Thursday, June 8, 2006

Storm

Several days had passed since Takeda had asked Midori and Sam to stay with them at the house, and the two women had agreed that it probably would be easier if they took him up on the offer. They had moved in a couple days ago and were beginning to settle in. Everyone pitched in with the chores around the house and life was good. Sam’s Japanese was improving and she didn’t need Midori to translate quite as often. Hikaru was picking up a few words in English as well.

The day had dawned sunny and the weather was pleasant. Everyone was in the backyard enjoying the nice day. Midori and Takeda were making onigiri and watching as Hikaru was showing Sam some basic sword maneuvers. Takeda smiled sadly as he watched.

Midori noticed his smile and asked, “Is something wrong, Takeda-san?”

“No, nothing is wrong,” Takeda said with a sigh. “I was just thinking of Hikaru’s father. He would be proud of his son if he saw him now. I just wish he was here to see this.”

“You miss your friend, don’t you?”

“Very much. I should never have let him leave. He’d still be with us if I had stopped him.”

“I don’t think you’d have been able to stop him. From what you’ve said about Hikaru-kun being so much like his father, and seeing how stubborn he is, nothing would have stopped him once his mind was made up.”

Takeda chuckled softly at that. “You’re right. They are two of a kind. Yet there is a quality to Hikaru that his father never had. He has his mother’s compassion.” There was a hint of regret to his voice. He seemed to want to say more, but hesitated.

They watched as Sam stepped on the hem of her hakama and started to fall over. Hikaru caught her, and they both began to laugh. Takeda continued, “Unfortunately he’s so much like his mother it’s frightening.”

Midori watched as Hikaru gently corrected Sam’s grip on the shinai and asked, “What do you mean?”

“Both of his parents had a temper, that is true. But his mother had a little more venom behind her temper. Hikaru-kun seems to have inherited that. It worries me how much like her he is. Even though she wasn’t here to raise him, he is very much like her.”

“I think I saw some of that temper the day you asked us to stay. He stormed past me with a look that I find hard to describe. It was almost as if his eyes were glowing.”

Takeda gasped slightly and held his breath for a moment. “I’ve seen that look, too,” he said after a sigh. “It truly does seem like his eyes glow when he’s that angry. His mother’s eyes would flash like that when she was upset or angry.”

Midori didn’t say anything for a few minutes. The onigiri was almost finished. She looked over at the two young people and finally asked, “Were his mother’s eyes the same brilliant green?”

Takeda looked at Hikaru and smiled. “Yes, they were. He’s got her ears, too, but not as pointed.”

Midori took a good look at Hikaru and said, “I never noticed his ears before. I guess his eyes and hair always distracted me. He is a very handsome young man.”

“I’m jealous, Midori-san,” Takeda said with a laugh.

“I’m sorry!” Midori said quickly. “I didn’t mean…” She let her voice trail off as she noticed Takeda was laughing. “Oh, you,” she added and started to laugh with him.

They soon finished the onigiri and called Samantha and Hikaru over to eat. They ate amidst laughter and conversation. Midori watched Hikaru’s eyes as they talked. Although he was happy and enjoying the time with his friends, she could see there was a spark behind his vivid green eyes. Hikaru’s eyes burned with a fire lit by something she couldn’t quite figure out, and it bothered her just slightly.

* * *
Later that night, Midori woke to the sound of voices. She got up and went to the door of the room she shared with Samantha. Listening carefully, she could hear Takeda and Hikaru arguing. She hoped their angry voices hadn’t disturbed Samantha, but she could see Sam sitting up in bed, eyes wide.

“What’s going on?” Sam whispered.

“I’m not sure,” Midori replied. “Takeda-san and Hikaru-kun are arguing about something.”

“Should I go check?”

“No, stay here. I don’t think you should get in the way,” Midori said. She moved away from the door and sat on her futon. “It may be a private matter between them. I’m sure they’ll work it out. Try to get back to sleep, Sam-chan.” She pulled the covers up and lay down.

Neither of them were able to get back to sleep as the argument continued. They both sat up as they heard the sound of something breaking. “What was that?” Sam asked.

“I don’t know. I’m going to check.” Midori got up and pulled on her robe.

Sam was right behind her. “You’re not going out there alone,” she said.

Cautiously, Midori slid open the door. They made their way to the sitting room where they found Takeda sitting by the remains of the table. “Takeda-san, are you all right?” Midori asked.

Takeda looked up at her and said, “I’m sorry. Did we wake you?” He had an odd expression.

Midori knelt beside him and repeated, “Takeda-san, are you all right?” She looked at him closely, checking for signs of injury. Physically he looked fine. Sam began cleaning up the pieces of the table and the dishes that had been on it.

Takeda’s eyes seemed to come back into focus at the sound of Midori’s voice. “I’m losing him, Midori-san,” he said quietly. “He’s losing himself. I thought having Sam-chan close by would help. I thought she was able to calm him, but I don’t think she can help. It was a bad idea to have you stay here.”

“Don’t say that. Sam-chan wanted to come here. She wanted to stay.” Midori took hold of his hand. “I wanted to stay, too. I told you I would stay with you, and I meant it.”

Sam noticed the open door. “Sensei, where is Hikaru?” she asked.

“I don’t know. He broke the table and left.” He looked up at Sam. “Don’t go after him, Sam-chan. It’s too dangerous.”

Sam looked back at Takeda and Midori. “I have to go. He needs me,” she said.

Midori said, “You can’t. Not this time. Takeda-san is right. It’s too…”

“How do you know that?” Sam cried. “Did you see him? He won’t hurt me. I know it. Don’t ask how. I just know it.” Tears were streaming down her face, and she ran out the door into the night.

Clouds had moved in during the night and the wind tossed leaves about Sam’s feet as she ran through the streets calling for Hikaru, who was nowhere to be seen. She stopped to catch her breath and looked toward the Daibutsu. There was something odd about the statue. At first she couldn’t figure it out, but then she realized there was an unusual flickering light behind it. She could also hear the raised voices of the monks in the temple compound. She ran in the direction of the light.

Hikaru’s head was pounding. The chattering and chanting from the temple compound were making him feel ill. He wanted to burn it all down, but the pain in his head and the sick feeling in his stomach dragged him to his knees. It felt like his head was going to burst. Green flame danced about his body as he grasped his head in pain.

Samantha reached the clearing just as Hikaru fell to his knees. She was horrified to see him engulfed in flames and wanted to help, but was unable to get near him. She called to him, but he seemed not to hear. Helpless, Sam watched as he burned. To her amazement, the fire wasn’t harming him. She realized his pain was from something else. “Hikaru-san!” she yelled again.

Somehow, Hikaru heard Sam’s call and he looked up at her. “Help me. Make it stop!”

“The fire…”

Hikaru looked at his hands as if seeing them for the first time. With a great deal of concentration, the green flames slowly went out, and Samantha was able to approach him. She took his hand and was surprised to find it cool to the touch. “Come with me,” she said. “Let’s get away from here.” She led him up into the trees behind the temple. They eventually found another clearing where Sam insisted Hikaru stop and rest. “Is this better?” she asked.

Hikaru nodded and sat down on the ground.

“What happened to you? Why were you fighting with Takeda-sensei?” She crouched down next to him.

“I don’t know exactly what happened,” he said quietly. “I’m hungry.”

“Let’s go back to the house. We can find something to eat there.” She moved a lock of hair out of his face. “And I’m sure Takeda-sensei is worried about you.”

Anger welled up briefly, but Hikaru didn’t lash out. “I need fire,” he said. “Food doesn’t satisfy anymore.” As an afterthought, he quietly added, “I don’t think he wants me there.”

“Don’t say that. I’m sure he wants you. He really does care about you.” Sam grabbed Hikaru’s hand and stood up. “Now let’s go back to the house. We can build a fire for you there. It’s much better than sneaking around in the dark.”

Hikaru looked up to see Sam smiling at him. There really was something about her that made him feel better. “All right. Let’s go,” he said as he stood up.

They made their way back downhill toward the house, being sure to avoid any path that would take them past the temple. There was a flash of lightning and with a clap of thunder a heavy rain began to fall. The ground soon turned to mud and they slowed their descent. Hikaru followed Sam as she carefully moved downhill. She started to say something, but gave a small cry as she lost her footing and tumbled down the slope, her grasp of Hikaru’s hand broken.

Lightning flashed again and Hikaru could see Sam as she fell. He followed and found her lying next to a tree. Kneeling at her side, he asked, “Sam-chan, are you all right?”

When she didn’t answer, Hikaru gently picked Sam up and carried her the rest of the way home. Takeda, whose look of anxiety was quickly replaced by one of concern when he saw Samantha, met him at the door.

“What happened, Hikaru-kun?” he asked as he led the way to the women’s bedroom. If Midori was surprised by Hikaru’s silver appearance, she said nothing. Concern for Sam’s well-being was the more pressing issue.

Hikaru laid Sam on one of the futons and said, “She slid in the mud and fell. I found her by a tree. She won’t answer.”

“Ah, I see,” Takeda said. “Let’s leave it to Midori-san to get Sam-chan out of the wet clothes. I’ll go get the doctor. You go clean up and dry off.” He led Hikaru from the room.

“Yes, sensei,” Hikaru said, and he went to his room for some dry clothes. Hunger still pained him, but concern for Samantha distracted him.

Takeda returned shortly with the doctor and they went to her side. Midori stayed with Sam and the doctor while the men waited in the sitting room. Hikaru apologized for getting angry and explained that it might have been because of his hunger for fire.

The older man looked at his young master. “Thank you, Hikaru-kun,” he said. “I accept your apology. Are you going to be all right if we wait to feed you until after the doctor leaves? Sam-chan’s health is important right now.”

Hikaru nodded, and they waited to hear what the doctor would have to say.

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