The characters of the Ranma 1/2 universe are the
creation and possession of the brilliant Rumiko
Takahashi. They belong to Rumiko Takahashi and her
licensees (Shogakukan Inc., Kitty-Fuji TV, Viz
Communications Inc.) No copyright infringement is
intended.
I would like to thank my pre-readers, Angel-san, Jane-san, and
Megan-san. Without their dedicated and tireless efforts this
fanfiction would have been much poorer. I can not thank you enough.
So I wrote you into the story.
I would also like to add that they are talented writers in
their own right, and I hope that they will consent to a MSTing of
Friends. (Their C&C was better than the story.
^_^)
Additionally I would like to thank my newest pre-reader
Ruthless-san, who helped straighten out my fractured grammar
and pointed out several problems in the dialogue. ^_^
Many thanks also to the readers who contributed C&C to the first
few chapters of Friends that I sent to the mailing list. Thank you
all for your help.
As always, any errors or omissions are mine.
C&C is appreciated and encouraged.
***********************************************************
With Friends Like These . . .
Chapter 3 of 8
"You stand funny. Move feet more like this."
Akane copied Shan Pu's stance.
"Like this?"
"Not so bad. Now try defend," Shan Pu's fist was on its way toward
Akane's gut, "from low strike."
Even as Shan Pu struck, Akane was moving away from the blow,
her right hand slapping aside Shan Pu's 'Stone Breaker' fist; her own
left hand moving in a 'Spear Point' strike for Shan Pu's temple.
Shan Pu was faster. HER right hand rebounded from Akane's
blocking strike to grasp Akane's 'Spear Point' just behind the wrist.
Left hand coming up under Akane's elbow, Shan Pu lifted and
rotated the limb, hyper-extending it. Off balance Akane was helpless
to resist as Shan Pu continued moving in the direction of her 'Spear
Point' strike. Akane went sailing across the doujou to slam into the
wall and fall limply to the floor.
With an expression of disgust, Shan Pu stalked over to the limp
form lying on the floor like a pile of discarded rags.
"Stupid Akane. You no listen. Shan Pu tell and tell but you
no listen. You lose center---you lose battle."
There was no response from the crumpled figure.
"Hey . . .stupid girl . . .you no get hurt from little blow like
that? Amazon man-child tougher than that."
Cautiously Shan Pu toed the crumpled figure, suspecting a trap.
"Ha . . .slow , clumsy---weak Akane. Real warrior not
eeeeeeeeeeep!"
Shan Pu squawked as the twisted figure suddenly erupted from the
floor; one hand knifing between her legs, the other grasping her
shoulder in a powerful grip as she folded in two. Before Shan Pu
could recover from this sudden attack, she found herself whirling
around and around in a maneuver familiar to any devotee of
American Pro-Wrestling.
Knowing she had only a moment before Shan Pu recovered
and started playing temari with her head Akane took two quick steps
toward the Doujou door and heaved. Shan Pu felt a brief slithery
sensation of silk as she and her dress parted company---cool air on
bare skin, and a vision of the Koi pond just before---
"Mrrrrrrooooooowwww!"
"Don't complain to ME. You lost fair and square."
"Mrrrrr. Rooooowwwwl!!"
"OH! You take that back." Akane stalked angrily forward,
Shan Pu's dress draped over one arm. "I did NOT cheat. That was a
perfectly legitimate ruse. It's not MY fault if you let your guard
down."
"Rrrrrrr.Owwwwww. Mrrrroooowl?"
"Huh! I am NOT a pervert! What about when you tickled
me half to death? I . ." Akane replied virtuously. " . . .was just
keeping your clothes dry."
"Mraaa aaaa choooo!"
Akane reached out and snagged the still spitting cat buy the
scruff and hauled her out of the water.
"Come on out before you catch cold. You can complain
later. And remember our deal. YOU win I wash your hair. I win and
you teach me to cook."
The small sopping cat gave a pitiful mewwl and looked at
Akane with pleading eyes.
"NO I do NOT want any 'Secret Techniques'" Akane
retorted. "Our deal was cooking lessons. Besides, why would I want
to breath fire?"
The tiny cat drooped dejectedly, a small tear of despair
dropping from one eye as it was carried triumphantly inside toward the
'Kitchen of Doom'.
Neither combatant sensed that they were being observed .
Comfortably seated in a custom fitted swivel chair mounted on a
rooftop over two thousand meters distant a leotard clad figure
punched the rewind button on one of a dozen professional video
recorders. Pushing gently with one bare foot she spun in a lazy circle
waiting for the tape to rewind.
The fidelity was truly amazing for cameras and transmitters
that, together, were smaller than a 100 Yen coin. The hard part had
been placing them all; but that was merely a matter of money. That
and waiting until the Tendou slut was safely out of the house. She
would play the tapes back later. Those from the hidden camera's and
also from the telescope she'd mounted on the roof. But they didn't
matter really. She had seen enough over the past week. She knew
what she had to do.
******************************************************
Tendou Akane skipped along the street swinging her book bag,
occasionally twirling in a joyful circle, enjoying the feel of her
skirt swirling around her legs. Tossing her bag high into the air, she
spun in a huge circle watching her bag hang in the air, framed by blue
sky and white, white clouds. She was sure that NEVER in all Japan's
long history had there ever been a bluer sky, fluffier clouds. Never
had the smell of cherry blossoms been so sweet.
She hugged herself in delight then snapped her arms out with
a little squeal of fright snagging her bag just before it hit the
ground. Flushing a little in embarrassment she glanced around to see
if anyone had observed her almost mistake. She giggled to herself as
she realized it didn't matter if her bag smashed against the ground.
If she embarrassed herself it was nothing and less than nothing.
Her rice . . .her rice had been . . .her rice had been---Okay!
Ruth-sensei had said so. In her mind Akane played back the scene from
her domestic science class. . . the small wooden bowl . . .the white
puffy grains . . . slightly sticky. Sensei taking the bowl . . .the
chopsticks reaching down . . . a small clump of the white goodness
passing Sensei's lips. And then the words . . .the words she'd longed
to hear for so long:
"Tendou Akane . . .rice dish Okay."
She would have to something nice for Shan Pu she thought.
The incongruity of the thought made her laugh out loud. Who would
ever have thought that she would LIKE Shan Pu. But over the past
week Shan Pu had gone from . . .well from whatever she'd been to
being a friend. Or more than a friend.
She'd been a little suspicious of what Shan Pu was up to at
first. But Shan Pu had been so patient with her cooking mistakes. And
she'd really spared with her. Not just dodging, like Ranma. Shan Pu
had been spending a lot of time with her, almost like the sister she'd
never had.
She loved Kasumi and Nabiki; but Kasumi was more like
a mother than a sister. And Nabiki . . .well she loved Nabiki but she
didn't always LIKE her. Or, at least, she didn't like the things she
did. And she certainly didn't understand her.
But Shan Pu . . .over the past several days Shan Pu had treated
her like an equal . . .like a martial artist. And she'd been so nice.
There'd been a cooking lesson every day, even when Akane lost (which
had been often.) The only difference being that Akane had to wash
Shan Pu's hair first when she lost.
Even that had been fun with a lot of splashing and giggling and
gossiping (about martial arts techniques). It reminded Akane of the
times with her sisters when she was younger. Before---her mind shied
like a frightened horse from thoughts of those dark times.
Akane had friends but Shan Pu was her first martial artist friend
and that made her special. And the cooking lessons just made it better.
She almost dreaded Ranma and the others coming home.
When everyone got back Akane would go back to being the
youngest daughter, the baby sister the fianc�. But she had several
weeks yet. Until they did get back she could continue to be herself
----to be Akane.
Frowning to herself she tried to calculate how much time she
might have left. Ranma's training trips always lasted a long time
(privately Akane thought her father and Uncle Genma had wanted an
excuse to get out of fixing the roof), Kasumi was visiting a sick
friend in Hokkaidou and Nabiki . . .Akane frowned. She wasn't sure
exactly where Nabiki was. She'd said something about visiting friends
in Honsu. That meant at least a week before - - -the sound of battle
jerked her out of her musing.
"DIE ----you cheating . . .!"
"Oh ho ho ho! The Black Rose is not so easily defeated."
Kodachi? Akane pulled herself over the fence to see Kuno
Kodachi facing off against an even dozen black clad figures. As she
watched Akane saw Kodachi blind an opponent with a spray of black
petals.
Another two were felled with a quick double snap of her ribbon.
Like black lightning, Kodachi flashed among her attackers striking,
vanishing, and reappearing to strike again. Her chilling laugh filled
the air like cold wind off a graveyard.
Shivering in distaste at Kodachi's underhanded fighting (she
winced at Kodachi flicked her ribbon in an opponents eyes before
smashing them between the legs with a gymnastic club) Akane
nevertheless admired her smooth flowing grace . . .like water over
stones . . .like a forest fire sweeping all before it . . .like - - -
With a shrill soprano scream Kodachi collapsed as one of her
attackers smashed her behind the knee. At once the figures still
standing swarmed the fallen Kodachi like jackals on a wounded
lioness.
For a moment Akane remained frozen, unable to believe
that Kodachi had really been beaten ----waiting for Kodachi to burst
forth, laughing at how she'd tricked her enemies. Another moment
passed with Kodachi still on the ground and the air filled with the
sounds of fists and feet thudding into unresisting flesh.
"HEY!" Akane jumped down from the fence. "HEY---
that's enough. Stop that!" No one paid any attention to her shouts.
She did get their attention when she grabbed the first one and threw
him half way across the field. One of the figures tried to shove
Akane out of the way. His hand hit Akane on the breast. Her fist hit
him much lower. Screaming in a voice only dogs could hear he fell to
the ground.
"HENTAIIIIII!!"
Screaming the Tendou war cry Akane scattered the black clad
figures like dandelion fluff in a typhoon. Chest heaving, hands
fisted at her side Akane watched the last of the attackers flee the
field, carrying their wounded with them.
"Kodachi? Hey . . .Kodachi. Are you all right?" Akane
knelt in the dirt beside the tattered and bloody figure. Running her
hands over Kodachi's prone form she couldn't feel any broken
bones. But there could be internal injuries.
"Kodachi . . .can you hear me? I'm going to get help. I'll be
right back."
A hand weakly grasped the hem of her skirt as she
started to rise.
"Don't . . .don't leave me."
"I've got to get help. You could be bleeding inside. Or your
back---You could have a back injury. I'll call an ambulance and---"
"no . . .no doctor . . .no hospital."
"That's crazy! You've got to go to the hospital."
"no hospital . . .my mother died . . .in hospital."
Akane went cold hearing that faint whisper. HER mother had - - -
"please . . . i'm afraid."
Akane couldn't resist the weakly pleading voice.
"Can you move your legs. Can you feel this?" Akane
watched as Kodachi moved her limbs at Akane's command.
"Okay . . ." Gently she bent to lift the fallen Kodachi in her
arms. "I'll take you . . ." Akane thought a moment. They were near
her house. "I'll take you home. You can call someone from there."
"thank . . .thank you."
Akane started home at a slow jog. A brief sound caused her to look
down in concern.
"Did I hurt you? Are you alright?"
"no . . .i'm fine." Kodachi whispered, looking up into Akane's
concerned face. "i'm just fine." Kodachi repeated, lowering her lashes
to hide the gleam of triumph in her eyes.
******************************************************
"What SHE doing here?" Shan Pu indicated the recumbent
Kodachi with a jerk of her chin.
"Some goons beat her up. She was afr . . .ummm she didn't
want to go to the hospital so I brought her here. I've called her
house, but no one answers the phone."
Shan Pu scowled. She was willing to bet there wouldn't be an
answer from the Kuno estate for a good long while. She knew what
Kodachi was up to, she just wasn't sure what to do about it. Before
she could think of something Akane looked at her watch and gave
an exclamation of disgust.
"OH RATS! Look at the time."
Startled, Shan Pu pulled away from contemplating Kodachi to
look at the watch Akane had thrust beneath her nose.
"We're not going to have time to spar now . . .you have to
get back to the Nekohaten."
"That Okay. Shan Pu stay late today."
"Oh could you . . ." Akane started happily, then shook her
head. "This is your busiest time. I don't want you to get in trouble
with Cu Lon."
Shan Pu started to disagree, then realized Akane was right.
Missing the dinner crowd would lead to awkward questions from
her great-grand-mother. She hadn't told Cu Lon about her
arrangement with the voice because . . .because . . .She wasn't sure
why. Whether she was afraid Cu Lon would interfere. Or if she
was more afraid that Cu Lon would approve. And until she decided
she couldn't afford Cu Lon asking questions.
"You right Akanechan." Shan Pu smirked inwardly as she
saw Kodachi's features tighten at Shan Pu's use of the familiar.
"Shan Pu go now.." She paused as if realizing something. "But I
come early tomorrow. Tomorrow Sunday. I come very early. We
spend all day together." She shot a sly glance at the silently fuming
Kodachi. "I teach new technique. One that make you fast. Plus we
try new cooking. You ready for special fancy cooking."
"OH! Oh that would be great " Akane's face lit up with
such innocent joy that Shan Pu grinned back in sympathetic
response, forgetting her purpose for a moment. In fact she so far
forgot her purpose that when Akane's face fell Shan Pu was
genuinely distressed. "What the matter Akanechan. Why sad?"
"Kodachi." Akane stage whispered. "It's getting so late. As hurt
as she is I think she better stay the night and rest. And our practice
is so noisy . . ."
Out of Akane's sight Kodachi shot a look of triumph at
Shan Pu.
"Shan Pu be very quiet. Quiet as grave." Akane completely
missed the savage look Shan Pu shot at Kodachi. "If Kodachi still
sick, Shan Pu know many remedy. Old Amazon medicine cure all
illness." Shan Pu stared directly at Kodachi . "Amazon medicine fix
all problems. Fix good."
******************************************************
"The Ginza? I don't know . . . Shan Pu and I usually practice in
the morning."
"OH . . .but you must let me---"
"What must let do?" Shan Pu hopped over the wall and stood in the
Kuno compound garden staring at Kodach and Akane. "Find note
Akanechan leave. Akanechan no do nothing she not want do."
Kodachi's lips tightened infinitesimally but the smile never left
her face (and never quite reached her eyes.)
"I was just asking Akane to let me take her shopping at the Ginza
and then to lunch, in appreciation for saving my life yesterday."
"Window shopping and pork bun pretty cheap for saving life . . .
but you know best what worth." Shan Pu grinned evilly at the dig.
Kodachi took a deep breath, then another. She would not let this
. . .this creature bait her. The stakes were too high. And once her
darling Ranmasama were her's, then she would take care of the Amazon.
Yes and that peasant cook person too.
"Not just window shopping." Kodachi gave a well bred chuckle at
the Amazon's naivete. "I wish for Akanesan to have some little
token of appreciation, in remembrance of her heroism. Something to
commemorate a deed worthy of the best Samurai traditions.
Akane blushed at the flattery . . .Shan Pu looked narrowly at
Kodachi as she continued the fulsome praise.
"Naturally no material object can adequately recompense for so
noble a deed. This is instinctively understood by the better clas
. . .well this is understood by persons such as Akanesan." Kodachi
looked pityingly at Shan Pu.
"Not being Japanese YOU could not be expected to understand
the natural bond that exists between those of the Samurai class. And
after shopping, I shall take my DEAR FRIEND to an eating establishment
worthy of her grace and refinement."
"Look pretty good for so beat up just yesterday . . .You make very
fast recovery. Please share secret."
Before Kodachi could respond Akane broke in.
"Shan Pu . . .why don't you come with us?" Akane was oblivious
to the look the two girls exchanged over her head. "I know we were
supposed to practice, but I'd really like to get you something nice."
Akane pressed her fingers together in a nervous gesture. "I . . .uh
. . .well you've been so nice and I haven't . . .that is . . ."
Before Shan Pu could answer, she was interrupted by a ringing.
Kodachi dipped into a pocket and pulled out a cell-phone.
"MoshiMoshi. Yes, she's here." Kodachi handed the phone to a
surprised Shan Pu. After a sharp rapid exchange in Chinese Shan Pu
handed the phone back to Kodachi.
"Great-grandmother call. Many people in Nekohaten. Many take-out
order. She say Shan Pu must come now. Help serve . . .help delivery."
Shan Pu glared at Kodachi. "Very unusual number order this time of day.
Never have so many customer before."
"How dreadful." Kodachi's voice dripped sympathy. "Now you won't
be able to come with us. And I was SO looking forward to your
company."
"That's terrible Shan Pu." Akane agreed, missing Kodachi's tone
completely. "Maybe you can---"
"Yes, yes ---but we had better let Shan Pu go now. It wouldn't do
for her to be late for work." Shan Pu shot Kodachi a snarling look that
promised retribution and sprang over the wall. She didn't know how
Kodachi had arranged it but she was sure Kodachi had something to do
with this sudden upsurge in the Nekohaten's popularity.
"Shall we?" Kodachi gestured toward a door leading into the main
house from the gardens. "I thought you might like some refreshment
before we leave."
"What?" Akane was staring after the disappearing Shan Pu, a
distressed look on her face. "Oh, oh yes. Thank you that would be
nice." Akane paused a moment, then hesitantly broached a question.
"Ummm. . .Kodachi . . .why are you doing this? I mean . . .I'm not
exactly one of your favorite people. The last time I was here you
tried to feed me to Mr Turtle."
"Oh ho ho." Kodachi covered her sudden confusion with a laugh, a
technique that had served her well throughout her life. She hadn't
expected Akane to question her. She was supposed to be blinded by
Kodachi's generous condescending. What right did this peasant have to
question her?
"Ah, I suppose I have no right to expect otherwise than you would
be suspicious. There is always a natural antagonism between two
beautiful," Kodachi repressed a gag reflex. "women such as ourselves."
She glanced slyly at Akane and was gratified to notice a slight
pink tinge on her cheeks at Kodachi's words.
"Despite this inevitable conflict . . .it is only meet that I show
my gratitude and honor your great skill and courage in saving the last
daughter of the house of Kuno." Kodachi stopped and dropped to her
knees lowering her head to the floor in a gesture usually seen only in
old Samurai movies.
"I am greatly in your debt. Please allow me to do this thing
for you."
Tremendously embarrassed Akane tried to tug Kodachi to her
feet, all suspicions forgotten; just as Kodachi had planned.
"Please get up. I didn't mean . . ."
"Thank you. You are very generous. And now, I have had prepared
some tea and cakes that you may like. Our conveyance will be ready in a
few moments."
**********************************************************
As Kodachi poured tea into tiny china cups, and placed some
small cakes onto delicate plates, Akane let her gaze wander the
spacious room.
Delicate sixteenth century silk hangings clashed oddly with heavy
western style furniture of some dark wood. Against one wall she saw a
mostly complete set of haramaki style armor. Rare and beautiful jade
carvings, gold and silver ornaments filled every space in the room.
It was an oppressive and overwhelming display that somehow
combined the oppressive stuffiness of a museum with the artificial
sterility of a dentists waiting room.
Directly across from where she sat Akane could see a set of
six-paneled gold screens making up a willow-bridge painting, a
conventional theme with weeping willows standing beside a curving
wooden bridge.
This set was particularly beautiful, and caught her eye for some
reason. The willow branches on the left screen were hanging straight
while those on the right swayed, as if a breeze were blowing through
them. To the left was the moon; on the right, no moon.
Abruptly Akane realized the screens were depicting the transition
from night to day, the breeze being the first breath of dawn. As she
studied the screens she noticed the branches of the willows on the left
were bare while those of the right hand screens were sprouting young
leaves; winter passing into spring!
Excitedly Akane began to look for other hidden things. Then it hit
her; water wheels turning under the bridge, the bridge itself, a
traditional symbol of messengers from the other world, was curving
in a great arc toward the viewer.
Everything in the pictures was turning; dark to light, old to new,
the moment before glory. Abruptly Akane realized Kodachi was staring
at her, a strange look on her face.
"Please forgive me, " Akane said blushing at her inattentiveness.
"But I was admiring those screens. They're the most beautiful thing
I've ever seen."
"Thank you."
For a moment Akane sat uncomprehending. "YOU painted that?"
She blurted in disbelief. "But, it's so beautiful." Akane said
excitedly. "You are extremely talented."
Kodachi's features tightened and Akane suddenly realized she'd
unthinkingly spoken as if she had a right to judge the worth of
Kodachi's work, or worse,as if she were Kodachi's superior.
"Forgive me. Please forgive me. I only meant to say that I admired
your work. How beautiful it is. And I wanted ---"
"There is nothing to forgive." Kodachi made a dismissive gesture.
"As the one who preserved the life of the daughter of house Kuno,
who better has the right to judge her worth?" There was a slight edge
to the words.
Before Akane could respond the air shuddered as a Bell Jet
Ranger dropped into the grounds with a great WHOP- WHOP-WHOP
sound. Bundling her guest into the helicopter Kodachi gave the pilot
orders and off they flew to the Ginza.
**********************************************************
"THIS is all you want?" Kodachi pointed to the small bundle in
Akane's arms. The fruits of an entire mornings intensive shopping.
Hours of Kodachi's efforts to entice Akane with clothing, makeup,
jewelry. After all that to find Akane with---
"Brushes!? You want---BRUSHES?" Kodachi's voice went up a little
on the last note.
"Ummm . . .Ink too . . . and paper. See?" Akane pulled her prizes
out of the wrapping and thrust them beneath Kodachi's nose. "But you
don't have to worry, I've already paid for them."
Kodachi held her temper with an effort. "But Akane - chan." She
said with the sweetness of a spider asking a fly over for a bite of
lunch. "YOU aren't supposed to pay for these things. _I_ am supposed
to get _you_ a gift for saving my life."
"OH . . .well . . .about that." Akane stumbled a bit over her
words. "Ummm . .if you don't mind . . .that is . . .if you could . . ."
"Yesssss."
Get to the point you stupid bitch----and quit wasting my valuable
time. That's what she wanted to say. But of course she could not. The
plan. The plan . . .the plan. . .the plan. Chanting this mantra, and
thinking of her darling Ranmasama helped her endure.
" . . . .so if you don't mind . . . I mean if you have the time
. . ." Akane noticed Kodachi eyes were beginning to glaze and finished
in a rush:
"WouldyoupleaseteachmetopaintIwontbeanytroubleandI'llwork
reallyhardbutitwassobeautifulandI'dreallylikeyoutoteachmeplease."
Black spots dancing before her eyes Akane sucked in a great gulp
of air while Kodachi struggled to translate.
"You . . .Want ME . . .To teach YOU . . . To paint?"
"And calligraphy too, if you don't mind?" Akane looked at Kodachi
with such hopeful pleading in her eyes that only a selfish, unfeeling
monster could have resisted.
Kodachi was _not_ a monster.
Teach YOU? Kodachi thought savagely. TEACH YOU! ----
harlot, whore, man-stealing bitch. I'd rather see you in hell----you
illiterate, ignorant peasant. The Kamisama himself couldn't teach you
to find your bottom with both hands.
She was, however, selfish, spoiled, arrogant and completely self-
centered.
"I would be _happy_ to teach you a lesson----in calligraphy."
And an extremely accomplished prevaricator.
"OH, thank you Kodachi. Thank you." Akane said excitedly, grabbing
Kodachi in a spontaneous hug. "You won't regret this."
"I'm sure I will not." Kodachi replied, controlling her revulsion
at Akane's touch with comforting thoughts of re-introducing Akane to
Mr. Turtle. "Now, I think we should have lunch."
**********************************************************
"Do you know anyone who eats here?"
Kodachi's conversation with the owner of the Doi, a lavish
restaurant in the eastern hills of Kyoto, was not going well.
"I am Kuno Kodachi. That I honor your establishment with my
presence should be---"
"I am very sorry." Her soft voice did not sound in the least
sorry. "But I must respectfully advise you to --- forget it!"
Stunned at the politely disguised brush-off Kodachi could only
stare after the departing owner in mounting fury. Before she could act
on that fury, an act that would likely have landed her in court or
worse, Akane laid a hand on her arm.
"I'm sorry. I could have told you if I'd known what you wanted.
You're ichigen, an out-of-towner. Most places in Kyoto are like this,
wouldn't let the Emperor himself in without an introduction from a
regular customer.
Kodachi couldn't believe it. How dare they! This had never
happened before. In Tokyo they recognized the name Kuno and were
properly deferential.
"You're not in Tokyo." Akane said sympathetically. Kodachi
realized in startled embarrassment she'd spoken aloud.
"This is Kyoto. Here, things are a little . . .different." Akane
thought for a moment. "Come on. I know a perfect place. The Doi's too
stuffy anyway."
Bemused Kodachi followed her new guide, only realizing later
from Akane's statement that SHE must have eaten at the Doi before.
Digesting this unpalitable thought Kodachi followed docilely Some time
later she found herself in a older part of the city, not far(according
to Akane) from the geisha district of Gion. Walking down the narrow
streets Akane gave a little running commentary on what they saw.
Kyoto had been, Akane said, the center of crafts such
as woodwork, silk weaving and dying and lacquer ware. Even though
most of the old city had been destroyed, by the town council in a
deliberate act of self-hatred for anything 'traditional', Akane knew of
a few places that still kept the old ways. This was one of them.
All of the shops were intensely specialized. Here Kodachi
saw a store selling beans; in front of the shop were four trays,
displaying black, white, red and purple beans. Nothing else.
In another display window Kodachi saw a gourd-shaped
vase on a red lacquer stand. From the vase a single flower stretched
forth. Next to it hung a scroll with a whimsical paining of a flower.
It was, Akane informed Kodachi, the shop of Kusakasama, one of Japan's
premier scroll mounters. An expert in ancient script, and other
antiquities.
Kodachi was a Tokyo-ite, rarely leaving the environs of the
metropolis. This walking tour of old Kyoto had all the fascination of
an excursion to Mars. Finally they came to Imamiya Shrine where two old
aburi mochi shops faced each other. Entering one of the shops Akane
bowed and murmured something to the owner.
As Kodachi watched rice cakes were put on bamboo skewers,
covered with sweet miso sauce, then grilled over charcoal. Kodachi
couldn't believe it when Akane motioned her to join her in a tatami
room. Gingerly sitting on the old tattered mats, looking around at the
shabby room and gardens, she was appalled.
"I love it here." Akane suddenly announced, taking a bite of her
sweet rice cake. "Tokyo smells of money . . .everything is polished and
sterile. And the Kyoto city council has destroyed most of the old city
in an effort to 'modernize'. But this." Akane waved at the old tattered
room, the gardens worn with age and use. "This is beautiful . . .you
can tell that it's loved and appreciated."
Almost against her will Kodachi was drawn under the spell of the
old town . . .eating the sweet rice cakes, talking leisurely of nothing
at all. As the shadows lengthened and the soft golden glow of the
setting sun was replaced by the silver light of the rising moon Kodachi
realized how much she was enjoying this quiet moment.
She made a mental note to ask the "voice" not to make Akane's
death too painful.