Journey Through Fire by Maya Snow Page B

over?
    â€œYou’re right,” I said. “I’m sure your scars will heal well.”
    I scanned the room to see Daisuke, framed by thelight from an open doorway. The copper in his skin shone against his saffron robes. I walked quickly over to him. Turning toward the door, he indicated with a nod of his head that I should follow.
    As we stepped outside into the area where the washtubs were, he waited for me to speak.
    â€œWhat can I do for my sister?” I asked. “It’s my fault she’s injured. I want to do something to put it right.” Behind him, the maple trees swayed in the morning breeze.
    â€œI can help you,” he said. He reached out a hand to indicate the low hills beyond the monastery. “The himawari plant is rare, but it is sometimes to be found growing out there. It has seeds whose oil can heal.”
    â€œCan we go and find it? Now?” I asked.
    Daisuke shook his head. “It’s not that simple. As I said, it’s rare. And I will need permission from my master to leave the monastery. For now, come and help me with something else.”
    Daisuke led the way out into the larger courtyard, and we sat beneath a cherry tree. It was cool beneath the tree’s shade. Daisuke picked up a wooden bowl filled with dried yellow flower buds.
    â€œThese can be brewed and the tea can calm even the most turbulent of souls,” he explained. “But first we must sift through the dried flowers to make sure that there are no blades of grass or pieces of grit.” Heplaced the bowl between us and we picked through the dusty flower petals, turning over the soft leaves in our hands and brushing off any dirt. I brought my hand to my face and breathed in deeply the pungent smell of the crushed chamomile.
    â€œWhat is the himawari plant?” I asked. I had never heard of it before.
    Daisuke turned his face up to the sun and closed his eyes, smiling to himself. “The himawari is like sunshine brought down to earth,” he said.
    I frowned. “Daisuke, I’m sorry,” I began. “But I don’t understand what you’re talking about.”
    Daisuke laughed. “You will,” he said, getting to his feet and taking the wooden bowl. “In time. Now I must see to my patients. But when Master Satoshi says the time is right, I shall take you to find the flower. It will help your sister.”
    â€œThank you,” I said. “This means so much to me.” I watched my friend step back into the cool of the infirmary. I am lucky, I thought, as the door swung shut behind him. I have made a good friend .
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    Daisuke and I stood at the gates of the monastery. Dawn mist swirled at our ankles and I hugged my silk robes tighter around my body, trying not to shiver. I was grateful for my head scarf, wrapped tightly against the slight chill in the air. The morning skywas streaked with washes of pale blue and the sun had not yet peeked over the horizon.
    Moments before, Daisuke had come to my room and gently woken me. We were both careful not to disturb my brother and mother as we tiptoed across the floor on bare feet. Once outside the room, Daisuke had passed me a pair of monk’s straw sandals.
    â€œThey’ll be much better for walking through the mountains,” he’d explained. I smiled as understanding dawned. We were going in search of the himawari .
    Now we were setting off. Two warrior monks opened a small door in the huge gates of the monastery for us. Their white cowls shone in the weak dawn light and they lifted their wide-bladed naginata staffs to let us pass. Curiosity shone in their eyes, but neither of them questioned us. Daisuke must make these trips often on behalf of Master Satoshi.
    â€œThe answer to your wishes is out there, Kimi. Are you ready?” Daisuke asked as we gazed at the vivid, lush greens of the mountain. I nodded and we stepped forward into the forest that edged the monastery. Twigs and leaves