They were enjoying the conversation, when the door suddenly slid open and Lord Takeda himself walked in. He was surprised to find Anna here, sitting so close to Kazuki that he was effectively leaning on her.
"I came to check on Kazuki, but I can see he has a better company and is well tended."
"My Lord." All bowed, although Kazuki only with his head.
"Please continue." The Lord sat down next to the door, watching them, with his face in a slightly forced expression.
Kazuki's face was covered in sweat. His injuries severe, he was still very weak and even the simple activity of drinking exhausted him.
Anna delicately dried his face. She was so gentle and tender that Hikaru felt a sudden stab of jealousy. He was ashamed of himself, but that feeling was stronger than his will.
What if they... Went through his mind. He dismissed the idea immediately, but the hint of uneasiness remained.
"Ana-San, I wish to talk to you." He announced unexpectedly, rising.
"Of course, My Lord." She bowed. "Sumiko, please make sure that Kazuki-San is comfortable and doesn't need anything else."
"Yes, My Lady."
Anna followed the Lord outside. They went along the corridor and after a few moments they stepped onto the veranda.
She inhaled deeply, looking at the well tended walkways leading to the gardens. "This place is so beautiful."
"Are you feeling well enough for a walk?" He asked gruffly, not looking at her.
"A few hours ago you didn't seem to be so worried about my strength." She smiled mischievously, but he did not reciprocate. "Is something wrong, My Lord?" She became alert.
"No." He started walking along the path leading towards the trees. "When I saw you with Kazuki..." He stopped and faced her. His gaze was very serious and his brows were drawn, but she had a vague feeling he was uncomfortable.
"Sumiko likes him. I just wanted to be nice."
"I know, my love." He took Anna's hand and kissed it gently. "But when I saw you so close to him... I felt jealousy. Until now I haven't realised I could be so possessive. I have now discovered I can't let you go, because I would be lost without you."
"My Lord, I felt the same thinking about your other women." She confessed, very embarrassed.
"There are no other women!" He looked her straight in the eye. "Since my wife died I did bed some. But they were just... a release. I did not love them and I didn't want to keep them." Anna understood this about the Japanese culture and accepted it. After all it had happened before they met. "Now I can't stand a thought of separating from you for even a day." He continued.
She smiled happily. "I am very pleased to hear that, My Lord." What woman wouldn't want to hear that?
"Good. Tonight I would like to celebrate your arrival and my son's safety." He changed the subject. "I wish you to appear in clothes befitting your position. Will you chose an appropriate kimono or shall I do it myself?" He smiled, his mood lifted.
"My Lord, I am still only an insignificant member of your household and shouldn't pretend I am something that I'm not." She stressed, still mindful of his status.
"You are most certainly not insignificant." He disagreed. "And I hope to convince you of that very soon." His dark eyes sparkled. "Let's go! I see that I have to attend to it myself."
He led her to a big room where the most valuable kimonos must have been stored, carefully wrapped in paper and put neatly in boxes. Without much regard or care he was pulling one box after another, looking inside and from time to time offering a garment to Anna, to try on. They were all exceedingly beautiful and richly decorated and Anna declined all in turn.
"Dear Lottie," He chuckled. "But you must wear something! I will not allow any indecency!"
"Why can't I wear just a plain cotton one?"
"Because you are a Lady." It was as simple as that. "How about this one?"
The kimono he just pulled out of the box and spread in front of her was midnight blue, with a delicate flowery motif repeatedly appearing here and there, stitched with a golden thread.
"I think this is the one." He smiled, observing her expression. "Do you like it?"
"It's... magnificent." She whispered, coming closer to touch it. "I have never seen anything so beautiful."
"I have." He lifted her face and looked at her with a happy smile. "Will you wear it tonight?"
"If it pleases you, My Lord."
"It does. Everything about you pleases me."
Unceremoniously, he dropped the kimono on the floor and took Anna in his arms. She allowed her body to fit his. She could feel his heartbeat and his breath ruffled her hair. She loved him so much.
"I hope and pray that you'll stay with me for ever." He whispered, evidently sharing her sentiment. "And that we will raise our child in love and health."
She was happy and secure in the knowledge that she was not alone any more.
Eventually, he let her go. "My love, you need to get ready. Let me escort you to your rooms."
He scooped up the kimono and led her through a maze of corridors.
After giving orders that the Lady was to be made ready for the evening, he bowed politely and disappeared.
*
Anna felt very self-conscious in a heavy kimono, but forced herself not to show any of her apprehension. She followed Sumiko to the great hall, thinking that she really should start paying attention to where they were going and learn her own way around the house.
Only when she entered the hall, did she realise that once again the whole household had gathered for the celebrations. She looked around, suddenly intimidated by all those people looking at her with curiosity. But then she met Hikaru's eyes and drew her strength from them. She knelt and bowed ceremonially.
The Lord rose from his place and spoke loudly, for all to hear. "Ana-San, please, come closer."
Obediently, she walked to him, concentrating on her steps and conscious not to trip in front of everybody. She bowed again.
"We are gathered here today to celebrate and give thanks for my son's safety." The Lord continued in his measured tone. "Ana-San, I owe you my life and that of my son." He bowed to her. "You have proven many times your courage and your loyalty to my family. Therefore, let it be known that on this day I recognise you as one of my affinity."
Anna heard gasps of surprise from around the hall. She nearly gasped herself.
"I know you to be of noble blood and so let it be also recognised that you are samurai. And worthy of this sword." He extended his arms, presenting her with katana.
Overwhelmed, she dropped to her knees again and bowed low, almost to the ground. With her head lowered, she raised her hands and accepted the sword with a feeling of reverence.
The Lord stepped aside and in his place, in front of Anna appeared Haru. He held a short sword, wakizashi.
"My Lady, you saved the lives of My Lord Father and mine. Please, allow me to show my gratitude by offering you this sword. May it serve you well." He bowed, as his father had done a few moments earlier and presented the sword to her.
She gently rested katana on the mat in front of her and accepted wakizashi. "Thank you." She stayed in her bow.
"Please, rise." Lord Takeda stepped forward and helped her to her feet. "Allow me." He expertly secured both swords behind her wide obi belt. It wasn't very comfortable, but she stood there, proudly erect, with an inscrutable face. "Nabutada is the best swordsman I know. When the time comes he will teach you to use them."
"Thank you, My Lord." She repeated, trying not to show how stunned she was by all this.
"Furthermore, I am giving you five villages... including Katagami." He added quietly, smiling.
Only after a moment did she realise that he had given her the village where her parents lived. She felt tears coming to her eyes, but blinked them away.
"My Lord, your generosity is unmatched. I am not worthy of such a reward." This time she bowed from the waist, as the swords would prevent her from kneeling.
"Let us sit and celebrate. Kanpai!" He raised his saké bowl up in a salut.
All present followed suit and repeated: "Kanpai!"
After the toast, when everybody settled themselves, Takeda invited Anna to join him on the raised dais. She sat down feeling awkward with the swords at her belt.
"We will have to find for you some more suitable clothing." Hikaru leaned towards her with a smile. "As you wished, you will not be wearing kimonos any more. If you prefer, you can remove your katana and lay it on the mat to your right."
"Wouldn't it be more practical to keep it on the left?" She asked surprised.
"Quite, but it is considered impolite." He explained. "Keeping it on the left and ready to draw you would indicate that you don't trust me or even that you wish me harm."
"Forgive me, My Lord, I didn't know."
"How could you?" He looked at her with kindness, remembering the humble dwelling she grew up in. "Just observe my samurai and you will learn very quickly."
"My Lord, you honour me." She looked at him with intensity, barely able to control her emotions.
"No!" He stopped her. "You honour me! And now we are equal." He lowered his voice. "You are samurai now. With your own villages." He smiled mischievously. "A true Lady Samurai..."
"My Lord, it was very thoughtful of you. How will I ever repay you for your kindness?"
"But you have already done it, no? Saving my son's life and mine. A few villages are nothing in comparison. But now let us enjoy the celebrations. I have a surprise for you." He smiled again with a happy anticipation.
She was about to ask about it, but he only shook his head, as if saying: wait and see.
Seeing that his father ended the conversation, the young Lord spoke to Anna. "Ana-San, when you learn the basics of Kenjutsu, we could practice together."
"My Lord, I will consider it an honour." She inclined her head gracefully. "I am sure I will learn a lot from you."
Haru smiled happily. He liked this Gai-Jin. She was kind and never treated him as a child.
After the hunger was satisfied, Nabutada loudly introduced the surprise: the Rakugo performance. His announcement was greeted with applause. Rakugo was a very entertaining form of verbal comedy and was very popular.
A small, but wiry man entered the hall, bowed to the Lord and took his place on the prepared stage. His performance was funny and often punctuated by general laughter. It was greatly appreciated.
Anna was also enjoying it, trying to follow all the jokes and fast changes of personalities the comedian was efficiently employing. But when she glanced at Hikaru, she noticed that all his attention was on her.
His eyes were full of pride and love, he didn't even try to hide. In truth, he didn't hear a word from the performance. Tonight he had eyes only for Lottie... She was so beautiful. Seeing her watching him, he just smiled. He longed to embrace her, but couldn't forget himself so much. Showing his feeling was one thing, but proving that he couldn't control himself in front of others was something different entirely.
He promised himself to visit Anna a little later...