Grandson, there are no true samurai left. In my day, samurai went into combat countless times, sacrificing their lives. Now, everyone is a bureaucrat—the only important thing is how well you crawl across a tatami mat, rubbing your hands together, and dueling with your tongue—there is no such thing as fighting for your life.

—Maeda Isamu, known as the “Tiger in the Shadows”

Sai

A soft moan awakened me. Akiyo-sensei struggled to sit up.

I scrambled over to her and eased her back down onto her futon. “No sensei. You must not move.”

Hanae and Kaguya rolled off their futon and joined me at the sensei’s side.

I touched her neck to feel the temperature of her skin.

Good, she is not too hot.

“Sensei, you must rest,” Kaguya said, her hands smoothing Akiyo-sensei’s hair. “If you are in pain, I will give you more medicine.”

“Maeda-sama came with a samurai doctor. The doctor said the medicine would ease the pain and allow you to rest.” I told her.

Akiyo-sensei’s eyes cleared as she regarded us. “What’s in the medicine?”

“It tastes bitter,” Kaguya said. “Like poppy seeds.”

Akiyo-sensei nodded. “I see.” She scanned our three faces. “Perhaps I will take the medicine later. First, we must talk, and for that, I need a clear head.”

We sat back.

“There are things you must know, and things you must decide, should I not survive,” she told us.

We started to protest, but Akiyo-sensei raised her voice and spoke over our objections.

“Girls! I don’t have the strength to argue. Just listen, please.” Akiyo-sensei closed her eyes and rested a few moments, before opening them again. “Sai, bring me my strongbox.”

I hurried to the corner of the room to fetch the box and laid it next to her.

She removed a key from around her neck and handed it to me. “Open the box and give me your contracts.”

I unlocked the box and brought out the three papers. They pledged we three would serve Akiyo-sensei until we had paid off the cost of our training. Mine had the additional sum of my contract from the brothel that Akiyo-sensei had paid off as well as the price of a bribe to keep the guard I attacked from going to the police. I gave them to her.

She sat up in the bed and leafed through them, reading the terms. As she finished going through each contract, she threw it into the brazier we had installed near her bed. I watched as each caught fire, burned brightly for a few moments, then faded to dull ash. Tears filled my eyes and a lump formed in my throat. In the brothel, few women lived to see this moment, but even though I was only seventeen, Akiyo-sensei had released me. I couldn’t believe it. I was free.

Akiyo-sensei lay back down in the bed, her face almost white. In a quiet voice, she said, “Now, each of you is free to choose your own fate. You have at least two options. You may discover others. Keep in mind, if you want to stay with the shinobi, you will be placed with the other chunin in the city. It is rare for a woman to be given the position of chunin and you three have neither the experience nor the reputation to succeed me here. Your new chunin will expect you to sleep with him and follow his orders to the letter.” She looked at me and gave me a sad smile. “He is not likely to be as patient with you as I have been.”

My stomach turned. I exchanged glances with the other girls. I did not care for this option. I had run away from the brothel so I wouldn’t have to sleep with strangers. I didn’t relish the idea of having to do it as a kunoichi.

Akiyo-sensei sighed. “I am afraid I have created a problem you three will suffer for. Even as our work as shinobi fell off, I kept sending the same amount of money back to the clan. I was afraid if we sent too little back, they would force us to merge with the other shinobi here.”

She laughed, then grimaced in pain. “Sai heard from Inspector Asano the male shinobi think we are very successful. They will be sorely disappointed when they find out the truth. Towards the end, I was sending all the money we got from working as shinobi to the clan, keeping none of it for us, even though we are entitled to half. We have been living on the income from the kimono shop. Actually, for the past few months, I have even sent some money from the shop to the clan, too.”

If I know men, when the male shinobi find out, they will make us keep working in the shop and keep the profits for themselves. Which they will spend on saké and gambling.

She shook her head sadly. “If we are the most successful shinobi in Edo, there truly is no future for our way of life.”

She watched the flames. “The other option is to forget you are shinobi and just run the shop. My will leaves it to the three of you.” Akiyo-sensei fell silent and her eyes closed. She breathed deeply for a few moments and rested.

After gathering her strength, she opened her eyes again. “The clan does not know of the shop. They will never find you if you choose to abandon your role as shinobi and become shopgirls, but you will never be able to go back and visit your families. You must sever all contact with the clan.”

I looked at Hanae and Kaguya. That would be hard for them. Their families were shinobi. They had not seen their families in years, but they could return once they had worked off their contracts. Never being able to see them again would be a heavy blow.

“Whatever decision you make, you must all be in agreement. Think about it carefully. You needn’t decide right now, but you should make your choices soon.” She closed her eyes and lay back again, exhausted.

I don’t want things to change.

I leaned over and patted Akiyo-sensei on the hand. “You’re not going to die, sensei. We don’t have to decide anything right now.”

She opened her eyes a fraction. In an even softer voice, she said, “Even if I survive, it is time for you to decide your fates. I am too old to remain in this position much longer.” She closed her eyes again. “Bring me that medicine. And Sai,” she opened her eyes and looked at me sharply, “you still have a job to do. You should be on your way to meet Yujirō-san.”

*****

I stared blankly at my scroll. I was supposed to be practicing some characters, but I couldn’t remember which ones. Emiko-sensei’s voice droned in the background, but all I could think of was Akiyo-sensei. I wanted to be at the kimono shop with her, not here at the Academy. I knew there was nothing I could do for her the other two girls couldn’t, but I still wanted to be there.

Akiyo-sensei’s words haunted me. “Each of you is free to choose your own fate. You have at least two options.”

Forget I am a shinobi. Can I? Knowing how easy it is to kill, knowing it will solve so many problems, can I not do it?

Yes, I decided. I was tired of killing. More importantly, I was tired of killing simply because someone else told me to. I resolved never to kill again.

What would Akiyo-sensei say if she saw you like this? You have a job Sai, do it. Don’t let her down.

I straightened in my seat on the floor, determined to do my duty for Akiko-sensei.

Voices shouted outside the Academy. Everyone turned around to look. Running feet echoed in the courtyard and three men carrying constables’ jutte burst into the room.

“Everyone out,” they shouted, grabbing boys and dragging them out the door.

There was no time to get our things. Anyone not already running for the door was snatched up and thrown out. Emiko-sensei tried to object and was dragged out as well. We stood outside and watched as they threw desks aside, spilling ink on the tatami. Several of the younger boys were stifling sobs, terrified by the appearance and tactics of the secret police. Emiko-sensei gathered them close to her, whispering assurances. The police began pulling up tatami mats. My gut clenched in fear as I realized what they were after.

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I hope Hitoshi got rid of everything.

I searched for my brother among the men being herded out of the Workers Association building. Hitoshi came out and saw them searching the Academy. He smiled.

I relaxed a bit. Yujirō-san also came out, his face angry. He strode over to where the oyabun spoke with a well-dressed samurai. The oyabun was demanding an explanation for the raid.

Inside the Confucius Academy building, the police had pulled up all the tatami and enough floorboards to conclusively demonstrate there were no weapons anywhere. As the searchers abandoned their efforts, the samurai walked away from the oyabun and stomped up the steps to the Academy classroom. He stared inside at the pulled up mats and floorboards and the bare dirt exposed by the search.

His face contorted in fury. “ASANO!”

Inspector Asano ran up and bowed deeply. The samurai spoke to Asano, gesticulating angrily. When he finished, Asano gave another deep bow and walked over to the searchers milling about in confusion.

Inspector Nasty there must be Inspector Asano’s boss. But, now what are they up to now? Why don’t they just leave?

Asano began pointing at various policemen, then indicated various places around the property. Each constable Asano pointed to gathered up a group of men. These small groups scattered about the premises and began searching every building in the compound.

Inspector Asano himself led four constables into the main Workers Association headquarters building.

Constables at the gates of the Association prevented anyone from leaving. I sat down on the ground and tried to make myself comfortable.

We are going to be here all day at this rate.

The sound of ragged breathing caught my attention. Emiko-sensei stood almost next to me, perfectly still, her eyes closed, and whispering to herself. She was trembling.

I looked at Yujirō. He didn’t show any particular emotion, but I thought I could detect a tension in his stance.

I raised my hand to my mouth.

I never told Emiko-sensei or Yujirō about Inspector Asano’s warning about the raid. I thought if Hitoshi got rid of the weapons, everything would be fine.

What do they know that I don’t? What have I missed?

I stood and walked over to Emiko-sensei. Taking her hand, I said, “Everything will be fine, sensei.”

Please, let it be fine.

She gave me a wan smile, but her eyes stayed glued on the entrance to the headquarters. As we waited, her grip on my hand grew tighter until it felt like she was trying to crush my fingers.

One policeman came dashing out of the headquarters clutching something in his hand. He presented it to Inspector Nasty, who studied the object carefully.

Emiko-sensei gave a sharp intake of breath and her grip on my hand slowly loosened.

Inspector Nasty walked over Yujirō and shoved a statue under his nose, shaking it in front of him.

“Do you know what this is?” Inspector Nasty demanded.

Yujirō grabbed the Inspector by the wrist, halting the waving hand. He inspected the white statue carefully, then let go of the Inspector’s wrist. ”It looks like a bodhisattva,” he said, in a bored tone. “A representation of Kannon, the Buddha of mercy. Specifically, this appears to be the Koyasu Kannon, an avatar of Kannon associated with motherhood and childbirth. If you are in need of instruction on the Kannon, perhaps you should talk to a Buddhist monk. I am not the most learned man in these matters, being a simple ronin.”

I held my hand over my mouth, trying very hard not to giggle.

Inspector Nasty glared at Yujirō. “So, you don’t think this is a Maria Kannon, a secret symbol of the Christians?”

Yujirō opened his eyes wide and took a half-step back, his mouth open in astonishment. “The Koyasu Kannon is a secret Christian symbol? We need to notify the monasteries and temples throughout the nation.”

Low chuckles came from some of the watching police.

Inspecter Nasty glared at his men, and the chuckles immediately ceased. “I have a way to settle this.” He raised his voice. “Inspector Asano!”

In just a few moments, Inspector Asano came trotting out of the main headquarters. He ran up to his superior and gave another bow. “Yes, sir.”

“Asano, bring me a fumi-e.”

Oh no.

I had seen fumi-e before. They were tablets with either a picture of a man being crucified or a woman with a baby. They were supposed to be sacred to Christians. Although, I couldn’t imagine why anyone would want a picture of a man being crucified. Whenever the government suspected Christians, they made everyone walk on those tablets. I have heard that Christians get so upset that you can tell even if they do step on the icons, but I have never seen anyone refuse. Maybe I have never known any Christians before.

What will Emiko and Yujirō do if they are told to step on something sacred to them?

I snuck a glance at Emiko-sensei. She was standing stiff as a board, and her face had gone very pale.

Inspector Asano bowed again. “I regret, sir, we did not bring one.”

“Asano, you idiot! Why not?” shouted his boss.

“If you will recall sir, we were told we were looking for an illegal weapons cache and we needed to be prepared for problems with chonin troublemakers. No one said anything about Christians, sir.”

Inspector Nasty’s face reddened. Finally, he choked out, “Then send for one.”

Inspector Asano gave another quick bow, turned around and shouted at a police courier, who set off out the gate at a dead run.

Yujirō studied Inspector Nasty’s face for a time, his head cocked to one side. Finally, he said, “My grandfather is going to have you chopped up into little pieces and fed to the shogun’s dogs for this. Do you think he will stand idly by and let you arrest me on some trumped-up charge?”

Inspector Nasty snapped. “The Tiger in the Shadows is just a foolish old man without power or influence. He is not as feared as you seem to think.” The police standing around had averted their gaze as Yujirō and the Inspector talked. The Inspector pointed to the group of men standing closest to him. “Arrest this ronin on charges of being a Christian. Bring him to the machi-bugyō.”

The group of police approached Yujirō cautiously. People nearby tried to move away, but the police wouldn’t let anyone leave the courtyard. I held my breath.

This is no place for a battle.

Yujirō looked around at the teachers and students of the Confucius Academy and the chonin from the Workers Association. Very slowly, he reached into his obi and slid his katana and wakizashi out of his belt, careful to hold them by the middle of their sheaths, never letting his hands get near the hilts. After he drew them free, he held them out in front of him, offering them to the police. “You may take my weapons.”

Inspector Asano stepped forward, bowed, and took Yujirō’s katana and wakizashi. After checking further through Yujirō’s garments, Asano reached inside Yujirō’s kimono and pulled out two tantō.

Asano nodded to the nearby constables, who moved up and surrounded Yujirō.

“Wait,” Emiko-sensei cried. “He didn’t even know the kannon was there. It’s mine!”

“Emiko, no,” Hitoshi yelled.

“The kannon is mine,” Yujirō stated calmly. “It was hidden in a purple silk bag secreted at the point above the firepit where the ceiling joist crossbeams meet. Emiko-sensei couldn’t even reach where it was hidden. I had to climb up onto the bench to put it there.”

Inspector Nasty’s gaze swept in confusion between Emiko and Yujirō. He looked to Inspector Asano wordlessly.

Diffidently, Inspector Asano said, “Yujirō-san described the location of the item precisely. It seems unlikely that the girl could have put anything that high among the beams.”

Inspector Nasty still seemed torn.

Yujirō became a bit impatient with him. “Your own inspector has told you she was incapable of either hiding or retrieving the bag from its hiding place. Arrest me and let us end this farce.”

The Inspectors face hardened at Yojirō’s words.

“Arrest them both.”

“No!” Hitoshi screamed. He moved to interpose himself between the constables and Emiko. Several of the Association members tried to stop him, but he shoved them roughly aside. A constable carrying a staff finally drove the butt of the weapon into Hitoshi’s stomach. Hitoshi doubled over and fell to his knees.

I forced myself to stay still. If Yujirō could surrender calmly, I could do no less.

At least for now.

Inspector Nasty took Yujirō’s weapons from Inspector Asano. “Send a squad to the home of the Tiger in the Shadows to search for evidence of Christian practices. This treason must not be allowed to continue,” he ordered.

No!

Asano froze for a moment, then gave another deep bow. He turned to a young, well-dressed samurai and gestured to him. "Take care of it."

I was in a panic. What was I supposed to do?

I need to warn the Tiger in the Shadows of the coming raid. I need to keep Hitoshi from doing something stupid. I need to save Yujirō-san. I can’t do them all. What should I do?

I felt Yujirō’s eyes on me. When I looked up, he glanced over at the front gate and silently mouthed “grandfather.” Then he faced back forward, his face once again emotionless as if the whole procedure just bored him.

I steadied my breathing.

You have a job to do, Sai. Do it.

Looking for a way out without being seen, I moved to the back of the group.

Asano must have seen our exchange because he suddenly began shouting and pushing people into movement. “Everyone line up. Over there!” The crowd milled around in confusion. “Not that way. Over here!” Asano shoved people toward the headquarters. Several policemen joined in, but all in different directions. It was chaos.

In the confusion, it was easy to slip beneath a nearby building. I crawled under the floor, then scuttled to a walkway, following it to an annex. When the noise died down, I stuck my head out just far enough to scan my surrounding. There was no one in sight.

Now all I have to do is climb a wall twice my height. And outrun the police.