Monday, March 13, 2006

Nakamura's Thoughts & The Party

Nakamura stood by the window in his office, lost in thought. He had returned to Tokyo from Kamakura earlier in the week and had just returned to work that morning. So much paperwork had gathered on his desk during his absence, but he was not yet ready to take on the task.

He sighed and turned back to the desk. A cup of green tea waited there for him. He sat and drank and considered his grandson. Hikaru’s collapse at the funeral concerned him, but the later visit confirmed the boy was all right. Yet the appearance of Hikaru during that visit made Nakamura uneasy. He tried to recall what he knew of Hikaru’s mother and what her people were like.

Nakamura had known about the village on the hill near his home since he was a boy. The hill was known as Kitsuenkoyama – the Smoking Hill – because of the thin plumes of smoke that would occasionally snake up from the trees. The hill was part of his property and for generations his family was duty bound to keep the outside world away from Kitsuenkoyama.

His father had told him of the village and the people there when he was ten years old. It was a village of silver colored demons. At first he was frightened at the thought of demons living so close, but his father assured him that they were just trying to live their lives in peace. Not all demons were evil.

The first time he encountered a resident of the village happened ten years later. Nakamura’s father had just died. He was meditating in the garden when the two women came out of the trees of the hill. The older woman introduced herself as Rin, an elder of the demon village. The younger woman was her daughter Shizuyo. They offered their condolences at the death of his father and thanked him for the acceptance of his duty as protector of the hill.

Years passed by and Nakamura’s sons were told of the village on Kitsuenkoyama. The oldest, Tsuyoshi, was expected to carry on the family responsibility when he was old enough. The younger son, Yoshihiro, seemed unconcerned by the presence of the demons on the hill and spent his time learning the way of a warrior. Nakamura was proud of both his sons, but was later dismayed at the friendship Yoshihiro formed with Shizuyo.

Shizuyo was one of the few villagers that could pass for human, as she was able to change her appearance. She would come down from the hill to go to market, and that was where she met Yoshihiro and things changed. They fell in love.

Thinking back on the events now after Yoshihiro’s death, Nakamura had regrets. He wished he had been more understanding. But, as the second son, Yoshihiro needed his father’s permission to marry. Nakamura had no way of knowing what had transpired between Shizuyo and her family, but the arguments between him and Yoshihiro went on for days. In the end, the young couple put aside the differences between their races, broke ties with their families, left Edo and married on their own.

Time passed. Tsuyoshi died of a lung disease, Yoshihiro was killed in battle, and a half-breed grandson was all that was left of Nakamura’s family. That grandson needed to be told of his legacy, but Nakamura was unsure of how he was going to tell the boy. He had to get past one hurdle first – Takeda. Nakamura needed to get to know his grandson, and Takeda seemed to be overly protective of Hikaru.

Nakamura set his empty teacup on the tray and came to a decision. Ignoring the paperwork that still waited for his attention, he pulled out some paper and wrote a letter to Hikaru. The time to get to know his only heir had come. The boy would learn of his heritage, and hopefully would come to embrace both sides.
***
One day a letter arrived for Hikaru, but he was not home to receive it. He was at the local inn having a birthday dinner. The party was the idea of Samantha and Midori… and Akiko, the innkeeper’s wife and Satsuo’s mother. The three women had spent the morning getting everything just right for the occasion. Akiko had cooked all of Hikaru’s favorite dishes while Sam and Midori put up decorations. Anyone that asked about the occasion was pleased to hear that it was for Hikaru. So many of the townsfolk were still concerned after his collapse at his father’s funeral. They didn’t know how he was faring, as none of them had seen him since the funeral.

Takeda had a difficult time getting Hikaru to go to the inn. It wasn’t that Hikaru didn’t want to wake up that morning, he was just finding all sorts of ways to avoid going. Finally, Takeda grabbed him by the braid and pulled until he stood and got dressed. Threats of more braid pulling got Hikaru to leave the house at last.

They arrived at the inn just before noon, as indicated on the invitation. Takeda propelled Hikaru into the dining area with a firm push. Aside from the usual noontime crowd, a table had been reserved for the party.

Of course, Sam and Midori were the first ones to wish Hikaru happy birthday as they guided him to the table. Takeda observed that as soon as Sam spoke to Hikaru, his mood changed. That girl seemed to be able to get the boy to do anything.

Satsuo and Akiko started bringing out the food as soon as Hikaru had taken his place at the table. Hikaru had never seen so much food at one time. Takeda caught his eye and raised an eyebrow. Hikaru grinned and nodded, and the feast began.

The group ate and talked and laughed for a while, and many people from town also wished Hikaru a happy birthday. Finally, after the cakes had been eaten and the dishes cleared away, Satsuo’s father asked Hikaru about his coming of age ceremony.

Takeda explained that the ceremony had taken place earlier in the year, before Hikaru’s father left. Sam asked what they were talking about and Midori explained that the coming of age ceremony was the passage from childhood to an adult. Even though he was just turning fifteen, Hikaru was considered an adult.

Conversation continued on various subjects. Sam was asked about her home and through Midori, she told about Boston and her grandmother. She talked about parties she had attended there and explained that this was the first one she had given. “I hope it was all right,” she said.

Hikaru whispered something in Midori’s ear after she finished translating. After hearing Midori’s whispered reply, he said, “Sanku yu, Samansa-san.”

Sam smiled and said, “You’re welcome, Hikaru-san. Oh! I almost forgot. This is for you.” She handed Hikaru a package, remembering Midori’s advice to hand it over using both hands. “I hope you like it.”

Hikaru took the package and thanked Sam again. He didn’t open it right away, and Sam was confused.
Midori explained, “He will open it later when at home. It’s not that he doesn’t appreciate the gift. That’s just our way.”

“Ah, I see,” Sam said. “I was afraid I did something wrong.”

“Not at all.”

The party wound down shortly after that and Hikaru left with Takeda. Takeda looked over at Hikaru and smiled. “I see you had a good time,” he said.

“Yes, it was fun,” Hikaru replied. “I was so sure I wouldn’t enjoy myself. I was… I had…” He stopped talking and looked down at the package Sam had given him. “Why did she do this? I didn’t expect anything?” His ears were turning pink.

Takeda noticed Hikaru’s ears and laughed. “It’s her nature, Hikaru-kun. She’s just a nice person.”

“Yes, she is nice. I like that.” He fell silent with a smile on his face.

Takeda smiled again, and they walked the rest of the way in silence. They arrived home shortly and found a letter on the stoop in front of the door. Takeda picked it up and read Hikaru’s name on it. "A letter for you,” he said as he handed it over.

“Hmm?” Hikaru took the letter. “It doesn’t say who it’s from.” He went into the house to the main room. He sat at the table with the letter and the package from Sam. He looked at both, trying to decide which to open first. He decided on the package. He carefully unwrapped the kite Sam had bought.

Takeda looked at the gift. “That’s nice,” he said. “Tomorrow you should go to the inn and ask Sam-chan to fly that with you.”

“I think I will. I’ve stayed in too long.” Hikaru set the kite aside and picked up the letter. “Now, who sent this?” He opened the letter and read. His face fell.

“Hikaru-kun, is something wrong?” Takeda asked.

“I don’t know.” He continued reading.

“Who is the letter from? Is it bad news?” Takeda watched Hikaru as he read.

“No, not bad news,” Hikaru said quietly. “It’s from my grandfather. He wants me to go to Tokyo to live with him.”

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