The Shadows

The Swordsman

Tate Mountain, Japan 

I was looking at the number of stairs that we had to climb. I was not prepared for this, my last Jiu Jitsu training was six months ago. Yoga would not qualify as training for climbing more than a hundred steps! My stamina and endurance deposit box were running low. 

"Are you ready?" asked Gabe. 

"No!" I answered him. Are you kidding!

"Marie told me you had jiu-jitsu class last year?" Uncle Anthony asked, he was trying to be positive. 

"That was last year?" Geez! These people are unbelievable! What did they expect? That I could do this? They had a lot of faith in me than I have for myself! 

"Let's just go, okay?" I said while I took my first step. The fog was clouding my visibility. My outfit was composed of: my Puma sneakers, my jeggings, a hooded jacket, a white shirt and black warm gloves. Gabe climbed beside me. I tried my best not to look at him. I did not want to get caught staring. 

About a hundred and fifty steps I decided to slump under a Sakura tree. My leg muscles were sore and numb. My knees were shaking. We started at 4:30 am, it was breaking dawn now. Amazing view was our reward. I closed my eyes and welcomed the cool breeze. 

"Em, get going the gates are opening," Uncle Tony startled me. Gabe offered his hand to me, I took it. These stairs could wear anyone out. I noticed Gabe was tired too but I guess he was used to this kind of training. 

When we reached the gate, it was already open. Sakura trees, lots of it, the place was like in a very old Japanese era. It looked like the setting of an anime that I had seen before; Samurai X was the title. There were few huts, a temple, and a dojo. Someone was sweeping dried leaves. It reminded me of an image from my dad’s calendar, given by his Japanese boss. It was so picturesque and beautiful. I inhaled the fresh clean air. 

"Daydreaming again? Is that your favorite hobby?" Maggie commented, I did not know that she was watching me. I wish I could erase her in the picture. It was a nerve-wracking experience; she complained the whole duration of the climb. She was like a cat with a thorn in its paw. I could not imagine her being the wife of a vampire. Good luck Jared! 

A man in a bowler hat emerged from the dojo. He was wearing a black suit and was headed in our direction. Probably in his thirties? "Mr. Quintanar Sir, pleasure meeting you. I'm Professor Archibald Wilkins," he shook my uncle’s hand. He's British! Unless he was faking it? Ugh the negativity in me! I shook my head. What is going on with me! 

"I'm working on a book with Mr. Sato. He is having tea as we speak. I'll show you to the waiting room," Mr. Wilkins said with his lovely accent. He brought us to one of the huts. It was old on the outside but impeccably clean on the inside. We took our shoes off. There was no chair so we sat on the floor. My feet hurt, so I stretched my legs and pointed my toes. Gabe was watching me; he motioned his face to the right side. A lady with a tea set tray was trying to enter the room and I was blocking her way.

"Gomenasai!" Did I say it right? I guess watching Animé has its perks. I had seen this word many times, and the subtitles said it was "sorry". The lady smiled at me and placed the tea set on the table. She said "Sake and Tea", then she stood up. She was wearing Kimono in powder pink, she looked very respectable and formal. 

"Arigato!" It just came out of my mouth. Then I gave her a semi-bow. That came from an Animé that I had seen. I heard it from my dad too. It meant "thank you". 

"I didn't know you speak Japanese?" Uncle Tony asked, bemused. 

"I don't, just standard greetings and simple phrases," I answered as I looked at the tea cups. 

"Did you have formal lessons?" It was Gabe. He was carefully watching me. 

"No, I watch Animé," I said, it felt like all of them were watching my every move.

"What's an Animé?" this time it was Jared. Seriously? These guys were members of a secret society of assassins? And they did not know what Animé is? Is that possible? 

They were all waiting for my answer. I was about to answer them when Professor Wilkins stepped inside. 

"You have not touched the refreshments?" The professor observed. All of us opened our mouths to say an excuse. But we were silenced by the opening of the sliding door. 

When he appeared in front of us, he was wearing traditional Japanese man clothing. Definitely, like what Kenshin Himura wore in Samurai X. His feet were covered in white cloth. I saw his Katana tucked into the sash that was holding his robe closed. Okay, why does he have a weapon? I was panicking at the moment. For sure he did not think of us as enemies, did he? I noticed his sharp features too. Maybe he was the same age as my uncle. 

"Ohayo!" He said with a clipped voice. Good morning. 

"Watashiwa Akihiro Sato!" He was introducing himself. I think? He spoke in pure Japanese and Professor Wilkins translated it to us. 

"Pardon me for the word, but Mr. Sato wants the bloodsucker out!" said Professor Wilkins. 

Did he want Jared out? Maybe he has vampire issues. Jared stood up and exited a different door. He was guided by the lady in a pink Kimono. Mr. Sato continued with his statement and Professor Wilkins translated it to us.

It occurred to me that someone knew our secret. The Brotherhood is bound to follow the rules. Jared broke the law then he should die too. But my allies advised me that you were just young ones who were reckless and with little intellect. I am good at judging character, and I will make a judgment now. The dim-witted talkative girl should marry the vampire and live with him. I want him to bite her, I want her to see her father and Mother die of old age. While she remains the same. As for the other girl, she should watch herself. And forever be silent about us. Please finish your drinks for my servants to not be offended. Don't come near these mountains again. Sayonara. 

***** 

Tokyo, Japan

I was watching Ender's Game on my newly acquired Toshiba tablet, courtesy of Uncle Tony. He said this is to keep me occupied while we waited for Maggie. After our encounter with the swordsman, Maggie requested for us to make a stop here in Tokyo. She wanted to shop. I would rather not be with her. I wanted a quiet time alone. It was a huge relief that they did not have to kill us and I did not need to marry Gabe.

Uncle Tony handed me my plane ticket before I went to my room. I was so excited to come back to the Philippines! I fixed my blanket to make myself warmer and continued with the film. I glanced up instinctively; Gabe was standing at the foot of my bed.

"What time is your flight?" he asked straight away. 

"I think it's seven in the morning," I responded without removing my eyes from the screen. 

"Have a safe trip!" he said. He was being his distant self. 

"Thanks!" was the only answer that I could think of. I focused on the movie. 

"If we had met in a different circumstance, would you have considered me being your boyfriend?" Gabe asked with a pained expression. 

I was startled. I stared at him, "I don't know, I don't think of these things. I'm young and right now my goal is to finish college and have a career." 

"If you graduated, would you consider me then?" Gabe persisted. 

"Hey, there are lots of girls out there. Beautiful and better don't limit yourself," I explained to him. 

"Are they like you?" he asked as if this was a mind game. 

"No... I don't know, maybe?" I responded, unsure of my answers. 

"Then don't push me to other girls out there!" Gabe said, looking straight into my eyes. 

"Gabe, why are you doing this?" I asked him. I needed to know! 

"Because I like you!" He spoke. My mouth dropped in shock, "I will take you to the airport tomorrow." I was about to protest but he was already out of my room. 

***** 

Narita Airport, Japan

Gabe and I were inside a taxi. I was staring out the window, waiting for all the vehicles to move from traffic.

"I wanted to give you this when we were back in Paris. But there were things that I had to take care of," Gabe said as he handed me a box. 

I was reluctant to accept it but I took it. I opened it, inside was a beautiful necklace. I was speechless. "White gold. Had it cut, especially for you." He meant my birthstone, emerald. 

"It's beautiful. I don't know if I can accept it." I said to him. It also looks expensive! I remembered the time when Aunt Marie brought me to a jewelry store. One of the experts there told me that Colombia was the country that mines and produces the most emeralds. I had no idea. I could not recall if we have emerald jewelry available in the Philippine market. They even educated me about the 4 c's: Color, clarity, cut and carats. From my perspective, the necklace looked perfect. I still could not believe that Gabe bought this for me. 

"Here let me put it on you," he took the necklace. I did not have a choice, so I turned my back at him and he placed the necklace on me. 

"Looks good!" he commented with a sheepish smile. 

"Thanks!" I smiled shyly, "You shouldn't have bought this." I touched the emerald and felt its round shape. Aunt Marie only wore minimal jewelry most of the time and I was not a fan of jewelry too. Earrings and watches were my go-to accessories. 

"Consider it a birthday present," Gabe stated as he looked into my eyes. 

"Okay," I answered mutely. My brain could not function at the moment. I was still deciding if I would accept the necklace. This was too much for me. Gabe did not even know me that much. Why would he do this? I did not like the feeling of receiving something from a stranger. Well, Gabe was not a stranger to me now. 

We were at the airport now. Gabe got my luggage from the trunk and turned to me. 

"I'll see you at the wedding?" he asked like he was demanding an answer from me. 

"Wedding?" I was suddenly confused. 

"Jared and your cousin," Gabe said with a smirk. Oh! That wedding!

"Yeah, see you!" I said, and added, "Thank you for bringing me here and for the necklace." 

"Sure!" his smile suddenly disappeared. He took my hand and kissed it. It sent electricity to my entire body. I wanted to squirm. Instead, I stared at him. He never had this effect on me before. 

"I will wait for you," Gabe said. I could feel his intense gaze on me. 

I took my hand from him and reached for my stroller. My knees felt wobbly. Before I embarrassed myself, I started to move. I waved at him and walked inside hurriedly. I was not familiar with this airport so I did not look back at Gabe. I was looking for signage for directions. My mind was in turmoil. I was thinking of check-ins, immigration and how his kiss on my hand affected me. Oh my! I'm starting to like Gabe!