Chapter Text
Sitting with his back turned to the estate, He felt the soft winds tugging at his hair and clothes. The grass knotted together in his hands as he yanked the plant out of the ground. It was entering late afternoon, the sun layed down its light in pink and orange hues.
He overlooked his home region, All of its beauty seemed to please him. The sight freed him from his boredom.
He was told that once he was deemed perfect enough, the land would be his to rule. How lovely, isnt it? The place he adored so much would be his, he often wondered if his people would love him as much as he did them.
He smiled sweetly, he closed his eyes and leaned his head back. He hummed along to the delightful tune sung by a bird nearby. Feeling a gaze on him he opened his eyes and scrunched up his nose at the sight of someone so close to his face.
"Young master, your presence is requested inside.." The voice seemed to belong to a child his age, they had long hair braided down their back, but loose strands framing their face. Their eyes glanced over Kunikuzushi multiple times, always stopping to look into his eyes before wondering off again. 'just what was this kid doing? He thought in a silent wonder.
Although he can't lie, he too was curious about the figure behind him. Alas he finally straightened his back and got up from his previous seated position.
"Who has asked for me?"
"The Shrine Priestess has, My lord." They tucked their hands behind them and tilted their head at the boy, "Your eyes are such a vibrant purple.."
His face flushed a soft pink, he's never interacted with someone his own age before.. He's only ever received compliments from the young maidens at the shrine. He hurried past them whispering a small, "Thank you.." Before running to find Lady Miko.
.
He found himself staring at the young child more often then not. Just who were they? Shrine maidens were usually much older than someone of his own age.
"Hello young master!" The child ran up to him, smiling. "Is there something you need, My lord? You shouldnt be outside for too long under the harsh rays of the sun!" The child hurried and grabbed a umbrella from the other shrine maidens worried for him and raised it above his head.
After now standing by his side, Kunikuzushi realized the child must have grown taller than him
after only being away for a few days.
He grumbled and took the umbrella before quickly running back inside. It wasnt fair! He hasnt gotten taller so why should they?!
.
"Young master! How lucky am i? Ive gotten to see you two times today!" The young shrine maiden carried a tray into his study room, They made their way to his desk and set down the wooden tray on a clear area, "Heres your lunch, please try to eat something! You've worked too hard these days and your body cant live on withou-" He quickly hushed her.
"I'm fine Y/n..You worry too much. I just need to study more..If i get better ill be the Raiden shogun sooner! Then ill be able to work for our dream faster.."
"Well Inazuma need you alive for that. So drink your tea and finish that meal, Im not leaving until every crumb has been eaten." They sat on the floor next to him, closing their eyes. He assumed theyve begun to meditate.
"..Fine."
.
"Y-Y/n! Just what do you think you're doing!" His shoulder's tensed up and he froze on the spot.
"Im braiding your hair! It'll be tangled if you leave it down all the time, stop creating more strouble for my seniors!" They stopped their hands movements after a bit, "I mean that with respect young master.."
He still hasn't unfrozen, Such boldness made the back of his neck flush. Just who did this person think they were? He soon doubled over and laughed harder than he ever has. This shrine maiden was so exciting! He couldnt wait for his duties to be over so he could tease the young shrine maiden about their slip up later.
.
"Did you know that Mondstat is the region where the Archon of anemo lives? His city is known as the land of freedom!! I hear they have the best wine ever there." They laughed, holding a book labeled 'Teyvats vast regions' In their lap.
"Wine? We're only 16 we cant even leave the estate yet!"
"Shh!! If they hear us I'll be in big trouble with lady miko!"
They laughed at the face y/n made once they heard foptsteps in the building of the large estate, and tried to muffle the sound with their hands. Unbeknownst to them a certain maiden was indeed behind them.
"Trouble? Deary, I think you have more paperwork to study.. and Y/n. If you even think about mentioning wine in the building one mor-"
"Lady Miko could you please escort me to my study room? There was a giant bug ive never seen before just outside and id like it removed please.." As he gently ushered Yea Miko out of the room with a nudge on her arm, he looked back to y/n and winked.
.
"Lady Miko, where is Shrine maiden l/n? I cant find her and its almost time for dinner already."
"She's most likely running errands for the other Maidens, And youre old enough to eat dinner alone. And please shut the door on your way out im busy."
He nodded and hurried back to his room, he ignored the bad feeling in his chest once he remembered the fact both her and y/n were not to leave the estate.
He just hopes y/n is okay and that the food isnt bland.
.
He now layed under the shade of a large tree, he closed his eyes in thought. Its been days since he's last seen that child. Of course he'd never admit it but hes gotten too used to having someone by his side daily that hes missed it dearly.
He loved whispering outloud their name when he was alone. Although he rarely smiled, he was greatly amused by the child's clingy behavior towards him, but it wasnt one sided, after all they've spent years together now at the shrine. And ever though calling them a 'child' isnt right anymore, he still held the nickname dearly in his heart. Always using it to tease the other.
After his duties hed always seek out y/n, they always told him stories of their home and far away regions they've read about in books. He was somewhat jealous that his books never contained tales of other lands. But he was happy enough with friend has told him about.
They spent so much time together that he fell asleep most often by their side during the late evenings. Too tired to hold out until returning to his chambers for the night.
He was grateful to have y/n, he finally had a friend.
And the more stories he was told, the more he wanted to see his people and guide them.
But with y/n now missing he had nothing to do but think, think about his dear friend who must be terrified and alone right now, think about all the stories they told him, think about where they couldve gone.
Just what happened to y/n? They spent another day together and after Kunikuzushi fell asleep, instead of waking up in his bed like usual, he was still on the ground just outside of the estate, with y/n nowhere to be found.
He wondered if hed ever see them again, always feeling guilty he vowed to save Inazuma so one day he could show them..Even if it took years he promised himself he'd find them and show them the world he created for them, so they could spend the rest of eternity together.
But, He was still just a teenager. He couldnt even leave the estate. He worried for the future.
As always, the years passed and all he could do was think about everything happening around him, wondering what he could do to help.
He often had dreams about the struggles inazumans went through daily, and one day he woke up finding dry tears in the corner of his eyes.
That had been his deepest regret.
That day he was stripped of everything he knew and thrown out.
All because of the empathy be felt towards his- the people of Inazuma.
His tears fell hard, his face had contorted into an expression of anguish. He's never felt this way, he was always satisfied with his life with the shrine maidens. But they were so quick to get him out of their home the moment they were told too.
He felt betrayed. His tears felt hot as they ran down his cheeks, his hands curled up into fists, his nails digging into his palm, leaving trails of blood flowing down to the wooden floors of the boat he was put on. He didnt know where he was going.
It seemed to direct itself, he was stuck with only himself for days. He soon found a knife in one of the crates. Although it was for cooking the rations he was given he used it to chop off his hair. The silky strands flew off the side off the boat, the wind making the cleaning process easier.
He soon found land on a cold region, he didnt know where to go or what to do, but he walked and walked. With the same knife he used for his hair he slaughtered the monsters that dared to get close to him. Clumsy at first, but he soon got the hang of it.
He let out all his anger those few days on that region. But when rations ran out and his body finally gave into the cold he found a hand reaching out to him.
Did someone actually want him? Tears ran down his face and he took the cold hand, shivers rans down his spine and he instantly knew it was a bad idea. But he could care less, this was the only person left who offered him any ounce of sympathy.
The risk was worth taking.