Friday, April 28, 2006

Don't Let Go

After wearing themselves out flying the kite on the beach, Sam and Hikaru went over to the blanket where Takeda and Midori were sitting. Before they were able to sit down, Takeda got up and asked Hikaru to go with him to buy some lunch.

A brief look of confusion crossed Hikaru’s face. “Of course, sensei,” he said as Takeda began walking toward the soba stall. He heard Midori and Sam giggle behind him. “Sensei, is something wrong?”

Takeda tried to keep a serious expression as they walked, but he had to smile. “Nothing is wrong, Hikaru-kun,” he said. “Nothing at all. You looked like you were having fun out there with the kite.”

“Umm…yes, it was fun. I don’t remember ever doing anything like that before. It felt… good.”

Takeda smiled again. “I’m glad to see you enjoying yourself. Things haven’t been easy as of late.”

“No, not really.” Hikaru looked up at Takeda. “Sensei, is there something else you want to tell me?”

Takeda looked ahead and said, “Don’t let her go, Hikaru-kun.”

Hikaru stopped walking. “Sensei?”

Takeda walked a few steps and turned back to face Hikaru. “Sam-chan. Don’t let her go. I have a feeling she’s here for a reason. Something about you.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I think Sam-chan is here for you. Her presence here has something to do with you. I don’t know what it could be, but I do know that when she’s with you, you aren’t as restless or angry. Don’t let her get away from you.”
Hikaru was stunned. What had gotten into Takeda to make him say such things? He watched as his teacher walked to the soba stall and bought four helpings of noodles. It wasn’t like Takeda to talk of anything but swords or duty.

Takeda came back from the stall and handed two of the boxes to Hikaru. “Here, these are for you and Sam-chan,” he said. Noticing the look of confusion on Hikaru’s face, he added, “Still haven’t figured it out, boy? You’re a bright young man. I’m sure you can figure out what I mean.”

They walked back to the beach in silence. Each of them was lost in thought. Takeda’s thoughts were of Midori, and Hikaru’s were a jumbled mess. He was still trying to figure out what Takeda had been talking about when a clearing of the throat and a nudge from Takeda brought him around. He handed one of the boxes of soba to Sam and said, “Dôzo.”

Sam took the noodles with a smile and a “Domo,” and motioned for Hikaru to sit down.

The four chatted quietly while eating, and then Takeda asked, “Midori-san, would you and Sam-chan like to stay at our house? It’s not very big, but it has a spare room where you could sleep. It would also be less expensive than staying at the inn.”

Hikaru looked at Takeda in disbelief. Midori was taken aback. Samantha was confused.

“Takeda-san, I’m honored,” Midori said, “but I need to talk it over with Sam-chan first.”

“I understand,” Takeda replied. “By all means, take your time. I didn’t expect an answer right away.”

They finished their noodles without talking, but Sam and Hikaru were both ready to burst with questions about what Takeda had said, but for different reasons. Once finished eating they all stood up to return to the house. Again, Sam and Hikaru went ahead and were pointing things out to each other. Takeda and Midori followed behind in silence.

At the house, they said their goodbyes and the men watched the two women walk away. Sam turned and waved. Hikaru waved back, and then he turned to his teacher and asked, “Why did you say such a thing? What possibly could have made you ask Midori-san to stay here?” He looked at the expression on Takeda’s face, and realized what it was. “I see. You said those things to me so you could have Midori-san stay with you. You don’t really care about Sam-san, do you?” He turned and walked away.

“Hikaru-kun, no, that’s not it at all,” Takeda said, but it was to no avail, as Hikaru was not listening. Takeda went into the house. He needed a way to convince Hikaru that there was more to his request than his own feelings for Midori.

Midori and Sam were almost to the inn when Hikaru stormed past. He turned and shot a burning glare at Midori as he went by.

“What was that about?” Sam asked.

Midori watched as Hikaru walked away. “I don’t know,” she said. “But did you see his eyes? It’s hard to describe, but there was something more to that look than just anger.”

Sam nodded in agreement and said, “I have to go after him.”

“Of course, go.”

Sam ran after Hikaru, calling his name. She lost him briefly in the market square, but spotted him as he went out of the square and through town towards the trees. “Hikaru-san,” she cried. “Please, wait up.”

Hikaru ignored her and took one of the trails up into the hills. He wanted to be alone. He wanted to burn something. He came to a clearing and stopped. Anger was burning within and he so much wanted to lash out at the world… at Takeda.

Samantha followed Hikaru up to the hill and saw him in the clearing. She wasn’t sure at first that it was him, for his back was to her and his hair appeared to be silver. “Hikaru-san,” she said, “what’s wrong? Are you all right?” She could feel the tension in the air.

Hikaru didn’t turn to look at her, but growled.

“Don’t growl at me, Nakamura Hikaru-san!” Sam exclaimed. She took a step closer and continued, “Turn around and face me!”

The woman is persistent, Hikaru thought. Why did she follow me? He turned around slowly, hoping to frighten her away.

Sam watched Hikaru turn around. His eyes were glowing with a green fire and his skin and hair were silver. She could tell he was angry, but she knew she could not show any fear. Deep in her heart she knew he would not harm her. She took a step forward and reached out to touch his cheek. “It is you,” she said. “You’re beautiful.”

She’s either brave or stupid. He watched her face as she studied his. Much to his surprise, she didn’t recoil in fear, but smiled. “Why do you smile? You should be afraid of me. Run, damn it! Run from the demon! Why aren’t you afraid?” he yelled.

Samantha kept smiling. She let her hand drop from his cheek and took one of his hands. In English, she said, “I didn’t understand one word of what you just said, and I know you can’t understand me, but you don’t need to be so angry.” She led him over to a fallen tree and made him sit down.

Puzzled, Hikaru watched as Samantha sat next to him. She continued to speak to him in English and there was a calming effect to her voice. Soon she stopped talking and just sat holding his hand. He could feel the anger flow out of him, and his head began to clear.

They sat quietly for a while. Sam watched with interest as Hikaru changed back to his human form. As they sat, Hikaru thought about that which had angered him so. He realized what Takeda had been trying to tell him down at the beach. He also realized how selfish he had been for getting so angry with the one person, aside from his father, that was what he considered family. Not letting go of Sam’s hand, he stood and said, “Ikimashô,” and started back down the trail toward town.

Their first stop was the inn, but neither Midori nor Takeda was there. They went to the house. Hikaru led the way and found them in the sitting room. Hikaru knelt nearby and bowed deeply to his teacher. “Sensei, forgive me,” he said. “I was quick to anger and was wrong to do so. I treated you badly and regret my actions.”

Takeda said nothing at first, letting Hikaru stay focused on the floor. “Apology accepted. Now apologize to Midori-san.”

Hikaru turned to Midori and said, “I apologize, Midori-dono. I treated you badly as well. Please forgive me.”

Midori nodded and said, “I accept your apology, Hikaru-san. Are you feeling better now?”

Hikaru sat up straight, but didn’t meet Midori’s gaze. “Yes, I am,” he said softly.

“I’m glad. Takeda-san and I were concerned about you. We were worried something might happen.”

“I’m sorry to have worried you. I don’t know what came over me.”

Takeda said, “I think I know what it was, but it’s past now, so we won’t dwell on it. Midori-san, would you and Sam-chan like some tea or do you have something else you need to do?”

Midori said, “It’s time for Sam-chan’s lessons, but thank you for asking. We should be going.” She said her goodbyes to the two men and left with Samantha.

Hikaru and Takeda saw them to the door and returned to the sitting room. “So,” Takeda said, “Did you figure out what I was talking about at the beach?”

“Yes, sensei,” Hikaru said quietly, looking at the floor.

“Now do you understand why I asked Midori-san what I did?”

“Not entirely, sensei, but like you said, my reaction is in the past. It’s better not to dwell on it.”

“Very good. Now it’s time for practice. Meet me in the backyard with the bokken” Takeda went out the back door.
Hikaru looked up as Takeda left. He ran to get the bokken and went outside to practice in the warm afternoon sun.

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