Toge looked back down at the ground. ‘The gaijin samurai is … dead.’

Jack and his friends held their ground, stunned by Toge’s reversal.

The samurai studied the farmer with suspicion. ‘Where’s the body then?’

Toge struggled for an answer.

The samurai jingled the coins in his hand. ‘Alive or dead, he’s still worth four koban.’

Yoshi shuffled forward. ‘As much as we want to serve our Shogun, the gaijin was killed by Akuma during the battle. Unfortunately, both their bodies were burnt in the fire.’

The samurai grabbed Toge by the hair and wrenched his head back to face him.

‘I should cut out your tongue for wasting our time.’ He threw the farmer to the floor with disgust. ‘If the gaijin samurai is dead, our job is done. But no body, no reward.’

Turning on his heel, he pocketed the four koban and mounted his horse. The samurai gave one last look around the square. For a moment, he stared directly at the rice store. Then he urged his horse on and the ten samurai warriors rode out of the village.

‘That was close,’ said Saburo, sheathing his sword. ‘At least now the samurai won’t be looking for you, Jack.’

‘I’m afraid you’re wrong,’ said Sora, shaking his head with regret. ‘Samurai never believe us farmers. They’ll be back.’

61 Fugitives

61

FUGITIVES

Early next morning, Sora helped Jack gather the supplies he needed for the long journey south to Nagasaki. With every chance that daimyo Ikeda’s samurai would return, Jack decided he had to leave as soon as possible.

While the old farmer filled four straw containers with rice, Jack retrieved his pack from beneath the floorboards. Safe inside were Akiko’s black pearl, his four remaining shuriken and, most important of all, his father’s rutter. His thoughts once more turned to home and his sister, Jess.

Neko came over with some water and mochi. Kneeling before Jack, she gazed silently at him with doleful eyes.

I made these for you, she signed, and handed him the rice cakes.

Smiling gratefully, Jack took a bite of one. Filled with red bean paste, it was deliciously sweet.

Very tasty, signed Jack. You’re a good cook.

Neko bowed at the compliment, then signed, Are you coming back?

Jack shook his head.

Neko’s eyes welled with tears. Friends forever?

Jack signed, Yes, friends forever, and she beamed at him.

Getting to her feet, Neko joined Miyuki for another tearful goodbye.

Jack stowed the mochi, water and rice containers Sora had prepared in his pack. Picking up his red-handled samurai swords, he secured them in his obi and felt reassured by their presence on his hip. He was ready to go.

Yori and Saburo entered the farmhouse, their packs already on their backs.

‘You don’t have to come with me,’ said Jack, fearing for his friends. ‘This journey is going to be very dangerous.’