Blood in Flame and Water

A Story of Forbidden Pining

Tomioka's legs were sore. Having been walking for almost a week straight, he was bound to start feeling the soreness soon or later. It did not help that the paths he and Rengoku were forced to take were either back roads covered in overgrown vegetation and swarming with bugs, or they were exposed to every element of weather thrown their way. They've been rained on, drenched in water and shivering; forced to find shelter under a barren tree only able to use their haoris and leaves as cover. The sun beat down relentlessly on them, making them sweat and grow light headed. Giyu was fortunate enough to have stumbled upon a clear stream of water to refill their canteens.

For Rengoku, the sun wasn't the issue. He had been born on one of the hottest summer days on record. Kyojuro thrived in the heat, and others were quick to make remarks on his Pillar status and his ability to function in hot weather. Though they were all shot down by the fact that Flame Breathing was only wielded by the Rengoku family. His ability to withstand heat had nothing to do with his birthday; yet this never stopped the jokes and teasing. Rengoku took it in stride instead.

Giyu however, was practically melting in the heat. Having been born in the mountains where the ground had a layer of snow on top of it almost infinitely, and the air was so thin. When he first became a Hashira, any temperature above two degrees Celsius, –or thirty six degrees Fahrenheit–, would be too much for Tomioka to handle. So when the other Hashira gathered together to train, honing their strength and skill, Tomioka would be forced to sit out beside his Master when the heat almost made him pass out. Remarks and snidely teasing was thrown Giyu's way indefinitely, calling him weak, or 'too good'.

So seeing as Rengoku happily and cheerfully rambled alongside Tomioka during their travels ever since their partnership, Giyu was almost tempted to be jealous. However, he knew it wasn't Rengoku's fault, it was none of their faults. It just was that way. Though Tomioka gave himself some leeway, allowing himself to be silently envious of Flame Pillar's resistance to the sun's blistering heat.

"I wonder what demon we will face once we reach this village, " Rengoku inquires, "If what we heard from the passing traveler is true, then we shall be facing a powerful and resourceful demon. "
Tomioka added nothing to the conversation, only listening and taking in what the other was saying. Kyojuro seemed perfectly content with it, as he knew Giyu was listening to him, just didn't quite know what to say.
"If it really is a demon, that is. It could possibly be a plague that has been wiping out the village. Though it would be rather odd that we were assigned a mission about a plague and not an oni. "

With Rengoku's arms crossed over his chest, Giyu quickly had to look away before a pink blemish bloomed across his cheeks. Instead, Giyu reached up with his hand and scratched his neck. Kyojuro tilted his head as he watched the little ministration. Smiling at Giyu brightly, Rengoku asked him, "Is something the matter? "
Giyu shook his head, "No. Nothings wrong. Just, " Tomioka paused, letting his arm drop.
Rengoku hummed, "'Just…?'"
The Water Pillar sighed, "It's just, the sun is getting really hot. "

Kyojuro made a sound of understanding while turning to face the road, "I see! You mentioned you were raised within the mountains. That does make sense you'd be affected more extremely but it than I. "
Giyu blinked, "You remember me saying that? "
Rengoku smiled and nodded, "Of course I remember, Tomioka-san! You mentioned something about yourself, meaning you trusted me to remember it! "
Tomioka gaped at Rengoku in shock, unable to say anything even as the Flame Pillar gazed at him curiously, "Did you not think I would remember? "

Giyu was helpless, unable to do anything besides shrug as an answer. Rengoku made a disapproving sound, "Well, remember this Tomioka-san, everything you tell me, I treasure it. I am not like others who take what you say for granted. You are a wise individual! I myself am ecstatic we were partnered together! "
Tomioka gulped, mouth suddenly dry, "You really mean that, don't you? "
Rengoku nodded determinedly, "I do! "