Fan Fiction ❯ Bushido ❯ Koichi's Tales: Fraud ( Chapter 10 )

Chapter 10: Koichi's Tales: Fraud

Despite his daughter's scolding, Hidemi insisted while he worked that Haruko watch Koichi. The elder man only gave in when the ronin managed to walk around without support, though barely. By that time, however, Haruko seemed slightly reluctant going back to the fields, becoming rather used to hearing a tale or two each day from her guest. She wasn't one to mix up her priorities, though, and knew her father could use her aid more than Koichi.

On that lazy afternoon, about two weeks since he'd arrived, Koichi contented himself to simply watch the others work. When he wasn't meditating, at least. Sighing, he traced his finger along the vertical slit in his left cheek. Another facial scar he'd learn to live with. He had many scars by now, and scars were supposed to be a warrior's pride.

But the two scars on my face make it easier for me to track, Koichi frowned. Of course, his height made it just as easy to find him. Being tall had its disadvantages. I just hope Oshima's men don't come near here. I don't wish to drag the farmer and his daughter into my problems... He knew the sooner he left, the better. Yet, even so, he'd found he quite liked it here, and a break from traveling actually sounded like a grand idea. The samurai shifted slightly with guilt. Even if Hidemi allowed him to stay, he risked endangering their lives, should Oshima's minions find him once more.

I shouldn't be so selfish. But... I haven't really interacted with other people in a long time, and this family is hardworking, kind, hospitable... can you blame me? The ronin blew his bangs up in slight frustration. He glanced up at Haruko when she exhaled, plopping down next to him.

"Whew! I'm so glad harvesting time's almost over," She commented, "It can get really tiring!" She wiped her hands on her clothing.

"I'll bet," Koichi stated simply, though he once again felt guilty. "Taking a break?"

"Well, we're almost finished, but Tousan let me off early."

"I think it's sweet how he dotes on you," Koichi chuckled. Haruko slapped his shoulder lightly in mock-anger, but smiled. The ronin peered at her through his bangs, knowing what was to come next. "Ah yes, I owe you another story, do I not?"

"Ah, you're catching on quicker everyday!" the teenage girl grinned, to which Koichi returned. He leaned back against the house, closing his eyes in thought.

"You know, I think I'm running low on tales," he sighed, "Because the next one I can remember happened this year, some months ago."

"That's all right, I'd still like to hear it!" Haruko replied cheerfully. Koichi shook his head, though still smiling.

"Very well. Around late winter this year, I'd come to the province of Suruga..."

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I'd only seen the shores once before, as a young child. It was nice to see the vast ocean and beaches once again, for it is a truly beautiful sight.

Koichi's straw waraji crunched against the soft sand. The young ronin took in the views about him, breathing in the salty sea air. People hustled about on the road nearby, and it was obvious why - he could see the harbor from where he stood. A large ship nestled itself on one of the ports, and judging by its odd looks, Koichi assumed it was a European ship.

Ah, so that is what a Western ship looks like. He noted, continuing on his way down the beach. Wonder if it's more Dutch traders, or if it's from some other country? He shrugged, not truly caring if he found out or not. Just something to ponder about for a moment, nothing more. He stepped up from the sandy ground into the small town's streets.

"My friends, you must change your ways! Stop your foolish and blind followings of your false gods!" Koichi turned his head at the odd accent. A gaijin, dressed in simple black robes and holding a thick book, stoop atop a wooden box. A small, curious crowd gathered around him, and Koichi lent his own ear for a moment.

"There is only one true God," the man continued, holding up his book, "and these are his holy texts! Give up your heretic ways, Japanese, follow His wisdom, and you shall be saved!" His preaching continued, but Koichi moved on, uninterested. That must have been... what was the word he'd heard?

Jesuit, Koichi remembered, I believe that was the term. Trying to convert us to his strange foreign religion... I think it's called Christianity. Haven't seen too many Christian Japanese. The ronin toured other areas for a while before stopping briefly for a meal. After his quick lunch, Koichi headed out to the docks for a closer look at the ships and sea.

Leaning against the wooden railing, Koichi watched the deep blue waves lurch forward onto the shore before rolling back. The winds were calm this day, providing a pleasantly warm breeze in the otherwise chilly weather. The young samurai inhaled deeply, closing his eyes, relaxed by the beautiful day.

"I'm getting sick of this, gaijin!" Koichi jerked his head over to the direction of the noise. A disgruntled Japanese merchant stomped his foot. Before him stood an apologetic man, obviously a foreigner by his large eyes and attire. He wore baggy black pants, a gold patterned, puffy shirt, and something white and frilly around his neck and wrists. Leather boots with large cuff covered his feet white a dark, wide-brimmed hat with a white feather stuck to the side adorned his head.

"Sumimasen, my Japanese friend," the strange man said, bowing deeply, "But out wheat crops back home in Portugal have been poor recently. Pan is very hard to make right now, and that's why we've had a shortage these past few months."

"But that doesn't give you reason to shoot your prices up by over three hundred percent!" the Japanese salesman fumed. "This town may consider your pan bread a delicacy, but very few merchants are willing to buy your stocks at such outrageous prices!"

"The prices will go down when we have more supplies, my good man," the Portuguese promised. "I swear on my God's good name I will give you a great discount when we receive wheat at a better price to make pan."

"Yeah, well, you'd better hold to that promise, gaijin!" the merchant snarled, "Or I shall begin seeking more business with the Dutch." The Japanese man smirk at the foreigner's look, knowing he'd hit a nerve. "Good day." He turned on his heal, storming off. The Portuguese trader tugged his shirt a bit indignantly before strutting back to his ship. The small crowd that had gathered broke away, and Koichi returned his gaze back to the ocean. Despite this, he was well aware of the same merchant coming his way, taking a good look at him before approaching.

"Ah! Samurai-sama!" he greeted, bowing deeply as possible on his feet, "Perhaps you can help me with my problem!" Koichi eyed the businessman with suspicion. Merchants were the lowest class, and though Koichi didn't like to think himself better than his social inferiors, he didn't like the endless greed he saw in most of the traders.

"What makes you think I can aid you?" he finally asked. "I am no merchant. I don't involve myself in economics. Besides, I am only passing through."

"Oh, I am sure a warrior with your skill could handle this quite quickly!" the merchant said. Koichi only frowned.

"What would you know of my skills?"

"I can see it in your eyes, samurai-sama. I may not be a samurai myself, but I am very observant of others. The way you carry yourself with grace and speed, your eyes -- they are deep and wise for someone as young as you, samurai-sama." Koichi looked backed to the sea, tired of the stranger's flattery, but deciding he'd at least hear him out.

"Enough with the flattering, sir," he grumbled, "I'll listen to you, but I'll promise nothing else at the moment."

"Very well. You saw that scene a few moments ago, I am sure. You were within earshot. I saw you glance our way." Koichi glanced at him out of the corner of his eyes, but said nothing. The merchant continued, "I don't trust the word of that gaijin. His eyes are too shifty, his tone too smarmy for my liking."

He's one to use the adjective "smarmy." Koichi thought with a mental snort.

"I believe he's ripping us off." The other noted with a nod.

"Well, of course, you said he'd raised the price of pan bread abnormally high." The ronin replied.

"Well, yes," the man admitted, "But I don't think that's the whole story. I think the dirty Westerner's got plenty of pan bread - he's just holding it back so he can make more profit off of us."

"What makes you think that?"

"I have other stores in other provinces, samurai-san," the merchant stated grimly, "and pan bread is plentiful and cheap in other areas. I doubt his 'poor wheat crop' story has any truth. Unfortunately, I need more proof of this to have the local authorities deal with it."

"Well, what do you need me for, then?" Koichi asked.

"I'm asking you to sneak aboard their ship tonight," the merchant pointed at the docked Portuguese ship, "and try to find any extra crates of pan, or even wheat, and bring it to me as proof of their lies."

"And why should I do this?" Koichi asked, already tiring of this conversation. He usually didn't mind helping others, but Koichi found less pity for those who could handle themselves quite well. The extravagant clothing of this merchant showed he was a wealthy man, as did his next action.

"I'll pay you well for this small task, here!" The merchant shoved many gold coins into Koichi's hand, and the younger man in turn thrust them back.

"Keep your money," he snorted in disgust, "I have enough of mine own and have no use for yours." The merchant looked quite surprised, but then showed recognition.

"Ah, yes, that's right," he mused, "Your samurai honor code. Money is below you, hai? Honor is much more important." Koichi furrowed his eyebrows, but said nothing. "Well, samurai-sama, this gaijin may very well be shaming Japanese honor in whole by cheating us. Won't you at least do it to right an injustice to your people, if one exists?"

The ronin sighed in irritation. The businessman's words held some truth, however. If the foreigner was indeed cheating the locals, he'd be symbolically spitting in Japan's face. Such rudeness couldn't be accepted.

"Very well, merchant," Koichi sighed in defeat, "I'll see to your task... but you shall not bother me again afterwards, understand? I wish to move on from here."

"Arigatou gozaimasu!" The man bowed gratefully, "I am in your debt! Return to my house once you've completed your task, whether you find anything or not." He pointed to a large building across from the docks. "Over there, see it? I'll have my guards let you in and bring you to me when you come."

"Very well, but now, leave me be." Koichi grunted, staring at the ocean waves. He noted with some interest that the seller carried his shoulders and head quite strong and high for someone of his rank. He even had an elaborate crane mon sewn into his coat. Another merchant with power gone to his head, it seemed. And cautious as well, for the man fingered a small tanto knife in his cloak as he strutted down the streets.

Either he was a fallen samurai himself, or wished to be one. Koichi shook his head, allowing his thoughts to wander to more important things. Things such as how in Buddha's name he was going to sneak aboard the gaijin ship unnoticed.

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Koichi hunched behind the crates, silently slinking along the dock towards the ship, thankful the dim lights weren't enough to unveil his cloak of darkness. He hated this -- creeping along like some dishonorable ninja. However, remembering Jaegar's musket and seeing it on many of the Portuguese men, he decided stealth was a good option. He'd prefer not to have a small hole blasted through his skull.

The ronin reached the ramp leading to the large vessel, ducking behind a barrel as he scanned his surroundings. Typically, the guard assigned to the entrance was fast asleep. Though it seemed too convenient, Koichi took advantage of it and dashed on board. One convenience followed another, as he found more barrels to hide behind shortly after he arrived.

Koichi hide behind the supplies, on the lookout for any more guards. Oddly, he saw no one.

This seems far too easy, Koichi thought uncomfortably, opening the barrel before him and peeking inside. Boxes of bullets. Nope, next box. He closed the lid and ventured to the next container. More bullets. Sighing, the samurai shut the box and glanced around for more. The next three boxes contained only foreign fabrics, while the next held bottles of what looked like some sort of alcoholic drinks.

On the fifth box, however, Koichi found what he was looking for: bales of wheat. He pried open the box next to it, and it too, was full of the grain. Even better, the remaining crates after it contained pan, and only a few days old at that, by the looks of it. The merchant was right, after all. Koichi closed all the containers before lifting up the smallest crate he could find. Luck smiled upon him as he left the ship, utterly unnoticed. This disturbed him more than comforted, though.

I still say that was far too easy, Koichi thought, frowning while he kept to the shadows. He didn't know much about gaijin, but he felt they would guard their belongings much better than he'd witnessed. Something didn't taste right. Koichi shifted the box to his left arm, allowing his sword arm to be free and ready if need be.

He soon found himself at the merchant's home, two samurai guarding the entrance. They eyed him as he approached. Inspecting him a moment, the shorted one grunted. "You the ronin Master Tajiri hired?" he asked. Koichi nodded. "All right, follow me." He slid the door open, stepping inside. The ronin followed warily.

Tajiri... that's a family name. Koichi thought to himself, this merchant's definitely either a former samurai, or the Portuguese aren't the only ones pulling a stunt here. I smell a kitsune... The guard stopped, sliding open another shoji and motioning Koichi inside. The ronin complied, stepping forward.

"Ah, it seems your search was fruitful, Nakano-san." The merchant greeted, motioning for his guest to sit down. Koichi did so, pushing the box to him, nodding. Tajiri opened the container, delighted by what he saw. "Pan bread! Tons of it! I was right! Those dirty foreigners shall see justice for their deceit!"

"Well, that's good to hear," Koichi agreed. Then he narrowed his eyes, surprising his host when Dragon's Claw stared the merchant in the face, the ronin now standing. "And now, your own scheme is uncovered, servant of Oshima." The ronin growled. His fellow samurai never batted an eye, returning the glare.

"Clever one you are," he admitted, "perhaps that is why you have evaded Masashi-sama's wrath for so long. That's ended though, I assure you."

"You guards do not scare me-- their eyes show their lack of skill, one could say," Koichi spat, turning his blade on the advancing warrior behind him. He cut the fighter down quickly, then swatted Tajiri's fingers when he attempted to reach for the sword at his side.

"Tell me, Nakano, how'd you figure it out?"

"Your work is sloppy. A last name, your prideful and strong stride... the fact you knew my name when I never told you." Koichi's eyes burned into his opponent's.

"I see. Now, are you going to slit my throat now, or later?" Koichi snorted, bringing his sword back.

"Withdraw your blade, Tajiri," he murmured, "I don't kill unless the enemy is armed and fighting."

"So ka. You are an honorable man, Nakano-san," Tajiri complied, unsheathing his own katana and leaping to his feet, "But also a fool!" He swung his blade, to which Koichi merely dodged. He blocked the next blow, stepping out into the hallway.

"Masashi must be getting desperate to set up fraud with foreigners -- not to mention in another daimyo's land. He's taking quite a risk." Koichi attacked.

Tajiri blocked, "You've become quite the thorn in his side, you know. Oshima doesn't like it when he prey becomes so elusive. Especially when that same prey wiped out his best troops."

"How much did you pay you and the Portuguese for the elaborate disguise?" Koichi turned back on defense.

"More than enough." Tajiri snorted, looking behind his enemy. Already aware of the other servants, Koichi flipped his katana around, stabbing backwards. The samurai behind him gurgled in pain before slumping to the ground. Koichi switched his blade back in time to deflect Tajiri's next blow.

"Not bad, ronin, I'll admit," Oshima's vassal mused, "but you understand no matter how many men I lose, I can't allow you to leave alive."

"I'd prefer not to kill, but when you leave me such an option, I guess karma forces me to do otherwise." Koichi kicked his attacker in the stomach before leaping over his head, slashing the guard next to him.

"You've already killed three, with nary a word. I beg to differ on your view of killing."

"Their deaths shall be properly mourned later, but now... enough talk!" Koichi stuck hard, vibrating Tajiri's blade so that his opponent feared it may snap. It didn't, and the two fought on.

Kicking a screen out of the way, the two carried their battle into the street, near an alleyway. Sure of his victory now that part of their field was shadowed, Tajiri smirked. He'd already taken many precautions, positioning his four companions in strategic locations. Only one remained, but that was all he needed. Surprise overcame him when Koichi returned the smirk, withdrawing his wakizashi with his free hand.

The ronin suddenly ducked, Tajiri's partner barely missing his target when he leapt out of the shadows. Koichi lunged his wakizashi into the man's stomach before twisting his torso back and swinging his katana up in his infamous kofuku-tenshinken technique. The blade bit deep into Tajiri's mid-back, forcing the samurai to the ground. Sputtering blood, Tajiri wheezed, looking weakly up at Koichi.

"Kisma!" he coughed, "Omae o ko-korosu..." his eyes rolled into the depths of his head, his body going limp. Koichi wiped his blades off before sheathing them. He shook his head.

"Such a waste. They could have used their skills for better deeds." He turned his back, looking up at the night sky. "I'd best tie up loose ends before departing."

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"We demand you lower your insane prices, gaijin!" a plump and real merchant fumed the next morning.

"Indeed! We've had enough of your swindling!"

"I told you, my good man, we are low in wheat, and therefore pan bread!" The Portuguese merchant retorted, stroking his short, dark beard. "Prices will go down very soon!" He sighed, watching his men keep the angry crowd back, and also at the approaching samurai official.

"What's the problem here?!" He demanded. The foreigner bowed respectfully.

"Samurai-sama, forgive me, but my associates and I are forced to raise the price on pan bread because we are short on wheat."

"I believe you have plenty of supplies right here," a voice retorted disgustedly behind him. All eyes turned to a tall ronin standing by a stack of crates. Without another word, he sliced open the wood, their contents spilling out. Bundles of wheat and countless loaves of pan bread tumbled to the ground.

"I knew it! They've been ripping us off!" one man cried. "Samurai-sama, arrest them!" The official already had his firm grip on the frightened gaijin leader.

"You dare make fools of us?" He snarled, withdrawing a small knife.

"Chotto," Koichi spoke, stepping forward, "The gaijin are not completely to blame. They were paid by the Lord Oshima to do this."

"Nani?" The other samurai glared at the man in his grasp, "Is this true?!"

"H-hai, Milord," the other stuttered. The samurai snorted, shoving him over to one of his servants.

"Lock him and his men up," he ordered, "We'll have them tried later. Right now I need to inform Lord Takeda of Oshima's insult." He then turned to Koichi.

"I thank you for this, stranger," he bowed lightly, which Koichi returned. "May I ask of you to accompany me while I visit my master? I'm sure he'd reward you for your help." Koichi shook his head.

"Forgive me, sir, but I must decline. I am a humble ronin, and I wish to return to the roads now." The official raised his eyebrows, but nodded.

"I see. Very well, do as you wish, though I am still grateful for your actions."

"Doo Itashimashite. I only did what needed to be done." Koichi bowed once more and turned, heading back on the road.

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Haruko titled her head at her guest.

"Isn't Takeda in conflict with the Oshima clan right now?" she asked. Koichi nodded.

"Yes. From what I've heard, Lord Takeda felt rather insulted by Oshima's actions, despite his true intent. And Takeda's known not to let insults slip by."

"So, technically, you started a war." Haruko raised her eyebrows.

"Well, perhaps, but not intentionally if I did so. Takeda's had rotten relations with Oshima as of late regardless. I think war was inevitable."

"Still, I'm sure Oshima really wants your head now." Koichi sighed.

"Please, don't remind me..."

"Gomen nasai..." Haruko looked down.

"Oh, I'm not angry, I just prefer to dwell on more pleasant things." Koichi explained.

"I understand." Haruko watched her father gather the last bushels of rice before asking, "Nakano-san, do you enjoy it here?" Koichi rarely expressed surprise around her, but this time he did.

"Nani? Why?"

"Just curious."

"Oh. Well, I--"

"Haruko, help me carry these baskets to the storage house, will you?" Hidemi shouted from the fields. Haruko rose to her feet.

"Coming, Tousan!" she called back, heading towards him. Koichi sighed deeply, resting his head against the wall, closing his eyes once more.

I have quite some musing to do. He sighed inwardly.

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Sheesh. Nearly 4:30 am here, I'd best finish this...

waraji- sandals

Jesuit- European Christian missionary

Pan- Portuguese for "bread", though the Japanese later adopted this word

Doo Itashimashite - "you're welcome/think nothing of it"

Kitsune- "fox"; thought by the Japanese to be tricksters

Kisma- basically "you" as in "f*** you"

Omae o ko-korosu- "I'll kill you"