riptide | kyojuro rengoku

epilogue

"YOU CAN'T TOUCH THAT,"

You could hear Kyojuro chastising Kyoko, mumbling something to her. Kyoko was a perfect combination of you and your husband. She was timid but ever so curious about everything. She was filled with all kinds of questions but relatively kept to herself, only ever showcasing her interest when she felt it was appropriate.

Kyoko was quiet as a baby too, she rarely ever cried and when she did, she was easily quieted when cupped in her father's arms. Kyojuro was especially ecstatic when she was born as he had never imagined being able to have a daughter. According to him, having sons practically ran in the family.

Along with that, Kyoko was a spitting image of Kyojuro (much to your disappointment). She had adapted your personality, but she had his fiery red hair and equally bright eyes. Kyoko complained some more; other than your curiosity she had also inherited your stubbornness. "Fine, but you can't tell your mother," Kyojuro agreed.

You wondered what they were up to, stepping forward as quietly as you could to hear their conversation better. You heard the familiar sound of the metal and you instantly made your presence known, crossing your arms. "Please don't tell me you were going to give our child your sword to wield," You raised a brow in Kyojuro's direction.

He tried to sheath the sword as quietly as possible. "Of course not," Kyojuro dragged out sheepishly, watching as his daughter played the innocent act and ran up to you, exclaiming how she wanted to be picked up. "Traitor." He grumbled playfully, glaring at her from where she was coddled in your arms.

"To be fair, kids always start young—" 

Your husband started, but was immediately cut off by you turning away from him. "Hey!" He whined, following after you two nonetheless. You were lucky to know that Kyoko wasn't an Ocean Seer like you; you had feared that it was a generational thing, but Kagaya had calmed you down when visiting at the news of your pregnancy.

"Go off and find Uncle Senjuro, alright? Tell him lunch is ready," You set down the little princess, hearing her complain one last time before darting off into the village, greeting everyone excitedly as she passed by. Kyojuro stepped up from behind you, wrapping an arm around your waist as you sighed, leaning into him.

"It wouldn't hurt to—"

"—nine, Kyo. Start when she's nine."

"But that's four years from now!"

"Then you best be patient, sweet husband," You chastised, patting his chest.

He rolled his eyes, kissing your hair and breathing in the scent of the salty ocean and the sand that kissed its shores. As the Ocean God had apparently carved the island the Fire God created upon, you and Kyojuro had worked hard together to shape the village into what it was today, restoring it to its former glory.

And now it sat, enjoyed by your daughter and the next generation to come.

You buried your face in Kyojuro's embrace, hugging him tighter. Life had given you everything and so much more, a wonderful husband, a great father to your daughter, a new family, and above all, a community that you had longed for your entire life. Perhaps the world wasn't always cruel and unjust.

Rather, the world and its people were always changing like the constantly gliding tides.

Akin to nature, akin to other beings, akin to you.

The world had always been painfully beautiful. 

But the people were even more so.

And you held your husband with that thought in mind, grateful for all that you gave and all that you were given. Your daughter's footsteps rang out loud and clear behind you and you turned your head, already prepared for her wishing to get picked up again. Instead, you heard her cheerful tone and Kyojuro's chuckle followed by her exclamation of curiosity.

"MOMMY, I FOUND SOME BLUE CRABS!"