The Samurai and the Long-Nosed Devils by Lensey Namioka Page A

Hiei!” exclaimed Lady Yuki. “But that’s terribly dangerous!”
    Zenta laughed. “Standing on a street corner inviting an attack by Kotaro is dangerous, too.”
    â€œYou know very well that Kotaro can’t really harm you. But the monks on Mt. Hiei are different. If they discover that you are working for the Portuguese, they will never let you leave the mountain alive!”
    She seemed genuinely concerned for his safety. Zenta tried to look at her with a cold, objective eye. She was spoiled and selfish. She wanted to find Kotaro not because she was worried about him, but because his absence was generating gossip that was damaging to her reputation. But she was very beautiful.
    He picked up his sword and stood up. “Lady Yuki, forgive me, but I must go,” he said, speaking with intentional roughness. At the door of the reception hall he paused. “A thought has just occurred to me. Perhaps Kotaro has not returned home because he is unable to do so.”

Chapter 10
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    â€œGone to Mt. Hiei!” cried Nobunaga. “What does he expect to do there?”
    â€œZenta felt that Chiyo’s clue of the bonten tuft was not sufficient to convince Kagemasa of the monk’s guilt,” replied Hambei defensively. “He has gone to Mt. Hiei to get more evidence.” “I’m displeased,” said Nobunaga. His displeasure was more frightening than another man’s shouting rage. “I wanted this ronin in my service, Hambei, and now you’ve let him throw his life away.”
    â€œI couldn’t very well order him not to go,” protested Hambei. “You must remember, my lord, that our most important task at the moment is to remove the threat of the warrior monks.”
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    Before leaving the restaurant, Hambei had asked Matsuzo to escort Chiyo home. He hadn’t been able to accompany her himself because he had to return to his duties at Nobunaga’s residence immediately. After Chiyo’s revelations about the monk from Mt. Hiei, she looked nervous and fearful. She had good reason to be afraid, Matsuzo thought, remembering the attack on her by the monks two days ago. He was delighted to act as her protector.
    Walking along Miyako’s beautiful boulevards with the girl, Matsuzo found his pleasure mixed with a little guilt. Chiyo, after all, was betrothed to Hambei. The guilt was not enough to spoil his happiness, however. Well-fed, well-dressed and in the company of a beautiful girl, he was walking in the city of his dreams. His heart sang and his head was bursting with poetry. Eager to share his high spirits, he glanced back at Chiyo, who walked the customary two paces behind.
    The girl raised her head and her depression lifted momentarily in a brief smile. “Instead or going directly home, why don’t we go to the Yasaka Shrine and watch the festivities there? The procession of floats is not until tomorrow, but there will be many other exciting events.”
    It was a tempting proposal. “But won’t Lady Yuki be angry at your long absence?” asked Matsuzo, not wanting Chiyo to descend lower in her mistress’s favor than she had already.
    â€œLady Yuki would be happy if she never saw me again,” said Chiyo. “In any case, there is nothing more for me to do there. Hambei will have to find a new position for me.”
    â€œI suppose the Portuguese won’t need my services today, either,” said Matsuzo. Hambei had told him that Father Luis had been invited by Nobunaga to attend a banquet at the warlord’s residence. He certainly wouldn’t need the protection of a bodyguard there. Besides, with the death of Lord Fujikawa, the greatest threat to the Portuguese had been removed.
    The Yasaka Shrine was a scene of bustling gaiety. With Chiyo as a guide, Matsuzo watched spellbound the sacred dancers, the fortune tellers, and the peddlers who hawked their wares. The afternoon passed quickly. The