While guards chained Shichisaburo's arms and legs for the trip to the execution ground, Tokugawa Tsunayoshi looked away from the distasteful sight. Lady Keisho-in burst into tears. Glaring at Yanagisawa, Priest Ryuko comforted her. Sano's face mirrored dismay and resignation. Chamberlain Yanagisawa waited for the actor to plead for his life, to incriminate his master in an effort to save himself, to protest the betrayal. Yet Shichisaburo pa.s.sively accepted his fate. As the soldiers led him to the door, he turned to Yanagisawa.

"I'd do anything for you." Though his complexion had gone as white as ice, love blazed from his dark eyes; he spoke with reverence and joy. "Now it is my privilege to die for you."

Then he was gone. The door slammed behind him.

"Well," said Tokugawa Tsunayoshi, "I am glad that the, ahh, misunderstanding has been cleared up and this unpleasant business resolved. Sosakan Sano, move over. Come and sit by me, Yanagisawa-san."

But Chamberlain Yanagisawa, stunned by what had just happened, sat staring after Shichisaburo. For his sake, the actor had willingly made the ultimate sacrifice. Instead of relief, Yanagisawa experienced an agonizing onslaught of grief, regret, and horror. He realized that he'd just destroyed the only person in the world who truly cared for him. Too late, he perceived the value of Shichisaburo's love, and the desolate void it left behind.

Come back! he wanted to shout.

Yet even as he considered admitting that he, not the actor, had instigated the plot, he knew he wouldn't. Selfishness outweighed his capacity for doing what was right-and for love. Now he saw the ugly flaw in his character. He was as worthless as his parents had claimed. Surely this was why they'd withheld their affection from him.

"Yanagisawa-san?" The shogun's peevish voice penetrated his misery. "I told you to come here."

Yanagisawa obeyed. The howling emptiness inside him eroded his soul, growing deeper and darker, never to be filled. Ahead of him stretched a life populated with slaves and sycophants, political allies and enemies, superiors and rivals. But there was no one to nurture his starved heart, or mend his damaged spirit. Unloving and unloved, he was doomed.

"You look ill," Tokugawa Tsunayoshi said. "Is something the matter?"

Seated opposite Yanagisawa in a hostile trio were Sosakan Sano, Lady Keisho-in, and Priest Ryuko. He could tell that they knew the truth about Shichisaburo's confession and his own role in the plot. They didn't intend to let him get away with attacking them. This battle was over, but the war continued-with his rivals united against him.

"Everything's fine," Chamberlain Yanagisawa said.

Hirata walked through Edo Castle's herb garden, where he'd ordered Lady Ichiteru to meet him. A blanket of murky cloud covered the sky, with the sun a diffuse white glow above the palace rooftops. Soaring crows cawed. Frost had withered the beds of herbs, though their pungent scents lingered. Gardeners swept the paths; in a long shed, the castle pharmacist and his apprentices prepared remedies. Lady Ichiteru's attendants waited at the gate. This time Hirata had deliberately arranged circ.u.mstances to preclude seduction, while providing enough privacy for what he intended to be their last conversation.

He found Ichiteru alone beside a pond in which lotus bloomed in summer. Standing with her back to him, she contemplated the tangled mat of foliage. She wore a gray cloak; a black veil covered her hair. Hirata could tell by the way her spine stiffened that she was aware of his presence, but she didn't turn. So much the better: he could speak his mind without succ.u.mbing to her allure.

"It was you who gave Lady Harume the poison that made her sick last summer, wasn't it?" Hirata said. "It was you she feared, and begged her father to rescue her from."

"So what if it was me?" Indifference dulled Ichiteru's husky voice. "You have no proof."

She was right. Hirata had spent the past three days investigating the incident, and had eliminated the other palace residents as suspects. He knew Ichiteru was guilty, but he'd found no evidence against her, and since she was obviously not about to confess, there was nothing he could do. Ichiteru had gotten away with attempted murder, as well as making a fool of him. Angry humiliation stung Hirata.

"I know you did it," he said. "Since you didn't kill Harume, it's the only explanation for how you treated me. You were afraid the sosakan-sama would discover that you were responsible for the earlier poisoning, and you wanted Lady Keisho-in convicted of Harume's murder. So you used me."

Seething inside, Hirata continued, "I bet you're pretty pleased with the way things turned out. But hear this: I know what you are-a murderess in spirit if not in fact. And I'm warning you: Cause trouble again, and I'll come after you. Then you'll get the punishment you deserve."

"Punishment?" Lady Ichiteru gave a disdainful laugh. "What can you do to me that's worse than the future that already lies ahead?"

She turned; her veil slipped. Hirata stared in shock. Ichiteru wore no makeup. Her eyes were red and puffy from weeping, her pale lips bloated. Her bare skin looked mottled and sallow, and she wore her hair in an untidy knot devoid of ornaments. Hirata barely recognized this plain figure as the woman who had captivated him.

"What happened to you?" he said.

"Tomorrow, fifteen new concubines arrive in the Large Interior. I was just informed that I am one of the women who will be dismissed to make room for them-three months short of my official retirement date!" Lady Ichiteru's voice shook with fury. "I've lost my chance to bear the shogun an heir and become his consort. I shall return to Kyoto with nothing to show for thirteen years of degradation and pain. I'll spend the rest of my life as an impoverished spinster, a despised symbol of the imperial family's failed hopes for a restoration to glory."

Sneering at Hirata, Lady Ichiteru said, "I apologize for what I did to you, but you'll get over it. And whenever you think of me, you can laugh!"

Hirata's need for vengeance dissolved. His attraction to Ichiteru had vanished with the artificial trappings of fashion and manner; her bitterness repelled him. Finally he could forgive and even pity Ichiteru. Her fate was indeed her punishment. His own concerns seemed trivial in comparison.

"I'm sorry," he said.

He would have wished her luck, or offered polite words of comfort, but Lady Ichiteru turned away. "Leave me."

"Good-bye, then," Hirata said.

Walking back through the garden, he felt years older than when he'd begun the investigation. The experience had fostered wisdom. Never again would he allow a murder suspect to manipulate him. Yet the departure of the strong emotions he'd had toward Ichiteru left a vacancy in his spirit. He should attend to other cases before Sano's wedding banquet, scheduled for that evening, but Hirata was too restless for work. Filled with vague yearnings, he entered the forest preserve, hoping that a solitary stroll would clear his mind.

He'd no sooner started down a path when a hesitant voice spoke behind him. "h.e.l.lo, Hirata-san."

Turning, he saw Midori approaching. "h.e.l.lo," he said.

"I took the liberty of following you from the herb garden because I thought-I hoped-you might like company." Blushing, Midori fidgeted with a lock of her hair. "I'll go away if you don't want me."

"No, no. I'd be grateful for your company," Hirata said, meaning it.

They wandered between birches that dropped golden leaves upon them. For the first time since they'd met, Hirata really looked at her. He saw the beauty in her clear, direct gaze, her guileless behavior. He could understand his infatuation with Lady Ichiteru as a sickness that had blinded him to good things, including Midori. Thinking about the conversations he'd enjoyed with her, Hirata remembered something.

"You knew that Ichiteru tried to kill Harume last summer, didn't you?" he said. "And you tried to warn me that she planned to use me to make sure she would never be arrested for the murder."

Hiding her face behind the shiny curtain of her hair, Midori looked at the ground. "I wasn't sure, but I suspected... And I didn't want her to hurt you."

"Then why didn't you say so? I know I must not have seemed very eager to listen, but you could have spoken up, or written me a letter, or told the sosakan-sama."

"I was too afraid," Midori said unhappily. "You admire her so. I thought that if I said anything bad about her, you'd think I was lying. You'd hate me."

That a highborn girl could not only care about him, but also want him to think well of her, amazed Hirata. Now he realized that she'd liked him all along. She didn't care about his humble origins. Midori's honest tribute lifted him free of the prison of insecurity. It no longer mattered that he lacked n.o.ble lineage or cultured elegance. His life's achievements-the true manifestations of honor-would suffice. Hirata suddenly wanted to laugh with exultation. How strange that his most humiliating experience should also bring the gift of revelation!

Touching Midori's shoulder, he turned her to face him. "I don't admire Lady Ichiteru anymore," he said. "And I could never hate you."

Midori regarded him with wide, solemn eyes full of dawning hope. A smile trembled on her lips; her dimples flashed shyly, like sunlight glinting on pearls under water. Hirata felt a spring of happiness as he saw a possible answer to his longing.

"What are you going to do now that Ichiteru is leaving?" he asked.

"Oh, I'll be lady-in-waiting to one of the other concubines," said Midori. She added, "I'm supposed to stay at Edo Castle until I marry."

Or perhaps even afterward, Hirata thought, if he remained stationed here and their fortunes coincided. But that was rushing things. For now, he was satisfied to know they would both be at the castle long enough for the future to unfold.

"Well," Hirata said, grinning. "I'm glad to hear that."

Midori gave him a radiant smile. Sleeves touching, they continued along the path together.

"It is my pleasure to open the celebration of the marriage of Sosakan Sano Ichiro and Lady Ueda Reiko," announced Noguchi Motoori.

The go-between and his wife knelt upon the dais in the reception hall of Sano's mansion. Beside them, Sano and Reiko, dressed in formal silk kimonos, sat beneath a huge paper umbrella, symbol of lovers. Wall part.i.tions had been removed, expanding the room to accommodate three hundred banquet guests-friends and relatives, Sano's colleagues, superiors, and subordinates, representatives of prominent daimyo clans. Glowing lanterns hung from the ceiling; the atmosphere shimmered with the scents of perfume, tobacco smoke, incense, and cooking.

"Like rain after a drought, these festivities are much delayed and therefore all the more welcome," Noguchi said. "Now I invite you to join me in congratulating the bridal couple, and wishing them a long, happy life together."

Musicians played a cheerful melody on samisen, flute, and drum. Servants pa.s.sed out sake decanters and cups, proffered laden trays of delicacies. Cries of "Kanpai!" arose from the guests. His heart br.i.m.m.i.n.g with joy, Sano exchanged smiles with Reiko.

The murder investigation was over, albeit not as comfortably as he would have liked. The violent deaths of Lord and Lady Miyagi still disturbed him. Lieutenant Kushida had been transferred to a post in Kaga Province, where he might or might not recover from his obsession and build a new life. Also, Sano felt that he should have guessed that Chamberlain Yanagisawa would sacrifice Shichisaburo, and somehow saved the actor.

However, there would be plenty of time later to review the case, to apply the experience toward better results in future. Relative harmony had returned to Edo Castle. Tonight offered a happy respite from agonizing over the past. How much more significant this celebration was now than if it had taken place right after the wedding! To Sano it seemed a fitting tribute to the bond forged between him and his bride during the investigation. Under cover of their flowing sleeves, they clasped hands.

Magistrate Ueda stood and made the first speech. "Marriage resembles the joining of two streams-two families, two spirits coming together. Though turbulence often results when the waters mix, may they continue to flow forever in the same direction, two forces united for mutual benefit." Beaming proudly at Sano and Reiko, the magistrate raised his sake cup. "I toast the allegiance between our two clans."

The guests cheered and drank. Maids poured liquor for Sano and Reiko. Hirata spoke next: "During the eighteen months that I've served the sosakan-sama, I have found him to be an exemplary samurai and master. Now I'm glad that he has a wife of similar honor, courage, and fine character. I pledge my service to them for as long as I live."

More cheers; another round of drinks. Then an official entered the room and announced, "His Excellency the shogun, and his mother, the Honorable Lady Keisho-in."

In walked Tokugawa Tsunayoshi, regal in his brilliant robes and tall black cap. Keisho-in minced alongside him, smiling. Everyone bowed low, but the shogun gestured for them to rise. "Relax, we're all, ahh, comrades here tonight." Eschewing formality, he seated himself and Keisho-in before the dais. He said to Sano, "My mother wishes to present you with a special wedding gift."

Four priests wrestled a huge Buddhist altar through the door. As Priest Ryuko directed them to set it in the corner, the a.s.sembly stared in awe. Garish carved dragons, deities, and landscapes adorned the teak doors of the ceiling-high butsudan. There were columns inlaid with mother-of-pearl, and a gilt paG.o.da roof. It was a masterpiece of ugliness.

"Wherever shall we put it?" whispered Reiko.

"In a prominent place," Sano whispered back. The gift sealed the alliance between him and Lady Keisho-in. With her support he hoped to convince the shogun to enact reforms that would reduce government corruption and benefit the citizens' welfare. And they needed each other to counteract the influence of Chamberlain Yanagisawa, who was conspicuously absent from the banquet. After the failure of his plot, Yanagisawa would be more eager than ever to ruin them. "That's the most glorious butsudan I've ever seen," Sano declared. "Many thanks, Honorable Lady."

Keisho-in giggled. The audience murmured polite praises, and Priest Ryuko led his brethren in a chant of blessing. Sano studied the handsome priest with interest: Ryuko, too, was a valuable ally. In the s.p.a.ce of a single investigation, he'd built a strong power base from which to further his search for truth and justice.

More speeches followed, with much eating, drinking, music, and merriment. Guests approached the dais to wish the bridal couple well. During a lull, Sano turned to Reiko.

"Happy?" he asked.

Reiko smiled. "Very."

"Me, too." This was truly the best day of Sano's life. Of course he knew that such perfect contentment couldn't last. There would be more dangerous investigations; the ongoing fight to maintain his position in the political battlefield of the Tokugawa regime; the serious and minor crises of life. But for now, Sano basked in serenity. With such good friends and allies, future success seemed a.s.sured. And right beside him was the source of his new optimism.

"Let's make a promise," he said. "Whatever happens, we'll always be lovers."

Reiko squeezed his hand; her eyes sparkled with mischief. "And partners," she added.

The End