In the night, I dreamed many strange things.

I dreamt that I was back in the forest. The birds cawed over head and it was no longer raining. In my dream, I could smell the pine sap from the trees.

The Chairman was standing by the trees.

"Sayuri," he said.

"What are you doing here?" I asked him. I looked around in confusion and in terror.

"Come smell the trees," he said, motioning for me to come to him.

"I must get back, Nobu-san..." I fumbled.

"Come here Sayuri. Look at the trees," he said.

I took a step towards him and then I stopped. My pearl pin that I had put inside my undershirt had fallen loose. It was now on the floor of the forest and I had stepped on it.

"Come,Sayuri!" the Chairman beckoned.

"My pin fell," I called to him. I took a step and then felt a sharp pain.

My foot was bleeding.

"Sayuri!"

"Charmain, I..." I walked towards him, wincing with each step.

To my horror, I realized that with each step I took, I was leaving a bloody footprint.

"Sayuri, come to me! You must smell the trees. I insist."

"My foot," I said, "It's bleeding!"

"Sayuri!"

"Sayuri!"

"Sayuri!"

Nobu was shaking me awake.

"Wake up! You are dreaming!"

Once again I marveled at the strength in Nobu's one arm. His grasp burned my arm from it's sheer strength.

"I am awake," I murmured.

"You were having a nightmare," he said. I nodded grimly.

"Was I saying anything?" I asked him, fearful of him catching me saying the Chairman's name.

"I was asleep, I heard you talking but I did not know what you were saying."

I rubbed my arm.

"I've hurt you, haven't I?" Nobu asked, watching me rub my arm.

"It's nothing," I told him, "Sometimes, I think you underestimate your strength, Nobu-san."

"Sometimes, I forget that people are more fragile than I am. You..."

He did not finish his sentence. He reached over and touched my arm. He caressed it and then moved up higher to touch my face.

"You are burning up."

"I am?" I pressed my hand to my cheek. It felt hot.

Nobu swore.

"It's nothing. I probably spent too much time in the bath."

"You have a fever."

"My skin feels warm but I feel fine otherwise. I am sure it will be gone by morning."

"I will get the maid, and she can fetch the doctor. There is one in the village..."

"No, I assure you I am fine. Its a small headache. Nothing more. By tomorrow it will be gone and I will only look foolish."

"That will be up to me to decide," Nobu said, rising from his futon and searching for his robe. I tried grasping his leg to keep him from leaving but he gently shoved me off and went in search of the maid.

Nobu came with another blanket and told me that the doctor was coming. I asked him what time it was.

"It's late," he answered.

He spread the blanket over me.

Encased by warmth, I closed my eyes and drifted off. Nobu stood watching me.

I was shaken gently awake when the doctor arrived.

He was a young, tired looking man, who appeared put out to be waken so late at late.

He took my temperature and assured Nobu it was just a small cold. He made me drink some water laced with laudanum and said he would be back tomorrow at a decent hour.

They door slid shut and I heard no more.