Underneath the Red Trees

CHAPTER 54: AYUMI'S HATE

"Lord Getsu!" Ayumi shouted at him. "What just happened?" The previous grief was still on her tear-stricken face, but a sudden rage had appeared on her young countenance.

Hayate was sitting in Zaizen's living room. He, Kaguya, and Ayumi were the only ones here.

Hayate did not really know what to say to Ayumi. She was right to blame him. This was his fault. He trusted Dashi despite their history. Now, he did not have the heart to tell them that Dashi was once again to blame for their misfortune.

What kind of leader was he? The type to destroy the lives of his subordinates over and over again? That was what he kept doing. He was never meant for leadership. If only his brother had been around to take the mantel of leadership.

Hayate met Ayumi's eyes. Anger flashed in them. Anger and sorrow and misery. She had once again lost someone precious to her at the hands of Dashi. And once again, he was to blame. There was no way he could tell her that Dashi was alive. That much would destroy her for good.

He looked down at his hands that lay in his lap. "My source seems to have been untrustworthy."

Ayumi stared at him. Disbelief washed over her expression. "Is that all you have to say? Your source was untrustworthy? Tatsumi is dead because of your source! Who gave you that information? Who was it?"

When Hayate would not meet her eyes, Ayumi only got more furious. She fell to her knees in front of him. Her voice was tremulous. "You know, Lord Getsu? This is all on you."

Hayate turned his head to the side. He knew that! He knew... He told himself she was right. This was his fault. But how could he have known this would happen? Truly, none of them could have predicted the way things turned out.

When Ayumi spoke again her voice was soft, her voice was cruel. "None of our misfortunes would have happened if you had left Yuuki Akano to die."

At those words Hayate's eyes widened. He finally looked at Ayumi, finally meeting her eyes. "What?" he asked. His voice shook slightly. How could she blame Yuuki? Good Yuuki. Kind Yuuki. Innocent Yuuki. Throughout his entire life, Yuuki had done nothing but to try and help people. He was the last person she could blame.

"I'm right!" Ayumi shouted. She sprung forward, gripping Hayate's collar. She pushed him back. "Yuuki Akano brought Dashi to us. He asked you to protect her! And you did it without a second thought! My father died because of that bitch!"

Hayate slowly shook his head, side to side. "You're wrong."

Ayumi's mock laughter sounded disbelieving. "How am I wrong?" She slowly released the fabric in her grip, allowing Hayate to move away from her. "What? Does the great Ryogetsu of Naguchi disagree with me?"

Hayate didn't know whether it was her words or her tone that was more of a shock. She had never shown this level of disrespect toward Hayate.

"Yuuki never did anything wrong," his voice was grave. "Never."

"He wasn't as perfect as you think!" Ayumi struggled to her feet. "You make him out to be this angelic being that could do no wrong, but he was not." She pulled at her hair.

"I have never done that. I..."

"You put him on a pedestal, Hayate!" He was at a loss for words. Ayumi had never used his name before. "He was an Akano. You hated them but you treated him differently. How can you claim that you didn't put him on a pedestal?"

"Enough!" Kaguya was standing in the doorway to the kitchen. She had been watching the exchange from there. "Ayu, you have to calm down. I get that you're grieving. I know you miss Tatsumi. I get it. I do. I miss him, too, but you're going too far."