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There lies a lagoon hidden in between the cliffs of Watatsumi Island, accessible only by scaling the rising peaks or through an underwater passage that empties into the cavern. Other than the birds and fish, Sangonomiya Kokomi may be the only one who knows of its existence, and that is precisely why it is one of her favorite spots on the island.
It is to this location that she swims now, the cool ocean current whisking her along. It’s times like these that test her ability to hold her breath; she could almost believe that if she were to open her mouth for relief, the water would not flood her lungs but deliver that sorely needed oxygen.
Kokomi hasn’t quite been brave enough to test that out just yet.
Whatever blessings her Enkanomiyan heritage affords her allow the burning of her lungs to hold out until she sees a halo of light appear above the dark waters. She swims towards it now, the shimmering, refracting image of the world above growing larger as she approaches. When Kokomi surfaces, taking in sorely needed air, she is greeted by more than the gentle sounds of the nearby waterfall and leaves rustling in the wind.
“Mysterious pearl, from the ocean depths rising, tell me your secrets.”
Her shock is assuaged by the familiar voice, gentle as the wind. Kokomi glances over to the nearby outcropping and sees the scarlet maple leaves patterned robes of Kaedehara Kazuha. Partner of the Watatsumi Resistance, member of the Crux fleet, rōnin from Inazuma who parried the Musō no Hitotachi.
Someone Kokomi is delighted to call her friend.
He smiles, mirroring her own. She replies, “Greetings, Kazuha. How did you find this place? I’ve never seen anyone else here.”
“I followed the wind,” he says as she swims towards him. When she reaches the shore, Kazuha holds out a hand to help her up. “Though I confess, all the climbing has tired me out. This rock looked perfect for taking an afternoon nap.”
Kokomi hums and dries off her clothes with the help of her Vision, droplets of water falling off her like a midday sunshower. “This is as ideal a place as any to do so. It’s quiet and removed. Nothing will disturb you here.” Once dry, she sits beside him.
“Is that why you come here?” Kazuha asks.
“Yes. Other than my office, this is the one place where I can be truly alone.”
“Ah, I may have ruined that. My apologies," he says with a bow of his head.
“Not at all,” Kokomi reassures him. “This place belongs to all of Watatsumi Island. It’s just as well that you’ve found it. Your company is always something that I’m happy to be in.”
This earns a soft chuckle from Kazuha, his gaze briefly looking down at the lagoon waters below them before returning to the priestess. “You flatter me, my lady. I could say the same for you. It’s not just your waters that are healing.”
Kokomi is used to hearing all manner of compliments and praises, from her advisors to her shrine maidens, and even the people she seeks to guide and protect. Most of the time they weigh on her, another expectation to uphold, lest she disappoint those who are counting on her. Sometimes they feel hollow. These words from Kazuha, however, strike her as true and genuine. It’s his character, she surmises. What would he have to gain from showering her with false praises? He is here one day, then gone the next. The war with Inazuma is over, and he is once again a free man.
His words settle differently, a current strong enough to sweep her out to the depths of the sea. Luckily, she is born of the sea and has much practice navigating these waters. Kokomi smiles and gestures to the rock space they occupy.
“Then, please, stay and sit with me for a while. My only plan was to read my book. Hopefully that won’t disturb your nap.”
She takes out said book, surprisingly dry and undamaged despite her swim. “A special bag I have that protects it from the elements,” Kokomi explains. Kazuha shakes his head in awe, then lays back on the stone, arms acting as a cushion.
“Let me know if you need anything, my lady. Don’t hesitate to wake me.”
She agrees, but doesn’t plan on doing so. As someone who rarely gets these moments of rest and relaxation, the last thing Kokomi wants is to disturb it for another. Kazuha settles into peace and quiet beside her, and she opens her book to the marked page, picking up where she left off. It’s another treatise about battle formation and tactics to penetrate the enemy line. It’s quite thrilling, yet the logical nature of troop placement and allocation of soldiers and resources is soothing to her. This is far easier to understand than people and their unpredictable emotions.
Time passes in this manner. Having no watch on her person, Kokomi would not be able to say exactly how much, were it not for the sun’s waning position in the sky and the changing water level as the tides come in. She could spend the whole night here and in fact has before, but she worries about Kazuha. Glancing at him now, he has barely moved an inch during his sleep. While he does look at ease, Kokomi can only imagine how stiff his arms and shoulders will be upon waking. Plus, she may have an easier time returning to the main island than him via the underground tunnels, while he’ll have to scale the cliffs. If he intends to return by tonight, he’ll need to leave soon.
It seems she has to wake him after all. Placing her book (current page carefully marked) to the side, Kokomi grasps his elbow and gently shakes him.
“Kazuha, you should probably wake up. It’s getting late.”
He hardly reacts, but speaks smoothly and clearly as though he’d been conscious the whole time. Perhaps he had been. “Thank you, my lady. This rock is no longer as warm as it was midday. What a shame.” Kazuha’s scarlet eyes flutter open and meet Kokomi’s. “Will you return also?”
“I’m not sure. It looks like it will be a clear night. The stars on the water will be especially beautiful.”
“Then may I stay with you? That sounds like a beautiful sight indeed. Though maybe I’m being selfish.”
“Selfish?” she repeats, confused.
“I don’t want to leave your presence just yet,” Kazuha says easily, honestly.
Kokomi is stunned into silence, though her years of political training have taught her to school her expression into one of calm. Still, she can’t quite control the subtle reddening of her cheeks.
“Then stay,” she finally replies. “It would make me happy if you did.”
He smiles wide and begins to sit up, but a pained hiss escapes his lips, his movements stiff and uncomfortable.
“I thought this might happen. Here, allow me to help.” Her hands settle on his shoulders, curving onto the nape of his neck. Pulling on the clear waters of the lagoon, a soothing healing energy permeates through Kazuha’s clothes and skin, reaching his stiff muscles and unwinding the knots.
His shoulders relax, the crease in his brow smoothing out. Kazuha sighs in contentment. “Thank you, my lady. Your power is marvelous.”
“I’m happy to help. But when was the last time you stretched? I’m finding plenty more stiff muscles where that came from.”
“I couldn’t say.” He laughs softly. “Being a wanderer means you learn to sleep on any large and dry enough surface.”
Kokomi directs him onto her lap. “Lay here. I can help with the worst of it, but you should see a specialist. I know Captain Beidou spares no expense when it comes to the health of her crew.”
With no complaints, Kazuha scoots over and rests his head and shoulders on Kokomi’s thighs. His hair is soft and tickles at the small patch of exposed skin. She does her best to ignore this and focuses on feeling out the knotted muscles along his upper back and shoulders, focusing her healing waters on those areas.
Her gaze is fixated on the collar of his robes, her eyes far away as she pictures the anatomy of the human body in her mind. She would fall into a trance as she focuses, but it quickly becomes hard to ignore Kazuha’s eyes on her, burning red in the fading sunlight. She can’t help but meet his gaze, answering the unashamed honesty of their interest.
“Is something the matter, Kazuha?” Maybe her attention on his sore muscles is causing him pain.
“Forgive my staring,” he answers. “I’m just in awe of your power and beauty.”
She forces herself not to look away. Kokomi has faced down enemy troops on the battlefield. She can answer the advances of a handsome and charming man.
“I suppose it’s fitting for the Divine Priestess.”
He shakes his head, reaching up to brush his fingers along her cheek. “Right here, right now, in the privacy of this lagoon, you’re Kokomi. That’s who has captivated me.”
Surprising even herself, Kokomi laughs. A truly carefree sound, light enough to float away on the breeze. She can’t remember the last time her heart soared this high—perhaps when the official peace treaty from the Tenshukaku arrived on her desk, but even that had been more relief than true happiness. That, too, required the immediate and wise response of the leader of the Resistance, the Divine Priestess of Sangonomiya Shrine.
Kazuha’s flirtations, however, need her to be only Kokomi. When was the last time that young woman enjoyed herself?
Much too long ago. Now is not the time for waiting nor further contemplation. Following the fluttering beat of her heart, Kokomi leans down and presses her lips to Kazuha’s. He responds with equal enthusiasm, with the comfort of her healing waters and her soft lips. A few heartbeats that sends her blood racing, then Kokomi pulls back, opening her eyes to see Kazuha’s half-lidded but thoroughly pleased gaze.
“Is this also part of your healing? If so, I’ll make it a point to come to you every time I find myself injured.”
“I’m afraid not. I don’t make it a habit to kiss every person I heal. Only those I’m fond of.”
“Then I’m all the more lucky for it.” Kazuha places his hand on top of hers and gives it a reassuring squeeze. “Thank you, Kokomi. For everything.”
She indulges the next whim of her heart and runs her other hand through his hair, smiling softly down at Kazuha. “Thank you . It’s not often that I’m able to just be myself. But it’s easier with you.”
“I hope you’ll always feel that way with me. And with others, some day. You’ll capture the hearts of many others, just as you have mine.”
“Are you already giving me up?”
“I would never hold you back, if you felt the same for another.”
“And I would give you the same freedom.”
“The sky and the sea are endless and vast, but they meet on the horizon.” Lacing his fingers with hers, Kazuha continues, “Just as surely will you and I.”
“I look forward to it.”
Kokomi smooths out his bangs, then picks up her book. “Would you like me to read aloud? This is a far cry from poetry, but you may find something noteworthy.”
“The sound of your voice will make anything pleasant to listen to. By all means.”
One hand in his, the other holding her book in the fading light of the sun, Kokomi reads to Kazuha, her private lagoon now all the more precious that it’s shared with him.