The next day rose grey and miserable. It was raining the whole night. Mud and dirty puddles were everywhere and black clouds threatened yet more rain.
A tent had been erected at Kaiko Hiroba, but the weather didn't encourage any happy disposition and moods were sour.
Both Perry and Hayashi arrived mid-morning with their respective entourages, both in their finest. With a great ceremony the documents were solemnly signed. It was agreed that the Treaty would be ratified by both sides within eighteen months.
Immediately after the documents were signed and copies exchanged, Commodore Perry presented Hayashi with the American flag.
"This is the highest expression of national courtesy and friendship I could offer." He stated with a bow.
"I am honoured." Hayashi received the gift with apparent gratitude and in turn invited the whole American delegation to enjoy a feast and entertainment especially arranged to celebrate this momentous event.
Commodore Perry accepted the invitation, announcing in turn his intentions to leave the next day to inspect the ports specified in the Treaty. "This party would be a suitable conclusion to our talks." He smiled.
By now the Americans were well acquainted with Japanese hospitality. They had even picked up a few words and were genuinely looking forward to a great party.
Anna, on the other hand, wasn't thrilled about it. She knew there would be a lot of saké involved and some girls afterwards. None of which really appealed to her. But her plan was to sneak out anyway before things would get too rough.
Especially, she didn't want to encounter a drunken Morrison! Although they were now on semi-friendly terms, she had no desire to be subjected to his attentions again.
While the feast was in full swing and everybody seemed to be having a great time, Anna stepped out onto the veranda. It was getting too hot inside.
"Ms Mitchell, we have done it!" She heard the voice of Captain Norton, who joined her. "What do you say to that?!" He was very pleased with himself.
Simultaneously to the official negotiations, the three bankers were conducting their own talks, arranging the exchange of goods to and from Japan. All gentlemen involved expected their shares to be worth a lot of money.
"You have certainly earned your fee." He added.
She smiled, knowing well that she wouldn't be claiming her payment. She was going to say something, but their conversation was interrupted by Mr Thomas, who 'very urgently' needed to talk to his best friend, Captain Norton.
Anna smiled to herself. It seemed that now was the time to sneak out and return to the inn.
She walked fast, with hunched shoulders, to avoid the cold wind and rain. She was thinking only about a bath and sleep. It was a long day.
In the corridor outside the living quarters she suddenly heard hurried steps from behind. She turned around to see Morrison approaching, only now realising that he must had followed her. She was angry with herself for not paying enough attention.
His face was flushed - with exertion or saké, it was difficult to say. Perhaps with both? But his eyes were focused and shone with a purpose.
"Commander Morrison." She started in a light tone. "Have you already tired of the party?"
He stopped in front of her and looked her straight in the eye with intensity. "I wanted to be alone with you." His voice was hoarse.
She tensed immediately, sensing danger. But surely, he wouldn't...
She wasn't able to finish her thought when Morrison stepped closer and grabbed her arm. "Anna, I must tell you..." His voice was still hoarse and he spoke with strange urgency. "I can't stop thinking about you. You must know that I need you! I want you like I've never wanted any woman!... Like I've never wanted anything!"
He pulled her towards him and embraced her tightly. He leaned forward and kissed her with all the passion and desire he had been suppressing for a long time now.
She literally froze.
But only for a second.
His arms around her were like chains and his lips felt cold, emotionless. With her free hand she reached behind and drew a hunting knife from the concealed sheath in her belt. In a move as fast as lightning she raised it and pressed the blade against his throat. "Let me go." She drawled in a deadly whisper.
It took him a second or two to process what had just happened, but his self-preservation instinct took over and he released her. His face paled in utmost surprise.
She stepped a few paces back and with a sleeve wiped her mouth. There was no mistaking the expression on her face. It was pure disgust.
"How dare you?!" She spat. "How dare you even touch me?! You despicable worm!... I would never let you close to me, even if my life depended on it!" Anger caused her to forego all caution.
He still looked at her without comprehension. "But... you were leading me on!" He exclaimed.
"No! I was just trying to be polite for the sake of appearances!"
His anger flared. "You still think he will come back for you!" Morrison instinctively knew where to stab to hurt her most.
A brief flicker of pain flashed in her eyes, but it disappeared instantly. She got angry again. He should not have said that! Her face crinkled in an ugly grin.
"The likes of you will never understand what it is to be a real man. Compared to him you are nothing!"
This hit him like a whip strike. He came for her again. This time with the pure instinct of a male who desires a female. There were no more pretences of feelings or tenderness. It was just pure physical want.
She stepped to the side, avoiding his outstretched arms and brandished her knife again. But he was beyond any reasoning now. He needed to overpower her and satisfy his lust at last. Nothing else mattered at that moment.
Relying on his physical strength, he lunged at her again, but this time she caught his arm and twisted it painfully, at the same time pressing the knife against his throat again. He struggled to free himself, but she applied more pressure, both on his arm and his throat and he stopped moving.
"Try to touch me again and I will kill you!" It wasn't a threat. It was a promise.
He tried to break away from her hold, but the knife pressed a little harder, breaking skin and drawing blood.
She then pushed him away.
"You..." He spat a curse.
"Well, well now, Commander." She smiled ironically. She had heard worse. "Where are your manners? Don't tell me you have never met a woman who can defend herself."
"You will pay for this!"
"Perhaps." She calmly agreed. "But you will never have the satisfaction of adding me to your 'spoils of war' list."
She could now see the hatred burning deep in his eyes. She was aware he would never forgive her for this humiliation.
Anna sheathed her knife, stepped carefully closer and with a well measured force she kneed him in the groin. It felt good!
"Good night, Commander. I hope you will think fondly about me." Laughing with contempt, she walked away.
Morrison stayed where he was, hunched over, unable to do anything in his agony. When he was finally able to draw a breath, he released a stream of curses aimed at Anna.
Kazuki, who had followed Morrison to the inn and witnessed the whole incident, invisible in his hiding spot, didn't understand the words, but was pretty sure of the content of soldier's outburst.
He had been prepared to assist Anna, but unnecessarily, as it appeared, so he watched the confrontation with a growing respect for her. He instinctively winced when she kneed the soldier, but he certainly appreciated her character.
Morrison started recovering and Kazuki feared he might be a problem in his state of agitation. He decided to prevent any further confrontations... At least for tonight.
He quietly stepped out from his hiding space and expertly hit the soldier on the back of his head. The man slumped and fell to the floor. Kazuki picked him by his arms and dragged him to one of the empty rooms.
Not sure of Anna's further plans, he followed her once more.
At least there had been some action tonight.
Enough to break the boredom...