Underneath the Red Trees

CHAPTER 16: BASTARD SON

The sun's rays were barely peaking over the broad horizon when Yuuki made it to the tent. He had gotten up early that morning as per Daisaku's orders. Daisaku was sitting inside staring intently at a map with lines and scribbles and writing all over it. Similar pages were scattered across the floor, as if thrown there in frustration. Daisaku was scowling at the map in front of him with his hands in his hair.

Yuuki always moved like a cat. Quietly as to not disturb anyone. It was only when Daisaku glanced up that he realised Yuuki was waiting by the tent flap.

Daisaku raised a brow. "You should announce yourself when you arrive," the way Daisaku spoke to Yuuki was softer... gentler. When he spoke to anyone else his voice was harsh and cold.

Yuuki bowed his head in apology and sat down across from Daisaku to stare at the map. "How long have you been looking at these?" he asked as he picked up some of the scattered pages.

"All night. I thought I would try to—" he shook his head, interrupting himself. "You could have come sooner?"

"I was tired after the—you know..." he said awkwardly. He was bad at making excuses, especially to Daisaku.

Daisaku turned to him. "This is war, Yuuki, we are all tired. The faster we get it done, the better." He shook his head. "It does not matter. Help me with this." Daisaku and Yuuki both turned their eyes to the map.

Daisaku was brilliant with a calculating mind, but he had never been able to read properly. He could stare at a page for hours without being able to decipher the words on it. Yuuki had offered to help Daisaku with his difficulty when they were children, and since then he had always looked to Yuuki for help.

During the war meeting he had pointed out words to Daisaku whenever he seemed to struggle.

After so many years living with his fault, Daisaku had gotten used to hiding his struggles. He only ever displayed his frustration at his inability when he was alone with Yuuki.

Yuuki was not nearly as intelligent as Daisaku. When he had first arrived at the Akano stronghold as a child, he had admired his eldest brother greatly.

It did not take long for Daisaku to produce a new strategy once he knew what was happening on the map. It took him no time at all to memorise what their next battlefield would look like. He would plan out the next strategy accordingly and present it at the next war council. It was at this time that Yuuki knew he had to leave his brother in peace.

It was midday when he left the tent. He had to shield his eyes against the sun's bright Autumn rays. He could not believe he had been inside the tent so long.

The tent was right at the edge of the camp. According to Daisaku there was less noise the farther away he was from the centre.

Instead of heading into the camp, Yuuki went into the opposite direction, into the forest.

He walked along the riverbank that moved throughout the forest. The trees towered above him, protecting his eyes from the sun with their red canopy. Birds and cicadas sang, making the forest feel as if it had never been disturbed by human hands.

As he walked along the riverbank, he caught the scent of something cooking over a fire. It was at this moment that Yuuki's tummy decided to growl. He had been in the tent with Daisaku since early morning. The last time he had eaten anything was the night before.

Yuuki followed the scent.

He found Ryogetsu of Naguchi sitting by the riverbed. A fire had been built with three fish on sticks cooking over it.