For a brief moment after Ren spoke, everything seemed to fall quiet.
The wind moved softly through the tall grass, brushing along the rocks and drifting across the stream nearby. The gentle sound of flowing water filled the space between them, but even that felt distant somehow.
Kaito didn't move.
Two years.
It had really been that long since he last saw him.
"…Ren?"
The boy standing in front of him was familiar, but not the same. He had grown taller, his frame more defined, his posture steadier. There was a calmness about him now, something that hadn't been there before, like he had spent those years sharpening himself in ways Kaito couldn't quite see.
But the small smile on his face hadn't changed at all.
"Yo, Kaito."
Kaito stared for another second, as if trying to confirm this wasn't some kind of trick.
Then his face suddenly broke into a wide grin.
"You actually came back!"
Ren let out a quiet chuckle. "Of course I did."
Kaito scratched the back of his head, still smiling, though there was something slightly awkward in the gesture, like he didn't quite know how to act after so long.
"I thought the Water Clan turned you into some super serious training robot or something."
Ren crossed his arms, giving him a sideways look. "Maybe they did."
Kaito laughed. "Nah. You're still the same."
As they spoke, Kaito felt a small tug on his sleeve. He glanced down and saw Hina peeking out from behind him, her fingers gripping his clothes tightly. She stared at Ren with wide, cautious eyes, clearly unsure of what to make of him.
Ren noticed her right away.
The sharpness in his expression softened almost instantly.
"So this is Hina."
He lowered himself slightly, bringing himself closer to her height so he wouldn't seem as imposing.
Hina didn't respond. She stayed half-hidden behind Kaito, watching him carefully without saying a word.
Kaito blinked, then quickly realized. "Oh, right."
He gently nudged her forward, careful not to startle her.
"Hina, this is Ren. He's my friend."
She peeked up at him again, hesitant.
"…Friend?"
Ren smiled faintly. "Yeah."
His gaze shifted toward the small river nearby, the water flowing steadily as it caught the light.
Without saying anything, he lifted his hand.
The surface of the river rippled.
Then, slowly, a stream of water rose into the air, separating itself from the rest as if guided by an unseen force. It hovered for a moment, twisting and folding in on itself in a way that didn't feel natural.
Hina's eyes widened.
The water began to take shape.
A small rabbit formed, its body clear and fluid, yet somehow holding together as it moved. It gave a soft, playful hop through the air, as if it weighed nothing at all.
Hina gasped softly, the hesitation in her expression disappearing almost instantly.
"Kaito…!"
Another shape began forming beside it.
A tiny fish drifted through the air, moving as naturally as if it were still swimming underwater. Its body shimmered in the sunlight, rippling gently with each motion. For a moment, it almost didn't look like water at all.
Then the shape shifted.
Ren lifted his hand slightly, and the fish dissolved, stretching and reforming into something new. This time, it became a small fox made entirely of water. Its tail swayed behind it as it circled around Hina, moving with a playful energy that made it feel almost alive.
Hina burst into laughter, her eyes lighting up with excitement. She ran toward it without hesitation, reaching out as if she could catch it in her hands.
The fox darted away just before she could touch it, bouncing lightly through the air. It circled back again, teasing her, always just out of reach.
Kaito watched the whole thing, blinking in surprise.
"…You can do that now?"
Ren gave a small shrug, like it wasn't anything special. "Control training."
Hina clapped her hands as another shape formed beside her, this one resembling a small rabbit that hopped along the invisible currents. She chased after it immediately, her laughter echoing down the path.
For a few seconds, Kaito just stood there, watching the scene unfold. Then he let out a short laugh, shaking his head.
"That's unfair."
Ren glanced at him. "How?"
"You disappear for two years," Kaito said, folding his arms, "and then come back doing stuff like this?"
Ren's lips curved slightly. "You were the one throwing blade attacks earlier."
Kaito straightened a bit, clearly pleased with himself. "Yeah, but that's different."
Hina came running back toward them, the little water creatures trailing behind her like loyal companions.
"Look! Look!"
Kaito laughed, waving a hand. "Yeah, I see it."
The three of them continued down the mountain path together. A narrow stream flowed alongside them, its surface catching the sunlight in soft, shifting reflections. The air felt fresh, the quiet broken only by Hina's laughter as she ran ahead, still chasing the animals Ren controlled.
Kaito and Ren walked behind her at a slower pace.
For a while, neither of them said anything.
Eventually, Kaito glanced sideways. "So… how's the Water Clan?"
Ren let out a quiet breath, like he already knew what to say. "Strict."
Kaito let out a small snort. "Figured."
Ren kept walking, his gaze forward. "Training starts before sunrise and doesn't end until after sunset."
Kaito turned his head sharply. "…Seriously?"
Ren nodded once. "Most of it is control work."
He gestured slightly toward Hina, where the water animals were still moving in smooth, precise patterns.
"Like that."
Kaito scratched his cheek, unimpressed. "Sounds boring."
"It is."
That got a laugh out of both of them.
Kaito nudged a small rock off the path with his foot as they walked. "But you became a Master, right?"
Ren nodded again.
Kaito's expression shifted instantly, a wide grin spreading across his face. "That's actually crazy."
He bumped Ren lightly with his shoulder. "Seriously, Ren. That's insane."
Ren didn't react much, just giving another small shrug. "It just means more training."
Kaito groaned, dragging his hands up behind his head. "Don't remind me."
"Akira already works me to death as it is."
Ren let out a quiet chuckle. "That sounds about right."
Kaito nodded. "He had me practicing the Pulse Blade for days straight."
Ren glanced at him. "It looked solid earlier."
That earned a proud smile. "Yeah, I finally got it stable."
Ren gave a small nod of approval. "That's good."
Kaito pointed at himself with a grin. "Of course it is."
Then he looked back at Ren, a competitive spark returning to his eyes.
"You're not the only one getting stronger, you know."
Ren glanced at Kaito with a faint smirk, already reading the look on his face. "I can see that," he said, his tone light but knowing.
They kept walking along the narrow mountain path, the air cool and fresh around them. Ahead, Hina ran after the little water fox, her laughter echoing through the open space as the creature darted just out of reach. Kaito watched her for a moment, the corners of his lips lifting slightly. For a while, neither he nor Ren said anything. They simply walked, letting the quiet settle in, enjoying the calm rhythm of the wind brushing past them and the distant sound of flowing water.
Then Kaito stopped.
Ren noticed immediately and slowed to a halt as well, turning to look at him. Kaito met his gaze, hesitation flickering for just a second before it disappeared.
"So…"
Ren let out a quiet breath, already knowing where this was going. "You want to spar."
Kaito's grin gave him away. "Maybe."
Ren glanced toward Hina. She had given up chasing the fox and was now sitting on a rock, completely absorbed in playing with a small water rabbit that formed and reformed in her hands. Seeing she was distracted, he nodded.
"Alright."
Kaito's expression lit up instantly.
They moved off the path toward a wide, rocky clearing where the ground opened up, giving them space. The wind flowed more freely there, sweeping across the stone in soft, steady currents. Hina climbed onto a larger rock nearby, watching them with open curiosity.
"Are you fighting?" she asked.
Kaito shook his head, lifting a hand casually. "Just practicing."
Ren rolled his shoulders, loosening up. "Ready?"
Kaito didn't answer with words. Instead, he raised his hand, and energy gathered almost instantly. A Pulse Blade formed in his grip, glowing sharply as it took shape.
Ren didn't summon a weapon. Instead, water from a nearby stream rose into the air, drawn upward as if pulled by an invisible force. It wrapped around his arm in a slow, fluid motion, moving like a living ribbon.
Kaito moved first.
He rushed forward, his blade cutting through the air in a quick, decisive slash. Ren shifted to the side with surprising ease, his feet gliding across the ground as if the water beneath him carried his movement.
The strike missed.
"Whoa—"
Kaito barely had time to react before he realized Ren was already behind him.
He spun quickly and swung again, adjusting his angle. This time Ren met the attack head-on, forming a curved barrier of water that solidified just enough to catch the blade. The impact sent a sharp burst of energy outward, scattering droplets and stirring the wind around them.
Kaito's grin widened. "You got faster."
Ren stepped back, calm as ever. "You got smarter."
Kaito didn't waste time responding. He lunged again, changing his angle mid-motion, trying to catch Ren off guard.
Ren avoided it again.
But this time, Kaito had already planned ahead.
As he moved, he sent a Pulse Slash flying toward a nearby rock. Ren's attention flickered for just a moment as the attack struck the surface and then shifted.
The energy rebounded, changing direction sharply and cutting back toward him from the side.
Ren's eyes widened slightly in surprise, but his reaction was immediate. He raised his arm, and the water surged forward, intercepting the attack just in time. The impact burst outward, splashing across the stone and dissolving into scattered droplets.
For a brief moment, everything stilled again.
Then Ren smiled. "Nice trick."
Kaito grinned, a spark of excitement lighting up his eyes. "That's not all," he said, shifting his stance before moving in again.
They clashed almost immediately. This time Kaito didn't hold back. His attacks came faster, one after another, forcing Ren to keep moving instead of simply standing his ground. Steel met steel in quick succession, the sharp sounds echoing across the rocky clearing. Ren responded smoothly, blocking where he needed to and slipping past the rest, water curling instinctively around his arms as if it were part of him.
Even so, the difference between them was obvious. Ren's movements flowed with a kind of effortless precision, while Kaito had to push himself harder just to keep up. His control over his Pulse was stronger, more refined. Kaito could feel it in every clash.
Still, he didn't stop.
Changing tactics, Kaito sent several Pulse Slashes into the ground and surrounding rocks instead of aiming directly at Ren. The energy carved through stone, sending fragments flying in unpredictable directions. Ren blocked two of them cleanly, but the third ricocheted at an odd angle.
He stepped back quickly.
Water gathered around his arm, condensing into a sharper, denser form until it shaped itself into a blade. The moment it stabilized, the air between them seemed to tighten.
The fight escalated instantly.
Kaito swung first. Ren met the strike head-on, and the collision rang out with a heavy crack. Wind and water burst outward from the impact, scattering dust and loose grass in all directions. Kaito leaned into the clash, trying to overpower him, but Ren pushed back just as hard.
The force sent Kaito sliding backward across the uneven rocks. "Whoa—"
Before he could recover, Ren moved in. His speed had increased noticeably, each step precise and controlled. Kaito barely managed to block the incoming strikes, his arms jolting with every impact. Each clash drove him farther back, forcing him onto the defensive.
He needed to shift the flow again.
Kaito jumped to the side, creating space, and fired another Pulse Slash. The energy cut through the air, fast and sharp, but Ren didn't hesitate. He sliced straight through it, the water around his blade spiraling as it dispersed the attack without slowing him down.
Kaito didn't give him time to breathe. He rushed forward, gathering everything he had left into one final strike.
Their blades collided again.
This time, Ren adjusted at the last second, twisting his wrist just enough to change the angle.
Kaito felt it immediately. Hs Pulse Blade shattered.
The energy broke apart in a flash, scattering into the air like fragments of light. For a split second, his mind went blank.
Before he could react, Ren's water blade stopped just short of his shoulder.
Everything went still.
The wind quieted, the tension fading as quickly as it had built.
Kaito blinked, staring at the blade hovering inches away from him. Then he let himself fall backward into the grass with a soft thud.
"…Okay."
A laugh escaped him, breathless and honest. "Yeah… you're definitely stronger."
Ren let the water blade dissolve, the liquid slipping away as if it had never existed. He walked over and sat down beside him.
"You're not weak," he said.
Kaito turned his head slightly. "Really?"
Ren nodded. "Most people wouldn't have pushed me that far."
Kaito smirked faintly, still catching his breath. "I almost got you with that rock trick."
Ren let out a quiet chuckle. "Almost."
Hina came running over, practically bouncing with excitement. "That was amazing!" she said, waving her arms wildly. "You were like—whoosh—and then boom—and then splash!"
Kaito laughed. "Yeah, that sounds about right."
Ren smiled, the tension from the fight finally easing.
By now, the sun had begun to dip behind the mountains, casting a warm golden light across the clearing. Shadows stretched longer, and the air felt calmer, like the world itself was settling down after the clash.
After a while, Ren stood up.
"I should get going."
Kaito pushed himself up onto his elbows. "Already?"
Ren nodded. "Master duties."
Kaito sighed, though there was no real complaint in it. "Of course."
Ren turned and started down the mountain path, his steps steady and unhurried. After a few moments, he paused and glanced back.
"Train harder."
Kaito stood up fully this time, crossing his arms. "You too."
A small smirk appeared on Ren's face. "Next time we fight…"
He let the words hang for a second.
"I won't go easy."
Kaito's grin came back just as quickly. He pointed at him without hesitation. "Next time, I'm winning."
Ren laughed under his breath, then turned and continued down the path.
The wind moved gently through the mountains, rustling the grass as Kaito watched him disappear into the distance.
For a while, he didn't move.
Then he glanced at Hina, a small, determined smile forming on his face.
"Next time…"
He looked back toward the path Ren had taken.
"…I'll win."