The rest of the trip passed without any problems. They spoke rarely and only about the best route to choose that day. Kazuki seemed to know this part of the country quite well and when she told him the name of the village that was their destination, he knew of it.
Finally, after more than a week of hard walking, they arrived at the village of Katagami, which had been her home for nearly ten years.
The house of her adoptive parents was situated away from the main village, about half an hour walking.
With heart thumping in her chest, she walked slowly towards her home. What if they are gone?! The thought flashed through her mind.
But no. Even from this distance she could see fishing nets drying in the sun. And two people bent over something, working.
"Haha... OtÅsan..." She whispered, barely able to make any sound, choking on her words, as they approached.
The old couple couldn't have heard it, but instinctively must have felt someone's presence, because they looked up and both rose at the same moment, abandoning their work. With the experience of many years they judged the strangers to be socially above them and both fell to the ground in a low bow.
"Haha... OtÅsan..." Anna repeated a little louder, using the endearments she had used when she was a child. "It's me... Lottie."
They raised their heads in surprise, but when Anna took off her hat, they recognised her in an instant. She ran towards them and helped them get up. And then she bowed deeply to them.
"My child..." The elderly woman embraced her. She couldn't stop repeating: "My child... My Lottie..."
When both had their turn in hugging their 'girl' and finally were able to believe it was really her, they registered there was also a man there. Standing patiently to the side. Waiting to be acknowledged.
"I am Kazuki, in service of Lord Takeda." He announced with pride. "I have been charged with protecting Lady Ana."
His tone spoke clearly of his status and both of Anna's carers fell to their knees again. But Anna rushed to help them up.
"Kazuki-San is here on a mission and you should not let anybody guess his true identity! Please treat him just as a guest."
"If you allow me to stay, I will help with the chores in return for your hospitality." He said calmly.
Her adoptive parents couldn't believe their own eyes and ears. It was all so strange and unexpected. Anna asked them to go inside, where she would be able to explain everything in peace.
Kazuki stayed outside. She watched him briefly through a window. For a moment he stood there, erect and proud as if on parade. But after a while he put aside his staff, sat down on a low stool and took up the net the old couple had been repairing. To her great surprise, Kazuki picked up where they had left it and continued repairs, as if he had never done anything else in his life.
She shook her head in astonishment and returned to her parents. The story she was telling was very long and she stopped after a while. The women prepared a modest meal and brewed tea. Then Anna went outside.
Kazuki was still sitting in the same spot, working.
Seeing her approach, he rose and bowed. "My Lady, I considered our situation. The most suitable and probable explanation for our presence here would be to say that we are married. I am a small merchant and we came to visit your distant relatives. Of course, it is only a ruse to satisfy the curious villagers." He added.
"Kazuki-San, I thank you for your consideration. This is a good plan... And now would you like to come inside and share our meal?"
"Thank you, My Lady." He bowed again.
"One more thing... You have to stop calling me 'My Lady' and show me so much deference. No husband would do that!" She smiled ironically.
"Hai." He reciprocated with a grin.
When they entered the house, Kazuki stopped, unable to hide his surprise and shock. The poverty of this household was painfully evident in every corner. He couldn't believe that Ana-San, who could live in luxury and have servants ready to attend to any of her whims, decided to come and live here, where food was obviously sparse, where there were no comforts and where she would have to work.
He instinctively turned towards the Tokonoma, a small alcove, where a simple flower arrangement sat in a clay pot, accompanied by a small drawing, made with charcoal. At first, he couldn't make it out; he stepped closer and tilted his head a little. What he initially took for a jumble of random lines, revealed itself to be an image of a dragonfly, hovering over a flower. The more he looked at it, the more perfect the picture seemed to him and he wondered where those simple people had acquired such a masterpiece.
He bowed in front of the Tokonoma to show his respect, but when he turned to the hosts, he caught their amused expressions.
"Please, Kazuki-San, sit down." The old woman invited. "We will gladly share our simple meal with you."
"Thank you." He inclined his head and knelt on the floor. "I will be honoured. But, please, tell me where did you get this picture?" He indicated the alcove behind him. He knew it was impolite to show off one's possessions and they wouldn't have said anything about it. "It is exquisite in its simplicity."
"Lottie drew it for us, knowing we couldn't afford to buy anything worth displaying." OtÅsan answered with pride.
Kazuki looked at Ana-San with surprise. They all sat down to eat and when he noticed the genuine affection she had for the old couple, he understood that there was more to her than he had realised. And his respect for her grew even more.
After their simple meal Kazuki thanked politely for their hospitality and went outside.
Anna followed him. "Kazuki-San, I would be very grateful if you went to the village to buy some more food. And anything you might need." She added, giving him some money. "But please leave your staff here and try to look a little less... intimidating."
He only smiled to that. He bowed and walked away.
When she returned inside, both her parents demanded to know the rest of her story.
"How did it come about that Lord Takeda had given you one of his men?"
She told them then about her adventures in Japan, keeping to herself only her relationship with Hikaru.
"My child, you must know that this village belongs to Lord Takeda."
"What?!"
"His late wife brought the land on the coast as her dowry... Lord Takeda is our Lord now."
She was truly shocked on learning that. "How far is it to his castle?" She asked.
"Perhaps a day's ride."
She smiled at the strange coincidence of that. They lived so close to each other even then, years ago... How easy it would be now to ask him for protection and help for her adoptive parents.
But no! She couldn't do that. She wouldn't ask him for anything more.
Soon after that Kazuki returned from the village. Besides food, fresh vegetables and tea he brought a simple kimono for Anna.
"As the wife of a merchant, you need to look presentable." He smiled crookedly. "I will not be shamed by a negligent woman!"
Surprising him, she grinned back at him and returned indoors to change. When she came back, she looked much better. He winced again, seeing her short hair, but it would grow back soon enough.
She definitely didn't look like a peasant woman. With this white skin and elegant features she could easily pass for a Japanese Lady. Only her eyes betrayed her.
He had to admit to himself that she was beautiful... Even for Gai-Jin. He grinned to himself.
To save everybody the embarrassment of sharing the only room, he announced that he would sleep on the veranda, where he could keep an eye on things.
And that's how their shared life begun...