ericlustbader.the ninja-第76章

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　He　felt　a　rising　desire　to　run　inside　and　tell　Cheong　that　he　was　leaving　but　he　was　so　uncertain　of　her　response　that　he　lingered　awhile　outside。
　Above　him　the　sky　was　a　rich　cobalt　blue　with　just　a　few　tracings　of　high　cirrus　clouds　and；　farther　down；　orange　along　the　horizon　where　the　sun　slid　through　the　thick　haze。　Far　away；　he　thought　he　could　hear　the　rumbling　drone　of　a　707　ing　down　at　Haneda。
　Now　he　might　have　regretted　canceling　his　dinner　date　with　a　couple　of　school　chums　in　the　city；　he　had　told　Cheong　this　morning　he'd　be　home　late。　But；　the　decision　being　made　to　leave　for　Kyoto　where　the　new　ryu　was　located；　he　had　felt　the　need　for　pletion。　And　that　would　not　e　until　he　had　told　her。
　Inside；　the　house　was　quite　still　as　it　had　been　since　the　moment　he　had　returned　home　from　Kumamoto；　as　if　that　had　bee　some　inexplicable　nexus　point　in　all　their　lives。　Loss　had　followed　gain　and　he　wondered　now　if　it　had　been　worth　it。　He　thought　once　more　of　the　day　of　Roku…No…Miya　and　her　certitude　of　the　implacability　of　fate。　Thought；　too；　of　the　Colonel's　conviction　that　he　had　been　taken　by　forces　he　knew　nothing　of。　Life　could　not　be　so　cruelly　unfathomable。
　He　went　through　the　darkened　hall；　wondering　that　none　of　the　lights　had　been　lit。
　The　kitchen　was　deserted。　No　one　answered　his　call。　He　shrugged　off　his　coat；　threw　it　over　the　back　of　a　chair；　went　towards　the　back　of　the　house。　Stillness　nodded　deferentially　to　him；　ancient　as　time。
　He　came；　at　length　to　his　parents'　room。　The　thin　paper　shoji　was　closed　but；　beyond；　a　light　was　on　and　he　caught　the　edge　of　a　shadow；　moving。
　He　hesitated；　reluctant　to　disturb　Cheong　if　she　was　about　to　rest。　Tomorrow；　he　promised　himself；　he　would　take　her　to　the　grave　and　together　they　would　kneel　before　the　marker　of　new　cedar；　lighting　the　incense　and　saying　the　prayers　in　English　and　in　Japanese。
　The　shadow　moved　again　and　he　called　out　her　name　softly　into　the　falling　night。　No　answer　came　and　cautiously　he　opened　the　shoji。
　He　stood　perfectly　still；　one　foot　in；　one　out；　staring。　All　the　breath　had　gone　out　of　him。　His　head　pounded　and　he　felt　a　shock　at　the　base　of　his　neck　as　if　from　contact　with　a　live　wire。　All　the　tatamis　save　one　had　been　taken　outside。　The　futon　was　folded　in　a　neat　pile　in　the　far　corner。　One　round　white　paper…shaded　lamp　was　on　against　the　right　wall。　Beyond；　outside　the　glass　panels　of　the　far　wall；　lay　the　blue…whiteness　of　the　snow；　virgin；　without　one　footprint　to　mar　its　granular　surface。　It　seemed　unnaturally　pale　against　the　black　backdrop　of　the　croptomeria　and　pine　forest。　There　were　no　lights　in　the　sky。　The　one　remaining　tatami　had　been　placed　in　the　centre　of　the　room；　the　surrounding　wood　floor　seemed　naked；　like　raw　flesh　with　the　skin　stripped　away。　On　it　Cheong　knelt　with　her　back　to　him。　She　wore　a　formal　light　grey　kimono　with　obi。　The　one　with　the　pink　roses　embroidered　across　it。　Her　back　was　bowed；　her　head　down　as　if　in　prayer。　The　light　gleamed　on　her　blue…black　hair；　immaculately　coiffed。
　At　her　right　side　tiny　Itami　knelt；　sitting　at　right　angles　so　that　he　could　see　her　profile。　She；　too；　was　dressed　formally　in　a　midnight…blue　kimono；　sleeves　edged　in　crimson；　milk…white　obi。
　The　absolute　stillness　of　the　room　was　a　tangible　force；　a　rigid　barrier　holding　him　from　further　movement；　even　from　speech。
　Then　one　sound　came；　as　sharp　and　near　and　startling　as　the　first　break　of　thunder　from　an　unexpected　storm。
　It　was　the　slither　of　steel　against　a　sheath。
　Cheong's　right　arm　moved　with　unnatural　speed　and　for　the　briefest　instant。　Nicholas's　mind　was　unaccountably　filled　with　the　sight　of　bursting　cherry　blossoms；　impossibly　pink　against　green　foliage。　Now　that　it　had　menced；　the　transition　from　absolute　motionlessness　to　rapid　movement　was　irrevocable。
　Saw　the　blade　flashing　platinum　as　its　length　caught　die　lamplight；　as　blinding　as　the　sun；　slashing　inward　in　the　blur　of　conviction　that　was　necessary。　Into　the　left　side　of　the　abdomen。
　A　thin　cry　like　a　startled　bird's　but　no　fear　and　the　body　remained　still。　A　slight　trembling；　the　perfect　folds　of　the　silk　disturbed；　an　eyelash's　flutter　just　before　the　violent　jerk　with　both　hands　on　the　hilt；　left　to　right；　horizontally　across　the　abdominal　cavity。　Only　now　the　shoulders　shook　somewhat　and　he　could　hear　a　gasping　as　of　a　bellows　desperately　working。　Droplets　of　sweat　rolling　down　her　forehead；　dropping；　darkening　the　tatami。
　This　must　be　a　dream。
　Saw　the　tension　e　into　her　elbows　as　she　brought　the　blade　upward　towards　her　sternum。　Such　strength　and　force　of　will　many　men　did　not　possess。
　With　infinite　slowness；　as　if　settling　by　degrees；　fists　still　locked　around　the　hilt；　Cheong's　body　began　to　crumple　forward；　still　in　total　control；　a　living　monument。　Her　forehead　touched　the　floor　before　the　edge　of　the　tatami。
　As　if　that　were　a　signal；　Itami　now　moved。　Her　right　hand　fled　to　her　side。　With　a　harsh　rasp；　the　katana；　previously　hidden　within　the　folds　of　her　kimono；　was　nakedly　revealed　and；　standing　now；　she　raised　it　high　over　her　head。　The　blade　menced　its　downward　motion　with　a　hot　hissing　sound　as　if　those　fearful　shades　of　steel　were　anxious　to　feel　the　warm　flesh　part。
　In　an　instant；　Cheong's　head　was　cleanly　severed　from　her　neck。　Only　then　did　the　body　lose　its　control　and　collapse　pletely。　Blood　seeped　darkly；　neatly；　just　a　little　of　it；　as　if　sprinkled　there　by　a　decorator。
　'No！'
　At　last　released；　Nicholas　sprang　across　the　room。　Itami；　staring　down　at　the　beautiful　head；　black　and　white　and　crimson；　did　not　even　look　up。
　'What！　What！'　He　could　not　think。　His　tongue　seemed　an　impossible　weight　in　his　mouth　and　he　resisted　the　desire　to　rip　it　out。　He　looked　at　nothing　but　the　body　of　his　mother。　And　her　head。
　'It　is　done　now；　Nicholas。'　Itami's　voice　seemed　distant　and　gentle　at　the　same　time。　The　bloody　katana　was　at　her　side。　'She　is　a　child　of　honour。'
　
　
　
　
　Fifth　Ring
　THE　NINJA

　I
　New　York　CityWest　Bay　Bridge；　Summer　Present
　Someone　began　screaming；　even　before　the　lock　shattered　and　the　heavy　door　slammed　inward　in　a　crack　of　thunder。
　The　room　was　a　shambles。
　A　bulky　shape　ran　past　him；　across　the　room　to　the　open　window。
　He　began　to　struggle　with　it　immediately　because　it　had　been　his　stupidity　that　had　brought　this　on　and　if　he　did　not　work　it　out　right　now　he　would　be　no　damn　good　in　the　next　few　hours　and　that　would　without　a　doubt　prove　fatal。　He　did　not　want　to　die。
　Noted　in　passing　the　woman　spread…eagled　on　the　bed。　Her　flesh　appeared　to　have　been　oiled；　the　light　lying　in　long　sweeps　whitening　the　skin。　Chinese。
　He　had　known　just　as　they　had　banged　open　the　front　door　to　Ah　Ma's；　in　the　wake　of　the　tsunami。　Took　you　bloody　well　long　enough；　he　berated　himself。
　The　woman　stared　not　at　him　but　at　the　muscled　legs　crisscrossing　hers；　wide　shoulders　at　the　edge；　of　the　stained　coverlet；　head　off　the　bed　at　an　odd　angle。　It　was　she　who　was　screaming。　The　silken　bond　held　her　from　moving。　Her　eyes　were　wide　enough　for　him　to　see　the　whites　all　round。　She　might　have　been　a　madwoman　and　he　saw　why。
　Upside　down；　Philip　looked　at　him　reproachfully；　tongue　〃half　bitten　through　between　his　teeth。
　The　screaming　seemed　to　go　on　and　on　in　cadence；　as　effective　as　a　siren。
　'There's　another　way；'　Nicholas　had　said。　'A　better　way。'　He　dipped　half　a　dumpling　into　its　dark　brown　spicy　sauce；　popped　it　into　his　mouth。　'I　don't　want　any　of　your　men　getting　hurt。'
　Croaker　looked　at　him　quizzically。　'You're　a　strange　bird；　you　know　that？　It's　what　we　get　paid　for；　us　cops　…　taking　risks。'
　They　were　in　a　dumpling　house　on　Elizabeth　Street　between　Canal　and　Bayard。　The　place　was　crowded；　the　noise　level　high。
　'Reasonable　risks；'　Nicholas　pointed　out。　'The　ninja's　a　sorcerer　of　death。　They're　not　going　to　be　prepared　for　him。'
　'Aren't　you　being　just　a　little　bit　melodramatic？'
　'No。'
　Croaker　put　down　his　chopsticks；　pushed　his　plate　away　from　him。　A　waiter　immediately　came　to　clear　it　away。　'All　right。　What's　your　idea？'
　'Let　me　go　in　alone。'
　'You're　nuts。'　He　levelled　a　finger。　'Let　me　tell　you　something；　Nick。　This　is　a　police　operation。　You　know　what　that　means？　I　could　be　suspended　just　for　taking　you　along。　And　you　want　me　to　let　you　go　after　him　on　your　own？　The　missioner　would　publicly　string　up　any　part　of　me　left　intact　after　Finnigan；　my　captain；　had　got　through。　Uh…uh。　You'll　just　have　to　be　content　with　the　way　it　is　now。〃　'You　and　me　then。'
　'No　dice。　That　would　mean　I'd　have　to　leave　you　to　cover　the　rear。　Can't　do　it。
　'There's　going　to　be　trouble；　then。'
　'Not　if　we　contain　him　in　Ah　Ma's。　That's　what　we've　got　to　do。'
　What　worried　him　most　in　those　last　few　moments　as　they　had　climbed　the　steps　to　Ah　Ma's　was　the　tactical　disadvantage　they　were　under。　True；　the　element　of　surprise　was　in　their　favour；　but　only　the　man　up　in　that　suite　knew　the　layout　of　the　place；　including　the　number　of　exits。　Nicholas　did　not　like　any　part　of　it。
　On　the　first　landing；　he　stopped　Croaker；　said；　'You　know；　if　we　don't　get　him　within　the　first　few　seconds；　we've　had　it。'
　'Just　concentrate　on　getting　the　bastard；'　Croaker　had　said　and　started　up　to　Ah　Ma's　door。
　Crouching　in　the　dim　hallway；　Croaker　had　his　。38　in　one　hand；　the　warrant　in　the　other。　That　piece　of　paper　had　not　been　easy　to　obtain；　Ah　Ma　had　many　influential　friends。
　Somewhere　behind　them　the　intermittent　buzz　of　a　defective　light…fixture。　A　car　passed　in　the　street　outside；　honking　its　horn。　The　clatter　of　running　feet。　A　sharp　abrasive　laugh。
　Then　the　door　was　opening；　Croaker　was　pushing　aside　a　tall；　elegant　Chinese　woman。　The　warrant　flew　through　the　air　like　a　broken　bird。
　And　Nicholas　saw　it　all　before　him　as　if　in　a　film。　The　killings；　one　by　one；　like　links　in　a　chain。　One　chain。　Terry's　historical　clues。　Three　signposts：　Hideoshi；　Yodogimi；　Mitsunari；　as　obvious　now　as　if　they　were　glowing　neon。　Satsugai；　Yukio；　Saigo。　The　policeman　sent　to　guard　the　dead　Shogun's　mistress；　a　close　enough　approximation。
　Idiot！　he　thought　savagely　as　he　stumbled　into　Ah　Ma's　after　Croaker。　Why　did　I　withhold　it　from　myself？
　An　American　man；　eyes　wide　in　terror；　stood　up　awkwardly；　dumping　a　tiny　Chinese　woman　onto　the　floor。　He　ran　from　them；　through　one　of　the　living　rooms；　into　a　side　suite。
　Croaker　was　already　midway　down　the　long　corridor　leading　to　the　back　suites。　Flower；　who　had　opened　the　door　to　them；　had　been　calling　for　Ah　Ma。　She　was　calm　even　in　this　seeming　crisis。
　Ah　Ma　appeared　just　as　Nicholas　began　following　Croaker　back　through　the　place。
　'What　is　the　meaning　of　this？'　She　grabbed　at　Nicholas。　'How　dare　you　break　into　my　apartment？　I　have　many　friends　who　will　…'
　'The　Japanese；'　Nicholas　said　in　perfect　Mandarin。　Ah　Ma　started。　She　was　borne　along　as　he　rushed　through　the　long　corridor。　'Where　is　he？'　Nicholas　said。　'He　is　all　we　want。'　He　turned　his　head　slightly。　Doors　passed　them　up；　half…open；　empty　rooms　lurking；　mockingly。　'Are　you　Ah　Ma？'　Noise　up　ahead。　Croaker　kicking　at　a　locked　door。
　'He　will　destroy　the　place！'　Ah　Ma　cried。　She　thought　of　the　munists　ing　in　the　dead　of　night；　destroying　the　house　b