Lady Samurai

Chapter 29

After a month of intensive negotiations both parties agreed to twelve Articles, which were called the 'Treaty of Peace and Amity'. The document gave the Americans the rights to trade in Shimoda and Hakodate, protected shipwrecked sailors from imprisonment and mistreatment, allowed the currency exchange and opening of an American Consulate at Shimoda. Some minor points of contention Perry agreed to defer to a later time.

The official signing ceremony was planned for the next day, at Kaiko Hiroba, which meant simply 'Port Opening Square'.

Anna knew that within a few days she would be able to effect her 'great disappearing act', as she pompously called it. So she decided to visit the only person she felt she could trust and ask for assistance.

Once again she walked to Reiko's house.

They hadn't had any opportunities to meet since that fateful afternoon, when Lord Takeda whisked Anna out of danger and effectively cut her off from the outside world.

"Reiko-San." Anna bowed low.

"Ana-San." Reiko was surprised, but pleased. "Please, come in."

They sat on the veranda, drinking tea in silence.

Truly, Anna didn't know what to say. Lord Takeda was the only thing that connected them. But now he was gone...

Reiko was naturally aware of everything that had happened since their last meeting. The whole town knew. Initially, she suspected that Anna had grown too full of herself to speak to a simple merchant's wife. But her behaviour seemed to contradict that belief. Anna was as humble now as the first day they met and seemed genuinely pleased to see Reiko again.

"Reiko-San." She started after they finished with tea. "The negotiations have been concluded and the treaty will be signed tomorrow. I am going to leave shortly after that." She didn't know how to continue and how to ask Reiko for her assistance. "I wish to thank you again for everything you have done for me."

"Ana-San, no thanks are necessary." She assured her guest. "I was honoured to meet you and be helpful."

"You were a friend in a place I didn't expect to find any." Anna was moved. "And for that I am very grateful. I only wish I had something to offer you as a parting gift."

"Ana-San, that is unnecessary. I enjoyed our time together. It was so... exciting." Reiko smiled.

"Yes, it was." Anna agreed. "But now I must beg you for more assistance. I am planning to leave Kanagawa and... search for some people..." She stopped, seeing Reiko's wide open eyes. "People, who helped me many years ago." She was vague, just in case. "But, as you know, I can't travel openly in Japan. I plan to colour my hair and pretend to be a peasant."

Reiko gasped and looked carefully around, just to make sure no one was in hearing distance.

"Ana-San, you risk being caught and killed!" She whispered.

"I know. But I must do this. Will you help me?"

"Of course!" Reiko didn't hesitate. "And will you later travel to Lord Takeda's domain?"

"What for? That part of my life is finished." The sadness in her voice told Reiko a different story. Perhaps her head was saying one thing, but her heart knew better?

"Whatever you need, I will be glad to do." Reiko assured, leaving the previous without any comment. "And I vow not to speak of it."

"Thank you. Firstly, I need to dye my hair black. Can you help me with that?"

"I believe I can. What else?"

"I need clothes."

"Of course."

"And I would like you to keep this for me." Anna pushed towards Reiko a long package, which until that moment had lain on the floor behind her. "This is my rifle. I can't take it with me and I don't want to abandon it. It is not dangerous. I took all the bullets out. Just keep it dry and... well hidden."

"I will." Reiko promised. "And I will give it back to you upon your return."

"It might be a long time before I return... Perhaps never."

Reiko gasped again. "You wish to live in Japan?"

"I did many years ago." Anna smiled.

"But where are you going?"

"Forgive me, but it would be better, if you didn't know that."

"Hai."

Their farewell was short, but friendly.

"I will send a servant with everything you might need." Reiko promised. "And I will look forward to seeing you again... one day."

"Thank you, Reiko-San. If anybody asks about my disappearance, tell them I was looking forward to going home and came here to say good-bye." Anna said as an afterthought. "O wakare, Reiko-San." Anna bowed for the last time and left.

"Farewell." Repeated Reiko.

On her way back to the inn she didn't notice a shadow following her, as usual, making sure she was safe.

Kazuki was bored senseless with his duty, but orders were orders. And maybe now Gai-Jin will finally leave on their ships?

Boredom notwithstanding, he was still vigilant and he did notice that Anna had left something in the merchant's house. She didn't have many possessions and it could have only been her long gun.

Why would she leave it here? Was she planning to leave alone?... His Lord had specified that wherever she went Kazuki must follow. Were they planning a secret meeting?
Kazuki decided to keep his eyes open and get ready to follow her if she decided to leave.

After Anna had safely returned to the inn, he called one of his men.

"It is possible that I will have to leave for some time." He instructed. "Do not abandon your post and carefully watch the foreigners. If you have any opportunity, report everything to our Lord."

"Hai."

"Wait here until I come back or Gai-Jin leave. If the woman comes back without me, make sure she is safe. Only after she leaves on her ship you are to report back to our Lord. Wakarimasu ka?!"

"Hai!" The man bowed in confirmation that he understood his instructions.

"Good. Now return to your post."

Kazuki quickly gathered his things, in case he was to leave soon. After that he returned to his post outside the inn.

By now he knew the routines of all guests and servants. He knew how to move around unobserved and how to watch Anna without alarming her. At this moment he was at his favourite vantage point, noting the arrival of a serving girl, carrying a package for one of the guests.

During this month of listless waiting he had befriended one of the maids from the inn and she had turned out to be a great source of information. She had just told him that the parcel was a parting gift from Reiko-San for the Gai-Jin woman.

"Some clothes." She whispered into his ear, longing for Kazuki's kiss.

But his thoughts were far away today.

"You always ask about Ana-San. Maybe it is her you would like to kiss?" She whined petulantly.

"Yuki, what would I want with a foreigner?" He embraced her.

"She is very pretty."

"So are you." He laughed.

"Really?" She was instantly placated and smiled happily.

"Of course! But I need to go now." He kissed her again and disappeared into the darkness.