"Are you getting ready to leave, onii-chan?" Asked the younger son of the Rengoku household.
It was early in the morning as the boy watched his older brother adjusted his tabi socks.
The older soon slowly stood from where he sat on the engawa and slipped on his signature haori with a white-yellow gradient pattern and red flame-like ridges at the hem.
Said Flame Hashira then turned and glanced down at his little brother, watching as the younger rubbed his left eye of sleep.
A joyous smile quickly spread across Kyojuro's lips, his red and golden eyes beaming bright.
"Of course I am, Senjuro! I have to be there before noon, so I can't afford to be late." He said proudly.
Senjuro gave him an overwrought smile, but it soon disappeared as quickly as it came.
"I wish you didn't have go so soon, onii-chan." Senjuro saids, his eyes glancing at the ground for a moment before glancing back up at his older brother.
"C-can I come with you?" He asked nervously.
Kyojuro could hear the soft desperation in the younger's tone. He understood completely as to why his little brother didn't want to stay.
"Sorry little brother, but I have to go alone. Where I'm going, the journey will be perilous and I can't bear the thought of anything happening to you." Kyojuro says and reached to place a gentle hand onto his younger brother's head, tousling Senjuro's hair affectionately.
"B-but, I don't want to stay here alone with otou-san. At least...not without you." Senjuro says softly, his expression sadden.
Kyojuro frowned at this, it always disheartened him whenever Senjuro got like this.
He knew the younger didn't enjoy having to deal with their father's verbal abuse and loutish attitude towards him.
Though, it has been nearly a week since the Elder Rengoku's last rant. But, it was likely because he'd be too drunk after constantly drinking bottle after bottle of sake.
Kyojuro calmly gave a sigh as he keeled down and pulled the younger Rengoku into a warm comforting embrace.
"Don't be discouraged little brother. I know it's difficult to put up with father. But don't forget that deep down, he still cares for and loves you. So, try to stay positive and be strong until I return, okay." He said feeling Senjuro relax a bit as he nodded in response.
"Okay, onii-chan...I will."
His big brother always knew just what to say to make him feel better. Kyojuro was indeed the best big brother Senjuro was grateful to have.
Kyojuro is literally a ray of sunshine, always knowing how to brighten the day!
"So when are you coming back?" Senjuro asked.
The Flame Hashira pulled away and gripped his little brother's shoulders.
"I don't know little bro, but hopefully soon!" Kyojuro smiled as bright as the morning sun.
"Or at least until I'm allowed to bring my future wife home!"
Senjuro couldn't help but giggled at his big brother. Who would've thought Kyojuro could be so goofy, especially when in love.
"Is [Name]-chan really as pretty as you said?" Senjuro asked and Kyojuro couldn't help but give a hearty laugh at that.
"Heh, as beautiful as a thousand wisteria blooming in the spring!" Kyojuro exclaimed as he stood to his full height.
"And that's why I have to go, because she's waiting for me!" Kyojuro said, reaching for his sword and attaching it to his side.
"Which is also why I need you to stay behind and look after otou-san, while I'm gone?"
"O-okay onii-chan, I'll try." Senjuro sighed in defeat.
Before Kyojuro could say another word, the shoji slid open to reveal none other than the head of the Rengoku household.
Shinjuro-sama stood glancing between Kyojuro and Senjuro before his red and amber eyes narrowed.
"What are you doing up?" Shinjuro-sama said gesturing towards his youngest son.
"It's still early, go back to bed!" He said, his boorish baritone voice still groggy from sleep.
The younger Rengoku quickly nodded before hurriedly heading back inside without another word.
Once Senjuro was out of sight and ear shot, the Elder Rengoku turned towards his elder son.
"You're finally heading out, huh?"
Kyojuro's smiled at his father before nodding.
"Yes, I wanted to get an early start since Kazahana village is faraway from here."
"So you're really going through with it?" Shinjuro yawned, "This [Name] girl must be quite the treat if you're willing to travel up north again and risk catching hypothermia?"
"It's a risk I am willing take if it means I get to marry her!" The Flame Hashira says cheerfully at the sheer thought of it as his smile forever radiant.
Shinjuro's face nearly scrunched up at the sight of his son's ever optimistic persona. It always remind him of himself when he was Kyojuro's age. And what even more tedious was that Kyojuro really did inherited his mother's smile.
"Yeah, yeah, enough with the lovey-dovey. Just go and come back, so I can meet my future daugther-in-law." Shinjuro grumbled whilst scratching the back of his head.
"Will do, father!" Kyojuro said as he gathered his bearings.
"Well, I'm off, wish me luck!" Kyojuro bid farewell to the elder Rengoku.
And with that, the Flame Hashira took off running, his flamed haori whipping behind him as he darted in the direction towards his destination; Shinjuro watching him leave.
"Geez, it's about damn time. Even longer, I might've thought you were gay!" He grumbled.