Aftermath Of That

Kazuki slumped down on his bed. His blood soiled his hands and bedsheets. He just finished dressing his wounds then dreaded when he remembered he still must do at four, and he'd have to lead their soldiers there by three to inspect and secure the place from any possible threats from the Northerners. He wished Nobu would just do the leading and organizing but Nobu was probably still mad at him. He just wanted to rest after that torture. He can hardly stand without flinching so how much more can he do for the soldiers? To add to his agony, it's two in the afternoon.

He groaned, "Ah! Can time stop for a moment!?"

He wanted to roll around his bed but he remembered his wounded knees. He shut his eyes and slightly pouted.

Good thing, his mother agreed to cover up for him. Though she says "that isn't really something to be worried about, Kazuki, but if you think that'll make him angry, I'll pass another secret to him. Don't feel guilty anymore," he still felt guilty.

Perhaps, he deserved walking around with bleeding knees for putting his mother in a socially dangerous position but oh, she's known to easily lull the King's anger with just her voice. She'll be fine but he…he will never be. He should have thought about it when he carried Yoshiro on his back but it's too late now.

He was frightened at the sudden commotion happening outside his room. He slowly straightened up, trying to be careful with his knees, and as he sat on the edge of his bed, he steeled himself and…walked slowly to his doors, one…knee at a time. He reached out to his doors only to see them opened before him.

There stood Nobu, who was frowning and…resembled the monster he was on that battle. Kazuki expected him and had no choice but to invite him into his room. Nobu stormed inside and seated himself in front of Kazuki's desk[1].

He frowned at his brother, "Come here."

Kazuki shut his eyes and slowly, slowly moved his legs.

"Hurry! Are you going to be like this in front of the Northerners as well?"

He rolled his eyes and groaned but it was Nobu. There wasn't any questioning or disobeying especially if the man was angry. He endured the pain as he sped up his gait and as he reached the chair in front of his desk, he slumped down on it. He was sweating as he turned to Nobu.

Nobu took the cue and started ranting: "How dare you lie to our mother!? I would understand if you'd keep secrets from me and father but this is far too much, Kazuki! And for what to escape punishment!?"

Kazuki knew he'd be angry about it. He cleared his throat, "I did not lie. I did not escape punishment. I rightly suffered every second of it till now," he paused, trying to collect and prevent himself from shouting or there'll be a screaming match in a few moments and he was too tired for one.

He continued with a heavy breath, "Mother offered me a deal so I told mother the truth—but what made you say that I lied to her? Did you already know the truth?"

Nobu opened his mouth…then shut it then chuckled. He glared at his brother, "Wasn't that Yoshiro you brought in?"

Kazuki gulped, "You already knew… Why did you have to complicate things up?"

There was a threatening smile from Nobu. "Because I don't have proof for you being a big idiot! We could have killed that man and ended this stupid war! Miurio, that girl is smart; I know she has told you the same as well! But…but you let your being an idiot take over you! I swear if I had proof of your treason… I'd…" he stopped the moment he realized the things his mouth has been blabbering.

Kazuki frowned, "Are…you trying to get me killed? Brother, you're the crown prince, the heir. You have nothing to get by having me killed—"

"Well, that is because…!" Nobu suddenly became silent…then the man closed his eyes. He must have realized what he was doing for only a while, he muttered, "I'm sorry."

Kazuki was confused but he replied, "It's…alright. I was at fault. I know that I shouldn't help the enemy anymore… It was just the oath I took when I became a doctor."

"I know, Kazuki. I know it's just that…my anger…my frustration…got the best of me. It wanted an outlet and it found you…so I… I'm sorry," He held out his hands to his brother. His brother accepted and filled into space between his fingers. He held his brother's hands tighter and sighed, "I just want this war, this division, these battles to be over as fast as possible, Kazuki. I just want to have one major power, one major state in this country and to think that we could have ended it when that Yoshiro was weak and in your care, to think that we have just wasted that opportunity, to think it'll never happen again—ah, it's frustrating."

Kazuki smiled sympathetically to his brother…then his smile faded when he asked: "Are you telling father?"

Nobu stared at his brother's pleading and scared eyes. He exhaled deeply, "… I'm afraid I have to. It's my duty as well, Kazuki. Please understand."

Kazuki nodded and attempted to remove his hands from Nobu's hold but Nobu tightened on him. He smiled sadly, "I understand—"

"Then why are you keeping your hands away from mine?"

There was no answer.

Nobu chuckled, "Now, you know how I feel towards your duty and that Northerner."

Kazuki groaned, "If I found him healthy and unwounded, I would have given him to you…"

His brother stood up. His hands easily slipped from his brother's. He watched Nobu as he walked around the table and towards him. Nobu slowly lifted Kazuki up, helping his younger brother to stand, and embraced him. Kazuki did not protest. He closed his eyes and leaned onto his brother's shoulder.

Nobu chuckled, "You've gained some height."

He nodded, "I'm taller than you now…"

"I'm still heir to the throne…"

Kazuki placed a space between them just to show the man his frown. Nobu raised his eyebrows. The both of them laughed then embraced each other again.

"…brother, can you lead the troops…and can you tell father after the banquet?"

Nobu took a deep breath in then let it out, "I will, Kazu."