riptide | kyojuro rengoku

XIII | new

YOU HELD ONTO HIS hand, letting him lead the way back to the boat. Both of you were fully dressed again and after mentioning how you didn't want to put your shorts back on (shorts over wet underwear feels weird), Kyojuro had lent you his cloak. You felt like a bit of a leech, but he had assured you that it was okay as long as you gave it back soon.

You stepped over the same vine from earlier, slightly shivering. He was right; it was cold now and you didn't even notice how he had picked up the pace, noticing your shaking. Personally, Kyojuro wasn't as affected. One of the benefits of being the Flame Pillar is a naturally higher body temperature.

He held your hand firmly, hoping that some warmth at least channeled through that and you held onto him like a lifeline. "Once we get to the boat you can go and sleep. I want to get some hunting done; I think some of the animals here might be nocturnal!" You blinked sleepily. Typically you wouldn't feel safe knowing he wasn't there with you, but you were fine with it.

No one else was on the island anyway and you two did need some more food, so you couldn't complain much. "Kyojuro," You mumbled, walking carefully. By now, you two weren't that far from the boat, the only sounds ringing out being the crickets at night and the crashing waves. "I lost my fruit knife in the um. . . Siren thing earlier. Do you have another weapon?"

His figure suddenly tensed and your brows furrowed, your hand squeezing his as you called out his name. He grew stiffer before relaxing, muttering an apology and reassuring you that he was fine. "I would offer you my sword, but it's a Flame Pillar's pride!" He announced boldly, laughing afterward.

You grew confused. He. . . had a sword? You voiced out your perplexion, "You have a sword?" You could practically hear his confidence drop. Kyojuro had gasped dramatically, making you giggle. "I didn't tell you I have a sword?! It's a Flame Pillar's honor, if anything! The sword is what I use to wield flames!"

You tried to imagine pretty boy Kyojuro swinging a giant stick of metal with flames dancing on the end of it. "It's. . . hard to imagine you with a sword." You admitted, laughing at the image in your head. Kyojuro pouted and you could hear the childish whine in his voice. "I'm a good swordsman! I'll prove it to you one day!"

"Oh yeah, if only I could see your skills," You rolled your eyes playfully.

His expression dropped and he wasn't sure if he was allowed to laugh, chewing on his bottom lip. "It's okay, you can laugh," You jabbed his ribs with your elbow, nearly making him stumble. Kyojuro immediately broke out into laughter, your heart pounding at the sound. I want to make him laugh more. 

Your face grew hot at the thought, but you tried to distract yourself, subconsciously squeezing his hand. It didn't help when Kyojuro squeezed your hand back, swinging your conjoined hands back and forth with a cheery smile on his face. "I'll show you one day though. Maybe my flames will even burn through the water," He spoke confidently.

You didn't have the heart to tell him that you doubted that would ever happen; if anything, the water would evaporate but also dowse out his flames. Instead, you responded positively. "Of course, you're the Flame Pillar after all!" As you stayed around Kyojuro, you found yourself feeling less bitter about the Fire Village.

How they treated Kagaya was horrible, but that burn was from years ago. Based on how Kyojuro was raised, had the Fire Village slowly become more tolerant and considerate? After all, he did say that they didn't approach Ocean Seers mainly out of fear. You thought to yourself, not even noticing that you two had finally reached the boat. 

You tiredly made your way to the bottom of the boat, looking back in his direction with a shy expression. "I-I'll let you change," He muttered embarrassingly, turning around and only facing you when you gave him the 'okay'. Kyojuro took his cloak back, digging through his bag afterward to bring out a dagger.

"I usually don't use this. Senjuro made it for me so please," He cleared his throat and you could hear the broken tone in his voice. "Keep it safe." You nodded understandingly, swearing to him and to yourself that you won't lose it. He patted your head, bidding you a goodnight before disappearing into the top part of the boat and back onto the island.

You held up the dagger, pressing your fingers against the blade to memorize the shape of it. If you weren't careful enough, you could accidentally cut yourself with it. You set it next to your 'pillow', tracing a hand against the cut on your palm. "Is it because of the blood?" You mumbled to yourself.

Part of you was tempted to try it and knowing that Kyojuro wasn't anywhere near you, you grabbed the dagger and scrambled to the top part of the boat. You were tired, sure, but this ate at your curioisity more than anything else. Besides, you had to know; Kagaya had taught you next to nothing about Ocean Seer abilities and as far as you knew, there were no others like you.

Not wanting to create a big cut like the one on your left hand, you pressed the blade of the dagger against your thumb, blood slowly dripping out as you held up your hand against the ocean. "Please work," You let out a breath. There was a moment of silence and then a loud groan, a black monster coming your way.

It was long and coily, easily slipping in and between the crashing waves as it slithered up to you, a low growl leaving it. However, it didn't object to your summoning and you panted, looking into the water. You fell onto your butt, the monster snarling again, as if waiting for a response. Flabbergasted, you pressed your thumb.

"W-What. . . the fuck?"