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1
"There's nowhere to run now, Kaedehara."
Shikanoin Heizou, renowned detective, smirked up at him, as he leant in even closer to Kazuha. They were barely an inch apart, pressed up against a wall in a dingy alleyway somewhere in the heart of Inazuma City. Kazuha was no fool, he knew he was a fugitive and he knew the Shogun would've sent people after him, but he hadn't expected an ambush this quickly, before he could even escape the city. Heizou was good .
"We're back to family names now, Shikanoin ?" he spat. "I didn't know you were so loyal to the very Shogun who wouldn't hesitate to take your vision."
Heizou glared, and Kazuha felt the cool blue of his sword press against his throat, almost drawing blood. Shit . He must've dropped it during the fight. He was injured badly, both from the incident at Tenshukaku and the fight with Heizou, and he was defenceless too.
" What are you implying." Heizou hissed, too close, and the blade pressed deeper.
"You're not exactly subtle about it. So," Kazuha leaned in, letting the sword slice through the surface of his skin. Blood trickled down his neck, and he whispered, lips by Heizou's ear, "what makes you so certain you're safe from the vision hunters yourself, detective."
If the situation hadn't been so dire, and Kazuha wasn't in so much pain, he might have cracked a smile at the flush that crossed Heizou's face.
Heizou was silent for a moment, then he grinned, too wide, too full of teeth, and Kazuha felt like he would bite.
"You're lucky I like you, Kaedehara. Now, get out of here. I won't be so merciful next time."
Kazuha felt the grip on him loosen, and the blade move from his neck. He eyed his sword, but opted not to push his luck. Perhaps the Freedom-Sworn would die on this day with Tomo. Kazuha was no longer free, after all.
With a final glance back at Heizou, he propelled himself up with anemo, and fled the city, hoping to reach Yashiori before daybreak.
-
2
Ritou in the dead of night felt haunting, silhouettes of ships rising up from the inky water, their masts touching the star studded sky. The normally bustling docks were almost desolate, the dockworkers having gone home long ago. Snippets of conversation from the tavern in the centre of town floated down, carried by cautious winds, the only noise in the empty silence of the port.
A flicker from the furthermost ship signalled to Kazuha. He had come to Ritou alone, in hopes of a final escape from Inazuma. Sure, it was dangerous to enter such a busy area where he could be reported at any moment, but the risk was well worth the reward.
Upon seeing the glow of a dockworker's lantern finally fade as he headed home, Kazuha moved from his hiding place, but before he could head down the pier, he felt a weight settle on his shoulder.
"Going somewhere, Kaedehara?"
Kazuha's eyes widened, and he tried to spin round and push Heizou off him, but his grip tightened.
Heizou moved closer, his breath hot on Kazuha's neck.
"I told you I wouldn't be so merciful next time, remember? I won't let you get on that ship."
Shit . How did Heizou find him anyway? His intuition was even more impressive than Kazuha had thought.
He struggled again, trying to reach for his sword, use his vision, anything . Heizou gasped as Kazuha's fist narrowly missed his jaw. Even so, he had a huge advantage, his hand-to-hand combat skills far surpassing Kazuha's.
Kazuha winced as he was thrown against the wall, Heizou's hand around his neck. Blood dripped from the corner of his mouth as he coughed.
"Hei- Shikanoin."
"What do you want? You're not exactly in the position to demand anything right now."
"You never answered my question from last time. How do you know you're safe from the vision hunters?"
"At least take me out for dinner before asking something so personal, darling ."
"Ah, my mistake. I thought we were close enough already, with how fond you are of pinning me to walls," Kazuha retorted.
Heizou almost choked, and in his moment of surprise, Kazuha shoved him off, and fled towards the ship awaiting him.
Heizou stared as the shadow of the ship melted into the darkness. Damn . He didn't even get a good enough glimpse at what ship it was, so had no way of pursuing. Ah well, he supposed this was Liyue's problem now.
-
3
The night was stormy, electric in the way only a god could make it. With every turn, the air felt more oppressive, pushing down as Kazuha and Gorou sprinted towards Tenshukaku, Watatsumi's soldiers following. Inazuma City's streets lay deserted, residents choosing to stay inside out of fear.
Kazuha grabbed Gorou's arm. "Wait," he whispered.
Before them, a silhouette strode from an alley, smirking at Kazuha.
"You've got a lot of guts, coming back here this soon. Even General Kujou thought we'd lost you. But my favourite fugitive returned, and even brought the whole resistance to me? How sweet!"
Kazuha stepped forward, eyes narrowed and hand on his sword hilt.
"Gorou, take the others and head to Tenshukaku. I've got this one."
Heizou made to chase after them, but Kazuha was uninjured now, and faster than he'd been before. A swift strike forced his opponent to leap backwards, and Kazuha made use of the opening to attack, his sword imbued with the speed and might of a thousand winds. Heizou was nimble though, and skilled, regaining his composure quickly.
"I see you've acquired a new sword," he taunted. "It's a shame, your swordsmanship isn't as good as I remembered."
With that, he lunged forward, fist glowing, but Kazuha ducked. The lack of impact set Heizou off balance, and left him wide open for a flurry of attacks. He attempted to dodge, but Kazuha was relentless, forcing Heizou back. He winced, clutching his bloody arm. With another burst of anemo, Kazuha had pushed him to the ground, and his sword was pointed at Heizou's neck. Blood beaded around the point as it dug in further.
For the first time, Heizou's eyes were wide with fear, but before he could speak, Kazuha has sheathed the sword in one fluid motion, and was walking towards Tenshukaku.
"Don't follow me, Shikanoin."
Even if Heizou had wanted to, he was stunned, frozen in place and bleeding badly. Kazuha had really improved since their last meeting.
-
+1
Inazuma City's suburbs were warm, sticky with humidity in the late afternoon sun. Kazuha sat beneath a maple tree, eyes closed and soaking in the sunlight, carefree now he was no longer a fugitive. He had missed this.
"Kaedehara."
Kazuha stood, shifting into his fighting stance. He knew that voice.
"The order for my arrest had been withdrawn. You have no business coming after me."
Heizou sighed.
"It's not that. I just thought, I never answered your question, right? And now that the Vision Hunt Decree has been abolished and you're no longer a wanted criminal, well, it seemed like a good enough opportunity." He grinned. "Provided, of course, that you can beat me in a fight again."
"I accept your challenge."
~
"Damn, you're good."
Heizou gazed up at Kazuha, eyes soft and even when covered in scrapes and cuts from their fight, he looked pretty, so pretty.
His breathing was heavy, and he smiled, cheeks flushed.
"I really want to kiss you right now."
Kazuha inhaled sharply. For once, the poet was lost for words.
"I- You- Oh archons, kiss me."
"It would be my pleasure."
He leant in, closing the gap between them.
The kiss felt like the softness of the wind through Kazuha's hair, tender, gentle, and he never wanted to let go of this feeling.
His hands were tangled in Heizou's hair when they stopped, and he felt hands on the back of his neck. Heizou rested his head on Kazuha's shoulder- so close- and Kazuha wanted nothing more than to kiss him again and again and again.
"You're beautiful, you know," Heizou murmured into his neck, barely audible if not for his heightened senses.
Kazuha smiled, and melted into the embrace.
They kissed again, once, twice, maybe more than that, longer and deeper, until Heizou pulled away.
"Well, see you around, Kazuha ."
-
Kazuha would realise later that Heizou still hadn't answered his question.