Underneath the Red Trees

CHAPTER 34: WHITE STRANGER

Ryogetsu stared at the intruder with narrowed eyes. She was on top of a table with her legs pressed against her chest, staring at Ryogetsu while she chewed the inside of her cheek. Her feet were covered in bloody bandages. Was she a woman or a child? Why did she go around barefoot?

Ryogetsu glanced at Yuuki, who was giving him an apologetic look.

Ignoring the woman, he walked toward Yuuki, whispering to him, "Tell me again, who is she?"

"Her name is Dashi," Yuuki said.

"And why did you bring her here?"

Yuuki glanced at Dashi, then looked back at Ryogetsu. "She is my oldest friend. She helped me escape..." Akagi. Yuuki threw a blanket over Dashi. She gripped the sides with her pale fingers and wrapped the fabric around her body. "Forgive her behaviour, she has always been a little childlike."

Ryogetsu sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Very well, she can stay. As long as you keep an eye on her. Keep her out of trouble," he said. "And she sleeps in Ourei's room."

Yuuki smiled softly. "Thank you, Ryo." He went out, in search for proper clothing for the barely dressed Dashi.

Dashi sat down on her behind and crossed her legs. Her eyes stayed pinned to Ryogetsu as he moved to grab a jar of wine.

She eyed him quietly. She inhaled , and murmured, "Ryogetsu and Yuuki should not be together." Ryogetsu stopped just as he bent his waist. His eyes moved to meet hers. Dashi's face was indifferent.

Ryogetsu straightened. A menacing smile spread out on his lips. "Oh? And what does a little girl know of our relationship?"

Dashi let out an exasperated sigh, swinging her legs down. Her glanced sideward. "More than Ryogetsu thinks," she said. She turned her eyes back once again to meet Ryogetsu's gaze. "Dark forces align against Naguchi. Feelings that exist between Ryogetsu and Yuuki will only result in suffering."

Ryogetsu felt the annoyance build up in his chest. She was no more than a child in a woman's body. And just like a child, she thought she knew everything when she really knew nothing.

Ryogetsu knew the dangers of their relationship. If the truth came out that would be the end of his clan. Their reputation would be in the gutter. Their allies would abandon them. He knew the risks. He had been aware of them from the start and had gone to extreme lengths to keep their relationship secret. Who was she to warn him?

Just as he felt he was about to strangle her, the door slid open. Yuuki peered inside, "Dashi, come."

As if their conversation had been a mere dream, Dashi's face changed. Her absentminded expression was back. She jumped down from the table with the blanket still wrapped around her shoulders.

Yuuki returned not long after that, sliding the door shut behind him.

Ryogetsu exhaled and collapsed on the floor. He opened the wine and drank directly from the jar.

Yuuki gave him a look. "Come on. Stop being a child." Ryogetsu pursed his lips, glaring at Yuuki. Yuuki laughed softly. "How was your meeting?" he asked as he squeezed in next Ryogetsu, grabbing the bottle.

"Give it back."

"I prefer not to speak to you when you are drunk."

Ryogetsu rolled his eyes, but let Yuuki be, dragging him closer by his thigh. "It went as expected. Takeda would rather align himself with us. Your family is untrustworthy."

Yuuki shrugged. His eyes moved to stare out the window, glazing over. "Even when I was still living there, the rumours were bad. Our family has always been a bit ominous, I think."