riptide | kyojuro rengoku

XXIII | break

ALL NIGHT. You stayed up all night to read that book. Your fingers had grown red and sore from constantly flipping pages and tracing over the rough paper. There were a few papercuts that littered your hands as well, but you couldn't bring yourself to care. Aoi hadn't even asked questions at your wounds, simply patching you up and sending you off.

And now you sat on the boat with Kyojuro, waiting for him. He was busy saying goodbye to everyone; something about paying Shinobu back as well. Embarrassingly enough, you weren't fully paying attention to him when he had told you all the details, your mind still brooding over everything Kagaya had told you.

He had taken you in the night and ruined everything you had ever known in the span of thirty minutes. Part of you hated him for that; you wanted him to keep his mouth shut. Fine, if Kyojuro had been using you since the very beginning, then let him! Does that make your life any different?! 

As if sensing your rage, the ocean grew harsher all of a sudden. You pursed your lips, willing yourself to calm down as the water slowed before continuing with its playful tides. That was one of the things you had read in the translated book: the ocean feeds off of you. To some degree, the weather is out of your control, but the sea bent to your will.

It read your mind and acted on it. If you were vehement or upset, the sea would act as such. If you were calm and tranquil, the ocean would move smoothly. You also read of beasts of varying familiarity. The main one that stuck in your head was the Ikuchi. A black, oil-slicked sea dragon that was aggressive and protective.

It was summoned only through blood; its protective nature forcing it to guard its summoner with its life. It was known to cause great waves, kill thousands, and destroy boats by coiling around them. Like the ocean, it listened to its summoner; the more fearful the summoner was, the more powerful it became.

Which, ironically, explained a lot.

There were a few more that were listed. They weren't able to be summoned nor did they listen to you, but they were bottom dwellers that terrified common folk. A yellow-hued crab with multiple eyes and large pincers, a red-eyed creature shaped like a tadpole that could unhinge its jaw like a snake, and stories of poisonous seaweed and invasive coral.

The main one that stuck out to you was a creature named Umibōzu. It only showed up in times of great peril. It was large-eyed and its color was comparable to the midnight sky (according to the book). Its appearance was quite random. The ocean would be calm and tumultuous the next as it wreaked havoc, smashing hulls in single blows and drowning sailors.

The Umibōzu was only summoned during life-threatening conditions, and for it to be conjured, the summoner had to be on the brink of desperation. Only when they're willing to put their life on the line would it show up and save them in their greatest time of need. However, the damage it would create was beyond the summoner's control.

Umibōzu was meant to be summoned in desperate times, so the power they held was meant to destroy anything in their sight. You hoped you would never reach that point yourself. Still, though, something told you that you eventually would. Sighing, Kyojuro returned to you, taking a seat beside you.

Your knee bounced as you grew anxious. There was one thing you wanted to check: the Ocean temple. Similar to how each God had its shrine, the Ocean God had its own. You weren't sure if Kagaya had visited it, but reading through the book gave you a sense that he had. It was apparently set underwater in a preemptive attempt to only let Ocean Seers reach it.

Nonetheless, it was protected by a hoard of Isonades, shark-like monsters covered in metallic barbs.

What confused you the most was why the Fire Village would have such a detailed book about Ocean Seers in the first place. It made you feel wary, especially of Kyojuro. "Kyo," You spoke bluntly, feeling him stiffen beside you at the dead tone in your voice. Have I always sounded like that? 

Your mind was muddled. "Is Senjuro actually lost?" He didn't say anything for a moment but as you moved to stand up, he swiftly grabbed your wrist. Kyojuro chuckled awkwardly, "What are you talking about? Do you think I would drag you out of your home for no reason?" You stopped, faking a smile as you looked in his direction.

"You're right,"

Still, Kagaya's words rang true in your head. "I don't know if he's using you or trying to get rid of you for the safety of the village, but this is my last chance to keep you safe." Part of you regretted not taking his offer, feeling the boat start to move. You didn't need to look into the sea to know Kagaya and Amane were watching you from the shore, their feet dipped in the water to let you know they were there.

You mumbled, stating that you were tired as you disappeared to the bottom part of the boat. Kyojuro didn't question you further, letting you go as you sat on the makeshift bed. If nobody's going to give me straight answers, I might as well search for them on my own. You pursed your lips, stepping carefully as your hands traced the walls.

You stopped once your foot hit something, his bag sitting just inches away from you. You felt for the zipper, opening it and feeling for anything that could be valuable. Clothes. Just clothes, emergency food, and what felt like bandages. Nothing valuable; does that mean Kyojuro was someone you could trust?

You zipped the bag closed, kicking it underneath his own bed as you took a seat on yours again. No, that doesn't make him any less suspicious. Besides, if anything happens. . . You focused on the rocking boat, feeling the waves get harsher due to your train of thoughts. I have the upper hand.

You were tired of being someone else's pawn.