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had talked about names before and he had told me to continue using Takeo—though, as he said, it had never been a Tribe name. Was I to take the family name of Kikuta now? And what would my given name be? I did not want to give up Takeo, the name Shigeru had given me, but if I was no longer to be one of the Otori, what right did I have to it?
    â€œArai is offering rewards for information,” Yuki said, placing a bowl of tea on the matting in front of each of us.
    â€œNo one in Yamagata will dare to volunteer information,” Akio said. “They’ll be dealt with if they do!”
    â€œIt’s what I was afraid of,” Kotaro said to Kenji. “Arai has had no real dealings with us, and now he fears our power.”
    â€œShould we eliminate him?” Akio said eagerly. “We—”
    Kotaro made a movement with his hand, and the young man bowed again and fell silent.
    â€œWith Iida gone, there is already a lack of stability. If Arai should perish, too, who knows what anarchy would break out?”
    Kenji said, “I don’t see Arai as any great danger. Threats and bluster, perhaps, but no more than that in the long run. As things have turned out now, he is our best hope for peace.” He glanced at me. “That’s what we desire above all. We need some degree of order for our work to flourish.”
    â€œArai will return to Inuyama and make that his capital,” Yuki said. “It is easier to defend and more central than Kumamoto, and he has claimed all Iida’s lands by right of conquest.”
    â€œUnh,” Kotaro grunted. He turned to me. “I had planned for you to return to Inuyama with me. I have matters to attend to there for the next few weeks, and you would have begun your training there. However, it may be better if you remain here for a few days. We will then take you north beyond the Middle Country, to another of the Kikuta houses, where no one has heard of Otori Takeo—where you will start a new life. Do you know how to juggle?”
    I shook my head.
    â€œYou have a week to learn. Akio will teach you. Yuki and some of the other actors will accompany you. I will meet you in Matsue.”
    I bowed, saying nothing. I looked from under my lowered eyelids at Akio. He was staring downward, frowning, the line deep between his eyes. He was only three or four years older than I was, but at that moment it was possible to see what he would be like as an old man. So he was a juggler. I was sorry I had cut his clever juggler’s hand, but I thought my actions perfectly justified. Still, the fight lay between us, along with other feelings, unresolved, festering.
    Kotaro said, “Kenji, your association with Lord Shigeru has singled you out in this affair. Too many people know that this is your main place of residence. Arai will certainly have you arrested if you stay here.”
    â€œI’ll go to the mountains for a while,” Kenji replied. “Visit the old people, spend some time with the children.” He smiled, looking like my harmless old teacher again.
    â€œExcuse me, but what is this person to be called?” Akio said.
    â€œHe can take a name as an actor for the time being,” Kotaro said. “What his Tribe name is depends—”
    There was some meaning behind his words that I did not understand, but Akio all too clearly did. “His father renounced the Tribe!” he burst out. “He turned his back on us!”
    â€œBut his son has returned, with all the gifts of the Kikuta,” the master replied. “However, for now, in everything you are his senior. Takeo, you will submit to Akio and learn from him.”
    A smile played on his lips. I think he knew how hard that would be for me. Kenji’s face was rueful, as if he also could foresee trouble.
    â€œAkio has many skills,” Kotaro went on. “You are to master them.” He waited for my acceptance, then told Akio and Yuki toleave.