Chapter Text
When Kazuha's father told him to be free, to go and explore the world without regrets, he didn't quite understand at first. He loved his family and wanted to help his father in any way that he could, desperate to salvage the wreckage of their home. As he grew older, his father encouraged him more than ever to leave the past behind.
Kazuha made his decision in the end. After losing everything, his home and his family, he left. The remnants of his clan turned to ash before his eyes, and mere dust could not hope to keep him. He spent so long in his frustration, pondering on what-ifs and imagining all the ways he could have been better—but he was a child then. As time passed, he understood this, and understood that his father was right to believe their clan could not be saved.
Kazuha stumbled for a while. While he had basic survival knowledge from his personal interest in nature, he never had to live without all necessities at his fingertips. He knew how to start a fire in theory, but he struggled with it in practice. Such was the case in most things, and it wasn't long until Kazuha found himself hungry and weary more often than not. At the very least, he had his sword by his side to keep him safe, and the wind to guide him and help him avoid danger.
Months passed, ignorance gone with them. Slowly, Kazuha was forged in the fire of a wanderer's life, finding joy in the simplicity of warm winds and soft, green grasses. Poetry flew from his lips as naturally as breathing. He was even granted an Anemo Vision to aid him in battle.
He also met many people and parted ways with them all. He passed through villages and mountain valleys and sailed across the water.
Though at night, when all was still, he missed his family. It would be a lie to say he never thought of all he had lost and left behind, even if this life was better suited for him in the end.
Kazuha plucked a leaf to play on these melancholic nights, then let it float away to return to the earth as all things would. He settled down under the stars and dreamed.
—
A great roar sounded from the beast in front of him. Kazuha tried with all his might to push back against its brute strength, but he was lacking. As he looked around frantically for an escape, a sudden force pushed the beast away and Kazuha toppled over at the unexpected weight change.
Someone caught him around his middle. He looked up to see a head of blonde hair and eyes of purple thunder. The tall stranger stayed calm as he gazed upon Kazuha with concern. "You okay?"
Kazuha quickly righted himself. "Yes, thank you."
Another roar diverted their attention. The stranger lifted his sword, waiting for the chance to strike. The beast charged towards them, and Kazuha watched in wonder as the man made quick work of it, sending forth his lightning and dealing a fatal blow just as fast. The beast fell to the ground with a heavy thump.
The stranger turned around with an easy smile. "Glad I caught you in time. The name's Tomo, by the way."
"Kaedehara Kazuha," he responded politely.
A flash of recognition appeared in those striking eyes. "Kaedehara? I see, what a coincidence—I happen to be friends with some folks from the Kamisato clan."
Kazuha's expression lightened at the name of his clan's past benefactor. "Perhaps we were fated to meet, then."
Tomo grinned. "Seems so, my friend." He clapped a hand on the shorter man's shoulder. "Are you hungry? I think we can get a good meal or two out of this thing," he said and jerked his head in the general direction of the felled beast.
Kazuha nodded. "That sounds great, thank you. If you like, I can cook."
"Oh, that'll be a big help. I'm not exactly the best with food," he said with a chuckle.
Kazuha shook his head. "I'm sure that's not true. Still, I'd be glad to help."
Tomo didn't bother to refute him and started walking. "There's a good place to set up camp nearby. Let's go there."
Kazuha, already feeling lighter than he had in a while, nodded.
Just from the first day of meeting him, Kazuha learned a lot from Tomo. He learned the most efficient ways to cut meat, how to set up a more comfortable camp, and other little things that Kazuha likely would have taken years to pick up. In turn, Kazuha showed him how to cook a deliciously tender steak. He believed that food was meant to be enjoyed in any situation, and that was especially important when you had such limited ingredients to work with.
Tomo savored every bite. "Oh man, this is delicious. How about I catch all the food and you cook it for me, from now on?" he joked.
"I wouldn't mind," said Kazuha.
It took a moment for his words to register in Tomo's mind. "We just met today, though!"
Kazuha huffed a laugh. "How about we make it a deal, then? I cook all our food and help you out, and you share more of your knowledge with me. I'm not as experienced as you, after all."
Tomo's stare remained serious for a moment, then broke into a soft smile. "Really? Sounds like a plan. I won't complain about the company either; the life of a wandering samurai is a lonely one."
Nothing was more true. Kazuha could certainly use a friend.
"Can I call you Kazuha, by the way?"
"Of course."
Tomo's grin rivaled the setting sun behind him. Perhaps it was the loneliness talking, but the man made a beautiful picture. "Here's to our new adventure, Kazuha."
Wherever he went, the wind would travel alongside him. Now, he had a companion by his side as well. In the morning they picked fruit off of trees to eat, then they would walk to nowhere in particular, fighting enemies along the way. Kazuha thought that they worked extraordinarily well together; with his wind powering Tomo's deadly lightning and capturing their enemies in a vortex. He soon became accustomed to the taste of electricity in the air.
On slow days, which occurred more often than not, they would learn more about each other.
"I actually like sweet things, " Tomo admitted. "Since I can only get them in towns, they're like a delicacy. Though, otherwise, I suppose I really like fish."
Kazuha nodded. "Me too. Hmm, shall we go fishing today?"
"I like the way you think," said Tomo.
Without rods, they had to remove their shoes and step into the water to catch fish. Kazuha used his Vision to swirl the fish from the water up into the air and over to land. Tomo laughed and did his best to grab as many as he could. It went by quickly this way, and by the time they had around six fish, they decided it was more than enough.
"What am I even here for?" said Tomo with a grin.
Kazuha shook his head with a smile of his own. He wrung out the soaked ends of his pants and dried off his legs before putting his shoes on. "Don't say that. You've been a great friend to me in the few days we've known each other."
Tomo's smile softened and they made their way to a small fire pit they prepared beforehand. With a purple spark from Tomo, the fire was lit and they began roasting.
"That's new," said Kazuha. Before that day, Tomo would always start fires manually.
"I never thought of using my Vision for mundane tasks, but then I saw how you handled yours earlier."
"Yes, Visions are a blessing but I believe they're also tools for us to use," he said.
"A blessing, huh?"
Kazuha tilted his head curiously.
Tomo shook his head, hair bouncing with the movement. "Nevermind. Anyway, since I have one, I might as well use it to make my life easier. Although…I hope I don't become too dependent on it."
"Visions are a part of us and never leave, so I don't think you'd need to worry about that."
"But what if one day, we are without our Visions, or their power is blocked off? Would we be able to survive after relying on them so often?"
Kazuha's eyes widened at this line of questioning, and he wasn't sure of what to say. He had never thought about these things before.
Tomo chuckled at his speechlessness. "Well, as you say, perhaps we will never have to worry. And without fundamental knowledge and skills, these Visions would be useless anyway."
"...Certainly," said Kazuha. Part of him wondered if Tomo backtracked just to spare him. He hadn't realized his friend harbored such thoughts.
"And if we stick together, I'm sure we'll be alright."
Kazuha's heart warmed at his kind words. "I believe so as well."
Tomo smiled at him and looked at the fish. "How's it going?"
"They're done now." He took them away from the fire and stuck the branches into the ground to let them cool off for a second. He was distracted by the conversation and internally thanked Tomo for redirecting it when he did, or else the fish would have ended up overcooked. Once their food reached an edible temperature, they ate.
"Wow…this is the best thing I've ever eaten," Tomo said.
Kazuha let out a little laugh. "You're exaggerating."
Tomo shook his head. "No, the outside is perfectly crispy while the inside remains tender.…I don't know how you do it. It really is very good."
Kazuha was used to all kinds of behaviors, but receiving praise was not one of them. While his father was kind, he was always too stressed to take note of the things his son achieved. His past travel companions also treated everything he did as if it were simply to be expected. Kazuha's face felt a little too warm, so he leaned away from the fire.
"Thanks," he said.
"No need."