Friday, January 27, 2006

Homecoming

December 1868.

“I can’t remember, Takeda-kun,” Nakamura Yoshihiro said as they stood on a hill overlooking Kamakura. “What are the names of my wife and son?”

Takeda looked at his friend in disbelief. “Hiro-kun, are you serious?”

Yoshihiro started to laugh. “Of course not. Let’s get home.” He began the descent into town.

A light snow was falling as the two men entered town. They were returning home after more than two years fighting for the restoration of imperial rule. Yoshihiro wanted nothing more than to see his family. He had had enough of battle. His son would now be six years old, and he worried the boy would not remember him. No matter, he’d get to know him again.

“Hiro-kun, the dojo is just ahead,” Takeda said.

“So it is.” Yoshihiro’s pace quickened. He got to the main gate and was surprised to find it locked. “What is this? It’s locked.” He searched his gear for his key and opened the gate.

Yoshihiro entered the courtyard followed by Takeda. The place was abandoned, but still he called for his family. “Shizuyo? Shizuyo, are you here?” He wandered through the house, finding no sign of either his wife or his son. He returned to the courtyard where Takeda was waiting.

“Hiro-kun?”

“There’s no one here. They’re not here.” A hint of panic had crept into his voice. “What has happened to my family?”

“There’s no sign of anyone living here?” Takeda asked.

Yoshihiro shook his head. “Nothing.” He dropped to his knees. “There’s nothing here.”

Takeda did a quick search of the property as well. Returning to his friend in the courtyard, he said, “Someone in town has to know what happened. Let’s go to Tetsuo’s. Someone there may be of some help.”

Yoshihiro looked up at Takeda. “Yes, Tetsuo-san should know what happened.” He stood and they went to Tetsuo’s inn.

Tetsuo’s inn was quiet when Yoshihiro and Takeda walked in. There may have been a few people at one table, but neither paid any attention. The hostess came over to greet them and showed them to a table. Seeing that they were dressed for traveling, she asked if they needed rooms for sleeping.

“No, thank you,” Yoshihiro answered. “Just some tea and soba, please. Also, is Tetsuo-san available? I would like to talk to him.”

“Tea and soba, yes. I will see if I can find Tetsuo-san.”

Takeda watched the hostess leave the dining room. He looked over at his friend and said nothing. He could tell Yoshihiro was lost in thought. He, too, was worried about Shizuyo and the boy.

The hostess returned with their meals and said, “Tetsuo-san will be out shortly.”

“Thank you,” Yoshihiro replied and started to eat.

Tetsuo approached the table a little later and said, “You wished to speak to me, sir?” He then recognized the two men. “Nakamura-san? Takeda-san? When did you get back?”

“Just a short time ago,” Takeda replied. “We stopped at the dojo first.”

“Ah,” Tetsuo said, looking over to Yoshihiro.

Yoshihiro set aside his soba and took a sip of tea. Calmly, he asked, “Where is my family?”

Tetsuo sat down. “Shortly after you left, my wife went over to the dojo to see if your wife wanted to come over so our sons could play together. She found the gates open.”

Yoshihiro held his breath. Takeda closed his eyes, fearing the worst.

Tetsuo continued. “She heard crying and found your son alone in the garden. Your wife was nowhere to be found.”

“What happened?” Yoshihiro asked.

“We don’t know. My wife brought your son here. We’ve been taking care of him.”

“Did he tell you anything? I know he was still very young, but…”

Tetsuo sighed. “He said some things, but none of it made much sense. He said silver men took them away. The silver men then took him back to the dojo and left him there. He also said something about a white room. Like I said, it doesn’t make much sense.”

Yoshihiro looked at Takeda, but didn’t say anything to him. Turning back to Tetsuo, he said, “Ah, well, that’s all past now. Where is my son? Can I see him?”

“Of course, come on back to the house when you’re ready. I’ll let my wife know you’re coming, and to bring the boys out.” Tetsuo stood up.

Yoshihiro stood as well. “I’m ready now.”

Tetsuo smiled and led Yoshihiro back to his living area. Entering the house, he called out, “Akiko, where are you? We have a visitor.”

A woman came into the front room. “Yes, here I am. Who is it? Ah! Nakamura-san, you’re home. Welcome back. Are you here for Hikaru-chan?”

“Thank you. Yes, I’d like to see my son.”

“I’ll go get him. He’s playing in the yard with Satsuo.” She left and returned shortly with two boys in tow. She nudged the smaller of them forward.

Yoshihiro crouched down to be at his son’s level. “Hello, Hikaru,” he said. “Do you remember me? I’m your father.”

Hikaru took a look at Yoshihiro and turned back to Akiko and buried his face in her skirt.

“Hikaru-chan, be polite,” Akiko chastised.

Yoshihiro said, “I didn’t expect him to remember me. This is going to take time. We have to get to know each other again.” He stood. “Thank you, Akiko-san, Tetsuo-san. I’ll leave Hikaru with you for now, but he will come home with me eventually. We have to take this slowly. I’ll be going back to the dojo. Please, bring the boys over tomorrow.”

Tetsuo asked, “Both boys?”

“Yes, both of them. It may be easier on all of us if Satsuo-chan is with him.”

Tetsuo agreed and took Yoshihiro back to the dining room where Takeda was waiting. He said his farewells and left.

Takeda looked up at his friend. “Well?”

Yoshihiro sighed. “He doesn’t remember me, but I didn’t expect him to. I’m leaving him here with Tetsuo’s family for now. We will get to know each other again.”

“Of course. Shall we go home now?”

Yoshihiro nodded and they left the inn to walk back to the dojo. The snow had stopped and there was a soft, white coating on the ground. Neither of the men said anything as they walked, but when they reached the gate, Yoshihiro said, “He has his mother’s eyes, Takeda-kun. He has her beautiful green eyes,” and walked into the dojo courtyard.

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