The Demon and the Nightingale

Chapter 14

            “So what do you have to say for yourselves, you two?” Master Gorō continued to smile serenely at them.

            Kai’s lips were still pursed in irritation and his brows knit together in irritation. Tatsuya’s mouth was agape. Miraculously, the teacup was still in his hands and he did not spill a single drop.

            “You are indeed a true master,” Kai replied in that same clipped tone of voice.

            Master Gorō smirked. “Nice to see you’ve picked up my charmingly sarcastic wit, boy.” He turned to Tatsuya. “So how long will it take before a lone fly zooms straight into your mouth, Tatsuya?”

            With a shake, the other shinobi clamped his mouth closed. He composed himself and glared at Master Gorō. But the high planes of his cheeks had a suspicious faint red flush. “How long have you known?”

            “Long enough,” the old man answered with a casual wave of his hand. “But you two still haven’t answered my first question - what do you have to say for yourselves, hmm?”

            “If you were anyone but our master, you would’ve had a bloody nose before you even blinked,” Tatsuya spoke through gritted teeth. Fortunately, he had the presence of mind to set his teacup back on the round wooden tray before them.

            “Now, now Tatsuya. Is that any way to talk to an old man?” Master Gorō leaned back a little, his face still sporting that infuriatingly serene smile.

            “So, are you trying to make something out of it Master Gorō? Is it some kind of grave sin or scandal for a shinobi to have feelings?”

            “On the contrary, it is neither a sin nor a scandal, my good shinobi. But it is completely out of the question.”

            The shinobi master’s words may as well have been a razor-sharp knife that struck deep into Tatsuya’s chest and carved out his heart. As well as Kai’s.

            “You two, of all people, should know that what we do comes at a price. We serve those who require our services, and we take pride in what we do, such as it is. And to those we serve, we wholeheartedly dedicate our bodies and our minds,” their master continued. He no longer smiled at them, and his face became solemn.

            “And so we have, Master Gorō,” Tatsuya answered. “You, of all people, know how our service and dedication to the Yamanoha clan - and to your teachings - is unquestionable!”

            “I am not questioning your loyalty, Tatsuya. Or yours, Kai. But you are both aware that one of the basic principles on which our clan is founded is this - We who serve must serve in the spirit of pure and unwavering dedication. The human heart is a powerful and unpredictable force that will eventually destroy that sense of dedication we have in fulfillment of our duties. It will cause us to lose our focus on the tasks set before us. Therefore … We of the Yamanoha Clan Have No Hearts.”

            The two shinobi were silent. This was the creed of their clan and what has guided them in all their missions for nearly all their adult lives. And it was breaking their hearts. It was proving to be their undoing.

            To feel is a distraction. To feel will blur one’s focus. To feel will blind one in the path that one has to take. To feel will make one weak and indecisive. To feel will cause one’s downfall … as a shinobi, as a member of the Yamanoha clan …

            “Yes, you’re right Master Gorō,” said Kai in a soft, subdued voice. Outwardly, it seemed that he had gotten a grip on himself and he was his usual calm, impassive self. But inwardly, he was feeling the ice-cold numbness of hurt and heartbreak.

            My beloved … my beloved …

            “With all due respect, Master Gorō, I don’t see how the Yamanoha clan can continue living this way,” Tatsuya suddenly put in, before Kai could say more.

            “Why not? Our clan has lived this way and has prospered, become the force that it is to the present because of this principle. It works and it has stood the test of time many times over. And I don’t see the clan altering this very principle any time soon.”

             “But we are still men, Master Gorō,” Kai spoke up. “When all is said and done, each and every man, woman and child, including all shinobi, are no different from any person who lives in Yashima. We are all human, so we all breathe, live, die … and feel.”

            Master Gorō arched a grey, hairy eyebrow at the younger man. “How right you are, Kai,” he said in a serious tone that held no hint of his usual sarcasm at such an emotion-filled statement. “But take your time and think very, very carefully on this, you and Tatsuya. The Yamanoha clan will not simply trade one principle for another overnight just because two of its best shinobi suddenly developed feelings.”

            In the heavy, uncomfortable silence that followed, Master Gorō poured himself a cup of the now lukewarm tea. He lifted the teacup to his lips and took a slow, savoring sip. The tea still tasted quite good.

            The two shinobi, on the other hand, fell silent. Seconds passed. It was during those seconds that went that they made up their minds on what to do. Personal resolve flared, formed and solidified within them.

            Tatsuya suddenly stood up. “Well, gotta call it a night. I need to fire up the forge good and early tomorrow morning.” He gave a wide-mouthed yawn and left, scratching his side.

            Master Gorō then turned to Kai. “Well?” He said the word in an amiable, conversational tone of voice.

            Kai stood up and bowed to the old man. “I wish you a good evening, Master Gorō. May you continue to sleep well tonight.” He bowed and made his way to the door of his master’s hut. He paused at the entrance and looked back at him.

            “I love her, Master Gorō.”

            The old man was silent for a while and nodded. He smiled.

            “Good night, Kai.”