Underneath the Red Trees

CHAPTER 35: THE FUJIMARU CLAN

Whenever Ryogetsu found he was unable to fall asleep he would listen to the song of the nightlife that came from his private garden. The flowing water from the water fountain. The cicadas singing. The soft howling of the wind. When one listened to these soft echoes one could almost imagine that Japan was in a time of peace. But it was not. This country had been at war for as long as Ryogetsu could remember. Longer than he had been alive. The civil war had started many years before Ryogetsu had been born. He could only hope he would live to see the day that the conflict would end.

A soft whimper pulled Ryogetsu from his thoughts. Yuuki was asleep in his embrace. Yuuki often made sounds in his sleep. Ryogetsu imagined that his sleep was filled with dreams. Bad dreams. Some nights he would scream himself awake.

Ryogetsu's arms tightened around Yuuki. Yuuki turned in his sleep, burying his face in Ryogetsu's chest.

For the past several days Yuuki had been held up with Dashi. Ryogetsu did not know where she slept. He did not care, either. The only time he had been able to spend with Yuuki lately was at night.

Ryogetsu stroked Yuuki's face as he took in every detail. Every curve. Every shape. Every mole. Every mark. All of it.

Yuuki looked peaceful when he slept. Calmer than he ever was awake. There always seemed to be something on his mind, like a storm was always brewing at the back of his mind.

Ryogetsu wished he could read Yuuki's thoughts. He wished he could bring some peace to his mind. More than anything, Ryogetsu wanted to protect him from everything he feared. From all those who had hurt him.

Ryogetsu stretched his arms above his head and groaned. Riding a horse for hours left kinks and knots in his muscles.

They had been riding due north for days and finally arrived in the northernmost part of Dewa. This area had been given by Ryogetsu's ancestors to the Fujimaru clan. They had been a vassal to Naguchi for many years. It had been like that even before the start of the Onin War*.

*The Onin War is a civil war that lasted from 1467 to 1477, during the Muromachi Period in Japan. It was the war that started the Warring States period.

Ryogetsu glanced at Keijiro, who also jumped down from his horse. He had a wide grin on his face as he marvelled at his familial home. There was a town directly next to the Fujimaru fortress, and as they walked through the town, its people recognised and greeted Keijiro with smiles.

Ryogetsu's business here was with Keijiro's father, Shunichiro of Fujimaru. When Ryogetsu had announced he would be riding north, Keijiro had insisted he join the party. Many seasons had passed since Keijiro had last been here, and he missed his father dearly. He had made sure everyone knew this fact. Just to make him stop talking Ryogetsu had let him come.

Lord Shunichiro was already deep into his forties. His hairline was receding, but the kindness in his eyes had not been withered away by the years. Keijiro embraced his father, forgetting all courtesy. "Are you still a child?" he asked, laughing, "Compose yourself." Shunichiro noticed Ryogetsu staring at the spectacle. He gently pushed Keijiro off him and greeted Ryogetsu with a respectful bow. "My, how you have grown, Ryogetsu. Or should I say my lord?"

Ryogetsu smirked at Shunichiro. "No need for formalities. I do not care how you address me."

His old lips cracked a smile. "I am glad to see in your maturity you have still retained some of your youth, my lord." Shunichiro glanced at the party. "Tell me, why have you come?"