They lived quietly, in harmony with nature and with each other.
Often Anna would talk to Kazuki, urging him to return to the service of Lord Takeda. "I am quite safe here. There is nothing that could happen to me. Besides, why would anyone try to hurt me?"
"My Lady." He answered invariably with the same argument. "I have my orders and will follow them."
"But surely, Lord Takeda did not intend for you to become a fisherman. I am quite sure he misses your services, whatever they might have been."
Kazuki just shrugged, not willing to admit that the Lord had known where they were and that he obviously didn't need them... Either of them!
"Kazuki, I feel bad, knowing that because of me you are forced into this kind of life." She persisted.
He looked at her for a moment, considering how truthful he should be. "Ana-San, there are much worse ways to live."
What could she say to that?
Kazuki thought of it as well. He had to admit to himself that he liked living here. The life was hard and in winter it would be harder still, but it was an honest and peaceful life. A life he hadn't experienced for a long time and, truthfully, didn't expect to ever live again. The physical work was satisfying and his friendship with Ana-San let him think that he had a family again.
So he wasn't going to complain. If his Lord forgot about them, Kazuki was happy enough to live the rest of his life here...
*
Although this far north the summer was already coming to an end, the day was very hot and humid. It looked as if a great storm was coming later, but for the moment it was unbearable.
Anna felt her kimono sticking uncomfortably to her back and, hoping for a cool breeze at sea, offered to join Kazuki on the boat.
There was no wind, so he had to row, but he didn't mind. It was still a good workout, stretching his shoulder muscles.
Anna was sitting up front, trailing her hand in the cool water. They didn't speak. When they cleared the headland and entered the open sea, Kazuki stowed the oars away and started to strip. It wouldn't be the first time she saw him wearing only fundoshi, a traditional Japanese undergarment, but she discreetly averted her eyes. She heard a big splash, when Kazuki jumped in.
She waited for him to appear again on the surface, but there was no sign of him. After a while she got worried and leaned over the side to peer into the water. At that same moment a hand came out, grabbed her by the arm and pulled her in.
She went under, before she managed to draw a breath. The shock of cold water on her hot skin was so great that she found herself choking and fighting for air.
A strong arm went around her waist and pulled her to the surface, supporting her. The other hand was gently removing wet hair from her face. "We need to dye your hair again." Kazuki smiled mischievously, as if nothing had happened.
Still spluttering and gasping for breath, she instinctively put her arm round his neck to stay above the water. When she was finally able to draw breath, she wiped her face with her free hand.
"You presume too much, my man!" She exclaimed in the most aristocratic tone she could muster, stabbing her finger into his chest.
She pushed him away and swam to the other side of the boat. By the time she got there, Kazuki was already out of water and wrapping himself in his kimono. He extended his hand, offering the assistance. She was tempted to decline, but her tight and wet kimono prevented her from managing for herself and she accepted. He grabbed her by the arms and literally lifted her out of water.
She tried to be angry with him, but actually it was fun, so she turned to him with a smile. However, his face took a strangely distant expression and she didn't say anything.
While retrieving the oars, Kazuki considered her words. If they were seen at that precise moment when he embraced her, Kazuki would have been immediately put to death, in the most painful way imaginable. No matter that there was nothing inappropriate in his behaviour. He had to admit that he had grown to treat Anna with a familiarity that was forbidden to the likes of him... Forgotten or not, she was still a woman of Lord Takeda! And a Lady!
"What's wrong?" Anna asked finally, when he didn't speak for a long time. "Did I poke you a little too hard?" She tried to joke.
Still he did not reply, refusing to meet her eye.
"Kazuki," She touched his arm. "What has happened?... Tell me."
"Nothing, My Lady." His tone was cool and indifferent. His gaze blank. "We need to go back. The wind is getting cold and you are soaked."
She just shrugged in exasperation. There was no way she could ever hope to understand men!
When the shore came into the view, she noticed the figure of her adoptive father, waving to them with some urgency.
"Kazuki, look!" She pointed. "Something must have happened."
He only looked back once and increased the tempo of his rowing.
"OtÅsan, what has happened?" Anna was out of the boat even before it safely landed.
"Kazuki-San, take her back to the house." The old man ignored her question. He just put a blanket around her shoulders. "Now!"
Sensing his urgency, even if not understanding the reasons, Kazuki put his arm around Anna's waist again and literally bundled her towards the house, leaving the old man on the shore to secure the boat.
The shutters were closed and as soon as they entered, her mother closed the door as well.
"Haha... What's wrong?" Anna was scared now.
"While you were out some people came round, asking about a young woman, a non-Japanese."
"Who were they?" Kazuki took control of the situation.
"I don't know. They had no banners or any markings."
"Do you think they knew something or were they here just by chance?" Kazuki asked, when the old man joined them a few minutes later.
"They seemed to be just checking. But we can't be sure. Lottie," He looked at her. "Why would they look for you?"
She thought about it briefly. "I think you are making too much of it. Who could know I am here? And who would even care?"
"My Lady, I need to talk to you." There was a seriousness in Kazuki's face. "Urgently and privately."
Both her parents got up. "We will keep an eye on things outside." Her father stopped her protests. "Stay here."
Anna didn't understand why they were so sure she was in danger. "Kazuki, what's going on?" She demanded.
"My Lady, I have to tell you something... It is against My Lord's wishes, but I believe that you should know."
"Just tell me!" Her voice shook.
"I was the one who investigated both attempts on Lord Takeda's life in Kanagawa. I discovered that..." He hesitated, but continued after a moment. "...that both attempts were in fact aimed at you."
"What?" She didn't understand.
"They tried to kill you, not Lord Takeda."
"But why?"
"SaitÅ, one of the ShÅgun's men, tried to delay the negotiations. Without you the Americans would be forced to wait for a suitable replacement."
A hundred questions raced through Anna's mind. "But the negotiations are finished and there were no problems after Lord Takeda's departure."
"Before he left, My Lord took steps to ensure your safety. That's why I was assigned to protect you."
She considered it for a moment. "But why would anybody try to find me now?"
"SaitÅ hates Lord Takeda and he would stop at nothing to hurt him."
"But why do you assume it was SaitÅ?"
"Who else has any reason to search for a Gai-Jin woman?" Kazuki answered with a question.
They were silent for some time.
"What do you suggest we do?" She asked eventually.
"You only have two options: leave Japan or seek protection from Lord Takeda."
"No!" She stood up after a moment. "I will not leave. I don't believe this is as serious as you would have me think."
During the evening meal they told the old couple the truth about the danger Anna had been in, but no matter how much any of them tried to convince her, Anna refused to accept she was in danger.
"Let's just wait and see." She said unequivocally.