Underneath the Red Trees

CHAPTER 37: SACRIFICE

Yuuki grunted when his knees hit the floor. He was in a tearoom.

Two weeks had passed since they had been taken captive. They had been treated badly. He and Ryogetsu were each forced into cells too small to summon their beasts. They were fed once a day and the food was never tasteful. The food was meant to keep them alive, not for their enjoyment.

Yuuki was uncertain why Hiroto of Madou wanted to keep them alive, but he suspected it was because Lord Madou wished to find Dashi, and he still believed that Ryogetsu knew her whereabouts.

Yuuki kept his eyes turned down. "What do you want?" he asked. Yuuki was never rude, but he spoke to Hiroto with an air of coldness.

Hiroto dismissed the samurai in the room. "My lord," one insisted.

"No need to worry," Hiroto said, eyeing Yuuki, "I wish to converse with him in peace. Release him."

Though stubborn, the samurai removed the chains from Yuuki's wrists and left at their lord's order. Yuuki rubbed his wrists. The skin had been badly bruised.

Hiroto began, "I remember seeing you some years ago on another battlefield." Yuuki did not answer. "You were with your own clan back then. However, I see that has changed."

Yuuki met his eyes. "What is it that you want?"

Hiroto smirked. "Shall I get to the point? Your and Ryogetsu of Naguchi's relationship is strange to say the least. For some years now, he has insisted that he hates the Akano clan, and yet he allowed himself to be apprehended in order to ensure your safety."

"Do you think I will disclose any information to you?"

Hiroto laughed. "Of course not." He took a sip from his tea. "Then I will change the subject. Your family knows of vengeance."

Yuuki felt his stomach turn. He did not know how this conversation would turn out, but he felt uncomfortable. Still, he answered, "They do."

"I seek justice for the friend I lost."

"Justice and vengeance are two different things."

Hiroto softly placed his cup on the table and turned his body to Yuuki. "Tell me, boy, is there really any difference between justice and vengeance."

"There is," Yuuki said, "You seek vengeance not justice. If you wished for justice, you would not have waged a war."

Hiroto chuckled, staring at Yuuki thoughtfully, "Then tell me, how do I gain justice for my deceased friend?"

"You find the person guilty of the crime."

"Oh?" Hiroto asked, "My spies told me it was a young girl that was being housed by the Naguchi clan. Am I wrong to believe you are protecting her?"

"We are not protecting her."

"Then what will you have me do?"

Yuuki stared at Hiroto of Madou in silence. He was right, there was little option to the situation. The war had been waged. The innocent had died. Ah, yes, the Akano curse. It was said that an Akano only brought misfortune to those around them. With events past, Yuuki felt it was an irrefutable truth.

Yuuki looked down at the palms of his hands. Someone had to die for the horrible crimes committed against the Fujimaru clan. Though Yuuki did not know who the culprit was, he knew it could not have been Dashi.

Whoever it had been had no intention of paying for their crimes. Hiroto seemed intent on Ryogetsu being the one to pay for those crimes.

Yuuki did not want Ryogetsu to get hurt. Or to die.