Chapter 17

Anko and Benjamin sat on the wooden bridge crossing the koi pond in the tranquil garden of her parents' house. Shoeless, his trousers rolled and her indigo dyed summer kimono rucked up around her knees, they dangled their feet in the water, laughing as the flashing koi, like a rainbow of white and gold, silver and bronze, came to investigate and nibble. This was conversation practice, something arranged by their tutor, the translator. When Benjamin's work was done, they would meet in the garden for an hour to practice what they'd studied together.

Satsuki and Eitaro had to admit that Anko's English was improving because of it as was Benjamin's Japanese. They were satisfied that being able to talk to the Westerners was a useful skill. Every day, the reports confirmed that the visiting Westerners were already moving in.

Anko and Benjamin took full advantage of the practice times, and their language skills grew as fast as mung bean sprouts as did their friendship. They'd gone beyond mere attraction now that they could talk to each other, Anko thought. She loved having a connection to an entirely different world, envisioning herself on the deck of a ship, entering a foreign harbor, wearing fitted trousers and her new boots!

Today, though, Anko was distracted and worried. Gengoro had petitioned the Daimyo for an audience, and everyone knew it was to challenge Eitaro's appointment. Anko shivered. There would be war if Gengoro actually convinced the Daimyo or his advisors to change his mind.

Benjamin, who had been leaning back on his hands, saw her tremble. He sat up and dusted his hands on his thighs. "What's the matter?" he asked.

"Politics," Anko replied. "Endless politics. My father's appointment may be challenged. That could mean problems." She shook herself slightly, and recovered her composure. She caught a glimpse of Kiyo, her mother's maid, carrying laundry down the hall. Kiyo kept an eye on Anko no matter where she went, whether Satsuki asked her to or not. Anko knew she shouldn't be talking about Gengoro's potential for trouble making; that was family business, and none of Benjamin's. She hoped Kiyo hadn't heard her indiscretion. "That needn't affect us now," she said, and searched for a topic to distract him. "How do you feel having your family so far away?"

"I miss them," he said, sighing and looking up through the vine maple branches to the cloudless blue of the sky. "When I joined the Navy, I knew that I'd be at sea for many years. That doesn't mean I don't miss them and think of them every single day." He swept a hand over the vista. "My mother would love this garden."

"I hope she will get to see it someday. Can American people travel freely?"

"Yes, of course." He glanced at her briefly, but switched his gaze quickly to watch her slender foot stir the water. Irene, his sister, would never show her bare ankles like this, and he'd be furious if she did! He found it distracting, even unnerving. "Would you like to?"

"Certainly," she replied, "but we have not been allowed to. The late Sheriff was lost at sea, ended up in the West and wasn't allowed to come back until recently. The government wouldn't let people who left the country return."

Benjamin nodded. He knew about this, but he was surprised Anko did. "Genmai-san told us about this area," he said. "That's why we're in your mountains. We're opening Japan to free trade so that all the overseas Japanese can return, and Japanese people will be able to travel."

Anko turned to gaze across the garden. Satsuki's wisteria-patterned silk kimono fluttered as the woman vanished behind a screen. What Benjamin said was too simple to be complete. What wasn't he telling her?

"Why are you here, then? In the mountains, I mean, not just in Japan? What did Genmai tell you about this place?" Anko asked, swinging her feet through the cool water, careful to look away, to sound disinterested and casual, though she very much wanted to know. Anko always wanted to know.

Benjamin wasn't supposed to talk about his assignment or their mission in Japan to just anyone. Anko, though, wasn't just anyone.

"Steamships," he told her. "Sailing ships ride the wind. The winds go around the earth in predictable ways, but sailing ships can't always use the wind to travel the most direct routes. Steamships burn fuel to make steam. The steam turns a propeller that drives the ship in any direction, no matter which way the wind blows."

"But why Japan?" Anko, interested, pulled her feet out of the water and tucked them beneath her, sending a refreshing wave of chill all the way up her back. "There are people in Japan who say it's not our way to mix with outsiders, and it's best for us to keep to our traditional ways."

Benjamin sucked in a breath. What Anko said was true, which is why the Navy brought a fighting fleet, but it hurt his feelings. It felt like a personal rejection. He looked into Anko's face and saw nothing but friendly interest, so he decided she didn't mean her and him and answered.

"It's the latitudes, mostly." Benjamin sketched a globe with his hands and drew lines on it, until Anko nodded her understanding, smiling at his clever charade, and gave him the correct Japanese word. He repeated it, thanking her.

"Steamships," Benjamin continued, "can cross the ocean from the west coast of American to Japan, but they need fuel, water and food to go further or return. We plan to create bases here to buy what we need, and open the ports for trade, too. Everyone will benefit from free trade, and Japan will also benefit from supplying the ships."

Anko smiled. Now she knew what the foreigners really wanted with Japan, but he still hadn't answered her other question.

"What are you looking for here in the mountains?" Everybody wanted to know that, so Anko asked again. This time, Benjamin answered.

"I don't know the Japanese word. It's a rock that burns. It fuels the steamships. It's found underground. We're looking for a place where there's a lot of it so we can create a source of supply for the ships. Genmai said there was plenty around here, but he never had a chance to show the General where."

Kiyo, bearing a tray of tea and snacks, entered the garden, presenting it to them with a formal bow and smile. Conversation practice was at an end.