“That is my fault,” Naga said. “I told Yuki to keep people away for awhile. I wanted to discuss what I have learned with Jii and I did not want to have Yagyu interrupt with his constant coaching. I didn’t think she would try to keep you from us,” Naga said.

  “I guess I will have to apologize to her,” Hideki said.

  “I do not think that will be necessary,” Jii advised.

  “No, it is necessary,” Hideki said. “I threatened her with my sword if she did not step aside.”

  “That was a little harsh, don’t you think?” asked Naga.

  “Yes, it was. But I had seen her taking control of you and I guess I felt a little left out,” Hideki admitted.

  “Boys, you will both get older and have your own families, but never let anything or anyone come between you,” Jii advised.

  Both brothers nodded in agreement.

  The next day, things were back to normal except that Yuki made an effort to stay away from Hideki. He was going to apologize but got busy with getting the entourage started and missed his chance.

  By mid-morning, they had arrived at Fuchu, the twentieth station on the Tokaido. Here they had to cross another river. This river was the Abe. As they crossed, they could see more mountains in the background. Fuchu was the boyhood home and retirement dwelling of Ieyasu, the founder the Tokugawa shogunate.

  By noon, they arrived at Ejiri at the mouth of the Okitsu River. From here, Hideki could look down to Suruga Bay and see the ships and junks that populated the seaport of Okitsu below.

  By mid-afternoon, they arrived at Okitsu. This was an overnight stop. By now, Hideki went unconsciously through the motions of ensuring that all housing, bathing, feeding, and security were tightly set. As exciting as the trip had been, he was looking forward to a destination.

  The next morning it was a steep climb to Yui, the seventeenth station on the Tokaido. From here, Hideki got his first glimpse of Fuji-san. Equally inspiring was the look down to see the Tokaido winding its way along the head of Suruga Bay.

  Kanabara came next. It was another small mountain village. Then it was down the mountain and on to an area where the Tokaido appeared to float above waterlogged rice paddies on either side. Just past the flooded paddies, they emerged into the sleepy little village of Yoshiwara for an overnight stay .

  The next morning it was off again. They walked into Hana. Here the entire entourage stopped for a spectacular view of Mt. Fuji. Hideki watched for a moment, and then moved up and down the column getting it started again. Yoshi had said they would be entering a dangerous stretch at Namazu where the trees and forests came right down to the Tokaido. Bandits operated in the area and had a reputation of robbing and killing travelers, so Hideki wanted to get through the area while it was still daylight.

  Once at Namazu, Hideki saw his worries had been for nothing. Yoshi had neglected to mention there was a river on the east separating the Tokaido from the trees. Unless the bandits were mounted cavalry, they could cause little damage before he could deploy his forces to protect the column.

  As he was studying the terrain, Hideki noticed a peasant bowing in the grass beside the roadway. On his back was a large Tengu mask. His jacket was decorated with a strange bird that Hideki did not recognize. Musashi pulled up beside Hideki and noticed his gaze.

  “The mask is the mark of a pilgrim to the Shinto shrine of Kompira on Shikoku Island,” he said.

  “Good,” Hideki said. “The only things we haven’t had on this trip are goblins.”

  “Yuki-san seems a little reserved around us these days,” Musashi noted. “Has anything happened?”

  “Do you mean in addition to me threatening to cut her open if she ever tried to keep me from my brother again?”

  Musashi laughed. “So you’ve noticed her possessiveness, have you?”

  “I’ll say!”

  “It is natural. When a woman starts sleeping with a man, she starts to think she is his wife,” Musashi said.

  “You know about that too, sensei?” Hideki asked. “Your old eyes don’t miss much.”

  “It is the way of the sword, young student,” Musashi mocked. “Did she break your heart?”

  “Just cracked it a little,” Hideki acknowledged.

  “Women—they are creatures of the greatest pleasure and the most exquisite pain.”

  “I guess I must apologize.”

  “If you feel like you should, then do,” said Musashi.

  “Which of your crazy books is that from?”

  “None, it’s just common sense. She is afraid she has offended you and she cares for Naga. Don’t think of it as losing a brother. Think of it as gaining a sister.”

  “You don’t really think they’d marry, do you?” Hideki asked with concern.

  “Why not? She’s from a highborn samurai family with ninja training. Yagyu is trying desperately to bind himself to the new shogun and Naga is his best bet. I would not put it past the old fox to have devised this plan many months ago,” Musashi surmised.

  “Amida Buddha,” Hideki said. “When do you know if someone is really on your side?”

  “It is very hard to tell where power and money is involved. Nevertheless, I think Yuki and Naga care for each other. That is all that should concern us. But to answer your question young Bushi, it is a pretty good indication someone is on your side when they join you in battle against overwhelming odds,” Musashi said.

  “Yeah, that is what Jii said.”

  “Pretty smart man, your grandfather.”

  “I guess we’d better get started. I’ve heard the climb to Hakone is difficult,” Hideki said.

  “Whatever you’ve heard, it is worse.”

  By mid-afternoon, they had arrived at Mishima, the thirteenth station on the Tokaido. Then the climb to Hakone started in earnest. It was almost straight up. There was no room on the sides of the road, so Hideki lost track of the column as he lost sight of the stragglers. Several times he caught sight of Lake Hakone on the left and Mt. Fuji ahead in the distance. He thought both might be a spectacular sight if he had not been gasping for air. He knew he would be up most of the night accounting for everyone and all the gear on the pack animals. Then, finally, he was at the top.

  Hideki ensured the lodgings were ready and then moved to check on the stables. It was late, the sun was long down, and Hideki was still at the entrance of the village checking off arrivals.

  “So Prince of the Yoshinobu, you don’t eat anymore?” Yoshi asked. He appeared so suddenly that Hideki jumped.

  “How do you do that?” Hideki managed.

  “Magic. You nobles would not understand,” Yoshi said as he presented Hideki with onigiri and a bamboo water flask.

  Hideki bowed as he bit into the first rice ball. “This is enough magic for me.”

  “How many are missing?” Yoshi asked.

  “Three women, two wagons and one pack horse,” Hideki managed between gulps of the water.

  “You worried about bandits?”

  “Aren’t you?” Hideki asked.

  “No!”

  “Why not?” asked Hideki.

  “Because I arranged for Yuki to send a squad of her ninja at the tail end of the column and not come in until all arrived safely,” Yoshi said.

  “Why didn’t I think of that?” Hideki asked no one in particular.

  “Because you are a noble and have little ninja training. You are not supposed to be smart,” Yoshi offered.

  “Well, I guess it’s a good thing I have smart friends, isn’t it?” Hideki asked.

  “Now you are learning.”

  “Wait a minute, Yuki agreed to help me?”

  “Readily. She said it would give you more time to threaten women with your sword.”

  “I really must apologize to her for that,” Hideki said as he finished the last rice ball. “How long were you going to leave me out here worrying?”

  “Musashi said it was about time to bring you in. and Yuki said you had suffered enough,” Yoshi said.

  “No fool like a young fool, eh?”

  “Well, we were all young once,” Yoshi said.

  “What are you talking about? You are my age,” Hideki pointed out.

  “Yes, but I am ninja. We are wise beyond our years,” Yoshi said smugly. “So are you going to your bath and bed?”

  Hideki shook his head. “No. This is my responsibility. I’ll stay until it is done.”

  “Good, I’ll stay with you.”

  “You are a true friend, Yoshi,” Hideki said.

  “Well, there is that also; however, I bet Naga-sama that you would stay. He bet you would not. I like taking money from the next shogun.”

  “Amida Buddha,” was all Hideki could manage.

  The next morning, before breakfast, Hideki called a meeting in Naga’s room.

  “This better be important, Hideki,” Naga said. “I’m hungry.”

  “It is important to me,” Hideki replied.

  Once Jii sat, Hideki glanced around the small room, mentally checking off each face. Yuki looked sleepy. Yoshi looked expectant. Musashi looked bored.

  “All the people I care about are gathered here. I wanted to take this opportunity to apologize publicly to Hanzo Yuki for my actions a couple of nights ago,” Hideki began. Then he turned so that he was talking directly at Yuki. She did not look sleepy any longer. Her attention was riveted on Hideki.

  “My only excuse for threatening to draw my sword against you Yuki was jealousy. You enchanted me with your beauty from the first, but I was too young to know what to do. Then I noticed you moving to Naga and I reacted badly. I also felt I was moving farther from the only family I have ever known. So I threatened you. I am sorry. It is only natural that you and Naga would be attracted to each other. In addition, I have seen the change you have brought to Naga. You make him happy. For that, I thank you. From this day forward, my sword will never threaten you again. From this day forward it shall only act in your defense. I swear it.” With this, Hideki bowed low to Yuki.

  Yuki’s eyes started to water.

  “Great speech Hideki. How long have you been practicing that?” Naga asked.

  “Damare Naga,” Yuki snapped. “Have you no feelings?”

  Naga looked shocked at her outburst.

  Yuki turned her attention back to the bowing Hideki. “Good and noble Hideki, you are the embodiment of Bushido. You protect the weak; you are loyal to the last and someday you will make a woman’s heart sing with your love. I would hope that you always remain pure. You have no need to apologize to me.” Then she bowed lower than Hideki.

  “Okay, now can we eat?” Naga asked.

  “One thing first, Lord,” Yoshi said.

  “Yes?” Naga asked.

  “You owe me one ryo.”

  “Insolence,” announced Jii.

  “No, Jii, the ninja is correct,” Naga stated as he reached into his pouch inside his kimono. He took out a single gold coin and threw it to Yoshi. Yoshi caught the coin and immediately bit into it to establish its authenticity. Once satisfied he nodded to Naga.

  Musashi glanced at Hideki and leaned into Yoshi’s ear. “He rings true every time, doesn’t he?”

  “Yes, you can be proud of your child, papa-san,” Yoshi teased.

  Musashi took a swipe at Yoshi’s head with his folding fan, but Yoshi easily dodged it.

  “Come on, Sword Saint. We’ll be late for morning meal,” Yoshi taunted.

  Chapter 10: The Noodle Shop

  Jii called to Yoshi. Yoshi dropped his maps and reported to the old man.

  “Have you seen Hideki?” Jii asked.

  “Not since the evening guard postings,” Yoshi said.

  “Is he with Musashi?”

  “No, Lord; Musashi went into town to get his sword polished,” Yoshi lied. He had no idea where Musashi has gone. However, he did know his friend had left before the guard was set.

  “We just have a few days left before we appear at the castle. Hideki needs to be here to practice,” Jii said.

  “He is probably exploring the area, Lord. He is in charge of security and must get a feel for our surroundings,” Yoshi tried.

  Jii was persistent. “Yoshi, I would hate to have anything happen now. Hideki showed such great maturity on the journey to Edo. I would hate to think he is reverting to his old foolishness of exploring new dojos.”

  “I doubt it, Lord. Musashi is going to be hard to beat as an instructor,” Yoshi said with confidence.

  “Yes, I know. Nevertheless, Musashi will be departing soon and Hideki may feel he has to find a new mentor. Anyway, I want you to find him and keep him out of trouble. We can’t have any scandals attached to the Yoshinobu name just before going to the castle.”

  “Yes, Lord,” Yoshi said as he bowed. “Where the hell am I going to find the young screw up?” The last he did not say aloud.

  Hideki walked and walked. He was in a little inner turmoil and found it impossible to stay within the mansion walls. He saw Naga less and less, and Musashi was due to leave soon. Any time he was around Jii, there were more protocols and rules to learn. Therefore, after the guard was set, he changed into his ronin garb and went for a walk into Edo.

  Edo was huge. That was fine. He did not know where he was going. He just wandered, trying to keep his bearings as best he could. He was hungry and sure that he would miss the evening meal even if he were to turn around and go back.

  The section of Edo that he was passing through now was very poor. The homes he was passing were of less quality than any he had known in Kii. Heartless Hovels is what Yoshi called them. They really were not houses. They were nothing more than boards thrown together to form four walls with at least two of the walls forming the wall for a neighbor. The roofs were made of boards and tree limbs and thatch and anything else that could be carried up and laid atop. They appeared to find cohesion via rocks and any manner of flotsam propped against them or thrown on top. As he passed, he could see into the homes. Light emanated from single candles. They all had floors of dirt. Yoshi was right, there was very little heart in these homes. The inhabitants were poor.

  Walking down the dirt street, he could almost touch the front doors on either side. They were that close together. From the sounds and sights, he figured there was no keeping of secrets from neighbors. The flimsy walls filtered no sounds. He knew what was happening in each house by sound alone. In one, a mother praised a young child for getting her own bedding ready. In another, a wife complained to her man that the rent was due and she had no money for food. In yet another, the wife was squatting in the street crying. In more than one abode, Hideki heard the sounds of fighting.

  But it was the smells that assaulted Hideki’s senses the most. The place smelled of sweat, dirt, human waste, curry, wet laundry, and thousands of charcoal fires. It all combined to disorient and foster a sense of hopelessness. Yoshi was right!

  Hideki wished he could help in some way. But how? The tenements were vast. How could he hope to help? How could anyone? It seemed beyond the powers of even the government. In the end, he just crossed his arms and walked faster.

  Hideki was very hungry now. He passed several street vendors with noodle carts. He was tempted to stop but was not sure how it all worked. Was the vendor really washing the bowls after each customer? Did you eat standing up? Hideki saw no benches like those in front of the noodle houses along the Tokaido. He kept walking.

  There was a subtle change in scenery. The Heartless Hovels gave way to larger shops. The street became wider. He noticed the same types of signs that advertised the entertainment quarters in Kyoto. He also noticed several small shops open for evening meals. They were not grand. Most were open to the street, but at least they had wooden benches on which to sit and eat. The choices advertised on the cloth signs indicated either udon or osoba. Hideki, preferring the thinner noodles, opted for osoba.

  Hideki picked a noodle shop that looked no larger than a row house but had four walls and an entrance off the street. He scanned the interior before proceeding into the business as he ducked beneath the split-cloth sign that announced “Ichiban Noodles.” It had a dirt floor and contained wooden tables with plank seats on either side. There were a total of four of them—two on the right and two on the left, separated by a main aisle that led to the back of the room where an old man stirred several black pots over an earthen kamado stove. In the middle was a short bar with bowls and cups stacked neatly. To the right was a small wooden table with flour spread on it, which Hideki assumed was where the cook kneaded and cut his noodles before moving them to the boiling pots.

  Hideki glanced overhead. There were rough-hewn rafters about eight shaku off the dirt floor. He pulled his katana and saya from his obi as he entered and was greeted with “Irashiai dozo.” This was from a small girl in a drab gray kimono and a white but stained apron with wooden geta on her feet. While the greeting was standard, the enthusiasm was not. Hideki could not help but look at her as she bowed, then went scurrying to get him some tea.

  He moved past the first row of tables where two kago carriers were seated slurping noodles. Their palanquin was outside on the street. The table on the left was empty, but so was the last table on the right by the noodle table. On the second table on the left sat a beautiful young woman clad in a colorful kimono with her back to the old cook. She was boldly staring at Hideki. He gave her a slight nod and took the same seat at the table on the right. Now he could see who entered the establishment.

  The shop girl brought Hideki a cup of tea and a big smile. Her smile was infectious. Hideki returned it. She was not pretty, but she radiated energy.

  “So, young miss, what is good tonight?” Hideki asked.

  “Oh, samurai-sama, everything is good. We have the best noodles anywhere,” she said proudly.

  “Then I will try the osoba,” he said.

  “Hia” was her reply.

  “Hia” came the acknowledgement of the order from the old cook.

  Hideki leaned his katana against the bench next to his left leg. He then picked up his tea. He was looking forward to his noodles and hoping he could find his way home through the maze of houses. After he took a sip, he glanced over at the woman on his right. He found her looking at him. “If I’m ever to have romance, I hope it is with someone as lovely as she,” he thought to himself.