riptide | kyojuro rengoku

XXXVII | honor

YOU MANAGED TO WALK. It was a bit of a stumble still, but it was much better than the awkward and painful limp you had been managing for the past week or so. Luckily for you, since you were recovering so well, Shinjuro had allowed you and Kyojuro to see each other more often. Unsurprisingly, the Pillar had healed much faster than you.

He was already up and swinging his sword, practicing against wooden dummies based on the sounds you heard. You were sure it was pretty early in the morning considering it felt a bit cold you hadn't heard the maids even shuffle awake yet, but you didn't pester him on his diligence in training. "It's rude to stare," Kyojuro teased, turning his head back to look at you.

You looked in his direction, your milky-eyed gaze and deadpan expression telling him enough. "Sorry," He sounded way too cheerful saying that, but you let it slide, dropping to the ground to sit atop the wooden planks that were considered the 'reacharound porch'. "How long have you been up?" You changed the topic, pulling your knees close to your chest.

You still felt a bit cold in the weather, but you were sure it'd warm up soon enough. However, it didn't help that the Fire Village was naturally hot so they donned light clothing most of the time. Hence, all you had to cover yourself up was a white floor-length tunic. "Hours!" Kyojuro answered you truthfully, a hint of pride in his voice.

You knew not to pester, falling silent. If you asked again, he'd probably explain why, but you'd be upset at how happy he sounded whilst making himself suffer burnout. "The sun hasn't even come up yet. Did you even get some sleep?" You questioned, brows furrowing in both confusion and concern.

Kyojuro hummed thoughtfully, swinging his sword again as it made a large 'thunk' sound against one of the wooden dummies. You knew he was holding back slightly on his attacks, otherwise, all these dummies would've been splinters of wood by now. "Some. Sleeping doesn't help," He admitted like an embarrassed child.

He slid his sword into his sheath, approaching you as you made room for him, shuffling away slightly. He dropped down next to you, your hands instinctively reaching for him. His hands were calloused from the sword use and he felt a bit sweaty, so he diverted your attention to his hair, silently sitting as you braided it.

"Why doesn't sleeping help?"

You were calm and quiet, asking questions that you only thought he would answer. It helped him to talk about it, but it was quite a reluctant process nonetheless. He appreciated you though, you kept yourself collected and cool while he was a mess. And in turn, he would encourage you to embrace your fears.

Your relationship was somewhat like a game of tug of war. Sometimes, the effort put in the pull wasn't even on both sides, but it was alright because the flag in the middle would always eventually settle to make it equal. "I always have to be alert. For the village, for the people, for you." He reached his hand back, tenderly touching your wrist before pulling away.

You went back to braiding his hair, humming in response. "You can't keep fighting without getting some rest first. Forcing yourself to remain at the very top of your performance for so long will eventually wear you out," You chastised, kissing his cheek briefly. Kyojuro smiled at your gesture, melting into your touch.

He'd tell you later, but the way you braided his hair was immensely satisfying. "Hm," He thought over your words, silently deciding that you were right (you almost always were). Still, though, he couldn't help but feel a sense of dread. He knew you didn't feel that way and definitely didn't want to mention it to you for fear of you feeling that way.

That's why he was so determined on killing time by taking out dummies; it at least took his mind off of it. "Our entire life will be spent here," You suddenly mumbled. Kyojuro grew startled at your statement, brows knitting together. "It's almost as if we signed away our freedom after getting it, huh?" You laughed dryly.

There was nothing amusing about it, but making humor of it was seemingly the only way to cope. "We're doing it for a good cause. Protecting the people, living out my life with you, and providing for my brother. I can die happily knowing I completed those things," When you were done braiding, he grabbed your palm, kissing the inside of it.

You smiled at his gesture, tilting his head back to plant an affectionate kiss on his forehead. "Don't talk about dying, Kyo. We're both still young," You both knew that you weren't hinting at old age and neither was he. It was more bearable to talk as if nothing else could take you two off this godforsaken planet.

"We'll die with honor!" He cheered.

Once again, he sounded way too happy saying a morbid statement like that. Yet, you let it slide, laughing softly. As always, Kyojuro's confidence was centered on his pride. Whether it was the pride in himself or the people around him, it seemed to be endless. "You two," The sliding door opened again and Kyojuro leaned up, tensing.

You knew it was instinct based on how his body covered yours slightly, protecting you from whatever it might be although logically, it couldn't be anything threatening. "If you're willing to be up this early make yourself useful and start translating that book," Shinjuro ordered, leaning up against the door. 

You could hear it creak behind him, his footsteps shuffling as he turned away from you two. "I want it done in two days." If you and Kyojuro focused hard enough, you could get it done in a day. You could only hope Kyojuro could keep up since all you had to do was read aloud while letting him copy it down.

As soon as he left, Kyojuro shifted, turning towards you and pecking your nose briefly. 

"So," He spoke casually. "Breakfast?"