Kazu hesitated as he held his hand up to knock on the door. Would the old couple even want to see him after what he did to them? He broke into their home and yet they treated him kindly. Fed him their food and dressed his wounds. Let him stay the night to rest and he repaid them by stealing the old man’s sword. What would he even say to them? ‘Hi, sorry about all that, but hey, here’s your sword back, it’s all good!’

Kazu sighed and knocked on the door. He waited, feeling awkward in his samurai armour. It was still early spring but sweat was starting to run down his forehead. No-one ever said all this armour would be so hot.

He lifted his hand to knock again when the door opened. It was the old lady.

“Yes, how can I… oh.”

“Hi,” Kazu said. He suddenly felt even more awkward. He held up the old farmer’s sword. “I, uh… I brought this back.”

“So I can see.”

They both stood there, looking at each other. Kazu offered up the sword even higher and after hesitating the old woman took it.

“Is, uh, is the old man around?”

“He’s in bed,” the old woman replied. “He’s taken ill.”

“Oh. I’m so sorry. Is he okay?”

The old woman’s eyes were red and puffy and the life he had seen in her just a few weeks ago was gone.

“I don’t know. I’ve been doing what I can, but we don’t have enough money to see a doctor. He just sleeps all day and…” the old woman sighed, “… I just don’t know what to do.”

“Can I come in?”

Kazu knew he had no right, but he wanted to make it up to them. It was the least he could do. She opened the door wider and let him in.

“He’s in the bedroom.”

Kazu put his helmet down on the small table and went to the old man’s bedside. He was awake, but just barely.

“Hey. Hey old man, it’s me. Kazu. Remember me? I, uh… I took your sword. But I brought it back!”

The old man turned his head slightly but didn’t respond. Kazu shifted uncomfortably in his armour.

“They… Lord Yashiro, that is, he made me a samurai. See? Me! Can you believe it…”

No response.

“No… no, me either. Gods know I certainly don’t deserve it. Not after everything I’ve done.”

He looked up at the old woman standing in the doorway. She nodded and smiled softly at him, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes.

“I’m gonna make this right. I… not just the sword. I don’t have much, I’m pretty much just a samurai in name, I don’t have any land or holdings, but at the very least I can get you a doctor. I’ll ask Lord Yashiro directly about it. We’ll get your husband better. I promise you.”

“You’re very sweet, Kazu.” Her tone didn’t suggest she was very confident in his words.

“Mori,” he said. “Lord Yashiro granted me a surname. It’s Mori Kazu now.”

“I’m very happy for you, dear. I’m sure Kazuo will be as well.”

Kazuo. The old man’s name was Kazuo.

“Mo… Mori Kazu…” The old man’s hand slid over and grabbed his own. “Con… congratulations.” His voice was barely above a whisper but it was enough. Kazu squeezed his hand tighter.

“Lord Yashiro himself chose it.”

“He must… think very highly of you…”

“Look, I’m… I’m sorry about the sword. I brought it back. I know that doesn’t make up for what I did, but-”

Kazuo squeezed his hand and smiled. His eyes closed and his breathing was ragged. “It’s… okay…”

“I’m going to get you a doctor, okay? You just relax. Well, don’t relax too much, I mean… but I’m gonna get you help, okay? On my honour as…” it still felt strange to him, “… as a samurai.”

“A samurai’s honour is all his has…” the old man muttered. “All… he has…”

He stopped talking again. His chest rose and fell softly. Kazu wiped some of the sweat from his face and stood up.

“Kazuo… Kazu and Kazuo. Huh. Interesting.” He turned to the old woman still standing in the doorway. “If it’s not too rude, I mean you don’t have to tell me or anything, but-”

“Mitsuko,” she replied. “You can call me Mitsuko.”

“Mitsuko. That’s a beautiful name for a beautiful lady.”

She smiled and moved aside to let Kazu through.

“So why did he give you the name Mori?” she asked as they walked back towards the main room.

“There was a battle in Bijo against the Wada clan. That’s the new daimyo there now. I helped Lord Yashiro break into the castle which won him the war. The castle was supposedly impregnable. It sat atop this mountain where one side was nothing but cliffs and dense forest. So-”

“Ah. Well like Kazuo said, congratulations. Perhaps you won’t have to steal from old couples who show you hospitality anymore.”

She said it without menace but Kazu still flinched. He sat down on the small chair and suddenly felt very large and awkward, strange for a man who was always the leanest and smallest in any given room at any given time. He rapped his fingers over his kabuto.

“Mitsuko… you and your husband, you saved my life.” He stopped rapping and looked up at her. “I’m going to repay that debt. I’m going to repay you for your kindness. I might not ever make up for betraying your trust, but I’ll spend the rest of my life trying. It’s because of you that I’m even in this position in the first place.”

He picked up his helmet and walked over to the door, clanging the whole way.

“I’m going to get a doctor for your husband. He will get better. I promise you that.”

Mitsuko smiled. She looked so old and frail. Whatever it took, he’d look after them. He closed the door behind him and made for the castle.