When two soldiers came for Kai, he wandered aimlessly around the tent, no longer knowing what to do. He could not run because he gave his word. For Kai, this was not an empty phrase – over the years here he had established himself as a person who “keeps his word.” And nothing would make him break this word. This was his life principle – the principle of honor.
The soldiers bowed politely and motioned for him to come forward. From this, he concluded that he was not a prisoner, but a guest of honor or a captive guest. It was already interesting, especially since he heard the noise of approaching cars – someone came and wanted to see him.
“If I am being led so courteously, and not dragged in handcuffs, then everything is not so bad. Even wondering who came to visit Toyami?”
All these thoughts flashed through his head as they walked through the camp.
Going inside the tent, Kai saw Mr. Yuzuru and his retinue standing on one side, Toyami and his retinue on the other side, and Reiko in the center. He would always recognize him, despite the fact that they last saw each other almost a year ago, and not in the best circumstances. He remembered how he dragged him across the gorge under a hail of bullets and explosions. That time Reiko was badly hurt.
“Reiko!” Kai stepped forward, they hugged tightly in a masculine way, like two warriors who went through the hell of war, “How glad I am to see you.”
Then he turned to Yuzuru.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Yuzuru,” Kai always respected the traditions of this country and always treated the people who stood in front of him with respect, although he knew that now they were talking, and the next day they might be on opposite sides of the trenches.
Then there was an awkward pause. Everyone looked at Kai, and he understood that they wanted to understand – what had happened between him and Toyami.
Kai stood under the cross-eyes. The kimono suited Kai very much: a thin waist, dark silk, white trim, shading the face and hands, resin hair, green eyes, noble features.
Reiko found himself thinking that he understood Toyami why he lost his head. All this time he saw Kai usually in blood, mud, and in the heat of battle, although he was handsome then, but now …
“Tell me, was Mr. Takeru’s attitude respectful to your stay at his place?” finally asked Yuzuru, breaking the long pause.
“Yes, with due respect,” Kai knew what he wanted to know.
“I beg your pardon for your captivity, let’s consider this a misunderstanding – you are free. And if you do us the honor, stay for dinner, and there is also a cooperation proposal that I would like to discuss with you.”
“Thank you,” Kai replied and bowed politely, “I will accept your invitation to stay for dinner.”
“I want to talk alone with my comrade in arms, we will come to dinner,” Reiko said and gestured to Kai to follow him to another part of the tent, fenced off by a stole.
All this time, Toyami stood silently and with a cold, calm face watched what was happening, while a storm was raging inside him. He didn’t know that Kai had such a sincere friendship with Reiko. How sincere they were, he saw in the eyes shining with the joy of one and the other. And why didn’t Kai blame him? He could have told Mr. Yuzuru about the disrespectful attitude towards him, and then there would be hell to pay- judging by such a hasty arrival, Mr. Yuzuru was decisively disposed of.
When Kai and Reiko went to another part of the tent, Toyami remembered that it was his duty to host everyone and give orders for the upcoming dinner – this he did, although his thoughts were about Kai, he understood what now Reiko would ask him.
***
Kai sat in the chair next to which was a table and watched how Reiko was walking excitedly. He was trying to find words to start a conversation.
Still not finding the right words and seething with rage, Reiko turned sharply, stopping right in front of Kai, and asked:
“Are you sure everything is all right? Don’t you want to tell me anything?”
“Thank you for being so sincerely worried about me. Exactly, everything is in order,” Kai looked openly into Reiko’s narrowed, flashing lightning eyes, “Please sit down, you are already starting to frighten me with your condition.”
“You are my friend, you saved me so many times, we fought shoulder to shoulder. I’m ready to kill Toyami, if you just tell me, ” saying this, Reiko sat down in the chair opposite.
“If I had to, I would have killed Toyami myself,” Kai took out a pack of cigarettes, pulled out one with his thin fingers, and lit a cigarette.
“I’m sorry that Toyami behaves like that,” Reiko said quietly, the wave of aggression subsided, Kai finally dispelled his doubts – everything was fine with him.
“I know your culture, traditions, history, I understand Toyami, I don’t blame him, I don’t even take offense at him, but I can’t accept it either, because I have a different faith,” Kai sincerely wanted to explain everything to Reiko so that he understood, stopped worrying and, all the more, left thoughts of killing Toyami. Kai had no doubts that Reiko could do it.
“I’ve understood you, I am glad that as an educated person you understand Toyami’s deed, I respect you for your decision and patience with him in his madness.”
“Well, to be honest, he had already pissed me off with that.”
They laughed together, realizing the absurdity of this situation. Laughter cleared away the last remnants of tension. The rest of the time they talked about where and who had been during this year and about the events of the last battles. They had something to talk about. So much in common. Rather, one thing in common was an endless war …
***
Then they were called for supper. It was served in the traditional Japanese style. There were low tables, at which everyone sat on their knees in a seiza position. Kai was not embarrassed by this, he not only knew the language perfectly but also all the traditions of this people, to whom to bow, how to eat with chopsticks, and correctly respond to toasts so as not to offend older guests, this was taught to him by his teacher.
Kai’s delicate etiquette impressed everyone. Such knowledge of traditions and respect for them – you will not find this in many Japanese now.
At such suppers, it was customary at the table to talk only about the past historical events of Japan, the wars of the clans of past centuries, military leaders, their battles, their lives. Many looked at Kai in surprise when, once again, it was necessary to continue the conversation, he easily continued any topics of the conversation, perfectly navigated the complex names of former commanders, perfectly remembered the dates and details of historical battles.
Toyami was also surprised and amazed at how Kai behaved, these manners of a true samurai, although he was not one – there was not a single misfire.
Kai sat next to him, on his right hand, such a tradition – the host’s guest should sit on his right. But Kai practically didn’t eat anything, he only sipped a bowl of sake a little when they raised a toast. This alerted Toyami a little, but he did not attach much importance to it.
Sitting to the right of Yuzuru, his adviser was annoyed by the general admiration for Kai, he considered him an enemy. And everything that is happening here now was superfluous. He did not understand this and did not accept, but endured since his master decided so.
Trying to find a reason to catch Kai in at least something, so that he got into trouble and, finally, screwed up in front of everyone, Makota started a conversation about the poetry of past centuries. After all, Kai could not know everything – all the poetry!
“Kai, you’ve said that you love Japanese poetry, I remembered one verse, but I do not remember its ending, can you help me with this:
“In the dreams of a spring night
The air bridge appeared “
Silence fell, everyone realized that Makota, who all the way here insisted that Kai was an enemy and should be dealt with as an enemy, and not seek friendly interaction, now wanted to put Kai at a disadvantage.
“And suddenly fell apart, –
Separated by the summit
Strands of clouds in the sky float.”
“This is Fujiwara Teika, I like his poetry, eleventh century,” Kai said thoughtfully, gave no signal that it was a trap.
Toyami turned around and looked into Kai’s eyes with admiration, what he heard finally struck him. He tried to hold on all evening, but reading poetry, and even in the perfect Japanese manner with a perfect pronunciation! He could no longer take his eyes off Kai’s face.
Everyone looked at them.
Kai realized that Toyami was going crazy again. He did not think that his behavior would impress him so much. Something had to be done to bring Toyami back to his senses, as Reiko was starting to boil when he saw Toyami staring at Kai.
“If you love me,
I’ll wave my sleeve to you
But in the land of Musashi in the meadows
Ukera hide the color from the eyes –
So you also hide your love. “
“And this poem I like very much,” Kai said in a cold voice as he read it, looking into Toyami’s eyes.
“Toyami, come to your senses!” Kai sent him a mental signal.
He didn’t want Toyami to suffer because of his stupidity.
Kai’s eyes sparkling with anger when he was reciting the poem, like a tub of cold water, sobered Toyami. His face took on a mask of indifference, and he looked in front of him into space.
“Kai, I would like to discuss with you the possibility of cooperation in one military operation,” said Mr. Yuzuru, interrupting the prolonged pause.
Further, Mr. Yuzuru told Kai its essence:
The opposing clan of Miota was now not in the best position, not far from here their camp was located, as it turned out, very small in number. According to intelligence, the schemes of underground labyrinths located under Mount Aishar were brought to the camp. Now the schemes were stored there, in the camp, their informant confirmed this. But there was one catch – the schemes were kept in a safe. They could not blow up the safe – there was a system for self-destruction of all contents. It was also impossible to pick it up – this was a multi-ton whopper; reinforcements would arrive to take it out – they would not be allowed to leave. The only way out was to find the code and open the safe. With the help of a computer, it was possible to try to find the code, but it would take a long time, till the program started calculating all the multi-million combinations, the computer needed time.
Mr. Yuzuru had heard a lot about Kai’s mathematical abilities and knew that already once Kai had opened such a safe in just a few minutes. Only the human mind could choose the correct code by logic and reason. And Kai had such a mind. Therefore, Yuzuru offered cooperation, and in return, he promised Kai not only freedom but also the opportunity to pick up copies of the maze schemes. Because he believed that it would benefit everyone. With what was found in these tunnels, they could not cope alone. They generally only needed one tunnel leading to the lake to go into the rear of the main camp of Miota.
Kai listened carefully to the proposal. Getting maze schemes would be great. They would be very useful to Gor, otherwise how many times they had wandered through the tunnels like blind kittens. Having the schemes, they would find where Gunther’s secret laboratory could be located and put an end to its existence and the experiments that he put there. And it was worth bringing some of the tunnel schemes to his superiors. All, of course, he would not hand over, otherwise, they would have been and gone and done.
“What will be your decision?” asked Yuzuru, looking at Kai’s calm face.
“It’s stupid to refuse such an offer. Got pictures of the safe?”
“Yes,” Yuzuru turned to the assistant, “show to Kai.”
Looking at the pictures, Kai realized that his worst fears had come true. He knew these safes, studied them, being trained by the special services. There was a different modification of such safes with various self-destruction systems. It was a one-try safe. That is, when entering the wrong code, it exploded.
“Do you know this model?” Yuzuru tried to understand from Kai’s face what was wrong. Kai’s eyes widened slightly when he looked at the photo, Yuzuru always watched everyone very carefully, because by emotions a person can be understood much more than he says.
“Yes, I do. There will be only one try.”
“What does it mean?”
“If the code is incorrect, the self-destruct mechanism will work.”
Everything went cold inside Toyami, he knew that somewhere there would be a catch. Yuzuru just didn’t do anything for nothing. He decided to let Kai go in exchange for a deadly favor.
“When are we going?” Kai asked.
“I didn’t know that there was only one attempt.” Yuzuru didn’t know that everything was much more serious here.
“This is a war, there is a game of roulette everywhere. I like this game,” Kai’s eyes flashed with green crazy sparks, “when do we go?”
“Tomorrow evening. We plan to be there by one in the morning. But I propose to discuss a detailed plan of the operation tomorrow afternoon since the situation on the fronts is constantly changing. Tomorrow there will be the latest reports and data on the observation of the Miota camp.”
Yuzuru stood up, showing everyone that the dinner was over, everyone followed his example.
Addressing Toyami, Yuzuru said:
“Find another tent for Kai to sleep in.”
“I’d rather stay in Mr. Takeru’s tent if you don’t mind.”
Everyone who was already leaving stopped and turned around at this statement of Kai.
“The guest’s desire is the law,” Yuzuru did not object, he understood that the safest place for Kai was to be near the one who loves you.
Yuzuru chuckled as he walked alongside Reiko to the exit, said:
“He uses Toyami and will turn samurai round his finger.”
“I’ve already understood that,” Reiko was now calm about Kai and his night with Toyami, but the upcoming campaign began to worry him more and more with the details of the safe that surfaced.
“I’ll go tomorrow with them,” Reiko turned to Yuzuru, who was already leaving in the direction of his tent.
“Your right, Mr. Nikaido Reiko. Such a warrior will be very useful there.”
***
Toyami ordered Kai to be escorted to his tent, while he stayed to finish things. The arrival of such guests made certain adjustments to his plans.
The thought of Kai, of his decision, which he did not expect, constantly arose in his mind.
“Why did he decide to stay with him? So he is not disgusted with him after yesterday?”
Returning to the tent, he found Kai dozing on the couch with the TV on.
It was strange because the fact that he relaxed so calmly at Toyami’s place meant that he trusted him. After all, the other, being with the enemy, would never take his hair down, and Kai believed him, despite everything, completely trusted himself, did not doubt in him. He doubted himself, but Kai did not.
From the noise of footsteps, Kai woke up and saw Toyami, who was standing opposite and looking at him with sad gray eyes.
“You’re staring again,” Kai said irritably.
“You have forbidden to love you, let me at least look.”
“Crazy!” Kai snapped, then said more calmly, “Today’s dinner was very tiring, I’ve even fallen asleep by the TV.”
“You haven’t eaten anything, don’t you like our food? Do you want something else to be brought to you?”
“Do you have any chocolates?” seeing Toyami’s face, Kai smiled, “What is it about, you know, I love chocolate.”
“As a girl …” Toyami stopped short, “you are inconsistency itself. You drive me crazy.”
“You are like a girl yourself, you have so many things in your bathroom.”
“But you liked it,” Toyami sucked in the air through his nostrils, “you still smell like my vanilla gel.”
Kai said nothing, then said:
“And let them bring red semi-dry wine. I will have a sleepless night today,” Toyami tensed from such statements, “Relax,” Kai laughed, seeing Toyami’s face, “well, now about the serious. This night I have to solve the safe’s code. You realize that there is only one attempt to open the safe. I know these safes – there is a combination of eight numbers and a control word of five letters. So you need to understand, through simple analysis, what kind of numbers are encoded there and what a word.”
“It’s impossible!”
Unfolding a sweet, Kai replied:
“Everything is possible, there will be confirmation clicks, almost imperceptible, but audible. But to guess what is encrypted there I need for tonight,” he finished, chewing on the sweet. “This code must be remembered by the owner of the safe, otherwise bam – it’s all over! Therefore, it must be something meaningful for him, important that he can never forget … You must help me, tell me everything you know about the owner of the safe, more details. I need a computer, an Internet connection, paper, a pen … and where is the wine?”
“Why have you agreed?” asked Toyami, pouring wine into the glass for Kai and following all his instructions.
“I need these schemes; they will save many lives.”
“Why have you stayed in my tent?”
Kai turned serious.
“I trust you, you can really help me now, I need you.”
Toyami froze at such words, he did not expect and was confused.
Then he came to his senses, brought a laptop, paper, and a pen.
Kai sat down at the table and stared at the monitor.
“Well, why are you still standing there, time is short, sit down, tell me. Never mind that I’m on the computer. I can hear you, I can do several things at the same time.”
Toyami sat down opposite and, realizing how important and practically unrealistic it was in his understanding, began to talk in detail about the owner of the safe, Mr. Miota. He knew him well enough, Toyami was personally acquainted with him before serious disagreements in their clans. And even was in Miota’s tent, at the negotiations, where he saw this safe behind the stole out of the corner of his eye.
Kai did everything at the same time, moved the mouse, looking for something on the Internet, then abruptly began to write down and practically did not look at Toyami, but when he was interested in something from the story, he asked him again and asked him to go into details.
“An interesting photo. Is this his family? Who is depicted on it?” Kai found it on the Internet.
Toyami walked over to the back of the chair and bent down to take a closer look. As if casually put his hand on Kai’s shoulder.
“Yes, this is his family,” Toyami said, practically leaning towards Kai’s ear. Then he removed his hand, went, and sat down in his place.
“If I was not so busy, you would catch it in the neck, but now I haven’t got time,” Kai was angry with Toyami’s behavior, but he did not want to waste time and energy on it, “tell everything about them.”
Toyami began to speak, his memories stretching for two hours. He seemed to remember everything. He paused, then said:
“I have nothing more to tell you.”
“OK. Do not ask anything and do not bother me, go,” Kai needed time to comprehend the information received and also rummage on the Internet – anyone can find a lot there, “you can take my … your bed, I will not need it today,” said Kai to the outgoing Toyami.
“Is that all I can get from Kai? A command tone and an order, where is my place for today. “
Toyami looked at him sadly. Kai was writing intently on paper, glancing at the screen.
Realizing that tomorrow was a responsible day and he needed to sleep enough to keep everything under control, Toyami glanced at Kai again, then went to bed. Of course, sleeping on the sofa was not very comfortable. Realizing that Kai would be looking for the password to the code all night, Toyami decided to take advantage of Kai’s permission to lie on his bed.
By dawn, when Kai’s brain was already refusing to analyze, he realized that he needed to go to bed and sleep at least a little. All night he tried to understand what this man could encode in a cipher, what was close and dear to him. What?! He looked for any details on the Internet, details, little things. He listened to Toyami’s story. He heard the details and clung to them, trying to understand the essence of the owner of the safe, his way of thinking, his psychology, life, values that he appreciated. Moreover, Kai had a clue – these were eight numbers and a five-letter word. He wrote down the suggested variants of numbers and words on a piece of paper and immediately brushed aside those that did not meet these requirements.
By morning, the bottle of wine was already drunk, the pack of cigarettes had been smoked. The brain melted from the information received. Kai felt the answer was somewhere nearby, but he was tired, he needed to sleep.
Without undressing, he plopped down on the bed next to the sleeping Toyami. Now he didn’t care. He knew he needed to sleep and the answer would appear …
***
Going to bed, Toyami turned on the alarm to get up early, as there was a lot to do. From his beeping, he woke up and realized that he was not alone in bed. Turning his head, he saw Kai lying on his back next to him, who was sleeping like a baby.
Most likely, he recently went to bed, Toyami realized from the still smoking, poorly extinguished cigarette in the ashtray.
Toyami looked at the sleeping Kai, this beautiful face … thin lips …
“No, I have to keep myself in hand! … But today Kai can die if he dials the wrong code … To die … Then is there any point in restraining himself? I’ll be there, by the safe, with Kai to the last. And now they are here, together, his lips are near … “
Toyami turned over and lay on top, lifting Kai’s chin, covered his lips with a kiss.
From the kiss, Kai woke up, realized that Toyami was lying on him and holding his hands. The position for release was unfavorable, and his strength left after such a brainstorming session. After all, he just fell asleep, and here there was again Toyami!
Toyami’s kiss was passionate, Kai felt it.
“No – not now! He still hadn’t figured out the code for the safe, he wanted to sleep, but here Toyami with his love. It’s even a pity to beat him, and now there is no strength …”
“Please, please, not now,” Kai whispered softly when Toyami’s lips let go of his lips, “I’m very tired, the cipher solution is near, but I still don’t fully understand. I need to sleep. Time for everything is short … I don’t even have the strength to throw you off … how heavy and strong you are,” he still tried to free his hand.
Toyami listened, looking into Kai’s tired, sleepy eyes, he understood, Kai was sincere, telling the truth, this was not a game. And he again had succumbed to his selfish desires. Kai had no time to sleep, and here he bothered the guy in addition.
Toyami rolled off Kai and bent over him, began to undress him. Kimonos with many silk ribbons and belts are not easy to remove.
Kai opened his eyes wearily.
“What are you doing? Toyami – please! Now I don’t even have the strength to fight you …”
Toyami stopped, stopped unwinding the silk belt from his waist.
“I’m sorry that you think me such a monster. I just want to take these rags off you so you can sleep well.”
Kai looked sleepily into Toyami’s eyes.
“Thank you,” the tension eased, he began to fall asleep.
Toyami took off his kimono, pulled off his boots, leaving him in his shirt and trousers. And covered with a silk blanket. This was trust, complete, unlimited. Nobody trusted him like that, ever. Why did he trust!?
He was sitting on the bed, bending over the sleeping Kai. Then he turned away abruptly, got up, found his cigarettes, and lit a cigarette …
With a wandering gaze, he walked to the laptop, looked at the sheets of paper lying next to him. They were written in a very beautiful, even handwriting. It’s not English – Russian, yes, that was exactly what the inscriptions look like in Russian. He had seen it once. After all, Kai was Russian. Mysterious nation …
***
Returning to the tent at eleven o’clock, Toyami found Kai still asleep.
“Wake up, soon Mr. Yuzuru will convene a war council.”
Kai opened his eyes and saw Toyami standing at the foot of the bed.
“Give me a cigarette.”
Toyami obediently brought Kai’s cigarettes and lit one, gave it to him. Kai took a drag and leaned back on the pillow. Looking up at the ceiling, he said:
“I seem to have understood the code … Bring a glass of wine, cold, red.”
“I’m not quite familiar with your aristocratic habits yet. There is wine. It’s warm. I will know and put it in the refrigerator. Do you think drinking in the morning is right?”
Kai blew out a line of smoke after a puff.
“Is it right to die tonight? Is there cold champagne? I want a glass of cold champagne!”
They brought champagne, expensive, French. Kai drank from the glass, then lay back on the pillow and took another drag on his cigarette.
“I love Krug Clos d’Ambonnay,” Kai said in beautiful French, guessing the name of the champagne, “especially in the morning.”
“Are you going to lie in bed for a long time?” Toyami was amused, he caught himself thinking that every time Kai made unpredictable actions for him, and he liked it. It was the first time he had met such an amazing person. He was such a direct opposite in everything.
“What should I bring you to eat?”
“I don’t know, it doesn’t matter, something.”
“Do you have any favorite dishes? What is your favorite food?”
“I do not care.”
“You know, I dance attendance on you, I try to please. Can you behave normally? Just say – what you like to eat!” all this started to make Toyami angry.
Kai looked into Toyami’s eyes very seriously.
“I have not felt the taste of food for a long time, I did not want to offend you. I’m sorry.”
“How? Do you not feel ?!” Toyami was confused upon hearing this.
“After I got here… this is from the area of a mental disorder,” Kai paused, then said, “I usually eat fish and vegetables.”
“Well, they will bring it to you. Have breakfast, they will come for you when the discussion of the evening plan begins. I have things to do. I leave you,” Toyami lingered a little in the opening of the tent. “Aren’t you angry with me this morning? You were so close. I couldn’t help it.”
“Do not mind it. I’m even beginning to get used to your oddities.”
“Oddities? He considers this feeling to him a strangeness!” thought Toyami.
Walking through the camp, Toyami thought about it. How easily Kai hurt, like that, childishly, without even thinking, considering that this was not serious. To be offended by him for this? How could he be offended by Kai? Sometimes he Kai so formidable, and then he behaved like a boy. These were continuous contradictions. He could not understand him, and this drew him even more to Kai, just being close to him – and that was happiness. Yes, he was happy now. For many years, he was happy next to a person who did not share his feelings.
In his culture, traditions, a warrior could have a close friend, but not for the purpose of carnal pleasures, they must be one soul. That is, the bond between men was welcomed only when two souls found each other and helped each other grow, improve, and fight together. If the connection was based only on physical attraction, for this there was severe punishment and condemnation, and sometimes death.
After Kodji, he had several rather long-term relationships with young men, but he ended them himself, realizing that the limit had been reached and further improvement of souls was not happening. He also had connections with women, which were not prohibited, and here a high moral assessment of the relationship was no longer required. Relationships with women were just for the satisfaction of male needs, without a spiritual principle. Although the unity of souls was not denied here, this was rare, since the warriors of the clan usually married women chosen for them by their parents and simply performed their duty in the form of procreation.
He left the fate of getting married several times, it was good that his father respected his opinion, although he was upset by such behavior of his son.
Women did not interest him, they did not worry his soul so much. Only physical intimacy – that’s all. It was not enough for him. Therefore, there were women, but afterward, moral devastation used to come, and he hurried to remain alone.
From the very first meeting, Kai strangely sunk into his soul. He became his obsession, nightmare, pain. And from a proud, arrogant warrior, Toyami turned into a servant at the feet of his master who happily fulfills all his orders, being happy only to be near him. With every day of communication or even a minute – he was more and more amazed by Kai as a man, a warrior, and most importantly, his immense inner spiritual world. Every second gave new moments of his multifaceted personality. It was mesmerizing and attracting. He wanted to physically touch him – just to touch – his face, shoulders, hug his thin waist, hold his hand. These kisses, which he achieved by force, an incredible feeling of mastering the person he wanted with every part of his body. How he would like to feel weakness in Kai’s body, a sweet trembling, to see in his green eyes not a hard shine, but a veil of growing pleasure, as then …
Dream on! Toyami, bring this, bring that, and go away. That’s all love. And he says that not thinking that he hurts him.
But how can he be angry with Kai? He’ll just be there for him when his master permits. He has decided so himself. He does not want to get rid of this evil suggestion.
Should he get rid of the love that he has been looking for and wants with all his heart?! Now he will be with Kai, always.
