#the wandering samurai/the leaves in the wind

[the-silver-peahen-residence]

Jemisha and Elrwen were the next to show up. The two cousins looked at each other as they scratched their ears looking around. They had both brought a bouquet of white roses to give to the person they were supposed to meet.

"Come on, they should be around here...." Kazuha heard Ganyu said while the two were looking about. They were told of two new faces to meet or at least to this new world. So they decided to give it a shot.

"I'm sure they are around somewhere......" Kazuha sighed walking down the path to look around but he only stops seeing two. "Hmm?"

"What's wrong?" Ganyu looks seeing him noticing Jemisha and Elrwen. Is that the two?

[sakkiichi]

CASTLES CRUMBLING.

Memories of you are both cathartic and painful when he visits your grave.

ft. Kaedehara Kazuha, Xiao, Scaramouche/Wanderer, Lyney, Neuvillette x gn! reader.

cw/genre: angst.

if you enjoy this, reblogs and comments help more than likes !

✧ KAEDEHARA KAZUHA

Autumn. The time of year that brought warm memories to the wandering samurai despite its chilly winds.

Shades of scarlet coated Inazuma’s grassy plains, like a rain constituted by droplets of dawn light when the maple leaves swayed to the ground.

And amidst this scene, you.

You, who danced to the tune of the foliage floating in the breeze; you, who snuggled his red scarf closer around your neck when he wrapped it around you, taking in his sweet cinnamon-like scent; you, whose hand used to fit perfectly in his, as you ran your thumb over the scarred skin under his bandages.

Kazuha finds himself staring at those now. He remembers all too well how you used to wrap them around his hand. Your lips brushed over every indentation in his burnt skin, overwriting storms with sunlight and blue skies.

“All healed now.” You sing-sang, the tenderness of your kiss over the wrapped scars.

It feels empty now, his grasp, still searching for you every morning, but you’re out of reach.

Even now, as the wandering poet’s head rests against you, he can’t quite feel your touch.

“Hello, my dove.” He begins, fingers brushing over the dendrobiums surrounding you. Moondust lashes kiss his cheeks when the sunsets in his stare cloud over, the image of your smiling face behind his lids. “It’s already autumn, remember how you called it our season, my angel?” He softly says, turning his head slightly, so that his forehead partially leans on you. “The leaves are turning red already, I’ve picked some for you.” Kazuha utters, as he gently threads them around the stone.

Hard. Cold. So unlike the warmth you radiated. He sighs, opening his eyes, tender hearths to warm your paralyzed heart.

“I’ve been writing too…” Dampness pools around his lashes. “Haikus, poems, because I know you love them, hummingbird…” The samurai’s voice cracks, vision blurry, as he traces the letters of the name he used to breathe in between kisses.

Your name. The only one that will forever echo through his sweetest dreams, double edged now.

Droplets of molten moonlight slide down Kazuha’s cheeks, colliding with the earth separating you from the world.

“We will meet again, my dove.” He vows, kneeling on the grass, moist by his tears. “In some corner of the next life. I promise, love.”

As he stands up, retracing his steps, the wind picks up.

Kazuha clutches his red scarf closer to him.

Your scent still lingers.

✧ XIAO

Spring had never felt so cold.

The sun over Liyue’s mountains is too dull; the glaze lilies appear closed off; the days feel too long.

The conqueror of demons makes his way through Guili Plains, his steps slow, as if that would keep away a cruel reality that’s set in stone.

He’s coming to meet you, and yet he’s never felt so far away from you.

In the few steps that separate the yaksha from you, an infinity of memories and bittersweet dreams seem to wash over him. They mingle with the scent of morning dew over qingxins bloomed anew.

Qingxin. What he used to call you.

“Xiaooo!” You cooed, a smile sweeter than the treat you offered him alight on your lips. “Dessert’s ready, love.” You called, offering him the plate of delicious almond tofu.

It was always his favorite, especially the one made by you.

His cheeks took on a tint not unlike the lipstick marks you left on him when you felt like teasing him, peppering his face with your honeyed kisses. You always used to chuckle at the sight.

“Qingxin…” his voice quivered, in awe, gaze of gold widened, sparkly. “There is no need for you to go through this trouble for me…”

“Nonsense!” You cut him off, hands cradling his cheeks. “I love making your favorite food for you, baby.”

Now he brings one of his own scarred hands to his face.

It’s so cold in comparison to your comforting warmth.

Yet even colder is the grey hue of the heavy stone that comes into view: the one marking the spot where you were laid to rest for good.

Slowly, resigned to the inevitability of reality, the vigilant yaksha reaches you.

Even though he knows he will no longer have you.

Xiao’s whole form trembles when he leaves the handmade butterfly over your gravestone. Its petal wings are all crooked, his grip vice-like in his anguish.

Now the flower-made insect will never fly again. A crystal bubble, lit up on his darkest nights, inside which dreams warm and sweet were recounted, as long as the adeptus stayed in your embrace; now shattered, only sharp fragments left to pierce his heart.

“I’m sorry…” is all the demon conqueror can manage as greeting, the moment he sits before you, head hung low.

The karma he bears had never crushed him this badly.

✧ SCARAMOUCHE

Winter squalls leave nothing but ashes behind.

The layers of snow have started melting, decrepit twigs following, the aftermath of a furious gale, death in its wake.

The wanderer seems to verse in the bony hands of it often, after all. This life, this world… they only ever took from him, shattered mirrors as the only remains of promises to never come.

He rests the back of his head on the frigid stone. He doesn’t care about the last remains of snow seeping into his very crafted bones.

Scaramouche’s hand closes into a fist, dirt and melted ice on his skin.

“They took you away too…” The puppet breathes, inexistent puffs of his words sifting against the blackened skies in the cold. His indigo gaze is clouded over, despite stars littering every corner of the midnight above.

A lie.

Make believe. Like thinking he could be happy for once.

Turning around, Scaramouche presses his forehead against what’s left to symbolize you.

“Why?” He asks, teeth gritted, to stop the helpless quiver of his lip. “Why you too?”

The softness of your human embrace takes ahold of his memories, as you both lay beneath the endless firmament above.

“Have you ever wished upon a star, Kuni?” You asked, your warm fingers combing through the distant nights contained in his shiny locks.

“Pft, are you serious?” He used to retort, the mirrored galaxies of his stare coming into view as his eyelids opened.

“Very.” You stated, without stopping your movements, eyes never leaving the starfields above.

“Why?” He asked, focused on your profile, as if a part of him knew how ephemeral instants like this would become, committing to memory the only constellation that lit up his hollow heart.

“Because it’s nice, to hope, to believe in things… wouldn’t you agree?” You smiled down at him, tender hands cradling the coolness of his jawline.

“Huh, if you say so…”

“You know I’m right!” You chuckled, poking his cheek playfully, his nose scrunching up in feigned annoyance.

“Ugh, whatever.”

“Make a wish?” Your fingers found his in the night breeze, entwining together, the warmth of a small sun just for him.

“Fine…” He sighed, closing his eyes, lashes of concealed dreams leaning on his perfect cheekbones.

“I wished for forever with you.” He croaks out now.

An almost god brought to his knees by the treacherous fate written in devious stars.

His vision blurs, headed skyward, the universe above, a multitude of molten wildfires to him, raining down in flammable rain, his own tears the match to ignite them.

The failed god weeps. Winter burns.

✧ LYNEY

“You never know what can happen in the blink of an eye.”

Those were the words the magician once uttered, as your eyes lit up in wonder. He believes to recall it was a summer night, when his dusky gaze set on you for the first time.

Beaming and shining with excitement, you marveled at his sleight of hand, as the lumidouce bell on the performer’s hand vanished, only for its petals to have tinted in rosy shades of rainbow when the bloom next appeared in your hair.

If anyone had told Lyney, in that moment, that you’d end up putting his heart under spell, he wouldn’t have quite believed it.

But thinking back on it now, the time spent next to you certainly feels like mere seconds.

A peculiar figure sporting a top hat makes his way towards Fontaine’s graveyard.

His steps are monotone, the usual cheshire-like grin on his visage is nowhere to be seen, and in his hands, flowers abound.

Lumidouce bells.

The color of goodbyes, separations.

And the summer nights under which he used to kiss you.

“Please, Lyney! I want to see another one!” You begged, hands clasped together, eyes reflecting the last rays of the setting sun.

Your lover hums, his gaze, the backdrop against which the sunsets in your stare sparkled.

“Well, mon coeur,” the magician leaned forward, “I’ll have to charge you for it this time, you know.”

You pouted, marcotte colored lips irresistibly sweet, a bite of sugary peach in the heat of an early midsummer’s night.

“Close your eyes, my rose.” Lyney breathed, in the little dusk-lit millimeters separating you two.

“Okay.”

Warmth flooded around him the instant his lips enveloped yours, akin to fairy lights in the coziness of a familiar room, fiery arrows that linked two hearts. Your lover’s hands cupped your jawline, spells written in the caress of his gloved touch over your skin.

A new breed of magic, with the sun dipping behind the nation of hydro’s mountains to give the lovers privacy.

When he next opens his eyes, the allure has faded.

No trace of you remains, save for the emptiness and cold beside him.

And the only nightmare he can’t undo; your tombstone all too palpable, too real.

“You really never know how everything can change in the blink of an eye, huh?” Lyney utters, his voice raw, hoarse.

Despite the lumidouce bells’ petals shifting from dusk to dawn the moment he lays them to rest over you, the magician feels like he’s shooting arrows made of shadows; there’s no fiery beacon to light up this night.

The curtain closes when he steps away, rainbow roses bleeding and lonely in his wake.

The sun has set.

✧ NEUVILLETTE

Off-key birdsong and steely skies.

Those are Fontaine’s Chief Justice’s companions today.

Alone, he sits next to the ghost of someone he used to adore.

Someone he still loves.

Crystalline amethyst eyes scan the horizon. Even the seas seem turbulent today, relentless waves colliding against jutting rocks, as if by persistence alone they could cut through them.

The wailing ocean mirrors Neuvillette’s actions; as if by staring in the distance, he could somehow conjure you up back into the world, on forgotten dreams and pieces of flashbacks alone.

“It looks like it will rain soon, my dearest.” He softly says, the words lost in the monsoon overcasting the heavens.

Naturally, no answer follows, except for the agonized cry of a fallen sparrow.

The Iudex of Fontaine sighs. An upheaval in the blowing mistral combs through his hair, the sensation unlocking the pages of a diary once rose-colored, now only scattered petals over a lake that’s gone still for good.

“Isn’t the weather so nice lately, Neuvi?” You chirped, knees folded over the azure flowerbeds. Your hands were carded through your lover’s long locks, silver seafoam running almost hypnotizingly between your fingers.

Sunbeams glittered all around you when his eyes opened up to you, enigmas from the depths being laid bare for you alone.

“It is, darling…” He trailed off, one of his hands touching the side of your face, eliciting giggles from you.

Pink dusted over the pallor of his cheeks whenever you did that.

If only all days could be sunny, if only he could have kept the symphony of your laugh forever playing…

The sea’s surface turns charcoal, undulating with the low whistling of uprising gales.

Dark spots start appearing over the stone where your name’s been eternally put to sleep.

Beneath the blindfold, Justice mourns.

It’s raining again.

[trancylovecraft]

(KNY) YANDERE PLATONIC! KOKUSHIBO x SISTER READER: You, Shibou. I, Kokoro.

YSIK Masterlist // Next chapter

A Cherry Blossom is a pretty flower, Blooming in the spring and representing renewal and joy. However it is quick to die out in the winter, Shrivelling up with it's beautiful colour following with it. Leaving the memory of it gone yet never forgotten.

The moon shun bright in the obsidian black sky.

The light that came down illuminated a small, yet well kept gravestone.

It was old, Ancient probably, Cracks were illustrated boldly into the corners and wrapped around the granite like spider webs. it seemed it was about to fall apart at the seams, yet held strong.

Flowers of all colour bustled around the bottom, Fresh, Newly planted.

A man sat on his knees in front of the stone, the only motion he made was the light breeze running through his hair, making his ponytail sway in the wind.

This was no man but instead a demon.

All six of his eyes lay transfixed on the carving written dead-centre on the tombstone, Carved with great care and precision to get it just right.

'[F/N] Tsugikuni'

The mans face was stoic and unreadable, but his eyes were filled with great sorrow and regret.

Kokushibo's arm reached out to the stone, Clawed hands tracing over the lettering carved out.

He asked himself

'How did it come to this?'

☆♡☆

"Michi-Nii!"

A young girl in a blue dragon-patterned haori called out from a distance, She could of only been about four or five yet her little legs were fast and let her catch up to her older brother.

Michikatsu turned around, Mildly surprised at his sister's sudden appearance he stopped in his tracks letting her finally reach him.

"[F/N]. I thought I told you to stay at home and help mother today, You know she needs someone to help her out." Michikatsu said, A little white lie.

His mother, While she wasn't in the best condition, Didn't currently need any help and even if she did little [F/N] would not of been able to do much about it. After all, She was still very young.

[F/N] heaved trying to catch her breath from all that running.

"I know Michi-Nii! but I wanted to come watch you fight!" [F/N] said excitedly, A big expecting smile on her face.

Michikatsu looked into [F/N]'s big puppy dog eyes and sighed. He just couldn't resist.

"..Well alright.. But for the record it's not 'fighting' it's sword training, I'm not fighting anyone, Just preparing for the day when I do, When I become a samurai!" Michikatsu said triumphantly.

[F/N] squealed.

"That's so cool! When I'm a big kid I wanna fight with swords and become a sam-u-mai!" She exclaimed.

"Samurai" Michikatsu corrected.

"Samai!" She responded.

"Samurai" Michikatsu said, Extra slowly so [F/N] could pick up the syllables.

"Samrai!" She said with complete confidence.

Michikatsu snorted and ruffled the girls hair, Who laughed in return.

"Nevermind, Let's get a move on then."

☆♡☆

The sun was high in the sky naming afternoon.

[F/N] sat on the grassy hill next to her brother, Yorichii.

They sat together watching Michikatsu over yonder train his sword swings by hitting dummies out in the field. She watched in wonder at his determination and focus to his craft

Yorichii was the middle child of the family, Michikatsu the oldest and [F/N] the youngest.

Yorichii was a mute. Never spoke or made any motion to communicate, However that never stopped [F/N]'s undying attempts of trying to.

This mostly just consisted of [F/N] following him around, Sleeping in his futon when she had a nightmare or just simply talking her little heart out to him, To which he'd always respond with a little smile and a nod, Showing that he was listening.

He was usually a daydreamer, But today he seemed just as transfixed as she was at their older brother's training.

"Yor-Nii, Where are you going?" [F/N] asked as she watched Yorichii wander down the hill towards Michikatsu.

As usual she got no answer, So she got up and followed him down.

Michikatsu was so fixated on his sword swings that he never noticed Yorichii standing behind him.

So when the physics of one of his sword slashes brought him back stumbling into Yorichii that snapped him out of his training fever.

"Yorichii? What is it?" Michikatsu said surprised. His brother had never interfered while he was training

Yorichii stood still and took in a deep breath, He clenched his fists as if bracing for impact. He opened his mouth.

"...I want to be a samurai like you!" Yorichii stammered not only in his speech but also in his stance.

Michikatsu's sword dropped to the ground with a clang!

A shockwave went through both Michikatsu and [F/N], Their brothers first words to them leaving them speechless.

[F/N] however was the first to speak up.

"Yor-Nii! You can speak! Now we can really talk to each other!" She proclaimed excitedly, Making Yorichii wobble when she jumped to hug him.

Michikatsu stood there, It was hard to tell whether he was shocked at Yorichii's sudden speech or the proclamation of his goal which happened to coincide with both his and [F/N]'s.

"Yorichii.." Michikatsu said just above a whisper.

Yorichii looked back at him with a shaky determination, it shook and swayed but despite the odds it stood strong.

Michikatsu's form deflated, Going back to his calm and stoic demeanour.

"Yorichii. You know what will happen when you're ten, Right?" He said quietly, Only hinting at Yorichii's fate as [F/N] had no idea.

Yorichii nodded. Only taking a glance down at [F/N].

"I know. But I still want to be a samurai, I want to be like you." Yorichii said, Still not given up.

[F/N] perked up.

"Me too! I wanna be a.. samurai too! Like Michi-Nii!" She said, Making sure to pronounce 'Samurai' slowly to pronounce the syllables.

"Hey, You got it right" Michikatsu pointed out, Mildly proud.

Yorichii looked down at [F/N] who still was hugging his waist, He smiled.

"Really? All of us want to be swordsmen?" Yorichii asked now a bit more reserved. He scratched the back of his head.

"Swordgirl!" [F/N] said confidently.

"Swordswoman" Both Yorichii and Michikatsu corrected at the same time.

"Swordgirl?"

This will take a while.

☆♡☆

A good few years have passed since then.

The five-year old little girl [F/N] had grown into a blossoming young woman and is now a little younger than her big brothers were back then.

She still wore a resized version of her blue dragon-patterned haori, The only thing that really stayed the same and came with her through her walk of life.

"You know [F/N], I could convince your father to buy you a new haori" Akeno Tsugikuni, Her mother said to her while running a needle through her haori, resizing the fabric to fit [F/N]'s bigger self.

"This is about the fifth time I've had to refit this old thing. I'm sure your dad would prefer you to have a new one, You are coming up on marriage age after all" She softly spoke to [F/N], But her eyes were fixed on the fabric, Stitching with care.

[F/N] shook her head nonchalantly.

"No, Mom. This was a gift from you, It was homemade. You can't just buy that kind of thing from a tailor." She huffed.

[F/N] sat on the edge of her mothers sick-bed, Her mother laid propped up so she could

Akeno smiled.

"Besides, I don't even think I'd want to get married. I like how my life is right now and you know I still want to be an onna-musha, right?" [F/N] said.

True, Even after all these years [F/N] still held onto the goal of becoming a Female samurai, An onna-musha.

However it seemed like a pipe-dream. With her father's influence and strength she had never picked up a sword, No matter how hard or surreptitiously tried to steal or borrow one of her brothers swords she was always caught in the end and given a right punishment for it.

Still, This never changed her mind on the matter.

"I see... Still haven't given up on that dream, have you?" She hummed.

"Well anyways, If you're so invested into my own sowing then maybe-" Akeno broke out into a fit of coughs, She dropped the needle in favour of covering her mouth.

[F/N] quickly rushed over to her side.

"Mom? Mom, Are you alright" She said, Lightly patting her mothers back.

Akeno stopped sputtering out coughs but still softly wheezed during breaths.

"I'm.. Fine, Sweetheart" She spoke, However her hoarse throat said otherwise.

"No, You're not! You don't need to fix my haori, We can continue later but right now you should lay down." [F/N] worried.

Akeno shook her head.

"I said I'm alright but.. could you go fetch me.. Some water?" She breathed heavily as if all the air around her had thinned.

[F/N] quickly nodded and rushed out the room to complete the task.

She swiftly opened the shoji doors to her house and made her way over to the water-well sat upon the hill. She hoped to the gods above that the well hadn't dried up in the early summer heat.

She reached the small little well and peered inside, The water in the well was plentiful. [F/N] sighed in relief and proceeded to wheel the bucket on the rope down the stony passageway.

CLASH!

[F/N] jumped at the sound, Letting the rope slip from her grasp she watched the bucket fall from its steady pace and hit the water with a loud splash!

"No!" [F/N] yelled. The well was too far down for her to reach the bucket. She cried out in frustration and looked over at the source of noise that dominoed the bucket falling.

Over in the valley beyond the hill was Michikatsu, Still out training with his sword. It was fairly early in the morning and judging by the sweat-beads on his face and the mess of his clothes [F/N] could tell he's been up training since six at least.

That's right, Along with her, Michikatsu had changed as well.

From the strong yet stoic young man that [F/N] had grown up with he had festered into a more strength obsessed yet quiet young man than what he had been before.

[F/N] knew the catalyst well, He was her brother after all.

Yorichii from that day he proclaimed his want to be a samurai, Had demonstrated an inhuman talent for the skill. A man who was working with their father had humoured Yorichii and decided to teach him a basic stance.

However to everyone's surprise, Yorichii had landed four blows on the man and swiftly defeated him. Which is something that Michikatsu never could.

From then on Michikatsu grew a bit darker, Maybe not noticeably. Not noticeable from her father, mother or even Yorichii. But [F/N] could tell.

She barely saw him anymore, Well it was more of she never talked to him anymore. She still watched him train, at least from afar.

An idea clicked in her head.

The bucket in the well was too far down for her to reach, Yes. However it wasn't too far for Michikatsu who was a foot taller than her.

She walked down the hill, Calling out for him.

"Michi-Nii!" She called out to him.

Michikatsu stopped swinging his sword and turned around to look at his little sister with an annoyed scowl on his face.

"What? Can't you see I'm a bit busy at the moment" Michikatsu hissed.

[F/N] froze for a moment.

"I just need a little help, the bucket in the well fell into the water" She explained softly, Scared to entice her brothers wrath.

Michikatsu groaned.

"Alright." He said simply and quickly headed over to the well. [F/N] followed after, Smiling.

"Thank you, Michi-Nii!" She said thankfully.

[F/N] grabbed onto his hand to hold it, But she was shaken off by Michikatsu.

"I told you to stop calling me that, It's stupid and childish" He said, grimacing.

[F/N]'s smile was put out like a light, But she nodded. Trying to respect his wishes.

They got to the well and Michikatsu fished out the bucket with ease and handed it over to [F/N] who bowed down in thanks but with much less emotion put into it.

With that, Michikatsu walked away without a goodbye. Off to go and continue training for the rest of the day and coming back home in the dead of night, Just to go to sleep and repeat the process over and over again.

[F/N] frowned but took the bucket of water back to the house.

Sliding open the Shoji doors she entered the house, remarkably more downtrodden than before.

As she walked the halls towards her mothers room she heard two voices arguing in a hushed tone.

"She doesn't want to get married."

"Too bad. She's coming upon marriage age and if she doesn't want to disrespect this family she will do as she's told and marry the man we've picked out for her"

The two voices, Her mother and father.

She slipped quietly behind the half-open shoji door, Intently listening in on their conversation

"She want's to be an onna-musha, You know." Her mother admitted.

"An onna-musha. Really." Her father responded, A tone full of disgusted shock ran through his voice.

"That girl is too weak to even tend to the horses. Not to mention the girl's only worth will be to marry her off to a nobleman. Her being a samurai along with the men would just be wrong" He said.

There was a silence not just between [F/N]'s parents, But her too.

She's known her father hadn't particularly paid attention to her nor did he show any affection but to think he thought this lowly of her was a gut punch to the stomach.

"Don't say that, Akuhei. She could be listening" Her mother said in a whisper.

"I hope she is. She needs to learn the truth sooner or later or she'll grow up and be delusional to the real world."

[F/N] let tears flow from her cheeks, Dripping down onto the floor.

If she couldn't even get a bucket out from a well, Could she really be a swordswoman?

☆♡☆

Something wasn't right.

It had been a good few hours after [F/N] had eavesdropped on her parents conversation and it had fallen into night-time.

[F/N] had long gone to bed but she wasn't able to fallen asleep easy. It was strange, No matter the situation she had always had no issue with falling into unconciousness.

She rolled and scuffled around on her futon uncomfortably. Could it of been the conversation earlier? No. Couldn't be that, It was something else.

[F/N] rubbed her eyes and got up from her futon. She shuffled on her sandals and quickly draped her newly-sized blue dragon haori around her figure for warmth.

She decided to go for a walk to clear her head.

[F/N] walked softly in the darkened hallways of her home, The soft moonlight illuminated her pathway through the house. She was lost in her own thoughts from the events of the day.

Her father's words, Michikatsu's attitude, Her mother's illness. It all swirled in her mind like a hurricane.

"..I like my life how it is right now"

The words she had told her mother. A lie.

She hated how everything was right now. Her dad saw her as an object to be bid on. Michikatsu acted like she was nothing but a burden to him and Yorichii was nowhere to be found.

Besides, Even if Yorichii and Michikatsu weren't talking either they were obviously the more important in the family.

They were the Sun and the Moon, Amaterasu and Tsukuyomi.

[F/N] wasn't a celestial deity or a celestial body, She was just the terrestrial afterthought. Yorichii and Michikatsu were both skilled and talented in their own rights, They were fawned over by the girls and even some of the boys in the village. They were praised and respected.

[F/N] wasn't even allowed to leave the house.

Now that she thought about it, There was only was her and her mother.

Her mother.

While walking she had stopped in her tracks. Light shone in through the hallway from an open door.

Her mother's door.

[F/N]'s brow quirked. Was her mother up this late as well? She should be asleep, She was very ill after all.

[F/N] peeked through the doorway, Her eyes widened.

Yorichii stood over the bed, Her mother layed motionlessly on the bed.

"Yor-Nii?" [F/N] asked.

Yorichii turned around, A strained look in his eyes. His jaw stood locked tight as if there was something painful he had to say.

"Mother has passed on" Yorichii whispered.

What?

No, No. No no no no no. That couldn't be right, No. It couldn't be right.

[F/N] stumbled over to her mother, Shoving Yorichii out of the way to whom backed off.

"Mum, Mum. Wake up, Hey. Hey, Do you hear me?" [F/N] cried, She grasped onto her mother's limp hand, She shook it in futile attempt to wake her.

"Mum you can't, Mum please." Tears started rolling down her cheeks now, Her breathing laboured.

"Yorichii, Please did you try-"

She turned around, Yorichii was nowhere to be seen.

He had left.

He had left and hadn't even bothered to try and comfort her.

She stared in shock, Not believing her situation

She was brought back by a hand squeezing her own.

She snapped her head back down to her mother, Whose eyes lain weakly on [F/N]'s. A soft yet painful smile appeared on her face.

"Mum!" [F/N] choked.

"[F/N]..." Akeno whispered. "Come closer.."

[F/N] Nodded and leant down closer to her mother, Kneeling down now to listen closely. Her eyes never leaving her mothers

"I never wanted to be married... My father had sold me off at a young age as well." Akeno started.

"I had a chance.. Once.. To leave this place, To get out of my marriage but do you know what happened?" She asked, Looking mournfully into the eyes of her youngest, Who was now choking on her sobs and tears rushing out from her eyes.

Akeno didn't wait for an answer

"I didn't take it.. I was too afraid." A sad smile came upon her.

"My life had ended right there since I never took that chance.. And the only good thing to ever happen after that... were you three."

"[F/N].. Yorichii.. Michikatsu. My beautiful children" Akeno let tears roll down her face now, Reminiscing on her life that was flashing before her now.

"Please.. You now have a chance. Get away while you still can.." Her other hand wiped the tears off of [F/N]'s face weakly, However her hand started to fall.

"Run.. and I promise I will see you again, The kami will reunite us... I love you, [F/N]" She whispered, Her hand falling to her side and the others grip becoming limp. The light in her eyes fading.

"Mum... Mum! No! no no!" [F/N] sobbed, Shaking her mothers now lifeless corpse she collapsed to the floor and cried out for her mum to come back, to speak to her.

"Run, You still have your chance"

Her mothers voice rang in her head, It echoed throughout her entire being.

And with love and tears, She kissed her mother on the forehead and closed her dead eyes. Akeno's face displayed rest, peace.

She said her final goodbye's to her mother and left the room to go back to her own.

And with a heavy heart and a rucksack full of essentials, She climbed out her rooms window and left in the dead of night.

☆♡☆

[F/N] trudged through the woodlands.

It was now daybreak, The sun rose upon the distance and shown through cracks in the tree's.

Through all that time [F/N] never stopped walking, Never took a break. The only thing on her mind was escape to a better place.

It was only once she appeared upon a clearing did she stop walking.

In front of her was a rundown Shinto shrine placed upon the mountainy and rocky terrain of the woods.

It had obvious that people hadn't been here in decades by the dust, cobwebs and poor conditions of all the archways and cracked stone lanterns lining the pathway up to the shrine entrance.

Back in it's heyday it would of been grand. A massive shrine that could of held a good few hundred people, As there was a large amount of corridors and a second floor.

Not to mention the vast courtyard [F/N] now found herself standing in.

She breathed in the highland forest air, Took in the birds chirping and the warm light of the sun on her skin.

She looked upon the sign hanging from the archway.

"Inari Ōkami"

The kami of Foxes, Agriculture, Fertility, Tea, Sake and Swordsmiths.

[F/N] frowned at the state of the shrine, Thinking of it as a great disrespect to Inari.

Another thought ran through her mind.

Home. A rundown one for sure, But nothing she couldn't fix.

And that's what she did.

For the next ten years that's what [F/N] did. She fixed the Archways, Refilled the stone lamps, Rebuilt the structuring, Cleaned up the cobwebs and dust all until it looked newly built.

Everyday since she came across it she would give offerings to Inari Ōkami. Ranging from nuts and fruit she would pick up while scavenging to Flowers and pieces of jewellery.

She'd light candles in their honour, Pray to them not for good fortune but for the reformation of the shrine.

She'd grown attached to the shrine, So much so that she had completely forgotten her goal of becoming a swordswoman in favour of being the sole shrine-maiden.

And in that time she had finally bloomed into a beautiful young woman and if anyone should come across her they would describe her as such.

Not that anyone came along though, The shrine was in the middle of nowhere and [F/N] had seen no one in the past decade.

As [F/N] got up for another day to tend to the shrine she wondered what her brothers were doing now.

☆♡☆

[F/N] carried her basket full of fruits, Satisfied from a successful scavenge.

She headed back up towards the large archway that was there to greet people into the temple. It use to be covered in splintered wood but thanks to the efforts of [F/N] the archway was restored with a fresh coat of paint and smoothing of the wood.

When she got up there she stopped, Her eyes widened.

The massive wooden doors to the thick stone wall gate were left wide open.

She was sure she had closed them when she had left.

Her body stiffened and her palms became sweaty.

Who could be in her shrine? Nobody came up the mountains and the nearest village was a good few dozen kilometres away on the far other side of the forest. No one who was just wandering could come across the temple.

[F/N] slowly put the basket of fruit onto the ground, Making sure not to make a sound.

She unsheated her Kaiken from her obi and slowly made her way inside to the courtyard, Which seemed empty.

But she looked upon the main building and just like the gate doors the shoji to the main building were left wide open.

[F/N] confirmed her suspicions. Someone was definetly here.

She made her way inside, Checking the main hallways she found no one around however that never made [F/N] let down her guard.

THUMP!

[F/N] flinched. The sound of an object knocking over came from just down the hall she was facing. Gripping her Kaiken tighter she moved forward towards the sounds

As she got closer, She heard a duo of voices arguing.

"Stop moving, Brother."

"Argh, If you'd let me do it by myself this would go much faster."

"No. You're injured, let me do it."

Wait..

"I'm told you I'm fine. It's just a cut."

Those voices..

[F/N] lowered her Kaiken. She stood, legs shaking. Heart pounding as she slowly called out.

"Michi-Nii? Yori-Nii?"

A sudden shuffling was heard in the room across from her.

The semi-shut shoji doors slammed open and out first came Michikatsu, Who had a semi-wrapped bandage around his arm with Yorichii following close after.

They were in their twenties now and were much older and their faces had changed a lot. But no matter how much they had physically changed [F/N] recognised her brothers, Who both now had surprised yet unrecognisable expressions in their face.

[F/N]'s mouth was open, Her eyes wide and sparkling with recognition.

"[F/N]..." Yorichii said.

"Yori-Nii! Michi-Ni-" She was cut off by the sudden arms pulling her into a tight hug. Michikatsu had moved so fast that she didn't see him move.

"[F/N].." He stuttered, Swaying back and forth while hugging her.

"Nii-san.." [F/N] cried, Gripping the back of his purple hexagonal hakama tightly as she buried her head into the side of his neck.

"You've grown so much.. And look at that" [F/N] grazed the hilt of of his sword, taking in the craftsmenship.

"You've both become swordsmen. I'm so proud, I wish I could've been there to see your ceremony" She whispered.

Michikatsu never responded to her words, instead going into a speech of his own.

"[F/N].. I lost you. You disappeared out of nowhere.. I searched for you for years.." Michikatsu was lost for words. If [F/N] didn't know better she could of sworn he was crying.

"I'm sorry, Michi-Nii. I'm sorry I didn't tell you where I went" [F/N] whispered.

The bear hug grip on her got tighter.

"Never. And I mean never leave me again. You have no idea what you put me through... You better promise" He scolded. [F/N] nodded vigorously.

"I promise."

☆♡☆

"So this is where you've been living for the past ten years?" Michikatsu asked, Looking around the haiden.

The place was a massive hall dedicated to worship of Inari. at the very end was the main worship shrine, Which was bustling with hand-woven straw baskets filled with offerings and lit candles in Inari's honour.

"Yeah.. When I ran away ten years I came across this place and made it my home. Been like that ever since." [F/N] smiled, Proud of the hall.

It was indeed very pretty, The new refurbished decorations of flowers, candles and banner-work created a grandiose appearance. The wooden pillars supported the tall height of the room and had beams at the top connecting them all with baskets filled with flowers hanging from them.

The entire room looked like it was built and cared for by an entire team of shrine maidens, Not a single dust spot to be seen.

Yorichii and Michikatsu stared in awe at the work.

"And you maintained this place all by yourself?" Yorichii asked, Genuinely in wonder at the décor.

"Well.. Apart from the occasional seller I meet when I'm scavenging for food nearest the road.. They sell me candles, Banners and other things needed for maintenance.. It's all done by me." [F/N] explained.

"It's.. Impressive. To think how you learned all this.." Michikatsu said.

"I get all my information from the shrine's library, From then on you figure it out on the way." [F/N] responded, Completely humble to the praise she received.

She turned around to her brothers with a smile.

"What about you two? Tell me what's been happening, And how'd you get that cut?" She asked innocently, Pointing to Michikatsu's bandaged arms

The two twins looked at each other, Having a silent conversation with each other. Contemplating what they should tell. Both of them very apprehensive, they shared a knowing look between them.

[F/N] frowned.

"..Is it not something you want to tell me?" She asked.

"Well.. It's hard to believe but-" Yorichii started.

"It’s just a mistake from sword training. Don't you worry about it." Michikatsu finished.

Yorichii looked over at him, Surprised at his sudden interruption.

[F/N]'s eyes narrowed. She felt curious but decided to drop the subject.

"Well anyways.. I need to go retrieve my fruit basket from outside and do my morning rounds around the shrine. Feel free to have a look around, Just please don't touch anything " [F/N] said, bowing her head low and heading towards the exit.

"Hold on, I'll come with you" Michikatsu said, He went to follow after his sister but was stopped when a hand pulled him back.

"Go on ahead, [F/N]. Michikatsu-Nii will catch up." Yorichii said. [F/N] nodded.

She said goodbye in the form of a hug, Michikatsu then Yorichii.

Michikatsu shot Yorichii a scorning look.

"What do you want?" Michikatsu hissed, The usual irritation of his brother turned up a notch.

"We need to tell her, Nii-san. So we can help her set up wisteria around the place." Yorichii argued.

Michikatsu gritted his teeth.

"Wisteria would be a good idea. But we don't need to tell her about demons, I mean look at her! She's still young" Michikatsu said, exasperated.

"She's eighteen, Nii-san. More than old enough to know about demons, about how to protect herself." Yorichii countered.

"She won't need to learn how to protect herself If I'm there to do it for her" Michikatsu hissed.

Yorichii's face scrunched up. He took a step forward towards Michikatsu and stood steady.

"Nii-san, I know you and [F/N] were attached by the hip when she was young but you can't always be there for her, She's strong enough to survive on her own but not strong enough to survive a possible demon attack, So we need to inform her. She won't let us plant wisteria around the shrine without a very good reason " Yorichii argued, His point stood stronger than he did.

Michikatsu's teeth gritted and his face was a visage of concealed anger like they were standing in the eye of the storm waiting for the inevitable onslaught.

"You always need to know better, Don't you Yorichii?" Michikatsu spat in a low tone.

Yorichii was surprised at Michikatsu's sudden animosity towards him, He was confused. This had never happened before.

"What do you mean to imply by that, Nii-san?" Yorichii asked, Slight worry coming over him for his brother who seemed restless.

Michikatsu suddenly became aware of his sudden outburst, His shoulders dropped from their previously stiff position. He sighed.

"Nothing... I shouldn't of spoke out like that." Michikatsu said, Quickly bowing his head to Yorichii he began to leave the shrine hall.

"Where are you going?" Yorichii called after him.

"To go find [F/N]. And make sure she's alright" He responded, Leaving the hall in search of his little sister.

☆♡☆

Michikatsu looked around the shrine for [F/N].

He walked the halls, checked the empty rooms, searched the courtyard, looked around the perimeter of the shrine and scoured through the shrine's impressively large and overflowing gardens but turned up empty.

He was frustrated. Where could she be? The forest surrounding the temple was fairly thick and shading and who knows? A demon might of been able to cover itself in the foliage and maybe she had left the shrine to pick up her basket only to come face to face with the monster and-

Michikatsu couldn't think anymore about it.

Sweat beads started forming on his head, What if she ran away? She couldn't, she sworn to him that she'd never leave him again. She couldn't of done that to him! What if she wasn't happy to see him and took the chance to leave while he was being lectured by Yorichii?

Yorichii.

Did she favour him over Michikatsu? When you were hugging him to say goodbye he could of sworn you had hugged Yorichii just a little bit tighter than him, Smiled a little bigger, Looked a little happier.

As he searched the halls for a second time he felt another burst of envy rise up in him, Something that had been occurring more and more lately.

His thoughts stopped when he stepped on an uneven dip in the ground. He felt around with his foot and outlined a frame of sorts.

He looked down to see he was standing on a rug. He then looked up realising that he was at the end of the hallway.

He reached down and pulled away the rug revealing a trapdoor, Assumedly leading down to the basement of the shrine.

A basement? Shrines don't usually have basements, He thought to himself.

He noticed the padlock on the handle was unlocked It was also spotless without a trace of dust, Indicating that it was used often.

He opened the door with a small creak of the wood. It revealed a short stone staircase which lead down to a low-ceiling hallway.

Michikatsu raised an eyebrow. He looked left and right before going down the stairs slowly. One step at a time.

He got down to the bottom of the stairs. The ceiling was certainly low as it grazed the top of Michikatsu's head making him feel uncomfortable in the small passageway.

He walked along the tunnel, each of his footsteps producing a faint echo as he went along. The tunnel was comparably cold to the early summer heat from up top.

At the end of the passageway was a wooden door, It looked old and rigid. Looking at the rest of the shrine this was a surprise for Michikatsu as the rest of it was pristine and in perfect shape compared to the derelict looking door.

He reached the door which he now realised was opened just a slight amount.

He pressed his ear to the door, Listening intently.

The sound of cloth on metal sounded on the other side. It was a sound he recognised well, It was polishing of a sword.

He pushed the door open to find [F/N] sitting on her knees with a strange looking sword in hand, a dry cloth in the other.

"Michi-Nii!" [F/N] jumped in surprise and dropped the cloth.

She sat in a much wider room than the hallway. The stone walls were filled with holding frames and shelves, The majority of them empty but still a good few holding rather precious looking trinkets.

At the end of the room which was facing the door and [F/N] held a sort of table harbouring a headpiece stand, Which was obviously suppose to hold the sword in her hands. It was also home to a kitsune mask hanging above it with eyes that looked like it was staring right through him.

"How'd you find the room?" [F/N] said rather surprised.

"Never mind how I found it. Why are you here?" He asked sternly, As if he was scorning a misbehaving child.

"Why am I in a room inside my own shrine?" [F/N] scoffed lightly.

"More of why didn't you tell me where you were, I was worried and I couldn't find you anywhere." He asked more forceful in tone.

[F/N] seemed confused at his reasoning but chalked it up to him still being a little shaken by their reunion.

"...I'm sorry... Coming in here to tend to the artefacts here is apart of my weekly rounds." She explained. A meek look appearing on her face.

Michikatsu sighed.

"Alright then. But please, Tell me next time you wander off into some hidden basement." He said in a softer voice leading to [F/N] calming down.

"What is this room anyways?" Michikatsu asked, Examining the room.

[F/N] peaked up, A sparkle of excitement in her eyes.

"Oh! Well according to the blueprints and builders logs I've found in the library this room was specially built to hold the shrine's treasures. Oh! Wait, hold on!" [F/N] exclaimed.

She reached over to the table in front of her and pulled out a fairly tiny roll of parchment paper, Unfolding it she displayed it to Michikatsu who looked down reading it.

"Apparently one of the noble-clanswoman paying for the building of the shrine here had a really steamy affair with some hot-shot samurai who use to gift her a TON of gifts" [F/N] explained with a passion, Her eyes held a glint of story.

"So to hide them away from her husband she built this little hidey-hole so he wouldn't discover them" She finished.

"What happened to her?" Michikatsu asked, Entertaining her passion.

She only shrugged though.

"No clue, The rest of the parchment was torn and I haven't found the other half..." She said, Disappointment filling her voice.

Michikatsu nodded and looked towards the sword in [F/N]'s lap.

"I can understand the other little objects around here but a sword?" Michikatsu said dumfounded.

[F/N] shook her head.

"No! No. The only two items in the room that weren't a gift was this sword and the kitsune mask hanging over there" She said, Pointing towards the kitsune mask hung by rope.

"Then what are they doing here?"

"They're the shintai that were suppose to be worshipped here at the shrine." [F/N] stretched over and tugged the hanging mask off the rope and presented both it and the sword to Michikatsu, Signalling him to take it.

As he did she told him to be careful while holding them.

The sword was nothing similar to any Katana he's wielded, Nor was it like anything he'd seen in the country. Instead it was built like a very large medieval English sword with the only hint of Japanese influence being the blue hilt which resembled the typical katana.

One side of the sharpened blade was covered in a sort of second sharper metal which glimmered azure in the dim light of the room.

The mask however was oddly designed compared to the usual festival mask. It was made of porcelain and its eyes were carved in a sort of wide eyed stare, The whites of it being a dark black and the pupils sapphire.

Thick cerulean marks adorned the mask, Swirling around the mask and centring at the bullseye of the mask. Except for the ears which were deeply patterned with swirls and flower-esque designs culminating at the covered tips.

The two items radiated a sort of energy from both which Michikatsu couldn't place.

"They're twin artefacts. It's said in the shrines folklore that they belonged to Inari Okami themselves gifted to them by their father, Izanagi. And from the heavens above they dropped them on accident and both the sword and the mask fell to here, The mortal realm" She explained with low wonder.

"The sword is named very bluntly as "The Soul Sword". It's called that because it's said by the previous shrine maidens that when a person is killed by the blade the soul of the person is absorbed into it and prevented from passing onto the afterlife. An eternity in the blade." She told as if it was rehearsed, It probably was.

She pointed to the Mask

"The mask however isn't named but it's said to warp the body of the user to their desire, Disguising themselves completely." She said.

"And does it work?" Michikatsu asked, Studying the mask.

"Haven't tried. It's a sacred artefact of the shrine. It would be a disrespect to Inari if I did." She stated.

Michikatsu examined both of the artefacts as [F/N] rambled away on the tale of the two, They were very well kept.

"You really know a lot about this stuff. Don't you?" He said more of to himself.

[F/N] nodded.

"Yeah. I guess it's just something I'm passionate about" She muttered.

Suddenly, Their conversation was interrupted by a voice upstairs calling out.

"Nii-San! [F/N]!" Yorichii called out from up above them, Voice faint and muffled from the thick stone walls.

Michikatsu groaned being mildly annoyed at being interrupted by Yorichii. [F/N] perked up however.

"That's Yorichii. Better go see what he needs!" She said. [F/N] grabbed both the sword and the mask from Michikatsu's grasp and settling them back with care onto their designed positions, As well as rolling up the parchment paper and putting it under the table

She dusted off her beryl coloured haori and got up from the tatami mat she was sitting on.

"Come on, Better not keep him waiting!" [F/N] said making her way out without waiting for Michikatsu, Who quickly followed after.

They made their way back up the stairs to find Yorichii a few metre's down the hall. He was standing there watching them come up with an arm stretched out, A crow perched neatly on it with a small roll of parchment paper tied to its neck by a string.

"What is it, Yorichii?" Michikatsu asked eyeing the crow.

"Oyataka-sama has summoned us to the headquarters, Urgent meeting." Yorichii said, a tint of unhappiness in his voice.

Michikatsu's face scrunched up in resentment, Obviously not excited by the news.

[F/N] frowned.

"..You've got to leave?" She asked looking up at Michikatsu who looked back with her with an expression saying that he didn't want to. But Yorichii's voice maintained importance.

"..I suppose so.." He said reluctantly. Not wanting to leave his sister alone. His eyes expanded with an idea formed in his head.

"Why don't you come with us, [F/N]?" Michikatsu asked going to stand next to Yorichii. The crow once perched on his arm squawked once. And with a flap of its wings it took off out an ajar window.

[F/N]'s palms suddenly got sweaty at the thought. Her shoulders felt heavy and slumped down with her face portraying one of heavy adversion

She shook her head, Michikatsu's face fell.

"It's not a long trip if that's what you're worried about, If you get tired we can get a horse or I could carry you-" Michikatsu was cut off by [F/N]'s hum of disapproval.

"It's not the trip. It's just I really don't want to leave the shrine unattended y'know?" She asserted. Evidently after spending an entire decade in it's walls she had grown dependant and attached so much to the point she couldn't journey far out of it.

"You can leave the shrine for a few days. Just please come with us, It'll be fine." Michikatsu reasoned, a small ounce of anxiety rising up into his chest at the thought of her being left.

[F/N] shook her head again.

"No, I'm sorry. But it's not forever, You can still come visit!" She spouted in an asking tone, Waiting for him to confirm.

Michikatsu shared a look with Yorichii. Yorichii's look told him he agreed with their sister while Michikatsu's only told of aversion.

However feeling outnumbered in the situation he reluctantly sighed and agreed to [F/N]'s proposal.

With a heavy heart and bag of food [F/N] prepared for their journey, Michikatsu spared one last look to see her before heading out into the forest.

☆♡☆

In the five months that passed from that day forward were probably the happiest days of [F/N]'s life.

Every few days her brothers would come and visit her at the shrine after a mission and they'd stay for around two days before the crow came along and the process started all over again.

She'd even arranged them their own little rooms and the crow would come in advance to announce their arrival so she could prepare them food.

It was nice to be reunited with her family after a decade of solitude. The routine they got into was nice and became sort of domestic.

Though, Over the months [F/N] couldn't help but notice a sort of tension between Michikatsu and Yorichii however it was one-sided. Only Michikatsu initiated it while Yorichii was none the wiser.

It seemed more aggressive as the months went on. Michikatsu focused more on his training similar to what he did when they were younger. He'd have more hostility towards Yorichii and weirdest of all he seemed much more clingy and possessive towards her.

However [F/N] didn't like to think of it. While she knew it was there and she knew they'd have to talk about it at some point, She decided that it'd be better to wait for the right time to bring it up.

Everyday [F/N] would get up at around seven in the morning to do her rounds, Collect food and pray to Inari for an hour or two before going out to the main wooden shrine steps to sit and wait for her brothers to return.

When they did they would eat together, They'd tell stories of their mission no matter how surface level and vague they described it. They'd train outside in the courtyard while [F/N] watched from the steps in awe at their skill.

She recalled back to her childhood and her dream of becoming a samurai like her brothers, While it was true she now favoured the shrine over that old fairy-tale it didn't mean that she still didn't ponder over it often, Daydream while she brushed the floors, Envision the swing of a sword when she spun the brush around.

However of course, It was just a pipe dream. Just a silly pipe dream. But often she asked herself: Why not both?

[F/N] watched Michikatsu from the steps as he practiced sword swings in the shrine courtyard, Taking occasional glances at his sister to make sure she was watching him. The thought ran throughout her head. While she hadn't picked up a sword before other than The Soul Sword (Which at times, She lightly swung it around before setting it down. Then right after feeling ashamed for using a sacred artefact she proceeded to pray for forgiveness at the altar)

She was sure she could try.

While Michikatsu was swinging his sword she had got up from the step with a stumble. She wobbled a little and grabbed the handle bars to steady herself.

She took a deep breath and slowly walked down the stairs which suddenly seemed like a herculean task.

She set her sandal-covered feet onto the courtyard with an unnecessary effort and started walking towards Michikatsu who was only a few metre's ahead of her.

With every step she took her body seemed to get heavier. It felt like weights were being tied to her ankles every time she lifted her foot.

The distance seemed to widen between her and her brother. Her eyelids seemed to get heavier too.

And with another single undignified step her knees collapsed on her. She fell down to the floor with a thump! as her body relaxed and crumpled over on the ground.

Her eyes got blurry as she saw Michikatsu rush over to her tired body and listened to him shout out something she couldn't hear

She closed her eyes and untensed her body. Falling into the pitch black void of unconciousness.

☆♡☆

[F/N] lay motionless in her bed.

A wet cloth lay over her forehead and a light blanket was lain on top of her.

It was two months since that day she collapsed. She was carried by Michikatsu and was rushed to the nearest village where she was seen by a doctor who gave her the diagnosis.

It was her mothers illness, Turning out to be hereditary and passed down onto [F/N]. However this seemed to be more severe and had developed into later stages quickly.

The doctor had said that she should be put in bedrest but despite Michikatsu's yelling and paranoid yelling there was no cure.

The first few days consisted of Michikatsu being hunched over her bed refusing to leave her side. Over the two months he had grown even worse than he did before.

He was angry before. Competitive, Hostile, Aggressive you name it. But now?

Now he was paranoid, Jumpy, Clingy piled on with all of those traits before.

Yorichii couldn't get through to him, He didn't hide his ire towards Yorichii now and hissed insults at him whenever he tried to speak to Michikatsu.

The first month was Michikatsu searching for a cure. He'd travel from village to village trying to find a doctor who could cure [F/N]. He scoured the Shrine's libraries and had gone mad trying.

Four days ago he had told [F/N] that he was going out again and that she was not to leave her bed unless she was going to get food or do her prayers, Which [F/N] had begged to be allowed.

He had stocked up enough food and water in the pantry for his trip when he left.

He told her that he would be back in two days, It was four now. Yorichii had been with her the first month but after he was called out on a very important mission he never came back.

When she asked Michikatsu what happened to him, He wouldn't tell her.

To say [F/N] was worried was an understatement. Michikatsu was never late, He'd always sent his crow to let her know even if he was.

Suddenly she was aware of a loud creaking. The main shrine gates.

Michikatsu must be back, [F/N] thought. A rush of excitement ran through her and overpowered the cold sweat of her sickness.

She'd gotten up from her futon and wrapped herself in her blanket to prevent the cold winter air from bothering her too much.

It was snowing outside. A blizzard had grown strong while she had slept earlier. Before when she was well in the health department she had prepared well for the winter and could survive during it, Making the inside of the shrine warm all throughout the season.

Now however that she depended on her brothers who were nowhere to be found the cold permeated the hallways and stung the tips of her fingers and nose.

She shivered and slid open the shoji doors to hobble through the hallways towards the courtyard, Ready to greet Michikatsu.

However when she quietly opened the door she wasn't greeted by Michikatsu. But instead two strange men with swords standing in the snowstorm. who hadn't seem to notice her yet

"This is it? Seems rundown." One of the men said

"According to his crow this is where he has been staying for the past few months. He must be here, Someone must pay for what he did and hiding here won't prevent what's coming to him." The other growled, Anger etched onto his features.

[F/N], A little insulted at her shrine being called run down, Made herself known by letting out a loud cough.

"Who are you? And what are you doing at my shrine?" The girl asked

The two looked up at the source. Their hands jumped to their sheathed swords as they looked up at her in antagonism.

They slowly approached her, So much so that they were now standing under the wooden porch roof.

[F/N] stumbled back in a way of getting distance between her and the men.

The one that called her shrine rundown stepped forward. He bowed down in respect to her.

"Greetings there. We're sorry to trouble you but we're looking for a man. His name is Yorichii Tsugikuni. He wears hanafuda earing's and his hair in a ponytail. Have you seen him anywhere?" He said.

Swords. Right. These must be Yorichii's colleagues. [F/N] relaxed slightly.

"Oh, You two must be his co-workers!" She exclaimed, Relief flooding her system.

She curtsied in respect.

"My name is [F/N] Tsugikuni. I am his younger sister, Unfortunately I haven't seen him for a month or two and I don't know where he's been. Apologies." I sighed.

The two men looked at each other.

"Sister? You're his sister?" The angrier one said, A hint of hostility in his voice.

Suddenly a chill ran up her spine, Something was wrong.

"Uhm.. Yes." [F/N] said with caution. Though she was tempted to lie, It just wasn't in her nature.

The angrier man now referred to as Man A gripped the hilt of his sheathed sword tighter.

"Well. I don't know if you know this but two months ago your brother... Messed up, Per se. Causing a great loss towards the demon corps..." He said. His words implied something unknown to [F/N]. The corners of her lips twitched. Demon corps? Messed up? The meaning eluding her.

"A lot of people got hurt. Including our father." Man A sneered. His face the exact visage of vengeance.

Man B behind him wasn't as such but still held a face of stone.

The realisation of what was happening hit [F/N] like a freight train. Her hands grew sweaty as they quickly rushed the shoji doors.

"I... I am so sorry to hear that. B-But unfortunately my brother isn't here right now... I've got to go tend to the haiden. Please, Come back later." Her voice trembled and shook despite how much she tried to keep her tone steady and confident.

As her hands tried to quickly shut the shoji doors the metal of a sword stopped the doors from opening fully.

[F/N] yelped and stumbled back from the door. The two men forced their way into the shrine hallway. [F/N] felt her back hit the wall.

"I'm sorry about what is to happen. But Yorichii Tsugikuni needs to pay for what he did and the death of his sister will bring about our revenge. Please forgive us." Man B said finally unsheathing his sword.

Run.

[F/N]'s feet grew light as she took off down the shrine hall, The two men hot on her tail as she careened round the corners and throughout the shrine.

She felt her heart pound heavy in her chest. Both from the almost paralysing fear and the illness coursing throughout her system.

Her legs felt weak but carried on. Her pace just a little bit faster than the men behind her despite all odds, She unconsciously thanked the hours she spent out in the woods running around for resources.

Tears burst like a dam from her eyes and flew from her eyes as she sprinted. Choked sobs periodically interrupted the heavy breaths she took from running.

The faster she ran, The more corners she turned the more thoughts ran rampant throughout her head.

Exits? Only the main gate which she was currently running away from and were closed on the way in, It takes too much time to open those doors and the men would catch up to her in no time. Convince them to stop? Impossible. The men seemed determined in their goal and no amount of talking would change anything. The hidden room? On the other side of the shrine and she didn't have the key on her

[F/N] had gained a bit of distance from the men at this point, Having shook them off her trail for a very short amount of time.

She ran to where her heart took her, To the place she felt safest.

The offering hall which use to look bright and full of flowers, baskets of food and was spotless now was empty and cold. The candles went long unlit and a bit of dust built up and went into the air when she slammed open the doors, Making her cough.

[F/N] ran to the altar with her legs trembling. She fell to her knees in front of it crying her eyes out. Her body positioned into its usual prayer formation as she choked out her sobs.

"Please! Inari. I-I'm going to die... I haven't asked for anything from the day I've got here... Please spare my life.. L-Let me live! I don't want to die, Inari. Please.. Please.." [F/N] broke down in front of the altar as she chanted please over and over again like a sacred sutra.

She wailed quietly in front of the shrine letting all her emotions out from her eyes.

She never noticed the men standing behind her as she prayed. Their expressions serious and unaffected by the girl's unheard prayers.

Man A raised his katana. Holding it in his grasp he raised it high above his head.

And with a yell he swiftly brought it down.

Blood splattered the offerings room. Drenching the two men and the girl below, The blade going straight through her back.

☆♡☆

Cold.

It was so cold.

The men had left her there bleeding, How long ago she didn't know.

She had made her way out of the shrine. Past the main doors, Past the entrance gate and the pathway and out into the main part of the forest.

The blade had went right through her chest out the other side, She gripped it tightly while the blood stained her dragon-patterned haori colouring it crimson.

It was a miracle she had got this far out into the blizzard. The tip of her nose had frozen and her jaw chattered letting out cold air.

She weakly turtled into her haori for warmth however it proved futile.

The white snow behind her left a red trail as she walked.

Soon enough it was too much.

Soon enough, She collapsed.

☆♡☆

Quickly throughout the forest, Kokushibo ran quickly up the mountain through the unrelenting blizzard, Which never stung him in the slightest.

It had only been a few hours since he woke up from consuming that man's blood. His appearance now changed from the transformation which took three days to complete.

He carried a vial of that mans blood in one of his hands. He remembered the deal vividly in his mind.

Strength for him, A way to become stronger. Stronger than his brother. A way to avoid the eventual fate of all those who bore the demon slayer mark.

And a vial of that man's blood to save his dying sister.

He ran like hell. Snow crunching from the rapid footsteps behind him.

He stopped however, When the faintest scent of blood invaded his senses.

All three sets of his eyes widened.

He picked up his pace again. Now heading toward the smell.

His heartrate picked up. It couldn't be. It can't. [F/N] was alright. She was okay. Even now after becoming a demon, He still felt possessiveness affection towards his sister.

He came to a halt.

His heart dropped to his stomach as he tried to comprehend the sight in front of him. His eyes widened and his jaw slack open.

There in the snow, Lay a body curled up in a fetal position.

Snow had built up on it. It lay motionless buried in the snow.

He recognised it as [F/N].

"[F/N]!!" He yelled, running over to the body.

He fell to his knees in front of her and shoved off all the built up snow.

He pulled her body so her head was laying down on his lap. He shook her gently.

"...[F/N].. Wake up. Come on." He whispered. His shaking now growing more frantic to her lack of response.

He looked at the vial in his right hand.

Opening her mouth he popped open the seal and poured the red liquid into her mouth.

He watched it pour onto her tongue and down her throat. He waited for the reaction.

However, Nothing came.

He waited and waited. Nothing.

He felt his eyes water and flow out from them as the dawning realisation hit him.

He was holding his little sister's corpse in his arms.

He couldn't protect her. She had died and he wasn't there to protect her.

He yelled, Screamed and cried. In anger, Frustration, Sorrow, Guilt and mourning for his loss. He couldn't do anything.

However when he finally noticed the stab wound he realised this was murder. He could do something.

He carried his sister's body in his arms and pulled her close to his chest as he quietly grieved for her.

He brought her body back to her beloved shrine and set her down at the head of the shrine where she loved the most.

He'd deal with her body later. But for now he had to get revenge for the death of his little sister.

Using his blood demon art to make a sword he gripped it tight.

He set off into the blizzard already with a scent on the targets.

He looked back once at the shrine. The last remaining parts of his humanity dying in there with his sister

And with that he left. Never to look back again.

☆♡☆

It was five hundred years ago.

Kokushibo began reminiscing when he sat in front of her gravestone. What he did that night.

He had gotten his revenge, The two slayers slowly tortured and then eaten by him. Their screams and their pleads for mercy when they showed [F/N] none.

He had started with the fingers and toes, Then he moved up to the lower limbs, Slowly he ate them alive. He made one of them watch him while he ate, All before he moved onto them.

He made them confess who killed her to which after a little persuasion they admitted easily.

They got the worst of it, He didn't even eat him after the torture. Just left him pinned to a tree bleeding out. He had put him up high only giving him the options of freezing to death, bleeding out or dying from the fall.

The memories rewound in his head like a film. Flashing memories of when she was born and he got to cradle her in his arms. All the way up until he only held her lifeless corpse, Killed too soon.

He had mourned for a long time after that, Never really getting over her death, Not even now as he set down the new flowers on her grave built near the house they grew up in.

He couldn't bring himself to consume her body, He could never. It was too much.

He got up and dusted himself off, Just like she use to do.

He turned away and walked into the night, Melding into the shadows as he went off to find his next meal.

☆♡☆

The morning rays shun down on the Ubuyashiki Estate. Flowers in full bloom with wisteria ripe in the air.

Birds chirped and grasshoppers hummed in the bushes. The neatly trimmed and well kept garden a fit home for them

The Hashira had gathered and stood in front of the porch awaiting the arrival of their master. They talked amongst themselves in the meantime.

Mitsuri, The Love Hashira tugged on the hand of another. A soft smile gracing her face.

"Fujimori-san! You should really come out with me sometime, It's been ages since we've done something together!" Mitsuri teased lightly.

Fujimori laughed lightly from behind the kitsune mask with cerulean markings he (he?) wore. The medival english looking sword positioned in front of him pointing downward, His two hands gripping the katana-like hilt.

He was tall and muscular but had more of an athletic build. He had tattoo's from his neck to his lower arms describing pictures typically seen in shrine art.

His blue dragon-patterned haori that was draped around his lower arms lightly wove in the wind along with his [H/C] locks tied into a ponytail.

"What do you mean? We went on a mission together last week!" He chuckled.

Mitsuri huffed and lightly gripped his hand

"When I mean spend time together I mean like we should go to a hot spring or go out to eat together or-" Mitsuri continued rambling on as she listed off possible activities they could do together.

Fujimori, [F/N] listened intently onto her as she talked.

She (She? She.) however was only thinking of his visions: A sick woman, A woman with fox markings and a man in a purple hakama.

She'd need to figure it out later.

Next chapter

[sinceaki]

The sky was painted in shades of twilight as the Crux finally docked, its journey over for the time being. Kaedehara Kazuha, a wandering samurai, leapt gracefully onto the dock, his platinum blond hair fluttering with the breeze. A soft sigh of relief escaped his lips as he set foot back on familiar ground. He had been away for weeks, traveling with Beidou’s crew across the seas. But now, his heart was eager for one thing: home.

He walked down the familiar paths of Inazuma, the sunset casting a warm glow over everything. Each step brought him closer to the place that truly mattered—the person he cherished more than any voyage or adventure. His thoughts wandered to you, imagining your soft smile, the warmth of your embrace.

Finally, the sight of your shared home came into view. Kazuha paused for a moment, taking in the peaceful scenery, the garden you both tended together, the small house that was filled with memories. He quietly slid open the door, not wanting to startle you.

"Kazuha?" Your voice was soft, filled with surprise and joy. You appeared from the kitchen, your eyes widening at the sight of him.

He smiled, his eyes gentle and full of love. “I’m home.”

Without another word, you rushed into his arms, burying your face in his chest. Kazuha held you close, his arms tightening around you as if he never wanted to let go. The scent of the sea still clung to him, but beneath it was something deeply familiar, something that always reminded you of warmth and safety.

"I missed you," you whispered, your voice muffled against his clothes.

"I missed you too," he murmured, resting his chin atop your head. His hand gently stroked your back in soothing motions. "Every day I thought of you. The sea is vast, but no matter how far I traveled, my heart always led me back here, to you."

You smiled against his chest, feeling a soft flutter in your heart. Pulling back slightly, you gazed up at him, eyes shining with love and relief. “I made your favorite tea. Would you like some?”

Kazuha nodded with a soft chuckle. “That sounds perfect.”

The two of you settled down by the low table, the steam from the tea curling between you like a delicate dance. You talked quietly, your voices filling the quiet room, a gentle contrast to the silence of the time spent apart. Kazuha recounted his latest journey—the stars he saw, the wind’s songs he listened to, and the peaceful moments he had spent thinking of you.

As the night deepened, the two of you moved out to the porch, sitting together in the garden under the moonlight. The gentle breeze rustled the leaves, carrying the scent of night-blooming flowers. Kazuha sat behind you, pulling you into his lap, his arms wrapped securely around your waist.

“The wind is gentle tonight,” he said softly, resting his head on your shoulder.

You leaned back into his warmth, feeling the steady beat of his heart against your back. “It feels like it’s welcoming you home.”

Kazuha smiled at your words, pressing a tender kiss to the side of your neck. “I think you’re the one who makes it feel like home,” he whispered, his voice full of affection.

You blushed, turning your head slightly to meet his gaze. His eyes were soft, filled with a quiet intensity that always made your heart skip a beat.

“Kazuha…” You reached up, cupping his cheek gently.

“I’m here now,” he said, his voice low and soothing. “And I won’t be leaving for a while. Let’s just stay like this, for as long as we can.”

You nodded, resting your head against his chest as the two of you watched the stars twinkle above. The world seemed to quiet around you, leaving only the soft sounds of the night and the steady rhythm of Kazuha’s breathing.

In that moment, everything felt right. No words were needed—just the warmth of his arms around you, the quiet peace of being together again. It was solace, pure and simple, and in Kazuha’s embrace, you knew that no matter how far he wandered, he would always find his way back to you.

And for now, that was enough.

[himasgod]

ANGST! Kazuha x Reader

(Approximately 0.6k words. Enjoy it <3)

Where he reflects on you, his lost love, while looking at the sky

The wind blew softly over the Crux Meridianam, carrying with it the whispers of the sea and the scent of salt in the air. Kazuha, as always, remained in the crow's nest, his gaze lost on the horizon, where the sky blended with the ocean in infinite serenity. It was in these moments of stillness that his thoughts were freed, escaping like the leaves that the wind carried on his eternal journey.

But not today.

Today, the weight of his past hung on his shoulders, an invisible burden that dragged him back to memories he would rather forget. The laughter, the screams, the sound of clashing steel… and you. Your eyes, your words. You had accompanied him on part of his journey, you had been a constant in a world that always seemed to change.

The last time he saw you, it was under a storm he could not predict. The clouds had loomed over you, darkening the entire sky in an instant. The battle had been cruel and swift, like the thunder that follows the lightning. Kazuha remembered how you had fallen into his arms, your breathing ragged as you tried to speak, to say something. But the words were drowned in the rain, and only silence remained. A silence that, to this day, continued to haunt him.

The wind blew again, but this time it brought with it the bitter sense of loss. Although he had found a new family at sea, a new life, the void you left behind was still an abyss he could not fill. Every poem he recited was an attempt to hold on to your memory, but not even the most beautiful words could heal the invisible wounds your departure had left.

A sigh escaped his lips. His fingers brushed the empty shell of his Vision, remembering the brief moment when it flared up next to you, as if your spirit had blessed him in his last breath. Since then, that Vision was a reminder of his failure, of how he could not protect you. And yet, it was also the only thing that connected him to you, the only thing that kept your presence alive in his life.

The sound of the sea broke through his thoughts. The crew called to him from below, but he didn't answer right away. In his heart, he knew that the path of the wandering samurai was filled with loneliness and loss. Though there were moments of calm, like the gentle murmur of a breeze, there were also storms that left deep scars.

He looked down at the horizon once more, where the waves rose and fell endlessly. "Is it necessary to fight others to do justice, Raiden Shogun?" he wondered silently. But the answer never came. Kazuha hadn't stopped looking for it since the day he lost you. Sometimes, though, the answers weren't in the wind, or in poetry, or even in the steel of his sword.

Sometimes, they just…weren't there.

At last, he stood up and descended from the crow's nest, his steps light and silent, as if he didn't want to disturb the peace of the ship. He walked over to the helmsman, who greeted him with a smile.

“Are you done looking at the sky, Kazuha?” Drake asked in his usual good humor.

Kazuha smiled back slightly, though his heart was still heavy. “The sky always has something to teach us. Today… I've learned to let go a little more.”

But the truth was, he couldn't. Even though the wind took him to new places, to new lands, a part of him would always be anchored in the past. In you.

And so, the wind continued its journey, as did Kazuha, wandering, with invisible scars that time and wind would never completely erase.

Here is my masterlist, in case you are interested in any more of my work or want to send me a request <3

[mayullla]

I hope I'm doing this right? (also I'm pretty sure the event is open but I can't see dates so I'm not certain) if not feel free to ignore me

🌼🐝 Yan kazuha

Title: Wandering Ghost

Character(s): Kazuha (Genshin Impact) Summary: They told you never to make a promise to a ghost, and for the most part you did follow. But you have been curious about that ghost who lived in the woods. Warnings/tags: Yandere themes, Gn!reader, kidnapping, minor character death, slight angst(?), 1.3k words

[ - A little present~! Event - Closed - ]

Ever since you were a child, you could always see ghosts and spirits. Wearing the clothes that they died in or were buried with, their body a little faded that you could see through them. It wasn't normal really when both your parents nor most of the villagers in your hometown were not even able to see them.

Some looked at you with amazement and reverence, hoping to use you as some sort of link between the living and the dead. Some looked at you with suspicion and distrust while others kept their distance away from you. There was an old saying in the village after all... that those who could see the dead would disappear one day, leaving no note nor evidence of where they left.

They believe spirits could easily fall in love with those who could see them and as easily take them away.

That was what your parents were afraid of, fearing they would see their child suddenly disappear from their eyes when they were not looking. Taken away from them to the spirit world. They made you promise them that you will never make a promise with a spirit or yokai, as they knew it would only be impossible to take you away from them altogether.

"Never make a promise with a spirit." You mumbled to yourself a habit that your parents created to remind yourself. You looked outside from the window, getting ready to head to the woods to gather and store wood for the coming winter. The sun was high up in the sky.

You gathered as much wood as you can, the whole day taking a break every so often when you were tired but also for lunch. Time passed, and soon, the sun was setting.

"Who are you?" You asked cautiously, eyes narrowed a little far away you saw a silhouette of a man. His eyes widen in surprise that you could see him yet just as naturally, just as quickly accepted the fact that you could and smiled.

"I am just a wandering spirit... Kaedehara Kazuha."

The man spoke in a soft tone and when you figured that he wasn't anything dangerous you slowly dropped your guard around him, you have seen many of these kinds of spirits, and while some are dangerous almost as if insanity had taken over them, Kazuha in comparison to them was calmer.

The spirit was curious as to how you were able to see him. Alone for so long, he wished to talk to someone even just once. You pitied the ghost when he told you how long was stuck here, how long he was alone, however, you were still cautious after all the people around you always told you to be careful. To stay cautious so as not to let the ghost grow attached to you. But you were also curious about him, too, when you figured out who he was and as he told you his story of the past.

He had a calm demeanor and again kind and soft-spoken. He had this whimsical feeling around him as if the wind spoke to him. Sometimes, you thought that was the case. You were curious about the young wandering samurai and how he had died.

Whenever you would head to the woods, you would see Kazuha somewhere between the trees looking at you, a smile gracing his lips when you notice him as he flew towards you his feet not quite reaching the grassy floor, asking your day and such. 

You have become sort of friends. When he asked you if you would continue to stay with him as a companion with whom he could talk when he feels lonely… and you accepted his request.

You shouldn't have done it. You shouldn't have made a promise, one so vague and could be manipulated as they see fit.

When did it take a turn for the worst... after months into your friendship, you finally told him that you thought you found the one that you love. Someone who you thought you could spend your life with, and that this person also looked at you the same way. The smile on Kazuha's face was stiff, yet you were just too excited to notice as he asked you to continue talking. You told him of your partner's eyes and their personality. You told them that you have always found them to be lovely or charming, but there was never a chance for you and them to talk. Till a week ago.

Yet right as soon after your heart shattered like glass, it was as if you felt something within you left. Ripped from your body leaving so so cold.

"It was a windy day... They went a little farther than usual from the village close to the cliffs and..."

You didn't know what to make of this news as your friend stared at your face, your hands and feet were cold, your heart breathing loudly in your ears and so was the sound of your breath. You snapped. Your friend and a neighbor who happened to be near had to hold you back as you tried to push their arms away frantically, trying to escape their hold to look for your loved one.

But they could do nothing.

"What did you do, Kazuha!!" You shouted in anger, the howling sounds of the wind loud in your ears as you glared at the spirit. Your heart was broken and some would think that you were accusing the spirit due to sadness instead of a clear mind. But you knew... you knew that it was him who did it. He was the one who cause your pain and anguish.

The soft look that he gave you, as if unaffected by your accusations. On his hand, he held a small leaf, a physical one something you knew he could create tunes with as he had shown you on many occasions. Releasing the leaf, he let it return to the wind to the living world and not in the dead man's hand.

"Answer me, Kazuha! Why did you do it!!" You demanded, tears in your eyes but refusing to shed. Not when you wanted answers. Not when you were in front of the one who pushed your loved one to the peak of the mountain. "I should have never trusted you!!"

"Don't cry... don't cry. It will ruin and stain your lovely skin for something so useless." Kazuha touched your face, a ghost touch that leaves chills down your spine as you tried to push his hand away only to pass through. "What have you done, Kazuha." You said unamused, all you wanted were answers before you return back to your home and have time for yourself in sorrow, never to step foot in the forest where he was ever again.

And he knew it, too.

Kazuha looks down at you, his all too near to your so close. "I've asked myself this question many times, ever since I died. My clan was on the verge of collapsing when I was born, and when I grew, the only thing that remained was my life, which had been deemed a criminal." Kazuha's hands were cold to your skin as he continued to whisper, you have heard of this story once told by an old man who once worked for the Kaedehara clan a long long time ago but also from him.

"Yet in my attempts to flee, I was soon caught and killed. I thought that was my end however when I woke up, I have become a ghost shackled here. I believe that a person could become a ghost because something here was holding them back. I wondered why I have become one as I do not have anything anymore and thought that I have accepted my faith." You felt your tears wiped gently by his thumb, his eyes gently looking down on you. "I wandered aimlessly in circles till I met you."

"And I think I found my answer."

It wasn't long before the village started its search for you in the forest. The people you knew called out your name, hoping to receive an answer back. But it was too late, as another one who could see the past was taken away from this world in the arms of a ghost who loved them dearly.

[lume-nosity]

shattered

even after the times you’ve spent with them, they can’t call you theirs. why?

ft: kazuha, albedo, lumine

style: angst

song inspo: ceilings by lizzy mcalphine

notes: gn!reader, not proofread, abandonment?, dialogue in albedo’s part only, just very sad angst, i went overboard

reblogs are appreciated!

kaedehara kazuha

the time where you and him bask in the night sky as you lay yourselves onto the lush and soft green grass is a memory that would never leave kazuha’s mind.

having to experience the beauty of nature with someone else is a wish he never thought would become a reality. though, he must admit, it is nice to have someone by his side.

that someone being you, he couldn’t ask for someone better.

the way he sees the wind swirl through your body as if you’re some kind of deity is quite the sight to behold.

he likes how the wind practically makes you look 10x more appealing to the human eye. it’s ethereal to him.

but as much as he loves to stay and spend more time with you, you’re well aware that he’s a wandering samurai.

he’s the type to follow wherever the wind takes him. no matter where, he’s always out and about to explore the sights teyvat has to offer. it’s as if ‘wandering’ is in his blood.

if you say you want to follow him, he’s pleased to hear that. but the thought of you getting hurt scares him.

there are areas in teyvat that are dangerous and would rather not want you to go through that for the sake of him.

what he wants is to keep you safe. even if it means distancing or even separating himself from you in order to do that.

the wind will lead him back to you eventually, right?

albedo kreideprinz

you find yourself lazing about in albedo’s lab whenever you’re bored or just want some company. and you happened to be acquainted with the chief alchemist for a while, so you decided to accompany him as you watched him dutifully work on an experiment.

the way you see him so absorbed into what he’s doing is cute in your eyes. his eyes squinting as he focuses on the matter at hand, his careful handwork, his fluffy hair bouncing for every step he takes as he walks to another table to grab something..

at this point, he’s not even trying. you’re drawn to him the more you admire his features, for he is quite a handsome-

you didn’t realize you were admiring albedo in your head for too long because he walked up to you face to face, concerned that you were just standing there not saying anything to him the whole time you were there.

“are you alright? you have been staring at me for quite some time now.”

hearing his voice, (albeit a little hard to hear from you staring at him for too long,) you shook your head vigorously as a look of pure shock was plastered on your face. embarrassment ran through your veins.

“ah.. i’m sorry, albedo. i was only spacing out.”

albedo had a blank expression. he didn’t seem fazed to hear that, but he wasn’t annoyed. he just didn’t know how to properly express that specific ‘feeling.’

“..hm…”

was all he said before turning his attention back to his experiment.

…

you frowned a bit, because you weren’t expecting his answer to be this dry. it’s not even a word, it’s just a sound.

but you knew that’s just how albedo talks. and you also knew he didn't get the hint.

no matter how hard you try to get some sort of reaction out of him, nothing worked.

was the amount of time spent with him all for nothing? did he really enjoy your presence? all of these questions are plaguing your mind the more you think about them.

if only you knew how albedo truly felt about you.

lumine

when you’re by her side, you’ve made many memories together.

the sights, the food, the laughs you shared.

they’re all memorable.

the time you and her went to lantern rite, abolished the vision hunt decree, talked to lots of people along the way.

they’re all nostalgic.

lumine definitely enjoyed having you around, because you’re the first person she had the pleasure of knowing of course.

you two make a great duo. lumine knows that there’s nothing that could stand in her way now that you’re by her side.

however, she has a reason for being in teyvat in the first place.

lumine is trying to fulfill what she’s here for. to finish her journey. so there’s really no stopping her, for she is ambitious.

a little too ambitious.

she’s so focused on finding out the truth of teyvat that you gradually vanish from her mind.

it seems as if lumine has been helping people nonstop to the point her mind shifted into what she’s originally here for.

it’s almost robot-like when you see her stride through the streets as you walk alongside her. it’s like a whole different lumine is with you.

no words were exchanged, only pure silence.

did the memories of you and lumine dissipate from her mind as if they never happened?

the answer is on her face.

based on her expression, it’s like she never met you.

and this only hurts you further into realizing just how committed she is.

an: i feel so guilty and sad for writing this that i wasn’t able to write for a fourth person. i’m sorry guys i’ll see if i can make it up by writing something fluffy soon 🥹 edit: OH YEAH AND THANK YOU TO 🦉🌙 ANON FOR THIS IDEA!!!

[zhongrin]

swirl & crystallize

◇ characters ◇ (no romantic pairing) zhongli, xiao, kazuha, shinobu

◇ tags ◇ no pairing, tag game(-ish) but feel free to ignore the tag :3

◇ tagging ◇ @seelestia | @dawndelion-winery | @the-travelling-witch | @hiraya-rawr | @silkjade | @intothegenshinworld | @watatsumiis | @merzkihstuff | @astrxlis | @w4yf1nder | @thesparklingwriter | @kazuily + everyone in the taglist! (but to reiterate: no pressure!!)

◇ a/n ◇ happy new year! i'm starting a new tag game just because lol (any writers or artists welcome)

pick one (or more, if you want) of your existing teams and tell me all about them!

how are the dynamics between each character? do they work well as a team outside of battles? who is the mom friend and who is the dad friend? are they a friendly, tight-knit group, or are they hostile to each other? (optional) what would be their voice lines about each other as teammates?

ps. feel free to include your self-insert or oc in the team as the 'fifth character' if you want!

𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑙𝑖𝑠𝑡 ⬙ 𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑙𝑖𝑠𝑡

team: xiao, kazuha, zhongli, shinobu

✧— xiao ⇄ kazuha

xiao appreciates the way kazuha doesn't try to intrude his space and how he manages to sense whenever the yaksha wants to be left alone.

kazuha on the other hand is pretty neutral about xiao. mostly he appreciates the way the demon conqueror always protects the whole team, and so the ronin tries to include him in everything.

the team probably accidentally discovered that kazuha’s leaf-playing ability makes xiao relax, so the wandering samurai takes it upon himself to do it every now and then whenever things are calm and xiao is within the vicinity.

honestly, i think they get along very well despite not interacting that much on the surface.

xiao → “about kazuha“

“that wandeing samurai from inazuma? he’s… alright. polite. although the way he speaks took a while to get used to. the leaf flute? hmph…. i… suppose, it is quite relaxing.”

kazuha → “about xiao”

“a selfless protector blessed by the anemo archon himself. the winds around him are quite volatile, but i find that they would turn tranquil whenever a melodic tune dances in the air. as zhongli-sensei suggested, i’ve taken to the habit of playing the leaves more often as we wind down for the day.”

✧— xiao ⇄ zhongli

probably is the closest relationship within the team. calm grandpa and feral surrogate son

zhongli is generally caring towards everyone in the team but he has a special soft spot for xiao - always pulling him back whenever things look bad on the battlefield.

(omg can you imagine zhongli picking up xiao by his scruff like he's a feral cat and flinging him out of harm’s way lmao-)

xiao knows he doesn’t have to worry about zhongli on the battlefield too, so that’s a huge burden off his shoulders.

xiao → “about zhongli“

“what more is there to be said? i am just honored that i am able to fight alongside morax again.”

zhongli → “about xiao”

“i’m glad you invited the young adeptus to travel with you. many times i have tried to persuade him to take some rest for a change of pace, but he never listened. please, indulge my curiosity; how did you manage to convince him to come along?”

✧— xiao ⇄ shinobu

neutral. they’ve already met in the chasm before, so shinobu knows about xiao’s self-sacrificing tendencies.

since shinobu is also smart and attentive - she knows when to put her foot down but also to leave xiao to his own devices.

xiao sees her as a reliable teammate.

mutual respect plays a huge part in this relationship, and while they’re not particularly close, they’re both comfortable with how it is!

xiao → “about shinobu“

“the electro wielder? she’s okay. responsible. i respect her.”

shinobu → “about xiao”

“i wouldn’t say that we’re close. but i am thankful that we have someone who is experienced in dealing with and efficiently fighting off dangerous monsters. although… this might be a rude thing to say to an enlightened being, but how can he fight so recklessly without an ounce of care for his own safety? i don’t mind patching him up, of course - boss is just as reckless as he is - but sometimes i just wish he would snap out of that selfless mindset already.”

✧— kazuha ⇄ zhongli

kazuha is intrigued and curious because he can somehow sense that zhongli isn’t exactly… normal? surely no normal man can make the last yaksha in teyvat himself bow down to his knees or speak so respectfully?

zhongli is thankful to kazuha for keeping xiao company and appreciates the way he always attentively listens to his stories.

they bond over literature and share their experiences. very wholesome dynamics.

kazuha → “about zhongli“

“there’s something about zhongli-sensei that i can’t explain... you know who he actually is, don’t you? haha, don’t look so surprised. it really is quite obvious. the demon conqueror reveres him, the wind respects him, and the soil thrums in his presence. though i am not privy to the details, i can sense that he’s not just a ‘funeral parlor consultant from liyue’. don’t worry; you don’t have to tell me anything. everyone has their own secrets, and i can respect that.”

zhongli → “about kazuha”

“an interesting fellow, that child. very attuned to nature itself. after hearing the stories of his travels and hardships, it occurs to me that his vision truly suits him; a wandering bird flying from one branch to another. i’m also very grateful that he managed to befriend xiao.”

✧— kazuha ⇄ shinobu

they naturally bond with each other over time. since they’re both inazumans, that makes them feel inclined to start talking to each other.

actually, given some time, i can even see them becoming friends!

shinobu pulls kazuha out of potential troubles and kazuha watches over shinobu to make sure she doesn't overwork herself.

a sibling-like relationship. lovely.

kazuha → “about shinobu“

“of course, i’m happy to have a fellow countryman on our travels! shinobu knows a lot of things and is more than happy to tell me what happened while i was away from inazuma, and what has changed since then. she makes for a good drinking company too; our taste in sake seems to match!”

shinobu → “about kazuha”

“well, at least he’s a lot more manageable than boss. still, i really don’t understand how someone could be so… spontaneous and unbound. one moment he’s sitting on a tree branch watching the clouds, the next moment he’s using his anemo powers to climb some cliffs - goodness, did you know he almost broke a leg three days ago?”

✧— zhongli ⇄ shinobu

the “parents” of the group, really. do i even need to say more?

keeps everyone out of trouble, very level-headed people who just want the best for the whole team and know that they can trust each other in this endeavor.

there’s just this one little misunderstanding, though (if you could even call it that)…

zhongli → “about shinobu“

“ah, the young lady is a mature and kind individual. have you seen her fuss around kazuha and xiao? i find the sight quite endearing. she has even asked me if my joints were okay when we hiked the mountains in sumeru the other day…... hmmm. in hindsight, perhaps i should not have answered with ‘older than your parents' when she asked me about my ‘real age’....”

shinobu → “about zhongli”

“i understand that you needed someone experienced in life and all in this expedition, but you really shouldn’t have asked an elderly person to tag along in such dangerous activity. hm? why are you looking at me like that? didn’t you know? i mean, i would have never guessed it from his youthful appearance either. i have heard that liyueans tend to look younger than their actual age, but even now i can barely believe that zhongli-sensei is that old. honestly, i’m still surprised he could still be so agile in combat.”

© zhongrin | 2022 ◆ no repost. reblogs much appreciated. feel free to reach out to submit suggestions, feedback, comments, or if you just want to talk!

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[the-silver-peahen-residence]

||Genshin Impact muse tag dump||

~Ganyu

~Hu Tao

~Dehya

~Shenhe

~Arataki Itto

~Kaedehara Kazuha

~Razor

~Cyno

~Baizhu

[sakkiichi]

CRUEL SUMMER.

the summer heat is becoming unbearable, but if you can be with him, you think you’ll survive this unforgiving weather.

ft. Kaedehara Kazuha, Scaramouche/Wanderer, Xiao, Kaveh, Alhaitham, Kaeya x gn! reader.

cw/genre: fluff, romance, a tiny little bit suggestive. reader’s hair is long enough to be put into a ponytail in Kaveh’s.

word count: 1.6k.

decided to try this other layout formatting to make the post more pleasing (hopefully haha), hope you enjoy <3

✧ KAEDEHARA KAZUHA

If you didn’t know him so well, you’d think he’s doing this on purpose.

White short sleeved t-shirt on, Kazuha sits by your living room’s fan.

A strawberry popsicle in his mouth, he looks unfairly good with sweaty strands framing his face, as he reaches to tie his hair up into a high ponytail.

You want to mess it up. You think, cheeks heated, and not because of the weather.

You watch with envy as droplets slide down the vibrant popsicle on your boyfriend’s mouth.

And then, a devilish idea pops into your mind.

“Kazu…” you call him, a mask of innocence over your less demure intentions. “Can I have a taste?”

Sunset eyes set on you, soft pink lips separating from the icy treat.

“Of course, my dove.” He smiles, offering you the ice pop.

With your tongue sticking out the corner of your lips, your hand closes over his.

Your gaze, however, settles for another strawberry hued treat.

You lean in, and Kazuha’s lips taste like frozen sugar. The hold you had on his hand tightens, as his free one reaches up to cup your cheek, your hand on top of his.

You feel cool droplets from the melting ice cream on your skin, the wind from the nearby fan cooling you off.

When you pull away for air, your lips close around the melting sweet, still in Kazuha’s hand, your eyes never leaving his.

“Now I want a taste, hummingbird.” The samurai utters, taking your chin in between his fingers, guiding your kiss to him once more.

✧ SCARAMOUCHE

He won’t admit it, but your whining’s kind of cute.

Your form laying on the bed, splayed out upside down, your legs kicking every now and then for some semblance of air.

He certainly wants to steal the air off your lungs right now.

“Kuniiiii!” You look at him, a pout he wants to kiss off all too enticing on your lips. “It’s so hot…”

He sighs, exasperated. Most of his clothes have been discarded already, the black tank top in stark contrast to his pale skin doing nothing to help lower your temperature.

“How many more times are you gonna say it?” The wanderer huffs, crossing his arms over his chest.

“I’m gonna melt into a puddle…” You complain, looking at the night dawning out the window, hoping the sunset brings at least a slight breeze.

“Ugh, you’re insufferable!” Are the words that contradict the spreading pink blooms on your lover’s cheeks. “Give me your hand.”

You stare back at him, tilting your head to the side from your upended position.

“Come on, I’m gonna do something about this heat.” He spats, the fake malice melting off his tone at your sparkly eyed gaze.

Standing up, you rush to your wanderer, putting your hand in his perfectly spotless one.

The air you so desperately craved leaves your lungs momentarily when his other arm hooks under your thighs, starlight kissing your skin the moment he leaps out the open window.

You brace yourself for impact.

“Open your eyes, silly.” You hear, followed by a flick to your forehead.

Galaxy-like eyes regard you, soft, akin to the polarity of a moon against the dusky edges of his smirk. “Didn’t you like the stars? It’s relatively cool here too.” The wandering doll states, landing on a corner of the rooftop.

The scent of nearby wisteria surrounds you when your arms wrap around him, your head nuzzling into his chest.

“Thank you, Scara.” You softly whisper.

“Weren’t you hot?” He retorts at your closeness, tone amused, arms tightening around you.

He never cared for the stars above, and certainly not now that you make constellations shine in the firmaments of his stare.

✧ XIAO

Xiao wonders if you have a fever.

Your skin is all hot, you lay down more than usual, you’re not hungry, and you won’t stop shifting in bed.

He is worried. Is this because of his karma? The yaksha ponders, lower lip caught between his teeth, his spoon picking at the frozen almond tofu he would have otherwise devoured in seconds.

“Xiao?” You ask, sitting by his side, on a shaded area of Wangshu Inn’s balcony. “Is everything okay?”

Sharp golden eyes set on yours. Dark shadows pool under your stare. You didn’t sleep well, again.

“Qingxin…” the conqueror of demons begins. “You look tired… are you sick? Did I do something wrong?” Xiao worries, silk flowers blossoming on his pale cheeks.

You sigh heavily, laying down with your head over his thigh.

“I’m not sick, love…” You tell him, your hand reaching up to cup his face. “It’s just… this heat is a bit too much…” You smile, a little strained.

“I see…” He breathes, relief lacing his tone. Then, you feel something cool against your forehead.

“Xiao, what-“

“This will help.” He mutters, face still a crimson watercolor, as he awkwardly holds the cool almond tofu plate over your temple. “Here, have some too.” He mumbles, busying himself with scooping up some, bringing the spoon to your parched lips.

You swallow the treat, eyes focused on his features, the scorching breeze combing through the dark stands of his hair.

“You’re so cute, Xiao.” You smile up at him.

Now, he’s the one having a heat stroke.

✧ KAVEH

Why did you decide on today of all days to tidy up his study, you might never know.

Droplets of sweat uncomfortably trickle down your neck and back, your shirt sticking to your skin.

You huff, running a hand through your sweat dampened hair.

Now, of all times you just had to forget to bring a hair tie. Sighing, you resign yourself to suffer moving yet another box, strands sticking to your face and the back of your neck.

“My darling,” Your lover delicately calls, his voice honey sweet. “Allow me.” Kaveh’s hands rest on your shoulders, moving up to your hair, gathering it at the back of your head carefully.

“Mmm…” You hum at the sensation, eyelids briefly fluttering closed. “This is nice.” You sing, as you sway against the architect.

He chuckles.

��I can’t let my gorgeous padisarah suffocate in this weather, now, can I?”

You turn around, hair now neatly tied, a golden shimmery scrunchie holding it into a ponytail.

“Well, you could effectively avoid that keeping the room tidy.” You tease, bopping his nose.

“Fair…” Kaveh mumbles, zaytun peach pink painted on his cheeks.

You let out a soft laugh, lips tenderly brushing against his pouty ones.

If you get to spend moments like this with him, you can endure this.

✧ ALHAITHAM

Sometimes, you think there is no way your boyfriend is human.

How can he, in this weather, be reading his book so nonchalantly, completely unbothered by the unforgiving rays of the midday sun?

You rest your cheek on your crossed arms, keeping you afloat on the edge of the swimming pool.

“Are you really not going to come take a bath, Alhaitham?”

The scribe momentarily looks up from the tome, vibrant turquoise leveling you before returning his gaze to the words.

“I’m fine, [Y/n].” Your partner utters, flatly.

You ‘ugh’.

“Rude!” You whine, as you splash a wave in Alhaitham’s direction, soaking his t-shirt, the book on his hands somehow still perfectly dry.

You turn around, your back to him, resting against the pool’s wall.

Suddenly, you feel a strong hand tilting your chin upwards.

Silver and teal flood your vision before your lover kisses the corners of your mouth, tongue swiping over the pretty pink of your moist lips.

You smile into the kiss, but right as you were going to deepen it, the former acting grand sage pulls away.

“Ah- ah.” He tuts, smirk outlined in his handsome features. “I’m afraid not now, sweetheart.”

You whine in response.

“And you’re lucky the book is dry.” Alhaitham answers you, already walking away, that grin still etched on his face. “Let’s talk about it tonight.” Is the scribe’s last statement before immersing himself in his read again.

✧ KAEYA

As enchanting as the Veluriyam Mirage is, you can’t deny the rainforest climate is a bit too warm.

The humidity and high temperature are certainly not helping your state, as Klee urges you to follow her, claiming she wants to ride the choo-choo cart again.

How could you deny her? When her hopeful eyes and bright smile expectantly awaited your answer? When she looks so excited in her new mage costume?

So, you push through, panting as the girl runs along in front of you.

When she stops near Silver Bottle Courtyard to play with some hydro eidolons, however, you are thankful. And you certainly don’t pass up the chance to freshen up and drink some water in the nearby fountain.

“Well, someone looks tired.” A familiar voice speaks.

“Kaeya…” you weakly call, faint smile tugging at your lips.

The swordsman, or rather, bandit now, steps closer to you, sitting himself next to you on the fountain’s stone edge.

“Allow this thief to cool you down a little, darling.” He offers, dipping his fingers ringed in gold on the crystalline waters.

Slipping his hands under your shirt, the water cools at Kaeya’s contact with your skin, eliciting pleased sighs from you.

“I take it this is better?” Your knight teases, dark manicured fingers caressing your nape.

“Much better.” You announce, with a satisfied smile. “If you’re going to do this, you can steal me away any time, my bandit.” You tease.

“Oh, don’t ever doubt it, beautiful.” He flirts back, with a kiss to the side of your neck.

[theleetoalerandalertoalee]

Day 8 - Truth

Kazuha x Heizou

I had to type the tword in this one and I flustered myself, but we’re gonna ignore that<33

Enjoy ^^

“Hm…? Well, if it isn’t Kaedehara Kazuha. What brings you to Watatsumi Island? I know it’s not to see General Gorou, he’s with his Excellency at Narukami Island.”

The samurai turns, lending the detective an ear, “Ah, Shikanoin Heizou, I’m here to reminisce before the Crux ships back to Liyue.”

“Oh? Is that all? Simply reminiscing?”

Kazuha nods, “yes. You may join me if you wish.”

“Why, thank you. I will.”

Heizou sits beside Kazuha, underneath a sturdy tree that shades the two from the eavesdropping sun.

The detective leans forward to look at Kazuha, “what are you reminiscing about?”

“I’m just listening to the wind as it tells me stories that people don’t remember.”

“You’re as poetic as ever.”

“Hehe, thank you. I’ve been working on haiku skills.”

“Any works you’d like to share?”

“Hmm…well here’s one:

‘Dropping rainwater,

Petals crying as roots sing

Those of land abide.’

What do you think?”

“Ah, it’s very well-written.”

“Thank you.”

“Now…why are you really here, Kazuha?”

“Pardon?”

“My intuition tells me you have an…ulterior motive, than the one you have presented.”

Kaxuha raises an eyebrow, a small smile of amusement teasing the corners of his lips, “ah? What is the renowned detective suggesting?”

“I think…you writing haikus is not why you’re here,” Heizou smirks.

Kazuha returns the detective’s smirk with a gentle smile of his own, “so, why am I here then?”

“Oh, we both know why, but I just want to hear you say it.”

“Is that it?”

Heizou nudges Kazuha’s side with his elbow, “hehe, I think so.”

Kazuha softly pushes Heizou’s elbow away, not revealing what the detective was looking for.

“Oh, come on~ surely, there’s nothing you’d have to hide from me, my friend,” the detective shifts his position to be in front of the samurai, sitting on Kazuha’s thighs.

Kazuha tilts his head, still acting cool like the whispering breeze, “precisely so.”

“With that being said…what is the mysterious wanderer wondering?”

Heizou slowly walks two fingers up Kazuha’s body, from the hip to his chest and back down again. Kazuha giggles softly, looking up at the tree branches above them to direct his laughter away from the hungry ears of the detective.

“Oh? Well what do we have here~?”

Heizou suddenly skitters his fingers over Kazuha's chest, tapping it with the lightness of a feather. Kazuha crosses his arms in front of himself, giggling even more.

“Ah, ah, ah~ I wouldn’t do that. That would simply leave other places exposed, my friend.”

The detective kneads the sides of Kazuha’s now exposed ribs.

“Heizou- hahahaha!”

“Hehe, yes? Is there something you’d like to tell me? My intuition tells me you do~”

Kazuha nods as he tries to protect his ribs, exposing his chest once more- giving Heizou the unintentional incentive to lightly poke the samurai there again. In turn, Kazuha crosses his arms again, so the cycle of teasing continues.

“Oh, do share then,” Heizou smiles innocently as he continues taking advantage of Kazuha’s ticklishness.

“Ah- hahahaha! I came here to- hehehe- to wait for you- hahahaha! I- I thought that you’d come by here- hahaha- because you like the scenery of- hehe- the island- Heizou, enough!”

Heizou stops, tilting his head in both satisfaction and surprise, “you came here...for me? Why?”

“Well, ah…you usually come here on vacation, so I… just wanted to ask if you’d like to spend it. or at least a small part of it, with me.”

“Aw, hehe, I’d be honored to~!”

Kazuha blushes as his grin intensifies, “aha, thank you.”

“Of course! Alas…perjury is a crime, my friend.”

“Hm?”

“You had tried to cover up your initial motive with a white lie, this is punishable by law.”

“Ah..that is true.”

“I sentence you to a hundred pokes!”

“A hundred what-?”

Heizou starts lightly poking at Kazuha’s chest again and the samurai falls into another fit of giggles.

“H-Heizou! Hahahaha!”

[2-dsimp]

Hi, NightFlurry Anon again!  Sorry for being on hiatus for so long. I’m busy with school, and lack of inspiration stopped me from sending in more ideas for my fantasy au yandere Genshin game.  I’m trying to make good comments and ideas for Genshin, but they either slip past me or I can’t think of any, so I’ve been stuck.  Thankfully, it came to me, so I wrote some people I could think of.  Sorry, I hope you aren’t mad. I love your work!  Also, I appreciate any thoughts or comments on my writings. Also, can you please add me as an anon or give me an emoji?  Thank you!

Kazuha

As stated, Kazuha is a traveling knight in the fantasy au nicknamed among his fellow wanderers and travelers as the “Maple Leaf Mercenary,” nicknamed the “Wind Whisperer,” or rumored as the “Descendent of Miyamoto Musashi.” He is known as a hero as he saved many victims from violent thugs and greedy robbers throughout his travels, saving the day.   

Many witnessed Kazuha's bravery first-hand in battle, the mercenary who was as light as a breeze as he quickly made due to his enemies seemingly with ease.  Graceful like a gale, he danced without a care in the world among the rain of arrows aimed to kill, acting as if he was in no danger; instead, he was simply avoiding the arrows as if avoiding the rain.  Merciless as a typhoon, he masterly stroked down his vast enemies no matter how large they were against his tiny frame or how many against one knight. They all fell against his sword one way or another; no one had ever seen such a massacre created by Kazuha.  Kazuha was hailed as a hero by many. Still, instead of receiving gold or hands of marriage by thankful nobles, he insisted upon a decent amount of money and a temporary home to stay in before continuing his travels. 

Among his fellow travelers, they gossip about how they hear the sounds of the wind whispering near the mercenary whenever they pass by him, and they rumor that the winds whisper to him directions on where to go in a hidden language only familiar to the mercenary.  A traveler gossiped that the wind was a companion because one day, the traveler noticed that Kazuha was talking to no one but the wind and chatting to it like the wind was an old friend.  Many pondered how the young mercenary understood the wind as many tried to show an ear to hear what the wind may say, only to receive a low whistle or leaves in their face. They decided that not all mysteries were meant to be solved and let them go like the wind.  He is nicknamed the “Maple Leaf Mercenary” because people have sworn that whenever they pass by him, they can smell the hint of maple coming from the young mercenary despite the hardships of dust and storm that befell the wanderer. 

Many say that if you look closer, the mercenary leaves a trail of maple leaves in his wake despite not being autumn season; some even say that when he fights, the maple leaves guide him on the battlefield and fight alongside him.  Despite the many churning rumors and bellowing gossip, not one person has any clue about the mysteries that cloud the hidden background of the knight known as Kazuha. Kazuha keeps everyone at arm's length despite being friendly among his fellow travelers, and many speculate that he hails from the kingdom of Inazuma with his clothes similar to the Inazuma fashion. His code of manner is similar to how samurai carry themselves in Inazuma. 

However, whenever nosy travelers try to pry information from Kazuha, they are only greeted with the same-everlasting smile as he says that the only link he has to the kingdom is his trusty sword before looking at the distance with a sad gaze.  Kazuha, the wanderer, never had a place to call home, constantly bouncing from one place to another, and nobody to call a friend, always temporary companions he’d meet on the road until he departed along his journey, never seeing them again until he wandered into his new destination, the kingdom of Seizon-sha, hoping to make a quick pit-stop before continuing his journey. 

One day, Kazuha, unfortunately, came across a rather impatient noble who started shouting out how his day was ruined because an airheaded peasant couldn’t keep his eyes on the road and ultimately sullied his clothes till it was useless. He must pay a lifetime for his crimes so that he can pay for his clothes that could cost not even a dumb low-life like him can understand,’ even though the noble bumped into him first. There was minimal damage to his clothes despite a mini stain that no one could see unless you looked hard enough.  The tension was high enough that Kazuha could cut it down with his sword before the situation worsened; an angel appeared in the form of Their Highness to settle down the angry noble, then came in between the two to calm and lessen the problem. 

Kazuha never had someone who protected him, only relying on his wits and skill until their Highness stepped in, shielding Kazuha with their body despite the noble being twice their size and height. Their Highness stood courageously against him as they used their knowledge to counter every remark the noble had thrown at them before finishing off their enemy.  Kazuha thought it would be the last time he’d see his guardian angel until the reader took his hand and asked him if he was alright. Kazuha had never seen such a pair of eyes more beautiful, bright like their highnesses; not even the stars could compare to their beauty.  Those eyes, they must only look at me and me alone.

The rest of the day was a blur as their Highness dragged Kazuha all across town so they could give him a proper welcome to the traveling mercenary despite Kazuha’s protest that a simple tour would suffice, but their Highness insisted.  The two celebrated the day wandering around the town, pointing out each landmark, escaping from the royal guards (their Highness snuck out of the castle to wander), and enjoying each other’s company.  Eventually, their trip was cut short when the royal guards found the couple and had to bring the reader home, but before they left, the reader gave him a keychain to remember this day, thus ending their day as Kazuha looked at the back of the reader with starry eyes.  Or should I say obsessed eyes?  Readers thought this was the last time they saw the mercenary until they saw him again, but kneeling, pledging his loyalty as the reader's bodyguard so he could honor their Highness’s kindness and bravery when they saved him from the wrath of a noble.  Despite Their Highness’s many protests, Kazuha’s mind was settled; thus, the traveling knight Kazuha became the second bodyguard of Their Highness.  Kazuha swore he’d only be loyal to Your Highness and them alone. By the samurai's honor, he’ll serve His Highness’s side till the day he dies.  You’ve dug your grave, your highness.  Don’t you know that if you give a starving man food, he’ll keep wanting more and more?

Kazuha is so sweet and thoughtful, always thinking of you first, giving you his jacket when the night’s been frigid that you could see one’s breath. Despite your many protests, he would get sick. He always shrugged it off with a smile, saying you need it more than him.  Making you his priority whenever thugs or robbers decide to test their luck and then try to rob you, even comforting you during this traumatic moment by using his leaf whistle to create a serene melody and telling stories of his home.  Shielding you away from haughty nobles who sneer at your figure as they gossip about your kingdom’s state and comment how it’ll all be better if a useless heir like you would marry off to some old pig and be done with it.  Funny enough, the nobles that sneered at you died gruesomely several days later. One had all their limbs cut off, and their corpse was found by a maid who heard screaming in the dead of night; another was burned alive in their mansion. Unfortunately, they couldn’t make it because their door was bolted shut; luckily, everyone escaped safely, and finally, their waist cut off the last one, and their corpse was hung outside their mansion gates with the message “Useless Heir.”  The only person who could’ve known those words would’ve been Kazuha.… no there’s no way it could’ve been him.  He’s too sweet!

Kazuha, who had such a way of words, a voice as smooth as silk, words as sweet as sugar, and his sentences would make any poet green with envy.  You couldn’t stay mad at him when those sweet words came out of his mouth, making it sound better, and you shouldn’t worry about a thing.  Even if he picked a fight with another knight (*cough*Xiao*cough*), he sounded so sorry for his actions, and his face looked like a kicked puppy!  Say sorry, you monster!  Kazuha, with his calm and collected attitude, could calm even the roughest nobles and the grumpiest of knights and easily lessen the tension no matter how impossible.  Honestly, you’ve never seen him angry before. It’s like nothing seemed to deter him.  Don’t be fooled by his honeysuckle face and sugarcoated words; he knows you fall for his soft looks and sweet words and abuses this power. If you interrogated the knights who saw Xiao and Kazuha fight, you’d learn that he started it first by threatening him, but of course, you’ll never know because silence is bliss.  Your Highness, underneath that soft demeanor, is an obsessed, lovesick samurai ready to kill in your honor.  Pray to whatever god you believe in because you NEVER want to see him angry. he may not lash out or scream, but he’s just as dangerous since he’s a silent wrath.  Be on your guard.

“Your Highness, if I never met you that day…I would still wander aimlessly from country to country without a clear goal.  My only home was a prison; my friends were unfamiliar, my family was gone, and I had nothing that meant anything to me, so I wandered.  I had my feet carry me from place to place, never stopping unless to rest.  The winds being my only company on a lonely journey across the world, the sounds of the wind and my footsteps being my only conversations.  Never a home, family, or thing I could look forward to until you came along.  You’ve brought a beautiful symphony to my wandering soul. Without you, my life had no meaning but to wander, but now I have a purpose which is to serve by your side.  So, please, your Highness, allow me to continue staying by your side I’ll dedicate every battle in your honor and bring down whatever enemy that stands in your way.  Use me as a tool, make me your trophy, play with me as a doll for your entertainment, but never get rid of me.  Just let me stay by your side, my dear guardian angel.”

Note: Sorry if it didn’t sound as yandere as you hoped. I wanted a slow build-up to Kazuha’s yandere-ness like it starts soft and sweet, then it turns obsessed.  Also, I'm working on Wanderer's, Heizou's, and Zhongli's profiles so far.

I hope you enjoyed Kazuha, the wandering knight’s background for the Fantasy AU. Next is Wanderer, the Grumpy Visitor; Heizou, the Consulting Detective; Diluc, the Brooding Bachelor; and Zhongli, the Lonely King.  Please let me know what you think, and I want your opinion, even if it’s ten paragraphs long. I love feedback!!!  Thank you! 

NightFlurry Anon

P.S. In the last posts, you said ‘good food,’ ‘go’s brr,’ and ‘turns to rot,’ but I don’t know what it means.  Sorry, I’m not social and don’t understand slang like this.  *-*  My sister used TTYL on me, and it took me three whole days to figure it out, mainly because my older sister told me what it meant later.  ^-^  Also, which of my writings is your favorite part so far?

Welcome back NightFlurry! This is absolutely wonderful!

Also it matters not wether it’s as yandere as I hoped or not! (In my opinion, i really liked the in depth background you gave Kazuha and his mannerisms/general attitude before he met the reader) But continuing on, what’s truly important is what you think and feel about your own writing style/pieces!

Because everyone has their own perception of what a yandere is. Which is pretty awesome in itself! Because it opens up a wide variety of topics/ideas delving into the genre. o(≧v≦)o

But I’ll be happy to try and give any and all advice with writing in general! I’m no expert but I’ll do my best to help out (>^ω^<)

[fairykazu]

memories

masterlist

SCARLET LEAVES WILD WINDS: kazuha kaedehara x gn! reader

although kazuha is known to be the type to wander, you were the same. not like how he wandered around though; you traveled for your profession as an apothecarist. you two met when you were looking for inazuma specialities to make medicine for children less bitter other than using sweet flowers. 

you were stuck in your journal in narukami island. you mumbled to yourself, “where’s the naku weeds?” you have heard in conversations and books that naku weeds could contain properties to heal or reduce inflammation. you sat down on a rock, tossing your journal aside. the glass vials slung around your waist clinked together. though, you had a bad feeling in your stomach, you dismissed it as a craving issue. 

until you heard footsteps behind you, you quickly retrieved your journal as a deep voice spoke up, “hah! it’s my lucky day!” when you turned around, the samurai (you think) unsheathed his blade from his sheath; another followed his suit, cocking a gun. you winced while you tried to defend yourself but you only had your vials on you and nearly dodged a firework-bullet. shit, the day you thought you didn’t need your weapon. but suddenly, a breeze flew by. 

you could only hope that barbatos was sending a savior your way. 

and thank archons, he was. you could feel someone’s presence while you tumbled back. one of your vials broke but you didn’t dare to look away from the fighting scene. the “savior”, barbatos sent you, has ivory hair with a red streak pulled back in a side ponytail. 

“fallen leaves... adorn my night.” a sudden breeze collided with the samurais together. you werent the type to be engrossed with fighting; the way this person fought so delicately yet efficiently, nearly took your heart out. mostly because the savior is attractive; thank you, barbatos!

you didn’t notice the fight with the samurais (well, you think they are. but they wore different uniforms… maybe it wasn’t a samurai).

“hello, mx? are you okay after the nobushis tried to attack you?” he asked, offering his hand to you. you gratefully accepted, hoping your heaving wasn’t noticeable. everything became calmer when you saw his ruby eyes, it reminded you of the warmth of a fire in the winter. you didn’t notice you were in a trance until he tapped your shoulder, 

“mx?” 

you snapped out immediately. “ah! yes, i am and thank you,” you replied, reaching for the vials on your belt sheepishly. he hummed back a tune which you took as a “your welcome”. until you remember you’re missing two different vials, “wait, sir, can you help me with something?”

he looked at the vial missing at your belt before glancing at the vial on the ground. the material was already scattered across the grass and it’s not if you can’t get the materials back, you can but it would be mixed with the dirt. “i assume it’s for the vials you need and of course, i can. mx, i’m kaedehara kazuha and you are?” 

“oh, i’m name! i just need some naku weeds to soothe one of my clients’ inflammation. i’ve heard from other medics that it helps. do you know where to find it?” 

“of course, i do, name…” kaedehara trailed off to tell you about his adventures. once you collected enough materials to fill up your vials, you thanked him and went about your day. you kept touch with kaedehara enough to refer to him as his first name. each letter kazuha has sent to you has personalized poems, they never fail to make you flustered. 

you would leave riddles of your next destination of materials and kazuha would always be at the exact spot. this time, you laid a clue about starsnatch cliff: “where the intangible as the true heart of an unbound soul thrives.” it took awhile for kazuha to come where you were but at last, he was by your side. 

“ha! i knew i could beat you by sunset.” you laughed as kazuha hid behind his hands. he sheepishly responded,

“i didn’t know i had to be knowledgable in flowers trivial. it hurts to say that it took more time than i wanted” 

“oh, c’mon, kazuha! you know me.” 

“i do.”

he liked to reminisce on old memories, especially at the brink of dawn and even more so when you’re in his arms. he kissed your forehead softly before whispering an i love you. what he did not expect is that you said it back. 

“i love you too, kazuha. but go back to bed; i have a day off tomorrow.” you replied as he nuzzled his head into your neck and you felt a smile spread.

[opultea]

A Home

Kazuha x Reader - Gender Neutral Reader (No pronouns) - Romantic - SFW - Fluff with mild angst

Kazuha had long been the wandering ronin. There were many times through his endless journey when he wondered how endless it may be. He knew that there was no returning to his homeland in the foreseeable future, not with his picture on wanted posters and the closing of the nation. But Kazuha never truly minded his wandering. It was his calling.

The wind had never been as fresh as when Kazuha strolled across cliffsides and mountain views with no expectations. No society, no name of nobility in this foreign land, no one to stop him. And nowhere to stop. Only the grass, the ocean view of Liyue, the breeze, and the open sky.

That sky was storming the day Kazuha met you. Not fond of stopping to admire the sky in its tempest state, the wandering samurai often found caves to huddle down in until the thunder passed by. Though the storms in Liyue were not as long, loud, or damaging as those in his homeland, they still managed to split his heart with every bolt.

Back turned to the shattering world outside the small alcove he found himself in, Kazuha fiddled with the orange ginkgo leaf in his hand. The land of commerce had many of these trees, lining their city streets and dotting the plains and mountaintops. They were not as deeply coloured as the maples he was used to. Yet with harsh rain nearing his back and thunder cracking through the air, something to remind him of his past comforts was more than appreciated. Kazuha often quite liked the rain, he found the scent of its arrival calming, and its song soothing. But this was not the calm of rain. This was a storm.

You did not mind the rain, but today's downpour was nearing torrential, the basket in your arms flailing in the winds. It was not far till you reached your home, you had only gone to purchase some groceries from Wangshu Inn. You lived somewhat far from other homes, the inn being the closest building to your own house just south of it. It may have been considered lonely, or even desolate to others, but you enjoyed the quiet. Each morning you rose with the sun and the birdsong, each day you tended to your garden and listened to the babble of the stream. It was a shame you couldn't hear these things above the storm today.

Raising your head to better survey your current distance from the safety of your home, you couldn't help but pause at an irregular colour jutting out from a rock wall. Did someone leave a blanket here? Or maybe a random flyaway cloth got stuck on the rocks? Approaching to investigate the strangely bright object, you braced yourself against the wind, hoping to ease your mind of its strangely intense curiosity. It felt as if something was pushing you to go closer, the wind on your back staggering you forward.

You furrowed your brows as you recognised a human silhouette behind the bright cloth. What was anyone doing out here in a storm like this? You steadied yourself on the stone at the entrance of the small rocky indent, tensing your arm to keep your basket from flying from your hold in the wild winds.

"Excuse me? Are you alright?" You asked, voice raised just enough that the crouched figure could hear you over the gales. The person turned quickly in surprise, revealing the rain-stricken face of a young man, his body shivering from what you assumed was the cold. "Are you far from where you live? If you are, you're free to take shelter in my home,"

The words seemed to sadden the man at first, but his expression settled into a gentle smile.

"I am indeed quite far, further than I have ever been. But I will humbly accept your gracious offer," His tone was the softest you'd ever heard. You wondered what had softened it so.

A crack of thunder burst through the air that had eased around you, shifting the atmosphere of the exchange back into its initial turbulence and necessity. You looked up to see the shock of violet in the sky, followed by another deafening bang. The storm must be right above you now.

"Come on, it isn't safe out here," You coaxed, gesturing for the man to stand and follow after you. His sadly furrowed eyes stared past you at the inclement sky, a streak of something new behind his gaze. But you didn't have time to ponder, you had to get the both of you out of the worsening weather. "My house isn't far,"

The two of you whipped like blades of grass in the viscous winds, nearly toppling several times as your visibility decreased. The dark clouds swallowed the heavens, churning and daring to swallow you as well. Luckily you reached the steps of your small home before the wind picked up enough to blow the rain directly into your eyes. Ushering the stranger inside, you put your basket down on the floor by the kitchen and led the man to the dining space.

Kazuha watched as you shivered, your hands shaking with the chill as you lit the small fireplace. Your home was quaint, but it matched you. He was inclined toward the forest of house plants that stood in the corners of the room, noting their health and appreciating the freshness they added to the room. Kazuha only noticed you had left once you came back into the room holding a pile of towels. Thanking you quietly, he took a moment to dry his hair as neatly as he could as to not flay the water onto your floor.

You realised your strange guest was standing in the middle of the room rather awkwardly. Now quite self-conscious of your hosting, you invited the man to sit down by the fire.

"You'll have to excuse my lack of proficiency in entertaining, I don't often have guests," You smiled apologetically as you sat beside each other.

"Not at all, I'm most grateful for the kindness and the shelter," His softness persisted as you conversed quietly by firelight, learning more about each other in slow words. The night darkened silently as the storm raged on in its void, stirring an appreciation for the warmth within your small abode.

Eventually, you went about setting up your most comfortable sleeping mat for the stranger you now knew as Kaedehara Kazuha of Inazuma. It was late, and now that the two of you were mostly dry, it would only be good to rest. Kazuha attempted to wave your request for him to stay, excusing that he had spent many of his nights out in the wilderness.

"There's no doubt you'll get sick if you stay out there, and it's no trouble for me. If anything, I'd enjoy the company," You assured, lighting a small lamp to keep some glow in the darkness now that the fire was low.

Kazuha nodded agreeably, but you did not miss his glance out at the tempest.

The night was cold and long, but the sweet breeze of daybreak gave Kazuha a reason to smile at the sky again. He rose from his beddings to this lovely scent and the accompanying fragrance of jasmine tea that he supposed you were brewing a room away. Entering the kitchen, the samurai spied two bowls of congee steaming on the table.

"Ah, good morning," You greeted, turning around to gesture to the light breakfast you'd prepared. "Please sit, I just whipped something up quickly."

Smiling at your kindness, Kazuha placed himself on the stool in front of the serving of fresh food. It had been a while since Kazuha had eaten a warm meal that was prepared for him. His diet usually consisted of fish he caught in the rivers and the fruits he plucked from tree tops. The warmth of the bowl and accompanying tea cup made his heart grow warm too.

You had already begun eating, though not so subtly glanced up to see if your guest liked the food you'd prepared. You'd hate to serve something he didn't like, or that he was allergic to. You would've liked to ask beforehand but feared you'd only disturb his sleep. Perhaps you were overthinking this...

"Thank you for the meal, it was a perfectly rousing dish for a misty morning such as this one," The compliment relieved you of your stress, though it crossed your mind that anything this soft-spoken stranger said would put you at ease. "I'd like to offer my service in any work you may have, as payment for the shelter and kindness you have provided,"

"Oh! There's no need for that, I'm sure you've got your own business to attend to, and I'm used to doing the work alone," You excused, clearing the empty bowls to wash.

"Please, allow me to repay your hospitality," Kazuha stood to meet your gaze. "I am a wanderer, and so have no daily business I must attend to, and I can assure you I am capable of any physical work, if that is your worry." Although you still had reservations about making your guest work for you, his insistence and careful words were enough to convince you to allow him his boon.

"Ah, alright," You sighed gratefully. "I have a garden just outside that needs attending. The rain would have done its work last night, so it only needs to be weeded, and the radishes should be ready to harvest."

In the following days, the night raged with storms, prompting Kazuha to stay and continue to provide his services for your garden. You quickly discovered that he possessed a prodigious connection to nature, somehow always knowing when the flowers on your pumpkins would bloom and when the kale would need to be covered overnight. Your garden had never looked greener.

Similarly, your house had never been so warm. Each night over a shared dinner made from the vegetables harvested that day, Kazuha would regale you with tales from his travels. You were fascinated by his adventures, listening intently and watching the memories swirl behind the samurai's eyes.

Kazuha in turn had never found a companion so ready and willing to hear him speak. Although he had found that the crew of the Alcor were always up for a tale, Kazuha had to admit that they were not the most attentive audience. So many jugs of alcohol would do that to a crowd of rowdy sailors. Even the silence the two of you shared as you worked together was refreshing. The ronin was fascinated not only by your apparent interest in him, but also by your lifestyle. You lived alone, not only in your home, with no other houses in the surrounding area. He wondered how long you had been alone.

One bright morning, after the plants were cared for, you and Kazuha sat out on the steps in front of your door, a small basket of dried seeds at your feet. You often left a portion of the seeds from your garden to feed the birds with, enjoying the cute sight of the sparrows and finches flittering about each other. Kazuha seemed incredibly at home in this activity, managing to spark your further amazement when he coaxed several of the birds to feed from his open palm.

"Oh!" You gasped in delight as several more finches took rest on the wanderer's shoulder. "You have such a way with them, I don't think they'd ever trust me enough to do that," You admitted that you'd always wanted to gain the trust of a bird. After all, that was part of the reasoning for this regular feeding.

"There's nothing much to it, really," Kazuha chuckled lightly as a sparrow hopped between his fingers. "But I think we can make that wish come true,"

Kazuha scooped some seed from the basket, before letting it fall into your hand. Slowly, and locking your gaze to make sure of your comfort with his hold, he lifted your hand with his own. Kazuha's hand was warm, as all of him was. You couldn't help but notice the light roughness on his skin, letting the back of your hand sink into his palm as Kazuha raised it to meet his shoulder. The finch that sat peacefully on the samurai's shoulder jumped slightly at the approach of your joined hands but did not fly away. All your concentration was held on keeping your hand still, staring hopefully at the hesitant bird.

You bit your lip to hold the squeal of joy that erupted when the finch hopped onto your hand, pecking at the seed within it. And while you relished in the joy of your wish fulfilled, the man whose body was closer to yours than you remembered watched your delight in a mirth of his own. His chuckle brought your eyes to meet his, and suddenly you remembered that Kazuha's hand was still holding your own. The warmth and safety Kazuha emitted caused your body to lean into his, your shoulder eventually coming to meet Kazuha's.

You continued to stare at each other for a short moment, your heart fluttering so fervently that you jolted away in fear that Kazuha could hear it. Although, part of you believed that no matter your distance, Kazuha would always be able to hear your heart. He had a knack for knowing your true feelings before even you did.

The startled movement alarmed the birds into flight, taking their leave as a flock.

"Ah, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have moved so quickly," You dejectedly apologized, watching the passerine as they hid in the tree tops.

"It's no issue. If anything, I'm sorry if my proximity caused your distress, you are always welcome to let me know if I am ever making you uncomfortable. It would be my greatest displeasure if I was to do anything of the sort,"

"No!" Your cry shocked Kazuha, his mouth ajar as you grasped his hands in your own again. "You have nothing to apologize for, I was just concentrating on the bird so much that I didn't even realise what was happening! I didn't mind at all, really if anything, I'd like you to do it again!"

It was your turn to be shocked by your words. Your mind raced as you tried to think of a way to retrace the conversation, but you failed to find anything any less awkward than your silence.

Your heart stuttered when Kazuha chuckled before he slowly brought his hand up to brush your hair from your face.

"I'll keep that in mind,"

It was another night shared with a homemade meal, though tonight the two of you sat beneath the stars on the first clear night since Kazuha had arrived. You had laid a blanket across the grass to keep the cold of the earth off your backs, and laid yourselves across it after your dinner to watch the night. Your shoulder pressed against Kazuha's as you indulged in the quiet. It was nice to see the stars again, sharing the quiet of the evening with your newest friend. The company was nice too, it was rare to have someone in your home for so long.

"I will be taking my leave soon," But of course it couldn't last. You tried not to startle at the sudden declaration, heart clenching with a sadness you tried your best to withhold. Voice careful so as to not reveal your hesitance, you inquired further.

"Oh, I see. When do you think you'll be going?" Kazuha let a breath leave him, the warm fog drifting and dissipating into the night.

"Tomorrow, at noon. I must admit I am sorry to leave you, but the wilderness is my true calling. I fear I may have left it too long,"

"Of course. I'll pack a few things for you to take on your journey," You had always known that Kazuha would have to leave sometime, but you allowed yourself to brush this future away in preference of considering the warmth of the present. Now, the moment you had been shunning from your mind was finally happening.

Kazuha, sensing your despondency, shuffled carefully closer to your laying form. Turning away from the night sky, he gently brushed away the lock of hair that had fallen onto your face. His gaze deepened you, and yet laid you bare all at once. You had never felt so seen as you did under Kazuha's gaze.

"You deserve my honesty, and for this reason, I must tell you that the time I have spent sharing your company was some of the most pleasant I have spent during my wanderings. But I must follow the sun, and continue to travel across the horizon as I have,"

"I understand," Your voice cracked in its smallness. "I just... I know I'll miss you,"

Kazuha smiled sadly.

"And I, you,"

It was not long before Kazuha wandered across the fields, a pack of your vegetables on his back, all too soon a dot between the cold earth and the cloudy sky. You let yourself cry that night.

In the few months since Kazuha's absence, you learned to get used to the quiet and the cold again. At first, you'd brewed too much tea and called for the man that was no longer there. You'd sit outside in the night and imagine the ghost of his memory pressed against your side. You wished you could send Kazuha letters, at least some form of communication to ease your aching heart. But as a wanderer he had no address, only the wind to lead him, you could not.

Visiting Wangshu Inn for your next grocery run, even Verr Goldet felt the change in your demeanour. It seemed that however you tried to ignore the ache in your chest, it implored you to feel it.

"How have you been Y/n? I feel like it's been some time since our last chat," Verr asked carefully as she packed you some butter and mushrooms.

"Oh, you know. Same old quiet," Your polite smile did not do much to diminish the inn owner's concerns. She let you go with an offer of her counsel or ear, whenever you might find yourself needing it. You appreciated her offer deeply, but knew you didn't want to admit how much his absence affected you.

It was a sunny morning when you heard the birds louder than they had been in months. You were sitting at your table, eyes distant and gaze tired as you let your tea grow cold. Some days were harder than others, occasional evenings spent as if Kazuha had never been there. Most spent pondering where in the world he might be now. What hurt you most was how much this was affecting you. How was it that a single man was able to twist your soul into his even while you were miles apart? You almost wanted to forget. It would be easier if it had never happened at all.

But, no. You treasured the small time you had spent with the wanderer, filling your home with warmth and, you now realise, a shy love. You would never forget him, even if it hurt you to know you may never see him again.

The birds chirped closer now. What had them so energetic today? Perhaps you were late to feed them, it seemed more difficult to keep up with your tasks on the bad days. Picking up the small woven basket of seeds, you opened your door to greet the sparrows. But who greeted you instead made you drop your basket. Seeds scattered across the wood of your porch, the flock of birds happy to clean up your mess as they landed around you to eat.

"Good morning, I hope I'm not disturbing you," Oh how you missed the softness of his voice.

"Kazuha?" You breathed, your soul suddenly refreshed with new pull.

The man smiled sweetly when you said his name, stepping forward with arms open, inviting you to act on the vigour he knew you felt. For he felt it too. You let yourself fall into his arms, holding him tightly and finally indulging in his warmth once more.

"I'm sorry I left, I truly am."

"No, you needed to go, I didn't want to stop you from following your heart," The two of you separated enough to drink in each other's eyes. It had been too long since you felt this light.

"You're right, I did need to follow my heart," Kazuha admitted. "But the longer I journeyed without you, the more I realised the truth. You are the only day I would wake for, and the only sun I would follow. You have my whole heart, and with you, I will always entrust it."

The confession brought an air to your lungs, fresher than any you'd ever tasted. Only Kazuha could bring this air to you, you knew that all too well.

"I will keep your heart close to mine, because it's more precious than you know. I love you Kazuha, I think I have for a long time,"

"And I, you,"

Kazuha had long been the wandering ronin. But the time he spent building a home for his heart with you, he would not exchange for any wind of freedom.

[okiesoapie]

come wind, come weather

kaedehara kazuha x reader

table of contents

✧ ii. the wandering samurai

There was no doubt that the Kaedehara Clan was on the verge of collapse. A once beautiful manor had floorboards that creaked upon nearly every step. Kazuha knew this, that the nearly rotted tatami of his home spelled a bleak future. Yet, despite the dwindling number of servants, he could not give up on the Kaedehara name.

Much of his reasoning was due to his loyalty to the family, his honor, and his pride. However, part of his determination was because of Maple. You.

Kazuha slid the door to his father’s study, careful not to rattle it despite his frustration. He could see his father still pacing back and forth through the screen. Perhaps the bonsai will not be cared for today.

A smattering of footsteps calls Kazuha’s attention. You stood on the footpath near the garden, carrying a worrying stack of books. He watches you balance yourself with careful steps, your brows creased in concentration. A gentle smile makes its way to Kazuha’s face.

The gentle spring rustles the leaves of the cypress trees. You didn't even notice him in front of you until he took the books from your hands. Both of you stand on the footpath, the wind fluttering your clothes and floating through your hair.

“Young Lord, please allow me to do that,” you sigh. Yet when you look pointedly at Kazuha, his gaze becomes unfocused, as if he is lost in thought.

The curve of a cheek. The slope of a nose. A soft pair of lips. Kazuha‘s eyes roam across your face in a trance like state. Everyone in the estate knows that you have grown up to be beautiful. He knows this more than anyone. Years by your side did not blind him from the fact that you were attractive. In fact, it became even clearer than crystal.

“My Lord, are you alright?”

The wind picks up again, bringing a few strands of hair in your face. Mid-afternoon rays of sunlight reflect in the garden’s pond. It’s quiet, save for the chirping of birds. Kazuha shuffles the stack of books in his arms to tuck your hair behind your ears. At the subtle blush that spreads across your face, he laughs.

“Yes,” he says, “I am now.”

Kazuha replays this memory like a broken record. Both asleep and awake. He finds himself mouthing the words while traveling, even when his eyes are blurred by torrents of rain. The thought of that spring day in the garden sometimes comforts him. Other times, it taunts him.

A deep sense of longing settles in his chest like a stone weight. Kazuha can forget it’s presence for a while by keeping busy, but the feeling can weigh him down and render him almost immobile.

Yet he continues onwards. Running.

[razorblade180]

Cargo

Beidou:Alright everyone, let’s make this snappy! Kazuha smelled a storm and I intend to get ahead of it.

Kazuha:I really don’t mind if we have to stay in Inazuma for awhile.

Beidou:As much as I did consider your feelings, we actually have time sensitive cargo. No rest for the wary. Anyways, I need you to grab your share. It’s the usual.

Kazuha:The booze or the fireworks?

Beidou:Heh, fireworks. Most are docked but there’s an extra shipment that I need you to grab. I believe you know the way.

Kazuha:How risky of you, sending me right to Yoimiya when we’re on a time crunch. Time might slip away from me.

Beidou:I’ll give you 15 minutes.

Kazuha:*red* I was joking.

Beidou:So am I. Now get going, lover boy.

Kazuha nods and jumps off the ship, swiftly heading inland. This wasn’t the first time extra deliveries came in last minute. Fortunately for everyone involved, Yoimiya has never been a slouch. If it’s only a crate of two, she would be taking it upon herself to meet him halfway. As he drew closer to Inazuma City, her frantic voice moved on the wind. He turned his head and saw the girl running with a box.

Yoimiya: I’m dead I’m dead I’m dead I’m dead I’m-

Kazuha:Right on time? *closing in*

Yoimiya:Ah! Hi Kazuha! I overslept; I’m so sorry!

Kazuha:Don’t worry. Everything is fine. *kisses cheek* Unfortunately our meeting is brief. I can take it from here.

Yoimiya:No can do! I actually have to sign off and ship this box myself. Oh I hope Beidou isn’t mad. Isn’t it supposed to storm later!?

Kazuha:How did you know that?

Yoimiya:Hmm? You talked about reading the subtle signs before. I…I’ve been practicing. Y’know, a little piece of your life in mine. *red*

Kazuha:…

Yoimiya:Kazu?

Kazuha:Hold on tightly to that box.

Yoimiya:Oka-waaah!

The wandering samurai picks the festive girl up into his arms and starts running back to the ship incredibly fast.

Yoimiya:Aren’t I heavy?

Kazuha:Heavy is carrying a completely intoxicated ship captain to the quarters while a boat sways. You might as well be one of the fireworks you set off.

Yoimiya:Does she drink often?

Kazuha:Sailing is lengthy endeavor…

He makes it back into town and wastes no time reaching the port, not realizing the slight embarrassment on Yoimiya’s face as certain people watch her being carried. With a final jump, Kazuha lands on the ship next to Beidou. He sets is girlfriend down and finally catches his breath.

Beidou:Okay, I was half joking about the time. You didn’t have to sprint! Hey Yoimiya.

Yoimiya:Hi Beidou! Sorry I’m late. I…overslept. Anyways, here’s my share of rations.

Beidou:Wonderful! I’m sure we had plenty but this will makes sure everything will go slowly.

Kazuha:Your rations?

Yoimiya:Uh huh! I’m finally taking a trip out of Inazuma and Beidou said I can hitch a ride!

Kazuha:What!? You were the cargo?

Beidou:Haha, I hope you handled her with care. *ruffles hair* good job.

Yoimiya:Our first voyage together! What a way to start my trip! *smiles* I’ll try to stay out of the way.

Beidou:No worries. You’re an honored guest and I’m sure morale will boost. Anyways, Kazuha, I’ll let you guide her through the ship and where she can put her belongings. I’m sure there’s space in your cabin.

Yoimiya:!?

Kazuha:Understood. Let’s go Yoi-

Beidou:Also…We leave port in 20 minutes. You’re already here so relax.

Kazuha:*lifts Yoimiya*

Yoimiya:*red* Again!?

Kazuha:Just until we get to my cabin.

Yoimiya:Beidou is right in front of us!

Beidou:*waves happily* Look at that, already boosting morale! We’ll chat later. It’s gonna be a long trip. Pace your personal rations.

Yoimiya:*flustered* That’s what they’re for!?