Masters of Fate, Slaves to Duty

Chapter 4


Tatsumaki spent the following days at the palace. His mornings were filled with training and practice with Miki. His sword skills had waned while he was in China, opting instead to improve his verbal skills with military observations and political jargon. His hands, arms, and chest were sore from Miki’s constant strikes with his bokken. It was all Tatsu could do to just to block the oncoming assault, much less regain his stance in time to strike back.

His humiliation deepened when Arashi and Seimei joined them for practice. He was happy to have both of his children under the same roof while Admiral Foxx was away. However, he had not anticipated the skills they had acquired during his absence. He watched as Seimei overpowered her brother on several occasions. She even sent him sliding across the floor a couple of times from the force of her thrusts. Arashi would simply get back up into his stance, ready for whatever lashing his sister dealt next.

The afternoons were spent in closed sessions with the War Council. Japan had made several advancements in the areas of the military and government over the past few years. Japan’s goal was to become equal in the eyes of the other countries that sought to take advantage of it. They had incorporated ideas from Britain, France, America, and Germany into their structures, taking only the pieces that would work for their society.

Tatsumaki had been sent to China to help alleviate tensions over some outlying territories, specifically the Korean peninsula. The country was divided among the provinces, and no one group came to the forefront as a leader. The military units were the same way, and he was here to report about that particular fact. China was simply not united against any form of attack from Japan or any other country who sought to encroach upon it at the current time.

The Prime Minister simply nodded at his statements, as if Tatsu’s words only justified what he already knew to be true. Yet, any further discussions about his observations were postponed to a further date and time. So he and Miki spent numerous afternoons listening to the military men argue about strategy and opponents. Tatsu made a mental note to thank the Council of State later for this bit of nonsense.

Tatsu closed every evening with his kids. He was sharing Miki’s home for the moment (forbidden from leaving the palace grounds until further notice), so there was plenty of time to experience his children. He climbed trees with Seimei in the northern gardens. He taught Arashi to fish in the moat surrounding the palace grounds.

Both children loved to talk, a trait that came from their mother. So, Tatsu decided to take advantage of that one night. Tatsu had already put his pole away, and was watching Arashi bait his hook again.

“You know,” Tatsu started, deciding the best course of action was to jump right in. “I haven’t seen your mother since I’ve been back.”

Arashi immediately stiffened in response, and Tatsu knew he was onto something. The boy simply tossed his line back into the water, and tried to keep his face as passive as possible. ‘Apparently he doesn’t know about his father’s past profession,’ Tatsu thought to himself.

“I haven’t seen her in two years, and I know she’s here,” he said, hoping his words conveyed his sincerity. “Do you know where I can find Yume?”

The boy continued to hold tight to his fishing pole as he stared distantly at the water. His breathing elevated and Tatsu knew he had asked the right question. He noticed the boy’s face was sad, and his brow was crinkled as he thought about how to respond.

“No,” Arashi simply said, turning to look at his father. “I haven’t seen Yume since she came back two years ago.”

Tatsu was taken aback by the boy’s statement. He could see no trace of a lie in the boy’s eyes nor did he see any emotion on his face. He wasn’t sure what to make of it, but the boy had been around Miki long enough to learn some tricks.

“Oh,” Tatsu said, turning his stare back to the water below. “What happened two years ago?”

Arashi stood abruptly. “She disappeared,” he said.

Arashi pulled his fishing pole from the water, and tossed into some brush behind the two of them. He figured it would be safe there until they could fish again. Tatsu stood up and grabbed the boy by the arms before he could get away, holding him steady.

“What do you mean she disappeared?” he said, trying to hold back his anger from the boy.

Arashi winced at Tatsu’s tight grip. As he struggled, he said in a low voice, “I can’t say. They made me swear.”

“Who Arashi?” Tatsu said, giving him a good shake. “Who made you swear?”

Arashi winced and continued to squirm under Tatsu’s grip, afraid to tell him the truth. He just didn’t know his father well enough to trust how he would react. He wasn’t scared that Tatsu might hurt him. He was more afraid of what he would do to the others. Uncle Miki always told him to choose his words carefully, especially on the subject of his mother and father.

“Father, you’re hurting me,” he said, hoping his words got through to the irritated man.

They stared at each other for another moment before Tatsu let go. He retreated back a couple of steps, and started to rub his eyes in frustration.

“Please,” he said quietly. “I just need to know that she’s alive and well.”

Tatsu started to walk away when Arashi decided to speak up. “She’s not well,” he said, just loud enough for Tatsu to hear him over the sound of the flowing water.

Tatsu turned back to Arashi. The boy’s face had gone from sad to melancholic. Was it because he was betraying someone’s trust or because he was genuinely worried for his mother?

“What do you mean?” he asked, slowly approaching the boy again to crouch before him.

Arashi tried to turn away from the man’s stare, but Tatsu’s grabbed the boy’s face and forced him to look him in the eye.

“Please, I won’t tell anyone what you say,” Tatsu said, trying to soothe the boy. “You shouldn’t have to deal with secrets at your age.”

A single tear slipped from Arashi’s eye, a sign of weakness that he couldn’t retract. “She has a sickness, and Uncle Miki said medicine won’t help her. He says her pain is deeper than that.”

Arashi sniffed back more tears before he continued, his voice getting higher as he rambled. “I don’t see her when I look into her eyes. It’s like she’s not there anymore. And she fights with Uncle Miki all the time. They argue about everything. She barely talks to me or Seimei. She blames me for what happened before, and now she wants nothing to do with me.”

Arashi broke with that thought. Tatsu pulled the shaking child into his arms, rubbing his back to calm him. “Shhh, you know that’s not true,” Tatsu claimed, keeping his voice low. “That’s enough for now. Let’s go home.”

Arashi hastily wiped his face against Tatsu’s coat, and tried to compose himself. “Dad, you haven’t seen her, you wouldn’t know! Things are different! I don’t think she’s even talked to her brother since she got married.”

Tatsu froze with the boy still shaking in his arms. There was the hidden truth, the reason everyone was trying to distract him. Tatsu was amazed that the boy was holding onto a secret of this nature, and he was more stunned by the fact that Arashi understood what he was telling him. He wondered how long the young boy had held this in.

Tatsu let the boy go, and stepped away slowly. He wanted to be angry. He wanted to tear into someone. And most of all, he wanted to dive back into the pipe, and let it take the pain away. But despite all of his immediate wants, the only thing he could feel was heartbreaking loss. Was he so unstable that no one could tell him the news? He never expected the years by her side would lead to this conclusion. His heart wasn’t prepared for the mother of his children to end up in the arms of another man.

And yet, this was not the time for emotional rumination. The boy’s words had set his investigative side into motion. What had he learned? Yume was here in Tokyo. He gathered that she saw Miki and the kids on a regular basis, so she was either still associated with the palace (regardless of the boy’s tale about the Emperor) or she lived very close by. She had come back two years before, but he did not have any further information surrounding her return to her family. How had she got back? And given the time frame, how had he not seen her before he left for China?

~*~*~

Servants were hurrying around the castle grounds. It was time for the annual Spring Garden Festival, held every spring in the East Garden after the cherry blossoms had fallen. Tatsu, Miki, and the kids were recruited at the Empress’ behest. While the men helped with the large tables, the children were making the place settings. Lanterns decorated the low lying branches of the surrounding trees, and a small outdoor stage was set up for the entertainment troupe.

Tatsu had only gone through the motions the last few days. He practiced with Miki every morning as if he knew nothing. He sat quietly through the Council meetings, listening to the members ramble on about threats to safety and commerce. But he was withdrawn in the evenings, seeking the solace of the nearby water garden rather than playing with his children.

Arashi was avoiding him anyway. He could understand the boy’s apprehension. He had been entrusted with very personal knowledge, and he had divulged that information under duress. The boy would come around eventually, and if not, Miki would notice. He always had a way of intruding where he wasn’t wanted.

The night of the festival was warm. It seemed spring had come early this year. The cherry trees had shed their blossoms two weeks earlier than normal, and now the irises were opening up and sending their heady scent along the evening breeze.

People were divided into conversational clusters. The guest list included military officers and representatives from a variety of countries who were welcome within Japan’s borders. Women dressed as geisha moved through the crowd, offering sake and a selection of appetizers.

Tatsu was very uncomfortable in his uniform. The material scratched his skin, and it was clingier than he was used to. The thin leather boots on his feet left a lot to be desired, squeaking every time he took a step. The only comforting item on his person was his sword, now only a ceremonious relic of Japan’s more primitive age. Even his uniform from his days in Kyoto was more practical than this one.

He hadn’t seen Miki yet. Both of them were under orders to mingle, to get to know the representatives. But more importantly, they were supposed to listen. Tatsu discovered he listened much better with sake in his veins. As he walked past each group, he took a saucer of the rice wine from a passing servant. Ten saucers and an hour later, Tatsu found himself near the Empress. She stood surrounded by a number of women, but the only one close to her was the silver-haired enigma known as Kurenai.

She stood behind and to the right of the Empress. At first glance she seemed to be listening to the Empress’ every word, smiling and nodding when protocol dictated. But as Tatsu continued to watch her, he noticed she was actually making regular inspections of the crowd, never taking her eyes away from the people before her. Her eyes had passed over him twice before he noticed movement behind her. But her attention was on the forward crowd, not on any action from the rear.

Tatsu started to ease through the crowd to warn her, but a hand grabbed his arm and tugged him back. He turned around to find Miki shaking his head.

“They will be fine,” he said quietly as Tatsu stood next to him. “It’s only Akihiro. He’s a member of the Emperor’s personal guard. And a real fan of yours from what I hear.”

Tatsu was confused, but before the question could leave his mouth, a tall man who was laughing boisterously put an arm around Miki’s shoulder.

“Really, he’s a puppy. I’d be more afraid of her. I’ve seen her angry, my friend. She can make a grown man cry.”

Tatsu could only stare at the intruder. He was as tall as the both of them, and wearing a Royal Navy uniform. His skin was tanned, and his face was speckled from overexposure to the sun. His eyes were thin, and a very light shade of green. He seemed very young with his brown hair worn in a straight, very unkempt manner. Yet he wore the bars of a ranking officer on his jacket.

“Tatsumaki, may I introduce you to Lieutenant Daven Russell of the British Royal Navy,” said Miki as he shrugged off the man’s arm. “He sails with Admiral Foxx, but he is currently babysitting my willful little sister.”

Daven offered his hand, and Tatsu shook it, uncomfortable with the Western form of greeting. Daven only laughed at Miki’s words.

“Willful? I can think of much better words. I’ll have you know that just the other day…”

“Was there a reason you came over, Daven?” Miki interrupted.

Daven stopped speaking for a moment, lost in his thoughts. “Oh, that gentleman you call the Council sent me to find you. Said he had something he needed to discuss with you.”

Miki looked to Tatsu and nodded, then patted Daven on the shoulder. “Then we should see what he wants. Daven, stay close to her.”

Daven nodded to Miki, and then gave him a military salute. The two men moved through the crowd, trying not to draw attention to themselves. They found the Council waiting for them at the front of the Privy Council’s building. He sat on the steps leisurely smoking his pipe, drawing no attention from the partygoers.

He ushered them around the building and out of sight before he spoke. “I have received some distressing news from a friend within the Royal Navy.”

Tatsu looked to Miki, wondering what this had to do with them. Miki simply shrugged his shoulders, just as perplexed as Tatsu.

The Council took another long draw from his pipe. “It seems they have lost contact with the Stronghold.”

Tatsu still did not understand. “The Stronghold?” he asked, looking to Miki again. This time he saw concern.

“It’s Admiral Foxx’s vessel,” he said, keeping his attention on the Council. “Where?”

“The last report came from Kagoshima five days ago. The next stop on its tour was Okinawa, but the ship never arrived.”

The three men stood quietly for a moment. Tatsu was the first to speak. “What does this mean for us?”

Miki bowed his head. “It means I may need to give my sister some very troubling news.”

“That’s not all,” said the Council, dumping out the smoldering tobacco from his pipe. “A source in Nagasaki reports he saw the ship heading north toward Korea.”

Tatsu watched Miki as the information sank in. He still didn’t understand why this involved them on anything more than on a personal level. This was the Navy’s problem, not theirs. What was so important aboard that vessel that it warranted their attention?

Tatsu immediately stiffened and placed a hand on the grip of his sword as he heard movement from behind the Council. The man called Akihiro stepped out of the shadows, but Tatsu did not release his grip on the weapon. The Council turned, and Akihiro spoke quickly and quietly in his ear.

He nodded once, and said something under his breath. When he turned his attention back to the two of them, Akihiro was gone.

“It seems the bad news keeps filtering in this evening. According to Akihiro, an encampment of Chinese soldiers has been found just north of the city. It is reported that some 500-men are waiting for orders to mobilize.”

Tatsu was dumbstruck. Who would send Chinese soldiers to our doorstep? And why now?

Miki was already one step ahead. “I’ll get the Army officers together. They know the lay of this land, and they can eradicate the threat before the Emperor has to hear about it.”

“No,” the Council stressed. “This is not something we have brought upon ourselves.”

“What do you mean?” Tatsu asked, wiping his now sweaty hands on his pants.

“This hasn’t been confirmed, so it could just be hearsay. Admiral Foxx was seen in the Chinese camp.”

Tatsu knew there were only two reasons the Admiral would be in that group, either as a hostage or a conspirator. But the Council’s blank stare would not confirm either theory.

Miki turned to walk away. “I have to warn my sister,” he said.

The Council jumped forward and grabbed his arm before he was back in sight of the party. “You must not reveal what you know, especially to your sister.”

Miki was anything but calm. His arm was shaking under the Council’s grasp. “She could be in danger.”

“We do not know that, it is too early to tell,” the Council said through gritted teeth. “You know this is why we had her marry an outsider. This is her duty.”

Tatsu didn’t have all of the facts, but he understood what the Council was saying. “She is spying on him?”

Both men remained silent. Miki yanked his arm away, and started to rub his eyes with his hands.

“I can’t believe she went along with this.”

“Remember, the Emperor did not give her a choice. She has fulfilled her duty to her husband and her country for the last two years. Now it’s time to see which one she chooses in a crisis,” stated the Council. “This conversation does not leave this area, are we clear?”

Both men looked at the Council, giving silent nods of comprehension. “Tatsumaki, I need to you to sneak into the encampment. You may be the only chance we have to verify any of this intel. Miki, you will proceed as if nothing has happened. Arashi will remain with you for the time-being as he is safer within the palace walls. Kurenai can not know, and neither can the officer who takes care of her. This is where we will see where her loyalty lies.”

“Since when do you question her loyalty?” Miki burst out, his hands flexing into fists.

Tatsu laid a hand on Miki’s shoulder, drawing his attention away from his point of conflict. “Easy, let me check things out first. Don’t jump to any conclusions, all right?”

The Council laughed. “You were not the one I expected would keep a level head about this. Go, Tatsumaki, make your preparations. Report back to me in two days.”

Tatsu was hesitant to leave Miki’s side, but he gave a curt nod to the Council and left. Once he was out of earshot, Miki turned his focus back the man before him.

“What game are you playing? We are not your pawns!” he said angrily.

“I have always found your little family intriguing, Miki. It will be interesting to see what he finds out in his investigation,” said the Council, a curious tone to his voice. “Now we will see if the plans we set into motion two years ago actually pay off. For Yume’s sake, I hope she holds up her end of the bargain. I would hate for any ill will to come her way, especially at the hands of her long lost lover.”

TBC