The Toki-Girl and the Sparrow-Boy, Book 7: The Eagle and the Sparrow

Prologue

Japan is a real place and the Meiji Era is a real time, running from 1868 to 1912. This was a wonderfully exciting time around the world as new inventions changed how people worked and how people lived. New ideas and ways of thinking changed how people viewed the world around them, their systems of government, and their relationships with each other. Nowhere was this truer than in Japan, which leapt from a crumbling feudalism to a modern first-world power in that incredibly short period of time.

In the World of Make-Believe, however, there exists a Japan that incorporates both the objective reality and Japan's colorful, adventurous folklore. It comes to life with stories that reflect the lives of normal humans and the not-so-normal folkloric beings who shared this space and time with them.

In the northern part of Kyushu at this time there lived a family that straddled the Artisan and Samurai classes, yet owned their own land without being either nobles or peasants. They worked hard, they paid taxes and they acquired, by adoption, their daughter, Azuki, who could become a Japanese Crested Ibis or toki, and their son, Shota, who could become a sparrow. Greed and a lust for power resulted in the deaths of the parents and the flight of the children who found only war and tumult on their doorstep when they returned.

How they regain their human heritage, how they cope with their changing world while still remaining their individual selves, how they make friends and help others despite the total lack of certainty in and about their lives give rise to tales and adventures of the Meiji Era. The Toki-girl and the Sparrow-boy series combines history and folklore in a unique blend of historic fantasy that allows an accurate portrait of Japanese culture and civilization with all its relentless integrity and quirks.

www.tokigirlandsparrowboy.com contains links to reviews of these enchanting books, a way for you to (please!) leave your own and a glossary of Japanese words used — in a form that can be amended as the series progresses. It also has a list of characters, so they are easier to track through the successive books.

All the books are listed and updated there with information about what happens in each, to make the series easier to follow. There is also information about the art that illustrates the books and more about the history of this fascinating period. It was a time when anything could happen and most likely did.

Join Azuki, Shota and their friends in all their intriguing and captivating adventures as they live their own tales of the Meiji era!

Chapter One

Tsuru kame to Takarabune (Treasure Ship), Tokei Niwa, 181-

The little yokai danced around Azuki's workroom. They popped into being and vanished, grew and shrank and adopted the most interesting, not to say amazing (though usually bipedal) forms. Some had tools for heads, some sported vegetables. Another grew an out-of-season hydrangea blossom that twirled in circles as it danced.

She laughed. Akira, the Eagle-boy, had said they were his friends. Whatever they were, he told her they seemed able to carry messages for him and to him. These little beings were somehow supernatural, not of the material world that most people knew. Of course, Azuki thought, neither was she, but that was beside the point. These yokai were how Akira had learned of the existence of Azuki, Shota, Renko and Tsuruko—dual-natured beings like himself. She wondered, not for the first time, what these yokai were and where they came from. They were of the subdivision of yokai called yosei, or fairies, she was pretty sure, if only because they were so little. Uncle told her every culture had little people, of one form or another, half the size of regular humans or a bit smaller, but fairies were usually smaller even than that.

These were obviously little people, even if the littlest among them and therefore, her research led her to think, a part of the yosei group. She was willing to accept that they meant no harm but there were many kinds of yokai and yosei in the world and many of those lived in Japan. What did these have to do with Akira or with her, beings that were human and…something else?

Even for big birds like Azuki, when she was a Japanese Crested Ibis, or toki, or for even bigger ones, like Akira, a Steller's Sea Eagle when he wasn't human, the distance from Akira's home on Hokkaido to Azuki's on Kyushu was formidable, taking many days of hard flight. While passenger trains had started appearing by the mid-1870s in Meiji-era Japan, walking, sailing, riding or flying—if you were among the few dual-natured beings who could—were the usual ways humans traveled.

Azuki had flown as far as Niigata and Sado Island when she went looking for her toki-kin. Hokkaido was significantly farther. Shota had followed her, mostly riding the war horse, Blackie, since as a sparrow he was small and slow and as a boy he wasn't much faster. They had sailed most of the way home, which was quick but not quick enough. Then they got a last-minute lift from a new friend.

For a dragon who had grown up enough to transport herself and her friends instantaneously, however, the distance between Kyushu and Hokkaido was nothing. Dragon Princess Renko would always give Azuki a ride when she wanted one.

What made Azuki's heart leap was Akira's asking Uncle for permission to visit them at home. Uncle granted it, of course. Akira wasn't obviously unsuitable. His dual-nature, in fact, made him eminently suitable to be involved with their family. But it was as long a flight for him to get here as for Azuki to get there and he didn't have a close friend who was a dragon.

Let's give them paper and see what they want, Renko said with a smile as she entered the work room and saw the tiny dancers. They had discovered the little beings could read and write a bit, though they couldn't speak since they lacked the necessary physical structures.

Do you think Akira-san sent them? Renko said as she grabbed some practice paper from her stack and a couple of pencils to place on the tatami floor so the little ones would know they could use them.

Four of the little yosei grew taller and sprouted arms. Azuki looked at Renko and nodded, smiling. They'd seen this before when the yosei had identified themselves as friends. Two held the paper while two picked up a pencil. They held it and showed it around as if they could see it, though they didn't appear to have eyes. Then they held the pencil like an oversized spear and aimed it at the paper.

Come, they wrote. Azuki and Renko looked at each other.

Where? Azuki asked.

I must have directions, Renko explained.

To Akira-san? Azuki asked. Renko could use a person as a way to go to where that person was; in fact, that was the first way she learned to travel.

After what appeared to be a worried little conference among themselves, with hammers bending to carrot tops and cabbages dodging awls, the yosei wrote Follow.

Can you? Azuki asked her friend.

I'm not sure, Renko said, her pretty European face puzzled as she shook a stray tendril of fair hair out of her eyes. I've never tried to follow anybody. Do you—she addressed the little beings—want us to go somewhere?

The yosei danced with joy, their usual response when someone else correctly guessed their meaning.

Well, that's settled, Renko said. I wonder how we do it.

You told Aunt that if you didn't get where you wanted to go, you'd just return to where you were.

Yes, Renko said slowly. That's been my experience.

Azuki shook her head as the little yosei starting jumping up and down impatiently and pulling at both their kimono. Like Azuki, Renko was growing up. She was growing into her dragon powers, too, but her mixed heritage—her father was the Eastern Dragon King Ryuujin and her mother was the Western Dragon Queen Rizantona, plus she was dual-natured so she had a human identity too—made everything vastly more complicated.

What if I hang on to you, Azuki said, and you hang on to them?

That should work. Renko looked at the little yosei. Should I be a dragon?

Yes, the tallest of them scrawled on the paper.

We can go to the field, Azuki said. Am I to come, too?

Three of the little beings danced around the hiragana for yes.

Azuki rose to shut down her looms. Let's go.

In the field, Renko assumed her dragon form, Azuki changed into a toki and flew to perch on her friend's shoulders, right where her neck joined her torso. This was hard to see on an Asian dragon but easy enough to feel on the back of a well-known friend. The yosei all clambered onto Renko's menacing foreclaws.

Can you reach them? Azuki said. They were so fortunate they were able to communicate mentally. How are you to follow them?

I am hoping they will show me!

Renko's forelimbs were hauled out before her as the yosei tugged and all of a sudden, they were before a windswept cliff. Waves crashed against it; the air smelled of the sea. Azuki flew off, but Renko hovered, a skill dragons had, but a normal bird like Azuki lacked.

I still don't see what—

There! Azuki flew into her line of sight to catch her gaze and made for the base of the cliff where an eagle lay crumpled amidst the rocks. She landed next to the unconscious bird.

It's Akira-san, she called. He's injured.

Akira stirred.

I think his wing is broken and he might have other injuries. She tilted her narrow head to swing her long beak out of the way and look carefully.

Akira-san, Azuki said quietly, via mental speech. It's Azuki. Renko-san's here, too. We have come to help you.

You're here, he breathed in his mental voice, rousing for just an instant. Really here? I wasn't sure of anything; it feels like a dream. It looked like he had passed out again.

"It wasn't easy figuring out what the little yosei wanted, but we are here now. Renko-san? Shall we take Akira-san home?"

Where else? Who else can help him without putting him at risk?

We need to decide how to carry you, Azuki said, because even though the Eagle-boy did not appear conscious now, he might still hear her. But once we do that, Aunt knows about field medicine for injuries and there is a human doctor nearby if you can change.

Tsuruko-san knows about birds, Renko pointed out.

The tide was rising, so when Renko touched down as a girl, waves lapped at her feet. Can you change, Azuki-san?

Oh, yes, of course, the Toki-girl said, assuming her human form. "Now, I can hang onto you. Akira-san, can you grasp Renko-san's arm with your talons?

Good idea, the Dragon Princess said. I was thinking he could hold on to you, but that's a second-hand connection. She wrinkled her upturned nose at the pun. I've never done that. This we know will work. She extended her wrist in front of the unresponsive Sea Eagle's foot and placed his talons around her arm. A wave came up and slapped them all, knocking both girls off balance.

Hang on, Renko called.

Hurry! Azuki saw another, bigger, wave coming. She took Renko's other arm and reached for the Sea Eagle's other talon.

The wave rose behind them.

Go, Azuki called.

The three of them vanished just as the wave smacked against the cliff higher than their heads.

Wet and disheveled, they landed on the gallery outside the workroom in a heap.

I'll go get Noriko-sama, Renko cried, leaping to her feet.

Get Uncle, too.

Renko thumped on Yuta's study door as she passed.

Sensei, please come. Akira-san's here and he's hurt!

She ran so fast she was almost at the dojo before Yuta stuck his head out to see the dragon girl dodging into the martial arts studio, which was up the stairs at the end of the gallery on his right, before glancing left and seeing his wet and windblown niece cradling a huge bedraggled eagle. Then he ran.

Noriko stopped for her first aid box. She kept that in her dojo, as that was, she had decided, the place where people were most likely to be injured, and then she hurried down the stairs and across the gallery. Yuta was helping the eagle become, he hoped, more comfortable.

I'll get Tsuruko-san! Renko called.

Noriko knelt on the other side of the eagle, opposite her husband. She looked at her niece. What happened?

"We don't know. The little yosei came for Renko-san and me. We found Akira-san in the rocks at the foot of a cliff, injured and about to be swept away by the tide. His wing's broken and I don't know what else."

Tsuruko and Renko rushed in together.

This is a dual-natured person? Tsuruko asked, handing her baby, the Crane-child Kichiro-chan, to Renko.

His name's Akira-san, Azuki said. We met him in Hokkaido. You remember about him, I think, though you didn't meet him then. He's a Sea Eagle and he's injured. Can you help?

I'm not sure until I look. Noriko-sama?

I know about humans, not eagles. That wing is clearly broken in at least one place, maybe two.

The eagle began to writhe. Yuta moved to restrain him, should it become necessary, laying hands he hoped were gentle and reassuring as well as firm on Akira's shoulders, out of range of his fierce beak.

It's all right, Akira-san, Azuki soothed her friend. It's Azuki. You are at my home. We brought you here to help you recover. Aunt's here, and Uncle, and Tsuruko-san. They know ways to help you.

The eagle cried his raucous call but then began to cough.

Can you become human? Noriko asked. I can help you better if you can become human. If not, don't worry. We can help you any—

The eagle's cry turned into a human moan. Yuta eased his grip as the big bird began to change. Azuki tried to wriggle out of the way. Tsuruko reached out to stroke the boy's head as his face changed from his raptor's huge beak to his human guise. Renko couldn't do anything now but take care of Kichiro-chan. It was already crowded enough. She stepped away to give the others room to work, nearly running into Shota, who came charging round the corner.

What's going on? he said as Renko said, Shush.

It's Akira-san, she went on in a mental whisper. He's injured—broken wing if not more—so we brought him here.

What happened? Shota peered around Renko to watch.

"We don't know. The little yosei came to get Azuki and me. We don't know if he specifically asked them to or if they just came. He's been unconscious. He was at the bottom of a cliff in some rocks and the tide was coming up. We thought the best thing to do was to bring him here."

How did you manage that?

Renko shrugged. Just like transporting anybody else. I wrapped his talons around my arm and Azuki grabbed his other foot with one hand and me with the other. We're all wet and dirty. I forgot to clean up when I went for Tsuruko-san. Can you take Kichiro-chan while I change? Then maybe one of us can spell Azuki-san while she does.

Of course. Shota reached for the Crane-child, cooing at him to distract him at the change in venue.

Thank you. Renko popped out of sight, but was back within seconds.

Akira-san's human now, Shota said as he relinquished Kichiro-chan to Renko when she reached for him.

Oh, that's good. Go take your sister's place so she can change.

Shota moved closer to the group. The Eagle-boy was wet and dirty, his simple clothes torn and his skin scratched and bruised. His left arm twisted at a bizarre angle that turned Shota's stomach. Azuki knelt behind him, his head cradled in her lap. He moaned but did not wake. Tsuruko knelt beside his right shoulder, stroking his hair, finger-combing it, murmuring gently. Noriko, Shota could see, was checking the boy's whole body for further injuries, but Shota's gaze kept drifting back to the unnatural angle of the broken arm. He glanced at his sister, but she shook her head.

I have to set it, Noriko said to Yuta. Can you?

Hold him down? Yuta asked, moving towards the boy's feet. Of course. I can lean across his legs as I am, or would it be better if I straddled him?

Lean on his body but grip his ankles firmly, Noriko said. This will hurt. I will be fast, but it will still hurt. If he changes, I don't want his talons free. She glanced up at Azuki, who had stayed put despite Shota's offer to take her place, and Tsuruko. Hold his head and his other shoulder and arm. His beak is dangerous; stay out of the way. Let me reduce this and I can give him some poppy juice.

Why not now? gentle Tsuruko asked, distressed at the thought of the bird-boy being in pain.

His demeanor will change once I reduce this—it won't hurt as much. That's one way I will know I have it right.

Tsuruko grimaced.

I know, Noriko said. I don't want to hurt him. But he is not conscious right now, so this is the best time and the best way. If I can't get it or if he wakes, I will give him poppy juice. Is everyone ready? Hang on tightly. She steadied herself. Now, she said, and pulled.

The Eagle-boy yelled and his form started to change, but Noriko stayed firm.

Stay human, Yuta ordered, gripping the boy's ankles and holding down the boy's torso with his own weight. Let her make it better. The boy's form wavered. Noriko's face was white and pinched with concentration. There was a mighty crunch and the boy's form steadied. Noriko ran her hands up and down the arm. She sat back. Her face was solemn but no longer pinched. Sweat dripped from her brow. Yuta relaxed his grip as he felt the boy's muscles relax under his hands. Tsuruko pulled a handkerchief from her obi. She passed it to Yuta, who was able to use it to dry his wife's forehead.

I think we've got it, Noriko said. Thank you all. She rummaged in her case. I will give him a drop of poppy juice and wrap this tightly so it can heal. Then we can move him inside.

My room, Shota said. Akira-san can share my room. I'll go make it ready. Yuta nodded, pleased that his nephew realized their guest would need constant help for at least a few days.

Tell Hanako-san, please, Tsuruko called. I'm surprised she hasn't come to see. She will know how to help make him comfortable.

Azuki-san, Renko said, touching her friend's shoulder gently. Go change. You're all wet and Akira-san will be fine now. I'll take your place. She nodded until Azuki responded and yielded her seat to her friend. Noriko dropped a tiny bit of poppy juice into the boy's mouth. They saw him relax even more as the drug took effect. Yuta helped Noriko remove Akira's shirt so she could clean and bandage the broken arm in a firm splint with a sling.

Shota found Hanako returning from her kitchen garden with a large basket of vegetables. Quickly he told her what had happened. She bustled off ahead of him, handing him the basket and gesturing for him to start the fire for the kettle as well as the one for the house's small bath. A new guest, even an injured one, was something cook-housekeeper Hanako could easily accommodate. She wondered what this one turned into.

Sootori-hime (Princess Sootori), Eishi Hosodai, 1793-6

Chapter Two

I think that's all for today, Yuta said, closing the book from which he had been reading. It was a Chinese martial arts text. Noriko, sometimes with his assistance, had been demonstrating the moves. These were based on the movements and attitudes of various animals and birds. It wasn't an easy task. He noted beads of sweat on his wife's brow. She was, he thought, very good at what she did, but she was still human and could be exhausted. She wasn't fighting now; she was teaching and didn't need to push herself so hard at the present moment. Fights didn't last as long as classes. She practiced on her own or with Yuta nearly every day to keep both their skills sharp. Given the unstable nature of Japanese politics generally and Kyushu politics in particular in what the new calendar called 1875, almost 1876, that was a wise idea.

Her patient was doing well today, still mostly sleeping, though he could now tend to basic necessities by himself most of time. Noriko worried about him, Yuta knew. He smiled to himself. She was growing fond of the boy. Both of them were concerned that he would lose some of the use of the broken arm when it healed, especially when it was a wing. Birds with broken wings might not heal well enough to fly properly. In the wild, they often died from the lack. Akira would not die since he could also be a human, but Yuta thought everyone realized how dreadful it would be for him to lose such an integral part of being a bird.

I think we can be done, Noriko agreed with a nod. She knew what Yuta was thinking and it often felt to her like he could read her mind, too. Shall we collect Azuki-san and go down to visit the horses?

I'd like Shota-san to come with us, Yuta said, rising. He can tell us how Akira-san is doing. You can check on him yourself when we return. Maybe he's ready for some lessons.

Noriko nodded, and sent her husband a sidelong smile. He did read her mind!

As far as they knew, the Eagle-boy hadn't ever had a chance to learn to read. That would be a good occupation for him as soon as he was well enough to get bored. He was nearly ready to begin exercises designed to strengthen his muscles properly. Noriko did so want his wing to heal well.

Azuki was already fairly conversant in Chinese; she studied hard and learned fast. Shota had studied Chinese at the village boys' school when that and Confucius had been almost the whole curriculum. Yuta had heard there was a new group of private secondary schools in and near Kagoshima, in the southern part of Kyushu, that were like the old schools. All Confucius and Chinese, with a substantial leavening of military education, too. This worried Yuta, who was deeply involved not just with the local school but the whole new system of national schools.

Azuki, as had been the custom, hadn't attended the old school, as the old schools didn't accept girls. She'd learned from her brother then, but both of them had extended their learning at Yuta's former private school.

Now Yuta's school and the village boys' school were combined and run along modern lines, serving both boys and girls, teaching more subjects according to a national curriculum Yuta had helped create. A separate system of military style schools just for boys was not only something he disapproved of generally, but something he thought dangerous given the nationalization of the military and the reduction of the Samurai and retainer classes to "shizoku" without special status or even jobs and with reduced incomes that were soon to be entirely eliminated. That didn't affect him or his family in any real way; their status and income came from different sources.

Yuta was now working on a secondary school program for the older young people who had completed the required national elementary school curriculum or were too old for that program. This was something he approved of and hoped to see in his area soon. There were now optional secondary schools in Tokyo for girls and boys both. Professor Kawabata of the Institute of Western Studies was working with Yuta on a national curriculum for secondary schools. Yuta's work at home would affect more than just his local school. Soon, national secondary schools with a unified curriculum would be available for those who wanted them all over Japan.

Azuki was one of his students who had gone past what the national primary schools offered. Thanks to her father's emphasis on early education, Renko