riptide | kyojuro rengoku

XXVII | selfish

THE FIRST THING THAT left Kyojuro's lips was a curse. He readied his sword again and you had no idea what he was doing until you looked to the ocean. A sturdy wooden boat was floating on the surface and you could hear the ruckus of multiple pirates. The clicking of their swords, the splashing of their feet, and their loud yells.

"You shouldn't be fighting,"

"I swore to protect you,"

"I'm capable of protecting myself," You sent a sharp look in his direction. Kyojuro didn't back down, though, keeping himself glued to your side. You knew that the conversation between you two would have to wait as you stepped forward. "When we go back, we'll protect the village together. So, let me protect you, just this once."

He stared at you. You could hear him freeze as his grasp on his sword weakened. Suddenly, he stiffened all over again. "No. Be selfish. Live for your own pride, not someone else's." His words shook you to your core and you didn't get to respond as he rushed forward. You could make out the movements of the water as it parted, his flames evaporating the surface instantly.

Your brows furrowed and you huffed. He was right. Kyojuro was telling you to abuse your own freedom, understand the taste of it and learn what it feels like to act on your own accord. "Being selfish means protecting you, you idiot!" You saved him from another gunshot, your hands moving swiftly as the wave swallowed up the bullet.

Your feet sunk into the wet sand underneath you as you gazed into the water, knowing that Kyojuro had your back. "Isonade," The single murmur of the name created an orchestra of roars. The five sharks arrived, quickly grasping some of the sailors and dragging them into the abyss of the sea.

Huffing, Kyojuro moved back onto the sand, unable to keep up with any more attacks. "I'm not an idiot," Were his first words and you could practically hear the pout in his voice. You laughed softly, hearing him protect you from another bullet with the swift movement of his sword. "That's your main concern?"

"Not exactly. I confessed my love to you earlier,"

He sounded embarrassed and you could picture him with a faint blush on his cheeks. Your own face warmed up and you told him to shut up. This time Kyojuro found amusement in your flustered state, flinging a few more bullets away from you. "You aren't going to take down the boat?" He asked.

You shook your head, "No. We need the boat to get back to the village."

Kyojuro was smart, but he didn't seem to think ahead. Fortunately, he had you; the polar opposite of himself to keep up with him and his antics. And for that, he was endlessly grateful. There was a large gust of wind as he sped forward, managing to regain his breath as he shaped an arc with his sword.

The flames blew back the pirates on the boat. Kyojuro moved with speed and you focused on keeping the boat steady. Although the Isonade moved with grace, you couldn't risk anything. The last of the pirates were knocked away, disappearing into the water. They flailed and some were barely able to make it to the shore.

However, you had quickly pushed them back into the sea, stiffening at the sudden power that surged through you. Feast. The Isonade let out another roar and you watched them rise to the surface, snagging more victims before disappearing underneath. The water slowly turned purple and Kyojuro scrunched his nose.

He wasn't a fan of killing, but he understood. He had read about it, after all. Ocean Seers were meant to look after the sea itself; not taking care of the creatures that assisted you in return was an insane mistake. Kyojuro watched you, his own lungs aching as he coughed into his hand, stiffening when he saw blood.

You stumbled once, then twice, shaking slightly. The Flame Pillar didn't waste a second, jumping off the top of the boat and landing easily before scooping you up in his arms. "Your blessing's curse makes you cold and mine makes me hot," He announced the obvious, chuckling at the irony as he jumped back onto the boat.

You hummed, leaning into him tiredly. "Gives you a weird sense of déjà vu, huh?"

Kyojuro shrugged, settling in the boat with you in his arms. "I hope you know," You said, feeling him set you down and cover you with what you believed was a blanket. It was either that or an extra cloth used on the sails; you were too tired to ask or care at this point. "I'm going to give you that response to your confession."

You closed your eyes and you felt him pull you closer, laying beside you now. "That's cruel," He commented, sighing in relief when your hands pressed against his torso. The cooling sensation of the water washed away the heat and he could feel his throat begin to heal over, the scabbed sensation slowly withering away.

Kyojuro leaned over you, kissing your forehead. "You're really pretty."

You opened one eye even though it was fruitless; you couldn't see him, but it'd still be funny considering he could read your expressions fairly well. "Is that your attempt at winning me over?" The Flame Pillar leaned in and your heart hammered in your chest. However, he had wrapped his arms tightly around you instead.

You squeaked, unable to move in the tight hug. "I don't have to win you over. I'm the Flame Pillar, so nobody can compete with me!" That sense of pride returned in his voice and you rolled your eyes, smacking your hand against his chest with a chuckle. "Okay, you prideful dork. Let's just rest now, okay? If anything happens, the Isonade will keep them away."

"Before you fall asleep," Kyojuro leaned back, grunting and falling back down when the pain in his torso became too intense. "Who do you think would've won?"

"Won what?"

"The battle,"

"Me, by a landslide. We were fighting on the island that's on top of the Ocean Temple."

"We were?!"

"You didn't know?"

"Your father's maps aren't exactly clear. . . "

"I'm blind and they're clear as day to me."

Kyojuro tried to defend his point, stammering for a response, but you quickly hushed him by pulling him against you. "Shut up. Let's sleep." He hummed sleepily against you; the two of you relaxing next to one another as the darkness swallowed you up whole.