Underneath the Red Trees

CHAPTER 17: BROTHER DEAREST

Yuuki sat down in front of Daisaku. He was scowling at the map spread out on the table.

"I thought you already memorised it?" Yuuki asked.

Daisaku glanced up at him, his brows relaxing. "You have been spending an awful lot of time with that Naguchi."

"Oh?" Yuuki lowered his gaze down to his hands. "We are friends. At least that is what he says."

"Friends?" Daisaku repeated. A cold shiver ran up Yuuki's spine

Daisaku grabbed a piece of paper that had been scribbled over with Yuuki's handwriting. That was where he had written down all of Daisaku's plans. Daisaku spread out the map on the table and pointed to a group of black dots. "He will be here." Daisaku touched his chin, "If I station Chiga here, we can get rid of him."

Yuuki's head shot up, looking directly at Daisaku in what seemed to be defiance. "What... what do you mean?" he asked.

Daisaku's eyes slowly moved up to meet Yuuki's gaze. "Ryogetsu of Naguchi is an annoyance, as well as the only person who can match your power. That makes him a threat. If I order Chiga to kill him during battle, he will be out of the way for good, and we will not have to suffer any consequences."

Yuuki gripped onto the edge of the table. "But—"

"But what?" Daisaku grabbed Yuuki's hair and brought their faces closer. Yuuki's chest pressed over the table, sending the maps and sheets of paper tumbling. No matter how he struggled, Daisaku's grip on his hair was too strong. "Listen carefully. You belong to me. So does your power. If I order you to kill someone, you do it." His voice was low, dangerously low. It scared Yuuki. "Chiga belongs to me, too. He understands that better than you do. If I want Ryogetsu of Naguchi dead, he will kill that little bastard even if it costs him his life."

"But... but Ryo is my friend?" Yuuki tried. His scalp burned from the grip Daisaku held. "Please spare him?"

Daisaku's brows furrowed into a deep frown. The two were stuck in a stalemate. Yuuki had never stood against him before. This new defiance felt like an itch under his skin. His jaw clenched as he grinded his teeth. Then he brought his hand down, banging Yuuki's head on the table.

Yuuki cried out but Daisaku was far from finished.

He ripped Yuuki back. His nose was bleeding and his arms flailed around as he tried to protect his head, but Daisaku's grip on his hair never loosened. He was thrown to the floor. Daisaku crouched over him.

Daisaku stared at Yuuki with icy eyes. Yuuki stared back, tears welling up in his eyes from the pain. He was trembling. He was uncertain whether it was pain or fear that caused him to shake. Either way, it made an eerie grin break out on Daisaku's face.

"You know, Yuuki." Daisaku slowly loosened his grip on Yuuki's hair. His fingers stroked over Yuuki's jaw, lifting his chin so he looked at him. "I love you. You are my precious little brother. I cherish you. I am the only one who will ever love you. You understand that, do you not?" Yuuki slowly nodded, body still quivering. The smile on Daisaku face widened. "Good."

He stood up and went back to glare at his maps.

The only sound in the tent was Daisaku's fingers gliding over the paper. Yuuki got up slowly. The fabric ruffled as he straightened out his clothes. He glanced at Daisaku. He had his back to Yuuki.

After drying his eyes and waiting for his nose to stop bleeding, Yuuki took a deep breath, and left the tent.

Ryogetsu sighed heavily as he tightened his gloves. He was dressed in black leather and armour. He was waiting in a group of soldiers awaiting orders for the time being. He let out a long yawn and surveyed the soldiers.