riptide | kyojuro rengoku

XL | sense

THE FIGHT RAGED ON. You could practically feel the heat of Kyojuro's flames from the distance you were at. Your breath hitched when you heard the Ikuchi roar, somewhat between a pained howl and a yelp of anger. You turned your head, peering into the ocean and catching a glimpse of a wound along its scales. 

The Ikuchi was made to take down things quickly and easily, it wasn't made to take hits. Your desperation only grew watching as some of the pirates had managed to get themselves to shore despite the ruckus, ignoring the fight between their leader and Kyojuro as they aimed at the sea serpent.

If they weren't taken down fast enough, Kyojuro would be overwhelmed. What then with the village? With all the people hiding safely on one side? There was a vibration in the ground and you fell to the sand, the shockwave knocking you off your feet. "You didn't think you were the only one with tricks up your sleeve, did you?" The voice cackled.

"I'll have a fun time beating you!" 

There was something different in his tone and you swallowed hard. You could hear Kyojuro's sword swing faster as he attempted to keep up with the blows he was given. You, a little scatterbrained, managed to stand up again, following along the shore to get to the boat. You could only hope that the Flame Pillar was on the same page as you.

If he could draw him farther away from the shore, he'd have more space to fight and it'd be easier for you to clear out the rest of his little helpers. You focused on the waves, extending your right arm as you sprinted forward before shaping a clean sweep in front of your figure. The tides read your movements, swishing with a violent elegance.

You could make out the shouts of the sailors as they were pulled into the sea, left to be consumed by the Ikuchi after its perilous tasks. You swallowed hard, the wind howling louder. You couldn't tell if it was from the shockwaves from earlier or because of the natural storms that brewed around the Fire Island, but the clouds had shifted.

They were over the island now, encompassing all of it as the lightning crackled. The winds roared and you stiffened, feeling a disconnect from the ocean as the tumultuous weather pulled the ocean along with it. You stepped into the sea, fingers reaching out for a piece of wood with the name and marking etched on the lumber.

Kyojuro had taught you a little bit about the letters and their Braille equivalent; you already knew some of it, but the fact that the words were engraved into the wood made it easier for you to make it out. "Akaza," You mumbled under your breath, turning back as the wind whipped your hair into your face.

It clung to the skin of your cheek and the back of your ears, reminding you of when you were with your father. The harsh storm then, the harsh storm now, and the battle that raged in between. There was a mixture between a scream and a gasp, your head turning in the direction that Akaza and Kyojuro were.

Another shockwave rumbled underneath your feet, but you pulled the tide to your ankles, using it to keep you grounded. "Rip it apart," You ordered coldly, using the water to see where Akaza and Kyojuro's battle had landed them. You could make out the faint imprints of their feet in the sand, but you trusted the ocean to be more accurate.

As soon as you could make out the heels of his feet, you swung both arms to your right, making a pulling motion and dragging him under the tides. "Careful," Kyojuro approached you shortly after, not sure how much time your attack had bought him. You could hear his heavy breathing from here and you knew that there was a fire burning in his lungs.

His entire chest must've felt like it had burst into flames considering the heat on his torso was scalding hot, the only thing lowering the temperature were your cool fingertips. He appreciated your assistance, cupping your cheek fondly for a brief moment before dropping into a fighting stance. 

You instantly knew why, a shockwave rippling into the callouses of your feet just a few seconds after he had readied himself. He could already sense it. Even now, you were in awe of Kyojuro's abilities. "That hurt like a bitch," Akaza remarked the cocky hint in his voice far from gone as he cracked his neck with a dramatically agonized groan.

"It's nice to see you've joined us, Ocean Seer." 

The way he said the term sent shivers up your spine, but you steeled yourself, swallowing hard. "Keep her out of this. We're fighting for her in the first place, aren't we?" You soon understood the terms in which the battle had started; since persuading him didn't work, they were fighting over you.

Who had the right to claim you, steal you, and use them for their own benefit? You knew Kyojuro didn't mean anything harmful by that, he was saying it out loud more for you than himself. He never viewed you as an object, but he wanted it to be known that his opponent did and that you were only making yourself more vulnerable by being in the midst of the fight.

"She joined on her own accord, but I'll be gracious and let her go. If she joins again then we'll see," You didn't have to see him, but you could sense the absolute arrogance and sickening air that came with this man. Almost as if he didn't want to be defied by anyone other than his opponent; this wasn't just a trade to him.

Personally, you didn't think he cared about that. Rejection must've hurt and especially from someone as powerful as Kyojuro, it must've cost him an immense amount of his ego. This battle wasn't about getting you, it was about winning. You were just the prize. "Go," Kyojuro spoke quietly as you could hear his sword make a 'shing' sound loudly.

You were reluctant to pull away, leaving one last touch on his sleeve.

"Set your heart ablaze, Kyo."