Calming Down
14 October 1998
by Ed Rubin

Naoki stretched, enjoying the heat of the bathwater that washed away the remaining traces of his dalliance at the Pine House the evening before. At that moment, the same servant that had entered the room the day before once again entered, carrying the same bucket, which yet again was giving off as much steam as a fresh teakettle. The little man hesitated, obviously frightened but nevertheless trying to determine if the large samurai would tolerate the addition of the new and hotter bathwater that he carried.

Naoki noticed the little servant, and waved him closer, saying, "Yes, man, dump it in. Also, bring me strong tea." The servant complied quickly with the first request, and left to comply with the second.

Naoki felt he would need his wits about him later this morning, as the introductions in Retsu's court took place, and strong tea would, at the same time both fortunately and unfortunately, help to clear his head. In the meantime, though, he leaned back and enjoyed the hot water, closing his eyes to savor the memory of little Yukiko's long hair, how it spilled out of its clasp, and the tricks and teases she performed with it the previous night...

Naoki had dozed off, it seemed, only to be awoken by the return of the little servant, bearing this time a large platter laden with a tea kettle, a cup, and a dish of tidbits whose odor already had Naoki's mouth watering. "Excellent. Good man. Excellent. Please, more hot water for the bath." The servant placed the platter on a small stand and scurried out to get more water.

Naoki poured himself a cup of tea, sipped at it, then downed the rest, refilled the cup, and finally set it aside. He tasted a morsel of some fish and fruit mixture on a rice cracker, and liking it, picked up two more before leaning back. The tea had already worked its miracle, and Naoki could once again recall a secondary reason for his feelings of well being this morning: Marako had sent the Scorpion money back. He had reacted too strongly, perhaps, just as his sensei and his father always complained, but, well, that had just been how he felt then. Now, he felt differently. He still wondered to what extent any of his companions actually respected him or trusted him, but with the imminent possibility of indebtedness to a man who wanted him dead safely undone, the feelings themselves no longer had the same burning intensity that they had previously.

Ishi had talked to the pillar in the Pine House last night, and had discovered that a murder had in fact taken place in its presence six years ago, so maybe now they could conclude Jinjiro's task quickly, and be away from here before any of their own blood must be spilled.

"These court functions," Naoki mused with a glance at his sword on the little shelf next to the tub, "will in any case probably kill me quicker than any assassin's blade."

He laughed heartily at that thought, and was still laughing when the little servant man re-entered. He came quickly to the edge of the tub, and glanced for permission at Naoki, who gave it, adding, "thank you, my good man, thank you indeed."

Naoki was in a great mood this morning, thanks especially to Yukiko, and he intended to savor the feeling fully, at least until the court convened later. In one hand, he took another morsel of food, in the other, he picked up his cup of tea, and he then settled back into the renewed heat of the water.