But someone clearly had anticipated their plans. Dressed in a crisp white kimono and equally pristine white hakama, the samurai waited and watched as the fishing boat pulled up at the beach’s little wooden jetty. Before the boat had even docked, Jack jumped from the prow and headed purposefully down the narrow pier. Striding up to the samurai, his hand resting upon the hilt of his katana, he looked straight into the man’s amber eyes and scarred face. Then with a deep bow Jack said in Japanese, ‘You honour us with your presence, Masamoto-sama.’

Smiling, his guardian inclined his head, then bowed too, holding it as a mark of respect and affection for the young samurai. ‘And you honour me with your return, Jack-san.’

In the rays of the evening sun the standing stone glowed fire-red. Jack sat against it, feeling the warmth of the rock and listening to the distant wash of the waves in the cove below. Their return to Toba and Akiko’s home had been all he’d hoped for. Akiko’s mother, Hiroko, had joyfully welcomed them with open arms, her delight at seeing her daughter once more reviving life into her lined face like the blooming of a flower. Akiko’s little brother Jiro, older and taller, had nonetheless been as excited as the first time he’d met Jack, and throughout the entire welcome meal was entranced by Jess’s blonde hair. Masamoto-sama had been his typical restrained and formal self, but even he couldn’t hide his eagerness upon seeing a rapier and securing Jack’s promise to teach him the Western way of the sword.

However, once the meal drew to a close and thoughts turned to bed, Jack desired a moment alone. To contemplate. So he’d strolled up to the headland, the temple’s tranquillity making it the perfect place to think of his father. Jack missed him with as much pain in his heart as the love he held for him. But were it not for his father, Jack would never have come to Japan. He would never have trained as a samurai. He would never have met his dear friends Yori and Akiko.

For all that he’d lost, he’d also gained.

A light crunch of footsteps upon the gravel path interrupted his thoughts.

‘May I join you?’ asked Akiko softly, appearing from behind the standing stone.

Jack smiled and nodded. ‘You never need ask.’

Akiko settled down next to him and together they watched the sun setting over the mountains and the last rays of light dancing over the rippling waters of the cove.