Chapter Text
A familiar situation lay before him, if not one that Kazuha had become accustomed to. His feet rushed up the stairs of Tenshukaku in a far more frantic manner than he was used to carrying himself with.
It was by the time he reached the top of those stairs that he once again felt an overwhelming and thundering pressure on his body, as he was tossed within turmoil. There wasn’t time to think truly, and barely a chance to take action. His friend’s body had already been flung back as the almighty Raiden Shogun prepared her finishing strike. His gaze quickly shifted to Kujou Sara who now had stepped aside after her duel had been won, before focusing on the electro vision currently airborne which had been cut loose from his friends garments.
Before he could give into his common sense telling him to run, as he had already failed, his body found itself lurching forward, and his hands wrapped themselves around the still glowing vision. His own steps recoiled quickly after to narrowly avoid the divine punishment only meant for his dear friend, as he used his anemo abilities to flee the scene as quickly as possible. Having steered his gaze clear away from having to see what remained of his friend… or the lack thereof.
Only as such pressure had faded due to his retreat from the scene did what remained of his senses return to nothingness. Kazuha could only see darkness as his body finally started to regain its sense of full and total awareness. His eyes soon opened to reveal a clear and blue sky, and he felt the tickle of the soft grass below him. How kind of it to act as his bed that night. He sat himself up, as the breeze whistled on by him.
It was only a dream.
He came to realize.
It certainly wasn’t abnormal for him to have such a dream, though he no longer felt quite so much sadness each time he would awaken. He was sure, anyhow, that Tomo would certainly be happy with the current state of things. The vision hunt decree had been appealed, and according to the Traveler, the Raiden Shogun was pondering a new method to the eternity she so seeks. Prior even, he had managed to relight the other’s vision, his ambition, for but a fleeting moment within the chaos. His criminal status was lifted, so he could simply live and travel here again if he so wished.
Yet, a part of him longed for more than Inazuma had to offer, and after all of these past events, he struggled to see Inazuma as much of a true home any longer. His decision to rejoin Beidou’s fleet to travel back to Liyue had already been made, and he only had until the sun reached the center of the sky before he should be prepared to depart within the alcor.
That’s right… I had one more plan before I depart from this place.
He recalled mentally as he slowly stood himself up from the welcoming embrace of the ground.
Currently, north of where the Grand Narukami Shrine lies in all of its brilliance on that mountain top for all to behold, he continued the trek he had been on. Unlike when such dreams occurred, his footsteps were near silent with trained precision. There didn’t appear to be any enemies along his current path, yet he still proceeded with the light and precise steps he had grown most accustomed to.
It wasn’t long until he had reached his destination, in a canyon-like spot, where a sword had been embedded into the ground. A single white cat lay beside it. He was at least glad that throughout all of this, Tama had managed to remain safe. As he fully began to approach the sword, that white fur appeared to shift a bit, as one of her darker eyes lazily opened to glance at the sudden visitor. Kneeling in front of the sword, he reached out to gently pet her head before placing his hands together to pray. Praying to whom, he didn’t know. Yet, he simply wished for Tomo’s spirit to remain safe wherever it may rest. It was a way, he felt, to pay his best respects to the other’s memory.
As he began to once again open his eyes, his hands parted from one another and he reached for the empty vision he still carried with him. He gently chose to set it down in front of the sword. His own goals surrounding the vision had been met. He’d been searching for someone to reawaken the ambition that rested inside… when truly the person who ended up being able to do such a thing was himself. Never had he imagined such a thing would occur.
His gaze rested momentarily between the sword and vision that now lay there, before he proceeded to stand. It was time to go after all. He had to return to the alcor to set off on his new travels. He was quick to turn away, and had been about to start walking when a relatively loud meow caught his attention. He glanced back at the white cat with a questioning look, she was now pawing at his leg as well.
Once Tama had fully realized the attention she obtained from the other, her paw moved from pawing at the other to pawing at her own neck. Something that hadn’t been there the last time he saw Tama now rested there, somewhat loosely, as if to accommodate for growth. It was a collar. Less for identification it seemed, however, there was certainly a small pouch attached to it. He wonders if Tomo had attached such a thing prior to heading off for his duel before the throne.
Kazuha was careful when leaning back down to reach for the pouch, gently removing it from the collar before opening it to reveal a folded piece of paper. A flash of confusion fell over his features as he found himself just staring at it for a time. All it would take was opening it to learn of the contents likely written on it, he undoubtedly assumed it to be a letter. Yet, he found himself hesitating, as his finger brushed along the inside of this… not very neatly folded piece of paper.
He found himself opening said letter regardless after thinking over it for a few minutes. He couldn’t refuse to open such a thing after all, and as he suspected, it was indeed a letter, signed by Tomo personally. He took in a breath of anticipation before allowing himself to start reading.
Hey Kaedehara!
I hope this letter finds you well, I’m sure that by the time you find this letter I’m probably not around any longer. Seems Kujou Sara was stronger than I realized, or maybe not sense a part of me heavily anticipated this outcome. I hope you don’t hold any resentment towards her for this, given you seem to stick pretty close with tradition, I’m sure you understand! The duel was my suggestion after all, she was following along with my challenge.
Anyways, I’m sure that’s not necessarily what you want to read here. So I’ll move on!
You likely found this letter on Tama, right? Well, I was hoping perhaps you could take care of her for me? She always seemed to like you when we were traveling together, even more than she seemed to like me sometimes! I’m sure she would love to stay with you, plus you both love fish, so I don’t think food would be a problem, but try to change up what you’re eating sometimes, I don’t know how you can eat similar or the same kinds of dishes all the time. Doesn’t that get a little bland? I know your tastes are a bit picky and refined, but you gotta live a little!
I even have a suggestion of something you could try, it has fish in it too! It is a bit plain so you could add some spices if you want, you tend to be able to cook well when given the chance, so I’m sure your judgment would be great! Try not to be too perfectionist about it though, alright? I bet it’ll taste great no matter what, since you made it! The recipe should be in the pouch as well, don’t lose it now!
Well, I should probably let you go, but I hope this letter could help to lift your spirits!
Yours truly,
Tomo <3
Oh! P.S. I have more of these letters hidden all around Inazuma if you’d like to seek them out! Hey- I know you’re making that face right now. “Why couldn’t I just write it all in one letter?” Would that be fulfilling, Kazuha? We’re both travelers in our own right, sorry if it’s a bit of an inconvenience though, I just thought it would be fun! Good luck! The first hint is below! You’re way better at poetic stuff so I’ll just be giving some words!
Hint: Three Tanuki. Stealing.
Kazuha’s gaze remained on the hint as he let out a sigh. He did have plans to depart Inazuma, today of all times, so this certainly would create a bit of an issue in his original plans. “It’s not unlike you to pull something like this.” he mumbled to himself in an
almost
fond manner. It seemed there was still more regarding Tomo that he should allow himself to seek out. After the other’s vision glowed once more, he had come to his own conclusion that this could end, yet it appears he was wrong.
He rechecked the pouch for the recipe mentioned, and sure enough it was there, and after gently tucking this specific letter back into the pouch, he gently picked up Tama who meowed in approval. It seemed she had no complaints about joining him, a part of him had worried she would have wanted to stay by Tomo’s grave… but he was glad in a way, now he could feel more reassurance by taking her along with him.
Only by the time he had finally made his way out and back into the open did he realize how close the sun was to striking the center of the sky, his eyes widened ever so slightly in alarm, it appeared he would not be leisurely returning to Ritou. He glanced down at Tama, before attempting to mimic Tomo in a sense, attempting to rest her within his garments around his chest. It was at least more secure than holding her openly, and this way he could still rest a hand over her to ensure her safety.
After knowing Tama would be safe, he allowed his anemo abilities to flow around him before using them to assist in speedy travel back to where the Alcor would be waiting.
The sun had passed the center of the sky, and the captain of the crux fleet, Beidou, was tapping her foot slightly impatiently. Kazuha was late, and she knew for a fact that he was aware she would leave him behind. She had a tight schedule to follow regarding travel.
It was right as she was preparing to board the ship and get her fleet ready to sail that she felt a familiar wind beside her. Kazuha had just landed there as she paused to glance at him.
“Kid, you’re late. I told you I would leave you behind if you weren’t here in time.” That was the treatment she gave everyone, there were exceptions, and she wasn’t one to admit so openly that Kazuha was indeed already one of those exceptions. Regardless of boarding and preparing to go, she would have waited.
Always one for formalities, Kazuha was quick to give a small apologetic bow, “My apologies, I didn’t mean to delay your travels.” he started with, before moving to stand back up straight and glanced at Beidou, who now had her attention turned to the cat resting in the cloth around his chest.
“Ah, this is Tama.” he introduced before the other could question it, “She traveled with my dear friend who I informed you had challenged the vision hunt decree in a duel before the throne.” he added in further for more specification, “Regarding that however… I am going to have to back out of traveling with the crux fleet back to Liyue Harbor. An important matter has arisen which I must pursue before I depart.”
Beidou gave a nod as the other spoke, making no further mention of the subject of his friend. She was good at simply keeping it as a silent acknowledgment, as that had always gone over better for Kazuha. “I see, you seemed so sure about accompanying us when you made that decision originally, but I understand.” She gave a grin to the other before moving to pat him on the back, perhaps knocking him off balance a bit thanks to the new added weight of Tama on him as well. Which only elicited a small chuckle from the shorter of the two. “Off you go then, kid. Get what you need to get done.” she told him as she reached into one of her pockets, pulling out a slip of paper. “This is my relative travel schedule. If you ever wish to join us, just meet up with us around the dates here.” she told him.
Carefully taking the piece of paper from her, he gave a nod, “I appreciate it, Beidou.” he told her, glancing down at the handwritten schedule, before waving, and stepping back onto the docks of Ritou. “May your travels remain safe and enjoyable.”
Beidou gave her own wave back, “Same to you, stay safe out there, and good luck.” he told him, before calling out to her crew. Kazuha only remained there as the alcor began to set sail. Watching as the ship grew smaller and smaller the more distance it traveled from the docks of Ritou
Glancing down at Tama, he gave a small smile, “Are you ready to seek out the rest of the letters Tomo left?” he asked with the slightest tilt of his own head. Upon hearing the meow of approval to such an action, he began to head back into the mainland of Narukami Island. Knowing exactly where that first hint meant to lead him.