The Eye of the Kami

Saru peered out onto the horizon, now alight with a bright orange hue, as the sun slowly fell in the softening sky. Beside her, the large ferry ship remained moored but had been fully prepped and was beginning to take on passengers. It was an old junk, and it appeared to have made the short voyage across the narrow strait for many years. A thick layer of barnacles covered the bottom of the boat which could be easily seen as the ocean water ebbed and flowed from the fading tide. Yet it seemed safe enough, and the hands that worked upon it seemed to be veteran seafarers. They worked swiftly and scurried about hastily, as this would be their last voyage of the day. It should be about a two-hour journey, depending on the winds, from Kagiminato to Nakashima, the central and largest island of the chain. People had already begun to line up, and judging by the length of the line, the ferry would be quite full.

Despite all that was going on around her, Saru’s mind was racing with thought. She stood quietly, thinking hard about the encounter with Kaya in the tavern. Something still did not sit well with her, and though she tried, she could not let it slip from her mind. The more that she considered it, the more uncertain she became, though she did not quite know why. She sifted through every word that she had said, as well as Gin’s hasty responses to them.

“He said it himself,” she murmured aloud. “He has no choice. No matter what that woman told him, he was resolved to go regardless. I cannot trust his blind faith. My gut says something is amiss, but I just can’t place it. Then again, perhaps I am overthinking it.”

She continued this debate with herself as the passengers climbed up the ramp and onto the ship, and as the ramp itself was pulled up behind them. She continued as the ship was unmoored from the dock, and as the last call was whistled out from the bow. She continued to think as the ferry launched out to sea and soon became melded with the ever-dimming horizon.

At last, she stirred. “I had the same feeling the night before I was captured,” she said to herself. “And I ignored it. I won’t make the same mistake again.”

Saru turned and strode back up the wharf. She was no longer concerned about getting home. That would have to wait. She owed a debt to Gintaro, and despite her reluctance to admit it, she was now personally concerned with his plight. She resolved to find Kaya first, as she did not know where she had sent him. If there was nothing to worry about, and Gin returned safely, she could always stow away aboard another ship or work for some coin if it came to it.

Instead of heading to the Umi-no-Ko once again, she decided to seek a different clientele for Kaya’s whereabouts. She headed to a different section of the docks, where the inns and taverns were tightly packed and already raucous with revelry. Before she entered the first dingy bar she found, she lifted a half-filled bottle of sake from a man who was already passed out next to the door. He shifted slightly and mumbled something incomprehensible.

“Cheers,” she said with a mock bow, before proceeding inside. Saru pushed her way in and sat down next to the loudest man in the room. He was a short man, mostly bald, with just a few patches of dark stubble around his ears and the back of his head. She quickly struck up a conversation, despite her strange appearance, and within minutes she gained his immediate trust, which was all too easy to do, as his face was as red as an apple.

She asked him about Kaya and received a most curious response.

“The White Crane! Yes, she is quite famous ‘round these parts, or was. But too expensive for my taste. She used to be quite an attraction, but only high-ranking samurai and nobles could afford her, not the likes of a poor fisherman like myself.”

“I thought she had retired,” Saru said with a smile to coax the man on.

“Ah, yes, that she did,” he said, looking glum. “When was it? Well, I can’t remember, beggin’ your pardon. But it was a few years back anyway. She found a patron, she did, and that was it. Many a man was disappointed to hear the news, but what can be done? I suppose that’s the way of things if a lady is successful enough.”

“A patron?”

The man’s face grew slightly redder. “Well, you know, the man bought her out, the Lieutenant, he did. Now, he couldn’t make her his wife, as he was already married, but word got out that he was supporting her and that she would be receiving no more customers. Still, I can’t see why a beauty like her would end up with a pig like him,” he said patting his belly. “Coin is coin, I suppose.”

“The Lieutenant?” Saru asked once again. “He is connected with the daimyō, no?”

“Yes, of course!” the man said with a burst of laughter. “He plays the part of the dutiful soldier. But he’s also a mean fellow, don’t you go believin’ otherwise. I once knew a man who used to come ‘round here that claimed he paid the Crane a visit in the night. Well, a few days after that, the man went and disappeared. I never saw him again! I think the Lieutenant got ahold of him or one of his lackeys. Anyways, what was your question again?”

“Thank you for your help,” Saru said, presenting the man the bottle of sake that she had lifted from the drunkard outside. “Think you could point me in her direction?”

The man’s eyes lit up, as he was nearing the end of his own bottle. “Why sure! She still lives not far from the docks, hasn’t moved up towards the samurai district or castle, last I knew of it. Perhaps a short stroll from here over in that direction.”

Saru left the room just as the first scuffle of the night was breaking out, and shouts could be heard throughout the freshly starlit night. She peered left and right and then proceeded in the direction she was told. It was not a sure bet, taking directions from a man that drunk, but she needed to at least try. The information she heard was intriguing, but not damning. She wanted to speak with Kaya face to face, to find out what kind of person this ‘White Crane’ really was. She made her way down the slender dock network, trying her best to ignore the stares from the passersby. She indeed felt as naked and strange as she ever had, though her father used to warn her of such things.

“If you ever leave Akaii, be ready for the looks. Our customs are different than in the south. The pride of a warrior is always evident in the appearance of the Akaii, even in our women. Especially in our women. We don’t leave them to fret about meaningless affairs. We teach our women to take care of themselves. Is that not right, my child?”

After several minutes, she finally reached her destination. It was as the drunkard said, a modest, two-storied wooden building nestled beside a collection of many others. It was surrounded by a short wall and had a grated metal gate, but it was opened and not locked. At the entrance, there was a wooden sign with the carving of a crane etched into it. Beyond, there was a pretty garden, with just a small pond, a few manicured shrubs, stalks of bamboo, and a path outlined by moss and stones. Saru proceeded through the garden and followed the path to one of the doors, where there was another sign, this one beside a sliding shoji door. She peered around, and then carefully knocked.

For a few moments, there was no answer. But before she could knock again, Saru saw a light beyond the opaque screen, growing brighter by the moment. She could also see an outline of a slender figure approaching until it stood right beyond the threshold.

“Who is it?” the voice beyond the door hissed.

“My name is Saru, I’m here to see Kaya-san.”

“The lady of the house is indisposed. I’m sorry, you’ll have to come back at another time.”

Saru grabbed the edge of the door and forced it open. There stood a young woman in a light yukata, holding a candle. The young woman was startled and nearly fell backward, but Saru grabbed her by the fold of her kimono around her neck and pulled her closer.

“I’m not here to hurt anyone! But I need to speak to your mistress! Now!” she said forcefully.

The young woman gave her one last look, taking notice of the naginata on her back, and swooned. She dropped the candle to the floor, but Saru was able to rescue it before it caught fire or went out. Lowering the girl’s body to the ground carefully, Saru took off her spear and with the light to illuminate her way, she proceeded in. There was a long wooden corridor that went straight on until she could see a staircase in the distance.

She proceeded down the silent corridor, taking note of the shoji doors on either side which opened to multiple tatami rooms. One of the doors was cracked open, and she peered inside to see what was there. From her limited view, she could see a few futons laid out upon the tatami, which could only mean that several people were sleeping or living there. However, the futons were not neatly set up with their accompanying sheets and blankets as one would expect. There were garments strewn about, and the room was in general disorder as if many people had left in a hurry. Since the place was quiet, she took a few paces and then peered into the room on the other side of the corridor. It was the same, a few futons packed together in a chaotic mess.

Saru remembered that Kaya had mentioned hosting girls who had fallen on hard times. But this was strange. Why wasn’t anyone else here? Just then she heard a noise coming from upstairs and proceeded ahead to discover what it was. Saru quickly climbed the two flights of stairs, and when she reached the top, there was another sliding door, this one more ornate.

“I bet this is her room,” she whispered, before sliding the door open cautiously.

She was greeted by a similarly chaotic scene. There was an unfolded futon and piles of clothes scattered about and an air of hurried disarray. But unlike the other rooms, this room had not yet been vacated. A woman was kneeling in the very center with her head bowed. Her long black hair flowed over her like the water of a fountain. It sounded as if she were sobbing, but Saru could not tell for sure. From what she could see, she could assume that this was indeed the mistress of the house.

“I told you to get to the meeting place,” Kaya said, not bothering to turn around. Her voice was weak and struck a sad tone of defeat. “I will be there shortly.”

“It’s me,” said Saru, stepping into the room.

This drew a response from the woman, who slowly turned around and looked up.

“What are you doing here?” she asked. There was evident concern in her right eye, but her left eye was completely swollen shut. It was dark red with a streak of purple where she had been struck.

Saru was startled upon seeing the injury. “What happened to you?”

Kaya lifted her petite hand to her face and gently brushed her fingers lightly against her cheek. “It is nothing. Now answer me. What are you doing here?” she repeated, her voice growing stronger. “You’re supposed to be on a ship, far away from this place.”

“I’ll be asking the questions,” Saru returned, lowering her naginata so that the tip pointed directly at the woman kneeling before her. “Where is Gintaro? And what’s going on here?”

“They took him...” Kaya answered softly but lifted her head, and in doing so appeared more erect and defiant.

“I knew it! Who took him?”

“The Kagi...”

At this Saru stepped forward, the edge of the blade hovering around Kaya’s supple neck. “If you betrayed him, I will make sure you answer for it!”

At this threat, Kaya merely smiled, though it seemed to pain her to do so. “I had no choice.”

“You lie!” Saru cried, her eyes opened wide with rage. “It’s been some time since my spear tasted blood. I’m thinking of giving it a long, deep drink! Now, where is he?”

“I told you!” Kaya asserted, her voice rising to a shout. “I had no choice!”

Saru shook her head mournfully. “He should have never trusted a prostitute.”

At this Kaya stood but did not advance on Saru. Her right eye was black and filled with hate. “I am many awful things, but I am not that!” she said defiantly, after collecting herself. “Not anymore!”

“I don’t care what you consider yourself, but you betrayed him, and now you’re going to tell me where he is,” Saru insisted, still holding her spear as if she were about to strike.

Kaya did not move or flinch. “You can kill me if you want. My girls are leaving, they will all be gone soon. They have everything they need. They do not need me anymore.”

“What do you mean?” Saru growled impatiently.

Kaya seemed exasperated by Saru’s ignorance, though there was no way she could have known. “Late last night, a letter was received by the new ruler of Kagi Province, the steward, Sagi Hiroto. It told of a man who may come through the city. It described Gin-san perfectly. The instructions were to let him pass freely through the city despite the crimes that he committed. The steward did not heed this letter and became incensed and ordered his men to find him. The Lieutenant told me of it and asked me to help him, as he remembered that I once was a friend of Gin-san. There would be a high reward for his capture, and it would grant him the favor of the steward. I told the Lieutenant that I would do it, but I did not intend to help him. In fact, I was planning on getting Gin-san out of the city if he came. As I said back at the inn, I would do anything for him.”

Saru frowned and spat on the floor. “I don’t believe a word you say.”

“You don’t have to. But I’m telling the truth.”

Saru kept her spear up, waiting to hear more.

“This morning I was at the southern gates, pretending to be watchful, and little did I think that he would come. But you both came, and I stepped in to save you from the guards because though they did not know who he was at first, if they took him into the castle, someone certainly would. I needed time to tell you the dangers that awaited you in this city and make my plan for your escape, so I brought you to the Umi.”

“But you didn’t say anything about that, did you?” rejoined Saru, her grip tightening on the shaft of her weapon.

“No...” Kaya admitted as a look of guilt soured her features. “When Gin-san asked me to help him, I felt like I needed to try. I knew that I might have been able to help.”

“Might have?”

“But the Lieutenant intercepted me. He was informed by the guards of the unusual circumstances of this morning, and he read the signs. This time I told the Lieutenant outright that I wasn’t going to do it. I was not going to help him. That’s when he threatened to kill me and all of the girls here if I disobeyed.” A tear suddenly streamed down from Kaya’s right eye and dropped onto the tatami mat with a faint patter.

“These girls are everything to me! Judge them all you want, but they come here because they are fragile, healing women. With the little fame and wealth that I have gained, I have worked tirelessly to get them to be able to live a better life. I have devoted myself, everything of myself, to be able to do that. I don’t think he would have killed me, but when he threatened them, I knew that he meant it.”

“He wouldn’t kill you because he owns you,” Saru said with disgust.

She did not seem to disagree. “The Lieutenant is a depraved man born into an evil age. He enjoys brutality. He relishes it. Lord Kagi knew this and even warned me personally, urging me to reconsider my choice. It was a grave mistake of mine to ignore him, but it has kept food on the table for my girls. But lately, I have been seeing him grow angrier, and more frustrated with them, and with me. He would rather have them dead than live here, I think. I have been thinking about getting away for a long time, but I did not think he would ever allow it.”

“So, he threatened you, and you gave in and sold Gintaro out.”

“As I said, at first I told him I would not do it,” Kaya said flatly. “But I had no time to prepare. And yes Gin-san was once my friend, but I had not seen him in a long time. I did not know what he was doing, perhaps he had committed some grievous crime that brought about this misfortune. I didn’t know what to do, so I faltered. The Lieutenant pressed me, so I finally agreed, all the while planning on telling Gin-san that he was being hunted.”

“But you didn’t! I was there, and you said nothing!”

“You are right...” Kaya said softly. “I took him to the designated place. I handed him over, but not in the way that you think.”

Saru was reaching her limit, as evidenced by her loud, rapid breaths. “Tell me what you mean!” she demanded.

“His eyes!” Kaya said as a smile flashed across her face. “The way he looked at me when he asked for help. I remembered them. I had seen those eyes before.”

“Speak plainly!”

Kaya breathed in and out slowly. “How long have you known Gin-san?” she asked, making an abrupt change in the conversation.

“Why does it matter?” Saru snarled.

“Well,” Kaya said, looking off into the distance as if she was seeing a memory played out before her. Her voice became hushed as if she were afraid to conjure the memory fully. “You do not know him like I do. He’s a dangerous man, perhaps one of the most dangerous men one could ever meet in the wide world.”

Saru shifted uncomfortably but said nothing.

“Once his mind is set on something,” she continued. “He never stops. He is relentless and absolutely brutal.”

“Then why did you lie to him?” Saru asked, still unable to understand how this connected. “You said that the merchant was here!”

Kaya simply ignored her and continued. “The last time I saw him look that way was the night his wife was murdered outside of the Old Capital, many, many years ago. He must have just come from her house, in a fit of uncontrollable anguish. I passed him in the streets and moved to greet him, but I was frozen with terror. His eyes were wild like they were today, and his clothes were covered with blood. Her blood.

The next day, there was a massacre in the city. One of the hideouts for a powerful ninja clan had been raided. Nobody took the credit, but they pulled mutilated corpses and limbs out of that building for days. For days, Saru-san! The tower they made of the bodies almost reached the top of the city gate. Rumors began to spread. But all along I knew who did it.” She paused for a moment and lowered her voice. “Saru-san, have you ever heard of the Kurogumi?”

Saru shook her head ‘no.’

“Of course you wouldn’t have. Most outside of the Old Capital have never heard of them. Towards the end of the war, the former Shōgun, young Yoshimitsu Akira, had only a remnant of an army, as most of the samurai had fled and joined their native daimyō lords, many of whom had broken their allegiance with the Yoshimitsu Shōgunate. Thrust into a position of great power but without a powerful army to support him, Akira summoned to him a small number of elite swordsmen and assassins. He commissioned them, and they became the Kurogumi and did his bidding in the darkness. He punished the daimyō who had broken faith with him and gradually won back their support, through sheer terror and ruthless intimidation.

Later on, the Kurogumi became more famous through their war with the Shadowhand, a coalition of ninja clans who served our current Shōgun, Mashige Hideyo. Their underground battles became the talk of legends around the Old Capital at that time, with both sides fighting a secret war behind the scenes. They called it the War of Shadows. Bodies would show up in the streets, blood would pool in the gutters. Nobody saw, but everyone knew. Eventually, the Kurogumi gained the upper hand, and the ninja were all but destroyed.”

“But Mashige won in the end,” Saru interjected, still pale. “He is the Shōgun now. He won the Battle of Akasaka and laid siege to Yoshimitsu Castle.”

“That is true, but many who know say that the Kurogumi was responsible for prolonging the war for several years and giving young Akira a real chance. Their name is only said but in whispers in the Old Capital and abroad, even now, many years after they were thought to be destroyed.”

“I still don’t see what this has to do with Gintaro,” Saru murmured, but her face showed otherwise.

Kaya scoffed and looked at her straight in the eyes. “Gintaro was the last and greatest captain of the Kurogumi. His black sword was coated in the blood of hundreds, perhaps more. He was one of the most destructive swordsmen of the war and deep in his wrath he was peerless.”

There was a long pause, so long in fact, that one of the candles that had illuminated the room reached the end of its wick, and died out, leaving the chamber darker, and more foreboding.

“But I fought him…” Saru said softly, clearly disturbed. She could not imagine that Gintaro had been such a man. He had always appeared so calm, so controlled, even righteous in a way.

“If Gin-san wanted you dead, you would not be here,” Kaya said plainly. “But he has no interest in harming a trapped little snow monkey. He wants his daughter. And when I saw those eyes, I knew. I knew that he had once again tapped into whatever madness controlled him that night those many years ago. I could see it. My soul trembled within me. And there, in those eyes, was our salvation. I needed a way to save my girls, but also give Gin-san a chance to find his daughter. Someone in this city knows where she is, someone must. But they are not living here among the rabble. They are living up there,” she said, pointing in the direction of the castle and daimyō’s estate.

So, I delivered him to them as only I could do. But when I heard them beating him like a dog, I doubted myself and interfered. That’s when I got this,” Kaya said, pointing to her swollen left eye. “The Lieutenant himself gave me this present. When I woke, he told me that if I did anything like that again, he’d close the other eye or worse.”

“You’re not making sense!” Saru stammered. “How did you help him by leading him into a trap? He can’t do anything now!”

“He certainly can!” Kaya insisted, this time revealing a full smile. “Why do you think I told my girls to pack up and find a safe place on the docks? We are leaving this city, why would we do that if I just did what I was told like a good little girl?”

Saru shook her head, her mind whirling.

Kaya laughed haughtily.

“You don’t know him! You don’t really know him at all! And apparently, they don’t either. They have no idea who he really is. When the soldiers were carrying his body, I heard one of them say they were going to the daimyō’s estate, not even the castle!” Kaya laughed again. It was a crazed, almost delirious laugh.

At this point, Saru had endured enough. “Spit it out, now!” she ordered, thrusting the spear within inches of Kaya’s throat.

A cruel smile still lingered on the White Crane’s face. She leaned forward, and almost in a whisper said, “We’re leaving because this city is going to burn. When Gin-san is finished with them, there will be nothing left to save the city from consuming itself. This place is a powder keg, and he is both the fire and the match.”

“How...?” Saru faltered, “But they have him!”

“No,” Kaya countered, as the faraway look crossed her right eye once again. “He has them.”

Saru was stunned; she did not know what to think. She slowly lowered her spear from the Crane’s neck.

“If I were you,” Kaya ominously concluded, as she knelt to the floor once again. “I would get out of this city as fast as you can. Soon, it’s going to look like nothing you have ever seen.”