Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9
It was too much to expect Reizo to be grateful for doing what he asked, Suki thought as she fought back tears.
—
When dawn touched Taru’s face, he rolled over. No need to get in a hurry, it’s Lord and Lady Taira’s first trip together, he thought as he drifted back to sleep with a little foot in his kidney.
The sun was above the eastern horizon when Taru, Junko, and two of their children ate breakfast together.
“Where are you going today, Taru?” Junko asked him.
“Crossroads. It’s a long walk, so my old bones appreciate Gogo even more,” he replied.
“You’re not old, Dad,” his daughter Tamika told him.
“In some ways I am, in some ways I am not,” he replied with a smile.
“Need anything special? How long will you be gone this time?” Junko asked.
Taru thought about it carefully. “Two or three days total. And just my usual plus some fur to stuff in our ears,” he replied.
“It’s all over there, except the fur. You’ll have to get that yourself,” Junko motioned to the chest where Taru’s weapons were. Tamika nodded. She loved it when Daddy combed her. “Get my sides, it’s the softest fur,” she said.
After breakfast, Junko and his daughter sat down on four legs so Taru could brush them. Both of them insisted he use their fur for he and his traveling companions. It was their way of helping Lady Taira, who was always so much fun, but also a little sad. Little Te joined them. Taru tied their fur into a handkerchief and put it in his sleeve.
“Now go select the best paper for your Dad. Some smaller ones that are good for are good for Yoshi’s magic. Lord Taira works with him. Then get some bigger ones in case Gogo needs repaired.”
“Oh Daddy, I have just the paper for Gogo. It should be dry now. And I know that Lord Taira writes his spells. Lady Taira visits us often.” Tamika beamed. The paper making screens were out of the veranda for the nice weather. A cluster of bamboo hid them from the rest of the garden, and Junko moved a screen across the veranda when guests visited. Tamika folded the large sheet of paper, selected some smaller ones for Lord Taira, and handed the entire stack to Little Te who ran towards Taru.
Meanwhile, Junko carefully inspected and oiled her husband’s weapons. He’s getting older. Why does he still take these trips for Yoshi? He won’t die because his equipment isn’t in good shape, she vowed. I don’t want to know why he needs our fur, I wouldn’t like the answer.
Taru sat in silence. He watched his beloved maintain his weapons. She polished imaginary rust, as if such a thing would ever appear on anything she cared for. He worried for his two youngest children, and his two older sons who had journeyed into the mountains to find more Papermasters. They will bring wives home before the first snow fall in The Capital, he reminded himself. He was less sure of this after what Yoshi said last night.
Tamika sat down at the paper screen to make paper. Even though they lived far away from a place like Taru and Junko grew up, they were still Papermasters. His son ran back to him and climbed in his lap. “Daddy, here’s your paper!”
“Thank you, this is perfect. Do you want to sit with me for a bit?” Little Te agreed, but it wasn’t long before Taru realized he needed a new diaper. He picked up his youngest and carried him into the bedroom next to a stack of paper destined to be diapers.
Taru loved his family, the familiar routine brought him peace. He thought back to last night’s conversation with Yoshi.
There was trouble brewing like fine sake. It was bad enough that Yoshi was not coming on this trip. Most of the long time he and Yoshi were friends, Yoshi fought at least two battles at once. His old friend was very upset last night in the garden before Lord Taira arrived.
"I am under attack. My scheming, stupid, manipulative idiot of a cousin is maneuvering to become Ministry Head. One of my uncles, the one that favors him, is rising in power. Each day he has more of both the Emperor's ear and that of his inner counsel. It’s bad enough I could be ousted before I retire, the shame. Oh the shame!”
His voice grew serious. “If I don't stay and fight this, and he’s appointed Ministry Head, The Capital is nearly defenseless from whatever comes next. Have you noticed for the past few months the kami are less calm? There have been more genuine curses around The Capital in the past six months than in the past decade combined.”
“The paper is not affected,” Taru said. “It still listens to us the same as always.”
Yoshi nodded at him. “Then things are not as bad as they could be. I didn’t want to face danger from outside because of pride, and worry for my daughters and your sons. Whatever is out there will find them first because they’re outside the safety of The Capital. Or is it really safe? We’ve never been attacked, but there’s no reason we couldn’t be!
“That new kid Taira is the only other kami-sighted onmyoji we have. Take care of him, Taru. If it’s too dangerous, flee in Gogo. I don't know what the future holds, but even those nearly useless Diviners see something's coming. The Capital will need you, the kid, and I."
The sun was well on it’s way to mid morning as Taru changed his son’s diaper and pondered last night’s conversation. I hope Yoshi is wrong.
Picture by Daphne Zaras - http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/headlines/dszpics.htmlOriginally uploaded at en.wikipedia; description page is/was here., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2130165