Underneath the Red Trees

CHAPTER 18: THINGS LOST

In Ryogetsu's sixteenth year he was bound for the Fujimaru clan on his father's orders. The Fujimaru clan had long since been loyal to Naguchi. Ryogetsu was sent to ally himself with the Fujimaru clan's only heir, Keijiro Fujimaru.

The head of the Fujimaru clan welcomed Ryogetsu and Kou with the utmost respect. His deep sunken eyes were surrounded by wrinkles. Though he was much older than Ryogetsu, he treated the younger man with an excessive amount of courtesy, as if Ryogetsu was a clan leader.

His son was late. Lord Fujimaru was a man known for his loyalty and deference. His face displayed his embarrassment at his son's tardiness. He was about to make apologies when a young boy hurried into the hall. The boy made excessive apologies to Lord Fujimaru as well as to Ryogetsu and Kou.

Lord Fujimaru pinched the bridge of his nose, and introduced the boy as Keijiro Fujimaru, his son. Kou thanked them for their courtesy, yet Ryogetsu did not say a single thing. He only kept his eyes trained on Keijiro and furrowed his brows. Kou still had difficulty accepting that he—a child who spent the first seven years of his life on the streets without parents—had more etiquette than the son of a daimyo, who had been raised educated and never to want for much.

Keijiro sat there, fumbling with his fingers. There was something odd about his body language, like he was uncomfortable. Was it Ryogetsu? Was he making the boy uncomfortable?

Ryogetsu had been told that Keijiro Fujimaru was an Archer.

Keijiro's eyes shifted between them and his own hands. He would also steal small glances at his father. He shifted his weight constantly.

Lord Fujimaru gave a chuckle. "I will leave you to talk," he said and took his leave to allow them privacy. Once he had left them alone, a silence fell over the three of them. Keijiro avoided their eyes. He was a shy child.

There was something off. Ryogetsu did not know what it was. "You—" Ryogetsu finally said, Keijiro gave a nod to affirm he was listening— "Why are you uncomfortable?"

Keijiro's eyes widened. His mouth opened and closed. He did not know how to answer.

"Is it me?" Ryogetsu asked, "Have I made you uncomfortable? Or is it Kou?"

Kou was stupefied. "I have not done anything. If he is uncomfortable it is on you."

Ryogetsu looked at Kou with surprise-filled eyes. "It is not meant as an insult, honest," he said as he waved his hands in front of him, "Why do you always think my goal is to insult people?"

Kou grabbed Ryogetsu by his collar. "What nonsense are you spouting? All you ever do is insult people!"

"No, I insult you constantly. Wait—Kou!" Ryogetsu exclaimed. Kou grabbed for his throat.

"Wait, wait! Calm down, please." At the sound of Keijiro's voice, they both froze. They had rolled onto the floor in an uncivilised scuffle. Keijiro gave a curt sigh. "Neither of you has made me uncomfortable." Kou raised a brow at the boy. Keijiro tried to smile. "For as long as I can remember, I have been quite uncomfortable in my body. It is no fault of either of you."

"See!" Ryogetsu pushed Kou off him, "I told you I did not do anything." Kou retook his place on the sitting pillow. Ryogetsu stayed sprawled out on the floor.

Keijiro paused for a moment, then he started to laugh. His face lit up and his expression softened up a bit when he laughed. When he smiled his dimples peeked out. His face was meant to smile. It was a fact. Both Kou and Ryogetsu could see it.

Ryogetsu got up from the floor and sat cross-legged to face Keijiro. "How much do you know about my mother?"

Keijiro shook her head. "Only what my father told me about her. He only ever met the lady Hisako once."