to the floor. "Apologize right now!" Tatsu commanded. "You have disturbed Lady Umeko! She was just sitting here enjoying the afternoon when—"
"But I'm not the one who dropped the books!" yelled Tetsu.
"That isn't the POINT!" retorted a harried Tatsu. "Lady. Umeko," he said nervously "Please excuse my brother he is quite the uncultured company I am sure you are used to."
Umeko laughed secretly behind her patched up fan and said "It is quite alright. I was wondering when I'd see this handsome little page again."
The two brother's froze with a little bit of confusion. "Huh?" "Huh?" they both said.
"Well, Tetsu, I'm glad you're doing alright. From the few times I have encountered you I'm assuming you are quite the mischief maker, aren't you?"
"Well, I…uh…" said Tetsu as Tatsu allowed him to sit up.
"I think your friend here would appreciate it if you helped him with his ledgers" suggested Umeko with a few movements of her fan.
"He's not my friend" said Tetsu. Umeko was taken aback by the boy's brash words.
"Regardless, Tetsu—" started Umeko.
"No, I mean, he's my brother, Tatsunoske Ichimura, but I just call him Tatsu!" said Tetsu with pride. "He does accounting and things."
"Oh. How very scholarly of you, Tatsu" complimented Umeko.
"He's not like a warrior 'er nothing. When I'm done with all this page nonsense," bragged Tetsunoske "I'm going to be a full member of the Shinsengumi!" Tetsu hopped to his feet and struck a righteous pose. "Then I'll cut down the vile Choshu where they stand!"
Tatsunoske was again ready to force Tetsu's head to the ground in order to apologize for his younger brother talking about such a violent topic with a lady. He was about to palm Tetsu's head when Umeko said "I hope you understand Tetsu, sword play is only part of what makes a warrior great. He must learn to use his wits as well."
"Yeah, but we've got to be courageous and not afraid of battle and blood and guts an—"
"TETSU!" yelled Tatsunoske.
Umeko laughed and Tatsu blushed. She said "Tetsu, I'm glad to see you're enthusiastic. However keep in mind what a great warrior once told me: Courage is admirable, yet even a dog may be courageous. So remember it is our wits that carry us above animals. He was a great and admirable man. Not much taller than you either."
Tetsu blushed at the mention of his height and Tatsu began to pick up his ledgers. "Have a good afternoon gentlemen" said Umeko as she walked away. "Don't let that vice commander work you too hard, Tetsunoske! The sun is quite warm this afternoon!" she waved and walked around the corner.
"Wow. I like her, Tatsu!" said the little one.
Tatsu sat up, all his books in his arms again, and said blushing "Yeah. Me too."
As Tatsu stood frozen with crush induced insecurity Tetsu charged after Umeko.
"Lady Umeko!" he called "Lady Umeko, wait!"
Umeko turned to see Tetsu, flustered and red faced. "Yes Tetsu? What can I do for you?"
Tetsu then blushed realizing he didn't know what she could do for him, never the less the fact that he really had no right to ask her for anything. "Uuuuuh…" was all that poured out of his mouth.
"Do you want to speak more about courage?"
Tetsu's mute behavior left him suddenly and he blurted out "More like your fan trick!"
Umeko straightened up and looked around. "I see." Her eyes shifted warily back and forth searching for anyone who may overhear their conversation. "So you want to learn that trick?"
"Well, not in particular, but f you have any less…uh….ya know…girly-like tricks then I'd love to!"
Umeko cocked her head and looked at the young man. "We are kind of in the same boat, huh? However, you will grow out of your state. I am forever trapped in mine."
"Huh?" Tetsu took it as an insult and screamed "ARE YOU CALLING ME WEAK? I'M NOT WEAK! I MAY BE SMALL BUT I CAN TAKE ON ANYONE HERE! YOU—"
Umeko silenced him with the snapping open of her fan and a hard look with her eyes. "You should remember your place boy. It is the first step in becoming strong. I was not insulting you, just comparing your present state to myself, and I am not weak."
Tetsu realized his error and said "Oh, I'm sorry, Ms. Umeko, Lady Umeko, I just…I'm just…"
Umeko saw the pain in Tetsu's eyes and said "Frustrated?"
"Yes." He looked up at her with his big brown eyes and began to tear up. "It's just that…I have to…but no one…and I'm…and they're."
Umeko brought down her fan and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. She crouched and looked up at the boy. "You don't have to explain, Tetsunoske. I'll tell you what little I know. You have to keep this a secret. You cannot tell anyone I know how to do these things. Most of what I can do gets its' strength from surprise. That's all I have."
The boy nodded enthusiastically and cheered. "Secret training ALRIGHT!"
"SH!" she said. "First, we need to talk. I will explain what I think you really need to know, then you will practice, without your opponents knowledge. Listen closely Tetsu, what I will tell you depends greatly on your own speed and skill."
Tetsu said "But when do I pick up the sword?"
"When you're ready" she replied.
"Fine," he huffed. Tetsu was tired of hearing how pages have no right to hold swords. "What do I have to do first?"
"First, you have to run."
Mr. Kondo informed his men and Lady Umeko that he was going to the next prefecture to have a meeting with an important official. "It seems I will not be returning until after the Tanabata festival" said the Chief Commander sadly. He sighed heavily.
Umeko thought 'What a shame. Uncle Kondo always had a love of festivals. I will miss him during that time.'
Another day passed by and Umeko found she herself wide awake in the middle of the night. 'How could a day this dull have tired me out? It's quiet. Maybe I can sneak down to the training room.' Umeko bit her lip remembering the first time she tried to get down there unnoticed.
Once at her destination Umeko changed into one of her less restrictive kimono. She placed the red swords at her hip and took a few deep breaths. Her long black hair was tied up out of her face into a pony tail and she was ready for her late night training.
She drew the katana at her hip with blurring speed and thrust it into the open air. Her bare feet left the ground and she swiftly leapt into the air, did a half pike, and landed silently on her bare feet.
She had her own midnight practice session, even though Umeko could feel the same pair of eyes that had been following her. She didn't let it stop her, and her thoughts wandered to her afternoon with Tetsunoske. She thought about what he had told her about the members of the Shinsengumi and particularly about the cruelties of Toshizou Hijikata.
Umeko had an unusual stance when she held her sword. Her husband had taught her the proper methods, but then adjusted them to fit her feminine body. Women have a different center of gravity and are more flexible than men, and her husband had taken this into account.
That same night, Down in the district of lurid pleasures, Shimabara, Mr. Yamanami rested his head on Akesato's lap. Mr. Yamanami was a long time patron of Akesato and they had a very intimate relationship. Her grace was evident in everything she was. Her hair, the way her clothing fell on her shoulders and her movements as she stroked her patron's hair.
"The Commanders niece is visiting" said Yamanami absently. "She is quite the beauty."
"More so than me?"
"No one can rival you, Akesato. No one in beauty in charm or art."
"Oh, Mr. Yamanami, if you continue to shower me with such compliments I'm likely to begin to believe them."
Yamanami sat up and said "Please, Akesato, it is all the truth. Soon the two stars will meet and I will be lucky enough to gaze upon your beauty beneath them."
"That's right! Tanabata. Not too long. I hear that Mibu village is going to have quite a festival this year! Dancin' and music, a play, and of course food and sweets as always." Akesato reached out again to Yamanami, who instinctively rest his head back on her lap again.
"May I request your time during the festival?"
"Of course, Mr. Yamanami. I'll alert the office to keep me open for you. Tell me more of this beauty."
"First tell me the story behind Tanabata. I know it of course, but I do so love the sound of your voice."
"Fine then Mr. Yamanami. The festival celebrates the meeting of two lovers who once lived in the sky. The star princess who weaved the the sparkling stars married a lowly star herder. Even though she was a princess and the boy was just a herder, her father the king, recognizing such great love between the two allowed them to marry."
"He was a kind and noble king, hm?" said Mr. Yamanami as Akesato lovingly stroked his hair.
"Yes, he was, however they were so in love that they forgot their duties. The weaving princess and the herder boy did not complete their tasks and this made the king very angry. So angry in deed that he created a river made from stars that cross the sky. This river of stars separated the two lovers, and they were allowed to meet only once a year. The special day when they meet is what we celebrate on Tanabata. Now I kept my promise. You tell me about this woman."
"Most of the men are in twitter over her." Yamanami laughed and said "Of course, with the exception of Hijikata. He's convinced she's a spy. Ridiculous."
"Maybe so" said Akesato "but perhaps his instincts are correct? Maybe she's hiding something?"
"I didn't get that feeling, but I guess anything is possible."