Underneath the Red Trees

CHAPTER 15: UNDERNEATH THE RED TREES

Ryogetsu stretched his arms above his head as he exited the tent, letting out another long yawn. It took hours for the four to debate, but the three clan leaders and Daisaku of Akano finally decided on a strategy.

Ryogetsu had been at the war camp for all but two days and he was already considering running away and starting a life as a ronin*. Though that would never be an option.

*Samurai without a lord or master.

He was unsure what this war was about. It was probably his father's cockiness. Sometimes he swore Noboru was a child. However, he knew his father had nothing to do with the start of this war. The civil war had started long before Noboru had been born.

Perhaps sending a letter home to have Ourei come to the camp could lighten his mood. He enjoyed her company. Since the day he had brought her back to the castle, she had never once treated him as anything but an equal. He liked that. Although, at times she treated him like he was beneath her.

Ourei considered herself above all noblemen. According to her, most daimyo and landowners spent their lives sitting in their castles or mansions and eating themselves fat on white rice never to experience the harshness of life the way she had. She looked down on Noboru of Naguchi especially.

Ourei had experienced more hardship in her first years than most noblemen would experience throughout their entire lives. She never talked about the worst parts, sometimes, though, she would leave hints through humour, allowing Ryogetsu to form theories of what had happened to her. He sometimes wondered if she would ever tell him what her life had been like before she had tried to kill his father. What it was really like...

As Ryogetsu strode along the dirt road, he noticed Kou standing awkwardly to the side. The army was divided between Wielders and ordinary soldiers. Wielders were better warriors, and often younger.

Ryogetsu called out to him. "You look lost," he said with a smirk. "Like a lost puppy." When Kou did not react to his teasing, Ryogetsu tried a different tactic. "Should I get you a dog? Then you can live with your own kind."

Kou glared at Ryogetsu. Satisfied, Ryogetsu was about to suggest getting dinner when someone hit him in the head, sending him tumbling forward. "Hey!" he shouted.

"Do not be mean," the voice chimed in, "I am sure Kou is just nervous. This is his first battlefield, just like yours."

Ryogetsu stared up at the partly scarred face of Seiya Yanigihara. Seiya had been his mother's personal protector, and after her passing he began to work under Noboru. Six years ago, Ryogetsu had started a lot of conflict with Noboru after Seiya's harsh punishment. To him, Seiya having been Hisako's protector meant his loyalty went to her sons. It was not Noboru's place to punish Seiya.

Ryogetsu glanced Seiya up and down. He was wearing black, like he normally did. There was a towel draped over his shoulder. "Where are you going?"

"I am going to wash before everyone else." He started toward the designated bath area.

"Why?" Kou asked suddenly. "Why bathe alone?"

Seiya turned his head back. He motioned to his right side. "I prefer if people do not ask."

The following day it was revealed to the men that Daisaku of Akano's plan would be the one they were following. This Ryogetsu already knew, of course, having been present at the meeting.

Ryogetsu had determined that all the rumours about Daisaku being a halfwit were false. He had been the smartest person in that tent. Suggesting the most strategies, strategies that were the most thought out, the most intellectual.