Friday, June 10, 2005

   Mashed potatoes can be your friends!

Thursday ends with a bang... well, actually more of a low rumbling. It's thundering out there!

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Well, today I actually got a page read in my Java Programming Fundamentals book! Such progress! I actually spent more time trying to get the software installed for the thing than I did reading. I'm still not sure if I have everything installed yet. I'm going to check into it tomorrow a little more.

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Oh. I just remembered that I never followed up on the radar image from the other night. The storms went around us completely! As usual...

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Well, I did threaten you all with another segment of the story. I do have one here, but I don't remember if I put it up before. I know it got to my website at some point, but may not have been posted here. So here it is. I apologize if it's a rerun. For those that don't want to read it, don't worry. I don't care. Just scroll down to the bottom and leave comments about other stuff.

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“The laughter of children, the sakura blossoms in spring, the pride one feels in the accomplishments of their sons. These are the pleasures I have known, Yonaha-san,” Nakamura said as he looked out his office window. “I have never known the joy of grandchildren. Are you sure there’s a grandson?”

“Not entirely, Nakamura-san,” Yonaha said. “All that we have determined is that your youngest son Yoshihiro died in battle in the Satsuma Rebellion. This we have verified.”

“Why have you not contacted my grandson?” Nakamura turned away from the window and returned to his desk. The news of Yoshihiro’s death came as a surprise, but the news of a grandson was even more surprising. He had never thought there would be any children in that union. He remembered the woman Shizuyo that had come between him and his youngest son. She was not what he or his wife would have chosen for their son. Shizuyo is what had driven them apart and Yoshihiro from the estate.

“A servant turned Ashida away. He was rude and claimed Hikaru was ill and could see no one.”

“Hikaru… a fine name,” Nakamura mused. “What was the servant like? Aside from rude?”

Yonaha thought for a moment. “Ashida-san said he was an ordinary man. Perhaps in his thirties or forties for age. Still dressing in the traditional fashion. And an air of authority about him.”

Nakamura smiled. “That sounds like Takeda. He was a close friend to Yoshihiro. They were inseparable. Almost like brothers.”

“What should we do next, Nakamura-san?”

“Go back to Kamakura. Be discrete, but check into the health of my grandson. Ask the local doctor. If he is very ill, send a message right away… no, wait. I will send a doctor with you. My own personal physician will go.”

“Of course, sir. When do you wish us to go?”

“I need to get some things in order first. Send a cable to Ashida-san. Have him look into the state of the dojo, but remind him to be discrete about it. I know how he can be. Send for Takeru, I have some things to discuss with him.” A wave of his hand indicated that Nakamura was through speaking to Yonaha.

Yonaha bowed, “Yes, Nakamura-san. I will do that right away.”

Nakamura returned to the window and looked out over the streets of Tokyo. A grandsonI have a grandson. What is he like? How much of his mother is in him? He was deep in thought when Takeru entered the office.

Takeru cleared his throat to get Nakamura’s attention.

Nakamura did not turn from the window. “The last time I saw my son Yoshihiro was the day he left with his wife,” he said, speaking aloud, but mainly to himself. His tone was not entirely sad, but there was a touch of melancholy to it. “Now word has been brought to me that he has died in battle. Both of my sons are dead, and I have only a rumor of a grandson as heir.”

Takeru was not sure how to answer his superior. “A grandson, Nakamura-san?” he asked. “That is good news.”

Nakamura sighed and turned back to his desk. “Yes, it is, Takeru-san, however it has been brought to my attention that he is ill. I have Ashida and Yonaha looking into things.”

“Is that wise? Ashida-san is faithful, but his methods can be questionable.”

“True, but they are thorough. If anyone can find out anything, it will be those two,” Nakamura said with a small smile. “Now, we need to finish this.” He waved his hand at the paperwork on the desk.

“Of course, sir,” Takeru answered.
The two men went about business as usual, but Nakamura found it hard to concentrate fully on the business at hand. His thoughts kept returning to his grandson. He couldn’t help but wonder how much of the demon would be in the boy, and it worried him more than he realized.

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Well. That wasn't much, was it? But... we'll be seeing more of Hikaru soon!

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I think I'll give you all a heads up... I may be holding "The Incredibly Difficult Contest" at the end of the week. Details will probably appear on Saturday! So, get your thinking caps on!

Laters!

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